Tag: baby

Back 2 School Blues 

We all get down on ourselves. We are tired. We look at the to do list and get overwhelmed. With a new school year starting I have been so emotional. Seeing my baby grow-up and walk into his first day of PreK really hit me hard. He was so happy and excited and I lost it as I was leaving the drop off line. Teaching him has been my job until today. Granted he has been going to school since he was 10 months old but now it’s different. It is real school with a drop off and pick up, packed lunch, a cafeteria, recess and all new faces. 

He beams a smile and waves good bye, excited for his new adventure. Meanwhile, baby brother and I lose our shit in the car on the way home. (Yes I’m driving. I know I should not use a phone while moving a motor vehicle.) also I’m an ugly crier and turn the volume down 😩😢😭

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I felt so happy, sad, proud and afraid all at the same time as I drove away. Will he be ok? Will he make a friend? Will he eat his food? Will someone bully him? Will he even think about me? Did I do a good job?

So do my emotional episodes mean I have a mental issue? Yes! It is called being a parent! We are all losing our shit at some point. It’s called having a heart beating in your chest. Life is made of peaks and valleys, happy times and sad times. It is not just in parenting. There are ups and downs in marriages, work, friendships and hell even the economy. Point is that we all experience things differently. The only person who can judge us is The Lord. 

Yes I know my life is not over because my baby started PreK. I know, trust me I’m getting over it as I find myself writing this post, because I haven’t had a moments peace in 3 weeks since summer camp ended. But, I just care about my child and I want him to be happy, healthy, thrive and glow. I have been praying for him to have a good day and get in the car with a smile on his face full of stories. 
When you question yourself as a parent it is a natural thing. It means you care. I struggle with my confidence as a mom and then other days I am like “Hell Ya I am a kick ass mom.” “Pound it dog! Booya! and Holler!”

So here it is the first day of school and as I stare at my to do list, laundry, calendar etc. All I want to do is take a shower and a nap before I go get in the HORENDOUS pick up line 30 minutes before I’m charged a $14 fee.  

I know things change. I knew this was happening but actually living it is hard for me. All the new rules, my baby being so independent and being on time is really hard for me LOL. BUT it is good! We thrive in a routine so I am happy that I am being challenged to change. I know its not the end of the world but I do know I’m going to miss this. 

I’m gonna want these hard ass F^&* days back. When no one eats what I make for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When no one listens to me to stop splashing and flooding the bathroom. When I need to kiss the boo boos. When my baby crawls up in my lap and says “Mama hold you.” When the boys no longer let me dress them alike. And when we have rainy days cuddling and doing absolutely nothing and they let me kiss their heads and smell their hair.

Trust me I am taking note to cherish this time. We don’t get a lot of time on this Earth so we have to make each day count. But damn it is hard to be a parent in todays world. 
For now I tell myself.. The monograms can wait. The perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner cannot be made everyday. The organizing, the cleaning and everything I keep talking about will have to wait. 

As “THEY” say “The days are long, but the years are quick.” As I see the calendar fill up I have to stop and think these are the days I will miss. But for today I will sit and write my babies a letter telling them how much I love them. I will take a shower. I will lie down and day dream in my quiet bedroom. The greatest gift we can give ourselves and our loved ones is time. Unapologetically I will proudly give myself sometime “Because If Mommy Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy.” 

Since pickup this afternoon he had a great day, made a new friend and learned a song. We had a special afternoon snack, played trains and he helped me cook dinner. After slaving away on dinner, it hits, here comes the meltdown. “I don’t want to eat it! Yuck!” As he’s screaming crying and running around the house losing his exhausted mind. Meanwhile baby brudder is enjoying his special allergy free (gluten, oat, egg, dairy, nut free) lasagna and breaks out in hives. 

Daddy walks thru the door as I’m finishing baby boys bath and dosage of Benadryl. Big boy still whining and saying “eating dinner is so hard and I’m not tired.” I look around at the dishes piled high, laundry covering both couches, toys, cups, trains, Chex and blueberries all over the rug… 

There’s my exit. I poured myself a glass of wine and I’m hiding out in the bathtub right now adding this to the post. 

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, shit is still gonna happen. Just depends if you are gonna pick it up, move on or just sit and cry about said shit. I’m gonna leave this one to daddy. 

