Im reminiscing at work about the first times you each had an order of food when we ate out.

Gerard: at pluto's on irving, we ordered your own mac n cheese plate. Must have been feb 2009.

Aubrey: at a seaside restaurant in san diego. I dont remember the order but it was a split plate with gerard. Possibly grilled salmon? It was during our legoland trip, your first travel!

Starting the year right!

For the first time in almost five years, I've found some time to work out 3x a week. It's a start. It's only been a week since I've started, but I wish to keep it going.

And for the first time in forever (!!!) I can play guitar for you children again. We are learning songs from Frozen!!! Someday I hope to write originals with you two, whoever is interested.

Today we put some volunteer time as a whole family. Aubrey's first, and Gerard's second. Let's keep this going! Aubrey, you cried when we told you to sticker the bags instead of scooping (you're too short, lady!) but eventually you listened and stickered. YOU DID A GREAT JOB at that. You and Gerard, both. 

It's a good start to the year, and I hope good things keep coming to all of us. 

When have I ever been ready for Christmas?
Parol isn't up, lights aren't up, shopping hasn't started, mall Santa picture not accomplished, Christmas cards not sent (nor has the box been opened). Only our little tree has been set, although one side of it is not decorated since G & A didn't realize that there is another side to the tree.
But in no way are any of the above have replaced the true meaning of the season. Just saying.

When have I ever been ready for Christmas?
Parol isn't up, lights aren't up, shopping hasn't started, mall Santa picture not accomplished, Christmas cards not sent (nor has the box been opened). Only our little tree has been set, although one side of it is not decorated since G & A didn't realize that there is another side to the tree.
But in no way are any of the above have replaced the true meaning of the season. Just saying.

Come home so tired, and I get two hugs. Erased everything away. I love your hugs.

Guess who's in Kinder!

Gerard entered kindergarten this week!
He's been doing so very well. We're glad that he's at Sunset, and he is in very good hands with Ms. Miller. He's already made a few friends: Owen, Spyder, Ethan, Finn. Not sure who else. But he's already familiarized with his classmates' name and the first week isn't even over. He knows his routine already after the first day!

My boy, I am so proud of you. You turned my life around when I found out about your existence, and here you are, growing before my very eyes.

I love you, son. 

I have been reading this story over and over....
http://news.nurse.com/article/20130819/EOS1/108190022

It's so sad, yet, the stories that help me to love life everyday.

I still very much remember the first night we brought you home Aubrey. You cried all night, and I didn't get any sleep. I carried and cradled you, and whispered advice to you for however long it took to calm you down. I don't remember what I said, but I rambled on and on. But I also held you the whole time.

You've grown so attached to me, and I do believe it's because since you've been born you know and feel how much I love you. We've been so close to each other, and it's never changed. For the first minutes after your birth, I got to hold you right away. And I held you as much as I could, until we had to return to the hospital for your surgery. When I couldn't hold you for days after that, I was extremely heartbroken. Because I couldn't hold you, and your brother was with grandparents and I couldn't hug him either. That was the worst week of my life, but it was also the best week since you were saved and recovering.

I love you, my babygirl.