Monday at work seemed like a typical day. Ironically, I took a photo of the view, not knowing that would be my last day in the office for four months. I had a nagging feeling inside because my feet and lower legs were swollen and they weren't going down despite what I did. Tuesday, I attended my first "New and Expectant Parents of Multiples" meeting where I received tons of good ideas. I just didn't know I would be using them so soon. Wednesday I went to the doctor's out of concern...and well, you can see one of my first posts for what happened next! What a whirlwind.
Here I am, a year later. I just celebrated my first Mother's Day weekend as a mother. I only fantasized about what it would be like to have one year old twins. With any good fantasy, I'm thrilled at how well things have gone. The days were long to get here, but now it seems like just yesterday I was learning how to tandem breastfeed. I am combing through all 2500+ photos I took since they were born to see how much they've changed and realized how much Frank and I have changed, too. It was such a joy to take them on the Carrousel in Golden Gate Park and climb all over a jungle gym with them.
Since my last post, they've hit some major milestones and so have we. First, we visited Oahu, Hawaii, for the babes first, and definitely not last, Hawaiian vacation. They swam in the ocean for the first time. We ate out at a restaurant three times with them and gave the bus staff some serious cleaning to do. We realized that they can survive a plane ride, but that buying everyone their own seat for a long flight might come sooner than we would like to pay for it. Finally, they can catch up on their sleep in a car.
Cora has been practicing standing up, nearly holding herself up for over 30 seconds at a time. She loves to use her walker to get around the house. Although, when she hits a wall, she looks back to see if I will help her get out of the jam. I always congratulate her when she makes a turn on her own. Because sharing is not a concept they understand yet, the walker was causing more tears than necessary. I found a fun walker for Sutter that has snapping alligators. We now have more collisions and potential demolition derby babes on our hands.
Sutter is cruising while standing, although he still isn't able to climb or stand on his own yet. He seems to just be a few weeks behind Cora in those development milestones. However, we've seen his curiosity for figuring how to work his toys has accelerated. He is learning how to stack things, put balls in holes, and use levers. He is also babbling more, almost looking at us with a questioning look. It's just the beginning of "how come?" "why?"
They have three teeth between the two of them. Based on the frustration during meal times lately, we assume more are on the way. Our night time routine now includes brushing their teeth. They love to read books that have the touch-and-feel pages.
Finally, they've really discovered each other. This was the ultimate parent moment I've been waiting for since they were born. They've taken their activity mat and used it as a tent, tunnel, or screen. They also like to touch each other's heads. When one touches the other, they just sit still and wait until it's over, even if it is when one is getting scratched in the eye. OW! We try to monitor this, but I have to blink and often miss the crime. But it's their laughing that makes me so happy.
I'm out of work right now, but seem to have lost my ability to time manage properly. I just want to spend time with the kids, but I also want a job. I'm working on it. It's the first time I've been out of work.
Cheers to this week of firsts. I look forward to what's next.
