YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: alison
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 10:34 PM

Move to Oz MMario I'll lend you mine...... sometimes it would be nice to give them to the extended family.. but they're a long way away...., *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 10:24 PM

Remember, extended families are coming back into style; and they don't have to be "blood" relatives. Spread the wealth! Seriously, my parenting has all been with other people's children, and I bless those parents every day for sharing the miracle of their children with me. So, congratulations! When can I hold them?

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: alison
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 10:09 PM

Congratulations Wesley,

As a midwife I have looked after mnay ladies both before and after the birth of twins, triplets etc....... you ahve probably dicovered this already but the pregnancy tends to be more involved than just with one baby... double the morning sickness, tiredness,weight gain, etc..... make sure she gets lots of rest.

If I can be of any help, with questions or advice please feel free to message or email me ([e-mail])

It is perfectly feasible to breast feed twins(I've even seen triplets fed successfully, 2 on the breast and one gets a bottle, next feed they all switch around).... and if they are good feeders and feed together it can be less time consuming than making up all those bottles. Kat's suggestion of a "boomerang" pillow was a good one... it's even good for one baby at a time until they are big enough to hold their head's up.

Over here there is a society called the "Multiple births association" I'm sure there's something similar where you are... so look them up.. they'll be glad to help... it's usally run by people who have had twins etc themselves....

Happy parenting

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 09:58 PM

Oh yes...just thought of more advice...Back in the old days we didn't always know in advance that we were having twins, so a lot of department stores had what they called twin insurance. That meant that if you bought a baby bed, or car seat, or clothes or whatevever, and saved the receipt, then found out you were having twins, the second set of equipment and clothes were free! Certainly worth looking into.

Mary

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 09:45 PM

Congratulations, Wesley and Bretta! As a proud grandma, I can tell you it's a special event, and continues so. My daughter's first pregnancy resulted in twins- one of each- who are now 10 years old.

She says that if she knew it would be twins again she'd get pregnant again. I think her husband agrees. :)Ebbie

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Paul G.
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 09:44 PM

Holey moley Wesley! Way to go! A friend of mine just had twins about 2 weeks ago -- now they have 4 kids all under 4 years old...good parents can manage it all, and we all know you'll do great...By the way, I'm 47 and will become a grandfather in the next week or two. You sure have some moxy starting out fresh at our tender age ;-)...Keep us up to date as things develop.

Paul

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Mooh
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 09:35 PM

Two of my closest childhood friends were twins. I know their parents found them not so much a challenge as a double sized gift. I still have an image in my mind of their mother hugging them both at the same time, getting twice as much back as she could give at a time.

Congratulations, you've been given something special.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 09:00 PM

Wesley: Congratulations! I have no children so any advice I could give will be of the uneduacted guess variety. I expect coming into a musical house, you'll have less trouble weaning them off the big purple walking oil deposit than others will. I expect most lullabys will work but if I hear of any specifically for twins I will forward them. Best of luck to you all and again congratulations Dias Mhuir a dhuit!! Neil

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Mbo
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 08:31 PM

My sister and I have the same kind of relationship. She is 15 months younger than me, and we are very often mistaken for twins (we look alike, we sound alike, what a crazy pair...you know the bit).

When we were little we always worked together to get things done. I started talking at a very early age (and haven't shut up since) but my sister took a little longer. When she was thirsty (don't ask how she let me know that she was) we'd go up to my mother and I'd say "We're thirsty, we want a drink." Like the Mouth of Sauron, I was the Mouth of Cbo (as I like to say to annoy her).

We're still like that today, often completing each other's sentences, knowing what the other is thinking, and giving each other the knowing "look" when we understand something noone else does. We are notorious for breaking out into Shakespeare or Les Mis dialogues right in the middle of a conversation, much to the rest of the family's puzzlement. I hope your 2 little bundles of joy have the same kind of harmonious connection that we share!!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: BlueJay
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 08:30 PM

Congratulations. Congratulations. We had ours one at a time, but twins would have worked, as well. I am about your age, and my youngest is now four. I don't think it'd make a whole lot of difference if she were born today. Others, such as kat/katlaughing, have better advice regarding actual twins. I have no experience with twins, only babies in general. You've got your work cut out for you, that's for sure. Also a tremendous aamount of fun. I don't know if you have other children, but I think one reason people keep having kids is that they hate to see them grow up. Our youngest is four. Of course with each passing year comes new delights, challenges, yada yada yada. But there's just something about the wee ones. I wish we could freeze-frame her, and keep her four years old forever. In an abstract way, of course. In a few short months, my friend, you will be telling usthe uninitiated, what it is like to live with twin babies. Then year-olds. Then two year olds. I am very much looking forward to it.
MBO is most insightful. George Winston is a good musical choice. But I will say again, Kate Wolf tapes always calmed my fussy, premature grandson. Every single time. Just something about that lady's voice and melodies always soothed him. Maybe personal chemistry. Maybe she would not work for other kids, but it's worth a try. Buy a couple of Kate Wolf tapes, and Winston, too as MBO suggests. You're bound to end up with two or three tape players anyway. Start out with the good stuff. Barney will come later, trust me. BlueJay