XOXO
Just Happy Mommy

My editor was not able to correct all my grammar, run on sentences and cussing. Once again if you don’t like my blog don’t read it 😁🖕🏻💋🍷

Gluten, Oat, Dairy, Egg & Nut Free Diet

Gluten, oat, dairy, egg, & nut free diet:

A lot of family and friends wonder what does someone with this many allergies eat? Well at first not that much. A very simple, strict and repetitive meal schedule. Slowly we trying new things that “state” they are safe but I am always weary.

This is what works for us. I’m not an allergist. I’m hoping this list can help other moms or people navigate their food allergies. Cooking and cross contamination are also very serious! Washing pans, cups, utensils etc is important.

Slowly we have started to eliminate the “bombs” in our house. Obviously we are a nut free home. Snacks and other crackers that contain 3-4 of the allergens are what we consider “bombs.” One example is cheese crackers, they have wheat, milk, egg, cheese etc. So when he has one of these its BAD! We have to be very aware and careful if we let our older son have something we are trying to avoid. (like cheese and chocolate milk are very hard.) Not only do we have to keep the house safe for our baby, our older son is like many kids and can be quite a picky and specific eater. We pick our battles. The great news is that our 4 year old is on top of it and knows what is safe and what is not. What big brother doesn’t like to tell their little brother “No!”??? LOL
Also just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s Gluten or NUT free! We say that he’s a combo of paleo and a MEGAN a meat eating vegan LOL. Allergy free or allergy friendly means it doesn’t contain any of the top 8 allergens.

Free from wheat/gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish.

Some are also made without casein, potato, sesame & sulfites.

Here are some of the brands and foods that we often eat. You can get them at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Amazon or websites. I have included links. On some sites you can enter your zip code and see which stores carry their items.

Ian’s Natural Foods Ian’s Natural Foods

Enjoy life Foods Enjoy Life Foods
Thankfully he enjoys any and all fruits, vegetables and proteins!!!
He lives on these pouches (read labels some can say contains milk or wheat when you don’t think they do) these are his favorites

BREAKFAST & POUCHES

Ella’s Kitchen  Ella’s Kitchen

Plum Organics Plum Organics

Simply Balanced @ Target Simply Balanced Fruit & Vegetable

Peter rabbit Organics Peter Rabbit Organics

He eats anywhere from 4 to 8 pouches of fruits and veggies a day plus a cut up fruit and vegetable at every meal. LOTS of real fresh food. You name it he likes it. Strawberries, grapes, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, raspberries, apples, green beans, corn, carrots, potatoes etc.

Vans gluten free waffles Van’s Foods

Jimmy dean breakfast sausage Jimmy Dean

Oscar Mayer turkey bacon

Rice Chex cereal

Vanilla coconut milk from Trader Joe’s
On Saturdays I make pancakes and I’m happy to say they really aren’t bad.
1 cup gluten free Bisquick mix

1 cup coconut milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use Crisco)

1 egg we use EnerG egg replacer EnerG Egg Replacer

Earths balance vegan butter Earth Balance

Real maple syrup or agave Trader Joe’s

SNACKS & SWEET TREATS

Dum Dums

Gluten free Marshmallows

Enjoy life pizza crust, cookies, snacks and chocolate brownies

Immaculate honestly good baking Immaculate Baking (cookies, brownies) (using Earth Balance, Vegetable oil and Egg replacement)

Shaved ice (be sure to ask!)

Fruit strips (Trader Joe’s we call them laffy taffy even tho they are organic fruit)

We love juices too orange, Apple, peach or Capri suns and Ella’s are great!
We go to Tropical Smoothie Cafe Tropical Smoothie Cafe Menu

I just always request they clean the blender out special for him since he has so many allergies and we don’t want to cross contaminate with dairy or peanut or others OMG

LUNCH & DINNER 

Lean protein: ground beef, grilled chicken, turkey, chicken tenders, nuggets, beans

Oscar Mayer naturals turkey Oscar Mayer Naturals

Veggie straws

Potatoes

Glutino gluten free pretzels

Lays BBQ chips are vegan (Baked Lays contain milk)

Fritos

Gluten Free corn chips & salsa

Hummus (again check ingredients) Sabra and Trader Joe’s are safe for us

Perdue Gluten free chicken tenders and nuggets Perdue Simply Smart Gluten Free Chicken

(Trader Joe’s ketchup is the bomb!)

