Anyone else due in June "06

[vthompson]

Felisha - You crack me up!! Congrats on the added paws!! Between working at a jail and living in Germany, I think you probably have a lot of interesting stories to tell!!

Heather - When I was teaching, I could not believe what they would feed the children. It was disgusting! I hope you are feeling better!!

Thyroid - You brought up a really good point, Heather. I suffer from hypothyroidism. I used to be very thin...like 100 lbs when wet! Then I gained over 40 lbs in a year. Went in for blood work and found that my thyroid was pretty much not working. I am on synthroid now, which is a hormone to regulate my thyroid. I lost the water weight from all that, but have never been able to get below like 134 lbs...I cannot believe I just wrote that! Granted, 134 is not a bad weight, except when you are only 5'0! Needless to say, I was amazed at all the things your thyroid controls, including depression. It is definitely worth checking it out.

I HATE afternoon naps!! In the morning, they usually go down with ease and sleep 1-2 hours. In the afternoon, they fall asleep, or half asleep, drinking their bottle. Then I put them down and they whine and cry for a long time before they fall asleep, if they fall asleep at all. Right now, Kayley is screaming, and I don't mean crying. She has found that she now knows how to scream like a teenage girl at a boy band concert so she loves to do it. Corey is up there switching between crying and talking. Crazy kids!!

Pregnancy - I did not find pregnancy all that wonderful...I was sick and miserable most of the time. However, I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, to feel them move around. I also miss that!!

Valerie

[sgarrett]

Good Evening Ladies,

Gross work guy: I do not know if it was his kids friends, all we know and she/he was under 14. I have not been able to stop thinking about. I feel so sorry for his wife, kids and of course, whomever the child was. It is just so sick and sad.

Felisha: You worked at a jail?? Too cool, no wonder you handle twins and little girl single handed! I have got to hear some cool jail stories!

We have not bought the highchair/cart cover thingy yet. I went to Toys R Us to get two this weekend and they were 40.00 each. That just seems so high for what they are. Has anyone found a better price?

Valerie: I hope you fun on date night! We are way pass due for one too! Isabelle does the same thing with her hands, she stares at the in awe. I will show her my hands and mimic what she is doing with hers and she is AMAZED! It's mommy magic! When Chase was young I used to explain several things by Mommy magic. Like, how I know he broke something in the house, how I could make the backseat windows not go up and down. It was pretty funny, he thought I was like a super hereo or something!

Vacations: We are going to Coco Beach for Spring break with another couple. I have never been there I beleive it is near Orlando. Wanna meet Heather, Steph? I am worried about flying with the babies but mainly worried about how the heck I am going to cart all the crap we need there?

Steph: I cannot watch your video, something is wrong with my explorer, I can only get on the internet through my company's VPN and it will not let me go to You Tube.:sigh:

Good Night

Staci

[sgarrett]

OK no more wine while posting I had a million typos in there SORRY!

[Jillmami]

I have to plug this product!! Babylegs... they are terrific! The best $12 we've spent so far for our daughter. We have about 6 pairs of these and they are terrific for diaper changes, they keep her warm, and we don't have to worry about the waistband re: her bag. Even when she is bagless in a few months, we'll still have her wear them! They are like leg warmers for babies/kids. She will be able to wear them up until she hates them! Right now they fit from the hip down. As she gets bigger, they will be more like a regular leg warmer and then she can wear them as sleeves with a t-shirt on chilly mornings. They have great styles/designs too. Actually, Noah has worn them too and they look great on him as well. They also work with dresses/skirts and you don't have to worry about getting tights with the feet to fit. They also come in handy for crawling I have read from other moms. if you care to check it out, go to www.babylegs.net
I wrote in to let them know that I am a fan of the product and they actually sent me a free pair and a hand written note. I just think it's great that there are still companies that go the extra mile especially over the internet. Ok, hope that everyone enjoyed their weekend and stayed warm if they were in a chilly spot! Take care mommas!

[swineland]

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_41/601-2400953-0406568?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000COV1PM
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_11/601-2400953-0406568?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000COWMLO
Staci, above are links to the shopping cart cover I bought, as well as the highchair cover I also purchased. They are Eddie Bauer Baby and are very inexpensive at Target. I only bought one of each and use them interchangeably on highchairs, but I can't use the highchair cover in a shopping cart (too small). They serve their purpose and so far I'm happy with them. Yes, I think the prices for some of these cart bags are insane and half the time the fabric is hideous. I like that this one is just blue stripes.....a lot better than the primary colored nightmare that the other ones have become.

Anywho....hope that helps!

Also, yeah, Cocoa beach is about 45 mins from my house, so it's definitely do-able! We'll talk is it gets closer.

Talk to you all soon...
Steph
p.s. GO COLTS!!!:clap: (sorry Andrea and Danielle!)

[Jillmami]

Steph, that striped cart cover is too cute! Might have to get one of those. I bought one that rolls up with attached toys that I found at TJ Maxx or something for 10 bucks. Don't need two yet as dh is still working on stability for sitting. Our high chair covers we received as a gift from one of the NICU nurses. She actually made them for each baby. So those are quite special. If only I had the desire to sew (as well as the skill)!:crazy:

[swineland]

Don't need two yet as dh is still working on stability for sitting.

Your husband can't sit up yet??? :crazy:

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning All...

Hope everyone had a good weekend...

Staci - Child rapists are the lowest form of life. I hope no one gets offended but death is the only option for these people. Anyone that would exploit or hurt an innocent child doesn't deserve to breath the same air as that child. The only other punishment is to put him in a cell with a large man named tiny who is looking for some love....

Lisa - I will keep your brother in my prayers. I'm sure he has made it safely but living in a foreign country deserves some prayers too....

Travel - We are planning on visiting my family in TX sometime at the end of February/beginning of March. I am totally freaked out by the thought of getting the kids, their stuff and my husband through the airport and on the plane. My aunt has an extra bedroom that we can use while we are down there so that will save us from paying for a hotel room... Overall, I know that the boys need to meet my family but man it is not going to be a vacation... Although I do have a friend down there that might watch the boys while dh and I go out to eat... We haven't done that since the boys were born. Well, I guess like all things we will find a way.

Valarie - Hands movement - Zach is crazy about his hands. He watches them, moves them and talks to them. His favorite thing to do is try to pull his thumb off... Dh and I believe that he is trying to figure out how to get the thumb off so he can have it in his mouth and still have his hands free to play with stuff.

Funny weekend story - Dh and I have converted 1/2 of our great room into a play area for the boys. We have a gate/fence that extends from one wall to the other with a door in the middle. Saturday morning the boys were playing in their area and dh and I were in the kitchen. We were only in there a few minutes but as we came around the corner from the kitchen to the great room. There was Zach outside the gate/behind the gate door. Needless to say dh and I were shocked. Zach was smiling and the yorkie poo was licking him like crazy. We have no idea how he got out. We assume dh did not click the gate closed and that he somehow rolled out the gate (does not crawl forwards yet) but then we have no idea how he got around the gate door. All I know is that he was very please with himself... All day Saturday, I called him Hoodini... He just laughed...

Last night after the boys naps (okay so Ben napped, Zach squirmed), we put them in the play area. Both boys were on their hands and knees facing each other. Zach started rocking back and forth which caused Ben to begin to belly laugh... Zach stopped rocking and Ben started which lead Zach to belly laugh... This exchange went on for a good 5 minutes which is an eternity in baby time... I am so glad that the boys are really starting to interact and finding joy in each other... I was so scared in the beginning that I was raising Cain and Abel...

I hope everyone has a good Monday and as one mother to other mothers, I pray that your little ones take long naps today!!!!

Kerrie

[Jillmami]

Steph - OK, my dh CAN sit up unsupported. OOPS! How funny was that to read. :funny: So I am obviously not as sharp as I previously thought; especially at 4am while hooked up to a pumping machine! Too funny. I should have written 'dd'. HA! Maybe I need to start drinking coffee! :coffee: What is more scary is that I'm off to school. EEK! Luckily, I am testing a family of 3 from Mexico to see how much English they know. Hopefully I can remember more than they do! :pray:

[AndreaR]

Hi everyone - I hope you had a nice weekend.

DH and I went out on Saturday night - to a big charity event where the theme was "80's prom". Needless to say, it was hilarious. I will try to post a pic later. It was so great to be out. I wish we could do it more often. But we didn't get home until midnight, and then both girls woke up during the night. Then, we had my whole family (I have 6 brothers & sisters and 11 nieces/nephews) here to see my parents before they leave for Florida for the next two months. After all that attention and stimulation, the girls didn't sleep well last night either. So, this is a really long winded way of saying, I'M TIRED!

Very sad about the Patriots losing to the Colts, but really....whatever. Luckily, although DH is a very big fan, he doesn't get all mopey when his teams lose.

Jill - I love those baby legs!! I am definitely going to order some. I was going to make a smart-a$$ comment about your DH not being able to sit up, but Steph beat me to the punch. I guess I forgot about TJ needing a bag. Is it difficult to dress her? When will it be removed? Does she fiddle with it at all, now that she's a big girl?

Staci - I can't believe that about the guy you work with. That is terrible and disgusting. I hope he gets what he deserves.

Lisa - I hope your brother and his family made it to Germany safely. I think it's kind of exciting that they are going to be there for a while. Six months, I think, is doable, because you know you're going to get to be home again soon. Are they happy about it?

Daniele - I DEFINITELY DEFINITELY DEFINITELY do NOT wish I were pregnant again, especially not with twins! I was so happy to be pregnant, but I was so sick the whole time. I do like thinking back and remembering what it was like to have the girls in my belly, but I don't wish to do it again any time soon.

Vacation with the twins - We called it off. I don't know if I posted about this or not... We were planning to take a week in March and go stay with my parents in Florida. But after thinking it through, between the flights down and back, and all of the stuff we'd need to bring or rent, it was going to be a logistical challenge (at best and nightmare at worst). And would it really be a vacation? Madeline's skin is so fair that she won't be able to take 30 seconds in the sun. It's not like we could hit the beach or pool every day. I had visions of us stuck in my parents' condo (which is lovely, but...) the entire time. My sister says that when you have babies, it's not really a vacation, but just a change of scenery. And unfamiliar surroundings is not always easy for babies to adapt to. And then when you get home, they need to adapt all over again. So, we decided to skip it this year. I don't know how so many of you did it over the holidays. I feel like such a wimp.

Valerie - my girls both do weird/funny things with their hands. They are both totally fascinated with them and how they are attached to them but seem to move without them doing anything. Isabelle has just started waving (opening and closing her hands repeatedly). Maddie, when she's tired, will move her hand/arm up and down, like she's hitting something, very quickly. I don't think you need to worry about anything.

Gotta hop - baby crying - ttyl.

AndreaR

[christel]

'Morning Ladies

It's been a while since I posted, so this is gonna be long... More power to you if you make it to the end :D

Depression - went through a really rough patch the year leading up to our IVF. We'd been TTC for 6 years and I was feeling completely hopeless AND my baby sister managed to get pg while on bcp and give birth to a beautiful little boy... salt in really raw wound. Anyway, no matter what precipitates the depression, it's one of the the hardest things I think a person can deal with. The isolation of it is so hard to climb through. My prayers are there for all of you dealing with any form of the blues.

Thyroid - if you even suspect a problem you're having could track back to it, get it tested... it's a very simple blood test. I'm in remission for Graves disease (the major symptom was hyperthyroidism). It was so bad when I was diagnosed that my resting heart rate was 135 and my body was starting to metabolize my large muscle groups... I would go into muscle fatigue just pressing the clutch in my car! Fortunately my VERY sharp OBGYN caught it at a yearly exam and I got the treatment I needed.

Naps - I SO recommend this book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. I did everything he recommended and my girls are GREAT sleepers. They wake up between 6 and 7am, eat, play and go down for a morning nap around 8. They sleep 2- 2 1/2 hours. They eat again around 11am and go back down for an afternoon nap around 12:30 and sleep 2 hours. They eat again around 3pm and go down for a short nap around 4pm... then eat at 6pm and to bed by 7pm. Sometimes they'll wake up and play during nap time, but 95% of the time, they'll go back to sleep. I learned the hard way to LEAVE them alone! I do put them in separate rooms to nap, never in swings, and leave a few toys with them. We've got a microscopic routine of laying down, putting on covers (Nannie blankets), handing baby a toy (usually some links to chew on) and putting on some music... then I'm outta there! It took a little work to get them here, but it was SOOOOO worth it.

Hands - they're the most amazing things ever... they Love to play with their own and each others. Emme just started rubbing her head, too :D and they both play with their ears sometimes.

Saying No - usually say it only when pain is involved

Babylegs - Jill I saw these in Parents magazine and thought they were so cute and smart. I may have to get some.

Sitting/Talking/Playing- Emme's doing it completely unassisted and Ruby's so close. I put a boppy pillow behind her and can walk away. It catches her nicely if she decides to throw backwards. I :throb: that they are sitting and playing together now. They have such a good time together, will babble and grab toys back and forth and smile and giggle at each other. You know, if we had 1 baby only, WE would have to be the playmate 24/7! This is awesome!

Teeth - not yet but they are gumming frantically... sometimes I just rub their gums with my finger and they get this blissful look on their faces. They also get that look when I clean out their ears with a Q-tip :lol:

Eating - We have these weird utensil called "little dippers" that the girls can stab into food and suck on. I let them hold those and I control the spoon. Then, they don't grab for the spoon and have something to shove in their mouth when the spoon is otherwise occupied. I also gave them sweet potato vegi puffs... not that big of a hit yet. I'll try 'em again in another week. Oh, the mesh teether WAS a big hit... I put a slice of pear inside and they chewed on it for over an hour.

Sick - still... pink eye keeps going back and forth, Ruby's cough is still lingering and Emme's getting Dimatap at night for congestion. Sick of being sick!!!

Travel - doing a LOT of it... more than expected...
Dh's grandfather passed on last night and we will need to travel to the Panhandle for the service (a 6 hr. trip). DH is scheduled to leave next weekend (not this one) for the UK and Denmark and I'm going to go back to my Mom's while he's gone. So, it looks like we'll drive to the Panhandle, drive home, drive to my Mom's (4 hrs.), blah blah blah. I JUST unpacked b/c we got home Thursday after being gone 2 weeks. Before that we were home 5 days before being gone 8 days for the holidays.

Anyway, here's what I learned about travel... pack 1/2 the clothes that you think you'll need for you and the babies and do laundry while you're gone. Buy the diapers, formula and food there. Pack a few favorite toys and a few they haven't seen. Link toys that are soft can hang from the clothes hanging handles on the car doors - then the babies don't lose them during car rides. The johnny jump up (goes in doorways) is small and easy to pack. Favorite cd's like Laurie Berkner are good too for car rides.

Ok - gotta go take a shower and finish main lining my coffee before nap time is over.

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[megzmom]

Valerie-my mom is on synthroid too. Unfortunately she has hypo which means her weight is such and issue.

Prego-liked it because I LOST weight survived on oatmeal. HATED working FT backach...etc...totally miss the movements around the 6-7mth not the 8th :)

carseat/highchair cover. I want one that will fit both. Does anyone have a suggestion. Found some places online that you can mail the material and they will make them for you.

bye for now.

[vthompson]

Hey Ladies!! When I read posts, I can no longer see the slide shows...it just shows the link...hmmm???

Our date was a blast!! We did not get home until after 12am, so needless to say, we were exhausted. It was so nice to be out without the babies...much needed mom and dad time! We even had a few adult drinks!!

Vacations - All of our family live here so we will not be traveling anytime soon. We took the babies to a wedding over the summer that was about 2 hours away. We have also traveled to see Monica and Lisa...each trip was about 2 hours.

Napping - I was wondering what other people's nap routines were? Does anyone, besides me, have babies that need a bottle before napping?

Carseat/Highchair cover - Have not looked into these yet.

Christel - I cannot believe all of that stemmed from your thyroid. I am amazed at everything that it regulates.

AndreaR - I can't wait to see pics of that!! I hope you post some soon. What did you and DH wear?

Well, babies are supposed to be napping, but instead, are yelling! I do not understand why they fight the afternoon nap so much. They are tired so just go to sleep babies!!

Valerie

[sgarrett]

Steph: Thanks for the tip, I am looking for one that will do both (high chair/shopping cart cover). I am not organized enough to keep up both! I one a bid for one on Ebay last night, now I just need one more!

Valerie: Ditto on the slide pics! I miss everyone's sweet babies!

Preggo: Want another baby but not the pregnant part!

Christel: What are those little dipper things, they sound cool!

AndreaR: The 80's night sounds like some much fun! I cannot wait to see pics! What did you wear? Thanks for the travel tips! Did you bring two carseats when you fly or do you rent ones at your destination? What about a stroller?

Kerrie: I am picturing you walking into the room and your little one standing there outside of his baby gate wearing top hat and cape exclaiming "TA DAH! and for my next trick..."


Gross Work Guy: It gets worse, found out today it was his 4 year old daughter! I just cannot beleive I have known this guy, gone on sales calls with him, gone to lunch with him etc... for years and had no clue! It just makes me sick!

Staci

[TMoT]

:yippee:GUESS WHO?!?!?!?:yippee:

Well, I've been MIA for so long, I'm surprised I remembered my log-in password! :funny: :cool:

I HAVE been keeping up with the postings -- more or less -- though... I get an email digest once a week, which I read with such joy/concern/nostalgia/etc. (you know the story)... But I NEVER manage to read the whole thing - let alone REPLY/post. Well, here I am. I am going to try to post -- although I hear the boys upstairs fighting instead of going to sleep, so... *sigh*...

*laundry and discipline intervention*

Well, just as I figured. This doesn't seem to be working. And dh seems to dislike me being on here when I could be doing more constructive things (like what?!)... So, I better log-off.

Just wanted to let you know that I am _really_ thinking about you all (I mean it, but don't make me start naming names! ;-) Well, okay: Andrea(S), Staci/ey, Daniele, Heather, Lisa, Mindy, Valerie, Steph, Jill, Monica, Felisha, Ters, AND the "new" ladies - Christel, Kerrie, et al.), you're in my heart, and I hope you're all doing well -- considering! :sunshine:

Till next time, keep The Faith, lovely ladies!!!
Love, love, love,
Sherry et al.
PS Babies are great: STILL Bf-ing if you can believe!?! Darius is weighing in around 20lbs -- at 6.5 months. Artemis is smaller but a real go-getter: rolling, sitting-up, grabbing, etc. And they both have their bottom two teeth and are teething constantly -- what a pain! ...Big brothers are great too. DS2/Xan is doing well in first grade; and DS1/Maxi has asked (!) to do his First Communion in May...(?!!) Mom and Dad are _surviving_ -- but you guys all know that story too! ;-) I'll try to at least post some pics... xxoo

PPS Looks like my signature is out of date... Wonder if I'll have time to fix it...?!? ;-) xo

[christel]

Hey Sherry :) It's great to hear from you :throb:

Slides/Tickers - the board went down for a while yesterday and I wonder if it's not *quite* fixed yet

Staci - Here's what we have... Lil Dippers by Gerber (http://www1.epinions.com/Gerber_Lil_Dipper) The girls really dig them :lollypop:

And just because I absolutely MUST use this...:hahaha: :bananalama:

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[Daniele'sTwins]

Hi My Ladies...

Sherry!!!!!!! Glad to hear from you! Stop by again soon!


Ok, so today I went with my friend to her level II ultrasound. I cried when I saw the baby on the screen! i am going to wait a while before I ger pregnant again but seeing that really made me want another one!

cHRISTEL... I am sorry about the loss in your dh's family.
I have that book and I tried to read it before the boys were born but it seemed so complicated. As for you traveling so much I got tired just listening to all that you do!

Q-tips...my boys love to have their ears cleaned too and they love getting a massage with lotion after their baths.

Mesh teether thingy...my boys love that too...we have had pears and peaches in them.

Puffs...my boys don't like the texture thing yet. They look like they want to gag when I put a little piece in their mouths.

Val...napping for me is not going as well as it used to anymore! I don't know what is going on! There were times they would take a 2 hour nap in the morning but lately more like a half hour! Afternoon same thing! What do we do? I notice they get more cranky when they dont nap well too.

Alright, so I didnt tell you this yet but a few months ago I woke up in the middle of the night with very sharp pains in my stomach. This only lasted for about an hour and then that was it. Then a few weeks ago it happened again. I was in a deep sleep (as much as a mom can be that is) and this pain woke me right up. It was so severe that we were going to call the rescue but I was afraid to go in the ambulance by myself (big baby). I ended up throwing up several times. I called my mother and told her that if the pain doesn't go away in an hour I was going to call the resue. I took a vicodin and within an hour the pain was gone. Well, I went to the doctors the next day and she sent me for a bunch of ultrasounds. The doctor called me today and told me that they found a small "mass" on my kidney and that they want me to go for an MRI now. What the F**k! I am sure I will be fine but I just hae all this stuff, you know!

Alright, it has been a long day and last night I did not go to bed until very late because i had the urge to clean all the draws in my kitchen!


Ters...it is your turn to show up now!

Goodnight my friends! Love you all!

Daniele


I miss you Mindy, I hope everything is ok.

[vthompson]

Christel - I am sorry to hear about your loss. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Felisha - Your smiley story was so cute!!! :goodpost: This one is funny!!

Daniele - I will be thinking about you today. Please keep us posted. I am sure everything is going to be fine. I am sending good thoughts your way. :flowers:

Sherry - I couldn't believe when I got on and there you were!!! It is so nice to hear from you. Hopefully you find time to post more!

Staci - That is so disgusting! I would feel the same way...how someone could ever do something like that I will never understand!

Mesh Teether - I need to get one of these.

So, Corey woke up from his nap yesterday with a red mark on his head. I thought it was just from the way he was sleeping. It is still there today. It does not seem to bother him. I am wondering if he hit his head on the crib or something. Should I be worried?

Well, I better go. Both babies are pretty cranky this morning. It is not going to be a good day if they are already in bad moods! Plus, I have to take the boy that I watch to school today. I HATE going out in the snow and cold, especially so early in the morning.

Valerie

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning All...

Daniele - You are now firmly implanted on my prayer list... Everything will be fine, but do keep us posted on how the MRI goes.

Puffs and Teething Biscuits (sp?) - We tried the puffs and it went over like farting in church... both boys looked like we were living in Jonestown and asking them if they would like some koolaid. Last night we tried the teething biscuits and Ben really took to them... He slobbered all over it and was really nawing on the thing. Never got a bite off but he was really digging on having something in his mouth. Zach on the other hand would put it in his mouth, take it out then do that scrunched up face with a shiver. I take that is baby for "this is crap, ma" We have the mess feeders but haven't tried them yet. We really having a tough time getting a routine set for feeding them solids. We are pretty well set with solids at 5:30p (normally a veggie and fruit), but other than that we are failing completely. Dh is a SAHD and I say to him every morning to do a brunch feeding for the boys. He says okay and then when I get home I find that the boys didn't have their brunch. They get all their bottles but solids are another story. I told Dh that before they are 9mos we need to have them on 3 meals a day. He says okay but who knows how it will go... I guess by the time they are 18 we will be able to wean them off their bottles at this rate...

No real funny stories today... The boys were cranky yesterday. Zach's tooth popped through the other day but it is still working its way all the way in so he is a little moody... Ben is just a diva and who knows why he was cranky... I think it was gas but it could have been that the wind was blowing out of the north... (Note... I am desperately in love with Ben... I just know that he is my picky baby.)

Hope everyone has a GREAT Tuesday!

Kerrie

[swineland]

:computer:
Ah, so here I am.....coffee in hand.....babies asleep......for now.....

Sherry, Welcome back!

Val, I wouldn't worry about the red mark unless he's showing signs of head trauma, which I don't think he would be from a little bump on the crib. I have to keep reminding myself that "boys will be boys" and they can tolerate a lot more, physically speaking, than we think they can. Evan has that FP learning table and he always pulls it over onto himself and I think, oh no!! He's hurt!! But I make myself wait a few secs and he either ends up laughing or just looking confused. As for going out in the snow...ick! Be careful!!

Mindy, dear god girl....where ARE you??

Daniele, as if you need something else on your plate, eh?? I can just imagine how anxious you are about this and wanting to know what it is yet not wanting to even have to deal with it in the first place. Just know I'm thinking about you and sending a big hug! :love2:

well, that didn't last long....baby awake....be back later with PART II!!
:hello: Bye!
Steph

[vthompson]

So, I am in some kind of funk today...I just do not feel like doing anything or talking to anyone...except you gals!! I do not know what is wrong. DH called and asked me how taking James to school went (that is the boy I watch). I snapped back saying that I hate doing it and it is a huge pain and ruins my whole day...then, I started to almost cry! What the heck is wrong with me!! I got my period Sunday night, but it seems pretty much gone already. That is the only thing I can think of that could be causing it.

Anyways....

Lisa - I am so excited about tomorrow, too. That is what is getting me through today! Thanks for the info on napping. Every few weeks, I stress over letting them have a bottle before nap. Then, I get some kind of attitude, like, if it works then oh well. Which, currently, it does work for us. Well, not right now. I gave them a bottle and put them down and they are both up there yelling. I am just not in the mood today. The biggest reason they say to not give a bottle before sleeping is because they become reliant on it to fall asleep. However, in our case, there have been plenty of times when they are wide awake after a bottle, like right now, and they put themselves to sleep. I guess I am just stressing because I read recently not to do it. I swear I am crazy...I am glad to hear your brother and his family are safe and sound! What a cool experience!!

Steph - I have a problem with remembering that he is a boy, too. My first instinct is to go running over when he hurts himself. DH always reminds me to not do that. Sometimes he really cries and other times, he just whimpers and then forgets about it.

Kerrie - Isn't funny how different their personalities are. Crazy!!

Crawling - None yet....just rolling. Lisa, I was laughing at your story about Ethan crawling to find you!!

Puffs - We have been trying them...Kayley does not seem to care about them. Corey picks them up with his fist and then stuffs his whole fist in his mouth. He has not quite figured out how to open his fist to let the puffs into his mouth.

Well, I better go...enough trying to avoid my day!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

oh my goodness, this has been a busy place! i'm not sure i'll get to respond to everyone before i have to go. so i apologize in advance.

SHERRY! i thought you were gone forever! it was great hearing from you and i'm so glad you are doing okay. big big congrats on the breastfeeding. post again whenever you can find the time. you are always in our thoughts.

christel - sorry to hear about your dh's grandfather. and all that traveling! wow! now i know why you haven't been posting much lately. it's good that you can go to your mom's while dh is away. nothing like that extra set of hands.

daniele - so sorry to hear about the mass on your kidney. when do you go for the MRI? i am praying for you. i may need to cancel our date on thursday (more info to follow).

puffs/teeting biscuits - my girls like to play with the puffs (we have the sweet potato kind), but they're not that interested in eating them. they LOVE their teething biscuits. i think the brand is healthy times, which i find stay together a long time. i've tried other brands, and they seem to break too easily. i am worried that someone will break off a piece and choke. but like i said, the girls love them. and the dog does, too ;-). he waits patiently by their highchairs until the girls throw/drop them off the side.

valerie - don't fret too much about giving them a bottle before they take a nap. i nurse isabelle before her naps and before bedtime. whatever it takes!!

lisa - it sounds like your brother and his family have a nice opportunity in germany. just think how quickly the past 6-7 months have gone by! they'll be home in a wink of an eye. i think it will be funny to hear your niece speak german!

crawling - no crawling yet, but isabelle does manage to move around the floor to get to wherever she wants to go.

naps - we were doing really well with the morning naps, but seem to be coming into a new schedule. isabelle still goes down after being up for about 2 hours, but maddie doesn't get tired for quite a while. they are still taking at least two, most of the times three naps a day. one nap per day is usually in the car. they sleep anywhere from 30 - 90 minutes, you just never know. i read somewhere that if they wake up before an hour has passed, you should try to leave them in their crib and see if they go back to sleep. even if they don't go back to sleep, leave them in the crib until it's been one full hour. it's supposed to teach them to nap longer. who knows? i tried it for a while, but then i stopped.

speaking of naps, it looks like izzy is waking up from hers (a whole hour - which is great! but i was on the computer the whole time...). hopefully i'll get back on later.

love you all!
andrea

[swineland]

I will reply to the posts in a minute....but I just made the most wonderful discovery!!! I often find that it takes so much time to cart each baby from living room to nursery or vice versa or from living room to car seat, etc. Well, I'm doing laundry and both boys needed a diaper change so I put them both in my basket and carried them BOTH into the nursery at the same time! Changed em, back in the basket, and back to the playmat! How great is THAT?? :congrats: :elefant: :dancing:

It doesn't take much these days.....

[SunMoonMom]

Steph... THAT IS AWESOME!!!!

Necessity is the mother of invention...

I will have to share the laundry basket idea with my sahd... It is right up his alley...

Kerrie

[vthompson]

Steph - What an inventive idea!! Did you have clothes in the basket or just babies? You need a pic of that!

AndreaR - I am glad to know that someone else's babies eat before sleeping. It makes me feel better!!

Valerie

[swineland]

I"m back.

I drove :driver: to a lady's house to pick up a walker that I found on craigslist. I cleaned it thoroughly, sanitized the hell out of it, washed the seat and *wa-lah* it's as good as new. I'll try to take and post a pic of it soon. It rolls really easy and on our hardwood floors in the kitchen, I figure they'll have lots of fun learning to walk using it. I offered her twelve bucks for it, so no biggie if they hate it. So far, they love sitting in it, but I think the "walker" part of it might not hit them for a bit.

Okay, naps:
E&B take 2-3 naps a day. 95% of the time they nap at the same time (although yesterday was NOT one of those days and there was not one minute of the day that at least one baby wasn't awake) Anywho, they get up every morning pretty much right at 5:30am. They talk and make noises and I slowly wake up to that beautiful melody on the monitor. I get them out of their cribs around 5:45-6am, depending on how fast their chatter is turning into fussiness. Usually around 7:30 or 8:00am I put them down for their first naps. I take them in, place them in their cribs wide awake, insert a pacifier, give them their "napping blankets" (made by grandma), say "it's naptime" and walk out of the room. If they are really tired, then there's not much else to it. If they aren't, then they will play or cry for awhile and if they still aren't sleeping after 5-7 mins or so, I go back in, lay them down flat again, reinsert pacifier, bring blanket back into their arms and say, again, "it's naptime". and I do this until they fall asleep. Although, it usually only takes me going back in there one or two times. They know I will not pick them up. Sometimes it's hard to leave, especially when they are crying and looking at me with those puppy dog eyes, but I make myself leave the room. They each have some little rattles/toys in their cribs now and each mattress has been lowered to the "orphanage" level (haha....you know, like a playpen) so I don't worry about them standing up and falling out of the crib. (I have TALL babies!) Anyway, they wake up about an hour to an hour and a half later. Then, around 2:30-3pm, they take the afternoon nap. Same routine as above and they'll usually sleep the same amount of time, usually a tad longer. Then that's it for naps. Sometimes they are still tired and go to bed at 6pm, but usually it's around 7pm. And back at it again at 5:30. :cuppa:
Even when I think, oh man, there is no way they are going to sleep, I just keep doing something else and make sure not to go in there. Miraculously, it will just all the sudden be quiet in there......it just takes some time and some routine.

Food: puffs, they love them. I just sprinkle some on their trays and it will keep them busy for awhile. usually they eat most of them. I have been giving them the Gerber Graduates Pasta Pick-ups...raviolis, mac and cheese, or the sweet potatoes/mashed carrots graduates. I also mash up peas and carrots and mix that with mashed potatoes. They will eat ANYthing I give them. Morning time is one jar of oatmeal mixed with one banana.

back soon!

[mmzill]

Hey everyone ~
I feel like I have so much to catch up on!

Danielle, I was thinking about you alot today! I hope everything went ok! You are in my prayers.
Lisa, glad your brother got to Germany safely! Hope you and Valerie have fun!!!

Steph hope your walker works out well for you. (not to dampen your spirits, I've heard that walkers tend to delay walking, not sure if that's true, but that's what a number of people have told me) It seems like your boys are doing so much! You and Felisha have Wonder babies!!! :star: I like your idea of the basket also. Recently I had to take the boys to the dr. and I used my singleton stroller. I just laid it back like if one baby was going to lay down, then sat them both up in it. It worked really well....until they needed to nap. It was so much easier than using the triple stroller that we have.

Val - my boys generally eat right before they go to sleep, and 9 times out of 10 Nathan falls asleep nursing. I wouldn't worry about that. Anthony loves looking at his hands too, just is so intrigued by them. Sorry you were having such a bad day today. I hate those days.

Jill, really like those leggings! So cute! I think I'll get some for my dd, she hates keeping her pants on, and would make it much better for potty training too.

