I saw an iCandy, I was pushing a Maclaren!

I was enjoying an outdoor cup of coffee at a cafe in the sun today, while the twins were playing in the dirt, when a very smart twin pushchair came up and loitered along side me.  I was fascinated to see it in action because it was an iCandy.
In case you do not know the iCandy is reputedly one of the most desirable twin strollers.  It can take twins from birth and is a travel system with two car seats but it is a tandem.
To my mind that is a big BUT.
Sure enough the child behind has a very limited view and doesn't like it.  One of the twins always draws the short straw which is why i was adamant that we were only having side by side pushchairs.

To its credit the iCandy has an adjustable handle bar and looked very easy to push.  Whereas my twins were in the very popular Maclaren Techno.  Another stroller which I would not recommend because it is bulky in the car, heavy to lift in and out the boot and not light to push.  You can't easily push it with one hand and the handles are a bit too high for me, i am not quite 5'3".  When folded it doesn'r stand you have to lay it down.

I prefered my We2 Combi (called the Combi Sport in the US).  It is nothing to look at but it is the lightest weight double buggy on the market, much lighter than the maclaren.  It was really difficult to work out how to fold the Combi at first, I had to watch an online video, but it was worth it.  When folded it stands on its own feet, taking up very little space.  It has a single handle bar across the back so you can push with one hand.  The greatest disadvantage with the We2 is storage.  The baskets underneath are small and dificult to access. and it was near on impossible to hang bags on the back of the buggy.

The We2 and Maclaren are for those with a budget of less than £300 whereas the iCandy is 2 or 3 times as much, depending what bits you are buying.

Twin ICandy Pear official promo film is here:

Why Buy Twins Identical Presents, Gifts, Clothes and Stuff

My twins are only two years old, they could not be more different and they are boy girl but i can see a definite reason to choose identical everything for them.

They have both wanted a beanbag seat, like their older brothers.  When granny bought two last week they have fought over who with have the red one with numbers.  Can you believe neither of them want the one with police cars and fire-engines?  Having two identical whatevers just stops any chance of an arguement.

Even items that are almost the same but not quite can be the focus of a fight. 

Don't get me wrong.  Being twins they grow up  learning to share and there are plenty of toys which they simply have one between the two of them.  There is a lot of co-operation and laughter but i am coming to the conclusion that if I am buying two of something it might just be best to buy identical orange  ones not one in pink and one in blue.  If you know what i mean.

Haven Caravan Holidays on Consumer TV Watchdog

I was interested to see Haven faced criticism on TV's watchdog a few days ago as I have just returned from one of the featured sites: Coombe Haven at Hastings.  I have been there before and I think it is such good value for money that I have booked to go on two holdays next year at two different Haven caravan holiday parks.

Haven Coombe Haven on Watchdog

Having said all that I would not want to book the cheapest caravans.  If you book the more expensive caravans they are promising that it will be almost new and they have full gas central heating.  The cheaper models are smaller, older and just have a gas fire in the lounge.  Not surprising then that there is damp.  Pets are also welcome in the cheapest models.

I understand that families with pets might want to take their pets with them on holiday. BUT it was the dogs on site which were possibly the worst thing.  Not Haven's fault but thoughtless owners.  Dog Poo.  It was not every where, but when I saw it it was a big problem.  There was a terrible incident with a disgusting slide in the kiddies play area, I will spare you the details.  There was dog poo on paths at places where inevitable people are going to walk in it. 

Haven Devon Cliffs on Watchdog

Next year i have booked to go to Devon Cliffs.  Also featured as having terrible dirty accommodation.  Although i have bravely booked these caravan holidays in England I must be honest now and own up that some of my dearest relatives live just 10 minutes away from the Haven Devon Cliffs park.  They have a house big enough for us to stay if the caravan site is too awful.  I have booked on the site because the facilities are excellent value for entertaining the children.

My other Haven holidays have been similar.  Coombe Haven only 2 hours from my home and a good friend lives in Hastings (in a big house). And next year I have booked to stay in the closest site to home, only one hours drive away.

Haven in Devon in this film

Getting a Toddler to Use an Asthma Inhaler with Face Mask & Spacer

I had seen inhalers and big scary face masks and plastic spacers prescribed to young kids left right and centre.  But had no idea how you would teach a toddler to breath in the medicine from the ventalin inhaler through this big plastic transparent contraption.

If there is one good thing about being admitted to a Hospital Children's Ward for a few days is that you get to learn how to administer the medicine and the child learns to take it.  Of course, there are techniques to these things. AND as we all know our toddlers will do amazing things for other people which they will not do for mummy.

The nurse told me that until the child was compliant it will be almost impossible for one adult on their own to get a toddler to take an inhaler via a spacer & mask at first.  Makes sence, the child is scared of the look of it and how can you pin them down to take it when they wriggle and you need to press on the inhaler.

How to Get a Toddler to Take an Asthma Inhaler

In hospital I held my child whilst the nurse held the medical devise.  When the inhaler was squeezed we counted to ten, slowly.  We also watched to make sure the  little plastic value by the mouth was moving a clicking (listen hard, it is quiet).  After so many sessions my son get used to this, now at home he wants to do it or hold it.  He wants to be can't reach the inhaler to push it down. 

Even when he doesn't want to take his medicine it is now easy for me on my own. I sit him on my lap, hold him tight to me facing away and hold the face mask to his face.  He doesn't wriggle too much because he knows what is happening and he is not frightened.

This film shows how a child should use and look after the inhaler with spacer. but I have not managed to find a film of using an inhaler with spacer and non-compliant toddler or baby.

In Hospital With Asthma

An extra special birthday treat for twin 1. On his second birthday he took a ride in an ambulance to A&E and was admitted to the children's ward for 2 nights because of asthma.  I stayed with him, of course.  Dad, granny and others stepped in to keep the other children safe.

As I've had asthma myself I could totally identify with how he felt.  No energy, just wanting to sit still and do some heavy breathing. 

I don't know how & why but it does seem that the eczema, asthma and his sesame seed allergy all seem to be linked in some way.  Luckily my older son and twin 2 do not suffer from any of these complaints.

Pictures of Twins at 19 & 20 Months

I am pleased to report that both of the twins are quite fond of wearing their sun hats.  They also like having sun cream applied and love having their nails cut.

Our daughter is going to be an artist, she likes to get very creative with her food and any mucky stuff she can get her hands on.  Yes she appears to be left handed. Boy, on the other hand, does not like to get his hands dirty at all.  He can even eat sticky chocolate birthday cake with a spoon and totally resist the temptation to touch & disasemble it.

 

They are such goodlittle helpers around the house, for example, helping to put the shopping away, that's right in the fridge...

18 Months Old & Both Twins are Walking

At almost 18 months to the day, now boy twin is really walking.  He will go across the room, pick things up and carry them and looks really pleased with himself and his new skill.  His twin sister has been doing this for almost 6 months.

They are also mastering feeding themselves.  They have been playing with food for a long time but just in the past week or two they have bbeen able to clear a bowl of sloppy food, like beens or porridge, with their spoons. 

Well done twins.