tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27933130176751619732024-03-13T05:20:09.713-07:00The More The MerrierWe are More. We are Merrier. We are families that have triplets and beyond.More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-7615382646952729212011-03-21T11:03:00.000-07:002011-03-21T11:07:20.485-07:00In the News: Rear-Facing Carseats Till Age 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkKFpXatBug/TYeTm-uszkI/AAAAAAAAAC4/s5KDwFlCSiI/s1600/CarSeatInstall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkKFpXatBug/TYeTm-uszkI/AAAAAAAAAC4/s5KDwFlCSiI/s200/CarSeatInstall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586596160659574338" border="0" /></a>"In a new policy statement published in the April 2011 issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">Pediatrics</span>, the American Academy of Pediatrics now advises parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they exceed the height or weight limit for the car seat, which can be found on the back of the seat."<br /><br />Read the full article here on <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/21/car.seat.guidelines.parenting/index.html?hp%5C%20t=T2">cnn.com</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/21/car.seat.guidelines.parenting/index.html?hpt=T2"></a>More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-2472422602159862422010-11-16T09:54:00.000-08:002010-11-16T09:58:27.317-08:00MTM Families Raise Money in Miracle Babies 5K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TOLFs6Db6DI/AAAAAAAAACo/nAnQOtddjKc/s1600/MB%2BFeet%2BLogo1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 73px; height: 74px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TOLFs6Db6DI/AAAAAAAAACo/nAnQOtddjKc/s200/MB%2BFeet%2BLogo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540207866907715634" border="0" /></a><br />Several “More the Merrier” families took part in the San Diego’s Miracle Babies Second Annual 5K Walk/Run on November 14, raising money for families in need who have a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit. One of our families was even featured on Local News 8.<br /><br />The MTM families did a stupendous job, not only reaching their goal but surpassing it, collecting more than $1785 in just five days! They are immensely grateful to family and friends for helping to support their cause. “We had such a great time doing this, we are already looking forward to next year.”<br /><br />Way to go, gang!<br /><br /><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><a href="http://www.miraclebabies.org/">Miracle Babies</a>, founded by Dr. Sean Daneshmand and based in San Diego, is the nation's premier non-profit organization exclusively structured to provide support for preemies in the NICU/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and their families. Our mission is to provide financial assistance and support to families in need with newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.</i></p> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:12pt;" ></span>More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-90156082652264426432010-09-14T20:20:00.000-07:002010-09-14T20:28:45.396-07:00Resources re Keeping Multiples Together in the Same Classroom<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TJA8590c8KI/AAAAAAAAACg/4eDOjqqkFqs/s1600/Kindergarten+brothers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TJA8590c8KI/AAAAAAAAACg/4eDOjqqkFqs/s200/Kindergarten+brothers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516976510073630882" border="0" /></a>In the course of blogging about <a href="http://www.deborahhalverson.com/blog/?p=3261">my decision</a> to keep my trio together in the same classroom, I came across an EXCELLENT blog post about the issue on the M.O.S.T. (Mothers of Supertwins) blog. The thorough and balanced post is filled with resources, studies, laws, anecdotes, and wisdom about how to make the call for your own kids each year:<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.mostonline.org/wordpress/?p=3338.">http://www.mostonline.org/wordpress/?p=3338</a><br /></div><br />Thought some of you moms of younger multiples might want to sock this link away for future reference.<br /><br />-Debbie<br />Mom to 5.5-year-old BBB triplets (now kindergarteners!)More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-2247490597237114102010-08-08T13:32:00.000-07:002010-08-08T13:38:12.340-07:00More the Merrier 2010 Picnic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TF8UwzT0y9I/AAAAAAAAACA/chm9oNG4KGQ/s1600/more+the+merrier+picnic+2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 217px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TF8UwzT0y9I/AAAAAAAAACA/chm9oNG4KGQ/s200/more+the+merrier+picnic+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503140098309671890" border="0" /></a><strong>When my triplets were three months old, I cracked. </strong>No sleep, little food, and showers… what were those? I’d lost all the baby weight I’d gained during my pregnancy, but then the pounds kept going, dropping until I weighed less than I had since tenth grade. I didn’t take care of myself. Everything was about the babies. My husband had to go back to work—he couldn’t stay home forever, no matter how much I begged—and I felt all alone. My mom and mother-in-law stopped in for a few hours every couple of days, but a few hours in every 24 or 48 felt like a drop in the bucket to me, no matter how generous it was. And then when they came, I was so desperate for adult conversation that I didn’t take the naps they urged or flee the house as much as they shoved me toward the door. Despite my desperate state, most folks who saw me with my infant trio thought I had it all together. “You’re awesome!” they said. “You’re super mom! I don’t know how you do it—I can barely handle one!” I didn’t understand it. Didn’t they see that I was wild-eyed and bedraggled? Didn’t they see that I was drowning? <p style="text-align: left;">Oh sure, I had worked out some clever things, and I could pull myself up by the bootstraps and focus on the adventure of it all for a few hours each day. But the rest of those 24 hours? Ugh. It was taking