Sunday, January 25, 2009

You Gotta Play to Win...or is that "Twin"?

Courtesy of our friends at Chronicle Books, win a copy of the best-selling I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids and Crib Notes (a personal fave), one of our twins' most-beloved CDs, Twin Spin: Tunes for Twins, and a signed copy (made out to whomever the winner wishes) of Twinspiration: Real-Life Advice from Pregnancy through the First Year.

So how do you win? Simply add a comment to this post with a way that twin pregnancy or motherhood (of any number) has surprised you.

Random.org will pick a winner on Valentine's Day; and you may add more than one comment, but you will need to include a different "surprise" with each comment!

Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival Button

GOOD LUCK!
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51 comments:

chellekay said...

motherhood of twins surpised me by how very different each of our children are personality wise. One is very out going and one is shy around people. I knew they were not going to be alike but I did not realize how different they would be

mommytoalot said...

Great give away.
good luck to all .
xo

mommytoalot said...

Just want to add..
That motherhood surprised me by being different than I had thought. I thought I knew everything, since I worked with children, but when I had my son, it was so different, so magical and yet sometimes...hard..when he didn't sleep..thats when i turned to the true experts, my mom and my older sister.

SouthernDogwoods said...

Wow, so glad you stated that we can post more than one comment because I have quite a few....

Going in order - Twin pregnancy surprised me and my husband when I was 17 weeks pregnant. We went into to find out what our "baby" was and the technician put the ultrasound wand on my belly and I see these 2 flipping & flopping babies. I have never in my life felt so many emotions at once! I laughed & I cried. I was beyond words and could not speak. My husband was shocked to say the least - he almost fainted (and I mean that literally). I never knew I could love 2 things at once so much and equally. What a surprise but the best surprise of our lives!!!

LivingSimply, SimplyLiving said...

Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for the 'warm' Welcome. I will most definitely continue playing both. I think they are so much fun!
Motherhood continues to surprise me in all different ways. Since I am the parent to a teenager and an infant I am constantly switching hats. Parenting a teenager, you must be gentle and FIRM at the same time. Mysterious yet, OPEN all at the same time.. With my newborn it is smile and giggles all the time. But, I love all of it.
Happy Playing!
Annmarie

Carrin said...

Having the twins not only surprised me by bringing out qualities in myself that I was unaware that I had, but it also has changed my view of my husband. We have been together quite a long time and I thought I really knew him, but everytime I see him with our kids it makes me love him more.

SouthernDogwoods said...

Another surprise that came along with motherhood to my twin girls would be:

How much I truly LOVE being a mom. I used to worry & fret over becoming a mom and then the worrying increased when I found out I would be a mom to twins. But I totally love being a mom! I think and honestly believe I was put on this earth to be a mom!

Leia said...

One thing that really surprised me about motherhood was I always thought that teething babies were cranky until I looked into a couple of mouths one morning and noticed they both contained a couple of teeth

Rebecca said...

I am surprised that I love staying at home with my kids. I am surprised that I can love them in such different ways. I am surprised that I am NEVER alone anymore! I love it though...never really knew that I wanted to be a Mom until I was one!

Nicole O'Dell said...

Can I do triplets?

My big surprise:

I CAN DO IT! :)

And, while I'm doing it--I LOVE EVERY (most) minute of it! :)

Anonymous said...

What surprised me about having twins (other than finding out about them) is how different having two babies is from having one at a time.

I went into it kind of cockily since I had already guided two children out of babyhood into toddlerhood/preschool, but these boys surprised me! They have been challenging and more rewarding than I thought every day of their short lives.

Doubly Blessed said...

I think what has surprised me is how wonderfully different my babies can be. They are their own unique little people and I love each one tremendously for exactly who they are. I didn't know my heart would expand so much!

Unknown said...

Oh, have I learned a lot by becoming a Mommy....here's one thing:

That my kids come first and foremost. I thought for sure I'd miss my frequent nights out with friends, the parties, and the fun...and sure, I do once in a while - but I'd MUCH rather spend the evening cuddling and watching my kids than be out and about. Likewise, although I enjoy my job, I'd enjoy a day home with my kids even more.

Unknown said...

And - beyond the twins and just becoming a mom...becoming a mom times 3 has taught me a lot in just 2 short weeks. I realized while #3 wasn't in "my plans" originally - I know now that he was in His plan for me and that now that he's here, I couldn't imagine it any other way. He's already taught me so much and given me so much in his 2 short weeks in our lives...I am thanking God for this extra blessing!

