Whew!

Is it just me or did Christmas suddenly go from zero to sixty in about six seconds.

I realised after returning home that as much as I absolutely adore hauling the four of us clear across state with all of our necessary junk, it wreaks havoc on the kids and parents alike. The kids sleep like crap, become overstimulated, and pick up all sorts of nasty bugs, and the parents sleep like crap (thanks to kids), become overstimulated (thanks to kids noise), and pick up all sorts of nasty bugs (thanks, again, to kids). We did have a great time and got to visit with all of our relatives and friends from "back home" which is good, but I've been paying for it ever since we loaded up and headed home. I also have a sneaky suspicion that it's about to get a bit worse since Reaghan has a runny nose as of this morning.

On Christmas Eve Reaghan "aka Demanda" woke up around 3:00 AM and refused, and I mean refused, to go back to sleep. She obviously had never heard the phrase 'no creatures were stirring, not even a mouse'. Ugh. She finally fell back to sleep around 6:00, only to have the dog jump on the bed and wake her up. Yeah, the dog. We haul two adults, two toddlers, and a dog across state. Yes...we are crazy.

Once we were all up (6:00) the kids were a crack up, though. They loved their new toys and ran screaming all over the house in their new jammies. TMX Elmo was a big hit, and so was the Little People Farm. Once we got home we set up the tent and 'tube' that great grandma got for them...they went nutso in it for about a half an hour.

Now we are settled back in and looking forward to a friendly visit this weekend from some of those friend from "back home". Bill will be spending his New Years Eve cheering the Red Wings on down at the Joe, and I will be having a nice catch up with a gal pal of mine here at the homestead. Who knows...maybe we'll watch the ball drop.

Best we can do with toddlers

Here is our beautiful attempt at a family Christmas photo.

Merry Christmas!

Santa's Little Helpers

This is what happens when you accidentally leave the gate open to the room in which all of the wrapping is in progress.

(Thanks Daddy!)

The Skillz To Pay The Billz

The kids are up to alot these days. It seems like just last week they were throwing food everywhere and crawling up and down stairs. These days they are eating with a fork and spoon, starting to do stairs the "normal" way, and for the most part they keep the food on the table. Tonight Reaghan even fed herslef peas with a spoon! Reaghan also knows the doggie says "woof, woof", and Nixon is starting to vocalize a bit more (finally, whew). Reaghan will poke your eye out in her favorite new game of name the face parts, Nixon signs 'eat', 'more', and 'all done'.

Their latest new skill is getting into their carseats. This is really cute when you have the time, but isn't always convenient when in a hurry. I've kinda painted myself in a corner by letting them do it alot and making a big deal out of it, but now if I try to just drop them in myself they scream bloody murder. Come to think of it they are wanting to do alot for themselves these days...brushing their teeth, taking off their clothes, feeding themselves. Whats a mom to do?

We went to JJ today. In days past they would barely leave my sight...now they tear off to the playstructure without so much as a backward glance. Both the babes even sit in a normal chair there and eat their snack...no more high chairs.

I guess I really can't call them the babes anymore...but they will always be my babies.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho...

Okay...so I'm a sellout.

So I've finally caved to the pressure.

I'm going back to work.

I know...I have been working ever since the babes were six months old, albiet only alternate on call weekends, but I mean I'm really going back to work. Full time.

I've been kicking this idea around since the babes were about a year old. When they were infants, I felt so needed...like they really couldn't do without me. Now I feel like only a close second to Elmo. Now I know what you all are saying - the same things I said a year ago. "But staying with them is the most important and rewarding job you will ever have." I think that was true until about three months ago, but when it became apparent that the most challenging aspect of my day was how to get a catsup stain out of a size 18 month t-shirt, well thats when I caved.

You see...I never intended on being a stay at home mommie. I always pictured myself as a career kinda gal. Sure, I would have taken some time off even if I had only had a singleton...but I think that would have maxed at about six months...Definately after 15 months (when you hit the tantrum ages). Any other stay at home muma out there will agree with me - there are really, really great days...but then there are really, really bad ones. On those great days I feel like I could do this forever...but on those bad ones I feel like I'm losing my mind. I guess the highs and lows finally caught up with me. I've never been a roller coster gal.

I also really love what I do. No really, I do. I am aware that there are people out there who would find that highly disturbing, but the human body and its functions/malfunctions has always been a source of facination with me. Look at it this way - the human body is like an extremely complex high performance machine...and think of all of the guys out there who devote all of their time to worshipping at the alter of Porsche! So maybe what I do is a bit more messy, and definately far more stinky, but basically it's the same deal...we're just trying to figure out what made the engine blow, or why the tranny burned out...the list goes on.

So...I'm expecting it not to be the easiest transition, and I am fully prepared for the mommie gulit, but I really think that this is the best fit for us. We have found an incredible environment for our children, and I think I am cautiously optomistic about their transition. In a way, I really do believe that they will thrive in their learning center - and the extra socialization is always good for twins. Maybe I am just trying to deal with the guilt - but I don't think so.

Anyways...thats what you all are for.

Stats

I was asked by a friend to update everyone on the vitals of the babes:

Nixon:

Age - 18 months, 25 days
Height - 32 inches
Weight - 25.5 lbs
Shoe Size - 8 Toddler
Astrological Sign - Taurus
Favorite Food - Meatballs, and anything not cold or sweet.
Favorite Item - Monkey Blankie
Favorite TV character - Elmo
Turn Ons - Food
Turn Offs - Teletubbies (scared to death)
Motto - "Eat, drink, and be merry!"



Reaghan:


Age - 18 months, 25 days
Height - 32.5 inches (just shot up)
Weight - 22.5 lbs (soaking wet and on a full tank)
Shoe size - 7 Toddler
Astrological sign - Taurus (duh)
Favorite Food - Chicken nuggets, broccoli, rotissorie chicken.
Favorite item - Kitty
Favorite TV character - Elmo

Turn Ons - Juice
Turn Offs - Eating anything before 8:30 AM
Motto "I'll do it myyyyyyy waaaayyyy..."

Ho Ho Holy Smokes I'm Beat!

We had our big extended family Christmas party on Saturday here at our house. I decided to host it here because it would be much easier on the kids schedules - they would get a full nap, and could be put down for the night not too much later than normal. It was alot of fun and I was very happy that I had made the decision. It was a huge undertaking; decorating, menu planning, cleaning, and all the errand running that a large party entails...but it was a blast! Not only did the adults have fun, the kids heads were practically spinning off from excitement!

Speaking of spinning, here is a pic of Reaghan and her cousin Cassidy doing just that. The two gals danced in circles holding hands for half of the night. Reaghan adored having another girl around to play with, I think especially since most of their firends that they see on a regular basis are boys. Reaghan was on cloud nine.

Nixon didn't really play as much as the two girls did. He basically walked around stuffing his face with snacks and sipping on a cup of lemonade. You know...typical guys stuff. He did enjoy opening presents and was really impressed with a book that they received from Lauren (AKA baby sitter extrordinare), but mostly I think he loved the plethora of food. He looks a little stuffed in this pic.

Well, the kids are banging on the wall upstairs - thats my cue that they are done with nap. I'll have to continue this later....