It's Birthday Week Again!

That's right, it's that crazy time of year again: Birthday Week in the Hunt house! It's crazy! We have six birthdays in 5 days, including the triplets and their brother Liam. The triplets actually started out as quadruplets, and when Liam came along he was due on their birthday. He was just late to the party.

This year, I found myself reflecting on their birth more than I usually do. I mean, birthdays are about the kids, right? But the triplets birth was my birth as a mother, and something about the number 11 (hey, that's 3 in binary!) just got me looking back over what seems like both a really long time AND just yesterday.

The triplets' birth was not a good one. The fact that I was carrying multiples at all was due to a mess-up with the fertility treatments. When I went into labor at 26 weeks, the doctor on call sent me home on a sedative without even coming into the hospital. So needless to say, having them at that point was a scary shock, not an expected thing at all. Add the anesthesia problems on top of that, and the whole thing was a nightmare. How sad to look back and have those memories as my first ones of being a mother! And yet, maybe it was like being birthed in fire. We started out with the worst first, so it could only get better, right?

It sure would have been hard to imagine today from that vantage point 11 years ago, watching my too-small babies get wheeled away to be poked, prodded, and hooked up for three months. Today, I watched them run, play, blow candles, bob for apples. They're getting so big and mature! They helped plan the party, from choosing the theme to selecting and planning games and picking out and putting up decorations. They're old enough to babysit for short periods, to stay home alone, to cook meals, to help clean house. They've outgrown the kids menus at virtually every restaurant. They've started joking about boyfriends and girlfriends and playing with makeup and cologne. Am I ready for this? Puberty and dating times three? I guess I'd better be! What a far cry from the helpless, sick, tiny babies I first saw come into the world eleven years ago!

Cute video, when my twins were 9 months old

Sarcastic Twin, Sleepy Twin

*older post from my personal blog* -- Miracle Blankets

The very best investment my husband and I made was to buy four miracle blankets before our twins were born and they have come to the rescue for us. They really are very serious when they call it a miracle blanket. If used properly this blanket can bring you and your babies endless nights of sleeping joy. They not only calm your baby when fussy and make them feel secure but help them to sleep better, more soundly, and longer.We bought four of them because we have twins and when one set is dirty we have the other set to use.I have tried other brands of swaddling blankets and was not as happy with them. I just can not say enough good things about miracle blankets.The only thing I would say they could do to improve is make more color options, maybe some cute patterns and larger sizes for larger babies.

They are a good size but I could see them not working as long as they did for us, for a baby that was a 10 pound baby at birth. We swaddled one of our twins with the miracle blankets until 6 months of age. At 8 months our smaller twin still prefers to be swaddled. He fusses if we do not swaddle him for his naps and at bedtime. The moment he gets swaddle he is instantly happy and ready to sleep. If you follow the instructions properly and do understand that at first they will resist just a little but as newborns and it may take you two or three times each time you swaddle them to get it right and get them calm, you will really get great use of the miracle blankets. Our twins really have enjoyed the secure feeling the miracle blankets bring them when they sleep.

There is a video available of how to swaddle with a miracle blanket at theit website. Baby wraps, baby accessory, colic, infant sleep, remedies, infant health, crying babyThe difference between miracle blankets and other blankets is that the miracle blanket has a set of internal flaps to swaddle the babies arms with, a built in pouch for the lower half of the babies body and a smaller internal flap that goes over the arm flaps to keep them secure as well as the longer flap that wraps around the babies vody for a perfect and comfortable swaddle.

*older post from my personal blog* -- Great Bath tub

They finally had their 1st bath together!




So....Finally we have a baby bath tub I LOVE and they do too! I had the Fisher Price aquarium tub for them but hated how the design was. They never have fit into it right and every bath was awkward. I was so frustrated with that tub. I finally said forget it after many months of trying to make it work and hoped that when they got bigger they would fit in it better. Well there is no way around the fact that it was hard, uncomfortable, and the seat part was really awful. When they were out of the NICU at a month old and I have them their first baths at home they would slide over the hump and their little backs would end up leaning on the hump so I was constantly sliding them back up which made their heads sit in a weird and very uncomfortable looking position.Ugh I hate that bath tub and I really should have just said forget it a long time ago.

