Holiday Recap

Better late

than Never

so here goes

a Christmas post

one last time.

Christmas Eve

was met 

with some old 

traditions...

these lights

have been bubbling

on my Mom's tree

since before 

I was born.

and some new...

watching my children

attempt, key word

to open 

their gifts.

I will spare us all

with every single photo

but BEFORE openning

pretty much every gift

both of them

had to

play with

pick up

and

sit on

every single gift.

Then they would

attempt, again key word

to unwrap

someone would assist

make an initial rip

here or there

you know

the kids would follow

continue with the rip

but once they had

a piece of paper 

actually in their hands

that was it

game over

piece of paper

is way more fun 

than unwrapping

a big box.

Duhhh

So we went with it

carried on 

openned and played

openned and played

lots of laughs

as evident in 

this year's 

Christmas Family Photo

hey you can't win em all

 

This was an attempt
at getting the two of them
to actually sit, ha
for a photo together
after this quick snap
Easton then catapulted
himself right out of the chair.

Once we got home

Buddy, the elf

made his last appearance

for the Holiday Season

then off to the North Pole

he went 

till next year.

He might be renamed

next year?

If the kids 

will be able to...

we will see.

No Buddy

you are NOT a

Cottonheaded Ninny Muggins!

Christmas Morning
arrived with excitement
before heading to the tree
both of them had to
ride the new turtle
they got the day before.
We had to put a
Boppy pillow
under it
so Azalea's lil legs
could reach the floor.

Openning gifts

was a bit of the same

play with box

play with paper

kinda unwrap

play with more paper

eventually

play with new toy.

Easton got a new

Patch Pal

Patchy, the Pirate

I have a feeling

there is more

of this to come.

Among many things

Azalea got a scare

from Daddy's new 

bear claw slippers.

Too funny!

She is just now

getting more comfortable

being in the same room

with 

them.

And Mommy
got her shot!
Love it.
Love them.
Love the love
they share.

Christmas Day

ended with more 

tradition

more family

and one last 

family photo.

I'll take it.

I'll take all of it.

We had a Merry

Christmas.

Chirstmas Magic

When he looses

his contact

again

for the gazillionth time

it feels like

it's never 

gonna let up.

You check

his clothes

his crib

his highchair

the kitchen

the living room

the hallway

under toys

and at some point

you just

stop

but the funny things is

your instinct to look

really doesn't

stop.

 

So I'm eating dinner

I look down 

and there it is

a little tiny shinny spot

on the carpet

in the middle of the house

where the most traffic is

where we all looked

and walked over 

so many times.

Christmas Magic

the Contact Fairy

who knows

but we got it

back,

I still believe!

 

So Grandma and I

packed the kids 

in the car

while Daddy stayed 

home and baked 

Christmas Cookies.

 

We were feelin it

that Christmas Magic

so off to see 

Santa 

we went.

It was a perfect night

cold but not freezing

the line to see Him

was just long enough

so we waited.

She professionally

people watches.

He goes

He sees

He touches

They were perfect

It was perfect

The suspense

was building

the children 

were buzzing.

We arrived

on his sleigh!

The jingle bells

were jingling.

The little boy

was touching.

The little girl 

was watching...

a train up above.

 

And then...

I think 

everyone has

a memory

a feeling

a sight

a smell

of that momemt

your moment 

with Santa.

To bring your child

my children

to this moment

and see 

it happen

for the first time

the Magic 

is undeniable.

 

He who

doesn't go first

who is 

oh so shy

was the first

was not afraid.

And then

you start

to believe

even more

in that Magic.

 

She who 

normally leads

followed her

brother's lead

this time.

We were there

in His presense.

Christmas Magic

Pure fun

that is all 

I can say.

It was 

pure fun!

We came home 

to the smell 

of freshly baked

Christmas Cookies.

Can Christmas

get any better

than this?!

Let's just clarify

one last thing...

yes, he bakes

but I frost!  ;)

Merry Chirstmas!

Wishing everyone

a bit of that 

Christmas Magic!

Don't waste it

Been feeling
many different
feelings
lately.

 We started something
new...