Weirdo at work- the thought of that sends chills up and down my spine!

Well, we are getting set up with a Speech Therapist for Nathan. They are going to help with his eating *or not eating* issue. They say that when babies have problems eating a lot of times it can lead to speech issues later on. I'm looking forward to meeting with the Therapist and seeing what they have to say.

No crawling here either and only minimal rolling. Just sitting up big and reaching for everything.

Well, it's late. I better get off here. Sorry if I missed someone.
Love you all lots!!!

Oh Sherry!!!!!! Great to hear from you!!!!!
Monica

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning All...

Monica - Can't wait to hear what the therapist says. I'm sure she will have some great suggestions for development.

Steph - Congrats on the walker... Always fun to save a buck or 30...

Valerie - The boys always seem to take their naps after eating. Its not planned that way but it just works out. We always feed them before bedtime. I have no problem with feeding them before naps or bedtime... I figure by the time they are 18 we can stop... :lol:

No funny stories today... Boys were just tired yesterday so just wanted to be held.

Hope everyone has a great hump day... Its down hill to the weekend from here...

Kerrie

[sgarrett]

Quick Post: Aiden bit the crap out if Isabelle this morning. He left teeth marks! Now I know he did not mean to hurt her he bites EVERYTHING. What do I do the help him understand, you can bite your toys but not your sister???

Staci

[megzmom]

Steph- can just imagine your boys standing up in the crib. I was shocked and loved your video. Your so techie (sp)?

Food-Zack finally put his first food (cherrios) on his own yesterday. I have only tried real food 2 times. Zack does well. Only tried canned peaches and cheerios. On the puffs box it said must be crawling. Does that matter. Was afraid to try. Silly I guess if I am okay with cheerios.

Crawling-anyone yet? Mine want to but just slide back in frustration. Finally sitting up good.

Bath-they are too big for the bumbo now. WHat do you use? I just had them sitting straight in tub but what something more secure.

Lisa thanks for the website. I am going to peek.

Sherry-welcome back. We all missed you!!

[Jillmami]

OK, I promise I'll respond to y'all during a later pumping session but I wanted to throw out a quick question. Our nanny mentioned that she potty trained both of her kids VERY early. She said that she started when she noticed they would grunt/push when they were going. She said that we could start putting Noah on the pot when we see him at that 'stage'. Interesting concept. Anybody doing anything similar or heard about anything like that?

More later ladies! The weekend's almost here!

[vthompson]

Good Morning!! It is VERY snowy and cold here in Cleveland today.

Lisa and I had a great day together yesterday. I cannot believe how well all the babies did. They did not have any meltdowns until we were about to leave. It was so cute to see them all interact. They would laugh and talk to each other...it was too cute. Lisa's mom came with us...she is so nice and helpful! I cannot believe how big Ethan and Brady have gotten. Their little personalities are adorable! I think they may fight over Kayley some day (lol). I felt bad because I was dazed in Old Navy and was in there forever. Sorry Lisa!! We had one mishap...Corey was sitting in a high chair in the food court and he banged his chin on the table. He cried harder then I have ever seen him cry before. Everyone was starting at us. It took a few minutes to calm him down. If he would have had teeth, we may of ended up in the ER. I have learned to pull the high chair away from the table. Oh, and Kayley lost one her socks in the mall. Leave it to my crazy kids!!

Jill - Potty training! I have not even begun to think about that. How old were her kids? That is amazing!

Heather - No crawling. We have tried the puffs...not very successful yet. As for baths, we just lay them in the bottom of the tub. The water is shallow, of course. Corey LOVES to kick in the water so he just lays there kicking away. It is so funny! We have been doing that for a few months now. I did see a tub ring for the babies to sit in at BRU. You could try that.

Staci - I have no idea how to solve that problem. I know my twins are going to do that when they get teeth. Maybe when he bites his sister just firmly tell him no.

Monica/Steph - I actually heard the same thing about the walkers. I guess it is because they usually "walk" in the walker on their toes. However, I also heard that exersaucers and jumperoos were bad on their hips, I still use them.

Well, I need to make something to eat. Have a great day ladies! Stay warm!!

Valerie

p.s. I am jealous of those of you who have warm weather!!

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning All...

Potty Training - I have heard of early potty training. I saw a report on the news about it. Don't remember much of it because all I could think about was that the mother was a nut... She stopped putting diapers on her child (not sure of the age) and would wait for cues from the child when she needed to go. She said in the beginning there were a lot of accidents but after a while the child started to tell her when she needed to go... It probably works for some people but it isn't something that I would try...

Bath - I have been looking everywhere for those bath rings... I will go to BRU this weekend to see if ours has them... Thanks for the 411.

In the Floor - Yesterday my dh tried something new. He actually put the twins in their room (normally just tries to put them down in the living room) for naps mid morning... guess what... they napped... I have been saying this to him for weeks... and he finally did it... It was so nice yesterday afternoon to come home to babies that were not exhausted. They played in the floor with each other for about an hour without a single tear... then they started to get bored and I was able to get in the floor and play with them for another 1/2 hour before it was time for them to have dinner. I hope he does it again today. It was such a relief not to have to immediately start trying to put babies down to nap when I got home and to have time to actually play with them.

Daniele - how are you doing? just wondering if you have had your MRI?

Staci - I think we will have a biting problem too... both boys go at everything with their mouths and that includes each other. Zach just had his first teeth breakthrough so it will only be a matter of time before they start to become an issue. I have already started seeing tooth marks on toys... The only thing I can think to do is say "No" and remove the biting boy from the situation.

"I WANT IT" syndrome - I have already started noticing that the boys are attracted to what the other one has. Ben can be playing with a teether and Zach with roll/back crawl/spin his way over to his brother to grab it out of his hands. Ben will do the same thing to Zach. We have been returning the toy to the original owner and providing the other boy with another toy. Just wondering if you are already seeing this behavior and what you are doing to keep the peace?

Well I should probably get to work... I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Just one more day and I will be able to wake up and spend the whole day with my boys... I just can't wait!

Kerrie

[swineland]

Kerrie, here is what I have: http://www.kidsstuff.com/b148-bathring.html
It is awesome..... Some places charge more, babyant.com has it for $24.99. I only have one, but I am going to order another one soon. If I can bathe them both at once, oh my lawd, how great!

Walker: I never knew all of this about how bad walkers are. Thing is, we do not have stairs in our house, so a lot of that falling risk isn't applicable here. But I do wonder if it's worth having anyway. Maybe I'll turn around and sell it for more :)

New sounds: Today Evan has learned the "bah" sound. He just came out with it and hasn't stopped doing it....baaaaah, bah, bah BAH! Of course, I have YET to hear a mama or dada.....:(

Sitting up: both babies are avid sitters now and are able to get from tummy/back to sitting all by themselves. Evan is crawling the normal way, with arms and legs, but Bailey is still army crawling (but he's still VERY fast!)

Wagon wheels: I thought you guys meant some kind of pasta, but then I saw the wagon wheel snack thingys in the baby food aisle. They make me nervous! I guess b/c my boys have 8 teeth a piece, they were chewing off HUGE chunks of that thing and I am afraid they'll choke. The puffs are no problem. They eat about 60% real food now and 40% jarred baby food. Usually I mix it together.

Heather, missing you and wanting to get together soon. Wondering if maybe you might want to go to a movie one weekend or something? Can DH watch the kids??

Val and Lisa, so glad you guys got together! Sounds like it was a fun day.

So excited for the Office tonight!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for a hot, steamy Jim and Pam relationship :)

It is disgustingly cold and rainy and gray and just icky here today....yes, in sunny Florida!

Gotta run, my little dictators are requiring my attention!

Steph

[EBTwinz]

Good Morning!

Valerie and I did have a great day but it's exhausting toting around 4 babies that are the same age. You should have seen us in the food court, 3 adults, and 4 high chairs around a small table. We drew a lot of attention. Everyone always asks if we are sisters. I think Kayley and Brady are going to be bf/gf. :handkiss: Ethan and Corey are defintely going to be best friends. They were both in the front seats of the stroller and laughed every time they saw each other. It was soooo cute!!! Corey has such a funny personality. That kiddo was cracking me up all day. And Miss Kayley is so sweet. SHe is very prim and proper. But I was amazed how well they all behaved. And Valerie, you didn't take too much time in Old Navy. I was the one who was in Target forever. Speaking of Target, this mall had a Target in it!!! How awesome!

Heather: I have a ducky bath tub I got at Target. It's by Munchkin. I will try and find a website to post it. It's inflatable and the beak quacks. It's so cute. The boys love it.

Daniele: Thinking of you. Hope you are okay....

Well, I really don't have much to write today. Nothing new w/ the boys. Just army crawling all over the place.

Valerie: Brady was asleep by the time we pulled out of the parking lot. I can't believe he and Corey were up that whole time w/out fussy.

Talk to you all soon,
Lisa

[vthompson]

Lisa - Corey screamed down the street and then was silent until we walked in the door. I think Corey and Ethan were just too exhausted for words! I loved your icon for Kayley and Brady's new romance!!!

Office - So excited, too!! Hopefully, DH gets home in time. Otherwise, I usually wait until Friday to watch it on DVR with him.

Kerrie - It sounds like you had a great evening with your boys. I hope it happens again tonight!

So, I went looking for answers as to why our tickers and slide shows no longer show up. Apparently, the code that is used to put these into our signature is no longer used by the forum. It poses a security threat. You have to go to the ticker site and use the code that does not use HTML. As for the slide shows, I emailed the slide people to see if they have a code that does not use HTML...I am waiting for a response. I will be so sad if we cannot see our slide shows anymore. I love looking at those!! :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Valerie

[SunMoonMom]

Lisa - Duck tub.. My dh bought that but I was worried because the boys can sit up but still fall over after a few minutes. Did you have any trouble with that... Or did you still lay them down in it and let them kick away...

Just wondering before we use it... I wanted the tub rings but if the duck works well then why buy something new...

Kerrie

[mmzill]

Thanks for the tip on the ticker Val! I hope we can put our pics back up too! I love seeing all the little babies!

[megzmom]

Tub-I had a ring for my daughter and was great. It had suction so she wouldnt tip when she grabbed for the cup/washcloth. Walmart had it at one time but sure enough when I want it, its gone.

Steph-guess what!!! FOund ANOTHER MoT boys. She is actually on the May board. She works for the school next to my house. I was posting some clothes online and she responded. Too cool. I would definately like to shop/watch a movie, etc. My mom would also like to watch them too. Trying to fill the void of no mom and no foster son anymore.

okay. HAAAAATTTEE the portables on days like this. My FLoridian blood can not take raining cold days. YOu all would be wearing shorts but it 50 or so out!

Cooles thing-I am a person that need ATaBOys from people I work with. So after 2 very horrible parent meetings this week. One beat up on me and one beat up their own child, I was pulled up in our staff meeting. We have new AP and she is AMAZING. She gives kudos out for incidences that month. SHe gave me a cute little thing that says teacher's rule. It cost nothing but it meant the world to me. No bragging but I had to share my news. Tried with dh but he was tired and all he said was cool. zzzzzz

okay got to go grade papers! yeah me:snicker:

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Hi Ladies! It has been so long and I missed so much! I tried to go back and read posts, but only got to a couple pages. Sounds like the babies are growing in leaps and bounds.

Kerrie- I just took Mason to a PT for a semi-eval- as Lisa informed me earlier, he has a strange neck problem called torticollis. The PT said this was very mild and to continue the stretching exercises. She was more worried that he wasn't sitting (6 months) or more specifically, he wasn't attempting to sit. She told me that he just needed alot more floor time with me sitting by him to support his sitting. HOWEVER, when I returned from Miami and saw my pediatrician, she was NOT concerned. She said that since he rolls everywhere he does not have any weak muscles, and she said he has until 9 months to sit. So, from what you say, your babies are doing everything on target (according to my baby book, too). I agree with whoever said that this board has advanced babies! It is hard not to compare. The sitting exercises did teach him to sit rapidly, though. It only took about two weeks. She gave me exercises to get him in a pre-crawl position and I can see him try to do that himself now. He is just so HUGE- 22 lbs! It is so hard for him to manuver his massive body.

Also- My Isabella is a little power house. She is crawling EVERYWHERE at warp speed and also pulling up to stand and cruise. I have to watch her every second because she forgets to hang on to the furniture and goes "timber" as my DS likes to say. I am constantly comparing Mason to her and then I worry about him.

Monica- I am a speech language therapist-if you have any questions please write to me. SLPs can specialize in swallowing and eating disorders b/c it is all the same musculature that is used for speech. Good luck!

I just ditched our baby bath tub and have begun to fill the big tub with shallow water. They can sit on the rubber bathmat without slipping, and even lay on their bellies and splash around. I'm just wait until they are old enough to bathe at the same time!

Jill- I have the Chicco double stroller that you posted. I like it well enough- it is tall, folds easily, but some things about it are driving me crazy. I can't fit through some store doorways. Is it wider than others? Maybe they're all like this. Also, the sun shades are lousy. I found that you can actually hook them on lower down on the rails even though they're not supposed to go there. That has helped some. Besides that, I do like the look of it and it is sturdy without being too heavy. One time, I had my 40 lb DS on one side and a baby on the other and it pushed beautifully; I couldn't notice the discrepancy in weight. It is just so much work to get around these days.

Isabella is eating everything like a fiend; even table foods that are mushy (banana,avocado, sweet potato). Mason is eating stage 2 and some stage 3 foods. Both love wagon wheels, puffs, zwieback toasts, and Isa can handle cheerios as well. She just got both her bottom teeth!

My babes are taking two naps a day at 9:30 and 2:30- almost always at the same time. I had to move Isabella into our guest room for now because they were waking each other up. It has helped so much at night.

Steph- Ijust read that between 7 and 12 months is when they start understanding a firm "NO" and more than that, are cognitively aware enough so that they will stop an action (sometimes ; ) ) My book says to be consistent and always say the same phrase like "No touch" at first. Very soon, our babies are going to understand so much of what we're saying. You will know because if you say "where's the ball, car, doll, etc." they will look for their toy.

Alright, naptime is over. I hope to get back into the swing of things and check posts more regularly.

Jennifer

[Daniele'sTwins]

hello ladies...

I am at my mothers right now with the boys and I have a bunch of notes I left at home to post and reply to everyone, so I will post those comments later.

MRI...that will be tomorrow morning. It will only be 30 mins long but I wont get the results till early next week which is fine with me. I am trying not to worry because I know it will all be fine.

ok, i am trying to finish booking this trip. I will be back.

[Daniele'sTwins]

alright Val and Steph teach me how to just post a pic!

[swineland]

Daniele, I went to www.photobucket.com and uploaded my image and then pasted the non-html code into my signature. It says "for message boards and forums, use this code" That's it! Oh, and I had to resize it or it would have been HUGE!

[vthompson]

Steph - That is exactly what I did!! Great minds think alike!!! :proud:

Daniele - Everything is going to be fine!! Especially, since you have such a positive attitude about everything.

Valerie

[swineland]

Hello Val! I see that you are here right now too......hope the snow isn't too bad!

Ok, so you guys are going to think I've lost it, but I'm unvieling my new diet: drum roll...... baby food! Haha.... I am ready to say :thefinger: to the low-carb diet. If I SEE another egg, I'm going to puke. Anyway, I have been eating the Gerber Graduates meals for lunch...they're perfect! Totally nutritious, way low in calories and fat (and carbs, too) and they actually taste good! The portions are small, of course, but I am trying to control my portions anyway. Today I had the beef ravioli and green beans. :eating: Sometimes I might have a graduates mashed sweet potatoes or perhaps a pasta-pick ups spinach ravioli. They are SO low in calories, it's ridiculous. Anyway, that's my new plan. So, when I say "baby food", I don't mean like jarred food or stage 1,2,3 containers.....I haven't gone that far off the deep end!

Heather: another twin mommy? yay!! We should totally get together and then keep doing it on a regular basis. I am feeling WAY mommied out these days and am in desperate need of big girl social time. Which is probably why I drink wine every night of the week......it's my only time that I feel somewhat "adult".

My Gym....anyone heard of this or go?? There is one near my house and I"m thinking of checking it out. www.my-gym.com

I think I am ready to look for a mom's day out childcare program for the boys. Someplace I can take them to for like 2 days a week, maybe for just a couple hours in the morning. I have got to be able to get stuff done and now that they are bigger, it's more of a pain (i.e. not in carriers, can't both fit up top, etc)

more to come......
new video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1XeYEQkF6M

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning Ladies...

Thank God It Is Friday!

Nothing new to report here... Babies woke up crabby this morning... Zach had poopies in his diaper which would make me crabby too... They woke up hungary which almost never happens... I think by the time diapers were changed and bottles were finished, the mood was improving...

My daily question (because I always seem to have so many)...

Do you have a physically dominant twin? Zach has started taking toys away from his brother... He just rolls over to him and takes it out of his hands. Zach is bigger than Ben and seems to be stronger... Do you have any problems with this and if so, what do you do about it?

I hope everyone has a great day and that all babies nap long and well...

Kerrie

[swineland]

Ok guys....go here: http://home.earthlink.net/~swineland/
and see if this works......

[AndreaR]

hi y'all. don't have much time, but wanted to check in. everyone here, except me, has had a nasty stomach bug the past six days. i am in vomit/diarrhea HELL!!

you all know how much i love, love, love my girls and how much i love being a mother, but........

I JUST WANT A DAY OFF.

DH came home from work last night, and he tried to help, but the girls just want me to take care of them. so there i was going back and forth between the two girls trying to get them to go to sleep. and he's downstairs watching TV. i was so jealous. there was really nothing he could do, but i couldn't help feeling resentful.

I just want a day off. Is that wrong?

Sorry I'm not replying to everyone. The girls are taking a nap and I need to get a few things done since I don't have a kid (or two) in my arms. I just needed to come on and vent. I hope you don't mind.

DANIELE - I'M THINKING ABOUT YOU TODAY. GOOD LUCK. XOXOXOXOXO

AndreaR

[swineland]

Oh girls.....

Andrea and Lisa, and anyone else who is feeling this way, I am RIGHT THERE with you. I cried this morning after DH left for work b/c I am just SO over it. I can't tell you how mommied out I am. I know all the words to the stupid songs, my clothes are covered in spitup, I miss being an "adult", I feel like the days are so monotonous (aka GROUNDHOG DAY) and I'm tired.

Come chat if you can....I'll leave myself logged in all day.

xo,
Steph
http://home.earthlink.net/~swineland/

[megzmom]

ladies-I am really so sorry that you all are mommied out. I was home with them for vacation and it was very lonely eventhough everything was busy. I am always feel so guilty about going home but I dont think there is an easy answer. Guilt and stress no matter which way you travel. I really hope it gets better.

Steph-I know its hard. I think we should alternate. We get a girls day out then next time the kids get a play date. Megan asks allllllllllllllllllllllllllll the time about EVEN and Bailey :):hahaha:

Podee-anyone else use the Podee bottles? I LOVE them. Never go out without them. I use them so much the boys already ate through 2 nipples.


MIL problem again- Yesterday Ben said MAMA for the first time (or so I thought). My mom was over and dh was around too. I was so cute. We were like yeah we got to see it first. Mentioned it today to MIL and asked her before hand to not say she saw it. SURe enough 2 sec later she said "oh I thought you knew already. Yeah he does it but I wasnt sure!" I am so sad, frustrated. I think this all goes back to feeling guilty about going to work. Having her treat me like the baby sitter. Telling me what the milestones they are capable, etc is really getting to me. Should I have dh say anything or should I just let it go and vent to you????

okay got to get the kids. Much better day today. Crisp but sunny.

[SunMoonMom]

Andrea, Lisa and Steph - I don't know how you do it.... You are so devoted to your kids and are doing such a great job with them... They are growing and developing... I'm lucky... I get to go to work and play in an adult sandbox... My dh is very much in the same shoes you are... I try to help as much as I can when I get home but I know it will never be enough.

Stay Home Moms & Dads are the hardest working people in the World!

You should be so proud of the work you are doing!

I am in AWE!

Kerrie

[Jillmami]

Wow ladies! This week was a busy one here. I am so behind! I will work on getting caught up today by reading the pages that I have missed. I think that I will have to take notes!:snicker:

I hope that you all had a terrific week and have something nice planned for the weekend.

[vthompson]

Mommied Out - I also feel this way, and then I feel guilty for feeling that way. On Tuesday, it was so bad that I wished I could have taken a sick day! I think part of it is the age they are...we are getting bored with the routine and the toys. I just keep thinking it has to be easier when they can really play...with each other and us. I get bored "playing" with them during the day, but it is hard to find anything else to occupy all of us. It is such a hard struggle because there is no place I would rather be, yet, I wish I had some vacation days (lol).

Lisa - Do not, ever for one minute, think you are not a good mom. I have personal experience with seeing you in action, and I think you are a fantastic mom! Every time we get together I learn something from you to make my life easier. I know exactly how you feel about the guilt when you get angry at one of them. That happens to me a lot and then I feel so bad because they cannot help the crying. I have to think it is only human nature to feel that way towards your children. Like you said, it is the hardest job we are ever going to have. As for the sleeping issues, I wonder if this week is especially hard because you are at your mom's. They are away from their comfort zone and trying to adapt to new surroundings. Even though they have been there before, I am sure it is new all over again. I know that if we just run more errands in a day then usual, they usually sleep terrible and it takes a day or so to get back into the routine. Just a thought...

Heather - I do not think it is fair for you to continue to feel this way. I would ask DH to say something to her. Let her know that it hurts your feelings and makes you feel like she does not respect you as their mother.

Steph - Your video is cute! Those boys sure are movers! Some days so feel like that movie Groundhog Day! Especially in the afternoons or if DH is gone a lot. If only we all lived closer, we could meet for mommy's night out like once a month! I know that the very few times I have gone anywhere without the kids, the friend I am with has no clue what my life is about. I feel like an outsider and end up just listening to all their stories because they do not seem too interested in my mommy tales!

AndreaR - You are not wrong, by any means! I feel like that ALOT! DH gets to leave work everyday and come home...we never get to leave our work. It is only natural to feel overwhelmed!

Kerrie - I am SO glad it is Friday!

I will be checking in later!

Valerie

[qbanmom5]

Hi all! i have been so busy! The baby sitter left for Costa Rica and i have been home with the babies for 3 weeks. I am losing it. They don't sleep through the night at all, don't hold their bottles, don't sit for very long, and weigh 20 and 21 pounds. My arms are falling off! Also, no teeth yet, not a one. I am wondering what you feed yours. We eat jarred food but I want to give them table food. Not sure where to start, Love and miss you all!!! Ters

[qbanmom5]

Sherry!!! Glad to hear from you!

Daniele, just read your post and here I am. I am sure you will be fine. I am with you in spirit. XOXOX


Love you all, Ta-Ta Ters

[megzmom]

emotions-I am so glad that someone else gets angry (frustrated). Sometmes I come home so exhausted from the students that all I want is to sit down for a minute. I get home and no formula is made (still using Stephs technique) no bottles are cleaned, they are crying. DH is DONE so I have to take over, cook dinner (nothing thawed)....okay.

Back to my original point. I am so glad that its okay to be angry. I never do anything like shake. Just walk away but then guilt hits hard.

okay got to run...Meg's ear is hurting.

[swineland]

Okay, ladies, it's the grand unvieling of the new June 06 Twin Mommies live chat room!!! :congrats: :woo:

I know that a lot of us are on the board at the same time throughout the day and sometimes we would love to have some real time interaction (I know I would!) So, go here: http://home.earthlink.net/~swineland/
, enter a nickname and join the chat!! (You can choose 'enter without a password' and you'll get right in). For those times when we are looking for an answer to a question, or need to vent and would like some kind of immediate support (don't we ALL want that?!), see if anyone else is online! You can even leave a window open on your desktop and stay logged in all day....that way, you'll always know when someone else is in to chat.

Let me know if there are any issues, technical problems. :)

love you all...
Steph

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Hello!

My babies are 7 months old today.:joytears: It seems like I just came home from the hospital yet I can barely remember life without them.

I am "mommied out" as well. I look forward to doctors,dentist, etc. appointments just to have two hours off. Pretty pathetic. Valerie- I agree with you- it is hard to keep them from getting bored. This is a wonderful, but absoulutely grueling job. No days off, no nights off. DH is going to Chicago next week for work. I am dreading the entire week alone with three children. I am trying to set up playdates for my son to break the monotony and recruiting some friends to lend a hand at dinner and bedtime. I am just so very TIRED. When will they ever sleep through the night?? :confused: I have stopped giving bottles, and picking up for the past week, but they both wake up at least once. Mason was crying on and off for an hour last night.

Steph- your video is Sooo cute. How are you coping with all the locomotion? I had gotten into a great pattern of sitting the kids different places for a change of scenery while I got some chores done--as long as I switched out toys they were entertained. But now, I can't leave them for a second! Isabella goes all over the place and she is pulling up on everything and tries to eat everything that she shouldn't. I bought a big play yard, but she SCREAMS inside it!

I finally made a consult appt. next week with a plastic surgeon for my belly --I'm sure he'll say that I need a full tummy tuck. Is anyone else considering such drastic measures? I can't believe that I am actually going there--I never thought that I would do this, but I can't live with it for the rest of my life. I feel very guilty about the price tag, though- I keep thinking the $$$ should go for the kids. ...And then I get really selfish and want to have my boobs done. I mean, I'll already be there....hee hee... Is that so bad ??? I don't want big, just perky! :snicker:

Anyway, i better get some sleep while I can.

-Jennifer

[vthompson]

Jennifer - I have thought about it many times...just do not have the money! If you can afford it, then go for it!! You deserve it!

Just wanted to post real quick...Kayley finally got her first tooth!!! It is on the bottom left hand side! Still no teeth for Corey, though. Just wanted to share my exciting news!

Valerie

[Jillmami]

Yeah Kayley!:clap: Still no teeth here. I think they are close though.

OK, I have missed a LOT!

Steph -Thanks for setting up the live chat! Now I just need to find a time when others are on as well. :)
As for being 'mommied out' :banghead2 Yes at times. We have specific things we need to do with the babies to encourage crawling, tummy strength, etc. so I can only do them so many times before 'I' need a change. We added mirrors to two of the walls in our playroom and the babies love it. Noah is enamored with himself so that helps change things up a bit.

Not sure if I missed it or not, but Daniele, I hope that all went well with your test. I added you to my prayers and like you, feel confident that it will be nothing. Keep up the positive attitude!

Lisa, glad that your family made it safely. 6 months will be over before you know it.

re: walkers, we were told by a PT, OT, and every other person who has seen the babies NOT to use walkers. They are not good for hips and encourage being on the toes. (?) I am excited that we now get to use the exersaucers for 30 min. a day. They really enjoy the change of position.

Monica, enjoy the babylegs! There are some really cute colors/designs that I'm sure your daughter will love picking out! Hoping that the speech therapy helps with the eating. We are still trying to figure out why TJ only eats 15-20 oz./day. If you make her eat more, it comes right back up. That's not good! We'll see how her weight is doing in a week. How awesome that you and Lisa were able to hang out. Very cool!

Andrea, so sorry to hear about the flu bug! Hope all are feeling better! I didn't forget about the exercises to help little Madeline. I think it would be easier to snail mail them if you are ok with giving me your address via a PM. If not, that's ok. Let me know and I can scan them today and send them via email. There are about 3 pages front and back.

Heather - I agree with Valerie. That lack of respect needs to stop. We've had to say things to my dh's family because they look at the kids as their own term babies and compare them by saying what we "should" be doing with ours. They are a bit different than term babies and they have no idea. Plus, as we have seen here, all babies are different with their development and nobody knows better than us mommies!

Ters, glad that you popped in but sorry to hear things are stressful there for you. When do you get help back? Take deep breaths and make sure to get a bit of time for yourself daily if you can.

Ok, I know I missed lots of things, but we have relatives coming over and I have to get babies, and me, ready!

Enjoy the weekend mommas!!

[megzmom]

ben crawled for the 1st time. don'tyou know that I was in the shower. Luckily dady saw it.

puffs/biscuits-gave them to the boys yesterday. HURRAY we got to eat dinner as a family with no fussing. BOys LOVE the bisquits! Had to take the last bit because Ben kept shoving the chunk into his mouth. They did really great with it.

mirena-anyone else had it put it? I had all 3 kids with me a month ago. Poor Meg tried to get them to stop crying. It hurt so bad but I couldnt do anything-didnt want to scare Meg. Since then I only had 2 days of no bleeding; I even went back in 2wks becasue dr said it wasnt normal to bleed. She did an internal sonogram and said it looked okay. she gave me hormones (like I need those) to stop the bleeding. Now I got my period. I was hoping not to get them anymore. UGH ANY one else have it in? Issues?

okay going to look at mats for the carpet. Tired of washing comforters every other day. Boys still spit up. Starting to get better. Also going to find bath ring/

[LucasMom]

Hi, Mamas!

Well, I have been gone for a LONG time, and really haven't even had time to check in lately. I saw Danielles post and am sending love your way. I know all will be fine. All the babes are getting so big, I can't believe it. I don't know where everyone is developmentally, but the boys are finally holding their own bottles, which is awesome and a little sad at the same time.

As I last posted, I have asked JC to find other living arrangements. After alot of thought, I have decided that I cannot stay in my current state. Today is his birthday, so I have been pretty kind (it's his 30th), but I am staying firm on my decision. It has been rough going around here lately, and I have not been good with keeping up with you guys! Things have just been so crazy busy! I am hosting a baby shower for my best friend tomorrow, and so I have alot of cleaning up to do, but I promise I will get back on and update everyone and read to see how everyone is doing.

Miss you all so much and wishing you well.

Love,

Mindy

[vthompson]

Mindy and Ters - I am so glad that you both checked in...you have been missed dearly around here...please try and post again soon!!

Ters - I am sorry things are so stressful for you right now. Hopefully, you will be able to update us more. Are the babies sleeping any better then they were? How is work going?

Mindy - I am so sad for you and what is going on in your life. Where are you thinking of moving to? Maybe Ohio...(lol!!)???

Valerie

[Jillmami]

What is 'proper' to do re: hair cuts for boys? Someone told me NOT to get Noah's haircut until after he's one. Does that matter? Is everyone just letting the hair go to see how it looks longer? Any ideas???

[swineland]

Jill, so funny you should mention a haircut for boys! I was just saying to DH this morning that I think E&B are starting to get a slight mullet in the back:hahaha: and that we needed to do away with that ASAP. We were all 'how do we do it? do we just get the scissors and trim it up when they are sleeping?' Anyway, yeah, just wanted to let you know you weren't alone in your haircutting dilemma :)

Steph
p.s. Mindy, I'm so glad to see you've stopped in.......it goes without saying that I've been thinking about you and hoping that when things calm down and the time is right, you'll give me a call and we can catch up. Lots of love to you and the boys.....

[Jillmami]

Not sure how I missed Mindy's post... SORRY Mindy! I am so glad you checked in to say, 'hello'. Wishing you lots of strength to get through your situation the best that you can. I am glad to know that you have a good support system of friends. (Especially on here. I know that you speak via phone with several ladies so make sure you lean on them when necessary.) You are not alone. Continued prayers for you and the boys. Virtual hugs your way.

We've got the mullet in the back too. Not to mention the hair growing over the ears! I wanted to trim it and my dh was like, NO! Let it grow. Um... ok. A black kid with a mullet? No way.

[EBTwinz]

Oh, MIndy.... my heart is breaking for you. Please know that we are all here for you and we all love you very much. I am not too far away so I can come see you anytime. Just please don't move too far away!!! Hang in there. Better days are yet to come.

Steph: Just got your PM. Will you be on later tonight? I am getting ready to pack and head home this morning but might be back on tonight. If not, I will sign on tomorrow and chat. :)

Haircuts: Hmmm, that's a good one. My boys hair grows think down the middle, like a mohawk. I was going to let their hair get shaggy and probably cut it when they are older. Right now, it's still coming in. I think they will have wavy hair so I want it to be longer. I like the shaggy look. But, I remember my cousin saying her son had really thick hair that grew staight up and she had to cut it every month, starting at 4 months. I wonder how she did it.

Valerie: Thanks for the kind words. I think you are a fantastic mom, too! :aok:

Well, I will write more later. I gotta get moving.

chat soon, mommies!
Lisa

[AndreaR]

Good morning, everyone. I just put the girls down for a nap, and I'm hoping they fall asleep and stay asleep for a long time so I can catch up with all of you! Okay, these replies are in no particular order, and I'm really sorry if I forget anyone.

Mindy - I'm so glad you posted. I've been thinking about you so much. You are in my prayers. When you say you can't stay in that "state" do you mean PA or just the situation? If you are thinking of moving, you are definitely welcome in Massachusetts! Whatever we can do for you, please let us know. Hugs to you.

