Cupids and Cuspid

Who knew that they were all the same letters?

Of course last month was a red letter one for us; babies turned six months on the 18th and we had our first wedding anniversary. Wahoo. But seriously, it was a great week. We had some other milestones happen, as you will soon read!

Cupids

Sunday, September 23 was our first anniversary. We didn't do much, at least not together. Some would say that that is the true sign of a married couple. We have learned that although it's much nicer to be together, divide and conquer seems to work better if crap is ever to get accomplished. So after a lovely brunch with my parents and the babes, we went our separate ways-Chris and Abigail went home to nap and bond, and Eleanor and I went shopping. Ah wedded bliss.

Cuspids

Okay so it wasn’t exactly a cuspid, but “central incisors” just doesn’t work as well.

Eleanor has been working on getting teeth since Bear got hers in August. As you all know, when she commits to something, Monkey throws herself into it whole-heartedly. Consequently, she had been having fevers, rosy cheeks, grunting, gnawing, chewing, trying everything she could to get those little buggers to come out. So when we woke up on Sunday morning, Eleanor grabbed my finger and shoved it in her mouth to feel the sharp beginnings of the left central incisor, her front tooth! She was so proud. Everyone she saw that day had to feel her tooth, she made sure of it. Since then, the right incisor has come in, too.

Sibling Rivalry

So you may say, “But they are so young! How could there be sibling rivalry?” Well, I would argue that there has been rivalry since they were mere zygotes. Witness Monkey’s mis-shapened head. And now that they are out in the world, the rivalry continues. Abigail watches with raised eyebrows as Eleanor scoots across the floor. If E is in a circle of neglect (aka excersaucer), and I hold A outside that saucer, Monkey will grab and cover any toys within the Bear’s sightline, even if Abigail touches nothing. Eleanor does this in the manner of a 3^rd grader trying to cover her paper from any cheating eyes. Quite amusing. Even the story above regarding the teeth is veiled sibling rivalry. So on that topic, and not to be out done by sister, Bear started sitting on her own on the 23^rd, and then started saying, “hi,” “hey,” and, very rarely, “head.” Balls in your court, Eleanor. Which milestone will you claim as yours?

Postnote: Since this was originally written, Eleanor has learned to sit on her own, too. She also doesn't really scoot, but more like shoots across the floor, usually motivated by the prospect of pulling on electrical cords. As my friend Tracy said, "That's a mistake she'll only make once." She also has learned to say "Momma" and "boo boo." Right back atcha, Bear!

Why is Mommy feeding me knives?*

No, I am not feeding them knives, but sometimes to judge by their looks, one might ascertain that. So far, both babies are very fond of yogurt, peas, green beans, applesauce, and oat cereal. When fed bananas, A looks like if she could, she would gag out her toes. The feeling is mutual for both babies and sweet potatoes, even though they are homemade. Little ingrates! Next conquest: avocado!

Close to close

Nothing much else to report. The weather is getting colder, probably cuz it's getting toward Halloween. I know I say it all the time, but man! Time has just flown by! I swear they are going to be voting soon! I'll let you know their political leanings next week when they are speaking in full sentences! Until then, GO TRIBE!




*My friend BP said this in reference to how it felt to eat most things as a kid-she was allergic to a lot of stuff.

Randomness

It's Tuesday. Tuesday means different things to different people. To Wallace it meant porridge. To the college-aged Ringmaster, it meant tacos. But to the parent Ringmaster, it means babies go to Grandmas! WAHOO!! I also tend to work on projects that cannot be accomplished when babies are here, such as tonight's mission, cleaning the girls' room. It occurs to me that some of you have never seen their space, or at least haven't seen it this clean.

This would be their door. Who knew it would be so hard to

find letters that weren't cutesy? I found these on clearance at

Walmart. Actually only the A was on clearance, but

through the magic of fingernails, I got both for 50 cents.

SHHHH! Don't tell Sam Walton!

This dresser and shelf on the left was mine as kid. Now

on the shelves, I have displayed things that were

ours as kids, you know, things that reflect the childhood of

Mom and Dad. So sweet your teeth could rot, right?

Of course, straight ahead is the end all be all of gifts, books.

Don't worry dear readers, there are more than just those two

measly shelves. There is a whole basket-full next

to Monkey's crib.

