When I was pregnant with my twins I found a list on Pinterest of companies that have "multiple birth programs" and would send you free products and/or coupons. The list was really old but I thought it was worth a shot. While pumping with my hands free pump bra I addressed envelopes. In each one I included a letter (just saying that we had twins and would like to enroll in their multiples club) and copies with the twins birth certificates (required by most of the companies). I blacked out any information that I thought they didn't need. They really just want proof that you have multiples. It was so fun when we started getting packages in the mail. Mostly we got coupons. But they were high value coupons -- like $15 coupons! Here is the list of places that I actually got stuff from.
Tomy
Att. Multiple Birth Program
2091 9th St.
(I got a package of Rattles and sippy cups)
Pampers Multiples Program
Proctor & Gamble Co
PO Box 599
Cincinnati, OH 45201
(coupons)
Mead Johnson Nutrition
Attn: Enfamil Multiple Birth Promotion
2400 W Lloyd Evpy
Evansville, IN 47721
(high value coupons)
Gerber
Multiple Birth Program
445 State St
Freemont, MI 49413
(coupons)
Ocean Spray
Consumer Affairs Dep
1 Ocean Spray Dr.
Lakeville-Middleborough MA 02349
(coupons for free product)
Beachnut
1-800-233-2468
"parent pack"
(coupons)
American Baby
Gift Basket Headquarters
PO Box 734
New York, NY 10113
Evenflo Co
Att. Multiple Birth Program
1801 Commerce Dr.
Piqua, OH 45356
Rainbow Kids
Dept. Free Hats
PO Box 31817
Bellingham WA 98228
Playtex Baby
1-888-310-4290
I am sure there are more companies that you could contact as well. Most places you register will also give you a box of samples and free product, Amazon and Target do for sure. Similac has a program that you can enroll in with a form from your pediatrician. They send high value coupons and reward checks as you buy their product. Honest company will send you a box of samples when you sign up for a subscription. Once I got the box of samples I called and cancelled the subscription. It's a little work but so worth it!
Monday, April 23, 2018
Friday, March 23, 2018
Poop Stories
After my last post I started thinking about some funny poop incidences that we have had since having the twins. Both babies were partial to their daddy when it came to pooping. This is for Prim and Hagen:
Primrose and the never ending poop!
In the NICU babies get their cares done every three hours. Cares include taking their temp, changing their monitor to the other foot, measuring their tummy, changing diapers and feeding. This is when you get to interact and hold your baby. Erik and I would schedule our visits around cares. Erik loved doing cares. He was a unique new dad in that way. One evening little tiny Primrose was getting her diaper changed by her daddy. Erik and picked up the habit of wearing gloves from the nurses. This particular night it was a good thing he put on gloves! The nurses had taught us to put a clean diaper under the babies bum before taking the dirty one off. Erik was changing Prim when she started to poop the yellow mustard poop of a newborn. He cleaned her up and put a clean diaper under her. Again she started to poop ... and poop and poop! I jumped up to help and the nurse (it happened to be one of our two favorites, Caroline) came to help as well. Erik was holding her legs, I was grabbing wipes and a new diaper. Caroline was removing poop covered bedding. There was poop everywhere!!! Erik picked Prim up so we could change her bedding. She was maybe 4.5 lbs at this point which is not easy to hold. Suddenly Erik said, "oh its warm! She is pooping in my hand!" Her little tiny bum was in his hand that was quickly filling up with poop. By now Caroline and I were no help as we were laughing so hard! We went through five diapers, bedding and blankets and a lot of gloves that night! We joked that it had taken three adults to change a diaper. How such a tiny little body could produce that much poop is a complete mystery!
Hagen explodes in bed!
