Samuel would be a puppy:
Not a little tiny breed, but a big, sturdy kind of puppy, like a labrador or golden retriever. He is friendly, loyal, eager, easy to teach, makes messes, and leaves his pawprints all over the place. He loves to climb on you (even if it causes you bodily injury) and makes a mess when he eats. He's the leader of the pack. He has accidents but you can't help wanting to rub his head, scruffle his neck (I made that word up), or join in his exuberant games.
If Sam is a puppy, then Evan is something equally furry and cute, but a little more out-of-the-box...a little more unique. He's smart but in a more subtle and sneaky way. Like I said, he's cute...but a little pesky. I was mentioning this to a friend and she suggested that he's a raccoon...which is so cool because that's what Sam called him the whole time I was pregnant--Raccoony! So it must be so!
He can be a little aloof and is more prone to hang back and wait until you are not watching to do something. He pays attention to details and wants to figure out how things work (which I hear that raccoons are good at...getting into trash cans and pet doors despite numerous attempts to secure them). He is very fun to watch, especially because he isn't in your face hamming it up like his older brother. He's a stinker, but still cuddly and sweet most of the time...and he makes you wonder what he's thinking and what he's going to do next.
So that leaves Annie. This is what I have so far:
and just when you are saying, "Aw, how cute and cuddly!", remember the other side to this creature:
She gets attention when we go out because of her silly antics and sweet smile (and also the fact that her hair is usually sticking up in every direction). She loves to sit on my lap and take care of her dollies. She is happy when she's happy and sings more than she talks. She persistently gets into the things she's not supposed to (like the toothpaste/toothbrushes/hairspray/lotion stuff in the bathroom, her brother's lego or paper creations, and the dishwasher in general), and when caught she squeals and runs away and tries to use her charm to get out of trouble. But...when she decides to be in a bad mood (like if I walk out of the room or she can't have the thing she wants or you feed her after midnight), she becomes a terror. We say she is the queen of "I-Want-It/I-Don't-Want-It" and refuses to communicate with words or baby signs. Though I say she doesn't talk, she is very good at "No!"...but she also gives loves and kisses upon request. Jeremy says she needs some discipline and training, but I say, "Oh, she's my baby and my only little girl" so there you have it. Here's our gremlin in action:
"Nice dolly, I'll pet your hair and be sweet while mommy takes a picture."
"What? You want me to smile and cooperate?"
"No way!!!"What are your children's animal personalities?
