Changing how I blog.

Hi Everyone

I have recently made a decision. I think I am going to make this blog open to "invitation only" readers.

Maybe its my age, my history or just the general discomfort I can't shake when I think of the vast universe that is the internet. Flashing the babies pictures into that void and hoping for the best is starting to keep me up nights.

Its funny, because when we were in the process of waiting to adopt Jonas and Jember I found much comfort in reading the blogs of families who had their children. In so many ways it helped me feel closer to my own little ones ~ waiting for me across the ocean ~ and a sea of red tape and paperwork.

I also know that we have many family and dear friends who love checking in with our blog and seeing the latest updates on the babes.

I am so happy to offer an invitation to you ~ leave a message (with your email address) so that I can add you to the list of folks who would like to keep reading the occasional updates of Jonas and Jember.

Thanks for understanding everyone. I'll be making the switch to a private blog within the next week.

Yours
Vicki

Sunday. A Chance to Breathe

Well, school has started and Ross and I are back to our teaching jobs. Its been a transitional time for all of us. Jonas and Jember are doing ok ~ though they have regressed a bit in their sleeping habits. They're waking up more at night again an fighting those afternoon naps. I know they sense our absence. Change. As tired as we feel, I try and act from compassion and patience for them. I try to be present when we are home with them...holding them, playing with them, letting them know that we are here. But this is hard. We're all a bit tired. School is going fine for both of us. We both love our students - but are just trying to adjust to being away from our children all day and being back in academia. I gear up for auditions for the fall play. Then life will really get busy...

In the meantime - stolen moments on a restful and happy Sunday:


Babies in the park




A sunset canoe float ~ in the bay a few blocks from our house. Babies were with Elizabeth for an hour - Ross and I enjoyed watching the sunset from our canoe:

Labor Day Weekend

And so here we are - the weekend before school starts.


First off, let me just say 2 words. Barack Obama. I don't think I'm the most political soul you will ever meet ~ but I have to say at the age of 41 I have never, ever experienced a politician that made me want to go out and be a better person...a better citizen. I'm too young to have witnessed first hand the inspiring speeches of JFK or MLK ...but I think I shall always remember the intense feelings of hope and excitement this hopeful president stirs within me. (Ok. The fact that he uses words with more then one syllable is also amazing. Its dizzying almost - to hear an intelligent, thoughtful and articulate leader speak. Woah). Ross and I both commented that we wished the babies were old enough to take them to the convention. Wouldn't that have been an amazing experience?

Anyway, its Labor Day weekend. We don't have much planned. We both need to work in our classrooms, and trust me when I say we are soaking up every last lovely minute with the babies. I will say that walking in the house at the end of a day of painful staff meetings to see those happy little faces light up is worth more to me then anything I could imagine.

Here are some images from our last week:

Practicing with spoons and eating...oh boy...




Helping with laundry:




With our dear, sweet neighbors Bud and Norma Jean




"See Jonas, this is how you are supposed to be sitting for a picture!"


"No no Jonas! Don't close your eyes!"



"How'd I do, mom?"




And so we wrap up our summer and head into another school year. Another autumn approaches...and while I am anxious about returning to work( as a busy high school drama teacher and director) - I know that the goal of my entire life now is finding the balance between motherhood and teaching. Balance - finding time for Ross and I as a couple. Balance. Find time for myself - watercoloring, reading, exercise. (yeah. I know...good luck with that one Vicki). Balance - Its my goal, my focus, and my mantra. It helps me to remember that at the end of each day I get to go home to my loving, kind husband and 2 of the most beautiful souls I have ever known ... my warm and sweet babies. Family. I like the feel of that word.

Preparing for Change

August is winding down. Where has the summer slipped away to? We both are getting ready to return to our teaching jobs. Time with the babies feels more precious then ever. How do working mothers do this? I feel so strange leaving the babies to return to my job. The rains have returned to our evenings. I lay awake in bed listening to the sounds of what feels like an approaching Autumn. I know it will be ok - I just wish I didn't feel so sad.

Jonas and Jember are doing well. They just turned 7 months old! Jonas is doing his best to crawl. This kid is a go-getter. He focuses in on what he wants and goes nuts trying to get it. Jem hasn't rolled over yet - but she seems to approach things in her own good time. She's pretty Zen about the whole thing. Her latest discoveries have more to do with her voice. Lately, she has been making bear noises. Growling, and g-r-r-r-ing" all over the place. Yes - she still does the dolphin squeals as an encore - she really is a budding little actress.

We approach the coming transition with a bit of anxiety. Big adjustment for us all as Ross and I head back to school. We'll just have to take it one day at a time and hope for the best.

The House of Screeeeeeech

Wowsa.

Jonas and Jember (both teething) have discovered a new noise. It is an ear-splitting, glass shattering, every-dog-in-the-neighborhood- is-barking-now, screech. They do it when they're unhappy, excited, bored, ay-yi, yi. Sometimes they are even smiling when they do it. Other times - its a clear exclamation of "Hey. I want something over here!"

We old-foggie, rookie parents are trying to figure out why they are doing this. Can anyone explain this to us? You may have to speak loudly - as I think I am experiencing hearing loss...sigh.

Happy Growing Babies!

Watching these 2 together is a special kind of magic. They're amazing!

The wonder twins

Their personalities continue to emerge. Jonas is so intense. Every thing he feels is immediate. When he is happy, he is over the top thrilled. When he is angry - yikes - look out! Jember is a bit more mellow. But she is quite the talker. And when she can't get what she wants she screeches like a dolphin. We call it her "dolphin call".