Week 2 of "Mine"

Nathan and Andrew continue to speak more clearly.  Andrew says "piano" perfectly.  And both boys like words with t's and d's.  "Pretty, dirty, uppie-daisy, much better, Kitty and mine" are especially clear.  "Mine" continues to morally baffle the twins and Gramma. The video will let you witness first hand their problem solving skills beginning to emerge. 

It was very interesting to observe Andrew and Nathan both attracted to the same stuffed puppy.  Nathan had the puppy and Andrew decided it was his turn.  Nathan wasn't going to agree to that, so Andrew did just what he has seen the adults do.  He offered his beloved hammer as a trade for the puppy.  Nathan agreed to the trade and let Andrew have the puppy, while he took the hammer that Andrew seldom puts down.  Andrew was pleased to take the puppy and said, "tank you."  Then he reached out and took the hammer, too.  Baby steps!

Twins Friday - a milemarker & what not to feed toddlers

It’s a discovery everyone makes at some point in their early life.  “Mine” could mean, “I had it and I don’t feel like sharing, so back off.”  Or it could mean, “you’ve got it, but I should have it.”  Or it could mean, “someone come and help me get this away from him.”  It’s one of the clearest words in a young child’s vocabulary.

The boys are learning to use words to control their environment.  It’s certainly preferable to biting or pulling their brother’s hair.  But it’s not always effective, which leads to confusion and frustration.  Andrew got aboard the Mickey Mouse Airplane (seen in earlier emails).  He hadn’t even had a chance to do a decent takeoff, when Nathan came up to him ever so sweetly.  He put his hand gently on Andrew’s back, leaned forward to make eye contact with Andrew and said in a voice dripping with polite, sincerity, “please?!”  Andrew’s face registered utter dismay with no sign of hope for Nathan.  Nathan looked at me with a very injured expression of shock and puzzlement.  “How could this not have worked?  I’ve done just as instructed and used my magic words!”  The reality then sets in; there are no magic words.  I witnessed the moment with the same disappointment you feel, when children learn there is no Santa. 

It reminds me of the story of the little boy who was fighting over a toy with his brother.  He was told by his mother that Jesus always shared.  He said to his brother, “that sounds good.  You be Jesus.”

I learned it’s not a good idea to feed tacos to toddlers.  I tried to get them to take a bite of the taco with no success.  Who knows what might be hiding in a taco shell?  Andrew loves tomatoes and wanted to get them out without having to eat the rest.  He was thrilled when he discovered there was a whole dish of tomatoes and it didn’t require eating any of the taco.  Nathan on the other hand wasn’t sure he really cared for the idea of a taco, until he discovered the soft shell was not too bad, if you could manage to fling the small stuff on the inside out.
 

Decorating the Tree on Twins' Friday

I decided to let my boys help me decorate the bottom of my tree on Friday.  I prided myself with the fact that experience has made me so clever.  I KNEW to put all the non-breakable ornaments on the bottom branches.  Ryan Joseph took one look at my partially decorated tree and told me they have no ornaments on the bottom half of their tree.  I considered that perhaps he still had a thing or two to learn from his clever mother.  THEN we started to decorate the tree.  The boys were thrilled with the activity.  They handed me ornaments from the boxes and I put them on the tree, where they thought they looked best.  “Ball, bell, angel, …” the boys proclaimed as on they went.  “Oops ball, oops bell, oops angel, …” as the boys removed them and brought them to me.  I tried stepping up my speed to double time (I am a musician. I can do that.)  The twins obviously share my musical talent as they also double timed their work.  One broken ornament later,  (one I thought was unbreakable wasn’t) the boys were ahead 2-1.  Who knew the beauty of a Christmas tree is that it can be decorated and redecorated over and over, all day long?  I will never tire of hearing their voices light up with “Christmas tree, Christmas tree!” said with the annunciation of those wonderful toddler voices.

Pic. 1 – Andrew’s look just after removing yet another ornament from the tree.

Pic. 2 – Nathan’s look just before removing yet another ornament from the tree.

Pic. 3 – The look of a job well done and thoroughly enjoyed. 

Twins' Friday - Where's Spot?

Where’s Spot is a significant book in our family.  It was never read to Ryan Joseph, but he used to read it to his cousin, Kevin, when he went to stay for a week after Amanda was born.  It was the perfect gift for my sister, Becky, to get for the twins.  I can understand why it is a favorite book for so many children.  The twins check under each flap, as if this time he might actually appear.  Dr. Seuss, on the other hand, I don’t understand the attraction to.  I didn’t even like his books as a child.  I remember enjoying the Golden Books over and over.  A shelf of them looked impressive with their gold bindings.  There were no flaps in those days.  But there was Gramma’s lap and the rocking chair.  How wonderful that there’s a way to go back to that special feeling of being enveloped in softness and love when you hold your own children and grandchildren to read to them.  Maybe the reading is just a way of holding them there for a longer time.