Steph - thanks for setting up the chat room. I will log on whenever I can. I checked out your videos, too. So funny! I just can't get over how mobile E&B are! A friend of mine goes to a My-Gym and really likes it. Her kids are older though, like 2 & 4. I am definitely going to go somewhere come Spring. The closest My-Gym isn’t that close to me, unfortunately. I am going to wait to see what is offered at the Y, and I’m going to check out Gymboree. We are also going to sign up for swimming lessons on Saturdays, and DH and I will take them together. How’s the baby food diet going? I bet it will work, since it’s so low in calories.

TERS!! So glad to hear from you! You've been missed around here. Sorry it's so crazy for you right now. Hopefully things will improve and you will have time to come back more often. I'd love to hear more about L&L and see pictures!

Lisa – PLEASE don’t think for one second that you are a bad mother because your boys won’t nap! You are a terrific mother. Lord only knows why these kids give us such a hard time with the sleeping. If they only knew what we know!! Being a mother absolutely is the hardest job. Wish I had advice for you on the sleeping, but I am certainly no expert. Maybe they are going through a transition to a new schedule, or a growth spurt or something. I find that my girls get all out of wack for about a week, and then we settle into a new schedule. Hang in there. You are doing a great job.

Heather - sorry your MIL is still making you feel bad about the milestones. Please don't think for one second that you are a bad mother just because you are not with the babies all day. You are a wonderful, loving mother. I think it might be warranted to have DH mention to his mother (again) that you do not want to know about milestones that she witnesses first. You'd think she would understand, being a mother herself. Sorry about your birth control troubles, too. That sounds rough. Hopefully it will get better soon.

Haircuts - my girls are almost completely bald, so we won't have to worry about that for a while. Maddie has some coming in, and every day I tell her to keep it coming, because I can't wait for hair accessories! Jill, I'm not sure why you couldn't cut Noah's hair before he turns one. Sounds silly - I think you can cut it whenever you want.

Kerrie – re: physically dominant twin – My Isabelle is definitely more mobile (although not crawling) than Madeline, so she will roll over and grab whatever Madeline has. She’ll even take the pacifier right out of Maddie’s mouth. Izzy doesn’t even like pacifiers! I usually let it go, because Madeline doesn’t seem to get upset by it. Plus, I figure it’s going to happen for the rest of their lives. They’re going to have to learn how to coexist sooner or later. I hope that’s not wrong!

Jennifer - nice to hear from you. I hear you with the not sleeping through the night troubles. Each of my girls gets up once, if not twice per night. I have found that I am finally getting used to a minimal amount of sleep. And I'm totally hooked on my morning cup of coffee. Still b/f'ing, so I only do half-caf, but it's enough to keep me going. I totally understand about the tummy tuck. I'm actually okay with my tummy, because it seems to be responding to exercise. But I am DESPERATE for a boob job. They are so incredibly saggy, and no exercise in the world is going to fix that.

Valerie - I wish we could get sick days and vacation days, too!! Just yesterday, I told DH that I just wish I could be off at night, like my old job. I would love to just have a quiet dinner, watch some TV, read in bed, and get a good night's sleep! I think it's the 24/7 aspect of being a mom that is the hardest. Even though the days are long and sometimes monotonous, it's that we NEVER get a break. I'm so glad I have this board, or I surely would have lost my mind a long time ago.

Daniele - I have been thinking of you, praying for you, and sending lots of positive vibes your way. Keep us posted. I hope we can reschedule our visit soon.

Well, the girls are awake. I think Maddie slept for about 20 minutes, but Izzy’s been chatting away in there the whole time. I’d better go in there.

Sorry this is so long, but I’ve been away for what feels like forever and I really wanted to catch up.

xoxo
AndreaR

Ps. Izzy has her first tooth! Hooray!

[vthompson]

Mindy - I just realized after reading someone else's post that you probably meant state as situation, not moving out of state. I am sorry. I was really tired when I read the posts last night.

Haircuts - We are still waiting for lots of hair to come in!!

Mesh Eaters - Those of you using the mesh eaters, what are some good fruits to put in there. We tried apples and peaches, but Corey seems completely uninterested in it. Maybe we are using the wrong types of food???

Similac - This is probably going to come off completely forward, but does anyone have any similac coupons they are not using? We are going to need formula by next weekend and we have no coupons. I just thought it was worth asking!!

Valerie

[newmomx2]

I have not 'written' in so long it is silly. I get on periodically to read but by the time I get done reading someone is up and I have to go... Life is so insane.

haircuts - we were just talking about this as well ! My DH aunt is coming to visit in a few weeks and she is a hairdresser so we are going to ask her to trim around the ears and such !

I am so proud of the SAHMs I work 4 days a week and work from home Friday's while I watch them and I can tell you that while I feel bad somedays I am relieved to get out of the house - but I have to tell you the people I work with are sometimes no better ! I feel I am pulled in too many directions and often times feel like I am failing at both.

My DH has been on nights for 2 straight weeks and I am about to go insane -----it is totally like being a single working mom. Last week was h*ll because I only made it to work for 2 hours Monday and 3 hours Thursday - bother boys got a virus with fevers over 104 and ear infections - THANK GOD my in-laws came to help or I would have died - I was working from home and rocking 2 babies at the same time...

Ladies I have to say that even though I work and get sick time and vacation - those days are used to stay home with the boys when they are sick ! I need a vacation from the vacation sometimes...one day I actually took them to day care came home and went to bed all day :snicker:

Part of the reason I have not been on is because I was very sick for 4 weeks - but feeling better now.

Lisa -my boys have been aweful with the napping the last few days - I feel like I am totally failing as well and want to pull my hair out!

Believe it or not I am also still B/F all though I have almost cut out the 2 in the middle of the day - this means I won't have to pump anymore which will be helpful when I am at work - I still enjoy the mornings the best and hope to keep that up until 10 months or so..

Mindy - so sorry to hear all the stress you are unders just try to focus on the positive and before you know it you will be on the other side a stronger person !

Well all must go Tyler is fussing

I MISS YOU ALL

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Yay! Yay Yay!:) I put the kids to bed at 7 pm last night, skipped the 10 pm feeding because I just couldn't bear to do it, and guess what-- they slept until 5 am. THEN, they both had a bottle and went BACK to sleep until 7:15. It is like a miracle. That is the first time that I have slept 6 straight hours in 7 months (I went to bed at 11 pm) . NO one even cried for a pacifier! I feel like I took drugs, I have so much energy! :yippee: Don't worry- I know that it likely won't happen again tonight. Honestly, though, one time per week of this would work wonders...

Mindy- I'm thinking of you. Your boys are lucky to have such a great mom-it will help them so much. I hope that you can take care of yourself, too! Like Jill said--lots of virtual hugs are going your way.

Andrea- It's great that you're still breastfeeding. That is terrific. (You, too, Missy!). I stopped at the end of December. It took three weeks to dry up. I was ecstatic and sad at the same time- my DH was deeply confused! I get teary when I think about never doing it again....on the otherhand, my sex drive finally returned. :knuddel: Woo hoo! I feel like a new woman (and I think DH appreciates it, too)

Valerie- I have been using mesh feeders alot. Mine LOVE LOVE LOVE avocados and also bananas in them. Be forwarned- it is a big slobberfest, though. Take the shirts off before you put them in a high chair!! I found the fruit has to be very ripe and juicey to work well. Ripe pears have been especially good. Also, cubed sweet potatoes and squash are great. I hate cleaning the net afterward, though!

I'm with Andrea- my twins are baldies so no haircuts needed here. I used to cut DS's baby hair while he was sleeping. He was born with a thick mane and needed a trim by 4 months. Later on, one of our neighbors was a barber and he gave Max wonderful haircuts (and more importantly, he was willing to chase him around the house to get it perfect!).

Oh my god, Isabella is pulling up on EVERYTHING and falling over constantly. She is exhausting me!

DH is gone to Chicago all week! I couldn't recruit much help either. My mom is in Alabama visiting my brother. I can't wait until Friday! Bedtime is just the worst because all three get tired at 7 pm. I guess I'll have to start early to avoid meltdowns.

Hope everyone has a great week full of long naps and calm babies!

Jennifer

[Daniele'sTwins]

Hi Ladies!

I feel like I have so much to say!

Jennifer...Tummy tuck...If this is your last babies and you have the money to do so...ABSOLUTELY! Go for it. Before marrying my DH I would have never thought about those things but now I think it is perfectly fine to fix imperfections to make us feel better about ourselves and in turn be happier and be a better mom and wife...lol

Mommied out...I am SO mommied out at times but I also have these terrible feelings of GULIT GUILT GUILT when I am NOT with them 24/7...Please tell me spomeone is going through this! For instance, at 5:00 tonight the boys were in a nap and I wanted to run to BRU to get more cross cut nipples for the bottles but I knew they had to eat at 6...I raced like a demon to get back to feed them...WHY???? My DH was home, why couldn't he do it???? I just do it all and when i ask him to do something it is just not done.

Kayley...CONGRATS ON YOUR FIRST TOOTH SWEETIE!

Steph...i am so sad that I can't get on that chat board! And as for the babyfood diet, you had me cracking up!

Walkers...I heard that they aren'y good either but we DO have them and I Do let my kids use them for about 10 mins a day every other day. I used them as a kid and I am fine PLUS I have twins so if they get delayed for a month or two that is fine with me...LOL Lets think about this!!!

Andrea...How is everyone feeling over there??? As for a Boob job...I honestly thought about that when I am done all my kids. I only breastfed for 3 weeks and I think my boobs got ugly since then...FLAT...I was a B before pregnancy then I was a C+ during pregnancy (miss those) and now I am an A...YUCK

Food...I made whole wheat toast the other day and fed little pieces to the boys and they LOVED it. Also tonight they had pasta fagoli and loved it!

MINDY! i AM SO GLAD YOU CHECKED IN! We miss you so much over here. I think of you all the time. I hope things get better for you soon!!!

Haircuts...I was laughing at Jill saying black kids with mullets well I match that with Asian kids and afros! LOL My boys hair sticks straight up! I want to gel it down but I still have to put hats on them because it is so cold!! And when the hats come off you never know what you are going to find! So I wanted to shave their heads and when I said that to my family they looked at me like I had 10 heads! So needless to say I felt GUILTY once again for caring about the Asian Afros and now I just deal with it!

Lisa...You are a wonderful mom! Dont be so hard on yourself! I so wish we could all get together for a ladies night out!

Heather...MIL situation...I feel so bad that she is making you feel like this! I am sensitive too about things like this! My parents watched the boys for an overnight on my DH's birthday a couple of weeks ago...it wasn't even 24 hours but when we got there to pick them back up all I heard about was how they "STARTED TO CRAWL" on the only day i haven't had with them! Well no it is just army crawling and I have already seen that 10000 times already but they made it sound so much more serious! That hurt me so much and that was MY parents I think I would go crazy if it was the in laws!

Kerrie...physically dominant twin...Even though Luca looks a little bigger, Nico is always taking away all his toys. I also notice that Nico gets what he wants and Luca gives up a little quicker and calls for "ma ma". I have really been trying not to rush to him because I want him to see that he can do it too.

Valerie...Mesh Feeders..I did peaches adn pears....nice and cold for the teeth and gums to feel good. As for the coupons...I have a lot that have just expired and one $5 that is still good. BUT I am going to send them all to you and I think you could even use the expired ones too. If the cashier says anything look like you didn't even realize it and then give a sob story about having twins. However, these coupons are put in by hand and I don't think anyone checks the experation date. Send me your address ASAP.

Missy...I am glad to hear from you! I am glad you said what you did about SAHM...but I have to say the same for working moms I think we all have it different but we all work our butts off to accomplish the same goal here.

Test Results...ok I think I will be getting the results tomorrow...I promise to let you know asap...thanks for all your thoughts, wishes and prayers, you don't have any idea what it means to me.

Love,
Daniele

[harleywv]

Hi all! I know that I'm cutting into a thread that was started a long time ago, but you all have babies the same age as mine, and I can't really find answers anywhere else. Please help!

Mine is mainly a feeding question. I feel like I don't feed my boys enough solids. They are big (over 20 pounds each), and I try to get in the formula like you are "supposed" to. So here's their routine:

7:00 - wake up and eat 8 oz bottle
10:00 - solids - usually 2 jars plus cereal, plus some type of "snack" (Zweiback, biter biscuit, fruit in mesh bag, etc)
2:00 - bottle (8 oz)
5:00 - one jar of food, cereal
6:30 - nightime bottle (8 oz), then bed

They sleep 6:30 - 7:00 so they really have about 12 hours to get in all their food. I feed them baby food (homemade-fruits and veggies) and yogurt. I've never really fed them any table food, no toast, no pasta, etc.

Should I be feeding them more solids? Should I be feeding them different solids? Like I said, they are growing fine, but I feel like everywhere I read, people are feeding their kids (same age) a much different variety than what I feed mine. What do you think?

[mmzill]

Dawn - it sounds like you are doing really well with what they are eating. I would recommend a book 'Super Baby Food' It really breaks down what you should feed your kids what months. I really liked it with my dd!

It's been so busy here on the board.
Val - The weather channel said that Cleveland is going on 11 days of snow fall! I was thinking about you and how you said you hate when the snow starts.

Well, all the kids are up and I need to change diapers and feed them. I"ll try to post more later.

Monica

[vthompson]

Monica - Yes...it has been snowing like crazy!! The "real feel" temp yesterday was 1 degree!!! BRRRRR!!!

Dawn - It sounds like your boys are growing really well so I would not worry about them not getting enough. I recently asked my ped about solids and she said that the main reason for solids is for the added calories...they still get their vitamins and nutrients from formula. They will tell you if they are still hungry.

Daniele - I am thinking about you today...please post as soon as you find out. I am going to pm you my address after I finish posting. Thank you so much!! As for racing home, I can see why you would do that if your DH does not get things done when you are gone. Has he ever been alone with the babies for a long period of time? Maybe you should leave him one day and see what happens. Then, you will know what he is capable of and move on from there.

Felisha - I pm'd you my address. Thank you for sending the coupons to me. You ladies are really helping us out! I am so glad that Maya is feeling better. Hopefully, you didn't have to take too much time off from work. I hope this is not too forward, but you mentioned the twin's father in your last post. Is he playing more of a role these days?

Jennifer - I will be thinking of you this week with DH gone. Just take it one day at a time. Friday will be here before you know it! You probably told us, but I didn't realize you stopped b/f in December. That is awesome that you made it so long!!

Missy - It was so nice to hear from you!! You should really pat yourself on the back for sticking with the b/f...especially with working!!

Thanks ladies, for all the mesh eater advice. I think the fruit we bought is just not ripe enough yet. I usually store fruit in the fridge. I will probably take it out and put it on the counter so it gets softer.

So, Kayley has been having some major pooping issues. She was so constipated...DH and I called it rabbit poop...Sorry, TMI!! Anyways, I noticed a change in her after we introduced meats. She has had tummy problems since we brought her home from the hospital. Anyways, I called the ped and she said to lay off on the bananas, applesauce, and sweet potatoes because they are binding. So, I have only been giving her pears, peaches, green veggies, and carrots. She is doing much better. I think I may try and slowly introduce bananas, potatoes, etc and then move on to meats. I think we are going to have major issues with her as she gets older and her reactions to food. Poor girl!!

Well, I have a million pounds of laundry to do...I usually do it on Mondays. I will check in later!

Valerie

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning Ladies...

So many posts to catch up on... If I miss someone, please forgive me...

Valerie - We have tummy and poop problems all the time... We introduced meat this weekend which resulted in two bouts of Ben throwing up... If he doesn't like something, it just comes right back up... He suffers from reflux... He takes prevacid but the ped said this doesn't fix the reflux just the acid that makes it painful... Zach always has harder poops... we are always trying to decided if he needs karo or if it work itself out... Most of the time it works itself out... It is such a balancing act to figure out what to do and how to handle specific issues...

Dawn - I have the same questions about solids. I read on the board about babies eating different types of foods and I am so worried that I'm not doing something right. We have a very similiar schedule as you but we have one additional feeding at noon. We are having a h*ll of a time introducing biter biscuits, puffs and anything other than baby food. Ben seems to do well with the biscuits but he gets pieces off that are too big and then I have to get them out of his mouth which makes him throw up... Zach doesn't like the taste or texture of anything like biscuits... Thought about trying pasta cut up into small pieces but I am so worried about choking... In this area, I feel like such a failure...

Daniele - I am sending positive vibes your way today... Keep that positive attitude...

Jennifer - I have never been left for longer than 6 hours alone with my boys... I could not imagine having them alone for days... You are truly a mommy warrior... I am in AWE! Side note - Tummy Tuck! Go For It! Take care of yourself and you will be better able to take care of your family.

Haircuts - This subject seems to be coming up a lot lately... The boys' hair grows in the front but the back is coming in slowly... I am holding firm that I want it to grow for a year before cutting. I just want to see how it fills in before I cut it... Might not have a choice... Ben's is getting really close to his eyebrows and a little longer and it will be in his eyes...

Mindy - I am so sorry you are going through this tough time... Nothing any one can say will help, but know that we are all thinking of you and sending you very positive energy... Take care of yourself and know that your kids will always be there to give you the hugs you need.

Kayley and Izzy - CONGRATES ON THE FIRST TOOTH!

Weekend Accomplishments - Ben had a big weekend... Here is his list of tasks accomplished.

- Sat on his knees to play with the music table.
- Pulled up to a standing position
- Did this crawl move using his toes and hands - really funny looking but it was the first forward motion he has accomplished.
- First tooth broke the gums...

Zach wasn't as interested in doing new things this weekend... His big accomplishment...

- Pulled brother's hair... GREAT FUN FOR ALL!

I guess I should get to work... I miss them so much when I'm here... I just wonder what they are doing and if they are happy... I feel so guilty for not being there... But work is what I have to do to enable my dh to stay home with them and to facilitate our life that allows us to provide for them... Just doesn't make it fun...

Have a EXCELLENT day Super Mommies!!

Kerrie

[SunMoonMom]

Oh... Almost Forgot...

Thanks for all the advice on dominent twin issue... You really helped me think about what I was doing... I can't run to Ben's rescue all the time... This issue will be around forever... or at least 18 years and Ben will have to learn to take back his toy if he really wants it... (of course I will step in if it gets too heated, but for know I think I will try to let them work it out :shakehands: )

Kerrie

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Last night, the first one by myself this week was HORRIBLE. I felt like I could have been an episode of Super Nanny. Even my 4 y.o. was crying at bedtime. It is so hard not having an extra set of arms to hold one baby! I am going to get everyone in PJ's at 6:00 tonight! Thanks for the encouragement, Val-- I'll figure it out....probably on Thursday!

Dawn- I have a big 7 month old, too (22 lbs). It sounds like your twins are doing fine as they sleep through the night. The only thing that I could suggest (but check with your doctor because they all say different things)- according to my pediatrician, you don't really need to do more than 4- 7 oz bottles per day. You could cut back a little formula and add a lunch solid food feeding if your babies don't seem satisfied. For mine, I doing this and it seems to be working:

7 am bottle - 6 oz

8:30-9 am solids- 1 4-6 oz jar + 7 tbs of oat meal (they share all this)

10:30- 6 oz bottle

12:30- Lunch- Yogurt + 4-6 oz of baby food

3:00- 6 oz bottle

5:30- dinner- 7 tbs. oatmeal, some table foods, 4-6 oz baby food

7:00-7:30- 6-8 oz bottle

Your babies can handle some soft table foods if they can mash with their jaws. Buy a jar of stage 3 food and test it out- they won't choke- they'll just spit it out if they're not ready! Also-- have you tried the mesh feeders that we've been writing about. They are great for teaching babies how to chew. They actually started as a tool for speech therapists working on feeding! Like a wrote before-- gross to clean,though! Good luck!

Danielle- I missed what your tests of for. I hope you hear some positive news today!

Thanks for the plastic surgery advice everyone- we really can't afford it (we've used half our savings since I became a SAHM), but I am willing to work PT to pay for it. We don't have credit card debt, so I would like to take out a home equity loan-- I figure some short-term debt wouldn't be so bad. Fortunately, my DH, who often is on the stingy side, is supportive of this. He knows how uncomfortable I am. I think he secretly believes that I'll get stripper boobies and sees some benefit for himself---boy, will he be disappointed! hee hee

Congrats on all the baby accomplishments over the weekend!

I have to go shower before Fric and Frac wake up.

-Jennifer

[harleywv]

Jennifer - Thanks for all the feeding advice. My pedi said at least 28 oz of formula a day, so I guess the same as what your pedi recommended. The only reason we don't do solids at 2:00, is because basically they wake from their naps about then, and it's time to pick DD up from school. So they usually drink their bottles in the car while waiting for DD. They don't seem hungry to me, so that's not really the issue. I just feel like I'm "supposed" to be feeding more solids than I am. I just don't know when to fit it in. I feel like all I do is feed, or clean up feeding supplies, all day long!

And yes, we use the mesh feeders. They LOVE them. I think they are great. Both boys will start bouncing up and down in their highchairs if they see those coming! But you're right, pain in the BUTT to clean. I thought it was just me! :p

They will also eat zweiback toast, biter biscuits, those little star fruit puff things (although Noah is not real adept to picking them up yet, Hunter does great with them). I usually make their food pretty thick with oatmeal as it tends to make less of a mess. Seems like the thinner it is, the more they spit out. I've done stage 3 bananas and they do fine with those.

KERRIE - I'm right with you on the feeling like a failure in the feeding area. I always feel like I'm not doing something I should be. Lord knows the boys are getting plump enough (haha), so I know they're not starving, but still. By the way, that's GREAT that Ben is doing all that!! My boys are close to crawling, but are no where near pulling themselves up. They are just now getting steady at sitting well by themselves. Great job!

[swineland]

once again, chat link : http://home.earthlink.net/~swineland/

Was thinking maybe we should come up with a set time for us all to meet there and chat?? Like 3pm? Seems like most babies are napping then....... what the heck, try it, we'll see if anyone shows up :)
:ciao:

[sgarrett]

Steph: I cannot access the chat site, my work VPN will not let me. It is a great idea though! Are you on now?

[sgarrett]

Mommied out: There with you mommies, I was crying last night holding Aiden b/c I had totally lost it earlier in the day with his SCREECHING! I had to leave the house and just stand in the garage a few minutes. But everyone repeat after me..
I AM NOT A FAILURE! I AM SUPER MOM!

Really ladies, do not dare feel your are failing, what we do is incredible every day.

We had the total weekend from he**, we had to go out of town for a wedding and the babies literally cried all night long Sat night. It was horrible!

Babies sharing: Aiden and Isabelle LOVE to steal eachothers toys! Aiden is the worst of the two. They will be playing tug of war with a toy and I will show them we have another of the same toy and they immediately lose interest. It is not fun if there are two! They just start fighting over something else.

I really wanted to respond to everyone, but babies said NO!

Mindy: You are in my prayers girl, I am sending as much strength your way as I can!

Staci

[vthompson]

Just wanted to post real quick and say good morning...it is snowing STILL here in Cleveland...crazy!!!

Staci - I like what you wrote about all of us being super moms!!

Jennifer - I am sorry you had such a terrible night. Hopefully, last night was better.

Kerrie - Congrats on all the baby accomplishments over the weekend! I was laughing at Zach's accomplishments!! Corey pulls Kayley's hair and she screams!

Miss Kayley woke up with a 2nd tooth today!!! I am so excited...isn't it funny what excites us now...new teeth, a baby pooping (lol!!).

Monica, Steph, and myself tried to chat at 3pm yesterday...it was fun!! Hopefully , more of you can join us.

Have a great day!

Valerie

[vthompson]

Daniele - I have been thinking about you....

Valerie

[EBTwinz]

Congrats to Kayley!!!! :party2

Valerie: I just got a coupon in the mail yesterday and found another one in my diaper bag that I forgot to give you. They are going into the mail, today.

I will check back later. I want to respond to everyone. Gotta get the boys to nap. I will try to chat at 3 today.

Lisa

[vthompson]

Lisa - Thank you!!

I do not think I will be able to chat at 3pm today. I have to pick up the little boy I watch from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. With the crazy snow, I have to start getting ready around 3pm.

Valerie

[christel]

Just wanted to hop on and say "Hi" real quick. As of Dec. 23 I have been in my own home a total of 9 days... It seems like we're just here to repack and do laundry :D We're leaving again on Sunday for 3 weeks. It's Dh's crazy new job. The important thing, I remind myself, is that we're able to be together... and this isn't 3 weeks apart.

Thanks for your condolences on Dh's granddad... that was tough, but we're all moving on now.

The girls are 9 months old now...OMG! Where is time going? They are sitting like pros now and sharing toys without permission constantly! Emme seems like she might get an army crawl going soon and Ruby's got a little booty scoot thing she does on her back. No teeth and barely any hair here :D

I JUST finished reading all the posts and am completely overwhelmed by the sheer VOLUME! I found myself wanting to take notes so I could jump in and respond to everything from the past 2 weeks...but I have babies waking up and it ain't gonna happen :( I'm really wanting to keep up w/ y'all better and probably will since I won't have much else but babies going on while we're away from home.

All of you are in my prayers...for good health, happy families, etc.

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[sgarrett]

We have a crawler! Aiden started crawling last night, it is the goofiest looking crawl I have ever seen. I wish I could post a video. He dramatically leans all the way back with one arm and flings it forward, than pulls his body than dramatically leans back and flings the other arm forward. I have never seen a baby do it quite like this, it is hilarious! Just wanted to share the news, back to work!

Have a great day!

[Jillmami]

Regarding feedings, I think it is good to ask your ped. Mine eat cereal in the am and the solids at their 5pm feeding. Other than that, we are trying to get them 28-32 oz. milk/day. That's what our neonatology nurse, our home health nurse, and our ped. told us. I am sure that with Noah, we will increase his solids this next visit. I was told that the milk/formula is key up to 6 months, even a year. The solids are introduced to get them to learn how to coordinate the swallow, etc. Since mine are gaining weight ok, they haven't changed us. I know some people here are doing table food, 3x/day solids, biscuits, etc. It probably has something to do with prematurity and my kids too.

[vthompson]

Staci - CONGRATULATIONS TO AIDEN!!! :dancing2: That is so exciting. I was laughing at your explanation so I am sure to see it in action is even funnier!

Christel - I cannot believe how much traveling you are doing...but, like you said, at least you get to all be together. Your new picture is adorable...I cannot believe how different their sizes are!!

Eating - My ped told me that formula is the most important right now and that baby food is for the calories and as Jill said, to learn "how to eat". She said the formula gives them the vitamins and nutrients they need. I am curious as to what other peds are saying.

The wind is so hard here that I can hear the howling in the house. I cannot believe how much snow there is...it just will not stop. It is crazy!!

Daniele - I am getting worried...where are you?

Has anyone looked at the smilies lately? There are some crazy ones!! This one looks like it is eating a marijuana leaf!! :canabis:

I think this one is funny :popcorn2:

I hope everyone has a great night!

Valerie

[mmzill]

Good Morning ladies!

Only have a minute, but......drum roll please......

Anthony slept throught the night!!! yeeehaaaa:jump: :itsyourparty: :dancing:

He's been getting there the past week, only waking once and then going right back to sleep, but last night he went down at 9 and woke up at 7:15 this morning!

Nathan is a different story.....oh well, one down, one to go!

Congrats on all the new teeth! No teeth here, no crawlers here either. Oh well.

I got to run. Alaina is hungry.
Have a wonderful day you wonderful mommies!~!!!!
Monica

ps. I posted this and saw that we are 10 months old!!!! (somehow it slipped past me) Wow...time sure flies!

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Well, the week is not looking up. Isabella woke up at 5 am for good this morning-- fussy and screaming with a cold. The twins had their 6 month well-visit today (we are a month late b/c of the Miami trip). 4 shots each- ugh! Needless to say, they will not be happy this afternoon. I had them get the flu vaccine which I have reservations about....however, the idea of two babies with the flu is scarier to me than the vaccine right now!

At least I found out why Mason has not slept for three nights. His bottom teeth popped up over night! Maybe there is sleep in the future! He is 29 1/2 inches long--off the charts-- and 22 lbs. Isa was only 16 lbs, and she eats more than him! Shows how many calories they burn once the crawling starts.

Felisha- I love your webpage! The babies are gorgeous! I am going to recommend that site to a friend who recently had a baby and wants to set one up. I noticed that you pierced Maya's ears. How did that go? How old was she when you did this? My husband is Cuban and it is very important in his family that baby girls get their ears pierced. Apparently, this is a common tradition. I have a pair of earrings ready to go, but I'm nervous--I don't want her to be hurt. It is so pretty and feminine!

Checked with the pediatrician- she said 28-32 oz of milk and food is still just for supplemental calories. Sometimes I try to skip the lunch feeding because I'm out and about, but I've noticed that the babies get very cranky just having a bottle at this time now. She promised that the reflux would be gone by 9 months, and that they would sleep well anytime now...I'm going to hold her to those promises!

Staci- congratulations on Aiden's crawling!

Mason is finally attempting to crawl. He still looks like a beached whale, but at least his sister's locomotion has inspired him!

Alright- lots to do!

Jennifer

[megzmom]

Hi ladies. Man you miss a day or two lately and whammo...so many posts. Great thing.

Steph-sorry about this weekend. DH and I havent had a date alone since boys are out. As soon as we do you next on my list for girl's night :) SOmetimes I feel the opposite of you because I dont get the kids all day and miss them terribly. Last thing I like to do sometimes is leave them alone. Unless of course laundry and dinner are calling ... OH YEAH twins sale this weekend. Do you want to go? Looking for some 9mth clothes for them.

Jennifer-I NEVER grew up with veggies and neither did Meg (besides green beans and peas). I'd like to try avocados in their mesh. How do you know its ripe and good for them? Doyou cook your sweet potato? Is your pear really squishy?

Daniele-my friend actually shaved her daughters head when she was a baby and she has the most full head of hair that I have ever saw. Not sure if they are related. SHave him if you want too. Your the boss:proud:
ANy results yet on your test?

okay true confession...I never really respond to alot of post because I cant remember who wrote what when. SO I had an aha moment for me...I TOOK NOTES. Not sure if I am the only absent minded "professor" but I cant blame it on preg this time:) So hopefully I'll respond more.

[Daniele'sTwins]

First of all thank you to everyone that has been thinking of me!

My docotor did call me last night and told me that the spot on my left kidney is most likely angiomylipoma which I guess is just a "fatty" tumor. Then on my right kidney I have an angioma. Then there some sort of spot now on my LIVER, but I don't think that is significant. Now I just have to go see a urologist to check it all out again. But this is all good news!

i will be back in a bit.

[christel]

:wavey:Made it back on the board in less than 24 hours! That's a record lately :D

Congrats, Anthony! Keep sleeping and send Nathan the memo.

Felisha - Amazing website! Love :throb: those pics!!!

Valerie - thanks for the pic compliment :proud: I just replaced it, too! I finally uploaded some new pics (it's been a month). The girls are still 5 lbs apart. Emme was 22 lbs at the last dr. appt. and Ruby was 17 lbs. They're still really close in height, though, so Emme looks even fluffier!

Danielle - :yippee: :woo: :dancing2: about your good report

Aiden - :dance3: :bouncing: WTG on the crawling!

Jill - I JUST ordered some baby legs for the girls... I got the bubblegum pattern. I think my mom is getting the jellybean pattern for Ruby 'cause it's her nickname (Ruby Jean Jelly Bean - from her tiny little NICU days :))

that's all I got right now
:lovemytwins:
Christel

[swineland]

Hi everyone!

So glad to hear everyone is doing well and that the babies are growing, growing, growing!!

Felisha, congrats on your *almost* promotion! Funny how the financial part of it is always the last part to go through. DH dealt with that a couple years back....frustrating. You tell them we said to give you TEN times what you are making now.....supermom deserves the ca$h!

Jennifer, hang in there girl! When exactly does DH get back from Chicago?? Not soon enough, as far as you're concerned I'm sure. What a trying week for you.....it's almost over!:congrats:

Monica, :clap: :aok: YAY on sleeping through the night!!!
Same goes for Kayley and her tooth!!

