Sunday, May 30, 2010
Memorial Weekend
Unfortunately our weekend did not go as planned along with many other people in the Seattle area. Because of the rain dad's baseball tournament was cancelled, and this threw us a curve for the holiday. We ended up hanging around the house catching up on cleaning and small projects. As you can tell by the photos bottle cleaning is a never ending job. By the way...there were other bottles that were left out of the picture waiting to be washed. We also visited with grandma Mary and our cousins. Thank you so much Grandma Mary and grandpa Mike for the super cool bouncy chairs you purchased for the twins. They both enjoy them very much!!!!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
CAST YOUR VOTE!!!!!!
Some people were wondering if Mike and I resemble one of the twins when we were infants. I posted some pictures of myself and Mike when we were young for comparison. Unfortunately we didn't have many pictures of Mike when he was a few months old, but I found some picutres of him with his sister Jenn. Let us know what you think!!!!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
PUPPY POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today we traveled to Grandpa Dick & Grandma Lynda's home in Bellingham. We were very fortunate to see some of the puppies(mini-austrailian shepherds) before they went off to their new homes, and we also got to meet the new member of our family. Her name is Abby and she is Blue's new little sister. Being around this breed of dog, and having Blue as a pet we can understand why people all over the world want this special kind of dog. 1 pup is going to Wyoming, 1 to Canada, and another to Puerto Rico. Such wonderful and smart dogs!!!! Thanks again grandma and grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The twins wore their puppy outfits for the occasion.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Cute Disney Outfits
This is just a short video of the twins hanging out in their new disney outfits. I did allot of talking during this video and I apologize...just trying to get smiles out of the twins.
Our Disney Outfits
Mamma just wanted to post of couple pics of the twins in their girl and boy Disney outfits.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
A Hot Date with the Perkins Girls!!
Yesterday we had our first visit from the Perkins girls. Alicia stopped over with her twins Mackenzie & Alexis for a play date with Johnny & Shaine. Unfortunately Shaine was doing allot of sleeping, but Johnny didn't seem to mind one bit. It was so nice for mommy to spend time with Alicia. It's so wonderful to know such a beautiful and kind woman who is also a new mommy of twins. I was very pleased with how both sets of twins were so good, and ofcourse always adorable!!!! Thanks Kenzie and Lexi for coming over and we can't wait to do it again!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Lights, Camera, ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today was all about babies. Mommy decided to spend her extra time taking pictures and videos of the twins instead of cleaning. One video is of the babes in their diapers before bath-time, and the other of them doing tummy-time. Shaine is real active and lifts her head allot, where Johnny likes to sleep on the job.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Thought this is a great article to share with everyone
"Mine were born 19 months apart, and its just like having twins." How many times have you heard parents of singletons make remarks like this? I've realized that it's pointless to argue this issue. It's my opinion that having two singletons is nothing like having twins. If we're chasing sympathy, I'd offer that having two of different ages is actually even more difficult in some ways. But it's not the same as having twins or multiples.
So what's different about parenting multiples?
The Absence of Birth Order Dynamics
Singleton siblings spread out over several years develop a natural order. Aside from influencing personality development, birth order often sets the standard for how children are treated in families. Older siblings lead, younger siblings follow. Older children have more freedom, but also more responsibility, as they mature. Younger children watch and learn from their older siblings. There is a natural disparity of ability due to age.
But multiples are the same age, and -- usually -- at the same stage. They face milestones simultaneously. They become mobile at about the same time, potty train simultaneously (generally), and start school together. Although some parents impose birth order personality characteristics on their multiples based on who was born first, it's a false designation. Without the defined roles established by birth order, multiples invent their own version of a pecking order, and often their parents have to deal with the fall-out.
Parenting Mulitples as Individuals
Every parent is tasked with guiding their children as they grown into individuals. Where parents of multiples face an extra challenge is in helping their children become individuals in spite of -- and in support of -- their status as a multiple. Despite parents' best efforts to treat their multiples as indivudals, to avoid comparisons and labeling, it's a constant fight to fend off society's views. Multiples face a barrage of stereotypes and are constantly confronted with comparisons because of their twinship. Their friends, neighbors, teachers and even well-meaning family members will attempt to label and categorize them. (She's the good twin, the smart twin, the pretty twin... If one likes baseball, the other one must also... He's outgoing, so his twin must be shy.)
