Update on the Kids

No pictures (can't find the recharger for the camera - it's either unpacked or in one of the few boxes that remain packed), but lots of updates.

First - Samuel. We decided it was time to really start potty training so we asked my sister Andy to help us out. As a Montessori teacher and mother of a 5 year old boy, she was the perfect candidate for the job. We took advantage of school being closed for all the Jewish holidays and Canadian Thanksgiving to have lots of days at home to use underwear and sit on the potty. We started last weekend and today, Samuel actually asked Marc to take him to go to the bathroom at a restaurant right as lunch was arriving - that's right he asked to go to the bathroom instead of eating french fries! He had no accidents today and went pee each time we sat him on the potty. Quite the accomplishment. He's also deciding whether or not he needs his nap - the fact that we need him to take a nap seems to not be part of his decision making. He's adjusted well to his new school and has declared that his teachers are his friends. He seems to think that he'll be gong back to DC and often talks about his friends (Eamon, David, Connor and Zoe especially), old daycare and asks when Berta, our housekeeper is coming.

Matthew smiles huge smiles all the time. He loves Samuel's old baby pastimes of "bouncy" and "wrestle" with Marc. He has gone back to sleeping through the night, or at least until 4 am or so, but isn't very keen on napping during the day. He holds his head up when we carry him and during tummy time.

Renee talks non-stop, to people, lights, trees, whatever and whoever. She's super strong and pushes off our laps, the bathtub, the sling, anywhere she can get traction. She can roll to the side although she's not rolling over yet thankfully - I'm not ready for mobility. She sleeps like a "normal" 3 month old and still wakes up to eat . . . speaking of which I need to go.