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| Oliver looking proud of the mess he made! |
Monday, September 27, 2010
Boys Will Be Boys
This is what happens when you leave a boy unattended/unclothed/undiapered on the changing table while you quick run to grab another diaper (hint: look closely to the right on the sheet in the pack n play). I am happy to say that dad made this mistake and had to deal with the clean-up!
Oh Doctor!
As we plan to have this blog printed into a book, it is important that we do somewhat meaningless posts about weights and doctor visits. We made a trip to the pediatrician today for the twin's 2 month check-up and here is what we found out!
First, we are going to get some crinkly paper (you know the stuff that is on the tables in exam rooms), because the twins were absolutely thrilled to lay there and kick around and listen to the crinkles!
Oliver
Weight: 12 lbs 5.5 ounces (65th percentile)
Height: 22 7/8" (50th percentile)
Head: 15 3/4" (55th percentile)
Stella
Weight: 10 lbs 11 ounces (50th percentile)
Height: 23 1/8" (75th percentile)
Head: 15 1/2" (50th percentile)
As you can see, their weights are coming along nicely since they were both in the 10th percentile or below at birth! And as we had guessed, Stella the stringbean is a little bit taller than her older brother. One other phenomenon that we've noticed is that even though their weights are only 1.5 lbs apart, it "feels" like Oliver is twice as heavy as his sister. The doctor said, "he's like a bowling ball!", which is a comment we've made numerous times.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunny, Smiley Sunday
It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday so we decided to head out to Lake Harriet to visit the Rose Garden and take a brief walk (it would have been longer if not for the fact that I am still wearing the boot!). We had a mini picnic and Oliver & Stella enjoyed a little playtime on the blanket.
The big news of the day was that it was Stella's smiliest day to date. We took lots of pictures since she was deciding to be quite the model for the camera!
Mr. Oliver's hat just wouldn't quite stay put but he didn't seem to mind!
And last but not least, dad and his little girl......who then decided to be shy!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Two Months & Counting
We have hit another milestone today......two months! Now, if only they would hit the milestone of sleeping longer consecutive hours at night :). But overall, things are going great and we have two healthy babies!
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| Twins in the Hoods |
Oliver update:
-Still loves to eat
-Very smiley!
-Typical boy - grunting and groaning
-Social butterfly
-Nicknames: O, Buckshot (vetoed by mom!), Buddy
Stella update:
-Loves tummy time
-Queen of diaper blowouts
-Good sleeper
-Burps like a marine (so Grandpa C says)
-Burps like a marine (so Grandpa C says)
-Skeptical and serious.....still waiting on some smiles!
-Nicknames: Sissy, Snack pack (always wants to eat between feedings), Diva, SassyA few comparison photos:
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| One week |
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| Two months |
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| Stella's skinny legs then |
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| Stella's legs now |
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Top 10 Favorite Baby Items
As new parents, we were lost in the sea of baby products to choose from. We had no clue what we would use, what was a waste of money, and what were the “must haves”. To top it off, not only do you have to decide if you need a bouncy seat, but which of the 150 options is the best. One review says an item is great and the next says it is junk! And for us, we then had to decide whether we needed one or two!
So we have decided to do a list of our top 10 favorite baby items so far. We are by no means experts, but these are items that we have already gotten our money out of and have been really happy with. Here it is (in no particular order):
Ford Flex
http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/flex/
Is it a mini van, a station wagon, or an SUV? We’re not sure either! But we like it. This isn’t necessarily a “baby product” but we did make the purchase because we were going to have kids so we felt it was necessary to include it on our list.
There are many reasons why we love our Flex. Here are a few of them: automatic rear hatch gate (a must have upgrade and worth the extra $$), the “look”, rear reverse sensor, room inside, smooth ride, SYNC, and the list goes on!
Aden & Anais
http://www.adenandanais.com/
Best. Blankets. Ever. Not to mention all of their other products too. We have loved the Classic Muslin Swaddle Blankets (and the “Mod About Baby” pattern is perfect for gender neutral!). The weight is great for warmer weather but they are nice and cozy when wrapped around baby. We take them everywhere with us as our car seat/stroller blankets. We also use the Sleeping Bags/Sleep Sacks over sleepers at night.