After 7 weeks in the NICU our babies were finally graduating and coming home! Hagen did not pass his car seat test or his room air test so we would be bringing him home on oxygen. Erik and I had to stay the night in the hospital with Hagen proving that we could take care of him on oxygen. It was a weird night! You stay in this "hotel" kind of room that is across the hall from the NICU. They wheel the babies NICU bed into the room. You have to spend 12 hours taking care of your baby. Prim stayed in the NICU with her nurse. Erik was sitting on the bed with Hagen laying on his lap when we heard the explosion! Within seconds Erik felt the warmth creeping up his shorts. There was poo everywhere! All over the bed and all over Erik! We had to call the nurse and ask for new bedding and clothing for Hagen. Erik didn't have extra clothes for our over-nighter so the nurse brought him a pair of scrubs. It was the start to a very long night! Luckily that was our only poop disaster of the night and we passed the test and were able to take both our babies home.
My Dad use to call me poopsy because of a story about him staying home from church with me as a baby and me pooping ALL OVER him and the bathroom! I bet I heard that story a hundred times and now it makes me smile. I guess I had it coming!
These are just two of MANY poop stories. I had no idea how much poo I would deal with having two babies. I don't think I have ever said the word poo or poop so many times in my life as I have writing this post. HA!
Primrose and the never ending poop!
In the NICU babies get their cares done every three hours. Cares include taking their temp, changing their monitor to the other foot, measuring their tummy, changing diapers and feeding. This is when you get to interact and hold your baby. Erik and I would schedule our visits around cares. Erik loved doing cares. He was a unique new dad in that way. One evening little tiny Primrose was getting her diaper changed by her daddy. Erik and picked up the habit of wearing gloves from the nurses. This particular night it was a good thing he put on gloves! The nurses had taught us to put a clean diaper under the babies bum before taking the dirty one off. Erik was changing Prim when she started to poop the yellow mustard poop of a newborn. He cleaned her up and put a clean diaper under her. Again she started to poop ... and poop and poop! I jumped up to help and the nurse (it happened to be one of our two favorites, Caroline) came to help as well. Erik was holding her legs, I was grabbing wipes and a new diaper. Caroline was removing poop covered bedding. There was poop everywhere!!! Erik picked Prim up so we could change her bedding. She was maybe 4.5 lbs at this point which is not easy to hold. Suddenly Erik said, "oh its warm! She is pooping in my hand!" Her little tiny bum was in his hand that was quickly filling up with poop. By now Caroline and I were no help as we were laughing so hard! We went through five diapers, bedding and blankets and a lot of gloves that night! We joked that it had taken three adults to change a diaper. How such a tiny little body could produce that much poop is a complete mystery!
Hagen explodes in bed!
After 7 weeks in the NICU our babies were finally graduating and coming home! Hagen did not pass his car seat test or his room air test so we would be bringing him home on oxygen. Erik and I had to stay the night in the hospital with Hagen proving that we could take care of him on oxygen. It was a weird night! You stay in this "hotel" kind of room that is across the hall from the NICU. They wheel the babies NICU bed into the room. You have to spend 12 hours taking care of your baby. Prim stayed in the NICU with her nurse. Erik was sitting on the bed with Hagen laying on his lap when we heard the explosion! Within seconds Erik felt the warmth creeping up his shorts. There was poo everywhere! All over the bed and all over Erik! We had to call the nurse and ask for new bedding and clothing for Hagen. Erik didn't have extra clothes for our over-nighter so the nurse brought him a pair of scrubs. It was the start to a very long night! Luckily that was our only poop disaster of the night and we passed the test and were able to take both our babies home.
My Dad use to call me poopsy because of a story about him staying home from church with me as a baby and me pooping ALL OVER him and the bathroom! I bet I heard that story a hundred times and now it makes me smile. I guess I had it coming!
These are just two of MANY poop stories. I had no idea how much poo I would deal with having two babies. I don't think I have ever said the word poo or poop so many times in my life as I have writing this post. HA!
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Being a mom is HARD!
As I write this I am sitting on the couch in dirty sweats with my hair in a very messy bun and no makeup. I wish this was an unusual scene these days but it is not. We are going on 7 days of both babies having diarrhea. I can't even tell you how much poo I have cleaned up this week. Today alone I have changed NINE blowout diapers!
I have had two distinct thoughts today;
One: What has my life become!?! I use to get up every morning, get ready, dress professionally and go to work. I had an office, went to meetings and had responsibilities. I solved problems, interacted with people and accomplished tasks each day. I had value and purpose! Now look at me! How did this happen?
