The Big Bed
The boys are really into the “big bed” as Logan likes to call it. Or sometimes it’s the “red bed”. It’s the newest “in” thing to do. Beg to get past the baby gate, and then crawl up into mommy’s bed. Then they crawl under the covers and play peek a boo (Forest) or want to be tucked in (Logan).
Reading in Bed
The boys often like to play in their cribs. Today Forest did the sweetest thing. After crawling up into his crib by himself, he asked for a book, a particular book. I handed it to him. Then he layed down, put his blanket across his knees and started to look at the book. I had to grab the camera because it was such the kind of thing that I would do.
Always Going Forward
The other day I had a funny memory from the first few months of motherhood and nursing twins. Yes, it was just last year although it seems like a lifetime ago. While in the hospital after the boys were born, I asked for the lactation consultant to come by and make sure that we were doing things right. One came by and mentioned that one of the other L.C’s on staff had twins herself and might have some tips. So the next day I put in a call for a visit by her.
She took up the whole room with her very beingness. Not in a bad way, she just had a big personality. I liked her. She also assured me that things appeared to be going well and asked if I had a twin nursing pillow. I told her yes and described it and she laughed as she told me a funny story from her own experiences. She said that the song “Star Trecking” was popular when she had her girls and she used to feel like the Starship Enterprise, cruising through her house with this big pillow belted to her waist as she would nurse her twin girls and do various things.
A few months later I knew what she meant. I’d have one baby nursing and would find myself going to get the other one waking from a nap - while still nursing. As I would cruise up the mirrored hallway I’d see myself with this huge green pillow, baby on board, and I’d remember that image of being the Enterprise and I would start singing the song:
star trecking across the universe
on the starship enterprise
under captain kirk
star trecking across the universe
slowly going forward
coz we cant find reverse
It’s a fun memory. Especially because yesterday I gave away my nursing pillow. And you know what? It kinda hurts. I’m sad just typing it. I gave it to a first time mom who’s been taking fertility drugs in hopes of having a baby. She just found out she’s pregnant and when I asked in email if she was having twins she said “I can only hope.” In that one sentance she reminded me to be so very grateful instead of pissy about things. I often hear younger women say very romantically, “I always wanted twins” and I want to scream at them, “No you don’t!”. But yesterday I was reminded not only of that fun time with the song but also of the gratitude that I have for these two healthy, beautiful boys. And to continue praying for all the couples out there that want children of their own.
Concepts
Logan and Forest are starting to get into what I would call communication concepts. Although I’m sure there is specific word for it, I just have no clue what it’s called so I’m saying “concepts.” Such as up and down. Logan is all about showing that he understands this as he pushes a toy under the water and saying “down” and then back up out of the water and saying “up”. Or as he runs his fingers up and down his sippy cup. Logan is using two words together more and more. Like “big track” or “big truck”. ‘Cus you know it’s all about modes of transportation around our house with two boys!
Forest has started becoming especially interested in nursery rhymes and songs. Although they still tend to tell me “no” when I start singing, Forest is suddenly starting to try and imitate me doing “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. He’ll ask me to do it again and again as he watches my hands and trys to move his fingers together. It makes my heart ache with joy. And tonight before bed Logan even joined in the spider finger fun!
A Stitch In Time
As the summer came to an end and excitement began for my friends’ wedding as well as various women’s retreats and trips out of town I came to a realization. I realized that this summer I was hurting for a sense of accomplishment.
The boys are amazing and fabulous but I don’t feel much ego when it comes to their learning. And the house keeping, well that’s just not very interesting now is it? And it has to be done again…and again…and again. It’s a downer in the biggest way. I’ve been cooking a bit more but even that doesn’t seem to give much a great deal of satisfaction since it’s not very often that I’m able to “show off” a new recipe.
As this realization came upon me I decided that a good way to “fix” it would be to get a hobby. Lately all I’ve been doing is reading. Not that reading isn’t wonderful and all but again, no sense of accomplishment like I have been programmed to crave from working as a career woman in the past. When I thought about what hobby I would enjoy, one immediately came to mind, sewing.
My early childhood is filled with memories of my Mother sewing my clothes and teaching me how to sew my doll clothes. As a senior in high school I took Home Ec and relearned the basics to make a dress on my own. My Mom made dresses for me all through high school for dances including my senior prom dress and the matching cummerbund and bow tie for my boyfriend. I tried sewing again a few years ago but ran into the problem I’ve always had, trying to understand the directions on the patterns! So I figure a couple of classes would be a big help and give me something to do with my free time. Even if it is only during their naps because I have issues with doing crafty projects at night under false light. I always want sunlight.
My desire to sew has also been fueled by my deep appreciation for mamieknits and her blog. The internet has allowed us all to connect with and make new friends and this lady is one who I particularly admire and seem to have a lot in common with aside from both having twins. So in January (have to wait until all the retreats and such come to a slow down) I’m going to take sewing classes and I can’t wait!
