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juststartn
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 3:27pm | IP Logged
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This sounds rather silly, but having had the twins less than a month ago, and having three other dc, well, the idea of going shopping with all of them is, a bit, well, daunting.
DH leaves for his deployment in two days. I have been able to do a good bit of my errand running for the immediate future in the last several days...but eventually, I am going to HAVE to go to the store with all of the dc in tow...
So, how do you do it, when you've got two itty bitties, and the rest can walk? I am considering actually getting a sitter to watch two or three of the dc while I go shopping with the rest. Not ideal, but really, they don't MAKE carts big enough to have two infant carriers in the seat section (except at Sams, and I don't like shopping there, and won't be going there THAT often anyway...)...
Does anyone have any advice? The boys are still in that sleepy newborn stage, but soon enough...well, ya'll kwim...only multiply it..lol....
TIA....
Rachel
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MommyD
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I watched "Jon & Kate plus 8" the other day (she has 6 year old twins and 2 year old sextuplets). Once a week she has an older neighbor sit at her house and read while her kids are napping. That is when she gets her shopping done.
I think you are going to have to get a few sitters that the kids like and that you trust to help you make it through this time. I'm not a fan of baby-sitters but you have to do what you have to do.
I only have 3 kids under age 6 and do my *big* shopping and errand running on Saturday morning while they watch cartoons with Daddy. I am so surprised how quickly and cheaply I can get it done alone.
God bless your family during this time!!
Melissa
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Essy
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http://www.peapod.com/
Used them for a while when the kids were really little and it was wonderful...they brought the bags right into the kitchen.
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mellyrose
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I have groceries delivered by Safeway. I started using them a lot when still pregnant. They carry the bags right into the kitchen for me. I haven't had good luck w/produce - so I order everything I can online, and then make a quick trip for the rest.
They don't accept coupons, but the convenience is well worth it.
Melanie
Mom to Colin, Nate & Lydia
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mom2mpr
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Does the store you shop at have a playroom and attendants? We go to a specific store to shop because of the "activity center." The "teachers" there play games, do crafts and play with the kids and my kids LOVE to go. I take my weeks worth of papers(I only get Fri, Sat and Sun-LOL) to the cafe and zip through them in 15 minutes-alone--then off to shop.
It has made grocery shopping such a pleasurable "chore" for me.
They have security bracelets for me and the kids with numbers they match before the kids can leave and they take my ID and return it when I pick them up.
Now they know my kids so well it is like having family in the area--at least for grocery shopping. And they nicely let ds, who is 9, stay, because he helps them out and they really enjoy having him there.
Just a suggestion...
Anne
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5athome
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 6:57pm | IP Logged
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Amazon grocery is wonderful if they have what you are looking for - delivered to your door.
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Angel
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Can one of your children push a cart? If so, you will need two carts to do your shopping, because you will have to put a car seat on each cart. If you don't have anyone to push a cart... you won't be able to get many groceries, because the babies' seats will take up too much space. If you have 2 carts and have the babies one to a cart, you can also put your little one in the bucket of the cart if you need to.
OR put the babies in a double stroller and have one of your other dc push the stroller while you push the cart. (This is how we did it when we had to. It's easier than pushing a cart.)
OR carry one baby on your person in a wrap or pouch and put the other in his carseat in the cart.
When the babies can sit up, you can get away with one cart if you really need to by putting them both in the seat part. You put them sitting really close together with one leg each going through the leg holes, then buckle them both together with the seat belt. But that's not for a long time yet.
The best thing, IMO, is to get a sitter. If you can't get a sitter for everyone, just get a sitter for the babies because they're the ones carts don't accomodate. If you do have to take everyone to the store, just go as fast as you possibly can. Have your other kids help you pull stuff off the shelves. Try to stock up before your dh leaves on things you can stock up on.
And good luck!!!
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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florasita
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Racehl you are so brave . I was just about to post on the prayer request line about going to the hs curriculum fair tomorrow with 1 baby 
He is our grandbaby and I am just so nervous .I've had him two days and I am absolutely beat !
It's been 6 yrs since I've done any baby looking after .
We did wal mart this am with dd and he would not sit in the cart and he is so clingy .Our last child ds 6 is so pleasant and literaly never has been unhappy it seems .
well baby Evan is so doifferent . yikes . I can't imagine two of him for all I love him to pieces I need a nap or an early bedtime .
two of my girlfriends had twins . they either took dh shopping each had a cart and each had one twin .
