Distance

When the second trimester of pregnancy hits people ask you if you are "nesting." And, until you start cleaning the house, throwing away horded crap, and searching craigslists for bouncing and swinging plastic you are not sure exactly what they mean. But  it was not until I spent a weekend away from the Bellingham did I realize that we have been nesting for well over a year.

While I knew I would miss my family, I felt totally confident that Justin had the situation until control, and in all honestly I was glad to have a weekend to care for myself. I left on Friday for the NCA conference in San Fransisco and came home today with a fresh perspective. I forgot that even though I go to bed at 9, there are people partying through the night every night of the week. I had forgotten that not everyone sits down for three meals and two snacks a day. I forgot how nice it is to feel the buzz of a city. I had forgotten how much I love to think about theoretical ideas and that the sun comes out in November. But most of all I had forgotten how much I missed my girls.

While I have a great community in Bellingham, I am constantly straddling the life of a working mom. Running home to see my babies after a long day and staying up late to respond to student emails. Yet there are few people who can say they truly love their life, and I can. My job is intellectually stimulating and my family loving and tender. But I have been lucky enough to have meet some really amazing women over the years. I have great friends from each chapter of my 33 years yet the closets lives farther than I could drive in a day. With exception of the southwest, I have close girlfriends living in every US region, the shortest distance between them is a eight hour drive. Some I talk to daily, others weekly or monthly, and some not at all. Yet this weekend, for a short time, I got to spend quality uninterrupted time with many of them. Together we ate great meals, talked about great ideas, did a little shopping, laughed ourselves to tears, and danced in ways I forgotten how much I missed. I tried to cherish each moment drawing on my yogic practice, pushing to be faithfully present ignoring both past and future. Yet when it was over, I could not hold back the tears (transition has never been my strength).

I was not sad to return, for I missed my family. Plus Morgan can now say socks and Addy has grown at least ten more red hair. But my heart hated they my girls did not know my family, that they did not live close, and that I had no idea when I would see them all again. It is so nice to know how well of these girls are doing. They are all loved, brilliant, and beautiful, but missed. A special thanks to Lindsay, Helen, Jen, Karen, Danielle and many others for a truly a great weekend.

PS: Staring Saturday the Astions start pouring into Bellingham, stay tuned for a family thanksgiving - my Grandfather has already packed the traditionally Thanksgiving tablecloth- there better be no luggage problems between Florida and Washington.

A diary is always a rendition of the past for the future

People always tell me “your time with your children flies by,” and it does. It has only been 13, almost 14 months and I have already forgotten so much. I almost forgot how Addy would do hundreds of sit-ups each day, or Morgan would curl up on her Daddy’s chest and sleep away. Their love of the swing, Addy’s soft singing in the car, Morgen’s fear of a diaper change, or the sleepless nights that have passed so quickly. How Vern would attempt to jump into the pack and play just to get glimpse and Scout would sit patiently close to each one of them offering comfort when they cried. 

 It is possible my obsession with photographs is my attempt to remember. The time in my life when I have taken the most pictures, family parties, summer camp, my travels with Justin and now, are the times I long never to forget. Yet I hope this blog can be for our family an extension of those pictures—an insight, ever so small, of what I was thinking. But now I as I juggle a loving family and a stimulating career I have too little time to write. So before I introduce new images let me take a moment to fill you in on some the things I hope not to forget. 

For the longest time Morgan would rev her fists like she was riding a motor cycle and when Morgan learned to point she would often forget to put her finger out, so she’d point full fisted like a super hero ready to take off. And take off she might. Now instead of riding a motor cycle, flap her arms like a bird when she is excited, sad, happy, or frustrated. She loves to climb the stairs and she is fast. When she reaches the top she could not be prouder of herself. Yesterday she must have had a run in with flinstones when I was not looking because her favorite phrase is now yabadaba. She is also proud to call he sister by name - AADEEE. Morgan is a great kisser (open fish mouth style) and also a super dancer. When you put on music she shakes her little butt back and forth from side to side with a big smile. She hates when doors shut, even if everyone is on her side of the door. She also loves to feed me her food – so generous. And when she likes what is being served, which is most the time, she does a little shimmy.