Do you remember the joy of seeing the dust floating in a sunbeam?  Nathan noticed them at my house this week and exclaimed, “bubbles!”  I remember my brother, Jeffrey, seeking a place to sit in the sun and enjoy the “bubbles.”  He used to move his hands through the sunbeam to stir them up.  What a beautiful way to look at the dirt in our lives.  How could I have missed the beauty of bubbles for so many years? 

Twins' Tales of Tails - 2

The boys enjoy their great-grandmother’s foxtail. I often think she must love watching over them.  I remember and now understand how much love our mothers had for their grandchildren.  Even the negatives were moments to be treasured as rites of passage.  It even included the time Ryan Joseph broke off the mirror of Gramma Lynch’s one month-old car, pulling our car out of the garage.  She only worried about him feeling upset over it.  When the boys start driving, I’m not going to bother replacing my car.  I remember Terry’s mother sitting on the floor playing “Little People” for an hour with her grandchildren.  I now know, it’s easier to stay on the floor than to try to get up.

I treasure the times their faces light up when you walk into a room.  Or the squeal of delight as Grampa chases them around the kitchen.  It’s worth cooking to have them sign “more, more” as they taste something new. 

Twins' Tales of Tails

I think the boys were type cast for their Halloween costumes.  Climber Nathan was at home in his monkey suit.  And although Andrew’s personality is way too sweet for a tiger, he certainly has a flamboyant style that pulls off loud orange and black stripes to perfection.  Gramma is proud of his developing sense of style. 

Nathan was most amused by Andrew’s Tiger tail.  Poor Andrew would be walking and all of a sudden be stopped by a sharp tug on his tail.  He didn’t realize there was a tail on his costume, so he couldn’t figure out what was happening.  He was pretty certain his brother had something to do with it, but could never catch him in the act.

Twin Tears

I have a different perspective on the expanding minds of children than I did with my own.  I remember telling Ryan Joseph to stop acting like he was 5 years old.  He responded, “but I am 5”  I answered, “I know.  Stop it.”  Now everything the boys do seems less a sign of developing an autonomous mind and an individual personality.  Grandchildren are a second opportunity to get it right. 

I wouldn’t want you to think everything goes perfectly at Gramma’s.  I have included a few pictures that show a different side of life as a twin.

Nathan loves the wand from his bubble bottle; the one that no longer has soap or a cap.  I cannot say exactly what preceded these pictures, but as near as I can tell Andrew somehow got a hold of the “magic wand.”  Of course, when Nathan discovered it, he corrected the situation (possession is 9/10ths of the law).  By the time I became aware of the crisis, the wand was back in Nathan’s hand and he was backing himself out of reach behind the piano quickly.  Andrew’s face registered indignation, but he hadn’t yet started his revenge plan.  Gramma decided to  move in quickly to cut them off at the pass.  Andrew was closing in on Nathan, so I suggested he use his magic word, “please.”  “Please, please, please,” Andrew began pitifully.  I could see his manners were falling on deaf ears with Nathan, who was now looking for a hiding place under the piano.  Gramma still had an illusion of bringing peace and harmony to the situation. Not soon enough, though.  Andrew took one look at Gramma’s lack of real results and threw himself onto the floor in despair of justice ever prevailing.  He is definitely a high soprano.

At that point, Nathan observed that Andrew had scored sympathy points with Gramma and came running out from behind the piano to also throw himself onto the floor; crying hysterically.  Not to be outdone, Grandpa threw himself on the floor and began howling.  The boys didn’t even notice Grandpa or the camera that Gramma was wielding.  

Nathan still has a stronghold on the “magic wand.”

The call “who wants a snack?” provided the necessary distraction and a pumpkin muffin changed everyone’s attitude. 

Pinball Wizards

They’re pinball wizards!  Andrew understands how to get the ball into play.  A pinball game is the perfect entertainment with the bells and lights.  This one is The Big Indian.  It was a favorite of Terry’s during his college years.  The boys’ father. Ryan Joseph, grew up with it, so it’s a family heirloom.  Their parents owe us quite a few quarters now.

