Dress up and fantasy

Just out of curiosity, does costume-wearing and make-believe happen at other people's homes? Grown ups or children? Girls or boys?

At our house, at times, we have Rapunzel, Mother Godel (the one who kidnapped Rapunzel), mermaids, Ariel, Belle, other princesses, doctors, . . .

a pilgrim, . . .

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butterflies or Tinker Bells.

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These are girls after my own heart. As a child and adult, I've tried to have masquerades or costume parties, to no avail; unfortunately, I couldn't get most of my friends to come as someone else.

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Thanksgiving

This year, we did Thanksgiving differently. I didn't brine any turkey, and I did not host Thanksgiving. Can't imagine doing either with newborn twins (in addition to a three year old and a five year old), but maybe other moms are super moms (unlike me). Not only did we enjoy the perks of marvelous conversation, delightful company, and delicious food; but also, someone or other was always volunteering to hold the twins.

Like Dan, Amy's husband.

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Or Esther, one of Amy's children.

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And, as a result of all the loving hands around to help, I ate like two growing teenagers. Think I'm exaggerating? I out ate every individual at the Thanksgiving dinner. That means, I ate more than any strapping male, including an ex-marine.

***

On a side note, Amy is a wonderful lady who has been taking Isabella to school, driving 40 minutes one way from my house, just to help us out. She has no personal need to haul herself that sort of distance into Denver everyday. Just how much that helps a sleep deprived, non-bushy tailed, mother of four children is beyond wonders. Amen.

Food and friends

My friend, Rendy, has been truly amazing in organizing people to bring food to me, after delivering the twins, especially after my parents left. People taking time in their own hectic schedules and lives to help us out has continued to move me. One such person, Sally, who signed up to bring food is here below, holding one of my twins Christine.

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I originally met Sally through one of her daughters, Manda, whom I had met in our three year stint in Texas. This is Sally's other daughter, Manda's sister, holding my other twin.

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Enter in one of Manda's children, Sydney, full of spunk, energy, and delight.

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And Manda's other child: Elijah. Also a delight. Seemed very much to be a momma's boy.

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Loved seeing everyone. Seemed quite awhile back since I last saw the Huddles. Or perhaps the little ones just grow so quickly.

Here are the twins being held by Sally and Manda. Not a bad lot, I say.

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So much fun, catching up with old friends.

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Manda, you look fantastic holding the twins? Want to come back and do that again some time?

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The last time Manda and I had a picture of us taken together, the twins weren't around and neither was Elijah.

2011-11-23

Silent Night (Mommy wishes)

Yesterday, whilst on a walk with a good friend, my son was suddenly a very unhappy camper. Turns out, he had a huge diaper blow out. Blew well out of two onesies he was wearing.

Perhaps Christian was testing to see whether I was prepared or not. Had I remembered to repack the diaper pack with back up or extra clothes? Caught red handed; I had forgotten to replace the extra clothes I had in the bag. Christian made use of the extra set I had in the bag recently, with a different diaper blow out.

Didn't want to continue strolling and walking with Christian in only a diaper. So, made a stop in Children's Place. Love using a coupon with sale clothing. Found something that spoke so well of my days, these days.

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Capturing photographs or expressions of the twins is just, well, humorous. Somebody or other constantly seems to be making a face.

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Can you tell who is who?

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When taking all four children grocery shopping this morning, a cashier asked how I differentiate the two. Perhaps parents just have that special discerning ability, he remarked.

One has much more hair than the other, one has more pointed ears than the other, amongst other varying traits.

Oh, and they're different genders.

2011-11-19

Silent night. Holy night. . . .

Stone soup, pilgrims, and a Thanksgiving Feast

Today, my three year old had Thanksgiving Feast at her preschool. This was to be a family affair. Whilst that sounds fantastic in theory, I thought upon attending such an activity with three children - my three year old and my twins - with dread.

Joyce, my friend and preschool director, however, came to the rescue. She provided childcare, a place for my twins to go. As a result, Victoria got my undivided attention. Her reaction to having such attention from me was obvious in a number of ways. The grins, from ear to ear, on her face were unmistakeable.

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Here she is with her teacher.

