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Having twins is twice as much fun as just having one child — or six for that matter.
“When we found out we were going to have Isaac, we had to get a vehicle that could hold eight people,” said Marla Orr, offering a unique peek into a busy six-child family. Her four-and-half-year-old fraternal twins Annika and Bronwyn plus newborn Isaac rounded out her family at six children.
“Twin power,” exclaimed Bronwyn and Annika in unison, while their newborn brother Isaac takes a nap in a bassinet on the floor of a local coffee shop.
It’s a busy household but Orr says she feels “blessed all the time. It is one of the best things you can do is raise children.”
An ultrasound revealed the Orrs were going to be parents to twins.
“I had some complications, so they did an ultrasound to see if I had miscarried. And that’s when we found out we were going to have twins. We were thrilled,” she said.
Twins run in the Orr family as her brother and sister also have twins and her grandpa was a twin as well.
They’re also somewhat common in the city. Orr and her husband, Dave, are members of the Lethbridge Twins and Triplets Club. They joined when the twins were seven months old after one of the members of the club talked to Orr in a grocery store.
“That happens a lot, people stopping to ask about them,” Orr continued.
Orr appreciated the chance to join the club and take advantage of the services the club offers such as equipment, the library and guest speakers including Lethbridge Family Centre’s Jerrold Visser, as well as a variety of family events. It also hosts special events for Halloween and Christmas. But mostly, she appreciated the chance to meet and bond with other parents of twins and triplets. They also offer a “meals for moms” service for new mothers. The club has been a society in Lethbridge since 2002.
The club has 49 families involved from all over Lethbridge and from Fort Macleod to Raymond and everywhere in between.
“I was really surprised at how many there were,” she continued.
Any organization that helps parents raise their children is a good one though, she added.
“For me the biggest thing is talking to people who understand your experience even though people’s experience is as different as the kids are. But some of the challenges we face are the same.”
Annika and Bronwyn are fraternal twins so they aren’t identical. The girls have the same colour eyes but Annika has a slightly different facial structure.
“Most people can tell them apart.”
Having twins can be a challenge, especially as they are beginning to show different interests.
Her twins are involved in a variety of activities including dancing, swimming, play groups and pre-school plus activities with their church.
The twins do a variety of activities together, such as crafts, according to Annika, and playing with playdough, added Bronwyn.
“They are excellent. They love to help each other,” Orr said. “And they always have someone to play with.”
Even at four, her twins have very different personalities. Bronwyn is more outspoken and active, bouncing off the walls and always willing to add her two cents, while Anikka is more quiet, content to sit and draw while sipping thoughtfully at her juice.
“We sleep together in bunk beds. I have the bottom bunk. I don’t like it,” Bronwyn exclaimed, prompting Orr to explain that is the bunk she chose.
“They share a room and have bunk beds, so they learn to share,” Orr said. “So when they go to play group, they don’t have any problem with that.”
Their brothers and sisters — Elizabeth now 10; Talmadge, eight and Elijah, seven — love having the twins in the family.
“Our oldest was six when we had the twins. They love having twin sisters. It was better because they could each hold a baby.”
Orr has enjoyed watching her twins grow up into their own different personalities.
“They are friends forever. They have a lot of fun together,” she said.
“Bronwyn is outgoing while Annika is more shy and is good at problem solving and can figure out puzzles.”
Bronwyn adds, “I’m not shy,” while demonstrating a dance move. The twins will be enrolled in dance class soon.
“They both have different strengths and personalities,” Orr added.
Find out more about the Lethbridge Twins and Triplets club at www.lethbridgetwinsandtriplets.bravehost.com. The club’s next big event is a garage sale at the Boys and Girls Club on May 28 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be a variety of clothing and equipment for sale. The garage sale is open to everyone. |
