Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley

In honor of World Prematurity Day, the Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley will be hosting a Dine and Donate fundraiser! The proceeds from this event will benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at both Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital.

Please join us for a fun evening of dining and raffle prizes!

WHEN:
Friday, November 15th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

WHERE:
Buffalo Wild Wings
1225 Grape Street
Whitehall, PA 18052

VISIT our Facebook Event Page for more information!

If you are unable to attend our event, you can still participate by dining-in or ordering-out from November 15th through December 1st! Just let your server know that you are dining for the MMLV fundraiser or show them the image below on your phone.

We hope to see you there!

Please visit this smore newsletter to check out the Easter events in the Lehigh Valley area for the 2019 season. This list will be updated periodically, so check back for new additions as the holiday approaches!

If there’s an event you’d like me to add, you can forward me the details under our contact tab. Please feel free to share this link with any friends/family!

Hippity hop,
Destiny
Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley

Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley is organizing a Children’s Consignment Sale this spring!

WHEN:
Saturday, March 30th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
WHERE:
St. John’s UCC 
1027 Church St, Fogelsville, PA 18051

Come shop children’s clothing and shoes, baby equipment, toys, books, games and more at a fraction of retail price! Items for sale are NOT exclusively for twins so you don’t need to be a family with multiples to shop.

CASH ONLY!

Umbrella strollers and baby carriers only for any little helpers, please.

Please visit and follow our public Facebook event page for more details.

Emergency Preparedness

For our October meeting this year, we hosted Mel Shiels, Upper Macungie CERT Team Leader, and Tanya Hook from Lehigh County EMA, who educated us on how to be prepared in the case of an emergency. It was a fantastic class where we learned what kind of emergency kits to pack, creating an emergency plan, becoming part of the CodeRed program, and more! Here is some of what we learned!

They began by reviewing cases of emergencies that have occurred in our area, such as fires, hurricanes, flooding, winter storms, etc. These examples showed how those involved had very little time to gather items necessary. Mel and Tonya gave each attendee a copy of the Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide which can also be found online here

The first kit that they taught us about is the Home Emergency Kit. There is a checklist available on pages 7-9 in the guide. They recommend having these items stocked and stored in your home in the case of an emergency. Some of those items include bottled water, food, battery-powered radio and extra batteries, flashlights, first aid kit, extra clothes and much more. Here are some of their recommendations regarding the home emergency kit.
-Check the contents every six months, consume the food and water items, and replace those items with new items.
-Store batteries separate from the electronics so the batteries do not drain
-Purchase a 4-in-1 Emergency Tool such as this one and keep next to the item that would need to be turned off in the case of an emergency, i.e., gas pump, water shut off valve Click Here
-Place in a waterproof container or bag – Cash in small bills, credit card, copies (not originals) of important items such as recent family photos, health insurance cards, birth certificates, drivers’ licenses, homeowner and car insurance policies
-Rain Ponchos
-Mylar Blankets – come wrapped in a small package which is nice for putting in a kit without taking up too much room
-Flashlights with glowsticks and whistle on a lanyard to wear around your neck. Get a different color for each person in your family in case you get separated, then if there’s smoke or it’s nighttime, you can spot someone easier and know who it is. Here is an example of one. Click Here
-One-week minimum supply of prescription drugs – they recommend refilling your prescription a few days to a week before your current one runs out. They say this is typically covered under your insurance, therefore, you can build up a week’s worth for the emergency kit. Make sure you are checking often and replacing with newer prescriptions and using up the older ones so you never have outdated prescriptions in your kit.

We also learned about creating a Vehicle Emergency Kit. See page 10 in the guide. They recommend keeping extra socks and hats along with winter accessories in the car in case you get stranded in a snow storm. It is also a good idea to have a mylar blanket and lanyard glow stick for each person in the car.

Mel and Tonya instructed us about having a Work Emergency Kit as well. See page 11 in the guide for this checklist.

Emergency Contact List and Emergency Plan. See pages 21-23. What if there is a fire in your house? Does everyone, including your children, know what the sound of the fire alarm means, what it sounds like, and where to go? Once you’re outside, does everyone know where to meet? Test your fire alarms monthly, with your children present, and practice your evacuation plan. Choose an outside location where you will all meet in case you get split up. This is a great example of how having a glowstick lanyard can aid in finding one another.

A few other suggestions to keep in mind:
-As this may seem overwhelming, do not try to go out and buy every item on the list right away. Buy a few items at a time as you build your emergency kits.
-Designate a friend or family member who lives out of state who will be your contact person in case of emergency. Make sure they know you have designated them as this. Sometimes, during an emergency situation, it is harder to make calls to someone inside of the state than it is someone outside of the state. If you and any other family members in the state call the same relative outside of the state, your call will go through easier and that person can update everyone else on their statuses.
-If you have to turn off the gas to your house, you MUST have your gas company come out to turn it back on.
-Sinkhole coverage – covers repair of the home and the filling of the holes
-Fire alarms – one per floor of the house AS WELL AS one per bedroom. Some are Bluetooth and can communicate with one another.
-Find out your child’s school emergency plan. If they have to evacuate and you need to pick up your child, how will they contact you and where will you go to find your child?
-Grab & Go Safety Tube Kit – Keep one at home, work and in the car. Here is an example of one. Click Here
-Get a NOAA radio, one for home and one for work. It will alarm you if there are any weather emergencies in the area so you can get to a lower level if necessary.
-Last but certainly not least – SIGN UP FOR THE CodeRED Program!!!! This is a REVERSE 911 system that will alert you if there is an emergency of any kind in your area of which you need to be aware. If you need to evacuate your house or you need to shelter in place, this system will alert you right away! Create an account and enter your home address, your work address and any other address that you frequent. Then if you move or change jobs, you can sign in and update the address on file. Sign up based on the county in which you live. Here is the link for the Lehigh County CodeRED website. Click Here

Contact info for Mel and Tonya if you have any questions.
Mel Shiels – Allentown Health Bureau maryellen_shiels@allentownpa.gov
Tanya Hook – Lehigh County EMA tanyahook@lehighcounty.org

**MMLV is neither affiliated with nor receives compensation for any items listed. They are just a suggestion to show the type of product recommended.

Please join us for a fun event! We will be hosting a Dine and Donate at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Grape Street on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16 from 6pm-8pm! We will have raffle items from local businesses that you can win!

10% of all food and beverage (including alcohol) sales will be donated to our local NICUs in honor of world prematurity day on November 17.

Here’s the great part! If you can’t make it on Friday, you can dine for lunch or dinner anytime from now through November 26 and have your meal count towards our dine and donate.

Hope to see you there! Please share with your family and friends.

**Just show your server the following image for the donation to apply.**

Click Here for the Facebook Event Page

We all know we have done it! Something completely silly and unbelievable when being sleep deprived with newborn multiples. We asked our MoMs what were some of the things they have done and we wanted to share a few of the responses we received.

