The phone rang around 2 pm on a recent Thursday afternoon. When I glanced at caller id, I noticed my girls’ school nurse’s number.
As I anxiously picked up, I was informed that both girls were OK, but that my older daughter had bumped heads with another classmate during recess. She had been to the nurses office for ice and had a small bump on her head, but went back to class as she was otherwise fine for the last hour or so of the school day.
When she got off the bus at dismissal, I casually asked her, “How is your head? I heard you bumped it at recess.”
“No, mommy I didn’t bump my head at all,” she proceeded to calmly answer.
We had homework to do and an after-school activity to attend. So, I just let it go as I didn’t see any physical bump at all either.
An hour or so later, we were getting into the car to indeed attend that afternoon’s activity at hand, when my little one innocently stated, “Here is the bump on my head that I got at recess from bumping heads with ‘J’ at recess.”
Sure enough there was a tiny raised bump on her head upon closer inspection.
It was then that it dawned on me that the school nurse confused the two girls while she was treating my younger girl thinking it was her older sister.
The point here is that although my girls aren’t twins, most that lay eyes on them think they are, because they are only a year apart in school and 16 months difference in actual age.
Plus my older daughter has always been petite for her age and my younger is just average size for age. So they somehow meet in the middle for size and they look pretty similar, as well. So, they could for the most part pass easily as fraternal twins for those who may not know them.
So makes sense that the school nurse made this harmless error. Plus, I am constantly getting asked by strangers time and again, if the girls are indeed twins.
[Tweet “Multiples Illuminated, the must-have book for parents of twins, triplets and more, get it now! #goodreads”]
So, when I was asked if I would be interested in reading, Multiples Illuminated: A Collection of Stories and Advice From Parents of Twins, Triplets and More by Megan Woolsey and Alison Lee, I was more than happy to an advance copy, because even though I am not technically a twin mom, instances as I described above make me often enough feel like I am an honorary one.
See Multiples Illuminated is a compelling collection of stories from writers and parents of multiples, as well as expert advice that is a must-have for all parents and grandparents of multiples. It dives deep into the world of raising multiples with beautiful stories and helpful advice, plus a little added humor sprinkled in along the way.
In it, you will find essays on topics such as:
- Infertility help and hope;
- Finding out and coping with a multiples pregnancy;
- Stories of labor and delivery; stories from the NICU;
- Breastfeeding best practices for multiples;
- Surviving the infant and toddler stages.
I guarantee you will find stories you love in Multiples Illuminated as I have found a few myself.
One of my favorites is The Main Attraction, by Briton Underwood, because no matter where we seem to go just as the author of this essay marveled during their local aquarium visit, most people are too busy to take in the sights wherever we go, too and usually more interested in the most extraordinary sight of my two and finding out if they are twins.
This is usually followed by all sorts of questions about how it was to have my girls so close in age and more than I can ever begin to explain here. And also just like Britton further explained that his own kids are “wonders of the modern world”, so too are mine. Still though also like Britton, I would also ask those same intrigued people to “Please don’t pet my children.”
Get your own copy as the book launches on May 1, 2016 and will be available on Amazon Kindle, Amazon in Paperback, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.
Also follow Multiples Illuminated on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, too.
Allie says
Great review Janine, thank you!
Janine says
My pleasure, Allie!!! 🙂
Alison says
Your girls DO look so alike, Janine! Thank you so much for your lovely review.
Janine says
My pleasure and thank you for the opportunity to review, as well once again 🙂
Kathy Radigan says
This sounds like such a great book!!! Thanks for the 411! And your girls really do look like twins. I really don’t know how you did it with them being 16 months apart!!! xo
Janine says
My pleasure again, Kathy and I think back now and not sure some days how I did it either to be quite honest. But still, now I mostly so very glad I did xoxo
Meredith says
This looks like such a super book for parents of multiples! Thanks for sharing, Janine!
Janine says
Again, my pleasure and thank you also for sharing for me, too!! 🙂
Dara says
I’ve always found twins intriguing! I dated a twin in high school. One of my best friends has the cutest little girl twins ever!
Janine says
You know I never dated a twin, but did have friends growing up who were and now even have two friends currently who are twins. And your friends little girls so sound adorable 🙂
Bill says
Well I’m glad your daughter is all right. I can’t imagine having twins….of course, I can’t imagine having two kids period. LOL Happy Monday, Janine!
Janine says
Thanks so much Bill and yes both girls thankfully are OK. Happy Monday to you, too!! 🙂
Emily says
My husband is a twin (fraternal), his brother has twins (identical) and my brother has twins (fraternal). I think the bond between twins can be so unique and in your case too – it’s so great they are close in age, despite the mix-up by the occasional person as to who is who…
Janine says
I agree about the bond and thank god my girls (for the most part) do have that! 🙂
Chris Carter says
I think this book is such a great idea!! There is such a need for something like this for those mamas who have unique experiences and stories to share about parenting multiples! This was a great review, Janine!
Janine says
Thanks Chris and couldn’t agree more with you about Multiples Illuminated 🙂
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
I have twins in my family and each time I was pregnant the first thing I prayed for was “please let it not be twins”, I guess God does love me after all. 🙂 Emma and Lily I guess since I’ve been looking at them for a few years do look similar but I can tell them apart. 🙂 I applaud those who have twins or multiples because I know it can’t be easy. While it may get easier as they get older, being a new mom with 1 is tough, being a mom with newborn multiples has got to be even tougher. I’m sure those moms would appreciate this book.
