Our Black Reading Corner

With everything going on in the world I wanted to find a way to connect with the boys and teach them BLACK history as well as to help them understand the beauty in their skin. Reading has always been a fun escape for me I get lost in reading. I randomly said you know what I’m going to create an age appropriate Black Reading corner for the boys.

What do I mean by black? I mean black characters, authors and illustrators. Why? Well I could only compare my child hood to how the boys are being raised currently. I grew up knowing I was black but I was insecure about my skin about my hair everything about me. Although I was being raised by beautiful strong black woman and men I would go into other spaces or simply watch to much Disney where majority of the characters didn’t look like me or come from similar backgrounds.

I was in shock to find so many good books on amazon. I ordered the books right away and purchased the acrylic floating shelves from amazon. I preferred the shelves because Mahir is 2 and I was sure if I purchased a book shelf he would climb it. The books ranged from $3.99-$16.99. I added in a chair we had around the house from Ikea and boom it was complete.

I wanted to be sure that my children would not only actively read but read to understand. Words mean nothing if you aren’t taking your time to imagine the vision of what your reading. Reading became more personal after attending an HBCU. During undergrad I learned myself and began to appreciate and own what being black truly is.

Excuse me for the language but you won’t feel me unless I slide this tea in. One of my favorite poems “Fuck I look like” by Kai Davis she says “White people told us niggas not to read 300 years ago, and now niggas telling other niggas not to read, what are we afraid of”. When I listened to those words back in 2012 it spoke to me not only do I enjoy reading but my ancestors where purposely told not to read in fear of what WE could become. This is not to make everything racial or political but to inform others.

I’m teaching my boys daily that reading is cool and that the mind should never stop expanding and growing. This is not to knock others culture rather your Irish, Latino or in between giving our children diverse books or books they can relate to sets them up for a future of being confident in who they are and where they come from.

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My favorites so far are “Woke Baby” by Mahogany Browne. This read is perfect for children 3 and under. My favorite for ages 5 and up would be “I am Positive affirmations for brown boys” by Ayesha Rodriguez. This book was essential with the current state in America with black lives matter and police brutality. I wanted my son to know he is valuable, loved and a King. What are you guys reading lately?

Fitness while Pregnant

I know, I know how dare me just show up with a random Tip Tuesday and not explain why I been gone so long and not consistent. Welp, this pregnancy has gotten the best of me but that’s a story for a different day. SOON! On today we are going to talk pregnancy and fitness I’m sharing five of my tips.

1. Find what works for you- I’ve tried pregnancy yoga which is not for me I just but then I took my normal aerobics routine and cut out ab workouts and notice that my body prefers that more than being zen. Even if your thing is walking start with maybe doing a slight 15 min a day.

2. Me time- When I’m at the gym yes people stare because of my belly but I’m pregnant not an alien. It’s completely normal to hit gym while pregnant just in moderation. Gives me my time to think ohhh and be toddler free to catch up on Greys Anatomy .

3. Labor and delivery- I delivered Kai at 35 weeks, he came out 7lbs 8 oz which is pretty big for a baby at his gestational age. The one thing I remember clearly is labor being a breeze 5 hrs. I can say remaining active was a big help during my labor I was able to push without getting tired and I was able to fight through majority of my contractions. I even went hiking in LA at 6 months pregnant last time.

4. Hydrate- I recommended just taking a whole gallon to the gym yes you will go potty a lot but you and baby will be hydrated. Being dehydrated can sometimes cause contractions I’ve learned the hard way.

5. Know your limits- Look your growing life so your goal should be to just be active and healthy. Don’t try to feed into social media and be the pregnant woman with abs.

Just get going, don’t wait. I will admit it’s easiest to workout during second trimester. I’m no fitness guru but I know what works for me and I hope these tips can help you.

Bonus Tip: The more active you are during pregnancy the easier snapping back will be.

Mommy & Kai take on Disneyland

Growing up I spent many holidays in Los Angeles with my family. I remember when we all packed up and went to Disney the only problem was I was afraid of rides and characters at the time.

My little one has had an obsession with Mickey Mouse since he could stand and we had already went to Disney on Ice countless times so what was next? Disneyland. Off we went on a 6am flight landed at LAX breakfast then on to Disneyland. What was even greater is that our tickets to the park where free talk about a savings and they came with fast pass so no waiting in line.

The park had plenty of rides for my little one who is thirty five inches tall. From turkey legs to the tea cups we had a blast. So much of a blast I looked into his stroller at only 7pm and he was sleeping mouth open and all.

