Dear Scarlett and Rowan – 11 Month Old Twins

Dear Scarlett and Rowan,

This month you changed so much – you had a huge transformation in terms of what you seem to understand and how well you communicate back with us! It’s been a blast seeing you start the change from baby to toddler – and watching both of you take your first steps (you aren’t walking yet though)! I can’t believe you’ll be one next month!

 

This month you really started to communicate back with us. Scarlett had already been reaching her arms up and saying “up” (it’s more like “uhhh”), but now you also say “Uh-oh” when something falls on the ground, OR when you purposely throw something on the ground (and then laugh). Rowan you now say “Done” and use the sign language sign for “all done” when you’re finished eating. Rowan also finally said “mama” after months of just saying “dada” though I’m pretty sure both of you don’t understand what it means (unlike “up” and “done”, I think those are your first words!).

Rowan started to imitate Siena this month and when Siena shakes her head Rowan will shake her head too. You both learned to clap early on this month. I can tell that you’re getting better at understanding what we’re saying as well which is fun! You also seem to anticipate certain routines and know what is coming (like you see us get out the high chair trays and you grunt with excitement or as soon as I put you in a sleep sack, Rowan you fuss and try to squirm away. You have also learned how certain things work – for example, you know to use the drumstick to pound on the drum and you know that the shaped blocks should go inside the puzzle box (and you try to put them in, but don’t know how to actually match them up yet). Scarlett, you’re really good at throwing/rolling a ball back and forth and initiate a game frequently.

While you two are similar in a lot of ways, one big difference I’ve noticed in your personalities is that Scarlett likes to check things out before doing anything new and Rowan just goes head first. Whenever I leave a door open, Rowan immediately sprint crawls toward it and out of it, even if it’s the front door. Scarlett, on the other hand, will quickly crawl to the door but then stay there, watching without actually crawling out. Rowan, you’re going to be our runner! Scarlett first took one step a few weeks ago, then two steps in a row, and then three steps. Rowan, you took your first step on your own today, but I have a feeling that you’ll be fully walking before Scarlett because of your personality!

Another difference between you two is that Scarlett generally eats anything we give her and Rowan is much more picky. Rowan seems to LOVE carbs and cheese (I mean who doesn’t) and throws her broccoli off the side of the high chair. Rowan eats faster and is done quickly. Scarlett will linger over her food, usually eating almost all of it.

Your sister just adores you. She’s such a great big sister. She affectionately calls you guys “Dooders” (not sure why, and she says it with her teeth clenched, its adorable) and calls Scarlett “Scarlett Marlett” (Siena has learned to rhyme this month and likes to rhyme every word she can think of) and Rowan “Rowie” or “Row.” She often plays with you now and pretends that you are characters in her favorite show “PJ Masks.” You both watch her with fascination all the time and I know she’s going to teach you a lot of what she knows!

You both still LOVE the bath, it’s your favorite time of the day (or few times a week, as we don’t get around to bathing you every single day, sorry!). Your second favorite place is in the house is your sisters room. We let you crawl up the stairs every night on the way to bed and most of the time you make a bee-line right for your sisters bed (which is on the floor) and you crawl on top of it and jump and squeal.

Rowan, your hair is now long enough for a “Poppy pony” as we call it (named after Poppy from the Trolls movie). You both love to swing, just like your big sister so we often spend quite a bit of time on the swings when we go to the park. This month was very wet and cold in San Diego but we did get out to the park a decent amount. I just let you crawl all over the sand and have fun. It’s tough for me to watch all 3 of you so we only go to the park with friends and even then, it can be difficult. I’ve learned that we can only go to certain parks (ideally gated) for my sanity.

Another first this month was the first time I took all 3 of you to Trader Joe’s – I carried Scarlett in the carrier, Rowan in the cart and Siena walked. Luckily everyone was in a great mood and it wasn’t too crowded so it worked out fine, but I won’t be doing that very often! I also used the giant cart at Target once and discovered it’s incredibly hard to navigate and probably won’t be using it until I really have to (I generally take the stroller in and stuff things in the basket underneath or in a reusable bag) while shopping.

I love you both SO much!!!

Love,

Mama