Nathan’s bottle of bubbles broke (all over the kitchen floor), so he now has taken over Andrew’s bottle.  Possession is 9/10ths of the law.  He was struggling to carry all his favorite possessions at once, so he now has the perfect man bag for it.  Inside the bag is a tube of cocoa butter, a lip balm, a vibrating mouse, a golf ball and the wand from the old bubble bottle.

Nathan has artistic tendencies.  I’m not certain what artists explored the two-handed technique he favors, but the finished products tend toward the abstract.  Gramma bought an easel for the boys this week.  The boys are most amused that magnets can be stuck on the inside of the easel.  They don’t quite get the idea that they should stick to the paper, yet.  Nathan was very amused by coloring his own hands and his brother’s white sweater with the markers. 

The Great Outdoors

Andrew has learned a life lesson; stop and smell the flowers.  He can sniff in or blow out, which is handy since he constantly has a runny nose.  He still doesn’t know he needs a tissue, but at least it doesn’t take 3 men and a small boy to hold him down anymore to clean it.  To complete a diaper change, we give them Grandpa’s remote to the light and fan.  With Nathan, you have to be able to put on the diaper bun side up.  And at that, you better be really fast.

They just love the outdoors.  They’ve discovered sticks are really cool for pointing, waving or poking.  Leaves come in all shapes and sizes.  Andrew likes to clean up, but the outside is really a messy challenge right now.  Gramma can only hold so many of those dead leaves, wood chips and broken sticks.  And if you hit bushes with your sticks the leaves fall off.  Oh, the power!

They’ve learned to wag their fingers and say, “No, no, nooo!”  I thought that was perfect until I realized they just think it’s another cute thing for them to do.  When I told Nathan, “No, no, noooooo!” he gave out a big belly laugh, like I was the silliest one in the room.  Then he proceeded to do whatever he wanted to.

I’ve noticed that Nathan heads out of a room and waits just out of sight on the other side of the doorway, knowing Gramma will be along pronto.  It’s his way of getting my attention immediately.  He laughs at me every time I come racing around the corner.

They also enjoy using the phone that’s attached to the wall.  Their parents must only have cell phones.  I love the way they say, “Allo, allo!”  They love talking to the woman who comes on the line and says, “if you’re trying to make a call…”   I am trying to teach them to take turns, which is always more successful with the child presently using the phone.  It reminds me of the story of the mother trying to teach her children to let the others be first, as Jesus did.  The older child told his brother, “you be Jesus.”  I gave Andrew my cell phone to use while Nathan was busy placing a long distance call to his mother.  Of course, it ended up on the floor with the battery compartment open.  I tried unsuccessfully to put it back together.  Some bent metal pieces on the outside made closing the battery case impossible.  When Andrew saw that I was giving up on the repair he had this look of understanding on his face as he said, “Grandpa.”  They already think he can fix anything.

Twins trip to the pumpkin farm

#1 -  When the bubbles bottle is not available, a water bottle can substitute.  Nathan prefers us  to use Andrew’s bottle for us to blow the bubbles.  His has never been open, because he won’t give it up.  I may have convinced my sister, Becky, to go along with a similar idea, when we were young.  When he gets a chance, he carries Andrew’s bubbles, too. 

Andrew likes to keep his hands free for a mean rendition of “Wheels of the bus” and loves to stomp on bubbles from anyone’s bottle. 

#2 -  The clean spots on the pumpkin are where Andrew tried to bite it.  He was very busy trying to organize the pumpkins into stacks and groups.  He doesn’t like them spread all over.  I see signs of Uncle Matt emerging.  If someday he starts organizing and reorganizing his drawers, I’ll know for sure.  Thank heavens he’ll have Aunt Rebecca for therapy at some point.

#3 -  When you’re little, you don’t understand the word IMPOSSIBLE.  You think you can move mountains.  And you’re right.

Swinging in the Rain

Gramma’s at it again.  Her newest invention is a swing in the garage.  It works really well, but can be frightening to anyone who puts up the garage door to enter.  Seeing a child hanging in the garage can cause shortness of breath.  Nathan has taken to keeping both hands busy carrying something at all times.  He often attempts to have a third object, but it’s difficult.  His preference is for a bottle of bubbles.  He doesn’t want you to open the bottle, since that would mean you’d have to take it away from him.

Andrew seems a bit concerned about Gramma’s engineering abilities.  I think he’s worried her creative side may exceed her practical applications.  Did she really meet all the safety regulations required for approval. 