Two: As I snuggled my baby girl who had had six poppy diapers before 9 AM I thought about how very glad and lucky I am to be able to stay home and hold my baby while she doesn't feel well. I am so glad that I am not stressing about work because I had to stay home with my sick babies. I know what a blessing it is that I get to stay home and me a mom.
Being a mom is hands down the hardest job I have ever had. Most days I wish I could get ready and go to work. Being a mom is hard! I feel like I clean up the same messes and do the same chores day after day after day. I feel like I don't accomplish anything or do anything of value. Then I see my two little people toddling around laughing, making messes and stopping to give me a love and I feel like my heart might burst. I wonder how I got so lucky ... and then I clean up the same mess I have cleaned up ten thousand times!
I have had two distinct thoughts today;
One: What has my life become!?! I use to get up every morning, get ready, dress professionally and go to work. I had an office, went to meetings and had responsibilities. I solved problems, interacted with people and accomplished tasks each day. I had value and purpose! Now look at me! How did this happen?
Two: As I snuggled my baby girl who had had six poppy diapers before 9 AM I thought about how very glad and lucky I am to be able to stay home and hold my baby while she doesn't feel well. I am so glad that I am not stressing about work because I had to stay home with my sick babies. I know what a blessing it is that I get to stay home and me a mom.
Being a mom is hands down the hardest job I have ever had. Most days I wish I could get ready and go to work. Being a mom is hard! I feel like I clean up the same messes and do the same chores day after day after day. I feel like I don't accomplish anything or do anything of value. Then I see my two little people toddling around laughing, making messes and stopping to give me a love and I feel like my heart might burst. I wonder how I got so lucky ... and then I clean up the same mess I have cleaned up ten thousand times!
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Baby Gear Must Haves
When I was pregnant with the twins I was spoiled rotten with several baby showers. Registering for gifts was pretty much a shot in the dark as I had no idea what I actually needed. Nearly a year and a half into this whole mom thing I have come up with my list of baby gear that I couldn't/can't live without. So here are my top ten baby must haves.
Fisher Price Rock N Plays
Before I had the twins a fellow twin mom told me that these were a must! I totally concur! They are so portable and easy to store when not in use. We would move them from room to room as needed and would even take them with us on vacation or just to a family dinner. I would definitely recommend the auto rocking version. These are perfect for newborns. They keep them swaddled and secure. For babies with reflux (which Hagen had) it keeps them propped up. An absolute must have!
Baby Car Mirror
So the first couple months that I had the twins I did not have these. Driving around I was always nervous that the babies were ok because I couldn't see them. A few times I even pulled over to check on them. Well this solves that problem! When they are newborns you can see them and know if they are sleeping or awake. When baby gets a little older these become built in entertainment while they are in the car. The twins will sit and laugh and talk to the baby in the mirror while we drive. There are several versions and can be found pretty much everywhere baby gear is sold. This is just an example of one from Amazon. (no that is not my baby)
Nose Frida Snot Sucker
Gross! It really is disgusting but once you have a baby snot just becomes a part of your daily life! Let's be honest those bulb things they send you home from the hospital with don't work ... like at all! This thing works! You put the blue tube end up against the babies nostril and then the red end in your mouth and you SUCK! Don't worry there is no way for the snot to get into your mouth. Your baby will get a look on their face like you are sucking their brains out. I am guessing that is about what it feels like. But then they can breath and aren't so stuffy. You need this!
do'Terra Purify Oil
I was given a very nice diaper pail that is not suppose to stink as a baby gift. Well guess what? It stinks. Twins = SO MANY DIAPERS!! Right now (16 months) we go through about 300 diapers a month! Diapers = stink! So here is one of my best mom hacks (not really a hack). Put a couple drops of do'Terra Purify Oil on a cotton ball and put that in the bottom of the diaper pail (and garbage cans too). It really does help kill the stale smell of dirty diapers. It's also a great oil for laundry and all other cleaning things.
