Lazy Blogger

I have to admit - I'm a lazy blogger.  And I just wanted to write a post to justify and beg forgiveness.   'Cause ya know - I have a reason.  So here are my excuses for my recent absence in the blogosphere - some are definitely better than others.
- I have twins - this is the ultimate excuse.
- Brayden's Torticollis has been taking up lots of time with PT, Doctors Appointments and Stretching
- I've been making an effort to see the important people in my life a little more often,  I have seen every one of the people in my bridal party this past month, even though 50% of them live out of state.
- We've been traveling quite a bit, to Baltimore for Preakness, and will be going to Albany this weekend for Dan's cousin's wedding.
- I FINALLY pulled the trigger and bought an awesome camera (Canon T2i) and can't wait until tomorrow when it arrives.  I've been full of research.
- I'm struggling a bit with the babies in my frustration in my inability to soothe them simultaneously.  The stress is getting to me!
- Dan's computer was broken for a bit, so he was using mine whenever it was free.
- I've been trying to research my ancestry, and learn how to make hairbows.  I have more way more interests in new hobbies than I'll ever have time for.

Reasons why I will continue to be absent:
- I've signed up to take a photography class one night a week.
- We'll be having new challenges as the babies become more mobile, and I attempt to start making babyfood.  Oh the new stages we'll enjoy!

I know, excuses excuses.  My mom says "you can't do it all Heather" but boy will I always try.  Someday I'll get really serious about my blog.   In the meantime, I'm glad it's here, waiting to listen about my success and struggles, and all the celebrations along the way.

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Twin Tips: Diaper Bag Checklist

Before our babies were born, I loved reading people's posts on what to put in their diaper bags.  It's funny how what you EXPECT you'll carry, is really not what you carry at all.  I think diaper bag contents are a very personal thing, but preparing for your own unexpected is what diaper bag packing is all about.

One of the best gifts I got when expecting was from a dear co-worker.  It was a small diaper bag, packed with all the essentials, and a note from her own experiences, on what her bag included.  Although we already had a large bag purchased, Amy's system employed both the big bag and the little bag to make packing quick and convenient.  Although I didn't realize it at the time, her system is ingenious.

So today, I'd like to pass her gift on to you, and share the scoop on how I diaper bag for twins.

First, I have two bags - a small bag Eddie Bauer Bag with lots of pockets, and a large bag - the Chicco Cubes tote.  The small bag goes with me everywhere, and the big bag "refills" from the car.  Typically, I repack the small bag every time we go out, and the large bag stays in the car, and is only refilled if we take something from it.  I know it sounds like more work, but it really isn't!  Especially with twins, I'm already laden down with so much gear and baby that having a little bag is perfect, but still always have the security that the big bag's there for backup if needed.

Small Eddie Bauer Bag

Large Chicco Cubes Bag

So now for the good stuff - what's IN my bags!

Here's a sneak peak and a detailed list:

1 - Diapers:  We need two sizes and typically put four of each size in the small bag for a total of eight.

2 - Wipes: For little bums

3 - Diaper Rash Cream:  Luckily, we have not yet had to deal with serious diaper rash, so I bring a sample size pack - just in case something surprised me.  These samples came from new mom Similac packs and Motherhood Maternity goodie bags.

4 - Rubber Gloves:  For the occasional poopy diaper that makes you freeze in horror

5 - Ziplock Bag:  To contain the filthy clothing that the horrific diaper just leaked on.

6 - Changing Table Liners:  To protect your precious little one from other babies horrific diaper germies

7 - Receiving Blanket:  Used as an impromptu changing pad on the floor of a bathroom, to cover a carseat in the rain, or (obviously) to cover a babe when it gets chilly.

8 - Face Friendly Wipes:  I've got pukers, and don't like the idea of putting bum wipes on their sensitive little faces.  Johnson's smell nice and are resealable, and I believe Boogie Wipes are basically the same thing.  Babies R Us carries a bum wipe that's also safe on faces in their travel size section, but the non-resealable package urks me.

