Fall Fun in Colorado

One thing I love about fall in Colorado is the weather. One minute it's warm and sunny, and the next it feels like winter. It keeps me on my toes, and I never get bored. This weekend we had just such weather. Below are pictures from Friday afternoon, and then Saturday morning. As usual, I'm behind the camera.

Carter said he wanted to jump in a pile of leaves, and since we cut down our big tree in our front yard last year, we had to go to a neighbor's house to offer to rake their leaves so we could jump in them. Carter loved it. Cameron wasn't so sure about the whole thing.


Saturday morning, about 15 hours later, we woke up to a bit of snow. Carter immediately wanted to go sledding. I had to convince him that there wasn't quite enough for that, but that we could still get all our snow clothes on and go play. It was all followed by hot chocolate, of course.

I wonder what this week will bring.

Summer Photos

There's lots to tell of this summer, but right now I'm only up for posting photos. These hot days leave me little energy to write and reflect. Instead, enjoy the pictures of the kids enjoying the lazy days of summer.

Cameron began walking the first few days of June. Here's a short video of him showing off his new skill a month ago. It's amazing that he now can almost run. He's really motivated to keep up with Carter.

Carter has loved all the time we've spent at parks. This is one of our favorites by our neighborhood library. Carter and Cameron on our front walkway, waiting for daddy to come home.

Carter loves the splash parks we've discovered this summer. He was hesitant at first but then he realized how fun it is to run through the squirting fountains.

Cameron found his own version of water play--drinking the dog water.

Cameron loves being so much more mobile. Here, he's running from Carter who loves to play chase.

While Mark and I were climbing, Carter pretended he was a squirrel in a tree. I love this picture.

That's all for now. I'll upload some more soon. We've got our trip to North Carolina coming up soon, so I'll be excited to share pictures from the kids' first real beach experience. Happy summer!

Children of Summer

School's out and the warm weather's here. I've taken my solo trip for the summer (to visit Laura in NYC), and now I have a month and a half before school starts again. Mark's taking a couple classes for most of the days this summer, so it's just me and the boys on the weekdays. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about that, about going from full time job to full time mom without much chance to get out on my own, but so far I'm loving it. It's making me really make an effort to enjoy each moment with my kids and think of things that will get us all out and about.

I'm realizing how well I do when I can make my own plans without having to meet other adults' needs and can really focus on Carter and Cameron and follow their natural rhythm. I can leave in the morning for an outing when everyone's ready, and not before, and head home when everyone's had their fill and needs the comfort of their own bed for the afternoon nap. I even get a few moments of shut-eye here and there.

Now that Cameron is walking, Carter and Cameron often can entertain each other without needing me unless there is a dispute over a shared toy. Today I went to a nearby lake with a friend who has kids the same age, and we both noted that we were able to carry on a complete conversation without needing to tend to our kids. It doesn't sound like much, but it's amazing what a difference it makes not always having to be doing something for the kids.

I've started to be able to get my own enjoyment out of activities I do with the kids. Tomorrow I'm going on a hike and, although I know it will be at Carter's pace and it will take me a good part of the morning to get ready, I anticipate that I'll still feel like I'm getting outside and at least getting a bit of exercise, even if it's only because I'll have 30-pound Cameron on my back.

The shift is taking place ever so gradually, but I get glimpses of not always needing to be concerned about what my kids need, who's hungry, why someone's crying. I'm having more and more moments of truly enjoying the relationship with my kids and doing things that we all want to do. It makes me realize how cool I really think my kids are and how amazing it is that I get to spend the rest of my life with them.

Joyful Journey

For my birthday I had requested from Mark to plan a short family trip for us. We don't often pay to stay places, so that would be a treat, and having someone else plan a trip was a gift in itself. Mark enlisted the help of his students and found Joyful Journeys, a delightful hot springs getaway. He booked us to stay in the yurts, something totally new to me. I was excited when we set out this past Thursday, but a little apprehensive just because I had such high expectations for it.

The past three days have been some of the best days we've had as a family. Things went smoothly, and the rhythm just seemed right on. It was just us, so we had no one else's agenda to fit into, and we could do what felt right at the time without external constraints. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and the kids were in good spirits, likely feeding off Mark's and my concurrent happiness.

We soaked often in the crystal clear, untreated waters, and they even had a pool that was cool enough for Carter. We also went to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, a place I had been before with 60 of my students, so it was a whole different experience with our small group of four. The Alligator Farm, a highly touted attraction in the area was another of our planned day trips. It turned out to be quite an odd place, more like your weird aunt Betty's backyard where she keeps odd animals that happen to come her way.

