The thoughts that run through your mind when you are preparing for twins can be a roller coaster. In some ways you need double of everything and in some ways you don't. Then there is the research to see if you can find anything to make your life easier or if it is just more "gear." Today I put together a few of the things I have purchased in hopes of making our lives just maybe a bit smoother. Some of these are favorites I have had for all kids and some of of these will be new to me.
1. Gowns- I love them for boys or girls! They make diaper changes at night so easy. I don't think you can have enough. If you sew and want an easy pattern to make custom ones Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop has the easiest pattern.
2. Herbal Bath- I have noticed in the past year the appearance of Herbal Bath photos in photography has become popular. I have to laugh because thanks to my wonderful midwives I have used these for each baby so almost 7 years ago I took my first one with Eli. With Lilliana and Ari they were our first bath together at the birth center and some of my favorite memories. If you are local you can purchase premade bath mixes at Little Green Branches or Mother and Earth Baby Boutique. These are wonderful for healing and relaxing after having a baby. I always enjoyed the snuggles with my newborn and how they relaxed in the water.
2. Herbal Bath- I have noticed in the past year the appearance of Herbal Bath photos in photography has become popular. I have to laugh because thanks to my wonderful midwives I have used these for each baby so almost 7 years ago I took my first one with Eli. With Lilliana and Ari they were our first bath together at the birth center and some of my favorite memories. If you are local you can purchase premade bath mixes at Little Green Branches or Mother and Earth Baby Boutique. These are wonderful for healing and relaxing after having a baby. I always enjoyed the snuggles with my newborn and how they relaxed in the water.
3. Woven Wrap- Babywearing is nothing new to me. I have worn all the kids and many days wearing them saved my sanity so I could get things done. A woven wrap is new to me though. I can't wait to see how I like it. I am planning to wear both babies at a time, yes I am crazy!
The next three things are nursing related, so if you have no interest scroll right on past. From the moment I found out there were two, breastfeeding has been a huge source of research and planning. I know it can be done and I have been very successful with the other three so it is a huge priority. I am so thankful Sparrow is baby friendly so I know this will aid in our journey. I also know it is going to be more time consuming and the longer they stay put the more successful we will be. So I have spent several months planning and researching different products and tools just specifically for this.
4. PuraVida Bracelet- With the other three I never worried about what side they were on because it was easy to tell from the last feed. This time I figured we better try some sort of bracelet system to keep track as they will need to switch for head development etc. My wonderful friend shared with me these bracelets. Each baby gets their own color and they will be perfect for what I need plus very reasonably priced! I call that a win.
5. Bamboobies Nursing Pads- Gotta love the name. I used these with Ari and these were some of my favorite things after having him. They are so soft. I hated using disposable ones. It was such a waste and they always made me have a rash. You can buy them Here. Until tomorrow you can get a free pair just pay for shipping!
The next three things are nursing related, so if you have no interest scroll right on past. From the moment I found out there were two, breastfeeding has been a huge source of research and planning. I know it can be done and I have been very successful with the other three so it is a huge priority. I am so thankful Sparrow is baby friendly so I know this will aid in our journey. I also know it is going to be more time consuming and the longer they stay put the more successful we will be. So I have spent several months planning and researching different products and tools just specifically for this.
4. PuraVida Bracelet- With the other three I never worried about what side they were on because it was easy to tell from the last feed. This time I figured we better try some sort of bracelet system to keep track as they will need to switch for head development etc. My wonderful friend shared with me these bracelets. Each baby gets their own color and they will be perfect for what I need plus very reasonably priced! I call that a win.
5. Bamboobies Nursing Pads- Gotta love the name. I used these with Ari and these were some of my favorite things after having him. They are so soft. I hated using disposable ones. It was such a waste and they always made me have a rash. You can buy them Here. Until tomorrow you can get a free pair just pay for shipping!
6. Twin Z Nursing Pillow- This may be the most loved or most hated thing. Time will tell. I used a pillow a little bit with Eli, but then I never did much with the other kids. I am hoping to tandem feed though to cut down on time, so I felt a twin nursing pillow was a necessity. We will see how it goes! I really hope to love it. They can also use it to lay in so either way I am sure it will get used. It can be purchased HERE.
We have spent months preparing for these girls with more space in the house. I am thrilled where we are in that area. Everybody is in their rooms now and are adjusting well. We still need to move homeschool things, but it will happen this week. My house is less cluttered and I am so happy about that. The only thing I need to do is spend some months really organizing each room with shelves etc. It will happen, but for now we have more space so I can not complain. I forgot I took these the other day of the kids helping upstairs. I am not going to lie there may have been days last month the kids were in pjs. all day long and we were barely hanging on with this remodel. I was cooking a lot. I have tried to build up some freezer meals. Between cooking, finishing school, and having them all day by myself while Anthony worked we kind of were in survival mode. Maybe I should say I was. The end is in sight though and all the hard work has paid off.
