The Mommybloggers proudly present a brilliant post from Beth and Chris . They are our very first guest blogging couple, and we have been pleased as punch to feature them. Thanks again to Chris and Beth for sharing their talents with the mommyblogging audience.

And without further ado: Tada!:

Well golly, we meant to write this really brilliant, erudite, inspired joint post about parenting, or something, but we’ve looked everywhere (including the fridge and the diaper pail) and apparently we didn’t do it. We have a really good excuse though. In fact, we have several good excuses:

1. Our heads, already on the slightly large side, inflated to epic proportions following the praise lavished upon us yesterday. They became so huge, in fact, neither of us were able to make it through the doorways of our home. Thus, we weren't able to get anywhere close to a computer to type what would have been, we're sure, a wonderful contribution to such a fine site.

2. We got wrapped up playing another round of the Passive-Aggressive Infant Wardrobe Challenge. Not familiar with the game? If you're the father, carefully remove several articles of your child's clothing and exchange them for obviously clashing articles. See how long it takes your wife to notice. If you're the mother, express your shock and awe at the discovery of your child wearing pink pants, a green onesie and blue socks. Change the child immediately into a matching onesie, pants, sweater, socks, shoes, hat, bib and blanket. Repeat as needed.

3. This really, really big dog stole our post. Or was it a cat? We're not sure. It's all a blur. But it was freakin' huge. And had big teeth. Yeah. Big teeth. That's it.

4. We're so drunk.

5. It was Chris' birthday and there was celebrating to do. You don't think the strippers are just going to wait around do you? And those midgets aren't going to toss themselves.

6. Beth thought Chris was going to think of an idea for the post and Chris thought Beth was going to think of an idea for the post and by the time we finished arguing about who was supposed to think of the idea for the post it was 9:00 and time to go to bed. What? The baby gets up at 4. Shut up.

7. We devoted all our creative writing efforts to composing the “quotes” about us posted on this site yesterday. (Confidential to those who were quoted: the checks are in the mail.)

8. Baby vomit. Nuf said.

9. We had to hock the computers to get money to pay the baby to go to sleep. Tomorrow we are selling our china and silver because we never use it anyway and because it is totally, totally worth it.

10. We were too busy having wild crazy monkey sex all over the house. (Every parent reading this just started laughing hysterically.)

Seriously, we're parents. Planning is so yesterday. The best laid plans are, well, totally unrealistic ones, for the most part. Naps don't happen, errands don't get run, dinner doesn't get cooked. But these are the sacrifices you make to have a child. Life changes - drastically - but definitely for the better.

Read more by Beth on her blog So the Fish Said and more by Chris at his blog Rude Cactus.

Posted by mommybloggers at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (52) | TrackBacks (0)

And now for something completely different. Featured blogger(s) with a twist. You are seeing a Mommyblogger double header! (Or would it be considered a two-fer?) Not only are we interviewing our first male blogger--daddyblogger-- but also our first blogging couple! Today, Mommybloggers.com is thrilled to turn the spotlight on two wonderful writers: Chris of Rude Cactus, and Beth of So The Fish Said.

If this were high school
Chris and Beth would be voted
the 'Cutest Couple'

Chris is known for his Monday Haiku, his disarming sense of humor, his love and joy for his family, as well as his beautiful photography. Beth charms her readers with stories running the full emotional spectrum, from frustration at her lazy ovaries to her elation after the birth of their daughter. We have crushes on both of them.

We had no problem getting Metro Dad to step up to the plate and tell us all about his rock-star-love-fest with Chris and Beth:

Though I only discovered their blogs about 6 months ago, I’ve rapidly become a huge fan of both Chris and Beth. For me personally, I enjoy reading them because they’re both so amazingly cool and genuinely nice. There’s no faking it. They are simply two of the nicest people you will ever meet in the blogosphere. In a strange way, I find them both to be quite an inspiration. On the one hand, they’re very cool and interesting people. But at the same time, they’re grounded and have such a healthy attitude towards life.

