New York State of Mom: April 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Haute Tots-April Showers

Starting another week off on a fashion note...Hope these April showers end soon :-)

A hoodie is always a winner for me but petit bateau uses the

most comfy fabric and really isn't that bad price wise.

When it comes to jeans for little ones, Baby Gap has been my staple.

These are on sale now and will keep your prince dry and chic

during those down pours.

When I first saw the Hunter boots for kids, I thought they were so cute I bought

one for my niece and god-daughter but couldn't see me putting

my son in a pair but these will keep your little man's feet dry and keep up with his

rough and tumbles.

NorthFace is the leader in out-door gear so, this was a no brainer.

In my If I Had a Girl Corner:

Pink and Ralph Lauren all over!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sounds simple, right? WRONG! When you have a busy body toddler or your hands that wants to see, be, and do everything at once it is a fight to get him to sit at the table and eat his meal in one shot! Our kitchen is really a galley kitchen that we've forced into being an eat in kitchen but sometimes the space can get cramped and then we'll just eat in the bedroom where he at least has his own table but he'll take two bites then he's off again to play with something or look at something.

The Mr's way is the ultimate guy way of, 'Sit down and eat!' hasn't really worked without tears and food flying. I've tried the 'sit in mommy's lap' method but then that feels like too much coddling. What will he do when it's time for pre-k? Ugh, figuring things like this out make question whether or not keeping him at home for this long was a good move but I am seriously protective and don't really care for the idea of him being somewhere without him being able to tell me what happened during his day. Call me crazy or over the top but that's just what it is ::shrug::

We're working on it, How do you get your kids to be still and eat? Is it even possible at this age (20mo.)?

Monday, April 18, 2011

It's in the Quiet Moments

I've been running like MAD! for the past month. I told you guys about the new job and how I was really enjoying it and the work, well things kind of took a wrong turn and after losing 2 employees within 2 weeks of each other and basically training myself while getting all the work done I've been putting in 11-12 hour shifts EVERYDAY! Needless to say, I've been tired and basically missing from Chunks's days. I'd see him for about an hour before it's time for bath and bed then gone before he wakes up.

Of course his whole behavior changes and the tantrums are plentiful and I get stories of nap time fights and feeding fits. Hubby, my grandmother, and mother all say the same 'He misses Mommy' KILL ME! I try to get in enough time before he goes to bed and double up on the weekends but it's just not the same and I've been crashing on Saturdays. I hate that I've started resenting the job and not caring (added to a psycho and ungrateful attending to drive me crazy) as much, already.

Last week was pretty rough and the the workload was ridiculously crazy and the attending drove me up the wall and I was just so stressed out and irritated. I brought that frustration home and decided to just take a hot shower and de-stress before I snapped about why someone was waiting on ME to make dinner at 8:30, well Chunks must've sensed how mommy was feeling because he stayed at my side, not fussing, not whining, and even holding my hand while I made a cup of tea (too cute). When I tried to get in the shower he would not let go and so for the first time I took him in with me (kept my underclothes on, it was just too weird at first lol #prune). Under the shower, I bathed him and he held on and hugged me and within no time he was falling asleep in my arms.

It was just what I needed. It was the most peace I had seen in weeks and my little guy was there to bring that calm for me.AMAZING. I nestled in his little neck and he hugged my neck while he nodded off, I can't tell you just how greatful I was for just that time with him and those moments for me. That is my guy and I'm proud and amazed at how in tune with me he is *sometimes*.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Glossy Pages-Sugar

I LOVE a book that can bring me into it's pages and make me envision the movie and hear the soundtrack, well, Mrs. Bernice McFadden DEFINITELY did this in her novel Sugar. I immediately fell in love with the main character Sugar and as I read along I could envision the movie and who could play each role, it really is that good. It opens up with the brutal murder and mutilation of a young girl which ties every movement of the story together and from beginning to end I couldn't put the book down, I completely understand why the fab Toni Morrison praised the author's storytelling skill-SHE'S ON POINT!! (of course she's from BROOKLYN too!! lol)

How would you manage being left to grow up in a brothel?? Raised by Madam sisters? From never knowing her mother and growing up in a brothel, to making ends meet by laying on her back, to moving into a new town that immediately hates her, to finding that mother-figure she always craved, to ultimately finding the strength to find herself Sugar is the character that represents so many women and their relationships that everyone can relate to a Sugar-situation.

There are some pretty gritty scenes but it adds so much to storyline that you can't help but admire her perfect way of telling this story. It's been so long since I've read such a book and I think anyone looking for a story that feels just too real, Sugar is the way to go.

I've been a little late on updating Glossy Pages so at the time of this post I have finished the book and have started on the sequel This Bitter Earth and learning more about Mr Sugar but I do hope that anyone looking for a book you will dream about will check out Sugar and let me know what you think and when you get done check out our next feature...

Monday, April 11, 2011

Haute Tots-Hamptons

Let's start another week off on a fashion note! Enjoy :-)

The nautical look is so clean and classic and makes me dream of spending our

weekends in the Hamptons, beach side.

What says Spring better than a pair of haute madras print shorts!!

When going sea-side chic how can your little guy go wrong with a pair of

these fab boat shoes. They're light-weight but can take a good round

of soccer with your toddler guy (before it becomes football).

The Flaghouse Company was THE original old school playground staple, started

in the Village in the 50s, The Flaghouse Rubber Ball is making

a come back! So let the kids be kids just a little bit longer and get in a good

game of KICK BALL!!!

And my If I Had a Girl Pick:

How darling are those ruffles??

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Bumps In the Night

One thing I've developed since becoming a mother is mastering the abilityto jump from deep sleep to action in a SNAP! and last night Chunks put it to the test!

Every morning he wakes up screaming (tears included some days) and shaking the mess out of his crib, over the weekend I caught that little leg trying to make it over the rail but by Sunday it got more sophisticated, he stacked his teddy on his pillow to prop him up a little higher!!! (Was I this smart at 19 months?? DOUBT IT! lol) So we decided it was time to drop the railing and try out the daybed feature of his crib instead, since the kid obviously needed freedom. We layed his bumper around the perimeter for cushioning, just in case.

Well nap time was a breeze, he hugged teddy and slept for about an hour and a half, woke up, slid out of bed and was about his business (smh who told this kid it was ok to grow up!!). Well, Day 3, we put him to bed last night as usual and off he went to dream-land and all was well with the world and so we did too. Around 3am SMACK and I'm UP and running!

My poor baby rolled a little to hard to the left and landed right on the floor, my chest was pumping but I got him before he started crying and like THAT he was back asleep! I couldn't believe it here I am huffing and puffing and checking his head for bumps and bruises and he's asleep, oh yea and then dad woke up lol. I couldn't take putting him back in there so I broke Mom-Law 101 and put him in the bed with us. Luckily his head hit the bumper so he was pretty much ok but LORD what a thud he made. His dad says he's up and running around like nothing happened today but I'm nervous about leaving the railing off tonight.

He did great for 2 days but how many thuds and 3am sprints are we going to go through before he understand depths. What do you toddler mommies use for transition training? How do you get them to understand where the edge is in their sleep???