Umbrella Stroller
In preparation for the twins we got the jumbo double stroller with the matching click in car seats. It is an awesome stroller! But I hardly ever use it. It was nice in the very beginning when I would leave the babies in their car seats and just click the car seat in but it is big and heavy and definitely takes more time to set up. Now my go to is a double umbrella stroller. I got one for under $100 on Amazon. It is so light and easy to set up. For quick trip or walks this is all you need. I personally think you can skip the fancy stroller all together. I even got one to leave at my moms house.
Here is the one I have.
https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Brand-Double-Stroller-Burgundy/dp/B019JNHJCA/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1515988240&sr=1-6&keywords=double%2Bumbrella%2Bstroller&th=1
Hands Free Pumping Bra
My twins were born 9 weeks early. They spent 50 days in the NICU growing and learning to eat. For the first few weeks they were fed only through a feeding tube. Preemies can't suck, swallow, breath at the same time which means they can't eat. This is something that happens later on in their development. While I had totally planned on breast feeding it just wasn't an option for me in the beginning. By the time they came home they were so use to the bottle that we never made the transition. So I pumped! I pumped for FIVE months! I know there are some that do it much longer and hats off to them. It is not fun, it is time consuming and just kind of sucks. But you do what you have to do. One thing that made it SO much easier was a hands free pumping bra. That was a game changer for me. So if you find yourself pumping instead of breastfeeding get one of these!!! Again you can get these lots of places. But Amazon does deliver!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00295MQLU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
Bottle Warmer
If you bottle feed at all you need a bottle warmer. Did you know that you aren't suppose to put breast milk in the microwave. You have to put the bottle in hot water and let it sit to warm up the milk. Well guess how NOT fun that is in middle of the night! A bottle warmer heats up the bottle in like 90 seconds using steam. Every second counts at 2 AM so I would say this is a must have product if you are bottle feeding. Night feeding tip: I would prep the bottles before going to bed and put them in a little cooler bag with an ice pack. I would put the cooler bag in the bathroom by the babies room along with the bottle warmer. When the babies woke up I would warm up the bottles while setting them up on the boppy pillows. I never had to prep anything or go downstairs to the kitchen for night feedings.
Sound Machine/Night Light
Having spent the first seven weeks of life in the NICU my babies came home 1. use to light (it is never totally dark in the NICU) and 2. Use to noise. It is surprisingly noisy in the NICU; doors closing, monitors beeping, nurses talking, other babies crying. This can be a perk as NICU babies learn to sleep through light and noise. We don't black out their rooms, ever! In fact we open the blinds during the day so that it is light during naps. We have sound playing whenever they are sleeping. My babies have been the best sleepers so it must work! This is the sound machine we use. I like it because it plays a variety of sounds, is small and portable and is a night light. Its by Skip Hop and can be found anywhere that baby products are sold.
Diaper Caddy
This one might seem silly but its one of those things I can't live without. We live in a two story house. The twins rooms and changing table are upstairs. But I spend most of my day in the family room/kitchen on the main level. So having a changing station on the main level is a must! I always have what I need to change those 300 diapers a month! It is easy to stash away when not using. I think I got mine at Babies R Us but again you can get them anywhere! There are a bunch of them on Amazon.
Boppy Pillow
I bet this is one of those items that most moms would agree goes on the must have list. Especially for twins!!! I actually had four of them when the twins were newborns, one set upstairs and one set downstairs. How do you feed twins? You prop them up on a boppy pillows and sit between them holding a bottle in each hand. We also used them for tummy time and just for hanging out. The twins still use them at 16 months. Make sure you get the kind that has the removable cover for washing.
So there you have it, some of my baby gear must haves!
Fisher Price Rock N Plays
Before I had the twins a fellow twin mom told me that these were a must! I totally concur! They are so portable and easy to store when not in use. We would move them from room to room as needed and would even take them with us on vacation or just to a family dinner. I would definitely recommend the auto rocking version. These are perfect for newborns. They keep them swaddled and secure. For babies with reflux (which Hagen had) it keeps them propped up. An absolute must have!
