Child Proofers

Someone will probably flame me when they hear I paid someone to come and child proof my home. But I must explain that my husband and I are challenged when it comes to drills. We have actually bought several drills thinking it was the drill that was the issue, when in fact, it was just us. I can put anything together and my husband is amazing when it comes to wiring for TV/stereo, but we just can't seem to get a screw into the wall.

There is a great guy up here named Jay Martel -- aka the Child Proof Coach. He will come to your house, bring all the necessary safety devices (i.e. gates, locks, latches, etc.) and install everything for you. If you have twins and no help, you can definitely justify the cost. The actual labor fee is very reasonable and then you just pay for the products, which actually cost less through him than at a store like what was formerly The Right Start. Plus, he's really funny and nice. He won't talk you into gating and latching the entire house ... just wouldn't make sense.

So, if you are like me, a first-time mom who is not so great with a drill, give him a call.

Almost There ...

It's almost the girls' one-year birthday. The show I used to watch for inspiration during my pregnancy, Jon + Kate + 8, is now in the media spotlight because their marriage is falling apart from alleged infidelity, among other issues. We've certainly had our ups and downs -- being a parent isn't easy -- but we are a strong family. 

The time really did go by quickly. I think I wanted it to in a way because the early months were really hard. They seemed so little to me. Now when I see babies I can't imagine mine being that small. I don't even really want to hold little babies when I have the chance. It's not comfortable to me. I like my girls' just the age they are. In fact, I can't wait for them to be a little older. I want to hear them talk and to play games with them. I want to paint their toes pink and have fashion parades with dress up clothes. It's not that I don't love my babies, I am just ready for a different dimension to our relationship.

We're doing a Miffy theme for the one-year party. I ordered some Miffy decorations and there will be Miffy on their cake. I know they won't remember their first birthday, but it's definitely something to celebrate, if only for the adults. 

Thanks to all my family and friends for helping us get this far! 

Little Gym

I have been bad about blogging lately, so I am going to try and catch up with a few posts. Two ear infections and a cold (everyone) have kept me busy.

My friend in the city is always taking her baby to these sorts of classes and I felt I needed to begin doing the same. She is always out at a Mommy & Me type class -- music, working out, etc. So I set out to find something like that up here. I mean it's Fairfield County so I knew there had to be tons of this stuff. A lot of people in my Twins Club suggested Little Gym, which, as you many of you Sherlocks may have guessed, is a heavily padded, soundproof and colorful place for toddlers and kids to let out their creative energy.

After confirming they properly santize everything, I signed up for a free trial. I went with my former mother's helper (long story, another entry) and we waited for class to begin. Little by little the rest of the class began to arrive. Another set of girl twins (one month older), two other little girls and a little boy. Our overly cheerful instructor led us inside.

Since the previous class ran over we didn't get much time to get the girls comfortable in the room before the class began. This was their first class but the other kids had been coming for a while now. Our instructor Miss C asked us to all get in a circle.

She flipped on the music, which was loud for mommy's ears, and dumped out a basket full of bells. My girls burst into screams and tears, while the other babies happily crawled over to the bells. One of my girls warmed up to the whole bell and singing routine, while the other continued to scream and cry and grab onto my shirt for dear life.

It's so hard because you want to just say "okay sweetie, if you're scared we can leave." But that wouldn't be helping her to socialize and get used to other surroundings. Especially when I know it could be fun for her. So I decided I would hold her if she was scared but push her to do the activities.

Then there was a parachute. The babies (except for one of mine) sat on the parachute and the adults hold it and walk in a circle. It was very cute. I see my baby staring at another baby wearing glasses. I know exactly what is about to happen but it is too late and my mother's helper is off on another planet. My baby reaches forward, grabs the other girls' glasses and in doing so pushes her backwards and she begins to cry. The instructor runs in to grab her and my mother's helper is still just standing there braindead. The instructor is now holding my baby's hand and says "what sharp little nails you have." Uh, sorry lady, I didn't have time for mani/pedis before we came.

