Baby Shower Gift Ideas for Twins Under $50.00

I have been a mother twice already. I have my lovely teenager daughter, going through the great puberty stage which comes with a lot of rebellion. I also have a three year old boy who I spoiled enormously and will forever be my baby and now I have twins on the way. I know the gender of my two new little ones I am expecting but I’m not ready to share just yet.

On my quest to find out what being a twin mom is all about, I am learning a lot of new things. Some of the things I’m learning are making me a bit paranoid; it has me questioning myself if I can really handle this task.

As I am going through baby products for twins, I have come across a few essentials that every twin mom will need plenty of - in stock. When there is more than one you need double or even triple of what you had for a singleton.

Below I have listed the Top 10 Items a twin mom will need plenty of.
If you’re a mom make sure you stock up before the 2 new blessing arrive or if you are baby shower shopping for twins, these are some great ideas and they are all under $50.00.

1.   Full Supply of Diapers (Disposable or Cloth) and Wipes

You can expect each baby to soil/wet 8 to 12 diapers a day for at least the first two months. You will go through 960 to 1,440 diapers in your first 60 days alone. If you use cloth diapers, keep in mind you will save plenty of money that you could use toward other essential items.

2.   Diaper Genie

What goes in must come out. Many of the predominant diaper manufacturers put coupons in the newspaper regularly and offer coupons to moms of twins; however, even with coupons name-brand diapers are still much more expensive.

You will defiantly need a diaper genie to dispose all those diapers you will be putting to use. Diaper Genie is so convenient because you it hold up to 270 newborn diapers which means less time taken from you traveling outside to the garbage can an it hold the stronger order of those stinky diapers

3.   My Best Friend Twin Nursing Pillow

I have always breasted my kids, and was wondering how I was going to manage two babies at once that want a feeding. My Best Friend Twin Nursing Pillow was recommended to me by a old HS friend who also has twins. Despite it comes in green the pillow was made to support new mothers of breastfeeding twins. The pillow wraps securely around your body with an adjustable fit for most sizes.

4.  Car Seat Canopies

Canopies either for car seat or for the stroller are another essential. I keeps, the sun/rain off of baby as well as bugs and strangers who may feel the need to be all in your babies face.

5.  Batteries

Most baby toys, swings, rockers etc., C and D batteries are most common for larger items like a swing, but AA and AAA are commonly used for vibration in a bouncy chair or swing.

6.  Fisher Price Rock & Play Sleeper

Fisher Price Rock & Play Sleeper has an inclined sleeper and playtime seat in on with calming vibrations. The inclined seat helps baby sleep all night long. Definitely a plus when one or both babies are having a uptight day.
 

Other gift ideas are gift cards, a night of volunteering babysitting, Blooming baby bath, coming over and cooking a meal for mom and/or dad. Otherwise, plenty of diapers, onesies and wipes will be the biggest help.

             

Pregnancy Spa Day at Spa Dew in Fort Lee,NJ

I have been overwhelmed at some parts of this pregnancy and was in desperate need of a full body massage and a facial. I have been to Massage Envy before for a massage but the service didn’t seem personalized; it’s more of a commercial service like the company if you get my drift. I also had a fabulous male massage therapist but he talked throughout the whole massage, so I didn’t get the relaxation I needed. Therefore, I goggled local spa’s that where small and would give me the proper time, relaxation and dealt with pregnant customers and I came across Spa Dew - Dew beauty& wellness in Fort Lee, NJ.
I called Spa Dew on Sunday around 5pm and I was surprised they were still open that late on a Sunday and I made an appointment for the following day for 12pm. I informed the receptionist, Joy that I wanted a facial, preferably a Microdermabrasion which is a treatment that uses micronized crystals to reduce fine lines, improve scarring, diminish hyper-pigmentation, and smooth rough skin. It leaves your skin softer and refreshed, revives your skin texture and adds a lasting glow to your appearance. This procedure is costly and at Spa Dew it’s is 80 min and cost $155. Joy, told me that they would have to look at my skin to get a better idea of what kind of facial I really needed and what treatment would be best. Also being that I was pregnant she needed to know how many months/weeks I was because they only will see you after you are in your second trimester due to the fact they don’t want to hurt the baby in anyway.