Baby Car Mirror
So the first couple months that I had the twins I did not have these. Driving around I was always nervous that the babies were ok because I couldn't see them. A few times I even pulled over to check on them. Well this solves that problem! When they are newborns you can see them and know if they are sleeping or awake. When baby gets a little older these become built in entertainment while they are in the car. The twins will sit and laugh and talk to the baby in the mirror while we drive. There are several versions and can be found pretty much everywhere baby gear is sold. This is just an example of one from Amazon. (no that is not my baby)
Nose Frida Snot Sucker
Gross! It really is disgusting but once you have a baby snot just becomes a part of your daily life! Let's be honest those bulb things they send you home from the hospital with don't work ... like at all! This thing works! You put the blue tube end up against the babies nostril and then the red end in your mouth and you SUCK! Don't worry there is no way for the snot to get into your mouth. Your baby will get a look on their face like you are sucking their brains out. I am guessing that is about what it feels like. But then they can breath and aren't so stuffy. You need this!
do'Terra Purify Oil
I was given a very nice diaper pail that is not suppose to stink as a baby gift. Well guess what? It stinks. Twins = SO MANY DIAPERS!! Right now (16 months) we go through about 300 diapers a month! Diapers = stink! So here is one of my best mom hacks (not really a hack). Put a couple drops of do'Terra Purify Oil on a cotton ball and put that in the bottom of the diaper pail (and garbage cans too). It really does help kill the stale smell of dirty diapers. It's also a great oil for laundry and all other cleaning things.
Umbrella Stroller
In preparation for the twins we got the jumbo double stroller with the matching click in car seats. It is an awesome stroller! But I hardly ever use it. It was nice in the very beginning when I would leave the babies in their car seats and just click the car seat in but it is big and heavy and definitely takes more time to set up. Now my go to is a double umbrella stroller. I got one for under $100 on Amazon. It is so light and easy to set up. For quick trip or walks this is all you need. I personally think you can skip the fancy stroller all together. I even got one to leave at my moms house.
Here is the one I have.
https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Brand-Double-Stroller-Burgundy/dp/B019JNHJCA/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1515988240&sr=1-6&keywords=double%2Bumbrella%2Bstroller&th=1
Hands Free Pumping Bra
My twins were born 9 weeks early. They spent 50 days in the NICU growing and learning to eat. For the first few weeks they were fed only through a feeding tube. Preemies can't suck, swallow, breath at the same time which means they can't eat. This is something that happens later on in their development. While I had totally planned on breast feeding it just wasn't an option for me in the beginning. By the time they came home they were so use to the bottle that we never made the transition. So I pumped! I pumped for FIVE months! I know there are some that do it much longer and hats off to them. It is not fun, it is time consuming and just kind of sucks. But you do what you have to do. One thing that made it SO much easier was a hands free pumping bra. That was a game changer for me. So if you find yourself pumping instead of breastfeeding get one of these!!! Again you can get these lots of places. But Amazon does deliver!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00295MQLU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
Bottle Warmer
If you bottle feed at all you need a bottle warmer. Did you know that you aren't suppose to put breast milk in the microwave. You have to put the bottle in hot water and let it sit to warm up the milk. Well guess how NOT fun that is in middle of the night! A bottle warmer heats up the bottle in like 90 seconds using steam. Every second counts at 2 AM so I would say this is a must have product if you are bottle feeding. Night feeding tip: I would prep the bottles before going to bed and put them in a little cooler bag with an ice pack. I would put the cooler bag in the bathroom by the babies room along with the bottle warmer. When the babies woke up I would warm up the bottles while setting them up on the boppy pillows. I never had to prep anything or go downstairs to the kitchen for night feedings.
Sound Machine/Night Light
Having spent the first seven weeks of life in the NICU my babies came home 1. use to light (it is never totally dark in the NICU) and 2. Use to noise. It is surprisingly noisy in the NICU; doors closing, monitors beeping, nurses talking, other babies crying. This can be a perk as NICU babies learn to sleep through light and noise. We don't black out their rooms, ever! In fact we open the blinds during the day so that it is light during naps. We have sound playing whenever they are sleeping. My babies have been the best sleepers so it must work! This is the sound machine we use. I like it because it plays a variety of sounds, is small and portable and is a night light. Its by Skip Hop and can be found anywhere that baby products are sold.
