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	<title>WIRL Project &#187; Twins</title>
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	<description>What It&#039;s Really Like.</description>
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		<title>Twin Life: What It&#8217;s Really Like</title>
		<link>http://www.wirlproject.com/twin-life-what-its-really-like/</link>
		<comments>http://www.wirlproject.com/twin-life-what-its-really-like/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guest WIRL]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Challenge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Girls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nausea]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nursing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sisters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[that twin life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Twin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wirlproject.com/?p=6711</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My toddler and I had a great thing going. We napped when we wanted (yes, we). We came and went as we pleased. I had a kid-friendly, work-from-anywhere business that I could do with him in tow. 18 plane rides by the time he was 2, and monthly 4ish hour car rides to see mom and family in DC – he was used to being on the go. We had fun. We loved the non-stop adventure. Thankfully, my husband was pretty understanding. We did it with relative ease. And then, I hit the jackpot with a twin pregnancy. They tell you it’s going to be hard. Who, you ask. Everyone. Parents of twins, doctors, family, friends, random strangers at the grocery store. Guess what, it is. All of it. The pregnancy, the delivery, the breastfeeding, the sleepless nights, the napless days, the general speedy blur of the first year. Now, I’m not downplaying a singleton pregnancy, delivery or home-life. (By the way, singleton is a word I never thought I’d be using. Ever.) It’s not easy. Every parent knows that. But I’ll put it to you this way – almost every person that found out I was having twins asked one question, “Do you have help?” My response was usually a casual, “yea, mom and in-laws will be in town for the first few weeks.. we’ll figure it out after that.” Okay people, I get it now. I totally and completely get it.  They tell you it’s going to be hard. Who, you ask. Everyone. Parents of twins, doctors, family, friends, random strangers at the grocery store. Guess what, it is. All of it. Help would have been really nice as early as the first trimester. How is it that most people feel the absolute worst before most people even know they&#8217;re pregnant? The nausea. Completely debilitating for 3 months straight. Having nausea so bad you feel like you’ll pass out at any moment. To move from bed or even think about food was virtually impossible. ‘Double the nausea’ – and they’re not kidding. Trying to keep an extremely energetic toddler alive and entertained, survive myself, and eat to nurture two energy-sucking blessings that had yet to enter the world.. probably the most difficult task of the century. At least, up until that point. Sex. Who&#8217;s having sex? By the time you feel like you won’t vomit at the thought of movement, you feel bigger than a house. That’s right, a house. (My poor husband.) But get this, you feel like a house only for the mere fact that your belly is growing at twice the speed of a normal pregnancy. You’re not a house. Yet. Yup, just when you think you can’t get bigger, you do. I remember this from my first pregnancy – but it is to the 50th power in a multiples pregnancy. I marvel at the fact that the human body can expand, shift and retract that way it does. Sex. Who&#8217;s having sex? By the time you feel like you won’t vomit at the thought of movement, you feel bigger than a house. That’s right, a house. Which brings me to labor and delivery. I had a cesarean with my first. That’s a story all in itself. To be brief, I was all gung-ho about a natural and intervention free delivery. 22 hours of natural labor, a baby that was not cooperating with his position, and I ended up with every intervention possible. Not at all my dream delivery. So, fast-forward 3 years a month and a day, and we&#8217;re ready to bring the girls into the world. My dream delivery, a VBAC. I had an amazing doctor who was known as the ‘if anyone will let you attempt that, she’ll be it’ doctor. She had the experience and the willingness to take risks other doctors would not take. But that being said, she was also known as the ‘that doctor saved my life’ doctor. So, she was really really good. I had to be induced at 37 weeks. Strike one. (The fear that lingers after a previous cesarean delivery is hard to deal with. And the fear is often what takes us right back to where we don’t want to go. I did a lot of praying. And He did deliver.) The girls were doing great, but I wasn’t progressing as fast as the doctors like to see. Water (one) was broken. (Yes, one. Remember, there are two in there. Twice the everything.) Contractions unbearable. Epidural. Strike two. Once we got to the point of pushing, it seemed to take forever. They tell you the epidural doesn’t help with the very end. But my gosh, I swear they turned that thing down because it was hard. All of it. Vaginal delivery is no easy feat. Even with an epidural. Abigail was born healthy and thriving. Miracle number one for the day. There is something to be said about ‘delivering’ your child. It was very different for me than the cesarean. I had my moment. Then, crap, there’s still another baby that needs to come out. Ultrasound to check positioning. Crap, she’s breach. Strike three. Attempts to flip her were unsuccessful. Strike four. I had to sit and not push for 45 minutes. That was even harder than pushing was. That is, until I had to push out a Frank Breach baby. That’s right, butt first. I’m still in awe at the fact that my doctor even attempted this. But we were both determined to get that baby out without a cesarean. We did. It was merely