Sun Protection for the Family

As the temperature rises kids start spending more time outdoors. More time at the park, more time in the pool, more time on their bike which also means- more time in the sun and a higher risk of skin damage. Just a few sunburns as a child can more than double the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. What can you do to protect your kids from the sun? Follow these simple guidelines-

Twin Study Shows You Should Sleep More to Stay Slim

If you are genetically predisposed to weight gain, you may be interested in the findings of neurologist Nathaniel Watson.  His research team looked at the habits of 1,088 pairs of twins in the University of Washington Twin Registry and found that those who got less sleep (less than 7 hours per night) were not only heavier, but also had less control over their weight than those who got more than 9 hours of sleep.

Watson’s team found that genes accounted for 70% of the difference in BMI in twins sleeping less than 7 hours but environment accounted for only 4%.  Conversely, for twins getting  more than 9 hours of sleep, genetic influences accounted for 32% of the BMI difference (less than half the effect found in the twins sleeping for less than 7 hours).  for the group that slept more than 9 hours, environmental factors like diet and exercise accounted for 51% of the differences in weight.

The study based on 604 pairs of identical twins and 484 sets of fraternal twins, showed that “The less sleep you get, the more your genes contribute to how much you weigh.  The more sleep you get, the less your genes determine how much you weigh.”

Previous studies have shown that not getting enough sleep is linked to weight gain but involved non-twin participants and as a result haven’t been able to tease out the effect of weight-gaining genes.

The results of the twin study suggest that shorter sleep allows for a more permissive environment for the expression of obesity related genes.  The results add to the evidence that adequate sleep is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight.

This doesn’t mean that you can sleep yourself thin.  But you can sleep yourself to a point were diet and activity are more important in determining your body weight than genetics.

For the Love of Apples: Grow your own organic baby & toddler food.

” If you’ve ever considered planting a food garden, spring is the perfect time to get started. You don’t have to have a green thumb to share nutritious, homegrown foods with your children and family. Whether you are thinking of planting a garden for your babies’ first foods, or want to feed growing children for the toddler years and beyond, everyone in the family can benefit from homegrown fruits and vegetables.Organic food gardening can make a huge impact on your family’s health and the planet with minimal time, space, or money. Growing your own food is easier than you might think. As a busy mom of one year old twins and a newbie gardener living in a house with a small yard in a big city, I am proof that with very little time and space, you can grow food for your multiples. Busy families of multiples may wonder why they should bother with homegrown food when grocery store shelves are lined with commercially-available baby food products. The following are some reasons why:

Affordability. In these economic times, we are all looking for ways to save money and gardening is an easy way to reduce your food budget. On average, a four ounce jar of baby food costs $0.80 to $1.50. For a few dollars, you can purchase a package of organic seeds to grow enough vegetables for an entire season of eating. 

Inspiring Video about homebirthing for families of multiples

I just came across this video on YouTube that really caught my attention. I’m happy this twin mom had the outcome she wanted for her delivery.*

*Before considering a home birth or VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), please consult with your health care provider. The safety of mom and babies is paramount, naturally, and there are risks associated with home deliveries. We’ve had families that have had very successful outcomes, and other families who were not so lucky. So please, when considering home birthing as an option, please do your homework and make sure your medical and home birthing teams are all on the same page.

Friday Funny: Mommy’s are so funny!

URGENT RECALL: CRIB TENTS!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE From CSPC.

Release #12-179 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

Five Retailers Agree to Stop Sale and Recall Tots in Mind Crib Tents Due to Strangulation and Entrapment Hazard
One Death and Serious Brain Injury Reported

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and five retailers are announcing a voluntary recall to provide refunds to consumers who own crib tents and play yard tents made by Tots in Mind, Inc.

CPSC is warning parents and caregivers who own these products that infants and toddlers are at risk of serious injury or death due to strangulation and entrapment hazards presented by these products. Tots in Mind recalled the play yard tents in July 2010 and offered a repair kit that is no longer available. The company is no longer in business and has stopped all sales. CPSC staff urges parents and caregivers to stop using these crib tents and play yard tents immediately. Do not attempt to repair these products.

Win a little Lunchbox Love for your kiddos.

Happy iTwinsDay! Today meet Lunchbox Love!

Twiniversity received lots of love from twin mom Esther at the NY Stationary show this week. Esther works with the awesome folks of Lunchbox Love.

Can I say, I immediately fell in LOVE with the idea! Not sure about you, but I LOVE putting little notes in my kids backpacks/snack boxes/lunchbags each day. Sometimes It’s just a funny picture and not much else, hey, what do you want from me before coffee time?

Now, I don’t have to think much and can include a little message in their bags thanks to the folks at Lunchbox Love! Lunchbox Love® are positive notes and fun trivia for your child’s lunchbox, backpack, binder, or pillow.

Busy parents and caregivers will love this easy yet meaningful way to share positive feelings and values with their children. Fun trivia on the back entertains. Positive words on the front enlighten. Each volume contains 12 cards–10 with different phrases and fun facts and 2 blanks so you can add a personal message.

Twin mom Esther says  My twins “Abby and Idan were born 12 minutes apart on August 15, 2005 but their birthdays are just about all they have in common. Abby loves singing, dancing, fashion, and talking to just about anyone she meets. Idan is a soccer star and loves karate and Pokemon. They still share a room and love playing make-up games with their stuffed animals.”

The Triplets are coming one month from today!

Meet Harris, Hubert and Hamish! These identical triplet trio will be in a theater near you soon!

These little dudes are Merida’s (my daughter’s new role model) brothers.

The Diaz Duo is SUPER STOKED for June 22nd when Brave is officially released in theaters. Disney has done it again and created a heartwarming story for the whole family to enjoy and adding another Princess for our little chicks to look up to.

My daughter said "Finally...a princess who looks like me." Hey, we don't call my Baby A, "Red" for nothing.

In “Brave,” courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Spring Cleaning: Family Room

After you have kids, what was once your living room turns into a family room. Many memories are made here as you play games, watch movies and watch you babies take their first steps! This is also the room that your guests first see when they enter you home. So how can we keep this living space functional, comfortable and presentable? Let’s get to spring cleaning part five!

1. Vacuum (make sure to have a fresh bag)
2. Broom
3. Duster
4. Wood polish for any wood furniture
5. Rag
6. All-purpose cleaner
7. Mirror/window cleaner
8. Carpet cleaner
9. Upholstery cleaner

Twinnies of the Month May 2012

Jack and Kelsey Hobbs

We would like to introduce our May 2012 Twinnies of the Month, Jack and Kelsey. These twins are from California, and are very fun, talented and special children. At age seven they are avid readers, purple belts in taekwondo and good students. They are in the same class this year but have different interests and friends. They are curious and love hiking and canoeing with the family. We are happy to honor them as our twinnies of the month.