Mama Loves: Radio Flyer Wagon

Today I am linking up with Julia from Pontifications of a Twin Mom for her Mama Loves series.  Mama bloggers write about what items and tools they have found to make everyday living with children easier and more enjoyable.  This is my first entry and I am excited!

The boys got a Radio Flyer wagon from my dad and stepmom for their first birthday. I know that it was intended as a gift for the boys but it has also ended up being an incredibly valuable tool for this mama.  We have two toddlers that are not able to walk yet.  The boys were getting to the weight where it was getting too tricky and cumbersome to carry them at the same time.  It came down to safety and needing to pick them up one at a time. In order to effectively take care of the little guys, it often involved one squawking in the play yard while they saw mom picking their brother up and going down the hall for a diaper change or whatnot.  Enter the wagon as the solution.  When the boys are done eating and it is time to head to their room for a nap or bath time before bed, I can load them up one at a time. I roll the wagon right up to their high chairs and they are fine seeing their brother loaded up before them because they know they are about to get in as well.  Both boys LOVE the wagon.  They love going on rides around the house and they giggle with delight.  The wagon has a surprising turning radius which means we can go around the kitchen island, loop around the living room and go down the hallway.  I even bring it into the bathroom and place the boys in the wagon when they are all wrapped up in their towels. Since I do almost all bath times by myself (early bed time and frequently traveling husband) it really has saved my back.  I am also not worried about a naked baby trying to escape down the hall while I am getting brother out of the tub. 

Word of caution for any mamas that may take on this idea.  My little guys know they need to sit on their bottom but like to push boundaries as you can see from the picture above.  Also they have figured out how to use the wagon to pull themselves into a standing position which is fine because it is heavy enough where it does not roll out from underneath them but they place their fingers in the side rails and have had them pinched when I went to pick them up and did not realize.  That was a failure on my part and had nothing to do with them.  Like anything with twins, it is needing to pay attention to make sure everyone stays safe.  The wagon has become a tool that allows me to do this better.  Both boys are within my sight and reach and I am not turning my back on anyone.

We seriously love having a wagon at our house!

Things I Have Learned Since Becoming a MoM...

So for the veteran MoMs,  you can probably relate to a lot of this.  For the expectant MoMs, you can read about my experiences and hopefully it will prepare you a little bit better. When I was pregnant with the boys, I read everything there was to read on twins--blogs, books, breastfeeding guides from LLL, reviews on twin gear, etc.  Eric and I are the research type.  For example, we want to know everything we can about a product before we commit to buying it. When we recently bought a new washer, Eric knew everything about each brand and model of washer and made a very calculated choice. No amount of research can fully prepare you however for having two newborns.  So here is what I have learned thus far from my meager experience as the mother of 5 week old twins:

• When I had my babies' shower, I thought I would never need that many sleepers and receiving blankets.  I was very wrong.  I underestimated how frequently a clothes and blanket change is necessary due to spit up and/or leaky diapers.  It is like a baby has a stealth sense that they are totally clean and need some grime on them.  Right after a diaper change, bath and fresh outfit, baby(ies) will inevitably either spit up or have a massive BM.  While exhausting, you will find it amusing because babies are just so darn cute.
• You will need a safe, comfortable spot to place a baby(ies) in order to take care of another baby or meet a basic physiological need such as going to the bathroom.  In our house that comfortable place is the boys' swings.  We love them and the babies love them.  
• You will get so brain dead at some point from sleep deprivation that you cannot remember which baby ate or had their diaper changed last.  Maybe there are the ultra Type A personalities out there that really do keep a poop journal but I am not one of them.  As long as baby seems happy and content, then I know they are okay.
• You need to develop an ability to get into a zen like state of consciousness when both babies (or for the rock stars that have super twins- multiple babies) start crying and you do not know whose needs are more immediate.  Take a deep breath and realize that healthy babies cry.  Be grateful that you have such a problem as crying babies, do your best and don't be too hard on yourself.
• If you have perfectionistic tendencies, having twins will help you let that go.  If you don't let it go, you will cry too much yourself and miss out on the joy and blessing of having been given multiple babies.  
• You will learn to never underestimate how a cup of coffee and a hot shower can help you feel semi-human again.
• You will often hear the advice to take help whenever it is offered and it is true.  Don't think that your house is too dirty and that you have to get it to a certain level of clean before people can help (or is that just me?).  There is always laundry to be folded, dishes to do, errands to run, etc.  Take the help so that you can focus on the big picture- having the energy and ability to take good care of your babies.
• They change so quickly.  You really cannot take too many pictures.
• Create realistic and modest goals for yourself.  This will look different for each mom and family.  Right now we are happy to make it to church.  Next goal will be to be on time for church.  All the stuff that you want to do will continue to be there.  Remember that the newborn phase is such a precious and short time.  Don't feel like you have to do too much too quickly.
• Hug and kiss your spouse often.  Let them know how much you appreciate their help.  Dad is feeling tired too.  It's not a competition over who does more but rather focus on accomplishing the mutual goal of raising healthy and happy babies.
• You will never understand how you can love two babies so wholly and completely.  That love is what will keep you going. Their little personalities will be different from the beginning and you will love them for who they are rather than just loving your twins. 

Weekly Wrap-up

 We had a busy and productive week.  We are getting geared up for moving into our new house and the babies' arrival:

• Baby gear: Our mini co-sleepers that we are going to use as bassinets were delivered.  We opted for two separate co-sleepers for the babies so that we could order the movement sensor baby monitors.  Eric has been on a SIDS call when he working with the fire department and felt that we should get the monitors for our own peace of mind.   We also got the car seats and stroller ordered.  Once those items get here, we will have all we really need for these babies to come.
• I had my first round of NSTs (non-stress tests) this week.  Both of the boys were looking good.  Baby B was kicking the belt monitor so hard they thought I was having sizable contractions. The nursing staff was great and to err on the side of caution, swabbed me for fetal fibronectin (fFN).  The test was negative so I am confident I could reach at least 35 weeks with these little guys.  The second NST was also showing contractions however so they gave me a dose of terbutaline.  That stuff made me feel like I was going to crawl up a wall .  It felt like I had drunk way too much coffee.  Hopefully I can avoid it next time.
• We signed all of our loan paper work for the new house.  We are awaiting one repair to be finished in the house and then we can fund our down payment.  Once funded, we can close in a couple of days.  I am really looking forward to having a bigger kitchen and more cabinet space to organize things.  
• We did our taxes.  We aren't expecting a large return this year but feel grateful we don't owe.  I have to say that everyone should be wary of using a franchised tax service, particularly one that has initials with an H and R (am I being clear enough?).  They really messed up our return last year and our underwriter caught it when doing our loan.  So now we are in the process of having them file an addendum and pay what we now owe the IRS plus penalties. 
• I got my hair did.  I went back to a brighter blond and a shorter a-line bob.  I feel much less frumpy now.  You will all get to see it when I post my next baby bump photo. 
• More baby gear: We scored two sets of baby swings from a garage sale where a MoM was getting rid of stuff.  One pair of swings is a solid, stationary set and the other is a smaller, mobile set that we can bring with us to grandparents, friends, etc.  We got a great deal.  Now I am just taking off all the liners  and washing them. 
• Starting next week I am starting my maternity leave!  I am going to be doing some part-time hours from home via a VPN account so that I can stretch out my FMLA leave.  I have been so blessed to have been able to work as long as I have.  At this point it is just too difficult for me to sit in my office chair for approximately 8 hours.  Working from home, I can partially recline and be a lot more comfortable. 
• I kind of dread going out in public now.  People feel the need to make comments and ask way too many personal questions.  Just a few more weeks.
• We are getting really excited about meeting our boys.  It is feeling really real now!