Note: This is NOT Mama but it sure looks like it!

It totally happened. You never think it will happen to you. And then it does.

Mama innocently walks into the fitness studio to take the barre class that I’m currently obsessed with and the class is semi-full and it seems as if everyone is staring at Mama. Why? Well…aren’t all women staring at each other in a mirrored fitness class?! It’s bad enough that everyone is super skinny and toned and Mama just looks like how you should after having a baby…a poochy tummy and huge boobs. But that is exactly why Mama has been dedicated for the past seven weeks since clearance from the doc to go to class three times a week.

So it goes like this…

Mama: “Hi!”

Fitness instructor (note, with a smile and excited): “Hi! So tell me…how many weeks pregnant are you?”

CRICKETS AND STARES FROM ALL WOMEN IN THE ROOM (they were probably all wondering the same thing…right?!).

Mama: “Well, my baby is 12 weeks. Thank you!”

Mama wanted to die of humiliation but instead chalked it up as a funny moment because really…what else does one do when faced with the fact that your stomach does in fact still look pregnant after 12 weeks?!

So really, you hear of this happening but until it happens to exactly you there is just no comparison. She really did feel bad and Mama for sure wanted to curl up and die right there on the spot but worse than that, Mama is now caught up with thinking that everywhere Mama turns someone is thinking the same thing — when is she due?

One friend chalked it up as a “badge of honor” for having had three kids. It’s there and it might never go away! Mama hates this theory — Mama does NOT WANT this badge of honor and there has to be something…something…anything to make this poochy go away.

Another friend swears by breastfeeding. Mama breastfeeds! But this is clearly a myth and one chalked up to pure genetics. Mama is no Heidi Klum or Jessica Alba…this breastfeeding to lose weight thing is for the birds.

Yet another friend swears by running to get off the extra pounds. Uh…running?! Doesn’t going up and down the stairs in the house 5o times a day count as cardio? Mama is so, so NOT a runner. Have you ever tried to run with size 34G milk-filled breasts? Try it and then get back to Mama on whether or not you want to suggest running.

What about that Belly Bandit thing that Brooke Burke swears by? It’s a compression belt that squeezes everything in so you can’t breathe. Exactly that — you can’t breathe and it has to be the most uncomfortable thing on the planet. No thank you.

Then Mama’s Mama calls and says that she heard on the Dr.Oz Show (did Mama ever tell you that Mama’s Mama is obsessed with everything she sees and hears on TV and that it is the absolute TRUTH to everything) that avocado blasts belly fat away. Really? Mama loves avocados…what a great idea! Four bowls of guacamole and chips later…Mama looks down and the pooch has gotten bigger. This is so not the way to lose this thing.

What will make this pooch go away? Mama doesn’t remember it being this hard after Baby Boy…everything just kind-of melted. With Lily-girl it was a little bit harder but Mama was more accepting at that point that the “girlish” body Mama once had was now giving way to the “womanly” child-rearing body of today. More hips, more belly and more boobs.

So now Mama is still faced with this Kangaroo sized pooch that is so obvious to now everyone. Not to mention that there are currently only four pairs of pants that fit in Mama’s closet (and two of them are Juicy sweats). Mama tried to deny the fact that this happening and has refused to buy any bigger jeans or pants but the muffin top currently resting on the top of Mama’s thighs says differently. People probably think Mama is fashion-challenged these days. It’s true, it’s true…the pink denim jeans that Mama wanted will not go with this muffin top so Mama has taken to fashion hibernation in hopes to blend the belly not enhance it.

So what say you Mamas…is having a baby belly a badge of honor? How did you lose the baby weight (no-one mention running…please!)?

Let’s look at a scenario where a random act of kindness would have been appreciated…With three kids in tow you can imagine how tough it can be just to get into a store because obviously both Mama’s hands are tied up (thank goodness for automatic doors) but in this case the store did not have an automatic door and Mama was struggling to get the double stroller inside and it was too heavy for Lily-girl to hold. The women in front of us did not hold open the door for Mama. Instead she looked at us and slammed it in our face and hoped to get a head start in the store before we did. Not only was it the rudeness thing on earth but really…Mama bets she has grandkids — would she have done that to her daughter and her grandkids?! If she would have just held the door open…it would have made Mama’s day that much better.

