My Favorite Things -for twins

Some people have asked what I have really enjoyed using with twins. I have tried really hard not to turn my house into a daycare- which is really hard when you have two babies. It's amazing how much "stuff" you can acquire if you get every little trinket that might make life easier. You have to remember that babies grow very quickly, and they only use certain contraptions for a few months. There are things that I didn't get that would have made life easier, but I feel like they will be outgrowing a lot of those things in the next few weeks. What I'm trying to say is there is A LOT you don't HAVE to have to live through 0-3 months with twins, but

these are my favorite things that I have and have used a ton:

1. A MUST-HAVE for twins- Baby Trend Double Stroller

This is a frame that holds most car seats. You won't really be doing any major power walking or shopping for the first several months, but you might want to get out of the house and go a few places. This is great for transporting the babies to different locations. It's almost impossible for me to carry two carseats at the same time. We have used it for family get-togethers, strolling short distances, and doctor appointments. I have two other strollers - The BOB and a Graco double stroller. However, this one is great to have for the first few months. Reasonably priced.

2. Wipe Warmer- I have read several books and websites that explain that these are not a good idea. However, I love it and would suggest getting one if you are having twins. They keep the babies calm during diaper changes and help when you are sleep training them and need diaper changes to go very quickly and smoothly.

3. Tommee Tippee Bottles- I started out with Avent and recently changed to this brand. They have a better vent system. I also love the Mimijumi bottles. They are more expensive but great if you are having issues with colic.

4. Sheet Savers- You can't change the crib sheets everyday. It is too much of a pain. I have several of these and they are much easier to change. I have babies that spit up a lot, so I almost have to change them everyday.

5. Nikon D5100- a good camera.

6. Twelve Hours Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old by: Suzy Giordano- A must have book for sleep training. There is a section for multiples after each chapter.

7. Medela -Pump in Style Breast Pump- a heavy duty breast pump. I only breastfed for 8 weeks and most of it was pumped into bottles.

8. Boppy Pillows- everyone gets these. I have used them a ton.

9. Little Tummies Gripe Water- for colic, gas, and hiccups.

10. ReliaDose medicine delivery system- a bottle that holds milk and medicine. I use it a ton!

I'm not one to give out advice. These are just some things that I have loved using with twins.

XXOO,

Krys

It's beginning to look a lot like....

I'm behind on posting. Here are some pics of what we have been doing lately! Zoo Lights Preview Party

Lots of good food!

Fun time with Family!

Girls growing leaps and bounds!

Christmas decorating!

Thanksgiving family photos!

Family skeet shoot!

Time is flying!

XXOO,

Krys

Babies Don't Keep

http://www.laybabylay.com/

Barbecue Shrimp

Lynn and I are trying to cook more now that we are at home A LOT. I'm trying to create a menu of recipes that we can rotate every two weeks. That way we know exactly what to get at the grocery store- which not only saves time, but also money by finding items on sale.
I tried this new recipe and really enjoyed it. The name is a little misleading- it's not barbecue tasting at all.

Barbecue Shrimp

1 1/2 lb unpeeled jumbo raw shrimp (21/25 count)
1 large lemon, cut into wedges
1 (.7 oz) envelope Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup melted butter (I added a little more for extra juices)
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh leaf parsley

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place shrimp and lemon in a 13X9 inch baking dish. Stir together dressing mix and butter. Pour butter mixture over shrimp, stirring to coat.
2. Bake, covered at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink, stirring once.
3. Remove shrimp mixture from oven, and sprinkle with parsley.

We added a loaf of Texas toast to the oven. You can sop up the extra juices with the toast. It is de-lish. This was taken from June 2011 Southern Living magazine.

Our New Life As Parents

Our new life as parents of twins has been very busy and very exhausting, but it most certainly has been the most precious time of our life. I can't imagine life with out them now.

Over the past six weeks:

Everyone keeps asking us, "How do you do it with two?". The fact is... we don't know any different. We really wouldn't know how to act with just one! The babies will be six weeks old tomorrow and they are :

• taking both breast milk and a couple of formula bottles a day


• waking up every 3 1/2 to 4 hours at night


• starting to grow out of their tiny newborn (5-8 lb) clothes :(


• starting to grow out of newborn diapers :(


• still has all of the beautiful hair that they were born with- dark brown but with platinum undertones :)


• starting to look around and "see"


• likes their swing


• both sleeping in the same crib at night


• loves to be held


• makes the sweetest little chirping noises


• loves to stroll outside

XXOO,

Krys

Twice Blessed!

