Note to self

The Hokey Pokey; that's what it's all about. Focus on POKEY. Carmen's got a little tooth poking through, bottom right. Fiona discovered it when Carmen took a chomp at her finger at the Sony store in the Galleria. She felt something decidedly sharp, and so did I. When we got home we saw it, a sharp pearly white point just above the gumline. Note to self: Think before giving her a knuckle to gnaw on.

After being much-admired in the Dior store two weeks ago, the ladies in the Coach store coaxed us inside to see the babies today. We should have asked if Coach makes a baby carrier to add to our collection. Note to self: Next time you leave the house, make sure your clothes match, eh?

The babies have been changing their sleep patterns, lately. Enter, now, a streak of mischief. Last week when I was rocking Carmen to sleep, she started alternately sucking and blowing zerberts on my cheek. I couldn't help but laugh, of course, and then she started laughing, and we just had to give up being very serious about sleep that night. Note to self: Practice serious face. Hee hee, hee hee, hee hee.

They have also been learning new skills. They can turn around like a Twister spinner, and David scooches backward like an 80's-era remote-control car. Carmen likes to transition from sitting to lying down with a slow, silly plop that makes her laugh. David has learned not to cry when he forgets to keep his balance and flops over while sitting. Carmen took her first steps yesterday trying to get to the chime toy that Fiona and David were playing with. David learned last week in the pool that he can curl his legs forward and float on his back, but he doesn't particularly like to float on his back, so he prefers to try floating sideways, instead. They have both learned to snap my bra strap while they eat. Carmen thinks my hair is wonderful to grab, pull, and taste; David thinks everything is wonderful to grab, pull, and taste. Carmen thinks pureed pears are delicious; they bring tears to David's eyes from the tartness. Note to self: Stop working so hard and take more pictures.

Saturday C&D attended their first birthday party; Henry turned 50. Henry fished all day then got swooped up by his cousin Isaac in Isaac's new wood-bodied pickup truck (that he made himself) to go to the party. We followed soon after. While we were eating Carmen took a tour around the group with Uncle Manny, and everybody admired her chub. David stayed with me and stared at Jimmy while we walked college. Occasionally David would give Jimmy a pat on the arm to be sociable. Note to self: Didn't I tell you to take more pictures?

And David has learned to make manly noises. He clenches his fist and tenses his legs and arms and says "Argh! Grugh! Wugh!" He reminds me of Hulk Hogan. He started them in all earnestness yesterday. I took a video which I will post later, and maybe you can tell me what it means. Note to self: Learn boy-speak.

I hear somebody waking already and I haven't even had my snack. Note to self: Tell the babies that mommy can't write about babyness unless they start taking longer naps.

Checking the news of Katrina a few times each day. Tens of thousands of refugees are landing on Houston's front steps. Donating some outgrown maternity & baby things this weekend. Note to self: Give more.