kids latests

the kids are growing up fast.

at 4 weeks, Alice is really starting to look around, and makes steady eye-contact for a while. she's trying her hardest to hold her head up too, and sometimes succeeding. I think it's because she's got a REALLY strong sucking reflex, so when she's perched on my shoulder to cuddle or burp, she's always bobbing her head to try to find food from my neck. she's eating even better these days too.

at 16 months, Caleb's little vocabulary is starting to burst open. he still loves to do animal sounds and has added a few recently. my favorite is his duck quack, although it seems that to him every bird is a duck, or at least every bird quacks. his sheep "baa" is super cute too. he's picked up some more words too(although at this hour I'm having a hard time remembering them). he calls my dad pop-pop, and gives a good attempt at grandma. since he couldnt say "Aunt Lori" she taught him to say "Tia" instead (spanish for Aunt), which he picked up quickly. most of his words are baby talk (besides "apple" which is quite clear), but it's not too hard to figure out what he's saying. he still does his most useful signs too (milk, help, more/again, please).

he loves his various blocks and can do his board puzzles all by himself, and he'll sit for books for a good while. one habit lately is approaching the computer and saying "more," which means he wants a video. and if he doesnt get it right away, he'll start pouting and crying. fortunately he's not too hard to distract with books or toys, but we're working on that whole you-cant-always-get-what-you-want thing. he still loves his baby sister, and is very interested in her. he likes to give her hugs and point out her nose and ears and hat (and he's finally stopped trying to take the hats). grandma is leaving soon, so hopefully he'll adjust well to the new life with a baby but without extra family around.