Oh the fun and craziness of my life

On occasion, I confess I have "one baby" envy. It is rare and don't get me wrong... I love both of my girls dearly and would never trade my circumstances, EVER. But sometimes, twins can be so much work. Take for example, I have a group of women and their babies that we get together with and do a "lunch bunch." We meet usually once a week or every few weeks. Someone hosts the lunch and we all bring something. The kids play and we get to talk and have some adult conversation/time. These generally turn into a lot more work for me and I am worn out by the time we leave. I have learned a lot about our routine and how I handle things before I go etc... Most of my friends bring their kids and the kids eat what we have brought to the lunch bunch for lunch. I always feed my kids before we go bc I don't have two portable booster seats and if I did I can only haul so many things to the party and typically two babies in tow plus my diaper bag with Lord knows what it is in it these days is enough. Plus my double stroller to bring them up to the house. Anyways, regardless of the fact that my kids have eaten, they see food and other people eating and instantly they want food. So I will sit them next to me generally on the floor and give them bites of food. They usually end up climbing all over me while they are waiting for their turn for a bite or grab at the plate when the other is being fed a bite. The plate typically gets dumped over and then I have to clean it up plus try and keep them from both going for the food. Then I have to clean their hands up before they go placing their fingers prints all over furniture and walls. By the time I am done attempting to feed them... I am just done! No food for me, I don't feel like dealing with it anymore. Not to mention, wrangling two babies doesn't allow for adult conversation.

Most of the kids that come are around the girls age and under 2. But one girl has 3 boys 18 months apart and the oldest is 4. We went to her house yesterday. Their house is loud and crazy and that is just how it is with her boys. Upon entering her house, I put down Ellie, my mobile child so she can walk on in the house. She was greeted by two small dogs (5lbs) and freaked out. She hasn't done that before so it took me off guard but she was scared and reaching up for me in despair. So I put the dog lover (Lindley Kate) down and pick Ellie up. LK does love dogs but we aren't around them much so we haven't really worked on appropriate dog behavior. Thankfully these dogs tolerated their ears being pulled. But I am still in the foyer. We finally make it in. Ellie is instantly taken by the drum and drumsticks being played by M, who is 4. She begins to follow him around. He is sweet and gentle but like many kids his age lacks situational awareness and he is oblivious to this one year old following him around trying to grab the stick from his hand. I am chasing her around trying to keep her from getting accidentally knocked in the head. Meanwhile I put LK down on the floor with toys next to her friend C who is 6 days younger. I pick Ellie up look behind me and LK is red as a hornet screaming as C has two handfuls of her hair tugging hard. She was pretty clinging after that incident, rightfully so. Poor thing. I felt bad but what do you do...babies don't know better and C is just an example of this. For the rest of the party I am trying to keep Ellie from taking toys from the big boys. I look back in the kitchen and see all my friends (all but two other girls) with one baby sitting at the kitchen table eating food, feeding their babies in booster seats and enjoying conversation. I will never know what that feels like! But in the end, my situation is very fun and most people will never know what it feels like to have two babies at once and the fun that comes from this very experience. I know this but occasionally I am jealous...what can I say....I'm human, a sinner,and I take for granted what I have more than I care to admit. I could just not go but then I would never see adults and make friends so it is worth it to me even if I create more work for myself. I am still trying to figure out how I am going to manage two babies and getting to the pool. It is hot here and I know that is an activity we are talking about doing soon! It should be interesting. And one more thing...my friends are always helpful and do have my babies on their hips frequently telling me to go eat lunch.

My confident child

sweet baby

Wait, I am seeing myself!

My wild and crazy baby

Lastly LK sticking her tongue out...she thinks it is funny.