10-6 Celebration Party Night

Hello Again,

Yesterday was our first visit with Luke since he left our care. It was so thrilling and hard and complex, all in one.

We had decided ahead of time that we were not going to tell him "We've missed you so much!!!" We have, but we thought that might make him feel bad and discontent and guilty if he didn't miss us when he left. So we have focused on saying, "We are SO GLAD to see you!!!" and trying to emphasize the positive. And we were!

We went and watched his little flag football game on Tuesday. In my mind he would come running across the field, jumping into my arms with the biggest hug you've ever seen. In reality he ignored us during the game. Afterwards we went over to where they were taking pictures and getting snacks. I had to call him over and then had to ask for a hug. He gave it, but didn't talk to us. It was kind of shattering. But I understood. There was, undoubtedly, a lot of confusion..."I live with them now...am I supposed to hug you still?  What can I say? Am I supposed to talk to you?" I'm sure this will lighten as we get more and more visit-history behind us. It was still tough on me.

Last night he came in with huge hugs and kisses. It was glorious.

I've decided to make our every other Friday night just a family night for now. I made his favorite (shrimp and edamame) and he and I whipped up some Rice Krispie treats right before supper. We used goblets for our milk and had candles on the table. (Nothing but the snazziest at my house!) After supper he played with the dogs outside. Then it was shower time.

After he was clean and jammed we played several rounds of UNO. He mopped up on Loy and me. He was so excited, "I won! I won!" That's when the mom in me lectured that you always have to be a good sport and tell the other person "Good Game." He came back with, "Good Game, Losers!" I think we need a little work on our sportsmanship.

We convinced Loy to make the best nachos in the world for our snack (he really is renowned in our family for that), cozied up with a bottle of root beer (isn't root beer always so much better in a glass bottle?) and we watched one of the Muppet movies until really, really late (9:45!!) It was so great to snuggle up with my boy and give him lots of loves and squeezes.

Today was Donut Day with Loy, then we just hung out and read books and baked bread. We also sorted out all the toys in the basement, which was so fun. Many of those toys hadn't seen the light of day for years. All afternoon we sat pretty much side by side and talked to each other on walkie talkies. That was pretty lame and annoying, let me tell you!! And, call me old fashioned, but we did NOT play video games. I'm not going to waste what little time I had on that.

We Watleys are nothing if not exciting, aren't we? But I am convinced that it's the little routines that make things memorable and special. I'm going to try and follow this same game plan for all our visits (but I know there will be exceptions).

I'll admit that, when Luke was in our care, there were Saturdays that just dragged on and on and on...I would think, "Isn't it time to put him to bed yet???" But this weekend the clock hands just seemed to be on fast forward. Before I knew it, it was 4:30 and time to take him back.

But at least now we realize that the sun will still come up tomorrow and that we will see our little guy in 12 sleeps and next time we get two sleeps over here!!! YIPPEE!!

Sleep well, little Lukie. I love you.