Hop Little Bunny Hop Hop Hop: Easter Basket Ideas for Two Sets of Toddler Twins

I've been hatching my Easter basket ideas and I'm egg-static to share some of the things the Easter bunny is planning to bring our four little hatchlings. I couldn't miss an opportunity for a good pun but all jokes aside, I wanted to share what we're putting in our babies' Easter baskets this year. I love putting together gifts and experiences for our kids during holidays. I have wonderful memories associated around holidays as a kid and want to replicate those experiences for my children as much as possible.

When deciding what to put in their baskets, I try to lean into each child's interests as much as possible. I also try to think about things they may need or are growing out of. With the constant busyness of two sets of twins, it is difficult to leave the house without kids to find cute Easter basket items. All the my Easter basket finds were purchased through Amazon and one quick solo trip to Target.

Every year, I incorporate bubbles, a book and a chocolate bunny in everyone's basket. All of our kids are obsessed with bubbles and is a spring activity that keeps us entertained for hours. The chocolate bunny was something I always had in my Easter basket growing up and wanted to continue the tradition.

To shop the items in our Easter baskets, just click the link on the collages and it will take you to the direct page for Amazon or Target.

Three Year Old Boy Easter Basket Ideas

The older boys are getting very similar things in their Easter basket this year. They are virtually the same with a few variations. They have been big anything things animal related lately. Almost every book we check out from the library is about animals. Hence the books about animals battles. Part of the animal obsession includes dinosaurs so the Easter baskets had to incorporate dinosaurs some how.

One of our favorite quiet time activities is playing with their Tonie box. It plays music and stories depending on the Tonie you put on top of it. I try to get a new Tonie at each holiday so they have something new and novel to listen to. I love the Tonie box because it takes some of the guess work out of what to get for gifts. I can always get them a new Tonie based on their current interests.

One Year Old Boy Easter Basket Ideas

Isaac is OBSESSED with any activity that involves a ball. He carries them around the house saying "ball" nonstop. The suction cup basketball hoop is intended to be a bath toy but I plan to stick it to the window in our living room. I foresee this toy providing him with endless amounts of entertainment. We also loved the Poke-A-Dot books when the older boys were their age. They were well loved and did not survive for the second set of twins to play with. The older boys wanted to read these books almost daily! Hence, the new Poke-A-Dot books in both Emma and Isaac's baskets. They create a tactile experience while reading and they loved it.

One Year Old Girl Easter Basket Ideas

Emma has discovered a love for all things sparkly and girly, especially shoes. She needs shoes in the next size up so what better than some sparkly new kicks. We love the See Kai Run shoes for the babies. They are easy to get on and were great for them when learn to walk. This will also be when she gets her first dress up outfit. With three brothers, we have an overwhelming amount of cars, trucks and things to smash but need to incorporate a little more glitz and glam into our toy selection.

Breaking the Cycle: Exploring the Impact of Mom Shaming and Hurtful Comments Among Mothers

Let's talk about mom shaming for a minute. I know this is not an upbeat, happy topic, but one I don't think is openly discussed enough. At some point I think every momma has been hurt by mom shaming and mean comments. I have also found that it is often fellow moms who say and do the most hurtful things. So, why do we do it? This is something I struggle to understand.

After having our boys, I quickly realized I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I was sent home from the hospital with two babies. There was no crash course on how to take care of two newborns or navigate twin toddler meltdowns. We are left to relying on our own experiences and ability to research what to do. Parenting is really hard and we're all just doing the best that we know how.

My most vivid account of mom shaming occurred when we were at a hotel breakfast with our two oldest twin boys, who were two at the time. We had taken them to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines which is about two hours from our home. It was our first time doing something special with just the boys since our younger twins were born. We decided that a night at a hotel would make it extra special for them. During the hotel breakfast, a grandmother made a flippant comment about it appearing to be the first time our children were "un-contained." What she did not know was that this was the first time our boys had experienced a hotel breakfast. They were excited, full of energy and out of routine. They were excited to get Mom and Dad's full attention while having a new experience. Were they having a tough time sitting in their seat? Absolutely. But they were not being, malicious or hurtful to anyone. They were not interrupting anyone's breakfast either. And let's not forget, they were two years old. I cannot interpret the intent of this woman's words but do know that they were hurtful. I am well aware that my boys are full of energy. Comments can't

change that. However, this comment continues to circulate in my brain and has tainted an otherwise magical memory.

