My Faith and Joy… and Boys!

I’m not a morning person.  I wish I were.  It seems like morning people get so much more done in the day, and I’m impressed by their ability to face the day head-on, rather than head-down-on-my-pillow, as I tend to do. 

I don’t know yet whether the girls will be morning people or not, since their early-hour attitudes seem to fluctuate based on the weather, or the phase of the moon, the state of my hair, or some combination of the three.  But I’m holding out hope that they’ll be strong enough to shake off their inherited sleepyhead genes and greet the world with a good deal more vim and vigor than I can usually muster. 

As long as that “vim” waits to manifest itself until at least 7:30 a.m.

Becky (far crib): “Mom, what on earth do you think you’re doing with that camera at this hour?”

Susie: “I’m ready for my close-up any time.” 

Becky: “Did someone say breakfast?” 

Sorry for my absence from the blogging world the last few days; life got so busy with entertaining and recovering from entertaining that I didn’t get my usual downtime at the end of the day to post.  But I am happy to say that even though I don’t have much photo documentation to show you, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It was such a blessing to be surrounded by many of our friends and family who came from near and far to make it an amazing day.  Here are the girls spending quality time after dinner with our friend Jon and his dad Ted:

As you can tell, Ted enjoyed his turkey-induced coma…

…and Jon was amused by Becky’s attempts to decipher a book about square-dancing farm animals, and Susie multi-tasked while feeding her new doll to make sure Becky was getting the words right.  It was great fun all around!

We then had some dear friends from Pennsylvania visit on Friday night, and then my aunt and uncle from California visited us today.  The girls are going to be bored silly next week when the only person they have to play with is me! 

We were so excited my aunt and uncle were able to take time out of their busy trip visiting their daughter in Massachusetts to come down and spend time with us today.  My Uncle Bruce hadn’t seen the girls in person since they were about five months old, and the girls did their part to demonstrate how far they’ve come with their mile-a-minute vocabulary, somersaulting skills, and full-fledged two-year-old-ness. 

If you’re reading this, Uncle Bruce and Maureen, the girls are still talking about your visit – you made a wonderful impression on them.  Thanks again for driving down to see us!        

I know I recently posted some examples of the girls’ quirky comments and observations, but I was so amused by the following exchange that I had to share it as well.  I overheard this conversation taking place last night over the monitor, after the girls had been in bed for a half an hour. 

Susie: “What’s the matter?

Becky:  “No – I tired."

Susie: “What’s the matter?

Becky:  “No – I tired."

Susie: “What’s the matter?

Becky (loudly): “NO!  I tired!  Go away Suey!"

Susie: "Oh."

Becky (softly and kindly): “Nigh nigh Suey.  I tired.  I go to sleep."

(Silence)

I thought that Susie had finally taken the hint when I didn’t hear anything more for a few minutes.  But soon I heard hysterical giggling, followed by the melodic strains of two voices singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” intermixed with portions of the “ABC’s.”  They continued chattering and singing off and on for another hour.  I guess my night-owl Susie convinced her sleepy sister to stay up and keep her company.

And there was another country heard from tonight.  The girls’ little sibling decided not to be left out of the action – I felt a few baby movements!  I can only imagine what kind of a ruckus the three kids are going to raise when they’re all together!        

Here are some recent quotes from the girls:

Becky in bath to her Ronald McDonald toy: “No, Ronald, don’t pee.  You need a diaper.”  (At least my never-ending admonishments to refrain from peeing in the bathtub aren’t being entirely ignored).

Becky, pointing to a woman walking by us at the mall: “I see a mommy walking.”

Me: “How do you know she’s a mommy?”

Becky: “She has ears.”

Daddy to Susie after she recited a Bible verse: “Susie, how did you get to be so smart?”

Susie: “Um…I’m cute.”

The following pictures may not look all that special, but believe me, I captured a rare moment in these frames. 

I had been doing something in the kitchen when I realized all was quiet in the family room.  I walked over to investigate, and instead of finding the silent chaos I expected, I saw Susie sitting beside the coffee table and Becky rummaging through a toy box. 

While Susie contentedly played with a few toys on the table, Becky selected another toy, brought it over to her sister and placed it lovingly before her.  Finally noticing my presence, Becky looked up and proudly reported, “I share with Suey!” 

After recovering from the shock of witnessing my girls voluntarily sharing and playing together, I heartily congratulated them on their good behavior and watched as Becky repeatedly made the trek back to the toy box and, one by one, brought Susie the contents until the box was empty. 

Of course, this brief utopian interlude didn’t last too long once Becky realized she was out of toys and now her sister had them all and was unwilling to return the favor, but I was more than happy to referee the ensuing conflict.  I just kept thinking to myself, “My girls are growing up!”