10/18/04

October 18, 2004
Hello, As you can tell by my posting in the at home section, Jeff has not had a chance to add a new calendar to our updates page. Actually, truth be known, I have not asked him to do it again as we have both been rather busy lately. Everyone said life would change and this is for sure. We are learning the art of budgeting, our time and energy not only the pocketbook. At 20 diapers a day, we should take stock in huggies. The kids have been jogging back and forth between synchronized schedules and exactly opposite wake/play/eat/sleep times. Both options are really fine with us, if they are asleep at the same time we get a catnap or a few chores done, if they are in reverse, we get one on one time which is alot of fun too. I have been focusing on one extra task a day above and beyond the new routine of, wipe counter/make bottles/mix cerial/wipe counter, wash high chair, launder bibs and onsies, etc. This rotation has at least three shifts a day and when complete it makes the rest of the housework look untouched. Jeff is going to be out on paternity leave shortly and this will be a big help, just helping get organized and to allow me to whip around with the swiffer everyday.

The kids are pure, 100% joy! Each minute is better than the next. We simply adore them, as do our friends and family. They are so happy and are just sponging up all the changes like little champs. They are eating gleefully in their high chairs, holding cookies by themselves and making a face paste that would have estee lauder jealous! We have had some cranky, way over tired moments and a couple of teething snafus but all in all, the majority of the time is filled with spontaneous raspberries and laughter.
Karleigh is starting to show a big girl laugh, not a little coo anymore, but the kind of laugh that comes from the bottom of the tummy and can often cause hicc-ups when displayed continuously for more than 5 minutes. She weezes out a silly little inhale/exhale noise in between laughing and its infectious! Karleigh is growing by leaps and bounds, she must be near 20 by now - a six pound increase since our meeting in September. We will be going to the doctor next week and will share current weights at that time.

McCale is his happy ole' self, he is really giving us stitches with his constant sound effects and apple sauce filled - raspberries. We were warned about this but its just so darned cute when he does it, and I think it is making my hair a little shinier so what the heck! I think we can honestly report that his second bottom tooth is in fully, he now gives us an upper gummy grin with two little chicklets sticking out of his lower jaw, this makes his grin just that more priceless.

We celebrated Mom Belli's birthday at Eugene and Ann Maries. Ann Marie made a wonderful meal of rolled, breaded chicken stuffed with mozzarella and chicken franceas, it was out of this world, just what we had been craving!!! I really need some cooking lessons from her, meatball lessons from mom-in-law and fudge lessons from Mrs. Dayton and I might be able to pull off a luncheon - but nothing like how she cooks.
Our nieces are an incredible help with the kids and have changed their diapers, bathed them and found new ways to inspire chuckles. Stephanie will give a little "hatchoo" toward Karleigh, who in turn cracks up, this process goes on for long periods at a time. Ann Marie taught Karleigh a little gargling noise in the back of her throat when they came for a visit last week, Karleigh does it practically nonstop in the morning during her "most happy" time. For the life of me I could not figure out where she picked that up, until I saw Ann Marie do it at dinner last night - ahh..then then there was light.

The kiddos love their grammy and helped her celebrate her birthday, although she didnt get alot of one on one time with them, we are going to work on this next week so she can just eat them up like we know she is dying to!

I have to run down and fold a dryer full of clothes so that we have fresh bibs for the next rotation and something soft, warm and snuggly for bed tonight. More soon, most likely on Sundays or Mondays. Pictures coming this week.

All our love, Colene