Freebies and Coupons: Nutrition for Kids

The Cancer Project’s new free booklet, Nutrition for Your Kids: A Dietary Approach to Cancer Prevention, provides information on how diet affects cancer risk. It also includes nutrition information for children in every age group, delicious recipes, and tips on how to instill healthful eating and exercise habits in kids.

To request you free booklet, click here.

Product Recalls: Fisher-Price Toddler Trikes and Tough Trikes

Fisher-Price has announced a voluntary recall of their Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricylces. The popular trikes, which encourage a toddler's motor skills, are being recalled due to serious injury concerns mainly to little girls.   

About 7 million Trikes and Tough Trikes have been recalled due to risk of serious injury after 10 injuries were reported. 6 injuries required medical attention. The injuries were to little girls between the ages of 2 and 3 due to them falling on the plastic pretend key that is sticking up out of the trike. Some of the children also experienced genital bleeding from their falls. The recall includes trikes with a plastic disc shaped or D shaped pretend key. The key is located about 3 inches from the seat. Model numbers of the recalled toys are J72633, 72639, 72642, 72643, 72644, 72792, B8775, B8776, K6672, K6673, M5727, N6021, T6209, V4270. These models include some featuring popular characters such as Barbie, Dora, and Diego. Model numbers can be found under the seats in the storage compartments. Models that include flattened D shaped keys are not included in this recall. Models with numbers higher than 1670Q2 are aslo not included in this recall. The trikes are intended for ages 2-5. The models that are being recalled were manufactured between January 1997 and September 2010. The trikes were sold in Raleigh area Target, Walmart, and ToysRus stores for about $25.Parents can contact Fisher-Price at (800) 432-5437 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday-Friday to obtain a free replacement key. Parents can also visit the firm's website at www.service.mattel.com for more information.

Source: Examiner.com/Raleigh

Freebies and Coupons: Free Beech Nut Next Step Kit

Beech Nut is offer a free next step kit for moms. All you have to do is fill out your basic mailing information, and sign up for their newsletter. By signing up for the newsletter, you will receive coupons for Beech Nut right in your inbox. You will also be up to date on the latest Beech Nut products.

To sign up for the newsletter and get your free next step kit, Click Here.

Product Recalls: Sorrell Brand "Prescott" Cribs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.


Name of Product: Sorelle brand "Prescott" fixed-sided cribs
Units: About 130
Retailer/Distributor: Albee Baby, of East Rutherford, N.J.
Manufacturer: Simplicity Inc. (firm is no longer in business)


Hazard: These cribs are re-labeled fixed-sided Simplicity cribs that contain tubular metal mattress-support frames recalled in April 2010. The mattress support frames can bend or detach, causing part of the mattress to drop, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged, entrapped or fall out of the crib.


Incidents/Injuries: In the April 2010 Simplicity recall, CPSC reported the death of a one-year-old child from Attleboro, Mass. who suffocated when he became entrapped between the crib mattress and the crib frame. In addition, CPSC has received reports of 29 incidents involving the Simplicity cribs where the cribs collapsed due to the metal mattress support frame detaching or bending. These include one child entrapment that did not result in injury and one child who suffered minor cuts when his head struck the broken mattress support bar. CPSC has received one report of a consumer who, in April of 2010, removed the Sorelle Prescott label from the crib and found a Simplicity crib label underneath. (The consumer purchased the crib in July of 2009, prior to the Simplicity mattress support recall.)


Description: These are full-sized fixed-sided cribs sold in an oak finish, as 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 convertible cribs. "Sorelle Furniture" along with the company's address, the crib's model number and a manufacturer's code are printed on a label attached to the headboard or footboard.


Sold at: This recall is limited to Sorelle "Prescott" cribs sold online by AlbeeBaby.com between July 2009 and October 2009 for between $180 and $210.


Manufactured in: China.


Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Albee Baby for a replacement crib, store credit or refund. C&T International/Albee Baby is attempting to directly contact known consumers who purchased the recalled crib online from July 2009 through October 2009. In the meantime, find an alternate, age appropriate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed.


Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Albee Baby toll-free at (877) 692-5233 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.albeebaby.com

Important Message from CPSC:

CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Many older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards and can have numerous safety problems.