The other thing I finished finally last night was their quilts. I post more of my quilting on Instagram, but finally took some nice photos today. The end of 2014 I purchased a really nice sewing machine and honestly it has been the best thing for me. It has given me another hobby to get away from the computer. I love photography and I miss it sooo much. I really do, but I spent too much time editing. My kids also don't enjoy the camera as much which is to be expected. I took some time away and it was good for us all. I have a need to create and sewing/quilting was the perfect outlet.
I have fallen in love with Reproduction 30's and 40s fabric. In fact if I could I would buy it all and only make quilts from that period. I have not done that, but I would like to. My wonderful grandma sends me fabric she will never use. Last year she sent a charm pack which are squares that are 5"X5" from a fabric line. They are wonderful because they are precut and you get a huge variety. You can't get this fabric anymore. I fell in love with it. They are 30's fabrics and everything I love about them. I put it away and just knew I would save it for a baby quilt if we had another baby and it was a girl. When I found out I was expecting I pulled it out frequently trying to decide which quilt design I would make. I am so partial to pinwheels for baby quilts. They are happy and fun. I knew that would probably be the design, but I wanted something a little different. Well, then we found out there were two. So I had to split that charm pack and add from my stash. I usually use a quilt pattern because it is easier so I don't have to sit and do the math for everything. Well, with two and what I wanted to achieve I ended up making my own pattern using the Dutch Pinwheel pattern. Oh they were a mess at one point. They were square and much bigger than I had planned! I don't care for complete square quilts. So I had to modify. The end of December I knew it was time to call in help. I just could not finish these mentally/physically and so I sent them to my dear grandma to quilt. She added boarders which I knew it needed, but just was so mentally wore out from everything in general I could not get to where I needed. It takes a lot for me to send a quilt to be quilted by somebody else. I love this part of the process. It is a favorite of mine. In the end I am SOOO glad I did. She has an embroidery machine and can add some neat effects. They are similar but different in their own ways and probably some of my favorite quilts to date. I am told that my grandpa tried to keep them.
Baby A's Quilt-
I have fallen in love with Reproduction 30's and 40s fabric. In fact if I could I would buy it all and only make quilts from that period. I have not done that, but I would like to. My wonderful grandma sends me fabric she will never use. Last year she sent a charm pack which are squares that are 5"X5" from a fabric line. They are wonderful because they are precut and you get a huge variety. You can't get this fabric anymore. I fell in love with it. They are 30's fabrics and everything I love about them. I put it away and just knew I would save it for a baby quilt if we had another baby and it was a girl. When I found out I was expecting I pulled it out frequently trying to decide which quilt design I would make. I am so partial to pinwheels for baby quilts. They are happy and fun. I knew that would probably be the design, but I wanted something a little different. Well, then we found out there were two. So I had to split that charm pack and add from my stash. I usually use a quilt pattern because it is easier so I don't have to sit and do the math for everything. Well, with two and what I wanted to achieve I ended up making my own pattern using the Dutch Pinwheel pattern. Oh they were a mess at one point. They were square and much bigger than I had planned! I don't care for complete square quilts. So I had to modify. The end of December I knew it was time to call in help. I just could not finish these mentally/physically and so I sent them to my dear grandma to quilt. She added boarders which I knew it needed, but just was so mentally wore out from everything in general I could not get to where I needed. It takes a lot for me to send a quilt to be quilted by somebody else. I love this part of the process. It is a favorite of mine. In the end I am SOOO glad I did. She has an embroidery machine and can add some neat effects. They are similar but different in their own ways and probably some of my favorite quilts to date. I am told that my grandpa tried to keep them.
Baby A's Quilt-
Baby B's Quilt
She added the best details. Scotty Dogs are iconic of 30's fabric.
As are children playing....
Of course we couldn't have a pinwheel quilt without pinwheels.
She went above and beyond and I know these will be timeless keepsakes for years to come. I can't wait to tell them the story of how we were able to complete their quilts.
I still have not completed any maternity photos. I think Wed. I might finally accomplish this task. I managed to get the kid's birthday photos done today. I am officially in my 35th week which is beyond WONDERFUL!! I am hoping for at least 2 more weeks. I am not going to lie I am wearing down and it is getting hard just like with a singleton pregnancy. The end is near though. I took this last week at 34 weeks. (Excuse the dirty mirror, we had just hung it)
I still have not completed any maternity photos. I think Wed. I might finally accomplish this task. I managed to get the kid's birthday photos done today. I am officially in my 35th week which is beyond WONDERFUL!! I am hoping for at least 2 more weeks. I am not going to lie I am wearing down and it is getting hard just like with a singleton pregnancy. The end is near though. I took this last week at 34 weeks. (Excuse the dirty mirror, we had just hung it)
Last but not least this picture brought so many tears and thoughts to my mind. This is probably the last picture I will take of just the 3 of them. My 3 amigos. They have been nothing but perfect the past two months helping me. They have begun going above and beyond in so many thing. I finally have them "trained" for quick pictures together and now we will add two babies. LOL We can laugh about that in oh October when I am "attempting" fall pictures. Either way I love them and am so grateful for their help. They are going to be the best siblings and I can't wait to see how their relationship grows with the girls.
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