Next on my list to order………the Burpy Bibs and Issie Security Blankets!
Summer Infant Video Monitor
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Deluxe-Handheld-Monitor/dp/B00020V5A2
We felt a little weird getting a video monitor. We thought it was enough to be able to just hear your baby crying……why would you need to see them crying? But I had sent an email to numerous “mom” friends and an overwhelming amount said they had wished that they had spent the extra money on a video monitor. So we got one. And it is great.
The beauty of having the video in addition to the monitor might be in the fact that we have twins. Their cries and fussing can sound similar and it is nice to be able to look at the monitor and know which one it is and have a “plan of action” for what we will do when we head into the nursery. Also, for the first few nights I will admit it was nice to take a peak and make sure they were breathing and moving :). I have since learned that I sleep better when I don’t have the sound on at all……oh how things change when the sleep deprivation hits!
Oxo Candela Guardian Light
http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=54&f=3864
Ever try doing a middle of the night feeding without waking the baby but having enough light to see? This light is the perfect solution. Sits on the wall and easy to grab and provide just enough light when you need it. It is the only thing we use to change diapers and do feedings in the middle of the night. And when it is on it’s base, it provides a nice slight glow in the room like a night light would. We like it so much that we have two.
Primo Infant Bath Seat
http://www.giggle.com/p/14610/Infant-Bath-Seat.aspx?s=1&keyword=primo+tub
It doesn’t seem like that great of a baby product, but it makes baths pretty darn easy. No 8 week old baby needs a bath every night, but it is something that both Oliver & Stella enjoy so we are making it part of our routine. The beauty of this bath seat is that it is small enough to store on a hook on the back of a door, plop it into the tub (it has little suctions on the bottom), and put the baby in it. No filling/emptying……you can just pour water right over the baby. And, the best part…….$12 + free shipping!
Bright Starts Automatic Bouncer
http://www.brightstarts.com/p-212-ingenuity-automatic-bouncer.aspx
A bouncy seat is a bouncy seat, right? That’s what we thought until we found the Bright Starts Automatic Bouncer. The key word there is “automatic”…….yes, it bounces itself. It doesn’t just vibrate like most bouncy seats, it actually bounces itself up and down. Brilliant! And, for any twin moms out there, the stability, size and shape make them great to feed both babies in at the same time. A huge time saver!
K’Tan Wrap
http://www.babyktan.com/
I debated baby carriers/wrap options for a long time. I found overwhelming positive reviews for the Moby Wrap and decided to go with it. It arrived and after taking one look at it I realized it wasn’t the right one for me. The fabric length is about a mile long and there is nothing quick about getting it on. But I tried it around the house anyways and found another downfall, it hurt my back/shoulders to carry the babies in.
Another mom (thanks, Mindee!) had raved about the K’Tan Wrap and I should have listened to her from the start. It is essentially the same as the Moby in how you can carry the babies but rather than one long piece of fabric, there are two circles that you just put over your body. Simple, fast, and comfortable. Enough said!
Dr. Brown’s
http://www.handi-craft.com/home.html
The number of bottle options can also seem overwhelming at times. Based on a recommendation from a friend, we have 3 different types of bottles (2 bottles from each brand) on hand when the babies came home. We started off using the Dr. Brown’s we had at the house and have been very happy from the start. They are especially great if you have a colic baby (Oliver). They are a little more work to wash because there are a lot of parts, but well worth it if you ask us!
Our other favorite Dr. Brown’s product is the mixing pitcher. This is a must have if you are formula feeding your baby. We have two of them and we are able to mix a full pitcher and pour bottles ahead of time for the day or just mix it to have on hand when we need it. A big time saver!
