Toddling into Autumn

Fall is my favorite season. I can't wait for the crunchy leaves and the oranges and reds and yellows.  Also, instead of referring to myself as "unemployed" I'm starting to look at it as "otherwise engaged" in various activities that I will have little time for in the future. Like this blog, for instance. Or sewing things. I'm also going to teach myself to cook. It's a good year to be learning and growing and a bad year to be getting a job. So I'm lucky to be able to stay home with these awesome little people.
Just look at them! Ripping the ten dollar sodas from the cart at the airport! We went to see Aunt Abby during her layover (proves my point-- you can't do that if you have a job!).
I'm taking any writing or quilting work I can get, (plug! send me your holiday orders now!). Meanwhile Lisa's been working overtime and side jobs like crazy. In a few hours she comes home with what it takes me two weeks of editing and/or sewing to earn, but I'm grateful. We're getting by and are also soaking up as much family time as possible. New things are happening every day. Such as:

Lucy is walking! That's right, NICU. Walking.

Yesterday was their due-date birthday, October 2, which is the date the doctors use to measure their actual development, though their birthday was in August. It's going to become forgettable as the years pass, but it's still important now. We'll worry about that whole birth date/school year difference in a few years. Have I mentioned Lucy's walking? She's walking! Look! Well, as usual, you have to wait till she's done reading a book. She looooves books.

Here we are today, coming home from the market. The weather reminds me of last year at this time, when they were only newborns, sleeping all day as the leaves fell from the trees. This peaceful nap was the only time they slept today. I can't wait to spend fall afternoons at the playgrounds with my toddling toddlers!

Here's a status update followed by some pictures in no particular order. It's basically our September, in between last-minute quilting projects and Lisa's plumbing side-jobs.

Lucy

First word: "book" (sounds like "gook")

also says "dog" and "cracker" and "ma ma"

Favorite toys: books (any Eric Carle and Where Is Baby's Belly Button? are faves) Also musical instruments such as maracas, tambourine, drums 

Likes: reading, stacking and unstacking books, practicing walking, dancing to anything (including cell phone ring tones), following animals, practicing talking, eating snacks, drinking from cups, taking baths

Dislikes: clothes, hats, or barrettes

Favorite food: yogurt, crackers, green beans

Effram:  

First word: "cracker"

Favorite objects: balls, bowling pins, things that make a "bang", bowls

Likes: throwing and catching, hiding & stashing objects, drinking bottles of warm milk, investigating, observing, taking baths

Dislikes: Car seats, baby gates, closed doors

Favorite foods: yogurt, berries, bananas, crackers, toast