Sara said...

What surprised me was how flexible I have had to be with my time, my preconceived ideas, and my own "way of doing things".

Yay! I can't wait to see if I win :-)

Anonymous said...

My biggest surprise has to be that twins do not run me o r my husband's family and we are having them!!

ChefDruck said...

Motherhood just keeps on surprising me. It's hard not to sound like a bunch of platitudes but every day my kids surprise me... with their insights about the world, or their bottomless appetite for all words related to poop. Great contest!

twinzmama said...

My biggest surprise? How little sleep I can survive on! Oh! and how much everyone else (who has not had twins) knows about raising them! My twins are 19 months and their little brother is 4 months! I'm bookmarking you!

Deanna said...

I've visited your blog a time or two, and I couldn't resist commenting on this post! My twin pregnancy (I'm currently 26 weeks) has surprised me by showing me that my body is so much more capable than I would have ever thought possible. I have never been in tip-top shape, but my body has continually surpassed my expectations and is holding up quite well to be carrying two little people! I just hope it continues to hold up during the sleep-deprived months to come.

Unknown said...

Motherhood has suprised me in that I didn't know I was capable of being so fiercely protective over someone! Lol--I'm truly a "momma bear" when it comes to my son.
Thanks for the chance to win!
bryansgirl_1979 at hotmail dot com

Jen K said...

I never knew I could love two as much as one!!!

rebecca said...

I was surprised at the emotions I felt having a baby. He can make me SO happy and yet also can be SO frustrating! I love my baby!


gitrecca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I was surprised that having twins make me work hard to the max and make me thank God at the fullest for this great gifts. Joy n sorrow, luv u both!

tweenmommy at gmail dot com

RiverBreeze said...

I am still surprised every morning, WOW there really is TWO of them.

Honestley,I think I am most surprised by how fast they have figured out how to work together to get what they want or to get INTO what they want. It seems most days I am pulling one out of a spot they are not allowed to be as the other one is crawling in!

RiverBreeze said...

One day as I was reading my boys a story before bed I asked as I always have before, "What makes a spider a spider?"
I was pleasently surprised when one little bugger said clear as day while patting his knee, "LEGS!"

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win any materials regarding twins for my cousin who is adopting twins in 6 weeks. Motherhood.hmm... the amount of patience I would need to teach my children manners. That has definitely been surprising.
Thanks,
Davina
davina.perret@gmail.com

An iMperfect wIfe said...

I was surprised by my cousin's twins because it's amazing that 1+1sometimes equals way more than 2. It seems like you need 3x (or more) patience, diapers, arms...

But gosh they're cute together.

Oh, and the other thing that surprises me about an older pair of twins in my family. They're very alike but also very different. They're very connected but still distinctive. Strangers lump them together and get them confused. But anyone who KNOWS them knows they're not even "twins" besides the birthday. and yet they have this special connection...

Thanks for hosting a giveaway!

Jenny

Unknown said...

I am always surprised how my twins switch personalities from month to month. All of a sudden, the "shy" one is now bold, and the bold one is now "shy"! It is hard not to label them, but we do, and they like to prove us wrong! Brittany :)

Thanks for the entry!

valerie2350 said...

i'd love to win to give this to my friend who has twins - so much different than just siblings

A Reader said...

How tired I am.
Thanks for the giveaway!

kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

37 Questions said...

The sheer amount of both exhaustion and joy is what surprised me the most about twin motherhood. Thanks for a super giveaway!
jjdragonfly [at] gmail [dot] com

Middy06 said...

I was floored when I found out I was having twins! I am a twin and was always told that it skips a generation! Obviously it doesn't, and I couldn't be happier, I always wanted twins!

Amy said...

I never thought I'd catch spit up in my bare hand so that it wouldn't stain the carpet.

Amy said...

I never thought I'd become a spectacle any time I went out in public with my family.

Tinyblessing said...

What shocks me with twins is how many strangers stop you in the store to talk about your twins!

Anonymous said...

I have always loved my twin brothers. My mom was very suprised with them. She even breast fed them both at the same time, lol. Thanks, Godesseablu@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I had so much help from everybody.
Thank you for the giveaway
valuedcustomer(at)live.com

Michelle said...

While pregnant with my twins, I heard from everyone how difficult it was going to be. The biggest suprise, thus far, is how EASY it is. My boys just turned 2, and I was expecting a much harder time. Maybe it's because they're kids #3 and 4 for me, or maybe it's he fact that one of them is so laid back (while his brother is a little hellion).

