New Stage...part 2

I looked at my 3 kids and I fought back the tears.

Tyler was in a big bed for the first time. He was so proud with the covers up to his chin. And I stared in shock wondering how and when he grew up so fast.

Then I looked at my little girl in her own bed in her own room - all alone.

And my big boy without his best friend.

Having twins is an amazing and challenging experience. I want them to be close and I want them to be independent. I want them to have the perfect balance of the two. And I have no idea how to do that. There is sharing, comparing and the uniqueness that is almost baffling.

But like so many other milestones that the parents blow out of proportion, the kids sailed through without a hiccup. They are the teachers. Ella has already made a "Do Not Go in My Room" sign. Drew is asking Tyler if he wants to play in the "boy room." And they are happy.

Im telling myself that it isn't such a big deal and holding back the tears...until the next no big deal.

New Stage...part one

The day after they were born, Ella was whisked away by ambulance to another hospital. She stayed there for a week. I was a mess, to say the least, for so many reasons. But the one thought that summoned tears at all moments of the day was that my twins were separated. It wasn't acceptable. They needed each other.

They spent the next 6 months side by side, night and day - just as I thought they should be. Then one morning I fetched them from their crib to find one on top of the other. Uhmm, even I couldn't rationalize keeping them in the same crib any longer. So they were moved into cribs parked right next to each other. It was one of the hardest nights of my life. I mourned for them, wondering how they could handle suddenly being so alone. I was up all night, but, Ella and Drew - they slept, soundly all night long.

They moved into beds a few years later - sharing a room, late night chats, and stuffed animals.

Until last night.

Ella moved out to her own room and Tyler moved in with Drew.

And I fought back the tears.

to be continued...

Baywatch

She ran like this for about 10 min before I decided to grab my camera.

She loves the beach, even in late October when the wind is strong and the chill seeps under your sweatshirt.

It is as if it is in her blood.