Saturday, March 24, 2012

Twin Challenge

As the girls grow up, they look different and their different personalities really show.  But I see them all the time.  I'm not sure if they look as alike to people who don't see them all the time like I do!

Can you tell who's who?



Thursday, March 08, 2012

What it's like to be a parent


The whole bedtime/wakeup thing is always an adventure for us. Kayla and Megan usually get put to bed by 7:30 or 8, but when they actually go to sleep tends to vary, depending on how much tired energy they have. Usually it's by 8:30 but often it can stretch to 9:30 or beyond, which can make for some rough mornings.

On weekends they'll naturally wake up around 7:30 or 8, and be happy as clams, but on weekdays I have to get them up by 6:30 or so, to have time to get us all ready and out the door. That extra hour makes a world of difference; they're almost never ready to get up, and are usually pretty grumpy about it. A ritual of sorts has been established, a small little play that is acted out every morning.

IGNORE ME!: Daddy comes in to wake us up, to stunning indifference. If they are not already, both girls will quickly cover themselves with whatever blanket or pillow is near to hide from the sudden light, while Daddy gently prompts that it's time to get up, usually while killing time playing Words with Friends. Any suggestion of getting up, going potty, getting dressed, or any other activity is met with grunts of discord from beneath the covers. This is just the warm up; I know better than to rip off blankets or scoop them out of bed so soon, as this will just lead to Grumpy.


It's Fun Game Time!: Sometimes hiding beneath covers will lead to a game of hide and seek or peek-a-boo, which, if we're awake enough, will elicit some smiles and laughter. Once in a while the girls completely hide themselves beneath the covers, at which point they magically transform into "lumpy blankets" that can be playfully probed by Daddy. Sometimes Mommy is able to execute The Scoop Maneuver with minimal collateral damage. Occasionally there is some success with suggesting that someone can "win" the race to get potty'd and dressed first, or perhaps promises of breakfast if we happen to be really hungry. Grumpy slowly begins to melt away. This phase is of course pleasant and enjoyable, as playing with your children is pretty much why anyone becomes a parent in the first place. However caution must be exercised, because we are entering the...



Danger Zone!: We reach the critical phase, Grumpy Defcon 4. Fun Game Time will usually result in an awake and happy child, who will be glad to trundle off to the bathroom to begin her morning routine. However, if you push the issue too fast, or don't engage in the appropriate amount of Fun Game Time (which is unknown, of course), we immediately enter Condition Grumpy, resulting in a refusal to go potty, disapproval of any and all clothes suggestions, and a generally cantankerous attitude at least until we've been able to absorb 5 minutes of Dora. Losing the battle at this stage is heartbreaking, because it's one of those situations where you instantly know when you've misstepped, but you also know there's no chance at recovery.The magical wake-up script has been broken, and there's nothing to do but grin and bear it.

Rinse, lather, and repeat every weekday for the next 15 years.