While I have been not blogging...

... in no particular order

* The twins have had their second round of jabs; they were very good.

* We finally have an appointment for their hips (suspected clicky at 6wk check) to be scanned next Thursday.

* They've outgrown their moses baskets and 0-3m clothes!

* DD1 does seem to have arrived in the "terrible twos" - cue tantrums and picky eating. But she's so lovely and funny the rest of the time!

* I've been investigating some new 'business' ideas and just generally getting more organised day to day

* We've been going to and loving Twins Club. So nice to feel unfreaky and talk to mums with the same experiences. There's even talk of a Mum's night out.

* I have started swimming again.

A month's worth (I hope) of nappies from Lidyl

* I have started shopping at Lidyl once a month in an effort to save money on basics like nappies. I reckon we could save £15 a month on the 360 nappies I think we use.

* I have now lost more than a stone! Another 1/2 stone and I shall be at my pre-twins weight with more clothes that fit available to me!

* I went shopping by myself yesterday for two hours during nap time (I <3 nap time and I <3 Gina!). It was so nice to go in shops that the monster buggy (hereafter MB) doesn't fit into and to be 'invisible'. I never am when I am pushing the MB. I even got ID'd in Tescos buying a bottle of wine? Quite a compliment at 33.

* I have had a contraceptive implant fitted - no more babies for me (that's another post). The Dr said to me "That's it, all being well we don't need to see you for three years". Which led me to reflect, aloud, on what had happened to me in the previous 3 years. I got married and had three babies! "I hope not as much happens in the next three years!" I said to the Dr. "Well," she said "that's the sign of a contented life then."

A Good Day

I've had a very good day. The twins have napped and fed beautifully. One or both of them were grizzly at lunchtime but always calmed down so quickly that I didn't even have time to think about going into the nursery.

And this afternoon I took all girls into town in the monster buggy and it was a great success. I had this fear towards the end of my pregnancy that I wasn't going to be abel to fit in any shops with it but so far, so good. I even managed to take DD1 to the park on the way home. We've not been to the main park since they re did it and she was really excited to go on the slide. It was so nice to be able to do something like that for her again. I did her bath too - something else I had to forgo for the later months of my pregnancy and while I was recovering from the c section. I feel like a proper mummy again!

Freedom!

Wooo hooo, the monster buggy is repaired and today DH and I took the children into town! I was pleasantly surprised by the number of shops that we could navigate; Boots, M&S and Wilkinsons, so some good essentials covered there. I also managed to get into the Dr's surgery (to drop off a repeat prescription) although I am confident I will have to leave it in reception as it almost certainly won't fit in any of the consultation rooms!

It felt good to be out, though I am knackered tonight, and that was even though DH did the pushing up hills. As I suspected I have some way to go before regaining my previous level of fitness. But it's good because I have four stone to loose (more on that anon) and pushing this buggy is definitely a workout!

Today...

* Another order of budget clothes arrived to see me through until I loose a bit of weight.

* My mum came round, bought cookies and agreed to take up my new size 20 (yeouch!) jeans. I love my Mummy.

* Both twins woke early from their lunchtime and afternoon naps wanting their feeds early. I managed to actually dress them both today so they escaped babygros!

* My dad took DD1 along on his dog walk so I was able to take the twins out in the pram, not going to be able to do that much longer, they are really squished now. Hope the new wheel for the triple buggy comes soon. It's been a lovely day and I managed to walk as far as the river. Feeling a bit less stiff in the last couple of days too.

* DD1 wanted to take her teddy bear in the bath. We dressed him in a nappy and a vest instead. She's taken him, her polar bear, rabbit and two dollies to bed with her. At this rate there will be no space for her in her bed by the end of the week.

Tomorrow...

* Our new Homestart volunteer is coming and we're going to Waitrose for coffee. I'm a bit aprehensive about it. Hope we get on.

Monster Buggy Bites the Dust

What a day. I am mentally and physically exhausted. To prevent me ranting here it is in bullet points.

