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 :)

Just thought I would pop by to say hello . red how lovely to be working at your desk sounds like heaven! Your dd will be ok as you said she will have to be seperate from you eventually (like school) but it's natural to miss you at the moment.

Hope everyone is feeling better.

Interesting week here-decided earlier in month to sell house, spotted lovely house, rushed to tidy up bits and bobs around current house, looked around for mortgages, laptop broke went in for repair, broke toilet seat and ended up in a and e being glued together (me-finger), epic epic snow resulting in no work (for me)a whole day searching for mortgages. Decided not to move after all as too expensive and stressful! . So am sat here, pretty much still snowed in (lots if icicles hanging above doorway eek), dramatic looking bandage on finger, broken loo which can only be flushed with a bucket (hoping to be replaced tomorrow if plumber can get here). On the plus side the dts had the time of their lives being pushed around snow in a plastic storage box-and dt1 was making snow angels-going to put some pics up in a second) and am planning/excited about how pretty I will make my current house this year!

Thats my week then...off to bed to calm down a bit!

Hello Ladies, sorry I have not kept up with the thread since I first posted. Such alot happens in a simple day, how do you find the time to read, respond and post? (You have my admiration). My baby girls turned 6weeks yesterday and celebrated by sleeping 7 - 7, grizzling only for their regular feeds. I started these regimented feeds a week ago in the hopes it would make going out easier and it seems to have had a knock on effect at night time. I also took advice on a night time routine, nappy change, quiet time, last feed in a dim quiet room and straight down to sleep... Amazing. They have gradually got better each night this last week and cracked it last night. I have no doubt that we will have some set backs and need to remain strong with not running and picking up as soon as they so much as twitch :D. But for now, the first day of being snowed in is not so bad...

Mrs and

And as for finding time to read and post, smart phone is my friend and the only way to keep saniyu during night feeds

Back later!

Oh and if anyone is expecting girls, I have some tiny baby girl babygrows and once my girls have grown a bit more, will also have a few outfits. Let me know :)

Oh god ladies, its nothing on bigboobs scale, but with the croup then horrendous coughs/colds here, sleep has been minimal, seeing every hour of the night every night for nearly two weeks, with DT1 with a temp of 39 for 6 days, but, confessions of a terrible mother, I've brought him in bed with me to feed, not even planning on co-sleeping really, and he's fallen out. Twice. Within a week "Thump" "waaah!"

I'm SO envious of your sleeping through mrsdai, at 6 weeks!!! Well done and enjoy it!!

hi
just saying hello. not had time to post before but have ds (2 1/2) and non id dds (11 mth). just back to work and agree it much much easier than looking after 3 children. I miss them but they get on really well with the nanny.

Here we are again in the small wee hours of the night. After 2.... yes, , just 2... nights of better sleeping it all went back to normal. Ie shit! Ah well.

Oh dear dream!!! IMO babies need to learn to fall and they will be fine. Sorry you are having such a bad run of things. What has the doctor said? High temperature etc seems to be going on for a very long time.

Hello Debbie, you are most welcome.

And mrs , we do not want to hear about sleeping through! !!! But well done anyway!

Ok both boys are back to sleep so I am off too. Chow

Oooo just reread my post... learning to fall doesn't really sound right but I hope you know what I mean. .. cant wrap them up in cotton wool etc etc.

And so I don't sound negative allllll the time, I have suddenly had a realisation that things have got easier. I can tale all three out on my own all day, I can take all three to a dance and music thing on my own, we have lots of fun and laughter. Yes nights are shit but the rest is not.

Work in two weeks though. That will bring new challenges. Any decision on work yet dream?

How is everyone else?

Hello hello

sorry I have been missing in action....after an initial improvement sleep is bad again...

not so much the going to sleep, but they keep waking up and not wanting to go back to sleep, even when I give in (in desperation) and feed them, we were up from 3am to 5.30 am last night!

The past two weeks have been horrendous, dh is in the middle of some important project with people on the opposite side of the world, so he has been literally working 14-18 hour days, including some hours at the weekend. I mean he took a phone call with dtb in his arms last night while I was trying invain to settle his sister.

And he's just told me he is away for two days (fri-sat) in two weeks time. I am at the end of my limit, and I cry a lot. I am feeling lonely and isolated and I fear I might get depression (have had it before) if this goes on for much longer.

Right whinge over

Re Weaning, we started with purees as I did not think the babies were ready to handle finger food, tbh I thought a lot about BLW, in the end I decided it sounded a bit like teaching your child to swim by throwing him in a deep pool iyswim. I often just pureed stuff I'd made for us before adding salt, so it wasn't really so much extra work. DTb has recently decided he will NOT be spoonfed (but he makes exceptions for yoghurst and fruit purees ), and he's a bit more picky too, while his sister has suddenly found her appetite and just keeps stuffing food in her mouth!

By the way, any breakfast ideas as they are both fed up with weetabix/porridge? I ahve been offering cheerios, youghurt, toast, anything else??

