What were those chicks eating?

Today has been a day I have spent wishing I had returned to work. I started out pretty low on patience since I've been sick all week and am still trying to get over it. Emily quickly drained my low reserves this morning when she climbed to the third shelf of the linen closet and pushed all the folded sheets out of her way so she could "sleep" there. After I got her down, she followed up her opening act by climbing to the top of her bookcase and then climbing into Jane's crib so she could investigate her mobile.

And then things started to go downhill. We visited the local ranch supply store so Emily could gawk at the baby chicks. As we were leaving, I noticed a mystery greenish paste on the knees of her pants. I can only assume it was chick poop. We got home just in time for both girls to be hungry for lunch. After changing Emily's pants and considering the best method to remove bird feces from clothing, I fed Emily, fed Jane and figured I could do fine with a cookie for lunch. Then I started in on the hand-me downs. Jane is quickly outgrowing her 3 month sizes, so I retrieved the carefully packed box labeled "6 months" from the basement only to discover that although the clothes looked clean 2 years ago, the residual spit-up has caused an amazing yellowing effect over time. I'm still not sure if it will ever come out.

But as I was reading to Emily before her nap, something happened that made me glad I was at home today instead of at work. Emily and I were sitting on the bed and Jane was laying next to us investigating a toy lamb. She is at that stage where the first thing she wants to do with any toy is to stick it in her mouth. She is getting very good at grabbing things with her hand and getting them in her mouth. That's why I was surprised and elated when she pushed the toy lamb to her mouth with her little arm. Although we have been encouraging her to use her little arm, this is the first time I have seen her use it without any prompting to play with something. I'm glad I'm the one who got to see that. It wouldn't have meant much to a daycare provider, but to me it was another sign that Jane will be okay. And for now, that's exactly what I need.