We love books and read to our girls everyday so we were thrilled to be a part of this great giveaway - To enter this great giveaway, go to Mamaluvsbooks

$15 Toys R Us Gift Card & Parenting Book: Book Bonanza 

Review & Giveaway EVENT!

Sponsored by MamaLuvsBooks

(Picture from Amazon.com)  

Book Review By MamaLuvsBooks:  I just finished reading "The No-Cry Potty Training Solution" by, Elizabeth Pantley. It is a fantastic book with many ideas and solutions for parents starting potty training or have been having problems with potty training. It came at the perfect time for me to read as my 4-year old son has been regressing with his potty training lately. There were great ideas of "What to do!" and "What NOT to do!" It's very hard after you think things are finally going well and then they go backwards. It was nice to hear from the author that it's not only me that this happens to others! She also has some great ideas and puts things into perspective.

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE BOOK:

1.  The book has a readiness quiz for parents! 2.  The book lists ideas for pre-potty training. 3.  The book gives you facts about potty training with listed solutions about problems in a nice organized grid. 4.  The book describes the "Two Magic Factors" when dealing with potty training: The Teacher's Attitude and the Teacher's Level of Patience. 5.  Includes a "Menu of Potty Training Ideas" to look through! 6.  The book has tricks and tips for dealing with potty training at home and outside of the house! 7.  It includes a section on dealing with bed-wetting, and it has a great questions and answers section at the back of the book!

You can get a copy as well. It's a must have for any parent who is dealing with potty training for the first time, or even for the fifth time! SO MANY great ideas and solutions for kids dealing with potty training at any age/stage. 

Here's how to get a copy: 1.  WIN this awesome book in my Book Bonanza giveaway! The author, Elizabeth Pantley, will send you a signed copy of this book, or of ANY other of her "No-Cry Solution" Parenting Books (Winner's Choice). The more you do on the Rafflecopter the more chances you will have to win! A few entries are mandatory, as our author and wonderful blog sponsor's have put this package together for you! There are some bonus entries as well. Good Luck!!! Don't forget you can also purchase these wonderful books on Elizabeth Pantley's site, or Amazon.com.

Here are the other Parenting Book Selections!  Winner's Choice, so check them out!!!

                    The No-Cry Nap Solution

The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution The No-Cry Picky Eater Solution

 

The No-Cry Discipline Solution

The No-Cry Sleep Solution

The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers

365 Days of Twinipedia - Day 21

Day Twenty-one of Twinipedia: 

Fact #21

THIS IS SUCH A FASCINATING TWINIPEDIA TIDBIT!  

We know that once you have fraternal twins, you are more likely to have them again in future pregnancies.  Well, this is just what happened to Dean Durrant and Alison Spooner.  

The thing that makes this couple's twin-birth experiences that much more unique is that they had fraternal twins 2 times with each set of twins being from from different races.  One baby from each set was born black and one from each was born white...TWO TIMES.  Mom is white and dad is black so this was always a possibility but two times?...WOW is right!  See why we think this is fascinating.

Check out this article and pictures. 

Couple Has Black & White Twins...Again!

Posted by Karl Erikson



Dean Durrant and Alison Spooner are a famous couple for an odd reason. Dean is black, Alison is white and the couple had twins back in 2001 - one black and one white! And now, as of November, they have ANOTHER pair of twins, one black and one white!






If the new twins are anything like their older siblings, they're going to be as different as, well, black and white. Lauren, the fairer of the older twins, is a tomboy. Sister Hayleigh, the darker of the two, likes dressing up and singing High School Musical tunes.

Amazing.

Source of facts from Babble.com at :

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/famecrawler/archive/2009/01/05/couple-has-black-amp-white-twins-again.aspx

365 Days of Twinipedia - Day 20

Day Twenty of Twinipedia: 

Fact #20

We have been on a roll here.  

