New York State of Mom

Bruno the BlackBerry

2012-01-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

Just like the avatar at the top of this blog for about 5 years now you can count on catching me going to work on my trusty sidekick-Bruno. I've upgraded Bruno a few times but never got distracted with any Droids or other fancies and since I wasn't on AT&T the iPhone wasn't even tempted, Bruno was my go to guy no questions asked! We checked in to Foursquare on all my adventures, we Tweeted my randoms throughout the day, we kept up with email from work, personal, and blog all on the go.

Chunks came along and he too fell in love with Bruno and some of the apps that we could download on him just for Chunks's learning and entertaining pleasure. This could cause some parents a little fear but nah, not me, Bruno was a tough guy and could deal with a toddler and he did for 2 years until last weekend...

Chunks was supposed to be racing cars in the hallway while I did some work in the room, when things got too quiet I peeked out and noticed the bathroom door was open, Oh no. I called his name and he answered very quickly and ran out in the hall, Oh No. I walked into the bathroom to look around at what he was getting into and everything was normal and/or locked away ::sigh of relief:: I turned to cut the light off and that's when I saw him, Bruno, floating at the bottom of the toilet OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I scooped him up and yanked the battery out and tried to try him off as quickly as I could but it was too late, Bruno was gone :-( and after telling my tragic story to the good folks at Verizon they reminded me I had insurance and it would only cost $100 bucks to replace him (::side note::why pay insurance and STILL have to pay $100 bucks for a replacement? but that's another day). I've been trying for a month now to be cheap and not get another phone since I'm due for a new, free phone in April. You would die if I showed you the antique I've been using (hint: it flips, don't laugh too hard). I am a texter, you want me text me but NOW texting is a chore, remember when T9 was the best thing to come along??? Yea that's where I'm at. I miss tweeting on the go and getting all my info right now, don't think I can take much more and listening to all my messages just to get to the one I really want to hear is beyond the WORST! Spoiled modern tech-geek that I am, so it looks like I'll be caving in and getting a new Blackberry to hold me over until April when the iPhone will take center stage.

Unofficial Resolutions

2011-12-31T09:23:00.000-05:00

I've never been one to make resolutions (think I said this last year lol) because I'm a planner by nature and I've learned not to plan too far ahead because you never know what God has up His sleeves.

Personally
I'm still working on this budgeting business and cleaning up my credit so that when we get ready to start house hunting we have no surprises. The fact that my student loans are so high and I'm not even done yet bums me out sometimes but then I realize it has to get done somehow so I'm just working through it.

I also want to try to change this wardrobe up a bit. I'm a classics and jeans kinda girl but very New York in that most things in my closet are black or grey and I think we're going to play with more colors and prints now, we'll see how that goes. I'm playing more and more in make up so that might help with all that ::you care::.

More and more friends are encouraging me to start dating and honestly after being with the same person for 7 years, I'm just not ready to jump back out there just yet. With all the news of men hurting babies lately I'm good on meeting new people right now, I'm just not there but who knows what the New Year will bring with it. If GOOD potential (more on this in a future post) shows up I'm not saying I'll duck it but I'm not out there hunting yet.

Mommyhood
Raising Chunks solo has me kinda beat but I'm really loving it. It might sound selfish but being able to up and do things we like without running it past someone in a mood or teaching him new things in my own way without comments from a peanut gallery has been fun. Chunks really is a great kid and seeing how much he's taking in and his own little personality come out is great. We used to do Mommy & Me days and that kinda died down a little but we're changing that and heading back out to explore the town.

I would hope that in 2012 all the major drama with the Wasband will die down some I really don't want to be fighting and feeling like an idiot all year when I think "THIS IS WHAT I CHOSE???" It really is heartbreaking. If we can come to an at least friendly place that would be golden but a part of me wishes he would just disappear (juvenile I know) but positive thoughts and vibes and MUCH prayer. Wishing for the best here.

With the job, studying, and being Mommy and Daughter I've started to feel a little burnt out and If Mommy ain't happy... SO I've decided to just take a me day, I'll drop Chunks off to school and spend the day in a plush hotel suite SOLO! and just pamper myself a bit. Sleep is #1 but then a massage, a nice lunch/dinner (maybe with the girls), and then soak in a deep tub and RECHARGE! Just writing this is making me excited it's so necessary and it might become routine.

Mommy's A Business
Deep inside, past the science geek that I am on an everyday I really have CEO dreams. I've started the motions on one of the projects but because I needed a crash course in reality it took a pause but hopefully in the next few months it will be off the ground. Fingers Crossed.

I used to be really into Community Service and I'm seriously considering rejoining certain groups and even starting some of my own to help raise awareness of some of things that matter to me, especially Brooklyn based and doing what I can to help when I can. Chunks has to learn somehow, right.

Well that's all I've put together for now. Even with the divorce situation going on I have to say 2011 wasn't so bad and I'm really looking forward to 2012 and the new and better coming our way! To all of you who have stuck with me and my wayward blogging this year and all it's ups and downs I'm wishing you nothing but the best, happy, forward moving New Year with Dream Come True moments all year long.

HAPPY NEW YEAR LOVES!

Co-Parenting

2011-12-13T08:47:00.000-05:00

Things got really real around here last week, sorry for my lack of posts. I try not blogging too much about what's happening with the Wasband because it really was something I tried to just block out of my daily thoughts, really. When something is stressful or negative in my life I tend to block it out and throw myself into my work and well now Chunks and work, and this is how I was dealing with all that.

I've got the travel bug again and started planning some getaways, with Chunks, some friends, and possibly a solo trip somewhere. My passport needs to be renewed and I was so excited to finally get Chunks one of his very own (why has it taken me so long I don't know) and then I sat to fill out the application and my heart dropped. You now need the approval of BOTH parents to get a child a passport!!!

I was immediately annoyed, even though I could see why, with some trifling parents trying to steal kids away from the other to some foreign country but OMG WHY do I have to go through all this. The Wasband has been MIA since his disappearance back in June with a sporadic phone call here and there from unknown and varied numbers and I have to get HIS approval for MY son to travel?!?!?! Ugh! What else will I face this little nasty block with?

So I decided it was time to just settle everything once and for all and file for sole custody (since it's more immediate and less costly/complicated than divorce for me right now). The judge was not very understanding that I had no clue where to find Chunks's father and ordered me to have him served ASAP. I reached out to his sister and she, as always, was very supportive and said I could send the papers to her to have him served, and so I did. Then I get a random phone call saying he would not be signing anything because Chunks is still his son, yadda yadda yadda, bs bs bs. And so, my Co-Parenting/Divorce madness begins...

I've sent him a pretty diplomatic e-mail explaining that custody has nothing to do with paternal rights, even though in a way he gave that up too, and that it would only make legal what I'm already doing which is raising Chunks and giving him all the opportunities he needs. Why the fight now? It's in the Lord's hands and I guess soon the judge's but it's hard not to question how someone who took her time, followed all the steps to not have to go through this drama is STILL going through this drama.

Any tips on handling Co-Parenting while going through

a separation? Prayers please!

Santa Baby

2011-12-12T11:09:00.000-05:00

Dear Santa,
Let's talk about the year I've had...

1. In my quest for a new scent I spritzed my wrist with the new Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb fragrance and spent the day loving it!

2. Since I already got the new t.v. on Black Friday this Samsung Blu Ray Player would make my system complete!

3. My obsession with rose gold calls for the new Rebecca Minkoff's Baby G watch, thanks TamStyles for the post.

4. I never did get my grown up bag I promised myself so if you could just drop this little hottie off under the tree for me...

Now Smell This

2011-12-10T11:53:00.000-05:00

I was never one of those who believed that your scent should change with the seasons, mainly because I'm pretty picky about what I smell like all day and also because I hate smelling like everyone else, it's hang up but hey ::Shrug::

Sephora

Since undergrad I've been loyal to what I call "my signature scent" but when I moved in with one of my good friends and found out it was her fave also I decided to switch things up so that we're not living together AND smelling alike (something about it was just weird lol) and tried a few different scents until I found Valentino's Rock n' Rose.

It's the perfect combo of sugar and spice, not too soft but no where close that old lady smell of Chanel No. 5 (NOT a fan). It's not as easy to find anymore and I'm running low, now that I think about it. When I'm in a frilly mood I'll spritz on Coach's fragrance but nothing has wow'ed me like the first I used "MY signature scent" so I'm on the hunt.

Burberry's new fragrance BODY is getting great reviews on all the beauty blogs and it looks so feminine and chic so I'll try it out when I hit the sales at Bloomies this week. Wish me luck!

Ok spill it! What is your go-to fragrance?

Am I the only one with a smells-good hang up?

I Got a Confession...

2011-12-01T09:22:00.000-05:00

I was given the greatest compliment today and it made me kinda sad. The director of our practice is a bit eccentric and high maintenance (to put it lightly) and demands perfection at ALL times from everyone even if it requires 14 hour days. She does it, so why shouldn't her staff?? Well anyway, we've had our bumps in the road and are now on a good path and today she actually said "I can't believe how young you are and how well balanced you have everything." She went on a little more but this really struck me.

It shocked everyone in the office, including me because for 1-she actually gave someone who was not an MD a compliment, and 2-she said it in front of other people. If you knew her you would totally understand (think a younger Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada). I was humbled and tried to get passed this conversation, I really don't like to be center of attention like that, but then I went to my office feeling like a liar.

There are days I am REALLY jacked all the way up: Chunks whines about something and I CAN'T DEAL! I mean really, did you really have to scream because you dropped a Hot Wheel??? Some nights I don't have the energy to act out the scenes of Caps for Sale so it may or may not be hidden under my pillow because I know he's gonna ask for it...

I am NOT a morning person so waking up is a daily activity in itself and if everyone is expected to be at their desks working at their assigned time, how can the LEAD walk in 10 minutes late (without snacks for the group).

Organic Chemistry is the devil's work and for some reason I cannot wrap my mind around it and if you know me, when school is off for me I'm OFF.

Somedays I get up and can't even begin to care about what I really look like so most days you can catch me in some scrubs and a bun ::shrug:: Gotta do better before NYC Kindergarten tours start.

I don't have it together, some days I just wanna stay in the bed and miss a day to hide. Motherhood is a constant job-you worry when you're gone, you fuss and dote when you're together, and you're planning their future all along the way. My job is stressful even though I'm learning a lot I know this isn't the last stop for me and that makes me sad too (but that's another post) but it's important and has to be done. I'm NOT Supermom, I'm not Super-Boss, and some days I just can't deal but if someone thinks I'm at least one of these my fake it til I make act must be pretty darn good! #RantOver

Wordless Wednesday-THE Tree

2011-11-30T07:56:00.000-05:00

Tonight's the lighting of THE Christmas Tree here at Rockefeller Center, we won't be there tonight since the President will and:

That Crowd + Extra Police Force + Stroller = MADNESS!!

It should be beautiful!

CBS

Trimmin' my Fake Tree

2011-11-29T08:53:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid we always had an artificial tree and then we would visit my aunt in Jersey who had the real thing and there was always something a little ~~better~~ different about her home at Christmas time. When I left home I decided I'm going to always have a real tree! I hit a roadblock when my building informed me that it would violate my lease to bring in a live tree (yea, crash course in reading ALL the fine prints in a lease ::rolling eyes::) but then I met the Wasband and he bought us a tree in his apartment and it's been our tradition ever since.

I love the smell and the overall feel it gives the house at Christmas time. It feels Christmasy (yea I'm coining it)! Well last year was Chunks's 1st Christmas that he would actually appreciate so we got a real tree AND garland, it smelled divine! Then Christmas passed, New Years was over and it was time to take the tree out and OMG the branches!!

Pine leaves everywhere all the way through the house and out the door! We were sweeping long after the tree was taken away, a mess! So this year I don't think I'm going that route again and will dig up our artificial tree, which was supposed to go up on Friday :-(, and maybe I'll get the garland for the smell I love but I can't with the clean up this year.

What goes up in your house: Real or Artificial? Do you get special ornaments each year or do you have a loved collection?

'Tis the Season

2011-11-28T07:44:00.000-05:00

Now that Thanksgiving is over it is officially my favorite season!! Nothing brings in Christmas for me like Mr. Hathaway. Hope you all had a great weekend, here's to a great week!!

What I'm Thankful For

2011-11-23T07:36:00.000-05:00

I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!!!

All the good food, the drinks, and the good mood everyone seems to be in here in NYC. Lights are already up, some went up a few weeks ago, the windows up and down 5th Ave are done up in all Christmas fancy and everyone's spirit is just UP. S~~tealing~~ Borrowing the idea from Simply K at Say What U Wanna I just want to celebrate the one thing, besides Chunks of course, that I am thankful for right now and that's PEACE.

PINTREST

With everything that's happened this year with the stress of a new job, a higher position, facing divorce, and managing being a single mom after already planning out my Happily Ever After I am most grateful that I was blessed with an unexplainable sense of peace.

I was able to roll with the punches, some caught me totally off guard while others I was a little bit more prepared for. The idea of raising a man all by myself scared the crap out of me at first but I'm doing it and so far so good, he's still alive! I go into work where I am the youngest practice supervisor and am able to wrangle people much older than me who weren't used to having management in 3 years and then get a 20-something boss and a VERY demanding attending and bring our team together and get the practice up and running more efficiently and keep everyone smiling. Proud of our progress.

I look to my little guy and my dream for him doesn't get any smaller just because it's just the 2 of us now rather than the ideal 3. I still expect nothing but his best and the best for him, be it school or anything else. Raising a decent man is my goal and facing this alone really hasn't been so bad, I know that we'll hit roadblocks along the way but I'm giving my 100 and expect no less from him, and then you know there's nothing like a Praying Mama. We gotta make so why not do it with some pride and a smile.

I'm grateful for my parents who have really helped me out in dropping Chunks off at school and picking him up when things run late at the office. It takes so much pressure off of me to know that when I can't be there he's still with family that will take care of him until Mommy gets home. Peace of Mind

The most important Ah Ha! moment came when I was alone in my room, Chunks gone to bed, and it was just me and my thoughts. I took in everything and decided no matter what- I'm happy! I'm not where I want to be but I am on my way and things can only get better from here, right? So I'm thankful for life, health, family,love, mental strength, and grace.

Wishing you an early Happy Turkey Day! When it's your turn at the table, what will you be most thankful for?

Learning to Validate My Guy

2011-11-21T10:55:00.000-05:00

My new Me Time routine during the week comes after putting Chunks to bed and catching up on Oprah's new show Lifeclass. In this series, Ms. O reviews some of her memorable episodes and discusses with the audience what she took away from the show and the message it has on all of our lives. So far, this show has hit me in so many ways and I wished someone told me these things this way when I was growing up, but hey, you live and you learn and now I can teach these lessons. Anyway, I digress...last night's episode really peeked my interest because Ms. Toni Morrison was the feature and she said something that really go to me,

"When your children walk into the room do your eyes light up?"

Wow! She explained that when her children used to come into the room she would immediately inspect their shoes, make sure their shirts were tucked in, and hair was in place and her children then always put up a guard waiting for what was wrong with me now or she was so engrossed in her conversation she didn't acknowledge them. It made me think of my childhood and I could totally relate. What she said helped was finding that she was their main source of validation and she wasn't giving them what they needed and decided to change the way she acknowledge her children.

