This is somewhat a continuation of yesterday's post. Built-in best friends are handy for playing games with.
I was watching Jon and Kate Plus 8 (highly recommended) reruns on TLC. In one of the episodes, Kate mentions how she has no idea what the kids are playing, yet they are all on the same page. She says her older twin girls never seem to discuss the game whenever they are playing together, and the little ones, all six of them, also never seem to talk about the game, they just play it.
Our dad has mentioned similar things to us. In all our games or stories we made up, we were generally on the same page, without too much discussion. So it seemed to outsiders that we had some weird way of staying on course without ever talking about the game. It baffled them.
I do have to point out that it was not something telepathic or "creepy." Just like I can tell if she'll like the shirt I bought, or she can tell what I would like off the menu at a restaurant we've never been to before, we have pretty solid ideas about what the other one will agree with. We also have twinkie filters, so we can generally veto something before the other one has to.
It is pretty miraculous to have that sort of connection with someone, twin or not.
Hugs,
Baby B
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Built-In Best Friend
Baby A and I have heard so many stories from twins, fraternal and identical, about how much fun it was growing up with a twin. Singletons are right that having a constant companion must sometimes get on your nerves, but most of the time, it's like having your best friend live with you.
I wish I could generalize more. I know one pair of fraternal twin boys who said they were much closer when they were younger. They grew up and grew apart. But I have also heard about "friends of friends" that fought like cats and dogs when young, but actually got much closer as they grew up and matured.
All in all, Baby A and I have always been close. There have been ups and downs, sure, we have had plenty-o-years together. But we are definitely very close twins.
We have had so many singletons tell us how lucky we are to have a built-in best friend. We know, and we definitely appreciate each other.
Tell us your built-in best friend story.
ttfn,
Baby B
I wish I could generalize more. I know one pair of fraternal twin boys who said they were much closer when they were younger. They grew up and grew apart. But I have also heard about "friends of friends" that fought like cats and dogs when young, but actually got much closer as they grew up and matured.
All in all, Baby A and I have always been close. There have been ups and downs, sure, we have had plenty-o-years together. But we are definitely very close twins.
We have had so many singletons tell us how lucky we are to have a built-in best friend. We know, and we definitely appreciate each other.
Tell us your built-in best friend story.
ttfn,
Baby B
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Name Game
No posts for awhile, I know. Baby A and I started full time jobs working at a day camp for kids 7 to 13. It has been exhausting. We have swim every day (note the need for the one pieces last post), plus outdoor games, indoor games, free time, etc. During the day, we give all our energy and attention to the kids, so when we get home, all we want to do is eat and sleep.
So, we work with the same group of kids. There's about 40 of them everyday. That means there is plenty of confusion. We knew this would happen. We DO look alike.
So, to circumvent the name issues and the "What's your name" questions, we've started a little game.
Baby B: "I'm Baby B (yeah, that's not really my name, hang with me here), and what color am I wearing?"
Campers: "GREY!"
Baby B: "So who is that?"
Campers: "BABY A!" (sheesh, just pretend, OK?)
Baby B: "And what color is she wearing?"
Campers: "GREEN!"
Baby B: "What's my name?"
Campers: "BABY B!"
Baby B: "What color am I wearing?"
Campers: "GREY!"
Baby B: "What color is Baby A wearing?"
Campers: "GREEN!"
Baby B: "Which one is that one?"
Campers: "BABY A!"
Baby B: "Which one am I?"
Campers: "BABY B!"
It's redundant. It's monotonous. But it works. You do what you can when you work with your clone.
Peace,
Baby B
So, we work with the same group of kids. There's about 40 of them everyday. That means there is plenty of confusion. We knew this would happen. We DO look alike.
So, to circumvent the name issues and the "What's your name" questions, we've started a little game.
Baby B: "I'm Baby B (yeah, that's not really my name, hang with me here), and what color am I wearing?"
Campers: "GREY!"