Ian’s potatoes are great Ian’s Natural Foods

(We have NOT found a gluten/oat free pasta that does NOT cause his eczema to flare up so we just don’t do pasta.)

Again he eats a fruit and vegetable at every meal.

These are just a few that I know work for us and our child. Please feel free to comment below with more ideas and suggestions. Again I am not a dietician or an allergist. I am just a mom trying to navigate this life called motherhood and help my children eat healthy foods.

Xoxo

Just Happy Mommy

Don’t mess with Mama bear, her babies or America! 🐻💙❤️🇺🇸

I’m a mama bear! Don’t mess with me, my Cubs or my country ! I need to know where my babies are, who they are with, what they are eating and how they are feeling. Helicopter mom? Yes. Have I started to become the mom in the “Luvs” commercial? The one with the mom with her first kid armed with gallons of hand sanitizer and then she hands the second kid over to the man at the oil change place. Yeah I’m not quite there yet. As I sit here, getting an oil change, listening to the sad news reports on TV, I realize I’m far from that “Live, Learn then get Luvs” mom. (Click the blue words below to see links 💙👍🏻)

Luvs Commercial
This place smells like cigarettes, piss, pine sol and I wouldn’t hand my baby over to lovely Mr. John with the neck tattoo. I’m more like the “Eat, sleep, then pray” mom.

Anyway I started this post 215 days ago and I still feel the same way I did when I started writing this. We have to protect our kids and loved ones more than ever. 

The mass shooting in Orlando and the media coverage the last couple of days has reminded me why I am afraid of this world. Remembering all the horror and terror of years past makes me sad. Visiting the 911 Memorial Museum last summer and hearing the voices, screams and seeing it up close and personal is something that will haunt me forever. Plus when you work in television, you see and hear gory, gruesome details on murders and other heinous crimes. It makes you paranoid.  So ya I’m scared for my kids because of the evil world we live in.

As The POTUS said yesterday. The President of the United States,

“This is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American regardless of race, ethinicity, religion, or sexual orientation is an attack on all of us and the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. No act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.
Today, marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was apparently armed with a handgun, and a powerful assault rife. This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or in a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub and we have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be. And to actively do nothing is a decision as well.”

This was the 14th time President Obama addressed the nation about the worst mass shooting in US history.

USA Today Article

We are not promised tomorrow. 

Just like Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda said last night “Love is love is love is love!”

Tony Award Winner Speech

His sonnet moved me to tears.

This world is crumbling. I fear for the future. I fear for our kids. We are not safe at school, church, movie theaters, nightclubs, work or sporting events. Do we stop living our lives? No. Do we step up and take more precautions? Yes.

So what can we do as parents to keep our kids safe? Watch them! I swear almost all of our accidents have happened when we have been inches or feet away.

1. Leashes:

The first time I flew alone I put a panda backpack leash on our older son. He is a wild one and I needed that peace of mind, regardless of the looks and judgment of other airport patrons. This mama don’t care. I ordered it on Amazon Animal 2 in 1 Harness Backpack


And I got my mom one too! We haven’t flown with our little son yet due to his airborne food allergies but you bet your ass I will be using it again!

Let me say that I openly hated on parents who used leashes on their kids before I had kids.  Disgust written all over my face as kids were attached to their parents at the a State Fair, like dogs on leashes.

And in the words of The Notorious B.I.G., “if don’t know, now you know!” – Juicy. RIP Big Poppa

Juicy The Notorious B.I.G.

2. Baby Monitors: 

Ok I plan on keeping these up and on until puberty. We live in a small house yet I am attached to these more than my cell phone when the sun goes down. I’m on my third monitor and use the dual cameras. My husband is looking into outdoor home safety cameras. He had me download this ap yesterday which we are super excited about.  Family Life 360 in the AppStore. I’m reluctant with technology and my hubby is a techy guy. Let’s just say I would go back to blackberry if I could even tho life revolves around Apple and Android.

I have a sign like most mama bears, hanging over the door bell either kindly or threateningly requesting not to ring the bell, knock or solicit for fear of waking the baby. Truth be told I think everyone should have one of these because seriously who likes it when the doorbell rings or there is a knock at the door? Not me! I don’t need what you’re selling, preaching or to open my door for a home invader. If you haven’t seen this stand up comedian talk about answering the door click here it’s hilarious!!!

