(MommyJD) Hump Day Randomisms

So what can we say? These weeks have flown by busy as ever. But you can always count on me to give you some random thoughts from my mommy-brain:

• I was at the dentist this morning and I remembered that the last time I was at the dentist I was 5 months pregnant and complaining about my discomfort. But today I realized that going to the dentist can be one of the most awful experiences, pregnant or not. A necessary evil indeed.

• For those who don't know, my co-Martini Mom 2 Karats and a Kid also blogs on Chicago Now (big time I know!) and her most recent post titled "Oh, the Places You Will Go: An open letter to those in a quarter-life or midlife crisis (Part One)" really spoke to my heart. Check her out. 

• This past Sunday was my birthday and I turned 31. I am officially deep into my 30's! Lol. And to commemorate this special year, I plan to run two 3.1 mile (5k) races this summer. The first will be the Warrior Dash in June, and then a regular 5k on the 4th of July. Yes the Warrior Dash looks insane but my husband asked me to do it with him and my New Year's Resolution was to not say "no" to him....as much. Fun times ahead! 

• We're getting ready for summer over here and what's first on my to-do list? Black out shades for my kids' rooms! I cannot have my son waking up at 6am everyday this summer (like he has been all week). I love sunny days but I love to sleep in more :)

Happy Hump Day! 

(MommyJD) My New Favorite Wine

Lately I've been doing a lot of shopping at Trader Joe's. I have a mommy pusha who tells me all the good stuff to buy. In addition to their awesome fish nuggets, cookie butter, pizza crust, and blueberry juice, I picked up this sweet red wine during my last shopping trip. Normally I'm not a fan of red wine at all. It's usually too dry for me. But the Carl Reh Dornfelder Sweet Red Wine is absolutely delicious. This is my new nightly drink of choice and it helps that my husband doesn't care for it (not enough tannin in it for him)- so more for me!

Next time you're out looking for a new wine to try, pick up some of this sweet red.

(This post was not endorsed by Trader Joe's or Carl Reh- just me thinking about getting my drink on in the middle of the day on this humid Hump Day).

(MommyJD) Hump Day Happy Hour

Anybody else need a drink?? I know I'm not the only one. It's been a long month already. My friend Mommy, M.D. told me last night that her two girls had pushed her to drinking. I was envious that she had red sangria on hand. I don't have anything but my husband's Bud Lite and that is not my kind of drink.

I'm also jealous that Mommy, M.D. was able to do something that I often struggle with- backing up a threat. She told her older daughter (age 4) that if she did an unwanted behavior one more time that she would pack up her entire room and take away all her toys. Testing her mother as all little kids like to do, the little girl did it again. Mommy, M.D. stormed in the room and packed it up in 7 minutes flat! I was so impressed when she told me that, my jaw literally dropped. Damn Mommy, M.D.! That is some gangsta mommy ish.

So even though it's only Wednesday and it's barely noon, I am imagining how lovely it would be to take a sip of some "mommy juice." Of course I'm not going to actually do that (not while the kids are awake anyway) but a mother can dream can't she? Forget Calgon, Moscato take me away....

(MommyJD) Hump Day Happiness

There are so many random things going on in the world that I could comment on- tragic teen deaths, racist tweets about Hunger Games, and the Obama-care hearings, just to name a few. Instead I'd rather focus on how I am trying to wake up happy every day, rejoice in the day that the Lord has made, and be a better wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, niece, and friend. These are my daily goals.

Have you heard of The Happiness Project? It's a blog I follow (but don't read often enough) based off the book of the same name by an attorney turned writer who one day decided that she wanted to be happy. As simple as that sounds, we all know that it is not easy to just "be happy." It takes work, meditation, patience, and most importantly, it takes decisiveness. Decide to be happy then take the steps to be happy.

