The Twins are Three

My babies are 3. How did that happen? Also more importantly, will I ever stop referring to them as “babies”? 

To be honest, I feel like I’m waking up from a deep slumber. When they were around 15 months old, I think my head spun into orbit. It got crazy. Thank the good Lord for family nearby, and for technology. We have countless photos and videos on our phones from that adorable twin-pre-toddler season when we were in survival mode and retaining only what was necessary to keep our two insanely active little minions alive. Every now and then I’ll watch a video of them at 18 months old and vaguely recall what life was like then…

It seems like we emerged from that season somewhere around the 30 month mark. They started morphing into little people. Who could communicate. And strategize. And reason (a little). Who’s actions started making (a little) more sense. And now I’m watching them grow up before my eyes.

In the last 6 months, I’ve seen my Ava, my baby A, blossom into a super social (like her Daddy!), extremely confident, princess-and-nail-polish-loving little girl with a quick wit and spunk (borderline sass) that makes everyone laugh. She’s comfortable in most any situation and loves spontaneity and surprises. Though she is 100% a girly-girl, she’s the first one in a mud pit if given the opportunity, and I’m pretty sure she’d go to bed covered in mud if she could. She’s been adorably messy from the get-go, and 3 seems to perpetuate that little trait – it’s not uncommon for her to diligently turn a lump of playdough into a million tiny flat pieces mushed all over the table (cookies, naturally). She is my reasoner/negotiator, and is one smart cookie when it comes to finding her way. Her ability to construct a logical “argument” or propose a solution to achieve a goal (usually involving some kind of sweet treat) is mindblowing. Sometimes I look at her and I see more 16-year-old than I see baby, which is terrifying.

Jackie boy, my baby B, reaches new depths with that tenderness everyday. Boy loves his huggie buggies and hands them out generously. He’s our child who will go out of his way to make us laugh or make us happy, he beams with pride when he gets that affirmation from us. He’s a little more introverted, though he’s incredibly comfortable with HIS people (just like his Mama!) He’s my child who needs clear boundaries and routine, who likes things in place, and who needs to know what to expect. Behavior that could mistakenly be labeled as “strong-willed” easily morphs when we view a situation through our Jack lens: what did he expect, and what actually happened? In light of that, he’s one of the most easy-going kids on the planet. He has a fascination with big machinery and learning how things work (leaf blowers, weed eaters, chainsaws are his favorites). We have labeled him our helper – give him a big-boy job to do (carry a grocery bag, put clothes in the dryer, clear the table, etc), and he thrives. He is hilariously (and terrifyingly) physical and brave, and we’re actually shocked there’ve been no broken bones or ER visits yet. Knock on wood.

I anticipated for a while that as their baby-phase faded into full-fledged toddlerhood, they’d become more “siblings” with separate personalities and interests and friends – it made me a little sad to think about. But, I’m learning that while they are absolutely growing into their own little people, that twin bond is gaining strength.

They’re best buddies. On any given day when you’re around them, you’ll hear them talking nonsense and laughing with/at each other. Or pretending to be Belle and the Beast. Or dancing to Judah and the Lion. Or jumping and playing on their Nugget. They are hyper-aware of eachother and naturally know each other’s fears, share in each other’s joys, kiss each other’s boo-boo’s. Given a big room with plenty of seating, their default is still and always side-by-side (to the point of tears if one can’t find the other). They simply don’t separate, and amazingly, they seem to prefer it that way.

All-in-all, so far, three has proven to be funny, sweet and whole lot more of the same wild and crazy twin-life that we know and love, and we’re here. for. it.