Sunday, September 07, 2008

Some New Discoveries...

ggbridgeOur trip to San Francisco early last week wasn't as easy as we hoped. That said, it wasn't the nightmarish experience we've had in the past. Allie definitely rides better in our new van than she did in our little Plymouth Vibe. She can ride for longer stretches of time. But after awhile, she's done. If we don't recognize she's hit the wall soon enough, she has a meltdown and uses the most feared weapon in her arsenal: projectile vomit.

While the trip wasn't easy, it did provide some fresh insight. There are things Allie can handle that we didn't know about. Also, we learned that if we manage our time well, we'll be able to plan and head off her melt-downs before they get going. We just need to learn to read the signals (a talent I've never had but am developing).

We learned this: Allie does well in restaurants seated at the table in her little, portable highchair. In our apartment, we have very little room downstairs so we eat our meals in the living room on trays; there's no room for a table where we can all eat together. That means that the charming and beautiful Susan and I rarely eat together. One eats while the other either feeds or plays with Allie. But now, we've discovered that we can all eat together at a table. So, while down in the City, we ate together in the hotel restaurant. Now that we're home, we'll plan outings together as a family to eat. Which is what we did this morning. This is something we took for granted raising Charity and Aaron, but we weren't sure we'd ever be able to take Allie out. But we can. That's huge.

We're glad we learned a few lessons about driving distances with Allie, too. This will come in handy, soon, since we're praying about returning home to Florida now that are new little family is legally intact. We'll take our time and drive, is what we're thinking. So keep us in your prayers as we pray and plan.

Here's a little greeting from Allie:

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

As always, our prayers our with you. God bless you and your family as you have completed this step and prepare for the next one.

Anonymous said...

Aww. She totally waved her hand when you told her to say hi! She's so cute.

Anonymous said...

That trip was a great boost, wasn't it! You gained the final approval to claim Allie as your daughter, and you learned some things that will make life a little better for all of you. And I just don't know how this little girl could be any more precious!

Thodgson said...

Continuing to lift you all in prayer. I know really that there is no driving through the Outer Banks of NC on the way to anywhere, but know you have folks here with cool hotel contacts :0) Come anytime!!

Bryonm said...

how far from Cherry Point are you? i used to be stationed there...

Thodgson said...

we're about 3.5 hrs from Cherry Point. My hubby was stationed in Jacksonville 88-92 along with some ship duty too...