technology

Hopefully these guys can soon help their parents with all our gizmos and gadgets.

misc cuteness

smothered in love

A little help understanding what's going on: Rafa has a tiger hand puppet washcloth thing on his hand and he is using it to give kisses.  Then, he decides to give kisses himself.  Then hugs.  She tolerates it all for a little while at least.

sibling rivalry

I have learned a LOT with having boy/girl twins that might not have been apparent to me with singletons or with only having children of one gender.  See here and here, for instance. 

One other thing that has been interesting to me, both in observing the Vassariños and in our reaction to them has been the different ways that they have developed.  Everyone says that girls develop faster than boys and for us, in most cases, that has been the case.  Sylvia has many more words than Rafa, she counted first, she knows her colors and shapes, she has started learning the alphabet, etc., etc.  Probably with any siblings, it's hard not to compare them, but I think it's particularly hard with twins. 

I'm not worried about Rafa, don't get me wrong.  He'll learn at his own rate.  His personality is also more of an observer and hers is of a pleaser, so I definitely think he knows more than he lets on.  Plus, he surprises us from time to time.  For instance, we sing Jesus Loves Me before bed every night.  Sylvia babbled along very early when she started being verbal.  Over time, she has picked up more of the "words" and sings along.  Rafa was content letting us serenade him.  Then, one day, he decided to jump in and sang just about every "word".  I use quotes because I don't think that have a clue what the words mean, but they imitate the sounds.  So, who really knows what's going on in their brains, anyhow.

We definitely try to focus on embracing the different wonderful things about each one.  As they're the same age, though, it's a challenge sometimes to not always think that they need to keep up with each other on everything.  And yet, it's also a challenge not to teach to the top.  When we're reading to both kids at the same time, it's so tempting to always keep talking with Sylvia more and more as she responds to every question.  And, since she likes to answer for her brother, it's also hard to try to get Rafa to interact and participate rather than just relying on Sylvia to answer for him.

I'm sure we'll face even greater challenges in the future as they continue to develop into different people with different strengths and weaknesses as we learn to cherish their individuality and help them learn healthy ways to be proud of themselves while being inspired by others.

MDO

And so it begins. We are being inundated by information related to the Vassariños' 2-day a week Mother's Day Out program starting in September. We got a couple letters in the mail about coffees to get to know the teachers and from what I can tell a general orientation, a letter telling us that we would be receiving another letter in a few days telling us which class the kids will be in, and a couple more that I don't remember what they said.

Then, we got the email with the class roster and the name of the kids' class. They are in the doodlebug class. I wonder how you say that in Spanish?... It also looks like Sylvia might be the only girl. There's a chance one of the seemingly boy names belongs to a girl. Stockton, Joey, Tyler, Zachary, Julian, and Emersen. My top two choices for potential girls, though, would have been Joey and Tyler, but both of those kids share the name with their fathers, so those are likely boys. Maybe Emersen is a girl?

Then, I received an email asking me to be a class mom!  Ha!  I haven't even set foot in the school, yet. Probably not their best choice. Our kids are 1/4 of the class, so I bet that's why I was chosen, but I let them know that I'm highly unqualified and expecting a baby any day now, so unlikely to be able to really do the job justice. And I almost suggested they contact David since I was a little annoyed that they only have class moms and have a mom's night out, etc., but then I also don't want him to have more on his plate when baby 3 arrives in the off chance they would take me up on that.

Then, I got two more emails about helping with teacher appreciation week.  I thought these programs are supposed to give parents more time, not more responsibilities.  Isn't that why it's called Mother's Day Out?

sweetness

Rafa definitely has the sweetness gene. He loves hugs. Doles them out readily. There isn't much space in my lap these days, but he insists on finding some for reading stories and refuses to sit next to me like his sister. As uncomfortable as an elbow to the belly is, it's kind of hard to complain.

One precious moment this week, I was sitting at the dining table and he came up and rested his head against my leg. He looked up at me and just enjoyed the moment of closeness. Fortunately, and probably in part because I'm 36 weeks and not particularly active, I also paused to embrace the moment. It was a wonderful reminder to stop every once in awhile and cherish those around me. To bury my to do list in my brain and take the time to embrace something in the present. To be present.

And to look in those sweet blue eyes and be grateful for my son.

summertime fun

training

Early training for the timeout contest at basketball games.

builder

Rafa, our book lover, is now also obsessed with building things. We got him a Mr. Potato Head and he can sit and pull out and push in eyes and ears and arms forever. At his play date with Oma, he pretty much ignored everyone and everything else to play with the Duplos.

This is a particularly exciting development in our house as we are not DIYers. Maybe our kids can be our handy people!

gracias

Yes, we're the parents who are trying really hard to get our children to say please (por favor) and thank you (gracias). So far, por favor falls on deaf ears. Our kids repeat most everything we say, that's the fun of the language explosion. Including, 'oh, $#^+!' Strangely, however, we just get blank stares when we say 'por favor'.

Gracias, on the other hand, seems to be catching on. Sort of. Rafa repeats it, although he's still not super interested in using words for communication. Sylvia uses it appropriately from time to time. And my favorite, she also uses it when she gives something to someone else. I'm not sure if it's more of her speaking for Rafa or just that she knows that it's a word that should be associated with that action. Or if she's just saying, I got this toy for you, thank you for taking it off my hands. Whatever it means to her (probably nothing, probably just rote association), its pretty adorable.

sentences

We're living in that frustrating stage when the Vassariños have desires, and often strong ones, but not always the words to express them.  We're fairly good at guessing, but those times we're amiss are trying times.  

