Feeding the Turners

This is the best way I have learned to feed two active babies at the same time. I have been told by several people that individually my girls are

both very difficult to feed. They turn their heads to look at everything and they like to pull their bottles out of their mouth. If you are a mom of multiples or if you have an active baby like me, my advice is to invest in Boppy baby pillows.  

 

Our First Trip Out to Eat

Tonight was our first family dinner at a restaurant. I really wanted to take them out before cold and flu season begins and I was finally ready to do it.  The girls did great.  Abigail loved it and Elizabeth looked at everything. Some people may think it's crazy that I waited until they were 10 months old to take them out to dinner, but I waited until I was ready. My advice to preemie moms is to go out when you are truly ready and don't rush it. I am happy that I waited. You will know when the time is right. :) 

                  My mom with Elizabeth        

My sister-in-law Amanda with Abigail

This couldn't be more true.

                 
                              If you are on the roller coaster...hold on! My heart is with you.

What's Worth Buying?!

I thought it would be neat if I started posting some of the things that I've bought that I actually really love. When the girls were in the hospital, I would sit by their bedside for hours. Since I never had a chance to go shopping in stores, I bought pretty much everything online at Target or Amazon. I read many reviews by other parents, and I made my shopping choices based on their reviews.

The first items I want to talk about are my stroller and car seats. I have a double stroller and a single stroller. I had to get a single stroller for the times when I take just one of my girls to the doctors.  I don't like to take out the double stroller unless I need too. I have the Chicco Cortina Together Double Stroller.  It fits my Chicco car seats, called the KetFit 30.

My stroller choices were originally based on the idea that I really wanted the Chicco car seats. They have special support in them and they were exactly what I needed for my little preemie girls. The car seats have extra neck and seat removable inserts. The car seats are made to secure a baby from 4 to 30 lbs.  Many other car sears start at 5 lbs.

I have to say that the double stroller is wonderful and worth buying! I can fit Abigail's oxygen safely in the storage compartment. I can lift it and get it in and out of my trunk without any problems. I drive a Toyota Camry and it fits in my trunk with some room left over. It is very long, but then again you are pushing two babies, so it needs to be long.  I really do like the stroller and I do recommend it.

My single stroller is also Chicco brand. It is called the Liteway Plus. This stroller also has room for Abigail's oxygen. I can actually fit the Double Stroller and the single stroller in my trunk. I usually just keep them in there all the time.

I love the products and they have worked well for my girls. I recommend them and would buy them again.  The Chicco brand name usually costs more than other brands like Graco, but I think you get your money worth.

Corrected Age

I saw this today and it made me laugh. This happens to me all the time.

Today my girls are officially 10 months old. Their corrected age is 7 months old. Corrected age means that since they were born 3 months early you subtract the 3 months from how old they are and get their corrected age. When doctors look at their milestones they look at the corrected age and they are both doing well. 

So happy 10 months... or 7 months Abigail and Elizabeth! :) 

Our New Au Pair

Today our new Au Pair arrived. She came to us from Switzerland and will be staying with us a year. There are several reasons why Dan and I decided to go with an Au Pair rather than a day care or a traditional babysitter, but the most important reason is that Abigail is still on oxygen and has a weak respiratory system. One cold could really set her back. Their pulmonologist strongly recommended that she not go to a day care and I totally agreed. It can be very dangerous for her to get just a cold. Starting in about a month Abigail and Elizabeth will both be on a “lock down” due to RSV and Flu season.  I won’t really be taking them out unless it is to see the doctor or to go to a physical/occupational therapy appointment. I hate to keep the girls inside, but it is really to help them stay healthy.

I am really excited to get to know our new Au Pair and to welcome her into our family.  The company we used to get our Au Pair is called Cultural Care Au Pair. You can find out more information at their webpage http://culturalcareaupair.com/ . I will post more about our experience in the months to come. If you have any questions please feel free to ask!

Enjoy a few pics that I took of the girls this morning. They both were in a smiley mood!

 

It Takes A Village

The old saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child. Who ever coined this phrase was a genius.

I am fortunate enough to have a "village" to help me with my girl. My girls village consist of grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles, Godparents, and some wonderful friends. Currently Abby and Liz have outpatient therapy 3 days a week. I honestly wouldn't have been able to go back to work this school year if it wasn't for the amazing people in my life that have offered to help. The girls' therapy is the most important thing in our lives right now, and I would give up anything to get them there. Luckily I have help. My wonderful friend and Abigail's Godmother Nancy has offered to take the girls to their therapy session on Tuesdays. My grandparents (the girls' great grandparents) are taking them on Wednesdays. Finally, my dad and my sister-in-law Amanda will work together to take the girls on Fridays. I just want to take the time to say THANK YOU for all of your help. We couldn't do it without you!  

My advice to NICU and preemie moms is to take the help when it is offered to you. I had a hard time excepting help when the girls first came home, but the truth is I couldn't do it alone. Ask for help when you need it and if someone offers to help, take them up on their offer.