Steph said...

I'm surprised at just how close my twins are. They spend every waking moment together and never get tired of each other! I hope it stays that way!

Steph said...

Another thing that has surprised me is just how different my boys' personalities are. They're identical and yet their interests and identites are so very unique. It's so much fun to watch them grow and learn.

Anonymous said...

I was surprised at how happy I'd be about getting 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep (in the beginning)!

Anonymous said...

I was also surprised to learn that girls can indeed pee on you when being changed. And that projectile poop is apparently a common thing in breastfed babies. Times two. Fun. LOL Our poor curtains...

Anonymous said...

What surprised me most after becoming a twin mommy, is what an amazingly strong grip four little baby hands can have on you heart and mind. Motherhood is a gripping adventure and I am amazed everyday that they chose me to come along for the ride.

B. Brannen said...

Being a first-time preggie lady (with TWINS, no less!) was a surprise in and of itself. Finding out they were twins at 8 weeks, another surprise! But the greatest surprise of all has been seeing their personalities in the womb. The baby that started out on the left (and is now on the bottom) is the sweet, shy one. The last doc office pic showed left baby waving at the camera. The right/top baby is the troublemaker already, sitting on the left baby's head, doing somersaults when we're trying to get the ultrasound pictures, and even managed to give us a 90% hint that she's a girl at last week's gender determination ultrasound. Left baby kept everything covered up! I talked to them and told them that while I was proud they didn't want to flash the camera, they have all their lives to be modest. In the womb is NOT one of those times! I need to know...pink, blue, or neutral yellow?!

Kristina said...

I've definitely been surprised by how much my kiddos teach me. I can always learn something new, or at least how to look at something in a different light. Where I see a mess, they see a masterpiece. I wish I could look at the world more like they do.

devinandi said...

Although I haven't had my twins...I was very surprised to have had two ultrasounds with only one visible baby...then almost a week ago during my third ultrasound to great surprise not only am I having twins but, they're identical...I was shocked to say the least...

Joseph Thomson said...

When my wife and I found out we were going to have twins Jen was only 5 weeks and 4 days. Jen and I were frightened by some pain that she was having. Six months prior we had an ectopic pregnancy, so just to get some reassurance before our first ultrasound our OB/Gyn had us go and get an early one done at our local hospital. The funny thing was that when Jen had her first two blood tests the hormone levels were off the charts and she said, "Honey I think we might be having twins." So you can only imagine what happened when we did the ultasound. We entered the ultrasound area praying for good news; boy did we get some! The tech said everything looked wonderful, the sacks were both nicely formed. We were so releived when we knew it was not another ectopic pregnancy we didn't even notice the plural aspect to his response. He said he wanted to do some more looking just to be sure, so as he was doing the IVU he called over his assistant and asked "Do you see what I see?" she replied, "Yes," with a giggle. My wife knew right away what all of us were now suspecting. TWINS! Oh my God! What a shock and truly what a blessing. Two separate sacks and looking oh so handsome. We freaked out that night oscillating from joy to sheer panic, laughter and tears. No wonder her nausea was powerful already. Our journey has just begun! We both know we are in for a wild ride.

Unknown said...

after getting pregnant with my daughter the first time we really "tried", it has been a long, emotional, frustrating few years to suffer secondary infertility. BUT to find out after my first IVF cycle I am blessed to have not one baby growing inside me, but TWO babies growing inside me, I feel like I was rewarded and given the best gift/surprise anyone could ask for. Even through the fatigue, "morning" (yeah, right) sickness, and thinking about how difficult and yet exciting it will be to have twins, I can't help but thank God everyday I was chosen to mother two babies together along with my beautiful 4 1/2 year old daughter Julia! My husband and I feel truly blessed! I'm glad I stumbled upon your website! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I was very surprised when I found out that we were having twins. They do not run in our families but I always told my husband that I would love twins. His reply was always, "good luck with that...", since they did not run in my family! So I guess we were both really surprised! They are now 18 months old and we could never imagine that we could love anyone this much. They are amazing.

SouthernDogwoods said...

Adding another one!

I am surprised how much I can love 2 little people the exact same eventhough they are completely different. They are the best things I could have ever received!!!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

i was quite surprised to learn that i don't have to share my love, divided by 3. (or 4 if you count lydia) it just grows.= and multiplies.