Twins: A Public Service Announcement

Perhaps it's been the yucky weather. Perhaps it's been the fact that one of my little angels has been under the weather. Perhaps it's been the fact that I, too, have been under the weather, and we were Dad-less for the first full night last night. Whatever the case, I suppose now I have enough courage (or rather frustration) to make a small public service announcement regarding twins for the very small, I'm sure, amount of followers who read this blog.
I suppose it all started during my pregnancy. For awhile, I dismissed certain comments as, "Well, they didn't really mean for it to sound that way." or "Hmmm...that seemed like a strange thing to ask someone." or "Um, well that wasn't really any of their business." And now in the 4th month of actually having twins, I think I've officially come to my boiling point. This small cartoon so very eloquently displays my, and many other multiples moms', frustrations.
Allow me to say that were I not blessed with twins, I could very easily fall victim to asking a multiples mom some of these very same questions. And I write this post with equal amounts of sarcasm and seriousness. If you have ever asked a mom expecting multiples any of these questions, don't beat yourself up, but in the future, it would serve you well to avoid them.
From the beginning of my pregnancy, I just wanted to be like every other "expectant mom." I wanted people, whether it be friends or strangers, to smile and congratulate me on my impending motherhood. Some did, and some gave me some rather, ahem, odd responses. Such as:

1. "I'm so sorry. Bless your heart." (no lie)
2. "Better you than me." (gee thanks)
3. "Ooooh, double trouble!" (so original)
4. "You'll have your hands full for sure!" (no crap)

If you've ever given a multiples mom any of these responses upon discovering she is carrying more than one fetus, just don't ever say it again. A simple, "Oh congratulations" or "How exciting!" will suffice. How would you feel if everyone's initial reaction to your little bundle was one of grief and sorrow? You may think it, but for heavens sake, don't say it.

Another thing I learned very quickly while carrying twins, is that people need a concrete, fool-proof absolute certain reason as to why you got pregnant with twins. Very few individuals can end a conversation without somehow slyly (or not so slyly) probing into the cause of this freakish phenomenon. But what I eventually discovered is that really, they just want to know if you struggled with infertility. Some women (like me) happen to be unashamed of the fact that they had to take fertility drugs to become pregnant. Others, however, are not too open to the idea of discussing it. Bottom line, it would serve you well to not ask the question I've been asked more than any other:

"So do twins run in your family?"

This is a super sneaky way of wanting to know, officially, if this person used fertility drugs. And quite honestly, it's none of your business if they did! While some women do in fact get pregnant with twins and triplets spontaneously, not all of them have twins "in their family." And while some do, and will gladly share that 4 of their cousins, and 9 of their aunts and uncles have twins, how does it make the moms who did in fact use fertility drugs feel? In a word, awkward. For awhile, when a person I didn't know very well would ask this question, I would give some awkward response like, "Well, my mother-in-law was a triplet" (which, coincidentally, is the truth!). It would be so funny to watch the person's response. Most would just give me a strange look, feeling like I just gave them a partial answer. Recently, I've just decided to make the person asking the question feel equally as awkward by saying, "Well, not really. We used fertility drugs if that's what you're asking." I don't believe this is a rude response, but rather an equal response to the question asked. And allow me to say that, once again, I'm not ashamed of my dysfunctional ovaries that required a little assistance. It can just be awkward to launch into my personal history with a person I don't know that well at a social gathering, Target, or check-out line at the grocery store. Also, bear in mind, how many times a mom of twins has, in fact, been asked that question (oh how I wish I had kept track from the beginning!). And think about how irritated you would be having had to awkwardly answer it a gazillion times!

And honestly, while I'm ranting and raving, I think the issue at the bottom of it all, is the fact that so many people want to attribute my babies as the result of fertility drugs. Yes, I did take 5 little pills for 5 days the month I got pregnant. But in no way shape or form do I believe that's the reason I stand here today with my 2 daughters. I think there is a much higher power that is responsible for them being here. Millions of women all over the world undergo fertility treatment after fertility treatment that, unfortunately, never results in a baby. But I happen to believe that every life on this earth is not here by accident, and certainly not here only because his/her mom took fertility drugs. And how unfortunate for those who believe that.

