My Dear Little Men,
This post was due at least four weeks ago, but Mom finally
found a quiet moment. I’m currently in the air, flying from Denver to
Philadelphia, on my way back home from a Victorian Studies conference in
Pasadena. Aside from a twinge of
bitterness at the $8 I just paid for dial-up-quality WiFi, all I can think
about is getting home to the two of you.
I've been gone for five days and may have to arm wrestle your dad for
the right to wake you up and snuggle you when I get home! The idea of only seeing
you briefly in the morning then having to head out to my 8 am class sounds unbearable.
Something this conference has shown me is as that as much as I
love Victorian Studies, I’m so happy with the career path I've chosen: one that
allows me to pursue those interests if/when time allows, but more importantly,
lets me teach wonderful students, and most importantly, be home at 2 pm to
spend my days with my beautiful boys.
Watching you turn one last month was bittersweet. Kyle and Jacqueline, Ga (your great grandma),
Gram, Gramp, the Grants, Aunty, Andi, Kristy, Lisa and of course Nada were all
in attendance. Gram made a monkey cake that would make the most avid Pinterest fan weep! Thanks to her and Aunt Jacqueline, streamers, balloons, and
monkeys adorned the sunroom. Wegman’s catering covered the dining room table
and all of your guests spurned our no gifts policy and spoiled you rotten!
While watching you dig through your pieces of monkey cake, it really hit me: you’re no longer my babies! The 6 and 4 &½ pound bundles I brought home from the hospital are now toddlers bordering on kids. You walk, you run, you throw, you laugh, and pull and push each other off your favorite truck from Uncle David. You know many people by name and photograph (Mom, Dad, Grampy, Gram, Aunty aka Nada, Aunt Jacqueline, Uncle Kyle aka Uncle Nom-nom, Adam, Blue of course, Lonee, Andi, and Kristy & Chris) and at 12 months, you both said “Mama,” “Daddy,” and “Blue.” Jack often says “uh-oh” (sometimes simply mimicking us, but more often, implying “Look, I dropped that; time to get it for me!) and Alex says “bu-bu” for bubble and waves and says “Buh-bye” regularly, though we are rather certain you think "bye-bye" this means “door.”
You point, use the sign for “more,” sometimes simultaneously, and I maintain that Alex’s utterance “Mama bu-buh” was “Mom, I want the bubbles” which therefore qualifies as your first sentence! We've been through first year vaccines, the transition into all 12-24 month sized clothes, and were recently informed by the doctor it's time to get rid of your bottles. I'm putting this off until this weekend... you can be my babies a few days longer... You’re wonderful, you’re perfect, and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have two of you!
