Walking 6 miles at least every day in the comfort of my own home isn't because I'm trying to get fit after having twins - it's a necessity. Going upstairs and forgetting what I went up there for only to come downstairs and remember like 20 minutes later what I needed and then do it all again only to forget again is now instilled in me after 9 months of having my beautiful identical girls enter our world! I'm up and down the stairs about 50 times a day, getting one baby from their cot, carrying her downstairs, then getting the other one as I can't physically carry them both anymore, then getting washing, ironing, nappies (as I don't have a place to stash more than about 10 at a time downstairs and believe me you get through a tonne of nappies every day). The list goes on, but as you can see just 'pottering' around the house whilst looking after the girls is like doing half a marathon every day. And yep I can say that as I've actually run half a marathon before so know how exhausting it is. But unlike half a marathon which lasts about 2 hours, this goes on all day long. And I love it. You may think I'm completely mad and maybe I'm in the minority of Moms who don't actually complain or moan about being at home with not one, but two babies all day but it keeps me both physically and mentally fit. Maybe it's because I'm a bit older than when I had Caitlin and Bailey and appreciate everything so much more. Maybe it's because Darcie has been so poorly that I appreciate just life in general a whole lot more. I'd say it's both and I plan to cherish every little second, even the sleepless nights for as long as I can. Babies aren't babies for long and their cuteness will turn into tantrums before I know it!
Some days you'll find me in my pyjamas or 'lounge wear' as I like to call it at 3pm still and having a mad dash to get dressed before I go and get the other 2 from school. In fact, I'd stay in my lounge wear all day if I could but fear of having to get out the car on my 20 minute round trip to school and back forces me to get dressed! I never imagined I'd have twins but when the news sunk in I tried to fully prepare myself for what adventures and challenges would be thrown my way and wow do they keep you busy! But nothing prepares you for the real thing, no matter how many twin books or tips you read, there's always things you just have to find out for yourself...
Like how everything with twins is new, from the 'double' experiences to the conversations you have with people who stop you everywhere you go and gush over your little beauties. I never knew how popular twins were - you have people who stop you who are a twin or a grandparent to twins or people who simply want twins and then just people who have never seen twins before so want to look - the amount of people who have stopped to ask if they can 'have a look' is truly remarkable! That's when you realise how blessed you are - well I knew it already but still. Being part of the twin Mom club makes me feel truly honoured. I'm not saying it's easy - far from it, but it is special in so many ways! You have to learn new things pretty damn fast, like how to multitask and feed 2 babies at the same time and how to slim down your own getting ready routine just to get out the house first thing in the morning after spending 2 hours just getting the babies fed and dressed and dressed again after a last minute nappy change just as your about to walk out of the house.And I'm one of these mom's who's never on time, I mean even before twins, I was never on time so now I have no chance actually being on time. Ever. But I do have the best excuse!
I must admit though, I've never spent so much time at home with kids TV on, like Cbeebies all day long. I know what time the shows are on, know all the lyrics to all the shows and I actually relish when my favourite show comes on (ahem - I mean when the girls favourite show comes on!) And I don't apologise for it. Not one single bit. I'm making the most of spending my precious maternity leave with the girls before it's over, because I know for sure this is my last time after having 4 beautiful children and this stage goes way too fast!
Something I hadn't fully prepared myself for was the cost with twins - it's crippling, with your first born everything is new - you want a new pram, a new moses basket, a new cot, a new this, a new that. With your second virtually everything is a hand-me-down - I cringe admitting this but even Bailey had a pink high chair - eeeek! With twins, well you just need two of everything and of course they have to match so you have to buy everything new, or at least second-hand new and still then it's an eye opener how much double of everything totals up to. In saying that, we got rid of all our baby stuff and it's probably a good job we did as my, my, how things have advanced in 9 years. Never in a million years would I have thought you could buy a coffee maker-like machine that actually prepares bottles at the touch of a button. What-a-God-send when you need 2 bottles and like 5 minutes ago! Now why hadn't I thought of that get rich quick idea?!
One thing I said when pregnant and after learning we were having identical twins was that I'd swear I was never going to dress them the same. Ha. That lasted all of 2 weeks when I got fed up with people stopping me and asking if I had one of each because "they weren't dressed the same". I mean come on, really? Now I know why twins are dressed the same in a way I hadn't given much thought to before. But seriously, 9 times out of 10 my girls are dressed exactly the same, down to their vests and socks. Yes I know, I know, they'll ask me when their older why on earth I dressed them the same and yep, I'm asking myself the same thing when I look back on some photos and I hate to admit this, but have no clue whatsoever who is who! And I thought I could tell the difference, I mean Darcie is bigger than Harper, but nope I still can't tell! I knew I should have had an action plan to not get confused...like dressing one in a certain colour all the time or put one on the left all the time when taking pictures (yeah like I have the time or energy for that) but it does make interesting conversation when looking back on the old pictures and trying to figure out which is which! Just don't hate me girls for it when you're older!!
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