One of my favorite posts is when author Gretchen Rubin interviewed author of Motherless Daughters, Hope Edelmen. Here is my favorite part of the Q&A:

Is there anything that you see people around you doing or saying that adds a lot to their happiness, or detracts a lot from their happiness?

If I could remove one phrase from the English language, it would be “It is what it is.” What’s that supposed to mean? Too often, it seems like a fast and easy way to label a complicated situation “a thing I cannot change," thereby giving the speaker permission to abandon efforts to improve it. No.

Now that's what I needed to hear.

~Be Happy.

(MommyJD) Hump Day Randomisms

It's Hump Day! These weeks are going by fast and the warm weather helps!

• Does anyone else get sad when you have to put away baby clothes that your child has worn once, maybe twice? It's even worse when the clothes are super cute. 

• BUT, I have been known to squeeze KJ's chubby arms and thighs into an outfit that she has clearly outgrown just to get some wear out of it. 

• This is a public service announcement for any man who may come across this blog post: dirty dishes go in the dishwasher, not the sink. Thaaaaaanks.

• I went to Target the other day and saw a man walk in with not one but two kids in his cart. I later saw him walking behind a Target team member with only the younger child- the employee was on her walkie talkie looking for the other child. Dad looked like he could use a drink. 

• During this same trip to Target I was childless (the only way to shop!) so I took my time and walked slowly up and down each aisle. I discovered that Target has a new aisle completely dedicated to natural black hair products! And I'm talking about the good stuff that you normally have to order online! I am such a product junkie, I spent the majority of my type plotting on which products to get. 

• 2 Karats and a Kid and I are two months away from Treat Yo' Self 2012 and I can't wait! This year I think we will even make a video like this one:

So that's what's on my mind today- what's on yours? 

(MommyJD) Hump Day Randomisms

Here are my random thoughts on this beautiful Wednesday- each of which is too short for it's own post.

• After reading Black Enterprises' most recent "Top 40 Under 40," which included one woman I know personally and two women who went to my alma mater, I was super amped to get back to lawyering work! But then I remembered the mantra "I is kind, I is smart, I is important"- and that's good enough for me for now. Plus, none of those women get to spend their day with my KJ- and she is my (second) greatest accomplishment. 

• Damon Wayons, Jr. is the only reason why I still watch Happy Endings. While funny at first, the nuances of each character have become so exaggerated it's starting to get predictable and annoying.

• Where is the craziest place you put something where it didn't belong? This usually happens with pregnant women. When my sister and I were pregnant at the same time she told me she put a bottle of orange juice in the cupboard. I replied that I had put salad dressing under the kitchen sink. Sadly this still happens to me as I just now took out tupperware, put leftover food in it, and put it back in the cupboard with the other tupperware. Smh.

• Multi-tasking while on the phone- I know I'm not alone with this one because my sister does it to me all the time. You're "listening" to the person on the phone while completing the 50 million tasks you had going on before the phone rang. Then before you know it there's a weird silence on the phone as if the person on the other end is waiting for some sort of response. And all you can really say is "mmmmhmmm. Yeah." Smh. That is so rude of me- I'm gonna need me to do better...

• My son has the negotiation skills of a 5th year associate. This of course should not come as a surprise considering his grandfather and mother are attorneys. He'll ask for 10 cookies and I'll say, how about no cookies, to which he'll reply, how about 5 cookies, and that will go on until he is happily walking away with a cookie in each hand. Maybe me studying for the bar while pregnant with him has something to do with it...the boy has skills!

Happy Hump Day! 

(MommyJD) Hump Day Randomisms

I used to call this series "The Bump's Hump Day Randomisms" but seeing as how I am no longer sporting a bump, I'll stick to the generic "Hump Day Randomisms" (until I think of something more clever). Here are a few things on my mind that are not long enough to be their own post.

• If my husband rolls over with his back to me when he hears the baby crying in the middle of the night ONE MORE TIME...he will be rudely awakened with a foot to his backside.