The kids go
to a babysitter
once a week
for two hours.
They have only
been with family
till now.
I felt they needed
to get used to
this new concept
to get used to
the new babysitter
and give me a chance
to simply
catch up
on MY life.

I knew Easton
would have
the harder time.
They both
are fine with
me leaving,
I go quietly.
The sitter says
they do great
have fun
play
snack
crafts, etc.

But both times now
when I come back
Easton sees me
and starts to cry
almost like
he finally realizes
what just happened.

 
Azalea, of course
is the opposite
she just looks up
and smiles
and is pretty much
ready to do
whatever is next.
She gave
new meaning to
Miss. Independent
literally
the day
she was born.

I know I know
what is two hours?!
Yes, it flies by.
Yes, it breaks my heart
to leave
to come back
to see him cry
to see them have fun
without me.

But I also felt
something new,
Mom adreniline?!
I don't know
what else to call it.

I get home
I relax for
a moment
and then
I don't want
to waste it.
I find something
to do
and
I do it.
I do it with
Mom adreniline
like a crazy lady.

Yes, because
I have two hours
but also because
they are not
with me
they are not
with family
so I will
not waste
this time.
I will use it
I will do it
I will be the best
I can be
especially since
I let them be
without me.

I feel like
when I go back to
work
when I go back to
my life
when I go back to
them
I want to be better.
I want the
sacrifices
to be for
something.

I will be
a better teacher
because I am
not with
them
and I will be
a better Mom
when I am
finally
back with
them. 

Does this
make sense...
Mom adreniline.

With it being
the end of
the year
and
the start of
a new one,
my last one
with them
home
with them
with Easton's Eye
being... well
what it is.

 
I just don't
want to
waste it.

I don't want to
waste anything
time
moments
opportunities
health
none of it.

Don't waste it!

Christmas Prayer

Just when
you think

the Eye is 

semi predictable

think again.

Went to the Eye Dr.

yesterday

his Eye pressure

for monitoring 

his Glaucoma

should be lower

than 18

Dr. kept getting 

readings of 28

not good

asked her 

what reading is 

really bad... 40.

So at least 

his Eye is not 40.

She wants to 

see him again

in 2 weeks.

She debated 

4 weeks with eye drops 

or 2 weeks 

with better instruments.

He has no other

signs or symptoms

of Glaucoma

so we will go

to her other office

with the better instruments

and pray.

The appointment 

will take longer

she will dilate

both eyes.

If the pressure

is not down

he will go on drops

for about a month

if the pressure still

is not down 

he will have to 

have surgery 

to release the 

pressure.

Other than that
the appointment
and the rest of
his Eye
was great.
He was so good
with the exam
and the contact
it literally brought
tears to my eyes
so proud.
He was a rock
no wiggling
no resisting
no whinning
no crying
it was almost
like he knew
just how important
it all was.

 

It's hard
not to worry.
I look at him
and look at
his Eye
you would never know
pressure is building?!
He is just
as silly
as happy
as active
as he always is.
I truly thought
the visit was just
routine
and now
the knot
is back.

But it is
what it is
AND it is
Christmas
so holiday cheer
we will bring.
Over the weekend
we tried
Bingo Dot Painting
sounded like fun
figured I could
turn it into wrapping paper
for holiday gifts.

This is what
the paper
looked like
before we even
got started!

Easton was way more
interested in
painting his fingers
than dotting the paper.

Azalea was the complete
opposite.
She preferred to stay
clean
and also really tried
to dot
correctly?

Not sure
if there really is
a correct way to
dot paint
but if there was
she did it.

They both
had a lot of fun
and that is really
what the goal was
dots
marks
smears
it all got on the paper
and
the gifts got wrapped.

Then of course
we had to have
snacks n sippys!
Daddy taught them
how to lay down
and drink
since they have trouble
tipping the sippy up
to drink.
So cute
he lays
and then
she lays.

It has been
such a busy month
this is
such a busy holiday
I know 2 weeks
will be here
before I know it.
Christmas will come
and go
the New Year will
ring in
and then we will
be sitting in
the Eye chair.

In the meantime
I am not going
to worry
I am not going
to cry
I am not going
to wish it all away.
But I will
pray.
I will pray for
peace
love
joy
and low pressure.
That's not too much
to ask
for Christmas.
Right?!

