Happy 9 Months!

As of 9.11.11, the twinkies are 9 months old!

Here is what we've been up to lately...

Jake:

19 lbs

28"

On the move! Jake is officially crawling (no more belly scooting) since about 8.5 months.

Also, he is pulling up on everything. Thankfully, he is getting better at purposefully falling on his toosh, so we're bumping the head less and less. He has started to attempt, "Look, Ma (or anyone nearby), no hands!" (He gets very proud of himself with every small, or big, task he masters...I love watching him.) He has made it up to five seconds before falling (gracefully) on his bum. ;)

He now has 6 teeth that are visible...2 on the bottom, and 4 up top!

Charlie:

16 lbs, 6 oz

27 1/2"

This boy is a talker! (Though, we are not surprised since he's been telling stories since he came out of the womb.) He says "mama" and "dada" daily, and more and more often we are pretty sure he says them to mama or dada. We also *think* he has made efforts to say ball, or "ba....ba," doggie, or "og," and cracker, or "cah-ker." I realize that I am probably just a gushing mom here, but others have told me they think they have heard him say these things, too. Granted, they are gushing grandmas, but still. ;)

This month, Charlie started playing a great game of "ball." We sit facing each other, and I roll a ball to him saying, "Ball to Charlie!"..."Ok, now ball to mama!" And...after a few seconds of trying to figure out how to get those hands to push, swat, or drop/roll the ball back, it usually comes back my way!

He is waving (full arm style) and shaking his head "no"...though not in order to say "no"...but it does make for some funny conversations. "Are you ready for a nap, Charlie?" To which he shakes, "Noooo" with a silly grin.

The little guy is also getting the hang of getting dressed. He now pushes his arms through as soon as I get them started in the sleeves, and then he helps pull his shirt down over his head.

Both Boys:

We're adding more and more to our finger food adventures all the time. Jake is in a bit of a mushy food protest, but I'm guessing it is a phase. They've ordered their first meals from a restaurant - a freebie stir-fry bowl at Flat Top grill, and some chicken (which mom ate), applesauce and green beans from Glory Days. Rice, a bit of chicken, and a few veggies! They definitely only nibbled, but it was fun to have their "own" bowl.

Reading is getting more and more fun all the time. They are currently loving their animal sounds book, (thanks Auntie C.!), and get so excited anticipating turning the pages to see what sound the fuzzy duck makes today! They help turn the pages and squeal in delight when the mystery is revealed.

Still napping twice each day. They have started sleeping in a bit later *insert Hallelujah chorus here* so naps are usually around 10 AM and 2 PM.