Although it was more than 3 years ago, I can very vividly remember the moment at our 7 week ultrasound visit when the ultrasound technician told us we were having twins. I also remember sitting in a chair int he hallway of the doctor's office waiting to see a doctor after the ultrasound to discuss twins. I had so many thoughts swarming my mind, and I can only imagine the thoughts that went through Ben's mind. Having a math background, my thoughts beyond the "oh my goodness thoughts" focused on the financial aspects including the idea of needing 2 cribs, 4 car seats, pay double the amount of day care, which all culminated into a single thought that I was so glad we had waited until we were in a good financial position to have children. And there are still some days that I think "I can't believe we have twins - this happens to other people, not us", but then there are days that I am SO reminded that we have twins whether it is a bad day or an extra special day where you see the bond between Alex and Olivia shine.
We are almost 3 years into being parents of twins and boy what a ride it has been. We have definitely had our ups and downs but if there is one thing I have learned is that Ben and I make a great team. I couldn't do it without him. It hasn't always been easy but at times we have had such a rhythm and routine that we didn't think it was too bad. Then came 2 - 2 1/2 came and that involved a move from Connecticut to Kentucky....it was a rough time for all of us between getting settled, getting molars, not behaving, etc. but in the end it has all been worth it as I really do believe Alex and Olivia have become so much closer because of the move and the experiences they have had. We changed a lot in their little lives, but they have always had each other.
But as I loo back, I am amazed at how things have changed over time with going through this experience as a first time parent, and two children to learn the ropes and practice on rather than just one.
Bath time - We used the kids' infant tub until they were 9 or 10 months old which is probably crazy because once they could sit up it probably made the most sense to put them in the regular bath tub together. But Ben and I had such a routine to bath time, so much that we wouldn't have ever wanted someone to help us out because we had it down pat. Then we moved into the bathtub when they weren't fitting any longer in the infant tub which involved both of us washing the kids. And I don't remember at what point this happened but we eventually went down to just one of washing - - not sure why we tried to squeeze two of us next to the bathtub when one of us could handle it. Now the other gets some free time during bath time (although it isn't that long but long enough to decompress from work or to get the dishes done).
Taking the kids into daycare - Super easy when they were both in infant car seats, that is if you classify "easy" as carrying two 10 lbs car seats each with a baby inthem. We finally grew out of them at around 9/10 months but neither could walk. So my choices were to set up the stroller every morning or put one in the Baby Bjorn and carry the other. The stroller would have beena pain, and Ben can attest to the fact I have never been good at pushing the side by side stroller in close spaces, so I opted for the Bjorn. It worked great! And some people would say to me "I can't believe you put that on every morning" but in all honesty, what else was I suppose to do? Then they got too big for the Bjorn, so I had to have them walk, but they didn't always want to hold my hands, so it was NEVER easy! It seemed to always result in someone throwing a temper tantrum or someone running away in the parking lot. But now we are in such a better place. They both love to hold my hand, and they even enjoy holding each others hands. So typically you will see us in a parking lot with me holding one of their hands while they are holding their brother or sister's hand. We do still have some days though where it feels like I a herding sheep.
Weekend morning routine - Since they have been born we have both always gotten up every Saturday and Sunday morning when they woke up. When they were younger they both needed to be fed which was easier when there were two of us and as they got older we still did it so that someone could take care of the kids while the other takes care of Dudley. And we have always been luck with our kids sleeping in on the weekend as typically it isn't any earlier than 7:30 and sometimes as late as 8:30. We still complain it is too early, but we always have to remind ourselves that we are blessed with kids who are not getting up at 6 on the weekends (not sure I could function with that). One morning a few weeks ago, Alex woke up before Olivia so I got up with him and let him play until Olivia woke up. I made sure to take the monitor with me so Ben could get some extra sleep. I ended up entertaining the kids until 9 and let Ben sleep in. I think he truly enjoyed the extra sleep, and so now we have tried to make this a regular thing. We take turns we each get to sleep in one day each weekend.
Going out to eat - this use to involve high chairs, booster seats, bottles, sippy cups, bibs, their own silverware, diapers and everything that goes along with diapers. This is so much easier......no highchairs as they sit in boosters now, and soemtimes they get to sit without boosters if they are being good, no bottles, no sippy cups, and no diapers. It is WONDERFUL! Since most places give kids a cup with a straw we just use that and they are starting to use regular sized silverware and are both potty trained (we are down to just 1 pullup each day just for Alex!)!!!! It is truly WONDERFUL!!!
And being home with both of them is not so overwhelming and daunting as it once was, well unless you have to put them down for nap. But they play with each other and typically really enjoy each others company which makes the job that much easier. But I do enjoy any time that I get to have one on one time with them since it is so infrequent but yet so special.
Thanks Ben for being a great teammate!!!!
1 comment:
Love you guys!!! :)
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