* My "designated twin's" feeding pattern went a bit haywire last night so I was knackered to start with.

* Had an arguement with DH while making breakfast, can't even remember what about now - general lack of respect of my housework.

* Put away washing, changed both moses baskets and all three cots. Fed babies, made lunch.

* Managed half an hours nap, woke up to babies screaming.

* We decided to take our triple buggy for a test drive. DH got it out the garage yesterday and I spent an hour refitting the footmuffs and harnesses. I haven't used it until now because I've been recovering from c section. We were only going to Waitrose. Got half way there, crossing a main road and one of the wheels snapped off. Had to stop on the island in the middle of the road and take DD1 out. DH pushed the buggy home without one of the front wheels, fortunately both babies asleep and I had to walk with DD, lifting her across roads (I guess my scar has heeled ok!)

* DH left me on my own at teatime to see if his dad could fix the broken bit. Both babies had leaky nappies (one outfit got thrown away it was so bad) and one was sick on the carpet.

Fortunately we have now discovered that we can order a new part for the buggy but it might take 10 days to come and until then I can't leave the house on my own as would have to use two buggies/pram. Insurance say I can't drive until my six week check. I am soooo desperate to do something with my parents or MIL!

The only good thing is that all three children have been asleep since 6:30pm, which hasn't happen in days so we have managed to eat a nice dinner and drink a G&T and a glass of wine!

I am exhausted, need to find some strength from somewhere!

"Accept all offers of help"

Read anything about twins and the above is bound to be included. And it's one of my biggest problems with having twins. I don't want help! I want to be superwoman and do it all myself. Yesterday I had a particularly big wobble about this and posted the following on my birth board on Baby Centre.

Don't know what to call this post. I am basically overwhelmed. Stuff with the babies and DD1 is going ok, not perfect, we didn't have a great night last night, but all as I expected.

It's my family that are doing my head in. As many of you know I had a c section and after three weeks DH went back to work so MIL and my parents kindly volunteered to help me with DD as I can't lift her into her chair for meals or into her cot at nap times. I also can't drive or push the new triple buggy so its been good having someone around just so that we could go to the park or so on.

But, it's been two weeks and I NEED to get intp my own routine and feel that I can handle my life by myself! With the twins settling more I am have been able to put them down for a nap at lunchtime at the same time as DD1 which should mean I can get something done or relax but MIL and my Dad are both too polite to bring something to do so I end up sitting on the sofa making small talk.

I've managed to shirk MIL, as she's on holiday next week but she's still sent me an email saying she'd like to 'help out' when they get back. And my parents have both told me they are coming round next week. I just feel like none of them have any confidence in my ability to do this! I feel like a child. This is on top of 6 weeks being housebound before they were born. I'm starting to doubt my own capabilities.

DH listened to this whole rant when he got home and said they're all just trying to be nice and that they want to see their grandchildren and it's an excuse and I know all that but I want to be able to get up in the morning and think "What shall we do today?" not "Whose coming today - oh that means we can't go out!"

I know having twins is hard work, I know there will be days when I am so fed up but it feels like I've given up my independence my having twins.

I know what I've got to do, be firm with them and/or make plans and be busy so I've got an excuse but I don't want to offend... arghhh! They mean well.

Am on the verge of deleting this post as it's simply a rant with no purpose. Thanks if you've read this far!

Responses included

"Totally understand. My mum is coming next week to help but its easier to work your day out by yourself"

"The only thing to do is really to be utterly "rude" and announce "well I'm going to do such-and-such now."

"be firm/clear and say 'No I want and need to do this part on my own but it is nice to know I have people to call on"

All good suggestions but I have a feeling it's going to take me a little longer to figure this out!


And finally...

So delighted to hear that a fellow blogger and multiple mum from the BC "Pregnant with Twins" board has had her quadruplets, on 29th February (leap day) no less! Click over to Emma's blog to read more. Congratulations Emma & Martin!