Protecting your Pictures/Blog

I've had a couple of questions about why I watermark my pictures and why can't people right-click on my blog.  I've done this because I have heard some scary stories of people "stealing" other bloggers pictures and creating their own blogs with someone else's info. Creepy right?

Well, I saw on Facebook today that one of my sorority sisters just discovered a blog using all of her pictures.  This creepy person made up this whole life story and even said that her husband had died. How creepy. 

So here are some tips to hopefully help you.

1) Watermarking Photos

I use PicMonkey each time I blog.  I upload my photos that I will use and use the "text" button to add my blog's name to each picture.  It can be kind of tedious but I feel like it's worth it. I'm sure there are other photo editing sites, but this one is free and it does the job!

2. Disabling the "Right Click"

You know how you can use your computer's mouse to right-click/save other people's pictures? Here is a link of how to disable it from your blog.  I think it's just another good step for protection.

Click Here

3. Facebook

As far as Facebook, I'm not too sure how you can really protect your pictures. I would just suggest you don't accept "friends" you don't really know.  As a blogger, I get lots of friend requests daily for people I don't know.  I hate to be mean, but I always just delete their request, unless its a good blog friend that I talk with regularly. I would suggest doing the same thing!

Also, random- but today Amber told me that I had "word verification" turned on for my blog comments.You know that annoying thing that pops up when you want to leave a comment? (Type the number and this crazy made up word?)  Derrr.. I had no idea.  So she showed me what to do.

1. Under Settings, click on Posts and Comments

2. Next to where it shows, Word Verification - hit "no".

3. Save Settings

Hope this helps!

I will be back tomorrow with my 35 week pregnancy update! 

Doing a little digging....

So, I have been really interesting in the "who's" and "what's" of my blog.

Like who is reading it and what do they like to read the most.

The whole thing is kind of mind boggling to me really.

For example, I have 599 followers.

Crazy awesome.

Thank you.

I get above 90 page views for each post.

Thank you again.

But I only average around 4 comments per post. 

Hmmm..

Most of my pageviews that aren't followers come from Pinterest.

So I'm getting that you like to read it and look at pictures, but aren't really in asking any questions or leaving me any comments. Is this normal? I know there are some of the really popular blogs that get over 100 comments per post. I can't even imagine. 

Here are some stats from blogger:

I had 240 pageviews today.

I had 849 pageviews yesterday.

49,641 pageviews last month.

And 316,122 pageviews in all time.

My highest read posts were as follows:

1. Back to School -103, 864 pageviews

2. Meet the Teacher- 11,616 pageviews

3. Teacher Tuesday - 10,995 pageviews

4. True Life, I'm a General Blogger- 2,692 pageviews

5. Your Back to School Questions Answered - 2,022 pageviews

6. The Twins Gender Review - 1,409 pageviews

7. 2 Year Dr. App. - 1,375 pageviews

8. Flat Stanley 2011 - 1281 pageviews

9. Fairy Tale Unit- 1,203 pageviews

10. Show Us Your Life- Playrooms- 1,065 pageviews

11. Want to Know My Secret? - 1,032 pageviews

12. Mother's Day in First Grade - 991 pageviews

13.Meg's Gender Reveal Party -482 pageview

14 . Week Pregnancy Update - 424 pageviews

15. Gender Reveal in my Classroom- 421 pageviews

16. Cookies and Milk Baby Shower- 419 pageviews

17. Details - 622 pageviews

18. Reagan's 3rd Birthday Party - 372 pageviews

19.  24 Week Pregnancy Update- 333 pageviews

20. We've Officially Named the Twins - 329 pageviews

So it seems you like my teacher posts the best. 

Sorry that I won't be doing many of these any time soon! 

But I promise one day I will be back with more school posts! :) Stay tuned.

You also seem to like the pregnancy updates and posts on the twins.

Glad to know that I can DEFINITELY continue those for you!

I'm sure mommy posts will continue to take over the blog.

Thanks for all of you followers and viewers. I really appreciate you being interested in me, my family, and our blog. If there is anything specific you would like me to blog about feel free to let me know.  Also, if you have any questions or anything you would like answered, please let me know!