• Why do people (usually of the older persuasion) avoid the self-checkout line at the grocery store like it's the plague? There will be a line 10 deep (along with 10 full carts) and no waiting at the self-checkout and I will see people peek over and then end up choosing the longer line. Why, just because there is a human touching your groceries and taking your money? Don't be afraid of technology people!

• I recently redeemed a Groupon for a facial at a spa near my home. The facial was great but I could only chuckle on the inside at the esthetician who recommended that I 1) buy these expensive ass products because that's what my face "needs" and 2) come in at least once a month for a facial. Trick, if I could afford to do all that would I really be shopping on GROUPON! 

• "As Seen on TV"- I am a marketer's dream come true. I do not often watch commercials or informercials, but I will occasionally catch them while at the gym. And I must have every thing I see. I have a wish list a mile long for everything from Pajama Jeans to Wen to Slice-O-Matic. Hide yo phones, hide yo wallet.

• Anyone out there watch The Office? It hasn't been that funny since Michael Scott left but Pam (and sometimes Darryl) keep me watching. The episode where she was talking about texts and question marks was HILARIOUS! My synopsis would not give it justice so here's the video: Pam and the Art of Texting 

Two questions marks is kind of aggressive. It's like "WHA WHA!" lmao

Happy Hump Day!

(Mommy JD) The Bump's Hump Day Randomisms

Happy Hump Day! Here are some randomisms from my bump and I:

• Dropping your child off at school in the pouring rain is no fun at all....unless you are the child. He didn't seem to care that neither of us were dressed in proper rain attire.
• One of my good friends who worked out during both of her pregnancies (not just worked out, spinned) suggested that I ride the bike to help with my pelvic pain. So after the rainy drop-off I played hookie from work and went to the gym. I got on the bike that has a back to it and began to pedal. I had to stop about every 2 minutes to catch my breath. I tried to lower the resistance but I was already on level 1. (Sigh) Not sure if that helped at all but it feels good just to walk into the gym (especially since I pay for it every month).
• While doing my lazy bike-ride, I got a chance to watch a closed captioned version of the last Oprah show. Some people will not know what to do with themselves without Oprah but I'll be okay. I do wish I could have attended a taping but that was never in the cards. I would say Oprah you will be missed, but I know she's not going anywhere.
• I think my recent purchase of 100% African Shea Butter was the best purchase I've made all pregnancy. I am super excited to grease up my stomach at least five times a day. Goodbye stretched out skin pain!
• Speaking of pregnancy pain, lately ladybug's movements have been a little painful. Okay sometimes more than a little. I imagine she doesn't have enough room in there (especially since so many people tell me how small I am). But I don't remember gasping and wincing during my first pregnancy. When her head pops out on the side (yeah, pops out) I always think of the scene from alien... (ok I just googled the scene from alien and as gross as it is, it made me lmao).

(Mommy JD) The Bump's Hump Day Randomisms

Oh, would you look at that. It's Wednesday again. Here's what the bump and I are pondering this dreary Wednesday.

• When we left for Atlanta we had the air conditioning on. When we returned from Atlanta we had to turn the heat on. There is something very wrong with that. Why do I live in Chicago again? (Oh yeah, because my husband loves this city).
• Mrs. Michelle Obama is the bomb dot com.
• Check out my husband's post on SC Commencement http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2011/05/my-blue-and-white-pinpoint-in-history/
• We are inches close to getting Gr fully potty trained. 1 down, 2 to go. (Get it?)
• Friday I will be 30 years old and 30 weeks pregnant. Yea for ladybug and I!
• I have consumed so much fast food the past few days that I vowed this week to not eat any fast food. Maybe I can last for the rest of the month. Wish me luck.

