9

Seriously?  Nine.  Friggin'.  Months?  Some days it seems like it was just yesterday that Mom was arriving, expressing her concern over how huge and uncomfortable I looked.  But then, some days, it seems like it was years ago.  Time has both flown by and stood still at once.  Isn't it funny how that happens?  Anyway...


The twins are NINE MONTHS OLD!!  The best part about it is they are really getting fun.  I mean, the work's not over - not by a long shot - but at least there is more joy thrown in the mix.  They are very aware of each other now and play together a lot, even fighting over toys.  He yells at her when she has something he wants and she yells at him when he takes it away from her.  They're both talking a lot now and both continue to develop their own unique personalities.  They still aren't completely sleeping through the night, but we're shifting our focus and are intent on making that happen soon.  I'm tired of being tired.  It is soooo much work having two, but I can almost feel it starting to be fun, so I'm more excited about the months ahead. 

Anaya

Anaya has become pretty scrappy lately.  With Audie on the move, he likes to scoot on over and pick on her, steal her toys or whatnot.  I keep waiting for her to just stand up and chase after him.  But, no.  She seems determined to not move.  We put her on her tummy and put something enticing in front of her and she just screams at us until we either move it or her closer.  It's not because she's not strong enough - she can push up.  She's just not interested.  She remains a diva, screaming when she isn't immediately getting what she wants.  However, in between the screams, she has also learned to give big, wet, sloppy kisses, so we almost forget about the screaming.  Until we ask her to give one kiss too many, in which case we are quickly reminded of the screaming.  She still seems to overreact about everything.  She eats pretty well, but turns her nose up at anything green.  She's all about feeding herself, which has forced me to be creative since they still don't have any teeth.  Some favorites are bananas, avocado, string cheese and crackers.  Anaya loves the bath and gets excited when she sees me filling up the tub.  In the bath, she loves to splash BIG and squeals with delight as the water comes down around her.  She really seems to like the water.  She also loves to play with Adam and her Daddy.  Her eyes never leave Daddy when he's in the room.  She has also made it her responsibility to fatten Rosie up (as if she was hurtin').  Most of what's on Anaya's tray ends up on the floor, and then in Rosie's mouth.  Rosie's not complaining, of course, and really neither am I - I don't have to sweep!  Anaya loves to look in the mirror at herself and enjoys books a little more than Audie.  She also loves to bounce when you stand her up.  Anaya's personality has definitely been a challenge for us, but it's nice to see that she is getting sweeter.

   

Audie

Audie is MOBILE now.  His world just got a lot bigger.  He goes wherever he wants, and especially loves to pick on his sister.  He can just take himself right over to her and grab whatever it is he wants, and make a clean getaway.  Now that he's on the move, we're finding out what he's really like :)  He is already more curious than Adam was and leaves no stone unturned.  He explores everything.  Just today, Alan found him with a trash can of diapers dumped over, his head in the can.  Thankfully, Karina had just emptied that trash, so there was only like two diapers in it.  Also thankfully, he did not figure out how to get in the diapers.  Audie is a mess.  He ventures through the house, leaving a path of destruction.  And he's starting to show the bumps and bruises that come along with being an explorer, as well as just being a boy.  He's a flirt and a sweet-talker already.  He's generally full of smiles and loves to talk.  Lately, though, he has really amped up his temper and I often get an earful from him when I'm trying to get him to do something he doesn't want to do.  He'll just start yelling at me (not crying), shaking because he's so mad.  Then, he follows it up with his same, pitiful cry that makes anyone within ear-shot think I just pinched my baby.  He's got my number.  And yours, for that matter.  Audie loves to chase Rosie around, but I don't think that's a mutually fun game.  He also loves the bath and has been known to attempt to throw himself into the tub as I'm filling it with water.  He especially loves to shove the head of a rubber ducky in his mouth and just leave it there while he enjoys the tub time.  He's crazy.  He loves his big brother and is always trying to get in the middle of whatever Adam has going on.  He's beginning to look a lot like Adam did at this age, too.  We'll consider ourselves lucky if we have another little Adam running around :)  Audie eats well, but is very messy.  He insists on feeding himself and I insist on battling over that, which usually results in flung food.  He also likes to spit food at me, which is particularly nice.  He loves musical toys and isn't so much in to books - just tries to eat them.  His favorite place to be (besides in my arms) is staring out the patio door.  He's loud and fun and is going to fit right in around here.

We'll see you soon!