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While Lucas, Brodie, and I were waiting to begin the 5K "Run to Feed the Hungry" on Thanksgiving Day, we met 3 sets of boy/girl twins.  Ironically, one set was on our left, one set was on our right, and the other set was in front of us.  Two sets of twins were 4 months old.  One of Moms of the 4 month old twins said they had just flown in from Burmuda, and her twins schedules were all messed up.  The other twins were 2 years old.  The parents of the 2 year old twins commented that I had my hands full having two boys.  They have a 4 year old daughter and their 2 year old twins.  They said their 4 and 2 year old daughters are both very mellow.  They'll both sit for hours playing tea party, while their  2 year old son climbs on everything.  One day they found him on top of the kitchen counter.  They said they still don't know how he manged to get up there.  As the race started, I wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and then we were all engolfed by thousands of people also walking or running the event. 

Brodie and I were hanging out in the kitchen this afternoon, while Lucas finished his nap.  I was wearing an apron, as I prepared the ingredients to bake a pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving.  Brodie was having a grand time banging his pots, pans, bowls, cups, and whatever else he had access to on his pantry shelf.  The kitchen suddenly fell silent, so I glanced over at him.  He had pulled the aprons off the pantry door, and was trying to put one on.  It was 10x too big for him, but I went ahead and helped him put the apron on by wrapping it, tucking it, and tying it on him so he could be like Mommy.  We danced and twirled around the kitchen being silly, both wearing our aprons.  

Lucas and Brodie aren't yet tall enough to climb up onto the couch.  They still try to get up there everyday, double checking to see if they may have grown overnight.
This morning I was in the kitchen cleaning up from breakfast and I heard a thump.  I looked in the playroom to see what had happened.  Lucas and Brodie had used their step stool to climb up onto the couch.  There were my two little monkeys jumping, running, and rolling around on top of the couch. 

We went to the park this afternoon to play.  Brodie and Lucas had a great time, while I chased after them.  They both always went in opposite directions of each other.  I tried to position myself an equal distance between the two of them in order to keep a watchful eye on both.  Usually Brodie was the one who I had to chase after to keep safe.  He walked in front of the big kid swings.  He stood in front of the tallest slide as kids were on their way down.  When he crawled through the tunnel, I had to grab Lucas, set him down near the play structure, climb up the platform in order to catch Brodie on his way out.  Once he saw me there he stopped and decided not to come out, which then blocked the tunnel, so the two older boys behind him were stuck by the "baby" as they referred to him.   Brodie finally crawled out, and the older boys came running past across the swinging bridge.  By this time, Lucas had walked half way across the playground and was tasting pieces of bark, in between throwing handfuls into the air.  I set Brodie down, and he was off on another mission at top speed.   He crawled up the first step, then stood up and walked up the rest of the way, and just as I was going to grab him, he went head first down the smallest slide.  I made a mad dash down the stairs and around the structure in hopes to catch him before he slide head first off the slide into the bark.  Lucas was still throwing bark, as he watched the big kids run circles around the playground.  I didn't make it in time.  But luckily he came to a stop at the end of the slide, so I was able to help him down.  Of course he wanted to do it again, and again.  Lucas joined in on the fun.  With the two of them, it was impossible for me to be at the end of the slide every time they slide down.  So I just kept running back and forth hoping to prevent them from falling backwards off the steps as they wobbled and teetered up to get to the slide.  After an hour of playing, they were both tired and sitting in the bark near piles of newly fallen leaves.  Both of them thought it was great fun to taste the leaves and bark. I realized if I stopped making such a big deal about NOT putting stuff in their mouths, they would stop, and they did.  They didn't want to leave.  I couldn't get them to walk to the stroller.  I guess I should have brought the stroller to them.  But I didn't think of this at the time.  So I picked them both up, one in each arm, and buckled them into their stroller one at a time.  Once they were both buckled in, the crying stopped and they were calm.  Our walk home was peaceful.  Lucas fell asleep at nap time.  Brodie, well, he didn't want to take a nap even though he was tired.  He finally gave in and fell asleep after 1 1/2 hours of fussing on and off.  Lucas slept through all the noise.  

Just before leaving to do afternoon errands, I noticed Lucas' cheek was slightly red and irritated.  It reminded me of when Brodie had an allergic reaction to, I believe, raspberry soy yogurt.  But I didn't think that was happening to Lucas, so I put some hydro-cortisone ointment on, and we were out the door.  Lucas has sensitive skin, so I figured it was a skin irritation. 

Only 20 minutes later, after arriving at a friend's house to deliver a meal, I knew he was definitely having an allergic reaction.  I should have listened to my instinct the first time.  Of course the children's Benadryl was now at home. 

We went to Target to buy more Benadryl, and to finish our errands before heading home.  While shopping, Lucas and Brodie received the usual "Oh, look twins!" attention.  Only this time, I was so embarrassed because Lucas' face was now entirely red and blotchy, including his ears.  Luckily there wasn't any swelling, or hives, but he still looked horrible.  One man who stopped to ask if they were twins, took a closer look, and then asked, "What was wrong with Lucas' face?" 

