What My Registry SHOULD'VE Looked Like...

Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. If I could do it all over again...here's what my registry would look like.

Clothing

• 0-3 Size Gowns: Unfortunately, I only discovered gowns after the boys were too old for them. In those first couple months when changes are happening in the sleep-deprived wee hours of the morning, having the simplicity of a gown would've been a godsend.
• Footed Pants: Socks on newborns is a joke. If you're gonna have a newborn in the winter, do yourself a favor and put the pants and socks together in the form of footed pants.
• Newborn footed sleep n plays: Because they were born at 37 weeks and were around 6lbs when they came home, they were in newborn clothes for at least a month, maybe two. Also, the footed sleep n plays were what they basically lived in for the first couple months.
• Knit hats: Our boys have 100th percentile heads, literally, so the only hats that fit are ones that are loosely knit and therefore stretchy.
• For more thoughts on clothes in the first few months, check out my post on the awesome and the useless here.

Bedding/Sleep

• 2 Rock n Play Sleepers: Read my commentary on their first 30 nights in the RnPs here.
• 2 Cribs: We went with the Stokke Sleepi cribs which we got on sale. For twins, we liked them because they fit better in a small space do to their oval shape. I realize that they're kinda pricey though, and you have to buy special bedding for them.
• 2 Mattresses
• 4-6 SwaddleMe Wraps in 7lb-14lb size: We had 5 and got by just fine. I'd just make sure you have at least two for each baby you have. We had to go out and buy the larger size eventually, but I wouldn't put those on a registry just in case your baby doesn't like these swaddles. We started using sleep sacks around 4-5 months, but I wouldn't have registered for that since we just didn't know what would work.
• 4 crib sheets (2 for each crib)
• 2 Mattress Pads

Feeding

• Munchkin Bottle Drying Rack
• 6 Munchin Bottle Brushes
• Double breastfeeding pillow: I never use it anymore, but it was great early on. Read my review here.
• We didn't need to register for bottles since they were hand me down, but check out my post on all of the feeding stuff we used early on here. 
• Two booster seats: I love these. They're so much cheaper and less space gobbling than a traditional high chair and they can also be used on the go.

Travel

• Double Snap n Go Stroller: Loved it. Read my review here.
• 2 Car Seats: We went with the Graco Snugride 30, but I don't think there's a real right and wrong here. I will say that there's no need to get one that accomodates over 30lbs because your kid will be out of their infant seat LONG before then.
• 2 extra bases: We have two cars, so not having extra bases would've been disastrous. Thankfully, my mother-in-law bought them event though they weren't on my original registry.
• Car seat covers: These were great to brave the Chicago winter. Not terribly necessary if you don't live in the frigid north, however. A blanket always seemed to suffice unless it was under 35 or 40 degrees.
• 4 Car Mirrors: We have mirrors in my car but not in my husband's. I hate it. It's nice to be able to look back in the rearview mirror and see the boys. Not being able to see them is both awkward and nerve-wracking, especially on a longer car trip.
• Diaper Bag: We have the Fischer Price one and we like it. I don't think it really matters so long as it's big and has a changing pad.
• Munchkin Cooler Bag: Bought this later on but it's necessary with twins. The small one they gave us for free at the hospital just doesn't cut it with two babies.
• Bigger Stroller: I really like our city mini double.
• 1 or 2 Baby Carriers: We have a Twin Trexx carrier which can either split into two or be a double one. Honestly, we've only used the double function twice. We like it anyway, but it might've been cheaper to just go with one or two singleton carriers. Also, we only used ours early on and around the house, so I would have gone cheaper here.

Diapering

• Tubes of Vaseline: If you're having boys and going to circumcise, you need this the second you come home. Don't get the tub either. Trying to scoop it out is a total mess. You will need tons of tubes. Like TONS.
• Gauze Pads: If you circumcise, every time you change the diaper you have to have new gauze for the first week or two...so do the math and that's about 150 pads per baby. Yikes.
• Changing Pad
• 2 Changing Pad Covers: We started out with only one and laundry became a lot easier once we had two.
• 3 boxes of seventh gen newborn diapers: The last thing you want to do in the first few weeks is run to the store.
• One of each type of cloth diapers: We bought a bunch of cloth diapers, and we've yet to transition. We've tried a couple of times and they just keep leaking. Unfortunately, I feel like they may just end up being resold although I hope not. Looking back, I wish we'd waited to buy a bunch of them until we knew how they would work on our boys and in our situation.
• Diaper genie: We just use a regular garbage can, but yeah...It kinda smells.

