My snow!!

We've had a respectable snowfall in North Carolina. Louise was rather excited. Last night she danced around in the precipitation, shouting "MY snow!!!" This morning, she enjoyed playing in it (until the socks she was wearing on her hands as mittens became sodden and she got cold). She was only mildly disappointed that the snow couldn't be shaped into snowballs - it was still fun to throw. Later in the day, she composed an ode entitled "White Powder" that, while perhaps not destined for a place in musical history, had an earnestness and sweetness that Eric Clapton's similarly titled song lacked.

Charlotte & Claire loved going for a ride in the red wagon in the snow. After we came back inside, Claire paid tribute to Monty Python's "Killer Rabbit" sketch.

Flashback to Christmas

Thanks to Granddad and Little Nan, we just received some video that Granddad took of Charlotte & Claire during their visit in December. Charlotte & Claire are showing the "true" meaning of Christmas for siblings...

More recently, we all went to a "drum party" organized by the Mothers of Multiples today. Louise enjoyed banging on drums and watching a puppet show. Charlotte and Claire have both started to be able to stand whilst holding onto something (a table, Daddy's leg etc). Charlotte is also starting to pull herself up.

Charlotte's newest friend

Charlotte, Claire, & Mummy went to visit Mummy's friend Karen, Karen's friend Susan, and Karen's dog Maggie on Monday. After some initial uncertainty, Charlotte decided that she really liked Maggie. They even kissed each other. Claire enjoyed being held by Karen, who kindly refrained from complaining about her sore back and arms on Tuesday!

Playground fun

We visited our friends Eric and Diana today and Charlotte and Claire got their first experience of the swings. They both enjoyed it a lot, although Claire was a natural with a proper posture in the seat. Charlotte's position was more just hang there and enjoy the ride! Enjoy the video.

Both of them are rolling and crawling (backwards) a little more. Charlotte has managed to get herself in some odd positions (see photo below).

Privacy

"Close the door, Daddy. I need my privacy" insisted Louise, as she pushed the door to her sisters' daycare classroom closed. Madam is becoming bossier lately, but she's also very solicitous towards her sisters. One of the classroom helpers at C&C's daycare, Ms Verly, used the gift card we gave her at Christmas to buy a toy for C&C. Louise was very excited. Charlotte was fussy in the car during the ride home. "Charlotte want to open her toy," Louise speculated. "Me give it to her at home. Me help her open it."

Big Head

5 January: Charlotte & Claire had their 9 month well baby check-ups today. Charlotte weighs a respectable 18 lbs 7.5 oz (50th percentile for her age, not adjusted), and she's 27.5 inches long. Her head circumference is 45cm (75th percentile). Claire is 21 lbs 6.5 oz and 27.75 inches long. Her head is 47cm (125th percentile). If Claire's head continues to grow off the chart, she may need to go to the hospital for a CT scan. If there is excessive fluid build-up on her brain, she might need surgery. However, it seems very likely that she simply has a Lindenberg head, like Greatgrandpa Lindenberg, Nana Chris and Uncle Adam. There is no medical treatment available for Lindenberg head.

Nana and Granddad returned to Britain on Sunday. We all miss them very much - it was wonderful to have them here.

Louise remains very affectionate towards her sisters, and she enjoys bathing them. Claire & Charlotte laugh and smile whilst in the bath with Louise, so the feeling seems to be mutual.

Louise has been visiting the preschool class in anticipation of her "promotion" next month. Mummy imagines that preschool is something like this: http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player?p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_id=videoPlayer_WAR_sesameportlets4369&p_p_uid=6a014291-f7db-4bb7-9684-4a9dfe2f7a84