3BT: Dada, Hintonburger, Ticklish

1: Colin's babbles have taken shape, and he now unleashes torrents of dadas, gagas and babas. As far as we can tell, he uses all his words interchangeably, but gets an obvious kick out of our encouragement and the earnest conversations he has with us, his beloved fabric Earth Book* and his siblings;

2: The Armstrong burger at the Hintonburger. With fries!!

3: Spent a lot of time entertaining the babies today with tons o tickles. A lot of shrieking and hysteria ensued. In my humble opinion, there is little better in the world than babies laughing until they have to catch their breath!

* the Earth Book reference:

Hello... My Name Is Monkey

This morning, when daddy was changing me, I decided to create my first artistic work entitled "Penaten In Hair". I worked quickly, finding the tin he had hidden on the second shelf and while he was distracted by my dirty diaper, I set my inner Picasso free. Daddy made all kinds of leaps and shouts of joy at my prodigy - or so I thought. He then took me and went running into the bedroom to show Mummy who had just returned to bed. She moved a lot faster than I had ever seen her move, and they laughed very hard... and then I realized they were laughing AT me, not with me. They took lots of pictures. And laughed until they cried. I got a bath, from which I tried to escape. I am planning my revenge. It will be prolific and very, very smelly.

3BT: A Long Nap, Getting Things Done, Extra Help

Notwithstanding the babies' 8 month anniversary, of course:

1: The babies were fussy all day. Colin's left cheek was a red blaze from teething, Evelyn scolded us repeatedly and Keith was just plain shrieky. To our surprise and relief, they slept for an hour and a half this afternoon. They usually catnap for 20-45 minutes twice a day.

2: Whilst the babies were napping, and with help from Sally during the day, I managed to knock a lot of items off my enormous to-do list. With a month long trip to pack for followed up by our move, there are lawyers, utilities, painters, insurance and mortgage brokers to call, newspapers to cancel, bills to redirect, appointments to reschedule ... Overwhelming at the best of times, but made much easier with sleeping babes.

3: Having Edward's cousin, Ryan, drop in this evening. He is awesome with the babies, and the way Evelyn interacts with him is priceless. She's had a soft spot for him for months; she loves to catch his eye, laugh and bury her face in my neck while peeping out at him coyly. Our very saucy Miss E!

Happy 8 Months, Babies!!

Taken two days ago: Keith, Colin and Evelyn all squeeeezed onto Edward's lap
The babies, taken October 7th when they were 13 days old: Keith, Evelyn and Colin

We love you!

3BT: Perfect Corner, Peaceful Dinner, Lilacs in Bloom

1: On our walk this afternoon, we passed one of my favourite homes in the neighbourhood. We are surrounded by lots of old houses in various states of (dis)repair, but this one was a shambles. It's not grand by any means, but it sits on its original double lot with its original storm door, windows and clapboard and a pea-gravel drive. Someone with an obvious green thumb has bought and restored it. The garden is neatly weeded but wild - the quintessential cottage garden. The windows are crammed with coloured glass and baubles, and framed with vintage handkerchief curtains. Lovely.

2: The babies sat quietly in their feeding chairs, playing with their toys and watching my mother, father, Edward and I enjoy our Sunday meal. I love that we can have dinner as a family - all seven of us squeezed around our kitchen table.

3: The beautiful purple lilacs my father gave me. They fill the house with their fragrance and look wonderful sitting on our kitchen counter.

Video!

We spliced together a few videos taken yesterday - about 5 and a half minutes worth if you have the patience. Highlights include a LOT of shrieking and Edward checking his watch. Sprocket does a spin or two, there are a few belly laughs and, well, a lot of shrieking.

3BT: Soul Friend, Gratitude, Vindication

1: Spending a few hours today with Tania, one of my oldest friends. She comes by every Saturday to help us out and to keep me sane. There are few things better for the soul than a really good chin wag with an old friend.

2: Trying to settle an overtired, overheated Keith tonight at bedtime. The babies had been fussy all day and barely slept. I figured his screaming was the result of a long day, but I decided to try feeding him the rest of his bottle. We sat together in the rocking chair, him gazing into my eyes, as he hungrily and noisily drained the remainder of his dinner. He smiled and drifted off to sleep with a sigh.

3: Proving to Edward that the song "Bananaphone" exists, and is not a product of my sleep deprived brain.