Dear Whit & Davis: You’re Six!

Posted in Davis, Twins, Whitaker by Liz

Hey boys – you’re six now! It’s crazy to me to think how much you’ve grown up. It feels not long ago that you were teeny preemies in the hospital, and now you’re rambunctious, strong little boys.

We did it big for your birthday this year! You had a joint birthday party at the Maumee Indoor movie theater with your best bud, Max. We invited your whole class and watched Sonic 1. You guys had a blast running all around the theater with your classmates.

Some other highlights from this past year were our family trip to Cancun for Mimi’s 70th, watching you both start to play basketball & baseball, and celebrating your graduation from preschool.

This year you boys started really becoming your own separate people with your own separate interests. For a long time you guys almost seemed like one unit, lovingly called “The Brothers,” who did everything together and liked all the same things.

Lately, though, your interests have started to diverge and you even have been making more of your own unique friendships. While this has sometimes led to more sibling fights and disagreements, I think it’s good for you to explore your independence.

Whitaker you are my loud, physical, ACTIVE boy who has a heart of gold. You are the first one to offer something you have to a friend if they want it because you love to make people happy. The other day we went to the Lucas County Fair and your buddy Max couldn’t eat the ice cream because of his allergy. While all the other kids got their ice cream, you quickly said “I want to wait until we find a place Max can eat so he’s not left out!” You have a very sweet heart.

Like most six-year-old boys, you are extremely active and loud. You proudly proclaim “mom at least you can always hear me from the back of the car because I’m so loud!” Haha! You are just full of energy and sometimes it is too much for you to contain.

Despite being in the 99% for height and being built like a little muscle man, you currently have little interest in sports. You’d prefer to spend your days swimming at the pool, playing with your friends, or jumping on the bounce house in the backyard. You are very social and like to be around your friends playing pretend, ghost in the graveyard, or tag.

Although at times you are rough and tumble, you still want mom and dad near you most of the time. Of all the kids, you have the hardest time when a babysitter does your bedtime and can get scared to try new things.

This summer we went to the lake house and you were afraid to swim in the open lake. After some coaxing, I got you to jump in with me and you loved it! I am hoping little by little you start to face your fears and build confidence as you do.

Whit you are a great kid, with a big heart. I can’t wait to see how you grow this year and what new experiences you have.

Davis, you are still my snuggly guy who frequently asks me to “snuggle me.” You like when I scratch your back and tickle you. You have a sweet, happy demeanor that I adore. Sometimes you’ll just walk by me and flash a huge smile as you go.

While your brother is loud, you can be so quiet that I have to ask you to repeat yourself 5x before I can hear you (sorry your mom has bad hearing!). You are a gentle soul who can spend hours outside, looking for monarch eggs, playing with sticks, and generally being lost in your own magical world.

You found a competitive streak this year and loved participating in swim team, baseball and golf. With this competitiveness, you’ve started comparing yourself to your brother. You often ask when you’ll grow as tall Whitaker. I just tell you to focus on your “personal best” and that everyone grows at a different pace!

You have gotten really into your own unique hobbies this year including origami and rubiks cubes. You say you want to “be a cuber” and pretty much always have a cube in hand. It’s pretty impressive how you learn algorithms and focus until you solve them.

You like to try new things and put yourself out of your comfort zone even when scared. At the lake this summer, you worked up the courage to go on the jet ski with me and we went all the way to 27 mph! You were so excited.

You make friends easily and are usually the first one to approach kids at the playground and organize a game of tag. One of your classmate’s moms told me her daughter said “That Davis is as sweet as a kitten!” and I totally agree. You are made of sugar and honey!

Six is going to be a big year for you both. You are starting kindergarten, will learn new skills like how to read, and will start your first real competitive sport – cross country! I can’t wait to see how you grow, mature, and continue to be great little boys.

Your Dad and I love you both so much. While the two of you can drive us absolutely up the wall with your crazy antics – like your nightly wrestle mania matches – we love the fun, laughs, and chaos you bring to our house. There’s never a dull moment and someday I will miss it all.

