how are things going?

"How are things going?" everyone asks.

I finally feel like myself again. After hearing Mr. Blonde tell me, he felt like he was "on a island." I thought, "Wow! I was totally out of it." (Mr. Blonde Editor's Note: To be fair I did say that, but it was within the context of having received a very kind supportive text message from Mrs. Blonde with regard to some difficult circumstances. I responded thanking her profusely for the note and that it was clear I wasn't feeling as alone as I had been without her support.) I don't think I have ever felt so tired and not present in my life. I no longer puking or feeling nauseous! Yeah! Crazy to think what in the world my hormones were doing during that time. It was hard not to be able to even talk to my husband because I was so nauseous and couldn't keep my eyes open. I cannot even begin to explain how I felt during those weeks. I am not about to tell you it was easy, but I can tell you that I was still able to find joy throughout the day.

I feel so blessed for the union that I have with my husband! He chooses to pursue me and love me in a ways I cannot explain. And, LA and Boatboy loved me SO well during those weeks. They were extra cuddly and loving with kisses and saying things like, "Momma, you are so pretty!" It's incredible even in my worst days they still view me as pretty and fun and want to take care of me. How can a mother of a 3.5-yr-old and Almost-2-yr-old ask for more? That innocent love of a child is something I desire in my own life. It's awesome what I can learn from God through my little guys.

I have been able to walk almost every day with the boys. And, dance! I am enjoying my growing bump. Embracing this will be my last pregnancy...I think! I am not allowing all the fears I could have invade my life like I was in the beginning. I am more thankful everyday for the life God has given me. God is strengthening my faith daily. That is my biggest prayer request for all you who are praying for me.

"...I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow; not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." -Romans 8:38 (NLT)

With the help of God I am not worrying about tomorrow. I'm trusting that God has each day planned and growing increasingly comfortable with having nothing figured out myself. It is so funny to me when I talk about nursing, delivering, sleeping, eating, schedules with the first two pregnancies...I kind of have things figured out and now thinking of having the twins...I am clueless. I am finding joy in trusting God with all of my worries (especially finances) and my unknowns. I so look forward to the ride that is ahead of us.

I am so thankful for the family and friends who REALLY know us and are on this journey with us. I don't know what I would do without each of you! Even through the hardest physical and emotional days I love the adventure God has me on and I embrace the beauty of our life. What a joy it is to share my heart with you as God paves my way.

We find out what we are having next Friday! I can't even wait to find out what these critters are!!!

The joys of my boys. Boatboy playing beautiful music and LA organizing Daddas wire nuts and anchors.

if jpegs scratched and sniffed...

...you could smell how amazing Boatboy's hair smelled tonight after bathtime while we were letting Chloe out to potty. It's like fruit candy but more natural and delicious! Wanna win some all natural scent for your little one? You could win a Zippity Doo's Hair kit by entering now.



"Cheese!"

a Good Friday for fishing

We've already talked about how last Friday was an extra special Friday for us here at Blondes, Poop & Mascara but we had some additional fun that morning during our first fishing outing of the year with Papa and Nana!



Mr. Blonde and Boatboy rockin' their boat shoes on the way to the lake.



How can 3-year-old, LA, look like such a pro at such a tender age?!



Mrs. Blonde sneaking a squeeze while the little guy is trying to get down.



He LOVES it! (this pic is Mr. Blonde's current desktop wallpaper at the office)



Boatboy and Papa at the wheel.



LA telling a fish story.



Boatboy showing Nana how it's done.



...and, he's ready for a nap!

Zippity Doo Kids hair products review and giveaway

It is finally Spring! We are loving every minute! What I didn't know about Spring is that it is prime season for head lice. Yuck!! I so remember getting lice as a child and I had hair down to my bottom. It hurt so bad when my Mom had to comb my hair and wash it to get all the bugs out. Blah! I think about my boys and all the places we could get those little gnasties...bounce houses, hats, dress up clothes at the nature center, the children's musesum, gym mats, etc. I also didn't know there was a way to prevent your child from head lice.

Zippity Doo actually prevents your child from getting lice instead of treating the head lice. I have never seen or heard of a product like this. And it is ALL natural. It smells so fresh and amazing. I want to find a scent similar for myself.

There are 5 products in the line. Shampoo, conditioner, detangler, syling gel and shielding spray. All of which I have used on the boys blonde heads. We don't use the conditioner much though.
But I am sure I would on a little girl! Maybe we'll get one of those!? I LOVE the styling gel. I use it everyday. It works really well and allows their hair to stay soft, smell great and prevents head lice. What more could a mom ask for? And I get to give away an entire set!

