In the middle of the Potty Training madness, our duo celebrated their second birthday.
With little to no fanfare.
We had pizza and ice cream cake with Nonie & Pops, and they were spoiled by gifts from all of their friends and family. There was no party, just a song and a candle! I figured that this was the last year we could get away with a non-party. At three, they will be in Preschool (gulp. Already?) and will have preschool friends to invite and celebrate with.
Two years. It’s hard to wrap my brain around that fact. Please forgive me. With our 5 year anniversary coming up, I’ve been reminiscing quite a bit.
October 2016
October 2014
October 2015
Two years of milestones, and so many more to come. I could fill this post with memories, with hopes, with all the ways they make me proud- and don’t get me wrong… I probably would have. If I’m really honest, however, I have a hard time putting words to the feelings I have.
I remember their first birthday. It was a major celebration- and not just for the birthday kids. We were celebrating survival. Celebrating the fog that was finally lifting. Celebrating being able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Our lives would eventually find a new normal. We had hope.
We celebrated our village. All of the people who got us to that day. Those same people- plus some new ones- were responsible for getting us to this day, one year later.
Two years ago, our lives were flipped upside down in an instant (okay, it actually took approximately 22 hours from when they induced labor, to birth via c-section.) TT Dad still has a hard time believing they placed Zoey in his arms, as if he knew what he was doing. I had a rough recovery, and was pretty out of it for a couple of days, so TT Dad had to step up his baby game. He was SuperDad.
One of these days, I’ll have to write out our birth story, but today is not that day.
Today I am thankful for my partner in this crazy world. TT Dad continues to impress me with his ability to channel SuperDad as needed. I’m lucky.
As the kids get older, and their personalities shine brighter, it’s so clear to see bits and pieces of ourselves in them. Nothing makes me happier than to see the relationship they have with each other, and with TT Dad. They are truly best friends, and while they still have the typical sibling issues, they always end up hugging and laughing.
Zoey has the most amazing imagination, and is always using voices to make her friends (babies, animals, princesses, bus drivers…) speak to each other. Garrett never stops learning, except when he’s concerned that someone is upset. He counts everything, and repeats everything he hears, also. TT Dad mentioned that we should have named him Parrot, not Garrett.
While in some ways, it’s a little harder than it was a year ago (more opinions, more likes and dislikes, more stalling tactics) I’d say it’s gotten easier, too. My kids are good at heart, and follow direction really well (when the stars align, and they are not cranky, tired, hungry, or more interested in not following directions!)
They are loving, kind, curious, hilarious, and full of pep. I could not ask for a better family, both individually, and as a unit. I am excited to see what the future holds for our little crew, but not only in our adventures away from home, but also here, at home.