1. More than once in the middle of the night one of the girls was crying, so I go in and swoop her up… only to discover I grabbed the wrong one and now I have 2 babies awake.
2. Put formula instead of coffee in my Keurig.
3. Pulled turkey lunch meat out of the fridge, opened it and put a slice in my mouth. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years.
4. I poured breast milk in my coffee instead of delicious vanilla creamer. I also washed my face with a dirty burp cloth. Once I realized what I had done, I didn’t even care. I was too dang tired!
5. Put orange juice on cereal and realized only after I took about 3 bites 😳
6. Not sure if this counts since it was a conscious, not delirious, decision: Once when I was breastfeeding I sneezed and REALLY had to blow my nose but also REALLY didn’t want want to get up. A used baby sock was nearby and I figured, it needed to get washed anyway right? Problem solved.
7. Ran the washing machine empty, then opened it to find nothing in it and was completely confused! I have done this more times than I can count.
8. Had a dream that I was burping a baby, and when I woke up I realized I was actually acting it out in my sleep and was patting myself in the chest.

Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley is organizing a Children’s Consignment Sale for Saturday, September 8 from 10am-1pm at St. John’s UCC in Fogelsville, PA! The address is 1027 Church St, Fogelsville, PA 18051.

Come shop children’s clothing and shoes, baby equipment, toys, books, games and more at a fraction of retail price!
(Items for sale are NOT exclusively for twins so you don’t need to be a family with multiples to shop)

CASH ONLY!!!

Umbrella strollers and baby carriers only for any little helpers, please.

Click Here for the Facebook Event Page

We have an updated location for our monthly meetings. MMLV will be meeting in the chapel for June, July and August. Then starting in September, MMLV will be in room 218. Please see the Facility Map for our new location. Hope to see you at our meetings!

The following post was submitted by our own MoM, Gabrielle, who is mom to two sets of twins! If you enjoy this and would like to read more, check out her blog here: Dollars and Sense Times Two
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HOW TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND.

The holidays are a time filled with expectation, wonder, and joy.
They are also a time filled with anxiety, chaos, and dismay.
I was asked to write a post for my local MoMs Club (Mothers of Multiples), and I thought it was time to write a self-care post about managing holiday intentions.

( I am also grateful to write this because I will be referring to it in the next month as a reminder).

1. First and foremost: Decide what your priority is in celebrating the holidays. Are you celebrating Jesus’s birth? Do you believe the holidays are for visiting family and friends? Is it a time for reflection? Do you observe the Winter Solstice? Whatever the holidays mean you, be clear on your purpose of celebration, this will help focus all your activities.
2. Begin with lists. My bullet journal is full of them, and they are all half crossed out (this is the desired effect). Make a list of all the holiday activities you want to do. I’ve learned to do this over the years with my husband because I’ve come to the realization that we have different ideas. Then with your list in hand, start crossing things off. These are the things you will NOT be doing. Depending on the age of your children and family stamina, pick maybe the top three things you want to do.
3. Make a calendar. I’m a visual person, and sometimes I can’t conceive of an event until I see it in writing. On Active Duty, I had a three-month calendar in my office that had every event for my department. It was helpful to see it all laid out. Once you have your chronology ready, then go back to your list. How do the events you want to do match up with what is already scheduled? Do you need to reorder your priorities? Is there something you want to omit and/or add?

This tip is important for me because I have a tendency to be overscheduled. Moving from activity to activity is stressful, and when I have it all planned out, i can sometimes see how I have too much going on. In my world, too much equates to anxiety and crankiness.

I try not to miss Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. My oldest child (who doesn’t like church) or my Jewish side of the family is usually available to make this happen. It is probably my most important event. My husband (a true Scot) never misses Burns night. I schedule nothing else that weekend. Figure out your important events and plan your schedule around it.

1. Practice setting boundaries. I role play in my head how to say, “no.” I also practice with my husband. If you can’t divest yourself or it is just not feasible to say, “no,” practice negotiation and compromise. I  will take the lead in planning things I have to attend so that I don’t have to say, “no.” For example, my brother will want to see me over the holidays but he waits until the last minute to plan, so I ask him early on what he intends to do for the holidays and his schedule. Then I can manage planning something easy that suits all our needs and is not thrown together hastily. We expect our children to open their presents at our home on Christmas morning. I do not schedule any activities on Christmas day outside of our home.
2. We all have relatives who can be stressful. I have one group of family members that live in what I refer to as, “the house of glass.” We don’t go to their home. However, they are welcome to come over. I often invite them before they can invite us. I rarely censure my kids’ play in our house. It is set up for little children. There is nothing breakable they haven’t already destroyed, or it is put up. I would rather the children learn to love these family members on our turf when their every move is not full of anxiety. If having guests gives you feelings of dread, suggest a public place with a fun activity, i.e., holiday light tour, ice skating, a picnic, etc…It’s ok to limit contact with people or settings that aren’t healthy for you or your family.
3. Presents are stressful. My children have too much stuff. We have a rule of 4 for gifts in our home (excluding stocking stuffers). You get something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. Typically, my husband and I make a list of two things we want, and the another partner chooses one (surprise). My children make each other cards or something homemade. We don’t participate in gift exchanges. My husband (an accomplished brewer) makes and bottles holiday four-packs for his office. Instead of toys, my kids get experiences from their grandparents. This year, they are going to the Smithsonian with their Grandfather and the Franklin Institute with their Aunt and Uncle. In the past, my brother gave them a pass to the children’s science center.
4. Set a time frame for the holidays. They creep earlier and earlier each year. We decorate the house on Thanksgiving weekend (when all four kids and three adults are home). All our decorations are down on New Year’s day. As much as some family members protest, we don’t listen to holiday music outside those dates. We have found this makes the Winter season especially festive.
5. Consider your child’s developmental stages in planning activities. I would love to take my kids to see the Putz (a traditional Moravian decoration that features ornate figurines, animals, and building scenes to tell the Nativity Story), but I’m not sure they are mature enough to sit through it or be by those tiny figurines. Last year, we tried to take my younger twins ice skating, it was a complete flop. However, tree decoration and holiday bingo game (played at home) was a hit. My children are still only on the “decorate sugar cookie phase”, we haven’t advanced to cutting out cookies yet. I want activities to be successful, not a pressure.
6. I purchase/wrap presents and do holiday cards early. My goal is to have all gifts bought, wrapped and hidden by December 1st. I don’t love wrapping, so I get it over with early. My mother, who had a job as a young woman as a professional gift wrapper, loves it. For her, wrapping a gift is as important as the gift itself. It is a major part of her Christmas celebration. Make whatever you love a focus for your holiday and knock out the rest early. It lends more time for relaxation and enjoyment.
7. Holiday meals can be super stressful. I try to keep our meals simple (and by comfortable, I tend to like crockpot cooking for the holiday season). This year, I’m planning to create several freezers to crockpot meals for the month of December. There are a couple of meals that I won’t miss. The freezer to pot meals allows me to focus on the meals I love like homemade latkes (potato pancakes) for Hanukkah, oyster stew for Christmas Eve and ham for Christmas day. Although I love them for the holidays, I buy kiffles from a friend who makes them as a fundraiser (I could make them but buying them is the same price as creating them myself and is so much less stressful). I make sugar cookie dough early and refrigerate it. Pick what is important to your family and do those things with great love. Find ways to do the rest simply.
8. Find time for play and joy. Give of yourself to others. If you don’t have time to work for a cause, consider a charitable gift. I always write a holiday letter to my children’s teacher thanking them for their work and sharing my child’s progress in their class. I try to surprise our mail lady with a little gift. My friends and I have an early holiday lunch before things get crazy. I delight in the holiday books from the library. We have games we only play at Christmas. We have Christmas light tours where we drive around sipping cocoa from a thermos while admiring the light displays. Create a holiday that is meaningful to you and your family.