9 - Pacifier Wipes: Helpful for when the only bink you have has fallen on the floor of the pediatrician's office.

10 - Hand Sanitizer

11 - Cloth Diapers: For burp cloths, spit up, and for rolling up and propping under bottles for self-feeding while at restaurants.

12 - Formula Powder in Bottles: Once I realized how expensive Similac's "to-go" bottles were, I figured I could easily make an inexpensive alternative myself.  I pre-measure and pack for simple mixing on the go.

13 - Bottled Water for Formula Powder: I love Aldi's 10 oz bottles which are perfectly sized for my diaper bag, and two 4 ounce bottles (and a sip for me).

14 - Nipples: We pack the disposable ones from the formula samples just because I don't "miss them" in my regular rotation.

15 - Pacifiers: One spare for each

16 - Toys:  We like thin puppets, a small klinky toy (keys) and our blinky multi-colored strobe light rubber chick toys from Easter.  Just enough to keep them occupied, but save space.

So there you have it - all of this fits in my small bag (amazing huh?) and most is replicated in my large bag with just a little more diapers, a larger pack of wipes, changes of clothes for each baby, more toys, more water, etc.

And since it's so important to refresh those diaper bags regularly, I have a checklist by my door for easy reference in confirming bag contents.  Feel free to download my Twin Diaper Bag Checklist and use yourself!

Looking for more great Twin Tips?  Check them all out here!

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Julie and Brayden Update: 4 Months

Feedings:  Brayden is drinking about 4 ounces of milk, about every three hours during the day and goes about 8 hours without milk overnight.  Julie’s taking 5 ounces every three hours, and goes about 10 hour overnight.  We still do one formula bottle every night and I am back to pumping around every 4 hours.  We’re still doing 1T in the overnight bottles and may be increasing Brayden’s bottle rice intake at the doctor’s direction to help with his reflux.  We’ve also introduced rice cereal by spoon regularly, with each eating about 2 T of rice mixed with milk.  We’ve also introduced baby banana and they share ½ a container when we offer it.  They still have quite a bit of the tongue thrust reflex, but like to lean towards the spoon and get in about half of what we offer. 

Daytime: Babes are spending even more awake time.   They like to get cozy, and sit on our tummies when we’re laying flat, with their back’s on our theighs.  The babies got their first puppets for Easter (a Duck and a Bunny) which they love.  With the bunny we sing Little Bunny FooFoo and the one about a Rabbit in the Wood.   With the Duck, we sing Five Little Ducks (the one “with a feather on his back” and the one that “went out to play over the hill and far away).  Favorite toys include the mesh balls, the Blue Elephant/Yellow Giraffe sensory toys, the Play Gym (now reaching for toys and putting in mouth), and have gotten super active on the bouncy seats.   Feedings are 6am (B) 9am (J and sometimes B), Noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, 11pm  

                    

Nighttime:  I do realize how lucky I am here – I swear!  I have the best sleeper babies ever…  Nowadays, both babies are going to bed at 11pm, with Brayden waking up around 6am to eat with Dan (sometimes 8ish when not woken)  and Julie sleeping until 9.  Maybe she’ll be a “prompt” person throughout her life, because she ALWAYS wakes up at 9am on the dot!

Schedule:  I think I would say, we officially have a schedule!  Celebrate good times!

6:30 a.m. – 4 oz bottle for Brayden, then back to sleep (Mamma stays up and cleans)

9 a.m. – Julie wakes up for a 5 oz bottle then goes back to sleep.  Sometimes Brayden would like milk too – sometimes not.

11 a.m. – Wakeup for Bubble Guppies and Mike the Knight

Noon – 4 oz/ 5oz bottle and maybe another nap

3 p.m. – 4 oz/ 5oz bottle

4 p.m. – Fussy time for both babies.  We occupy them by being active on the floor, singing songs and playing with puppets.