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree

and the song
goes on
and on
and on
with just those words
at different pitches
to the tune of the song.

My Dad used to
sing it to us
and still does
and now I sing it
to them
just like that
the only way
I know it.

Christmas does that
brings back
all the memories
like this
ceramic
Christmas tree.

It reminds me
so much
of my Grandma,
every year
she displayed hers
in the front window
on the table
that my monsters
now climb
all over
like a jungle gym.
I wonder what
she would
say about that now.

I never really
even liked the tree
growing up
it was rather small
hard and shinny
so not what
Christmas trees are.
And the lights
they just stick out
like spikes
on the edges
it kinda scared me
actually
when I was really young
but then something
changed.

I saw it
differently.
I like it now.
I like that it
sits on my kitchen counter
glowing
all different kinds
of bright colors.

I like that it
reminds me
of old Christmas
memories.
I guess
you could say
I've aquired a taste
an appreciation
for what it
represents.

Really don't all
Christmas trees
do that?!
Especially the ornaments
each one of them
tells a story
of all the Christmases
Past
Present
and Future.

I often wonder
what memories
the kids will have
if any
of this time
not just Christmas
but this time
with me.

I know
they are still
so very young
I have few
if any
memories
before the age
of two.

But sometimes
the day ends
and I just wonder
what was accomplished
what was learned
what was taught
what will be remembered.

Raising twins
has been a bit
of an organized
chaos
trial and error
live and learn
not ideal
not perfect

Just last night
bath night
I was dressing Easton
and Azalea was playing
she tripped
on his jammies
face first into the floor
instant swollen
bloody lip
the worst boo boo
so far.

Luckily Daddy
ran to the rescue
my hands were busy
naked boy
fresh out of the tub
was in my hands.
It's tough
sometimes
especially during the day
when I'm
on my own.

Also this weekend
I took out
Rick's contact
just to see
if I could
well I knew I could
but you know what I mean
he winced
he shuttered
the thought of
my fingers
headed for
his eye
it was just weird.

It reminded me
how in the beginning
it was hard
just to even attempt
going into
Easton's Eye.
I can only
imagine
what it's like
for him.

Memories
what will they
remember
who knows
at the end
of the day
I can only hope

the love
the laughter
the singing
the dancing
the playing
the praying

maybe even
this ceramic
Christmas tree
is what is
glowing
in their little
minds and hearts.

Maybe they will see
that it
along with
all the rest
of life
is more than
just
what you see.

It's more
there is more
It's what you
make of it
It's all of it.

 

O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree
We are busy
making memories!

Let it Snow

Yay it snowed today!

Always love 

the first snow fall 

of the winter season.

Just something about
waking up
to a fresh blanket
of snow
covering the outdoors.
It instantly makes
our home feel
that much more
warm and cozy.

So as the kids
ate breakfast
this morning
the Christmas tree
was glowing
the Christmas songs
were singing
and the snow
was falling.
Tis the Season!



Had to get out
their big winter coats
for our weekly trip
to our new
play group.
After stuffing them
into their car seats
considering we didn't
have time
to readjust the seatbelts
for their now oversized
little bodies
we made it to the facility.
I didn't bring
my camera this time
I didn't want
to be THAT mom
but I probably will
again soon.  ;)

I have to say though
this lil elf

did NOT face plant
off any mats today.
No sir
he swung those lil legs
around every edge
of every mat
and crawled down
feet first
on his tummy
everytime.
He's a quick learner.
I'll give him that.

And this lil elf

well she found
a new passion
for running and jumping
on trampolines.
Considering they are
the youngest
in the play group
they don't
run as fast
jump as well
or climb
like the others.
But she watches
and then
she attempts
with her tiny lil body
she is NOT afraid.

In just one week
I can already see
how much more
they are able to do.

And speaking of
one week
this is what I have
been working on...
Remember
this day.
Well I finally
figured out
what I wanted
to do with
their very first
work of Art.

 

I'm happy with it.
The pictures of them
were taken
around the same time
they did
the hand and feet prints.
So yeah
it's a keeper!
It's gonna hang
at the end
of our hallway
so I can be inspired
everyday to
"just do it!"

And with that
I do
have lots
to just go do.