It Takes Two

Some moments, it would be easier to have one. Or none. Like when, even though there are at least a dozen babies in this house, they both need the same one. Or they both need the blue car for the racetrack. Or they both need to look at the same piece of recycling. Sweet mercy!

But honestly, those moments pale against the moments where you can see the genuine love between them. They are so sweet to each other (when they think we aren't looking) and we are so excited to watch their bond grow.

Things that have been seen or overheard recently:

• Fiona to Quinn: Oh, my dearest. I just love you.
• Quinn's most important task of the morning (according to her): Bring Fiona the pink sippy of water.
• Over the monitor as I started writing this: Good night, Quinny bot.*
• While I was getting Q out of the tub, Fiona brought in a tiny baby because I thought it make Quinny feel happy. Then Q cried when Bugs left and searched for her until I called her back.
• Fiona when I told Quinn "no": Don't tell her 'no.' She's my sweet pea.

From two parents who love their own sisters very much, we say "carry on, girls!"
*yes, we call Quinn "bot." No, we don't know why.

Boot Dance

I'm exhausted. Round 1 of Mommy vs Fiona and the pacifiers was a 45 minute battle of wills. I snipped her pacifiers today. She was NOT having it. We ended with her "borrowing" a pacifier from Quinny - but just one. So the teeny tiny step we've taken is that she has one instead of two pacifiers in bed with her. And two snipped pacifiers are sitting banished on the counter.

Before our wills collided, we had a lovely evening - complete with Mike trying to teach Fiona how to line dance ...

The PRP

At work, we have a thing called a "PIP" - performance improvement plan. You don't want to be on a PIP. It's basically a shape up or ship out kind of thing.

Fiona has been placed on a "PRP" at day care ... a "pacifier reduction plan." Yep, still trying to remove the pacifiers from her world. It's obviously not going well.

Back in July when I took Bugs to the dentist, he shared a brilliant bit of wisdom for kicking the paci habit. [Well, we'll see if it's brilliant. We're hopeful!] He suggested cutting a little bit off the sucking section every few days, so that it basically gets down to nothing. But she can slowly transition with it. And if she wants to hold the flat, unsuckable piece when we're done ... well, who cares.

So on Monday, Fiona's pacifiers for nap were snipped in half. Next week, they will be reduced by half again. Hence, a literal pacifier reduction plan.

Once we convert on naps, it will be on to the overnight. Stay tuned ...

Sleepover

So excited

My sister rocks! She called us a few weeks ago and asked if she could have Fiona over for a sleepover. Buggy has been super excited (as was Auntie). I packed up Mike's old backpack and she thought was amazing. She "jekyll and hyded" a bit on me on the way north. "Mama, I can't wait to see Auntie. I don't want to go. It's gonna be so much fun. I wanna go home with Daddy and Quinny." For forty minutes. It was a long drive.

Once we got there, she did great. She transitioned well and barely gave me a kiss when I left. She and Auntie had lunch, she took a great nap, they played at the park, had mac and cheese dinner, and watched Cinderella. I did get a FaceTime call from a very sad Buggy right before bedtime. She was trying so hard not to cry, but lost it when I told her I missed her (rookie mom mistake!). I fought my urge to send Mike to get her and instead we talked it out and she did great. She was very proud of herself this morning and has told me all day how much fun she had! Thank you, Auntie!

Quinn enjoyed her one-on-one time very much too. I think they both loved being the center of attention. But judging by their play downstairs and in the tub tonight, they are thrilled to be back with each other!

We're "Fall"-ing

Kissing her baby

No, no one else has fallen here - except Q, who continues her quest to conquer all things climbable. Cast or no cast. Her latest trick is to sit on the floor, throw herself backwards so she lands flat on her back, and giggle while enticing her sister to tackle her. Strange baby!

What I actually mean is that we are ready for fall. It's a favorite season around here (we do kinda like them all - best part of living in the north. FOUR seasons!!!). Fiona and I spent Q's morning nap today putting away the flower decoration and pulling out leaves, acorns, and pumpkins. We headed to the library and needed hoodies. We're discussing Halloween costumes and pumpkin patches. Life is awesome! So many things to look forward to. Plus, it's just early September so we know we'll get a few more hot days - just to fill our banks for February.

Ice fishing at the Children's Museum

I had a bit of guilt this morning as Fiona and I checked out all the pictures of kids heading off to school on Facebook and she looked at me sadly and asked why she wasn't going to preschool. Next year, my darling, next year. We would send her this year, but since she'll be almost six before she starts kindergarten, I'm just not sure she really needs THREE years of preschool. But my, she is ready!

Speaking of, here is her latest joke. I tried to teach her a new one. It just got blended with the old. I give her an A for creativity if nothing else ...

F: Knock knock.
S: Who's there?
F: Why did the chicken cross the road?
S: Why?
F: I don't know.
S: Impatient chicken
F: Moo!

Oh yeah - Q uses a plate now!

Yep - we know. It makes no sense, but she bursts out giggling every time.

I know this was a random post. Not much new and exciting is happening here. Just the same old wild craziness (just ask Auntie, who said FaceTime with us last night was like a tilt-a-whirl ride). Happy Fall!