Lots of people stop us when we're out and ask us how we manage three infants. Its actually pretty easy if you have the right stuff! Here are a few of our favorite things...
Our Top 25
(Not really in any particular order; and to make this super easy for those who like what they see, just click on the underlined product links!)
#1 Our cradle swings are invaluable to us. Lauren sleeps most nights in hers and that's usually where the babies nap. We have three of the
Fisher Price Aquarium swings and can't imagine what we'd do without them. (The
travel swing is pretty cool too)
Lauren, Lathan & Logan (7-16-06)
#2 We use
Boppies to feed the babies (and they sometimes took naps in them when they were really little). LOVE the
Boppies!!!
Lauren (7-28-06)
Logan (8-1-06)
Lathan, Logan & Lauren (9-16-06)
#3 The Arm's Reach
CoSleeper has been a perfect addition for us. Especially when the babies were on apnea monitors, it was so nice to have them all three right there and not have to worry about rolling over on them. Of course now, the boys sleep in our bed with us so the
cosleeper is pretty much there to catch me as I fall off the bed if we run out of room! (It also has turned in to a little storage area for blankets and our morning books).
#4 The babies really enjoy the
Baby Einstein Play Mat and
Entertainer. We have other models/brands of both but the Baby Einsteins seem to be the best by far. The Baby Einstein Play Mat still keeps them entertained (the others got old too quickly) and on the other entertainer we have, the toys are too close to the middle seat so when the babies were little and extra wobbly it was easy for them to bump their heads on the toys.
Logan (9-11-06)
Lauren (11-29-06)
Logan (11-15-06)
#5 The
Jumperoo has gotten its fair share of play these past few months. We have two of them and like to put the babies face to face and watch them interact. Seems like a lot of fun!
Lathan (11-10-06)
Logan Asleep in Jumperoo (11-11-06)
Dualing Jumperoos (11-7-06)
#6 The
Diaper Dekor. This is another one that we have two of, one for each nursery. I researched diaper pails a lot and this one seemed to get the best response. I must agree...rarely ever does it smell and we don't have to change the bags that often!
#7 Our
Space Saver Highchairs are perfect for us. First of all their color is neutral so they blend right in and secondly they attach to our kitchen chairs to the take up very little space. They also convert from an infant seat to a toddler booster seat so we're sure to get a lot of use out of them.
#8 The
Bebe Pod chairs that we have are really handy. They are designed to let the baby sit up unassisted as soon as they are able to hold up their head. (These are the same as
Bumbo's, I just like the Bebe Pod colors better). Even now that the babies are able to sit up more on their own, they still like to sit in Bebe Pod and play.
Lathan, Lauren & Logan (11-29-06)
#9 Our
Baby Bjorn and my new favorite the
Hotsling are great for carrying the little ones.
#10 When the babies were very little they really enjoyed their
Baby Papasan's. Eventually they got bored with them but I pulled them out again the other day and it appears that they like them again. They seem incredibly comfortable...wish they came in bigger sizes!
Lauren, Logan & Lathan (7-11-06)
#11 The
Podee Bottle system is FANTASTIC. Hands free bottles...perfect!!! And here are my other favorites in the feeding category. The
Avent Bottles top my list. Lauren and Logan use/used the Dr. Brown's which were great for reflux but there are so many pieces and they just got to be a pain. The Avents have also been much more convienent as the babies have grown. They have handles to help them hold their own bottle and they convert to a sippy cup. For feeding "on the go" the Munchkin Formula Dispensers (got ours at Target) are very nice. You measure out your formula and
separate it into three compartments. That way when your out there's no need to measure...just pour. Also,
Bibsters (disposable bibs) are extremely helpful and
convenient.
Lauren & Lathan (9-29-06)
Lauren (1-16-07)
Lathan (11-20-06)
#12 And of course as you can see from our last few posts, we are getting very attached to our
highchair/shopping cart covers. Helps keep the babies comfy and germ free!
