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The Dad Diaries

my surrogacy journey to becoming a single dad of twins

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My name is Joseph Tito, I’m a film and television producer that has traveled the world. Last year I decided to become a single father, it hasn’t been easy but the journey has well been worth it. From Jet-Setter to Fatherhood and everything in between, this is my journey. A journey of a single gay man becoming a father of twins!

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thedaddiaries.ca

From Jet-Setter to Fatherhood. My surrogacy journey to becoming a single dad of twins. #singledad | #speaker | #contentcreator info@thedaddiaries.com

When all else fails, we result to bubbles!! There

When all else fails, we result to bubbles!! There is definitely an upside to staying home. These moments with my girls are worth so much, and yes, I might not be able to pay my mortgage, but it's all worth it. Today we decided to do a photoshoot, and a couple of hours passed. Tomorrow I'm not sure. So I'm asking all of you, I need some fun activities to pass the time. What are you all doing with your kids?
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#bubbles #stayhome #covid_19 #homeiswheretheheartis #StayHomeSaveLives #staysafe #stayhealthy #quarantine #socialdistancing #stayathome #love #staystrong #flattenthecurve #home #staypositive #instagood #lockdown #washyourhands #thedaddiaries #titotwins #babyphotoshoot #babyphotography #photography

I can't post one without the other. This morning S

I can't post one without the other. This morning Stella slept in, so I got Mia up, changed her, and instead of putting her in her chair to have her milk, I held her and talked to her while she drank. It was nice to have one-on-one time with her. Stella then got up 30 minutes later, and I did the same with her. This got me thinking and made me a little sad. How many times I was unable to hold each? It's hard with twins. I try hard to give them equally my time and attention. But is it enough? I wonder if they will feel this as they grow? If they will feel like they are not the number one priority? Parents of multiples, how do you make sure you spend your time with each of them equally? Or any parent that has more than one child, what's the secret of making each child feel special?
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#twinlife #parentsofmultiples #parentsoftwins #fatheroftwins #singledad #singledadlife #dadsofinstagram #gaydads #lifeofadad #dadlife #thedaddiaries #titotwins #prouddad #gratefuleveryday #twins #twinsofinstagram #familyfirst #fatherhood #daddysgirl

It truly is a crazy time we are living. I didn’t

It truly is a crazy time we are living. I didn’t think my babies would experience the making of history so soon in their lives. Sure, elections and blizzards maybe...but a dangerously deadly pandemic?! Wow. From the time my girls were born, before I go to bed, I write one positive thing that happened that day. Lately, I've found it a struggle to identify something daily to put down in my “historical” diary, given all that is happening. It’s hard to stay home and not be able to live our 'normal' lives. Something I have come to realize is how happy my girls are to be around me the whole day. I’m sure your kids are happy and grateful, too, even if they express it in toddler tantrums or teenage torrents. Families brought together without the rush of the day-to-day can have a positive effect on the love we have, if we take advantage of this time and choose to see it as a gift. So tonight I will write about this positive: the long days’ time i get to spend with my girls. Be safe. Stay vigilant. And try to enjoy the time at home. .
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#COVID19 #positivevibes #seeingthelight #stayinghome #staysafe #titotwins #thedaddiaries #workfromhome #workfromhomelife

About a month ago, I asked you guys about high cha

About a month ago, I asked you guys about high chairs because the ones I had were just too bulky and it was hard to get the girls in and out of them. When @NomiHighChair reached out, I was excited to learn more.
You all know that I like beautiful things; can we look at how sexy this chair is?!?! Okay, well, sexy might not be the best word, but look at these chairs. They are designed by world-renowned, Scandinavian seating expert, Peter Opsvik. They’re sleek, modern, and come with four wooden stem options and nine chair colour variations. I love their look!

