traveling with multiples!!

[kritter]

I've been reading most of the posts and have been gathering some great advice. though I'd finally join the action...here goes...

I have fraternal sons, Connor and David, who are 19 months old. My dh and I are planning a trip to WDW in November with the boys. It will be thier first overnight trip anywhere so I'm a little anxious. We are staying at the Poly so hopefully the convience of the monorail makes things easy for us. We were engaged in WDW and went back for our honeymoon so it only seems fitting that we go.

WELCOME WLCOME!!!!!!!!

Oh the trip will be wonderful the boys are at a great age to ...Just hollar if htere is anything we can help you with........

 

[llp479]

Hi everyone1

All my plans have been finalized. We are heading down on September 27 and staying for a week. We are going to be at Marriot Horizons for 4 nights and than move to Vistana Village for 3 nights.

We have plans to got to the Mickey's Halloween Party on 10/2. My two girls are getting hair and makeup done at BBB and then we have reservations at 1900 Park Fare before heading to the party.

The only reservation that we didn't get yet (but I am trying everyday) is for Chef Mickeys on 9/27...I thought it would be a fun way to start the vacation!

Needless to say, I am so excited. This will be the first trip as a complete family! The twins haven't been on an airplane before so they are going aroung just saying, "Jet Blue...Jet Blue".

Hope all your planning is going well!

Pam
heading down with dh, ds(7) dd(4) dtwins dd &ds (3)

We have tickets for MNSSHP for 10/2 as well. My crew isn't big on dressing up, so I doubt we'll be in costumes. I'm trying to convince the twins to dress alike and go as twins! So far it's a no go.

We really looking forward to going. We were there in March, but did the 4 day cruise, so our park time was cut down. We'll be there for 9 nights arriving on the 29th and staying at Marriott's Grande Vista.

 

[kritter]

We are going on the 22nd anyone else?????

 

[goofymomof3]

I just found the multiples thread!!!!! I am so excited....I have faternal twins, girls, they are 10 and have a brother 13. We are going to Disney World in December of 2007.....staying for New Year's Eve......I know it is going to be crowded......is it worth it??? Anyone been the week of Christmas?????

 

[goofymomof3]

I just saw your post about 3rd grade. I am a third grade teacher and a mother of twins. Everyone has their own opinions but if your girls have always been together I also think the split should be later. If they have never been together I would leave them seperate. Mine have always been seperated and this year, 5th grade I am putting them together mainly because they are going to middle school and I am a nervous wreck.....hehehe . Teachers also tell me that mine are so opposite that in the classroom they are fine...... best of luck....... 3rd grade is a hard one.......

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I appreciate your thoughts, goofymom, and maybe I'll have some questions for you this year. My twins are actually boy/girl, and they've been pretty independent of one another in school. They tell me most people don't even know they're brother and sister, let alone twins. They have their own friends, yet they're there for one another if need be (which was a big concern for me with my medical history). Kind of nice. We are in no rush for summer to end, but we're all looking forward to this year!!

 

[goofymomof3]

Pea-N-Me sounds like your two have it together...... I think it may be easier with boy girl..... that is what I worry about with my girls....... I don't want one to over ride the other....... pick all the friends, make all the choices....... you know..... mine are so different though........and in some ways so alike.....isn't it the weirdest thing......... I hope I am not making a mistake but if I am .......... we'll change it next year....

 

[kritter]

I just found the multiples thread!!!!! I am so excited....I have faternal twins, girls, they are 10 and have a brother 13. We are going to Disney World in December of 2007.....staying for New Year's Eve......I know it is going to be crowded......is it worth it??? Anyone been the week of Christmas?????

WElcome WElcome!!!!!

 

[Holly]

My three years old girls are starting preschool in a few weeks and the school prefers separate classes for twins. So, they will be in two classrooms right next door to each other. I don't anticipate any separation anxiety.

We are also heading back to WDW in September. Unfortunately, we aren't going to be there for a MNSSHP. I'm trying to talk dh into changing the dates a little.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, it does seem to be a bit easier in school with boy/girl, though I do have a few friends who have separated their boy/girl twins because of issues with dependence and comparison, etc. I guess I'm lucky that way. From an academic standpoint, they are pretty similar. It is cute how they help eachother with homework. DD is stronger in language arts and DS is stronger in math so it's kind of a nice balance. I forgot to say earlier, their coloring is very different so they really don't look alike (unless you look closely) so I think that is in their favor.

3rd grade is a hard one.......

