Oh Baby, Baby!

I have a black-belt in shopping! However when it comes to everything baby I was overwhelmed to say the least. I am a step-mom to grown middle schoolers. So newborns are completely foreign territory for me. My big sister came to NYC for the weekend and happily led the way for all things baby. My eyes glazed over with fear at Giggles (the "it" baby store) and she quickly trotted me outside for air. We detoured and ended up at Baltazaar for a fabulous lunch. I am lucky to have such an understanding big sister!

Two weeks later after spending days online researching every baby product and necessity for my twins. I set out again, this time with my husband. My husband is already an amazing father, a native New Yorker and a shrewd financier who would have his eye on the clock as a NY Giants game would be on later. Somehow his resume put me at ease much more than my super mom big sisters. If I fumbled his type A efficiency would kick in and I could skate by. But that was not the case at all, who knew a little thing called Mama Bear would finally emerge from inside of me.

I was armed with my manilla folder full of papers on every product under the sun. But we were on a  mission to do the big ticket items. AKA the Twins nursery, we are having a boy and a girl. We designed the room a beautiful cream with white chandelier and cream and gold curtains. I always envisioned my babies nursery to feel like an elegant sanctuary not a Disneyland ride. We arrived at Albee Baby and began shopping for the next 3 hours and never had to go elsewhere!

Photo Credit: Snap Studios this was taken at 8 weeks, for a gender reveal, only turns out I was having twins boy & girl! #fate

Cribs: 2 cream and gold cribs from Newport Cottages, they fit perfectly into our room scheme and are classic yet simple.

Dresser & Changing table: A Newport Cottages dresser matching in gold and cream from with a cream changing table on top.

Bedding: We are ordering custom from Bebe Chic Company, but still deciding on the twins colors!

Glider: A modern glider detailer togo we ordered it in a light beige color, it's chic and comfortable.

Bassinets: We live in NYC & wanted nothing frilly for the house. But we care about design and wanted bassinets that wouldn't be eye sores. We found the gorgeous Monte Ninna Nonna Bassients, these are perfect for any room in our home.

High Chairs: Finding 2 high chairs that were safe, functional and design savvy was a task. We hit the jackpot with the Mima moon it's so well made and multi functional.

Car Seats: We have a large SUV in NYC & just like LA you are in a car a lot. As a new mom my only concern was safety. I didn't care about looks, style, color. All I desired was the "tank" of carseats for my twins. I found it in the Cybex aton Q currently the highest rated carseat.

Strollers: Strollers for twins living in NYC was a chore. It took us one hour of test driving, lifting, folding & pushing these beasts to narrow it down! We decided on the Stokee Crusi double in charcoal color. It's sleek for narrow city sidewalks, safe, functional and yes looks good! It also has an amazing winter add on packages which is key for NY winters. And I found an amazing double stroller from Icandy in London. It's extremely versatile and top of the line and just perfect for twins.

Team Babies

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In my case it took a village to create my children. This blog is dedicated to the wonderful Doctors and holistic angels whom have helped me. My pregnancy journey, was long and full of highs and lows. Until finally the miracle news that I was pregnant with twins! I have listed my all star female team, I hope this can aid some of you whom are seeking guidance on your pregnancy journeys. We are bicoastal with homes in LA and NYC so below are my referrals to "team baby" on both coasts.

Love,
Kaki

Los Angeles
If you are trying to get pregnant, go see Dr. Wendy Chang. Dr Chang is the pregnancy whisperer, she has a calming voice, a strict set of rules and knows the mysteries of the human body. Plus she cares, doctors can have tough bed side manners, not Dr Chang she laughs all the time and somehow works 7 days a week with a big smile! She was a perfectionist with my body and got me pregnant with twins, which was a miracle.

In Hawaii, 3 days after I got the news I was pregnant from Dr Chang! But had no idea it was twins!

My other baby guru is Reiki master Patti Penn. Patti has a deep Irish accent and a no non-sense approach. Thru reiki I became centered and let my body and soul open to what I wanted most, a baby. Patti knew I was having twins, before I was even pregnant!! She taps into your soul and it's the most wonderful therapeutic healing.

10 weeks pregnant with twins, my husband took this photo, fitting as our twins were made in LA ;)

New York City
NYC has some of the best hospitals and doctors in the country. But I am having twins and deemed a"high risk" pregnancy. I found the wonderful Dr Joanne Stone at Mount Sinai hospital. Dr Stone is petite & stunning, she walked into the room with a lab coat and valentino high heels. It was love at first sight for me! I have had horrible morning sickness and migraines so it has been physically hard on my body. I was so horribly sick that I lost weight in my first trimester. They say this is very common with twins, hence double the hormones equals double the nauseas! Dr Stone has been there for me every step of the way. I can email her  24/7 & she has been empathetic to me just having a "rough" pregnancy. Each woman's pregnancy is different, my body went into shock with these twins. I am still not out of the woods at 22 weeks ( 5months in twins world) but I focus on the positive that I am finally pregnant.

12 weeks pregnant in Montana on a vacation with my husband. I was so sick this trip, threw up every day, sometimes twice a day. But I loved Montana, the air is perfection.

I was recommended to acupuncture to help alleviate my morning sickness, fatigue & headaches. I swear by Cherrie Laygo  a veteran acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. She has helped so much in making me feel physically better and can work wonders. I see her once a week & if I am having a bad week I see her twice. Every time I leave feeling reenergized, calm & alive.

Pre-natal massage has been my saving grace. My massage therapist is Nicole Kung. Nicole is skilled in pressure points and very holistic in her approach to the human body. She specializes in acupressure. She has helped me flush out water weight and reduced my acid reflux. She is spiritual in her approach to the body, which I love. We are both a bit psychic too, which is a delight in exchanging visions.

Pilates & yoga are the best exercises for pregnant women. They focus on lengthening the ligaments and are gentle on the body.  My pilates/yoga instructor is Nicola Yvette. Nici is a former ballerina, she is discipled and strict with a soft touch. She has helped me maintain my physique while growing these twins! Every time our sessions are over I'm exhausted, but feel so good after the workouts. I didn't work out during the first trimester, I only walked every day to Tribeca and back 2 miles. I was way too sick. But finally week 16 I came back to the living a little. In my opinion you have to just battle thru it. On days your exhausted, stay in bed. On some days I can do 2 hours, one cardio and one hour pilates. Whatever it is, I listen to my body, in other words I listen to my twins!

Pilates at 21 weeks with trainer Nici taking the photo, spot her in the mirror!

My trainer "Roki" pulling me on our walks to Tribeca on the westside highway. 

Ready for my walk down the westside highway at 19 weeks with Roki. I was sending this selfie to my sister who was demanding a bump photo!

I am expecting Twins!

I am bursting at the seams with joy to announce that we are pregnant with twins! I waited until I was half way thru the pregnancy before sharing the news (19.5 weeks). Our little bundles of joy are due January/February. Twin births always come early, which make it that much more exciting! It has been a long road in becoming pregnant, my empathy is with all couples whom have struggled with fertility issues. Starting a family is a true blessing & the most wonderful act of love between two people.  I walk around NYC amongst the hustle & all of a sudden I feel a flutter in my stomach. It's the most incredible experience of my life. My body is creating lives right now. I am lucky to live in NYC and have the best team of doctors and holistic healers aiding me on my journey. I will post that journey in another blog!

Love,
Kaki