Gender Differences...Innate or Learned? That Is The Question.

I have a very unique opportunity to raise a boy and a girl at the same time, so I often wonder how much my beliefs of how girls should act versus boys impact how their personalities will develop. I try to treat them the same, but I find that Gabrielle is a lot clingier than Grant. Is she clingy because I treat her more gently because she is smaller and female? Is Grant more outgoing and active because I encourage him to be more independent? This is all food for thought.

An interesting thing happened recently that supports that gender differences are innate and biological. GnG recently participated in a research study looking at their ability to imitate behavior seen in a video. The video demonstrated how to put a rattle together and shake it. Grant didn't quite get it right, but he came very close. Gabrielle put it together perfectly and even shook it afterwards. The researchers said they weren't surprised, because the girls in their age group usually get it right. Who knew?!

So, gender differences are both innate and learned, I just need to make sure I do my best to provide them with a wide range of experiences so they can be well rounded children, at least that is my hope.

P.S. Photos courtesy of Aunty Colleen and her new camera.

Little People

GnG, Happy Valentines day. You two have filled my heart with so much love. I can't believe how fast time flies. You are now little people with your own little personalities. It's so hard for me to believe that you just came into this world a little over a year ago. You're now 15 months old and you do so much already.



Grant you are amazing in so many ways. You've been walking for 5 months now and you just started to climb onto EVERYTHING. This is a little scary for me, but I know you're having a ball. You love to run and somehow you learned how to skip. I don't know who taught you to do this, but it's the cutest thing ever. You LOVE to dance, especially to the 5 little monkeys song. You also like to hum to your favorite songs, like twinkle, twinkle little star, the itsy bitsy spider and the 5 monkeys. You love to count, especially as we go up and down the stairs. You favorite number to say is TWO. You say it with such great enunciation. In addition to saying two, you love to say shoes, juice, cup, and car and make animal noises like moo and grrrrr for most other animals. You love to pretend to read and you are always bringing books to mommy and daddy to read to you. I love that you like books. You're still not into cuddling, but you've grown fond of your blanket. You hold that thing like it is your best friend. You love to play and you love to tackle your sister. You love her, even though you treat her rough. I catch you giving her kisses all the time, even though you have to tackle her to the floor to get the kiss. At your 15 month visit to the Pediatrician you weighed in at almost 24 pounds and you have approximately 11 or 12 teeth. I can't get a good count since you won't let me close to your mouth. I love you soooo much.



My dear Gabby, you are the most precious little girl ever. You're still very petite and so sweet. You're becoming quite a daddy's girl these days too. I see how you light up when you see him. You're also very fond of your brother, I see you look at him with adoration. You seem so thoughtful beyond your years. You've been walking for almost 2 weeks now; you made your big walk debut on Super bowl Sunday. I will forever remember that moment. I'm so glad we caught it on tape. You're walking very well and sometimes you try to run to keep up with your brother. You and Grant are so much alike, I guess that makes sense considering you are together ALL the time. You also love to dance and sing. You have the coolest dance that I’m still trying to get on tape. You spin around like a windmill on your knees. It looks painful to me but you do it with such ease. You also love to count as we go up and down the stairs; your favorite number to say is seven. You say by bye, Di da (thank you), mama, dada, ook (book) and juice. You love to talk; I think you just like making new sounds. At your last appointment you weighed in at 18 pounds 2 ounces and you now have 8 teeth and 3 molars coming in. You're not a happy teether by the way. I love you my Gabba Gab.

Walk, Climb, Pull, Tear, Destroy......

These are the days I was warned would come, the days that their goal would be to seek and destroy. I can't take my eyes off them for one second. Now that Gabby is walking Grant has decided he has to do even more than the usual walk. He only runs now and he also climbs. Today I left them in their playroom for just one minute, when I returned I found Grant sitting on the bed. He pulled one of his toys close to the bed and used it as a stool. How clever for him and scary for me. What am I going to do?!! Please pray for us :-).




They both have mischeif written all over their face in this pic.

Super Walk

Superbowl Sunday was more than just a game day, it was the day that Gabby took her longest walk ever. We had some friends and family over to watch the game and Gabby decided this was her moment to shine. Before this day she had taken no more than 5 to 6 steps; but on this day she pretty much walked across the room. She has been walking ever since. We are so excited...you can tell from all the howling and cheering in the video :-).