how far we've come....

Yesterday was a long day for us here. Sometimes, for no reason, one baby refuses to nap, and it really throws everything off. It's so important for me to keep them on the same schedule that I end up pushing one baby to stay awake to catch up with his or her sibling, or I put the other baby down for the next nap too soon, etc.. Either way, it messes up our schedule, and, believe me, I run a tight ship. Anyhow, I was feeling frustrated about it all, and I happened upon the clipboard that had all of the pages from the babies' first month of life. I looked up June 16, 2007, exactly one year before. How QUICKLY I remembered how good I have it now! We had highlighted every three hours on the schedule, meaning we were setting the alarm all night long. My mom was still living with us (thank goodness), and we had two people on every shift. We marked down every pee, poop, nursing, breast milk bottle ounces, minutes pumping, formula ounces, sleeping, gas, crankiness, spitting up. Ben had started to write in the CONSISTENCY of the poops ("one short one and one snake-like one, light brown in color"; I kid you not!), and I was writing about my breast infection ("lump in left breast; v.v. painful"). I got tired just re-reading it! I'm going to keep those sheets forever, like little badges of honor that we made it!

Another funny tidbit. Someone recommended this site that predicts your child's attributes, using numerology, astrology, etc. www.babyzone.com

Here's what we found:

Oliver Thomas Sheaffer

Oliver Thomas Sheaffer reflects idealism, the good of mankind. Oliver Thomas Sheaffer is the humanitarian with the power to make things happen and the integrity to stay the course. A mover and a shaker {so true already!}, without a selfish bone in its body; the name Oliver Thomas Sheaffer attracts respect, support, and devoted fans. It seems even that the Universe tends to support what the name Oliver Thomas Sheaffer represents. Speaks to people of all walks of life. Tolerant and broad-minded.
This name pursues goals other than money and power. It seeks justice. It wants to feed the hungry and heal the sick. And yet, the resources it needs to do the job seem to always magically appear. {sounds a lot like his daddy!}
Oliver Thomas Sheaffer's most positive characteristics: Integrity, love for all, charisma. Encourages the best in people.
Oliver Thomas Sheaffer's most negative characteristics: Naive, seeks fame {uh-oh}, vulnerable to criticism, not a good judge of character.


Violet Emilee Sheaffer

The name Violet Emilee Sheaffer is highly sensitive, promotes cooperation and diplomacy, and makes everyone feel safe and appreciated. Flexible {we already see this physically!} and passionate, Violet Emilee Sheaffer promotes adaptability and survival against all odds. The name indicates understanding, compassion, and intimacy, and tends to draw support with tact and subtle persuasion rather than force and confrontation {definitely displays this in scuffles with her brother.}. Having an intuitive ability to avoid land mines and pitfalls, and a strong sense of balance, this name promotes a careful and competent decision-making process.

To some people, the name Violet Emilee Sheaffer feels weak and incompetent. As a result, it is often underestimated.

Violet Emilee Sheaffer's most positive characteristics: Cooperation, tact, flexibility, tolerance, insight into the human psyche.

Violet Emilee Sheaffer's most negative characteristics: Fear. Lacks confidence, lacks aggressiveness when needed.