I did it!

So it's day 16 since the twins were born and today was the day I decided to venture out with all three kids on my own. Over the weekend we had gone to the beach & the park as a family, so I new it could be done...but I had my husband with me. So as the alarm clock went off at 6am, I raced through a shower, fed, changed and burped the twins, and got my daughter out of bed. I helped my daughter wash her face, brush her teeth, brushed her hair, got her dressed and fed her. We were able to accomplish all this by 9:15am. As I piled each one into the car, we raced off to our Mommy & Me Spanish class. Class started at 9:30am. Of course we were not on time and we arrived 15 minutes late, but we got there! The key to my success was to just go on "auto pilot". I knew if I started to really think about the logistics and everything that could go wrong, I would never leave the house. I am amazed that we made it to and from without any tears, especially mine! So now I have the confidence I need to keep going. Today was school, tomorrow the grocery store!?1?

It's all about the timing.

Many have told me that I am a "Type A" personality. I never really thought about it, until today. I am still in the hospital from having my twin boys via csection and will be here until Sat afternoon. I think a normal person would be sleeping while their babies are sleeping or doing anything but what I have been doing. But I am not normal, I now realize. What have I been doing? Well, in between visitors, I have moved my bed...it needed to be closer to the electrical outlet, so I can plug my laptop in. I organized my room and sorted the babies clothes. Who does this 2 days after having twins and in a hospital, no less?!? Emailed a few friends, arranged a photographer to come to the house in 2 weeks to photo our happy family, planned the Easter Meal menu...like I'm really going to cook or even grocery shop, but it's a nice thought! Signed my 2 1/2 year old daughter up for a trial ballet class for this upcoming Tues. Now really what am I thinking???? And somehow managed to get the boys on a 3 hour feed schedule, at least for the day. Yes, I am a little wacko and believe I am officially a "Type A", but I would like to rationalize it all as being super organized and having just good timing...should I just call the therapist now?!?

Yellow And Blue Make Green!

I always try to do fun and imaginative things when trying to teach my daughter new things. Lately we have been working on how you can mix colors to create another color. She loves to paint and we have been using watercolors to work on this concept. So, today while we were out, she had to use the potty. To her delight the water was blue. As she was going potty she looked down and said "look mommy, yellow and blue make green". I guess she's got it!

It's hard to trust just anyone...

It is so hard to trust a stranger with watching my daughter. My husband & I don't live near any family, so we have always had to depend on sitters if we wanted a date night, attend a business function, or just some basic down time. I admire the few who are able to call a new sitter right off the bat, and then walk right out the door without a second thought. I, myself can't do that. I am overprotected, miss my daughter desperately, even if I am only in the room down the hall and my husband is certain, that the sitter will sell our beautiful daughter to the highest bidder. Yes, we have issues. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful sitter, who is an LVN, amazing with my daughter and accepts that I text her every 30 minutes to see how "my baby" is doing. But I know we should have a few back ups. Now that the twins will be arriving shortly, plus keeping my daughter busy, I am beginning to interview sitters, again.

The scary thing is, that no matter how well you screen someone, how many references you check, it is still ultimately a leap of faith. I would hope that everyone out there wants the best for a child, and would do anything with the baby/child's best interest at heart. Unfortunately we've all heard stories where that is not quite the case. So what should one do? I don't quite know, but I guess the best we can do is screen as vigilantly as we can. Here are a few tips that I have found helpful when looking for a babysitter or nanny:

-Hire babysitters who are knowledgeable about first aid
and CPR.
-Always ask for and validate references. Check the experience of the babysitter. What age groups did the person work with? How much time?
-Babysitters with professional training in nursing or childcare are most preferable.
-Interview the sitter to check for sense of responsibility, temperament, understanding of children, common sense, ability to understand and follow instructions, etc.
-See how your baby reacts to the sitter. Even though a sitter may sound great on paper...it all comes down to chemistry.

Feel free to download a copy of my " Questions for Babysitters". Some of the questions are tough, but I figure that if it doesn't scare or intimidate the sitter, then she has passed the first step!
http://www.babyproductreviews.net/pdf/Questions_for_Babysitters.pdf

What do you do all day?

