Earning his keep

Gage has discovered chores. In his eyes, they are fun. I guess that if Dad does them, they can't be all bad. Today it was laundry. He was practically inside the dryer trying to get the last sock out. He pushed me out of the way so that he could put the clothes in the basket. Then, he helped me sweep the kitchen floor. I told him that he almost knows enough to move out on his own.

The other day, it was helping Dad vacuum.



Nate is a proud sitter. He has gotten really good at it over the last couple of days. Except when he is excited, then it's over he goes.



Jude is trying to crawl. He has mastered getting up on his hands and knees, and rocking back and forth furiously. He has even tried to move a knee. I'm not too sure that I'm ready for this.



The boys playing on the couch after breakfast.

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Gage

Gage's Spider-Man pyjamas. The eyes glow in the dark. I'm not sure who likes them more... Dad or Gage.

Family

Lee and Kelly were kind enough to come over and take a few pictures of us as a family. Lee worked the camera and Kelly was in charge of smiles. If our smiles look a little odd, it's because we were singing the Alphabet Song for Gage!

PARTY!

I know that Gage isn't two until Christmas, but we had a party for his this weekend, with his friends and some of ours, too. He had such a good time, and Nate and Jude were well behaved. It was so nice, even though there wasn't a lot of time for adult visiting with all the kids around.

Six Months!!!

Oh, it's so hard to believe that it's been six months already! But, here they are, trying to crawl and have an opinion on what they should be doing and everything! They have such little personalities.

Jude



Nate

Snack Time

The boys are in their high chairs having crackers now in the afternoon.



Gage having his snack of yogurt. Notice how the shirt is on and kind of clean this time!

They're baaaaaaack...

Everyone returned home Sunday afternoon safe from their journey. And though I enjoyed my time very much, I am very glad to have them all back.

Gage wearing his wife beater. I should have had him in his ripped jeans, it would have been the perfect trailer park outfit... maybe for next Halloween.



Nate tried and tried, and finally did get his sock off.



Nate and Jude are finally learning how to sit. It doesn't last long, and it's not quite "up", but it's sitting none the less.





Gage was playing the piano this morning. I think he really enjoyed it. Jude was laughing, but Nate slept through the whole thing. How, I'll never know.



And this was my yard this morning. Yuck!!! You cannot navigate this stuff with a double stroller!

shhh

Ah, the sounds of silence!

James and the boys have taken off to Lac La Biche to visit Grandma and Grandpa (and Aunties and Uncle), and left me alone at home. I had some really great photos of the boys that I took yesterday, but James took the camera, so I will have to post them later.

So far, I have cleaned my house, gone grocery shopping and done the laundry. I think I'm just trying to keep busy so that I will not miss them as much.

I do have some stories about the boys in lieu of photos this time.

Super Gage
Last weekend we went to my Mom and Dad's for lunch. Gage was crawling around under the table saying "Super, Super" which usually means Super Grover. When I asked him what he was talking about he looked at me and said "Super Gage". So now, he's a super hero. Defender of all things Elmo.

Hot Hot Hot
We were making supper the other night, Jude was asleep in his chair and Nate was in his saucer laughing at Gage. We always tell Gage that when we open the oven it's hot and to stay back. James and I looked over at Gage, who was dragging Nate's saucer across the floor. He knows he's not supposed to move the saucer when the boys are in it, so we were just about to tell him to stop when we heard him telling Nate, "No, no, Nate. Hot, hot, hot." Apparently he was taking Nate away from the hot oven so he wouldn't hurt himself. Some days he's so protective of them, other days he sits on them and steals their toys.

Spit Up
I was on the phone with Kerry, and Jude was in his saucer on the floor. Suddenly, Gage went over to the table and found the receiving blanket that I was using as a burp cloth (I had hidden it behind a bouncy chair so Gage wouldn't steal it). He dug out the blanket and came running over to Jude and started to wipe up the spit up that was on the saucer and then wiped Jude's chin.

And finally, for all those waiting for the results...

My big, fat thyroid lump is just a lump! Hooray! We are still going to have surgery to remove it, because it's grown so much that it's starting to interfere with swallowing sometimes, and it's generally annoying. I have a consultation on December 11, and we'll book the surgery. Which means, in Alberta, that I will have surgery in the next 3-4 years.

Hodge Podge

Just a bunch of pictures again. We went to the farm for Halloween, but I didn't take any pictures of Gage's costume (he was Eyeore), because he just was not that into it.

Gage showing off his pearly whites.


Poor Nate got the worst of the dog pile the other day.


The boys watching Gage playing. They just love him.


The boys are drooling. Jude is the worst.




Nate in his snowsuit. Believe it or not, it's the happiest he's been in his car seat.