We have been spending a lot of time researching what factors influence a woman's chances of having twins, and more specifically fraternal twins since identical twins happen just by sheer chance.  This stuff is just to fascinating to us as moms and as twins

We now know that what you eat, where you live, what your body type is like as well as your age and the month you conceive influence your chance of conceiving twins or multiples.

But, yes, there are a few more factors that can influence these chances...
What are they?  
Well, heredity is an influencer.  If you're a twin or if twins run in your family, you're slightly more likely to have a set yourself. Women who are fraternal twins have a one in 60 chance of bearing twins.


Your race can also predispose you to a higher chance of having twins.  Twin are more common than average in African Americans and less common in Hispanics and Asians.


Lastly, your history of having twins influences you twin-pregnancy probability.  Once you have a set of fraternal twins, you're twice as likely to have another set in future pregnancies. If you are a multiple egg-dropper once, you are likely to be a multiple egg-dropper again.  :):):)


So there are some controllable influencers and there are some "what-you-are-dealt-in-life" influencers behind whether you are more likely to have twins or not.  


I think most of us just shoot for happy and healthy pregnancies and babies but this is certainly some good information to consider if you are hoping to conceive multiples.






Source of facts from the great site Baby Center.com - 

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-likelihood-of-having-twins-or-more_3575.bc

Twin Pregnancy and Taller, Bigger Women. What to wear to stay comfy and stylish.

Taller, Bigger woman are more likely to conceive Twins, 
(See our 365 Days of Twinipedia facts - Day 19 at http://twinswithtots.blogspot.com/2012/01/365-days-of-twinipedia-day-19.html to read why).  
The problem is a lot of maternity companies do no cater to this body type when designing their clothing lines for pregnant woman.  Women who fall into these categories often have to come up with their own ways to look good and feel comfortable while pregnant.

So what can a woman pregnant with multiples who is tall, and or bigger do to be comfy and still stylish while pregnant?

Anne Hashim from  Clothing.Annehashim.com says there are many ways to stay stylish and comfy during these growing 9 to 10 months.


She suggests that taller, bigger women should "show off that baby bump with these fashion tips, rather than shrink away quietly to spend nine months wearing mumus and tent dresses"


And here is how she says to go for it:

1. "Choose clothing that hugs your curves. You may be a little nervous about wearing form-fitting outfits during pregnancy, but fabrics that have some “give,” like spandex and lycra blends, will feel comfortable while also slimming your overall look. Contrary to popular belief, roomy tunics often serve to make you look larger than you really are, while tighter fabrics will give you that “sexy mama” vibe.
2. Pair same-color tights with your dress. You know during pregnancy you’re more susceptible to developing varicose veins. Plus, with your growing body, your legs and butt may not look quite as taut as they did before. Tights can play double-duty, helping to prevent varicose veins while also covering up your legs if you’re feeling a little self-conscious. Choose a dark color tight or legging, or match your tight color to the color of the skirt you’re wearing.
3. Draw the eye upward. Choose tops with interesting necklines, a different colored bodice or an asymmetrical detail, like a single-arm strap. You can also play with bold jewelry, opting for large earrings or broad necklaces that act as attention-grabbers. This will take the focus from your belly, placing it instead on your face.
4. Do diagonals. Diagonal stripes or details that angle across your body will give you a naturally slimming look.
5. You can’t go wrong with black. We all know that black is slimming, and that doesn’t change when you get pregnant. Choose black tops, dresses and skirts, and dress them up with fantastic shoes or jewelry for a classy and sexy look."

We say, "Great advice Anne."  

We know that when you are pregnant, especially with twins, that the experience can be overwhelming and so not "about you" but remember that looking good makes you mentally feel good.  When you take care of yourself on the outside, you feel better and are more likely to take better care of yourself on the inside(aka taking care of those twinnies inside you).  You are more likely to eat better and exercise more if you are not feeling negative and down on yourself.

So take care of you and how You look/feel while pregnant and your twins will reap the benefits.

365 Days of Twinipedia - Day 19

Day Nineteen of Twinipedia: 

Fact #19

A woman's body type and size can influence whether she naturally conceives twins or not.  Twins are more common in large and tall women than they are in small women.  


