"'Cause this is what monkeys do, mommy!" This has become the standard response for my little monkey. Making faces and distributing toilet paper around the bathroom are just the tip of the iceberg, I fear. Everything is about monkeys or what they do. And give the boy a banana and you really think there is a monkey there with you. He is a monkey all the way - probably takes after his dad.

Alex's new thing is to say, "Mommy, I got one more question. When there is a bird, it is flying in the sky. Ok? I gotta go, see you later." Always "one more question" - and always when I need him to leave the room so I can put Audrey down to sleep.

He remembers everything. I have to watch everything I say around him because now he is threatening to send ME to China. Although lately he has been hugging me and telling me he loves me without prompting. I love it! He has even started giving me kisses just out of the blue. It is awesome.

Audrey is another story. She only gives VERY sloppy kisses and then tries to bite me. Thanks to Audrey I discovered why there are straps in every high chair. I really did not understand why you would have to strap your kid in a high chair. I know that may surprise some of you. But Alex wasn't much of a mover and shaker. Ah, but his sister (or Sister-rita as we have begun to call her in addition to "Bean") is another story. I now know that straps are good to keep a baby from climbing out of her seat and on top of the tray. On all fours on top of the tray peering over the side at the dogs and laughing. Yes, laughing. Not only can (and does) Audrey climb on top of her high chair tray but she climbs on just about everything else. She climbed on top of an 8" high step stool in the bathroom, stood up while holding onto the toilet paper dispenser with one hand and yelled. It may have been her "Rocky" moment, not sure. I also found her inside of a plastic box that is used to hold all of Alex's trains and train track. Sans lid, of course.

Audrey is funny. She also has a temper and is not one to hide it. She gets in trouble quite a bit. Despite her beauty and charm, she has a mean streak if she doesn't get her way. You know if she is mad. Again, like her dad. I mean...

It is really neat to see how similar and yet how different both Alex and Audrey are. I know everyone told me it would be that way but at first they seemed the same. But then again all newborns eat, sleep, and poo so it was hard to see a difference at first. Audrey's personality is starting to emerge and I don't take her for being laid back like her brother. Although if you take his toy or play with something that he thinks he may play with someday in the near future you had better watch out!

And look out for Audrey, too, for that matter!