Twins :: Are you Sure you Want Them?
Part I: Twins
I have a set of 7 year old twin boys. And these past 7 yeas have been a roller coaster ride. Whenever someone approaches us in public, they say, “Awwww, they’re so handsome. I wish I had twins. You know twins run in my family!” First of all, no ma’am; you’re a stranger, thus I don’t know anything about your family. Secondly, have you really considered what you’re asking for?
Being a mom of twins is no walk in the park. It’s more like a ride through Narania. Yea, it’s beautiful, but you can die too.
My husband and I had stopped all birth control in order to give our then 3 yr old a sibling. (We can only watch so many episodes of Super Why and Fresh Beat Band.) When I started feeling bloated and lethargic, I decided to take a pregnancy test. This test happened in New Orleans…1 day before our cruise…a cruise full of tasty alcoholic drinks. So, yea, I endured a dry cruise because the results came back positive. Was I happy? Of course, my oldest would finally get someone to play with. Was I bothered? Of course!!! I wanted to drink my “dranks” and pretend I was in Alice in Wonderland. Nevertheless, adulthood prevailed.
After we got back, I went to the doctor. The nurse said, “Congratulations! You’re having twins!!!” I found myself unexpectedly expecting…TWINS!!!! I said nothing. She asked if I was okay.
I said nothing. In my head I was having a conversation with God. It went kinda like this:
Me: God, what did she just say.
God: You heard her my child.
Me: But God, surely she’s mistaken.
God: I assure you that she is not. Rejoice!
Me: Hold up, Oh Mighty Lord! This is not what I asked for.
God: You asked for a playmate for Aiden.
Me: Me, exactly. Playmate. SINGULAR
God: I would never put more on you than you can handle, my child.
Me: But God, you just did. Literally. Put one more thing on me that I can’t handle. Clearly you can see I’m not taking this well.
God: All will be well. Go forth. Be fruitful and multiply.
Me: ***stares***
God: Laughs
At the end of this conversation with God, I was in my car. I don’t recall what the nurse said, what the doctor said, or who else I encountered. It is quite possible that I grabbed my things and the ultrasound of Baby A and Baby B and just left.
I drove to the nearest place of comfort: my mom’s job. When I walked up to the front desk, the receptionist asked if I wanted to see my mom. I nodded. (I was calling God in my head again. He kept sending me to voicemail.) My mom came to the desk and I handed her the ultrasound pic. She rejoiced!!!! I left before she could finish her praise dance.
The pregnancy was typical… until it wasn’t. When I was six months along, I went to my high-risk pregnancy doctor for my normal checkup. (Ok, I realize that there’s nothing “normal” about have a high-risk pregnancy doctor. But in mr defense, I thought all pregnancy doctors were the same, but that some only take the “risky” cases. And being pregnant with twins turns out to be a little risky for most, if not all, women.)
I was getting an ultrasound done, and it was taking a little longer than usual. The nurse was doing a lot of clicking and measuring. A LOT of clicking and measuring. Finally, my hubby and I were asked to sit in the consultation room. We obliged and and sat and waited. About 30 minutes later, the doctor walks in and says that our room would be ready shortly, then he walked out. I looked at my husband and said, “What did he say?” My husband replied with a question, “Why do you need a room?”
So, I called God again. This time he picked up.
Me: God, what in sam-hill is going on here?
God: Be patient my child. You will know everything in its due time.
Me: Or you could just tell me now. You know I have anxiety and hate waiting.
God: ***Gives me silent treatment.***
Me: ***Gives Him the silent treatment back.***
God: Patricia… (I know I’m in trouble when He calls my name and not just “my child.”)…Just rest in the fact that I am GOD!
So I was quiet for a bit…to God. Pretty soon, the nurse came with a wheel chair. I asked where I was going, but she wouldn’t say. We arrived at the hospital admission office. The attendant read something from a piece of paper and gave me a room number. I asked her what was going on and how long I was suppose to be here. She stated, “You’re here under observation for a few days.” God said, “She’s lying.”
Those “few days” turned into 3 months. I was on hospitalized bedrest for 1/2 of October, all of November, all of December, and 1/2 of January. I had my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and my baby shower in the hospital.
Some days I was allowed to walk to the window at the end of the hall. Most days I remained in bed. When I became tired of hospital food, Meals in Motion saved me. (This was 8 yrs ago, before Uber Eats was invented.) Sometimes I cried. But for 3 months I was poked and prodded every 4 hours. The nurses fought EVERYDAY to keep me from going in labor. EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.
The twins were born on January 16th at 2:15am and 2:17am. I had a c-section, because Baby B was breach. After being born, they had a 2 week stay in NICU that took me 2 years to pay off (with the use of insurance). And yes, there was a medical bill for Baby A AND Baby B. STICKER SHOCK!!!
So whenever someone says, “I want twins.” I think to myself, “Do you really?” Because up to this point in the story, they’re only 2 weeks old. It does get better; but it gets worse first!!!!
