Saving Money Via Cloth Diapers

One Member Asked: We'd like to save money in the diaper department. How do we go about using cloth diapers? Where do we start?

Here are the answers we received from fellow members:

We use cloth diapers and have from the start. We use BG AIO 3.0 They are great. We still use disposables when we travel, but 88% of the time, we are cloth. People will scoff at your decision, but it really is a huge financial relief. It is an investment at first (we have 42 diapers), but lots of people got them for us as gifts, so that helps, too.

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I cloth diaper my twins. I also did it for cost reasons. I know that the prefolds are the most cost efficient, but it was too many steps for us. What we did was get the One Size Pocket diapers so that we won't need to buy different sizes as the babies grow. At first they are bulky, but the babies aren't mobile at that point anyway. I think most people like snaps better than velcro for several reasons. They look newer longer, and they are harder for babies to take off when they get to the age where they want to be naked.
For what it's worth, I like these brands in the following order:

1. Blueberry (expensive, but awesome. I got mine during a sale of last years colors/patterns so they were super cheap. Not sure I'd pay full price for them)
2. Haute Pockets (bulky, but they hold a lot)
3. Happy Heiney (only liked them once I figured out I needed to add a hemp or bamboo doubler to add more absorbency)
4. Bum Genius
5. Fuzzi Bunz
   

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We use cloth and I love it! First do some research and decide what kind of diapers u like- prefolds, all-in-ones, etc. I picked FuzziBunz because a good friend used them and highly recommended them. Plus I liked how they looked. If I had to do it all over again I would pick an AIO. I really like the FuzziBunz but I spend a lot of time assembling them.
Good luck!

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Mothering Magazine has a lot of great information on cloth diapering. They're online at http://www.mothering.com/. I think u can purchase a pamphlet for a couple bucks compiling all their info on diapering.

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I would recommend cloth diapers around 3 months. When they are really little, they poop 5-10 times/day. It is just too much work esp. w/ twins.

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Safemama.com has a great comparison/review of cloth diaper brands - check it out here.

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I bought a lot of cloth diapering gear before the twins came, but it ultimately didn't work out for us. Here's my advice based on my experience:

1 - make sure your caregiver (if you use one) is willing to use cloth and follow your laundry instructions 

2 - don't pre-buy a bunch of "one-size" diapers (I went with BumGenius) just yet. it will look bulky and ridiculous on a tiny baby. Those can wait until they're 6 months or so. Get something meant for really small babies. Bumgenius has an all-in-one that comes in XS.

3 - if you're open to it, consider ebay and craigslist. I sold mine that way (barely used) and it's a great way to save money

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I wanted to do cloth at first too but decided against it after doing research. They are VERY expensive and you have to keep buying larger sizes! It is not like years ago when they were much cheaper than disposables. You also have to figure in the cost of detergent & electricity.

 

Another factor is TIME. Such a precious commodity when you have twin babies! Here is an example of babies X2... we started out breast feeding, the babies had some trouble since they were preemies, so I had to pump & suplement w/ formula. 16 bottles a day + pump equipment to wash & sterilize! It was NUTS! Most days were so busy that I often didn't get a chance to pump until 6PM!

 

It was/is often overwhelming. The best advice I could give is to PRIORITIZE and give yourself LOTS of grace! Figure out what is most essential b/c that is about all you'll have time for!

 

If cost is the major determining factor there are lots of ways to cut costs. I bought in bulk from "diapers.com" for a while. "Diapers.com" has ways for you to earn credit toward diapers via referrals. Also contact diaper companies for twin deals and free coupons. I've also heard of "bulkdiapers.com". I have found diapers that I love that I can get more cost effectively from Target (their generic brand).

 

If you go the cloth route, try buying diapers second hand on-line also making your own detergent is very quick, easy & CHEAP!

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i am expecting twins in October and cloth diapered my 2 1/2 year old son from 6 months on and plan to do the same with the twins. There are so many options out there it is really hard to say what would be best for you and your family. The most economical way would be to use prefolds which are the kind your grandma used that are rectangular and have a thicker area in the middle and waterproof diaper covers. It's really easy, just fold the prefold into thirds and place it into the cover and then the cover goes on with velcro like a disposable would. You could do that for about $300 birth to potty training for the two of them. Of course there are many many other options out there as well, some that may be easier for you. Check out diaperpin.com for info and diaper brand reviews and diaperswappers.com is an online message board where you can ask question and buy/sell used diapers. I have gotten a lot off of diaper swappers and been very pleased.
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Any other advice/experience on the subject? Please let us know!

More on pool safety

Adding to our post yesterday on managing young twins at the pool, here is an expert interview that we found on the Multiples and More blog. This is more on pool safety overall and we felt it was worth sharing with all of our moms.

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Dr. Julie Gilchrist a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Injury Center’s Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention answered the following questions from the Multiples and More moderators.


What are some common mistakes parents make when it comes to pool safety?

Parents may mistakenly believe that supervision is enough to keep their young children out of a pool when they are not expected to be there. Parents may underestimate the mobility of their children. Barriers, such as four-sided pool fencing, can help prevent children from gaining unintended access to the pool area from the house without the caregivers’ awareness. Most young children who drowned in residential pools had been out of sight less than five minutes and were in the care of one or both parents at the time.

Also, parents may think that they will hear if a child is having trouble in the water. But children most commonly drown quickly and quietly. Many drown in the midst of a pool party with many people around. If you are hosting a gathering where children may have access to the pool, designate one adult to have eyes on the pool activities at all times. Rotating the responsibility will ensure everyone can enjoy the other activities. Just make sure everyone knows who is the ‘water watcher’ – don’t assume!


I've heard of pool alarms (where it alerts parents that someone is in the pool), do you feel these are effective to preventing accidents?

The most effective means to reduce drowning in residential pools is to prevent access to the water by installing four-sided fences with self-closing, self-latching gates. If the house forms a side of the barrier, using a power safety cover over the pool will also prevent access to the water. Pool alarms which alert the home owner when someone enters the pool can be an additional layer of protection but is not a substitute for physical barriers such as fencing and weight-bearing safety covers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission evaluated some pool alarms and their report is available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/alarm.pdf.


At what age would you recommend a child to take swim lessons?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC both believe that all children should learn to be safe in and around the water. Swimming is more than just a recreational activity (although it is an exceptional form of exercise); it is a valuable, potentially lifesaving skill. Recent studies suggest that formal swimming lessons may be beneficial even among preschool aged children. We suggest that parents consider the child’s potential exposure to water (i.e., whether they ever have access to pools, ponds, or other water hazards) and developmental readiness for lessons in consultation with their pediatrician to determine the appropriate time to start lessons. However, even with swim lessons, we caution parents to resist any false sense of security. No child is drown proof. Every child regardless of swim training should be appropriately protected from unintended access to the water with four-sided isolation pool fencing and additional adjunctive barriers as appropriate (door locks/alarms, pool alarms or weight bearing pool covers).
Additionally, when in the water, all children should be appropriately supervised at all times regardless of their participation in swimming classes.


Besides fences and swim lessons, what other tips do you have to keep the pool safe?

I encourage parents and caregivers to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someone's life.
What tips do you have for pool safety at a community pool, or a friend/family home?
In any venue, even if there is a lifeguard, children should be supervised by a parent or caregiver. In crowded pools, lifeguards often don’t see a child in trouble until another patron alerts them. Parents should carefully watch their children at any aquatic venue they visit.