I left the theme park with memories to last a life time. To see his smile and him jumping for joy was well worth the exhaustion that my body is feeling right now. Now we are on to Knotts Berry Farm to see Snoopie.

hoUSton August 28

I must admit that this is something that you can’t prepare for, something you could never guess was coming. To see a city that have grown to love over the past seven years under water still doesn’t feel like reality. Not being able to go to the grocery store, school or down the road due to flood waters. Hearing tornado sirens all through the night, the amount of uncertainty that we’ve experienced these past five days. Being a young mom to a toddler and remaining calm in the situation but I’m forever grateful.

 

To see a family with a young child carrying everything they own in a pack and play my heart broke into pieces. I will never take the simple things for granted. Which brings us to today we have gathered our family we will volunteer. We will help in any way to rebuild our city and we will continue to pray. Yes many can not donate this we understand but if you can pray or even be a helping hand. hoUSton will show this country how to come together no matter race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. For all those who have reached out thank you.

Traveling with a Toddler

Even though this wasn’t our little ones first flight it was hands down his most active. His first flight he slept the entire flight. Now that he’s approaching two that’s changed the plane seems to be one big playground for him. Here are a few tips for traveling with a toddler.

1. Backpack- Kai is at the age where he wants to be independent so we pack him a small backpack full of snacks diapers and small toys.

2. Headphones- I found the perfect headphones for toddlers at Five Below. 

3. Crayons and Coloring book- It was easy to fold down the eating tray and allow him to use it as a desk to color away. 

4. Download Movies in advance- The week of our trip I downloaded 5 movies to his IPad of course “Minions” made the cut.

5. Book flight during nap or sleeping times- This works for us Kai naps between 11am-2:30 roughly every day. His bedtime is 9:30pm so we travel during those hours he’s relaxed and sleeping soundly.

6. While walking through airport or aircraft Daddy led the way Kai followed and I held down the back this way toddler can run ahead or fall behind airports can be hectic. With the system of one parent infront and one in back it allowed us to stay together as well give our child some independence. 

7. Airport Stroller- I will never take our nice jogging stroller to airport simply because things can get lost and I’d rather it be something cheap and inexpensive as well as the cheap strollers are more portable.

8. Lastly pack a small snack for each out of the flight- 4 hour flight I’d pack a granola bar, yougurt, veggie sticks, and fruits. Food is a distraction.

9. Pack toddler bags in advance- toddler clothes and gadgets are easier to forget because they are smaller packing ahead allows you to be organized. 

Traveling with a young child or a toddler can be unpredictable the best thing to do is make little one as comfortable as possible. If none of these tips help order a wine and plug your ears. That was just a joke. Enjoy your travel and be sure to like and subscribe to our blog. 

Grocery Shopping on a Budget

For the entire month of February MomTea will be focusing on money-saving tips for the everyday mom. From grocery store, and taxes all the way to personal saving habits.We are going to be saving the coins in 2017. First up is Grocery Shopping.

1. Make a list- This helps me save time as well as stay organized.
2. Bring Reusable Bags- This helps me not to over buy, most times if we have tons of bags food simply goes to waste
3. Timing- Pick a shopping time when there wont be large crowds, avoiding crowds allows you to shop in peace and not rush
4. Plan ahead- Planning meals ahead helps you to have all the ingredients ahead of time.
5. Coupons/ Deals- Look for the savings and the deals, Our personal favorite is Kroger not only do we gain points towards gas but the app allows you to upload coupons right to your Kroger card.
6. MOST IMPORTANT SET A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT- If it’s not in the budget put it back even if its your favorite cookie or pastry.

If you have any grocery tips please drop them below. Be sure to Share Tip Tuesday.

 

6 tips to Conquer Postpartum Depression

Postpartum  depression (PPD) was the furthest thing from my mind during pregnancy, so once Kai was two months and I was diagnosed, I was ashamed. Becoming a new mom is a journey and on that journey, there will be a few bumps in the road. Here are a few of my tips to help conquer PPD:

1. Speak up
2. Keep a journal
3. Find time for yourself
4. Take breaks to help clear your head
5. Lean on family and friends for support
6. Join a support group of other moms

PPD is very common and mothers should feel comfortable to speak out about it. The cause of post-partum depression has many factors which include adjusting to motherhood, fatigue, psychological and hormonal changes as well as many others. I hope this post helps other moms who have had or are currently having symptoms of PPD feel more comfortable talking about their feelings and hopefully seek the support they need to cope.