Love Me Two Times

A while back, Matthew, over at Childsplayx2 wrote a post about the rewards and challenges of raising twins. There's no instant during any day that you don't feel the impact of having two babies. When you're out with them, the pride is apparent in your smile and your posture and in the words you speak to them. And when you're alone with them, you get to feel the magnetic field that can bring them both simultaneously walking up to you, all four arms reaching around your neck in a big, sloppy hug. This love -- that you're lucky enough to be the recipient of -- is overwhelming. But the challenges can also be overwhelming.

Certain moments in parenting should be manageable without much thought. Case in point: your baby's crying, so you pick him/her up. Easy, right? But some of these moments can be difficult for a parent of two babies, both the same age, with the same (or similar) needs. There are times when both babies (or now, toddlers -- wow, it's so weird to say I have two toddlers!) are in need of something (usually your attention) and you must choose which one to attend to first. It seriously must be the hardest thing for a parent of twins. When your child is upset, you comfort him or her. It's instinctive and instantaneous. Usually. But when you have two babies and they're both upset, you have to quickly assess the situation, and choose one. It's never easy.

When they were younger, it was even harder. Knowing that one of your precious babies is going to have to watch you hold the other one while tears stream down their puffy little cheeks and the look in their eye couldn't be more desperate -- it's heartbreaking. But now that they're a little older and beginning to understand things a little more, and beginning to be more independent, other challenges present themselves.

Now that Locke and Lola are walking, I want so badly to take them for a walk. How simple. Just take them out on the sidewalk and walk around, holding their hands, checking out the sights. But with two, it's almost impossible. We wouldn't get two feet out the door before Locke would take off in one direction and Lola, the other.

Until they get better at understanding direction (they're on the right track) and develop a healthy amount of fear of the unknown (I don't even see that one on the horizon), a simple walk outside will not be a part of our daily schedule. I've seen people with their toddlers on leashes and, although that would solve my dilemma, I can't bring myself to leash Locke and Lola. Plus, I couldn't stand the looks I'd receive from people -- the same looks I'm sure I've given people holding the leash attached to their child.

So, for now, we'll hold our two-legged exercise sessions in a large park, with plenty of running room on soft, cushy grass and pretty trees for shade. I love watching them run freely, laughing and yelling. And what better fitness routine for me than chasing two adorable toddlers barefoot in the grass?