Shawnna and I are connected. Not only because we are first cousins (and she’s the only one of 23 of us that looks anything like me). Not only because we have similar personalities and interests. Not only because our parents live across the street from each other. Not only because we were once mistaken for being the same person. Not only because we are outnumbered by males in our homes. Not only because we both constantly refer to our children as “the boys” instead of “the kids” (and yes, we both have a daughter).  We are connected for all these reasons, but now there’s a new reason. We are the only two in our massively large family who are moms of multiples.

Up until last year when she became pregnant with twins, I was the only one in our family that had had more than one baby at a time. Even though we are from a VERY healthy family of breeders, really… two at once!!? That’s a whole new level of population growth. Fortunately for me, I started with the twins so I didn’t know the difference. Fortunately for Shawnna, she has three little helpers around to assist with the new babies. And these big brothers are AWESOME! …it almost makes me wish I had produced a few singletons before moving into the world of multiples… 😉

Seriously though, this family is ah-mazing! Charlie and Maylie are absolutely perfect and they have such doting big brothers to look out for them. If there is one thing Shawnna and I have learned from our large extended family, its that (despite the chaos) it makes life interesting. Oh, and there is more than enough love to go around. I love these little cuties and I can’t wait to watch them grow!