scared!! another set on the way

[Richter]

Hi, I am new here. My name is Bobbi and I am 27 yrs old. We have one set of twin boys born March 24, 2000 and now I found out I am pregnant and it is twins again due May 2004. I had a really rough pregnancy with the boys and it is starting all over again. I have never been on fertility drugs and we only have one set of twins in our family and that is my grandmothers sisters. I am scared because it will be so overwhelming the first time and I am scared I won't have enough energy for all 4. Please can you give my husband and I some pointers on how to cope when they arrive. Also some adivse on how to split the time so the boys don't feel left out.

[Mrs. Q.]

How exciting! Where is Princeton? I'm near Green Bay. Is your family near you?

Things I've learned:

-- Keep things simple. My babies are 18 months and I still feed them unless its finger foods. I don't have time to clean up a mess. This will not hinder their development.

-- Accept any help offered. My Mom takes my laundry, my neighbor takes Michal to or from school, our church brought us 2 meals a week for 3 months, neighbor take care of the yard /driveway if needed, someone else runs to the store; Anything! There is no room for pride here, so accept that fact now.

-- You've been there done that. So you will have that calm of knowing. You will remember what worked and what didn't.

-- Use paper plates and plastic cups. Saves on dishes big time. Especially if you have lots of visitors. Start now if your not feeling well. I was on the couch from 2 months on. My DH saved the day! He really stepped up and did a lot.

-- Use a wash cloth when changing babies diapers. This way you will only need to give baths 1x a week. This is better for their skin anyways.


Oh I could go on if you'd like but .....

Once you get over the shock you enjoy every minute. This way each of your boys gets a baby.

The biggest thing I realized is that you can't /shouldn't split your time. We are a family and we do things as a family. We attend to their needs as they come or we feel it's needed. We involve everyone in everyone where appropriate. The stress of trying to find individual time was nuts and the other kids would get mad, so what's the point. When they become teenagers that may change but for now I have to think "simple". If we as parents don't survive then our kids won't survive.

Are you going to find out if they are boys or girls?

Just remember this preg has to come to an end. You will make it and be in awe of the outcome.

Keep Smiling!!!:) :) :) :)

[twin4life#2]

really? that overwhelming.

I remember my mom said when i was a baby she had four of us in dipers. So she couldnt handle it all by herself and my dad so they went to a highschool and said they needed some help (or something like that). Students offered to help as some of their 40hours of comunity service they need to do before they graduate.

[genuine]

great advice from Mrs. Q - I don't really have anything to add - we only have the twins right now. But just remember, when the babies get here your boys with be 4 years old. They will be more self sufficient and be able to help with the little things like getting bottles, baby powder, diapers, etc. Also, will the boys be going to preschool? If so you will have a little more alone time with the babies. I am sure it is very overwhelming knowing you are having another set of twins, but you are experienced parents now. I am sure you will be just fine. And really, take help whenever it is offered and ask for it when needed.

I'm glad you found this board. Please come here whenever you need advice or to vent. Good luck and take care.

Jennifer

[Richter]

Hi, I'm scared's mother. They live in Princeton and we live by Markesan it's about 1 1\2 hours from Green Bay. She is feeling a little better, now that she isn't sick all the time. She dosen't have her computer hooked up yet, I hope she does so she uses mine. I hope she has a better time than last, they had to rush her to surgury after the boy's were delivered.And she was pretty weak after for a long time. Nothing went the way she wanted. Her milk never came in and that upset her. So we are giving her positive thoughts hopefully that will help. Last time she only acepted help for 3 days, maybe this time she'll acept more. We all love the boy's and they are a hand full, but God dosen't give you anymore than you can handle. I have 3 girls BJ is the baby and the only one of the three that could do this. Thank's for replying she needs all the words of encouragement she can get. Sincerely Sharon Strahota PS My oldest daughter has a packer helmet on the ankle, she is a big fan!

[mamabear]

you have a few twin familys by you guys check out hello wisconsin on the whats bugging you forum. It seems twins are in the water over there. Can you send me some of your water. :D Yes im crazy. God bless take care and we are all here for you.

[arorasky]

Hello, a second set! Isn't it wonderful and scarey all at the same time! Mine are now ..
Carolyn & Melinda 17 on Dec. 18
Patrick & Christopher 21 on Jan 19
and Heather 11 on Nov 6

I'll never forget the day I was told I was going to have another set. It's wonderful, overwhelming, scarey all at the same time. If you can do it with the first you'll be fine with the second. Keep your sense of humor, and if you don't have one ...Get one quick! lol. I guess I'm the "old hat " out of those who have responded to you. Just remember we are never given more than we can handle. You'll be fine.
Congats!
K

[Mrs. Q.]

You have been through it all. You can tell us what we're in for. School, friends, dating......ugh!!

Welcome aboard!!

[arorasky]

Here's a kicker for ya, the boys were my first set, then I lost 2 sets over the next 3 years, docs said I couldn't have anymore children, I kept hemoraging enough to have to be hospitalized. Then I had my daughters, spent 2 months on strick bedrest w/home monitoring system that was experimental for predicting preterm labor (I was 1st in our state to use it). Because it caught the preterm labor in full force I spent the last 4 months in the hospital. After the girls, when they were about 2 yrs I lost a third set. My daughters have severe "true" dsylexia, with auditory processing dysfunction, and a memory dysfunction, (Yet they maintain a 3.5+ average thruout the school years, & they both made "who's Who of American HS Students. out of 1200+ students in their HS only 26 students made the book, both of twin girl were two of those who did. One of them also made National Jr. Honor Society (two yrs ago) even with 35+ absences because of tonsils & adnoid problems. Her twin missed it by.23 % but she had 47 absences. We told her in our book was was still National Honor Society material, and she should be proud of herself. They both are in their 2nd year of Karate intending to become @least 2nd degree black belts by the time they graduate.
One's in her 2nd year in Japanese language, the other is an unbeleivable Japanimation artist, she's currently working on her own cartoon series, as well as art for a possible showing. The twin boys are still at home and they are a whole story in themselves, some funny, some crazy, some sweet, and some heartwretching. I'll tell you about them in the next e-mail.