IT’S OCTOBER: DON’T LET CAR SEAT SAFETY SCARE YOU!  EDUCATE YOURSELF!

This month, MMLV had the opportunity to host Child Passenger Safety Technician (aka Certified Car Seat Tech), Abbie Bruno Patterson. Because we felt the information presented at the meeting was so helpful, and because many of our members were unable to attend, we thought we’d compile some of the wonderful information for you to access right here on our website. Please note that this information is not complete. It is merely a recap, and the best place to further your education on car seat safety is through Abbie herself, her website: Super Car Seat Geek <https://supercarseatgeek.wordpress.com/> , her Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SuperCarSeatGeek , or talking with any other CPST.

That being said, this is a great place to start! So check it out! Here’s some great info on car seat safety
I.    Five Most Common Installation/User Errors

1.) Harness Placement: For rear facing, the harness should be at or below the child’s shoulders. For forward facing, the harness should be at or above the child’s shoulders.

2.) Loose Installation: To check for a tight installation, grab the car seat at the belt path you are using and move it from left to right and back to front. The seat should move less than 1” in any direction at the belt path.

3.) Chest Clip: The chest clip should be positioned at…you guessed it! Across the child’s chest and be in line with his/her armpits. 

4.) Harness Straps: Aside from placement, also check to be sure harness straps are secure against your child. Do the “pinch test”: Simply pinch the harness at the child’s shoulder above the chest clip, after removing all of the slack from the harness. If your fingers slide and you can’t pinch any slack, you’re good to go. Also note that slack can “hide”, so as you are tightening the harness, pull up on the harness, above the buckle to remove any hidden slack by the child’s hips or lower body.

5.) Seatbelt Placement: For booster seat use and seat belt only use, be the sure seat belt is centered on child’s shoulder and rests snugly across their lap, touching their upper thighs, NOT the belly. In the event of a crash, the seat belt will continue to tighten until it hits bone which is why a seat belt across the belly can be so dangerous and why it’s so important for children to remain in boosters until the belt fits them correctly. Remember that seat belts are designed to fit adults, not children. Most kids will need a booster until they’re 10-12 years of age.

**Be sure to check and read your manufacturer’s manual for safe installation and proper use of ALL car seats and boosters

 II.   DID YOU KNOW…

-PA State Law (and NJ!) requires that children be rear facing until age 2. HOWEVER! It is advised that children be rear facing until they max out the height or weight limit of their car seat (ideally staying rear facing until around age 3-4) because their skeletons are immature and they are more prone to serious head, neck and spinal injuries. Rear facing for as long as possible mitigates these risks.

-PA State Law requires that children be in a booster until age 8. HOWEVER! It is advised that children be in a booster until they are at least 4’9” and until they pass the 5-Step Test for correct seat belt fit.

5 Step Test:

1. Can sit with their bottom fully up against the back of the seat
2. Knees naturally come to the end of the seat, feet rest on vehicle floor without slouching
3. Lap portion of the seat belt can be secured on the lap, touching the upper thighs, away from the belly
4. Shoulder portion of the seat belt sits centered on the shoulder
5. Child can sit properly for each car ride with correct belt placement and without slouching, falling out of correct position, etc

-There is no state law however, it is advised that children remain in the back seat until at least age 13. This is due largely to skeletal development and is not necessarily a weight/height thing.

-Tethers on a forward facing car seats are very important! They reduce forward head movement in a crash by approximately 6-8” which greatly reduces the risk for injury.

-Thick or fluffy winter coats and jackets are NOT recommended for use in the car! They can increase the risk for injury or could even cause ejection.

-After any crash, a car seat or booster should almost always be replaced (check your child safety seat’s manual). Check with your insurance agency, but some may cover the cost of a new seat.

-As many as 80% of children are in the WRONG seat!

III.   Useful Car Seat Products

-In lieu of coats and jackets, The Cozy Woggle and Car Seat Poncho are great products that keep your little one warm without jeopardizing the safe and proper use of his/her car seat.
 IV.   Super Car Seat Geek’s Services

-Private Car Seat Installations and Seat Checks

-Concierge Service: she will help you select the best car seat or booster for your child, car and budget

-Presentations/Informational Classes

Contact Info: Super Car Seat Geek FB page (www.facebook.com/SuperCarSeatGeek, SuperCarSeatGeek@gmail.com

 

There is SOOOOOO much more to safe and proper car seat use and installation. Be sure to check out Abbie’s Facebook page, Super Car Seat Geek, read your manuals carefully, and educate yourself in order to secure your precious little cargo 🙂 From our families to yours, drive safely!

Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley (MMLV) is organzing a Dine and Donate event to benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Lehigh Valley Hospital and St Luke’s.

Join us at 1760 Pub n Grille on Monday November 14th anytime from 4-9pm and 10% of your food sales will be donated!

We will also be hosting a raffle table at the restaurant to raise additional funds! Raffle baskets and gift cards are generously donated by members and local businesses.

100% of ALL proceeds go directly to our NICUs! Come out to support a great cause!

Summer may not officially be over until September 21st, but with kids going back to school and the cooler nights setting in, it sure is starting to feel like fall. If you are like me, you enjoy everything that fall has to bring: beautiful colors, aromas of apple and cinnamon, the comfort of jeans and a sweatshirt, Sunday-Fundays and of course, everything pumpkin-flavored! Perhaps one of my favorite things about fall is that my family and I spend a lot of time outside. I’ve already started to think about trips to the pumpkin patch and hay rides through corn fields. If you and your family are looking forward to fall as much we are, check out some of the great things happening in our area that you can take advantage of this season!
Summer may be over, but there’s still fun all around :o)

1. The Great Allentown Fair- August 30^th -September 5^th http://www.allentownfairpa.org/index.php/general-info/about-us
2. Rodale Organic Apple Festival- September 17^th http://rodaleinstitute.org/applefestival/
3. Grim’s Family Farm Fall Festival- Opens September 17^th http://grimsgreenhouse.com/fall-festival
4. Seiple Farms Fall Festival- Opens September 24^th http://www.seiplefarms.com/autumn.html
5. Celtic Classic- September 23^rd -25^th http://www.celticfest.org/directions_and_parking
6. Oktoberfest at SteeleStacks- September 30^th – October 2^nd and October 7^th – 9^th http://www.steelstacks.org/festivals/oktoberfest/
7. Boo Fest!- October 22^nd  http://www.lvbg.org/boo_fest.php
8. Organic Halloween at Rodale- October 22^nd http://rodaleinstitute.org/event-registration/?ee=187
9. Boo at the Zoo- October 29^th and 30^th https://www.lvzoo.org/event/boo-at-the-zoo/
10. Trunk or Treat at Cedar Crest College- October 30^th

Today marks the 6 year anniversary of one of the leading natural parenting stores in the Allentown area. Ju-Ju Monkey first began as an online shop with a small in-home show room at founder and operator, Sara Moore’s residence in 2010. Clients were seen by appointment only but as clientele grew, so did the store. Now located in Allentown off of Tilghman St., Ju-Ju Monkey has served families of the Lehigh Valley and beyond at this location for the past 3 years.

