The under/over/around 1 Twins thread for support, tips on how to survive and enjoy twin parenthood!

[DreamingOfPeace]

BB3: dcda non id girls Sept 2011 (plus ds)
TwelveLeggedWalk: DCDA DD and DS 14.09.11 (PFBs)
Tiggersreturn twin boys (?!) (plus ds age 5)
Wherearemyearplugs twins (plus ds)
Ceeveebee b/g twins 21.11.11, PFBs
minesapintofwine: non-id boys 02/02/2012. dcs 1&2/pfb on good days.
ClaireMarathonFeeder: Boy/girl twins born 08/02/2012, no3&4, dd1 (2001) and dd2 (2004)
rednellie nonID boys 13.03.2012 + DD 03.02.10
Lemele: id boys (plus ds)
Skitoo : DCDA Non ID Boys, 01.04.12 DC 1&2
DreamingofPeace: dcda non id boys, 4.4.12 DC 2&3 (DD Sept 2010)
beyoglu: dcda non id girls 21.4.12
Bigboobsatlast ID twin boys 30.04.12 DC #2&3 (DD Feb 2010)
Scollister mcda girls 3.5.12 plus DD age 4
Twin2makes4 mcda girls plus 2 ds,age 8 & 4

Again, sorry for mistakes, doing this from my phone!

Settle in ladies :)

Out and busy for a couple of days and I miss so much...will have to catch up properly later, as DH just gone to pick up curry (yum) and need to get those damn bottles done that I have now become a slave to - anyone else hate the whole washing/sterilising process, or just me being weird .

Dream, hope boys bums are improving, poor little tinkers. Only had nappy rash once and Bepanthen did the trick, slapped it on thick!

On the same subject we had our first post solids poo today .

Mines whoop whoop on the bingo win! Fingers crossed you're on a roll and some numbers come in for you tonight. Nice to have the cash stashed for the car seats, what age do we have to swap those over? Bless you for your drunken emotional outlet, can see me falling foul to one of those (as soon as I can get myself in that state).

Right going to have to finish later, curry here.

Hello all,

Fabulous bingo win minesa . Is the dts birth a story you want to share here? I'm still a bit traumatised by dds birth and she's 2

Slightly better here today, I am stripping DT1 for every nappy change and putting him in the sink, so no washing/rubbing. then allowing to completely air dry, then cream (the only traumatic bit with screaming) then nappy. All takes a while, loads of pooey towels for the wash from drying times (& more sink action...& repeat) so a lot of time and effort has gone into his bum but it has gone from bleeding in parts to red and sore but miles better in just 24 hours of this. Phew. Still horrible diarrhoea for both but not quite as frequent as yesterday so everything crossed, this too shall pass and all but please, please less pooing in the night, the washing process is SO much harder then! DD and DT2 are nappy rash resistant it seems so horrible shock how bad DT1 got so fast.

I don't dare think of next stage car seats. DD is in an extended rear facer. I'd wanted her rf til 4, but no idea how I'll get three in ERF car seats in a row and get the child in the middle in/out... Maybe I'll try to hang on as long as possible and turn DD round at 3 but can't see boys fitting their maxi cosi seats to anywhere near 18 months...they're tall.

Met 6 month old twin girls at the music group we go to this week. Really sweet, also non id and interested in joining this twins group I'm trying to start. :) . Incidentally, they were dressed identically- does anyone on here dress their duo the same? I'm interested as Tamba are so strong in presenting the opinion they are all individuals and shouldn't be dresses to match from what I can gather. Mine wear the same sometimes as i buy some clothes from the twin mum with 15 mo boys and she often dresses her id boys identically (awkward for me as I just can't tell them apart!).

Lovely to see your posts bigboobs and ceevee I'd missed you both!

