Sam Sibley: Days 5 and 6

So naptime around here wasn't so blissful yesterday because we were late returning from the park, and since Sam fell asleep in the Ergo during that long walk, he decided it was party time. Basically, naptime didn't happen and last night Ted and I were able to go out for a much needed date! Anyway.. here is what we have been up to.

Yesterday morning, we wandered. It wasn't really intentional wandering.. as we were trying to find a specific park North of the Unicentro mall complex. Between search for the opening the previous day as well as searching from the other side yesterday, we ended up circling the entire park as well as a few condo complexes before finally having success and getting into the door. Prior to finally finding the door, we were able to get advice from a random trash guy during one of Ben's spontaeous moments of public urination. "Don't mind us Colombians.. just helping our kid pee on your tree in our upscale condo complex.. thanks for letting us into your park!!" Fist pump.

Here is us wandering the streets in search of the public park entry..



Once finding the park.. we had good times.



Yesterday afternoon, Alecia came over to meet the kids and chat about helping me here and there for the next few weeks. Thank you Rachel DeMaster for helping me out with this! Alecia is going to give me and Ted a few date nights after Sam is in bed, as well as give me a couple hours break to run errands (or whatever) when I am on my own next week. She came by last night to hang out with our kids for a few hours while they watched Star Wars and then slept. Ted and I headed out to the Usaquean neighborhood for some fantastic Italian!



We ran around so much yesterday we tried to keep things mellow around here today. We had intended to head out to our first (of likely a few) Montserrat visits, but it was pouring rain. Instead, Lucas and I headed out for a coffee and cupcakes date in the morning.. I now know the day staff at the local Juan Valdez pretty well. Coffee boy thoroughly enjoyed my use of the Thomas Train umbrella.



We now alternate a morning and afternoon "date" which each older Sibley. Today Lucas went with me in AM and Ben with Ted for juice in the afternoon. Tomorrow, we swap.

We didn't get good pictures of the next activity, so you FANA folks will need to add this to your list! There is a kids play area called "Diversity" in the Santa Fe Mall. It takes about 15 minutes to cab there in low traffic.. about 10 mil cab ride fee. Anyway, for about $15 USD, your kid gets to act out about 20 different careers, dress up style. They earn "money" at each station and can pay for food and treats along the way. Today, our boys were Firefighters and Astronauts, as well as Construction workers. It was complete with real fire trucks, outfits, and a fire that they had to put out. At the end of their trip, they got a certificate for bravery! We apologize that we don't have good pictures this time around but there was a miscommunication about who had the camera in the backpack. Given the amount of rainy days in Bogota during this season, we expect to be doing this again during our time here.

Following that, we had naptime drama again because Ben fell asleep in the cab and Sam had snoozed a bit in the ergo. I really needed a breather today during rest time so Ted planned to stay with the kids. I hadn't been on the streets of Bogota alone since Sept 2008 when I had to guy buy baby Lucas' plane ticket! I took a nice long walk, and then found myself at Crepes and waffles for some much needed reading to refuel my tank.



By the way, really loved "Barefoot Church" by Brandon Hatmaker! Mucho recommend.

After all the not napping that happened when I was gone, we just bummed around here and I needed to go to Carulla for necessities and we chatted with Ted's parents via skype before dinner.

Things took rough turn after that, when Sibley Child 2 and Sibley Child 3 each hit some emotional walls. It was rough.. day 6 is right on track for the realess of this to set in and the grief to hit some climax. An hour later, Child 2 was calmed and comforted and asleep. Child 3 was sniffing quietly in his space after a very sad episode of grief.. Mommy was recovering from the inevitable cry that was bound to happen at some point.. and some wine has been poured. I'm glad I took that time this afternoon to re-group and remember the big picture of what this is about. Just like with Ben, every bit of love and comfort we try to give our kids is not in vain. It just takes time. God sits there with us while we cry and swing at him too.. and sometimes its not about covering up when our kids are going through.. but just being there with. "With" is just so hard to watch sometimes, because I want to fix it and make it better. Healing will come, and eventually Sam will know that he is safe and he is loved and that baths and diaper changes are not evil and sad things.. and that every time I pick him up it isn't to take him away again.

So we soldier on, loving our beautiful kids. I think they are pretty awesome, future Senators of America for sure.. and perhaps they will even make lots of noise advocating for little kiddos stuck in the system along the way. The worth of a little person is not measured by the nature and place of their conception and birth. Little people grow into big people, who will make our world better.

Cheers.