• “Having twins in your class – and not being able to tell one from the other – is a teacher’s nightmare, so imagine how confused staff were when five sets turned up at the start of the new school year.” Read more on the Daily Mail website.

• “In what is being hailed as a medical miracle, eight month old conjoined twins Joshua and Jacob Spates have survived being separated at the base of their spines after a gruelling 13 hours in surgery.” Read more on The Daily Mail website.

• “11 month old conjoined twin girls, Rital and Ritag Gaboura,have been successfully separated by British doctors. The girls, who were joined at the head, survived at odds of one in 10million, after four complex operations at London’s Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.”  Read more on The Daily Mail website, and watch a video of the twins on the BBC News website.

• A set of twins have been born in England, one black and one white.  Watch video footage of the twins and their parents on the BBC News website.
  

Here’s a couple of pictures of my twin daughters not long after we adopted our wee tortoiseshell cat, Heidi in November last year…

The first photo is Rachel. Check out her wobbly tooth! LOL She ended up with no front teeth before Christmas!

The second pic is Sophie, who still had all her top teeth at the time! She also had no front teeth at Christmas!

I’m linking up (albeit late!) to:

• Twin Tuesday
• Tortie Tuesday

… and also Wordless Wednesday.

When I was pregnant with my twin girls, Hubby and I joined The Twins and Multiple Birth Association (TAMBA) for help and advice on raising twins.   It’s a great organisation for parents of multiples and I would recommend that all UK parents expecting multiples, or who have young multiples, check out their fabulous resources online and enquire about joining.

When the girls were two years old, we went to a TAMBA event at Blair Drummond Safari Park, near Stirling.  Unfortunately, it was a typical Scottish summers day – i.e. pouring with rain!!  However, there was a marquee set up with refreshments and entertainment under cover.  It was strange to see so many twins, triplets and more, not only in the marquee, but also throughout the entire safari park.  I’m quite sure that other day trippers must have thought they were seeing double!! 

It was also great to have the opportunity to chat with other parents of multiples and share experiences and tips.

Sadly the following few years, we were unable to attend the annual events, as they clashed with other committments.

TwinHappyJen is organising an online annual event for parents of twins in August this year.  The event is called Twinstock, and there will be fabulous giveaways from Twinstock sponsors.  Please visit the Twinstock site to find out more.

Please visit TwinHappy to link up with your Twin Tuesday post.

This week’s Twin Tuesday QOTW is:

Have you taken your twins on a road trip, yet? And, if so, any tips/tricks for making the ride smoother?

Shortly after our girls turned one, Hubby and I took them away on holiday to Wales for a week.  We stayed in a caravan site, just outside Prestatyn in North Wales.  The girls were so well behaved during the journey (which I think took us about 5 hours with a few stops).

We made sure the girls had a selection of toys to play with in the car and, thankfully they actually slept for much of the journey.

Four years on, and we went on a family holiday to Florida last summer.  Our trip involved flying to London Gatwick in the first instance, and then a long haul flight to Orlando.  The girls were patient, relaxed and well behaved throughout the journey.  They had little backpacks with story books, colouring books, puzzle books and a couple of dolls and fave soft toys, as well as some snacks. 

You can link up with TwinHappy Jen on her TwinHappy blog here or join the blog hop below.

On Twitter @TwinParenthood also posed a twin-related question today:

TwinParenthood

Twin Parents: Are tantrums worse with twins? What age is the peak? Tips to cope?

Well, I am very lucky that I’ve never had much of a tantrum problem with my daughters .  Don’t get me wrong, they have had their moments, but they’ve been rare.

When they were toddlers, we used the “Naughty Step” as a way of tackling tantrums and bad behaviour.  It was mostly used after a spat between the girls.  They often used to fight over toys! 

I have never really had to deal with a double-whammy tantrum in the supermarket or shopping centre.  There was the odd ‘wobble’ with them fighting for space in the cramped supermarket trolley seats, but that was all really!

They’re now almost six years old, and I couldn’t tell you the last time we needed to use the “Naughty Step”.  They play well together most of the time now and, though there may be the occasional wee niggle, they rarely come to blows.

I am very lucky that I can take my girls anywhere with me and know that they will behave.  I often take them to the hairdressers, beauty salon or opticians with me, and they wait patiently for me in the waiting areas, reading, drawing or playing their DSi.

I  found a twin story in today’s Daily Mail about identical twins, Ruby and Pearl (great names, huh!?):

“They are so alike that even their boyfriends struggle to tell them apart.

But Ruby and Pearl Day’s other halves can be forgiven – especially since the pair were yesterday judged to be Britain’s most identical twins.

In a nationwide competition, the 18-year-olds were deemed to be most alike in terms of facial likeness, personality and ‘dancing synchronicity’.”

