Showing posts with label Twinsie Tuesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Twinsie Tuesday. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Twinsie Tuesday: Top 5 Favorite Books for Toddlers!

I took the twins top 5 favorite books, as of right now, and I thought I share them with you.  I enjoy reading with all our kids.  Reading inspires the imagination and personally I could spend hours in a book store or library.  With the boys we usually read the same stuff over and over again.  Any home with young children knows about that!  So here's the twins' top 5 favorites...

1. Big Chickens by Leslie Helakoski
This book is hilarious!  It tells the story of four big chickens who are afraid of everything and how they overcome those fears.  We laugh and laugh and the boys can say from memory now "Ooh me two, me three, me four"  Great pictures in too!

2.  And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss
This is Liam's favorite! This is an old favorite of mine too!  I'm sure most people are familiar with this one.  A little boy wants to have something interesting to tell his dad about his walk home from school.  So he lets his imagination run wild!  It's full of all kinds of fun and a true Dr. Seuss story!

3.  Little One, God Made You by Amy Warren Hilliker
We've had this book since our 8 year old was little.  I've read this book to all our boys and love it!  The pictures are so sweet and it's a great read for little kids.  It's so basic and easy but full of truth that God made them to love them!

4.  Silly Little Goose! by Nancy Tafuri
A creative book about a little mother goose who is trying to find a perfect place to start her family.  She keeps trying to settle into other farm animals spots until she finds the right place for her.  The boys will make all the sounds of the animals as we read and the book has colorful pictures.

5.  First book of letters published by Parragon Publishing
This book is your basic letters book.  It has pictures of everyday things coordinating with the letters.  It's colorful and easy to turn because it's a board book.  We actually have a lot of these types of books some on shapes and colors and others on numbers.  The twins carry them around with them and will just look them over cover to cover.  It's easy for them to read themselves because it's basically a picture book.  I picked up a whole bunch at a sale that a retired teacher was having.

I know most of these aren't classic children's reading.  We have lots more to pick from but these have been are go to books lately.  My favorite thing is that they enjoy them!  I used to think we should only read the classics or the award winning teacher approved books, until we started teaching my oldest how to read.  I wanted him to WANT to read.  And he very rarely picked out the books I wanted him to. Finally, I just decided as long as he's reading and liking to read, I'd just let him choose.   And I still share with them my favorites from time to time.

What are some of your kids favorite reads these days?   Has your family been reading any of the books on our list?  Any books they carry around with them?  I would love to hear it!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Twinsie Tuesday: 3 Awesome Things about Raising Twins




1.) They can entertain themselves
Whether it's rolling the trains through the living room, scooting their tricycles around the kitchen, or just running around together in the backyard our twin boys almost always have a playmate in each other.  I say almost always because they do get irritated with one another, but it's over pretty quickly.  Sometimes it's not even that they are playing the same things as much as someone is playing beside them that helps.  I'm sure there's comfort in that feeling.  There are people who have said to me they think the twins must be separate in some things and they do have their time a part, but I think I there's something very special in being born with a friend by your side.  

2.) They teach each other
With our boys, when one learns something the other brother will pick it up pretty quickly.  Sometimes faster because they watched the other learn it.  It's really cool to watch them teach each other.  We saw this when the little boys were learning to walk.  We had one child that had no interest in walking, mainly because he could speed crawl everywhere he went, and we had another child who spent a couple months trying to walk.  So when the little one who had been practicing to walk for so long finally started walking, our speed crawler was up and it by the next week.  As they got older they would teach other to climb cabinets, open the fridge, and all the other FUN things I never even thought about with our oldest singleton.  WE learned to baby proof quick!

3.) They get to learn to share, really early
A very true statement.  With twins learning to share happens immediately.  Starting with us as parents. A singleton baby, even if they're born into a family with older siblings, usually has mom exclusively to themselves.  It's not like that with multiples.  I dealt with a little guilt at first, especially when they were tiny.  As infants, I would find ways to get that one on one time and still do.  They learn quickly to take turns and there's some benefit to that.  It doesn't mean they are perfect at sharing, it just means they're a little more adjusted to it earlier than most kids.



Every age with the twins has been fun and full of new adventures and challenges, but we wouldnt' trade it for anything!  It's not easy, but parenting in itself isn't easy.  It is rewarding though. What's some of your favorite things about raising twins?

