ot: I might be retiring from the boneyard!

[Dogdeacon]

We had a 2 year old when the twins arrived. Our social life became nonexistent, but being around the house on weekend nights makes hoops viewing easy. Pro tip: Let your wife do the 8:00 bottles and stay up to do the midnight feeding while watching sports. She can get up and do the next one in the morning. Plus, if you're changing diapers on one at night, just do them both.

The first tip is good, applies to any baby really. But Chuck is 100% right that infant twins are more than double the work because at that stage you often need 2 people to feed and/or attempting either one of you to do both cuts devastatingly into sleep and becomes endless cycle time consuming. Changing both or the oft repeated advice "get them on the same cycle" is a no-brainer, but fact of matter is rarely when they are infants do you have consecutive 'clean' events. Someone spits up feeding requiring a change of clothes, someone poops right after the diaper change or during it and stains clothes or sheets requiring a redo. By the time you finish with both its almost time for the next feeding. So having both PARENTS up when they are infants is often the only way. I have few memories from that period due to brain-exhaustion, its all amalgamated into one particular night I remember that consisted of an continuous cycle of feed, spit-ups, diarrhea, feed repeat. To get back on topic it was analogous to the 06-07 season.

 

[hthusky74]

The first tip is good, applies to any baby really. But Chuck is 100% right that infant twins are more than double the work because at that stage you often need 2 people to feed and/or attempting either one of you to do both cuts devastatingly into sleep and becomes endless cycle time consuming. Changing both or the oft repeated advice "get them on the same cycle" is a no-brainer, but fact of matter is rarely when they are infants do you have consecutive 'clean' events. Someone spits up feeding requiring a change of clothes, someone poops right after the diaper change or during it and stains clothes or sheets requiring a redo. By the time you finish with both its almost time for the next feeding. So having both PARENTS up when they are infants is often the only way. I have few memories from that period due to brain-exhaustion, its all amalgamated into one particular night I remember that consisted of an continuous cycle of feed, spit-ups, diarrhea, feed repeat. To get back on topic it was analogous to the 06-07 season.

My wife was really beat after giving birth to our twins. Usually if twins are 5 or 6 lbs., that is a big plus. Ours came in at 8lbs3ozs and 7lbs11ozs. Her bed rest obviously got her to full term and kept the boys' size up (they will be 21 on Jan. 5th and are now 6'2"). I found that since I used to do the 4am feeding that because they both usually woke up at the same time, it was a blessing (so was the fact they were formula fed). Somehow, I managed to heat both bottles and have one of the boys situated on each of my arms with a bottle in his mouth. In my (usually vain) attempt not to fall asleep I would put the tv on. In those days Channel 3 WTIC had Rush Limbaugh on early in the morning and I figured his loud, brash commentaries might keep me awake. More often than not my wife would realize I wasn't in bed and come into the living room an hour or two later to find me and the boys sitting on the sofa asleep with the empty bottles on the floor. I would get the riot act read to me, but me and the boys were just fine. I am proud to say that one of them is at UConn and is in the student section for all the mens' and womens' basketball games and the the other one joins me for many of the mens' games.

 

[prankster]

 

[Deepster]

I don't know if twins are that much more work - you just dump twice the amount of Cheerios on the floor before a game and then clean up whatever they didn't eat when it's over.

I really need to write a parenting book.

Congrats.

Fish, you're overlooking the fact that, if Dogfather had twins, he'd have twice as many infants sitting in a pool of spilled bleach.

 

[Chuck]

The first tip is good, applies to any baby really. But Chuck is 100% right that infant twins are more than double the work because at that stage you often need 2 people to feed and/or attempting either one of you to do both cuts devastatingly into sleep and becomes endless cycle time consuming. Changing both or the oft repeated advice "get them on the same cycle" is a no-brainer, but fact of matter is rarely when they are infants do you have consecutive 'clean' events. Someone spits up feeding requiring a change of clothes, someone poops right after the diaper change or during it and stains clothes or sheets requiring a redo. By the time you finish with both its almost time for the next feeding. So having both PARENTS up when they are infants is often the only way. I have few memories from that period due to brain-exhaustion, its all amalgamated into one particular night I remember that consisted of an continuous cycle of feed, spit-ups, diarrhea, feed repeat. To get back on topic it was analogous to the 06-07 season.

Agreed on not being able to control the bodily fluids. Also, I think the worst part was the delayed sickness. One would get sick, and just as that one would get better, the other would get sick. One thing that we were able to control (although it took discipline) was sleep. Keeping them on the same nap/night sleep schedule was a life saver! Also, whatever family help is offered, take it. Even if you loathe being around that family member. When the kids get older you can get them back out of your life again.

