Quote of the Day: There’s a clean bathroom in Heaven for Mothers of boys. I saw that on a bathroom wall hanging at a friend’s house, another mother of boys. We’re also called MOBOs (Mothers of Boys Only).
Here are a few things I’ve learned about raising twin sons:
1. Two babies at the same time is exhausting. Naps were something I could only daydream about.
2. Twin babies DO talk to each other. They managed to outsmart, undo, and out-maneuver any so-called safety latch known to Moms. (They helped each other climb over the baby gate!)
3. I’m not lost if my brother is with me. (They do tend to wander off, but they eventually find me back again. Thank God!)
4. They can play a made-up game with little or no talking where they somehow know the rules and outcome. It’s amazing to watch.
5. They love to argue and express their individuality, and they’re each other’s best friend.
Everything “they” say about twins is true. They do have a special bond. They do speak their own language. They comfort each other and feel each other’s pain. When one is hurting the other cries. Although they seem so much alike, they are more confident in being themselves because they have each other.
Thank you, God, for my four healthy sons, and the double blessing I got on April 29, 2000.
Journaling Prompt: Write about a special bond you have with a sibling, relative, or really close friend.
What a handsome pair you have on your hands! Twins fascinate me (not enough to want to have them…you should get a special medal up in heaven!), but enough that when I was younger, I always wanted a twin!
Wow Mary… twins… you’re an inspiration!!! Happy Birthday to your handsome boys!! They look so happy!
Looks like you’re still hard at work making sure they’re the best they can be! We all know they’re in good hands!
Thanks, Katie, Yes, their bond is a fascination, and you SHOULD be careful what you wish for!
Jen, Yes, they are my inspiration.
Happy Birthday to your boys! What a great picture. And what a great mom to go through all that with such grace!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Happy birthday to your twins! They are so fortunate to be a part of the other’s life in that very unique way. I’ve heard it said that the twin relationship is one of the strongest relationships there can be, that they are very intuitive to each other.
Thanks, Elizabeth and Joanne. Um, yes, and about the feeling each other’s pain part…One hit his head this morning and needed a trip to the ER. The one who stayed in school needed to come check on him before we left. Hurt boy is glued together and back to school. What a way to start your birthday!
A dynamic duo, that’s for sure! Your description reminds me of a girl I went to school with; she wanted twins so that “they could play together.”
I think she meant that they’d be less trouble??
Don’t know if she ever did wind up with twins!
Mary, I’m like Katie — I always thought it would have been fun to be a twin. I suspect that’s because I was the youngest of two siblings and pretty lonely at times. But I’ve never really wished to have them, though we have lots of them on my husband’s side of the family. I admire all mothers of multiple doubly. 🙂 But I also have had the privilege of knowing your boys, and how well you’ve parented them, and how unique they both are. You can now stand back with pride over having gotten through the most difficult years as a mother of twins (and two others). What an intense time that must have been! Now, it’s gravy, right? 🙂 Just wait until the dating years…I see double-trouble in the future! But double the fun, too.
Cynthia, they’re a Dynamic Duo, indeed. Remember the cartoon where they had twin superheroes, “Wonder Twin power, activate!” Tell your friend to be careful what you wish for.
Oh, Roxane, as you know, it’s a different kind of hard once they’re out of diapers. I spent the morning in the ER with Charlie who hit his head and needed to be glued back together. Teaching First Born to drive was not easy, either. But, there’s joy in every season. Thanks for the great compliments on my parenting. It’s a tough job, but all that I want to do.
What a great birthday tribute. My son is 11, and has that exact same scouting shirt! Ha ha! Go figure.
Happy Birthday to your twins! And what handsome boys they are! I really enjoyed reading how your twins are like so much I’ve read about twins. My first year teaching I taught identical twins, but no one told me such; I thought there was a typo for a few days so the boys had lots of fun (ha ha) tricking me. Mary, there’s a medal in heaven for all your hard work as it couldn’t have been easy for a single mom to raise four boys (or any no. of kids) but your hard work and DEDICATION show for your boys are treasures!! I feel your pride and am soooo happy for you. (And thank you for believing in spirits.)
Thanks, Kittie, so I get a clean bathroom AND a medal. Whoo hoo!
Oh, my gosh! Could they possibly be any cuter?! I LOVE being the mom of two boys (but I have my little girly-girl, too)! 🙂
Happy Birthday to your boys! I just love boys and their energy! I am forwarding your blog to my sweet little sister. She has six children with the last two being twins who are two years old…yes, a very busy household!
Thanks for sharing!
Kim, oh, my, please do connect me to your sister. She needs all the energy and support you can offer. They are blessings, but exhausting!
Oh, Mary, they are SO HANDSOME!!
What a wonderful post. Wonder if some twin organization could use this to witness to others…
Hmmm. My best friend and I connect even when time and space separate us. I can just think of her smiling face and rambunctuous personality and cheer up.
Hey, if you have time, stop by my place today. I posted late but really want to share a poem by Mary Oliver called, “Lead” in light of the Gulf oil spill.
On a brighter note, Happy Weekend!
Blessings,
Patti
Patti, Thanks for the sweet sentiments. I do hope that my blog is a place where people make connections and find inspiration to tell their own story through journaling. And, Yes, I’ll come read your blog. Mary Oliver is one of my fave poets.
I’m a fraternal twin, Mary, so this post made me smile. My sister and I had a lot of fun together as children. I’m glad your boys are the same!
Rosslyn, you are a twin! Thanks for commenting. You are the first twin to comment on the twins!
awww beautiful!! loved this post! so sweet. so so sweet.
thanks a million for sharing!
i hope you have a great weekend!!
(& happy birthday to your lovely boys!!)
Thanks, Tahereh, we’re having a doubly fun birthday party!
Mary, I didn’t know about the ER. You dear mommy…I hope you make it through the weekend injury free. By the way, I’m gearing up for our tandem post! I even found the object of interest and snapped a photo. So, I should be ready to roll. Are you still okay with Monday? You can FB or email with answer. 🙂
Yes! Get ready, folks, more commentary about raising boys on Monday’s blog here and at Peace Garden Mama. Is it a hair clip or a catapult?
Mary and Roxanne,
I can hardly wait to see what you two have come up with for Monday!
This morning as I am trying to catch up with bloggerville, I couldn’t help but thank God for the blessing of the internet and new friends who share their lives and experiences. Thanks for sharing yours!
And, thank you for sharing your journey, Kim. You are helping so many others.
Mary ~ your boys are just on that cute/handsome edge.
Happy Birthday to them, and Happy Birthing Day to you.
Twins seem so prevalent in our area here, and like most moms we secretly wished for them, but probably can never imagine what it really is like.
How special , and unique. Did you always dress then alike when they were little?
My late maternal grandfather was from a large family that included quads if you can fathom . Back in the day it was quite the story, a little bit of fame.
I always wondered if I would have multiples , or if my children will .
and I have a very special bond with my brother. I remember the process of adopting him, playing mommy to him, and growing into the best of friends.
Deb, Wow, your family had quads in the time before fertility and modern prenatal care. That is a claim to fame. I didn’t dress the boys exactly alike. They already look so much alike. But, they did have similar clothes, like the same shirt but in different colors. Now, they don’t dress alike at all. They like to be individuals. Cool story about your adopted brother.