Jill, your little munchkins are SO cute..... I visited your kodak gallery website and looked at a bunch of photos....they are just too precious. Thinking back to how it all started for you, I'm filled with joy seeing their little faces and how far they've come. I'm sure you agree!:joytears:

Daniele, SO SO glad to hear the good news! I know it's scary to be faced with tests and, worst of all, results. I'm sure you're so relieved to know all is, for the most part, normal and well. Keep us posted going forward. (I need you on the party planning committe!!!:clink: )

I have GOT to go to bed......I'll try to respond to everyone else tomorrow. Good chatting with Lisa, Monica, Andrea and Val over the last few days at our *new* chat board! Looking forward to many more 3pm (EST) chats :)

xoxox
Steph

[AndreaR]

5:30am.........oh, izzy, please go back to sleep, please go back to sleep...

christel - i love your picture. e & r are so flippin' cute, i can't stand it! please tell me where you got the outfits with the handbag. i would love to get them for my girls (y'all might remember my handbag obsession from when we were discussing diaper bags a million years ago).

felisha - congrats on the promotion. hope the money comes along soon! i checked out your webpage, too cute they are! how the heck do you find the time to create a web page? you are incredible.

daniele - i sent you an email. i'm very relieved to hear your results. hope we can get together next week.

monica - so exciting about anthony sleeping. i am totally jealous.

ooooh, it looks like isabelle is asleep! i will respond to everyone else later. i must get more sleep!!

xo

[EBTwinz]

Good Morning, everyone. Well, the trend around our house seems to be getting up between 4-5am everyday. Ethan was up at 4am, growling and yelling. I finally got him out of his crib so he wouldn't wake up Brady. I found him chewing on a stuffed animal. I am guessing those stubborn teeth are going to pop through any day. He has bumps all over his gums. I laid him in bed w/ me and he fell asleep. Then 5:30am, Brady is wide awake. It's 8am and he still won't sleep. He's just acting very uncomfortable. Nothing worked w/ him. We rocked him, laid w/ him.. nothing. He just thrashed and cried. I feel bad but I told dh to deal w/ him. I just needed a break.

Daniele: So glad to hear everything will be okay. I was worried about you!

Felisha: Congrats on the promotion!!!! You deserve it!!!

Monica: Yeah for Nathan sleeping all night!!!

Jennifer: I feel so bad for you this week. I wished one of us lived near you so we could help you out. Hang in there, the week is almost over!

Christel: I agree w/ Andrea, your girls are so stinking cute!!!!! I LOVE the headbands. I get so jealous when I see all the cute pics of the girls on this board. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys, but I think they would be mad at me later in life if I dressed them in tights. Either that, or god forbid, they like it!!! ha ha!

Staci: You were cracking me up w/ the statement. I think we should all say it everyday... I AM SUPERMOM!!!! I AM AWESOME!! ha ha!

Jill: Your babies are getting so big. I just smile everytime I see their cute little chubby cheeks.

So, can someone help me out w/ a pic. I went to photobucket and downloaded a picture but I can't seem to post it. What am I doing wrong?

Looking forward to the 3pm chatting. The past couple days have been so fun. YOu all should join us, if you get a chance. It's a nice break in the late afternoon. ANd we get to know each other a little better.

Okay, talk to you all later.
Love,
Lisa

Thursday=Office!!!! YES!!!

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning All...

Felisha - Congrats on the promotion... I checked out your website and your babies are gorgeous... Big beautiful eyes...

Daniele - So glad the tests turned out well... GREAT NEWS!

Monica - Big YEAH!!! on Nathan sleeping through the night... HUGE accomplishment.

Jennifer - Hang in there... the week is almost over... We are here if you need to vent.

Christel - Its pictures like your girls that makes me want to have another baby just in case I can get the girl I want... They are so darn cute...

Lisa - My boys get up around 5:30a - 6a every day... I know how it is just to want another 1/2 hour of sleep... My dh is awesome about getting the boys and taking them downstairs to play or anything just to give me a few more minutes... I'm sure you dh did not mind handling Brady this morning... For awhile Ben was getting up at 3a everyday... I think it was a growth spurt because he wanted a bottle which they haven't done since they about 4 months. Lately if they wake up grumpy, we orejel them immediately and that seems to help... Those teeth seem to be the bane of their existence right now.

Need some Super Mom support - I am having trouble controlling the urge to "help" my kids develop equally... Ben is crawling and pulling up now... Zach isn't... Last night I watched Zach watch Ben do these things and all I wanted to do was go in there and help Zach do them to... I know that he has to develop at his own rate... I know this is going to be an issue all their lives... One being able to do something better than the other or earlier than the other but I feel so bad for the one who isn't excelling... I guess this is normal... My dh tells me that Zach has better eye/hand coordination than Ben. That Zach spends a lot of time working on fine motor skills. Just tell me that its right for me to sit back and let Zach work this stuff out himself. That he isn't jealous of Ben because that is an emotion that is learned and they don't understand envy yet... I know I'm a wacko... I just want to do what is right for their development and give them every opportunity to succeed... Does any of this make sense? Can you tell I am a first time mom? You think this is worrying too much... you should see me when they bump their heads.. Checking their pupil with a flashlight to ensure that they are reacting right... My dh says that if he would allow it I would put helmets on these kids.. Can you say FREAK!

Oh and THANK YOU to everyone who talked about Kindermusik on the boards. You inspired me to look into classes in town... The boys have their first class tomorrow. I am so excited... I can't go to the class tomorrow because I have to work, but I am going to ask my boss if I can have next Friday off so I can go with them to class.

Okay I am done spewing my crazy fears and insecurities...

Hope everyone has a EXCELLENT Thursday and that all of your babies take long naps today!

Kerrie

[JERSEYGEMINI]

I just have a minute before I head out for an appt-- but wanted to say thanks for the support. DH should be getting home late tonight.:jump: I feel like doing this all weekend: :heck:

Lisa- I don't know WHAT is going on. Maybe it is the budding teeth--- my babies, who previously have slept until 7 or 7: 30 am have been waking up between 5-6 am every morning for the past week. UGH! There have even been a few 4:45 am wakeups...anything before 5 is just inhuman. I understand your frustration! :confused:

Heather- I just learned about avocados when I married my husband! You have to give them a light squeeze. They can't be too mushy because then when you open them, they will be too ripe (black!) and taste musty. When you squeeze, they should have a little give. If they are very hard, they are not ripe enough and they'll taste bad. You will have to experiment until you learn the right feel. I usually buy one avocado that is ready to eat and one that is a little hard so that it will be ripe in two days or so. To open: take a knife and cut around the pit the long way; then wiggle the two pieces apart like you're holding a rubix cube; pull out the pit; now, take your knife and cut a tick tac toe board into each half (don't go through the skin); finally scoop out with a spoon and put the cubes into your net (later they can eat these cubes as finger food). I also mash up the avocado cubes with a fork and some formula to spoon feed. I LOVE them with a little sea salt sprinkled on top, but I don't do this for the babies. Hope that helps. I know the "cuban" way for cubing mangos, too if anyone cares (I love mangos but they were always a pain to cut up). You cut off the sides as close as you can to the pit so that you have oval shaped pieces, do a tick tack toe board, and instead of scooping with a spoon, turn the skin inside-out- the cubes just pop out and you can eat the fruit right out of the skin or cut out the cubes easily. Boy, that took longer than I thought to explain!

Dr. Sears says that avocados are the best baby food because they have so many vitamins, minerals and fatty acids!

DH is the cook in our family. He cubes sweet potatoes and roasts them on a cookie sheet in the oven with garlic and sometimes other veggies like squash, carrots, celery ... I have slowly been adding more of these roasted veggies to the nets and the kids gobble it up. Isa can even eat the cubes with her fingers now. It is probably very exciting to have some flavor after having bland food/milk their whole lives!

Now, I really have to go. I will try to get back later tonight. I can never chat at three because I am almost always picking up my DS from
something :boring:

Have a great day!

Jennifer

[vthompson]

Jennifer - So glad that DH is home tonight!! HOORAY!!! Thanks for the tips on avocados...anytime I have tried to eat them, I make a hugs mess trying to cut them up!!

Kerrie - Your boys are doing GREAT!!! In fact, I think it is a good thing that one does something first because it encourages the other one to do it, too. They are way too young to feel jealous of the other one doing something better...so don't worry!!! You are doing a FANTASTIC job!!

Lisa - I agree, anything before 5am is just cruel!! I have sent one baby or both to DH when I am at my wits end...totally normal!! I hope those darn teeth come in soon...have you tried Tylenol when they get up extra early? As for your pic...I followed these directions from the Twin's board on someone else's post....go to www.photobucket.com - upload your picture. Then you'll have the option to edit (the button is located above the hosted picture in your album.) Click edit and halfway down the edit page there is a section titled Resize Image. Choose the appropriate size (websites and email) and click to resize. The new code to copy/paste will replace the old one under the picture in your album.

Felisha- I LOVE the website...those babies are so darn cute with their big eyes!! Great job! Congrats on the promotion...I hope they get the money stuff worked out soon.

Monica - YEAH for ANTHONY!! I hope it continues.

Daniele - I am so happy to hear that your results were positive. I was beginning to get worried!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Valerie

[christel]

:hello:

Lots of thanks :throb: on the sweet compliments to my goylz :love: :cloud9: I have such a ridiculously good time dressing them every morning... my two little dollies. I decided to live it up b/c I know that all too soon they'll say "NO!"

And speaking of "no" - Emme has started shaking her head back and forth like a "no no". It is SO cute! And Ruby has this funny new noise that sounds like the beer commercial guys saying "wuzzzupppp!" It doesn't have the syllables, but you get the gist. :snicker:

Today I take them for their RSV vax (a shot in each thigh) and tomorrow they go for their 9 mo. check up - 4 shots, I think. Sucks big time! Then, Sat. we pack... again, and leave for my parents' on Sunday morning. We'll be there 3 weeks while DH works at the field site. His UK trip has been postponed until March or April. Did I tell y'all that already? I can't remember anything anymore.

Andrea - no handbags for babies here, but FUN idea! Must be someone else.

Jennifer - Yay that hubby is home! You made it:cabbage:

Kerrie - I have freak out moments too about Ruby not hitting milestones at the same time as Emme. She seems to be anywhere from 1-3 weeks behind. I was reminded by my mom that if I had them a couple of years apart (instead of minutes) I wouldn't be aware of the lag at all :D

Heather - my girls really dig avacado... I mix it w/ yogurt to smooth out the texture. It's supposed to be SO good for them. I myself am not a fan, though, DH luvs 'em.

Lisa - good for you :five: for passing the buck to DH... that's what they're supposed to be there for :nod:

take care
:lovemytwins:
Christel

[vthompson]

Felisha and Lisa - Many thanks for the coupons...I received them today!! I truly appreciate it!!

Valerie

[megzmom]

Kerrie-I feel the exact same way about having one different from the other...really eerie that your Ben and mine are on the same dev level and our Zach(k) is the same too. ooohhhh I dont about anyone else but my Zack is over a lb difference and he looks even more. I feel sad that they are so different in size. Ben has such a cute flirty look and he is so darn cute. Zack is very handsome but because he is so intense he doesnt have that flirty look. Good thing is he is so strong he has amazing posture. I am worried because everyone is already labeling them. Ben the town crier petite flirt. Zack is the "fat" serious one. Even Meg seems to perfer Ben because he really responds to her and she says he is lighter.

Jennifer-thanks so much for the avocado mango tips. I have seen the mango trick before. We are going shopping..going to get some exotic fruit :)

cold- After you all are talking about snow/cold I feel so bad. How do you go shopping? Do you bundle everyone up to go out? Hate to do diaper changes! We have tornado warning now. Warm and cold front meeting over Central Florida. Yuck Again do I mention I hate teaching in a portable????

Baby

[megzmom]

Kerrie-I feel the exact same way about having one different from the other...really eerie that your Ben and mine are on the same dev level and our Zach(k) is the same too. ooohhhh I dont about anyone else but my Zack is over a lb difference and he looks even more. I feel sad that they are so different in size. Ben has such a cute flirty look and he is so darn cute. Zack is very handsome but because he is so intense he doesnt have that flirty look. Good thing is he is so strong he has amazing posture. I am worried because everyone is already labeling them. Ben the town crier petite flirt. Zack is the "fat" serious one. Even Meg seems to perfer Ben because he really responds to her and she says he is lighter.

Jennifer-thanks so much for the avocado mango tips. I have seen the mango trick before. We are going shopping..going to get some exotic fruit :)

cold- After you all are talking about snow/cold I feel so bad. How do you go shopping? Do you bundle everyone up to go out? Hate to do diaper changes! We have tornado warning now. Warm and cold front meeting over Central Florida. Yuck Again do I mention I hate teaching in a portable????

Baby Talk- anyone read this months? I had entire articles about multiples...so cool. Anyone get the twins magazine subscription? Is it work it?

[JERSEYGEMINI]

DH is on a plane as I write. He gets in at midnight. I don't think I could bear another day with no help! The babies have such terrible colds and they barely napped today. My 4 y.o. felt so neglected. He was crying before dinner. Poor guy. :love: I let him stay up alittle late so that we could play CandyLand together. He had spent so much time on his own today, and I feel terrible when that happens.

Felisha- thanks for the piercing info (forgot to say so before). I am going to make the appointment tomorrow. Poor girl- I think she needs her tongue clipped, too. It is forked! Although recent research is saying that being tongue-tied doesn't really affect speech-- I don't think I like a wait and see attitude for that one. Also, rather hold down and comfort a 7 month old than a 3 y.o.!

I was visited by the formula fairy today. While at the peds yesterday, I asked if they had any good start to give away and the nurse said that one of the doctors in the practice had recently taken their samples home for his wife. Well, his wife decided not to use good start with their new baby. He brought it ALL in for me today. 18 cans of powder + a whole case of ready-to drink. That's around $200 worth!:clap: We are spending a fortune on formula- I know you all have been doing it and have probably adjusted to the expense, but it is still such a shockto me. ( I wouldn't go back to BFing at this point for anything, though!)

Kerrie- I have mismatched twins! Isa thinks that she is 9 or 10 months and Mason is on target, if not a bit behind average for hitting milestones. I feel bad for him, but he is so easy going and good natured that it doesn't seem to bother him. While sitting in one spot, he laughs at his sister as he watches her crawl all over. He is my flirt and is more socially aware/interactive so I know he has the advantage there. I think that the gender difference deflects some of the comparisons...in any case, your boys will each develop his own unique strengths over time. Your feelings are only natural- you're a caring mom!

Heather- I am not going out right now unless I have to. It takes so long to get everyone bundled up, and then sure enough, I always smell a poop as I'm about to go out the door. I can't wait for Spring! It is WAY too early to be thinking that way, though. :sigh:

Good night and happy sleeping!

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Oh, no! my photo is HUGE! I resized to 'email' and even avatar, but it won't reduce...hmmm...does anyone know why?

Thanks!

[vthompson]

Jennifer - I LOVE the new pics!!! Are these the first pics you have posted? They are very cute! I am not sure why you can't resize your pic. YEAH for DH coming home!! He is probably home as I type. I agree about the gender difference. When we go to DH's hockey games, everyone LOVES to hold Corey because he smiles at the drop of a hat and flirts with anyone who pays attention to him. Kayley makes you work for her love, as we say. At home, she is sweet, funny, and talkative. Out of the house, it takes her very long to get warmed up. She just stares at people as if she is analyzing their every feature!

Heather - I cannot imagine how much that sucks to teach in a portable. Especially in windy conditions!!

Winter - It does suck to take the babies out in the cold. Especially when you are going from the car to a store. I try to do my shopping on weekends or evenings when DH is home. Plus, the babies hate to be bundled up.

Well, DH took some vacation time so he is home until Tuesday. YEAH!!! He even went to get us donuts this morning. Not like I need them, but I feel like I am on vacation, too, with the extra help!! You have to eat good stuff when you are on vacation, right???

Have a great day!

Valerie

[EBTwinz]

okay, let's see if this works

[EBTwinz]

okay, I give up. I just spent 15 mins trying to get a picture. Everytime I put it in my signature, it just pops up the code, no picture. What am I doing wrong?

[Jillmami]

Jennifer, those new pictures are wonderful! I couldn't get mine smaller either. Oh well, better to see your little cutie pies!! Hope that you are enjoying having your dh there. I know when mine was out of town for 9 days, it seemed like an eternity.

Heather, I also teach in a portable. Many of our schools have them out here since it's less expensive to use. As we all know, money is tight in education. There are days when my little first graders are almost under the table because they think the roof is going to fly off from the wind.

I think the differences we see in the babies is heightened since they are the same age. (well, obviously Jill. :hahaha: ) Those of you who have older kids probably notice differences between all the kids when you think about it I'm sure. Just look at how different the babies are doing just on our board. Development is a crazy thing. I am just waiting for mine to crawl. They are FINALLY on all 4's. Noah rocks away and then looks at you like you are crazy for wanting him in that position. I am hoping that he will be crawling by the end of the month.

Well, b-day #1 is quickly approaching for us. VERY hard to believe what I was going through a year ago. YIKES!! We are thinking of having a "thank you/b-day party". We went through so much with the pregnancy, delivery, NICU time, and then with my mom that we really had more than our share of prayer requests going out. We are thinking of having a party at the roller or ice rink. That way those with kids have something fun to do as well as the adults w/out kids. I think it might be fun. Any ideas?

Well, I just realized that my pumped milk has been running onto my pants and they are now soaked. Um, duh!! :silly: That's what I get for not making sure that I have clean, tall bottles. I obviously can't do more than 1 thing at a time. LOL

Enjoy your weekend ladies! I am hoping to catch one of the 'chat sessions' here soon!

[Jillmami]

OK, I'm definitely slow this am. I have also been trying to work with my picture and can't get it smaller or anything. I even started over and it is still the huge size. It is small on the photobucket site but when I use the link it shows up huge! ARGH!

Lisa, are you using the HTML tag code? That is what I used. Of course, don't take my advice this am! :snicker:

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning Ladies...

Everyone - Thank you for taking the time to give me the support I needed over the difference between the boys... It really helps to know that I'm not in this boat alone... I know that in the end the boys will both hit their milestones when they are ready...

Heather - Our Ben and Zachs are so alike... It is eerie... Zach is the bigger boy... He outweighs his brother by about 1.5lb and is just plan bigger boned. Even at birth you could tell that Zach was going to be stocky and Ben was going to be lean. I think that could be part of Zach's crawling issue... He has more to carry around that Ben does... Zach isn't fat by any stretch of the imagination but I keep telling him that God has burdoned him with his mama's thighs... Zach is very quick to give smiles to people except when he is tired and then it is this half smile that you can only interpret to me "whatever". Ben is a flirt... Every time he smiles, all you can think is "he has a secret"... They are so different but so very, very special in their own ways.

Winter - It isn't suppose to get out of the single digits this weekend... I am originally from TX and I have lived in WI for 11 years, but I have never gotten used to this sh**. I moved to WI for my job and I remember when I first came up here to tour the offices and start setting up my department, I drove past a bank time and temperature sign... There was a plus sign in front of the temperture and I thought "oh crap... if there is a plus sign then that means there is a minus sign there too..." My first winter was spent slipping on ice, falling into snow banks and bitching the entire time... I just want spring...

Jennifer - I am so glad DH is coming home!!! Maybe you will have a few minutes for a nice long hot shower and some pamper time... At least that is my hope for you...

Valerie - Congrats on your mini vacation... Nothing better than spending the day with your whole family unit together...

Okay... Today's question -

DH and the Babies - I am in a unique situation where I am the full-time bread winner of the family and my husband is the primary caregiver to the boys. During the week, I get maybe 3 hours a night with boys and most of the time its less than that... So I try to spend as much time as possible with them on the weekend... The only problem is that I am not used to dealing with both of them on my own... I really feel overwhelmed when I am alone with both of them... Last Saturday was the first time I was alone with both of them for any significant length of time since I broke my leg. We thought they would nap while DH was gone, but they were having none of it. I was completely at a loss for what to do... I am still not able to carry the boys down the stairs so I was trapped upstairs with two screaming babies... I eventually got them to the bed in our room and we played and talked until DH got home... Of course, as soon as DH got home they were ready for their nap... So, do your husbands spend one on one time with both babies and how do they do at it?

Funny Story - Last night we put the boys down around 7p and normally they go straight to sleep. Last night Zach "ooh awed" and "dadadada" for an hour and 15 minutes before going to sleep... Not a single cry or scream... Just talking and moving around... So DH and I had a theroy that the reason the boys nails are always dirty is that they work on a tunnel at night from the nursery to the outside... So last night DH decided that the tunnel was finally finished and that Zach was entertaining some hoochie-babies upstairs... He painted this picture of Zach in a smoking jacket, holding a pipe blowing bubbles and being surrounded by all of these beautiful baby girls wearing only their diapers... Needless to say, I was in tears laughing so much imagining my baby boy being the Hugh Heffner of the nursery set...

Have a GREAT Friday Ladies... I will send positive long nap vibes to all the munchkins out there so you have a few minutes of peace today.

Kerrie

[Jillmami]

Ummm ok. All of a sudden my pic is now small. Not sure how that happened but thanks to the photo gods!

Kerrie, funny stuff girl! Babies alone... you will be fine with them! Let those natural instincts take over. Try peek-a-boo or patty cake. Sing silly songs. With your great personality, I bet you can come up with some terrific songs. Not sure if you can do a silly dance yet but perhaps a modified 'seated' version? As long as you have clean diapers and a bottle near by, you are good to go. Let that creative brain of yours take over and just have fun. My dh gets on the floor with them (you could use the bed as you did) and talks silly, does the hide-n-seek, etc. We also have them face each other to play/talk to one another. (You can also do that in the crib.) Ours will play for about 30 min. in a crib together before they start pulling hair/ears/etc. Put on some music perhaps?

Does anyone else get cat naps in while the babies are playing? On more than one occasion, I have fallen asleep lying on the floor next to the babies while they are hanging out doing their thing. I usually wake up to Noah smiling at me as if to say, "feel better? good. let's get this play thing going!" Some days...

[EBTwinz]

Okay, I am watching CNN News and see that Florida had a huge storm, right in the central part of the state.

So, Steph and Heather, if you have access to the computer, please let us know you are okay.

I am worried about you both!!

Lisa

[SunMoonMom]

Jill - thanks for the ideas... I just am always worried about doing the wrong thing or them having a meltdown with me... DH can tune out the crying and a lot of time they will work it out themselves... Me... I'm a freak and immediately want to sooth and make it better...

Oh and I took the liberty of looking at your photos... Your babies are gorgeous... I want a girl so bad... Especially after seeing your little princess..

Kerrie

[swineland]

Hey guys....

Thanks for worrying, Lisa!! Fortunately, I live in the southern part of Orlando and most of the tornadic activity/devastation was north of us. We really only got some light showers.

I will see you at 3pm in the chat room (assuming all of our babies cooperate!!)

Steph

[christel]

:wavey: Hey Y'all

I'm such a dork...

We have the Tickle Me Elmo TMX doll and the girls are HUGE Elmo fans. So, I finally pulled it out for them -it's been stashed until they were "old enough". They love to look at it, pet it, slobber on it...

But, when I turn it on, Emme gets scared and starts crying :bawling:and Ruby's little forehead wrinkles up and she does not look happy. So, I keep trying to get them to like it! WHY?? I clap, I look happy when it laughs, I pet it and dance :bootyshake: and show them how great Elmo is. WHY is that a big deal to me? Put the freakin' toy up Christel! :silly:

Ok, I just had to confess, because I will NOT be telling this to DH.

[newmomx2]

I appreciated the warm hello !

Here is what we do for food

6-6:30 am I Nurse them
10-10:30 5 -6 oz formula 3TB cereal + 2.5 oz fruit - getting ready to increase to 4oz
2-2:30 5-6oz forumal 1/2jar meat + 1 stage 1 veggie (they are not a big fan of this combo)
6-6:30 - Stage 2 Dinner + stage 2 fruit mixed with 1 T cereal
7:30 - 8:00 I nurse and give a bottle

everyday I question whether this is the right thing...

Question - cause I see alot of you saying the same thing my Corey (who ironically was my little guy when we was born), is now a lb heavier and does not roll over (although he has done it he never does), he sits up great and is on track for most other things - he does not show interest in crawling I hope he is developing okay his brother has been crawling for 2 months and is now pulling himself up...I guess some of you have the same thing going on.

[vthompson]

Christel - I was cracking up about the Elmo!!! The twins got this Elmo and Cookie Monster that talks when you shake them. For the longest time, Kayley was scared of the Elmo...she HATED it. We have a pic of her on Xmas staring at it with the meanest look. Now, she LOVES it. Your story reminded me of our Elmo!!

Lisa - I needed help with my pic and I went here...http://www.twinsmagazine.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=778682&posted=1#post778682 One of the admins of the site, Truffles, helped me and got the pic to post for me.

Kerrie - You should honestly go into comedy! Every time I read your posts, I end up laughing out loud. You have such a great sense of humor. As for your question, I asked my DH. He said after he is with the babies by himself, he is amazed at what a hard job it is and wonders how I do it all day long by myself...it was a nice compliment!! Anyways, I agree with Jill, just go with your instinct and keep them occupied. Once they seem like they are getting whiny, I change the scenery for them. I will bring out new toys, have them sit up and play instead of laying, put them in the exersaucer/jumperoo, etc. Videos work, too, but only for a short time.

Missy - I am always comparing the babies to each other. It is hard not to do it. It seems like I am always worried about one of them for not doing something and then that baby will do something new so I worry about the other one. It never ends!!

Well, I have done nothing today but eat pure junk! I feel like I have gained 30 lbs. I have to stop!!

Does anyone have any plans for the Super Bowl? DH has a hockey game and then my mom is coming over to watch the babies. We are going over a friends house for a little bit. Last year, we played cards. I was pg and everyone else was drunk and I won lots of money!! I think it was because of my soberness (lol).

If DH's team wins their game on Sunday, they win their division. It is a big one!! Their mascot is the bulldogs. I used fabric paint and painted small paw prints on the babies' jeans...I am such a loser (lol)!!!

Have a great night ladies!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

Steph - glad to hear you are okay and escaped the path of the tornado. What about Heather, does she live near there?

Christel - I have handbags on the brain! Upon closer inspection, I see that your girls have little teddy bears on their shirts - not handbags. Sorry! I think it's time for me to buy myself a new bag!

I had the strangest dream last night. We were trying to get pregnant again and for some reason, I had to inseminate myself. So I had this little kit with all these vials. For some reason DH was not around, but his parents were. I went into the bathroom to do it and my ILs followed me in there! I kept asking them to leave, but they wouldn't. Isn't that weird!?!

Comparing twins - my girls could not be more different, so it's really hard not to compare. I often wonder if we had them at different times would it be so obvious (or would I remember from one baby to the next). Izzy is big and strong and social. Madeline is more serene and laid back (when she's not throwing a hissy fit) and she doesn't try to move around as much. Although that is changing. She is starting to roll over every which way. It's so exciting!

Lisa - You poor thing - I would have freaked out if I saw blood on either (or both!) of my kids! It's crazy what they can get into now that they are moving around.

Valerie - good luck to DH's hockey team! And I want to see pics of the babies in their mascot jeans!

Jill - I don't usually nap when I'm home alone with the kids. I'm afraid I'd never wake up! I love the new picture of TJ and Noah! They are so big and beautiful. It's hard to believe that they are the same babies as those little peanuts you delivered not that long ago.

Kerrie - I agree with everyone else, you should be in comedy. I am always cracking up at your posts. About the one on two time with your babies, I don't think they care too much what they are doing as long as they are getting time with you. Like someone else said, keep changing things up, read, music, floor time, etc. My girls can only do one thing for a few minutes then they want to move on to something else. I do find that I can put them both in a crib or pack-n-play and they will amuse themselves for quite a while (20 minutes or so). They love to be on my bed, too. But the more mobile they get, the harder it is for me to keep them on there.

Missy - it's so nice to have you back. I know it's so easy to second guess ourselves and wonder if we are doing the right things for our babies, but try not to worry so much. You are a great mom. Every child is different and will develop according to their own timeline. The nice thing about having newborns is that they go to the doctor every few months. If there was anything to worry about, your pedi would let you know.

Crawling - neither of my girls is crawling, although Isabelle is just starting to get herself up on all fours. I don't think it will be long.

Okay, gotta go, I am off to a spa day with some friends. Can you believe it??? It comes at a really good time, because our au pair is on vacation for two weeks, and I haven't had a second to myself. This is the first extended period of time I'll be without my girls in eight months (wait, plus the nine they were in my belly....). I can't wait!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo
AndreaR

ps. Steph, I saw the videos you posted on the chatroom page. Too flippin' cute. I need to get more high tech and post a video.

[sgarrett]

AnderaR: Weird dream! I have crazy ones too, I had one the other night that there were hundreds of cats living in our walls and we could see them through the air vents!

Kerrie: Do not worry about your babies differences, try to celebrate them. My DH is a twin and he said he and his brother HATED it when people always compared them and referred to them as the "twins". He was an identical twin and I have boy/girl twins. I would think it would be harder to not fall into that trap with identical twins. Aiden and Isabelle could not be more different. Aiden is a total spaz, wiggling all the time, rolling, just started crawling, and is the social flirt. Isabelle is so laid back and sweet, she sits up like a champ, she actually rolled over before her brother but hardley ever does it anymore. It bothers me sometimes when we are out(mainly at Chase's basketball games) the ladies flock to Aiden, everyone always wants to hold him first!

Floridians: Be careful with the nasty weather ladies!

Lisa: I would have totally freaked out if I saw blood on the them! Your poor thing! What a scare!

Valerie: Super Bowel, we are having a party, my son's entire basketball team is coming over as well as two other "adult" couples. I am about to head to Sams and WalMart to buy everything on the shelves. You would be amazed what a basketball team can eat!

OK, I have had pretty bad abdonimal pain, on and off since the babie were born. I finally mentioned it to my doc and he sent me for an ultrasound. I did not think twice about it until I walked into the room and saw that machine and I had an emotional breakdown. It just seem so sad to have an ultrasound with no little babies inside! I guess it is starting to hit me that these are probaly my last babies and it is so sad. I know the ultrasound tech probaly thought I was a freak! Turns out I have to have my gall bladder taken out. Another fun byproduct of the pregnancy. I swear if I ever am able to fit back into my bikini I still will not be able to wear out b/c my stomach is going to look like the bride of Frankenstien! I am so over all these surgeries!

Have a great weekend all!

Staci

[newmomx2]

Okay don't laugh I have been so busy working, taking care of babies etc that until I read the posts I didn't even realize the super bowl was Sunday ! Guess I will have to ask DH if we have any plans. He has been working 2 straight weeks of nights and I have been on my own so he is finally home and I was able to nap this morning - I FEEL LIKE A NEW WOMAN>

Staci - Hope the gall bladder surgey goes well - you are right yet another side effect of PG...I still can't fit into my normal paints and it is so depressing I feel like I have 4 different wardrobes in my closet :hahaha: I figure I will probably stop nursing all together in about the next month and then South Beach here I come (I lost 50 lbs before getting PG on this diet).

Kerrie - You do crack me up and I actually have a Q for you - I too am the dominant Bread winner in the Fam - I am currently working 8 - 4:30 and then home on fridays DH works insane hours and I think we are going to have him quit his job later this spring ... he will then need to watch them and focus on getting our new house built...we own 15acres in MD and want to build our dream home (figure this alone is a full time job) He keeps saying how once they are a year he can totally watch them piece of cake - problem is he has never been alone with them for more than 2 hours...I am a little worried that he will get in over his head - how does your DH manage ? Not then mine is Selfish but he does like a lot of video game time and I keep saying you will not be able to do this with them running around...any suggestions..

Okay all gotta run and get pretty I am going to BJs and Babies R Us today - big day out !!!

:cloud9:

Enjoy your weekends.

PS - Thanks for all the feedback about twin development and comparison - it made me feel better

[newmomx2]

Why is my ticker broken?

[Jillmami]

Missy, I believe that when this website was down for repair/renovation? they are no longer using html format. You will need to copy/paste the "PseudoHTML, UBBCode™ or BBCode Used on many message boards that don't allow HTML." format from the lillypie site.

Hope that helps you!

OH, TJ is now able to sit unassisted. (Of course she still needs a spotter!)

Is anybody else doing any type of baby sign language? It was suggested that we do it with ours by the specialists we saw at the developmental clinic at the hospital. They said that it would help with their frustration level. They are socially up there with 10-12 month olds but can't quite communicate verbally nor can their bodies do what their minds want them to do. They can get quite frustrated. I have been playing around with a few signs for the past week. Today, I asked/signed if Noah wanted milk and he did the sign, then drank his bottle. It was pretty cool. We'll see later if it was a fluke or not. :hahaha:

[harleywv]

Hi everyone! I kind of lurk around this thread (occasionally post) and sort of feel like I'm butting in, but here's to inviting myself. :)

Anyway - I was reading a lot about the twin differences, and it made me feel SO much better. I think my boys resemble your's a lot, Heather. Noah is like you described Ben, and Hunter seems more like Zack.

