Midnight Velvet from Head to Toe for Date Night!

Yes, Midnight Velvet again!

So, yes, mommy is at it again. I normally shop and buy décor for my home, but this time, its all about bling and DATE NIGHT!

I said that right! Its date night Saturday.

 

In a pinch I know I can get a great deal and fast shipping, so I run over to www.midnightvelvet.com

 

 

What you are looking at is Midnight Velvet from Head to Toe! The Riesa dress is a shimmery silver with pearl beaded collar. Sheer and sparkling, this sexy silver dress has a breezy overlay and beaded, sequined trim. 38" long. Delicately Lined. 

Oh yummy, the earring & necklace set I actually won for Thankful Thursday, its called the Two-Tined Ball set. Necklace is 18" l plus 3" extender. Earrings are about 1" Gunmetal setting. Sexy!  

Last, but not least,  the shoes are the Multistone Wedge! Sun-kissed sparkle! Every step showcases the bronzetone and clear stones on metallic bronze snakeprint. 2 1/2" wedge heel. Synthetic. Available only in multi.Limited Availability on those!

 

I love M.V.

http://www.midnightvelvet.com/Shoes/Sandals/Multistone-Wedge-By-Midnight-Velvet.pro?omSource=SLI&

http://www.midnightvelvet.com/Clothing/Collections/Midnight-Velvet-Style/2-tone-ball-necklace-earring-set.pro?omSource=SLI&

http://www.midnightvelvet.com/Clothing/Style-Watch/Metallic/riesa-dress.pro?omSource=SLI&

 

Date Night will be comfortable no matter where my husband decides to take us!

Seriously? What else can happen to me now that I am over the hill? I need bunion surgery!

Yes, I have to have bunion surgery next week.   I will surely update to how it goes.
Because a bunion occurs at a joint, where the toe bends in normal walking, your entire body weight rests on the bunion at each step. Bunions can be extremely painful.  Mine have stopped me from getting pedicures, I have to pick and choose my shoes differently, I can not longer get massages. I basically can not put pressure on the foot at all anymore.

Bunion Surgery

Guide

Bunion surgery generally involves an incision in the top or side of the big toe joint and the removal or realignment of soft tissue and bone. This is done to relieve pain and restore normal alignment to the joint. Small wires, screws, or plates may be used to hold the bones in place. There are no guarantees that a bunion surgery will fully relieve your pain.

• A regional anesthetic that affects only the foot is commonly used for bunion surgery. A sedative may also be used during the procedure.
• The procedure usually takes an hour or more, depending on the type of surgery.
• Bunion repairs are usually done on an outpatient basis.

There are over 100 surgeries for bunions. Research does not show which type of surgery is best—surgery needs to be specific to your condition. More than one procedure may be done at the same time.

Types of bunion surgery

• Removal of part of the metatarsal head (the part of the foot that is bulging out). This procedure is called exostectomy or bunionectomy.
• Realignment of the soft tissues (ligaments) around the big toe joint
• Making small cuts in the bones (osteotomy) and moving the bones into a more normal position
• Removal of bone from the end of the first metatarsal bone, which joins with the base of the big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint). At the metatarsophalangeal joint, both the big toe and metatarsal bones are reshaped (resection arthroplasty).
• Fusion (arthrodesis) of the big toe joint
• Fusion of the joint where the metatarsal bone joins the mid-foot (Lapidus procedure)
• Implant insertion of all or part of an artificial joint

What To Expect After Surgery

The usual recovery period after bunion surgery is 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on the amount of soft tissue and bone affected. Complete healing may take as long as 1 year.

• When you are showering or bathing, the foot must be kept covered to keep the stitches dry.
• Stitches are removed after 7 to 21 days.
• Pins that stick out of the foot are usually removed in 3 to 4 weeks. But in some cases they are left in place for up to 6 weeks.
• Walking casts, splints, special shoes, or wooden shoes are sometimes used. Regular shoes can sometimes be worn in about 4 to 5 weeks, but some procedures require wearing special shoes for about 8 weeks after surgery. In some cases, it can be 3 to 4 months before you can wear regular shoes. Many activities can be resumed in about 6 to 8 weeks.
• After some procedures, no weight can be put on the foot for 6 to 8 weeks. Then there are a few more weeks of partial weight-bearing with the foot in a special shoe or boot to keep the bones and soft tissues steady as they heal.

