Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Vicarious Motherhood

I’ve been living out my “fertile myrtle” fantasies vicariously through my closest friends these days. You see, they have all begun working on adding another little one to their beautiful families.  Some of them are currently pregnant, while others are actively trying. Of course, what follows these days is a constant stream of questions directed at me about when we will be trying to add to our family.

Let’s see, the difference in our case is that we already have two – one pregnancy, two babies, one boy, one girl – does it get any better than that?

It kind of makes me think, though - about all of that fertility (or infertility in our case) stuff. I think I’ve put it all in the past as much as possible for now, and that’s a good thing.

I’ll never forget, but I’m healing. You can’t go through all that we did without it changing you, but that time period feels like a whole different life. Ella and Aidan are my present-day. They are just too full of life to waste energy thinking about the past.

So, what about the future?

I really think it’s going to be “just” Ella and Aidan. Well, there’s really no “just” about them, but you know what I mean. Mike and I have already decided that we won’t be setting foot back in an IVF clinic again. It was worth every second, every injection, and every procedure to bring Ella and Aidan into our life, and I’d do all of it all over again in a heartbeat, but I don’t think either of us has it in us to go through another cycle.

The truth is, though, that even if we could be “fertile myrtles”, I don’t know that we would. I know that Mike and I both wanted children so badly that we would jump through a million hoops to make it happen. Now that we’ve done our hoop jumping and have our precious little ones, well, I think it’s enough. They’re more than enough, actually. They are our dreams come true.

So, I think I’ll put my “fertile myrtle” fantasies to rest and redirect all of that energy into doting on all of my good friends’ new babies. That’s where it belongs.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Afternoon in the Park

It has been so darn hot and humid here lately that it is simply miserable to do anything outside. Mornings usually are not too bad, so we fill those with playdates, storytime at the library and swim lessons.  However, when Ella and Aidan wake up from their afternoon naps I just cannot stand to be stuck inside until bedtime.  So, one day last week  I decided to suck it up and take the kids to the neighborhood park.  After a solid half-hour in sunscreen and bug spray application, we were finally ready to go!

Aidan is going through a phase right now with a serious attachment to the DVD case for "Toy Story".  Not the movie - just the case.  He recites the names - Buzz Lightyear and Woody and loves his case so much that he even sleeps with it during naps and bedtime.

Needless to say, "Toy Story" accompanied us to the park.....


....and went for a ride on the swings!


Ella decided to bring along one of her baby dolls....


All in all it was a fun (yet ridiculously hot and sticky) afternoon!


Friday, June 26, 2009

Flashback Friday

June 2007
Were they really this little? 


Thursday, June 25, 2009

Father's Day Weekend

After a busy Saturday spent cleaning and organizing, Opa and Mommy Shushi arrived in time to see the kids before I put them to bed. What fun it is when they arrive!!

Sunday was spent going out for brunch and playing with the kids.  While the kids napped that afternoon, Mike and I went to see his Dad for a little Father’s Day visit.  When we got home, Opa and Mommy Shushi were having a total blast with the kids on the front yard.  They had enjoyed popsicles, played in Opa’s car and had discovered the joy of the garden hose!

On Monday we spent a wonderful morning at IKEA browsing the store and having fun together! We really didn’t do much else that afternoon.  We ordered BBQ from Mac’s and had a wonderful meal with the kids.  Mom made her awesome baked beans and potato salad - who could ask for anything more?!

On Tuesday Mike had to work, but the rest of us spent the morning at the Nature Center.  We attempted to sit through a puppet show, but as soon as the puppets came on stage Ella began screaming.  I took her outside of the room while Opa stayed with Aidan, who only lasted about 10 minutes before he was bored.  

After the Nature Center we all enjoyed a nice long lunch at Cantina 1511. Aidan was hilarious – he wanted nothing to do with anyone but Opa and talked the entire meal telling Opa “Fries, Good” over and over again.  Once we mentioned the ice cream for dessert, he chanted over and and over “Ice Cream, Coming, Coming, I wait!”

  

After lunch the kids requested to play in Opa's car again.

Ella got the biggest kick out of the top going up and down! She is saying "Oh My! and Oh Boy!" in the picture!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Yes

I must start saying YES to Ella and Aidan more often. 

It seems like we are often rushing through our days - the morning scramble is so structured: get up, pick out clothes, eat breakfast, change clothes, sunscreen, out the door to the morning’s activities. The nighttime routine is also structured: wash hands, eat dinner, clean up, play, bath, bedtime. 

There seems to be much NO in our house: from me, from Mike, from the kids.  For some reason, I cannot stop thinking about how I can incorporate more YES into our days without feeling resentment about the lost time. 

Just yesterday morning I needed to make a quick run into Michaels (the craft store).  I know from experience that this store is much better suited to have Ella and Aidan in the stroller (well, any store is an easier trip with them in a stroller for that matter!).

 However, true to form these days, as I began unloading the stroller, Ella started to wail and scream “Walk Mommy, NO stroller”. Some things simply have not changed since she was a newborn – she still DESPISES the stroller.

While she despises the stroller, I despise manhandling a screaming, writhing toddler into the stroller, not to mention the looks of disgust I get from other mothers who happen to be around to witness the apparent torture that I am inflicting upon my daughter.  Also, not to mention the hearing damage that Aidan is sure to have experienced after two years now of sitting quietly next to said screaming Ella.  If you have ever heard Ella scream, you understand what I mean.

So, I decided to say YES.

I also allowed each of them to carry with them their beloved “books” (AKA the DVD cases for Toy Story and Shrek).  Aidan is especially obsessed with Buzz Lightyear and loves his “book” so much that it has been by his side non-stop (yes, even for naps and overnight) for the past 3-4 days.  I think it is his new lovey!

So, we walked – the three of us, hand in hand into Michaels.  And they were wonderful.  We took our time and cruised up and down the various isles checking out stamps, stickers, colored paper, wooden animals, play hats, etc.  We eventually found exactly what I was looking for and headed up to the register.

At the register, they stood by my side  and proudly showed the cashier “Buzz” and “Shrek”.  It was a great experience and was so nice to have shoppers comment about how cute and well behaved they were for once rather than giving me the evil eye because someone in the stroller is miserable and making it known quite loudly throughout the store.

What I think I learned yesterday by saying YES to my kids is that I am also saying YES to myself. That by creating these moments for my kids, I am also creating moments for myself. I thought I was doing it for them, but in turn, I got so much out of it for me!


Try it yourself sometime. 

Say yes today rather than no.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Flashback Friday

Bathtime has long been a favorite part of the day around here for the kiddos!

October 2008 - 6 Months Old





June 2009 - 25 Months Old


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Wordless Wednesday



Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Mealtime Games

At nearly every meal, Aidan is bound to finish eating first.  Once he is "released" from the horrible trap known as his booster seat, he plays with Ella while the poor girl tries to finish eating her meal. 

This began as running around the room and hiding behind her chair playing peek-a-boo - and they both LOVED that game (and yes, they both still love to wear those pumpkin hats!).  





Now; however, it has developed into a toe-tickle game.  Aidan discovered that he could crawl underneath the table and grab Ella's feet. She finds it hilarious and, in her usual bossy tone, barks out instructions - "Aidan, tickle toes now!"!

It is actually quite funny to watch, and they both have so much fun!