The twins visit Chicago...

... and returned home just in time for a rather balmy Orlando Christmas.

Karl and I agreed that the trip, their first one to this area of the country, was a success. We stayed with my dad in Grayslake from mid-day Wednesday, 12/16, and arrived at home late night Monday, 12/21, making frequent visits to the western suburbs where Babcia and Dziadek call Carol Stream home. The twins also got to spend QT with their godparents Aunt Sylvia & Uncle Glen. Their 2.5 year old cousin Ethan was very patient with NL, who scattered his toys about and annoyingly interfered with the puzzle-solving process of a 20 piece Sesame Street puzzle we'd brought for him. On a positive note, this bodes well for his upcoming role as big brother to a new baby due March 3.

The reason behind this particular trip was my best friend Joanna's bridal shower, held at a fellow bridesmaid's home in the south suburbs. Joanna and I have been good friends since those early years 'in the trenches', as my dad likes to call them, at Hewitt. We have shared an unbelieveable amount of rich life experiences in those last 7.5 years- love, loss, heartbreak, moving, buying and selling homes, new jobs, marriage and kids (me), going on an awesome work assignment in London and totally succeeding and embracing it (her). I feel as if we've grown together and have always been there for each other, like sisters. So, to sum it up, I didn't even consider not being a part of her special day (her first special day, that is- the BIG day is not until May 2010). We both burst into tears when we saw each other (it had been over 3 years, keep in mind) but it's funny how, when you reconnect with a good friend, everything seems just the same as it was before. Easy conversation, things in common, laughter, memories. She even looked just the same as she had when I last saw her! (Hopefully, she was thinking the same about me ;)
Well, the shower went wonderfully and the time flew so quickly that I didn't realize I should have called Karl so he and the kids would come to get me a little later than planned. So they made a brief appearance at the party, and after all the 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs', I hustled the trio into a guest bedroom, promising food, beer (for Karl), and a quick departure (as soon as she finishes opening her gifts! ;)

I kept my promises, and soon we were off to another Chicago party- this time, a surprise birthday/graduation party for our friend Garron. Unfortunately, we arrived shortly after the 'surprise!!', but poor, shocked Garron was still crying so we did get to join in that moment. This was a rather fancy party- the large house in an upscale Chicago neighborhood was sparkling with Christmas decorations; there was yummy catered food, and bartenders and a wait staff surrounding us. I felt a bit embarrased bringing 1 year old twins into a party of this caliber but thankfully, Garron, Sean, and their family and friends, are some of the sweetest, most down to earth people we know. Garron's sister brought them some toys to keep occupied with, and the staff made sure they were well-fed. Garron was very glad that we'd brought them along since it was her first time meeting them.

We had to leave before too long (missing the magician, unfortunately), since it was way beyond the twins' bedtime and they'd had a busy day.

Uncle Jeff arrives/weekend in Clearwater

While catching up on a friend's blog recently, I realized with embarrassment that I have not blogged in nearly 3 months. She, on the other hand, manages to blog on a fairly regular basis while holding a rather demanding full-time job, caring for a very active 9-month-old, and running a household (in addition to numerous other hobbies and activities). I try not to compare myself to others, but I can't help but feel a bit of shame for not doing my part to chronicle the lives of our rapidly growing twins. Especially now that I am not working outside the house (for now). I should have all the time in the world to blog, right? Well, not really. This 'job' actually keeps me busier on a daily basis than my old one ever did. And I have to say it's more stressful, demanding, and certainly less structured (and personally, I thrive on structure- so do the twins).

But this job is also so much more meaningful, rewarding, and fun. I am gradually getting used to my new role as a SAHM, and even coming to embrace it. I know many moms who'd jump at the chance without any ambivalence and I'm not saying I'm not grateful for the opportunity. But keep in mind, we're talking about someone who has enjoyed success and satisfaction in a (structured!) corporate environment since the month following my college graduation. And of course, in this environment, it surely is not an easy decision to give up a fairly secure job.

In any event, I am once again pledging a renewed commitment to blogging (as well as doing a better job keeping up with cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping, etc..)

Ok, back to the initial post title...Jeff's much anticipated visit began late Friday night, after the twins were in bed. On Saturday morning, after completing some furious packing and filling the van with a fresh tank of gas, we headed to Clearwater Beach for the night. Marma, Great-Gram, and Uncle Jeff drove separately since Jeff had plans to head to the Tampa Bay Bucks/NJ Jets game the next day.

The twins slept the entire way and woke refreshed and ready to hit the surf. They had a blast frolicking in the sand and helping Dad dig out a large hole in the sand and attempt to build a castle. The Gulf, at 62 degrees, was a bit less inviting, especially to Lucas, who, like Dad, prefers a warmer swim. Noelle, Mom, and Uncle Jeff enjoyed the refreshingly cool water.

Later, we walked to a nice playground near the beach where the twins climbed, slid, swung, and played in the sand. Noelle had an interesting conversation with a boy at least 4 years her senior. We couldn't make out either end of the conversation, but it was a funny exchange indeed.

Despite all of the day's activities, little Special and Buddy did not sleep well at all when put to bed in their pack-n-play back at the hotel. They slept soundly for the first 2 hours, but it was downhill after that. Lucas woke up first, wailing for an unknown reason. Noelle started in as soon as I picked him up several minutes later. Eventually, Dad tried to get Noelle to sleep in one bed, where she stood up, chatted, and would not settle down. Marma and I took Lucas in another bed, and he did drift off to sleep and slept rather well for the remainder of the night.

Not used to having a tot in my bed, I was unable to sleep so I went into the adjoining room to rescue Karl. Finally, after much walking and rocking, Noelle was back to sleep in the pack-n-play. Needless to say, we were all exhausted the next day, even solo sleepers Gram and Jeff.

I am not quite sure what the problem was except that the twins do tend not to sleep as well when away from home. Also, we did suspect that Noelle had a sore throat since her voice was even raspier than usual (how do you really ever know if a baby has a sore throat?!), and Lucas may have a molar coming in (supposedly the most painful ones of all).

On Wednesday, the W's head to the Chicago area for 5 nights. Hopefully, the sleep situation will somehow work itself out. Sufficient quantities of Tylenol and Motrin will be on hand just in case.