Moving on Up

I've been neglecting you, I know. 

I feel bad about it, but then I find something to do, like sleep or shower or eat, and it eases my guilt. 

A couple of weeks ago, we made a big leap. It may not seem like a big leap (or maybe it does if you are as scared of change as I am), but for two parents who work from home and crave structure and sanity, it was a big leap. 

The girls have been ready for big-girl beds for awhile now, but things were so busy and hectic with the campaign and work and raising two toddlers that I kept putting it off. 

So, we agreed that after the election, we'd suck it up and make the move. 

The girls knew how to get out of their cribs and weren't shy about doing it, but I knew there was a psychological barrier with the crib that would be gone with the beds. There have been good nights and bad nights -- nights that I have wanted to scream with frustration when I put Claire back for the 400th time. But overall? It's gone really well. (Mom, knock on some wood for me, will you?)

At nap time, Claire will get out a few times, but usually by the third time she settles down. And after a week or so of testing things out, Grace hardly ever gets out once she's in. 

There was one minor hiccup though on the first night. Scott and I were sitting downstairs watching TV when we heard this really loud thud. 

Background: My parents had these toddler beds that they were kind enough to give to us and only one came with a side rail. I decided to give Claire the bed with the rail because she moves around just about as much as her father. Grace, on the other hand, lays as still as her mother, so it was an easy decision. Or so I thought. 

Before we tucked them in, I stuck a pillow under Grace's mattress, thinking that if she rolled, she'd roll into the wall. Gravity and all. 

Cue the thud. Then loud crying. Then Mom and Dad buying a side rail the next day. 

They Literally Have Everything

Claire: I want to see Santa Claus. 

Me: We can't see Santa until winter -- when it's cold and snowing. 

Claire: Where's Santa?

Me: He's at the North Pole making toys. 

Claire: How can we see him? 

Me: We can't. 

Claire: Why?

Me: We don't have any reindeer.

Claire: We could buy reindeer. 

Me: They don't sell reindeer. 

Claire: Yes, they do. By the dog food. 

Touche, little one. 

P.S. Don't judge my pony-tail skills. You try putting piggy tails in fuzzy/tangly/too short toddler hair while they are strapped in the car seat trying to look around you as you frantically search for wisps of hair that have fallen out. Also, most days we're lucky to get out of our PJs, so this is a HUGE success. 

Tiger's Doghouse

You know that episode in the Brady Bunch where things keep going missing and after many comedic moments, they found out their dog Tiger has been hoarding all of their belongings in his dog house?

Well, Claire is Tiger. And this is her dog house. 

Things I've found in Claire's secret hiding place:

1. A three-day old half-eaten apple

2. A candy wrapper (minus the candy, of course)

3. Grace's favorite plastic elephant 

4. The salt shaker

5. Cupcake sprinkles (half in the bottle, half ALL over the floor) 

What do all of these things have in common? At one time or another, she was told she couldn't have them. So, naturally, she took them anyway and snuck them into her doghouse. 

So, last night, after three minutes of pretty intense searching for the salt shaker, I asked Scott if he'd seen it. 

Me: Have you seen the salt?

Scott: Last time I saw it, it was on the floor.

Me: And you didn't pick it up?

Scott: No I didn't. I was trying to feed lunch to two screaming toddlers. 

That's when it hit me. A forbidden item. A chaotic moment. 

Behind the chair. It had to be behind the chair. 

She's a tricky one, I'll give her that. But at least (for now) I know her tricks. 

Halloween 2012

So, I made the girls' costumes this year. (Again) When I say "made," I don't mean sewed, like most people might think. 

I "made" them using a combination of hot glue, double-sided tape and safety pins. 

I thought I'd be smart and frugal and save the money on costumes by buying sweatsuits and temporarily turning those into costumes. 

It (mostly) worked. And the girls are only two so they didn't know any different. And it was dark out, so my flaws were hidden fairly well. I call that success. 

Of course, there was the normal Gracie meltdown prior to hitting the streets. (1st Meltdown, 2nd Meltdown) It went something like this, "No tail, no tail, no tail, no tail, NOOOO TAAAAIL!!" 

So, what you're telling me is you don't want to wear your tail? 

Good thing it's only attached with a safety pin. 

Off came the tail and everything after that was smooth sailing. 

Although a little confused at first, they quickly picked up on the idea and LOVED trick-or-treating. For the first six or seven houses they just kept asking "We get more candy?" 

Yes, yes, you get more candy. (Ahem, your dad and I get more candy.)

 Claire also sufficiently creeped out at least three of our neighbors by saying "Trick-or-treat … can we come in??" 

The neighbors who know us just laughed. The ones who don't, just had this awkward expression on their faces as I tried to quickly back out of the driveway. 

TGFOP

To call our lives "crazy" these past two weeks would certainly be an understatement. The end of the month is ALWAYS busy for me, but this month, it was downright crazy at work. Add in the work Scott's putting in for his run for county commission, and we're hanging on by a thread. 

Well, ok, that might be an exaggeration. 

But still. It's crazy. 

TGFOP. (Thank goodness for our parents.)

Our Mom's have taken turns helping us watch the girls so I can work and Scott can campaign. They are lifesavers. Seriously. 

Thank you, Moms! 

Speaking of lifesavers, Halloween pictures to come soon!!! For now, you'll have to settle for grandparents at the zoo!