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 :)

Aww. LOVING all the photos! It's even making me a bit broody

I know what you mean Twelve.... but no. NO.

oh Red. Sounds a right bloody pain in the next. Has the one you liked let you down?

Oooh, the photos have cheered me right up. I can confirm we have hit a real low in the Dream household...

Love yours on their naming day twelve, gorgeous.
Your DD is such a little dot, just perfect, your son is so cute too, love the seaside pic ceevee and yours are both bloody gorgeous and look like butter wouldn't melt Claire.
Disappointed with no more of yours as the only identicals up bigboobs- not that they don't look lovely in their pic, such a sweet pose, but I'm curious, how hard or easy is it to tell them apart?

I've put some of my lot up to join in :) .

No one's let us down bigboobs. We haven't actually employed anyone yet, but I'm finding it nigh on impossible to find someone I like and the two I have found, one turned out to be a total flake and the other turned us down . Dd was on best behaviour too.

I'm just slightly losing the will. It's hard enough that I've been out of work for 3 years, I don't need more barriers in my way...

Whinge alert...

Why is it that some women feel it appropriate to say to a twin mother who is clearly not getting enough sleep and looks like a bag of shit that twins are easier than a baby and a toddler? Apparently with twins, when you are feeding one, the other one just stays in its cot?!

Am I missing something here?

As someone who has twins and an effing toddler you can tell them to fuck right off to the end of fuckdom or whatever the mnett saying is. My DH took DT2 to the docs yesterday (more allergy misery) and I was putting DD and DT1 to bed. It was all so EASY. I could not believe it. I know it's all relative, but seriously, two kids of different ages is a synch.

Right, I've put some photos up. Hope it works.

Red, thank you for that! I have so many people - usually grans - telling me that 2 of different ages are harder, and I always resist the urge to yell "BOLLOCKS" loudly. I might not in future.

Love love love your photos, espeically the yoga shot and bump photo. I don't ahve any bump photos, sob!

And Dreaming I actually did a little at yours, identicals are just so cute!

Now I'm off to look up some of the video of simultaneous newborn meltdown to make me stop wanting to do it again!

God yes red, I often think thank god the dts are my first! Can't imagine this with a toddler thrown into the mix!
How do I see everyone's photos?

Am starting to get murderous thoughts towards dp during the night. As I sit breast feeding, he snores loudly as takes up all the bed.....grrr.
My dts started sleeping reasonably (for 2 month olds). Got v excited but it only lasted a week and now they have reverted to sleeping v badly again. Gutted.

Nancy, hover over the posters name (it should be blue) and then click. It'll take you to their profile where you can click through to the picks.

It's funny, as we were driving to my 13 week scan I remember discussing with DH how pleased we were we hadn't had twins and how hard that would be and what a nightmare. Oh how we laughed when we saw two little hearts beating away whilst my 2 year old jumped up and down on top of me....

Two babies is bloody hard. DD and one baby, if the other is asleep, is so lovely in comparison. They need to get a grip. And no, even if you have an age gap of 11 months, it is not like having twins

Sleep is so awful here. But tonight, the travel cot is up, the babies are separated (they wake each other constantly) , I am going to attempt to cut down to 2 night feeds for terrible DT1 and see what dt2 does. Pick up put down type method, I've not the heart for cc/CIO. Wish me luck.

Thinking of you Claire, really hope you're getting some sleep. All of you in fact

Thanks red. Everyone's photos are so cute!!

Hope you had a better night dream!! And everyone else for that matter. Mine are sleeping badly, I've never been so knackered!!

My My sister and her DP visited today. They took the girls out from 12pm-5pm. Apart from hanging washing, I slept the whole time! It was great. They should visit more often!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend :)

Hello everyone. What lovely photos! I might get around to posting some up here too, though I keep forgetting to take any during the day so all mine are grainy and dark and taken in bed. Rednellie, I love your bump photo. I have one from 25 weeks but didn't think to take one when I went into hospital at 29 weeks and then it was too late.

Wow, gardenpixies, what a lovely long sleep.

