Wow, I almost can't believe that I'm actually (read: FINALLY) typing my first blog entry. Not that I'm a procrastinator or anything (decopuage, anyone?). I've only had this account set up for about six months now. So, in Karen time, it's pretty amazing that I'm already getting around to this. Of course, now that I am typing, I realize just how little I have to say. Um, yeah, right.

I guess I should say something about the girls, that would be the logical thing to do since this is their blog, or rather, that was the reason behind me wanting to start a blog.

Well, since we've been back from Ohio (thank you again to my beloved Sara and her incredibly tolerant husband, Dan, for the hospitality), Kate has been on a huge "daddy kick." Every single night at 7:30, which is usually when the husband gets home from work, Kate starts screaming in her crib "Da-dah, Da-dah, Da-DAHHHHHHH." It's kind of cute and funny, but with the husband's schedule this past week, it's become a bit exhausting. For the first time, I am not able to placate my child with my loving motherly touch, or my lame attempts at singing/dancing/babble-talk. I've actually kept the girls up late a couple of times, just so Kate could get her Daddy fix. Scott, of course, loves it (he'd be a fool not to), but I dread next week--he jets off to Poland tomorrow, and I'm not quite sure how Kate is going to survive. Is it wrong of me to have visions of doping up my baby dancing around in my head? I'm kidding, kind of.....

Julia is, well, Julia--she's full of smiles, giggles, and kisses. Of course, she has no interest in kissing me, or the husband, or even Lovey......she prefers to just walk around kissing the air. She has been much more of a cuddler the past two weeks, and I've loved every minute of it. She's so fiercely independent sometimes, that I feel like she forgets she has a mom--quite a change from her baby-twaby days when she couldn't leave my side. She's still obsessed with kitchen utensils--she has "her" drawer in the kitchen that is emptied every single morning (and multiple times throughout the day)........she actually managed to sneak a spatula into her crib yesterday. I went to get her from her nap, and there the spatula was, all nestled in right next to Lovey--that spatula doesn't even know what an honor it is to be positioned next to the almighty Lovey--wow!

Both girls have finally, thanks to my goddess of a sister, mastered the art of climbing down the stairs. This has made my life a bit easier, or at least it's made my back ache a bit less. Prior to our Ohio trip, they were pros at climbing up the stairs (annoying), but could not figure out how to successfully navigate their way down. Sara, and darling Miss Olivia (who is such an adorable "mother hen" at only 4 years old), really worked with the girls to show them how to scoot down the stairs without injuring themselves. While I love that they have mastered this task, it's another one of those things that makes me realize my twabies aren't twabies anymore.

Those of you who are actually reading this know that this week has been rough--one of our dear friends Kasey was brutally attacked last weekend in the very town where I grew up. Most of you know that Kasey is a true gem of a guy--witty, creative, hilarious and deeply loved by many. To say that I hope his attackers burn in hell is an understatement, but I will save my vengeful thoughts for another time. Kasey's skull was fractured during the attack, and he's going to be in the hospital for quite some time. The important thing is that Kasey is no longer in a coma, and we are hoping and praying that he will continue down the road to recovery without any major glitches. Sara has been able to see him twice now, and she is keeping me updated on his progress. I ask all of you to keep your prayers coming his way--Kasey is one of a kind, and the world needs more people like him.

So, that's it for now......I need to play around with all the cool templates, etc. so I can truly Karenize ("mah colahs are blush and bashful") this thing.

Heart hug.