The featured blogger this week is Jen of Go Team Wood! Jen is the proud MoM of 2 year old twins, Joshua and Justin.

What made you decide to start a blog?

We have families that live out of state, and figured it was the best way to share photos and updates. It started with occasional updates and photos. Now I am in year two of 365 photos project, which means I update daily, even if it is just one photo. I love being able to look back and see how much my boys have grown. The 365 project really helps me capture the little things that I would probably otherwise forget, not just the big stuff like trips and outings. I do wish I had started when I was pregnant instead of when they were born. Mostly for my own records, not that people were dying to read about my every discomfort, ha!

Were you surprised to find out you were pregnant with twins?

Is anyone NOT surprised when they find out they are having twins? Seriously. I was excited because I really wanted to have a baby and hey, two! But my husband didn’t say anything when we left the doctor’s office and was quiet forever. Then he finally said, “We have to buy two of everything. LIke Bikes!” which I still laugh about because he fast-forwarded so far into the future. It didn’t really seem real and it took months for me to realize what twins meant.

What tips would you give parents that just found out they are pregnant with twins?

Take it easy. Listen to your body. Listen to your doctors. Bug them with every little thing that concerns you. Never feel like you shouldn’t call if you are concerned. The longer your babies stay on the inside, the better outcome for all three of you. We were so lucky that I was able to carry my boys full term. They were big and healthy, they stayed in the room with us and went home with us. We could not have had that outcome without a team of doctors very closely monitoring every step of my pregnancy. Most important, BE FLEXIBLE. I know a lot of women have this romanticized notion of pregnancy and childbirth and those early months with your newborn. I once read that having twins isn’t just twice as hard. It’s harder than that. If you have a rigid plan and don’t just go with it, you will end up frustrated, depressed, resentful. The most important thing is healthy, happy babies, and if that means c-section instead of natural birth, or bottle-feeding instead of breastfeeding, you have to go with it and know what you decide to do is what is best for your family at the time.

In what ways are your boys similar/different?

My boys are so different, and have been since I was pregnant. One was always feisty and stubborn during tests and ultrasounds, the other was easy going and cooperative. They have kept those dispositions even two years later. One is very strong-willed, the other a lot more easy going. (They are like a mirror me me and my husband – I am the stubborn one.) One is tidy the other goes stone-cold-deaf if you ask him to clean up toys. It truly is fascinating to see real-life nature vs. nurture happening in our home. They have all the same experiences, meals, outings, etc. and are SO different. They are both very sweet, curious, smart, inquisitive and eager to please.

What are some of your favorite things to do as a family?

We love being outdoors. Hiking, biking, trips to the zoo are regular activities together. We have taken a couple road trips which have always been great. Every year we drive to Twinsburg, Ohio for the Twins Days Festival, this will be our 3rd trip this summer. We love exposing the kids to as many things as we can. For their 3rd Birthday in November we are taking them to Disney World, woo-hoo!

What question(s) do you have for the other families in the community?

We are in the throes of twos, some days are amazing and some days, well… We’re mostly potty trained, and working on going places without the stroller, but this Disney trip in the works brings some concerns. We plan to rent a stroller, take lots of breaks, go with the flow, but if anyone has any tips for traveling to Disney World with 2.999 year olds (Hey, they’re free until 3!) I would love to hear it. Things like must-see, toddler-friendly activities, places to unwind, best restaurants, etc. I have read and read and read tips (even some on this site!) but any advice from folks who’ve been there with TWINS would be priceless.

Be sure to leave your answer to Jen’s question in the comment section and then head over to Go Team Wood! to leave some bloggy love!