Now that I am pregnant with twins and it is becoming closer towards the end of my pregnancy, my doctor has put me on moderate bed rest. What is moderate bed rest? Well, I haven't quite figured that out. I took it as, 1 free pass a day to escape from the house, but apparently that's not the right interpretation. The hardest part for me is just trying to keep still. It is not because I am too uncomfortable to stay in one place, it's just that there is still too much to do before the boy's arrive. So as I wander around the house trying to figure out what needs to be done, deep down I know I should be in bed, but I just can't stay put. As I drive around town doing all my errands, I wonder what my doctor would say. I don't think she would be thrilled. So many people say "oh you must be SO DONE", but quite honestly, I really wish I had another 4-5 months to go. Others say it must be so nice to be catching up on some good Oprah shows, but I haven't watched one yet. A few say how nice it must be to have some down time to read a few good books, but I haven't made a dent in the stack of books on my nightstand. What am I doing? I am working like a madwoman, trying to come up with names for the boys, preparing meals, doing laundry, ironing, running errands, trying to play and be an active part of my daughter's life. I know I must stop. I keep getting reprimanded by my daughter's sitter and my husband. I really don't mean to be causing them so much angst. I know I will look back and think how I should have taken advantage of the mandatory down time...but I have never been one to just relax and veg out, so it is extremely difficult to follow the doctors orders, even though I know I should. Today, I have decided that as soon as I finish my work project, pick names for the boys and paint art for their room, I will stay in bed. Unfortunately, I have a feeling the boys will be born by then!

Aren’t you glad that you are not having 8?

Lately, wherever I go, people ask when am I due. Yes, I am rather large so my typical response is, “I’m having twins”. The funny thing is, the conversation inevitably turns to, “Aren’t you glad it’s not 8?” or, “What's your thoughts on the Octomom?”. I am like most people, who don’t quite get it. As a mom of a 2-1/2 year old, and expecting twins, there are times I feel overwhelmed with how I can manage. Not only manage but find the balance between the newborns, continue to make my daughter feel special and not neglect her. So it is hard for me to imagine how someone with no spouse can possibly find balance for all 14. From what I’ve heard, the Octomom, Nadya Suleman, who has no job or income, plans to survive on student loans and food stamps. Many say she may be depending on a huge book or television deal or the kindness of strangers and corporations. I find it hard to imagine that someone could actually depend on the kindness of strangers and corporations, especially with such a backlash against her. But as I was waiting in line at the paint store, a woman turned around and asked when I was due. I gave my typical response and of course the Octomom came up, but this time with a surprising point of view. This woman felt that Nadya Suleman is a blessing to the world, and has brought 8 more gifts to the universe. She & her husband were even planning on sending $5,000 to Ms. Suleman. So, I guess that’s the great thing about this world; we don’t quite have to agree with everything or necessarily understand what goes on in people’s minds, but there is always someone who is willing to lend a hand or a perspective. I came across this Squidoo Lens that pretty much sums it up:
http://www.squidoo.com/peopleshouldhavealicensetohavechildren

Pack your bags and be ready to go...

Yikes! At 3o weeks pregnant with twins, I was a little surprised when my doctor said the boys may be making their appearance sooner rather then later. But of course at this point I shouldn't be surprised, nothing has really gone the way the books have said they would. I was told that I would have fatigue and need to take afternoon naps or even the dreaded possibility of bed rest. Not so in my case, if you watch me you'd think I had taken speed. As my husband glances at me from the couch, he begs me to stop because I am making him tired by just watching me. As I frantically try to accomplish everything that a normal person would do in a week into a 2-hour time frame, I just can't stop. I have spent evenings up late labeling things that have no business being labeled. For example my husband's workbench in the garage has been organized and dusted with each section perfectly marked. I know it will become a joke once his buddies see it and the labeling of his stuff will haunt him forever, but do I care. Not at all! I enjoyed every second of the cleaning process. My daughter's playroom, now proudly displays large white labels on everything, giant white Rubbermaid bins, all clearly marked, Puzzles, Crayons, Stickers, and Crafts. As if a two and a half year old could actually read or better yet, put the items back in the correct containers. But what do I care, I feel as if I am accomplishing something useful and for some reason I CAN'T control the strong urge to label. The boys clothing has been washed, folded and of course placed in little baskets, marked oneies's, burp cloths, bibs, swaddle blankets and booties. So am I ready for the boys to be born? The answer quite simply is NO! I don't have any names picked out and there are still more items that need to be labeled. Off to the pantry I go...

