So nice to relax on the couch this evening and know that we have a couple of days ahead that Jamie will get to be with us all and enjoy some family time!

Today was full of steady errands. The sweet babies all enjoyed a nice warm bath and good nap this morning before scooting around town. We arrived at Shane' s school to be welcomed by many large eyes as the double mountain buggy stroller and baby carrier paraded through the doorway! Shane is so precious and had explained that before our conference that he should meet me at the door to assist! He's so thoughtful and didn't mind pushing the stroller through the highschool halls. Not many 16yr old boys have that heart! Our world is definitely quite different from those of others in his phase of life! ;) So glad he loves these little ones! I was so proud when he approached me the other day and mentioned that he was interested in starting a non profit group to help those in need ( he spoke specifically about those with special needs, even Down's) It was precious to see him step further into this beautiful world that Abigail has introduced to us! Just to see a larger vision emerge in him to intertwine with his incredible thoughtfulness and rare heart. I love that boy beyond words!! By the time we left, there were several people who had gathered around us chatting and asking questions due to what I call the "shock and awe" effect we tend to create. ha ha!

We continued to run around and finally get back in the afternoon in time for their second nap! A rather uneventful day but always exciting with this many! We enjoyed wrapping the evening up with two little ones dancing on their stage ( the fireplace hearth) in a rather cute sway and bounce. Cade left the stage at one point to which Annabelle called him back and pointed next to her. He returned as a good brother would! Their little personalities are peeking out even more! It's such fun to watch! I had put Abigail on our bed earlier today while I was on the phone sitting next to her! Shane had rescued Annabelle from her nap and she climbed up on the bed and lay her little head on Abigail's tummy. Abigail found this rather funny and giggled at her! This went on for some time with Annabelle picking her head up to watch the baby laugh and then putting it down to make more giggles come! It was the first time that Abigail responded with so much enthusiasm. Usually its just with a smile or coo! It clearly tickled them both!  My precious girls!

Abigail did have a great appointment with the opthamologist the other day! He said everything looked perfect. No issues! He doesn't even believe that she will need glasses at a young age. That was nice but of course we were so relieved that there were no cataracts, glaucoma, or issues with the function or structure of the eye! It's truly amazing all the testing these little angels undergo with the Down's diagnosis. I am learning that my heart feels the struggle of all children we know with Down's and their parents, even though Abigail may not share the same struggles in certain health areas so far. This common thread among families, mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends, of those whose lives are impacted by someone who has Down's Syndrome is very strange and hard to confine to words. There is such a bond, yet an awareness that our loved ones have many similarities as well as many differences..and what a celebration all of those are!

Abigial just melted me again tonight (she does on almost a daily basis) as she has developed some precious routines. I have trained all my other babies to be placed in their beds at a designated bedtime, after teethbrushing, praying, favorite lullaby cd, etc. They all have thrived on it. However, with my sweet Abigail, I have preferred to hold her close and let her play with my hair until she falls asleep..which only takes a few minutes! The way she does it is priceless. She starts up high on my hair and gets strands between every finger. She then slowly and gently pulls her fingers down through my long hair, eases her fingers out at the bottom, and then starts up high again. It's all so gentle and for lack of a better description, "very controlled". Sometimes she will stop at the ends and pull it close on her cheek to rub around. Oh my, I may never cut my hair. We first noticed this start with her Aunt Sylvia during a visit, but I didn't realize how it would develop.  It's amazingly nurturing to me! Wow, I thought I was supposed to be comforting to her! ;) I guess it's just a small part of the many surprises the Lord sends me through her! Such a simple thing...that reaches to my soul! :)

Yesterday was a one of those "smiling but tired" days! Jamie felt it too. I knew he was feeling it too because as we tucked the twins in for bed, he started his bedtime prayer with , "Dear Lord, we thank you for this food. Bless his heart, he stopped, and looked up at me with a strained smile, and exclaimed, "I'm so tired". we got a good little snicker and I do believe he was in bed pretty soon after. Some days are just like that! ;)

There are so many other funny stories but now I am very tired as it's gotten late. lol! I will try to get more of them into the blog in the next few days.

Love to all!