Mooserific!

Abby’s very excited about us being Museum Center members again.

That’s right– my first big adventure with all three girls was a success.

We went to Presidents Park. I enjoyed watching Abby introduce herself to other kids– “Hello, my name is Abby. What’s your name?"– and negotiate what games they would play.

We encountered a little boy and his father. Abby kept trying to engage the father in conversation. Each time she addressed him as "Big Fella.”

I had a wonderful treat today: my first extended outing without kids! I adore our girls, but was so overdue for a mommy break. Lunch and a little shopping reset my clock. And, John had a good time with the girls at the park. He wasn’t the least bit frazzled when I returned home. I think I might just have to go out again some time.

(10/6 addendum - Abby asked me this morning when I was going to take another day off so she could see all of her aunties again. I think she liked receiving a surprise present from Auntie Mel too.)

They can’t say it yet, but I think the babes are certainly thinking Abby’s often repeated question. – “Mom, does this look safe?”

Josie took her first unassisted steps today! She walked from me to her high chair. It was only a few steps, and they were wobbly, but she was so proud. She laughed and bounced up and down with excitement. I did too.

A Concert

Papa, when can we see Alan Jackson… the REAL Alan Jackson?

I don’t know, Abby. Concerts are often late at night, so you’ll need to be a little older.

Maybe when I’m twenty. That’s when I can go parasailing. [Abby brings up going parasailing almost every day.]

I don’t think you’ll have to wait that long. Maybe when you’re ten, or maybe even when you’re eight.

Those numbers are all longer than I can wait. I think four will have to do.

Josie suddenly decided she was ready for the walker.

Gosh, are they getting big! Since we had a relaxing day at home today, I was encouraged to break out the camera. They don’t really hold still for long, but I was able to snap a few shots while they played — together!

One thing that really strikes me about twins is that they’re already playing together. It seemed like Abby was much older before she started playing with other babies. I guess when you’re always around another baby and you have a big sister, you figure out there’s fun to be had. They frequently play together, get into trouble together, and they seem to be having conversations already too. That last part is quite impressive since their only consistently recognizable word is “Ma.”

The artist and her work

We all had a great time at a big family picnic that Venus’s family throws annually. The babies had fun and smiled at everyone.

Our favorite part was watching Abby play with her friends Stella and Maddie. There was a lot of running, swinging, and sliding.

Abby went to her very first dance class today. When I picked her up afterwards, she enthusiastically asked “when can I go back?” She had a really good time. And John and I did so well. It was the very first time we have ever left Abby with someone other than a relative or a very good friend. I was foolishly nervous, but it was fine – her first experience with “school!”

While Abby and I had a dance adventure, John had his own adventure. He took the babes to Home Depot. It was the first time they had ever gone somewhere without me. And, they did just fine. A big day of firsts for everyone.

This is how I found Gwen today after her nap. All silly smiles! She loves her new sleeping arrangement. Sometimes we don’t even hear her on the monitor when she wakes up. She’s too busy quietly playing with her toys. It’s a nice, big change from her swing days. She slept like a champ in her swing (Josie too), but was always anxious to get out of it when she woke. She had things to do, and she would tell us so. Good thing both babies are napping in cribs now.

Competent

All three kids woke up at at the same time today. John got Abby situated in the living room with the iPad before he left for work, and I proceeded to take care of the babies in their room. After about five minutes, I heard Abby calling me.

Abby: Mom! Mom! Momma! The iPad isn’t working!
Me: Abby, I’m nursing Gwen.
Abby: Mom! Netflix isn’t working!
Me: (After a long pause because Gwen doesn’t like distractions.) Abby, just restart it, please.
Abby: I tried! It still isn’t working!
Me: I’ll help you when I’m finished here.
Abby: Mom!
Me: Abby, please.
Quiet. After a few minutes, I ask Abby if she still needs help.
Abby: No. I’m okay. I just decided to use Amazon instead. What’s that show with the hamster, duck, and turtle?
Me: Wonder Pets?
Abby: Yes! Wonder Pets!
I then hear the Wonder Pets theme song and a happy [three year old] Abby.

At ten months old (already!), the babies are doing some amazing things. They’re both accomplished crawlers, and can pull themselves up on everything. They’re also both trying to talk. They say “ma” for sure and Gwen seems to say teeth, cat, and cheese. They understand a lot more than they can say. They love pat-a-cake, and will bounce up and down to music. They also love feeding themselves finger foods. Their current favorites are canned vegetables. Potatoes, steak, and blueberries gave us some awesome zzzzs last night. Josie slept until 5am, woke up for some milk, and then went back to sleep until 7:30am! Gwen did great too. She was up at 2am and 6am, and then slept until 7:30am! Amazing!

Even more Abbyisms

A friend of mine asked Abby “how do you tell your sisters apart? They look alike to me.” Abby looked at her with a quizzical face, shrugged her shoulders and said “I look at their faces, of course.”

Abby: Mom, do you have a diamond wedding ring?“
Me: No, Abby. My ring is a sapphire.
Abby: I think I want a diamond ring when I get older.

Last night, we were talking to Abby about moving one day. Abby said she didn’t want to move. "My sisters live here.” We explained that they would come with us too. “Oh, okay,” she decided.