Why I'm a Mom of Multiples Hero: Jamie

Katherine Betts interviewing fellow twin mom Jamie

We have another Mom of Multiples Hero! These posts give us a chance to get to know each other and share triumphant parenting moments. Whether it's the tiny wins or the jaw-dropping successes, we all have parenting moments we're proud of. It's easy to be critical but it's time to give yourself a pat on the back. You're doing an awesome job! 

​If you missed the last post in the series with Oly, you can find it here. Today I'm handing over to Jamie... she's one busy mama!

​Q1: Please introduce yourself. How old are your children and what's your favorite thing about them?

.Hi my name is Jamie Wagner and I was born and raised in Omaha Nebraska. I met my husband Dean six years ago who also was raised in the Midwest, well I never considered Saginaw Michigan Midwest but its close enough. We have been married now for four years this month and had our first son Noah On May 17, 2015. Three months later, to our surprise, we found out we were expecting identical twin boys!

I delivered two healthy 6 pounder baby boys on May 1, 2016, named Emmerich and Andrue. Everyone always asks if they are triplets but we have to get into detailed conversations how they are only 11 months apart.

​Noah is definitely the first born child and a lot like me, strong willed, smart, loving, entertaining and loves to be surrounded by people. Emmerich was born first so we consider him the middle child and he has a lot of characteristics like his older brother but is definitely charming, vocal, a lot of personality, determined in many ways even being so young; he will figure things out after endless trial and error. Andrue is the baby and he is happy go lucky, highly intelligent like his brothers but it takes him a little longer to grasp. He is very athletic in the sense that he tackles his brothers and this baby still gives the best hugs in the world.

Q2: What's the one thing you wish you'd known before having your multiples?

The one thing that I wish I would have known before having twins would be how important it is to take them out individually one on one or with both parents. My husband I and I didn’t start doing this until they turned a year because One: no steady babysitter or stable nanny who could handle our oldest with one of the twins. Two: our twins have terrible motion sickness and I didn’t have the energy to change clothes to and from an activity. We were creative and had to walk them individually with our dog etc... 

​Q3: How do you practice self-care? What do you do to pick yourself up after a tough day with the kids?

I would be lying if I said everyday wasn’t tough, but it is. Its reality. Honestly having such a supportive, loving and hands on dad/husband makes my life so much better. He’s an amazing father and provider and I hope all my boys turn into the man he is.

On another note I keep my wine refrigerator stocked, drink Starbucks  green tea, and read the mother of multiple moms posts and realize this is what God's plan was. He blessed us with three healthy boys so I need to embrace every day.  Everyone tells us it gets easier ☺

Q4: What has been your biggest struggle and how did you overcome it? (or how are you currently working on it?

I like to think that I have a lot of patience but when you have three toddlers under the age of 2.5 its hard to keep calm. Every second of the day. I never thought that I would raise my voice as a parent-- well, not until the boys were older and understood mom means business.

​I now am working on this when they all are whining, wanting mommy at the same time or are refusing to eat vegetables today.  Now  I am just going with the flow and if I feel as though my blood pressure is rising I go  the pantry for a minute and deep breathe. This too will pass that’s what I keep telling myself.

​Q5: What has been your Mom of Multiples Hero hero moment? That moment you gave yourself an internal high five because you were totally bossing it?

My Mom of Multiple Hero Moment?  This would have to be when I got all my boys to sleep through the night and nap two-three hours a day after 12 weeks. I had experience with Noah my first born and when the boys were born Noah turned one a few weeks later and I told myself once the twins turn 12 weeks they can adhere to  sleep schedule just like my eldest did.

It took a few nights of the crying out method for only an hour but it was the best thing I did for them and our family. With a well rested mommy I was a more productive, fun and engaging mom for all three boys. I have friends who only have one child and they are exhausted because their child still wakes up in the middle of the night.

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Thank you Jamie for sharing your story, three sleeping babies, whoop! Sleep is so precious once you become a mom and if we can get them into a routine early we are definitely making life easier for everyone involved. Being pregnant with twins with such a little one must have been tough too... definite hero status!