Multiplicity Fall 2015 by Multiplicity Magazine

fall 2015

10 gifts

from the heart

boo!

shifting

personalities new ideas for

capturing memories how do reindeer fly?

special!

holiday gift guide www.multiplicitymag.com

multiplicity

the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

looking back and loving on! 6

When Personalities Shift

How Do Reindeer Fly? Balancing Magic with Honesty

Affordable Ways to Get Away with your Spouse

Holiday Gift Guide --- a few of our favorite things!

Working Out During Pregnancy

Paying it Forward: How One Family Gives Back

Capturing Your Every Day: Holiday Moments

Maternity Fashion on a Budget

Book Review

Tips for Staying Active in Winter

The Buzz...for fall!

Kid-friendly meals from Pinterest

Five Minute Fix

26 Boo x 2: Costumes for Twins!

How Having Twins Will Make You a Better You!

32 Spirit of the Season: Celebrate

HALT: Save Your Sanity

A Year to Remember

When it’s Time to Call the Doctor

Confessions of a Twin Dad

10 Appy Fall! 12 Holistic Healing from the Inside Out

15 The Dr. Is In: 5 Tips on Beating the Sugar Rush

16 What is Cradle Cap and How Do I Treat It?

18 Fashion Finds for Families 21 Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned from My Twins

22 10 Gifts from the Heart 24 Being Alone Doesn’t Mean You’re Lonely

a Heart of Giving

11 Tips to Keep Babies Safe

32 36

68 54

cover cuties This issue’s cover cuties are the 1st surviving set of American military quintuplets, 15 month olds Aurora, Briella, Delilah, Elias, and Felicity. Their big brother is Conner and their mom is currently expecting a surprise baby boy! No doubt, this mama stays busy, but is extremely blessed. You can follow the Hoffman Quintuplets on facebook.

photos courtesy of Cherise Kiel Photography

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It’s finally fall, which means that for those of us with school aged children, we’re hopefully in a routine of shuttling them to and fro, getting dinner on the table, the homework complete, and them bathed and in bed to do it all over again the next day! When no one else does, we see those lunches you put together each night once the kids drift off to sleep. We see those clothes you launder, fold and put away for them the next day, even when you haven’t had a minute to yourself. We see every truck, block, teddy bear and baby doll you put in its home (for at least the 10th time that day). For the parents with even younger twins, we even see the uneaten bowls of mashed bananas, the pitcher of formula you make to try and get ahead, or perhaps the ten million socks you just haven’t yet had the energy to mate. We see you and we hear you. It does get easier, even if not for a while (but don’t despair)! This time of year is great in that many of us get back into our schedules, but it’s also one of the busiest times of year. With extra holidays, perhaps extra travel, and certainly extra spending on gifts Natalie Diaz founder/publisher natalie@multiplicitymag.com

or food to entertain additional family members and guests, it’s no wonder we get less sleep, eat less healthy, and are less active, causing more anxiety and stress than any one person wants to deal with! We hope you’ll make time to relax with your families (or enjoy some “alone” time), and that you’ll take comfort in our surprising gifts to give. We have 10 gifts that cost little to nothing, but mean the world when given from the heart. For those looking to stay active despite the cold, we have some proven tips to keep you going (and some healthy recipes that even the pickiest of kids will approve!). Want amazing photos during this time of year? We’ve got you covered, plus some fashion ideas for coordinating the family, as well as ways to capture special memories year round. It’s great at the end of each year to look back and see all of the adventures and special times your family has shared. As always, we hope this issue gives you a few more tips to thrive on your journey of parenting multiples!

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Editor / Creative Director Talitha A. McGuinness Contributing Writers Kevin Zelenka Dr. Preeti Parikh Jennifer Parker Victoria Worch Cara Krenn Isabelle Lee Jessica Therivel Traci Zeller Kate Moncayo Prisha Lalwani Nellie Harden Angel Rodrigues Hindi Zeidman Vinod Lalwani Alyssa Keel Kerry Bergeman Kinan Copen Lonnie Somers Alisa Wyatt Carla O’Connell Twiniversity Content Mgr. Julie Burt Nichols Community Mgr. Deanna Burkett Special Projects Mgr. Lauren Oak Twitter Content Mgr. Kimmy Brogan Contact us: 141 Mulberry St. Apt. C-1 New York, NY 10013 917-442-2020 info@multiplicitymag.com www.multiplicitymag.com

Talitha A. McGuinness executive editor talitha@multiplicitymag.com

be sure to follow us on..

Publisher Natalie Diaz

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Multiplicity is published as a digital magazine four times per calendar year, with additional supplements as desired. Multiplicity cannot assume responsibility of statements made by advertisers. In addition, though hand-picked and carefully reviewed, Multiplicity cannot guarantee the accuracy of editorial pieces. No portion in whole or in part of this publication may be reproduced without express written consent from the publisher. Questions? Email talitha@multiplicitymag.com.

life may fail to be perfect, but it never fails to be beautiful. Take time to watch the leaves change.

happy fall

jekyll & hyde twins: when personalities begin to shift by jessica therivel

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Twins and their shared or distinctive personalities have captivated the attention of psychologists and scientists for decades. Wilder still is how there is still no proven reason why identical twins share so much of their genetic makeup, yet can switch personality traits with ease, often confusing those who use personality traits as markers to help identify them. While there are still some parents and even the general population at large, who treat identical twins as two versions of one person, we need to encourage individuality and expression in our multiples so their right to be recognized as a separate individual is respected. My fraternal girl/girl twins who I will call Twin A and Twin B have had different personalities from the very beginning. What is more interesting to me is that some of these personality traits have changed, whereas others have held firm. Twin A started off as being my louder, more vocal twin who would let you know she wanted your attention. She was also first to seek out attention and time with the big people in the room. When she was younger, she was more shy with strangers and other children while also being a little more hesitant about being left places like school or child care at the gym. Twin B as a baby was super mellow, did not cry much, was easy-going and did not put up much of a fight with her twin when she would lose a toy, snack, or parent to Twin A. As they got older, Twin B found her voice and became a non-stop chatterbox, knowing

no strangers, and talking to everyone. This at eight years old has remained an essential trait of her personality to the point where she has earned the nickname, “The Mayor”. Twin B also found her voice with Twin A and started to have opinions and put up a fight when there was something she cared enough about to fight for. This rocked Twin A’s world who was so used to taking what she wanted without any consequences from her sister. Twin A is now more quiet at school and projects a quiet, shy personality that is very different from her boisterous babyhood. For anyone who has twins or higher order multiples, the realization that these babies have different personalities is usually obvious very quickly, sometimes before you even leave the hospital. Studies in the past on identical twins raised apart showed high percentages of similarity on personality traits, but when scientists have tried to link a particular gene to a particular trait, there have been difficulties replicating the studies, regardless of race and/ or cultural background. Nature and nurture deals identical twins identical hands, yet study after study shoes them often ending up as dissimilar individuals. Dr. Michael Kraus with Psychology Today reports that the more likely answer is there are some genetic links within personality, but more likely, this is a complex relationship with clusters of genes being linked to clusters of personality traits rather than a one for one trade (Psychology Today, 2013). This multiplicity

is why identical twins are not identical people and are just genetically made the same. A common obstacle for parents of multiples is that by nature of their birth, the world can treat them as a matched set, not allowing for their individual personalities to be expressed. This is evident even with language choices. We have made a conscious effort from the beginning when referring to our two children together to call them “the kids” or “the girls” and have consciously stayed away from referring to them often as “the twins”. The girls sometimes have the same friends, but other times, have very different friends and like to play in different ways. To encourage their individuality, when one of the girls gets added on to an invitation just because of being a twin, not because they actually know the friend or classmate of their sister, I will decline the additional invite and spend some one-on-one time with her instead. I hope this reminds my twins that they are their own person and can have separate likes, dislikes, friends, and activities from their twin. When they were small, for the sake of my sanity and since they couldn’t express as easily what activities they liked or didn’t like, they did everything together --- gymnastics, dance class, soccer, art class, etc. Around the time of 1st grade, we started to get a better feel as parents for what activities held their interest and which activities worked well with that child’s skill set. As a result, we now have one third grader who --- contd. pg. 11

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how do reindeer f ly? balancing childhood magic with honest answers

by isabelle lee 8

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I like teaching my children. I love it when they ask me questions like “what makes a rainbow?” and “why do we have lips?” I encourage their natural curiosity and try to give them a simple grounding in science and nature. But sometimes come those slightly awkward questions, like “how do reindeer fly?” I was caught off-guard last year with this one, distracted by the bed-time mayhem, and at first answered “well, they can’t.” But when I saw their confused little wide-eyed faces looking up at me saying , “but how does the sleigh fly then?”, I realized my terrible mistake. I quickly backtracked. “Oh, you mean Santa’s reindeer. Oh, that’s something different. They have special magic.” And here-in lies that delicate dance parents have between teaching their children science, while allowing them a childhood filled with magic. I have taught my children about how drops of water bend the sunlight to make rainbows at the same time as telling them stories about pots of gold at the end of them. The incongruity of it isn’t lost on me, but I couldn’t possibly imagine bringing

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up my children without their believing in magic, Santa and the tooth fairy. It may be an inconsistent approach to teaching children, but one I stand by. I often ask myself...how do I draw the line? To which parts do I give the “honest” answer, and which parts do I allow them a little whimsy? Am I clouding their understanding, explaining on the one hand, that animals need wings to fly, while telling them Santa’s reindeer can do it without them? And, more importantly, are they going to start thinking they can defy gravity and fly without wings if they believe a little too readily in it? My answer? I make it up as I go along. I answer with science most of the time, and give them just a little magic, too. Learning the laws of nature, and knowing how to observe and understand the world around you is incredibly important. Equally so is believing in magic. It creates a world of possibilities and wonder, where stories are so vividly exciting just because you believe they might be true. It’s the birth of imagination. Science, logic, observation and inquiry are essential to our minds and to answering important questions about the world around us. I firmly believe that feeding and satisfying children’s natural curiosity is essential. Yet, imagination also has a very important place. We need it to come up with innovative ideas and new concepts. Most importantly, we need it because it’s fun. Believing in fairies, pixies and pots of gold are all part of developing that imagination.

I realize the balance between reality and magic has to shift... the whimsical answers won’t satisfy their questions. My son has a naturally scientific mind. He was already very logical at six years old. He questioned my “magical” answers very intently. He asked me outright whether Santa was real. I felt a little guilty at the time, but I told him a bare-faced lie...I couldn’t imagine having a six-year-old who didn’t believe in magic! I figured he would have his whole life to believe in science and the laws of physics, but the time to believe in magic is so precious and short, I kept it going as long as I could. As my twins get older, I realize the balance between reality and magic has to shift, as the whimsical answers won’t satisfy their questions. My son’s questioning at age six continued to grow into incredulity, so that when the question about Santa came again a few months ago, I felt that I needed to tell the truth. If I had continued with the deception, he would simply not have believed me anymore. I’d been on borrowed time since his first question, so I knew he was ready. When I told him, rather than being disappointed, he was happy to have worked out the truth himself, and to finally hear it confirmed. The added complexity with twins is that you may have one child noticing the holes in your explanations while the other still believes wholeheartedly. My daughter learned the truth sooner than she otherwise would have, something that multiplicity

upset me at the time. In fact, I need not have worried too much, as her lack of readiness and understanding shielded her. She simply went into denial soon after I told her. Her grasp on reason and logic has not developed enough yet to question magic, and so enables her to preserve her love of magic. She will stop believing when she is ready. Of course, this isn’t just about my children’s readiness, it’s also about mine. I tried to keep the magic alive because I wanted to give them the magical memories I had myself. I wanted to enjoy this precious and short-lived time of their childhood. Soon, the balance will shift entirely to giving answers firmly rooted in reality. For now, my daughter still needs that dose of magic; she loves making homes for fairies in the garden and believing she has seen the tooth fairy carry away her tooth. As for my son? Well, just the other day he asked “Exactly HOW does an egg start turning into a baby?” “Oh, magic,” came my inadequate answer. One step at a time… Isabelle is a delighted but exhausted stayat-home mom to seven-year-old twins; frequently bemused, often fascinated and perpetually behind schedule. Originally from the UK, she now lives with her husband and twins in California. You can follow her blog and on twitter at @ perplexedparent.

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appy fall

fun, educational apps for kids of all ages --and for mom and dad, too!

bright nest app Keep your home in great shape without breaking a sweat! BrightNest will help you tackle important home tasks with easyto-follow instructions, a personal schedule and helpful reminders. From basic maintenance to cleaning tricks to home decor ideas, we deliver everything you need to shape up your home and simplify your life. Bright Nest is a FREE ACCOUNT that includes a house profile with your personal goals (saving money, reducing clutter) and unique house attributes. It offers CUSTOMIZED TIPS based on your needs and your home’s unique traits to help you reach those goals. The app also helps you SCHEDULE TASKS when it’s best for you - next week, next month, whenever! BEst of all, Bright Nest REMINDS you when important things need to get done so you never forget. Plus, they’ll store all of your favorite projects and sync your schedule with your free account on www.BrightNest.com! 10

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for the preschool and under crowd Let your child embark on an adventure to Numberland with Tam and Tao! Each number is set in a beautiful scene where kids get to count and interact with the mountains, the trees, the birds, and even the stars. If your child can already count to more than 10, the app contains lots of fun activities to learn numbers in new languages. Learn with Homer is a learn-to-read app for kids ages 3 to 6 that incorporates drawing, voice recording, stories, songs, and more, along with more traditional phonics exercises. This app can be helpful for kids who have speech production issues and organization of language issues. for those 5 and up Doodle Find is a social hidden object game of a different sort. Unlike story or character-driven, hidden object games, Doodle Find is all about the pure thrill of the hunt. You just have a a bunch of random objects and a prompt at the top identifying your current target. Each game takes 90 seconds. With Noodle Words, kids join Stretch and Squish to play with 18 words. Each word animates in a fun way to demonstrate its meaning. They will see the word “dance” across the screen; watch as a plant spouts out of the word “grow” and giggle as the word “surprise” slinks away to sneak up behind the bugs. There are multiple animations, so kids can touch it repeatedly as they learn to read it. The brain-challenging fun of the classic puzzler game is even more exciting for kids on mobile devices, and the messy setup and clean-up hassle is eliminated. Rush Hour is a puzzle app where players must slide small cars around on a grid, moving only forward and backward, to create a path so that the red car can emerge out of this parking lot grid. Completing the puzzle is only half the goal. To get the best score, players need to do it with the fewest possible number of moves. Building a solar system with cups and papier-mache balls are in the past! Solar Walk is an interactive orrery that shows all planets and satellites of the solar system in their correct positions in real time. Navigate between planets, see their positions on a specific date, explore how they move and why. You will see the entire Milky Way galaxy from afar and zoom in to study all the planets and satellites.

