>Hi!
>
>My boys are now 27 months so I will try and help you out based
>on what I can remember.
>Feeding-When we started finger foods, we fed them everything
>that we ate and just cut it into appropriate sizes. At that
>stage, I fed them what ever we were having for dinner
>(lasagna, chicken, casseroles, meatloaf, turkey burgers, etc.)
>and just diced it up for them. Other easy main courses were
>grilled cheese, omelets, hot dogs, lunch meat, macaroni and
>cheese, noodle side dishes with canned tuna or diced chicken
>and vegetables added, chunky style soups with most of the
>liquid drained, etc). They also liked diced fruits (especially
>peaches, apples, pears, bananas) and vegetables (broccoli and
>canned green beans were hits). They also loved cubes of bread
>or cheese. For snacks we used crackers, Teddy Grahams,
>pretzels, Gold Fish, etc. Sometimes it creates a big mess,
>but I really got used to just cleaning up yucky trays and
>bibs.
>Transport-When we outgrew the carseats for the Triple Decker,
>we converted it with the Bell bicycle seats from Walmart.
>There is lots of information on this website about how to do
>that. Once we outgrew these (about 22 months), we got a
>Choo-Choo. They are made by Step 2, but out of production
>right now so you have to try and find a used one. I paid $75
>for my 3 seater. I use this if I am by myself. If there are
>2 adults, we still use a double and single stroller. I loved
>my Triple Decker and find the Choo Choo much more difficult to
>use, but it is the best solution for transport that I know.
>Pacifiers-My guys never took pacifiers, but we had trouble
>with the bottle to sippy transition. After 3 failed trys, I
>took the advice of a quad mom.....go cold turkey. I offered
>them nothing, but sippies and we got it done. It took 5 days
>with my son that held out the longest, but once it was done,
>it was done. I took the bottles out of sight on the first day
>and never let them see them again. Maybe you can try this
>with their pacifiers.
>Playing Together-My guys can routinely play in their gated off
>playroom for 2 or 3 hours with me checking on them
>periodically (every 15 minutes or so). We started right off
>the bat putting them in there in going longer and longer
>periods of time leaving them in there by themselves. This is
>when I get the majority of my housework, laundry, etc. done.
>At first they would whine when I left the room, but I would
>stay out of sight but within earshot. It usually took less
>than 5 minutes for everybody to be playing happily. Over
>time, they got used to me telling them that I was going to go
>do some work and would be back to play some more. Now they
>rarely cry when I leave.
>Hope the above helps and hang in there!
>
>Beth