Baby B: "So who is that?"
Campers: "BABY A!" (sheesh, just pretend, OK?)
Baby B: "And what color is she wearing?"
Campers: "GREEN!"
Baby B: "What's my name?"
Campers: "BABY B!"
Baby B: "What color am I wearing?"
Campers: "GREY!"
Baby B: "What color is Baby A wearing?"
Campers: "GREEN!"
Baby B: "Which one is that one?"
Campers: "BABY A!"
Baby B: "Which one am I?"
Campers: "BABY B!"
It's redundant. It's monotonous. But it works. You do what you can when you work with your clone.
Peace,
Baby B
Friday, June 20, 2008
Meeting Half of an Identical Twin Pair
Baby A and I were at a sporting goods store, and we were going to pay separately.
I walked up first, put my purchase on the counter, and the transaction began. Baby A and I tend to draw double takes anyway, but this time, it was more than a double take.
Cashier: "Are you two twins?"
Baby A & B: "Yes." (smiles)
Cashier: "I am, too!"
Baby A: "Identical?"
Cashier: "Yeah, we're identical."
Baby A and I were pretty excited. Meeting multiples of any kind is a lot of fun for us, but we can count on one hand the number of adults who have told us they have an identical twin.
We talked about names. As previously stated, our names do begin with the same letter, but they don't rhyme. NO RHYMING HERE. Baby A and I love names that go together well, but aren't fans of rhyming names for multiples. But that's a different post. Anyway, the cashier and her twin's names sounded good together, but didn't start with the same letter. All three of us agreed that naming multiples can be tricky, because parents want the names to pair well together but many are worried about picking names that are too alike. Some are not worried enough, but that's for later.
Meeting another identical was exciting. Too bad she didn't work with her twin; it is always fun to be the one who feels like she's seeing double, for once.
Love,
Baby B
I walked up first, put my purchase on the counter, and the transaction began. Baby A and I tend to draw double takes anyway, but this time, it was more than a double take.
Cashier: "Are you two twins?"
Baby A & B: "Yes." (smiles)
Cashier: "I am, too!"
Baby A: "Identical?"
Cashier: "Yeah, we're identical."
Baby A and I were pretty excited. Meeting multiples of any kind is a lot of fun for us, but we can count on one hand the number of adults who have told us they have an identical twin.
We talked about names. As previously stated, our names do begin with the same letter, but they don't rhyme. NO RHYMING HERE. Baby A and I love names that go together well, but aren't fans of rhyming names for multiples. But that's a different post. Anyway, the cashier and her twin's names sounded good together, but didn't start with the same letter. All three of us agreed that naming multiples can be tricky, because parents want the names to pair well together but many are worried about picking names that are too alike. Some are not worried enough, but that's for later.
Meeting another identical was exciting. Too bad she didn't work with her twin; it is always fun to be the one who feels like she's seeing double, for once.
Love,
Baby B
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Six Things, TV Edition
It's summer, so (besides the full time jobs wrangling kids that start soon) it's time for some quality time with the television.
This list took a lot of time and effort. We wanted to avoid just putting channels, because that would be a cop out. And we don't cop out in this family*.
1. Jon & Kate + 8. OK, so trying for one more baby and getting six is a little sketchy (at least six embryos were implanted for that to happen, none are identical, so no embryo churned out two babies), but we LOVE this show. Yes, we love anything to do with multiples, but Kate is hilarious (and she reminds me of myself, if I were under the pressure cooker of eight kids), and the kids are WAY. TOO. CUTE. Plus, we think Jon and Kate do a really fantastic job fostering their relationships with the individual kids and fostering the relationships between the kids. Yay for Jon & Kate + 8!
