Posers.

1. It's getting more and more difficult for me to take a candid picture of Marley and Rudy. Marley sees me aim the camera and quickly reacts: tilting her head and arranging her hands and feet just so. Rudy races for me with arms raised, first murmuring and eventually screaming, "I see! I see!" because she still doesn't understand that she needs to be in front of the camera first in order to discover a tiny, still version of herself on the screen afterwards.

2. The above image fits the standard Marley and Rudy photograph template. Their poses are predictable, steady and frequent. Marley is a practiced, proud combination of sweet and sass, and Rudy attempts her own mix of grace and enthusiasm, but the effort leaves her either bewildered or about to topple, or both.

3. Rudy is following her sister's lead and often insists on "DRESSES!" and "TIGHTS!" when it's time to get dressed in the morning. The tutu is still out in full force. Yesterday, at an informal baby shower held at the high school for two teachers, both due next month, I told some former colleagues that I would be happy to appear as a guest speaker on the topic of Nature vs. Nurture, should any psychology class require it.