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contd. --- jekyll & hyde plays soccer, rides horses, and is participating in a running program while competing in triathlons. We have another third grader who rides horses, does yoga, participates in a drama class, and also participates in the running program.

it’s no

surprise...

As you can see, there is some overlap, but also some clear differences. This separation and encouragement of their individual strengths and interests also allows each twin to root on her sister in something she herself is not competing in, whether it is Twin B cheering on Twin A at soccer or a triathlon, or Twin A clapping loudly for Twin B’s performance as the Little Red Hen in her school play. It’s also notable that children’s at-home personalities and school personalities may or may not be the same. The old saying, “kids are typically better behaved for others than they are for their parents” rings true, but with regard to twins, they can react and respond differently depending on the person in charge, the environment, etc. This phenomenon is something for which many parents need to prepare as kids start school. It takes a lot of effort and concentration for kids that are pleasers to be so good at school. When that child comes back home to a family he or she knows loves no matter what, the child can sometimes test limits and push back more than in other settings with teachers, camp counselors, friends, etc. It may also be a good idea to frequently check in with teachers for insight into how the children are behaving at school and what personality traits are coming through in that setting. Parents may have to make the decision at some point on whether different schools altogether are needed to meet the needs of each child and have him or her in a setting that fits their personality. No doubt, the bond between multiples is something very special. It is our job as parents to nurture that bond, but remind them of their individuality. Let them develop into their own wonderful, separate human beings, even if they choose to share some or none of each other’s personalities. multiplicity

You’re such a great support and we want to honor you! We love how much you help other moms, so thanks to our sponsor, MAM, we will be honoring you throughout the year with a trip to the spa.

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holistic healing: healing from the inside out by nellie harden

will start this article by saying that I do believe there is a purpose to conventional western medicine and I have been very thankful for it in my life many times. Not only for â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;?, but for the doctors that have taken their time to devote their lives to the health, recovery and lives of so many. That being said, I too, see that we are living in a world where the pendulum has swung too far over to the side and, in many cases, is plain stuck. But, as time always has a way of circling back (even with trends like bell bottom pants!), so does the realization that medicine may not be the full answer to all health and medical ailments as traditionally thought. It may just be that our bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to heal itself BEFORE the ailment, sickness or disease is started is far more effective than trying to heal with modern medicine ever could be. The holistic health and healing train has been chugging along for longer than any of us have ever been around. The 20th century was exciting in the development of medicines, machines and humanity trying to take the reins, yet in all of this development, came an onslaught of trouble, as well. A case of too much, too fast, of

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a good thing that got out of hand...quickly. As a culture, we started putting things to market about which we didn’t fully understand, especially with regard to the long-term effects of medicines on our bodies. Countless drugs have been recalled, synthetic “vitamins” are now heavily warned against by many institutions. “Multivitamins are, at best, a waste of money, Johns Hopkins doctors say” are the headlines we are reading now after decades of pushing nearly 85% of Americans onto these laboratory imposters. Machines have caused the waste we were not ready for and our soil cannot produce nutrient content of our vegetation at even half the richness of 50 years ago because of population growth, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, GMOs etc. We have some serious problems and they are showing in our CDC statistics, and everything from diabetes, birth defects, genetic disorders, heart disease, cancer, and childhood disease is on the rise. The tides are turning now, thankfully, and the holistic health revolution is booting up and is being rediscovered in this generation. Moms and dads are starting to question why their children suffer from allergies that weren’t around 20 years ago. They are learning more about the food we eat and where it comes from, and more importantly, how it plays a role in our energy, our stress reactions, and our overall health. The science is now beginning to

determine that our bodies are not as black and white, yes and no, on and off as we once thought. Our bodies are the most intricate organic machines ever in existence, and humanity has merely scratched the surface as to how to heal them naturally. Your body, your child’s body, is a network of pathways from the gross anatomy to the endocrine, lymphatic, circulatory, nervous systems and more, and every system interacts with the others. This is why drugs that effect one system and may help in some way have detrimental effects on others. It is the butterfly effect in unchartered waters.

moms and dads... are learning more about the food we eat and where it comes from, and more importantly, how it plays a role in our energy, our stress reactions, and our overall health. My family personally experienced this very thing when my husband went through drug after drug with his heart condition back in 2008. His heart didn’t heal multiplicity

from the drugs. The symptoms were paralyzed under the band aide of a little white tablet for 4-6 hours at a time, but his liver and kidneys were unknowingly being damaged. Over time, we had to stop the medication and the only answer was surgery or we could lose him from liver and/or kidney failure in his early 30’s. That wasn’t going to happen on my watch! The answer is simple; in fact, it’s so simple that we thought for so long in our science and technology-fueled world that it couldn’t possibly be it. Want to know the big secret? Make your body strong. Make your body so strong that it can heal itself, even before the sickness and disease comes on. Do your part as an adult and as a parent to protect and retain your health by knowing what you eat, handling how you react to stress, your environment, your sleep patterns, drinking water and increasing your movement. This is the basis of holistic healing --- healing from the cellular level out, instead of taking something in to band aide or change something for which we do not ultimately understand the full consequences. Trust what we have. This amazing body was created to live and survive when given the right things to do just that. We just have to take care of it. Rather than thinking if it as a quick fix or knowing to eliminate certain things from your diet, holistic health is actually an approach to life. Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, holistic health considers the whole person and

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how they interact with their environment. It emphasizes the connection of mind, body, and spirit. Research shows that over 70% of the reasons people go to the doctor today are stress related. 70%! With both parents working more now than ever before, children in school for longer hours and being tested every other day, everyone feeling the pressure to do more, buy more and produce more, there’s no wonder the majority of American people feel so sick and tired all of the time. My daughter had bowel issues related to her stress and her twin sister has inflamed bronchioles when she cries too much causing near asthmatic symptoms. My husband’s heart condition acts up more when stressed and recently, I had a breast lump that showed up in the middle of a very stressful time and the first thing the doctor asked me was if I had been stressed lately. When the stress went away, because of active work on my part to calm myself, the lump went away. We cannot live our lives in the flight sequence of fight or flight all the time. It will, no doubt, inevitably kill us. We need to treat the whole body, early, knowingly and purposefully. There will be times that drug intervention is imminent and necessary, but not every time. After my husband’s heart surgery, we turned our wellness around to being preventative rather than reactive. We wanted to help things NOT happen to the best of our ability so that we could live full, productive, amazing, thriving lives all the while. We 14

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started eating real food and lots of it. When it comes to real food, abundance, variety and consistency are imperative. While yes, it may cost more to eat healthy, you will see a return by not investing so much money in doctor visits and medicines that we have come to rely so heavily on. Rest, stress control, exercise and activity, drinking water, and finding balance and freedom are all key to holistic health, too. This notion became so important to my family that I changed careers over it and now help others find their way. It is exciting to see a tide of holistic health interest rolling in from so many mothers and fathers, health professionals and even children. 1,2, and sometimes 3 generations have been grandfathered into the “I feel sick, take a pill and fix it” mindset and it has to change. It is changing. Holistic Health is full-bodied intentional health from every vantage point in order to protect and heal the whole body. That is the health I want to see in my family and yours. Nellie has been married to her best friend for 14 years and is a mom of four little, amazing, girls. In addition to being a homeschooling mama, she works with families, schools and corporations to inspire healthy living around the world through good nutrition practices and growing whole foods. She also enjoys writing about all of life’s adventures on her blog. You can connect with her on facebook, twitter and pinterest.

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more on holistic healing... If you’re looking at starting down this path, here are a few easy places to begin. While it can easily become overwhelming, just change one thing at a time, and know that your and your family’s health will benefit. *find an internist to help you understand and treat your whole being *rule out nasty chemicals when cleaning --- look at making your own home cleaners that work just as well. Want better laundry detergent? Click here for an easy DIY recipe! *eat cleaner --- start by ruling out processed foods (i.e. anything in a box is a good bet to stear clear of). Also, read the labels. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient or if it has more than 7, look for a clearner version. 100 Days of Real Food’s Lisa Leake took her entire family on this journey. See how she did it! *make time for activity --join a gym with the family, get the kids engaged in sports or find a running club, but you’ll see amazing results in everyone’s overall stress relief and health. *look to alternatives like essential oils to help soothe and heal (i.e. lavender is great for calming and healping heal simple scrapes and bruises).

the dr. is in:

tips on beating the sugar high

by dr. preeti parikh

With fall here, we are nearing many “sweet” holidays in the next couple of months. This means lots of fun activities and perhaps, extra family time, but also means more opportunities for our kids to have sugar and extra treats. Here are a few tips to keep it all in check!

3. Start the morning off right. Avoid sugary cereals and pastries by offering oatmeal and sweetening it with cinnamon or honey and fresh fruit.

1. Try not to give juices or sports drinks because water is the best source for hydration. However, I also understand that moderation is key, so dilute the juices and/or keep it to the following:

If you take care to provide the extra treats sparingly and reduce the sugar intake gradually, your children will get used to things not being too sweet. Before you know it, they won’t put up too much of a fight at all.

a) For 1-4 year olds, no more than 4-6 ounces of juice per day. b) For 7-18 year olds, no more than 8-12 ounces of juice per day. 2. If you insist on serving or offering dessert, try to give fruits instead of cookies, homemade items where you can control the ingredients

and limit the sugar content, or you can even offer frozen greek yogurt popsicles instead of the traditional sugary popsicles.

4. Limit processed foods that have a lot of hidden sugars. A nice tip is to try to keep sugars at less than 10g (check the labels!). 5. When making smoothies, try to use really ripe fruits (i.e. bananas, strawberries, etc.) or natural sweeteners like honey to sweeten the smoothies instead of sugar.

Dr. Preeti Parikh is a board-certified pediatrician, an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Pediatrics Department at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson. She holds degrees from Columbia University, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and has completed post graduate training at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She serves as the Chief Medical Editor of HealthiNation, a medical expert on thebump. com, medical contributor to Multiplicity Magazine and has contributed to various other publications. Her goal is to empower both parents and children with the right knowledge and tools to achieve their optimal health. She enjoys her free time with her husband and twin children. multiplicity

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my twins have cradle cap? what it is and how to treat it

by prisha lalwani 16

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From the moment I discovered I was carrying twins, the world would never be “NORMAL” for me again! From the uncomfortable later stages of pregnancy, to the time after birth, everything seemed like a weird frenzy. However, when I delivered my little ones, the awe of their sweet little selves filled my heart with inexpressible joy. That awe broke pretty soon, by that little unknown something on baby A’s scalp. We rushed to our pediatrician and learned that it was something commonly known as Cradle Cap. so what is cradle cap? Unlike its name, it is not developed from putting your baby in the cradle. Cradle Cap or Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis is a layer on a certain patch of the center of the head, with a thick, oily, as well as flaky bump. In some babies, the patch is dry instead of oily and has flakes like that of dandruff. It can appear as a thick crusting of yellow or white scales. Sometimes, these scales can appear on the eyes, ears, nose and even groin area.

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Though it looks like something you might want to get rid of right away, it actually does not cause any harm on its own. Unlike eczema, Cradle Cap is not itchy and does not cause any discomfort to your babies. It is also a very common phenomenon, so it is nothing to fret about or to feel as if you’re not keeping your babies clean. what causes cradle cap? The exact cause of Cradle Cap is not known, but it is definitely not caused by poor hygiene conditions or allergies. However, Cradle Cap is believed to have been caused by the sebaceous glands or oil glands in the baby’s scalp. These glands produce an oily secretion known as sebum. All babies have these oil glands, but in the case of my Baby A, these oil glands gave out excessive secretions due to the hormones he retained in his body from mine during the pregnancy. It is also not communicable, so if one of your twins has it, it may be that the other either does or does not --- it isn’t contagious. For all twin moms who have survived one virus or another with your little ones, we all know what a relief that is! If your other twin develops it too, it is probably because his/her sebum glands started secreting excessive sebum as well, or it may be something else, but it is definitely not acquired from his/her twin. what to do if your twins have cradle cap My doctor noticed that I had been scratching his head and pulling apart the flakes that came out, and he made sure I never repeated that mistake again. He mentioned that it was one of the worst things to do, as it could only harm my baby. Avoid the temptation to scratch it with an intention to completely remove the oily or flaky patch from your baby’s head. Scratching your baby’s skin or scalp can lead to possible infection or worse. A few of the tips that worked out for me were: *Be patient. Trust me, there is no rushing Cradle Cap. Being patient will also help you with any other issue your babies may be facing. *Wash your baby’s head often with a mild shampoo, but no more than once a day. Overwashing will leave your baby’s scalp and hair excessively dry. After you have shampooed their hair, gently comb with a very soft baby comb or brush to release some of the flakes. DO NOT multiplicity

brush harshly in order to remove as much as you can … just brush away a little bit at a time. *You can also try using some natural oils like almond oil or olive oil. Some parents have sworn to the success of coconut oil, as well. For this method, take some oil and gently massage your baby’s scalp with it for a few minutes. After the massage, gently comb his/her hair to remove any flakes. Post massage and combing, ensure that you give the baby a bath. The shampoo will help remove the oil during rinsing, as leftover oil can worsen the situation of Cradle Cap by clogging pores. Hence, we want all of it out as quickly as possible. *Some parents found success using shampoos that were specifically formulated for Cradle Cap. However, the effects of one of the medicated shampoos I tried were just the same as the regular baby shampoo. Also, always check with your doctor before using any medicated products on your baby, or if any of the suggested products do not seem to work out for you. In the case where only one of your twins has Cradle Cap, you need not use the treatment for both twins. As I said earlier, the complete removal and disappearance of Cradle Cap takes some time. My advice is to repeatedly follow the process as outlined above, and slowly and gradually it will completely disappear, as Cradle Cap is just one of those features some newborns are born with but grow out of within a few months. when should you visit the doctor? Removal of flakes by scratching and pulling, will only cause harm to the scalp of the baby and may lead to development of infections in that area of the scalp. You can identify any possible infection by noticing if the area gets itchy or changes color, or the patch gets denser and changes in texture. At this point, it may be wise to contact your doctor for a visit. A visit to the doctor is also important if the patches like that of Cradle Cap seemingly travel to other parts of the head, back, hands, or any other part of the body, for that matter. Sometimes, other skin infections like eczema also occur in conjunction with Cradle Cap. In such a case, too, it is advised to consult your baby’s pediatrician for treatment and next steps. the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

FASHION FINDS for festive families

by talitha a. mcguinness 18

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When putting together family outfits for photographs or special events, look at a few key basics to balance any prints you use. For example, put mom and dad in solids, saving the florals or other prints for the kids. However, mom can easily add some fun with accessories or a pair of leopard print shoes. On the flip side, as long as you carefully coordinate colors, you can pair a few different prints and patterns throughout the family. Solids like gray, navy and browns are always a safe bet in keeping everyone balanced.

