It's hard for me to believe that it's been nearly two months since I've updated.  It seems like yesterday to me. If it weren't for the enormous strides the muppets have taken in the last two months, I'd probably insist it weren't true.

Their large motor development is the most noticeable change.  We left their last OT appointment with instructions to work on walking up and down stairs (with help) and jumping.  If I didn't know better, I'd think the girls were challenging their therapist because they were both walking up and down steps within the week, followed shortly by attempts at jumping.  Neither one of them can get their feet off of the ground yet (though, Emmaline did get air once or twice), but they know to squat and then stand up quickly, all while saying "jump", of course. 

Yesterday, I took them to the Children's Play Gallery, which is an indoor playground/learning center with cool climbing structures, dramatic play toys, sandbox, and other developmental equipment.  I was pleasantly surprised to see them climb up the rather steep ramps holding on to the ropes.  Although they've been climbing up steps to play structures for a few months now, the ramps are steep and there is only slightly raised grooves for footing.  I expected them to crawl up the ramps, but they weren't having that.  Emmaline tried to run down the ramp without holding on (like we do on Grandma's and Grandpa's backyard hill), but I had to put a stop to that.  Typically, I figure if they're brave enough to try it, they're ready to do it, but that was an accident waiting to happen. 

They've both added some words to their vocabulary.  Emmaline says "shoes" frequently now, but only gets out the "sh" sound.  Took me a while to figure out what she was saying.  I was relieved and pleased to find out it was "shoes" and not the other "sh" word.  :)

Avery's favorite word is still "no", though it's much less  of a "nah" sound than it was two months ago.  Now it's a firm and unmistakable "NO".  If I ask her what the sheep says, she might respond with a "baa", if she's in the mood, or she might respond with a "no" and an adamant head shake.  She never was much of a performer.  Has to be on her own terms. 

They're also saying "jump", "car", "door", "story", "star", "kitty", and a few others. 

Emmaline learned the monkey sound.  It's my favorite "word".  Oooh, ooh, ahh, ooh or some version of that. 

Kenny and I took the girls swimming at the Y last week.  I think we're going to have to start some swimming lessons here soon.  They both took the water like little fish and were far too brave for their own good.  They both walked right in and paid no attention to the water level. 

We also inherited an inflatable water slide that is, apparently, one story high.  We haven't inflated it yet, but we have a picture of it.  It's enormous.  They'd be too small to go on it alone this summer, but Kenny and I can go down it with them.  In the meantime, I think I'll invite some bigger friends over this summer so it gets put to good use. 

My last update mentioned puzzles.  Since then, they've both become pros.  They figured out how to turn the pieces to get them in and can now figure out, within a few short minutes, any wooden puzzle I put in front of them. 

Avery's really into dramatic play lately.  Well, they both are, but Avery more than Emmaline. If I sweep or vacuum, she runs to get her broom and vacuum.  She also loves to feed her baby and "cook" her play food on her Little Tikes stove. 

Emmaline likes to dress up, hence the picture of her with my bra wrapped around her shoulders. We're going to the Jackson rummage tomorrow and I have a whole  list of things for which to keep an eye open, including dress up clothes and kitchen stuff.

We did go to our 18-month check up with the Occupational Therapist.  We went in April, which means they were actually 20-months-old, but Children's watches their development based on their adjusted age and will continue to do so until they turn two.  Naturally, their development was all over the board, but Dr. Bear didn't have any concerns as there were no significant delays and there were many areas in which both girls were advanced.