Welcome to the Twinstock Blog Party! Now, we started out the month, trying to do the traditional blog party, but since that didn't seem to be catching on, I decided to try out asking a new twin-related question each day, and simply asking everyone to answer it on their blog (or even just on Twitter) and then linking to their answer to each question below! Feel free to participate in as many or few questions as you like! However, every answer counts as another entry into the #Twinstock prize pool! (You can check out all the the prizes we're giving away on the Twinstock homepage.) 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 on Twitter below! Twinstock Question #9 This question will only apply to those with identical twins, or same-sex fraternal twins that resemble each other a lot. But, one of the many questions that parents of identical twins in particular get quite a bit is... "How do you tell them apart?" I usually answer, "Well, they look completely different to me." :-) And, it's very true... especially side-by-side, it's hard for me to understand how anybody gets them mixed up :-) However, I'll admit, at times if just one comes up to me, and I don't get a good look at them, I may get them mixed up for a moment. Also, I'm with them just about 24/7 so, I'm obviously the expert :-p Others, even those that know them QUITE well, can very easily get them mixed up... I always feel like I'm constantly correcting everyone :-p Now, it was very easy to tell them apart when they were newborns, due to the TTTS: Josie was much smaller than Anna and, for awhile, in addition to size, Anna was much redder than Josie, due to getting so much extra blood. Of course, over time, the redness went away, and they've evened out in size quite a bit... Anna's just slightly bigger than Josie now. So, one trick I did give to family members and such for telling them apart was to look at their belly button... Josie is an innie and Anna is an outie :-p While you might not have any trouble telling them apart, do you have any tricks that you share with others for telling your twins apart? As always, just answer on your blog (or on Twitter) and add a link to your post below! This question is sponsored by Sheila J Miller Designs! Explore ancient cultures through contemporary art. Twinstock Question #8 "Will you/did you separate your twins when they start(ed) school?" My answer to this is... I wasn't sure, until the school made the decision for me :-) Anna and Josie are starting preschool this year! And, when I was last in there, they actually did give me the option of keeping them together or separating them. At the time, I told them I was still on the fence about it... there really are pros and cons either way. And the school said that was fine, there was still plenty of time to make a decision. Well, I never got around to offering my opinion, so they just automatically put them in separate classes. At first I was upset about it (mostly at myself for not getting back to them sooner), but I quickly realized it's probably for the best. I think it can be a good idea for some twins to stick together (at least when first starting school)... and I think it should always be up to the parents, especially when first starting school. But, for my particular girls, I think it might be better for them to be in separate classes. For one, they have no problems with shyness, going into new situations, etc.... and while they do play together a lot and have a very special bond, they're perfectly fine (and sometimes prefer) to go their own separate ways, at times, too. Also, because they're identical twins, it will not only make it easier on their teacher and the other students to be able to tell them apart, but this way, they can just be another member of the class and not "the twins." I think it could also be very frustrating for them to be constantly called by the wrong name, or being asked "which one are you?" However, every person (including every twin, of course!), every situation, etc. is different... so how would you/did you answer this question? As always, just answer on your blog (or on Twitter) and add a link to your post below! This question is sponsored by Dillyhearts! Where you'll find delightful gifts for little ones on the go! 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! #Twinstock Q1 is sponsored by: Build-A-Bear! 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!! Be sure to also check out Build-A-Bear's Love, Hugs & Peace page!

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