Guest Post- All about Feeding Twins

I was contacted by Katie Moore a few weeks ago who wanted to write a guest post for all of my fabulous readers. She knew that I had many mommy readers and wanted to share her thoughts on feeding newborns. I was excited and asked her for some tips on feeding newborn twins, since I am going to be doing this very soon! I really appreciate her knowledge and tips! After reading her post, make sure and check out her blog. 

Feeding Newborn Twins

As is everything else with twin infants, feeding can be a complicated process. Mothers of two infants may feel that they do nothing but feed the babies and wash bottles. Additionally, many twins are smaller than average at birth, meaning that monitoring the milk intake of both babies is critical. Twin mothers must create routines and habits to help themselves keep track of feedings so that they can inform the pediatrician of any issues that arise.

Feeding Logistics

If a mother of twins does not create some sort of routine or schedule from the very beginning, she will struggle to sleep at all, much less do laundry and wash bottles. Mothers of twins often report that they feed both babies at the same time, even if they have to wake a sleeping infant to do so.

Twin mothers are incredibly resourceful. By placing both twins in bouncy seats, mothers of two babies can feed both of them at the same time. Eventually, twin mothers will learn to cuddle an infant in each arm while holding a bottle for each baby, but in the early days when the babies need to eat every two hours, feeding the babies as quickly as possible is essential.

Keeping Track of Bottles

Because many twin infants are tiny at birth, making sure that both get recommended amounts of milk is imperative. One baby usually will be larger than the other and have a bigger appetite. To keep up with the bottle situation, mothers of twins often buy bottles in two different colors, one for each baby. Doing this is especially helpful if the babies have to take two different types of formula.

Mothers of twins also find that it is better to fill a day’s worth of bottles once a day and keep them in the refrigerator, rather than making each bottle at feeding time. By doing this, mothers of two babies can easily streamline preparations for each feeding session, and they don’t have to try to remember the correct amounts of milk to mix at two in the morning while dealing with a pair of screaming infants.

Breastfeeding Twins

Although it is much more complicated with two babies, breastfeeding twins is possible. Mothers who have never nursed before may find that nursing one infant at a time is easiest, but once they get more skilled at nursing, they can feed the babies with an infant at each breast. Nursing support pillows are quite helpful in the early days of nursing as the mother is trying to help both babies get latched on.

Even if a mother never manages to tandem nurse, she can breastfeed one twin and bottle-feed the other at the same time by using a bouncy seat and a nursing support pillow. At the next feeding, she may want to switch babies so that both infants get the benefit of her breast milk. Mothers of twins should realize that every drop of breast milk is beneficial to their babies, but they should not beat themselves up if breastfeeding does not work out long-term.

Mothers of twins have so much to prepare for before their delivery—two babies means double the decisions for when it comes to health options like breast or bottle feeding, whether or not to invest in umbilical cord blood banking, and immunizations. With the double duty, comes double feedings that many mothers of twins worry about. But by being organized and diligent, they can stay aware the needs of their babies. Feeding twins may be very difficult at first, but as the babies grow it will get much easier.

“This is a guest post written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the Mom-o-sphere of the blogging world. Just after becoming a Mom herself, Katie took to blogging to share her knowledge and passion for motherhood, pregnancy, children, fitness and overall health. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing and researching, and connecting with others! If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog “Moore From Katie,” or her twitter @moorekm26."

Show and Tell: Fall!

Today I am linking up with Becky for her weekly link-up called Show and Tell.

Today's questions are all about Fall!

It seems like it is way too hot here in Arizona to be thinking about Fall.

But I will dream a little! :)

1. Tell us what you are looking forward to this fall?

I love being able to open the doors and letting in the cooler outside air.

I love being able to play with Reagan outside without dying of heat.

I love all of the fun family activities that are offered in the fall.

Not to mention I am looking forward to meeting and loving on our 2 new little babies!

2. Show us your fall style.

As you can see in the pictures below, my fall style is pretty similar to my summer style. 

It is still very warm in October here.  

If I lived somewhere cooler, I would totally sport jeans, scarves, and boots.

