Top 5 Things Every Parent of Multiples Needs

Multiples and More is conducting a poll about what parents of multiples most need.

These were my favorite gifts from our twin shower:

1. Diapers, diapers, and more diapers. We received so many diapers at our twins' shower that they filled up the crib to overflowing, and the entire space beneath the crib as well. People gave us size newborn up to size 2. We didn't have to buy a single diaper for at least 6 months. Throw in a few packages of wipes and a few tubes of diaper cream as well.

2. A baby backpack and front carrier. From the time they could hold their heads steady, whenever I went out solo I wore one on my back and one on my front. I would set up the backpack (with kickstand out) on a tabletop (or counter, or back floor of the van or suburban). I'd put the front baby on, then put the second baby in the backpack and put her on as well. They were both happy and both my hands were free.

3. Two bouncer seats. Indispensible. You have to be able to put them down SOMEWHERE, especially once they're big enough to want to see what's going on.

4. Adorable onesies that said, "I was here first" and "No, I was here first." In fact, I appreciated all the matching outfits that we received.

5. Crib sheets. You thought you had enough. You were wrong. My twins also loved the visually stimulating musical mobile I put over their crib (once they noticed it was there).

How to Tell When Your Baby is Ready for Solids

Theresa at 5 months

Memory Lane Monday

Today's memory is from 2003, when Conor turned 5. I'd been making special birthday cakes for several years at that point, so naturally I asked Conor how he wanted me to decorate his birthday cake. His response? He decided he wanted a "Darth Vader/Motorcycle Dude/Rock Star/Teenager With Spiky Hair" cake.

Tall order, but after much consideration, I pulled it off.



Here I am creating the masterpiece. Concocting all those colors of frosting was tedious, and I don't even want to remember the sugar buzz I had after sampling frosting for several hours.

Sarah & Grandparents

Sarah, with GrandDad (maternal grandfather) & Pat

Sarah with Busha (maternal grandmother)

Happy 6th Birthday Theresa

Exactly six years ago, we welcomed Theresa Marie into our arms. My blood pressure had been steadily climbing and I'd been swelling up for the last two months of the pregnancy, and when I went in for my 38 week checkup, the doctor said, rather brusquely, "She's 38 weeks. What are you waiting for? Take her upstairs and induce her!"

Although it wasn't quite as quick and easy as she made it sound, I stayed overnight, they started the induction process at 7 a.m. the next morning, and Theresa Marie slipped into the world at 1:00 p.m. on the second push.

Sarah was in the delivery room with us (for the second time,
the first being when Clare was born) and assisted in getting Theresa measured, bathed and dressed.

She was the earliest and tiniest of the babies up until then, weighing exactly 6 pounds.
She also may have been the easiest and most peaceful baby we've had. Unfortunately for us, she was also our earliest walker, at 10 months. She discovered and mastered the steps in one afternoon,and didn't give us much peace after that.

Here she is getting busted as she tries to sneak up the stairs.

1 year old

2 yrs old
(you would think we spend a lot of time at the beach. Not true - once a year, maybe...
but our beach trips usually coincide with her birthday)

3 yrs old, with her chicken birthday cake


4th birthday

5th birthday
6th birthday - her cake is decorated with a pumpkin because before she was born,
Conor said we ought to call her Pumpkin Pie

listening to her talking Hoops and YoYo card for the 10th time!!


she's been waiting to see this for a long time!