Double Trouble

[faithandhope]

LauraLou...so glad the results came back ok for Jeremy!

I can't believe all the little babies seem to be getting sick lately! It seems to be worse for the boys and I'm having 2 boys so I am taking everything in that I am reading. You are doing such a wonderful job with Bodie, Kholtan. Keep it up!

I'm still very sick, puking all throughout the day, and having the nurses come to my house and check on me. It's horrible, but I know it won't last forever.

Kholtan....can you send me a message with contact information for the supplemental insurance??
Thanks so much!
Tiffany

[woodcliff]

A quick one...
Kimberly, I can not thank you enough for all of the valuable information...how lucky those kids were who you Nannied! As is Bodie to have such a knowledgeable mommy...

How cool to combine lessons on the ocean with trips to an aquarium and to the ocean...fabulous...no wonder you made the $$$ and were in demand! By the way, could one of those families adopt me?

I'm thinking that the au pair will merely be an extra pair of hands in the beginning...I plan to be home with the babies...(I work from home, but am letting go of all contracts when the babies are born, I'm in my mid, er, late 40s and feel the time will pass so, so fast that I want to be there...) So just someone who can help with laundry, diapering, holding feeding...and take over while I nap...will be a huge help...
I looked into night nannies and know they are incredibly expensive but I don't have any family to do any tag teaming so it is crucial to have someone help me out in the first 2-6 weeks...

Thank you also for your phone number...I may just call you ... and will identify myself ASAP (I'm freakish about using my real name on forums and boards...as this is all now PUBLIC information that anyone can use. ew! Scares me a bit, don't want to see my name end up in someone's book!)

I am wishing very healthy thoughts for Bodie...and for you and your family...one thing about babies is that they are so, so resilient and can overcome things that adults can not...you sound so with is, and so does your pediatrician...so hard to identify milestones with premmies...

wishing you and all of you the very best! THANK YOU AGAIN

[buckeyegal]

Yikes---for some reason I wasn't getting notified that you all posted! So sorry....I feel like I've missed a ton!

First off, Laura---Yeah! I'm so glad that Jeremy's okay. THat's great news. Also, thanks for the tip about the early intervention assessment. I might check into that too for Braeden. Ellie's a chatterbox, but Braeden's still just making vowel sounds I think? Honestly, I lose track...I need to pay more attention to those fine details--he babbles a ton, but I need to notice the sounds...

Kimberly---OMG----Are you referenced at all in "The Nanny DIaries"? That job sounds AWESOME!!! Although, I bet you have stories to tell...What great background, though, for your mommy job now. I know my job training is definitely helpful (especially as they enter toddlerhood, but the baby training is something I didn't have...). I totally understand your concern about autism. For a while there, I kept thinking something was possibly wrong with Braeden. But, I think having boy/girl causes unfair comparison. Boys are different, no question. The fact that bodie has eye contact and laughs/responds is HUGE HUGE HUGE! Yeah! How early were your babies? I can't remember. I'm sure they're more "on track" using their corrected age on the developmental checklists. But, at least your ped is proactive. That's a good thing, cause early intervention is KEY. I hope and pray that Bodie is just a little delayed due to his early arrival (and maybe the fluid on the brain is contributing as well?). Sorry to hear that Anna is sicky now too. The cold sucks, but at least it's temporary. Hope Bodie can avoid this round---sometimes my two pass the cold back and forth....ugh....


Malinka--I'm actually surprised I wasn't more cautious with the pink eye. My two already sleep in separate cribs. I didn't really separate them during playtime or anything. My experience has been, "If they're both gonna get it, let's at least get it over with..." Knock on wood, but Ellie hasn't shown any signs yet. We'll see...(I do keep sanitizing toys...just in case!)As for what to do with 6 week olds? Enjoy the fact that they sleep so much! I remember thinking I needed to "do" so much with them. I wish I had relaxed more back then. But, Kimberly had great ideas. It was warmer when mine were that age, so a lot of times, I'd take their bouncy seats out on to the front porch, and we would just rock and look around at the outside world! With the cold weather, that's tough....but hey, take them to another room, and let them just look around! My two are always fascinated by the kitchen--don't know why---I don't do much of anything in there that's worth talking about! ha! Oh, my two did LOVE it when I'd massage them at that age, or rub soft blankets, etc. across their faces and skin. That's a good little activity.

