[chica_latina]

We are visiting next month and we were hoping that we can get some tips.

We have an Ergo carrier and an umbrella stroller.. We had originally only planned to bring the Ergo carrier but now with the 2nd referral, we need to re-think things.

Did anybody bring a double stroller?
Did you have 2 cribs?
Did you bring one of those infant carrier/carseat thingies?
Any other tips??

Thanks!

Myrna

[moelladeville]

Hi Myrna,
My friend (who also used our agency) just came home with twins. I'm sure she'd have lots of advice for you. PM me if you want her home e-mail or contact info. So excited for you!
Marjorie

[Mexmom]

Myrna

Congratulations on not one but two miracles!

In 2002 we adopted twin boys from Guatemala. It was the best decision we ever made.

We didn't use cribs - we each slept with a baby in our bed as this was how the foster mother had them sleep. We didn't take carriers but then our sons were 9 months old when we picked them up.

On the pick up trip however we didn't bring a stroller or carrier or anything. Big mistake! However it sounds like you're already planning much better than we did. Other than that I don't have any tips - just wanted to congratulate you.

Your hands will be full but your heart will be fuller

Caroline

[RLK913]

I don't have any advice to offer, but wanted to offer you best wishes on your upcoming trip and safe travels!! Enjoy your babies!!! Can't wait to see pictures when you return.

[PackGirl]

I just made a visit with our 2nd son who is 5 months younger than Ernie (who is already home). I had both boys and you better believe I LOVE my double stroller! I was by myself but even if dh was with me, I found the stoller to be wonderful. I also had two cribs in the room. Ernie is way to active to sleep in bed with me anymore and while Kinney did sleep with me a couple of times, I found it eaiser to put him down for a nap in the crib.

It may seem scary now...but once you get a routine down it does get eaiser!

Congrats on both your referrals and enjoy your visit trip!

[~amy~]

I'm interested in hearing this advice, too! Thanks for asking!

I've been wondering if it makes sense to buy 2 umbrella strollers in Guatemala (and possibly take latches to hook them together). That way, you won't have to deal with the strollers on the way there.

[annaguat]

We'll bring two umbrella strollers with connector clips,Lion brand $10, and two slings. Your youngest baby might fit well in a pouch sling. In the hotel we had two cribs as the babies normally do not sleep together and live at different foster homes. We also co slept with them. Just what worked out. We brought one diaper bag on the visit trip but will bring two on the pick up as you are not allowed to sit next to each other on the plane with two lap babies. We have access to baby carseat type cariers when we are there. Instead of taking that along you can take a foldable bouncy seat. If you plan to take a umbrella stroller you might ry and find one that reclynes. They are harder to find. Have a wonderful visit trip. Anna

[ej-momtobe]

I would question the umbrella stroller. We visited our boy at 9 weeks and I don't think he would have the muscle control to sit in an umbrella stroller at that age. We just held him in a sling while we ate. I also saw another woman with a 2 month old use a carseat.

[Kimberj71]

How exciting, a visit with your two little ones!!! It brings back so many awesome memories for me!

We visited both of them once and then had Jeremy with us during Londy's pick up trip. We did not bring strollers with us because we knew we would be holding them most of the time and there were two of us. We did bring our baby sling and I am so happy we did as both Londy and Jeremy's fostermoms' carried them in slings/baby holders. They felt very comfortable being "worn". If we had it to do again, I'd consider getting a second baby sling. It was very helpful in the airport for the pick up trips and once we were home as well.

Personally, I would definitely not bring a double stroller. We have owned several and while they are great if you have just one parent and two little ones, they are not very manueverable and many times do not "fit" in shops and aisles. Not to mention they can be pretty heavy and awkward to carry. If you want to have a stroller for each baby, I'd take two seperate strollers...although I'm not sure an umbrella stroller is the greatest choice for a little one under 3 or 4 months old.

We were minimalists when we packed . So we did not bring an infant carseat or bouncy seat, but again, we knew we'd be holding our little ones alot or that we could prop them up with pillows on the bed. We didn't even pack diapers as we waited until we got to Guat to see what size they wore and bought them there.

We did request two cribs from the hotel when we made our reservations. And the Marriot had them there for us when we got to our room. One thing I wish we had was a way to warm the water for their formula...that was the toughest part of the trip was getting two bottles of formula mixed and the right temp at the same time. We used bottled water from the hotel to mix the formula but it was cold or room temp after the first day. So we ended up running down to the bar in the Marriot and asking for hot water.

I was so nervous before our first trip because I'd never taken care of two babies at once. But it went amazingly smooth. They had very similar schedules and tended to sleep at about the same times and eat at about the same times. Miraculously at night they woke up at seperate times so that was nice too.

Good luck on your trip! I can't wait to see an update!

