Burch Girl #3!

Well it looks like the third sister is on her way! She (or that's how it looked today) will arrive about August 17th and we are very excited! I knew from the day I posted Sophie's first steps video but wanted a healthy developed ultrasound before I sent the news out on "teh interwebs." This of course complicates our move to Oregon for medical school, but we think it will work to send Adam on his own in early July and then I'll come with all the girls a few weeks after this one comes.

Cute Sophie Video

Sophie looks for backpacks to wear all day. She's sure the kids are all having crazy fun times without her at school (clown flavored ice cream, etc...).

Valentine for Hans

Dear Uncle Hans,
      I'm keeping "The Cheese" all warmed up for you and I'm playing your Civ4 game until we can play together again. I'll ask Mom if I can keep pajamas on until you come back (like I do almost every day). You're a popular uncle!
Love,
Care

(Original script: Hey Unka Hans! Thank you for visit me! I'm a mermaid in Oceana and I have a friend who's a robot...I was over there first..Sophie!...I need to play piano and where's my chocolate sandwich? Is it school yet? Why are you typing, Momma?)

Sophie's Growing Up

 Sophie is all ready for preschool with Claire's awesomely decorated V-day box--"May I go to the Valentine's Day party too?" (Which actually comes out, "Ma! Doe go go my?!" I think she might actually be Korean...)

 Sophie came upstairs this morning wearing underwear. Yup. She was feeling pretty fine so she walked with her hinders popped out like this until I totally ruined her groove by dressing her for the day. I offered to let her wear underwear over her diapers and she bit my stomach. So...yeah I guess we're in the Terrible Two's now with major 'tude.

A Visit to Grandma Regular

But first...a tantrum. Sophie styln'!

 Dinglemowing! Grandma's rug had gotten WAY out of hand. Note Soapy's awesome pink boots.

Click to play (from the main blog only).

 For those in the know, this is the handprint I made when I was Claire's age and Grandma got a new driveway paved. Claire's hand fits perfectly and she was delighted. She asked if she could print "Claire" next to the "Laurel" but I explained about hardened cement...

 There are LOTS of fun dollies at Grandma's house. Claire is a good Mommy to everybody.

 We went to the Dinosaur Museum with our good friends the Pursers. Sophie plays with Xander.

 Chomping on a communal dinosaur--le ew!

 Claire built lots of cool sand hills for her dinosaurs at the erosion table.

 Sophie loves to play best friends with Claire (especially when it doesn't require getting punched).

Watching cartoons and eating breakfast in bed at the hotel in Salt Lake City.

Rapunzel Abides

I made this wig for Claire for Christmas ($3!) and although she's pulled the top around, the part and braid are still holding up pretty well! She asked for a complete documentation the other night at bedtime so she would never forget her wig. I made the nightgown as well. She picked out the materials and we used my mom's awesome 1985 pattern. She refused to let me add heart buttons to the top at the last minute so it hangs pretty open. This makes me look a bit sorry as a crafter, but everything looked nice to begin with--Claire just has the energy of a photon and five hundred billion times the momentum!

(Click to play)

 You can toss the braid to casually ensnare passing princes...

 When lowered carefully you can tempt your sister to climb up to dangerous counter heights.

 You can whip your Daddy in the face while shouting "Die, Mother Gofel!"

 Claire's Grandpa Henry stylin' eye roll says "Duh!" to her Grandma's comment that she's lovely.

 You can't handle this glamour.

Sing manically while brushing teeth for the win!

Whee!

Sophie says "Whee!" for everything fun, like careening down the hall at high walking speeds, having rides on Daddy Bronco or spinning in Daddy's chair. It's her most consistent word (after pointing with "this" and "that") so we'll probably go with "Whee!" for her historical first word. Besides, it emphasizes nicely just what a fun girl she is.