Reflecting on silent diplomacy

Hey mirror boy; how did you get mommy to hold you? I thought she was holding me. You look a little different than Benji; are you another brother? It’s odd that I’ve never seen you before, have you been hiding? Of course my eyesight has just developed, but my hearing is excellent and I’ve never heard you make a sound. If Benji and I didn’t cry, nothing would get done around here. Still, you are a handsome devil. Maybe you get your way just by flashing that irresistible smile. Perhaps I should try that too.

How Great Thou Art

Family is great. The twins are very fortunate to have both parents and all four of their grandparents active in their lives. And while their great-grandparents passed away before they were born, they have an opportunity to know several of their great uncles and aunts. This photo of Great Uncle Gene Ray Edds laughing with Benji was taken last night during a visit to his and Aunt Gay Nell’s house. We also got to see Daddy Dave’s cousin Marc and his son Logan who were also there visiting. Second cousin Logan loved on the boys and gave them some of his baby toys as sort of a passing of the torch. How great is that?

Put your hand in the hand of the man

That 2:00 a.m. feeding is a killer. Everybody is so tired; it takes at least an hour to feed and change both boys, if they cooperate. Sometimes they never open their eyes during the entire process, and you have to wiggle the bottle to keep waking them to eat. Dare to skip the feeding and there’s a reckoning to pay in a few hours when they awaken. So you dutifully give them their bottles while you fight fatigue and watch late-night infomercial reruns. And just when you feel unappreciated, a little hand reaches over and squeezes your pinky as a thank you Daddy gesture. That makes it all worth while.

Sweet Sixteen

Two Kentucky teams made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, and both played last night. Since the boys are sixteen weeks old I thought they would be good luck for our teams. We were delighted to see Louisville defeat Tennessee to advance to the Elite Eight Round to face North Carolina. Western Kentucky looked bad in the first half against #1 seeded UCLA, but courageously fought back to make it a close game. The boys seem to enjoy the movement and bright colors on the television and act confused by my emotional responses to game play…that is when they were awake.

Set a course for adventure

Grandmother and Grandfather Roe gave the boys this remarkable stroller. You’d think it was designed by NASA given the clever way it unfolds. For infants, it accommodates their car seats rear-facing ,and as the boys grow they’ll face forward without the car seats. Due to the winter weather, it has been parked in Sandy’s office until recently. Yesterday the boys turned sweet sixteen weeks old and Daddy Dave took them for a stroller adventure. We walked through the neighborhood over to the shopping center to pick up a few items. Like bees to honey, strangers everywhere we go approach us and ask about the twins. They are already making friends and influencing people.

Who taught you that?

She’s very good with numbers. She could have taught him how to count. She loves classic movies. They could have watched “Gone with the Wind”. She knows everyone in town. She could have introduced him to the mayor. She’s an excellent tennis player. She could have taught him a two-handed back swing. Grandma Ondra could have taught this child any number of her refined talents, but the first skill she chose to teach him was how to stick out his tongue. And of course, being the brilliant child that he is, Benji perfected it immediately. If he starts giving us raspberries, we’ll know who to blame.

Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name.

Last night we went out to eat with our friend LaDonna Taylor. During after dinner conversation, she held Benji while Trey sat in Daddy Dave’s lap. We noticed at one point that the boys were intently looking at one another. Previously neither boy had particularly acknowledged the other’s presence. Likely, their recent brain growth and accompanying eyesight development has contributed to this new brotherly discovery. We sat them on the table toe to toe and watched as they engaged gestures and gibberish. Soon they’ll be developing that special language that only twins understand.

Timing A Perfect Swing

When he’s in the right mood Trey loves the swing. He watches the mobile, smiles, coos and kicks in joy. When he’s not in the mood, he acts like the swing is torturing him. He screams and thrashes to get away from it. Psychologists suggest a mood is often influenced by two dimensions, namely the energy level and the tension level. A person can be energetic or tired, while being tense or calm. People feel best when they are in a calm-energy mood. They feel worst when in a tense-tired state. As we get to know our little boys better we will begin to perfect our swing timing.

