Mommy, I see God.

If you need a good laugh, hang out with kids. Yesterday while driving to our first Citadel tailgate (the football may be nothing like A&M, but the festivities are not all that different), Kayla starts shouting from the back of the car - "mommy, I see God, I see God". Confused I turned and asked the intelligent question - say what? and Kayla explains, there is God, right there mommy while pointing out the window.

She had spotted a lawn statue of Jesus and was as absolutely as excited as if God himself were standing there in the flesh. Clay and I couldn't contain ourselves, I love the wild abandon of 4-ness.

Little does she know, I see God everytime I see my girls...

Sleep, sleep come back to me...

Everyone knows that when you have a baby you will, for a time, sleep less. Now, when you have 2 babies does that mean 2x less. When you add 2 babies to 1 four year old, what is the nth degree? When you add 2 babies to 1 four year old to 1 husband and 1 dog, let's face it, there is just no hope. I search in vain for 8 hours.

Of course that is not to say we haven't come a long, long way. The babies no longer eat every 2 hours. In fact, they now go to bed between 7 and 8 and sleep some part of the hours until 4 am when they eat again. They go back to sleep until 7 when they wake for the day. The problem with this schedule is that 1) I don't go to bed between 7 and 8. 2) It doesn't account for the "other" night time needs (you know - Kayla, Clay, Noble, my ridiculous appetite, the over flowing milk supply, the raccoon that breaks into the porch...).

I actually dream of sleep. While falling asleep last night, my final thought though was "boy, I wish I could find time blog..."

How fast it all goes...

What a week last week was. Tuesday Kayla officially turned 4 and the babies reached their 2 month milestone. We have had 2 parties, 3 sets of shots and one visit from Peaches and Papa Bear and one from our beloved friend Blannin. Things have been so busy, my own brothers have been completely unable to reach us by phone to wish the birthday girl well. However exhausting, the minutes continue to race by. Some moments I fight the urge to wish the time away (...if only they could sleep longer, if only they could play with toys, if only she could make her own...) and some moments my heart breaks that whole stages are gone forever.

This was the first birthday that Kayla completely dictated. She insisted on cupcakes (Ariel in the end) for her friends in her class on her "actual" birthday and a party with her other friends at the Splash park on Saturday, complete with pink and purple balloons, etc. Clay's parents, a.k.a. Peaches and Papa Bear, were here for a long weekend. Kayla has loved having them in town to party with and us parental types have been able to enjoy a nice meal or two while visiting with actual grown ups. For those that love stats - Kayla weighed in at 41 lbs (75th percentile) and is 41 inches tall (90th percentile). She will start Pre-K next week. Unbelievable. There is NO way I am old enough to have a 4 year old.

The babies now smile and coo! It makes all the work worth every single second. Kennedy weighed (and I say weighed because you know a week later they have grown) 11 lbs and 1 oz (75th percentile) and is 22.5 inches long (50th percentile). She is ever alert, but relatively easily entertained much like Kayla was. Karsen weighed 11 lbs and 12 oz (90th percentile) and is 22 inches long (50th). A little higher maintenance, she needs to see or hear someone at all times. She is a happy baby, but she will snuggle in and make a nest at the first chance -- choosing to be with people rather than play solo every time.

Natasha is another of the blessings I can't believe keep coming. She is WONDERFUL with the girls and just enough type A that she surprises me with an organized linen closet or the like in addition to keeping our entire house happy. I somehow haven't found that her presence extends the day, but I have found that it makes it more enjoyable. Since she started, I have managed to slip in a pedicure and a haircut in addition to the birthday party planning and runs to the grocery store. For those who have asked - She is 26, not Russian (although she says she gets that question all the time), engaged to be married next May, a photography apprentice and a super gentle, kid-loving soul. We are getting along great. If only life worked where I could have a nanny and not a job! With 6 more weeks before I have to go back, I try not to think about it.

The Citadel freshman come in for their orientation week on Saturday. Clay is excited to get started. I however am not looking forward to him leaving for PT at 445 in the morning or teaching a class that doesn't end until 6 p.m., but I embrace the TGFN (thank goodness for Natasha) attitude and accept my fate.

I have slews of pictures of all of Kayla's parties, but our home computer is in the sick bay and I can not download pics to my work computer. I promise more as soon as I put the computer back together from its tragic launch through the window...

Much love,
Heather

Kayla Party Pics

Kayla's big 4th birthday at Splash Island!