Life with A & W

Funniest video ever

2010-11-23T05:56:00.001-08:00

This is snarky, yes (to warn the more gentle-souled of my readers) but when you've heard these comments a questions a thousand times, it is hilarious. :)

http://mompetition.blogspot.com/2010/11/moms-of-multiples-are-freaks-of-nature.html?spref=fb

What if Baby B is breech?

2010-04-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

I realize this blog is pretty sparse and random. It serves mainly as a place for me to put my answers to FAQs that expectant twin moms often have. (Not that I'm an expert by any means. ;) But with the longer answers, it keeps me from retyping it every time it gets asked. ;)) One question that comes up pretty regularly is, "How should I deliver if Baby B is breech?" My Baby A was vertex the whole third trimester, but Baby B kept flipping back and forth between vertex and breech. Another twin mom led me to the following resources which helped me make my decision:

Breech extraction versus external cephalic version

Operative Obstetrics

Vaginal Breech Delivery of the Second Twin

Basically, if you have a doctor who is experienced in and comfortable with performing breech extractions (which can be the tricky part! ;)), breech extraction tends to be the safest delivery option for a breech second twin. It is definitely preferable to manual version (trying to turn the baby from the outside). C-section is also a fine option but not always necessary.

My babies were both vertex going into my scheduled induction. However, B flipped to breech before it was his turn to come out! I was very thankful I had transferred to an OB who was comfortable doing a breech extraction, because otherwise I would have had both a vaginal delivery and a C-section to recover from! All went well and our babies were born with no complications.

Registry Recommendations for Twins

2009-07-30T15:06:00.000-07:00

Figuring out what all you'll need for your twins can be overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. I had time on my hands during the second half of pregnancy so I did a lot of research! I used the Twin Essentials list from www.twinstuff.com as my basis, then compared notes with the book Baby Bargains, and recommendations from friends and other MoMs as well as reading tons of reviews to compile my registries. I registered at Target and Babies R Us, with a smaller registry on Amazon.com for a few things like the co-sleeper and Ergo carrier, then bought other things ourselves if I found a better deal elsewhere (e.g. the Ultimate Crib Sheets were cheapest at Wal-mart).

Below are my recommendations. I list what I suggest getting and how many of each item (much of that is from twinstuff.com); in parentheses after most items I list my personal recommendation for specific brand or type. Hope this is helpful! Feel free to ask questions or make other recommendations in the comments section. These items should get you through the first four to six months or so. After that you'll need baby-proofing equipment, toys for older babies, etc.

TWIN ESSENTIALS

BABY GEAR/ FURNITURE

2 infant car seats (Graco Snug Rides)
2 convertible car seats (First Years True Fit convertible car seats--These can certainly wait till later if you want to spread out expenses)
1 double stroller that takes infant car seats (Baby Trend Double Snap 'n' Go)
1 double stroller for after they outgrow their infant seats (Baby Jogger City Mini double; many MoMs recommend getting a tandem as well. Again, this can wait till later.)
2 cribs (Ikea and Graco cribs are really good value for the money!)
2 crib mattresses (First Years Sweet Dreams crib/toddler mattress--great deal at Wal-mart)
OPTIONAL: 1 large or 2 small bassinet(s) (Arm's Reach Original Cosleeper--goes up to 40 lbs, making it a great choice for multiples)
4-6 cosleeper/Pack n Play sheets (I found some cheap on Amazon)
Dresser/storage unit (4-drawer chest Saddlebrook, pecan--only $100 at Wal-mart)

1 portable playard/bassinet/changing station (Graco Pack n Play in Margo--great deal at Albee Baby.)
1 rocking chair/recliner (Got a glider from a friend; already had a La-Z-Boy. Use both a LOT!)