Scenario #2: Mama forgot it was “Smoothie Day” at Lily-girl’s school and a parent overheard Mama say she forgot the $2 and she promptly went into her car and gave Mama the $2…no questions asked. How nice was that?! Of course Mama will return the $2 but it was the thought in the moment that counted.

Scenario #3: Mama and the kids were at the Wild Animal Park and a little girl started throwing up on the sidewalk all over herself and all over her dad. Mama without another thought dug into the diaper bag and gave him a burp cloth (clean!) to clean himself and her off. It wasn’t much but Mama is sure he appreciated it at that moment in time while smelling like a barfed up bag of cotton candy….again, it’s the small things that matter the most.

While these were just a few small gestures that have happened in the last week, Mama is pretty sure that the world is in need of more small random gestures of kindness. Too many times we are too busy with our noses in our phones, too busy corralling kids and too busy minding our own business that we don’t give enough attention to those around us. That’s what Mama is pledging to do this Lenten season…more acts of kindness…what do you think? Are you on board to do a few random acts of kindness of your own…?

So then Mama started looking into what’s happening in the community around us. More often than not we live in our own little bubble and rarely venture out. It’s rare that a Mama gets to even watch the news anymore in the morning and instead gets to hear Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Sesame Street on constant repeat. However Mama was blessed with 15 minute solid minutes of time to catch up on the news of the day on Saturday morning and caught a glimpse of The Harlem Globetrotters visiting Rancho Bernardo High School as part of Howard Johnson’s hotel brand’s 2012 Give Happy Challenge. Student athletes were selected to participate in a series of challenges against the Harlem Globetrotters for a chance to win $2,500 for their school. The school won the money and they also got tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters show this past weekend….another AWESOME.

First off, the students could probably could care less about the money…as awesome as it is…but the chance to play on the basketball court with players as TALL and as great as The Harlem Globetrotters — SQUEE! How fun is that?! Now while it may not be a completely random act of kindness, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it goes to show your kids that if you put your mind to something…perhaps you’ll get to meet some famous players like The Harlem Globetrotters or….who knows…Donald Trump (Celebrity Apprentice premiered again last night)?!

The Harlem Globetrotters are great role models for kids which is hard to come by these days when so many celebrities are tied up with drugs and many, many personal issues (Lohan anyone?!) so it was great to have them in this community sharing a positive message. Which gets Mama thinking…which celebrities would you want to show up at your kid’s school?

So now we are left with only the things that one could WANT for Valentine’s Day…something special, something romantic and something that one would not buy herself. Mama has plenty of ideas for those special guys in your life so send them here and get their booties shopping…there’s still plenty of time! Plus did you know that the kids, the dog (or any pets in the house) and the hubs are supposed to give you a gift of love because you do take care of all of them…for Mama that equals three gifts so Mama will be getting one of each of these — don’t forget to remind him of that RULE too.

Mama L-O-V-E-S this necklace. It’s so simple and delicate and even more special when it comes from the special someone in your life. Sterling Silver Ever After Necklace, $49, at stelladot.com. Also comes in gold.

Mama’s current obsession is DryBar. They are all over the place now and for $35 you get your hair washed, a head massage (an extra $10 but so worth it!), and your hair blown-out in any style you choose. Mama has tried three of the styles so far and can’t wait to try the rest of them. After getting your hair blown you don’t even have to wash it for three days and it still looks good! Mama never even actually has a place to go but just likes to go and escape the kids and be pampered for 30 minutes. Plus…they serve you drinks! Yes, enjoy a mimosa or a SkinnyGirl Margarita while you get blown away…there’s always ice tea or fruit-infused water too! This better be here on V-day hubs…A Bouquet of Blowouts, starting at $125 and available in 3, 6 and 12 sets, at thedrybar.com.