Additionally, parents should be aware of some preventable health risks associated with aquatic activities.

1. Recreational water illness - ingesting contaminated pool water from ill children or young children not yet toilet trained; prevention includes appropriate chemicals to treat and behavior to prevent contamination.
2. Water intoxication - ingestion of large amounts of water by very young children can dilute the blood and lead to seizures; do not forcibly dunk children and watch for excessive swallowing of water.
3. Hypothermia – reduction of body temperature in cool water; very young children may not be able to maintain their body temperature in water below 90 degrees. Body heat dissipates 30 times faster in water than air and small children have a large body surface area relative to their mass and are affected more quickly.
4. Psychological stress from negative experiences in or around the water; these can lead to a life-long fear or avoidance of the water.

Managing young twins at the pool

The pools are opening for the season - summer is here! With that, comes some concerns about safety and managing young children around water, especially twins. Below is advice given to a club mom by other CMOTC moms on managing young twins and an older child at the pool.

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Question from CMOTC mom:

I have 18 month old twins. Summer is coming and I would really like to be able to take them swimming during the day. We have a pool available to us that is at 0 depth which is great. However, with my 6 year old swimming around also, my head would need another set of eyes for sure. I am just worried a lot about swimming with my new walkers near water. Well truthfully many places scare me with my new walkers but especially water! Anyway, I am thinking of doing swim vests? Pricey?? Worth it?? Other suggestions?? So is this possible to do alone?? Has anyone given this a go??

Advice from CMOTC moms:

This will be my first year swimming with my 18 month twins and 2 1/2 year old! I purchased two baby boats. The vests help when they are learning to swim but don't fully support them enough to keep them floating. One boat I found @ Once Upon A Child for $10. The other I
found on craigslist for $5. Just make sure they are wide around so they won't tip over. Good luck!

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We used Spring Floats with ours a lot. They really seemed to like them. Here is what they look like: http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Spring-Float-Canopy-Swimways/dp/B000C9DYPM
I know you can find them around cheaper than this though. I think I found them at Kohl's, Target and Meijer. They work well because they get most of their bodies in the water and there is also a canopy (which can be removed) to keep some direct sun off of them. They are easy for you to maneuver too :)

Good luck! I was scared to take mine near water by myself too once they
were walking but this helped!

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We bought swim vest's at Costco, they were coast guard approved and kept them floating just in case. The vest's are for jetski's, or at least that's how they were marketed on the packaging. We then bought them the next size up, this year they will be four and we have signed them up for swim class. Before that it's best to get them use to the water, try to show them some of the basics, splashing their face so they won't be afraid, and yes sometimes letting them (when supervised) swim without it so they realize they are not super baby compared to the water. Also consider getting a mother's helper too, someone young will have fun playing with your 6 year old.

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I don't have any major revelations to share with you but I do want to let you know I did this a few times last summer with my four boys so it is manageable. Last year my boys were 6, 3, and the twins were 20 months. We get a membership to Mingo pool in Delaware (where we live) so I never felt like I had to go and stay all day to make it worth our money. When we'd leave the house, I'd tell my 6 and 3 yr old that we were probably going to only stay for 2 rest periods (~1.5 hrs) and that my older son was not allowed to swim in the deeper pools. Mingo Pool has a 0 depth pool too but it joins into three other swim areas the deepest being ~ 4ft. He was allowed in that part b/c he knows how to swim enough to get around and I felt comfortable that I was able to keep an eye on him. Then they have a separate lap pool and a separate diving well. If one of his friends were there, I would let him go in the lap pool if they stayed together. My 3 year old was pretty good about sticking close to me or within the areas I could see him and where he could reach the bottom. He seemed to know his swimming limitations better than the twins. So, I just stuck around with the twins. We brought a few toys to sit and play with in a shallow area.

They loved using paint brushes (the big ones you use to paint walls with) to "brush" the sidewalk with water and I'd throw one or two of those squishy water balls around the pool for them to get and bring back. Mingo also has a little water slide in the shallow pool (~1 - 2ft water) and
fountains along the pool entry so they kept busy with those as well.

I will admit I was usually ready to nap along with them when we got home but we all love the pool so I didn't want to just sit at home every summer day wishing we were there. We had a "blow-up" rectangular pool set up in our backyard too so if they wanted to swim more or I didn't have the energy to take them to Mingo, they could just play in there. We did also skip the day trip and go in the evenings quite a bit when my husband could come along and help supervise. There were also certain days or hours that daycare centers or summer camps were there and I tried to avoid those times. It was much easier to keep everyone in check without the extra crowds.

Regarding the vests, I believe our pool has a restriction against flotation devices which is why I didn't use them. If I could have, I probably would have invested in them just so I would feel a little less stressed if one of them wandered into the deeper water. Hope this helps and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

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What worked for me was a one piece suite that had a floatation ring around the middle. When they jumped in the ring would move to under the armpits as the material was stretch fabric. It kept the kids afloat if they wandered or jumped in the deep end. My twins had no fear of water. We used them probably for 3 years so for us it was a wise investment. It was really worth the money to keep sanity. My kids were slow growers so they lasted a long time. I find the life vests were too bulky for the kids to move around much. While what we used was not approved for boating it did keep them floating and got them swimming.

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The only recommendations I have is that for the twins to get the life jackets with "pillows" on the back of the neck because it is said that young children will give up as far as holding their heads up, and the "pillows" will do that for them if they get in a serious situation. I learned this from my sister who does fund-raisers for parents trying to get the word out on how on water safety (after their son died). But, also, don't get the kind with removable internal pads. They come out too easily.

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Any other advice on swim gear and managing kids at the pool? Please share!

Teeth!

CMOTC mom Kathleen P. shares this great resource she found on preparing your child for the dentist, teaching them how to brush their teeth properly, children's books about dental care and website resources. Also included is a very interesting timeline on teeth.

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Preparing your Child for an Oral Checkup

The dental office might seem like a frightening place to most children, but with the help of the following tips, both children and parents can enjoy the trip to the dental hygienist and Dentist.

• Take the child with you when you have your routine cleaning, so that they may see exactly what occurs at the appointment.


• Schedule visits to the dental hygienist at a time when your child is likely to be well rested and cooperative.


• Never mention the words “hurt” or “pain” around your child when discussing an oral health visit. Saying “it won’t hurt” instills the possibility of pain into your child’s thought process.


• Do not discuss your own negative experiences in your child’s hearing range.


• Allow and encourage your child to discuss any fear he or she might have about oral health visits.

For more information about proper oral health care, as well as brushing and-flossing instructions, please talk to your registered dental hygienist; visit the ADHA Web site, at http://www.adha.org/.


Brushing teeth

Daily brushing keeps the teeth clean, stimulates the gums and keeps the gums firm. Children should brush their teeth immediately after eating, to remove food particles. If a person cannot brush his teeth after eating, they should rinse their mouth thoroughly with water. Cavities are holes caused by decay in teeth. Teeth tend to decay on surfaces that touch because it is difficult to clean between teeth with a toothbrush. Thin, strong thread called dental floss is used to clean between the teeth.

