Long time, no post, but we all know that's a good thing.  Things are okay.  Mike seems confident that he's got a job (keep those fingers crossed).  Spencer is using more words and honestly trying to talk to me now.  I wish so badly that I knew what he was saying, because he's definitely saying something.  He's getting more bold and daring.  Jumping up and down on our bed, the chair, anything that bounces really.  Climbing anything and everything.  Following other kid's leads.  He followed the neighbor's son right into the brushy area at the back of their yard.  It looked just like two little boys going into the woods.  So cute!  Mischievous too, he's definitely pushing boundaries to see how far he can go.  His memory is clearly good enough now though that I can give a consequence after the moment has passed.  Like when we are in the car and he won't stop shrieking and I can't do anything about it other than pointlessly say stop.  He's keeping me on my toes, though.  In the best possible way, of course.  I can't even begin to describe how cute he is.  He was in time out the other day and Rachel crawled over and pulled herself up on his naughty stool.  I swear that he was explaining to her why he was in time out.  He was even doing hand motions (showing how he punched mommy, the little butthead).  Again, I so wish I could understand what he's saying.  He's trying though, and that's 9/10 of the battle right there.

Rachel is doing great.  Getting longer.  She's stretching 18 month clothing lengthwise so that it seems to fit around the belly even though it should be too big.  She's said "Hi" spontaneously once, so I guess that counts as her first word.  She's happily cruising around the house, but doesn't seem too interested in walking.  I think she'll go past her first birthday, but that's okay.  she's cutting a second tooth, in fact I've heard her moan/cry in her sleep a few times tonight, so she may be cutting right now literally.  She's getting cuter by the minute.  Oh and the spring/summer little girls clothes.  I have so much trouble resisting.

I've decided (don't ask why, I really don't know) to go green with cleaning.  A big part of me wants to just have a couple of ingredients under the sink instead of 75 bottles of different chemicals for different purposes.  One gallon vinegar, on box baking soda, a spray bottle, dish clothes, and a mop.  Maybe some swiffer clothes for dusting and oxiclean for emergencies, but thats it.  Sounds heavenly.  Not to mention not worrying about the kids touching the wet floors and then putting their hands in their mouth.  Or Spencer getting the spray bottle and spraying it in his face.  Not that spraying vinegar in his face wouldn't be a serious issue, but not as bad as pine sol or whatever.  And, I'm going to try yet again to get the house clean and keep it clean.  I bought a book that has a fool proof, easy plan.  Wish me luck lol.  It's going to take a while to get it all clean again.  A long while.