Baby A and I both pulled back our hair and took off our glasses today, and we let the kids at day camp Ooooh and Aaaah over how much we look alike.
Tons of fun.
Till we got to the pool and I lent my hair tie to a camper. Then it was all "No fair! Now I can't tell you guys apart!"
Life's tough, kids. Besides, we each have our own pair of board shorts (I'm blue, she's brown) that we wear EVERY DAY. And we don't switch.
Feeling a little beat down from work. Something not work-related coming soon, promise.
Night night,
Baby B
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Away With Leave
Baby A is out tonight. I had already made a date (to babysit), so when our friend invited us to sleep over at her new apartment, Baby A took the opportunity. I went to go wrangle some toddlers.
I'm home now. I am usually acutely aware of where Baby A is. But tonight, from my busy night with the under 4 crowd, I forgot. I went to our room to put down my stuff, and I was surprised she wasn't there. It took me the walk from our bedroom to the kitchen (not long at all, but still) to remember. Stepmom then informed me of when she left, so it was good I had managed to remember before being ambushed.
I'm happy she's out having fun. We don't always do everything together, which I know you may find hard to believe. But it's true. I should blog about those times more often. I should blog more often in general, but you already knew that.
Good night,
Baby B
I'm home now. I am usually acutely aware of where Baby A is. But tonight, from my busy night with the under 4 crowd, I forgot. I went to our room to put down my stuff, and I was surprised she wasn't there. It took me the walk from our bedroom to the kitchen (not long at all, but still) to remember. Stepmom then informed me of when she left, so it was good I had managed to remember before being ambushed.
I'm happy she's out having fun. We don't always do everything together, which I know you may find hard to believe. But it's true. I should blog about those times more often. I should blog more often in general, but you already knew that.
Good night,
Baby B
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Two Camps, Or Watch While I Attempt To Climb Back On The Wagon
I admire those bloggers who hold down full time jobs, keep a family going, AND manage to post quite often.
What's new in the world of Baby A and Baby B?
Well, nothing too exciting. Still getting those stares. Still freaking out the parents at the day camp when they realize there are two of us. Still playing the twin game with the kids at camp.
Some of the kids are really getting to the point where they can tell us apart. It's mostly kids from last session, but hey, progress is progress.
When kids figure out that, wow, you CAN tell identical twins apart after some time with them, it's usually accompanied by shock and disbelief. "No way! I thought I'd never be able to tell you two apart." Yeah, yeah, we know.
Generally, there are two camps. Camp one consists of those who think/thought they'll never be able to tell us apart. Camp two is made up of those who are determined to tell us apart, and they usually prefer it'd be sooner rather than later.
There are both good and bad things about each camp. Of course, it's slightly obnoxious when people insist that no, never, no way will they ever know which is which. But they make it a game, and don't take any mistakes they make too seriously. It lightens the whole situation. We appreciate the ones that insist they will be able to tell us apart. However, when they make a mistake, they usually flip out or start apologizing profusely, while Baby A and I are all "Dude, it's OK, give yourself a break."
No matter which camp someone belongs to, if he/she spends enough time with us (it's only one day for some, one year for others, completely subjective), you WILL be able to tell. We have different personalities, we walk differently, our voices are different, we wear different glasses (which we can't switch because of different prescriptions), we have distinguishing marks. It's all a matter of time.
Side note: Dad called me Baby A the other day, with our stepmom and two stepsisters in the same room together. It threw everyone for a loop. But, see? Everyone makes mistakes. And one of our coworkers really got it the other day. She examined our faces and said, "You guys don't look all that alike now that I know you." Exactly.
Later (or, Sooner, I'm hoping),
Baby B
What's new in the world of Baby A and Baby B?
Well, nothing too exciting. Still getting those stares. Still freaking out the parents at the day camp when they realize there are two of us. Still playing the twin game with the kids at camp.
Some of the kids are really getting to the point where they can tell us apart. It's mostly kids from last session, but hey, progress is progress.
When kids figure out that, wow, you CAN tell identical twins apart after some time with them, it's usually accompanied by shock and disbelief. "No way! I thought I'd never be able to tell you two apart." Yeah, yeah, we know.
Generally, there are two camps. Camp one consists of those who think/thought they'll never be able to tell us apart. Camp two is made up of those who are determined to tell us apart, and they usually prefer it'd be sooner rather than later.
There are both good and bad things about each camp. Of course, it's slightly obnoxious when people insist that no, never, no way will they ever know which is which. But they make it a game, and don't take any mistakes they make too seriously. It lightens the whole situation. We appreciate the ones that insist they will be able to tell us apart. However, when they make a mistake, they usually flip out or start apologizing profusely, while Baby A and I are all "Dude, it's OK, give yourself a break."
