Are they twins?

Believe it or not, this is still a frequently asked question. Not by you; by total strangers. Depending on my mood, this question causes a range of internal reactions -- on the one hand, exasperation. I'm tempted to say they're actually two months apart, just to see how long the conversation goes before they realize I'm yanking their chain. On the other hand, appreciation. Because I realize it's just an entrée into a conversation that will usually -- not always, but usually -- include a compliment to my daughters, and that's always okay with me.

Anniversary.

I'm remembering a phone call from one year ago this morning.

"Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave." -- Rilke

Development update.

Sociability:  Evelyn has made some improvements in this category, but Anna is still the one least likely to object to being held by a person other than Mommy, being left temporarily in a carseat, or being abandoned in an alley at night.  Advantage: Anna.

Size:  Evelyn remains the front runner in this department, with leads ranging from slightly over to slightly under a pound.  Anna's just the same peanut she's always been.  Advantage: Evelyn.

Teeth:  Evelyn's got five.  Anna's got one.  No contest here.  Since they're still nursing, I'll say Advantage: Anna.

Sitting:  Evelyn can now sit up unassisted.  Anna topples over instantly.  Advantage: Evelyn.

Crawling:  Neither one of them can crawl.  Put Evelyn on her belly and she'll cry and flip over and stay that way.  Anna freely rolls and scoots backward all over the living room.  Advantage: Anna.

Eating:  Both of them do well with "solid" baby food and rice cereal.  Evelyn seems more comfortable with true solids like Cheerios and crackers; Anna requires a bit more coaxing on these.  Perhaps it's the lack of teeth -- with one tooth, it requires better aim.  Advantage: Evelyn.

Talking:  We have some verbalizations of syllables, but zero mimicry.  Looks like we're months away from this.  Tie.

Hair:  Evelyn's is turning blondish with maybe a strawberry tinge.  Anna's is a beautiful chestnut, at least for the two hours immediately after a bath.  Outside of that time window, it's just sort of Joe Hair.  Advantage: Evelyn.

Standing:  Anna's knees buckle quickly.  On the other hand, walking is severely bad news for parents of twins.  Advantage: Anna.

Eyes:  Evelyn's eyes are now a rich sort of blue.  I  would call them International Klein blue.  Anna's eyes are more Carolina blue, which evokes a negative emotional response from anyone who's attended an ACC school.  Advantage: Evelyn.

If you're expecting me to tally up some sort of total and pronounce a winner, you've come to the wrong place.  This isn't a competition.  Jeez.

Kitten's turn (still).

Kitten's turn.

Mouse, showing off.

At the Academy of Sciences.