Oh, and I'm finally getting on better with my three by myself. There's obviously still lots of times I have to leave a baby crying but not the constant crying of the earlier months. DT2 is still much happier, no screaming with feeds, though they've been weighed and he's caught up!! They were exactly the same, to the . whatever (forgotten already ) . Makes me think he really can't be cmpi, faltering growth is such a hallmark of intolerance and he's just stacked weight on since their birth. So roll on dairy challenge date :) plus, I'm loathing dairy free, most importantly

Rubbish, DT2 woken up, going to have to get Dh as I'm sat with DD, still trying to get her to calm down and go to sleep... (Back to the bad old days of the Landing Vigil if those who supported me through the huge sleep issues/ deprivation we had with her through my pg with the dts remember! Urgh.)

Gosh Dream that sounds awful. I really hope that it clears up soon, that's not nice for either of you. And sorry to hear you're camping out on the landing again, fingers crossed its a one off or much shorter phase than last time. No, my little men are very rarely dressed exactly the same but often similar. So they might have the same jeans on and then different tops or same things but in different colours. However they look so different, one dark haired and brown eyes and the other blond and blue eyed that there's no confusion.

Mines trust you are off celebrating your next big win . Hope you have a good chat with your friend tomorrow and that swimming is a better experience this time. I frequently beat myself up about not being able to keep my little ones in me longer and them having to go through the whole SCBU thing. I watch the video all the time that my DH went and took of the boys in their incubators while I was still in theatre so I could see them and it just kills me , but like you say, there's no changing it and we are lucky to all have happy healthy babies now.

Fab news on the working hours. With a few of you going back to work its made me think about it, as I'm definitely lacking a bit of oomph, not sure which way it's going to go for me yet .

Beyoglu, that was such a lovely way to say things. Maybe a similar journey, so thank you for writing that.

Hello all,
Sorry fir long silence, but I've been very busy unpacking, even though I have been keeping up with the news during night feeds (hope it makes you feel better, beyougly was it you? Mine are nearly 8 montgs and dtb woke up 3 times in the night!)

I am hitting a new liw, partly due to mil here, I reallg ned MY space after two weeks, but at the same time we've hit a stage where it's really really hard looking after them on my own. There is lots of crying and wznting to be held which us just impossible to do. This makes me very depressed as I hate not being able to be independent but am I making all my children miserable by not wanting help? I can hardly care for the twins without lots of crying, let alone having time for my older two... And they need lots of it. I am just soo unhappy at the moment and cant even share with dh, as his solution is having mil to stay more and that is part if the problem. Damned if do damned if you dont.

Sorry for lack of personala, I now have two crying babies to see to aaaargh

No lottery win! My luck ran out on Friday! Just a quick question but is it normal for an 8mo old to drop their morning nap? (arrrgghhh). The past 2 weeks dt2 has only slept 30mins in the am. I put it down to teeth (again) as as soon as dt1 had a tooth he started sleeping 1 1/2-2 hours in the am. Anyway yesterday and today he has fought it so much I've got him up and he's playing happily not even looking tired or grizzling! He slept yesterday pm though. The other thing is his intemittant waking became a 12 hour sleep last night after just one nap in the day don't know if it's connected? Going to keep trying over next few days and if not will keep him up until pm nap. Am hoping they will both sleep a long nap then as I would like 5mins peace at some point! This can't be normal-bloody non sleeping babies!!!!

Every baby is different though-dt1 currently been starfishing cot for approx 1 1/4hr.

claire sorry I had missed your post then. Am really sorry you are feeling low. And with two older dc's. It's hard isn't it? Everything is just a phase though. I know mil gets on your nerves but I would abuse her help to the max at the moment. Would she look after dts so you can spend time with your other children? or will dh taske them out in pushchair? I enlist dh's help often and I don't have any other dc's am just lazy! Hope you feel better soon x

It appears I missed a few posts! Yay dream glad you feel better about things that is very good news! twelve Ebbw Vale? Ah yes cos thats where all the talent lies !!!

