Thursday, April 15, 2010

Twin Update


It has been a long time since I've done an update on the "babies," which we still find ourselves calling them - even though they are deeply entrenched in the "twos" at 27 months, with all that implies! There is rarely a dull moment when they're around. What's more fun than a bouncy running little two year old? TWO bouncy running little two year olds!

I don't know their vital statistics at the moment, but Katie continues to be considerably taller and heavier than Emma. They can be the best of buddies, and they can scrap with the best of siblings. I wished I had my camera with me when Emma grabbed Katie's hand on the walk around the block today. They tend to have personality traits of the older sister who named each. Emma is always willing to share, and is always helping Sissy with something - it is so sweet to watch.

Both girls seem to be ambidextrous. They take turns being grouchy, it seems. The nursery attendant at church is convinced that they have a conversation on Saturday night that goes something like this, "Okay, last time you cried when they dropped us off at the nursery, so it's my turn tomorrow!"

Emma is quite the little athlete - we think she'll need to be in gymnastics before too much longer. Katie, on the other hand, is more like her clumsy grandma - she has several scars already from her tripping exploits.

The only area in which they haven't quite caught up with the developmental steps is in their speech. There are some language "experts" who feel that there is a "twin language" - we have certainly experienced that with the littles. They jabber animatedly to each other and certainly seem to know what they're talking about. Worse, they look us straight in the eye, tell us a long story, and assume that we know what they're saying. The tendency is to say, "Yes, I know, I know!" when you don't have a clue! They must be really confused when they are told, "I know," when obviously we don't! They do increase in vocabulary every day, though, and we have high hopes that speech therapy won't be necessary. One article I read indicated that part of the issue could be that it is much harder to spend the quality time talking to them in the same way one does with a single baby - especially difficult when they are #3 and 4! And when the two older sisters are extremely verbal - in fact Care Bear and Feisty both had huge vocabularies by the time they were 18 months old.

One thing they have no problem in relaying is their extreme dislike of naps. All they have to do is hear the word and they say, "No nap!" But - Grandma insists on a bit of time in their little beds for my own sake. Sometimes they actually do settle down eventually and sleep. But not before they do this --





Note the diaper in the midst of the pile? Emma does this every single time - the only time it doesn't happen is when she has a one-piece jammie that zips or snaps from top to bottom. I have some adorable proof pictures, but I decided it would be better not to share them. But they're so cute!! I'll be glad to e-mail them if you'd like! (Just a note - do you see the bottom of the little sandal in the pile? What an intricate, beautiful design for the bottom of a shoe!)


These two little girls are absolutely crazy about Grandpa - and the feeling is definitely mutual. Emma seems to think that if she holds tightly enough to Grandpa, he'll protect her from the dreaded trip to bed - at nighty-night time too.




They love bath time - except hair washing time. Sunglasses in the tub - quite the fashion statement!




They are learning to love books, which makes this reading fanatic very happy. I have decided, though, to stay away from the library time for awhile - there are so many kids and moms/grandma/dads at the "laptime" story time these days that it seems to cause especially Katie to become quite agitated. It hasn't been fun for us the last few times, so I think we'll take a break.




They love music - driving around town in the minivan is such fun when all 4 girls sing along with the CD - or just sing their own songs, not always the same one at the same time.




They enjoy a bit of alone time, and it would be nice if they could have more of that.




They have wonderful giggles - Feisty had this bear mask that sent Katie into spasms of delight.




Emma appears to be a budding artist as well. She has been doing a lot of drawing lately - again, following in sisters' footsteps.





They also have potential as future soccer stars -





We've been taking walks around the neighborhood on nice days. We did that today. They are very curious and explore everybody's yards. They like to go up and knock on doors - most people aren't home.




Today Katie discovered the delight of this set of interesting steps - she'd run across each section of sidewalk, then jump down the step, to my bated breath. Amazingly, she never tripped. I kept saying, "Come on, Katie, let's go home." I thought she was coming, but she'd head back up and start all over again. They both were up on the porch when the lady of the house heard them and came out to get acquainted.





Altogether, they are primarily quite happy little girls who make our lives ever so much more fun.




Which is which??


22 comments:

nancygrayce said...

Emma on the left and Katie on the right??? I'm not good at telling twins apart!

The comment thing is I'll go to my dashboard and it will say 3 comments to be moderated. So I click on that and there is only one comment. I don't know what's up with that! And FB....man, they have complicated that!

Linds said...

