Twins - Two very different babies

The twins are going to be a whole year old this month. I can't believe how quickly this time has gone by... I am enjoying this twin mama stuff so much! We are seeing more and more of the babies' very different personalities, and it is a blast! Most people now realize right away that they are not identical, even when I have them dressed in matching outfits. In fact, more and more people comment on how 'each of us (Scott and me) have one', referring to the thought that there is one baby that looks like each of us.

Dennis definitely looks like his daddy (it's all in the eyes and those eyelashes!), but I am not so sure how Daniel looks like me just yet. I am not so sure any of my kids look so much like me really. Dennis and Kynzie favor one another, and Daniel and Max favor one another in looks. Personality-wise, Dennis and Daniel are so different from one another as are Kynzie and Max. I am not sure who favors who in this category yet.

It has been interesting to witness these babies have the same influences at the same time and see how differently they respond. It is a wonderful example of how God imparts definite personalities in each of us. There is much to be said about how environment (parental training and nurture as well as other household influences in our case) affects the outcome of a child's character. But seeing what God has placed in them from the beginning seems to be more evident when we have these two side by side than it was raising one at a time.

With one at a time, it was easier to say "Well, we did this or that differently with this child or that child, so that could be why they act this way and the other acted that way..." But here we are doing the same thing with two different little people at the same time. How marvelous to experience this phenomenon!

For example, both babies understand "no", but respond to it almost directly opposite from each other - one says I can get past this no stuff, and one says no means no. While the first baby may not want to obey 'no' just yet, this baby is also the one who seems to want our approval more. The baby who seems to understand it is best for him to obey 'no' seems to not care whether we give him our approval or not. I am interested to see how this continues to develop over time.

We also teach a little bit of sign language for help in early communication (although admittedly, we have not been as diligent in this with the twins). One baby enjoys the signing and tries to imitate it, and the other baby ignores it and makes up his own signs. One baby is better at self-comfort, and as a result, is seemingly more patient and more cuddly but not as smiley or interactive. The other baby wants to be first to get your attention when he wants it, and is sure to give you lots of smiles and interaction as your reward if you comply.

Anyway, it is no wonder to me that twins and other multiples are the subjects of so much study... there is so much we can learn!

The Twins are 38 Weeks Old (+ a few days)

My cousin's wife (cousin-in-law?) has chronicled their son's life week by week on her blog. I was so impressed when I visited recently that I decided to give it a try with the twins. Of course, I am a few days late, but if I don't do it now, it may never happen!

Saturday was their 38th week. They were born at 38 weeks, and now they are 38 weeks old. That translates to almost 9 months. I will try to tell you a little about what is going on with the twins.

Let's see, Daniel (Baby B) was the first to sit up and first to crawl (at just before 7 months). Dennis (Baby A) was the first to clap his hands and get teeth. Dennis has both bottom teeth and the top two mostly in. Daniel has only the bottom two so far. Daniel is pulling himself up to standing all the time and tries to take steps. He doesn't always wait till he has something to hold on to when taking the next step either. Dennis has just in the last few days figured out how to sit up from a tummy position and yesterday started the "army crawl". He seems incredibly determined to 'catch up' all of the sudden.

They both are champion eaters. Neither care much for peas or carrots plain, but will even tolerate those foods if they must. I haven't tried spinach yet, but they have eaten nearly everything else we have given them - home made and store bought. Both are doing fairly well trying to drink with sippy cups. I think I may get the kind with straws. They enjoy their water so much.

They are so much fun. I love to watch their similarities and their differences. I LOVE having two babies at the same time. We find it very interesting how much Dennis is like Kynzie and Daniel has similarities to Max. Maybe I will post about that ... someday.

They both love to be tickled, to laugh and to smile. Dennis loves to look at your face and touch your nose, lips, eyse, cheeks, etc. but prefers to face outward if you are holding him (same as Kynzie). He likes to see where he is going, I guess. He doesn't want to miss out. Daniel will cuddle when you hold him and lay his head on your shoulder (same as Max). He will just relax and trust you to take him where he needs to go. Unless he can get there himself, then he prefers that mode.

