The Daily Grind

1 year, 22 weeks.

I had a hard time falling and staying asleep on Sunday night.  I was sweaty and my heart was beating out of my chest.  Was my left arm numb?  My mind was going around in circles about what I was about to embark on:  What on earth have I gotten myself into?   How could I possibly take care of two toddlers by myself full time?  Would I be successful in this endeavor or would it be an epic failure?  Could we survive each other or would we drive each other crazy? 

Monday was my first official day "on the job" as a full time dad, or FTD, as I like to call it.  "Stay At Home Dad" just sounds too much like you're trapped, stuck at home, which is completely the opposite in my case.  But could I handle the immense pressure and responsibility of taking care of the children?  Apparently, I'm proud to say, I can.  And I love it.

But before we go into all that let's review, as usual, our weekend activities.

As my brother Mike and his wife Genevieve were in town from California, we had planned to spend the weekend at my parents' home in Avon Park, about an hour and a half drive south central from Orlando.  They had gone down earlier in the week to spend some time with Lolo and Lala and were expecting us to join them by Friday afternoon.  So Tangie was able to leave work around 1:30, and after I had picked Braelyn up from school and packed the van, we swung by to pick the twins up from Starchild, on their last day there, en route to Avon Park.

The twins' teachers were very sad to see them leave.  They kept hugging them and refused to let them go!  We had been sending all 3 kids to Starchild for a total of three years.  In that time we had made some great relationships with the staff and directors there.  I am so grateful for the love and the nurturing they gave to our children.   They will be missed!

Morning drive on our last day at Starchild.

The last breakfast.  As opposed to the Last Supper.

Do you think they'll remember their time here?  They will with this blog!

Kohlden was so sad to leave!

"Why do I have to go?"  Poor Madelyn.

It just breaks your heart!

The adoring teachers and staff say their goodbyes.



We arrived in Avon Park just before 5 pm, which gave us some time to unload and unwind a bit before sundown.  Mike and Gen were in charge of dinner and had made preparations for roll-your-own Vietnamese spring rolls.  My cousins Patrick and Lyka along with their parents came by later on in the evening and joined us for dinner.  We just had a nice relaxing time enjoying conversations and musings with the family.  My parents, especially my mother, were stoked to have all their children and grandchildren (with one on the way, and no, we're not pregnant) together all under one roof. 

Auntie Gen preparing dinner from Braelyn's point of view.

She took this one of Uncle Mike too.

What a spread!  Now all we're missing are the millions of people on their scooters driving by! 

Brae providing herself some entertainment as the adults eat dinner.

The girls were so exhausted they fell asleep on the sofa.

She could've slept there all night if I had let her.



Sabbath morning brought us to church where we [attempted to, anyway] attended both Sabbath School and church service.  This was probably one of the few services we have attended with all three kids together, just because it can be a little hard to keep them busy and quiet.  There was this one point when my mother commented about how restless Braelyn was during the service and I quickly reminded her that she was only 4 years old.  Needless to say, we spent most of the service outside in the lobby and hallways of the church waiting for the sermon to finish.  One day we'll get to stay for the entire time.  One day.

Kohl sits with Lolo and Lala.

Maddy tries to stay incognito.



For lunch we had a potluck of gastronomic proportions and culinary delight back at my parents' house with the entire clan present.  Both sets of grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, you name it, they were there, around a total of 18, at least.  Naptime for the kids ensued followed by an afternoon of leisure and casual candid photoshoots.  Mike has this amazing camera with a light filter that makes any photo look amazing and anyone in it look like a model.  We had a good time just snapping away at the kids.  It was a very enjoyable photo session with the exception of Maddy accidentally bumping her head on the ceiling fan.  I'm not going into details about how that happened but let's just say that Daddy feels really bad about it and promises not to toss his kids in the air without checking to see what's above his head first!  Pizza and the documentary film Food Inc. completed our day, with the adults playing a Scrabble-esqe game called Bananagrams after the children had gone to sleep.

C'mon.  Just look at that face.

Kohlden agrees with his sister.  On what, we'll never know.

Anyone want to play?

"If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!"  (excerpt, Dodgeball)
Could Madelyn be Tangie's left hander?

Wanted:  GAPkids model.  Position filled.

Are these shades trendy enough for me?

The most interesting man in the world.  "Here's looking at you, kid!"



"This is how Mommy does it!"

"Is this all for me?!?"

Trying to get the perfect family picture.  What's wrong with this one?