I am useless at telling twins apart - even when they are boy and girl. Well, when they are tiny babies, that is! Your little girls are beautiful, and seem full of fun. They are growing so rapidly, Dawn, and certainly keep you on your toes. I LOVE the new Facebook photo by the way!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Emma on the left, Katie on the right. :o)

Yes, they're really growing and their individual personalities are really shining through even in the photos. I'm sure it's even more obvious for those of you who know them best.

Hootin Anni said...

Awwwwwwwwwww, I can just picture them hand in hand walking around the block together. How sweet.

And the photo of Grandpa?!! Gotta love that one.

Dawn you've shared a bit of your life and a small bit of your day with the twins...fantastic photo share too. I enjoyed it so much.

Denise said...

Beautiful little girls! How much fun are they!

Thanks for coming by..... and YES I am so excited about my 20 lbs.. I have gone onto a raw food diet and learning to live a new way....... Healthy is the name of the game..

Hope you are having a good Spring and I am soooooooo looking forward to playing in the dirt all summer!

Gigi said...

Dawn, they are both adorable as can be! But don't ask me to tell them apart...I'm really, really bad at that - unless they're boy/girl twins...then I excel!! :)

Dawn said...

I sometimes have a struggle telling them apart unless they're standing side by side - and you can imagine how often that happens!

Needled Mom said...

It was so much fun to get the update on the "girls". They are definitely growing up. I know they keep you all jumping, but imagine what your life would be like without them. What a blessing they were.

Our grandson is still in the same slow speech mode that the girls are and he IS a single birth. Maybe it was that time of the year???!!!

Laurie in Ca. said...

They are getting so big and are so adorable Dawn!! Don't they just melt your hearts?:) Hannah does all things exploring and she is in love with Diego. He's Dora's cousin and is quite the animal rescuer. I think we are the most blessed grandmas. My twins had a language of their own and around 3 years were all caught up. The girls will be fine:) Love you Dawn.

Love and Hugs, Laurie

Linda said...

They really do get cuter all the time. I have a friend who has twin boys (14 years old now) and I asked her about the twin language. She said they definitely had one and that they learned to talk just fine! So I think all will be well.
You're doing a great job Dawn. I don't know how you do it!

Deb said...

Wow, they have grown so much since I visited here last - but they are still just as adorable as ever! :)

Glenda said...

What a sweet post - and sweet little girls! They are blessed to have you nurturing them! I'm sure you never have a dull moment when they are with you!

Sam said...

They just get cuter and cuter! I love their matching fluffy red dresses.

Khai and I take those neighborhood walks where he needs to walk up everyone's driveway and onto their porches. Luckily we have kind neighbors! :-)

You're such a proud grandma. All 4 of those girls are so lucky to have you. I know they will always know this.

My Recent Favorite Books said...

I noticed your post on the Debbie Macomber blog ( she's my Favorite Romance author ) :)
stopped by your blog ~ love your Twins photos! They are so cute!!!
Melissa

Midlife Mom said...

Thank you for the lovely update on the girlies! Adorable pictures that just made me smile! I can't tell them apart, are they identical or just very similar fraternal?

Yes, we had good replacement insurance on the lake house so most of it is covered. But I am making some changes that aren't covered but now is the time to do it while everything is all torn up anyway. Can't wait till it's finished!

Still enjoying the cd so much. I am going to take it in to play for my mother, she likes the same kind of music I do. I remember YEARS ago when I was in boarding school that they used to take us to hear The (original) Blackwood Brothers and we loved it! Tell D that it is fabulous!

Yes, send me the photos! I bet they are sweet!

Brenda said...

What a pair they are! I'm guessing Emma left, Katie right?
They're adorable to say the least!

Nancy said...

Thanks for giving me the heads up on the twins blog. I can't begin to tell you all the similarities to my grandniece twins. I never could have imagined they would be this much fun...always something exciting happening.

Emma and Katie are just adorable and I appreciated everytime you share. I admire you for being such a super grandma. Kristen is blessed to have such a great mom. I look forward to being the same way with my grands...if the day ever comes. Blessings to you my friend!

Just Call Me Grammy said...

Loved this post...they are getting so big and are adorable!

Hootin' Anni said...

....oh well, I didn't MISS OUT. I thought you'd posted more. LOL

Sharon Lynne said...

What a blessing they are!

Carole Burant said...

It always amazes me each time I see new pictures of them, how much they've grown:-) I still picture them as these tiny little babies!! It sounds like they're both doing great and I wouldn't worry too much about the speech, no doubt it will come when they're good and ready. I know they keep you quite busy when you have them but I also know you enjoy every minute of it...even if you do get to bed exhausted! lol xoxo

Ms. Kathleen said...

To cute and which is which... I have no idea! Do you? Ha!