How sweet it is...

I have had such a blast with TJ and Allyson this summer. I'm beginning to get bummed out to see my summer evaporating before my eyes and at the same time I am feeling the excitement of a new beginning at work... (okay, not really feeling any excitement about a new school year in a new school, but I'm trying to be positive). Mornings like this morning really make me sad to see the end of summer.
Last night I was up 4 times (during my 7 hours of sleep) with Princess Allyson. I woke up for good at 6:40 hoping she would sleep long enough for me to grab a shower and shake the cobwebs from my head. When I got out of the shower at 7:00 I could hear the kids on the monitor talking. They were out of bed so I couldn't see them on the video monitor. Their conversation went like this:
Ally: "I love you TJ"
TJ: "I love you too, Ally... Can I hug you?"
Ally: "Ok, SURE TJ."
Then I could hear them both laughing and loud mmmm-waaah kisses and more laughing.

I quickly got dressed and went to let them out of their room. I could hear them through the door having another conversation...
TJ: "This is my baby."
Ally:"This is my baby."
TJ: "You're okay baby. You're okay."
Ally: "I love you baby."
I always sit on the floor and get good morning hugs and kisses when I first go in. This morning they were sitting together in the corner with their taggy-raggies (blankets with tags I made for them). They had their taggies balled up and holding them in the crook of their arms. I thought I would cry it was sooooo precious! (Rewind to yesterday when the game was snatch the toy from my sibling and run (while laughing) until he/she screams.) Both kids came running to my lap for hugs and kisses. TJ held my face, looked at me and said very thoughtful-like, "You have brown eyes, mommy?" It was going to be a great day no matter where it went from here!

In truth today was great! We headed up to the northside of Atlanta to visit my cousin Heather and her kids: Sophia, Joseph, Teresa (about 6 months older than the twins), and the newest addition - Baby Peter. Sorry we missed you, John! The newest residents of the south also came to visit - Aunt Pat and Uncle Ron. TJ and Allyson have been excited and ready to come see Teresa for several days since my mom mentioned it to them without thinking. I've been putting them off for days - grabbing shoes right after breakfast, asking all day, etc... to go see "T'resa" as Allyson says. We had so much fun playing with all the new toys. It really made me come back and think a lot of TJ and Allyson's toys are too baby-ish for them.

Professor TJ LOVED watching the marbles go through the tracks Joseph had made!!

Check out TJ with the stethoscope around his neck while fiddling with the Rubik's cube. Allyson was playing with tools from the toolbox. Teresa was telling them about the book she was reading.

And, I'm sure you are probably expecting a picture of the cute new bundle of joy... this is where I get fired. I didn't take one picture of Peter. Not when his Grandmom was cuddling and rocking him to sleep. Not when my mom was cuddling and commenting on how light he felt. Not when Teresa was holding him and Allyson cuddled up next to her while trying to give Peter a toy. Not when I was snuggling this tiny little joy that would not be keeping me up at night and Allyson kissed him sweet little head. And not even when Allyson was stroking his arm saying "you okay." Yep, I'm fired.

Such a great day with so many sweet, sweet memories! I appreciate Heather accommodating visitors when she is probably wiped out and I thank Ron and Pat for coming over to visit too - DELICIOUS lunch Pat! And thank you, Mom, for making your work schedule around joining us on this little escapade!