And....We're Done.

Today was our last full day at the beach and #3 decided to go out with a bang.  You never know what is going to set him off.....his brothers, looking at him wrong, the grass being green...you name it and it could be what sets him off. 

He woke up in a pretty goofy mood.  I asked him if he wanted to go to the pool and he held on to me so I wouldn't get out of bed....he wanted to snuggle.  He was laughing so I thought that he was in a good mood.  We even got out to the pool earlier than usual cuz everybody was ready to go! 

I couldn't really tell you when it started or how it started, but Hubby was talked to him and when I tried to go over to him....
Hubby:  He really doesn't want to talk to you right now.
Me:  But he's face down in the water....he's trying to drown himself.
Hubby:  I'm telling you, he's fine....leave him alone he doesn't want to talk to you. 
...and he was right.  I mean, I'm not gonna let my kid just stay face down in the water....but Hubby was right.  He didn't want to talk to me and he was fine....he was coming up for air.

Then the meltdown came....he started crying.  And not only crying, but yelling "I WANNA GO HOME RIGHT NOW".  Apparently our #s really want us to have attention at the pool this year.  Then I go to him and he holds on to me and then he says he hit his head on the side of the pool while I'm holding him.  Now I'm not gonna lie....he could have very well hit his head, but I saw no red spot and I didn't even see him do it.  I'm not gonna argue with him, but we were getting out of this pool.

We sit in the shade and he's still crying and he still wants to go home RIGHT NOW...
Me:  We can't go home....we're staying here one more night...want to go to the condo?
#3:  No...I don't want to live upstairs any more.  I don't want to be in the pool.  I don't want to see the ocean....I WANNA GO HOME.
.....and to the condo we went. 

First he wanted to take a bath.
Then the water didn't come out fast enough.
Then the water wasn't high enough.
Then the water was too cold. 
Then the cup didn't hold enough water.
Then he got soap in his eyes.
Then the towel was too big.
Then he didn't know what to wear. 

FINALLY...the kid comes out in clothes and he has a snack of cookies.  Yes, I realize that the last thing a kid with severe ADD needs are cookies, but guess what....HE GOT COOKIES AND I GOT ABOUT TWO MINUTES OF NO MELTDOWN.

Now you're saying...just two minutes?  See, #3's meltdowns end in a nap.  So we weren't finished yet.

He wanted some lavender oil on his face.  Then he decided he wanted lemon....then he decided that they were burning off his face.  BURNING OFF HIS FACE!  Seriously, I couldn't make this stuff up.  So there is screaming from #3 and I am about as calm as a cucumber because I know I'm almost there....I'm almost at the end because I saw his eyes get very heavy.

He finally smothered his face in a cold paper towel and decided to talk....about everything under the sun.  I bundled him up in a soft blanket and within three minutes, that kid was O-U-T....and slept for about 2 1/2 hours.  Totally different kid and didn't remember all that happened before he fell asleep. 

As I held him before Hubby and #1 and #2 came back, I realized that God sure did bless me with this child.  I hear all the time "I couldn't do it" or "I can't believe you have to do that"....but God knew that not only could we handle #3 and make sure we get the best out of him, God knew that we would love him unconditionally.  And I truly do.  Even with the thousands upon thousands of dollars that we have spent (and continue to spend) to help him and all the doctor visits, therapy visits and testing visits we have to make (and will continue to make)....without #3, I couldn't imagine our life by numbers!