As humans, we all look for the sense of worth and value and our childhood is the mold that we grow from so when that foundation is cracked we're leaving a mark on our kids that they in turn pass on to those in their lives. Trying hard to be super mom right now, there have been times that I'm so into what I'm doing that Chunks can run in and out of the room and I not look up from my books or the computer and that needs to change a bit. There have been times when he comes over with his cars or books just begging for my attention and those are the times I feel it most. When he was smaller, any time I saw him I burst into one of those annoying, new mom "HIIIIIII Handsome!" or "Hey Chunk-a-Monk" lol yea I said it! but as life happens you can get side tracked.

What I learned from the class was when you change that and give your children that validation it gives them a sense of value and confidence and ultimately "changes the relationship you are having with them". SO back to old ways because Chunks has to know he is special, he is priceless, and he is worth my time and attention, and that he is the sparkle of Mommy's eye.

Nostalgia (Photo Heavy)

2011-11-17T08:05:00.002-05:00

I know I've only been a mother for 2 years but I catch myself staring at Chunks sometimes in amazement that he's this big already, doing things on his own, forming pretty decent sentences, and really developing into his own person. WHERE IS MY BABY?? The other night I flipped through some old pics and really could not believe how fast time went by.

I remember our first few weeks together. His father was still in school so it was just my Chunks and I learning each other and I remember how just IN LOVE I was.

I remember packing up our apartment for our move back to Brooklyn and feeling overwhelmed and stressed out (I hate moving) and turning to see what Chunks was doing and found this...

LOL I laughed soooo hard. Thank God I was able to grab the camera to remember this moment.

I couldn't wait to take him out to really enjoy snow for the first time and he loved it (until it was just too cold and then he was OVER it lol)

I watched him become a big boy messy and loud, run and fall and get up with out crying

Then he had the NERVE to turn 2!! (Pardon my extra hard cheese)

AND start Pre-School!!

He's still my baby and I've become that mushy mom I swore I would never be but I'm really enjoying every minute of Motherhood and I'm so grateful for this little life :-)

Ok, mushy moment over...Thanks

Pursestrings Revisited

2011-11-14T09:13:00.000-05:00

A while back I posted on a family budget and tightening up some of our spending in order to save and be on our own. The family has had a few *changes* and so the purse-strings had to be altered a bit.

I cut out my weekly mani/pedi sessions and have now learned how to give myself a pretty good manicure at home so we're sticking to that.

I slacked up on the Starbucks debt diet but I'm back to just 1 to 2 cups bi-weekly and now looking into investing in a coffee maker and looking for creamer coupons to make my own cup at home. Those $5 cups really do add up. I'm also not buying lunch but taking my own, eating out in the city everyday could be $60-$80 a week!!!

I was able to save up enough to buy us a car and not have a car note, which I really wanted to avoid, so I'm proud of myself there! New York auto insurance rates however, let's just say I understand why some people get New Jersey/Pennsylvania plates lol.

I am also proud to announce that I paid my final Federal Student Loan repayment check this month!! So now I can tackle my private, bigger, loans harder. Paying off the smaller debt first then adding that payment onto the payment of the bigger debt makes so much sense! Don't know what I was thinking ignoring it, smh just seeing such a large number felt impossible.

I'm also in the process of starting a little business on the side that I hope can become lucrative enough to handle Chunks's tuition or just serve to pad our savings at least, I'll post more on that later, but it's something I'm passionate about and see a potential for in the city so *fingers crossed and prayers up*.

Sites like LifeBooker and Living Social have allowed me to still do things that I enjoy like tours, spa days, and activities for Chunks at a serious fraction of the cost and coupon clipping has become a Sunday routine, every penny counts. I still need to work on my random shopping sprints, smh but it's getting better. I'm more conscious of what I'm buying and it's value than I've ever been, Does Chunks really need more Matchbox racers?? And now with the holidays coming up and I am determined to not over do it with the gifts, so fingers crossed I make it.

We're not quite there to full downpayment but we're getting there. I have a vision for Chunks and I and I'm going to get us there!

Any tips on cutting costs or advice on saving up? I'm all ears (well, eyes).

Jesus Came Down to Broadway

2011-11-10T15:33:00.000-05:00

LIGHTS! CAMERA! BEATITUDES??! YES!

As an NYC girl I am all about Broadway, off, on, and off-off Broadway. While I love a good movie there's something about live theatre that wins me over every time. I was invited to check out a new show taking over Broadway in a shocking way, Godspell.

VIA

I met up with an old high school buddy/fellow Broadway lover AND preggers of my new god-daughter, Lisa, at the Circle on the Square Theatre on Broadway and fell in love with intimacy of the theatre itself. No big stage but a round platform, surround by rows of seats, so there really couldn't be a bad seat in the house. But the stage was a major character in itself, it transformed from a plank stage to a flowing river, to trampolines, and more, you never knew what else was going to happen when they pulled those planks up. The show opens with monologues from some of the world's greatest minds, Socrates, Plato, and all giving their argument for the way the world should think and which way is right then in all his simple splendor, enter stage left JESUS!

In a fun and colorful display, the teachings of Christ are broken down through uplifting song, hilarious dialogues, and high energy dancing, I seriously don't get how they do these shows back to back. Any show that includes clean up as a part of the act without taking away from the actual show, is phenomenal in my book! While the play didn't go the exact way I thought it would, Jesus and his "inquiring minds" flowed through all the major points that Jesus taught without being preachy or convicting and even included some punch lines from modern day headlines (Occupy Wall Street and Kadafi's death). The cast was captivating and warm, from pulling audience members up on stage to play out Pictionary to serving juice shots at intermission everyone became friends by the end of the night, and the voices, OH MY GOD the Voices! From the Beatitudes (taking it back to Sunday School) up until the Crucifixion, we were given a crash course on how the greatest mind taught us to live-TO LOVE GOD AND ONE ANOTHER!

Standing ovations filled the room when the cast members came back for their final bows and there weren't many dry eyes in the room once they carried the body of Christ out singing Beautiful City, a song with the most beautiful message of unity and progress. From Sunday Schools to families with young children, to theatre lovers young and old, atheist and Christian, Godspell is one for the books! The message is clear, the acting phenomenal, the music impacting, and the dancing will move you-truly a good reason to head down to Broadway.

Tickets normally run for $125 but the great group promoting is offering my readers a GREAT discount! Using the code, GSPRD719 you can see Godspell for just $79.50!! This is a steal for Broadway! Enter here for your chance to see a great show on Broadway with money left over for dinner after.

I have not been compensated for this post, I was offered 2 tickets to the show for review puposes. Of course these opinions are my own, as always.

Wordless Wednesday~My Reader

2011-11-09T10:43:00.000-05:00

Well he's cute pretending ;-)

Cheers to You!

2011-11-08T08:08:00.000-05:00

I love the Bloggy Buddies I've made since starting this blog!! My buddy Mimi over at Lipgloss and Binky awarded me the Kreative Blogger Award and I'm more than happy to pass it on. But first, a questionnaire so you can get to know me a little better and 7 random things about me:

Name your favorite song: Always-Stevie Wonder (Gospel Song: What A Friend We Have in Jesus)

Name your favorite dessert: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

What pisses you off?: Oh Lord, what a list! but I'll pick one: anything slow. Walking slow, answering questions slowly, cutting in front of me and then driving 5 miles an hour!

When you're upset, you: SNAP! lol no it depends on how bad it is, minor things I walk away and ignore it and the major things I'm getting in somebody's behind (working on that though).

Your favorite pet: my pitbull Boadie!! He's my 1st son :-)

Black or White?: Black

Your biggest fear: finishing life half done. I don't want to waste a minute.

Best Feature: I like my smile.

Everyday Attitude: It's Gotta Get Done. Work, Motherhood, Life so be happy and get it done.

What is perfection?: a lazy and quiet morning, good food, and time with food friends and family (preferably on beach somewhere lol)

Guilty Pleasure: reality tv. I watch way too much :-x

Randoms:
I've always wanted 3 kids

I have the story lines of about 3 books in my head (one day I'll get to at least 1)

I'm terrified of being cold, even though I am a winter baby

I've studied the sciences and medicine since high school and still have a pulling for law field

French Fries are the greatest snack ever!!

I have a serious watch obsession

I'm girlier than I let on (hey I grew up with guys)

Passing it on!

I Married A Texan

Attorney 2 Be

The Stroller Ballet

YUMMommy

Mommy Factor

The Mrs The Mommy The MD

3 Ps of Me

Baby Meets City

Baby Shopaholic

Being Mrs Jones

Scribbles on the Wall

2011-11-07T17:30:00.002-05:00

Spending time with friends and family can lead to fun and memorable moments, but also some very messy ones.

Back when we were hit by Hurricane Katrina everyone in NYC was boarding up their homes and moving inward for fear of a big wipe out. One of my good friends, Lisa who is also a newly separated mom, lives out in Staten Island. Because she lived so close to the water and they were talking about closing off the brdges, I suggested she pack up her little guy, who's a few months older than Chunks and stay with me until the storm passed.

We bought movies and games, crayons and coloring books to keep the boys busy while we caught up on girl talk and hung out over the weekend. Everything was going great and after Car 2 it was time to head into the kitchen to make lunch. Mac and Cheese with hot dogs seemed like a winner but now the boys were too quiet. You know that means trouble!

I walk into the room to find that the guys had gotten bored with coloring in their coloring books and took their art TO MY WALLS and MIRROR!!

The strokes looked like they put their all into the crayons and wanted the blue, red, and black to be DEEP! I tried some cleanser I had in the kitchen but it was just smearing the lighter colors and not doing a THING on the darker strokes. It was a hot mess, but then Lisa found my Clorox wipes in the bathroom and we just gave it a shot, we were going to try anything. At first the wipes seemed to smear the colors too but with a little more elbow grease the darker lines started to come up too!! It took more than a few wipes to erase their scribble masterpieces but it WORKED!

While the mirror needed some glass cleaner help afterwards, the crayon marks came off pretty easy too! The storm passed with not much damage so it was time to get those boys out of the house and away from my walls.

I received information about Clorox’s Bleach It Away campaign and am sharing my messy moment for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls. To learn more about the messy moment program, check out http://www.bleachitaway.com/. Sharing your story on the Clorox fan page gets you entered for the chance to win $25,000 and daily prizes, and you can grab a coupon for Clorox® Regular Bleach.

Kris Jenner Celebrates the Launch of Memoirs with Moms and The City Mamrazzi Event

2011-11-04T07:30:00.009-04:00

Those Kardashians sure know how to keep our attentions peaked, add that glam with the uber chic mamas of Moms and The City and you've got yourself a FABULOUS party!

On Wednesday bloggers, journalist, moms, and some lucky Twitter fans got fancy to meet the "Momager" of the Kardashian clan, Kris Jenner, at The Darby for the release of her memoirs Kris Jenner...And all Things Kardashian. The champagne and Mimosas flowed while the appetizers kept everyone in a festive mood (and quickly added The Darby as a must visit restaurant on my list). While we waited for Kris, we were treated to manicures hosted by Nicole by OPI using the shades from their new Kardashian line, that all reminded me of the holidays and New Years Eve (think glitter and sparkling color).

Bloggers at the Mani-Bar and the color I'm rockin' 'Follow Me on Glitter'

In true Jenner/Kardashian fashion we waited as Mrs. Jenner walked the runway, sponsored by Martini and then she joined us for a quick Q&A. Of course, the question on everyone's minds was "Is she going to talk about THE divorce?". Thankfully none of the questions were about her daughter's marriage problems (sorry for those who were waiting for it) but real working-mother/business woman concerns.

The one answer that seemed like a quick jab for anyone who thought of questioning how fast Kim's relationship went from dating to marriage was her response to a question about her own marriage, to which she revealed she knew her current husband Bruce Jenner 5 months before they got married and "here were are 20 years later". Kris really is one of those gushing moms (it was actually her dream to have 6 kids, OMG!!), when asked about how her son Robert dealt with growing up in a house filled with women she quickly responded with "My son? The one who can dance?" (Rob is currently doing really well on Dancing with the Stars). She's also VERY brand savvy in every question she was asked, Kris was able to plug one of the million things her family has going, like her new clothing line on QVC, but without being obnoxious or overbearing. She's also a very proud grandma who values her "Mason time" which she told us is actually scheduled time split between her Khloe and Kim so that he doesn't get too "man-handled". Oh, and the one gadget that this busy Momager cannot live without? Her blackberry!

After the Q&A session we all got copies of her book to sign and truly, not trying to sound like a cray fan or anything, this is a very warm woman. Her smile was genuine and she was very personable, even while her ~~sexy~~ bodyguards did their best to keep the crowd moving. Just reading the first few pages on the cab ride back to Brooklyn you get a glimpse into who this power tower is, flaws and all.

Reading While You Boogie!

2011-10-31T23:16:00.000-04:00

A little after Chunks's 1st birthday, a friend of mine gave him a book that her husband swore was a temper tantrum tamer called, Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett ::SideNote: Josie is the mother of good-girl gone high school, Grace Bowman on one of my guilty pleasure shows The Secret Life of the American Teenager and better known for her role as Ms Jane Mancini of Melrose Place, so this added to the appeal a bit:: Sounded cute so we added it to the nap time routine and Chunks fell in love with all the tickling and moving in that story that he would just start tickling me at any given time. Needless to say, it was a HIT for our household!

Imagine my excitement when I heard Josie had done it again! A few days ago I was invited by the fab ladies of Divalysscious Moms to to check out Josie's new book, just in time for Halloween, Boogie Monster.

The fab Lyss Stern of Divalysscious Moms and Josie Bissett

So I took an early lunch and met the ladies down at the very happy baby gym MoonSoup, if you are looking for a warm and high energy place to keep little one busy on the Upper West Side, def check the place out.

Boogie Monster is a fun and interactive book that can get the whole family up and moving! The bright and colorful illustration gets the kid's attention and the complete dance kit comes with a CD and fuzzy leg warmers to get everyone in on the Boogie Business. Create new moves and tons of laughs with this new addition, sure to wear little ones out at nap time, EXTRA BONUS!!

Photos: Heidi Green Photography

Oh No the No's!!

2011-10-31T10:39:00.000-04:00

I can honestly say that Chunks is a pretty good kid. Not much of a tantrum thrower and the ones he does pull don't last that long or it's because he's tired or sick, I don't really care for dramatics and I think he gets it. I never did the Goo-Goo Gaa-Gaa bit with him I just spoke to him like a normal person, maybe in a cuter voice, and hoped he caught on.

Well....nowadays he's catching on alright and his favorite word?? How'd you guess?

NO!

Me: Hey Chunks you want to come finish your dinner?
Chunks: No. Icey!

Me: Chunks did you miss the potty? (when he doesn't use it and I have stinky proof)
Chunks: No.
Me: Are you lying?
Chunks: NO! (then cracks up and reaches for his diaper)

Me: Alright Chunks, time for bed.
Chunks: No, 'tory. (story)
Me: No, no more stories tonight.
Chunks: Nooooo! (catches himself) Mommy, you d' beST! (hugs Mom and she's suckerd into 1 more Thomas the Train story)

He's speaking his mind and telling me what he wants and def what he does NOT want lol and you gotta respect it. But I can't wait until there's a 'Yes' period and these no's are gone, ugh.