Happy Easter

This is our first Easter, and we are up to our elbows with questions. Last night we watched several shows on the Discovey Channel with Mom and Dad about Jesus. Are rabbis and rabbits the same thing? They talked a lot about rabbis but said nothing at all about bunnies. And why do Easter bunnies bring Easter eggs? Shouldn’t it be Easter chickens? We have a theory: Easter chickens hide their eggs and Easter bunnies find them and give them in baskets to children. But who colors the eggs, the Easter decorators? The program definitely made no mention of them.

A full day of fun

We had a great day, yesterday, Good Friday. It finally stopped raining and the sun brought us warmer temperatures. In the morning our babysitter, Ms. Carol, encouraged our play on the activity mat until we fell asleep in exhaustion. After our nap we watched NCAA Basketball Tournament games with Daddy and Granddaddy. Western Kentucky University scored an exciting upset victory over Drake in overtime. Later, Mamma and Daddy took us for a stroller trip through the neighborhood where we saw Easter Bunnies by the old Medley house. Mamma says all the flowers and trees will soon be blooming.

Hope Springs Eternal Life

Yesterday was the first time the boys, now 15 weeks old, visited a public nursery. We have avoided them up until now on our doctor’s recommendation. This winter the hospital has been reporting a high rate of children suffering illnesses acquired at childcare facilities. Being the first day of Spring, we hoped it would be safe now to make an exception anticipating a low infant turnout for First Baptist’s Easter Concert. This was an important event because it was Granddaddy David’s first such performance since joining the church choir. As it worked out, they shared the room with only two other infants and received excellent care. Easter is an exciting and wonderful season for new beginnings.

Sing me a song Granddaddy

Granddaddy David was born in a small farmhouse without electricity or plumbing. His earliest memories are of the family gathering after dinner and everyone singing together. Today, he loves to sit his grandsons on his chest and sing them those same depression-era songs and ol’ time hymns. The boys love the sound of his rich bass voice, and often a fussy child is quickly transformed into a peacefully sleeping angel after just a few folk songs. Before we know it, the twins will be singing along with him.

Three of the Green Party

On Sunday Uncle Steve and Aunt Erin dropped by our house to see their nephews, while baby Levi visited with his grandparents. That evening, we all gathered at the Olive Garden dressed in green in observation of St. Patrick’s Day. Ironically, the color green represents growth, which well reflects our life right now. Our family, boys, interests, opinions, relationships, responsibilities; everything around us is growing rapidly and changing right before our eyes, and it’s wonderful. Grandmother Ondra holds Benji, who is looking up to his older cousin Levi. I wonder if he was green with envy to have hair like that.

Building Stronger Babies

If Mama Sandy ever wishes to make a career change, personal trainer might be an option. She is spectacular at encouraging the little guys to exercise daily. We placed the activity mat on top of the card table to make it easier for the boys to see her and found that when they lost their balance, the tabletop was much softer on their head than the floor. Every day they practice pushups on their tummy, then kicking on their back. Today Benji rolled over on his back by himself, not once, but three times. With Sandy’s encouragement, they’ll be sitting up soon.

Our Luck of the Irish

We were able to capture a rare photo of two leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day. According to legend, these harmless creatures live in remote locations and enjoy solitude. Myth has it that they are extremely wealthy and hide their assets in secret locations. Once captured, we took this opportunity to interrogate these two about their gold reserves but unfortunately couldn’t understand a word they said. Apparently they had already finished off several bottles of green liquid for the holiday.

Anybody ready for cake?

Trey and Benji were considering how best to wish Aunt Kristin a happy birthday. Singing is out because they really haven’t found their voices yet. Making her a birthday card is a problem due to their uncertainty about whether they are right or left handed; their writing looks the same either way. Buying a gift is limited by transportation issues to the mall and the lack of credit cards to shop online. E-mails are a problem on account of they have no email accounts. They can babble a bit and coo a little, but that seems insufficient for the occasion. Then a colorful solution came to them.

