Unbelievable how time has passed. It has been LESS THAN ONE YEAR that we have even known that we would be adding to our family, much less with twins. And now it is so normal on one hand, but still so farfetched on the other. I still say to Rob at least every other day “Do we really have twins?” Today, though, I could clearly see through the exhaustion and crying, and I could see myself saying soon enough “This is the best thing that has ever happened to our family, having our babies this close together.” We were at the playground and I could just see Lake, Thomas, and Smith squealing and chasing each other around in the not-too-distant future. But on their half-birthday, I will let you know more about our twins.
Thomas has such a gentle spirit. He gets very sad sometimes just when his big brother is upset. Thomas’ cries are rarely of a “mad” kind. His crying is usually “You have just hurt my feelings” for putting me down. It will just break your heart. He has the same bright blue eyes of the Uncles he is named after, coupled with long eyelashes from his Daddy. He has a sideways grin like his Daddy too, and is so cute when he dips his head shyly into his mommy’s neck if you catch him a little by surprise. Thomas is the snuggler that I didn’t have in Lake (either by conditioning or personality, who knows). Thomas will put his head down on your shoulder or chest whether he has recently had a nap or not. Thomas is soft in all places like a baby. Thomas surprised me by being the first to roll over, since he seemed more content to sit in his bouncer chair than Smith. Thomas is also a very smart, observant kiddo. He used to be the easier twin, not crying, but more just yelling out to make sure you knew he was still there. But after observing how much attention Smith got when he cried, Thomas has now become more needy than Smith. Go figure.
Smith is a study in extremes. When he is happy, he is the cutest, smiliest, squealiest, little buddy you ever knew. He loves to be held high in the air over your head and he’ll give you a dimpled grin to thrill your heart. He wakes up in the morning with sweet baby coos and babbles, usually sucking on two fingers. He kicks and kicks in delight, which might be the reason he isn’t as big as Thomas - he is burning all his calories with happiness! He has spent up to an hour in the jumperoo, pushing off with his feet and even using his arms to get better lift. Smith has been the first to really reach for toys (while Thomas is content to just talk loudly to them). Smith also likes to suck his thumb, which is great when he soothes himself to sleep, but judging on how irritated I have become with Lake’s paci and wondering how to get rid of it, I really don’t want to try to “get rid of” the thumb later on. Now on to the other extreme. When Smith is upset, he doesn’t have his feelings hurt or a little whine. He is mad. He cries loud, mouth wide-open cries with eyes tight shut, flailing his arms. He cries mostly because he is hungry, since Thomas is on the schedule as first to be fed most days (Thomas is the first to wake up at 5 am, so for the rest of the day, he gets fed 20 min before Smith). Smith also cries because he is in pain, but I don’t know for sure why. I think he is very sensitive to gas pain, and I feel so sorry for him. But I have learned the tricks of the trade, like how to hold him just so and walk around very “purposefully” as I like to say. Or at night, he responds very well to the gas drops, but so suddenly that it can’t be the ingredients…I think he just needs to be nudged out of his crying fit! But my sweet Smith is so much better than he was from 2 to 4 months when he would cry for no reason for hours at bedtime. I feel like now I know his little personality, and he knows and trusts his mommy, so he is easier to calm down.
My precious Thomas and my sweet Smith, we are so blessed that God gave you to us. I can’t wait to see how my three boys become inseparable friends, how you pretend and play together, how you share the best moments of your young lives together. I am so glad that I feel like I can protect you now, that I have some control over you feeling safe and loved. It was hard for me that you were in the NICU and I couldn’t hold you and make it all better. But we have years ahead of us for mommy to hold you and kiss you and always make everything right in your world. I love you, my babies.
April 19th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Kimi! You summed the twins up perfectly! I absolutely cannot believe they are already half a year old….we are so blessed to be a part of their (and your!) lives! XOXO Beets & Dave
April 19th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Thanks my precious daughter-in-law for sharing the boy’s personalities with us. Love you, Nan
April 24th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Oh Kimi, your sweet talk to and about your boys makes me cry and wish I could give you a big hug. Those little ones are so blessed that God has given them such a loving mommy. I love you so much! You’re right they are going to have such a wonderful time growing up together.