Lockers available

 I arrived to Spa Dew on Monday at around 11:57 am. When I first Stepped it was dim, with tranquil music on with great aroma, however, I was a bit skeptical because there was nobody at the desk so I
looked around for a bell, nothing, so I just ended up sitting down in one of the leather chairs they had. After, waiting 8 minutes one of the employees saw me sitting and came over and handed me a 1 page client info sheet to fill out. Once I finished another employee came and took me to the locker room, where you can put away your belongings in a locker ( No you don’t have to pay a quarter to lock it, it has a lock that you make up your own 4 number password put it in twice and your things are locked up). They had flip flops and a robe laid out for me to put on after I removed my clothing, (I was told to only leave my panties on).

They provide a Robe and Flip Flops

The massage therapist was the original woman that took me to the locker room, but I didn’t know until she was took me from the locker room to the massage room. The spa is owned and operated by Koreans and there was a little bit of a language barrier, but not a main concern for me especially if she was going to give me a great massage (fingers were crossed).
Being that I am pregnant I had to lie on my side the whole time. I was given a pillow for between my legs, which was a big help. I didn’t know what to expect besides some oil and a rub down. However, I got the Prenatal massage which is a Nurturing massage for mother-to-be after the first trimester, designed to assist with relieving pregnancy-related discomforts and benefits both mother and baby, along with warm stone treatment. OH MY, that was the best thing ever. I highly recommend you get that if you never have or wondering how it felt. The oil mixed with the warm stones being massaged onto your skin felt like heaven. I really wanted it to be longer than 50 min, but I was having a facial right after so stayed content with the 50 min session.
After my massage was over I was taken by the facial specialist to another room across the hall that facials are done in. They had about 2/3 room on each side the massage rooms on one side and facial rooms on the other.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion and combs are available

I know how to say Hello in Korean so I greeted the facial therapist with “yeoboseyo” which is hello in Korean. She was surprised and smiled saying you know Korean, I let her know I only knew that word and another which wasn’t a nice word, she laughed as she laid me down on my back, making sure I was comfortable. The owner, whose name is Jasmine came in and asked if my massage was well and what kind of facial I wanted, I told her I wanted Microdermabrsion. Jasmine then took a min and looked at my skin and said the Vitamin facial would be much better for me. the Vitamin facial is an intensive treatment for sensitive, dry or environmentally stressed skin. High potency vitamin C stimulates the vital functions of the skin and revitalizes damaged cells. This formulated treatment repairs and restores by providing vitamins and antioxidants deeply into the dermis level. Leave with refreshed and renewed all over. This facial is about 75 min and cost about $125. It was relaxing as well. After she cleanses your face, she puts a mask on you that has to sit for about 30 min. After she removes the mask she goes over your skin again. I basically slept through the whole facial.


After you’re finished with your treatments and you go back into the locker room, they have brand new toothbrushes still in wrapper to brush your teeth with toothpaste that is also provided and it’s a brand we all know just FYI lol--- Colgate. I took full advantage of because my breath did feel kind of tart after all of that. They also have a hair dryer, lotion, comb, hair spray and bottled water available.
I must say my overall experience at Spa Dew was great, it was clean, staff was friendly and it is very personalized. I definitely recommend Spa Dew but only if you can afford it of course, and I know I will be going back again in the near future.

The Questions I have Expecting Twins!!!

This experience is so new to me, I think I am still in shock that in a few more months that I will have identical babies to love and nurture.

However, I have so many questions and concerns. How do I know I won't mix one up with the other when giving medication if both are sick and accidentally give one of them two doses?
How will I manage breast feeding if they are both hungry and crying at the same time?
Will I need to get two bassinet's instead of one?
Why are the double strollers so ugly, and the ones that do look super cute way more than my rent?
Will I need to buy some sort of jewelry or mark them with a pen to know who is who until I learn who they are?
Then I have the regular concerns, who will they look like? What will I name them? Who's last name will they have? Will it be hard trying to handle newborns and a 3 year old who is attached to me?