Buy: The products start at $10.99 at select online retailers

Win: Zippity Doo and BSM Media allowed me to review an entire set valued at $57. I have a set for one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Leave me a comment on why you must have these products and who will be using them.

Extra Enrtries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Googles easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Yeah! @mrsblonde1 of Blondes, Poop & Mascara is giving away a $60 @zippitydooshair all natural kids hair kit http://tinyurl.com/yb7dlq8"
5. Blog about this contest and leave the post link in your comment.
6. Tell 4 friends about this giveaway via email, provide a direct link and cc me.
7. Follow Zippity Doo on twitter @zippitydooshair

Thanks for entering! I will select a winner on April 14. And thanks to Zippity Doo and BSM Media for allowing to review these amazing products in exchange of this review.

a magnolia & promises

We have this amazing magnolia that bursts with pinks and purples the first week of April every year without fail. Funny thing is that when we bought our house (April Fool's Day 2004) we didn't know it...



...until we got married two days later celebrated in Costa Rica for a full week and then came home. We turned onto our street for the first time together as husband and wife and this tree sang to us! "Welcome home! Get started on your life as one now would you?!" I get chills thinking of that moment.

The Magnolia to us is everything us.

It brings an unspeakable joy to see it blossom each year. It's a glorious tangible reminder of a covenant we took 6 years ago tomorrow.

A symbol of a relationship.

A romance.

A choice made to put the other first at all times.

A promise authored by God and made before wonderful friends and family.

And, for what we can recall, this is the first year it's come on Easter weekend which makes it extra precious.

Tonight we celebrate 6 years of our marriage union on a surprise date!

Now...if only my wife would get home from her NCAA event we could go eat!!

Check out some posts of our anniversary's from year's past...

pre-2010
2009a
2009b
2008
2007
2006 & 2005 anniversaries were P.B. - pre blog

bedtime storytime

long hard week & a joyous ending

Wow! What a week it has been. Monday night I attended my first multiples group! It was so great! Thanks to my new twin Mom friend through the blog world I had a face to greet me. She was great and introduced me to other Moms who had singleton pregnancies prior to their multiple pregnancies. I look forward to building relationships with those Moms. We broke into a support group environment with pregnant moms, mommas of multiples under 9 months and some experienced mommys to multiples. We went round the horn and shared our stories/scenarios and each got to ask a question.

When I said, "...I have a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old at home..."

one of the experienced Moms said, "I am so sorry. You are going to have your hands full."

I thought what....you are sorry!! Nice to meet you too! Ha!

...then she proceeded to say ..."Wow!" I was kind of laughing inside. People are funny! Good thing I wasn't emotional and didn't start crying like I would have two weeks ago!

But then another Mom chimed in immediately and said, "Yes, it IS going to be lots of work, but it is so much fun!" She said optimistically, "I nursed twins and had another one at home and it was a blast." She was amazing.

It was so great to meet 7 other expectant Moms. I look forward to being on this journey with them. I'm very excited to be a part of the group and very thankful it even exists!!

I have been preparing for a tooth extraction now since about the time we found out I was pregnant for the third time. Stupid infected tooth is so infected it's a risk to me and the unborn(s). So, THE day arrived on Wednesday. No being knocked out. No good pain meds. Don't need drunk unborn babies on our hands. Local anesthetic only.

And it was just as awful as I thought it was going to be. Upside: An amazing dentist/oral surgeon to feel confident in. Getting a tooth pulled while you are wide awake and can hear every little crack and twist and pop is just NOT fun! It took about 2 hours to get the awful molar monster out. Then, I was on my way. What a relief!! Or, so I thought...let's just say Tylenol just does not take away THIS type and level of pain. Enter multiple nights of little/bad sleep, lots of prayer, ice packs, etc. Today has been a better day. The pain has gone from complete insane to very achy. I'm hopeful it's on its way GONE sometime very soon.

Our 13-week appointment was today. We were so excited to hear the twins heartbeats. I just needed to know they were growing and moving around in there. Mr. Blonde met me there while my sweet aunt watched the boys. Even though my tooth was still pulsating out of my head the entire appointment was full of laughing and smiling and pure joy. My doctor is amazing. He is so excited for us and he answered all my questions for today. I will have more!! I am getting so incredibly excited to find out what these little babies are.

