TN Day 5: Spoiled

And I dont just mean the babies!

Coming back "home" is always nice for a little spoiling, and my parents are quite good at that!  It's nice to just walk in the door and feel that "at home" feeling.  My stepdad is a gourmet cook and if I get home without putting on any weight, I'll feel lucky!  I love to cook, but when I'm here, I love to eat!  Last night, I had a pretty nasty headache, so I took a nap and missed dinner, but he kept it warm and I ended up with two servings after I woke up! (And I could have easily eaten a third!!!)  Everything has been phenomenal, but his homemade barbecue (and I do mean HOMEMADE all the way, including the sauce and the smoking and the whole nine yards) and last night's beef stew are unreal!  That, combined with my mom's backrubs... I have to say, I'm in heaven. :)

The kids are doing well, other than being extra cranky at night because they arent getting their normal naps.  They sleep really well in the evenings, but come around 8pm-9pm, the crankopotamus in them comes out.  They usually get a 30m-45m morning nap, a 3 hour afternoon nap, and a good 2 hour evening nap before their last feed and bed each day.  Here, their naps are car catnaps, and then dosing when being held with maybe an hour long afternoon nap, if we can get them down.  So, it can be pretty rough in the evenings.  Last night, Maya sobbed for at least 15 minutes before I finally got her to sleep.  But they are loving the attention.  They easily leave my arms for Mimi and PopPop and Mamaw (my grandmother).  They will reach out and rarely want to come immediately back to Peter or I.

We visited my great grandmother, who sadly, was turned over to hospice care yesterday.  I'm so glad that she was able to see them, hug them, kiss them, and just visit with them.  The time was brief because she is in and out, but when she woke, she remembered them being there.  And that is a big something.  Peter got some pictures, and I want to have my stepdad print them out, so that we can frame them and take them over.  Both babies hugged her neck and gave her baby kisses. :)  I was so proud of them for being friendly and loving to someone they'd never met.  I think it would have been sad, had they cried.  And for her, it was a nice moment.  I'm so happy for that.

I still havent seen my brother or nephew.  There's been drama, but the short end of it is that I havent seen him.  I'm trying to reserve myself until the end of the trip, but it breaks my heart that he hasnt been to visit his niece and nephew, and that I havent seen my brother or nephew.  We havent been invited over (and honestly, with their pit bulls, Peter and I arent comfortable with the babies there), nor has he accepted our invitation to take all the kids to the museum, or my mom's invites to come for dinner.  So, at this point, we are just waiting... and hoping.

I spoke to my stepbrother (who just had the twin girls) and saw some ADORABLE pictures!!!  They are just gorgeous!  Two bundles of sweetness!  They were having a picnic over the weekend, and got the girls to the park.  It was really a lovely photo shoot.  He invited us to stay with them when we visit out west.  We were planning on doing a layover in his neck of the woods so that we could introduce the kids to each other, but he offered for us to stay with them and do a dual trip to their area before moving on to a few nights in CA (with Peter's family).  Which was so sweet.  We are hoping to go in the fall.  I am so excited now to look at actually making plans!  I think it would be wonderful for the cousins to get to know one another, since we live so far apart.

The babies are talking up a storm (most of it in a language they understand, LOL).  Bobby says Mama, Ba (for bottle- thanks Aunt Sarah!) and Ma (for Maya).  Maya says Mommy, Baba (for Bobby), Baby (which she refers to herself, usually when she is upset or crying), and now, as of yesterday, Daddy.  She especially will talk to you, but none of us have figured out her language yet :).  Bobby seems to understand, and the two of them will look at each other and just go back and forth.  I love to watch them, and to watch as they seem to get what the other is talking about.

And, speaking of Aunt Sarah, the baby Camelbak bottles are a HIT!  Maya was constantly wanting my bite-valve Camelbak bottle.  So, Sarah, being the groovy Aunt that she is, went out and got Maya her own... And because she couldnt leave Bobby out, he got one as well!  Even though they are recommended for older kids, these things are awesome.  Both babies know that they need to bite and suck for water, and they love the independence of being able to have their own "like-Mommy-and-Daddy-bottles" that they can use themselves.   I always have to make sure I have these packed before we leave the hotel.

It is hot here.  Hot and humid.  The two main reasons I could never move back full time.  Yuck!  It shouldnt be hot and humid by 8am!

Bobby is walking up a storm.  My mom followed him around, holding his hands for give him the bit of extra balance he needs) and he went everywhere!  He loved the texture of her floors: hardwood, rug, tile.  It was a cornucopia of new experiences!  And, because their yard is a jungle (really... They are PLANT people!) he had a wonderful time exploring the trees when Peter would take him for yard walks.  Mom took both kids to the hammock, which was a wonderful adventure for them, and Maya loves their Korean, low-to-the-floor table, which she can stand at unassisted.  She also has taken to sitting up from laying on her back.  (This happened two days ago when I was trying to lay down with her for a nap).

Well, it sounds as though babies are starting to wake up, so I'd better get dressed and get morning bottles made!

***
Please pray for my cousin.  She went into preterm labor at 33 weeks.  We havent heard anything, other that her water broke and they were taking her to the hospital.

***
Also, I was talking to Peter about the blogger breakfast and he alerted me to the fact that I wrote 1pm.  It should be 10am!  I am so sorry!!!  I realize this may impede those who were thinking of coming, and, if that is the case, I am so sorry...  I'm even sorrier because (gulp) that might be too late of a time!  Peter wants to hit the earliest Mass, have breakfast, and head out right afterwards, since we will "lose" an hour going home.  So... If you think you can make 10am at Noshville's Midtown, drop me a line and let me know!  Otherwise, we'll save our meetup for our next visit!