Before buckling Lucas into his car seat, I gave him dye free bubble gum flavored Benadryl.  He choked it down.  Bubble gum being a new flavor for him, didn't go over very well.  By the time we arrived back home, the Benadryl was already taking effect.  He was starting to look almost normal again.        

So now I'm wondering what caused his allergic reaction?  I don't think it's anything he ate.  However, he may have touched the peanut butter and honey I accidentally dropped onto the kitchen floor.  I tried to clean it up before Lucas and Brodie got to it, but they are FAST!  Maybe he got some on his hands, then put it into his mouth or on his face?

The cause of his reaction?  It's one of those unknowns.  I would also like to know why they don't make dye free Benadryl in a different flavor. Why make it bubble gum flavored?  Bubble gum is something you chew, not swallow, and you definitely don't drink. 

Sunday morning we walked over to the Oki Park playground to meet our friend Mr. S. and his two kids (ages 18 mo and 4 1/2 years).  All was calm until we arrived.  Lucas immediately walked over to the swings, picked up wet bark and put it into his mouth.  He then smeared the dirt from the wet bark all over his face as he tried to clean off his runny nose.  Who knows what caused him to start to crying, but that just made his face evern more of a mess.  Before I let Brodie out of the stroller, I changed his dirty diaper.  It was more like a wrestling match.  I held him by one leg, while he screamed, twisted and turned every which way trying to get away.  I had to use one free hand to clean up the hazmat.  In the meantime, Mr. S. took one look at Lucas and said, "I don't know what's going on with his face!"  He walked Lucas over to me, as if I could clean up his face.  My hands were already full.  Luckily, the wipes were already out.  Mr. S. helped clean Lucas' face, while I finished cleaning Brodie.  Finally, Lucas and Brodie were all cleaned up and ready to play!  And play they did.  They climbed, went down the slide, crawled through the tunnel, swung on the swings, walked across the swinging bridge, again, and again, and again.  They played on the wiggling merry-go-round, spaceship, and tractor.  We had a science lesson when we found a green, winged, 6 legged, bulging two eyed praying mantis in the bark.  There was much discussion as to whether it was a carnivore or an omnivore, and what the difference was between the two.  Lucas and Brodie spent the rest of the time walking around picking up sticks, bark, and leaves.  They practiced stepping up and down/in and out of the bark onto the sidewalk.  When they found the grass, wet from the early morning dew, they went toddling through it and were officially wet and dirty.  Brodie tripped and faced planted into the grass.  His face and hair were soaking wet and covered in pieces of grass.    It was time to head back home, eat a late morning snack, clean up, and take a nap.  We said good bye to our friends, and my husband and I each picked up a kid, and walked home pushing an empty double stroller.  It's nap time!

Thursday morning Brodie, Lucas, and I ran around Lake Natoma with my friend and her son. It couldn't have been a more perfect day with sun, blue skies and nice Autumn temperatures.  The trees were vibrant hues of yellows, oranges, and reds as many of them have already started dropping their leaves.  Other than occasional bikes passing by, we mostly saw squirrels and different kinds of birds. 
The kids took naps, sleeping more than half way around the lake.  When they woke up, they were happy all the way back to our cars.  Our run was great!  The best part was we accomplished our goal: to run around Lake Natoma together pushing our kids in their running strollers.    
 

As I was rocking Brodie to sleep tonight, my mind was wandering, jumping from one random kid related thought to another.  Lucas is finally breathing quietly.  He is finally getting over his cold.  Maybe I don't need to use the humidifier at night anymore.  He still has a cough.  I'm going to keep using it until his cough is gone.  Why am I still giving Brodie a bottle before bed?  He is probably ready for a cup.  He drinks from a cup during the day.  Then I remembered when I weaned him from breastfeeding at night, I took away the one thing that soothed him to sleep: sucking.  So he went from breast to bottle at night.  Then I weaned him from all night feedings.  The only bottle feeding remaining is the one before bed.  Tomorrow night, no more bottle. At that moment, I realized how quickly I forget the past.  Brodie and Lucas change so fast.  They are growing up before my eyes.  That explains why I have had the sudden urge to take pictures of everything.  Brodie and Lucas eating with a spoon, eating from a bowl, walking up and down the step....  Reality has hit me hard.  My boys are growing up and I'm trying to capture each moment so I don't forget.  It brings tears to my eyes. I am so bombarded with the daily BUSYness, there are days when I don't have time to take pictures.  I will always have my memories.  I won't forget everything.  Like the time earlier this week when I was getting their dinner ready.  I heard Lucas crying.  I looked over and saw Lucas lying face down on the floor with Brodie standing on top of him.  It was a funny sight, but I had to rush to rescue Lucas.  They are into climbing on everything.  Enough rambling for now.  Reflection can be a good thing, and I had more time than usual because Brodie drank twice as much milk before bed tonight.