Janine says
Couldn’t agree more with you on this and also glad you can tell my girls apart though 🙂
Seana Turner says
My girls are 3/12 years apart and I still got asked if they were twins (much to the chagrin of the older one)! I think sometimes people don’t really look closely, and other times, if they are similar in height, people just assume. My hat is always off to the parents of multiples.. don’ t know how I would have handled having two at once!
Janine says
I know, Seana, my older daughter is not always a fan of being thought as twins as she is the big sister, but still my hat is most definitely off to twin parents, too!
Cynthia says
Hehe. I *probably* can’t have kids (I have 53 in my after school program – that’s plenty for me at this point, anyways, lol) but I think I would freak – FREAK – out if I found out I was expecting multiples. LOL. Good bye Zen. HAHAHA. Okay, maybe not really, but at least for a little while.
Your girls do look similar. It’s cool how they seem to get along so well, too. Kudos to you, mama!
Sending hugs and Happy Monday!
Janine says
Aw, you are such an awesome teacher and always have been. So many hugs right back at you. And Happy Monday again, too!! xoxo
Megan Woolsey says
Thank you so much, Janine for an awesome review of our book! And your girls are just adorable.
🙂 Megan
Janine says
Thank you for your kind words about my girls and again my absolute pleasure reviewing your book here today!! 🙂
Jack says
My baby sisters are twins. I bet my mom would have liked this book when they were little.
Janine says
Aw, totally think your mom would have, too! 🙂
Tamara says
I can’t wait to read this for next week! Des and Scarlet are three years apart, but she’s so small and he’s a bit tall, and I worry they’re going to be the same height soon. They already wear the same shoe size!
Janine says
I know that feeling well with Emma being small for her age and Lily just being average for hers. They somehow meet in the middle! 🙂
Marilyn says
Thanks for the post. Emma and Lily can pass for twins. I have an identical twin and even I cannot tell us apart in pictures when we were little. Our names are so similar that when we were in school[same class through 3r grade] we had to use our middle initial. I love being a twin. I call Marion my womb mate! We have a lot of twins in our family and know quite a few also. I enjoy hearing about your daughters, the are so adorable.
Marilyn
Janine says
Thank you Marilyn and I truly loved hearing about you and your twin sister, too tonight 🙂
Nellie says
I actually thought it was hilarious when my husband asked if your daughters were twins! Its a common mistake I see 🙂 They are so gorgeous and I love how much alike they are. Great review!
Janine says
Nellie, we got asked when we first walked in by a few other bloggers too when we were taking the red carpet pic. So happens totally more often than not and your husband made me smile, because totally the norm for us 🙂 So glad though that I finally got to meet your husband and your boys, too!!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I love Briton’s writing! He’s hilarious! I had no idea he had an essay in this book. It sounds great!
Your girls do look very similar.
Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
Janine says
Aw, thanks again Jennifer and hoping you have a lovely night once again, too! 😉
Leslie says
Your girls really do look similar. Glad to know everyone was okay, though. That book definitely sounds interesting. You know I’m always interested in stories from the NICU. Every baby in that room with my kids had a piece of my heart.
Aunt Gloria says
Glad Lily’s bump was not a big deal….an honest mistake by the school nurse reporting it to you. I can see where the girls are taken for twins, but to me they are both very individual and special in their own way. A friend of mine is having twins in May (via a surrogate) so I’ll look into getting the book for her. She’ll need all the help she can get! xxoo
Janine says
So glad you can get this book for her as I think it will be a big help xoxo
Kenya G. Johnson says
It must have been a recent post of yours (because I haven’t been on Facebook) where I thought to myself that they are practically the same height now. I wonder if Lily will ever be taller.
Janine says
I wonder, too as my husband is over 6 foot and she might get it from him as I do think Emma is more like me in height as I was always on the shorter side growing up and still am.
Dana says
Your girls definitely look like sisters – I’m not surprised people think they are twins. I can’t imagine all the attention multiples must get when they are out and about – especially identical twins!
Janine says
I truly can’t either, Dana, but guess I get a glimpse just slightly with me. too though 🙂
lisacng @ expandng.com says
I bet my SIL will have your problem because her kids are less than 2 years apart!
Janine says
She probably will..at least from what I have experienced!
Bev says
This sounds like a really interesting read. And I could see how people think your girls are twins! I don’t anticipate that happening with Eve and a potential future sibling since she will be at least three years older than a second child 😉
Janine says
Totally is a very interesting read and hope you do get to read it soon, too 😉
Jen says
That story is cute! Well, not the bump. Just the confusion. Mine are all 3 years apart and then some. I always wonder if I would have survived multiples. I think that is a question that will remain unanswered. What a fun book and I know these 2 ladies!
Janine says
Jen, I think that question will go unanswered for me, too now! 😉
catherine gacad says
my sister and i are less than 2 years about and are constantly getting mistaken as the other. my older sister is a teacher and i am often bombarded (on the street, in the ice-cream shop, at church) by children running up to me and screaming, “MISS THERESE! MISS THERESE!”
i respond, “sorry, i am her sister.”
which totally confuses them.
Janine says
This made me smile and sounds like you do confuse enough of her students though nonetheless!! 🙂
Janine says
Wow, sounds like the you and your sister are most definitely similar to my two and they will probably also have a similar experience even when they are older, too.
Carrie Groneman says
I LOVE It! I have 5 kids all within 8 years, so that’s pretty close and a lot of them but some people’s standards. One day a man stopped me at the store and asked if I was trying to populate the world. I replied ‘no’ just ____(the name of the town) was all, heehee. Your stories are the best. THANKS for sharing with us.
Janine says
Aw, as are yours, too and hugs to you, Carrie!! 🙂