And an Annie story

Annie walked up to me holding a "blowy" dandelion (is there an official word for that?) and asked, "Mommy, do you want to wish for another baby in your tummy?" Then she looked at me expectantly, with this Annie-excitement that I wish I could bottle up. It involves this smile-giggle-wiggle combination that's pretty irresistible.

Me: "Well...sure." I took the dandelion, made the wish, and blew the seeds away.

Annie [very seriously, with a tiny hint of disdain]: A girl this time.

Some Nellie stories

Nellie was sick when we went to get her hearing checked for school, so she failed the test in one ear and we had to go back (she tested normally the second time around.) Lately, she's been trying to use that to get away with not listening. I'll say, "Nellie, I can tell you're not listening," and she'll matter-of-factly say, "well remember, I failed my hearing test." That girl. Then the other day, I complained about some sour milk I found in the car. She said, "I don't smell it...I'd better get my smelling checked!"

Playing 20 questions, Nellie's "thing" was God. Her clue: "It holds the whole universities!" 

Nellie asked who is running for president, and Kevin gave her a nice summary of the two leading candidates. She responded, "well I think Romney should be the president. Obama already got to be president, and it's nice to take turns."

Our family loves the Veggie Tales Hosanna album, against all common sense indicating that a whole CD of Veggie Tale music might actually kill you. We discovered a pitfall while we were actually in church, though. In a quiet moment after the chorus of "Everlasting God," Nellie exuberantly (and loudly) said, "look Phillippe, we're flying!" in a perfect French accent. Just like the peas.

DJ at 9 months

Head circumference: 18.5 inches
Weight: 20 lbs. 8 oz.
Length: 30.25 inches
Five teeth!

He's much more average in size, now! DJ started crawling on all fours October 14th at John's house in Sault Ste. Marie while we were on vacation - he was highly motivated by all the buttons in the entertainment center! He slept through the night for the first time a couple of nights ago, but we're not holding our breath for a repeat. It might have been due to the fact that he ate half an avocado, a jar of peas, and half a pint of chicken fried rice before bed.

Fun note: I was commenting to my niece, Leah, that if you put together all the cousins' first initials, you could spell the name Landra, then I could just call them all by one name. I listed everyone's name, and Leah interrupted to ask, "DJ's name is Donald Duck?"

Unlike the girls, DJ never stops moving. He only wants to crawl around. That's it. Which makes changing him, dressing him, bathing him, getting him into the car, and feeding him very difficult. And just...sweaty. I seriously feel like we spend our days in one long wrestling match.

A lovely fall weekend

Here are some of the great things about this weekend:

1) Lots of delicious food - meaning, lots of bad-for-you food. Chinese food Friday, birthday party pizza/cookies/cake/ice cream Saturday, and one last cookout with Richland Meat Market brats (the best) today. Also, donuts and cider from the farm.

2) Introducing the girls to Pigmania/Pass-the-Pigs - my favorite childhood game - and we had a fun family game night with Aunt Emmy.

3) Movie night on the couch bed - the girls' favorite thing to do, ever. Also, snuggling and giggling with Nellie and Annie late into the night because they took long car naps.

4) Celebrating Leah's and Pam's birthdays.

5) Having one last blissful weekend of not knowing the results from my comprehensive exams.

6) Sunny weather, finally.

7) And I can't believe I almost forgot this one - DJ slept through the night Friday night! What's that, you say? Isn't he almost 10 months old? Why, yes, yes he is. But we keep him 'cause he's cute!

Just chilling with Connie in her bed 

Scary scene in Pound Puppies 

Cousins!

Chance of getting five kids to smile and look at the camera at once - 0%

Pam's birthday pumpkin. You can't really tell from the picture, but it's huge.