Noah is so social, smiles at everyone, cute, flirty, etc. Moves constantly, is crawling (just started, YAY!!), and is generally just a carefree baby (although, MAN he has a temper!) Noah rolled first, and still rolls more often, sat up first (although Hunter's big belly probably slowed him down), ate solids better at first, etc.

Now, Hunter, is a pound heavier, can't crawl yet, is very serious, smiles at us, but rarely at strangers without a lot of prodding, and then it's only halfhearted. But he's much better at fine motor skills. He can pick up small foods (the little fruit puffs) where Noah can't. He has mastered the cup, where Noah just chews on it (with a sip here and there).

Hunter is the strong silent one, who I always feared would fade into the background since Noah is so outgoing, But lately, Hunter gets his way. He quietly rolls to Noah, then swipes a toy, leaving Noah "speechless". Or he'll pull hair, grab Noahs lips (it's funny, although I'm sure Noah doesn't think so). So Hunter gets things done, but they are just SO different.

I still question how I'm feeding them, but have resigned to the fact that they gain weight regularly (and rapidly), neither seems hungry outside of feeding times, etc. So we'll go with the flow. I did try to give them small pieces of bread today. Noah gagged the whole time, so maybe they're not ready? But he loves zweiback, fruit puffs, biter biscuits, etc. So for now, although I'm still unsure of myself, I'm trying to "go with the flow" and let it work itself out.

Thanks so much for letting me join this thread. I love reading stories about babies that are the same ages as mine!

[Jillmami]

I keep reading about all the storms in Florida. Hope all of you Floridians are doing well!!

[Jillmami]

We just got back from taking groceries and Noah's old clothes to a 23-year old single mom who has a 6 year old and 2 month old triplets! Holy moly does she have her hands full. Her boyfriend is very helpful which is good. I can't even imagine. Since my dh works at home, he is going to offer to do their grocery shopping once every week or so. Her triplets are only 5-6 pounds right now. I can't picture going grocery shopping with them, especially during flu season!

Hope that everyone enjoyed their Sat. We took the kids to the park and had them in the same swing, back to back, and they were in heaven! It was adorable! :handkiss:

[vthompson]

Jill - I love your pics!! Your babies are too cute. That is so nice of you and your DH to help that family...I can't believe triplets! I assume they were a complete surprise to her??? How far did she go in her pg? I have tried 2 signs so far...drink and eat. They laugh when we do them...not really trying to imitate them yet.

Harley - Welcome!! We love new members!

Staci - Our babies are SO much alike...at DH's hockey games, everyone flocks to Corey and wants to hold him. Poor Kayley usually just sits with me. At home, she is very social...just in public she is sceptical of everyone.

AndreaR - Spa day...that sounds FANTASTIC!!! Can't wait to hear about it. How is your au pair working out? I forgot you had one. Is she there every day?

Lisa - I would have freaked out, too. Poor little guy! It is scary all that they can get into and you don't even realize it until they do it.

So, Kayley has learned to clap her hands. She thinks she is so funny when she does it. She laughs! It is so cute. We have discovered that when Kayley is investigating something, she only uses one finger and then uses her whole hand. No crawling from either baby. Corey is definitely going through a mommy phase lately. He can be playing and playing...look up and see me and starts crying for me. Sometimes I pick him up and other times I don't. He will start playing again and is fine. Should I pick him up every time?

Well, it is almost nap time.

Valerie

[Jillmami]

Dawn, nice to have you here! Regarding feeding, I'm not sure how much either. Our nurses come over on Monday so I have a few questions about where to go with my Noah re: food. I'll share what I find out re: serving sizes, how much per day, etc.

With respect to twins' differences, mine are so typical of girl and boy. Noah is a HUGE flirt when we go out. He giggles, smiles, plays coy, etc. with the ladies... even groups of them! TJ on the other hand will shout and scream because nobody is giving her attention. It's funny now but won't be if it continues. :tantrum:

Monica, how are things going? Whatever happened with the speech therapist and feedings?

Valerie, thanks for the compliments. The triplets were a surprise. Can you imagine! Not sure how long she went into the pregnancy but she came home shortly after delivery and they were a bit over 4 pounds each. Just crazy! I also would love to see the hockey clothing you designed! I am contemplating turning some plain jeans/overalls into something a bit more fancy for their b-day. I have a few ideas I want to try out if I have the time. How cute with little Kayley and the clapping! Just adorable!! And the mommy cries... with us it's TJ. On the 3 days that I work, as soon as she hears my voice she will start crying. I mean CRYING! :bawling: She actually responded that easily to my voice in the NICU as well. The second she would hear my voice she would get a big smile on her face, according to the nurses and the mom of TJ's neighbor.

Those of you with Super Bowl plans, have a great time! Enjoy your Sunday!

Oh, Andrea, you should have snail mail from me by Monday? I sent it out on Wednesday. So however long it takes to go cross country. Let me know if you need clarification and good luck getting your little miss up on all 4's.

[swineland]

:party2 Go COLTS!!! I am SO excited!:victory:
I hope you all had a great weekend and Staci, I had to crack up:hahaha: when I read that you were having a "Super Bowel" party......sounds like an, uh, interesting time.

Valerie, so??? Did DH's team win yesterday?? :xfingers: Hope so!!

Comparing twins: I don't really do it too much here. I mean, I notice the differences, yes, but E&B are so very neck and neck in their development that I know if one isn't doing something the other one is, it's only a matter of time. Keep in mind you guys that even though they are twins, they are still individuals. They are two separate babies with two different ways/times of doing things. Unless something is grossly wrong/lacking in their development and you need to see a pediatrician, I wouldn't worry so much about it. Let them just be babies and enjoy what they ARE doing now, as opposed to worrying so much about what they are NOT doing yet. The last thing a twin mommy needs is MORE worrying! Your babies are all doing just FINE:top:

Lisa, I would have flipped if I saw blood everywhere! I hope his lil' finners get better soon....

Andrea, I am totally jealous of your spa day......how was it??

My mom comes tomorrow for a week visit...yay!! I am so excited.

So, I think I forgot to mention that I am supposed to have foot surgery at the end of this month. Unfortunately, it's my driving foot and it's going to require crutches for 1-2 weeks and then that shoe thingy (Kerrie, I'm sure you are cringing reading this!) Anyway, my MIL will be here to help, but I'm really thinking about postponing the surgery anyway. The more I think of the logistics of it all, and the sheer amount of chasing/running around I do every day, I can't imagine being immobile for that period of time. I don't know what to do. I have this benign soft tissue mass on the side of my foot that causes lots of pressure/pain and the cortisone shots just don't provide longterm relief. The only way to get rid of it for good is to have it removed. I guess there is never a good time for foot surgery!

Well, Evan is standing here and he smells SO bad.....of course, he decided to drop a deuce RIGHT after I changed his diaper. Ugh, this'll be fun.

Chat later...love you guys...
Steph

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning All...

Well, this morning the I woke up to -12 degrees with a wind chill of -23 degrees... This is inhuman... I think that once it gets to the point were water freezes within minutes of being put outside that humans should remain indoors and no have to go to work... But of course that is not a view shared by my company... I am really a negative Nancy today...:gr: :shot:

I will miss some in this post and if I do please know that I am tired and most likely partly brain dead...

Steph - Foot surgery... Yes I cringed when I read your post... All I can say is that it will only get harder to find time to do it... When they start walking you will have an even more difficult time keeping up with them. At least that's what everyone said about my injury and how "lucky" :banghead: I was that it happened now... No great advice here just a shoulder belonging to someone who understands the feelings of not being able to take care of the ones you love...

AndreaR - :wow: So jealous about your spa day... I hope it was amazing!!!

Dawn- I am so glad you have decided to join us... the more the merrier and man we are a merry bunch...

Missy - How does DH do it? I have no idea... He can tune out a lot of the incidental crying (the crying that is mostly from frustration). He is much happier now that the boys are becoming more interactive... In the beginning it was so of crazy for him because all he could do was change diapers, feed bottles and sooth cries... Now he can actually play with them... He is excited for them to get a little older... He has been creating an activity book since the boys were born with different activities they can do together. Art stuff, games and trips... I guess the main reason my DH can handle staying home with the boys is because he is a very laid back person and nothing usually upsets him... He just takes what comes his way and keeps moving... Video games are strictly played during nap time... That is his down time and he uses it to escape into the games... He chooses games that he can save anywhere (instead of some stupid game that requires you finish a level to save) so that if the boys wake up he can immediately stop and get them... He said to me yesterday when the boys were crying (their teeth are bothering them) "That really grates on you" and I replied "No, it breaks my heart" He said the sweetest thing... He said "That's what makes you a good Mommy" I will declare to everyone from the highest roof top.. My DH is my best friend, my hero and the greatest love of my life

Comedy - Thanks to everyone who likes my sense of humor... No future in comedy for me... I have too much social anxiety... First night on stage, I would be in the fetal position chanting over and over again "There's no place like home, There's no place like home..." So for now, you are my exclusive audience...

This weekend - Nothing too crazy happened this weekend... Zach did learn how to crawl on Sunday... It still looks like he is doing a modified crab walk but hey it was moving in a forward motion... I'm declaring it a crawl...

Thanks to everyone for their ideas about how to handle the two on one time with the boys... I made it through without any major problems on Saturday... The boys napped through most of it and when they woke up, the boys and I got in the floor of the nursery to play...

Okay, well I have to get to work... yeah me!!!

I hope everyone has a great day...

Kerrie

[AndreaR]

greetings from the chilly northeast (although not quite as chilly as you, kerrie!)! it's single digits here.

i had such a nice weekend. the spa was fabulous! two of my friends took me for my 40th bday. we had lunch first. i ordered a mango margarita (i've been dying for a margarita since i got pregnant), and i could only drink less than a quarter of it. i got tipsy so fast! i told ya, steph, i am all talk these days. i got a massage and a pedicure, and i tell you, i felt like a new woman! i so enjoyed my adult time away from the girls. DH and they had a wonderful time. he took them to the mall and bought them a bunch of new clothes from janie and jack (my favorite store). how great is that!? i'm going to another spa with my sisters on 2/17 (another bday present). geesh - i could really get used to going every other weekend.

dh and i watched the superbowl while we folded laundry. big doin's around here, i tell ya. i was happy to see the colts win, but really it didn't matter much to me.

steph - sorry to hear about the foot. kerrie may have a point though, about doing it before the boys start walking.

jill - thanks for sending the exercises. i'll let you know when i get them. maddie is doing okay, but i feel like there's more i can be doing to help her. she has a PT appointment this wednesday. hopefully i'll have your info and be able to show it to our PT and see what she thinks.

well, it sounds like someone is awake from her nap (after about 15 minutes), so i gotta go. hopefully i'll be on later this afternoon. maybe i'll even get to chat at 3!

have a good day!

xo
andrear

[SunMoonMom]

I needed to vent a little....

I work in the publishing/printing industry... I handle estimates for marketing service campaigns... Our biggest client is a big pain in the butt and is always changing his mind about things... So here it is noon and I am still waiting to hear what we are doing for March... We are suppose to be on press on Friday of this week and so far creative has no idea what they are doing...

I can't give pricing until they know what they are going to do...

Of course I got an email this morning that I had to have pricing ready by the end of the day.. I'm like, okay then tell me what I am pricing and you will have it... Answer... well we aren't quite sure...

My twins make decisions based on more logic than these "adults" are showing... Next thing I know these "adults" are going to be laying in the floor kicking their feet, screaming "I want pricing!!!"

Okay, that's for letting me vent... Hope everyone is having a better day than me...

Kerrie

[mmzill]

Hello everyone~

It's seems like it's been forever since I've had time to post anything. Currently all three are asleep....we'll see how long that lasts!
Brrrrr! It's cold!!! (but not as cold as Kerrie) Zero was our bottom temp this morning! I think it's 8 right now.

GO COLTS! I was so glad they won!!! DH wanted the Bears to win, but since they decided to stay in and hibernate......I guess you can't expect much else from Bears. :snicker:
We didn't have a party either. :( Invited a few different people over, but everyone else had plans. Oh well, it was all the better, got lots done around the house.

Steph so glad you are ok! Has Heather checked in? If so I missed it. I hope she's ok also. That was one wicked storm.

Compairing Twins - I do this quite a bit. But there is so much difference in size that I can't help but. Nathan is 4 lbs smaller. I'm not too worried about their differences though. I think they will be pretty even when they really start doing things. No crawling from either of them. I wouldn't worry about compairing them. That is natural. As long as we remember, like Steph said, that they are individuals and won't do everything at the same time.

Jill, thanks for asking about the Speech Therapist. I was glad she came out. Nathan is talking about where a 4 or 5 month old would, so he is behind some in that area. She watched him eat. (he has started eating from a spoon better) She commented on the way that he moved the food back was like a 4 month old, just learning to eat. But since he is just learning to eat, we can't expect anything else. He is going to be seen by her regularly. She said a lot of kids that have issues eating will have issues with speech development. I'm glad to get the help now, and hopefully not need it later. One excersize she suggested for crawling was to put them over the boppy and let them play that way. It keeps they bellies off the floor and is similar to crawling.

Andrea, so glad you had a get-a-way! I'm jealous!! ;)

Valerie, that's cool that Kayley has learned to clap! Both my guys are going through stranger anxiety and don't let mommy leave the room syndrom! I don't know how long I can take it!

Buying clothes - do you all ever buy clothes, because you "just have to have them" that look way too big, then get home hang them up 'cause they look too big' and then they hardly get worn? I'm not sure what my deal is, but I got clothes at Christmas time that were supposed to be big and they have almost outgrown them now. I'm just disgusted. Part of the problem is I have to buy two different sizes and Anthony is growing much faster than Nathan. I think that I may buy three sizes so I can just rotate them up.

Well, the boys are awake. I better jump off here. Have a good day!
Monica

[vthompson]

BRRRR....That is the word for Cleveland...with the wind chill, it has been like 20 degrees below zero! All schools were closed today and are now announcing closing for tomorrow. I agree with you Kerrie, when it is this cold, everyone should stay inside!!

DH's team won yesterday!!! They won their division. It was so exciting. They now move to playoffs this weekend...but at least they have the division win under their belt. It is just so exciting because DH is a WONDERFUL coach. He really takes the time with the kids to teach them and makes sure they are excelling academically, as well. I did not take the babies to the game yesterday because it was so cold...but I did get a pic of the jeans. I will post when I have time.

Steph and Daniele - I got the coupons today in the mail. Thank you so much!! They will really help!

Monica - I am glad that the specialist is able to help. I am sure he will be up to speed in no time!!

Kerrie - I do not blame you for being aggravated! When I was working at my last company, it was the same way...everything was last minute. It drove me crazy!! Take a deep breath and perhaps have a glass of wine when you get home tonight (lol).

AndreaR - I am so jealous, but very happy for you weekend. You deserve it!! I understand about the low tolerance...I had 2 small glasses of wine last night and I felt tipsy!

Steph - I agree...I think this may be the best time to get the surgery...it is only going to get harder to find time to do it as the boys gets older. Let us know what you are decide.

Jill - That NICU story was so sweet!!

Ok, so I need to vent about my mother...She watched the babies last night. While I was waiting for DH, I showed my mom this Xmas scrapbook I made. The title on DH's family page was "Opening presents at Grandpa Thompson's house". My family came to our house so I titled that page "Opening presents with the Karban's". She looked at it and said "Why did you word the Thompson page that way and not put Grandpa and Grandma Karban on the other page". I was like, WHAT???? She looked all angry about it, as if I went out of my way to make a scrapbook that would offend her! I said "because you guys all came over here". She goes "Well, I would have liked to see our names in there". I just walked away...I could not even believe she could be so freaking crazy! I made something nice for my family, and now she has made it something offensive for her. I am just so annoyed. I was also frustrated because she complained that we never have any snack foods in the house, our microwave sucked because the popcorn did not taste good, and I am anal retentive because I did the dishes when I came home and put the vacuum away. She was just teasing me, but it was annoying, especially with the scrapbook comments. Just leave me alone!! I am doing the best I can! Am I right to be annoyed?

Well, babies are rolling over each other. I better go!

Valerie

[JERSEYGEMINI]

It is so frigid! The thermometer said 6 degrees when I hopped in the car this morning . Hope everyone had a fun superbowl sunday!

I have a twin conspiracy going on in my house :shakehands: (maybe my twins got some ideas from Kerrie's). Isa has screamed bloody murder from 11-12:30 am for the three nights before last. She finally slept through the night last night, and then Mason, who never screams at night for more than 5 minutes, screamed for an hour. On top of that, a water pipe for our street broke, and workers were jackhammering in front of our house for two hours in the middle of the night! I actually felt bad for them, though, because it was sooooo cold.

Happy Birthday, Andrea! I am very jealous of your spa day!

Steph- I agree with Kerrie- surgery now will be rough, but better than if your boys are running around the house. And from the looks of it, your two will be doing it sooner rather than later!

Jill- you and DH are awesome for helping that mom. She has a long road ahead of her. Does she have much support from her family? I can't even imagine....

Alright, DS is in the bath, babies are sleeping, and DH is away AGAIN until Wednesday (I'm starting to hate his new job). I have to get some chores done.

One more thing, though- my babes started laughing and talking with each other this morning for the very first time. Isa was hiding behind the coffee table playing peek-a-boo with Mason. It was so sweet, my eyes got a little watery.

Stay warm everyone!

-Jennifer

[harleywv]

Hi all! It's about 18 here, which I think is freezing (wind chill is 0-5 degrees) but I guess some have it worse! I shouldn't complain! Anyway, my plan today was to stay in bundled up, my DD's school was closed. But, low and behold, both boys decided to pitch a day long fit, not sleep, etc. Generally just fussed (and/or screamed) most of the day, so I got fed up, bundled everyone up, and went to Walmart! So they just rode around in their stroller for about an hour, and all was right in the world again. Not to mention I spent $140 but oh well, you gotta eat right? (That's my excuse)

A little off topic. I got a Dyson vacuum yesterday. Anyone have one of these? I tell ya, that thing is amazing. I vacuumed with my old Dirt Devil (which was on it's last leg) and then immediately vacuumed with the Dyson and got a half-canister full of crap. So my DH is making fun of me now because I'm in love with a purple vacuum. Haha

Valerie - about your mom, and just my two cents worth - I think you have every right to be annoyed. It's your scrapbook, something you did for your family, so what's it to her. Sounds a lot like my mom. I would try to let it go, just vent on here. Like you really have time to scrapbook (good for you!), much less cater to everyone's wants and needs for YOUR scrapbook. Sorry, don't mean to step on toes, but my mom and I have really BIG issues, and it just makes me think about them. (She's seen my boys one time at 6 days old. She lives 20 minutes from me and works less than a mile from my house).

Monica - just noticed you live in Parkersburg. I live in S. Charleston! Small world!

[mmzill]

Dawn - I was wondering where in WV you were from. That's cool maybe we can get together some time. . . .when it warms up!

Valerie, sorry about your mom. She should not have been offended by the way you put your picture book together. That's rediculous!

[Daniele'sTwins]

Jill...That is so nice that your DH is doing that for that women! What a sweet guy you have!

Dawn...welcome!

Jill & Val...I hear you with the mommy cries! It is crazy!! At first I thought the boys hated me because they would SCREAM when they see me!

Steph...Foot surgery...YUCK! I feel so bad for you! I guess just get it over and done with.

Andrea...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!:partygirls: I am so glad to hear that you had a nice day! By the way I LOVE LOVE Janie and Jack too!! We don't have one near me but I just shop online; very dangerous!
* so exactly when is your birthday?

Val...as for your mom...that would bother me too! My mother and I have not been getting along to well lately either; it is worse than fighting with my DH!

Crawling...they are crawling all over the house now! It is crazy! This is getting scary!

Pastina...I have been feeding my boys baby pastina and they really like it! First I tried it with a little bit of butter and on cooked egg yolk and today I made a chicken soup and blended that with some pastina too.

Vacation...ok, so we aren't going to Bahama's anymore...We changed our mines and we are going to DISNEY WORLD! I am excited and wwould be even MORE excited if I could meet up with my Florida friends!

[mmzill]

Tried to post a icon of the colts flag.....didn't work, oh well

[christel]

Hi everyone :wavey:

I'm the exception to the rule today...it's been a balmy 60 degrees here in TX :hahaha: Of course, we PAY in the summer big time.

I'm at my mom's for the next 3 weeks. DH is working about 45 min. away, so we're staying with her for the duration. He's pinch hitting, putting out "fires" and training people and then we can leave and he can go back to his nice little cubicle and desk. The sucky thing is that he's going to be working nights so I expect to see very little of him and a LOT of my mom. That could be tricky. I'm feeling ya Val on the mom thing... but vent here, I think.

Oh, and Val, yay for DH's team!

Andrea - Happy Happy birthday and :woo: on the spa thing! That's wonderful!

Danielle - will you take the boys with you to DW or will someone keep them?

Dawn - welcome and huge rolls of jealousy on the Dyson! I am SO wanting the super duper pet hair one.

Jennifer - too sweet w/ the babies playing together :shakehands: I love it when my girls play together. It happens infrequently but is so sweet :throb:

Jill - that is great of you and DH to pitch in w/ the new triplet mom. I'd jump in w/ you if I lived close. She's gonna need a good support system.

Monica - I do the same thing w/ clothes - makes me SO mad! My girls are 5 lbs apart and I've started drip drying Emme's clothes so she can wear the size longer.

Steph - I'm w/ the others on the get-it-over-with philosophy. Sucks, but waiting may suck worse.

Check this out.... This kinda makes me want to get pg again (not that much, but a little :D)... http://othejoys.blogspot.com/2007/01/honoring-arrival.html I'm a little addicted to "mommy blogs" and read this one and one other when I have a little down time at night after the girls go to bed.

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[megzmom]

Sorry for not posting, didnt even think to let you all know that I was okay. Yucky rain/wind but NOTHING serious. It is so very sad about all the destruction. One family I have been really praying about There was a husband, wife and 1 son (a triplet) were killed. THe mom was 20 when she had them. I just couldnt imagine the pain the 2 left behind are going through. I know all life is precious but this jsut really struck close.

PRAY-FCAT writing test tomorrow. only 4th graders take this test. It is 2 days of writing/grammar skills. I am so nervous and so are the kids. They moved me my second year of teaching because I said I love writing -me and my big mouth. 2nd graders dont take the standardized tests....

Sign language-we have consistently done a few words mama, dada, more, all done. I want to get a video -anyone have one or seen one that they'd recommend?
okay will write more. Got to get some sleep

[vthompson]

Thanks for all the words of encouragement about my mom...It is nice to know I can vent on here. I feel bad because she is such a good Grandma to my children, but she is just way too sensitive and reads in to everything you say and do. You find yourself always analyzing what you say and do to make sure you did not offend her. Now that I have my own children, I seem to have less patience for her personality, I guess. I just don't have the time or energy to constantly worry about how she feels about something that I did or said with the best intentions...Ok, I am done venting!!! I hope I don't sound mean or insensitive.

Heather - So glad to hear that you and your family are ok after the storms! When I was teaching, I HATED standardized testing time. It does nothing but stress everyone out. I will pray for you and your students.

Christel - Can we trade weather for a few days (lol). Is there a perfect place to live for weather...it seems like it is either too hot or too cold. Good luck on your stay away from home. That blog was really cute. I read the story about the mom who had her belly painted.

Daniele - This is probably a dumb questions, but what is pastina?

Dawn - I want a dyson SO BAD!! I have hard amazing stories about how much they pick up. Someone told me that they vacuumed every other day and each time, the canister was full. I am just disgusted to think of how much dirt and dust my crappy vacuum leaves on the floor!! Can I borrow it (lol). I cannot believe that your mom is that close and does not come and see the babies. It makes me feel really bad for complaining about my own mother. Does she call you? What excuses does she use for not seeing them?

Jennifer - I hope you had some better sleeping last night.

Napping lately has been terrible around here. I cannot figure out what is going on!

So, DH goes back to work today. It has been so nice having him home. I already feel lost without him and he has only been gone for 15 minutes (lol). He such an amazing father and husband...I just love him to bits!! Sorry for the corniness (lol).

Babies getting restless...talk to everyone later.

Valerie

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Val- it must be the way of the mothers! I think that mothers/grandmothers, more times than not, get very insecure about what "the other side" is doing ... there definitely is a sense of competitiveness.

Dawn- We bought a dyson two months ago after our 10 year old vacuum finally died. I agree- it is heavy, but amazing! Our carpets looked brand new! (boy, I sound like a commercial). :hahaha: We were laughing at ourselves for getting so excited about a vaccuum--but really it is so cool!

After 5 nights of CIO :bawling: (going in every ten minutes or so without picking up) the babies finally slept through the night again last night (Mason-10 pm-6 am and Isa- 7 pm- 5 am). I just put them in their cribs for nap this morning with only a 3 minute pre-snuggle and they both dozed off on their own. Horray! I had to put Isabella in my step-daughters room though so that their crying wouldn't wake each other. I don't want to move them back together, but I'll have to soon!

Christel-enjoy the warm weather and extra hands! what a treat! The blog was sweet. I still don't want anymore kids, though! Three is more than I can handle hee hee

I have a consult with a plastic surgeon on Friday. I am so EXCITED, but anxious, too. Part of me feels so silly and vain for doing this....

Alright--everyone take care and northerners stay warm!

-Jennifer

[swineland]

Good morning everyone!
Those of you experiencing those dangerously freezing temperatures, stay warm and take good care. I read that it's a wind chill of minus 31 in Milwaukee; Kerrie I really feel for you having to go out in it to get to work. (Especially when work is not exactly the place you'd like to be these days).

Avocado: Babies have really taken to avocados and it is so easy to mix with just about anything; cereal, bananas, etc. My question is this: (Jennifer, maybe you know the answer) How do I store an already cut open avocado so that it doesn't turn brown and yucky right away? I find that I will only use half the avocado meat for one meal and would like to save the other half for another one (usually the same day or next day) but when I go to retrieve it, it's always brown and musty tasting already. Any ideas?

Kerrie, I showed DH the post you sent yesterday about your office and how frustrating it is. That is the kind of crap he deals with all the time and he said about your post that it sounded 'way too familiar'. He is the director of 'creative' at Universal Orlando and they are constantly getting bad direction, little details on what the client wants, etc. Lots and lots of little fires to put out all day long. And he has used the "the twins can rationalize better than these people" argument before, too. I just noticed some really coincidental sentiments in your post.

Shaking head: Bailey does it all the time, not sure he knows what it means though. Evan doesn't do it at all.

Spitting up: okay, the babies are 8 months old and are still spitting up. Is this normal? I feel like they are starting to be a little old to still have this happen. And now with the solids, it can be quite a mess. I did try to cut back on the formula and increase the solids, just as an experiment, and yes it did cut back on the spit up, but obviously I know they need their formula more than any solid right now. Should I call the ped and ask about Zantac or something? Would that help? Anyone else still battling this? :banghead:

Babies waking up: for SOME reason, Bailey has also been waking up every night screaming (jen, like your Isa) and when you go to him, he's not even awake! His eyes are closed and he is clearly still out of it, but if we leave him in his crib to CIO then there's about a 99.99% chance that Evan is going to wake up too. So, we've been running in there, grabbing Bailey and then putting him, grrrr, in bed with me. He doesn't make another peep and sleeps just fine. Well, great. Like THAT'S a solution. I don't know if he is having a bad dream (do babies at this age have nightmares/dreams?), if he's got some new teeth coming in somewhere that I can't see or what. I think tonight I'll give a preemptive dose of Tylenol to see if that has any bearing on him waking up.

Sheet changing: given that there isn't any soiled spots/spit up,etc, how often are you guys changing the crib sheets??

Okay, I need to ask you all to pray for/send good thoughts to my best friend. She and her husband and 3 yo daughter live in Phoenix and they have been trying for a long time to get pregnant again. Well, she is and she's about 15 weeks along. Last week they did the AFP-triple screen test that is offered and yesterday they called her to say she screened positive for the POSSIBILITY of Trisomy 18. For those of you who don't know what this is, as I didn't, it's a genetic defect, an extra chromosome ('tri' 'somy') where there should only be 2. Downs Syndrome is actually Trisomy 21, b/c it's the 21st chromosome that is misnumbered. At any rate, this Trisomy 18 is fatal and causes horrible defects, internally and externally. The baby usually only lives for a day or so after birth, if at all. So, you can imagine how freaked out she is. The next step is to see if it actually DOES have it. She has a level II ultrasound on Thursday followed by an amnio if the u/s shows defects. That all being said, the percentage of babies who actually have this genetic defect is 11%. Meaning, if 100 women all screen positive for it, only 11 of them ACTUALLY end up having a Trisomy 18 baby. Long explanation, but I wanted you to know the possible severity of it. I will just die if her u/s shows anything. Anyway, please keep her in your prayers.....for me. :aww:

Dyson: have wanted one for ages! We just can't bring ourselves to bite the bullet and go buy one. I'm jealous of those of you who have one :)

I gotta run....be back later!
Steph

[mmzill]

Steph - for Alvocado - Cut it in half before you peel it. Use immediatly the side that does not have the seed. Put the other side w/ the seed and peeling still on in a baggie and save till the next meal. You can also add a small amount of lemon juice.

Also about Bailey screeming. Does he have a burp? Dd used to do that also and it's happened a few times with Anthony, a quick pick up and burp and they were right out again.

I am a bad mom when it comes to changing sheets......I let mine stay on at least a week if not longer, if nothing actually gets them dirty.

Heather, glad you are ok.

Well, got to go, crying kiddos.....
Monica

[JERSEYGEMINI]

I just bought this stroller (kolcraft contours tandem). DH is going to kill me:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-17/qid=1170687036/ref=sr_1_17/602-9499484-1551858?ie=UTF8&asin=B000J2DQPA

It is like a bugaboo for twins (much cheaper, though)! The seats are easily rearranged so that the babies can face YOU, each other, or straight ahead!! Walmart has pictures of these arrangements but it is out-of -stock there. I am so tired of not fitting through doorways/aisles in my side by side-- this way the babies can be set up to look at each other and be in a skinny stroller! Woo hoo! I'll let you know about the quality when it gets here....

I have to make lunch, but really quickly for Steph- my ped PROMISED me that the reflux would be gone by 9 months. We still have floods of it on a daily basis. She said the pecid will not decrease the spit up, just neutralize it. If it was bothering them, they would cry (she said) and they don't seem to notice, so they don't really need meds. I was going to fill it, but it was $40 for a month's supply (just to make me feel better), so I am going to wait a bit longer.

Avocados: squirt a little lemon juice on the top or just scrap the top layer off the uncut half. They do get gross fast.

gotta run-

Jen

[SunMoonMom]

Hi Mommies...

Work - After staying late last night, I still did not get what I needed to do my work. So in the end, I lost time with my babies (got home late) and still had to come in early today to get it done before 9am. I already feel so guilty for not spending enough time with the boys and that DH is stuck in babyland all day with no break, coming home late did nothing but make it worse... I did get more time with them than I expected but it was still less time than I want... Well, that's my baggage and I will just have to deal with it...

Mothers - My grandmother was referred to as the "sniper" as I was growing up... You would be going along and thinking you were having a good conversation with her and she would suddenly zing you with an insult that would cut you to the core... "You don't look near as fat in that picture..." or "Gosh I thought I made enough potatoes for dinner but I forgot they were your favorites." My mom was awesome, but she was still one of the reigning champions of the guilt trip... Just hang in their ladies... someday your little girls might be saying the same about you... I hope not but man doesn't it seem like we are slowly becoming our parents...

Daniele - pastina? Never heard of it...

Jennifer - So glad the babies slept better last night... They just wanted to keep you on your toes...

Steph - Jenn's babies were scheduled for 5 nights and now its yours turn... Didn't you know that there is a universal baby schedule out there for waking up the parents... There is a huge conspiracy...

Spit Up - Ben is a spit up GOD... He spits up constantly... He is on Prevacid... the ped said that it would not cut down on the amount of spit but would reduce the acid in the spit up so that it did not cause pain... I'm not sure there is anything that can be done about reflux to reduce the spit up except let them grow out of it... We keep a bib on Ben while he is awake and we still change his close 2 - 3 times a day. Lately he has been getting better... DH says the spit up is less during the day and that he mainly does it after I get home from work (normally on me)... Probably because he has been loading food in all day and his tummy is probably fuller later in the day... Of course, DH says that Ben is just marking me so all babies know that I'm taken...

I'm sure I haven't answered some posts and rambled on too much about my life, but I get caught up and forget what I meant to reply to and what I meant to post... call me ditzy...

Well, I hope everyone has a great day...

Kerrie

[SunMoonMom]

Back again...

