A little bit me, a little bit you

Yea! My USB cable is back. Now you can see pictures of Amelia releasing her ladybugs. (There's actually a good movie of Amelia with the ladybugs, but I'm not sure everyone would tolerate it well.)

Yesterday morning Amelia and I went to see Amelia's dentist for the second time. I have to say that this dentist is exceptionally patient. It isn't easy checking Amelia's teeth when she refuses to open her mouth. Pulling out a cute new toothbrush Amelia's dentist asked, "Would you like a new toothbrush?" Her response was, "No."

It looks like Amelia's teeth are doing okay. One thing the dentist did notice is that Amelia has a very high and very narrow palate. I told the dentist that her mom has the exact same thing, and that I had four permanent teeth pulled because all of my teeth simply would not fit in my mouth. The dentist then asked if I had had orthodontic work done. I guess you see where this train of thought led.

So it looks like Amelia may need braces at some point, unless she has surprisingly small teeth that will fit in her small mouth. Thus far her teeth have been smallish and been surrounded by gaps. In fact the gap between her two front teeth is so big she actually got a lollipop stick stuck there. (Mommy helped pull the stick out.)

Yesterday was also the final day of Amelia and Diana's two-week swim course. Both girls received a badge and were deemed ready to progress to the next level. I have caught glimpses of Amelia floating and jumping into the pool and most of the time she looks like she's having a lot of fun. I have seen her cry on occasion (she is a bit moody), but when I ask if she likes her teacher and if class is fun she always says, "I have fun at class." Diana likes her class as well, though she seems more interested in socializing than swimming. On designated days parents are allowed to bring cameras and photograph and film their little ones in the pool. Diana smiles and stares at all of the parents and hams it up for all the cameras.

Diana also loves to watch the other babies and follow their actions. Yesterday a slightly younger boy started splashing the water wildly, so she joined in. Next thing you know two parents are getting drenched while their children laugh and splash.

But it isn't all fun and games. If there's one thing I don't like it's that the class interrupts our daily schedule. There isn't a lot that can be done about this, but Diana misses out on a lot of her nap time - especially on days when Amelia has gymnastics. Poor mommy and daddy miss out on proper, cooked dinners since the girls are hungry, tired and impatient after class. It doesn't make much sense to hurry and prepare meals for Amelia and Diana, feed them, then start the process all over again to make dinner for myself (and for daddy to reheat when he gets home).

But what's worse is that my over-tired daughters can't seem to sleep through the night any more. Diana frequently wakes at five a.m. now and refuses to go back to sleep. (Of course, she is also teething.)

So while swim classes for Amelia are available through October, I don't think we'll be enrolling past the next two-week session. I'm not sure I'm up to the challenge, logistically.

Lisa