Growing Up Being Mom

2011-10-26T21:52:00.002-04:00

If someone does something to me that I don't care too much for I, 9 times out of 10 (depending how drastic the 'thing' was), will brush it off to the side and ignore it but if I ever saw someone bullying someone or just picking on a person who, for whatever reason, couldn't defend themselves it's very rarely that I will keep quiet. Taking care of others has always come naturally and defending the "weaker" always just seemed like the right thing for me but I'll ignore something that irritates me rather than argue it, weird huh?

Well anyway...I said all that because I've also always been the midnight cruncher while adamantly advising friends and family to start their big projects early. Some of my best research papers were written and typed (reference list included) at 3am when the report was due by 9a. While not always the best schedule I made it work for myself and then cursed myself for always being tired. Since becoming a mom schedules and routines are my life because I have a need for Chunks to have consistency. Now that I have a pre-schooler who gets homework every week I've decided that routines and schedules need to be re-inforced even more, so that Chunks gets used to doing things a little more efficiently than his Momma. Here's what our days look like now:

Mom picks Chunks up from school

After-School snack and quick catch up on the life of a 2 year old

HOMEWORK at his "desk"

Nick Jr time/Mom makes dinner

Bath time

Story time

Nite Nite

Now not everyday is this fluid but so far most evenings are running pretty smooth. Now that I'm back in the books Bath time to Nite Nite is a little more enforced and Chunks seems to be picking up on when certain things should happen. I'm hoping he can keep this mindset of get the work done then chill out all you want, then college will be a breeze. Here's to wishful thinking.

Do you and your little one(s) have a daily routine you stick to?

Show but Don't Tell

2011-10-26T21:50:00.000-04:00

CREDIT

"Figuring out" whether or not Jessica Simpson, who is engaged to NFL pro Eric Johnson, is expecting the couple's first child has been the hot topic around here for a few days now. Many gossip columns aren't sure if she's just gained weight again of if in fact she expecting, either way Ms Simpson isn't saying a WORD! Some speculate that she's waiting for that $50,000 offer from one of the tabloid mags to reveal her "secret" but if that's the case she's def running out of time.

Talking to some of my friends today I found that a few of them kept their pregnancies a secret from family, friends, nosy neighbors, and co-workers for most of their pregnancies. I told close friends around the 3rd month and then my boss and co-workers but one friend said she waited as long as 6 1/2 months to reveal her pregnancy! Another said she didn't say anything until 5 months when she felt everything was ok, for religious beliefs.

So question for you, did you keep your pregnancy a secret or did you shout it from the mountain top (or start a blog) that you were expecting?

Re-Introducing the NYStateofMom

2011-10-22T09:27:00.001-04:00

*Taps Mic, Clears Throat* Ummm Hello!

Well it's taken me a while to get back to blogging because once again, LIFE HAPPENED. In the months between my last post and now ALOT has gone and a lot of which will change the content of this blog and I wanted to have a clear mind and understanding before picking up the laptop again so I'll try to quickly catch you all up and then move on to the fun of blogging again.

In a marriage it's a blessing to find that where you are weak your partner is strong and vice versa because having that special connection can make you feel like you can get through, do, and conquer anything. It is never healthy to become or need the other person to be a crutch because it doesn't allow for growth sodzz when the rough times come up everyone's real strength comes to the surface and you might find your team isn't as strong as you'd hope. The Mr decided one morning a few weeks before Father's Day that he could not handle the pressures/responsibility of being a husband and father and so without argument or explanation, left. In my search and worry all the explanations and weird behaviors, I won't get into here, brought me to the decision to call my marriage over. I have waited to have a breakdown, ugly face, cry it out session and it hasn't come yet, not even when our Anniversary and Chunk's 2nd Birthday came and went, so I'm just not looking for it to come anymore just the simplest divorce arrangement. I have a son to consider and raise and that has become my sole focus. I can honestly say, I'm in a good place right now, sad that I believe in marriage and worked so hard for mine and still had to call it a failure, but I know that I gave it my all and got a great son out of it.

Speaking of that great son of mine CHUNKS STARTED PRE-SCHOOL!! A little late because our target school actually lost funding from the city and wanted to charge us $1,300 a month! Yea 1,300 American dollars!! I actually considered biting the bullet and sending him there but then I realized, Chunks already knew his Alphabet and could count to 13 and that didn't cost me anything but my pride making up silly songs for him to catch onto, so that was a NO. Thankfully, after searching the neighborhood we found a great school with warm teachers who have really helped us all with the transition from no-daycare experience to a school setting (with homework to boot). They are much cheaper and focus on the child's development and education (science projects and all), we're both pretty happy so far.

While Chunks got settled into school, I've decided that it was time for Mom to finally get back to developing her own life. So I'm studying for my MCATS again, pray for me yall, and really brushing up on ~~evil courses~~ Organic Chemistry. So between work, Chunks and pre-school, and studying again I've had my hands a little full. Thank you to everyone who checked up on my via the blog and Twitter I love the friends I've made through both and checked in on most sites during my time away. Can't wait to catch you guys on the adventures of the newly single, NYStateofMom and the super cute CHUNKS!!

We're Still Here

2011-09-11T09:06:00.002-04:00

It was the first full week of my senior year and there was nothing that could stop us. It was a beautiful Wednesday morning, I remember thinking the sky was really blue that day. I was on the N train approaching my stop when the conductor announced that the train would be bypassing the next stop due to smoke. This wasn't unusual so we thought nothing of it and kept on about our business. At the top of the platform I ran into some friends from school and we all walked together, crossing over Tillary Street is NOT for the faint of heart but after going to our school for 4 years we were pros, but something was a little different about the traffic this morning.

One friend as a lady in her car what was going on, why was everyone so backed up and she said "A plane just hit one of the towers" and rolled her eyes. We immediately went into bashing "the drunk pilot". "What the hell was he doing flying so low, idiot." A cabbie pulls up and says "It was a tourist attack" and one of the guys with us got even more heated and blamed British Airways. We continued to walk to school, which was at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge and just before we opened the door there was a loud SCREEEEEEEEECH and then CRASH and glass shattered, then it all got clear "It's not a tourist attack, he meant TERRORIST attack". We ran into the building and saw the security guards all huddled in their office watching Good Morning America where they were showing people running in a dusty fog and then the clip of what we just heard, Tower 2 had just been hit.

We were all told to stay in our homeroom class until we heard something, but that seemed to make everyone more anxious. One girl, who is now in the US Navy, said "This is New York, that s#!t doesn't happen here!" another guy, who is now a foreign affairs officer said "Why would you hit New York, why not DC??" After sitting there for what seemed like hours our teacher decided to take us to the top of the school's building to see for ourselves what was going on. I don't think I'll ever forget the sound of the plane hitting the tower but what we saw on that rooftop will never leave me. We watched both buildings burning in the middle and what looked like the building's siding falling off as our teacher explained that the buildings were made to stand, the tops were just going to fall off and God Bless those who were on the ground and the buildings around them. Then we realized, the towers don't have sidings, those were PEOPLE jumping from the building and flailing to their deaths!! JESUS!

He said that was enough, let's head back inside, we took one more look and some said prayers and turned to go back when the worst sound of all rang out! A loud rumble and then WHOOOOOOSH! THE TOWER FELL!!! OMG!!!! We ran back in to see the news and making our way down the halls there was another rumble OH NO!! And again, now with static on the tv, Good Morning American confirmed that BOTH towers had just collapsed. We couldn't believe it and all froze. Our Towers were gone. WHY? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? /

As the day went on we heard about the other crashes into the Pentagon and in PA, watched people walk over the bridge covered in ashes, and watched that pretty blue sky turn into a brownish grey, and all the way in Brooklyn smelled the smoke. We gathered together to help those who were hurt that made it across the bridge and then like a mob walked all the way home. We had cousins visiting from England and my mother and I had taken them to see the towers the night before, I've always felt like the Towers were mine and now they were gone and I had NO clue why.

That year we graduated and I left NY for college but I never put it out of my mind that my city was still missing something. Each time I came home for a visit, my skyline just didn't look the same but the pride of my city NEVER changed. We couldn't wait to see Giuliani get out of office on Sept. 10th but now he was somehow a hero *major side eye* and police officers and fire fighters were now treated with a whole new level of respect, and anyone who "looked like them" were given the 4th degree and suspicious looks from New Yorkers who were ready to fight! But now 10 years later, I'm back in my beloved city and my son is here to see the results of the comeback of his town. We honor the lives of those lost and support those who lost them but pray for those who caused this and celebrate the strength of NY and it's finest. We're Still Here!

Source

I Almost Clicked the Button..

2011-05-14T10:54:00.000-04:00

Yup! I almost clicked the delete button and shut this whole blog down and Blogger taking a vaca gave me time to think about it but also made me wonder if it was a sign lol. I don't like to do anything half-assed and that's exactly what this whole blogging experience is becoming and I DO NOT like it! With balancing this crazy job, maintaining my home & family, and trying to get active in the community again I was just too tired to do more than stalk my usual blogs let alone put up a post of my own.

I've done some pretty fun things recently but missed more than a few other great events because I had to work and for this my blog and networking have suffered but like the Mr said, "This too shall pass" I got into blogging to have fun so when the crazy dies down I can get back to the fun part.

Thank you to those who still check in with me and connect on Twitter I'll be back soon with a better blog, PROMISE!

Haute Tots-April Showers

2011-04-25T08:51:00.000-04:00

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!

Sit Down and Eat!

2011-04-19T10:39:00.000-04:00

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.)?

It's in the Quiet Moments

2011-04-18T14:15:00.000-04:00

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*.

Glossy Pages-Sugar

2011-04-14T11:30:00.000-04:00

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...

Haute Tots-Hamptons

2011-04-11T13:52:00.000-04:00

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??

Bumps In the Night

2011-04-07T08:09:00.000-04:00

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???

Wordless Wednesday-CONGRATS MOMMIES

2011-04-06T11:55:00.000-04:00

Welcome Baby Skyler Morrison Berman

Welcome Baby Sydney (that's not her though lol)

Haute Tots

2011-04-04T11:15:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday! Starting the week on a fashion note! Enjoy

VIA

BABY DIOR

I so want to buy and put this away in case baby #2 is a little girl! Burberry I DIE!!

Little Guys in Ralph Lauren are my weakness!! How ADORABLE!!

What styles do you pick for your little ones?

Wordless Wednesday-Spring Wishing

2011-03-30T11:26:00.000-04:00

This Damn Itch!

2011-03-17T23:20:00.000-04:00

I remember the first time I got it, I watched others who had already scratched theirs and smiled at the joy they must've been feeling. I wondered how amazing and great it would be to scrape at my own new-found itch, but where did it come from? Eventually I came to my senses and back to my reality of student and 20-something and just ignored that annoying itch. Mind Over Matter! If I don't entertain the thought, the itch won't bother me anymore and then go away! Right? Well one December morning, I discovered I'd scratched it and it SCARED THE CRAP OUTTA ME!! I went through nine months wondering WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME IT WASN'T SO CUTE?!?! Why am I SOOOO TIRED?!?!? and then in the end WHY DO PEOPLE MAKE THIS LOOK SO BAD?? Honestly and truly, those 12 hours were so much better than the preceding 9 months.

I said I would need time to forget before I even entertained the thought. I need to be in my OWN home before scratching was an option. Neither has happened just yet and oddly enough, I'VE GOT THE DAMN ITCH AGAIN!!

Someone tell me to snap out of it! Please, tell a sister to be real! We can't have another one right now, and I know this, but dammit if this itch isn't getting to me. Please no one tell the Mr, he'll just get excited lol this will be just our Bloggy lil secret, so in the mean time NO SCRATCHING!

Doing My Job As MOM vs An Open Blogger

2011-03-15T22:23:00.000-04:00

When I was pregnant with Chunks I said I would not share any of his pics on Facebook (I wasn't blogging or on Twitter yet) because I didn't want anyone I wouldn't share his pics with in real life to have them all willy-nilly. Even to this day I haven't revealed his name to anyone on the web and I will not tell about his schools or any activity centers he may attend, that's not public business. A lot of my family members in Jamaica and England got on FB and asked for pictures, I e-mailed them to those who asked and things were fine. Then in-laws would post pics from cousin get-togethers and then I felt like my albums were kind of boring without pics of my little blessing and so I folded and added a few pics of Chunks but only allowed my friends to see them. I got into blogging and for a while I hesitated in putting his pics up here too but I wanted to be open and share his growth and fun times with my new found friends (You! silly) and all was fine.

I'm hardly on Facebook now but the other night I signed on and found that someone attempted to break into my account!! Someone in Pensacola, Florida tried to get into my account for God knows what reason. YES! I had my IT buddies trace your IP address and as SOON as I track your computer we'll have a convo as to WHAT you wanted with my account! I don't play those kinda games. Since this night I removed Chunks's pics from my FB and I considered to doing so here too.

I take my job as Mom VERY seriously and maybe if I didn't have Chunks I wouldn't have been so on about finding this hacker but he comes first in everything. My job as a mom is to raise a responsible and respectful man but also to protect and guide and I AM one of those mothers who believe it's my duty to devour the soul of ANYONE who wants to bring him harm! (These are actually my grandmother's words lol I told yall she was a trip). So while I want to be open and share Chunks and my experience in growing up, I have to find a middle ground where I can do this but also protect my guy.

Mom/Dad Bloggers have you found a middle ground between open blogging and protecting your little ones? Do you think a Mom/Dad blog without pics of their little ones is boring/lacking?

What's Been Happening

2011-03-12T21:06:00.000-05:00

I've been a terrible blogger lately and it really is due to, well, LIFE! We're going through a lot of changes over here and I'm happy to say all for the better.

*I started my new job and LOVE my position. While it's not where I'll be for the next 10 years it's def a good fit for right now. The doctor I work for is ABSOLUTELY fabulous, she's sweet and charming and NOTHING like you'd expect a scientist to be. No Geeks over here! LOL

*Chunks is getting better at mastering the potty, #2 is still a little embarrassing to do lol so I'll move the potty to his own corner in the bathroom so he feels like he has his own area. He's also getting so much more into trying to read and I can't tell you how happy we are about it! He's picking out the letters he can remember and tries sounding it out like I do at story-time, it's TOO CUTE!

*Marriage. Work-In-Progress but getting back to what it was. We had a few hiccups but I'm learning to not always jump to "Put My Timbs On" mode first and he's learning too. I've prayed for restoration and to remove the spirit of doubt in both of us and God is definitely showing out!

*The Debt Diet is still on track. I've paid off one of my pain in the neck loans, PRAISE JESUS! So even though it set back the House-fund, it helped in eliminating some of our debt. Bitter-Sweet. With an increase in income, I shouldn't be so sorry once I get back on track with the savings. The Mr has gotten better with his spending too but his love-language is def gifts and he thinks sending me flowers and buying me things is the best way to show his affection so he's trying to work on it. Flowers are nice but they die! lol

*I'm working on a few things that I've always wanted to do but never had either the means or faith that I could. Thanking God again for working on my fear of stepping out.

So I've been busy so I thank you for sticking it out with me, I'll be back soon!