Looking back at the early stages of the shop when her son was only 2 years old, Sara remembers wanting to learn more about cloth diapering. One might say that this was why it all began. Sara saw a need for mothers, like herself, for a place to go to both purchase and more importantly, learn the ins and outs of cloth diapering. Sara, who is self-taught and self-educated on the subject, has become more than knowledgeable in this field having even served on the Real Diaper Association Board (realdiapers.org) for the past three years as an advisor and supporter of cloth diapering.

In addition to cloth diapering, Ju-Ju Monkey has also become a local resource for other natural parenting techniques like baby wearing. Knowing how challenging and intimidating baby wearing can be (especially for us moms of multiples!), Ju-Ju Monkey offers classes during the week with a special class focusing on tandem wearing (yay multiples!) held every Tuesday at 9:30 AM. The class is only $12 for 45 minutes. Don’t own a carrier? No problem! Sara is happy to let you borrow and try out what’s in her shop. Tuesday evening classes are geared towards basic baby wearing knowledge and for parents who wish to learn more. The various classes that rotate monthly are: Foundations/Baby Wearing 101, Woven Wraps and Back Carry. Fridays are dubbed as “Fancy Finish Friday” focusing on different ways to tie off woven wraps.

If these opportunities sound inviting but you can’t get to the shop whether it be because of work, stresses of leaving the house as a new MoM, etc… Ju-Ju Monkey will come to you! This unique feature aligns with the shop’s mission to serve the community and Sara’s belief that it truly takes a village to raise a child.

While natural parenting is the focus of the store, it is a judgement and pressure-free atmosphere. Natural parenting isn’t for every family and Ju-Ju Monkey understands this. So while cloth diapering or baby wearing may not be your thing, there’s still reason to check out the store. Drop by with your little ones and you are likely to witness exciting children’s classes in the back of the shop like: Sing and Sign, Kindermusic or Draw Me a Song. Check out their classes offered here: http://ju-jumonkey.com/class-registration/

Whatever your reason, whatever your parenting style, Ju-Ju Monkey is a must-visit shop. Even if it’s to just escape the craziness of parenthood, Sara invites you to stop in and just relax with a cup of coffee. (side note: Dunkin Donuts is right next door!) Ju-Ju Monkey is that type of place: welcoming, nurturing and family-friendly. Stop in soon and see for yourself why this store happily celebrates 6 years of business today and why clients can likely plan on many more!

*Recently I had the opportunity to do a phone interview with Sara, who was kind enough to give me some info about the shop’s history and happenings. A huge thank you to Sara for taking the time to fill our readers in on her wonderful gem of a store! Shop Local! :o)

Ju-Ju Monkey
4755 W. Tilghman St.
Allentown, PA 18104

Store Hours:
M-F 10-7
Saturday 10-4
Sunday- Closed

 

Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley is organizing a Kids Consignment sale for Saturday, July 30th from 10am-1pm at St John’s UCC in Fogelsville, PA!
Come shop kids clothing and shoes (all seasons!), baby equipment, toys, books, games, and more at a fraction of the retail price!
CASH ONLY!!
Umbrella strollers and baby carriers only for any little helpers 🙂
Help spread the word and share this invite with your local friends! Contact MMLV with any questions!
www.facebook.com/momlv
www.mmlv.org

TOP 10 TRAVEL TIPS FOR MoMs

While May seems to be off to a rainy and chilly start, summer is upon us and many have started the vacation planning process. Vacation is a time to kick back and relax- Think that’s impossible with multiples? Think again! We’ve collected some great advice from our own MoMs to assist you in planning, traveling and vacationing with your brood this season :o)

1. Never underestimate the power of the supermom minivan. Nothing beats power doors, built in TV and DVD player to keep your tykes occupied on long rides and what’s even better is the large cargo space for all. your. stuff. The third row makes it great for carting other family members or friends and if it’s not in use, the extra space makes a great changing station for those still in diapers ;o)
2. Speaking of diapers, did you know you can ship diapers to a lot of hotels/resorts so you don’t have to have that extra baggage? Call ahead and see if the place you’re staying can accommodate you.
3. If you’re traveling with a potty-trained crew, portable potties for the back seat are a great idea. Check out this one here as an example: 2-in-1-portable-potty-trainer-seat
4. Family bathrooms can be a lifesaver at rest stops! You can tag team with your SO to make diaper changes/potty time quicker- some family bathrooms even have two toilets- and the obvious plus side is you have your privacy as a family to contend with all the fun ::insert sarcasm:: of taking TWO or MORE kiddos to the bathroom :o)
5. Traveling by plane? Here are two awesome sites with all your major mom questions answered! TSA-Traveling with Children and TSA-Travel Tips: Reducing Stress When Flying with Children
6. A novel idea for any trip is to keep a snack basket and busy basket on hand. Keep your snack basket filled with easy grab-and-go treats to keep hungry mouths fed- including your own! Busy baskets are great for long trips- think about putting together a bunch of fun activities that are age appropriate for your young ones. Here’s a site with some innovative ideas: Busy Bag Ideas
7. Take a look at this travel gem, The Trunki! It’s a ride on suitcase for your little ones. Imagine pulling them through the airport, heck they could pull one another! Trunki
   The makers of trunki also sell other products great for traveling, like the Toddlepak- a harness for keeping your “runners” at bay, and the Paddlepak, a waterproof backpack for lake, pool or beach trips.
8. Another convenient way to keep your multiples in tow is to consider baby/toddler wearing. Many of our MoMs use products like the Kinderpack, Tula and Ergobaby. These baby wearing devices are great for travel, especially when you need to rush through the airport or want to get from point A to B without lugging around your stroller. Want to learn more about baby/toddler wearing? Check out two great stores in the Lehigh Valley area that will let you try out some of their products right in the store: JuJu Monkey in Allentown and Motherbaby Naturals in Bethlehem.
   Bonus! Baby wearing can be a great workout. Try safely squatting with a 20 lb toddler. Can anyone say, “Gym time on vacation?!” ;o)
9. While you may be able to run on “vacation mode” remember your children- especially the younger ones- are at their best while keeping to “regularly scheduled programs.” Staying up later or skipping nap times can mean disaster. Try to keep sleep times as close to routine as possible to ensure everyone has a pleasant trip. You may even join your kiddos at nap time- Afterall, you’re on vacation!
10. “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” – A great quote to remind us MoMs of the importance of forward thinking! Take time to plan as much as possible- pit stops, meals, leg stretches, packing lists, etc… As a MoM, it often becomes routine to plan ahead, plan for extra and plan for the unknown. Vacation planning should be no different. Keep a change of clothes (for everyone), an emergency and first-aid kit, blankets, water and food in the car for long trips and in your carry on (when possible) for long flights.

