Mia @ 2

Here is another old video of Mia. I love that she is just beginning to talk and yet there are so many moments that are pure Mia. It's amazing that we are two years past that video and yet she is very similar to that little person you see here.

Thinking Back

As we get closer and closer to the debut of the babies, I have been thinking a lot of baby Mia. There are moments that I remember being in a zen-mom state, but for the most part I think it felt so crazy and alien that I didn't really get a chance to enjoy it. I am grateful that I'll have another chance to experience those newborn moments even though they will be frenetic in their own way. In all reality, we have Mia to thank for taking us on this new journey. The little girl that she has become has given us the strength to do it all again (with an added bonus of one more). Somehow, we made it through some major rough patches and are the better for it. It's still not easy all the time, but as she becomes more and more of a little girl, it's clear to see that somewhere along the way, we've done alright by her. Alright enough to at least believe that we don't wholly suck as parents. This morning I found a lot of old videos of Mia and I think I'll spend the next few posts uploading those so you all can see them. This first one was taken by Mark when Mia was just two days old. My.....how time flies.

Emotional Girl

"I am so fuss-ta-rated!"

You have no qualms lately about telling us exactly how you feel. Often it's with a foot stomp, a look, or your words. You can break down at the drop of a hat and often over the tiniest of things. On the flip side, you are quick to comfort and incredibly loving lately. Often you will say "Mommy/Daddy, I just love you."

I am so afraid for those teen years when I'm sure you'll add in more choice words and door slamming. I hope that we still get those loving and tender moments too.

Summer's End

The summer quickly came to a close and I am happy to report that getting Mia back into school went much better this year than last. She still gets mad when she realizes she'll have to nap at school, but the meltdowns of last year are gone. It's crazy to think that in less than a year she'll be starting kindergarten at a "big girl school." For me, I am working part time so I get five days off every five days. I haven't had this much time off for as long as I can remember. It's taking some getting used to, but it's been nice to have some down time before the babies get here in December. I have been working on some projects that will help us work two more bodies into our small space.

This past week we found out that we are having a boy and a girl and we are all thrilled. This makes the twins thing more real for Mia, because that's the same configuration as Dora. I think Mark and I are both curious to see what adding a boy to the mix will be like. Of course, the poor boy doesn't have a chance surrounded by girls and I envision lots of games in which he is subject to girlish whims. Now, we are working on figuring out two names.

This past weekend was the Festival on Main and it's always a good way to say goodbye to summer with some of our friends. The kids love face painting, the bouncy castles, cotton candy, and being out past bedtime. I love watching them take in all the sights and sounds of a small town summer night.