how the west was won

Wouldn't I just love to sit down and write something like I used to? If someone could make the minutes slow and the milestones stretch it might be

possible. (Though I may make a pledge to get back in the creative groove...)

I couldn't manage a photo actually ON Valentine's Day, so this one from the day before will have to suffice.

As the days pass these two do seem to love each other more and more. Watching them interact and play offers relief in a tense world.

Though he laughs and laughs at her squeals, I don't think Luke finds it too funny when she is climbing all over him. And when he is climbing all over her things arranged in a perfect row, she doesn't think it is too funny either. I guess you could say the feeling is mutual.

Calli has been up to all things toddler and all things girl. Attending her first tea, painting her nails and obtaining her first black eye. Frequenting the potty (yeah!) and living in a world of imaginary play. She has the friends to prove it. There's Lydia who stays in Luke's room, Sarah who is on the phone and Grwoyie (I think this is some derivative of girlie) whose house can be found behind any cabinet or closet door. Calli sings and requests songs all day. Her ability to learn lyrics really is amazing. She knows EVERY word to many difficult songs. Popular music, show tunes, Primary, Disney... Maybe I will introduce her to Mary Poppins and see how she does with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Oh, how can you not love a little monkey jumping on her bed in princess pajamas?

Luke is growing up faster than I can stand. Approaching nine months, he's got two teeth with two more on the way (appearing this week?), saying "mama" and getting around on all fours. Loving the table foods, pancakes especially. For the record, his hair is mostly laying down now, unless he wakes up from a nap like this.

This age is one that I just adore. Babies at this stage are so playful and fun, progressing quickly and gaining independence. (Maybe this has something to do with the age coinciding with this time of year too. Spring around the corner!)I just can't wait for the next three months with him. Even when I find him dumping out the garbage can in the bathroom or eating his scraps from the kitchen floor before I've gotten to sweeping them up... That sweet face while he sleeps. Oh, I just can't get enough.

Dan and I having been enduring the rain both in and out. Just the ups and downs that come with life. Enjoying each other's company in recent addictions to this show and trying new healthy recipes together--Greek Pizzas and Turkey Wraps to name a few. I have resisted the urge to jump on the Facebook wagon for time sucking purposes, but every now and then hop on Dan's account to see what is going on out there. For a while people were doing the celebrity look-a-like thing and I just couldn't resist doing this...

I used to get told that this was the girl I looked like... (Of course, this was when we both had longer hair and she was Pre-Tom...)