Every pregnancy is different, and most women have completely different experiences each time, regardless of how many babies are involved.  Having twins first, I naturally knew my next pregnancy would be different.  If you’re pregnant with twins and are curious how this marathon is going to play out, here are my stories.

We recently asked our pediatrician to get in the battle, asking him to very clearly point out how important fruits and vegetables are to eat.  While his recommendation helped, ultimately it is still up to me and my husband to get our four-year-old, Elsie, to eat well.  So, I have enlisted some of my favorite kitchen gadgets to make fruits and vegetables more appealing.

Parenting is hard and requires a sense of humor.  It also doesn’t hurt to ask for a little divine intervention once in a while.  Thus, we pray as a family before dinner, and the adorable prayers of my twin three-year-olds are both entertaining and impressive.

Perhaps I’m not the only one, but I often think about how things were different when I was a child. It might be because I’m in the midst of raising my own children. It might be because I miss simpler times. The world may have undergone a drastic change. Whatever the reason, one thing I reflect on often is the difference in babysitting now versus twenty years ago.

I went into the final days of my 42-week pregnancy armed with hopes and plans of what my experience as a new mom would be like. I arrived at the hospital on my induction date with a nervous smile and the naive expectations only first-time moms possess.

I remember the days of holding friends’ babies, while longing for children of my own. The one thing that didn’t cross my mind at the time, while smelling those sweet newborns and kissing those squishy cheeks, was how short a time period a baby is actually a baby.

To make things a bit more complicated, I travel for my job.  This often includes multiple flights, airports, car rentals, and late nights.  I realized very quickly that pumping is not a traveler’s sport, and here are some of the valuable lessons I have learned.

When I toured her daycare facility, I grilled the director, I brainstormed with her teachers, and vigorously highlighted the menu showing them exactly what she can eat. I know they are prepared for her.

Confession. On more than one occasion, I’ve been unsure if I’ve secured my daughter in her car seat properly. I’ve tightened and pulled and shrugged, all the while praying nothing bad happens as I drive from point A to point B.

Our family became complete 6 weeks ago.  Baby #4 signifies the end of a chapter: I am done having kids.  It’s bittersweet knowing I will never experience the glory and misery of pregnancy again.