Sebastian What’s wrong with people?!?!

It’s so true when we were kids it was a joyous sound to hear the doorbell. Now it’s like STFU, hit the deck and “did you park in the garage?!” We live in fear. If I’m home alone, forget about it.

3. Microchips:

Which brings me to microchips. We microchipped our dog so if he was lost or stolen we could find him. So when will we start microchipping our kids? Agree or disagree but we already put  leashes on our kids. I know, I know it’s inhumane and goes against free will, but so are these staggering statistics on missing and exploited children in the United States!!!

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
According to the FBI, in 2015 there were 460,699 NCIC entries for missing children. Similarly, in 2014, the total number of missing children entries into NCIC was 466,949.

So forgive me when I say I want to do anything in my power to keep my babies safe and secure. I have mentioned before that I may be too real with my boys. I teach them stranger danger. I never bring race or looks into it. Just simple facts.

“If someone tries to get you what do you do?!”

“Run, scream your head off and look for help.”

“If you can’t find mommy who do you look for?”

“Police or someone that looks like mommy, daddy or meme.”

“No one touches your penis but you!”

This might sound agressive but so is the abuse and violence that is blind to its innocent victims.

It starts at home. We must band together to raise our kids in the world of today no matter how ugly it may be. I wish I could wear rose colored glasses and continue in the mommy brain ignorance is bliss mode, but no longer. Our children’s safety and lives are worth the time. Is it scary? Yes. Is it necessary? Yeah.

It starts with me, you and all of us to protect this land that we love.

Love knows no bounds.

God bless America.

xoxo

Just Happy Mommy

Parenting is really F$&@?ing hard!

If you think parenting is easy, you are prolly F$&@?ing up.
For the most part, we all hear that parenting is the hardest job in the world, but the most rewarding! In my case, like most parents, I think parenting is really f$&@?ing hard. 

But it’s the best thing we have ever done. 

Sounds like an oxymoron, but doesn’t anything that brings you the greatest joy in life and sunshine in your heart require hard work? The answer should be a resounding yes!

I like to say that pregnancy is the easy part. Even tho it’s very difficult, emotional, nauseating, and exhausting, it’s a cake walk compared to the unwritten, fairytale, nightmare, best seller you are about to write with your family. The ups and downs, twists and turns, loves and loss, triumph and heartache that we both enjoy and hate in our lives. 

Parenting is the most important job in the world. We are continuing the human race. It’s our job to teach them manners, the difference between right and wrong, the golden rule etc., and praying that they have a conscience. Some of these things are inherited, but they don’t know unless you tell them. I think I’m a little too honest and open with my boys. I scare the hell out of them about stranger danger. What to do if they get lost or if someone is creepy. Teaching them early on about body awareness and boundaries. 

We don’t live in the 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s anymore. Hell I’m a child of the 80’s, and we were safer then than we ever will be again. 

Researching other generations is important to learn from the past. 
Do you know where your children are?

My hubby looked up the article above last night. He said “Do you remember hearing ‘It’s 10 o’clock, do you know where your children are?'” I had heard of this, but what we found seemed more interesting to me than the PSA itself.

My generation, GenY or Millenials, is always hearing and reading things should be simple like they were in the good ole days. Let kids be kids. Well, maybe not so much…

The PSA was largely targeting the parents of Generation X, described by a 2004 marketing study on HighBeam Research as “one of the least parented, least nurtured generations in U.S. history.”[3][4][5][6]

It goes on to discuss the creation of a latchkey kid Latchkey Kid and the pros and cons to that lifestyle.

If we don’t parent our kids, who will? Having rules, regulations, and laws are essential to our safety as a society. But are we raising a generation of self righteous, entitled assholes?!

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Simple everyday things like taking them on play dates, birthday parties, the park, grocery shopping and even to get gas has become a headache, a treat and torture all in one. That’s life today nothing is easy and we are all busy.

When I hear older generations say, “My kids were easy” and “Just let them play”, My husband and I look at each other puzzled and think “Um, maybe you f$&@?ed up.” If parenting is easy, I’m pretty sure you aren’t doing it right. 

“Nothing worth doing right is easy.” – Mike Matheny

“Nothing in the world is worth having, or worth doing, unless it means effort, pain, and difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”
-Theodore Roosevelt

We are setting our children up for failure if we are not good parents, role models, and teachers. 

