May 1, 2007
We’re Fine
She’s a day away from turning three years old and is
dancing to Marva Wright on top of an overturned box.
She throws her arms out, swings her head and
deliberately places her feet in perfect placement. Her
godfather marvels “she is so in her body”.
All while her 6 1/2 year old twin brothers are
wrestling next to the box.
***
When we took the kids to their daddy’s home town for
the first time after the storm, we didn’t know what to
expect. As we drove along the Mississippi River and
through the devastated New Orleans and Metairie
neighborhoods, one then five year old boy kept yelling
“TRASH!” every 20-30 seconds as we would see another
huge mound of debris. Another five year old would try
to figure out if the animals had been rescued from the
houses marked with huge X’s. And our then two-year-old
daughter kept asking to hear Laurie Berkner’s insanely
perky Walk Along the River.
***
One guy was furious at his brother. He could barely
speak and was trying to muster the meanest, cruelest
thing to say. Finally he blurted out “You CAN’T come
to my 5th birthday party!!” and sat back, all content
that he had cut his brother to the quick.
“But we’re twins - we SHARE a birthday, remember?” his
identical twin brother replied matter-of-factly.
Oh the defeat.
***
As babies and toddlers the boys would go to sleep at
night in their cribs. But for afternoon naps we would
all pile into my bed. I would lay in between them so
that each boy snuggled under an arm. I sang the same
songs: Hush Little Baby, Fai-Do-Do, House in Pooh
Corner, Rainbow Connection, and if they were still
awake, Bette Midler’s The Rose.
***
I laid on the table 30 weeks pregnant with three
obstetricians, an anesthesiologist and two nurses
surrounding me. Across the almost quiet room were two
teams each consisting of a neonatologist and two
nurses - one for each baby inside of me. “I’m so
sorry” I cried to my husband. “I tried to keep them
inside of me”.
“They’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.” as he stroked my
head.
***
Allison and her family are indeed fine. She is the
mother of three healthy, tall and articulate children
- twin 6 1/2 year old boys and a three year old girl
(who wears size 5/6 clothes). She started a new job in
April and is loving it. She had a lot of fun
rearranging all the color-coded folders at The Dana
Files. The Lovely Dana is over at Allison’s place -
Soccer Mom in Denial. You can find more exchanges at
The Blog Exchange.
Posted by Dana @ 6:00 am • Uncategorized
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May 1st, 2007 at 6:18 am, jenn in holland Says:
As always your writing touches and inspires SMID!
I love the declaration of “you’re not coming to my birthday party” and the absolute defeat of “we’re twins…”
Brilliant.
Not to mention each of the other vignettes. Beautiful post.
May 1st, 2007 at 7:40 am, Jenn Says:
Yipes. Lots of doctors make everyone nervous.
Your kids are so unique, it’s great.
May 1st, 2007 at 8:19 am, Dana Says:
I love this post. I agree with Jenn in Holland. The birthday party statement is the best! Allison, you’re a wonderful writer. You’ve captured the essence of motherhood.
I feel funny commenting to someone else on my blog. Hehehe! This is why I love the BE!!
May 1st, 2007 at 8:51 am, jodi Says:
Beautiful post. It’s amazing how quick they grow.
May 1st, 2007 at 9:20 am, chelle Says:
hehe your kids are awesome! The Laurie Brickner requests and the un-invite to the birthday are classic!
May 1st, 2007 at 10:21 am, mayberry Says:
Loved this — what a fun way to show how far you’ve come from that scary moment. Happy Mother’s Day!
May 1st, 2007 at 10:37 am, Kate Says:
What nice remembrances! Beautiful post, Allison.
May 1st, 2007 at 12:04 pm, Gunfighter Says:
“But we’re twins - we SHARE a birthday, remember?”
Funny!
Funny!
Funny!
May 1st, 2007 at 2:48 pm, Ambassador Says:
A-
I love that you love being a mom - thank you for all the stories and the laughs…and of course, the tears too.
I love you - and early Happy Mother’s Day! Your Ambassador
May 1st, 2007 at 5:33 pm, Laura Lohr Says:
How scary to have your babies at 30 weeks. I am so glad they are all fine.
I had to chuckle when you told your husband you tried to keep them inside as long as you could.
Great post!
May 1st, 2007 at 8:04 pm, Jessica Says:
Having spent time with your boys I can honestly say they have the energy to power a small village. With their sister I’m thinking maybe a district. Hook them up to your house electrical system and you’ve got free A/C and heating for life. On top of that, no TV needed since they’re all the entertainment anyone could ever want.
Can I come to the next birthday party? Whichever boy will invite me…
May 1st, 2007 at 9:40 pm, Alex Says:
What a fun post to read! My husband freaked out when one of the suggested days for my scheduled c-section was June 26th because he didn’t want to share a birthday!
May 1st, 2007 at 10:59 pm, kara Says:
that was wonderful.
May 1st, 2007 at 11:47 pm, Jenn Says:
I loved these snippets - what a great idea!
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:44 am, jennifer Says:
Great stories each of the sections.
May 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm, Lara Says:
i got chills reading this. thanks so much for the writing, and congrats on the best of blog exchange.