Source: Baby Products on About.com

Get a Free Child Safety ID Kit from Gerber

Gerber is offering free child safety ID kits for parents. It's really easy to get your free kit. All you need to do is fill out your basic mailing information, and your kit should arrive in 4-6 weeks. 

To request your free ID safety kit from Gerber, click here.

Teething Twins

The past few nights have not been fun for me at all. The boys are teething again, and this time it's their top front teeth coming in. Omg! Malc started first about five days ago, with both front teeth coming in at the same time. Needless to say, he was not a happy camper at all. He was super cranky and super fussy. He ended up with a fever that was pretty stubborn for a few hours there, but it eventually went away. As a parent, it's tough not being able to help your baby when they feel pain. Yes, the Anbesol and generic Tylenol works, but it doesn't take away the fact that I felt powerless as a parent. 

The Single Parent Double Standard

There is a double standard in single parenting that is unfair to both male and female single parents. I am lucky enough not to be a single parent, but I can't help but recognize the double standard that exist. Whenever my partner is out and about with the children, and I'm not with the crew, people want to give him the gold medal for "Dad of the Year." Now, I'm not downplaying the fact that my children have a great father, what I am saying is, single mothers don't get same round of applause.

Freebies and Coupons: Free Potty Training Kit From Pampers

Check out this cool freebie from Pampers, for moms with potty training tots! 

Potty training is a major milestone and is a big step for parents and kids alike. When you decide it's time to begin potty training, set your child up for success.

This free potty training kit from Pampers will make the whole potty training process easier for the parent and fun for the child.

Made for Multiples: Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes

The best baby wipes that I have ever used, has to be Huggies Natural Care. I started using them after my daughter was born two years ago, and I continued to use them when the twins were born. I like them because of they are the thickest baby wipes out of the three major brands, and they have the perfect amount of moisture for cleaning up messy little ones. Any busy mom can tell you that it sucks to have a baby wipe break in middle of cleaning up a mess. 

Product Recalls: 11,000 Baby Bottle Warmers

• By: Colin McDermott

A recall is in effect for baby bottles warmers that can burn babies and their parents. 

Williams-Sonoma is recalling about 11,000 Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmers. They were sold at stores nationwide, online, and through catalogs from June 2010 through July 2010 for $65.

The company has got 10 reports of bottles overheating. In one case, an adult got a finger burn from touching a hot bottle.

The Beara Express Steam Bottles Warmers are used to heat baby bottles or baby food. The warmer is green with an orange temperature dial. “Beaba” is printed on the base and model number 9602 is printed on the underside of the warmer.

Customers should stop using the bottle warmers and call Williams-Sonoma to learn how to return the product for a full refund. Customers who return the product will get a $25 Williams-Sonoma gift card.

For more information, call Williams-Sonoma at 877-548-0850 or visit their website at www.williams-sonoma.com.

Source: newsnet5.com

Made for Multiples: Pampers Pocket Bibsters

Have you had a chance to try, Pampers Bibsters? Being that I have two babies and a two year old in the house, these disposable bibs have saved the day more than once. I used to pack what felt like a million bibs in my diaper bag, and I've always hated having to separate the dirty ones in a plastic bag. I was randomly searching for baby needs on Amazon.com, when I came across these disposable bibs from Pampers. At first, I was a little skeptical about the bibs because I know how messy my little ones can get. I couldn't help but wonder how they would hold up to my two year and her infamous spaghetti disasters.

Random Twin and Toddler Pics

Here's a few random pics of the twins, and my two year old toddler (who thinks she's a photographer already). The last two pics of her at the bottom, were taken by her. She even yells out cheese, before she takes her own snap shots. These pics show how much the kids have grown, over the past two months. As much as I love playing, singing, and dancing with the three of them, I can't help but feel like they are growing way too fast!

Skinny Jeans for Tots

First it was denim diapers. Now, providing your baby is watching his or her carbs, can toddle around in skinny jeans.

Luckily, these trendy tot pants are stretchy enough to accommodate a diaper.

