Last week, I took Arlo and Huey to the market in the double pram. As I was waiting for coffee, a bearded, faintly glowing man said to me reverentially, “Twins! Such a blessing.” I was a bit taken aback, but I just smiled and said thanks. This was one time that I didn’t feel like spoiling the illusion. Usually, the question is asked somewhat quizzically: “Are they…twins?” I haven’t quite worked out how to tell the story in twenty five words or less, but I do take the time to spell it out, because I feel like we are a walking case study for how same-sex families are not only OK, they are also gorgeous.
It’s true though, the gap is narrowing, and if they didn’t look so different (despite having the same donor) there wouldn’t be a query, just an assumption of twindom. Where once only Arlo hit Huey, now Huey can hit back. Their gross motor skills are roughly equivalent. Huey can finally defend his toys, and does so, loudly and emphatically. And while Arlo is streaking ahead with three and four word sentences, Huey’s pronounciation is very clear.
More importantly, they adore each other. When Huey wakes up from his nap this afternoon, the first word on his lips will be “Ayo!” His first destination will be to deliver Arlo’s lovey to the living room where Arlo will be asleep on a cot mattress on the floor. Arlo doesn’t give two hoots about the lovey, but Huey is a card-carrying lovey lover and so thinks that Arlo will be needing his too. We’ll encourage Huey to wake Arlo up (because if he sleeps too long in the day we can’t get him to bed at a decent time), and Huey will most likely comply - life is more fun, if also a bit more stressful, when Arlo is there too.
Well you are indeed doing an amazing job at educating just how gorgeous it can be!
Comment by pcat — March 28, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
Gorgeous is certainly the right word!
Comment by starrhillgirl — March 28, 2009 @ 11:04 pm
OMG - they are beyond devine. congrats girls
Comment by Tori — March 30, 2009 @ 8:22 am
Hello lovely ladies! I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry that we didn’t catch up when you were up our way. I ended up with big uterus problems, which has been HELL up until a month ago. I should have sent you an email earlier to explain - very poor manners, so sorry. We are coming down your way in May/June (my mum, brother and sister live in Melb now!) and would love to catch up with the four of you. The boys are so beautiful. Much love to you all.
Comment by Beanies — March 30, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
wow, they are both so grown up looking!
Comment by nix — March 31, 2009 @ 8:53 am
subbie, you look HOT! (excuse the Americanism)
Comment by E — March 31, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Comment by Ika — April 2, 2009 @ 5:58 am
Also:
a bearded, faintly glowing man
Was it… Jesus???
Comment by Ika — April 3, 2009 @ 9:43 pm
i am melting from looking at those photos…
Comment by J-Le — April 8, 2009 @ 6:40 am
“We are a walking case study for how same-sex families are not only OK, they are also gorgeous.” - That was hilarious, and so true.
Comment by E, SS and the Little Man — April 20, 2009 @ 4:24 pm