Anyways this is what I just bought and I am so so so happy with it and so are they. Bath time is fun and stress free for me now.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=442787&cmSource=Search

I bought them these toys to play with in there too, although they really just like to splash right now still.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=395776&cmSource=Search

Right now for us bath time is more associated with some splashing, getting cleaned and getting out of there. They do not spend too much time in the tub. I was always afraid they would get too cold.

I might start keeping them in a lil longer from now on though. I can not even tell you how happy it makes me every time I go into our bathroom and see the tub sitting in our shower. I prop it up against the wall and it has suction cups on the little flap at the top to keep it secure on a wall or on the bottom of the tub or shower.

*older post from my personal blog* -- Jumperoo

Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo Cute but not perfect.

I purchased the Rainforest Jumperoo for my twins. and it is a pretty nice product. My twins enjoy it when they play in it but there are a few faults to this product.First off there is absolutely no padding in the seat. The baby will have their tummy against hard, lumpy, edgy plastic. We solved this issue by padding around the entire seat with some nice receiving blankets to avoid any pain or injury that could be caused by leaning and bouncing in the seat while playing in the Jumperoo.The toys on the Jumperoo are rather cute and entertaining but there seems to be too much empty space that could have been used for another toy or two on the Jumperoo. I doubt anyone would want to use the part that appears to be a little snack tray. I don't think it would be wise to let you baby snack while jumping or bouncing wildly as they do in the Jumperoo.The peek-a-boo tiger is a bit lacking in the sense of it could be a little more dramatic and entertaining. A growly but cute lion sound would help. It also needs to pop up higher and sit lower while not being popped up. Nice concept but not quite there.The insect chew toy hangs down off the side of the Jumperoo too far and is often challenging for a baby to grab on and pull it up to play with it. I think maybe something that sticks up but can be pulled in to gnaw on would be a better idea.This Jumperoo is a cute and fun toy however it could be improved.However it does provide enjoyable bouncing fun for baby!

*older post from my personal blog* -- Play Nest :)

Galt Playnest & Gym

Age Range: birth-toddler and beyond

Price Range: $75-$85

Product Description:

A soft supporting multi-sensory environment for baby, Playnest features a fun farm scene with the gym as the sky above. The five gym toys are different on each side to give varied colours and patterns to provide visual stimulation and may be rearranged on the colourful links to create a changing environment. A guide gives suggestions on how to use the Playnest and gym for play activities which stimulate development. The Playnest cover, sky frame cover and soft toys are all machine washable.

My Description:

The Galt Playnest & Gym is a really neat toy, The first time I saw it was when I was browsing the One Step Ahead website. I thought my twins would really like it so I purchased it that same week. So far so good. They were not able to enjoy it quite as much at first when they were newborns but they started enjoying it right away anytime we would put them in the playnest. We have found that stuffing a Boppy pillow inside the playnest provided ample support and comfort for them to play. They love looking at all the lovely bright colored dangling toys and espeically the sun that hangs down from the top of the gym.ImperfectionsI noticed right away that the gym part of the playnest & gym was not as stable as it could be. It was one of the most difficult toys I have ever assembled in my lifetime of being a parent for 13 years. The gym consists of plastic tubes and a plastic connecting tube for the top. The legs of the gym have two tubes that you have to push together and then you have to push the tubes all into the connecting tube at the top of the gym. This is not an easy feat. It not only is nearly impossible and very frustrating to accomplish but you end up hurting your fingers as well. In order to assemble the gym you really need at least one more person to assist you. The plastic tubing and connecting tube do not give way very easily, which is needed in order for it all to connect and create your gym. Let me take time out to say the playnest part of the playnest and gym is very simple and easy to assemble. You simply insert the plastic blow up ring into the nest and once it is in place you can then use an air pump to blow up the ring, fasten it and then close up the playnest.Once you assemble the playnest and the gym you will have to be very careful because the playnest will constantly pop apart. Eventually you will work the plastic in enough for it to stay in place for the most part.It never did fall on my twins, it only would pop out of its place on parts and bow to the side instead of all sitting up straight and even pn all sides.Don't get me wrong we really love this toy but GALT needs to work harder to make the gym part easier to assemble and make it so it stays put!Fun & PlayThe Playnest and Gym can be really fun for your baby. It is best I believe for a baby if you put a Boppy inside it until they are older and can sit unsupported. They can then sit in the playnest and play with their toys.Once your baby starts to tug and pull on the dangling toys that hang from the gym it is best to remove the gym part and let them play with the dangling toys while sitting inside the playnest.When your child gets older the playnest can be used for a unique lounge chair to lay back in and rest while watching tv, reading a book, or just to relax in, indoors and outdoors. It can also double as a really nice toy box as well!In all I think it is a great toy with lovely bright vivid colors and can last well beyond the baby and toddler years if you use your imagination.We keep the playnest in our play area!