Not only does the Nomi Chair look great, it’s super EASY TO CLEAN, which is one of my top requirements, especially with twins! Its sleek design doesn’t trap food, and it's lightweight. The Nomi Chair brings your child up to the table and the floor up to their feet, so they are always comfortable. It’s as if they are in a regular, adult-sized chair. Honestly, I'm loving these chairs. Nomi is the next generation high chair that seamlessly adjusts, without tools, and evolves along with a child’s changing needs—from birth through the teenage years! SO one chair will last you many years.
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#NomiHighChair #NomiFamily #highchairs #gifted #babygear #babylife #singledad #dadlife #lifewithkids #prouddad #familyfirst❤ #parenthood_moments #littlepiecesofchildhood #theygrowupsofast #pictureperfect #interiordesign #interior #kidslife #thedaddiaries #titotwins

"Concrete jungle where dreams are made of..." I ha

"Concrete jungle where dreams are made of..." I have loved this city for decades, and every visit has taught me something about this city, its people, and about myself. Within a short 8 hours, this trip has provided no less. #Covid-19, #coronavirus, hell-a-scare respiratory nightmare, damn deathly virus, whatever you want to call it, is unfolding here and showing its mortal threat. High alert. Wash, don't touch your face. Do we have to breathe? Please be good to yourself by following the recommended protective protocols we are being asked to take. You know what this really translates to? Be good to others. Isn't that ironic? One of the recommendations is to stay a fair distance from others. Yes to protect yourself--but to protect everyone around you, too. Does this strike anyone as deeply as it is hitting me? That all of these precautions is at minimum to keep yourself healthy, but at the heart of it all, it's to keep all the many others around you safe? Not just your loved ones at home, but the strangers on the street. This is when we get the chance to shine as human beings. Be good to one another. Take care of one another. I don't have to know you to want you to be safe from this health threat. Look that stranger in the eye from across the way and give them a smile to acknowledge you care. Will you smile back?
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#smile #loveeachother #bekind #loveyourself #kindness #kindnessmatters #positivevibes #selflove #thedaddiaries #spreadlove #singledad #findingmyself

Advice for guys and gals when dating a single dad:

Advice for guys and gals when dating a single dad: Single dads are their own demographic. We’ve been there, done that, but we’re also starting all over again. And like many singles, we’re still trying to figure it all out, too. But there are a couple things about dating a single dad that you should know before you start a new relationship.
1. Be supportive. That means being flexible and understanding about plans changing or him not being available on certain nights. This is really going to help your relationship.
2. Don’t try to be the new parent.
3. Know that the ex is likely still involved in his life because they share a child or children. (Not in my case!)
4. Realize that he’s more than a dad. Just because being a single dad is a big part of his life, doesn’t mean it’s the only part. Don’t forget to get to know him as an individual as well.
5. Don’t pressure a single dad to commit. You should never pressure any man to commit, but with a single dad, your relationship needs to move at a pace that works for him and his family.
6. Give him the space that he needs. Remember that you’re entering a system that existed before you, and you’re going to be disturbing the equilibrium. You will fit in with time and what this looks like will unfold naturally. He may have specific times set aside to be with his kids, and times set aside for you. Likely he might not be available most weekends, and you can’t take this personally or be distrustful.
7. Dating is never easy. Dating a single dad is just a different set of not easy.
8. Good luck in love.
Dating a single dad can be a lot of fun and incredibly rewarding. You’re with someone who takes family and responsibilities seriously and is capable of great love. But single dads also have more people in their lives, and that can take some adjusting to if you’re not used to it. Be open-minded, enjoy getting to know him, and see where the relationship takes you. With that said, to all the singles out there, would you date a single dad? If so, DM me with resumes and pics!!! 🤣🤣
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#singledad #singlemom #singleparent #single #gaydad #divorce #parenting #singledadlife #divorceddad #fatherhood #dating #dad