2. Modern Marvels. We are nerds.
3. Good Eats. Alton Brown is our hero. He is fantastic. And he had a direct impact with what I want to do with my life, because he gets all into the science of food. (Other things that influenced my clinical nutrition major: the obesity epidemic, malnutrition in Americans when we have enough calories to eat, malnutrition in citizens of other countries when they DON'T have enough calories to eat, and the sad kids at Disneyland who can't walk the whole time and would rather get a second ice cream cone then meet Mickey).
4. How It's Made. See #2.
5. Food Network Competitions. We love the Food Network in general, and picking just one FN personality is hard. We chose the competitions because they are accessible for everyone, even those who don't enjoy traditional cooking shows. They have got strategy, the pressure of the clock, and endurance. It's like football, but for cake. We like football, but love food more. Ergo.
6. Deadliest Catch. Woohoo! Ocean + drama + ruggidness + fish = totally awesome.
*"We don't ______ in this family" is Baby A and I's new thing. "We don't waste energy in this family" was where it started, when she left the light on as we were about to leave. It is such a handy phrase.
If you feel like it, and watch TV, leave us a comment about what shows you enjoy. We're not closed-minded about TV in this family. Unless it's on MTV.
Ciao,
Baby B
This list took a lot of time and effort. We wanted to avoid just putting channels, because that would be a cop out. And we don't cop out in this family*.
1. Jon & Kate + 8. OK, so trying for one more baby and getting six is a little sketchy (at least six embryos were implanted for that to happen, none are identical, so no embryo churned out two babies), but we LOVE this show. Yes, we love anything to do with multiples, but Kate is hilarious (and she reminds me of myself, if I were under the pressure cooker of eight kids), and the kids are WAY. TOO. CUTE. Plus, we think Jon and Kate do a really fantastic job fostering their relationships with the individual kids and fostering the relationships between the kids. Yay for Jon & Kate + 8!
2. Modern Marvels. We are nerds.
3. Good Eats. Alton Brown is our hero. He is fantastic. And he had a direct impact with what I want to do with my life, because he gets all into the science of food. (Other things that influenced my clinical nutrition major: the obesity epidemic, malnutrition in Americans when we have enough calories to eat, malnutrition in citizens of other countries when they DON'T have enough calories to eat, and the sad kids at Disneyland who can't walk the whole time and would rather get a second ice cream cone then meet Mickey).
4. How It's Made. See #2.
5. Food Network Competitions. We love the Food Network in general, and picking just one FN personality is hard. We chose the competitions because they are accessible for everyone, even those who don't enjoy traditional cooking shows. They have got strategy, the pressure of the clock, and endurance. It's like football, but for cake. We like football, but love food more. Ergo.
6. Deadliest Catch. Woohoo! Ocean + drama + ruggidness + fish = totally awesome.
*"We don't ______ in this family" is Baby A and I's new thing. "We don't waste energy in this family" was where it started, when she left the light on as we were about to leave. It is such a handy phrase.
If you feel like it, and watch TV, leave us a comment about what shows you enjoy. We're not closed-minded about TV in this family. Unless it's on MTV.
Ciao,
Baby B
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Conversation with a Singleton
While standing around, waiting for the drugstore to open (because we had to drop off the car first thing in the morning for an oil change, it was right there, and we needed things like floss), a woman approached us.
Woman: "Are you guys twins?"
Baby A & B: (smiles) "Yes, we are."
Woman: "That's what I thought. I couldn't decide if you two were just siblings that look really alike or if you were twins."
Now, at this point, I'm think she's thinking we're identical. That is not the case.
Woman: "Are you identical?"
How would we look so alike otherwise? If she did not think we were identical, then why did she jump to fraternal twins, instead of siblings? Fraternals can look very similar, somewhat similar, or be as dissimilar looking as strangers, just like singleton siblings can. It surprises me how much me 3/4 of an inch over Baby A throws people off.
Baby A & B: "Yes, we are."
Woman: "No." (in that shocked way) "Really?"
Baby A and I pull back our hair, she makes comparisons, etc. It takes her awhile to comprehend.
She then asks one of the most common questions.