To be honest...I think a boy/girl combo would be great. I would love just one girl. More than one scares me. But if it is two, God will give me the wisdom and peace of mind! Adding more boys just doesn't scare me because I already have 2 and I can do it. There isn't all the emotions and sassy stuff happening around here. So to me...boys would just be easy.

But don't get me wrong, I would love to dress up a little girl EVERYDAY. Get ready for dances. Do her make-up. Watch her snuggle with Mr. Blonde. He would be just as amazing a father to a girl as he is to the boys. But it would be different. I think the world of my Dad and would love for him to have a granddaughter! And, in my experience, girls stick around more. I talk to my Momma more than once a day and see her multiple times a week. And, I steal borrow her clothes. When I want free food, I bring the whole family with me! HA! Love you Momma and Dad. You guys are the best! I say this over and over again but I can only hope to be as selfless to my kids as you are to yours.

This whole twin thing is becoming more real as my stomach really grows, I attend a multiples class, talk with friends about my 3rd AND 4th child and dream of nursing both of my precious babies at one time. Wow, I am really having twins and thinking so often of what a family of 6 is going to look like. I get more excited about raising these children with my amazing husband. The joy. The tears. We'll share it all together! I couldn't of asked for a more amazing man to be along with on this journey.

I still have my fearful moments about finances and selling our house. But, I know this was God's plan for us and I embrace that each day. Slowly all those fears are dwindling away as I hear 2 little heartbeats pitter pattering away in my tummy...I marvel at how good God is! I truly LOVE any encouragement, support or prayers. They mean so much to me!

naptime...is close to eluding us

Nabbed this photo five minutes ago...



Might be his last one. Or , maybe not. We go about 50/50 with them these days. Turtle? He sleeps every day at this time.

Mr & Mrs Blonde 5 years and 355 days ago

...engaged and less than a month from being wed...

The Boy's Store: $25 gift certificate giveaway

Having two boys (LA: 3.5-yr-old / Boatboy: 1.5-yr-old); and maybe 2 more on the way I really enjoy finding very stylish boys clothes! I take pride in what my boys look like. If I can't put bows in their hair and have them wearing legginsg and girly dresses everyday...I am determined to have them wearing the hippest t-shirts, hats and shoes. Not that I would want them to be girls...boys are awesome! They are such lovers and full of adventure.

I have found a great store in The Boy's Store. From full outfits already coordinated to socks and shoes and anything in between. They have some great brands as well. I really enjoy Appaman and Le Top.

You can shop by age, brand and even organic items.

We were given 2 very cool t-shirts to review. LA and Boatboy love wearing them. Both t-shirts are quality made and wash well.

LA's shirt is the very cool Front Loader by Appaman which is on sale right now.

Boatboy's shirt is Loud and Proud by Neptune Zoo and it is also on sale.

Get Yours: I love sales. And, The Boy's Store has lots of them. Be sure to check out the accessories and the blog as well.

Win: The Boy's Store is giving away a $25 gift certificate to one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Leave me a comment and tell me what you like best about the special boys in your life and what would want them to get with their $25 gift certificate if they win.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Hey, @mrsblonde1 of the BlondesPoop&Mascara blog is giving away a $25 @theboysstore gift cert. Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/ydvo5p8"
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.

6. Tell 4 friends about this giveaway via email, provide a direct link and cc me.

7. Blog about this contest and leave the post ink in your comment.
8. Sign up for The Boy's Store mailing list.

I will select a winner on March 26th. Thanks for stopping by!

almost wordless wednesday

in honor of March Madness, let the games begin...

Q&A re: TWINS!!!

How are you?

Emotionally and physically I am finally getting better!! It has been 5 days since I have puked. YEAH! I am not dealing with extreme nausea. It's still there, but doable. Pregnant hormonal craziness, extreme shock or overwhelming joy aside - I haven't cried for 5 days either! Last week at our local church gathering everytime some would ask me, "How are you?" I would just start crying and laugh at myself while I was crying...LOONEY! Time and time and time again. I could NOT hold back the tears. I'm an emotional person, but not an big crier. Today at our church gathering, the same question came, "How are you?" And, I didn't cry! Pretty proud of myself actually.

Are you showing?

I will be 12 weeks tomorrow and I have a bump that is very noticeable. I just looked at my 1st (LA, now 3.5-yrs-old) and 2nd (Boatboy, now 22-mo-old) pregnancy 12-week pictures and they do NOT look the same. LA pregnancy I still had a very nice flat stomach. Boatboy pregnancy I had a little pooch. And now the twins pregnancy I have a full out BUMP! I am going to be HUGE! Last week I switched to all maternity pants. I was sick of having tight pants around my waist and not being able to MOVE on the floor with my boys. So, maternity stretchy pants: I am in love with you!

