21 Months! Which means almost two. But I refuse to get ahead of myself.
So what’s going on now? The babes are talking, walking and running.
And I am just sweating.
It’s non stop over here! But the kind of chaos that fills me up to the point I need to sit down for a sec. Put my feet up. Take a sip of water #agirlcandream
In all seriousness, these two are morphing into little people. And though I always felt so blessed to call them mine, I am becoming more and more aware of how privileged I am to raise them. I can’t explain it precisely but it’s been neat to see us work as a unit lately. A team. And though there are still tons of challenges (if not more than before), there is so much beauty in the dynamic of these two’s twinhood! We have tons of struggles but also successes so I thought it’d be fun to lay some out for you!
STRUGGLES:
Sharing. This is the biggest thing I’d say right now. Slater loves to take whatever Zoe is playing with. Sometimes she’s tough and will just go to the next thing (in a totally non pushover kind of way) and sometimes she gets upset when he gets a little physical. Which for the most part, is manageable, but when he’s tired, all bets are off! And since they’re still too young to understand what “sharing” means, as well as discipline, it can be tricky. But we are working on it!
Cold/Flu Season. We have been under the weather off and on for like two months. Slater’s asthma is magnified every time he gets sick so some days just feel harder. I will say though that each time we take him in for breathing the doctor is surprised at how hard he still goes and how smiley he still is! #happyguy The doc says ear infecitons, colds, fevers etc are all to be expected this season but I’m curious, how do you handle non stop illness? Especially when siblings are involved?
Meltdowns. They happen about 17 times a day and mostly with Slater. Zoe is more even keeled and I’d say is more aware of her feelings. Slater has big feelings he doesn’t know what to do with :) I don’t know if this belongs here though because I’m pretty sure these are in my future for the next few years.
One on One Time. This will forever be on this list. But right now it’s been on my mind since they’re becoming more aware of things, their emotions, connections and what not. Moms with two on the same sleep/play schedule. Where and how do you find moments for QT with each? I’ve been trying to take one out here and there when Hunter or my mom is here. But with family time, husband/wife time, work, me time, it’s challenging.
SUCCESSES:
The Park! I mentioned this in Stories a few weeks ago but I finally feel confident at the park alone. I’ve been going alone since forever but since the kids are a bit more sturdy it’s actually more enjoyable and less stressful!
Communication. New words are SO fun! Their latest? HUMMUS. If you know me, then you know why lol. They also are putting words together. Like “Mama’s Car.” “Dada’s Car.” And Zoe loves to talk about “Daniel” (tiger) and “Makana” from Unstoppable Me (my kids are obsessed with this book!). Though the twins don’t say full sentences, it’s really cool to watch their brains process what I’m saying. Most of the time they understand! I’ll tell them to throw something in the trash and they know exactly what to do. Or to go get the baby doll’s bottle, or pick out a good book and voila!
Clean up! Before dinner, we clean up together. It’s one of my favorite things right now (even though sometimes it takes an hour)! It takes a moment or two to understand the concept (i.e. Slater will put all the blocks in their designated basket, then dump it out, then put them back again, then dump out again etc.) but in the end they usually accomplish a tidy place! It’s so fun to see them get into it. Especially when they drive their push carts, trucks and toys to their designated corner. They do it with so much might and motivation. Like little elves or something.
Helping each other. Contrary to sharing issues, they are really good about bringing each other a toy, or waffle (when they are in the mood). When Zoe is upset, Slater will run to find her animals (she loves her bunny, lamby and doggy). Or he’ll question “Sissy?” like, is she okay? When Slater is having a moment, Zoe will find his milk or water. You can see the concern on their faces when the other is upset. It’s really sweet.
First Flight Alone! I mean, as a little unit of four. We’ve flown a few times with the kids but with a giant brigade of like 10 family members to help so I was quite nervous for our first trip man to man! And it was a breeze. At least it felt like one compared to the rest of the flights I’ve taken them on. Because even with all the help on prior flights we still had multiple blow-outs, tantrums, and just I don’t know a whole lot of things. Those flights were longer too, and this one was a little two hour jaunt, so piece a cake in my mind. Not that I’m hopping on a plane with them any time soon #seriously. Anyway, I think just having a good mindset (#helloperspective), preparing for the worst (Hunter and I each had our own backpacks filled with snacks, toys and diapers), and also, expecting the worse, helped! Because we still did have some melt downs, we still had to go up and down the aisle 112 times, and we still, very much, made a huge mess. But business as usual right? As I tried to clean up before we deplaned I said what a disaster and the people behind me laughed and said, hey the kids are happy and you’re happy! Yep! I’m scared to even record this trip because I’m almost positive that means the next trip will be the opposite. haha. But I’ll take this win. And I’ll celebrate it too.
So those are a few of our things for now…more to come!
