My babies are two and a half years old today. They’ve been on the planet for two years plus a half year. While you might think that extra 6 months is not a big deal, well my friends, let me tell you all the reasons it is a VERY BIG DEAL.
Right now is AWESOME in all these ways:
We spent the day at Maggie Daley Park yesterday. Just the babes and I. IT IS AWESOME by the way. I LOVE LIVING IN CHICAGO. While this outing would have seemed daunting just 6 months ago, yesterday was incredibly lovely. I enjoyed myself. Those of you with little ones know that doesn’t happen all that often on outings because you are just stressed out keeping track of everybody and all the things. They held hands and listened and made sure they stuck by me. I was in awe. We did incredible things yesterday. We enjoyed each other’s company. We had a nearly perfect day. Outings are fun now instead of just stressful and overwhelming. Twins gets to be more and more fun each day.
The way they approach a new challenge. Not with fear, but with such an attitude of I CAN DO THIS. It’s a quality I wish I had more of. I am following their lead. The only time they stop is it we tell them it’s a bit too much and we can try when they get a bit bigger. This bridge was very wobbly (meant to be) and my girl charged through both times. My boy got a bit scared and jumped in my arms, and I will carry him through whenever he allows it.
The way they watched with wonder as the 4th of July parade passed us by. Waiting for the fire trucks and waving to every politician and passer by. They just kept waving. They can sit and enjoy the world around them. At least for a little while. Better than just 6 months ago for sure. Just keep waving.
The way they are learning self control. We are potty training. Scooping them up and running someplace quickly is not in the cards right now as it was with diapers. But one day a couple weeks ago we had to get to the bike shop to fix our stroller tires. They held their business until we got to the place and they each carried a tire along the way. We don’t use our car all that often, but when we do, they’ve learned to stay by the doors as I get the other out or in and my heart doesn’t explode each time we have to do it now. As we were leaving the bike shop, several biker guys were all talking around their bikes and my boy walks by with our tire and yells, “BYE GUYS.” Excellent all around.
They way they believe everything we say.
WHAT’S DIS MAMA?
That’s an octopus.
OH. DATS NICE.
The way they don’t believe anything we say.
WHAT’S DAT MAMA?
That’s an octopus.
DATS NOT OCOPUS MAMA. SILLY MAMA.
The way they are into trickery these days. And they are so smart. I can’t really come down on them too hard because they are so creative and clever. At naptime and bedtime, they are the great negotiators. “I got a surprise for you mama. Downstairs.” “Jus one more Caillou. Jus two more Caillou.” “Jus want a big big big kiss.” My husband and I have to do our best not to crack and lose our hard exterior when dealing with these negotiators.
The way they practice kindness and understanding and overall communication with each other. When we aren’t around, the conversations they have. The way they work things out. The way they apologize and try to make each other feel better, even when it might have been their fault the other was upset in the first place.
ME WANT TO SHOW BEBE MY BOOBOO IS BETTER.
YAY GAH, BOO BOO ALL BETTER GAH? YAY!
GAH GO POOP IN DA POTTY! YAY GAH!
DANKS BEBE. DANKS! *flap flap flap*
They way they leave us surprises in our shoes. In our pockets. In our food. In our couch. In our bed. Chewed up bagel on your pillow, anyone?
The way they acknowledge that we are human beings feeling the same things they feel. When I sneeze, I now hear, YOU OK MAMA? BLESS YOU MAMA. If I’m upset or sad, they get very concerned and try to cheer me up. We talk about how it’s ok to be sad or upset and that I still love them not matter what. And they understand. Incredible!
They way they tell me I’m doing a good job as I cut their hair or make their lunch. Encouragement of each other and of us is everything kind and good.
DIS TICKLES MAMA. OOOOH NICE LUNCH MAMA. NICE HAIRCUT. ME IS AWESOME. BEBE AWESOME TOO. DANKS GAH. MAMA AWESOME TOO. DANKS BEBE.
The way they remember events and people and look forward to things. We can talk about stories and people and animals and what happened and they remember. They know who and what we are talking about. It’s fun to reminisce about the past and look forward to the future.
They way my girl thinks that everything is so cute.
IT’S SO CUTE. To just about everything she likes. Everything that is pleasing to her. Mailbox? It doesn’t mean what she thinks it means. Which of course makes it even more precious.
They way he declares for all the world that he doesn’t want something.
DAT SHIRT IS DONE MAMA. DONE DONE DONE.
They way she says peanut butter.
They way he says GOOD MORNING MAMA in the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard with that little smile meant just for me.
The way he has a brilliant idea every morning, I WANT A NICE CLEAN SHIRT MAMA.
The way they bargain and get ready to go to the park, which can only happen after they eat applesauce:
Bebe: YOU WANT GO PAK, GAH? EAT ASS SAUCE.
Bubby: ASS SAUCE DONE.
Bebe: COME ON GAH. COME ON. EAT ASS SAUCE.
Bubby: OKAY BEBE.
Bebe: YAY GAH! EAT ASS SAUCE! GO PAK!
The way they know they are different and yet the same:
ME TWO.
ME TWO TOO.
ME A BOY.
ME A GIRL.
BEBE GOT STRAWBERRY ON BACK. ME GOT A BLUEBERRY.
She has a hemangioma that looks like a strawberry on her back, he does not. But don’t try to tell him that.
The way they exert their independence and yet, always wind up right next to each other as that’s where they find the most comfort.
The way they laugh.
The sound of their voices.
The way they sleep. If I’ve learned anything about two and a half year olds it’s that you MUST go in at night and watch them sleep for a few minutes. It will erase any hardship or frustration you felt during the day with them. Because as much as we love their independence and exerting their own willpower into every situation, it’s frustrating at times. It will all fall away when you watch your sweet angel babies sleep and all you remember are the good sweet funny times you had that day. And then you put everything to bed for that 24 hours and hopefully get a chance to start all over the next morning.
Growing, healthy kids. What a gift. We celebrate every day we are granted with these two. Every day sober is a great day. Every day with these two is the best day ever. Today is my favorite.
See also – all the birthday posts:
A love note to my two year old twins on their birthday.
All the ways 18-month-olds are incredible.
Happy first birthday to my twins.
Life Lessons from 6-month-olds.
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Too Sober For This 