Where singleton siblings often feel the sting of sibling rivalry, the effects are offset by birth order and by the passing of time. They have years (or in some cases many months) to achieve the milestones set by older siblings. For multiples, the milestones are expected to be simultaneous.
Therefore, it's very important for parents of multiples to overcome the stereotypes, labeling and comparisons by offering continual guidance and encouragement to their children, supporting them as they develop as individuals within the context of their relationship as multiples.
Division of Parental Assets
Many parents of multiples feel challenged to divide their time, attention and love between their children, moreso than with singleton siblings spread out over several years. Despite their claims that "it's just like having twins," parents of singletons have at least nine months of one-on-one time between children. Having children of different ages creates more opportunities for individualized time: babies nap while older children are awake. Older children stay up later at night. Older children start school while younger ones are still at home.
Multiples generally do everything at the same time. They're asleep at the same time, and awake all together, making it more difficult for parents to find one-on-one time for individual attention. Parents of multiples have to make a more concerted effort to bond with each child.
Maintaining equality is another big challenge for parents of multiples. Where a staggered birth order often evens things out for singletons, it's often a struggle for parents of twins or more to ensure that each child gets their fair share. Whether it is time, attention or material goods, it's simply not possible to always maintain equality among multiples, setting up parents for frustration and guilt.
Nurturing the Bond
The bond between mutliples is complex and intense. Twins can be best friends one moment, and bitter enemies the next. Where parents of singletons also contend with sibling rivalry, the relationship between multiples is simply more complicated, in my opinion. Teaching their multiples to resolve conflict in a healthy way and nurturing the bond between them is a big challenge for parents.
No Do-Overs
Everyone learns from their mistakes, right? With mulitples, there are no "do-overs." With each child going through the same stage and phase simultaneously, there's no opportunity to learn from past experience. Parents of multiples don't have the advantage of hindsight.
Tag Team
Isn't there a saying that claims there is "safety" in numbers? I'd venture that there is actually more danger when it comes to multiples. As a group, a set of twins, triplets or more can generate a lot more chaos than singleton siblings. Working as a team, they're likely to be more daring, take more risks, and push the limits further. Whether they are climbing on each other to reach the highest cabinet, or cooperatively unraveling the living room carpet, multiples really keep parents on their toes.
The Good Stuff
Despite some challenges and drawbacks, having twins or multiples is a great joy. It's a privilige to be an observer of and participant in their unique and special relationship. There is a level of convenience and efficiency in parenting children simulaneously; some of the more unpleasant aspects (sleepless nights, teething, potty training, teenage troubles) only have to be endured once. There's a level of "celebrity" attached to having twins or mulitples; some parents relish the attention while others shy away. But mostly, there is great pleasure and enjoyment in parenting multiples, every proud moment is multiplied and every simple joy is magnified.
"Mine were born 19 months apart, and its just like having twins." How many times have you heard parents of singletons make remarks like this? I've realized that it's pointless to argue this issue. It's my opinion that having two singletons is nothing like having twins. If we're chasing sympathy, I'd offer that having two of different ages is actually even more difficult in some ways. But it's not the same as having twins or multiples.
So what's different about parenting multiples?
The Absence of Birth Order Dynamics
Singleton siblings spread out over several years develop a natural order. Aside from influencing personality development, birth order often sets the standard for how children are treated in families. Older siblings lead, younger siblings follow. Older children have more freedom, but also more responsibility, as they mature. Younger children watch and learn from their older siblings. There is a natural disparity of ability due to age.
But multiples are the same age, and -- usually -- at the same stage. They face milestones simultaneously. They become mobile at about the same time, potty train simultaneously (generally), and start school together. Although some parents impose birth order personality characteristics on their multiples based on who was born first, it's a false designation. Without the defined roles established by birth order, multiples invent their own version of a pecking order, and often their parents have to deal with the fall-out.