Excuse you...

I love my daughter, that's for sure. Everyday she simple amazes me and I have learned to see the world through her eyes. To be two and a half, have no worries about what is politically correct or to say the simplest things that have the most profound meaning, is an incredible place to be. I have been working on manners with my daughter, just the simple things like basic greetings, to say "please" and "thank you". I am so impressed each time she has repeated something I've taught her and am even more in awe when she actually uses each phrase in the correct context. I personally want to jump up and down and do the happy dance. Lately, I have been teaching her how and when to say, "excuse me". Sometimes I have to wonder if she is actually getting it, or if I am just an over obsessed first time mom trying to do everything perfectly. But the other day I realized that all my efforts have really worked. She now knows to say, "excuse me" if I am talking and she wants to interrupt. She knows how to say, "excuse me" if she burps. She may have mastered it a little too well...because the other morning we were waiting in line at Starbucks and a man bumped into the two of us. She looked up so innocently and said "Excuse You"!

Elmo told me to do it!

I've always thought that my daughter was an easy child, but the more & more I am with other children I realize that she's not as easy as what I had believed. She is an active & adventurous girl. I mean really, how many little girls scale the exterior of a spiral staircase, get to the top and yell "mommy, catch me, I am going to jump"? Yes, she did jump and fortunately, I was there to catch her. Not a simple feat considering I am pregnant with twins. When I reprimanded her for her actions, she looked at me quite plainly and simply explained that Elmo told her to do it. Well, needless to say she & Elmo both received the longest time out ever. My next clue was when I was cooking dinner and I heard "Mommy, look I'm swinging". I couldn't quite figure out what she could be swinging from, until I entered the dining room and there she was hanging from the chandelier. Needless to say another time out was given and the chandelier was replaced with a different fixture the next day. So I came to the conclusion that she's not easy, she just has good sleep habits. Naps everyday at 1pm, bedtime at 7pm and awake at 8:30am. People I tell think this is a crazy amount of sleep, but if you met my daughter you'd realize she really wears herself out. So now that I am 8 months pregnant with twins, I can't physically keep up the pace. Everyday I try to figure out ways to entertain her in a sedentary way. As I rack my brain on a daily basis to find a solution on what could preoccupy my active daughter in a passive way, I think I've finally found my dream solution... crayons, watercolor & finger paints!

When my two and a half year old daughter got her hands into the bright and colorful finger paints for the first time, her face lit up with a delightful smile! She was hooked on art and color, from the moment that her hands started spreading the magical colors around. Finger painting, watercolor paints and crayons have really made a difference! She loves to work with the textures and colors of the finger paints, and the painting process has seemed to open a whole new part of her brain. I think all children should definitely be introduced to crayons and finger paints. It is now a battle for me to pull her away from her "art" instead of having to worry about which light fixture she is swinging from. And that's a "battle" I'll happily deal with!

I use packaging tape on my daughter!

I love being a mom but at I times, I wonder what my life has become. This thought entered my mind the other evening when I heard my daughter laughing & playing in her crib at 9pm. Once I opened the door, I new instantly something was totally amiss. There she was naked and covered in her own poo, announcing proudly that she had “painted” a picture of our family on the wall. As she happily showed me her work, I started assessing the situation. It was bad, very BAD. Both arms and legs were completely covered in poop. Almost as if she had gone to a spa and had a lovely clay masked applied top to bottom, but whom am I kidding. It was ugly. Not to mentioned that every square inch of her crib was no longer white or pink, but was replaced by the color brown. How could my sweet, beautiful blue-eyed daughter who always says please & thank you do something so unsanitary & gross? I immediately called my husband for back up, interrupting his quality down time with the TV. All I remember is him repeating, “Who does this?” “What is wrong with her?” as he dry heaved and gagged in the background. His job was to bathe her and mine was to well, scrub every inch of her crib and room. 2 1/2 hours later I was done. So the footed pajamas, with the feet cut off, placed on backwards and her diaper snugly secured with packaging tape, is now our nightly routine. Do I feel bad that I tape my daughter up every night? Well yes. Do I wonder if I will scar her for life? Absolutely! Or that she will grow up with a strange bondage fetish. Of course I do! But do I now sleep soundly without having to dread another 2 hr clean up? You beat I do! And if she grows up with issues from this taping experience, well I guess that is, what therapy is for. Right?!?!