The Odd Couple

re: The Odd Couple

lla.ma. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:03:17 GMT

J became very particular about cleanliness around this age. one of her favorite words was "mess" and wouldnt hesitate to assess something as a "mess"

the good news is she essentially self potty trained. a few years later, no horribly neurotic signs. she is a lot more hesitant than some other kids her age when it comes to risk/strangers/falling/getting dizzy/ etc but thats just been her disposition since birth

re: The Odd Couple

Deni — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:17:26 GMT

My kids aren't twins, but they had to share a room for a year. It was an unmitigated disaster.

My daughter is not tidy, my son is, while not particularly tidy,is very particular about his environment. Oh, the arguments! Oh. the drama!

We moved about as fast as we possibly could so that they could have their own rooms. Everyone is MUCH calmer now.

re: The Odd Couple

Cindy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:41:30 GMT

I love reading your blog - it gives me so much to look forward to as my girls have just turned one.

We are fond of calling my girls the "Odd Couple" too. Danielle is a mess - she eats with gusto, mixing everything together, shoving it all in her mouth and rubbing everything all over her face because darn it, food it just that good. Samantha is immaculate - she eats one tiny bit at a time, with her pinky out in the air, no food touches another and her face is generally spotless at the end of a meal.

For their first birthday last month, Danielle was hysterical because there was icing in her eyes, up her nose, completely covering her and I guess it hurt a bit. Samantha, on the other hand, was completely content... she just leaned her face towards the cupcake, nibbling little pieces off so her fingers did not have to touch the messy icing. I can't imagine two little people who are more different.

re: The Odd Couple

Marie-Eve — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:33:40 GMT

Donut and peanut butter sandwich huh? :-)

It's really fascinating to see them become their own little person. I do hope it's just a phase though,and I've heard stories of this happening around that age. I'm sure Clio will stay a little neater than her sister, but I hope she gets around to enjoying her sweets despite the messiness like the other kids!

re: The Odd Couple

April — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:37:26 GMT

Sam is right. I was extremely messy and unorganized as a child. My locker was the worst in the school. But when I got out on my own, I became totally OCD about cleaning and now I am super organized and neat.

re: The Odd Couple

Sam — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:58:23 GMT

My sisters are identical twins. When they were little, Ashley was always neater than Renee. Renee was constantly disheveled and often a touch grimy; she just had a knack for finding dirt immediately after escaping the bathtub. As they got older, however, Renee was the one who cleaned her car out weekly and ironed her PE uniforms. Ashley, on the other hand, had to be put on house arrest before she would begin the excavation project needed to find her bedroom floor. Your girls may through you for a loop yet.

re: The Odd Couple

Aunt Heidi — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:50:33 GMT

Seth and I may not be twins...in fact we're three years apart...but just ask my mom...you would be lucky to find my brothers floor under all that mess growing up, and as you know Jane...I am the queen of OCD organization...

And as far as I can tell, we both turned out ok... ;-)

re: The Odd Couple

April — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:48:03 GMT

Both of my boys are pretty messy. Eric does eat more dainty like.

My mom used to take care of this little girl at her daycare that had issues when she got there. She was being taken care of by this old lady while her mom was at work that made her neurotic about getting dirty. She didn't want to go outside because she would get dirty, she would cry if she got dirty. So one day my mom decides to break her of this. The kids were all fingerpainting and the little girl didn't want to participate because her hands would get dirty. My mom said "Thats it" and forced the little girl's hands into the paint and made her swirl it around. The whole time the girl was just howling. But then she realized that getting dirty doesn't hurt. It doesn't kill you. It is actually kinda fun! From then on she was cured.