Chocolates. Yes, every women loves chocolate. Give her the best of the best for V-day with the Exotic Truffle Heart Collection from Vosges, $45, at vosgeschocolates.com. So yummy in every way…take Mama’s word for it…Mama has eaten a whole box of them before!

Bring home flowers but forget the cheap vase and get one that is special and that she keep for years to come with or without fresh flowers. Because we all know the flowers die…quickly. Anemone Mezzo Vase, $18, at anthropologie.com. And they get bonus points if they add a gift card to your favorite store to shop with…SCORE!

I’m not sure about you but Mama is a tea freak! Love drinking it, collecting it and serving it. If you are too then you may want to add this one to your list of WANTS because V-day is a great excuse to stock up on favorites. Lots of ideas at teavana.com but Mama loves the Tea of the Month Club…the gift that keeps giving!

Then in the end all that Mama really wants is to spend time with loved ones enjoying a peaceful meal and talking about our day. HA…that’s a dream. So instead of going out, we’re picking up a Make Your Own Pizza Kit at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza (throughout California, Nevada and Arizona) that includes dough (gluten-free and whole wheat too!), fresh mozzarella, pizza sauce, basil and pepperoni for $9. That’s a bargain and the best part is…Mama won’t even have to lift a finger…the kids can’t wait to make it with the hubs!

What’s on your Valentine’s wish list?

As always in Mama’s life….there is so much to do and just never enough time. Mama is still working one-handed these days and while at times feels like a either a cow or an octopus, we’re still managing to remain sane. Mama is still trying to organize the house a little better and get rid of all this paper that seems to be piling up everywhere. Mama for some reason can never quite get a handle on going paperless…Mama loves her paper….it’s either that or dig through e-mail to find things and Mama can’t imagine having to do that either.

And have you not joined Pinterest yet?! Well, Mama has been on there for awhile now and while Mama adores it in every single way…it now seems that everything Mama makes or does is never a surprise anymore. This is the new quote, “Oh, I remembered you pinned that on Pinterest!” Isn’t that a party spoiler?!

Speaking of parties…Baby Boy has been three for a month now and no updates on the potty training front…at this point, Mama would pay someone to do it — a lot of money if there’s any takers out there! Oh and the party planning has begun for Lily-girl’s birthday for next month…one can never plan too much in advance, right?

So here we go again, into February and everything we must, must, must have to make our lives complete this month…what are you craving?

Oh and tomorrow is some FAB V-day ideas so come back…okay?!

Must-Have: Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?! They come in six vibrant colors and Mama wants one of each color…for what…who knows but it’s a must-have for sure! Zig Zag Strapping Baskets, $49 for set of 3, at landofnod.com.

Must-Do: Know someone that needs a haircut? Well send them on down to Quality Social in Downtown San Diego tomorrow night, Feb. 9th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to sign-up to be a part of the 4th Annual St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-thon to raise awareness and funds for children’s cancer research. What could be better than getting your head shaved for a good cause?! Details are below…are you brave enough to look like Sinead O’Conner?! For details check out the St. Baldrick’s Facebook Page…give them a like too while you’re at it!

Must-Have: Mama is always on the search for the perfect pair of shoes, the perfect hair tie and the perfect skin regimen. It’s true, something is always wrong. Now that we know that it matters what we put into our bodies and that organics are, of course, better for us. Same is true for what we PUT onto our skin as well! Why wouldn’t a holistic, organic approach to our skincare be better for us?! So now Mama is two weeks into a 30 day challenge to prove just that. Sponsored by Naturopathica, the holistic health skincare regimen has proved wonders for Mama’s winter dry skin making ruddiness something of the past and giving Mama a glow that only seemed to come during pregnancy (seriously). The 30-day regimen kit comes with everything you need to give your skin a wake-up call and Mama loves that it comes with a Plant Stem Cell Serum (which Mama is obsessed with!) and an Oat Facial Polish that gets rid of all the dry, flaky skin of winter. Mama has never looked better (well, maybe when Mama was 18 but we’ll never get those years back…). Mama challenges you to give it a try the challenge and see if it makes a difference in your look. Naturopathica, $65 for 30-day regimen kit.

