Weekend Update

Just a little update from our little family.  We had such a nice weekend, I thought I'd share!

We started out with the babies much delayed Bubble Guppies Birthday party.  Having Christmas birthdays is such a tough thing and I haven't quite settled on the best way to navigate this.  A week earlier is Dan's birthday, so that makes an early party tough.  We've considered celebrating summer "half birthdays" but that doesn't sit right either.  It's tough for them to have to share a birthday - and then it be right on top of the holiday.  But despite, we thought we'd celebrate this year in February once all the other business and seasonal flu had cleared and we could focus our attention on throwing a fun party.  We'll be doing a whole post about our party details, but here's a sneak preview!

Saturday gave us a nice opportunity to enjoy Phipps Conservatory during their "We Love Our Members" free event for members of reciprocating museums.  While it was quite a bit crowded, it was an awesome day to spend indoors - while still allowing the beautiful sun and blue skies to shine down on us.  Look out for a post about our trip for an upcoming Field Trip Friday post!

Coming home from the conservatory, we decided to pull ourselves together and try to make it to church for the six o'clock service.  While Dan and I have been visiting this church for about a month and am loving almost everything about it, this was the very first time we'd be bringing the kids.  It is HUGE, and while it means we haven't had the opportunity to develop many personal relationships with other members, it means that there are fantastic children's programs, and lots of opportunities for fellowship and learning.  So I was terribly anxious - how would they react?  They've never been in anyone else's care other than family and a few specially chosen babysitters.  I prayed the whole way there that they'd handle it well.

At this point in my life, I should really have learned to stop "worrying" so much and trust that He always takes care of our needs.  Too many times I panic and become consumed by anxiety - only for God to come through and remind me that my worrying was all for nothing.  Saturday was no different.  We checked the kids in with their kiosks and headed to the 2-year-old room.  They opened the half door - and off my kids ran.  Straight to the train table, without looking back.  What an awesome blessing to avoid tears of separation.  We kept watching, but their numbers never came across the screens to alert us that they needed us.  They'd had their first successful church experience, and seemed to have really enjoyed it!  What a great experience and we're looking forward to many more.

So to end our update, I'll leave you with a few "Julie-isms."  Her words are just pouring out and we couldn't be happier.  I can't even list all the ones she uses, since she pop ups every day with new ones!  Here's a few things that have made me smile lately.

• Julie got a new princess dress - with "uh-punul" (Rapunzel) on it.  She is so stinking adorable in this dress, which Brayden likes to bring me to put on his sister.  I loved seeing the look in Dan's eyes when he came home from work and saw her wearing it (over her sleeper) for the first time.  She really looks like a little girl and no longer our baby.
• I just can't get enough of her little phrases - like "ah-hoo" which I believe is her word for "woo-hoo."  Whenever she's having a great time or riding her Rody Horse, she'll say "ah-hoo ah-hoo" and you know she's having a great time.  Interestingly - this is also the word she uses when pretending to sneeze.
• Finally, this little doll is loving to pretend to go to sleep - pulling the covers to her shoulders and "snoring." I just have to smile as I have distinct memories of doing the same as a kid.  I love seeing her discover and grow into this incredible little girl.

A St. Patricks Throw Back Thursday

St. Patrick's Day is coming and we're looking for new photography ideas for the babies.  We thought we'd celebrate this "throw back thursday" with a St. Patrick's Day picture from two years ago.  At three months old, we were inspired by the When My Baby Dreams photos and thought we'd snap our own version of our Irish babes.

Boy have they grown in two years!  I still see glimpses of the sweet babies they once were.  Happy Throw Back Thursday and St. Patrick's Day!

Swapping Kids Clothes with Swapdom

With twins, our closets are literally busting at the seams each season as we have racks (and piles) of clothes in two different genders, multiple seasons and numerous sizes.  We've told you a little bit about our consignment sale experiences, but we always have favorite outfits that we know would make someone very happy to find.

We'd dabbled in online trading before - but found the previous site we used to have a few problems.  Primarily, the person with a young child needing sizes we'd outgrown, had little to offer us when we were looking for larger sizes to grow into.  It was really a bummer to have to tell someone "no-go" and not clear out my clothing stash - and at the same time - not get what we needed!

I was thrilled then when I was introduced to Swapdom!  It's absolutely the perfect solution.  Here's the basics of how it works:
1 - You photograph and post items you no longer want.
2 - You browse to find the items that you love, and then indicate what items you see as a "fair trade" for the things you like.
3 - You sit back and wait as the awesomeness of Swapdom goes to work like a fabulous matchmaker.

You see, that's the magic of Swapdom.  Their algorithm connects the person who wants your stuff, with the person who has stuff you want - and creates a multi-person swap so that everyone wins!  This video does an excellent job at illustrating the process.



Swapdom - How it works from Swapdom on Vimeo.

They make it easy and affordable to get the things you want - while supporting a sustainable environment by encouraging reuse.  And as any mom with little ones knows, going shopping out of the house can be close to impossible.  This convenient system lets you shop from your couch!  Even when you ship your item to your trade partner, their relationship with UPS allows you to print your label from home, never having to wait in long post office lines.

Getting started, I've uploaded three little gems, and am excited to get my first connection for a swap!