impossible. With shear determination, the grace of God, and a lot of encouragement from a supportive husband and doctors, we did it. Selah only needed a little bit of oxygen to be safe – but not at all like your typical &#8216;less than thriving&#8217; breach baby. A true miracle. Another testament to the wonder of what the body is capable of, pushing out a butt-first baby. And I even got to delay cord clamping for both of them. Amazing I tell ya. There is something to be said about ‘delivering’ your child. It was very different for me than the cesarean. I had my moment. Then, crap, there’s still another baby that needs to come out. Feeding and breastfeeding, the first month. Pumping, there was a lot of pumping going on. Pumping and breastfeeding and feeding. It seemed like it never ended. I was determined to have enough milk for twins and to not give formula. I had no idea it would be so much work. But we plugged along. There was no ‘oh I’ll just pump and have mom or Ben (husband) feed them when they wake. And I can continue sleeping.&#8217; That’s not possible. Why? Because I would have to pump again while they were feeding them with the bottle I pumped earlier. They were gassy. They cried. They wanted to be close to me. To be held. By me, by anybody. They wanted to be close to each other. There were many nights I only got one full hour of sleep. And that was ‘with&#8217; help most nights for that first month. I was determined to have enough milk for twins and to not give formula. I had no idea it would be so much work. There’s so much more to tell. But for the sake of keeping this from being a novel, I’ll close with this. Chaos ensues. And then, we up and moved to Switzerland. Crazy? Yes. And the blessed chaos continues on the other side of the Atlantic.  &#160; Join the conversation! Easily contribute your story here. &#160; About the Author… This WIRL was contributed by Kimberly Whitfield. Kimberly can be found via Email or Instagram.  &#160;]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>10 Things People Do Not Know About Having Twins</title>
		<link>http://www.wirlproject.com/10-things-people-do-not-know-about-having-twins/</link>
		<comments>http://www.wirlproject.com/10-things-people-do-not-know-about-having-twins/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2015 18:00:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guest WIRL]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Challenge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Breastfeeding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crying]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[feeding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Identical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Singleton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sleep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Village]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Twin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wirlproject.com/?p=6715</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This &#8220;10 Things People Do Not Know About Twins&#8221; list came from two parents of newborn twins and this is their take of what it&#8217;s REALLY like. Check it out&#8230; It takes a village (parenting twins with two parents is near impossible) Non-Identical twins are two separate humans born at the same time Identical twins have to at least be the same sex (you would be surprised how many people ask us this) You cannot safely hold and console two crying babies. What is one to do? Leaving your newborn twins with your spouse for 24 hours is like a sentence to hell for them. See above. Singleton parents have no idea, logistically everything is different Singleton breastfeeding plans DO NOT APPLY, do what works for your sanity Feeding, burping, changing twins alone is a lesson in fortitude and misdirection  Sleep… Forget about it –  In the beginning someone is always crying, them or us &#160; Join the conversation! Easily contribute your story here. &#160; About the Author… This WIRL was contributed by Tim and Katherine Lewis, parents of newborn twins.  ]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Being a Twin with Twins: What It&#8217;s Really Like</title>
		<link>http://www.wirlproject.com/being-a-twin-with-twins-what-its-really-like/</link>
		<comments>http://www.wirlproject.com/being-a-twin-with-twins-what-its-really-like/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2015 15:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caitlin Bloom]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Challenge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blessing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fraternal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Multiples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pregnant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Siblings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sisters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Twin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wirlproject.com/?p=6668</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My name is Caitlin and I am a fraternal twin. This is my story. My sister’s name is Chalise. We grew up in a small town in northwest Pennsylvania. We had a pretty normal childhood with amazing parents and two older sisters, Alison and Amanda. Once we reached high school, we started having different friends and different interests. Chalise is very smart and very talented. She was always the star of our high school plays because she had an awesome voice. I was more interested in hanging out with my friends than schoolwork. I was homecoming queen and she was one of the top students in our class. We always remained pretty close. We never looked much alike, so we were never able to play any tricks on anyone! I always wanted to be an identical twin; I thought it would be so cool. After high school, Chalise went to college while I stayed in town and worked for a little less than a year. I decided to join the Marine Corps. Living so far away from her