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Twinsie Tuesday: One on One Time

The other night I was laying the twins down for bed.  They each have their own beds, but share a room.  This night was like any normal night.  I had spent almost 30 minutes reading books, singing bedtime songs, tucking everyone in, and kissing little faces.  As I was tucking Levi in I noticed that he was scowling at me.  For anyone who knows Levi he doesn't hide his emotions very well, in fact you can read his face like billboard!  Sitting back down on his bed, even though all I really wanted to do was tuck myself in, I asked him "What's wrong?"  Looking at me with his big blue eyes he held his arms out.  So I reached for him, pulled him close and hugged him ONE more time.  He held tight and then a thought came to me...had I held him today, really held him?  I hadn't.  I had kissed and hugged.  I had lugged him around.  I had fed him, bathed him, and all the things moms do, but I hadn't taken time to hold him.  I propped him in my lap and rocked him.  We sang a few more bedtime songs and we cuddled for a while longer.  It was nice to slow down and be intentional about it.

Often times, I am doing the "mom stuff" and haven't taken the time to just be with them seperately.  I ususally feel pulled in many directions in my life and when we're home just trying to get ahead on the laundry and keep the house clean feels daunting some days.  The other thing I find with the little boys is I do less one on one with them than with their older singleton sibling.  It's not that it's my desire, but mainly because wherever we go and whatever we're doing I find we do it together.  Sometimes for convenience, sometimes out of my desire to keep things "fair", and sometimes out of habit.  

The fairness thing really gets to me at times.  I try to do for one what I do for the other.  This is probably not unusual for any parent with more than child, but I think it can amplified with multiples.  The boys have never expressed a concern for me being fair, it's mainly my own hang up.  When I start to think like this I remind myself that they are individuals with different needs sometimes.  While I was rocking Levi that night, Liam was content playing with his little trains on his pillow.  He didn't give it  a second thought.  When they were infants we kept them on a schedule and it worked very well for all of us.  It kept me sane and helped the whole family.    So I'm in a habit of just doing things with them together.  As they've gotten older this habit has carried on and I think that breaking the norm is going to be good for them and us.  

So how to do I go about it.  Making one on one time with each little one doesn't have to be hard.  I don't have to take them out each time or make big plans to make it meaningful.  My plan is to make tweaks to our daily lives.  Yes, we can do the occasional one on one trip to the park or the play area at Chick Filet, but these things are more special than simple every day tweaks.  My idea is this, to get our one on one time in  by simply changing a few of our daily routines.  Like giving them baths separately or letting them stay up a little longer while the others go on to bed.  Having Jo watch a movie with one little guy in the living room while I read or play with our other little guy in another room.  I think I'll have to be a little creative sometimes, but I'm looking forward to it.  I enjoy seeing our children's different personalities and with as fast as their growing lately I don't want to miss it.  The laundry will always be there, the dishes keep on coming, but time with these precious kids sneaks by too fast!  

I would love for you to share what you do to get your one on one time with your kiddos.  Have you had to get creative?  What's your favorite thing about it?  Let me know and leave a comment!  

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Twinsie Tuesday: 5 Ways to Make it Easier to Ask for Help

All mothers, especially multiples moms, need help sometimes.  Whether it's so you can grocery shop alone or getting some quiet time to yourself you're going to need some help every now and then.   But for some of us it's hard to ask for help.  Maybe it's a control issue in thinking no one can do it as good as you could.  Maybe it's a pride thing in thinking other's shouldn't have to reach in and help you with your stuff or you don't want a sitter in the house because the mess they'd find might scare them away!  Whatever it might be the fact still remains a little help couldn't hurt.  In fact, it will probably help!

A little confession...my hang up is mixture of a few things.  I hesitate to ask for help because I hate pulling on others to do things for me and I feel guilty for asking...probably a pride thing I know.  I'm working on it and getting better every day.  But for real, sometimes I'd rather take all my kids to the grocery store or shop late at night when J gets home than ask someone to watch my kiddos.  So in an attempt to overcome my hesitation to ask for help I thought of few things that have helped me in the past.  Here are 5 things that have helped make it easier when I'm asking for help...

1.  Plan ahead.  Most people don't like being caught off guard.  So do your best to give as much notice as possible when your needing help with a sitter or things like that.  Also, planning ahead gives you chance to get things like your house and grocery or errand lists in order.  This way you don't feel bad about the house and you utilize your time when you're out getting stuff done.