Are there any twin pregnancy groups in my area, I can connect with and help me with my concerns? I definitely will be looking into that today.

Everyday, my head is going crazy with questions and concerns. Not only double the babies but double the thoughts lol.

If any mother out there that has twins and wants to give her input please do so. Also follow my journey on YouTube as I discuss my pregnancy journey!!!

Cloth Diapers 101

Cloth diapers are back and are the come up with a lot of moms nowadays. When cloth diapers where first out they were a piece of cloth held together by pins, however, there is a new wave of cloth diapers with a totally new style. As a young mother, I used the cloth diapers as a burping cloth, but since the rise in $$$ in disposable diapers, I have been looking into using cloth diapers as diapers and not just burping clothes. Cloth diapers can be a very beneficial diapering option, hence the facts below;

Disposable diapers take up to 500 years to begin to decompose.  

There are chemicals and materials used in disposable diapers that have been deemed unsafe for sanitary products like tampons and pads (hint: gel stuff that disposable diapers have)

Cloth diapers save money, especially if you have more than one child.

They prevent thousands of unnecessary diapers from entering our landfills, lessening the carbon footprint on the earth.

Eliminate the need for repeat manufacturing processes to make, package and transport diapers to stores over and over again.

Limit the amount of raw materials and natural resources, such as crude oil and trees, needed to make your baby's diapers.

Reduce your household waste, using less energy for trash trucks to haul away your baby's diapers each week.

The new cloth diapers are adorable

They actually leak much less than disposables

Also you know exactly what’s going on your baby’s most gentle skin.  

The beauty of cloth diapers is the cost you can save for you,your household and they cater to the very specific needs of you, your child, family and/ or lifestyle.

From Birth to 2.5 years of age

$735.00
Cloth Diapers

                                $2,600                                           
Disposable Diapers

           VS 

                                 

                                                                    

The most amazing aspect of cloth diapering is saving money. Depending on your financial ability, you can invest a few hundred dollars on cloth diapers in comparison to the thousands of dollars you will spend from birth to the age of two and a half. With cloth diapers, you are investing money into a reusable product. Cloth diapers can be used to diaper multiple children over the course of time.

Types of Cloth Diapers

The most convenient type of cloth diapering is an All-In-One (AIO).  An All-In-One system mimics a disposable diaper. one piece diapering system has an inner absorbent layer attached to an outer waterproof layer has adjustable closures (either hook & loop or snaps) at the waist are just like disposable diapers except you wash them

 The least expensive system is the Flat Cloth Diapers. Flats are probably the type of cloth diapers are more old school and what most people picture when they hear the words "cloth diapers." Flats are large rectangles, usually made of a few layers of diaper gauze. They must be folded and fastened with diaper pins or Snappi's. Because they do not have a waterproof layer they must be covered with a separate cover, or wool or fleece diaper cover clothing, unless you choose to let your child go coverless. Flats wash and dry very quickly because they do not contain many layers of fabric. They are not the most absorbent choice of cloth diapers, but with diaper covers they are a low-cost cloth diapering system.

 Cover and Pre-Fold cloth diapers often considered to be a step up from flat diapers. Prefolds are rectangles of absorbent fabric, usually surged on all four sides, similar to flats, but with extra layers of material in the center section. Prefolds need to be folded, then fastened with diaper pins or a Snappi. Prefolds need to be covered with a separate cover, or wool or fleece diaper cover clothing unless your child is going coverless. Prefolds come in several sizes to fit from birth to potty learning and when paired with diaper covers are low-cost cloths diapering system. Prefold cloth diapers unfold in the wash for thorough cleaning and quick drying

There are more expensive cloth diapers, mostly Cloth diapers that offer an all natural option, like organic cotton, but besides that you saving a pretty good penny when purchasing cloth instead of disposable.

credits IG: @blackwomendoclothdiaper

Up Keep

When I thought of maintenance of Cloth diapers, I think of a whole lot of mess when cleaning off before washing and re-using. However, I have learned it is not as hard as I had imagined it.  When your baby poops and pees on cloth diapers, dispose of the poop by using a spatula, diaper sprayer, or the Dunk and Swish method (dunk the diaper in the toilet and swish it around until the fecal matter is removed). After ridding the cloth diaper of the waste, you then store the soiled diaper in a receptacle. Air should circulate through your soiled diapers until you wash them to reduce the smell.