Claire sorry to hear you're feeling so rubbish at the moment. I second what Mines suggested and rope her in to help but maybe split up, her taking twins and you the older DCs, so she's not in your face under your feet - is that possible? It's so much easier when you've got another pair of hands to help but I hate having anyone who isn't DH too. Here's an assortment of to cheer you up.

Mines, I'm definitely not the person to pass on advice regarding naps - mine are awful and I'm obsessed with it. Mine are really random with their naps and i have no idea how to make it more consistent. They tend to nap for max 45 mins am, anywhere between 45 mins and 2 hours at lunchtime and another 45 mins late afternoon. They both often struggle to make it through to another sleep cycle once they stir from the first but they're both good at night so don't feel like I can complain too much, even if I would like more time to myself during the day. Another phase I guess, just to keep us on our toes .

claire, I totally understand how you feel. I've had more time on my own with my three, whole days too (I'd always had someone popping in before) and discovered I can manage playgroups etc by myself, though it is a huge effort, but also so nice to just be me and the children- no 1:1 attention for any of them, ever though. I am so lucky to have a nanny help me 2 days a week but I still find having her around really hard, the someone being there all day, even if things are going ok, and I'd like to chat to a friend who's come over in peace etc. I'm clearly entirely ungrateful. I think it's a balance, I need the help to enable me to look after my 3 how I'd like to. Its not even like my DD goes to any nusrery sessions yet either, so I am with them 24/7, and if I don't have help, my quality time with any is so limited. I know it's harder for you though because your MIL has to stay and can't come for a morning/afternoon/day due to the distances. If its any help at all, I read a post in 'multiple births' from someone saying they felt they couldn't do it any more, it was harder than ever at 9 months and I was surprised and horrified that lots of respondents said that was a really hard time for them too. So, I'm also saying this really hard bit is a phase, a short phase and nothing but a phase. oon, you will be more settled in, the dts will be easier, your older DDs have a wonderful mum and will have a little understanding of how stretched you are- not that I'm saying they don't need your time and attention, just that they'll understand a bit, even if they're still frustrated if you talk to them about how you wish you could do x, y and z with them but will have to wait a bit... Maybe a babysitter again would be a good temporary solution? To take the dts somewhere, so you can spend time with your older DDs, or vice versa?

Mine still have diarrhoea, 7 days for one, 6.5 for the other now, so maybe take a stool sample to the doctors tomorrow, just in case... I'm sure it'll be a virus, especially if I do take them to the doctor, but it really is going on and on and not getting a million miles better. The lengthy and laborious strip, wash, air dry, cream is working for the nappy rash, no tears even when putting the cream on today though, so I'm happy

Anyway, I'm shattered, best head for bed, just wanted to pop on and reply to you claire, and say I've been thinking of you Amazon man has been a fair bit recently too and you are also irrovocably connected to the Amazon delivery service in my head still!

Oh Claire I'm so sorry you're having a rough time. Quite frankly I manage far better in my own then when people help, apart from my mum and even then, I still think it's easier when I'm following my own routine. I don't know, but from what you've said previously I reckon you'd be better off without the .mil, but maybe just get some regular babysitter type. A relaxed mum is worth a thousand annoying 'helpful' relatives!

I'm finding this phase quite lovely .si I'm not listening to you dream! Glad nappy rash is improving but the pooing I'd want checked out if it had gone on that long. So sorry your DD has got you back on the landing. That phase wasn't fun at all.

mines not watching the valley, but I can imagine. And no, didn't have an epidural. Or gas and air. I'm mad me

Right, off to feed the noises buggers. When will they give up the 10pm feed?