 

[ctchamps]

The first tip is good, applies to any baby really. But Chuck is 100% right that infant twins are more than double the work because at that stage you often need 2 people to feed and/or attempting either one of you to do both cuts devastatingly into sleep and becomes endless cycle time consuming. Changing both or the oft repeated advice "get them on the same cycle" is a no-brainer, but fact of matter is rarely when they are infants do you have consecutive 'clean' events. Someone spits up feeding requiring a change of clothes, someone poops right after the diaper change or during it and stains clothes or sheets requiring a redo. By the time you finish with both its almost time for the next feeding. So having both PARENTS up when they are infants is often the only way. I have few memories from that period due to brain-exhaustion, its all amalgamated into one particular night I remember that consisted of an continuous cycle of feed, spit-ups, diarrhea, feed repeat. To get back on topic it was analogous to the 06-07 season.

Right about now 99 is a little less excited!

 

[Dogdeacon]

My wife was really beat after giving birth to our twins. Usually if twins are 5 or 6 lbs., that is a big plus. Ours came in at 8lbs3ozs and 7lbs11ozs. Her bed rest obviously got her to full term and kept the boys' size up (they will be 21 on Jan. 5th and are now 6'2"). I found that since I used to do the 4am feeding that because they both usually woke up at the same time, it was a blessing (so was the fact they were formula fed). Somehow, I managed to heat both bottles and have one of the boys situated on each of my arms with a bottle in his mouth. In my (usually vain) attempt not to fall asleep I would put the tv on. In those days Channel 3 WTIC had Rush Limbaugh on early in the morning and I figured his loud, brash commentaries might keep me awake. More often than not my wife would realize I wasn't in bed and come into the living room an hour or two later to find me and the boys sitting on the sofa asleep with the empty bottles on the floor. I would get the riot act read to me, but me and the boys were just fine. I am proud to say that one of them is at UConn and is in the student section for all the mens' and womens' basketball games and the the other one joins me for many of the mens' games.

Good memory, better story. We'd watch Chelsea lately at first (born 6 and 7lbs so not too bad) when it took two and then we'd use "U" shaped pillows and various contraptions or positions to hold two bottles at once so that one person could do the feedings. Breast feeding lasted less than a week, don't know how anyone can pull that off and 100% right that help from anyone who offers should be accepted particularly in months 1-6.

 

[hthusky74]

Good memory, better story. We'd watch Chelsea lately at first (born 6 and 7lbs so not too bad) when it took two and then we'd use "U" shaped pillows and various contraptions or positions to hold two bottles at once so that one person could do the feedings. Breast feeding lasted less than a week, don't know how anyone can pull that off and 100% right that help from anyone who offers should be accepted particularly in months 1-6.

My wife wouldn't let me breast feed them. LOL

 

[HuskyHawk]

Congratulations! Puts life in proper perspective, even UConn hoops.

 

[UconnDon]

Fish, you're overlooking the fact that, if Dogfather had twins, he'd have twice as many infants sitting in a pool of spilled bleach.

In fact, twins of the same gender and likes are less work than fraternal twins and Irish twins. My male identical twins were always going to the same T-ball game, soccer practice, swim meet, etc., as opposed to those parents who were covering 2 or more bases for children of different ages and gender. I have friends with 3 kids of the 6, 8, 10 age variety and they are always driving to different destinations for each child: music lessons, Little League and water polo practice, mixed in with Girl Scout, Cubs and Boy scout activities.

Some fun! But that period of life passes by so quickly, join in and enjoy the activities with the kids.

 

[husky99]

Wow guys. Thank s for all the kind words. ..my wife and daughter is pumped

 

[coloradohusky]

I've got a 12 yo, a 10 yo, an 8 yo, a 7 yo, and a 2 yo. My advice? Stop at 3. My house is an absolute mad house. I've been so busy some days that the only reason I knew there was a UConn game was because I came here and read about it when I finally got into bed at 11:30...

 

[Edward Sargent]

Congrats. I have 2 year old twin grandsons. They are more fun than l could ever have imagined

 

[prankster]

As it turns out....things should be easier on you than you might think....

Check out this instructional video...

 

[GemParty]

Congrats 99. Your free time might be around 9pm. However, you will start going to sleep at 9:15. Funny how that works. Enjoy.

 

[~*Jen*~]

Great news. My wife is having twins.

Congrats!

I only have one but my BY time decreased significantly afterwards because she's a handful. Have fun and enjoy!

At the risk of sounding spammy (and blah blah blah), if you're on Facebook, place consider checking out a group called "Car Seats for the Littles." It's run by a group of car seat techs who can help answer questions and figure out what seats are right for your most precious cargo. (Something I care very deeply about so if I can try to help, I do.)