Lifesavers of the First Year

Now that the birthday party has come and gone along with all the company I have had moments here and there to reflect on the twins' first year of life. I have gone back and read twinchronicles from the beginning and been so happy David decided we start our own blog. While it hasn't been the greatest blog -- I'm not a gifted writer -- it has served its purpose in keeping our family members up to date on the twins and their continuous development. As I have looked back I have tried to come up with a list of things that "saved our lives" this first year. They may not work for all new parents and some may not agree with them, but they worked for us. Take them or leave them:

1. On Becoming Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam
This book was recommended by some good friends of ours while I was pregnant, and it saved our lives in terms of getting the twins on a good eating/sleeping schedule. I have found more bad reviews of "Babywise" on the internet than good, but it worked for us. I have found most moms who belong to the Moms of Twins Club recommend this book and its principles as well.

2. Jennifer from grad school
A mother of two small children herself she answered every "HELP!" email I sent. She was so supportive and non-judgemental when T and E were screaming rather than napping, and her advice helped tremendously. I can hear her saying "consistency is key." No matter how stupid my questions were from letting the twins cry to what to feed them and when Jennifer was always ready to help.

3. My huge nursing pillow from Aunt Peggy
Being able to nurse my twins at the same time was a huge lifesaver in terms of time management and sleep for both me and David. I don't know what I would have done without that thing. David has asked if we still need it....I'm not ready to let go of it (haha). I loved nursing T and E!!

4. Breastfeeding Class
I took this class while I was pregnant and am so thankful I did. Most of what I thought I knew about breastfeeding was wrong. Taking the class was extremely helpful and lessened the stress once the twins were born.

5. The Lactation Center
Every single lactation specialist I came into contact with was wonderful. They came to my room when the twins were born.....there was one present the first time I tried to nurse each of the twins in the NICU....one came to see me before Thomas was discharged and before Elizabeth was discharged....I have called the Warm Line (help hotline) numerous times and been called back every single time....they fit me for good nursing bras ( my boobs were HUGE and my Target bra was not getting the job done.), weighed the babies for free....let me nurse the twins in the Lactation Boutique....the list goes on and on.

6. Baby Swings
Before we bought the swings David and I never got to eat supper at the same time or without one of the twins screaming in the background. We bought swings that sit low to the ground, play music, and have a "light show". Thomas and Elizabeth loved them from the start. We have used them for so many different activities....they drank their bottles in the swings, watched Baby Einstein (while David and I ate supper) in their swings, had juice time on the porch, etc. As of this week they have outgrown their swings. They now have their cups in their booster seats and watch Baby Einstein while sitting on the floor.

*** If there is one regret I have in terms of using area resources for help it would be joining the Moms of Twins Club earlier. I didn't join until January of this year and haven't been able to be as involved as I would have liked to be. If I could do it over I would have joined while I was pregnant. The club is so helpful to those on bed rest or those with babies in the NICU. I wish I would have had access to this wonderful group of ladies before the twins were born. I would definitely recommend to any woman pregnant with multiples to find an area Moms of Twins or Moms of Multiples group. Whenever I have questions about the twins I can email the group and get tons of answers and differing opinions. It is a great resource. I plan on becoming more active with the group now that the twins are older. I need the friends, and the twins need "Daddy Time".

Of course, our family members and friends have been great as well, but these "top six" are tips that anybody could use (except the Jennifer one....not going to post her email address).

I hope this post helps anyone out there who might be expecting more than one miracle.