The jeans are turning up in stores like American Eagle and J. Crew’s Crewcuts, according to the Wall Street Journal.  Gap, denim maker True Religion Apparel Inc and Levis are also embracing the trend by stocking skinny jeans for the tiniest fashionistas.

Gap is reporting that skinny jeans now comprise 40 percent of its jeans  for infant and toddler girls. For children’s apparel makers, kids’clothing sales are a positive sign in an otherwise dismal retail period. While parents have reduced the amount they spend on their own wardrobe in the recession, they’re still shelling out for cute outfits for their kids.

Product Recalls: Baby Monitors and Wooden Rattles

Wooden Toy Rattles

P. Graham Dunn of Dalton, Ohio, is recalling about 500 wooden toy rattles because the wooden dowels can be installed at an angle, allowing the metal rattle inside to become exposed. This poses a serious choking hazard to young children.

The firm is aware of four incidents of the metal rattle becoming exposed. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves a wooden toy rattle with light brown stain, eight wooden dowels and a gold-colored metal rattle inside. The toy rattle is circular in shape, measuring 2 3/4 inches by 2 inches.

They were made in China and sold at gift stores and book retailers nationwide from June through July 2010 for about $6.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and contact P. Graham Dunn to receive a full refund. For additional information, contact P. Graham Dunn at (800) 828-5260 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website.

Made for Multiples: Diapers.com Brand Diapers

If your a mom of multiples like me, your probably looking for ways to save a buck on the things your family needs. One of the ways that I found to save some cash, is by ordering diapers in bulk. When Diapers.com introduced their own premium brand of diapers, I was reluctant to buy them  at first because I was a loyal Pampers customer. Huggies was always my second choice in diaper brands, and off brands were completely off of my radar. What intrigued me about the Diapers.com brand, was the number diapers offered for $40.99. A box of size 3 diapers comes with 200 diapers in the box, and the size 5 box comes with 156 diapers in it. I had to try the diapers out because if the diapers were good, my monthly diaper budget would be cut in half. 

Malcolm & Marcus, The First Weeks

I would like to introduce our twin sons Malcolm Valentino and Marcus Raymond to the world. These two little guys were born on 11/24/09, exactly 10 minutes apart at 12:16 and 12:26pm. Malcolm weighed 5 lbs. 1 oz. at birth, and Marcus weighed 4 lbs. and 7 oz. at birth. My full birth story and hospital pics will be posted soon. In the meantime, here are some random pics from their first few weeks at home.

Malcolm and Marcus 1st & 2nd Week

Twins and More Twins!

I hate aging myself, so I'll use estimates within this post when it comes to years. My bestie and I have been friends for a super long time. We have been through so many stages in life together, and we've always been supportive of each other. I remember how shocked she was, when she found out that she would be having twins. I never thought that I would experience the same shock myself some years later. My bestie delivered two beautiful twin girls, and I delivered two adorable (if I must say so myself) twin boys. 

Family Visits and a Happy Birthday

Summer always brings good times with family. Last month, my mom and my brother came to visit me and my family, as well as my sister and her family. We all met up in Jersey, and had an awesome time! My sister threw a great birthday party for my two year old that was also a family BBQ. We held the party a month or so after my daughters birthday because we wanted mom to be there. My mother got to meet all three of her new grandchildren, see how much her older grandchildren grew, and enjoy some quality time with her children. We had a great weekend overall, and Mima had a great birthday party! Check out these pics.

Black and White Newborn Twins?

I'm all about seeing the beauty of your babies, looking at them and thinking they are the most beautiful and unique and special beings in this world. But one mom -- Carole Fraser -- might be treating her twin babies like the oddities they are not. They are twins. Rejoice! I love twins -- I have twins. But get this (drum roll please): One is black and one is white.

The Joovy Big Caboose

The Joovy Big Caboose is the stroller that I thought was best for my children. I searched for a stroller for several months during my pregnancy, and there weren't many strollers available for my special circumstances. I knew that a regular twin stroller would be insufficient, because my two year old was only 16 months at the time that the boys were born. I wanted a stroller that provided a comfortable space for all three of my little ones, without necessarily being a full triple stroller. My price limit was $500, not a dollar more. That narrowed down my search to a sparse number of strollers available. The two that I was most interested in was the Joovy Big Caboose, and a triple jogging stroller from another brand.

