The devil is in the shoes

I've had twins now for going on 4 and a half years, and still it never gets old to me to take note of all the ways that two little people -- grown in the same womb, fed the same foods, loved by the same two parents, with the same rules and [pretty much] the same experiences -- can be so diametrically different.

This is a photo I took this morning of Cary's side of the bed (left) and Dean's side of the bed.
I recently asked the children to keep their shoes in their room instead of in the living room shoe basket, so this is the first time they really have shoes in their room. And so today was the first time I really noticed that this is how each boy voluntarily keeps his shoes.

One of these kids is going to make a good college roommate someday. :-)

Listen, having twin infants was hard. Having twin toddlers and pre-schoolers was and sometimes still is very challenging. But I really am so glad I get to have this experience. Watching Cary and Dean grow up into two very different human beings reminds us that our kids are who they are, in spite of our parenting. This is a good thing because, as parents, we all have moments where we are tempted to feel smug about our kids' performance or behavior or character traits - and then judge other parents for theirs. And there are also far too many moments when we beat ourselves up for the same things, and feel jealous of other parents who are obviously much better at this, or worse -- just have better kids! (Guilty -- on both counts.)

Having two children the same age helps us to keep some perspective. Dean isn't helpful and neat because we have meticulously instilled that in him, necessarily, any more than Cary is lazy and the messiest kid on the planet because we don't stay on top of him.

They just are who they are. And both of them - no, all three of my babies -- are just right exactly the way they are.

When the "experts" try to make you feel like your kids will do right if only YOU would do better as a parent -- just think of Cary's and Dean's shoes.

 You're welcome.

Hello spring!

In honor of this lovely weather (which is actually quite warm today), I decided to wear some bonafide Spring shoes.

Next up, a pedicure -- so I can bust out the summer sandals!

Can't wait!

Also, yesterday, Lester and I went on an impromptu lunch date -- in the middle of a busy work day -- and sat by the water, looking at boats and the Domino Sugar sign. We even had a cocktail (shhh! Don't tell our bosses!) It was wonderful, and so re-charging.

What are you doing to recognize this beautiful weather God's given us?

:-)

Countdown to Lameville

This was a great Labor Day weekend for the Davis family.

1. We got out with the boys every day of the weekend! This is a first for our family!

Saturday, we got up and went to breakfast at a little diner not too far from our house. The boys were really good, and only made minimal messes under their highchairs, and didn't cry, scream or throw utensils. After the diner, we stopped at a playground in our neighborhood and let the boys swing for a few minutes. Lester took Dean down a big-boy slide, and Cary watched a group of men play a pick-up basketball game. Then it was time for nap, and both boys went without fuss, and slept for two to two-and-a-half hours. (Bet you can guess who was up first.)

After their nap, I took the boys to a cookout my brother's girlfriend threw in honor of his being alive (Yay!) and getting better every day. The boys were fine on the way down, but I overstayed my welcome at the cookout and paid for it, both toward the latter part of the cookout, and then on the way home. And since we live an hour and some change away from my family, I paid for a looooong time.

Sunday, we decided to go looking at minivans, because Honda was having a great Labor Day weekend offer on interest rates. This adventure did not turn out as well as our earlier trek out to the diner/playground. The boys had a short first nap for some reason, and had not had a second nap, so they were irritable and unpleasant. We went to one dealership and left after only looking at one car. Lesson learned about bringing twin toddlers to a car dealership and expecting to get anything accomplished.

Monday we took the babies to buy new shoes. I thought their shoes we bought a few months back still fit just fine, but my Mom reminded me at the cookout that babies outgrow their shoes rather quickly. Wouldn't you know Mom was right? The boys' shoes were both size 4, but their feet now measure at 5 (Dean) and 5 and a half (Cary). We went to Stride Rite because Kristie the physical therapist suggested a certain kind of shoe to help Dean's little foot, but let me tell you: That is the LAST time we are going to Stride Rite. The service was wonderful and I'm sure the shoes are the best. But we paid $150 for 4 pairs of BABY shoes, and this was during the store's buy-one-get-one-half-off sale! $150!!!
Never again. Seriously folks. That is insane!

After buying shoes, we ate at Nordstrom Cafe (delicious) and then drove home in the driving rain to greet my parents, who came out for a visit. I was so glad they came because they almost always see the babies (Dean, especially) out of their element, and so don't really know how adorable and pleasant my boys can be when they're comfortable, not sleepy or hungry, and on familiar territory. And just as I predicted, both boys were ADORABLE while Mom and Dad were here. So I was really glad of that. I hate that people think my babies are crankypots all the time. They can be crankypots, true. But 75-percent of the time, they are quite lovely. Darnit.