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everything i ever needed to know...

i learned from my twin toddlers

by kevin zelenka

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his was an interesting week in our house. Actually every week is an interesting week when you’re dealing with 2.5 year old twin boys. While spending quality time playing the “alphabet game” before bed (I hold up a Sesame Street foam puzzle piece with a letter on it, and they take turns shouting out what ABC it is), I got to thinking about everything they’ve learned in the last couple of years. I’m amazed every day by something new they’re experiencing. What made this week different than others is that I actually took a few moments to stop and realize that not only are my boys learning by leaps and bounds, but they are also teaching me a thing or two about life. Ah, yes…the teacher becomes the student. These are the 5 very important things that I’ve found my sons have taught me.

it’s ok to be frustrated

Frustration is something that’s pretty common in a two year-old’s world. Now that they are completely mobile, all they want to do is get out and explore --- to go where no man (or at least their brother) has gone before. This is usually exactly where they are not welcome. Add to this the fact that we only understand about 40% of what they are trying to say to us in this strange mix of English and gibberish, and you’ve just mixed up two major ingredients in the pot we like to call “The Meltdown.” Sometimes a calm voice and a little understanding is all that’s needed to make a situation go from Defcon 5 to giggles and smiles again. I know that frustration often runs both ways, and have found that the calm voice often works just as well on me. I’m finding that a couple of deep breaths and finding that understanding often leads to me giggling right along with them.

sometimes, you just have to say no

Don’t you just hate that word? No, you can’t pull the dog’s tail. No, you can’t have pudding until you eat your green beans. No, you can’t crack open that bottle of wine on a Tuesday at 2:00 in the afternoon. Toddlers hate the word, but it’s a necessary evil. We’ve all seen the children at the grocery store who don’t hear the word often enough. Sometimes I’ve found that we, as adults, need to multiplicity

tell ourselves that word more frequently. No, I’m not going to do laundry this very second. Instead, I am going to sit down and see just how high we can build that tower of blocks. I’ve learned that telling myself “No” often comes with great rewards.

you don’t always have to be focused

We all know that toddlers have an attention span of…look, there’s a bird. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to get through a book when there are so many distractions, and at 2, EVERYTHING is a distraction. Do you want to know a secret? Distractions are o.k. Sometimes you learn that the book just isn’t worth finishing, and it took a person under the age of three to make you realize it.

“thank you” is one of the most special phrases

It was very important to my wife and I to make sure that our boys learn how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. It seems trivial to some, but those two little words really do make a difference. Now that they are really in the habit of saying it, one of the hardest things to remember when a little voice tells you thanks is to respond with “you’re welcome”. Those words can be life-changing.

any time is a good time for a hug

Whether it be a scraped knee or a bruised ego, a hug fixes it, but sometimes, there is nothing more powerful than an unsolicited hug from a toddler. The other day I was reading the newspaper after breakfast, and a story about things going on in the world around us had me pretty deep in thought. All of a sudden, I felt a hand on my knee, and I moved the paper to find Carter trying to ask me a question in gibberish. I folded up the paper, put it on the end table beside me, and put him on my lap. Then, out of the blue, he curled right up next to me and gave me one of the best hugs. I already knew that I couldn’t solve all of the world’s problems sitting there in my chair in the living room, but a little hug by one of the three most important people in my life reminded me that it was all going to be alright.

Kevin is a freelance writer and the stayat-home father of fraternal twin toddlers. He enjoys spending time with his wife and sons, attending meet-ups with other dads, and an occasional round of golf. He can be found in the kitchen making lunch and mindlessly singing cartoon theme songs, or on his blog where he shares stories about the struggles and triumphs of raising twins. the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

surprising gifts to give from the heart

by angel rodrigues

iving a gift from the heart can be just as exciting for the gift giver as it is the gift receiver. Here are the top 10 surprising gift ideas that everybody should have on their go-to list for great gifts that come with a surprise. 1) Jar of homemade apple butter with the recipe for them to make it later Apples are full of antioxidants and are helpful in warding off winter colds. Add to them the homeopathic goodness of cinnamon and nutmeg, and you have a delicious spread. This gift isn’t only yummy, it shows you care about the person’s well-being and simply smells like love in a jar. Be sure to provide the recipe for them to make later, and perhaps even consider pairing it with fresh-baked bread from your local bakery for an added touch. 2) Collage photos of the kids It is super cheap to buy wooden frames from an art store that can be painted, have hot-glued objects placed on them, and mod-podged like crazy! Display photos of the kids throughout the year to share your year’s journey. Each year after this gift, send a new collage of photos for

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that past year to be fitted into that frame. It’s a gift that renews every year! 3) Seed cards One of the greatest inventions since the dawn of Hallmark cards, are seed cards. Easy to make yourself or to buy in a store, these great cards have gardening seeds made into the paper fabric fibers of the cards. Write your happy birthday, happy anniversary and happy holiday wishes, but with a little note instructing the receiver to plant the card in a garden or pot. This gift keeps on giving and is great for the Earth, too! 4) Your time Making a box filled with coupons of things to do with a loved one is a great way to say “I love you” and love spending time with you. A quick easy way to make this great gift is to use an empty box of tissues. Cover and decorate the box or buy one of those already decorated boxes that are super cute. Next, you’ll need some paper and colorful pens or markers. Create slips of paper that can be folded, with great ideas like “bake cookies together,” or “tell made-up ghost stories in the dark under a blanket” or even “enjoy a walk in the evening after

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dinner.” There really isn’t any limit to this gift from the heart. 5) A scrapbook Do you think it will take up too much time? Maybe cost too much? This awesome gift from the heart can surprise you with not only how cost effective it can be, but how little time it can take to make an awesome gift from the heart. Online services like Shutterfly and even Snapfish help anybody make a creative gift, allowing the user to completely customize the book, picking from hundreds of templates and layouts to tell your story. Dig around online a little and you will find you probably can create your first book for free (minus the cost of shipping, which is approximately $5). Shutterfly also uses their money for a lot of charity work, so not only are you creating a gift from the heart, your gift is giving so much more. 6) An app (or a list of apps) No matter what the person is into, finding a bundle of apps to give is a great way to say “I love you”. It is super easy to just go and buy an Amazon gift card, but that can come across as unfeeling and lazy. However, if you give that gift card to iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, or any other tech app store for a loved one with a list of apps they can use that you researched and put thought into how the apps can improve their lives, it says so much more. This goes even further if you’re able to pair the gift card and list of apps to a much-desired tech device like a Kindle, Galaxy Tablet, or iPad. 7) Memberships These are a great way to share a service you already love with

a loved one. Whether it is a friend that wants to join a gym, but can’t justify getting the membership, or a friend who loves books, but doesn’t know if Audible services is for them, buying a membership to services for someone can be not only a great surprise, but a gift that lasts and is easily renewable. A paid membership can be one of the best gifts that no one anticipates. 8) Recipes or a Cookbook Does your family have a family member or two with great family recipes? Creating a binder of recipes passed down through the family is a great way to surprise all the family members who would love to know Aunt Betty’s recipe for Blueberry Dumpling Pie. With the purchase of a few three ring binders, one master copy of all the recipes, and copies made for each binder, this personalized gift from the heart is giving more than just recipes; you’re gifting a future family heirloom. As valuable as the antique items in grandma’s cabinet of treasures, this recipe collection brings love, treasures and perhaps even cherished memories to each recipient. 9) Collection of songs Nothing brings a person back to their childhood like a mixed tape of songs that reminds you of some good times or has a meaning behind the song selections. Today’s society can be creative with their mixed tapes and put them on a CD, an iPod, or Spotify playlist and given as a gift. It’s so easy to come up with a theme to perhaps ask someone to marry you, have a baby, buy a new house, invest in 401K...the possibilities are endless! Surprise parents with multiplicity

a mix of songs about getting into your top choice college or to announce a choice you’ve made to backpack through Europe. Song selections can open up a heart and mind, and are easy on the budget. Best of all? The songs will make them think of you or a special memory every time they listen. 10) Breakfast in bed Breakfast is never a bad idea for anybody, but breakfast in bed? Even better! Whether it is Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a new mom, a sick relative or friend, breakfast in bed says I care about your well-being and wanted to surprise you by treating you to something so simple, but decadent. Everything from smoothies and pancakes, to omelets, muffins and pastries, breakfast in bed is a creative way to give a gift from the heart, complete with fresh squeezed orange juice and possibly even some slightly burnt toast. If you really want to surprise someone with how much they mean to you, give breakfast in bed complete with a song selection made from a gift card for iTunes and an app with a countdown until the next special occasion in their life. Combo gifts can be the best! Angel has a feminist brain, a thirst for knowledge, and writing is her dirty little secret. She is mom to a 7 year old, 4 year old busy twin boys, and a 2 year old independently spirited young lady. She has been married to the best man on earth for over 14 years and is kept alive by coffee. You can follow her blog or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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being alone...

doesn’t mean you’re lonely

When I was in high school, most of my brainpower was spent on socializing. One teacher often referred to me as “AT&T” because I always was on the phone. I got in trouble for passing notes daily. My best friends and I started a club based around the cracker Chicken in a Biscuit just to have another excuse to get together. Like most teenagers, we craved that constant contact. It was our lifeblood, the very thing that kept us going. But then we grew up and everything changed. For me it started out slowly. Figuring out that the life of a writer required solitude and that these days spent in the company of only my thoughts and my coffee were about to become normative. I learned that this was how to get work done, and thus my whole life began to follow suit. The phone ringing became an unwelcome intrusion and calls were sent to voicemail. I was no longer a walking advertisement for AT&T and I didn’t mind it one bit. Alas, this blissful time in my life was just a layover. Because I was completely ignorant, when I found out I was pregnant with identical twins, I didn’t think my life would need to change all that much. I pictured continuing on as I had been, but with maybe one baby strapped to my chest and another asleep at my feet under my desk, like the dog. As it turned out, two newborns at once were not, perhaps unsurprisingly to some, very conducive to coffee drinking or the quiet, but often reckless

by kinan copen 24

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process of creative thinking. Neither baby liked being worn. Certainly no one was interested in cuddling at my feet with the dog. Suddenly, life didn’t stop. There was no pause button, no way to send it all to voicemail. I felt overwhelmed, suffocated and more than just a little lost in my new role as a working mom. I devoured countless articles on how to make time for myself as a new mom. On how important it was to see friends, take a girl’s weekend, get a manicure, the gist being, “get out of the house and away from your baby.” Was this the key? Would this bring me back to myself? Recharge my depleted batteries? Despite my utter exhaustion, I forced myself to once again join the human race. I went to dinner with friends. I got a manicure with my mother-in-law. I got a sitter and ran errands all by myself and then sat at Starbucks and watched the world go by. Yet, I didn’t feel any better. Instead of being fun, these outings felt like more items on my endless “to-do” list. The task completed, but ultimately not satisfying. I realized I didn’t want to reconnect with the world. What I wanted was to disconnect. I made what felt like a revolutionary discovery. I could stay home. Alone. Instead of making plans to go out, I would make plans to stay “in,” and send everyone else “out.” I’d never been alone in my house. We moved in right after the boys were born and that’s just how it had been.

Suddenly, the idea of simply being home by myself with no kids, husband or visitors seemed exactly like what I was seeking for my reprieve. The next time the sitter came, I ditched my standard routine of leaving to run errands, exercise, or go write in a coffee shop. I loaded my toddlers into their stroller, packed a picnic lunch and sent the three of them to the park while I stayed behind. I was so happy I almost wept tears of joy. There was something very liberating in making the decision to stay home and do nothing, all by myself, in my own space. I finally felt like myself again. I also started meditating, which is like the extrastrength dosage of what I like to call my “restorative solitude.” I’m nowhere near good enough to do it with the kids in the house. I can tune out my husband my dog, and Roomba, but I can’t seem to completely turn off that mommy radar. Sometimes when I’m home alone, I’ll set a timer, sit down, close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing for just ten minutes. It’s like a reset button for the soul. I can’t recommend it enough. My boys are four now and finally in preschool (which for all you mommies of new babies, is a total game changer). School guarantees that after a weekend full of kids and parties and kids’ parties, come Monday, I’ll get a good stretch of time all to myself. If your multiples are still a ways out from multiplicity

school, this is the time to enlist your partner, lover, sister, brother, mother, father, babysitter and/ or generous friend to take those cherubs of yours on a long, long walk to anywhere but where you are. I once read that a good way to judge where you fall on the introvert/extrovert continuum is to look at what situations make you feel most energized. People tending towards extroversion recharge by being social while people who tend towards introversion do so by being alone. When I was 16 and “AT&T,” I definitely felt energized by talking on the phone or hanging out with friends. As a new parent, I found the opposite to be true. Embracing that solitude has enhanced the quality of my life. Of course, I’m well aware that in the near future I will long for these days. I will lie awake in bed waiting for my teenaged boys to come home safe. I will re-earn my old moniker, checking my phone every minute, waiting for their calls or text messages, yearning for them to need me like they do now. I’m positive I’ll desperately wish to be back here, covered in boys and dirt. In the meantime, I’m going to sit on my couch and enjoy the silence. Kinan is a screenwriter and journalist living in Venice Beach, CA who writes for screens large and small, and has freelanced for ESPN: The Magazine and various online publications. She’s the mom of identical twin boys as well as a ferocious terrier-dachshund. You can catch up with her on her blog and on twitter.

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BOO X 2 costumes for twins & more!

