Friday, November 25, 2011
Splish Splash
The girls weren't feeling so well last week... Lela had a cold and Cate was uncharacteristically cranky. Possibly teething.
Near the end of a particularly difficult afternoon, John came home as the girls were finishing their dinner. Tears were plentiful, food was everywhere, and I was at a loss. So we tossed them in the tub. Only their second shared bath.
As soon as their bare tushes touched the water, they were transformed into squealing, splashing, most-delighted little tots...
Near the end of a particularly difficult afternoon, John came home as the girls were finishing their dinner. Tears were plentiful, food was everywhere, and I was at a loss. So we tossed them in the tub. Only their second shared bath.
As soon as their bare tushes touched the water, they were transformed into squealing, splashing, most-delighted little tots...
The Magic and Mayhem of Mobility
"It gets easier!"
We've heard those three words again and again from folks trying to console us, the apparently exhausted, overwhelmed parents of twins. Indeed, it has been challenging to feed, diaper, tend to, and love two babies at once, but (knock on wood) we are crazy lucky to have two relatively easy babies. They're good eaters, good sleepers, and are generally pretty happy. So from the very beginning, even through the rough patches, we weren't thinking about how hard it was, we were thinking about how hard it was going to get when they became mobile.
Well, we're there.
Cate and Lela have become two very busy little girls. In the last two days we've pulled computer parts, dog food, and leaves from their mouths, we've dried countless tears from falling, teething, being overtired, or just not feeling well, we've juggled two babies when they both insist on being held, and we've wondered where all their clean clothes have gone (when our Kiki hasn't been here to keep the laundry moving). It's overwhelming, it's exhausting, and I feel like I'm always ten seconds shy of being proactive.
It is also amazing. Amazing to watch them figure things out. Today Lela (who wildly waves her arms up and down to show excitement) very deliberately put her hands together, palms flat, contemplating a clap. It was the first visible moment in the learning process. Now, when she's excited, she waves wildly and ends by putting her hands together.
They sprint crawl to explore all open doors, new people, new objects, etc. And they are spending lots of time on their feet, using furniture (or a not-so-stable 3-legged dog) for support. I've decided that we will contribute a nickel for every fall into their college fund. A quarter for every fall that results in tears. We'll surely get a nice jumpstart on their savings.
I'm sure that it will get easier at some point, but for now the challenge curve is on a steep rise.
To everyone who said it would soon get easier, you're welcome to come witness this chaos, but beware that we will certainly put you to work.
We've heard those three words again and again from folks trying to console us, the apparently exhausted, overwhelmed parents of twins. Indeed, it has been challenging to feed, diaper, tend to, and love two babies at once, but (knock on wood) we are crazy lucky to have two relatively easy babies. They're good eaters, good sleepers, and are generally pretty happy. So from the very beginning, even through the rough patches, we weren't thinking about how hard it was, we were thinking about how hard it was going to get when they became mobile.
Well, we're there.
Cate and Lela have become two very busy little girls. In the last two days we've pulled computer parts, dog food, and leaves from their mouths, we've dried countless tears from falling, teething, being overtired, or just not feeling well, we've juggled two babies when they both insist on being held, and we've wondered where all their clean clothes have gone (when our Kiki hasn't been here to keep the laundry moving). It's overwhelming, it's exhausting, and I feel like I'm always ten seconds shy of being proactive.
It is also amazing. Amazing to watch them figure things out. Today Lela (who wildly waves her arms up and down to show excitement) very deliberately put her hands together, palms flat, contemplating a clap. It was the first visible moment in the learning process. Now, when she's excited, she waves wildly and ends by putting her hands together.
They sprint crawl to explore all open doors, new people, new objects, etc. And they are spending lots of time on their feet, using furniture (or a not-so-stable 3-legged dog) for support. I've decided that we will contribute a nickel for every fall into their college fund. A quarter for every fall that results in tears. We'll surely get a nice jumpstart on their savings.
I'm sure that it will get easier at some point, but for now the challenge curve is on a steep rise.
To everyone who said it would soon get easier, you're welcome to come witness this chaos, but beware that we will certainly put you to work.
Baby Steps
No, nobody is walking yet... thank goodness. I'm just thinking about thinking about getting around to some updates here.
With one computer fixed and a ginormous research project hanging over my head, my procrastinator self decided now was the time to update the blog. Only now I can't find the card reader that would give me access to our most recent photos. That's kind of par for the course lately.
Here's what I do have....
Cate and Lela as Great-Horned Owlets
With one computer fixed and a ginormous research project hanging over my head, my procrastinator self decided now was the time to update the blog. Only now I can't find the card reader that would give me access to our most recent photos. That's kind of par for the course lately.
Here's what I do have....
Cate and Lela as Great-Horned Owlets
Giving Thanks
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, but at our house we give thanks every day. We thank each other for our contributions to our wonderful family and our warm, cozy home. We thank our girls for being with us and for being patient with us. And we thank the Kai for being the best Kai there is. Interestingly (and sadly), the holidays are often the hardest time to truly give thanks.
After spending a good portion of yesterday cooking while John took care of the girls, I am reminded that I don't want our holidays to be about having just the right casseroles or the moistest bird, or about having a huge pile of gifts to unwrap. Our goal is simply to have a special shared experience that allows us to really enjoy one another. It's true that Thanksgiving really isn't Thanksgiving without turkey, gravy, mashed taters, and of course green bean casserole. What I've realized is that I don't care if the taters were made on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday. From now on, I cook ahead throughout the week, have leftovers on the actual holiday, and do something that we all love. Together.
After spending a good portion of yesterday cooking while John took care of the girls, I am reminded that I don't want our holidays to be about having just the right casseroles or the moistest bird, or about having a huge pile of gifts to unwrap. Our goal is simply to have a special shared experience that allows us to really enjoy one another. It's true that Thanksgiving really isn't Thanksgiving without turkey, gravy, mashed taters, and of course green bean casserole. What I've realized is that I don't care if the taters were made on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday. From now on, I cook ahead throughout the week, have leftovers on the actual holiday, and do something that we all love. Together.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Cate and Lela: Unplugged
Halloween has come and gone and still no recent twin updates. The truth is that I've broken not one, but two laptops in the last four weeks. Actually, I'm claiming no fault, but it is odd that our screens would both go out in the same month.
So, once we get our technology ducks all in a row, Cate and Lela will for sure be back in blog action. In the meantime, they certainly haven't let this little hiatus slow them down.... the are getting into all sorts of mischief.
So, once we get our technology ducks all in a row, Cate and Lela will for sure be back in blog action. In the meantime, they certainly haven't let this little hiatus slow them down.... the are getting into all sorts of mischief.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)