That little boy of mine

Ethan is a sweet little boy. He has chubby little cheeks and the best giggle around. I just love to cuddle with him and hold him tight.

As Ethan is growing up he is getting into more and more. I try to let him explore as much as possible. However, when he is standing on a chair or throwing toys I have to draw the line. His favorite toy right now is a ball. Whether kicking it around or throwing, he is always saying "ball". Ethan doesn't say much. There are few recognizable words in his vocabulary, but that is one of his favorites.

Samuel, my oldest, played soccer last year. Ethan was just a baby at the time. When Sam had practices, Ethan and I would sit on the sidelines and watch intently. (Okay, I would watch and Ethan would eat animal crackers.) Anyway, I think Ethan likes soccer more than Sam did.

The other night Ethan wandered into the den with a soccer ball in his hands. He glanced up with a grin on his face. Then he hoisted the ball over his head and hurled it at me as I sat on the couch. After ducking quickly, I told him not to throw (while wagging my finger at him). Ethan instantly sighed, dropped his chin to his chest and pouted. Those little chubby cheeks were full and the shoulders were slouched. Yep, he was giving it all he had. Letting me know in no uncertain terms that I had wounded his feelings. I called him over to me and consoled him. I told him that I didn't want to scold him, but that we can't throw in the house or at people.

A couple of minutes later, Ethan bounded into the room. He was in a great little mood. He walked over to my end table and grabbed a candleholder. As he pulled it off the counter, I said "Ethan, No!" Once again, the little sigh of exclamation, his chin fell to his chest and the cheeks went out. Only this time he put his hand to his forehead as if to say "oh, my!". I cracked up. He was too adorable. I would have to capture this on film to show to a future girlfriend (which by the way won't happen until he is 30...).

I try to remind myself that it is okay for him to pout. It is even okay for him to be disappointed. More importantly, I have to remind myself not to laugh while trying to keep a straight face. These are the days when the little mannerisms are adorable, there is no ill-will or bad intentions. They are just trying to manipulate you with the skills God gave them....being adorable :)

Notes From the Other Twin

When I found out that my second child was a boy, everyone said how easy it would be to have "another boy". I knew that it wouldn't be the same as raising the same child twice. As a twin, everyone had a hard time telling us apart. There were many times when people said that we were so similar. Everyone, including twins, are so different. I knew that these two boys would be individuals.

Although my sister and I look similar, we are very different and so much alike. We disagree and actually argue over many topics. In school we were better at different subjects. There were times when I thought we were one person living life in two bodies. We can finish each other's sentences and even understand without finishing them. Growing up we would fight and then within minutes be asking to borrow clothes.

We talk everyday. Sometimes more than once. We got married a year apart. Our first children are two months different in age, and the second only ten days. People say "wouldn't you want to do things separate? to have your own day?" Really? We shared every birthday, every first trip to the beach, every first day of school. All of my favorite memories involve her. She knows all of my childhood secrets, all the bad and good.

When I think about my kids growing up together, I hope that they will get along. I wonder if they will share secrets, be best friends, giggle in the same bed waiting for the first day of school. I know all kids are different, but I hope they find in each other what I found in my twin sister. A best friend for life.