It's been a looong time! But I wanted you to know today is Donovan's 6 month birthday!!! And it light of this and the upcoming Holidays, Disney has done something WONDERFUL! Check it out!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Friends are GREAT!!
I've always really put a high value on friendship and I try to be the best friend I can in return.
This post is just my appreciation and gratefulness for all of the wonderful friends I have in my life. It's really amazing! And the thing is some are old, some are new but they're all fantastic!
First I want to announce how excited I was to receive my FIRST baby shower gift! I was at home, minding my own business (relatively speaking, we all know I'm fairly nosey) when there was a knock at my door. It was UPS! So unexpected!
So they delivered me a fairly large, but not heavy box. I called my mom so I could open it with someone! (Bensford was at work)
It was from my dear friend Colleen! I can't explain how much joy it brought me--not the gift alone, but the fact that a friend took the time out to send it! Here's a pic of our new diaper bag courstesy of my film school partner in crime!!!!
But let me take things back several months. To a new friend Akeim. He and his wife just had a baby about a year ago. At the time, I was overwhelmed with not only the costs of prepping for a baby--but prepping for my body changes (new pants, new bras, etc!!!) So do you know that Akeim (who I met at E! and who is an editor there) and his wife gave us a LARGE BOX load of baby clothes, a playpen set and a changing pad!!!!!! It was such a wonderful gift and it provided such a relief to us to know we had some basics!!! Of course they had a boy so all of the stuff is tre masculine. We shall see how much ends up being usable!!!
One day I was emailing my friend Rita who also recently had a cute little boy named Christian. I was thanking her for congratulating me. Somehow, out of the blue she asked me if I needed any money. I mean honestly. Who does that? Anyway she ended up sending me a Target gift card and i was able to buy some much needed maternity jeans! Then she sent me a box of clothes she wore that might fit. Unbelievable.
My friend Adrienne, from day one has already put it in her plans to fly to LA and help with the baby when its born.
Tia (Smitty) has sent me so many words of encouragement, along with a Pregnancy Exercise DVD AND she's picking me up from the airport in DC even though she'll be tired from travelling that same day.
MY girls here in LA--I can't even believe them--they are constantly supportive and are so excited about the baby's arrival! Every month, we, collectively known as BLACK GIRLS RULE LA!, meet to just support each other professionally and personally.
Do you know these chicks called a special meeting just to plan my LA baby shower?!!!
I guess the bottom line is this--I'm blessed. And sometimes we don't know what God's plan is for us, how we're gonna make it through. Sometimes we are scared of the unknown. But having friendship has always helped me know that ere'thang is gonna be allright!
I'm so excited at the LOVE the baby will receive when he or she arrives!
What a BLESSING!!!!!!!
This post is just my appreciation and gratefulness for all of the wonderful friends I have in my life. It's really amazing! And the thing is some are old, some are new but they're all fantastic!
First I want to announce how excited I was to receive my FIRST baby shower gift! I was at home, minding my own business (relatively speaking, we all know I'm fairly nosey) when there was a knock at my door. It was UPS! So unexpected!
So they delivered me a fairly large, but not heavy box. I called my mom so I could open it with someone! (Bensford was at work)
It was from my dear friend Colleen! I can't explain how much joy it brought me--not the gift alone, but the fact that a friend took the time out to send it! Here's a pic of our new diaper bag courstesy of my film school partner in crime!!!!
But let me take things back several months. To a new friend Akeim. He and his wife just had a baby about a year ago. At the time, I was overwhelmed with not only the costs of prepping for a baby--but prepping for my body changes (new pants, new bras, etc!!!) So do you know that Akeim (who I met at E! and who is an editor there) and his wife gave us a LARGE BOX load of baby clothes, a playpen set and a changing pad!!!!!! It was such a wonderful gift and it provided such a relief to us to know we had some basics!!! Of course they had a boy so all of the stuff is tre masculine. We shall see how much ends up being usable!!!
