Pregnant with Multiples Check In - week of Aug 8

[requiressnacks]

Week/Team/Fruit:

Symptoms:

Appointments:

Rants/Raves/Questions:

GTKY: Is there any twin-specific baby gear that's been highly recommended to you? Or anything you plan to register for that's geared towards multiples?

**bonus question**- do you know anyone on TCF who is expecting multiples? Invite them here!

[requiressnacks]

Sorry I am late ladies! On vacation this week.

Week/Team/Fruit: 23/purple/Barbie dolls

Symptoms: hungry all the time, bump is growing

Appointments: none

Rants/Raves/Questions: I think the babies are having a growth spurt. I am always hungry and I feel like my bump is really growing.

GTKY: Is there any twin-specific baby gear that's been highly recommended to you? Or anything you plan to register for that's geared towards multiples?

The one thing that was recommended to my by two twin moms IRL is the Twin Z Pillow. I added that to my registry.

[dke2010]

Week/Team/Fruit: 28+6, mono-di girls, coconuts

Symptoms: Horrible heartburn, Braxton Hicks contractions, all-around discomfort

Appointments: OB appointment and fluid check tomorrow

Rants/Raves/Questions: Despite feeling yucky yesterday, it was a great day. DH willing gave me a much-needed pedicure and I had my first mini-shower/sprinkle. We got lots of diapers and wipes. I'm thrilled!

GTKY: Is there any twin-specific baby gear that's been highly recommended to you? Or anything you plan to register for that's geared towards multiples?
The only twin item that we purchased was a double stroller. I heard great things about the City Select so we found a new, in-the-box one on Craigslist. It was still expensive, but I think it'll be worth the investment if it allows me to get out of the house with my girls. We also bought the Chicco car seat adapters on Amazon. I can't wait to use it once they arrive!

[requiressnacks]

dke2010, I love that your H gave you a pedicure!

[housecarder]

dke2010 a good stroller is a must in my opinion, especially with older ones too. I take my stroller everywhere. I picked up DS from preschool yesterday and snapped the girls' car seats into it and rolled right in. He was still sleeping so I carried him out with one arm and pushed the stroller with the other. I'm not sure how I would have juggled everyone without a stroller.

[dke2010]

Aug 9, 2016 8:13:31 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

dke2010, I love that your H gave you a pedicure!

Me too. He's the best!

[dke2010]

Aug 9, 2016 9:03:58 GMT -5 housecarder said:

dke2010 a good stroller is a must in my opinion, especially with older ones too. I take my stroller everywhere. I picked up DS from preschool yesterday and snapped the girls' car seats into it and rolled right in. He was still sleeping so I carried him out with one arm and pushed the stroller with the other. I'm not sure how I would have juggled everyone without a stroller.

Definitely! There's no way I can physically carry two infant car seats plus hold on to DD in a parking lot. Not to mention the diaper bag and whatever else I need. I'm sure it'll be a lifesaver.

[piccyami]

Week/Team/Fruit: 30+2/Purple/ Cantaloupes

Symptoms: Swelling, total exhaustion

Appointments: Last week's MFM appointment went fairly well. Baby boy gained 8 oz (now 3lb 13oz) and Baby girl gained 3 oz (now 3lb 3oz), so everybody's a good size. The MFM isn't too worried about the discordance now, since baby girl doesn't seem to be growth restricted. She just seems like she'll be a smaller baby. Baby boy refused to breathe during the BPP, so he failed it and we went for a "quick" NST. The NST took an hour and a half because they couldn't find two heartbeats and I was apparently having contractions (I hadn't had much to drink for over 4 hours at that point). They eventually found the second and my contractions calmed down and they sent us home. OB appointment is tomorrow.

Rants/Raves/Questions: We had our multiples class this weekend and it was totally worth it. We found out that our hospital is NOT certified baby friendly, which actually makes me feel better. They seem to be on their way there, but they seem to be more interested in doing what works best for both baby and mom. We also got to talk to one of the nurses in the NICU, and I feel so much better after hearing what she had to say. Talking to local multiples parents (and seeing their babies!) was also really helpful and makes me feel like we'll manage when we bring them home.

Question: Now that we're getting closer to delivery, everyone is popping up and telling us that they want to come see the babies. It's great that everyone wants to see them, but I don't want to add 4 extra people and 2 extra dogs to the house when we're bringing babies home. We've agreed to MIL and FIL (but not the dog this time) because it would be awesome to have someone at the house while we're in the hospital. We don't really want SIL and her GF to come because that would mean the dogs (they live with MIL and FIL right now). We're also planning on going to visit everyone at Thanksgiving (when the babies have hopefully gotten their 2 month shots) as long as we're not dealing with NICU babies. Also, SIL and GF won't be able to see them if they're in the NICU anyway. How do I navigate this without too many hurt feelings?

GTKY: Is there any twin-specific baby gear that's been highly recommended to you? Or anything you plan to register for that's geared towards multiples? We registered for and got the my breast friend twin pillow. I'm also hoping to pick up a good double jogging stroller at the multiples consignment sale next month.

[mc13]

Week/Team/Fruit: 34w, 5d/mono di girls

Symptoms: restless leg syndrome and I swear however these babies are laying, they are cutting off circulation to my legs.

Appointments: MFM for BPP tomorrow, 35 OB appt Friday

Rants/Raves/Questions: Only 2 weeks and 2 days left! I think we have everything we need and I've been nesting like crazy so our house is nice and clean.

GTKY: Is there any twin-specific baby gear that's been highly recommended to you? Or anything you plan to register for that's geared towards multiples? We have the City Select stroller and the Twin Z pillow. Besides that, we just have 2 of normal things like pack n plays, swings and rock n plays.

