The Everything-Has-Gone-Haywire Picture Post

This is a picture of Kalina giving Elise a "hug." See how happy Elise is? See how kind Kalina is? We do this sometimes. Not always, but sometimes. 



Trying to model the cat shirts
Krista gave the girls. Note you
can't actually see any cats
in the picture. We tried, though!

 We've slogged through the past few weeks, occasionally happily (see above), and sometimes through chaos, minor injuries, minor crises and general griping on everyone's part. Kalina seems to have been "going through something," as the other stay-at-home moms and I sometimes warn each other about our kids. And truthfully, she has been making a few leaps in general creativity (which is always worth a few "grumps," in my book!) and rational thinking.

In the meantime, Elise has spent the time learning to slap-scoot her way toward anything her sister is playing with, much to the trepidation of the bigger girl, not to mention under the table after mealtimes to look for savory morsels that may have fallen. She can now pull up to a standing position, but only using the side of the bathtub. She can also eat soft finger foods, even slippery peaches that I have lots of problems picking up. All these milestones are wonderful to see--and nearly impossible to monitor the way they should be.



Back when Elise wasn't so mobile
and grabby, Kalina liked to play with
her.

 Kalina, to her dismay, lost her most recent battle to do away with naptime entirely, but is working it out with the help of her "friends." ("Lamby [who was down for a nap on the coffee table] is crying for Blue Horse, but Blue Horse is working and will not come get Lamby," she recently brought to my attention. I had to stifle my giggles and came up with the strangely popular, "How about you take care of Lamby during Lamby's naptime, and Lamby can take care of you during yours!" that brought smiles to everyone's faces, Blue Horse's included, I'm sure.)



A blanket ride with Daddy!

 Ninety-five-degree temperatures have not improved anyone's temperament, as we all spend far too much time on a 5x8 section of rug in the living room, trying not to get in each others' way. Actually, it's only Kalina and I that try--Elise counters as many of our efforts as possible. Which I think is cute, but Kalina doesn't quite agree.

It also hasn't helped that Daddy's been out of town so much, and we've all been preoccupied with other matters (more on that later!). I think Kalina can sense that she doesn't have 100% of our attention (or even the 50% she's allotted since Elise was born) and is just breaks her heart. Poor girl?




Ride 'em, cowbaby!

 We're simply slogging--passing the time, enjoying every moment that's enjoyable, and hoping we all grow out of our gripey phases sooner rather than later.



Hanging out at Aunt Nancy's with
various friends.

 I believe we're mostly on the other side, which is why I can now post again.









 



Kalina and Elise both needed new
swimsuits, having grown out of the
ones that really should've fit (with
no hand-me-downs in the right size,
either, for Elise). Kalina picked out
matching tutu suits at Target!

I'm really not sure why I can't ever get the photos to do what I want, but at least they're here. See, we've had some good times! (Reminding myself.)













Elise, happy as a clam, with two of
her most favorite toys.















Kalina playing with Uncle Tom
and Miss Angela