Pregnant with Twins? Get Ready for Double the Work, Double the Rewards

A friend of mine is pregnant with twins and I was thinking of all the crazy parenting things I wish I knew before I had mine. I think in the back of my mind I thought I'd have it together by the time they were two. Here I am with toddler twins and I'm still at the store everyday in sweats that could pass as pajamas. I'm totally an episode of What Not to Wear. Who has time to change when you've got errands to run and two kids to keep on schedule? Totally embarrassing, but this is just my life!

I totally understand that everyone handles the stresses of parenting differently. Some do it more gracefully than others:) Some of these are true for any new parent, they just seem exaggerated for mothers of multiples.

Being a twin mom means...
1. Grandparents can't get jealous of each other because there is one baby for each to hold.
2. Double the snuggles, that's the best!
3. You get to enjoy the firsts x 2, usually within a few days or weeks.
4. You're very good at multi-tasking.
5. You get to dress them alike or differently, no matter what you decide, you have two little people to dress up!
6. They play with each other from a very early age.
7. They are more content to be left alone by you because they always have a companion.
8. They sleep better also because they do not feel alone.
9. You'll get to experience parenting different than many of your friends. It is a unique and special experience to be a mom of multiples.
10. The dad is a very involved parent because you need help.
11. They learn to share from an early age.
12. You will have an instant bond with all twin moms because it is like a sisterhood. They all know what you are going through.
13. You will cherish nap time and bed time and then you'll be so happy to see them wake up because you'll have missed them!

 

The not so fun stuff...
1. You will be stopped everywhere you go, twins attract a ton of attention.
2. People will tell you at least once a day you must have your hands full and you do, but you don't want to admit it.
3. If you buy 2 of something most of the time the other will want the one the sibling has or isn't interested in it at all. If you buy one, the other always wants it.
4. You'll have a hard time finding time to shower, do your hair, put on makeup and get dressed in "real" clothes. When you do, you might regret wearing the real clothes around the kids.
5. You'll rarely have time to shop for yourself. Hint: buy yourself something special before you give birth that you can enjoy wearing or carrying ( I bought myself a new purse) after the kids are here.
6. Your car and your house will be a constant mess. (Leslie tells me that is not exclusive to having twins!)
7. You will buy more diapers, formula and baby food than you every imagined and it will disappear faster than you ever thought possible.
8. Laundry and dishes will be never ending.
9. Your diaper bag will become your bag of tricks. You'll soon carry enough supplies to diaper, dress and feed an army of hungry children. The Skiphop duo double diaper bag is a favorite!
10. Everyone will ask you if twins run in your family. If they aren't natural, have your response ready. It can be funny, sarcastic or the truth, whatever you like!
11. You'll have a hard time carrying on a normal conversation or have any great social skills for the first year or two!
12. It is hard to find a babysitter aside from family that can manage multiples.

Twins are the most amazing thing ever and I feel so blessed to be a mother of multiples. There are months when I get in the groove and just when I start to feel like I have everything under control, they change and grow up a little more. I'm at that transition stage now that we've reached 2 1/2. Most days I feel like I might pull my hair out, but their funny comments remind me not to take everything too seriously.  If you or someone you know is pregnant with twins, always keep in mind it is a total roller coaster ride, so just sit back, laugh, cry and enjoy the ride!

Oh, and I couldn't resist sharing this MRI video showing one twin kicking the other twin in the womb.  This just proves what all mothers of twins already know!



Posted by Liz

Baby Gender Reveal Party - What a Concept!

I love any reason to get together with family and friends...and what is better than having a get together to let those who are closest to you know if you are pregnant with a boy or girl. Great food, great company, and a great surprise. A party doesn't get much better than that!

And come to think of it, this is a great way to avoid hurting anyone's feelings about who finds out first. Everyone looks at the ultrasound at the same time!

Thanks to Natalie, at The Busy, Budgeting Mama for all of her great ideas for making a fantastic Baby Gender Reveal Party. Click here to check out wonderful pictures, ideas and fun!

