I have a keen eye for mom's who have their "you know what together" in the general public and when I spot what I like to call a "Bad Ass Mom"...it's like a tractor beam of light that sucks me in and I can't help but stop what I am doing, introduce myself and quiz them about their Bad Ass ways. Let me tell you about a Bad Ass Mom: Meet Rene. Rene is a fellow Double Down Mom. She had an 8 year old and 3 year old when her twin boys were born. Rene is also the co-founder of The Give Back ...
Top 5 Things To Know When Expecting Twins
I think every mom of multiples will tell you if she had a dollar for every time she heard, “I don’t know how you do it” she would be able to afford a vacation home in the south of France. But as annoying as it is to hear the same phrase over and over again every time you step foot out of your house from friends and strangers alike, it is true. Sometimes we don’t know how we do it, but we do. A funny thing happens when you become a parent to multiples and your doctor hands you two babies at ...
Bad Ass Mom Q&A – Claire
In honor of Mother's Day I decided to launch a new series on my blog called, "Bad Ass Moms." I have a keen eye for moms who have their "you know what" together in public and when I spot what I like to call a "Bad Ass Mom," it's like a beam of light that sucks me in. I can't help but stop, introduce myself and ask about their Bad Ass-ity. Let me introduce you to a Bad Ass Mom: Meet Claire. Claire wears a superwoman cape every day. The cape is invisible to her, though ...
No I’m Not Pregnant Again, It’s Those Dang Girl Scout Cookies
Can’t a girl gain a little bit of winter weight without being asked if she is growing another tiny human inside? This was the second time in my life that I was asked if I was pregnant, when I was indeed not pregnant. The first time I was in my 20’s. I was working in PR, had probably worked extra hard on my Marc Jacobs outfit that morning, and giving a photographer tour when he asked: “When are you expecting?” “Expecting what?” I replied. Most people would realize their mortifying ...
“Sleepcation”
I love to travel and I love going on vacation, but sometimes you don't need to go very far to get away. Most people call this a "staycation." Living like a tourist in your own city and exploring the places you rarely go. I agree with this concept, but sometimes you just need to sleep. I call this a "sleepcation." My favorite time of the year for a "sleepcation" is around daylight savings time. The two weekends of the year that parents of young children dread. It doesn't require a plane ...
The Stomach Flu Survival Guide
I am not leaving my house until the stomach flu season is over. (It is a season, right?) This year I am keeping my kids quarantined as much as possible. My children's sanitary habits are questionable at best. I can get them to wash their hands all day long, but when I catch one of them eating a fruit snack off the floor in a public restroom or licking the bottom of my flip-flop (both true stories) there is no hope for a virus free life. This winter we are in lockdown and attempting to ...
The NOPE Gift Guide to the Holidays
The season of giving is upon us and gift guides are everywhere. I love gift guides and getting new ideas and inspiration from others. I welcome products that make my life easier and happier. However, not all gifts that will be given will be welcomed with parental joy. I think there should be a list available to loved ones of items to avoid. Those gifts that give parents headaches and heart palpitations. So, I made a list of things I give a big NOPE to for the holidays. Glitter. I ...
My Kind of Christmas Flick.
I'm not saying I'm a Bad Mom. But the resemblance of my life and Kristen Bell's character in the Bad Moms movies is uncanny. She actually says in movie "Kids don't drink the Christmas tree water!"...which is a seasonal phrase that I have repeated often in our house. Or maybe we just have the same number of kids. Whatever. The point is...this movie made me laugh. A lot. I am pretty sure tears of joy were rolling down my face in the first 2 minutes. And as I looked around at the mom ...
The New Normal
I’m done trying to be “normal.” I mean, what is “normal” anyway. I keep hearing this term, “the new normal” which brings me a sense of peace. I guess it’s just a fancy way of saying life is just a series of phases that keeps changing and life is not always going to be as it is right now for the rest of your life. Ever since I had twins I have tried to do the normal things that I did before they were born. I actually dislocated my daughters’ arm (turns out she has nurses maid elbow) because ...
I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends. …And By “Friends” I Mean Anyone Who Will Help Me.
I think any parent of multiple children, and certainly parents of multiples, will tell you that doing everyday tasks is no easy feat. A simple trip to the grocery store or even a preschool drop off with multiple children in tow can put you over the edge. I used to think I could do it all. Or at least I tried. But the day that I admitted to myself that I needed a little extra help, my life changed forever. It was a typical school day where I was struggling to get my four year old inside the ...
OMG My Target Has A Drive-Thru!
It started out as just a regular day. I had to run some errands, so I headed to Target with my twin toddlers in tow. And then something amazing happened. I pulled into the parking lot and suddenly I saw a beacon of light shine down from the heavens and the angels started singing. There standing before me was a sign that read "Drive Up." What the heck was this? Is this a drive-thru at Target? Do I no longer need to haul my screaming children out of my car and into a store? Can Target ...
Sometimes It’s Best To Embrace The Crazy
My life has been filled with ridiculous moments lately. Public displays that are cause for embarrassment. Moments that could either bring you to tears or fits of laughter...depending on the day. Those are the days I struggle. Which way do I lean? Last summer, my twins were playing in the backyard and my toddler daughter just pulled down her pants and took a dump in the yard. Seriously, she pooped in my backyard instead of walking 20 feet into the house and going in the bathroom. I ...
Potty Training Twins Deserves A Medal of Honor
Is there a medal or badge of honor given to those who potty train twins? Perhaps a basket of champagne that falls from the heavens and lands on my doorstep? If not, I think there should be. I viewed this process as a terrifying act that forces one to break through boundaries, defy the laws of physics and acquire super powers on a daily basis. I procrastinated and put it off until I was forced to because I had signed my twins up for a class in which they needed to be potty ...
The Pressure To Be Productive
Does anyone else feel the pressure to be productive? Like. All. Of. The. Time. I can’t be the only one that feels this way. What do you do when you suddenly have a spare hour (or 10 minutes) without kids pulling on your legs? If you're anything like me, you start to panic and frantically try to get everything done that has been on your ever growing “to do” list. Sometimes I make lists that I can reference when I do have a moment to myself. But honestly, most of the time I don’t even have ...
Judgey Pants
If having twins has taught me one thing and one thing only, it’s to take off your judgey pants and throw them in the garbage. I used to be a mom judger before I became a mom. I think I was anyway. I didn’t have much empathy to hand out to moms in general, yet alone those struggling through everyday tasks with their kids. I didn’t get it. I was the childless airplane passenger that would roll my eyes and order an extra glass of wine when a child under the age of 5 was seated remotely close to ...