Dennis has a little bit more stranger anxiety than Daniel at this point. Dennis knows faces. And if yours isn't one he "knows", he has to warm up to you a bit. Daniel doesn't mind other people and may not even notice who you are for awhile if he is busy playing. And he is busy playing often, but don't be deceived by his contented playtime. He needs his cuddle time, too. Dennis seems to need more interactive play but not necessarily as much cuddle time. (He gets as much cuddle time as he will allow us all to give him, though!)

I think that is one reason why Kynzie gets along so well with Dennis at this stage... she needed (and still does) more one on one play and interaction. Max can play by himself or look at books or whatever for long periods of time. But he too needs to have cuddle time. He still seeks out a good cuddle from time to time throughout the day. Max enjoys playing side by side with Daniel.

So, Kynzie and Dennis maybe get their love tanks filled with quality time. We used to say Kynzie would spell love T-I-M-E. And, maybe Max and Daniel's tanks are filled with physical contact. (You know, from the Five Love Languages. What's yours? My highest are quality time and receiving gifts. Scott's are acts of service and physical contact. We are so opposite.)

Okay, anyway, this was supposed to be an update on the twins. It is late and I am rambling. I will try to get the picture of the twins from Saturday up tomorrow. I waited up a bit late because I thought the babies would wake to nurse pretty early tonight since their last nursing was earlier than usual. But they didn't. I need to go get some water, some vitamin C, some garlic, and some rest so I can fight off this sudden and strange beginning of mastitis... 'Night.

Tiny-mo or Dynamo

Here is Daniel doing push ups at 6 months old. (They are 7 months old now.) He has a great deal of strength in his little baby body. I am not sure which is more amazing - how far up he can push himself or that he hasn't stood up yet...




Daddy used to call him Tiny-mo and Dennis, Dynamo because Dennis was a pound larger. They are both about the same size now, but Daniel definitely needs a new nickname. How about Mighty-mo?

Here is a picture of Dennis and me, and a picture of Dennis smiling at Daddy.

Kynzie's Ready for a Winter Wonderland

Yesterday when we left for my Grandma's Thanksgiving dinner, it was snowing heavy, wet flakes. Kynzie was more than thrilled to see the snow. But by the time we arrived back home, she was crying. I asked why, and she said because the snow was all gone already. She didn't even get to play in it. I was so sad for her!

This morning when I saw snow on the ground, however thin a layer, I turned into a giddy little girl! I wasn't as excited about the snow as I was about telling Kynzie it was outside. And she was beyond excited to see it. She started making plans. "I'll wear my gloves, and... Mommy can I taste it when we go outside? How long will it stay today?" And on and on for quite dome time.

Max followed her excitement cautiously. I don't think he remembers much of the snow. Or maybe he does remember and doesn't care for it as much. We'll see.

It is really funny that she loves the snow so much. Scott, of course, despises cold weather and snow and all that goes with it. I don't hate snow; I think it can be beautiful. I would like it much better if it wasn't so cold. We haven't done extensive snow playing or anything, but she has fond memories of what we have done I guess.

Scott usually puts aside his winter disdain and builds a snowman with the kids at least once a winter. I should say snow giants because he tries to build them taller than himself. He has taken Delainey sledding, but has yet to do that with Kynzie. Delainey or I have played in the snow with Kynzie, carrying on the traditions from my childhood - snowball fights, attempts at snow forts, snow angels, and Kynzie's favorite, snow ice cream. Here is last year's post about snow ice cream.

Satuday Evening at Our House

Tonight was a good night for the most part...

Daniel figured out how to go from tummy to sitting upright all by himself tonight. So, I can leave the room with Daniel on his belly. Then come back into the room and he is sitting up all by his little self. It is quite a sight to get used to. I had to rethink whether I really left him on his tummy the first time I came back and he was upright.

The twins are 7 months old now. Dennis isn't sitting up yet, but he does enjoy clapping these days. Both boys enjoyed some sweet potatoes again this evening. This is the 2nd time they have eaten store bought baby food, as opposed to home made.

Dad and Mom came here after out Thanksgiving at my Grandma's, and they brought the turkey and some other leftovers that made for a yummy dinner for us. They invited us to eat turkey and noodles with them after church tomorrow. Yum Yum!

