10 Months

Much to my surprise, the girls turned 10 months old last week. Double digits. Edging uncomfortably close to a year old.

I’ll add some boring details, but I can sum it all up by saying that they’re amazing.

They laugh, they cry, they chase each other, they give goofy looks. I love wrapping my arms around their little bodies. I love seeing their smiling eyes when they wake up in the morning. I love hearing their squeals and shrieks of delight. Everything about them makes me giddy with love and joy. I never knew  I could love this much.

Feeding

The girls are down to nursing four times a day. We go through five jars of baby food (and I specifically say “we” because man, some of that shit’s pretty tasty) and about 3/4 cup of cereal a day, not to mention slivers of bread with cream cheese, teething biscuits, puffs and Mum-Mums. I occasionally give them bits of what I’m eating. The most exotic thing they’ve tried is spanakopita. They are half Greek, after all.

Really, though, I haven’t pushed the solids super hard. I’m starting to realize that they should probably learn how to eat real people food kind of soon, especially since my boobs are getting tired (that’s a whole different post).

Sleeping

I am incredibly grateful that they still take two decent naps per day. I am incredibly even more grateful that we’re having a good stretch of sleeping through the night again, despite teething and milestones and all that other baby stuff.

Milestones

Things are getting pretty interesting in the milestone department.

Both have been standing unsupported occasionally for a few weeks now, but they’re now practicing it on a daily basis, several times a day. It’s AWESOME. I love love love cheering them on when they let go of something and visibly work their muscles and equilibrium to stand on their own.

One really cool thing that I need to get on camera is that Elise is catching on to hand movements. She’s understanding the motion of clapping, even if she doesn’t get that the hands are supposed to slap together. For her, it’s more like a mushing together of hands and fingers. But she tries.

Also, when they’re done eating solid food, I always tap the bowl, proclaim that it’s empty and then brush my hands together and announce “No hay mas!” — “No more!” Elise is starting to imitate it.

Elise now has six teeth and Althea has five. They’re drooling like crazy again with all the new teeth coming in.

Sizes

They’re in 9-12 month clothes (which are oddly hard to find) and still in size three diapers. They’re weighing in at just over 17 pounds.

Personalities

The girls are both exuberant and full of love and life. But in general, Elise is the more contemplative and serious girl, while Althea has the sense of adventure and abandon.

Elise is more calculated in her endeavors. She might not always be the first at something, but she seems to perfect things first. Althea, on the other hand, bulldozes her way around. If she sees Elise with a toy she wants, she’ll bolt all the way across a room to steal it from her.

Perhaps pictures might tell the story better.

Elise? A little introspective and happy.

Althea? Toys in the attic.