What I've learned

It amazes me what I have learned and things I have picked up over the past 9 months. Little tricks that literally save me hours in the long run and make me feel happier. What have I learned you ask?

Lets see, most importantly Caffeine is my very, very best friend! I've learned that the saying that you will lose friends once you have kids, is insanely true. I literally have one person who I would still consider my good friend now a days, at least that is here in the area. A lot of people don't really understand, and if they do, they just don't get that I can't plop them in the car in a moments notice and head off to do X, Y, or Z. We have a schedule. Yes, I said a schedule - side eye me if you must, but until you have twins (or triplets) than I don't really want to hear what your thoughts are - and no, 'Irish Twins' do not count. The boys have thrived on our schedule and frankly it brings me peace of mind. They eat at (roughly, give/take 30 minutes) 6:30am, 10:30am, 2:30pm, and 6:30pm. So - if its near those times I try to stay home, especially with Hayden - he is a distracted eater, well non-eater. The one friend who really has stuck by my side understands that and doesn't mind doing things around it, nor does she mind coming over to my house to hang out or my insane love for Target. I can't just plop them somewhere, they are oh so very mobile now a days, and germs are a huge fear for me, so I'd rather keep them safe and healthy. I haven't seen many people since maybe two months or so after the boys came home and were still sleeping pretty frequently. And, I do understand it - but it's rather hurtful - just because I have babies doesn't mean my life is over. I do still have a brain - somewhat.

On that note, mom brain is very, very real. If I don't write something down, set a reminder, leave a note - I will NOT remember it. I won't remember to text someone back, email someone, go to an appointment, get x, y, z, from the store etc etc. Heck, I'm lucky if I remember to go to the bathroom when I realize I have to go, let alone brush my teeth. Gross, I know but it's the truth.

I've learned to do what I can, when I can. Which means - if they are content and playing on their mats/toy basket/jumperoo's - then I can use that time to wash bottles, make dinner, vacuum, go potty etc. I score a shower every morning for the most part (unless I plan on working out at night - yep I said working out!) with them in their Johnny Jump Ups next to me. I just make it work, they LOVE jumping so that helps out greatly. They're really independent babies for the most part and don't want to be held constantly, if they are happy, so it helps me get things done that I need to do. I'm so glad I really didn't hold them much during awake time, they adore being all over the place and just don't have the personality to sit around and snuggle. Sometimes I wish they would, but then I realize things would be drastically different. I've also learned - that there are times where one baby just has to cry because the other one needs me. It sucks, and it sucks BAD but I can only do so much. Especially now that it's almost impossible to comfort them both at one time - they're just too big now.

I've learned to go with the flow, and do what is best for them. We didn't start solids until 7.5 months actual age (5.5 adjusted). They weren't ready and didn't become ready until just past 7 months. We originally started with purees, the normal baby food. I steamed and pureed everything myself. One because its cheaper and two because it was something I really wanted to do. At first it was fun. Then I started dreading it. They boys flipped out after being in their high chairs longer than 10 minutes, they wanted to feed themselves which in turn made a huge mess. My high chairs were HUGE and I didn't like pulling/leaving them out. They weren't looking forward to it, nor was I. So we took a break and I bought new chairs (Fisher Price Booster Chairs - AMAZING! ) and switched to BLW. BLW is baby led weaning. Basically - I give them what I eat and most importantly, we eat together. This turned solids around for us. It made me eat healthier, and I was actually eating rather than quick snacks when I realized I was hungry - and the boys love food. They're happier, so much happier. It's amazing what a difference it has made. We eat breakfast and most days a snack and lunch/dinner. They really enjoy food now, and it's fun. Sure - it's still messy - especially yogurt. But they are actually eating and it's not stressful. It's a lot of fun to see how they figure out the taste and texture of different foods and watch to see what I'm doing too.

I've found that I'm very judgmental on other parents choices. I totally side eye the parents who have their young children out and about at 9, 10, 11 at night. Where it isn't a 'run' to the store for Tylenol, milk or bread - but just a luxury trip to shop around. Yeah - your kid should of been asleep a few hours ago. I also side eye parents who have also had babies early, and they have them out and about a few days after discharge. That scares me, it is SO easy for them to get sick - their lungs aren't as developed as a full term baby. Reckless parenting, so reckless. People always say that you'll pay for the "my children/I would never do that" comments. But to me there is more to parenting than giving birth - a whole lot of consideration and common sense.

While a lot of things may not of gone the way I wanted them to, I do have two healthy babies who have thankfully slept 12 hours a night since 4 months old, and put themselves to sleep for the night. They are so independent, and so determined. It's amazing to watch the progress they've made, and amazing to see just how much they know and can do. I never thought my 9 month olds would know where the toy basket is and pull up on it, to lean over and pull out whatever toy they want. They astonish me daily, in a good way of course. I am so impressed by how well they have overcome so many things. I think its a true testament of the strength God gives us and a testament on how amazing the human body is and what someone, despite being so small, can endure and prevail. Babies are so much stronger than we give them credit for.

I've also learned that those faces that are lite up with smiles at 6am can instantly make me go from being groggy to insanely happy within seconds. I can see how much they love me in the mornings, and seeing them so happy and smiling is worth every breathe I take. I've learned that I will fall in love with them, over and over and over again daily. That there will be moments that they have me speechless and teary eyed. That there will also be moments where I will want to pull my hair out - quite possibly within minutes of each other.

Being a mom isn't easy, being a mom of twins is exhausting, but it's the most amazing 'job' that I have ever had, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.