Today I am taking both twins into hospital to have their hernias operated on tomorrow. DH broke his ankle on Friday and has been in (a different) hospital since: he was operated on last night but I don't know how it went yet. My wonderful inlaws were driving home when it happened so they turned around at Calais and came back to help, which is amazing of them, but I did have 24 hours of just me, DD, and the boys. I think I got about 3 hours sleep. When we are all out of hospital DH will be on crutches and unable to lift a baby, hange a nappy, prepare a bottle or do anything except sit on the sofa. He will have to work from home for a bit but how he will get on with 'newborn' twins, DD and me in the same room is fairly easy to predict, I think. Also I don't drive so getting anywhere is going to be difficult - naturally we have lots of medical appointments that need a car in the coming month/six weeks. Anyway today I am bracing myself for two/three nights of sleeping in a chair (or fold up bed if I'm lucky) in a hospital room with the babies, and whoever else. It is not likely to be comfortable: the bumph you have to read before you go in says, very strictly, that the bathroom is only for the babies to use and I have to go to the loo at the end of the corridor . Then once we get home I will have four people to look after

In fact the only upside I can see to the whole situation (apart from having DH around a bit more - OK, that is quite good actually) is that DD will really love her new Christmas decoration project - I am going to let her loose on DH's cast with felt tips, tinsel, glitter pens, the works :)

Hey there is, I hope everything goes well for the boys tomorrow, I'll.be thinking of you!
What bad luck re dh's ankle! Bl

Oops posted too soon...
Anyway bloody nightmare for you! Shame we don't live closer, I could have tried to help out at least with lifts and stuff.
I'm not sure that it would make that much diff if my dp broke his ankle given that he is useless anyway! Lol

Good luck thereis for the boys, hope it all goes seamlessly. Bloody annoying about DH. I reckon I'd be testing the theory that he cant lift anything for weeks...I mean how many women are told that after giving birth and end up ignoring it? Eh? [Evil unsympathetic emotion]

We had some good news - Dt2 has a date at the allergy clinic in early Jan. Whoop! He's been really unsettled this week and having random reactions so it'll be good to get advice.

Thinking of dream & Claire attempting to get their ones to sleep. Hope you're both alright.

Hope your boys are doing well thereis How traumatic... and really bloody inconsiderate of your dh . Is there any help you can get? I saw a program comparing French and English systems and in France new mums got a home help type person for 3-4 hours a week after birth for free!!?? Not true, or only certain criteria maybe? He can so do bottles leaning on a worksurface- I hope you find a whole host of useful things he can do, buy even if its just holding one while sitting down with his leg up I hope he can help you... Good luck. And surely after all you've had this year 2013 will be miles easier for you?!

Travel cot is up, boys are separated... I was only up 4 times last night though which is a huge improvement but still knackering.

Hooray for allergy clinic red, hopefully they'll shed some light for DT2. My friend's little girl saw an immunologist, presumably via allergy clinic, (she was allergic to mango, banana, egg and a few others in the end). The immunologist told her there was no reason for her to stop eating anything despite bf her Lo. Seems funny to me, as my DT2 was horribly unsettled and unhappy as an unweaned ebf baby, and cheered up no end dairy free.. I'd be really interested to hear what they say .

Good luck for today thereis hope your boys recover well from surgery.

How was your night Dream?

I really need to do some sleep training with dtg, she only woke up twice last night at 11ish adn then around 3am, first time she fell asleep feeding quite quickly. Second time she was just velcroed to my nipple..dh tried settling her for an hour but had to admit defeat and she did eventually fall asleep but still feeding. at least her cough is better and no more vomiting (hope I ahven't jinxed it). Of course her brother now has a cough and bunged up nose so when he woke up at 1am he had trouble going back to sleep too...at least he doesn't just feed for hours on end...

So not a great night, but I did have a bit of an evening at least...which is more than I've had for ages.

I am printing your ebook rednellie as just I can't read on a screen and hopefully I will find the time to read it...