2. We bought a minivan. Yes, we are officially lame.

While Mom and Dad were here hanging out with us, Lester went to a dealer selling a used Honda Odyssey with pretty low miles and just about all the features we wanted (back-up camera, DVD for the boys, lots o' storage space, etc.) for a reasonable price. He worked his magic, got them to meet most of our terms and, a few hours later came home with the car. It was kinda sad, as I didn't even get to say good-bye to my little CR-V, which I liked a lot. And I still am not used to the idea of being a minivan owner. Where has all my swag gone??

Swag or no swag, we really needed a bigger car with the new addition coming. And truth be told, we needed the bigger car even before. Lester's knees were almost touching the dashboard when he drove, because of the boys' car seats forcing him to pull his seat up so far. And there really was not enough room for all the crap you have to schlep when you have more than one kid. But I did like that little car. Waaaaaaah.

3. We ordered new convertible car seats for the boys.

This is a big deal, as I had done a ton of research and queried a bunch of people (in person and on Facebook) and I still was unsure what to get. So I was pretty sure I'd just put off the decision until it was absolutely necessary. But somehow I made a gametime decision and ordered the Britax Roundabout 55, which got good reviews both from parents and from Consumer Reports.
So the boys will now move from those infant carrier seats (which weighed a TON) to bigger-boy seats, which I hope will make them happier in the car, since they'll be able to see out of the window a little better. We'll still keep them rear-facing for a little while longer, but front-facing is on its way. My boys are growing older. Waaaaaaaah, some more.

In fact, this post isn't really about being lame. I guess if I think about it, it's really about growth.

My boys are growing (even their feet grew). Our family is growing. Even my little vegetables in a pot on my front porch are growing (thanks to all this crazy rain we've been having lately!) And I always thought I was too "cool" to ever drive a minivan, but clearly I have grown up considerably since the days of thinking about what is cool and what is not. (Who even cares anyway?)

All this growth is a wonderful, beautiful thing. So why do I feel just the tiniest bit sad?

Happy May Day!

This was a busy weekend, but a really good one. Here's a list of all we accomplished:

Saturday

*Went to breakfast at a little diner; ate pancakes. Boys did sooo good at the restaurant! Pancakes were a hit with them, as were the fried potatoes. These boys take after their Mom. The babies also were a huge hit. Everybody in the restaurant came by to smile at them.

*Got the babies their first pair of real shoes! Pre-walkers from Stride Rite. I took them to a real store so they could get their feet measured. Despite my very fraternal babies being totally different in every imaginable way -- including size -- they both wear the same size shoe (4). Go figure.

Cary getting fitted:
Dean getting fitted:

Playing in their new shoes!

On our way out:



* Took the boys to Jos. A. Banks with Lester to get him new suits. Showed them a fountain in the mall.

* After bath and bedtime, watched a movie with my husband and snuggled in our bed.

Sunday

* Got up, went to Home Depot and bought flowers for my front yard. Then went to the grocery store. Did all that and got back while the babies were still napping. Yes!

* Took the babies to Hugo's first birthday party. They were cranky and clingy (new house, new people) and I was by myself because Lester had to work, so I only lasted about two hours, but we had fun. The boys ate quiche and watermelon and loved both! Also, turns out Hugo got the SAME new shoes! Awww.

Here they are playing at Hugo's house (before the whiny-ness set in):


*Put the babies down for nap No. 2 and immediately got started putting my flowers in the ground and in pots. It started to rain a little bit, but it was really satisfying to be out in the yard, digging, wet hair and all. Last year this time, my yard went to hell in a handbasket because I was HUGE and ridiculously uncomfortable.

* Washed all the boys' bedclothes because Lester went to get Cary up from nap No. 2 and discovered that he had taken his diaper off and pooped and peed all over everything. Even Lester. And also Lovey the Monkey. JOY!
I decided to wash Dean's stuff, too, because ...well, why not?

* Had a visit from a good friend, who was just in town for the weekend.

* Put away the babies' winter and too-small clothes. Dug out the shorts and T-shirts my sister gave me that belonged to Russy (that little boys had more clothes and shoes than J-Lo). Happy that I will have to buy them very few spring/summer clothes! Thanks Tahira!

* Watched ANOTHER movie with my husband!

All in all, this was a great weekend!

But somehow, I feel super guilty because I didn't make it down to the hospital to see my brother. So next weekend, I'm spending all weekend down that way. P.S. I heard his voice on Friday!! He said, "Hi Taneek!!!" BEST. DAY. EVER.