The Things We Love...Vol. I

Once people find out that we have twins, the most popular question is, “How much harder is it with twins?” Our most popular response?

We don’t know how easy it is with just one baby.

Parents of singletons please do not attack me for saying “easy”. We’re all on the same team here.

I know when I was an expectant parent; I probed other parents as to what baby items worked for them. As most people will you, everything is an experiment. What may work for my kids may make your kids kick and scream. Alas, here is a list of what has got us through the past 2 and half months. I should also mention, I am not listing these for any promotional deals. Just keepin’ it real.

1. Fisher Price Hoppy Days Bouncer (x 2)


These little gems are like crack for my little ones! Olivia and Ethan have been using these since we got home from the hospital. At the beginning, it was a place for them to snooze and we could move them to where we needed to be in the house. As of late, they have enjoyed the “friends” dangling in front of them and listening to the little music diddy that plays. Ethan has a touch of the colic, so being able to bounce him during those horrendous three hours has been a lifesaver! Olivia loves the massage feature.

2. Graco Twin Bassinet/Pack N Play


For anyone that has a multi-level house, this is definitely a must have! We keep ours on our bottom floor better known as our living area. It’s so nice to have an option to put them down when the phone rings or when the laundry needs to be switched over. Only downfall? It only comes in one pattern and it’s definitely not as cute as some of those single ones out there.

3. The Boppy (x2)


Some people scoffed when I registered for these, as I chose not to breastfeed. But thanks to avid blog follower, friend and fellow mom to twins, Jessica, I quickly learned how to feed both my kids at the same time.

4. Sassy Formula Dispenser (x 4)


Good friend and author of The Baby Luc and With a Little Luc, Tiff, got me these for my baby shower. Sweet Baby Jesus, we love these. We fill them up with the babies’ formula, so when we’re making bottles with one open at 4:00 AM, no measuring is required. Obviously, also works great with travel!

5. Itzbeen Baby Care Timer (x 2)


Recommended by a friend of the babies’ Uncle Greg, the Itzbeen has revolutionized our world. With a quick hit of a button, you can time the last diaper change, last feeding, sleep times or create your own button (we used ours for poop. Yes, I just said poop.) Sure, you can just write all these down, but sometimes a free hand is just not available. Our proudest Itzbeen moment was towards the beginning and we’d hear a cry in the middle of the night and automatically go into bottle mode. With the help of the Itzbeen, we were able to say, “It’s only been an hour” and learned that they were just fussing and we able to get some more sleep. Also, with the kids going to their babysitters’ houses, it’s good to keep up with them without asking our sitters to write everything down. Love you, Itzbeens!!!

6. Diaper Genie II Elite Disposal System.


Hands.free.disposal. Enough said!

7. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste


If you can get past the name, stuff works like a charm. Once we see a bit of diaper rash rearing its ugly head, we apply the paste and it’s instant relief for the babies. Get the large tub!

8. Especially for Baby Disposable Diaper Bags


These little scented bags are great for when you are not close to your diaper disposal system. Like I said before, our living area is on the third floor of our house, whereas, the Diaper Genie is in the babies’ room on the third floor. This way, you can dispose of the diapers and wipes without the horrific smell that follows. This is also great for the diaper bag so you don’t offend your party hosts with a trash gem!

9. Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Gym


It has dangly things, lights and music. Three best things ever, according to infants!

10. Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Soothing Seas Aquarium (x 2)


Again with the lights and music thing. Ethan, especially, loves his “stories” as we call it. The remote is a wonderful feature!

11. Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Handwash


Obviously, you will wash your hands… a lot! The moisturizer part is key though, everything else just makes your hands cracked and dry.

12. Mesh Laundry Bag


Two weeks ago, my 8 month old washing machine died. The culprit? A baby sock stuck in the pump.

Hello World

I keep trying to tell my kids to give me a minute so I can blog. To my surprise, they just do not care. ::sigh:: In fact, I started to work on this little entry about four, five, six, seven days ago.

I would like to give a very special thanks to Tiff, who was in charge of the updating the blog during the delivery for everyone. If we had planned it better, I would not have gone into labor at 5:15 in the morning on a SATURDAY, but, planning is now something I laugh at.

First off, three cheers for no longer being pregnant! Hip, hip, HOORAY! All the old wives tales of getting yourself into labor failed. What did work? California Pizza Kitchen, shopping for ‘spensive baby clothes and a bribe of s’mores from the aforementioned Tiff. Or, it could have been my 2:00 AM viewing of Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion since I couldn’t sleep. Who knows. Babies wanted out and I didn’t fight it.

