It is a normal day that begins at 5:00 a.m., after a long night with the twins. I nurse my four-month-old twins and quickly lay them back down, hoping to steal another hour of precious sleep.
At six-thirty my five-year-old is staring me down, starving for breakfast. "Okay," I tell him, "Mommy will be there in a minute." I close my eyes wishing I could just stay in bed five more minutes. Before I can complete that thought, I feel a jabbing in my arm. I open my eyes. It is my three-year-old. "Mommy, the babies are crying and they woke me up." The day has officially begun.
The clock reads 8:05 a.m.. I am holding my sweet little boys who are fast asleep on my chest. Do I cat nap with them on the couch while the big two watch Disney, or do I try to lay them down and get a load of laundry started? I choose the catnap -- if I lay them down they are sure to wake up.
By 10:15 a.m., I manage to get all four dressed and loaded in the Suburban. We're driving in a torrential summer thunderstorm on the way to the pediatrician's office. "No matter," I think quickly. "I'll just valet at the hospital." When I pull up to the valet the attendant says, "Sorry, lot full." I lower my window to give him the full effect of my four children -- ages five and under -- in the car. "Please," I ask, "I have four small children in the car. Please do not make them get out in the rain." My sympathy plea does not work. He obviously has never had one child, let alone four in a thunderstorm. "Sorry, lot's full."
The closest spot is located at the back of the remote parking lot. Thankfully, the rain has somewhat let up and I manage to get our stroller and my other children inside the hospital without getting too wet. The twins are screaming now. I think its time for them to eat, but I can't remember what time I fed them last. All the feedings just seem to run together. I brought some formula with me (nursing twins in public is somewhat of a side show). Once inside the pediatrician's office I pray, "Please Lord let them take the formula." They drink some, maybe a half-ounce each and are screaming again. I'm holding them both now while trying to read a book to my other children. "Mommy, what's taking soooo long?" they ask (for the 100th time).
Read the continuation of Suzie's Story.
Suzie Chafin is a Dallas, Texas mom of four children, including identical twin boys. She writes and lectures about family topics such as postpartum depression, managing multiples and Christian parenting.
