Last Friday, Hubby and I went to Babies R Us to do our first baby registry! It was a lot of fun, but extremely overwhelming. We didn't know where to begin! We started out looking at car seats and strollers, but we really have no clue what we want in that department, so we just moved on to other more basic things. We agreed on a lot of things, and disagreed on some as well. Hubby is convinced we need a diaper genie, and I absolutely don't want one! I don't see the need to have another item cluttering the nursery when we can just take the diaper out to the garbage can in the garage. Plus, I think they are kind of disgusting. Besides that, I am still tossing around the idea of using cloth diapers at home, disposables for when we are out and about.
We also had different ideas about what we wanted for a baby monitor. Hubby wanted the Motorola one that you can use with a smart phone. He has a friend with twins and that is what they have. The friend showed Hubby how he could see what was going on at home, even when he wasn't there! It is really a great invention. However... I was wanting the Angel Care monitor that has the movement/breathing sensor that will sound an alarm if the baby stops breathing for 20 seconds or more.
Two and a half hours after we started, we were both done. We weren't finished registering, but we were tired and DONE for the day. Besides that, the store was closing in just a half hour. We left without registering for car seats, a stroller, a Pack and Play, and baby monitors.
If any of you Momma's out there have any advise to pass along in regard to these items, I would greatly appreciate any insight you can give us. We also need to register for more bottles, but don't know what kind(s) to get!
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On Saturday, we went to a birthday party for our two nieces on Hubby's side. They live about 2 hours away from us, so we made the trip with Hubby's parents and Grandpa. It was a fun day spent with family and the kids were a lot of fun, but that two hour drive seemed to turn into four on the way home! Isn't that the way it always goes?
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| Showing off their new raincoats from Auntie Amber and Uncle Tony |
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Sunday, my MIL came over to help me get started on marking stuff for our garage sale. We made a pretty good dent, but there was still a lot more to be done! I have worked on it some more throughout the week, but omgosh, we have a lot of junk to get rid of! I can't wait for the garage to be emptied out and we can start clearing out the bedrooms.
Today, my MIL, my mom, and a friend will be meeting me in just a few hours to get ready for this garage sale that will be starting tomorrow. We somehow have to find a way to get it all sorted and organized so we are ready in the morning. I am soooooo glad I have help.
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Yesterday, I had an OB appointment. Everything seems to be going great so far! We heard both of the heartbeats, and they seem to be measuring right on target for twins. I asked Dr. P about my weight gain. I told her about the doctor from my very first MFM appt. telling me I should only gain about 20-25 lbs during this pregnancy and how I didn't see how that was going to remotely be possible since I am already up 24 lbs! Dr. P was really confused as to why I would have been told that for a TWIN pregnancy and said it's more realistic to expect me to gain about 35 lbs or so.
She also convinced me that I should get a flu shot, so I got my first one ever yesterday. I can't stand getting shots, which is funny that I still have such an aversion after going through 4 different IVF/FET cycles in the past two years. The one time Hubby got a flu shot, he was more sick that year than he ever has been, so we both have just never really put a lot of stock into getting it. Dr. P explained that during pregnancy, it's just extra important to avoid the flu, and because I have twins, we are already considered high risk. And because I work in a gym with the public.... She then told me I could get a sticker if I got the shot. So...I went home with a star sticker on my shirt. lol And really, I must admit, it wasn't that bad. I don't know why I'm such a big baby about shots.
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Lastly, I am going to leave you with my 21 week belly shot, taken this last weekend. There is no hiding my baby belly anymore!
Love the belly! Hi twinsies!
ReplyDeleteAs for registration suggestions, I have to side with your hubby on the diaper genie! They really keep the smell contained! We have both in our house (a genie and just a trash can) and the cans really stink, but the genie doesn't at all.
The only other major recommendation I have is for Platex Nurser Drop In Bottles. They are the kind with the disposable plastic inserts. I love them for several reasons: No daily washing of bottles, just nipples. Good for colic, which my kids had terribly. They are also said to be great in case you're breast and bottle feeding. I find it very easy to make up bottles of water in these and just add powdered formula later. They are a little tough to figure how many ounces you have in them, so I pour water into a separate measuring container (a freebie bottle that came with our formula) and pour it into the liner.
Hope that helps!
Well, the trash can would be outside, so I'm not really concerned about the smell remaining in the house, but Hubby will be glad to know someone is on his side.
DeleteMy sister uses the Platex drop in's for all her babies. I was hoping to avoid having to buy the drop in's and maybe saving some money there, but you make some very valid points of why we should maybe go that route.