Why It Is Done

You may want to consider surgery when:

• Nonsurgical treatment has not relieved your bunion pain.
• You have difficulty walking or doing normal daily activities.

Bunions: Should I Have Surgery?

How Well It Works

After surgery, your ability to walk and do other activities is likely to improve. The big toe joint is generally less painful and, as a result, moves better. After the incision has healed and the swelling has gone down, the toe may look more normal than before.

Risks

Risks of surgery include:

• Infection in the soft tissue or bone of the foot.
• Side effects from anesthetic medicines or other medicines used to control pain and swelling.
• Recurrence of the bunion.
• An outward or upward bend in the big toe.
• Decreased feeling or sensation, numbness or tingling, or burning in the toe from damage to nerves.
• Damage to the tendons that pull the big toe up or down.
• A shorter big toe, if bone is removed.
• Restricted movement or stiffness of the big toe joint (may be an expected outcome of some types of surgery).
• Persistent pain and swelling.
• Degenerative joint disease (arthritis) or avascular necrosis (disruption of the blood supply to the bone) after surgery.
• Development of a callus on the bottom of the foot.

What To Think About

Think about the following when deciding about bunion surgery:

• Bunions may return after surgery, especially if you continue to wear narrow or high-heeled shoes.
• The type of surgery used depends on the severity of the bunion and the surgeon's experience. Look for a surgeon who does many different types of bunion surgery on a regular basis. Each bunion is different, and surgery needs to be tailored to each case.
• Your expectations may influence your satisfaction with the surgery. For example, although surgery may improve your foot's appearance, those who make appearance their primary reason for surgery are generally disappointed in the results. Discuss your expectations with your doctor.
• Surgery may reduce the flexibility of the big toe joint, which may be a concern for active people who need a full range of motion in the big toe.
• You will have to stay off your foot for a while after surgery. Stay posted for pics and basically bitching at how it hurts like hell.

After turning 40 Shit Really goes downhill fast!

I have had a rude awakening, I am 40 and am no Longer Super Woman! I went in for my well woman check-up, they drew 4 tubes of blood. Came back with High Triglycerides. 100 points higher than normal limits.  That basically means for the next three months I need to exercise and lay off the fast food and anything fried. Hmmpff. Whatever, ok, so I can do this, three months I will let you know how that goes.

Then I had my 3rd mammogram. This one was particularly of interest because I have had a breast lift.  Some of the breast tissue is located behind the muscle. No biggie, I thought I am telling them ahead of time, mmm NOT to be.  I still go a call back, "Mrs. Francis, you did not get the "All Clear" on your mammogram". So I need to go back in 2 days for additional films, an ultrasound and a needle biopsy.  The dr. needs to aspirate fluid and tissue.  Why? I mean I told you that was muscle.  Well I am told they will numb the whole breast before sticking a hollow tube to suck out bits of the questionable area and fluid. Not looking forward to this. 

A breast biopsy removes a sample of breast tissue that is looked at under a microscope to check for breast cancer. A breast biopsy is usually done to check a lump found during a breast examination or a suspicious area found on a mammogram, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

There are several ways to do a breast biopsy. The sample of breast tissue will be looked at under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Your doctor inserts a thin needle into a lump and removes a sample of cells or fluid.
• Core needle biopsy. Your doctor inserts a needle with a special tip and removes a sample of breast tissue about the size of a grain of rice.
• Vacuum-assisted core biopsy. This is done with a probe that uses a gentle vacuum to remove a small sample of breast tissue. The single small cut doesn't require stitches and leaves a very small scar.
• Open (surgical) biopsy. Your doctor will make a small cut in the skin and breast tissue to remove part or all of a lump. This may be done as a first step to check a lump or if a needle biopsy doesn't provide enough information.