Anyway, the rest of the class went on like this. The nanny of the other twin girls said hers were scared in the beginning but they got used to it and now really enjoy the class. So now I have signed up for 3 more weeks and then the summer session. The problem is now I have no mother's helper, not that she was much into helping anyway. So I am off to Little Gym on Monday solo with two babies. I am sure it will be fine so long as both aren't screaming the entire time.

Lunch With The Girls

We are trying to better socialize the girls and bring them out with us more to restaurants so they get used to eating places other then home. Yesterday we took the girls to Swanky Franks, a local place in Westport that is taken over by kids on the weekends. They are known for their hot dogs, as the name suggests, but also have salads and such if you are watching your waistline. But this is the kind of place you have to have an onion ring or two. So get the salad and a side of fries to balance things out.

They have special hot dogs like the Westporter, my husband's favorite, which is a hot dog with cole slaw and chili. Honestly, just saying that makes me slightly sick but I try not to judge.

The girls split a hamburger and hot dog. Daddy was nice enough to share some of his chocolate milkshake. For dessert, one of my lovelies ate the check. Then as a nice treat for the waitress, she flipped mommy's diet coke over and it soaked the table, booth and the floor. Don't worry, we left a nice tip.

Back Home

We had a very long, but quiet ride back from Florida. The girls were such troopers; they slept the entire way. The flight was packed -- maybe 2 or 3 empty seats max. We had an amazing time in the sun with our family but it is very nice being home and in my own bed.

The first morning the girls woke up they seemed confused. It must be weird to go to sleep one place and wake up in a completely new place! The best part -- their toys were new again.

It's definitely beginning to feel like spring. I love being able to take the girls outside without having to bundle them up in ten layers. We took the girls to the beach for the first time in Florida and they seemed to enjoy it. We went on a gray day (you can see the fin) and there were dolphins swimming just off the shore. The color of the sky and the water was absolutely gorgeous. We got some really amazing pictures of the babies.

Stroller Envy

I'm always discovering new gear that is better in one way or another. I mean, we have plenty of stuff for the girls, but it's not until you meet other moms and begin to see your gear in action, that you realize what you have purchased might not be the best option for you.

The problem with the gear for babies and toddlers is that it's good for a millisecond and then a new stage begins, which calls for a different set of gear. From bouncy seats to swaddles, swings to jumperoos, it's only good for so long before they grow out of it or you find something better.

I have a wonderful MacLaren stroller, but I came down with a case of stroller envy recently. I saw a woman with fraternal twins in the Stamford mall and she had a Bumbleride stroller, which I really liked, but after some more research and talking to a MoM who has one, I found out that it doesn't lock shut when you fold it up. There is nothing worse than having a large double stroller unfold as you pull it out of your car. I have pinched my finger and gotten a blood blister more times than I care to recount with the stupid snap n go piece of garbage (garbage, but completely necessary in the beginning).

So now I am set on the Valco Twin. Someone let me push theirs today with their twins in it and they are twice as old as mine, but it was like pushing air. The seats are so roomy and they have better views and canopies. Anyone have an opinion?

Twins ... Coincidence or Evolution?

I never realized how many sets of multiples there were out there until I found out I was pregnant with twins. With all the celebrity twin births, there has also been a heightened awareness, let alone the "multiple" TLC shows on larger multiple births.

We're in Florida for the next week and everywhere we go, we run into people who either are a twin, have twins or have twin grandchildren. Today we ate lunch with my in-laws, their close friends and the girls. One of the waitresses was a fraternal twin and has fraternal twins. Well, those are hereditary so I wasn't surprised. The people we ate lunch with also have identical twin granddaughters. My in-laws neighbors in Florida also have twin grandchildren.

After lunch, we went to an outdoor mall. As we went into Gymboree, a lady stopped us who has twin children, now 40, and then on the way out, we met a man with twin grandchildren. After we crossed the street to hit the shops on the other side, we passed a woman with fraternal 2 year old twins and a 6 year old girl. Shortly after, we went into Starbucks. When we came out, my mother in law was talking to another family with identical twin girls, about 17 months old.

I always find myself wondering whether twins are on the rise or whether I am just now so hyper aware of multiples? I know twins are actually more common than I originally thought, but I've only been here 4 days!