27 months 20 days

Day 843. Last night I headed to bed around 11:30, but it was a while before I got to fall asleep. At first there were no kids, but it wasn't for long, and then Emmy and Tammy came at the same time. Since we had added water to our waterbed, the mattress was pretty full, which meant it was easier to roll off on the side. It also meant our small bed was even smaller, trying to stay away from the edges. And the leaks also seemed worse than before. It was a really rough night, the kids waking up a lot, crying, one time the cats came in, and in the morning they were up what seemed really early, but it was somewhere around 7 am, when we got up.

We went to the kitchen to feed the cats, and then I started making breakfast, while Randy was giving them fresh diapers. They are now able to put a series of words together to make themselves understood, but there are still times when I cannot understand what they're saying, especially when they're throwing a fit. That was the case this morning. I knew Tammy wanted something to eat, but I could not make out what it was she wanted. And so I just kept making their food and offering her different things. We sat down to eat, and when she pointed at Sammy's cereal, I finally understood that that was what she wanted. And in a cup. I gave it to her, but she didn't even eat that much of it. And then Emmy wanted it as well, and I don't know if he touched it at all. At least he ate some of his omelet, while the girl tends to only eat watermelon.

Then I took them to the bathroom to clean them up, brush their teeth, and dress them. Then we went to the living room, where we read a Bible story, and then we opened the advent calendars. Then I went to the back to turn the computer on and work. It wasn't long before they started coming, and after Emmy fell just after 9 am, he was crying to see Amadou. He also wanted to see the sheep. And so I asked him to come over.
Emmy was all excited to see him and couldn't wait to put on shoes to go outside with him. Randy decided to go with them together with Sammy. They weren't gone for long. Once back Amadou stayed to play with them, much to Emmy's delight.

As time went on, and Amadou left, they were coming and going as usual, with me trying to work, whether they were with me or not. They were getting cranky and constantly want to drink milk - instead of water. We had leftovers today, and when I went to the kitchen to get the food ready, I was thankful that they were watching Christian/Christmas videos with Margit on her phone.

Just before noon we sat down to eat. They obviously don't like spagetti with meat sauce and barely ate anything. Instead they ate salami and yoghurt. Paul can't buy the yoghurt fast enough as fast as they eat them. Then I cleaned them up and dressed them, and it was nap time. It was a challenge to even get them to lie down. After a few minutes I lay down between them, which helps sometimes but not always. Randy also stayed since Tammy wanted him sitting next to her, and then Emmy wanted his Daddy by him. Eventually they fell asleep, some time after 1:15, and I with them.

It wasn't long before I woke up, and given all the work I had, I got up even though I was pretty tired. And then Paul came over and needed me. Sammy woke up rather early, and I took him to Randy, and while I was with Paul, I suddenly heard Emmy. I got him and took him to the living room, and when Randy returned to our bedroom to give him a fresh diaper, Tammy also woke up. They hadn't slept as long as usual, so they were a bit cranky.

And that's when Emmy wants to see his friend Amadou, our oldest who grew up with us and now helps with the children. Paul came over and agreed to take Emmy and Tammy with him to see the sheep, and Amadou brought them back a few minutes later. He had to leave again, but after he was done watering the plants, he came to play with them.

With our Malian kids not in school on Wednesday afternoon, they do their homework earlier, and Margit helped them once again, which is great for them and for her. She came over later and played with the kids. Sammy is often cranky and wants to be held all the time, and it was great to see him comfortable with Margit today. He's also been adding words to his vocabulary. This morning he was saying "Katze" (cat), and when Randy asked him questions this afternoon, whether he wanted this or that snack, he answered "no" several times.

At one point I sat down with them as they wanted to do their sticker books. Sammy was really cranky at that point, and I had to throw him around for a while, which always makes him laugh. I just cannot close to the door to where I'm working, as they'll cry so hard, and so I let them in. One time they were both sitting on my lap, talking to Grandma, and also watching Barbapapa for a few minutes.

They both love playing with the broom, and when Fanta does some housework, they grab the broom every chance they get. They also grab other stuff they shouldn't. Randy is in the living room, and I'm in the bedroom working, but there is a hallway with two shelves and a bathroom in between, where neither one of us can see them.

At 5:30 I started making their dinner, and we sat down to eat a few minutes before 6. It was a typical dinner time, with Tammy only eating watermelon and yoghurt, and Emmy eating omelet and watermelon. Sammy also likes watermelon the best, even though we haven't had the most tasty ones recently.

After dinner I took them to the bathtub, where they were having fun. Then we got them out and ready for bed, and Randy read a Bible story to them, then I prayed for them and we put them to bed. It was just after 7 pm. They give us a challenge every time, but they seemed more tired tonight, and so they were already all asleep by just after 7:30. I left to get something to eat, and then went back to work.