Twins Magazine 2004 January February

DoubleTakes
In this issue's Double Takes, sets of twins come in pairs... each family has at
least two sets of twins. If you have ever heard, "I don't know how you do it," these
families hear it again... and again. Hillary Portnoy of New York, a full time career
mom and mother to Mack and Jordan and Lucas and Dylan, offered this advice:
"The key to my success is patience. As I walk in the door at 7 each evening to four
children screaming, 'Mom!' I take a deep breath and talk to each child, giving them
the individual time they crave and deserve. Things can get very hectic and overwhelming.
Just stay calm and take deep breaths. As the children grow, they will
always have a playmate so it does get easier. It's all about balance. Make sure
to have some time for yourself. Always remember, having twins is an experience
only special parents get to have."
By the way, if you have one set of dizygotic twins, your chances of having a
second increase fivefold If your photo arrived too late for this issue, keep an eye
on Double Takes: We'll run more "double sets" in upcoming
issues from time to time.
Boy/girl twins are (almost) always dizygotic (DZ,
“fraternal”). Can you guess whether the same-sex
multiples are monozygotic (MZ, “identical”) or dizygotic?
2
More DoubleTakes
are on pages
44 and 45!
3
1
Mack and Jordan (back row), 6 years;
Lucas and Dylan (front row), 2 years
New York, New York
Cara (left) and Megan (second from right), 5 1 ⁄2 years;
Rachel (second from left) and Erin (right), 2 years
Loveland, Ohio
4
Madison and Dylan (center two), 5 years;
Evan (left) and Ethan (right), 9 months
Wichita, Kansas
5
Chase (left) and Dane (right), 2 years;
Audrey (left center) and Brianna (right center), 4 years
St. Cloud, Florida
Ashleigh (left) and Cassie (second from right) 6 years;
Mitchell (second from left) and Haley (right), 16 months
Marion, Illinois
www.TwinsMagazine.com JANUARY/FEBRUARY2004 43