Kim

[guatgal]

Although my sons are "virtual" twins.........exactly 7 weeks apart in age I'd like to chime in. We did bring two umbrella strollers and am sooooo thankful!!! We did bring one sling type carrier and that was needed for our oldest who was in one constantly with his fostermom. I am a total overpacker, so we had PLENTY of clothes and so forth, but I wish I would have brought a few more toys (and with toys a good rule of thumb is it never hurts to have two of the same type of toy). It's been three years since our pick up trip.........but feel free to PM me if you have specific questions!! Best wishes and have a BLAST!!!

[csw]

Hi
They say you can use 2 Ergo's at once..one in the front and one in the back..however you need the infant insert for infants 4 months old or less..

Also..unless the umbrella stroller reclines..you really shouldn't use it for such young babies..

The Maya wrap is also good and you can use 2 at once..

With 2 of you visiting it won't be too hard..I know its a big expense but maybe get 2 Ergo's? I just carried my 30 lb daughter all through the airport yesterday in ours..she loves it..

[MLRJ]

Congratulations- On the trip- I agree with others- I would not bring the double- though it is great at home- a REAL pain going through security with it and in and out of some doors. I would bring two carriers so you can each wear one.

We do have two cribs- but I will be honest- when our two came home from VN at 3 months- only our little girl would sleep in the crib- this time around- they both sleep their for nap but at night sleep with us in the old family bed as they too were used to co-sleeping with their foster mom. Since are visiting you can find out where they are sleeping.

A tip to remember- if the pick-up trip is difficult , remember- things will be much easier when you are home and operating out of you home instead of a hotel and airport!

Also -freeze some meals now and buy paper plates for when you first get home- anything you can do to lessen your workload of housekeeping is good because you will be busy!

Congratulations!!!! I love the two at once- you will too!

MLRJ

[lwils89701]

almost twins!

On the visit trips I did take a double umbrella stroller that reclined....it was invaluable. If your children are under 6 months, you need to have a stroller that reclines.

There are times when one of you is going to be alone with both babies while the other naps, showers, runs out for more diapers, or back to the room for something, etc. It is impossible to hold two babies and do anything else like...eat, drink, go to the restroom, change one babies diaper, or even just entertain the kiddos with a change of scenery. As an added bonus, my two loved to stroll the hotel and grounds, and it was a sure fire way to sooth them if they were restless. On the second visit trip, they were starting to eat baby food and the stroller doubled as a high chair making feeding a lot easier.

TIP: I took the stroller down on the first trip and stored it at the Marriot for the subsequent trips and brought it back on the last pick up trip. That way I didn't have to keep lugging it back and forth.

I requested cribs, and the Marriot provided two. It worked our great for us.

My daughter was used to a crib in the foster home and when she was ready to sleep she would fuss and fuss until she was in the crib. She immediately quieted when placed in the crip and was asleep about 60 seconds later!

My son was used to co-sleeping at night, but napped in a basinet. He did amazingly well in the crib at night for not being use to it. A little slow to settle, but a few minutes of standing by the crib with a soft lullaby and pat on the back and he was out for the night.

I know it is not a popular position on this forum, but I was not comfortable co-sleeping. I sleep hard and thrash a lot in my sleep and was concerned I may inadvertently hurt my children. There were 7 infant deaths related to co-sleeping in our state this year alone. They were smothered when overtired parents rolled over them in their sleep or when they became entangled in adult pillows and linens. It is probably a very small fraction of the total number of infants who co-sleep with their parents, but I couldn't get past it, especially with my sleep habits.

I know that there are many parents who advocate co-sleeping for bonding, and I respect those who feel strongly about it and make that choice. There are ways to make it safer and many people have lighter and quieter sleep habits. I just know it was not the right choice for me and want you to know you do have a choice and it does not make you a less loving parent if you choose not to co-sleep.

TIP Take a small electric kettle to heat water...mine cost about $15 and could boil 4 cups of water within 2 minutes. When you are making bottles for two, and those two are probably on different schedules, and different formulas (mine were), you need a way to heat water quickly. I found it was easier to mix as needed.n It took longer to heat a cold prepared bottle than to warm water for a fresh bottle. OH...and a night light is real handy so you can see to fix the bottle and do a diaper changes without waking everyone in the room!

I packed twice as much as I needed for the children, and very lightly for myself thinking to save space. However, babies have a way of reducing your clothing to muck several times a day. Don't over pack, but a couple of spare shirts per adult goes a long way!

Most of all enjoy. Don't worry about doing anything but absorbing the essence of your children. I couldn't get enough of just exploring their fingers and toes, smelling their scent, feeling the softness of their hair and skin, and learning how to make each one smile their own special smiles. One like to be sung to, another preferred to be bounced. Once you get them home you will have to figure how to juggle the children needs with everthing else....the cooking, laundry, relatives, work, etc. The visit trip was a special time for me as I had nothing to do but spend every waking moment with my babies!