Woman: "What does it feel like to be twins?"
Baby A: "Well, we don't really know..."
Baby B: "Because we haven't ever NOT been twins, so we have nothing to compare it too."
Woman: "How does it feel to know she has your genetic material?"
Baby A & B: (basically same thing as above)
The conversation continues in the same vein.
We love, love, looove talking about being twins. But we also come up against so many myths and misconceptions. I know I can't change them all, but that's what this blog about.
<3,
Baby B
Woman: "Are you guys twins?"
Baby A & B: (smiles) "Yes, we are."
Woman: "That's what I thought. I couldn't decide if you two were just siblings that look really alike or if you were twins."
Now, at this point, I'm think she's thinking we're identical. That is not the case.
Woman: "Are you identical?"
How would we look so alike otherwise? If she did not think we were identical, then why did she jump to fraternal twins, instead of siblings? Fraternals can look very similar, somewhat similar, or be as dissimilar looking as strangers, just like singleton siblings can. It surprises me how much me 3/4 of an inch over Baby A throws people off.
Baby A & B: "Yes, we are."
Woman: "No." (in that shocked way) "Really?"
Baby A and I pull back our hair, she makes comparisons, etc. It takes her awhile to comprehend.
She then asks one of the most common questions.
Woman: "What does it feel like to be twins?"
Baby A: "Well, we don't really know..."
Baby B: "Because we haven't ever NOT been twins, so we have nothing to compare it too."
Woman: "How does it feel to know she has your genetic material?"
Baby A & B: (basically same thing as above)
The conversation continues in the same vein.
We love, love, looove talking about being twins. But we also come up against so many myths and misconceptions. I know I can't change them all, but that's what this blog about.
<3,
Baby B
Sunday, June 15, 2008
About My Dad
Being a father of twin baby girls is hard, no doubt. Dad has done a fantastic job.
He was, and is, a bit overprotective. But many people have told us that they had never seen a dad take such a interest in feedings and diapers. (It probably had something to do with Baby A's weight scare). I believe there may have actually been logs of all of this. I wouldn't put it past him.
Being in the Navy, he was briefly stationed in Northern California when we were very young. We were in Southern California, with our mom. (They were separated/divorced by this point). He would drive the loooong drive at least twice a month to come spend the weekend with us. That would be a California round trip in a weekend.
As we got older, Dad made sure that one twin NEVER felt left out. He always asked us "Are you sure you guys don't need two?" We share pretty well, so we often just got one of something. Once, he didn't want one of us to have to wait for the other twin to finish the newest Harry Potter book, so he just bought two. The day it came out. In the madness. That's dedication.
He'd always tell me, in private, to take care of my sister. In turn, I later found out, Dad would tell Baby A to take care of me. Cultivating that sort of twin relationship is something I can at least partially credit Dad for. And that is something we will carry with us forever.
Happy Father's Day!
Baby B
He was, and is, a bit overprotective. But many people have told us that they had never seen a dad take such a interest in feedings and diapers. (It probably had something to do with Baby A's weight scare). I believe there may have actually been logs of all of this. I wouldn't put it past him.
Being in the Navy, he was briefly stationed in Northern California when we were very young. We were in Southern California, with our mom. (They were separated/divorced by this point). He would drive the loooong drive at least twice a month to come spend the weekend with us. That would be a California round trip in a weekend.
As we got older, Dad made sure that one twin NEVER felt left out. He always asked us "Are you sure you guys don't need two?" We share pretty well, so we often just got one of something. Once, he didn't want one of us to have to wait for the other twin to finish the newest Harry Potter book, so he just bought two. The day it came out. In the madness. That's dedication.
He'd always tell me, in private, to take care of my sister. In turn, I later found out, Dad would tell Baby A to take care of me. Cultivating that sort of twin relationship is something I can at least partially credit Dad for. And that is something we will carry with us forever.
Happy Father's Day!
Baby B
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