every ounce of energy I had, and I didn’t have much. One day I couldn’t take it anymore. I wiped away my tears and dug out the phone number of the lady in my neighborhood who had older triplets, the one who’d met my mother-in-law at church, and I called her. I didn’t know what to say when she answered, so I just blurted, “Hi, I’m Debbie. I have triplets.” She took over from there. Cheryl proved to be my salvation that morning. She came over to my house, hugged my babies and nodded knowingly at the double and single Bob strollers in my living room, and then proceeded to tell me how she’d managed to feed three babies at once and still eat and sleep. It was amazing. She told me how she’d coped with the fact that when three babies cried you could only soothe one. She told me how she’d color-coded binders and re-organized her house and got through those first couple of years and now did have a fair handle on life with triplets even though she sometimes messed up and didn’t eat or shower. “It will happen to you, too,” she said. “I promise.” I nearly collapsed, then and there. She understood. She told me she’d take me out to dinner to introduce me to more moms who’d figured out how to do three (and even four!) babies at once. And she gave me the phone number of Jenna, a lady three blocks away who had triplets just four months older than mine.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;">Over the next few days, weeks, months, and now years, I’ve turned to those moms Cheryl introduced me to—this group, San Diego’s More the Merrier, a support group for moms of higher order multiples—for suggestions, solutions, support, and laughs. And much to my pleasure, I found my footing and was soon able to start giving suggestions, solutions, support, and laughs to other new moms of multiples. And Jenna, with her <a title="The Amazing Trips" href="http://www.theamazingtrips.com/" target="_blank">Amazing Trips</a>, and Cheryl, with her own amazing trio, are among my dearest friends. They get it. They understand the joyous insanity of those first years with triplets. When they see me, they understand how you really can have it together even though sometimes you mess up and don’t eat and, good grief, skip a shower or two.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;">Yesterday my boys and I spent several fantastic hours in Coronado with twenty other families from More the Merrier (Big Daddy was out of town and had to miss it). 60+ kids of all ages, right down to months-old babies, were at that picnic. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TF8U5f2iRNI/AAAAAAAAACI/WT4ySvtNM7I/s1600/Halversons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 203px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/TF8U5f2iRNI/AAAAAAAAACI/WT4ySvtNM7I/s200/Halversons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503140247705371858" border="0" /></a>When one mom went flying by me dragging a choo-choo wagon behind her and chasing fleeing toddlers, I had to laugh. “Pardon me, please. Totally stressed out mom here!” she shouted. I understood. I’d been there. And I was so happy to be able to tell her where she was headed. That very morning I’d slept in and finally awoke to find that my sons had fed themselves breakfast, put their dishes in the sink, dressed themselves, and were quietly playing with their cars. Her eyes widened. “It will happen to you, too,” I said. “I promise.”</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">written by Deborah Halverson, mom to 5.5-year-old triplet boys</span><br /></p>More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-85725183789445099672010-02-07T21:46:00.000-08:002010-02-07T21:48:41.638-08:00Our More The Merrier SUPERDADS!This past October, some of our More the Merrier super triplet dads met up with the Supernanny (Jo Frost) to lend their advice and support to another San Diego triplet dad, who was ready to wave the white flag from the trenches of fatherhood.<br /><br />Here are our superstars, from left to right:<br /><br />Charlie, Jo, Derrick and David.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95634145@N00/4340071916/" title="DSC_0081 by The Amazing Trips, on Flickr"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95634145@N00/4340071916/" title="DSC_0081 by The Amazing Trips, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4340071916_58cdeae734_m.jpg" width="240" height="161" alt="DSC_0081" /></a></a><br /></div><br />The show aired on ABC this past Friday, February 5.<br /><br />In case you missed it, you can click <a href="http://abc.go.com/watch/supernanny/153459/250371/the-mann-family">HERE</a> for a link to the segment.<br /><br />To Mark and Melissa Mann, you did a great job on the show and we sincerely admire the tremendous courage it took for you to open your home up to the world. We're certain your honesty about the struggles with raising multiple small children will help a lot of other parents who are facing similar challenges. We're excited about what the future holds for your beautiful family. And we're hopeful you'll tell us all about it ... at the next More the Merrier dinner!More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-27780798534770943332009-11-26T13:56:00.000-08:002009-11-26T14:18:55.056-08:00Congrats to the More the Merrier Walkers for Knockers!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/Sw78Nb9mv0I/AAAAAAAAABw/m7ky5zH9dQg/s1600/got+triplets+shirts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 217px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/Sw78Nb9mv0I/AAAAAAAAABw/m7ky5zH9dQg/s200/got+triplets+shirts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408537510293192514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Last weekend the More the Merrier Walkers for Knockers team completed their Breast Cancer 3-Day walk. </span>Woo-HOO! With the footwork of 3,800 walkers, the helping hands of hundreds of volunteer staff, and the generous hearts of countless family and friends, San Diego's 60-mile, 3-Day walk raised $9.5 million dollars for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Those organizations will use the money for breast cancer research, treatment, prevention, and awareness.