Baby Things: Needed or Not

I have a few friends who are pregnant and a family member who will be a grandmother for the first time soon so I wanted to share thoughts on baby stuff. This is my limited knowledge after only 5 months with the twins, but I put together a short list of baby things we’ve found really useful.

Things we’ve really used:

Boppy pillow

We use this pillow every feeding with each baby. Covers come separately and I recommend at least two covers so if spit up happens, you have an immediate back up. Probably wouldn’t hurt if we had 3 covers.

Boppy chair

Different from the pillow above, these chairs have music and vibration settings with toys that hang down. We’ve used this since they were newborns and now at nearly 6 months, they’re starting to reach for and play with the toys.

Glider chair

Not only do the babies have a chair, but we have one too. I love this chair for adults, it’s like a rocking chair, but a “glider.” You can have them custom upholstered to match the baby room but they can be a bit pricey. Some friends gave us the one we use and I love it more than I anticipated.

We use it every night for the bedtime feedings or any time we want to calm a baby down and rock. It’s very calming for parents too.

Miracle Blanket

http://www.miracleblanket.com/index.htm

We learned to swaddle pretty well when the babies were still in the hospital at the Special Care Nursery, but when they got a little bigger, around 2 months, they outgrew the standard swaddle blankets.

The Miracle Blanket not only makes swaddling easier, it’s the right size now that they’re bigger. We have four of these and if you order two at a time, you can get a 15% twins discount.

Things we really didn’t need, but you probably couldn’t have told me in advance:

Bedding set

We just use the sheets and a thicker blanket. We don’t need or use the bumper padding and comforter. We read it could be too much stuff in the crib and possibly contribute to suffocation, so we bagged it all back up and it’s in the attic.

What’s funny about the bedding is I was really wound up about it when I was pregnant. I felt like the babies’ room wasn’t complete without these bedding sets. I made a special trip to buy the two sets and now we don’t use it at all.

Wipe Warmer

We use this for every diaper change, but I don’t think the babies really care. However, my Mom disagrees and thinks they need their wipes warm. 


That's the short list. I was really lucky when I was pregnant. I have a girlfriend who has twins a year older than Connor and Chloe and she told me all the things I would need before they came home. If I didn't have her help walking through Babies R Us, setting up my registry, I would have broken down in tears, overwhelmed with the idea of raising two babies. I call her every other week to get the low down since she's just experienced with her twins whatever it is I'm currently going through. It truly takes a village.
Thank you to my village, love y'all!

Decay Alarm

So after 15 years, through the recommendation of a friend, I decided to see a new dentist. I had an appointment last week. The office is nice and contemporary and the dental hygienist is friendly and personable. As she’s cleaning my teeth she’s pleased to learn I floss everyday and my teeth look good overall. My first visit is going very well.

Then the hygienist notices my partially erupted wisdom teeth on my lower jaw. She then informs me they have advanced technology and she’s going to check my teeth with a decay wand. The plan is to run the wand over my teeth and a sensor beeps when it come across decay. It’s a way for them to detect cavities.

To me, this “magical decay wand” could just be a fancy pen with a beeper. The wand is quiet as it checks out my teeth until it comes to the concerning partially erupted wisdom teeth and it begins to beep like mad. I’m surprised it didn’t start speaking in an electronic voice calling out, “Decay! Decay! Rotten teeth here!”

So on my first visit to a new dentist I’ve been informed I need to see an oral surgeon to have these two wisdom teeth removed. I’m pretty bummed about that, but I’m actually more concerned my previous dentist never had a problem with the partially erupted wisdom teeth. Maybe he just didn’t have the advanced technology of the magical decay wand, but I think he would have let me go on forever with teeth rotting in my head.

Two Good Babies

What a difference a day makes. A day after Connor’s last doctor visit, he is much improved. He’s taking full bottles and not fighting us when it’s time to eat. We think it’s due to the acid reflux medicine, but he’s not telling.

Although Connor still demands a bit more attention, it’s not so dramatic that only Chloe get’s the title of “good baby.” Both are eating well and growing bigger every day. At five and a half months old Connor weights in at 16 lbs and Chloe is 14 lbs 5 oz.

Chloe is rolling over on her own now and makes little grunting noises as she works really hard to push herself over. 

Connor prefers to be sitting up right and likes to be held so I’ve taken to carrying him around in a Baby Bjorn where he can look out around the house while I do chores. If only I could get him to help fold clothes instead of just drooling on his own hands.

We May Just Have To Face It, Connor Is Fussy

Connor is still fighting us when he takes the bottle and he spits up quite a bit. The spitting up is just part of baby stuff, but we’ve been frustrated with him fighting us when feeding. He’s eating fewer ounces than he did a few weeks ago, but he’s still getting plenty and continues to grow.

We had another doctor’s visit yesterday afternoon since nothing had changed from the last visit. We’ll continue with the prescription for acid reflux until Monday and see if that makes a difference. If not, Dr. Neely gave us two different formulas we could try. However, we may have to face the fact that ultimately Connor may be a fussy baby.

The challenge is we have Chloe as a comparison and she’s much calmer and a great eater. I worry that Chloe will get the label of the “good baby” and conversely since Connor cries so much, he gets more attention. Each baby is different and we have to find the balance between our two. Hopefully we can do it with less crying from both Connor and his parents.