If needed, your doctor may use ultrasound or MRI to guide the biopsy needle. Or your doctor may use a computer to locate the exact spot for the biopsy sample from mammograms that have been taken from two angles (stereotactic needle biopsy). A fine wire, clip, or marker also may be used to mark the site.

Why It Is Done

A breast biopsy checks to see if a breast lump or a suspicious area seen on a mammogram is cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Testing a biopsy sample is the only reliable way to find out if cancer cells are present.

How To Prepare

Tell your doctor if you:

• Are taking any medicines or supplements (such as vitamins or herbal remedies).
• Are allergic to any medicines, including anesthetics.
• Are allergic to latex.
• Have any bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidogrel (Plavix).

If a breast biopsy is to be done under local anesthesia, you do not need to do anything else to prepare for the biopsy.

If the biopsy is to be done under general anesthesia, follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking, or your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor has instructed you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, do so using only a sip of water. An intravenous line (IV) will be put in your arm, and a sedative medicine will be given about an hour before the biopsy. Arrange for someone to drive you home if you will be having general anesthesia or are going to be given a sedative.

Other tests, such as blood tests, may be done before your breast biopsy.

How It Is Done

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy

A fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be done by an internist, family medicine doctor, radiologist, or a general surgeon. The biopsy may be done in your doctor's office, a clinic, or the hospital.

You will take off your clothing above the waist. A paper or cloth gown will cover your shoulders. The biopsy will be done while you sit or lie on an examination table. Your hands may be at your sides or raised above your head (depending on which position makes it easiest to find the lump).

Your doctor numbs your skin with a shot of numbing medicine where the biopsy needle will be inserted. Once the area is numb, a needle is put through your skin into your breast tissue. Ultrasound may be used to guide the placement of the needle during the biopsy. If the lump is a cyst, the needle will take out fluid. If the lump is solid, the needle will take a sample of tissue. The biopsy sample is sent to a lab to be looked at under a microscope. You must lie still while the biopsy is done.

 

The needle is then removed. Pressure is put on the needle site to stop any bleeding. A bandage is put on. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy takes about 5 to 15 minutes.

Core needle biopsy

A core needle biopsy may be done by an internist, family medicine doctor, radiologist, or general surgeon. The biopsy may be done in your doctor's office, a clinic, or the hospital.

You will take off your clothing above the waist. A paper or cloth gown will cover your shoulders. The biopsy will be done while you sit or lie on an examination table. Your hands may be at your sides or raised above your head (depending on which position makes it easiest to find the lump).

Your doctor numbs your skin with a shot of numbing medicine where the biopsy needle will be inserted. Once the area is numb, a small cut is made in your skin. A needle with a special tip is put into the breast tissue. The doctor will take 3 to 12 samples to get the most accurate results.

The needle is removed. Pressure is put on the needle site to stop any bleeding. A bandage is put on. This may be repeated several times to make sure enough tissue samples were collected.

A core needle biopsy takes about 15 minutes.

Stereotactic biopsy

A stereotactic biopsy is done by a radiologist. The biopsy is done in a radiology department.

You will take off your clothing above the waist. A paper or cloth gown will cover your shoulders. You will lie on your stomach on a special table that has a hole for your breast to hang through. A mammogram or MRI is used to find the exact site for the biopsy.

Your doctor numbs your skin with a shot of numbing medicine where the biopsy needle will be inserted. Once the area is numb, a small cut is made in the skin. With a special X-ray to guide the needle, it is put into the suspicious area. Usually, more than one sample is taken through the same cut. You must lie still while the biopsy is done.

 

The small cut made for the needle does not usually need stitches. Pressure is put on the needle site to stop any bleeding. A bandage is put on. A small metal marker (clip) is usually placed in the area where the biopsy sample was taken. This is done to locate the exact spot where the tissue sample was taken.

