Artie has been pulling to stand since a very early age, and in fact would do it repeatedly, like he was trying to do squats! He's strong, for a baby, and we often have the unsettling sensation that he's deliberately trying to get stronger. I try not to speculate and maybe inadvertently put the kids into a box, but between this and his fascination with balls it's hard not to see sports in his future.
By the time his first birthday rolled around, he had been walking for several weeks, so by then (and especially by now) he really was a pro. It's weird seeing a baby as young as he is walking so confidently, the proportions don't see quite right for that; the doctor was quite impressed. That day he impressed us again by taking all his one year shots like a pro, and hopefully has a degree of immunity to measles now.
Dede is, obviously, a pro at walking, but we've tried to expand her skills in other ways. She just wrapped up a season of basketball, and has just started a monthly taiko drumming session. (I take lessons once a week, and she is very charmed to do the same activity I do!) Lex has also introduced her to a new hobby: rock hunting.
They both are major extroverts who love getting out of the house and meeting new people. Lex and I can't understand where they get it from. But, out of respect for this, we try to get out of the house every single weekend, and I take every other Wednesdays off at work and take them someplace fun, which (at Dede's request) is usually the zoo.
