New Tricks

The kids are 15 months old today (13.5 months adjusted for their prematurity), and they've got some new tricks. Although Gabe has been beginning to take a few shaky steps and stand unassisted, he thinks the best new way to get around (other than walking along the walls) is bear walking. I know, this is not quite a step in the foward direction, but it should only last a week or so, and I think it's cute, don't you? Gabe's other recently developed skills include putting his floor puzzle together, putting pegs in the peg board, and his newest and favorite word "light." This is one of 20 words that Gabe says, but it is getting by far the most use. He points to the light sockets, fixtures, and switches and gives them this label "lai". His newest sign language word is "computer", which he signs by typing with his fingers. Ari's latest trick is awesome! She is holding and drinking from her sippy cup independently, when laying down. She could do it sitting up, but she can't get it tipped quite high enough without help. Reclining, however, it's like she's an old pro. I am so proud of her! Ari also LOVES the pool. She sits in her float and kicks her legs, propelling herself foward. Then she outstretches her left hand to splash under the waterfalls. She gets tons of water in her face in the process and smiles through it all. She could do that all day long -- which is good, because she probably will when we go on vacation! My newest goals for her for when we go on vacation (I think that we've just about decided to take them to the Dominican Republic in July) are to get her eating only regular foods and drinking from the sippy cup. For them both, I think I'll try to move them to one nap. They'll be about 17 months old, and I think that the timing will be right.