If we had another baby...

Which is so not happening...  But if it were, there are some new beauties out there.

It's hard to believe it has been three (or maybe thirteen, but who's counting?  ;)) years since I was buying baby stuff.  I think I would wait to find out (could I deal?  highly questionable...) and just go neutral.  When you already have a boy and girl, all pressure would be off, so why not just wait?

The new Gonatt convertible crib from IKEA...  Love the grey color, the drawers, and would definitely go convertible again.

If I was feeling extra spendy, the Honest Company Collective/Babyletto cribs are cute too.  Now in white as well as grey.  And when you buy one, they give one to charity, which is cool.


Not new, but I've always loved the Dylan line of bedding from Serena and Lily.  Sadly, the prettiest part is the bumper, and who even buys these anymore?  They are actually illegal to sell in Chicago, which seems a little extreme.

In that same vein, I just love the French Stripe line from Skip Hop.  So simple (preppy) and pretty.

I found myself using bags I already had more than not with the twins, so I'd likely skip the Duo special edition bag and just go for the Soho clutch.

Also love the special Duo bag in Aztek, super cute.

Do you have favorites? (whether you are actually in the market or not...)

Cleaning House

We've just moved big kid/twin beds into the kids' rooms (more on this later), and since I have hopes of someday moving from this house, we are purging (again).  Since some of you (or someone you know may) live close by, I thought I'd list some of the many items I am unloading to some lucky folks in hopes of reclaiming my house from all the baby stuff.  Everything is in excellent condition, details below.  We have purged much already, which has been cathartic and a little sad at the same time.  I sometimes wonder if people keep having children (besides the obvious reasons) to avoid dealing with getting rid of/because they already have all of this stuff...

Two Graco Lauren convertible cribs in natural (no teeth marks, like new)
Two L.A. Baby two sided soy foam crib mattresses (super clean, no stains used w/protectors)
Two sets of white Breathable Bumpers
Two Dexbaby crib rails in white (fits all convertible cribs)
Custom adjustable crib skirts in Uzbek Jewel fabric (four sides, one crib or two in corners)
Four Boppy organic crib sheets (two in pinstripe tan and two in star dot white) (clean, no stains)
Pump in Style Advanced breast pump w/bag and lots of accessories (used briefly)
Two Graco Pack and Plays (one with changer and mobile, both with bassinet level)
Three pack and play sheets (two fuzzy, one plain)
Eames Rocker in white
Serena & Lily baby sling, size M (washed, not used)
Baby K'tan black baby sling, size S (washed, not used)
Williams Sonoma Home recycled yarn mint striped rug (4x6)
Three Land of Nod 84" Pinstripe mint window panels
JJ Cole Technique diaper bag in black damask (never used)
Two JJ Cole toddler sized urban bundle mes in stealth (black w/grey interior)
Two infant pool floats w/inflatable canopies (6-18 mos) (red and green)
Snoogle pregnancy pillow (clean w/removable cover)
Trumpette 12 days of Christmas socks (0-12 mos., clean and repackaged)
Summer Infant Tiny Diner trays (blue and pink)
Bottle drying rack
Ikea play circus tent
Anthropologie bunny knobs (2)
Pottery Barn Kids whale knobs (4)
Pottery Barn Kids diaper tote
Aden & Anais four pack of swaddling blankets (blue)

Please contact me at kthappy76@gmail.com if you have questions, want to see pictures, etc.  Some items can be shipped.

My motivation... (which has now been pulled off the market :( )

 

A Passage to India

We made it to India and back, but since this is not a vanity blog, I figured I'd spill the dirt on how things really went down. In hindsight, while I never really considered it an optional trip, since it was to take the kids to visit DH's family, I wish that we had spent as much time contemplating whether it was actually a wise decision to go at all, as I ended up spending preparing us for the reality that we were in fact going...

