The Adventures of the Twin Princesses

It was this time last year I was getting ready to register the girls for their very first year of preschool. I was a ball of mixed emotions. Part of me was extremely excited for this next chapter. Part of me wanted time to stand still so that they could stay little forever. 

When I finally made it to registration day I wasn't prepared for just how competitive preschool was. I think I was 16 the last time I had to stand out in the cold for hours just to be sure I got what I came for. Unless of course you count years of Black Friday shopping, but that is beside the point. I stood in line for almost 2 hours to get 2 of the 14 coveted spots in a preschool 3s program. There are only two classes available: Morning and Afternoon. This was open registration. Only 1 spot was available in the morning but I was determined to see if they would make an exception. 

They wouldn't. 

We got afternoon class. I still felt like I had just won an olympic gold medal. YES! WE GOT IN!! Every year there is a waiting list apparently. This is only preschool right? Apparently I am wrong.

It's not "just" preschool. They are learning their letters, and colors, and numbers. Not just what babies or toddlers usally learn. They are learning how to write letters and how to make new colors from two other colors. They are learning about the five senses, patterns, magnets and fire drills. They are learning about the basic skills needed to be successful in school: listening, following rules, and doing the work assigned. 

My babies are growing up!

The main thing I loved about this school, the one thing that convinced me this was the perfect school for them was because its a co-op. Parents are very hands-on with the class. I get to help in class occasionally and see first hand the things my girls learn and do. I get to watch them enjoying school as I did when I was a kid. I get to witness them making new friends, building a relationship with their teacher and growing up. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!

Fast forward to now. We are half way through the school year and already talking about registration for next year. We are talking the last year before Kindergarten. The last year of part time school before going full days. 

Did I mention, my babies are growing up?

While I am sad at times to see how independent my "babies" have become, at least I found a school that allows me to participate and observe first hand their independence.

As a parent of twins, you learn very quickly that there are definite stages in your childrens development that are very difficult, very trying, and almost never-ending. As my girls approach the age of 2, true toddler years, I wouldn't consider it easier, but it definitely is less overwhelming. They are fully capable of playing on their own, eating some foods on their own and walking on their own. As a parent of toddlers, you may even get some personal time back (just some, let's not get greedy).

All in all, the task of raising multiples is difficult but not impossible.

A recent experience I had made me realize that a lot of people don't quite see it that way. It's almost as if we have a target on our backs. The looks of pitty, the stories of how their 2nd cousin once removed had twins also, the overwhelming sense of your personal space being invaded begin. It's as if the societal norms of proper manners are just thrown out the window the minute a parent of multiples walks in the room.

"Woah, you must have your hands full." "I can't even imagine." "Better you than me." "How do you get anything done?"  Sometimes, you just have to laugh it off, give that awkward smile and keep on walking. Again, it's difficult but not impossible.

Coming back to my experience from the other day, I appreciate the door holding as I am trying to keep one child from running off simultaneously while I am trying to stop the other child from picking up every thing she sees. I also don't mind you helping me get highchairs to my table as you tell me a story about your twin grandchildren. However, I don't need you touching my children, allowing your other grandchildren to pick them up, or the unsolicited advice about what stroller I should get. Also, not all twins are the same. Don't ask me which is the bossy one, because you have a bossy twin grandchild. My children aren't bossy and play very well together.

I try not to come off as the stereotypical jaded twin parent. I know how difficult it is to raise any child (where you have 1, multiples, or even more than one child at different ages) but for some reason, people are drawn to us every time we go out in public.

 "Yes, my hands are full of loving, caring children." "We were shocked ourselves, but enjoy every minute of it." "Yes we are grateful for the girls we have" "We learn to adapt to to schedules. That's how we get things done."

While the task can be extremely difficult at times, I wouldn't change being a parent of multiples for anything else in the world.

There must be something wrong. There has to be a simple explanation to it. I know, someone must have entered our house, without us knowing it, and switched our adorable, chunky, little babies for these two energetic, spunky, cute-as-can-be toddlers. Right?

A friend recently told me, while looking at the girls' birthday pictures, that Olivia and Juliana just look so much older since their birthday. It's only been 3 1/2 months. I was thinking the same thing yesterday. As I watched my girls play, learn, and explore, I realized then that I no longer have babies. I have two small children in my house. Children who imitate, digest information, and learn more complex skills. Children who run, jump and dance. Children...who are toddlers.

But it's only been 3 1/2 months.