We feel so lucky to be raising little boys and know you’re going to grow up to be wonderful men. Keep being the best you that you can be.

Love always,

Mom

19May2020

Dear Boys, You’re Four Years Old!

Posted in Davis, Twins, Whitaker by Liz

Dear Whitaker and Davis,

A few weeks ago you guys turned four years old! We had grand plans to throw you a big birthday party with a magician, but the coronavirus pandemic foiled our plans. Instead, after 56 days of isolating at home, we decided it was safe enough to spend your birthday with Grammie and Gramps.

You both were SO HAPPY to be out of the house visiting your grandparents. They as usual made the visit lovely for you, with special toys laid out all around the house, big wheels in the garage and all your favorite foods ready. I was so relived to see both of your happy, sweet spirits return while we were there. At one point, Davis, you said “I’m so happy here.”

The morning of your birthday, you woke up (Davis at 2:45 am from excitement!) to gifts, cake, balloons and transformer decorations, because if there’s one thing to know about you right now, it’s that you LOVE transformers! We ate a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon and fruit before you tore into your presents (surprise! More transformers).

It was a great end to your third year. Honestly, three has been a tricky year for you guys in many ways. A new sibling joining the family, starting school, then your beloved preschool teacher abruptly leaving and finally a global pandemic completely halting your life. So many big changes happened this year, that any one would struggle with, let alone a little three year old.

Three is a big year already with a lot of milestones. You both became more independent, yet still wanted to be little. In fact leading up to your fourth birthday, Whitaker, you asked me “Do I have to become a big guy on my birthday?” I reassured you that you have a lot more years as a “little guy” before the pressure of growing up is upon you.

Despite all the changes, one thing remained consistent this year, and that is your brotherly bond. I feel bad at times that I group you two together (like writing you one blog post vs two separate), but in reality you two are still very much a package deal. You love being together, playing transformers for hours. When I try to do “special time” with you separately, you both ask where the other one is and why did I leave them at home!?

Although you’ve got that amazing twin bond going on, you both are very different in many ways.

Davis, you are our little builder. You love playing with legos, connecting blocks and other toys that require you to use your imagination to build something. I think that’s why you love transformers so much, because you can use your hands to change and morph them into something new. Your focus and concentration amazes me – you already can complete transformers that are 20+ steps meant for 10 year olds.

You are still my sweet snuggler and are content to lay with me watching a show (usually transformers). It absolutely melts my heart when you let me hold you, because your siblings are far too active for that. I will miss that time together so much when you get older and don’t want your mommy as much.

I’ve realized this year that you are far more sensitive than I ever thought. You pick up on things that other kids are oblivious to. No small detail passes you by. You are the kid stopping to notice the roughness of the tree bark, or the feather underneath the grass.

This also has meant you have stronger emotions to things like the coronavirus. You ask me a lot about the virus, when it will end and why you can’t go to school or go to all the places you love. While my heart hurts seeing you struggle with these big feelings, I know this sensitivity will be an amazing asset for you as you grow up. You’ll be the man who is a empathetic husband, father and friend.

Whitaker you have grown up so much this past year and yet in many ways are still my baby boy. You enjoy your creature comforts and honestly find the whole school thing a little bit uncomfortable. Pretty much every day you would cling to us at drop off and start your day crying a bit. The teachers assured us that you warmed up quickly, but let’s just say the stay at home order from the pandemic was a welcome change from you!

You are such a BOY it’s almost funny. My friends laugh at all my Instagram stories showing you scaling some part of our furniture, making giant messes or just being your loud, boisterous self. Before having boys, I thought all that gender stuff was mostly conditioning, but you have shown me that it can be absolutely just inherent!

You are a strong little guy and have such coordination. Before your fourth birthday you were riding a bike without training wheels. I can see a future in athletics for you for sure. Beyond your physicality, you also love playing transformers with Davis. You love making up little story lines and I’ll often hear you mumbling to yourself followed by a “blast! blast!”

