Books and Other Stuff

The babies have always loved books, but they're really getting into looking at the pictures and pointing things out. I still can't sit and read an entire book (all 6 pages!) without Ella taking the book from me. I'm afraid that they will think that all stories are cliff hangers-- haha! =) Whether they're listening to me or not, I've always found it important to read to them. And having been a teacher, they're definitely not short in the book department!

Ella with more than one book. Surprised?
Buddy searching through one of the book drawers.

Did you know that they also double as a toy?

Is happy as can be just sittin' around with mommy and sissy.

I asked Ella where the chicks were and here she is pointing to them.

And then quickly moved on to the next book...

She also loves her bible stories! =)

It's so fun to watch the babies play with their toys too. Both Ella and Evan will drive their cars/trucks around on the ground and make "car" sounds. It is so cute to watch! =) Toy inventing is a new favorite too. They like to take their toys and create a brand new one with the two existing ones-- pretty funny and cute to watch. They love to play with the pop up toy where they have to either turn the knobs, press the button, or flip the switch and the animal pops up. They both like to push them all down, but Ella likes to open them. She opens 3 out of the 5. They both like to press anything that has buttons. They have a teapot toy that plays music if they press the button, a couple of books that also play music when the buttons are pressed, etc. This also includes the garage door when we come back from being "bye-bye". =) Evan is infatuated with lights and wants ALL lights turned on ALL THE TIME! He's out of control. I have no idea what's wrong with that boy. He must get it from his daddy that LOVES all types of flashlights. He, too, is out of control. =)

Here's one of Ella's favorite "new" toys she likes to make. She methodically picks out a combination of toys and then likes to carry it around with her. She gets so excited to show it to you, but obviously, it easily falls apart and she gets really frustrated that the ball (or whatever other toy that's in it) falls out. Poor Bean. :(

As far as talking goes, Ella is much more vocal that Evan. Evan still does a lot of grunting and what sounds like whining when he "talks". He points all day long and communicates by doing that or actually going to the item that he wants. For instance, he now goes over and waits at his chair when he wants to eat. It's so cute to see him point at it and then crawl over and wait for me to put in it. Ella continually says daddy or dada when Greg walks into the room, but really only says mama when she's crying and upset. Instead, she chooses to say "dog". She points to dogs on t.v. and when we're over at their auntie's house and points to their dog and says "dog". It is really cute. My sister will yell at the dog to get away from the babies while they're eating and Ella will point to the dog and yell "dog, dog!" very sternly. It is SO funny! But most of the time, it just sounds like she speaking very fast Chinese, with the best facial expressions! =) Even though they don't say a lot, they understand a lot. I feel like they understand most of what I say and what I ask for. It's amazing how much they learn in such a short period of time.

We still work on baby signs. Ella will do a few while Evan prefers to just grunt until he gets what he wants. Hmph. Hopefully, they'll get the hang of it soon! =)

Just wanted to update my blog with this information so I wouldn't forget what happens at what age. It helps keep me organized! =)