Hey claire thinking of you here as well. i am with red in that I actually seem to cope better on my own. But I only have 3 and only 2 year age gap so actually probably easier to entertain and give attention to all three.... and the simple things do the trick still, like cake in a cafe or running up and down supermarket aisle! You have older DCs that I am sure need a little more than that! Things will get better and you have survived such upheaval! Things must get easier soon for you soon as you have dealt with so much recently what with the move.

dream you sound so much happier! must be getting a little easier if you sound chirpier even with all the poo! Any better today? And well done for having all 3 on your own successfully! I only have all three one whole day a week and one morning a week. My parents come up one afternoon every Monday (a 4 hour round trip on the train bless them - before you ask they are always more than welcome to stay but they are very busy people and have so much on back at home!), and DD is in nursery three days a week (kept this going as these are the days I usually work) - so just have the boys on those days - and then DH here at weekends of course. So all in all I feel I have a good balance.

On the days I have all three I get out as much as I can - usually out for lunch to Starbucks!! I always get loads of attention because of the boys and loads of compliments getting out the house with the three of them - so I always feel like superwoman by the end of the day :) and bizarrely that day is sometimes one of my easiest, I think DD actually makes the day more enjoyable and definitely helps entertain the boys.

My 2 are 5 months now - and going to have to put them in 9-12 moonths clothes soon as 6-9 is so tight on them already! Not just chubby babies but really long as well. DH is very tall and I am quite tall so not surprising really. No one believes me when I say how old they are! Still no rolling over but they sit up well with support and already manage well on their high chairs (the chubbiness helps wedge them up straight!). I am going to upload a piccie of them in their high chairs from a couple of weeks ago for you to have a look if you want - but will take it down again soon (still freeked by that troll we had weirdo)

Weaning going great, although still only one 'meal' a day - going to make it two this week I think. Nights still inteupted once for a feed and then other times most nights for resettling. Teething gel stops them crying so think that the whole teething thing has started . And DD wakes several times at the mo because she wants her covers back on..... when will she learn to do this herself!!!

Skitoo, similar nap patterns (or lack of) here - DD did not start longer naps until about 9 months I think. DTs have the odd 45 minutes here and there throughout the day! Luckily their sleep usually over laps to at least some extent.

Red, I am wincing at 'reaching in'

Where is BB3? Hope all is ok

DT2 awake and Peppa Pig has finished so have to go

Afternoon all!

Yes, I was so worried about having all 3 and it isn't half as bad as I thought- I have had some disaters though- think feeding ducks, toddler running towards water while both babies scream like they're being boiled in oil etc, one playgroup one where I'd gone to a new group so knew no-one, I left one baby sleeping in the car in the car park (visible from the group), went to check him and the play kitchen got pulled over on DD while I was gone and she was distraught, plus crying baby she wouldn't let anyone else help her as they were all strangers to her... and we went to the Lake District 2 or 3 times successfully (with dh), but twas a proper nightmare last time... So I wouldn't say it was easy, but I find being out of the house much easier than being in, boys are less whingey, DD isn't bored so we're mostly out!

Boys still ill. 5 bouts of diarrhoea between them overnight, dt1 has been 7 times so far today, dt2 3, nightmare. Been to the doctors with the boys today- poo samples sent off for both (which of course means they'll be better by this evening, right?!). I have a steroid and anti fungal cream prescribed for poor DT1 of the baboon-arse status. It is better than when it was at its worst, but not good. Still stripping and washing and no rubbing/wiping for every nappy change- laborious doesn't even begin to describe it, and going through about 2 towels every change as more runny poo before I've even got a nappy back on frequently. I'm traumatised by all the poo!!!!

Oh, and DD keeps getting up for hours in the night, meaning as I usually have at least one baby up (probably in the bloody sink) at the minute, there's no rest for dh and I, even less than usual.

