Elliot: You love dogs, balls, cars and fruit of all kinds. When you see trucks or cars you make the train noise (chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo). We often find you pushing your matchbox cars around the house. You love to laugh--especially at and with Daddy. You also love to scream--especially at meal time. You are still a big-time snuggler and always have hugs and kisses for everyone, complete with the "mmmwwa!" sound. You are a really good sleeper and pull 12-hour nights and one 2-3 hour nap. You love your stuffed puppy and frantically "wooh wooh wooh wooh" when you see it in your crib so that we will pull it out for you to squeeze. Your body is long and skinny. You are growing out of your 12 month pants, but the bigger sizes won't stay on your body. You don't seem to be bothered by the highwaters, though! Since you are nothing but skin and bones, you get cold so easily! After baths and changing out of your pajamas, you are usually a shivering, teeth-chattering boy. It is really cute. You stand your ground in battles of toys, complete with strategic whacks and teeth-baring, but you are quick to apologize and show your love with a hug and pat on the back. You are a bit more daring than your mama would like and have jumped off every piece of furniture in our house (except for your crib--you have too much of an appreciation for sleep, I think). You are also curious and extremely hands-on, which means the injuries are fast and furious. Not a day goes by that you don't pinch your fingers in a cupboard or closet door or bang your head on a table or desk corner. Poor little buddy! You are a little more reserved in public than you used to be, and your stranger anxiety has definitely increased in the last several months. But even still, you have such a happy and friendly disposition. You love having company over--and will put on quite the show. You are a sweet, good boy and we just love you!
Charlotte: It seems every time we turn around, you have grown by leaps and bounds. But now, unlike that first year, it is your personality and the things you know and say that constantly surprise us (and often keep us laughing). You love lima beans (thanks to one of your favorite books, A Bad Case of Stripes), the color pink, doctors, pretending to be the mommy while Dad or Mom is the baby, taking care of your baby dolls, doing crafts, reading books, and going through Mom's jewelry/letters/pictures/knick-knacks, etc. You are Daddy's number one fan and love rough-housing and joking around with him. You have a goofy sense of humor and love to make up silly sayings. You're a lefty. You love your long hair. You are excited to be going into Primary next year (I can't believe it!). You are still "a little bit shy," and like to take your time, but once you are comfortable with a situation you are just as chatty as the next kid. You do better in one-on-one or small group scenarios, as large crowds and new situations can be a bit overwhelming. You love going to story time and playing at the library. You are a big fan of parks. We put away your booster seat and you have really enjoyed feeling like more of a "big kid" being able to get up and down from your chair by yourself. You do a really good job about asking to "be excused"--often to give hugs or kisses or to help Elliot eat his food :) You have a very sensitive soul and can easily sense things of the Spirit. You love to watch Mormon Messages, read the Ensign and the Friend, and look through the pictures in your Book of Mormon. Lately, you have been curious about death--it has come up in conversations and in a story in the Ensign. It has been interesting to see you try and process such a big concept and also so neat to have the opportunity to teach you truth. You are a sweet, good girl and we just love you!
