While Tante Teresita (my dear roommate from my Pittsburgh days) was over, both of the kids really started smiling. They each had given us a rare smile or two--we both got one on Christmas day, Ian to me and Elanor to Tim--but this last week it became so much more intentional, especially on Ian's part. Elanor still is a little more sleepy and contented than he is, but last Tuesday, she was alert all day and smiling into our faces. It was like a brand-new Elanor, a huge leap in a single day. Ian now wakes up almost every morning (if you catch him before he gets too hungry) with a huge grin on his face. The smiles are still so ephemeral that we haven't caught one on camera yet, but I'm sure that pictures will be forthcoming.

They've also started cooing, sometimes quite conversationally.

Long breakfasts and long conversations (of course) were the order of the day with Teresa, punctuated occasionally by pacifiers being popped back into little mouths.

On Teresa's last night with us, Jessica and Amy came over. They overlapped with Teresa by dinner at our favorite little pizza place, before Teresa had to leave for her next stop on her roommates of the south tour.

Ian grinned as soon as Jessica and Amy entered the door. I have a feeling he's going to be quite a little flirt. He's an introvert still, but he loves girls. And lots of them! It was fun to catch up with the girls, and hear about Jessica's adventures in grad school, and Amy's time in Africa. They were big hits with the babies, too, as you can see.

I got a little spoiled by having two extra pairs of hands in the house, and started to think how easy it would be to always have a couple extra friends around. 'Twas not to be, and they continued their southern tour by heading to Chattanooga, our old stomping grounds.

On Friday, we invited Tim's coworkers and professors from my old department over for an open house, to meet the babies, and harrass Tim about his old age. A good time was had by all! And it was really great to see old friends, people who had mentored me through my master's degree.

Our week wrapped up with a farewell party to the kids' "Uncy Josh," who's heading off to military service. They're really going to miss him, especially Ian (Josh gave him his first real nickname---"Little E"). They bonded at Christmastime when Josh joined the elitest of the elite, the rarest of the rare, the bravest of the brave: he became a member of the illustrious Night Shift Club. Tim was sick, and I was exhausted by two crabby babies, so Josh took Ian for a night. The members of this club can be counted on two hands, but they've earned our eternal and undying gratitude.

Uncy Josh loves Elanor, too!

oh, jo...thanks for posting the pix. as i looked down through past entries, i realized how much you guys are documenting! wow. you won't regret the time it takes to write it all.

i had a wonderful time visiting. thanks so much for your hospitality. it was incredibly restful. c was wonderful (saw steve!) and tea with daphne was delightful on saturday morning in her office:)

i'm off to nyc/philly for a week starting tomorrow. i'll keep you posted on all.

love you,
a.

Love the pictures but sad to know Amy came to my town and failed to look me up! LOL. I'll get her.