Post Baby Belly...When Will it Go Away?!?

After talking with a girlfriend who recently had a baby and watching Kendra on E!, I am reminded of that blessed time right after you have had your baby. Not only do you have your most precious baby, but you still have a baby bump as well (and it's usually a lot mushier than it was when you were pregnant. Ugh!).

I suppose it makes sense, since most of the women I know gained 30-40 pounds during pregnancy and then had a 6-8 pound baby. But mentally, as a new mom, you still aren't prepared for it. I know I wasn't. I expected/hoped the baby would come out and all the weight would fall out right along with it. But as many of the moms that came before reminded me, "It took 9 months for you to gain the weight, it is going to take a while for the weight to come off."

Blah, blah, blah...but it's true. And now I pass the same advice on to those moms who come after me.

The key thing to remember is to take care of yourself and your baby. I will admit that nursing really helped me get rid of the baby belly. Nursing helps contract your uterus, which is why you can get those lovely cramps while you are nursing! But contracting can be good because it is also helping the uterus shrink back down to a normal size...or as normal as it is going to get. While you are in the hospital and in the 2-3 weeks after having the baby, massaging your belly/uterus can help with the cramps and also help it shrink down to its new size - or so I was told by the nurses when I was in the hospital with #2.

And I hate to scare anyone that is pregnant, but I must warn you that your post baby body will be different from your pre-baby body. This doesn't mean that your body gets better or worse - just different!

When it comes to exercising after having your baby, be sure to consult with your doctor before doing anything. What you are able to do after having a baby is highly dependent on what you were able to do before and during your pregnancy. I think the key thing to remember is moderation and starting off slow. Your body will be exhausted from working so hard as a new mommy that you need to focus on getting rest. But taking the baby for a walk in the stroller is a great way to get some fresh air, a change in scenery, and your blood flowing a bit.

I am happy to report that after having my second child, my body seemed to bounce back faster than after I had my first. (Perhaps chasing my first child around helped shed the weight faster!)

But every woman is different and every body is different. After having a baby, it is best to just take care of yourself and your beautiful little bundle of joy!

P.S. I threw in the picture above to show that it is okay to look exhausted, in pajamas/sweats and without make-up after you have had a baby. It's life as a new mommy...get used to it!

Advice #9 for Expecting Moms

When your baby enters the world, everything gets turned upside down. Something that you want to make sure DOESN'T get turned upside down is your relationship with your spouse.

Here's some advice from Deci Worland that every new mom can use:

"My best advice is to allow for couple time, do not neglect your husband."

This may be difficult in the first few weeks but always make time for your partner. A wise person once told me the best gift you can give your child is a happy home. And a happy home begins with a loving relationship.

Image courtesy of Baxterboo.com

Advice #7 for Expecting Moms

This week's advice is all about keeping up with the Jones'...that is, trying to avoid that pitfall.

Peg42 wrote, "Don't compare (your) baby to friends' babies. Every child reach milestones at their own pace."

This advice is so true, but I also know that it is so hard not to compare. As a person who has taken a million behavior and personality tests showing that my strongest behavioral trait is to compare/compete, it takes some real effort to stay focused on my children's development and not how they compare to others.

Don't get me wrong, as a parent you do want to make sure your child hits certain developmental milestones, but for their own sake, not for your own.

It's easier said than done, especially when your child seems to be on the slower side of the curve. But keep in mind, a baby that takes a little longer to crawl gives you a little more time to leave him/her hanging out on the floor without the worry of them darting off into another room. While it is exciting that s/he has reached that milestone, you will at times wish s/he still was just hanging out in the almost crawling (on all fours rocking motion) position.

Parenting is challenging enough without throwing in the comparison game...so just don't do it!

Advice #4 for Expecting Moms

A month or so ago I asked for your advice for expecting moms. Wow! You all had such great advice. And since I know many of you many have given your advice, but didn't check out the advice others gave, I am going to share this advice on a weekly basis. I will share the advice just as it was shared to me and add my commentary when I find it appropriate.

So here goes...