I would like to hear more of your thoughts on this if you don't mind. Let me know what I'm in for, LOL. They had an interesting, very challenging second grade. Their teacher was known as the "tough one". We definitely found that to be true as well, but I'm glad, actually. I think they're pretty well prepared because of it. Last year we found ourselves with about (and I am not kidding) 2 hours of homework per night M-Th, along with some type of at home project monthly. Friends in other 2nd grade classes in the same (public) school would have the typical 1/2hr homework for the most part.

Here's what we had Mon-Thurs nights:
An English assignment, usually two sheets of two pages, both sides of a sheet (i.e. four pages).
Two pages of math facts (addition/subtraction), timed for one minute, circled where they stopped, then finishing the rest.
Spelling word practice, with challenge words and tests on Friday.
30 minutes of reading out loud and date, title of book, and amount of time reading written in log (which she checked every day and circled if it wasn't done, to be done next night, LOL).
10 minutes of math flashcards, with verification written in log.

Here were some of our monthly projects (had to be initialed by a parent when turned in):
Make a colored map of a community, labeling streets and buildings, and adding landscaping.
Make a musical instrument.
Write a story/paragraph of a hero of your choice using a guideline (we did animal heros ).
Write a story/paragraph about and dress up as your favorite American Hero (that was really cute, done as a class presentation with parents present).
Several book reports, read chapter book and write report using guideline; later attached to seasonal artwork which was then hung in classroom.

She also stressed how important it is to keep up with reading and flash cards over the summer which we have been pretty good about doing (we took a big bag of books along with the flashcards away with us on vacation ). She said that once they "own" the addition/subtraction, they'll own if forever, and can then more easily move on to higher level math in 3rd grade, which made sense to me (we touched on multiplication a bit toward the end of the year). The kids went to a little summer reading camp for 4 weeks as well so as not to lose their skills which was sponsored by the PTA.

The third grade in our school is losing a teacher this year, so they're going from a small class size (16) to one a little bigger (around 22) so again, I'm glad they're well prepared. Any suggestions as to what I can offer to help the teacher with? I'm happy to help in any way I can, am around during the week a lot. I offered last year but all the teacher requested was treats for parties and occasionally I sent in some classroom supplies. I have a good friend who is also a teacher in the school and I go and make copies for her (and DD is helping her set up her classroom, forgot to add, DD wants to be a teacher too ).

So I think we're ready (I hope, anyway)!!

OT where are you staying for New Years Eve? That sounds like a blast, we would love to do it someday!!

 

[roysbrew]

Pea-n-me,

I'm happy to hear the couple you gave your embryos to had a healthy baby.

You made such a selfless choice. It truly is an amazing gift. All of your children are lucky to have you as their mother.

I had fertility issues and I wanted to be sure my embryos would all be used, I never thought about what I would do if I had an unforseen histerectomy. We got pregnant on the first try. Unfortunately, all of our transfers after the 1st one were unsucessful.

I've looked into info on embryo adoption, but for now I feel we are so blessed with our b/g twins and there are so many couples wanting a chance to be parents that we should wait awhile.

Again, words can't describe how moved I was when I read your first post a few months ago. Good luck with your twins and 3rd grade.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you for your kind words, roysbrew, and you too, Kristen, I somehow missed your earlier post about it. I find that people who understand it the most are usually those who had some experience with infertility/ART, and/or those who have children of their own and know how powerful an experience it is. I feel more strongly than ever that it was the right thing. Not an easy thing, but the right thing. I had a bad response the other night from someone in my family when it came up in conversation and it bummed me out, though most people have been very supportive. The liason from the adoption agency put it the best when telling me my feelings were normal: she said it's natural to feel happy for what is, but sad for what isn't. I guess that summed it up pretty well. If you ever decide to pursue embryo adoption, please feel free to PM me, and I can put you in touch with our adoption agency, they were great.

 

[goofymomof3]

IMHO 3rd grade is where we begin the independance gap. They are expected to do more on their own, more in class, more independant work. Less work will come home for help from parents. One big difference is the testing, like the state testing....... 3rd grade is where they have to read the test on their own....... Most 2nd grade testing still has some verbal from the teacher. It is usually the beginning of cursive writing and paragraph writing. It is the beginning of multiplication work and some division. Classes like social studies and science are less teacher directed........ more student led. It is almost like a serious growing pain. I personally hate it......but someone has to begin getting them ready for the older grades. THat is why I think 3rd is a hard grade. I can tell by your note that your kids will be fine..... you are a very in tune mom....who helps and knows what is going on....... cudos to you........ we need so many more parents like that. If your 3rd grade teacher know you are there to help and not spy.....heheheh she will probably find plenty for you to do........

