Lately

Also a month old picture, one of the first times they climbed up on here.

Just a little update on what the girls are up to at 13.5 months...I feel like there is a lot less notable progress now that they're older, but they are a lot of fun and only getting more so. They crack me up every day.

Talking - not so much. They say a couple of discernable things, and try to say some other things, but mostly don't try very hard (can you say _____? is always followed by the emphatic "dah!"). They have their own versions of "up," "down," "dog," "duck," truck," "toes," "juice" and "shoe" (that mostly all sound the same). They can tweet, quack, and growl. But my favorite is that they respond to questions with emphatic "yeahs" if they want to do whatever I ask - finally some communication other than frantic pointing and signing "please" or "more." They understand everything that's going on, and seem to know what most everything is and everything I'm saying (surprising me sometimes still), they are just taking their time about being verbal. It's getting to the point where I feel like when they start talking, because they do understand so much, it will be in sentences. That's my dream anyway. My new favorite as of yesterday is that I taught them to whisper when I ask them to.

Running - they have finally gotten over their grass hatred, and run with abandon all around the front yard and sidewalk. There's a slight downward slope to get to the sidewalk and Kara loves running really fast down the tiny hill, scaring me that she'll fall every time, though she hasn't yet. They still love when I chase them and love to run around the house peeking at each other around various objects.

Play/Empathy/Imagination - they are getting a lot more into taking care of babies/little people, marching their animals around, giving their people rides on their toys, rocking and hugging them, petting their dog, etc. They still love to offer me their food and drink, but have now started sharing with each other too. A couple weeks ago when Anna was sick and not eating except for when we bribed her with songs, Kara tried to put a blueberry in Anna's mouth so that I would keep singing. Very perceptive and cracked me up. They are starting to play better together and (finally) sometimes sit and read books without chewing them. They are getting really affectionate with each other (hugs, kisses, walking holding hands). They get upset when the other is upset, and today for the first time they both got really upset and wanted me to hug/hold them when I was visibly upset. Oh, and they wear their little beaded necklaces ALL day.

Following directions - they are starting to understand multi-step commands, and "if ___ then ___." That helps.

Teeth - they both have 3 molars through (K has one all the way in) and the 4th coming in, and other teeth coming too. Maybe that's why they are being terrible eaters and sleepers the past few days?