The Cuteness Renders You Powerless!

Cup 'o Joe

There's no doubt about it...I am NOT a morning person. I know, when you become a parent, you become a morning person. You have to; it's just part of the job, like changing diapers and picking noses. But I am NOT a morning person, so I cherish my morning coffee, which is really the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning (okay, that and the wailing that comes from the nursery).

Lately, Charlotte has been very into what I'm eating and drinking. She isn't crawling yet, but if I'm sitting near her, eating or drinking something that has not been first offered to her, she will find a way to get close to me and fling her little body over my lap. Then she will proceed to claw at me, whine, and point at whatever I'm eating or drinking until she gets some of it, too.

Obviously she can't have any of my morning coffee. Besides the fact that the caffeine isn't good for her, I'm unwilling to give a sip of my coffee to anyone, since it's what keeps me functioning. So since she won't take no for an answer, I've just started giving her her own travel mug, either empty or filled with a little water, so she can sip right along with me.

It's just the cutest darn thing ever.

Our TV Debut

Since most of you who read this blog know me personally, most of you probably already know that my three words were included on Good Morning America this morning. You can see us in the middle of the montage. The Wilco song they chose is great, too! You can view it here if you like. Fun, fun!

Who Says Romance is Dead?

Michael and I went out to dinner last week, alone, for only the second time since the babies were born last March. Sad, I know. As we were eating and talking, I realized that the bulk of our conversation was solely about the babies. When we thought they would finally crawl, why Gavin's diaper keeps leaking night after night, how we're going to swing daycare for two when I go back to work in September, what the theme should be at their first birthday party--you get the idea. I began wondering: "Who are these two? What has become of us? I remember the day when we would stay out on weekends until 2 am, and now I'm happiest if I'm in bed by 9! And we would discuss all manner of things without the slightest mention of diapers or sippy cups!"

So on Saturday night I finally took the advice of the countless parenting magazines and websites I've read. I decided we needed a "date night" at home after the babies went to bed. First, I should let you know that the babies decided not to cooperate. I think they knew something was up...they have a little baby-sixth-sense that way. I wanted to at least get out of my sweatpants and maybe even put on a little mascara for our date, but by the time we finally got the babies to sleep, our dinner was practically cold. I decided just to wear my pearls, which looked very stylish with my sweats and all...but that was really all I had time for. Michael thought that was pretty funny.

Anyway, we used our china for the first time in our entire marriage, and drank champagne. (Sidebar: Does anyone actually ever use their china? I'm going to make an effort to use it once a month). We dined on lemon-butter tilapia, sesame-roasted asparagus, and rice pilaf (I'm not ashamed to tell you that the rice was out of a box). We decided not to talk about babies, which frankly, left very little to talk about. Which is why this date night was so important; I think we need to reconnect on other levels.

Afterwards, in keeping with the theme, we decided to rent a movie. Our choice was The Bourne Supremecy, and I'm sorry to tell you that we both fell asleep halfway through. What exciting lives we lead.

Who Are These Twins, and What Have You Done With Mine?

Things in the Tulip and Turnip Household have changed dramatically in the last two days. First of all, Gavin took three excellent naps yesterday. He hasn't done that, ever. And lest you think that those naps gave me some respite, a break from the daily grind, a chance to sit down and enjoy the latest issue of Country Living whilst sipping a cup of coffee...think again. Because yesterday was the day that Charlotte, who has been a fair napper all along, decided NOT. TO. NAP. She's up to those tricks again today...I just put them down for their morning nap and she's been hollering for a good twenty minutes.

Gavin has also recently decided that his most favorite thing to do is dance in the kitchen with Mommy while listening to the iPod, preferably to Amos Lee's "Sweet Pea." It's actually pretty cute...he gets all excited and starts swaying to the music and kicking his legs as I twirl him around. But when the song ends, he wails. And continues wailing until we start over again. I'm pretty certain he is wondering where Amos Lee actually is, because he stares at the iPod so intently as we dance, as if he is certain that the man is going to appear, guitar in hand, and start strumming away in a private concert, just for us. He has also recently discovered that he can insert his fingers and arms into our toys that have holes. He got his arm stuck in a dump truck yesterday. And the biting, that's another story. I have teeth marks all over my shoulders.

Other than deciding not to nap, Charlotte has picked up a few tricks too. I think she's only just decided that she likes me. She has never been a particularly clingy baby, but lately she wants to be held often. And when I'm holding her, from time to time she will open her mouth as wide as it will go and attempt to suck/lick my cheek or mouth. I'm not sure if this is a baby-kiss or something to do with the fact that she's teething, but either way, it's pretty darn cute. She's been signing "all done" too, but it's never when we finish a meal as I had planned. It's when she's in the Exersaucer, or having tummy time, or at other times when it doesn't really make sense. (You could argue that she's telling me she's all done with the Exersaucer or tummy time, but I think she's really just interested in the movement of her hands.)

Anyway, I was going back and forth about signing them up for Kindermusik, but since Gavin seems so obsessed with dancing/Amos Lee, and since Charlotte has been preoccupied with her hand movements, I'm reconsidering. I might have two little musicians on my hands.

P.S. Charlotte did eventually stop hollering. I don't want you to think I typed this post while Charlotte screamed in her crib! But now I hear Gavin....

Wordless Wednesday

Twin Club

I went to my first Mothers of Multiples meeting last night. I wasn't sure what to expect. My mom was a member when my twin sisters were born, a little more than 25 years ago, and I have a few memories of her attending the meetings. Back then, it was all Bake Sales and Play Dates and "Twin Club" vests and buttons. At least that's how my 5-year-old brain processed it.

It was actually fun. These women are incredible multitaskers -- they have fundraisers and community outreach programs, meal deliveries for new mothers of multiples, a huge rummage sale that's big news in this area, and social events for the adults and the kids, just to name a few things. Also, they can understand the special challenges that come with mothering more than one infant. Just having someone to talk to and vent with is worth the dues.

I wound up buying this cute/somewhat cheesy football-jersey-style shirt that says something about the Mothers of Multiples on the back, and then says "Team Chermela" on the front. Totally a nerdy mothery thing to purchase, but I was caught up in the spirit of the whole multiples thing. I drew the line at the "Got Twins?" decal for my car, but next month might be another story....stay tuned.