Cloth Diapers Wash Do’s:

If soiled, proceed with dunk and swish method or  use the mini-shower to remove poop from diaper. Leave the diaper wet enough that it almost drips. Keeping the diaper wet until it is washed will help reduce stains.

Toss into a dry pail; wash every day or every other day.

Pre-wash your cloth diapers in order to get the initial waste out then do a main wash

Wash no more than 12 - 18 diapers at a time.

Use your washer's highest water level.

Pre-rinse with cold water and no detergent.

Use a regular hot water cycle and Tide (not Tide Free).

Dry diapers in the dryer or hang dry or a combination of both.

Don’ts:

Avoid using chlorine bleach on a regular basis. It will break down fibers and noticeably shorten the life of your diapers. In addition, it may irritate your baby's skin.  Some manufacturers, like bumGenius!, recommend using 1/4 cup bleach with your regular wash once a month.

No fabric softeners, which coat fabric and reduce absorbency. This includes 'baby' detergents such as Dreft.

Side Notes:

They are many child care centers or babysitters that do not do cloth diapers. Which means disposable diapers will be needed for use. However, if you are stern about only using cloth diapers depending on the state, there are laws that allow for cloth diaper usage with a doctor’s note. Also daycare facility cannot turn your child away regardless of the fact you rather cloth diapers.

Also there are extra resources that having lending programs for low income families as they do with disposable diapers.

Websites to visit:

https://www.facebook.com/Blackwomendoclothdiaper
www.alvababy.com
http://www.kellyscloset.com
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com
www.abbyslane.com

New Item Alert: GB Pockit+ Stroller

GB Pockit+ Available March 2017 

This very convenient stroller is perfect for parents on the move and that want their baby pushed in luxury and style. 
The new GB Pockit+ has gained a lot of attention since its debut. It was named the world’s smallest folded stroller by the Guinness Book of World Records, which is incredible. The GB Pockit+ only weights 11.5 lb., it will be travel-system ready, with optional adapters for GB and CYBEX infant car seats. 
This awesome stroller also folds down to the size of a handbag, which makes it more of a delight for parents, no more struggling of pushing the stroller in your trunk in order for it to close. It will be available in March 2017 for $280. You can find GB products at Toys R Us, Buy Buy Baby and on Amazon 

The 411 on Identical Twins

As you may know or may not know I'm expecting monochorionic twins which means I'm having identical twins.
I don't have twins in my family however, the father already has a set of fraternal twins so I assumed it was genetic and he is the one that gave me twins. However, after my first visit with a multiple birth specialist which I was referred to by my doctor I found out a lot of information.
I was recommended to see Dr. Russell Miller at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York and Dr. Miller gave me a lot of information that I did not know about when conceiving carrying and delivering identical twins.
Fraternal twins are the only twins that are conceived through genetics identical twins however are not and like Dr. Miller said "it's the luck of the draw." Identical twins happen spontaneously it was just a coincidence my partner already had a set of fraternal twins.
According to scientists identical twins occur when the blastocyst AKA fertilized cell mysteriously splits into two.
Monochronic Twin occur in 0.3% of all pregnancies and mostly occur in older women due to hormonal changes, so I guess I'm considered older lol. 
Identical twins are rare and occur randomly and that's what makes it a true blessing.
There are also a lot of complications when carrying these kind of twins because they share one placenta.
As of right now Dr. Miller told me to be aware that maybe one twin is getting more blood and nutrients from the placenta than the other one and this is often a common problem when carrying identical twins and is called unequal placenta sharing.
Another issue can be TTS which is twin to Twin transfusion syndrome meaning one baby is getting more blood supply than the other one, which can be very dangerous, even causing death to one of the babies which in turn will affect the other baby as well since they are connected through one placenta.
Also when delivering there is a high chance of a lot of loosing alot of bleeding which may result in needing a blood transfusion which some people like myself don't believe in and could possibly end in death.
Although the Doctor was not trying to scare me there are a lot of concerns that I am now aware of. I'm glad I'm aware but the same time it makes me me more cautionary on how to take care of myself while I'm pregnant and hopefully I will have a healthy delivery with two healthy babies who I cannot wait to meet.

