Just... frustrating. Okay, and cute.

• Three weeks ago there was a terrible storm that frightened Mason so badly he was shuddering with sobs after only two minutes of hail and wind. He got in bed with me; Erik went to the couch. The pattern has continued, as our laziness/grogginess prevented any stern action when he woke in the middle of the night and I would put him in our bed and DaDa would relocate to the couch. This has come to a head in the past ten days as Mason has increasingly resisted his own bed in favor of ours or even Carter's (two nights ago he refused to get into his crib but fell sound asleep as soon as he climbed into Carter's bed and his head hit the pillow). Carter said, "Guys, he just needed to cuddle with me!" Every time we'd relocate him back to his crib, fits of rage ensued. Two days ago we had enough. We bought a nightlight. No luck. Put a pack'n'play in Carter's room. No luck. Made the chair-chaise in his room into a bed with blanket and pillow. No luck. Tonight, after a total of 9 hours of sleep in 24 hours (he usually gets about 14) we let him scream it out. Surprisingly, thankfully, it took less than ten minutes (his voice is hoarse today b/c I've tried to let him cry it out each time he went into his crib the past few days). He's been asleep now for about an hour. We'll see how this holds up.
• Something in the computer is preventing us from downloading pictures from the memory stick from our camera. For now, you can't see the cute pictures from Erik and Carter's first days of school.
• It's hard to sew straight lines. I'm taking a quilting class and, as the youngest by no fewer than 30 years, I have not only the disadvantage of less experience, but NO experience sewing. Ripping seams stinks. But I'm getting better. Carter said today that he likes how my seam ripper feels in his hands. Wish I could say the same.
• The other day Carter and I came to wake Mason from his nap (in our bed, no less). He didn't have a shirt on and was covered by the blanket up to his belly button. Carter tiptoed in, gently climbed onto the bed and just peered at Mace. He turned to me and said, "Mom, this is what it's going to be like when the baby comes!" Yep, we're having a wee babe. Due in March. Gender available to us October 6 (day after ET turns 31). After this hoopla with Mason sleeping we're sort of left wondering what in the world we've done. But, then Carter melts my heart with a comment or Mason sits on my lap and just caresses my arms, cheeks and nose with his pudgy Macey fingers.
• Letting Mason sleep in our bed has put us in a frustrating spot. But, gosh, do I just adore having him close to me, laying still, breathing softly. Precious. Bring on the babies.