The Snowballing Effect for Babies

I couldn't even count the number of times people told me that caring for infant twins would get easier. I remember about half way through that first year -- inundated with day care illnesses one after the other -- and thinking these people were nuts.

But, alas, it did get easier -- as soon as I stopped working, but before they officially became toddlers at 18 months.

Now, I took back with my hindsight glasses and wonder what the heck was so hard about those first several months. (I'm kidding; it was much harder.)

Still, in the middle of our days together I have these moments that take me back to those worries I had in the earlier days and think, duh, that was nothing!

The older they get the more substantial everything is compared to when they were younger. I thought when they started crawling that I needed to baby proof because they were getting "into everything." HA. That's a joke. The proofing had only begun then. Then, when they walked, I thought I had to baby proof. That was still easy.

Now, at 21 months I'm finally perfecting The Art of Babyproofing by considering moving all furniture and personal items into a motel for the next two years. I'll go there, too.

And, the crying, I thought that would have been easier by now, but it's louder and they can cling to your leg so you can't get anything done. I remember feeling like it was the end of the world when they were crying and were sitting in their bouncy chairs. Oh, how easy those days were!

Now and then (maybe now and then is an understatement) Liana will come up to me with a toy -- usually her Doodle Pro -- and hand it to me with expectations. Now, this girl is a master scribbler. She has the patience of a saint for this one task.

I have no idea what she wants so I try clearing the screen -- she throws a fit -- I try writing on it -- she throws a fit -- I try giving it back to her -- she throws a fit, this time slamming herself down on the floor. I try putting it down -- but, her fit has consumed her and I just walk away, knowing there is no reasoning with her. In the past, though, I've also tried putting the pen in its holder -- and, guess what? She throws a fit. What's left, people?

Other snowballing effects that I've noticed include the food issues. When they were infants they had trouble digesting milk. That was hard. Then, when they started table foods, Jadyn gagged and threw up until she was almost 12 months. That was hard. Then from 12 months to 20 months, I would say they ate very well. We had our difficult meals, yes, but overall I wasn't doing much complaining.

Well, now ... now is a completely different story. They can see something on the counter and set their minds to it. Or, just think about a food and want it -- and nothing else.

"Appool!"
"Appool!"

"Juu"
"Juu"

And, the food throwing. That was really bad when they were just starting table foods, right?

Nah, try having two toddlers throw -- in anger -- their plates that are full of foods. At once.

But, this snowballing effect works in the other direction, too -- the good stuff. Their first kisses were basically lips or tongue put on our cheeks once in a while. Now, they are clear, full-blown puckered lips with popping smacks again and again -- when they want to, that is.

Those are what I hope and pray will start our day. And, end them, too. When that happens, the middle part gets kinda blurry.



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