If you could walk in my Uggs...

You would know how in awe I am of this wonderful God, our creator, who formed me and my little boys in utero and pronounced us, good to go. And wonderfully and fearfully made. And beautiful and perfect. This God who knows our end from our beginning, who calls us by name knew that the day would come when I would- frustrated, at the end of my pregnancy, start this here blog - and continue the blog after the birth of my little 'monkey boy' and said 'monkey boy' would have eight sharp teeth and smiles and hair for days, plus a truly engaging personality and that he would turn one and he would along with his brother, be my pride and joy.

So thank you God Almighty. And thank you readers of this blog. And Happy One year anniversary to us. And please God let Monkey Boy be walking by his birthday - I don't know why it bugs me that he's not, but it does.

eternally grateful to God, pp

Upgrade! (Lookin' Good Prada!)

Yes we are getting more and more stylish as the days go by... Just check out our new banner! I could just die looking at the caricature 'me' and my boys 'Numero Uno Son' and 'monkeyboy'. J'adore Melissa Kulesa of Kulesa Design. Everything is said in a french accent ( and in french) in my world these days - an ode to our Paris trip, if you will... Tres annoying, mais oui? Lol.

Chictopia

It is always extremely gratifying when I find out that indeed there are folks just as nutty and quirky as myself. See, fashion is truly something I am passionate about. I love to wear nice things, attempt to design clothes, enjoy watching people's fashion choices. So I was overjoyed to discover chictopia.

Have you ever put together an outfit so clever or maybe so simple yet so utterly divine? Or maybe you just liked the way you looked that day? Well, there are fellow fashionistas on chictopia waiting to learn from you and admire you. And you can pick up quite a few tips yourself. In less than 15 minutes, I picked up three different ways to tie my scarf and an innovative way to wear a man's shirt(as a strapless dress!) Even if you just like to people watch, this site is worth it. And I am so adding it to my reader feed.

Out of Africa...

Out of Africa comes beautiful things. Gorgeous fabrics, delicious food, beautiful people. And I want to celebrate just a few of them in this post - little things that I've found on the web that make me proud to be who I am.

Motherland Bites has everything I crave from my childhood days. Golden 'puff puffs', shiny 'meat pies', did someone say crunchy nuts? I am so there. Except they are based in the U.K. {Sigh} Oh well, here's a shout out to those wonderful women 'across the pond'. Your presentation alone (as I have not tasted their food) makes you noteworthy!

I fell in love with these little darling dolls when I spotted them last year on this site. (Bella Naija, by the way is another awesome Nigerian import and her blog keeps my nose firmly planted in the business of all the fabulous people in Nigeria) I mean, how adorable are these replicas of women from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria? If you have been hunting for dolls that look more like your baby girl and ESPECIALLY if you are Nigerian. these barbies are a must have. I even ordered one for myself, and let's face it, I am hardly seven anymore.

And of course, this list would not be complete without something from Calista Clothiers. If you're looking for something to take you from office to evening or just to lounge in this summer, look no further! This Culotte jumpsuit is too cute and available in all kinds of fabulous colors. All kinds of delish, I tell ya!

I'm not who I was...

I have always blogged. I mean even before we were calling it 'blogging'. Waaay back in the day, I was on the net typing, cutting pasting - it was hardly as high tech and simplified back then as it is now and you did stuff the hard way. Before then, I always kept a diary or journal of some sort. You know, the one with the lock and key and before then any spare book I could lay my hands on and write furiously in when no one was watching, at like 12 midnight. Or in some weird encrypted code, that I made up, just so no one could decipher my steamy secrets. Oooh, steamy secrets at sixteen? Yah. Nada. but it made me feel important like I really had something tor hide, you know? Anyway, what sucked was that I invariably almost always forgot my code and I couldn't read it either. I tell you, my life was so complicated.

So why did I bring this up? I stumbled upon an online blog I used to have way back when (I mean, who knew it still existed? Note to self - watch out for carbon(?) / cyber (?) foot prints)and I fell out laughing! Oh, I crack me up, to say the least. What gets me is this really was me, and people really did read it, but it was SO ... gauche is the only word that comes to mind. And how I could be that way at twenty something is beyond me. But click on the link and enjoy the ride. So there is hope for all mankind, for none was as unfabulous as I. Way back when. But while I love the authenticity and 'journey' that was me then, (for in truth I was still finding out who I was), but I am so glad for maturing and morphing and still maintaining my inner me, while letting 'Prada Principal' emerge. Viola! Hello world - doesn't look like she's going back anytime soon. :-)

The moral of this post is - the good thing about being in your thirties is you are no longer in your twenties. Yay!

ps. This is where I talk about my date with my future hubby. We had NO idea that some seven years later, we'd be married with two bambinos. Scary, huh?

By the Way, love, love this song By Brandon Heath titled, aptly, 'I'm not who I was...'
live fabulously, pp

Cut Throat

I love contests and competition. On the surface, I may seem a little cool and laid back, but I will go for your jugular at a baby shower to win the coveted bag full of sickly sweet diaper shaped soaps, feeding bottle candles and jelly beans all done up in gauze. Believe that, Ma. I dunno, but winning is just great and I am good at word scrambles and finding hidden minuscule baby combs in curtain patterns, so I usually win those. So this is why I need to win this contest and a free giveaway on sleep deprivation hosted on this cool blog, aptly titled 'coolmomsrule'. All I have to do is answer a few questions, which suits me just fine as I LOVE to talk about myself. (You'd never guess, right? :-)) So here goes...

Well, today we are giving away a copy of Sleep Deprived No More here on Cool Moms Rule! And here's what you have to do to:
Win it!Link to this post on your blog, and then comment here with your link. If you don't have a blog you can still win! Just leave a comment.

Here's what I want to know:

When was the last time you had 8+ hours of sleep?



October 27 2005 - the night I left the hospital with my first son. I was smart, I knew in advance to enjoy my time in the hospital and NOT have him room in with me. Trust me, he'll have more than enough time to room in with you, so sleep while you can!



If your child sleeps through the night, what routine worked for you?



That's exactly it - 'routine' works for us. he knows the drill, after his bath and food, there is computer time or story time or TV time and cuddle time, prayers, chocolate milk night cap and bed. Some nights there are tears and the occasional 3 am wake up, but they are far and few between and it's always back to bed.



On really bad nights, Mama is not above using good old fashioned bribery, with whatever is the 'thing' of the month.



If you are a struggling, sleep-walking zombie of a Mom, I want to hear about that, too.



I thought I was sleep deprived before number 2 son came along, but I cackle hysterically at the notion now. I have accepted the fact that I will not be sleeping 8 hours until at least four, five years in the future and I'm okay with that. Not because I am this great mom, but because, well, sleep is overrated. I'd rather be watching 'Flavor of love' at 2 am anyway. Call me crazy...



Share your tips and tribulations below in your comment for a chance to win Sleep Deprived No More!Last Day to Enter: Thursday, June 5, 2008Winners Announced: Friday, June 6, 2008