How are you with smells?

Everything smells awful! the other night I walked into the bathroom after Mr. Blonde put on his favorite eucalyptus mint lotion after an evening show and about LOST IT! I put my shirt over my face and starting yelling about how I strongly disliked that lotion. Seated back at the couch, I heard the shower come on. My very sweet and loving (and tolerant) husband took a second shower to wash off the lotion. He is the best!

What are you learning through this process?

My favorite question! In short, a LOT! God is really teaching me to trust and surrender to Him. A very wise woman said to me, "God has chosen you." I am honored! Here is the thing...I (we) are SO excited about the twins...holding them...nursing them. Having four children is going to be so fun. It's going to feel so full. And, rich. I struggle with the unknowns as I mentioned in my previous post. I am learning to give over control because I have none over this situation.I have become more peaceful and joyful. Even through the struggles. This is a journey and I am excited to be on it with amazing husband, kids, family and friends.

Thanks for all the support! Please leave comments. I love hearing from each of you. Oh, I am attending a multiples support group tomorrow. I am very excited! I will let you know how it goes!

Are you a model?

Yes. Yes you are a model. Maybe there's no beach scene or a runway. But, you're a model. A more important one than any centerfold anywhere too.

...So, what are you inspiring those looking up to you to do?

What do they see or think when they see or think of you?

It's scary to think about sometimes. But, here's the thing...you have models in your life too! You're aren't going this alone (and if you are, fix that immediately)! If you're concerned you aren't modeling things in the best way to those you have influence over, then ask some advice from someone you model yourself after. Leadership and loving influence over those around you does NOT, and will not ever, happen naturally. It happens intentionally and sacrificially.

This post was inspired by the photo you see here. Boatboy chasing after LA to do anything he was doing while at the park last weekend.

kiss the cook

Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max Giveaway

We have gone through some diapers in our home! And I have tried every brand out there! I'm all about saving a dollar or 2 when it doesn't require me worrying about pee and poop all over. I have always loved Pampers diapers and wipes. They are soft and very reliable!!

So I was excited to try Pampers NEW Cruisers with Dry Max. This is what Pampers says about their new Cruisers...

Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max is the brand's first high performance diaper and the biggest innovation for the Pampers brand in the last 25 years. Pampers has invented the Dry Max technology and applied it to the current Swaddlers and Cruisers core, which allows the diaper to be 20 percent thinner than current Pampers Cruisers without sacrificing any performance. This hard-working diaper locks wetness away and is Pampers' driest diaper ever. New Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max have game-changing benefits for mom, baby and the world.

I received a package of size 4 for little Boatboy. We used them for an entire week and had no leaks. The biggest difference to the size 4 diapers I had are: 1) they are so much thinner 2) much softer 3) larger in front and on the sides. Much more coverage!

I was a little nervous about how extremely skinny they were. But, they worked. They aren't bulky even when full of pee. I was pretty blown away by the new technology. They have to be comfortable for my little guy as he is climbing and jumping and crawling!

I look forward to these new diapers hitting the shelf on March 15th. If the price of these diapers are comparable or close too what I usually spend I will definitley conintue using the Pampers Crusiers Dry Max.

Win: One Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader will win a coupon for a FREE week's supply of the all-new Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max and a Liz Lange Diaper Clutch. To enter, go to www.Pampers.com then come back and let me know what you think you will like best about the new Cruisers.

Extra Entries:

1.Follow @PampersVillage on Twitter
2. Become a Facebook fan of Pampers

3. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.

4. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).

5. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter
6. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Hey! @mrsblonde1 is giving away a week's supply of the all-new @PampersVillage Cruisers. Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/yalqjuo
Please RT."
7. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.

8. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.

9. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.

I will select a winner March 14th. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!

Pampers did provide me with a week of diapers to review for free. The thoughts are mine.

Happy Saturday!

The boys went to the park while Mrs. Blonde had a Beauty by Crystal gig with YSL...



It's the warmest day we've had in almost 5 months. Glorious!!



Coming to "getchoo!"



Take a break



Big thanks to Grandpa and Uncle O for lending us almost 3 hours of their Saturday morning to help with some yard projects as we get the house ready to sell again. And, to Papa for helping Mr. Blonde with three electric updates in the evening! Love you, guys!

wordless wednesday

aftershock!

