First Words

Back in early January the babies said their first words: "book" for Hayden and "ball" for Payson and Madison. Though they are all starting to repeat some words here and there, Hayden makes the most complex sounds and has even repeated words such as "football" (on Super Bowl Sunday) and "blueberry." Overachiever! This all makes sense to me as the development specialist we saw in January for our routine check-up said that babies typically start talking a few months after they start walking. This weekend Keith and I were so tickled when Hayden surprised us with saying "hi" when I walked into the room as if she'd been saying it all her life.

Old news now, but the development appointment went great, by the way (despite Hayden having to be stripped down to her diaper outside the car in cold weather with a wind chill of 15 degrees due to her random throw up in the car), and all babies are developing right on schedule. The other big development is that the babies are signing a lot more words these days such as milk, more, eat, book, bath, play, etc. and can point out various parts on their bodies, and ours, such as nose, ear, hair, belly, head, etc. They "help" put on clothes and socks, point at things, help clean up, stack toys, try to help buckle themselves into their high chairs and car seats and do a plethora of things simply to make us laugh, including naughty things that which we are "supposed" to respond with a serious expression and tone.

Payson is in this adorable sorting and grouping stage. If he finds more than two things that are alike he will move them, one by one, from one place to another. For example, small blocks go from on top of the big block to the window sill, down to the floor and back up to the window sill. Plastic rocks go from the dump truck to on top of the piano keys and back down to the piano bench. And, of course, (as pictured) socks go from the window seat to inside the high chair and back to the window seat, well why wouldn't they? All one by one, and the last one never actually gets set down, just tapped and then he redirects it to his new location to start the process all over again. So methodical and so adorably cute.

Payson is going to be really unhappy with me one day for this one but it's just too cute!

More proof that Keith and I do get out every once in a while, this time to our neighborhood Mardi Gras party at the golf club.