When is bigger not more?

Just when we get into a routine we like, Mama and Daddy want to change things again. They think it might be a good idea to sleep all night, disregarding my love for midnight snacks and infomercials. We’ve ALWAYS been on a 3-hour feeding cycle, first with two ounces, then three and then four. Each previous change was an increase in the total daily milk. Now they’ve bought these bigger milk bottles and want to increase our milk to five ounces, but they cut our daily feedings from eight to six. Hey, foul, no fair! They’re messing up our routine and not increasing our milk, and I’m not happy about it.

Grandmother Ondra’s preoccupation

Sometimes you just take a spontaneous notion to see your grandbabies. It isn’t on your daily agenda, but other tasks can wait. You need to see your growing boys. Without realizing it, the car drives you to their house and you call from the driveway to check if it is a good time for a visit. Maybe you’re overdressed for the occasion, but a little spit-up isn’t going to stop you. You’ve been thinking about those babies and you’re anxious to see those new smiles they’ve recently developed. And the boys don’t disappoint you. Their smiles fill you with happiness and gratitude for God’s blessings.

Our First Hundred Days

Today we are 100 days old. In just over 14 weeks we have consumed about 95 gallons of milk and filled about 1,500 diapers. Daddy calculates that we have been held by about 120 different people and endured about 250 outfit changes. Our clothing and diaper sizes have grown from preemie to newborn to size 0-3 months to size 3-6 months. When we were born our stomachs were about the size of a small marble, and now we take five ounces of milk at every feeding. We are healthy and happy and now go onward and upward.

Daddy’s best birthday ever

I am a lucky man blessed by God. Five years ago today I received a birthday email from a girl I had only just recently been introduced to online, but never met in person. Today she is my best friend, loving wife and mother of our twin infant sons. Up until the time I met her, my entire focus was on career development, but now our family is the center of my life. This birthday is my best yet because it will be the first I will celebrate as a father. Thank you, Sandy, for the best birthday present any man could ever receive.

Nick TV Cribs

Maybe when the boys are rich and famous musicians, actors or athletes their mansions will be featured on the reality television program MTV Cribs. Given their current age, a crib tour might now be more appropriate for the Nickelodeon network. Beginning on the right is the Fisher-Price Rainforest Waterfall Soother, which lulls them to sleep with soothing sounds and a mesmerizing tropical waterfall motion. Look closely and you can see Benji’s reflection in the Leap Frog Crib Mirror, which features brightly colored characters who make sounds when touched. On the left is the kennel complete with a penguin, turtle, coyote and polar bear (of course). Just outside the crib is the CD player currently featuring Jewel. While the twins have shared this crib until now, soon they’ll each require their own.

Even babies get cabin fever

When life is lived predominately in two rooms, you become restless and irritable from the confinement. The solution…ROAD TRIP! Saturday was a good day to go shopping, and it was a learning experience. We buckled the family into the new minivan and headed to the mall. While Mom shopped, Dad and sons parked and waited outside. Soon we found the parked car as boring and confining as the nursery, which was very upsetting to the boys. Fortunately, Daddy correctly calculated that the moving van vibrations would be interesting and soothing to the little guys, so they happily cruised around the parking lot listening to the radio until Mom was ready.

Oh look, it’s time for a game

The boys may enjoy sports throughout their lives. For recreation, even in the backyard, playing sports is a fun way to exercise regardless of one’s athletic ability. Through organized sports the boys may make lifelong friends, learn personal discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Sport is physical art tremendously enjoyable to watch. It is generally wholesome entertainment, involving less sex, violence, vulgarity and immorality than prime time television. By studying sports, the boys may well improve their reading, memory, math and science skills. As a participant or fan, sports are a social activity that new and old friends can do together.