Last night about a half hour after Mr. Blonde and I had gone to bed he whispers, "Are you asleep?" And of course, I respond, "NO! My mind is racing!" So was his. Mainly of crazy logistics like finances, our house, my very infected tooth that needs to be pulled, timing of when the twins will be born, what it will be like to bring home twins after having two very easy pregnancies and two babies sleeping on perfect schedules??? And, the list could continue. I am still SO shocked today. I thought for the last 10 weeks I had one baby making me VERY sick and very tired. It is crazy to think (and see yesterday) of two swimming babies in my belly!

I could allow fear to creep in almost...

every....

waking....

second....

...but instead I realize what two precious gifts we have been given to grow inside of me. I have surrendered to the fact that I am not in control of finances or our home or physically making these lives. In fact, I'm in control of so very little. I thank God for that! I always did think I wanted 4 kids anyway!!

Today as I was starring at my ultrasound pictures of Baby A and Baby B I wept of pure excitement and overwhelming joy. As I spent some time journaling my thoughts and I found much comfort in this...

"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand." -Isiah 41:10

As I read each sentence I thought, "YES you are with me, and YES you will strengthen me to be the best Mom for my family and YES you will help me with everything that comes my way." And I was extremely comforted.

This is an exciting time for our family! So many unknowns make things. But, we are very excited!

"Are there twins in your family?" we keep getting asked. YES! My dad's sisters, Aunt Debbie and Aunt Patty are twins. I have always known that there was a better chance for us than others. But that 3% chance was enough now wasn't it!?

Speaking of family - I am BEGGING my Mom to quit her job to be my (and the twins too) nanny! Anyone who sees her or knows her, please encourage her to QUIT her job!!! I NEED her!! We are very blessed to have great family and friends that are practically throwing themselves at us to help in every way possible. You guys are all amazing! But, yeah...drop my Momma some heavy hints please!!

Thank you for all of the encouragement through email, facebook, twitter and phone calls. Please keep the prayers coming. We need them! Anyone you know who has had multiples (Jenni, Jami, Jen) please send any support my way...I am clueless! And, I would REALLY like to talk to anyone who has had mutiples after they've already had children. I would love to pick your brain!

discovery

When have you been really surprised in life?


Really truly surprised?


Go on...think about it.


How about the first time you fell in love? Or, out of love?


When you were proposed to? Or, how insanely nervous you were when you did the proposing?


Or, when you found out you were going to be parents together?


When that first little bundle came to be...how surprised were you how deeply your heart fluttered when he/she first looked at you?


And, what about the time you found out you were going to have another baby?


Or, how surprised you were that you could love that second baby as much as the first one, but in a different way as different as the siblings are themselves?


God, those were beautiful surprises! Some of them continue to surprise us every day...


Take January 26th for instance. One month and one day after Christmas. We had our first suspicion when Mrs. Blonde didn't spill just one cup of coffee in 10 minutes time. But, two. Mr. Blonde picked up a couple tests and within two seconds POSITIVE jumped off the little stick. Wow! THREE! Really? Yes. Yes! We're going to have a third beautiful baby! We were thrilled. And, scared. And, got really practical all of a sudden...housing logistics, money, crib thoughts, money, name options, money, etc. We also thought about money a bit.

TODAY (March 1): A few ticks over 30 days since we found out. Ultrasound day! By 10:30amET we got the news we so desired...a happy-perfectly-growing-170bpm-heart-of-a-peanut growing inside Mrs. Blonde's belly! Life! Baby little nubs and baby little swimming...

Then...it happened....

A moment that will work to define the rest of our lives as a family. It...our little peanut...has a neighbor. The same size. The same movements. The same size little sac home as its little friend. We have two already. And, we're getting two more. By October 2nd or sooner we're doubling down. Plenty more to come...

Tatutina: personalized and crafty

I love personalized items for the boys. Especially practical things that make my life easier. Tatutina is out of Massachusetts and run by a Mom and Daughter team. I love it! Their mission is to bring unquie products into this world that reflect a happy and fun lifestyle.

The first thing that stood out to me was the bold colors. They really do make you smile! I received 2 crayon caddies for my little guys. They love them! It is so fun for them to organize and pick up of their crayons for their very own caddy. It's light weight with a cord handle and sturdy enough to be used by our two crazy little men. Ours has been dropped a few times already and held up like a champ.

Tautina has several great gifts and ideas for your kiddos. I have my eye on this very cool dinosaur stool next!

Get yours! Crayon Caddy Sports for just $20. Head over to Tatutina to check it out!

Thank you Tatutina for allowing me to review your amazing products. I received no payment for writing this review.