InStep Safari Swivel Wheel Double Jogger

Our double jogger arrived the other. The front tire was slightly challenging at first to attach..but it was not too bad. The stroller is really nice. It glides nicely and is comparable to the $600-$800 double joggers. I paid $172.26 for it. Graham and Parker enjoyed it as much as our Peg Perego. They even wanted to stay in it longer after our walk!!

So far so good, we took it to Sea World yesterday and all went well.  They seemed to enjoy the ride and the snack tray!

CHOO CHOO WAGON!!!!

   Choo Choo Wagon

Today the choo choo wagon by Step2 went on sale.  It had been out of production for quite some time.
This wagon is awesome and so popular with the Moms of Triplets & Quads. & Twin Moms too!  :)

I bought one for my Twins!  I plan to use it for certain playdates and when they finally decide they will not ride in a stroller anymore.. I will have my next solution to managing twins on the go!!  I wanted to be darn sure I bought one before they went out of production again. Those things are a hot item and were selling on ebay for $400 or so. They even still have them on ebay for around that price...even though they are now back into production..in a slightly new format....and today they went back on the Step2 website for sale.
I did purchase the extra cart. So we will have that 3rd cart for items we need to take with us or a friends child. Depending on the situation.  :)

I felt so terrible today for a facebook friend who is a Triplet Mom. She really wanted a 4th trailer cart for her choo choo wagon. She owns one of the choo choo wagons that are no longer in production. She was thrilled to see them coming back and going on sale. So when she went to the Step2 website this morning, the site was updated to state that the new choo choo wagon is NOT compatible with the old one. Meaning, the extra carts won't fit onto her choo choo wagon.

Terrible HUH!!  Give a Triplet Mommy a break already!!!  She just wanted a way to put all the stuff she has to carry with her into a cart to make it easier on her. She totally deserves it too!!!
        
                                              The Original Choo Choo Wagon

I FOUND A SOLUTION!! On accident even!!  I am so so very excited to report that the Step2 Tag-Along Trailer Plus  Now, just some background info.  The Tag Along Trailer Plus is the trailer cart that was made for/with The Step2 Wagon for Two Plus.

OK so How did I find out that the Tag Along Trailer fits on the original Choo Choo Wagon??  Well, like I said on accident and through some googling.  I came across a blog that showed the choo choo wagon with the Tag Along Trailer attached to it.  At first I did not think it was attached but after seeing more pics I saw that it clearly was attached!!  This made me excited!!  I knew I had found a solution for my facebook Friend!!

THIS IS THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FROM THE ORIGINAL (OUT OF PRODUCTION) CHOO CHOO WAGON.

This Step2 Classic is back by popular demand, and can only be purchased through Step2.com. This is a limited release, so act now before supplies are exhausted.

• Two separate cars provide first class seating
• Each car has comfortable seat and roomy foot well
• Molded-in cup holders for every seat
• Front car features under-seat storage
• Security seat belts in every car
• Silent-riding poly wheels feature rubber tires
• Add up to three Choo Choo Trailers for extra capacity. (sold separately)
• Minimal adult assembly required
• Choo Choo Trailer sold separately
• This wagon can be used with the Tag-Along Trailer for cargo   

                                                  Here is proof....

AWESOME!!

So there is great news for Mommys with choo choo wagons who were hoping to purchase an extra trailer cart but found out today, that the new choo choo wagon will not work with the old one.  Good luck!

P.S. My Triplet Mom friend actually found out this same info at the exact same time I did...so when I left her a note on facebook about It..she already knew!  Either way, I really hope this helps someone!!

Next time, I will talk about shade for the choo choo.  :)

update:  HERE with shade!!!