Steph - I'm on the prayer train... Your friends will be headliners tonight when God and I have our nightly chat...

Kerrie

[TMoT]

Hello, Ladies! I've been trying to read all the posts -- but WOW! As always, SO MUCH going on around here...! Mostly, I wanted to say DANIELE, so good to hear that the news is okay. I am thinking about *you* (believe it or not!), and praying that all will go well... :-D

MINDY, you are in my thoughts SO MUCH too...! :throb: We are all so painfully familiar with how difficult post-new-baby life is on a couple, but there's NOTHING like what you're going through now and the TOUGH, TOUGH decisions you're making and facing _alone_! You are so courageous!! ...Having made a difficult call like this myself once (=hardest thing I've EVER done in my life :'-( ), I can tell you that you are doing the right thing. Stick with that feeling in your gut and you will make it through this dark tunnel to see brighter days. And, guess what?? THAT is exactly what you deserve!!!! You are gorgeous, kind, intelligent, warm and a very loving person, partner and mother! And you deserve nothing but the very best. Time, my love, and it will come. (Maybe I should have pm'ed this, but actually, we all deserve a good cheering on of this kind!) Anyway, just so you know -- but of course you do! -- that you are in our hearts and thoughts. If you ever need _anything_, you don't need to look any further than right _here_! :'-D

Baby stuff... Well, first of all, wouldn't you KNOW that the -moment- i can post, the site is DOWN?!??!! So, I'm just typing an email and hope I can cut/paste/post it later... (?!!) On our end now -- just to catch you all up -- well... Hmmm. Where do I start??!?

Suffice it to say that we have, as usual, been battling flu bugs all winter (since school started), so nothing has changed there... What _has_ changed (Steph;-)), is that the babies got _really_sick for the first time ever this past week. We were ALL down for the count -- ear infections, vomiting, high/long fever -- for a whole week! But now Artemis has goo (:eek:) leaking from her ear (HELLO?!? Doctor said to wait another day for him to come over --?!?!?!!) and Darius is still coughing... Apparently, the ear thing runs in DH's family -- what bad news. I had never seen such a thing, so I was/am (rightfully?) freaked-out/panicked about it... In the meantime, the babies were both working on their top teeth this past week too!! (...Artemis has ALL FOUR of her top ones pushing through at the _same_ time -- poor thing! That, with AN EAR INFECTION! Goodness. What a trooper she's been! And NO WONDER she's had such trouble even -eating-! She's been in such pain. I can't bear the thought of it!!)

The rest: Darius is finally sitting (whooa-whoops!) on his own, for a few minutes at a time. He's GIGANTIC (20lbs and counting), and slowly follows his sister in physical development -- sitting, grabbing stuff, putting it in his mouth -- where she is _there_ months beforehand. She's been sitting since her second or third month -- no exaggerating! Her new "trick" is not to push away stuff she doesn't want, but to take it in her hand, and then hurl it forcefully to the ground!! (?!!) Attitude. This girl is a handful. ;-)

...As I mentioned before, they both have their two bottom teeth. Artemis has also cut a top one this week. Darius' top two are "on the verge" also. ...Archie also scoots and rolls and such. She'll be commando-crawling before very long. I can just feel it. She would be walking if she could... Are all girls like this???????

"Pattern" (What's that??!): Since the babies are still breast-feeding/and I'm officially SAH(M), we don't really have much of a pattern. They eat/sleep though the morning, for the most part, and are up and active during the afternoon and early evening. They take a "nap" around bed-time (for the boys), then are up for another hour or two before they go "down" for the night. I have bought the "Super Baby Food" book Monica mentioned. It's really great. I think I'm going to try "finger food" with them in the beginning, and keep the bf going for as long as I can... They are simply flourishing, so it's hard to make an argument for much of anything else as long as I've got the time and the "means".... Anyway, no matter what we do, it's not going to be sudden. We are so much enjoying this -- and it's cheap, easy and _works_! *sigh* Whew.

Of course, I gotta get back in the groove of Life-Outside-of-Babies sometime though... I'm looking at so many @#$% dirty butts/diapers/noses/mouths/clothes all day long, I'm starting to feel like a poopy, barfy wipe-up rag myself. Only so much of this a woman can take, right??!? ;-) ...Also looking at my 40-year-old body and thinking "where is that 'torso-tuck' fund we said we were going to start up when I was 6-mos pg with the twins???!?" lol I'm definitely down to my pre-pg weight now (minus the gigundo boobs), but this pocked, stretchy, flabby skin-fold where my svelte (HAR HAR) tummy _used_ to be HAS GOT TO GO!!!! I had a breakdown with dh about it the other night and he (kindly) blames himself for not being forth-coming enough with the compliments and romantic "reinforcement"... He also asked if I want a "nip and tuck" to make me feel better....! I said "yes"!!! ...Honestly, ladies, I am the farthest thing from being a vain person that I know, but I am NOT going to sit idly by and watch my entire middle-aged (but holding, for all that) body go SOUTH starting with all the damage inflicted by this twin-pg!!!!!!! Everybody with me??!??! ;-)

I saw that there was another thread on plastic surgery, but I could not find the original post... What is the consensus on this anyway?????

...I'm also still procrastinating on getting my tubes tied too... (and, btw, anyone who wants advice (??) on iud methods -- with and without hormones -- just ask, if ever...) ...Doc and I were still undecided about whether or not I required intervention for an interior part of my perineal muscle, and now I'm leaning towards doing it just to (hopefully) experience the added "tightening" benefits...! LOL Just don't know exactly what it will all entail, but would still be great for my self-confidence, I suppose -- which is, of course, all in my head anyway...!! (?!) Doc had actually said I was in "very good" condition "down there" (see gals?! Gotta DO YOUR KEGELS -- like I've been preaching all this time!!! ;-)), but even then....

*sigh*

"Mommied out": Yes, this feeling comes and goes... till they're about 45, I guess! ;-) Now, I just try to articulate my feelings to dh, and try to remember to take my Omega-3 capsules -- I'm _SERIOUS_. You guys laugh, I'm sure, but I _really_ notice the difference!!! And, of course, I'm still drinking as much water as ever (not really! ;-p -- but, it's still a lot!). ;-)

Gosh, okay. I've really prattled on a lot here (as per my "old" usual), and my laptop battery's about to die... Just a couple more exciting things: My (twin) sister and brother are coming to visit for Easter!!!!!! :-))) DS1 decided that he wants to have his first communion (think I mentioned this), so he and DS2 are both going to be baptized in the Catholic church at the end of March, and my siblings are going to be god-father and god-mother for ds1 and ds2, respectively...! :-) The formalities of it all are not as much the issue with me (my ex-FIL is very happy though -- and he deserves that!), but I am SO excited that my sister and brother will be here for a couple of weeks each! That's going to be just AWESOME!!!

And, of course, I say this (again and again), but I really mean it: You are ALL welcome TOO -- for our "reunion," a visit, or just an escape from the routine -- WHENEVER YOU WANT!!!!!!! You all deserve a break -- and so much more than even I could offer -- but I would give my ALL to any June/July mommy who could make it out this way, with and without babies! You know where to find me!!! ;-)

Okay. Battery's dead. Love you ALL, and THANKS for the sweet greetings!!!!
xox

PS I actually am doing a bit of job-interviewing -- much more low-key than my "usual" -- but, I think I'm going to wait and try to do something on my own (even free-lance) when the time comes. Keep you posted.... xx

PPS Baby update: Ended up going to the ER and Artemis has a double ear-infection!!! :-( (Yeah for Mommy-gut-feelings!!!) She'll has to go on antibiotics to nip the second one -- just starting -- in the bud... Well, I'M relieved that SHE will be getting some relief...and maybe we'll all be getting some sleep (lol) in our future!!! ;-) xox

[swineland]

OMG, Jennifer, I LOVE that stroller! I think I have some kind of OCD stroller addiction. I immediately fwd'd the link you posted to DH and he was like, uh huh, it's very nice. I'm like, can we get it? Cuz this'll be me :driver: on my way to Target this very minute!

haha......I said, if we sell the other two strollers it would pay for this one....so, we'll see. Dh looks like this: :stress:

My mom is almost here....:elefant:
Talk later!
Steph

[vthompson]

Jennifer - YEAH for sleeping!! Fantastic!!

Sherry - So glad to have you back!! I hope you can continue to log on once in awhile. Aren't you glad you took her to the ER? I hope all of you feel better soon. As for b/c...I am on the pill. I am assuming you are looking for something that does not interfere with bf. If I had the money for tummy work, I would definitely do it...go for it if you can!!

Kerrie - Your work SUCKS! I feel very bad for you. I hope things slow down somewhat for you soon.

Monica - I am the same way about sheets...if nothing gets on them, they stay on for a week, if not longer. Oh well!!

Lisa - So glad you posted...I was getting worried about you. I was laughing at your "ruff ruff".

Competition - That is definitely my mom's problem...she feels like she has to compete with my in laws...which is crazy because they are not nearly as involved as she is. My in laws recently bought a new house...pretty big with a built in pool. Well, you could tell my mom was actually jealous and used a very snotty tone of voice when she asked about it. Crazy!! I just keep telling myself to remember all of this and try very hard not to drive my own children crazy (lol).

Spitting up - I am not sure the zantac works, either. It does not stop Kayely's spitting up, but it did seem to help her stomach pain. I just stopped giving it to her...we will see what happens. I really hope she is done with it!

Valerie

[vthompson]

Well, I tried a new pic...for some reason it is HUGE...I tried resizing it on Photbucket but it is making it so large...I take up like half the page...any suggestions?

Valerie

[vthompson]

BTW, those are the paw pants I made...

[EBTwinz]

okay, let's see if I did this right

[EBTwinz]

what the heck? why can't I do this? I go to photobucket, uploaded an image, copied the html tag. UGH! am I doing it wrong?

[EBTwinz]

okay, let's try this again

[EBTwinz]

yeah, after an hour, I finally did it! okay, I gotta get dinner ready, I will check back later to respond to everyone.

[Jillmami]

We have some folks coming out for respite. Will post more later. One of the moms fom our multiples group shared this. She got 3 pairs of shoes for $8!!!

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[AndreaR]

Wow - I have missed a lot! It's so nice to see lots of action around here. I always learn so much and get a big sense of relief to know that you all are going through everything that I am.

I will apologize for missing anyone.....

First of all, though, LISA & VALERIE - could your kids be any cuter? OMG - those are the best pictures! Val, I love the pants. You did a great job!

Spitting up / Medicine - Madeline has suffered from reflux, but not spitting up. I think someone on here referred to it as "silent reflux"? She was miserable with a capital M. We have been giving her Axid for over a month, and it seems to be helping. She was also constipated and we started treating that with prune juice at the same time. It's hard to know for sure which has given her relief - I think it's probably both. In any case, I'm just glad she's not so cranky all the time.

Heather - glad to hear you are okay from the tornadoes, and good luck with the standardized tests. Sounds like a drag. I don't know of a video for baby signing, but I just bought a pretty good book w/ flashcards. It's published by Barnes and Noble. I think it's called "Baby Sign Language," but I'll doublecheck.

Valerie - congrats to DH's hockey team! Sorry about your mom troubles. It's nice that you have a place to come and vent. We are always here for ya.

Jennifer - congrats to YOU on the new stroller. Isn't it amazing how we are all gaga about a stroller!? And the Dyson....lol... Please keep us posted on how you like the stroller. I really like the fact that they can face eachother, or you. Does it come in any color other than red?

Sherry - so glad you are back! You sound great, minus the sickness. So sorry about little Artemis's ears, poor thing. Hopefully she and everyone else is feeling better soon.

Steph -great use of the smilies in response to the stroller. I was cracking up. You are as funny as Kerrie - you guys should go on tour together. I will be praying for your friend. She must be terrified. But tell her not to worry because she now has all of us behind her!

Monica - I don't change the sheets hardly at all, if they don't get spit up/peed on. We use those sheet protectors - they're like six or seven inches long and connect side to side on the crib slats. We put them under the girls' heads to catch the spit/drool/etc. I just take those out and wash them every other day or so. In fact, I can't remember the last time I changed Maddie's sheet! Uh oh...

gotta go - hopefully i'll be back, but if not, good night!

xoxo
andrear

[vthompson]

Ok Lisa, I LOVE the new pics...but, how did you get them to appear at a normal size...not gigantic like mine???

AndreaR - Thanks for the compliments on the babies and the pants!! I love em' both!!

Have a great night ladies...I came on to try and make my pics smaller, but still no luck!

Valerie

[megzmom]

steph-loved your little smilies I laughed out loud. I'm going to look at the stroller link right now. Are you stil having carpal tunnel problems too? I have to have surgery on my left. Ihad surgery 3 yrs ago. I waited too many years after dd was born. I agree w/everyone. There will NEVER be a good time.

Valerie-I would have been upset too. I just made 2 pages last night. I am a little bummed. When I was on bedrest I made calendars from May-Oct. I waited forever to order more from my sales lady. Creative Memories discontinued them. DUH didnt even think of EBAY. So I finally did and got it this weekend. Now I dont know what to do for NOV?DEC. I didnt write anything down and forgot :( So last ngiht I made Jan and Feb. Going to scrapbook this Sat with some other teachers. Found some cute twin stickers at dollar tree!

forgot the rest...test went well today. An previous student of mine from 2 yrs ago (I taught 2nd then) totally blew the test. HE is sooo smart but beyond lazy. He didnt write 1 word down in 45 minutes. Yes it'll hurt his scores but it really doesnt affect him. But it really will affect our school score and we are already in corrective action which totally sucks. More paperwork, documentation,etc...okay MY class seems to have done fairly well. Couldnt read their writing but they all took the entire time to work.

oaky bye for now...going to look at strollers :)

[christel]

Hi Girls :itsme:

Val - your pics are not huge on my computer... maybe it depends on your browser or something?? And your kiddos are precious :throb: They totally rock the pants!

Spitting Up - Ruby is on Reglan and Prilosec...the Prilosec is for the acid pumps in her belly and the Reglan is to strengthen her tummy sphincter muscle and it's really helped w/ the spit up. She maybe spits up once or twice a day now and it's very small and doesn't cause her any pain. The dr. says she's outgrowing it, too, b/c we haven't had to up her meds w/ her weight gain. I tell you, she is a new child since these meds kicked in and I am THRILLED that she might be outgrowing it finally.

Strollers- We've been through 3 or 4 now... loved the snap n go but it's gone w/ the infant seats. We had the Peg Twin Aria and it was too wimpy for me. We love our BOB Duallie Revolution for outside stuff, but it's not practical for a keep-in-the-car stroller. I've got a hand-me-down DuoGlider that sits in the house and is only used when I'm on my own w/ the girls. Right now I keep 2 cheapy umbrella strollers in the car for DH and I to use for quick in and out stuff. :nuts:

So...Jennifer - I really want to hear about your new stroller once you've road tested it a bit. I'm ready for something different that will stick around for a while.

Sheets - I rarely change them unless I SEE something on them. I keep the sheet protector/waterproof pads on them for leaky diapers or droolies.

Sherry - Praying for well kiddos... sick is the worst! And WTG w/ the BF. That's a wonderful accomplishment :proud: and you should be so proud!

Steph - Praying for your friend and her baby. I know how terrified she must be. When Ruby was not growing and I was sent to the peri, he advised us at one point to "let her go" and concentrate on Emme. We told him absolutely not and he didn't bring it up again, but after that, I constantly battled the fear that both of my girls were in jeopardy. I prayed all the time that they would be healthy and that the fear would leave and not rob me of the joy of our long awaited pg and children. I'll be praying that for your friend, too.

Heather - my sister has a video called Signing Times and it's for beginning signs for babies. My nephew has learned SO much from it, it's crazy! And now that's he's a headstrong toddler, it's helping him communicate so much and lowers his frustration level. Also, sorry about your smarty who blew his test off :( I had one of those a few years back... SO frustrating b/c you know the kid's capabilities and also b/c of the flack the school and the teacher get.

Kerrie - cracking up :lmao: at your post on mommy marking! Love it! :D

Gotta run, sorry if I skipped anyone. You all rock :love: :congrats: :top:

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[sgarrett]

No time to post but I had to log on real quick.... is there anything better in the world than rocking your baby to sleep at night, having their little head on your shoulder where you can hear their breath in your ear with their little arm wrapped around your neck? I swear I still cry sometimes b/c I love these munchkins so much! My DH was making fun of me for boo hooing (he compares to the mom on Raising AZ all the time, ya know the part where she is hysterically crying saying I love him so much!), I had to share my little emotional moment with my mommies.

More later,

Staci

[mmzill]

I'm not sure how many of you remember Trish (inshockmom) from the May board. I was just reading the different threads. She posted her birth story on the Grief section. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm sitting here bawling. I'm so thankful for my beautiful children! I love them so much! Just thought I'd share that is was there....if anyone else wants to cry too. :sadmeat:

Dh and I are going at it this evening.....grrrr. He sometimes has no clue! So aggrivating!

[megzmom]

Christel-Thanks for the tip. That is exactly why I want to teach the boys. I used only a few signs with Meg and I truly believe it curved the whining part. Especially when she wanted more food, juice, up or a toy. The best word was more. Here is a link to a few signing cards. http://welcomeaddition.com/keepsake.aspx

sheets-I change all the sheets when I do laundry on the weekend usually Sat morning. We have 4 sets so its not a big deal. Many times my MIL who still watches the boys, does the boys laundry including the sheets. It is great! I can never fold them correctly. She is the best folder

[megzmom]

Monica-Love your picture. I love a good cry but I cant look. On a funny note. My boys have the exact same Christmas outfit. That was our Christmas card this year :)

Any plans for Valentines??? Hold on tight..dh and I have not been out with out kids since the boys were born. Can't count xmas eve shopping. We really need some time alone but end kind of scared too. Everything has revolved around the kids, work or how tired we are. Hopefully he has something romantic planned:handkiss: :handkiss: He always has good intentions but no follow through

[Jillmami]

M-W I always feel like I am so far behind with everyone's posts since I'm at school! So here goes my best attempt at covering some of what's going on.

Steph - Have a blast with you mom visiting! I agree with the other ladies and feel you should have surgery now! Especially at the rate yours are developing! Aren't they close to getting their driving licenses? :snicker: I have included your friend and her dh in my prayers.

Kerrie - my dh is in advertising, a writer. I hear lots of the same types of stories that you shared. (Or should I say frustrations.) I have to share... if you watch American Idol or Heroes, 2 of his commercials aired during those shows! They are both for McDonalds honey mustard snack wraps. One is a home makeover spot and the other is a golfer who shots his putt like a pool shot. Sorry, had to share the good news!

Monica—if you want, I can send a copy of tummy exercises if you would like. They are really helping with my little ones. Regarding clothes, Noah just went through a HUGE growth spurt and pretty much skipped the 6 mo and is in 6-9mo/9mo. Luckily, we had a ton of boys' clothes given to us from a friend. (Most of which are new!) Although I had to toss a bunch of them into our donate bin.

Valerie—Congrats on dh’s team winning their division! Very cool!! I absolutely love the CuTE paw pants! I'm going to try my hand at some creative pants. You inspired me! Sorry about mom issues. Stay strong and true to yourself and your actions. DH and I were admiring your adorable babies in their new pics too!!

Jennifer—love the peekaboo story and the babies interacting. Isn't it neat to watch?! I love the invented conversations they have too.

Daniele—Disneyworld sounds like it will be a blast! When are you going again? The pastina dishes sound tasty! Will have to look into that for the future.

Christel—I’m out in northern ca and we are having decent, mild weather too. I am enjoying it while I can before we move to the east cost. Good luck with your mom situation. Oh, I love the drip drying clothes story! I can relate too with the diff. size babies/give one up story. We were told from day 1 that TJ wouldn't make it and we'd probably have to terminate her. She proved them wrong as did your little angel! Of course, that tenacity doesn't bode well for us parents in the future with such tough cookies!

Heather—we are using babysigns. Easy to use, has songs/books that incorporate basic signs into them. Also has a cheat sheet for the fridge.
Here's a message board with tips/help/etc. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BabySignsParents/
I'm glad that you found some calendar pages. I have an office full of scrapbooking items that I started collecting before bedrest and while the babies were in the NICU. I have about 6 pages and that's it! I envy you ladies. I need to get my butt in gear!

Staci I love your comments about rocking the baby, their breath in your face, etc. Noah will tip/lean sideways for me to hold him in a certain position when he wants to cuddle. It just melts my heart. I laughed out loud about the mom from Raising AZ reference. Too funny!

Monica, sorry your dh is being difficult! :banghead2 It's that darn "Y" chromosome they have. Keeps us asking, "WHY?!" all the time about their actions/comments. :snicker:

Regarding the eating issues. We had our monthly nurse visit yesterday. We are going to gradually introduce dairy products to make sure there aren't any allergic reactions. We are starting yogurt! We also started the little puffs fingerfoods. They love them. However Noah has so much drool everywhere they are stuck to his hand, his neck, his clothes, etc. :hahaha: She told us that the majority of nutrients are still coming from the breast milk. The solids are to teach them how to eat and get them used to various tastes. We are doing cereal in the am and solids at lunch time and dinner. Since we are working on getting TJ to eat solids, we have been putting a bit of cereal in them to thicken it up for her. She seems to prefer that consistency. We also put rice cereal in her milk; 1 tsp/oz. It helps with minor reflux issues as well as puts a bit more calories for her. She is finally hitting 13 pounds! (Oh, she is now sitting by herself too!)

I believe that Trish, aka inshockmom, is pregnant again. Hopefully this pregnancy will be much easier for her.

Wow, hopefully I didn't scare too many of you off with this lengthy post! Yikes! I definitely need to get some sleep. Not only did I leave the house yesterday with just socks on (Made it a few steps and turned back) but I also told the nurse that we took the kids to the vet last week for their shots. Um... we don't even have any pets. Lack of sleep? CHECK!:hmm:
Enjoy your week and the noon chats! I am still trying to make one ladies!

[mmzill]

Jill, I would like the tummy excersises. That would be great.

Hope everyone has a good day. We got about 3 inches of snow last night. It's so pretty. At least that helps the cold not look so bad.

I guess I need to get breakfast for everyone. Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Monica

[mmzill]

Where is everyone today??:date: Couldn't resist this....sometimes I feel like you guys are my date. (Is that weird?) :\

I just ordered some baby legs. Can't wait to get them!

[Jillmami]

Monica - PM me your address and I'll snail mail them to you like I did with Andrea. If you aren't comfy with that, I can scan them and email them. Although, if we are dating... :snicker: Oh, enjoy the babylegs! I absolutely LOVE them.

[swineland]

Hey guys!

Just wanted to let you know that I won't be able to chat today.....mom and I are heading out with the boys to do some shopping, etc. I will be thinking of you though! :nice:

Steph

[Jillmami]

Hey Monica, I went to college in Ohio near you... Marietta College. Went to Parkersburg for shopping and such. Small world!

[mmzill]

Jill, that's cool. I've only lived here 6 yrs, from North Carolina originally. It is a small world.

[mmzill]

http://www.twinstuff.com/sleepthroughnight1.htm

This is some info on sleeping and napping. I thought some of you might find it interesting.

[christel]

:sunshine: Hi Ladies!

I'm so excited :yipee: I'm going out to lunch tomorrow w/out the babies w/ 2 girlfriends from middle/highschool/college (we go WAY back)! DH is working nights at the field site and we're staying at my mom's and they're going to keep the girls. I'm so looking forward to it.

Also, I just got our BabyLegs and the girls wore them yesterday. I LUV 'em! Here's a video clip (http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e318/snelsonc6896/?action=view&current=MVI_1444.flv) of Em & Roo in their Flash Dance outfits :D

Jill - I didn't know your story b/c I came late to this board... my girls were already 2 mo. when I found it. I'm so sorry you had to go through that, too. I wouldn't wish it on anyone/ nor the the NICU time. And you're right about our little fighters... WATCH OUT! Ruby is so tenacious and spunky and sparkly. I love that about her :throb:

Monica - Love love :love: the new pics in your siggy!

Steph - have a great time w/ your mom and post pics of the cute things I know you'll find for the boys :D

Staci - awwww :throb: I totally know what you mean about the rocking and the precious cuddly time w/ the babies. I just try to freeze those moments in my mind so I can pull them back out for the next 40 years or so.

Heather - I can't fold sheets either! They end up just wadded in a basket. The sick thing is that I TRY to fold them every time and always end up mad, and wadding :nuts:

Lata everyone,
:lovemytwins:
Christel

[mmzill]

Christel - I just realized that you had 32 wkers, Jill and I were due the same day, but she had hers the first part of March and mine came at 30 wks (March 30) We spent 3 wks in NICU 2 hrs from home, then 3 wks in the hospital here growing. NO FUN AT ALL!

Love the baby legs picture. I'm going to use them for my dd more than the boys, but I may use them under the boys pants, just for added warmth.

[Jillmami]

Monica, another "small world" detail... we are moving to North Carolina this fall! Freaky. Maybe we 'dated' for real in a past life! The ties that bind...

Christel, I can't view pics on my school computer so I can't wait to get home and check out the girls' video! Aren't those babylegs the best?! And with how small mine are, they can wear them for a long time! Love the flame legs for boys. Will be great to slip on as it gets warmer in the pm but is still chilly in the am. Then just slip off as it warms up! Great to use on arms of older kids also.

[SunMoonMom]

Good Afternoon Ladies...

I have been buried today at work and this is the first time I've had a moment to check the board... I hope everyone is having a great day...

I will take more time tomorrow to respond to everyone but wanted to take a second and ask for your advice...

Teething Rash - Zachary has developed that red rash on his cheeks and chin from the constant drooling he is doing right now... Do any of your babies have this and if so, do you put anything on it... Just wondering what (if anything) I should be doing for this..

Solids - We are having a heck of a time getting the boys to eat anything but baby food veggies, fruit and cereal... We tried the puffs... not a winner, we tried the wagon wheels... not a winner... we tried the mesh bags last night and again we had a no winner with the boys... They were more interested in chewing on the mesh bag holders' handle... We tried banana and every time the boys tasted the actual banana, they would do that scrunched up "You are trying to poison me" face... They don't seem to have any verbal development issues (most of the time I think they are plotting against us and gossiping about the baby down the block... they are gabbers). I know that verbal development and eating development go hand and hand so I'm just confused about what we are doing wrong... The boys have their 9 month check up in March and I thought that I would keep trying to introduce more solid solids until then and then address it with the ped if we haven't made improvements... What are your thoughts? What should I do?

Okay, I gotta get back to work... Talk to you soon...

Kerrie

[vthompson]

Hi Ladies...it has been a VERY busy day...lots of work to do for the 2 companies I work for.

So, Corey is really "rocking" on all fours, now...I think crawling may be soon!!

I am going to lunch and a movie with my friend on Saturday. I am so excited!! We are going to see Catch and Release...the new movie with Jennifer Gardner.

Christel - I have to still check out the video...can't wait to see the girls. Thanks for the compliment on my lovelies...I just love them to death!

Jill - Thanks to you, too for the compliment on K and C...we definitely all have some cute babies on this board.

Moncia - I need to check out her story...I am sure it is very sad...we are all so lucky! I can't believe she is pg again...I really hope everything goes perfect for her this time. I would be sick the entire pg thinking about all the what ifs.

Staci - I LOVE moments like that....it also brings tears to my eyes.

Well, I really wanted to post more, but I have neglected the twins long enough and now Corey is letting me know he has had enough!

Valerie

[Jillmami]

Kerrie, our visiting nurse just has us giving the babies fruits/veggies. No meats yet. We can try the finger foods and yogurt also. Next month, we will be discussing meats. If they are gaining weight steadily, they should be fine. Between 6 months - 1 year, they are really learning to eat solids, and begin to acquire different flavors. I read that it can take 20 or so tries of a food before they will eat it without the 'poo poo' face as someone mentioned a while back. Other than that, I don't have a lot of advice. Just what the recommendations are for mine. (Again, could be very different from yours since mine are preemies.)

[Jillmami]

Oh Lisa, sorry about the cramps! I recently had my first period since before getting pregnant. Talk about cramps! I feel for you. Hopefully those babies will sleep a bit later on! Can you turn your ringer off? Even one day of NICU time is stressful. All the babies are just doing a terrific job here. And they are just as adorable as can be!! Hope that you have a nice visit with your SIL.

[sgarrett]

Wow so many posts!

Kerrie: They say you have to introduce foods sometimes several times before the babies will actually like them. No worries. I tried the mesh bag 100 times and they are just starting to like it.:lollypop: We use Cetaphil lotion on the babies and it has completely eliminated the rash. The doc reccommended it.

Lisa: Sorry about the crappy day! Tomorrow will be better!

Valerie and Christel: Have fun at your "grown up" lunch! I so need a girls night out!

Oops ran out of time! Gotta go

Steph: This smiley made me think of you!:stickyman: My surgery is scheduled for the 27th to bad we can not share a room. Think of the positive side, room service, xtra sleep! Oh yeah, Super Bowel, ha ha. Geesh I rememeber when I could spell!

BTW what the heck is this smiley?:bandit: It looks like something from a Cheech and Chong movie.

[vthompson]

Staci - Here is another smilie that looks like it could be from cheech and chong...:canabis: ...to me it looks like a marijuana leaf!! I am loosing my mind, but what is your surgery for? I am sure you told us, but I am brain dead right now!

Lisa - I am so sorry you are having such a bad day! Hopefully the boys sleep better tomorrow...a day with no napping makes for very cranky babies and mommies!!! Tell Ethan and Brady that they will not be able to play with Kayley and Corey anymore if they do not give you a break (lol).

Jill - My ped said basically the same thing about solids...they still get most vitamins and nutrients from formula/breast milk. Solids is more for calories and learning the process of eating. BTW, do you pump enough milk for the babies or do you have to supplement? I was just curious...that is a lot of milk!!

Kerrie - We must have been posting at the same time...I have been using Aquaphor, recommended by my ped. It works pretty well, except it is more Vaseline based so it rubs off easily. I put it on in the morning and at night. As for eating, it is a TERRIBLE battle here...I am still only doing 2 meals a day because I cannot even think of a 3rd at this point. They are both very particular about what they eat...and you have to catch them at the perfect time or they fight me on it. Kayley has such tummy issues that she is constipated by the simplest of meals so I am very cautious as to what I give them. We just started meats again tonight...we laid off them for awhile. I guess to make a long story short, I do not have much advice for you. When we first started the puffs, they did not have any clue...they seem to get better every time they have them. As for mesh eaters, Corey hated his at first. I have found that if I put in VERY ripe fruit, he will eat it for a little bit. However, he seems to not have the patience to sit there and suck the fruit out so after a little bit, he throws it on the floor, while Kayley continues to gnaw on it. I sense ADHD at a very early age in my son (lol). Wow, I just wrote a book to you, sorry!!

Valentine's Day - We have never celebrated it...so we will probably not do anything this year. Maybe use it as an excuse to eat some sweet treats, but that is it.

Well, my supervisor at one of my home jobs resigned. I have been terrified that they were not going to "need" me anymore. Well, he put a good word in for me and now I am working on a project related to the daylight savings time change...in case people don't know, daylight savings will be 3 weeks earlier then normal. Anyways, I have been SO busy today and will be for a week or so...it is good because we need the money...however, it is very stressful trying to take care of the babies, work on this project, and work on all the other things I have to do for the other company I work for. Plus, the boy I watch has had snow days the past 3 days so he has been here all day. I am feeling pretty crazy right now...ok, just needed to vent.

Have a good night ladies!

Valerie

p.s. I have been DYING to chat at 3pm, but have not found time. How is it going?

[christel]

Hey Everyone... just popping on quickly to ask a question...

The girls are 9 mo. (7 mo. adjusted) and I've been s-l-o-w to intro the solids, but am feeling the need to pick up the pace. They like to eat and do well w/ jarred baby foods that I thicken w/ yogurt and rice cereal. Smooshed avocado is the thickest texture they swallow w/out gagging.

I tried pureed peas tonight and the taste was a big hit, but they gagged on every bite. After 4 bites, Ruby's gag reflex had had it and she vomited her entire bottle and solid feeding up. How do I get them used to thicker and chunkier foods (without vomiting)?

TIA
:lovemytwins:
Christel

[sgarrett]

OK I am back,
Double stroller: Sorry I am forgetful, but who bought the double stroller and posted the link the other day? I do go on here and read posts and half the time do not have time to respond. I followed the link to the stroller and LOVED it, I am dying to hear if you like it. I think Aiden and Isabelle would love looking at eachother.

Valerie: HA HA that totally looks like a pot leaf! :hahaha: My surgery is to have my gall bladder removed. Apparantly it is common after pregnancy. It is a quick out patient procedure, leaves 3 scars on my tummy though. I will totally be the bride of Frankenstien, after a tubal preg, C Section. Another reason I need to go for the tummy tuck!

