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2001:

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DH (37): Theodore “Teddy” Julian Whitmore (ari.)
DW (38): Marie-Louise Lindbeck (hyacinthe)
DS1 (7): Anders Franklin Whitmore (ari.)
DS2 (4): Dylan Jeremy Whitmore (Rowena)
DD1 (2): Céline Bridget Whitmore (Robert)
DS3 (2): Elias Harold Whitmore (molly)
DD2 (nb):

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The twins were intended to be the family’s youngest children, but fate had other plans and their family was instead completed this October.

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Teddy is still working with his brother, but has also taken up another job in an effort to contribute to the growing family, at least financially. He now spends his weekends working in a warehouse that provides goods to supermarkets, leaving Marie-Louise feeling very much like a single parent. Whether his absence on Saturdays is positive or negative depends on who you ask. Anders is quite pleased with this turn of events, as he has been very aware of the amount his father drinks on weekends since Teddy walked out of his 7th birthday party, finding the company of his friends and the bar a more interesting way to spend his free time.

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Marie-Louise’s career continues to flourish, although she is increasingly frustrated that the demands of her family have prevented her from reaching her full potential. She has had to turn down opportunities for advancement that would increase the amount of time she spends away from home. Nevertheless her salary has ensured that the family can stay afloat, even though she has started pretending to be cash-strapped in an effort to convince her husband to live more frugally.

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Anders, at 7, has effectively stepped into the role of third parent. He adores the twins and is adored in return, although Marie-Louise has been trying to convince him to make some friends of his own age as he spends every minute of his free time with toddlers. Anders is resisting so far as the presence of his little siblings allows him to indulge in childish games, rather than remain calm and caring at all times as he feels compelled to do around his parents. He is very good with his new baby sister and has a gift for settling her when she cries, as she seems quite fond of his singing.

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Dylan has calmed down since starting school and no longer attempts to climb the curtains. He has become quieter and more observant, picking up on the increasing tension at home, and deals with the situation by staying away from his parents as much as possible. Despite this, he remains close to his siblings and like Anders enjoys the antics of the twins bringing levity into the house. He is less fond of the new baby as she sleeps far too much and he has gotten in trouble for trying to wake her when he feels she has grown too boring.

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Céline, the elder twin, is regarded by the wider family as a grumpy child and receives less attention than her sunny twin. However, she is much more sociable and smiley around her family and all three of her brothers are very fond of her due to how affectionate she is, even if this affection is not shared outside the house. She is very quiet, which her mother regards as a breath of fresh air compared to her tearaway brother, and can get lost behind the melee of boisterousness. For this reason she enjoys her new sister and can often be found hiding in the baby’s room, as her sister is the only one of her siblings who can spend time in silence with her.

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Elias, the younger twin, smiled on the day he came home from hospital and hasn’t stopped since. Like Dylan at the same age, he is a bundle of energy and insists on exploring everything in sight. It is impossible to look away from him for a second, which is a difficult task for a parent of four, so Anders is usually the one keeping him out of trouble. Elias, at least, does not climb on people or furnishings like his older brother did, although he has also been scolded for trying to convince his baby sister to play instead of sleep.

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Marie-Louise’s parents have been a great help in caring for the twins while their daughter and son-in-law attempt to manage their finances, and have pledged their support in assisting with the newest child, at least once she has passed the newborn stage. Teddy’s parents are less helpful as they find the children exhausting, but his brother has been helping by taking the older boys to his house for sleepovers so their parents can rest or work.

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DD2 is named in honour of her maternal grandmother, a French name (4-7 letters long) used in the 1930s. Her middle name will honour Teddy’s brother, who has a Biblical name.