Hi everyone, thanks for the good wishes. The boys are fine and we are leaving hospital today. I reached breaking point yesterday afternoon after not sleeping for 37hours on the trot, 24 if them in hospital with no help to speak of. A nurse found me a quiet corner to sleep in and my amazing inlaws arrived, and the night shift took things in hand and muscled me out of the way every time one of the boys so much as snuffled. The result is that I got about 16 hours sleep and feel back on track, which is great. I want to take those nurses home.
DH is home with his foot up. The cast comes off in 3 weeks which is great news. Til then he is good for baby-cuddling only lucky bastard

hey all,

thereis great news that the boys are doing well! glad your inlaws are there and great that the nurses helped you to get some much needed sleep!

red - good news about allergy clinic!

dreaming - glad to hear you had a better night, hope it continues to improve! mine still aren't sleeping great, but to be expected at 12 weeks i suppose. what's the name of this ebook you mentioned? glad you got an evening claire! i'm looking forward to that too!!

right off to bed to try and get a bit of sleep in before they wake. i really miss going to bed and knowing i can sleep til morning!

Had to laugh at all the cute stories mine are basically the same dt1 dancing Beyonce style not Gangnam though to all music, dt2 holds his bib up playing peek a boo in his highchair and does it in his cot to dt1 too (hides then jumps up-they are end to end). I love it when they crawl around laughing hysterically at a private joke they play together loads now which is lovely and very cute. Double hugs are great too if I kneel on the floor they both come over and put their arms around me but then they do elbow each other to get the closest!

garden I would definately not be feeling guilty about those 2 nights off I'm jealous and may be hinting at dh soon . Two babies is bloody hard work and I remember the early stage being very hard as they just don't give anything back. It's boring! (it's definately not boring later on!) Who said two babies of different ages are harder? Let me at em!!!

nancy hope you get some sleep soon I miss sleep so much it's like a distant memory! They do sleep longer as they get older though. Mine were awake at 4.30am but they played for a while and then went back off so we didn't need to get up thank god. They were up at 6.15 though and it's that Ican't get my head around! Though I bet you would love a night like that!

I'm going to have a little peek at the photos in a minute but will be back again when I can.

Oh have to quickly tell you about the christmas card I had off my well meaning but tactless auntie. She wrote 'have a good Christmas-next year will be better!'. I know what she means but was quite looking forward to this year! Made me think of us all wishing our dts babyhood away not that I ever do that oh no.

Oh just saw your new name dream-like it!

thereis glad to hear boys are fine, hope they are nicely settled on dh's lap while you enjoy a coffe in peace!

mines I get the double hugs and elbowing each other out of the way too!

Dtg's cough has NOT gone, she was sick TWICE last night, once all over my bed and floor, cue me changing beds and mopping floors while dd1 had her as dh was still nowhere to be seen!

I was also found in the bathroom all hot taps running with dtg at 3am ina desperate attempt to clear her cough...

Obviously any attempt at sleep training will need to wait til she is better... groan

in other news, she managed to eat some of the cat dried food today as I was paying the gas engineer

her brother made a first attempt at a word though, as I was showing him a stuffed dog and 'enthusiastically' went "woof woof" he looked at me, smiled and went 'pouf', does that count??
I have to admit I can't summon up much enthusiasm for Christmas, which will be spent carting the babies around a random number of relatives, while staying at my mum's which is soo unsuitable for crawling babies... it's not like I can benefit from free babysitting either as I can't possible leave two on sleeping babies with my mum on her own.

another whingefest from me, sorry, this sleep deprivation thing is not good for my brain

Great news thereis. Blimey you must have been knackered. Really glad your in laws came through.

Ha ha cat food crawlers. I remember one of my mates friends toddler having a lovely time playing in our cat litter.

I'm sorry your Dtg still has her horrible cough Claire. Ours are all getting better,no way as bad as yours but still very annoying.

Ah, sleep training...should we shouldn't we? I'm totally hopeless at it and we have tried, but they can carry on crying for over an hour. I just cave everytime. They're doing ok, only waking once a night. However Dt2 sometimes wakes in the evening now...ah well.

We're off to IL's tomorrow then my parents for Christmas. Whoop! Can't believe it's been a year since I've been mooching around on here...

claire I have to tell you a few days ago my dts opened the stair gate yet again and dt1 put the dogs bone in his mouth before I could stop him . I have told no-one this- until I saw your story about the cat food!