Kicking it at O'Hare

The kids actually did pretty well, much better than I even expected them to do, which is a testament not only to them, but the adaptability of toddlers generally, I guess. They didn't suffer terribly for the jet lag going over (there is a whopping 11 1/2 hour time difference), though we are struggling more than we probably should be (as it is supposed to be easier going West) now.  We are just now (over a week later) getting back on a good sleeping schedule.  I read some of the travel tips from the travel clinic (where the kids and I got a typhoid shots and meds for malaria and TD before we left) after we were already en route (my bad), so I didn't get the melatonin they say can sometimes help with that.

As anyone with kids knows, taking them on the road in any fashion just takes your routine and makes it more complicated and difficult to adhere to. And if there is one tip I have for anyone contemplating children (and especially multiples) is to live by the routine, it will save you (even though it may seem like a pain) and your kids will (hopefully) be as happy as mine are with theirs.

Anywho, if you are not familiar with travel to "developing" countries, among many other rules, you can't drink or brush your teeth with tap water, so we use(d) bottled. And in the kids' case, you are also not recommended to bathe them or wash their dishes in it. This obviously adds time/effort to the routine. We tried both boiled (and obviously cooled) water and then iodine added (and then evaporated) for their baths and washed their dishes in boiled water. We fed them almost entirely at home, which helps lessen the likelihood of food borne illness, and they miraculously made it through the trip without getting sick at all. MAJOR VICTORY! (Though in full disclosure they were both sick the week before we left)

Sadly, DH and I weren't so lucky. He got sick soon after we arrived and was very ill for the first several days (including his bday).  I was on a similar trajectory and even with the meds I brought over (and three drs. visits in six days for many many more) an infection took pretty good hold of my body and it was Thanksgiving (over halfway into our trip), before I started to get any relief and feel even remotely human. At one point I was laying in bed, as I had to do most of the time, was nearly delirious from the pain and wishing not only for my own demise, but cursing DH (for bringing us there), and the whole of India (for always making me sick). Not exactly a high point.

We bought the kids their own seats on the flights, which is the only way to fly IMO. We brought their travel car seats, the CR top rated and wonderfully light (and inexpensive) Cosco Sceneras, which they kind of inexplicably love. We brought their workhorse Maclaren Twin Techno stroller and (since they were gifted) the lovely Fjallraven Kanken backpacks (which fit perfectly in the stroller storage) as busy/carry on bags. We flew Lufthansa, which was generally satisfactory but unremarkable, though as DH always notes you must fly international carriers (rather than U.S. domestic) when flying abroad, as the booze is free in coach. (ah, the important things...)  It worked out that there were four of us, as on three of the four legs, we were on 747s, which have four seats in the middle, so we reserved and commanded the entire row, with the kids facing us in the middle seats and each of us on the aisle. The other leg, we were in continuous rows in a similar fashion.

The kids got to see Grandma again, since she left when they were five months old, and meet their uncle and new aunt and baby cousin for the first time, not via Skype.  Mari was a huge fan of her baby cousin, her constant refrain around the house was "baby, baby, baby..."  She also had a major language explosion while we were there and has so many words now.  There was a naming ceremony/party for the baby, which, unbeknownst to me, our kids were included in too, since they obviously hadn't had one of their own yet, which resulted in a heap of generous, yet many much to big to transport easily, gifts, that I was not expecting. DH's mom comes from a very big family, and since they now live in the town where she is from, after raising DH in Bombay, they are all nearby. The party, for immediate family, topped out at 150 or so.

The baby's name is Raayna, changed at the last minute from (my preferred spelling) Raina, which is pronounced "Rye-na" rather than "Ray-na". She is a cutie pie and in the three weeks we were there (starting when she was four months old) she really changed a lot, starting to roll and generally be more and more adorable. She is chubbier than my kids could have ever dreamed of being and I honestly barely remember my kids being such little squishy peanuts.  I got my baby fix, but am so so glad we are forever done...

  

While DH's family is lovely, few of them speak English, so it is sadly difficult for me to get into much of the socialization aspect of going to India.  This was my third trip (the first was for our wedding, the second after FIL's passing), and our longest and most unscheduled.  We didn't get out much on this trip, for logistically reasons, so when we did, it was nice.  I don't do well as a shut in. 

