In case you're wondering

In case you're wondering (and even if you're not) ...

Nessa now has two teeth. I felt the second bottom tooth today so it popped out last night or this morning. Now that these two teeth have made an appearance maybe our nights and days will be more peaceful again -- or maybe not. Truthfully Nessa's nightimes have settled down a lot the last week or so. I guess when she watched me check out the _No Cry Sleep Solution_ from the library last week she knew she should consider listening when I sing "Nessa, go to sleep" at 3 a.m. On that note Shawn generously commented that while my lyrics aren't quite as creative as his, at least I don't write myself into a corner while singing to Nessa. Seriously, I'm grateful that a little (or a lot) of singing and some rocking of her Amby baby bed is usually all it takes to settle her back down when she wakes up or resists bed or naptime when we know she's tired and there's nothing else wrong.

Megan met her Girl Scout Cookie goal. Thank you to all of you who purchased cookies. Megan worked hard going door to door and also got pretty lucky that many people bought cookies at our various work places and social groups. Megan sold 380 cookies in all. The troop is also holding a cookie booth at Valley View mall on November 19th and the sales will be divided between all of the girls that help so her final total will be even higher. It will be very easy to say yes to Girl Scout Camp(s) this year. I have to admit that I'm a bit worried about what her goal will be next year though! -- Look for cookie delivery starting November 12th --

the squirrels are eating our jack o' lanterns. Okay, I don't think anyone is really wondering this, but I was going to post a cute picture of the girls and their pumpkins but now the pumpkins that were carved are totally destroyed and gross thanks to squirrels and warm weather. There are two pumpkins left that we didn't carve so maybe we'll have a chance to carve those yet so I can get some good pictures. This time I'll even let Nessa's pumpkin have teeth instead of insisting that it shouldn't ... Because now she has teeth! What a difference a couple of weeks makes.

Megan is going as a witch for Halloween. I have to admit that I don't get into Halloween as much as many people seem to and so I'm not doing much to dress up Nessa. I told Megan she should create a face to put on our orange stroller to turn it into a pumpkin, but she doesn't want to so if it's nice enough weather for Nessa to come along trick-or-treating then Nessa will simply be "Snug as a bug in a rug" as she has a lady bug outfit (note, she is NOT an Asian beetle) and I think when she's bundled up in her stroller blanket she's pretty cute just as she is. :-)

Nessa is moving ALL OVER now. Well, okay, she's not officially crawling but I can't imagine it will be too long as she does get up on her knees and rock a bit. As of this weekend though she has figured out how to get most places by rolling and pivoting. Once in awhile she'll get upset at rolling into the furniture or being somewhere she doesn't want to be but with a little help she generally gets back to where she wants to be. I keep noticing various toys that are meant to encourage babies to crawl, but I'm thinking our cats may be incentive enough as Nessa LOVES the cats. William is her favorite and at times just him walking by will get Nessa to shriek in delight. Nessa seems to think that cat years are pretty tasty too. We, of course, try to encourage her to be gentle, but we're also glad the cats know how to walk away from her. Ginger and Spats are quick move away or simply stay away as they're learning that she can now pull hair, but William often lingers and lets her "pet" him.

Nessa is a messy eater. In the past couple of weeks we've bought several "great" bibs but somehow food still ends up where it shouldn't be. I'm kind of wishing it was summer so I could just let her eat without clothes on and then wash her afterwards. I don't remember Megan ever being this messy so all of the stereotypical messy baby while eating scenarios are really a first for me. The bowl even went flying with a splat on the floor tonight. (This was my fault since I thought it was pretty empty (amazing how much went flying though) and that getting the suction cup off would entertain her for awhile. It took her about 2.3 seconds to get the bowl off the tray and another 1.6 to send it flying in style.) Now that her teeth are coming in I am cautious not to give her anything she can get big bites of such as her favorite -- apples. This is especially true since she doesn't really chew much yet. So, I'm glad we discovered the mesh baby feeder (http://www.babyproofingplus.com/item1080.htm not where we got it but the best link I could find to explain it). With the mesh feeder she can feed herself many of the same foods we eat and I don't worry about her choking on pieces that are too big.

we had a wonderful weekend. It went too fast as usual, but was nice and relaxing. I picked Shawn up at the airport Thursday night and Nessa stayed up just enough past her bedtime to give Daddy some extra snuggles after seeing the shirt he brought her. We were both tired from the week though so we took it easy the next couple of days. We did manage to get a very good start on Christmas Shopping though (no one is more shocked than me ... usually I'm not even thinking about it yet) as well as have fun going to rummage sales and hanging out at home watching Nessa discover she can roll this way AND that way, and of course snuggling up watching movies after little girls go to bed. So many moments where we just appreciate each other.

So, there are a few things I've been meaning to update everyone on ... and then some. Although I'm sure I'm forgetting things too, so if there's something you're wondering, just ask. Shawn has been busy at work again as while he was gone they extended the code check-in deadline from this past week (why he was working so many hours before he left) to this Friday. This was both a good and bad thing of course as now he can get more done, but he gets to also work more hours. Luckily the deadline is Friday at noon so by early Friday afternoon we should be off to Cumberland to visit Grandpa and Grandma Groth.

Even though I'm not as "into Halloween" as many others I do appreciate all of the cute kids in their costumes so be sure to email us pics of all of your little ghosts and goblins. :-)