<br /><br />The More the Merrier Walkers for Knockers team raised $12,514.00 for the cause. Notice the back of the moms' team shirts? "Got triplets?" they ask, and that's followed by three pink breast cancer ribbons. The shirts certainly generated a lot of attention! The questions of one particular walker stick in our team members' minds: A woman with her husband at her side asked about the multiples support group. The couple is saving up for <span style="font-style: italic;">in vitro fertilization</span>, and they are a little worried about getting twins or triplets or quadruplets. "What would we do?" the lady asked. "You'd call us," the teammates replied with welcoming smiles on their faces. After all, the more, the merrier, right?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/Sw7-LNm_xqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/jvI0sxTaS9U/s1600/team+challenges+sign.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 209px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/Sw7-LNm_xqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/jvI0sxTaS9U/s200/team+challenges+sign.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408539671103784610" border="0" /></a>There were so many inspirational people in the walk and along the route. There was a stunning and seemingly inexhaustible supply of supporters lining every sidewalk who cheered the walkers past the pain and to the finish line. The entire event was a vast, inspirational community action against a merciless disease, and More the Merrier is proud to have been a part of it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">60 miles in three days . . . that's one way to get a break from the daily routine of life with multiples.<br /></div>More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-58705374370070276562009-09-14T12:52:00.000-07:002009-09-14T13:36:23.204-07:00San Diego Triplet Moms in Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/Sq6gFM9HiOI/AAAAAAAAABk/scSARLb3o9U/s1600-h/1396013671.custom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 117px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/Sq6gFM9HiOI/AAAAAAAAABk/scSARLb3o9U/s200/1396013671.custom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381414615991683298" border="0" /></a>A few of us from More the Merrier formed a team that will participate in the San Diego Breast Cancer 3-Day walk November 20-22, 2009.<div><br />We will be walking sixty (60) miles, over three days, sleeping in tents, and raising $2,300.00 a piece for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We are proud to be walking with fellow triplet moms for such an important cause. We are "The More The Merrier, Walkers for Knockers."<br /><br />If you'd like to join our team, here's our team link. After all, the more, the merrier!<br /></div> <p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; color: rgb(198, 0, 112);font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">To learn more information >> Click here to view the team page for The More The Merrier Walkers for Knockers</span></p>For more information about the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, visit <span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.the3day.org/</span> or call 800.996.3DAY.More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-84570584853487319572008-07-24T20:53:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:34:26.590-08:00Plane Travel: Toddler/Preschool Triplets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SIlO5m2j3dI/AAAAAAAAABA/HnZWtjIvLX0/s1600-h/plane.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 86px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SIlO5m2j3dI/AAAAAAAAABA/HnZWtjIvLX0/s200/plane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226795594129071570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About to fly away with your triplets? </span>Here’s some advice based on what has worked for us when traveling with our toddler/preschool triplets on planes:<br /><br />I let them pick out one toy at the airport within reason (I know kinda pricey) but on a 5.5-6 hr flight, the boys played the whole time with their little airplane and my daughter played with her Spiderman coloring book. To me it was $ well spent and now I have made it a ritual.<br /><br />Pack a bag of food and snacks.<br /><br />I bring lots of snacks food and even those special snacks like chocolate chip cookies. I give those mostly at landings and take-off. Landings are a bit rougher on one of my boys than on my other two kids so I like to have special snacks for that.<br /><br />I pack sippy cups and have the flight attendants fill the cups up with milk/juice. So much easier than handling a little plastic cup on a bumpy ride. One spill and they are stuck with the wetness (whether on them, in their seat, or on the floor) for the whole flight.<br /><br />DVD! To us that is a must. Mine don’t wear headsets because you can’t hear the show past our seats because of the plane noise. If your kids don’t normally watch DVDs, don’t have the fear of them wanting to watch when you are “home”—you can say this is special just for airplane flights. Mine watch DVDs in the car but ONLY on the 5-6hr drive to AZ, not around town or on short trips. I suggest keeping the DVD player and DVDs under the seat vs. in the overhead because shortly after take-off, the captain gives the approval for electronic devices but the fasten seat belt sign is still illuminated . . . sometimes for a while. Remember to bring an extra battery, the power supply, and an extension cord. In case you are delayed, they can watch the DVD player while waiting at the gate. There are usually outlets all around, but you may need an extension cord. Also, it saves and charges your battery for the flight.<br /><br />We actually have 1 DVD player, 1 laptop, and an ipod. Yes, they have all been in use at the same time! It is good to have more than 1 player, because you may be split up on the plane based upon seating arrangements. I don't know of a plane that has 5 seats in a row, without a break for the aisle. Also, I’ve heard reports that you can download books onto your ipods from itunes, so that’s another option. I haven’t tried it yet, so I don’t know what books are available for which ages. Worth looking into.