[pbandj714]

Just popping in to say how much we LOVE our City Select and Twin Z pillow. I could not have survived these last 7 weeks without them!!

[mc13]

Aug 9, 2016 11:26:43 GMT -5 pbandj714 said:

Just popping in to say how much we LOVE our City Select and Twin Z pillow. I could not have survived these last 7 weeks without them!!

Glad to hear it! I have high hopes that they will be awesome.

[requiressnacks]

piccyami, I'm not allowing any out of town guests until after the babies are born and we know WTF is going on. Especially with the uncertainty of NICU time and being first time parents, the only people allowed to visit right after the babies are born will be my mom and my MIL. And a big heck no to adding any additional dogs to the mix.

As far as not hurting people's feelings, I really hope your SIL can understand your hesitation. Your life is about to be turned upside down!

[mc13]

Aug 9, 2016 12:49:07 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

piccyami, I'm not allowing any out of town guests until after the babies are born and we know WTF is going on. Especially with the uncertainty of NICU time and being first time parents, the only people allowed to visit right after the babies are born will be my mom and my MIL. And a big heck no to adding any additional dogs to the mix.

As far as not hurting people's feelings, I really hope your SIL can understand your hesitation. Your life is about to be turned upside down!

Agreed with this! You have to be very direct - not only with who you want around by what you want/need them to do - because people just assume you want them there to hang out. Honestly, I didn't want to hurt feelings when DD1 was born and it was so overwhelming (the inlaws were at our house waiting in the car when we came home from the hospital and stayed for like 8 hours when I was exhausted, wanted to cry and just hold my new baby). This time, I just laid it all out there because I refuse to feel like that again.

We were very clear with everyone that my parents will be here when I'm induced so they can watch DD1 (all family is 5+ hours away) and that DH's parents will come once the twins are born to visit in the hospital then leave. I was very direct/clear with them in that I don't want anyone at our house besides my parents with DD when we come home from the hospital. Then my parents are staying the 1st week and MIL will come back for the 2nd week then we can take it from there. Oh and while they are here they were asked to help with entertaining DD1, cooking/cleaning/etc. and leaving baby stuff to DH and I unless we tell them otherwise.

[piccyami]

Aug 9, 2016 12:49:07 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

piccyami , I'm not allowing any out of town guests until after the babies are born and we know WTF is going on. Especially with the uncertainty of NICU time and being first time parents, the only people allowed to visit right after the babies are born will be my mom and my MIL. And a big heck no to adding any additional dogs to the mix.

As far as not hurting people's feelings, I really hope your SIL can understand your hesitation. Your life is about to be turned upside down!

Your plan sounds like what I want.  I want grandparents to visit, but I don't want anyone else until after we're home and settled and ready for visitors.  I hope they understand our hesitation, but I really don't think they'll get it.  They were the ones that informed us of what they'll be called (hard no on that one), started shopping for nursery designs (completely ignored), and gave us middle names to use with first names we told them (huge mistake, we can't use those first names now).  I'm already nervous enough about possible NICU time and how our animals will deal with new babies and how we'll deal with two babies.  I don't need to add stress about not hurting feelings or feeling like I have to take care of them, too.

[nomnom]

Week/Team/Fruit: 11w5d, brussels sprout

Symptoms: Waning nausea and fatigue. I still feel a bit sick in the late afternoon and evening and I need more sleep.

Appointments: Next Friday for NT scan and the following Friday for OB visit.

Rants/Raves/Questions: I want more sleep.

GTKY: Is there any twin-specific baby gear that's been highly recommended to you? Or anything you plan to register for that's geared towards multiples? I loved my frame stroller. It was lightweight and babies could stay sleeping in their car seats. I also loved my FP rockers because they have a stiffer back than a bouncer--much better for keeping tiny baby chins off of their chests. And baby gyms. Those occupied them long enough to make a meal, go to the bathroom, or do any other necessities.

I'm reusing most things. We plan to get a quad stroller, toddler leashes, and more cribs or twin mattresses.

[requiressnacks]

nomnom, I love that you've BTDT with twins! And wow - a quad stroller sounds legit.

[dream2be3]

Hi ladies!

I've been waiting to update since I had the a/s today and I've been super paranoid the last couple weeks. The twinkies looked great and are measuring on track! DH got to come with so that was cool. He doesn't want to know the sex and I did so he had to close his eyes a couple times. We are team BLUE!!!

Week/Team/Fruit:20w/blue/endive

Symptoms: none

Appointments: Not again for another 4 weeks.

Rants/Raves/Questions:I am so excited to finally have a team! I'm hoping this will start to feel more real now.

GTKY: Is there any twin-specific baby gear that's been highly recommended to you? Or anything you plan to register for that's geared towards multiples? I registered for the twin z pillow based on suggestions from other twin mom's on these boards.

[dream2be3]

Aug 11, 2016 22:32:22 GMT -5 @feegan said:

How are you ever gonna keep yourself from slipping dream2be3?!?!? Also, congrats!!!!!

I'm probably a bad mom already for doing this but I will always refer to them as the twinkies rather then individuals or A & B - at least until they're born. We'll see how well that actually works...lol

[requiressnacks]

Aug 11, 2016 15:56:53 GMT -5 dream2be3 said:

Hi ladies!

I've been waiting to update since I had the a/s today and I've been super paranoid the last couple weeks. The twinkies looked great and are measuring on track! DH got to come with so that was cool. He doesn't want to know the sex and I did so he had to close his eyes a couple times. We are team BLUE!!!

I don't know how you will have the self-control not to tell him! Good luck!