The celebrity!

Here is Canaan in "Lightning McQueen" mode.


And here is dear little Squishy-in cow mode!

Why name him at all??

My dear beloved Big has decided that the name his father and I so lovingly picked out for him just WILL NOT DO. He would much prefer that we refer to him as Lightning McQueen, the famous racecar, who is "fast so fast so speedy quick!" Yes, this is his full title. You may not shorten it to "Lightning". He has also decided to rename Little Squishy. His choice? Monarch, after his beloved stuffed pony (who is named after Grammy's real-life pony). Squishy doesn't seem to mind so far, although he's not a big fan of carrots.

We are back and running!

So, ever since Squishy Little has become a mobile unit, Big-Big has been trying to figure out how one handles a continuous hostile takeover of one's belongings. Castles under siege have undergone less drama then one high-strung toddler whose brother touches the wrong toys.
Herein lies the problem: he is oblivious to the fact that Squishy is totally incapable of following directions-I often here "Brother, get out of there! No, don't TOUCH the tower!" Most exclamations are made as Squishy ("Brurr" to Big) is gleefully embedded within a pile of toys. I'm thinking of putting on a low-budget Godzilla remake. The cast will look like this:
Godzilla: 25-lb. 8-month-old.
Fleeing people, police officers, heroes, etc: Angry toddler.
Peter Jackson, look out.

JS, or what happens when a coffee table overturns

I think you would have seduced me that one surreal time
with the coffee table top askew atop your knees
that half smile that would play across your features
just a flicker
like the flicking of a lighter
made us both lighter somehow
and that dark and tiny cabin wasn't real
wasn't prison
was in fact something like freedom
something very much like Home.

IF I ever have another baby

here are the names I'm (yes, already) considering.

Girls:
Lailie (born into light)
Naomi (pleasant)
Salome (peace)
Aditi (free and unbounded)
Devi (deh-vee) (the beloved, adored one)

Boys:
Levi (united)
Malachai (messenger of god)
Adlai (my witness)

Summertime...

Well, the weather here isn't very summery, but we've been out enjoying what sunshine we're getting. I took some great pictures of Canaan amongst the daisies today!

Trying to operate a sprayer attachment-tough stuff!!

"I'se pickin' da fa-yers!!"

Daisies do NOT need their tops.

What, mama?

Cuteness!

Some photos of Big and El Squisho:

The tractor man himself

Are we seeing a theme here??

No, he doesn't do as much as Big, but he gazes beautifully!

I love those gummy smiles!

Channeling Zoolander...