<br /><br />In the beginning I was a stickler on keeping to our schedule and making sure they ate right. But then I thought what is more important:<br /><br />1. Kids cranky but eating right or<br />2. Kids happy<br /><br />I have slightly different rules for the plane and mine don’t take advantage of it. I make it more of a reward. If you remain quiet and don’t wake up your brother then you can get another cookie. Or if they say can I have another cookie and your limit is 1 or 2 a day, you could say since you are staying in your seat and are quiet, you can have another cookie. We change our rules when we are on vacation (sure I’ll have another dessert), so I just use that logic with them.<br /><br />Travel with Tylenol, motrin, bandaids, a change of shirt for you (you never know who may get motion sickness), change of clothes for them, and Benadryl. Benadryl is not just for aiding them to sleep, it helps their sinuses, so the pressure doesn’t build up and cause them discomfort on take-off or landing. One piece of advice I remember is if they are crying during take-off or landing that’s okay, it is helping them relieve the pressure in their ears. The first time we flew I said that over and over in my head so I wouldn’t stress too much. But that is when I want them to drink and eat to pop their ears. Having a sippy cup allows them to drink because otherwise they would not be allowed to have a drink.<br /><br />Don’t hesitate to walk around the plane with them. By the 4.5 hour mark I am anxious to get off the plane, & they aren’t any different. So we parade around the plane for a bit. In the back we even play Simon Says to help them stretch and play a game.<br /><br />Bring books that are light to carry, we’ve even played bingo. Let them pack a small bag of toys they want to bring on the plane (those backpacks are great for that) – you’d be surprised how long that the toys they pick out will keep them occupied. I used to pack one new toy per hour and that was a bust. I was stuck with the stress of finding new inexpensive toys and most of the time they just wanted to see the next one. This way they choose the toys and it takes the guess work out of it for you and they are happy. Plus I overemphasize sharing on the airplane. Now they help each other pick out toys.<br /><br />If they have a favorite animal or blanket they sleep with, bring that on the plane to help them sleep. My daughter travels with her sponge-bob towel, which we use as a blanket.<br /><br />Regarding car seats: You check them in with your luggage, unless you are going to use them on the plane. If you use them on the plane they have to be FAA certified. It will indicate that in your manual and on the seat itself. Print the page off from your owner’s manual if you cannot find it on your car seat. When we used the car seat on the plane we were stopped by the flight attendants asking for us to show them that the seat was FAA certified.<br /><br />If you are checking them with your luggage, I don’t know the requirements for packing the car seats. Our seats have a case so we just use that. Call your airline if you are unsure.<br /><br />Last hot tip: Pack for the worse case scenario, which means pack more food than you need in case you are delayed, or any flight cancellations. Gotta be ready for anything!<br /><br />Phew! Okay, off you go. My big advice is to make it special, modify the rules to fit the situation. Good Luck!<br /><br />-Jeanmarie<br />Mom to 4-year-old BBG tripletsMore The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-10070935312085332332008-06-02T20:00:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:34:26.799-08:00Disciplining 16-month-old triplets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SES0J01CGlI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Sq4OpWVv2RE/s1600-h/218_RJ+-+JM+REALLY+LIKES.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SES0J01CGlI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Sq4OpWVv2RE/s200/218_RJ+-+JM+REALLY+LIKES.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207485150040037970" border="0" /></a>Recently, the mom of sixteen-month-old triplets asked for suggestions for disciplining her trio. I thought my advice might be helpful to other moms, hence this blog post. Please add any tips you have, too!<br /><br />First off, this is a hard age. The children are mobile, but not too stable and do not understand any safety issues yet. Everything is new and they are eager to explore. This is when we need to set the rules, because they don’t know any rules. So this is where we set the foundation.<br /><br />I used a bumbo at first as the “no-no chair.” They sat in it in the corner, turned away from everyone else, for one minute. Then when they were done I had them try to say sorry or sign sorry. I would help them sign sorry and also verbally say it for them, setting the rule that after they are punished they need to say “sorry” to me or whomever they were naughty to.<br /><br />As they got a bit older and too big for the bumbo, I put them in the laundry room and put a gate in front, for one minute. (One minute per year of their age.) If they were in their high-chair or booster at the table, I would turn them around so they were facing away from the table and everyone else.<br /><br />One thing that worked really well for me was I would demonstrate the bad behavior and say, “aaah aaah ahhh” then demonstrate the good behavior and say, “yeah”. I would repeat this 3-9x. Someone once told me repeating it 9x that made them understand. And they did. To this day I’ll still say “ahh ahh ahh” and they stop dead in their tracks, one even says “Sorry” right away.<br /><br />One memory I have is a day when they were jumping on the couch and I would say, “No jumping on the couch, aaah aaah aaaah.” Then put them in the no-no area. This went on for at least 1 hour, rotating all them numerous times into the no-no area. It eventually stuck and the next day, I said, “No jumping on the couch, aaah aaah aaaah” before they got onto the couch and, viola!, no more jumping. I tasted a bit of victory, and that sticking to it paid off. I remember this every time I need to set a new rule: I just need to stick to it and be consistent.