I *heart* my kids
They are amazing. Evelyn and James bring something new to my day, everyday. They fill it with a love that isn’t like a love of anyone else, even their own love is different. I feel so blessed to have them in my life and to be able to spend so much time with them.
We have arrived home from a trip over the border to Canada. We visited with James’s Mom Susie who we haven’t seen since the kids were 2 weeks old. Also his sister Wendy, brother-in-law Doug and neice Miranda who we haven’t seen since August of 05 which we only saw breifly in Louisiana during a funeral 
before that it’d been Christmas in 04 and our neice Abby whom we hadn’t met yet.
We left our house on Friday around 6:45pm. James had tried to sleep but was unable and it seemed there wasn’t much point in waiting another hour till the kids would normally goto bed so we left, crossing our fingers and thinking the kids would sleep straight thru. They DID! Yippee. I drove for a while while James slept to give him a break later in the drive, so he didn’t do it all.
After an easy but long drive, a tish stressful around Chicago where I was convinced a semi was out to kill us we arrived in London around 6am? I think… maybe 5? I lost track of time. James woke up when we went in, and Evelyn soon followed, after a little bit of talking with Wendy & Doug we went up to bed. They weren’t too interseted in going back to sleep, but after about an hour they both did.
We hung out at home all Saturday and opened Christmas gifts. Sunday was planned for a get together with as many Betterley’s that could make it. As luck would, or would not have it a HUGE snowstorm hit London between the overnight and that day it was just insane.
I haven’t a clue how much actually fell but the roads were bad. I think it might be since our town is about 300,000 fewer people than London we are used to them being cleared quicker and the snow just kept on a falling also. We arrived safely and had a really nice time! The kids were just gobbled up and did really, really well with all the attention. They even both took their bottles without too much fuss.
Our way home from the party we almost got into an accident on account of someone driving a pickup with a plow attached going past us thru the Right hand turn lane, straight instead of turning and I think he hit the snowbank and ended up spinning horizontally directly in front of us. Then he proceeded to backup whilst we were inches from his vehicle. I saw him fishtail and hit into snowbanks 3 more times ahead of us. CRAZY! The next day James saw in the paper that 2 mothers were killed the previous day-unsure if it was because of drivers, let alone the one we ran into.
The rest of the trip was just good company and time spent together. But the time came when we had to return as James was due back at work. We left their house around 6pm and headed for home. James drove and drove and drove, finally he said he needed a break. I took over, but I don’t think I lasted 20 minutes before I felt like I needed a break also-we were both very tired. We ended up getting a hotel room which we checked into at 1am and out of at 5am. But it was enough rest that we were able to get the rest of the way home. The kids woke up while we brought them in though and were not interested in sleep at that point and it was another hour to hour and a half to get them to sleep. They slept when we started driving again almost all the way home. We stopped for gas in Milwaukee (an hour south of our town) and Evelyn awoke. James ended up riding in the back with them whilst I drove and entertained them. About 10 minutes from home she got quite upset and he ended up giving her a bottle.
They really did do awesome. Sleeping whilst there was a bit harder on the kids, but they’ve settled back into their normal day/night pattern now that we are home.
Are hoping to see everyone again next year, but will have to see how things work or don’t work out. Let’s knock on wood that it does. Several of James’ Aunts/Uncles talked of visiting us in the new year though, too. 
Visitors are always welcome.
We put the kids together in the bath tonight in their safety situp seats for the first time (Evelyn used one whilst we were in Canad). It was TOO much fun. James has learnt how to kick/splash and while they’ve both done it before it’s been a random, one off type thing. He’s going to town the last few baths.
We are turning a new page, starting a new chapter in the kids lives. You can just see how differently they see things, view things, investigate things and take everything in. James is SO eager to go places. He *really* is going to be trouble when he really starts crawling, though he does a good job already.
Evelyn is laid back, but lately she’s been showing her ’sass’ 
She’s been a bit pickier about things and moodier.
Both are interested in the other-but rarely at the same time. Especially if one touches the other and it’s not wanted, ha ha ha, it’s quite the event. Evelyn more often dislikes the touches, and James is such a curious guy he’s usually touching her whilst they are sitting near each other. While Evelyn usually touches James whilst nursing and he’s a snuggler and really, really dislikes that she’s at him
I can’t believe that in a matter of 2 days the kids will have their first Christmas. Honestly, where did the last 6 months go? Anyhow- my main reason for posting is….
I just uploaded, earlier today and finished up in the last few minutes 125 photos taken over the last two weeks.
Add comment December 22nd, 2007