Max's surgery - 3

It was as if nothing actually happened today with Max. Yeah, he's got a huge bandage over his eye and he knows it, but he was no more grumpy this afternoon than he normally is. In fact, I think he actually likes the big patch and bracelets - they entertained them for quite awhile today. After we got home (around 11:30), it was really business as usual. For the rest of the afternoon, they were pretty much on their own routine, including Max. I think, at this point, we're more worried about the swine flu than Max's cyst.

Max's surgery - 2

Dr. Tong just came down to see us and Max's surgery went very well :) The cyst looked like a white pinto bean. They're going to send it off for tests (which we should get in about a week), but do not expect any bad news. The nurse just called us and 'our son is now ready for visitors.'

Max's surgery - 1

Max is now in surgery (to get the cyst above his eye removed). Steph just got back from getting us breakfast. We are both nervous. It was heart-wrenching (I know, dramatic) to see him go back with the nurse. The surgery should take 45 minutes, which is about 30 minutes from now.

Sicky Gracie

Mom came into town last night. We had visions of the zoo or the aquarium or the arboretum today, but Gracie got sick last night. She woke up at 1AM with a 102 fever and we've been nursing her ever since. This morning, the doctor said that it's probably viral since the strep test came back negative. I'm sitting by her right now and she's burning up. Boys are sleeping. Mom and Steph are out playing girl. Phineas and Ferb is weird.

Max's first word

TURTLE

Easter Sunday

We spent Easter together as a family this year and it was great. We went to church (one we really like, at that), ate a Greek meal, watched the Masters, took a nice, long walk and here we are, winding down for the day.

It started off totally Griswold-esk. We can never leave the house on time for church. It's a good 30 minute ride, door to pew, but we keep thinking it's more like 15-20. Our intentions have always been to leave 45 minutes early; that's just not happening, especially since it falls right in the window of the boys' breakfast.

A couple of days ago, Max ate some peaches and had an allergic reaction. We think it was peaches. It might have been an overload on real milk. Regardless, Max's face, belly and back have been scattered with a rash all weekend. This morning, he was not comfortable and did not want to be left alone. The more upset he got, the worse his rash got, so it seemed.

By the time we had to get out the door, we're halfway clothed, Gracie's following right behind me, everywhere I go, shouting and singing whatever comes to her mind, the boys are fussy, bottles still need to be made and we're all hungry. The early church service puts a cramp in our regularly-scheduled-weekend breakfast. The later service put a cramp in our lunch and nap plans. We opt for the former, but we're hungry and cranky every Sunday morning....perfect states for church :)

On the way, the boys had their bottles. Max does this thing with the nipples now where he pokes them through the bottle and lets his milk spill all over him. The spilling is accidental, but the poking isn't. He is bored with bottles, regular fare, so he likes to kick it up a little. He thought this morning, decked out in his Easter Sunday best, would be another good time to do this thing.

Nick's bottle had milk in it. Nick is allergic to milk. As we pulled into the parking lot, Nick threw everything up.

At this point, we are 15 minutes late and we have 2 soaked boys and 0 spare clothes. Gracie, thankfully, was just anxious to go in so her big to-do was getting her umbrella open, which she was able to figure out on her own. Steph and I looked at each other, laughed, breathed and asked if we really wanted to do this this morning.

In true Clark Griswold fashion, we persevered. There was nothing else to do. We made it this far. We're going in. And we're going to love it.

We're both so glad that we did. We love this church and today's service was another affirmation point for us. The people are so kind there, we do see other couples our age (although we haven't really met any of them yet), they have places for the kids and the kids are happy there and most importantly, it is a place were Steph and I are both very comfortable. We feel like God is leading us here.

We'll just continue to try to make it there on time.

Twins growing up

Watching the boys when they don't know you're watching them is magical. It's one of those moments that are defined on those silly, little cards and emails. It's true though. I love to sit and just watch them be. It's so neat watching the two of them together experiencing the same exact environment. They're interacting with each other more and more. Talking to each other. Laughing at each other. Fighting with each other. It's a really special thing to be a part of, twins growing up.

Vei

Intense.

Things have been crazy.

Even more than when the twins were born a year ago.

Oy.

God bless my mom

The kids are back home. My mom took them all after the party on Saturday. That's right, you did not misread that. My mom took all the kids home, to Austin, after the party. We were home alone Saturday - Tuesday morning. My mom is a saint.

Steph and I went to Nobu on Saturday night. I got sick so Sunday we just vegged out. Enjoyed the silence. Monday I worked and Steph ran lots of errands and treated herself to a pedi. We did lawn work last night.

This morning, Steph and my mom met in West and did the hand-off.

Thank you, mom. It was the best thing you could have given us. :)

Perfect Celebration

So much has happened in the last few weeks but I haven't had the energy to sit down and devote good time to writing. It's been hard. That's really been the underlying theme of this year so far - hard. Steph and her family still struggle hourly with the passing of Bob. Soon enough, those hours will turn into days, but right now, it's still too fresh.

We split up last weekend - Steph took the boys to be with her family in The Woodlands and I took Gracie to Austin for Michelle's last dance contest of the year. It was a bittersweet time. It was a wonderful time with Gracie (we went to the carnival and ate pizza and sang Disney songs together and I savored every moment of daddy/daughter weekend), but we were not all together as a family. And being together as a family, we have been reminded constantly this year, is the foundation where everyone can rest. When you need support, when you need love, when you need joy, when you need rejuvination - family is it.

We had our closest friends and family over this weekend for the boys' 1st birthday. We wanted to honor all of those who have played an instrumental role in our lives over the last year. It was the perfect celebration.