Fall Update

It's been a long time since either one of us has had time to think about posting. We've hardly even taken any pictures this fall, which makes us sad. But we've been having a good season.

Vera is starting to potty train, talking a lot and working out pronouns and verb conjugations. She wants to talk about her day before bed, it's amazing how much she can express to us. "It makes my sad," she says. She is perceptive and funny, and you'd better be careful of your vocabulary because you never know what she'll try to pronounce. She is a die-hard role player, especially when it comes to baby care. I'm starting to think she could keep Quinn alive on her own for at least a few hours. Don't you dare interrupt her while she's changing her baby's diaper or cooking onion skins. You'll be sorry you did.

Quinn is taking steps and getting his first two teeth. Taking a cue from Vera's talkative nature, he's started saying some words, too. First it was Mama, then night-night, then uh-oh, then ball. Now he says Papa too, and he may or may not have said "No" in response to a question. That's what Vera heard, but we're sort of incredulous and he hasn't repeated that trick. Either way, he looks quite handsome in pinto beans, no?

They are both in love with the same baby doll (Vera somehow named him "Way Tiny," pictured above in the arms of a butterfly), making for some tense moments now that Quinn can get himself around to the things he wants. Tugs, squeals, and sometimes tears often follow. We know it's not developmentally appropriate for a just-two-year-old to share. But we so want to avoid having "his" toys and "her" toys and all the "MY" that comes with that. We want to reflect a language and attitude of abundance, not scarcity. And let's face it, there is certainly an abundance in the baby doll department around here. If only they didn't always want the same one. Right now we're experimenting with taking turns. More often than not, it works pretty well.

Believe it or not, we really did plan to have our babies this close together. Sometimes we wonder if that was a good idea, if we'll have the ability to meet both of their needs when they are both so little and full of such intense needs at exactly the same time. Namely, right after nap. There have been some rough patches, and definitely some j-e-a-l-o-u-s-y on both sides. But most of the time we manage pretty well.

You can tell they already love each other. And they can already make each other laugh, which is one reason we planned it this way in the first place.