Clearly, I'm not good at keeping up with this.  Fortunately, journaling the milestones and events in their lives isn't nearly as important as witnessing and partaking in them.

Since I last updated, both girls have begun pulling up and cruising along furniture like pros.  Emmaline has even started letting go and standing momentarily.  They're both practicing walking with their push toys and with the help of mom or dad.  Not quite walking yet, but they'll do that when they're ready.

Avery finally got some teeth in.  Oddly enough, she's getting her two top teeth (at the same time) before her bottom teeth.  She's going to look so dorky-cute when they come in completely.

Emmaline got the second bottom tooth, shortly after the first came in.

I thorougly enjoy this age.  It's just so much fun to watch them and see how much they're digesting and learning.  Emmaline points at everything, says "dis" and then waits for you to give it a label before moving on to the next item.  She'll do this until you give up and stop labeling.  She hasn't said any words yet, but it's clear she's digesting what you say.  I suspect the words will come out with a bang when she finds them.   

Avery is really mimicking the things she sees.  The most adorable example being the hugs she gives her baby.  She squeezes her tight and then puts her chin on top of baby's head.  Too darn cute.  I'm also amused that she clearly knows what the cell phone is for (opens it up and then puts it to her ear), but has no idea what to do with the traditional toy phone we have.  No landlines in this house.

Their personalities are really starting to shine through.  As suspected, Avery continues to be independent and adventurous, paying little attention to where mom or dad are.  The other day I took the girls to the park for a playdate and Avery wasn't the slightest bit hesitant to crawl off on her own.  Emmaline is a bit more cautious and needs to sit with mom and observe before jumping into it.  She does, however, do plenty of exploring once she reaches her comfort zone.

I'm happy to say that both girls are getting more and more affectionate and cuddly.  Neither of them were much for rocking and cuddling unless they were nursing until recently, which made me reluctant to give up that bonding time.  Fortunately, they've both begun laying their heads on my shoulders, giving kisses and hugs, and just last night, holding my face to give me a kiss.  Awww.

They're now officially "big girls".  We're on our third day of no breastfeeding.  Avery isn't noticing much, but Emmaline's not exactly happy with the cup of milk alternative.  She's handling it better than I thought she would (she REALLY likes nursing), but is still asking for it whenever she's upset. 

Saving the best for last:

The girls went trick or treating for the very first time.  They were dressed up as Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat and looked soooo adorable.  They even left the hats on, which really surprised me.  Their dad and I took them for a quick walk around our neighborhood for Watertown's trick-or-treat, but it was cold and windy, so we resigned ourselves to passing out candy at home.  Fortunately, we were able to do more trick-or-treating at grandma's and grandpa's on the actual night of Halloween.  They weren't sure what to think of it all, but it was a lot of fun for the rest of us.