Catching Up

There is so much to write about that I don't know where to begin. Seriously, I could have posted everyday over the past few weeks and I still wouldn't be able to share everything that I want you all to know. If only I had more time. I think any mom out there can relate to not having enough time. When I finally DO have time, after kids are in bed, pumping is over, face and teeth are clean, it's usually somewhere around the neighborhood of 10pm... and for a gal who only gets a few full nights of sleep a month, getting in to the sac is just about the only thing on my mind. But I digress.

We have just returned home from a whirlwind trip to Atlanta to visit my loving and supportive family. I love the escape from our everyday reality. Avery and Kaylin get to be spoiled rotten by Grammy, Granddad, Aunt Jenna and Uncle David, and Bryan and I get refuge for at least a few hours to go and just be a couple. For a few days anyway, I am able to let go of my anxiety and just relish in the memories I adore making with my kids. We were able to swim, see fireworks, play in a bounce house, go to a park on the river and see lots of ducks, eat great meals at my parent's country club and at their house... and just relax. Bryan and I even went to the movies and watched two more on pay per view.... a record for us since we have had kids! It was fantastic. All of it. Even the the travel part, which wasn't without glitches, was fine. Hard, but manageable.

Luckily, we were only home a day and we got to spend some quality time with more family. My brother Stuart, his wife Darsi and their kids Sydney and Maddox stopped by on their way back from a family vacation in Austin. All four of these individuals are so incredibly special. Bryan and I can't get over how they are able, all of them, to connect to our kids. Especially Avery. Avery is HARD to connect too, yet, somehow, without too much effort, she really loves the four of them. It is evident in her approach to them, how she wants to just "be" around them. In the smile on her face, and in her attempts to "play" with them, or at least near them. It really warms my heart. It is magical for me to see.

Finally, on Friday, I had Kaylin evaluated by some buddies of mine who are still working full time in Early Intervention. Since she broke her arm and was casted for several weeks, I wanted to make sure her wrist was functioning properly, but I also wanted to make sure my "mommy eyes" weren't missing any red flags in her development. By the time Avery was her age, she had started her massive regression... so needless to say I have been a complete wreck about this lately. Thankfully, Kaylin sailed through her assessment, and is actually above age level in every area they tested. We even counted and she was able to say 40 or so words. So, for the moment, I can breath a sigh of relief. I won't completely relax until she is about 2... but for now, I can finally enjoy the pleasures of watching your child do what they are SUPPOSED to do. It's unbelievable, and sometimes, slightly bittersweet. But I am thrilled.

So, at last, I can finish up this post for the day. It has taken 5 different times of me sitting down to get to it, but I can always write more later. I always have more to say. But for the time being, I want to just say thank you. Thanks to all of you who care to read this from time to time. Our journey isn't all that unique, but I hope it provides for some of you some sort of inspiration or perspective. Some sort of glimpse into our souls that hopefully, will move towards more peace, tolerance and acceptance. Life isn't at all what I thought it would be. It's better. In every way, it's better.