Not a “Moment” Too Soon

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of using your phone to entertain your little ones while in a bind.

You know…

The doctor’s office, waiting in line, or when you just can’t take the whining any longer.

Guilty as charged.

Besides using it as a distraction device, my Samsung Moment has honestly helped me as a mom.

Check out my post over at Makes Quads Happy and I’ll show you how it helps my productivity AND you could win a $300 Visa Gift Card! 

Hurry!  Every “Moment” Counts!

Smitten by Disney…

I love packages.  Don’t you?  A special one arrived in our mailbox over the weekend…

Smitten &Co (The same creator of birthday shirts last year) hooked us up with a perfect design to wear for our birthday celebration at Walt Disney World. 

Aren’t they delightful?

(Thank you, Tara, for once again making such a personal and perfect creation for our celebration!)

I also found a perfect souvenir surprise to take with us, thanks to a really great deal at a Disney Store that was closing over the weekend.  I’m guessing I got them for a 1/4 of what I could buy them in the park for… No, I can’t tell you!  It’s a surprise, silly!

The days are quickly approaching.  Your ideas for travelling with little ones have been fabulous.  I’ve learned LOADS from y’all!  In fact, I’d love to put together a post of tips we’ve learned along the way after we return.  Also, there is a super-comprehensive post on the Multiples and More Network on “How to Do Disney’s Magic Kingdom with Multiples”.  It’s an incredible resource…even if you’re not traveling with multiples.  Perfect timing!

Now if I could only find a little Pixie Dust to pack some bags, clean the house, and finish the laundry! Wouldn’t that be MAGICAL?

PS One more day until I become a mother of four THREE Year Olds!  Unreal!

Quad Leftovers : A Yummie Tummie Giveaway

I was first introduced to Yummie Tummie during BlogHer ‘09 over the summer.  I found myself by a surrounded by these amazing bloggers who had been given the opportunity to try out a Yummie Tummie shapewear tank. They were all raving about the comfort of their Yummie Tummie tanks and how they made them feel. All the while, I was chuckling to myself that these already tiny women were gushing over shapewear while the the quad mom tried to tuck her muffin top under the table cloth!  I couldn’t help but think “they’ve got the wrong chicks”!

Months later I had not forgotten the highly-prized Yummie Tummie tanks.  I checked out their website and decided what better way for them to test their products than on a couple of my quad mamas.  They loved the idea and provided us with a $100 Gift Card to share with one our readers!

We decided to put Yummie Tummie’s mission of “secretly slimming your mid-section and camouflaging visible lumps and bumps” to the test! (Make that quad leftovers!)

Suprisingly, they exceeded my expectations! 

Here’s what I love:

~ Comfort (almost 2/3s of the tank is t-shirt material)

~ Design (I have the “Boyfriend” style which I can wear with anything and it    hides straps too)

~ Confidence That I Feel When Wearing (It has given me more options in my wardrobe and it doesn’t require me wearing something 2 sizes too big in effort to hide the muffin top “quad leftovers”)

~ Durability (I’ve been wearing it for over 2 months and it still looks brand new. Washes great)

Here’s what I would change in a perfect world:

~ Staying in place (Mine creeps up if I don’t tuck it in, but that might be specific to “quad leftovers”)

~ Price ($62.00 is well over my typical wardrobe budget, but knowing what I know now would I personally invest in one?  Yep.)

So if you’re feeling like “Snee” but would like to look more “Jasmine-nee”….

(Can you tell I have Disney on the brain?)  

I would totally look into the wide variety of slimming apparel Yummie Tummie has to offer!

And enter this giveaway for a chance to win your very own!

Here’s the Details:

One reader from each blog review (See Gen and Suz’s reviews too!) will win a $100 Gift Card to Yummie Tummie!

To enter, just visit the Yummie Tummie site and comment below with what tank you would love to win from their fabulous shapewear line.

Plus there are extra entries available! 

1) Check Out My Quad Mama Sista Gen’s Yummie Tummie Review and leave a comment to win.

2) Visit My Other Quad Mama Sista Suz’s Yummie Tummie Tummie Review and leave a comment to win

3) Become a fan of Yummie Tummie on Facebook and leave an additional comment on this blog letting me know you're a fan

4) Tweet about this giveaway, "I just entered to win a $100 gift card from @YummieTummie thanks to @quatromama !" and leave an additional comment to let me know you tweeted.

The contest will begin on 1/21/2010 and will end 1/28/2010. Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct!

Rules:
No duplicate comment entries.
This giveaway is open to US Residents aged 18 and older.

Be sure to make there is a way to contact you in your comment
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
Winner has 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

*Disclosure: Yummie Tummie did not compensate this post.  They provided the tank as an appreciation for highlighting their product on our blog.  However, the honest opinions and “quad leftovers” are ALL MINE!

 

This Crazy Little Thing Called Blog…

When we decided to create a blog about our high-risk “triplet turned quadruplet” pregnancy, we had no idea that “strangers” would be reading.  We had no intentions of generating revenue through ads to help pay for groceries.  We had little to no knowledge of how to upload videos, how to track visitors, or how to design a blog header….we just wanted to better communicate and request prayer from our family and close friends.

Lo and Behold Here We Are…3 Years Into This Crazy Little Thing Called Blog.

And we have much to show for it: precious friendships, a written collection of memories, a way to give back through our NICU Survival Kits, and countless comments of encouragement along the way.

Blogging has certainly been a blessing to us, and I hope we can continue to be a blessing to others. 

The blogging gurus of #savvyblogging are encouraging bloggers to have a plan of action for the New Year. Here’s what I have for my blogging goals for 2010 so far…

(Hang tight, I want YOUR input too!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Striking a healthy balance between blogging and other responsibilities

~ Grow our giving through our NICU Survival Kits project to support families experiencing the uncertainties of the NICU

~ Growing our blog in readership in order to connect to others and to financially contribute to our family during this season of unemployment

~ Gaining boldness in communicating my faith and sharing God’s incredible mercy and grace in our lives

~ Continuing to build relationships and partnerships between products and companies that have genuinely made our lives better, and passing along the benefits to you 

~ Connecting to you the reader better through vlogging, responding to comments, visiting your blogs, conversations on twitter, and listening to your input

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now it’s YOUR turn!  I’ve created a little questionnaire to help collect your valuable suggestions, ideas, and feedback. 

Need an incentive? 

How about your very own copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks?  I received one for Christmas from my mother-in-law and it’s sooooooooooo incredible.  Every page is filled with scrumptious goodness.  It’s the most amazing collection of recipes I’ve ever laid my eyes on! (You can check it out over on my Amazon Affiliate, if you can’t wait until this giveaway is over!)

Just fill out this quick form and enter your name and email address for an opportunity to win a copy! 

Hope you are all having a great start to a New Year and thanks for continuing to be a blessing in our lives all year long!  

An Epic New Year’s Resolution

Indeed.  Potty Training in 2010 is our New Year’s Resolution. 

Thanks to Ikea $3.99 Potty Chairs (special delivery via this cool chick).  Ask her how many I had her purchase for me.  I’m too embarrassed to say.

Any volunteers to potty train 4 almost 3 year old boys?  Any takers?  Anyone?  Anyone? Bueller?

Didn’t think so.

Wish us luck.  Better yet, PRAY! =)

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 2-4 Years

Are you ready for Round 3 of The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide?  This round we are giving suggestions for the 2-4 year range.  Although we haven’t completed this stage yet, it’s personally been my favorite.  We’ve loved several of these suggestions already, and have some ideas for the next year or two. If you missed Round 1 or 2, you can catch them over here.

I decided to “wrap up” some of our favorite gifts from each stage into a gift guide for you this Christmas.  I’ll be sharing some tried and true ideas from each stage that we have experienced, as well as some ideas for the upcoming year. Perhaps OUR experience with quadruplets can be an advantage to YOU as a shopper.  Before I begin let’s get the disclaimer out of the way:

Disclaimer: 1. None of these products were given as a promotional opportunity, nor did I receive any $ or compensation to write these suggested gift ideas.  2. These are purely my opinions.   3. These products link to Amazon.com, as an affiliate link.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get on to the good stuff!

**A lot of the list prices are dropping daily, so the actual price may be lower than the price listed in parenthesis.**

1. Fisher-Price Doodle Pro ($14.99)

 

This is on our Christmas list this year!  Easy to take along, and the possibilities are endless with the wipe away “magic” screen.

2.Little Tikes Shopping Cart ($21.97)

Our plastic basic shopping cart (Not Little Tikes) is loosing it’s wheels from all of its wear. Who says shopping isn’t for boys?  Of course they stack it full of cars, trucks, balls, etc. but they love filling it nonetheless…Anything that pushes and has wheels (dump trucks, ride on toys, etc) is a great gift in my opinion

 3. Melissa & Doug Wooden Blocks ($39.00)

The oldies but goodies seem to be a winner every time.  There’s great imagination in store with this set of solid wood building set.

4.Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type ($11.55)

This book is a crowd favorite.  The boys know it by heart and act it out. There’s plenty of humor for young and old alike! 

5.Fisher-Price Rock, Roll 'N Ride Trike  ($57.38)

 

I really love the functionality and how this product grows with your child’s size and abilities. It should be a long-lasting long-loving toy for all of our boys to enjoy.  They can almost reach the pedals now!

6. LifeStyle Dream Kitchen by Step2  ($167.46)

 

Kitchens are fun for both girls and boys.  Although we don’t own one, it’s one of their favorite things to play with in the church nursery.  It’s so fun to watch them pretend to prepare and eat meals. It’s a great group gift for families with more than one child! 