My husband was home late last night.  So I didn't have any help with the bath and bedtime routine.  Lucas and Brodie were not happy.  Luckily, they still fell asleep without much of a fuss.

Brodie woke up once at 1AM.  In the craziness of getting Lucas and Brodie ready for bed, Brodie's diaper must not have been snug enough, so he leaked out all over his PJ's.  I don't blame him for waking up upset.  I changed him into dry PJ's, with a new diaper, and he went back to sleep with a few minutes of fussing. 

Lucas woke up once at 4AM.  He had the miseries.  He voice was hoarse from coughing, and his nose was running.  I picked him up to rock him back to sleep, but he didn't want to be rocked.  I gave him Tylenol, and tried to get him to calm down, without much luck.  Finally, I put him back to bed, and he finally stopped crying and fell asleep within 5 minutes.     

Brodie slept in until 6:30AM.  Lucas slept in until 7AM.  Whatever I did over the past 3 days, worked!  I am so happy both my kids are now sleeping through the night.  Sleep is a good! 

As I ran pushing Lucas and Brodie up and over the Occidental freeway overpass on Wednesday morning, I couldn't help but notice the graffiti written on the concrete wall.  It says, "Find Beauty Everywhere."  This graffiti has been there for several weeks.  Every time I see it, I ponder the meaning of those three words, and how their placement is so ironic.  Can a person find beauty standing above the freeway, surrounded by pavement, concrete, metal, and the loud sound of all the vehicles driving by?  Sure, why not.  We've all heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

On the same running loop, there is graffiti written on the Howe Avenue overpass that says, "Follow your bliss." 

Who knew that graffiti could be so enlightening and bring a smile to my face.  I wonder how many other people have seen these same sayings and smiled? 

Usually when I see graffiti, I don't give it much attention.  And within a few days, someone has come by and covered it up.  I wonder how long these sayings will last before being covered up?  After all, they are graffiti too.          

   

Night #2 was even better than the first.  I had my doubts, but was gladly proven wrong.  Brodie woke up again around 8:45 PM, just like the night before, crying at full volume.  I went into his room to check on him.  He of course was just fine.  As I laid him down in his crib, I told him it was night time, time to go to sleep, then left the room.  He continued crying, but was back to sleep within 15 minutes.  The rest of the night, he woke up a couple of times, but soothed himself back to sleep within a few minutes.  At 3:30 AM, he woke up and cried full volume.  I took a peek into their room, and they were both laying on their bellies with their butts in the air.  Lucas was sleeping.  Brodie's crying had decreased to fussing softly.  Within minutes, Brodie was back to sleep, and so was I.  Another successful night of sleep for the entire family.  Yipee!  Brodie woke up at 6AM.  Lucas woke up at 7AM.  

What I thought was going to be a horrible night, turned out fantastic.  Lucas and Brodie were both asleep by 6:45 PM.  They both drank their milk, and within minutes were in their cribs fast asleep.   

I went to bed early around 8 PM, so when I awoke to at 8:45 PM to Brodie crying, I thought the rest of the night was doomed.  My husband went in to check on him.  He tried to get him to calm down, and back to sleep without much luck.  So Brodie kept crying.  30 minutes later, I went in to check on him.  Since he was quite upset, I picked him up and rocked him.  It took about 10 minutes to calm him down.  When his little eyes started drooping with sleep, I placed him gently in his crib, and he immediately sat up and started crying again, at the same volume as before I picked him up. 

At that point, I knew I had done my best to sooth him.  I knew he was fine.  He just wanted me to hold him, and didn't want to be left him his crib to sleep.  I knew he wasn't hungry.  He already had his Tylenol to relieve teething pain.  He had a clean diaper.  He was dressed appropriately.  So, I told him it was night time, and time to sleep.....then left the room.  Between periods of sleeping and waking, Brodie cried at varying levels throughout the night.  Lucas slept through the night.

At 6:15 AM, I heard Lucas and Brodie playing and talking in their cribs, so I went in to say Good Morning, and get them up and ready for the day.  They were both happy and smiling.  I believe this is the beginning of some good nights sleep for the entire family. 

Lucas and Brodie are both asleep.  Lucas will most likely sleep through the night.  Brodie will wake up in about 3 hours expecting 4 oz of milk.  On a typical night, Brodie wakes up crying around 11 PM and 3 AM expecting 4 oz of milk.  His crying quickly escalates to screaming if I'm not fast enough to pick him up.  After 3 AM, if I'm lucky, Brodie will go back to sleep.  But usually he doesn't, and I'm left holding a squirming, pawing, pinching, biting 14 mo old who is will do anything to avoid his crib and stay awake. 

After discussing Brodie's sleep issues with his pediatrician today, I decided it is time for a change.  Little does Brodie know, tonight will be different.  No more milk, no more picking him up, holding, and rocking him back to sleep every time he cries.  Brodie is a determined child.  He has been putting forth all his determination to avoid sleeping after 3 AM.  I am going to put forth all of my determination to hold my ground.  I know there will be some tears shed, but once we get through this, we will all be happier, and we'll all be sleeping much better.