Baby Jogger City Select
http://www.babyjogger.com/city_select_lp.aspx
The stroller debate was easy for us. The Baby Jogger City Select hit the market in Jaunary and is the perfect stroller for twins. We were sold when we found out that it wasn’t a double wide or a double long. It somewhat “stacks” the two car seats and make fitting through doorways and turning super easy. It also has toddler seats which we will start using in a few months……there are numerous configurations you can do with the seats. The stroller is also super easy to collapse/fold and isn’t too heavy. We feel that it was worth the splurge since it is our “everything” stroller and we won’t have 2-3 strollers sitting around for different purposes……especially since our Minneapolis home barely has room for one!
IKEA Gulliver Crib
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00116005
We weren’t looking for much in a crib. Our list included simple, white, safe, and cost effective. A quick trip to IKEA and we found our match…..the Gulliver Crib. There is nothing fancy about it but considering it fit all of our criteria and it was only $99.99, we were sold! And the money we saved we put into something we felt was more important – organic crib mattresses.
So we have decided to do a list of our top 10 favorite baby items so far. We are by no means experts, but these are items that we have already gotten our money out of and have been really happy with. Here it is (in no particular order):
Ford Flex
http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/flex/
Is it a mini van, a station wagon, or an SUV? We’re not sure either! But we like it. This isn’t necessarily a “baby product” but we did make the purchase because we were going to have kids so we felt it was necessary to include it on our list.
Aden & Anais
http://www.adenandanais.com/
Best. Blankets. Ever. Not to mention all of their other products too. We have loved the Classic Muslin Swaddle Blankets (and the “Mod About Baby” pattern is perfect for gender neutral!). The weight is great for warmer weather but they are nice and cozy when wrapped around baby. We take them everywhere with us as our car seat/stroller blankets. We also use the Sleeping Bags/Sleep Sacks over sleepers at night.
Next on my list to order………the Burpy Bibs and Issie Security Blankets!
Summer Infant Video Monitor
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Deluxe-Handheld-Monitor/dp/B00020V5A2
We felt a little weird getting a video monitor. We thought it was enough to be able to just hear your baby crying……why would you need to see them crying? But I had sent an email to numerous “mom” friends and an overwhelming amount said they had wished that they had spent the extra money on a video monitor. So we got one. And it is great.
Oxo Candela Guardian Light
http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=54&f=3864
Ever try doing a middle of the night feeding without waking the baby but having enough light to see? This light is the perfect solution. Sits on the wall and easy to grab and provide just enough light when you need it. It is the only thing we use to change diapers and do feedings in the middle of the night. And when it is on it’s base, it provides a nice slight glow in the room like a night light would. We like it so much that we have two.
Primo Infant Bath Seat
http://www.giggle.com/p/14610/Infant-Bath-Seat.aspx?s=1&keyword=primo+tub
It doesn’t seem like that great of a baby product, but it makes baths pretty darn easy. No 8 week old baby needs a bath every night, but it is something that both Oliver & Stella enjoy so we are making it part of our routine. The beauty of this bath seat is that it is small enough to store on a hook on the back of a door, plop it into the tub (it has little suctions on the bottom), and put the baby in it. No filling/emptying……you can just pour water right over the baby. And, the best part…….$12 + free shipping!
Bright Starts Automatic Bouncer
http://www.brightstarts.com/p-212-ingenuity-automatic-bouncer.aspx
A bouncy seat is a bouncy seat, right? That’s what we thought until we found the Bright Starts Automatic Bouncer. The key word there is “automatic”…….yes, it bounces itself. It doesn’t just vibrate like most bouncy seats, it actually bounces itself up and down. Brilliant! And, for any twin moms out there, the stability, size and shape make them great to feed both babies in at the same time. A huge time saver!
K’Tan Wrap
http://www.babyktan.com/
I debated baby carriers/wrap options for a long time. I found overwhelming positive reviews for the Moby Wrap and decided to go with it. It arrived and after taking one look at it I realized it wasn’t the right one for me. The fabric length is about a mile long and there is nothing quick about getting it on. But I tried it around the house anyways and found another downfall, it hurt my back/shoulders to carry the babies in.
Another mom (thanks, Mindee!) had raved about the K’Tan Wrap and I should have listened to her from the start. It is essentially the same as the Moby in how you can carry the babies but rather than one long piece of fabric, there are two circles that you just put over your body. Simple, fast, and comfortable. Enough said!
Dr. Brown’s
http://www.handi-craft.com/home.html
The number of bottle options can also seem overwhelming at times. Based on a recommendation from a friend, we have 3 different types of bottles (2 bottles from each brand) on hand when the babies came home. We started off using the Dr. Brown’s we had at the house and have been very happy from the start. They are especially great if you have a colic baby (Oliver). They are a little more work to wash because there are a lot of parts, but well worth it if you ask us!
Our other favorite Dr. Brown’s product is the mixing pitcher. This is a must have if you are formula feeding your baby. We have two of them and we are able to mix a full pitcher and pour bottles ahead of time for the day or just mix it to have on hand when we need it. A big time saver!
Baby Jogger City Select
http://www.babyjogger.com/city_select_lp.aspx
The stroller debate was easy for us. The Baby Jogger City Select hit the market in Jaunary and is the perfect stroller for twins. We were sold when we found out that it wasn’t a double wide or a double long. It somewhat “stacks” the two car seats and make fitting through doorways and turning super easy. It also has toddler seats which we will start using in a few months……there are numerous configurations you can do with the seats. The stroller is also super easy to collapse/fold and isn’t too heavy. We feel that it was worth the splurge since it is our “everything” stroller and we won’t have 2-3 strollers sitting around for different purposes……especially since our Minneapolis home barely has room for one!
IKEA Gulliver Crib
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00116005
We weren’t looking for much in a crib. Our list included simple, white, safe, and cost effective. A quick trip to IKEA and we found our match…..the Gulliver Crib. There is nothing fancy about it but considering it fit all of our criteria and it was only $99.99, we were sold! And the money we saved we put into something we felt was more important – organic crib mattresses.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Hoosier Babies
While they will always bleed Maroon and Gold, there is a small place in their hearts for Cream and Crimson - Go IU!
Monday, September 13, 2010
And....Action!
Dad is hoping that the twins kicked off a TV career today so that he can retire early.
http://twincitieslive.com/article/stories/S1741950.shtml?cat=10744
The link above will take you to a clip of a local daytime talk show segment with a "baby guru" from New York. Kendra happens to know his sister who also recently had twins and they offered her the opportunity to allow Oliver and Stella to begin their modeling careers! It was a fairly brief appearance, but early word from the station is that ratings were through the roof!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Oliver Discovers Motor Skills
It was pretty neat to watch Oliver discover that not only could he stare at the toy hanging on his bouncy, but he could bat it around and make it move too!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Go Gophers!
The twins don't realize it yet, but their father is attempting to sign them up for a lifetime of cruel defeats and heartbreaking disappointments. Yes, he is dragging them into the world of being a Gopher fan.
 |
| All dressed up and ready to go! |
Today, we took them to TCF Bank Stadium for their first live experience with Gopher football. In a "You can't make this up" moment, their very first game may have coincided with the lowest point in Gopher football history, a 41-38 loss to South Dakota, a mediocre Division I-AA team. Absolutely embarrassing! Thankfully, the twins slept through the whole thing and didn't have to actually witness the carnage!
 |
| All bundled up! |
 |
| Hanging with mom in the outfits she made for them |
On the bright side, the fact that their first game was so disappointing means that things can only go up from here for them, right??
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| Stella and Dad rest up for next week's game with USC |
Smile!
We have been waiting on some baby smiles in this house. We're not sure if it's luck (or just gas) but Oliver has definitely been showing us his grin in the last week. Stella, not so much.....her personality makes us think that it might be awhile!