One day I was emailing my friend Rita who also recently had a cute little boy named Christian. I was thanking her for congratulating me. Somehow, out of the blue she asked me if I needed any money. I mean honestly. Who does that? Anyway she ended up sending me a Target gift card and i was able to buy some much needed maternity jeans! Then she sent me a box of clothes she wore that might fit. Unbelievable.
My friend Adrienne, from day one has already put it in her plans to fly to LA and help with the baby when its born.
Tia (Smitty) has sent me so many words of encouragement, along with a Pregnancy Exercise DVD AND she's picking me up from the airport in DC even though she'll be tired from travelling that same day.
MY girls here in LA--I can't even believe them--they are constantly supportive and are so excited about the baby's arrival! Every month, we, collectively known as BLACK GIRLS RULE LA!, meet to just support each other professionally and personally.
Do you know these chicks called a special meeting just to plan my LA baby shower?!!!
I guess the bottom line is this--I'm blessed. And sometimes we don't know what God's plan is for us, how we're gonna make it through. Sometimes we are scared of the unknown. But having friendship has always helped me know that ere'thang is gonna be allright!
I'm so excited at the LOVE the baby will receive when he or she arrives!
What a BLESSING!!!!!!!
Nesting & Resting
I may be nesting! I have spent the last week on this seriously intensive cleaning mission. So much so that today I've prescribed myself to bedrest! I guess I realize time's a-tickin and I'm becoming less and less mobile.The plan is to get as much done before I leave on Thursday for home home--DC!!!
So the kitchen has been completely overhauled and next is the nursery! Yikes!!!
I'm excited and nervous--we have to convert our office into the baby's room and there's a LOT of stuff to get rid of! But I can use most of May for that project and pace myself and create my VISION!!!
Instead of painting, I'm on the hunt for wallpaper strips that can add baby flava to the room. So that's the plan! As soon as I find some that I like, I'll be sure to let you know!!!
So the kitchen has been completely overhauled and next is the nursery! Yikes!!!
I'm excited and nervous--we have to convert our office into the baby's room and there's a LOT of stuff to get rid of! But I can use most of May for that project and pace myself and create my VISION!!!
Instead of painting, I'm on the hunt for wallpaper strips that can add baby flava to the room. So that's the plan! As soon as I find some that I like, I'll be sure to let you know!!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Little Things
Sooooo....I just thought I'd make a list of the wonderful things Bensford has done for me just today. Small but meaningful things that I not only appreciate, but make me feel loved!!!
1. Last night, I realized much too late that we only had a swallow of water left in tha container! Turns out I'm drinking like a gallon of water a day! So I was parched and there just wasn't enough water left in the house. My car is out of commission and Benzy had secured a coveted spot on the street. So do you know what he did? He WALKED to the gas station up the block and brought me back some water at 11 pm at night!
2. This morning, I was looking all roly-poly with the baby belly. He was just looking at me grinning. What? I asked. Baby, you look so beautiful, he replied!
3. Moments before, he helped me slather lotion on my now unreachable back! How fantastic!
4. As we were headed to the car to go to my doctor's appointment, he told me my shoe was untied. I was like I'll get it when we get to the car (I cannot really bend over, but if I'm sitting I can cross my leg on my knee and get the job done.) Well he said, just stop right here, put your foot out-and he tied my shoe on the curb!!!!
5. After running errands, I was hungry (of course). I really wanted pizza. He doesn't much care for pizza OR Italian food. But he took me there anyways! It was DELISH!!!!!!!
6. Tonight he went to get his hair cut, and came back with a load of apples (the one's I had just bought yesterday were all bruised!) TWO gallons of water and some iced green tea cuz he knows how much I love it!!!!
7. This morning, he summoned me into the future baby's room (not yet completed or started by any means). He wanted to show me something. He had purchased a clothes steamer for me so I wouldn't have to bend over to IRON!!!!!!
This is all in a 24 hour period. Gotta love him!
Seven Months and Counting!! Vegas Baby!