Gear

• Larger Swing (two if you have the room): We have both a smaller travel swing and a larger swing. The larger swing is vastly superior although it does take up more room. My husband used to use the smaller swing during the days while I was at work, but I hardly ever used it. That being said, I know some babies are not big swing fans, so I think it would make sense to try one out and buy a second of whichever works for you. Also, I would say we get along fine with only one if your space is constricted like ours.
• Standing bouncer/jumperoo (two if you have the room): Our boys loved to stand, even early on, which I know is not true of every baby. They've been in their standing bouncer since 2.5 months and absolutely love it. I often wished we had two so they could stare at each other while also practicing their standing.
• Bouncy seat: Their bouncy seat makes a great place to play (kicking the danglers and activating the sound on their own) and sleep. The vibration element is sort of useless past 3 months, but was more valuable earlier on.
• Piano Play Mat: Basically any activity gym will do, but this one has been a huge hit with a number of moms that I know. A big one might be nice that would accommodate two babies at the same time. We didn't register for one at first and that was stupid. They really like kicking the little piano, looking at their reflection, and grabbing at the dangling toys. It can often keep them entertained for 30-60 minutes. 
• Pack n Play vibrating box: Our friend's loaned us theirs, but this hooks on to the corner of the pack n play and gives it a little bit more of a comforting feel by making it vibrate. This was useful in the first couple months.
• 2 Pack n Plays: Having one set up in our dining room gave us a safe place to put the boys while we got bottles ready in the first few months before they could sit up. Looking back, I might've purchased one with a changing table so I didn't have to do stairs very early on when I was still recovering.
• Walk Around: I love this thing like nobody's business. It takes up a lot of room, but it entertains them so so much. Also, unlike a traditional walker, they're able to practice walking without being in danger of running into furniture or falling down the stairs.
• Summer Infant Seat: This was used for a very narrow window of time, but it was useful because there was a point where they desperately wanted to sit up but couldn't do it safely by themselves. I would avoid the Bumbo, only because our chunkers had thighs that wouldn't fit in the Bumbo.

Etc

• Big board books: We have LOTS of books, but I would recommend getting board books, and board books that are over 6" wide. It makes it easier to read to them when you're also holding them at the same time. Also, it makes it easier for them to focus on the pictures when they're nice and big. Some of our favorite big books are Duck & Goose, Thank You Bear, and Windows to Color.
• Infant Bathtub: You only need one because you're probably not going to bathe both babies simultaneously. We used the infant sling for the first two or three months, so I would definitely get one that comes with an infant sling. I think most do.
• Receiving Blankets: These end up having multiple uses--wrapping baby, cleaning up spit up, burp clothes, covering the changing table early on when they pee on you at like every change.
• Camera: We recently bought one and I wish we'd had it earlier. Our phone pics just don't have the high quality that I want baby pictures to have and they can't hold enough video.
• Extra Soothie Pacis: We got a few from the hospital, but it helps to have at least five per baby placed in convenient locations around the house.
• Wet/Dry Laundry Bag: We absolutely LOVE our laundry bag. It can hang on the door and it is easy to carry down to the washer and drier. We also have a smaller version for the diaper bag.
• 4 Hooded Towels
• Big pack of wash cloths: Great for their intended purpose, but also for covering boys up while they're being changed so you don't get an impromptu shower.
• Purell: For guests, but also for your hands before and after changes and feedings.
• Baby Detergent
• California Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

Traveling with Infants: 8.5 Month Group Vacation Edition

At the end of July, we ventured to the Northwoods of Wisconsin for a week-long vacation with friends. We rented a gorgeous house (on an island, no less!) and prepared to spend a week relaxing by the fire, soaking in some sun, and playing with some cute babies. Of the eight adults going, 75% had kids as well, so we didn’t feel like a tremendous imposition bringing the kids along. In addition to the twins, the island was also home to a 2 year old and a 3 month old for the week.

Looking back, there were some real successes in the way we handled the trip and some things I would definitely have done differently if I could do it all over again. So instead of rambling on with no structure, here are six things we did well and six mistakes we won't be making again.

