Last week I decided that I wanted to try this new “tube mascara” thing that everyone is talking about. So I marched out to my local Target and tried to purchase the L’Oreal version of this new craze. I wanted L’Oreal because I feel like their mascara is the best, lasts the longest and their brushes are really good. When I got there – they were out. Not one L’Oreal Double Extend in sight. This peaked my curiosity even more and I actually went to ANOTHER Target to try and find it.

Once the mascara was in my possession – for about $8 – I was really excited to try it. Here is what it looks like:

So, starting with the white side, I applied the first coat. Basically it looks like you are putting white frosting on your eyelashes. I was impressed immediately with the lengthening effect. I felt like my lashes looked dramatically longer. Then I moved to the red side, the black mascara. Once I started applying the actual mascara I was kind of disappointed. Some of the length I added seemed to disappear with the the black coat. The brush applicator wasn’t really suited for adding volume either, so I ended up with lashes that looked longer, but not as full.

Overall, I would give this product a mixed review but it still might be right for you and here’s why: My lashes are already pretty long, so I usually focus on adding volume and this mascara wasn’t built for that purpose. However, if length is your issue, I would say this would be a good choice because I did notice a considerable difference in length, just not as much as it looked like when I applied the first coat. What I really want is for L’Oreal to make the second coat a volumizing mascara and then we would have magical mascara bliss. So L’Oreal…are you listening? I need magical.

As for the whole “tubes” thing – basically it isn’t a whole lot different than regular mascara.The first coat is where the “tubes” part comes in and I don’t know that I would have called it “tubes” if the marketing gods hadn’t already chosen that name. It is more like an eyelash blanket. It wraps around the lash and makes it appear longer. I guess that doesn’t sound much better. Can you tell I have a degree in political science, not marketing?

Okay so bottom line:I liked it, I didn’t love it. But I still love L’Oreal and I just know that one day they will go magical and I will thank them.

Next week: let’s talk self-tanners…the good, the bad and the orange.

I took this photo today and in my defense, I am closer to 16 weeks than 15 so, don’t you judge me!

I am starting to feel officially huge and the worst part is…I have done this before so I know how much more I have to grow.

New this week: Baby moving! Yeah!

Back this week: Nausea. Yeah!

Because his last suggestions weren’t enough, Kevin wanted to add the following to the list:

• Morinda
• Suri (seriously)
• Tara
• Molly
• Dorinda
• Belinda
• DO YOU SEE A PATTERN HERE?

I think that I am once again going to have to pick the name of our child because this is getting ridiculous. Last night when he suggested the name Tracy, on the heels of just having suggested Tara, I asked him why he kept throwing out 80′s names. He told me I was being judgemental.

Anyway, we are back from vacation and it was amazing. I promise pictures later this week, my brain is still trying to put itself back in work mode right now. I can’t seem to leave the mountain air of Lake Tahoe behind. It might be one of the few places prettier than the landscape we call home in Carmel. The kids stayed with my Mom and they did amazing. They were actually sad to leave “Ammy’s” house, which has to be the sign of having a good time. Either that or they are going to miss the steady stream of rice krispy treats and popcorn. I made them both eat carrots with dinner last night, the looks on their sweet toddler faces were precious. Sort of like “Woman, what vile thing have you placed in our presence and can you possibly douse it in sugar?”

I will post a 15 week self portrait this week as well, even though I am now closer to 16 weeks. I swear my belly is huge! I look like I am 6 months pregnant, however I hear that is pretty normal with the third child. Let’s also hope that a post baby tummy tuck and boob job are considered normal as well…

Kevin and I are in Tahoe for a 4 day vacation. Without the kids.

Wait, did you hear that? What’s that you say? You didn’t hear anything? You didn’t hear Dora the Explorer, toddlers fighting over a toy car or someone asking for juice? ME EITHER.

Anyhow, so this is the first time in 2 years that we have been away without children. We decided maybe it was time to begin negotiations on baby names.

The father of my two children, soon to be three, suggested the following names:

Mandy
Mission
Gunner
Garth
Darjeeling
Jumanji

Obviously we are still in negotiations and now you see why I named the first two…

More on the vacation later. Right now, me and Darjeeling need some rest.

As you can see, the kids wanted to be a part of this week’s photo session. What am I going to do when there are three of them?