But why is this?
Some scientists believed that it is because bigger, taller women produce more Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) that stimulates ovulation and helps the embryos to survive in early developments.  Plus with more IGF, the mother may be more likely to produce multiple eggs at ovulation.

We did not know this fact about the connection between body type and twin conception until we were reading about what makes a woman more likely to conceive Twins or multiples.  

Did you?

Some Facts found at the fun site Planet Twins: 
http://www.planet-twins.com/main-facts-about-twins/who-has-twins-multiples.php

The Twin Buzz-World News about Multiples

Identical Twins, One Charged in a Fatal Shooting, Create Confusion for the Police

By MARC LACEY

Published: August 8, 2011

CHANDLER, Ariz. — At first, the murder case against Orlando Nembhard seemed solid, as witness after witness came forward to say they saw someone that looked just like him brandish a pistol in February outside a crowded nightclub and fire on a young clubgoer, who later died.

Orlando Nembhard was charged in the killing of a 19-year-old man.

But the case has turned shaky because someone who bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Nembhard — his identical twin brother, Brandon — was also at the scene in the early in the morning of Feb. 12.

To Read more, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/us/09twins.html?_r=1&ref=twins

Oldest twins reach 102nd birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ena and Lily

Yesterday, the Oldest Twins in the World Celebrated Their 102nd Birthday


How Wonderful!!!!!  I can only hope my twin sister and I can have the longevity these two beautiful sisters do and that we get to spend this many years together.  
They are so very lucky to have had one another for so long.  
Happy birthday to them and wishes from us for many more birthdays in the future!!!!

See introduction to article on their birthday celebration below...

Oldest Twins in World Celebrate Their 102nd Birthday

By Mikaela Conley  Jan 4, 2012

The oldest twins in the world had their cake and ate it too when they celebrated their 102^nd birthday Wednesday. Ena Pugh and Lily Millward of Wales chalked up their centenarian health to “laughter and a good joke.”

The twins’ families presented the sisters with...

To read more, go to http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/01/04/oldest-twins-in-world-celebrate-102nd-birthday/

The Twin-Buzz: World News about Multiples

For New Year’s Twins, a Few Minutes Made Big Difference.

By ModernMom Staff on January 4, 2012

One of the questions that parents of twins routinely field is this, “How many minutes were in between their births?” The very next question is usually, “Who was born first?”

But for three sets of twins born on the cusp of the new year, the answer to that question...

To Read more, go to: http://www.modernmom.com/hottopic/2012/jan/4/for-new-year-s-twins-a-few-minutes-made-big-difference

Check out archived Twin-Buzz posts and articles on the Twin-Buzz Page here on TwinswithTots...

365 Days of Twinipedia - Day 18

Day Eighteen of Twinipedia: 

Fact #18

We know that the age of a mother, the month she conceives and even the place she lives can increase or decrease the chances of whether she has twins or not but did you know that diet may also influence the chances of a woman conceiving twins.  

While the science is still being processed on this one, and the verdict is still out, it is believed that diet could also play a role in the conception of twins. Certain foods may contain higher levels of hormones that act similarly to estrogen,.  Yams are known to contain these estrogen-like hormones.  If a woman eats a lot of yams, it is thought that all that yam eating may may influence her ovulation and conception.   

Also, a study performed by Gary Steinman, MD of the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, found that women who eat a diet rich in dairy and animal protein prior to becoming pregnant are also more likely to conceive twins. He found that when he compared the twin birth rate of Vegan Moms, who do not eat animal products or dairy, to those Moms that consumed these products, the milk and meat consuming moms were five times more likely to have twins over the Vegan moms.


So we figure, if you are hoping to have multiples, you should
1. move to Massachusetts
2. try to get pregnant in July
3. try to get pregnant after your 35th birthday
4. and start eating and drinking lots of yams, beef, ham and milk.
Good Luck! :):):):)


Some of our great facts came from - http://baby.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Genetic_Research_of_Identical_Twins