<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />-Jeanmarie<br />Mom to 3.5-year-old BBG tripletsMore The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-85906658922817275652008-06-02T15:05:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:34:27.312-08:00For Pregnant Triplet Moms: Answers to Some FAQs<div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SERvz01CGjI/AAAAAAAAAAo/lT7ZWWERrI8/s1600-h/21+-+104-0456_IMG.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SERvz01CGjI/AAAAAAAAAAo/lT7ZWWERrI8/s200/21+-+104-0456_IMG.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207410005292227122" border="0" /></a><br /></div>I just found this old e-mail with my answers to some "questions" from other pregnant triplet moms. Hope some of the info is helpful! :)<br />–Cheryl, mom of 5-year-old GGB triplets<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. What did you find that you really used three of? </span><br />3 bouncys, 3 boppys, 3 bumbos, 3 high chairs, 2 swings, 1 "tummy time mat," and 2 exersaucers. I just rotated the babies between the "stations" I had set up. It worked great.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Did you have just one crib? If you did have just one, how long were you able to keep them all in it? </span><br />I had a "mini crib" that was in our room that all 3 slept together in for the first month. I then transferred them into a full-size crib (still in our room) that all 3 shared until 4 months. By 4 months...they were sleeping through the night but also rolling all over each other and waking each other up...so we separated them and put them in their own cribs in their own room. My triplets shared a bedroom (all 3 cribs in 1 room) until they were 3 years old.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. I know I need 3 carseats and will need 3 high chairs and bouncy seats, but what about swings? </span><br />Yes, obviously 3 carseats & high chairs (I didn't have room for 3 full-size high chairs and that's why I opted for the kind that attach to a "normal" chair). The swing thing, well, all babies are different. Some love swings and others hate 'em....so it could be a wasted investment. Test one before buying any. I ended up buying one and borrowing one.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. And what kind of car do you have? </span><br />A mini van! :) The newer Toyota Sienna's have room for 8. You need a spacious mini-van. Most triplet moms with SUV's say it's a HUGE pain and most all have given into the mini-van lifesyle! :) (Ya gotta get the "Got Triplets?" bumper stickers! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SERv-E1CGkI/AAAAAAAAAAw/xMEfFdgP6Gw/s1600-h/38+-+121-2143_IMG.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/SERv-E1CGkI/AAAAAAAAAAw/xMEfFdgP6Gw/s200/38+-+121-2143_IMG.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207410181385886274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Speaking of, what kind of strollers did you get? </span><br />I had the triplet Peg Perego. I bought it new (plus the carseats) and spent around $1000. SUCKS! I would TOTALLY get one used if possible. (Check craigslist.com?) I'd send an e-mail out to our moms in San Diego to see if anyone is selling one. I also got a double and single umbrella stroller for when I was out and about with my husband or parents. Plus I bought a triplet jogger for the park. Plus I got a giant wagon with a shade and trailer on it. Yikes. I went a little overboard. :) What I liked about the Peg Perego triplet is I could go anywhere by myself easily. The 3 carseats just clicked in and off I went. It was easy and convenient. Once they outgrew their carseats...it was a little more work assembling the Peg...but I still liked the look of it and the ability to be out and about by myself. The kids got too heavy to push in it by around 2 yrs.- 2 1/2 yrs. old. I have friends that LOVE the runabout -- but it's not the most attractive stroller :(<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">6. My other questions (for now) are body-related. When did you begin to show? Was it way earlier than people with just one baby? </span><br />I was in full-blown maternity clothes by 12 weeks. I grew pretty fast....and I was quite excited to show off my belly since I was "FINALLY" pregnant after 5 years of trying and treatments. :) You will show early and get used to people asking really personal and annoying questions.... "are they natural/real?" "will you breastfeed" "do triplets run in your family?" "I'm glad I'm not you." "You poor thing, you have your hands full."<br /><br />UGH! That’s a quick rundown, but hopefully it’s a starting point for you. One last thing:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome to the Wonderful World of Triplets! :)</span>More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-11155981510130540032008-04-08T12:44:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:34:27.728-08:00Froggie Smoothies and Other Yummy (Healthy) Snacks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/R_vOfSki0vI/AAAAAAAAAAg/ZfFChGCwqzs/s1600-h/Beetle+Smoothies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/R_vOfSki0vI/AAAAAAAAAAg/ZfFChGCwqzs/s200/Beetle+Smoothies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186966432803640050" border="0" /></a>I get so bored with our standard snacks. So I recently emailed Jessica to ask what she gives her three-year-old trio for snacks. Her instant answer: “Froggie Smoothies!”<br /><br />You won’t believe this, but the secret ingredient that earns these fruit smoothies their “froggie” moniker is . . . raw spinach. Yep, raw spinach. Seriously. You can put in an entire bag of it without tasting it at all. Talk about getting your greens for the day! I have to admit that I didn’t believe it until I tried it, but now I and the boys LOVE them and I’m ready to shout from the highest mountains “Froggie Smoothies! Feed your kids Froggie Smoothies!!”