when does it get easier to do things with them?

I find myself not being able to go out with them as often as I'd like. As they just finished switching to milk so still on bottles right now. They get 3 bottles a day, one after each wake (from the morning and naps). Then is their two naps. And of course their 3 meals. And they get a bath every other day. Between all of this, there are 60-75 minute blocks of time. One is early in the morning (they get up by 6am) so we are not going anywhere then. So during those other two times, I find it not enough time to go out anywhere except a quick trip to the store or something. I don't understand how other people do it. Is it because we have two children or what? I would love to get to the mall sometime soon but I really don't see how and as it will be more crowded as it gets closer to Christmas, I think I am going to be stuck at home alot with my two preemies. Is it when they get down to one nap that it is easier to do things? I know it will be harder then as less of a break for me but I am trying to figure out for this purpose at least.

 

Can you try to get them to the milk in the sippies with their meals instead? That gives you more time to get out, especially once they move to one nap. also, you could give them their milk on the go. My girls quite often get their afternoon snack on the go, because when I'm done working for the day we go out and run an errand or two.

 

QUOTE(Babies4Susan @ Nov 24 2007, 10:07 AM) [snapback]506972[/snapback]
Can you try to get them to the milk in the sippies with their meals instead? That gives you more time to get out, especially once they move to one nap. also, you could give them their milk on the go. My girls quite often get their afternoon snack on the go, because when I'm done working for the day we go out and run an errand or two.


That will be the plan. We were away earlier in the month and I wanted to wait until we got back for all the transitions. They literally have only been on all milk (no more formula) for 2 days so far. Over the next few weeks I plan to work with them on getting all their milk from sippies.

 

I mostly only went out if DH could help me when mine were that age. It didn't get to where I could easily take them out by myself until they were 2.5. It was easier when they switched to one nap.

 

At that age we didn't go out for long. At about 15 months, P and P would take a nap from 9-10 and 1:30-3. We would go out between the 2 naps. I would take our food/bottles with us if I knew we would not be home for lunch. When the girls went to 1 nap (18-20 months) we would go out in the morning before nap or the afternoon when they woke up. Many of the outings we did were quick trips to the mall, playing at the park, grandmas house, food shopping and walks around the neighborhood.

 

It never exactly gets easy, but it does get a lot easier when you give up those bottles. They can have a sippy just about anywhere, and you have more time when they're just eating 3 meals and a couple of snacks (or not) a day. We often go out for the morning and bring a snack for them to eat at the playground, in the car, whatever. Giving up the morning nap also helps a ton, although even before mine gave theirs up, we would go out for the morning and just make sure they had a chance to nap in the car or the stroller while we were on our way to wherever we were going.

That said, I almost never take them shopping, except to Costco (which, for some reason, they totally love). I have taken them to the mall a few times in the double umbrella stroller, but they only tolerate it for 45 minutes or so, before they want to run around (and the mall is not the greatest place for that). When we go out, it is mostly for child-centered things like the playground, the zoo, etc.

 

At that age, I was reluctant to take both of them out. It was so hard. I agree switching to sippy cups will be a lot of help and decrease from 2 to 1 naps, although I would not rush the latter. Also I am sure you have a stroller, perhaps the sleepy twin can have a quick nap while you are cruising the mall?