Glossy Pages-Project Happily Ever After

2011-03-06T14:41:00.000-05:00

I've said it before, Marriage Is Hard Work! One thing that helps is when you reach out and realize that you are not the only one going through it and blogging DEF introduces you to a world of amazing people who aren't scared to show their battle scars and pass their lessons on to the newbies.

My new Glossy Page is Alisa Bowman's Project: Happily Ever After. When she realized that planning her husband's funeral and repast down to the appetizers and music selection was NOT the norm of a young marriage, Alisa decided to devout the energy to helping her marriage and went on a mission to getting things back on track. Everyone has their "Let Me Tell You What He Did" story but Alisa has a very unique story of her own so far:

*He spent their honeymoon money on a ski trip with his friends

*Once their daughter was born, he FINALLY got a job and spent all his time at work, with his workers, and planning for it.

*Their daughter was HER responsibility.

And yet, she stayed, she talked to friends, and tried to get advice on what to do and committed herself to working with her husband to getting things back to better and beyond. I'm excited about the direction of the book and to see where things are with their marriage. So far its a fun read but hits home on so many levels, already a must read for the married and those thinking about it.

Who or What helps you guys when you face a rough patch?

Any good reads lately? Did anyone read Life After Yes?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

2011-03-04T08:35:00.000-05:00

Today's a Sweet 16!! lol HA! Maybe a little too early to start lying but I'm actually looking forward to celebrating this ENTIRE weekend and thanking God for everything I've seen in this last year. Celebrate with me, put on some stilletos and raise a glass of Moscato this evening, when they ask why, say: IT'S CANDACE'S BIRTHDAY!!! lol (ignore the side eye glances you get though lol).

Random Ramblings

2011-02-25T20:24:00.001-05:00

I've been on a mini-vaca all week before I start my new job and classes. Oh, I spread the word on twitter but I might've missed telling you guys here I GOT A NEW JOB!!! No more night shift HALLELU!!! So I promptly turned in my two weeks notice at the ~~prison~~ and took this week off to change my sleep pattern and spend time with my Chunks. I didn't get the sleep thing until maybe Wednesday and with the crappy weather going on in NYC right now we've just stayed close to home for the most part (read: BORING!) and I can see it starting to get to Chunks more and more lol poor thing. Hopefully this weekend we'll be able to get out and do some more fun things before my new shift starts and I'm gone all day :-? (bittersweet)

Marriage is hard work! A 20-something marriage is HARD WORK! I don't care how "mature" you are in the beginning of the relationship if one (or both) are not where they're supposed to be in life and don't know how to deal, which many 20-somethings are, it takes a toll on the relationship. I've found that even when you've been dating for a while and even living together it's just NOT the same as going through it as man and wife. Everyday I add more and more to my list of Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me list, for example: While a female my transparently jump from idea to idea and mood to mood and get the title "Moody" or "Flighty" a man's mind, behind the depths of machismo is so much more unstable and it's not just my Mr but some men I've actually looked up to. Lord, allow me to balance out Chunks's mind, his wife doesn't need that.

I have so many ideas for this blog and what I'd like to do with it (changing it is at the top of my list) but a part of me feels like I haven't put in enough time or been to enough blogger events to try to execute some of them. Some bloggers have put in years of work and then here comes this newbie trying to shake things up lol. Well not really put you get it...I really wish I had the thought to start this blog while I was pregnant but we'll see where these toddler stages take us.

Speaking of toddlers, Chunks has gotten so much better with the potty and I want to credit it to my being able to work with him fully rested all day. The Mr thinks its taking to long since I cancelled out his idea to have Chunks sit on the potty all day and not move anywhere, yea. He's got it that when he has to PeePee and 2 he's to go to the potty and sit, now we're working on him getting his pants down before he goes lol. That's my baby!

And speaking of babies! Two family members, one being my mom (which makes this scarier), called me to tell me they dreamed that I was either having a baby or had another one and then other night I dreamt that I was changing a little girl's diaper OMG. Now what makes my mom's dream scary is if my mother has a dream about you TRUST it WILL happen. I'm not making this up, all my life if she's dreamed of someone getting sick or dying look for someone close to them or that same person to pass, if she's dreamt that you were rubbing you belly Go Pee On A Stick QUICK! I'm not really worried but it's put a little fear in me lol I def want more children but I need to finish this degree first and then we're cool.

Well, enough of my rambling, I have a book I need to finish before this weekend so I can start another. How was your week? What do you think about dreams and their meanings?

Your Child's Special Day a New Way with GoEnnounce

2011-02-24T07:13:00.000-05:00

Chic

Eco-Friendly

FREE!

What could be a better combination for spreading good news?

With graduation and move-ups coming right around the corner I'm sure we're all starting to think about a special way to share our little one's achievements with loved ones. Enter Go Ennounce, a new and innovative way to share graduation ennouncements with friends and family through your very own custom web-site, a great idea started by two sisters and their mom.

Creating your child's own graduation page is so simple and easy, after you've signed up create a Facebook like page with the details about the big day, add a few pictures to make it just yours with a little about your child, pick out their gifts, and send your link out to as many addresses as you want. Your recipients get an email with a CONGRATULATE ME button and from there they link back to your child's very own Grad Page. One of the great things about this site is that from the Grad Page friends can create and send Congratulations e-cards and monetary gift cards right on the spot! In proper form, once you're child has received his Congrats and gifts he can send fabulous Thank You e-cards to his well wishers from his site too. SWEET!

No stamps, no longs lines at the post office, no rushing to get late invitations out, no waste of paper. Simple, easy, fast, and FREE! Go Ennounce saves you time and money and gives you a chance to share just a few more minutes gushing over your little graduate!

CONGRATS TO THE GRADS!!

Thanks to Caitlyn of Becoming Brooklyn for sending them my way! Stop by and fall in love with the unique side of Brooklyn.

Wordless Wednesday-Snow Days!

2011-02-23T10:10:00.000-05:00

Raising an NYC Toddler

2011-02-22T06:29:00.000-05:00

Every stage of Chunks's development I learn more and more about what he needs, what makes life easier for him and I, and what extras are helpful when on the go in NYC. I wrote this post about what I learned an NYC baby needed and since then so much has changed, been outgrown, and has become unnecessary that I felt the need to give an update on what a newby NYC toddler would need.

1-A durable stoller!! This will probably always be in the top spot of my lists until he's old enough because in Brooklyn/NYC your stroller IS your car. While I LOVE our Uppababy G-Luxe the snow was a huge challenge for it. Passing over the slightest un-shovled pavement was work or almost impossible! Right now we're on the hunt for a bigger stroller, one that I can still carry up and down subway stairs, cn handle the streets, the snow (since it doesn't seem to want to leave NY), and Chunks's growing frame. So far the contenders are:

The City Mini

The Orbit Toddler

The Maclaren is the playground favorite here in NY but I remember when I was choosing the Uppababy it was heavier with the bigger price tag and still needed some improvements, I've heard the jogger option in the City Mini was easier to maneuver through a busy crowd and I've always been a fan of the Orbit and love the idea of turning Chunks around to chat with him on some of our windy day adventures and then spinning him back around to take in the sites. We'll test drive this weekend to be sure.

2-The Diaper Bag gets upgraded! When he's with the Mr, our Skiphop still does the trick. He doesn't need as many supplies but what he does need is bigger. Even before I had Chunks I was in love with what I call Mom-bags so when he's with me, both of our things fit in whatever bag I'm carrying that day but his supplies are the real stars:

a-The Sippy Cup: Just like the bottle, depends on the child. Chunks likes the straw and the open and close switch feature on the Playtex Lil Grippers cups and the locking mechanisms on it makes sure it doesn't spill out in my bag either!

b-The Snacks: Bribes, Rewards, Hold Them Overs, snacks are a mom's best friend. Think healthy and balance though when packing and if it's something like an Oatmeal Bar that can hold mom over too, EVEN BETTER! Chunks still loves his Plum Organics and they're great for his grip and a full fruit serving for the day.

c-The Life Savers: Little hands are busy hands and when totting a curious toddler on the train, through museums, up and down the playground, their little hands become a germ wonder world in no time. Baby Sani-wipes (low alcohol contents) and Purell I've found to be best. Also, when the Tide to Go minis are so ideal for the spills and dribbles that get past the bib or mom's napkin.

d-Diapers and Changing pads are still necessary although the amount will diminish a little but still pack 1 more than you think you'll need, just in case.

e-Zip lock bags, change of clothes, and an all purpose balm like Aquaphor, it'll save mom and baby, trust!

3-PRE-SCHOOL!! It's so important that this be discussed early and often and that the ground work be done on where you'd like your child to go and how much you can afford, especially in NYC. I mentioned it in the previous post but as we come closer to that stage, the pressure is ON! No, I'm so serious.

4-Potty Training-A breeze for some, a biggie for others (ME) Find a fun potty and keep tons of fun, if not potty related, books close by, you'll be there a while. Remember to pack you patience also, little one can sense your anxiety and feed off of that. No Good.

5-Flash Cards and goofy voices WORK! I've found that many toddlers, including Chunks, are visual learners and respond to pictures along with high pitch sounds and funny noises, they pick up on things so much quicker. So leave your pride and "chicness" somewhere and get on the the floor and Quack & Moo your heart out, he'll thank you when he get's into Princeton lol

6-Time. Right now the best thing you can do for your toddler is not the newest toy, the latest museum exhibit, or playing in Central Park, it's YOU. When he can see that he has my attention and I'm into what he's doing there's a confidence that grows and different kind of happiness that comes out in Chunks that I don't see otherwise. So I carve time out for more Chunks time, even through my new busy-ness.

Did you learn anything new once your little one got older? or after

having a first child that you use with your 2nd?

Praying for my Ideal Circle

2011-02-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

There was a time when I had a pretty large number of friends and people I hung out with. I remember blushing and feeling great at birthday and graduation speeches that friends would make using the line "Candace is the greatest friend you could ever ask for", my best friend made me cry at her graduation when she thanked "the number one person she'd call to move a body". It made me feel great to be surrounded by such love and appreciation, especially when I knew how much I loved them right back!

I used to be a 'Yes Ma'am', meaning even though I didn't want to go, do it, hear it, or watch it I said yes anyway just to make someone happy. As I really grew up and into my big girl panties the word NO became easier and easier to say (I'm still working on it with new people, weird? yes I know) but I noticed how people started to just fall off. Some I was happy to say bye to, some I just had to read the benediction over the friendship and move on, and some just couldn't hang with a a-newly wed, b-mom, c-20 something with med-school ambitions. It hurt to lose my circle but I've learned that everything happens for a reason and people come and go but always with a purpose. It's something I've kept to teach Chunks when he begins making friends, to always be your own and choosing temporary discomfort over long-term resentment.

One of my major prayers right now is that God opens me back up to a few and faithful friends that will deserve my loyalty (Pisces people smh loyal to a fault) and friendship and who I will grow from just by knowing them. I've met some great people recently but I have to be honest I developed a pretty thick skin to people when it comes to reaching out and letting them in too close. I blame this mainly on not really knowing what to look for, as in red flags, the loud, out-rageous types seem to be attracted to me I guess because I'm the complete opposite lol.

In time, I'm sure. In time...

On the Road to 2!

2011-02-20T05:14:00.001-05:00

I cannot believe we're already here at 18 months!! This post is a little late but on the day I couldn't help but think back to our first few weeks together and even though I was dog tired, I can't think back to a memory and not smile.

I remember worrying that I wasn't going to know what to do if anything ever happened, I had NO baby practice and here I was with this newborn all by myself (the Mr was in school at the time). But we got through it both pretty happy, my return to work was probably THE hardest night to date for me and I rushed home everyday just to see him, but we made it...

I watched all his new major milestones and coached him through all his new hurdles, like walking, and talking, and dancing but he's mastered it all! And here we are, still going...

Major holidays are an even BIGGER deal because he's here, and his 1st year was so special for everyone around him. Subways, museums, restaurants, and playgrounds is an everyday life for my guy, and watching him become an NYC toddler has been then best year of my life!

Don't know if we'll have another party for your 2nd birthday just yet but I just wanted to tell you again how very special and important you are to me, Chunks. My Leo baby. Some of your dramatics drive me crazy but you already know how to charm mom like no one else. Your laugh is contagious, even when you're sleeping and when you cry (a real cry) my world stands still until you're ok. I never thought I would ever be this kind of mushy, kiss you too much, stare at you forever person but I have and wouldn't change a BIT of it. I love you prince and I can't wait to see the big boy you'll become.

Loving You
Forever and a Day,

Mommy

Brooklyn's 1st Baby Expo

2011-02-12T08:03:00.000-05:00

When we moved back to Brooklyn, I wanted to jump right into all the unique and fun world of activities and products found in NYC. I quickly found that to get to a lot of the go-to activities and to sample any of the must-have products everyone goes to the city. Of course, I rushed right out and got Chunks in the thick of NYC baby/toddler world but what about Brooklyn? On March 13, 2011 Brooklyn's 1st Baby Expo will take over downtown Brooklyn!

There are some of the cutest and most unique baby boutiques and products born right in the Borough of Kings that it seemed the rest of the city just ignored for some reason. After searching for just the right fits for a Brooklyn Baby I found A Child Grows In Brooklyn and amazing resource for parents in Brooklyn, from pediatricians to the hottest new play-spaces, Karen and her team cover it all.

I was so excited to hear that she teamed up with the hilarious Melissa of Married My Sugar Daddy blog to form the a new Brooklyn empire, Buzzing Bloggers to create the 1st ever Brooklyn Baby Expo! With great seminars and all the fab Brooklyn exhibitors showing everything to keep your baby ahead of the curve in NYC fashion. Parents can attend mini-workshops, shop for furniture, baby gear, and dine on Brooklyn eats in the fab Loren Penthouse in downtown's LEED building.

On top of all this fab-ness, the 1st 250 registered attendees will receive a swag bag worth over $100! Registration is only $35 per person but $60 for two. Pack the little ones and bring another parent with you and see all that Brooklyn has to offer expecting and new parents, it will be worth it! Register here today.

A Child Grows Brooklyn Baby Expo

Sunday, March 13, 2011

10a-4p

Toren Penhouses

150 Myrtle Ave.

Brooklyn, NY

Parking is free the day of the exhibit and all work-shops

are included in ticket prices.

Tightening Up the Purse Strings

2011-02-10T04:06:00.000-05:00

A few years back Ms. O launched a campaign to help women get out of debt, guess she foresee where this economy was headed, called the Debt Diet. In this program you assess how in debt you really are, who you owe, how much you make, and how much you can afford to cut back to save and get out of debt. When it first came out, I was in undergrad working full time and paying tuition and felt like I never had enough but I was always adamant about NOT having credit cards and abusing credit so when I read over the action plan I felt like it didn't apply to me because all I had was tuition, rent, food and life that made me feel broke.