So all in all I'm not sure why I'm chirpy, but i still feel ok

Not heard about my career break yet, and I am worried about that- I'm desperate to get it, and not have to go back to work when the dts are 11 months old, I'd be gutted to leave them. It's not looking promising though, as I was told I'd get it if they can recruit to my job- so 15 hours a week, fixed term contract, and they've nobody suitable applying, its been out to advert 4 or 5 times now

Dying to see your boys bigboobs, and can I ask the obvious?! Are they easy or difficult to tell apart? (maybe it'll be clearer if I looked at your pic first!). Mine are 6 months on Thursday, and just going into 6-9 clothing and I thought mine were big! On DDs wallchart (an 'as tall as' one) I am the height of an average British woman (boooring) and dh is in the top 3%, and a giant! Dreading the move to a bed for DD... how long can I keep her in her cot for?! Did you have getting out problems?

for claire

I hope you get your career break agreed Dream. Have you started to plan in case it is not? what will you do for child care?

My DD is also up every night, several times - often harder work than the DTs! We moved her to a proper single bed with bed guard when she was 19 months. She has never got hereslf out of bed! Always calls for one of us. Its as if she hasnt actually worked out she can get herself out anytime she wants!

Boys look quite different to me - an obvious difference is one has more hair! but if they have hats on or are snuggled in their pushchair then they loook exactly the same! DD is the only one that gets them the right way round every time!

Dreaming you should tell your employer to advertise on mumsnet, I bet there are loads of mums who want a 15 hr week!
Sorry for quick post, am sat in dentist waiting room, getting my free checkup- what a great way to spend last day before I go back to work tomorrow!

bigboobs interesting to hear about the weaning... these guys are 23w uncorrected and getting soooo bloody hungry! Up to basically hourly feeding between 2 and 5pm...

I only now have been able to bring myself to say this but yesterday was awful awful awful the worst day I have had as a mother even over colic and reflux which was awful too. I am a fricking terrible mother. Swimming went well dt2 was a little whingy but dt1 loved it laughing and splashing. dt1 got grumpy so took him out got him dressed and met my friend in other cubicle when she got out. She wasn't dressed and I was so I said I'd take dt1 to dress him and as there was no baby changing thing available at the time I put dt2 on the little bench thing. I was stood right next to him but omg why why why why why why.... Obviously, immeditely, he rolled off and smack onto tiled floor. I am probably being slightly overdramatic but this is how it goes in all the fricking replays in my head. He was fine for the record screamed of course but didn't hit head no marks no bruises laughing and eating within the hour. I've cried for 2 days.

It doesn't end there. This am I left dts on lounge floor for 2 mins while I brushed my teeth in bathroom next door to the lounge. Came back and dt1 had pulled baby monitor down and was about to chew the wire . One mistake sucks, 2 is just not good enough (have baby proofed today). (Awaits SS now)

.

I'm feeling good at the mo - weaning is going so well, they're eating loads, both spoon fed and self feeding, DT2 has started rolling/crawling everywhere, DD is being nice to her brothers far more than she's rough, DT1 is burbling like mad and actually came out with dada today and I'm totally coping with them on my own all week.

And it's my birthday! I know this is a total boast fest, but I do know I've moaned loads in the past and felt something upbeat on my birthday was appropriate! Now all we need to do is work out how to make them sleep at night and we're sorted.....And I've been offered work after Christmas. Whoop!

Happy birthday red, and have a glass of on me!!

Oh and minesa you are NOT a bad mother, it's very hard keeping your eye on two wriggly babies at once and my two are always whacking their heads on furniture and wooden floors - in fact DTS grabbed my coffee cup (thankfully only lukewarm) and poured it over himself only last week, if he had done it 15 mins earlier he would have been badly scalded. We are all only human!

God mines bad cross posting! Here's me bragging about the joys of the world and there's you beating yourself up. But please don't beat yourself up - I'll never forget when DD pulled an entire pint over DH. Helped prove my point that she had amazing reach though!