 

Whatever vacation you and your multiples venture on this summer, remember it is simply that, a vacation- have fun, be safe, relax and enjoy the little moments making big memories with your family and friends! :o)

Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley is organizing a Kids Consignment sale for Saturday, April 9th from 11am-2pm at St John’s UCC in Fogelsville, PA!

Come shop kids clothing and shoes (all seasons!), baby equipment, toys, books, games, and more at a fraction of the retail price!

CASH ONLY!!

Umbrella strollers and baby carriers only for any little helpers 🙂

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the 2nd Annual Girl Scout Cookie Crunch this Sunday, February 28th from 1-3pm at the ArtsQuest Center at Steelstacks in Bethlehem!

In this creative food-based event chefs and restaurants create delicious and unique dishes, be they sweet or savory, all of them made with Girl Scout Cookies. At Girl Scout Cookie Crunch, held on National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, attendees will enjoy a variety of offerings created by area restaurants and eateries. From amazing appetizers to decadent desserts, each will feature one (or more) of the nine Girl Scout Cookie brands. Attendees can also vote for their favorite Cookie-based dish, with awards given out in both the sweet and savory People’s Choice categories.

Tickets cost $30 ($25 for ArtsQuest members and $21 for Girl Scouts under age 17 with ID). Ticket sales benefit Girls Scouts of Eastern PA and the ArtsQuest Center.

For more info, visit http://www.steelstacks.org/event/2109/girl-scout-cookie-crunch/

Ask any mom of multiples to describe her life and you’ll get a smattering of responses. One thing is certain though, she is sure to tell you that life with multiples is nothing short of extraordinary. True, life with multiples can be chaotic, messy, and down right tough at times, but as a mom of multiples there’s something wonderfully beautiful about getting to experience it all with double, triple, and sometimes even more the love!
Here, in no particular order, are just some of the countless reasons why being a MoM is one of the greatest gigs:

 

• Listening to the ever-popular “twin talk” and secret language multiples develop that only they understand is quite entertaining!
• Watching the bond of friendship among them unfold is magical! And even better, they have a built in playmate!
• Getting to dress them in matching/coordinating outfits and Halloween costumes is, let’s face it, fun!
• We know what the word “singleton” means…and we use it!
• Tackling something like nap time or venturing out with your multiples alone feels like a huge accomplishment!
• It’s hysterical watching them giggle and make each other laugh!
• Having an ultra sound done every two weeks, sometimes even more, is a huge perk during pregnancy!
• The teammate bond with our significant other is sometimes stronger because, let’s be honest, he’s often times a second mom-up for feedings, helping with baths, changing diapers, etc…!
• Watching each of our multiples grow and develop as individuals is rewarding!
• We get to experience DOUBLE, TRIPLE, (sometimes more!) of the giggles, snuggles and love!
• The attention we get out in public is actually gratifying, especially when we make having multiples look like a piece of cake!
• Learning and discovering your strengths as an individual and feeling like SuperMom after a day’s work!

Moms of Multiples of the Lehigh Valley is organizing a Dine and Donate fundraiser in conjunction with World Prematurity Day to raise money for our local Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at LVH and St Luke’s.
On November 17th, the Texas Roadhouse in Trexlertown will donate 10% of pre-tax sales (including take out AND gift cards!) when you mention MMLV. We will also host a raffle with great prizes donated by local businesses and MMLV members from 6-9pm to raise additional funds for the NICUs. 100% of all proceeds will go directly to LVH and St Luke’s!
Spread the word and support a great cause!

 

The summer my twins were born, I remember that my husband and I tried so hard to get out of the house and give my older son an opportunity to run around and breathe fresh air. Sometimes we set up a pack n’ play in the shade of a tree when I wasn’t walking the babies to sleep in their stroller. Then we graduated to laying on a blanket in the shade and playing with books and toys while the park bustled around us. Suddenly, and seemingly overnight, my twins started to crawl and then walk. And once everyone was mobile, it got really interesting. The challenge is no longer as simple as getting everyone out of the house, but now it’s keeping multiple kids safe and in sight, and managing to rally the troops when it’s time to leave. Sometimes it’s as easy as avoiding the places that you know will be too difficult to take multiples, and sometimes it involves gear, distraction, planning and reinforcements.

My stroller has been my savior, and I swear I will run it into the ground. It has a sturdy canopy, which means that when I grocery shop with the kids I can buy as much as I can stack on top. Certainly double seat grocery carts can get the job done, but finding one while hauling around multiples can take time. In addition, I love that my stroller has a snack and cup tray, which usually means I avoid having food and drinks tossed on the floor. I also use the stroller or a wagon to wrangle my twins when we get out of the car and when it’s time to head home. I don’t think there will ever be a time that I feel safe with them exiting the car in a parking lot, so getting strapped into a stroller helps. At departure time, I can catch one child and then the other. As many parents know, it’s not easy to get one kid to leave an activity, let alone two or more. A stroller or wagon can at least keep them safe and in place while other children and gear are gathered. Other than a stroller, some moms like to use the leashes disguised as cute, fuzzy animal backpacks. This is a good option if you know your child won’t sit happily in a stroller or if you are going somewhere crowded.

I have also fallen into the habit of using the occasional bribe to get my children to cooperate when we are out on an errand or when we have to leave a fun activity. Everyone will have a different opinion on the subject of bribes, so it is really up to the adult to decide if bribes fall within his or her comfort level and parenting philosophy. I try to keep the bribe something small, and it also helps if it is something that I am willing to give or want to give. A snack that occurs around normal snack time might be a great incentive to get the kids to leave the park or remain occupied in the grocery store. The promise of a fun activity later in the day may also work. However, you have to be willing to not give the reward if you don’t get the desired behavior or action. For example, using a playdate that is already on the calendar as a bribe and not being willing to cancel it upon failure of cooperation is not going to work. These are the types of situations that I dread the most, but (in theory!) things get easier if the kids know you mean business. As an alternative to bribery, some moms have suggested bringing a special toy along that the children only get when you are out running errands. If the toy or coloring pad is seen infrequently, it should help to hold the child’s interest.

Planning an outing with multiples means that I need to get all my ducks in a row before I head out the door. I always do an assessment of the best places to go based on my ability to keep the kids safe and in sight. Sometimes I know that I need help, and that’s when I recruit a friend or family member to go along. Going on a small grocery run can be less nerve-wracking if a family member is willing to push a separate cart with a child. If your kids will behave sitting side-by-side in their stroller, then mastering the art of pulling a shopping cart behind you can eliminate the need for another adult. Potty training brings about its own complications, so having a friend or family member who can watch the other children will make the “Mommy, I have to pee!” moments less hectic.

