Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun

When I found out that I was going to have twins during an ultrasound this time last year, I was thrilled, scared, anxious, joyous, and a plethora of other emotions. Since my husband and i went through IVF and I had two embryos implanted, I knew that there was a possibility that both would take. When they both thrived, we couldn't be happier. Then, we found out that we were having a boy and a girl. POOF! instant All-American Family. We were over the moon.

But, Catherine and Charles were born six and a half weeks early, and I had a lot of problems recovering from my C-section. We lived at my mom's house for a while, then were finally able to go back home and I could stand on my own two feet - both figuratively and literally. It was during this time that I learned how to ask for help. That's rule number one with twins: Ask for help. Seriously, don't be stubborn about it. If people offer to help you, accept it - even if they just come over to listen for crying babies so that you can actually take a shower and get dressed.

My husband and I were the ultimate couple before Catie and Charlie came along. We went to the movies and dinner all the time, traveled all over the place, stayed up late, woke up even later... We were spontaneous. Heck, all my life I had "Candice's 15-minute rule," which meant that I would unfailingly show up 15 minutes late anywhere I went. But, when you have twins, you must always have a schedule. Even if the babies aren't on the same feeding schedule, you simply must keep track of everything that you want to accomplish and when you plan on accomplishing them throughout the day. When we first started our schedules, we let the babies dictate everything to us: when to eat, when to change their diapers, when to play, when to sleep, you get the idea. Only at the five month mark were we able to start instituting our own schedule with them, and actually have them follow it (for the most part). If you don't plan your day, your time will slip away.

Like a Boy Scout, you should always be prepared. Make sure your diaper bag is packed with everything you need: extra onesies for each twin, a spare outfit for each twin, at least two bottles, at least 4 diapers, baby wipes, a disposable changing pad cover, a toy, two receiving blankets, two bibs, diaper rash cream, baby lotion, Tide To Go Stain Stick, a granola bar (for you), Purell, Tylenol, Orajel and a hand towel. You don't want to be stuck in the mother's room at Babies R Us for two hours, like I was, because your twins double-team you with leaky diapers, hunger pains, and teething issues. (Needless to say, Babies R Us made a fortune on me that day.)

Now, if you are a first-time parent, you will receive a lot of unsolicited advice - especially with twins and more. You've got to act like Teflon, and let things slide right off your back. No one knows what it is like to raise twins, unless they have raised twins themselves. Seriously. Having a single baby must be a walk in the park compared to what parents go through with twins. I can't even imagine having triplets or more! How in the world do Jon and Kate do it??

If you have a partner in raising your twins,make sure that you share the responsibilities. I know of a woman who decided she wanted to have kids on her own and had IVF with a sperm donor, only to have twins. She didn't have any help, because her entire family disapproved of what she was doing. The woman is Super Mom, let me tell you. There are so many responsibilities when it comes to twins, it is absolutely imperative that you share them. If you don't, you will end up resenting your partner or he/she will end up resenting you.

As I have mentioned, raising twins is quite difficult. Be flexible, open, honest and strong. It will all be worth it in the end!