We interrupt our usual posting schedule for this series of updates.

On prayer requests
1. Lily is still in the NICU, but is up to almost two pounds. Her next step is to transition off the respirator to something whose acronym I don't remember, but the step after that is the cannula which will not keep her in the hospital. Her abdominal problems persist and may require surgery once she's big enough. Prayers still in order.

2. I have reason to believe that the individual concerned in the Oregon flooding is safe and sound, so prayers of thanks are appropriate.

On personal stuff
1. What did we do about the girls' birthdays? We had cupcakes the day of and a very small party the Saturday between. By "very small," I mean grandparents and one friend whose mom I've known since before Madeleine was conceived. Since that little girl is also in speech (like Dale!) we played Chipper Chat instead of the usual party games. And I was relaxed enough to actually enjoy myself for a change.

2. What about that book I was looking for? Turns out we did find it, thanks to my husband picking up that R. L. Stevenson poetry. I was looking for Fairy Tales and Fables, illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa. Thanks to Alibris, now we own it. Somewhere I had an email with the cover but it's gone.

3. How is Maddie doing on her reading? The term I'm looking for is "snowballing fast." At least once a day she comes up with something new. Sunday it was "NO TURN ON RED." And she knew it meant you aren't supposed to go when the light is red.

4. How is Christmas shopping? It's roughly half done, but it's all chosen. We just need to actually order the stuff and wait for Melchior the UPS Guy to do his job.

Did I miss anything? That's what the comboxes are for.