Red your night out and your job sound fab!
dream we had the falling off the bed because I'd dozed off scenario only dtg had got stuck head down between sidetable and bed and I could't find her. It makes you feel crap, but it happens, especially when you haven't been sleeping properly in more than a year!

Got to go as they are destroying the living room, bathtime for them!

waving everybody else I haven't mentioned, but I always read all your updates this is the only social life I have at the moment

Thanks for advice about weaning claire I will definitely take it on board.

Breakfast ideas...
Raisin & cinnamon bread toasted
Scrambled eggs, boiled eggs
Eggy bread
Brioche
Pancakes
Toasted crumpets
Shreddies with a very small amount of milk so they can still pick them up & feed themselves
fruit salad

Sorry you feel so down Claire. I feel like that a lot of the time. I am very isolated where I live as I have not lived her long. My family are thousands of miles away. We rarely leave the house (apart from walks) as it takes an age to get feeds etc done. I really hope things get better as they get older and stronger and the warmer weather gets here.

claire - my lot are obsessed with CRUMPETS. We have to buy 7 packets of 8 a week! I think they like how scrunchy they are. Can you get them in Italy? (Stupid Brit question). You can make them...although that's a faff!

Also claire, have you had a chance to make any local friends? I know how terribly hard it is moving to a new area, especially when you've got little uns. Maybe it's time to start thinking about getting some childcare/nanny/babysitter type so you can have a morning out every now and again. I'm amazed what a difference it's made me being able to get out and about during the week without kids. I'm able to do my job, run errands, go to the doctor about MYSELF and I even booked myself in for a yoga class. I hadn't realised that because I've been coping with handling all 3 on my own, when I don't have them I am the most uber efficient person known to man.

It will make you feel better. I promise. My mental health has taken a massive upswing since I started having help 2 days a week. It wasn't an option till now, but I'm very grateful for it now.

dream - don't beat yourself up. Even my perfect doula managed to nod during a night feed and let DT1 roll off the feeding cushion into her basket of cosmetics by the bed. And he was only a teeny tiny baby.

bigboobs - glad you're feeling positive in amongst the sleeplessness. Ours have just started sleeping, since Christmas. It is a revelation and a wonder. We haven't done anything massively revolutionary, I think it's just their age/them being ready/being well etc etc.

Oooooh mines. Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! We're at the tail end of the process of buying a flat nearbye and I hate it. Ha ha. I'm not even joking. It's not my idea of where I want to live. There are reasons behind this - it 'makes sense' long term - but it is a bit depressing to buy somewhere you're not that keen on. So if you really love this place you should go for it.

Welcome Debbie!

Other than that we're all good. Apart from the fact that DD, after 6 months of being an angel, has started to be a bit rough again. I 'think' it's due to the nanny starting, she loves her, but it's obviously on her mind a lot. But good grief I could do without it. She's already kicked me in the nose, given DT1 a massive scratch, right by his eye...it's all a bit depressing/horribly familiar. I'm sure it'll calm down. She's so wonderful in every other way. And maybe it's good for her future that she's not a push over (grasping. at. straws)

Got to go, Jon Bon Jovi's on TV

Hiya everyone. Don't know if you remember me from the antenatal thread. Been MIA with my triplets and DS, life just gets in the way! The trips are 24weeks tomorrow , 18weeks corrected. Not sure where the time has gone really. Days are pretty good, feeding (still mainly bf) 4 hourly and napping in chairs/ on playmates by themselves. Nights are shocking, thought we were getting there with one of the girls sleeping 11-8 before Christmas, but a trip to DH's parents for Christmas and illnesses has put paid to that.
Thoughts are just turning to weaning and twelve directed me back to you guys to compare notes. I BLW DS1 and would ideally like to do the same, but fully prepared to concede defeat if they don't get the idea anytime soon.
Looking forward to catching up with all you news, promise not to disappear quite as long this time

Hi Baileys nice to hear from you again. I have wondered how you are all getting on. Your days (and nights) must be very very busy! Do you have any help at all? Hats off to you!

My cousin is 29 weeks pregnant with bbg triplets. Very exciting.

baileys - if you look at top of this pageant previous there was a really good discussion of weaning, especially relating to premature babies.

Also lovely to see you again!

Glad work is going so well, Red. I am sure your dd will settle in to the neq routine in no time. Does she go to pre school? I think she is very closw in age to my dd .... 3 in feb?

Hi baileys. I bet nights are bloody hard! you are amazing, I hope you know that! ! How is your ds finding his new siblings? Re weaning, my boys are nearly 9 months and would still not have the motor skills to feed themselves so blw was never an option for us, and to be honest I am quite happy just shovelling it in!

clare that all sounds rather crap and no wonder you feel low. Is getting some help in an option for you? I know none of us are geographically close so cant help in that way but I wondered (am I allowed to say this ???) if you were on fb? Contact that way is often more instant. Just a thought. I use it all the time especially as my local twin club has the most supportive fb page (which is a closed group and so private) ... I could add you (you can pretend you live where Ilive!).

that all sounds a bit rubbish help but there you go. Wish I could offer some practical help or actual contact. .. I think we could all do with support and a listening ear most weeks.

