Dear Santa....

Dear Santa,

Mummy and Daddy have told us about Christmas. Apparently it's a time when we all celebrate the birth of another baby (not a twin) called Jesus and we also all get together to have lots of food (not sure what that is yet) and drink (we assume this is milk). Also Mummy and Daddy have told us that if we are very good and don't cry (much) and don't produce too many of THOSE nappies that you might like to give us some presents. We're told that you are a big furry man who likes to wear red and flies in the sky with big versions of Monty called reindeer!

If you are going to buy us some presents we have a few things in particular that we would like, so we thought we'd make a list for you to make it easier.....

http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-2492028/type-i/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003563/type-s/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003565/type-s/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003571/type-s/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003489/type-s/?item1=S105781B4&quantity=1&h_item=S105781B4&id=s0003489&type=s
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003461/type-s/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003492/type-s/
www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003170/type-s/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-755182701/type-i/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-7586827/type-i/
http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/product-s0003503/type-s/
http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/children/baby/2/5
http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/children/baby/2/1
http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/children/baby/2/3
http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/children/baby/3/2
http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/children/baby/4/2
http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/children/baby/6/2
http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=000000000001423045&Breadcrumb=children%2fchildrenbaby
Anything from Bobandblossom.com
http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=000000000001069582&Breadcrumb=children%2fchildrenbaby%2fBabyBoyClothing

Well maybe they are just ideas Santa, but really we'd be delighted with anything you would like to get us.

Mummy says we probably won't be able to see you , even though we will all probably be up all night with the feeding etc, Daddy did say that he, oops! sorry you really like something for your journey so we'll be leaving you some brandy and mince pies and some carrots for Rudy.

Safe journey Santa and we'll keep one eye open just in case.......

Love

Theo and Charlie
xx

Theo Smilie

I'm sure there's a smile there somewhere...

Another Weigh Day!

The Health Visitor came round for the last time yesterday. We have to go to the clinic fortnightly from now on (home visits would be so much easier!)

Theo now weighs 10lb 11oz and Charlie is 10lb 6oz.

The Professionals

We had some professional shots taken of the boys when they were 2 weeks old. Here's the complete set of pictures. Alternatively, click here to see them full screen.

Charlie Smilie

Proof that we do get the odd smile now and then. We'll get a shot of Theo smiling soon!

All Systems Go!

We went for Clair's six week check up with the consultant today. Remembering back to our last visit to the hospital, this one seemed so much more organised! We were out the door as quickly and smoothly as a well oiled machine now!

All was fine. He was happy with how she was healing and signed her off with a clean bill of health.

So now Clair can drive again!

Smile Please!

In the last few days, first Charlie and now Theo have started to smile! No, we're pretty sure it's not wind - it does seem to be an actual smile.

On the balance of things though, we'd be lying if we said they smiled more than they cried at the moment. Ho hum, the pressures of being a six week old baby....

Theo - Scan vs Real Life

Same for Theo as the post below for Charlie.

Charlie - Scan vs Real Life

We've been looking back at the 3d scan pictures that were taken of the boys back in July to see how they compare to the real deal. It's so obvious which was which!

Post-Feed Chillout

Here's a pic of the boys from today just after they've had a feed. Charlie is in the foreground (you'll see he's lost all his hair!)

Outgrown Already!

And the items of clothing that Theo and Charlie have outgrown is ALREADY piling up!

Not even six weeks old and the clothes with the 'newborn' tag are already disappearing from their wardrobe. It'll be the 'zero to 3 Months' lot at risk next. Not that there's any standard sizing at play here. All shops seem to be different.

Certificates of Birth..

...have arrived!

Which means we can register them with the doctors and start to claim child benefit! Which brings me on to another moan.

Did you know that regardless of whether your second child is born one year after the first or one minute, he /she is still classed as a second child and receives a lesser benefit amount than the first? Obviously the idea of the lower benefit is because you've already bought most of the big items you'd need (cot / pram / baby clothing etc.). Doesn't necessary work with multiples though does it and yet no allowance is made for this.

If you're interested, there is a campaign running here

Weigh Day!

The Health Visitor came calling today to weigh the boys.

Theo now weighs 9lbs 3oz and Charlie weighs 8lbs 13oz - which is a really good weight gain!

Teddy Bear Sandwich

BURCHELL Clair & Jon (50), originally uploaded by jonburchell.

The boys with a couple of their good friends....

Useful Things and Useless Things

We thought we'd compile a list of the most useful and useless things we've bought for the twins:

Useful Things

1. Moses Baskets - although we only used them for a grand total of two weeks (!) - they allowed us to have the boys in our room during those demanding first couple of weeks at home. It did mean they had to sleep separately though, but they didn't seem to mind!
2. Cotton Wool - and LOTS of it!
3. Changer and Plastic Changing Mat - Everything stored in one place - and get a plastic mat rather than a fabric one (for obvious reasons..)
4. Body support for bath - Very useful for bathing the boys safely.
5. Disposable Nappies - We had every intention of going green and using re-usable nappies from day one. With twins though, it really wasn't going to happen so we've swallowed our eco-pride and gone disposable (shame on us..)
6. A Small Notebook - To keep track of who has been fed what, when and for how long.
   
7. Avent Steriliser - This one in fact. Six bottles at a time, ready in six minutes - simple...
   
8. A ROUTINE! - We'd be floored without one - and we've needed to stick to it rigidly. We feed and bath them at the same time each day - and we think it seems to be working...
9. Easy fix bases for the car - These stay in the car, the car seat just clicks into place - job's a good'un!
10. Bouncy Chair - Where one baby goes whilst the other one is being attended to. Invaluable.
    

Useless Things

1. Virtually everything from Mamas and Papas - Yes it looks nice, yes it's all matching but cot sheets and baby grows that you can't tumble dry? C'mon! (ps. we do tumble dry them anyway and they are absolutely fine). We now understand why you only see 'mums-to-be' in their shops - existing Mum's know better!
   
2. Cot Bumpers - Like this one. Honestly, by the time the babies are big enough to be able 'bump' their head in the cot, they'll be about 10 years old!
3. Baby Grows that do up at the back - How do you change a screaming, wriggling baby when you can't lay him flat on his back? With difficulty, that's how...

Twins in the Belly.....

Now I don't remember them ever moving like this inside Clair.....

Back to Work

After what have undoubtedly been the busiest, most stressful, but above all the happiest four weeks of my life, today is the day I go back to work.

Up until now I've changed nappies, re-swaddled, dressed, fed, winded, washed, kissed and cuddled the boys at all times of the day and night. From today onwards though, that changes.

:-(

Theo and Charlie in Black and White

Theo and Charlie, originally uploaded by jonburchell.

We had some professional photos taken of the boys the other week. Here's one of our favourites.

Order Order!

Slowly but surely we're starting to get the boys into a bit of a routine.

Bedtime is around 7pm and they then wake for a feed at about 10pm. During the night, we're trying to get them to wake up at around 1am and 4am (together if we're lucky!) If they don't wake up together, then the night is really disrupted as effectively, we'll be awake at least four times!

They're much more alert now and staying awake much more between feeds. In the last few days they've also started to learn how to hold their heads up. Good boys! You'll be in school before you know it.....