Help us spread the message
of peace, love & twins! :-)
SPONSORED BY:
Plus all of the great companies/sites that have donated items to our giveaways! See below for a complete list of sponsors/prizes available!
Hey, "TwinHappyJen" here, and welcome to Twinstock! August 2009 is the 40th anniversary of Woodstock... not to mention the birth of my husband (he was born just 11 days before Woodstock began in '69)! :-p So, I'm throwing another party!
(Thanks again to all those who participated in the TwinHappy Carnival in May, to celebrate Anna & Josie's B-Day!)
Now, there are several portions of this site... the first is the blog party portion! We started out the month, trying to do the traditional blog party, but since that didn't seem to be catching on, I've decided to try a new idea!
Each day, for the rest of the month, I will be posting a "Question of the Day!" Simply answer this question on your own blog and enter the link to your post in the MckLinky for each question below. Participate in as many or few as you like! However, every blog entry counts as another entry into the #Twinstock prize pool! Just check below for all the great giveaways you could win, just for blogging!
P.S. It's not a requirement, but a link back to Twinstock.org somewhere in your post/on your blog would be greatly appreciated! Also, even though there's a new question every day, feel free to go back and answer the other questions, as well... all of the questions remain open until the end of August!
P.P.S. If you don't have a blog and/or would rather just tweet a quick answer to the questions below, you can also feel free to just link to your tweeted answer below!
Twinstock Question #7
Having twins is a truly unique experience... one you can not possibly fully comprehend unless you've been there and done that :-) Being a new Mom is tough enough as it is... having twins (especially as my first children), kind of felt like trial-by-fire :-p Unfortunately, I knew absolutely no one with twins, before I had them... there are definitely some things I could have done with knowing about before-hand, such as asking for help... and to keep asking! :-) While everybody gets excited over the birth of twins, and will offer to help (especially babysitting), the reality is, people often get caught up in their own lives. Plus, if you think caring for twin babies is tougher than caring for just one... so do those people who offered to babysit :-)
A lot of people may think that when you have multiples, you get more help than someone who has a singleton, but in a lot of cases, you get less. So, that's why you have to ask for it... and keep asking. Those that truly care about you will want to help, but they may need a reminder... or even several reminders. Do not see it as a sign of weakness... it takes a lot of strength to ask for help when you need it. The natural tendency for many new Moms is to try and do it all... be SuperMom. But, even super heroes need breaks from time to time :-) And, if you want those around you to appreciate what you do every day, there's no better way to illustrate that, than to let them do, what you do, for a little while :-)
So, Twinstock Question #7 is:
"What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new parent of twins?"
As always, just answer on your blog (or on Twitter) and add a link to your post below!
This question is sponsored by Jumpstart! JumpStart is an award-winning adventure-based 3D virtual world that is super-personalized & wildly imaginative. Kids can create avatars called Jumpeez for themselves and explore magical worlds, discovering and unlocking games, videos, and storybooks that help them practice essential skills from math to reading.
Twinstock Question #6
As any parent knows, where there's a baby, there's a lot of stuff :-p And, of course, with twins, there's double the stuff! And, even beyond that, there is special equipment designed just for twins, that can help it make it at least a little easier to deal with caring for two babies at once... or at least there is now :-) Maybe I just missed it when the girls were born, but in the last few years, I have seen so much equipment designed especially for twins, that definitely would have come in handy when the girls were born...
So, Twinstock Question #6 is:
"What equipment came (or would have come) in handy with caring for your twinfants?"
As always, just answer on your blog (or on Twitter) and add a link to your post below!
This question is sponsored by Trends in Twos, a boutique specializing in unique clothing and gifts for twins and their families. You will find chic, offbeat, and sometimes silly, designs on some really fabulous clothing and gifts for twin babies, kids, pregnant moms, proud dads and more. Trends In Twos™ will keep twins looking cool, stylish and original!
Twinstock Question #5
I don't know about the rest of you, but one thing I've learned about twins, is how much fun they can have together. They can literally just play together for hours on end... which sometimes involves making a big mess or getting into some other kind of trouble :-p But, they do have fun! Also, while they do get into the occasional disagreement, it's so heartwarming when I see Anna concerned if Josie is OK, or if Josie gets a treat, she has to make sure her Anna gets one, too... they will also often say thank you, you're welcome, I'm sorry, bless you, etc. to each other (and to others, as well, but it's just extra cute when it's something they do/say between themselves :-p)...
So, Twinstock Question #5 is:
"What are some of your favorite things that your twins do with/for each other?"