The moment I received the first ultrasound and fo

The moment I received the first ultrasound and found out I was having twins, I wanted to jump off my balcony. I immediately thought: two university tuitions, two cars, two weddings, TWO TWO TOO much. Financial worries aside, the more frightening thought was: How was I, a single dad, going to be able to handle TWO BABIES? It was scary; I didn't know what to do. Well, there was really nothing I could do but keep going. One of the only things that kept me sane and comforted was the thought that they will always have each other. I mean, it's a built-in best friend, right? Isn’t it?? Not always. They are teaching me that they are still siblings. Most of the time they look for one another. I like to think they want to be sure the other is okay, but it’s becoming clear that much of the time they just want to make sure the other doesn’t have a toy to themselves or is not getting more attention. When I tried to separate them for sleep purposes, they weren't having it. And yet, I spend most days telling them not to hit one another, to share, not to scream, to play nice. Best friends? I think so. Siblings ready to get their fight on? For sure. To anyone with twins, or if you are a twin, did you fight with your twin? And are you best friends with them? .
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#titotwins #twinlife #fatheroftwins #twinsofinstagram #singledadlife #twins #twinsies #twinstagram #twinsisters #twinset #twinstars #twinsbaby #twinsandmultiples #twinslife #twins👭#twinsoul #twinsouls #twinslove #twinsgirls #thedaddiaries #gaydads

Have any of you started following, or been conside

Have any of you started following, or been considering, a plant-based diet? If you've been following me, you know that a healthy lifestyle has been my goal, especially now that I am a parent. #sponsored.

When @pitapitcanada reached out to me with information about their #HealthyOnYourTerms campaign, I was excited to try them out. In a constantly fast-paced world, eating healthy can be tricky. I had no idea that @PitaPitCanada had so many healthy choices, especially if you want to go plant-based. They have Quinoa & Veggie patties, black bean burger, falafel and hummus. With more than 20 pita fillings and 40 toppings to mix & match, they offer millions of possible combinations so that eating healthy never gets old. They offer gluten-free options and can also have your pita in a bowl. I tried their falafel gluten-free pita, and it was delicious—swipe right to see how fresh it was. I loved it. It was filling, and at only 160 calories, I had no guilt eating it. You can also head on over to my stories to find out how you can win free pitas for a year!
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#healthyfood #healthyoptions #plantbased #health #fitness #wellness #goodhealth #gethealthy #healthylife #healthtalk #eatclean #eatlocal #fitfood #glutenfree #healthyeating #healthyrecipes #nutrition

Want to know one of the BEST things I did for my g

Want to know one of the BEST things I did for my girls in 2019 that is going to last a LIFETIME? Giving them the "Gift of Sleep."⁣ My only regret? That I didn't do it sooner. ⁣
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Before hiring @Pamneasesleep, bedtime was a two-person process, as it was merely impossible to rock and bottle-feed two babies into sleep. I'm very fortunate as my mom or nanny would help me, but sometimes it would still take us hours.⁣ By luck and circumstance, Pam Nease Sleep reached out to me. When I met with the Founder & CEO virtually, I got a good vibe and booked a Sleep Nanny Package. So Pam flew across the country to personally help me teach my girls to sleep. On the very first night, Stella and Mia fell asleep a lot faster than I anticipated and without the rocking and bottles. They slept through the night on November 28, 2019, and have done so every night since then. It only takes one person to put them down at bedtime and in less than 30 minutes! There is NO way that a book could have done that. ⁣ Naps take about 7 minutes to get them ready, and then they sleep for 1.5 to 2 hours each time. I also really like Pam's complimentary "sleepy tool kit" to help prepare me for every new stage, including how to travel ...and we all know how much I love to travel.⁣
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For me, the Sleep Nanny Package was the right answer. BUT Pam promises me that the same outcomes can be achieved by working with someone on her team either virtually, or with an in-home sleep consultation. ⁣
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⁣Ready to GET SLEEP NOW? Pam is now here TODAY to answer your Sleepy Questions for FREE. ⁣Just comment below and tag someone that needs to sleep. Follow @pamneasesleep and SAVE 10% when you book a consultation, using the promo code: DADDIARIES.
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#healthysleep #sleep #knowbetterdobetter #sleeptraining #sleeptips #babysleep #babysleeptips #toddlersleep #dadlife #sleep #babysleeping #sleeptraining #parenting #babysleepexpert #sleepconsultant #sleepregression #babysleepconsultant #sleeptips #tiredmom #babybed #sleepdeprived #tiredmama #sleepingbaby