Then there’s the house that Gramma built.  It only looks like a timeout box.  Actually, it’s a wonderful space full of adventure, laughs and surprises.  Sometimes it contains two boys and a grandpa.  Sometimes, it just has a Gramma in it.  Notice the bubbles, always in hand.

All Dressed Up and No Place tto Go

We celebrated Ryan Joseph and Jeni’s 5^th anniversary.  The boys were dressed up for the occasion.  As my son would say, “they’ve been Ryan Josephed.”

The boys stayed overnight for their parents’ anniversary.   Nathan knows he’s not supposed to get to close to the fireplace.  Can you tell he knows and is wondering, “what are you going to do about it?”

Andrew is ready for bed.  I can remember the feel of my children's soft little bodies in those sleepers.  They fit so perfectly in our arms and our hearts at this age.

A Remote Discovery

 I wish you could hear the boys talk on the phone and answer, “Alo!”  Since Terry isn’t home to stop them, they can play with the phone.  Eventually the person on the other end tells them to “please hang up and try again.”  Did you know in those few minutes you can wipe their bibs and high chairs,  wash their dishes, and put the leftovers in the fridge?  You just have to work really fast.

The boys found their old swing and bouncy seat, when Gramma was in the wine cellar/storage area.  It seemed like they could remember them.  Is that possible?  I’m sure they’re confused about why they don’t fit in them the way they used to.  They seemed to be trying all day for that “old fit.”  I know the feeling… my old clothes don’t seem to have that same comfortable feeling anymore, either.

What is it about remotes?  The gender thing or the engineering mindset?  I now keep them still for a diaper change by handing them the light/fan remote.  Without Grandpa to stop me, I resort to far more creative measures.  How quickly those minds learn to “push the right buttons.”  I am totally baffled by the fact that we have 3 remotes in our bedroom and the bed doesn’t even vibrate.   

This is Nathan on the balcony outside our bedroom.  He loves to go outside and I love that there’s very limited space.  I promise you I never lock him out there.  Even Grandpa approves of the safety code.

Back In the Wagon Again

Andrew still has trouble making it through a walk without falling asleep.  Nathan is missing from this photo, because he likes to ride half way and then prefers to get out to investigate what else is in the world.  We determine half way when Nathan decides he’s finished riding.  Notice my newest mechanical innovation.  I’ve added an extension onto the handle of the wagon.  With my 3+” shoes, it needed to be longer.

It’s getting harder to get a picture of Nathan.  He doesn’t stay in one place for very long.

Andrew is enjoying Mary’s slippers.  Her feet aren’t much bigger than his, so they fit much better than Gramma’s.  Gramma’s pearls are just perfect, though.   

Gramma's Mechanical Intuition

  

Good thing Gramma is mechanically intuitive; as long as it doesn’t plug into a wall.  This creation was made by using the handrails of the front porch.  Nathan is always ready to try something new.  Andrew isn’t so sure Gramma has worked out all the kinks and likes to have Nathan go first.

Nathan may be smaller, but he tries to use every inch available.  This is a picture of his ballet toes.  He is standing on the top side of his toes in order to reach a little higher.  We’re looking forward to his first performance of The Nutcracker

Nathan One Ups Grampa

Nathan has reached a new level in his development.  He can pull himself up onto any chair, couch, coffee table, etc.  Grandpa’s computer is a big draw, since it seems to occupy so much of his time.  Grandpa, always trying to be a step ahead, no longer pushes his chair in to his desk, where small boys could get into serious trouble.  

Nathan, showing genetic material from his Aunt Rebecca, is always ready to rise to Grandpa’s challenges.  If there’s a road block, it must mean something wonderful is behind it.  Rebecca had a t-shirt with one of her favorite mottos; “Rules are made to be broken.” 

Notice the distance from the chair to the desk.

Look at those toes, giving additional lift.  He will be outstanding at ballet (another hereditary thing from Rebecca).

Final Score:  Nathan 1 Grandpa 0

Fog Cutters

   

The boys’ first Friday night fish fry.  We all went to Matt and Megan’s favorite hangout.  You buy beer by the bucket, but there are no buckets.  It’s a dive, but there’s no water. 

The boys’ enjoyed the onion rings the most.  Can you believe Gramma allowed that?  Well, what happens at Gramma’s stays at Gramma’s.

It was a very good time!  And I’m soooo full.

Grampa's Motto

Working on new “useful skills” at Gramma’s. 

Grampa's motto is, "We do what we have to do, so we can do what we want to do."

And Gramma is really tired of him saying it.

It’s laundry day and there’s a lot of work to do. 

At least I can look good while I work.

But when the work’s done, the party’s begun.