Max just asked if it was time for bed, and I said it's almost time. He said, "I miss Daddy." Isn't that sweet? The girls are watching Veggie Tales "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything", but he isn't interested. Most movies just aren't his thing. He will sit through Blue's Clues most of the time. He is too active. Music often catches his attention, though. He went back to the TV when the "music videos" came on at the end of the movie.

I told the kids they could have a little ice cream before bed; he said he wants pears instead. Delainey bought some mint chocolate chip ice cream flavored chewy candy and ate one in the car. I had one too, and didn't care for it one bit. Kynzie smelled the candy smell - "What's that smell? It smells like candy, like chocolate candy." So, Delainey shared one with Max and one with Kynzie. Kynzie loved it. Max spit out the one tiny bite he took and said it tasted like ice cream.

Happy Birthday, Bug, You're My Little Girl

Delainey turned 14 on Monday. I am so proud of her. That she made it to 14. Ha, ha! No, just kidding. I am so proud of how she has grown and matured in the last year. Happy birthday, Delainey-Bug! I love you! I am so thankful that God blessed my life with you. You have challenged me, made me grow and made me seek after God more intensely. You have given me countless joys over the years, bringing many a smile to my face and much laughter to my lips. Your hand in mine is still as precious now as it was when you were born. I am so pleased when you choose to move forward and press into Jesus despite what fears you may have or what hindrances may come... Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid... for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deut. 31:6

You're my little girl, but you were His first
the one that He created
No one in this world could ever be like you...

Tuesday's Top Ten Things to do with Two-Month-Old Twins

1) Type one-handed while nursing (how do you think I have time to post!)

2) Have a goal for (the babies') sleeping, eating and wake-time and slowly work toward it. My goal is eat/wake/sleep in a three-hour rotation. It may sound familiar to those of you who have read Babywise or Along the Infant Way. Lots of controversy surrounds some of the ideas within, but as with anything, take from it what will best benefit you, your babies, and your family. And, we have found it benefits us in many ways... maybe another post another time there.

3) Keep them in the same crib... at least in our experience it is easier, and as of two plus months of age, they don't wake each other when crying.

4) Make the individual time you have with each count, but also do as many things as you can two at a time! Nursing is the biggest and best two-at-a-time-task for me! But, you may not want to go that route. Maybe you would rather enjoy bonding with one at a time. Then you could double up at bath time maybe...

5) Keep a "While I Am Thinking About It" Notebook. This can be a little, spiral notepad or a more elaborate 3-ring binder with various subjects (home life, school, calendar, to do, menu/grocery, etc.) divided with tabs. But have it handy, that is the key. I think of things constantly, and then promptly forget them.

6) Make sure you give your husband opportunities to bond with the babies, too! My terrific husband has always enjoyed having a hand, or two, in the children's care. This time is no different. He does the bathing of the babies. He also talks with them, holds them, changes them, burps them, and more when he is home.

7) Give the babies toys or colorful objects on which to focus and to practice coordinating muscle movement and hand-eye coordination. Dennis is much better at grabbing something he sees. (But Daniel can roll!) It is so sweet to see them growing and changing.

8) Talk to them face to face. Watch them try to 'talk' back to you.

9) My husband said I should add that you should work hard to keep them awake in the evening. Try to not let them nap past six o'clock or so. It is often much easier said than done, but it is good to have goals.

10) Make sure you are allowing them to fall asleep in the crib. I think this is about the time (2-3 months) that they become more aware of sleep aids, which means they can easily become more used to them. Sleep aids such as rocking them to sleep and then carefully and gently putting baby down in the crib, hoping not to wake the angel. It becomes even more important with two babies, I think, than with one... it may seem like a sacrifice at first, but it will pay off for you and your sleep!

Before and After the Hair Cut

I wish I had taken good 'before' pictures of Delainey's hair. She had her locks loped off last Friday night. I didn't go with her; Scott and Max went along to get their hairs cut as well. Scott called me when she was getting her hair cut, and I thought I was going to cry just hearing about it. I don't know whether I could have handled watching it. I know that is silly, and I didn't even know I felt that way until Scott called me.

Anyway, when I saw it I couldn't believe how much different she looked! She donated her hair to Locks of Love, and one of the ladies at the salon said there should be enough for two wigs from her hair. Wow! I don't know about that, but I do know she had a whole bunch of hair chopped!

