Upon the return

Tyler, the kids and I flew back to Utah for the holidays.  Stayed there for a solid 3 weeks!  Unfortunately, we brought some kind of bug with us, so the first half of our stay the five of us were sick, and everyone else was sick the second half.  So... fun!  But amidst all the snot and fevers, we did get a lot of visiting in.  This was our first trip "back home."  I've traveled more than Tyler, but neither of us has ever lived more than an hour's drive away from our parents.  If I didn't have the emotional and physical well being of my kids to tend to, I would probably dwell too much on that solemn, lonesome fact.  But there isn't much time to think about how much I miss my mom when Lincoln is the one breaking down over not being able to "go see Grandma Ann!" or "eat blueberries at Grandma Lori's house!"

Because both Tyler's family and mine live so close, we did our best to balance out the visiting.  It just got to be far too overwhelming and stressful.  I am not a social planner, let me tell you.  Luckily we ended up being able to all hang out together in one big, beautiful home, and that was precious.  I'm grateful to everyone for accommodating our brood.  I didn't do any dishes or laundry while I was there, and Tyler and I even went out to see a movie.  The babies were doted on, Lincoln played til he dropped every night, I took several relaxing baths, and Tyler got as much video game time in as he could (which wasn't much, I think, on the gamer scale, but considering I am not very supportive of the hobby, it was more than he'll get at home... ever.)

Visuals:

From what I can tell, grandkids are a blast!  

My parents and Lincoln, celebrating his 3rd birthday!

It's always the wrapping materials that steal the show.  

Evan, my little brother, taking it easy.

My mom, delivering a gingerbread message to start his big day.

Poor girl.  Finally fell asleep at 4 a.m. after a very, very long night.  I was grateful for this moment.  And for my best friend Liz, who spent the night in the living room with me and my fussy twins.  I'll never forget that calm, quiet voice, "How can I help?"

Linc amidst the Lawrence Christmas.

Linc amidst the Metcalf Christmas.  This was the first year he woke up to see what Santa had brought.  Grandma Betty, in the background, will be missed.  We are glad we could see her one last time.

One of Lincoln's cousins, who was so very happy to finally receive her baby doll!

Hazel and her gorgeous Grandma Lori.  Thank you for letting us stay with you.  I know we were a lot of work, but you never let on!  

Tyler's older sister and the snowman birthday cake.  Decorated by the birthday boy himself!

Hazel, receiving the magic touch from a true Baby Whisperer.  

Lincoln's expression here pretty much sums up how feels about Uncle Nick.

Playing at Cafe Rio.




Gingerbread House Making.  Liz has been a part of our family tradition for 9 years now!  She always goes above and beyond.  Naturally.

And Tyler made a double decker-- something I've wanted to try before.  Success!

I'm so glad my Grandma (known to the kids as Grandma Polly) could come see us from California.  She is so happy and sweet, all the time.

Being awesome.

My mom... I don't know how, but she remembers how to care for a baby like I was one yesterday.  It's amazing and so helpful!

Meeting Shaila's Grandma Lee, who made these blankets and hats for my kids.  The blankets each have their names on them.  So wonderful!  (Shaila is my brother's girlfriend.)

When it came time to leave, 4 cars and 8 extra people escorted us to the airport.  It takes a village, and this is ours!  Thank you everyone!

Mangia!

I feel like the focus for the new year, so far, has been food.  I thought tandem breastfeeding was time-consuming, but now my entire day is literally consumed with what everyone is to eat!  Ezra is on formula and jars of baby food.  Hazel cannot stomach milk-based formula, we discovered, so she's still breast feeding.  And when I try to give her a spoonful of solids (which I do daily, just to get her used to the idea) this is what we get:



I want to prepare a better variety of fresh produce for the family.  It has occurred to me that Lincoln might recognize a box of frozen pizza as more familiar fare than, say, an eggplant or a head of lettuce.  So we've been discussing vegetables and fruit, and throwing them in the blender.  "What color are we going to make?" he asks me.  Tonight at dinner we had a blast eating each other's "snowman noses."  Two summers ago, I remember crying in exhausted relief when Lincoln voluntarily took a bite of a carrot.  Progress.