Goat Kisses, Saoirse, and Kittens

We've been doing a fair amount of hiking over here. The exercise seems to be helping Piper's sleep issues.

Though the wicked cold she's had, and shared, didn't help.

Gardening 

And basic playing in the dirt has filled our days.

And once and awhile she'll even let me do her hair and clean her up!

We've been hanging with "baby Saoirse," Aoife and Yoda. Good times, and Piper has come to adore Saoirse. Even lets me hold her!

She knows where we stand... So she can share.

So when we adopted two 8 week old kittens...

Well, she was clear she wanted to name them both Saoirse. 

I mean they're cute and little- so of course she would name them after her.  But cute as that is, we couldn't go with it. 

Once she catches one, which isn't that hard - they make themselves very available - she hikes them up the stairs to her room. She tells me, "we fine Mommy you go" which is toddlerese for, " I'm smothering the cat with love and I don't want to to take it away." The last week has been rough. Between toddler induced meltdowns and two kittens I'm trying to keep alive ... Well ya. Who's idea was this???? Ohhhh Josh's. the guy trying to catch up with work now that his hand is on the mend.

But I'm happy to report progress is being made with operation keep kittens alive. 

A break for another hike, complete with butterflies ...

And the kittens may just make it.

Propensity to compromise is important. A trait we want to instill in Piper by example. 

So while our previous life found us with cats named after influential artists. ..

we'd now like to introduce you to Oscar and Abby. As in Oscar the Grouch and Abby Cadaby. 

The plot thickens...

So we'll start with the fun stuff first...

Piper discovered chopsticks

They're for poking orchids with, right?

Her night time and early morning antics have forced me to play with her schedule, it has been over a year since she changed anything on me. But I'm also realizing this kid is active.

I mean really active.

We went swimming one day, hiking the next - and when I say hiking I mean she kept pace with me for well over an hour. I think Yoda being there helped for sure - but she's crazy active this kid.

So by shortening her nap and making sure she gets a TON of exercise there has been progress made.

She's still not where she was, but it's better. Much better.

wait.

I didn't say that, don't want her to prove me wrong!

Then in other news...

While training in his event for the upcoming Baby Olympics Josh had a "mishap"

His Baby Gate Poll Vaulting has gotten quite incredible actually, 

we were fielding sponsors if you can believe it.

But with hands full 

(including a glass pyrex container) 

he missed the mark.

Judges claim he was a mere inch off the expected target, but none the less - right hand first into broken pyrex left me learning the true meaning of our vows 10 summers ago.

An ambulance ride, 8 stitches, artery and nerve damage

He's on the mend. 

Stitched and wrapped up he's already regaining feeling in one of the fingers effected.

But ya.

Never a dull moment.

So more fun stuff...

We had snow earlier in the week and now is close to 70.

So Piper and I readied the garden to transplant.

And some painting.

 Dragon and Fairy Fest was this weekend too.

 Typical Piper, she was clinging to me for the first 10 minutes

Then was fine.

 What is in the water in this town? There are kids EVERYWHERE!

Mother's Day so far has been lovely.

Brunch with Mimi, Bapa and Uncle Mike.

Little barefoot in the grass antics with guitar playing and singing.

Now we're planting and getting ready to go on another hike.

 

Changes

Hi!!!

Been ages, we know.

See...I've been busy doing this:

While Piper did this:

and this:

The house is gone and after a much rushed and stressful move we have settled (kinda).

The move was made much easier by family, dear friends and a lot of hired help.

Piper arrived in her new room to a gift from the previous occupants.

Thank you so much!

Aunt Amy sent some Hello Kitty Sunglasses

And Piper has been exploring the grass

and Mom's shoes

Mimi and Bapa were a huge part of the help in this transition.

And what is this you may ask?

A Mother's desperation.

The room while lovely, is quite bright and since the move Piper has started getting up at 6am (better than the 5:30am she did at first!)

She's getting used to different stairs.

And has found my bendis

Quite honestly this has been rough on her.

For close to a week she sobbed and screamed to "go home" but she now calls the new place "me house" and seems to be getting there.

If only the sleep schedule would return.

Up for the day at 4am this morning.

4am.

I wrote too soon last night in my first draft of this post.

Good thing she's cute!

Now if she would only stop rolling her eyes at me...

Here's Piper helping us map out the new house

And did we mention there is a trampoline at the new place?

She's the laziest trampoliner I've ever seen.

She wants us to bounce her, and thats not safe - so we've had a lot of fights over this thing.

But we're hanging in there.