No matter which camp someone belongs to, if he/she spends enough time with us (it's only one day for some, one year for others, completely subjective), you WILL be able to tell. We have different personalities, we walk differently, our voices are different, we wear different glasses (which we can't switch because of different prescriptions), we have distinguishing marks. It's all a matter of time.
Side note: Dad called me Baby A the other day, with our stepmom and two stepsisters in the same room together. It threw everyone for a loop. But, see? Everyone makes mistakes. And one of our coworkers really got it the other day. She examined our faces and said, "You guys don't look all that alike now that I know you." Exactly.
Later (or, Sooner, I'm hoping),
Baby B
Monday, July 7, 2008
Define: Twin
twin [noun], definition
1 a: either of two offspring produced at a birth : gemini
O.E. [Old English] twinn "consisting of two, twofold, double," probably ultimately from P.Gmc. [Proto-Germanic] *twinjaz (cf. O.N. tvinnr, O.Dan. tvinling, Du. tweeling, Ger. zwillung), from PIE [Proto-Indo-European] *dwisno- (cf. L. bini "two each," Lith. dvynu "twins"), from "double," from base *dwi-*dwo- "two" (see two). The verb meaning "to combine two things closely" is recorded from c.1394. The noun developed from O.E. getwinn "double."
etymonline.com
I just love words. I read linguistics books. For fun. Anyway, "twin" is a very interesting word in English. Its Germanic ties are pretty easily distinguishable, but if you check out the abbreviations guide on etymonline.com, it will explain that Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European are hypothetical languages. Some words, we know eactly where they came from. Considering twins have been around pretty much forever (think about Romulus and Remus who are considered to be the founders of Rome, plus myths from almost every culture), it makes sense that the roots of the words that mean "twin" in various forms and languages have been lost to history.
"Twin" is also very interesting in Spanish. Apparently, "gemelo/a" is used for monozygotic twins, while "mellizo/a" is for dizygotic twins. As my understanding of Spanish is basic, I am not sure the origins of the two terms. "Mellizo/a" is for fraternals, which leads nicely into "trillizo/a" meaning "triplet." Since triplets and other high order multiples are most often fraternal, it makes sense that these words follow a pattern. Gosh, I love it when language makes sense.
To check out the two different words for "twin" in Spanish, visit allwords.com and then confirm (en espanol, and yes, there should be a tilde over the "n" but I don't know how to do special character in Blogger and I am tired) by checking out wordreference.com.
Hasta luego,
Baby B
1 a: either of two offspring produced at a birth : gemini
2: one of two persons or things closely related to or resembling each other
3: a compound crystal composed of two adjoining crystals or parts of crystals of the same kind that share a common plane of atoms
merriam-webster.com
twin [adj], etymology3: a compound crystal composed of two adjoining crystals or parts of crystals of the same kind that share a common plane of atoms
merriam-webster.com
O.E. [Old English] twinn "consisting of two, twofold, double," probably ultimately from P.Gmc. [Proto-Germanic] *twinjaz (cf. O.N. tvinnr, O.Dan. tvinling, Du. tweeling, Ger. zwillung), from PIE [Proto-Indo-European] *dwisno- (cf. L. bini "two each," Lith. dvynu "twins"), from "double," from base *dwi-*dwo- "two" (see two). The verb meaning "to combine two things closely" is recorded from c.1394. The noun developed from O.E. getwinn "double."
etymonline.com
I just love words. I read linguistics books. For fun. Anyway, "twin" is a very interesting word in English. Its Germanic ties are pretty easily distinguishable, but if you check out the abbreviations guide on etymonline.com, it will explain that Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European are hypothetical languages. Some words, we know eactly where they came from. Considering twins have been around pretty much forever (think about Romulus and Remus who are considered to be the founders of Rome, plus myths from almost every culture), it makes sense that the roots of the words that mean "twin" in various forms and languages have been lost to history.
"Twin" is also very interesting in Spanish. Apparently, "gemelo/a" is used for monozygotic twins, while "mellizo/a" is for dizygotic twins. As my understanding of Spanish is basic, I am not sure the origins of the two terms. "Mellizo/a" is for fraternals, which leads nicely into "trillizo/a" meaning "triplet." Since triplets and other high order multiples are most often fraternal, it makes sense that these words follow a pattern. Gosh, I love it when language makes sense.
To check out the two different words for "twin" in Spanish, visit allwords.com and then confirm (en espanol, and yes, there should be a tilde over the "n" but I don't know how to do special character in Blogger and I am tired) by checking out wordreference.com.
Hasta luego,
Baby B
Friday, July 4, 2008
A Slightly Aggressive Post
It's funny how one thing can lead to another. I was going to write about the fraternal twin boys at the day camp where we work. I was looking on the internet for papers and research on fraternal twin relationships.
