10 Weeks Later

After 10 weeks, we're certainly not experts in parenting, but as any parent can tell you, the learning curve is STEEP! While I was pregnant, I read a ton of books, blogs and reviews on all sorts of products. My biggest piece of advice for parents-to-be -- don't buy too much beforehand and keep all receipts! You will end up having so much stuff, some of which, you probably won't use. Also, you really don't know what you and your baby(ies) are going to like. So, resist the urge to fill your little one's closet and wait!

Here are a few things that I have found incredibly helpful:

• Twin Nursing Pillow (My Brest Friend): If you can get past the awful name, this pillow is a must for nursing twins. Yes, you can pile pillows around you and do just fine (I've done that too), but when you have two hungry, fussy babies wanting their meal, throwing this pillow around you takes a fraction of the time to set up.
• Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle n' Swing: I have nicknamed this swing, 'baby crack.' Both of our babies love this swing (and so do our friends' twins). It looks ridiculously comfortable and lulls a fussy baby to sleep in no time. And yes Jen & Allison, it makes ice cream too.
• Baby K'Tan Sling: I posted a picture of myself carrying both girls in this wrap a while back. This carrier has been a godsend when I'm on my own and I have things to do but a fussy baby to deal with. I throw her in this this wrap and have both of my hands back for getting things done. While I love this sling, there are TONS different brands out there. Don't buy a sling ahead of time (or buy and keep receipts). Try them out when your baby arrives and pick the one that you like best. 
• Baby Bjorn & ERGO Baby: Slings, like the Baby K'Tan, are better around the house, in my opinion. We have both of these carriers. The Bjorn and ERGO are awesome for outdoor trips, especially when I'm walking with the 2 dogs and 2 babies in the park (one baby in the stroller, one in the carrier). Like the K'Tan, don't buy it immediately. Go and try them out first. You will definitely prefer one over the other and will kick yourself for spending $100 on a carrier only to wish you'd purchased something different. 
• Baby Jogger City Select Stroller: I blogged about this back in January when we purchased it. I use this stroller daily and LOVE it. It's on a single frame so if you're only having one baby, it still works. Or, if you're planning ahead to a second baby already, you won't need to get a new one because it easily turns into a double. Why I love it: It folds up very quickly and easily. The car seats snap into it in seconds. It handles very well, on uneven surfaces also. It might be a little pricey but it will last the girls well into their toddler years, so it will be the only stroller we need to buy. 

We're ready to be parents!

...well not quite. This weekend we took a crash prenatal course. It was definitely intensive - 2.5 hours on Friday night followed by 8 hours on Saturday and another 8 hours on Sunday. We took the course through the 519 Community Centre in Toronto. With that being said, it was a great course to get us thinking about the reality that is to come, besides looking at baby furniture, strollers and cute clothing. We met some great couples who are all having babies at some point between March and June. 

Saturday was mostly spent on the "painful" part, labour. Let's just say a skeleton pelvis and baby doll were used in several demonstrations. We also watched a video that was made in the 70s in an Austrian birthing centre. No more details will be given. At one point, we split into two groups; the preggos and the support people. Our group talked about what we think we'll need from our support people during labour.  The other group talked about what they think we'll need. We learned all about some of the things that we need to think about in the next few months before the four of us become six. Despite the pelvis and the video, I don't feel scared, of labour anyways. I'm sure it'll hit me at some point, but right now, the physical pain isn't freaking me out. 

Sunday was all about the baby (babies). We talked about those first few minutes of life and what to expect. We discussed some of the possible complications that can arise. We learned about swaddling, diapers, baby first aid and even touched upon the controversial topic of vaccinations. A couple and their 5-month old came in to discuss their birth experience. We were also lucky enough to have a family lawyer come in to answer our legal questions. 

Feeling armed with new baby knowledge, we came home on Sunday night and made our first big baby purchase! We bought a stroller. We had done a ton of stroller research but ended up being sold on this one by another couple in our class who are also expecting twins. It's called the Baby Jogger City Select (double, of course). We'll be able to easily snap two car seats in it. Since it sits on a single stroller frame, I won't look like one of those twin moms pushing a stretch limo down the street. Here it is: