Can we handle this?

H Everyone,

This week, the whole twin pregnancy thing has caught up with me. It's getting tough and my body is worn out. And yet, as we prepare for the babies to arrive, I am really beggining to get scared. There is so much to think about, plan, do, etc. And they're not even here yet! My hubby and I have been together for 12 years so this is a big transition for us after so longl, from two to four! It's just feeling a bit overwhelming. So, did/does anyone else feel this way? Any advice or reassurances? We CAN do this, right?

Thanks in advance,

Amy

 

I will say that it is a huge adjustment going from lots of years with just two to immediately two plus two very needy squishy things. And yeah, the beginning is something I never ever want to relive. Get as much help lined up that you can, if someone wants to come over and help, have them do laundry or dishes or cook a meal. Have someone take home a load of clothes and do them at home and bring them back the next day. Cook as many freezer meals that you can right now. Get your bag packed, do your last minute nesting before you really can't function.

You'll do fine. All of us have survived. You will too.

 

I agree with Bex. It does seem daunting, especially if the twins are your first children. I can remember thinking, I don't even know how to care for one, let alone two! If people around you offer help, take them up on it whether it's cleaning, cooking, coming over to spend the night to help out, watching the babies for a couple of hours so you and your DH can either sleep or go out. :youcandoit:

 

I second Bex!! I never ever expected the beginning to be as hard as it was! Stock up on paper plates, plastic cups and silverware so you don't have to do dishes - and if you're going to bottle feed one big piece of advice is to whip up enough formula to last 24 hours and pour it into bottles and fridge it - you can then just grab and go - and not have to worry about making bottles while they're screaming!

Like my pedi said a week after they were born - you WILL run on empty for a while, but it will go by quickly - enjoy the little moments and make sure you take time for you and DH - even if its just half hour on the couch watching your favorite comedy...

 

Oh and both of you should be comfortable caring for both babies by yourself as quickly as possible. This makes it so much easier for one person to run to the store or go back to work. And once the newness wears off, you'll be on your own to hold down the fort, so definitely take people up on their offers to help in the beginning before the offers stop.

My parents would come over twice a week. I would send them home with a bag of laundry each time, and I would have a list of groceries ready to go so I could just send my dad to the store to get groceries. My sister would come over on other days and I would have her do the dishes and watch the babies so I could nap. Sleep whenever you can, I went from never ever being able to nap and having to sleep in complete darkness to dozing off on the couch while the two of them were laying in their bouncers in the sun and waking up completely rested. It's only a few months, and it must feel like winter in Alaska. An ordeal that takes forever. But it's not. And in six months, you'll have it all under your belt, and you'll be giving out advice to people that are in the same boat as you right now.

 

I agree with Bex too. The first while is just survival mode and you will get through it! Do everything you can to make things easier for yourself. Order a meal service if you can afford it, or ask for it as a baby shower gift. When people ask how they can help, have an answer for them.. make people fold laundry, do a few dishes, make a bed, bring food, clean a bathroom while they're at your house. Put the crib next to your bed to make those overnight feedings easier, same with a diapers station for those overnight changes. And in no time people will be in awe of how you handle two babies at once. And we'll be here to help .

 

You can do it! It's freaking hard and people will thing :woman: but you do it b/c you have to. It will be draining and exhausting but you survive and are stronger for it

My tips:
- bathe the babies in the sink. Not every day as they don't need or typically like it at first but every other. This means you have to do dishes/have a clean sink every other day. It helps keep things from piling up uncontrollably.

-do baby laundry on the off-bath day. It's only 1 load but it takes forever to fold- don't let it pile up.

I guess I preferred a loose schedule where the goals for each day are everybody gets fed and clean. Then I attempted 1 thing of maintenance to keep things running

 

Thanks ladies, You're right. We will get through it like everyone before us. It just feels so overwhelmmg, like most things right now. We'll plan as best we can and then roll with it. Thanks for the tips!

 

of course u can!! It's not easy, but it gets sooo much easier..After the first 6 months it was so under control that hubby and I would just smile and take credit when people would say "i don't know how you do it?" You do, and it's totally manageable!

 

I agree with Tiffany, the first 6 months were the hardest for us, but once they were sleeping through the night, and we were getting sleep, too, then it was cake. And honestly, nothing has been as hard as those first 6 months! Once you get your routine down, it won't be so bad, it's just getting into the routine that takes time.

 

Okay, I like lights at the end of the tunnel so the six month framing works for me. That will put us in time for a good summer at the cottage. We'll have fun with the boys during the day and beers by the campfire at night, with a monitor in hand

 

Drinks are always good after a long day

 

Really for me 4 months was pretty great. They were finally sleeping 4 hour stretches and so cute and fun. :wub:

 

I agree, it does seem daunting (and sometimes I still wonder how I did it :lol: ), but you can do it and will do it. :good: You will figure out what needs to be done and how it needs to be done. If anyone offers any kind of help, just be sure to take us. I know we (meaning Moms) don't always like accepting help, but in this case, accept it. :good:


:youcandoit: