Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Rambling thoughts

So, here I am a year later. I'm not sure I am in less of a fog - I'm pretty sure last year, I was running on adrenaline and pure joy while now, it's just joy, at least most days, and a whole heaping lot of caffeine. The boys have officially been home in the H house for a year, Liam's homecoming anniversary was on the 12th and Hayden's was on the 17th. It's so real now, that my babies are one!
Things round here have been -surprise, surprise - busy!

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday, my parents came back down to spend it with us and it was really nice having family here! I resentfully went out late, late Thanksgiving night with my mom just to see what the hype was about – there hadn’t been anything in the flyers that I had seen and thought was actually a good deal. We went out around 11 just to watch and see and were back home by midnight I’d say. There wasn’t much out there for us. I had already ordered my sister-in-law’s wedding gift from Kohl’s earlier in the week. I think the hype was way too overrated this year to be honest. Amazon dropped the price of the playhouse I wanted to get the boys to match Toys R Us’ Black Friday price so I scored that without having to even leave the couch. Nothing really grasped my attention this year. Maybe it’s a change in priorities, maybe it’s aging, maybe it’s just because nothing I was eying was on sale. It was really nice though, to go Black Friday shopping with my mom. Growing up, when I was about 14 we started going out early in the morning. Getting up around 3 and heading out to be at the stores by 3:30 or 4. It was always fun, and those days or mornings rather will always be treasured memories. It was really nice having them here, and having their help with the boys while we went out Friday and got a much needed new mattress. Which - I may add is absolutely amazing, especially with the fact that the Mr. hasn't woken up in back pain or to back pain since we've purchased it. Which is the sole reason why we decided to get a new mattress now rather than later. I just couldn't deal with seeing him in pain morning after morning.

The boy’s enjoyed their second Thanksgiving, way more than their first Thanksgiving. It’s was a big change, but definitely a welcomed change having children to celebrate the holidays with. Even though a nap after dinner would have been so welcomed, I’ll take playing with my two cutie-patooties over a nap most any day. They are moving much faster now a days and are full on walking babies – rarely do I see them crawl. And for the first time in what feels like forever – easily since the rolling days, they are starting to lay down and play with toys. Like pushing cars or just playing with a block. It’s by far one of the cutest things of the whole day, these two rarely stay still so when they do it’s a great moment. They still aren't talking really, just babbles. I won't lie, I am starting to get concerned - this officially will be viewed as a 'delayed' milestone January 3rd, which would of been their full term due date. I do know that twins tend to lag sometimes with their vocal milestones, especially boys, but it doesn't make me worry any less. We read, we -pause for the gasps- watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I talk about what I'm doing when I'm working around them or cooking. We listen to music. I'm trying everything to get these two boys talking but nothing. They have started pointing though, so maybe talking is next? Who knows. I know one day, I will bang my head against the wall and laugh at myself when I was wishing for them to talk, but until then, I will continue to wish.

Being a twin parent is a rather funny thing, sometimes. Last night, I made one of my many trips to Target. It's a sanity check for me, and a break, and an errand to-do all in one. I was going through the clearance section, because I have a love affair with clearance. I can't stand to pay full price for something, and when you have two babies - you definitely realize where your pennies are going - fast! But I was going through the clearance section and this Dad was having a hard time and I look up and what do you know - twin boys. So I open up conversation - by asking how old they are, they were 2. And we chatted for a bit once I told him I have twin boys too - that are, 13 months old. It's so nice to talk to someone who GETS it, and I mean really, really, totally gets it. Because he lives my life too. Being a twin parent is like a super secret club, when you run into other twin parents its this immediate bond - because they feel your pain and know your joy too. It's always funny though, because it's this common power. These two boys were cuties and were definitely all over the cart. I only know this time is coming, and now I realize that I'm really going to enjoy these stroller days, because once they are in the cart - it may be easier for shopping reasons, but it's not going to be as easy as it is to take them shopping. There are always positives and always drawbacks I suppose.

With the New Years right around the corner, I find myself really looking forward to 2014. It's going to be a great year, and there will be changes I'm sure. We have a lot of traveling to do this coming year, and the Mr. will be heading away to training for a month, he also will be going back to sea duty in the spring. We don't really expect him to deploy, but I do know he wants to simply because it's really good for his career, it's what he signed up to do. But I know with him being on sea duty, anything is possible. With the Navy, I always try to expect the unexpected. My goal is to really make 2014 a great year. I'm planning on making some changes for myself, I want to go back to school and really decide on a career path. I want to be healthier. I want my family to be healthier. I want to do more for my community. I want to be a fantastic mom and I want to enjoy my family. I'm looking forward to the adventures the new year will bring in with it. I'm really going to go into the new year with a positive outlook. Attitude and outlook truly is everything and truly makes the difference.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, it's the boys' 2nd Christmas! I think this one will be much more fun than last years! Last year I didn't cook, I was simply way too exhausted, we thankfully had a good church friend offer to bring us dinner so we did eat. I'm really excited to see the boys' expressions to some of their new big boy toys. And I'm excited for new clothes to put them in. They got some new accessories for their stroller, so that will be fun to try out! We are having dinner with our very best friends at their house tomorrow! It's a joint dinner, so I'll be cooking half and so will my best friend. I'm praying I remember to take pictures tomorrow, and at least get a picture of myself and the boys. I'll drink an extra glass of wine if we get some sort of family picture, but I'm not holding my breath. Fingers crossed I can find a great photographer in our area to take our family pictures soon! Here's to hope!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas, I can't wait to post pictures of the boys celebrating! I'm off to get ready for Christmas Eve Mass, fingers crossed we make it there on time, if not early. And fingers crossed for no screaming toddlers! I'm hoping not, because Christmas Eve mass is my favorite service, I love the music and the magic it brings with it.

I hope everyone has a great day filled with family, love, peace, joy and I hope everyone remembers that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas Y'all!