"My biggest piece of advice is rest when the baby rests- who cares if dinner needs to made-take a nap when baby does. Also learn to shut off and ignore the phone, the texts and emails. Learn to not answer the door and put up a note that says please do not ring bell- baby sleeping- or my husband got a doorbell that plugs in so only the front of the house hears it and does not bother the rest and you can unplug it for complete quiet. Learn to give yourself rest and close your eyes and ignore the world except your family in the home. Everyone wants to see new baby, but they need to understand you need to rest too. "

I agree 100%. There were times, especially in the first few weeks of my kids' lives, that I found myself crying uncontrollably because I couldn't do all the things that I wanted to do. And oddly enough, a nap actually made me feel better.

Thanks for the advice, MOMFOREVERANDEVER. Stay tuned for more helpful tips!

Image courtesy of Treehugger.com

Surprise Giveaway: $100 Nordstrom Gift Card For Your Expectant Mommy Advice

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

As you may have already noticed, I have been passing on my advice to expectant moms in the past week or so. Naturally, I think my advice is fabulous, but I know you all have great advice for new moms, too, and I would love to reward you for that advice.

Your advice may be featured on Houses, Couches and Babies and (1) lucky reader will win a $100 Nordstrom gift card.

Here's how to enter:

• Post a comment here with your piece of advice to new moms (only sincere advice will be considered, so please try)
• In your comment, please be sure to include your name and location (city/state/country)
• Please post your comment by 11:59p.m. PST on Monday, August 31st

The winner will be chosen randomly and announced shortly after August 31st. Please check back to see if you are the winner.
Good luck!
P.S. You don't have to be a mom to give advice on this one!

Advice #3 for Expecting Moms

So, I mentioned bringing a nursing pillow to the hospital when you go into labor. Now that you have the gear, here is a quick piece of advice that seems like a no brainer, but as an exhausted first time mom, you will be surprised what you forget.

When nursing your child in the hospital make sure to sit up. Again, I know this sounds like a no brainer, but I thought I was sitting up in my hospital bed trying to nurse and still had such a tough time. But it wasn't until I actually sat in a chair that I realized how reclined I was in the hospital bed. And trust me, sitting up, and even a little forward, makes a huge difference when you are nursing. Gravity really does work!

If you attended any sort of prenatal classes, you probably saw a birthing video where it showed a newborn find his/her mother's breast and immediately start nursing. With my first child, I waited for an hour for him to find it...he never did. Naturally, I was confused because the video said this would happen. But I quickly learned I had to take a much more active role.

If you choose to nurse in your hospital bed (as most new mommies do because someone else is usually sitting in the chair in your room!), I highly recommend sitting up in bed with your legs crossed in front of you with your nursing pillow on your lap.

Another little hint: after even just a few days of nursing, you may notice your shoulders shrugging forward, your back hurting, and possibly even some tension headaches. Make an effort to pull your shoulders back and stand (or sit) with the best posture possible. Your back will thank you for it later!

Advice #2 for Expecting Moms

At the end of your third trimester, naturally you think about your trip to the hospital and what you need to pack. While most lists from your doctor and/or hospital will tell you everything you need to bring, there is one key item they leave off...the nursing pillow. Sure, the list might mention a pillow, and every TV show you'll see will show a pregnant woman being wheeled in with her favorite bed pillow. But the hospital has plenty of pillows. The pillow you need is the nursing pillow.

The Boppy is by far the most popular nursing pillow, but I will shout until I am blue in the face that the Brest Friend nursing pillow is THE best nursing pillow. Click here to check out my dissertation on why you should use the Brest Friend.

Advice for Expecting Moms

In honor of a few friends who are ready to pop, and due any day now, I wanted to pass on some advice that I would have loved to know right before taking that trip to the hospital. I will pass on this advice over the next few days, so as to not overwhelm you!

Having said that, my first piece of advice is for the delivery room. If you are having a c-section, this advice doesn't apply to you. However, if you are pushing your little peanut out, then here are a couple of things you might like to know.

