8 Months Already?

The girls are 8 months old already? How can that be? They've changed a lot over the last four weeks. Going to the zoo and actually being awake enough to see some animals. Sitting up and playing with Joseph every morning before school. Scarfing down oatmeal and cereal like it's the best tasting mush on earth and having a watermelon picnic at daycare with the other babies. And of course.....their first stomach virus. But we're all clear of that now and at eight months of age Hannah and Leah are both playful and curious, eager to get in their stroller for a walk, and enjoy shoving anything they can get their hands on into their mouth. They love to be around people (especially Joseph) and they both really love to bounce. They burst into hysterics when tickled by Daddy, and usually calm down quickly when held by Mommy. And while they are similar in some ways, they have just as many differences. Their expressions and personalities make them easy to tell apart if you have a hard time at first glance. Take crying for example (something common to most babies!) Hannah's cries seem to be more an expression of sadness while Leah's tend to be outbursts of anger. And then there's the look they get when playing. Leah appears as though any toy she has is some complicated puzzle she's trying to unravel while Hannah has an expression of "oh boy a toy! a toy! this is the best toy in the world!" They both have beautiful smiles, Hannah's is the biggest I've ever seen and Leah's brings out a special sparkle in her eyes. They both are early to bed and early to rise, but Leah drifts off with her thumb in her mouth while Hannah prefers the pacifier. And you never know who's going to wake you up in the morning but you can usually tell by the sound of the voice who it is! (Leah has a little rasp to her and Hannah sometimes has a bit of squeak!) Before you know it they'll be actual words coming out!