And speaking of cribs, here they are, complete with clean

sheets, although that part is lost on you since this is just a photo

If you were in the room, however, you could smell the sweet

smell of Mountain Fresh Downey. And lentil soup.

Incidentally, Monkey's crib is in the foreground, and Bear's is in the background.

They both have breathable bumpers as they are both

devoted baseball fans and LOVED to play catch with their NUKers.

Try to find a NUKer at 3 in the morning when it has fallen behind

2 boxes of diapers and the humidifier. Just try it. I dare you.

Now they can practice their Torii Hunter catches off the baggie.

There it is, the Wall Street of Casa de Gato y Ninas: where

fortunes are made and lost, dreams made and broken. I speak of

course of the the changing table. Many deals have

gone down here. And many a diaper has given its life

for an innocent infant's butt.

This is the other side of the room, with E's crib and the

closet, cleverly covered with an old shower curtain.

See that picture above the door? Chris made that for his grandma

when he was 10. Go ahead with the collective, "Awwww!"

And last but not least, how could we ever forget the most

important part of the room, the Monkey and the Bear.

Don't you just want to squeeze 'em?

So quite the silly if not boring post, but hey, now you know where the magic happens in our house...and what I do on Tuesdays.

Until next time, rock.

Hit the Road, Jack

So the flashbacks and night terrors have finally stopped from our whirlwind 5 state tour in mid-August. Actually, I am being dramatic (and we wonder where Bear gets it?!)...it wasn’t that bad. It was very exhausting and tense at times though. Nevertheless, in the end, it was very nice to see the fam and to be a part of Joe and Erin’s special day. Moreover, how many 5 month olds can say that they have already been in five states? Really, when it comes down to it, how many 5 month olds say anything that any human over the age of six can understand. If they do, whoa, that is very creepy.

So anyway, the trip was innocent enough on paper: 5 adults, 1 9 year old, and 2 babies plus 1 Chevy Tahoe and a boat-load of supplies turn their wagon westward toward Colorado. The problem with plans on paper is that they usually do not go according to the paper. Along the way, we hit some snags, which I have detailed below for your reading enjoyment.

Snag #1: The Chevy Tahoe was not designed to have infant seat car bases installed into it’s very back, third row bench seat.
Therefore, the infant seats must be hoisted into the back, shoved between the 60/40 folding middle row at just the right angle, then shook up by the impact of the 60/40 folding middle row being slammed back into place, and manhandled to each side so that a regular seat belt can be intricately threaded through the clips, locking them into place. You must do this smoothly, too, so as not to wake up the slumbering beasties that lie within the infant seat itself.

The view from the way back

Snag #2: Infant seats containing 4 ½ month old infants are not light.
This is especially true when it is the 15th time that one has lifted an infant seat up over his/her head. I think that my arms are definitely more cut now than before the trip.

Snag #3: The Chevy Tahoe, while roomy and mostly comfortable, has enough cargo space for an umbrella stroller, two backpacks, and a pack of diapers.
Enter the Rainex roof pouch. Each of the road trip part, we had to unpack and repack that sucker, and, as I alluded too above, the Tahoe is a tall vehicle. Good thing I played a lot of Tetris in college!

Snag #4: On average, infants get their first teeth between 4 and 6 months.
Abigail’s just happened to come in 2 at a time closer to the 4 month marker. Think about when you were 6 and you got your first permanent tooth. Then think about getting two at once. Then think about your family and quietly thank them for their patience and understanding.

Snag #5: Babies do not care if you are outside at a park without access to a changing table or garbage can.
If they gotta poop, they gotta poop. Hence, the photos of the entire group that witnessed the wedding and me holding two white things. No, those aren’t programs, and I am not moved to tears by the ceremony, I am trying not to gag.

Me in the middle of the back row: note the small white packets in my hand and the look on the face of the girl in front of me

So as you can see, despite some drama, it wasn’t THAT bad. Not that I want to do it again next week, but I am sure it could have been much worse. Apparently, it really was not that bad as the girls and I drove to Chicago over Labor Day weekend. Either that or I am just a glutton for punishment! Well then, until next time, sit back and enjoy some choice photos. Until next time, as is said in some circles, mint.

Cheyenne in Cheyenne

Chris and Baby Chris

Babies' first ball game

Eleanor muggin for the camera

Clan Gacek

The happy couple

Cheyenne and Brody being silly

Brody and Nyla

The Pasta Pope

Uncle and his building