Twins-15 Months

When someone asks you, what is your favorite age of kids?  I would definitely have to say from 1-2.  It is amazing how much they learn in that little span of time.  They are still too innocent to have much of an attitude, they still cuddle and they let you carry them around, and they are eager to learn.  I love how 1-2 year olds start mimicking adults and turn into little people.  I sometimes think if I was a daycare provider, what age of children would I want to have?  I think 1-2 year olds would be perfect.  Lauren and Caleb's teacher, Molly, also taught Alena and helped shape her into who she is today.  As a daycare provider, it would be fun to see these little "infants" come into your room when they turn 1, learn how to walk, run, talk, color scribble, eat with utensils, and interact with others before turning 2 and moving on to the next room.  Molly is loving, but firm.  The other day she was instructing a friend to sit back down at the breakfast table if he wanted to have another drink of milk. He was not happy, but rules are rules.  We are so excited to have her teaching the twins.  I strongly believe that this is such a crucial age for development and having someone who will show love and affection as well as instill rules is important. 

I remember when the twins were infants and I would see other mothers of twins when I was out and about with them.  Many times these moms would say to me "it gets easier."  Now that I have two toddlers, instead of two infants, it is easier, but also harder in a different way.  They are m-o-b-i-l-e!  I still haven't been brave enough to take them into a store and let them both walk.  I'm sure I'd spend 90% of the time, chasing after them and 10% shopping, (guess that would limit my spending!).  The other day, the girls were out at the mall and I let Lauren out of the stroller.  She moseyed in and out of the women's clothing sections at Younkers, (I think she was shopping for Grandma), having a ball.  Soon after, she started following her older sister and laughing.  It is so crazy watching two little ones walk around like little people.  They are so small still that I would be scared I would lose them amongst the racks of clothes or in a crowd of people.  And those backpack leashes make me cringe...

Lauren:  My little fire cracker!  We love your fun, loving personality.  You make us laugh so much.  You have really caught on to mimicking us and love to comb your hair (and your sister's), wash your face, play peek a boo, and make silly faces at us.  We have been working on animal sounds and you have quite the neigh!  Along with your silly personality, you also have a little attitude.  You do not like when we tell you no or you can't have something.  You stick your bottom lip out as far as it will go and the biggest tears roll down your cheeks.  It's so hard not to smile at that pouty face.  You also think you are much bigger than you are and often try to take your brother down (it's a good thing he's like a big teddy bear and doesn't mind).  You mastered walking before your brother, but he wasn't soon after you.  For a peanut, you are a pretty good eater.  I think your favorite foods now are corn, cottage cheese, any fruit, and yogurt.  You still are not a big meat eater, but hey who blames you when you only have two teeth!  I think your top 4 teeth are on their way. 

Caleb:  I knew once you figured out walking, you would just take off.  Pretty soon you will be running.  You love this new found freedom and walk around with your arms in the air making dinosaur sounds.  You are so excited for yourself!  You have actually said more words than Lauren and your favorite words are tractor and cracker (OK so they sound alike, but I do think you differentiate between the two :)).  You can impersonate a monkey, bark like a dog and meow-all things that will take you a long way in life :).  I know I have said this before, but you are all boy.  Some of it must be inborn because I've never shown you how to push tractors and trucks, but you have done it as long as you could crawl.  You are also a messy eater, which must be a male trait.  Lauren picks up one morsel of food at a time, while you grab a handful and try to shove it all in your mouth at the same time.  The other day at the mall, instead of playing in germ land, you wanted to walk around and around the two cars parked in the middle of the mall.  Maybe you were wondering, "why are there cars in the mall? or maybe you were really fascinated with the cars-all I know is we couldn't pry you away from them.  You are such a snuggler and hugger.  I love it and so do your teachers.  Miss Pinky loves when we come back to say "hi" and she gets another hug (she told another mom that you and Lauren have been her favorite little ones thus far). 

I'm looking forward to the next few months-watching you learn new things every day!  Please don't grow up too fast!