One time, when HRM was still pregnant, we got into a cab whose driver turned out to be the father of twin boys. His advice to me: always get the exact same stuff for your boys, or prepare for war. In all fairness, we do buy identical fairly often, but we also think there’s some merit to the notion of individuation.

Still, the guy was right: twins can be fiercely protective of their stuff.

The life of twin parents is a study in controlled chaos. We might shower at 5AM or just before midnight, depending on how the day goes. Today, I stepped out of the shower just before dinner time. The twins were reading a book with Mami and I was surprised to see them wearing new bibs with a bright harlequin pattern. HRM said they’d just been delivered. When she tried them on the boys they loved them so much they got to crying every time she started to take them off. Looking at them, I mentioned how good they looked in their new bibs. They beamed back at me. Then looking at HRM I asked if there was a bib for Papi as well. In a playful, sad tone, she whispered “no, not for Papi”. Without missing a beat, Luca reached back behind his neck and pulled hard on the velcro straps to unfasten his bib. With the brightest smile on his face he handed it over to me: “Papi”.

There are days when the kids surely do test my patience and endurance.

That’s when I choose to remember moments like this.

* * Olin and Luca are twenty months old today.