The Quiet of the Evening

Well, it's around 8:45 and the babies are asleep and Todd is photographing a homecoming game (his LAST of the season) in Eufala. I have a familiar movie going in the other room and I'm enjoying my beverage of choice (a nice glass of Red) and thinking of where to go with this post. I'm so thankful for the blessings that I have been given. They(I'm not even going to be specific here, because, there are so many wonderful blessings) are so precious, each and every one of them, big and small. Speaking of the big one's.......Jack had Maren belly laughing tonight. I am talking REALLY laughing, she actually got the hiccups from laughing so hard at him. Everytime he'd look over and smile at her she would grab a fist full of his hair and laugh. I think for everything he's been thrown in the last 4 and a half months, he's pulled through like a champ. He loves his "baby sisser Mawahhn" so much. Even more so now that she smiles and laughs at his dances and songs. I mean, look at this face. How can you not smile and laugh at that face?!

Tomorrow we are going to Nonna(not to be confused with Nonnie)'s house for a fun Halloween party and hopefully Trick or Treating if it's not pouring rain. Jack will be Thomas the Train and Maren is a monkey. I have to say, the monkey costume is one of the cutest I have EVER seen. Jack's is fun and he absolutely LOVES that he gets to wear Thomas tomorrow, but, I have to show a picture of the monkey. Hopefully, we'll get some better one's tomorrow, but, in the mean time feast your eyes on the overwhelming preciousness that is Maren "the Monkey" Diefenderfer and my mom :)

Well, I think it's time to go watch my movie and enjoy the rest of my evening and my beverage. Happy Halloween everyone! I hope to have a really cute picture of the two of them in their costumed glory. Until inspiration hits again :)

Only Child Syndrome

Well, this is my very first post and while trying to think of where to start, I hear Maren yelling in the background. Jack is telling her to "hush" and Todd is trying to soothe her. It's gotten LOUD in my house. Being an only child, excessive noise has never been my favorite thing. In fact, I used to get so excited for time to myself that I would willingly go to my room and revel in the silence. I've also had a few friends call me "Grandma" because my ears are so sensitive. That said, the quient moments now are few and far between. Jack is now 2 and Maren is 4 and a half months. Jack has always been loud and vibrant, just a crazy, happy clown of a kid in general. Then Maren came along. At first she seemed so quiet and reserved. While yes, she is much more quiet than her brother, she has now found her voice........and she LOVES it. The screaching and screaming are followed with huge smiles. Jack stares at his competition not quite sure what he should do. He's tried a few tactics so far.

-First was running to her to get her everything that he thought she would need(i.e. blankie, paci, soft cushy toy, etc.) and telling her that everything was alright and that she would be ok.

-Second was looking at me expectantly in the hopes that I would do something.

-Third was telling her to hush or put his hand over her mouth (this took her from happy with her voice to mad at him quicker than you can imagine.)

-Fourth is the most recent. He starts singing louder and louder with no breaks and the rare breath in between renditions of his favorite songs. Twinkle, Twinkle is a favorite, as is "God is Love".

As you can tell, none of these are quiet tactics except the second. And while it's no longer a quiet house, it's still a happy house. I guess I'll just have to save my "Only Child Syndrome" moments for bedtime.