What seemed like about thirty seconds later, we were a family of four. I absolutely love this picture because you can see that E is smiling even though he has a mask on, Olivia is being her calm self, Ethan thinks the world is ending and I look happily doped up and am rocking a drunken pirate eye. Alas, we are the Reeds.



We've been home for thirteen days. In those thirteen days, we have learned the following:

* Everything is trial and error. Apparently, those user manuals for babies do not come out after the placenta.
* Boys need their little peeps tucked under when diaper changing. We have been through three brands of diapers for Ethan alone. Recently, we are back to brand # 1
* Never turn down free help; we certainly do not. The love and support we have received from family and friends have been amazing. Whether it's a warm meal or the chance for us to take a nap, we have taken everyone's offer.
* We love to watch their little personalities evolve. While pregnant, E and I would often sit and wonder what the babies would be like. Well, take all of our predictions and reverse them.
* We have proven that we make an excellent team. Since the day I gave birth, E and I have been there not only for our babies, but for each other. You really do need to work together and be each other's biggest cheerleader or else it will all crumble.
* Normalcy? Out the window.

Hope to be back blogging at a better pace, now that we are starting to establish routines. We will have many more photos, as we are getting a lot quicker these days.

They're here!

I don't have any info yet, but Ethan and Olivia are here! I just got word on Blackberry Messenger. I will update as soon as I know more! Happy Birthday Babies!

**edited to add**

Stats:
Olivia - 5lbs 7oz 18 inches long 9:26am
Ethan - 6lbs 18 inches long 9:27am

Ethan decided to wrestle the umbilical cord and get it loosely wrapped around his neck but is fine. Both are in the regular nursery and looking great! Mom is doing great and chatting on BBM already! Crackberry-head! I am awaiting some pictures and will post them as soon as I have them!

Going live!

Hello bloggy blog world. Some of you may know me, some of you may not. I am Tiff, aka The Baby Luc's momma. I have been given the great privilege of keeping you all informed of Colleen's progression with the twinsies when the day comes.

Well. That day is FINALLY here!! I can't lie and say that my hands aren't shaking right now out of pure excitement. They are straight trying to detach themselves from my body.

I got THE text. The one I have been waiting for. Her water broke at 5:15am this morning. 5 days shy of eviction day. I would like to think that I was the one who made them decide to come out and play. You see, last night we went to dinner and I tried to lure them out with a chocolate covered s'more. OR it could have been the fact that we were browsing around in an extremely expensive baby clothing store? Maybe the Reed kids have expensive tastes? I don't know. We shall see! Stay tuned!

They might make it to Mason's party after all!!!

A Picture Post

Notice a theme, if you will.

August 11, 2006. In the middle of the ocean in Maine while whale watching and eating lobster rolls. I was quite excited to cheer, "One year until we're married!"



August 11, 2007. 700 days from engagement to wedding day; we had made it. Hands down THE best day of my life.



August 11, 2008. Celebrating our one year anniversary cupcake style!



August 11, 2009. ::Insert a nice family photo of me, E and the babies.:: Probably not going to happen, but I believe it is time for some outside partying... Dontchathink?

Happy 2nd Anniversary to E. It just keeps getting better. Also, Happy Anniversary to my life-long date twins (hahaha..twins. Another sign?) Tiff and Laura!

I know, I know...

I announce my comeback and then go dormant for a week. Well, little Bloggy Friends, I am trying to wrap up some projects at work. Plus, I intended for this blog to be used for after-delivery purposes, as you do not want me to blog about my pregnancy. It won’t be pretty, especially when I get flamed.

So, I will be around here and there. Things to look forward to in upcoming posts:

• Leslie’s Bridal Shower
• The Big Name Debate (how we decided what to name our children)
• Some of the best advice I have received while pregnant
• Guest Bloggers such as E and Tiff of The Baby Luc fame
• Do you think I will deliver twins on our second wedding anniversary??
• My aversion to pink.
• Which camera do we take to the hospital? The real concern of two photographers about to become parents.

Sit tight friends.

Oh and P.S…. Could you all give me some good vibes to keep my kids in utero until at least 4:05 PM on Saturday so I can attend Leslie’s aforementioned bridal shower? Kthxbye.