Prior to having children, my husband and I consistently went to church. This is something we have discussed always continuing with our children. Our faith is important to us and something we want to instill in our children. Any mom of multiples knows that it takes an act of God to be able to sit in the pew without having to take an unruly child to the foyer of the church. When we had our second set, there were many times our entire family was in the foyer navigating active toddlers and crying babies. This was difficult but what was harder was watching the scowls and stares we would receive during church. People continuously telling me "your hands are full" only compacted the judgment I felt. A friend and fellow parent of multiplies had someone turn around at our church and tell them that they are the reason there is online church.

Needless to say, it has been really difficult for us to find our way back to a consistent Sunday routine. I have let the mom shaming get the best of me and keep me from something that is so important to our family. We decided that our current church might not be the best fit for us during this phase of life and are currently trying to find a parish that better fits our family's needs. However, the feeling of being judged and the anxiety that goes with it still follows me to any church we attend.

I highlight both of these personal experiences to say that they have had a lasting impact on me. I know my children feel extremely loved by both their parents. I know we are doing the best we can to be present for our children. I know that I am a good mom. Despite what I know about myself and my children, the hurtful comments and mom shaming continues to linger in my mind. I would like to say that they haven't kept me from going somewhere or doing something with my kids, but they have. There are days when I don't feel like my armor is thick enough to with stand the comments and looks because with two sets of twins, there are a lot of looks.

We have all experienced toddler meltdowns in check-out lines. There is nothing more humbling than your toddler dropping an entire gallon of milk at Walmart. During those moments, us fellow moms need to be each other's best advocates. When we see a mom talking her upset child through big emotions or holding appropriate boundaries, Let's celebrate them. When we see a mom who appears to be frazzled with her child's behavior, let's ask her if there is anything we can do to help in the situation. Tell her that she is doing a good job because Lord knows she doesn't hear it enough. Let's all be an example of kindness and compassion to our children. Let's all commit to supporting each other and breaking the cycle of mom shaming!

The Essential Newborn Twin Survival Kit: Top Products for Bringing Your Babies Home from the Hospital

As you prepare for the delivery of your twins, you're likely feeling the excitement and anticipation of welcoming two new members into your family. However, along with the joy comes the overwhelming task of navigating the vast array of baby products available on the market. From feeding to diapering to soothing, the list seems endless and can leave you feeling confused and unsure of where to even start. As a mom of two sets of twins, I've been there, and understand the challenge of choosing the right products for you and your newborn twins. I have tried to take some of the guess work out and have compiled a list of products that made our lives with newborn twins a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. These products were lifesavers for us during those precious early days with twins and hopefully are for you as well!

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Feeding

Baby Brezza Pro Advanced Formula Dispenser Machine

If you are formula feeding, this machine is a game changer! The Baby Brezza is the Keurig of the baby feeding world. You fill it with water and powder formula, set it to your preferred number of ounces and bottle temperature and voila! You have a perfectly made bottle in seconds! I would have two bottles made and ready to go in less than a minute. Speed and convenience make the world of difference when I had two fussy babies. This is my number one recommended product for twin parents that are formula feeding.

Twin Z Pillow

I was gifted a Twin Z Pillow from a fellow twin mom. I did not use it much with my first set of twins. My husband was working from home when our first set was born and able to help with feedings. When he wasn't around, I tried to stagger their feedings. This took a lot of time and made me realize there had to be a better way. He switched jobs between our first and second sets and was not around during the day as much while on maternity leave with the second set of twins. I used the Twin Z Pillow regularly for feedings. I would sit on the living room floor with the Twin Z Pillow in front of me. With the babies in the pillow I was able to hold a bottle with each hand and feed them at the same time.

Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Anti-Colic Wide-Neck Baby Bottles

These bottles were amazing for all four of our babies. Sure, there are quite a few parts to

clean but we never had to use any other type of bottle. The wide neck makes them easy to clean. We loved these, but don't be afraid to try out a variety of different bottles with your babies. Just be ready to have quite a few bottles ready to go. We made sure we had enough to feed two babies for a twenty four hour period without having to wash them. This was a minimum of fourteen bottles.

Dr. Brown's Baby Formula Dispenser with Snap-On Lid

We always had a minimum of two formula dispensers in our diaper bag and two in our bedroom, ready to be mixed for night feedings. We live in a two story home with the bedrooms on the second floor Going downstairs to use the Baby Brezza was not something we wanted to do in the middle of the night. We filled them each night knowing we would probably have two feedings. We also pre-filled the bottles with the correct amount of water before bed. We had the bottles and formula containers right next to where we each fed a baby. Having the dispensers ready to go made the night feedings go so much smoother and quicker.

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Sleeping

Baby Trend Retreat Twin Nursery Center

We had this set up in our bedroom, next to our bed. The babies would sleep in the bassinets at night but I was also able to click the bassinets from the base and move them around throughout the day. The vibrate feature was also very helpful when the babies were a little fussier than usual. For the second set of twins, we actually bought a second nursery center so we could have one in the living room and one in our bedroom. This allowed us to keep the babies up off of the floor so that the toddlers could play without worrying about where the babies were. Once the babies outgrew the bassinet, we set up both bases in our bedroom for the babies to sleep in until we were ready to move them to their cribs in the nursery.

Hatch Rest+ Baby and Kid Sound Machine

This has been the one any only sound machine we have used with our babies. It started in our bedroom when they were newborns and then moved to their nursery when they did. We now have one in each set of twin's bedrooms. The sound machine connects to an app on your phone where you can fully control and program it. It has 16 different sleep sounds, a variety of light colors, and time-to-rise/time-to sleep features. We love this sound machine so much that it travels with us anytime we go on a road trip.

Vava Baby Monitor with Split Screen

We love our Vava baby monitor. We do not have the split screen version but wish we did. Ours currently allows for us to connect up to four cameras. I currently have two cameras in our nursery so I can see in each crib clearly and one in the toddlers' bedroom. We usually have it set so it rotates to each camera while they are all sleeping. The split screen feature would have been really nice but was not available at the time. I specifically didn't want a monitor that connected to our wifi and did not want something that connected to my phone. This makes it easy to take with us if we are traveling. The thing is also built like a tank. Ours has been slobbered on and dropped on a regular basis for the last three years and is still going strong!

Swaddle Sleep Sack

When our first set of twins were born, I had not thought about how I would swaddle them or if they would even like to be swaddled. This was a major oversight on my part. Every baby is different and has unique preferences. It is helpful to have some different options for trial and error. We used a variety of swaddles and sleep sack options when they were newborns. The first set of twins preferred the traditional swaddle blankets for the first couple months. Our second set preferred the Dreamland Baby Weighted Sleep Swaddle. Whatever you want to try, I would recommend checking out second hand shops or Facebook Marketplace since you don't know what will be the best fit. Also monitor websites for sales. Dreamland Baby will periodically run a buy one get one free sale on their weighted sleep sacks. Other brands have similar sales as well.

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Diapering

Coloplast Wound Dressing

Wound dressing sounds a bit alarming but don't be deterred by the name. This stuff is an incredible diaper rash cream! Isaac got a really bad stomach bug when he was about two weeks old. We ended up in the hospital for three nights due to dehydration. The hospital gave us the Coloplast Wound Dressing for the gnarly diaper rash he got from being sick. This is a miracle cream! This product has worked better than any diaper rash cream that we have used in the past. It is a bit pricier but it is a large tube and will last a long time.

Diaper Caddy

There are tons of different diaper caddy's out there with different materials, colors, and designs. You will just want one centralized place that you can put diapers, wipes, cream, thermometers, nail clippers and other miscellaneous baby items. It's helpful if it has handles and is easy to move around. We had two of these caddies around the house so that a diaper and pack of wipes was always near by. Having things handy and easily accessible makes it much easier when your arms are already full.