2. Just ask.  All they can do is say no.  You can always find someone else to help or another day to get it done.  One thing I struggle with is when people say no.  Don't over think their reason for declining.  Just move on and it'll work out.

3. Be willing to pay.  I know not everyone can pay for the extra help we all need sometimes, but with a little planning and budget tweaking most people can.  There is usually no shortage of teenage girls willing to babysit.  But if you're new in town check with the local churches or mom's groups.  Also, there are sites that you can use to help you find a good sitter in your area, check out Care.com or Sittercity.com.  Both sites have people who have had background checks and it can be a good resource.

4.  Be willing to help others.  The old saying "You reap what you sow" is very true.  If you are always turning other moms down when they need help, you may find a lot resistance when you need help.  Good news is all it takes is you helping others for them to want to help you back.

5. Be consistent.  What do I mean by that?  Well try to set it up where you get out once a or twice a month.  Date nights, grocery trips, or just coffee alone.  I have found when I slack at getting out it makes it harder for me to ask.  I guess I let myself slump back to thinking those "I got this!" thoughts.  Plus, it gives you something to look forward to and helps you be a better parent when you get some time away.  Even it is just grocery shopping.

One more thing, don't let someone make you feel guilty for asking, including yourself.  I have this one mom who is a God send when it comes to the help area.  I trust her as much as I trust family.  She has never made me feel guilty for asking for help, but I have tendency to make myself feel guilty.  Me not her.   I say this...Only you can allow yourself to feel guilty whether or not a person does it on purpose is irrelevant...it's a choice.  Just like happiness and joy are choices. You know what I mean?
No of us are going to get right all the time.  Sometimes we can't plan ahead when things pop up and sometimes it won't be in the budget.  But be flexible and forgiving in all situations.  Let yourself off the hook and start planning a day to get out of the house, alone.  It's ok to ask for help.   And if you have more ideas in this area let me know.  I would love to hear what other parents do to get some help.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Twinsie Tuesday: Two at Play

I think one of my favorite aspects of being a mother of twins is getting to watch them interact with each other.  I love watching them chat together, take up for one another, or helping each other out.  Really, watching any of our boys get along and walk in love with each other brings tremendous joy!  So when I was washing dishes one afternoon and the twins began a friendly game of roll the pizza roller on the kitchen floor I had to document such a moment. They were sharing and taking turns! 
 Sharing.  Taking turns. It's a big deal!  One would receive the rolling pin, giggle, and then roll it back.  I even attempted to get them to pose together...



and apparently that was too tall of an order!  They are much too busy to stand still let alone at the same time!  All of this playing together lasted maybe 5 minutes then they moved on to something else. And even though  a small disagreement ensued not long after I'm thankful these moments are happening more and more and lasting a little longer each time.   One of our prayers is that all of our boys grow up to be lifelong friends with each other and it's always nice to catch a glimpse of it!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Twinsie Tuesday: Bath Time Stories


Living with a house full of boys is not a clean job. Tru is pretty self sufficient when it comes to bathing. It is a job when it comes to bathing two messy toddlers. Bath time when the twins were infants took a lot of preparation and time. We bathed them separately. If J was home, he would take the clean baby and do the drying job while I took the next baby and bathed them. If it was just me at home, I would pull the bouncy seats in with me. So while one baby was sitting in his seat I would bathe the other, then drying and dressing that baby in the bathroom, and putting him back in his bouncy. Then start the process all over again while the first baby would watch safely from his bouncy seat. It wasn't a fast ordeal, but it worked. I never felt comfortable with two infants in the bath tub at the same time, even with the the bath seats.

Now that they are a little older, 19 months last week, they take their baths together. I still have to be prepared. Probably now more than before. I collect the supplies. Towel, wash cloth, diapers, lotions, and pajamas. I gather up the twins, herding is a more accurate word for it. Closing the door behind me because one always manages to make a run for it while I'm helping his brother. Once both boys are in the tub I let them play for a couple of minutes before we start washing. They each get a cup to play with, who needs expensive bath toys, right. They have started rinsing themselves off, each other, and sometimes even me. Very rarely do I make it out of a bath time with dry clothes and recently I had a cup of water dumped on my head while washing their hair. I guess he thought he'd help me multitask. The floor is almost always a little wet too. I don't let bath time run too long, I then scrub them down, and once it's over I pull the plug and pull one boy out at a time. Drying and dressing him quickly next to the tub while the other little boy splashes and plays. It's not always an easy task bathing two wiggling toddlers at the same time, but it has been the most efficient.

