Gratitude = Kindness

My determination to focus on positivity and kindness sometimes weakens when confronted with demanding and negative people or when dealing with cranky and stubborn babies.  I continue to try not to dwell on what's difficult and move toward a focus on thoughts, ideas and things that make me happy.  Some days are easier than others.  It's the journey that counts, right? 

What makes me happy on a day to day basis?  Simple things, really:

• The smell of the tops of the twins' heads.  Is there anything better then the smell of the head of a baby?  Okay, so chocolate is a close second...wait...maybe wine is a close second.  Maybe wine is first. 

•  Crawling into bed at night.  I have mentioned before how much I love bed.  Bed.  Bed.  Glorious bed.  It has developed new meaning and new significance since the birth of Chick and Pea.  

• Hot drinks.  I love me a hot drink.  Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, and candy cane hot chocolate or cranberry apple cider on cold, winter nights.

• Pink cheeks on cold babies.  After a walk in the brisk air (today it is -11C/10F) the twins' cheeks were the cutest shade of rosy.  The snot running down their faces...not so cute.

•  Super hot showers.  

• The twins in fleece sleepers.

• Yogurt.  I could eat buckets full of yogurt every day.  I love it.

• Finding and immersing myself in the blogs of people who are also striving to be kind, gentle, and grateful.

• Puffy snowflakes falling gently to the ground like feathers.

• Watching J. dance with Chick.

• Watching J. cuddling, kissing and rocking Pea.

The best part of this list is that I could go on and on.  I feel so grateful.  

Pre-Op

The date is set.

Six weeks.

How does a mother hand her baby over to a doctor on the day of surgery?

How do we begin the process of letting go of what he looks like now?

I love his deep blue eyes and how I feel when he looks at me.

He is the most beautiful boy I have ever seen in my life. In. My. Life.

And he's mine.

My love for him is fierce, dangerous and overwhelming.

I don't want him to hurt.

And Now It's December

• Tanya came to visit last weekend.  Then, she had the audacity to leave.  Something about "I have a family to get back to." Blah, Blah, Blah.  I miss her like crazy.  

• We put up a small, four foot Christmas tree on the weekend just to see how the twins would react.  We fervently worked on "gentle" all the while.  Last night, the big tree went up.  Today has been an exercise in futility patience as I redirect the twins away from the ornaments every five seconds.

• Big, fluffy snowflakes are gently falling to the ground at this very second.  The trees are lit, candles are burning, soup is in the slow cooker, I am sipping tea and the twins are napping (well, I can still hear Chick chattering away in her crib).   

• Before I brought the twins up to bed, we put on our snowsuits and went out to play in the flakes.  They weren't sure what to make of the whole thing.

• I just went to check on Chick (who was still chattering in her crib after 30 minutes) and she was STRADDLING her crib.  I guess it's time to put the mattress on the lowest level.  

• Over the weekend, the Holiday Train rolled through our town. We bundled up the kids and traveled the two minutes down the road to see Santa leap out from one of the cars.  It was beautiful, but too crowded for us.  Additionally, a lot of people (A LOT) lit up cigarettes in the crowd of kids.  Listen, it's your choice to smoke, but it's not MY choice, nor my kids' choice to inhale it. 

• These candles make me happy.  There are five and on each one is a word that is illuminated when lit.  The words are: Love, Cherish, Joy, Peace, and Hope. 

The twins discovering the Christmas tree this morning upon waking.

• Lastly, here is a video for the family.  My parents will be so happy.  It's long.  It contains exponential levels of cuteness.  You've been warned.

Compilation of Cuteness from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

In The End

(img src)

The Sum Of Their Relationship

Chick:  You want a PIECE of me?!?

Pea:  I just want your love.

Matching adorable PJs courtesy of Tanya.

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

15 Month Check Up

Pea's Stats:

Weight: 26lbs 9oz (79th percentile)
Height: 31 inches (41st percentile)

Chick's Stats:

Weight: 24lbs 12oz (68th percentile)
Height: 31 inches (63rd percentile)


Immunizations: Chicken Pox and Pneumococcal Conjugate (vaccine against bacterial meningitis).

Pea's Crying Time: Less than 20 seconds.
Chick's Crying Time: What time is it now?

The pediatrician complimented the twins on their receptive language development (music to this teacher's ears). 

Verdict: Two healthy and happy babies.