Lisa Gipson
TWIN BONDS BONDS TWIN
Local families share joys and challenges of having multiples
The fascination with twins and multiples is timeless
— especially for people (most of us) who are singletons or parents of singletons (born singly). We reached out to San Diego families with multiples, who were happy to share their experiences, joys, challenges and tips for people who encounter twins while out and about. Some of their input may surprise you!
From Zero to Quads Parents: Isaac and Marcela Morales of Chula Vista Children: Marissa, Isabel, Ivanna and Marcelo, age 7 mos. “There hasn’t been a dull moment since we had quadruplets seven months ago,” says Marcela. “We feel like superheroes raising four babies at the same time. Everyday is like running a marathon, but it also feels like our hearts are going to explode with all the love these babies bring. We love breakfast and dinnertime because they all eat together. Yes, there are challenges: Two arms are not enough to comfort four crying babies (multiples learn to take turns at a very young age) and there are countless sleepless nights, but we put our faith and trust in God daily. We love to encourage couples who are experiencing infertility because we were there once.” Follow the family on Instagram @zero2quads. Alexandra and Julia, age 9 “Our twins are generally inseparable,” says Christine StewartFitzgerald of Carlsbad. “They are like an old married couple, finishing each other’s sentences because they spend so much time together. I’ve come to realize that no one will ever be able to enter their circle. They have friends, but always choose each other over anyone else. They enjoy our Daddy/daughter and Mama/daughter dates, but if there was a boat with two life vests, we have no doubt who they would choose!”
16 • SanDiegofamily.com • March 2019
Lia and Quinn, age 2 “This is my second set of spontaneous (no fertility intervention) twins,” says Lorie Cabuag of Chula Vista. “I was pregnant with twins back to back, but lost the first set. “Having twins was a big adjustment in the beginning. As time went on, I felt like we had a better grasp of how to manage life, but once we overcame hurdles like sleeping, teething and eating solids, there were new challenges. So it hasn’t necessarily gotten easier, we just ‘graduate’ to the next adventure, such as walking and sleep regression.”
Gabriel and Cristian, age 3 Michelle Rosales of Chula Vista says: “After the boys were born, one would cry if his brother wasn’t nearby. They spent time in the NICU and the first day apart was very emotional. As babies, they always hugged each other and never wanted to be separated. Now they get into mischief together. If one is told not to do something, the other gets defensive and stands up for his brother. When one gets hurt, both feel sad and tell me ‘they’ have ouchies.”
