Today is a fitting day to write what year 2 has been like with twins. I took all the girls to the store and it turned out to be a disaster! Our shopping trips have evolved the past year. When the twins were still 1 I could fit both in the front of a one-seater shopping cart. As they started to climb we had to quit that method. Places that had 2 seats up front were nice and kept them in longer, but they also soon figured out how to get out. (We had to bring lots of snacks to keep them busy and forget about wanting to get out.) Target and Wal-Mart have semi truck-sized carts with seats in front of the normal cart to keep 2 kids in. This worked out great until they also figured out how to get out of that as well. In then end we usually bring in the stroller and hang the reusable bags on it to fill. The funny part is if I take the girls out before taking the bags off. The stroller immediately falls over. The only problem is if there is a lot to buy, I'm obligated to use the cart. This system works well and during the school year we went while Adriana was at preschool. Today was not as easy.
We needed to get some things at Wal-Mart and although the list had several random things, it wasn't too long. I decided to go for the enormo-cart which they only had one of and of course the buckles were broken. We tied them up and continued on our way. (I'm thinking if I go fast they'll have to sit. Yeah, right). Adriana insisted on sitting in the cart between the seats instead of walking. This lasted well for about 2 minutes and the rest of the time was spent trying to get the groceries while also attempting to keep the girls in the cart and sitting down. My snacks only worked for a few seconds at a time. They also decided that it would be more fun to stand up like their big sister than sitting in the seats. It was a pretty chaotic trip. When I paused to get some apples, the twins got out and both started throwing produce in the cart. Abigail managed to get a 5lb bag of apples up and over the cart! They were trying to be so helpful. So although it was stressful and I vow never to use those carts again unless the buckles work, there were some funny moments. I would love to know what the other people in the store thought about our little crew. The other classic part was check out. They helped me get everything out of the cart and I put them back in their seats. While putting the bags back in the cart and paying for it the twins both ran off. Luckily Adriana got them to stop running even if they didn't come back. Then they both started crawling on the floor acting like dogs! We left as quickly as possible with many interesting looks.
Okay, so this blog isn't to dwell on our crazy shopping trips, but to focus on the last year as a whole. I must say that things are getting easier and just the fact that they can do so much more on their own has helped a lot. (Except when that 'help' isn't really help). J/K
They are so much fun... double the trouble, double the fun!? We'll try to remember more of the fun parts. Now that they are super mobile they are everywhere and love to climb a lot of places. They too are using more words and have lots to say. One of my favorite times was when (This may have been a little past their 2nd birthday) Abigail was telling me something and although I thought I understood her, Elena didn't think so and tried to re-explain what she was trying to say. Here are a few more highlights:
- They are best of buddies. Much more reserved than their big sister, but willing to go and do a bit more when they have each other.
- They liked to feed each other as they sat in their high chairs.
- They of course feed off of each other in anyway possible, running, crying, getting excited, etc.
- Containment is the only way. Whenever we went out, they were in the stroller. They didn't expect otherwise since it was always like this.
What we usually saw if they were not strapped in. 
* * * * LOTS OF TIME PASSES * * * *
Okay, so now as I finish this post I'm drawing a blank at other things that may be different from a singleton to twins. That is true reality to having twin toddlers, all that has happened is a blur or totally erased from the mind. Since this is probably the last post of its kind, I'll just write a little of what things are like now. Remembering more than yesterday is a stretch for me at this point! haha
- Since they were born we've tried to dress them in Pink and Purple to help everyone know who is who. They have now taken to their colors and do it because of their own preference. On occasion, as they are dressing themselves it can be confusing when they decide to 'trade' as they call it and wear the opposite color.
- They are (usually) awesome at sharing and play so well together. One will sometimes let me know what she and her sister want.
- Potty training: We started late in the summer so they were almost 2 1/2. It has gone easier than I thought. We still have our occasional accidents, but they have helped motivate each other to get on the potty. For a day or so I thought I could get by with just one potty seat, but that was not sufficient. Now they have fun sitting together and reading books while they do their business. I have had to explain that wiping each others' bottoms isn't quite how we're going to do it.
- If one wants something then the other needs it exactly the same. Lately as I ask what they want for breakfast, or what to drink, it has to be the same. The first one I ask will change her mind if her sister says something else.
- Naps: It is really fun to hear them chat before they fall asleep. The conversations are a crack up. They sing songs together, ask what each other is doing (as they both lay in their beds), call the other's name repeatedly until she replies, "I'm sleeping" or something like that. Right after they learned how to take their diapers off, they seemed to do it after I laid them down. Sometimes it was just wet, or they would fall asleep completely naked and have an accident while they were sleeping. The worst was when the diaper they took off had poop! Not fun to clean up especially if the other one was still sleeping and we had to clean everything up quickly and quietly. Glad that part is over. Phew!
- Now the naps are becoming to be a joke if they are not tired enough to fall asleep. Or even if one of them isn't tired enough, because with such a fun playmate, who wants to sleep. They just sit and play and have fun trying on their clothes or playing with anything they can find in their room. We'll see how this goes in the next few months.
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| Yes, a little added reinforcement can do the trick! |
Here are a few pictures taken all in a few days. Elena tried my mascara on all parts of her face. Although I wasn't privileged to witness it, and Adriana says she didn't do anything, Elena poured a whole bottle of syrup on her from head to toe!
Let the times keep rolling! We're loving it and try to remember to laugh more and cherish each day before they are gone.