Describing to a child how to brush:

1. Hold the brush with the bristles pointing toward the gums.


2. Move the brush so it sweeps over the gums and teeth toward the biting surfaces.


3. Brush the teeth of each jaw separately - the upper teeth downward, the lower teeth upward.


4. Use a scrubbing circular motion to clean the chewing surfaces.


5. Brush the inner as well as out surfaces.


6. Brush each area at least 10 times.

Websites resources:
http://www.oralb.com/
http://www.colgate.com/
http://www.ada.org/
Kid's Health website - kid's pages on dental care
Teeth brushing behavior charts

Books for Children About Dental Care

A Visit to the Dentist (Little Bill) by Eleanor Fremont, Andy Mastrocinque (Illustrator)

Brush Your Teeth Please by Leslie McGuire, Jean Pidgeon (Illustrator)

Dear Tooth Fairy by Alan Durant, Vanessa Cabban (Illustrator)

How Many Teeth? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) by Paul Showers, True Kelley (Illustrator)

Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate

Open Wide : Tooth School Inside by Laurie Keller

The Night Before the Tooth Fairy (Reading Railroad Books) by Natasha Wing, Barbara Johansen Newman (Illustrator)

The Story of the Tooth Fairy by Tom Paxton, Robert Sauber

Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World by Selby Beeler, G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

What Do the Fairies Do With All Those Teeth? by Michel Luppens, Phillipe Beha (Illustrator)

Teeth: the early years

In utero: First Trimester At around 6or 7 weeks the Fetus forms a band of tissue called the dental lamina, which leads to tooth buds.

Second Trimester By week 20, the baby teeth buds are in place, and a second set of buds-gums are so firm they deliver a sort of bite-lite.

At birth: Each tooth is formed, though they remain underground. Still, one in every 2,000 babies is born with a tooth showing, call a natal tooth.

6 to 8 months The first tooth: It’s nearly always a bottom tooth from one (the lower central incisor). Baby teeth are also call deciduous teeth because they fall out.

8-12 months The top front teeth (upper central incisors) join the party. On average, a girl’s teeth appear sooner than a boy’s teeth.

9-13 months No w come the top lateral incisors (which bookend the two front teeth).

10-16 months The bottom lateral incisors crop up. You child has a heedful of eight teeth.

13-19 months The first molars grow in, on top and bottom.

16-22 months The pointer canine teeth surface, and the baby vampire jokes begin.

25-33 months The biggest baby teeth, the second molars, rise way in the back, and the full quota of 20 baby teeth is reached.

3 years First trip to Dentist for cleaning and check up. Sometimes it’s best to find a pediatric dentist.

4 years They’re all in and the gaps in their teeth help the adult teeth grow in evenly.

6-7 years The first tooth falls out. It’s usually the lower central incisor, the fist to appear in babyhood. Baby teeth don’t actually fall out, they are pushed out. The adult tooth below presses so hard on the baby tooth above that the baby tooth’s roots dissolve and its crown has nothing to tie it down. Fairies everywhere flex their wings.

7-8 years Baby teeth begin their departure in a mostly first hire/first fired order, starting in the middle and edging out to the nearest neighbors.

9-13 years As baby teeth go, in comes comically large replacements. Eight brand new ones, (premolars and second premolars) take up all the extra room in you big kid’s mouth.

14-23 years Not it’s a 28-tooth holding pattern until you child hits their early 20s and their third molars, a.k.a. wisdom teeth, come in.

The epic journey from 20 baby teeth to 32 adult teeth is over.

Ways for families to connect with nature...

It has been said that our children are the first generation in America's history to grow up indoors, in most cases due to them not living in areas with ready access to the natural environment. This lack of nature has been dubbed "nature deficit disorder." Whether it's the lack of easy access to nature or our hurried over-booked lifestyles or even all the electronic devices that provoke such interest, children today are lacking the opportunities to explore the outdoor world, observe birds, insects and animals in their natural habitats, or just watch clouds float through the treetops.

With summer almost here and the end of school near, it is the perfect opportunity to unplug from everything scheduled and electronic and plug into nature. Here are some ideas of great things to do!

Fun projects to do with your children:

Create a bird nest helper (found on zrecommends.com) using scraps of various items which our feathered friends can use to build their nests.

Materials you need:

• Any combination of the following: scraps of fabric, yarn, string and ribbon cut into short strips (3-4 inches in length should be safe), dried grass, Spanish moss, dog or human hair, pine needles, feathers and thin twigs.
• A mesh bag from oranges (or something similar).

Cut the bag on the sides to allow easy access for the birds. Stuff whatever materials from the above list into the bag and hang on a tree. Viola - instant nesting materials for local birds!

Make Pine cone Bird Feeder.

Materials you need:

• Pine cones (big ones work best) - you and your children can go on a fun mission to find pine cones in your backyard or local park (creating a double bonus on connecting with nature).
• Peanut butter *
• Birdseed
• String
• Optional - High-energy bird foods such as dried fruit (cut in small pieces), chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or millet

Set out parchment paper or a plate to work on - it's a messy fun project. Put birdseed (if you are using any of the optional ingredients, put these in as well) in a large bowl or pie pan. Tie the string onto the the larger end of the pine cone. Spread peanut butter on the pine cone. Roll peanut butter covered pine cone in the birdseed until well covered. Suspend from a tree branch where you can watch the birds.

This would be a perfect project to do outside, since it's so messy, and get some more outdoor time. Also, keep a bird book (like the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds) inside so you and your children can look up the birds you see eating from your feeder.

* During the colder months, you can also use a mixture of vegetable shortening and oatmeal or corn meal

Create a wildlife friendly garden with your children in your backyard. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) tells you how and even has a certified wildlife habitat program allowing you to certify your back yard! Check it out here.

Go on a nature scavenger hunt together. Check out the scavenger hunt list that NWF created here.

20 Ways for Families to Connect with Nature from Family Connections On-line (special thanks to CMOTC MOM Mary Lynn P. for sharing this great reference with us):

• Go outdoors! Walk, run or hike in Central Ohio's beautiful parks and preserves. Walk together as a family on full moon nights and listen to the sounds of birds, insects and other nighttime sounds.
• Plant native plants, especially the kind that bees, butterflies and birds like.
• Build a birdhouse or bat house.
• Put out a bowl of water for a birdbath, and change the water regularly.
• Make a leaf collection.
• Camp in the backyard. Make or buy a tent and leave it up all summer.
• Become a “cloudspotter.” Learn about all the types of clouds and what they mean for our weather.
• Get outside every day – rain or shine. Jumping in puddles is important work.
• Plant a food garden. Don't have space in your yard for a garden? Use big pots to plant tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, herbs, zucinni, pumpkin, squash, etc. - most things can grow just well in a pot.
• Read books outside. The light is good, and you will breathe fresh air!
• Collect stones. Young children are eager to find interesting stones and fossils.
• Start a nature club, and plan outings, campouts and nature walks together.
• Identify unused areas or lots in your neighborhood that can be used safely as a wilderness area or adventure playground.
• Use recycled materials – cardboard boxes, tins, buckets or bottles, or blocks, boards, milk crates, lengths of bamboo and logs for outdoor construction play.
• Grow pumpkins and gourds and plant bulbs near play areas. Children are fascinated by the wonderful and unexpected surprise of blossoms and fruit.
• Set up obstacle courses to jump over, go around and under. Roll down hills.
• Learn to identify birds, insects, trees and plants in Central Ohio. Keep a nature journal of all you have spotted.
• Vacation at State Parks, go tent camping or rent a cabin.
• Check out natural history guides from the library. They have them for young children, too.
• Join groups like Campfire USA, Scouts, Sierra Club, Audubon and others that promote caring for the environment and wildlife. Check into making your backyard a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Great book for parents:

Richard Louv's book titled Last Child in the Woods that talks about the now dubbed "nature deficit disorder," how it came about, why it's important and what you can do to reconnect.

