right now, it's all about figuring things out. i try to see how to get everyone to eat well. Viv, you are doing very well. i actually think that if you didn't have the evil influence of B tainting your taste buds, you would be eating everything we put in front of you. B, i am proud to say that you were fighting, yes fighting over the last slice of pear at lunch today. what a proud moment. this time last year, i could barely get you to eat anything resembling a fruit. now you eat grapes, apples and pears. there is hope for you yet.
Phoebe, you do well with the food as long as it's not too crunchy. i can't believe you still haven't gotten many teeth. i feel like you are constantly teething. i mean, really, what is all the biting about anyway? yesterday you came up to me like you were going to give me a big smoocheroo and about bit my lower lip off. you also bit B's belly. i'm keeping my distance today, and advising others to do the same. you do make me smile even when you are being a little terror. i like the way you wander about, singing. sometimes i can even tell what you are singing, like "a,b,c" or "twinkle, twinkle" other times it's just a little babble that i once thought was an effort to talk, but now i believe it to be singing. you do talk quite a bit, often repeating what we say like, "up you go" and you definitely know what you want. it's not uncommon for you to take something from us and look at it in disgust, then petulantly spike it to the ground. you will chant "tee" when you want to brush your teeth. usually you are already at the sink with toothbrush in hand and just need water and toothpaste. this you do just about every time you pass the bathroom. you really don't need to brush your teeth 20 times a day. and when you want to cuddle at bedtime you will find a "banket" and drag it around until you find a lap to crawl into. and when i ask you if you want something that is food (which you pretty much always want) you always exclaim a raspy, open mouthed "yeahhh" i love how your eyes sparkle with excitement.
Phoebe, before i move on, stop climbing. please. you are making me a wreak. i can't sit down. i can't even not be in the same room with you when you are awake. you pulled the stool onto you when trying to climb on it the other day. this is a heavy foot breaking stool. (head breaking, in your case) we often wonder where you get some of the bumps and bruises that come and go as quickly as you tear through the house. and don't you dare get up on the top bunk and stand up. just stop. your mama doesn't much care for heights, so you need to not like them too.
B, you do practice my patience these days. you don't sleep through the night. ever. i pretty much have to settle you in your bed at least twice during the night unless i stay with you. the strange thing is that you don't care where you sleep as long as mama or papa is there when you fall asleep and when you ever so slightly wake. it never takes long to get you back asleep. i'm not even sure you are awake! as a consequence you get really cranky if you don't get a nap but also refuse to take a nap. so you pass out at 4pm and stay up late so we want to knock you out at 10pm. i suppose i could force the issue but i really dislike fighting with a cranky B and i'll just go to sleep when i want...you won't keep me from my bedtime. heck i may have to be up in a few hours to put you back to bed...
Will took you girls out for bike rides this week during our sunny weather melt. he says that the training wheels may come off soon this summer. probably B first.
V, you are quite the story teller. i wish i could record some of your tales. i am pretty sure you know you are telling a story but sometimes i get mixed up as to what you are talking about and wonder if you are telling me about what happened at school. eventually you seem to sit back with a smile on your face as if you accomplished what you set out to say. so, you really are trying to confuse your mom, is that it? (or should i say "mother" since that is what you have started calling me lately.)
so i get a little irritated these days trying to get you all out the door in the timely manner. i know, i should just try earlier or just let it go. it's hard for me to not be on time. so i find myself repeating my request for you to get coats and boots on, dozens of times and chasing Phoebe around (this is a game for her) trying to get her coat on. i happen to know that she can do this herself. i've seen it. today B, you were trying to get the knit gloves on that you like to wear. you like gloves as opposed to mittens. not sure why. but i said, "nice job, B. you are pretty good at that" and in a way that only you can say, you reply "yeah, it's because i practice everyday" just soooo matter of fact, you are.
out of the mouths of babes. i guess in order to get pretty good, i need to practice everyday.
i do know that i'm already pretty good at loving you girls. i like to practice that!
