Friday

Multiple times today I've wanted to take a few minutes to write a note on the blog, but this is the first I've had a chance to sit down at the computer. I should actually be putting the finishing touches on the book chapter I've been working on throughout the summer, but it's one of those nights where I am choosing not to push through to my second wind because we need to be stocking up on sleep now that we're heading into the homestretch with Ty's arrival.

The bedtime routine went smoothly tonight in that Lauren Clay went down without a fuss (although she was reluctant to go to sleep.) I sat in her chair and read while she re-read all the books on her shelf. She did get up and wander around the room a while, but didn't protest when I asked her to get back in her bed. In fact, she climbed in herself... which is nice, considering I really shouldn't be lifting her much these days. She finally fell asleep while reading her princess book, which was propped up on her legs. This is the position she's been in for well over an hour; it's a pose her mother strikes pretty often as well:

We've had a good day today. The crew came over for Spanish today and the kids did as well as ever. We moved "class" to the kitchen table, and that seemed to work well. The fruit we tried today was mango. Most of the kids ate a small cube (and most didn't like it much), while Lauren Clay ate what was left in the serving bowl. I always tell people that I really didn't do anything to encourage her good eating habits except offer her healthy foods; she is the one who will try anything (and typically love it on the first attempt.) Her dinner tonight was an egg sandwich, a tomato, mixed tropical fruit, and a bowl of clam chowder. Yes, clam chowder. Is it normal for a 2-year old to eat that, and to ask for more?? John and I often look at each other and just laugh. She is a more adventurous eater than we are, and we like most everything.

John and Lauren Clay had a date night last night while I went to a Tastefully Simple snackfest (actually, I should call it a garlicfest. John could smell the garlic as soon as I walked in the door.) After a fun night of father-daughter bonding, all day today Lauren Clay has wanted her daddy. When John got home, they ran around the house, she rode on his back, they looked at pictures on the computer, they sat in the same chair to eat (actually, that was at breakfast. She wanted him to sit with her in the chair while they ate their pancakes), and throughout the day she asked if she could call him. Tonight I washed dishes while John gave her a bath. I could hear her talking, splashing, and giggling, and it made me smile. I love that John is such an involved dad; that he gets down on the floor and plays with Lauren Clay, reads to her, scrubs her feet when she's in the tub to get her to laugh, and prays with her (and for her.) He has endless attributes that make him a wonderful husband, but I think I fall in love with him most when I watch him in his role as a father. I can't wait to see him with our son...