We went to Sula Vineyards on Thanksgiving, which was nice since I love and missed Thanksgiving with my family and I was just starting to feel better.  We had talked about staying over at their resort (sans kids) after we decided against going to the Maldives on this trip, but they book out several months in advance, and it wouldn't have worked out anyway given the kids wouldn't sleep on the trip without us.  Nashik is the "Napa Valley of India", so this has been an increasingly large part of their tourism industry (it is also a religiously significant city, so that accounts for much as well). 

Our vineyard pics are still trapped on my DSLR, so these are all Iphone pics...

Another highlight was when two of DH's best friends from childhood made the trip from Bombay to visit.  It was a meeting of the Alistairs...

  

We also made it to the mall to visit one of favorite stores there, Fabindia.  I had found some pillows for our room on a previous trip, so I figured it was a good stop for looking for textiles for the kids' big kid rooms.  I found a great sari bolster cover and shams for Mari that I think will be a good start as I start mulling over ideas.

MIL may come back in the spring, though I have no idea when we'll be going back to India.  DH would like to go every year, but every other is probably more doable since it takes so much time.  I don't know if/when I'm going back honestly, so he may take them himself when they are four (I'll be on an island somewhere).  BIL has repeatedly gotten turned down for a U.S. visa, he missed our wedding here, but he is going to try again.  What will most likely happen is that we'll meet up in Europe every few years, with various visits all the way interspersed between.

So, long story short, India kicked our asses, but we're back and raring to go for the twins' birthdays, more travel, Christmas, New Year's, and back to (pre)school (for the first time)!

Happy Holidays!!

Six strollers

It might seem a bit silly to be buying (and posting about) strollers as we near the twins' second birthday, but I thought in case anyone was interested... An overview on how we somehow got to six, my goodness...

I'd bought a single Maclaren jogger (which they no longer make) before we even started trying to get pregnant, and I actually got to finally use it while we were waiting for Alistair to start walking independently, and Marielle was adamant about walking (I swear that girl would be driving if we would let her).
 

Checking out minivans for fun while daddy gets his car serviced

I haven't taken the kids out separately but once, so it hasn't gotten much use, mainly walks to the park (around the corner) this summer and fall. I was going to sell it, but now we are thinking we might take it to India for our newest niece (who will finally be named in a ceremony when we go to visit).

Now they could be taking me for a walk...

When we finally found out we would be having not one, but two babies at a time (well actually after I was already on bedrest with said babies), we ordered a Baby Trend double snap and go. We only used it and their infant seats for a few short months before unloading them, but worth it for certain. We also started with a Baby Jogger City Mini double (which I also later sold to pare down) and a Maclaren Twin Techno (their fancier double, since I'd long loved their Techno XLR) which we still use and love, especially for travel or whenever space is an issue. The Bumbleride Indie Twin is a wondrous machine, it might be my favorite (since I can't pick one kid, I will pick one stroller).

So Mari loves to walk even more than her brother, but still needs to be strapped in sometimes (for speed and safety), so I'd been thinking about getting a single wide double since I'd had so many frustrating times when the double wides were just too much of a pain in tight quarters.  Ironically, kids' stores seem to be unusually bad offenders, too bad they just won't get my business.  But at this point, I just couldn't justify to myself buying an UB Vista w/a rumble seat or a BJ City Select double, and I'd looked at the Britax and the others out there. But when I recently came across an amazing deal on a new Hauck Freerider double on Woot, I decided to take the plunge.

It has its quirks, but overall I'm very pleased with it. I call it my German bullet train, as it is a German brand.  Super slick. 

Taking our new ride for a spin at one of our favorite Swedish stores

Mari rides in the jump seat, for as long as she can stand to, and Alistair loves the front.  The ride is very smooth and steady, though I wouldn't actually jog with it, not that I do. It came with a car seat adaptor for the front, so like most single wide doubles it is aimed at (and likely perfect for) those with an infant and a toddler.

Still one of his favorite rides

If you are in the market for an all terrain double stroller...

We've really enjoyed our Bumbleride Indie twin and they've been slashing prices lately (a new model is coming out) to even less than we paid last spring for ours.  Zulily has them now for $440-$450, which is crazy.  They also have the single Indies. 

