Good morning from Kansas City where we're all a bit bleary eyed this morning thanks to a late night home team World Series win! It was a big weekend here what with our first Halloween back in the United States and many a baseball game to be watched. Molly and Clara, newly minted 18-month-olds were oblivious to the baseball but very quickly caught on to the sugar-induced joy that is trick-or-treating.
(Clara is on the left, Molly on the right)
So much has happened in the months since I last wrote an update about our sweet twin girls. As everyone warned, including so many of you friends out there, the milestones are coming fast and furious. Every day they learn something new and we're getting to that stage of parenthood where we have to spell words when they're around.
Should we let them have a c-o-0-k-i-e for s-n-a-c-k?
The biggest milestone of all, and one that I was so excited to welcome was walking. It is a blast to have two little walkers around. They are so happy with their new mobility and in the span of a week went from crawling to running. Every once in a while Clara will crawl around to be silly, in her goofy, mischievous way, but otherwise everything is on foot these days. As parents of twins, it makes things much easier when Frank or I are on are own. It's possible to walk with them into our gym's child care or make a quick trip from the car into the grocery store without pulling the giant stroller out of the trunk.
Fall has been a fun season for all of us with these two highly energetic girls. Most days they are moving in opposite directions which keeps Frank and I on our toes. They love to be outside and it is a battle every day to get them from the car in the garage door as they would much rather run around in they yard or jump in driveway puddles or sprint through the crunchy leaves.
Although they are so identical that few people can consistently tell them apart, they continue to distinguish themselves as uniquely wonderful people. Molly is the most loving of kids. She hugs stuffed animals and baby dolls so sweetly and rarely passes up a chance to give Frank and I hugs which she does while patting us on the back with both hands. Molly is a better eater than most any toddler I've encountered and will eat nearly anything we put in front of her. She still loves to do "hip hip hooray" (a trick that their nanny taught them in Bangkok) and will throw her hands up in the air with abandon when we say it. She is learning words a mile a minute and her favorites are "baby," "wawa" (water), "Bap" (the name she gave the monkey she sleeps with), "beep beep" (for car), "kitty," "apple," and "pap" (for pumpkin, which got a lot of play this week).
Clara is the ringleader of mischief. She loves a good game, and plays peek-a-boo with people sitting behind us in church or across a restaurant at dinner. She'll run and hide behind the car as soon as we get outside. Clara doesn't like to miss out on a moment of fun, and tends to wake up early from her naps these days and chatter to Molly until both are awake and giggling. Clara's current favorite words are "Elmo," "uppie" (for up), "Monnie" (this is her brand new way to call Molly!), "cheese," "dog" (which she says with a Southern accent, "dawg"), and "pretty" (her word for barrette).
I can see so many new things coming in the next few months, including the use of the word "no" (yikes...it's definitely coming), the ability to play more complex games, speak in full sentences, and maybe even start to lend those little hands in the kitchen! They are intensely curious and look up at older kids with wonder, so it has been great to have them around older kids of our friends. For Frank and I, it's safe to say that this parenting gig continues to get more and more fun. Halloween this weekend really did have an entirely new meaning since we get to see it through Molly and Clara's eyes. It makes me realize how much more fun we have in store with all the holidays in the coming months!
Hope you had a fun weekend full of laughs, crazy costumes, and a few sweet treats!
For More Updates on Molly and Clara:
Maggie Fisher
Jess, I feel a though I have and remain a next door neighbor with your recipe posts and then your twins. People are right, you will turn around and all of a sudden they will be five and off to school. I sent my son (who is now 53) to pre school nursery and Nanny Judy the owner told me drive up to the path under the awning, reach over and open door and let him out to walk up path to front door where she'd be waiting; it just crushed me to do that, cuz the tears started when he realized I wasn't going with him, we had made several pre visits at her school so I did what she did, waited til she had him in hand at the door then drove away crying like a baby! I called twice to see if he was "okay" - of course she told me, once he got i the door and saw all the other kids somehow mom was forgotten for several hours! It's the angst we parents all go thru when we have these events come up. And you are right you see e/thing so much differently from before kids to after. I dont know how to even go about this, but this two girls are so sweet looking and personable looking I am sure you and your husband could fund some of their college expenses through modeling. One of my friends did this and searched and found a reputable outfit in metro Detroit and her child made quite a bundle enough to fund hist first couple years of school. It got without saying they have great parents, they seem so well adjusted, happy, fun, exploring, learning, etc. Keep on with whatever it is you do in that role, it works doesnt it! PS congrats on the world series, our Tigers absolutely were horrible this year and some of these players make millions and millions, same with our Lions, not a good sports year here in Michigan! Take care keep the great pix and posts coming.
Maggie
Jess
Maggie - it's always so nice to hear from you, and especially nice to hear that the challenges (and all the great things too) of motherhood are pretty universal. Not a bad idea to seek out some way to shore up those college accounts - might have to look into it! Hope you're doing well!
Karista
Oh so adorable!! I was hoping you'd share Halloween photos of Molly and Clara... completely precious. Such gorgeous little darlings Jess!
Jess
Aw - thanks so much Karista!
Katie (The Muffin Myth)
Gawd they're cute! I'm so envious of your North American autumn traditions and all the fun you're having. Maybe next year I'll take my little one home for a visit around that time of year. Thanks for the adorable and inspiring posts!
Jess
Yes Katie! It's such a fun time of year to have these kiddos at home - it totally brings out all those childhood memories. P.S. SO excited for you guys!