Now that I've graduated and started to re-pay the sharks (Don Federal Loan) and raise a family I know that something more needs to happen in this old wallet of mine so I put myself on my own version of the Debt Diet. So far here's what I got:

We moved into family owned property so our rent isn't as high as it could be
No manicures, pedicures, facials, or hair salons
No dining out more than twice per pay period (it hurts but saves us $$$)
No Starbucks! or unnecessary "treats" for Chunks :-(
No cover charges, no itunes, Amazon, or Craigslist

A lot of limitations and naming almost every dollar in hopes that in at least a year we can move into our OWN place and still live life like we want. Just like your ends, you gotta cut a little dead off to see growth! Now with each cut there's a reason, since I'm a logics girl:

While living around family causes them to be a little more in our business than we would like, I've been putting away what we used to pay in rent in Philly and building our cushion.
I've learned to maintain my hair myself, sometimes a little hard to do energy-wise, but choosing the right product and a careful eye makes it ok.
By not dining out as much as we want, I've gotten back into the kitchen and feel better about what Chunks gets on a regular basis.
Going out has been limited and my social scene has dimmed quite a bit but its ok, the clubs will be there when we make bank!

Of course I've slipped up a few times but I'm getting the hang of it. Now to get the Mr on board and cut his Craigslist addiction is the next step along with keeping me out of children's stores lol.

What budget tips do you use to save up?

The Vision for Future Me

2011-02-08T11:18:00.000-05:00

Let me start of by saying, where I am today, in 25 year old stage is NOT where I saw me when I made my 10 year plan at 15. No sir, no ma'am! I'm pretty damn far and sometimes get a little pissed off or depressed about it. Now I know that my 15 year old self could not even imagine some of the things I saw along the way but my 25 year old self is cussing her out for some of the things/people she allowed to throw her off course...Let me NOT even preach that sermon right now.

Here's what my checklist looked like for the 25 year old Candace.

You're a grown woman now! Grown because you own your own home, drive that dream car, make your own money, all while serving God! HA! well I make my own money...

Every week you and all 6 of your closest friends have Happy Hour and shop! I don't even talk to HALF of the chicks I used to hang with and those that I do would probably laugh at me so hard if they read this today lol

You graduated in the top 10 of your undergrad class and went on straight to Med-School at the glorious Johns Hopkins University. That rejection letter hurt more than anything in this world!!! But I graduated top 20 ::shrug::

Since you already knew you'd do Gastroenterology, you mastered all required courses and aced your rotations. ::sigh:: But silly 15 yr old, you wouldn't even be on rotations this early lol see what we grow to learn smh.

You waited to get engaged to your college sweetheart and during your last bit of rotations finally set a date and are planning the best party wedding ever. Yeah, no sure didn't...

I'm thinking of my birthday that's coming up in a month and while I'm getting excited about it (something I never do) I want to write a new checklist for my 30 year old self, a checklist of this post and stick to it. They say your 20s are your learning process and I think I've gone through my share of learning AND process so I think I'm ready to set some realistic goals for myself and this family.

What are some dreams/goals/expectations you had for your self when you planned out your future? Do you have any now for your future you?

Yummy Mondays-Hershey's Milkshake

2011-02-07T08:09:00.000-05:00

The Mr has this weird way of eating ice-cream that I just can't understand. He scoops his ice-cream of choice into a tall glass and then pops it in the microwave to melt a little, insert confused face here. Whenever I say, 'You don't like ice-cream, you like milkshakes' he gets all upset and says it tastes better that way. Yeah, ok.

Well the other night while in Duane Reade I found exactly the taste/texture the Mr was looking for without having to watch him treat my poor ice cream that way, I mean ice-cream in the microwave is just cruel, no? Hershey's the king company of all things chocolate have a new treat out called the Milkshake. We tried the Cookies and Cream flavor and it tastes JUST like the ice-cream. DELISH!! You even get little cookie pieces blended in, shake well they settle on the bottom.

The Mr couldn't stop talking about it and even Chunks tore up his own bottle (well half, they are pretty sweet for his little blood stream) but it's ultra-pastuerized and grade A. This weekend I tried the Strawberry Milkshake flavor but so far the Cookies and Cream is the winner! The site says to be on the look-out for coupons and deals and I'm sure the Mr won't let me miss any of them. For the price and that taste it's worth it.

Walking for the Babies!

2011-02-06T00:09:00.001-05:00

Anyone who has had a healthy pregnancy and child can appreciate the gift that is their baby. When I began working at a children's hospital it made me appreciate my 9 months of being uncomfortable and tired and my few hours of labor so much more. To see babies fighting against diseases that grown ups can't even pronounce or to watch a mother plead with God and His angles to spare the life of their little one born just a few years ago, made me want to do something more to help. Being the lab rat that I am I knew that a major road to helping these little ones and their families is through research and this is how I got involved with the March of Dimes March for Babies campaign.

The organization is a group of caring and hard-working, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles from all over who want to get to the bottom of the causes of premature births and defects. This May I'll be doing the walk here in NYC and need your help! I set my goal at $500 and I'm extending this invitation to anyone in the NYC area who wants to walk with to join the Jones Squad and walk to help these babies. We walk in the memory of the little troopers who went home to be with the angles early, in honor of those fighting right now, and in thanks for the precious lives of our little ones who make us smile everyday.

So if you want to bring your little one out with Chunks and me in May sign up and even if you can't be there make a donation to help us reach our goal for the little ones. For those that do choose to sign up, send me your info and t-shirt sizes for you and your little ones so we can get these cute t-shirts we're creating!! If there is a March for the Babies campaign in your area I encourage you to sign up as well and help out in your own area, they have events going on all the time find out how you can do your part!

Glossy Pages

2011-01-30T00:57:00.000-05:00

I've always been a lover of books and great stories, I loved the idea of escaping into someone else's story and living their lives through the pages. When I got further along in school, of course fiction took a back seat to Anatomy and Physiology but recently I've wanted to carve out some time to enjoy that little hobby of mine, and if Chunks sees Mommy reading books he'll keep up his love of books. When I got my Nook for Christmas I was so excited about getting a chance to read again and sought out a book club, local and on-line, and I couldn't find one that quite fit what I was looking for but I as too busy to start my own here right now so I decided to just blog about my library adventures as I go through my new little Nook collection.

The 1st selection for Glossy Pages, is the break out novel by fellow blogger and mom of two sweet little ones Aidan Donnelley Rowley of Ivy League Insecurities Life After Yes!

So far, I love where this story is headed and can't wait to see how things play out for Ms. Quinn. I'll let you know how it goes...

Do you have a book your reading now or have read that I should add to this collection? Are you in/know of a book club?

Who Shops For Themselves Anymore??

2011-01-28T14:05:00.000-05:00

Certainly not THIS mom! Last week I went shopping with an old friend, who is also a young mom. We went look to upgrade our closets a little before spring. She just finished her nursing rotations and I was getting ready to start finals so a little retail therapy was needed to cheer us up for spring. We spent about 4 hours running the streets of Manhattan and while it was great to catch up with my buddy again when we sat for lunch I noticed that out of my 4 bags ONE had things in it for ME! and it was the SMALLEST of my bunch. When i said this to my girl she looked at her collection and she only had two bags for her and laughed that one was a Victoria's Secret bag so half was for hubby lol. What was happening to us??

We were the two to tear UP a sale! Bloomies and all the SoHo boutiques loved to see us coming, and there was a time when we knew at least 2 people in the shoe department at Nordstroms. NOW?? We we're Baby Gap, Children's section mommas all the way. I love shopping for Chunks and seeing him in his little gear and finding new books and toys for him to play and learn but this is getting a little out of hand, Mom needs some revamping and while lately I don't like going through the racks I'm stepping it back up for myself, after all, Chunks wouldn't EVEN want me coming to pick him up from school looking frumpy ;-)

So fashionista mama's I need your help, from make up to accessories what's on your closet's wish list for the Spring? Here's a few of my new obsessions, let me know what you think!

A DEF WANT by my Birthday!

I really do have a thing for scarves!!

My collection needs a SERIOUS overhaul.

Operation: Run Free

2011-01-27T18:08:00.000-05:00

By nature I'm a planner, it's a little bitter sweet quality for me in that for my job which is all science and research and full on planning it's ideal but for real life-not so much. My slogan since 09 has been "We make plans and God laughs" that's how crazy and out of order things were happening that year, but of course when I found out we were having Chunks I planned the way he'd be born, the way I would I help in molding the perfect man, I mean I even have a picture in mind of what he will wear on his first day of pre-school. yea crazy I know but...I messed up.

IMAGE

My pregnancy was not well received with my family for various reasons, we didn't have the big old fashion wedding, I didn't get into med-school, and The Mr wasn't finished with his degree yet. Because of this we bonded even more and tighter because all we had were each other and I think we got so used to that we started to put that burden on Chunks. After he was born, of course, everyone had a change of heart and started coming around but we still haven't warmed up to the "village" idea (longer story for a different day). With me working over night we were able to postpone daycare until we settled into NY by me staying with Chunks during the day. The few friends I have with kids are either out of state or have girls and are busy themselves so I haven't really arranged many play dates for Chunks :-(.

Sunday, I took him to my old church for an afternoon program, when everyone rushed to see him he totally FLIPPED. It was just too much. He cried, hung on to me for dear life, and didn't give ANYONE a chance. I heard "You have to bring him out more" about 10 times before I got to my seat! You see I planned to not be one of those coddling mothers who smothered her son and made him soft and scared of the world and I feel like I did just that! We signed up for Kidville and I'm looking into Gymboree so I'm hoping that will get him used to being around other kids and while we always take in museums and such in the city he never has to worry about anyone else's attention but ours, so even though I don't really care for the church as it is right now I might make more trips there just so he gets used to more of a village feel the way I did growing up.

I want him to be able to walk into a room and own it, granted it might be a little too early for him to run NYC but you get my drift. To know that he's got what it takes to be ok in whatever situation or crowd he's in is essential. I'll be there when he gets a little nervous at first but soon he's going to have to jump off mommy's lap and go out and discover the world outside of our home, but of course I've got to take him out there. So operation: Free Run is in effect. Wish us luck!

Potty Training Updates-When Life Interrupts

2011-01-25T12:41:00.000-05:00

Ok back to the saga of getting Chunks potty trained. I tried all the methods I researched and got from all of you and we started to make some progress and then mid-terms happened and now finals are underway, PRAY FOR ME YALL! I asked the Mr to take over training while I either worked, slept, or studied and then I noticed the potty was put away. The Mr's method of teaching was to sit Chunks on the potty ALL DAY! and because he fears bodily fluid touching his hands he would freak out if Chunks stood at all. smh Chunks is an adventurous toddler and sitting him in a potty while he watched Nick Jr all day was NOT going to work and so after I said a few things he just stopped and put the potty up.

Anyway, I got through mid terms and I'm working on finals but I can't let life get in the way of Chunks learning to finish what he starts so I went back at it this weekend since I would be home with him all day. 1st I woke him up about 15 minutes early on Saturday and put him on the potty since he always wakes up right after his morning pee. I was 1/2 asleep also since I had gotten home at 6:30a myself and forgot the pot wasn't in and so after clapping and rejoicing that he went potty I spent 15 minutes washing out the base ::SIGH::

I fell asleep and found that the Mr had followed my lead and had placed Chunks back on the potty after lunch. However, once he saw I was awake he quickly started "losing his cool" :EYE ROLL:: I quickly took over and we rode out to Target to pick up some big boy underwear. I let him choose between Marvel comics and Thomas the Engine and Thomas won! A few unnecessary trips up and down the isle (Target does that to me) and we were back at home having a snack while I rolled up the rug in our room. I let him come to the bathroom with me a few times to listen and see what goes on but of course FLUSHIE was the best part lol. Then I put the briefs on him and let him just hang out with me. After a while I noticed that he was more fidgety and when I checked sure 'nough he was wet! I explained to him that he peed and it was an icky feeling so he should sit on the potty and LORD! He peed!!! The next time he said "Icky" and I put him back on and YESSSS! MOM VICTORY!

This happened 3 more times and then he got his reward snacks before bedtime and there was no fight there either! We'll try again tomorrow and see how things work out but I can see the progress now and the effect of patience.

Wordless Wednesday-Expecting Chic Mamas

2011-01-19T04:28:00.000-05:00

Victoria Beckham

Tia Mowry

Kate Hudson

Rachel Zoe

Living MY Life Undeferred

2011-01-17T00:47:00.001-05:00

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When I saw this I was immediately drawn to every single word. Lately I've been thinking about the kind of man I want Chunks to grow up to be and while I realize that he is going to be his own man and make his own choices but the foundation of how he ultimately becomes starts with what Mama does, says, teaches, and provides. A part of me knows exactly what he should be hearing and learning at this point but another part of me questions my own ability to do just that and do it right...

When I was growing up, no matter what I had accomplished or done for myself one line that my mother always told me when I got beside myself was "You haven't reached anywhere yet". She was doing it to knock me down a peg but it stuck with me more when I didn't get into med-school the first go round, it hit me when I realized I would not have the dream wedding, and now it resonates again when I think of how it would even be near possible to raise a family and go through a med program.

I saw this quote on another blog I follow and I had an "Ah-ha" moment. The same tingly, I got it feeling when I decided since I got wait listed for med school I'd enroll in the Physician's Assistant program, when I realized I wasn't going to have the wedding of my dreams and decided to have a vaca & get married in Puerto Rico-ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES! Life happens and you adapt. No, things don't always go the way we plan but there is ALWAYS another way. My 2009 motto was "We make plans and God laughs" and through that I year I learned to listen to my gut, take my hunches, and roll with the punches. I haven't been totally knocked down, my back's a little dirty but I'm moving and with my role as a mother I don't have any other choice.

I give my life to make sure that Chunks grows up well rounded, educated, grounded, and full of life but I'm working on Mommy to make sure that his wife will take me to the side on their wedding day and thank me for the job I've done with her husband. A roll model, an excellent example of a wife, a provider, and all around prayerful and HAPPY woman. To do all these things I must be the best Candace there is accomplishing everything I set out to do. No second guessing, no half-stepping because of fear, and no more staying locked up because I don't know how people will receive me. Coming into my own means, I don't have all the answers but I'm getting there.

Have Baby, Will Travel?

2011-01-14T01:42:00.000-05:00

With Spring Break on the horizon of course a vaca or weekend getaway are on everyone's mind, especially with all this snow we've been having! Even Hawaii got dusted!! For my upcoming birthday in March, the Mr and I decided to finally make our road trip to Atlanta! Exciting for us and then, PAUSE, a 19 month old on a 15 hour road trip??? Are we buggin? How would we keep him entertained for that long? What happens when he thinks of his car seat as the chair of death? What snacks can I pack that will keep him satisfied that's not filled with junk? Well my new friend Ms Amy Tara Koch, style expert, journalist, and NBC's trend reporter was so kind to give us a few tips and share with all of you. I call her my new friend because 1-she's a really fun and savvy lady, great twitter buddy and 2-her book Bump It Up is the pregnant woman's guide to staying chic even when the hormones tell you to throw on sweats and a t-shirt to run every errand and when you feel too fat and emotional to take off that scarf around the house.

[CREDIT]

Amy was in town recently on a tour dishing out all the advice on how to keep it together while traveling with baby in tow. She took a few of my questions about our trip from keeping him entertained, to what to pack as snacks, and how all of us should be dressed (she shares my view on the overdone sweat-suit).

Enjoy the video I'm sure she's answered some of your pressing questions if your Spring Break includes a little one too! And be sure to check out her site for more tips on staying a your pre-baby chic before and after the little one comes.

