January Multiple Moms Chat anyone?

[caheinz]

The first part - believe it or not, but E has four teeth and M has five already! They had been neck and neck, and then M popped out the fifth from nowhere, literally. It seems like one day it was not there, and the next it was completely out. DS2 had a full mouth by a year (we blame the fact that his grandpa is a dentist).

The second part is too funny. Tell us how that went down!

They're nowhere near as verbal as DS1 was, but they're spitting out words here and there... nonetheless, they have a good receptive vocabulary, and so we will often play little games, like where's the dog? Where's big brother? Where's Daddy? etc.

Well, when I asked D where B was, he clearly indicated that he was B. When I repeated the question to B (both were in my arms at the time), he also clearly indicated that D was B. (I was 100% certain of who was who at that point...)

I fear we may have set ourselves up for this, since we often play in a silly way, me insisting that I'm Daddy or the like... I never stopped to think that they would pick up on that and turn it against us so quickly!

[TwinFoxes]

They're nowhere near as verbal as DS1 was, but they're spitting out words here and there... nonetheless, they have a good receptive vocabulary, and so we will often play little games, like where's the dog? Where's big brother? Where's Daddy? etc.

Well, when I asked D where B was, he clearly indicated that he was B. When I repeated the question to B (both were in my arms at the time), he also clearly indicated that D was B. (I was 100% certain of who was who at that point...)

I fear we may have set ourselves up for this, since we often play in a silly way, me insisting that I'm Daddy or the like... I never stopped to think that they would pick up on that and turn it against us so quickly!

Wow, I never knew something could be so adorable, yet terrifying at the same time!

I appreciate everyone's perspective on preschool. It's so tough. The illness thing does give me a little pause. And I worry I'm being selfish for wanting to keep them home with me. But two seems so young! Sigh.

[BeachBum]

Hi Everyone
My boys turned one yesterday, sniff, sniff. I thought they would be walking by now, but no. They've been pushing toys around the house since about 8 months, so I keep feeling like it is right around the corner.
We started kindermusik this week too. I'm so glad we did. I had forgotten how nice it is to do those little activities with them. The instructor is helpful taking one when she can, and other than that I just manage.

Overall I am just so much happier now than I was a few months ago. I just feel like we have really turned a corner or something. They boys are so fun, and I am really starting to love parenting multiples (which I never thought I'd say).

[Melaine]

BeachBum, I definitely felt we turned a corner at one and again at two....each milestone has gotten easier for us!
TwinFoxes, I think fivi2's advice on preschool was excellent. I really don't think you should feel pressured to do preschool though, especially at this age. ITA that preschool at that age is more an opportunity for the parents to have a break or the kids to "practice" for real school. But there are plenty of other chances for socialization and playing and learning without formal preschool.
caheinz, my girls also started young and pretending to be each other and it BLEW ME AWAY. I was just shocked that they would think to do that! It was hilarious, but yes, kind of scary at the same time. Especially when it was my parents who actually could be fooled successfully!
Momof3Labs, I waited to start solids until like 7.5 months, IIRC. (I figured mine were 6 weeks early, so I'd give them a little extra time). They LOVED solids and took off like racehorses, eating anything I'd give them. They have been great eaters, that I will say, and still are.
Monday we have the girls' well visit at the new Doctor. I am dreading it, because of the last blood-draw/shot/finger-prick fiasco with DD2. And I am still really torn about vaccines and just feel incredibly helpless when I think about it. I also would really like to establish a good feeling with the new doctor, so I am kind of tempted to avoid all needles for the first visit. Does that sound crazy? As it is, I only get 2 shots at a time at the most. DH will want to go ahead because he is not really shot-shy the way I am.
At least I am back on Prozac this time. By the way, ladies, next time I say I'm going off it again, please remind me that is a BAD IDEA!

[longamkl]

Thanks for starting this. In fact, I almost pm'd you (Melaine) yesterday because I was having such a bad day and just felt that I had no one else to talk to. It's so comforting to hear how everyone else is doing.

C & E are also about 16 months (and each have about 10 teeth!) and I also feel like we do not get out enough. I never take them to the grocery store but I do take them to a Baby 'n Me class once a week and that is going ok. They are undergoing massive separation anxiety - I can't even leave their sight to go to the bathroom without them dissolving in a puddle (yesterday anyway) which is becoming very stressful. C is 30 lbs so they are a lot to push around in a stroller so I'm not even enjoying that as much as I used to.

As far as more kids - I believe we're done. I'm too old and it took us 6 years of trying to achieve these babies. It's all so expensive too - and the Canadian version of the IRS thinks so too. We got notice of our third annual medical expense audit for our 2008 taxes - the year the babies were born and we had very high hospital bills.

At least as of the start of the year, I'm back using my treadmill. I'd love to get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes.

I better run - they're up!

[twowhat?]

