Good morning!

Yes, Zevi said that.  Not very clearly, but twice.  A couple of days ago I was playing with the boys (read: anxiously waiting for mom to take over) and Alla walked in and said "Доброе утро!" - "Dobroe utro" - "Good morning".  Zevi, then, replied "добое уто" - doboe uto.  And then repeated it upon request.  He swallowed the r's, but we'll take it.  Bot boys continue to be enthralled by the number 3 and call it more and more clearly.  Zev also says "Вот эту!" - "This one!" when he points to the book he wants.

The morning greeting result has not been repeated so far, but we can wait.

For extra points: what exactly id daddy wearing on his head?

Some more recent changes and part 2 of December pics

Recently Zevi got into a habit of saying "oi" when called for.  Both of the boys have also developed a taste for feeding mom, dad, or aunt Olga, and occasionally each other.  Benjamin especially enjoys feeding stuffed bunny and making eating noises.

In other news Benjamin pretty much asked me to change him today.  Not sure what that means yet - the diaper was not particularly wet.  Maybe he figures it is a way to get me all to himself.  Regardless, as Alla put it - we cannot miss this opportunity and will see of Benjamin would like to be potty trained.  Not holding my breath.

Zev enjoying the lighting of the Hanukkah candles.  12/16/12

Benjamin taking it very seriously.

Zev: look, they are all lit!

Benjamin: yea, they are nine candles. Eight days of this in a row and I am still supposed to be impressed?

Benjamin exploring heights.  12/22/12

Zev taking off toward mom.

Some more pictures, December

Enjoying frozen yogurt.  12/1/12

All sugared up now...

with mom

Ben hangin' with mom, 12/9/12

Nineteen months and counting

The boys continue to get more sophisticated in their perception of the world.  They easily point out mom, dad, aunt Olga, themselves, and each other.  Zev recently started showing interest in letters and numbers - he loves pointing to letters and having me say them.  In fact, he prefers that to looking at pictures.  Ben has gotten much better at letting Zev sit in my lap, and usually gets a book and 'reads' on his own.  After a few minutes, however, Benjamin decides he wants some of my attention and brings over a couple of plush toys to offer me.  The boys are also getting much better with the toys that involve fitting geometric shapes into the appropriate holes.

Both Zev and Ben are getting very good at navigating stairs up and down.  Recently both of the boys have shown interest in dragging around a broom, which we naturally encourage.  Beyond that - there is the usual running (and falling), climbing of adults, and changing eating habits on daily basis.

Over Thanksgiving the Boston grandparents visited us and all together we went to the Children's Museum.  The water section was a clear hit.

Getting started.  11/23/12

All geared up with Grandma

Zev having fun

Grandpa Misha, a lecture in fluid dynamics

Ben is having fun

Onto light studies.

Yes, the sleeve is wet.  Get over it.

Ben diving right in

Zev playing with a train set

Wheel.  A *big* wheel!