First, we walked to historic Green-Wood Cemetery, one of our favorite places to stroll.
We don't let the graves get us down!
Later, we hung out in the backyard.
And had a little snack...banana in a baby-safe feeder. Yum!
We had fun indoors, too.
Milo had another snack...
This is a typical scene, whether we have visitors or not.
Though we had a great time with Memère and Papa, we were very glad when Daddy returned! (And so was Daddy!)
Milo eating Avacado from the baby-safe feeder. A little mesh bag that you stick food in so they can gum away at it without choking.
Margalit does not enjoy wearing the do-rag quite as much as this picture makes it appear.
Piano lessons from the master.
Camping in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard.
Grandma & Grandpa put up swings for when M&M visit. As with any belted contrivance, Margalit's favorite part is chewing on the strap.
Those ain't no kitty cats!
Skinny dipping
Before I began this post I was going to remark on what a brilliantly stupid name this is for an illness, seeing as how, according to our doctor, it derives from the fact that this is often the fifth disease kids get. Turns out that's incorrect. "Fifth disease got its name because it was the fifth childhood disease with a somewhat similar rash to be discovered." That's not much better, I guess. I'd have gone with slap cheek.
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Now that we've done it, this site will be updated frequently. But if you're afraid that you're going to keep checking back just to be disappointed, there's another option: say the word and we'll add you to the automated notification list; you'll get an e-mail everytime there's a new post here. Your in-box will be flooded with twins!
The other thing we can now do is post pictures as thumbnails, so the page doesn't take forever to load. Just click on the small pictures to see larger versions.
So what have Milo and Margalit been up to since February 9th? Before we go through the last four eventful months chronologically, here's a quick peak at M&M all grown up as they are today (and an answer to the question, do you dress them alike?).
How did they get so durn cute? I remember it like it was February... February...
FEBRUARY
Margalit and Milo absolutely adore each other. Today they will stare, babble, and grab at one another long enough for us to sit down and read almost a whole page of the newspaper. Here's an early conversation.
The Passion of the Margalit
Today they are totally fascinated by our cats. When one passes by, they will stop whatever they're doing and gape. If allowed, they'll eagerly pet while we repeat the familiar parental mantra, "gentle, gentle" (also useful when they go for one another's eyes). But back in February, they were more oblivious. Here's Milo with Gina's mom's dog, Tequila, and with our cat Straw (who sadly died a few weeks ago).
MARCH
This is about when they got too big to share a crib. They now sleep separately (and through the night, from about 7 to 6!).
The mobile above Milo's head -- a gift from Chris -- is the first toy they took to. The charm is just starting to wear off, but for a while there, it was guaranteed to entrance them. We call it the hypnotron.
APRIL
First Passover. Milo is wearing the yarmulke he got at his bris. It has the mohel's web address printed on it.
They both sleep with the stuffed celestial objects that Laura and Silke brought from Germany. At night they like big floppy toys they can bury their heads in.
Three generations of Duclayans.
A visit to Grandpa Ron and Grandma Allis in Maryland.
Milo sucking Margalit's thumb. Any port in a storm.
We learned the double-swing trick from Stephanie, a friend with twins of her own.
Watch the swingin' movie! (and see just how unimpressed Margalit and Milo are by the whole affair).
Longtime Let's Twins! fans will remember that M&M attended their first pro-choice rally in utero. At five months old, they joined us, my folks, and one million other people for the March for Women's Lives.
Our l'il cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Notice how Milo jams his fist into his mouth when he gets excited.
MAY
First taste of rice cereal. Totally gross, but they seem to like it.
A visit to Bass Meadow, in which we learn that flowers look better than they taste.
Once Milo is old enough to appreciate Good Dog, Carl, he will really get a kick out of this picture.
Playtime. As of a few days ago, they can both sit up unaided. Until then, they used these nursing pillows for support.
Margalit, connoisseur of sophisticated humor, finds nothing more funny than a raspberry blown on her neck.
Bathtime. A less frequent occurrence than it probably ought to be. Sorry about the blurring, but you know how it is with the Internet.
M&M go into daycare at Gina's office. We drive them in every morning. Starting in September, they'll be joining the YMCA daycare across the street from Gina. Here's Milo with one of his favorite caretakers, Khristian.
