As a new parent, my life has truly changed.  I can hardly remember what life was like when it was just me and my husband. I often look back and wonder how we were ever busy, messy, late…  Ha.  times and priorities change so quickly!  It really feels like a distant memory when we slept in and made a big breakfast, went to a movie and decided to get dessert afterwards… because we had no place to be. Or, when we agreed to last minute plans because we knew we could get ready in an hour and there was no need to get home at any certain time.

Something I’ve heard a lot about and I promised myself I would never let happen is, losing that connection with my husband…  Yes, we’ve had some rough times together with late night feedings, inconsolable babies, him having to deal with three crying ladies at times (I’ve never cried so much – thank you hormones).

BUT…There is always time.  Even if it’s just a 10 min cuddle session before we both fall into a deep sleep at night, then before we’re awaken a couple hours later by a baby or two (letting us know that something is ‘terribly wrong’ and we must fix it NOW)!  Or a quick little peck as we pass each other in the midst of preparing bottles, changing diapers, searching for nooks, packing diaper bags, entertaining ‘entertainment hungry’ babies.  Hugs too!  Can’t forget to hug.  Something I really look forward to is a nice hug when my hubby comes home from work.  Not sure if my husband ‘needs’ it as much as me, but he goes with it (which is all I could ask for)…  Hugs from him are like a form a therapy for me.  It’s a moment (even just 10 seconds) to take a break, take a long breath and, thank god he is on this journey with me.

We are always busy now, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have time for each other.   It’s important to remember that making time doesn’t have to take much time… a look, a quick holding of hands, a brief hug.  Even changing diapers and doing dishes together is ‘time together’.  And of course, snuggling with our two little bugs is the best time together.  This new life has opened up a new door to my husband.  I love the man and dad he is becoming.  It is so cool to watch – through joy, tears, sometimes frustration, but mostly love.  Not to be cheesy but (I’m a cheesy person) it really is like falling in love all over again, but in a very different way.  Making time is so important and I have to keep reminding myself that it’s the small things that keep us connected!

Evolution:  the change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).

Ok, please tell me where my other arms are!  What happened over the successive generations of mothers with more than one child that are both in diapers and need to be carried?  We should at least have one more set of arms.  I’m envisioning that this second set of arms would grow in correlation with pregnancy. Couldn’t that surge of hormones be put towards something more productive and functional than crazy emotions? Yes, four arms to help you effectively and efficiently care for more than one baby. Strange vision, I know – but of course it would be a totally normal evolutionary trait.   How is that too much to ask for? After all, we do grow humans.

I have a nice little schedule with my babes, but it is ever changing. It can be a lot of work keeping up with these little growing people! I’m not complaining, simply stating a fact that it can be challenging feeding two babies, carrying two babies, bathing, rocking, changing, and spending quality time with two babies.  It’s not impossible (I’m surviving) but another set of arms would really make life easier.  I think any mother would agree (whether you have one child or you’re another mama with multiples).

Aside from all the wonderful baby products out there that can make life easier, there is just nothing that compares to a mothers arms.  I’ve put one babe in a carrier while the other is in a swing, or both in bouncy seats, both on the floor, in Boppys, in Bumbos…  but once I pick them up and they nestle into the crevice of my elbow – all.is.well.  …Until the other one squawks and demands to be cuddled just the same (and this is where my second set of arms would swiftly swoop up baby #2).

SWIFTLY SWOOP up.  I have to emphasize this because I wish it were that easy. Picture this… Reality: babies playing nicely, one cries, crying baby gets comforted, whilst comforting crying baby other baby cries, continue to rock cryer #1 while shushing both babies and dangling toy over cryer #2, switch babies so #2 gets similar attention, check diapers, message bellies and do bicycle with legs (could be gassy), both babies burb…..  ahhh, all is well.  20 min later it starts again.
Note: I make every effort to ‘swiftly swoop’ while juggling between squirmy, cranky, wiggly babes.

And again I ask, where are my other arms!!!??

I remind myself everyday that it all works out and I get a great workout in!

Are you ok?  Are you tired?  Are you wet?  Cold? Hot? Hungry? Bored?  And the list goes on…  All babies have their own way of communicating how they’re feeling and it can be challenging trying to learn their language.  I find myself running through this list of questions (on a fairly regular basis) as I learn my babies needs, wants, desires, hopes, dreams…  Ok, I’m not really worrying about those last few with 6 month olds but I’m anticipating that this game of 20 questions really never ends.  It just changes with each stage…

I’ve come to learn and accept (over the past 6 months), that I may not be able to understand what they need at times.  As a new mom that has been a nanny, a babysitter for practically the entire neighborhood, and an aunt times 6… I felt like I would have it “all under control”.  Although, when I couldn’t solve my own babies problems, I was confused, oddly out of my element and I felt like I was failing.  I often thought… I grew this child – shouldn’t I be able to solve her problems, easily comfort her, make her tears and pain go away?!  Ha, if only it was so easy!  Now, as a mom of twins, this game of Q&A is much more complex as I thought it would be.  Not only am I trying to understand one, I’m trying to understand two and let me tell you – they are not speaking the same language!

As a new parent we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to “know” our children, to be able to quickly find answers to all our questions…to speak their language and understand what they are trying to tell us.  However, at times we can easily disappoint ourselves with lack of knowledge, but isn’t that what parenting is all about?   Not disappointment, but learning as we go and as they grow.  So, bring it on 20 questions I will continue to “ask away” with confidence and a smile – even if I don’t find the answer :)!

I am a first time blogger and a first time mom of twin girls.  I have to say, I never really thought I would be a blogger.  However,  I love to journal.  Unfortunately, sitting down and writing – you know, with that thing called a pen and paper – is just not at the top of my ‘to-do’ list lately.  Opening up my laptop and blabbing about life through a keyboard seems much more manageable.  Bonus: when I go back to read a late night groggy posting, it will be legible!

I plan to post as time allows.  I look forward to sharing my life as a mama of two. I am solely using this blog as a tool to escape from reality for a moment… to talk about ‘my reality’.  Hmm, makes sense.  Hopefully others can relate, laugh, cry and even cheer with me while accomplishing the multitude of tasks needed to be done daily in order to survive and happily thrive as a mama with two little ones.

Speaking of little ones… My two littlest loves, Alaina Joy and Hannah Jean are 6 months old (6 weeks adjusted) and are truly my world.  Their nicknames inspired the name of the blog – Lainy bug and Hannah bean.  They are curious, wiggly little smiley girls and I have to say, it fits them perfectly.

So, follow along if you’d like… as I learn how to comfortably fit into this new, expensive, and oversized outfit called MOTHERHOOD :). Enjoy.