August 2008

The naked period has definitely ARRIVED. 

So much for my whole ploy of Aaron and I  “getting sited” by the city of San Jose for toddler nakedness.   Trent bought in for one day but Sophie never did and Trent’s buy in didn’t’ last.  So the nakedness continues and everyday they get a little wilder.  Yesterday they went on the lam outside and we’re doing an “Easy rider- naked” demo.  Thank goodness for our gate but wow what the neighbors must think. 

They are both so funny.  Trent continues to want to be a big boy and not want his mama and yet- I can tell he definitely still needs me.  Even last night.  Aaron was playing ball and I had both of them snuggled in a bed reading stories- at first he was trying to be the big man but sure enough after a bit- he said “mama snuggle with me”.  I know no matter what- he will always be my baby- no matter what.

Today it was so hot (almost 100) and I worried all day about how Sophie would react to the heat.  Thankfully she did fine.  She both of them spent most of the afternoon in the pool and she did just fine.  Swimsuits were optional of course.  This evening when I drove up to the gate I was greeted by a very, very happy Sophie dancing around at the gate (and did I mention naked?) saying “ Look at me, I am naked and SO happy!”  It was quite something.

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So we’ve entered the “naked period”.  I’ve heard about this but I don’t think anyone can every REALLY be ready for it –x2.  Thank goodness it’s summer.  At least one good thing about heat waves and my poor business decision of no air conditioning and my ever famous “ I’ve not paying 6K for 4 days a year”.  I can honestly say I too own global warming now so nakedness.  First I tried “ Do you think you’re streakers from the 70s?”  Toddler stares of course for a while we were going in phases but tonight it was clear that we’ve definitely “ARRIVED”.  And then somehow the lies just flew.  Pretty soon I invented a San Jose ordinance that said anyone under the age of 4 couldn’t be nude in their house – or their parents would get sited.  Sophie of course laughed but Trent could it quite seriously and said in his very sweet 3 year old voice” oh no- “papa and mama will get SITED”.  Like he knows what sited means.  Sometimes Aaron and I don’t even know and we’re supposed to be adults.   Needless to Trent quickly accepted his PJs (it helped that I explained the fish pjs also met that he was doing the prerequisite for water skiing) but Sophie continued to run.  I guess this just a precursor to our teenage years… Thank goodness they didn’t get out and flash our neighborhood.

This weekend we went to the circus.  Neither Aaron nor I could remember what age we were when we last went but it was really something seeing through the eyes of 3 year old. The whole was event was brilliant, fun, invigorating, dark and a bit scary; it was quite interesting to see how differently each child responded to it.  During the first half Trent was completely transfixed – never moving from Aaron’s lap.  He never said a word and just stared.  Sophie on the other hand jumped up and down, clapped her hands and was beyond excited – just enjoying the sites. The elephants of course were the big hit for both and the racing motorcycles made Trent’s whole day.  He was so thrilled he could hardly contain himself (and convinced Aaron to buy him a toy motorcycle from the gift store).

The second half however was much harder for Sophie. She was very uncomfortable with the darkness and completely freaked out when the Tigers appeared.  She was so scared I had to take her out.  All and all they did very well though. We didn’t make it through whole performance (about 2 ½ hours) but were able to hold it together for about 2 hours.   Quite an afternoon and something we will definitely do again as a family.

The attached picture is of one of theri  ”kitchen” picnics ( they pick up their little table and move it together…

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This summer feels like it’s been filled with all sorts of change. So minor, some major but put them all together and it feels like a lot.  Time seems to be passing so quickly and I can’t believe our tiny babies are now 3 and we’re looking for preschools.  I’ve always heard that change is harder as you get older and I’m beginning to think it’s true.

I’ve been with Apple a long time (which much like my chronological age I tend to knock years off when people ask about my tenure) and to have long-term colleagues leave just hit me very hard.  That with my parents selling the house I’ve ever known (as well as the babies), the closing of Happy Hallow, a close neighbor moving out of Willow Glen and another very close neighbor/friend’s daughter moving to So cal and the acknowledgment that my children are just about ready for school—– wow it becomes a lot to handle.

All this change though has made us appreciate our little ones all the more and cherish each day. Don’t get me wrong, we are COMPLETELY and FULLY in the terrible 3’s (and Trent is a complete terror) but we’re assuming with enough love and caring- we too will get through this.

I can’t believe summer is ending.  Back to my change thought- summer has gone way too fast.  The last couple of weeks have been busy.  Last week we took the kids to the beach – making a family day when we had no childcare.  It was almost 95 degrees at our house and the beach sounded like a good idea but man was it COLD.  We lasted all of 30 minutes before all 4 of us were so cold we wanted nothing more than to get back in the car and turn on the heater.  We’ve also tried to enjoy the summer outings in Willow Glen such as the music in the Glen series and our neighborhood gatherings.

In spite of the terrible 3s for Trent – both children continue to grow and flourish. Trent is VERY anxious to go to school but Sophie really doesn’t seem that interested.  I’d love, love, love to start them in September but since we haven’t yet mastered potty training- I’m thinking we won’t make it.  That coupled with the school I want the most has a long waiting list – I’m thinking the all sigs might be pointing to wait. We’ve got to master potty training though.  Hopefully we can get it done in the next couple of weeks so we can focus on school for January.

Sophie continues her speech therapy 2x a month and Early Intervention 2x a month.  She still has things to work on but we definitely can see improvement.  It’s amazing to see how much they’ve both come given their early start.