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Froggie Smoothies*</span>:<br /><ul><li>Frozen fruit (blueberries, peaches, and/or strawberries are our favorite)</li><li>Banana (sometimes we put in two; sometimes none)</li><li>Spinach (raw; packaged spinach for salads is easiest, but unwashed bunches from Henrys are cheaper)</li><li>Pineapple or Orange Juice</li><li>Ice</li><li>Plain yogurt (optional)</li><li>Flax seeds (optional; Jessica swears by them, but I haven’t gotten around to buying them to try it)</li></ul>Adjust the amounts to your thickness liking. Blend in blender until smooth. Note: Not much ice is needed since you are using frozen fruit<br /><br />Like I said, I was a Doubter, so I started out light, throwing in just a handful of spinach leaves. Thumbs up! The next day, two handfuls. Double thumbs up!! Now we throw in a whole bag, with each boy putting in the biggest handful he can. Yes, the boys know about the spinach. I believe in teaching them how to eat well even as I’m hiding the veggies in their meals. They think it’s a hoot to jam those leaves into the blender. I think it’s a hoot that they get their fill of green leafies for the day. Hurray for Froggie Smoothies!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/R_vOVCki0uI/AAAAAAAAAAY/qMkUrPbreYs/s1600-h/Beetle+smoothies+2_K_Apr+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLdEe6fp02Q/R_vOVCki0uI/AAAAAAAAAAY/qMkUrPbreYs/s200/Beetle+smoothies+2_K_Apr+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186966256709980898" border="0" /></a>Now the boys want to make Beetle Smoothies. Huh. I haven’t figured out a recipe for that, but I did come up with the next best thing: Frog Smoothie with a Beetle on Top. Hey, whatever works.<br /><br />Here are some other snacks we serve. What are YOUR favorite kid-friendly snacks?<br /><br />Goldfish crackers<br />Cheese sticks<br />Dry cereal (Life, Oatmeal Squares, Cheerios, Gorilla Munch)<br />Rice crackers<br />Toast with peanut butter and “no sugar added” fruit spread<br />Hummus with pita bread, crackers, or carrot<br />Fruit—especially grapes<br />Dried fruit—especially mangoes, blueberries, craisins, and raisins<br />Oatmeal cookies with raisins and walnuts<br />Pumpkin bread with raisins and walnuts<br />Yogurt or Yogurt Parfaits (with thawed frozen fruit and granola)<br />Whole Wheat Fig Newtons<br />Bagels<br />Energy Bars from Vons<br />Cottage Cheese<br />Garbanzo beans<br />Quesadillas<br />Nachos (toasted corn tortillas with refried beans, cheese, olives<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*To be truthful, Froggie Smoothies not actually green. But they do have green specks in them. You can call that the crushed up froggie guts if that works for your kids.</span><br /><br />-Debbie<br />Mom to 3-year-old BBB boysMore The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-12745941911468879642007-10-17T08:40:00.000-07:002007-10-17T08:47:09.857-07:00The Special Bond of Multiples . . . .<div class="MsoNormal">Preface: I recently emailed this story to Debbie Halverson - our resident professional published author/triplet mom. She suggested I post this story to our blog - but I do not have the writing skills of Debbie - no where close! So please know, that Debbie has taken my story and put it in her words - and it is so wonderfully written now for all of us! Hope you all enjoy.<br /><br />It’s a doctor’s job to tell the risks of carrying multiples. It’s a support group’s role to share tips about raising them. It’s a mom’s joy to share stories about the special bond they share. Today it’s my turn...<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal">Last night my daughter, one of three-year-old GBB triplets, woke me up by pacing the upstairs hallway, sobbing. She was repeating, “I can’t find my brothers. They are not in their cribs.” This startled me, as it seemed extremely improbable that the boys weren’t in their cribs. I ran upstairs and picked her up. “Sweetie, your brothers are sleeping. Let’s go peek in their cribs.” I brought her back into her bedroom and raised the dimmer switch a bit so she could see her brothers – they were both there. I hugged her and told her she must have had a bad dream. I was tucking her back into bed when she whispered in my ear, “Mom – don’t ever let my brothers go away, OK?” My heart just melted.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal">My daughter’s bad dream may have upset her, but in my mind it speaks volumes about the unique bond she shares with her triplet brothers. And even as she slipped back into dreamland, hopefully to happy adventures with ponies and princesses and ice cream cones galore, I tiptoed back downstairs to my own special dream—of my children forever enjoying a connection so deep that it shapes their relationships, their lives, their very dreams.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><br />What are your favorite stories about the special bond multiples share?<br /><br />Jessica<br />Mom to Tate (5), Brit, Tucker and Mallory (We will be 3 on December 14!)<br /><o:p></o:p></div>More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-61594450242024393802007-10-07T14:22:00.000-07:002007-10-07T15:20:28.946-07:00bottle feeding multiple babiesOne of the most staggering dilemmas in raising infant multiples, is how in the world to feed all of them at once?<br /><br />For those people who don't have an extra set of hands (or two, or three), or a team of wet nurses on staff ... they have devised various ways of feeding their babies. Two babies can be fed at once while they are reclined in their bouncy chairs and bottles are propped on blankets for any remaining babies. Or, there is equipment that can be purchased that secures the bottle to a small pillow for feeding.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">(Jeanmarie: do you have a picture of that pillow with the band on top you used for your trio?)</span><br /><br />Until our triplets were 5 months old, I would nurse, then pump, then feed one of the babies with expressed milk in a bottle - while nursing the other two. This worked pretty well, but I quickly discovered that I was <span style="font-style: italic;">constantly</span> on the couch with a baby (or two) attached to me.