BITS -N- PIECES VOL. 6

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Alex has been really starting to use "da" a lot so I have been trying to get him to say "dada". Poor Eric is trying to get him to say "mama" but he just stares at him. Tonight, I brought Alex down from his bath just as Eric was getting home and before I put him in his high chair for dinner, we stopped so Eric could day hi to him and out of nowhere he says "dada". Eric and I were a bit taken aback by it, but it was just such an awesome moment I had to share.

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My little man Alex also knows how to take his diaper off as well. Tonight after their bath, I put both of them in their cribs with just their diapers so I could clean up the bathroom. I was away maybe 10 minutes and when I came back in their room, there's Alex with the diaper around his left leg (he was laying down of course) fully exposed and proud as can be of himself. Little stinker!

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I see more and more of myself in Evan everyday. He does seem to favor me looks wise, but I think he has a lot of my personality too. The other night we went in to check on them and cover them up and just as we covered Evan, he rolled over to get into a different position and moaned and groaned. I ran out of the room laughing because I know I do that. Eric confirmed it for me! HA HA HA! He also likes things to be balanced, he gets frustrated easily and throws a fit when something doesn't go his way. Me, me and me!

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Evan is clearly a Mama's boy. He loves to cuddle and especially loves me to tuck him in which I think I have mentioned before. Tonight, I had some errands to run after dinner and they were already in bed when I got home. I could still hear Evan upstairs talking so I went in to see him. He immediatly stood up and wanted to get out of his crib. I took him into my room and he laid on my chest like he used to when he was a baby and he was asleep within 15 minutes. These moments with him make the frustrations of his screaming and whining throughout the day all go away.

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I am leaving on my trip to Dallas tomorrow. I am really excited. I have had an exhausting week with the kids and I am ready for the break. It's been really hot here this week and I think we have all been a bit irritable. I am ready for some time away with my BFF Steph to relax, unwind, maybe have a few cocktails and get some sun. It will be the longest I have ever been away from the boys, so I hope I can handle it - along with the 100 degree temps! I am going to miss them like crazy and probably cry when I get on the plane, but this is something I need. I am just grateful to have the opportunity.

Summer Fun

Even though summer isn’t “officially” here just yet, it feels like it with our busy schedule. Things are starting to get crazy around here. This past weekend we went up north to Alpena, Michigan to visit family and attend an open house. My husband’s extended family lives up there and we don’t get to see them all that often. In fact, they met Alex and Evan for the first time on Saturday. Luckily because of this blog and facebook they already felt like they knew them. It’s nice to be able to stay connected through social networking and the internet. I know it’s not the most “ideal” way, but it works for our busy lives. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures to post because I left the camera in the car the whole time!

Last weekend was pretty hot so I am going this week to buy a small wading pool for the boys. Tonight Evan thought it would be fun to get wet in the sprinklers so I know he’ll really enjoy the pool. Alex loved the pool in Florida, but isn’t a fan of being splashed so I am not sure how he’ll do.

Next Friday I am getting on a plane (by myself) for the first time in 17 years and flying to Dallas to see my Best Friend Stephanie for a few days. I am nervous about flying and a bit anxious about leaving the kids. I went last summer for a day and a half up north with some girlfriends but that was nothing compared to getting on a plane and flying 1200 miles away for 4 days! I just hope I can enjoy my time away and not get too homesick. I am really looking forward to getting away. I need this break and I feel very fortunate to have a husband that is willing to not only let me go, but also to take care of the kids while I am gone. I just hope he won’t want to run away when I get back….

When I get home, it will almost be July which means fireworks, the boys birthday and probably a garage sale. August is the Twin Festival, a Family Reunion and hopefully a day trip to a beach.

It’s funny how long we wait for summer to come here and then it’s gone in a blink of an eye. We have a lot of fun things planned so I am looking forward to all of it and spending time with my family…because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

You Have No Idea

Being a parent is hard work. Being a parent to twins is hard work plus exhaustion. Being a parent to twins with one of them having Cerebral palsy is hard work, plus exhaustion, plus overwhelming emotions that can strike at any time. Yesterday was one of those days when my emotions got the best of me.

We took the boys outside and I took Evan off the deck so he could help Eric in the shed. Watching him run through the back yard to find his Daddy was so cute. Shortly after, I brought Alex out and put him in his walker on the deck. That’s when it hit me;  I remember when I found out I was having twins, I pictured them running around, playing together, getting into trouble and having that special bond that twins have. But my twins are different. Evan runs, plays, gets into trouble while Alex hangs back, not because he wants to but because he has to unless we physically take him out to do things.

Do you have any idea how hard this is for me?

You have no idea.

Do you know how hard it is for me to watch my son struggle to do the simplest things like sit, stand and roll or pick up a piece of food?

Most people don’t realize how easy they have it. I was one of those people too, until I had Alex. One of the hardest things I struggle with being Alex’s Mom is seeing him NOT being able to do things and wanting him to so bad. Sometimes I get ahead of myself because he is still so young and has a lot of life ahead of him to accomplish many things.

As much as we want Alex to be like Evan, he’s not. Alex is who he is because that was God’s plan for him long before he was created and given to us as our son. (These are words of my husband) These words make me cry every time I hear them because it’s the truth. A truth that is hard for me to understand, but the truth nonetheless. A truth I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me, but that is to be expected. I don’t care who you are. Nobody’s perfect and life’s not easy but we must make the most of what we have.

I have LOVE and their names are Eric, Alex and Evan.

Do you have any idea how lucky I am?

You have no idea.