“Give yourself the space to live in the season you are in.”
These are words of wisdom from, arguably, the Helderberg’s most positive motivational influence, Lucia Dramat, who rang in the new year with the priceless addition of two bouncing bundles of joy to her family.
The Somerset West resident reckons more is merrier now that she’s learning to juggle a family of five.
“It is all still very new and surreal,” the 35-year-old second-time parent, and now mom to three boys, said.
“Never would I have imagined a house full of boys, but I am so looking forward to seeing their unique personalities shine through in life.”
She and hubby Ryan, together with five-year-old son Sebastian, shared the news of the twins’ arrival on social media on Tuesday 27 December. “And so on Thursday (22 December) our twin boys made their debut,” their post read. “Welcome to our world, Hugo and Sage.”
The pair were born by Caesarean section at Mediclinic Vergelegen, at 10:24 and 10:26. Mom and babies were all able to go home on Christmas Day.
surprise at news of twins
Dramat said it had been part of the couple’s plan to add to their family. With the tell-tale signs of pregnancy the second time around, in contrast to the first with Sebastian, she did not feel the need to rush the initial doctor’s appointment and scheduled her first visit at about 11 weeks, just in time for the screening scan.
“I expected the usual – there’s the baby, the heartbeat stuff, but something looked weird on screen and I joked, ‘There’s only one in there, right?’ The doctor then asked, ‘Do you have a family history of twins?’ I said ‘no, none!’ ‘Well, there you go!’ It still went over my head. Then, he confirmed there were two babies!”
She burst into uncontrollable laughter and tears while her husband was filming everything in a state of shock.
“It took me a few weeks to really believe this is real.”
Dramat experienced a “very challenging” first trimester due to morning sickness and fatigue, which really set in towards the end of the pregnancy. “But the middle was the sweet spot. I was able to do a lot of work, events and motivational talks during that time. We also bought and renovated our new home during this time. So it was a busy year preparing for the boys to join our family,”
With the avid entrepreneur, life coach, public speaker, and TV and radio personality on maternity leave, for now a typical day is focused on making sure everyone is fed and clean.
“We wake up, have some breakfast and start sorting everyone out – who needs milk, who needs coffee, who needs toast. Days are slow and easy, so I can rest and recover while making sure everyone gets a cuddle, milk, burped, nappy change and put down for a nap. They say sleep while the baby sleeps, which feels near impossible because when they sleep you are not tired anymore, or you finally get lazy in the afternoon when they are ready to be awake and have long cute baby stretches.
“Some days dad and Sebastian run errands, swim, or Sebastian has a play date to stay entertained. Then it’s dinner time, bath time and settle down for the evening.”
While admitting caring for two babies simultaneously is “crazy for sure”, with moments where she is bottle feeding one while burping the other over her shoulder, Dramat is thankful for her helpful husband whose valued assistance is at hand when home.
Of course, some days are more of a juggling act than others, but the challenge, she said, is countered by so many sweet little moments that take her breath away.
feeling truly blessed
The highlights of her days are the simple things – bath time or just sitting on the bed spending quality time with the whole family.
“I find myself being so grateful. It’s so easy to focus on what didn’t go according to plan or what’s missing or even what is taking long, but when I started to look at everything that went well I felt blown away and blessed,” Dramat pointed out.
“I have been reminded to be grateful for what I have, whether it’s support, health, provision, friends and family whatever you have be grateful for it, celebrate and enjoy it.”
Dramat also shared that while big brother Sebastian is a charismatic, funny and smart little boy who keeps them entertained and amazed, the twins already seem so different.
“Hugo has darker hair and is the one that sticks to a strict schedule, waking up every three hours to feed and then going right back to sleep. Sage, on the other hand, likes to sleep for longer periods. He will sleep until he’s ready to wake up, and even if you try to wake him up he is not having it. He also likes to stay awake for long periods of time,” she related.
“Already we can see how much one is quiet and calm while the other is louder and likes to make sounds. It’s cute to see their personalities unfold.”
Dramat has sage advice for other new parents of precious little bundles: “There is no shortage of information out there. Do some research, get advice and then learn to trust yourself. We all learn as we go along.
“Accept help when it is offered. Sometimes it is not exactly what you want, but every bit of help helps. And ask for help when you need it.
“Don’t buy every baby item you see. Sometimes it’s best to buy some things when you really need it or after you get to know your baby because you might not need it. White noise can work wonders in getting babies to sleep or be calm.”
