time to babyproof

gates, outlet covers, drawer stoppers... All that paraphernalia we (first-time parents) need to ensure a safe environment for our babies. Or so we think. Because I’ve learned that our boys are elite assassins in training and can turn any ordinary object or toy into a deadly weapon.


opening the DVD player tray

  




the ring leader





everything that goes up...



But seriously, did you know that every year, there are more than 3,000,000 unintentional injuries to children 14 and under that happen in the home and require care in an emergency room?

So in the name of common sense(?), we decided to take (a few) measures.

Here’s what we’ve done:

þ     Cover electrical sockets with plastic plugs

þ     Put gates for stairs and doorways

þ     Kitchen cabinet latches and locks

In the name of first-time-parents-freaking-out sense, here’s what’s in the to-do list*:

þ     refrigerator locks

þ     oven latches

þ     stove knob covers

þ     locks for bathroom drawers

þ     door locks

þ     toilet locks

þ     fire escape ladders

þ     carbon monoxide detectors

þ     etc

* “To-do list” in our household is code for “let’s flip a coin and decide whether it’ll get done”

 ............................



Thank you, Joey, for making my point





the search for the perfect, 1st halloween costume

First, my disclaimer that, being Brazilian, Halloween is NOT part of my culture. Sure, we imported the idea of Halloween thanks to our EFL private schools. However, we related it to the vampires, witches, dark, gothic stuff.

Anyway, back to the American version. One of my favorite things is to listen to Jonas reminisce with stories of his growing up. Jonas’s Halloween costumes are legendary in his family. His mom proudly tells of when, at age 12 (?), he put a Batman costume together using a black umbrella for the cape. And when he dressed as the Phantom of the Opera. So we have a legacy to carry forth and we shan’t disappoint!

So the question is: homemade or store bought? Lots of time and frustration fighting the sewing machine (and ending up passing the bucket to my mom nos 45 minutos do Segundo tempo - very last minute and feeling like a failure) or spending $ on something they’ll only wear once? Tough choice…

In addition, I don’t even know why I’m making such a big deal. It’s not like we’re even going to go trick or treating. I’m secretly wishing that Gus will throw another costume, birthday party so that we’ll get a chance to display our boys' yet-to-be-determined :)

And then, I saw this:

CUTE!

CREEPY!

children's songs

Você já ouviu falar na Galinha Pintadinha?
Os meninos estão viciados! Os vídeos são recheados com músicas infantis do cancioneiro popular brasileiro e as animações são uma gracinha (e o mais legal é que vem a letra pra gente cantar junto rs).

Adonis e Apollo páram o que estiverem fazendo pra assistir os vídeos da Galinha Pintadinha

As duas músicas favoritas deles são:

1. A Baratinha


2. A Formiguinha

learning the hard way

When one twin is constipated, it's a really bad idea to also give prune juice to the other twin...

it's grandparents day

National Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, annually.

These kids have no idea (yet) how lucky they are to have such amazing grandparents who don't miss out on any chance to spoil them.

 

Gangi and Apollo

   

Abuelito y Adonis

 

Vovó Dedé

* Vovô Vavá, yet to be pictured with the boys

We are grateful for their love and support.

coupons and discounts for multiples

I was on the phone with Huggies the other day (because I had bought the new, little movers/slip on diapers that didn’t come with the rewards sticker) and while talking to the very nice representative I mentioned I had twins. She asked if I had heard of their Multiple Birth Program (which I had not!) and she explained that they send a one-time gift and coupons for Huggies products (diapers, wipes, bath and body products).

I’m sooo excited! I just need to mail a copy of the babies’ certificate to the address below and I’m set!

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Department QMB

P.O. Box 2020

Neenah, WI 54957-2020

With this event in mind, I decided to go a quick search of other companies that provide discounts or coupons for parents of multiples and here’s what I found (so far):

BEECHNUT 1-800-beechnut

Call for Beechnut twin or multiple coupon packs.

www.Beechnut.com

EVENFLO CO. 1-800-356-BABY (356-2229)

Send copies of birth certificates and short letters requesting to become members of their Multiple Birth Programs:

Evenflo Co.

Attn: Multiple Birth Program

1801 Commerce Dr.

Piqua, OH 45356

THE FIRST YEARS 1-800-533-6708

Send copies of birth certificates and short letters requesting to become members of their Multiple Birth Program:

RC2 The First Years

100 Technology Center Dr.

Suite 2A

Stoughton, MA 02072

GERBER Super Twins Program 1-800-4gerber

LUVS

One-time gift of valuable coupons for Luvs baby care products. Snd your complete name and postal address, along with photocopies of the babies’ official government birth certificates, to:

Luvs Multiple Birth Offer

The Proctor & Gamble Company

P.O. Box 599

Cincinnati, OH 45201

MEAD JOHNSON (ENFAMIL)

For multiple births, Mead Johnson Multiples program:

Toll-free 1-800-422-2902; 1-800-222-9123

Physician must contact local sales rep. One-time shipment of free formulas. One case per child. Call for coupons, too.

PAMPERS

1-800-PAMPERS (726-7377)

Call their customer service representative to receive a special, one-time set of coupons for parents of multiples.

Happy spending!