Only today I discovered DT2 chewing on the tv cable thanks to his new rolling prowess...

right, try and get up the thread while I'm ignoring the chattering from upstairs while the wee ones are still asleep:

claire I hope things are getting easier. My in-laws are here as well and they are driving me up the effing wall. My OH is away at a work thing for a week and they are helping me with the girls but all I actually need in the way of help is someone to feed and settle one to bed at night and then it helps if someone is around from 8 till half 10 to be on babby duty so I can put some earplugs in and really sleep... but that's all. But they hang around all day and want to eat lunch sitting down and have conversations about the state of the world. In German. And my father in law has a sideline in sounding forth about things he knows nothing about, like yesterday he was making this big point about inflation that showed he doesn't actually know what it is, to me, and you know where I work... roll on Saturday.

dream glad to hear the boys are pulling through. My god that sounds like a lot of washing!

mines in August I was trying to settle the girls to bed on my own and both were crying so I was trying to hold DT2 while shoogling DT1... and I thought, I'll just put DT2 down in DT1's cot so I can shoogle them both together... and DT2 wriggled slightly and I dropped her on her sister. Cue massive crying burst from both of them... and when DT1 was about 8 weeks old I was putting her back in bed after her night feed and I tripped and fell over. She was OK, I managed to shield her, but still. Unfortunately becoming a mum has not turned me into a non-clumsy person...

Oh plenty of bumps and bashes here too - Mines you're so not a bad parent! I also think it would take me a while to chew through an electric cable, even our dog never managed it, but htat might be being a bit lax!

Hope things are getting better for those of you with pooey and snotty babies - I don't know if it's their age or nursery, but our two now permanently have crusty noses. I miss lovely newborn complexions (but not the vomiting and screaming that went with it!)!

ANd those of you with PILs staying... really, have a on me. I can only manage a couple of hours of mine with DH here, so days on end would drive me completely potty. Beyoglu I am intrigued by what your job is now though!

ALl mostly fine here apart from the fact that DS is very physical, and very testing - you pick him up if he doesn't want to be picked up and he thrashes back and forward, headbutting you if you're too close. DOn't pick him up when he wants and he bites you on the leg! Nappy cahnges now involve sitting on him the floor to restrain him. High chairs, baths and buggies are to be escaped from... It's EXHAUSTING and now DD, who I don't think would do any of this otherwise, is starting to copy him. I know he's not a little little baby to be kept happy at all costs, but I can't rationalise with him either! Any one with older DCs got any tips?!

I feel better reading some of these thanks all. Tbh theres been loads of little close shaves but this one really shook me up. O well I've learnt my lesson and thank goodness he is ok!

Happy Birthday for yesterday red and honestly you never moan you are so cheery!

It's my 8th wedding anniversary today and dh has two days off went shopping yesterday but as weather not too good have decided to spend the day at home with our babies...I'm already climbing the walls! We're off for meal tonight though my parents are having the dts overnight so lie in for me on my own when dh goes back to work tomorrow!

beyou it sounds like a complete mare at yours! If they really want to do the whole sit down to lunch and talk thing I suggest dumping a baby on each of them and seeing how clever fil can be whilst eating one handed and restraining a baby! My own fil (I feel a bit disloyal saying this but it is true!) is a complete know it all gets on my fecking nerves and I usually just ignore him when he goes off on one. He puts too much emphasis on intelligence and social class, and has tried to instill that in his own children. It is the way he was brought up though and can't be helped. Looks very stupid though when he goes on about things like he's right when he isn't!

Sorry for those I've missed dt2 is grizzling in cot -no morning nap again then!

twelve I'm a statistician at the Bank of England! My job isn't directly related to the inflation target but, you know, you pick up a fair bit...

mines my FIL is a bit like that as well except with him it's about aspiring to be an intellectual without actually being very intellectual! He's always picking up some impressive book but I never bloody see him reading them, just talking about them...

Who was asking about naps at 8m? Marc Weissbluth (the cry it out guy) says the morning nap goes between month 10 and 12, leaving one middle of the day nap. Elizabeth Pantley says somewhere between 9 and 12 months it might get dropped. Mind you those guys say my guys should be doing 2 hour stretches at lunchtime. Yeah right...

Ha ha! I was thinking 'Well unless she works for the BoE or something maybe he's just a bit old-fashioned....!'