Bring On the Corn on the Cob!

We have two new teeth! Well, Alexis has them, really, but we are all going through it with her! She cut her first on on July 30th (the day my dad and Mary arrived for their visit) and the second one was in place this morning. We could tell it was on its way too because poor sweet Lexi has not been sleeping very well. Mathilde has two bottom teeth on their way, but she seems to be taking it all in stride.
We had a visit to the pediatrician last week. Alexis weighs 16lbs 2oz and Mathilde weighs 16lbs 10oz. (I may not have that exactly right, but that's close anyway). The important bit is that they are both in the 25th percentile for their height and Lexi is in the 25th for weight, while Mathilde is in the 30th. I always balk when I see 25 and percent in the same sentence, but these aren't math scores we're talking about. They're simply taking after me (for now) in the stature department, and their weights are just perfect for their heights. They are lovely, developing normally and doing very well. Dr Tremblay also gave us the green light on all foods. I thought this was strange, since there are many foods that normally aren't given until after the first year (egg whites, berries etc,) but he said that the American Pediatric Society has changed their opinion on allergic foods and it believes that earlier is better. I don't think Health Canada is on board with this yet (I just checked a couple of weeks ago), but since the girls seem to be doing so well with all the foods that we have given them so far, we'll enjoy the summer's bounty to its fullest without worrying too much about following guidelines. We'll follow gullies instead!
For those of you who don't know, we found child care for November when I return to work. One of our neighbours had a baby 4 days after Tilly and Lexi were born and we'd kept up with her here and there since we met her in the hospital. A while back she mentioned that she didn't want to return to work and thought she might open a daycare in her home. After a while, and much discussion on the subject, Ivan and I decided that we would prefer this type of arrangement over the daycare centre setting (which costs only $7.00/day in Quebec if you can get a spot). We approached her about it and she decided to do it; a decision that we were very excited and happy about. Today, she had us over to discuss the contract and general operation of her daycare and we got to see the work that she and her husband did to their home to prepare for it. It exceeded all of our expectations. It is as professional as any business can be, as warm and inviting as any home could be, and as fun, exciting and educational as any school could be. She will have our girls, her own girl (same age as ours) and her son (age 3). Once the three girls reach 18 months, she will take another 3 year old. There is a sweet little "classroom" where they will spend their indoor time with tables, mats and toys. There is a sepparate area gated off from the main area for the toddler-set where the only toys they will have access to are age appropriate and free of choking hazzards. Everywhere you look are pictures of the alphabet, objects with their names, how to properly wash your hands etc. I have no experience with day cares, so I imagine her ideas are not novel, but to us they indicated that we had made the right decision. She begins classes in September on First Aid, early childhood education etc and she is so enthusiastic about our girls. And they live across the street! Her husband works with mentally challenged youth in homes and hosptals and is darling. Well, they both are fantastic people and we have begun a friendship with them aside from our business relationship. I hate to call it that, but money will change hands, so I suppose that's appropriate. My biggiest fear now, aside from leaving them, is that they won't want to come home at the end of the day. I think that's the best fear we could have. I have to say, we certainly have been fortunate in life. We have so many blessings to be thankful for.
On that note, we are so very thankful that Dad and Mary (aka Grampy and Mimi) could make it for a visit. We all enjoyed their company, and after a very short warm-up period, the girls adopted them as part of their every day life. Family visits are so important to us and we cherish each second that we get to spend with you. So never ever feel like you are imposing on us; we'd rather you be here than be away. Just don't come all at once, please!
On that note, I'm off to sleep. It could very well be short lived, so getting to it sooner than later is imparative!
But before I forget, because this blog will probably end up ultimately being for Mathilde and Alexis, I must mention that the girls look to be on the verge of crawling. They're not actually crawling, but all of the gears are turning and the light has very obviously turned on for them. I will keep you posted! Have a great week everyone!