Moving on Up

Alexandra learned to climb the stairs last night. She is proficient at going up; not so much at coming down. Annellice can go up one step if motivated, but isn't particularly interested in climbing them all.

Annellice learned to stack blocks last night. Alexandra likes to throw them and knock the stacks down.

Lots of sounds are coming from their cute little mouths. The special, secret language has also begun. The search for each other through a series of grunts and sounds, and appear to carry on full conversations that ultimately evolve into giggles and activity.

While Annellice is stronger and can take toys at will, Alexandra is a bit quicker and sneakier. The other day I was in the kitchen and I heard a series of laughter and crying. When I looked into the living room, Alexandra had stollen a binkie from Annellice. Alexandra would crawl away laughing and turn to see where Annellice was; Annellice was crying and chasing Alexandra. Alexandra would crawl further away, then wait for Annellice to chase again. When Annellice wouldn't chase any more, Alexandra turned around and threw the binkie back at Annellice. It was all quite comical.

Birthday Cake

Gwynne and I took on the challenge of making the girls' cake(s) this year. Thinking I was being helpful and starting the cakes while Gwynne was busy with work and the girls were down for a nap I mixed, measure, and poured. As it turns out I jumped the gun and made two thicker 8" cakes to stack. Gwynne wanted to make two different cakes, one for each girl.

To further challenge us, what is seen as the top layer, did not come out of the pan well. Gwynne had to cut it down and shape it to make the top of what now is a tiered cake. It all worked out in the end...girls didn't care what it looked like or if there was one or two.

Happy 1st Birthday!

It is impossible to believe that it has been a year already since these two turned this couple into a family. It feels like only yesterday that we were making twice daily trips to the NICU to watch over our little ones...not that I want those days back again. We were saddened Saturday night forcasting that in only 4 or 5 short more they'll be going to school; in 17 short more they're off to college (they better be); and in many more mar...never mind.

Right now we cherrish each day of their activity as they crawl about. The newest faccination for Annellice is climbing atop the fireplace hearth. Alexandra, on the other hand, looks at her as if "what's the big deal?" because Alexandra mastered that skill about 30 days ago. One trick that Annellice has just started, and Alexandra has yet to catch on to, is standing up with hands atop one end of the couch and walking down to the other end using the cushions as balance.

They aren't much for talking yet, though they can both string together Da - Da - Da - DaDa every once in a while. From what I understand Alexandra is better at this and will occasionally do it when questioned about "who is coming home?" or "who had to go to work?".

Their ability to mimic has been a source of great pleasure for me. When I get them up in the morning we usually play a while in their room before heading down for breakfast. I will have them alternate between blowing raspberries and lip smacking just by initiating each once, alternately. They pick right up where I leave off and think it is a great time. They will also clap if you show them how. Alexandra gets both hands into the action, where Annellice leaves the left hand stationary and slaps with the right.

More pictures to come once I switch computers to where they are all housed.