7. Little Doctor Kit (Under $20)

Hopefully this toy will lessens fear of the doctor and spark great imaginative play!  It’s another suggestion on our Christmas list for the grandmas.

8.LeapFrog Toys (Prices Vary Depending on Product)

We are somewhat new to the world of LeapFrog, but their products have been highly recommended by family and friends.  From their Magnetic Fridge Sets, to their award-winning Tag Reading System, to their DVDs – they all look like fantastic educational toys!

9.Play-Doh Case of Colors ($9.75)

I’ll admit it I was scared to crack open a can of Play-Doh too, especially with the “creative potential” of quadruplets.  However, after laying down the ground rules, this provided a whole hour of entertainment! There’s something therapeutic and nostalgic about playing Play-Doh with your children.

10.Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards ($15.06)

I remember loving these pattern boards with the bright shapes and designs!  Bonus, it helps develop shape recognition, colors, and spatial relationships. 

What did I miss?  What additional suggestions do you have for this list?  What have you liked/disliked for this age group? 

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 1-2 years

Are you ready for Round 2 of The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide?  This round we are giving suggestions for the 1-2 year range.  What a fun and exciting age of discovery and learning! If you missed Round 1 for Birth – 1 year, you can find it over here.

 

I decided to “wrap up” some of our favorite gifts from each stage into a gift guide for you this Christmas.  I’ll be sharing some tried and true ideas from each stage that we have experienced, as well as some ideas for the upcoming year. Perhaps OUR experience with quadruplets can be an advantage to YOU as a shopper.  Before I begin let’s get the disclaimer out of the way:

Disclaimer: 1. None of these products were given as a promotional opportunity, nor did I receive any $ or compensation to write these suggested gift ideas.  2. These are purely my opinions.  They are things that each of my 4 boys have enjoyed, which I think speaks highly of a product if is well-liked by all, and proves durable under the extra use/abuse of quadruplets. 3. These products link to Amazon.com, as an affiliate link.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get on to the good stuff!

1. The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name($11.55) 

My all-time favorite read aloud!  Each story paints a picture of the Great Rescuer with vivid illustrations to go with the passage.  Obviously, it can be for ages much older than this stage, but it’s a great time to begin reading it aloud.  I wrote more about how much I love this treasure of a book in this post.

2. Little Tikes Cozy Coupe ($52.99)

Hands down THE MOST fought over toy we own.  It had them at first beep.  It’s a classic for a reason! 

3.Made For Mom Snack Trap, 3 Pack($13.22)

 

I would love to hug the mom behind this invention.  What a sanity saver!  The lid flaps allow little hands to reach in, but keeps snacks contained if they are dropped or turned upside down. We use them for breakfast on the go all the time!

4. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Mix 'n Match Peg Puzzle Bundle, Pack of Three($19.99)

I honestly haven’t found a Melissa and Doug product that I haven’t liked.  Their quality is top-notch and they promote learning naturally through imagination and creativity. 

5. Fisher-Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm ($24.97)

The interactive version of the original Fisher-Price Barn (we have an older version) is sure to be a hot-seller this season.  Our boys love to play farm and act out each of the animals as they put them in and out of the doors and rooms in the barn.

6. Crayola 3ct. Washable All-In--One Paint ($6.49)

 

I love how these are easy for toddler hands to hold and allow a great introduction to painting without the mess.  Smart and washable – a great combination!

7. Growth Chart(under $20)

Now that your little one is upright, it’s a fun time to start charting their unbelievable growth over the next few years. There’s lots of choices to coordinate with your nursery theme, and it’s a great keepsake.

8. Baby Einstein - Baby MacDonald "A Day on the Farm" ($19.99)

 

DVDs weren’t appealing to my boys during this stage with the exception of this one.  This is the best of the Baby Einstein collection. It’s visually engaging, and it’s also enjoyable to watch as a parent.

9. Little Tikes Climb & Slide Castle ($159.99)

 

It was love at first slide for our boys and the Little Tykes Climb and Slide Castle. Great for indoor or outdoor play and for burning off lots of energy! 

10. KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed($84.95)

If you are planning on doing any travelling with your toddler (even if it’s just to grandmas), I would highly recommend not wasting your money, space, and effort on a Pack and Play and instead go with the KidCo PeaPod Plus.  We are so thankful for a triplet mom who told us about these awesome travel beds.  They collapse down to the size of a deflated beach ball, and take up very little space unfolded.  We’ve slept all four of our boys in very small spaces.  However, they have room to spread out inside the tent, and an air mattress to provide extra comfort.  We cover the mattress with their own crib sheets, so it seems more familiar at night.  Make sure you get the PeaPod Plus, so that you’ll get the most use out of this product.  We should be using these tents comfortably until the boys are around 6 years old! 

I’d love to hear your suggestions for this age group.  What are some things that your kids have really enjoyed at this stage?  What’s on your wish list this season? Stay tuned for Round 3 of The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide, highlighting suggestions for ages 2 – 4 years.