Life After Twins?

Here it is! The long awaited, critically acclaimed, much desired description of what it's like to be a mother of twins. On some days. It changes every day. This particular day was dark and stormy.

There was absolutely nothing to do because the weather outside was too depressing for any kind of physical activity. Inside or out. After hours of pbs and kbyu, we decided to pack up the kids and take them to Target so Jason could buy some new shoes. Sounds simple? Put socks and shoes on (again), comb hair, put coats on and get in the car? Oh no my friends. No. By the time I had Jane's shoes on, Liam had taken his off and ran outside in the rain ( he's a little Houdini). Back inside to get dry socks for Liam. Jane's shoes are off again and Lizzy is having issues trying to squeeze long sleeves into her jacket sleeves. Jason very patiently taught her how to get her arm in her coat without getting her shirt sleeve crumpled up inside. Meanwhile Ben is sitting on the stairs ready to go but whining some background noise for us. Lizzy begins to throw a fit so Jane copies her. An hour later, everyone is in the car. Now the issues with seat belts and coats begins. My voice is hoarse. They hate the feel of the seatbelt squishing their coats. I don't blame them but, what can I do? We fix them as best we can, which isn't good enough, and drive to the store listening to a unique chorus of crying, whining, and yelling. We get to Target and sit in the parking lot until EVERYONE HAS CALMED DOWN AND STOPPED WHINING AT MOMMY AND DADDY!!!!!!!

Calmly, and completely collected, we walk into the store. In front of me I see doting parents of newborn boy twins. Awwww.....so cute. I walk up to them and notice the expression of warning on the mother's face. It's okay. I know that expression. It says "Yes they are twins., No they are not identical., I know you think you've always wanted twins but what do you know?, and Please don't ask me questions, we are not a freak show." I know that expression because I've worn it before. But she had obviously not learned the no-eye-contact technique and besides, if the intruder is a parent of twins, it makes it okay. I walk up and say something like "How cute. Are they twins? I have twin 3 year old girls." I look behind me expecting to see my angelic twins. Too bad they morphed into monsters. Sobbing and crying, and kicking, and hitting each other. I look up and smile nonchalantly at the mother. Her mouth is hanging slightly open and she stares at the twins, a little worry line appearing in her forehead. I know any chance of encouragement has passed but, I have to say something to end the conversation. I smile the biggest smile I can summon up and say "Well, good luck!" Then I walk off. Bless her heart. It's just beginning.

The thing is though, that at the end of the day, even the hard ones, I love having my twins. I think I would be missing out on a lot if they hadn't been born together. I love that they are best friends. I love that they are different and help balance each other out. Being a mother is an incredible experience that makes every embarasing moment caused by a wayward child worth it. I'd rather be home with them than anywhere else. (Except when I need a break:) What a blessing it is to have children!