a four boy photo shoot

We had the pleasure of working with Brian and Jen Stump of Twice Shy Design again last week to get some up to date photography of all four boys. Some favs from the recent shoot are below and plenty more are at this link. Enjoy!

Twice Shy Design also shot Uncle O & Aunt Elisha's wedding back in 2007 and has done some work with Beauty by Crystal.

First family of six photos!

Our dear friend Katelin Carter of Full Pockets Photography has been taking photos of our family for years now. Our first session ever with her is so fun to look back at now.

Last night we had her take our first photos as a family of six up at Mrs. Blonde's Aunt & Uncle's new gorgeous home in the burbs. Below are just a couple from her original sneak peek blog post.



All smiles! From left to right - LA, Mr. Blonde, Quatro, Mrs. Blonde, Trey and Boatboy



Can't believe how tall LA and Boatboy are getting.



To the smilers go the spoils. GIANT marshmallows!



Thanks, Katelin. We love you!

Oh Brothers Where Art Thou?

<-- Trey & Quatro being monitored while hanging out in utero together.

Prior to the birth of the twins, Trey & Quatro, brother was a term already used quite often between LA and Boatboy.

"Hey brother, come here!"

"You're handsome brother!"

"Brother hit me!"

"I love my brother all the way up to the stars and moon."

With the entry of the twins, the term is being used in, it seems, every other breath. I suppose growing up a member of the Four Brothers Blonde it will continue...forever.



Our last family photo of four, LA and Boatboy came to visit short after admission to the labor room.



...and provided some pre-birth dance entertainment for all those in the room.



Trey (in foreground) & Quatro under the "incubator" (as Papa called it) less than an hour after coming into our lives.



L-O-V-E this photo. Some of you likely already saw it via our Twitter account. One of my (Mr.) favorite ever, actually. A proud (& GORGEOUS) Mrs. Blonde with her two new guys.



Oldest brother LA came to the hospital to meet his two new little brothers. Including learning their names which he insisted for 9 months were Baga & Momen. 'Cause he's funny like that. He even convinced Boatboy that's what they were to be called. We thought he would take to them, but he was so much sweeter and into them than we had originally imagined. Some very very cool moments. -- So sad, but Boatboy didn't get to meet his new little brothers until they came home as he'd had a cold.



Sleep deprived and proud Mr. Blonde showing off half of his fleet of sons.



The twins in their take-home outfits.



LA & Boatboy playing with animals together while their new brothers were getting aclimated into their new home. This photo was taken right when Boatboy grabbed LA's nose and said "HONK!"



Boatboy making sure Papa is giving him as much attention as is being given to Trey.



LA stealing some cuddle time with Quatro while Nana is holding the wee one.



Boatboy says "I wanna see!" "I want to help!"

It's the coolest thing to grow up with a brother. Mrs. Blonde did it. So did Mr. Blonde. But, neither of us had more than one. All our boys get to each have three brothers! That's so cool! Stay tuned for a photo of them all together...at some point.

last "Family of Four" photo highlights [Part 2]

You saw Part 1 of our last Family of Four photo session earlier this week. This is Part 2 of our fav shots captured recently by Katelin Carter of Full Pockets Photography.



This is our favorite picture of the two boys from the entire session. They were playing peek-a-boo with "Dadda" and jumping up and down on an old park bench and caught being their playful selves so well in this shot. We're lucky the bench didn't break!



Family of Four (well, six if you count the bumps in Mrs. Blonde's belly visible here to the left of Boatboy).



For what we can recall this is the first hands-on-pregnant-belly shot we have on file. We didn't know Katelin took it until we got the final disc of images. Fitting that such a photo was taken of the last pregnancy we'll ever have (at least we're saying that now...nothing's done until it's done).



The boys



All teeth!



The family portrait classic. Everyone walking away from the camera. Why do we like this so much. Can't see any faces. Can see everyone's cans. Yet, we still like it.

NUTS scare!

About a month ago, our lives changes forever (no, this post isn't twins related) when we learned through a series of increasingly agitated responses that our 2-year-old, Boatboy, is officially allergic to peanuts. We were told by the doctor it wasn't severe but it wasn't mild either. We were to read labels copiously, check at restaurants where we dine regarding the food preparation and carry Benadryl around just-in-case. And, we've been good at it. Boatboy even asks when I'm reading the side of a box, "No nuts?" Up until Monday, we had experienced no reactions to peanuts because we've been very cautious.

Today was not one of those days.

LA, Boatboy and I ran to Target just down the street to pick up diapers and a "special treat." They chose fruit snacks. Typically they want strawberry but this time they ventured out and picked kiwi-watermelon. Sounds delicious right?! Same generic brand. Different flavor. The boys know they don't their snacks until we get to the van. Once we got to the van I ripped open two bags and handed each their bag. I then drove 500 feet across the parking lot to quickly cash a business check. It hadn't been even 60 seconds since his first bite and Boatboy started coughing like he was choking. In a matter of seconds between just thinking he was coughing and handing him his cup, he starting puking all over the van. I quickly said to my familiar bank lady, "My kid is sick! I will be back later!" And, ripped out of the bank.

Scanning the box ... "may contain traces of peanuts and tree nuts" And, no Benadryl in my purse. I had tears in my eyes racing back to the house thinking...

"How is this happening?!"

"How did I not check the box?"

"I always check the box."

"The normal strawberry target brand that we always get do not have any peanuts in them!"

1 minutes later we were back in the driveway. Snatching my vomit-covered son I ran in and dosed him with the medicine. Van still running in the driveway with my almost-4-year-old, LA, still strapped in this prego was ready to race to the ER if necessary. Astonishingly! - The coughing stopped in about 45 secods. Thank God! We went back out the van and sweet LA was so worried. He said right away "I will get the strawberry fruit snacks next time!" So precious!

Lesson learned.

ALWAYS check the box and ALWAYS carry Benadryl. In a peanut butter loving family, this is especially quite a journey we have ahead of us. It was definitely one of the scariest moments I've ever had as a mother.

I'm so thankful to God we were close to home and this happened with me and not when Boatboy was with someone else.

last "Family of Four" photo highlights [Part 1]

I wanted to share some of our last Family of Four photos with you from a recent session with Full Pockets Photography. It was megahot out the morning of these photos. But, thanks to a willing aunt & uncle to assist, the wonders of blowing bubbles and bribery of marshmallows, we had a blast!

It is crazy to imagine there are going to be two more little guys in our next family photo session!

I've broken this up into a couple posts along with some other updates you'll see this week from Blondes, Poop & Mascara. We love you, your photography gifts and your friendship, Katelin!



Love this one!!



We found a trail we'd never been down. So, of course, off the boys went.



LA lovin' on the twins. Not a posed photo. :)



Boatboy carrying a stick bigger than him. Again, not a posed photo.

More to come later this week. Hope you all are well!

Wordless Wednesday

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!

bedtime storytime

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!

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.

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.