So tired.

El started crying at 5:45 AM this morning. The thing about El is, for the most part, if she wakes up, that's it. She cries and cries and gets so worked up that you're in for at least a half an hour or more. I went in, patted her and she laid back down. I had a feeling she'd freak out if I left, so I laid on the floor for a few minutes, willing either her or me to go back to sleep. It was quiet, I tried to leave, got all the way out to the hallway and then... she noticed. Crying, hiccuping, screaming "Mama, Mama"?? What are you going to do but go back in? El and I sat in the chair for a few minutes, but then Ru woke up too... completely awake and talking once she heard we were up. So... ugh. I turned on the lights and we got started with our day. Normally, I get at least another hour, more likely an hour and a half, more sleep. I am so sleepy. I've been trying to cut down my caffeine intake, but jeez. I've already had two cups of coffee and I think I'll go get a third. 

We may have finally decided on Halloween costumes for the girls. We've been procrastinating on it... ideally, we'd make some creative costumes for them (after jeerleading for the roller derby and doing Mermaid Parade so many years, we feel a little embarrassed not doing something from scratch), but it is not to be this year. Last year, El wore the hat from a bear costume my cousin gave us- this year she's going to wear the whole thing. We put it on her this morning and she loved it, so that overrides my misgivings about wearing the same costume two years in a row! Ru's going to wear El's leopard print coat and a pair of kitty cat ears. They're going to look cute even if they're not the most uniquely dressed. 

The girls' aunt (our donor's sister) comes to visit Tuesday. We are looking forward to her visit... she's a great girl and she loves our kids. I'm feeling thankful for the connections we have.