In other twin news, I brought my old dog Frank (the most patient with toddlers dog ever) over to see BFF's 16-month old twins the other night. They are developing on very stereotypical gender lines (he's more physically adept and she's more verbal). This is how it went:

Jack (practically vibrating with excitment out of his little seat): A DOG A DOG A DOG

Zoe (pointing and speaking in a conversational tone): There is the dog. Now he is going over there. Is he under the table? Why, yes, he is under the table. (really for the most part she only says the word 'dog' clearly but her sentence structure and tone are exactly right)

Jack: A DOG A DOG A DOG

Zoe: Where did the dog go now? Is the dog walking down the hall? Ah, here is the dog again. Do you see the dog?

it takes a board to raise a child.

This isn't aimed at Ginger, just at the whole village to raise a child thing. Here's the problem with that, there' sonly one child who gets raised so all of the other kids have to go find their own damn village. I think that all of the time at school where we have a banner that says that.

My kids are currently being raised by Blue's Clues. Good luck with that, Joe.

Now, I get my fluffybutt dressed so we can run errands, else the boy won't get to start preschool in the fall.

I think those babies are in good, safe hands. A lot of hands.

Yes, you're right, and that's what I meant to convey when I said Noah already has his share, but I forgot "his" which just left the sentence dumb.

We've got plenty of paranoia, thank you very much. Don't really need much encouragement on that front.

I'm sorry.

Here's the problem with that, there' sonly one child who gets raised so all of the other kids have to go find their own damn village.

I clearly still haven't mastered the sarcasm font, which is what I was going for. I find the concept irritating myself, except in the broadest sense that everyone has to be invested in the welfare of children.

I think my dad's village raised him.

Actually, they did send kids off to school with communal money. I really dig that.

Question about Noah's breathing apparatus: What's it connected to? How big/heavy is it? How long, approx, will he be on it?

Okay, questions.

Good luck with that, Joe.

He'll make a chart, it'll be totally fine.

signed, knows too much about Blue's Clues for someone with no kids

Oh, hey ita. Good luck on the hospital visit thing. I'd say at this point you're about due for some good results.

Thanks, guys. I think I'm so completely desperate I've gone past maximum and come out the other side.

I just need this thing done, and bits of my life back.

In possibly cool news, though, my GP is willing to sign paperwork saying I can take scuba (do we still have to capitalise that?) lessons.

When you don't capitalize it, it's like you are. Sometimes. Sort of.