On Sunday we took advantage of Mike's talent and set up to do some family portraits for our collection, as soon these kids will no longer be this little.  We finished the weekend with my parents together with lunch and then headed back to Orlando after the kids' naps.  For dinner we had our friends and Mike's business partner Jared and Marlissa Clarke and their daughter Isabella over to catch up and reconnect.  They live just a couple miles down the road but it had been a while since we'd gotten together like that.

Finally!  We got one!

Maddy with her Lolo and Lala.

Another good one!  What luck!

Who knew a rose could make such a sweet face!

A touching moment.  One for a lifetime.

Tangie and Kohl share some beautiful smiles.

Our gorgeous princess, so grown up!

She's still got it!

Isidro family, 2011.



Speaking of Sunday, we shared in the moment of silence as we remembered the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  I can't believe it had been 10 years since that awful morning:  Tangie was on an airplane on her way from Atlanta to Pensecola for an audit when it happened.  She called me when she landed and told me to turn the tv on.  I saw the second plane hit and watched both towers fall.  Tangie had to drive home since all flights were grounded.  Life, security, and travel as we knew it had been changed forever.  It was a quiet realization that our children will never know the difference.

Jared and Marlissa joined us for grilled salmon and steaks.

The girls on roll-you-own sushi night.

Brothers enjoy the last night together.  We sure had fun with them here!

Auntie Gen blows the twins kisses at the airport.

Goodbye kisses from Uncle Mike.  He was so sad to leave them.



So back to Monday.  I'm sure Tangie had all the confidence in me as she kissed me goodbye early in the morning when she and Braelyn left for work and school.  I went downstairs for a cup of coffee and just enjoyed the peaceful calm that was soon to disappear.  I heard the faint whimper of stirring in the children's monitor and then the cry of "We're awake!  Can anyone hear us?  Get your butt in here and give us our milk!"  I whispered a quick prayer and then I opened the nursery door. 

Morning run brings us to the dock on Lake Apopka to rest and enjoy the lake breezes.

No, they're not in time out.  They just sat there to eat their waffles!

They helped with the laundry...kind of.

Picking up some supplies for sushi later that evening.  I took this picture for Lolo to show how big the jackfruit were.

Rule #1:  Never leave a paper trail.



I'm not going to do a daily play by play, although I will tell you that it has been a week long learning experience for me.  I am sticking to a daily schedule with meal times and naps, and to make it a routine for the twins.  I've given them daily lessons and teaching them about objects, body parts, colors, and sounds.  I've gone on brisk walks/jogs every morning (Zoe enjoys going with us!) and I've taken them to story time at the library where I was the only male there among dozens of moms!  We've gone on several grocery trips and have picked Braelyn up each afternoon.  It has been both intimidating and exhausting, but overall rewarding to see their development and growth up close and personal.  And, of course, my favorite part of the day is when Tangie comes home and gets to see them before we tuck them off to bed.  This has become my epic adventure. 

Afternoon activity meant bringing out the water slide!

Don't ask.

Kohl and Maddy enjoy story time at the library.  I was so outnumbered....it was awesome.

They enjoy playing handsies while we drive about.

Getting a little play time in the afternoons.

Always the thrill seeker.

I did away with the high chairs and turned the kitchen into a mini classroom of sorts.

The twins enjoy practicing their handwriting.



This week's conversations are:

• On Sunday I was talking with Tangie about the 9/11 memorial ceremony.

          Me:  "So at 8:46 was when the first plane hit and that's when we'll observe
                   a moment of silence."
          Brae:  "Why a moment of science?"

• We had just picked Braelyn from school and was en route back to the house.  I was just driving along when all of a sudden I hear a sound coming from behind me that resembled something like a fart.

          Brae:  "Hey, who toot?"
         
           I turn around in just enough time to catch her glimpse at both Kohl and
           Maddy before looking at me.  She grins.

          Brae:  "I did."

• On the same trip she asked me if she could play when we got home.  

          Me:  "Of course, but we have to finish your homework first."
          Brae:  "But I already finished my homework!"
          Me:  "You did?  When?"
          Brae:  "Yesterday!"
          Me:  "That was yesterday's homework.  We have to finish the homework
                   your teacher gave us today."
          Brae:  "Daddy, why do I have to do homework?"
          Me:  "Because your teacher wants you to remember all the stuff you
                   learned."
          Brae:  (exhasperated)  "But I already know stuff!"

Not sure how much longer they'll be able to do this!

Have a wonderful weekend!