C & E are also about 16 months (and each have about 10 teeth!) and I also feel like we do not get out enough. I never take them to the grocery store but I do take them to a Baby 'n Me class once a week and that is going ok. They are undergoing massive separation anxiety - I can't even leave their sight to go to the bathroom without them dissolving in a puddle (yesterday anyway) which is becoming very stressful. C is 30 lbs so they are a lot to push around in a stroller so I'm not even enjoying that as much as I used to.
I better run - they're up!

You have no idea how much better this makes me feel! I have so many friends with babies around the same age as mine and it just always seems like it's my kids that blow a gasket when I stand up to even THINK about going to the bathroom. Every time I take them somewhere "easy" (like a friends house) I have to sit on the couch with them for SO LONG just WAITING for them to warm up enough to want to go play with the slew of toys on the floor - toys that they've never seen before!! They even do this in our own house when we have visitors! It just really hurts sometimes when I meet up with friends, and they waltz in, set their kid down, and off she goes having a blast while mine are clinging to my legs as if the world is going to end.

[Melaine]

You have no idea how much better this makes me feel! I have so many friends with babies around the same age as mine and it just always seems like it's my kids that blow a gasket when I stand up to even THINK about going to the bathroom. Every time I take them somewhere "easy" (like a friends house) I have to sit on the couch with them for SO LONG just WAITING for them to warm up enough to want to go play with the slew of toys on the floor - toys that they've never seen before!! They even do this in our own house when we have visitors! It just really hurts sometimes when I meet up with friends, and they waltz in, set their kid down, and off she goes having a blast while mine are clinging to my legs as if the world is going to end.

This sounds EXACTLY like my children. I mean, just like them. None of my friends understood. Actually, when they were that age they would sometimes refuse to leave my lap the entire visit at a stranger's house. They have really gotten better recently though. These are children that from infancy would SCREAM bloody murder when a stranger came within feet of us. I have still not been able to leave them in the church nursery and only my parents or sister have babysat for us. After a few dozen visits with other children they would start to warm up, but not sooner!

Actually, something great happened this week. We went to the park and there was a really sweet little girl who was maybe 6 months older than my kiddos. After a lot of persistence, she got my twins to play with her and it really warmed my heart. I was just THRILLED. They were laughing and following her around. They had so much fun....So, there is hope! Things will improve. It seems like it takes forever sometimes, but things will improve!

[twowhat?]

This sounds EXACTLY like my children. I mean, just like them. None of my friends understood. Actually, when they were that age they would sometimes refuse to leave my lap the entire visit at a stranger's house. They have really gotten better recently though. These are children that from infancy would SCREAM bloody murder when a stranger came within feet of us. I have still not been able to leave them in the church nursery and only my parents or sister have babysat for us. After a few dozen visits with other children they would start to warm up, but not sooner!

OK, you guys are TOTALLY making me feel better!! I could've written what you wrote above!

So, unrelated topic - any moms of multiples here who work out of the home, or are planning to work out of the home at some point? I applied for a job on a whim, not expecting anything to come out of it but got asked to come in for an interview next week. The stars and planets would have to align in order for me to take the job (if they offer it to me). But I did plan on going back to work at some point and wondered if there was anyone who is doing it (any advice?) or who is thinking about it (what are your concerns?). My main concerns are for my children adjusting to day care, especially given their personalities. And dealing with both of them piggy-backing with getting sick. And having an extra "stressor" (my job) added to our lives. But - we need for me to make money in order to afford preschool (and preschool is something we both feel would be good for our girls). And a bigger house, down the road, is something we really need too!

[Naranjadia]

Twinfoxes - We started our kids in preschool at 2 for 3 mornings a week and had a good experience with it - but I don't know how "school" the preschool we go to is. It's run by our university, but for 2 and 3 year old classes, though the day is structured between free play and storytime and a crafty activity, etc, it really isn't "school-ish."

Our kids enjoyed the being around the other kids, and of course all the new toys. After the first two weeks, they really got over the saying goodbye to mama and daddy bit - but it is always so gratifying, even now, to see how happy they are to see us when they're done.

They did get sicker more frequently last year - this year has been a lot better. Another byproduct of school is the influence of their peers, which shows up in both positive and negative ways.

It was the right choice for us, but if you're not sure you even want that set-up, it may be better to wait.

[TwinFoxes]

TwoWhat, I have so much angst about going back to work. I never really planned to stay at home, but the girls were so early, DH got a promotion which involved a x-country move, and here I am! Now I can't really imagine going back soon, the thought of leaving my girls makes me so sad!

But on the other hand, I loved my job. And I miss it. And the longer I'm gone, the harder it will be to break back in. I also feel guilty that DH is the sole breadwinner. I'm sure it's a lot of pressure on him, although when he was growing up MIL didn't work so in a way I think he almost expects to be the breadwinner. My former coworkers keep asking if I plan to come back. But when they gossip with me about work I feel so out of it, I wonder if I'll ever be able to get back in the swing.

It's so hard deciding. So many factors.