One of the most frustrating parts of parenting is helping your children get through those patches where they're making huge developmental leaps, and one of the greatest parts of parenting is after they've made that leap and are having a blast with whatever new skill they've mastered. It's like the calm after the storm. Ella seems to be there right now, and it's a small leap in her verbal skills. The majority of what she says is still fairly indecipherable, but little by little she adds a word here or there and is trying out more sentences and phrases. Her favorites seem to involve Cole. Yesterday morning everyone was waking up, and Ella and Cole decided to stay upstairs to play with the Polly Pocket toys scattered on the bedroom floor. "Are you going to stay up here and play with Cole?" I asked Ella. "Umm, yeah! I go ba ba ga goo Cole!" Accalia's name is a bit tough for her to say yet, so Ella usually refers to Accalia as "A Cole."

Accalia seems to be going through some leaps, too, although hers are definitely more emotional. Accalia was a huge comfort nurser as a baby and toddler - probably more than either of the others - but she's also been the least likely to show affection as she's gotten older. When I tell her I love her, she usually replies, "Okay!" Lately, though, she's been all about showing love to the mama. There are hugs, cuddles on the couch, head on my shoulder, jumping into my arms, etc. She also wants to be there with me helping and being part of keeping the household functioning. She talks a lot about what she'll do when she has her own house or what babies need, etc. I remember going through that stage, too, and thinking about how cool it would be to have your own house with your own dishes to wash and furniture to dust. Why can't it seem so exciting now?

Last night Cory made it home before 11 from his shift delivering pizzas, and he brought back a ton of food given to him for free. Sometimes a cook will be working who makes a little of each type of pizza, so if there's anything left over it gets sent home with other employees. Cory brought back a calzone that he took for his lunch today, breadsticks, and three pizzas (two of which hadn't been cooked yet and are now in our freezer.

Tonight Cory has two counseling sessions but will be home for the rest of the night. Yay!