Little Baby Bean and I celebrated our 7th month in Las Vegas! I was working on the Miss USA pageant and we spent 3 weeks in the dry, dusty, loud din of inequity that is Las Vegas!
First let me just say that this little baby is a trooper! Bean has been on the roof of Ripleys in LA (for the Oscars) and now high above the Las Vegas skyline and ALL throughout the city!
I really thought that I'd be up for the schedule of this shoot. I didn't realize a few things. One--the first two weeks I'd be working EVERY SINGLE DAY. Two--that this was the time during my pregnancy that my belly would grow exponentially, my hunger would increase tenfold and my fatigue would intensify.
Let's just say I'm so proud to have made it through safely, healthily and with great memories.
I found that I mis-estimated my "wall", I thought my limits were further than they were, and by the time I realized I reached my limits--I was waaaay past them.
One day, we had to go with the contestants to Caesar's Palace, The Venetian, The Palazzo. And walk all the way through these gigantic hotels shooting in the heat. Well, by midday, I was famished and by the end of the day I could barely walk. I literally sat at our hotel restaurant trying to figure out how the HELL I was gonna get back to my room. After a quick, embarassing crying jag in front of my crew, a group of great guys who vowed to do the last shoot in the hotel spa without me, if i gave them a list of shots they had to get, I sat at the restaurant where they left me trying the get myself together.
Of course, I was a little panicked. I called my husband. I tried to be strong. I'll just go up now, I said. He said no, stay there as long as you need to rest. Is there anyone you can call, he asked?
So I called one of our PAs, who swooped in to save the day in like 5 minutes. He tracked down security, who brought over a wheelchair. And I did the roll of shame to my hotel room!
HA!
Well, I have to say this is the best production team I've worked with in LA. My supervising producer sent the nurse up to check on me (I hadn't told her but I guess the PA did :-). Then they rearranged the entire MISS USA production schedule so I could be off the next day and most of the day after that!
I slept ALL day!!!!! I could barely walk and part of the reason I realized was because my little body needed some belly support!
So before i started back in production another local PA VOLUNTEERED to take me to Babie's R Us--and I got a maternity belt.
OH
MY
GOODNESS!!!!
It changed my life. Back support, tummy support! I was back in business! Back to my old self!!!
Here's a pic!!!
OK--I don't want you to think my trip to Vegas was horrible. It was actually fun, once I figured out my limititations.
.
I did a shoot with famous photographer who was shooting the girls. The second day, they needed to test the background and I got to be a "model" along with some of my crew.
.
Here's a pic of me and my GREEN TEAM on the roof of the Rio Hotel with the Vegas skyline behind us.
And here's a pic of me backstage with my camera guy during the Presentation show, which is where the girls are judged and narrowed down to 15 before the live show airs.
There is a great shot of me and the new MISS USA--that I will post as soon as it's emailed to me!
I had a grand time. And the lessons I learned:
It's ok to not be a superwoman...Know your limits
People are kind.
Slow down on the hectic productions, no more intense field shoots or traveling shoots for a while!
My little one is strong!!!!
First let me just say that this little baby is a trooper! Bean has been on the roof of Ripleys in LA (for the Oscars) and now high above the Las Vegas skyline and ALL throughout the city!
I really thought that I'd be up for the schedule of this shoot. I didn't realize a few things. One--the first two weeks I'd be working EVERY SINGLE DAY. Two--that this was the time during my pregnancy that my belly would grow exponentially, my hunger would increase tenfold and my fatigue would intensify.
Let's just say I'm so proud to have made it through safely, healthily and with great memories.
I found that I mis-estimated my "wall", I thought my limits were further than they were, and by the time I realized I reached my limits--I was waaaay past them.
One day, we had to go with the contestants to Caesar's Palace, The Venetian, The Palazzo. And walk all the way through these gigantic hotels shooting in the heat. Well, by midday, I was famished and by the end of the day I could barely walk. I literally sat at our hotel restaurant trying to figure out how the HELL I was gonna get back to my room. After a quick, embarassing crying jag in front of my crew, a group of great guys who vowed to do the last shoot in the hotel spa without me, if i gave them a list of shots they had to get, I sat at the restaurant where they left me trying the get myself together.
