Lately when people ask me how it is with twin babies, I find myself saying, "It's so easy!" I caught myself last time and thought, what am I saying? No reasonable person would describe juggling two babies (on top of two other children) as easy.
I looked up "easy":
1
a : causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort
b : requiring or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection
2
a : not severe : lenient
b : not steep or abrupt
c : not difficult to endure or undergo
Okay, so all of definition 1 is out. There is a lot of effort, thought, and reflection. There is much difficulty and discomfort. I realized yesterday that I hadn't left the house for a week. Honestly hadn't gone farther than the front porch. And there have been many other such weeks in the past six months. I left the house much more often when I was on bed rest! (doctor appts three times/week)
But I found my meaning in 2.c: not difficult to endure or undergo. That's what I'm feeling. The pregnancy was so difficult to endure, so much pain, so much emotional and physical discomfort, I kind of assumed that caring for two babies would be the same. But then...
I get to live with these angels! I feel so privileged that I'm the one who gets to care for them, hold them, feed them, love them. Whatever I'm giving up, however my life has changed, doesn't feel that hard. Not to say that it isn't hard sometimes, and challenging, and exhausting. But I guess I was preparing for the worst, so the relative sanity and absolute joy I feel has been surprisingly easy by comparison!
One key for me has been changing my expectations. I've had to be very stern with myself and not expect a lot of productivity, cleanliness, "me" time, sleep, diversions. If I change what I expect from the day, I can find the happiness in it. But another key for me has been this time right now, my writing time. For about three hours a day/4-5 days a week I have someone watch my babies so I can write. This is very rejuvenating for me and makes me excited to return to my kids again. And so I should get back to it. A first draft awaits.
They really are adorable. And you're very fortunate to have three hours of writing time every day. I'm glad that it is working so well for you.
Posted by: Kelley | March 28, 2011 at 11:19 AM
They are sooooo cute!!!!!! (yes!!!!! second comment!!!!! lol)
Posted by: Estefania Lahera | March 28, 2011 at 11:24 AM
How cute, cute, cute. I imagine it'd be both rewarding and fun (sometimes) to take care of such sweethearts. :D
Posted by: Christen | March 28, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Those faces! So sweet, so happy. Ahhh.
Posted by: Miss Erin | March 28, 2011 at 11:32 AM
They are darling Shannon! Maybe sometime I'll get to see them again (and You) out of your house!
Posted by: Janeil Jones | March 28, 2011 at 11:38 AM
I enjoy your blog as much a your books ;)
Posted by: Karen Geertsen | March 28, 2011 at 11:47 AM
This is beautiful Shannon, thank you! It made me tear up and miss my babies (19 and 11). I loved staying home taking care of them. But I have neices and nephews, and in October I get to be a Grandma! I'm kind of excited about that. Looking forward to being a young Grandma and having lots of fun with the little one! (no multiples sadly....my daughter is happy though)
Posted by: Jen D.F. | March 28, 2011 at 11:57 AM
oops, just realized that I spelled nieces wrong.....
Posted by: Jen D.F. | March 28, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Adorable. I've ordered twin girls next (as soon as I convince my hubby to let me try), so I'm a bit jealous that you have them now. :) Also that you have 3 hours to write every day. That would be wonderful, too.
Still, if not me, I'm happy it's you.
Posted by: Robin_Weeks | March 28, 2011 at 11:59 AM
I guess adorable is the optimum word here. So, I'll add my own "adorable" to the mix. Such sweet faces!
Posted by: Linda W | March 28, 2011 at 12:01 PM
I love it when I get a little time away from my kids, because then I'm so excited to return to them! Your girls are darling.
Posted by: megwrites | March 28, 2011 at 12:22 PM
First of all, oh my goodness, what beautiful babies! The girls have such bright eyes and smiles.
Second, I think this is a fantastic explanation of what parenthood means. Even if it's technically difficult (babies need to eat! they get sick! they require a lot of attention), it feels easy because it's all for someone you love beyond words.
Posted by: Annie | March 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM
They are so cute!!! I love babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such sweet little cherubs!!!!!!!
Posted by: Alexandra Wood | March 28, 2011 at 01:39 PM
My heart just exploded. DARLING. I wish I knew which name belonged to which face, but I do think one looks more like you and one looks more like Dean.
Posted by: Q | March 28, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Shannon, you seem so EASYgoing... :P :) :D
Posted by: gracie | March 28, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Oh I just want to pinch their cheeks! They are so adorable!
Posted by: Beth S. | March 28, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Such cuties! Thanks for this post Shannon. I've been thinking a lot about expectations and how I can be a mom and write and mold the two the best that I can.
Posted by: Rachel | March 28, 2011 at 06:07 PM
Oh, such precious, beautiful babies! You are truly blessed! (Keep the pictures coming. It makes my day just looking at those beautiful angel faces.)
Posted by: Sondy | March 28, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Adorable! Those little girls are just bundles of precious! So much fun! Thanks for pictures!
Posted by: Hannah | March 28, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Holy moly those babies are adorable! It's so nice you can take the time to write. If I ever have another child, I"d have to carve out time like that to write every day.
Posted by: Abby Minard | March 28, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Motherhood suits you. These precious girls are lucky to have a mom who understands so much, and can put it into words. You always seem to see the best in your life, no matter how sleep deprived you are.
Posted by: Nana | March 28, 2011 at 08:25 PM
I felt very much the same way with my twins. The pregnancy was, by far, the most difficult part, both physically and emotionally. My boys are 4 1/2 now and I'm dreading kindergarten because I don't want to be without them all day!
Posted by: Amber | March 28, 2011 at 08:48 PM
They're so, so cute! I'm loving these baby pictures!!
Posted by: Bonnie | March 28, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I love your baby post titles. I see your hub in one twin and you in the other. Do people tell you that often? Those girls are so darned cute and lucky to have great parents too!
Posted by: MelissaPete | March 28, 2011 at 10:25 PM
I love it when you talk about book stuff. But these posts lately when you share the mom side of your life are even better in some ways. What a joy being a mom is - and what a joy to find it in your life!
Posted by: Laree @ Ever Heard of Euless | March 29, 2011 at 03:03 PM
Gah they are so cute!! Squee! Makes me miss when my niece was that little.
Posted by: Rebecca | March 29, 2011 at 04:52 PM
They are cute, adorable, darling, all of the mentioned above, I love these pictures. Thank you for showing them... oh, so wonderfully cute!
Posted by: Kelly C. | March 29, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Oh my goodness, that bottom picture just makes me MELT.
SO cute.
Posted by: Naomi | March 29, 2011 at 09:13 PM
I didn't mind writing when I had babies so much as when they turned 15 months. Then they attacked my keyboard whenever I was on it in a jealous rage.
:)
Posted by: Amber Argyle | April 03, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Shannon, you should write an educational pamphlet on how to survive a pregnancy with twins! I have no idea what to expect, other than that my previous expectations (e.g., that raising a baby would be something like raising a puppy) are probably...off when twins are involved. A friend corrected my original equation by informing me that taking care of one newborn baby is a little more like simultaneously taking care of 11 or so puppies. Uh? So if we extrapolate, does this mean that the effort invested into newborn twins is equivalent to raising 22 puppies?!? Surely that can't be right? Can you provide a better baby/puppy calibration equation?
Posted by: BabyMama | April 03, 2011 at 11:17 PM
So adorable! Thanks for reminding me what a blessing it is to be a mom, in spite of all the challenges. Or in part, because of them!
And, first draft, eh? Does that have anything to do with a super secret surprise?
Posted by: Laura | April 04, 2011 at 09:20 AM