A couple nights ago... Da-da came home and took Braveheart to the store. Tenderheart stayed home with me. And let me tell you... having ONE child is different than TWO. We danced. We read books. We put on matching Bert and Ernie hats. I didn't have to carry them BOTH at the same time. I didn't have to break up "toy-tug-a-wars". I could just focus on ONE precious individual. I could give them ALL of my love and attention. Now... it's not that I can't give them all of myself when they are both with me. And, it's not that I don't love having them together. But... I think that alone time with each child is soooooooooo good. I saw things in my little Tenderheart that at times get overlooked when amidst the rustle and bustle of TWO. There is nothing better than having the four of us together. BUT... time spent with ONE is very precious. It's much like the joy of a family/friends cookout. It's such a wonderful time. And it's just as wonderful and needed as an intimate candle-light dinner with your spouse.
Da-da came home with Braveheart smiling as bright as tinsel. He quickly buried his head in one of the shopping bags to pull out a match box car and gave it to his brother. It's as if he said, "we got it at the store, Brother!" And Tenderheart had a certain triumphant twinkle in his eye... for he knew that he had danced to Billie Jean with Momma for the past 30 minutes! (Alright... maybe not the best song for him to memorize the words to... but it's just so AWESOME!)
So... we are going to try to do this "one child" thing once a week. Even if it's just an hour. It's a very special hour.
Good for you guys! As a twin myself, I can say that I always enjoyed getting alone time with my parents from time to time. My sister and I have always loved spending time together, but it was nice to have a reminder that we are 2 separate people :)
ReplyDeletelove this. love you. lets be bffs (that second f is forever) too soon?
ReplyDeleteNo one better be leaving any bad comments about Billie Jean. That song rocks! Just try to sit still while listening to it, ya can't! My dad used to do what we called date night once a month. My sister and I took turns spending time alone with him. I chose to take him roller skating. One of my favorite memories. On my sister's date nights, I got to stay home with mom baking. Also, one of my favorite memories. You are rockin that Bert hat, by the way.
ReplyDeleteloooove that idea. steve and i had the idea to take the kids out to breakfast one by one on saturday mornings (1 per saturday, not like we were eating breakfast 4 times on a saturday. but you probably got that). anyway, it never stuck, but the idea is genius.
ReplyDeleteso is your bert visor.
This is SO sweet! I love the pictures of you two... just adorable.... He looks super happy to be spending quality time with his momma... xo
ReplyDeleteI don't have twins, but I have two under two ( 18 months apart) - this is a great reminder that I need to be doing this!
ReplyDeleteI think it's so important to do this one kid at a time thing! I come from a family with four girls, and while I'm not a twin I'm only a year apart from my older sister so might has well have been. The one on one time that I had with my parents was precious, so the fact that you're going to do it once a week is pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteLove this - so very special!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE! So precious! And I bet one and one time for the other with da da was just as special!!!! You two are just awesome parents!!!!
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree. That one on one time is so precious. Our girls are a little older, but we do date nights with them. They love it, and it makes them feel so special.
Aw, your boys are too cute! I don't have kids, but i did always enjoy solo time with my parents so i think you're probably onto something. x
ReplyDeletep.s. You should definitely come and visit australia! It's a great (and funny) place!
awww, i love this post and completely agree!!! :)
ReplyDelete