[Mrs. Q.]

It's good to know that those eye problems can be overcomed. I have 5 out of 6 kids seeing a Vision Therapist. How did you keep them motivated? We've been doing VT for a little over a month and they are tired of doing it. Ugh!!

You have every reason to be proud. You have quite the family. For as hard as you worked to get them, smile lots.
:) :) :)

[mamaof6]

Hello and congrats!
I know what your feeling, I would have nightmares of horrible situations and fail as a mother to all my kids in them! I am still here and the kids are all doing great. One thing that made my life a little less overwhelming with the new babies is I put an open basket of baby essentials in every room I spent time in. I know it sounds silly, but when your watching busy kids, I never wanted to turn my back on them, so upstairs and downstairs, living room and family room, there were baskets of fresh changes of clothes for babys, diapers, wipes, cloth diapers for spit up and burping, rash creams (in ziplocks to discourage toddler fingers) and diaper baggies (for dirty diapers) so you can throw them away in the same room and not smell it all day! I hope your pregnancy is easier on you and all your babies healthy!
--------------------------------------------------------
Mother of Connor and Ophelia age 6,
Madeline age 4, Camille and Grace age 2, and one coming soon!

[twinsx2+1]

Hi, I am new to this board. I have a daughter who is almost 5, frat girls who are almost 3 and just found out yesterday that we are having our second set due July 5, 2004. It is very overwhelming at first, but as somebody already said - been there done that. We are very excited about our news. Both of my other preg. were very uneventful and I am hoping this one will be too. It's fun to see all of the other moms out there with multiple multiples, and I am looking forward to getting some great advice from everybody.

[beckimomof7]

As a mom of seven, 2 sets of twins, I can assure you that you will survive. It really gets easier as you go along. I always used muffin tins to make the girls a snack "plate" to keep them busy while I was busy with the new baby. Lots of raisins, cheese, cheese nips, small snack foods. It was a treat when Mom got the snack tray down for them and entertained them while I was working with the baby. Good Luck, but you'll have fun.

Becki
Breanna 15
William 14
Amanda & Brittney 13
Kasey 11
Stephanie & Samantha 4

[Richter]

Thank you all who wrote your comments to me. Just an update. I am now 41/2 months and doing really good. I just had my 3rd ultrasound and they are quite active and doing great. One for sure is another boy I was hoping for 2 girls but as long as they are healthy. I have no swelling (knock on wood). With the first set of twins I had them at 30 weeks because I got preclampsia. I swelled up like a balloon and was bed ridden. This time my blood pressure is normal and the only complaint is I am more tired this time. It seems that I have no energy at all. I feel sorry for my boys because before I wanted to play with them and now all I want to do is lay down. Is this normal? Right now the doctor said that I can have them on May 24th. Which is cool because my boys were born on march 24th and we were married on april 24th and my husbands 30th birthday is on May 24th. My hospital doesn't do v-backs if you have had an c-section the first time. What is new with everybody else?

[hay_mar]

Hello!
My first pregnancy was exciting at first. We went in at 6weeks along and they said we were having twins. Then when we went in the next time the one twin had died. My pregnancy went to term, and I delivered a 10lb. 12 oz. baby girl. She was very large due to the large placenta she had from her, and her twins because they had fused together and she was getting twice the nutrients. We were very sad that we had lost the other baby. I never thought we would be that lucky again. But, I am now 4 months along with my second set, and we are doing great so far. The thing I was wondering about is how soon you were diagnoised with pre-eclampsia? I am getting worried the last couple times I have been to the doc my blood pressure and swelling has been getting worse. Any info on this would be helpful, and greatly appreciated.

[Richter]

I would be very concerned if you are already swelling and your bp is going up. I noticed with the first pregnancy at 4 to 5 months. I was swelling something fierce and I would drink a gallon of water and not pee. I told my doctor and she just kept saying that as long as my bp was low I was fine. But she was wrong, if she would of just listened to me in the first place I wouldn't have gotten toxemia. This time they are watching me very close and even a little swelling or a little increase in my bp they are concerned. My advise would be to go to another doctor before it is too late.

[my4sons]

Hi Bobbi,
I was just reading some of the posts. I would be thrilled to have another set of twins. I can understand the initial dissapointment with not having girls, but there is a thread for all those mommies out there who are outnumbered by boys. Its called all boys and it is under the pen pal main catagory. We would love to have you there! Best of luck with this pregnancy. May God bless you and your family.

Jane

[Sheryl-Lynn]

Congradulations twice!! Will your older twins be in kindergarden by the time your babies will be born? Can they go to Pre-K?
I'm very curious...You said no fertility drugs, so this was just by chance? Are your twins identical or fraternal?
Everything will be fine, you should consider yourself a pro at raising twins! You'll do just fine.;)

[Richter]

Hi, Sheryl-Lyn My boy's will be in Pre-K half days in Luthern school They are faternal twins. The doctor has said I'm very ferital sorry can't spell today. I'm doing good although I have gained a lot of weight, and it's not water weight like last time. Thank you for posting . I enjoy hearing from other moms. Bobbi

[twinmom3xs]

Wow so many wonderful stories. I am very happy to hear of so many new multiple,multiple parents.
I just wanted to say that if anyone wants to e-mail me for questions or advice or just to talk please do, as I have three sets of twins and two daughters all are under the age of nine now!
I wish you all the best:D :D