You know that moment when you saw and held your ba

You know that moment when you saw and held your baby for the first time? That overwhelming rush of love, the immediate unbreakable bond that formed, the steeled acquiescence that you would forever be this tiny being’s protector? The pride, the fear, the excitement...true baby bliss. Isnt that what the old saying equates “joy” to—having a baby? Then, ah yes, then, the slow decline in recognizing yourself begins with the sleepless nights, the never-ending crying, the LIFE (in my case, LIVES) that needs your constant attention...no breaks, going to work exhausted, coming home to more draining of your energy and spirit. Over time, things seem to get even worse: you lose your sense of humour, become more anxious or panicky, and, as tired as you are, you have trouble sleeping. There’s nothing but the same to look forward to. You’re miserable most of the time, irritable, overly stressed at work, easily becoming angered by seemingly everyone. Maybe you’ve noticed you’re drinking more, or withdrawing from people. WHO IS THIS PERSON??? This person—you—are not alone. Postpartum depression is real, and it sucks. Mom’s get it, but so do Dads! Did you know that 1 in 10 men around the world experiences paternal postpartum depression (PPPD)? Unfortunately, many of us don't talk about it. We are led to believe that we should be happy and grateful all the time to be fathers and mothers and that we shouldn't complain, especially on social media. But instead, let’s join together and use this social media platform to help and support each other. We aren’t alone, we shouldn’t feel alone, and we don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here. .
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#singledadlife #PPPD #PPD #paternaldepression #mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #survivor #mentalillness #onedayatatime #health #wellness #postpartum #postpartumme #postpartumjourney #giveitallyouvegot #iamok #youareok #undefeated #mentalstrength #thisisme #reallife #realtalk #letstalkaboutit #letstalk

How can you say no? My mind goes through all the p

How can you say no? My mind goes through all the possible ways it would be ok to say yes. Before I became a father, I always thought that I would maintain clear boundaries: this would be a yes, and that would be a no. Safety rules. But as the girls grow, I'm finding it hard to be the disciplinarian. AND THEY KNOW IT! As a single parent, I have no choice to be both good cop and bad cop, but it’s getting hard to say no when their little eyes look up at me and start to cry. I just know they can see me crumble right before them, along with my “No.” In this case, I went with distraction, but the crying went on forever and broke my heart. How would you have handled this situation? All Stella wanted was a #tictac.
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#thedaddiaries #titotwins #parentguilt #parentingtips #parenting101 #parentingblog #parentingblogger #parentinglife #parentingwin #gentleparenting #parentinggoals #parentinghacks #parentingtheshitoutoflife #parentingdoneright #parentingfail #singlefather #singlefathers #singlefatherlife #proudsinglefather #singlefatherlifestyle #singlefatherhood #singlefatherproblems #singlefathersclub #singlefathersrock #singlefathersunited #singlefathersmatter

Driving. We get in our cars every day, go where we

Getting motivated is one thing. Staying motivated?

Getting motivated is one thing. Staying motivated? Quite another. It’s been almost 15 months since my girls were born. Certainly, and understandably, finding the time to exercise was difficult their first six months. I don’t have to convince you that I barely even left the house, because there’s a digital trail of evidence of me living in one or another onesie for days at a time (pictures that you are too familiar with, if you’ve been following our family story). After a hot summer under a layer of fat that kept me sweaty and uncomfortable, I started to accept what the mirror was reflecting back. Then, as the girls began pulling themselves up and standing with the help of the coffee table or the couch, the idea of their first steps was exciting—and terrifying. How was my out-of-shape body going to keep up? And when they start running?! I’m already out of breath thinking about it.