Moms Morning Smoothie Recipe: Avocado Banana

• Avocado's have great health benefits, they contain Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E.
• Then it contains small amounts of Magnesium, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous, Vitamin A, B1, B2 and B3n and do not have any saturated fat.

Avocado Banana Smoothie

Ingredients: 

1 half of a Avocado

1 half of a Banana

1/2 cup of fat free Vanilla Yogurt

1 Cup of 2% Milk or milk of your choice.

1 tsp of honey or agave (optional)  

Directions:

Add Avocado and Banana into blender along with yogurt and milk. Blend for 2-3 minutes.

Add Honey or Agave if desirable.

Add handful of Ice as well if you want smoothie chilled. 

Urban Moms Protein Recipe

Protein Breakfast 

Ingredients:

2-3 Eggs

Natural Organic Peanut Butter

2-3  Fresh Strawberries 

1/4 cup of 2% milk

Cooking Details:

Preheat frying pan, add a little olive oil so eggs won't stick.

Scramble egg whites in a bowl with a little bit of milk to make fluffy.

Pour mixture in frying pan.

Scramble egg white until done (5 min or less)

Remove from pan into desired bowl or plate. Let cool if desired.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter on top of eggs.

Cut strawberries in halves and place on top of peanut butter.

Get Your Winter Boost Of Vitamins.

Winter can be a drag, all you hear is sneezing instead of the sound of a nice warm breeze.

So in order to quiet those sneezes, there are some Winter Fruits that can boost you and your kids vitamin C. 

Pomegranate

Pomegranate are in season between September- February.

Pomegranate is rich in disease fighting nutrients, anthocyanins, contained in out of season berries and they're highly packed with fiber.

When buying pomegranate you can always tell which is the best pick by its weight. The heavier they are the better. They can last up to three weeks when refrigerated.

Kiwi 

Kiwi is available all year round.

Kiwi is fun looking for kids, plus their body can absorb the antioxidants more easily than Strawberries. Eating kiwi before bedtime may also improve sleep quality and duration.

When picking your Kiwi look for the plump ones with some softness.

Mango

Mango's are available all year round.

Mango is a tropical fruit highly packed with vitamins A&C and rich in folate a nutrient that helps cell division and produces red blood cells.

When picking Mango look for the ones you can lightly press into.

Kumquat

Kumquat is available from November- July.

This fruit is very nutritious with sweet edible skin. Kumquat contain Vitamin A&C, antioxidants such as cancer-fighting lutein and zeaxanthin. The skin is packed with fiber and oils such as anti-flammatory limonene.

When buying Kumquat make sure it is bright orange with smooth skin.

Asian Pear

Asian Pear is available from September- February.

Asian pears contain extra-heart healthy fiber and potassium.

When purchasing Asian Pear look for firm unbruised fruit. This fruit most likely won't soften.

Grapefruit 

Grapefruit is available all year round. 

Grapefruit are packed with antioxidants that help stabilize blood-glucose levels. They also lower the risk of diabetes. However, grapefruit doesn't mix well with some meds so refer to your doctor if you are taking and medications or antihistamines.

When picking your grapefruit make sure it's round and heavy without blemishes.

Oranges

Oranges are available year round.

When choosing your oranges the most recommended are red blood orange and pinkish Cara Caras.

These oranges contain healthy plant compounds that aren't present in other variety of oranges.

Cara Caras have lycopene which is also in watermelon and helps fight cancer.

Blood oranges have anthocyanins which is a heart healthy antioxidant.

When picking your oranges look for firm, shiny heavy oranges.