When I was pushing my first child out, a nurse in the delivery room told me to push like I was doing a sit-up.

It was amazing the difference that advice made. For starters, with my first sit-up push, I actually saw the lump of my son's body move downward. Secondly, many women are afraid of having a bowel movement while in the delivery room. And some women think that you are supposed to push like you are trying to have a bowel movement. Hmm, if you push like you are having a bowel movement, then you might just have a bowel movement.

Trust me, doing a sit-up is the way to avoid these worries. And I don't mean to brag, but with my son I pushed for about 20 minutes and about 15 minutes with my daughter. Doing the sit-up is worth the try, isn't it?

(P.S. I know the image above is not of a pregnant women doing a sit-up, but hey, do you know many pregnant women who would let someone take a photo of them doing a sit-up??? Didn't think so!)

Image courtesy of FitFAQs.co.uk

Ward Off Morning Sickness While Keeping Green

I don't know why I was never told about these wristbands you can wear to avoid morning sickness. But I find it is my duty now to pass it on to mothers-to- be that are going through that awful part of pregnancy (since I had to suffer through it with no relief!).

I just found out from The Cradle about an eco-friendly anti-nausea wristband called the Psi band. The wristband is actually used to apply acupressure, so they are drug-free. Plus, this particular brand is eco-friendly because the wristband and packaging is made with bio compatible materials that are reusable.

And now through Mother's Day (May 10), you can receive $3 off each wristband you buy at Amazon.com with The Cradle's special coupon code Cradle45.

There are five different designs to choose from. However, if you do choose the Cherry Blossom design, $1 will be donated to Fertile Hope, an organization that provides fertility resources for cancer patients. Help yourself. Help others, too!

Ann Taylor Loft Maternity Clothes

Now that I am done having babies, I have been dumping off - I mean giving - my maternity clothes to my girlfriends who are going through the blessed time of pregnancy. My friend, Sarah, got a new outfit from Ann Taylor Loft's new maternity line and has this to say about the outfit...

Ann Taylor has a great new maternity line. I am 7 months pregnant and it is not easy to find nice, comfortable, outfits for work (at least ones that don't break the bank!). Ann Taylor's maternity clothes are slimming, stylish, and comfortable. Being pregnant I've found that I've had to sacrafice one thing for another, most often style for comfort. However, Ann Taylor's black roll panel boot leg maternity pants fit comfortably and were very slimming. Lately I feel frumpy and these pants make me feel like I'm wearing my regular black pants.

I got Ann Taylor's turquoise top to go with the pants. I love this top because the material is light and soft. It fits loose but does not look like I'm wearing an oversized shirt. The ties on the sleeves gives it a little extra style. It is great to wear with jeans for a more casual look. I'm going to get one in every color! I highly reccomend Ann Taylor Maternity, like their everyday line,the maternity line is comfortable, stylish and reasonably priced. This outfit will be great also after have the baby, until I return to my pre-pregnacy weight.

Maternity Solid Tie Sleeve Top in Reef Blue and Maternity Boot Leg Roll Panel Pants in black are the two pieces Sarah mentioned and are pictured above.

The Cradle

I just found out about a website that I think is absolutely fabulous!

The Cradle is a great resource for pregnant women and new parents. You can chat with other parents to be, check out boy and girl names, explore baby shower ideas, see some of the coolest baby products on the market, and leave messages on topics of interest. In my opinion, it is a much hipper version of BabyCenter that is much more interactive for the site's visitors.

Be sure to check out The Cradle tomorrow, December 7th, as they will be having a website launch giveaway - we are taking Bugaboo, Fleurville and more!

Lauren Elizabeth

Okay, so there is a good reason there haven't been any posts the past several days...Baby #2 arrived!

Lauren Elizabeth was born on Saturday, November 10 at 7:02 am (yeah, that means no sleep the night before because contractions started at 8:45 on Friday night!). She weighed 8 lbs. 9-1/2 oz, which I must say is pretty impressive for a baby that came 8 days before her due date. (But I didn't feel the 8-1/2 lbs of baby because of my blessed epidural...thank you Dr. Yung, the best anesthesiologist in the world!)