Saying “No!” is harder than saying “Yes”. 

“There are winners and losers in games.” 

“Life isn’t fair.” 

“Bad things happen.” 

“Being polite is important.” 

“Be the friend you want to have.” 

“Communication is key.” 

“Open your mind, but guard your heart.”

 “Listening is an art.” 

“Patience will get you far in life.” 

This and all that other stuff you thought was bullshit, it’s what your parents should have told you. 

It’s all true. I’m still learning these on the daily! 
We have to learn to parent our children’s generation. Unfortunately, we don’t have the freedoms, trust, or maybe ignorance, of the past generations. But we can help create a new crop of adults that can continue the basic fundamentals of what it means to be a good person. The journey of our lives as kids into adults, and then into parents, requires all the virtues and promotes personal greatness in our kids.  
We have summer chore charts and we started asking the boys at bedtime, “what made you smile today? What made you sad today? What did you learn today?” 
It’s not going that well but I think Reflecting is important for everyone no matter what the age. Doing the right thing is hard and I am learning more from my 2 little, angel, nugget monsters than I ever thought possible.

Embracing the present, learning from the past, and looking to the future are how we learn to navigate this life, and love it everyday we are given. 
Xoxo
Just happy mommy  

Plans

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Plans 

Why do we make plans?

We aren’t promised tomorrow or next week or even next year. 

Plans make me happy and plans make me cringe. 

“So what’s your plan?”

We have been hearing this question for a majority of our lives.

“Where do you plan to go to college?”

“What’s your plan after college?”

“Where do you plan to live?”

“Do you plan on getting married?”

“Do you plan on having kids?”

“Do you have a retirement plan?”

“Health care plan?”

And it all comes full circle again when you are a mom… “Where are your kids going to school? What’s your plan?” We all have a calendar full of activities, events, parties and obligations. 

I always had a plan. I was a go getter as long as I could get sleep and some cocktails. As a young journalist you take any job you can get in tv. Then you fake it till you make it. In my case the job was assignment editor. What you ask? Exactly. Think of it like the air traffic controller of a newsroom. You don’t care about them until they F$&@ up or until you have to fill in for them. Basically you plan the news for a living. I made it my plan to master this position and I ended up making it my bitch! RIP deuce desk 

I knew I was going to get married at 25 and I did. I wanted to have kids at the exact same ages my mom did 29, 32, and I did. Who knows maybe we will have #3 in 5 years hubby LOL! He’s done I’m still open to the plan. I knew I wanted to be a mommy and raise my family in Tulsa. Always liked the idea of moving away but it’s never gonna happen. 

So Here’s the deal. Plans are bullshit. We plan and plan and then plan the plan. Since becoming a mom I have started to sometimes loathe plans. Simple example, kids get sick. Can’t plan that. Although I can usually predict it because we will have some BIG plans it could potentially ruin. Case and point this week. We are leaving for the beach at the end of this week. We have planned this for months and it is a much needed getaway for all. 

Come on robbers hope you like stealing dishes in the sink, clothes from old navy and mountains of laundry. My husband always says I should not post that we are out of town for fear we get robbed. But I say the most valuable things we have is our kids and yes we are taking them to the beach too! It’s a family vaycay. 

    
Our little boy has a compromised immune system (for any new readers) and has extreme allergies to food and the environment. So today I took him to see our sweet pediatrician because he has been coughing and breathing rapidly, congested and feverish. We decided since we are leaving town and our deposit is NON refundable,  we better check everything off the list. 
So we took chest X-rays, nasal swab for flu and throat swab for strep. NO fever, no flu, no strep. Chest X-ray not so good. She called it fluffy. Possibly the start of pneumonia. If you have never experienced a child getting a chest X-ray it is like a mid evil torture device. The tears stream and baby cries mommy until it’s over. As a mom this is one of the worst sounds. 

  
This evening daddy comes home with a bag full of drugs (costing more than my car payment) and we begin our new plan. Our new normal. I will be administrating breathing treatments everyday even after he is done being sick and finished the antibiotics. 

   
 A mother never plans for her baby to be sick. A baby who is sick has got to be the saddest and most painful thing. And for a mom who helplessly tells them it’s going to be ok and begging to God to help her child or take their place, it is exhausting. 