Tricks suggested by other moms include dressing your children in matching clothing or brightly-colored clothing. A neon orange shirt won’t be hard to miss streaking across the playground. Also, giving your children plenty of warning for when it’s time to leave can help avoid a meltdown and encourage cooperation. Let them know when they have 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, etc. Lay out clear guidlelines for the behavior you expect, how long you plan to stay, and the consequences for noncompliance. If you think there is a good chance someone will need a potty break while you are out it might be a good idea to keep a travel potty in your car. You have to know your own comfort level and whether or not you can take all the children into a public restroom at the same time. Basically, it comes down to knowing yourself, your children, and your environment. Going somewhere new can be more challenging, but that is why we have such a great community of Moms of Multiples – ask questions and get answers about other people’s experiences! There is never enough time in the day and things need to get done, so get out there and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

In addition to our monthly meetings, we have started a monthly Coffee & Conversation get together at the Panera in Trexlertown.  If you are a mother of multiples and want to learn more about MMLV, need advice, want to vent, or just want to get out of the house for a bit, meet us there this Sunday, August 30th at 11am.

Now that warmer weather has settled in and schools are out for the summer, busy families are out and about enjoying the sunshine. There are so many places to explore, making the days seem to fly by! Summer brings picnic and pool season, outdoor farmers markets, fairs and festivals. With a little information and imagination, you can make this a memorable summer for your little ones.

For kids in motion, parks all across the Lehigh Valley provide free fun. For something a little different, I like visiting the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness park in Trexlertown where my kids can play in a giant sandbox or ride around the tricycle trail. The setup works well for moms who have to keep an eye on multiple children. Family walks are another great way to burn up energy. Hiking trails abound, although I’m a fan of the Lehigh Parkway where a walk, run or bike ride can end with a visit to the Li’l-Le-Hi Trout Nursery to feed the fish. The Lehigh Parkway is also home to the Lehigh Valley Road Runners kids race series, which is free to children ages 3-14.

Swimming is a summer favorite, whether you have your own pool or join a community pool. If managing multiples around water seems tricky, then a day pass may be a better investment than a season pass, and you can bring extra help. Splash pads are a great alternative, especially for moms watching several kids. Bucky Boyle park and Fifth & Allen Street park feature motion-activated spray parks. Moms looking for a caffeine fix can let their kids enjoy the free pop jets at the Promenade Shops, located next to the Starbucks. Personally, I want to check out the splash pad at the Boyertown Community Pool. It’s situated next to a great little playground for kids and an athletic trail.

This year, I signed my older son up for summer camp at his preschool. He loved it so much, I wish there were more dates to choose from. You can usually find a summer camp based on your child’s interests and abilities, from theater to sports to wildlife. The Wildlands Conservancy offers some very hands-on nature camps. The Da Vinci Science Center summer camps will also spark imagination and learning.

Amusement parks offer an experience like no other, especially for those of you with fearless and adventurous children. Some of the favorites within driving distance include Sesame Place, Dutch Wonderland, Dorney Park (featuring Planet Snoopy for the little ones), and Knoebels Amusement Resort. Other than the family vacation, amusement parks may be one of summer’s more expensive outings. Parks like Knoebels can save you money with free parking and admission – you can even bring your own lunch. Also, choosing a Pay-One-Price plan or just paying for each ride individually can help you save.

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy watching their local teams live in outdoor venues this summer. The Reading Fightin Phils and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs make a fun outing for the whole family. The Valley Preferred Cycling Center not only offers child and adult cycling classes, but on Friday nights throughout the summer you can watch professionals in the World Series of Bicycling (and admission is free for children under 12!).

Summer activities for the kids don’t have to cost a penny! Most local libraries, and even Barnes & Noble, have summer reading programs. Many cities and townships hold free summer concerts, including Allentown, Emmaus and Bethlehem. Some also have a free Movies in the Park series, with kid-friendly events leading up to movie time. The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley hosts a free summer concert series, and the Carmike Cinemas located there has a summer kids movie series ($4 for a ticket, small popcorn and small drink is nearly free considering regular prices!). You can get creative and have a picnic lunch in a park, hold a scavenger hunt, or camp out in your own backyard. Whatever you plan, give your children lots of fresh air and variety, and you’ll never have to hear that they’re bored.

MMLV is excited to announce that we are organizing our first consignment event!  The event will be held at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays (just 5 miles north of Allentown) on Saturday July 25th from 9-11am.  Our sale is open to the public and we hope you will stop by and shop!

We will have Fall and Winter kids clothing (newborn – 6T), baby equipment, toys, maternity clothing, and more!  CASH ONLY

Please plan to bring only an umbrella stroller or baby carrier for any little helpers

If you have any questions, please feel free to send us a message through our website or look us up on Facebook (www.facebook.com/momlv)

Hope to see you there!  As moms of multiples, we will have A LOT of items for sale 🙂

 

 

For any MoMs who have wanted to check out MMLV, but have not been able to make it to one of our monthly meetings, please consider joining us at the Panera in Trexlertown on Sunday, June 28th at 11am for our first (of what we hope will be bi-monthly) Coffee & Conversation get-together.  If you need advice, need to vent, or just want to get out of the house for a bit, this is the perfect opportunity to meet other MoMs from our group (and get an extra caffeine boost!).

Planning a birthday party can be a fun and creative process, or an overwhelming process, when you add multiples to the picture. When the children are younger, it may feel like you are getting away with something to have a two (or three, or four, etc.) for one birthday party. Once the children get older and have different groups of friends from school, they may want to invite even more friends or have separate celebrations. As the parent, you get to set the ground rules for how elaborate and expensive the party gets, but you can’t always control how many friends your children dream of inviting. So work out a plan from the beginning to go large or stay small, and many of your other party decisions will flow from that guest list.

The location of your party will depend on a few factors, such as number of guests, weather, and party budget. It might be possible to hold a large family and friends party at your home in the summer, when you can spread the festivities outdoors, but not during the winter months. If you don’t have the budget to hold a party at another location, then you probably have to limit the number of guests and account for the parents of young children who will stay at the party. Parents who don’t want the craziness and cleanup attached to a large party with lots of children should research local kid-friendly venues. I just had my son’s 5th birthday party at Bounce U because he was so excited to invite all of his classmates, and I thought the process was fairly easy on my end. Many places you can take your children for open tumble also book birthday parties. In my personal opinion, your money is better spent on this kind of option when your children are old enough to run around without constant supervision and can follow directions. You may get out of party cleanup, but you’ll be exhausted if you have to chase around multiple children in a large, crowded setting.

After picking a location and narrowing down (or expanding!) your guest list, you may want to pick a theme for your party. Themes can be simple or they can dictate everything you do for the party, including the food you serve and what your children wear. If you would like to keep things on the simple side, consider just picking a color theme. You can choose one color for each child and get decorations, invitations and a cake to match. The ever popular baby shower theme of peas in a pod can make a comeback for your multiples’ 1st birthday. Perhaps your multiples are really into a TV show or character. Popular twin character themes include Minnie and Mickey and Thing 1 and Thing 2 (or add Thing 3 for triplets!).There are also plenty of boy/girl twin themes that don’t focus on a specific character, such as Ties and Tutus or Princesses and Knights. Amazon and Etsy have an array of supplies, like invitations, onesies, party hats, bibs and decorations, that can supplement what you find in stores.