:thefinger: This is me at work talking to pain in the :bootyshake: people all day

:meditate: This is me trying to chill after work so I am not grouchy with babies

Valentines: We are going out to eat with another couple. I am very excited to get dolled up and be a grown up with wine and good food and other activites after dinner:knuddel:

Sherry: It was great to hear from you! So sorry for the sick babes. We have had a snotfest over here. It is amazing what I can pull out of their noses. You know I can handle the poopy diapers, I can handle the :puke: but the snot totally grosses me out!

BTW this is Isabelle when she is tired:woa: It is so cute! It is our cue every time.

Well good night ladies, thanks for letting me come on and play with the new smilies!

Staci

[vthompson]

Staci - As soon as I read gall bladder, I remembered...I am so sorry about my absentmindedness. Is it outpatient or will you be in the hospital? How is recovery? I was cracking up at "other activities after dinner"...

Christel - I think it is all based on their own development. I would just keep trying chunkier food periodically...my little ones cannot eat stage 3 yet...if their oatmeal is too chunky, Corey still gags. I truly believe that being early, even if it was only 3 or 4 weeks, has an effect on things like this. And yours were even earlier then that. It took mine the longest time to figure out how to swallow, suck, and not choke on their bottles...I really think that is why I had such a hard time breastfeeding..they just did not fully develop that skill right out of the womb. Just my 2 cents...

I need to go to bed, but I keep working, and then checking my email, and then checking the board. I am nuts!!

Valerie

[swineland]

Well, I would like to start off by saying how proud I am of us, the June 06 thread, for continually making the effort and putting priority on keeping up with each other and posting as often as we do. :congrats: At this point, some of us, if not most of us, have been communicating on here for almost a year and a half. In that time, I can honestly say that I have grown to love all of you....and think of you as my true friends. I know one day we will all be able to meet and really 'hit it off' in person. You guys are the best. Thanks so much for making the time to post and for keeping this great group of women as important to me today as ever before. :grouphugg

Stroller: I think it's so funny :hahaha: how we are all in love with this new Kolcraft stroller that Jennifer told us about. I have looked up as much as I can about it and the only negative thing I've read was in an Amazon review...that this thing actually weighs 55 lbs!! So, I know we are all anxiously awaiting the FYI report from Jen when she DOES get the stroller. When it comes to strollers, I'm like this: :money:

Kerrie, Evan has the exact same rash that you described. I have been trying to self treat, but it has only been a few days and it hasn't gotten any better. I first bought the A&D ointment that is not only for diaper rash, but also for skin irritations/chafing/chapping, etc. It smells very odd and is of the vaseline type, very sticky and gooey, like Val described. So, today I bought the Baby Eczema Cream at Target and hope that it does some good. There are times when you look at him and you can hardly notice it, but especially after a bottle or solid feeding it is very noticable.

Thank you to all of you for letting me know what you think about the foot surgery. Based on your opinions, I have decided to go ahead with it and will let you know exactly when it is. Not looking forward to the immobility following said surgery, but it will be nice to not be in pain at the end of the day anymore.

Shopping: oh boy. Well, it's started out good. We went to Target and then to the Old Navy outlet and the toy outlet. Then we proceeded down to the Gap outlet, where things got ugly. Both boys decided that they were going to have a complete meltdown :shot: while my mom and I were both in the handicapped dressing room (nice and big!) trying on like 20 items of clothing. How many times can you say, just hang on honey, we're almost done? Well, apparently, one too many. So, finally, when I was sure the whole store had heard the babies :hide: I said to my mom, that's it, we have to go, NOW! She was like, well, do you want this? What about this? Did this fit? I said, take it all....take everything up to the counter and buy it all. I'll take back what I don't want. So, she goes up to the register and flings this huge pile of clothes on the counter....half of which I didn't even get to try on. Anyway, we had a fashion show when we got home and luckily I liked most of it..... What a spectacle though.....:hahaha:

Office: SO SO excited about tomorrow's episode!! I think some good Jim and Pam action is coming, at least I hope so!!

Meals: do you guys cook every night for you and DH?? I have been making dinner every night for ages now and then on the weekends we order out. I just wondered what kinds of things you cook and if you had any new/quick recipes. I'm getting tired of what I make. (Salmon, swordfish, chicken)

NASA astronauts: :stupid:

Well, I am going to bed....

G'night!
Oh, and Christel, Em and Roo are too friggin' cute....I looked at your photos and video....they are such little sweet peas!

Steph

[swineland]

P.S.
Lisa, I am so sorry you had a crappy day. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. I know what you mean about the naps; E and B have been real funny with their naps lately....and I don't mean :snicker: funny. Keep your chin up....peaks and valleys, girl...peaks and valleys....

[sgarrett]

So sleepy should be in bed, but I am pouting b/c my DH is watching TV in bed again!:boxing: I get so sick of having the TV on every night in bed. If it was up to me we would not even have a TV in our bedroom.

Steph: Aw shucks ditto! When the babies have a first I immediately think of my fellow twin mommies and cannot wait to get online and share. I am so glad I found this board! I think we would have a blast if we all got together.:itsyourparty: :dancing2: :dance3: :partygirls: :clink: Would'nt it be cool if we all planned a Disney trip when the kids are old enough? Can we all crash at your place?

Valerie: The surgery is no biggie. It is out patient, I should be able to go home the same day. They said I would probaly sleep the first two days home, and to take it easy for about 5 days. I am really looking forward to two days of sleep! :sleepy: I think I will get a little bell to ring every time I need something! FYI, the symptons are when you eat crappy food, you get pretty severe stomach pain, it hurts on the right side of your back, in your chest and your upper right arm. I usually eat pretty healthy so it did not happen that much, but when it did Whoa Momma it hurt! I went for my regular check up I told my doc about it and he immediately said it was probaly gall bladder. :fyi: in case anyone is having these symptons!

Rash: Want to mention the Cetaphil again, it is cheaper than the Aquaphor, not greasy, rubs in quick and I am telling ya it has totally cured the rash. Aiden used to get is so bad around his month from slobber and the paci. Isabelle just got rosy cheeks, but it works like a charm!

Has anyone communicated with Mindy? I think about her all the time, I could not imagine going through such a painful thing with three little ones. I hope she is OK and is getting support from her family.

Aiden's crawl has progressed to this one arm army crawl. It looks just like the scene from "The Terminator" when he is nothing but a robot and is pulling his body along with one arm. When he is crawling away from us we look at eachother and say "I'll be back" Yes I hate to much TV but I am a total movie geek!

I have an appt tomorrow for a 1 1/2 hour hot stone massage. I am soo excited! It was a Bday present from DH. If I won the lottery the first thing I would do is hire a full time masseuse!

Sorry I am rambling,

Good Night!

Staci

[sgarrett]

BTW, I just noticed that E or B only has one sock on in your pic. Aiden is always pulling his socks off to try and "eat" them. HA HA maybe they will start a new trend!

[Jillmami]

Valerie - so far the babies have only had breastmilk, no formula. My goal is to make it to their original due date in June to continue pumping and then we'll switch to regular milk if they tolerate it ok. I am so tired of pumping, but it's the best for them. Actually, I will probably have to pump a few months after June since TJ's surgery will set her back a bit re: growth/development and it will be the best for her. We'll have to see then how it goes.

Oops, hungry baby. BRB

[Jillmami]

OK, my dh and a friend were putting a new faucet on our kitchen sink since we haven't had running water for the past 2 days in the kitchen. They had to call our neighbor to come over and the 3 of them are like the keystone cops. Now they are out trying to determine of the pilot light is on. :hmm: I think I might want to take the kids and wait down the block. OK, now I hear them reading the directions and the word 'gas', among other key words on the water heater directions. I am afraid!! :help: :pray: Ok, I just heard, 'Oh, there it is.' Well that's a good sign!

All I can say is that I LOVE all the new smilies and how creative our board is with integrating them into posts. :goodpost: ladies!! I love all the warmth, support, and humor we have here. You ladies rock!:thrasher: :dude:

[Jillmami]

TJ's first tooth has reared it's sharp little head!! Wahoo!:itsyourparty:

[swineland]

:woo: YAY, TJ!!! Go, tooth, go.......

[EBTwinz]

You ladies are all so wonderful. Thanks so much for the words of advice. I was ready to pull my hair out yesterday. But I had a very nice visit w/ my SIL, so I felt better as the day went on. And, they boys were so friggin tired that they fell asleep by 7pm last night. Didn't wake up until 6am to take a bottle, Brady fell back to sleep after he sang in his crib for a half hour, Ethan needed a little mommy time, so he came into bed with me and they both slept until... 8:30am!! So, this is the first time I slept that long in ages. I don't know what to do with myself!!

We just put up gate #1. We have a 6 foot opening from the living room to the kitchen. Our kitchen is very big and we have the computer in here. So, we had to put up a gate, 3 panels long. It looks like a jail cell. The boys are at the gate, playing w/ the foam edges to the mat (which has become their favortie toy) and looking at me. It's too cute.

Steph: Your story was hilarious. I can totally see you doing that because I swear I have done it too. Valerie and I went shopping a few weeks ago and made it to 3 stores!! We spent most of the time in the bathroom, changing 4 babies, and at the food court, feeding 4 babies. At least you got some good clothes outta the deal. I am making dh go shopping w/ me on Sat. I need to get out of this house!!!!

Staci: When is your surgery? you were cracking me up w/ the smilies!! :snicker:

TJ: Yeah, for your tooth!!!!

Valerie: I am so glad you are able to get some more jobs w/ that company. And I didn't know day light savings was early. Why is that? Although, I am not complaining. I hate when it gets dark at 5pm. Makes me want to go to bed. also, I was cracking up at the ADHD comment. I swear, mine have it too.

Okay, I am so sorry if I missed anyone. I still feel tired after all that sleep. But, I gotta get breakfast ready for the screaming banshees (sp).

Office: Can't wait!!! Go Pam and Jim!! :kiss:

OMG, just saw this icon, totally me after a few too many.... :cheers:

One more thing, does anyone have a screamer? I mean a baby screamer? ha ha! sounded bad when I first typed it. Brady screams all the time. LIke he is the incredible hulk. He even pumps his fists.

[vthompson]

Lisa - Actually, Corey has started to "talk tough" I call it...he must have learned it from your boys (lol). I am very glad that they found some work for me. I am still nervous for down the line, but we will just take it pay check by pay check.

Jill - YEAH TJ!!!! How exciting...how did the faucet go?

Staci - I hope you recover quickly! Will you have help?

I am the same way, as soon as something happens, I want to rush on here and tell you ladies...we are so lucky!!

Well, I better feed these crazies...

Valerie

[AndreaR]

wow - so many posts! it took me so long to read them all that i don't know how much time i'll have to write. though i'm not complaining, because i absolutely crack up everytime you guys use the new smilies. seriously laughing out loud at my computer. and i love hearing about all of your news.

congrats to little miss TJ for her tooth! it's so exciting, isn't it? and jill, thanks so much for the exercises. i showed them to maddie's PT and she said they were great. they are mostly the same kinds of things that she has us doing with maddie, but your illustrations are much better and easier to understand. i am so impressed with and proud of you for pumping for so long. i really grew to hate that pump, and i don't know how you do it. but look how big and beautiful your babies are, and it's got to make it all worth while.

solids - we are still pretty much on stage 2 foods around here. we use the mesh things, and the girls really like them. i put in frozen banana and they really like it. i have also cut up some really ripe banana. izzy will pick it up and feed it to herself (if she can get it unstuck from her fingers), maddie is a little skeptical. she won't pick it up and if i put a piece in her mouth, she gives me a weird look. no gagging or choking yet, but we're taking it pretty slowly. i'm going to try avocado the next time i get to the grocery store.

naps - i have had some rough days with trying to get the girls to take a nap. i will still throw them in the car if they don't go down on their own. i cannot tolerate them if they don't sleep. but like someone else said, we have good days and bad days - even good hours and bad hours throughout the day. and as i sit here typing this, izzy has been rolling around in her crib for 35 minutes - NOT napping. she'll probably fall asleep and maddie will wake up. that's always the way.

somehow, the volume on isabelle's monitor was turned down last night. this morning, when maddie woke up, i figured i should take a peek at izzy. i picked up the (video) monitor and there she was crying. i felt so bad for her. bad mommy moment. who knows if she woke up during the night or not.

lisa - how wonderful about the boys letting you sleep in! do you feel like you have a lot of energy?

staci - good luck with your surgery! and you, too, steph! what are the dates (sorry if you already told us)?

screaming mimis - omg, madeline screams like.......like....... well, i don't know what it's like. i can't describe it. she's not really unhappy, she just screams. it used to be just to hear herself, but i think that she's starting to figure out that if she screams, i will pay attention. this morning i was feeding them breakfast and if i took too long with isabelle's bite, maddie would scream for hers. it's actually really funny, but i try not to laugh. i just look at her like she's crazy (is that wrong?). and when she screams she opens her mouth really wide and i can see her two little teeth, and i think it might be the cutest mouth i've ever seen.

thursday night tv - my favorite night (and it has been since a hundred years ago since "cheers" was on. then "seinfeld," then "friends"...)! i watch ugly betty at 8:00, then i go back and forth between UB and the office from 8:30 - 9:00. i never get to see the end of UB, because i don't want to miss anything from the office. then at 9:00, i watch grey's anatomy, which is my absolute favorite show right now. we have a tv in our bedroom, but we don't watch it because maddie's crib is in our room (which is a total separate issue which i don't want to get into because i could be here typing all day).

office side note - i had a dream about dwight last night. i can't really remember the details. but in my dream, i woke up and i said to DH, "i just dreamt about dwight schrute!" too funny.

there was a dyson commercial on tv the other night and i said to DH, "everyone on the board has a dyson." and he replied, "how the heck did that come up when you're supposed to be talking about twins?" it made me realize how well we all get along and how nice it is to be able to share EVERYTHING with you wonderful women. it's been just about a year since i found you all. thank you thank you thank you!

sorry i didn't get to respond to everyone individually. it looks like izzy is asleep, so i'm going to take a much-needed shower.

have a great day!! maybe i'll be able to chat later today.

xoxo
andrear

[SunMoonMom]

Good Morning Mommies...

First off... Thanks to everyone for your advice. :thankyou: We are getting some more ripe fruit and sticking with the mesh bags. We are going to start thickening up their food a little bit at a time to work on getting them used to thicker foods (we have the gag problem too). Also, thanks everyone for the advice on the teething rash... I am going to stop and get the Cetaphil lotion.

T.J. - CONGRATS on the tooth!!!! :woo:

Lisa - Zach is a total screamer... He will just be sitting there and then suddenly will scream.. Not an upset scream... Just a scream... I jump sometimes because it is so unexpected...

Staci - Your description of Aiden's crawl was hilarious... He is like "hausta la vista baby... (sp?)

Steph - I totally agree about the boards... You guys have been so welcoming to me and I look forward to reading about everything happening with you...

Jill - I cringe when DH picks up power tools... I know that a call to a profession will more than likely be in my future...

Portraits - The boys get their pictures made on Saturday. This will be the second set this year... The decision on what outfits they should wear resembled a meeting at the U.N. DH and I went round and round... In the end they will be wearing the outfits I originally had picked out...

Video and Home Pictures - I love looking at everyone's pictures and would love to share mine but DH is responsible for getting the pictures off the digital camera. He has proclaimed over the last 3 days that he will download and burn me a CD when the boys are down for their naps... and so far I am still pictureless.... I really do have children.. I promise...

Cute Thing - Yesterday Ben and Zach were playing follow the leader... Ben would crawl somewhere and Zach would follow... Ben would pull up and stand and then Zach would crawl beside him and do the same... It was so cute... DH said the only problem was that while Zach was trying to stand, Ben flopped down on his butt and pulled Zach's leg out:evil: ... Of course Zach is very good natured and just laughed... :rotflmbo:

Last thing... I think Ben might be a hairdresser in the future... The other night I was laying down in the play area... Ben crawled over, used me to stand up, grabbed my ponytail and started swinging it everywhere... DH was running commentary as if he was Ben "This will not do... Look at your roots... What have you given up civilized living... You need some work sister and I'm here to help... I am a master with the hair and you will be my masterpiece.." Of course, the Ben conditioner consists of a little baby spit up and a whole lot of drool... :drool:

Okay... I should get to work... Have a great day ladies...

Kerrie

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Well, it started with Isabella- vomiting and diarrhea- then I was the next lucky contestant at 9 pm last night (I missed Lost!). After that, in perfect sychronicity, Mason and Max began vomiting at 11 pm. DH is the only one spared so far. If Isa hadn't slept through the night, I don't know WHAT we would have done! I slept with Max, and even though I couldn't sit up, I would grab a bucket and put it on his lap! DH slept with Mason. Good times!:help2

So many post... I can't read through them all right now, but skimmed.

I wanted to say how incredible Ruby and TJ are for coming so far! :congrats: I was amazed by their stories (and so glad that their mommies fought so hard for them!)

The stroller arrived yesterday-so quickly I hadn't even had a chance to break my impulse by to DH! Steph - your posts and icon use made me pee my pants. That's how i was via internet purchase, though! :driver:

I am going to do a separate post for the strolller so that people doing a search on it won't have to hear about my stomach woes!

-Jennifer

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Drum roll please.....:jump:


I purchased this stroller from Target on Tuesday (?) and it arrived yesterday! Not enough time to build it up to DH-- I had shown him the picture the night before and he just said "Uh huh- We already have a stroller." Silly man.

Now, due to the stomach virus and arctic temperatures, I haven't taken it for a test run yet. It is assembled and sitting in our living room though like the holy grail.

I read some reviews on the single versions, and this was reassuring because it is well -liked.

Pros:

It looks well-made, sturdy and stylish. It is only available in red, so it is definitely asking for more attention!

It assembled easily.

Great sunshades, nice basket.

I like the toddler hang-on handles.

Wheels appear to be good quality.

It is super cool that you can switch the seats around (and yes, they come out with only the push of a button).

It folds up easily, but you do have to remove a seat to fold it up and then strap the removed seat onto the stroller with built in straps on the frame ( I will probably just set it on top in the back of my minivan though unless we are traveling.

I love that I can set it up so that both babies face me!

You can remove a seat and use it as a one-child stroller.

There are attachments for infant carriers(one is included and a second can be purchased). It would have been a great thing to never have bought a snap and go and just used this with 2 infants seats)

Cons (oh, there always are some):

It is heavy- I believe it is 40 lbs and a bit longer than the Snap N Go setup. DH and I have always been all about light strollers so this is a change, but let's face it, we don't get around like we used to anyway (ex. whipping around NYC)! I don't know how easy it will be to take in/out of the car.

With the seat position where kids are facing, I don't know how well this will work with older children . I have to figure out how to best position the foot rests-it's a little tight. Also, seats are fully recling except in this position (they go back some). When both seats face the same way, they are very easy to recline.

That's all I have for now. When I take it out, I'm sure I'll have some more observations for you! :)

-Jennifer

[AndreaR]

videos - not sure if it will work. hope so!

http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m272/arioles/?action=view&current=MOV02859.flv

http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m272/arioles/?action=view&current=MOV02866.flv

[SunMoonMom]

AndreaR - Those videos are awesome!!! Your girls are beautiful and so interactive with each other and the camera... I love the fighting over the camera...

How blessed you are!

Kerrie

[sgarrett]

Jill: I so empathize with the DH do it yourselfer. My two fav stories he will never never live down, he took it upon himself to install our new garbage disposal, the next day my dishwasher quit working, the water would not drain out of it. I kept saying it has got to have something to do with the garbage disposal, which of course he replied, they have absolutely nothing to do with eachother, you know in that "you silly little girl you know nothing" voice. So $100 repair man bill later we discover it was something he did wrong with the garbage disposal install! HA 2nd story, he HAD to have this gas powered edger (btw this is like two days after the dishwasher incident) that was like $200.00, he goes out to edge our mulch beds. Later that night we discover the cable is not working, he starts calling our neighbor and I pointed out to him that he probaly cut through the line with the edger, which of course he did. TEE HEE silly boys and their toys!:snicker: AND BIG CONGRATS ON THE TOOTH!:party2

Jennifer: Can not wait to hear about the test drive on the stroller! So sorry for all the pukey drama at your house! I hope you all get better soon!

Kerrie: HA HA HA, love the hausta lavista baby! I am totally picturing your little one wearing all black, with his hair all gelled up, working on yours saying "FAB U LOUS Darling"

Andrea: LOVE LOVE the videos, too cute, your girls are dolls! I have to get with it and figure out how to download those.

Surgery: Well DH and Chase will be help. I do not think it is any big deal, it is always a little scary being put under. After the past couple of years I feel like I am a pro at it now. It is scheduled for the 27th.

I have to download some pics, I have one of Chase at a pep ralley at school. He was chosen by the senior class to represent them in a "beauty pagaent" The cheerleaders put him in a dress, wig with full makeup and he sang "I will always love you" by Whitney Houston while hula hooping! The pics are so fricken funny. Chase is 6'4" and works out like every day, he looked to funny in a dress. BTW he won the pageant! So is photo bucket the way to go? Is it self explainatory on how to post them here?

Talk more soon, I have to go get ready for my massage!:cloud9:

Staci

[mmzill]

Hey ladies, real quick I'm not going to be able to chat at three today. A friend is in the hospital and I"m going to go see her. Have a great day.
Monica

[AndreaR]

Jennifer - sorry about the stomach bug. We had it here and it was terrible. My girls were sick (diarrhea) for about 5 days after they vomited. Just so you know. Hopefully your kids won't get it as bad. Hope you are feeling better soon. Nothin' worse than a sick mommy. Plus, you need to get out and drive that stroller and report back to all of us. I think you may have found the holy grail of double strollers!! I was hell bent on a side-by-side, but I just might switch teams.

Kerrie - OMG - you CRACK ME UP :lmao: with the story about Ben the hairdersser! :lmao: It sounds like your DH is a funny as you!

Monica - I hope everything is okay with your friend.

Thanks for the compliments on my videos. Of course, I think they're cute, but you know, I'm their mother. And, it's wicked easy to use photo bucket. My digital camera takes video, so I upload from my camera to my computer, then photo bucket allows me to browse for whatever files I want to post to their site. Wicked easy.

Okay, gotta go make dinner and get in front of the TV!

Good night!

AndreaR

[swineland]

:goodnight: RIP Anna Nicole Smith (I actually just wanted a reason to use this new smiley!)

[mmzill]

Steph, you crack me up!

My friend that I went to see, was 36 wks prego, she had preclampsia. They induced labor and she had her baby. A little boy. He's doing well, but not remembering to breath when he swollows, so he has a feeding tube. But the mommy almost had heart failure during labor. She quit breathing for a little while and things got really scary. She is doing much better now, but the dr said that she probably should not have any more children :(. (she's only 19)
They both should get to come home Saturday or Sunday.

:eating: Introducing meats - I just wanted you all to know, your children don't have to eat meats to be healthy. (I'm a vegetarian.....for the most part) My dd has had no problem getting enough protein and I've found some great blends of Lentils and Rice, and Pasta that don't have meat in them to give to the boys. Valerie, it just seemed to me that you feel like you have to get them eating meat, and you don't....now you may want to, and that's fine, but I just sensed that you were upset about it kind of. (Sorry if that was too much, I don't pretend to be psychic) :stupido2:

:puke: Jennifer, Sorry about the sick kiddos and family! No fun at all.

Well, I'm trying to get the boys down by myself tonight. DH had a meeting. Hope you all have a nice evening.
~Monica

[vthompson]

Monica - You are actually psychic!! I have been worried about it...they just seem to really agitate Kayley's sensitive tummy!!

Steph - That was too funny...have they given a reason for her death, yet...it has to be drug induced.

AndreaR - I LOVE the videos. My digital takes video, too. We never really use it, though. I need to start. Once you download it to the website, do you put the video on your computer, too?

Staci - Those pics sounds hilarious!

Jennifer - I hope everyone is feeling better now. Sickness is terrible, especially when everyone is sick at the same time. I think I missed the whole post about this stroller. Do you have the link? I would like to check it out.

Office - I cannot believe Pam left with Roy!! I did not expect that.

Scrubs - Did anyone watch it? Can you believe JD's ex lied to him about the baby?

Coupons - I also have Huggies coupons. PM me your address if you would like them.

Valerie

[vthompson]

Lisa - I totally forgot to answer your question about Daylight Savings Time. I guess Congress lengthened daylight saving time by four weeks in the name of energy efficiency. That is all I really know. Now, electronic products, such as computers, will have to be changed manually. The company I work for sells and installs technology equipment so all of their customers have to be notified.

Valerie

[AndreaR]

Valerie - I put all of my pictures/videos onto my hard drive (I know, some day I'm going to run out of space). Then I go to photobucket.com and upload. But you may be able to go right from your camera to photobucket. While your camera is plugged into your computer, go to the website and choose "upload images." When you click on the "browse" button, it should recognize your camera as one of the drives. I just tried it and it worked for me.

Monica - sorry to hear about your friend's birth experience, but I'm glad it seems like everyone is going to be okay. Why did they say no more babies, because of the preclampsia or because of the labor experience? Just wondering...

Anna Nicole - Being on the large side myself (I prefer to use adjectives like curvaceous, buxom, voluptuous), I always had a soft spot in my heart for her, and I totally admired how she carried herself no matter what her size. I can't believe she's dead. I'm curious to see what the cause of death was.

The Office - Michael was absolutely a riot. And I too was surprised at Pam and Roy. It would have been one thing if she was drunk, but she didn't seem to be?? Even DH said, "Wait! I thought she and Jim were going to get together tonight." And I have one question, how is it that they had the cake after Phyllis and Bob Vance (of Vance Refrigeration) left??

Did anyone watch Grey's Anatomy? Boy, was it a good one! I can't wait for next week.

Hopefully I'll be able to get on later. Have a good day, y'all! Stay warm.

AndreaR

[megzmom]

sickness here-check. Darn students!!! Have ear infection/sinus inf. Boys have crusty noses-dh is taking them to dr today. He watches them on Fridays. MIL wasnt able to yesterday she got the stomach flu so I stayed home with them sick too.


DH had a break down last night. I had to take Meg to girl scouts (cookie time) and when I got hom he was so sad and on the couch. He said he got angry at the boys for the 1st time. He said he didnt do anything but this really upsets him because he was abused as a child and is afraid of repeating this. I think he is in the baby blue because the boys always want me.

A. Smith-I always felt so sorry for her daughter. Now I am so concerned for her. Loosing brother, mother and no real dad yet. Bizarre twist. I was born in the same hospital she died in. I was born and raised in Hollywood Fl.

stroller-went to Target yesterday and they didnt have any double stollers there. DH really liked the new one. I love the positions. I have the duoglider and dont like that Zack kicks the crap out of Ben. Valerie-have you sat the boys in your stroller yet? Can they kick each other?

[SunMoonMom]

Hi Mommies...

Okay I am going to try to post slide shows from photobucket but I have no idea how this works...

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/?action=view&current=1171032842.pbw

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/?action=view&current=1171032620.pbw

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/?action=view&current=1171032421.pbw

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/SunMoonMom/?action=view&current=1171032254.pbw

hope this works :questionmark:

[vthompson]

Kerrie - Oh my goodness...the boys are so adorable! I can't believe how much hair they have!! So cute!

Heather - I do not have that stroller????

AndreaR - Thanks for the info...I need to start using my camera more for videos.

Valerie

[megzmom]

Valerie-oops I ment Jennifer. sorry. I have snots for brains today. sorry... I had to do it:snicker:

[vthompson]

Heather - Don't worry about it...I was laughing because I wish I was the one with the new stroller!! (lol)

[christel]

:itsme: Hi :wavey:

My girls lunch out was SO fun yesterday! One of the girls is my blogger friend (w/ 3 yr. old twins and a 2 yr. old son) and she took pictures, against my better judgment, and posted them on her site...HERE. Anyway, we had a great time:dancing2: and crammed as much conversation as we could into 2 hours.

Glad y'all got a kick out of the BabyLegs video. We :love: 'em!

Jennifer - excellent stroller review! Can't wait to hear about the test drive.

Kerrie - Heartbreakers is what you've got there... So freakin' cute!

Heather - so sad about DH :( Mine went through some blues about the babies, too, but came out the other side. They've found their "thing" that they all do together at bed time... it involves extreme peek-a-boo and lots of laughing and loud kisses and the girls eat it up w/ a spoon. It cannot be recreated by anyone else, either... so he feels special.

Andrea - OMG! I L-O-V-E those videos :throb: Could they be anymore precious? The "mamas" especially.

Monica - my cousin-in-law is vegan and isn't giving meats to her 10 mo. old. They do lots of lentils, etc, and the baby is doing great!

gotta run... will finish up later

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[Jillmami]

Kerrie - So you DO have twins! What adorable boys!! Love all the hair too. Noah has a ton but most of it is the curly mohawk type hair he has on top of his head. It just keeps growing and growing...

Christel - Glad that you had a blast on your girls' day out!

Monica - hope all continues to improve for your friend and her little one.

OK professional mamas... today has been the day from you know where. Noah has a constantly runny nose and TJ, while we are excited about the first tooth, is a demon child! THey woke around their normal time, 8am and here it is 2:30 and they have only had a 30 min. nap. I finally got TJ to go to sleep and it has been 15 minutes so far. HOPEFULLY, she can get a bit of a nap in. How long does it normally take for the tooth to completely pop through and for the pain to subside? Or is it long enough for the next tooth to start the process over again?

Well, it's rainy here which doesn't help with the cranky babies. One good thing I will do with "the little princess" is to take her for short visits out on the patio. The girl LOVES to feel cool/cold air on her face. She squeals with delight. I think she's been hitting the :canabis: when I'm not looking!

Enjoy your weekend ladies!

[christel]

I'm back :wave:

Ok, here's the link to the pics from my lunch. (http://jennyhaha.blogspot.com/2007/02/photos-of-da-girls.html).. never got that linked in the other post.

Staci - you MUST get those pics of your DS on here! They sound hysterical :lol: And I can't believe how calm you sound about the gall bladder surgery. I think that's amazing. What's the full recovery time like? I know they'll say you'll be back on your feet after "x" amount of days, but how long before you really feel like yourself again?

Valerie - If no one claimed the Huggies coupons, I'll take 'em. I'll pm you my address just in case.

Lisa - just wanted to say how adorable your 2 are in the siggy pic :throb: It always makes me smile :)

take care everyone
:lovemytwins:
Christel

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Ugh. Still a bunch of sickies around here. Andrea-you weren't kidding...this virus lingers.

Anyway, I bundled everyone up today for two reasons- to get OUT of this house and for a test drive.:yippee: I took some photos and put them in a photobucket slide...hope it works. Also, some photos of my recovering babes. They are doing better today for sure. I couldn't access Andrea's videos or Kerries slide. I think I have to download the software. Anyway, here is my link:

XXXX

Sorry to say that I am a bit disappointed with the Kolcraft Contour . :sigh: I had such high hopes. I keep thinking that I just haven't configured the positions right, but I believe I have tried everything. It has the features that I want, but it doesn't seem to be engineered correctly.
More Cons:

In facing position, the footrests must either be straight down or placed one on top of another (see pictures)- it is very crowded and I don't see how the babies will fit if they get much bigger.

In babies-facing-mommy position, the seat closest to the handle must have the foot rest extended very horizontally because the basket bar is in the way; or it can be placed straight down in the basket, but then the seat is prevented from reclining!

The seats are very shallow.

Pros:

It handled well- turned well, easy to push, great breaks, smooth riding.

Basket is REALLY great.

I am deciding whether or not to keep it. I am going to play with it some more. Kolcraft had great ideas with this, but so far, it doesn't seem like they tested it for actual use! I think it is only available on line right now through target, amazon and Walmart. I would recommend waiting until you can try it out yourself unless you don't mind sacrificing the shipping fees. The Target link is:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-17/qid=1170687036/ref=sr_1_17/602-9499484-1551858?ie=UTF8&asin=B000J2DQPA

Monica- I love your new pictures. They're beautiful!

Christel and Kerrie- I'm going to check out your links in the morning!

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes!

Time for bed...so sleepy...

Jennifer

[swineland]

Hi everyone!

Jennifer, I'm so disappointed about the stroller!! Sounds like maybe the cons outweigh the pros?? Let us know if you take it back. I can see in your photos the problem with those footrests......do these companies not have a team of people who actually try these products out before producing/manufacturing them? Sheesh.:banghead2 Also, I'm hoping you are all feeling better soon!!

Christel, your day sounds like so much fun! Glad you could get a break....

