me...Want...FOOD!

Erin has been eating rice cereal for about two months now, and last week we started her on the stage one veggies. She LOVES food. I think she gets excited that she's eating at the table (in her bumbo - thanks, Rachel and family!), and she gets to eat alongside the rest of us. Vincent is very cute about saying "bebe wice ce-ro" (because she eats rice cereal). But now, even when we are out or don't get her rice cereal ready fast enough, she is very vocal about joining us. If she wants what we're eating, she very quickly works herself up and even screams until we give her a little something to gum around. We went to Taco Bell with Mark's family for lunch today, and she went from non-stop screaming to calm and relaxed as soon as she had a piece of plain tortilla in hand. I don't think she ate very much of it, but she let some disinigrate in her mouth before dropping most of it on the floor. Sometimes how vocal and opinionated she seems to be makes me think she might be a little pistol. But too soon to tell.

Vincent woke up so happy today. Mark was already dressed for church when he rescued Vincent from his crib. V was concerned at first that I wasn't visible to him immediately, but all smiles when he saw me getting ready for church. Mark asked him what today was and he said "Sunday! Go to church!" Usually he is much less excited about being confined and quiet for an hour or more. He did really well today, though. We sat in new spot, still near the back exits so we can dash for it if he's acting up. Maybe a new spot helps him, gives him new things to look at. We sat on the end, as is wise to do for quick escape for disciplining or diaper changing. On the other side of our row was a column, so Vincent was confined, but also had a little space to himself. And the 8 o'clock mass is never crowded. Maybe 1/4-1/3 of the mass, Vincent was very consumed with watching a little boy who was in the cry room (we sat just outside it). It was like his own little boy televsion! Plus, kids just love to watch other kids - amazing how we are attracted and influenced by our peers. Mark also did a great job today with V's mass book. He'd show him the page that corresponded in which we were participating, so he spread the pages out pretty well during mass, and also seemed to keep him engaged for a couple minutes at a time. But really, it just helps when he's feed, rested, and in a good mood. *phew!*

After church, Vincent and Erin had almost an hour of play together. We put E down for a nap, but she is having trouble sleeping the past couple days. I thinks he must be teething because she goes down the same as usually and then wakes about 45 minutes into her normal 2 hour naptime. Her gums do feel swollen to me (or is that my imagination?). So we gave her some tylenol and let her play with V while waiting for it to take effect. He loves to let her bounce up to him (with Mom doing the bouncing of course), and say "Got me! got me!" in between giggle fits. Then they'd lie side by side, she stares at him with what seems to be admiration or wonder, and he hugs and hugs her (pretty gently too). If I tickle both of them, they just have fits together, but E will not laugh unless V is laughing too! They are very sweet together usually. I hope that's a trend that will continue for a long, long time.