Life With Twins

    Life is crazy with twins. I am sure any twin parent can attest. It is all about controlled chaos though. Schedules are my best friend. When we get off our schedule, it is brutal. For all of us. Alan, actually, learned last night why I am so strict on the babies finishing their bottles at night….it isn't fun waking up only a few hours later instead of sleeping through the night. Mornings are our best time. After our first bottle feed between 6-7 AM, the babies go back to sleep until 10-11 AM, which is a wonderful thing. When they wake up, they are the happiest of the day. Cooing and playing and smiles galore. Afternoons are a little chancier. And if you think you have a chance after 4 PM to guess moods, think again!
     Going out in public has become a feat in itself, as well. I've only forgotten the pacis once and nipples to the bottles once. They usually are pretty good as long as we are moving. I try to keep them in their carseats in their stroller as much as possible, but when grocery shopping it is easier to put one in the buggy in the carseat and wear the other one in the baby bjorn. And, like all things, we do it all quickly.
     It is quite funny going out with the boys. I actually took them when I went to vote the other day. While standing in line the man behind me counted how many times I was asked certain questions. Now let me preface this with I had blue blankets on the boys. He said to me, "You just need to make a sign. Yes, they are twins. No, they are two boys. They are 16 weeks old. No, they are not identical." And, that is pretty much the questions I answer on a repetitive basis. He had counted over 20 times while in line for 45 minutes with people who were standing right beside each other. It, also, is like a moving spectacle. The "aw, twins" we get always make me smile. Someone told me before they were born to be prepared for people always looking at us and saying something. They were right! I don't mind it one bit, it makes me smile, and also laugh at times.
    Like I said previously, schedules are our best friend. When we get off this due to sickness or one baby not cooperating, it is ROUGH. When you get to feed them at the same time and put them down to sleep at the same time, so much more can get done in the day! And, I have learned how to do all things QUICKLY in that nap time. Because you never know how long it is going to last. Thankful for advice from friends, we have developed our nighttime routine which has helped get the babies to sleep through the night. And yes, when you have twins, the best thing to do is feed them at the same time. It isn't hard.
   But, what I have learned with the life of twins is a dirty house is okay and I can't freak out or fuss if everything isn't in perfect condition. Laundry may go undone, dusting lacking, and vacuuming just a dream. As long as babies are fed, bottles washed, and my children happy, life is good.
   I have wonderful boys. They are such good babies and I am beyond blessed with this. They are sweet and love everyone. They love to "talk" to you and think they are hilarious. I couldn't imagine twins any other way. It's so fun to watch their continued personalities come out. Zach is the more sensitive of the two and his feelings are hurt pretty quickly. He also has quite the temper that goes 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. He loves to talk and be verbal. He also loves his sleep. We have had a few 10 hour sleep nights already. Ayden is a little quieter on a daily basis, but when he gets upset, he has a high pitch cry that can pierce anyone's ears! He is a mobile little thing and loves moving his arms and legs all of the time. He continues to love being a social being. They are both snugglers. They are no longer premie looking and Ayden has tripled his birth weight (something he is supposed to do by the age of 1, not 3 months). Zach is one pound from tripling his birthweight. We are eaters! Enjoying my moments with them.