Connor seems to enjoy the doctor’s office, specifically the examination table with the big mirror next to it. I’ve included a link to a little video clip from yesterday’s visit.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5jx9IPb8LA

Jaume Plensa at the Nasher

Carl and went to the Nasher Sculpture Center this weekend to see the Jaume Plensa exhibit. I loved it! There are eight sculptures by the artist that are themed around language, nature, culture and the body.

I’ve enclosed a few shots. If you’re in Dallas or visiting soon the exhibit is until May 2^nd. It’s a nice afternoon if you have lunch and a glass of wine at the café afterwards.

Crying In Yoga

To get into shape after the birth of the twins, I've started taking yoga classes. The classes at the studio I'm going to are a great workout, but also help with relaxation and appreciating taking care of yourself.

On the weekends, Carl takes care of the twins so I can make a class both Saturday and Sunday. Today I took a deep stretch class, it was really intense but a great release. Maybe too much of a release. About 3/4 way through the class we're holding a pose and stretching when I notice the lyrics to the song playing. The song is about breathing, appropriate for yoga, and the lines that strike me say, "if your arm is broken brace it, if your heart is broken face it." At that point tears just start flowing. I'm not really sure why. I think facing a broken heart is a painful, lovely thought, but it makes me think how grateful I am for Carl. He is the perfect partner for me and as our lives change, we grow and change together.


I was a little embarrassed to cry in class, but when I came home sweaty from class, I gave Carl a big kiss and told him how much I appreciated him.

Snow in Dallas

Yesterday we had snow fall all day.

I snapped a shot during 9a meeting from a conference room on the 14th floor that overlooks highway 75 and Northpark Mall. Huge snowflakes fell outside the window, an amazing site for Dallas, and continued all day into the night. We've had a blast of snow or sleet before, but snow falling the entire day is a rare event in Dallas and set a record of twelve inches.








We had so much snow it caused the gazebo tent on the back patio to collapse. It fell on our glass outdoor table but luckily all that's broken is the gazebo itself.








Additionally, the electricity went out last night. It was bedtime for the babies anyway, so it was fine for the lights to be out, but we were worried they might get too cold. We added an extra blanket and put little hats on them, but the electricity came on about an hour later so we were fine for the night.

All that snow made for a strange, beautiful morning. All the Swans are safe and warm.

Hand Prints

A few weekends ago new concrete was poured at our neighborhood playground and they let the kids come and put their handprints in it. It had been rescheduled a few times due to weather, and when we arrived with our bundled up babies this time, the concrete wouldn't be ready for another hour or two.

A neighbor stopped by the house when they were ready, but the twins were down for a nap and Carl was out running errands so I didn't bother to wake them and wasn't comfortable trying to manage the babies and do the handprints by myself.

So now, adding to list of goofy things to worry about, I don't want the kids to be disappointed when they go to the playground and their handprints aren't there. I know they'll never know, so maybe it's just me that's disappointed. At any rate, I found these cute handprint canvas kits at Red Envelope. Hopefully that will make me feel better.

Connor Update

I had a creative internal yesterday afternoon, so Carl ended up taking Connor to the doctor without me.

The doctor said Connor had a sore throat and a swollen spleen because of a viral infection. We’re suppose to give Connor Children’s Tylenol 3 times a day, preferably before a meal to sooth his throat and help him eat.

The game plan is to try that for a few days and if it doesn’t work, we have a prescription in case the problem is acid reflux.

Overall, Dr. Neely thought Connor was doing pretty well and still eating good since he gained a pound since his last visit 3 weeks ago. He now weights 15lbs 14oz.

Connor Formula Concerns

I've been known to be a pretty intense person at times. However, there are a few events in my life that have helped mellow me out a bit. Firstly meeting and marrying Carl and now having the twins has helped put things into perspective and give me a calmer outlook.

That being said, I can still think of all sorts of things to worry about, especially regarding the twins.

Each baby is unique and they develop their own personality. So far Connor has demanded a bit more attention and lately has been really fussy and difficult when it comes time for his bottle. Our nanny, Maria, has a couple of theories. The first is he doesn't like the bottle or nipple we're using and secondly that he doesn't like the formula. Together, Carl and Maria have now developed the lactose intolerant theory. To be fair, Connor does really wail sometimes when we try to feed him, so much so you think he's in pain, and there is quite a bit of spit up. I just don't know if this is standard for some babies.

We'll check in with the doctor to confirm symptoms of lactose intolerance and see if we need to switch formulas. Or try to learn to worry less.

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Last week was my first week back to work after the birth of the twins in September. Other mothers have told me it's hard to go back to work and they cried when they had to go back, so I prepared myself mentally.

I did cry the week before I was suppose to go back to work, but it wasn't because I was leaving my babies. I love Connor and Chloe, they are amazing and adorable, but staying at home to care for them is hard. It is especially challenging with two, constant juggling and very isolating. I was happy to be back at the office, working on projects, contributing to the team, and interacting within the adult world.

Maria cares for the twins during the day and does so beautifully. When I see her interact with the babies I realize she is a natural, caring for children is what she is meant to do and I'm lucky to have her help with my family.

Maybe I should feel guilty leaving them with someone else all day, but right now I don't. I'm happy with the care they're getting at home and feel like I can be a better mother when I contribute to my career. It's a balance for all things and I'm figuring out what works best for the Swans.