On his website, he lists a few of the nature actives for children and families that were in his book. You can look at that list here.

CMOTC MOMs - what's your family's favorite way to connect with nature? Please share!

More Fun With Kids!

The Works- http://www.attheworks.org/
This is similar to Cosi but on a much smaller scale. The cool thing about The Works is that a family membership is only $60. With this membership you are able to get into Cosi and thousands of other science museums around the country and several other countries. We have used it for ones in Cleveland, Nashville, Dayton and Helena, Montana. We have paid for the membership several times over with getting in free at all the different museums.

Columbus Metro Library-
The downtown branch has several great activities through the summer.

Alum Creek State Park
Many great areas to go exploring, fishing, boat rentals and the beach. I have found that this beach gets a little crowded for us, but we have usually been there on the weekend. It may not be bad during the week.

Columbus Museum of Art -
Admission is free on Thursdays.

Discover Ohio- http://www.discoverohio.com/
The website is filled with lots to things to do. For instance I found that this weekend in Cincinnati there is an exhibit on butterflies of Japan down in Cincinnati. They will also send you a free packet with tons of info and maps.

Rising Park -Lancaster, OH
We go here often. My parents moved down here about 2 years ago. The city has completely redone the playground and it is wonderful and picnic areas. My boys could play here for hours. There is also a pond for fishing, tennis courts, basketball, and horse shoes. And don't forget about the hike to the top of Mount Pleasant. Just a word of advice. This hike is really steep and there are very limited hand rails when you get to the top. So please watch your children very closely.

Thanks to CMOTC mom Mahala for sharing these fun summertime activities with us!

Gifts for teachers

The school year is ending soon for many of our children. This is also a time that many of us like to give a special gift to those people who played a big part in our child's development. Undoubtedly, it's sometimes hard to come up with gift ideas for teachers, so we have gathered some great ones we have found for you below. Many involve a simple craft from your child, which adds that personal touch.

Here is a list of different ideas for teachers - homemade gifts for teachers. One of my favorites listed here is the fingerprint stationary. How cute! (shown to the right)

In this listing of the best teacher gifts from kids, parents and teachers talk about the gifts that have been favorites. I really like the forget-me-not pots a lot.

Love this gift from the classroom, submitted by a reader, of a personalized flip book with a speical note and artwork from each student. (shown to the left)

How about all of you? Do you have any great ideas for teachers gifts? Or links to more ideas? This includes you teachers out there - what have been your favorite gifts?

AHA Museum - a hidden treasure in Central, Ohio

Michelle S., a CMOTC mom, is sharing with us one of her children’s favorite places – the AHA (A Hands-on Adventure) Museum.

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My children love the AHA museum and therefore I wanted to share it with all of you, as it is hidden treasure that not many know.

I’ll start with the general information:
It’s located in Lancaster, OH and the drive is a little less than an hour from Columbus, depending on where you live.

Cost: $5.00 per person
Discounts: COSI members get $2.00 off and there is also a coupon in Entertainment book for a $1.00 off

Website: http://www.aha4kids.org/
There is a calendar on the website which lists special events/activities. Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am-4pm

Now onto some of my tips:
No food allowed in play space, although we packed a snack and ate at the craft tables. They do have picnic tables outside if you would like to pack a lunch or eat snack there. They also have lockers and they are free for use.

There is one entrance into the building and it is easy to keep an eye on both (or more) of your children at the same time, which is a huge bonus (and relief if you brought them by yourself).

There is also free parking on the side of the building.

In addition, there is a Metro Park (Chestnut Ridge) a short distance from the museum on Rt. 33 which would be a great place to take a picnic and eat on your way home from the museum.

Kid endorsed:
My twins are 2 1/2 years old and LOVED the AHA museum. They enjoyed the honeycomb climbing set, theater, pretend play (bank, market and pizza shop), garden zone, fishing boat, sand play and legos. Actually there wasn't anything they did not like, in fact I had to take them out of there kicking and screaming.

Enjoy!
Michelle

My twins thoroughly enjoying the fun:

Free Summertime Fun!

CMOTC member, Michele K., sent us the posting below, that she found on the Money Saving Mom blog, to share with the club.

Going along with our series of how to bust the summertime blahs, listed below are a ton of free summertime programs and activities, as well as free or cheap movie admissions.

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Looking for some FREE activities to fill up all that extra FREE time your kids have over the summer? You’ve come to the right place! Here is your guide to all things fun and free (or really cheap!) for your kids this summer with thanks to Kaley from Cha-Ching on a Shoestring for compiling this list for us. Have a seat, grab a pencil and your calendar and let the planning begin!

Reading Rewards Programs:

• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Club: Kids in grades 1-6 can receive a free book from Barnes & Noble by reading 8 books over the summer. They will need to fill out a SummerReading Journal and bring the journal to a B&N location when they are finished. They will then receive a coupon for a free book.
• Borders Double Dog Dare You Reading program: Kids 12 and under can join the Borders Double Dog Dare You Reading program. They will earn a free book when they read 10 books, fill out this form and bring it in to any Borders, Waldenbooks, or Borders express store by August 26, 2010.
• Hebuddy.com Summer Reading Club: HeBuddy.com is offering ‘cool prizes’ to kids who read 10 books this summer. (Younger children can have parents read to them.) After your child is done reading, just fill out the form here and mail it in by October 1, 2010. (It appears that one of the cool prizes is a free t-shirt.)
• Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Program: Children 14 and under can earn a free $3 gift card to Half Price Books each week they read (or are read to) for 15 minutes at least five days. You can easily find books for less than $3 in their clearance section which will result in a free book per child each week! This program runs from June 1 – July 31, 2010. See more details here.
• TD Bank Summer Reading Program: Kids ages 18 years and younger can get $10 added to their new or existing TD Bank Young Savers Account when they read 10 books this summer. Offer valid May 3 – September 30, 2010.
• Pottery Barn Kids Book Club: Pottery Barn Kids holds story time every Tuesday from 11:00-11:30. (Check your local store to confirm the time and date). After attending 5 times, your child will receive a free gift.

Free or Cheap Movie Admission:

• Regal Free Family Film Festival: Beginning in June, select Regal Theaters will offer free family friendly movies starting at 10 am each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets are only available the day of the show and first-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. Go here to see if there is a participating theater near you.
• National Amusements Bookworm Wednesdays: Kids can get free admission to a select children’s film every Wednesday at 10 a.m. when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six also receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. Program begins July 7 and ends August 11.
• Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse: Participating Cinemark theaters are offering $1 family-friendly movies on select weekday mornings throughout the summer. You can opt to purchase an advance pass for all ten movies for just $5 making them only $0.50 each! Find a list of participating locations, dates and times here.