You can read more about this story on the Daily Mail website here.

Yes, I know it’s Wednesday, but I sooooo love taking part in the Twin Tuesday meme that I thought I’d just go ahead and post it late.  It’s not the first time I’ve posted late, and it certainly won’t be my last!….

TwinHappyJen from Twin Happy was late in posting her Twin Tuesday post yesterday, as she had taken her twins out for the day, then she fell asleep, exhausted, on their return!  LOL.   Jennifer and her lovely daughters live on the other side of “The Pond” so the time difference meant that it was after 1am here in Scotland when she posted.  I was tucked up in bed, fast asleep by then! 

This week’s QOTW:

Do you buy two of everything for your twins? Or do they share certain things?

We have always bought the girls one each of small toys and treats, and just one of larger items to share.  We’ve been doing this since they were babies, and we still do it now they are approaching their sixth birthday.  Family and friends have followed our example for Christmas and birthday presents.

When they were babies we only had one baby swing and one baby walker, which they would take turns to use. To be honest, the decision to do this was based, in part, on a space-saving exercise, as much as it was a conscious decision to teach them to share.   Soft toys, dollies and doll’s prams were bought in twos.  Books, DVDs and puzzles were not.

When the girls were two, we asked our families to pool together to buy the girls some outdoor equipment for our garden.  The girls were delighted with their triple swing set, slide, double trampoline, sandpit and playhouse.  This collection has been added to over the years, with another larger slide and a seesaw.  They share these outdoor toys, not only between the two of them, but also with their friends (particularly their best friends who live next door).

One Christmas, Santa bought them a doll’s house.  It was a huge doll’s house, standing taller than the girls.  Santa had also bought them a Barbie each (similar, but not the same).  The girls have played well together with this doll’s house over the years. 

In recent years, I have tried to encourage a little individuality in my girls.  Therefore, when they are asked to choose a small toy, treat or item of clothing, they can pick a different item from that of their sister.  We do, however, insist that the item is of similar size, value and quality.

Last Christmas, Santa brought the girls a Nintendo DSi console each (in different colours) and a selection of games to share.  Friends and family also bought the girls a selection of games to share.  They have managed to share their games quite happily most of the time.  However, they have been known to come running to me whining,

“Mum!  NAME has had the WHATEVER game for a very long time, and won’t let me have a shot!”

In March, Rachel won £50 at the School Spring Fayre.  Hubby and I suggested she use the money for a share toy for both her and her sister to enjoy.  She agreed.  Both girls discussed what they would like to spend the money on, and it was unanimously decided that they would like to buy Mario Kart Wii and a couple of games for their DSi consoles.

Having observed the singleton children of friends and family, I can honestly say that my girls are far better at sharing their belongings than other children.  I believe this has a lot to do with them being twins and having to share everything from such a young age (even Mummy’s time).  However, I do give credit to their good behaviour too.

You can read my short one minute post on my twin daughters’ relationship here:

One Minute Writer: Relationship

Sorry! I’m posting this a little late this week!

I always enjoy participating in the Twin Tuesday meme at the Twin Happy blog.  This week, I’m taking part by not only answering the Twin Happy QOTW, but also by providing my views re helicopter parenting versus free range parenting.

This post is, of course aimed at parents of twins and multiples, but parents of singletons can feel free to give their views in the comments below.

First, this week’s Twin Happy QOTW:

Finish this line: You know you’re no longer a NEW Twin Mom when…

• You no longer have to plan each outing like a military operation.
• You no longer need to call on the help of a friend or family member for a trip into town or to the health centre.
• You no longer have a shopping trolly piled high with nappies, wipes, etc….
• You no longer have a pile of muslin squares in your laundry basket every night.
• You no longer have to have eyes in the back of your head trying to supervise two curious toddlers.
• You no longer get a great workout, simply by taking your twins out in their big heavy twin pram.
• You no longer have to leave a potty in the bathroom, just in case BOTH twins need to go at the same time!
• Not just close family can tell the twins apart!

Free Range V Helicopter Parenting

I was guilty of being a Helicopter Parent to my twin daughters when they were pre-schoolers.  I always hovered nervously around them in soft play areas and swing parks, trying not to say, “Ooooh! Be careful!” too often, and failing miserably. 

I’ve inherited the Excessive Worrier gene from my mother and grandmother.  From the moment my precious little girls were born by emergency caesarean section, six weeks early, I have worried constantly about them.

Now they are at school, they are becoming more independent.  I do now let them play outdoors together without me being there.  However, it’s just in the security of our back garden, and I do tend to be in the kitchen or dining room, listening out for them.  When we are walking, the girls do like to run on ahead sometimes.  Thankfully, they are both very sensible little girls with good road sense.  They always wait for me at the kerbside, so that we can cross the road safely together.