The cake is always something my children look forward to the most. They love having friends and family sing the birthday song, blowing out the candles, and eating nothing but the frosting. But a cake isn’t the only way to go. Cupcakes, cake pops, or giant cookies are always options. If you go with a traditional cake, you also have to decide on whether to do one large cake for your multiples to share, have smaller cakes decorated for each child, or have a cake for guests and tiny smash cakes for your multiples. Creative cake decorators can find ways to combine more than one theme on a cake. If each of your children likes a totally different cake flavor or frosting, however, then consider ordering a cake or dessert to suit each child’s preference. Keep in mind that if you are hosting a party at another location, you may have to order the cake through that business, which limits your choices.

There is no singular right way to throw a birthday bash for your multiples; every family and circumstance makes the process different. If you are creative and have the resources, then go all out with a themed party. If your budget and space are limited, then your multiples will feel special with a small family celebration. The most important ingredient in a good birthday party is love, and you can provide this for your children no matter how many people attend or what finger foods you serve.

The other day I was preparing to leave the house with my twins when my little guy looked up at me and asked, “McDonalds?”. I replied that we had to pick his older brother up from school.
R: “I love McDonalds.”
Me: “Do you love Mommy?”
R: “No…I love McDonalds.”
I think to myself, “are we in the middle of another winter rut?” How many times had my husband and I bought coffee at McDonalds, or bought the kids a milkshake at Chick-fil-a, so the three kids could run around and get the crazies out? Trust me, if the thermometer hits anything close to 40 degrees, with sunshine and little to no wind, we will find a way to be outside. However, this winter isn’t blessing us with many of those days. Now I’m wondering about other activities I can do with my kids in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas, or things we can do at home, to bring some fun (and sanity) to these cold and bleary days.

I started racking my brain, checking the Internet and asking my wonderful group of moms from MMLV for input. We are lucky in this day and age that if we want quick information on what to do and where to go, we can find it with an Internet connection and a few keystrokes. I kept noticing likes on Facebook for Lehigh Valley’s Find & Go Seek. Other mothers have confirmed that they find great information here for activities to do with their kids. Other online sources for kid-friendly activities include Kutztown to Allentown Macaroni Kid and LehighValleyKidsGuide.com. Sometimes coupons are included for activities and events, which is helpful to any mom, especially those with more than one child.

Many parents choose to enroll their children in sports camps or other physical activities burn off energy, learn teamwork and develop skills. We signed my older son up for basketball and floor hockey through Stretch-n-Grow’s All-Star Sports Program last winter, and this year he started karate. If your goal is to get your kids out of the house to run around, minus the structure, other options exist in the Valley. Bounce U offers Preschool Playtime and All-Ages Open Bounce, where kids can jump on and slide down giant inflatables. At East Penn Children’s Fitness Academy, kids can play on a variety of gymnastic and climbing equipment. The large trampoline, ball pit, and ride on toys are very popular. Pre-K and Kindergarten aged children can run around and get wild during Elite Kids Open Gym at the Elite Sports Academy. Then there’s Toddler Open Play at Game Time Field House or Lunch Time Fun Time at Force Sports Academy. Where you go most likely depends on where you live, the ages of your children, and how much you are willing to spend per child. Each location has their own website with a calendar of events and contact information.

I also like the idea of going out to eat and then having an activity to do in the same location. When we are tired of cooking at home, sometimes we pack up the kids and go to Rascal’s Food and Fun. After our meal, we can spend $10 to $15 on a game card and let the kids run around. All the kids love skeeball, although no one has perfected any kind of technique, and sometimes the twins will just sit on the racing games or jump on Dance Dance Revolution as though we actually paid to play. Parents of older kids who can learn to roll a ball straight could try a meal and bowling at Revolutions in Bethlehem. Or the location itself can be the source of entertainment. One mom of twins says that she takes her children to Panera to watch the bakers. With a couple of fresh treats, small toys and coloring books, an hour can easily pass. Some moms combine shopping, eating and entertainment at the Allentown Farmer’s Market or Wegman’s. Children can get a snack or meal and have plenty of people and activity to watch. By planning ahead, you can make or print out papers for scavenger hunts to help the kids stay focused, and you have the added benefit of accomplishing an errand.

If you want to engage your children’s intellectual and curious sides, you can plan a fun day-trip to several local and within driving distance locations. Car and truck enthusiasts can plan a visit to America on Wheels, which has free admission for children 5 and under, or the Mack Truck Museum. The Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown can encourage your little scientists to think, explore and ask questions, while your younger kids have access to a preschool room. At the Crayola Factory in Easton, your kids can create their own markers and personalize their own crayon label. This attraction boasts an 85-foot water table, which is a working lock and canal system. Seeing how crayons are made is just one of the many activities; there are several unique arts and crafts experiences throughout the building. If the weather cooperates, the Lehigh Valley Zoo can be a fun outdoor excursion. Their website claims, and other parents have confirmed, that the animals are more active in the colder weather. If your kids are fairly patient on longer trips, you can venture out to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ, or the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. If you are really lucky, and your children can sit still while not strapped into carseats, then you might enjoy story time at your local library, Barnes & Noble or a bookstore like Let’s Play Books in Emmaus.

For anyone with a little budding artist or builder, the Valley features quite a few options for craft projects. Lowe’s offers Build and Grow Clinics on select Saturdays, and Home Depot has free kids workshops on the first Saturday of the month. You just have to check your local store’s website and call or register online. Every Sunday, the Allentown Art Museum has free ArtVentures, where you can visit their in-gallery art carts for special projects. Michael’s in Whitehall has a Kids Club for ages 3 and older. Kids spend half an hour working on a fun art project for only $2. Any moms who frequent Wegman’s can pick up a flyer at the service desk listing all of the month’s activities, including a kids’ story time and art project.

Due to adverse weather conditions, or any of the other obstacles confronting moms of multiples, we often have trouble making it out of the house during winter. I’m sure that many moms have been through the rounds of Play Doh, Legos and Crayola Color Wonder. My indicator that we are truly good and bored is when the Legos morph into tiny footballs, kicked from one end of the room to the other without anyone building a single thing. I really needed input from other moms who know this situation. Suggestions included finding simple craft ideas on Pinterest, building a fort, and having a glow stick dance party. One mom proposed adding glow sticks to empty water bottles to play glow stick bowling. Another brings skating indoors by wrapping wax paper around her kids shoes and securing it with large rubber bands (careful – this is fun but slippery!). Some kids might be excited to help in the kitchen and make rice crispy treats, cupcakes or cookies. They can assist by measuring, mixing, or adding frosting. Getting to play helper in the kitchen may even encourage them to eat a healthier snack or meal that they got to assist in making.

No matter what, the days spent raising multiples will be challenging and unpredictable. Sometimes our efforts at doing a craft activity or leaving the house will be an epic fail, and sometimes they will provide us with great memories and motivation to go for a round two. Sometimes, through good parenting or small miracles, our children listen and we can effortlessly pack them into the car for an adventure, and sometimes we need another adult along for support and constant, hovering supervision. We just have to make it though another winter with our sanity, and those first days of sunny, 40-ish degree weather will be right around the corner! Right now, however, I’m going to look for wax paper and rubber bands.

