Article by: Jaime Rafferty
According to The Twins Foundation, “A woman’s chance of having twins is approximately one in 90 in the United States. Of these, one third are identical, one third are same-sex fraternal and one third are opposite-sex fraternal.”
Rebecca Haines grew up as the fifth child in her family. However, she and child four were born on the same day in the same year. She’s a fraternal twin.
Her mother thought she was having one child and was surprised when her obstetrician told her she was not finished delivering; there was another child to birth.
Rebecca loves being a twin. She had a built-in best friend. Growing up, she prayed for twins of her own someday.
In college, Rebecca met and fell in love with Branden Haines. Her dreams of parenthood were shared with her beau throughout their courtship.
Just after their one-year anniversary, the Haines’ discovered they were pregnant. As if that weren’t great news, the doctor heard two little hearts beating. They were elated…over the moon…pleasantly shocked.
Rebecca’s prayer had been answered…TWINS!
Jack and Ben, identical twins, were welcomed to the Haines family in February 2010.
Rebecca and Branden trudged through sleepless nights and learned to function on an hour and a half of sleep all the while smiling.
Just as a normal routine began, Rebecca’s learned she was pregnant again. Branden says his wife felt as if she were having twins, AGAIN!
As she spoke to her obstetrician, Rebecca said she was told it was highly unlikely. However, Rebecca’s intuition was correct, again they would have twins.
Branden, a local insurance agent, works daily helping individuals/families plan for the future, regardless of circumstances. Feeling this same urgency, Rebecca says he told her after the second announcement, “I have to go to work and make more money.” Being a planner, Branden now had to feed a family of six.
In June of 2012 Rebecca, Branden, Jack and Ben welcomed two bundles of joy, Henry and Oliver, who, like their older brothers, were identical twins.
The Haines family grew by four babies in less than 18 months. Mom admits it’s chaos, but it’s a beautiful chaos!
Though they look alike, Rebecca and Branden say that each boy is uniquely his own.
Jack is the “ham,” life is very exciting to him and he never meets a stranger.
Ben recently came out of his shell and his vocabulary has expanded vastly. He has no fear!
Henry knows what he wants and goes after it. He enjoys being a big boy with his older brothers.
Oliver is the peacemaker, the sensitive one who is trusting and watches his brothers on the sidelines.
The Haines frequent local shopping, restaurants and community events. Sometimes they are met with opinions or misunderstandings, but greet others with grace and kindness and feel blessed by their boys.
Branden likewise is a blessing to Rebecca. She told him during their courtship, though graduating college, that it was her heart’s desire to be stay-at-home mom. He told her he would do his best to make that happen. Rebecca beams, “He made my dreams come true!”
Rebecca is honored to be Branden’s wife, but he confidently boasts of his bride, “I could NOT do what my wife does.” He says her energy level is high and she addresses what the day brings with an impressive schedule that makes everyone, especially their boys, successful in their home.
The boys are now 3.5 and 2 year old and they don’t have to schedule humor. It presents itself frequently. For example, the older boys say, “Good Morning!” in the evening just so they don’t have to go to bed. That’s genius!
Branden recounts Jack and Ben’s first soccer season. He elected to coach and said of the 8 children, his two boys were the challenge. They would kick around the ball a couple of times then head to the sideline to introduce themselves to parents. It was hard for him not to laugh as he reflected on his coaching experience. Two laughs for the price of one!
Rebecca knows being the mother of multiple children (twins or otherwise), certainly poses its challenges, but takes help as offered, making life in the Haines house more enjoyable. She and Branden encourage others to do as they do, embrace each moment, because they go by so fast, even in the midst of beautiful chaos!