New Year's Eve snuck up on me. Usually I reminisce about the year gone by as it comes to a close. I think back to all the good times, bad times, and consider resolutions for the new year.
This year I realized my New Year's Eve already happened - on August 16th. My calender flicked over to a new year and a new start on August 17th when Carmen & Lena turned one. That is when I went through my reminiscing and celebrated turning a new leaf. December 31st doesn't hold so much weight this year!
That being said, I am really looking forward to moving into 2012. I'm ready to leave behind this cold, rainy weather and start looking forward to spring. We've booked tickets to visit my parents in Arizona in February so I'm really looking forward to/am anxious about the trip. We haven't gone on a vacation in a few years now and the idea of sunbathing and swimming in the pool is definitely appealing. Hopefully the relaxing aspects of the trip will outweigh the stressful ones of traveling with the girls!
Anyways, I wanted to say Happy New Year to all my friends and family who read my blog. Thank you for following me, and for supporting me. I hope you find much joy and peace in 2012. Much love. x
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Bright Nights.
I haven't been writing much because things are going well. I'm really enjoying this stage in the girls lives and I don't have a whole lot to complain about. And people don't want to read about when things are going well, do they?
Well, in case you do I'll tell you about this past weekend. On Saturday afternoon we took the girls to a party where there were lots of other parents and babies. One of the parents jokingly asked me when I was planning on adding to the family (and in case you're wondering, that is the absolute furthest thought from my mind). But it made me think about how since I first found out I was pregnant with twins, I've always had the thought "I only have to do this once". It was the thought that got me through the hardest times in the first year. Knowing I'd never do what I did again made it more bearable. And now, this same thought, "I only have to do this once" has become "I only get to do this once".
I will only ever get to experience these things once. Carmen and Lena will never be small again. Living in the moment, and appreciating what is here now because it will never be here and now again makes every moment more vivid and more meaningful. I think this is part of the beauty of being a parent. There's a certain feeling that hits you in the heart when you have these thoughts. It's a blend of sadness, gratitude, happiness, absolute love and longing all at the same time.
Yesterday we went on the Bright Nights miniature train at Stanley Park for my nephew's second birthday. Carmen was dancing to the Christmas music, pointing at everything. Lena was staring quietly, gripping Orlando's fingers in her hands, taking it all in with a very serious expression. I was so happy in that moment, I was on the verge of tears. I tear up just thinking about it. I am so very, very grateful to have Carmen and Lena. So very lucky to have the experiences and memories I do. My intention is to live as much as possible in the present with my children. I only get to do this once.
Well, in case you do I'll tell you about this past weekend. On Saturday afternoon we took the girls to a party where there were lots of other parents and babies. One of the parents jokingly asked me when I was planning on adding to the family (and in case you're wondering, that is the absolute furthest thought from my mind). But it made me think about how since I first found out I was pregnant with twins, I've always had the thought "I only have to do this once". It was the thought that got me through the hardest times in the first year. Knowing I'd never do what I did again made it more bearable. And now, this same thought, "I only have to do this once" has become "I only get to do this once".
I will only ever get to experience these things once. Carmen and Lena will never be small again. Living in the moment, and appreciating what is here now because it will never be here and now again makes every moment more vivid and more meaningful. I think this is part of the beauty of being a parent. There's a certain feeling that hits you in the heart when you have these thoughts. It's a blend of sadness, gratitude, happiness, absolute love and longing all at the same time.
Yesterday we went on the Bright Nights miniature train at Stanley Park for my nephew's second birthday. Carmen was dancing to the Christmas music, pointing at everything. Lena was staring quietly, gripping Orlando's fingers in her hands, taking it all in with a very serious expression. I was so happy in that moment, I was on the verge of tears. I tear up just thinking about it. I am so very, very grateful to have Carmen and Lena. So very lucky to have the experiences and memories I do. My intention is to live as much as possible in the present with my children. I only get to do this once.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Carmen, aka Doh-ter
Lena's been talking about "doh-ter" for a week. When Carmen takes Lena's toy, she says sadly, "doh-ter". When Carmen is upstairs sleeping and Lena is awake, she points up the stairwell and says "doh-ter". It took me a few days to realize that she's saying Sister! And now that I understand, I realize how often Lena says "Mama, Dada, Doh-ter". She always says it when Carmen is in the way, or when Carmen is doing something Lena wants to do, or if Carmen just isn't around and she misses her.
"Lena, can you say sister?"
Doh-ter! Doh-ter!
So now everyone simply calls Carmen Doh-ter.
"Lena, can you say sister?"
Doh-ter! Doh-ter!
So now everyone simply calls Carmen Doh-ter.