I see this in my own mother. She shows so much grace and strength while helping me and telling me it will be ok. All the while I know her aching heart yearns for her baby girl to get better. Your baby is your baby. Whether they are 18 months or 31 years they are still your baby after all. Our health is our wealth. 

Please click below to learn more about food allergies.

Living with food allergies 

As people we are taught to follow a plan. We thrive on plans. We have safety plans.We have goals. We have agendas. We have tasks, events, celebrations and expectations and obligations. 

I kinda hate the saying “it’s always something.” It comforted me until recently. I know we all have pain, triumphs, struggles and things going on. But when someone says “it’s always something,” isn’t that just a nice way of saying tough shit move on?!? Or am I my usual sensitive Sally?!?

I think I have fallen short on some of my promises I made in my first blog posts. I promise to keep it real. Well here’s the real deal I can’t do it all. I can’t be a super me! Everyday I try to get up and be the super mom and a super wife and super friend and super daughter and super sister.  

Thing is I’m exhausted and need to realize over and over that

 I am enough. 

Just me being me. 

I can’t plan for everything that gets thrown in my way. 

I really admire other moms and bloggers who really have their shit together. Pretty Instagram pictures, lighting, poses and real posts. I have ideas and try, but fail miserably. 

I want to keep hustling my blog, my brand and make extra money for my family. That’s why I took this picture tonight. If you can’t plan your posts to promote yourself and your business then do it all in one. I’m a wife, mommy, writer, hustler and swag lover! I hope this makes you chuckle 😂 links below

  

Like I planned on posting about my 60 day beach body reveal well here is the reveal!
I didn’t change shit and I look the same. Chips and salsa erryday! Mommy pops, donuts, smoothies and currently a big bowl of spaghetti! 😂😂😂🍷🌮🌶🍩🍝

  
I wanted to do a cute pinteresty post about how to perfectly pack the family for a beach vacation. At this point we will be lucky if we get to go. I’ve gotten this far… I love this plan from Pinterest and 

40 Beach Tips & Tricks
  

So I sit in the bathtub with my wine and baby monitor on full blast and think I hate plans but I know I need them. 

I hope & pray everyone stays safe during these storms. It is important to have a safety plan in case of a tornado. 

Xoxo

Just happy mommy 

Swag photo cred: Hubby and links below 

Fabulous Earrings by Abby Sparks
Lip Sense Lip Gloss
My IT WORKS!
Mom Life Tee & Sunnies

Waiting for the other shoe to drop

Waiting for the other shoe to drop

I use this saying all the time and almost everyone knows what it means but I decided to look it up anyway. 

Definition
A common experience of living in apartment-style housing in New York City, and other large cities, during the manufacturing boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Apartments were built, similar in design, with the bedrooms located directly above and underneath one another. Thus, it was normal to hear a neighbor removing their shoes in the apartment above. As one shoe made a sound hitting the floor, the expectation for the other shoe to make a similar sound was created.

Verb
wait for the other shoe to drop
(idiomatic) To defer action or decision until another matter is finished or resolved.

(idiomatic) To await a seemingly inevitable event, especially one that is not desirable 

It’s kinda like when you got your shit together and have a moment of “yep it’s going too good”. The anticipation of what happens is waiting for the next shoe to drop. 
I am superstitious. I get it from my Papa. I know there is no such thing, but still my mind will say, “Dammit! I jinxed myself.” 
I have lots of examples of this so, please let me indulge you. 

The last few days I have had my super mom cape on and kicking ass at mom life! 

Friday the boys and I had a friend over to try out some new lip gloss. It’s called lip sense and I thought ok what the hell. I love me a good lipgloss! It was so cool and we had a blast. The boys loved her and I love my new everyday color called first love. It doesn’t come off, it’s all natural and I am so excited I got it today! Find her on Facebook Kiss Proof Kisses and tell her you saw it on Just happy mommy  😘💄💋

This is with NO makeup. My before, then after lip color, then with gloss and still perfect even after swim lessons! 

  
Then Saturday we had my cousins wedding which was lovely and great to see my cousins. 

Then Sunday we relaxed and went shopping at trader joes OMG obsessed and so happy they have one in Tulsa now. I waited a month but it was still a zoo! My mom and I ran over to Nordstrom rack and old navy to get some cute beach gear for our trip in 24 days! Bow chic a bow wow! Holler ED vaycay 2016!  

