reflections on the first year

well, ladies, it's that time - i'm graduating! :cry: :clapping:

Here are some thoughts that have stood out to me as I’ve thought about this past year; I hope you don’t mind me sharing.

This past year has been one filled with overwhelming challenges, joy, frustration, and delight. I had no idea that being a mother of twins would be this difficult or this rewarding.

I never thought twice about breastfeeding my girls & so was utterly unprepared for the sheer hard work it was, the emotional and physical drain it took on me and the blood, sweat & tears (literally) that went into it in those first months. Successfully breastfeeding my girls, to the one year mark & beyond, is one of my proudest accomplishments.

I had no idea that sleep & personal hygiene are actually luxuries and not necessities.

Seeing my baby girls smile for the first time, hearing them giggle for the first time, and watching them accomplish new things seemingly every day is what made me remember “right – THIS is why I wanted to have children!”

I thought mothering would come naturally, and in some ways it did, but mostly there was a lot of trial & error, an intense amount of self-doubt & second-guessing, and a constant nagging fear that I was doing it all wrong & that my girls would pay the price for years to come. I’ve come to realize (and hopefully will actually accept some day) that when it comes to parenting, there is no right or wrong, there is only what works. You do the best you can, and it’s good enough.

I was not expecting the judgment I have received as a mother from other mothers, nor did I expect the depth of friendship I discovered chatting with other mothers about puke, poop, and lack of sleep.

I’ve learned that while routines & schedules are important & useful, so is being flexible & going with the flow.

I’ve learned that I don’t have to justify or explain my parenting decisions to anyone.

I am thrilled and inspired when I watch my daughters fearlessly explore their world. I hope to continue to nurture that desire in them.

This past year, I have come to see my husband in a new light as a father, as well as having my love & respect for him reaffirmed many times over. We survived, although sometimes I’m not really sure how and I expect it wasn’t often thanks to me. :blush:

Thank you all for being on this journey with me – for your support & understanding, your tips & tricks, for keeping me sane & sharing with me your BTDT stories. I couldn’t have done it without you.

The adventure continues – onto the second year! During which, I hear, I will contend with tantrums, time outs and (possibly) big girl beds. See you all soon.

some pics for you:

holy crap! twins!

July 5, 2008 - our new family

put the camera down & feed us already!

first Christmas

first vacation

9 months-ish

on the go

swing pic

our family - 1 year later

 

Congrats Rachel for making it one year. I love the last picture of your family; you guys look great.

 

Aww CONGRATULATIONS!! You made it :Clap:
Thanx for all your advice over the last 6 mths inparticular your help with nap training!
Your family is just lovely, we will miss ya! Good look with the terrible two's :yahoo:

 

Congrats on surviving the First Year. :hug: You have a beautiful family.

 

Beautiful thoughts and even more beautiful family!!!!

 

Those pictures are wonderful and your reflections honestly made me cry. It has been an overwhelmingly rocky yet amazing year, hasn't it? See you in the SY in a few weeks

 

Congratulations, Rachel! :clapping: I remember back in the day when you couldn't get those girls to sleep unless they were on your chest. You've come such a long way!

:bday: Riley and Danika!

 

Congratulations on surviving the first year with twins! Good luck in your second year! Thanks for sharing your thoughts & your photos, you have a beautiful family!

 

Thanks for sharing your reflections! Keep up the great work in the second year. Congrats!

 

Congrats, mama! You've made it! :yahoo: :clapping: What a ride the first year has been, eh? ^_^

Thank you for sharing your story and I'll see you in Second Year... tomorrow!

 

Congrats on making it 1 year! I'm sure it is both an exciting and sad time to realize how much time has passed since you had those adorable girls!

 

Thanks for sharing! I've enjoyed reading your posts and hearing/taking your advice. Your family is lovely!

 

I loved reading your reflections; thanks for sharing! Your family is beautiful!!

Congratulations and I'll see you in the Second Year forum in a few weeks!

 

Wow! Congratulations Rachel on surving the first year!! Your girls are so precious and what a great post, I hope you save it and show it to them when they are older. See you in the Second Year in a week!!

 

awwww... your reflections brought a tear to my eye... congrats on making it through the first year, it is bittersweet.

be sure to come back to the first year often, we will still need your excellent advice!




edited because i can't spell...

 

Your comments are so sweet and true! Congratulations on making it through the first year. Thanks for sharing pictures of your beautiful family!

 

I loved reading your post - also made me tear up! Congratulations - beautiful pictures!

 

Ok well now everyone at work thinks I'm emotional. (I work with a bunch of manly plumbers LOL)
Awesome post! Congrats on the 1 year mark! It's an amazing journey, that's for sure. Love the pics, you have a beautiful family!

 

What a beautiful post, it made me cry as well and realize how happy I am being a mother of twins!!!

 

Rachel, thank you so much for posting this. It was beautiful and inspiring. I also teared up.

My boys will be 8mths on Saturday, and it's just catching up to me, of how much has happened. I've started reflecting back, wondering where did the time go? Most of it is a blur, a wildly colorful beautiful blur...this is another reminder to enjoy every moment, because it all happens so fast.

Congrats! Thank you for sharing and enjoy those "almost" toddlers!!

reb

 

awww - i'm sorry i made everybody cry! :blush: but it's good to know that others understand & have felt the same way. it's also very nice to know that people have appreciated my thoughts & input in the forum - sometimes, doing this online thing, you wonder if everybody just thinks you're an idiot, KWIM?

 

What a beautiful way of remembering and celebrating their first year! Congratulation!!!!! and best wishes for the years to come! :Clap:

 

You have a beautiful family!

(How many Rachels are there on this site? Is it safe to call everyone Rachel? )