Backpack-style diaper bag (Sienna backpack diaper bag from Babies R Us. Insulated bottle pocket has room for 2 bottles!) OR messenger-style diaper bag. We started out with the Sienna bag but now mostly use the Diaper Dude. We got it for $19.95 from RedEnvelope.com! :) The messenger style makes it easier to find things.
1 swing; later 2 if both like it (Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-top Cradle Swing-worth its weight in gold! Plugs in! :))
2 bouncy seats (Fisher-Price Soothe 'n' Play Bouncer)
1 Bumbo seat with tray; 2 later if they both like it (a great item to buy used)
2 jumperoos, or 1 jumperoo, 1 Exersaucer (1 FP Lights & Music jumperoo, 1 FP Rainforest jumperoo). Fine to start with 1 and see if they both like it.
1 wrap (Moby Wrap; I kind of wish I had gotten a ring sling instead. I've heard good things about the Didymos wraps as well.)
1 Front carrier (Ergo carrier; can be used for front, hip or back carries. Very ergonomic for both Mom and baby, can be used for several years!)
1 table Lamp (DH installed a dimmer switch in the babies' room instead, which was great when we needed to sneak in there for nighttime feedings and didn't want to wake them up too much!)

CLOTHING/DIAPERING

Newborn Clothes (some preemie may be helpful, too; Walmart or Carter's are good sources for preemie clothes)

8-12 Sleep n Plays or similar, preferably with zippers
4-6 shirts until umbilical cord falls off
10 Newborn onesies (Carter's 5-packs are great. Ross has great prices on them. Long-sleeved if winter babies)
8-10 Gowns with elasticized bottoms (0-3 or 0-6m size)
As for other cute outfits, I didn't register for any; we got plenty at our baby shower
2 snowsuits, pramsuits, or bunting if needed. Consider BundleMe Lites for warmer climates
2-4 Fleece outfits / sweater or jacket: for winter
hangers (didn't need these b/c so many gift outfits came w/hangers)
2-4 bonnets or caps: for summer
2 pairs mittens
Hand mitts for outfits that don't come with them (to prevent scratching themselves)

0-3 month, 3-6 month, 6-9 month, 9-12 month:

15-20 onesies in each size (again, I'd recommend Carter's, get a mix of short and long sleeve based on season, plain white and patterned)
8-10 pairs of pajamas in 0-3 months.
4-6 outfits in 0-3 months (you'll probably receive a lot as gifts)

Beyond that I would hold off on buying many clothes in the bigger sizes; after the babies are here, you'll develop a better idea of what you like (i.e. a creeper and shorts/pants versus 1-piece outfits, snaps versus zippers, etc.).

Diapers: 4-12 packs in sizes preemie, Newborn, and 1 (Different diapers work for different babies, but Pampers Swaddlers seem to be a big hit. Unfortunately they only go to size 2-3. They're a good choice for stocking up pre-babies. Also throw in a pack each of Huggies, Luvs, and possibly Target or Walmart-brand diapers. We like the Target brand--Up & Up.)
Wipes (Target's "Up & Up" wipes are the best!)
Diaper pail (We have the Baby Trend New Diaper Champ; not a big fan.)
1 contoured changing pad
1-2 changing pad covers
Some type of organizer for the diaper area (I got a diaper stacker with front pockets for diaper rash cream, etc., and also have a decorative wooden box for storage on the changing table.)
8-12 receiving blankets (Some MoMs recommend up to 20. 6-8 would have been fine for us.)

FEEDING/BATHING

Twin nursing pillow (EZ-2-Nurse twin nursing pillow)

12-20 Bibs, ideally velcro or snap not tie kind (More if you have two reflux babies like we do!)

1 Breastpump & breastmilk storage bags (I rented the Medela Lactina; hospital-grade pumps are great for MoMs)

2 Boppy pillows (great for bottle-feeding 2 at once when they're little plus useful for tummy time, etc.)

4 Boppy covers

Bottles and nipples as needed (try several kinds; we like the Playtex VentAires and Gerber ClearViews)

1-2 bottle organizer/drying racks (1st Years Spin & Store Dry Rack Organizer)

1-2 bottle brushes (Circo 2-pack from Target)

2 dishwasher baskets for feeding accessories (Munchkin dishwasher baskets from Target)

1 formula-mixing pitcher if you plan to formula-feed (the Dr. Brown's Formula-Mixing pitcher makes up to 36 oz at a time; for twins you'd need to make two batches to have a day's worth of formula if you exclusively formula-feed. The Pampered Chef Family-Size Quik Stir pitcher makes a day's worth for twins at once. This saves a lot of time!)

