Saturday, February 25, 2012

Positive re-inforcement

One big parenting skill we use in our house is positive re-inforcements.  Ian and I have talked about how we will deal with not so nice behaviors.  This is one we both really wanted to use, it just fit both of us!  The girls are starting to get extremely "testie."  Lately, they have been testing every button in me, and I think it all started from when I was sick and kind of let them run the house!  We have tried to not use the word "no."  That was something we did not want them using in their vocabulary.  Well it took 21 months for them to start using it, so I will take it! 
They don't use it in a bad way though and don't fight us.  If they tell us no, we explain the reasoning at their level and than they are fine.  There is no fighting us, which is great!  It is usually when we give them choices or ask them questions.  The only time they really use it is at meal times and bed time.  If they do something they are not suppose to, we try not to say no, but tell them how to use it or do it the right way.  I feel the more I say no, the more it won't be effective when I really need to use it in dangerous situations.


I have noticed that this method works for the girls.  The rewards they get for positive things they do is through words.  Example:  They are learning to share.  When one shares a toy with her sister, I say "I like that your sharing, or thank you for sharing with sissy, good job!"  I saw them do something good, so I praise it.  I try to give them opportunities to do something good.  I ask them if they can help mommy clean the table, when they wipe it, I praise and give them a hug and kiss.

I have done a lot of research, I wanted to use something that would make the girls feel good for doing something right, to build on their self esteem.  I also wanted them to know I see it and acknowledge their good behaviors.  Plus extra hugs and kisses are great rewards!  This is also not to say that they don't get time-outs.  There are times a time out is needed in certain situations, to get their time alone and get their emotions in check. 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentines Day!

Yes, I know it is a made up holdiday.  But I love it, and it is ever since we had children.  I wasn't big on it before, but my husband had always gotten me something from the time we started dating.  Now, I love it because you get to show your little family how much you love them, even though you are suppose to do it everyday; this day is extra special!

I did a craft with the girls, by myself.  Wish I would have done it over the weekend, but we were just so busy!  Tips on painting:  I got none, other than it will be a mess and make sure they are strapped in if they are under the age of 2!  Zoey decided it would be more fun to paint her body than the paper!  Needless to say, it ended in getting a bath!  When you have multiples and can only do one hand and foot print at a time, you have to keep the other one occupied.  They had so much fun, and that is all that mattered to me.  I don't care that my hand prints don't look like hearts, all that mattered is that the girls enjoyed it!  the cards still came out really cute!

here are some pics from 2011 and 2012!

1st Valentine's 2011!

2nd Valentine's 2012!





Monday, February 13, 2012

Sick Mommy

There should only be one rule in parenting:  that no parent is allowed to get sick or they can if it lands on a weekend when both are home!  I got sick during the week.  My husband had to work and I had no help.  Those three days the girls did awesome.  I was so proud of them.  I think they realized something was wrong when I couldn't move from the couch and they saw my head in the toilet and started crying.  They know you only sit on the potty, have not explained to them yet that you also throw up in the potty!

I will try and give some tips that I did those three days and hopefully they will help you too! Most of it is common sense though!

* tylenol, tylenol, tylenol!  I am not big a big fan about taking medicine, I have to be dying to take medicine.  As a nurse, I know to much about medicine and the body.  Well, I will tell you that the fever was taking over my body to where I couldn't even move, so I decided it was time to take tylenol.  I still had to take care of the kids, so I needed to be able to move. 

*designate yourself to only one room.  I decided that we would just bring some of the girls toys into the living room.  I didn't want to be in the playroom, cause then all the germs would get all over their stuff.  There comes a time where you don't care if the room is messy and if elmo and blues clues plays all day.  This was the day I didn't care.

* hand washing, hand sanitizer, and lysol (mine was natural, no harmful chemicals).  Anytime the girls wanted to snuggle, or touch me. I washed or sanitized my hands and made sure I didn't breathe on them.  They understood I was sick.  I told them that mommy couldn't cuddle, but that I could still watch them play and and clap for them when they did something good.  Those three days, they learned their shapes, because they loved when I cheered for them for putting the right shape in its right slot.  They were excellent and played so nicely together!

*  Anything I ate or drank, I threw up.  I think that was the hardest part because I needed the energy and hydration to make it through the day; but the girls were so afraid of my head being in the toilet so I needed to avoid it as much as I could.  (another tip: don't let your kids watch you.  I locked them out of the bathroom, good thing about my kids is, they can't be out of our sight or they panick.  They won't run away or get into trouble.  They stood at the door and kept knocking and calling mommy.)  Some children are not like that though, so do what works for you whether it is letting them in or putting them in their crib for a minute.

