First Steps!

Well, we knew it was coming: the walking! Hank just took his first four steps. He had been taking a step here and there, but mostly out of trying to avoid falling over. But this afternoon, while both Mark and I were watching, he moved into the world of actual combined steps. He moved towards his stuffed stomach virus toy then again took a few steps to get to Mark. Super exciting! Clara was watching him in his new endeavour for a minute, but then decided she preferred to return to her stand up piano. I suspect she, too, will be trying for a few steps before too long.

Here is a little video of Hank's first steps:

From Walking!!

Playing It Up

These days, the kids are generally a lot better natured than a few months ago. They can entertain themselves for longer periods, as they destroy their playroom. Emptying out each basket of toys is still pretty much their favorite activities. But, they have also figured out the joy of having Mom or Dad pick them up after a fall or when times are a little boring for them.

I once read that a baby's most important job is to play and explore. I can see why. Each day, the kids play with toys they have seen before but attack with gusto anew. We have a tent that the kids love to play hide and seek until they tear it down. This can happen about 20 times a day, but it still elicits squeals of happiness each time.

C&H just got a new music set for their birthday, and they love shaking all the percussion instruments. Do we have future musicians on our hands? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I am still struggling with accepting that they are turning one year this weekend. How fast did that year go? There were certainly moments that proceeded with a slug's pace, but collectively it just passed in a blink of an eye. (Okay, maybe not those moments that first few weeks in the middle of the night.) I love watching them grow, but how I simultaneously miss the tiny babies they once were. Its strange to think this is their second winter, and they are approaching their second Christmas. Amazing.

I took the little ones to enjoy the snow recently. I'm not sure they enjoyed it much, but I loved watchign them try to figure out what the heck the white stuff was.

From Nov. 2008 (11+ months)