The Kids!

Mira came home on Monday, and Dustin and Aryanna came home on Wednesday. It had been just over two weeks that I went without seeing Dustin and Aryanna in person at all. We had FaceTime and pictures, but I have never been away from my children for this long in their lives.
Having them home makes Mira's schedule even more difficult, and I knew this was how it would be before the kids came back. I knew that they would be driving me up the wall within ten minutes. I knew that as soon as Dustin walked in the door, I wouldn't get a moments peace because honestly, he never stops talking. I knew that Aryanna would be difficult because she's about to start walking, and she's in a demanding phase where she wants everything her way because she's exploring her own attitude. I knew both of them would be constantly seeking attention in disruptive ways because they're not yet used to having a new baby in the house; especially one with Mira's constant needs. While I knew all this before the kids came home... I couldn't wait!
Two weeks! Two weeks may not sound like a lot, but it killed me. It broke my heart every time I talked to Dustin on the phone throughout that time, and he would cry because he didn't understand why we weren't all together. It killed me to see pictures of Aryanna and know how big she was getting, and know that I was missing it. It killed me knowing that every day they were wondering why we weren't home, and that there was no possible way to make them understand. So even though I knew I'd be ripping my hair out once they got home, I also knew that I'd gladly go bald for that reason because I couldn't wait to see them, and hold them, and answer Dustin's 12,000 questions, and pick up Aryanna in all her chunky glory even though I'm still post c-section and not supposed to be lifting her.
My sister pulled in the driveway, and I was already waiting on the porch. I walked out to meet them, and Dustin ran into my arms yelling "Mommy!" Aryanna smiled so big while my niece, Nikki, brought her over to me. She started pointing at me was saying "Ma!" in a way that sounded kind of like she was questioning wether or not it was actually me. I couldn't wait to scoop her up in my arms, and that's exactly what I did! It was so relieving... Finally having them home and seeing their plump little cheeks in person! Knowing that the waiting was over, and I wouldn't have to keep trying to explain to Dustin why him and Aryanna were getting shuffled around, and why Joe and I weren't home. That was all over, and I could hug them, and take care of them, and tuck them in at night, because we were all finally home! All of my children under one roof, my roof, and that was that.