Dust off those Sneaks!

This week, Alyssa realized that colored pencils and our kitchen wall make beautiful artwork together.  She also realized that hiding my cell-phone in areas specially made for toddlers to crawl (and not her 27 year old mother) makes for great comedy. 

Natalie discovered that sweet potato puree really adds a special touch to an ordinarily blasé off-white carpet, and also, dumping cheerios all over the floor, makes our cat Larry, one happy fella. 

And through all the Clorox bleach, Magic Erasers, and Dawn dish soap, I’m still so thankful that my babies are healthy and strong.

There isn’t a day that goes by where I am not thankful. 

Sure, I get frustrated and tired.  There are days where I feel like I can’t get a break and I feel as if I’m sinking in a pool of water and unable to get to the surface.  Sometimes, I look down at my clothes and remember the old days, when I would rock pant suits and stilettos.  Where I would stay up until 2 am, dancing, and taking Myspace (remember that site?) pictures of myself to post, so everyone could see how “totally awesome Kristin is”.

Now, I’m lucky if I can stay up to watch “The Office”. 

But, I’m so thankful for my babies.  For their health.  For their peaceful minds.

However, many babies are not so lucky.  I, personally, know a handful of amazing babies who had a bit of a struggle.  I’ve met, warrior mamas, who inspire me to be a better mother myself.  Whose strength and courage is beyond anything that I can imagine. 

They are my inspiration.  Those babies, with their strength to survive--are my inspiration.

And to honor them, I plan to walk—for them.

Let’s build an army of strength and courage—to help these precious loves, to lift up these courageous mamas, and to give back to the amazing research programs, who, everyday are finding new cures to help prevent premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality and help babies begin healthy lives.

If you would like to donate, please visit our Team’s page: 

http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=1799963

Or, walk with us on Sunday, April 29^th at 10 am.

Thank You--xo

Elmo and Friends

Last week we had a lunchtime rendezvous with Elmo.  It was Alyssa, Natalie, and I, along with 20 other toddlers and their mothers.  Elmo, the diva that he is, was of course late; which resulted in 21 toddlers competing for an Oscar for most “unnecessary dramatic meltdown” in a playhouse cafe.  But, I suppose, if  you plopped 22 women in a room with the chance to meet Oprah or Dr. Sears, they probably would be shoving each other out of the way with their Vera Bradley diaper bags and Medela breast pumps.

I find it so hysterical how mothers treat each other.  I actually swear, some must think that their baby came out of a 10 karat birth canal—like Indiana Jones is on a mission to find the “Golden Uterus”.

This was the second time I ever went to this place during “playdate hour”.  Think 5 o’clock happy hour but with Starbucks Lattes, Dr. Brown sippy cups and once again, that damn giraffe, Sophie.  Anyways, I knew Aly would love to see Elmo and I secretly wanted to as well—I mean, who hasn’t watched Sesame Street and fell in love with Elmo’s world and his pet goldfish Dorothy? 

So, Elmo was late, and the girls were hungry.  Aly was so amazing.  In the midst of all the children,she stayed right next to me (Natalie was in her carseat).  The place has a playroom for toddlers and she wanted to play in it, but also wanted lunch (where Elmo would be).  It was a lot  for her.  It was a lot for me.  It was chaotic.  And, well, if anyone knows the diva, she does not handle chaos well. 

So, of course, the tantrums start, which ignites Natalie to copy her big sister and she, as well, starts the waterworks.  This all happened in the middle of the room too—not discreetly in a corner or near the exit where I could have swiftly scooped them up and leave.  I have a toddler pulling on me and trying to make herself throw up by coughing for no reason, an 8 month old crying and stiffing her body, making it almost impossible for me to get her out of the carseat, two diaper bags on my shoulder and about 9 mothers staring at me like I just gave birth to a unicorn.  

Not once, did any of them offer to pull a chair for me to maybe finally sit Natalie down, or give a nod and a “oh hunny, we’ve all been there” look to ease my growing embarrassment.  They all just stood there watching, their Abercrombie babies on their hips, all of them (the babies) were already reading from Kindles and IPhones and talking about the upcoming election--I’m a bit surprised they even had the time into their schedules to spend a half hour with a giant furry red monster.

