Twinless for a day

So, I had my first day and night with just one of the twins (I’m still enjoying it now actually as I write).  O went to buy a car yesterday – trading in our beloved and battered Clio for something more appropriate to ferrying gigantic twin sons around. I still have no idea what he has got. I just hope it has 4 doors and is not some awful colour!  Anyway, the plan was for O to take S to his mum and dad’s for the afternoon to give me some ‘quality time’ with R but the whole car part-exchanging business took until 8pm!! by which time S was fast asleep at Granny Pips, so O decided to crash with them. Now, I don’t mean to offend those parents of one baby in saying this because goodness knows whatever I’d had I would have found it hard. But that being said, WOW, when all you know is twins and you get a sneaky peak at life with one it is just another world (I’ve no doubt the mother of triplets who has two for the day finds it a breeze in much the same way)…Where do I begin? Bath-time and bed-time was a JOYFUL experience where not once did either of us wail and scream. I was able to keep on top of the tidying as I went along. I did not feel the need to collapse in a heap once R was settled in bed or reach for the gin.  I did not fret during the night when he woke.  I slept deeply.  I’m writing a blog now whilst R plays with a car at my feet and I wrote one yesterday while he napped. The house doesn’t look like the aftermath of the siege of Sarajevo. We still have enough milk for me to have a coffee. I am able to make myself one – and drink it. I will even be able to take a shower, dress myself and R without feeling I need medication just to get through the experience. There is just nothing about looking after one baby that bears any resemblance to coping with twins, because its not like ‘just having another one’. Twins share a special (and oftentimes demented bond); they fight like cats, they scream, they egg each other on, they are constantly vying for my attention and love, in short they are exhausting on every level. Am I looking forward to O an S returning later this morning? I would be lying if I didn’t admit to wanting to stretch this experience out for a little bit longer…