Stereotyping Twins+Baby Life

When people see Paige and Graham around the stroller containing Evie, inevitably they tend to comment like this:
"Oh, it that your baby sister?
Are you a good big brother and sister?
Do you help your Mommy change the diapers?
Isn't it fun having a baby sister?"
This litany is virtually the same every time. The kids are tolerating it well, but two days ago, Paige replied, "Evvvvvvvverybody asks us that." I half grimaced half smiled. She was right and even I was growing weary of it. Really, folks, do you want a 4 yr old helping wipe a bum? Nope. They are helpful but not so much in the diaper department. Although they do enjoy sizing up the poopy blowouts. If you ask me, I think a much better comment to a young child who has a new sibling is something along the lines of: "Oh, isn't your baby lucky to have you." I use that line and love to see the child's face light up with pride. Sure beats them reflecting on how NOT FUN the most recent car ride with screaming baby has been...

Other comments people make along these lines:
"Oh, aren't you lucky? The twins have eachother so they can entertain eachother and don't mind the new baby."
Welllllllllllllllllll, yes and no. They do have eachother. And just like you get sick of your spouse or anyone with whom you have a close relationship, they REALLY can get on eachothers nerves after hours and hours of playing together. For the most part, Paige and Graham are best friends. Their personalities are complementary, not competing with eachother, but they aren't Gandhi and Buddha. And lately, yes, you could call this the ultimate version of "Getting Along" -- they are partners in crime bigtime. Friday night at the club, as Al and I were engaged in a brief conversation, wine in hand, baby asleep...Paige and Graham decided to stomp around in a mud puddle and covered themselves in wet black soil. We had to choke down the laughs as we sleeved their legs in plastic bags and had them march out to the car without dessert. All I could say to Al was "What on Earth were they thinking?"

Yesterday, we fulfilled Paige's request to have some much needed alone time with Mommy. I asked if she wanted her baby sister along, and she said yes. We loaded up and I drove wherever she wanted to go. That meant shopping. At the Galleria, she focused on buying things for her Daddy. Picked out ties and two nice shirts on sale. Then she pushed the stroller down the walkway. We dined at Saks. With a ring of black bean soup around her delicate lips, she turned to me and said, "Mommy, I just really really needed this time alone with you away from my brother." The shopping spree was complete with a big time at Oilily stocking up on all the sale stuff. At 70% off, we were having a bargain blast! We arrived home well after bedtime and shared our haul with our men.

Graham, meanwhile, enjoyed his alone time with Daddy. They went to the Men's Locker Room for dinner and then Graham was all-too-pleased to traipse around nudie with the other men post-shower. Whatever floats your boat boys!

Here is Evelyn in the Oilily ensemble Paige selected for her to wear today