We love ours in Ocean, but I have a sweet spot for Seagrass (but I thought it would get too dirty), and the other colors (Walnut (natural edition), Fog and Jet Black (movement edition) Lava, Red, and Aqua) are nice too.  It is the top rated double by Consumer Reports and several other reviewers (like Babble and Baby Gizmo).

If you need an invite to shop Zulily, click here.

New wheels

No, not me (I'm all set), but the kids got their big kid stroller (which I have realized is basically just a kiddy version of my blue SUV) for their six month/half birthday...  And they absolutely love it!

Their inaugural trip to Ravinia, a few sprinkles, but still fun

2012 Bumbleride Indie twin in Ocean

I had worried about getting a stroller with air tires, since I know they can be a pain (talk to me again after I'm stuck somewhere with my first flat), but the ride on this thing is amazing.  It is basically self propelled, easy peasy, and can take on anything.  Even the bumps in our sidewalks would slow down the City Mini, and since this was only slightly larger when folded and how many strollers do we really need, I sold the City Mini.

Had we had twins at another time of year, I probably would have gotten this earlier and with the carry cots (bassinets) or it is one of the few that also takes two car seats (Maxi Cosi).  Though the seats go flat, they are rated from six months (I have no idea why this is).  Before I finally bought this, I had considered a BOB or the Summit XC since they are practically giving them away now, but I loved this one just too much.  And thankfully, the kids agree.  Good kids.  This is not a serious runner, but neither am I.

So now that I've sold our double snap n go and the City Mini double, we are down to just this, the Twin techno (for travel, etc.) and the single Mac jogger (which I rarely use, but love too much to part with).  Hopefully, we should be set now.  And since I fell in love with the one stroller that apparently never goes on sale, and I have a strong aversion to paying retail, I thankfully found a retailer in my old hood (in Boston) who got me a good deal.

Resale blog is live!

Last month, we sent two suitcases of baby clothes to India with my mother in law to share with our family there, but we likely won't be going again for awhile.  Well, now the kids have since outgrown a bunch more clothes that we are looking to pass on.  I've got over 40 lots up now, but will probably be posting more in the next few weeks.  Check it out at http://littlegoldcloset.blogspot.com/.  The link will be added to my sidebar.  Feel free to share. :)

Some highlights...

Six months old!

I simply can't believe the twins are halfway to one, but here we are.  (sniff, sniff...)  I've been wishing them bigger for months now and now they are like little people rather than babies.  It is kind of fun how major milestones with them fall on the season changes, they ushered in winter and now it is finally summer.

This morning before their shots got the best of them

We had their check-up today and Alistair is up to 16 lbs. and 15 (and a half!) ozs (let's just call it 17, shall we?).  He is 27 3/4" long and his head is 44.7 cm.  His weight is still in the 50th %ile, but his height is now in the 90th.

Where we've been:
Four months: 14 lbs.,  25", head:  42.2 cm.
Two months: 10 lbs. 2 ozs., 22 1/2", head: 39.5 cm
Three weeks: 6 lbs. 9 ozs.
Two weeks: 5 lbs. 15 ozs. (he surpasses her for the 1st time)
One week: 5 lbs. 6 ozs.
Four days/hospital release: 5 lbs. 2 ozs.
Birth @ 36w4d (breech): 5 lbs. 7 ozs. (5%), 18.25" (10%)

Marielle is up to 14 lbs. and 10 ozs.  She is 26 1/4" long and her head is 43 cm.  She is in the 50-75% range, except her weight is still 25%ile.

Four months: 12 lbs. 7 ozs., 24 1/2", head: 41.2 cm
Two months: 9 lbs. 9 ozs., 21 3/4", head: 38.7 cm
Three weeks: 6 lbs. 7 ozs. (finally surpasses BW)
Two weeks: 5 lbs. 12 ozs.
One week: 5 lbs. 7 ozs.
Four days/hospital release: 5 lbs. 3 ozs. (unexplained 14% weight loss, day one) (<5%)
Birth @ 36w4d: 6 lbs. 1 ozs., 19"

My how far they've come...

What else is new?