Peter Pan

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& Wendy

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make it a family affair..

princess leia &

R2D2 28

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little

Madelines

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ROBIN HOOD

& Maid Marian

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luigi

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photograph courtesy of twin dragonfly designs

mario &

t’s every parent’s dream to raise a perfect child. What perfect is, is in the eye of the beholder of course. To me, it is raising children that will be a positive influence in the world. With that comes kindness, intelligence, and peace inside, among everything else wonderful.

spirit of the season:

celebrating a heart of giving

Last year, our little girls were turning into the opposite of positive influences. With little sisters suddenly paying close attention to them, it was more important than ever to monitor their actions so that I wasn’t suddenly stuck breaking the habits of four stubborn girls. We started a “Coins of Waste” project which has been a huge success in our family. We have a jar along with a list of items and how much they cost if wasted. For example: dumping a glob of tooth paste into the sink will cost the girls 3 coins. The coins go into the “Coins of Waste” jar. It taught our girls that they need to be more conscientious of their footprint. It taught them to avoid waste whenever possible.

by kerry bergeman

We took this project a step further by taking all the coins they “wasted” and having them buy gifts for those less fortunate for the holidays. I thought for sure we would get push back, but instead we found it filled them with pride. They wanted more money from me and they even took some of their own money in order to buy more gifts. They debated about how to get the most gifts with the funds they had and they even made sure they had a variety so all kids had a choice. This summer, my husband built them a lemonade stand called “The Suga’ Tree,” named after our dog we rescued. Some of the money they earn goes back to the Humane Society. There was push back here because they were receiving money and that was exciting. 32

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the suga’ tree

These situations have taught them valuable lessons. They learn about waste, therefore saving us money and making their ‘global footprint’ smaller. They learn about those less fortunate and how good it feels to know a little girl or boy will be beaming on Christmas morning because they cared and made a difference. They learn how to market to those passing by their stand on the benefits of lemonade in order to give a little to all the homeless animals. Just recently, when I thought we still had some work to do on understanding the act of giving, I was surprised by the girls when they handed me two very large bags of stuff ranging from clothes to toys and books. I noticed some beautiful clothes and much loved toys in these bags, but they assured me this was the right thing to do and that Santa would bring them more.

It wasn’t for a few days that my daughter said, “Mom! I’m out of underwear and socks.” How was that possible I thought; this girl has plenty of both? Apparently, those were among the items that she donated. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized how many items she gave away and when I tried to explain that she needs to make sure she keeps enough so that she can stay properly clothed, she said, “but I get new stuff all the time.”

Hmm...was she spoiled or just generous? I certainly don’t think I buy her too much, but then again, hand-me-downs to a child is new in her eyes. They are slowly learning to give back and that makes my heart swell with pride.

have an animal rescue operation like this! The Gentle Barn recues, rehabilitates and gives sanctuary to severely abused animals. The kids interact with the animals to learn kindness, compassion and confidence.

This winter, we are distributing flyers in the neighborhood promoting that we will be collecting donations for those less fortunate like our military and the Humane Society. We will leave a box by our mailbox and neighbors can leave what they wish. We will collect and distribute accordingly weekly or when needed.

3. planting peace

We try and give more at the holidays, but it might be easier to spread the generosity throughout the year. And that is one thing my girls have taught me; if you have time, if you have things, just give it! If you’re not sure where to start, here is a list of some great, lesser known, but fascinating charities you might consider learning more about and making a donation:

1. saving isaac

While currently not an actual charity, this little boy’s story is breathtaking. He has Esophageal Atresia and had well over 20 surgeries by the time he was 3 years old. He is now a strong 6 year old boy who continues to fight daily to live. He is a personal buddy and I want to help his family fight to keep him alive. Learn more here.

2. the gentle barn It is my dream to one day multiplicity

This is a global nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of spreading peace in a hurting world. Their projects focus primarily on humanitarian aid and environmental initiatives, a network of orphanages and safe havens, and conservation efforts in the rainforests of Peru.

4. newborns in need

This is a beautiful organization making sure that every baby has what it needs to start off his/her world right. That can be helping a teen mom or distressed parent, homeless family, or whatever is needed.

5. project night night

Providing free night-night packages to homeless children from birth to pre-teen who need childhood essentials to have a concrete and predictable source of security and increased exposure to high-quality literacy materials during this time of upheaval. Each package contains a new security blanket, an age appropriate children’s book and a stuffed animal.

6. camp kesem

We often forget about the ones not physically fighting, but the ones watching and directly affected by the fight. Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, --- contd. pg. 73

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11 simple

tips to keep your babies safe by hinde zeidman

A child’s safety is of utmost importance to all parents. As a new parent, you are typically aware of baby safety basics, such as covering outlets with safety plugs when they begin crawling, always using a car seat, putting babies to sleep on their back, and keeping medications out of their reach. Yet, there are many other safety tips that are lesser known, but are just as important. In celebrating Baby Safety month, here are my top tips for keeping your babies safe: *Keep magnets out of reach --- small magnets may seem harmless, but can easily be swallowed by babies and young children. When a magnet enters a child’s body, it can cause significant internal damage. If you believe your child may have swallowed a magnet, seek medical attention immediately. *Be aware of recalled baby products --- one of the top ten hidden hazards in the home are recalled products. Check items you already have, especially second-hand items, and visit www.recalls.gov to make sure the items have not been recalled. This is also a great site to visit on occasion to stay on top of items that you use over your babies’ stages of growth (believe it or not, they won’t always fit in those car seat carriers!). *Prevent tipovers --- tipovers of furniture in the home are a leading cause of injury 34

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to children. Items such as dressers, TVs and bookshelves should be tightly secured to the wall to prevent a tipover from occurring. Most big box, hardware and baby stores sell special hardware that makes this process fairly easy. With some hardware and a little of your time, this common childhood injury could be completely avoidable. *Store away liquid dishwasher/laundry packets --- each year, thousands of children are exposed to and injured from liquid dishwasher and laundry packets. Due to their small size and bright, colorful packaging, they can be perceived as candy. These small pods pose a risk to eyes and if ingested. Consider cabinet locks in your kitchen to keep these and other potentially harmful cleaning products out of the reach of your children. *Be mindful of family pets --- even typically gentle family pets can react the wrong way and injure a baby. A majority of dog bites occurring to babies and young children are done by the family’s own pet. No matter how friendly or loveable your family pet is, always supervise your pet when around your children. *Prevent crib climbing --- once your child has made the break out of the crib a few times, it’s probably time to consider a crib tent or a toddler bed. Serious injury can occur when a child is scaling out of their bed, such as broken

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bones and even concussions. Adjust the mattress to the lowest level and try not to leave items in the crib (i.e. stuffed animals) that a child can use to hoist themselves up. *Be wise about water safety --- even a small amount of water can cause a small child to drown. Keep pools fenced (and ask neighbors to do the same), and never leave your child unattended near any types of water such as pools, buckets, bathtubs, etc. *Avoid heat stroke --- it is easier than you think for a child to die of heat stroke. Never leave your children alone in a vehicle and in any place they can become overheated (even overdressed in a stroller). *Prevent falls --- we typically think to put baby gates at the top of a staircase so a child canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall down the stairs, but we rarely think about putting one at the bottom. A child can very easily crawl up the stairs and fall backwards down. *Keep the burns at bay --- never leave a cup of coffee, a bowl of soup or any hot food unattended or in the reach of your babies. The ER sees thousands of severe burns each year stemming from hot foods and liquids. Also, set your water heater to 120m Fahrenheit. At 140m, a child can receive 3rd degree burns in 3 seconds. *Test your smoke alarms --- most homes have fire alarms, yet 2/3 of child deaths and injuries occur in residential homes with outdated alarms. Test the alarms once a month by pushing the alarm button. Also make sure batteries are replaced 1-2 times per year. Any alarm thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10+ years or older should be replaced. Hindi Zeidman is the founder of the Ollie Swaddle. The Ollie Swaddle was named after a baby boy named Oliver, a foster baby that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thriving until his foster mom Hindi Zeidman developed The Ollie Swaddle. It improves quality and duration of sleep for all babies (including preemies and high risk), reduces fussiness and helps baby self-calm. The elasticity allows for freedom of movement while the opening at the bottom makes it easy to change diapers. multiplicity

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affordable ways to

get away with your spouse

by talitha a. mcguinness

We all have twins. Some of us have more. I have four children of my own, at different stages of their lives and requiring different things of me right now, so making time for my spouse is sadly, usually lower on the totem pole. However, I love being with him. I love when it’s just the two of us, catching up on our week, talking about the kids, enjoying each other’s company, and yes, still planning our futures together. Aw! If you are like me and want to make more time for your partner, I have a few affordable getaways that are easy to plan and pull off. My husband turned 40 this year, so I planned a surprise 5-day, all expense included cruise with a few of our couple friends and it was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. So let’s start with the cruise...

* Set sail on a cruise to paradise

Just picture yourself laying by the pool with a tropical drink in hand (brought you by a waiter at your beck and call), and watching the ocean go by without a care in the world. Sounds nice, huh? Oh, did I mention there are no kids in this 36

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picture? Heavenly! At any given point in the year, cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer deals and special rates. Depending on where you cruise, the cruise line you go with, and the number of days you choose, you could cruise for $1,000 or less (and that’s for both of you!). This includes your room, all of your port taxes and fees, unlimited food, amazing entertainment, access to the pools and hot tubs, and delivery to your destination. The only things not included are the obvious: alcohol, spending at the casinos, and any on-shore excursions you may wish to reserve (think guided walking tours, snorkling, swimming with the dolphins, sunbathing at private beaches, etc.). Of course, don’t forget to factor in your transportation to and from your port city. Airfare will obviously drive your cost up, depending on where you’ll be flying from, but we were lucky enough to drive and save a little money in that department. While on board, we enjoyed sunbathing (and even acted like kids again, racing down the waterslides!), all the food we could ever want --- it’s literally available on the ship somewhere at all hours of the day and night ---

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and some pretty fun comedy shows. There are adult-only shows and even an adult-only deck for sunbathing and just relaxing without the chaos of the waterslides and children running around (you are enjoying time away from your kids, remember?!?). There are karaoke bars, live bands playing and singing, game shows, casinos, and even off Broadway style singing and dancing shows. If you’re not into all the crowds and noise, the spa may be your ticket. I’ve cruised a number of times before, but enjoyed a wonderful hour with a full body massage, body brushing and a facial. I swear I went to sleep even though it was like 8am! When we arrived at our destination, the hubby and I decided to try paddleboarding. I have to admit...I was terrified, mainly because I’m afraid of the water (I’m not a strong swimmer). It was so much fun, it was beautiful, and the fitness enthusiast in me loved that it was a good workout (fighting that ocean current was no

joke!). With or without friends, cruising is a great way to get away affordably, enjoy each other’s company and relax without having to plan a thing if you don’t want to!

* Plan a weekend roadtrip

If you can’t get away for 4 or 5 days at a time and flying isn’t in your budget, there’s bound to be plenty of options within a 2-4 hour driving distance from where you live. We opted to drive out of state and head to another metropolitan area where we could enjoy a concert and some new dining experiences. Outside of securing our hotel and concert tickets to see Pentatonix (huge props to the hubby for going with me --- it was like a New Kids on the Block concert!), we made no other arrangements. The neighborhood in which we stayed offered so many ecclectic shops and bars that we literally spent one whole day doing nothing but exploring and hopping from bar to bar (enjoying their appetizers so things wouldn’t get out of hand!).

It was nice seeing a different city, we stayed out late and slept in the next day and returned home feeling refreshed and ready to take on our crew again. We were able to do all of this for under $500 (not including the concert tickets, as they were a Christmas gift).

* Make a day date

If you are truly in a situation where you can’t afford to get away or don’t have someone to watch the kids, make plans to set aside one day where you can leave it all behind and just be together. Take books to the park with an adult picnic (you know, with wine, cheese and delectable desserts), go see a matinee, take a walking tour of a nearby downtown area. Pretend you’re from out of town, eat at new places and see your city from a different point of view. Regardless of what getaway suits you best, just make plans to spend time together away from the rest of the family (and do it as often as you can). You’ll continue to grow with each other, you’ll better appreciate each other and I promise, you’ll be better parents together because of it. Your kids will notice a difference, too!

nothing funnier than nearly losing your top racing your spouse down the waterslide! multiplicity

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special insert

2015 Holiday

Gift Guide

our top picks for everyone in the family!

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for babies back to sleep bear by prince lionheart

The Back to Sleep bear has been helping millions of newborns sleep in maternity hospitals and homes worldwide! This bear’s authentic womb sounds are universally recognized by babies and effective in lulling them to sleep in minutes. It features four lullabies, white noise, ocean waves, and a womb sound, as well as a recordable function that allows parents to create their own soothing sound. The Back-to-Sleep Bear also comes with Silkie, the natural bonding aid that retains the parents’ scent and reassures baby of their presence. Retail $40

smocked diamond romper by feltman brothers

With their brand new Pima Cotton layette collection, this steeped-in-tradition company has combined their beautiful smocked and embroidered trademarks with baby-friendly functionality to create items for everyday comfort and enjoyment! You’ll be in awe over how Feltman Brothers stayed true to their heirloom quality while providing items that are perfect for babies the moment they arrive in this world. Retail $69

holiday pacifiers by mam

Decorated with fun, seasonal designs, these BPA-free pacifiers will help keep your little ones calm during the year’s most joyous festivities. Their curved shield allows the pacifier to sit comfortably on babies’ faces and bonus, the storage case is reusable and can be used in the microwave to sterilize the pacifiers. Retail $7.49/2 pk

great stocking stuffer!

tobbles neo by fat brain toys

Young minds revel in stacking, toppling, and the discovery of endless ingenuity with Tobbles Neo. Six uniquely weighted pieces balance, neatly nest, and spin beyond your expectations. The gentle playful curves also enliven tactile experiences. Retail $26.95

peripop foxey by oribel

From blanket to play mat, Peripop™ is about endless possibilities. Stuff Peripop™ with old clothings and plush toys, and out pops a cushion, mini stool or even a backrest! It also works as a great stroller blanket. Foxey’s head folds over the stroller bar to prevent blanket from slipping off. Retail $69

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for preschoolers extreme mountain adventures combo by step2

Little explorers, get ready for the thrill of a lifetime! This backyard play set is the ultimate journey for youngsters as they climb rock walls, slide down the slide and then head over to the mini roller coaster for an exciting ride. Kiddos will enhance their balance and coordination with all the active play fun these two outdoor toys have to offer. This combo includes the Extreme Coaster and Castle Top Mountain Climber. Price includes shipping - available online only! Retail $458.96

quinoa squares by nurturme

Created for kids + tots, these easily dissolvable puffed crackers contain all 9 essential amino acids to support healthy growth. NurturMe Quinoa Squares are baked with real organic fruits, veggies and cheeses, plus fresh organic apple juice and pure coconut oil for natural sweetness – only the good stuff! Retail $3.99

great stocking stuffer!

kenadi boot by pediped

This beautiful brown boot was named after Kenadi Jean Weis, who passed away unexpectedly in 2014 at the age of just 5-and-a-half. Everyone who purchases a pair of Kenadi boots will receive a “Kolor for Kenadi” package that includes a postage-paid card featuring a butterfly to color and send back to pediped. The butterflies will ultimately be given to Kenadi’s family. pediped will donate an extra dollar to the Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation for each butterfly returned to the company from now until January 31, 2016. Retail $79

great stocking stuffer!

