Five of the Best Toys For Twins.

If you're like me, finding the perfect toy(s) to buy my girls is really difficult. I've talked to many other twin moms about what they do for Christmas and birthdays, and each answer varies. Some moms buy their twins identical gifts. Two Barbies, two lego sets. Some moms want to encourage sharing so they buy their kids one Barbie instead.

Talking to some of my friends who are identical twins, I asked them what they preferred. ALL of them hated those two methods. They got bored with their identical gifts quickly since you can only play with the same toy for so long. They hated having only a single toy to share because one of them was always left out each time. They preferred having something they could both play with.

But how do you buy gifts for twins that encourages sharing, individuality, and doesn't leave one of them waiting for their turn all the time?

Buy a single toy that they can both play with! Yes, these toys are a bit pricier as stand-alone toys, but when you consider that you're buying it for two (or more) children, it really is a steal!

Here's a list of toys I've come up with just for you!

1) Activity Sets - These types of toys are amazing for babies and toddlers because there are so many activities to do! My girls got an Activity Garden from my parents this past Christmas and they love it! These types of toys are also great for play dates because even your children's friends can have something to play with as well! It encourages sharing because when your twins get bored with whatever activity they are playing with, they can switch and take turns. Price Range: $60-$90

Click HERE to check out this Activity Garden!

Click HERE to check out this Little Tikes Discover Sounds Sports Center!

Click HERE for more details on this VTech Grow & Discover Tree House Toy!

2) See-saws - It's like see-saws were made for twins! Needing at least two kids to operate, these toys are great for both outdoors and indoors. I remember loving the see-saw my parents got for me and my siblings as a kid, but you need to see some of the see-saws they are coming up with now days! It's amazing! Price Range: $40-$70

Click HERE to check out the Step2 Play Up Teeter Totter!!

Click HERE if you're interested in this TP Activity Spiro Bouncer! It spins!

Click HERE if you want more info on this Edushape Rock N' Table! If you flip it over, it's also a table!

3) Activity Tables - These are a classic toy that, like Activity Centers, are guaranteed to keep your kiddos busy! Most activity tables come with four sides. Each side offers a different activity so your twins can have constant play. These are also great because many of them are educational as well as fun!

Click HERE to check out the Bright Starts Having a Ball Get Rollin Activity Table!

Click HERE to check out this VTech iDiscover App Activity Table!

Click HERE if you want to know more about this LeapFrog Learn & Groove Activity Table!

4) Ride-on Toys - These types of toys are awesome! They encourage team work as one of the babies or toddlers can push their twin while the other one rides and steers. It also promotes sharing as they will need to take turns. We found one on sale and bought it for our girls this past Christmas, and they love it! Price Range: $30-$60

Click HERE if you're interested in the Fisher-Price LP Music Parade Ride-on Toy!

Click HERE if you'd like to know more about the Fisher-Price LP Shop N' Roll Ride-on!

Click HERE to check out the Sesame Street Shapes & Colors Ride-on!!

5) Band In A Box - These toys are great for your wallet and for your twins because they're so inexpensive but come with so many different instruments! Along with sharing and teamwork, these toys also encourage creativity! Teach your babes to love making music with this awesome toy collection! Price Range: $15-35

Click HERE if you're interested in the Melissa & Doug Band in a Box!

Click HERE if you want to learn more about the Schoenhut BB0310 Band in a Box!

Click HERE to check out the KidKraft Lil' Symphony Band in a Box

There are so many options out there for you! Whether you're buying for your own twins, your grandbabies, or your friend's kids, these are all great options. If you have any more suggestions on what type of toys twins would love, would encourage sharing and teamwork, and wouldn't break your wallet, I'd love to read them, so comment below!

Identical.

For those of you who don't know, Aria and Cadence are identical twins. This was confirmed at their birth because they were both attached to a single placenta which means that they came from the same egg, which split during conception. Sometimes the differences between Aria and Cadence are as apparent as night and day, but sometimes even we have a difficult time telling them apart.