The metal marker will stay in your breast if you do not have cancer. You will not be able to feel it, and it will not set off metal detectors. You can still have an MRI safely. When you have mammograms in the future, the radiologist will be able to see the metal marker.

This type of breast biopsy takes about 60 minutes. But most of this time is needed for the mammogram or MRI and finding the area for the biopsy.

Vacuum-assisted biopsy

A vacuum-assisted biopsy is done by a radiologist or a surgeon. This method may be used for a core needle biopsy or a stereotactic biopsy. The biopsy may be done while you sit or lie on an examination table. Or you will lie on your stomach on a special table that has an opening for your breast. A mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI is used to find the exact site for the biopsy.

Your doctor numbs your breast with a shot of local anesthetic. Once the area is numb, a small cut is made in your skin. A hollow probe with a special tip is put into the breast. Tissue is gently vacuumed into the probe. With this type of biopsy, the doctor can take more than one sample without removing the probe.

After the probe is removed, pressure is put on the site to stop any bleeding. The small cut does not need stitches and leaves only a small scar.

A vacuum-assisted core biopsy takes less than an hour.

Open biopsy

An open biopsy is done by a general surgeon, gynecologist, or family medicine doctor. The biopsy may be done in a surgery clinic or the hospital.

You will need to take off all or most of your clothes above the waist. You will be given a gown to use during the biopsy. The biopsy will be done while you sit or lie on an examination table. Your hands may be at your sides or raised above your head (depending on which position makes it easiest to find the lump).

An open biopsy can be done using local or general anesthesia. If local anesthesia is used, you may also be given a sedative.

If you have general anesthesia, an intravenous (IV) line will be put in your arm to give you medication. You will not be awake during the biopsy.

After the breast is numb (or you are unconscious), your doctor makes a cut through the skin and into the breast tissue to the lump. If a small wire was placed using mammogram to mark the biopsy site, your doctor will take a biopsy from the area at the tip of the wire.

Stitches are used to close the skin, and a bandage is put on. You will be taken to a recovery room until you are fully awake. You can usually return to your normal activities the next day.

An open biopsy takes about 60 minutes.

 

How It Feels

You will feel only a quick sting from the needle if you have a local anesthetic to numb the biopsy area. You may feel some pressure when the biopsy needle is put in. After a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, or stereotactic biopsy, the site may be tender for 2 to 3 days. You may also have some bruising, swelling, or slight bleeding. You can use an ice pack or take an over-the-counter pain medicine (not aspirin) to help relieve swelling and mild pain.

For 24 hours after the biopsy, do not do any heavy lifting or other activities that stretch or pull the muscles of your chest.

If you have general anesthesia for an open breast biopsy, you will not be awake during the biopsy. After you wake up, the area may be numb from a local anesthetic that was put in the biopsy site. You will also feel sleepy for several hours.

For 1 to 2 days after an open biopsy, you may feel tired. You may also have a mild sore throat if a tube was used to help you breathe during the biopsy. Using throat lozenges and gargling with warm salt water may help with the sore throat.

After an open biopsy, your breast may feel tender, firm, swollen, and bruised. You can use an ice pack or take an over-the-counter pain medicine (not aspirin) to help relieve swelling and mild pain. The tenderness should go away in about a week, and the bruising fades within 2 weeks. But the firmness and swelling may last for 6 to 8 weeks. You should wear a bra or sports bra for support for 2 to 3 days after the biopsy. Do not do any heavy lifting or other activities that stretch or pull the muscles of your chest.

Risks

The possible risks from a breast biopsy include:

• An infection at the biopsy site. An infection can be treated with antibiotics.
• Bleeding from the biopsy site.
• Not getting a sample of the abnormal tissue.
• Dizziness and fainting.

Call your doctor immediately if:

• Your pain lasts longer than a week.
• You have redness, a lot of swelling, bleeding, or pus from the biopsy site.
• You have a fever.

Core needle and stereotactic breast biopsies may leave a small round scar. Open biopsies leave a small straight line scar. The scar fades over time. A fine-needle biopsy usually does not leave a scar.

