January is a crazy month for our family. It's hard to say whether it beats out December, but I'll settle for saying they are about neck-and-neck for mayhem. We spend the first couple of weeks recovering (or attempting to recover...) from Christmas and get our home back in order before Birthday Season begins.
January 10 is Michael's birthday. He turned the big 3-0 this year and I wanted it to be special. At first I had planned the throw him a surprise party, but, as with many other plans, that didn't happen. I was already facing a huge challenge just to get it organzied before I started wondering just how well he would take the surprise. He doesn't like attention to be on him, so I opted to go the safer route and avoid a surprise party. We went out downtown with a group of friends on the Saturday before his birthday. He was able to enjoy Sushi and Saki and some of his closest friends.
That same week, I started back to school and we were hit with the biggest snow-storm this state has seen in 23 years (that would be my lifetime, for the record). Michael was out of work for a few days and the kids got to experience 9 inches of snow and ice. Hayden was very excited to play in the snow and make "tracks". Cooper was very curious and really enjoyed playing outside (unless he fell down... that he did not enjoy). Lucas, on the other hand, is just too sensitive for his own good. He stood in one spot and if anyone came near him, he screamed. He did not want to touch the snow or have to walk in it. We made our way down the ice covered road to the neighborhood playground where the kids took turns sliding into the snow drifts. Michael and I enjoyed ourselves more than they did, I think!
During the last week of January, we all caught the nasty Norovirus (stomach flu). It was fairly mild as those things go (except on Hayden, he just couldn't shake it), but it was still zero fun. The twins turned **2** on January 27 and, sadly, woke up puking. I spent the entire day disinfecting our house from top to bottom (as well as following them around with carpet cleaner to try and save my carpets... which didn't really work). That night, we scrubbed them down and headed out with some of Michael's family for dinner. Lucas puked halfway through the meal and none of the boys ate. While the grown ups had a decent time, the birthday boys (and Hayden) were just too sick to get much out of it.
The day after the twins' birthday, we packed up the van and headed to Atlanta for the weekend. We'd been planning this trip for months and would not be deterred by illness! Since Christmas is always crazy busy and full of hundreds of gifts, we thought we would skip a birthday party this year and take the kids on a short trip instead. Friday morning we hit the Georgia Aquarium (the largest aquarium in the world) and everyone had a blast despite Hayden still being sick. They loved all of the animals we saw, especially the sharks and penguins!
I experience the biggest scare of my life at one point during the day when I turned to grab Cooper's hand and he was GONE! I search all around the exhibit we were in and couldn't find him anywhere. The place was very crowded and it was dark where were; someone could have taken him so eaily. I grabbed the first employee I could find with a walkie talkie and she had seen Cooper wonder (she said "ran" and I believe her, but we'll be nice to him today) off just a few minutes before I found her. I should take this time to apologize to the Georgia Aquarium patrons who were unfortunately pushed, shoved, or nearly trampled in my haste to find my son. I found him looking in the big tank saying, "Look! Shock! (Shark)" I was perfectly composed until I had him in my arms and then came the hysterical crying. I didn't put him down or stop crying until we left the aquarium. I felt so rude when I was unable to even speak the amazing by-standers who had joined me in my search. Even though I wasn't able to say, they reminded me that most people really are kind-hearted (or morbidly curious... whatever).
After the aquarium, we checked into our hotel and spent the rest of the day there to let the kids unwind and rest. Michael and I enjoyed the complimentary Happy Hour and room service after the kids were in bed. It really is the little things that make us happy :). Of course, Hayden reminded us why we needed such a break when he vomitted all over one of the beds at 1 am. Ew.
Saturday morning we enjoyed the awesome breakfast provided by Embassy Suites. Possibly the best omelet I've ever had. They were really great to us with the midnight bed change, and the extras included with their rooms are awesome. If you're ever in Atlanta, check them out. They are also right across the street from the Aquarium and Pendleton Place. After breakfast we loaded up the van and made our way to Zoo Atlanta. While the animals were fascinating, it was the people that amazed us the most. There were 13 (!!!) sets of twins there at the same time as us. Hayden fell asleep half way through our visit (he was just SO sick) and Cooper was having a very "independent" day which meant lots of arguing over hand holding and his refusal to ride in the stoller. At least Lucas fully enjoyed himself :)
We ended our Atlanta trip with a visit to the Natural History Museum. Michael and I enjoyed all of the exhibits, but the boys were only interested in DINOSAURS! When we were within sight of the pre-historic exhibit, all three of my sweet boys started growling at the dinosaurs. They could have stayed there staring all day!
The Sunday after our return was my birthday. Michael cooked me a delicious dinner and bought a cake for me. It was my first birthday cake in years -- he even added 23 candles. It was small gesture, but it really meant a lot to me. My birthday is a very bittersweet day for me and I do not celebrate the day. On my 20th birthday, my father passed away and now I spend my birthdays more in reflection than celebration.
January is a very BUSY month for us. Here's hoping February remains a calm month!
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