Of course, I was a little panicked. I called my husband. I tried to be strong. I'll just go up now, I said. He said no, stay there as long as you need to rest. Is there anyone you can call, he asked?
So I called one of our PAs, who swooped in to save the day in like 5 minutes. He tracked down security, who brought over a wheelchair. And I did the roll of shame to my hotel room!
HA!
Well, I have to say this is the best production team I've worked with in LA. My supervising producer sent the nurse up to check on me (I hadn't told her but I guess the PA did :-). Then they rearranged the entire MISS USA production schedule so I could be off the next day and most of the day after that!
I slept ALL day!!!!! I could barely walk and part of the reason I realized was because my little body needed some belly support!
So before i started back in production another local PA VOLUNTEERED to take me to Babie's R Us--and I got a maternity belt.
OH
MY
GOODNESS!!!!
It changed my life. Back support, tummy support! I was back in business! Back to my old self!!!
Here's a pic!!!
OK--I don't want you to think my trip to Vegas was horrible. It was actually fun, once I figured out my limititations.
.
I did a shoot with famous photographer who was shooting the girls. The second day, they needed to test the background and I got to be a "model" along with some of my crew.
.
Here's a pic of me and my GREEN TEAM on the roof of the Rio Hotel with the Vegas skyline behind us.
And here's a pic of me backstage with my camera guy during the Presentation show, which is where the girls are judged and narrowed down to 15 before the live show airs.
There is a great shot of me and the new MISS USA--that I will post as soon as it's emailed to me!
I had a grand time. And the lessons I learned:
It's ok to not be a superwoman...Know your limits
People are kind.
Slow down on the hectic productions, no more intense field shoots or traveling shoots for a while!
My little one is strong!!!!
Pop Goes The Belly Button!!
Sheesh. Let me start by saying I've always been very proud of my inny belly button. And let me continue by saying that my belly button has always been extremely sensitive and off limits for any "playing."
So here I am minding my own business, enjoying my pregnancy when SOMEONE mentions to me that my belly button is gonna POP OUT! Ummmm....please understand the extent to which I freaked out! (Liken it to my weird response/phobia of bubbles)
Are you SURE???? Will I feel it? It better not happen I will go nuts. If it DOES happen it better happen while I'm sleep!!!!!! (Trust me I sound much calmer in this blog than I did in real life!)
Well I think I'm reaching the inevitable my friends, and I approach it with a little trepidation (well a lot). I know this sounds highly unreasonable and irrational. But I'm FREAKING OUT!!! My belly button has almost reached it's plateau. There is no more inny. There are over two months left so what does that mean--chances are.....
POP!!! Yikes, I cringe when I even write this. The deal is that now that belly button has reached the plateau it it rubbing against my shirts and that sensitivity is just ---let's just say i don't appreciate it!!!! Even when i rub my belly or others rub it, if they hit the belly button, it just feels horrid.
So I ask that you all pray for my strength as I prepare for this belly popping event!
I pray the sensitivity will go away! And that I won't actually FEEL the POP! And that once it happens its cute and wonderful!
Here's an EXTREME CLOSE UP of my belly--prepped for the big you know what!!!!! (taken 3 weeks ago. It's even WORSE now!!!! ha!!!)
So here I am minding my own business, enjoying my pregnancy when SOMEONE mentions to me that my belly button is gonna POP OUT! Ummmm....please understand the extent to which I freaked out! (Liken it to my weird response/phobia of bubbles)
Are you SURE???? Will I feel it? It better not happen I will go nuts. If it DOES happen it better happen while I'm sleep!!!!!! (Trust me I sound much calmer in this blog than I did in real life!)
Well I think I'm reaching the inevitable my friends, and I approach it with a little trepidation (well a lot). I know this sounds highly unreasonable and irrational. But I'm FREAKING OUT!!! My belly button has almost reached it's plateau. There is no more inny. There are over two months left so what does that mean--chances are.....