We do a little double duty during bath time too. I brush their teeth before we bathe them. They both love this because when I finish brushing their teeth they get to practice on their own. They will actually ask to brush their teeth...I'm going to ride that wave as long as possible! It's the perfect time because they are sitting still and we get in their night time teeth brushing out of the way. Bath time can feel like a drudgery. So I try to mix it up with bubbles and bring out the toys when they just wont be still. Then there are those days where I have just sat them both in the tub and rinsed them off just to be finished with it. But my favorite thing about bath time is the time I get with them separately while drying and dressing. Ever since they were infants, I took this time to talk to them and cuddle them one on one. They still have the clean baby smell after bath time,too. It's usually the craziest and loudest right before and during baths. But bath time is also a signal for them and the rest of us that the day is winding down. I had read when Tru was little how important a bedtime routine is, so we always used a bath as the beginning of that routine. By the end of bathing the boys and getting them ready for bed I welcome the bedtime routine. It means a bedtime story, prayers, and hugs. One of the best parts of our day!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Twinsie Tuesday--Year ago Today

It's been a little while since my last Twinsie Tuesday post. It's about time, right? What better way to restart Twinsie Tuesdays than reflecting on how far we've come in a year.



A year ago today I would not have been up at 10 o'clock at night blogging. This was the time of night that I would have stumbled into out room, after feeding the boys what would hopefully be their last bottle for the night, and proceed to pass out from complete sleep exhaustion. They would usually nurse/feed at least two more times in the nights. Thankfully, their was light at the end of the sleep deprivation tunnel. The boys started sleeping through the night at about 3 months old...which was usually from 9 to 6 or so. Oh the joys of sleep! What a blessing.

A year ago today, I was just starting to develop a routine. The twins were on schedule and life was beginning to have some normalcy to it. We had it down to a science change, feed, change, nap, change, feed, nap, change...I think you get the picture. And in between the changing, feeding, and napping(there was no napping for me)I was also homeschooling and tending to a five year old...good times. These days we are still on a good schedule. The twins are 15 months old and we are able to deviate from the schedule from time to time. They are walking, talking, and so much fun to be with. They keep us busy from the time their little feet hit the floor. Tru's in first grade now and we're still happily homeschooling.

I'm so thankful for how far we've come since those sleepless nights the first few months. I remember nursing the boys in the first month at 2:30 in the morning thinking that the sleepless nights were only temporary and the time, however slow it felt then, would go by all too quickly. Thinking that way encouraged me, not that there weren't nights that I was nursing and crying at the same time. Chalk that up to the sleep deprivation and post pregnancy hormones. It's only by the grace of God and a very supportive husband that things went so smoothly. And today we are reaping the benefits of the work we put in the first year in our beautiful twin boys. What a difference a year makes!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Twinsie Tuesday--Night & Day

So as the twins approach their first birthday there have been so many new happenings in our house. First I've witnessed the first signs of brother struggles over toys. What's so funny is Liam just lets Levi have whatever it is that he wants at the time. Whereas Levi will follow Liam until he get's his toy back. As twins they are getting the opportunity to learn early on to share. Good times!

They are definitely coming into their own personalities. Liam is pretty laid back and he's got a sense of humor. Now I know what some might say "How can a baby have a sense of humor?" I don't know how to explain it really...he just laughs easily and often. Only time will tell I suppose. Also, Liam is our adventurer he loves to explore. Levi is our social bug. He loves to be talked to and lights up when he's around people. Lately, he will wave to get someone's attention and he's been saying "hi" to people we pass in the market. Levi is very expressive and there's no mistaking what kind of mood that boy is in. Lately, Levi has been standing on his own. J has been working with him to walk, but I think when he's ready he'll just do it. Liam on the other hand seems content to crawl and he's good at it. He speed crawls...I've never seen a baby get around as fast as he does. Once he does start to walk I imagine he'll be fast.

The two are like night and day. From their personalities to their physical appearance they are so different. I see how creative God is when I look at these sweet boys and my heart is full of gratitude to have the awesome privilege to be their mommy!



Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Twinsie Tuesday--Switching Seats

We switched the boys seats this week. Their little legs had grown to the very limit of their infant seats. The infant seats are nice in that you can carry your sweet bundles into wherever you may need to go without ever actually taking them out of their seats. However, the weight of two almost 20lb boys in carriers on each arm gets old. So we made the switch. Of course they're still facing backwards and I double checked everything to be sure they're in properly. With Truitt we actually went to the police department and had them show us how to put his seat in. We've been out and about this week without any problems. But I've made sure to always have our double stroller with us. My arms would be very full otherwise. A double stroller is definitely a must have for a family with twins.
It is a little bitter sweet though. Switching their seats is just a small reminder that they're growing up. They came home in those infant seats. I remember putting them in for the first time at the hospital and tucking receiving blankets because they were so small. It seems like a dream sometimes, especially with their first birthday quickly approaching! Oh my...how blessed we are to have these boys in our lives!

Liam all tucked in on his way home from the hospital...
and a very displeased Levi getting ready to leave for the first time. They were sooo little.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Twinsie Tuesday--Say What?



So you're minding your own business, while pushing a cart full of groceries and babies, when all of sudden you're stopped by a total stranger.
"Twins?" they ask curiously.
"Yes..." you smile politely and wait...

This waiting after the polite smile and nod can be followed by an array of statements and/or questions and can put you in what I like to call a "Say What?" moment. Ranging from inquisitive to just plain weird these moments are common when taking your twins out in public.
I once had a lady argue with me in a check out lane about whether the twins were actually twins! Levi is a little bigger than Liam and they are fraternal, not identical, and with that can bring two completely different looking kids. Most people expect twins to look the same. Then there are the people who will say things like "Oh my you poor thing." or "Double trouble, huh?" and my favorite "Better you than me!" I had a person when seeing I had 3 boys and no girls say right in front of my boys "But didn't you want a girl?" She didn't mean it to be rude and I just replied with a smile "We have so much fun with all these boys and we couldn't imagine it any different."

I have read about other parents of multiples and the remarks they receive. Sometimes it's a little comical. Like asking if boy/girl twins are identical...really identical. Then there are questions that are, I think, no ones business but still get asked by total strangers. Like whether or not your twins were conceived naturally or with medical help. Most people might wonder about it, but usually will not ask. In these situations I always try to be polite, answer questions if you want to, and if I'm trying to get "In & Out" of somewhere I just don't make eye contact. Eye contact is like a tractor beam, it will pull you in and then you're compelled to stop. It's really a little funny when I think about it.

Thankfully there are more polite interactions than weird ones. It makes taking the twins out easier when people are polite and not negative about having twins. I do believe most people, even when making the not so positive remarks, mean well. I would love to hear about other parents "Say What?" moments, so please feel free to leave a comment.

Image above from:
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Image: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Twinsie Tuesday--Don't Be a Shut In!


Photo Credit
There are a few things I do to make these days outside of the house easier. First, be prepared. Pack your diaper bag with the essentials, even if you are taking a drive around town, you always need diapers, wipes, and food i.e. bottles,formula,snacks. Second, I always try to work an outing around their schedule. So I go out after they've had their bottle, baby food, and a change. Then I have happy full babies with clean pampers and fresh clothes. Third, call a friend. It's always good to have an extra hand and someone to chat with, but if no one is free, don't let being by yourself stop you. If you're a new mom take it one step at a time and don't overwhelm yourself. By that I mean don't attempt to do too much if you're not comfortable. Start small...a stroll, a drive, and trip to the grocery store. Whatever you do don't let yourself feel cut off.

That's right...it is humanly possible to leave the house with your twins. It's not always easy. It's not always fun. But actually getting yourself out the house and going somewhere will help with your sanity. Even if you go for a stroll around the neighborhood or a drive around town the fresh air and the reminder that there is life outside your twin enclosure...it is good for you and your family!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Twinsie Tuesday-- Preparing for your Multiples

This Twinsie Tuesday I want to talk about 5 things to do before your twins hit the scene. There are few things I found through experience that helped make our life with our little ones much easier.