worry eaters by haywire group

Have a worry-wart? Worry Eaters is a plush toy intended to comfort a child. The design of the toy, which incorporates a zipper at the mouth, allows a child to insert into the mouth slips of paper bearing words that might describe a worry or a concern. The toy “eats” the child’s worries so they can rest easy and worry no more! Retail $15.99+

day at the beach by build & imagine

Build a Scene and Imagine Countless Stories! Emily and Lucas can’t wait for their day at the beach working at the surfside café & shop. Between running the café window, the surf shop register, and the lifeguard stand, there is always action to keep them busy. Includes Emily and Lucas dolls, 10 illustrated building panels, and more than 40 action packed magnetic accessories. Retail $39.99

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for preschoolers hot wheels spin storm track set by mattel

Ultimate boosted track action comes full circle with the Hot Wheels® Spin Storm™. Kids can launch their vehicles on the track, sending them spinning around and racing closer to an exhilarating collision in three different crash zones. With two launchers, kids can challenge their friends and add more cars to the track until they meet up in a dramatic crash that’s part of the fun of this high-speed set. Retail $44.99

beatbo dance & move by fisher price

Get the dance party started by pressing BeatBo’s tummy or any of the buttons on his feet to activate fun songs, learning content and dance moves. This futuristic friend even allows mommy or baby to record a phrase, and he’ll remix it into his favorite song. Through all the play, BeatBo’s also introducing baby to letters, colors, counting, music, cause & effect and much more. Retail $40

lifestyle custom kitchen by step2

There’s nothing more childlike than playing pretend in your very own kitchen. Complete with a “Stainless steel” oven, microwave and refrigerator, fun electronic cooking and microwave sounds, and electronic frying pan and pot, this kitchen allows boys and girls to cook up plenty of fun! Retail $104.99

costume sets by melissa & doug

Give your kids the gift of imagination and let them role play as knights and princesses, hair dressers and doctors, or police officers saving the day. With such a wide selection, these costume sets are great for year round play! Retail $29.99+

mini2go by micro kickboard

The Mini2Go is Micro’s new award winning ride-on and scooter for ages 18 mo+. With the added drawer, your toddler will love carrying around his or her most precious possessions. The Mini2Go has the lean-to steering, which children learn intuitively, developing balance and coordination as they go. The non-marking wheels mean it can be used indoors and out. The toy drawer is removable. Removing the seat AND drawer converts the Mini2go into a stand-up scooter, with a T-bar that is adjustable and a back spoon brake. To purchase outside of the U.S., please visit www.micro.ms to find your local distributor. Retail $129.99

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for big kiddos yo baby kick flipper by fat brain toys

20% discount: multiplicity20 (through 2/28)

Flip it! Kick it! Pop it! Skateboarding, surfing, snowboard, and more - Kids get to try out and practice all kinds of extreme sports tricks, all with one brilliant board. Kids can use it indoors or outdoors, on the carpet, grass, sand, or anywhere. It’s the ideal starter board for any type of boarding sport! Retail $19.95

girls identity charm bracelet by isabelle grace This gorgeous personalized bracelet will help your little one shine wherever she goes! You can pick the charm (in either 22kt gold or sterling silver) that best fits her personality. The custom bracelet is made of fine and sterling silver and can be customized with up to 9 characters. Retail $60 salt water fuel cell car by fat brain toys Have fun learning about a new form of clean energy! After activating the fuel cell module with a saltwater mixture, the car can operate for about 5-7 hours continuously. To park the vehicle, simply take out the fuel cell module, rinse with tap water and dry. Retail $19.95

inspirational iPhone case by oofit design She’s already got the iPhone, the earbuds and other accessories to go with it. What about something beautiful that encourages her along the way? Let her shine with an iPhone case that fits her personality to a “t”.

Retail $9.25

twister moves electronic dance game by hasbro Follow the lights, hop on the spots, and keep up with the beat. There are four different levels to play, and new beats to follow at every level. Play solo or challenge a friend. If you can keep up with the beats, you’ll unlock new levels and rule the dance floor! Retail $24.99

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for big kiddos ozobot bit by ozobot Expand your child’s horizons with the help of this tiny tinker robot. There is no end to the possibilities, as your child creates a different landscape of adventures, games and coding. Imagine, a learning toy that opens the doors of STEM education, robotics and coding, making your child one step ahead of the learning curve in school and in life. Retail $59.95 heartlake grand hotel by lego friends Over 3 modular stories, this hotel has an elevator, lobby, 2 bedrooms, rooftop pool, taxi, 5 LEGO® Friends mini-dolls and much more. This is a fun build, full of details and a perfect way to give your girls the gift of imagination. Retail $129.99 urban fold by paper punk Build Your Own Paper Block City is an all inclusive kit that allows anyone to build the city of their dreams with a few simple folds. You punch out shapes, fold them into blocks, customize with stickers, build + play, put away, build + play again, etc. Everyone’s an architect with this construction + craft activity that promises endless creative fun and open play. Retail $24.95 kidoozie super skipper by fat brain toys

This great, get-off-the-couch-and-play toy gets kids jumping for action-packed fun. Move to the music and jump quick over the pole as it revolves around the electronic base, but don’t let it hit you! You’ll be out of the game. With adjustable height modes and three songs to skip to, kids never want to stop the jumping fun! Retail $40

wild style scooter by razor Turn heads with some serious street style. The Wild Style kick scooter has all the performance riders have come to expect from Razor, amped up with awesome new graphics for riders on the go. Retail $49.99

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for mom your special day mini calendar expandable charm bangle by not just any old day

This adjustable bangle bracelet is a beautiful way to keep your most cherished memories close to your heart. Each datesake piece is inscribed with a signature calendar featuring a Swarovski crystal marking a special date, such as your anniversary or your children’s birth date. The bangle is available in Antique Rose Gold, Antique Silver, and Antique Brass. Retail $49.99

sea salt caramels by annie b’s

great stocking stuffer!

Sea salt. Caramel. A bag full. Need we say more? Mom will love having them all to herself! Retail $5 (for 10)

geneva colorblock navy & tan tassle clutch by swoozie’s

Whether it’s a special occasion or just out running errands, mom will love this new purse. It has a removable shoulder strap, making it great for work and play. Retail $49.95+

rainfall jacket by athleta

the struggle is real travel mug by swoozie’s

Mom’s got a lot on her plate and she’s always on the go. Treat her to this travel mug with a little something to warm her up because she knows better than anyone that the struggle is real! Retail $19.95

Keep mom looking trim and stylish year round! Fully-waterproof and seam sealed, this is the tailored urban trench style jacket you need if the weather is calling for torrential conditions.. Retail $228

winter vanilla sugar body scrub by plum hill body essentials

You know mom is sweet, but did you know sugar is a natural preservative and moisturizer? This warm Winter Vanilla scent will have a soothing effect on the body and mind. Go ahead and treat mom to a little well-deserved pampering! Retail $16

great stocking stuffer!

special insert

for dad fire 7” tablet by amazon

Give dad what he’d really like...access to more than 38 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, apps and games, all on a beautiful 7” display. Fire’s newest tablet includes both rear and front-facing cameras, with Amazon Underground, a one-of-a-kind app store experience where over $10,000 in apps, games and even in-app items are actually free --- including extra lives, unlocked levels, unlimited add-on packs and more. Dad can enjoy 8 GB of internal storage with free unlimited cloud storage for all Amazon content and photos taken with the Fire device, and up to 7 hours of enjoyment. Retail $49.99

working man’s hygiene kit by uncommon goods

This all-natural set was created by a mechanic who was inspired to design products for dudes. The manly salves, scrubs and balms included are specially made to meet the needs of the working man. From soothing sore feet, to healing cracked lips and knuckles, to buffing the dickens out of dry skin, this kit goes beyond simple cleansers to get the job done. Retail $50

ipa beer brewing kit by uncommon goods

Help dad make the leap from beer drinker to beer brewer! With this kit, he can get off the sidelines and turn the kitchen into a craft brewery where he’s the brew master and the master taste tester! Makes one gallon, or ten 12 oz bottles. Retail $20+

caramel popcorn by annie b’s

If you’re looking for an extra special treat for dad, he’ll love the buttery caramel taste of Annie B’s popcorn. Their Triple Treat popcorn is an unlikely trio that makes for a yummy sweet and savory snack. Other flavors include Sharp Cheddar, Jalapeno Cheddar, Original Caramel and Sea Salt. We’re warning you; this stuff is addicting, so order accordingly.. Retail $1.99

ticket stub diary by uncommon goods

Dad will never forget those front row seats to see The Who, the standing ovation at the premiere of the Lion King or the roar of the crowd when the Red Sox won the World Series. With this Ticket Stub Diary he can preserve memories from concerts, museums, movies, sporting events, Broadway shows and more. Retail $12

great stocking stuffer!

tips for working out

during pregnancy

by alisa wyatt

orking out during your pregnancy offers incredible benefits, such as preparing your body for labor and delivery and enhancing your mood. However, you need to be extra cautious if you haven’t made exercise a regular part of your daily routine prior to pregnancy. Before starting any new workout routine, check with your doctor or midwife to be sure you’re not putting yourself or your new babies at risk. The below three exercises are great for toning and light aerobic activity. Do them at your own pace and gauge your exertion by trying to carry on a conversation while performing them. If you find that you’re breathless, slow down your pace or reduce the number in your sets.

*An hour of vigorous walking each day is one of

the best forms of exercise during pregnancy. If you already have young kids, place them in the stroller and make it a daily family routine. Try wearing a fitness tracker and ensure that you get at least 10,000 steps in every day.

*Daily squats help prepare your body for birth

and keep your legs strong and toned. Stand with your feet apart (shoulder wide), toes pointed out, and sit back with your hips while pulling 46

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your stomach in. Make sure your knees stay aligned over the center of your foot, weight over your heels, and push into the floor to stand up. Build up to 100 squats a day (start with 10). You can do them throughout the day, such as 10 at a time while brushing your teeth, doing the dishes, or watching TV.

*Push-ups do much more than just tone your

arms. Doing the correct push-up form will keep your back and core strong, improve your posture, and help you pick up your babies while making you want to show off your toned arms. Start with 10 per day for a week, and then add 1 push-up every day until you reach 30 per day. Be sure to keep your belly button pulled in to your spine and body as straight as you can from head to toe, look slightly in front of you. If you can’t do them from your toes, feel free to modify by doing them from the knees. Try them in sets of 10 throughout the day. Practicing Pilates during pregnancy is another wonderful way to prepare for birth! When you’re pregnant, it’s vital to stimulate your circulation daily because the body is busy growing the placenta, providing nutrients to the babies, and coping with hormonal changes. A Pilates workout is one of the best ways to get that full body

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circulation going, particularly around your vital organs where you need it the most. The benefits begin at the very first exercise in the method, The Hundred, which is all about deep breathing, mindful focus, and vigorous circulation. There’s nothing better for your babies than you keeping your body fresh and clean on the inside, which is exactly what Pilates does. A few side benefits of consistently practicing Pilates during pregnancy is how your body looks after you give birth, the ability to fit into regular clothes much more quickly, picking up your babies easier, not feeling as fatigued, minimized hormonal shifts, and fewer emotional swings. One word of caution with pregnancy: if you’ve never done Pilates before, it’s not a good idea to start when you’re pregnant because it works the core deeply. It’s better to wait until after birth to try new practices. If you haven’t participated in a particular workout activity, it is not advisable to introduce new strenuous workout activities during pregnancy. Even if you’re in good shape for one type of exercise, the demands of another can be a shock to your system and that’s not what you want when your body is already busy trying to grow your babies. Unless you’re already extremely active with excellent body awareness, it’s better to simply stick to the types of exercise you’ve already been doing for the duration of your pregnancy. New moms want to be fit and healthy when their babies arrive,

so using common sense will help expectant moms continue to stay active while reducing the risk of injury. Incorporate these safety tips into your pregnancy and post-pregnancy workouts:

*Trust your body. If something

feels uncomfortable, leave that exercise or movement out. Your body will change from week to week, so be prepared to shift your plan and simplify your routine as you go. If you’re working with a trainer, tell him/ her what you’re experiencing so they can modify the plan. Don’t just assume that they know what’s right for you --- every pregnancy is different and you are the best judge of what feels right or wrong.

*Before doing any exercise,

make sure you are dressed appropriately with proper foot gear. Dress in loose fitting, breathable layers that can be peeled off so you don’t overheat (this can happen very easily during pregnancy, and especially when working out). As your pregnancy progresses, balance will become an issue, so good shoes will be crucial. Don’t forget to warm up and cool down after any strenuous activity so you don’t strain your muscles and ligaments or experience post workout pain and discomfort.

*Be sure to stay hydrated to

prevent early contractions from starting. Drink a full 8 oz. glass of water before you get started, drink throughout your workout and definitely after. Many healthcare providers recommend an 8 oz. glass of water for every 20 minutes of exercise, and more if you live in a hot climate. multiplicity

*Remember to not overdo

it. Your body should feel like it’s working, but don’t work so hard that you overheat. Raising your core temperature above 102̊ F for more than 10 minutes can harm your unborn babies. If you feel dizzy, nauseated, or short of breath, slow down or stop the activity until you can cool down.

*Move slowly.

As your pregnancy progresses and your belly size increases, your sense of balance may change. When getting up from the floor, brace yourself against a solid object to help you stand up without feeling wobbly. Pregnancy is a time to embrace and prepare for the arrival of your bundles of joy. Finding time to take care of yourself needs to be at the top of the list. Incorporating exercise and stretching into your daily routine is an easy way to boost your spirits while conditioning your body for childbirth. You are the best judge of you; your body is the best indicator of how much you can safely exert yourself. Practice these tips and you’ll be fit and ready for the arrival of your babies when it’s time!