Update: well my best friend had her ultrasound and from what they can tell, there were absolutely no indications that the baby has Trisomy 18. :clap: She will have to go back on March 8th for a repeat ultrasound, but her chances of having a baby with this defect just went from 1 in 45 to 1 in over 500. In fact, they told her the risk of doing the amnio was, at this point, higher than actually having a Trisomy 18 baby. So, thanks for all those good thoughts/prayers!! It worked!

Date night: DH and I just got home from dinner and some shopping. My mom is still here (leaves in the morning) and she stayed with the babies (who are sleeping anyway) while we went to a brand new sushi restaurant. I had a nice big draft Kirin and we had one particular roll that was deeeLISH! It was eel, avocado, asparagus and cream cheese with a slice of mango on top and drizzled with the bbq eel sauce. (I realize I just made half of you say YUMMY:eating: and half of you vomit:puke:)

Heather, my dear friend, I am so sorry you don't feel good. How did things go with the FCAT? I just met another 4th grade teacher online who is part of a downtown mom's meetup group. She doesn't have kids herself, but offers her babysitting services for infants, has an early childhood education degree, has worked with multiples, etc. She was just complaining about the FCAT's too. I am going to meet with her in person soon to meet the babies and perhaps every once in a blue moon have her come over to babysit, BUT she charges $15 an hour for twins!! :woa: So, for us to do this :popcorn2:, it would cost like 75 bucks! Not gonna happen.....

Well, I'm going to go read my new People magazine (I tell ya, it's been the gift that keeps on giving....every Friday I can't WAIT to get the mail!!)

Love to you all....sorry if I missed anyone!

Steph
p.s. Kerrie, your babies are SO cute! Where are pics of you?? I think we should all post some recent pics of US.......put some faces with some names!

[AndreaR]

jennifer - i am so sorry. we all had such high hopes for the stroller. i agree with steph, that the "cons" you found are enough for me to pass. does kolcraft welcome suggestions? it sounds like they need more real life experience from REAL moms. i love the pics, btw. the kids are adorable. i especially like the one of your older son in the stroller. at least the stroller could handle him...there's a "pro"...

so i'm thinking it's going to be peg perego or maclaren. i'm really looking for something just for the mall, so it doesn't have to be super-sturdy. i don't know. we still have some time left with the sng, thank goodness!

steph - it sounds like you had a great visit with your mother. and although i don't eat sushi (yucko), i was thrilled for you that you guys got to go out for an adult dinner. so glad to hear the update on your pg friend. i have been praying and praying!

christel - i checked out your friend's blog. too funny! i love, love, love the pictures. how does your friend have the time to keep a blog? i always wonder who those people are... and it sounds like you and the girls are handling all of this time away from home quite well. that is terrific. hopefully dh's job will settle down soon and you all can be back in your own house.

staci - that chase sounds like quite a character. i would love to see pictures! my SIL had her gallbladder removed about two years ago. she was in tough shape for about three days (including the hospital stay), but seemed to recover quickly after that. i'll be thinking of you and praying for a quick recovery.

kerrie - thanks for the pictures. how gorgeous are your boys!? and of course, i love all the captions. i love how they sleep so close together. how do you/DH get them to fall asleep all over the house? has DH found out where babies keep their batteries? does he just take them out? hee hee. cracking myself up at 6am.

heather - sorry to hear about DH and his blues. i think it's really really good that he shares his feelings with you. it's so hard when the babies "reject" the dad. it's hard for the dad not to take it as rejection, but it isn't. it's a completely normal developmental stage for babies to get clingy with the mother. i think christel has a great idea, and it made me realize that my DH and the girls have their own special time, too. we do bath time together almost every night, and he's in charge of getting the girls undressed and dressed. i'm in charge of getting the bath ready and then getting soaked. he has all these funny songs and voices. almost every night i hear one or both of the girls giving him belly laughs. maybe your DH can find some special time every day with the boys?

i hope all of you have a nice day and a great weekend.

xoxo
andrear

[AndreaR]

I just found this on another twin's message board. Don't worry, I don't post there (wouldn't dream of cheating on my ladies); I just lurk. But I thought this was pretty funny, especially for anyone who has tried CIO.


Sleep Training...

OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 7 months. The first few months were great-- I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened. Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night). At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 6 months.

Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.

It goes like this:

Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mommy upset over your crying. Just keep
reminding yourself, it's for her own good.

Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed.

Night 3--every hour.

Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!! If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change.

If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it.

Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with. My sleep sack tickled my foot. I felt a wrinkle under the sheet. My mobile made a shadow on the wall. I burped, and it tasted like pears. I hadn't eaten pears since lunch, what's up with that? The cat said "meow". I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL. Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room. Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!!

It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am. You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies' internal clocks.

P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, no milk will come out. Trust me.

:)

[megzmom]

Steph-What camera do you have? I need a new one and your pictures are always so clear. I really like when your boys are clear and the background is fuzzy. Thanks for wondering. FCAT went well overall. 2 little stinkers blew the test off in my class. One went downhill this week. HORRIBLE homelife. He went in the fetal position 4 times in one day!!!! Scholl cant do much. His behavior has made the other students not want anything to do with him. THen he reacts with even more inappropriate behavior. THe tension in my class is horrible. I started a postive thing. Printed out pink slips and they are to write about someone they appriate that day. SOmething small. Then I will pull 2 slips out and all 4 people will get our school's cash (MAX money). Friday was the first day. Some of the positives were so sweet. Hopefully it lasts.

Stroller-bumbed that it wasnt tested correctly. I;d love to have that job. Just testing products.

Milestones-boys are doing great! BOth crawl, sit independently and Zack stands and "walks" the couch. They are also saying "MAMA" yeah!!!

Sleeping-problem. Now that Zack is standing, putting him down for a nap is horrible. Now he has to be completely asleep otherwise he stands right up. ANy suggestions?

Mangos-boys LOVE them. Do they cause loose bowels? They have been poop monsters this week. I need to get a good food book.

gotta run...crying baby...sleeping daddy:cloud9:

[swineland]

Hey all!

Quiet on the board today...hope you all are having a great weekend!

We took the boys to Sea World today and had a lovely time. We saw sharks and flamingos and seals......not sure if the boys were really looking at the animals or not, but we have a season pass, so we'll try again soon! (this will be their 2nd theme park in a week.....DH works in advertising for Universal Studios, so we get in free there, too. It's so much fun to take the twins there, even if for only an hour or so....they love the car-o-'suess'-el (Dr. Suess themed Carousel).

Heather, I have a Kodak Z612 camera. Got it at Best Buy last summer after the boys were born and it's been a great camera. I think it has 12x optical zoom and 6.1 megapixels? I'm not certain exactly, but I'm sure you could look at the specs online. It takes videos, too, and we've used that feature a TON.

DH just finished giving me a foot massage! I bought this book for us for Xmas called "whole body massage", it's got techniques and lots of photos and how-to's. So, each week, we try to set aside 30 mins to give each other a massage using what we've read/learned from the book. (it was on sale at Waldenbooks for like five bucks.....:))

Sleepy......going to hit the sack now. Can't wait till everyone comes back and the board is lively again!

Steph

[vthompson]

Lisa - I am so glad that you and DH got a chance to go out together...I am SO sorry that you felt so bad! I have been there, and it is not fun, especially with babies. However, you are a rock star so party on!! (lol) :harmony: :clink:

Steph - A foot massage sounds WONDERFUL! So jealous.

Heather - That idea with the kids writing about someone they appreciate is so cute. I am sure it will help create a positive environment.

AndreaR - That "story" you posted was so funny...I kept imagining the babies telling each other that.

Christel - I am putting the coupons in the mail tomorrow. Sorry it took so long!

Jennifer - That sucks about the stroller. I hope everyone is feeling better...the pics were cute!

Jill - I hope you are having a better day with the babies. As for teething, whenever the babies are crabby for no reason, I always blame it on teething or a growth spurt (lol).

So, I woke up today with a terrible pain in the right side of my neck. I can barely turn in that direction. I thought I slept on it wrong, but it still hurts after all these hours. I am debating when I should call the doctor.

Well, I had more to post, but DH is upstairs with the babies and I hear them crying.

Valerie

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Andrea- That post was great. That's DEFINITELY what it feels like around here. I got a chance to see your video, too. The girls are so adorable. they look like porcelain dolls!

Kerrie- I saw your pumpkins, too-- very cute! please please tell us how your husband gets them sleeping like that!

Lisa- congratulations on your night out. It is so nice to get a break in routine and some couple time! :cheers:

Steph- I'm thrilled for your friend. I hope that she can enjoy her pregnancy now. Love the new picture, too!

The babies STILL have diarrhea twice a day even though they are eating and drinking again. It's been four days! What a pain...I'm going to wait one more day and then I'll take them to the doctor.

I forgot to tell you all that I saw the plastic surgeon on Friday. It was so embarassing! I had to strip down to my underwear while he assessd my naked body. :embarassed: He was very professional and matter-of-fact about the process, but it is hard to be scrutinized like that. He said my diastasis is one the worst that he has seen. That made me feel better because at least I know now that I am not overreacting. He nicely informed me that one boobie is droppier than the other, too! I hadn't noticed! :woa: (thanks, buddy) I also have a hernia so insurance will pay for 20% of my hospital stay (it doesn't help that much though). I want to get this fixed soon, but I need at least two weeks of help (no lifting at ALL) and total recovery time is six weeks! I want to be fixed up to that I can enjoy the summer! It costs $9000 for the tummy tuck (that is WITH my hernia discount), $13500 for tummy plus breast lift, and $15000 for tummy plus implants. I don't know how we'll pay for any of it., and of course, I want the whole deal! Do you think some money will fall out of the sky? :money: I can dream...

Is everyone excited for Valentine's Day? Any good DH gift ideas?

Good night!

Jennifer

[JERSEYGEMINI]

Forgot-- I wanted to ask what the average price for babysitters is running these days.... I saw that Steph mentioned $15/hr. I have to say that I would be so excited to pay that. The last babysitter that I called who "specializes" in twins charges $28/hr. She is an RN, though. I don't feel comfortable with a teenager, yet, so I'm not sure what to do....

So what does everyone pay, and what type of person (age/experience) do you hire?

Just saw your post Val- I hope you feel better!

Thanks!

Jen

[christel]

It's late and I SO need to go to sleep, but I had a caffeinated drink w/ dinner and I'm wide awake :banghead: So, I'm watching Tivo'd Extreme Home Makeover and checkin' the board.

Jennifer - we pay our experienced (has kids) babysitter $10/hr. and we pay the teenager (w/ the mom across the street) $7/hr. The good thing about her is that she usually brings a friend to help and we don't have to pay the friend. 2 for 1 :D Her friend that comes is a twin and has twin brothers who are 10 yrs. younger. HER mom is a Champ!

Steph - Sea World sounds like a blast! I'm thinking about getting season passes to the San Antonio S.W. - it's an 1 1/2 hour drive - when the girls are 2 or 3. When I think it's something we'll really start using, I'm going to ask the grands to buy it for the girls' Christmas or b-day gift. Doesn't take up much room, either :woo:

Valerie - Thanks! How's your neck, now? Have you tried putting a heating pad on it for a while and taking some Tylenol or something? Ouch!

Lisa - I'm jealous of your night out! But I'm sorry you're paying for it today. Sucks!

Andrea - I am hoping the job thing chills, too. I'm ready to be back in my own house. I did have SO much fun w/ my girlfriends, though. I am really glad my friend edited those pics before posting them. I KNOW there were some unflattering shots in that batch :hahaha: I don't know how she finds time to blog, either. I think she does it while her kids rip the house apart... and then it gives her new material to write about :lol:

Oh, that story about training mommy was too cute! And eerily familiar.

Ok, gotta focus, they're about to do the reveal on EHM...night girls

:lovemytwins:
Christel

[Jillmami]

Just have a quick minute.

Valerie - Hope your neck is feeling better.

Sitters - we pay $12/hour for an older woman who used to have her own daycare and has TONS of experience with preemies/newborns/twins/etc. Our main nanny gets $15/hour for the 12 hours she is with us each week. On the high end for out here but she is worth every penny. She does all of the development activities with our babies and more. She is also a preschool teacher for 3-4 year olds and has a lot of experience with babies as well. Most moms in CA in my area that have multiples pay $12/hour.

Hope that you all had a great weekend. I look forward to reading posts and catching up tomorrow.

[vthompson]

Good Morning Ladies!!

Jennifer - WOW....I did not realize it was that much money. Are you going to be able to swing it?

Babysitters - We cannot afford to pay anyone to watch the twins so we always ask family. When I used to babysit, I made like $4 an hour!! How things have changed!!

Neck - Thanks to everyone for having sympathy for me!! I looked on WebMD and it said to put cold packs on it so I did that last night and DH massaged the area. It seems a little better today, but I still get pain when I turn it too far. I think I am annoyed with it so I keep doing things that aggravate it...I guess I am not being very careful today like I was yesterday.

I have some lady coming over today to check the house for this child care certification I am going for. I hope she gets in and out. They nit pick over the most ridiculous things. I am always so annoyed when they leave.

So, I am having a problem with Corey's "private area"...when he gets older, he would be mortified to know I am talking about this with you ladies. Anyways, it started with redness to the tip of his penis. I called the doc and she said to put neosporin on it for week...it cleared right up. Then about a week later, it started to come back. I called back and she said that boys have a tendency to aggravate the area because it rubs up against the diaper and such. She said unless it was swollen or oozing (isn't that a pretty mental picture) not to worry. She said to put a small amount of vaseline or aquaphore on the area. We did that and it worked. Now, the tip is red again and their is a rash that has quickly spread on the skin above his penis. I am going to call the doctor back again today...but I am really worried. She mentioned that if got worse that they would have to take a culture from his penis....can you even imagine the pain!!!!!!!! Well, I realize that this is way too much information about my poor little guy's private, but I was curious if anyone with boys has seen or heard of anything of this nature....

Valerie

[megzmom]

Christel-I lived in SA for 8 yrs and the Sea World there ROCKS!!! Ours in Orlando is nice and they are making more improvements but the one in SA had a wave pool so the whole family could get cooled off not just the kids.

Babysitter-grandma, church friends free -PRICELESS!!!! I have only left the boys once with a couple who were expecting their 1st and wanted some experience so that was free with the assumption that we will return the favor :)

We havent gone out yet without the boys. PRaying for some kind of date for Valentines Day but dont think it will happen this year. We are hoping to pay off the truck soon so only down to one car payment. THEN I want some adrears in the romance dept. I'd love a weekend away. DH wants to go to St. Augustine. I want to go to Stone Mt, GA. Close enough to drive back in case of emergency.

class-the note cards havent really helped yet. First year where my boys are the biggest tattle tailers and I dont know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ugh

Work at home-want to soo very badly. Someone suggested that I try virtual schools. Anyone familiar with them?

bye for now!

[mmzill]

Hey Ladies -

It's been kind of quiet on here today. I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

I'm trying to catch up from the weekend. I stayed up way too late last night watching TV....we got Cable DVR a few weeks ago and I end up staying up watching my recorded shows after the kids are in bed. It's wonderful........but now I'm tired. DVR (TVo) is the best thing ever! I love being able to record my shows, then watch them on my own time.

Jennifer, sorry the stroller isn't what you thought it would be. I looked at it, and it looks really nice. That's a bum deal. I've wished for a tummy tuck/boob job....lypo suction.....ect. So far it's only a dream. :xfingers: I hope that you can get what you want!

Babysitter- we don't have a babysitter that we pay. There are a few friends in the area that will come over on occasion. I'm hoping to get someone to help out for Valentines....we will see.

Valerie - hope the lady didn't knit-pick too much on your house. Good luck! I hope Corey feels better too! I think the Dr. should definetly take a look at it. That sounds odd.

Lisa - Sorry you had such a time recovering. I'm glad that you were able to get out though. It's so nice to just not have the responsibility of kids. A short time where you only have to take care of yourself. Or not take care of....:toyah:

Steph, sounds like you had fun at Sea world. That's great. We almost went at Christmas time, but decided to wait until Alaina was a little older and then the boys might enjoy it more too.

Andrea - That Sleeping through the night story cracked me up! I really enjoyed reading it.

Well, the Speech therapist came last week and a developmental therapist came today to evaluate Nathan. The Speech lady said that Nathan is vocalizing like a 4 month old or so and that is typical with children that are not eating well. She recommended that he continue to be worked with. (since she was here last week, he has started eating much better! And has quit gagging on everything!!!!) Today the developmentalist came over and she pointed out how he is behind in Gross Motor skills. She said he's doing really well with Fine motor ie picking up stuff, transferring from hadn to hand to mouth....but he isn't rolling much yet, not crawling and not really turning to get toys, nor does he really put weight on his legs. (although he likes to jump in the jumpy chair) I'm not sure what to do. Probably bet a physical therapist to see him also. But part of me thinks that he will do fine he just is taking a little longer. He seems so normal in everything, just a little slower to do things. He is so so alert and aware of everything. DH thinks we shouldn't worry and that he'll catch on before long. Anthony is so close to crawling, up on all fours rocking. I know it won't be long.

Well, my I rambled on! I hope everyone has a good night.
~Monica

[Jillmami]

Jennifer, totall bummer about the stroller. You would think that a 'smart' company would hire a group of moms to test it out. Do you think that they actually did and the moms gave it their sign of approval?? Weird. Gosh, what's harder, finding the perfect stroller or the perfect man? Seems as if the p. man is easier...

Steph, so excited about your friend's test results! :yippee: The power of :pray: The sushi story made me laugh. I am so excited about the date night you and dh had! :love: So important to take that time on a regular basis. I love the foot massage idea. Is it ok if I use that with my dh as well? My dh LOVES sushi and eats it every week. I am just glad that they serve chicken! :snicker:

Andrea, that story was FUNNY!! Thank you for sharing.

Heather, it definitely sounds as if your boys are progressing quite nicely. Maybe they can go in the classroom soon and teach some lessons to your students!

Lisa, have you fully recovered? I admire your gusto at the bar! I would have passed out after the first few sips I think! It seems like ages since I had a beer.

Valerie, hope your neck is better. I have had trouble turning mine either way for several months. I slept in a strange position and haven't found the time to get to the chiropractor to get it back where it goes. I found a great lady who isn't in to the vigorous jerk and crack it back theory. She is terrific. How about a good massage perhaps to help those muscles remember where they need to be? How was the inspection for your child care?

Monica, glad that Nathan was seen by someone. Weren't yours born early, like a few weeks after mine? If so, there should be some type of county assistance program that works with development. We were assessed by ours and that's where our OT and educ. specialist came from. They come by weekly for an hour or so to work with both babies. Check with your county office of ed for their infant development program. Most places want to jump in with services as early as possible and way before they begin school. One of our visiting nurses mentioned that sometimes babies have a different gag reflex that interferes with their eating and a speech therapist/eating specialist (or some title like that) will work with them to help with that. With his development, some babies like to observe and check out what's going on. Then one day, they are doing everything all at once. Seems as if he will be fine, however I figure if we can get extra help with their development, why not? Let me know if you want me to check with the agency out here about one back there or where/who to call. Perhaps your hospital discharge planner?

Well, we have snot all over the house. Yeah! Have been wiping down toys each night to get rid of all the yuck. TJ's tooth is through so no more fuss there. Just need to get through these colds! I took a few Valentine themed pics for some personalized family calendars if anyone cares to check them out. They are the first set of pics you see on our photo link. I like Steph's idea of mommy pics. I need to get one of myself on there some day soon. It is nice to have a face to go with the adorable little angels we have! Enjoy your week everyone!

[AndreaR]

ok, i'm SUPPOSED to be taking a shower, but i couldn't resist jumping on for a quick peek at the board. THEN i just had to see jill's pictures. OMG! those pictures are adorable!! i love, love, love them!

so how do i explain my greasy hair and not-so-fresh look when i take the girls to music class later this morning? "Sorry I didn't get time to take a shower this morning. No, the girls were great, but I am addicted to this message board, see? And I couldn't tear myself away." do you think they'll call social services on me??

will be back later today.

xoxo to all!!
andrea

[EBTwinz]

Jill: Those pictures are just precious. You should submit them to a baby contest. YOu would win, for sure. Sorry to hear about the sickness at your house. It's no fun to wipe snot all day. :)

Monica: I am going to give you my two cents... first of all, are you going through early intervention? If so, the PT will be free. If you are not going through EI, then you should call them for an evaluation. Nathan would qualify since he is behind in motor skills. Dh and I were reluctant to have Brady receive services when he was diagnosed w/ torticollis. But he wasn't holding his own head up and we were worried that he would be behind other kids his age. So, we decided to go for it, since it was free. He only had three months of services, twice a month, and we saw major improvements. Now he is developmentally on track w/ Ethan. I don't want to tell you what to do and you and your dh know Nathan better than anyone else, so if you feel he will learn when the time is right, then there is nothing wrong with that. But, it may not hurt to check out the services. YOu can cancel anytime. Let us know what you decided. We are all here for you!

Jennifer: So sorry the stroller didn't meet your expectations. It looked cool in the pics. Maybe you can take it back? DH and I are looking into getting the side by side. But I think we will wait until the weather clears up.

Valerie: How did your review go? Hopefully the lady was kind to you. Also, sorry to hear about Corey's pee pee. I hope it clears up.

Steph: Sea world sounded like fun! I can't wait until the weather gets nice so we can bring the boys to different places. We live pretty close to Baltimore so we were thinking of bringing them to the aquarium in the summer. Also, good news on your friend!

So, I noticed that Brady has a rash on his back. And he had a touch of the runny poops yesterday. Could it be an allergic reaction? I am wondering if I should call the doc.

We are getting the mother of all storms today. It hasn't snowed much where I live, but has been cold. Today we are supposed to get up to 6 inches. Then freezing rain. Needless to say, I will be staying indoors for valentines day.

Did you all get Valentines day presents for the babies? We went to target yesterday and let the boys "pick" out presents. Ethan liked a big red and pink monkey that velcros the arms around his neck. He sat in the shopping cart w/ his arm around it, too cute. He also picked out a flashlight for babies. Brady picked out a pink (yes pink) ball and a wagon. Dh tried to get him to pick the blue ball, but he really liked the pink one.. ha ha! Oh, and they are having a major sale on clothes for babies/toddlers. We got two long sleeved Beatles t-shirts (18mos) for $2.25!! And a Steelers jersey w/ sweatpants for next season for $3.00!

Well, I better run. I typed enough. Oh, where is everyone at chat time? I logged on yesterday and last week and no one was there. Will anyone be on today?

Love,
Lisa

[SunMoonMom]

Hi All...

Sorry I have been MIA... Work and Doctor yesterday...

Thank you to everyone for your compliments on the boys... They are the light of my life..

Medical Vent - I just need to get this off my chest. I went to a new primary care physician yesterday. It is part of my turning over a new leaf plan... It is a 4 stage plan that is layed out over the next 18 - 24 months to get my body ready to try to conceive again. You see I was a fertility patient and during the treatment I was referred to a metabolic clinic. I was diagnoised with metabollic syndrome and insulin resistance. Through medicine, diet and exercise I was able to get my metabolism set up to conceive with the help of drugs. Thus the twins...

I have been heavy (fat) since I was 5... Never been anywhere near thin... I have changed eating habits, worked out for hours every day and taken weight lose boosters... And all I can say is that I have never been close to a "goal weight"... That's why you will never see a picture of me online... Too embarrassed about my weight... But I just can't seem to lose it... When I say the metabolic doctor during the reproductive treatment, it was the first time in my life I felt like someone understood what I was suffering with... I felt hope...

Now that the boys are 8 months old (really wanted to start when they were 6 months, but of course I broke my ankle), I want to start up again with the endroconologist to work on the metabolic issues so that in 18 - 24 months, Paul and I can start working on getting pregnant. I know that medicine is not the only answer and that diet and exercise is part of the plan... But if my metabolism was an issue before I was pregnant, then it must be an issue now...

So I go to this doctor yesterday and she reluctantly gives me a referral to an endroconologist (sp?). Saying that diet and exercise are all I need... She also had the nerve to ask me if I was nursing and when I said that I pumped for 3 weeks but could never nurse, she said that "I really lost my window of opportunity" What? Did you ever try to nurse twins? Just really found her to be a b****. So I got the referral and I am making the appointment, but I am now on the hunt for another new primary care physician...

On top of that, I mentioned the fact that I suffer from cronic back pain and leg pain from a car accident I had 3 years ago.. She said that she would refer me to a pain management doctor.. but then didn't. I have to call today to get the referral...

I guess the main beef I have is that I walked in there with a plan and was basically told that I eat too much, don't exercise enough and that all that stuff done before I got pregnant was a bunch of crap... Of course that crap got me pregnant... The doctor seemed more open to gastric bypass surgery than to me trying to work on the metabolic issues with diet, exercise and medical assistance... I even mentioned that I would like to have a nurse appointment every six weeks to check my progress and she said that that wasn't possible... insurance won't cover it... What? So I come in, a nurse walks me to a scale, I get one, weigh myself and leave... That needs to be reported to insurance...

I left there in tears and by the time I got home I really felt like puking after each meal might be the most effective way to get my weight under control because unless I have surgery this doctor is not interested in working with me...

Okay so I will stop ranting... I just have to pick myself up and keep working the plan... Someday I will win this weight battle... I just did not want to have surgery to do it....

:loser:

Kerrie

[EBTwinz]

Oh, Kerrie... :aww: , I think you are beautiful.

[AndreaR]

Boy is it quiet here the past few days. I hope everyone is okay and just a
little busy, as I have been.

Kerrie - what an idiot that doctor is. Really. You are being completely sensible with your approach. Any other doctor would applaud and support you. I hope you are able to find someone new quickly so that you can get on with your plan. I, too, think you are beautiful. Remember that you are loved beyond comprehension and no doctor, no one, can take that away from you. :aww: Big hugs to you.

Monica - I agree with everything Lisa said about Early Intervention. DH is right that you shouldn't worry, and yes, he will catch up, but if you take advantage of EI, he will catch up more quickly. I have found them to be very very helpful with Madeline.

Lisa - While I am sorry to hear about your hangover day, I was kind of - just a little - laughing, because you had said that you were a big party girl in the past. It just goes to show you how two little babies can sure change your life. In my "Top Ten Reasons I'm Glad I Had Twins" is that I haven't been hungover in seventeen months. Not since the month before I conceived. Seriously - that's how bad my hangovers were. I'm glad that your ILs were able to take care of the boys and you were able to take care of you! How is Brady's rash? Did you call the dr?

Jennifer - Wow - I always wondered how much plastic surgery costs. Well, if it's what you want, then I you'll figure out a way to make it work. Sorry about the hernia, though. Does it hurt?

Valerie - hope your neck is better. I think you are probably right to call the dr about Corey's peepee. Let us know what happens.

Okay, I know I missed some of you, but I need to go make a romantic dinner for me and DH for Valentine's Day. The au pair comes back tomorrow, so I figured it would be better to do VDay by ourselves.

Have a good night!

xo
Andrea

[EBTwinz]

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! :love: :love2: :hearts: :sweety: :heart: :dh:

[SunMoonMom]

Happy Valentine's Day!!!


So you guys posted some questions for me last week regarding sleeping and I talked to Paul (DH) about it last night and here is what he said:
He watched the boys when they were younger to see what their natural schedule was so thus the pictures with them sleeping everywhere. They would just fall asleep on their own.
He then took that schedule and applied it to naps. He puts the boys down and give it at least 1/2 hour for them to cry themselves down.
He also said that we are lucky because Zach will put himself down where ever he is if he is tired. Ben on the other hand will fight it tooth and nail.
So no big revelations on sleep here... I think we are just lucky to have boys that will put themselves down and a daddy who designed the schedule around their internal clocks...

Sheets - Last week there was discussion about how often the sheets are changed on the crib. I mentioned this to Paul and he wanted me to share an idea that a friend of ours gave us before the boys were born. We triple sheet the bed. We have a protective sheet, a crib sheet, a protective sheet, a crib sheet, a protective sheet and then a crib sheet on each of the boys mattresses. So we pull off the top sheet if it gets messed up with some bodily fluid or once a week. That way we only have to make the bed about every three weeks. It also makes accidents in the middle of the night easier to handle. Although we haven't had this problem in a long time. Ben used to spit up (more like throw up based on the volume) a lot in his crib at night. So, while one of us was cleaning Ben up, the other would strip the top layer of the sheets. It was a lot faster than stripping the bed and remaking it.

Lisa - So happy you got a night out... So sorry about your hangover... So glad it wasn't me... Can't stand hangovers... They last for days for me... Actually gave up alcohol completely because one drink and I felt awful for days...

Valerie - Let us know how your neck is doing... Also, keep us informed about Corey's peepee... I don't know about you but that is the one area of my boys that scares me... I have never had a peepee so I am really careful about it with the boys... Paul thinks I am obsessive with cleaning the peepee. The boys are going to have a complex when they get older...

Jennifer - I hope you can have the surgery... It will make you happy and you deserve that!

Lisa and Andrea - Thank you for your kind words... Yesterday I started eating based on the guidelines I was given before I got pregnant with the boys. I looked up more information on metabollic syndrome and the information online indicated that I was doing all the right things. I think that I just got a doctor that is set in her ideas that all fat people are lazy slobs... Well, I won't be seeing her again, but I am taking the referrals (the ones she only gave me because I insisted). I have an appointment at the end of March with the endroconologist. I will keep you guys informed and hopefully in 18-24 months I can say that I am pregnant again but this time with only one.

Babysitter - The only family we have where we live is Paul's mom. She isn't able to handle both boys at the same time. Plus she is caring for Paul's aunt who is on dialysis. So Paul and I haven't had time to ourselves (except for after the boys go to bed) since the boys were born (8 months on Monday). So I was wondering where would I begin to start looking for a babysitter. How do I know if this person is qualified? Also, we have animals (cats and dogs), do you think this would make rates be higher because the babysitter would have to put up with our furry babies too?

Okay well I have taken up enough board space for one morning. I am off in a few minutes to the chiropractor. I hope he is able to get a good adjustment on me today... I need it!

Isn't it great to not only have your DH as your valentine but to also have your twins (and other kids) to be your valentines too? I never thought I could love something so much as I love these boys!! I am truly blessed!

Kerrie

[mmzill]

:hearts: :throb: ~Happy Valentine's Day~ :throb: :hearts:

[swineland]

:love: Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, I just want to say, Happy Valentines Times Two!:love:

[AndreaR]

Happy Valentine's Day!!
xoxo
:love:

[Jillmami]

Kerrie, we do the same thing with the sheets and it is wonderful. It seems to make things easier. And if we can make even 1 task easier, I'm all for it!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY MAMAS!!:date: :flowers: :throb: :lovemytwins: :hearts: :love2:

[Jillmami]

YIKES!! I resized the pics and they are still HUGE! SO SORRY! I have to leave for work but will work on getting them smaller when I have a prep. SORRY for the huge pics!!!

[JERSEYGEMINI]

:yippee: HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!! :love:


Jill- cute pictures as usual!

Kerrie- I hope you are feeling better. You are doing the right thing! I have dealt with TOO many insensitive, and sometimes ignorant doctors, in the past four years dealing with my own infertility issues. There are definitely good ones and very very BAD ones. :thumbdown: I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself and looking for a doctor who will support you. No body has to put up with a doctor like that!

Babysitters- I asked a triplet mom whom I met recently, and she said the Mothers of Multiples club offers email newletters that often have babysitters listed. I have been meaning to join anyway for the annual Swap and Sell coming up in May. Rates here are about $15/hr for a non-RN sitter!

Jorge just got a $12, 000 bonus :party2 and my awesome husband is giving it to me for my body. I am probably just going to get my stomach fixed, because that is affecting my daily activities. The hernia is bothering my more and more as the twins get bigger (I have had this since they were born). Unless I can get my school pension out, I will do my chest another day....which probably means never...you know how that goes...Oh well.

[Jillmami]

CONGRATS on Jorge's bonus and to you and your new tummy! :jump: I can't imagine what it must be like with that hernia as they get bigger! You are one tough mama! When are you going to schedule the procedure?

We found our nannies through gonanny.com. You have to pay for the service, but with the women we found it was well worth it. Otherwise, I know there are lots of connections through the Mothers of Multiples groups as well as Craigslist. (We have a girl we use just on certain occasions that we found on Craigslist. From all the interviews that we did, you definitely can tell after a few minutes if you like the person or not. That 'motherly' instinct kicks in with a vengeance!)

[sgarrett]

Ok I think I have Chase's pics on here, I had to inlude one of his senior pics too so you could see him sans makeup!

Sorry I have been gone, my BF in Atlanta's mother died unexpectedly Friday night. I went to Atl Sat and again yesterday. It was so sad.

Will catch up more later.

Staci