Melissa & Doug Giveaway

You know how much I love Melissa & Doug products.  Well there is a great giveaway going on right now over at The Budget Mommy.  She has signed up with Melissa & Doug to giveaway a full sized painting easel.  There is a dry erase and chalkboard side for two children to color or paint simultaneously (perfect for folks with twins). 

Mommy 101

I originally wrote this when The Babies were 6 weeks old.  Several girlfriends are pregnant or have newborns, so I thought they could benefit from the things I learned along the way.

1. Learn to swaddle!  We feed the babies, burp 'em, swaddle, and put them back in the crib.  They fall right to sleep.  We swaddle the babies first in a receiving blanket and then in a Swaddle Me.  That seems to work best.
2.  Staging is everything.  My OCD tendencies have come in handy as a mommy.  Staging, as I call it, helps tremendously especially with two.  After each feeding I wash the bottles so they are ready for the next feeding.  I lay out burp clothes before hand and even put in a dvd at the end of the feeding.  Then next time I'm all set in case the babies are screaming for food, I just push play.  Same thing with the breast pump, have it all ready and set up.  You get the idea.
3.  Make a plan and throw it out the window.  I've heard this expression before but I appreciate it in a whole new way.  Besides coming home with two healthy babies, nothing else has worked out the way I wanted. 
4.  Research stuff now.  I wish I would have looked into breastfeeding more before the babies got here.  Maybe I wouldn't have gotten so upset because I would have known what was normal. 
5.  If people bring you food, have a notebook for them to write down their address before they leave.  Then it's there for you to send them a quick thank you note.  I thought of this but only asked one couple to write their address down.  But it's not as though I've had time to write thank yous.....
6.  Sleep when the baby sleeps.  I'm sure people have told you this already but it is SO TRUE!  Forget everything else, let your husband take care of it.  Your priorities are you and the baby. 
7.  If you're breastfeeding....
-Meet with the lactation consultant at the hospital.  Once you leave the hospital, you have to pay (a lot) for their advice.   I met with a LC at home ($40 for the visit).  She was amazing and totally worth the money.  She gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed.
-Your milk may take a few days/weeks to fully come in.
-Fenugreek is an herb that will help with your supply if need be.  We had to research to find out about it.  When you smell like maple syrup, you know you're getting enough.  One day I woke up and my armpits smelled like pancakes!  True story.
-Start using nipple cream NOW.  Breastfeeding is gonna hurt, so the sooner you can start toughening them up, the better.  Your OB may prescribe a compounded nipple cream that it worth the money.   
-You’re gonna have to eat and drink a lot.  I tried to eat every time I breastfed, just so I remembered to eat.
-It helps to pump after each time you feed.  Not that you’ll feel like it always but it helps increase your milk supply.
8.  Let me say it again.  Your priority should be to take care of you and your baby.  Don’t worry about the other stuff.
9.   If you’re cloth diapering, pre-stage the diapers.  We use the bikini twist and it helps to prefold the diapers that way so when you have a squirmy baby on the changing table, it’s done.  STAGING!
10.  It’s not unusual for babies to lose weight the first week after being born.  The average weight loss is 10% of their birth weight.  We didn’t know this and I freaked out a little at our first check up.
11. Colace (docusate sodium) will be your best friend.  And know that you can take up to 6 a day.

Five Question Friday

I have joined the bandwagon of other bloggers already participating in Five Question Friday, hosted by My Little Life.

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

As a mother of four month old twins it is not unusual for me to spend two consecutive days in the same yoga pants and hoodie.  And even on day two, I may only change my outfit because someone spit up on me.  True story.

2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?

Hands down I would choose Memphis.  Granted I've only visited but the city was amazing.  The people were incredible; there was no segregation.  Everyone was having a great time dancing and socializing on Beale St.  Your race, age, or place in life didn't matter.  And then there's Elvis.....

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?
With all of our family living at least an hour away, we're pretty used to driving all over.  I can't imagine trying to keep up with children (big or small) and luggage, or navigating airports.  Night-mare!