Are any of you crazy enough to take a rode trip with a toddler too? Vacation?

Raised In China??

2011-01-13T16:39:00.000-05:00

Recently, I read an article that challenged almost every way I looked at my methods in raising Chunks. A Chinese mother dared to actually admit that Chinese mothers just might be superior because of the 'take-no-prisoner' approach to raising their over-acheivers. On the list of things Chinese children were NOT allowed to do were things we think are the norm, including:

no school plays
no sleep overs
have a play day
watch TV or play video games
no choosing their own extra curricular activities.

Many of the reasons listed for this demands were argued with the way "Western" mothers seemed to coddle their children by allowing tantrums and praising them for Bs in school. Now she explains that you don't have to be an actual Chinese mother to raise your children that way, and in some of her examples I could clearly see my mother and aunts in the way they raised us and some of my own views when it comes to bringing up a successful man. One thing that stuck out to me though, that actual made my skin crawl was when she proudly told the story of calling her daughter "garbage".

In my mother's house you were not allowed to bring home anything lower than a B or you will hear Kingdom come! but this mother could see an A- and immediately the name calling begins and the verbal assault is merciless. In the Chinese culture she explains that it doesn't tear the child down but encourages them to do better. Huh??? Garbage in ANY language is Garbage, what child wants to be called that by their parents?? Piano lessons were a MUST but this mother forced her child to practice all day to get a piece right! She believes that when you give in to your child's cries it is because you don't believe in them. I took offense to this because I HATED being forced to do something I found trivial so I try not to force anything on Chunks but it has NOTHING to do with my belief in him, everyone's personality and character are different.

A co-worker of mine, an Armenian single-mother, asked me had I decided what Chunks was going to be. He was about 8 months at the time and I laughed it off but she told me that that was where we failed as mothers because all of her Jewish friends pushed their kids to be something they chose for them and they all fought it at first but now were successful and adores their mothers. She advised, "No, you can't let them choose what they want to do, you pick their career and push them into that direction." Of course I gave my best 21st century new mom speech that I will allow my son to make his choices and support him along the way. She just shook her head at me and said, "Check their track record".

This article brought me back to that conversation as it started out with the supposed successful track record of Chinese people overall and I wonder should I just decide now that Chunks will be the President and push him into a Senate for Toddlers training program now? I agree with no sleep overs, I don't trust anyone that much. No grade lower than a B is acceptable. If I KNOW you can do something and you give it a half-assed approach, we have a problem. Manners are a MUST, in my presence and out. Even with all these views I still hold that Garbage name no child will hear from me, let alone my own. So, no I don't believe Chinese mothers are superior, every mother loves and adores their child and wants to see them do their very best but good we take something from their methods to change our own track records?

Grateful Grateful

2011-01-11T15:46:00.000-05:00

First I have send a big THANK YOU to the lovely Shaken, Not Blurred! for this award, truly appreciate!

Now the rules to this award are you share random facts about yourself (YIKES more info lol) and then pass it on to other Stylish Blogs.

* French Fries are the greatest snack in the world to me!
* I want to make a drastic change in my appearance, just can't decide what though
* I need to find a church home here in Brooklyn
* I don't believe in horoscopes but I do think people born under the different signs all have common qualities/personalities.
* While I love traveling and trying new things, I really am a home-body
* I still dream of my ideal wedding day (no rain, no justice of the peace)

Ok now to spread the love to Blogs I Love

The Fab Mimi over at Lipgloss and Binky

The ever inspiring Alicia of Mom Delicious

My night shift buddy and Super Mom of My Life
The uber chic Stroller Ballet
The fashion diva Kelly of Island Chic
The fun Mom and Daughter Duo over at A Mommy in the City

Congrats to all the great blogs, enjoy and pass along!

Yummy Mondays-Burrito Box

2011-01-09T23:42:00.000-05:00

In Hell's Kitchen, tucked away on 9th Street is the best burrito I've had since my trip to Cabo a few years ago. The Burrito Box is the best Mexican food in the area with their great menu selection and authentic Mexican drinks. The place is small so no real room for a toddler to run around in but great for people watching while enjoying the freshest salsa and chips and the guys that work there are really friendly and fast.

So far my favorite order is a tie between the Chicken Ranchero Quesadilla and the Grilled Steak Burrito but I've also been told that the BBQ Chicken Burrito is really good too. Every day there is are two Pick of Days with a vegetarian option, neither over $6, with free and fast delivery how can one say no to authentic Mexican food!

Burrito Box
885 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10019

So on your next visit to Carnegie Hall or FAO Schwartz stop in for a great burrito, taco, or whatever new special they come up with.

Thursday's Dozens

2011-01-06T07:25:00.001-05:00

I'm back with another dozens, too much that made me smh this week, and it's not even over yet lol, well anyway here goes...

Public Transportation 101: You take PUBLIC transportation with other members of said PUBLIC, if you want to avoid the crowds and people TOUCHING and/or STANDING NEXT TO you, kindly do NOT swipe your metrocard. Sit your happy tail in your PRIVATE car and do NOT board. If you do NOT have a license or own a car, please sit ALL the way down and shut ALL the way up. Thank you and stand clear of the closing doors please!

I've had my mother repeat to me and/or describe a picture I have on facebook because her church ~~society~~ members joined so that they can ~~gossip about~~ watch what other people's kids are up to (side note: these said "children" are all over the age of 25 and either married or parents already ummm). Remember when facebook was only for undergrads? #thegooddays

Back to the train, people who get on an almost empty train and don't sit down and don't get off at the next stop bother me. We're going over the Brooklyn Bridge, this is NOT the time to look suspect.

A "gentleman" at my job told me "You single mothers need to stop complaining about how tired you are, if you had a husband you'd be just as tired". Firstly, Mr. Didn'tNobodyAskYou Sir, I AM MARRIED! Thanks! and secondly, how would YOU know??? Much respect to single mothers raising beautiful babies on their own, parenting, let alone, co-parenting is no joke, and truly even though it's 2 parents WHERE THE CHILD LIVES IS WHERE THE STRESS IS! So please, go sit down somewhere!

My new favorite thing right now:

IMAGE

Normally you wouldn't catch me without my Ginger Altoids pack but this new Cool Honey is the business!

Chunk's new obsession:

POTS!! and spoons, really big spoons! Woe is she who brags that her kid wasn't into banging pots and making a bunch of noise at ungodly times of the day and/or night! That she would be me :-( (oh and yea that would be my blackberry next to him, the kid just takes OVER! lol)

I've decided to enroll Mr. Pot Banger in the Winter semester at Kidville. I was a little unsure about it because of the tuition but he needs to get around other kids and get some of this energy out since the playgrounds are all snowed up. We'll see how it goes...

I begged ~~hubby~~ Santa for a Nook Colour for Christmas and got it, but I still have a good amount of paper backs on my shelf I haven't finished/touched yet, smh. Looking for new ones soon in the meantime.

Ok, I think that's all for today, now to go get my pots!!!

The Trigger Parent

2011-01-04T16:34:00.000-05:00

A while back I post about Chunks being in Daddy Mode and the hard time I was having with all that. It went from "Mom is my friend" to "Mom can do no right". He even stated acting funny with my dad who's been nothing but sweet to him since we moved back to NY so I tried to understand him more and more now that his character is shining a little more in toddler-hood. The Mr took a trip back to Philly for a weekend and for the most part it was just Chunks and I. We hung with my grandmother for a bit on Saturday and they had a blast but for the most part it was just Chunks and Mommy. I swear this on everything, from Saturday morning when he woke up he was the coolest kid! He woke up with no wailing, he ate without throwing anything, asked for juice nicely, tried to help me sweep lol, napped with no fight, and went to bed the same way, we played and went over the alphabet and his name, shopped, and watched Nick Jr.. WE WERE GOOD!
I found my little guy was a typical boy, rough and tumble is the name of the game but he's also very helpful and neat. He put his toys back and brought me my cup whenever I sat down. Sweet kid. He had everyone smiling and laughing. We spent time with my parents and while I did noticed my father jumped at everything Chunks did, which explained why Chunks didn't want to deal with him for long, he was still nicer. Then the door opened...

My cool dude son immediately tripped! On NOTHING! He walked over to his dad and gave him a hug. Sweet to see but what just happened? Then it was bath time, all of sudden he's flippin out like he lost his mind, he's throwing toys down and walking away but all the while looking at his dad and asking to be picked up, pulling clothes off the hangers, and crying at a hat drop! Enter the mom-stare. But what is going on?? Grandma was the first to speak on it, "It's John". I knew exactly what she was talking about, he was cool, calm, and together when it was just us but the minute his dad walked in he was a clumsy, whiny, and clingy brat.
Now the Mr is the more hype out of the two of us and in that post I mentioned that he had this weird parenting idea that if he's "serious" (read "mean") then Chunks would have no problem listening to him (not working, but ok) so most times, he's the play partner-tossing him in the air, swinging him around, scaring him from behind the door, etc. He's louder than me and has a lot more play energy. When Chunks and I play it's more outside or with cars, or rolling around, so I can see how our personalities can influence his behavior in that sense but this is pretty drastic and dramatic. Alone he's great, but the Mr seems to be the trigger parent and I don't know how yet to balance it out. I've gotten much better when he gets into Dad Mode, it happens less and now I have my Nook so I'm busy lol, but I don't want him changing up or getting nervous or whatever this is just because someone walks in a room. BE YOU 100% of the time! Raising a man is hard work, but I working at it.

Do any of you have a little one that reacts differently to either of his/her parents? Do you have parenting roles?

WHAT THE STARS SAY ABOUT MY NEW YEAR

2011-01-03T17:13:00.001-05:00

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Pisces Outlook for 2011

Don't stop believing, Pisces! This year is nothing short of miraculous, filled with all-things sublime. Take advantage of lucky Jupiter's final hurrah in your sign at the start of the year. If you've been procrastinating on turning your visions into a goldmine, January is your time to bust a serious move and catch the amazing non-stop momentum of 2011. There's no spacing out, hiding home or escaping from reality. Things are just too good to miss! Speaking of missing, don't miss the boat Pisces; Jupiter only enters your sign once every 12 years.

That said, you do have the auspicious advent of another awesome planetary boon when your planetary ruler, Neptune enters Pisces in April. For the next 14 years, your super-sensitivity and matchless compassion serve you well. You'll feel like you're in your own element rather than your usual fish out of water feeling. The world will join with you in feeling the suffering of the world. Your dreams and imaginative powers are nothing to be taken lightly. Divine messages, synchronicity and channeling the gods become a daily experience between April and August, and then again in 2012 to stay.

Despite your consistent protesting over the ills of materialism and that money is the root of all evil -- you may be seriously changing your tune as money seems to be falling from the sky this spring. With six planets lining up in your money sector on May 1, it's time to make some serious bank -- ready or not.

Well, I'm excited about it! LOL see what the stars have planned for you here.

A Glance Back and a Steady Look Forward

2010-12-30T03:08:00.001-05:00

I've never been one to write a New Year's Resolution, mainly because I'm a planner and I've planned my life out in spans of 5yrs+. But, recent years have taught me that we make plans and God laughs! 2010 was good to me, compared to the two years prior to it I can say I was truly blessed on all sides. While I started this blog, I didn't fully open up until recently and you guys missed most of my drama (a good thing), but in looking over my own personal journal I can see a change and a growth and can now smile about some things. So in looking back I think my real feeling about 2010 is: Wow! Thank You!

So many things/people could have been a stumbling block for me and my family but through those rough years I learned how to REALY pray and I think it set me up for how to tackle hard things as a mom. a new wife, and a woman coming into her own. 2010 was a learning year in all of these very important areas in my life and I have to say I think I got the lessons out of each trial, like getting comfortable with the idea that I didn't have to be Super Mom, and Chunk's growing process is also MY learning process in motherhood. I've enjoyed watching my little guy grow into his personality, seeing him become adjusted as an NYC baby, and having so much fun along the way.

This blog, while I haven't always been as consistent as I'd like has opened me up to whole community of friends that I am so greatful for. So I guess if I had to make a New Years Resolution it would be to commit more to this blog, build on the relationships that I have started, continue to love and support my little man through toddler-years, and build more and more on the relationship with the man God gave me. It's a tall task in it's own way but if I've learned anything, I KNOW that God has plan and His ways are not our ways so I'll keep pushing and trust that He'll teach me something new and better along the way.

Do any of you make New Year's Resolutions? How do you remember/stick to them?

Wordless Wednesday-Blizzard Edition

2010-12-29T03:35:00.000-05:00

Chunks

1yr 4m

2nd Snow

Raising a Health Nut

2010-12-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

Ok I have to admit that while I strive to raise a man that eats his veggies and fruits and drinks his milk I am an admitted Junk Queen! So while I try to get it together before high blood pressure and the sugars catch up to me, I'm trying to be an example for Chunks and just leave my Chocolate drawer at the office hehe!

Anyway, since he's hit full toddler mode and is so VERY active at meal times I've noticed he's eating fewer and fewer portions and I remember my grandmother laddling Cod Liver Oil and Honey down our throats because she felt we needed to "get a appetite". I don't want to do that to the poor child but I need him to get his right amounts especially at this growing stage. I've searched to find any product that is healthy enough for a little terror his size and one that we've all fell in love with (even the Mr who said "I ain't drinking no green juice) is Bolthouse Smoothies.

It has the best amount of veggie-to-fruit ratio with added vitamins that will fill his needs for the day in just one sippy cup. It is a bit high on the calorie in-take so he doesn't have more than one cup a day but on those days where EVERYTHING gets his attention, these are great fillers. My fave (and the Mr's too apparently since the bottle was empty when I got home and I left more than half in there, hmmm) is the Green Goodness that has a pretty yucky look but great apple-kiwi flavour, just don't look in the glass and you're good. It's a little pricey at $4 a bottle, I've found them on sale at Target and our Associated market but the best price was Walmart (but NYC doesn't have one :-().

Really a great find for me when I need my energy and Chunks when he has too much energy to sit at the table smh.

What quick snacks do you give your little ones? Do they know you're sneaking in veggies?

Christmas 2010 Recap and More!

2010-12-27T03:34:00.001-05:00

Well Christmas came and went and no one got hurt! lol Last year was Chunk's 1st Christmas so of course we were more excited about it than he was but this year, while he still didn't fully understand Christmas we've been reading T'was the Night Before Christmas and he got the 'Ho Ho Ho' part down and the best part of this year was watching him actually ripping his gifts open.

Of course he was more into the boxes and paper but eventually we got him playing basketball with his new hoop set from his Uncle and riding in his pick up truck from Grandpa! He really had a great time and that made us happy.

Then...

It hit us! The snow storm came HARD on NY and as I type this, it hasn't stopped! I tried helping the Mr shovel snow and my arms and legs feel like I was running track all over again!!! But we couldn't help getting out in the snow and having some fun first.

Chunks had a great time running up and down in the snow, his dad however tried to beat me in a snow ball fight but if asked the guys on my block, I DO NOT LOOSE a snowball fight lol!! Good times!

In other sad news, the R&B world lost a great voice in Ms Teena Marie and we will forever remember that white girl with that black girl voice! Thank you for your time, talent, and inspiration.

RIP MS T!

