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August 31, 2011

Mental Game Plan

Heading to see my family over the Labor Day weekend!!!! whoop whoop! Most of our trips these days are by air since driving more than 2 hours with a 12 month/1year (I clearly don't know which to use - another post to come) is crazy in my book. I made my list of clothes, accessories, and toys for the suitcase as well as those for the diaper bag. I can't live without my travel lists.

Anyway, I must say I'm more nervous this time around. Yus, is a seasoned flyer having hit New Jersey and North Carolina at 6 weeks and 8 months respectively and Texas at 6 months. Each trip was a little more adventurous than the next and learning experiences. On the 6 week old trip I got over my fear of nursing in public to avoid the scream that would ensue if Yus didn't get his milk on YUS TIME. The 6 month trip proved that traveling with my husband made things a bit easier if he did it my way! :-) The 8 month trip we learned that mommy can't meet daddy at the airport because he'll forget something - the stroller... who forgets a stroller, my handsome husband does. AHHH! But anyway, I'm gearing up mentally for this trip. Role playing how things could go now that Yus is a mover & shaker. Each smile, cry, and bottle throw down to the spaz-moment and to the Speedy Gonzales crawl/walk, down and up the aisle of the plane.

It makes me feel better to be prepared for all the 'what ifs' or this 'could happen' moments. In my head the trip is currently playing out like this:

Airport drop off. Check bags, slow walk through security (remember socks). Yus slightly awake since flight is early in the morning. Ready milk cup, diaper change, adjust diaper bag so snacks and blocks are on the top. Speak with attendant for stroller gate check-in, receive tag, fold up stroller, put stroller in gate check bag, board plane. And this repeats in my head with the occasional fuss for milk/snack and wanting to cruise the terminal. --- Repeat for brief 45 minute layover. While on the plane my current vision is that Yus doesn't sleep and wants to roam the aisle. Throws a block (soft block) at the person sitting in front of us, spills milk/water on mommy (remember to pack an extra shirt), and finally once we descend he falls asleep. --- Repeat for final destination. Ahahahaha!
nkoyo

August 26, 2011

Mommy Time Saver ~

Clearly, I need to listen to commercials more intently. Have you seen those Walgreens commercials advertising their 'web pickup' feature? If you haven't - 'web pickup' allows you to shop online and pick up in the store.  Convenient right!?! We tend to get our odds and ends at Walgreens and I enjoy shopping for my personal needs their, face cleansers, hair products, other mom needs, etc.  

So, I had to try it out. Thinking about how much time this would save me and how easy it would be to just send the husband to Walgreens and all he'd have to do was show photo ID at the photo counter and get handed a bag. Oh! The Joy! Of, course I was still a bit skeptical so I called the Walgreens by my job and sure enough, "Yes, Ms. we do web pickup." SOLD!

I placed a really small order, two products (conditioner and styling product) picked my pickup date and time and paid with my card. So easy! A receipt was sent to my email address and I also had the option to print a receipt. Once I received the 'Your order is ready email' I went and picked it up. Easypezy!!! 

I estimate this will save at minimum 30 minutes - 7 minutes explaining what I need, 3 minutes detailing it in an email (my husbands loves emails), 10 minutes of my husband in the store wandering & then leaving, 10 minutes me running in the store and grabbing what's needed and waiting in line to pay. Ah! now what to do with that extra 30 minutes.

nkoyo

Weekend Grove Music

In honor of Mr. Nick Ashford, one half, of Ashford and Simpson. Let's grove to one of the songwriting duo's greatest hits "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.


Have a blessed & safe weekend everyone!
nkoyo

August 24, 2011

Night Time Update:

So, I had brief success with Yus sleeping straight through the night. Until, the tooth-fairy gods decided it was time for his two top side teeth to come in. Really?! Come on, I mean things were going great! Two weeks straight of him sleeping through the night with minimal fuss. And now this! The 1:30am wake-up is back in affect with the new addition of the "Oh! No, I'm not getting back in MY crib to suffer alone with this teething" cry.

So, now I'm on a bi-nightly co-sleep with a fish out water, named Yus, and a hibernating summer bear, called a husband. Ahhhhh! thank goodness for the commute to and from work on the train, otherwise the word sleep would not be in my vocabulary. Really!?! Tooth fairy gods. I have a serious bone to pick with you. 


Any suggestions other than tooth numbing gel (currently using) and taking the "edge off" are welcome. :) PLEASE HELP ME!
nkoyo

August 22, 2011

Birthday Cupcake Fun!

Finally able to get a card reader that worked so that I can share my birthday planning hard work. I had so much fun making the cupcakes for the birthday party that I'm going to make   it a family tradition.