Free Activities:

• Kids Bowl Free Program: Kids can bowl free this summer! By participating in the “Kids Bowl Free” program, children can bowl two free games per day. Go here for more details and to find a participating location near you.
• Free Bowling at AMF: Your whole family can bowl free by joining the AMF eClub. Receive a coupon for up to 10 free games (one for each member in your party). Coupon expires 30 days from signing up.
• Target Arts + Culture: Target sponsors 2200 free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events nationwide at over 120 museums and cultural organizations. Find out if there is anything going on in your area.
• Free Admission to National Parks: The National Park Service will offer free admission at more than 100 National Parks on the weekends of June 5-6 and August 14-15. Go here for more information.
• Lowe’s Free Build and Grow Clinics: Workshops are offered on Saturdays at 10 a.m.
• Home Depot Free Kid’s Workshops: Workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 and are offered on the first Saturday of the month between 9 a.m. and noon at all Home Depot stores.
• Apple Summer Camps: Select Apple Retail stores are holding summer camps where kids can make movies, create photo slideshows, write and record songs, put on a show for everyone, and learn how to do new things on a Mac. Apple Camp occurs at selected Apple Retail Stores, and each free workshop lasts three hours. Recommended for kids ages 8-12. More details here.
• BoA Free Museums: If you have a Bank of America Credit, Debit or ATM card, you can get free admission to over 100 participating museums, zoos and science centers the first weekend of every month.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I think that AMC and Marcus also have cheap summertime movie programs. Some of the schedules are updated and some are not. Here are the links:

• AMC - AMC's Summer MovieCamp isn't free, but your $1 donation will go to a good cause. All admission proceeds for their Wednesday morning summer movies for kids will benefit Variety - The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. Movies start at 10 am every Wednesday at participating theaters. The 2010 schedule is not up yet, but will be soon.
• Marcus Theaters - Starting on June 23, Marcus Theatres will offer $2.75 movies for kids every Wednesday and Thursday at 10 am. Plus, you can get a free complimentary-size popcorn. Their schedule is up.
  

Does anyone know of programs not listed here? Please share? Or if you have other resource sites for this information, please send us the links!

I'm Bored...Relieving the Summer Blahs

This is the beginning of what we hope to be a multi-part post regarding the Summer Blahs. If you have kids (and we know you do!) you know what we mean. School is out for just a few days and kids are already stir crazy.

