14 Months Old!

This week was full of play times, outdoor times, singing, reading books, and much love and fun. Here are the faces from this past week.

Claire lounging on their chair with her juice and blanket. Chloe sitting on her heels very intent on something

Ready for a walk. Chloe, all smiles.

Happy toddlers.

We notice how much the girls understand when you talk to them. In the following pictures, which aren't too clear, I told Claire to take Papa his diet coke. She promptly took the bottle and carried it into the other room stopping once to put it down and rest. She was very pleased with herself when that task was completed. Today I was in the church nursery for a little while with the girls, and it was interesting how Claire would put out her arms to try and catch a ball. They certainly mimic the adults that are around them. Makes us want to be very careful. :):)

Enjoy your week!

Life in the Toddler Lane

We experienced some beautiful weather this past week and on one of those days Claire, Chloe and Grandma took a walk to the University campus. It was spring break for the students so the grassy areas were available for Claire and Chloe to explore.

Later, at home, Chloe gave some extra love and kisses to her little doll. It is so precious to watch her smooch her little baby. Claire is shown "just passin' by" Grandma's camera.

Here they are sharing their chair, and the last little film clip shows them in their Hawaii t-shirts that Uncle Jon brought them. I thought they looked very cute. If I were to title the film, it might be called "Chloe Giveth and Chloe Taketh Away".

Babies Reading, Babies on the Move!

I just checked my email and this sweet picture was there for me, taken from Jon's IPhone. He visited Claire and Chloe today and I suspect, from the expressions, that they were being just a bit "coy" with him, using Mommy as their shield. Not unusual at all. He also reports they they wanted to play with the phone so they took additional pictures and downloaded some Elmo music. I'm sure Uncle Jon will enjoy that himself. :) Here is another shot of Claire.

Here is Uncle Jon with Chloe from last weekend. They are reading a book together.

This shot of Claire makes her look so grown up and so relaxed in her chair.

Next Chloe had a turn in the chair and spent quite a while looking at books.

If I have learned anything at all recently, it was that it is going to be harder to take pictures now that they are constantly on the move. The girls spent one day at our house this week. Great-Grandpa Ove was here as well and brought them beautiful engraved necklaces with their names and 1st birthday date on each. The girls will cherish these, I know. The bad news is that I didn't get a photo of them with him. They were both quite shy around him and besides they were very, very, busy investigating Grandma's house. I must do some additional baby-proofing! Here is one, not so good, picture of them playing in and around the porta crib/playpen that they used as little babies to sleep in when here. They were fascinated with it and wanted in and out of it several times. They had such fun.

We also played outside in our front yard but I learned from that experience that we must have "one on one" when we don't have a fenced yard. They moved so fast and explored things in opposite directions of course.

Enjoy your week. I am looking forward to the challenge of getting more and better pictures.

Goodbye to Hawaii, Hello to Home and Family!

Here are the sweet little faces we returned to in California.We were so happy to see them again. Even in one week they have grown and changed. Chloe's walking had improved so much and she is now officially a toddler! Here she is below.

Not long after this film was taken I put the girls' shoes on. They haven't worn them too many times and apparently are still getting used to the "feel". It is hilarious how they march around. Examples below, first Claire, and then Chloe joins in. I believe Chloe was saying, "march, march, march", don't you think so?

Chloe did a little experimenting with their toy grocery cart in this picture. It is a pretty small little space, but she managed to climb in.

They have a darling new little overstuffed chair of their very own. Here they each take a turn. Claire loves to play with blankets, putting them over her head and walking (stumbling) around. That is what she had been doing just before I sat her in the chair. Chloe gives her special smile as she takes her turn.

The girls love to stand on the couch and look out the window. They jump and squeal and get totally excited. I'm not sure what it is all about but they seem to both understand the fun.

I love it when we sometimes get to stay with the babies on Saturdays. Papa often comes along and Aunt Suzie almost always comes over. Today's outing was to McDonalds. Chloe ate like a trooper, chicken Mcnuggets, milk, and maybe a french fry or two. Claire nibbled some, but mostly just enjoyed the "goings on" around her. She loved to pick up a french fry and drop it on the floor. Here you see Papa and the girls. After lunch, Aunt Suzie, Claire and Chloe and Grandma took a walk.