In October 2012, the boys had tubes put in their ears. It, so far, has proved to be amazing for them. They were RUNNING the same night and I can't even tell you how awesome their speech is right now, because of those tubes! In November, they turned TWO! So many people, family and friends alike, joined us at Gymboree for a MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE birthday celebration and they were OVERLY spoiled! Even their Uncle Elias flew in as a huge surprise to everyone! In December they had their second Christmas, but their first with an UNDERSTANDING of what was happening and they were so in love with the lights on the tree! In January we started them at Wayside Baptist Church Early Learning Center and I went back to work. Unfortunately (not school related) Elijah was hospitalized twice that month. Once for severe vomiting and once for a fever over 105! Thank the Lord he was okay both times! In March the boys took their first ride on a plane! We went to Oklahoma to surprise my mom, their grandma, for her 50th birthday! All four of us flew out there as well as my cousin Shaun, my grandma (gma/gg), my Uncle Stan, Sam and my brother Carlos! Then we threw mom a surprise 50th Birthday SOCK HOP Style! It was GREAT! The boys also switched over to Smart Starts Day School and once we got home from Oklahoma they stopped school completely and stayed with Erik full time until I stopped working in May. We were also blessed in March with a NIECE! Elias and Karrie had our sweet Eriana on March 21st while we were in Oklahoma. In April MeMa and PePa stayed with the twins in Miami while Erik and I flew to Georgia to meet our little sweetheart! In May we took all four kiddos (the twins, Emmaus and Eriana) to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. It was HOT but so much fun! We celebrated the start of summer on June 1st with the boys' first haircuts and they did GREAT! In July we spent our usual week at the Ranch with lots of family from Erik's side in and out including Grandma Sally and we had so much fun! In August I left on a Friday and returned home on a Sunday for a Steering Team meeting retreat weekend with MOPS and it was my first time overnight without my any of my boys, completely ALONE. We all did surprisingly well! We also potty trained the boys in August. That's right we had two 21 month old BOYS potty trained, DAY AND NIGHT! It was so amazing to say good bye to diapers (for now!) In September Grandma and Grandpa came to visit again and Erik and I went alone to Princeton, New Jersey to photograph a wedding at The Grounds for Sculpture for an event for someone Erik went to high school with. It was BEAUTIFUL and a completely perfect weekend! In October Titi Shaina came and hung out with us and loved on the boys while we worked all weekend. AND we took the boys to the beach for their first time since their Titi loves the beach so much. Ephraim loved it all! Elijah loved the water, not the sand and they BOTH got to touch a starfish and thought it was way cool! We also took the boys at the end of October to their first live concert to see Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve. They liked it but the timing was bad. Ephraim had to go potty and was uncomfortable to do his business there so halfway through he was antsy and Elijah fell alseep halfway through since it was nap time. In November our sweethearts turned TWO! They're OBSESSED with all things trains right now so we took them to the Goldcoast Railroad Museum for a photo shoot! Then we had a giant play date birthday party at Palmetto Bay Park for their special day! Our friend Ashley made an AWESOME Thomas and Percy Cake for them and 27 cupcakes! They had such a great day! Hubs and I also celebrated our third wedding anniversary. We went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory thanks to the babysitting of Aunt Katie & Uncle Tim! Then on the real day hubs made me Blueberry pancakes before work.YUM! Now we're at Thanksgiving week. MeMa & PePa came on Friday and picked up the boys and took them to the ranch. They've been playing and having a great time up there while Erik and I have been working, cleaning house, photographing a wedding and an engagement shoot. Today I'm working and after work Erik and I will go to the ranch. Then in the morning we'll all get up and head to Georgia. Karrie & Elias are hosting Thanksgiving this year for us and we cannot wait to see everyone, ESPECIALLY our niece and nephew! And it's supposed to be HIGHS of 45 degrees. This Miami girl is REALLY looking forward to some nicer weather! I can't wait to see my kiddos again and have a breather from work!
Until next time.... Happy Thanksgiving. And Merry Christmas.... And Happy New Year! Odds aren't in your favor to "see me" again until 2014! :)
