Well that went quick …. It feels like yesterday that we drove into the hospital about to meet our little loves. Now it’s been one month with the twins.
What a whirlwind the last month has been. If you haven’t already – go across and listen to my birth story here. Bringing these 2 munchkins into the world has been a crazy ride and the last month has seen so many emotions.
Bringing them home
We brought the twins home at 10 days old after having to leave them in special care. It was the hardest week of my life emotionally. I never thought I’d be going home without them – and it felt like every time I left I was leaving a part of my heart. It was hard on everyone. Obviously for me – knowing 2 of my babies were in hospital and feeling helpless. Pumping milk for them was the one thing I felt I could provide during that time. Then knowing there was a little girl at home that needed her mumma. My heart was being pulled in all directions. It was hard on Chris trying to be everything to everyone. My rock – holding me upright, the twins daddy – doing late night trips to the hospital to give them the milk I was pumping, and Harper’s constant. Providing her with some sort of normality in a time that was anything but normal. Then so hard on Harper. My big little one. Navigating emotions of introducing new people into her life. Not understanding at the start why she couldn’t see mummy – which broke my heart – and adjusting to having a brother and sister in her life.
Once we had the twins home it made things easier to adjust. We could finally settle in to a routine as a family of 5, and ensure we focused more on Harper and helping her adjust.
what life is like
So what has it looked like? Well – if there was any positive to leaving them in special care it was the routine they provided around feeds and sleep. This has been something we’ve stuck to and been strict with. Not only does it mean the twins have structure and they’re sleeping and feeding well – something we didn’t navigate very well when Harper was a baby. But Chris and I know what our days look like so we can plan most things – from cooking and cleaning/washing, to eating, working, time out and activities with Harper. They are on a 4 hour feed if schedule and we are very conscious to only have them awake for an hour and put them back down. We’ve had a few reflux issues where one or both have a good cry and take longer to settle but unlike with Harper – when it would’ve stressed me out so much – this time around it doesn’t seem so hard or gut wrenching. Knowing it’s all a phase and will pass makes it so much easier to deal with at the time.
it was always meant to be this way
All in all babies have slotted in well. I am exclusively pumping and bottle feeding breast milk. We’ve found this is so much easier so both Chris and I can feed them at the same time. I also love knowing exactly how much they are getting so if they do happen to wake during a feed cycle I know it’s probably nothing hunger and a quick resettle will get them back to sleep. At the moment they are in Snoo bassinets in our room however I had been swaddling them at night until 3.5 weeks old then we’ve just popped them in their Love to Dream swaddles.
During the day they’re in their cocoonababy – which they love – and Harper can stroke their faces and give them cuddles at her level.
harper
Harper has adjusted so well and absolutely adores her brother and sister, wanting to cuddle them and kiss them and help all the time. Wanting to soothe them if they cry. We are very conscious to give her specific one on one time without the babies around and she has already learnt to be more independent – dressing and undressing herself, getting herself a snack. We are so proud of her. She is going to daycare 3 days a week which is a lifesaver though. Meaning I headed back to coaching calls last week and could have some quiet time when the babies are sleeping.
So far – twins plus 1 mumlife is amazing. Busy – non stop but amazing. These little people feel like they have been here the whole time. The second (and third) time around Chris and I especially are so much more relaxed. Knowing each part of parenthood is a phase and even if it is more stressful one day – it too shall pass. We look at Harper and know we can get through the tough times. Having a good team and partnership is so important and makes it so much easier as well. We are on the same page – and support each other when things get a little haywire.
I may not have wanted 3 kids but 3 kids wanted and needed me. This is how it’s always meant to be.