Twins and Teflon pants

I watched a friend's baby for a scant 45 minutes last night - covering between mother off to job and father coming home from required computer 101 class at community college (he is a 20+ year veteran programmer, so amused with an edge of impatience). I am so glad not to have twins. It was the first time Casper and R. have noticed each other, which had its charms. R. sat up in front of me (she's a better sitter than Casper) and played with Casper's feet while Casper lay on the floor. The negative of the noticing was that once R. noticed she was with stangers and lost it, Casper decided she ought to be crying too. It was comical, in a horrible sort of way - me holding R. and trying fruitlessly to soothe her, then spending a second with Casper - who'd stop crying as soon as I put my hand on her belly, but start again once I removed it. Not enough arms. R.'s father came by 10 minutes later, so I was rescued. I suppose if I had had twins I'd be used to this sort of thing by now.

Hard not to compare the two-same age babies. R. is more advanced physically - sits better and is more dextrous, seems to process experience through her hands. Casper is more mouthy - both in terms of chewing on things, and in terms of talking. She talks all day long. Spending time with R. also made me appreciate Casper's open face - every single little thing she feels is reflected in her expression. Not for her quiet looking - everything is either wonderful or terrible, sometimes both within the space of 30 seconds. R. is a quiet looker - though the set of her eyes makes her look comically startled all the time.

Have I mentioned that I have Teflon pants? Nutty got them for me for Xmas. They look like plain, moderately dressy (i.e. work in an academic environment) dark cotton pants, but - they have superpowers. Specifically, Teflon. And still machine-washable! Now if only they made Teflon-shouldered sweaters I'd be set.