::boy oh boy::

O's old clothes are now being worn by her little sister, C2. Unfortunately, little man C1 doesn't have quite as many options. There's the unisex onesie here and there, but nothing that's worth mentioning.

There are some good brands out there that make nice pieces for boys, without making them look like little prepsters. Tea Collection, for example, makes graphic cotton separates that can be mixed and matched. The Daily Tea Collection is perfect for everyday wear and tear.

Another brand is Appaman. The graphic tees and onesies are "street-worthy" and not cutesie. Both brands also offer girl clothes that are sweet and easy to wear.

::stinkeroos::

I have forgotten how foul baby formula is. Since C1 has sensitive stomach (ironically C2 has an iron stomach!), we had to switch from Similac to Earth's Best Organic. Not only is there a price difference (although not so much on Diapers.com), the smells are different as well.

With Similac, the twins smelled like...well, baby formula. With EBO, they smell like sour milk...ALL THE TIME! I could bathe them everyday and they still end up smelling like fermented dairy within an hour. Of course it doesn't help that they are spit-up machines!

Today, as Architectdad and I braved the post-holiday shopping crowd and visited the mall, we discovered some alcohol-free fragrances for babies at the Jacadi store. Specially formulated for babies ages 0 to 2, alcohol-free Jacadi eau de senteur for Babies is hypoallergenic to baby’s delicate skin. The smell is light and not at all powdery. We did not buy it this time. But if the stink gets really bad, we may have to try it.

::cariboo::

Since we now live in a bigger house, we need a bassinet downstairs for the twins while they are still young and sleepy. My friend V generously lent us her Gentle Motions Cariboo bassinet, which is working wonderfully.

The modern design doesn't clash with the furniture and the sturdy construction is strong enough even for two growing chubbies :-) You can even add an optional bassinet changer on top to maximize its utility. The Gentle Motions model also allows you to rock fussy babies to sleep without physically holding them.

Best of all, the bassinet fabric can be unzipped quickly and thrown in the washing machine with some OxyClean in case of projectile spit-ups!

::rubbabu::

O was just reacquainted with her Auntie I during a recent visit. From the UK, auntie brought her some neat toys that are uniquely simple and green as well--each Rubbabu toy is made from natural rubber (coated in a velvety material) that is non-toxic and biodegradable.

Look for these squeezably fun toys from Amazon.com and Target.com.

::dos and don'ts take two::

DO
1. use Kate Quinn Organic long-sleeve kimono style onesies
2. use Swaddle Designs swaddling cloths
3. use Born Free bottles
4. use incline positioners if you have to simultaneous bottle feed twin babies
5. keep your cool even if both babies have pooped and are screaming to be fed at the same time!

DON'T
1. use lapneck onesie--babies do not like clothing pulled over their heads
2. steal the swaddling blankets from the hospital--you don't know where they've been
3. use Adiri Natural Nurser bottles--they leak out of both ends and the flow is way too fast for newborns
4. feed the babies flat on their backs--it gives them gasssssss and makes them crankyyyyyyy
5. call your husband an "idiot" just because he forgot to turn the dishwasher on!

::they're here::

I'm sure you've guessed by now--from my lack of posts--that our twins have arrived! C+C were born on Nov. 2nd at 12:18 PM and 12:19 PM via a scheduled c-section. They were 38-1/2 weeks in gestational age.

Both babies were born healthy and weighing in at 7 lbs each. Can you imagine??? Carrying 2 times the average-sized singleton baby??? Phew!

Now that I am no longer as big as a boat, the gawking has shifted towards the twins. Since architectdad and I are both germaphobes, it is taking all of our strength to stop ourselves from body blocking strangers from approaching our babies.

Our little O has been a curious and protective big sister. She is very proud to show off her new siblings, and is very worried when she sees one without the other. Let's hope the good will stays around :-)

::i'm still here::

Just less than a week before the twins arrive. They are now 38 weeks old and about 7 lbs. each. Yes, that's right, I'm carrying a total of 14 lbs. of babies. Good news is, I can still see my foot bones and ankles...never mind that I waddle like a penguin...a really slow penguin.

We are pretty prepared for the babies' arrival, except we don't have a stroller yet. It is HARD to find a double stroller that is not the equivalent of the double wide trailer home. So far, the new Vibe stroller by Phil and Teds is the only acceptable model for architectdad and me.

With the additional doubles kit, it is possible to put two 3-month old babies (or once they are able to sit up assisted) in the stroller together. Otherwise, it's just one toddler/one baby or two toddlers. The brushed aluminum frame is lighter and way more attractive than the painted steel of the older models.

Like the Bugaboo strollers, you have the option of purchasing accessories such as footmuff and raincover for the the Vibe. There is even a bassinet attachment if you are using the stroller for just one baby.