Teeth, Crawling, and New Facial Expressions

Things have been changing around the house lately... It seems like that in the last week Jack and Ella have decided to leap ahead.

Jack now has two teeth coming in and doesn't seem to mind at all. He can easily get on his hands and knees, but hasn't figured out how to move forward (yet). Jack has also discovered that he can make all kinds of noises and shapes with his lips. He is sooooo cute. He will look at us so intently and try to copy all of our facial gestures. The only time this isn't cute is when I'm trying to feed him, and he spits his food all over me (motor boat style).

Ella has little bumps in her mouth, but the teeth haven't broken the surface. She was very irritable today and last night, so I'm guessing this is her way of telling us something is up. Ella is on the verge of crawling. She can move herself backwards easily, but going forward is labored. She will be on all fours and lunge forward falling on her face. She doesn't seem to mind because she is quickly up on all fours again. I guess gates are in the near future for the Kokoska household.

Both kids continue to "talk" and make those adorable cooing sounds. They tend to be the most talkative in the mornings and when David gets home from work. It is so cute to see them light-up when he walks in the door. Both instantly begin to "tell" him all about their days. I love it...

Hats

We've found that the kids look cute in hats. Also, since it's been a few weeks since we've posted pics, so here are a few more...





Ella's new hat from Slovakia. Thanks, Grandma


And Jackie got one too.


Mom gets in on the hat action


Jack the calm and Ella the exciter






Puppy-dog eyes



And Kristy says they're blue...

Still breathing

Sometimes I wander into the kids' room at night and I hear the most wondrous sound. It's the in's and out's of a sleeping baby. It may be a sniffled sound at times, but it's still amazing. I think to myself "how can this child who was so small just several months ago continue to be with us?". But somehow, he still is. And I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be his father.

Back to School

I've been back to school now for 3 1/2 weeks, and it has been a mix of emotions. I love my job and am excited to be back, but it is so hard to leave Jack and Ella each morning. The only thing that saves me from tears is knowing they're at a good home with someone who doesn't mind snuggling them when needed. It also helps that they're not at that attachment stage (yet).

Our babysitter is a former nurse that doesn't mind those little issues that a regular day care might require us to keep J&E at home (runny nose, diarrhea, etc.). I think she's pretty amazing; I don't know how she keeps up with all the diapers/naps/feedings and so on. It's also nice that she gives us an update every day of when they ate, what they ate, diaper changes, and naps.

Each morning when I drop J&E off, she meets us in the driveway and takes one of them in for me. She already has breakfast made for her own kids that are school-aged, so Jack and Ella get all her attention. They usually eat breakfast (a fruit and bottle) around 7:30 then lie back down for an hour. J&E are in a good routine... and in good hands. What more could I ask?