3. Tell us your favorite things to do in the fall. If you have children, activities to do with the kids?

Visiting the Pumpkin Patch

2010 

2010

Riding Horses

2011

Taking Hay Rides

2011

Our annual Pumpkin Party

 2011

Doing Fall Crafts

2011

Football Games and Tailgates

2011

Decorating Pumpkins

And Halloween of Course!

2011

4. Show us your favorite fall beverage.

I am not a huge hot beverage fan, but I do like the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. 

5. Tell us, how you will be participating in halloween this year. Plans? Costume ideas? 

For Halloween Reagan participates in his school's parade and party.

(Reagan with his teachers last year.)

We also trick or treat around the neighborhood.

We also hope to attend our church's Autumfest this year. 

We weren't able to make it last year, but I think Reagan would have a blast! 

Costumes- eek. 

Reagan seems to not care very much what he is this year. Every day I ask him and show him pictures and all he says is "sure". I want him to be really excited about what he is.  The last 2 years have been exactly what he was "into" at the time.  His 1 year old costume was Elmo (which he was obsessed with). Last year was Buzz Lightyear (which was all he talked about).  I need to start really thinking about it!

I had thought it would be cute for the babies and Reagan to all match a theme but I can't find costumes small enough for newborns. (Every costume I find starts at 3 months.)   The babies will still be really small in October, so I'm thinking we will just order little Halloween onesies from Etsy. Do you guys have any ideas?

Sunday Social

It's Sunday and I'm linking up with the girls for their Sunday Social!

Today's questions are all about the Summer! 

1. What was your favorite trip/vacation/activity this summer?
My favorite trip this summer was our families' annual trip up north together. My parents have a summer house and we love spending family time together and laughing lots.

You can read more about it here.

2. What was your favorite outfit look of the summer/clothing item?

My favorite outfit this summer was really gorgeous.
Let me tell you.
It involved this

and 
this.

Living in Arizona where the daily high is over 110 degrees and my body temp. with these twins is off the charts. I wear as little clothes possible! Just imagine my huge belly pointing straight out in between.

3. What is one thing you wish you had gotten to do this summer?

Hmm. I had a pretty good summer! Especially under the circumstances.  I suppose I wish I was able to do more fun stuff with Reagan towards the end of this summer instead of being on bed rest. There were many more splash pads, museums, and play dates to be had!

4. What was your favorite song of the summer?

Without a doubt it was Call Me Maybe.
I still can't stop smiling and singing when I hear it.

5. What was your favorite movie/tv show of the summer?

My favorite summer tv show has been Big Brother. What a great season it has been! So much better than last season. The twists and turns from this summer as well as the game play has been awesome.

What were your summer favorites? Link up and share!

34 Weeks Pregnancy Update

How far along are you? 

34 Weeks
So exciting! 34 weeks is a big milestone for twins!

I haven't had Nick take a picture of me or my belly this week, 
so here is a picture of my little monkey. 

I promise I will take a picture this week!

Total weight gain? 

I gained 1/2 pound this week.  
So 8 1/2 pounds total.

Baby Information?

According to BabyCenter.com the babies should be weighing over 4 lbs each. 
(About the size of 2 cantaloupes). 

Any doctor news?

Wednesday: I went to the babies' doctor this day and everything looked great. Hudson was completely vertex (straight up and down).  Harper was still breech but she curved across my belly.  Her feet were directly under the right side of my rib cage (right next to Hudson's head- I'm sure he's loving that! haha).  Just like normal, Harper was all over the place and totally active.  Hudson was more calm. I'm really starting to think this is how their personalities will be when they come out! 

Friday: I went to see my doctor this day.  She was so happy that I had made it to 34 weeks.  She said we made it to the "phew" point, but is hoping for one more week. Then I will be golden. My belly was measuring 43 weeks still.  My cervix is still really high, but is very much thinned. She wants me on bedrest this weekend and to really be lazy this since she isn't on call and wouldn't be the doctor to deliver the babies. Then she said to continue a modified bed rest until I am 35 weeks (Thursday) and then I can be normal. Whatever happens at this point happens! :) We are all anxious for my results from my growth check appointment next Wednesday to see the babies' weights and sizes.  Remember, if Harper continues to grow a lot more than Hudson, I will have a c-section soon after! It's going to be an exciting next few weeks! These babies will be here before we know it!