Her haircut is so cute. And, it really looks great on her. It makes me think maybe I want a hairstyle like hers. But she begged me not to get mother-daughter 'do's, so I guess I'll wait at least till hers grows out a bit.

Here is the link to her Christmas photo. That is the best one I have of her long hair. She seems to always have it in a ponytail or something in all the other photos I have... so here is a pic of her with a ponytail at a recent family gathering.

Tuesday's Top Ten Twin Items of Interest

1) Dennis was ready to go to 3 hour feedings before Daniel which presented a little bit of a dining dilema unitl Daniel caught up a bit in the last day or two... it is easier on mom nursing every 3 hours instead of every 2
2) Tomorrow is their two-month check-up. It will be a bit of a logistical challenge because this doctor's patient rooms do not hold all of us at once...
3) They both are enjoying face-to-face interaction, which is fun
4) They are starting to have more awake time that isn't cry-time
5) Smiles are becoming much more common, which is so rewarding!
6) I have decided that I enjoy dressing them in matching outfits, especially since they are fraternal, and I can tell them apart.
7) Kynzie told me yesterday that she can't tell them apart when I dress them in matching outfits
8) Max calls them both "Dennis 'n' Daniel", I think
9) Scott thinks Daniel might be longer than Dennis now; I think he may have caught up weight-wise
10) Another twin mom told us that we would have to pad our schdeule with extra time for any trip we make to account for all the attention twins generate. We have found this to be true for the most part. Usually, it is fun and enjoyable talking to people about our experiences, and often, hearing from others about their twins.

One of Our Budding Artists

Kynzie has many gifts and talents... holding a writing utensil is not one of them just yet. But she loves to draw on her "arbie-doodle", and it seems to be great practice for her. One evening she came into the living room from playing quietly in her room. She was quite pleased with herself, and this is why:


And, just in case we couldn't be sure about what she'd drawn, she brought her 'model' out for us as well. This is a portrait of Strawberry Shortcake (or Strawberry Cortcake, as Kynzie calls her). You can see the likeness, right? The hat on her head?

The short story behind this is that when she was littler, Scott could entertain her for long stretches of time by drawing things on the Magna-doodle for her. She would pick various characters from her toy collection to bring to him for caricaturization. It was magical to her to watch Daddy replicate Woody or Cinderella with this drawing medium.

And now she has finally decided maybe she can do it too. That is what is super-sweet about it. She never would try it herself until now. I love watching our kids grow and learn new skills. It is a little bittersweet because it does go by so fast, but I wouldn't miss a moment like this for anything this world has to offer.

How do you keep your Daughter safe?

So, I got a Facebook account so I could check it out before I decided whether Delainey could get one or not. I just don't get it. What is the point? It seems like a bit of a waste of time to me. Can someone help me understand?

I can't let her go anywhere alone. Not because I don't trust her, but because I can't trust some other people. Last night we went to a mall to check out a store my husband heard about. While we were there, Delainey had to use the facilities, hmm, hmm, you know. So Scott explained how to get to the nearest one and off she went only to return in short order accompanied by a strange fellow.

Some guy had started to follow her, weaving to the other side of the walkway when she weaved, stopping to show interest in some store front suddenly, when she stopped. Delainey wisely and quickly found the first store with more than one person in it and hung a left inside.

She approached the two men behind the counter and announced that she believed she was being followed. One of the gents asked if she would like him to call security. She said no, but could he please walk her back to the store in which her parents were shopping... and he did. Thank you to that store employee and to everyone else who helps out in a situation like that!

This man asked Delainey to point out the perpetrator, and when she did, he said security had already been called on that guy for picking a fight that night.

Now, one might say she could just be paranoid... but I have actually watched this happen twice before in other stores. Once, in Price Chopper, I followed a man because I thought he was following Delainey (who was, once again, going to the bathroom). And she knew he was back there, because she would back-track and stop and go and all that stuff you would do to see whether someone was following you.

So, I watched for a bit, then I made myself more visible so she could see me and head back to me. He went to the front of the store and sat there.

It causes Delainey to feel quite shook up, and it takes me a minute or two to let the anger settle after these situations. Anger at these men who have no regard for anyone other than themselves. I don't understand how someone could be this way. I don't understand how a grown, and sometimes married, man can't keep his eyes off my young daughter's backside when she walks by. She doesn't wear "hey, look at me clothes." But then I try to remember to pray for them... at a safe distance, though.