While I am sad that I no longer have babies and realize how quickly time has gone by, I am enjoying every moment of this next step. Olivia and Juliana's personalities are just so big and different from one another. Its an absolute joy just seeing and anticipating what they would do next. The skills and knowledge they now possess. They can talk, and run, and climb, and play pretend. Knowing we as parents, as well as those that are constantly around them, have done something right.

Hey look, Juliana is cleaning up her toys. Yay, I taught her that. Oh, look over there, Olivia is dancing to her favorite song. She got that from her mama :)

First words, sign language, motor skills and exploration. Every step of the way as my girls continue to grow has been an amazing journey thus far. Just like every mother out there, I think my girls are the smartest little kiddos in the world.

When deciding on a name for a baby, every person seems to approach the task differently. Some people have a list of their top 5 names for each sex, and narrow it down as the birth date approaches. Others have that one specific name since childhood, which they had always wanted to use. Some parents are willing to share from day one, while others keep it a secret until the day the baby is born. There is even a select few who need to wait until the baby is born to see what their baby looks like, maybe how they act to determine what name to use. 

The later tradition makes me think, how much does personality play in naming a baby?

I am not one for secrets. I've been completely open about my pregnancy and our emotional journey. I shared that I was having twins, that they were girls. I even shared the names I chose. It’s funny because in the beginning we had 2 very specific names picked, unfortunately they were boy names. 

We always wanted a boy.

Once we found out we were having two girls, we were over the moon excited. However, it was back to the drawing board with names. What names do we want? What should we pick? I knew that I always enjoyed classic names. 

Olivia Noelle and Juliana Marie were created. Olivia was timeless, classic, and sweet. She's also a character in my favorite crime drama SVU. Juliana (pronounced AH-NA not ANN-NA) also seemed classic but also a bit feisty, Latin flair. Noelle is Eric's sister's middle name; Marie seemed to simply fit with Juliana.  

We had our names; we were set to go. We immediately shared the news that we had names picked out for our girls. Of course, in response to this announcement, we got the same question on several occasions: How would we know which baby would be what name? 

This is where, I truly believe, a name fits the personality. I also believe, in my case, there personalities have been pretty solid since before birth. Baby A was always calm, more reserved, still. Baby B was energetic, a show off in sonograms, firecracker.

Baby A is Olivia, Baby B Juliana.  

For the most part, their respective personalities remained the same. Olivia approaches new things cautiously. Juliana jumps in full force. Olivia can sit there quietly and play. Juliana can have a LOUD 20 minute conversation with herself. Olivia will shyly smile sometimes where Juliana will squeal. 

While my girls aren't one dimensional, they have over this 1st year grew, changed, developed other aspects to their little tiny personalities, for the most part their main characteristics have been the same prior to their births. 

Both can make me laugh for hours.

While people have their own traditions, ways to name their unborn child, I really believe personality plays a key role in this decision. I couldn't imagine their names switched. It just doesn't fit.

Every mother has either said or heard the phrase: "The first year goes by so fast!" As I approach the one year mark, less than 3 months away, I know that this phrase isn't just another cliche. In fact, I can't even believe it's been 9 months. 

How can 365 days possible go any quicker than any other previous year?

The days where your child is constantly screaming at the top of his/her lungs, you wish for them to grow up. This year will never end. The numerous sleepless nights, feeding around the clock, forgetting what clean, un-spit up, clothes are.  Seriously, why would people say the first year is quick. At times it feels like time is standing still. 

Suddenly my girls are 9 months old. They are little people, with their own big personalities. Oh My God, you girls will be 1 soon. ONE! Where has the time gone? 

When you realize how much a baby learns in one year from the day they are born, you begin to think there can't possibly be only 12 months in a year. From simply learning how to hold their heads up to learning how to sit up. From learning how to keep formula down without spitting it all up to learning how to eat solid foods. From laying to rolling to scooting to crawling. Standing to walking! 

Weren't my girls just born? 

My girls are very mobile. Olivia is constantly crawling all over the place. Juliana is starting to army crawl, just a week or so behind her "big" sister. I seriously feel like i just blinked and they grew up. 

Didn't I just return to work? That couldn't possibly have happened 6 months ago. 

There were times that I wished they would grow up; who hasn't. The year may go by fast but it's not easy. However, knowing how fast it has gone, I'd rather have those difficult nights than not having children at all.  

For those who are just starting out, or are still pregnant. Don't dismiss those "cliche" sayings. There are some truth behind them. Before you know it, your child became a todler. 

Just don't blink, you just may miss 3 months of your babies life.