Must-Wear: What must one wear in February…RED, of course! Not only is it the color of love and hearts but it’s also Heart Health Month so eat your oatmeal for breakfast while wearing this fabulous gem. Pleated Chiffon Crochet Blouse, $49, at piperlime.com.

Group Deal Sites — aren’t you sick of them yet? Everyday there is a new one popping up promising you the BEST and most DIVERSE deals in your area. Yeah right…Mama has seen it all from deals on tattoos to things that Mama loved buying like the one from Shabby Apple (from which brings this fuming post by the way…!) to buy wonderful and beautiful clothing at a deep discount. Here’s the problem — the expiration dates and the hoops one must jump through to redeem them. Mama is one of those last minute deal users. For example, Mama tried to redeem her voucher for Shabby Apple on December 31, 2011. The expiration date was for December 31, 2011. YES…Mama made it! Oh…not so fast or so easy…coupon code says it’s already expired! GRRRRR!!!! This is not the first time this has happened when trying to redeem a voucher on the said expiration date (what can Mama say…Mama lives for deadlines!). So Mama e-mailed the deal company for which it was purchased from…their response, “Not our problem, contact the company!” Huh?! So Mama e-mails the company and doesn’t hear back for almost a week. They extended Mama’s coupon which ended  January 31, 2012. Mama tries to redeem it on the deadline that it was extended to and guess what…YOUR VOUCHER HAS EXPIRED appears on Mama’s screen! GRRRRRRRR….does one give up or keep trying in this instance. So companies, if you give a deadline — STICK TO IT!!! **Mama must say that after contacting Shabby Apple’s customer service again, they did honor Mama’s vouchers — great customer service on their part…not so much on the deal site’s end. Moral of the story — don’t stock up on the deals just because it’s a good deal — they will come again and only buy things you know you’ll use immediately!

One more left in stock — impulse buying! This is totally psychological. Flash sale sites are notorious for this method labeling things like only 4 in stock or putting a 15 minute time limit on your cart. It makes you just push the BUY button instead of taking the time to decide you don’t actually need it. Mama fell into this trap last week buying a diaper bag that was so not needed but there was only ONE left. Mama is trying so hard to be good and not fall into the limited quantity trap but it’s so hard! Moral of the story — don’t fall into the limited quantity trap. If you find it one place, you’ll find it at another too and maybe even at a better price!

The season before it’s needed — this is where Mama always gets into trouble. We’re still in the middle of winter and yet, spring clothing is upon us and so is Easter decor and it’s not even Valentine’s Day yet. So when you go to Target a week before Valentine’s Day, you know that there won’t be anything left. So you stock up and stock up and then…you can’t remember what you have already bought so you end up with so much stuff. It’s the story of Mama’s life! It’s no wonder we’re busting at the seams. That and well…Mama intends to make all these crafty-crafts with Lily-girl and then time always slips away from us. Moral of the story — take inventory before you shop…do you NEED IT? Do you WANT it? Usually it’s always WANT!

How else do they get you to spend? Well, it’s the sale thing…25 percent off, 40 percent off, FREE SHIPPING, Clearance…it’s everywhere all the time and you always think you’re getting a good deal…unless, they actually mark-up the price before the sale?! Ha, that’s how they get us, isn’t it!

So what did Mama buy anyways that sparked this lovely little rant…well, let’s see…

With Mama’s deal coupons…Bon Voyage Dress, $78, at

And this one too…because one wasn’t enough! El Mar Dress, $66, at

Then there was the diaper bag…OpenSky.com is great at getting you to impulse buy (only one left!), Yummy Mummy Diaper Bag from Pink Lining UK, marked down to $69 from $129! Although, they are having a pretty good sale

What have you bought lately that you just couldn’t resist because of the great price?

Oh, you missed me?!

Why, yes…YES, I did! 