Eli & Sam's first birthday party.
JUNE
Our entire first floor is filled with things in which to put babies. In addition to the "DJ booth" that Milo is in here (a hand-me-down from Steph's girls) and the saucer that Margalit is enjoying (a purchase from a neighborhood stoop sale), we have two bouncy seats, two high chairs, a Jumperoo, and a portacrib/playpen. Seriously, you can barely walk in here.
And finally, sweet potatoes!
Delicious.
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This site is napping right now. When it awakes, it shall have all the pretty little horses. Check back soon.
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Milo's first professional portrait. OK, it's just a snapshot, but it was taken by a professional photographer, Gina's friend Karen Tweedy Holmes.
This is probably the last picture of them swaddled. They're too old for that baby stuff now.
Until Gina goes back to work on March 1, grandma Alice is still coming four days a week (whew!)
Hats are destiny!
The babies model (and personify) the fabulous hats made for them by Rose (proprietor of what will soon be the hippest knitting shop in the five boroughs). It should be said that to the best of our knowledge, Margalit is merely collicky, and not actually posessed by Satan. Actually, she's already getting much better than the last time we posted about her crying jags. Rarely fusses during the day, and her nights are 1000% improved. Both babies are generally asleep anytime between 9:30 and 11:00 each night; Milo drifts off peacefully, Margalit needs only 15-20 minutes of comforting (down from four hours). They wake up once during the night, anytime between 3:30 and 6:30 (though not at the same time) and then sleep till 7:30-8:00 am. Soon we'll have nothing left to complain about at all. Hey Rose, get working on a second angel hat!
Latest weights: Milo, 13 lbs, 1 oz, Margalit, 9 lbs 9 oz. Milo's getting downright chubby...
...Despite the fact that he doesn't always keep his meal down.
Hipster Margalit is ready for the move to Williamsburgh.
Milestone! Milo and Margalit are suddenly aware of each other. This picture is literally the first time they noticed one another.
Storytime!
Daniel's sister Laura and brother Mike came in from Berlin and Washington, DC, respectively.
Gina's cousin Debbie came in from Connecticut...
...with her kids Stephen and Morgan.
L to R: Gina and Margalit, Daniel and Milo, Rob and Sam, Norman and Eli
Sammy is interested in Milo's sock. Milo is not interested in anything.
Welcoming our daughter
We welcome you, our daughter, to the world, to our family, and to the Jewish people.
Your name is Margalit, which in Hebrew means “pearl.” This calls to mind the memory of Daniel’s paternal grandfather Reuben, who was called Ruby. May you have his creativity and craftsmanship. Margalit also makes us think of Gina’s aunt Margaret, and of our dear friend Margaret Murray, for whom Daniel’s sister, Laura Margaret, is named. May you have their dedication to family and extended family.
Your middle name is Ida in honor of Daniel’s father’s mother and his step-father’s mother. May you have Ida Meyers’ compassion and Ida Radosh’s taste for adventure.
Welcoming our son
We welcome you, our son, to the world, to our family, and to the Jewish people.
Your name is Milo, in honor of Daniel’s step-father’s father Milton — although we only called him Buddy. May you have his good humor. The name Milo means “warrior” — we hope you will be a warrior for peace and justice. It calls to mind the memory of Gina’s aunt Biergit, whose name meant “strength,” and who lived up to it.
Your middle name is Martinez. It is also Gina’s middle name and her father’s and grandfather’s. May you grow to love and respect your family heritiage.
Like your sister, you also have a Hebrew name. Yours is Avram, in honor of Daniel’s great-aunt Ann and of her cousin Jack Abrams. Cousin Abrams is a family hero, an anarchist leader who was deported from this country for opposing imperialism. May you have his fire and his courage. Ann’s death was so recent, our love for her so strong, and her admirable traits so numerous that it is impossible to name any one we wish you to inherit. How she would have loved to be here today.
Between the two of you, that’s a lot of names. We hope you wear them names well, for it says in Ecclesiastes,
Tov shem mi'sheh-men tov
"A good name is better than precious oil."
And it says in Proverbs (22:1) Niv'har shem m'o-sher rav
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches." (Prov. 22:1)
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