Addy loves to run, everywhere. She is the cutest runner I have ever seen. She picks her feet up real high and takes off regardless of what is in her path. Today she ran right into a women’s knee. Dog, Scout, and Ut-oh are her favorite words but she says them real slow—maybe a throw back to her southern roots. Unlike Morgan, Addy’s voice changes when she says real words. It is almost as if she knows all her other vocalizations are not comprehensible. And while other toddlers eat pasta she prefers peas, tofu, and yogurt. She is ticklish under her neck and loves to read but mostly in the bath. We have nicknamed her Dewey because she meticulously empties the bookshelf as if she has a better system of organization. As Addy grows longer and longer her waist and butt stay the same size. But she is catching up to Morgan, she is no longer 5 lbs lighter, now it is only 2 lbs difference. Now that I think about it, I will get her running hurdles early. Addy also loves the gravity game, let go, it falls, and mama picks it up. Her favorite toy is Leo the plastic dog. Up until recently, when I begged my friend Chelsea to let us keep him, he was also the only toy we did not have. Addy walks Leo on the leash everywhere. She gets frustrated if she does not have all four paws on the ground (the prerequisite for him to make the click-click sound) but always holds too far up the leash so that he is hanging by his neck. Then she stops firmly places him on the floor and goes at it again.

Both girls love Scout and Vern. They pat-pat them every day. They play ball with Scout all day and he loves it almost as much as they do. They also love playing tickle games with their Daddy. Today I came in from walking the dogs to the sweet sound of both girls laughing hysterically. Justin is great father and husband. Not in just the support way-although he does that, but in the action way. He takes care of the girls not because I ask him to or because he has to but because he truly wants to. Each Tuesdays and Thursdays are days with dad. I leave for work at 7 and when I come home at 5 the girls are happy, the house is clean, both girls are wearing their blue jeans, Addy has on her owl shirt, Morgie her stripped shirt (their cloths are washed on Wednesdays) the dogs have been walked (which is a huge feet in the land of rain), and dinner is made. He asks for nothing but a few minutes of sports talk with buddies in NC and a half hour of online free fake-money poker. In return he gives us love, support, and never ending care. In my wildest dreams I could not have asked for a more amazing man. We make a great team, we can sense when other needs a break, sleep, or care and do our best to provide. As I type he is scratching the dogs’ belly.

I cannot imagine the girls not having each other to play with. After a good meal or nap they play and play and play. They take out every piece of Tupperware, all the folding napkins, and anything safe enough for me to store on our lower shelves—plastic dishes, dish towels, sippy cups, the smoothie maker, diapers. You name in and it is off its self and on the floor in a matter of seconds. As we clean up one mess they made another. We joke they are trying to destroy the house, and are doing a good job. They play hid and seek around the kitchen table and laugh at each other all the time. They also love to be pushed in their carts, so one gets in and calls the other over to push.

Each night after a bath we play and read before better. 

It is some of my most cherished times. It is usually just me and the girls, they are always in a good mode, the day is almost done and they are full of love. Justin cleans up downstairs and comes up for a final cup of milk. Then, ours after Justin and I lay them down to the lullabies of Bob Marley or the Beatles, I go up and look at the heavenly gift I have been granted. So sweet, so precious, and so loved.

This past weekend was Halloween, my favorite holiday and not Justins. But I rallied some DuPre spirit (with the girls at least). On Saturday we went to an infant Halloween party. I am so lucky to have meet a really nice group of mom’s with great kids.  Here are some highlights:

First they girls thought they would go as a reggae band- their good friend Freyja would be Bob Marley

Then they decided they should go as something a little younger at heart.