Rafa still doesn't have a whole lot of interest in expressing in words when he's upset, but that's not surprising.  Sylvia has, for awhile, always tattled on whatever has made her upset.  She'll cry a little and come up to us and say, "badabadabadabada PISO!"  Which means, "I stumbled and fell on the floor!" or, "My cup fell on the floor!"  Needless to say, it's often "badabadabadabada RAFA!"  We try really hard when they want something and just start crying to tell them to ask us, "Por favor mami, ayúdame..."  That's going to be a long battle, I'm certain.  We at least have one success with getting Sylvia to not just cry when she wants help.  After she finishes buckling her booster chair, she used to just pull to try to get them apart and cry because she was unsuccessful urging us to come to her rescue.  So, every time, I would respond with, "No llores, Sylvia, solamente necesitas decir, Por favor mami, ayúdame, quiero hacerlo otra vez."  (Don't cry, Sylvia, all you have to say is, please mami, help me, I would like to do it one more time.)  OK, so that's a lot for a 1 year old.  But, I feel great success in that she doesn't cry anymore, she just says to me, "Otra vez!"  Baby steps.

Rafa's fun attempt at stringing words together is related to the Vassariños' current favorite word, "GRANDE!"  Everything is grande.  Houses, trucks, pieces of food, heavy things, even things that aren't really all that big, they just want to say, "GRAAAAAANDE!" Rafa gets the most mileage at breakfast when he feeds himself oatmeal.  He'll sometimes get a super sized hunk on his spoon and say, "DA DA DA GRANDE!"  Which, we're fairly certain isn't a stutter, but him trying to say, "Está grande!" which is what we say all the time since we use verbs most of the time. 

I'd love to get some of this on video, but in the meantime, I definitely want to share and preserve some of their favorite "sentences."

fun faces

I'm a little nervous that my penchant for teaching my kids what's right and wrong and good behavior will squelch creativity and free thinking. So, I try to be intentional about celebrating creativity and allowing them to do some things however they want. Like Mr. Potato Head. Stick 4 sets of eyes on there and a tongue coming out of the top of his head. Or, put the glasses on your own face... It's not Easter anymore? Who cares?




I love the face Rafa makes when he's really concentrating on something.








Kid faces are so expressive. One day I'll miss that.

back on bed rest

We're at it again...  Last week, I started having very frequent Braxton Hicks contractions.  So, I went to see the doc and he checked me out.  The good news is that I didn't have to go to the hospital.  The bad news is that he asked, "Can you do bed rest for a few days?"  Fortunately, yes, if that's what would be best to keep baby 3 from making an early arrival, I can.  He really was concerned about my making it to 34 weeks, which I didn't realize at the time was only 2 days away.  So, after a follow up call with the doc's PA, they are suggesting that I stay on bed rest for a week and then reassess how my body is doing.  I'll finish that week of bed rest today.  My next appointment is Friday.  The contractions have slowed down since I've started taking it easy.  And, I have to admit, I've cheated a little bit.  I suppose since my body had progressed quite a bit more last time I went on bed rest and then I kept cooking those babies for 2 months, I'm not as nervous.  Plus, there's only one baby this time.  And, the doc didn't order bed rest quite as firmly as the last time.  And we're already so much further along (we'll match the twins' gestation on Saturday).  Perhaps I'm rationalizing a little so that I don't have to be confined to bed all day, but I promise I'm keeping good track of my contractions and abandoning my cheating if it feels like my body isn't up to it. 

In any case, bed rest this time I find easier than last time.  Maybe because I'm cheating a little.  Maybe because I still can lie down on the bed in Sylvia & Rafa's room and read to them or sing their bedtime songs with them and that's more interesting than just being by myself all the time.  It was very helpful, though, for me to go back to some of the posts on round one and see how I handled it the first time.  I got some inspiration on other bed-ridden "activities" that will add a little variety to my days.  Hopefully, I can start doing a few more things that are not super strenuous in the next few days.  I'm going to try to work from home for at least another week and then if I'm doing little things around the house, I can still escape to bed as necessary.

Just as a reminder, the due date is August 15, so we still have a little ways to go.  Also, interestingly, July 4 weekend was essentially the last weekend that I was up before going on bed rest last year.  Maybe my body just doesn't want to be outside during the summer!

playing together

Sylvia and Rafa are starting to play together, not just independent play near each other. This is really fun to see develop. As you'd imagine, it's not all sunshine and rainbows as it often leads to fighting over wanting to do the same thing at the same time with the same toy.

We had a huge meltdown after acquiring a baby stroller rather than 2. So, it was particularly fun for us when they figured out they could push each other around! I think Sylvia is a little nervous about Rafa's driving skills...

the boy loves books

I think I've mentioned it before, but in case I haven't, Rafa LOVES books. He loves looking at them on his own or with us. And he has a much longer attention span than his sister, so he can sit and enjoy some quite long books.

We got a little stool so that he can get a book himself when he wants. They are growing up!




But, we still treasure reading with them.  I love seeing my boys enjoying these sweet moments.

playing with leaves

Kids' giggles are the best.  And their ability to delight in the simplest of things.  Do they learn more from us or do we learn more from them?...

Happy 4th!!

We had a fun, busy day that started off with our first ever Fourth of July neighborhood parade. Thanks to Uncle Bill and Aunt Candy for providing the flag-waving faire!


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look ma, new trick!

stick-to-it-tiveness

Stick-to-it-tiveness is not one of Sylvia's better qualities. If she can't do something fairly immediately, she generally calls out for help or moves on to the next thing. I was impressed to see her work so hard and long at closing the belts on her high chair. It's likely due in part to her desire to do everything that Mami and Papi do. Nevertheless, perhaps this is the first step to learning to overcome challenges!