So first off I must apologize that there are no pictures in this post. I am getting caught in this vicious cycle of wanting to post but not being near my pics so than not posting. Stopping that now, will post pics later.

Life is settling in somewhat at the Hansen Home. We are getting into a morning routine that actually has us and two kids at school by 7:34 every morning. Dinner has been made every night, even if it is leftover lasagna (but, hey, leftover lasagna is a good thing).

Mara is hitting the fun stage. She is awake a bunch more (although she sleeps a ton at school) and is much more animated. She loves to look at mobiles, we even got a little bouncy seat just for her to enjoy. She also sits in the bumpo, sort of, now. This is our first introduction to the family meal! She is getting cuter and cuter every day and still sports blue eyes. I think I will remain Jay’s only brown-eyed girl.

Thane is taking two steps forward and 1 step back. His knowledge is increasing rapidly, now saying two words at a time. Most are food motivated. More Milk. Milk Please. Up Please. More Water. Fish Water. You get the idea. The other day he even said Jake Up Stairs (he is very demanding with Jake).

For the step back, he continues to be defiant at school. Anyone who has ideas, please share. Yesterday was an especially rough day with a bite and a chasing of a child with a hammer (kids hammer, and no, I am not kidding) taking place. He does not exhibit this at home, so I don’t know other than telling him to be gentle with his friends today to step in on his school behavior. Ideas are welcomed.

But other than that, we are having fun. Things are stressful, our jobs, the economy, having two kids and a dog and a house. But still we are in this together and all is good.

That’s my brief update. See you soon!!!

When I woke up this morning to brush my teeth, I found a frog at my sink. He had a rolled up piece of paper that read:

A treasure hunt
for my Valentine,
your next clue sits
where the family dines

I first went to the dining room then the kitchen table, with Jay following behind me. There sat a cheetah:

Jake runs and plays
in the open air
go outside
your clue is there

On the patio table was a puppy with floppy ears:

a final clue for you to stew
your prize awaits
where Thane calls his Pappou

I started to go inside but was redirected to Thane’s playhouse, which has a phone. There sat 2 chocolate roses and this:

Things I love…

The cool touch of Fall’s first breeze,
a big sign after a baby’s sneeze.
these are things i love.

Sitting forward in a trance,
wathcning tours won by Lance
feeling shadenfreude for all of France,
this i love.

Diving fish filled oceans blue and clear,
sunsets sipping bitter beer,
this i love,
but only when you are near.

But for none of these things do i care,
so much as the family that we share.
i love you.

The calming feeling in my soul
as i am driving toward our home
after hockey games, lost or won,
because life with you is so much fun.
This i love.

How we say we love you…

As Thanos looks at food that’s new
and tries a bite for trusting you.
In this, he says he loves you.

Through eyes fixed on yours while she eats,
through big, big smiles that are such treats,
Mara says she loves you.

By writing poems, short but sweet
and kissing you each time we meet,
through hugs and songs and dances too,
these are my ways to show…

that i love you.

I cannot express how much I cried reading this, how much every single line is a testament to our family, how I just collapsed in Jay’s arms after reading it. I do know that I want the letter framed and hung in our bedroom. This is the best Valentine gift I have ever received.