Last week, the boys had their four month "birthday." As I sat on train on my way home from work, I found myself paging through the sizable collection of photos I've taken on my phone since they arrived. I can't believe, 1) that they let us take them home at just over 5 pounds that surprisingly sunny yet cold April day, and 2) how big they've gotten in such a short time.
Colin (I call him El Caballo due to his round noggin), has started rolling over. One way, but he's as quick as a snap, and he loves to show you how fast he is. He's also decided that his rattle is his new best toy. He grabs it, shakes it, eats it, and smacks himself in the head with it on a regular basis. Seeing the development in just the past month is unreal. To think they could barely lift their heads off the floor, and now they're grabbing things and interacting with them! Colin's the big talker as well. And he has no inside voice. Every squeal of delight is louder and louder. He loves to let everyone know when he's happy, and even more so when he's pissed at the world. Or Mom and Dad. The fake cry he's started makes me laugh everytime.
Ryan, on our other hand, is quiet and reserved. He talks, but only when you give him your undivided attention. It's almost like he wants to talk one on one to you, complete with hand gestures. It's funny, and amazing at the same time. His love for standing up, is matched only to Colin's yelps of happiness. Ryan isn't happy unless he's standing up, and using Dad as his support. Move a little to the left. Move a little to the right. Try to lift the leg up onto Dad's tummy and climb, climb, climb! Grinning the whole time.
The smiles make it so much fun to watch. And the smiles to each other is awesome. This is the first time both of them are really recognizing each other, and that although they don't know why, each of them are tied to each other for some strange reason. Their faces light up when they see each other when playing. It's great fun.
In the meantime, it's giving me and Mom a bit more time to cut loose and get things done. Hopefully this blog will start getting populated with more than just words. Until then.....
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Yesterday was a big day. Colin, the first of the two boys (by 18 seconds), rolled over. He only attempted to start trying it on Monday. Naturally, my wife had to go out of town on business this week for the first time in two years, so she's missing all of it. So there I sat with the video camera, waiting and watching patiently. Right leg thrown over. Roll back. Right leg thrown over. Roll back. Grunt. Grunt. Right leg thrown over.....it stayed. Then the figuring out how to get that left arm back under him. Twist. Twist. Twist. Rest. Twist. Grunt. Twist. Rest. Then all of a sudden, he's on his tummy looking up at everyone. I have to say he had one of the biggest grins I've ever seen from him. He's truly proud of his accomplishment!
Which brings me to Ryan. Ryan is the mover and the shaker of the two. He was non-stop action during the pregnancy, and he hasn't stopped. Perpetual motion. And then sleep. Hee hee. Ryan decided a week ago that tummy time was fun, but beyond his capabilities. Lifting his head was all fine and good, but there was something bigger than that out there for him. By chance, I decided to do the old lift him by his arms (while he's on his back), to get him in a sitting position. He bypassed that whole thing, dug his feet in, and went right to standing. Now it's all he wants to do. And like Ryan, everytime he does it, it puts a huge smile on his face. It's a wonderful experience for all of us to enjoy!
So back to the rolling over.....as I watched this whole thing unfold in front of me, it struck me that it was one less thing that Colin was going to need Mom and Dad to help him with. When he was tired of being on his back, we had to put him on his tummy, and vice versa. Now...well he can do it himself. I have to admit, it made me sad. Sure, it can be an aggravation. Trying to do dishes, and the calls of irritation from the other room wash over the sound of the running water. Run back to flip him over, and start all over again. Usually in five minute cycles. Now, he may not call out at all if he's done it himself....sigh.
These guys are growing up so fast. Back in May, I thought I'd never get another full night's sleep, get to just sit and read, sit and watch the boys entertain themselves...and now...well it's almost happening too fast.
Still wouldn't miss it for the world, just wish time would slow down every once and awhile.
Which brings me to Ryan. Ryan is the mover and the shaker of the two. He was non-stop action during the pregnancy, and he hasn't stopped. Perpetual motion. And then sleep. Hee hee. Ryan decided a week ago that tummy time was fun, but beyond his capabilities. Lifting his head was all fine and good, but there was something bigger than that out there for him. By chance, I decided to do the old lift him by his arms (while he's on his back), to get him in a sitting position. He bypassed that whole thing, dug his feet in, and went right to standing. Now it's all he wants to do. And like Ryan, everytime he does it, it puts a huge smile on his face. It's a wonderful experience for all of us to enjoy!
So back to the rolling over.....as I watched this whole thing unfold in front of me, it struck me that it was one less thing that Colin was going to need Mom and Dad to help him with. When he was tired of being on his back, we had to put him on his tummy, and vice versa. Now...well he can do it himself. I have to admit, it made me sad. Sure, it can be an aggravation. Trying to do dishes, and the calls of irritation from the other room wash over the sound of the running water. Run back to flip him over, and start all over again. Usually in five minute cycles. Now, he may not call out at all if he's done it himself....sigh.