I was drowning, and fast.  Then, out of nowhere, a miracle happened—a mother actually came to my rescue.  There she was, sitting, watching me, her two year old throwing his mandarin oranges on the ground, her 5 month old sleeping next to her.  And so calmly, so casually, she said “I see your babies are close in age—isn’t it just the best”.  I turned up, shirt almost ripped off of me thanks to Aly, and pretty sure experiencing hot flashes equivalent to what a menopausal woman experiences and say to her “it’s the best”.  She laughs, gets up, hands me a chair and clears off a table for me to rest my bags and introduces herself.  “Hi, my name is Michelle.  This is our first time here to see Elmo.  I’m here visiting my family, my husband and I live in Louisiana, but he’s currently serving in the military”.  (Side note—can I just say, that military mamas are so wonderful.  I have many friends who are military wives/mamas and they have this amazing strength and unbelievable courage).

 I introduce myself to her, we share close-in-age stories and help each other out when Elmo finally makes his appearance (she’d watch my bag while I clean up the chocolate milk that Aly decided to pour all over her white shirt, and I watched her little girl, while her two year old refused to let go of Elmo’s leg).  It was simple, it was short, but it was sweet.  It was sweet of her to see me, another mother, in distress, and instead of just staring at me like I was a circus show, she offered a helping hand.

Women need to stop this insane competition of “mom wars” and thinking they are superior than another mama. Stop it already. 

Show me one mother who hasn’t examined their body for “tiger marks”, or hasn’t experienced that moment where, all of a sudden, something funky is happening in your shirt, a feeling of pins and needles and next thing you know you are looking down to see two bulls eyes of wet spots.  You can hide behind fancy things and make society think you’re all that and a bag of chips, but c’mon, you know you pee a little when you sneeze.   

All About the Eyes

The topic today:  Under Eye concealer.

The Reason:  Taking care of children (specifically two little bebes who are sick) and surviving  off of 4 hours of sleep.

The hopeful outcome:  Maintaining a look for daytime that doesn't resemble a zombie.

Webster's Dictionary definition of concealer (con-ceal-er)(noun):  a cosmetic used to conceal blemishes or discoloration especially under the eyes.

This Mama's definition of concealer:  a product that, when dealing with toddlers and babies, is of the same importance as water, shelter, chocolate fondue (with marshmallows to dip in, not the healthy apples that you know you secretly despise), and Sophie the Giraffe.

Walking into a cosmetic store can become overwhelming--and there are so many options for concealers that it would probably take me a year to try them all (which, don't get me wrong, that is definitely on my "bucket list"); below are brands that I have worn and can testify are pretty good at getting the job done.  All but one is liquid, which I personally prefer.  I feel liquid covers more, but that is a personal preference.

Primer is your secret weapon here ladies.  There is a reason why makeup artists use it and swear by it.  It helps create a bond for concealers, shadows and liners; which makes it so your makeup lasts longer, is crease-free and more vibrant.  Most primers are invisible; however, some brands are now coming out with primer that has a shimmering effect.  If you splurge on a nice concealer, spend the extra 20 bucks and buy a primer.  You will thank me later when, after a hard workout at the gym, you don’t come home resembling a raccoon and frightening your children.

The primer I love (and is always a bestseller) is Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer.  It’s about 18 bucks and stores like Ulta, Sephora or Amazon sell it.  I

Now, let’s talk coverage.

Make Up For Ever is a brand that has been around for ages and is a "go to" for celebrities (Kim Kardashian, Olivia Wilde, Lea Michele, Britney Spears, yours truly), all are fans. 

Their Invisible Cover Concealer HD is around $28 and can be found at Sephora.  Oil-free, medium coverage, goes on smooth and has an illuminating effect to help brighten your eyes.  You can walk around with sweatpants with holes in them, hair that birds keep mistaking for a nest, spit-up stained shirts and people will come up to you and ask you “have you just come back from vacation, because you look fabulous”.  Love.