1 infant tub (Summer Infant Mother's Touch Deluxe Baby Bather; the EuroBath tubs look great, too.)

8-12 baby washcloths

2-4 hooded towels

Baby wash/shampoo (Aveeno unscented)

20 burp cloths (cloth diapers work great)

Soaps & Lotions (For our super-sensitive-skinned babies, we like Aveeno, Dove, Eucerin and CeraVe cream.)

2 Highchairs or booster seats (Fisher-Price Rainforest booster seats. If you bottle-feed, you may wish to get chairs that also recline for bottle-feeding once they outgrow their bouncy seats.)

SLEEPING/SAFETY

2-4 pacifiers (don't get too many, and get different kinds to see what your babies prefer; ours love Soothies)
2-4 pacifier attachers (we use Soothie paci clips. They tend to come off though. Try to get your babies hooked on a different kind of pacifier if you can!)
4 mattress protectors (Ultimate Crib Sheets) Alternatively, just buy more crib sheets and be prepared to change them often. :)
4 Fitted crib sheets (Carter's easy fit blue jersey fitted crib sheets)
4-6 sleep sacks (2 microfleece sleep sack sets from Halo--each includes 1 NB swaddle, 1 small, plus 2 cotton Sleep Sacks; we had winter babies)
2 types of swaddlers (2 Kiddopotamus SwaddleMes, 2 Miracle blankets; get 2 more if they work for your babies so you can swap out if one gets dirty)
Optional: 2 "Blankies" (Koala Baby Luxe blankets from Babies R Us)
Optional: 2 Breathable crib bumpers (BreathableBaby Padded Mesh bumpers)
Baby Monitor (Sony 900MHZ Baby Call Monitor)
Smoke alarm / carbon monoxide detector for baby's room

DÉCOR/OTHER

1 Vaporizer (ask pedi whether cool or warm mist)
1-2 playmats (Tiny Love Gymini 3-D Activity Gym and a discontinued Tiny Love playmat)
Tummy time mat (optional; we have one from Tiny Love)
Curtains/valances, cribskirts, etc., as needed (we got the Tiddliwinks sailboat stuff from Target)
Wall art
(We got the Ahoy Mate wallpaper border from BRU)
Storage baskets as needed (You've probably already thought of this, but if your babies will be on more than one floor of your house, you'll want a diaper changing area on each floor, even if it's just a basket with a changing pad, diapers and wipes. You'll also want places on each floor to put them, e.g. a Pack n Play on the first floor or a second set of bouncy seats so you don't have to make too many trips up and down stairs.)

FIRST AID KIT

Aquaphor
Tylenol Infant Drops (dye free!)
Mylicon (non-staining!)
A few teethers/teething rings
Bandages -- assorted sizes
Triple antibiotic ointment
Bandage pads (for places that bandages don't fit or areas that are too big for bandages)
Gauze
First-aid tape to hold bandage pads and gauze in place
Cotton swabs -- keep in a small plastic bag to prevent contamination
Nail clippers (We got a Red Cross Health and Grooming kit that contained a lot of this stuff)
Tweezers
Emery boards (great for the sharp edges of the nails)
Scissors
Alcohol wipes
Alcohol
Nasal aspirator (the hospital will usually send you home with 2)
Medicine dropper and spoon (Tsp and ML)
Temperature tester
gripe water
Vaseline
Saline Spray for breaking up nasal congestion (Little Noses saline drops)
Diaper rash ointment (We have and like Balmex, A&D, and Boudreaux's Butt Paste)
Sunblock (check with Pedi for safe age to start using it usually after 6 mo.) Neutrogena

You'll also want some board and cloth books, rattles, and some hanging toys to swap out so they don't get bored of those on their bouncy seat toybars and playmat. You might also consider a ring-stacking toy, soft cloth blocks, and other toys for the 4 months + range.A take-along arch or two for the car seat/stroller might also come in handy. (We have one from Tiny Love.)FOR MOM

Nursing bras
Breast pads
Breast shields
Cream for Nipples (Lansinoh cream)

Discounts and Freebies for Multiples

2009-07-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Hooray for awesome companies that have multiples programs! Their number is dwindling, so send in your letters soon before any more companies discontinue their multiples programs! I got my information from someone on the Multiples board on thebump.com. Here's what you do: After your multiples are born, make copies of their birth certificates for every company you want to write to, along with a copy of a request letter. Here's the template I used; feel free to make changes so they are not getting hundreds of the same letter. ;)

Your Address

Date

To Whom It May Concern:

On [date], [my husband] and I became the proud parents of twins, [name] and [name]. We understand that your company offers special benefits for families with multiples. We would love to take advantage of your offer. Attached are copies of our twins’ birth certificates. Please feel free to call us at [your phone #] if you have any questions.

