What we are doing

When we returned home from the beach, I immediately felt like the babies had grown well more than a week's worth while we were gone. They go longer between naps now. For example, when we left, they were going down for their morning nap at 8:00, now they make it until almost 9:00.

Also, the babies were mobile and crawling when we left for the beach, but the first morning we were home they all struck out, one behind the other, and made a lap around our house. This is now something they do most mornings. Elliott usually leads the way, moving out in front and then turns around to make sure Lucia and Mazie are following.

H has also commented that they are playing independently for longer periods of time. They don't need others to amuse them as much.

Before we left for the beach they would make one another laugh every so often. Now, everyday several times one will make another one laugh. This is the favorite part of my day right now.

These changes have been so pronounced that I wonder if our trip made the babies develop quicker. Perhaps they gained more confidence. Maybe it was the exposure to new people and toys and sites.

Here are some of the things the babies are doing right now:

Lucia


This past week Lucia has really taken to standing and sitting back down. She has really gained confidence and practice with this skill. With NanaLin last week she even let go, standing up by herself for a second or two.

Lucia also has a new smile. She is smiling all the time now. She shows off her teeth by scrunching her whole face up. It would make you smile to see it.

One change is that she has become a rather messy eater. She used to be our clean girl. Now she really loves to get her hands into it. Food ends up throughout her hair and all over her clothes and face.

Elliott


Elliott loves to bite people. It is becoming a problem. It hurts (yes I have been a recipient too). I am not really sure what to do about it. He seems to find it funny.

Elliott is good at making his sisters laugh. They think he is very funny. I have observed his getting them to laugh two ways. One is by laughing himself. The other, while sitting facing one of them, is by lunging his face toward their face. (He has yet to head-butt them.) They think this is hilarious, and it is very fun to watch.

Mazie


Mazie loves to graze. She will pick up anything off the floor and put it in her mouth. Usually this just consists of Cheerios. The craziest thing I've taken out of her mouth--twice--is a piece of banana pepper. She was very much enjoying it and didn't like me taking it away from her.

Mazie is also our clapper. Since before we went to the beach she has been clapping away. It is her favorite thing to do. She'll clap if we clap, but mostly she claps on her own. This wasn't a skill I was working with her on, she just started doing it one day. My favorite is when she just breaks into clapping when she is sitting by herself. It makes me wonder what she is thinking about.

When standing, Mazie is also starting to let go. She does it for a very brief second. To watch her, you can really tell she is practicing her balance. She usually does this when she is holding on to me. She will let go for a second and then grab back on. She is very steady.