I think parents are a lot more aware of the dangers of paedophiles, murderers, bullying, dangerous dogs, boy racers, etc than of my mother or grandmother’s generations.  However, I honestly do not think our children are any more vulnerable than we were ourselves.  We have to allow our children freedom to explore, have fun and yes, even to do silly things that might harm them.  This is how they learn.

I am just thankful that my girls have each other.  They can look out for one another and protect each other, when I’m not there to do it.

I like to take part in Jennifer Miller’s fun meme from her Twin Happy blog – Twin Tuesday.

Twin Tuesday QOTW: What Are Your Favourite Warm Weather Activities With Your Twins?

• Playing in the garden – The girls have plenty of outdoor toys to keep them busy: swings, slides, trampoline, seesaw, sand pit, playhouse, etc.  We also have a huge lawn for them to run about and play.  Our pet bunnies also live in our garden.  The girls love to spend time with them, feeding them, petting them and talking to them.  They also enjoy helping out in the garden, by planting seeds and watering the plants and flowers.
• Going for walks – We’re lucky enough to live in beautiful Stirlingshire in Scotland.  We have a river and country paths near our home, and we like to spend time walking and exploring, taking photos and spotting plants and creatures.  When the girls were babies, I enjoyed going for walks along the riverbank, pushing their big heavy twin pram.  This was great physical exercise for me, helping to shift my baby weight.  It was also good for my mental well-being.
• Feeding the ducks – We like to visit country parks to feed the ducks and swans with our leftover bread.
• Going for a bike ride – I like to take the girls out on their little bikes.  They enjoy cycling along the paths near our home.  We usually go over the river to the neighbouring village to buy drinks and snacks from the little corner shop, then we have a wee rest before heading back home.  The girls are quite competitive, and so like to race each other.  Their little bikes still have stabilisers on them, but Hubby and I are keen for them to learn how to cycle without them soon.  I’m ashamed to admit that I cannot ride a bike.  I really want my girls to be proficient cyclists.
• Visiting the swing park – Even though we have outdoor toys in our garden, the girls still love to visit swing parks.  Their favourite parks to visit are: one in Stirling (not far from the hospital), with a tall helter-skelter slide and a fantastic climbing frame; one in Palacerigg Country Park in Cumbernauld; the adventure playpark  in Callendar Park, Falkirk.

The Big to Separate or Not to Separate Debate

My non-identical twin girls are just finishing their first year at primary school, and they are in the same class.  I was asked what I would prefer before they started and I requested that they be in the same class but different groups.  They are actually in a P1/2 composite class, where they share a class/teacher with older kids.  If I had split them, I would have had one girl in the P1 class and one in the P1/2 class.  I didn’t think it fair that one would have (what I see as) the advantage of mixing with, and learning from, the older kids.

In their first year at nursery they were in the same group, but the following year they were split into separate groups.  This didn’t go down well initially, but they ended up thriving in their individual groups.

As someone who was picked on at school for wearing glasses, I feel comforted that my girls have each other as they go through school.  As it happens, my girls seem to be very popular, not just with their classmates, but also with the older kids.  Long may that continue!…

Did you have any complications in your twin pregnancy?

I was told from the outset that my twin pregnancy was “high risk”, but I never really gave it much thought.  Fortunately my twins were in separate sacks with their own placenta, which presented less risks than identical twins who share the same sack and/or placenta.

Thankfully, my pregnancy went very well (apart from common minor complaints such as heartburn, restless legs, back ache, pelvic ache and swollen hands and feet) until my waters broke at 34 weeks.

I was in bed and had just heaved my huge bump from left to right when I heard a loud pop, and a torrent of water was released onto the bed.  I was shocked at the amount of water.  I had no idea that there would be that much!  I was soaked, my jammies were soaked and the mattress was drenched!!

Hubby missed out on this surreal experience because he was working away from home at the time!  (In fact, he was working away through much of my pregnancy and during the first few months of the twins’ lives!)

I did not panic, but immediately went into auto-pilot.  I waddled and squelched my way to the bathroom.  As my waters were still trickling out, I skidded about the bathroom tiles like a hippo on ice!

After showering, I phoned the hospital and was advised to make my way there as soon as possible.  I then phoned my parents, and my mum made her way to my house, as soon as she heard my predicament, to drive me to the hospital.  Before she arrived to collect me, I phoned Hubby and told him to make his way back down to Glasgow (a two and a half hour journey!) ASAP.

When Mum and I arrived at the hospital I was strapped to a monitor, and advised that my doctor was on holiday!  (This was six weeks before my due date remember!)  The midwife told me that she would not be examining me.  I would have to wait for a doctor.  However, all the doctors were currently busy with emergencies.  (Apparently two ladies gave birth in the car park just before I arrived!!)  I was told that the doctor would give me medication to delay labour and to boost my babies’ lungs.

