Busy watching backhoes dig holes and scoop dirt into dump trucks. Busy going to parks to swing and playing our sandbox on the patio. Busy reading dozens and dozens of books over and over again. Busy cuddling someone who is teething. Busy cooking. Busy buying groceries. Busy cutting up fruit into child bite-size pieces every day. Busy singing songs, dancing, and playing instruments. Busy trying to finish reading a novel for my own pleasure. Busy writing thank-you notes. Busy doing laundry, folding clothes, putting them away, only to get them out again. Busy changing diapers, outfits (sometimes more than twice a day), and helping with baths. Busy cleaning the cat box and dumping the Diaper Genie, and feeding the cat. Oh, and petting her. Busy pointing out birds, trees, cats, and dogs. Busy taking walks. Busy thinking about the menu for upcoming visitors. Busy watching the garbage truck and waving at the garbage man. Busy following the news of folks in Houston, because we have family and friends who are coping with Hurricane Ike’s destruction. Busy glancing at news headlines about politics and the financial crisis in an attempt to keep one fingertip connected to the world outside my own home.

And very, very tired.

Claire starting say “ow” when she sees a picture of an owl. She sometimes makes a Grrr sound when she sees a picture of a lion (a male lion — the big mane helps). All felines — domestic or wild — are ca. So are dogs and many other animals. And cows, trucks, cars, and ducks. One of her books — How a Baby Grows — she calls Coo, because the first sentence is “These are the things that babies do: cry, wet, sleep, coo.” One of her favorite sounds to make lately is “dub dub dub.” It’s really cute.

My parents arrive in two weeks. Then in December, my other older sister, Aunt EP, is coming to meet Claire and bond with us. November is free. Anyone want to stop by?