9 months

Today the twins turned 9 months (these pictures are from the 9 month "photo shoot" we had today). It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. At the same time, it's hard to believe that it took so little time for them to grow and develop into the little people they have become. Where did our little babies go? Here are some of the things they've been doing of late.

Allie, as you know, is crawling - which has branched out into so many different things very quickly. The most difficult (for mommy) is her skipping her naps to practice her balance and control (and babble incessantly while doing so). Yesterday I went in (after Ryan had already napped and woke up) to find her lying sideways in her crib, with her feet hanging out, and with no socks (one was tossed aside in her crib, the other was lying on the floor). Also, I could tell she had tried to drag a penguin that sits near her crib inside because her bumper was pushed down and the penguin was askew...with his head leaning toward the crib like someone tried to yank it thorugh the slats...and she just giggled!

Ryan has started having conversations. None that you can actually understand, but if you ask a question he will grunt a response. Occassionally, you will get more than a grunt, but he is usually very concise with his answers. He will also often ask a question (he does the rise in inflection at the end of his babble) and then look at you and wait for an answer. I have no clue what schemes of his I have possibly consented to, but I truly enjoy our daily "conversations."

Allie, my acrobat, has started pulling herself up on her knees. Today, when I came in to get her from her nap (this time she had slept a little at least) she was on her knees, holding onto the slats of her crib, trying to pull herself up. With a little help, she easily pulls to a standing position and has really incredible balance. Since she was tiny I have said she was my dancer - she is always holding her body in perfect dancing positions - and her current balance and body control are proving me right!

Ryan is not so interested in crawling. I do not doubt for a second that he can (in fact, today I took Allie to the living room and he was in their room - because he doesn't crawl, so I could leave him for 30 seconds - and when I got back he was playing with the football...which I know wasn't near the toys he had...so how did he get it?), but he doesn't seem to want to. He will grab onto anything (usually me) to pull himself up to...jump. As soon as he's old enough, we are getting him a trampoline! Another reason Ryan isn't interested in crawling - he is an expert at snagging toys from his sister as she crawls by!

They are becoming more and more independent with their eating, and we do at least one meal a day that completely consists of finger foods. Allie loves this and readily eats (and smooshes) all the food I put in front of her (meanwhile, she often refuses food on a spoon). Ryan, who doesn't seem to like messy hands, will only eat dry solids (puffs, yogurt melts, etc.). Anything sticky or smooshy he refuses to touch. He will take anything from a spoon, however!

Books are a favorite. They love to sit with books and turn the pages. In fact, if they are fighting over something, it is usually a book! The other day they were playing in the play yard and I watched as Allie pushed a book (from the opposite end of the play yard) over to Ryan. They sat with the book in between them and looked at the pictures (it was one of those first word books with lots of pictures of animals). Until someone decided that they wanted to control the turning of the pages. Suddenly it was a tug of war (with only about an inch of free space between them and the book...so they didn't have to tug far). I ended up having to take the book away. But the few moments of sharing were precious.

They love to "get" each other. Granted, this is currently only possible with mommy's help. They think it's the funniest thing when I hold one and help them "get" each other (move them close enough that they can grab the other with their arms...and then pull them away once everyone is giggling). I think, when they are both mobile, this will be a fun game - one I wish they hadn't started.

Teeth are starting to pop through - which means everyone is miserable. Today was one of the worst days - orajel, tylenol, frozen teething toys - nothing worked. But the teeth will come in and we will survive! Their 9 month clothes barely fit so they've moved into the 12 month clothes. The clothes are a little long (which makes for some funny crawling incidents), but at least we'll get a little extra wear out of them! They are suddenly ready for a whole bunch of new foods (egg yolks, asparagas, cheese...they can eat like big people!). I can't wait to start making more yummy meals for them - and being able to have them eat the same thing we are (with a little planning this is totally possible now!) My babies are growing up! So happy, but also so sad!