The "MO!", The "Yeah!", And The Brain

One child is "the brain."  Can you guess which one?

We had our first parent-teacher conference for Adam two weeks ago.  She basically told us he's a second grader...except that he acts like a kindergartner.  Seriously, the kid is smart.  She said he is often tasked with passing back folders because he's the only one who can read everyone's name!  He recently wrote out his "wish list" to Santa, which included "Adam's own printer" and "my own dog" (neither of which he'll get, obviously).  It also included, on the back, a letter to Santa explaining that he didn't need to bring Anaya any toys because she's bein' bad.  

One child is the "MO!" child.

Although it's gotten a little better in the past two days, it is still true:  Anaya answers "MO!" to pretty much anything you ask her - unless you're asking if she wants a snack.  She's talking a lot, but not as much as Audie.  It's not that she can't, but rather she won't.   As she did with crawling and walking, it must be on her terms, on her schedule.  One day I know she'll just decide to say, "So, Mom, today I was thinking we could go play at the park and then go to the BX to get some ice cream.  Then, maybe I can call Grandma Sissy on the phone."  You think I'm kidding.  Just wait.  Speaking of talking on the phone - she loves it!  Here's her talking to Grandma Sissy and Aunt Ra Ra:

Here she is after we took the phone away:

One child is the "Yeah!" child:

In contrast to Anaya's answer, Audie will answer just about any question with an excited, "YEAH!"  We ask, "Audie, is that bug fast?" "YEAH!"  "Audie, is that bug slow?"  "YEAH!"  "Do you want to catch it?"  "YEAH!"  "Can you put away the colors?"  "YEAH!"  So cute.  He is talking a lot lately, like our little echo.  We're probably at the "watch what you say" point now.  Clear words are bubble, cookie, Adam, Audie, 'Naya, sit, bath, eat, Nemo, light...there's a new one every day.

It's obvious that we've entered the "terrible twos" zone and I dread every moment, especially now knowing that the threes are even worse.  There is no end in sight.  Twins is a lot of work - from day 1 on.  So far, I don't feel like it's gotten much easier.  In fact, a lot of days, I feel like it is tougher now than it's ever been.  They find strength in numbers, trying things that Adam never dared to try.  A lot of days, it's unnerving and it takes all I have to stay calm, sane and smiling.  Don't mistake my frustration for ungratefulness, though.  There are those shining moments, when I am reminded of how lucky we are...they usually occur at naptime.