Tiffany--I hope you feel better soon. That sucks! But hey, maybe your boys are causing havoc now, and they'll be real easy on you when they arrive! Don't worry about having two boys. My Ellie is the one who is usually sick. At least that's the way it was early on...

As for Braeden, we went back to the dr. yesterday, and we got antibiotic eye drops. THey did the trick! He's already better, but we still have a few days of drops left. Oh, and he's gotten very sly about squinting when he sees the dropper---little stinker!

Here's a true story about a delayed little girl. THere once was a precious little girl who was sweet and did as her parents told her to. Only problem? She didn't speak until she was THREE! Yes, she babbled before then, but her grandma thought that she was "retarded" or delayed. Well, when that little girl decided to talk, she spoke in fluent sentences and hasn't stopped since. Who is that little girl? YOURS TRULY. don't despair. We all do things when we're ready. It's not a bad idea to keep an "eye on things", but in the end, most of us just do things when we want to! Hope that makes you feel better. (Although, I'm ALWAYS talking to my two kiddos, just so history doesn't repeat itself....I bet mine will never shut up! )

Goodnight!

[faithandhope]

Buckeyegal....so glad the eyedrops are working and B is getting better! Yea!

Woodcliff...have your doctors mentioned anything about going on bedrest or are they just not even mentioning it right now?

[woodcliff]

xx

[buckeyegal]

Hey gals,

very sleepy over here as I did not get much sleep at all last night. Poor Braeden woke up SCREAMING at midnight. Then again at 1. Tried some tylenol, cause nothing would settle him. Not rocking, cuddling, pacifier, arrggghhhh.....Needless to say, I only got about 2-3 hours sleep last night. Once I got him settled won the second time, it took me like 2 hours to fall back asleep myself. No idea why. Then, they were up ready to roll early today. why oh why? Well, I called in sick to work (I would have been a zombie....) and tried to nap when the kids did. Not sure if it did much good. Hoping tonight's better....


Di--hope your move's going well!

woodcliff--your niece is quite gifted, huh? Wow!

[woodcliff]

Buckeye....sweet dreams! I don't know how you ladies juggle the workload and the babies...I'm trying to learn as much as possible by reading all of your posts!

Oh, sorry for the niece 'brag'...cracks me up. I can't add 2+2 (I'm a writer)...but there's some savant math types in my family...go figure. She is like her father, who is my brother, who is a brainiac (uh, but he can't tie his shoes, or make much sense 1/2 the time...very odd, but handsome, so he's gotten by...he's one of those...) I'd rather be able to function and need to rely on a calculator than be like him!

XXOO

[buckeyegal]

woodliff...you crack me up! As a teacher, I know how some "gifted" kids can be. Smart as a firecracker in an area or two, and then completely "off" in another area. Unfortunately, social areas are usually the "off" area. Not all gifted kids (don't want to make anyone made, here! ), just some...I honestly think gifted kids are much harder to teach than kids with learning disabilities. It's quite a challenge to keep a step ahead most days!

Good news...we slept through the night last night! Yeah! I hope we're back to normal sleep soon. It's been quite an adjustment to start these wakeups after doing so well most nights for the past few months.

Hope you all are well! Kimberly, you've been quiet. You okay?

[woodcliff]

Dumb question for you ladies

Just when I think I've mastered something and am ready to BUY, I get tossed off:

Er, I'm ready to buy the Graco Snug Ride, but now I don't know if there is a Seat that detaches for the Snap n Go, as well as a "base" that stays in the car?

And does the seat face backward?
And Do I buy the base and seat separately, or do they come together?

Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear. I am hopeless!

KIM! I did not know you were an educator...hats off to you...yes, I've told my husband I will be so pleased with a healthy, average kid...after seeing the trouble the "brilliant" ones in my family have gone through in life...sometimes, being Mensa-ish is a social deficit ...

My nephew, unfortunately, is a lot like his father (fortunately the smart niece is more like her mom, balances brains with social interaction)...the little boy was loosely diagnosed with Aspberger's...but his parents are in denial, and won't do anything about it, so he runs wild and no one really enjoys being around him because of it...it is so unfair to the boy, but he is an unpleasant little monster to be around because his parents "Don't want him labeled."