Diaper Caddy
This one might seem silly but its one of those things I can't live without. We live in a two story house. The twins rooms and changing table are upstairs. But I spend most of my day in the family room/kitchen on the main level. So having a changing station on the main level is a must! I always have what I need to change those 300 diapers a month! It is easy to stash away when not using. I think I got mine at Babies R Us but again you can get them anywhere! There are a bunch of them on Amazon.
Boppy Pillow
I bet this is one of those items that most moms would agree goes on the must have list. Especially for twins!!! I actually had four of them when the twins were newborns, one set upstairs and one set downstairs. How do you feed twins? You prop them up on a boppy pillows and sit between them holding a bottle in each hand. We also used them for tummy time and just for hanging out. The twins still use them at 16 months. Make sure you get the kind that has the removable cover for washing.
So there you have it, some of my baby gear must haves!
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Beef Stew
What's for dinner? Ugh! Every single day! I never know what to make. I am usually scrambling to pull something together because I didn't get anything out of the freezer. We don't eat much processed food which means I am making things from scratch. Oh the days of being single and eating cold cereal or chips and salsa for dinner!
When I do find a recipe that works I make sure to write it down and have as many of the ingredients on hand as possible. It has to be relatively quick and easy! I am not one that enjoys spending half my day in the kitchen for one meal.
Today I made beef stew for the first time! I read at least 20 recipes and then came up with my own version. It turned out really yummy and was pretty darn easy! It's the perfect winter Sunday dinner.
Beef Stew -- Slower cooker
Serves 4-6
1 lb stew meat
1/4 c flour
1/4 t pepper
1/2 t salt
carrots (I used like 20 baby carrots because the twins love them)
potatoes (I used three smallish ones) chopped into bite size pieces
1 med onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 can beef broth
1 c water
1 c red wine
1 - 11/2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Mix the flour, salt and pepper together. Add the meat to the mixture and coat well. Brown the meat in a small amount of oil. Place the meat in a crock-pot. Saute onions and garlic then add to crock-pot. Add carrots and potatoes to crock-pot. Pour broth, water, red wine and worcestershire sauce in saute pan. Bring to a simmer scrapping the brownings from the meat. Pour over the ingredients in the crock-pot. Make sure you have enough liquid to almost cover the ingredients. Cook on high for about 4 - 5 hours (or low for 8 hrs) or until meat is tender and potatoes and carrots are soft. About an hour before serving I thickened the stew with a little corn starch. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy! I hope this helps just one dinner become a little easier this month!
When I do find a recipe that works I make sure to write it down and have as many of the ingredients on hand as possible. It has to be relatively quick and easy! I am not one that enjoys spending half my day in the kitchen for one meal.
Today I made beef stew for the first time! I read at least 20 recipes and then came up with my own version. It turned out really yummy and was pretty darn easy! It's the perfect winter Sunday dinner.
Beef Stew -- Slower cooker
Serves 4-6
1 lb stew meat
1/4 c flour
1/4 t pepper
1/2 t salt
carrots (I used like 20 baby carrots because the twins love them)
potatoes (I used three smallish ones) chopped into bite size pieces
1 med onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 can beef broth
1 c water
1 c red wine
1 - 11/2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Mix the flour, salt and pepper together. Add the meat to the mixture and coat well. Brown the meat in a small amount of oil. Place the meat in a crock-pot. Saute onions and garlic then add to crock-pot. Add carrots and potatoes to crock-pot. Pour broth, water, red wine and worcestershire sauce in saute pan. Bring to a simmer scrapping the brownings from the meat. Pour over the ingredients in the crock-pot. Make sure you have enough liquid to almost cover the ingredients. Cook on high for about 4 - 5 hours (or low for 8 hrs) or until meat is tender and potatoes and carrots are soft. About an hour before serving I thickened the stew with a little corn starch. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy! I hope this helps just one dinner become a little easier this month!
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