10 things I would tell someone about to have twins

ONE. It is possible.

Trying to imagine how on Earth things get done when you are going to have two babies at the same time can feel overwhelming. Please hear me when I say, IT IS POSSIBLE. You WILL be able to do all of the things you are worried about. Everything from affording to keep them in diapers to being able to nurture them equally are valid concerns but rest assured, it can be done!

TWO. No rest for the weary.

Get ready. Rest up while you can. You're in for a long run of sleepless days and nights. You've never known the tired you are about to experience. Fortunately, you simply forget what a full night's sleep is until one blessed day they decide to sleep through the night (that DOES happen eventually). Get your support system in place now. Someone (spouse, anyone) is going to need to be available how ever much they can to step in. Your babies will need you to get rest whenever you can. Your ONLY job at first can be to feed them, diaper them, and to sleep every moment you get the chance. Many twins ate every two hours at first. Consider: an hour and half of feeding, diapering, and getting back to sleep, which leaves only 30 minutes to do anything else — including try to nap while they are.

THREE. Get the right stroller.

A necessary MUST have if ever you plan to be independent with your children is the right stroller. There are tons of opinions on this but in my opinion the ONLY option is this: all terrain tires, side-by-side, fits through standard doorways, built to last (not sag and put them on top of each other in a few months), holds infants to preschoolers. Shop around a lot to find a good deal. Too many people see the price tag of the new strollers in this category and buy something else only to buy two or more strollers down the road because the one they bought doesn't hold up for the long haul. Strollers like this can be upwards of $600 or more, but you can find them on Ebay, Craigslist, and other outlet stores like Sierra Trading Post and REI. I cannot stress enough how much of a difference the right stroller can be to lessening the burden on your life when you have twin babies.

FOUR. Go for the convertible car seats.

The cute little seats that pop out and allow you to carry a baby here and there sounds great to every mother having a baby.... but not a realistic thing for mom's with twins in my opinion. The seats themselves weigh 20 to 35lbs each. Add on a diaper bag and two babies and you wont be walking too far with them on your own. Sure, they have the neat little carriages you can snap them on to, but you've got the awesome stroller listed above remember?! Don't waste your money. Get the convertible car seat. You have to spend maybe $20 more per seat, but you wont be in line at the check out counter in 6 months buying the next car seat with all the other new mommies. Your seats will last until your babies are ready for booster seats. My babies came home at 5lbs each, the necessary weight to leave the hospital, and their seats worked great.

FIVE. You don't need two of everything.

You only need two of these things to get you through the first several months: car seats, baby beds (though not at first, you only need two once they start moving around the crib), and cradle swings (that lay down and swing side to side – a blessed invention). That's it. Some things are nice to have two of, but you can get by easily with just one. I personally liked having two boppy pillows. You will want at least one bouncy seat for infants. You will also want a pack and play or a bassinet.

SIX. You need a plenty of backup for some things.

Swaddle blankets, burp cloths, diapers, feeding stuff (depending on your choice of nursing or bottling or both, this list is different), onsies or gowns or whatever you plan to dress them in most, diaper wipes, crib sheets, and quick changes of easily laundered clothes for you (for when little darlings spit up on you or pee on you or whatever).

SEVEN. Read up now.

Read up on the first 6 months of a babies development now while you have time. Be knowledgeable before they arrive so you feel a little more informed... but be warned, evey baby is different. Even the two you bring home will be different from one another. Try hard not to compare them against one another in their development.

EIGHT. Meet your Pediatrician.

Go meet your Pediatrician in advance and ask any questions that are on your mind. Go ahead and fill out all their paperwork for new patients. One less thing to do later, and a good relationship to have already established.

NINE. Be ready.

Twins often come early. Sometimes you are required to get off your feet. A safe window is to have your bags packed for the hospital, the important part of your nursery complete (complete with the important stuff! Don't fret if you aren't done decorating), and car seats purchased by the end of five months into your pregnancy.

TEN. Be joyful.

Having twins is a blessing. They are going to make you wonder how boring life must be without two at the same time. They are going to make you say how boring your life was before them. Be happy, not fearful. Be joyful, not worried.