 Yesterday Our AC was broken so a sweet friend helped me out (shout out to said friend,) and a repair man was there in less than an hour! Boom! Then I had to take my son to school, then take the baby to my moms, then off to the dentist to get 4 fillings. OUCH! Back to pick up the baby, then pickup at school then off to SAMs to get a few things, go thru the car wash oh ya and clean, vacuum and mop my house all before 6:30pm when friends were arriving for my first wrap party! Finally got in bed by 10pm. Booya! 

Just Happy Mommy It Works
So today feeling pretty proud of all I had accomplished, I had a pep in my step. We made it out the door to school and then to visit my BFF, drop off some yummy food and stare at her beautiful week old baby girl. Of course we had some coffee talk. (In the mike Myers voice). It was a perfect morning!

  
 Then little man and I went to my parents’ to go for a walk. My mom is my soulmate. We are there for one another and know each other better than ourselves. I told her, after bitching about something, “But you know what? We are healthy. We haven’t had to use an epipen in a while.” And as soon as I said it, I thought “MFer! I should not have said that for fear of jinxing my streak of good luck with no allergy attacks!” After our walk, little man had some red bumps on his face and he was rubbing his eyes. I immediately thought there it is. The other shoe dropped. He’s going to have a reaction. (Also just to note: this is where he had his first anaphylactic reaction so I’m on high alert.) We washed his swollen face off and I got him some Benadryl and decided to get him home and give him steroids. I called my husband, who was home for lunch, and he had the medicine ready as soon as I screeched in the doorway. 

I left my parent’s house just praying to God to keep my baby safe. I kept reaching my hand back into his car seat so he would grab my fingers with his little hand. I would shake them and then he would squeeze my finger back. We did this the entire ride home. For anyone in a health or dangerous situation car rides are hell and seem like every brake light is another breath taken for granted.

  We are home now, and he is sleeping. I have the monitor on full blast. I walk in to watch him breathing every few minutes. I overreacted this time. The last couple times I have been so calm and just gave him Benadryl and a bath. But today I thought “OK, bitch nuts, it’s on.  We have been too lucky, and Since I got cocky with saying no epipens, it was on.” I am so thankful that he is OK and just very congested. 
I am almost certain it is something outside. This time of year, in Oklahoma especially, allergies are at the all time high. When I was at the TV station, I remember that Tulsa is one of the worst cities in the US for asthma and allergies. I love living in green country but, I hate seeing my baby struggle to breath and my big boy getting shiners under his eyes from the high pollen count. 

Anyway, we think we got our shit together, and then we don’t. Sometimes the shoe drops, and sometimes it doesn’t. But the knowing things are too good to be true and the anticipation of knowing something will go wrong in the future is what causes me anxiety. I for one have to force myself to live for today. I cannot control what happens. God is in control, and I have to trust in Him to take care of me, my babies, and my loved ones. Good things happen and bad things happen. Life isn’t fair and it’s all about perspective and being thankful. 
Seeing my friend’s new baby girl this morning and having a few minutes to talk, just us girls, just us moms, is a gift I cherish. 
I always check FB and Instagram when the boys are napping or having quiet time, and a sweet friend of mine posted this on my timeline.
Why being a mom is just enough 
Tears streamed down my face as I read this. It was just what I needed. Me taking care of my boys and giving them the time, love and attention they need and deserve is enough. They make my world go round. 

 We survived swim lessons and both boys loved it except for this one comment. I was running after little brother while big bro had his lesson. He was ready to jump in! A mom watching me run back and forth says “this is when you lose the baby weight.” 

Ummmm I’m sorry what?!?! I thought “Wtf lady?! ”  I wanted to say “Oh I’ve already lost my baby weight and guess what I’m going to Wendy’s after this bitch!” I Obvi didn’t say that but you bet your sweet ass I got a spicy chicken sandwich! Insert Wendy’s ad here 

  So Im hanging up my proverbial super mom cape tonight. Wednesday is our no plans, no pants, PJ day, and I intend to enjoy it fully and completely with my little humans.

Xoxo

Just happy mommy 

The T’s! Teens, Twos & Threes

Forget the terrible twos it’s all the T ages! It is the terrible teenage months, 2s and 3s. Yes there is actual literature on this. Basically every 6 months they change give or take. New challenges emerge along with new skills and milestones! 