Member Holly Bowman has posted a few ideas to keep those Summer Blahs at bay. If you have a few ideas of your own, we'd love to hear from you.

~~~~~~~~~
In our family we spend the weekend on adventures. We pick an activity from some of the choices below and go see what they have to offer. We usually pack a picnic to save money and enjoy finding out more about Ohio. I was asked to post some of the suggestions so here they are. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Factory Tours: http://www.factorytoursusa.com/
Ohio Festivals: http://www.ohiotraveler.com/

Buck Creek State Park: www.ohiodnr.com/parks
has a large beach, camping and many other activities- it is about 45 minutes west of Columbus off of I-70.

Hocking Hills State Park: In addition to the great trails there is a nice pool there too. I believe it was $12 for 4 of us last year. They have a large section that is only 2-3 foot deep then it gradually gets deeper and then has 2 slides in the deep end. We like to go for a good hike and then spend the afternoon at the pool.

Young's Dairy- http://www.youngsdairy.com/
If you go to Buck Creek you must travel the additional 20 minutes to this great ice cream place. In addition to great ice cream you can see them milk the cows whose milk they use for the ice cream and pet goats. They also have many other things to do that are free. They also have putt-putt and some other activities that they charge for. They have to restaurants one is a fast food type in with the ice cream parlor. The other is a sit down family friendly restaurant called the Golden Jersey. They have really good food.

Slate Run Metro Park-http://www.metroparks.net/
Really any of the Columbus Metro parks are great. They offer lots of activities to do. We have tried several of the things lead by the naturalist and have really enjoyed them.

Wright Patterson Air Force Museum- Dayton.OH
Admission is free. They just ask for a donation at the end. If you can great if not they don't mind.

Disc golf- http://www.pdga.com/
There are hundreds of disc golf courses in Ohio and all over the country. My husband has been into disc golf since the 80's when he was stationed in California. We have been taking our boys out with us since they were 2. It is a great way for the family to get some lite exercise and enjoy the outdoors. If anyone has any questions about this sport let me know and my husband will be happy to answer them.

Katie's Nutrition Nook: Starting the Diet Overhaul

Hi! My name is Katie Bach and my beautiful twins were born on 2/17/10! Along with being a member of CMOTC, I am also a Registered Dietitian and Certified Health Fitness Specialist. I graduated from OSU in Medical Dietetics and have had the opportunity to work with infants to the elderly to provide both weight loss counseling and general nutrition education.

I am excited to take part in the CMOTC blog with Katie’s Nutrition Nook and hope to answer your questions along the way as well. Nutrition is a hot topic and an ever-changing one at that! There is a lot of confusing info out there, so I will do my best to get the answers you need, want and deserve and take some of the guesswork out of it for you! Whether you are trying to lose weight or improve your family’s diet, I’ll try to hit on a variety of topics relevant to moms of multiples. If you have certain topics you would like to discuss/learn more about or simply a question, please be sure to comment below or send me an email at columbusmultiples@gmail.com!

Today’s Topic: Starting the Diet Overhaul

We are all busy (how can you not be with multiples?) but our diets do not need to suffer due to lack of time and energy. Trying to make too many changes all at once can be overwhelming, discouraging and defeating. Making small changes that you can stick to will lead to diet modifications that you can adopt for a lifetime. Start by making a few tweaks to your bad habits and build from there.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Drink more water - Do you really need 8 glasses of water a day-better believe it!?!?! Water is a natural appetite suppressant, which most people don’t get enough of. Instead we consume empty calories and artificial sweeteners through sodas, juices and flavored coffees. Just think, if we just drank water, we’d save money, time and calories (more to come on this subject matter later)!
   
   
2. Eat breakfast - And your skinny latte doesn’t count!! Breakfast can be as quick and simple as whole grain toast with peanut butter, yogurt and fruit, or cereal with milk. It is the most important meal of the day-revving up your metabolism and keeping it burning all day long. Even though you may think you’re saving calories by cutting this meal, it will actually lead you to consume more calories throughout the day.
   
   
3. Exercise portion control - Did you know a portion of meat should only be the size of a deck of cards? Or that a cup of cereal is about the size of a baseball? Our portion sizes are out of control! Along with the overflowing plates of food, our mid-sections are also overflowing as we are becoming muffin top America!! Have you ever tried measuring your food to see what you actually should be eating? You’ll be amazed…
   
   
4. Pack your lunch - People who eat out regularly (whether fast food or sit down), consume larger amounts of sodium, fat, sugar and calories and their diets tend to be less nutritious than those who eat at home. Try packing your lunch to include a more balanced diet and limit processed foods.
   

Remember to limit the use of words like always or never. Start with one goal a few days/wk and add to it.

Answer these questions when making your goal:

• What do you want to change? (i.e. eat more fruits)
• Why do you want to change it? (i.e. they are healthy and I don’t eat enough of them)
• You are going to (do what?) (i.e. eat fruit twice a day)
• How often? (i.e. 4 days/wk)
• What are your barriers?
• How will you overcome them?
  

Now that you’re on track to a healthier you, comment about it! I can’t wait to hear what you’re doing!!

Please feel free to comment below or send emails to columbusmultiples@gmail.com with any questions you might have for me. As well, if you have suggestions for topics you would like me to discuss in Katie's Nutrition Nook, please let me know.

-Katie

Featuring some of our recent twin winners...

We thought it would be fun to feature some of the twin winners from the recent blog giveaways. Here we have the two Baby Signs DVD winners and the twinsie winner.

A super cute video* of Jenn M.'s son Max signing "more" (woo hoo to Max for learning to sign "more"!!):




Jenn M.'s (a different Jenn M.!) twins, Louden and Keegan, inspecting their new Baby Signs DVDs and then enjoying the show. Love how carefully and seriously they are checking out their new DVDs! Too cute!




Michele K.'s twins, Gwen and Grady, in their Milk and Cookies Twinsies. They look absolutely adorable in these!


Congratulations again to the winners! They look like they are enjoying their items. Also, a special thank you again to Kathy at Baby Sign Language Shop and our own CMOTC mom Kelly Z. (Etsy Shop link) for donating these great giveaways to our blog!

*If you are viewing this from Facebook, either come to the blog or click on this link to see the video of Max.

Kendra’s Fitness Corner: Summer Starter Challenge

Yesterday, in the first of my two part post, I gave you the steps to take start or reignite your fitness routine. Today, I am giving you a Summer Starter Challenge.

8 Week Summer Starter Challenge: Weeks 1-4
For this starter program I would like you to do a minimum of one – 30 minute strength session and three – 30 minute cardio sessions….or split the cardio into 15 minute sessions like I mentioned yesterday.

Example:
Monday – 30 minute cardio
Tuesday – 15 minutes strength training and 15 minutes cardio
Thursday – 30 minute cardio
Saturday – 15 minutes strength training and 15 minutes cardio

Cardio:
Any cardio is great for beginners. Walk/jog programs are great. Start with 5 min walk / 1 min jog. Repeat 5 times. When you are ready, bump it to 5 min walk / 2 min jog. More cardio ideas will be coming in future posts, however the main goal is to increase your intensity (heart rate) and do something you enjoy. If you don’t like your workout you probably won’t stick to it very long!

Strength training ideas for home:
With no equipment you can do the following exercises…. Squats, Stair step-ups, Push-ups (on your knees or toes), tricep dips off the end of a chair, and crunches.

More specific ideas for home workouts and more exercises will come on future posts.

Lastly, if you are going to start this program (or a variation of it) and want to share how it’s going….that would be great! The more people who know you are on mission, the more likely you are to get support – and succeed! So comment below and tell us!

There is so much for me to say about fitness… it’s not all going to be in one post. That is why we created Kendra’s Fitness Corner, so I can continue to give you tips on how to fit fitness into your busy life, how to get the most out of what you are doing, provide you with support and encouragement and answer all your questions. I love what I do and I want to help all of you feel great about yourselves! Just consider me your virtual personal trainer.

And stay tuned for June’s Topic: How to burn the most calories in 30 minutes!

Remember to comment below if you are going to join the Summer Starter Challenge!

Please feel free to comment below or send emails to columbusmultiples@gmail.com with any questions you might have for me. As well, if you have suggestions for topics you would like me to discuss in Kendra's Fitness Corner, please let me know as well.

Get Moving!
-Kendra

Kendra's Fitness Corner - Getting an exercise program started or reigniting the fire

Hello! My name is Kendra Smith. I am a member of CMOTC (my twins were born 4-30-09) and I am also a fitness professional. My degree is in exercise science and I work in corporate fitness doing wellness programs, teaching classes, and personal training.

I know staying in shape can be hard for the average person…but we are not average! We are moms AND moms of multiples, which makes finding the time and energy to devote to ourselves that much more difficult. Well, I’m here to help! Through Kendra's Fitness Corner, every month, and maybe even more often, I’ll add a post to the CMOTC blog that will include tips to help you get motivated and start/continue your quest to get in shape and feel great!

If there is a topic you would like me to discuss, or a question you have, please feel free to comment or send an email to columbusmultiples@gmail.com!

Today’s Topic: Getting Started or Reigniting the Fire

Let’s start from the beginning, since that’s where some of you might be. If you recently gave birth be sure to get the OK from your doctor. I started working out the minute my doctor said so (at 6 weeks post c-section) but I felt like I was 80 years and had never worked out a day in my life. The remedy? Start SLOWLY. I could only do five minutes of walking at first. So start where you need to start. Walking, or swimming are best.

Here are some specifics to get started no matter when you had your last baby:

1. Write down your goals. You won’t get very far if you don’t know where you are going! Keep two lists. The first is your overall goal (i.e. lose 15 pounds or get back into a certain pair of jeans). The second is a list of motivation or rather reasons WHY you want to meet your overall goals. Examples: I want to set a good example for my kids. I want to feel good in my clothes. I want to go on vacation and actually wear my bathing suit without a cover-up. Etc. Etc.
   
   
2. Make a Plan! Now you can write down the game plan. A) How many days per week can you commit to working out? I hope you can say 4 days BUT 3 is better than 2 and 2 is better than NONE! My goal for you? 4 days to start. B) How much time can you devote to each session and where are you going to find time?
   
   Your goal should be to get moving. Anything is better than nothing. If you can make 30 minutes happen that will be great! If you can’t do 30 minutes all at once then split it into 2 – 15 min parts during the day. Say 15 minutes in the morning and 15 min in the afternoon (nap time) or evening. NOW Schedule it. Write it on the calendar. Put it in your planner, your Blackberry, your family calendar. Tell your husband you need help with the kids. You know sometime you will have to be flexible (the kids are having a bad nap and you can’t get your workout done). But follow the 90 / 10 rule. 90% of the time you will get your workouts done!
   
   
3. Take a before picture OR try on those favorite jeans you’d like to fit back in. Do some measurements around your waist and hips. Weigh yourself. Know where you are at the start. This info will be motivating at a later time.
   

Now what should you DO during those four – 30 minute sessions (or eight – 15 minutes sessions) every week?

The answer? More than you are doing now! If you are walking then try a walk / jog program. Make your workout a little bit more intense than you are used to. If you are doing nothing…then try walking or biking.

You don’t want to just do cardio. The best way to get the results you want is by combining strength training and cardio, AND watch your calorie intake.

Since there is a lot to cover when you are getting started, I'm doing a special two part post. In tomorrow's post, I will outline a summer starter challenge for you, using what I spoke about above. So, start making your fitness goals and plan now, then come back tomorrow for the details on the summer starter challenge!

Please feel free to comment below or send emails to columbusmultiples@gmail.com with any questions you might have for me. As well, if you have suggestions for topics you would like me to discuss in Kendra's Fitness Corner, please let me know as well.

New regular monthly posts...

We are very excited to announce that we will have four regular monthly columns, in addition to our other posts. Each of these once a month columns will be written by one of our own twin moms who has an expertise in that area. The content for these posts will be based on their experience and insight, as well as input from all of you in the form of your questions and/or suggestions (so get some ready!).

Introducing our four new monthly columns and the moms behind them:

Kendra's Fitness Corner - Kendra S. is a mommy of one year old twins. She has a degree in exercise science and works as a corporate fitness professional doing wellness programs, teaching classes and also personal training. Kendra will share with us many tips to fitting fitness into our very busy lives, whether at a gym or at home, and more!

Katie's Nutrition Nook - Katie B. is a mommy to three month old twins, with a degree in medical dietetics. She's a registered and licensed dietitian, as well as a certified health fitness specialist and has worked with the WIC program, as well as in child and adult weight loss. Katie will share with us tips on eating right (for both us and our children), keeping on track, losing weight and much more!

Karyn's Photography Tips - Karyn H. is a mommy of five year old twins and an eight year old. She has been a professional photographer for over six years, but has been capturing moments with her love of photography her entire life. Karyn is going to provide tips on taking photos of our children that will make us look like professionals, as well as tips for editing, cameras and much more!

Kelly's Art Easel - Kelly Z. is a twin mommy to one an a half year old twins. Her passion in life, besides her twins of course, is art. She was an art teacher before the twins were born and remains a professional artist now (many of you know of her very cute "twinsies"). Kelly is going to give us super cool art projects (step by step) to do with our kids of all ages, as well as helping us teach our children different art techniques and so much more.


Look for a column from each of them starting this month, with Kendra's column coming up this weekend. A little teaser on her upcoming column: she's going to help us kick start our fitness activities with tips on getting started/reigniting the fire, as well as outlining a summer starter challenge. Her passion is helping others feel good about themselves and it shows!


We would love to add more monthly columns and are looking for other CMOTC moms who have expertise in different areas and would like to have their own column on our blog. The commitment is just one post per month, or more if you want. Some ideas of expertise we would love to add as columns are: financial planner, child counselor, chef, teachers, etc. If your education/career/expertise is in one of those fields OR a different field that you feel would benefit our moms, and you want to have your own monthly column, please email us at columbusmultiples@gmail.com.

Kingdom of Bounce - and the winners are...

Danielle A. - #16

Sara - #4

lamurdick - #34

Congratulations to each of you on winning one family open bounce pass to the Kingdom of Bounce! Please email us (columbusmultiples@gmail.com) your contact information (email address).

Stay tuned for ANOTHER great Kingdom of Bounce giveaway coming in June!!!

Thank you to the Kingdom of Bounce for donating these passes for our CMOTC blog giveaway.

Would you like fries with that?

CMOTC mom Stephanie A. shares with us this funny story about the day she gave birth to her twins.

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The day I went into labor, it was 7:30am when I woke up and I thought I had actually wet my bed. I got up, went to the bathroom and still wasn't sure if it was that or my water had broke. So, I went on back to bed and woke up an hour later, soaked again. Now I finally got it that my water had broke. So, I hopped in the shower because I HAD to shave my legs before I went to the hospital, of course.

On the way there, my husband just had to make a business call. The person on the other end of the phone asked what he was doing and he told them I was in labor and we were on the way to the hospital. She was completely mortified and hung up on him, but not before saying "Are you crazy? Focus on driving!"

When we got to the hospital, I was informed that my doctor, who had told me that he delivers 85% of his babies, would not be able to be there. So I had to let a doctor that I had never met tell me he was going to be the one to do my C-section. Of course, I blame him to this day for not giving me a tummy tuck while he was sewing me up afterwards.

Then, my husband wanted to make sure he had time to run down to Wendy's to get some lunch before they took me in. Cuz he was hungry. And I was in pain and giving birth to his children. But he was hungry. So we waited. I still remember that one of the operating room nurses had me laughing while the anesthesiologist was trying to put the needle in my back for the spinal. He actually had to tell me to stop laughing and hold still!

My husband told the doctor that he wanted to see them as soon as they came out. So the doctor proceeds to gut me like a fish and pull Baby A's (Abbey's) head out, but only her head, and tells my husband: "First one's out!" John stands up to look over the lovely, dual use gown that they had strung up as a drape so we couldn't see, and he sees just her head sticking out of the incision, which is of course covered in blood. He sat right back down and sort of yelled: "You know that's not what I meant!" To which all 16 people in the room laughed hysterically. And I thought: "THAT was for the Wendy's!"