Oh and if you can’t tell by these photos, you spent most of your third year of life naked! lol. You definitely make your preferences known and can be extremely persistent in what you want. This will serve you well later in life when you won’t let yourself be peer pressured. I have a feeling you’ll be the person who always knows what they want in life.

I am so excited to see what this year brings for both of you. If your experience is anything like your sisters, I think you’ll love being four. For her things just sort of “clicked” shortly after her fourth birthday and life for everyone got a lot easier.

My hope for both of you this year is that you know how much you are loved and that no matter what challenges come your way, you are capable of overcoming them. You’ll have your family cheering you on every step of the way.

We love you both so much and are so glad we get to watch you both grow up together.

XO,

Mommy

9May2019

Dear Boys, You’re Three Today!

Posted in Davis, Twins, Whitaker by Liz

Whitaker & Davis,

Today you little sweeties turned three years old! We are celebrating your birthday this weekend with a party with your family. You are both so excited for “pwesents” and “cake!” This year the theme of your party is “construction.” I got you a cake that looks like a construction site with trucks on it, a truck piñata and shirts that say “I’m digging being three!”

Life sure has been fun with you two lately. As if it was even possible, you two have gotten even closer. You play together so well and generally do not want each other to be out of sight. Yesterday you got new baseball hats in the mail from Aunt Amy and Uncle Mike. You both put them on and immediately said “now let’s play baseball!” We set up your little t-ball and you took turns whacking the ball.

The sweetness you both display melts my heart. We get a LOT of unprompted “I love yous” from both of you along with big long hugs. You are quick to call nearly anyone your “best friend,” including last week when Whitaker follower our cleaner around saying “you’re my best friend, Abby!” You melt hearts where-ever you go.

You both are starting to drop your naps, but still tolerate quiet time in your room (mainly because it’s really just playtime with each other). You both are also extremely physical – climbing, jumping off things and generally pushing your abilities to the limit whenever you get a chance.

Davis, you have become quite an applesauce lover. In fact, it’s pretty much the only thing you want to eat these days. You still love your “blue bankie” and have also amassed a large assortment of “snuggle ings” that you MUST have in your bed in order to sleep. Laying with you at bedtime is my favorite time. You hold my hand and say “I love you mama” over and over again. You also have started asking us all “are you happy, dada?” The answer is always yes when we’re with you bud.

Whitaker, you are SUCH a ham. Seriously you have the biggest personality and are not afraid to talk to any one. It’s not rare for you to approach adults, kids or even grandparents when we’re on an outing and strike up a conversation. You are still insanely loud and prefer yelling vs talking. I think you just have so much personality in there it bursts out of you! You are not much of a cuddler still, but will happily give me big bear hugs whenever I ask for one.

You two bring so much life, laughter, silliness and vibrant energy into our house. It’s often loud, chaotic and busy around here, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. I love hearing your trucks roll across the floor, your giggles as you chase Finn and yes, even your requests for a SNAAAACKS (seriously can you eat any more??).

It’s hard to believe how quickly time is going by. It feels like not long ago you were teeny tiny babies home from the nicu. It’s hard not to cry when I look through your baby photos. It’s just so bittersweet! But I will say I am beyond thankful I’ve gotten to spend every day with you since you’ve been born. What a blessing it is to watch you grow up.

We all love you both so much. Three is going to be a big year for you – potty training, preschool and becoming more independent. My wish is you stay your sweet, good-natured selves, keep your special twin bond strong and know how dearly you both are loved by so many.

Love always and forever,

Mommy

10May2018

Dear Boys: You’re Two!

Posted in Davis, Twins, Whitaker by Liz

Whitaker & Davis:

Yesterday was your second birthday! I really can’t believe how quickly time is passing by. It feels like just yesterday you were teeny tiny preemies keeping me up all night and now you’re strong, robust two year olds.

I’ve had several people ask me if I’m happy the “hardest” years of having twins are over. I have to laugh and tell them that actually having twin two year olds so far has been the most difficult! You two are so curious, rambunctious and strong that you keep Daddy and I on our toes.