Well lucky for you…Mama is back because…do you hear that? It’s silence! Yes, Mama has exactly 30 minutes left of silence before the rat race starts again or until CeCe realizes that she’s nodded off to sleep and begs to picked up again. Mama won’t lie to you — whoever said having three kids was easy (or four, or five, or nineteen…!) was totally lying to you. LYING! Mama never has a free hand anymore. Someone always needs something. Except for right now and it’s like bliss. Mama can actually form a thought…actually, Mama is having trouble concentrating because it’s TOO quiet. Everyone needs a little noise in their life!

So what has Mama been up to? Oh, just that…you know, being a Mama! CeCe is now 10 weeks old and Mama wishes every minute that one could freeze time. This very well could be (almost, 100 percent positive about this) that this will be Mama’s last newborn baby to cuddle and coo at and it’s making Mama very, very sad. You know how much Mama adores babies — especially Mama’s very own — so as Mama packs away the newborn clothes (almost time for three months!) and goes up a size in diapers…the tears start to flow. How could this be? It’s exciting and troubling and then Mama thinks that she should stop and document everything…however, the other two missed out on that because Mama was too busy, too disorganized or too distracted. So this time Mama is determined to take every minute and drink it in — thus, why you haven’t heard from Mama as often as you like!

And what else? Hmmm…the volunteering, the baking, the party planning, the carpooling…it all takes up so much time these days. It’s rare to get to sit, sip a latte and write like one used to. Oh Mama has plenty of ideas to share with you…it’s just getting the time to write them — that’s the issue…always the issue of time. Mama needs a dictation machine that writes it while Mama shouts it over the screaming kids in the background. And the styles…so many styles for the coming spring to share with you that are so, so adorable. However now it’s all about…can Mama nurse in that? Won’t that get ruined by spit-up? Do I need a tank top under that?

One needs to think about these things in order to look and feel like a regular human being instead of a constant milk machine. Which is exactly what nursing Mamas are — according to the hubs. REALLY DUDE? So here’s Mama’s latest quest for “milk-friendly” styles that not only look and feel great when you wear them but it makes nursing a breeze (imagine that)! Oh and you can also wear these even if you’re not nursing…which most of you probably aren’t so style away!

First one must start with the basics. Mama wears a tank-top underneath EVERY single top these days — it’s just one of those things that you just have to do. It’s personal preference but the Bravado! brand is just great and even holds in us large-chested Mamas…plus you can buy it at Target, $49!

Once you have that covered…then you can really start shopping for the styles. This is right on trend for spring and is a perfect for nursing! It’s a cardigan and a circle scarf in one…Mama is officially in love. More the Merrier Top, $69.99, at modcloth.com.

Same with this one…you can never have too many stripes in your closet this season. Creative Thesis Defense Cardigan, $49.99, at modcloth.com.

This top will go with everything in your wardrobe and is easy to work. Ever Placid Top, $68, at anthropologie.com.

We need a little COLOR up in here! Try this one for a bit of spring milking…AE Floral Wrap Top, $29.99, at ae.com.

Need a dress? Try this coral-colored one for brunch, work or just because you don’t want to wear sweats again today! Tinley Road Long Sleeve Wrap Dress, $49, at piperlime.com.

Happy Feeding!

People seem to forget that we were once working women — “career women” — at that. At least Mama was…correction IS! Most people that don’t know Mama’s ins-and-outs don’t realize how much Mama does besides just being a Mama. Mama besides taking care of the three littles, also runs a PR and event business, is a freelance writer for several other sides besides this one and manages to volunteer at Lily-girl’s school. It’s okay – Mama loves to busy and use her talents to the fullest. Being a SAHM, people assume that it means that Mama can sew, cook and vacuum better than the next. Not true in this case….Mama does everything that a working mom does except Mama is lucky enough to be able to do it from the comfort of home in pajamas if needed.

Mama can plan a champagne-taste event from A to Z on a Two-Buck Chuck budget in half the amount of time as someone without this experience. Mama can is quite crafty and can usually come up with something to make the centerpieces with in no time flat. Need tickets for an auction? No problem — let Mama call in a favor from one of the many PR people in town that Mamas knows. This is stuff Mama can do…however, most people don’t know this. They assume that all Mama does is be a Mama and this…this is the curse of the SAHM — People assume that it’s all that you are.