Thank you for your support of our family!

Best Wishes,

[Your Name]

Here is the list of addresses I used, along with my notes on what I received and when from each company. (I sent my letters the first week of June.) I received a list of 60 addresses and have already deleted the ones that have discontinued their multiples programs. In many cases, I got my letter "returned to sender." I am leaving those in the list in case any of you are ambitious enough to try to find updated addresses for those companies. If so, let me know and I will update this post!

Evenflo Attn: Multiple Birth Program 1801 Commerce Dr. Piqua, OH 45356	Learning Curve Brands Attn: Multiple Birth Program 2021 9th St SE Dyersville, IA 52040 6/23: Rec’d 2 packs Take & Toss sippy cups, 2 Lamaze learning toys
NESTLÉ Nutrition PO Box A W Wilkes Barre, PA 18703 (Did not attempt; go through your pediatrician to get FREE CASE of Nestle Good Start!)	Pampers Multiple Birth Offer The Procter and Gamble Co. Box 599 Cincinnati, OH 45201 6/17: Rec’d coupons for 1 free Jumbo pkg Pampers, 1 $5 coupon, 2 $2 coupons, 1 $1 off wipes coupon
Advil Forum on Health Education Dept. CAM 1500 Broadway, 25th Floor New York, NY 10036	American Baby Basket Gift Headquarters P.O. Box 734 New York, NY 10113-0734 Attempted-not known
Beechnut 13023 Tesson Ferry Rd Ste 105 St. Louis, MO 63128 6/23: Rec’d 2 free samples rice cereal, lots of coupons	Boudreaux's Butt Paste 1600 Brian Drive Columbus, IN 47201 6/11: Rec’d 2 bibs, 2 tubes baby lip/cheek balm, 2 small tubes butt paste, other free samples	Bristol-Myers Multiple Birth Program 2400 W. Lloy Expressway Evansville, IN 47721
	Earth's Best Baby Food Earth's Best Consumer Relations The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. 4600 Sleepytime Dr. Boulder, CO 80301 7/25: Received coupons for free jars of Earth’s Best baby food (and cents-off coupons)
International Playtex 700 Fairfield Ave P.O. Box 10064 Stamford, CT 06904 NSF address; un able to fwd	Gerber Multiple Birth Program 445 State Street Fremont, MI 49413 6/10 Rec’d bathtime fun book, pack of TY cards, coupons for 1 can GoodStart and 8 2-packs of Gerber 2^nd Foods purees, 2 NB onesies, bath pack (loofah, shower pouf, brush)	Heinz Baby Food P.O. Box 57 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-0057
Johnson & Johnson 199 Grandview Rd. Skillman, NJ 08558 6/15: Rec’d letter saying all coupons are on their websites, www.baby.com 7/13: Rec’d packet of meds coupons (Tylenol, Mylicon, etc.)	Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Huggies) Multiple Birth Program Department QMB P.O. Box 2020 Neenah, WI 54957 6/16: Rec’d 2 $3 coupons, 3 $1 coupons, sent back Birth Certs	Kolcraft Enterprises Inc. ATTENTION DONATIONS 10832 NC Highway 211 East Aberdeen, NC 28315 Called 6/4 to offer to send free Jeep twin stroller if we pay $20 S&H. Stroller arr’d 6/8
Mead Johnson (Enfamil) Attn: Public Affairs Dept. 2404 Pennsylvania St. Evansville, IN 47721 7/2: Rec’d $5 Enfamil check	Mustela Expanscience Laboratories dba Mustela 1537 Waukegan Road Waukegan, IL 60085 6/27: rec’d free samples vitamin barrier cream, stretch mark cream, no-rinse cleansing fluid	Little Me PO Box 172 Cumberland, MD21502
Playtex Products 20 Troy Road Whittany, NJ 07981 6/25: rec’d 2 $5.99 coupons for Diaper Genie or refills, 1 $3 off coupon for any Playtex feeding product	President's Choice formula 204 North Main St Gordonsville, VA 22942	T Ringling Bro's Circus Customer Service-Baby Program Feld Entertainment 8607 West wood Center Drive Vienna, VA 22182 (Received vouchers for 2 free circus tickets!)
Sassy 2305 Breton Industrial Park Dr. SE Kentwood, MI 49508 BOGO order form for feeding bowl set, less mess spoons, teether or plush pal		Totally Toddler P.O. Box 227215 Dallas TX 75222-7215 6/11: 2 coupons for any T.T. product free

