happy photo of Snuffles!

Hi everyone!! I have 2 minutes before I have to go get Dave at the train station, and still no INTERNET service, no PHONE service and NO CABLE TV!! So--updating the blog (and doing many many things) has been a REAL challenge. Dave takes the computer to study all the time, and when I try the library computers there are just job-seekers and students HOGGING them all the beeping time. (No, I'm NOT frustrated or anything!!) I could go on and on about the logistical difficulties, but how boring, yes?

SNUFFLES is wonderful. Motherhood is wonderful. I disagree with everyone who says it's hard or who doesn't like the menial-ness of laundry, diapers, baby barf, and formula stains. It's all wonderful. But then, Snuffles is an easy baby. Dave is callling him THOR so he doesn't develop a complex from being called Snuffles all day.

He's gained a LOT of weight. He's 14 pounds now. Gained SIX pounds in two months. That's a lot when you only weigh 14 pounds. Close to doubled his weight in two months. Hungry Hungry Hippos.

In other news, I have to give my DAD a big SHOUT OUT. Thank you Dad for financing a wonderful teacher and babysitter to come stay with me for a week: My Aunt Mary. It was a wonderful lesson in expert mothering techniques, including: how to get baby to sleep when he's alone, how to bathe him best and how to keep all the balls up in the air at the same time-without imploding.

Oh--and I was able to get us a LOT more moved-in. So--what WONDERFUL HELP. I sincerely appreciate it. My Dad has been working steadily behind the scenes this whole time to ease everything for Dave and I--and it's the kind of family support that is irreplaceable and priceless. So--thank you. Family support is a wonderful thing.

So--thank you also goes to my Uncle Bob for coming out earlier this summer to help with my mom's move. Both Mary and Bob have taken their time to come help me at my Dad's request. And, I couldn't be more THANKFUL for the strong support. It's all new to me, Ms. Only-Child-like, do-everything-yourself-type person. I'm not used to all the attention, and I don't quite know how to handle it. But it is SINCERELY appreciated.

My mom has enjoyed all the companionship as well. Her health is not great, and I know she'd LOVE to participate more than she can. But the McCarthy's have been a breath of fresh air for us all.

So--incidentally, Dave got selected as Employee of the Month for September, complete with a picture in the company newsletter. And, he also seems to be getting an A (we don't know for sure because they only actually grade at the end of the semester--and there's grading on a curve) But, even without the curve, he'd be getting an A-. So--I'm proud of him---extremely proud of him! And--yes...

WE ARE BOTH EXHAUSTED. All the time.
LOVE YOU, miss you...and talk soon!

xoxoxo. Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.