In Training

Darius and I met with Ben and Zach's preschool teacher last week during parent-teacher conference. We didn't have much to talk about since the boys just started, but we did discuss our goal of trying to get the boys out of diapers by the time they returned for preschool after summer break. She gave us some great advice, and so far it's made all the difference!

For the past few days Zach has been running around in his birthday suit. The advice was to skip the underwear and just let him go nude. Apparently the sensation of not having anything there to catch the pee and poop makes him more aware of his bodily functions and so far it's working!

We've had a couple of minor mishaps...mostly because of aim, and there was one instance where a considerable amount of pee ended up on the kitchen rug. I couldn't be too upset with Zach though considering it only ended up there because he was trying to dump his potty contents in the sink and missed. What a sweetie!

Ben has absolutely no interest in sitting on the pot yet, but he does notice Zach, and we're hoping he'll catch on soon. Until then, I'm enjoying the freedom of changing half as many diapers! Now, if we can successfully introduce underwear and clothes....

Happy Birthday Michael....and yes, your b-day card was colored by the above naked tot.

A Homer Moment

My dearest Honey....all I can say is:

I didn't call to wish you a happy birthday, and I feel awful! You'd think with all that free time I had yesterday I could remember a simple task. My sincere apologies! Hope you had a wonderful birthday! We love you!

It's SO quiet!

Ben and Zach officially started preschool yesterday! I can't believe it all happened to soon, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all. The boys were so excited to go, which surprised me a little considering they didn't really have a strong understanding of what preschool even involved.

Darius called us while we were still in Florida and told me that he had a meeting with the elementary school's principal and preschool teacher and that Ben and Zach would be starting right after they turned 3. I didn't expect it all to come about so soon, but here we are!

I had a pretty good inkling that I wouldn't be needed on standby their first day. Their teacher invited me to stay if I wanted to, but I thought I would be more of a distraction, so I waited for some other kids to arrive before slipping out. I didn't feel weepy or emotional, just really excited for them. I knew they would have a great time, and it was reassuring to know they had each other as a familiar face in class.

When I picked them up they were happy and excited and just bubbling over with things to say. I didn't get a lot of intelligible details from either one of them with the exception of Zach telling me the rest of the day, and all of this morning, about the spaceman he played with and could he please play with it again. First thing he did when he got to class this morning was seek out the spaceman.

It's a very odd feeling to all of a sudden have 3 hours to myself during the day. The idea of free time is going to take a little time to sink in.

Christmas Came Early...

....as well as any other day a gift would be in order. Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled me (and boys) just arrived home yesterday after spending a glorious month in the sunny and oh so warm state of Florida. I promised myself I would not complain to whatever weather/temps we'd be coming home to. I knew that I'd be returning to winter and snow, and although I couldn't help but daydream of the warm sun and palm trees of Florida on the drive home from the airport, the shift back to Alaska wasn't as painful as I had anticipated.

Ben and Zach are super happy to be around their daddy again and all their toys, which all seem new again to them. I can't tell you how many times Zach keeps saying "thank you daddy, thank you mommy." It's like he thinks he has all new loot again. It's very sweet.

And speaking of sweet, above and beyond sweet, we have our awesome friends in Florida to thank for an unbelievable stay. It's awful to admit, but I've tried not to think too much of the Bacon's the past couple of days because it makes me sad to think that we're so far away from them. Since I've been back my mind plays tricks on me and I can still hear, see, and feel their home in my head. I can still hear the sounds certain doors or cabinets made when they opened and closed. As I was putting dishes away this morning, I thought of how their kitchen drawers looked compared to ours. When I took a shower this morning the water from the shower head and the angle of the water felt very foreign. Then there are the voices that I got used to hearing every day...I miss them. Great people is what the Bacon's are, and that still doesn't seem to do justice in describing them.

It becomes more difficult the older we get to form deep friendships with people. I know personally I'm terrible at putting myself out there as far as trying to meet new people and establish acquaintances or friendships, and it's that fact which makes me appreciate the Bacon's so much more. Despite the distance and time that goes by between our visits, they're always familiar and easy to be around. Every day we were there with them was great. I can't thank them enough...

...or my husband. Darius was completely fine with me and the boys staying in Florida longer than we had planned, and that was huge of him considering it meant not spending the boys' birthday with us. I can't help but feel guilty for all that time I spent there while he was home working. He even flew all night to meet the boys and I at our gate when we arrived in Seattle so that he could help me the rest of the way home. He's incredible and I'm so very lucky he's mine.

I think I'm good, really good for the rest of the year. I enjoyed over a month of absolutely perfect weather, and I intend to take all those wonderful days in Florida, packed with all the fun we had, and think back on them the rest of the year whenever it's dark or cold or I feel a little down.

Michael, Patti, Dylan, Honey, Pop Pop - Thank you all so very much for what you did for us! You're like a big bowl of chicken soup for my soul, and with sincere David Tutera-type thanks, thank you from the bottom of my very mushy heart. Love you all so much!

Homecoming

The day Ben and Zach were born was of course a huge day, but when I think back to the first days of their lives, the day they came home from the hospital is much more vivid and seems to stir up more emotions for me. Maybe I'll always remember that day clearly, but I won't chance my memory, so this will serve as a little reminder.

It was St. Patrick's Day, and we dressed the boys in green footed jumpers a friend had sent to us, and they had green knitted caps to wear which were supplied by volunteers from the hospital. I think it was the first day I was able to change their diapers. They were so tiny, and I remember I was nervous as I changed and dressed them.


After the boys were born I had a couple of cold sores break out on my mouth, and I couldn't kiss my boys until they cleared up, so I remember nuzzling my little babies the first week or so with my nose.

I received the customary ride to the curb in a wheelchair with my little bundles of baby cradled in my arms. When we got outside, I remember how awesome the fresh air felt after spending the past few days inside with all the hospital smells.

Since we only had Darius' truck at the time, Michael was there to drive me and the boys home in his vehicle, which was great because he was able to help us get the boys strapped into their seats too. Even though we had practiced putting them in their car seats in the hospital room, our nerves got the best of us and Darius and I needed the help.

The drive home felt really odd, probably because I was still in a fog from pain killers, but also in the sense that it felt like I was seeing things for the first time. I remember passing by an Irish restaurant/bar which had a big tent set up in their parking lot for a live band and an overflow of patrons. I thought back to past St. Patrick's Days and the different people I was with and the things we had done, and it all seemed so far removed from where I was at that moment.

Once we got home it sunk in that living in a 2nd floor apartment would from there on out present us with an extra challenge, especially when it meant one of us was alone to carry both baby-filled seat up the stairs. Darius would always caution me to be extra careful on the stairs with the boys, and I could clearly hear his warning in my head every time I headed up or down.

I remember how content we were to just sit and hold them and study their faces, little hands, little feet, and pick out the traits that reminded us of ourselves and others in our families. They were really our children, they were home, and our lives were forever changed. The months that followed are a huge blob of a blur, but that first day home is still clear.

To all of you celebrating today, whether it be St. Patrick's Day, a birthday, the start of an awesome trip to Ireland, a homecoming, or just another day...Slainte!