JPMA Safe And Sound 236 RT. 389 West Suite 100 Moorestown, NJ 08057 Not deliverable as addressed	Polly Klaas Foundation PO Box 800 Petaluma, CA 94953 6/26: Rec’d child safety kit	Flanders Marketing (include SASE) P.O. Box 5323, Aiken, SC 29804 Free samples of Flanders Buttocks Ointment
Associated Hygienic Products 3400 Rivergreen Court Suite 600 Duluth, GA 30096		Lever Brothers 390 Park Ave New York, NY 10002 Not deliverable as addressed
Little Tikes Co. Contribution Committee 2180 Barlow Road PO Box 2277 Hudson, OH 44236-0877 Rec’d letter with 1-time 10% discount code	Mondial Consumer Services Attn: Multiple Birth Program 600 Mondial Pkwy Streetsboro, OH 44241 Not deliverable as addressed	Mother’s Little Helper 27520 Hawthorne Blvd Suite 125 Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 No such #; unable to fwd
Spencer’s Inc. Attn: Quality Control PO Box 988 Mt Airy, NC 27030	Today’s Kids Consumer Services PO Box 207 Booneville, AR 72927 Not deliverable as addressed	Whitehall Robbins Product Quality 1407 Cummings Dr Richmond, VA 23261-6609 Not deliverable as addressed
RC2 Brands/ The First Years ATTN: Multiple Birth Program 100 Technology Center Drive Suite 2A Stoughton,MA 02072	Block Drug Co Cornelison Ave Jersey City, NJ 07302 Attempted—not known	One Step Ahead/Leaps and Bounds PO Box 517 Lake Bluff, IL 60044-0517 Rec’d $5 off coupon plus 10% discount off product total
Very Necessary Post Office Box 807 Roseville, CA 95678-0807	Healthtex C/O LT Apparal Group 100 West 33rd Street – Suite 1012 New York, NY 10001 Called 6/10: No longer running multiples program.	Basic Comfort, Inc 5151 Franklin Street Denver, CO 80216
	Regal+Lager, Inc. Attn: Customer Care Dept. Regal Lager, Inc. 1100 Cobb Place Blvd. Kennesaw, GA 30144	Luvs Multiple Birth Offer The Procter & Gamble Company P.O. Box 599 Cincinnati, OH 45201
Sensational Beginnings Catalog P.O. Box 2009 987 Stewart Road Monroe, MI 48162	Rainbow Kids, Inc. Dept. Free Hats PO Box 31817 Bellingham, WA 98228	PBM Products Inc. Attn. Deborah Burdyck 204 North Main Street Gordonsville, VA 22942 Called 6/5 to say they’ll be sending coupons for formula and I can call back the 5^th of each month to request 2 more and remind them I have twins. 6/20: Rec’d 2 $5 off Parent’s Choice formula coupons
First Years Attention Multiple Birth Program One Kiddy Dr. Avon, MA 02322	Pfizer Consumer Health Care Group Attention Consumer Relations Dept 235 E. 42 St., 6th floor New York, NY 10017	Earth's Best Family Program P. O. Box 15958 Lenexa, KS 66285-5959 Returned to sender
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Consumer Affairs Dept. One Ocean Spray Dr. Lakeville-Middlesboro, MA 02349 6/19: Rec’d 1 coupon for free 64-oz juice, 1 55-cents off coupon	McNeal Consumer Healthcare Mail Box 790 7050 Camp Hill Rd. Ft. Washington, PA 19034 6/15: Rec’d a bunch of $1 coupons for children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Mylicon	Ross Laboratories (Similac) 625 Cleveland Ave. Columbus, OH 43216 (Did not attempt; go through your pediatrician to get FREE CASE of Similac!)
Nancy C. Jensen Family & Consumer Sciences Agent 12175-125 St. North Largo, FL 33774-36945 Rec’d pamphlets on infant development 0-12 months. This is actually a county extension agent; contact your own.	Audio-Therapy Innovations Consumer Affairs 2519 W. Pikes Peak Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80904. Attempted-not known unable to forward	Nature’s Goodness Bay Valley Foods Consumer Response P.O. Box 763 Horsham, PA 19044-0763 6/13: Rec’d coupons for 4 free jars baby food
Carnation 800 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203	Nursery® Water Promotions P.O. Box 43382 Atlanta, GA 30336	Seventh Generation, Inc. 60 Lake Street Burlington, VT 05401-5218 6/25: Rec’d coupons for diapers, wipes, and cleaning products, incl a coupon for 1 free package of diapers!