Oh geez, and now I see I already responded to you previously Melissa! I think maybe I'm going crazy :/
DeleteThank you for your feedback! On the diaper genie, the trash can wouldn't be in the house, so I'm not worried about the smell. I've heard both sides with people for and some against. My sister uses the platex drop ins too. I looked for some yesterday, but they didn't look at all like the ones she has, so I again just left confused as always. There is just so much to decide from!! Ahhh! I really appreciate your information. It definitely helps to hear from others.
ReplyDeleteLove that belly!
ReplyDeleteThe girls are just too cute in their jackets!! You are a super busy woman with no end in site! lol That's a great photo of you, just precious :)
ReplyDeleteI love your picture!
ReplyDeleteThe only suggestion I have is, I've heard a lot of moms rave about the Snuza (http://www.amazon.com/Snuza-ILSHER-Baby-Monitor-Hero/dp/B008OJ7C6Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380833706&sr=8-1&keywords=snuza). It's a movement monitor that attaches to the baby's diaper and sounds when the baby doesn't move/breath for 20 seconds. It sounds similar to the Angel Care monitor, but more portable. Maybe you could do the Motorola and Snuza monitors so you both feel comfortable?
I think I am now leaning toward that way, getting the Snuza and the Motorola. The only problem is the Motorola one costs so dang much money!
DeleteI second the Snuza. They are portable and really easy to use. I've heard the angel care monitors can pick up environmental movements as well as baby movements like a ceiling fan. We have the Snuza's and love them. I found them on Craigslist cheap. We also got a video monitor made by Motorola. It doesn't go on the Internet though.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the carseats go we go the Britax once since they are highly rated for safety. So far so good.
You look great, love the belly!! Good luck making decisions.
Liz, thank you for your input! I think that we will get the Snuza and Motorola. At least that's what I think right now....
DeleteI still haven't done hardly any research into the stroller/car seat thing yet. I'm afraid I'm going to run out of time!
Oh my god I just realized there are decisions to make after getting pregnant! I need a monitor!? A car seat?!? Oh lord! Good thing I have 35 weeks to go!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yep. And those 35 (now 34!) weeks are going to go by so fast!!!! I can't believe I'm almost 23 weeks already. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!
DeleteNo advice on the stuff needed, but your belly is so dang cute!
ReplyDeleteRegistering is crazy isn't it?! I have a lot added, but I still am a little lost on other things. We registered for a Britax car seat/ stroller combo. It's one of the only joggers that I could handle on my own folded up (hoisting up into the car, etc) Glad your sale is tomorrow! I hope you can get rid of lots of stuff to make room for the best stuff....baby stuff :) Love the belly shot! Hi babies!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of Britax, so I'm going to have to look into that now that there are a few of you that have suggested it!
DeleteI get so excited when there is another post from you so quickly. Keeps me in the loop so far away. The girls look beautiful in their raincoats. We've already done some gift registry shopping!! Fun, fun!!!! Sounds like you might be adding to your list.
ReplyDelete"In the old days" I used cloth and just used the disposables when they first came home from the hospital, sick or on vacation. I still prefer the cloth and just didn't think it was a big chore. Good luck making all of your choices and know that you will get a lot of input and hoping that it helps, not add to the confusion!!!
Wish I could be there again helping with the garage sale and everything. I will be thinking of you!
Love you!!!
I just read the other blogs. First, I second the Platex bottles, used them myself too and loved the ease of them. Second, LOVE Kimberly's response!!! You all will survive this and so will your little ones!!! You ladies just make me smile!!!! Bless you all!! Auntie
DeleteI would read the reviews of the Angel Care monitor and others like it- I thought about getting it but it sounds like it goes off all the time over nothing. That would freak me out.
ReplyDeleteWe registered for a Peg Perego car seat as our next door neighbor gave us a PP stroller (woo hoo!). We also registered for the basic Pack n Play because we were advised that when breaking it down/setting it up you won't want to lug all of the extra stuff. We will be using the PNP as our bassinet in our room before moving the baby to their crib.
I am thinking maybe using a Pack n Play for the "bassinet" as well.
DeleteI LOVE my angel care monitor. It has always functioned properly. The only time we have gotten a false alarm is when Squinch balls up in the corner of his crib. If almost never happens. Since Cuppycake is in the bassinet right now we just got her the Snuza. Love it!
ReplyDeleteAs far as bottles go, both of my babies have fared best with Dr Browns.
I would also suggest starting an amazon.com registry. You can start a universal registry. Since you are having twins I would recommend registering for the Buggy Bench.
For car seats we have the Chicco Keyfit 30. I love it. I don't know that the Chicco double stroller is the best though. I've seen better.
I highly recommend the fisher price cruisin motion car. It simulates a real car. My kids LOVE it.