~Our fraternal twin boys about a month old. Levi on the left & Liam on the right.~

1.)Stock up on the Diapers
My twins combined go through 14-20 diapers a day, but during the first 3 months it was more like 16-22 combined daily. Especially while I was nursing them. One thing I wish I would have done more was buy different size diapers and wipes every time I made a trip to the store. Even once a week or every payday would have helped. When people would ask what we needed I would always say diapers. Also, along with a baby shower we were blessed with a diaper/wipes shower around the time the twins were a couple months old. The diapers we received lasted us almost 4 months! You can never have too many diapers.

2.)A little Formula doesn't Hurt
Ok let me start out by saying I completely agree with the breast is best campaign. Nothing is better for your twins than mommy's milk. I was determined to breastfeed. I even pumped the week after they were born during a quick trip to the ER due to complications with my c-section incision. It took alot of patience and a couple trips to the lactation consultant, but we were getting the hang of it. The main issue was that Levi took almost a month to get back up to his birth weight. He was not gaining the weight fast enough for our pediatrician at the time(we use someone different now)and after multiple VERY stressful visits to her office I gave in and began supplementing with formula. I was working on about 3-4 hours of sleep a night. Add the pressure from our pediatrician, along with few other factors I ended up switching to full time formula by about 2 months. I wouldn't change anything because our boys are healthy and happy,but looking back I wish I would've tried a little longer. I would suggest even if you aren't going to use formula to have a couple cans on hand for emergencies. Now if you know you're going to use formula right off and you don't qualify for any government assistance, we pay ALL out of pocket, I would stock up while you're pregnant. Formula, just like diapers, is not cheap and multiples go through it quickly. In the beginning we were buying about 3 regular sized cans of the store brand formula a week. That's about $50-60 a week just on formula.

3.)Rest
I'm sure everyone has told expecting parents to rest before your little one arrives, but with multiples you had better do it. Rest as much as possible. Don't feel guilty, because once your bundles of joy arrive sleep is virtually non-existent the first few months. I am blessed because my boys began sleeping through the night,10:30 pm to about 5:30 am, at about 31/2 months. We were putting our faith out there and speaking over them before they came out that they would be good sleepers...praise the Lord for good sleepers! I did have opportunities to feel guilty though, because I was home with Tru and he still needed my attention. So when I wasn't able to nap,which was more times than not, Tru & I would play Lego's on the couch or color or snuggle up with a good book together all the while giving my body the rest it needed to grow our two healthy boys. Sometimes we have to be creative while meeting our needs and our families' needs. Once your babies do arrive rest when they rest. Don't worry about the house. Setup something for your older children to do and rest. This is something I should've done more often.

4.)Plan for a full Pantry
So the months before your double bundle arrive work on stocking your pantry with healthy snacks and staples to help you stay nourished toward the end of your pregnancy and the arrival of your precious ones. I made sure that Tru had snacks that were healthy and easily accessible in the pantry and fridge so he could serve himself before and after the twins came. There were days at the end of our pregnancy that I found it literally difficult to get off the couch. Also, after your babies come and you're in the feed,burp,change,sleep mode you will want things that will be easy to get to for you and your family. There were days in the first couple months after the twins came that I would barely have time to eat before the next feeding so a granola bar, a package of nuts, or string cheese was helpful to keep my energy up.

5.)Schedule Help
Help is something you will most likely need, but may not always feel like you want at first. It was hard for me to ask for help from people other than J. It was easier to take help from my immediate family, like my mom and dad. My parents came a couple weeks before the boys were born and did my grocery shopping and cooked some meals for the weeks to come. It was great! But when it came from others I had a difficult time with, it was my own fault. Nevertheless, take help in any way you can. Most people want to help especially when the little ones first come home. So when someone asks to help...tell them what you need. There are plenty of things that people can do...cook a meal for your family, take your older children to the park, or fold some laundry. For me it was a matter of how comfortable I was with the helper. J's parents brought their RV and stayed a month. They were very patient with me because I didn't always feel comfortable with them doing things for us. I had to take the help for my family's sake. In the end they did some laundy and mostly cooked for us and would take Tru for the night freeing our hands a little more during the day to bond with the babies, while still making Tru feel loved and secure. It blessed us tremendously!
If you have any other ideas that worked for your family while preparing for a little one or questions please leave a comment. Have an awesome day!

*Also, an UPDATE from yesterdays post*
~Tru lost his first tooth last night! Can't stop it our little boy is growing up!