It's late and I'm tired.

Everyone,

Tomorrow I am crazy and driving with all the kids to Pennsylvania to meet up with my parents and have a mini-vaca with them. Every year they always come out in October and do something with us. Last year we went to Chincoteague. This year, Philadelphia. We're all about being tourists here.

Anyway, Fern the Van is packed to the gills already and I only have my stroller, the potty and the pack and play for the boys. Yeah. Why do I think I can do these things?

I'm excited to see my parents again and show off the boys and how much they've grown. And boy have they changed this week! I have pictures, but I can't find my camera cord so you'll have to do with some milestones.

Pirate: He's getting teeth! Or at least, I can see the craters where the two front teeth will be. They are sometimes sharp and sometimes not so he's into peekaboo teeth like Butterfly. Yay horray. He's really not interested in sitting up but refuses to nurse if Butterfly is in the room. She is just so interesting! He laughs all the time. Laughs when you pick him up. Change his diaper, roll him over, walk by, talk to him, smile, tickle, wave, anything. He sucks his thumb and I have to say it's one of the cutest things. I love how he hooks his pointer finger over his nose when he does it. And his eyes are so bright and wondering all the time. He gets me to just stare at things sometimes and wonder what he sees.

Professor: Help me now but this boy is up and rocking on his hands and knees. Yes, you read it right. Oh he doesn't stay up for very long. But he's definitely up. He also stands on his toes and his head and makes his body into an inverted V. And he wiggles. I put him down in the living room and come back to find him in the entry way. I see baby gates in our future. And you should see the looks of loving adoration this kid gives me. It's amazing I get anything done with the amount of time he and I spend loving on each other. Oh Pirate loves me too and loves to put his head on my shoulder and suck his thumb and play with my hair, but Professor's eyes! And his sweet dimpled smile! And his deep chested chuckle! Can't get enough lately.

Butterfly is beginning to resent the fact that I can't play with her as much. I think she is feeling a little lonely. I do try and spend 20 minutes here and there playing and reading with her, but there is only so much I can do. The babies need me so much. I know she does too. And that's why I'm feeling torn these days. It's also why I'm not sleeping great because I stay up and do all the things I put off to be with her. Like laundry or computer time or showering. Or cleaning. Right now we've been running all over to get things ready for this trip and she is not a happy camper. She is also refusing to take her nap and not going to sleep until 11pm (5 nights in a row!!) so she is one cross cookie. She is sweet though and says things like, "Only girls can use this bathroom. Boys can't. We should call Nana and tell her she can come and use this bathroom because only girls can use it." So we did. She will also tell anyone who comes up to us and asks if they are twins "These are my twin brothers, Pirate and Professor. They are babies. I'm Butterfly. I'm 3 years old and I'm NOT the helper." She also said, "Hi, I'm Butterfly. I'm 3 years old and I'm wearing a dress," to our friends who invited us over to watch some tv. He was a good sport and responded, "Hi, I'm B and I'm 37 (???) and I'm wearing pants." It was funny.

I hope the hotel has free wifi so I can blog about our amazing PA adventures. This is our last trip for awhile. I'm feeling a little relieved that we may be able to put away the suitcases for a few months.

Safire

OH! If you're interested in going to another sale, the Norther Virginia Moms of Multiples is having their huge sale on Saturday. See here for information. And if you go, look for a fisher price aquarium high chair or rainforest one in good condition with the little tray toys attached for 50 dollars of less. Pick it up for me and I'll give you 50 plus a little extra for your time. We are going to need that soon.