 

Results

A breast biopsy removes a sample of breast tissue that is looked at under a microscope for breast cancer.

Breast biopsy

Normal:	No abnormal or cancer cells are present.
Abnormal:	Breast changes that are not cancer (benign) include: Calcium deposits in the breast. Cysts, which are lumps filled with fluid. Enlarged breast lobules (adenosis), which are small round lumps that sometimes can be felt. Fat necrosis, which are round, firm lumps formed by damaged fatty tissue. Fibrocystic lumps and firm tumors (fibroadenomas).
	Breast changes that are not cancer but may increase your risk for cancer include: Abnormal cells in the breast ducts (atypical ductal hyperplasia or ADH). Abnormal cells in the breast lobules (atypical lobular hyperplasia or ALH). Many abnormal cells in the breast lobules (lobular carcinoma in situ or LCIS).
	Cancer cells are present.

What Affects the Test

A needle biopsy takes tissue from a small area, so there is a chance that a cancer may be missed.

What To Think About

Most breast lumps are not cancer. But the chance of having a cancerous breast lump is higher after menopause than before menopause.

Some lumpiness of breast tissue is normal. The fibrous tissue in the breast often feels lumpy or bumpy, especially before your menstrual period. This lumpiness (fibrocystic change) is so common in women that doctors now think it is a normal change. These changes usually go away after menopause, but they also may be found in women who are taking hormone therapy following menopause.

 

So, you have turned 40 or going to complete your 40 in recent future. You must be thinking – ‘what difference does it make? I still feel like I am 20’. Well, this is a good sign and positive attitude always helps people stay fit and healthy. However, you must have noticed difference in your skin and overall performance of your body in every aspect of life.

 

We do feel charged and young at heart, but there are limitations that we feel in life and this is called ageing and degeneration of cells. This is inevitable and so there is no need to get upset. What you can do is stay fit, healthy and look as young and energetic as possible. And for this, you do not need any artificial medicinal boost up. Here are some tips that will help you stay healthy and gorgeous for long.

Lifestyle Tips for Women Turning 40

Have a quick look some helpful lifestyle tips for women turning 40.

Diet – Pay attention to your diet and become more conscious about your weight. There have been many cases in which women who have been slim and maintained weight till 40 get overweight after that. You should always check that and if you need little more attention, you must give it to yourself.

Add fresh fruits and green vegetables as well as salad and milk and milk products to your daily diet. These will keep you light and energetic as well. Increase intake of fiber and raw food so that your bowel movements are perfect and as it should be.

Exercise – If you want to remain healthy and energetic, it is good if you start a routine and add exercise to it. If you have been doing this, it is so well so good. Stick to your discipline and spend sometime on yoga and meditation too. This will help you feel better from within. Just keep in mind that exercise and weight loss goes hand in hand. Yoga will help you gain flexibility and less prone to diseases connected to bones.

Change your Wardrobe – You have been wearing same kind of outfits since years. Change and switch to something that is modern and goes with the contemporary style. Just keep in mind your age and wear only that dress which you can carry on gracefully and the ones that make you look younger.

Change your Hairstyle – You can also change your hairstyle and colour of your hair to bring a changed and better look and feel as well. Give some time and discuss with your hair stylist so that you appear good and graceful.

Hide your Ageing Factors – Start right from your face and make use of a good quality anti wrinkle cream to hide your wrinkles. You can also try some natural remedies and exfoliate your skin once in a while to get rid of those dead skins. Hide wrinkles on your neck by designing your outfits in that way.

Pay Attention to Your Attractive Body Parts – Focus on and find out which of your body parts are attractive and try to wear outfits and accessories that enhance that part to draw attention.

If you keep in mind these tips and pay attention to maintaining your ideal weight, you are definitely going to rock. Always remember, whatever you wear should be refined and comfortable and make sure it looks good on you too. 

Having Triplets in the same Kindergarten class

 The school year is halfway over now, so I wanted to post an update.  My experience with our decision to enroll the triplets in the same class. 

