Little Night-Owl, Miss Independent, and the Saint

So, it's time for an update. Life is busy, as usual, and full of good things.

Nicole is enjoying being able to move and do more. She finds her hands and mine fascinating, and loves to pull her binky out to study it. She fits in the Bumbo now, too, looking quite grown up. She hasn't quite yet mastered rolling over back to front, but I think it's only a matter of time. She hates to sit still!

Her most recent habit is to stay up as late as she can hold out. There have been a few nights I've been hopeful that she'll get to bed before 10pm, but she finds a way to wake up or stay awake (sometimes 'til midnight). I think she holds out for Daddy, hoping to get her treasured one-on-one time with him!

Vanessa is way into princesses. I mean, WAY! She can spot them from a mile away on any packaging, and loves to put on "pretty dresses." In fact, we've discovered if we refer to other things as pretty ("let's brush your teeth so you can have pretty teeth to go with your pretty dress/nightgown"), we are able to side-step the often frustrating, 2-year-old demand for independence. Or at least we hear less "no's." Vanessa has also already picked her Halloween costume. I leave you in suspense as to which princess it is...

One of Vanessa's habits lately is getting into the fridge. She wanted juice one day while I was feeding Nicole, and since I was glued to the couch, I suggested she get it out of the fridge herself, thinking it would distract her and buy me time (Not a nice trick, I know. I get desperate!) Well, she goes and comes right back with her sippy cup and the fridge door closed. I thought it was great...that is, until she discovered the egg carton, and I discovered her, 6-eggs-crushed later! Needless to say, we have a latch on now, and I'm back to teaching the concept of patience.

Matt is well into school now, and mid-terms. He loves it, but as he puts it, "the honeymoon phase is over!" I love hearing about his different classes and what he's learning and reading. Although he has so much going on, Matt has been incredible. I have days where, despite how much I love our two cuties, I am ready to bolt out the door for alone time as soon as he gets home. He is so good to not only give me regular breaks, but he is just so stinkin' cute with both girls, it's no wonder they miss him all day! He also has become my "therapist," checking up on me to be sure I'm doing okay and getting enough intellectual stimulation.

As for me, I am just trying to figure out a balance. I keep relearning that there's always going to be housework, that I need playtime just as much as my girls, that hanging out with my hubbie can be my "fountain of youth," and that spiritual time doesn't always happen on its own. Life doesn't slow down, it speeds up! Still, as long as I am doing what really counts and finding joy, I keep up with it. Life is great!