17 months

Wow.  Where did June go?  Didn't I just do their 16 month post?  How does time pass so quickly?  I found myself becoming hesitant with the babies.  Fearful to welcome each new accomplishment of theirs.  Reluctant to share in their triumphs, knowing that I would only witness their first step one time.  Their first haircut one time.  As each first was approaching I became overwhelmed, knowing that I would never get that moment back again.  And then one night as I was putting them to bed and they curled their fingers around mine as their laughter tinkled like bells in my ears, I realized what a ride this is.  And how blessed I am to be on it.  The mere fact that I have been chosen, trusted to witness the miracle of their growth, humbles me and enchants me.  The future is theirs...and I am privileged to be able to participate.
Beckett has begun talking much more.  He will repeat words for us.  His newest words are: flag, fish, pop, drive.  And while he doesn't necessarily sound like a scholar, I understand him :)  He still loves fruit, especially cranberries.  His newest obsession is a toy truck that he can push around...all over the house.  He has mastered climbing both up and down the steps, yet has no interest in walking.  He has learned how to give kisses. He will lean his little face into mine, look into my eyes, give me that wide gap tooth grin and kiss me. He loves to sit in my car and "drive."  He loves going to the pool, but prefers to be on my hip if he is in the water :-).  He is teething and unfortunately he is getting all four of his molars in at the same time.  This month he has become a little more independent.  He will explore areas in the house, or play with toys by himself for a short time span before he comes looking for his momma, (who quickly scoops him up into her arms).

Blake has taken a few more steps.  Seven steps to be exact.  And he gets quite proud of himself.  It is so shocking to me, when I walk back into the room and see him standing up.  Just standing and grinning like the Cheshire cat.  He is not nearly as vocal as Beckett, but he is very good at signing.  He can sign: belly, milk, more, all done, up, and monkey.  He still loves playing ball and will scream his bloody head off if he sees one and I don't get it for him.  Just this past week, he has learned how to go up steps, but then he gets stuck, and can't get back down.  He absolutely loves the water and will stick his face into any fountain :-)  He loves to swing and will actually say, "wwwweeeeee"  anytime we pass a swing.  One of the funniest things that happened this month was when we were putting the babies to bed.  Chris was holding a ball and Blake pointed to it and said his word for ball, "giye."  Chris told him it was a BALL.  They both argued their point back and forth until it was a screaming match.  BALL versus GIYE.  But Blake didn't back down.  In fact, he won.  Maybe he will be an attorney :-)

"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."

Abraham Lincoln