Double Stuff Plus 1 Updates

As many of you know, I recently made a return to work full time. As a result, the past three weeks have been pretty hectic for my family. Between the new job, moving, assignments for class, and being a hands on full time mother, life gets pretty tough around here. The new changes in my life are keeping pretty busy, and made me realize the fact that I needed to tighten my schedule in every way. My blogs have been placed on a once a week schedule for updates. My natural Hair blog (Natural Nina) will be updated every Sunday, and this blog for mom of multiples (Double Stuff Plus 1) will now be updated on Mondays. These minor changes will allow me to keep an organized schedule, for every aspect of my life. With that said, I would like to thank you all for your support, and I look forward to sharing my mom of multiples experiences with you all.

Career Moms: Preparing for My Return to Work

Being a mom of multiples can be quite stressful at times, especially when mom has blogs to run, jobs to interview for, classes to pass, a weight loss plan to maintain, and a full sized family to look after. My days would be at the least overwhelming for the average person, and if it were a job most people probably wouldn't come back the next day. I knew my life was going to change dramatically with the addition of twin boys. Every aspect of my life is different now, and this blog is one of the many ways that I maintain my sanity. 

Makeshift Nail Salon in Hospital NICU

According to the L.A. Times, "officials have placed two Olive-View-UCLA Medical Center staffers on paid leave after "allegations that they had participated in a makeshift beauty salon atop medical equipment in the ward for high-risk newborns." And it gets weirder:
Perhaps not shockingly, this isn't the only instance of "substandard care" alleged against the neonatal ICU via anonymous tipsters. There are more general charges, apparently, of understaffing and incompetence. But the salon allegations are, somehow, especially damning.
Said the complaint, "nurses and doctors through the shift get their manicures, eye brows waxed and nails filed...The smell of acetone permeates the back area of the NICU." One doctor allegedly "had a French manicure right on the high frequency ventilator." So, yes, that does imply not merely presumed neglect of the baby patients, but also the presence of harsh chemicals - to say nothing of hot wax and files. Acetone is highly toxic to anyone; I wouldn't think you'd need to be a doctor to guess that it doesn't do the compromised immune systems of high-risk newborns any favors - but apparently scores of medical professionals were okay with it! Indeed, according to the LA Times, even members of the the hospital's' infectious disease staff were clients. Why not add a smoking lounge while they were at it? Wouldn't those babies have enjoyed a little gin with their formula?
In a statement, the hospital's CEO said,

Patience and Potty Training

I finally have my 2 year old on a regular potty training schedule, after a few months of her playing with the potty. Marli sits on the potty after each meal she has during the day, and once right before bedtime. At first, I was getting a little frustrated because she wouldn't sit on the potty long enough to actually do anything. Then once I got her to sit long enough, it seems like she would just hold it until I put a pamper back on her. This potty training thing was really starting to frustrate me, and having newborn twins to look after was not making the situation any easier.

UK Wonder Twins Set to Enter High School at Age 9

Paula and Peter Imafidon have broken existing records and are setting new records as they wait to hear about their high school placement. While that is something children around the world are doing, what makes it special for the Imafidon siblings is that they are only 9 years old.

The twins have attracted attention for being the youngest to pass the A/AS-level math papers at age seven. Then a year later, they became the youngest to pass the University of Cambridge's Advanced Mathematics (FAM) paper, according to the TimesOnline report.

Dubbed the "wonder twins" by the British media, this brother and sister combo are just the latest overachievers to be parented by Chris and Ann Imafidon, who came to London, England from Nigeria about 30 years ago. According to the MailOnline, the twins' three older sisters all broke achievement records: the oldest won a government scholarship to take undergraduate courses at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University when she was 13, the next oldest was the youngest student to take undergraduate courses at a British university at age 11 and the one closest to the twins, passed high school level math and statistics exams at age 6.

The twins have attended a normal state primary school and received additional instruction through the Excellence in Education program, an initiative to help disadvantaged families. Their father said, according to the BBC News, "We're delighted with the progress they have made."

