My twins are turning one this coming Saturday (8th) and I feel so sad that they won't be "babies" anymore even if they are crawlers, infants, toddlers etc
I have loved this first year with them so much and I am sad to realize how quickly it has gone by. It all seems like such a blur of things.
So can anyone tell me what the next year has in store for us, I'm figuring walking will be on the agenda in the next 6 months, and some actual words but what else? Do things generally get easier or harder?
My first DD was so different as a baby to the twins so know it won't be the same as her second year.
Did anyone else feel this way??


Jo

<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/baby1/050108/2/18/0/+9.5" border=0 /></a>

Hi Jo,

Congratulations on getting through the first year with multiples! And a big happy 1st birthday to your cherubs for this Saturday, I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating their life so far!!

Hmmmmm, what to expect with twins in the second year. You can expect walking, running, climbing, etc in the second year! And starting to form words and put words together.

And, I hate to say it, but you can expect the terrible twos times two! Child proofing the house and making sure everything is safe is really important, because in my experience they gang up on you lol, and get into everything while you're busy with the other child! And they can get into all manner of places and situations that will never have even entered your mind....trust me.

You can expect a noisier household when they start learning to make their presence felt! My guys have started repeating things over and over again to me until I acknowledge them. And they get louder and louder until I do answer them.

Toilet training...you might contemplate starting this? We haven't started tt'ing yet, but my three have been showing signs of awareness for a long time now, and we have had some success on the toilet and the potty. They may be ready for toilet training, but I'm sure not lol!!

Is it harder in the second year? I would definitely say it brings a new set of very different challenges. Some things get easier and some get harder in my opinion, but I think that is the case with any baby...not just multiples.

There are also wonderful things about the second year. Hearing your little ones say I love you two times over, the spontaneous cuddles and kisses. Watching them develop into little people and seeing their different personalities emerge!

Oh and you'll need lots of patience and someone that you can pour all your frustrations and joys out onto! Enjoy the second year...it's definitely a challenge, but it can also be lots of fun. Look forward to hearing all your highs and lows of the second year.

Cheers,

<font color="#3300FF">Renée - Mum to triplets born at 26 weeks & 4 days on 18 August 2002</font>


<font color="#FF3399">Baby girl due March 30</font>

I have to agree with EVERYTHING Nee said.

My girls turned 2 in Oct & I love them to death. I will admit it's harder than when they were babies, but some people would disagree with that!

It's so awesome when they start talking. For me I love seeing them interact with each other. They have started playing together (they also fight), & it's cute watching them talk to each other.

They look out for each other too. In the 2nd year, they become a lot more independant & that's great. It's great watching them learn so many new things.

I found the 18 month mark the hardest, but it's started to get a bit easier. Now they are talking more & can understand so much more, so the difference is huge.

Keep enjoying your little ones, because they really do grow up way to fast!

Belinda

Mummy to twin girls born @ 30 weeks Oct 2002

Hi Jo,

My 2 have just turned 2, on the 2nd of December, and by gosh this year seemed to go past faster way quicker than the first year.

The biggest thing that I have noticed in the last year is the independence. They start to be able to do LOTS of things without your help. For me, a felt like I got a bit of my life back. (Sounds a little selfish - didn't mean to).

Earlier on on the second year, they start to be able to feed themselved their whole meal themeselves, play with things on their own and ... like Nee said, get into everything!!

Later on in the second year, they started to play together and really look out for each other, if Alicia asks for something to eat, she'll always ask for one to give to Sophie too (and vice versa). They run around holding hands and talk to each other, and make up games, - very cute.

Then they start to talk ... oh my gosh, it is AMAZING to see them learn this, they come up with the funniest things, and they can tell you if someting hurts, what they feel like eating for lunch, if they have pooed their nappies and all that, phew, for me, that has been great.

They also get very determined, and test your patience some times, (OK, alot), but when you tuck them up in bed and they say "I yuv yoo", it all seems worth it.

I'm also putting off the toilet traning thing, seems a little scary with 2, as does the big bed thing, seems like a whole other post.

I have no others, so I can't answer your initial question.

Hope it all goes well!


Kate
Alicia and Sophie 2/12/02

Hi Jo, congratulations on your twins turning one! I read your post and remembered what a huge event turning one was for my own twins. I agree with everything written in the other replies to your post. I loved it when my boys started walking and enjoyed seeing them being able to go where they wanted to. Looking back, when they were around one it was a terrific time of learning and fun. When they start understanding everything you say and responding with some words it's just gorgeous too.
I must say when they were around 18 months I thought I was going to go mad! I went through a really bad patch where they were really hard work ... climbing, falling, being naughty etc. That all calmed down but there are some challenging times when they start to assert their independence. I also found that we did more child proofing than many of my friends with just one child of a similar age. For example, we put our dining chairs away because I could be on the floor of the living room changing a nappy and the other twin would climb onto a chair and onto the dining table. This happened and was very scary! You can be distracted by one and the other can be doing something potentially dangerous so we had to make sure the house was very safe.
Now mine are three and I still have days when it's such hard work to do anything and everything's a battle of wills. But I still think it gets easier every day as they get older because they sleep better during the night and they understand more all the time. We've also left day time nappies behind... YAY! so that's a bonus. Plus they say and do things that will give you hysterics. You can't believe the things they'll say and it's just as well that they say such funny things as it's good to have a giggle after a tiring day!
Enjoy your one year olds,
Maycee

Maycee (35)
DH (33)
Twin boys (4/12/01)
DD (7/10/03)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your two little cherubs. Hope you all have a great day celebrating their first year.

I know what you mean about them not being babies anymore, but the toddler stage is lots of fun - and just think of all the extra sleep you will get.

Cheers

Mags