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September 30, 2011

Weekend Grove Music: What I Am

Every morning this past week Yus has watched a Sesame Street DVD. He really loves them and it's funny to watch him talk to the TV. I know this weekend will be filled with more Sesame Street and fun outside if weather the permits. So here's Will.i.am's Song "What I Am".




Yus at the park last weekend!

Have a safe and fun weekend!
nkoyo

Fall Season Excitement: Sonny Acres

Can you smell the crisp fall air? I'm so excited for this holiday season. Yus is older and I feel this holiday season will officially begin his holiday excitement. I absolutely LOVE the holidays and can't wait to share them with my family.

Fall brings, Halloween, Thanksgiving and house decorating. So, if you live in the Chicago Suburbs or surrounding areas I'll be venturing out to some fun harvest time places.

First stop: Sonny Acres Farm early October

This is a family owned pumpkin farm by the Feltes', located in West Chicago on 29W319 North Avenue. I am really excited to go. This will be our first time and from what I hear this will mostly likely become a family tradition.

Entrance is FREE to the public. There are rides and tours that do cost, so bring cash, according to the website. There is a list of Fall Things to do and I'm really excited about taking Yus to the Kiddie Koral and the Petting Zoo so he can interact with the animals. I also want to check out the Harvest Barn for Fall farm stand items.

Yus is still a little too young to carve pumpkins but I think seeing them and touching them will be lots of fun.


nkoyo

September 27, 2011

Headbanger - Hold the Heavy Metal

Dr. Mom appeared again last night. This is time I diagnosed Yus with a concussion. It's amazing how Sunday night J and I were just talking about how we have to be really careful where we place Yus now that his *'spaz-out'* moments are starting to happening.
I sat Yus on the kitchen floor, so I could get him some milk (big mistake) and he decided that's not where he wanted to be. It happened in an instant but here's the slow-mo version.

I sat Yus on the kitchen floor, reached for the sippy cup on the counter, turned to the fridge for the milk and then I noticed 'Super Dad' jump from the couch and I heard this bang. I turned and Yus was SCREAMING and J was picking him up.
It happened so fast. I finished getting his milk and went over to check on him and his eyes were droopy (in my opinion). I told J he had a concussion and that we should head over to Elmhurst Immediate Care. I'm telling all this to a man who has had 5 count them 5 concusions in his HS football career. He politly said, "I think he's fine. In an hour if he hasn't perked up we can call the nurse and head over."

In short, we didn't have to go to Immediate Care and J's judgement was spot on. An hour later he had finished dinner and was playing around like nothing happened. I did do the follow the finger and eye test just to make sure before he went to sleep 5 hours later. :)



*'spaz-out' moment - noun. akward movement, tantrum; verb. to lower one's self to the ground in order to get their way*
nkoyo

September 23, 2011

Reading is Fundamental

So, I must admit I haven't been doing a great job in this department. By the time I get home from work and figure out what's for dinner, eat, cleanup, play, give a bath. It's already 8:30pm and I'm beat.  Seriously, there is NO EXCUSE why I can't insert a 5-12 page book in to that nightly routine. I need a slap on the wrist.
I'm not even going to list the excuses and reasons I could come up with. I'm just going to pretend like my mom just said, "Munch, no TV Monday - Thursday on a school night." BAM! It's done. Extending by personal TV ban through Friday. We make story time at our local Barnes & Noble on Saturday mornings and Sunday that's a no brainer. So, I'm pledging to my Yus that mommy and/or daddy will read to you every night from here on out and not just when the wind blows.


I grew up on these books & so will Yus

nkoyo

Clorox2 Play 2Day Challenge

I recently found out about the Worldwide Day of Play. Which is Nickelodeon's way to empower kids and families to make healthy lifestyle choices every day. Nickelodeon has teamed up with Clorox2 and others like SocialMoms to get the word out there.

Worldwide Day of Play is this Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. Yus and I will be heading to our Saturday morning story hour and then to the park with daddy, for some fun in the sun. Before the Chicago weather turns frightful. I'm all geared up though, to buy his snow suite so we can play in the snow and be active in the winter months as well.

A family that prays & plays together - stays together.

nkoyo

September 18, 2011

Sunday Blessings: VICTORY

Ladies, in our families we need to claim Victory over each and every situation. Keep your heads high and continue to pray over your families.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

nkoyo

September 16, 2011

Weekend Groove Music ~ So Blessed

This second full week of September is definitely starting to feel like fall. Break out the wind breakers and sweatshirts and hit the park these last couple of weeks before it gets icy in the Midwest.

nkoyo

September 15, 2011

Working Mom Funk - No More

Being a working mom, I sometimes feel like I'm missing out on quality time. I spend at least 12 hours a day commuting and working. That's twelve hours not bonding with my little boy. I keep reminding myself that by me working, we as a team are able to better provide for our son and give him the things he needs. I remember putting together a pumping schedule so that I could nurse for at least 9 months. Goal achieved. 

