Turn That Frown Upside Down

Isn't this the saddest, most pitiful look you've ever seen?



What about this one?




Claire has been experimenting lately with frowning at people. Especially people she doesn't know. She's been toying with stranger danger for a few weeks, so I just assumed this was an extension of that.

That face is usually followed by a quivering lip, eyes welling with tears and finally a heartbreaking wail. What kind of mother am I? Exposing my daughter to the horrors of close friends and extended family!

It tears at my heart whenever I see it start to happen. My brain's telling me to just make her feel comfortable, but my gut is telling me to make a run for it.

So, this weekend when we went to a picnic FULL of strangers, it didn't surprise me to see this face again and again.

But with nowhere to run, I tried a little tickle under the chin. And within a matter of seconds, the face immediately changed.



I think I've been played.

Jinxed

You're not here. And I'm not telling you this.

I refused to be jinxed. Because you're not here. And I'm not telling you this.

But we had a fantastic weekend. FANTASTIC. You know all of those times that I complained about life? Like here. And here. Oh, and don't forget here.

Today I'm rectifying that. Except you're not here. And I'm not telling you that our weekend was full of smiling babies. Laughing babies. Giggling babies. Babies so happy, I wondered if Scott had slipped them something.

Whatever it was, I'll take some, too.

They swam, they partied and they picnicked. Their naps were interrupted and their eating schedules were jostled, but they were still delightful little babies.

I tell you this because 1) I like to live on the wild side when it comes to Karma 2) I want those of you who I have scared into celibacy to know that having babies isn't all poopy diapers and screaming babies.

Picture of the week: 30 weeks

That's the effect I have on most people.

Conspiracy Theory

I may be paranoid. I may be crazy. Or both.

But I'm fairly certain my children are plotting against me.

After six long months of crying while she ate, I finally figured out what was wrong with Grace. Only to turn around and have Claire start crying while eating. Seriously? I fix one of you and then the other breaks? But then we found out Claire had a massively sore throat, so I let that one go.

But this time ... this time is different.

Grace is a phenomenal sleeper. Not a good sleeper. Not a great sleeper. A phenomenal sleeper. She will fall asleep within minutes of laying down. And she will stay asleep for more than an hour at each nap time and for 10 hours over night. This is what saved her from being sold at auction during that whole six long months of crying.



And Claire, as I've mentioned before, sucked at sleeping. She couldn't put herself to sleep and she couldn't stay asleep. But then miraculously, not too long ago, she learned how to do it. She started being able to fall asleep, and her naps were lasting longer than 45 minutes.

Oh, how lovely! Now, maybe, with both girls sleeping, I can get some work done around here!!



Yeah. Right.

Caption Contest: August 4

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One Fine Day

It started with the arrival of my Mom and sisters yesterday morning. They have come to visit for a few days. That's right. Days. Like more than one. I would have extra sets of hands to cuddle, feed, entertain, change diapers. My body did a backflip with joy.

And even better than just having help? My mom told us girls to go shopping for a few hours yesterday while she watched the babies. Say whaaat!? By ourselves? Without a stroller full of potential screaming?

The possibilities were endless. I could eat lunch. At a restaurant. And, ya know, sit down. I could pop in and out of stores with ease. I could try on clothes before I bought them.

Oh, Mom, how I love you.

Our day rounded out pretty nicely, too. Our neighbors are out of town for the week, and told us we could use their pool while they were gone. So, we donned swimsuits, packed up babies and trekked through the backyards to the oasis that awaited us.

This was the babies' first time swimming. And probably one of their last of the season, so I didn't bother buying suits for them.



At first, Grace screamed, in typical Grace fashion. But then after a few minutes of getting used to it, she warmed right up. And it took Claire very little time to figure out what happens when you hit the surface of the water with the palm of your hand. And then she did it again and again and again. And again.







After they ate for the evening, and went to sleep (ALL ON THEIR OWN), Scott and my sister and I headed back to the pool for one last swim.

I slept pretty soundly last night and woke up feeling refreshed. One fine day, indeed.

Chew 'Em Up

Chomp.

Chomp.

Chomp.

That is the word of the day. Every day. Their teeth have yet to pop up, but they are chewing on everything.





They will chew on anything that comes close to their mouth. It's a little scary. Time to start baby-proofing.

Books. Clothes. Teething rings. Hands. Toes. Me. Burp rags. Cell phones. Rattles. Dolls. Blankets. The cat.

But this is, by far, my favorite thing they chew on.