Alisa Wyatt is a fitness and wellness expert and the founder of AthletiCulture and Pilatesology, which provide online classes that help you transform your body and your wellbeing pre and post pregnancy, and beyond. Alisa lives the philosophy that health and fitness is a way of life and shares it by educating parents and other busy people on ways to relax, tips on carving out time to exercise, and healthy family activities. To learn more, visit her sites online and follow her on facebook.

the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

paying it forward:

how one family received hope and gives back by carla oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;connell

multiplicity

the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

Kate Young doesn’t know what would have happened if she and her husband, Randy, had not contacted the Fetal Health Foundation when she was five months pregnant. “It was a huge turning point for us,” she admitted. The Youngs were thrilled when they discovered they were expecting twins, but when Kate went into labor at 20 weeks, they were told the babies had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), with one not getting enough blood and nutrients while the other was getting too much. Receiving the diagnosis was bad enough, but they were also told that nothing could be done to save their sons; any attempts to do so would result in irreparable brain damage. Their happiness replaced with fear, the couple set out to learn all they could about TTTS. That search led them to the Fetal Health Foundation, the Littleton-based national nonprofit that’s leading the way in supporting families and medical treatment centers dealing with intrauterine fetal syndromes. Since its inception, the Foundation has served as a liaison between families affected by various fetal syndromes and the medical teams available to provide care. With the Foundation’s help, the Youngs were able to contact expert fetal surgeons throughout the United States who were optimistic that their precious babies could be saved. From Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Julian De Lia provided guidance to medical personnel

[they

were] there in our darkest hour to give us hope that anything is possible. at Denver’s Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s Medical Center for treating Kate Young and the twins. Following surgery and six weeks of bed rest, edema began to cause the expectant mother to gain two to five pounds of water weight daily. Two weeks later, 28 weeks into the pregnancy and with fluid filling her lungs, Kate Young gave birth to one pound-13 ounce Conor and two pound-11 ounce Liam on February 8, 2010. Small, but alive, the twins spent 100 days in the NICU before finally heading home, still on oxygen. “The Fetal Health Foundation was there in our darkest hour to give us hope that anything is possible,” said Kate Young. “They gave us the help we needed to find the right doctors.”

the early years

Throughout their earliest years, Conor and Liam continued to face a variety of health challenges. Due to their prematurity, the boys developed broncho pulmonary dysplasia and struggled to breathe. Although they were growing, the babies spent 18 months on oxygen, underwent several surgeries, suffered collapsed lungs, were hospitalized for every illness, and lived in isolation. Still turning blue at three-and-a-half years old, the twins spent the summer in the multiplicity

hospital undergoing test after test. Doctors feared their hearts were starting to fail, that they had developed pulmonary hypertension, and that any stress --- running, high altitude, illness --- was too much for them. Randy and Kate Young decided that moving to a lower elevation could help their sons and, with the support of their employers, relocated to Washington, D.C. At the lower altitude, the boys improved and began thriving; their lungs grew bigger and their hearts grew stronger. After a year away, the family returned to Colorado, where Conor and Liam are doing well and started kindergarten this fall. “So much was done for us over the last five years,” recalled Kate, who is thankful not only for the assistance of the Fetal Health Foundation and all the medical personnel who contributed to identifying and administering the best treatments for her sons, but also for all the love and support provided by family and friends throughout numerous hospital stays and everyday life. Now that they are back home, and with more time and energy, the family decided it would be a great idea to give back, doing something every month to help someone else. Through a neighborhood Facebook page, the Youngs keep informed about nearby residents in need and provide home-cooked meals. “I have Liam and Conor help me,” their mother said. The

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family also collects travel-size toiletries to make care packages for parents of hospitalized children. In efforts to give back in an even bigger way, Kate recently participated in her first Half Ironman at Lake Tahoe to raise money for the Fetal Health Foundation. It was a successful day: Kate finished 37th in her age division and raised more than $1,300 to give help – and hope – to other families dealing with fetal syndromes. The Foundation uses fundraisers just like Kate’s to provide awareness on fetal syndromes, as well as through the funding of research grants to provide improved treatment options. Click here to donate to her campaign “Paying It Forward for Fetal Hope”.

There’s plenty for everyone at

the sweetest race in town!

the

Lastly, on Sunday, November 8 in Denver’s Washington Park, the Youngs will join more than 5,000 others who show support to those who have been affected by a fetal syndrome in honoring those lost and celebrating those who survived during the 12th Annual Great Candy Run 5k. The Great Candy Run is a national race series featuring a 5K run/walk, Gumdrop Kids’ Fun Run and competitive Stroller Division. The event also includes on-course entertainment, a costume contest and tons of treats at the sweetest finish ever. Hosted in

Denver, proceeds will benefit the Fetal Health Foundation. To learn more, or to register for the 2015 Great Candy Run, visit www. thegreatcandyrun.com. Kate said the twins are excited about participating in Denver’s upcoming Great Candy Run alongside their father and mother. Perhaps the boys already understand that you’re never too young --or too old --- to jump in and give help and hope to others. Carla’s professional experience encompasses national nonprofits, corporate and government communications, advertising and marketing, and magazines and newspapers, including the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the United States Olympic Committee, and the Department of Defense. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Indiana University and a master’s degree in management from University of Maryland University College.

at gre

From a family 5K, on-course entertainment, a live band, games, refreshments, a costume contest, and a great charity, too, you won’t want to miss the sweetest finish ever!

kate’s winning smile at the finish!

NOVEMBER 8TH WASHINGTON PARK

the official charity of the Great Candy Run

don’t delay. register today!

www.thegreatcandyrun.com 50

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12th

annual event

The Fetal Health Foundation is a national registered 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on funding research through grants and serving as a liaison between families whose babies are diagnosed with fetal syndromes and the medical teams who provide their care. Since inception in 2006, the Foundation has hosted numerous fundraising and awareness events around the country, has helped support thousands of families, and has now awarded three research grants to help improve treatment options. To learn more, visit www.fetalhealthfoundation.org.

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photograph courtesy of firewife photography

capturing your every day:

holiday moments by jennifer parker

he chill in the air and the leaves beginning to turn are all hints to the holiday season. In years past, I would enter into this time of year with a hint of “photographer mom” panic and worry. It took a few years into this adventure called parenting for me to figure out just how to balance the photographer in me while also remaining “in the present” with my family. I was trying to make the most of every. single. possible. shot. Instead of lying on the floor and showing my infant twins the shiny paper and watching them grin from ear to ear, I watched my husband do it all while I clicked away. If you are teetering this same tight rope, the trick is to ‘stage’ the holidays in such a way that you can both document and enjoy them, too. Here are a few tips for planning ahead so that you can remain in the moment. These tips can be applied to anything, too --- a birthday celebration, the first day of school, Halloween trickor-treating, Thanksgiving day…life moments are endless! 1. Make a list of ‘must have’ photos  Grab a piece of paper and jot down the ‘must have’ photos you would like to capture. Want glowing holiday lights in the background? Want your kiddos drinking hot cocoa and building a gingerbread house? Want

them ripping into wrapping paper and making a mess? Write it all down so your ideas are fresh in your mind.

going shopping for them, family movie night spent watching your holiday favorites, and the list goes on.

2. Research technical tips for ‘must have’ shots  If you’ve written down a particular shot that you’re not quite sure how to capture on your own, research how it’s done before you get to it! Not sure how to get evening shots to not be a blurry mess? YouTube is full of helpful videos, or simply even doing a search online will pull up all sorts of tips and tricks.

4. Give yourself a time limit  If you’re constantly tempted to have your camera at the ready, or you must use it because perhaps it’s the only time you’ll be seeing the grandparents, setting a timer might help. Allow yourself 20 minutes to work your magic behind the lens and then promise yourself to put the camera away and remain present the rest of the time.

3. Celebrate family traditions One of the most important elements needed for beautiful holiday family photos are kids who are ready to smile, and laugh, and happily play for the camera lens. Coming up with a new tradition or activity is a great way to get them interested in photos. In fact, they’ll probably be so engrossed in what they’re doing that they may not even notice you snapping away! Some ideas: gingerbread house decorating contests, adopting a less fortunate family for the holidays and multiplicity

You’ll be glad you did, I promise! Jennifer is the proud owner of Firewife Photography, a Charlotte based niche photography service focused on twin families. She captures and preserves memories, creating treasured moments that span beyond space and time. She is mom to 8 year old boy/girl twins and a 4 year old daughter. Jennifer is also the loving wife of a tireless firefighter, hence the company name. You can connect with her on facebook.

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2-Pack 4 oz. Glass Bottles

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maternity fashion:

looking cute into your third trimester without breaking the bank I have always considered myself as a fashionable person and take much enjoyment in getting dressed each morning. My job in advertising requires me to be put together and occasionally dress up for events in New York City such as Television Upfronts and Premieres. When I found out I was pregnant, I was excited for the challenge! I started Pinning maternity fashions and following every pregnant fashion blogger on Instragram that I could find! What I soon came to realize though was that dressing the part of fashionable prego didn’t come cheap! My first trip to Destination Maternity was eyeopening to say the least. You want how much for a cotton wrap dress?!? Below I’ll share some tricks I’ve picked up over the last 8 months of my twin pregnancy. It is possible to stay fashionable and look pulled together without breaking the bank!

lets talk jeans I work in a casual & creative work environment,

so a good pair of jeans is a must. At 14 weeks (when I could no longer button my pants!), I took the plunge and bought a pair of maternity jeans from Destination Maternity. I have literally worn these jeans through over the last 8 months. Yes, they were expensive (Paige Denim was the only designer brand that fit my 5 foot 10 frame), but all you need is one nice pair to get you through your pregnancy.

shop for staples

My maternity wardrobe is full of very basic pieces that can be worn with everything. Items such as black t-shirts and white tank tops, 54

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purchased from Gap Maternity and/or Old Navy Maternity will be your best friends. Pair these staples with your maternity jeans, a classy, but comfy pair of shoes and an open cardigan, (exposing that cute bump), and you’re good to go!

accessori ze Although your belly may be growing (and

growing!), you can still look fashionable by throwing on a few cute accessories. I am a huge fan of statement necklaces and was able to pick up a few cheap ones from J Crew Factory. I also bought some fun new colored aviator sunglasses from Old Navy that make me feel good, even if paired with a simple white t-shirt and jeans.

check out target’s maternity section

I’ve never been a huge fan of Target clothing, but their Maternity selection is great, especially the Liz Lange for Target line. I purchased 4 comfortable, cotton maternity dresses from a few months back that got me through the warm summer days. Once it turns cooler, pair your dress with a statement necklace and a cute denim jacket and you are instantly one of the more fashionable people in your office!

siI wanted ze up something special to wear to my baby

shower, but couldn’t stomach spending close to $100 on something I’d never wear again. Instead, I found a cute Guess wrap dress on sale at Lord and Taylor (non maternity) and simply sized up 2 sizes. I am excited to repurpose my shower dress for a friend’s wedding this fall, and the larger size will be perfect while I’m still shedding those last few pesky baby pounds.

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Kate Nissen Moncayo is an Infertility survivor currently expecting her first children via IVF (Boy/Girl Twins!). She is an advertising executive in the NY/CT area, trying to balance a multiple birth pregnancy and everyday life. As she anxiously awaits the arrival of her twins, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reading all the twin tips & tricks she can!

maternity fashion photos: Clockwise from top, Old Navy Polka Dot Blouse, Pencil Skirt & Denim Jacket, Liz Lange for Target Navy Dress, Liz Lange for Target Maternity Striped Dress, Paige Maternity Jeans, Old Navy Aviator Sunglasses, Steve Madden Sneakers, Taupe Bucket Hat, JCrew Factory Necklace, Gap Maternity Black T-Shirt

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book review by cara krenn

For the Children What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss is a newly discovered book about the dilemma of picking a childhood pet. Kids will have fun relating to the drama of “making up their mind.” Which pet should they choose? The reader gets to decide… A bumpin’ thumpin’ rhyming picture book, Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis is about the delicious fate of a gigantic pumpkin on the run! When Buck, Billy, and their little sister Lil spy the biggest pumpkin they’ve ever seen, they can’t resist. Buck and Billy try to roll the pumpkin down the hill to show everyone, but it’s too big! Before they know it, it’s bumping and thumping and rolling down the hillside out of control. This read aloud Halloween treat is perfect for kids and families. “We can all be heroes” is the message of I Am Helen Keller part of bestselling author Brad 56

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Meltzer’s series “Ordinary People Change the World.” Meltzer illuminates the life of Helen Keller, who overcame her disabilities to live a remarkable and inspiring life. The book also emphasizes the importance of thanking the wonderful teachers in our lives. A great introduction to a series that includes Albert Einstein, Lucille Ball, Jackie Robinson, and other true heroes. Otis and his farm friends love to play hideand-seek. Otis especially loves to be “It,” finding his friends as they hide. Yet when the newest addition to the farm—a bounding puppy who can’t sit still and has a habit of licking faces—tries to hide, he finds his attention wandering and is soon lost in the forest. In Loren Long’s Otis and the Puppy, Otis, knowing his new friend is afraid of the dark, sets out to find him. There’s just one problem: Otis is also afraid of the dark. His friend is alone and in need, though, so Otis takes a deep breath, counts to ten, and sets off on a different game of hide-andseek. I’m not sure what it is about this kid Duncan, but his crayons sure are a colorful bunch of

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characters! Having soothed the hurt feelings of one group who threatened to quit, Duncan now faces a whole new group of crayons asking to be rescued in The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. From Maroon Crayon, who was lost beneath the sofa cushions and then broken in two after Dad sat on him; to poor Turquoise, whose head is now stuck to one of Duncan’s stinky socks after they both ended up in the dryer together; to Pea Green, who knows darn well that no kid likes peas and who ran away—each and every crayon has a woeful tale to tell and a plea to be brought home to the crayon box. In Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux, she introduces us to Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon,up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other’s lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

For the Adults Do you feel like your home is an overwhelming, neverending mess? Organization expert Marie Kondo will walk you through her revolutionary KonMari Method in The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. She gives straightforward tips for decluttering your house, letting items go “with joy.” Sure to make even the messiest of us saner. In A Window Opens: A Novel by Elisabeth Egan, Alice Pearse is a happily married mother of three who works as a part time editor at a popular women’s magazine. When her husband’s career makes an unexpected change, Alice must “lean in” to a new job at a start-up with dubious intentions. Called “a fresh, funny take on the age-old struggle to have it all,” by People, this novel promises to entertain moms struggling to juggle a professional and personal life. Winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a beautifully written, masterfully crafted novel that tells the compelling stories of MarieLaure, a blind French girl who must flee Paris with her father during WWII, and the German orphan Werner, a brilliant mechanical talent who rises within the Hitler Youth. This book will stay with you long after you put it down. Set two decades after her masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird, the beloved Scout Finch reappears as an adult on a journey to follow her conscience amidst the background of her family past. Go Set a Watchman: A Novel by Harper Lee offers a few surprises for readers, and this book will add new meaning to Lee’s original work. multiplicity

Written by #1 NYT bestselling author and researcher, Rising Strong by Brene Brown shares stories about being brave, falling down, and getting back up. According to Brown, rising strong after a fall – be it a loss of a relationship or job or something else – is how we cultivate wholeheartedness, and it’s the process that teaches us about who we are. Fans of Mindy Kaling will appreciate her new collection of funny and insightful personal essays in Why Not Me? Topics range from the actresses’ weight to romantic relationships to finding a place in Hollywood as a minority. Cara Krenn is mom to fraternal twin girls and a singleton boy. She is the author of the e-book Twinthusiasm: Survival Lessons for Your First Year Parenting Twins, a handy guidebook for new twin parents. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Read more at www. twinthusiasm.com.

