...and it's done.

Okay, so here we are...private.

I think I like it so far. We've had a few kinks to work out with the invite emails and the sign-in process, but I think we're all situated now. I can't tell you how reassuring it is (for me) to see only familiar cities signing into the blog this week (see the feed on the lower right side of the page). There's something disconcerting about not knowing a soul in New Guinea or Arizona but seeing those places continually 'checking in' on here. Maybe those are relatives of friends who link us on their blog...or maybe they're not. Nice to not have to wonder anymore. :)

So, what's going on with us? I know I've been M.I.A. for a few weeks, but I assume all of you know that's just the nature of the beast we call life right now. I don't have a lot of time to sit and write unless I'm up before my babies (fat freaking chance that's gonna happen!!) or unless they nap at the same time (even fatter freaking chance THAT'S gonna happen). Rest assured, we're making serious memories up in here...they're just not making it to blog. And, for now, that's okay.

Probably the biggest thing going on right now is that Henry has gotten over his fear of water. Well, I should qualify. He's never been afraid of water, per se. It's more the unpredictability of water droplets. I mean, he's good just sitting in the bath, and the thought of splashing in there has been fun too. It's when the splashes inadvertently lead to water in his eyes or on his hair or anywhere he wasn't expecting water to land. God forbid he accidentally turn the shower on himself. That's a Stage 4 Meltdown in the making, fo' sho'. So, you see, he's been slow to take to the pool. He's been getting in pools since he was about 2 1/2 months old, and he's been getting right back out of them about 5 minutes after he gets in for just as long.

Then, just in the past two weeks, we've seen a change. And it has been so much fun for all of us.

It started with a really sweet birthday party that we attended a few weekends ago at a really sweet pool. This particular pool is kind of like a water park insomuch as it has a splash pad section and a lazy river. We were so excited to see what H would think of it...and we figured it would be a perfect place for him to try lots of different water activities. Bonus: other kids would be there to 'show him the ropes.' Woot. So, we left the baby with my mom, and we focused all of both of our energies on playing with H in the water. By the end of our time there, he was still very pissy about splashing, but we had convinced him to stay in the water for 10-15 minutes AND to jump to us from the side. Progress. Then, at the end of our time in the water, there was birthday cake, ice cream, cute playfriends, and singing. All good associations for the future 'pool' outings to come, right? Right.

The next day, we took him to my brothers' apartment complex pool for fun with his Uncle Jon-Jon, Uncle Justin, Aunt Steppy, and 'Toria. You could immediately tell that he was a recovered pool hater! Not only did he jump freely to all of us, but he stayed in the water for a lot of the time. You should see him decked out for it...he wears floaties AND a tube AND his sandals. Jonathan (my brother) and I joke that all he needs are some flippers and a snorkel to complete his waddly, awkward get-up. hehehe. The photos are just BEGGING to be in a wedding slideshow one day.

Then, the next weekend, my dad got the macdaddy of all hot tubs to replace his older model. Y'all, this thing is ginormous, and it has lights, fountains, and a sound system. Yeah, for reals. So, the 'rents have decided to keep it cool for Henry to swim in during the day, and may I just say, the macdaddy hot tub was the last nail in Hen's watersplashphobia coffin. Booooyah...

Since then, we've spent countless hours beating the heat in pools, sprinklers, splash pads, and of course, in "PawPaw's new pool that has waterfalls."

More later...hell just froze over...I've got both asleep at the same time...