Barton's Blog

Man, it has been a long couple weeks around here. Even though we are finally making it through the fog, I still feel as though I am running on fumes. Between fevers(maybe related to teething?!?) and the girls unwillingness to sleep through the night or take naps life has been hectic. But we've made it...I ~~think~~ hope. Even though there are times when Raid and Pait push me to the edge of my patience and make me operate on amounts of sleep that I thought I had outgrown...I love being a mom. But it is insane to me how much sleep I need now. Since high school I've gone to bed at around midnight(much to my mom's dismay). There are many times that I've called it a night after watching the sunrise. So I thought just maybe I would have the upper hand on the girls' sleepless nights. But it turns out I am getting old...or something along those lines. Despite our rough patch the girls are the most fun they have ever been. Oh, and onery too. They are lil' giggle boxes now. Raid has this funny, almost forced laugh. She scrunches up her nose and influcuates, sort of like she knows it's cute. Paiten has this sweet, sincere laugh. When she laughs her big eyes come to a squinting position and she has a huge grin on her face. They love spending time together and playing. If they are in one of their cribs playing I am bound to hear an abundant amont of laughter. I will peek in to see what all the giggling is about. It could be they are holding hands, hugging, giving each other kisses, racing from one end of the crib to the other, or forehead to forehead rubbing their heads together. That last one is the newest of them all. I love seeing how close they are.They are still learning new words, but they chatter back in fourth all day long. I think they understand that in a conversation one person talks and then the other. Paiten will sit and chatter on, in a mix of real words and jibberish, using different tones, head shaking/nodding, and hand gestures. As soon as she stops Raid usually counters with an, "OOOOHHH..."that's full of concern and continues on for awhile. Or if Bobby and I are in deep conversation they will both talk the whole time one of us is talking and stop as soon as we do. Paiten has been saying "Rad-en" at least once a day. After a couple play dates with Hadley, or Haddy as I call her, Raid has said "Had-d" a few times. Paiten says "thank-you" all day long. So now we are working on "please" and "your welcome". Raid says "that" alot. As I am typing they are playing on their 4-wheelers. Paiten has known how to operate hers for a few weeks now. She will climb on it a million ways and push the button to go. The funniest is when she climbs on it backwards and pushes the button with her elbow, which in turn sends her around the room in circles. Before Raiden had it figured it our she would give her rides, either sitting on it right or with Raid laying across it on her stomach in the back(like a saddlebag). Raiden is now a 4 wheeling expert. She stands up on the step sides and runs over anything in her way. Raid is our climber. Everytime I think I have everything baby-proofed she proves me wrong. She has used her push toys and table toy to climb on the elevated ledge to the fireplace(approx. 2 ft?). This weekend. she was playing by the computer nook and climbed up on the chair, from the chair on top of the desk! Laughing the whole time, she was so proud, and as soon as she was on the chair Pait hopped up there too. So now we are having to move the chair from the desk when not in use.They both also love to climb into their wagon and sit and play. It keeps them pretty entertained. With fall setting in we are working on wearing clothes and shoes-everyday. The don't mind clothes that don't cover the legs or arms, but they don't know what to think about jeans. It slows their walking down a bit. They aren't very tall babies so maybe as soon as their legs are as long as thier jeans it will get better. We have been working on clothes for a week or two now. If they don't have something covering their diaper they will rip them off(Paiten ecspecially). I thought I was being clever by putting their diapers on backwards, but i doesn't actually help at all. At first they would help each other take them off, but now they can undo their own backwards diapers. Bobby has been spending alot of quality time with them lately too. They get so excited to see him. I love it! They want to cuddle him or bring him books from him to read to them. He has been helping with bathtime more too....and it will never be the same. They have known how to splash, but he taught them how to make a huge mess whilst doing so. I am soaked everytime bathtime is over now. I mentioned that we've got the girls together with Haddy to play on a couple occasions. That's been fun. We've been working with them on sharing with each other...It's uhm, been going-just not very well. The girls don't like to share their toys and she doesn't want to share hers. None the less they still have lots of fun. All three of them give each other lots of kisses and hugs. They also like to push each other down and pull each others hair. They are rotten, but are pretty tough. There are usually no tears shed. We keep thinking that eventually they will catch on they are going to get in trouble when they are mean to each other*fingers crossed*. We watched Haddy here the other day and I'd like to thank my mad nap giving skills for them all napping at the same time, but that would be a lie. I think they just wear each other out. I'm really excited they are starting to understand and carry out a few instructions. If they are getting into something they aren't supposed to I can tell they know it(most of the time). So usually we tell them "no, come here". As soon as they come we redirect their attention to an approved activity. It doesn't work all the time but more and more everyday. If one of them steal a toy from sister they will give it back after being told, sometimes. It's not 100%(it probably never will be)but it's a great start!

Bobby has been pretty busy with work, which has been nice. Any spare time he has though has gone to spending time with us or, of course, preparing for huntin season. Today I lost Bobby to his true love. Haha, but I'm kind of serious. He has been scoping out the hunting lease, setting up and making last minute adjustments to stands, making food plots, sighting in his bow, and anticipating gear shopping. He is pretty hardcore when it comes to this time of year. That's alright though, it's sort of cute. He has also been working on fixing the "death trap" a.k.a. the Jeep. It has a pretty serious death wobble that I'm hoping he can fix soon. He's pretty determined so I don't doubt that he can.

I haven't been up to anything, that's really out of the ordinary-keeping up with Raiden and Paiten, spending time with Bobby, and wanting to kill my pain in the ass dogs. We did have Andi over for dinner the other night! That was the highlight of my week. I love getting to catch up and have some adult conversation.

We are also anticipating the girls' monthly visit to Nana & Papa's. Raid and Pait always enjoy it, as do my folks. Bobby and I are planning on actually going on a date night. Should be fun. But we've got to go meet Nana & Granny(great grandma) for lunch soon...so I'm gonna wrap this up. Hope ya'll have a great weekend. :)

Pait