On our last morning there, I even got to take a two hour yoga class because there happened to be a yoga retreat there for the weekend, and the instructor let me drop in to a class. It was quite different than many other classes I've taken, and refreshing for that reason.

The one downer for the trip was my camera that got dropped in the sand and is not functioning at the moment (hence, the lack of accompanying pictures). Hopefully, some of the links will make up for the visuals.

The past three days far exceeded my expectations. Again, it was less about what we did, and more about how we were able to enjoy our time together as a family. It reminds me that these years with itsy bitsy kids can be trying, but that it doesn't have to be all hard, and that it does get easier. This trip reminded me how very much I really love the little family we have created. I feel so complete. These past few days truly were a joyful journey for all of us.

serenity

I have been working on ways to get a little me time every once in awhile, and one of the most rejuvenating things for me is a hike in the woods. Above is a picture of a gorgeous afternoon where I got out by myself (with Winston) and could just walk and think and breathe. The sunlight was streaming through the trees and some of the aspens were just starting to turn. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

I am living more and more by the mantra that I can't be a good mom unless I am good to myself, too. These weekend afternoons are the boost I need to not only get through but enjoy this stage of life with my kids. Look how sweet they are!

A new dance

I'm taking a deep breath right now. And a second. Not something that happens very often around here these days. Life is full with two kids. Sometimes it feels so chaotic that I wish I could snap my fingers and escape to five years ago, but those moments are few and far between. Mostly, I love the feeling of completeness I have when I am caring for my family.

Mark and I are gingerly feeling out the dance steps needed to follow the music of two children. Sometimes I have to stand in place rocking a baby in my arms while Mark twirls around me to entertain Carter. Other times, Mark has to bow off the dance floor to take a few minutes' rest and nurse a beer before re-entering, ready to go again. We definitely step on each other's toes at times, but we try to be understanding and recognize that neither of us is familiar with this new music, that we both need time to find the rhythm and get in the groove.

Below are some recent pictures of some of our more peaceful moments. I try to make an effort to cherish those times when we are just living in the moment without worries of finances and daycare and parenting disagreements.

Mark and the boys on the couch (credit: Noelani for the cute clothes!) As you can see, Cameron is having no problem putting on weight. After his most recent doctor's appointment, the doctor said I seem to be equipped to feed triplets, at least. Cameron had gained 4 pounds in two weeks, half his body weight.

This is Cameron's first camping trip at six weeks old. People thought we were crazy for doing it, but I think we needed to prove to ourselves that we could still get out in the the woods, even with two kids. It went pretty smoothly. Not quite as relaxing as camping without kids, but still better than not going. I think we're going to attempt it again this weekend, with some climbing mixed in, too.

Me and the boys. Cameron's getting some naked time to heal his diaper rash, and Carter's hammin' it up for the camera. Lately, when Carter sits next to Cameron or asks to hold him, he then says, "Camera?" as if to imply, "Don't we look cute enough to take a picture of?" And he's usually right.

I

How did it get so complicated?

Mark and I have been talking about going camping with some friends of ours this weekend. We've been camping with them many times before and have gotten pretty good at picking a place and being ready to go within a few hours. We've gotten good at being spontaneous. That is, until kids. They have a 6-week-old, and we have Carter and Winston. This weekend's trip planning went something like this:

Tuesday: Propose trip with maps and book descriptions of climbing route for Dave and Mark and kid-friendly campsites for Kelly, Erin, and kids.

Wednesday: Continue discussion of logistics and how former weekend plans can be rescheduled.

Thursday: 15 calls back and forth regarding weather. Failed attempts at reserving a campsite. Decide that destination is too high in altitude anyway. 15 more calls about other possibilities that are low in altitude and warm, near a 14er with a good snow route, not too far a drive, and not too crowded. Decide the trip isn't worth it. Reconsider. Call back. Finally, Mark and Dave pick a mountain to climb Saturday and then will meet Kelly and Erin at new campsite. Assign cars and passengers.

On the schedule for Friday: Grocery shop, laundry, pack, weld picnic table, shop for camp chairs, pick up bike at the shop.

Somehow, we have taken a four hour process from idea to departure and turned it into a grueling marathon of phone calls, scheduling, and weighing options. I think we'll get better at the whole routine, but it definitely takes practice and experience with a little one. I'll let you know how the trip goes and whether it was all worth it.

Here's a picture of Carter at his first attempt at camping almost a year ago. Hopefully this time will be cleaner, too.