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Such unbridled expressions of joy she exhibited. My darling, my sweet Victoria.

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Sitting across from us, at the same table, were some of Victoria's classmates, twins. Giovanni and Michael. Victoria could easily tell the difference; I couldn't. But, then again, I had just met them.

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Victoria's utter excitement at spending unadulterated time with her mommy was plain to see in the face and in her disposition as well as in her hearty appetite. She had two large servings of "stone soup," the entirety of a sizable box of snacks she was given, cheese, and fruit.

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Victoria with Marlene, a woman with a heart of gold.

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At the end of the Thanksgiving Feast, Victoria found a "house" that caught her eye.

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Repeatedly, she told me it was not yet time to go. I needed to check on the twins or go do something else for awhile before returning to her.

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It wasn't before long before she found some friends to join in the fun. Not at all shy, this one, especially when mommy gives her the sort of attention she needs and craves.

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As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reflecting on just how much for which I have to be grateful. More on that later.

An outing with one parent and four children, five and under

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Just for kicks, I thought I'd try taking the four kids out on my own, but I gave myself coffee as a reward or something. Christian wasn't the most cooperative of the lot, but we did stay long enough for the non-nursing individuals to eat breakfasts I had packed.

Some passerbys were convinced that I had two sets of twins. Took work to get these individuals to believe otherwise. Two sets of twins; oh my goodness, that would be, that would be, I have no words for how I'd possibly do that.

The twins at 1 month

I can't believe nearly a week has passed since the twins turned 1 month old. Turning a month is a huge deal in Taiwanese culture specifically and in Asian culture generally. The time the twins spend both content is rather tricky.

Then there's the issue that someone's contorting his or her face.

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Or something else.

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Really, is there the perfect photograph? When two little beings are involved?!

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Not in my world. This is about as good as it gets.

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Two foods significant in the 1 month celebration include:

1. sticky rice - my mom prepared it with minced shallots, garlic, ginger, ground pork, little tiny shrimp, peanuts, soy sauce, salt, sesame oil. She also wanted to include dried shiitake mushrooms, but I didn't have any. Victoria was my mom's assistant.

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2. red eggs.


Compared with the first few photographs, seem pretty decent? Even with Christian's drool?

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A-ma with Christian.

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Happy 1 month, Christine and Christian, drool, spit up, poop explosions and all.

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Warm weather before the snow

One of many things I appreciate and love about Colorado is the constantly changing weather. Days after the day I took these photographs and we enjoyed sunny weather at the park, we had 6-8 inches of snow. We took advantage of the sunny but cool weather.

2011-10-30

I'm loving not being pregnant with twins. In case you're new to my blog, I got to the point where my pregnancy got in the way of me staying vertical for very long, without my lower extremities wanting to explode. Moreover, I wasn't able to walk well or for very long. Not being able to stand or walk without tremendous discomfort made spending time with the family outdoors challenging.

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The two youngest children are in need of some sustenance. Ta ta.

Galavanting as Tinker Bell or butterflies

2011-10-29

What, Halloween was already here? I gave birth to twins on October 1st, and Halloween arrived the very next day. Or so it seemed.

A goal with the children is to carve out special or unique time with each child that is distinct from what I do with the other children. On the Friday before Halloween, to carry out Isabella's request for the activity we'd do for our time together - make necklaces and bracelets - I needed to get some sort of string. While out, I saw some costumes that were 60% off that the girls would absolutely love.

I knew they would be utter excited. What I wasn't certain of, was how they would interpret the costumes . . . fairies, Tinker Bell, butterflies.

Excitement, most certainly.

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Turns out, the girls switched back and forth between being Tinker Bell and being butterflies.

Proud showing off costumes and galavanting at a Farmer's Market.

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Also enjoyed looking at other people's costumes and identifying other little ones who also had wings and could fly. My oldest demonstrated plenty of curiosity - how could that person is carrying a sword? Why does that person have a surprised face? How come that person is so tall (he was walking on stilts)?

How about you? Where does curiosity or wonder take you?

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My oldest wanted to ride in the wagon. Unfortunately, dinner time was already up not only for the two oldest but also for the two youngest. The latter required the milk truck to head home to feed the twins.

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