Their similarities are obvious. They have many of the same curious expressions, their legs stick out straight when they are feeding, their lung strength has drastically increased since they were born and their cries have gotten stronger. They both drown in their newborn clothes. They love to eat and gain lots of weight - they've already gained almost two pounds each! They both have big beautiful gray eyes that get slightly browner each day. They were born with a TON of dark brown hair that needs to be brushed after each bath or else it'll dry in crazy ways. They both have soft, smooth skin that smells SO good. They fall asleep immediately when we put them in their car seats. They always get the same reaction from strangers: "Oh my goodness, twins!? They are so beautiful!!" which is almost always followed by, "You're gonna have your hands full!" Our hands are definitely full with these two, and so are our hearts.

First of all, their physical differences: Aria is (and has always been) slightly heavier than Cadence. Currently, Aria is 7 lbs and Cadence is 6lbs 9oz. Aria has a birthmark on her stomach and Cadence has a small one on her bum. Aria has a slightly longer, narrower face while Cadence's face is more round. Lastly, Aria has longer, fluffier hair while Cadence's is shorter and more matted to her head. 

Their personalities can be night and day different as well. Aria is usually more mellow and reserved, but oh can she scream. She scarfs her food down like it is the last drop of milk on earth and ends up getting the hiccups EVERY time. She loves her pacifier but it is always falling out of her mouth, which poses a problem at three in the morning when she needs it to fall asleep. Lastly, Aria is the smiliest baby I've ever met. She is always breaking out into grins and sometimes even lets out a laugh! It is so sweet. Cadence is our little feisty one. She makes it known when she has a dirty diaper and wants to be changed IMMEDIATELY. With Cadence, there is always a good reason why she is crying and it's pretty easy to figure out. She makes the funniest faces and has us constantly laughing. She has always been the smaller baby, so she really fights for her food. When she looks up at you, it seems she is really looking at you - wanting to know who you are. It is so special.

We have come to know and love these little girls SO much. Everyone who meets them falls in love with them as well. They have such special spirits and it is really an amazing experience to be their mom. I just love holding them, trying to rock them to sleep, and seeing their big, beautiful eyes open and stare up at me. I love getting to know them individually. They are identical, and that is apparent in so many instances. But it is so fascinating to see how different they are as well. It will be an incredible adventure to raise these lovely girls and we can't wait!  

Gender Reveal!

When I was about 16 weeks pregnant, I had my first ultrasound with the perinatologist. At that ultrasound, they asked if we'd like to know the genders of our twins. Since Kurt couldn't be with me, I asked if they could indicate it somehow on paper and put it in an envelope. The plan was to skype after I got home so we could open the envelope together. However, after calling Kurt on the phone and letting him know I had the envelope in my hands, he said he couldn't wait and wanted to know right now! So I opened the envelope and this is what was inside:

Baby A is a girl! She was not shy to show us... haha ;)

Baby B is also a girl!! YAY!

Kurt and I were sooooo happy! We both wanted girls, even though Kurt changed his mind a few times. Another thing we learned was that our baby girls were identical! We know this, because they share one placenta.

They are considered monochorionic (single placenta)/ diamniotic (two sacs) twins. Mono/di twins carry the risk of something called Twin-to-twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) which is when one baby starts to steal all the nutrients from the other. This is a very serious risk, and because of it, I have to be seen by the perinatologist every two weeks so that they can make sure the babies are growing at the same rate and that there's no discordance in their sizes.

This video explains it REALLY well, better than I could:

I am currently in my 20th week of pregnancy and just had my third appointment with the perinatologist. The twins are growing just fine and have no discordances. We are SO grateful for that and hope it continues throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.

Since finding out that the babies were identical twin girls, I have had many more ultrasounds. Here are some of them:

Baby A at 17 weeks during my visit to the ER.

Baby B at 17 weeks :) 

Our babies cuddling at 18 weeks old :) 

Baby A at 18 weeks. The doctor said that because Baby A is positioned lower, the
ultrasounds of her wouldn't be as clear since they'd always have to be dodging
Baby B when they take it. 

Baby B at 18 weeks. The doctor called Baby B a "movie star" since she's so photogenic.

Kurt and I are SO excited to be welcoming these baby girls into the world in just a few months :) We have already received tons of amazing gifts for these babies from family and they are already so spoiled! We love them soooo much and REALLY hope that they keep growing perfectly for the next 15 weeks or so. We feel so blessed to be having them in our family :)