The Twin Mom Questions

I thought I'd compose a fun little post in the day of the life of a pregnant twin mama for my 8 month post. I learned very quickly people are pretty interested in pregnant women, but FASCINATED when they find out about the twins. All filters and boundaries are gone. You become fair game to the 3rd degree. I'm the type of person who has no problem being open, to an extent, but I can see how some mothers cringe at this. And to be honest, some of the comments/questions blow my mind. Here are the most common ones I get every single day, multiple times a day, at work, grocery stores, hallways, through bathroom stalls, on the phone... Enjoy!

When are you due? // 

38 weeks is on July 7 and the last day doctors will a twin mom be pregnant. The plan is to cook these precious cupcakes as close to that date as I can.

Boy or girl? // 

Usually this is when I pipe up with two girls! And then the ooh, twins! questions and comments start rolling.

Are they identical or paternal? // 

And here is where I correct them with replying FRAternal twins.

Do twins run in your family?//

My maternal grandmother was a twin as well as my paternal grandfather.

I'm a twin! My mom's a twin! My friend just had twins! //

Yes, it is pretty common. But I had no idea how common until we became pregnant. I work for a surgeon who has twins and a sport's medicine doctor who is a twin, and our pediatrician we chose happens to be a twin herself.

How did you react when you found out? //

We saw two heartbeats before the tech said anything. I was shocked and Daniel laughed. We were just joking about it the night before our first scan and it took a bit to wrap our heads around it. Now we can't imagine it any other way.

Was it natural? //

Pretty invasive question for some, but I don't care. Indeed, very natural. So natural that we married on the last day of July, and got pregnant in October. Twins right away!

You're carry so small for twins! //

So I just found out the reason for this. Since it is my first pregnancy, my body isn't used to, well, being pregnant. It's never done this before. If it were my 2nd or 3rd pregnancy, my belly would be enormous because muscle memory stuff.

It's going to be so hard! 

Sweet, yes I know. I've had 8 months to think about that and a few more weeks to go! You can never fully prepare for any newborn, just as much as you can't fully prepare for twins. I'm deeply enjoying what I can while being mindful of how much work it's going to be. Will I freak out about it during my pregnancy? No, I won't. I choose to really feel how beautiful it is. Will I freak out afterwards? Absolutely, many times. It's all about breathing and perception and getting rest when we are able -- riding the journey as it unfolds. I think that is important with anything.

How are you feeling? 

Tired. Sometimes I feel like I look like a troll.

Have you had any symptoms? //

Of course. Nausea at the beginning, but never got sick, and exhaustion. Felt better for about oh, a few weeks in the 2nd trimester then the exhaustion hit and never left. Also, back pain, limb fatigue, shortness of breath, looking a hot mess, etc.

Crave anything weird? //

The only consistent craving has been oranges and avocados. Others include fish sticks, cheese quesadillas, fresh veggies and ranch, and oreo blizzards.

You must be miserable! //

You're making me miserable.

I couldn't even imagine! //

Then you probably shouldn't.

You're going to have a C-section right? //

People always assume. I certainly don't want one. It's a thought I've struggled with, but the girls will determine that. If I am able to avoid it and advocate my desires, then I absolutely will. But all I want is the best for them, obviously. They're both head down so we are praying they (especially Elsie) won't wiggle themselves back around.

Are you going to breastfeed? //

ABSOLUTELY. I am extremely passionate and adamant about breastfeeding and I will do everything in my power to make that happen. Everyone knows how strongly I feel about this.

But how will you breastfeed twins? // 

There are many ways. I am equipped with two very useful ways. There double the ways than with just one babe!

Were you expecting twins? //

Well, how do you expect twins?

Are you feeling them move? //

It surprises me this is a question I get quite a bit. Of course I feel them move -- all day long and it is my favorite feeling. I suppose I just assume all pregnant mothers feel their child/children move because that's a sign of a healthy, happy baby.

So you're getting it all done in one go!/Will you have any more children? //

We've been told the sooner we get pregnant again after twins, the more likely it will be to have twins...again. We will visit that possibility in due (a long) time. 

We are just so deeply excited and longing to meet the two beautiful souls we made. 

Only about 6 weeks to go. So soon, my darlings.

//

Photos by the magical Alyssa Wilcox Photography.

31 Weeks.

31. Weeks. How?

I wouldn't say this would be a milestone post, because every single day growing the loves of our lives is a milestone -- one we protect and cherish with every fiber of our being.

Any conversation someone strikes up with me takes off with a "how are you feeling?" I am tired. This is my default, and new normal. I have somewhat accepted that it is my underlying, overall, in and out and in-between feeling. On top of that layer? I'm ecstatic. I light up when I see the girls' nursery and I'm able to nest as I please. Gone is the awareness of my dismantled back (only to creep into consciousness if I do too much) and I stare at their cribs and their tiny, sweet pieces of clothing and bows and soft blankets knowing these exact pieces of fabric will have the privilege of touching my babies' skin. Skin that is ours, from us, that we made. It is achingly beautiful, I think.

Twice a week appointments are coming up starting Monday and birth plan conversations are taking place -- it's dizzying how fast everything is happening. Our girls will be here in 6-7 short weeks and it is beyond my ability to grasp. I can feel their personalities already and before I know it, they'll be in my arms where they belong. It's a feeling I cannot fathom to try and explain. Lyla is absolutely our wild one and Elsie much quieter, but strong when she moves. And I do love them in my belly, seeing them stretch and always letting mama know they're doing okay. But I will be so excited and relieved to have them earthside to take care of, so I don't have the distraction of my body in order to mother theirs. I do know I am using all of my body right now to grow them. I am giving my all and there's nothing I want more than for them to stay in as long as they need. My emotions are all over the place. So far everything has gone wonderfully and they're happy in their warm internal world -- dreaming sweet baby dreams, communicating with each other, playing. I love them so much.

My expectations of blogging throughout this pregnancy diminished oh, I'd say 3+ months ago. I thought of many great things to share, but I just can't. This is such a sacred time for us and we are burning every moment into our memories. This, as well as 105% of my energy goes to working full time, balancing appointments, and then coming home to rest and work on projects. Weekends are for catch up with what we haven't accomplished during the week. It's taxing and will only intensify. I can't dig up the energy to write anything besides letters to my girls.

So much has happened since I last wrote. We are in our first home that went through a complete DIY remodel. New floors, tile, carpet, trim, paint, furniture -- and it is beautiful. My darling husband works so exponentially hard every single day and night  and he indeed has three jobs -- his full time @ Costco corporate, remodeling our home, and taking care of us. We are the luckiest girls to have him. Our families and friends have helped out too and for that we are blown away. I just can't wait to share some photos.

Here's to the final weeks before we become a family of four.