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.

snow day!

On Monday we got some time at home with Mr. Blonde for a little fun in the snow!



LA pushing his little brother down the hill!



LA getting so excited he didn't even need his sled!



Oh, well!



Wee!



Boatboy walked over underneath this massive spruce to take a breather.



(Click on this one to see how huge a grin Boatboy has. So cute!)



Momma teaching the boys how to build a snowman.



LA reminding his brother who's bigger and stronger (at least for now).



Dadda and Time Out reminding LA it's not alright to pummel his brother over in the snow.



"Mush!"



Thirsty?

my favorite blue crew

The Colts might have let me down, but these three never do!
-Mr. Blonde

Pampers Dry Max diapers giveaway

You can try these NEW Pampers for FREE. They're Pampers driest ever diapers and they're 20% thinner!

Starting tomorrow, January 29th, you need to visit Pampers.com to receive a free 3-pack of Pampers NEW diaper-cruiser with Dry Max!

To celebrate the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Pampers Diapers has partnered with Team USA to introduce new Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers specially-branded Team USA diapers with the Dry Max technology. The babies of Team USA athletes will be equipped with the new product(s). Although these limited-edition Team USA diapers will not be for sale, some of the stock is being used for promotional purposes!

If this sample you get includes a Team USA diaper you win a year's supply of Pampers Cruisers Diapers with Dry Max. These will go fast, so head over to Pampers.com to get your FREE sample pack.

I am also doing a review and giveaway linked to this promo very soon. Stay tuned!

Berry messy!

Today I was making lunch and realized I was completely out of fruit. Then, I remembered I had frozen fruit in the freezer for smoothies. Note to self (and you): Never feed your children frozen fruit. It was out of control messy, but they LOVED it. LA and Boatboy ate the entire bag and wanted more. LA, of course did not get messy, but my little Boatboy sure knows how to get messy. At first I was like "This is going to be a disaster!" Then, it got so bad I just laughed out loud thinking "You're only a kid once."

This was a picture from the beginning. I forgot to take a picture when they were done because I was so distracted with the mess. We headed straight for the bath! Mr.Blonde would have died. Our eldest gets his cleanliness from his father. "Everything has its place," is his famous line. Don't get me wrong, I am blessed to have a very clean man. But messes like this make me laugh out loud because he would have been freaking out during lunch today...so this picture is for you Honey!!

Wordless BLUE Wednesday

Mrs. Blonde / LA / Mr. Blonde
Three years ago Superbowl Sunday

brotherly love hurts

Our oldest son, LA, is 3 1/2 now. His younger brother, Boatboy, is 19 months. The past 5 months have been my hardest yet as a Mom. I think it all really started when LA turned 3 and we gave his paci away and Boatboy started becoming very mobile. Those two world-wrecking things happened to him within a period of a month or so. He turned into a child we didn't even recognize. He was so unkind to his brother. He would push and say, "I don't like you brother!" So sad. I wanted to cry almost every time he said it! We had already introduced spanking into his life, but it was so seldom used. It turned into part of the daily routine when timeouts just didn't work. I thought I would never have a child that I would have to spank. I thought, "I am too good of a Mom to have a disobedient child." Oh, how wrong I was! I have been very humbled the last few months with not being in complete control. I have dug very deep for extreme patience and the ability to be very consistent. One thing that really kept me going when the boys were not getting along was knowing that relationships take time to form. God gifted me with these two boys to help form a relationship and to mold me more into the woman He created me to be...I am learning.

LA and Boatboy are very different and it is exciting for me to figure how they each need to be loved differently. LA and I could sit and read 20 (no exaggeration) books together, do crafts and just hang out. Boatboy sits through maybe 2 pages of a book. He loves to dance, sing very loud, do puzzles, chase, talk to complete strangers and be super goofy! They are such beautiful and unique gifts to me. I want to be a Mom that embraces the differences and supports them. The thing is, sometimes I have no idea what I'm doing! I pray every day that God would show me how each of my children need to be loved. I am also very thankful each day I am still able to receive such selfless love from parents. I hope to love my children the way they have always loved me!

Just prior to Christmas-time, a light came on for LA and he started enjoying his brother. At first I was thinking, "Wow! We are having a great day!" Then, the next day was good. And, the next day. After a lot of work, prayer, a VERY supportive and involved hubby and a 5'o clock glass of wine or beer a few days a week - I have finally seen the fruits of brotherly love! LA loves to teach and include Boatboy in almost everything he does these days. And, Boatboy loves to laugh and bother his older brother with everything. I love watching them grow and learn together.

It is a reminder to me of how much God loves me.

And believe me when I say we still have our bad days...but those bad days are nothing compared to the recent valley we muttled through. I would love to hear any of your fun boy stories!

Embedded below is a video that reminds me that the fun we have together will sometimes have its pains. :)