August 2022
These days are all about preparation for the twins. If you’re new here, yes you read that right: TWINS. Fraternal twin boys coming sometime in the fall. That means my wife and I will be doubling our kid count from two to four… and 4 under 4! In preparation, we moved our son, Ben’s room into the guest room. We moved the guest room downstairs to the office. We moved the office desk to our master bedroom…. and we’re turning Ben’s old room into the new nursery. It’s the only room in the house that has enough space for 2 cribs and 2 babies. Elle, our daughter’s room is the only room that has remained untouched… for now. I’m sure my wife has a project in there she’s brewing.
One thing I knew but didn’t think about before I became a parent is how fast children grow and change. I have a front row seat for this daily metamorphosis. This means as a parent you must adapt and relearn… daily. I was 35 when our son was born. By 35 I had already gone through the most dramatic changes in my life. I was in a rhythm and a routine. I knew what I liked and what I didn’t. I knew who I wanted to be and who I wanted to be around.
Ben and I watching the US Men’s National Team play -
fulfilling a dream of mine watching soccer with my son
The first few years after I left my parent’s house at 18 were supersonic in terms of growth. I learned A LOT about myself and what I wanted vs. what my peers/parents wanted. I graduated from college and started working full time…. MORE LEARNING about what it is to be an adult (way overrated by the way). Between 25 until I was 32 years old, my Stepdad, Mom, Grandpa, and Yia Yia passed away. This was painful growth with some tough stretches filled with mistakes and murky water. I was absolutely directionless and full of doubt at times. When I look back on those years, I feel indebted to so many who supported me, picked up me up, and loved me during my most unlovable moments. However, as always the one constant is that I continued to learn and for that I'm always grateful.
Now as a parent, I’m watching these two grow at warp speed. I’ve realized that I may be learning and adapting at my fastest speed ever. Life is beautiful and wild, crazy, and overwhelming. I find myself trying to soak in the moments even more than before. Recently, I watched my wife studiously and patiently (rare for her) apply peel and stick wallpaper. After I became frustrated, she took over and was determined to get it right. I looked at her, REALLY looked at her… pregnant with twins. I know these are the last few months of seeing her in this way. I also know that our boys will love this space because they will know how much love went into making it special for them. More learning, more gratitude, more love… the only question is who’s growing more, me or the kids?!