Addy starred as the lion, and together with their friends- they went as the Wizard of Oz

Mom's dressed up too

They won the award for best group custom, but Addy was about done with all the paparazzi

Morgan was bit sad when the party ended

But she cheered up when I told her it was a Halloween weekend. Sunday morning they put on the super cute Halloween dresses their grandma Judy got them

Then they got dressed up ago to go trick or treating down town. Since we had some extra customs we figures we should put them to use So. . .

Addy was a frog

And Morgan a rabbit.it was a great weekend!

October

Vern in the Park 

September was so rainy, but October made up for it. We had so much fun this month I really have not had time to write. Things are still really busy but great. The girls are learning to run and talk. Addy has so many bruises. But while Morgan lead the motor skills charge, Addy is leading the way on talking. Both girls can say Mama and Dada but in the last few days Addy has added ut-oh and dog to her vocab. Dare I say we have finally got sleeping under control and are getting some good rest. But of all the time I spend with the girls, the time I enjoy most is when all six of us make it out for a day at the park. October has made parks days awesome. The weather has been warm, sunny, and dry. Here are some highlights of October.

Addy Baye loving the leaves 

Really loving the leaves

Miss Morgan 

Morgie in the grass

The girls and I went with some great moms to the pumpkin patch. They also sell tress in December. Addy found one she really liked.

"Can we get this one?"

 The DuPre girls at Stoney Ridge Farm

 So we set out looking for a pumpkin . . . 

The girls on the lookout for a good one 

Still looking

Morgan picked out two - one for Scout and a 28lber now on our doorstep 

I carried the heavy one and Morgan carried Scouts

I have always loved Halloween and the pumpkin patch was so much fun. Both girls were in a great mood and loved the wheelbarrow ride. At one point Addy was the lookout directing me and Morgie was holding on to the pumpkin for dear life It was so cute. Stay tuned for the Halloween pictures coming soon.

First Birthday

A summer full of picnics is over but things great. The girls are one, they are both walking, and they are so fun to be with. Below are some more recent pictures.

 The girls and I at the park by the bay

So tickelish

 Love Cherrios !!

Addy and the kites of summer 

Addy and Daddy 

Freyja slept over and read Addy a bedtime story

Morgie opening her birthday present 

The girls and their Daddy on their first birthday 

Miss Addy 

 Their first taste of chocolate

Very interesting 

So cute 

Reading with Nana 

And more reading with Grandma (Addy loves books)

The only thing the girls like better then pushing their carts is being pushed in the carts

Big girls wear cords

And know how to climb up the stairs.

We look forward to sharing another year with you!!!

 

From Babies to Toddlers

In one week my daughters will be one. Crazy! What an amazing year it has been. I have learned so much, they have learned even more, and we are all so happy. Most recently I have learned the difference between a baby (which I used to have) and a toddler (of which I am the proud parent of two).They toddle. Morgan is walking, although she has a very stiff Frankenstein style at the moment. Addy took her first steps Wednesday and is not far behind. And these girls can eat. Today we were out so I packed a lunch. After a zip lock of carrots, string cheese, a container of soy yogurt, a bag of cheerios, and a ton of strawberries and blueberries the girls looked at me as if they were starving. Both downed 6oz of milk when we got home. That was just lunch not to mention to other meals and two other snacks. I think they are beefing up for the big weigh in next week at the doctor.

We had a great time with my uncle Steven and Patti this past weekend. There were so helpful and really had a good time with the girls. If only we lived closer. But having my cousin Alex on the west coast will be a nice incentive for them to return. We are gearing up for my mom and mother-in-law to visit next week for their birthday. Below are a few picture highlights.

 Patti hangin with Miss Addy Baye 

Steven reading to Morgie

The girls playing 

And then a birthday present came. I told them not open it before their birthday but. . . 

It turned out to be a great gift from their Grandma's

 Addy pushes her toys around

Morgan pushes her friend Frejya around 

(who is coming for a sleep over tomorrow- we are very excited)

 

And now they are getting older we have put them to work: 

Sleepy eyed Morgan making french toast

(do not worry Mom there is adult right next to the counter)

Addy made meatballs

and she did the wash 

They are too much fun. We are in a really great phase now.