* Hydrate as much as you can.  I was drinking water and orange juice when I could.

* SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP.  Hard when you have no help right?!  I slept when the girls took a nap and when my husband got home.  One night, he didn't get home til the girls were in bed, so I just went to bed when they did.

I had it, my sister had it at the same time, and my dad got it.  Best part about this whole thing:  the girls and my husband did not catch it....well not yet at least!!!


Friday, February 10, 2012

why I blog

The whole reason I started this blog was to help other mothers of multiples.  I will continue to use this blog to give advice on raising multiples.  You may see some personal things on here, but no matter what, it will always be about helping other parents as much as I can.  Whether it be through my experiences or just keeping you all up to date on the lastest information regarding infants, toddlers and children.

This blog is not only for mothers of multiples, but for any parent needing advice or just needing to hear other mothers go through the same thing and that they are not alone.

I knew what to expect with twins.  I watched my aunt raise twins, and I also nannied for a long time for two children who were only one year apart.  I have always wanted children, it was my calling to be a mother and work with kids.  My husband on the other hand had no idea what to expect with infants, let alone two at the same time.  He was so excited though, and has enjoyed every minute of it! 

I will ask him to do a post for all you men out there, and give his take on the first year!  stay tuned for that!

I also have something up my sleeve, and will let you all know soon!  stay tuned...more exciting things coming up and a lot of advice and words of wisdom, especially with the toddler stage!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

my favorite hobby!

I have loved photography for a long time!  I took two photography classes in high school and loved every minute of it. Sometimes I wish I would have continued it.  In 2010, my husband got me a DSLR camera due to the fact that we could not afford professional pics, or should I say we had a bad experience with it, and because he knows how much I love taking pictures and enjoy it.  We got professional pictures taken when the girls turned three months and it was the worst experience ever.  We planned it for right after the girls ate, we knew what we wanted.  well needless to say, they rushed us and took pictures in 15 minutes which overwhelmed the girls and they are crying in most of the pictures.  Then they expected us to spend 100 dollars on those pictures. 

I have been taking the girls pictures on my own, our family pictures on my own with a tripod and wireless remote, and close family and friends pictures.  I love all of them and they look professional.  I really enjoy, not only taking pictures that I want of them, but saving a ton of money!

I would love to do this also as a side job, I am not a professional and did not go to college for this so I wouldn't charge really anything.  Two of my favorite things about it is capturing those amazing moments, and editing them.  I love messing with photoshop!  One thing you will not see though are pictures on special occasions and holidays.  I want to enjoy those moments with my children and experience it with them.  I don't want to hide behind the camera and miss special moments with them.

I took some pictures for my sister while they were in town, here are some! (Rach- I hope you don't mind that I put up these pictures and the newborn pics I took of Gavin!)  (here is the link if you want to look at those again- GAVIN'S PICTURES!)













***next post will be about how I do it with backdrops, and props on a budget.  And how I get them to sit and smile***

Sunday, February 5, 2012

winter time fun

BUBBLES!  Whoever invented bubbles is amazing!  I thank the bubbles on a regular basis!  This winter has not been a winter at all, not complaining!  January and February have been in the 40's and 50's.  Am I nervous? Yes, if you live here you know this is not normal at all.  I have a feeling once the lake freezes, we will be having winter at least through May.

There are very cold days here though, and being stuck in the house all day, everyday is tough.  Well not when you have bubbles!  At least not while you are blowing them.  But when you get lightheaded from blowing them for a good 15 minutes and about to faint, it gets a little ugly in the house!

Not only do we does mommy blow bubbles, but we do still go outside.  You can't get sick or a cold from being outside, so go outside!  The girls love it.  Why, I am not sure, there are no toys outside, but they enjoy it.  We get all bundled up and just walk around!

Arts and crafts are also a life saver!  It may get messy, but the girls are so happy and that is all that matters.  I will deal with the mess when they go down for a nap!

Do I love this weather right now? ABSOLUTELY!  Do I care if it snows? NO, because the girls also love the snow!

If going out and getting fresh air is not for you, I understand.  I was the same way before I had kids, you would have never seen me outside during the winter months unless skiing, tubing, or sled riding.  So for those of you who hate the cold, and some days I do,  I bundle the girls up while we are out running errands and put them in the stroller.  Instead of getting in the car after every store and driving 10 doors down, we walk.  It is nice to just get some fresh air.  Not only does it help them, but it helps with naps too (hint, hint!)
walking from one store to the next!  this is what happens when you get fresh air! (also when you don't sleep during the night, like my kids!)


Daddy's little chicks, always following him no matter what!


taking their babies for a walk outside!