Alistair is teething.  His two lowers are just beginning to emerge, so he is not as happy as usual.  I feel so bad for him, poor little guy.

We all survived MIL returning to India and then DH traveling there and back in ten days for his brother's wedding.  It is not nearly as bad as I thought it might be on my own.  I was exhausted, but that is just SOP with multiples.

Thankfully we upgraded to convertible car seats before our road trips last week, after he shed too many tears on the previous two, and it solved the problem.  They sleep like angels in them, so clearly I should have moved them sooner even though their seats were rated to 30/30.  I didn't have any trouble selling our old ones and the DSNG, thank goodness.  We got Britax Boulevards which thankfully also fit next to each other in my car, while still leaving a little room for me when DH drives.

The kids are rolling fools, but really love to sit (and stand!), though they still need some help to stay upright.

They are out of all of their six months clothes and on to (and he through) nine, which is crazy...

They seem to enjoy most of what I try to feed them, though they had a hard time with mangoes.  Someone will need tell them at some point that they are half Indian and mangoes are not optional... ;)  We are just trying all the stage one organic foods from Ella's Kitchen, Happy Baby, and Plum to see what they like.  The Dr. told us we should start feeding them twice a day and can even have them try things like yogurt, cottage cheese and water now.

We have moved them each to their own rooms and have moved the extra bed out of his, so they are sleeping on their own and we are back in ours (w/our two monitors). :)

Their hair is growing like mad.  She is all curls, which I'm not sure what to do with, so I just let them loose.  She's has her whole life to tame them.  He still looks like he is vying for the Jim Carrey role in the sequel to Dumb and Dumber (one of my all time faves), though DH is always trying to brush it to the side.  Oh and he also has this noise down pat, so he's got it for sure...

We attempted to take some pics yesterday, with varying levels of success...  He rarely takes his hands out of his mouth and she is tough to get to smile for the camera.  They usually dish up the shot I wanted, the minute I put down my camera.

Giggle fits...

More baby stuff

As a full-time horizontal incubator, online shopping is one of the few things that I can actually engage in that gets us ready for the babies' arrival.  And so here are some recent fun finds...

Animal prints (in Hindi) and fun organic cotton clothes from My Little Pakora:  These started as designs on her onesies that inspired the prints.  I'm not sure why she didn't do the peacock too (the national bird of India), but hoping it's coming, so we have a set of four.  They are 8 x10 (like the Sarah Jane Virtues) and we are quickly running out of wall space in the twins' nursery, so we may switch them out until we have them in two separate rooms.

Organic baby wash/shampoo and lotion from Dolphin Organics:  Thanks to Small Business Saturday, we get to try out all these products for free.  Yay Amex!  As much as people don't want to hear it, once you learn the awful things they are still putting in children's products, it's not a difficult decision to pay more for premium products that aren't filled with harmful chemicals.

Baby books by Sara Midda:  I had looked at these months ago at Anthro, back when I could go to Anthro, they are adorable and I'm finally running out of time...

Baby bags

I finally bought a new baby bag...

JJ Cole Technique bag in Black Damask  (Nice and big @ ~19x12x7in.)

I already have the little changing pad and pacifier pod set in this pattern, which is a little redundant, but I can use them in my Vera Bradley Miller bag.

But it's a great deal on Hautelook (if you need an invite) and sans pleather.  It's laminated canvas, which may be splitting hairs, but I have a strong aversion to pleather.

There aren't many bags out there designed for two and I wasn't crazy about the patterns of the Skip Hop Duo Double (18x14x4), but the Duo in Blossom is also cute, if a bit smaller.

It also comes in the Dash Deluxe...

And because there is no such thing (in my book) as too many bags, I got this one too...

Skip Hop Studio tote in Plum Burst, a great deal at Land of Nod... (pleather!? ugh!, online shopping fail...)

Weekly/post-op check-up and (almost) 23 weeks

We went back to the OB today for our weekly and first post-op check and I have to say it was fabulous to get out of the house.  I am also feeling better today than I have since the surgery, which is very welcome, as my recovery was hairy there for a few days.  I also got my weekly 17P shot and my annual (non-live/thimerosol-free) flu shot for me and the babies. 