Busy they are though.  Such a team whether it be rearranging their room, pulling all the toys out of their closet, stealing cookies out of the pantry- there is definitely more success when doing something as a two some.

We’re trying to make the most out of this weekend by going to the reopening of the Willow Glen library (we’ve waiting 2 years for it) AND a special day at the circus.  They’ve never been and we can’t wait to take them!

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I’m not sure if it’s just a toddler growing thing, the summer heat or just our twins but bedtime continues to be more of a challenge.  I had this grand plan of having a dimmer switch put in their room but our recently installed fan combined with our 1940’s electrical (only in that room in our house) turned out not to be a good fit and a dimmer is … completely out.  So… lamp shopping is once again upon us so we can get a dimmer to facilitate story time is the overall plan but until this weekend… we need an alternate plan. 

Thank goodness though for Mr. Moon, the wrought iron swing we have out front and the crickets.  The combo of the three is the perfect bedtime music.  Trent is much better about climbing into his own bed when he’s tired after a bit of snuggling with mama or papa but Sophie definitely requires the cricket-swing- moon process.   I’ve always enjoyed crickets but have never realized until I had children how much they collectively can sound like music.  Very, very relaxing.   I know that these times can be hard but I still wouldn’t trade them for a moment.  They made be 3 but they still adore being held and rocked to sleep.

It’s hard to believe it’s August and summer is now on it tail end. Where did the time go? The last couple of weeks have just flown by with a visit from Aaron’s folks, attendance at Aaron’s Great aunt’s 100 year birthday party, a day visiting “ Aunt Becky and Uncle Bill at their home in Discovery Bay (on the water), summer colds, annual doctor appointments and just enjoying the summer.

Two weeks ago Grandpa Bobby and Mamaw Judy arrived to spend a few days with us, totally step up when we had childcare drama and attend Great Aunt Ruby’s 100-year birthday party. Great Aunt Ruby is Bobby’s mother sister (Bobby’s mother has been gone for some time). What a wonderful day. To think of all the thing Aunt Ruby has seen in her lifetime. Her hearing and sight aren’t so great but she sure looks awesome for 100. She looked more like 80 to me. Our toddlers were in good company with lots little of cousins and relatives they’d never met and it was definitely a day to remember.

We’re so glad Aarons’ folks are closer. It’s still an 8-hour drive but the drive from Arizona is so much more doable than Missouri. Both kids were thrilled to see them but Trent was just beside himself. It’s clear that he truly was concerned that Aaron’s friend Bobby who was critically injured in the Kern River accident (but is now doing much better) was really Grandpa Bobby. Although we kept telling him it was Papas friend – Trent just stuck to Grandpa Bobby like glue for the first 4 days of his visit. He never wanted Grandpa out of his sight and talked about the accident over and over to Grandpa. He’s trying to hard to be a big boy and yet his young mind just can’t quite put it all together. All he knows is that he wants the people he loves to be ok and always be there.

Last week Mamaw Judy and I took Sophie to Dr. Edwards for her annual neuro check up. We had considered taking Trent with us since he has been clearly unnerved by the last couple of times I’ve taken Sophie to the doctor (he keeps asking if she’s ok and wants to know if she’s coming back) but on the day of the appointment, he was struggling with a cold and we decided that it was better for him to stay home. Dr. Edwards and his team were clearly thrilled with Sophie’s progress. He had her run and up down the hall (to check agility and balance I suppose) and was very pleased with her progress. Everybody knows her at the clinic and several members of his team came out just to say “hi” even though they were weren’t actually on service for clinic. He has the most incredible team and it is clear that he feels deeply for each of his patients. I know the team sees a lot of hard things every day and I imagine seeing someone like Sophie who has struggled so much in the last year but is now doing so well is quite rewarding. WE did talk though about her issues with heat, altitude and her not so great days. As for the heat- Dr. Edwards did say there can be certain physiological issues for people with hydrocephalus but for now Dr. Edwards has recommended we just try the old fashion methods (air conditioner, rocking outside in the evening, cool baths) when she over heats. He had said we could have her see endocrinologist and have her worked up but it was just mean a whole bunch of test and he’s not sure the return is worth the reward for a few days a year. I’d have to say Aaron and I both agree and now we just our hyper vigilant with her on hot days (as was Aunt Becky when we were at her house last weekend) days and we’ll just continue to watch it. As for the altitude issues, that too is related to her hydrocephalus and much more common. I mentioned that Grandpa Bobby also struggled with it and both he and Sophie appeared not to feel the exact same days when we were in the mountains and he said while they both had physiological conditions (Grandpa Bobby has had a history of heart issues) they weren’t related but were differently real. Moving forward he’s recommended we bring a long a small thing of oxygen for her when we go to the mountains and that will help her adjust more quickly.

The last thing we discussed was a pigment issue and her leg. She’s naturally very dark skinned and for whatever reason the pigment on her left foot has been disappearing over the last 3 months. Dr. Edwards looked right at it and said “fungus”. Needless to say- we’re now scheduled to see a dermatologist in the next several weeks to get her checked out.

This summer has been such fun. We’re enjoying playing in our backyard, getting the most out of our plastic pool, neighborhood gatherings, and enjoying the weekly music in the Glen. Lots of disco!!!! Clearly all the music I played when they were in my belly and early on in their life paid off- they ADORE music- especially disco. Woohoo!

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