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?
 I don't think I clean more around springtime.  I guess I should.  (shrug)  I know there is sort of a list of annual projects you should do around the house (ie flip matteresses).  I suppose it would be a good idea to have such a plan.  "Every April we flip the mattresses and wash the curtains."  Maybe we'll get there one day. 

5. What is the best book you have ever read?
I'm not much of a reader.  I barely read (or didn't read) books for school that were required.  I remember having to read Beowulf during my senior year of high school.  Bleh!  
Now onto the question....I read The Time Traveler's Wife years before the movie came out.  It was fantastic.  It was such a different book from what I had read before.  The imagination and emotion that it stirred up was super.  I cried and cried!  (I also really liked The Red Tent.)

Cloth Diapering Twins

There have been so many things that I wanted for my delivery and for my babies (which reminds me I haven't shared my delivery story yet).  I wanted a natural delivery with no drugs and little assistance from the doctors.  The idea of a huge needle in my spine always freaked me out!  Well I did end up with a needle in my spine and a c-section.
Then there was breastfeeding.  I always knew I definitely wanted to breastfeed my children even before I was married.  When I got pregnant, that desire was reconfirmed.  Five weeks into breastfeeding two babies, I decided it wasn't for me.  The babies weren't gaining weight like the doctors would have liked and I was exhausted.  So now they are strictly formula fed.  *If you're pregnant, I highly recommend taking a breastfeeding class.  I wish I would have.  I guess I assumed since I had larger than average breasts, I wouldn't have any trouble breastfeeding.  Wrong!
One of the other hot topics I was passionate about during my pregnancy was cloth diapering.  My mom cloth diapered both Sister and me, and the idea of spending all of that money on disposable plastic didn't seem like the right thing to do.  Most people told me I was crazy to think I could cloth diaper two babies.  (You know how when you're pregnant you get all kinds of unsolicited advice?)  Sure we have to wash diapers every other day, but it's just sort of become part of our routine.  And to know we aren't adding to the loads of diaper waste already in landfills is great.  I am so glad there is at least one thing that worked out for me.
We bought our supplies from Mothering Grace.  We use indian prefolds in combination with Thirsties Duo Wrap covers.    (I prefer the velcro closure covers instead of the snaps.  With wiggly newborns, the velcro is much easier.)
To wash our diapers we start with a cold rinse.  (If the diapers are extra poopy we add an extra rinse to this cycle.)  Then we wash our diapers in a hot cycle (always rinse a second time after this cycle) with Purex Free & Clear detergent.  Here's a great list of detergents to use/not use with cloth diapers.  Never use bleach or softener when washing cloth diapers.  Hanging your diapers in the sun will naturally bleach any remaining stains.   

Here's a great article comparing cloth and disposable diapers.

Etsy Sunday

This week's Etsy Sunday is all about Valentine's Day, baby themed Valentine's Day items.
Pillowcase Dress
Pink Beanie with Earflaps
Polka Dot Onesie
Cupcake Shoes
Sweetheart Bloomers
Bib and Onesie Tie Set
Hugs and Kisses Onesies for Twins
Olive You Shirt

Pregnancy Lingo

Epidural- anesthesia produced by the injection of an anesthetic into the lumbar area of the spine in the space between the spinal cord and the dura, which eliminates sensation from the point of insertion downward
Spinal Block- interruption of conduction of nerve impulses by the injection of an anesthetic into thespinal canal that reduces sensitivity to pain

Episiotomy- an incision into the perineum and vagina to allow sufficient clearance for birth

Perineum- the area in front of the anus extending to the fourchette of the vulva
Perinatologist- an obstetrical subspecialist concerned with the care of the mother and fetus at higher-than-normal risk for complications