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| Smile! |
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| Serious Stella |
 |
| Oliver & the Ladies (Lena, Stella, Audrey, McKenna) |
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| Dad and his girl |
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| Who needs toys when there is a shiny glass of beer to look at?! |
Change of Scenery
We headed up to “The Lodge” at Little Sand Lake for a few nights at Grandpa and Grandma Christensen’s for Labor Day. It was a nice break for all of us to get away from Minneapolis for a relaxing weekend in the northwoods. We would normally spend lots of time there during the summer for fun in the sun, but with the pregnancy it was not ideal to be traveling there this year. It had been too long!
Everyone enjoyed their time there……..dad was able to sneak in a few beers and mom got a chance to go for a run and swim. We look forward to visiting and making many more memories there with Oliver & Stella!
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| Oliver enjoying the view of Little Sand Lake |
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| Stella cozy & sleepy at the Lodge |
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Future WWF'ers?
For all of you WWF followers out there, we think that the twins might be Hulk Hogan fans based on a common pose that we often catch them doing!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Week in Review
Last week was a busy one…….here is a recap of what we were up to:
We kicked off last week with a visit to the Dr. to have a hip ultrasound on Stella. Our pediatrician at our one week check-up asked if either of the twins were breech during the pregnancy. Stella was a little gymnast and although she ended up vertex (head down) when we hit 38 weeks, she spent several times in the breech position. Evidently babies that are breech have a higher likelihood of developing hip problems. To be safe, it is recommended they have an ultrasound done to make sure everything is moving the way it should. Stella was a trooper during the ultrasound and the good news is her hips look great!
On Tuesday, O & S got to meet their Uncle Jeremy for the first time……he traveled all the way from LA to see them (well, and everyone else in the family too!). We had a great time visiting with him and can’t wait to see him and Aunt Suzette at Christmas!
We were lucky enough to sneak in a few hours out for a date night without O & S while Grandma & Grandpa C watched them (thank you!!). Of course we spent most of our dinner conversation at Salut talking about the twins, but it was still a great night out!
On Friday, Grandma & Grandpa Krueger and Aunt Sharon and Uncle Kurt arrived for the weekend to get their share of twin time. We appreciated all of their help in holding, feeding, changing, and snuggling with O & S. We even managed to head out for a great dinner at Brasa…yum!
This week dad is headed to IU for a Target recruiting trip so mom is grateful that Grandma & Grandpa C are here to help! We will all head to Wisconsin this weekend for O & S’s first visit to Little Sand Lake…..looking forward to introducing them to a place where many fun memories will be made over the years!
We kicked off last week with a visit to the Dr. to have a hip ultrasound on Stella. Our pediatrician at our one week check-up asked if either of the twins were breech during the pregnancy. Stella was a little gymnast and although she ended up vertex (head down) when we hit 38 weeks, she spent several times in the breech position. Evidently babies that are breech have a higher likelihood of developing hip problems. To be safe, it is recommended they have an ultrasound done to make sure everything is moving the way it should. Stella was a trooper during the ultrasound and the good news is her hips look great!
On Tuesday, O & S got to meet their Uncle Jeremy for the first time……he traveled all the way from LA to see them (well, and everyone else in the family too!). We had a great time visiting with him and can’t wait to see him and Aunt Suzette at Christmas!
 |
| Jeremy w/ his 3 nieces (Stella, Anna, Lydia) |
We were lucky enough to sneak in a few hours out for a date night without O & S while Grandma & Grandpa C watched them (thank you!!). Of course we spent most of our dinner conversation at Salut talking about the twins, but it was still a great night out!
On Friday, Grandma & Grandpa Krueger and Aunt Sharon and Uncle Kurt arrived for the weekend to get their share of twin time. We appreciated all of their help in holding, feeding, changing, and snuggling with O & S. We even managed to head out for a great dinner at Brasa…yum!
 | ||
| Aunt Sharon w/ O & S |
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| Grandpa Krueger w/ Oliver |
This week dad is headed to IU for a Target recruiting trip so mom is grateful that Grandma & Grandpa C are here to help! We will all head to Wisconsin this weekend for O & S’s first visit to Little Sand Lake…..looking forward to introducing them to a place where many fun memories will be made over the years!
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