(Mommy JD) The Bump's Hump Day Randomisms

Happy Hump Day! Here are some randomisms from my bump and I:

• Beyonce's new single has solidified my disinterest in her.
• I thought this weather was depressing the hell out of me and making me so tired. Now I know it's my low iron. Doh!
• I love my baby ladybug so much and she is already the bomb dot com, but her kicks can be so brutal! She is doing the holy dance all up and down my uterus like she's praising Jesus in church. Note to ladybug: we do not attend that type of church.
• I cannot seem to find a bra that fits comfortably. I find myself unhooking my bra mid-day and then seeing people staring at my chest because my bra is all out of whack. Pardon my appearance- I chose comfort over style every time.
• My two year old is crazy. But I blame myself. I've been so tired (lazy? iron deficient?) lately- I think he needs more structure at home. I let him run loose so much it's a shame. When I check on him in the basement I just close my eyes so I don't have to look at the mess he made. (No more glitter or oatmeal).
• Speaking of my two year old- he can definitely outrun me. And we are having serious issues with him running away and not listening. When he runs out in the parking lot after preschool, I just keep my eyes on him and pray for the best.
• We survived a plane ride to ATL, now it's time to take a drive down there. Lord please give me the strength, ipad apps, crayons, dvds, and snacks to survive being in the car with my crazy two year old for 12 hours. Amen.
  
  

(Mommy JD) The Bump's Hump Day Randomisms

Happy Hump Day! Here are some randomisms from my bump and I:

• I miss the UPS guy. Due to our high-tax-bill, my-car-needs-fixin, low-cash budget, I have not seen him in quite a long time. So today I had to treat myself to a purchase- I just love to shop and click.
• I don't know what was more gross- how long my child's toenails were or the fact that I clipped them right before he went to bed....while he was in the bed. I'll vacuum it up, don't judge me.
• This morning my baby was kicking like she was angry. I wonder if babies in utero get angry? Like what could possible make her upset? The way I see it, life in the womb is the bomb. It's like living in a jacuzzi with an all you can eat buffet.
• Things with my husband and his mistress (Alpha Phi Alpha) are still hot and heavy. He has precisely 19 more weeks until the affair must come to an end.
• I CANNOT STAND the senior citizens that patron at the community center where my son goes to preschool. I do not discriminate against old people, I just have a general phobia and annoyance for them.
• My butt hurts- and it's not hemorrhoids, trust me. It's just my big ol butt having to sit in uncomfortable chairs all day. I have a Spelman seat cushion (no idea why I have one) that I think I'll start carrying around with me.
• I always want Culvers for lunch and I always forget the coupons for Culvers at home. Sadly even a coupon lover like myself will not forgo the buttery goodness of a Culvers hamburger just because I left the $1 coupon at home. Especially not today.

UPDATE: I most definitely got my Culvers on for lunch. If you sign up for their email list, they send you a coupon for BOGO Value Basket!!

(Mommy JD) The Bump's Hump Day Randomisms

Happy Hump Day! Here are some randomisms from my bump and I:

• When your two year old starts grunting while going #2- while standing in the living room watching television leaning over an ottoman- you know it's time to get his stubborn behind on the potty. Smh.
• Does anyone else go "ug" and maybe even jolt a little when their fetus kicks? At only 5.5 inches long and 0.7 ounces this baby is in full kickboxing mode.
• While doing research on a motion I found myself humming to Big Pun's "Don't Want To Be a Playa" and then singing the words "I don't wanna be a lawyer no more...I'm not a lawyer I just crush a lot." I have issues.
• Ironically I just realized that I have spent more time researching a rule that says I don't have to write this motion than it would have taken me to just write the motion. 21 more weeks until maternity leave.
• My husband's mistress is Alpha Phi Alpha. I should retaliate by rendezvousing with Alpha Kappa Alpha but I'm starting to lose interest in her. She's too high maintenance and is losing her luster.
• I would absolutely love a Chick Fil A chicken sandwich and fries right now....I must find an excuse to go to Orland on Friday for their Free Fry Day.