Hey. Long time, no see. I was reminded today by someone, that I am worse about updating my blog than she is, and she's pretty bad. (Just kiddin' P!) Doesn't get much worse than once a year, does it? So I thought it apropos that on my tenth wedding anniversary and the girls 27 month birthday I might as well give a little update, one year after my last.
It has been an interesting year full of highs and lows. We are finally in our house, 
although it is far from complete. If you are ever contemplating building a custom home with a builder who is not personally referred to you, check yourself into a facility, because you will probably end up in one, anyway. Every scare story I had ever heard came true, and then some. Frankly, I'm/we're a little scarred. These people left us on the brink of financial ruin, took forever, and well, I just don't have the energy to go on about it. Put it this way, our chance for a third child has pretty much been taken away by a builder and not my body, for a change. We're doing ok, now, but everything we were saving for has been wiped out, in order to make our house livable.
On the bright side, we were able to sell our little two bedroom house 
in one day, in the middle of August, with multiple offers to choose from. Of course, that meant my builder really had to get a move on, and we had to rent back from our buyer for several weeks after the closing. All in all, we were REALLY lucky, since the market tanked the next month.
As I've indicated, we've put our plans for another donor cycle on hold, indefinitely. I'm not sure that there ever will be one, and yes, I will probably have regrets. For a variety of reasons, it just isn't the right time and may never be. I feel really lucky to have gotten my BOGO babies, my "instant" family, if you will, and will always be eternally grateful for them, and to the people that made them possible.
The girls are doing really well. They are talking about anything and everything. They sing songs. My favorite is "Close to You," by The Carpenters, complete with "hair sprinkling." They go to "pre" pre-school twice a week. Its a great alternative where I get to go with them for two hours, and they get the "hang" of going to school. They are making friends and having a ball. We are getting more serious about picking a a real pre-school for the 2010-2011 school year. Apparently, even here in the Mid-West you have to get your name on a wait list pretty early. Its a toss up between the school district's Early Childhood program (longest wait list??), the Waldorf school where they go now, and a cool Reggio Emilia school that I lust after, but wowza! The tuition! Surprisingly, there was only one Association Montessori Internationale option nearby, and it was sort of depressing, so we probably won't re-consider it. I would love to hear about others experiences, with these different philosophies.
Here are a few pictures
from the last year. 
You can see that they are hardly babies
anymore.
So, I see Typepad is still annoying when trying to upload pictures. Typepad, aside, I'm not sure where I stand with the whole blogging thing. I like it in theory, but I'm not as comfortable talking about the girls, anymore. I'm thinking of starting something new, that is more personal and password protected, or starting something new that is even less personal and more anonymous. I'll let you know in another year!
I can't believe how big they are! How time flies...
Posted by: Orodemniades | April 15, 2009 at 11:36 AM
They're so cute. Happy anniversary!
Posted by: Amanda | April 15, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Ha ha! Roused you from your torpor!!! The girls look beautiful. Love the garden at the front of the house...all your own work???
Posted by: Pamplemousse | April 16, 2009 at 03:25 PM
A year, goodness! The house is gorgeous, and I'm not sure if your girls could be any cuter. It's a silly thing to say, but it's amazing how much they've grown!
Posted by: MsPrufrock | April 17, 2009 at 03:49 AM
AWESOME to hear from you!!! And the girls are beautiful! Thank God that you are in your house - I'm so sorry about the nightmare you went through.
Posted by: Roni | April 22, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Amazing. I have to say, your yearly updates are worth the wait. You are such a survivor...I'm talking about the house now. The girls look like they are thriving! Great to hear from you.
Daisy
Posted by: daisy | May 07, 2009 at 03:33 PM
LOL. I do see that you are not too frequent with the updates, but we enjoy them nonetheless! hope the new house is working out. I think it's a gorgeous house! Congrats (a few months late)!!
Posted by: holly | June 30, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Adorable! Hopefully the house ordeal ends swiftly and not much more expensively. As far as education goes, it all depends on the teachers and the kids and the mini-society of the school, but as far as philosophy goes, I like Waldorf over Reggio Emilia - much as I love my kids, I feel the teacher still ought to be the one leading the debate.
Posted by: Susan | April 16, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Your kids are beutiful. Sorry that this is the soonest I've had a chance to check your site. It looks like you ARE a great Mom. I'm very happy for you! Now, I will back away into anonymity.....sorry.
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