My Review of Baby Jogger City Mini Double - Green/Gray

2009-06-27T20:45:00.001-07:00

Toys R Us

The City Mini double was designed to be one of the most light weight, easiest folding swivel wheeled strollers on the market. Customizable from birth and beyond, the City Mini is the ideal lightweight travel stroller that maintains all the safety standards and style you'd expect from Baby Jogger.

One of the best double strollers out there

Mom of Twin Boys Columbia, SC 6/27/2009

Pros: Easily Stowed, Durable, Easy to Set Up, Comfortable, Adjustable, Smooth Ride, Easy To Maneuver

Cons: Poor/No Cupholders

Best Uses: TWINS, Infants, Toddlers

Describe Yourself: Parent of Multiples (Twins etc), First Time Parent

I spent weeks researching what double stroller to get after my twins outgrew their Double Snap n Go. Although it was more expensive than we wanted to pay, I kept coming back to the City Mini double.
PROS:
* Seems very comfortable for the babies (my boys are almost 6 months and about 18 lbs. each).
* The BEST sunshades I've seen on a double stroller! Great coverage and they give you several options for how much coverage you want. Nice "sunroofs" too, so you can see your little ones while pushing.
* Folding and unfolding are extremely quick and easy.
* Fairly lightweight for a double, takes up little space when folded.
* Wide enough to provide room to grow, yet so far I've had no trouble fitting it through standard doorways.
* Steers like a dream, can easily steer it one-handed.
* Turns on a dime. Zero turning radius; very easy to maneuver.
* Many reclining positions, very easy to adjust on each seat.
DECENT, NOT GREAT:
* Storage (mesh pockets on back of seats, small-ish basket underneath, can only be accessed from sides. Can't even fit my normal-sized backpack diaper bag under it ... and yet there are signs saying not to hang bags from stroller handle. What are you supposed to do?)
* 5-point harnesses (the way they attach and adjust is so-so). The crotch strap is really long on smaller babies, and with the arm straps shortened enough for 5-month-olds, there's tons of extra strap hanging out (which the babies love to suck on ;)).
CONS:
* The Baby Jogger accessories are very pricey. If you wanted just a belly bar, and a cupholder and/or snack tray for the kids and parent(s), it would add up fast. For the price, they really should include at least the belly bar if not the other accessories.
Other than that, no complaints! Wonderful stroller.

()

Just getting started

2009-06-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to create a blog since my twins were born ... but the fact that it took me months to start one gives you a hint about what the first months with newborn twins are like!

Why "the root beer twins"? Well, I'm never good at coming up with names for things (or babies; our boys weren't named until the day before they were born!) but our boys' initials happen to be A and W, and I happen to like root beer.

A and W are now 5 months old. They are laughing, giggling, rolling over, grabbing at toys, teething, drooling and spitting up on everything, and putting EVERYTHING in their mouths. They seem to find my shoulder particularly tasty. Since I just worked out and desperately need a shower, and they are due to wake up from their naps in a matter of moments, that's all for now. Stay tuned for more on life with A and W!