It seems like just as we’re settling into a good routine, you two find a way to cause some new form of ruckus. For example, this weekend Whitaker figured out how to escape the back yard by climbing under a gap in the fence and Davis sleuthed how to unzip the sleep sack, remove his pants and diaper and leave us a “surprise” in the crib.

I used to roll my eyes when people said boys are more physical than girls, but I’ve learned that’s definitely true when it comes to you two! Today we lowered both your cribs all the way to the floor in hopes it would keep you from climbing out. Nope, you both figured out how to lift your bodies up and over in one minute flat. So now, at just two years old, you’re in toddler beds (pray for us!!!).

When you’re not giving us grey hair, you two spoil us with snuggles, smiles and the sweet sounds of “MaMA! (said in an Italian accent) and DADA.” Before I had you, my friends who had boys told me to get ready for more mommy love. That is definitely true in our house! While you adore your daddy, you save your biggest smiles and hugs for mommy. you both love to sit on my lap or have me tote you around. I am usually happy to oblige.

Here is a little bit about each of you individually:

Davis:

– You are obsessed with all things “choo choo!” Daddy and I built you a train table for your birthday and you will sit and push the little trains around endlessly. Also any time a train goes by our house you stop whatever you’re doing, get everyone’s attention, point outside and say ‘choo choo choo!!!!’

– I see a sweet, gentle soul inside you. You don’t usually react when another child takes your toy, or your brother bowls you over. You just look curiously and move on to the next thing.

– You tend to be more quiet than Lila or Whitaker. I think maybe you have a bit of that Batman-men introspection. I know you can talk, because I’ve heard you say a lot, but in general you prefer to stay quiet.

– The 0ther thing you are absolutely obsessed with is golf. The only time you get truly angry is when we tell you it’s time to put the golf stuff away. Daddy is really hoping you turn out to be his golfing buddy in life.

Whitaker:

– You are one strong dude! I don’t know how you got to be so strong, but it’s not unusual to see you do a complete sit up when laying flat, pull your entire body up with just your arms or lift a basket filled with heavy blocks. I can see you being our future athlete.

– There’s no doubt that you are a momma’s boy right now. When I come to you in the morning your whole face lights up and you run over for me to immediately pick you up. It is THE BEST way to start my day!

– My other favorite time with you is at bedtime. I rock you and your brother and you will lay your head on my shoulder, suck your thumb and bunch up my shirt into your hand. I usually leave with a giant pool of Whit drool on my chest, but I love this special time with you.

– Lately you’ve been talking more and more. The main thing you like to say is “YEAH!” and “NuhUH” when I ask you a question. It is really helpful to finally know what you want, and I can tell you feel less frustrated too. Here are some of the other things you say lately:

“I wan wok” (I want to go on a walk
“I want cheechos” (cheerios)
“Watch choo choo” (I want to watch Thomas the train)
“Da too!” (Davis too)
“Is Lala” (It’s Lila)

Being a mother of twins is such a special experience. Watching you both grow and develop in your own unique ways makes the process somehow super fulfilling. It’s also amazing to see your close bond in action. You seriously are never apart, and if you ARE, it usually results in both of you asking for the other. I can’t imaging how cool it would be to have a built in best friend for life. I hope you always stay close.

When I think back on our path to becoming twin parents, I feel in my heart that you two were always meant for us. For whatever reason you were supposed to experience life together and in our family. When I look at you it feels like I finally have an answer as to why our journey to have you was what it was. If that makes sense. :) You were destined for us.

I am looking forward to having two two year olds – despite the energy I know it will require. I can’t wait to get to know your little voices, personalities and spirits better. It’s going to be so fun to see who you both become.

Love you both forever!!

Ma-MA

A Batty Life

Finding My Way Through this Crazy World

Category Archives: Twins

Dear Whit & Davis: You’re Six!

Dear Boys, You’re Four Years Old!

Dear Boys, You’re Three Today!

Dear Boys: You’re Two!