6 p.m. – 4 oz/ 5oz bottle and Rice Cereal (maybe a little “nanners” too)

9 p.m. – 4 oz/ 5oz (Julie typically crashes in her swing at this point)

11:00 p.m. – Bottle and Bedtime

11:15 p.m. – SLEEP

Outings and Events:  Our babies are still really really good when we go out.  Big trips this month included the babies first “out of state” experience to attend Aunt Megan’s bridal shower in Buffalo, New York.  Both spent the afternoon with Dad and Grandpa Coleman and behaved beautifully.  We also celebrated Easter in all of our Sunday best. 

Milestones:  Both babies are grabbing at things, and are doing much better at strengthening their necks with Tummy Time and sitting up in their Bumbo Seats.  Brayden is wearing some 3-6 month clothes, and Julie is in all 3-6 month clothes.  Brayden has begun rolling over – both from Back to Front and Front to Back.  Way to go little boy!!!  Brayden also likes to giggle when we blow raspberries on his tummy.  Julie loves to play Patty Cake and squeals with happiness.  We joke that the babies sound like “pterodactyls” because of the loud noises they tend to make from time to time.  Julie is an extremely happy baby when she wakes up and very rarely cries. Their eyes are still both blue, so fingers crossed they’ll be staying that way!

Each day with them is truly a joy…

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Alexa and Lillian: Travel the World

This week we were super excited to host two special young ladies – Alexa and Lillian, who are traveling the world to see how many places they can visit in one year.  Their mom is the author of Mom-A-Logues and you can follow their trip by visiting her blog.

Welcome to Pittsburgh girls!  Our city has been voted as the country’s “most livable city” and we have to agree that it’s a great place to live.  We have fantastic sports teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.  Pittsburgh is located at the intersection of three rivers – the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Ohio.  To cross these rivers, there are many bridges and sometimes Pittsburgh is called “the city of bridges.” 

Pittsburgh has been a very important place for a long time!  In the 1750’s, George Washington even started a war to protect Pittsburgh from the French!  Our city was also very important in the production of steel and many people came from around the world to work in the mills to make this important metal.  Pittsburgh still celebrates the foods and traditions of many of those who made our city their home.

Although we don’t produce much steel nowadays, there are tons of other important products that are created or developed in Pittsburgh.  If you’ve ever enjoyed Heinz Ketchup on your french fries, you’ve tried a product made in our city!  Other big businesses include PNC Bank, UPMC Hospitals, American Eagle Outfitters and even a Google office.  We have excellent colleges such as the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University who are doing some amazing things with robotics.  Recently, there have been many movies filmed in Pittsburgh and it’s great to see our city on the big screen.  Pittsburgh has many museums given to the city from Andrew Carnegie, a very famous Pittsburgh resident of the past.  We have a symphony orchestra, theaters, a zoo, and many other fun things to do!

A great video to see even more of our awesome city can be found here.

You arrived at our house the last week in April – what a perfect time for a visit!  We were so glad to have you with us and were excited to show you around our city.  We spent quite a bit of time indoors because we had some wild weather during your stay!  Temperatures ranged from the 30s all the way to the 70s during your visit!  Don’t worry, we made sure you were nice and warm in the fuzziest of pajamas, but helped you find your shorts and sunglasses to enjoy the sunshine.

You were a great help with our twins – Brayden and Julianna!  You guys must have lots of experience babysitting because the babies smiled and smiled at you. 

We worked on making some hair bows, and you each took turns wearing your favorites.

One afternoon, we got out the ukulele and sang some songs.  You have fantastic voices girls!

Over the weekend, we all went to my brother Sean’s graduation from college.  

You really had fun spending time with our family. 

It was awesome having you girls join us this week, and we wish you safe travels for the rest of your trip.  Next stop - Maryland!  Keep an eye on your mailbox for a little souvenir from your visit!

If you would like to host Alexa and Lillian in your hometown, contact their mom Dawn at http://www.mom-a-logues.blogspot.com/