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tips for staying active

when the weather turns cold

The weather might be changing and Dean Martin might be right, that the fire inside is delightful, but that is no way to keep fit during cooler temps and shorter daylight. Let’s face it, busy schedules during the day and coming home or getting up when it is dark to work out in colder weather certainly isn’t motivating, even to the most dedicated of us. So how does one survive the cooler, less daylight and stay fit? Being in Colorado, we can experience several seasons in any given day. Below are some of my proven tips to keep you active during these sometimes frightening and often gloomy weather days.

1. Have the right gear. Today’s workout wear

is high tech, all designed to keep you warm. Here is a list of must-have items (which you should visit your sports specialty running or cycling store for recommendations). Remember too, don’t overdress. You should be a bit chilled when going out. Once you start your workout, you will warm up and quickly. 58

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by lonnie somers

* Good pair of tights. * Long sleeved tech shirt * Good outer shell * Good pair of socks and gloves (your toes and fingers are the first to suffer if you’re not dressed properly) * Reflective gear (for those running, walking or cycling) * Lights (also for running, walking and cycling -- you will want to be sure cars can see you and that stray dogs can chase you -- just kidding).

2. Change up your workout routine. With

shorter daylight and cooler temps, it isn’t always motivating to get out there for long periods of exercise if you’re a runner or cycler. Guess what? You don’t have to be out there for long periods of time. I personally love to do HIIT workouts with both cardio and strength training and that can be done both indoors or out. You can do a 20-30 minute workout that is just as effective as

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doing a long cardio session for one hour. HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training and if it’s new to you, here is how it works: *For Cardo, start at a 4 minute jogging warmup at a comfortable pace that allows you to still talk easily. *On your 5th minute, push yourself hard for 60 seconds. If you are running, sprint fast; if you are on an elliptical or stair machine, climb harder. You can change the intensity by going faster or changing the resistance. *On the 6th minute, go back to a lower intensity that isn’t hard to recover from, but DON’T stop to rest. Keep moving. *Repeat this until you get 21 minutes done (or 30 if you really want to push it). *For Strength training, you should first warm up with any cardio ( jogging, machines, jumping jacks, burpees, etc.) for about 4 to 5 minutes. *Next, you will do 30 seconds on of an exercise and 30 seconds off, until you get through all your sets and reps. This is going to really work you out. I also love to use dumbbells for most of these. The goal is to hit your major muscle groups and do no more than 5-6 exercises in any session. A plan I follow for upper body includes: *Chest Press: 4 sets x 30

seconds on, 30 seconds off *Single Dumbbell backrow: 4 sets x 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off *Flyers (laying on your back): 3 sets x 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off. *Lateral side raises: 3 sets x 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off. *Triceps extension: 3 sets x 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off. *Bicep curls: 3 sets x 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off. That is it! If you’re not as familiar with some of these terms, you can easily YouTube them for “How-To” videos. For lower body, do basic exercises like squats and weighted lunges, and be sure to work your abs, too. Alternate three days of strength HIIT with 3 days of cardio per week and not only will you stay fit, you will also improve your overall fitness.

3. Find ways to stay

motivated. I get it; we are all busy and some of us get to bed far later than we should due to our family and work commitments, but keeping active will help you actually find more time. However, staying motivated can be a challenge. One way to keep accountable and motivated might include getting a workout buddy.Nothing can keep you honest and accountable for keeping active like having a friend working out with you. We are quick to let ourselves down, but being accountable to our friends, we tend not to mess that up. multiplicity

You should also schedule your workout to stay motivated. We all schedule events, appointments, meetings, etc., so why not put yourself as a priority? Actually schedule your workout on your calendar during lunch, early in the morning, or right after you finish the work day. Doing this will help keep you active and can make you feel guilty if you don’t keep that appointment with yourself.

4. Last but not least, sign

up for an event. Nothing can keep you motivated like having a goal and training/ working toward it. Sign up for a 5k, obstacle run, or anything active that you have to “train” for. Doing this will keep you focused on a bigger goal. The cooler, darker days of the season can make it challenging to stay active. However, following these basic steps will help you welcome spring and summer with not only staying in shape, but actually improving your overall fitness. Lonnie has over 10 years’ experience serving across various areas in the event industry and is the owner of Hallucination Sports. He is the CEO of the Fetal Health Foundation, a non-profit organization he and his wife created after fetal surgery saved their identical twin daughters, and also successfully created a national fundraising and awareness event, The Great Candy Run, to benefit the Foundation. In his free time, Lonnie enjoys spending time with his family, running, and cycling.

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the buzz...for fall

clockwise: heilala vanilla bread & butter pudding; ‘happy fall’ wreath by signs by tiffany (also a twin mom!); autumn burlap pillow; fall peasant dress by shelby jane & co; sweater cape; velvet pumpkin home decor; annie b’s pumpkin spice caramel apple kit --- perfect for making with the kids on a dreary day; inspirational cuff by r&e avenue (also a twin mom!); heilala vanilla hot white chocolate, perfect for warming up on chilly nights! 60

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When every twin mom hears... how do you do it?

double trouble! are they twins or just really close in age?

are they identical?

were they natural?

bless your heart!

We say, you’ve got this mama! We’re here to help!

enter to win an evenflo feeding tilty™ tripleflo trainer cup set! They want to give up bottles and move on to cups. With so many options, what do you choose?

Our partners at Evenflo have a great cup that can help you out! They are giving away two sets of two Tilty™ TripleFlo Trainer Cups that were designed by a mom picky about cups, just like you. Featuring an adjustable valve that grows with your child, the Tilty™ TripleFlo Trainer Cup gives you the ability to adjust the amount of liquid your child receives with 3 different flow rates. The valve also has a “close-off” position designed for leak free, on-the-go use. The Cup has an internal angled wall that eliminates the need for an extreme head tilt while drinking. The ergonomic design and handles create a comfortable and natural drinking experience, making the introduction to a cup easier. Retail: $4.99; Available at Walmart and Babies R Us

click here to enter to win!

We love it when you tell others about us, so please like the image on facebook, comment and share to win!

click here for $1.50 savings! *good through 11/30/15

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kid-tested, mom approved meals...found on pinterest

breakfast cookies

enchilada soup

Tired of the kids eating cereal or you not having time to make healthy, homemade breakfasts each morning? Give these breakfast cookies from Money Saving Mom a try... yes, we said cookies! With ingredients like oats, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, bananas, and cranberries, these are simple to make and super healthy, too. Your kids will give you two thumbs up (and you’ll actually enjoy them every now and again, too). With the days getting cooler, think about soups to send in the lunchbox. Momables offers a great kid-friendly version of an old favorite --- enchilada soup. Send it in a thermos and 62

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fruit roll-ups

they’ll be nice and toasty on even the chilliest of days! Afternoon snacks are always tricky, as the kids are usually ravenous after school. Try some variations of foods you likely have on hand, like 100 Days of Real Food’s Cinnamon Glazed Popcorn mix. Give everyone a bowl or bag and let them dig in. With only 4 ingredients, the mango lime fruit roll-ups from 100 Days of Real Food will have the kids passing on the Little Debbie snack cakes and begging for more! And don’t worry if you don’t have a dehydrator...there are great tips for making in your oven, just the same. If you’re looking for something

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cream y salad egg

chicken cordon bleu

with a little more substance, try Dashing Dish’s clean eating creamy egg salad with pita chips. Using your favorite hummus spread to make it extra creamy, you’ll be packing in a little extra protein, too. Once they’re done snacking, add it to sandwich bread for their lunch the next day. For dinner, try using shredded chicken with a little ham (or turkey) to make Dashing Dish’s chicken cordon bleu quesadilla. Add melty swiss cheese and a little mustard...yummy! You can certainly leave off the mustard for the pickier ones in the family. The important part is gathering at mealtime together. Enjoy!

ne hallmark of my interior designs is my frequent use of original art. Does that make you cringe? So many people think that original art is cost-prohibitive, but you’ll be surprised at how affordably you can add original art to your home! What’s the secret? Know where and what to look for. I’m here to share four tips that will make you “art smart.” Investigate your local art scene. Even the smallest towns often have an art league that supports local artists and offers some type of venue to sell their work. Remember, that venue is not necessarily a storefront! Perhaps the art league hosts or participates in some type of seasonal festival where artists exhibit their latest works. No cost to ship means more dollars to put towards your purchase. Plus, local art is a winwin. The art adds beauty to your home and your dollars support a local artist and the local economy. Look online. My most-used online resource is Etsy, and you’ll often find me browsing the shops of artists like Kerry Steele, Karen O’Leary, and Pamela Munger. I’m crazy about the search features available with online galleries like UGallery.com (which just-sohappens to represent one of my favorite artists, Lesli DeVito). Sort by color, price range or size to find exactly what you want! Worried about buying online? Check the individual return policies, but you might be pleasantly surprised. UGallery.com, for example, offers a free seven-day in-home trial, which makes your purchase risk free. Remember, too, that many artists have their own websites, in addition to their gallery representation or Etsy shops, and you may find a broader selection of work there.

five minute fix: art smart by traci zeller

Works on paper are often a reasonably priced alternative to canvas paintings, mainly because they tend to be smaller and the materials themselves are less expensive. If the piece is a standard size, these West Elm frames offer a very expensive look for a more reasonable price. Pottery Barn offers ready-made frames with oversized mats, but any local frame shop can customize the frame and mat to your dimensions. Don’t forget limited editions. Is the limited edition print technically original art? No. To me, though, it’s the same concept as an autographed hardcover book. The artist’s signature makes the piece more thoughtful and less “off the shelf.” Popular sites like Art.com and Minted.com have a category for limited editions, so you can search specifically for those pieces. What I adore about those websites is that their art is often available in a variety of sizes, which makes the selection process much simpler. There’s not much worse than falling in love with a piece and realizing the size simply won’t work. Happy art shopping! Traci Zeller is an interior designer known for her clean, sophisticated mix of classic and modern pieces. As a busy wife and mother to twin boys, she appreciates the need for spaces that are beautiful and functional. Traci also authors a blog, and her firm, Traci Zeller Designs, provides full service design, textiles, and e-decorating packages. multiplicity

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ways having twins will make you a better

YOU! by alyssa keel 64

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Chances are that whether you are expecting twins or already have them, you constantly hear about the challenges in having twins, along with some other colorful commentary. There may be challenges along the way, but having multiples is special and amazing and can teach you so much about yourself. Here are twelve ways having twins will make you a better you:

1. You are prepared for anything. With twins, literally anything can happen at any time. Much like stocking up for winter, your house is a cornucopia of any and all baby and toddler related needs, always at the ready to tackle the unimaginable.

You will learn to brush off almost anything. Baby puke on your shoulder? No biggie. Same outfit two days in a row? Who cares! More importantly, as you navigate parenting twins, you will also learn to ignore the questions and comments people throw at you on your journeys outside of the house. Some will bug you, some will perplex you, and others may even hurt you, but you will learn to brush them off and continue on your way.

3. You will become the king or queen of time management.

In order to survive multiples, you will quickly figure out how to get stuff done. You will also learn to accept that sometimes, there just is not enough time. You will have to shave things off of your â&#x20AC;&#x153;to doâ&#x20AC;? list, but you will quickly learn to prioritize, and sometimes, a nap really is a priority over doing the dishes.

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4. Multitasking is your middle name. Doing the

laundry while balancing a baby, returning your mom’s phone call, and doing the grocery list all at once will become second nature. As with everything in your life, learning to balance what is happening at home and work will also happen, though the process may take time. Learning to keep your eyes on two babies and being able to anticipate their needs will amaze others. You’ve got this!

5. You will be the master of efficiency. Having

twins or more does not mean that you need to take twice as long to complete every child-related task. Once your babies are out of the newborn stage, your efficiency levels will shoot through the roof as you discover little ways to save time and energy. Bottles will be made in advance, diaper bags always stocked, and the freezer full of meals to help you stay on track and get everything done.

6. Keeping track of everything will become

second nature, too. How do you manage multiple children, a house, family, friends, work, and time for yourself? It is incredibly hard, but you can do it. If you allow yourself time to adjust to your new life with multiples, you will quickly realize that keeping track of everything is not as overwhelming as you thought. Writing things down, using calendars, apps, and planners will help, but focus on whatever works best for you and find your rhythm. You will be amazed at how much you can manage.

You will naturally be more laid back. Babies thrive when they have schedules, and you will find your babies’ rhythm as they grow; however, you will most likely find that you just do not have the time or ability to stress over every minute detail. There will be days that the babies do not get baths or that the laundry does not get done, and there may be a part of you that feels like you have failed parenthood, but in time, you will let those little things go and you will remember the big picture; you are raising multiples!

8. You will discover the individuality in everything.

Once you have multiples, others will always see them in pairs, particularly if they are identical. Yet, chances are you have already picked up subtle ways that they are different from each other. Your babies may prefer different songs or one may be calm and they other always active. You will know them best and the ways that make them unique. Chances are that you will become adept at seeing individuality multiplicity

everywhere and you will be a champion of celebrating that exceptionality!

You will become patient. Patience often comes with parenthood, but for those parenting multiples, it is an essential quality. Four shoes to tie, four mittens to put on, and two rambling toddlers to hustle out the door. In this, you will learn to have patience with others, especially with those who ask millions of questions about your children, your routine, and your personal life. You will also find patience with yourself. You will learn to forgive yourself for the piles of laundry, the take out, and you will accept your limitations and learn to know your own strengths.

10. You will realize you are part of something

special. Once you have multiples, you become part of a special community that others will never fully understand. You will become witness to an unbelievable bond as you watch your babies grow into friends.

11.

You will find the humor in everything. There will truly be days where if you do not laugh, you will cry. Chances are that laughter will get you through so much. Your twins may decide to both spit-up on your mother-in-law at the same time or to poop on the doctor, and though you may need to keep your snickering to yourself, laughter and humor will get you far.

12. You will discover your strength. No matter

how your twins came into the world, you have already been strong, and you will need that strength as you continue. If you succeeded with IVF, if you adopted, if you had premature babies, or if you had full-term multiples, you survived with strength. Your strength will grow and you will be able to conquer this thing called parenthood and anything your multiples can, and will, throw at you.

Alyssa has worked as a social worker in both Canada and the U.S. for several years. Living in Toronto, she is mum to a rambunctious, curious, and loving three year-old boy and 18 month old identical twin girls. During her high risk mono-mono twin pregnancy, Alyssa began blogging, an extension of her love of writing. Alyssa loves taking photos and impromptu dance parties with her son. Follow Alyssa and her family’s adventures at adventureswithmultiples.com. the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

feeling a little stressed?

