twins

Photo by rebabeach2

At one point in my pregnancy, I was really hoping for twins. They run in my family, and I thought, "How wonderful to get twice as many laughs, hugs, and kisses for one effort." Twins always have a friend to play with, and they are never lonely -- but, then again, neither are you and your SO when it comes time for baths, diapering, and bedtime stories.

My kids are close in age, so I often imagine this is what having twins must be like. Well, not exactly, a few moms of real twins recently told me. Aside from the sheer number, having two children the same age presents a set of issues and challenges virtually unknown to moms of singles.


Photo by rebabeach2

Since we're celebrating CafeMom's second birthday, I thought it fitting to ask some moms of real twins for an inside look at life with two two-year-olds. rebabeach2, owner of the Moms of Twins group, told me that she can't begin to explain how blessed she feels to have her two identical twins, Emma Marie and Olivia Anne, who will be celebrating their birthday on December 18, in her life.

What are they doing right now?

They are picking up words and phrases quicker than I can keep up! Right now they are really into counting, coloring, and their own version of hide-and-seek. One girl will run around a corner and the other one will "find" her by running after her. They scream and laugh hysterically when the first girl gets "caught."

Emma, the firstborn, does everything first -- stood, crawled, walked, spoke. Olivia was about 3 days to a month behind, but her teeth all came in before Emma's. Oliva has better fine-motor control and is more accurate with puzzles. Emma is the dancer and has perfected jumping (she just bends her knees and pop us up really fast while yelling, "Ta-da!").

What's the best thing about being a mom of twins?

Seeing the twin connection unfold. They have begun talking in "twin talk," a strange language only they understand. It's too funny to see them babble to each other, then both get up and run off to some unknown part of the house, as if they are planning something. They can't be apart from each other for more than five minutes, either.

What's the biggest challenge?

There are three:

My energy level. Mommy gets double the play time, which is great but exhausting. I also work, so I have long forgone any personal hobbies or activities (except CafeMom!).

Play dates and outings. I cannot bring them without extra hands. Two toddlers = two sets of feet running in different directions = mom having a panic attack.

Sickness. There is NO way to prevent both girls from getting sick once one of them gets a bug. There's nothing more heartbreaking than to listen to her child cry, knowing she needs some TLC, and your arms are already full with another sick child.

Can people tell your girls apart?

No one in my family can. Even my husband and I still mix them up for a second or two. I mainly tell them apart by the shape of their faces, but no one else, not even my husband, sees the differences. To me, Olivia looks more like my younger brother and Emma looks like me when we were babies.

Olivia has a small birthmark on her right shoulder. Emma's front teeth are slightly crooked. Olivia has a little bump on the second toe of her left foot. Emma has a small bump on the side of her right ear. There are always those toddler bruises that help out too -- LOL!

What are some issues unique to raising twins?

Right now, we are experiencing identity confusion. Neither girl really knows her name and will constantly call her sister by her own name. I currently dress them the same, but that's coming to an end. I really want the girls to recognize themselves as individuals as well as being twin sisters. Dressing them differently will help us all to keep them straight and let them begin to realize they aren't just twins.

Got twins yourself? Is it really quadruple the amount of work?

Check back later for more twin talk.