Development from 9-12 months...

To my little girls,
During the last 3 months you have grown from babies to little people right before my very eyes. You are one whole year old now. So many times I have thought to myself... "wow, I can't believe they are doing so much now, when as newborns all they could do was just lay in one spot and kick. When you were newborns, I couldn't really imagine you as "toddlers" and now, I can hardly remember what you were like as newborns. Funny how that happens. We've hit some "lasts" and it makes me sad in a good mommy way. We gathered some of your "little baby" toys (exersaucer, floor gym) and it was sad to pack them up to be stored... but you are ready for "big girl" toys. We bought you "big girl" carseats last weekend... and before I knew it, you had taken your last ride in your infant carriers/carseats. We are working you towards taking just whole milk instead of formula in bottles... and soon bottles will be packed up as well. Baby food is almost a thing of the past too, as you much prefer to feed yourselves... whatever we are eating. Technically, you are considered "toddlers" except for the clothing company "Carter's" - which still calls you "infants" (up until 24 months) I think they do it for mommys who are not ready to call their little ones toddlers! :) I've kept a list of your development and events by month (somethings I wrote dates down, and others I didn't) and it is as follows:

9-10 months
~Mary pulls up to her feet 1/24, Hannah on 2/3
~Hannah claps her hands first on 2/5, Mary on 2/15; you soon start to do it when we tell you "good job" or "yay" at something
~started the "Cry It Out" method of sleep training as you both are waking up a lot at nighttime
~Mary is getting very snuggly, and still sucks her thumb, Hannah has basically stopped sucking hers
~we had your 9 month photos done on 1/21
~we saw your Dr. for your 9mo well baby visit; Hannah was 17lb 10oz and 27 1/2 in. Mary was 18lb 11oz and 28 1/2 in. He gave you good reports and said to increase your diet. You got a hemoglobin check and neither one of you liked it; your Dr. doesn't need to see you until you are 15 months old
~You both got lots of new teeth - Mary got her 3rd-6th; Hannah got her 3rd - 5th (dates are on the dentition charts)
~ Hannah finally can get herself into a sitting position 1/28
~we celebrated Daddy's 40th birthday and your first Valentines Day
~you got your 3rd shots on 2/4
~you both decided feeding yourself Cheerios is the best thing ever; other foods you've had are prunes, apricots, yogurt, baked potato, shredded cheese, fresh banana
~your general schedule is: wake up and bottle with cereal/fruit 7am, nap - 10am-12pm, lunch bottle and veggie/cheerios - noon, afternoon nap - 3pm-4:30pm, supper of baby food meat/veggie/fruit - 4:30, bath/bottle/bed starting at 7pm

10-11 months
~Hannah starts vocalizing "huh? huh?" like she's asking a question
~both start "cruising" the couches
~Hannah will walk holding onto our legs as we walk
~ Cry It Out seems to be going better, and you are crying less
~you both have lots of bumps and bruises from your newfound skill of learning to walk
~ Hannah first plays the "Thank You" game - give us a toy, we give it back, then you give it to us again - all in repetition. Mary decides this game is fun too and follows suit.
~you both are starting to wear some 12 mo. clothes... pants are pretty big; still wearing size 3 diapers when wearing disposables, wearing size 2 shoe
~ Started using Fuzzibunz cloth diapers "full time" (use a disposable at bedtime and when we leave the house)
~we can now go out for walks as the weather is getting warmer. You both love to ride in your stroller... leaning over to watch the wheels or the sidewalk is a favorite
~Hannah is first at letting go and standing on her own
~we had some Easter photos done with live chicks and a bunny 3/11
~ Hannah got her 6th-8th teeth
~Mary can shake her head "no" - 3/2, but not to communicate "no" It's just something fun to do!
~Tried and liked - fruit medley, brocolli and cheese, sweet corn casserole, mango (all baby food) grilled cheese sandwiches, toast with jelly

11-12 months
~Mary can walk holding on to our legs 3/21
~people are commenting on your red hair - it's getting longer!
~ at a lunch at Ponderosa - we fed you directly from the buffet... you did so well the whole time
~Daddy was gone for 4 days to a teachers conference, so Mommy was full time caregiver both day and night. You slept pretty well for me. Although, while tending to Hannah, Mary fell out of the bathtub and out of her highchair during those 4 days. I was not more than 3 feet away each time. No injuries except giving Mommy a heart attack and teaching her to be more careful with her daredevil of a child!
~Mary can wave bye-bye 3/22 - this is pretty random, and is not done on command
~we celebrated your first Easter 4/4; Mommy and Daddy found you pretty dresses and white dress shoes; it was a sentimental day for mommy - last Easter she was very pregnant with both of you and she'd go to the hospital for you to be born only 4 days later. Now look at you!
~Daddy was offered a new job! Yay, Daddy! We all went to see the area and establishment at his second interview. Everyone thought you two were adorable. You two are his good luck charms!
~your sleeping is very much improved... we are continuing with Cry it out, but once you go to sleep, you stay asleep or self-soothe yourself. Sleeping through the night is the norm now. Thank goodness!!
~you've boycotted your second nap - so you're taking one at 10am and that's it for now; Otherwise your schedule is about the same
~we gave our dog, Keri to a friend of Mommy's to live. Having a dog and two almost 1 year olds was getting to be too much for Mommy to handle. Keri did fantastic with you guys. Pulling her hair was your favorite thing and you'd smile and giggle
~we had you weighed at the WIC office 2 days before your birthday - Hannah was 19lb 6 oz and 28 1/2 in, and Mary was 20lb 2oz and 29 1/2 in.
~Mary got sick (runny/stuffy nose) a week before, and Hannah got sick (runny/stuffy nose/red sore eyes, coughing, fever) the week of your birthday, so we had to cancel your big party. Trying to celebrate at a big party for 2 babies when only 1 could be there was too much on Mommy... it reminded her of when you were in the NICU and Mary could go home but Hannah had to stay a few more days. Having a small party at home with just the 4 of us was perfect. But, it really upset Mommy that Hannah had to be sick on your birthday.
~this month you've tried and liked - tuna fish, apple slivers, pancakes, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, McDonald's hamburger and fries, zuchinni baby food; you'll take anywhere between 2-8 oz of formula 3x a day
~Hannah enjoys walking behind her Walk/Ride car toy
~your favorite toy seems to be a xylophone... or anything you can push or hit to make noise with!