The babies look spectacular.  They are up to 1lb.6oz. and 1lb.4oz. and have HB's in the 150's.  Both are measuring ahead/on track as before.  The tech was impressed that they already seem to be doing some respiratory exercises, which is a good sign.  My belly is measuring 27 weeks, and while it is definitely getting bigger, I know I still have a lot of growing left to do.  My pesky cervix (or should I say my stitch) is holding tight.  They stitched me about 1.5cm up my cervix last week and I now have another 5mm closed above that, the rest is hugely funnelled and has a big baby boy head bouncing against it (he takes after his dad). 

My Dr. was very happy with how it looked, but she reminded me not to get cocky (who me?) and that as I sat there in front of her to enjoy the treat (of sitting upright she meant).  That stitch is the only thing keeping the babies in there where they need to be for the next three plus months.  So back on my side I go.  Though I will be going in for weekly checks from here on out, sadly we'll be going back to only having an u/s every four weeks.  I will miss seeing the babies so much.  They are busy beating the crap out of each other in there.

Baby Boy peeking his nose through the pea soup and showing us his big hands

Baby Girl just looking cute

It's hard to believe I'm three weeks into bed rest already (and only three months to go...)  DH fabulously went and got me an IPad to help me pass the time while on bed rest, which even though I have a laptop, makes doing stuff while in bed easier and more fun (and easier on my carpal tunnel wrist). 

I had a really tough day earlier this week when I think the realities of four months of BR really hit me and I actually thought about all the things that I am not allowed to do for the babies and myself during this (my only full) pregnancy as I had planned or was doing already.  No more acupuncture, massages, chiropractic, exercise/yoga, childbirth/BFing/CPR classes (though we can do some online, my OB said she'd be thrilled if we got to a point where were delivering full term babies and were woefully unprepared... :/).  Then of course there's all the other stuff: shopping (which I'm trying to do online), maternity photos, shower(s), etc. which will all also not be happening.  We will do something after the babies arrive and are big enough for a party.  I thought infertility was isolating, but in reality so many people deal with that, it has nothing on extended bed rest.  Good luck finding someone who has been on BR for four months.  As my pg infertile friends go about their lives, I get to lay here with my bottom 1% of the bottom 1% baby carrying body.  So we're back in survival mode, where my plans and expectations of what I should and can do for optimal results are put aside for more basic objectives.

I'm concerned what kind of functional shape my body is going to be in in December when it comes time to labor, deliver, and recover.  And then of course I'll need to be in top form to take care of two babies, after having been laying in bed atrophying for four months.  Obviously way less than ideal, but that's the hand (or rather cervix) we've been dealt.

DH is amazing and my family been really great too.  My mom, step-dad and eldest sister are stopping by this weekend for a quick visit on their way through town, though my mom will be back again, and I have plans for my other sisters and my dad/step-mom to come and help us out in the coming weeks and months.  We are still working on getting MIL (and maybe even BIL) visas to come later.

I've been a busy bee ordering stuff for the babies.  The glider/recliner is being delivered tomorrow and we've got the double snap and go and Maclaren twin techno on their way as well.  I was going to wait on these, but when you've got nothing to do but look for deals, I sure can find them.  We just got our Maclaren rockers as well.  The nursery is actually coming together quite nicely.  DH just needs to put together the 2nd crib and the shelves.  And even though bed rest will save me a lot on maternity clothes, I ordered a bunch of basics to get me through from Old Navy.  It is also very unlucky for my bank account that Janie and Jack (clothes), Zutano (socks, ty Haute Look), and Giggle (et al) are happy to ship me whatever I want.

3D Gender Scan (a month later)

I had a quick 3D gender scan at 16 weeks, and was supposed to receive a USB of the pics.  When it came, it had someone else's pics on it. :/  So I called and they told me to just delete them and keep the drive and they would send out another.  Weeks passed and no flash drive.  After calling again, it finally came today.  So very late, but thought I'd post them anyway, even though the twins are so tiny.

Our boppies also came today too!  Two organic slipcovered pillows for $35 instead of $100+. 

Thanks Totsy!