Good News
My sister in law Nohelia passed her citizenship test with flying colors and will be attending her swearing-in ceremony on Friday. We are all very proud of her and excited for my brother’s family.
My mother just called to tell me that she heard from Willow’s mother and the surgery was successful! She’ll be recovering in the hospital for the next few days but all is looking well for her brain’s growth.
Many thanks and prayers of gratitude!
Communication Advances
The boys have begun the transfer of learning. Forest is starting to pick up colors and Logan is starting to get some letters. But it’s irregular and still in the very early stages. On the other hand, Forest knows almost the entire alphabet now and Logan has added “purple” to his color knowledge so I think we are ready to work on shades of colors.
Logan seems to be going through a communication stretch as his words are becoming more and more well pronounced. Some are so clear that even a stranger would probably be able to decipher them at a first listen.
Forest has started saying “no” and no longer just shakes his head. He’s starting to speak a lot more then before and they both are picking up new words daily. Words like “dump” as they dump the entire bin of legos onto the floor (my favorite sound from across the house).
At almost 22 months old their communications skills are starting to make a big jump that is really exciting. They can tell me what they want more and more. At the same time, we are experiencing more and more of the forewarned tantrums because they have times when they can’t explain what they want. I read some good advice lately to give them choices and not just demand that they find the word. That’s helping. But honestly, they aren’t that bad. Usually a few moments of hugs and some time spent walking around the house pointing at things and asking if it’s what they want and we usually have a calm boy again.
Prayers
After spending this weekend basking in the beauty and joy that is pure love at Zonk and Alissa’s wedding, I find myself still floating on a higher frequency such that I am holding very optimistic and good intentions for the insanity that is our country’s financial and political environment right now.
Please remember Willow today as she goes into surgery.
Please send prayers for my sister in law Nohelia as she takes her citizenship test and proves that she knows more about our history and government then the average college student.
Please continue prayers for Tuesday, who we pray for every Tuesday.
21 Months Pictures
I took a lot of pictures one morning this past weekend of the boys playing in the backyard. They really do seem to appreciate having this great big yard with all it’s rocks, trees, bugs, birds and all that the great outdoors has to offer.
Wedding Flowers
This weekend two of my dearest friends will be getting married to each other. Being a mom of twins I don’t get out much so I don’t have a lot of friends who I see regularly. But since we moved next door to Zonk and Alissa during my pregnancy, they weren’t able to escape me.
I’ve known Zonk since 1999, with in a year of my moving to Texas. We were instant friends. I can’t explain it, I just remember the exact moment our eyes first met and he has been like a brother to me ever since. I met Alissa sometime later and before they started dating, but most of our relationship has been since the two of them started dating. I have a strong tie with each of them individually and call upon each of them for different things. I depend on them in ways that I can’t depend on anyone else. I’ve seen them go through rough times but because of their deep abiding love for each other and their belief in their commitment to be together they have come out even stronger and prepared to have this powerful ceremony on Sunday. Just talking about all of this brings tears to my eyes. Just like standing in the grocery store card aisle looking at wedding cards last Saturday afternoon had tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. The joy is overwhelming.
A few months ago Alissa was chatting with me about the costs of the wedding and florists and I chimed in, “I know how to do bouquets and corsages, want me to do yours?” Without a seconds hesitation she said “yes.” Alissa has this really neat way of saying “yes” when she means it. It was that very definite, strong, “yes” of hers. It’s funny because they’ve never seen me do flowers but she still trusts me to do this for her. We sat down and figured out what she likes from pictures on the internet, talked about what flowers she likes, and then ordered several hundred dollars worth of flowers from growers online. Today the flowers arrived. Alissa and I were cutting off the ends and preparing the flowers to open up and be pretty. Since we have two cats who will eat flowers and two toddlers who can forget to be gentle, I was putting the buckets of flowers in the hall bathroom as we worked. Alissa loved the image so much and thought it was the most perfect bathroom freshener.
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| From flowers |
Here is Forest realizing what’s been going on while he’s been playing and watching Sesame Street. He was super excited to see and smell all the pretty flowers.
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| From flowers |
I am so excited because the more I look at the flowers chosen, the more I think we did good. The flowers will sit at their house next door for the next two days and then Saturday morning four or five of Alissa’s talented and crafty friends are coming over to join me in the creative aspect of the process.
Yesterday I came across a poem by Rumi, This Marriage:
This Marriage
May these vows and this marriage be blessed.
May it be sweet milk,
this marriage, like wine and halvah.
May this marriage offer fruit and shade
like the date palm.
May this marriage be full of laughter,
our every day a day in paradise.
May this marriage be a sign of compassion,
a seal of happiness here and hereafter.
May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,
an omen as welcomes the moon in a clear blue sky.
I am out of words to describe
how spirit mingles in this marriage.
I really can not find more words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage between Zonk Hawk Watcher the Red Eyed Tree Frog Prince and Princess Alissa Elephant Lavender (the greatest sauce maker the world has ever known).