Heralding the work of the program, their father dismissed "genius" as the source of their accomplishments. TimesOnline reports him saying, " Every child is a genius. Once you identify the talent of a child and put them in the environment that will nurture that talent then the sky is the limit."

The twins are not resting on their laurels either. According to TimesOnline Peter wants to be Prime Minister and Paula a math teacher.

Source: Afro.com

Twincredible: 2 Sets of Twins 12 months Apart.

Growing up, Hazel Bowden had a clear vision of how her life would be: she would have a good career, a nice home and no more than two children.

She certainly didn't want to be one of those frazzled-looking mothers with unruly broods that she encountered in supermarkets.
But Hazel, 40, could never have foreseen just how off course her own life would go.

Hazel Bowden with husband Andrew and their two sets of twins, left to right, Connor and Sarah, Luke and Hannah.

Garcelle Puts Hubby on Blast via Email

Elin Nordegren and Sandra Bullock kept a low profile. Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon chose not to.

The former NYPD Blue actress, 43, went on the offensive with accusations of infidelity against her husband, e-mailing an angry note this week to some of his colleagues including those at Creative Artists Agency, where Michael Nilon works as an agent, PEOPLE has confirmed.

UK Mom Delivers Twin Girls at the Same Time

A LIVERPOOL mum gave birth to twin girls at exactly the same time.

Little Nikita Rooney-Wilson came into the world straight after sister Nadine, and no time separates the twins on their birth certificates.

Mum Kayleigh, 23, from Seaforth, is now recovering at home, but is overjoyed with her new arrivals.

Today Kayleigh’s mum, Sandra, told how she caught one of the girls as they both popped out straight after each other.

Normally twins are born several minutes apart, and hospital chiefs say it is very rare for them to have the same time of birth.

Mrs Rooney, who also lives in Seaforth, said: “We arrived at Ormskirk hospital and the midwives were preparing things, they thought the birth was about 30 minutes away.

“But suddenly both babies popped out of Kayleigh at the same time– I caught Nikita.

“She basically delivered the babies herself because it happened all at once. But the staff were fantastic and started to resuscitate Nikita, who had stopped breathing.

“I had started to massage her heart because I could see there was something wrong. It was a hairy experience but I am one very proud grandmother now.”

Kayleigh’s husband Anthony, a car valeter, was also present at the birth and was taken aback by what happened.

Mrs Rooney, 48, said: “He was worried about Kayleigh and the babies, but everyone is doing well now. Kayleigh is staying at my house for the moment so I can help her with the girls.”

Source:Ormskirk and Skelmersdale Advertiser

The "Not so Cute" Temper Tantrum

My 23 month old daughter Marli is as cute as a button, with a personality that can light up any room. As we approach her second birthday next month, she is starting to develop a not so cute attitude accompanied by temper tantrums. Whenever she doesn't get her way, she begins to cry extremely loud while throwing her toys around. This is where parenting can get pretty tough, because a crying two year old combined with fussy twins can give anyone a run for their money. What I usually do to handle Marli's tantrums is calm her down with her bobo (pacifier, I know it's time for it to go), and tell her that it's okay to be frustrated, but it's not okay to throw things around. Once she's calmed down some, I have her help me pick up her toys so she can learn to clean up after herself. That method doesn't always work, and sometimes I have to step out of the room for a second to prevent my frustration levels from rising. My days are pretty tough with twins and a toddler at home, I am still learning new tips to help me get through my days.

A Warm Welcome

Welcome to Double Stuff Plus 1, a blog dedicated to mothers of twins and a toddler. My world was turned upside down last year, when I found out that we were expecting twin boys. At the time, our baby girl was about 14 months old, and I knew life was about to get very interesting. I started this blog for moms of twins and a toddler, because of the difficult time I had while searching for products to accommodate all three of my children. I also wanted to share my experience with other moms, that have twins and a toddler at home. It's always good to share information and tips with each other, while also giving each other a little support. As we all know, a mothers work is never done, and sometimes it can be a little stressful. I look forward to providing resources for other moms of twins and a toddler. Together we can help each other maintain our sanity while achieving our goals in every aspect of our lives. There's more to come, stay tuned.....