Maybe it’s because I live in a city filled with Type-A neurotics and general insanity but I find Chris and Beth to be two of the coolest cats around. In the finest sense of the phrase, they’re both rock stars in my book.

RockStar Mommy rushed the stage to tell us of her admiration for this hot blogging couple:

Chris and Beth are two of my favorite bloggers, not just for their websites but also for who they are individually and together. They are very grounded, honest, and sincere, which makes them the kind of couple that other married couples look up to because they are the real deal.

Kat cut into this cute-fest dance to tell her how much she loves Chris and Beth's' wit and fun:

Why do I love Chris and Beth so much? Because they are both wonderfully witty in words. It is one thing to be funny in person, but I've never met them and yet they truly make me laugh out loud whenever I read a new entry. Funny, sassy and full of love - they are a daily read for me.

Dawn knitted together the story of how she came to know and love Beth and Chris and have come to call them friends:

Chris and Beth! I love Chris and Beth - they're both awesome people in their own right, and I just know that Mia will grow up to be even more awesome.

I came across Chris's site first, and immediately loved his sense of humor - he's a funny guy, and it comes across well in his writing. But he's not just all about the funny - he also turns out heartfelt and thought-provoking pieces, and does it all well. Plus, he replies to nearly every comment via e-mail - that's got to take a big chunk of time, but he takes the time to make that connection with his readers. Because he's a nice guy - no, really, he is. I've gotten to know him a bit over e-mail, and even had the pleasure of meeting both him and Beth in person once. Even though they were having a horrible week and probably in no mood to entertain Random Internet Strangers Passing Through Town (and I was also running insanely late), we had a wonderful lunch, and I was glad they were able to take the time to hang out with me.

I found Beth's site through Chris's, and also developed a friendship with her over e-mail. Last year, I was looking for a new job, and BOTH of them offered help - resume review, passing on the resume, whatnot - since they work in the same general industry I do. I've also wasted many hours in the past talking to them over IM - Chris has commiserated with me over General Asshattery in the workplace, and Beth has kindly listened to my venting over Stupid Shit That Boys Do.

I really don't know what else I can say about them - they're both awesome, wonderful, caring people. I was so thrilled for them when they announced they were expecting, and now I'm thrilled for Mia and the wonderful life she'll have growing up in the Cactus-Fish household.

Autumn gives an amazing shout-out not only for Chris' Monday Haiku, but about how she has come to really adore these two as bloggers and friends:

I knew Chris first - he and I have both been blogging forever, and I can't even remember when I started reading him regularly, probably back in the days of Haiku Smackdown. He's been a great supporter of my writing and photography, something that Chris rocks at.

Their writing is witty, humorous, and, now that they've have had Mia, adorable. Chris and Beth's love for their new born daughter is abundantly clear. It's also wonderful to hear from both of them - throughout the pregnancy and after - about their fears and concerns as parents. For me, it's been a blessing as a newly married woman to know
those concerns about child-raising aren't mine alone.

They're both friends, who I'm very glad to have in my blog circle.

A.K. loves the gush when it comes to praising the "realness" of this amazing and openly real couple:

I read them both fairly regularly, mostly because they are just real people. I enjoy their humor, their style of writing and thoughts on parenting. I also find it interesting to read both husband and wife; their different takes/perspectives on a situation. And, I really appreciate their responses to comments, it makes it feel more like a blog camaraderie rather than just a voyeur of their lives.

Sara giggled just talking about how easily Beth and Chris can bring a smile to her face:

I read both Chris and Beth's blogs. Both of them are excellent writers and have the ability to make me smile all the way across the other side of the world! I just love their wacky sense of humour, but more than that, I love the warmth and kindness that comes through in their writing.

Now, we at Mommybloggers.com know that once you read their interview later today, you, too, will be standing up to shout out your own praises of this amazing couple. On a more personal note, these two have been so amazing to work with and to chat with while doing this. Even with a tiny baby who is not so much a sleeper, they never once seemed put out but rather were very enthusiastic about playing along. So, remember to come back and hear what they have to say when we put them in the Mommyblogger spotlight interview!

Posted by mommybloggers at 12:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBacks (0)