Uh, hello! Labeling is a good thing, as the schools can then help him before he slips into total strangeness...it is just so eerie to have a 7 yr old look right through you when he tells some nonsensical story.

I vow to get my kids all the help they need, if they have problems...children are so vulnerable!

BEST TO YOU ALL and I hope the little boys are holding up out there!

[faithandhope]

woodcliff! I am RIGHT there with ya on the stroller/car seat issue! Seriously, ladies we need to invent something like the Chicco system for twins that is basically the same thing and costs the same! ha ha!

I tested out the graco snug ride yesterday and it was somewhat difficult and heavy in my opinion (looks cute and good price, though). Here is what I have learned go in the Snap & Go:

Baby Trend Latch Loc
Cosco Designer 22 & 35
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio (my favorite but so expensive once you buy both seats)
Evenflo Cozy Carry
Portabout & On my way
Centruy Vante
Graco (actually doesn't say if it is the snug ride or not), so I'm confused.

Can the mommies tell us again which one you used with for the first 6 months and if you liked it. I know that I want the Britex car seat for later, but it doesn't go in the snap & go now.

Thanks!

[LauraLou]

Woodcliff- the base stays in the car and the seat comes out. The base comes with the seat but you can buy extra bases to use in your DH car.

I have the Baby Trend Flex Loc. It fits into the snap-n-go. Actually, they are made by the same company. It is really easy to get the seat in and out of the base. It is also very easy to adjust the shoulder straps. You don't need to rethread them. You just adjust a knob on the back. Very convienent when your baby is growing quickly! My only complaint is that it is a little hard to move the handle up and down. It gets easier the more you use it. I had to order mine online, as I couldn't find them in a store.

[kholtan]

Hey Ladies!

Woodcliff~ I do hvae the Britax car seats and although they aren't one of the ones that the snap-n-go already has a plan for you can make them work. It's confusing to try describe but you just have to adjust the metal parts to make it work for your seat. Mine fit just fine and secure nicely.

Good luck to you mommies on the car seat journey. I really do feel it's important to find the right fit for you and your ltitle ones.

Quick and brief update on us. . .We saw a developemental specialist the Wednesday and he totally ruled out autism for us. I should say as much as you can at this age. Bodie is SOOOO social and giggley that he said it's truly unlikely! YEAH!!!! I was so ready for some good news for once. He also said that although he is going slower on the moving that all his relfexes and responses are right on target so it's just a matter of wanting to do it for him. I guess I may be TOOO entertaining sometimes.
We are still going to see the neurologist on the 29th to talk about his exterior hydrocephalus and see what we can do to minimize his moments of pain. Hopefully we cna keep on the good news path!


Gotta run. . . . be back!

[buckeyegal]

Kimberly--yeah! I'm glad he's on track and that autism is not an issue. My boy tends to be less motivated too...go figure, us gals are on the move more! To be honest, I do find myself catering to Braeden more often and letting Ellie get things herself. I have to stop doing that. Good luck at your appt. on the 29th--keep the good news coming!

woodcliff and faithandhope--Yes, I got the snugride, and yes, it fits well into the snap n go. The stroller comes "nearly" assembled, you just have to put some of the rods and screws in certain slots depending on your car seat. The directions are very clear. Even I could do it! Laura's right on about the bases. You might want to check with some friends to see if they have any extra bases that are still within the 6 year same time frame. My friend lent me hers, and that was nice for our other car...even though we didn't end up using that car as much. Our minivan was much more useful. One thing to think about....and I've just now "hit" this point. Now that my kiddos are out of their infant seats, we can't use our snap n go anymore. I have a Chicco side-by-side stroller that I use (and i do like it! very light and easy). HOWEVER, it doesn't have a snack tray or cup holder for the kids. I might miss that as they get older. A friend from my twins club loves her front/back double stroller (Gracco duoglide, I think?), and it DOES have more ammenities. (It's also flippin' heavy--tradeoff??) Here's why I bring this up----try to anticipate what kinds of things/how many "outings" you might try to do....you might want to end up with a front/back. I don't tend to take mine out shopping and such that often, mostly cause of the cold weather, but also just the headache of getting them out. I guess I'm a wimp that way. So, I haven't really "needed" the ammenities. But, as it gets nicer, I might change my mind. I might end up buying a second hand front/back just for the added comfort for longer outings. My friend calls her stroller her twins' "cruiser", because they're so comfy in it. (I can see this being an issue when mine start needing snacks, sippy cups, etc.???) Not to add more confusion, but just something I thought I'd share...Oh, my friend has also mastered the art of grocery shopping with her stroller...she pushes the stroller and drags her shopping cart behind her. I'm not that brave. That's why DH is here. He can watch the kids while I shop.