Or leave them with a friend or ask a friend to shop with you 
Now my best advice go in early morning hrs when kids are in school and most people are at work . Mostly elderly shoppers and other SAHM out shopping in morning time . I'm a person who avoids crowds and rush hr
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DominaCaeli
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Angel wrote:
OR put the babies in a double stroller and have one of your other dc push the stroller while you push the cart. (This is how we did it when we had to. It's easier than pushing a cart.)
OR carry one baby on your person in a wrap or pouch and put the other in his carseat in the cart.
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These are the two that have worked for me. I don't have any other dc but the babies, so dh pushes the stroller in the first case. But the latter option is the one I use most often: one baby in the cart, one in my sling.
That said, even though I said "most often," I barely ever go out with my two infants by myself--it's just too overwhelming for me. Extra hands (my dh--but in your case, your dc, if they're responsible, or maybe a friend that wouldn't mind coming along?) have really been essential for me to run errands with babies in tow.
Blessings to you during your husband's deployment!
Celeste
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teachingmyown
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Dear Rachel, I think about you so much! I just can't imagine being where you are right now, especially with your dh leaving. I wish so much that I lived close by to help you with things like grocery shopping. I try to imagine my three girls who are the same age as yours, plus new twins. I hardly leave the house with all of mine, and I have a 15 yr old, 11 yr old and 9 yr old, as well as a 1 yr old, too!
Do you have a friend who can help out? I would definitely get a sitter if you don't have access to a delivery service.
I don't have twins, so I am sure others can better advice. But I did have a good friend whose 4th and 5th were twins and the oldest was around 6. I know she struggled so much that first year. I think the most important thing you can do is set VERY low expectations for the next several months about what you can do and where you can go. Next, make sure you have a strong support system and ASK for help!
Oh, one other suggestion for outings. Check out a Moby Wrap. I have one that I love. I bring it up because their instruction booklet that comes with it has a couple of different holds for twins. So, maybe if you got one you could "wear" the boys while shopping. They would probably love it. It is truly a hands-free wrap. It really may be just what you need.
God bless you! 
One more thing, I really hope I don't sound discouraging. I don't mean to be at all. I want to encourage, while giving you permission to take it easy on yourself. I really admire your great attitude!
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Molly
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juststartn
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See, I have thought about the sling/wrap thing...but frankly, I get "touched out" really quickly. Just one would be enough to do me in with a shopping trip, if that makes any sense.
Sounds like a sitter is my best option. Honestly, I have a great option--the Legion of Mary leader in my parish has a dd who is a nursing school student (both parents are nurses, too)...actually, the wife and the dd were over tonight watching the dc so DH and I could go out and have a short night "out" before he leaves...
It worked well, so I am figuring I will see if the dd can come over and watch the dc sometimes during the week...the older dds will be taking swimming lessons again in July, and it could work out well...
Thanks for the advice--and the prayers and kind words. We're doing ok, for now. But two of the dds and John all have some sort of cold/hayfever/allergy "thing". They all seem to be doing a little better today, which will hopefully continue, esp as I really can't give John anything to help ease his symptoms, even.  He was SOOO miserable last night/earlier today, poor thing...didn't want to eat, nada...just so congested....
DH is getting his stuff together to go. I wish some of you all lived closer, too, simply because there's a ton of stuff I need to get hauled off to the storage unit and there is simply NO way I can get it there myself. SIGH. And DH simply doesn't have time to take it himself. I really wanted to have my dining area be a dining area, and not his ham radio "shack"/workbench...sigh. Its not a big space, but with such a small space to start with...well, you can imagine. And it's central to EVERYTHING. To go from the back door/kitchen to anywhere else in the house, you have to go thru that space. SIGH.
Oh well. Maybe I can get him to haul a few things there tomorrow afternoon, and then I can persuade/pay someone to haul the rest there later on....maybe.
Anyway, thank you for the prayers..Please please please continue to send them up...not so much for me, but more for DH....15-18mos is a loooooong time...and by the time he comes home to stay, these two boys will be running around, and just shy of 2 yrs old...
Rachel
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wifemommy
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Ask the responsible sitter family about another responsible teen boy who could help haul storage stuff and maybe help out with other "upkeep" -Annie
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Lorri
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If you're living on base, all the grocery delivery services may be too much of a hassle - meeting them at the gate, etc. You may want to find a mother's helper to come by at least once a week. I was a mother's helper in jr high and high school. I started just coming over after school and playing with the toddler while the mom did housework. As we all got more comfortable with each other, I started taking him to the park and/or the mom would go run errands. I also babysat if the parents went out in the evening. I didn't do any housework, just looked after the little ones.
You could also just hire a teenager to help you at the store and take the whole crew with you.