~~~~~~~~~

Does anyone else have a funny birth story or funny parenting story? Please comment below or send your story to us at columbusmultiples@gmail.com.

Before I was a mom...

Before I was a Mom -I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -I had never been puked on – Pooped on – Spit on – Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom -I never held down screaming children so that doctors could do tests…or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching babies sleep.

Before I was a Mom -I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew how much I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed hungry babies. I didn’t know that bond between a mother and her children. I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom -I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

How do I lose this baby weight (or just weight period)?!

Question from a CMOTC MOM on losing weight...

I'm a little behind the curve as it's been over nine months since my boys were born, but the scale is moving in the wrong direction or not moving at all. I joined a gym and am working out regularly, but still find I’m as hungry as I was when I was pregnant. Any tips and advice would be helpful, even if you found any supplements to be helpful.


Advice/experience from other CMOTC MOMs:

Quick calculation is it takes 15 calories per pound of body weight to maintain your current weight. If you decrease your caloric intake by 500 calories a day you will lose 1 pound a week. Don't go on a major diet with really low caloric intake. It will drive you nuts. Also high fiber intake is good. Fiber makes you feel full longer (and keeps you regular)!

Another trick is if you eat a small snack and drink a glass of fluid 20 minutes before a meal you will naturally eat less because your brain has had time to receive the signal that there is food in your stomach and will take the extra edge off.

~~~~~~~~~

I've had some success with losing baby weight, so I'd thought I'd pass on some of the strategies that worked for me. First of all, I gained 55 pounds with my twins, only lost about 25 of it when they were born and then got pregnant 3 months later (surprise!) and put on another 40 pounds or so....so I had weight to lose! My youngest is 8 months now and I have lost a total of 75 pounds from when my daughter was born.

I didn't think I'd have success at a gym, because...when do I have time to go? So I found a used elliptical machine and worked out on it for about 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week. I eventually worked up to 30 minutes, when the kids were asleep. I also did a little 20 min ab workout 3 times a week. The working out was so important, but for maintenance it is all about healthy food choices. I went to whole grain everything. High in fiber and protein helps you to feel full! Also, I began testing some of the low fat and fat-free varieties of things and found that many are actually not too bad. I try to eat natural, whole and unprocessed foods, so low fat and fat-free things that were mostly chemicals were omitted (instead I just use less of the real thing!) A typical menu would be oatmeal, milk and a banana for breakfast (always eat breakfast!) a snack of some 2 tbsp nuts, a lunch of whole wheat pita, hummus and tons of veggies, a smoothie for an afternoon snack (I used Stonyfield fat free french vanilla yogurt, skim milk and frozen berries) and then a nice dinner.

Total I aimed for 1400 calories a day! I kept track of my calories online for the first little bit. I read the book, The Flat Belly Diet. I didn't stick to it to a T, but definitely took some tips from there. Anyway, 75 lbs later and I feel great, so much more energy for my kids and I just feel better. I have to admit, I've slacked on the working out, but find I'm much more naturally active now that the weight is gone, so it’s helping me to keep it off.

~~~~~~~~~

I am all about Weight Watchers. Nothing else works as well, IMO. It’s not fast but it’s natural and healthy and effective. Do not get into the supplement game. Waste of money and you never know what health problems it will cause. I do WW online and have lost 25 lbs and 6 inches off my waist in almost four months (I have a lot more to lose, but it’s a great start).

Online only is $18 a month, which is pretty cheap. Meetings are $12 a week I think. If you don't know the program, going to a meeting first may be good, but I know it’s hard to get out with twins. If you don’t' even want to pay that much, SparkPeople is a similar concept and free. Tracking food is very essential, IMO.

For tummy problems (which since you have twins, I assume you have, we all do), nothing has been better for me than Pilates. A friend on WW online has had two sets of twins and three single pregnancies and got her tummy back in shape that way.

~~~~~~~~~

I'm a dietitian (also working to lose my wt from my 9 wk olds). Make sure you are drinking at least 64 oz water every day and limit other caloric beverages. Eat foods high in fiber because that will fill u up. Don't increase your fiber all at once though because then u will get gassy and constipated. They recommend 25-35 g/day. Whole grains, beans, fruits and veggies are your best bet. Also it is good to eat about every 2-3 hrs with protein and carb at each meal. The combo will keep your blood sugar more stable and keep your hunger under control (I.e. Apple with peanut butter, cheese and crackers, fruit and yogurt, etc.)

