The same old conversation

Although all four of us are crammed into a tiny one bedroom apartment, we are here because of the neighbourhood. I can walk out my front door and go to the drug store, grocery store, fruit & veg stands, baby store, coffee shop and even pediatrician. I try to go for walks with the girls often so we all get some fresh air (it's also great for me to "push out the angries" as I power walk uphill with my hundred pound double stroller). 

Every time I go out though (without exception), I am stopped (multiple times) by well-meaning strangers in the stores and on the street. Being twins, Carmen & Lena have innate celebrity status. Depending on my mood, and how much time I have, I either humour said strangers or do my best to avoid eye contact and head on my way. 

The conversation I have with these pedestrians is exactly the same 99% of the time and got old really fast. The first few times I was more chipper about my responses, and now, not so much. 

"Ohhh! Look! Twins?"

No, just same aged babies in a double stroller...

"Boy and a girl?"
Everyone thinks Carmen is a boy.

"Are they identical?", followed by, "No? They look identical!" 

What is the polite response to this one? I just want to say "No, they don't".

"Wow, you must have you're hands full". 

To which I always simply say "Yes, both hands".

"Are you nursing?" 

Seriously - complete strangers ask me this.

I've had people ask me if they are paternal. Paternal? No, I believe they are more maternal than paternal, being girls and all. They ask if twins run in my family. They ask how I do it. I say I don't know. They tell me how lucky I am to have gotten it all over at once. They tell me how they always wished they had twins. They tell me about their uncle's cousin's friend's brother who has twins. I just nod. Like I said, I know these strangers are well-meaning, but quite often I am stressed out, in a rush and they literally stop me and want to talk. It puts me in an awkward situation because I have had the conversation a gazillion times over and I don't want to be rude, but I really just want to be able to go out and get my shit done without being interrupted with the same old questions.

But then, out of the blue, this happened. Yesterday I was in line in Shoppers and out of my peripheral vision, I saw a woman come up behind me. I avoided eye contact and didn't turn around. Then I hear her "Ohhh!" and I think "Here we go..." but don't turn around. "Ohhh!" again. I cave, turning around to smile. This woman has the most genuine expression on her face, she seems emotionally touched. She says again, "Ohh! They are just so beautiful, I don't even know what to say". I don't know what to say either, and she says in the most sincere voice, "They are so gorgeous. You are so, so blessed". 

I paused. I looked at my girls, sitting quietly in the stroller, looking up at me and this woman with their big blue eyes. They are gorgeous. I felt blessed. This complete stranger inspired me to feel gratitude. So much better than the same old conversation!