When I was preparing for the girls to move to their family member's home, I had to organize a notebook. A notebook of all their personal details. Doctor visits, prescription medications, TARC evaluations, schedules, and anything else I have documented about them while they've lived in my home. Both girls have books. They are referred to as Red Books. They get their descriptive title from their color.
While going through all their paperwork, the book begins to take on it's own life. It reminds me of one of those flip books you make as a kid. As you flip through the drawings the book comes to life. As you flip through the pages of a Red Book, a child's life flashes before your eyes.
So what would you see in the twins' Red Books? Here's a quick peek:
Doctor office visits: 27
Prescription medications: 39
ER visits: 2
Blood Lab Visits: 7
Specialty Doctor Visits: 1
TARC sessions: 11
Court dates: 3
Case meetings: 4
I also have more than 250 pictures of each of the girls for their family to keep. I've documented most of their life in pictures so their family doesn't feel left out of their childhood.
When I look through their Red Books I see all the heartaches we've had. The constant illness we always fight and the court and meetings I've endured. But I also see the exciting days we've shared. And the people that have loved on my girls with me.
I see all those doctor visits, hospital visits, and lab visits. And I see our pediatrician and nurse that have become friends. That call me just to check on the girls when we haven't been to the office in a few weeks. That pretend they're going to help me hide the girls so they can't leave my home. That greet us at the door when we arrive for appointments and take a carrier from me because I probably look like I'm about to pass out. I also see the head nurse at the ER that recognizes our names because we've spent so much time there and in the lab department. That's the nurse that comes to find me when she sees we've checked in, just to see the girls and say Hi to me. And bumps us up on the list of patients so we don't have to wait so long. I also see our TARC team. The ladies that come to my home and always tell me I'm a good mom. The therapists that show me new ways of helping the girls develop those pesky large motor skills. Our Sabra. She's our number one TARC friend. I can never say enough good things about her. If you ever receive services from TARC, make sure you ask for Sabra!
For a very long time their Red Books would show the girls' deficits. Their delays in development. Their health issues. Their lack of weight gain and growth. And the long road they seemed to have ahead of them when they first moved into my home. And now, now their books reflect all our exciting changes. When it seemed they would never simply roll over. Or swallow without choking. I've learned how incredibly difficult it is for a child to grow and develop. I've also learned how incredibly exciting it is to watch a child grow and develop.
They never develop at the same time, but if one does something new the other one soon follows. The first time they rolled over. When they sat without falling over. Their first tooth. Crawling! Gaining an ounce is always a huge party at the doctor's office. And now they're putting weight on their legs and standing with help. I'm always asked how old they are because both of their petite 16 pound bodies make them look much younger than they are. And when strangers assume they can walk, based on their age, and set them on their feet and let their hands go. Noooo!!! Cue the slow-mo action movie clip as I dive to their rescue before they face plant.
They've got it rough sometimes. And it's unfortunately due to poor choices prior to their birth. But I love these little girls. And I'll continue to spend my days in doctor offices and not-so-fun meetings for them. Getting to be a small part of their life is worth it. Getting to celebrate the developmental milestones is worth it. Getting to watch them grow and share the joy they bring me is worth every documented event in their Red Books.
