Day 714. Last night I headed to bed at 1:20. Just as I was getting into bed, Tammy came walking up to me, and I walked her back to her bed where she lay back down and continued sleeping. It's the first time she's done that. This morning It was her again who was the first one to come to me. She lay down on my chest. When Emmy came a little while later, that spot he goes to was occupied which was an issue. I put Tammy down on the bed between us, but that woke her up, and then Emmy couldn't sleep or rest either, and they were both up and soon gone together to cause mischief. They woke Sammy up, and then it wasn't long before Emmy asked for food. So I got up, gave them milk then a banana, and made their cereal that they never touched - except for Sammy who still eats his whole cup. Instead they ate salami and cheese and snacks. Then I cleaned them up, dressed them, and took them downstairs, where I turned worship music on, gave them the instruments, and we worshipped God together. Then I gave them their Bibles. Once Randy came, I left them, went upstairs to clean up and then work.
I was pretty tired as always, but started working - until I could not go on any longer. I set my alarm for 10:30 and closed my eyes. It was a rough awakening when it went off, and I was so very tired, I could not make myself get up. I decided to swich today's and tomorrow's lunch, so I just had to warm up yesterday's leftovers, which would be quick. Just after 11 am I called everyone upstairs to eat.
They don't eat much any more. After the lentil soup, I gave them their icecream, and then they wanted pudding as well. Good thing they're preemies who are underweight and need calories. Once they were done, I gave them a sink bath, dressed them and put the boys to bed, while Randy took Tammy downstairs. Emmy needed me to stay with him, but then he was asleep fast, and Tammy could go to bed. She wanted Daddy, and Randy sat down on the chair by her bed, and that way she fell asleep fast as well. I did all the cleanup, and then continued the French translation of our newsletter, but I was not able to get it done today. Emmy woke up first, and rather early, and - very unusual - Tammy also woke up at that time, and so Randy took them downstairs. Sammy also woke up, and I took him downstairs as well, and then continued working.
When I heard them crying, I decided it was time to call them upstairs for their afternoon snack. It was about 2:40. I cut up some fruit for them that I set in two bowls that went out on the balcony for them to help themselves. I also blew bubbles, and need to buy some more. I let Emmy try to blow them, and a few times he succeeded. They had the greatest fun when I was blowing slowly making huge bubbles instead of small ones that then popped right into my face.
After they were done eating, I made their dinner boxes for church, and they had some bread with cream cheese in the process. Then I chose their clothes, and we dressed them for church. Everyone was ready to leave half an hour too early, and I used the time to continue translating a little. At 4 pm we finally left the house. Today Tammy wanted to take her doll along, and so Emmy had to have one as well. At the train station, they sat on the bench and looked at the old lady sitting nearby. We took the train, and then the tram to go to church. Tammy came out of the stroller and sat on a bench with me, and looked through the public transportation magazine. She sat still the whole time, while I shut my eyes, because I was so tired I couldn't help it.
We got to church a few minutes before the service started. They enjoyed the flags again during worship. At 5:30 I grabbed their food and we headed upstairs to the toddler room, where they were among the first to arrive. We sat down at the table, and they started eating. But they were so distracted, looking at everyone else, that I had to put the food into their mouths. Tammy also started getting the toy horses that are nearby. Just before 6 pm they were done, and Sammy arrived, and then the program started already.
Today there were more children than usual. They are doing a great job doing a program on the kids' level. Tammy and Emmy were watching and participating a little, and especially interested in all the props the teacher brought out. Then she put a sheep skin on an older girl who came in on all fours pretending to be a sheep. All three were scared, but the boys freaked out and clung to me. Tammy eventually even walked over and stroked the "sheep", while the other kids were giving it cucumber to eat. They all thought it was real. And the boys stayed upset and held on to me, with Sammy even crying. They were glad, when the sheep left, but stayed close to me.
Then she got out crowns and put them on our three and everyone sang a birthday song for them, one after another. It's two more weeks until their birthday, but we're not gonna be here for a good number of weeks. In any case, they did not like having something on their heads, and took it off fast. And because she had only two crowns, she made one out of blue paper for Sammy.
Then the program was over, and it was playtime. The boys were still talking about the sheep and staying close to me. The teacher thought maybe it would help to show them the skin and let them touch it, but it just freaked them out just as much. Tammy left to play, but not Emmy. I finally got him to go to the play kitchen he enjoys so much, and then it was already time to tidy up and leave.
We returned to the sanctuary, where the service was about to end. Someone had a dog there, and of course they immediately went to it. Tammy started patting it, which gave Emmy the courage to do so too after a while. But their movements were too abrupt, and the dog didn't like it and started snapping, so we left. Emmy wanted Sonja, and so we started walking around and found her. Our friend Renate was there too. It was great seeing them.
Then we loaded them up and left. We took the tram, and were lucky to get to the train just before it left. That way we got home around 7:45 pm. We gave them the rest of their food, as they were suddenly hungry, and put them to bed. I had to sit with them for a while before they fell asleep. And the doorbell rang before they were asleep, which got them up again, but thankfully not for long.
It was after 8:30 before we sat down to eat our delivered food and watch the second half of last week's movie. I got really tired in the end and didn't get up right away. And then there was a loud sound, like an explosion. We think that lightning hit right were we are. Emmy was up screaming and left his bed. I quickly went upstairs and met him before he could get to the staircase. For some reason the gate was not closed. I held him and sat down by his bed. There was some more thunder, but not for long, and eventually he let me put him to bed. But I still had to stay so I got my computer and sat down by him. However, the lightning must have damaged the internet line, because even now, in the afternoon of the next day, the internet is still not working. After a while I left his side, did the dishes, and sat down to write my update, but I was too tired to finish it. At 12:45 am I headed to bed.