I found an article, from one of those sites that accepts freelance work, talking about the bond between fraternal twins.
The article then references a woman by first name only, "who has a fraternal twin," who says that fraternal twins may be even closer than identicals [no problem there, each pair's relationship is different] because "they don't have to deal with the level of competitiveness or identity issues that identical twins might have" [big problem there].
I then spent a good hour on the internet looking up twin articles, twin research, twin anecdotes. What I found was a little disappointing.
Some people think competitiveness is greater in identicals because of their intense similarities and thus higher level of comparison. Some people think competitiveness is lesser in identicals because their extreme bond overcomes any jealousy. Everyone seems to think that twins, fraternals and identicals, are on the verge of hating each other if anyone compares them (at all) or they don't get exactly the same amount of attention (to the minute) or they are not treated solely as individuals (no "twins" here, folks).
I have known fraternals that have intense rivalry and just don't get along, and I have known fraternals that are extremely close. I have known identicals that don't wish to be considered a unit, and I have known identicals that fully embrace that as their identities.
What I have to say: Let your twins be themselves. If they have a rivalry or don't get along, then you should go with that and try to diffuse the situation. If they get along great, then be careful to respect their individuality but also respect them as part of a whole. Follow your twins' lead, not the advice of someone who doesn't even know your kids.
Side note: Personally, I am not offended (neither is Baby A) when someone asks who is better at what. It becomes both a chance to show off something the one is better at, while also pointing out something the other does well. Like "Baby A is a better test taker, but Baby B is much better at math conceptually." We have always answered like that, automatically. "I'm better at this, but she beats me at that." It's just the way we process it.
Word,
Baby B
I found an article, from one of those sites that accepts freelance work, talking about the bond between fraternal twins.
The article then references a woman by first name only, "who has a fraternal twin," who says that fraternal twins may be even closer than identicals [no problem there, each pair's relationship is different] because "they don't have to deal with the level of competitiveness or identity issues that identical twins might have" [big problem there].
I then spent a good hour on the internet looking up twin articles, twin research, twin anecdotes. What I found was a little disappointing.
Some people think competitiveness is greater in identicals because of their intense similarities and thus higher level of comparison. Some people think competitiveness is lesser in identicals because their extreme bond overcomes any jealousy. Everyone seems to think that twins, fraternals and identicals, are on the verge of hating each other if anyone compares them (at all) or they don't get exactly the same amount of attention (to the minute) or they are not treated solely as individuals (no "twins" here, folks).
I have known fraternals that have intense rivalry and just don't get along, and I have known fraternals that are extremely close. I have known identicals that don't wish to be considered a unit, and I have known identicals that fully embrace that as their identities.
What I have to say: Let your twins be themselves. If they have a rivalry or don't get along, then you should go with that and try to diffuse the situation. If they get along great, then be careful to respect their individuality but also respect them as part of a whole. Follow your twins' lead, not the advice of someone who doesn't even know your kids.
Side note: Personally, I am not offended (neither is Baby A) when someone asks who is better at what. It becomes both a chance to show off something the one is better at, while also pointing out something the other does well. Like "Baby A is a better test taker, but Baby B is much better at math conceptually." We have always answered like that, automatically. "I'm better at this, but she beats me at that." It's just the way we process it.
Word,
Baby B
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Oh, The Fear
Baby A and I were asked by more than four separate small people today at work if we could dress alike tomorrow. Since everyone gets a camp t-shirt for field trips, they can just wait for the field trip this week, we said.
Most of the kids, however, live in mortal fear that we will DRESS ALIKE. Or TRICK THEM. Or SWITCH GLASSES. Or WEAR OUR HAIR THE SAME. And they talk JUST LIKE THAT.
Our response is "We like you all too much. We wouldn't do that to you."
What I don't get is the anxiety about this. I do understand that it can just be disconcerting for some to look at us. None of the kids have had such a reaction. They just think it's cool we're twins for about three seconds and then move on to connect 4 or wall ball or coloring. But the alarm that we're going to TRICK THEM? I blame the media. How many times has the tricky identical twins concept been used as a gag on television?
<3,
Baby B
Most of the kids, however, live in mortal fear that we will DRESS ALIKE. Or TRICK THEM. Or SWITCH GLASSES. Or WEAR OUR HAIR THE SAME. And they talk JUST LIKE THAT.
Our response is "We like you all too much. We wouldn't do that to you."
What I don't get is the anxiety about this. I do understand that it can just be disconcerting for some to look at us. None of the kids have had such a reaction. They just think it's cool we're twins for about three seconds and then move on to connect 4 or wall ball or coloring. But the alarm that we're going to TRICK THEM? I blame the media. How many times has the tricky identical twins concept been used as a gag on television?
<3,
Baby B
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