Delainey is a beautiful girl. She is friendly and not afraid to interact with people. She doesn't walk with her head down or with the countenance of a victim. Does this sort of thing happen to all girls? Or is it just her? And, you know, so many times she has one or both of the little kids with her. Although, in both of the above instances she did not have any kids with her.

Maybe it is the part of town in which we live (and visit when we go the mall). I don't know. I just need to keep training my daughter to be cautious and wise. And continue to cover her in prayer. I thank God continually for allowing me to take care of His precious daughter. I want to do the job well.

Maybe it's time to get a cell phone...

The Forgotten Bug Party

I think I already 'blogged' about the Bug Party at the library to which I fogot to take the kids. Kynzie still sadly recalls the day we forgot to go the the Bug Party. Friday evening we went to my mom & dad's to celebrate Kynzie's birthday and give my sister a mini, family baby shower.

We had the bug theme going for Kynzie's part of the evening.

My mom had the kids search their large yard for various bugs and see who had the most at the end of the time allotted. Kynzie paired up with uncle Clayson, and they came out winners in the end. Kynzie kept saying she just couldn't believe she won the bug game on her birthday.


Kynzie had to try four times before she blew out her one (non-trick) candle. I didn't get real elaborate on the cake. Kynzie liked the grass from a previous cake I made, so we just decided bugs on grass would be perfect.

Kynzie put on her ladybug costume, and Max put on his bumblebee costume for the present part of the party.

Kynzie was so delighted with all of her gifts, but here she is after opening up her Baby Alive. She thanked Scott and I over and over for that doll. It was just what she wanted, she said. She didn't even seem to mind that we decided not to get the one that 'poops', thanks to a heads up from my sister-in-law, Kerry. Thanks, Kerry. (Kerry asked me if I really needed another messy diaper to change. Good point.)


She also received an Aquadoodle mat, a Play Wonder frog toss set, a doorway puppet theater, as well as a few other odds and ends. Not that the gifts were odd...

Below is the quilt Mom made for Clayson and Tacy's new baby. It is a spinoff of the Noah's Ark theme she made for their first son, Elijah. Mom also made Tacy's 'shower' cake. We all loved it! All the little plastic shower favor babies on it and sprinkles, too. It was so 'Mom"! Good job, Mom.

Update on the O's

I will try to keep updating the bog with more photos of the kids and the growing twins. Last Saturday, the babies were 6 weeks. I weighed the babies in their diapers. Dennis weighed 11.5 lbs and Daniel weighed 10.5 lbs. That is a full pound each since the previous Friday! I always hope they are getting enough to eat. Scott says they are.

We haven't been taking many photos lately. Our camera is wonderful because it was a free gift. But it isn't so wonderful because it runs out of batteries VERY quickly. It takes forever for the camera to take a photo, so, of course, you miss the photo you meant to get. Someday, I will have a better camera. I used to use 35mm SLR cameras, and in some ways, I miss those. But I love digital! With 5 kids, a better camera seems like a worthwhile investment, right?

Anyway, I sent some photos online to Wal-Mart to be printed. When I went in to pick them up, I had to sign a copyright release saying that I was the owner of one of the photos and that it was okay for Wal-Mart to print the photo. I told them I guess I should be flattered, but I was a little annoyed as well since I was pressed for time.

It was a photo I had taken right in our own living room. I did use my brother's super cool digital SLR camera, but it was way too dark to be from a studio.

I think the twins like the swing; so much so that I am considering purchasing a second swing.

Scott bought me a small deep freeze. I already bought a bunch of different meat on sale and started loading it up. Very exciting! He also bought an Equalizer Heating and A/C Register Booster for one of the living room vents. I have wanted one of these for awhile.

The little kids have spent lots of time outside. They love outside! Kynzie enjoys taking care of her garden. My mom bought her a couple tomato plants, pepper plants and a lemon basil plant for her own garden. She is in green thumb heaven. Here are pics of Kynz when she received her gardening equipment and then her plants, too.

Max loves his sports equipment, and they both thoroughly enjoy riding the various ride-on toys. There is Max's motorcycle (his is blue), the little red scooter, the red push-around buggy, the tricycle, and, the newest edition, Kynzie's new bicycle (I couldn't find that one online).