Lathan, Logan & Lauren (1-15-07)
#13 Speaking of germ free...we go through
Purell like no other! A definite necessity for us!!! (Same goes for the Clorox Anywhere Spray and the Clorox Wipes...good stuff!)
#14
Baby bath tub with a hammock. The hammocks were really nice and kept the babies from slipping around (but still kept them emerged enough to stay warm) even when they were
itty bitty. (We're just starting to graduate to the
Safety First Bath Seats which seem pretty cool also!)
Logan, Lauren & Lathan (7-11-06)
Lauren, Logan & Lathan (1-17-07)
#15 Munchkin Mesh Feeders (available at Target & grocery stores) have been a great way for the babies to try foods that
normally would be a choking hazard. Its nice to cute up a banana and throw it in the feeder so that it occupies a hungry baby while I'm feeding another.
Logan (11-20-06)
Lauren (11-21-06)
Lathan (11-20-06)
#16
Wipes Warmer. Not necessarily a
necessity but just a plain
courtesy to little
tushies! We also have a warmer by the highchairs to wipe them down after meals.
#17
Slumber Bears. They have a device inside that makes sounds like in the womb. When the babies were in the
NICU we took the device out of the bear and put it in the
isolletes with the little ones. Then when they came home we put it in their beds to help them sleep. Helped us sleep too!!!
Lathan (5-3-06)
Logan, Lauren, Lathan (9-11-06)
#18 LOTS of blankets. We must go through 10 + a day. We put them down for tummy time, wrap the babies up when they're in the swings and use them to prop bottles. You can never have too many blankets and these Pottery Barn ones are some of my favorites!!!
Logan, Lauren & Lathan (7-19-06)
#19 Rechargeable batteries are a must! Most every toy that the babies have requires batteries (as do the swings) so we are constantly recharging! The chargers were like $20 a piece and have saved us a fortune!
#20 Dreft Stain Remover. Along with detergent we go through this stuff like no other. Not only does it remove every stain on the first try but it smells really good too!
#21
Britax Roundabouts...Comfy car seats that fit all three on one row. Combine that with our new DVD player and we're set!
Lathan, Lauren & Logan (11-25-06)
#22
Leap Frog's Tad and
Lily are must haves. Tad put the babies to sleep many a nights and was so popular that Grammie went and got us two more. We now have one in the car, one in our room and one for play.
Leap Frog (along with Baby Einstein) remain our tops when it comes to baby toys. There hasn't been a product that we've gotten from either of these brands that we didn't just absolutely love. And another toy that gets our vote,
Fisher-Price Elmo’s Musical Peek-a-Boo Gym .The babies can play laying down or sitting up. The songs are cute and it always makes them smile!
Lauren & Tad (9-30-06)
Tad even went to the hospital with Lathan for his surgery (11-2-06)
Lathan & Lily (12-25-06)
Logan, Lauren & Lathan (12-25-06)
Lauren & Lathan (12-27-06)
#23 Lauren especially, has enjoyed the
Fisher Price Infant/Toddler Rocker. It is a vibrating, rocking chair that she loves to sit in. I regret that we didn't get this when the babies were newborns but have had fun with it ever since we brought it home (November I think).
Lauren (12-5-06)
#24
Pottery Barn My First Anywhere Chair. These are so cute and just the right size for the babies. I also love that they each have something that is specifically theirs and no one elses. I imagine this is important very for multiples!
Lauren
#25 And last but not at all least, there is no way in the world that we could survive without the UNBELIEVABLE, INDESCRIBABLE network of family and friends that surround us. The other things just make things easier, our family and friends make this all possible!
P.S.
It sure does seem like I'm missing something. I'll update if I ever come up with it. Did I mention our camera??? It gets used quite a bit!!!
UPDATE: I know something I forgot...BOOKS!!! Pretty much the second I start reading a book I can look up and all three babies are eagerly listening! Favorites include: Dr. Seuss, Baby Einstein, Eric Carle.