Reading by flashlight, bring back any memories, Mom?

…I’ve ever heard is the laughter of my children. Charley laughed for the first time today! We were just hanging out after she nursed, playing & doing some baby “exercise” and she just opened her mouth up big enough to catch some flies & the sweetest sound poured forth! Then I laughed & she laughed again and that was that. I’ve been doing the craziest stuff all day just to see if I can get her to do it again, but as usual, none of it is working. I have these visions of myself doing a Ross & Rachel, singing “I like big butts and I cannot lie…” (for all you Friends fans out there, you know what I’m talkin’ about!) She’s napping now, but I’m sure it won’t last too long, so I’ll be conjuring something amusing up soon enough. She also pushed herself up onto her hands and lifted her head on her changing table today. THIS is huge, since she hates tummy time & we’ve been hard pressed to get her do it at all. I, of course, have been microanalyzing her neck & had completely convinced myself that she was getting torticollis, then all of sudden today, she’s lifting her head, looking side to side & lookin’ strong! I swear I’m a progressive worrier, with each child I get more anal retentive & worrisome. By #3 I’ll be so annoying my friends will start screening my calls & restrict me to email only communication. One of my friends here is a pediatrician & she probably thinks I’m a lunatic! I’m like… “Hi Katie, it’s tiff again. I know I’ve called 16 times this week to ask you about blah blah blah, but I’ve just thought of SOMETHING ELSE…”
Oh and one more thing about my munchkin, she has this back scoot thing going on now. It’s hilarious, she starts off in one direction & totally turns herself in circles to look at stuff. It’s also probably a result of her trying with all her might to roll over. I think that’s next on the list. I have a feeling little miss charley cupcake is going to be a bit more bold than my eva love when it comes to exploration. Stay tuned for more on the “Chronicles of Charley…”

On to my other light & joy. Eva Grace is growing up TOO FAST! The other day, she’s like, “Mom, who am I gonna marry some day?” I was standing there with my mouth hanging open, like, huh? Where do you get this stuff? I HATE CINDERELLA!!!!!!!!!!! Barbie is on the list for eradication as well. I know most of you (except Angie :-}) think I’m crazy, but those stupid fairy tales & that slutty doll don’t teach my kid anything except that she needs a man to be happy & her waist should be smaller than her head. The perils of parenthood…when to assasinate fairy tale characters & dolls. Is this a felony? Seriously, it’s amazing how quickly she takes in new ideas & tries to understand them & figure out where they fit in her life. She has tons of friends who are starting kindergarten & is very inquisitive about when she’ll be attending & what it’s all about. Thankfully, we are still 2 years away from that heart crushing moment. Speaking of school, she asked me when she goes back to school the other day. Guess Mom & Charley are a little too boring to hang out with every day. When I asked her if she was excited about going, she said she was, then asked right away if “Bender” was going to be back. I was sad to have to tell her no. 🙁 Kerri- a shout out to you, you are very missed here & we are thinking of you & praying for a speedy recovery. Kerri Bender was Evie’s teacher last year & made her 1st year of pre-school incredibly wonderful. She always took Eva right into her arms every morning, giving snuggles & love to help Evie with her separation anxiety. I don’t think we could have done this year without her. She was also the stinker who gave Evie her first BARBIE. LOL!! Kerri is going through treatment for Breast Cancer, so please keep her in your prayers!

On to other Mac family news. After much discussion & lots of what ifs, we’ve decided that we are going to put in for DI duty for Charles. We had seriously considered embassy duty, but decided that another overseas post with our little ones & future little ones was too much to take right now. I wish the kids were older, it would be a no brainer. But, we do feel it’s time to head back to the good old US of A. We are hopeful that they won’t decide Charles’ advanced age (HEE HEE, he’s reading this & is going to pinch me…) of 37 won’t impede his desire to scream, yell, drill & pt some recruits into lean, mean Marines. Just kidding. He’s within the age limits, but it is competitive, so we hope he’s selected. If not, then I’m voting for Hawaii as our next stop in states. I bet I would have a revolving door of guests if I lived THERE! I’m hoping to head back to school when we return, since I would like to finish my degree before my children do. UGH.
Well, time flies, babies cry & dinner calls!
Miss you & Love you all!!!
tiffers