Even now, picking them both up at the same time is getting more and more difficult. At 40, my energy is dramatically lower then it was a 30. I have to start fighting the physical toll of time so I am always strong for them. I've given up on looking good; it's just not as important for me any longer. Now it's about being physically fit and healthy for my girls. I need to teach them a healthy lifestyle. That’s the motivation that keeps me going, every day. To all of you reading this, start moving your body. I know you will hate me at the beginning, but you will be thankful in the long run. And to those of you that do exercise regularly, what motivates you?
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#GetFit #Cardio #FitFam #FitLife #Fitness #FitnessMotivation #FitnessAddict #GetStrong #GymLife #GymTime #NoPainNoGain #PersonalTrainer #WeightLifting #Workout #GetHealthy #HealthyLife #HealthTalk #FitQuote #FitnessMotivation #MotivationMonday #Fitspo #GetFit #Goals #YouCanDoIt #FitnessGoals #TrainHard #GoHardOrGoHome #NoExcuses

So I now have a 3rd kid! Nope 🤣JK. Seriously, t

Sometimes all you need to have a great day is a ki

Sometimes all you need to have a great day is a kiss from someone you love. So take a minute out of your busy schedule and give someone you love a kiss. Trust me; it'll make you feel better. Happy Monday!

Clothing by: @theurbannursery
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#lovewins #lovemakesafamily #titotwins #thedaddiaries #prouddad #gaydad #singledad #MondayMotivation #MotivationMonday #MondayBlues #MaxoutMonday #MondayRun #MindfulMonday #MondayFunday #ManicMonday #thebestgiftever #proudofyou #mygirls #iloveyou #iloveit #goodmorning #beautifulday #parentingmoments

What can I say about this woman? I owe her everyt

What can I say about this woman? I owe her everything. Without her, I don't know where I would be. She has always been there for me, no questions asked. Today is her 70th birthday, and she still runs around helping raise my girls, cooking, cleaning and just being an incredible example of what a parent should be. I look up to her, and I am so grateful she was strong enough to beat cancer twice. Happy Birthday Mama, you are the glue that holds everything together, and you are loved like no other. ILYWAMHAS!!
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#happybirthday #70thbirthday #thedaddiaries #motherhoodinspired #motherhoodinstyle #motherhoodintheraw #motherhoodlens #motherhoodrising #motherhoodsimplified #motherhoodthroughig #motherly #mum #mumlife #mumsofinstagram #mommylove #instamom #familytime #grandmalove #grandmotherslove

I can't believe how fast my little ladies are grow

I can't believe how fast my little ladies are growing. It's funny when you're in the trenches; it never seems to end, but one day you wake up, and they are walking, they are no longer these little sleeping bundles but rather strong personalities going for what they want. When I look back at pictures, I feel a sort of sadness, where has the time gone? But I'm also very excited about the next step of our life together. Every day they are learning something new and seeing the world from their eyes makes the world so much better. When was it that you realized that your babies were not babies anymore?

Clothing by: @theurbannursery .
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#titotwins #thedaddiaries #prouddad #daddysgirls #singledad #parenthood #baby #daughters #dadsofinstagram #fatherlife #prouddads #bestdaddy #superdaddy #bestdaddyever #singlefather #singledad #gaydad #gaydads #happybaby #babycute #babyfashion #instababy #babiesofinstagram #babystyle #babyphotography #babymodel #twinsofinstagram #twins #sisters #sisterhood

Love makes a family. Yesterday I was a guest speak

Love makes a family. Yesterday I was a guest speaker at @td_canada for their LGBTQ2+ Development Series. One of the questions I got asked was, “Do you think a baby needs both a mother and father to live a healthy life?” My response was that as long as a baby is loved, it is the most important thing. Well, February is all about love, and I will be donating a percentage of our “Love” line to the 519 EarlyON Child and Family Centre. The 519 is committed to the health, happiness, and full participation of the LGBTQ2S communities. With our help, we can make a difference. Today's modern family comes in all forms. Go to the link in Bio. Be Love. Show Love. Wear Love. Available for infants, toddlers, children and adults--because LOVE comes in all sizes. 🌈
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#lgbtqfamily #lovemakesafamily #babyproducts #shop #merchandise #merch #souvenir #tshirt #souvenirmurah #clothing #fashion #design #merchandising #pin #like #thedaddiaries #titotwins #yesqueen #gaydad #gaydads #gaylife #rainbow #equality #gaystagram #instagood #genderfluid #gayguy #lgbtcommunity #fashion