My boys are 14 months old today and I am so amazed at how everything fell into place and has worked out through all of the ups an downs and round-and-rounds. All the planning, worry and curiosity.. all the work, all the joy... my boys are so incredible and life is better now with them in it.

boys 1st bday video – music by my sister, jennifer jordan

Finger Foods

The boys are 9months old now, so we are venturing on to new horizons when it comes to finger foods. This morning's plate included:

• lightly toasted multigrain bread with a light coating of creamcheese and cinnamon pulled into small bites and rolled up
• diced banana rolled in grapenut cereal dust
• colby and jack cheese smashed into small triangles

Their thoughts? YUMMM!! Graham seems a bit better at actually getting the pieces IN his mouth. (Maybe because he's use to getting his fingers in his mouth at nap and bed time?).

9 Months

Our little men are 9 months old today. We go for a check up later this week, but they weigh in still at 19 and 20 lbs. They've really gotten good at getting around. Crawling is no problem. Pulling up is as easy as breathing. Eating is a sport. Outdoors is still a favorite place to be. Sweetness.

Happy Easter!

We had a good Easter, despite August waking before the sunrise with a low fever. Both guys have a virus/cold, so we didn't make it to church or the other festivities we had planned for the day. Still, they enjoyed their baskets. Madison enjoyed hers too!

 

 

SWEET!!

My BABY is 16 years old now! I can't believe it. I've had fun reminiscing about the past 16 years this week. Yesterday, like the night she was born, there were terrible storms all around; tornadoes, hail, lightning. Was as if the heavens had a party with us! Her grandfather, Papa (Danny), wanted to name her Stormy Madison rather than Kyley Madison in honor of nature's wrath that night that encored with the birth of our sweet baby girl. She's been blowing us away ever since with her charm, laughter, smiles, goofiness, beauty and unconditional deep love of family and friendships. I LOVE YOU MADISON. xoxo

Her first prom went off without a hitch! She looked beautiful and they had a great time. She's going to another prom this next weekend with a friend from another school.

Growing!

The boys are 7 months & 2 weeks old now! Their personalities are so BIG and they really are (for the most part) very happy babies. (MiMi might think otherwise after the fit they threw for her the other night at bedtime! ha! but, OVERALL, happy boys! We LOVE you MiMi!). A couple weeks ago, they weighed in at 18lbs10oz (August) and 18lbs5oz (Graham).

ABOUT AUGUST:

August has sprouted his first two teeth (front bottom) and is scooting all over the place. He gets up on all fours and rocks, but mostly gets around in a "wounded soldier" type of crawl – dragging one leg behind him and pulling himself along on his elbows and pushing with his other knee. He's quick! Don't turn your back on him even for a moment or he's going to be into something! Count on it! He's very curious. He wants to explore everything. He also said "dadadada..dadadada..dadaaa" last night. As soon as he makes the connection... it's on! He understands what we are saying to him a lot of the time already. He does not seem to require a whole lot of sleep, though he has successfully slept through the night a few times with only one feeding. He has a certain pitch he hits whenever he wants something immediate to happen. It will cause your ears to echo and ring and hurt. I'm pretty sure dogs in the next county are barking back at him. This seems louder when he's the most tired or believes his brother is getting more food or attention than him. I've often joked that he may think his name is "JESUS Gus!" (I'm working on not saying that so much, I am).

ABOUT GRAHAM:

Graham is the silliest, goofiest little boy ever! He is so happy to be here. Just look at him and he grins ear to ear with a huge wet drooly smile (usually a tongue will be sticking out at you too)!
He can sit on his own really well until distracted. He scoots around some (mostly in a circle) and is very content checking out the things around him. He's learned to make some funny noises with his fist and mouth and enjoys gnawing on just about anything in arms reach. He's our snuggle baby. He loves being held and loved on.

Both boys LOVE to eat! They enjoy pears, sweet potatoes, apples, peaches, green beans, squash, carrots, bananas and oatmeal. They can hold their bottles on their own, and have begun trying a sippy cup. I'm personally ready for finger foods because spoon feeding two "starving" boys is difficult! I can't seem to shovel it in fast enough!

ABOUT MADISON:
I am so proud of the person she has grown to become. She is sweet, considerate, fun and beautiful. A total package!! She is on the honor roll and is preparing for her first PROM this weekend. I don't know how she grew up so fast! Wasn't very long ago I was writing updates on how much she grew in the last month and now... she is about to turn 16!! She will be SWEET 16 next month, and legally old enough to drive! Where did the time go?! Who would have thought I would someday have two about to crawl, and one about to drive?! YIPES! Life is funny how it shifts and turns!

HAPPINESS.