POP!!! Yikes, I cringe when I even write this. The deal is that now that belly button has reached the plateau it it rubbing against my shirts and that sensitivity is just ---let's just say i don't appreciate it!!!! Even when i rub my belly or others rub it, if they hit the belly button, it just feels horrid.
So I ask that you all pray for my strength as I prepare for this belly popping event!
I pray the sensitivity will go away! And that I won't actually FEEL the POP! And that once it happens its cute and wonderful!
Here's an EXTREME CLOSE UP of my belly--prepped for the big you know what!!!!! (taken 3 weeks ago. It's even WORSE now!!!! ha!!!)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Happy DAY!!!!!
(Originally published March 19, 2008)
Today me and Elon went to Wal Mart to complete my baby registry. I've been registering online and got most of the stuff I needed. But basic stuff like pacifiers and diapers--for some reason you can't register online. Does that make any sense? I think not.
So anyway, the plan was to go to WalMart with my printed out registry and use one of their scan guns to add items. So I followed directions on the print out and headed to the Jewelry department where I would get my scan gun and get started!!!!
Not so much.
Why did they only have ONE scan gun? And why was it BROKE??? WHY???!!!
Now at this point you're probably still wondering in your head why I registered at Walmart in the first place!
Two reasons:
First, I "shopped" online at Target, Babies R Us and Walmart. My initial goal since we're going to be surprised about the sex of our baby, was to find a color motif that I felt happy about. As you all know--I'm not a pastel type of chick! Whether its a boy or a girl--simple pink or blue would not work! I also don't believe that gender neutral means pale yellows and browns. I figured I'd start with the bedroom/crib set as that is the center of the room and work from there. And I was hoping for a vibrant lavender/purple motif that once the baby arrives I could accent with "boy" or "girl" flavor!
Well unfortunately, as far as I'm concerned--all of the bedroom sets were UGMO to the 15th power. Well--anything that would have passed for "neutral." Except this WONDERFUL baby set at WALMART! I mean its perfect! It's a combo of vibrant colors! Purples, yellows, oranges, greens! Simply fantastic! I'm attaching a pic for you!
I then double checked to make sure it wasn't at any of the other stores--nope! So, that's number one.
Number two reason--prices are way better for the same brands! I mean it's actually a bit ridiculous. Babies R Us is cute and has tons of stuff. I especially like the products they have for Maternity care which is hard to find (that's another post!) But their clothe, strollers, cribs etc are the same brands that are at Target and Walmart. But they cost like 3 times more! At first I figured, well i get the baby furniture--cribs etc there because they're probably made better. But unfortunately for them, the cribs and bassinets they have on display are not very stable and some are falling apart. Not very smart on their part. A colleague who has a 2 year old girl then told me that Walmart and Target sell the same things-but again, prices are higher at Target AND they have a really bad return policy.
OK three reasons. The final reason is the research I did online of customer reviews on the websites. Everyone was extremely pleased with the products they purchased and many had similar early reservations about the quality of the products.
Ok, decision made. So we're in WalMart with no scanner and the only advice the clerk can offer is that we go to another store. Ummmm. I think we all know that WalMarts are far and few between! (But everyone can buy anything online, have it shipped to the store or to the registree (made up word) so I figured this wouldn't be a problem for my people).
Anyway, we decided to just look at the baby stuff anyway since we were there. We had sooo much fun! Elon had great advice since she has quite a few friends with little ones. We were doing fine, having fun, not too emotional....until....Well for me it was when she asked if I had registered for a walker, which I hadn't. But I just felt this wave of emotion at the thought of my child racing through the house in PJs, with a big, one toothed grin on his or her face in a walker! That image just melted my heart. I swallowed my tears. Man, to think I almost forgot to register for one!!!! So exciting! I can't wait!