Sadie and Sophie made their arrival on September 19th! It was a day that I will never forget...

Our delivery was scheduled for a Wednesday, but had an emergency c-section two days early. After being monitored for high blood pressure and contractions for half a day, the doctor came in and said that they should go ahead and take the babies. We were so shocked. Lynn rushed home and got our bags. When he got back to the hospital I was almost completely prepped and he was ready to put on his gear.


I was completely calm until they wheeled me to the OR. It's the weirdest feeling. You are pretty scared because they are cutting you open and having major surgery, but also so happy because you are about to meet your babies that you have dreamed about for a long time....



Baby A was born first- Sophie Diane! 5 lbs and 19 inches long




Baby B- Sadie Rose! 5 lbs and 7 oz and 19 inches long

Our doctor- who delivered our good friend's baby just an hour before our delivery!

The proudest day of my life!

I can't believe that they are here. They are absolutely the most precious babies! Lynn and I are so proud of our little angels.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Three day countdown...

So in three days..... Lynn and I will be the parents of two! Wow! Doesn't seem possible. We are starting our countdown with our friends Sarah and David. Sarah and I were originally due two days apart Oct. 12th and Oct. 14th! This was so exciting to us during the entire pregnancy, but we really didn't expect to actually have our babies close to the same day because we were expecting twins. We were wrong. Sarah was diagnosed with preeclampsia and is going into the hospital tonight to be induced for labor. We are so excited about Baby Thompson and can't wait for him to get here! We decided that even though I'm on bedrest and she is not in the best shape.....we still needed one more night out. Last night the four of us celebrated at Folk's Folly. This is probably our last date night for a long, long, long time.

It has been so much fun sharing this whole experience together!

XXOO,

Krys

Moms of Multiples

So the few times that I have been out lately, I have been harassed by the public~ who loves a pregnant lady. I will admit that at first - I loved it. I loved explaining that I grew up with twin cousins and they run on my Grandmother's side of the family, and I loved hearing other people's experience with twins.

I'm totally over it. It's amazing how many people have looked at me and said, "Girl, you have got to be having twins." Basically they are saying ....."You are HUGE."
Which I am. I'm a spectacle, but who just says that? I'm sure that this will not end after pregnancy. Probably only get worse as I get out my big honkin stroller that barely fits through the doorway. Yesterday I was reading another blog and came across this youtube and almost peed in my pants.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tT-lgB_HGEE

Hahahahahah! It's so true.

XXOO,

Krys

Nesting....

Well, I have been nesting in full swing these days. We just finished the nursery this weekend and all I can say is ..... it's very ...... pink.

Every time I walk by the nursery I think of Steel Magnolias..........

What are your colors Shelby?

They're Blush and Bashful.

Her colors are Pink and Pink.

My colors are BLUSH and BASHFUL.
I have chosen two shades of pink, one is much deeper than the other.

The sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol......

I like Pink. It's my signature color.

I love that movie!~


This is Sadie and Sophie's nursery:



It's a very small room with horrible paneling. So, we just tried to make the most of it. The room is mostly pink, cream, with a little blue. We have two Jenny Lind cribs that were painted, rocker and glider, small changing table, and a blue distressed dressing table. The two canvases were painted by a family friend who is an artist- they are personalized with their names and crowns~ which is fitting for our two little princesses.
Above the changing table are four framed pictures of vintage barbie dolls- dressed in pink. :)

Counting down the days.....

XXOO,

Krys

Happy 30th!

Happy 30th Birthday to Lynn! We had a birthday party for him on Saturday night! We celebrated with family, friends, food, and football! We had a great time!

Looking Forward To....

I'm looking forward to.....

1. Seeing Sadie and Sophie's faces!
We have had so many ultrasounds, but the pictures are still distorted. I can't wait to see them! I have a feeling they are going to have blonde hair and look a little like me and a little like Lynn.
2. Sleeping on my stomach.
As if I'm going to be sleeping that much anyway..... I haven't slept very well since my belly started growing. I'm a stomach sleeper and can't wait to get some good sleep!
3. Coffee-
During my pregnancy, I have had my share of caffeine. I make really weak coffee or drink one soda a day....... and sometimes both. I can't wait to make a really strong cup of coffee with lots of creamer and sugar and sit out on the porch in the morning and slowly drink it.......... OK, probably won't be doing a lot of that either.
4. Walking/Running- the past few weeks I have been on bed rest. Before that, it was too hot outside to even think about going for a run/walk. I only did pregnancy videos in my living room. I can't wait to get outside and get some fresh air!
5. Dates with my husband-
I can't wait to get dressed up and go out with Lynn.
6. Not crying about everything. I'm hoping that my hormones will return to normal.
7. Not peeing every 15 minutes.
8. Taking a hot steamy bath.
9. Taking the maternity clothes out of my closet and not looking at them for a long time.
10. Wearing heels again.