I realize that this all may sound a little harsh. And allow me to reiterate, I say all of this mostly in humor, but also to make you more aware of how moms with multiples may perceive your questions. And before you think I'm a crazy lady with pent up anger and frustration, I do not in any way lose sleep over this matter, or come home and beat things with a baseball bat (Ok, maybe only some days. Hey, what do you expect? I have twins).

So now you can officially consider yourself "twinformed." :)

xoxo

Four Months

I sit here in shock as I type this that my girls are already four months old. In some ways it has felt like 4 years, in other ways, 4 days. Mostly I'm just amazed at how quickly the days fly by. But boy oh boy are these girls growing by leaps and bounds! It seems like they are doing/discovering something new everyday, and it is so much fun. A few things we are loving about our girls each day (other than the fact that they are the cutest and sweetest little munchkins around):

1. Smiling, smiling, and MORE smiling! I probably have more pictures of Campbell (or CJ as we like to call her a lot) smiling because she seems to enjoy posing for the camera more than sister, but goodness how these girls love to grin.

2. The beginnings of laughing! Their Aunt Sara, Sam, and Daddy seem to ignite more giggles out of them than Mommy (go figure!), but we are starting to hear little noises that sound like laughing. I can only imagine the silly things we will all continue to do to ignite the sweetest sounds in the world.

3. Starting to grab at things and use their hands. It's been so much fun to see them slowly start to realize what their chubby little fingers are for. They have started to grab at rings on their playmat, burp cloths, blankets, bottles, hair, and Sophie is so proud of the fact that she can pull out and hold her pacifier in her hand. Tonight when Kyle got home, she pulled out her paci so she could give him a big grin! It was yet another one of those heart melting moments. She has even, a few times, yanked out sister's paci (much to her dismay). Wonder what other things they will steal from each other 12 years from now? :)

4. We are (gulp) officially sleeping in our big girl cribs! Well, technically big girl crib {we aren't quite ready to separate them yet :) }. The transition went amazingly smoother than I ever could have expected. And a big thanks to everyone who checked in to see how it went! I was pretty nervous it was going to be a huge undertaking with countless trips across the house to soothe/put pacis back in, and the girls would think I had abandoned them forever (yep, I'm dramatic). But it was as though the girls had wanted to be there from the beginning. They love their crib (and I'm sure mostly more room to stretch out)! All four of us are sleeping so much better.

5. We had our 4 month check up today, and it was a little more chaotic than our other visits. Sophie has been a little congested ever since the weather turned nice. I thought it was just seasonal allergies, but yesterday evening she began to run a temperature, just in time for our 4 month visit. She was still smiley, happy Sophie until we got to the doctor, and then she took a turn for the worse. It was concluded she had an ear infection on top of fever and congestion, and the doctor said if her cough worsened over the next several days it could potentially be RSV. He didn't hear any wheezing, which was a good sign, so we are hoping and praying it is just a virus that will run its course. The next day or two will be a big indicator. I'm not even going to go into how much we have done to avoid this particular illness due to the fact that it can be more dangerous for premature babies. And it has been so unbelievably difficult to see her feeling so bad. I will just be saying lots of prayers that she heals quickly and we escape RSV-free.

We just fall more and more in love with these precious angels every day. Here are some pictures (with my new, non-broken camera) from the past month.

Can't you tell they just loooove when I pose them?

We LOVE our Aunt Sara!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sophie chillin' in the rocker

CJ

Hanging out with our handsome, younger cousin on V-Day.

Mommy just loved taking us on walks in our jogger stroller in the beautiful weather.

CJ likes to pretend she is a big girl in her boppy.

Sophie LOVES talking to Aunt Sam. They have the best conversations!

And of course also loves talking to Daddy.

This captures their personalities so well. Campbell posing, Sophie looking at me like I'm a crazy person.

Can't wait to see what the next four months hold!