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Escamillo
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 08:29 PM

It´ll be a new life indeed, plenty of happiness as you could never imagine (I understand they are the first babies fot you). Best of the best wishes. Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Melani
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 08:09 PM

Congratulations! If you're lucky and clever, you can train them to dislike Barney...when "Barney" showed up at a classmate's birthday party, my son actually cried, though the other kids were entranced. My aunt had not twins, but two kids a year apart, and she said it was harder at first, but at least they played together, and the part with diapers is over faster, too. Have fun.

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 08:07 PM

Harmony crying...Life begins at 49. Everything up will soon be a half forgotten prelude. Get some sleep in the next few months.

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Morticia
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 07:41 PM

Congratulations Wes! I had mine the old-fashioned way, one at a time and they were still hard work! Guess your lady is just being energy efficient :)Keep us posted and well done !

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 06:36 PM

Our twins Molly and Rowan are 10 months old now. Looking after them is the most rewarding experience I have ever had, and also the most exhausting. Don't expect to have much time left for doing anything else, but treasure every minute of it - they grow up so fast! Quack!

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 06:35 PM

Hi Wesley,

My twin boys just turned 27! You are about to embark on the most fun trip of your life.

I have lots of practical advice about logistics, philosophy, good books to read, who to listen to, who not to listen to, etc. Personal message me if your're interested.

Just remember to enjoy every moment because you truly are blessed!

Mary

PS I'll be a first-time Grandma in September (my daughter), and I'm reminded of what my father always said to his buddies when they were bragging about becoming grandfathers. It was after my twins were born, so he would say, "Oh...just one?"

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 06:25 PM

Yes....Life as you know it may be over, but the next one gets better. I wish I'd been a Dad at a younger age, but anytime is a good time to hear, "I love you Dad." February is a great time....my son Tristan was born on the 4th.

Karen and I send our best to both of you and we'll be looking forward to hearing all the details as things move along....and eventually out!

Spaw

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Mbo
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 06:22 PM

Wooha! Congratulations, old boy! And to Bretta, most importantly! Remember, babies like George Winston!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Crowhugger
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 06:17 PM

Oh, WOW!! or is that WOW, WOW!! !!

This is going to be very special. You both have to plan extra carefully for the next few months to get even MORE sleep in the new parents sleep account.

Congratu-doggone-wow-holy-cow-lations!

CH.

Subject: RE: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 06:04 PM

Congratulations, Wesley and Bretta!! My mother's brothers were twins, my sisters are twins, and my daughter had twin boys two years ago in May....no Barney, but they love something called "blues clues/news??" or something like that.

Get two of everything, let them be individuals, don't dress them alike all of the time, and get pictures of them separate, too, as well as together....that comes from my sisters and a friend who is a twin.

And, charge up on your energy 'cause you're gonna need it!! If you can afford it, get a housekeeper for the first few months or even after the first birthday...until they are out of diapers, or at least get a diaper or laundry service!**BG** It seems my daughter and her hubby are ALWAYS doing laundry.

Oh...and buy stock in a grocery store!**BG** And, sing to them LOTS. My daughter played music to them in utero, both parents singsonged about them in utero and when they were born I bought a cassette player which had a timer and attached to the crib and they got to where they would not go to sleep without their classical music tape playing. Also, let them sleep together until they are bigger...they miss each other after being born. Akira and Elijah still have to know where their "bro" is or they get upset, even though they've been in separate beds for about a year and a quarter.

If she plans to nurse there are wonderful pillows which are in a circle shape with slice out, so she can put it around her waist, then use what they call the "football hold", to nurse both at the same time! Their bodies get tucked up under her arms on the pillow, while their heads rest in her hands. Of course, I took one look at that and saw how worn out my daughter was with no sleep and them preemies and always hungry and convinced her to go to bottles, but it was worth it for the first few weeks anyway.

Okay, I wasn't going to write a book, but this is exciting. If you have any questions throughout the time, I'd be happy to ask her for you.

Again, congratulations!

kat

Subject: YEE HAA !!!! TWINS !!!! What now??
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Jun 00 - 05:45 PM

It's just starting to sink in. My wife Bretta and I were at the OB/GYN's office today and we found TWO heartbeats. Twins - perhaps due around the first of February. As my boss { the father of twins himself } said - "Life as you know it is now over".

I'm excited - I'm terrified - and I turn 49 in about a week. There are so many things Bretta and I are looking forward to. This will be a great adventure for the two of us. I'm already looking at lullabies. Does anyone know a lullaby for twins? And will I have to listen to Barney??