Henry and I spent a little over an hour at the Urgent Care just down the street from our house on Sunday evening. I am sure it's not a story he'd want to me share with everyone, but he was having some bum issues. He has a sensitive digestive system and we try to limit both his dairy and wheat intake. No allergies, they just plug that boy up!

Last week I foolishly bought those yogurt-in-a-stick-things and packed them in his lunch each day. And then we found ourselves in the waiting room of what seemed to be the only open Urgent Care in the entire Treasure Valley on a Sunday evening at 6:45 pm.

Although we were there because Henry was in pain (along with other symptoms I thought warranted an immediate trip to the doctor), I had a lovely time. A lovely time with just Henry. I watched him play with the magnet table in the waiting room. When he grew tired of that, I whipped some paper out of my bag and we drew a boat together.

Inside the exam room he sat on my lap while we waited for the doctor. I rubbed his back as he pointed out every circle he could find and then every item that had a face on it. Afterward, we stopped by the grocery for supplies and remedies that he wanted to help carry because they were for him.

By the time we returned home at 8:30 Wyatt was fast asleep. Stephen reheated dinner and just the three of us sat down to eat. We had our usual dinner discussion about the best and worst parts of our days. Henry told Stephen all about his trip to Urgent Care and what the doctor had said.

I commented that it was kind of a special treat for Henry to have time alone with Mom and Dad. He agreed. He suggested that he and Wyatt flip a coin every night to determine who can stay up past bedtime with Mom and Dad. Sorry to disappoint Henry, but that's not going to happen!

***

At one point, Stephen and I talked about making an effort to spend time alone with each of our boys. Like each of us having one-on-one time with each child. But it rarely happens. And when it does, it's usually me forcing one of the boys to come to the grocery store with me, which hardly counts quality time alone. Maybe we should try harder, especially considering how much I enjoyed being with just Henry.

Do other parents of twins think about the potential value of time alone with each parent? Do you make it a priority? Do you have a system? Or do you have a different way to make each child feel special and unique?