Good news--Braeden has slept well for the past two nights! Yeah! I'm knocking on wood right now...They also took their first bath in the "big tub" last night. WE had so much fun with squirt toys, duckies, etc.

Woodcliff---I'm right there with you on the average kid....average and healthy is just great with me! (Although, like you, we have some "unique" genious types in my family---they definitely add some variety to family events, for sure!) Sorry to hear about your nephew. Asperger's is a pretty hard issue for parents to deal with. They're probably still in denial. I feel bad for them. I hope, for his sake, they can start to take steps to help him. He needs to learn to adapt and make accomodations to deal with his situation. THat takes lots of help--doctors, school, family, etc. It will probably be a rough enough road for him (even without "the label"....).He's in my thoughts.

[faithandhope]

Hey ladies!
Kholtan....such a blessing that Autism was ruled out! I was a 6th grade teacher (staying home once the twins arrive) and worked with kids with autism and it is truly heartbreaking. I have many friends with baby boys who I am around constantly and they seem to be dealing with many of the same issues. Some of them have home care teams come in to work on language and other things, but I have noticed it with some of my friends' boys. I agree with the other ladies, no need for alarm, but I'm glad you are on top of it and getting everything checked out.

Buckeyegal....so cute you got to do the first big bath (how many months are they???) Just wondering when that actually first happens! Probably a silly question, but do they just go in the big tub together at the same time?

We have finally discovered our stroller solution!!! Drum roll.....we are going with the Graco Quattro Tour Duo (not the duo glider..this one is a new thing!) with the infant seats/car seats that attach in it! We are going with the Peg side by side as a 2nd one when they get a little bigger and the grandparents are getting the Bob (splurge) jogger which we probably don't need but will welcome! The pattern on the Graco stroller and carriers is called Rittenhouse and can only be ordered online but it is gorgeous! If you get bored, you should look it up because I am so excited about it!
I know the stroller thing has been something we have really had to research and we were willing to spend whatever we needed to on the stroller since we are always out and about. So, for anyone who needs stroller advice for twins, I can say that this travel system is amazing! It's got all the bells and whistles too. The ONLY thing I could find to complain about is it is a bit heavy to lift in our Expedition, but not much worse than others.

Ok, now for my next question....we are getting a pack and play for our living room. 2 cribs in the nursery. What did you guys do when you first brought the twins home? Did you put them right in their nursery and shared a crib or did you do bassinets in your room? I would love to hear what everyone did and how it worked out for them!

Thanks!

[buckeyegal]

faithandhope---mine our 7 months now...not sure when most people start baths in the big tub, but I was just being cautious until they were able to sit pretty steady. We did manage to get these bath seats from my twins club sale. The kids sit in them inside the tub. It helps with balance. Here's the thing: you can't buy them in the stores. I guess people were leaving their kids for a moment in these seats to get the phone, etc., and their kids were drowning. So, they were pulled off the shelf. (Even though it wasn't the seats "fault"...hmmmm...)I, of course, will not be leaving the babies. It just helps me keep two kids sitting in a tub with bath toys everywhere...once again, we twin mommies have to "bend" the rules in order to survive! I'm glad you picked out your stroller! We almost went the Quattro route, but it was so heavy. And I had a c-section, which would have kept me from using it for a while. But, I hear they're great! yeah! I'll have to check out the pattern. We slept our babies in their nursery (same crib until 4 months) right away. It helped that our bedroom was literally 5 feet away. We live in an older house, and there wasn't room for all of us in our bedroom, so we just started in the nursery. I'm glad I did it that way though because I never had to get them "used" to sleeping anywhere different! I did have to get out of bed to bf, but since we were supplementing with bottles anyway, it didn't make a difference where they slept. It was a 2 man operation for a while there.