Then we went to the diaper section. One of the tiny newborn diaper bags had been opened. They had all these colorful designs on it and were beyond adorable. I felt my heart swell, but not before Elon's did! I looked back and tears were streaming down her face! We shared a wonderful hug---"You're having a baby!" she said happily through the tears! We couldn't let go of that little diaper. Ummm.....suffice it to say that arrangements were made and the diaper is now in my nightstand drawer! What a friend!!!!
So I've gotten back home, found a walker online, added it to said registry and feel fantastic!
Not officially 6 months yet--but soooooon!!!
Today me and Elon went to Wal Mart to complete my baby registry. I've been registering online and got most of the stuff I needed. But basic stuff like pacifiers and diapers--for some reason you can't register online. Does that make any sense? I think not.
So anyway, the plan was to go to WalMart with my printed out registry and use one of their scan guns to add items. So I followed directions on the print out and headed to the Jewelry department where I would get my scan gun and get started!!!!
Not so much.
Why did they only have ONE scan gun? And why was it BROKE??? WHY???!!!
Now at this point you're probably still wondering in your head why I registered at Walmart in the first place!
Two reasons:
First, I "shopped" online at Target, Babies R Us and Walmart. My initial goal since we're going to be surprised about the sex of our baby, was to find a color motif that I felt happy about. As you all know--I'm not a pastel type of chick! Whether its a boy or a girl--simple pink or blue would not work! I also don't believe that gender neutral means pale yellows and browns. I figured I'd start with the bedroom/crib set as that is the center of the room and work from there. And I was hoping for a vibrant lavender/purple motif that once the baby arrives I could accent with "boy" or "girl" flavor!
Well unfortunately, as far as I'm concerned--all of the bedroom sets were UGMO to the 15th power. Well--anything that would have passed for "neutral." Except this WONDERFUL baby set at WALMART! I mean its perfect! It's a combo of vibrant colors! Purples, yellows, oranges, greens! Simply fantastic! I'm attaching a pic for you!
I then double checked to make sure it wasn't at any of the other stores--nope! So, that's number one.
Number two reason--prices are way better for the same brands! I mean it's actually a bit ridiculous. Babies R Us is cute and has tons of stuff. I especially like the products they have for Maternity care which is hard to find (that's another post!) But their clothe, strollers, cribs etc are the same brands that are at Target and Walmart. But they cost like 3 times more! At first I figured, well i get the baby furniture--cribs etc there because they're probably made better. But unfortunately for them, the cribs and bassinets they have on display are not very stable and some are falling apart. Not very smart on their part. A colleague who has a 2 year old girl then told me that Walmart and Target sell the same things-but again, prices are higher at Target AND they have a really bad return policy.
OK three reasons. The final reason is the research I did online of customer reviews on the websites. Everyone was extremely pleased with the products they purchased and many had similar early reservations about the quality of the products.
Ok, decision made. So we're in WalMart with no scanner and the only advice the clerk can offer is that we go to another store. Ummmm. I think we all know that WalMarts are far and few between! (But everyone can buy anything online, have it shipped to the store or to the registree (made up word) so I figured this wouldn't be a problem for my people).
Anyway, we decided to just look at the baby stuff anyway since we were there. We had sooo much fun! Elon had great advice since she has quite a few friends with little ones. We were doing fine, having fun, not too emotional....until....Well for me it was when she asked if I had registered for a walker, which I hadn't. But I just felt this wave of emotion at the thought of my child racing through the house in PJs, with a big, one toothed grin on his or her face in a walker! That image just melted my heart. I swallowed my tears. Man, to think I almost forgot to register for one!!!! So exciting! I can't wait!
Then we went to the diaper section. One of the tiny newborn diaper bags had been opened. They had all these colorful designs on it and were beyond adorable. I felt my heart swell, but not before Elon's did! I looked back and tears were streaming down her face! We shared a wonderful hug---"You're having a baby!" she said happily through the tears! We couldn't let go of that little diaper. Ummm.....suffice it to say that arrangements were made and the diaper is now in my nightstand drawer! What a friend!!!!
So I've gotten back home, found a walker online, added it to said registry and feel fantastic!
Not officially 6 months yet--but soooooon!!!
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