    I have yet to experience the real teenage years with my boys, but from what I remember I was a naughty tease. It makes me have heart palpitations just thinking of how naughty and wild my boys will be. I mean look at that face!!! 

     Anyway, it has been my experience as a mom, specifically to 2 boys, that the age of 15-19 months are some of the hardest. Not to say every age thereafter does not have its challenges. 2 & 3 will come with plenty! 

    Somehow I had forgotten the days of screaming, crying, scratching, biting, and head bashing tantrums of the teenage months. 

    For this is the reason we keep having children. We forget these token tantrums and hellacious times. Somehow it gets thrown down the disposal of memories.

    But now I am in the throes of the floor flailing, end of the world, snotty, crocodile teared tantrums. Come on, you know the ones. Either you feel sorry for the parent because you too have been there, or you think “Ha! My fictional kid’s not going to act like that.” Bahahaha 🖕🏻 Good luck with that. 

    With our first son, I really freaked out. He was an angel baby. Then, around 15 months, it struck! I thought we needed to call a priest for an exorcism because he grew horns and a tail overnight! I, of course, sought the direction and advice of my mom who suggested we go to the PED. He gave us a book called SOS help for the parents.

       It’s kinda like parenting for dummies. Lots of situational examples, and how to react and discipline without spanking or breaking their spirit. 

    So children get frustrated because they can understand what we are saying, but they cannot yet verbally communicate. So we try to teach them sign language for this brief intermission before they start talking nonstop. Our first son signed and learned words very quickly. Our second son, not so much. He just wants his wubba and blankie, and to scream, grunt, point and scratch his way to what he wants. Obvi this is not acceptable. He knows how to sign, and he knows what we are saying. But instead of trying, he gives up and literally slams his head on the tile or concrete floor then looks at me like “WTF? Mom, why did you let me do that?!” Thankfully, I know this is a phase. 

    I would also like to point out that he was the happiest baby on the block (another book and DVD reference) until recently. So many of you are like, “Well, what changed?” Teenager is what changed. Pissed off, frustrated, teething, growth spurting little nuggets who are not babies anymore. Oh the decision to be a baby or a big boy. 

      As you can see the similarities, and almost direct correlation, of the teenage months and the teenage years. Discovery, understanding, boundaries, body changes, and challenging parents. I love the shirt “mom life is the best life”, 

     http://ilycouture.com/products/mom-life-is-the-best-life-sweatshirt?variant=3216305027

     but I also like the one that says “you are why Mommy drinks”. https://www.etsy.com/shop/FiveWildHearts?ref=s2-header-shopname

      
    Clearly I love my boys more than anything or I wouldn’t give two shits about figuring them out or even writing this blog. To all the other moms who are going thru this, it is ok. This too shall pass. 

      
    Raising a strong willed asshole, I mean child, is hard work but it is worth it. Learning, understanding, and gaining patience for your strong little one is one of the best gifts you can give them and yourself. 

    I had to go back to the drawing board on how I am going to parent. There is no magic wand or book or blog that can help you do your job to help your kid learn and navigate this world. 

    Also I did NOT read all these books! I’m more of a rag mag  conisore I respect and admire people who read, I’m just better with pictures. Which is the perfect transition to today and oddly ironic. 

    You want proof? We went to the bookstore today because he had birthday cash burning a hole in his  Avenger wallet, and he had to have immediate gratification. Unable to wait 2 days for Amazon Prime at half the price. 

    The book is called “The Book With No Pictures” by BJ Novak. It is a fantastic book! It came highly recommended by a friend of mine and recently a yellow class favorite! So we went to the book store, and he bought the book with his own money. It really has NO pictures! 

      
    And of course I was beyond proud! Not only did he ask for help to find the book, count his money, and say thank you, but he bought a BOOK with his OWN money! Not a cheap crap toy! 
    Meanwhile this is happening. 

       

      He throws this book on the floor! “Parenting the Strong Willed Child.” Now if that isn’t God speaking to me then I don’t know what is?!?! Plus destroying the checkout display items 😳

    We have come leaps and bounds with my now 4 year old who is so well adjusted, intelligent, kind, and understanding.
    I know his brother will be another beautiful challenge for mommy. So until then, Cheers! Here’s to the T years! 😘🍷

      
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/FiveWildHearts?ref=s2-header-shopname

    Xoxo

    Just happy mommy