LIESEL has not recently started it, she did it as long ago as April, but she has definitely increased her rejection behavior. When she does not want something, more food, or another sippy cup for example, she will swat it away. Place food on her high-chair tray that she does not like, and depending on her mood she removes it by swatting it over the side. If she is feeling magnanimous, she will pick it up and drop it over the side. EJ, on the other hand, simply ignores unwanted bits. He doesn't feel the need to remove the offending piece.
Liesel cares about others. She tries to share her favorite foods with EJ, even going as far as to try and feed him. It melts Dad's heart when she tries to pass her favorite bit over to his tray or when she puts a bit of food in his mouth. He is generally oblivious to her offer. She loves hotdogs (nitrate, nitrite free) and when done engorging on them herself will offer a piece to him or Dad. How can you not love that?
Both EJ and Liesel are practicing using their faces to elicit various responses from Mom and Dad. Liesel in particular has made a few expressions that resemble an extreme seriousness. These expressions are fleeting and Dad never knows when they will come so capturing them is difficult.
EJ has taken to using his mass to bully her. Bigger and stronger, when he sets his sights on something she has, he will take it from her, usually knocking her over in the process. But recently she has figured out that she can take it back. This results in his crying in protest. Dad is not about to referee who had what first or act as judge on equity issues. Life is not fair; get over it.
One of Mom's friends observes that boys are more clingy and needy than girls, hence the friend prefers her all female brood. Her observation of boys is certainly true of EJ, though Dad would use different adjectives like attached and affirmation seeking. Moreover, that is just fine by Mom and Dad. Their arms may fatigue from extended huggy lovey, and it is occasionally inconvenient to hold him while trying to accomplish some tasks, but they love being parents and the intimacy of close contact with him. He'll be asserting his independence all too soon. They make the most of it while they can. Plus, clingy here means EJ literally clings to you. Dad says you can almost let go of him and he wouldn't fall. Let go of Liesel, even a little bit, and she begins to slide down.
Liesel is much more independent, too independent for Dad's liking. Her attitude, much to his consternation, is "I do it myself Daddy" and by herself too. Well sweetheart, Daddy didn't have children simply to provide you room and board while you raise yourself. There will be Daddy guided fun!
EJ now spends more time free toddling than crawling, i.e. no handholds or supporting devices at all. He goes up and down the "race track" usually without falling. He also crawls up on the couch in two swift motions in under two seconds and stays in the safe zone without correction. While on the floor, Dad feels confident enough to leave him unobserved for multiples of seconds at a time. But that is a false security. He knows that the Twins are changing daily and what was safe yesterday may not be tomorrow.
Buggy toddles a bit and usually from hand hold point to hold point, but she finds crawling to be more efficient and so still does that more often. She gets up on the couch with effort and has yet to learn the limits. She immediately heads for the no-safe zones (the end tables) and requires constant, close monitoring. She still wears Thudguard. Every time Dad thinks she may have outgrown it, she goes down hard and in such a way that Dad is grateful she had it on. Her bruise has since receded, but she is not the embodiment of grace.
After nap time and upon awakening in the morning, Buggy runs around her crib trying to get away from Dad. She LOVES being chased. She wants to be picked up and released from her crib space, but the excitement of evading Dad supersedes her the that want.
They usually play well together with a minimum of fuss. They make each other laugh and they love to "talk" to each other. They'll shriek to each other even when they are in separate rooms.
EJ was the first to unload toys from the laundry basket (pressed into service to corral the growing number of toys). And now, just today, he is the first to gather them up and put them into the laundry basket.
Nice.
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