Where I ruled:

1. Bringing Toys & Books

Without all the jumperoos, exosaucers, and play tables of home, we relied very heavily on the old blanket-on-the-floor-and-a-jabba-the-hutt-sized-pile-of-toys method. This was pretty successful, but mostly because my husband literally filled a giant storage bin with 95% of their toys and another one with about 80% of their books. This gave them plenty of variety. We also bought a few new toys for the road that would hold their attention for longer, such as the VTech Rhyme &Discover Book.

2. Booking a Place with a Washer & Dryer
We do laundry on a daily basis at home and vacation was no different. I honestly don’t think we’ll be able to travel to a place without laundry services/facilities ever again.

3. Downloading the “Tango” Application
This probably wouldn’t apply to many people, but this place was out of the range of cell reception…BIG time. That meant that our back up plan of using our phones as an audio baby monitor went right out the window. The second night, we downloaded Tango which allows you to make wifi calls, and since the house had wifi, this app allowed us to use the phones as a baby monitor so that we could enjoy some campfire and star gazing action once the babies went to sleep.

4. Planning Ahead
I started making a packing list three weeks before we left. I put it on the fridge with a pen and my husband and I added to it as we thought of things. This allowed us time to remember “Oh yeah! White noise machine!”, rather than trying to brainstorm all at once and inevitably forgetting something.

5. Having Awesome Friends
This trip would’ve been way more difficult had we traveled with jerks. While Greg and I tried not to impose on others as much as possible, it was nice to have caring and capable hands around when we needed them.

6. Not Bringing a Stroller
Because we literally didn’t leave the vacation property for seven days, having a stroller take up room in the car would’ve been a real waste.

Where I sucked:

1. Picking the Wrong Week
I wasn’t using the Wonder Weeks application yet when I booked this place, but had I been using it, I would’ve seen that the first day of this trip was also the first day of a “leap”, which means more fussiness, sleeplessness, clinginess, etc. We weren’t very flexible on our dates anyway, but if you have the choice, pick a week when they’re less likely to be having sleep regression/fussiness.

2. Forgetting the Baby Monitor
I remembered the screen part. I remembered the screen part charger. I, of course, forgot the freaking camera part. This was way stupid. Given the pretty pathetic distance range on our monitor, it probably wouldn’t have worked all the way down at the fire pit anyway, but it still would’ve been useful for watching them during naps when we were on the porch. We had real trouble putting them down because we had to stay in the room rather than just watching them settle down on their own on the video monitor. Us being in the room was a real impediment to them getting settled.

3. Driving Back Too Late
We left the island later than we had planned, pulling out of the parking lot after 11am. This meant that we didn’t get home until after 7pm, and the boys were really tough for the last 2-3 hours. In hindsight, they’re really best in the car during the AM and early afternoon hours when they’re more likely to nap. They’re used to staying up and playing between 4 and 8pm, so they got pretty angry and squirmy being confined to car seats.

4. Planning to Swim
Had there been a pool, sure. Had they been five, I’m sure I’d have to have pulled them out of the lake every night. But at 8.5 months? That water was way too cold and icky for them. I brought all these floaties and swimsuits and swim diapers that I never used. They didn’t take up much room, all things considered, but they were pretty much useless.

5. Not Prepping Them for the Pack n Plays
Our boys had literally NEVER slept in a pack n play. This was probably our biggest mistake. If I could go back, I’d have them sleep in them pack n plays for a week or so before the trip to get them used to them and to make sure they would work. Our boys are used to rolling around a lot in their cribs, and this just isn’t as easy or comfortable in the pack n play.

6. Not Getting Two Rooms
In a hotel, I would obviously never get two rooms unless it was a suite, but in a house, you really want two rooms—one for you and your spouse and one for the kids. I hated worrying that I’d wake them up when I crawled into bed or being unable to get my pajamas from my suitcase once they were asleep. Plus, the bed plus two pack n plays was pretty much the entire room.

Despite a lot of difficulty in the sleep department, it was a great trip. While traveling with infants is totally different than traveling before babies, that’s no reason to stay at home. Even though they were more difficult on vacation than they are at home, it was still an important trip for us to take as a family and as a group of friends. We made memories that I’ll absolutely never forget, started traditions, and the change of scenery benefited us greatly. Just plan ahead and be ready to roll with a little bit of chaos!