These guys are growing up so fast. Back in May, I thought I'd never get another full night's sleep, get to just sit and read, sit and watch the boys entertain themselves...and now...well it's almost happening too fast.
Still wouldn't miss it for the world, just wish time would slow down every once and awhile.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Where's the Time?
My wife recently looked at me and said, "Now I understand the saying, 'There's not enough hours in the day.'" It struck me as being dead on. I had never really thought about it. Sure before the boys there was always times where I wish I had a little more time, but now.....holy mackerel! I can go for days without watching the news, or even turning on my laptop. Heck, today I had to check what the date actually was, because I had no idea. I know what day it is (Mondays totally suck, for reasons I'll describe in a later post), but the date? It totally eludes me now.
Twins are great. I actually sat there watching both of them napping over the weekend, and decided I wouldn't know what to do if we only had one. I must have been delirious, or seriously sleep deprived. Right? One is up, the other is sleeping, then it's vice versa. We get a few hours where they're both down, or they're both up. Both of those times are great. When they're up, they play, coo, cry, cuddle. When they're down, it's a free for all for Mom and Dad to see who can get more done without interruption. And how fast those tasks can get done, because after those are done, it's personal time! It's amazing how much we cherish even ten minutes of time to read, work on a hobby, talk like adults, etc.
The hours fly by, especially now that we're both back to work (which totally sucks), and it makes getting in personal time and kid time that much harder. Sadly, there are nights when I hope I get home in time to feed them for their 7 PM meal, I get something to eat, and they're down for an hour or two so I can decompress. Not the ideal feelings for a Dad I would think, but merited nonetheless. If you're not sane, it's no way to deal with infants.
I do wish there were more hours in the day. For one, it'd mean more sleep......and maybe a few more blog posts.
Twins are great. I actually sat there watching both of them napping over the weekend, and decided I wouldn't know what to do if we only had one. I must have been delirious, or seriously sleep deprived. Right? One is up, the other is sleeping, then it's vice versa. We get a few hours where they're both down, or they're both up. Both of those times are great. When they're up, they play, coo, cry, cuddle. When they're down, it's a free for all for Mom and Dad to see who can get more done without interruption. And how fast those tasks can get done, because after those are done, it's personal time! It's amazing how much we cherish even ten minutes of time to read, work on a hobby, talk like adults, etc.
The hours fly by, especially now that we're both back to work (which totally sucks), and it makes getting in personal time and kid time that much harder. Sadly, there are nights when I hope I get home in time to feed them for their 7 PM meal, I get something to eat, and they're down for an hour or two so I can decompress. Not the ideal feelings for a Dad I would think, but merited nonetheless. If you're not sane, it's no way to deal with infants.
I do wish there were more hours in the day. For one, it'd mean more sleep......and maybe a few more blog posts.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Where to begin...
When we found out my wife and I were going to have twins, I started looking around the web for information about twins. More importantly, from the Dad's perspective. To say I found a lot would be a grave understatement. There were a few blog type posts here and there, mostly within other multiples sites, which of course were for Moms. At least there was nothing you could come back to every so often, and check for updates.
I immediately started thinking that this was a bit of a void in the old blogosphere. I mean, all those twins out there (or other multiples) and no one has bit the bullet to do such a thing? Then again, free time to do much of anything, let alone blog, with twins is tough to do.
During the last few weeks of the pregnancy, I began planting the seeds in my head that I wanted to not only tell my story as the boys grew up, but for me to be able to jot down my memories of the experiences (good, bad and indifferent) as they happened. And maybe, just maybe, instill a little insight into the life of a Dad trying to raise twins while he and his wife work full time. So, here we are almost seven weeks after they were born, and I finally get the gears into motion....perhaps I am biting off a little more than I can chew, but I've done it well for 37 years, so why not try again?!
So, right now the blog ain't pretty, but I'll start populating it with the cast of characters in the near future (Colin, Ryan, my wife, myself, and the many family and friends that have helped these past few weeks).
Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I'm enjoying hanging out with two of the most interesting little dudes on the planet. At least in my little world.
I immediately started thinking that this was a bit of a void in the old blogosphere. I mean, all those twins out there (or other multiples) and no one has bit the bullet to do such a thing? Then again, free time to do much of anything, let alone blog, with twins is tough to do.
During the last few weeks of the pregnancy, I began planting the seeds in my head that I wanted to not only tell my story as the boys grew up, but for me to be able to jot down my memories of the experiences (good, bad and indifferent) as they happened. And maybe, just maybe, instill a little insight into the life of a Dad trying to raise twins while he and his wife work full time. So, here we are almost seven weeks after they were born, and I finally get the gears into motion....perhaps I am biting off a little more than I can chew, but I've done it well for 37 years, so why not try again?!
So, right now the blog ain't pretty, but I'll start populating it with the cast of characters in the near future (Colin, Ryan, my wife, myself, and the many family and friends that have helped these past few weeks).
Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I'm enjoying hanging out with two of the most interesting little dudes on the planet. At least in my little world.
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