What's That?

Today, Charlotte started pointing to things and saying, "What's that?" She did this numerous times while looking at books & magazines. It was "What's that?, What's that?, What's that?, What's that?" repeatedly. I think it is great that she has become so inquisitive. I have a feeling that this is the beginning of Charlotte asking many, many questions. Let's hope I have all of the answers.

My favorite "What's that?" of the day was when Charlotte watched as Ben got his diaper changed. She pointed to his penis and said, "What's that?" Her first discovery of one of life's many mysteries...

In other news, tonight Charlotte managed to get her feet & legs in her footie pajamas and partially zip them up all by herself.

Nothing new to report in the pee department. Both Hazel & Charlotte have sat on their potties, but no peeing has taken place.

Potty Time

Hello Blog. I haven't seen you for a very long time. I didn't mean to abandon you. I blinked, and then a year went by. Hopefully, I'll find the time to write some posts describing some of the past year's important events. For now, in an effort to start the new year off right, I am here to document a momentous occasion for Charlotte. She peed in the potty for the first time tonight!

Here's how it happened. Ante put Charlotte in the bath. She said she wanted to get out because she had to go potty. So, Ante sat Charlotte on her little yellow potty, and she actually peed. We were all very proud, especially since she didn't pee in the bath! We aren't planning to start potty training anytime soon, but this is certainly an important first step in that direction.

Not to be outdone, Hazel then wanted to pee in her potty. But I had just changed her wet diaper. So, there really wasn't any pee to be peed. Hazel did manage however to squeeze out a couple of drops. We praised her for the effort.

A Historic Day

I've been terrible about updating this blog. However, from this day forward, I am going to endeavor to post regularly. And today is a auspicious day to renew my blogging efforts. Hazel took her first steps today! I was in the kitchen making dinner, and Hazel & Charlotte were playing on the kitchen floor. I heard Hazel laughing. I turned around and saw her take a few steps. She was beaming and giggling with delight. Charlotte also thought it was a pretty neat trick and was laughing. Hazel did it again & again and managed to take at least 4 or 5 steps in a row before plunking down on the floor. I can't wait to see how far she can walk tomorrow.

Today was also a historic day because Barack Obama was inaugurated as our 44th president. We watched the inauguration together as a family. Ante & I were so moved & inspired by the momentous occasion. Hazel & Charlotte weren't so interested. They won't remember it, but at least they got to witness the historic event. I hope their world will truly become a better place. We're stepping into a bright future...

A Rocky Start

Charlotte & Hazel experienced their first earthquake today. It was a 5.4, and the epicenter was in Chino Hills. It occured at approx. 11:45 am. We were outside at the Americana at Brand attending the Kids Club on the Green free live entertainment. The Groovy Fools were performing.

Even though the earthquake was fairly strong, C&H didn't notice it all. Charlotte was asleep in the stroller. Hazel was on my lap. She probably just thought I was bouncing my leg. They didn't even blink an eye. As far as Hazel was concerned, it could have been completely normal that the large gold statue was swaying.

Now that they have been in an earthquake, they are true native Californians.

All I Want Are My Two Front Teeth

Charlotte's two front teeth came in today. She now has four teeth. Several more to go...

Sisterly Love

Tonight, while we read books to Hazel & Charlotte before they went to sleep, Charlotte sat on Ante's lap. Hazel sat on my lap, right next to Ante. Charlotte leaned over and put her arm around Hazel as though they were a happy couple. Charlotte then buried her head in Hazel's shoulder and sucked her (Charlotte's) fingers.

It was the sweetest thing. I wish one of us could have taken a photo, but it would have ended the moment.

I think Charlotte & Hazel are going to be best friends. I am so happy for them that they have each other, and I hope they go through life warmly embracing each other.

Rolling Over

Hazel rolled over for the first time yesterday. She went from her stomach to her back. She did it again, just once, today.

She seemed excited by her accomplishment, but I think both times were lucky accidents. She doesn't quite know yet how to do it again. Hazel does try however. While on her back, she gets really far over on her side, but she hasn't figured out how to propel herself over to her stomach yet. She has even started sleeping on her side.

Once Hazel masters the technique, I bet she is going to start rolling all over the place.

And we're still waiting for Charlotte to roll over again. She too is really close. Any day now she'll be doing it routinely.

Hazel's 2nd Tooth

Hazel's 2nd tooth made its appearance today. It was her bottom middle left tooth.

Hopefully, this means we will soon get a break from teething woes.

A Banner Day

Many exciting things happened today!

Hazel got her first tooth. Her bottom middle right tooth appeared. I think that it is really interesting that Charlotte & Hazel got their first teeth within a few days of each other. I wonder if their other physical milestones will happen at approximately the same time. We'll have to wait and see.

In other big news for Hazel today, while on her tummy, she managed to scoot herself forward approx. 12 inches in order to reach a toy that she wanted. It took considerable effort, but she was very determined to find a way to reach the toy. If she can accomplish this already, I suspect that she'll be an early crawler.

Charlotte had a big day too. She rolled over for the first time. She rolled from her tummy onto her back. She looked surprised and happy when it happened. I could tell that she knew that she had just done something pretty cool. (My enthusiastic "hooray" probably also clued her into this fact.)

And Charlotte's second tooth appeared yesterday. The new tooth is her bottom middle right tooth.

Hazel and Charlotte are just a couple days away from turning 5 months old. Yet, technically, if they had been full-term instead of preemies, they would have just turned four months old on May 15th. We think they are doing great for their age.

First Tooth

Charlotte got her first tooth today at just 4 1/2 months old. It is her lower middle left tooth. Guess there was a good reason for all of that drooling and bursts of crankiness.

Hazel also appears to be teething, so I expect she'll get her first tooth any day now too.