Firstly happy birthday to my sons, Rocco and Jay who have reached an important milestone - their first birthday.

Having been away for two weeks in Portugal and due to stay a third, we popped home for a big gathering of family and friends and threw Rocco and Jay a big party. We had a wonderful cake which resembled The Night Garden, their favourite programme of the moment, an amazing magician and a clever balloon man for all the little people that came along with their parents. All was a success and the chocolate fountain proved popular with the young and old.

And then as I and my little family do – we headed off back on our travels to Portugal -Never have myself and hubby regretted a trip more.

On day two and one little twin appears unwell -as he sat motionless in his buggy, staring sleepily into space refusing all his lunch time food (not like him at all). We discovered that he had a temperature. We sat and relaxed for awhile and remind ourselves he will be okay. Both babies have had this before for short periods, maybe he is teething, maybe it’s a virus but we were both sure it will pass quickly. We ensure calpol is at hand and lots of fluids for our little man.

The next day he is still the same, he even refuses a taste of ice cream - I watched roll off his mouth down his little chin. Two days pass and I panic as he drank his morning bottle and midway vomits. Worried, we call a local doctor by phone just as our other twin boy vomits his morning bottle.

Like lost children ourselves our own stomachs churned, away from home and two unwell babies.

This may sound a bit dramatic but as I sit at home and make a note it does not seem so bad now as they are well and tucked up safely in bed but as the week passed with persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and no appetites. It was very traumatic and upsetting seeing our two precious babies looking so unwell and helpless.

I'm still not sure whether I caught the bug also or whether it was just such an anxious experience, or just sympathy but I had the same symptoms. We are still getting over the worry and exhaustion of the week’s events. Gladly everyone is back in great health and spirits!

We met a couple on our return flight who smiled at us in that knowing way as they wheeled along their two year twins. She said “its tiring isn’t it and it’s just two hard to explain to those who have not experienced twin parenting”, so true. She is right, it is busy and it’s also amazing. We recently met a couple who had twin girls. They said it had been the busiest three years  of their life’s and then when their twin girls reached the age of three it  all became easier as they played together and each child was so content in the other twins company. Good to know.

Huge congratulations to my cousin Aimee Ahern who is expecting twins. She asked had I any twin tips and with our first year gone I realise i have so many but where do I start. I could write a book! Now there's a thought! Having fellow friends that are also new parents is fantastic, for tips, sharing stories and in general support and good company. Twin tips are much harder to find so my next blog is some on bathing twins.