A Season of Firsts

Our Little Pumpkin Patch (Dom on the left)

Our sons will have a long series of firsts over the course of the next few weeks and months, and this past month we’ve had some good ones:

Lessons in Carving Pumpkins (Alex on left)

• First Halloween: Dad showed them how to carve jack-o’-lanterns, and they got their first taste of pumpkin (see photo above). They have not yet seen the whole pumpkin-to-pumpkin-pie process as we have a lot of pumpkin guts to turn into goo. Dom and Alex dressed up as a matched set of two peas in a pod and went twin-or-treating on our street – stopping by houses to show off their outfits and be admired but without candy involved (perhaps that should be trick-or-twinning?). They were very good-humored about being carried from door-to-door and smiled at by the neighbors. We also had a huge number of trick-or-treaters this year, and we had to rush out and buy more candy (Puck was down to the last piece by the time I made it home). Shakti was a big hit with many of the children who remember seeing or meeting her on her many walks with Grandma Myrtle and Papa.


Our little peas in their pods (Alex on left)

• First Colds: The evil cold virus has been attacking our family one at a time. First the Twin-Daddy, next the Twin-Mommy, then Dominic and finally Alexander. While both boys have been dealing with the bewildering symptoms of congestion, fever and painful coughing, they have been surprisingly good-natured – still willing to give us those darling grins at times and to play a bit. However, they’ve also needed a great deal more cuddling and sleep, and they’ve expressed their frustration and discomfort too. We’re glad they are both feeling better.

• Storytime: In the last couple of weeks, Alex and Dom have started listening and looking attentively when Grandma does storytime with them while their bottles are warming up in the afternoon. If they take after Mom and Dad, they’ll be big readers later.


Give me some candy!

• Brotherly Love: Over the last couple of weeks, each boy has started to occasionally smile at his brother without his sibling really noticing, and on Sunday (Oct. 31st) they finally spent some time smiling at each other!

• Toes, Rolls and Talking: Last Thursday night (Oct. 28th) while working on sitting up on his Dad’s chest, Dom discovered he had feet and toes, and it was amazing to see the look of fascination on his face as these new parts of his body entered his awareness. Alex rolled over once completely on his own during tummytime! Plus, they both enjoy “chatting” with us, and they have some of the most wonderful big grins and beginnings of a laugh. Puck says they laugh like me and my dad.

We still have so many firsts to look forward to!

In Other News

Shakti turns 11 this next weekend, and she’s doing well, though getting up and down is becoming increasingly difficult for her. She absolutely loves her walks with Grandma Myrtle (who takes her out 2-3 times a day usually), and she likes her walks with Alex and Dom (though those walks don’t tend to be as long).

Grandma Myrtle: As for the grown-ups, well, Puck and I can’t express just how wonderful it has been to have Grandma Myrtle out here with us. It makes a HUGE difference to have a third adult and one who knows so much about children and grandchildren, plus I’ve just really enjoyed having this time with my mom and this chance to learn so much about being a mom from her. Thanks, Mom!

Puck continues to come home and to immediately either help with the boys or start dinner (or both), and Grandma and I handle the nightshift together. He is quite the doting dad and so skilled at soothing and playing with his sons. I love watching him with Alex and Dom.

Anniversary: This month Puck and I celebrate 16 years since we started dating. If we follow tradition, we’ll order some bagel sandwiches just like the ones we ate on our first date in Stillwater. Love you, honey!

 

 

 

We hope you had a happy Halloween!