MMLV will be hosting a holiday party for its members at an off-site location in lieu of our monthly meeting in December.  Our next monthly meeting at First Presbyterian will be on Thursday, January 8, 2015.  Hope to see some new faces there!

If you need to reach us before January, you can contact us through our website or our public Facebook page.

Enjoy the holidays with your families!

MMLV NICU Fundraiser PJ Whelihans

MMLV is hosting their 3rd Dine and Donate event to raise money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at Lehigh Valley Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital.

PJ Whelihans has generously agreed to donate 15% of pre-tax food and drink sales to the NICUs on Monday, November 17th from 11am – 2am! Take-out meals will also count towards the fundraiser. YOU MUST MENTION MMLV TO HAVE YOUR MEAL COUNT TOWARDS THE FUNDRAISER!

We’ll also have a raffle starting at 5pm to raise additional funds with items donated by local businesses!

Come out with your friends and family, bring your appetites, and help support a great cause!

• Mickey/Minnie or Donald/Daisy – a classic favorite for all little kids!

 

• Jungle theme or Barnyard theme – perfect for little ones, especially if you can get them to make the animal sounds

 

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Super-Mario Brothers – Mario and Luigi
• Thomas the Train characters

• Sesame Street – Elmo and Cookie Monster or Elmo and Abby
• Monsters Inc – Mikey and Sully
• Alice in Wonderland
• Toy Story – Woody and Jesse or Woody and Buzz

• Tinker Bell and Peter Pan
• Cinderella Princesses (Jasmine, Belle, Ariel)
• Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty
•  Jake and the Neverland Pirates theme – a good one for boy/girl twins

•  Grinch/Cindy Lou Who
• Star Wars – Luke and Leia –  another good one for boy/girl twins
• Fish and a Fisherman
• Charlie Brown and Lucy
• The Simpsons
• Batman and Robin  (or Batgirl and Super Girl)

 

• Thing 1 and Thing 2
• Hamburger and Hot Dog
• Elephant and Peanut
• Baby Bop and BJ from Barney
• Dorothy and the Lion from the Wizard of Oz (or any of the other Wizard of Oz characters)

• Frozen’s Elsa and Anna
• Elmo and Cookie Monster (or Abby Cadabby for a girl)
• Clark Kent and Super Man (even cuter if they are identical twins) – also add a badge if you can get them not to rip it off)

 

Specific to Triplets (or 3+ siblings)

• Hershey bar, Graham cracker and Marshmallow  (to make a s’more)
•  Three Little Pigs/Big Bad Wolf (maybe a parent can dress up as the wolf, or another sibling)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

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Check out these links for even more suggestions:

• From the The Today Show
• From Twiniversity

In honor of NICU Nurse Appreciation Day, I thought it appropriate to share this article that one of our members came across.  I also want to say a special thank you to all the local NICU nurses in the Lehigh Valley area.  Thank you so much for everything that you do!

The Reality of the NICU

Creating a baby registry can be a daunting task for any expecting mother – and when you’re having twins or triplets (or more!), it can seem that much more stressful…inevitably, you ask yourself if you really need two (or three or more…) of everything, and do you really have the space for all the STUFF that multiple babies seem to require?!  I remember feeling excited to start my registry, with visions of pink and blue and everything CUTE swirling in my brain.  Never mind that I couldn’t tell you the difference between a bouncer and a jumperoo and I had no idea what a receiving blanket was.  I was confident that it would all make sense once I got to the baby store.  Ha!  I was so completely overwhelmed by the choices (how many different brands of bottles could there be and which was the best?!), that I nearly had a complete panic attack in the store and left with only a couple of rattles on my registry.  Every decision seemed monumental – although in hindsight, I should not have agonized as I did over all the small things.

Since joining MMLV, I’ve realized I’m not the only mom to stress over creating a registry for twins!  One of the most popular questions from our expecting mom guests and members is “What do I register for and do I need two of everything?”  While this is in no means a complete list of registry items, here are some guidelines – purely based on my personal experience and opinions I’ve collected from other MoMs (Moms of Multiples) in our group.

WHAT YOU’LL WANT TWO (OR MORE) OF:

Car seats

Bouncers

Activity Mats – 2 different ones for variety

Cribs

Changing Tables – one for their bedroom and one for downstairs

Rock n Plays – not a necessity, but they are a great alternative to a bassinet for the first few months, especially for babies that prefer to be on an incline.  My youngest slept in one exclusively for the first 4 months.

Pack n Plays – they may both fit into one at first, but eventually you’ll need two, especially for when you travel

Boppy pillows – it’s nice to have one on each floor of your house so you don’t have to run up and down the stairs when you need to nurse.  You can also choose to register for a twin nursing pillow if you plan to nurse your babies at the same time

Highchairs/Booster seats – we used booster seats once our twins outgrew their highchairs, but even before this we kept a set at my parents’ house for when we visited

Sleepsacks or SwaddleMe blankets – minimum of two per baby

Crib sheets – minimum of two per crib

Pacifiers – these have a way of mysteriously disappearing, so I would start with at least 3-4 per baby.  We kept one in each of their car seats, backups in the diaper bag, and 2 in their cribs. Soothies is a popular brand, since it’s what is used in hospitals.  Gumdrop pacifiers have an identical shape and are also a good choice, but you might want to consider a few different types, since not all babies like the same ones!

Bottles – enough to cover at least a few feedings per day for each baby, so you’re not constantly washing bottles.

 

WHAT YOU CAN GET ONE OF TO START – Save gift cards in case you need to purchase a 2nd of any of these items!

Swing

Jumperoo

Stationary Activity Center – not a necessity, in my opinion, especially if space is limited.

Infant bath tub – you won’t likely ever need a 2nd one since you probably won’t bathe them at the same time until they outgrow the tub

Baby Carrier

Bumbo seat – my kids never liked them, but some parents swear by them, so it might be a good idea to get one to try it out

 

You’ll also definitely need a double stroller. Most MoMs that I know ultimately end up with more than one!  A popular option is to get a Double Snap n Go that accommodates 2 infant car seats and a side by side for when the babies are a bit older.  You could also get a Double Stroller Travel System that comes with car seats, but also functions as a front-back stroller on its own.  There are so many options these days!  Try to find something that isn’t too heavy, that opens and folds easily, and that has a good size storage basket to hold your diaper bag and/or the many other items you’ll need just to take a walk around the block! 🙂

And don’t forget to register for the simple things – diapers and wipes!  You’ll be changing more diapers than you can count soon!

Any additional questions? Feel free to reach out to us!  You can contact us through our website by clicking on “Contact” at the top of the home page, or through our public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/momlv?ref=bookmarks

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our members had her twins featured in a recent article on Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Health Network website!  Her babies were born at just 25 weeks and are now thriving 1 year olds.  See their heartwarming story and a behind-the-scenes video of their first birthday celebration at:

Click here to read about the twins on LVHN site!

A local mother of twin girls has recently started an online twin apparel company featuring a variety of t-shirt designs for moms and their twins, from onesies to youth tees.  Their logo is made of the number 2’s and all of their critter designs are created with the number 2.  Check it out at www.mytwinsarecuter.com!