was rough. She was in Pittsburgh and I was stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC. Over the past 7 years, we’ve seen each other less than 10 times. She moved to Florida for work, and I moved to Illinois with my fiancé. It’s hard for both of us to find the time to visit home, or each other. I wish so badly we lived closer, because I miss her. We pretty much grew up just like regular siblings would. I guess I just don’t know what it’s like to NOT be a twin! I never thought too much about whether I wanted twins of my own or not, I suppose it just never crossed my mind. Well, about 11 months ago, I had fraternal twin girls of my own! I’ll start from the beginning&#8230; I got pregnant late fall of 2013. I hate to say I wasn’t trying, but I wasn’t trying! Haha! I already had a daughter of my own, and my fiancé, John, has two kids from a previous marriage. One morning I woke up with some familiar symptoms, so when I got to work (I worked in a hospital) I went to the women&#8217;s clinic for a test. The results came almost immediately. I was happy, but nervous. What would my fiancé think? We had just gotten a house and we were starting renovations. I noticed I was showing much faster than I did with my first, but everyone told me that you show faster with your second pregnancy, so my “what-ifs” were calmed down a bit. In the back of my mind I kept thinking, “twins.” When I went in for my first appointemt with my nurse practitioner to listen to the heartbeat, I asked her if she only heard one heartbeat and she told me yes. So, once again, my “what-ifs” were calmed. In the back of my mind I kept thinking, “twins.” When John and I were waiting to go in to our first ultrasound we were talking about how we would react if she told us it was twins. We were just being silly. When I got back there, she started doing some measurements without showing it on the big screen. Just messing around and making small talk, I asked, “There’s only one in there right?” She just looked at me. I knew by the look on her face there was more than one in there. I asked if she was for real, and she was. I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t believe it. Twins?!?! What am I going to do? What’s going to happen to my body? Am I going to have major complications and have to deliver early by way of an emergency c-section?? Will I have to visit my babies for months in a NICU? What if I can’t handle two babies at a time? I was scared. Although I remained pretty scared throughout the pregnancy, I got so excited. I was lucky enough to be absolutely blessed with TWO babies at the same time!! Not everyone gets to say that, and I can. I was very happy when I found out I was having two girls. At first, they thought they were identical, but it turns out the placentas were just fused together making it look like one. When John and I were waiting to go in to our first ultrasound we were talking about how we would react if she told us it was twins. We were just being silly. My pregnancy was rough. I had terrible headaches and was always nauseous. I didn’t puke much, though. I ended up getting carpal tunnel in both wrists, making it hard to do pretty much everything! I also had some symptoms that most might not want to hear about as well! Haha! Twin pregnancies are considered high risk, so I had many more appointments than what I did with my first. Many more ultrasounds as well, which was nice. When I got pregnant, I was only about 115 pounds and stood only 5’2”. I was amazed that my little body could possibly support two babies inside!! It’s really something when you think about it. Towards the end, I started having 2-3 appointments a week. My baby “B” wasn’t growing as much as baby “A” so they were monitoring us closely. Intrauterine growth restriction is what they called it. I received a shot to develop their lungs just in case I delivered early. I was doing very well. I worked until I was 35 weeks and 2 days pregnant. That following week, my doctor recommended a induction. Trying for a vaginal delivery was very important to me, unless medical necessary. We decided on the date July 3rd, only two short days away. I was so ready to have those sweet girls in my arms. My poor body was ready, too! I was amazed that my little body could possibly support two babies inside!! It’s really something when you think about it. July 3rd comes along. My fiancé and I headed to the hospital at about 5:30 am. The nurses got me ready and I was given drugs to start the process. At about 7:30 or so, my doctor came in and broke my water for me. I was checked hourly and I was progressing smoothly. My epidural went in without a problem and helped me with the pain. My nurse came in close to 1:30 and checked me. Little did I know I was 9cm dilated and baby “A” was ready! She rushed to call my doctor. She came back to get me started on pushing. Well, that didn’t take long at all, and if my doctor would have come into the room 5 seconds later than what she did, my nurse would have been the one delivering my first! Like I said, she was ready!! Baby “B” was a whole two pounds smaller than baby “A”. She was breech after her sister came out. My doctor was confident that she could get her out without a problem since the first was so much bigger. My sweet baby was born exactly 5 minutes after her sister by being pulled out by her legs! I was so extremely relieved to be able to have just what I wanted, a perfect vaginal delivery. No problems. No tears. Very quick. Hearing so many other twin delivery horror stories makes me so proud and grateful that I was able to do it. My body is amazing. Not only did my delivery go perfect, my girls were pretty much healthy with the exception of a little bit of jaundice. Baby “A” was named Avery Mae, was born at 1:30pm and weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces. Baby “B” was named Reagan Marie, was born at 1:35pm, and weighed 4 pounds 3 ounces. They were absolutely perfect. We left the hospital two days later. No NICU time!!! If you were to ask my fiancé or myself what it’s like to have twins, we would tell you it’s not