Naming twins can be double trouble for parents who are already having problems picking out just one name. You never realize how many people you don’t like or have memories of until you try to name a baby. Likewise, it can be hard to pick who to honour with a name when you have so many special people in your circle. It can be hard to know how to name your twins.
Another challenge faced by twin mothers is the increased chance of having one or both your babies in the NICU. You might wonder how that works – breastfeeding in the NICU.
If you intend to breastfeed and these are your first children or if you have not attempted breastfeeding before, be prepared
When I was about 10 weeks pregnant I was very excited to see my doctor, because the pregnancy was advanced enough to be able to hear my baby’s heartbeat on the Doppler. We heard it, and it was unbelievable. It made everything seem real – there was, in fact, a baby on the way. I joked to my practitioner at the time, ‘there’s only one in there, right?’ She laughed and said no way was I having twins, I had barely gained any weight and besides, we could only hear one heartbeat.
No matter how well you plan ahead, a new family member will be stressful for your family pet. The key to babies and pets is to make sure that you keep all training and baby-related matters a positive experience. Remember your dog or cat is used to being the centre of attention. It is understandable that they may experience something like sibling rivalry with a new baby. By following a few simple steps, you will help your pet welcome the new arrival into their pack.
Having just moved across the country, I weeded out a ton of unnecessary or disposable clutter before I left. There was an entire drawer full of sunglasses! Some were broken but most were cheap giveaway pairs that are handed out at conferences and tennis matches. No more. From now on I will invest in good pieces for my wardrobe. It’s about longevity, not abundance. This is the only responsible course of action for the planet.
Simplifying isn’t my strong suit. And yet it’s weird that I always felt organized in so many areas of life. I guess my life has always been so full that even if parts were cluttered, the rest made up for it. Until they didn’t. I found out that I had to move the family across the country the day after my Mom died. The past 9 months have been like an Edvard Munch painting. (Yes, sometimes I scream.) I pride myself on not being negative, but the ‘glass half full’ mentality has been exceptionally difficult.
What is it to be ‘good’? Does it matter why people practice kindness? My grandmother told me to be kind for religious reasons. Some people may want to make up for a misspent past, while others just want others to be happier and make the world a better place than it was yesterday.
After an absolutely insane year of change and strife, I vowed not to get involved in tons of new projects. The plan was to step back, regroup and heal. But I can’t, because every amazing initiative by the Sandals Foundation stops me in my tracks. Even browsing the website grounds me, seeing ways the Foundation helps so many other people, animals and our environment.
Currently celebrating their 10th anniversary, they ‘Face the Caribbean’ – a sea filled with life that is on the brink of catastrophe. They have set out to tackle one of the foremost issues on the planet. Coral is being destroyed by microplastics, Lionfish are feasting on reefs and global warming warms the waters. Our coral and vegetation are dying, and marine life follows quickly. Let’s all help, even in tiny ways that make a huge difference.