Not to be Outdone: Audrey August 2012

There is no name for the emotion shown in the top two.
The others are either very nice of her, or pathetic.  The last is actually from this summer at Uncle Eric and Aunt Jodie's house, but who is counting when the shot is that flattering.

The Faces of Henry August 2012

For added future embarrassment:  topless!
2026:  Rubberfaced Boy Lands Lead in Bill Clinton Musical!

Classic Photo Scheme

Ha ha ha ha ha!  Little kids....big shoes....Ha ha ha!  Oh, it never gets old!  Har har ho ho heee hehe.  OK, maybe it does.  Still.

Big Sister

Olivia is a great influence on her brother and sister.  They imitate her constantly, maybe involuntarily.  In return, she threatens to put them in jail for taking her toys and not sharing/giving their own to her.  But since they are up in a bigger kid room at school now, and maybe because she will be leaving their school soon, she is more protective of them too.   In the picture at top, she models good behavior at the dentist, getting xrays.  She was as nervous as they were, and had never had them before, but had to maintain the big sister role and be brave and knowledgeable.  Pretty typical stuff.  In truth, I think she is starting to appreciate them more because they can play with her in a more active and mature way.  At times I think Henry is more like Olivia than Audrey, in his sensitivity, performance ability, extremely loud voice, desire for attention, but the lower picture would seem to show Audrey as the more...theatrical?  Maybe they all give as good as they get?  I look forward to collecting more data.

Nice Pictures from April and May, Henry

The shirt-and-tie were from Business Dress Day at school.  I dressed like him too.  But he looks more like Angus Young.

Just some pictures from April and May, Audrey

Then On Up Into Beds...

Didn't wait but a couple months and we're trying out toddler beds. 
They got to choose their own colors.

Get Out of Those Cribs

Just about a month ago now, we took the mattresses out of the cribs and put them on the floor.
Instant big kid beds. Safe for trialing such vital progress as Staying In Bed All Night Without Mechanical Prevention.
So far, so good. About every 3rd night, Audrey sneaks in to our room between 4 and 6:00. But that isn't unappreciated by Mom and Dad. It's just when Olivia has done the same, it gets a bit crowded, but Dad is usually out by 5:30 at the latest.
Henry sleeps well, once he gets asleep. He has Mommy's circadian rhythm of being alert later and sleeping in. He is also most likely to be found having rolled out of the bed, or to be sleeping feet up on wall, head at foot, on stomach with arm behind back, and other sleep pilates positions.
The three kids all verbalize a desire for bunk beds. We go to furniture stores and "try" each of them on the top bunk. Then they don't want bunk beds. Until the next day, when they say they want bunk beds again. Are they simply misunderstanding what the bunk bed configuration is?
We continue to oscillate between trying all 3 in the same room, girls together, current state, or all three in separate rooms. Will likely continue this debate for the next 15 years.

No More Pleases

This is what Henry and Audrey called their pacifiers, which were sent to the North Pole with Santa on Christmas Eve, for redistribution to the other babies of the world. As Henry and Audrey didn't need them anymore. Maybe one night with a few tears, I think it was the 26th, but they've been great without them since. Great, meaning it takes a lot longer for them to wind themselves down for sleep. More dancing, talking, singing in their cribs. I think the cribs are the next to go, with Audrey becoming toilet-capable soon. Still, lots of change in a month for Audrey especially, though H may have been a bit more pacifier-dependent?
We're very proud of both of them for their maturity and sacrifice.
In their honor, some pictures of Silly Face At The Dinner Table Night.

Audrey in Training!

The biggest news this week is that Audrey has gotten pretty consistent with using the potty at home and at school! She may have accidents, and her diaper is still wet in the morning, but she has had a few days at school with no accidents and multiple #2's on the toilet. We are extremely proud. Last child in diapers, fading fast. Hallelujah. There, I just jinxed her.
Much of this came after a few weekends of letting her walk around the house without pants and with a potty chair always nearby, like this one in the living room. I'll spare her more of those pictures online.
We're very proud of her, as she is of herself.