Jungle Animal Cupcakes


I used the Betty Crocker Jungle Animal Cupcake Recipe. The hardest part was keeping my hand steady to draw the lines for the zebra (not my favorite animal right now). :) Anyway, it took me about 5 hours to bake and decorate 48 cupcakes. I had to modify the decorations used so my 1 year could eat the cupcakes.

Lion
  • Cheerios (oat cluster crunch)
  • chocolate baking bits
  • pretzel sticks
Tiger 
  • orange m&m's
  • chocolate baking bits
  • pretzel sticks
Monkey
  • mini marshmallows
  • chocolate baking bits
  • black milk chocolate candies
Zebra  
  • mini vanilla wafers
  • chocolate baking bits
  • black jelly beans, cut in half vertically
Of course since our Yus is a Leo the lion was the main attraction. I made a mini cake lion just for him. It was tons of fun! 
Yus' Lion

nkoyo

August 21, 2011

Sunday Blessings

What have you encouraged yourself to do? Some times as moms and parents we focus so much on our children and their needs, that we forget to push ourselves. Our children are following our example. Are we teaching them to step out on faith and encourage themselves to do more? Or is our complacency causing them not to reach their full potential? Let's continue to encourage ourselves and our family. 

Be blessed!  
nkoyo

August 19, 2011

Weekend Grove Music -

I love soul music and Otis Redding just reminds me of summers with my Nana. Going to camp, watching the 'Five Heartbearts', learning to make mac'n'cheese, church on Sunday's, and passing out from too much ham (might be the reason why I don't eat it anymore). :-) But anyway, thanks Jay and Kanye great hip-hop via Otis 'Try a Little Tenderness'.



 
nkoyo

August 16, 2011

Monthly Product Alert Tuesdays

August 15, 2011

Break Over!

I needed a little break after all the family, cupcake making & decorating, and the BIG ONE year party. I'll be posting pictures and getting back to my regularly scheduled program.

SMILES!
nkoyo

August 12, 2011

Weekend Grove Music

Golden is truly how I'm feeling. Being 26 years-old; a wife and mother I truly am living the good life, according to me.

  Have a safe and blessed weekend! 
nkoyo

August 7, 2011

Sunday Blessings

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. ~ James 3:3-6 (NIV)

Let's think before we speak. So that positive, not negative words are on our tongues. Bless your spouse and child/children with words that inspire, encourage, and bring forth good fruits. ~ AMEN

nkoyo

August 5, 2011

Weekend Grove Music

This weekend will be filled with the happy birthday song! Happy Birthday Yusuf mommy & daddy love you much! 

And you know we have to sing it the Stevie way too! 
 Have a safe and blessed weekend! 
nkoyo

August 3, 2011

3 + 3 = 6

A little background: 

James and I have been married for three years and together for four. Yes, that's right! We met July 2007 (a few months after I graduated college) and three months later we were engaged and Married on July 5, 2008. When you know, you just know. I thank God ever day for blessing me with a PARTNER, a FRIEND, a LOVER, and in his own right a COMEDIAN! 
So, on today I want to wish my MAN a HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY! I believe I have already given you the best gift of our son with God's favor. :) So, have a great day love. My 'Weekend Grove Music' comes a bit early this week with yet another Jill Scott song feat. Anthony Hamilton ~ "So In Love".


 

And yes, we share the same birth number and our son was born on the 6th (June 3 + Aug. 3 = Aug. 6). Remember to speak loving words of support and motivation to your partner and children ~ James 3:3-6

nkoyo

August 1, 2011

Changes on the Horizon

My little man, will soon be ONE and I can't help but think of two major adjustments that need to be made. First things first his bow-bow usage. I think this is going to be harder on me than it is on him, I just can't take the crying. He makes the hardest looking faces and then his lip quivers and before the sound comes, one loan tear slides out his eye and on to his cheek. DRAMA!!! And he can scream. It's a blessing the neighbors don't come knocking. I figure if he does start crying, gets irritable, or needs security I can do the following:
  1. address the issue and give some TLC
  2. divert his attention ~ to something new 
  3. when in doubt sing a song & have a dance party
The second adjustment is the 4 - 6 hour sleep cycle. Some nights I can give him his bow-bow and he's good for the rest of the night but other nights he won't go back to sleep until I bring him in our bed. We all know the problem with that. Shoot! I don't have enough space as it is with the two of us and now there's a third body. GREAT! To combat this issue I may have to institute the cry-out method once we fully rid ourselves of the bow-bow. Am I wishful thinking - to think that 6 months from now we will be bow-bow and co-sleep FREE!! I'm praying for it! I found some good advice here.
Do you have any ideas, please let me know? 
nkoyo
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