theALFORDFive: life with the 5.......

We have some definite catching up to do! Even though we are getting more sleep, we seem more busy than 3 months ago! Good friends have visited, like Earl and Charlotte-the newlyweds, and our good friends the Oranens and the Hixons. Above is Earl with Vanny just before bed.

VPK with Wes Oranen. Van is just about to pull his hair-his signature move.

VPK are really taking notice of each other. They perpetually want whatever the other one has and keep tabs on each others whereabouts.
They both have a great sense of humor and love to be applauded and teased.

VPK are experts at stair-climbing, which is also a favorite spot for Mookie. She has been coming to visit more lately and is perfect with the boys! We are anxious to have her move back, once we get a fence to protect her from the road. I'm not so sure that my mom will want to give her up though!

Our dear friends the Hixsons visited recently with their 2 sons, Briley and Kellar. Thomas brought gifts for the boys, of which PK is sporting his Steeler-colored arm bands.

Tia and PK being silly.

VPK were so enamoured with the "big boys" and followed them around in their little cars.
It was pretty noisy and busy with lots of laughter!

Vanny took his first independent steps on January 31st @ 9.5 months old. He is very determined to move on his feet, many times using PK's head for support. Van now has 5 teeth and has taken a break from teething for a while. He uses lots of pretty chirping sounds to communicate and sticks out his tongue quite a bit. Vanny loves the water-like you can't drag him out! He loves to bounce and loves food. He shovels food in his mouth and will even store it in there after his meal. We've found broccoli trees in his cheek an hour later a few times! Van is almost weaned since he is fiercely independent and prefers to hold his own bottle. He is a very physical little man. He loves to bang on things and figure out how they work so he can take them apart!

PK on the other hand is pretty much the opposite of his brother. He is an accomplished crawler and can see no reason to walk when it's so easy to crawl! PK is a detail man. He will find the loose thread or zipper pull that fascinates him. He also is fond of machines. Cars and vacuums are favorites currently. He also loves music and dogs. PK doesn't usually mind when Vanny pulls his hair. He wants to talk badly and is squawking loudly lately, apparently to himself, since he's happy. Pee-Wee is cuddly and social. He enjoys watching Vans antics and frequently giggles @ his brother. He makes the most adorable sound with every swallow as he drinks. He also enjoys eating, but in a neat and precise way. I think he gets this from his dad. He likes to feel things and is as gentle as Vanny is rough. PK has 6 teeth.

Uncle Joey is the boys favorite frequent visitor. He wrestles them and they love it! He babysat for an hour this week and this is how I found them when I came home=) VPK love uncle Joey!