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Jen L.
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I have no additional advice to add, but I am praying for you and your husband. What a sacrifice you are both making.
Thank you.
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Mackfam
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Jen L. wrote:
I have no additional advice to add, but I am praying for you and your husband. What a sacrifice you are both making.
Thank you.
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Me too. God be with him, with all of you! Thank you for your sacrifice!
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Erin
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Rachel
Angela's advice sounds good to me  and qualified advice too
Like Molly I have thought of you often and so wished I could help in some practical way alas there is an ocean between us  My cousin who had twins and small ones says the way she coped was to go out as little as possible.
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Angi
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I have not read the other other comments, so I am sorry if I repeat.
When my twins were little and I had a 2 yo and 3 yo, I put the twins in a Kozy Carrier together, the 2 yo in the cart, and the 3 yo holding the cart. It was slow going, but we had food
As the twins were too big for the Kozy together (about 8-10 lbs each), I would wear one in the Kozy and lay the other in the seat of the cart. I put blankets in the seat and just laid the babe there. The older 2 held onto the cart.
Again as they aged, one baby on my back in an Ergo or Kozy and other babe sitting in cart.
Now, chaos 2 toddlers (2 yo) sitting in back of cart trying to climb out, one 3 yo standing on back of cart and 5 yo complaining that there is no place for her. Usually I shop alone now at about 9 pm.
Oh, and I have also put 2 babies in one side of the double stoller when they were tiny so that I could load up the other side with food, while dd1 and dd2 put kids carts full of food thru the store.
Angi - mom of 4 dds, ages 5, 3, 2, 2
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mellyrose
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I don't have a good solution for the twins - but I was reminded of something I did for my boys when they wanted to walk, but were still young and it was a struggle to keep them close.
I bought 2 inexpensive, small leashes. I would clip the clip end on the grocery cart, and give them the handle to hold. They loved "walking" the cart and it was worth the funny looks I sometimes got. It kept them close, and while they easily could have dropped the leash and wandered off - they never did.
Your family is in our prayers -- it's an amazing sacrifice that you're all putting forth for our country. It is appreciated!!
Melanie
Mom to Colin (6), Nate (5), and Lydia (4/29/07)
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juststartn
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Well, today is the day DH left. SIGH. Hate it.
None of the local grocers deliver. I don't live on post, so that's not a problem (getting folks on post, lol). But this is a medium sized Southern town--lol...while not "the sticks", its not big enough for a grocer that delivers.
I have a bad back and shoulder, so slings/carriers are out. Not to mention the previously mentioned "getting touched out" really quickly thing. I'm pretty much stuck with a sitter. Which isn't a terrible thing, really. While DH is overseas, we make more money, so I will have it to spend on things like that (and he's given me the "you'd better get yourself a sitter so you can get some "mental health time" every once in a while). I generally only do one big trip a month, so that makes it easier, too. Do it all on one day, leave the dc with a sitter, and just get it done. Running in for incidentals is one thing--doing the big first of the month shopping is, well, a whole 'nother story.
Fortunately, I was able to go ahead and get my shopping for June pretty much done while DH was here. I have a SIL coming in the 2d of July to visit for a week (and help take care of the dc), so that should take care of July. And in August I hope to be in Atlanta with my folks, so that will be delayed til later in that month, anyway. So it won't be so bad these first few months--just after the first part of September...lol. The boys will be 4 mos old then...sigh
If you don't mind, please pray for me--I am going thru DH withdrawal right now--and will be for the next few days. Oh, I'm not sitting around bawling my eyes out. But it is rather depressing and sad to come home and see his coffee cup with coffee still in it...his clothes piled in the laundry basket...the remnants of breakfast scattered about the kitchen (he made pancakes and bacon)...and then to get a phone call to tell me he'd forgotten to leave his house keys...luckily, he was ble to get someone to drop them off, and I didn't have to load the dc back up in the van and head back up to post (20mins each way, and I was waiting on the washer replacement to arrive). But it was soooo hard to hear his voice on the phone...sigh.
Just please pray for us all...DH, the dc, and myself.
The dds are doing ok (the boys are pretty much oblivious to much aside from their stomachs and their bottoms, lol). DH and I are having it harder..it gets harder every time, not easier, I think.
TIA.
Rachel
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Celeste
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Rachel, I am so, so sorry! I get a little tiny taste of that when I don't see my husband for 3 weeks--I can't begin to imagine what it's like for you. Thank you for the huge sacrifices you make for our country.
We definitely are keeping you in our prayers.
Celeste
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Topic: How do you go to the store?