Smashbox is another brand that I love and is a bit pricier (but again, it really does go a long way when used sparingly).  I personally use this concealer every day.  It’s called Smashbox HD Liquid Concealer ($20 at Ulta).  It’s so smooth—like buttah. It glides right onto your skin and doesn’t produce a lot of creased in lines (again, primer will help with this in the first place).  It covers dark circles and blemishes nicely but doesn’t looked caked on.  Set it with some pressed powder and you’re all set.  I love this brand for the everyday look.

If you have a sensitive skin, Clinique All about Eyes ($16), is your concealer.  I went through a stage where anything with a ton of chemicals in it really flared up my skin (they weren’t kidding when they say pregnancy changes EVERYTHING).  I really found positive outcomes with this concealer.  It’s a bit heavier, so when you apply it, apply right away, otherwise it gets dry.  But when applied immediately onto the skin, it has unbelievable moisture.  It’s oil-free and very gentle.  I did find that it creased a bit, but primer and pressed powder will help.  And a little goes a long way (that goes with any under eye coverage).

Another big contender (and easy on the wallets) is L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Concealer ($7-10).  This stuff works ladies.  It’s lightweight, but has a nice coverage, moisturizes (which is crucial when dealing with the fragile under eye area), blends easily and has an array of colors to match with your skin tone.  This is the concealer I have in my makeup bag for when I’m out.

Lastly, for our fabulous organic mamas, the concealer I have personally used and found positive is (and no surprise here), BareEscentuals bareMinerals ($19-30).  You’ve all seen the info-commercials and probably have personally tried it—this is wonderful makeup.  I just personally prefer liquids.  Love the coverage, love that it’s organic and love that it really does look like you are wearing nothing.  This would be great for the summer (and I do use mineral makeup in the summer)—no one wants to wear heavy liquids in 90 degree weather—you are supposed to drink liquids (preferably margaritas), not melt in them.

So, all my tired mamas out there—grab your girlfriends, swing by your local coffee shop and pick up a latte and spend a Saturday browsing the aisles of Sephora or Ulta and try a new look out.  Zombies may be all the rage come Halloween, but that’s only one day out of the year.  The rest of the time, you should look and feel fabulous—because, being a mama, you already are).

Achoo!

It finally happened. Two sick babies and one exhausted mama.

Luckily, the virus which seems to be spewing it's evil ways into my usually happy and vivacious daughters was/is a short lived one. I'm hoping by this weekend they both will be back to their divalicious ways...throwing plastic toys at each other and seeing who can fling the broccoli the farthest (I always hope Aly wins this one, because cleaning up pureed broccoli isn't the easiest).

But man, they really don't tell you how hard your heart will ache when your child(ren) are sick--all those pregnancy books, never, in intimate detail, tell you how you would stop the world if it meant your little girl wouldn't look up at you, with her glassy eyes, fever at an all high temp, and cry out "Mama, I hurt". Yup!--Grab the knife and stab me in the heart because it just broke a little bit hearing those words.

I've always said this would be a fabulous baby-shower gift--a scrapbook of "wives tales" on baby/child rearing.  Tips, tricks, and stories.

I just recently found out that using distilled white vinegar as a cleaning agent REALLY makes your countertops spotless, your glass windows sparkle, and if you have a toddler (or messy husband) who seems to always get red sauce on walls or tables, the solution cleans it off almost immediately. See, I know a lot of women know about white vinegar--just like I know a lot of mothers have secrets and tips up their sleeves--and what not a better gift to receive than a book on simple fun snacks, tricks for colds, fun nursery rhymes, laundry tricks, best place to buy bedazzled tutus...you name it--one book to keep all these "did ya try this trick" type information would be the ultimate babyshower gift.

Wait...except for maybe one gift...those nursing bras that you just attach the pump too and wear it like a tube top..completely hands-free. How awesome. Pump your milk AND Facebook? Fugettaboutit.

Anyways, I'm just grateful that both girls seem to slowly be getting better and that I don't have to research any old-school remedies in the wee hours of the night. And if I do have to get up and do some googling, I will make sure to list what I found out on here...so I can start my own scrapbook of fabulous mama ideas.