Parenting Mulitples as Individuals
Every parent is tasked with guiding their children as they grown into individuals. Where parents of multiples face an extra challenge is in helping their children become individuals in spite of -- and in support of -- their status as a multiple. Despite parents' best efforts to treat their multiples as indivudals, to avoid comparisons and labeling, it's a constant fight to fend off society's views. Multiples face a barrage of stereotypes and are constantly confronted with comparisons because of their twinship. Their friends, neighbors, teachers and even well-meaning family members will attempt to label and categorize them. (She's the good twin, the smart twin, the pretty twin... If one likes baseball, the other one must also... He's outgoing, so his twin must be shy.)
Where singleton siblings often feel the sting of sibling rivalry, the effects are offset by birth order and by the passing of time. They have years (or in some cases many months) to achieve the milestones set by older siblings. For multiples, the milestones are expected to be simultaneous.
Therefore, it's very important for parents of multiples to overcome the stereotypes, labeling and comparisons by offering continual guidance and encouragement to their children, supporting them as they develop as individuals within the context of their relationship as multiples.
Division of Parental Assets
Many parents of multiples feel challenged to divide their time, attention and love between their children, moreso than with singleton siblings spread out over several years. Despite their claims that "it's just like having twins," parents of singletons have at least nine months of one-on-one time between children. Having children of different ages creates more opportunities for individualized time: babies nap while older children are awake. Older children stay up later at night. Older children start school while younger ones are still at home.
Multiples generally do everything at the same time. They're asleep at the same time, and awake all together, making it more difficult for parents to find one-on-one time for individual attention. Parents of multiples have to make a more concerted effort to bond with each child.
Maintaining equality is another big challenge for parents of multiples. Where a staggered birth order often evens things out for singletons, it's often a struggle for parents of twins or more to ensure that each child gets their fair share. Whether it is time, attention or material goods, it's simply not possible to always maintain equality among multiples, setting up parents for frustration and guilt.
Nurturing the Bond
The bond between mutliples is complex and intense. Twins can be best friends one moment, and bitter enemies the next. Where parents of singletons also contend with sibling rivalry, the relationship between multiples is simply more complicated, in my opinion. Teaching their multiples to resolve conflict in a healthy way and nurturing the bond between them is a big challenge for parents.
No Do-Overs
Everyone learns from their mistakes, right? With mulitples, there are no "do-overs." With each child going through the same stage and phase simultaneously, there's no opportunity to learn from past experience. Parents of multiples don't have the advantage of hindsight.
Tag Team
Isn't there a saying that claims there is "safety" in numbers? I'd venture that there is actually more danger when it comes to multiples. As a group, a set of twins, triplets or more can generate a lot more chaos than singleton siblings. Working as a team, they're likely to be more daring, take more risks, and push the limits further. Whether they are climbing on each other to reach the highest cabinet, or cooperatively unraveling the living room carpet, multiples really keep parents on their toes.
The Good Stuff
Despite some challenges and drawbacks, having twins or multiples is a great joy. It's a privilige to be an observer of and participant in their unique and special relationship. There is a level of convenience and efficiency in parenting children simulaneously; some of the more unpleasant aspects (sleepless nights, teething, potty training, teenage troubles) only have to be endured once. There's a level of "celebrity" attached to having twins or mulitples; some parents relish the attention while others shy away. But mostly, there is great pleasure and enjoyment in parenting multiples, every proud moment is multiplied and every simple joy is magnified.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day Weekend
This weekend the twins and I spent most of the time by ourselves just hanging out at home alone. Daddy was out coaching baseball everyday so we tried to stay productive. I finished up my art project by adding decor to their wall hangings, and the weather is so nice we took a couple walks around the neighborhood.
Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun, Double the Weight!!
Had some fun with the kiddos today. Decided to check their weight and Johnny has doubled his weight passing his sister by 9 oz. As of today Johnny weighs 9lbs. 12oz., and Shaine weighs 9lbs. 3oz.
Friday, May 7, 2010
HOUSEKEEPING ANYONE?????
After taking a quick trip to the craft store the twins and I spent the entire day at home. I'm curious if they're going through a growth spurt?? Both kiddos slept all day & night, and only woke up to eat. This is very unusual for the twins, but mommy took advantage of their sweet dreams and caught up on her cleaning and chores around the house. Even our dog Blue was given a bath.--Look out kitty-cats...you guys are next!!!!
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