Grand Mary!

Grand Mary is here for a short visit because she just couldn't wait for our visit in July.

Solid Food

Hard to believe but our spawn have almost made it to six months. I had promised that their first solid food would be bacon but we settled on something a bit less tasty but probably more practical for those without teeth.

I think they still prefer the boob...

swingin' at the park

the kids are liking swinging back to back in the bucket swing at Lansdale park. (Clark and Jackson in the background)

"Dad, I'm worried that you are not getting enough sleep"

Stormy is addicted to sleeping in her bouncy chair

While Rocko is a pretty solid sleeper and goes to sleep easily, Stormy requires a bit more effort to get her to sleep and does not sleep as soundly. The best way to ensure she falls asleep and stays asleep is to tie her into her bouncy chair and rock her to sleep and keep rocking until she is really out. Of course, then she has to stay in the chair. But she seems to be OK with this arrangement, and so does Sophie the Giraffe.

hiking in Marin

It is May and beautiful here in Marin County. Liz has been taking Stormy and Rocko on some hikes above our house on Pam's Blue Ridge fire road.

They often sleep through much of it but seem to enjoy the parts when they are cognizant.

The bassinets have been taken out of the buggy and Liz has been getting some exercise while they sleep and chatter away. I am jealous when I see the photos at work and hear of their adventures when I get home. Occasionally, I get home just as they are returning from some epic adventure and get to greet them.

I miss them so much when I am at work, and wonder if I am working too much and missing out on their childhood as a result. Things are strained financially, and I feel like it is important to be earning my keep at work in this economy.

We live in a pretty amazing place- and pay a premium for it. It is a trade off that both Liz and I question sometimes. We often talk about where else we might live that would be cheaper and allow us a bit more freedom and less stress. We never can seem to come up with an option that has what the Bay area offers for us; we hope the sacrifices we make will pay off for us and our kids in the end. We all deserve it.