Unfortunately, we had to spend a few more days in the hospital because little Lauren decided to hold her breathe every now and again. That kind of behavior earned her a few days in NICU. Come to find out, she had a bit of fluid in her lungs most likely because she didn't spend enough time in the birth canal. So, although Mommy, Daddy and doctor were glad that I got her out quickly, sometimes it is better for you to push for a longer amount of time because while in the birth canal, that is when the fluid is "squeezed out."

Anyways, Lauren is now home and happy to be with her big brother. And luckily, big brother seems to like her, too. It must be that Lightning McQueen power wheels car little sister bribed him with!

Oh, and here are a couple of things to remember if you are pregnant:

1. get the epidural
2. contractions may be erratic, so average the time spacing (or you could end up like me, getting to the hospital at 7-8 cm dilated)
3. get the epidural!!!

Nursing Made Cuter

As a mother-to-be for the second time around, I can remember the days of just sitting around in my pajamas - all day - because that was most comfortable to wear for nursing every 2-3 hours. And don't get me started on how annoying it was to nurse outside of the house with an awful nursing bra...yuck!

That is why I am so thrilled I found Aimee's Nursing Gowns. At nursinggowns.com, you can find a comfy nightgown that you can get away with wearing during the day. The empire waist design can be very forgiving for the post-baby tummy. And, oh yeah, you don't have to wear a bra, but it supposedly gives you enough support. Support without a bra...that's why I am going to try one of these bad boys.

Old Navy Baby Boutique

Old Navy has revamped their baby clothing line and released their Baby Boutique. Here are just a few of the cute new additions. (Hooded Animal Towel - $12.50; Tiered Lace-Trim Dress -$19.50; Animal-Pun Bodysuits - $9.50)

And, of course, Old Navy still has their fantastic styles at reasonable prices. (And don't forget, they have maternity clothes, too. I just ordered the Maternity Wrap Dress - $19.50, and am looking forward to wearing it for work.)

Ginger...Good for Nausea

I would first like to thank everyone who sent me ideas for curing my lovely "Morning" sickness(which as Jenny McCarthy says in Belly Laughs was clearly named by a man who wanted to stop hearing pregnant women complain after 12 noon).

I love all of your ideas and hope that I don't have to resort to the anti-nausea medications, considering it sounded like they don't work all that often.

I must give major props to my husband. He went to Henry's market tonight, got on their computer (didn't even know they have a customer computer) and looked up morning sickness. He came home with a print out of ways to treat morning sickness, a bottle of ginger ale, and a bottle of ginger capsules. I took the ginger capsules...

...and am pleased to report that not only am I no longer cursing my husband for doing this to me, but I am also not feeling as nauseous. Yay! (I guess I should keep him around for awhile...until I become crazy pregnant psycho again. And who knows, that could be right around the corner!)

Morning Sickness, Really...I like to Call it All Day Sickness

Okay, this is going to be quick...does anyone know how to make nausea go away?

Congrats...pregnant....woo-hoo...but this nausea is killing me. I definitely didn't have it this bad the first go around. I have tried eating crackers, but the problem is I have to stop eventually because my stomach starts to hurt from being so full. And as soon as I stop eating, my nausea comes back.

I tried the Prego Pops that you can buy for five bucks at maternity stores...the only thing those helped to do is make the roof of my mouth sore from all the acid. (Total rip-off!)

So, the only other item that helps is sucking on Jolly Rancher candies, and after going through 5 of them in 35 minutes, I feel like I need a new plan.

Some people have suggested ginger granules in herbal tea, but the thought of that makes me sick. And oh yeah, did I mention that laying down makes me feel worse...

...suggestions, please! Oh, and thanks for let me vent!

Can Ice Cream Help You Get Pregnant?

In case you needed another excuse to eat ice cream...here is a study that boggled my mind. If you are trying to get pregnant, you can start eating the ice cream now! In fact, eating ice cream may help you get pregnant. Click here to find out more about this study.