Having multiple children comes with so many decisions and choices. One of ours was to keep the triplets together.  I know this issue creates some heavy debates and controversy for both sides.  I feel they were born together, raised together, and why not educate them together? The school administrator left the decision up to us, and why add to any anxiety they may already be feeling about starting school by forcing them to separate?

It's difficult for non-multiples to understand the bond between triplets. It's a unique relationship. It begins even before birth and often endures longer than marriages, friendships or a parent/child relationship. For young children, being together is all they have ever known. If they want to be together, then they should be together.

Separation can be a traumatic experience. It's not that they can't ever be apart, they are simply better off together. As individuals, they are more confident, productive and effective learners when they are in the same environment. Certainly, there will come a day when circumstances require them to be separated. Allowing them to learn and develop together now will make that transition easier when that time comes.

I couldn't be happier with it.  Our girls are very independent all on their own, they don't need a separate classroom to create individual personalities or behaviors.  They have their own friends and share some.

 I am very involved at the school, I believe that we have the best teacher in the school to teach our trio.  The teacher and I get along, we communicate when needed and are literally on the same page. For me, I feel that having them together creates a consistent learning environment, both at school and at home when I need to reinforce with homework, learning the same thing at the same time.

Literally, because the girls have the same homework each night, I sit down with them as a group and we go over one set of homework.  Assignments are the same, which makes my life easier. The girls are on three different reading levels, so they do have three different books, but the assignments are the same.  I have come to understand exactly what the teacher requires.

 Parent conferences are conducted over the phone and talk about multi-tasking, she is able to get three kids progress reports and conferences done all at once.  Class field trips, no reason to have to choose one child to chaperone, I spend the day with all three girls, and am able to capture special moments with all of them, and take pictures, instead of having to only choose one.

Class parties are a breeze, I make goodie bags for one set of students, 24 kids, not 90! Oh and their teacher, I spoil her so good! I send extra school supplies often. She got a massage gift card for Christmas and I have helped decorate her classroom.  All of which benefits my girls.

I have read both sides of this, and actually my sister who has a set of twins chose to separate, so I have fairly evaluated both decisions. Which way is best? There is no one right answer. Consider your own children. Are they independent from one another, or do they seem to depend on each other for comfort? Some twins or triplets hardly bat an eye about being apart, while others are as thick as thieves. You know your own children's personalities and temperaments well enough to make the right decision. Some schools will support your decision to keep them in the same class, some won't, get familiar with your school district's policy. Once you make the decision about whether to keep them together or separate them, be sure to work closely with their teachers and monitor your twins' or triplets' progress closely. It's the best way to figure out what works and what doesn't.

With two or more children in the same grade at the same time, sometimes convenience is the best reason to keep multiples together in the same class, with one set of assignments, tests and teachers to keep up with. It's not an issue of being selfish, or lazy. Rather, it is a matter of choosing the situation that affords the best management of family logistics. Don't downplay or deny the importance of parental convenience or feel that you're taking the easy way out. Parenting twins and triplets is difficult enough, and if keeping them in the same class meets their needs and yours, then it is the right choice.

I just wanted to share what works for me, my children and our life.  Our choice is made for next year, and actually all of Elementary school we have decided they will stick together until they express they want to be separate.  And its pretty cool, I already know who I will request the twins have in two years as their Kindergarten teacher. :)

Potty Training Triplets & Twins

No more diapers here, finally all 5 are in big kid underwear.

I always get asked what is my trick for potty training three kids, or two at a time.

No tricks, seriously, I never invested in the whole 3 day plan, and I never paid someone to give me step by step instructions. I know potty training twins or triplets seems like a daunting task, or an uphill battle, but when you know they are ready, when they can talk or at least understand you, then you are ready. If your twins are not developmentally ready to train, you'll encounter more resistance and frustration.

Signs of readiness include showing an interest when others use the toilet, the ability to go for an extended length of time without wetting a diaper, being uncomfortable with a soiled diaper, and wanting to wear "big kid" underwear.