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If your 3rd grade teacher know you are there to help and not spy.....heheheh she will probably find plenty for you to do........

LOL, as a cardiac nurse, I wouldn't even know what I was spying on, I'm totally out of my element there!

Thank you for the information. Increased independence makes sense at this age/stage. I've found this summer that we've naturally been allowing them a little more independence in their daily lives. They have an October birthday so they're a bit on the older side for the grade which is nice.

Wishing you a wonderful school year both for yourself and for your girls. Please let us know how being in the same classroom in 5th grade goes for them.

 

[kritter]

Would love to see all of your kids first day of school pictures....post any when you can ..thanks...

 

[kritter]

Thank you for your kind words, roysbrew, and you too, Kristen, I somehow missed your earlier post about it. I find that people who understand it the most are usually those who had some experience with infertility/ART, and/or those who have children of their own and know how powerful an experience it is. I feel more strongly than ever that it was the right thing. Not an easy thing, but the right thing. I had a bad response the other night from someone in my family when it came up in conversation and it bummed me out, though most people have been very supportive. The liason from the adoption agency put it the best when telling me my feelings were normal: she said it's natural to feel happy for what is, but sad for what isn't. I guess that summed it up pretty well. If you ever decide to pursue embryo adoption, please feel free to PM me, and I can put you in touch with our adoption agency, they were great.

Again what you did for this other couple was special you are a special family and you are to be applauded.. You brought them a life they might not have had. Clearly, this family memeber does not understand hte miracle that you have given them....

 

[Pea-n-Me]

this family memeber does not understand hte miracle

True. I have to say, though - when we made the decision to put them up for adoption, we really didn't do it for anyone else: we did it for the embryos themselves. We simply wanted to give them the chance to be born, like their siblings - my own children, who were part of the same batch of frozen embryos - had. It was something we thought about literally for years. I was dreaming about it. When I looked at my own children, I thought about them, too. Going into it we really didn't know if a baby would be born or not. We figured it was really a long shot. But our goal was to give our embryos a chance, since that was the intention when they were created. We chose a family that we really liked who happened to be trying to become pregnant for a very long time. They are a wonderful couple who are blissfully happy right now. All in all, it feels like a miracle to me, and of course, like I said, a win-win for everyone. But our original concern was always the embryos.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

True. I have to say, though - when we made the decision to put them up for adoption, we really didn't do it for anyone else: we did it for the embryos themselves. We simply wanted to give them the chance to be born, like their siblings - my own children, who were part of the same batch of frozen embryos - had. It was something we thought about literally for years. I was dreaming about it. When I looked at my own children, I thought about them, too. Going into it we really didn't know if a baby would be born or not. We figured it was really a long shot. But our goal was to give our embryos a chance, since that was the intention when they were created. We chose a family that we really liked who happened to be trying to become pregnant for a very long time. They are a wonderful couple who are blissfully happy right now. All in all, it feels like a miracle to me, and of course, like I said, a win-win for everyone. But our original concern was always the embryos.

God Bless you all! What a loving thing you have done. It is wonderful that you made the decision to save a life instead of so many instances where lives are distroyed anymore. I was an adopted child and I have been blessed in so many ways by my loving adoptive family (especially my parents). I thank the wonderful mother that made the choice to give me life and also make the choice to let somebody with a better situation than her raise me. You have done the same thing and you will be blessed for making such as beautiful choice.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you, Karla. Your post brought tears to my eyes.

 

[roysbrew]

Pea-n-me,

That's exactly how we felt about our embryos and why we aren't doing IVF again. We don't want to create several embryos and not be able to give them a chance for life.
Even most people we know who go through IVF don't share our beliefs. Most who had more than one child, have left the extra embryos frozen with no plans to use them and they say when they are sure they don't need them they may donate them for research. For them they aren't really a life yet. For me, they most certainly are.
My doctor and I have spoken about egg harvesting and freezing, but it is still very new and only for people in very special cases. With any luck, they will perfect this treatment and be able to fertilize an egg or two at time resulting in fewer unused embryos.
It is so hard when family doesn't understand your feelings. My family thinks I have 2 kids and should get over my feelings of loss over not acheiving any more prenancies with my other 6 embryos. Most don't even understand why I wanted more children. I'm glad I was able to help you feel better. Karla put it better then I could.