Having to tackle the Canadian weather after spendi

Having to tackle the Canadian weather after spending so much time in the Middle East was really daunting. The extreme cold and harsh winds were nearly impossible to bear for me, but even more uncomfortable and problematic for the girls. [AD] Getting through the winter nights was the biggest challenge. I would wake up in the morning with a blocked nose, congested chest, and the heat on full steam. My skin was intolerably itchy and dry. The twins, too, were aggressively bitten by the cold. I was worried more about the twins than for myself, and so I set out to find miracles that would fix our blocked noses and congested chests. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Two products I live by is the Vicks FilterFree Cool Mist Humidifier and the Braun ThermoScan 7. Believe me when I say this, the nights felt like heaven. Apart from the fact that you can conveniently purchase it on @amazon for $59.99, the humidifier passed all tests and was the PERFECT item I needed to keep my room protected from the dryness of the furnace heat. The best part is it works for at least 15 hours. Before going to bed I put it on full blast and, by the time I woke up, it was still working—and working well. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So, after getting the blissful Vicks FilterFree Cool Mist Humidifier, the twins and I woke up having a good nights’ sleep with no breathing discomfort in the mornings. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The second must have is the Braun ThermoScan7 Thermometer. It’s considered to be the benchmark for accuracy. Thanks to its wide-angle probe, The ThermoScan 7 is designed to give accurate measurements for the entire family, including the small ear canal of a newborn. It’s the only thermometer that pre-warms the tip to 34 degrees Celsius to achieve professional accuracy and provide extra comfort. It’s fast, easy and gentle to use and with twins that is one of the most important things for me. It also comes with disposable probe covers that help prevent the spreading of germs another super important thing for me because one sick baby is hard enough. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What do you guys use to get you through our Canadian winters?
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#canadianwinters #fluseason #flu #health #coldandflu #wellness #cold #germs #stayhealthy

This trip with @MercedesBenzCanada to Gimli, Manit

This trip with @MercedesBenzCanada to Gimli, Manitoba was spectacular. Having been away from the Canadian winters for so long, I always get a little scared when it starts to snow. But after test driving these cars on ice and in the snow, I can truly say that they handle amazingly well in full-on Canadian winters. I’m seriously considering a Mercedes for my next car. They are sleek, sexy, and really roomy, which is perfect for me and the girls. Do any of you drive Mercedes? If so, which one? And if not, what vehicle do you trust to get you and your kids safely through our snow- and ice-filled Canadian winters? *ad
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#MBownstheice #MBGarageGigs #Campiagn #canadianwinter #safetyfirst #carsofinstagram #luxuory #sexycars #offroading #drifting #manitoba

There is no worse feeling than when your baby is s

There is no worse feeling than when your baby is sick. It breaks your heart when you know that a good blow out of their nose will help, but they don’t know how. I thought I knew what all their different cries and expressions of frustration meant, but “I don’t feel well” cries are gut wrenching because there’s nothing you can do to help them understand that they’ll be better soon. With twins, it’s a sure two-for-one deal that if one gets sick, the other will as well. Just after the holidays, Mia got a cold; Stella quickly caught it. Then I caught it from Stella, and that left Mia vulnerable to round 2 of being ill without even a little break to catch her snotty breath. Hugs is the best medicine I have for them. What do you do when your little ones are fighting phlegm, coughs, and just trying to breathe?
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#coldandflu #coldseason #winterfun #parenthood #parentingmoments #singledadlife #singledad #gaydads #fatherhoodunplugged #parenthoodunplugged #thedaddiaries #titotwins #fatherhood #dadlife #fatherhoodislit #fatherhoodlooksgoodonyou #fathersmatter #proudfather #prouddadmoment #gaydads #gayfathers

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