counting blessings

I keep thinking we could write a good book if we just took a tape recorder and a camera with us whenever we go out with the girls. We always draw an interested crowd. My social-quotient has gone up significantly since the girls arrived -- better than when we had the dogs, because lots of people don't like dogs but apparently only a few people aren't entranced by the entrance of triplets (in baby seats, or in the strollers). I think we could really find some interesting material if we just asked people to tell us what blessing they would wish on the girls for their lives growing up. We haven't been able to do much with this idea yet, but I think that the girls provoke something tender and hopeful in people that it would be nice to capture, like catching fireflies in a jar.

Developments

Just a few notes on the girls at this point. In the past two days Jessie and Cecilia have learned to roll from their backs to their fronts. Any chance they get, they are rolling over and working at holding their heads up to look around. It is amazingly hard work to grow up. I spent time writing this morning with them on a blanket in the livingroom, and from the other room I could hear them grunting and cursing like mad. Every once in awhile one of them would sound too distressed, so I would go over and flip her on her back. Kind of the opposite kindness you would show a stranded turtle, I suppose. But in a few seconds, she would flip back on her belly and start working again. It was like hanging out in the weight room listening to the boys with big pecs and massive shoulders grunting under iron.

The other fun moment was feeding them cereal this afternoon. The best way to do this is by installing them in their bouncy chairs. Evelyn and Jessie are very enthusiastic -- when I get a spoon into a mouth, they beat their hands and feet in affirmation. It's like trying to feed an eighth grade clarinet player who is practicing with the marching band. Maybe as much fun as that. Cecilia is also very enthused, but rather than beating her feet on the chair, she grabs the spoon with one hand and manuvers it herself. And between mouthfuls, she puts her fist into her mouth. It seems she has to self-soothe herself between spoons. I have learned to wait until she stops sucking her thumb, then I offer her the next spoon.

It is also a great joy to clean them with a warm wet cloth after cereal. They have cereal in their hairline, around their eyelids, in the curve of their nose and in the folds of their neck. Cereal somehow even gets down their back and into their armpits. Apparently it's an immersive experience. Lots of fun for everyone. I love cleaning them slowly, gently and calmly so that they find it a pleasure to be touched.