Oh wow! Two babies to look after! That's lovely that they'll grow up together. Your cat will learn to put up with anything if its around a grabby baby.
I think you're right - I feel a bit tougher these days. (Though I'm not sure how I'll go with the needles.) I've let Natalie settle herself the last couple of days, unless her winges turn to cries, then I help her. There's no way I would've let her grizzle on her own even a couple of weeks ago. But she's so good - the last three nights she's gone to sleep without any help from me, and she's done so quite happily. I'm very proud of her