Sleep Part Eleven: More Steps Backwards

Ugh...another posting about them not sleeping, Michael???

Yes.  It's true.  I swear I have several blog posts in my head that have nothing to do with sleeping and they will be coming soon, but sleep is a big issue these days and I want to remember to write about what is happening while it's still in my head.  Since I'm not sleeping much I have to write about it quickly before it disappears from my swiss cheese brain.

A while ago I wrote about how just when I thought the babies' sleep was getting better we took two steps backwards.  I think this time we just took three steps backwards.

Just about three weeks after we had our first sleeping through the night we had a night in which Derek and I woke up six times between the two of us.  SIX!!!  I have no idea what is going on at this point.  I take solace in the fact that some of my friends have told me that it took their kids about a year before they started sleeping through the night.  Some people have said twins tend to have worse sleeping habits and they disrupt each other more during the night. 

Whatever the reason for not sleeping, it's hard after having a couple nights of five, six or even eight hours of sleep.  On the plus side, I think being a twin is helping them with some development.  When one learns how to do something the other picks it up quickly and often does it a little better.  The new skill is standing.  Both boys are testing how to stand on their own for a few seconds.  They're still a few weeks away from mastering it (I'm guessing) but it's fun to watch them alternate who stands longer.  They also play with each other.  Just yesterday I watched them crawl around the floor and constantly look for each other, smile, and then continue crawling.  It's exciting to watch them play together and learn socialization skills.

I'm waiting for language to come too.  As a sign language interpreter who keeps thinking about getting his masters in linguistics (specifically first and second language acquisition) I can't wait for them to start signing and speaking.  I want to know what's going on in those little brains.  I'm wondering if they will develop twin sign language in a manner similar to idioglossia.  I thought it was funny (and validating!) one reason twins have language delays is the exhaustion and stress of the parents!

Besides the sleep issue they are happy, healthy babies and I am thankful for that.