Ubbi Steal Odor Locking Diaper Pail

You will go through A LOT of diapers. We had two of these diapers stationed next to where we most consistently changed diapers. We preferred this diaper pail because we could use our regular garbage bags and had a locking feature that kept little fingers out. Whether you have a specific diaper pail or trash can, you just want to make sure they are strategically placed and within arms reach.

Vaseline, Pure Ultra White Petroleum Jelly

If you have a boy and plan to have them circumcised, you need this Vaseline. It is the holy grail of all Vaselines! Trust me on this one. Our nurses used this in the hospital and we hoarded it to take home. We even asked the nurses if they would give us extra before we left the hospital. If this is your first boy, let me explain. After the circumcision, you need to put Vaseline on their diaper while they heal so that the wound does not stick to diaper. This brand comes in an easy to use tube that you can squirt right onto the diaper rather than using the version that comes in a tub. It is also much softer than the standard tub of Vaseline which allows for better coverage. This is one of those products no one tells you about, but trust me, you'll be glad you have it!

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Comfort

Exergen Temporal Thermometer

It obviously goes without explanation why you would need a thermometer. However, there are so many different ones on the market, and is hard to know which one to buy. We have tried a couple different types and have found that we really love the Exergen Temporal Thermometer. It is very easy to use and accurate compared to others that we have purchased. Have it ready to go an on hand. The last thing you want to be doing is run to the store when your baby isn't feeling well.

Frida Baby Electric NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator

I'm sure you have heard about the NoseFrida with the part that you suck with your mouth. We had it. Tried it. Didn't like it. It took a lot of coordination between having a tube connected to my mouth, holding one end to the baby's nose and the baby always crazy wiggling. I also found that when I got sick, it correlated to then I used the NoseFrida. I'm not saying the NoseFrida caused me to be sick, I'm just saying it was quite a coincidence. Frida Baby came out with an electric nasal aspirator and we love it. It is gentle, easy to use and does not require me to use any part of my mouth! This has quickly become my favorite baby shower gift and think every new momma should have it!

Aden and Anais Silky Soft Swaddle Blanket

We love these swaddle blankets and use them for just about everything. The muslin fabric is soft, lightweight and has the perfect amount of stretch for swaddling. They are also great for when you are holding or feeding your twinnies. We also use them for stroller rides or if you need a place or an impromptu burp rag. Aden + Anais have several different types of muslin blankets but the silky soft viscose bamboo is our favorite!

Graco DuoGlider

All of our babies loved this glider and can serve as a rocker or swing. We used this quite a bit to entertain and soothe babies. The vibrating feature with the rocking motion was a hit with all of our babies. Isaac would always giggle and go nuts when the mobile would move while it was swinging. It's great if a baby is fussy while you are trying to feed the other. We also liked the fact that there are different levels of intensity for the swing and vibrate feature.

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On the Go

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat

There are so many car seats on the market. It's hard to know where to start or what you should be looking for. I don't want you think that this is the best or only car seat for twins. There are many options that could work for your family. We selected a Graco SnugRide car seat due to the flexibility is allowed us. We purchased extra bases and had them in both mine and my husband's vehicle. We also gave bases to my parents for when ever they were watching the babies. Graco also has stroller options that are compatible with the SnugRide carseats. This can make it quick and easy to move them out of the car without taking them out of the car seat.

Baby Trend Universal Double Snap-N-Go Stroller Frame

My sister-in-law had purchased this with her twins and let me use it for our second set. This stroller frame is so convenient when traveling anywhere with your twins. It is extremely lightweight and was easy to store in the back of our van. I used this on the daily to drop off and pick up at daycare. It is also extremely helpful for doctor appointment, especially if you need to do them solo. Note that with it being light weight it is not meant for long walks or all terrain experiences.

Extra Large Diaper Bag

Like the car seat, there are many diaper bags that would work for your twins. Things to keep in mind is that you want something that is large and backpack style. Also look for a bag that has multiple places to store bottles. With two babies, you have double the bottles, formula and diapers. You also want space to pack extra clothes, burp rags, swaddles, etc. The bigger the better!