The Benefits of a Seasoned Mama

First off, I want to say hats off to all good mothers (because there are some crap ones out there), point- blank- period.  Being a mama is an adjustment and a sacrifice but it's the most rewarding "job" title you'll ever have. 

Desiree inspired me to write this because I think about this A LOT, and my friends and I discuss it, but I've never put finger to key and wrote about it- Benefits of Being an Older Mommy!.

I had just turned 30 when I found out I was pregnant.  Although while pregnant, I whined and complained about it and blamed my symptoms on my older age-my little sister, pregnant at the same time, 23 hopped and bustled along, while I slept and loafed- AND post pregnancy, I complained about healing much slower than my sister, losing weight slower, etc. while my younger sister snapped back and was up and walking within a week, there are benefits to being a mom after 30.

1.  Me and my body had a good run. 

Pre-baby

Post baby- yesterday-trying to find a bathing suit

P.S. It was doing something weird in the crotch area, so don't think that's my women parts. LOL.

Can you believe I even posted this picture? But you know what- I don't even care.  I had a good run with bikinis and shapely legs and non back fat, but I'm fully ready to embrace the new life with one pieces.  (I might add this new found confidence also came with realizing how big I could truly get and learning to appreciate myself!)  

I've got stretch marks to be damned but who cares,  I'm STILL FABULOUS.  (work cite: Kenya Moore)

2.  I've LIVVVVVVVVED!  (work cite: Wendy Williams)

My little sister still wants to do young things and as a result, as good of a mommy she is, she's kinda selfish. But she's young- she's under 25, what do you expect?  Her young adulthood, where you are supposed to be wild and reckless, kind of got cut short. 

But me, I have no interest in going to the club, putting on heels and being seen "choosing" AND  having to search for a sitter for it.  #aintnobodygottimeforthat  

Friday and Saturday nights, you'll find me and my husband probably doing a date in early or late afternoon (if we can)  and back at home to our baby girl by 10.  And I'm OK with that, I had a few years to do young, dumb stuff.  (Ugh, I don't want to go back there!)

3.  As Desiree also pointed out, patience.  Zoe is OFF THE CHAIN.  She messes up everything and gets into everything and whew child, she wears me out.  

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

But I don't lose my cool with her. I realize that everything is brand new to her and she is going to get into everything.  She wants to touch, explore, and learn and she's going to get messy, break some things, and tornado my home but childhood is short lived. And I'm allowing her to do that. We'll have a clean home in a few years.

4.  Confident Parenting

Desiree also mentioned this.  I read a blog not too long ago where a woman was talking about being unsure in parenting and wondering if you are doing the best by your kids and how she felt bad because she had to leave them to go to work and, etc.  Well, nope, not me.  I don't have any guilt or any doubts.  Zoe may smile some days and she may cry some days but as long as she's still running to me for hugs and love, we're all good. 

I will try to be open and honest with her as she gets older so she'll learn from my mistakes but I will also respect that she'll make her own.  I will have an open door policy and for my family, I think that's best.

She will not be my best friend or my confidant but she will be my child, and I'm grateful that God trusted me with this. 

:)

Cheap Polishes

I was like a kid in a candy store when I saw all of the colors in the NYC nail polish display in The Best Store on Earth.  I never buy this brand because of it's price- I thought that the cheaper the polish, the quicker it'd chip- and as a mother and wife, I don't have the time to polish my nails every day.

I bough a bright yellow shade that I always admired but been scared of because I'm so along with this grey shade.

This was Day 2.   I thought maybe my Sally Hansen diamond top coat would do the trick to prevent chipping but the first day, that yellow came completely chipping off.  I'm happy to report that the grey was resilient. 

I'll probably try this brand again- the price and the colors were enough for me.  (I seriously kept picking up things and putting them down, I was taking so long, I had J take Zoe to do something else. 

SIDEPIC:

Here's my Zoe.  She is obsessed with her shoes.  I intercepted her throwing a bunch of them in the living room once again.  This is also my attempt at a Mohawk. I have a time with this kid's hair.  Her hair is natural, I haven't had natural since before I was in 6th grade but I am determined to educate myself and find products that will work so that she will rock her natural when she gets older- I love its variety!

The Latest Frugal Finds

Can I make a quick confession?  Fashion bloggers get on my nerves.  (Yep, I'm jelly.)  They always take fabulous pictures in fabulous outfits that look effortlessly cool and chic.  Where the heck is the kid who always jumps in front of the shot or the awkward self portraits????

Confession over.

These shoes were $9.98 clearance at Target.

 These bracelets were $4 each at JCPenney.  I admire the ladies who can wear a bunch of dainty pieces at once- a few bracelets, a few necklaces- but I find it hard to pull the look off myself. 

The letter is an L for my legal name (although it looks like a Z- for Zoe).  I'll take either. 

I Cannot Complain

Zoe is 20 months old.

She is beautiful, she is healthy......

she is feisty......

(This is how she entertained herself while we visited with my friend's son in the NICU)

she is both sweet and sour (like a Sour Patch kid)......

she is orginal and she is loved.

I'm grateful that God chose me to be the Mommy of one of His angels.  I'm in love with this kid and I'm blessed to be able to experience parenthood. 

(channeling Beyonce with the onesie leotard and sparkles)



I know women who have been told they cannot conceive (IMHO, God is the final answer of that.)  My own cousin and her husband was told they probably wouldn't be able to have kids but guess who's now close to 18 months pregnant?  God is forever interceding and blessing anyhow, all you have to do is believe. 

You guys remember reading what I went through while pregnant.  I appreciate you hanging in there and praying with me.  God is good.  :) He saw me though it and I was able to bring her home- her mass completely disappeared in vitro.

Seeing my friend with her baby in the NICUhas caused me to reflect.

We were pregnant with our firsts together and she had an easy breezy pregnancy.  She became pregnant again and this one was harder on her- she gave birth at 35 weeks and he's had to stay behind at the children's hospital for a little while.  She's unbelievably strong but I can understand her sadness. We are praying he's home soon! 

Practices of the Frugal- Utilizing your "voice"

My dollar is valuable to me.  I work hard for it.  And for that reason, if a product doesn't meet my expectations, I contact the manufacturers. 

Recently, I contacted Essie because I bought some Nail polish strips, applied them on Saturday, and they were already chipping by Sunday.  Although more expensive than the Sally Hansen Nail Polish strips, I purchased them because I've tried Sally Hansen's twice before with almost the identical performance (yes, they were emailed too!)

It's very easy to do- most of us are sitting at a computer at work all day.  Google the manufacturer and once on their page, either locate the comments area or the contact us option and send in your experience.  10 out of 10 times, I've been either compensated or given a coupon for another of their products to try.  It's not getting over or getting anything free, simply appreciating the value of your buck! 

Stay frugally fabulous!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!!!

Dr. Reginia, you are our winner!!!!!  I'll be contacting you for your address!

Guess How Much My Outfit is?

If you said $10.40, then, you, my friend, are genius. 

The shirt was $6.40 at Kohl's and the skirt was $4 at JCPenney.