~~~~~~~~~

Are you breastfeeding? I had the same issue while I was breast feeding. Every time I lost a pound or two, my milk production went down. My girls are now 15 months old and I am finally starting to see some positive progress.

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Exercising is great...don't ever stop!! You will find that the more you exercise the hungrier you might be depending on the type of workouts you are doing and how much energy you are exerting during your workouts. To get weight loss you need to burn more calories than you’re taking in. So you may need to be more aware of what types of foods you're eating (i.e. that doesn't mean starving yourself or skipping meals b/c that will slow down your metabolism and ultimately do the exact opposite of what you want your body to do). So it is okay to eat frequent small meals...they just need to be the "right" type of meals (i.e whole grains, veggies, fruit, nuts, lean meat, be mindful of your dairy intake..skim milk is great and great in between meals if you are feeling the urge to eat something you know you shouldn't etc...). Also, drinking a lot of water is key...eliminating all of the other carbonated/sugary/caffeine liquids can be a huge factor contributing to weight loss successes. I may be telling you things that you already know but I will definitely say that you shouldn't give up exercising -- not only is great for our body is also great for our mind and we need it so we can be with our families for a long, long time!!! So keep it up...you will get there!!!!

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Don't do supplements! Don't waste money on that stuff. It may not work.

Do smaller meals more often to shrink your stomach. When you go out, keep in mind you want to take half home for lunch tomorrow. Do little things like low fat sometimes or no sugar, but don't overdo it. Don't make eating a cookie the WORST THING IN THE WORLD. If you crave one, learn to eat just one.

Find something active and do it till your heart is racing for at least half an hour, five days a week. I bet you will see results. It could be hip hop abs three times a week and kickboxing twice a week. Try swimming sprints in the pool. Sprint and then check the clock wait, ten seconds and then do it again. Speedwalking so fast that you can barely talk to your kids as you are pushing them in stroller.

I run. I got addicted to running after I ran a race. I never thought I would want to run but I ran and I got a medal for being third in my age division. I was hooked after that. I wanted to beat myself every time. I try and work harder and harder to push my body to be the best it can be. Some weeks I don't have enough time so I work harder the next week. I eat a little less. But truly, when I work out, I can eat just about anything I want because I am burning it off chasing after four year old boys and exercising. I made a lifestyle change and I feel so much better now.

Good luck. Hang in there and just try to be active!

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I joined Weight Watchers when my girls were 18 mos old and was able to lose 50 lbs within 6-7 mos. It was easier than I thought it would be. I've kept it off so far for 2 years. I also walked our neighborhood twice a day pushing my girls in the double stroller, which added up to about 3 miles a day.

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Well, first - great job joining a gym! It's too hard to do it at home w/kids!! I finally bit the bullet a couple of months ago and joined the YMCA and it's really helped a lot. Also, it's only been 9 months!! Your body went an enormous change and I'm sure is still adjusting.

So, what type of workout are you doing? I find that when I work out on my own as opposed to taking a class, I tend to go easier on myself. Are you doing only cardio or are you adding weights? Spinning is a great class for cardio and burning TONS of calories. Are you running/walking? The fastest way for me to lose weight is to run. I don't think I'm a "natural" runner, but once I build up to it, it comes more easily. I bought a double jogging stroller last year at the Twins Sale and that was a great investment! The twins had fun and I got exercise in - plus, most of the time, they'd fall asleep and then I'd get a shower in peace after my run!

Having a goal is also good - I'm training for a 5K (not a great distance, but trying to get my time around 30 minutes or less). Also, how often are you working out? Sometimes you have to work out more often (5x/week) in the beginning to get a good jumpstart to where you want to be. Don't neglect doing muscle work - they burn lots of fat.

Food is a major part of weight loss. You have to eat to lose, and I find that being active makes me hungrier as well. You really have to be mindful of what you eat. Try to eat a snack between breakfast and lunch so you aren't too hungry at mealtime and don't overindulge. I like to combine a protein w/a carb so I'm satisfied. Try to be as "unprocessed" as possible. A handful of almonds or peanuts with a handful of dried fruit is good. Or, string cheese w/a few pretzels or tortilla chips. Yes they have fat but fat will keep you satisfied and prevent you from feeling deprived. At meals, what are you eating? Sometimes food choices that seem harmless can add a lot of calories to your weekly intake. For instance, a bagel is a lot denser and more caloric than a piece of toast. Also, I had to break the mindset to "clean my plate" - as I was raised. I try to take my time and be mindful of how I feel as I eat - sometimes I eat all my food but often I don't (in restaurants). At home, I don't give myself large portions.

It's sort of hard to tell "why" you aren't seeing any changes not knowing what you're eating, how you're working out, how often, etc. I'm not an "expert" but about 12 years ago I lost 30 lbs by myself and have kept it off - just by modifying my diet and exercising. No special diets or anything. I've gone up and down a few lbs here and there w/pregnancies (and even then not very much), but I'm now getting back to where I'd like to be.

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It took me 9 months to lose baby weight from my first child too! I ended up weighing more than I did than when I was 9 months pregnant. You are not alone! What worked for me is that I joined weight watchers. It helped me know how much to eat and what to eat and I wasn't hungry all the time. I was able to lose 50 pounds before I got pregnant with my twins.

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Well I have two suggestions...first would be to write down what you eat (everything) for 3 days in a row. This will help you to really get a feel for how much/what you are eating. Once you see exactly what you are eating it will be easier to find little ways to make adjustments. It's normal to get used to eating more during pregnancy and get too used to the high calorie intake. Are you breastfeeding? If so you don't want to drastically cut calories.

Also take a look at exactly what you are doing in the gym. Being a twin mom your time is limited so you'll want to get the most out of your gym visits! Is your intensity low or moderate/high? Are you doing weights and cardio or just cardio?

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Hang in there! It took me a long time and what helped for me was to keep a daily food journal and eat tons of protein. I followed South Beach and it finally helped me start to lose the weight, but it was rough the first 2 days. Give yourself time though, my twins are 3 and I'm still working on it...down, but not quite the same as I was.

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I don't really believe in dieting b/c I think it rarely works long-term; however, when I first went off my birth control pills, I gained a ton of weight because of a hormonal imbalance. Once the hormones were evened out, I decided to start counting calories. I wrote down every thing that I put into my mouth (food and drinks), and counted the calories. It turned out I was well over my recommended 1800 calories per day. I decided to eat things that I liked, but I cut the portion sizes. I cut my calories to 1200-1500 per day. After 2 weeks, I allowed myself the weekends off. I kept the weight off w/o any problems until I got pregnant with the twins (about a year). It got to the point where I didn't crave the sweets that I craved before. I wasn't as hungry as I once was... and I only had to count for about 2 months because I got to the point where I was able to eat normal portions without counting EVERYTHING. I don't know if this works for everyone, but it worked great for me. Hopefully, this helps.

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I understand how you feel. I have 3.5 year old twins and a 9 mo old. I am trying to lose 20 to 30 more pounds! I have been on this product from Visalus Sciences. I drink two shakes a day and the flavor is awesome and they keep me full as well until my next meal. I have been drinking them for two weeks as a part of my 90 day challenge and am down 4lbs and one inch on my waist, etc. I cannot rave enough about the product! You can visit www.bodybyvi.com

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Anyone else have more tips or tricks to add? What worked for you? What didn't work for you? Please comment below.