Thank you thank you thank you for the recommendations!
DeleteWe got a convertible car seat for my car because I don't want to do the whole infant carrier thing, but that's just my two cents. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your belly!! I can imagine it being really overwhelming shopping for twins!
ReplyDeleteI've nominated you for the Sunshine award! If you're interested, stop by http://askaninfertile.blogspot.com/2013/10/sunshine-award.html for details! :)
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thank you so much for the nomination! I will have to get on that post very, very soon!
DeleteYay for everything looking great, and for starting the registry! It sounds totally overwhelming! With our current situation we'll wait a bit longer (also, I just couldn't do 2.5h in Babies R Us right now) but there are so many options, it's good to start discussing them. Would love some more details about your cloth diaper thoughts - I'm thinking about using them at home, too, but H is totally against it, though I think he hasn't seen any in 30 years, so I'm hoping I can change his mind.
ReplyDeleteAw, I can't wait to be able to start a registry! It sounds so tiring but so exciting at the same time!! Happy 21 (well now almost 22) weeks!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Registering is a big milestone. Congrats! Your nieces are darling.
ReplyDeleteHi Amber, I stumbled across your blog some time ago and have been keeping up with your posts. First off, congrats on your pregnancy. You look amazing and I'm so excited for you and your hubby.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I wanted to let you know that we bought the AngelCare monitor with both the video and movement sensors when our son was born a couple years ago. It is the best thing ever!!!! No complaints whatsoever. The motion sensor brought so much peace of mind in those early days and we still use the video part of it today and our son turned two in June. My husband and I always say it was the best baby purchase we ever made, hands down!!
Anyways, just wanted to share. Good luck with your registry!!
You look awesome! Such a cute bump!
ReplyDeleteOkay. We love, love, love our diaper genie. When you are up at 3 am in the morning, it sure is nice to be able to shove that stinky diaper into the genie and be done with it until morning. Just saying.
We have an Angel Care monitor for Jack. He is 2.5 and I still use it. (NICU trauma dies hard, I tell you.) It rarely goes off unless he is in a weird position at the edge of his crib. You can buy two sensors to prevent that problem if you don't want to have to worry about a false alarm. That being said, I think we got a true alarm once. It was so much better for my anxiety to know that it was there just in case of the unthinkable.
We had two swings and two bouncers, but if space is limited, you could go with one of each and then switch them or just buy the second of whichever after they arrive if they both prefer one over the other. The bouncers were my favorite--the vibration saved my sanity in the early days.
We used the Avent bottles. I would maybe hold off on the big purchase of bottles until you test them on the babies. Start with a few of a certain brand and buy more if they like them. It would suck to have a bunch of bottles that the babies don't really like. (Same with pacifiers if you're going to use those.) There's something about kids not always doing what we want them to do. Kids these days! ;-)
We have a video monitor that is separate from the Angel Care. I love that thing. We used it for the boys for a long time before Jack took it over. Once you get past the baby stage, it lets you watch them play (or fight) without having to be right there. So nice!
We never did PNPs. They went straight to the crib. (My house is not too terribly large.) The twins shared when they were first home. It worked for us.
Holler if you have any questions. :)
I should add that if you put them in cribs and use the Angel Care monitor, you'd need to have them in different cribs and a monitor for each. Otherwise, you'd never know if one wasn't breathing if the other was. KWIM?
DeleteStacie, thank you so much for all your recommendations!!!!!
DeleteWe have the Angel care monitor. I can't give you a review of it yet since they aren't sleeping in their cribs yet and we haven't been able to use it. We are using the Rock and Play sleepers as bassinets and since they have a slight incline we can't use the monitor in them. Unfortunately, this involves a lot of random waking up by both me and my husband to see that they are still breathing. The nice thing is the sleepers have vibration so we haven't had to get a bouncer yet. We will eventually get a swing and a bouncer and just let them take turns. We don't have the room for 2 of everything.
ReplyDeleteWe also have the diaper genie and it really does work. I would only recommend it to you because when you are changing as many diapers as you will be with twins, you won't want to run to the garage to throw them out each time - especially in the middle of the night. That's if you don't go with cloth.
We got the chicco key fit car seats and they are great. Really easy to get out of the car (at least according to my husband since I still can't lift anything heavy). We also got the City Select baby jogger double stroller. We really like it so far. Other than that, I haven't had enough time to use all the baby gear to know what works and what doesn't.
I've really been thinking about the Rock and Play sleepers. I just wasn't sure if the babies should be sleeping together in something a little bigger or if it was okay to have them in two separate Rock and Plays. Thanks for your suggestions! I really appreciate them :)
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