Twin Tuesday: Would I Do it Again?
The other evening on Twitter, I learned that a fellow blogger, Zoie, is about 29 weeks pregnant with twin girls. I was super excited for her. After having twins, it is always fun to welcome someone new to the “club”. It was also fun to tweet with her about the ups and downs of twin pregnancy, and then to assure her that a natural birth and ease in breastfeeding is indeed possible.
Then she asked me:
@dakotapamthink you’ll ever do it again?
— Zoie (@TouchstoneZ) July 28, 2012
And I chuckled a little. Do a twin pregnancy again? Do twin labor again? Live in a recliner for four months while twins breastfeed all day and night back to back? And then I answered:
@touchstonez I’m old! And man, it was so hard, but I think I would. I really love mothering twins!— Pam Thompson (@Dakotapam) July 28, 2012
Because, I’m not going to lie, it was not easy at all! But, I guess I would not trade these two blessings for the world!
I love watching them grow, watching for similarities, enjoying their differences. I love seeing them lean on each other and learn from each other. I love the warm, comforting weight of two 2 year-olds on my lap.
There is something about mothering twins that is both challenging and rewarding at the same time.
If I could do this again, I’d worry less and relish more.
I’d throw out all of the schedules and just accept a few months of exhaustion in return for less stress.
I’d rush things less.
I’d take even more photos!
Chime in! If you have twins, would you want another set? Do you have another set? What would you have done differently? I’d love to hear from you!
Absolutely, without a doubt, oh yeah!! I wish everyone could get the chance to have twins. Although my friends think that everyone should just get the chance to have a friend with twins.
When I look back I think God gave me all of my friends with twins to prepare me to mother twins. I always said that it was better them than me, now I know the truth!
Twitter: dakotapam
Thank-you Zoie! I like how you think.
Twitter: dakotapastor
I would do it again in a heart beat!! I say they are my 2 for 1 deal! You are correct, it was extremely hard, but so worth it!
Well let’s just say I’m glad I don’t have to. The first year with twins and a two year old left me at a loss. A loss for sleep, a loss for energy, and a loss for adequacy. I never before felt like I was spread so thin. But then three years later I somehow pulled it together enough to give birth to number four. And she has survived an entire year with us, as of this very day!
Congrats to Zoie! Welcome to the club.
I have spent 40 years as an identical twin and would not change anything. I LOVE being a twin. There is nothing else like it in the whole world!
Yes, I pray that my girls have a good relationship like that!
Twitter: dakotapam
I love your twinnies like they’re my own nieces. The world wouldn’t be the same without them! <3
Twitter: EssieBurns
The world would be QUIETER!
Twitter: dakotapam
What a GREAT question!!! I think I will have to blog about it =). I would say yes, although it was DEFINITELY a lot of work and very challenging. I’m actually kind of sad that my son doesn’t have a twin too! I love the bond that the girls have…but I am very glad not to have to do the constant breastfeeding and operating on 2 hours of sleep a day for months as you described all over again. That was brutal the first time!!!
Yes, see, I think if I were to have a singleton after twins I would feel like someone was missing. I’ve actually heard that from a lot of twin moms. Funny how our minds change:) How is the little guy doing?
Twitter: dakotapam
Indeed! It absolutely feels like someone is missing! I love having just one though! I get to nurse essentially unrushed, cuddle for as long as he is willing….there isn’t another baby in line waiting for his/her turn =). He is doing amazingly well – thanks for asking – gaining weight like a champ – up to 13.8 lbs at 7 weeks – the kid is practically a football linebacker already! HA!
Awesome! Warning: little boys steal your heart!
Twitter: dakotapam
I wouldn’t take it back for the world. My girls are such a joy and wonder for me everyday!!! The rewards of being a twin mom make the memory of an anxiety-filled twin pregnancy and those first sleepless nights worth it.
Twitter: mytwintopia
Exactly that! Thanks for doing your prt to encourage other twin moms!
Twitter: dakotapam
I’m guessing that part about living in a recliner for 4 months was no exaggeration. You have the bragging rights of being the only person I know to breastfeed twins for more than a few weeks.
Not an exaggeration! I did, however watch a lot of Netflix streaming during that time. I was determined to not give the twins less than I gave my singletons. Maybe that was silly, but I like to think they benefited from not being forced onto a schedule.
Twitter: dakotapam
Like one could “choose” to have twins or not
. I think all of your if-I-did-it-again stuff — less scheduling, more pics, etc — is applicable to EVERY mother.
Twitter: lisacng
When I first came home with twins I was hit with post partum depression & I thought I would never live through all the difficulties of twins. Now I’m back in gear, I love my two boys and I’m learning to enjoy the small joys that are unique to raising twin boys. We will try for more children & if God blesses us with twins again, we are prepared to handle it with grace & excitement.