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T10:20:00.000-05:00

Wishing You and Yours the happiest Holiday Season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Shootin the Dozens

2010-12-21T00:33:00.000-05:00

I ~~stole~~ got this idea from some fun blogs I've been following to write a post of randoms of the week or your mind and ~~obsessed~~ decided to make up a list of my own. Be sure to check out these fun ones from Lipgloss and Binky, Shaken Not Blurred and Rose's Daughter GREAT LISTS!

I'll start my randoms about me, so here goes:

*I recently moved back to Brooklyn from school in Philadelphia THANK GOD!
*While I love my West Indian food, Southern food makes me weak at the knees
*If I could be anyone else it would've been Audrey Hepburn...LOVE HER!
*I love road trips and visiting new cities
*There is a fat girl that lives inside of me, her name is Bertha and she can clean a plate
*I only have road rage when Chunks is in the car, the thought that you can drive like an idiot with my baby in the back seat makes me want to get out the car for you...sigh
*Sometimes to remember how long we've been together I have to remember how old my nephew is (he was born right before we met) it's only been 5 years
*I've silently decided the amount, gender, and estimated month my kids will be born (so far I've been right)
*I love to cook and bake and I'm always looking for something new to make
*I am an avid coupon-clipper/promo-code user and research EVERYTHING #geek
*I believe in side-walk etiquette (stay to your right and never walk in 3s, etc.)
*I used to be into fashion and high end designers but now I can't even shop for myself, I need a buyer to just pick fab things out for me and let me choose, no Chunks's wardrobe is SHARP!
*I never wanted a diamond engagement ring but an aquamarine one (my birthstone) so until it is in the budget I only wear my aquamarine wedding band
*I swore I would never get into reality tv and now that's all the tv I watch (follow me on Sundays)
*I'm a health nut that is addicted to junk food and anything with butter lol
*My style is simple classic but I admire anyone that is bold enough to have a funky style all their own.
*I have an obsessive kind of love for Brooklyn but sometimes I dream of living in Atlanta, Ga
*I dream of opening/running about 4 different businesses one day, maybe it just might happen!

My list seems a bit neurotic now that I look it over but those were the first 12 that came to the top of my head, hope I don't lose any blogger buddies for being weird lol.

Care to share any randoms? Would love to hear from/about you.

Potty Training Updates-Signs and Signals

2010-12-19T05:22:00.000-05:00

In a recent post I talked about us working on potty training and I got some great advice here and on Twitter. THANKS GUYS! Well I mentioned that Chunks didn't give any hints or clues when he either had to go or had gone in his diaper so that I could gauge when he needed to go or put him on the potty. Many of the sites I've read said that a tale-tell sign of readiness is a discomfort in a crappy diaper. I talk to him throughout the entire diaper changing process and tell him everything I'm doing ("Mommy's going to get you a clean diaper" or "Pew stinky butt butt you went poop") so he could get used to the terms and the times but all I get is babble and giggles. Just as I made up in my mind that the little monster was a true guy and couldn't care less if his drawers were dirty he started with "Poop" this morning! After becoming a mother I'm still amazed how excited you can get about the word and subject Poop!

Since this morning it's changed from "poop" to "diapa" when he's either peed or pooped so I since I'm home with him this weekend we'll spend more time on the actual potty after he eats and snacks so he can get a feel of the sensation versus the feel of his undies. Thanks again guys, or poop adventures continue...

Lucky Streak Continues!

2010-12-17T14:56:00.000-05:00

So remember when I told you guys that I was having a bit of a lucky streak well the good news keeps coming! One of my #1 go to sites and magazines, Time Out Kids had a holiday contest where parents were asked to send in a holiday photo of our little ones at Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza time. Well, just for the fun of it I submitted my favorite one of Chunks from his 1st Christmas Eve last year.

I LOVE his face in this pic, this was the beginning signs of his silliness (he really is a little clown) and his Paul Frank pjs were adorable! Well I almost forgot about the contest when I got the email that Chunks's pic won us 4 tickets to see Momentum at The New Victory Theatre. I have heard great reviews on the show and I'm so excited to see it for ourselves!

Maybe I will take your advice from the last post and try my luck at Lotto lol.

Potty Training-Am I Doing This Right?

2010-12-16T00:22:00.000-05:00

VIA

I've heard so many mothers proudly brag that they had their kids potty trained before their 1st birthday and how simple it was to do it. Even my mother-in-law doesn't hesitate to tell the story of how she put the Mr and his brothers and sister on the potty at 6months. "Every time they ate, I put them on the potty and make them stay there". Simple right? Ummm, NO!

Of course, as a scientist first I research everything and many specialists say that children show signs of readiness and that potty-training shouldn't feel like a chore and should they mess up shouldn't feel like a failure. Well the Mr and I decided to try right after Chunks's 1st birthday because he was starting to take off his diaper after a movement, sign that he might be ready. We got the potty with all the bells and whistles and he used it properly ONCE! Other than that one time, which was followed by the suggested praise of the specialists, the potty has become a seat, a toy to take apart, the bowl is something to wear on the head (DISGUSTING), and a big white truck to be pushed around the room. The Mr took his father's way of teaching and basically forced Chunks to sit on the potty almost all morning and of course was met by rebellion, tears, and wailing which I couldn't take. So we decided to take a pause on the training and come back to it when he was ready and could understand a little better.

Well, I haven't seen any new signs but I've been taking him to the bathroom with me and explaining how going to the bathroom works from pulling down the pants, the sitting properly, getting him to listen to the sound and wiping (sorry TMI but hey that's parenting huh?), to the flush. So far the flush is the winner! I've gotten the Mr to take him to show him how a man uses the bathroom and I'm hoping something is clicking. I want to bring the potty back out but I'm not sure exactly how to do it. Added to the pressure (on me, never Chunks) to get into the Montessori school we're considering he must be potty trained by 2 so I would like to get any mishaps out of the way and him comfortable with it by then.

So I'm posing this S.O.S to my fab readers and experienced parents around: How did you potty-train your little one? How old were they? Did you get any signs or did you just say "You're old enough now"?

Home

2010-12-14T11:20:00.000-05:00

I know that I can go on and on about how much I love this city! In undergrad sometimes I was simply referred to as 'New York' and I answered to that with so much pride. Being raised here allowed me an opportunity to learn how to easily function in chaos, deal with a large range of people, be 10 minutes late for something and make it there in 5, and appreciate things that some can only dream or watch tv to see. While I love the city and I'm so happy to be raising my little one here as well, I've always said Manhattan is where I party, work, and shop but Brooklyn is where I go home.

This was the biggest part of my heartache when I thought I would never make it out of Philly. While the city has an amazing energy, Brooklyn always gave me a feeling of norm. I'm at home here, where I can be bustling on Flatbush Ave. picking up random things for dinner, see people I've known since Elementary school, hear the blend of island dialects, and then suddenly turn up a street and PEACE. I'm a city girl in that I can't be too far away from life but I'm a home-body and when I'm here I just want to be with family, cook out in the backyard (can't do that in the city), watch my tulips bloom in early spring, and watch my little guy play with the other kids on the block.

While some have their say about the artsy scene in Brooklyn, I love the vibe. The history of this borough is awesome and I'm so grateful to have grown up in it. There's nowhere else more amazing to me than DUMBO at night, Park Slope IS Family Central, Brooklyn Heights...I don't even have to speak on it's level of FAB! Lefferts Garden-the perfect blend of everything. Red Hook has some of the best food I've ever tried and if you're looking for a great cook-out in the summer time it doesn't get any better than Canarsie. With it's hard edge, some might not dare look at Bed-Stuy, but this area alone has a history that I don't think should ever go untapped. I remember shopping with my cousins on Pitkin Ave. when jellies were hot and thinking if we could just get the right funding into Brownsville, this place would be CRAZY! And the world's best cheesecake is here!

I'm a Brooklyn chick! I rep my borough EVERYWHERE I go! If a DJ even looks like he's getting ready to play the Bk Anthems I might be one of the first with my hands up on the dance floor. I've even written poems about this place! It's gritty, yes! Some say you have to be born here to love it, eh maybe. But you can't deny how relaxed you become once you cross that bridge, you'd be amazed at the culture, the original pieces you'd find in our little shops, your taste buds will sing it's praises, and so will your wallet lol. Chunks and I played tourist in my neighborhood recently I couldn't help but to fall in love with this place all over again. It's like dating someone for years and finding new and amazing things to fall in love with everyday but still loving the everyday staples even on the days you don't want to.

A Make It Happen Mom

2010-12-13T10:50:00.000-05:00

With all that's been happening on my side of things I found that I allowed myself to get wrapped up in trying to be the fixer of all problems and solver of all drama which in turned made me sick...literally. After a little spell of the hot flashes and dizzy spells, I found myself voiceless, fighting to breathe properly, and miserable with a sinus infection right after Thanksgiving. It was NOT a pretty sight!

Well one morning my little guy came over to my side of the bed and rubbed my cheek with a drop of drool and I realized it was time to get up and get myself together. He was stuck in the house all week, no real play time with mom, and oatmeal became a staple in his meal plan (I HATED THAT!!) We made lunch, played a Super Why game and then headed to the book store to update his library collection (this little monster can tear up some pages!). When we got home he went right to sleep with no fight and woke up in good spirits (he is the fussiest when he first wakes up). DH even noticed a difference in the way Chunks' spirit was. NOTE TAKEN!

When things get crazy, a mom CANNOT disappear! Even if I want to just curl up in bed all day with no real energy to do anything, his temperament depends on me. He plays great by himself but there's so much for him to learn and new things to see and mommy needs to make it all happen. While he might cling to dad for somethings, he needs mom for some essentials. The bachelor diet of oatmeal and mac & cheese is great for a day but the nutrients in a home cooked meal is what he needs at this age and is actually used to. I didn't grow up with fast food and Chinese food and he won't either. Sick or Not.

I pray I don't feel that miserable anytime soon again but I'm learning to find a balance despite how I might be feeling, which is mainly TIRED!! I let Mommy and Me Day slip but we're picking it back up now that I'm better. So Chunks I owe you an apology, if my patients can get my hard work then my main guys deserve that and then some.

A Lucky Streak!

2010-12-09T08:11:00.000-05:00

I hate a bragger and typically wouldn't do this but for my luck this was to awesome to not share. It looks like things are looking up for me over here at New York State of Mom! It all started when I got an email from Yakini over at The Prissy Mommy Chronicles telling me I won her giveaway for a fab Little Boy Lightning Customized Book! That's one off the Chunks Christmas List (because of course a 15mo old has such high demands).

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Then, a few nights ago I get another email for the fab Tam Styles of Get It Girl Style with the subject title WINNER! I got all excited all over again! She had a great giveaway sponsored by Springcart for a $25 gift card to use on the website and with the bags and accessories so chic and affordable I can sure do a lot since they also have a promo going for $10 off.

Congrats to

New York State of Mom

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But it gets even BETTER!! An associate producer from the The Nate Show, saw the blog and invited the Mr and I to do a Holiday taping of the show and ask some holiday money saving tip questions!! I've heard mix reviews about the show but I've been a fan since the Oprah days, so I gotta see for myself. Now to do something with this hair... (a whole other post smh)

To top it all off, guess who's going to THE VIEW!! Yeah, ME! I requested tickets a while ago, even before we moved back and on Saturday, these came in the mail for a taping in 3 weeks.

Christmas is coming a little early for me and I'm so excited and greatful about it!

Yummy Mondays-SPICE

2010-12-06T04:57:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I find that the best way to work out a disagreement is over a good dinner, drinks included of course lol. Well the Mr and I talked about the issues we both saw in our relationship and it got to be a little stuffy. In the big scheme, most of our issues stemmed from young pride and the growing pains of starting out in our lives (the frustrations mostly), so I suggested that we get to the root of things without someone wanting to play blocks or be read to. We both love the Union Square vibe on the weekend so we headed down there to find somewhere new to eat and when I was going to resort to one of my favorite ice cream spots (later post) we stumble upon the sleek corner spot SPICE.

The first time I tried Thai was in undergrad and I didn't care for it, I didn't even finish my meal, it was laden with cilantro and the entire plate tasted like perfume. The decor and smells coming from the restaurant though caused me to give it another shot. We went for lunch but could tell that at night it was a chic, modern place to be for date night. It's near the NYU campus, so the patrons were a bit artsy, student like but still a nice place. The decor reminds me of an asian diner, with some long lunch tables in the center of the restaurant but booths along the wall surround.

Our server was a sweet, young student and the service was quite fast. The drinks weren't anything to rave about (I had the Pinky Mimosa, pink lemonade and champagne and the Mr had their Thai Iced Tea) but still decent. The food, however, DELISH!!!

I devoured the Lemon Grass Chicken which was tender, juicy and very well seasoned. The Mr had their Sea Food Rice Bowl which had fish, jumbo shrimp, scallops, and calamari. The fish was so tender and the sauce nicely coated the shrimp. Both came with two appetizers, the steamed dumplings were so flavorful as well as the crispy spring rolls, they didn't even need the dipping sauce that comes with it. No wonder that got a Zagat rating A!

The total bill came up to $30!!! Drinks Included!!! I would DEF recommend this place for a date night, lunch with the girls, mommy/daddy & me time with tweens/teens, not quite the toddler-ish place, unless you're trying them out for an early lunch when it's not as full.

Holidays in NYC~Theatre Edition

2010-12-04T16:01:00.000-05:00

If you're in the NYC area for the holidays then one of the MUSTs on your to-do list has to Broadway! One of the major things New York is known for is our fabulous theatre and if there is by chance a night that you have a great baby-sitter and just the perfect black dress then please let me recommend The Scottsboro Boys!

One of my biggest regrets was not taking advantage of seeing Cat on Hot Tin Roof while it was here but I wouldn't miss this opportunity. This thrilling musical is based on the Scottsboro Case, the basis of the famous novel To Kill A Mockingbird, where 9 African American men are falsely accused of raping 2 white women. The musical piece of the play alone will be what wins you over as they tell a thrilling story of American culture and history.

Now showing at the Lyceum Theatre through the end of the year, kids 12 and older will be thrilled and ahead of the game in English Literature after watching this astounding performance. Be captivated by an American classic before it leaves Broadway this Holiday Season. The Scottsboro Boys is sure to please and a great gift for the Mrs./Mr. or the friend who has it all, nothing say NYC Classic better than the theatre and BROADWAY!

Wordless Wednesday-WORLD AIDS DAY

2010-12-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

Know Your Status!

Yummy Mondays-Mini Munchers (Guest Post)

2010-11-29T09:03:00.000-05:00

I'm more than excited about today's Guest Blogger, Carla, the Mommy Muncher of Mini Munchers a fab resource for parents visiting or traveling throughout NYC with little ones. Finding a restaurant that is kid friendly AND tasty in the city can be hard, Mini Munchers is the ideal site to help weed through the millions choices throughout the boroughs and find just the right place.

Eating out in NYC can be an exciting prospect – but when you add a kid (or two or three) it can be QUITE an adventure. MiniMunchers has scoured the City, and discovered some great places to go (that have children’s menus), that both Minis and Adults will enjoy!