The past 34 weeks have been very memorable and exciting! Even though being pregnant is not always a joy ride, it is such a small price to pay for two sweet babies. God has blessed us so much and are humbled at this opportunity!

XXOO,

Krys

34 Weeks

34 Weeks!
Yes, I'm still on bedrest, but I HAD to get out of the house for just a little while. On Saturday night, Lynn and I ate dinner at our friend Sarah & David's house. Sarah is 35 weeks pregnant, so we had the AC cranked!

Sarah - 35 weeks & Me- 34 Weeks

Looking at this picture makes me tired!! I'm huge and so uncomfortable!!

XXOO,

Krys

Bedrest!

Well after a great weekend..... I wrapped Sunday up with a visit to the hospital. Last week was very busy for me and I felt pretty crappy with some contractions and some back aching. So, on Friday I explained this to my Dr. and she went ahead and checked me just in case I might be starting the labor process. We found out that I was dilated 1 cm which is no big deal .....but to call or come back and see her if I start to feel any different.


Well.... Sunday night I started to have more contractions and called a friend that is an OBGYN and she told me to go ahead and go to the hospital just to make sure. Well after staying there for three or four hours, they gave me an IV and a shot that stops contractions. They wanted me to follow- up the next day at my Dr.'s office. So that is just what I did. Still feeling pretty bad, I went to the Dr. and they hooked me up to monitors. We found out that I was still contracting every five minutes and I was sent back to the hospital for monitoring. Long story short.... I stayed for 24 hours and was sent home on bed rest.

I must say, as much as I hate "resting" , it has done a lot of good. I started to feel a little better and have even been sleeping better at night. I'm still not finished with the nursery but getting there. I'm waiting on the bedding and curtains, and then we should be able to wrap it up. My mom and mother-in-law have helped get everything ready from last minute purchases to getting my "bags" ready!

I go back to the Dr on Thursday for another ultrasound and check-up! Can't wait to hear how I'm progressing!

Memphis Shower

This past weekend Lynn's family hosted a beautiful shower for me! It was such a fun day filled with lots of family, food, and baby!

Since it would have taken me all day to open up the gifts at the shower, we waited until later that afternoon to open the rest! Some friends and family came over and helped organize and "put away". I'm so appreciative of everyone that has helped me during my pregnancy! God has truly blessed me with wonderful friends and family!

Lately.....

Going back to work has taken a toll on this pregnant body. I am soooo tired at the end of the day that all I want to do is lay around and watch TV. Now this has only happened a few times because I come home and have things to do around my house. I feel soooo overwhelmed with "stuff" to finish in the next few weeks. I'm trying to get all of my lesson plans together for my sub at school and organize my classroom. At home, I'm trying to finish the nursery and get my house organized so that Lynn and my mom (and whoever helps out) can easily find things after the babies arrive. This is probably the "nesting" phase that I'm going through!

The nursery is still underway. I think that my bedding and curtains will be finished in the next week and hopefully I will get the rest of the art for the walls. I can't wait to finish!
Also, I'm pretty excited about my shower this weekend! I had to buy a new dress because I have outgrown most of my maternity clothes....Yikes!

FIVE MORE WEEKS!! I'm only planning on working a few more weeks..... depending on how my body holds out. Right now.... I'm walking very slow and sitting a lot, but it is definitely helping the time go a lot faster. However........ I'm fading fast. I have a Dr.'s appointment on Friday, so I will update the blog and post my 33 week pic of my large-and-in-charge body.


Oh and on a lighter note.... college football starts in one week! MSU vs. Memphis next Thursday!! Go Dawgs!!

Shower!

A few weeks ago, my sweet friends from home gave me a beautiful shower! Baby showers are different from wedding showers! They are so much more fun! The proud grandmothers! Nonna (Grandmother) and Sittee (Grandmother - in Arabic)

Aunt Heather!

The hostesses- I have the sweetest friends!

Video Monitor- Thanks Sittee!!

Lots of monogramming!

Those purple hats are too cute!

Car Seats! Thanks Nonna and Grandad!

Lynn and I are sooooo grateful for all of our gifts for the babies! Still putting stuff away!

Happy Weekend!

XXOO,

Krys