Again, just write on your blog about whatever you'd like to talk about (and pictures/video are always encouraged!)... then, just add a link to your post below!
This question is sponsored by Baby Banz - The Ultimate in Children's Sun Protection!
Twinstock Question #4
While I have since found some children's books featuring twins, when I first started looking, I couldn't really find any! Which prompted me to write my own... that's why my book "Two Snowflakes" is this question's sponsor :-p
So, Twinstock Question #4 is:
"What are your twins' favorite books?"
The books do not have to feature twins (although I'd love to know if they do have any favorite books that feature twins!)... just write on your blog about your twins' favorite books. You can even include things such as, do they like the same books, different books, etc. Then, just add a link to your post below!
Twinstock Question #3
While I usually try to focus on all the positive aspects of having twins (of which there are many), sometimes you just can't help but at least roll your eyes a little, when you've heard "Double Trouble" for the umpteenth time... that day! :-p The one I've always hated the most, though, is: "Better you than me!" Because I always just want to reply: "I agree!" :-)
So, Twinstock Question #3 is:
"What is the one question/comment you dread getting the most, when out with your twins?"
Post your own "Most dreaded question/comment," on your blog and then enter then link to your post below!
#Twinstock Q3 is sponsored by: Doubleup Books!, who have donated two "Gaga for Mama" Onesies from their Babywear Shop!
They are also participating in the "Twitterthon" for FetalHope... see below for more info!
Twinstock Question #2
One of the things that makes TwinsDays, noticably different than your average local festival, is not only all the twins, but all the twins dressed exactly alike, young and old alike :-) Now, most of the adult twins in particular don't dress alike every day, but most do for TwinsDays because, it's a special occasion :-) It's just fun... which is a big reason why I've dressed my girls alike in the past. Also, it can just be easier... both shopping for clothes (you find an outfit you like, you just buy two of it), and dressing in the morning (no discussions/arguments over who is going to wear what :-p)...
I don't dress my girls alike as much as I once did, but I did for TwinsDays and I don't have any strict rules about it one way or the other... I usually do try and match them at least a little (I just can't help myself :-p), but even that doesn't feel quite as important as it once did :-) So, Twinstock Question #2 is:
"How often, if ever, do you dress your twins alike?"
Post on your blog about what you do, what your feelings about dressing twins alike are, your reasons for doing it (or not doing it), etc. There's no wrong answer here... just write what you'd like and then post a link to your post below!
#Twinstock Q2 is sponsored by: Susan Heim, author of many great twin/parenting books!
Susan's donation to the Twinstock prize pool is a copy of her book, It's Twins!
Twinstock Question #1
Both Woodstock in NY 40 years ago, and TwinsDays in Twinsburg, OH last weekend were a bit on the rainy side. Both were still a lot of fun... well, I wasn't yet born for Woodstock so I'll have to take the collective word on that one :-p But TwinsDays was fun! (You can read more about our trip below!)
However, it did make things a bit messy... so, Twinstock Question #1 is:
"What is the biggest mess your twins have ever made?"
Post all the details on your blog, icky as they may be :-p Include pictures/video if you have them :-p And then just post a link to your post below!
They're donation to the Twinstock prize pool is a pair of their brand new "Peace & Hugs" Bears! And, the bears they are donating are actually coming dressed in "Peace" t-shirts, jeans & flip-flops!!
We're also conducting a fundraiser for the Fetal Hope Foundation: an organization working to raise awareness of TTTS (Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome) and other fetal syndromes. TTTS went undiagnosed in my pregnancy and because of that, it almost claimed the lives of our twins. We were lucky, but sometimes you need more than luck... you need hope!
There are a few ways you can throw a penny in the pot for Fetal Hope!
1) Follow me on Twitter @TwinHappyJen! For every follower I (@TwinHappyJen) have by the end of August, I will donate a penny to the Fetal Hope Foundation.
2) Follow my friend Shelby @DoubleUpBooks... she has also pledged to donate a penny for every follower she gains by the end of August, to Fetal Hope!
3) Go to my Facebook page @ http://facebook.com/jennifer.m.miller and click on "Causes" to join the Fetal Hope Foundation on Facebook! I will also be donating a penny for every member I recruit for Fetal Hope of Facebook!
P.S. If you would like to host your own Twinstock Twitterthon, just let me know (in addition to Twitter/Facebook, you can also drop me a line at jennifer@twinhappy.com) and I will post your information here and on the official Twitterthons page @ http://twitterthons.org!