The babies are quickly growing out of their porta-crib, but Max is not out of his crib yet. He really likes his crib. He has never even tried to climb out of it. He has taken naps a couple of times in his big boy toddler bed, but he doesn't nap as long. And he is a little different than Kynzie; she knew to stay in bed till we came to get her. Him - not so much.

So much wonder in a four-year-old

Kynzie turned four years old! We spent the evening at Chuck E Cheese. She was so excited. And as a last minute treat, Papa Dan and Grandma Pam and Aunt Kelsie met us there. We didn't tell Kynzie, so she was quite surprised. I forgot to take my camera. Not that it would have worked if I had remembered it anyway... but that is a different story for a different blog post.

Kynzie is so much fun to watch in situations like this. She is so genuinely happy, and she lights up with such delight at each new event. It is refreshing. I love to experience things through my daughter's eyes, and all her senses really. She expresses such wonder, and her curiosity takes her on great learning adventures.

Papa and Grandma gave her a super cool bicycle complete with training wheels and pink tassels on the handlebars after Chuck E Cheese. She still gets these huge eyes and matching grin when she asks if she can go ride her new bike. It is so cute!

Her most recent learning adventures have been about what happens to our pee pee when we flush it, why God made the trees for us (as opposed to the trees just being for birds to build nests), and the life cycle of a butterfly. Growing a garden is always on her mind. She asked me today why I haven't put anything in our garden to grow yet. She said "we (her and Delainey and Max) have been taking care of it for you," as though to say we are waiting on you to plant something.

The best is hearing her say "now we are going to be able to drink my pee pee" after she flushes the toilet every time now. And this is somehow exciting to her! Not the refreshment of drinking water necessarily, but the knowledge she has gained about the water treatment plant process.

They say nursing (babies) sucks your brains out...

I haven't blogged in so long... But I really do have good reasons! Homeschooling a 13-year old who would rather not right now (can't blame her!), a two-year old boy that loves to learn about his world in a physical way, an almost four-year old little girl who wants to know what happens to everything and why, a house that doesn't clean itself, laundry that multiplies all by itself, shopping lists, groceries, and meal planning and preparation... the list goes on and on. Oh, and did I mention my newborn twin sons, and the sleepless nights that come with them?

I guess they aren't exactly newborns anymore; they just passed their one month "birthday". They are so sweet and adorable and cuddly... until sometime in the middle of the night. I am not entirely sure when it happens, but all of the sudden my angels don't seem to be as cute as I remember from just a few short hours earlier.

I have never experienced sheer exhaustion until the last few weeks. Fortunately, it is not daily. Some nights are much better than other nights. But I can definitely tell when I am running on a large sleep deficit - my brain just doesn't work. I can't think clearly and I have "tired voice" all day. I have started to keep a "While I Am Thinking About It" notebook. I try to write down everything down so I don't forget.

Yesterday was the worst case of forgetfulness yet. We went to the library a few days ago, and the librarian told the kids about a bug party they were having to kick off their summer reading program. The kids could wear bug costumes, there would be face painting, bug crafts, special guests bringing exotic bugs for the kids to see, and a popular storyteller telling, yep, bug stories.

Kynzie loves bugs, or at least most of them most of the time. She loves to play in the garden, and any dirt patch is a garden to her. She likes to find bugs in her gardens. She loves to learn about bugs. We have a great 3-D book about bees and another one about ants. I would like to have more of those for her. But I digress. My point here is that she was sooooo super excited about that party.

And guess what Mommy forgot. It is still that saddest thing. She prayed two or three times that Jesus would talk to the library and ask them to have another bug party. I am so upset that I forgot.

So, we are going to try to recreate the bug party at home, minus the exotic bugs.

In other news, Max turned two! I will try to load some pics of him in a bit. We didn't have a party. I originally planned to have a double party for Max and Kynzie later in June. But I don't think that is going to happen either. There is so much going on and the idea of a clean house is very enticing but a little overwhelming at this point. We are doing pretty good keeping the living room mostly clean. That's about it.

Also, more than a few people at a time at our house wouldn't fit comfortably pre-twins; post-twins we need a whole room for all the baby equipment! I had good intentions, but I just don't think a big party is going to happen this year.