A New Reality

Hello everyone! I suppose it's time to sit down and reflect on the last two weeks, isn't it? I've probably been avoiding it a bit, since they've been bitter-sweet, really. I'll start off by saying that everyone is absolutely fine with everything, really. And maybe that's what makes it a bit bitter? Maybe I expected more upset, more upheaval. But we're just successfully enjoying a different kind of reality these days.
Alexis and Mathilde are fitting into their day-care situation with absolute ease. They are off and exploring from the second they're in the door. Upon pick-up, we always find them engaged in some sort of play and in very good spirits. But it's sometimes a bit emotional when they see us and realize that they've missed us. We can get a few tears, but nothing over the top. Ivan and I drop them off and pick them up together and Mathilde always heads directly for her Papa. So sweet.
This past week was even better than the first. Once the girls got used to their routine and became able to predict what came next, they really started enjoying themselves. It's fun to see Mathilde watch the bigger kids thundering around and try to join in! Alexis is very content to play with stuffed animals and do her finger painting. She always goes down happily for her naps and is the first to line up to be placed in her high chair for lunch or snacks. Mathilde is the Ham that she is at home and loves to make little faces. She scrunches up her nose and squints her eyes and smiles at you from her knees. She is quite content still to view the world from knee level. She can pull herself up and even stand on her own, but she prefers not to! Alexis on the other hand, can often be found standing up with a toy in her hand with no indication of how she got there in the first place. Perhaps she used Mathilde to get up, then Tilly crawled away leaving her sister standing there? You have to watch to find out!
But it's sad to know that the bulk of their day is spent with someone else. I could explore that more in depth, but just know that I'll always harbour the guilt associated with that fact. Enough said.
Mathilde celebrated the arrival of her 5th tooth today. On top of her crusty, stuffy nose, she's been teething as well! We kept her home on Thursday and with tons of cuddles, love and sleep, she was back in action the following day. I'm pretty sure that Lexi's already gone through her version of this cold, but Ivan just got it yesterday and mine has shown itself in a completely different way. It's hard to say. I really hope she doesn't come down with the same symptoms as Mathilde. We have to get them vaccinated again this week and it's better if they're not sick. Especially since they had a reaction to the last dose (high fever). I know I shouldn't say this, but they're so sweet when they're sick! I wouldn't want them to be sick very often, but when they are, the cuddles are the best in the world.
So that's all the news from this Lightwood house. We're looking forward to our trip to Thunder Bay in December. It seems like it's just around the corner! We won't be decorating for Christmas until the 13th so as not to interfere with Lexi and Tilly's birthday celebration. And no tree again this year. Next year though, look out! Don't tell Ivan, but I've been playing Christmas Carols for the past week.