These babies are changing so quickly it’s hard to keep up. There are no first steps yet, though they can now walk independently using the walkers, and their words continue feeling vague, though they more often they refer to the correct objects. Still, there’s an unmistakable feeling that they are more and more present. No longer passive observers, M and E know what’s happening and react independently.
When you carry them downstairs they cling to you happily, pointing to pictures and objects along the way, and when you put them down they either scramble off to get a toy, or they start crying immediately to be picked back up. Also, they are suddenly so much more tuned into each other. They play games that involve offering the other a toy, then grabbing it away and laughing hysterically. Sadly, they also suddenly fight. If one has a toy the other wants, they grab it. Then the first fights back by hitting, and it continues. Tonight I kept putting peas on M’s tray, then eating off the ones that seemed too big and/or hard. Finally when she saw me reach for a pea she hit my hand. Hm… Who taught them how to hit? I guess we’re born with that one.
But their new consciousness really struck me the other day when I had a “conversation” with E about eating. M had finished her kiwi, so I gave her some cut-up grapes. E looked and pointed at the grapes on M’s tray and made a sound, “I want that” she was clearly indicating. I pointed to the kiwi on her tray, “But you still have kiwi. Finish the kiwi first.” She watched me as I said this, then she made a whining sound and pointed again at the grapes. “But I want that!” I pointed again at the kiwi and at that point, frustrated at my lack of understanding, she wiped her hands across her tray, scattering the kiwi to the floor. “Fine,” I said, “you win,” and I gave her some grapes.
Space Monkey Twins 
Haha, they are growing up! It is crazy how smart they become at such a young age, and how much they understand as well!
I know, it is crazy. I keep wondering how much they understand when I talk to them.
I think much more than we even realize!
I don’t know how they learn to hit. I just want to know how they ‘learn’ to eat kiwis and grapes and whether they can come by and show my kids how!
Ha, I know, I keep waiting for them to get really picky about foods, but so far they just kind of like to eat. Period. (Fingers crossed.)
Poor Mama 🙂 Suddenly it’s two against one… And they are SMART! You can do it though! Learning limits and self control is a big one, and I feel even is as adults are still learning it.
The challenge is definitely increasing daily. I guess that keeps me smart… And self control, yes that is a big one, and important.
There are some things you don’t have to teach children how to do, even if you wanted to. The first word that all my kids learned early on was “Mine.” And I never taught them that word. 🙂 But seriously, they are sponges, taking in so much from the world around them way before they can express themselves in words.
Ha, mine. That makes sense 🙂 With twins I’m sure they’ll pick that one up early, too. They really are like sponges. It’s amazing–I wish I could remember what it was like to learn so many things so quickly. Must be an amazing feeling.
Ah! The first tantrums. How quickly the innocence ends!
I was just looking at pictures of them when they were much smaller. What happened to those little babies? They sure do grow quickly.
Yes. And in a way it’s just as well, but looking back it’s always tough to realise.
My babies are doing these same things. It’s crazy! My son has been “hitting” my daughter for almost a month now, and they’re only 11 months old. When she has a toy he wants, if he isn’t able to take it from her, he tries to smack her in the face. I couldn’t believe it. And my daughter does the same thing with her food – she makes those “eh eh” sounds when she wants something different. She’s picking through what’s on her tray and eating what she chooses. She’s making a CHOICE. Insane.
I have wondered, as we are not violent people and I have no idea why my son has decided to hit and throw temper tantrums – is it possible that all babies do this at an early age, but we only see it now because we have more than one baby? Single babies wouldn’t need to fight anyone else for a toy, so it wouldn’t be an issue for years, even.
Interesting. That might be true for an only child, but I’d think it’d be the same with siblings (except maybe very mature, considerate siblings who never took anything from the baby?). Or it must come up at daycare. Still I know what you mean, There is a different sense with twins of them growing up side by side having to find their place with each other. Anyway hopefully it is a stage they will outgrow quickly, and then maybe lessons about sharing will take hold…