Off to have a shower. I used to have one every day. .. not now

You're all amazing! Out all day with 3 by yourself bigboobs is inspiring. I can do some playgroups (when I know friends who will help me are going) and friends houses and walks/local playground, briefly if i think at least one baby will sleep. That's it. I still have help every day though . I feel quite inadequate admitting that. Partly as my parents are divorced and both come up once a week to see their grandchildren and help, so obviously separate days, plus dh only works 4 days, then my dad pays for the nanny we had for 2 days. He or my mum will often take my DD somewhere so I just have the boys which is just lovely. It's the planning a day and managing the twins and toddler entirely different routines I find hard. Obviously not everyone comes every week, they are tired/ill / on holiday but I do have masses of help. I'd give it all up for night help though, or any form of sleep!! Plus if the babies would nap in the cots and not need rocking/ walking in the buggy. It is getting miles easier though, I do keep reminding myself that. My DD is 28 months now, and easier every month as she becomes more independent. She still needs more supervision than her peers though due to her poor coordination- she falls a lot and is very accident prone. She's so lovely though, she's so much fun now :)

Sorry you feel so low Claire, the relentlessness of twins and older dc and a house to run and no sleep is gruelling. It's like running a marathon, just keep plodding on. My DT1 keeps doing the Up from 3-5 or 6am and it makes me feel so drained and miserable. If its any help, I'm also on the dreaded fb... In fact, from another mn thread I'm on, they started a 'secret' level fb group, to share photos and for support/ contact. If anyone was interested we could do that? Or bigboobs group sounds lovely. I started a twins group here with two other twin mums and we have a fb group which is really good.

Thinking of you too garden .

Hello baileys, we remember you in awe . My dts are doing blw for one (spoon refuser) and combined for the other. Initially neither good enough coordination to feed themselves but were hungry.

Anyway, stirring babies, best be off...

Thanks dreaming. Lack of sleep is just awful, I hope it improves soon.

bigboobs having a shower here has become a luxury too. I am ashamed to admit my last shower was on Tuesday. But I fitted one in this morning AND washed my hair. Miracle.

Yep, daily shower a thing of the past here as well
Really struggling with lack of sleep here as well. I just feel like I am wading through treacle, and only getting the bare minimum done every day. DS watches far too much tele, so feel guilt about that, as well as not being able to spend enough time with the babies either.
Been thinking about getting some paid help, but not sure what I would get them to do. Do Iget a nanny or a mothers help? Worried I am too much of a control freak to let someone else do house stuff, so I will be paying them to sit and play with the triplets. Also DS is at an age where he wants me to do stuff, and will not engage with the Homestart help or student I currently have helping out.

Bailey's, its hard to let go a bit, but that's what I use my help for- to give me quality time with my children who will be so small and dependent for such a short time really. Or if i need to do jobs, to know they're not just bored silly and crying. My DD is just the same though- only mummy will do.

And yes to the wading through treacle. We still live on easy shove in the oven or ready meals, time just flies by...

bigbboobs -yeah it's DD's birthday next weekend! But she's not at pre school or anything. In fact, until our nanny started I've had all 3 at home all the bloody time!

I'm actually looking at nurseries/pre schools as one of my mates was shocked I hadn't even thought of it. Well, all the private ones are way beyond what we can afford even with the free 15hrs. So it'd be a school nursery. The closest one to us isCofE so we probably stand no chance as the last time I was in church was when I was a teenager...ugh I just find it all a bitdexpressing. Maybe I'm being pfb about it? Do you know anyone who doesn't send their child to nursery?

I'd be up for a closed fb group...

Yes yes to closed fb group.

I want to change my nickname on here. ... how do I do it? My boobs are so not big anymore, I feel a fraud.

red I dont know anyone that has not used the free preschool hours but I don't know that many people!

Hello, just a quick one before I try and get some sleep (...)

Thanks all for kind words, great idea fb group, count me in! Will give more detailed reply in next couple of days, but just wanted to say dh was home earlier today snd no work planned for weekend so feeling more cheerful (always on a friday) as I have two full days with my family

Hugs and good sleep vibes to everyone

Right. The way it was done on my other thread was someone started it, then you have to pm that person your rl name and how to find you- ie just what your profile pic is, and they friend you and add you. You can defriend after that if you prefer mn people to only access what you post in that group. Just wondering if i can do it from my phone or at all

Wearing out the stairs again tonight and after 3 horrendous nights back to back I can't summon the energy to try now But i will look tomorrow, unless anyone else is more advanced on fb?!

Happy for you to go ahead,dream and think up a good name for the group!

hi all, sorry for radio silence, things have been quite hard here the last couple of weeks and and i'm knackered!
sorry for lack of personals but just to say i'm totally up for the fb group and hopefully i'll have time to do a proper post over the next few days