Ten Months

It seems like ten months since we've last blogged, so we've got a lot of ground to cover.   Vivian is crawling all over, has started to cruise, climb steps, and gets into everything.  She likes eating table food, points a lot, and is constantly trying to talk.  She quit her pacifier about 5 weeks back and has started to sleep (almost) through the night!  Hallelujah!

link to all Vivian videos on google+

Spring has been super busy already and the girls are thrilled for daily trips to different parks.  Nina has shown her little sister all the fun things to do and Vivian is very eager to try it all.  

We promise to post again soon with plenty other spring (and supposed spring) pictures!

Different girls

The more Vivian establishes her personality, the more obvious it is that our two girls are very different.  Here are a few ways that come to mind:

• Nina prefers to be cold; Vivian warm
• Nina enjoys sleeping at night and for naps; Vivian dislikes both
• Vivian likes to cuddle; Nina never really has
• Vivian has a cry you can hear 2 floors away; Nina is hard to hear if the door is half-closed
• Nina loves to swim; Vivian isn't a fan (yet)
• Nina loves putting toys in boxes/purses; Vivian enjoys pulling and throwing things out
• Vivian prefers to be held by mama; Nina is a daddy's girl
• Vivian likes to sit and play; Nina has always preferred to be on the go
• Nina is deathly afraid of car horns and blow dryers; Vivian enjoys both
• Nina's clothes are all baggy; Vivian rocks skinny jeans, even if they're regular jeans

Run outside               ------                  Sit inside

The girls are still similar in a few ways, too.  Both like to dance, feed themselves, go on walks, hang out in social settings, and both are fakers (cries, sneezing, sleeping).

Both happy eaters

"Dada"

Vivian has been babbling away the last few days and, as promised, here's what we've got on tape.  The girls had fun on their first wagon ride together.

Nine Months

Vivian has been all over as she turns 9 months.  She wants to crawl, wants to talk, and wants to eat adult food.  She yells, "mama" in the middle of the night, and has started saying "Dada."  We are trying to get videos, but it's tough when Nina is often shouting too.

Nina has been very encouraging of all of Vivian's accomplishments as she yells, "You can do it, I know you can!" "She's talking" and "Way to go, Vivi!"  When too frustrated to try crawling, Vivian does a lot of playing, some dancing, and likes to watch whatever Nina is doing.  Currently Nina is into singing, telling knock-knock jokes, and fake-sneezing.

Google+ link for HD

Easter!

The girls got all dolled up for Easter, although Nina is pretty much all or nothing with her outfits these days anyway (dresses or diapers only).  They have had fun playing with eggs and bunnies and other seasonal things.  We went to the "Minne-hop-hop" Easter Party where Nina played games, saw the Easter bunny, took part in a hunt, saw live animals, and did some arts and crafts.

Nina is in to telling stories and singing songs.  She likes to rally the troops with a classic, "Raise your hand if you want to... go for a walk, read a story, play a game."  Vivian is trying to crawl and will get up on all fours and rock back and forth.  She usually ends up going backwards which infuriates her.  They play pretty well together, but have clearly started going after the toy the other one is playing with, today's toy being Dada's tie at church.  Nina likes to help out as the big sister and do things Vivian cannot.

Spring? Break

Well, we're still full of snow, but there's no work (for ben), so we'll take whatever we can get.  Despite the snow, we went out for ice cream and also went to the zoo and Rock the Cradle with Maggie, Annie, and Adam.  The girls had a fun time, enjoyed some dancing, and played some games.

Vivian has started to clap her hands, wave, and give high fives.  She will now try to share her toys (usually ones she's been sucking on) and put them up to your face.  She still likes music, loved watching the polar bears, has started scooting around, but her favorite thing to watch & play with is still her big sister.