One more thing to remember, even though you have two or three children the same age, does not mean they are equally ready.  You know your babies. 

When you know they are ready, you can allow them to be naked. Be prepared to do this on a weekend or a time when you are home.  Set an egg timer, or some kind of reminder to ask them, over and over and over again, ask them if they have to go.

Buy more than one potty seat!  If you try to get by with one -- even if they are training at different times -- I guarantee that there will be a showdown when they both try to go at the same time. For that reason, to reduce squabbles, you may even want to consider multiple sets to place throughout the house. If your twins are stingy about sharing, you can designate ownership, but in the long run, this can cause extra drama for children who only want to go in "their" potty. However, it may be more necessary to specify with a boy and girl, especially if you are using a splash guard or deflector on the potty seat.


We had three potty chairs, they need their own.  My girls and boys prefer the seat that has a cushion over the pot.  Its more comfortable, especially while waiting for a number 2.  I also like that there is a lid, sometimes the kids will go and not tell you, so its nice, incase you have company that the lid closes that up. :) Smile....

We also had a toilet converter for them to go on the grown up potty. they actually wanted to do that more. They wanted to pee like mommy. I let them run around naked and it only took two days, on the third and fourth day the girls were ready. Naps and nighttime are different, they had to wake up dry before you proceed to wearing training underwear. When they can do that, they hate peeing in the underwear, they learn real quick how it feels to be wet in their bed.

     When its time to move on to wearing panties or undies, or underwear, whatever you call them, make sure you take them shopping for them! Let them choose, Super Heroes, Dora, Sesame Street, Princess, let them choose, because you will want to enforce that "Hey, Disney princesses don't like you to pee on them!"  "Captain America would not like to be wet". Trust me, it works...


Buy a travel toilet converter, too.  So when you leave the house, you will have a potty and the converter for inside rest stops or the grocery store. They stow nicely inside a diaper bag, especially for us Moms of Multiples, our diaper bags are a tad bit bigger than a singleton mom...

Get in your mind You can do this, be motivated, be upbeat, yes its hard, its a chore, but you will be so happy, you even get a pay raise when they are out of diapers!!! Laundry bill may be higher but no more poopy diapers to change!

We trained our twin boys, too. They are boys, so its an unwritten fact that they are harder, and they are four, now. I say the boys were harder only because they love standing at the toilet like daddy. Moms cant really show them this...but with boys you put things in the toilet for them to aim at. They love making a sport of it. Cheerios, goldfish, and fruit loops work!

While potty training twins or triplets, you can expect that there will be double or triple the mess. There WILL be setbacks and there WILL be accidents. Know that they're coming and prepare your home accordingly. Stock up on cleaning supplies so that you're ready to address the mess. If you are concerned about permanent stains or damage, protect the areas of your house that cause concern. Use gates to keep potty training twins out of rooms that are off-limits. Put away expensive throw rugs or bedspreads. Cover furniture and floors with tarps. Don't freak out about accidents; simply enlist your child's help in cleaning up, and move on. Maintain a sense of humor; the retelling of these incidents will make for great stories later in life!

Get HAPPY, I mean silly, goofy, OVERJOYED! Do the pee pee dance, do the Poo poo potty dance for them.  Let them flush after they go. That's the best part! Flash the lights on and off and have a mini party, tell their brothers and sisters they went potty on the big kid potty seat! Make a big deal about it. Blow bubbles, sing a song, just make them know they did great! This is a milestone for you and your babies.
The last piece of advice I have is reward them well! Stickers, M&M's, anything they feel is a reward, based on their age and interest.  They deserve it! (And So do you!, Job Well Done, Moms & Dads.)

Keep it in perspective. Like all phases of parenting multiples, potty training is a temporary transition. Your children WILL learn to use the toilet. You WILL get rid of diapers. You can look forward to a day when they stay dry and use the bathroom independently. It WILL happen. Be patient, flexible and loving.
Down the road, you'll look back on this experience and think, "What was the big deal?"