Although the above picture isn’t actually the twins, even if they look more alike than the actual twins. David and Alex, the actual twins, aren’t twinning so well, but they are growing up into little boys! They aren’t just babies anymore! They both walk and mutter little spells as they wander around.
I’ve been asked by at least one person, but no more than that, what it’s like having two toddlers at the same time. Well, it’s like living with two gremlins who are trying to either destroy or reorganize everything you own.
They will rummage through anything that’s a container, pull out every item and scatter them across the floor.
They will find any piece of paper, but specifically seem to target important ones, and tear it into pieces. They have managed to somehow destroy our board books that are meant for toddlers.
They can reach the edges of countertops and pull down anything remotely close to the edge.
They are picky about what food they eat for meals, but they will also sample bit of non-food they find. Tissues, toys, small electronics, nothing seems to be off limits.
They like to mess with cords and outlets.
They like to pound on our glass doors.
They like to throw things into the toilet.
Basically, we have closed off most of the house while they are awake, as it is in the only way to keep our sanity.
While they are a little pair of imps, they are also super cute and playful. They giggle and laugh a lot, chatter to each other, and they’ve reached the age where they will play with Bridgette. I still don’t understand their games, but if it brings peace to the land, I don’t really care what game they are playing. The moments where everyone gets along are turning into whole tens of minutes, and that is a win for me.
Other times it feels like I’m the referee at a wrestling match, just trying to keep them all from killing each other. While they are both quick to scream if someone does anything to them, they are still happy to hit, pull hair, step on, and steal toys from each other. Empathy is not something that comes easily to a baby.
Bridgette embraces her big sister roll. There’s definitely jealousy when the twins get attention, but if I ask her for any help, she throws herself into the task. I asked her to sit in the wagon and hold in her brothers and she took this very seriously, wrapping her arms around them and keeping them close. She begs to feed them their meals, and gives them instructions on how to play with toys. She really likes the responsibility of caring for them, and I think she feels important having a role.
Of course we still have the moments when she asked me to “put them away” because she’s done dealing with them. Unfortunately, they can’t just be put away, they aren’t toys, and they live with us. I think there’s times when she still wishes she was an only child, but she really enjoys having playmates that are always here, too.
Overall, it continues to get easier to exist. Still not easy, but as they are getting more independent, it’s getting easier. And definitely more rewarding, with their beaming smiles, and bright eyes that are filled with so much love.
Next up, getting them to say more than three or four words. Hopefully the next update will be discussing about how I can’t get them to stop talking, but I think I’ll be alright with that.