Thirteen Months!

It seems like Alex and Ari just turned one year old, but already they are 13 months old! Here's our attempt at a picture of both kids sitting on the couch...as you can see, getting both to sit still for even a few seconds is like herding cats: What are Alex and Ari up to at 13 months?

Alex is, as we've been talking about all week, walking. He's become quite proficient in a very short amount of time and takes great pride in toddling around, especially in the presence of his older buddies. He is saying a few words, like "buh" for bus, "boo" for blue, "ba" for ball, and "cah" for car. He understands a lot of what you say to him even though he can't answer quite yet. He knows the sign for "more" and will ask for "more" of his favorite foods: cheese, bananas and ice cream. He LOVES climbing up the stairs (and is very good at it) and knows how to go backwards to get down stairs. Here is Alex on the playground, showing off his new skill:
Ari is getting a little closer to walking, building the confidence to stand on her own a little bit more every day. She is quite the Mommy/Daddy's girl and can be hesitant to go to anyone else, but she's been warming up to Nana quite a bit in the past few weeks and even said "Nana" a couple of times. She says many of the same words as Alex, as well "sh" for shoe, "Ayeh" for Alex and "emo" for Elmo. She makes kissing sounds when you ask her what a fish does. She loves giving hugs, wearing hats, and putting on her socks and shoes. Here's Ari, mugging for the camera, showing off her newest bottom tooth:

As is becomming typical for us, we had a very busy weekend. Saturday Daddy went to coach a soccer game while Mommy stayed home to play with the kids. When he got home, Mommy and Daddy tag-teamed so that Mommy could head out to volunteer at our Parents of Multiples annual convention, which was hosted by our local chapter this year (coincidentally, in the same hotel where Mommy and Daddy had their wedding reception!) Daddy kept the kids busy with a trip to the tot lot and a walk around the neighborhood. When Mommy got home, we all headed over to our neighbors' and good friends' home for a BBQ with six other families. Amazingly, even with eleven adults and thirteen children, the evening was laid-back and enjoyable. Alex toddled around with his big buddies while Ari seemed content to play with all of the new toys. They were both smitten with the newest addition to our neighborhood playgroup, 4-week old Lauren. Alex and Ari had a ball with other kids, thirteen in all! Ari even seems to be developing a little crush with "older man" (18 months old) Andrew. Here is a picture of Andrew giving a (bashful) Ari a hug, and one from tonight on the slide at the tot lot:
This morning Mommy and Daddy attended a brunch for Maccabi USA . A highlight of the event was sitting next to Georghe Muresan, a former basketball player who measures 7'7" tall, and his wife. They were an extremely friendly, unassuming couple despite the fact that Georghe must attract a LOT of attention no matter where he goes (he is the tallest player to ever have played in the NBA, even taller than Manute Bol). Of course Mommy had no idea who he was before she met him (she assumed he was a basketball player but didn't know he also starred in the movie "My Giant" with Billy Crystal). It was also great to catch up with all of our Maccabi friends and to meet new friends, as well.

While Mommy and Daddy were at the brunch, Alex and Ari hung out with Nana and Poppy Jack. Nana took them to the tot lot where they went on their favorite swings and enjoyed the beautiful weather. They didn't seem to miss us one bit!

Daddy hooked up our camcorder to the computer tonight, so Mommy is going to work on uploading some video to our blog. Stay tuned!