This is Ed's mullet.

This is Ed's former mullet.

Yes, 22 months and three days later, it's finally time for Edward Kenyon's first haircut. I use the term almost literally, as it was only a few hairs that met with the scissors, but it was necessary. As our humid summer evaporated into cool, crisp, dry fall, nature's curling iron is on hiatus and it has become increasingly apparent that there was just a little too much "party in the back" for this straight-laced non-NASCAR-watching family. And it was most pronounced in a very public place--at the park where the combination of plastic slides and a fleece jacket brings enough static electricity to really have the strands on end. So after tonight's bath, John did the honors. Just two or three snips, but we think we've restored some order.

This was low-key compared to the weekend's real excitement--a visit from Aunt Nora! She is quite adept at all things toddler, from literary choice to hide-and-seek, to early wake-up calls. John and I got to "sleep in" (past 7) since Nora volunteered to take the early shift. Not that she had much choice--sleeping on the couch means rising with the first alert. She says she's so well programmed by her work schedule that she was up before Ed called for her at 6:20 this morning. I know she made it back to Chicago without falling asleep, so I'd say the whole endeavor was a success and would encourage as many return visits as possible! Ed agrees--several times this afternoon/evening he looked up from his activity with a quizzical "No-wah?"

Tonight I got to hold a tiny newborn--so small and precious I could hardly believe she was in my arms. The daughter of two good friends, she was born Wednesday, about four weeks early, and weighs just under six pounds. They came home from the hospital yesterday, and I had been planning to bring dinner this evening. They called this morning and asked if they could also borrow any of our smallest baby clothes--smaller than the 0-3 month size she was swimming in. I remember trying to put that size on Edward when he was first born--not a good fit. Luckily there are a few "newborn" and"premie" sizes in our assortment so those are on loan now, but I predict she'll be done with them by Thanksgiving. It's amazing how fast they grow, but at least that helps explain why it's so hard to remember them this tiny. Well, that and the sleep deprivation. Can't wait for January!