Preeclampsia- a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances
Breech- the delivery of an infant with the feet or buttocks appearing first
Vertex- the delivery of an infant with the head-first
Station- the descent of the baby into the pelvis
Dialated- the process of the cervix opening in preparation for childbirth
Effacement- refers to the thickness or thinness of the cervix
Mucus Plug- a plug that is located in the cervical canal that protects the fetus from bacteria during pregnancy, and is expelled some time before labor
Braxton Hicks-  called “practice contractions” because they will prepare you for the real thing
Gestational Diabetes- high blood sugar that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy
Jaundice- the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood
Bilirubin-  a brownish yellow substance found in bile produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells
Non-stress Test (NST)- non-invasive test that measures fetal heart rate and contractions
Group B Strep (GBS)- a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum
Monoamniotic-Monochorionic (mono mono)- twins that share both their amnions, chorions and placenta
Monochorionic-Diamniotic (mono di)- twins that share the same placenta
Dichorionic-Diamniotic (di di)- twins that have separate chorions and amniotic sacs


Here's a helpful link for signs of labor.

I'm a Freak of Nature

Moms of Multiples- Amazing YouTube Video

Things The Pope Doesn't Want To Hear

Pregnancy definitely changes your marriage.  Like a rollercoaster, there are ups and downs.  Take our situation for instance.  We had a little scare at about 7 weeks.  We went to the OB not only to find out it was a viable pregnancy but that we were pregnant with two babies.  Feeling completely thankful and blessed, we started planning.  The next few months felt like falling in love all over again.  The Pope and I had created two beings.  Cra-zy!  This feeling of oneness brought us closer together.
As I got bigger, pimplier, and more hormonal things changed again.  And the transition from working full time to permanent maternity leave was difficult.  I was staying home but unable to do most of the necessary housework.  Steph the Pregzilla assumed The Pope resented her for not getting things done when actually it was just my own guilt making me feel that way.  We sort of got a new routine figured out and things got better.
Then later in pregnancy everything becomes very real.  We started talking about things we had never talked about before.  I was actually even showing The Pope pictures of women's breasts in books and sharing way too much information.  Here are some actual conversations heard in our house.

*Some subjects may be too much for male readers.  Reader discretion advised.*
"Hey baby, I need you to come here and shave this for me."
"You probably don't want to know about the big poop I just took, huh?"
"This says later in the pregnancy women have a hard time reaching to wipe their butt."
"They say you can have sex six weeks after delivery but most women think six months.  (I laughed)"
"Women on the forum refer to the state of their vagina after delivery as hamburger crotch."
"Would you please rub this on the pimples on my back?  I can't reach."

In addition to not being able to breath, super oily hair, acne, heartburn, and the occasional nosebleed, I am now snoring and drooling in my sleep.

Not One, But Two Babies

Having been married for almost two years, I was ready to begin the next part of our life together.  It got to the point that I would get teary eyed when I saw other women with babies.  (I can be such a silly woman!) Even though we had planned for March, The Pope and I decided it was time to start trying.
The weekend of Valentine's Day I took two pregnancy tests.  The first one just had a very faint second line (indicating I was indeed pregnant).  Then The Pope went out and bought a digital test.  He much preferred the "pregnant" "not pregnant" reading.  Yep, we were going to have a baby, just one.
Then I started bleeding.  Every few days I would spot a little and sometimes I would bleed a lot (sorry if this is too much information for some of y'all).  Since my first OB appointment was still a few weeks away, I called to get their opinion.  The triage nurse kept saying things like, "We need to make sure it's a viable pregnancy.  If I were you, I would go to the ER just to be sure."  She must have said "viable pregnancy" five times.  I freaked out.
I called my GYNO and was able to be seen that day, since I was an established patient with them.  The best phlebotomist ever (I asked if I could put her in my pocket and take her with me) took about eight vials of blood to be tested for various things.  Then we went upstairs to get an ultrasound.
The Pope and I had no idea what we were looking at on the big screen on the wall.....just lots of black and white swirls.  The technician got very quiet, which of course worried me.  She asked, "Do twins run in your families?"  We just started laughing and I asked The Pope, "What have you done to me?!"
Now we are reading and researching all the we can in the next 7 months, getting prepared for not one, but two babies!