Color My World

Maybe he’ll be an artist. It is plain to see that Benji is a very alert child who quickly processes his environment’s fascinations. He is attracted to colors, movement, and music. As his eyesight improves, you can see him looking past you to focus on interesting things like lamps, ceiling fans and the television. He delights in watching the mobiles circle above his swing and tummy mat. And the look in his eyes tells you he is listening and enjoying the music he hears. Whether it is through painting, mechanics, photography, architecture, literature, graphics, construction, music or some other form, this child’s creativity will flourish.

Who could refuse a smile like this?

This clever child has discovered the power of smiling. Just the other night, after feeding and changing both boys I wanted to catch a nap, but Trey was fussy. After several trips to the nursery to sooth him, I attempted to let him cry a little, hoping he would tire soon and go back to sleep. Unfortunately, the persistent young man continued to cry with an escalating intensity that eventually forced my angry return to his bedside. All my tired and aggravated fury instantly evaporated the moment I confronted him and he looked up at me and smiled with a “hello Daddy, want to play?” expression. We played until dawn.

World winning smiles unleased

Over the last couple of weeks both boys have developed a social smile. We observed occasional smiles before, but those were just likely due to gas. These new social smiles are reciprocal, responding to our smiles as we hold them. This indicates that their eyesight is improving and their brains are maturing. As they focus on our smiling faces looking at them, they produce their own smiles in return. In this way, they are beginning to communicate with us. Trey was the first to begin social smiling and Benji followed about a week later. Frown and you frown alone, but smile and the whole world smiles with you.

Birthday Benchmark Photo – 3 months old

We are photographing the boys monthly posing in the same chair to benchmark their rapid changes. Flip back a month on this blog and check out the amazing growth the boys have made since their two-month photo. In the last month they have gained approximately three pounds each, most noticeable in the growth of their heads, which they now hold up proudly with strong necks. Gone also are the skinny little arms and legs replaced with bigger and muscular ones. Today, they are three months (thirteen weeks) old.

Outside…a new concept

For December’s children, it’s been winter all their lives. Except for a few quick dashes to and from the car, mommy and daddy have kept the boys inside, safe from the disagreeable weather and circulating flu bugs. Many times we have gazed out the window longing for the opportunity to go outside and play. Saturday we had a taste of the great outdoors and liked it. Unfortunately by the time we escaped the house it was too windy and late in the afternoon for a stroller ride, so we took the new van for a test drive instead. Soon, Spring will bloom along the dogwood and azalea trail and we’ll be ready to experience it.

New Reader’s Poll: Bedtime Stories

It’s time for a new blog reader’s poll. Which is your favorite bedtime story? The ballot is in the right hand column. Select your choice then check the cumulative voting results. Our boys love it when Sandy reads to them. On this occasion Benji enjoys the book’s colorful illustrations while Trey watches his mother intently. Sandy is reading the same classic bedtime stories, her mother read to her, and her grandmother read to her mother going back for generations. We look forward to discovering our poll reader’s favorite.

We are now a Minivan Family

Friday we purchased this Dodge Caravan from my uncle, Gene Ray Edds, and completed the last stage of my metamorphic transformation from single guy to family guy. Sandy kept her bright red sporty turbo five-speed Volkswagen, thus hanging on to some of her independent cool chickness. While the babies themselves are small, they come with so many accessories that parents need a lot of cargo space, and these machines are very cleverly designed to meet family needs. Our two baby-carriers fit perfectly in the middle bench seat, and there’s still seating left for five adults or lots of stuff. Now I just need to mount two “Baby on Board” signs in the windows to complete the cliché.

March Madness is here!

For college basketball fans, this is the most exciting time of the year, tournament time, March Madness! The University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball season is illustrated well by the boy’s expressions of both joy and frustration. UK struggled early in the season, but has rallied as of late to win 9 of their last 10 games. They’ll need to do well in their last three regular season games and in the SEC tournament to secure a bid to the NCAA tournament. I know two fans who’ll be watching.