1. Smorgas Chef - Get ready to be pleasantly surprised at Smorgas Chef!

This cafe, located in the Scandinavian House in Murray Hill, is simply a wonderful find. Stroller-friendly, with highchairs, this upscale spot challenges children to try some unique Scandinavian dishes (i.e. Swedish Meatballs & Smoked Salmon), but don't worry old faithfuls’ such as chicken fingers and a kid's burger are on their $9 menu.

Each children's meal comes with a drink and vanilla waffle for dessert & my kids were enthralled by the LIVE tree in the center of the restaurant. The restroom is large, with a changing table, but you do have to take an elevator to the basement to get there.

The BONUS of Smorgas Chef is that on Saturday's the Scandinavian House opens their Children's Learning Space to the public (for only $5 per child, ALL DAY!)

2. Brother Jimmy’s BBQ –Ok, Brother Jimmy’s is a bar (but it really does a GREAT lunch business) and who knew that Kids eat FREE, YES FREE with an adult’s entrée – AND the food is good. The menu is also a fun diversion – instead of spelling out the entrée selections – there are pictures for Munchers to guess – like a “chicken” and a “hand” for Chicken Fingers.

3. Ruby Foos –When headed to a show or to check out the scene in Times Square, do not get sucked into a touristy restaurant with sub-par food and over-the-top prices. Ruby Foos is a great restaurant to visit with children, yes they have grilled cheese and hot dogs but more adventurous eaters might want to try the spare ribs or the steamin’ shrimp dumplings (they even have a gluten-free menu!). Kids will also get a kick out of the free Oragami lessons every Sunday from 11:30-4pm, and my son’s roboto loved the “Dirt `n Worms” dessert, a chocolate pudding topped with Oreo cookies and gummy worms inside.

4. Moomah - It really doesn’t get any better then this! Moomah is a great spot to bring your tot in TriBeCa. Not only is the extensive menu local, seasonal AND organic (with dairy-free and gluten-free choices) but kids are encouraged to play while they eat with incredibly beautiful and engrossing (yeah) art projects! The owners have thought of everything, from a changing table with diapers and wipes in the bathroom to a tv “monitor” to watch your child when they play in the “Funky Forest” back room!

5. Blue Smoke – Tots love digging into the RIBS at this Murray Hill joint – and the Wikki sticks and cool communal bathroom sink are fun kid features. A great bonus – the server brings your child a cookie to decorate, which is then baked during your meal – and presented in a “to go” bag with the check. You will be hard-pressed to find a table without a tot on the weekends!

Want to check out these restaurants children’s menus or see reviews on these and many more NYC kid-friendly spots? Visit Mini Munchers. Happy Munching!

Carla

Mommy Muncher

www.MiniMunchers.com

I already have my noted places to try when Chunks and I are on the go? Have you found any go to spots to stop in when out with your little one?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2010-11-25T11:05:00.001-05:00

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A Different Kind of Holiday

2010-11-23T10:35:00.000-05:00

In my household, we never did anything without our Jamaican roots playing a part and the holidays were always the time that these roots took center stage. With my own family I've carried on this tradition and took it a bit further, because I can't just be a copy-cat lol, and created new and fun (I think) traditions around this time of year. One of the first things I changed about the holidays was to put more of an emphasis on Thanksgiving and the meal. In Jamaican culture Christmas is our big deal but being married to a true Southern boy and a lover of all foods Southern, I couldn't ignore this holiday I couldn't just have a plain old fashioned turkey, I had to spice it up a bit and alas it hit me...JERK IT!!! Yes, we have Jerk Turkey and all fab fixings and drinks on the table and after the spices have died down UP goes the Christmas tree!

This is when my true holiday excitement sets in! Well yesterday, I learned that my mother isn't doing Thanksgiving and my brother and father are NOT too thrilled about it, so this year will be my 1st time hosting Thanksgiving dinner and the of course at the last minute, smh lol. So today I begin putting together the pieces of my menu, trying some new things but sticking to my tried and true, and while the Mr always laughs that I'm jerking a bird he's always bragging that we're having it too! I've started reading books to Chunks about Thanksgiving, the story of the Pilgrims and the Indians and he's loving those right now. The lights are up here in NYC and the store-fronts are all decorated, the bird is marinating in the fridge and the sweet potatoes are ready and waiting so some things are the same but around here it's a different kind of Holiday!

What are some things you do differently with your family

around the Holidays?

Trying Something New

2010-11-21T04:10:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been asked to attend events and review products to include on the blog and while I am excited and humbled by and about almost all of the inquiries, I answer the requests somewhat reluctantly because I didn't want to become one of those mom blogs that became mostly about products and less and less about motherhood. I've challenged myself to find more time to blog and I don't want this to be filled with ads and the such and so I decided to try something new!

My grandmother is a hilarious character and is always coming up with random sayings in the most unrelated and in-opportune times and one thing she's known to say when we can't make up our minds (in a British/Jamaican accent of course lol) "Take a bunch and then you can Pick Choose and Refuse" and so I came up with The New York State of Mom's Pick Choose and Review blog. There you will find more in-depth reviews of PR events and product reviews Chunks and I experience because some are really great and I wouldn't want you to miss out on a thing! I will still post about some of our adventures here on the home blog as I re-learn and teach Chunks and the Mr all about NYC.

Blogging has become a great hobby and I look forward to doing more with it in the future and I hope you all come along with me.

NYSOM's Pick Choose Review

Someone Crash This Pity Party!

2010-11-20T11:33:00.000-05:00

*WARNING:ROOKIE MOM POST!:WARNING*

Let me first start this post with a quick recap of what's happening in the Jones household: I've gotten a promotion at work which requires more of me on a 8pm-4:30am basis and somehow I've managed to decide to go back to Grad school! I thank God for the opportunity to grow in my field I just pray for an extra boost of energy during the day.The Mr is finishing his paralegal studies and getting used to life in NYC little by little. Chunks...well Chunks has become a tantrum throwing, ear-drum piercing crier that I don't recognize.

At first I couldn't understand what was going on with him because he was once the coolest and most laid back happy baby ever and now the smallest reprimand and he's on the floor in hysterics! I blamed it on him being a Leo and just over-dramatic until I noticed that he was suddenly becoming...A DADDY'S BOY!

WHAT!??!? When did this happen??

When we're alone he's fine, the minute the Mr shows up here comes the drama and the "Mom is Bad" attitude. But it doesn't stop there, I noticed that I had now become the "other parent", I was now the third wheel on the boys team and if I chose to parent I was the one being reprimanded by Chunks AND the Mr! Case in point: Chunks climbs on the table, I say "Get down",he hits the floor in tears (not hurt or anything) and wailing at the top of his lungs, I say "Knock it off, nothing's wrong with you", wailing gets louder, in comes Super Dad and tells me I'm upsetting him, SD proceeds to pick up whining child and rocks him to a giggle. Mom goes to her corner.

What kinda burns me up is, a few weeks ago I had a talk with the Mr about him showing affection to Chunks more because he took this ridiculous macho role with showing affection and would often times say "I don't give hugs, I'm not into that" and push Chunks my way and it was PISS ME OFF!! So I explained to him how silly this parenting method was and also how this does not a strong man make and he vowed to change and actually has. Now it seems that he's gone OVER BOARD with the affection, even giving hugs for bad behavior even before any correction has been made. My feelings are hurt, my mom-mind is confused, and I'm annoyed with both of these over dramatic Leos! The Mr thinks that because of my new schedule we're missing out on our one on one time and since he's with him during the day they've formed a little bond that wasn't there before. But why do I have to lose my position as snuggle buddy and giggle pal?? He doesn't even reach for me when he's hurt, he wants his Dad! UGH! I know I should be grateful that they have such a good relationship, but right now my feelings won't let me...

Can I really be the only one? Does your LO have a fav parent? If it's NOT

you, how do you deal?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T16:32:00.000-05:00

Chunks's 1st Time to

Dylan's Candy Bar!

1yr 2mo

The 4th Annual Brooklyn Children's Book Fair

2010-11-14T01:34:00.000-05:00

After a pretty tantrum filled morning (I'll post on this later) we decided to update Chunk's library collection at the Brooklyn Children's Book Fair at the Brooklyn Museum. It was a beautiful day here in Brooklyn, mother nature can't quite make up her mind what season we're in yet smh, so a nice walk found us taking in the water show in front of the museum's steps before actually going in to the fair. I haven't been to exhibit since the reconstruction was completed (embarrassed to say) but I love it! It wasn't as busy I thought it would've been but we did get there toward the end of the event.

Events at the Brooklyn Museum are always fun and family friendly and today 30 children's authors and illustrators got together to show New Yorkers to newest children's books written and designed by the best of Brooklyn. As the literary capital of the city, Brooklyn has some real talent and I was so excited to see what we could find for Chunks to get interested. Right now he is a lover of books (Goodnight Moon and Caps for Sale are the fav at the moment) and "Book" is the new word of choice lol.

While we seemed to have gotten there after the bigger events of the day, families still hung around and the authors and illustrators were engaging and really friendly with the kids. At the end of our adventures we walked out with 3 pretty interesting books we'll try out at Story Time this week. Of course if you're in the area, you either have to head over to the Library or the Playground and today, the playground won!

Hope you guys are enjoying your weekend!

A Good Sign

2010-11-11T01:48:00.000-05:00

A little while back I was asked to read an article that got my attention right away as it concerned higher education and ways to get Chunks thinking and interacting more at his early developmental stage. One of the authors, Emily Patterson, was so kind to reach out about her study in Developmental Sign Language.

VIA

Before I had Chunks, a few of my mommy friends were considering teaching their children sign language and at the time I thought naturally children would show you what it was that they needed from you just based on a cry or scream. And then I became a Mom. Then I learned that while some cries mean hungry or tired, there are times when a frustrated scream can only tell you that they're frustrated not necessarily what to do to fix the problem. Without even thinking about it I would gester to things to get Chunks's attention so that I could pinpoint exactly what was bothering him and eventually he started responding and even mimicking my actions, and that was how our "sign language" began.

When I began junior high one of the main things they stressed in our curriculum was that ALL students had to take a foreign language because we were moving into an age where being able to communicate in multiple languages would prove beneficial in our competitiveness to get a job and move up in corporate America. We had the choice between what was becoming popular in the US at the time: Spanish, German, Chinese, and Latin and while I didn't quite understand it then I so get it now. Today, learning sign language, as pointed out in Ms. Patterson's article, and being able to sign with those hearing impaired would be one in an advantage point to reach a wider range of people, thus becoming indespensible= EMPLOYMENT! My grandfather told me, whenever I whined about school, "If they will give you a few more zeros behind your name because you have that piece of paper and you can get it-GO GET IT!" While my grandfather wanted the best for me and wanted me to become a well rounded woman, he knew that being able to always have a job was the key to surviving.

A study done by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development showed that young children who are taught sign language at an early age actually develop better verbal skills as they get older.

Parents of autistic children benefit from being able to have some level of comunication without the frustration of being able to get the words out right by the child. I've even noticed in Chunks, who is now rattling off 7 distinct words constantly, that signing is a route he uses when he can't quite get the linguistics of a word right. Rather than give up, he uses our other language to get his point accross and tantrums are avoided. I also love that he knows that when he can't get the words out, he can look to me and get what he needs. Now we're not doing the exact ASL (American Sign Language), but I'm learning and I've found that most of my made up gestures are quite similar to some of the standard language.

What about you guys? Have any of you tried or interested in

teaching your little one sign language?

Do you have your own SPECIAL language?

Emily Patterson is a Coordinator for the network of Texas Child Care of the Primrose Schools.

Let's Make a Day of It!

2010-11-08T23:55:00.000-05:00

I've been strugglin yall! With this night shift schedule I've been feeling like the worst mother in the world because a little while after I get home and in the bed in the mornings, Chunks wakes up, but I'm already sleeping! Then by the time I wake up, a little play time, his nap, dinner, bath, then it's time for me to run right back out to work and in this routine, I'm exhausted! Where's the quality time in that? So lately, I've been trying to develop some type of routine for he and I to have together where we can get our Mommy-Son time and today we actually did it, and with NO tantrums, crying, outbursts, or whining out of either of us!!!

After breakfast, we got dressed and headed out to my childhood favorite museum The American Museum of Natural History. I just knew that he would be in love with all the skeletons and animal displays, and I was right! He Ohh'd! and Whoa'd! then entire walk through each exhibit. When we got up to the mammals area and he met Mr. Alligator and Mr. Croc he was a little nervous but we worked through it and I'm glad to say little man got over that fear pretty well and quickly.

So off we went to see more bones and before I knew it he was walking up to huge displays with amazement and wonder in his eyes and I just felt so happy that he was loving something that I loved to do as a child and still enjoy. The only thing, I forgot the museum was closed on Mondays so most class trips are scheduled for Tuesdays, I was told Thursdays and Sundays are pretty light for them.

By the end of our trip, he was EXHAUSTED for his second nap.I had planned to stop by the Shake Shack since he loves the one in Madison Park but that place was crowded but by the time he woke up, we had pizza waiting and ready like typical New Yorkers (pizza is a MUST! anyway).
All in all we had a great day together and I was able to get home, take a nap, and make it to work not so tired. Maybe we'll end our days a little early so I can get dinner and a longer nap in but I think this will work for us and I'm more than excited about it! Now I'm off to see what else we can uncover in this city during Mommy & Me time with Chunks.

The museum is also having a great exhibit opening soon that will be great for the kids to check out and interact and learn all about The Brain, we'll def be back for that on a Thursday or Saturday.

What are some Mommy & Me rituals you've come up with?

Shutterfly and My Time of Year!

2010-11-08T06:59:00.000-05:00

I AM A HOLIDAY FANATIC! Besides the cold, I love everything about this time of year. People are a little nicer, there's a different energy throughout NY, and everything has a bit of excitement to it. Rockerfeller Center is THE most gorgeous place this time of year, and although I avoid Macy's at all cost during this time I love the hustle and bustle of 34th St. I love making a big dinner for my family, believe me when it was just DH and I, I would still make a huge spread, big ol turkey or ham, sides, WITH dessert! lol yea I'm fat. The music, the movies ::It's a Wonderful Life:: I love being around family and getting to see cousins, aunts, and uncles I don't get to during the rest of the year. Even those that are in Jamaica and England and Canada are still with us in a way through beautiful cards and e-mails.

Since we got married, I've had the most excitement picking and sending out our Christmas Cards: Love The Joneses!::giggle:: and when Chunks made his arrival it was even bigger. So now that we only have 7 weeks!!! YIKES! til the big day I'm in the process of choosing our cards for this season and I think this year I'm going with Shutterfly.

This year, they have a wide range of Holiday cards to choose from that are right up our alley and so easy to order. Since I love getting Chunks's picture taken as often as I can, their photo cards really stand out this year.

Simple and Classic.

More fun and Family Festive!

I love the colour scheme of this one!

I've never sent Thanksgiving cards but these sure make me want to start a new family tradition.

Right now, Shutterfly is doing a GREAT promotion and are offering 20% off all their holiday cards. But if you want your chance to get 50 FREE holiday cards, click here to find out how.

What kinds of holiday cards do you and your family send out around this time of year? Have you used Shutterfly for any of your invites or announcements?

This post is a series sponsored by Shutterfly.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-03T07:19:00.000-04:00

Mommy and Me Day!

The American Museum of Natural History

Chunks

1yr, 2mo, 2w