If you're not in to posts with a lot of pictures, this one's not for you. Since I don't update the blog very often, I have to cram a lot in when I do. So here goes:

Let's start off by documenting some of Ella's precocious phases. Everything she does has a little drama to it, but we like to call it "style" or "flare." She started off in August doing a little pin-up pose. She always put her hand to the side of her head for a more stylish picture. This lasted a couple weeks.

In October "thumb-testing" started. It wouldn't do to just gently touch an object with a couple fingers. No, she had to make jazz hands and jab everything with her thumb — just to add a little flare to your regular old poke. This is a phase we're still riding. Notice the thumbs in the pictures:

Towards the end of October she began the "surprised face." For about two weeks she was in a constant state of surprise. Everything she picked up to play with was surprising. Everyone she looked at was surprising. Every sound she heard was surprising. This phase also lasted about two weeks.

Now, we're in the "pterodactyl" phase. This one's hard to capture in pictures, but briefly described, she sounds like a pterodactyl (or a seagull). Everything is so delightful she must squeal over it. The louder and higher, the better. Honestly, I think she could scare away wild dogs with that squeal.

For those of you who have met Luke, you might think that he's a little more reserved, a little more serious, even a little more sleepy. Indeed, at times he is.

But, he can get just as crazy as his sister just as often. Here's a little of his wild side.

He's also very smart and has figured out finger safety already. He demonstrates it for those of you who don't remember what it is like to only have two teeth.

Truth be told, when all is said and done, sometimes he thinks he's just too good for the rest of us.

Of course, the grandparents think they're in the "perfect" and "charming" stage. They always sit up straight and tall, sweet little hands held demurely in their laps, eager to listen to what you have to say. They can do no wrong.

Ella and Luke have been such a joy in our home. Each phase and face is adored. But I think the phase that brought the most joy, or least the most relief, was the "all-tuckered out" phase. Back in their 3-4 month old days, they would play so hard they would fall asleep playing and I could put them in a Boppy on the floor and they would sleep contently for an hour or so.

Ahhhh, the days.