that much different than just one. You’re already breastfeeding or making a bottle, so doing the same for a second baby isn’t much more work. Same with diaper changes. Sure, it’s more expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. You really don’t need two of everything. The only things you really need double of are car seats, diapers and either breast milk or formula. They can share most everything including clothes, a crib, bottles and toys. We had two swings that really helped, so I would totally recommend some of those! We bought them used so we didn’t break the bank. The worst part of having these beautiful girls is that my mom never got to meet them. My mom passed away in 2012 due to her second stroke. She was only 51. It was very hard, and it really doesn&#8217;t get any easier. I wish so bad I could call her and ask for twin stories and advice&#8230; but I can&#8217;t. She was an amazing mother and amazing grandmother. It absolutely breaks my heart that my twins will never personally know her. But, I will never stop talking about her and &#8220;keeping her alive&#8221; in my heart. I believe she&#8217;s here, keeping an eye on these sweet babies every day. Avery and Reagan are perfect. They’re about to be 11 months old in a couple days and this last year has been amazing. The girls have been sleeping through the night for many months now, which I couldn’t be more thankful for. Getting them on a schedule was the best thing I could have done. It’s a little tough going places by myself with my three girls, so most of the time I just wait until John is able to go or stay home with them. Whenever we are out, it never fails, someone stops us to see them, or talk about them. We have heard “you sure have your hands full” more times than I can count. The best thing you can say to a twin parent when you see them out is telling them how blessed they are. Not how busy they must be or how it’s better them than you. Just say, “You have been so blessed.” Because, really- we have. Us twin (and other multiples) parents are special. We have been chosen to raise two (or more) babies at once. The best thing you can say to a twin parent when you see them out is telling them how blessed they are. Not how busy they must be or how it’s better them than you. Just say, “You have been so blessed.” When people babysit, they tell me they don’t know how I do it. Even though my girls are seriously so well behaved, they are crawling now, and they don’t always go to the same place. They’re busy. It’s tough. Even for me it’s tough. Every day is hard work. When asked how I do it, I respond, “I just do.” My girls have filled an empty void I didn’t even know I had. I feel complete now. Sure, I love my oldest daughter, but something was missing. Not anymore. My family is complete and I have never been happier. My life has more meaning. I am so lucky to be able to stay home with them and raise them, to watch them grow and learn. My heart explodes with love every single day. I have brought these beautiful girls into the world. I am happy and blessed beyond words.]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>What It&#8217;s Really Like to Have an Identical Twin &#8211; and Finding out at Age 33!</title>
		<link>http://www.wirlproject.com/what-its-really-like-to-have-an-identical-twin-and-finding-out-at-age-33/</link>
		<comments>http://www.wirlproject.com/what-its-really-like-to-have-an-identical-twin-and-finding-out-at-age-33/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2015 08:00:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kristin Cogan]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love/Relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Challenge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DNA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fraternal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Genetic Test]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Identical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[identical twin sisters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WIRL Twin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wirlproject.com/?p=6646</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ok yes, I knew I was a twin my whole life, but for the first 33 years, we were told we were fraternal.   First question EVERYBODY asks when I mention that I have a twin sister is &#8211; Are you identical or fraternal? My response was always that we are fraternal, but look VERY similar! We were always told that my mother had fraternal twin girls because we each had our own sac in utero. Every fraternal twin will have their own gestational sac in utero and this is because each egg was fertilized with their own sperm. So, fraternal twins have different DNA. The doctor that delivered us just assumed we were fraternal because we came from different sacs. My twin and I have always looked identical though. Same height, body shape, eye color, hair color, nose, eyes, feet, hands, etc.. Even though there were slight differences, most people knew right away that we were twins. So fast-forward 33 years later&#8230; One of my friends, who is a mom of twins, told me she had her twin girls genetically tested to be certain they were identical because each of her twin girls had their own sac. So, I did some research and found that identical twins can have their own sacs and it is quite common! I ordered the genetics test and had one kit sent to Ohio, where my sister lives, and one to North Carolina where I live. We swabbed our mouths, sent back the kits, and waited not-so-patiently for 2 weeks. They sent the results over email, so when I saw the email come through, I called my sister immediately and read the email to her over the phone. We were beyond shocked and excited that the results came back 99.9% sure we are IDENTICAL! Both of us cried. I can&#8217;t explain why, but it is crazy to think you have the same DNA as someone else! And for 33 years we were answering the identical/fraternal question WRONG!]]></description>
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