Having a supportive mate who reminds me of my worth and how great a mom I am allows me to keep pushing through the work day and week. Lately, I've been reminiscing about the past year and thinking how far we have come as a family. We truly are a team of 3. So, to get myself over these little funky hump, I've started reciting this mantra. 
I'm a loving wife, nurturing mom, and I'm doing tha' damn thang!
  
nkoyo

September 14, 2011

School Schedule

My son has the life! He gets to ride with daddy every morning and evening as daddy does the drop-off and pick-up for daycare most days. Well, Tuesdays is now officially my day to do pick-up as daddy now works late. I excitedly arrived at the daycare and to my surprise saw a note about Fun Week.  It was tapped to the door clear as day.
Fun Week: 9/12 - 9/16
- Monday - wear a hat day
- Tuesday - crazy dress day
- Wednesday - pajama Day
- Thursday - animal day
- Friday - school pride day (wear red & white)
My baby had missed two days of fun. He has a shark baseball cap he could have worn and I could have dressed him in stripes and plaid yesterday. I was so hurt. I told Yus he'd get to wear his PJ's like his friends tomorrow and he smiled (like he knew what I meant).
When I asked J why he didn't tell me about Fun Week at school. He said, "I didn't know anything about it." "You didn't see the sign tapped to the door." "Nope, I just ring the bell walk in and get Yus and go." All, I could do was laugh. Just like a dad, do to what is asked of him and keep time to get to the next task.
So, now when I call the daycare my list of questions have changed.
1) How is Yus doing today?
2) Is there anything we need to bring - other than what was listed on his note?
3) Are there any special activities going on at school this week?

Well, lesson learn! :)
nkoyo

September 12, 2011

Mom on the Run

15th Annual Chicago Half Marathon & 5K
I wouldn't officially consider myself a runner, (maybe after a few more races and pounds) :-). I'm just a mom who enjoys racing for t-shirts and medals. LOL Sunday's race was a lot of fun and Jackson Park is beautiful. I even got asked about the Diabetes Action Team. It felt great talking about my Nana and all the work the Foundation is doing to find a cure for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
I can't wait until my next race.

nkoyo

September 11, 2011

Sunday Blessings

Remembering 9/11 ...

nkoyo

September 9, 2011

Weekend Groove Music

This Sunday, I will be participating in the 5k portion of the Chicago Half Marathon & 5k. I was initially going to run the half (my bib says half marathon on it) but with family, work and fitting in a training schedule I was a bit overzealous. My goal is still to run a Half Marathon, hopefully to be achieved next year. This race is really special for me because I'm raising money for Diabetes in memory of my Nana, Evelyn Whitehead Williams and also because it's the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11.   
nkoyo

September 4, 2011

Sunday Blessings


While getting my intake of blogs this week. I came across this poem on curlynikki.com and it truly blessed me.
nkoyo

September 2, 2011

Weekend Grove Music

Headed to NC for family reunion. I LOVE family reunions they are so much fun.

nkoyo

Diaper Rash - Really?

Oh Lawd! How could this happen. Yes, my boy has his first diaper rash EVER. It snuck up on me, like a cat in the night. I can't believe I let this happen. Clearly, the diaper was on to long - and my sense of smell was taken from me the other night due to a stuffy nose. But that is NO EXCUSE, a mommy should know :-/.

After I beat myself up about it. Instead of using wipes I used a luke warm wash cloth to clean the area, and proceeded to start our night time ritual. Bath time was the worst, since I had to use soap and the rash was fresh. I carefully dried him off and used so much Vaseline it was insane. I must of gave Yus a million kisses and hugs and told him, "I was so sorry". I even woke up in the middle of the night to change his diaper and re-apply Vaseline. The next morning - the diaper rash was almost defeated, the area was size-ably smaller. Thank you Mr. Vaseline and all your healing properties.

How we prevented the rash for so long:
- frequent changes
- always using vaseline as a barrier
- once in daycare - we instructed his teacher to use vaseline as well and kept a jar at school
- for more info click here

Oh, this is the worst feeling for me and I'm pretty sure for Yus too. Ah! I can't believe this.

nkoyo
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