xoxo



Nurse Kimak

First of all, let me just say that it is a travesty that I am just now getting a picture of my girls with their favorite NICU nurse-Kim Kimak! She has come to see the girls several times since they were born, but sleep-deprived Mom has completely forgotten to get a picture of them with her! Let me tell you why she is so special...
Kim is one of my very best friends. We go way back to our crazy college days. We met because she was an (awesome) tennis player at UCO, and I played volleyball. We met one hot summer during our grueling summer workouts for the female athletes. Kim has one of the funniest, bubbliest, and brightest personalities I know. My last semester of college, I moved in with 2 other of my very dear friends, Shayna and Brooke, and the 4 of us had an absolute blast together! We have remained super close even today, and I'm so grateful for our friendship.
Kim has always known she wanted to be a nurse. She worked her tail off in college and nursing school and always knew she wanted to work with kids. So she became a NICU nurse. I so admired her for taking on such a challenging role, but I knew she would thrive at it. Little did I know she would someday take care of my babies. When the girls were born 5 weeks early, I learned the difficult news that they would be spending a little time in the NICU. However, this difficult time was made tremendously easier by the fact that one of my best friends would be taking care of them for 3 of the 8 days they were there. To say she took great care of them would be an understatement. Words cannot describe how amazing she was with my girls. And to know they were in the care (even when I couldn't be there) of someone who I knew cared for them so much was a dream come true. I could go into a million reasons why she was so amazing with them, and I will forever be so unbelievably grateful for the wonderful care they were given by her (and of course the other amazing nurses). Kim was also responsible for allowing me to hold both of my babies together for the first time. I moment I tear up thinking about and will always remember. She would listen to me vent, let me cry on her shoulder, and prayed with me when I thought I didn't have anymore strength. I knew that week that God had put her in my life for such a special reason, and how lucky are all of the babies who will be taken care of by her.
This week, I also learned that she will be taking care of 2 of the 3 triplets my friend, Stephanie Coy, just had. Although my heart breaks for the Coys and the journey they will be taking the next several weeks, I am confident that Kim will help them in the same way she helped us, and she will show them the same hope she showed me.
So our special friendship to begin with was multiplied a hundred fold by this experience. Kim, I don't know what I'd do without you, and I love you dearly!

Jazzing up Coffee

So now that we are officially in our house (and once again making a mortgage payment), it has been decided that our single-income-supporting-twins family can no longer afford for me to get my triple grande peppermint mocha 5 days a week. Shux. I have to admit it was a nice little luxury (and might I add, much needed) I had while we were mooching off my parents and living the high life. My Etsy/online shopping addiction has had to tone down, as well. I might still need some form of rehab for the Etsy thing. I think I actually got the shakes the other day resisting the urge to get on and look for some impractical clothing/accessory item for the girls. All of this is to say that I have had to get creative in replacing my coffee habit. After our family superbowl party at our house the other night, my mom left her can of whipped cream in our fridge. I thought to myself, "Hmmmm, Starbucks puts whipped cream on coffee drinks, maybe I can too." So now my morning coffee gets a dollop of deliciousness every morning. Other ideas I plan on trying this week: drizzling chocolate syrup, sprinkling cinnamon on the whip.

I do realize these aren't revolutionary ideas, but just thought I'd share for any other thrifty coffee lovers.

And picture #2 is purely optional.

Happy coffee drinking. :)

Fun with Bumbos

With all of this snow day fun came some boredom on my part. So, what better way to keep us entertained than try out our super cool pink bumbos? I don't think the girls are quite ready for these, but it sure was hilarious to see them in it. Someday we'll get the hang of this head control thing...

Hey Mom, is this how this thing works?

Whoooooaaaaaaaa

Snow Days and Three Months

So I know I have been a huge blogging slacker. With our "big move" and 2 little attention-hungry three and a half month olds (WOW!), I've been busy to say the least. When I'm not feeding/playing with my little munchkins, I'm frantically trying to keep up with a house, and, yes, still unpacking boxes (will this ever end?). Here are a few pics my sister took with her cool camera. And the troubles with my camera are back in that it is officially broken. Kyle has told me I will have a new one by Valentine's. Until then, keep up the good work, Aunt Sara! 

Three months old, and we finally have our own cribs!

Sophie having a big stretch during the snow storm!

Miss Campbell Jane

Have you ever seen four prettier blue eyes?

My little snow bunnies.

My big girls

These girls certainly keep me on my toes. I can only imagine that it will NOT be getting easier! They are starting to smile TONS, which is so much fun. They are happiest in the mornings, which is great because Mommy happens to be happiest in the mornings, too. All 3 of us start to hit an afternoon slump around 3, which is usually when I text Daddy to see when he will be home. I truly, truly don't know what I'd do without him. Our girls just adore him, and always have a smile for him as soon as he gets home. 

Hope everyone had fun and safe snow days. I'll do my best to stay on top of the blog with our busy lives now! :)

xoxo