By the time Hubby arrived at the hospital a couple of hours later, I had started feeling contractions (though the midwife didn’t quite believe me!) and felt the need to empty my bowels (though several visits to the bathroom were fruitless!)

Mum went home (reluctantly!) to bed not long after Hubby arrived, and I was given a bed in the ward and a couple of pain killers.  As soon as I laid down on the bed though, my contractions came thick and fast.  Pretty soon, it got so bad that I literally barked at Hubby to go fetch the midwife.

This time the midwife conceded that I was indeed contracting, and assured me that a doctor would come examine me soon.

I was extremely relieved when two doctors eventually arrived to examine me.  However, this relief was short-lived, as the doctors discovered a major complication when examining me internally.  It transpires that a cord was presenting, which could result in a loss of oxygen to Baby 1, and was potentially life-threatening to all three of us.

I was immediately flicked over like a pancake (pretty difficult to do, considering my size!), and I was wheeled off to theatre with my contorted face in a pillow and my backside up in the air!  (How very dignified!  Not!!)  The midwife had her hand pressed firmly between my legs to stop the cord from coming out!  (I was too terrified to be embarrassed by all this!)

When we reached the operating theatre, I could tell that there was about a squillion people in the room.  A doctor told me that I was about to have an emergency caesarean.  I was told that they would attempt a spinal block, but if it didn’t work they would have to knock me out!  This filled me with absolute horror!

“No!  I want to be awake to see my babies!  I don’t want to be put to sleep!”

“We’ll do our best, but our main priority is to get your babies out quickly.”

Fortunately, they managed to get the spinal block in, but I very quickly developed a very painful headache, and felt very queasy.  I actually threw up a couple of times – once before the babies were born, and once in between the birth of the girls!

I only got a brief look at my beautiful girls, before they were whisked off to intensive care, where they only stayed for twenty-four hours, before being moved to the Special Care Baby Unit, where they stayed for just over two weeks.

All in all, we were in hospital for three weeks, and the girls have thrived since getting home five and a half years ago. 

But how about you? Did you suffer any complications during your pregnancy or labour?

Please leave a comment and/or link up on the blog hop below:

This week's Twin Tuesday QOTW is:

Do you have pets and, have they caused any problems/issues since becoming a parent of twins?

I'm actually a mamma to TWO sets of twin girls - my beautiful daughters and our two pet bunnies, Chip 'n Dale.

You can see some photos of our bunnies here.

We didn't have any pets before the girls came along.  Hubby and I were pet sitters for family and friends, who were going away on holiday.

However, I wanted the girls to have a pet, so in November 2008 we adopted two bunnies from my friend, Debbie.  We don't have a lot of room for cats or dogs, and with me working fulltime we were looking for a pet which would be easy to look after.

The rabbits live in a huge hutch and run in our back garden, just beside our back door.

The girls enjoy feeding the rabbits and watching them play, but they don't get to handle them too much - just the occasional stroke - they certainly do not lift them up!

The girls are good around animals.  Their Nana and Papa have a cat, and some of their aunties and uncles have dogs.  I'd like to introduce some more pets into our family at some point but, at the moment, we have enough on our plate!  LOL

Head over to the Twin Happy blog to see how to enter their giveaway to win a copy of Marley and Me.

As a mum of twins, I like to participate in the Twin Tuesday meme on the Twin Happy blog.

TwinTuesday QOTW:

What kind of fun ideas for twin birthday parties have you tried out in the past, or have been thinking about trying?

Here’s some photos of the girls on their 5th birthday last summer.  We were at an Olive Garden restaurant in sunny Florida.  We had bought a cake from Walmart to surprise the girls, and we ended up sharing it with the diners in the surrounding tables, as a thank you for joining us in singing “Happy Birthday” to the girls! 

The girls are wearing their lovely new Minnie Mouse dresses – a birthday gift from Granny & Grandpa, purchased at a gift shop in The Magic Kingdom.

A couple of days after we returned from our fantastic Florida trip, the girls had a Princess & Pirate birthday party at Cadwinkles – a local soft play centre – with a large group of their friends.  The girls looked gorgeous in their Cinderella outfits – a birthday gift from Mummy & Daddy, purchased (again) at The Magic Kingdom.

(I had wanted to post a picture of the girls in their Cinderella outfits, but my computer is playing up this evening, and I am quite honestly ready for hurling it out the window!!)

Twins in the News

I came across this story of a lovely family of multiples in today’s Daily Mail.

Hazel Bowden is the mother of not one, but two, sets of twins, who were born in the space of 12 months. She is thought to be the only woman in the UK to give birth to twins twice in a single year.

Read more about this unusual family on the Daily Mail website here.