Age 2 / 2011 Highlights

So funny that I had so many entries in 2009 when the twins were born, a fair amount in 2010, but almost nothing in 2011 - the year they were "2." 2011 was such a significant year for me and the whole family in so many ways.  In January we first laid eyes on our home-to-be in Ashton, Maryland.  Al Clark opened the door that cold day to a gutted and very white house. From top to bottom each room had been stripped of all window treatments, light fixtures, and spray painted with white primer.   Dirty paper taped down on the floors but lifted up revealed brand new redish hardwood floors. Totally spacious and room after room was available in the walk through.  I wheeled the twins in the house keeping them in stroller for some of it, and Tristan was a bean inside my belly.  I feel in love instantly with the 100 year old house and so did Christofer.  We submitted an offer a week later, closed in 30 days but did not move in until May due to the renovations needed.  We were able to unpack most everything before Tristan Arrow was born to us on the 4th of July!  After Tristan arrived, the second half of the year was an intense growing season in our souls.  The twins were totally unprepared in some ways to share mommy and daddy and mommy was totally unprepared to cope with the 2 year old "will," (x2). There were lots of tears from the faces of Jude, Petra, and mommy, but the year ended with emotional highs of Christmas, and with mommy's heart broken in new and beautiful ways and being even more completely given over the amazing tasks I must do each day.  My goal is to completely overflow the love cups of my kids every day and let love and intimacy flourish in the home.
Other Highlights:

*Going from practically being non-verbal in January when they turned 2, to talking and playing all day long.

* Enjoying many visits from Grandpa as he helped us get the house livable. 

*  A special life-changing visit from Uncle Chris Kelly in June along with Cindy and Mary.  A dream fulfilled to sit on my front porch with my brother and really talk.

* It was a total joy to see the twins go from playing "among" others to playing "with" others.  Observing them play/ talk to each other all day but also seeing them play with friends- especially Ethan, Taylor Jo, and Caleb.

* Transferring to twin beds- out of cribs!  Favorite toys:  Jude continues to love cars and trucks especially McQueen and Mater, and an assortment of matchbox cars.  Petra has enjoyed a variety of dolls and started to name them (with my help at first).  But one day we walked into Vovo's house and there was a blonde doll with pigtails waiting for her on a table.  Petra immediately walked over to the doll and claimed her.  About an hour later she was still holding doll, and told us this was her "daughter."  "daughter" has been her favorite and has a secondary name of "Peaches."