Four times the Bea

The girls had another action-packed weekend, this time in Lancaster County, where they met their Great-Grandma Stoltzfus, celebrated Grandma Stoltzfus' 60th birthday, spent the night with Grandma Erb, and then whiled away a lovely afternoon on a magic nap-inducing glider on Bill and Judy's side porch.

In other news, the girls had their six-month developmental screening last week. Maggie put on a show, rolling over for the first time (performance under pressure). Bea waited until we got home to whip out her latest trick--blowing raspberries--but as noted above, she gets extra credit for more than quadrupling her weight, now up to 12 and a half pounds. Maggie has more than tripled her weight to an impressive 14 and a half pounds. They're both just huge.

Musical babies

This series of photos manages to show most of the permutations of Maggie and Bea holding that went on Sunday evening when the little girls finally met the Anderson trio of Tala, Caleb and Avey. Bea is sporting the personalized onesie that the older kids made for her. Maggie, no longer able to fit in hers, had to make do wearing watermelon and other summer fruit.

Oh Shenandoah

Last weekend, the girls were treated to al fresco dining and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge in their first visit to Turkey Hall, George and Cathy's idyllic bluff-top home above the Shenandoah River.  They quickly laid claim to the big bed on the top floor amidst the tree tops. 

More babies

Evening strolls are more fun with nearly two-month-old Kinley and Zaida along for the ride, venturing forth with their parents, Gina and Slake. Mothers and babies (but not Pemba the dog) smile for the camera. Maggie considers her options standing by the Neptune fountain in front of the Library of Congress. Having taken in the situation, Slake determined that Dave, like Maggie, needed some support.

Their first (not quite) wildnerness experience

As part of their Independence Day celebrations, the girls consented to a hike in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge so long as they got to ride in front. Deal!

Fourth of July

The girls checked off state number four, celebrating their first Independence Day in West Virginia's Canaan Valley. Getting into the holiday spirit, they showed off their lounging skill, although Bea could not shake the sneaking suspicion that Maggie was wearing her pants. Bea demonstrated her sunglass-wearing aplomb to newlywed Erica and compared hairstyles with newlywed Mark. Maggie found solace in her kitty toy, and both girls took the air, baby-bjorn style, with Anj and Heidi.

A smorgasbord of visitors

The past two weeks have been eventful ones for the girls. The subject of this post is a few of their many visitors come from far and wide to meet Maggie and Bea, but we have also seen Bea push herself up on her hands and roll (well, more like collapse) over onto her side. Maggie is now standing (with balance assist to be sure) as well as her sister, and kicking a bit harder. Maggie generates lots of chortles and giggles, while Bea has taken to having extended conversations with her firefly toy, as well as sustained bouts of giddy shrieking. Pictured here in a self-referential image are Uncle Stewart and cousin Henry checking out the blog with Maggie. One uncle and three cousins to go!

We ventured out for a second picnic along the Potomac with field geologist and friend extraordinaire David Dinter, who along with daughter Cory came all the way from Utah to meet the girls. Maggie wore her new shades to ward off the setting sun.