‘halt’ can help save your sanity by victoria worch

It’s a normal day in the life of raising multiples: one more mess to clean, one more basket of laundry to fold, one more lastminute request from the boss, just as you’re closing down your email. The list goes on. It’s enough for you to say “I quit! I’m out of here!” Before you grab the car keys, before you storm out of the room in front of your kids, and before you allow yourself to cry, I’m going to give you a little trick to remember. It’s a stress test called HALT that could forever alter your stress reactions. HALT stands for 4 questions that help identify the real stressor and will help you figure out if you really want to quit. The four questions are: H: Am I hungry? A: Am I angry? L: Am I lonely? T: Am I tired? 66

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how HALT works

Before my twins came into my life, I was a community college student government advisor. Almost every day, I was talking a student out of quitting for one reason or another. I would offer a hug, a piece of candy and ask them my four HALT questions. Had they eaten anything in the last hour? Were they having an argument with anyone? When was the last time they had hung out with a friend or family member? How many hours of sleep did they get last night? The students started practicing the quiz themselves. I share this great stress quiz because as parents of multiples, there isn’t a day that goes by when we don’t want to throw in the towel. Hungry? All the time, we’ve got more than one to feed! Angry? Of course! We are expected to

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do all this and take care of two babies! Lonely? With work deadlines, partner’s needs and aging parents, finding time to connect is relegated to Facebook; at least that keeps us feeling like someone cares for us, right? If we want to see someone in person, we have to book it way in advance or the visit doesn’t happen. Tired? When are we not? The first full night of sleep only arrives a year after the birth. Maybe. The next time you wonder how you are going to make it through the witching hour, or how to be awake for that 10am meeting after an all nighter of feeding, allow yourself your favorite treat to perk your spirits. Of course, there are times when food or sleep are not going to fix the things you can’t change. During those times, let HALT help you find peace to tackle the hard stuff. Let it remind you that what you really want to do is call your friend rather than just like her photo on Facebook. And the next time you are at the store, pick up a bag of your favorite candy. After advising and developing college student leaders for 13 years, Victoria became a stay-at-home parent of twins and a three year old. Two years later, her son is now in kindergarten, she is freelance writing, visiting local parks with her twins, and making each day count. You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, she posts photos of inspirational and mindful quotes written on her front entry way blackboard.

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help your twins learn to get along, when twins leave the nest, making big sibling the star, and much more! multiplicity

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a year to remember: ways to capture those special memories

by the mom squad

Throughout any given year, we all celebrate life in so many ways. While our traditions and the ways in which we celebrate may look a little different, one thing remains the same...we all want to hold on to our special memories. Here are 10 unique ways to capture and cherish your photos and memories for years to come.

1 Look to online photo services

like Shutterfly to create beautiful keepsake books that you can display or keep on a shelf to visit when you’d like a little trip down memory lane. These are so easy to create that you can consider doing them to document an entire year or a special family trip.

2 Find interesting ways to

decorate with your kids’ art. I love the idea of handprints as “trees” in fall by decorating them with some paper leaves that match your decor. It’s so simple, 68

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but is a forever reminder of their tiny hands at this time in life.

the years and they’ll love seeing themselves on display.

7 We all know kids grow like

Document their funny sayings in My Quotable Kid. Sure, your kids are quirky and keep you in stitches, but will you remember their antics 5 and 10 years down the road? Now, there’s no excuse!

4 Still have their hospital caps

and bracelets? Preserve them in a clear, plastic or glass ornament and use as decoration to remind you of how far they’ve come!

5 Use deep frames to showcase special finds like shells, tickets and photos from a special trip. One good tip is to keep your photos black and white to place the focus on your little extras.

6 Use clear, plastic or glass

ornaments to showcase a photo of your kids from each year. Your tree will be a living album to how much they’ve changed over

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weeds, so now you can see and display it with your own DIY growth chart.

8 Does your family travel a

lot? Showcase a map of your adventures. Visitors will love seeing where your travels have taken you and it makes for a great conversation starter.

9 First smiles? First time they

rolled over? Use Milestone Markers to remember why each photo is truly special.

If you are a keeper of family photos and heirlooms, try making or purchasing an oversized frame (no glass needed), and stringing wire or string from side to side. Use clothespins to hang special photos from years past.

4 6 5

7 9

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when it might be time to call the doctor 70

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the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

by the mom squad

We all know that being pregnant has its ups and downs, and carrying twins or more can certainly take its toll on your body. You read about potential morning sickness in the early months, and you hear about showing earlier and putting on weight faster, but is that feeling of discomfort more than simple “growing pains”? In this time of uncertainty, here are a few ways to tell if it’s time to contact your doctor for an expert opinion. *Bleeding, fever, pain or chills are all signs that something may not be right. However, if you’re spotting lightly in the early months, that is normal for many women during pregnancy. It’s just a sign of a sensitive cervix. If you’re spotting more than a dime size amount and it is accompanied by fever, pain and/or chills, definitely give your doctor a call. Be able to give them your temperature and tell them exactly how you’re feeling, when it started, etc. *Headaches, fainting and dizziness are also not normal during pregnancy. If you have a headache that seems persistant, or if you find yourself feeling dizzy or actually fainting, your doctor will want to see you to monitor you and the babies and be sure everything is okay. Sometimes, moms with multiples will feel dizzy at times (i.e. when triggered by hunger, after standing for long periods of time, when overheating, etc.), so your doctor will encourage you to rest when you can, layer to prevent from overheating and to always keep snacks with you. *Painful urination is a sure sign of a bladder infection, that if not treated properly and in a timely manner, could lead to more complications like pre-term labor. To avoid a potential bladder infection, be sure to stay hydrated, drinking at least 64oz. of fluid (i.e. juice, milk, etc. also count), plus an additional 8oz. for every hour of light activity you do. *Pelvic pressure is to be expected with any pregnancy (and after all, you are growing two babies down there!), but pain associated in that area is not normal. Of course, you should also know the difference between aches and actual pain. If stretching, drinking more fluids and resting do not help alleviate the pain, it’s time to call your doctor and let them know. *Vomiting followed by fever and/or pain is another abnormal sign during pregnancy. This multiplicity

you are your best advocate and know best when something doesn’t feel right. goes far beyond morning sickness, as pregnant women often feel some type of relief after vomiting. If you are one of the few unlucky women who seem to be sick all day long, let your doctor know. There are prescriptions available that can help you function in your life a bit better and more importantly, will help you keep your food down to help your babies develop and grow. *During pregnancy, your babies depend on your body to be as healthy as possible, and that includes maintaining a normal body temperature. If you begin running a fever, you should alert your doctor. This could be just a sign of your body fighting a virus, but it could be more serious, linking to an infection. Your doctor will likely want to plan a course of action to get you and your babies through. Fever is notably most dangerous during early pregnancy, when it can cause miscarriage. *If you’re in the home stretch of pregnancy, heavy or steady discharge could mean that your bag or bags of water has ruptured. Your doctor will want to assess you to determine the cause of the discharge, as it could lead to immediate delivery and also to possible infection. *If you start to notice considerable swelling, alert your doctor. This often begins happening into your second or third trimester as water retention, but can signify preeclampsia. If left untreated, preeclampsia can be life-threatening and/or causing low birth weight babies, placental abruption, seizures, and stroke. However, if you and your doctor are staying on top of how you feel, there’s no reason to believe you won’t delivery perfectly healthy babies and fully recover. You know your body better than anyone else, so when in doubt, give your doc a call! the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

confessions of a twin dad

to pacify the kids when they are crying. The blockbuster action flick that you have been waiting to see for so long, morphs into a silly cartoon movie.

*We use the word “Singleton” way more often than any of my guy friends do … we coach them on what that means, because it is completely a twin parent word! *During pregnancy, when you are barely able to walk because of a penguin-like gait, we fetch you everything you want and are forever available at your disposal by vinod lilwani

With twins, the challenges of life increase multifold, but those innocent smiles make it go away instantly. I still remember the time when our bundles of joy entered into our lives, made us cry out of happiness, & took us to the next phase of our life. My father was standing right next to me and suddenly I could feel what my father would have felt years back. But I, being a Dad of Twins, have a confession to make; I think the world is really UNFAIR to us! And why wouldn’t I think so? When a Woman is expecting twins, all sympathy and all the sweet & mushy words are showered at her. It sure is difficult for the “Dad-to-be” to manage it all, and the biggest question left unasked is whether the “Dad-to-be” is even ready for it? If a Mom of twins is Super Mom, then a Dad of twins is the Cool Dude. He can sing, dance, clean & feed the kids even after office hours. With all due respect to women, the job of a twin dad largely goes unnoticed. How, you ask? Well, I have a glimpse to share with you.

*The irony of life is that the humongous amount of happiness

starts taking a back seat when it comes to raising the newborn twins. The first year of raising twins is one of the most difficult phases of life that one can ever get through. And I don’t mean that just for mothers of twins. Father’s of twins have their share of difficulties, too!

*If by giving birth to twin babies, the world changes for a mother,

there is an equal amount of paradigm shift for the father as well. He suddenly becomes lesser accessible to his friends & peers. NO more late parties for us, no more hanging out with our gangs, too! We have to let go of our beer and football games to be able 72

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the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

*When you want to flip sides in the middle of the night and can’t do so because of a huge belly, we wake up from sleep and help you roll. Believe me, ideally, some of us wouldn’t do that even for ourselves for the sake of our love for sleep. Yes, we love you more than sleep! (Phewww… I said it!) *3:40 AM? Peanuts, Butter,

(yeah, not peanut butter, it tastes “better” with peanuts and dollops of butter), and Jelly? With caramelized pistachios? and Starbucks Frappe? Will do or die – but we’ll find a way to make it available! Just let me find my cloak.

*When you are crying like a crazy person because you are way too happy about having twins and about how amazing I am and how loving I can be and that you have not treated me well enough like I actually deserve to be treated and that you also realize that you are being overly emotional at this… Guess who is there to listen to all of that and try real hard to not laugh or ask you to “Get it all

Together”. 100 points to you if you guess “Dad”.

*And also, guess who gets up

and leaves bed because he has to make formula for their little one in the middle of the night? Yes, that’s right... Dad again! Oh, and we don’t go on a war with you if you send us again in a matter of minutes as the other one woke up, too. A little “thank you” goes a long way in this uphill struggle!

*We get to go to work with sleepy eyes and a lethargic body, for the young ones are way too demanding and we never complain about it. (Well, a little whining here and there doesn’t count!) *We are those proud dads,

who unlike a lot of other dads, can feed a child, change diapers (and clean poop!!!), sing them lullabies and know how to swaddle, put a baby to sleep, remember medicine dosages and do it all with our eyes closed and one hand tied behind our backs! All we need is some anatomical changes to practically become Mom (of course, that’s how we like to think of it).

*If you feel too tired, we do not shy away from holding both the babies while you sleep your way to glory, even when you completely transcend in to another dimension where you completely forget that we actually exist. *And oh… the Schedule! When you swear by the schedule, we abide by those words like they have been inscribed on stone, otherwise we know there could be a wrath of Biblical

proportions (so we at least try our best to work according to the schedule!) If you are BATMAN, we are your Robin… always at the ready!

*We carefully listen to your stories of how the stranger at Walmart or a fellow parent in the park said things like “better you than me”, “can I touch your belly?” or “I’m sure you’re done with having kids!”. You can’t deny that we look at those people with equal hatred as you do and give as fake a smile as you do --- just because we are there to support you (We’re Robin, remember?) Apart from all the so called trouble we take for you and our kids, sure, raising twins has its own perks. You get to spend lot of time with your kids, understand them, teach them, watch them grow day by day, coach them, mentor them and most of all, be with them whenever they want you. In spite of this all, all the credit goes to you. All the compliments go to you. But come on, be honest! We all know Dads of Multiples deserve some bit of an appreciation too for all the sacrifices and efforts we make. Well yeah, we understand, you should be taking a greater share of the benefits for you are the one who puts on all the weight (D’oh!!). Nevertheless, we have an (almost) equal share in the number of hugs and kisses you get from the kids and all the appreciation you get for being a Mother of Multiples. So next time someone refers to you as a Super Hero, be nice and give Robin his due credit. multiplicity

contd. --- spirit driven by passionate college student leaders, supporting children throughout and beyond their parent’s cancer.

7. homes for heroes

This is great as my family always feels we don’t do enough for our troops. Building Homes for Heroes is strongly committed to rebuilding lives and supporting the brave men and women who were injured while serving the country during the time of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. The organization builds or modifies homes, and gives them, mortgage-free, to veterans and their families. Regardless of how you choose to help, just make a choice and act on it. There are so many wonderful charities that can use a little more love. Kerry is the founder and the mastermind behind New2Two.com – a peek at her life as a Mother of fraternal AND identical twins! She has six year old fraternal twin girls and one year old identical twin girls. She also teaches parttime at the local community college and runs Mommies of Multiples (a group dedicated to helping moms of multiples with their daily questions and concerns). Her blog, New2Two is about life with twins, dealing with infertility, raising awareness for bully prevention and the challenges of having a daughter with a severe intolerance to dairy. What does she do on her time off? She sells Usborne Books to help encourage all to read! She’s bringing the book back, one kid at a time!

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Need to rethink how you use the spaces in your home? In 5 easy steps, YES Spaces helps you determine the issue, the space and the people to make your design idea work perfectly for you and your space.

Let YES Spaces help you take your DIY to the next level!

we know they’re not always this angellic. we also know they don’t come with manuals.

let us be your guide. Baby Gear Guide 2015 A unique resource to help parents thrive in their first few years with multiples, Multiplicity’s annual Baby Gear Guides showcase helpful products and information to make your life with a little easier. Subscribe today and see what you’ve been missing!

available to subscribers in print and online now! 74

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the must-have magazine for all moms of multiples

The creator of the Twiniversity online resource delivers the definitive survival guide for all parents of multiples --- from pregnancy through the first year The rate of twin births has risen by 79% over the last three decades, and continues to grow. Expectant parents are overwhelmed with questions: do I really need two of everything? Can we do this ourselves or do we need help? Will I have to rob a bank to raise these babies without going broke? A twins mom herself and national guru on having two (or more!), Natalie Diaz launched Twiniversity, a supportive website with advice from the trenches. What to Do When Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Having Two covers: *making a Birth Plan checklist *sticking to one sleep schedule *double-duty breastfeeding *must-have gear *building one-on-one relationships with each child early Brimming with tried-and-true tips --- from the diaper budget to stroller sanity --- this is the must-have survival guide for parents of multiples. Natalie Diaz has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Family Magazine, and more. She was named one of the top 100 Social Media Moms on Twitter by Disney and has recently been nominated for a She Knows Parenting Award.

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tiny Heart Superhero™, awaiting his fourth surgery and rocking his scar!

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The Saving tiny Hearts Society’s mission is to raise money for grossly under-funded, lifesaving grass roots research of congenital heart defects (CHD's). CHD's are the #1 birth defect worldwide affecting over 1,000,000 babies every year! 76

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of the month

callie & keana

rex & reid

ethan & nathan