Even though I was taking fertility drugs to become pregnant due to my infertility problems I never expected twins. I will never forget the day I found out because it wasn't something we thought would happen that month. First off Mr. Man was offshore (working on oil rigs in Louisiana) for much of that month and was a 'day late' for our scheduled 'meeting' (this caused issues latter because he has a male mind but that is another post) in order to conceive. The cycle before that month came with disappointment and I figured with him not showing up on time things would end the same.
I took a pregnancy test after when I was late which came up negative so I figured it was only my nerves. My mother was moving in and we were planning our fist trip to Saudi so there was a whole lot going on. I went to my Dr. for some blood work because I thought I was having a thyroid issue as I was soo very tired. Since this runs in the family I wasn't really off in suggesting it and the Dr. took some blood work. We were in Houston getting our visas for Saudi when the Dr. left a message. I had to come in urgently when I returned for further testing. A good way to panic a gal like me.
I went in to the Drs office where I was quickly whisked away for an ultrasound with a technician who learned very well how not to let on a thing. I sat and stared at a screen not knowing what I was looking at and saw some dots but was told to wait for the Dr. My mother at my side we sat and waited for the Dr. to finally spit it out. He said "pregnant" and than quickly followed up with "twins". I was shocked and just sat and listened to the Dr. explaining what I saw on the screen in the ultrasound room and heard my mother repeat over and over "twins?". Her repeating of "twins" continued for two more days, she was honestly in joyful shock.
Oh I was told how hard it would be for both the pregnancy and the raising of twins but still I was so utterly happy about my bundles that no amount of 'bad' things could get me down. My pregnancy was totally uneventful I was even induced at 40 weeks because they were not showing any signs of coming out of my body. At 40 weeks my world was changed with the arrival of Hannah and Jihad, in that order.
For twins they were as unalike as you can get. Each are of a different gender, which means I get to see first hand how gender is in nature not just nurture. Jihad was always hyper and on the go, walking at 10 months and ready to run the next day. Always in something it didn't matter what you did to try and keep him out he got in it. A screamer as an infant, Mr. Man would be off working on a rig all week and his job upon return was to walk Jihad back and forth half the night. He was also destructive, would tear through anything he could get his little hands on and think it was the best thing in the world which drove my mother nuts. Even worse was his inability to handle a car ride. Someone always had to sit behind him and sing wheels on the bus the entire time complete with hand motions.
Hannah was an easy baby, rarely cried or complained except at 5pm on the dot no matter where we were she wanted to be home and cuddled at Mama's boob. She was interested in eating, easy play, cuddles and watching her brother go off like a loon always in trouble. She was such a good easy going baby and continued to develop in that mode as time went on.
But as twins I thought there would be this incredible bond that books spoke of. Sure they had a short lived secret language that only they understood but nothing of a top code that couldn't be cracked. They always had someone to play with but their playing style for the most part was much different. Although there were plenty of times they could manage to get in trouble together, it was usually Jihad who thought of the idea and Hannah went along for the fun. For the most part they got along as siblings do but no major bonds I would expect for twins.
There are moments though when Hannah will stand up in full twin mode when you mess with her brother, more so than he does. I'll never forget the day that Jihad was late, yet again, getting home while out playing, so I told him he was not allowed to come back in the house. He sat outside, in the dark, on the porch talking to Hannah who was quite unhappy that he was being kicked out of the house. Although this was the same girl who told me how much he bothered her only hours before and how she wished she didn't have a twin. She brought him juice and sat on the porch devising a plan that will get me to let him back in. But no matter what they came up with I refused to let him back in the house. I just got so tired of him constantly coming in late so I figured kicking him out what a good idea, since outside is where he preferred to be.
After a half hour of secret plans and Hannah consoling her brother who sought her out as a fighter for his cause she started to get really upset and twin defence mode kicked in. She forgot that this was the pain she complained of for this was her brother, a twin, after all. She stood and yelled at me "Your the worst mother in the world!!". I couldn't help but laugh as my dear girl was displaying the deep love she has for her brother although in any normal situation she wouldn't admit it even under torture. Don't worry readers I eventually let the boy back in the house who to this day is rather good about keeping track of checking in when he is told.
There are other moments when the 'twin' reality sets in and each will defend the other. But for the most part they are siblings, of the same age, who will throw the other in the fire in order to avoid any fault of their own. "he" did it or "she" did it isn't uncommon in our house as I'm sure is the case for most siblings. But we are talking twins, where is the text book bonding? Does this look like twin bonding to you?
I keep telling Jihad to stop messing with Hannah because one day she is going to get him. She isn't a small girl he can just push around we are talking about a 5 foot girl weighing a 100 lbs and is as solid as a brick wall. She easily knocks the wind out of Mr. Man when he wants to 'play box' with her. She has punched him in the gut a few times, even with her lack of coordination he was left struggling for a breath. So Jihad smaller than her in every way should realize that she can hurt him, but ya know boys think they are invincible. It will take some super man powers for him to get out from under her once she had him pinned down.
Mind you this started with them running around in circles through the living room and kitchen she screaming "give me it" and he was laughing. "Stop it" just didn't register with these loving twins as she screamed and chased him down to the couch. Their Jeddah (Mr. Mans mother) was there telling them to stop "your brother and sister" but they paid no attention to her pleas and she settled with uttering "astagfirallah" for the rest of the ensuing battle. I being the mother I am I got the camera and took some not so good pics of these two in their moment of twin bonding.
No photography course will teach me how to grab a camera and adjust for a low light action situation while my twin darlings are fighting over who knows what. And I tried to understand what it was Hannah was after through the complaints of Jihad "Get OFF ME", the uttering of Jeddah "Astagfirallah", Naomi our maid laughing with "Hannah Hannah" every two seconds and Hannah yelling "Give it to ME!!". Jihad tried to worm his way out from under Hannah but this girl was not giving way at all. She decided to just lay on him for that ensured the boy was going no where. You would think at some point the boy would wise up and give her what she wanted but no, stubborn as a true Arab male he wasn't going to be pushed around by no girl. Being smothered by one is an option but he wasn't going to give in and admit defeat.
Eleven pics latter I still didn't know what Hannah was after but I was left wondering has this boy learned nothing? I mean has he been totally oblivious to the fact that the females in this family get their way one way or another? And don't dare try to do us wrong by not giving us what you should for we will pin you down just as Hannah has done. Doesn't hurt to grab some hair either, for he really hates that. But still this boy will not give in to what he promised to give her. He would rather be pinned to a floor, kicking with a defiant voice amidst various whimpers of pain than to do the right thing by his sister. Have no doubt that Arab blood runs through this boys veins ladies. And as much as I would like to assure that we will have broken this stubborn spirit of his by the time he marries, with an Arab man there really is no guarantee of that.
Ten more pics latter and quite a distance from where this all started Jihad finally had to come to his senses and give Hannah what he should have long ago. She being an American woman had no problems torturing the same boy whom she would protect from harm caused by others for what she felt was hers. There was no giving up, determined as she was because she felt wronged she rode him like a kicking bull holding on with all her might. She also had no problem gloating and continued to pin him down as she displayed what she worked so hard to get from him. Lesson learned, don't wrong my girls.
What was so important that would pit one twin against another in a physical battle of wills you ask? A piece of gum! So if your expecting twins this is what the books won't tell you so good luck to you.
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