 Bags are packed and we are set!

Best moment ?

Can I do the best person instead?  

The best person has been my mom. 
 She is the most organized person I know. She is amazing.  She has spent the past 3 days here organizing our house. She loves it (thank goodness) and we were happy to accept her offer for help! 

She organized our medicines in the pantry.

We totally got this idea from Pinterest! Love it.

She organized the babies' closets.

 She bought tubs and put the next few months of babies clothes in them.

 She also organized other random baby stuff we didn't have a place for and Reagan's clothes.

She started bringing over some of the loads and loads of diapers she has been buying for us.  Every week she buys a box at Costco. God love her.

She also spent her Thursday night helping me with Reagan so Nick could go to the ASU football game.  She bathed Reagan, cleaned the house, and hung out with me on the couch. It was such a help! 

She literally is over at my house every day, washing dishes, helping Reagan with the potty, cleaning, etc.  She is such a blessing and we are all so lucky to have her.

I also got this amazing bed rest package last night from my friend Alicia in Colorado. 
It was seriously so sweet! 

She sent a bunch of magazines, the new Emily Giffin book, a bookmark, a Barnes and Noble gift card, a Tervis Tumbler, soft socks, candy, and a gift certificate for an in home mani/pedi party for me and 3 friends. How stinking thoughtful! Right?! Thanks Alicia!!!

Worst moment ?

I really haven't had a bad moment. It's been a good week! 

Movement?

Yes, my little ones are still really active. I've been getting lots of sharp pains in my stomach from where they kick or elbow and it hurts like hell! It's not really a fun feeling anymore. It's pretty darn painful! 

Maternity Clothes?

Same as before. 

Stretch Marks?

Yes. Still the same one.

 Genders?

1 boy- Hudson Brooks and 1 girl- Harper Grace

Sleep?

I feel super tired but I'm having a hard time going to sleep. I usually lie there until close to 1am every night before I can fall asleep.  And phew. I am up to pee probably 6 times a night. It's getting ridiculous. 

Food cravings or aversions?

I'm craving Popsicles, smoothies, and anything fruity.
No aversions, just can't eat much anymore. I swear there is no room!

What I miss?

I am really missing hot dogs. A hot dog and a big soda. That sounds like heaven.

What I'm looking forward to?

I am looking forward to the rest of this weekend. Two of my favorite friends are coming to visit me tomorrow and I'm so excited to see them.  On Monday my mom is having a swimming/dinner for the family.  I love seeing Reagan play with his cousins and hanging out with my family- so I'm def looking forward to that.  BTW, I'm counting laying in the pool on a raft as the same as the bed. Haha.

Here is my to-do list most recently updated!

* Paint the nursery
*Hang the chair rail 
*Buy a bookshelf and set up

* Order / set up the 2nd crib

* Order the nursery bedding/decor

*Figure out the car situation/ buy a mini-van?

*Pull out Reagan's baby boy clothes for Hudson/wash

*Borrow Charlotte's baby girl clothes for Harper/wash

*Figure out what other clothes are still needed

*Organize baby closet and dresser

*Read the stack of Twin books on my nightstand
*Borrow twin books from my Mothers of Multiples group and read up

*Finish registering

*Find Reagan's bottles and see what else is needed

*Make baby shower guest list

*Finish and turn in short term disability paperwork
* Clean the house
*Pack my hospital bag
*Make Reagan his big brother bag for when it's baby time
*Make a nursing box full of special activities for Reagan
*Do the first couple of pages in the babies books
*Organize pantry and make room for baby bottles and such
*Start making freezer meals for when the babies arrive

*Pack the babies' hospital bag

BIC Soleil Savvy Winner

Thanks to all of you who entered my BIC Soleil Savvy Razor Giveaway. 

Congratulations to the 5 winners! 

#7 Tamara Marken

#4 Amy Smith

#12 Victoria Tiepelman

#6 Katie Kasberger

#13 Erica @ Southerncabelle

I have emailed you all for your addresses and will get your razors out to you soon! :) 

Thanks again for following my blog!