<br /><br />Slowly, I began feeding the babies with bottles during the day, and nursing them in the evening and early morning. Once I made the transition to feeding all three of them with a bottle, I struggled with how to get all three of them fed at once.<br /><br />Enter ... <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.podee.com/">Podee Bottle</a>. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/threeinarow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 320px; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/threeinarow.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Imagine the clouds parting and a ray of sun shining on my weary face.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Podee Anatomy: </span>The Podee is comprised of two tubes, separated by a disk, that are attached to a nipple and screwed on to a bottle. When a baby sucks on the nipple, milk goes up the tubing and in to their mouth. This allows for completely hands-free feeding, which is especially helpful when you have more babies than you do hands. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />And ... they are all hungry!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Podee Dynamics: </span>I've heard some people say "I tried the Podee and it didn't work."<br /><br />So long as your baby has mastered the suck, swallow, breathe reflex (for our babies that wasn't well developed until they were a couple months old), a baby can use the Podee.<br /><br />People will say that they see the milk going "back down the tube" and assume it doesn't work.<br /><br />Here's my best attempt at explaining fluid mechanics:<br /><br />There has to be a constant vacuum on the nipple to keep the tube entirely filled with milk. The fact is, babies aren't always sucking. They are swallowing and breathing. So, during those times when they swallow & breathe, the milk appears to be going back down the tube. When they do suck, they fill up the "reservoir" of the nipple - so there is always milk for them to swallow, when they suck again. If you ever wonder if they are really getting anything, just keep your eye on the volume, and you'll notice it's going down. If the volume isn't going down, there could be a problem with the nipple*.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Read on ...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/Podeesthebeach1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 320px; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/Podeesthebeach1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Podee Tips:</span> You don't need to buy the "Podee" bottles. All you really need are the disks (or discs) that screw in to the collars - the straws (the short one that goes in the bottle, and the long one that goes to the nipple) and the disks (there are 2 disks per "feeding system" ... on screws on to the nipple part, and holds the long hose to the nipple - the other screws on to the bottle part - connecting the long hose to the short hose).<br /><br />The cheapest route to go here - is to buy regular Gerber (Playtex) Bottles (9 oz) and just use the collars with the Podee disks and tubes. You'll need 2 collars PER bottle, though - so what I did is purchase the collars separately - directly from Podee. They are headquartered in San Diego off 1-15 near Mira Mesa Boulevard (9909 Hibert Street.)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*We used the hospital issued nipples rather than the Podee nipples. We found that these worked better. You just have to be sure they have a completely flat bottom (no ridges) to keep a good seal with the disk.*</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/PodeeTime.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 320px; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/PodeeTime.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Podees took some time to clean, but like <span style="font-weight: bold;">everything</span> else, we had a system in place.<br /><br />I had about 30 Podees.<br /><br />I used 12 Podees a day (3 bottles x 4 feedings a day) so I did not have to wash bottles every single day. The tubings were rinsed after each feeding (to remove gross contamination) and stockpiled in a cup.<br /><br />I would then clean all of the dirty tubes once every 2 or 3 days and reassemble the tubes, disks, and nipples, so I could just grab a Podee, attach it to a bottle and go!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Podee Summary: </span>This single invention simplified our life with infant triplets - more than I could have ever possibly imagined. Not only could we feed all three babies at once (which became increasingly important the older they became and would not tolerate waiting to be fed), I could prepare the rest of their meal while they had their bottle, and because they were fed while sitting upright, they had less incidence of gas and spit-up.<br /><br />Additionally, I could clip their nails while they'd eat because both of my hands were free, and I could easily feed the babies at home OR while out and about. Feeding while on the go was a huge step toward regaining my sanity because I was no longer housebound.<br /><br />So, if you have infant multiples ... grab yoself some Podees and GO! GO! GO!More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-27439307198823755352007-09-24T21:00:00.000-07:002007-09-25T21:04:07.335-07:00how to get from here to there (and back again)Transporting three babies, or small children, at once can be a daunting task unless, you have the appropriate equipment. And even then, some people might opt for a root canal.<br /><br />As any triplet parent will tell you, getting out of the house every so often is critical for your mental health. As any triplet parent will also tell you, having the right equipment can mean the difference between going out in the world or going <span style="font-style: italic;">completely</span> out of your mind by staying inside all the time.<br /><br />Very soon, young babies will grow in to roaming toddlers and then, exploring preschoolers that may or may not want to ride in a stroller. And even though a young child may be <span style="font-style: italic;">fully capable</span> of walking, sometimes the parents of those young children would prefer that they are contained. If not for the child's safety ... <span style="font-style: italic;">for the parent's sanity</span>.