More Twitterthons:
@DoubleUpBooks has pledged to donate a penny to Fetal Hope for every new follower gained in August!
TWINSTOCK GIVEAWAYS
Yes, we're even giving a bunch of stuff away :-) And, unlike a lot of giveaways you might run into, these are specially designed for those of us with twins!
A free copy of the children's book "Two Snowflakes!" It is the story of identical twin snowflakes, Phina and Bella, who are tired of being mistaken for one another... until a chance encounter shows them just how special being a twin really is! Available on Amazon, it is the perfect gift for twins, or even a family expecting twins!
Two free "Peace & Hugs Bears" from Build-A-Bear (the bears being given away are actually dressed in "peace" t-shirts, jeans & flip-flops!)! When I saw these bears, I just knew they had to be a part of Twinstock... especially since I just took my girls for their first visit (and mine!) to a Build-A-Bear Store. We absolutely loved it...
For those of you who haven't been, it isn't just buying a teddy bear... it's an experience! Of course, the girls are still loving their bears, too :-) I may just have to pick up a couple of these for my girls, too! Although for now, I'm happy to simply include them as part of our giveaways here at "Twinstock!"
A free 3-month Family Membership to JumpStart! JumpStart is an award-winning adventure-based 3D virtual world that is super-personalized & wildly imaginative. Kids can create avatars called Jumpeez for themselves and explore magical worlds, discovering and unlocking games, videos, and storybooks that help them practice essential skills from math to reading.
This is something that is also very much Anna & Josie-approved :-p They have had an absolute ball playing all the Jumpstart games!
A free copy of It's Twins! Written by Susan Heim, it is "Parent-To-Parent Advice From Infancy Through Adolescence!" As any parent of twins knows, twins are a double blessing—but also a double challenge! What a wonderful gift you’ve been given to be the parent of multiples! Of course, you know this and treasure your special role, but you’ve also discovered that life takes on an added dimension of upheaval when your kids arrive as a set! These challenges are unique to those in the “multiples club,” and therefore standard parenting books are often inadequate to address the needs of families with twins (or more). That’s why this book, "It's Twins!," is so very helpful to parents like you who are navigating the turbulent waters of parenthood with twins. It offers stories and advice tailored to your own unique family situation. It encourages you to really appreciate your very special children, as well as learn how to handle the extra needs that accompany them.
A $20 GC to Trends in Twos! Trends In Twos is a boutique specializing in unique clothing and gifts for twins and their families. You will find chic, offbeat, and sometimes silly, designs on some really fabulous clothing and gifts for twin babies, kids, pregnant moms, proud dads and more. Trends In Twos™ will keep twins looking cool, stylish and original!
Example Tweet: Celebrate 31 Days of Peace, Love & Twins @ #Twinstock! Tons of giveaways designed just for twins!! Journey to --> http://twinstock.org
You can feel free to tweet as much as you like! As long as you include the #twinstock hashtag in your posts, it will count as another entry into the prize pool! (You can also use the button below to RT!)
3) Grabbing one of our buttons and posting it on your blog!
If you have our button posted on your blog, please let us know by leaving a link to your blog/site below!
TWINSDAYS
During the weekend of August 7, 8 and 9, my girls and I visited Twinsburg, Ohio for the annual TwinsDays festival! For those of you unfamiliar with it, it's like an IRL Twinstock! :-p It is the largest annual gathering of twins in the world... there are usually well over 2,000 sets in attendance! My husband and I first took our girls there for the festival in 2007... they were a little young at the time to really get much of anything out of it (although it was still a fun trip). I realized at that time, though, that I definitely had to bring them back when they were a little older. So, while my husband couldn't make it (we decided at the last-minute to go and he couldn't get off work), I took the girls again this year! I tweeted live from our trip, as well as put together the video slideshow below, in order to share our trip to TwinsDays! :-)
P.S. I also handed out flyers advertising "Twinstock"... so maybe at least a couple of those people will show up here (please let me know if that's how you found us!)... also, in addition to the video above, check out my blog post describing our trip @ http://twinhappyjen.blogspot.com/2009/08/twinsdays-2009.html
SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK
Please feel free to also leave us a comment in the blog below, letting us know what you think of the festival (even if you're just visiting, not participating)!
Thanks so much and peace, groovy babies! :-p (And please forgive any anachronisms... I wasn't born until '74 :-p)
Listen to some groovy jams while you're here! :-p
Have a twin-related blog or site? Feel free to list it below!
Photos courtesy of TwinHappy, WistfulWrists, Rebecca Mather, & Two of Everything
