(For any of my newer readers, note that "Gus" and "Gibson" are blog pseudonyms for the twins. Hopefully you can figure out which one is which, if you know them IRL!)
As is my tradition, I shall now reflect on what the boys are up to these days. Two and a half is a pretty fun age, in my opinion. Yes, it's also dramatic. But for the most part, life is good. I decided to make a little chart here. (Hope it displays ok on whatever browser/device you're using.) I know the experts say not to compare your kids...that's really hard when you have twins, though! How else are you supposed to talk about them, when they're really similar?
As you can see, they are certainly continuing to develop distinct personalities! It's interesting to me how they aren't exactly turning out the way I thought they would though, based on baby-hood. Gus used to be a bit more chill. As he's gotten older, I feel like he's embracing his role as the older brother, becoming bossy sometimes and demanding his own way. Since I'm also an oldest child, I can't really fault him for it, haha. Gibson, meanwhile, is kind of fulfilling his role as the baby of the family by being a little jokester! They both love to laugh, but Gibson especially has a humorous/mischievous streak about him.
Activities: playing all the time, everywhere. Current fixation is taking all the cushions/throw pillows off the couch to build houses, castles, cars, etc in the living room. They could do it all day long, except that they also fight a lot over who is going to use which of the (identical) cushions, among other things.
Language: Since their pacifiers have been relegated to their cribs, I've definitely noticed an increase in their vocabulary. They can ask for a bunch of different foods/drinks, name animals, and tell you about various vehicles. And they use verbs, too :) The longest phrase I've heard one of them say is, "No, my wee-oo truck!" (that's a fire truck, if you don't speak toddler-ese). I try not to stress out when I hear other kids of a similar age stringing together whole sentences, though. We were at the library where a girl remarked, "This one doesn't fit" about a gear toy she couldn't get to work. Her mom said she's two and a half. I was like, wow! My kids would just say, "ahh!" or "help!" or "mama!" about that situation...
They understand some opposites like up/down, on/off, and empty/full. Hmm, but that might be more of a cognitive skill than language. I think they also know the numbers 1 and 2, sometimes.
Sleep: They are still taking an afternoon nap, thanks be to God, for about 2-3 hours. These days, they've been going to bed around 8:30-9pm and sleeping till 7:30-8am. I would prefer that schedule to shift a bit earlier, but it's working out ok so I won't complain. I usually am awake by 6:30am so I just try to get stuff done in the morning, quietly, before they wake up.
Eating: Per the above list, you'll note both kids love lentils - specifically, split red lentils, simmered in chicken broth, with curry powder. They've become increasingly picky, but they still like those legumes! Otherwise, they pretty much are subsisting on toaster waffles, peanut butter, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, cashews, applesauce, and the occasional carrot. They don't like crunchy carrots, which means I'm still cutting them into pieces and steaming them. Way easier than purees, though! Oh yes, and they would eat popsicles and cookies all day, every day, if I would let them.
Social skills: We've had a few play dates lately where I've been able to watch them around other kids. It's kind of comical because they are fairly good about sharing with each other, but rather oblivious to sharing with new playmates. We were at a kid's house who had a ride-on toy car. Gus and Gibson kept hopping in and out of it, taking turns with each other. When I suggested that the other kids also wanted to play with the car, they were incredulous and protested loudly!
At parks, they have started interacting positively with the other kids sometimes, especially older kids. They got into a game of chase/tag a few weeks ago with some kids who were about 8 or 9, and there was much giggling all around.
Physical development: According to the bathroom scale, Gus is 26 lbs and Gibson weighs in at 25. They are not quite 36" tall yet. (Learned that the hard way after we waited in line 20 minutes for the Ferris wheel at Knott's Berry Farm...) They're wearing size 2T for most clothes, though 18 months pants. Shoes are size 6 toddler. I wish their feet would hurry up and grow into size 7 b/c the size 7 shoes we have are way easier to get off and on than the 6s. Live and learn, Mom!
They can't jump yet. We just checked yesterday. Gibson stood on his tiptoes and laughed while DF and I hopped up and down. Gus just kept climbing on the couch cushions.
They're a lot better at running without falling/tripping these days, even going down an incline. That's a nice skill to have. Gus is decent at catching a ball from a close distance, but he thinks it's funnier to stand with his hands clasped together and laugh at you when you get ready to throw.
Emotions: parenting literature these days is all about teaching emotional intelligence/understanding/regulation, and I've totally jumped on that bandwagon. We talk about our feelings a lot. Here's a sample of what happened earlier today.
Me: "Gus, look at your brother's face. He has a sad face because you took the cushion he was using. Hmm..." <pause for comprehension> "What can you do to help him feel better?"
Gus: thinks, then says, "Toys?"
Me: "Gibson, do you want a toy?"
Gibson, sighing sadly: "No" (Gibson has a reeeeeally good sad face, I must say)
Me: "Gus, could you share the cushion?"
Gus: thinks a bit..."Uh huh. Share!"
Me: "Gibson, Gus says he can share the cushion with you! How do you feel now?"
Gibson: "Happy!"
Me: "Oh good, I'm glad you found a way to play together" <yes, that's a phrase from Daniel Tiger. I use it a lot.>
Gibson: "Happy!"
Me: "Oh good, I'm glad you found a way to play together" <yes, that's a phrase from Daniel Tiger. I use it a lot.>
We also play a game where we make different faces, like happy, sad, angry, scared, and surprised. They seem to like it.
So, there's life in a nutshell. I always like looking back at these reflection posts. Hope you enjoyed reading it, too :)