The possibilities of what you can post are really endless.  Here's some things I'm looking forward to adding:

- Last year's kids coat's and swim suits

- Bottles from our baby days

- Hair bows from GiggleBuzz

- The huge box of "baby toys" we've accumulated

Swapdom just launched their kids division, so jump in now and ensure that your items will get tons of exposure as people discover the site.  And spread the word!  This is too cool not to share.  With all of our friends joining us, the variety for kids swaps will get even better.  In the meantime, you can always trade in that pile of outgrown kids clothes for some swanky sunglasses or a new necklace for yourself - we won't tell anyone!  Swapdom has been working with swapping fashionistas for a while so they've got tons of experience in creating happy swapers throughout the country.

As if you needed another reason to love Swapdom - they're giving away a top of the line Phil&Teds Stroller for their facebook fans and members!  Click here to like their page and enter the giveaway, ending 2/28.

Come on and connect with me on Swapdom - check out my profile and make a swap!  Your heaps of outgrowns will be shrinking, while your mailbox will be full of lots of lovelies to fit your little ones.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Swapdom but all photos, opinions and experiences are my own.

5 Tips for Fabulous Beach Pictures

I think you guys must be ready for summer, because lately, you've ALL been reading my post about bringing babies to the beach! Ever ask yourself "how to take pictures of kids at the beach" or look for "beach pictures with kids" or "kids beach photo ideas?"
I don't mind...  I'm right there with you!  While we might not be making it to the beach this summer (we're planning our first Disney Trip I believe), I am always glad to pass on some "lessons learned."  This past trip, I braved the sand a little more with my DSLR Camera, and the results were fantastic.  While I'm only an amateur photographer, I wanted to share some ideas with you for taking great pictures this summer as you take your own trips to the beach!

Pittsburgh Parenting Expo

We're thrilled to share the news that the Pittsburgh Parenting Expo will be here very soon - in March 2014!  If you're looking for parenting resources in Pittsburgh, PA this is definitely the place for you.

Before the kids were born, and even now, I always felt tremendously overwhelmed by all of the parenting books out there for new moms.  From "What to Expect" to volumes about sleep habits, discipline, and sibling rivalry - there's a book for just about everything.  But the problem is, particularly when you have twins, is that there is about ZERO time to sit back and read page upon page of parental wisdom.

So if you're anything like me, you'll be excited to hear that the the Parenting Expo will be coming to the Monroeville Convention Center (near Pittsburgh, PA) on March 8-9, 2014.  Why is this so awesome?  Because for the first time, you can come together with other passionate Moms, Dads, grandparents and guardians to listen to insightful presentations and workshops from Pittsburgh Parenting Experts.  Their advice will make your parenting experience a little easier - and make your kids' parents even better at giving them all that they need.

Workshops and Presentations

With discussions that get right to the point, you'll get exclusive advice from the parenting specialists straight from their fifteen minute presentations focusing on a huge array of topics.  Whether you're a new parent struggling with sleep and toddler tantrums, or a seasoned parent with concerns about sport safety and college admissions, the Parenting Expo in Pittsburgh has an expert presentation for you.  Check out the full list of speakers for the Parenting Expo.

Some of the workshops we're most looking forward to include:

Three Ways to Work with Picky Eaters by Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan
"Do you dread the dinner time battle? Have you tried every trick in the book to get your child to try new foods? It's time for a change. Parents often think of dinner as a win-lose situation, use foods as rewards and punishment and think they have to trick their children into eating healthy. But it doesn't have to be that hard! By working together, parents and children can have calmer, happier, healthier meals."

3 Things You Need to Know for Potty-Training Success by Dr. Debi Gilboa
"There is no more talked about, stressed over milestone for most parents than potty-training a child. What age to start? What method to use? How can we have a good experience and get out of diapers? Dr. G will share the biologic truths about physical development and explain what strategies work best for which kids!"

3 Ways to Find Healthy Digital Media for Your Children by Tanya Smith
Technology and digital media are everywhere and seem to be taking over the world! In this workshop, we will discuss your comfort level with selecting and using technology with young children (digital natives). You will learn how to use an exciting new resource, the Early Learning Environment™ and other recommended tools. Ele highlights ways to turn media into language-rich, adult-child interactions and provides a set of fun and engaging activities, resources and other materials for adults that move beyond "tip sheets."

Exhibitors

This will be the place to be for all things "parent" in Pittsburgh.  The resources don't stop with the presentations.  Some of the most important resources in Pittsburgh will be there, including cultural anchors like the Pittsburgh Zoo, distinguished universities like Chatham University, and countless local connections for family fun. The expo will be full of exhibitors sharing thousands of products, perfect for families, giving you hands on access to new technology and developments that meet your needs.  See the full list of exhibitors for the Parenting Expo here.

Need even more reasons to add the Parenting Expo to your calendar?

Family Fun - With free activities for children, and a safe fun environment for families, the Parenting Expo is the perfect way to spend some weekend time together.  You'll find us rocking out to our favorite tunes with Radio Disney.  Stay up to date on all of the activities for kids here!

Kid Accommodations - Facilities to make the experience convenient for families including wide aisles for your strollers, plenty of space to change little ones or take a break from the excitement.

Discounts and Giveaways - You'll go home with tons of perks - like samples and discounts for your favorite products and services.  Parents will also have the chance to enter exciting giveaways to win lots of parent "swag."


Tickets at the door are $10
Children under 14 are FREE

Ready to buy your tickets?  You can purchase your eticket directly through the Parenting Expo site or by clicking here.