<br /><br />This is a partial listing of some different means (with advantages / disadvantages) to accomplish the simple task of taking a walk to the mailbox with your children.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Peg Perego Triplette</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantage:</span> works with infant carriers, in-line, collapsible, good sun protection offered by removable canopy shades, seats fully recline.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Disadvantage:</span> Very heavy to push as children grow older.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/511fAom8PXL._SS260_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/511fAom8PXL._SS260_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">RunAbout</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantage:</span> maneuverable, in-line, heavy duty, sun protection canopy can be purchased separately.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Disadvantage:</span> not designed to hold small infants, seats do not recline, doesn't collapse and may require tow hitch to transport.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/triple06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/triple06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Triple Jogger</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantage: </span>heavy duty stroller, good on a variety of terrains, many brands come with a sun shade.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Disadvantage:</span> limitation on how much seats can recline, not designed to hold small infants, width may prohibit use in certain areas (i.e. stores), can be difficult to transport without disassembly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/102435RED000000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/102435RED000000.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Triple Decker</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantage:</span> maneuverable, in-line, moderate duty, holds infant carriers, can also hold larger seats for when children outgrow car seats.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Disadvantage:</span> Weight restriction on larger seats(?), no sun protection if larger seats are used.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/td-triplet-170.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/td-triplet-170.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Choo-Choo Wagon<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantage:</span> kids LOVE it, has seat belts and cup holders for each individual compartment, comes apart easily and can fit in the back of a van. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Disadvantage:</span> cannot be used until children are able to sit up on their own, no sun protection, may be difficult to pull as children grow older.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/7913KR_details.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/7913KR_details.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Safety Harness</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantage:</span> great way of keeping a handle on children that are able to walk. Cost is around $5.00 per harness.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Disadvantage:</span> you may be criticized for walking your child like a dog. Also, with multiple children, chances are great they will get tangled quickly and fall down in a crying heap. But, with time and practice, they will learn to sit, stay and heel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/100_4365.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/100_4365.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Walking Rope</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Advantage:</span> Each child gets to pick a favorite color, then just announce "grab your color" when it's time to go. The five-ring version fits right in your diaper bag or in the car door for easy storage. Never once do you hear "so, you're walking the dogs?" comment. Unless, of course you also happen to be walking dogs, while you are walking your children. These are relatively inexpensive at less than $20.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Disadvantage:</span> Sometimes a lagging child will get "pulled" by the rest of the chain gang. Also, the children must be willing to hold the rings, unlike a harness, where if they won't walk - you can just drag them along.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/Resolve/rr748_f4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/Resolve/rr748_f4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Walkodile<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantage:</span> great way of keeping a handle on multiple children that are able to walk without the risk of them getting tangled up.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Disadvantage:</span> Not yet available in the US. If it was, would you buy one??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/kindergarten1july2007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/geojenna/MTM/kindergarten1july2007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">** Now in the comment section, it would be great if you could add some experiences that you have with any of the strollers listed above >> or >> any other strollers that worked for you. I can go back and edit this post with whatever comments you have, links & pictures. I think price & age range would also be useful... feedback?? ***</span>More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2793313017675161973.post-82174320183275550352007-09-21T21:34:00.001-07:002007-09-21T22:15:30.036-07:00Welcome, WELCOME!!Where shall we begin ... schedules, equipment, breastfeeding, a day in the life?? Once we get a few different topics going, we can add labels for various posts so that there is some organization to the blog.<br /><br />So, let's hear it!!More The Merrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491938808745007462noreply@blogger.com1