So while some Mamas are quite happy to hand out “mommy cards” touting their cute e-mail addresses and phone numbers above the self-given title “Jack’s Mama,” Mama rather go beyond that and find out who they really are and what they can bring to the table. Mama learned the hard way of the SAHM curse earlier this year when volunteering at Lily-girl’s school…is Mama not vocal enough about what Mama can do other than bake cookies for a bake sale and be a member of the carpool (of course, Mama does not want them to find about Mama HERE…yikes!)?!

Then there’s the thought that other Mamas are afraid of being overshadowed in their own social circles by a newcomer Mama. If one has planned the dance/auction/graduation/whatever event it may be previously and this new Mama does a fabulous job and everyone raves about it — now what?! She feels bad and is pushed out for next year…maybe it’s best not to let anyone else do anything. Mamas are always competing against other Mamas. When we dress-up, it’s not for our husbands or partners — nope, it’s for the other women to show them how good we CAN look beyond the carpool! Men could care less…especially when you’ve married as long as most of us have been.

Or it could be that once you actually speak up about your talents and people catch wind…you’re wrangled for EVERY event and function to coordinate and execute — that is NOT what Mama is volunteering at this time. So it really is a curse to be a SAHM or a WAHM. Believe Mama…there are many days when working from an office far away from the kids sounds so amazing but in the end, Mama knows that she is a much better time manager when juggling three kids. It takes talent to be able to multi-task like that and just because Mama rather write and land a great media hit than trying out a new casserole recipe doesn’t mean that anything but that…however, Mama is still cursed!

Do you ever feel like your talents are overlooked as a SAHM?

By the way, that is a REAL doll that you can order and Mama thinks it’s a great gift for any Super Mama! SuperMom Action Figure, $16, at happyworker.com – just to remind yourself how wonderful you are at multi-tasking.

But first let Mama do one little rant…just one Mama promises! Why is it that every time Mama turns on the news or the Internet to find out what’s happening in the world, in Mama’s country and around the city we dwell…why is it that there is another baby, toddler or child gone missing? Stolen in the night from their home or disappeared into thin air? WHY IS IT? It’s not only heartbreaking that Mama can’t really do much to help when they’re across the country but it’s depressing too. Has our society gone mad crazy to steal and kill these babies? Mama doesn’t remember hearing about all these stolen babies when Mama was growing up. We just played in our neighborhood and didn’t really worry about strangers stealing us off the street. The other day Mama explained “stranger danger” yet again to Lily-girl, who is now old enough to be dropped off by herself at dance, gymnastics, etc. but in the end, Mama is petrified to leave her there alone. Last week she decided not to wait inside for us but OUTSIDE! EEK!! Mama was a’ freakin’! Mama is contemplating a cell phone for her that calls only Mama, Daddy and one other emergency number for when she does get dropped off. It’s called the Firefly Phone, $49.99 — is Mama being overly dramatic about this or are you a little petrified too? Is six too young for an emergency cell phone?

Okay, now that Mama has gotten that out…let’s do some sharing of some FUN new finds that Mama has found that are just fabulous and that Mama needs and you need too. Happy Wednesday Mamas!

Mama has TONS of friends with new little babies (and a lot that don’t) but this, this my friends is just an awesome gift that will last and last in either a nursery, home office or just as everyday decor with a purpose. Green Your Air is an eco-friendly plant company that helps Mamas create clean spaces in their home with air-filtering plants. Not only that but they come in CHIC little pots (with chevrons…swoon!) and are a super budget-friendly gift, $35, and it will last forever…not like that onesie that only lasts a few months (but Mama loves onesies TOO!!). There is NASA research behind each of the plants that they actually do filter out chemicals from the air you breathe. Right now they’re offering a limited time discount at 25 percent off using the code: MILKFRIENDLY, it expires January 22, 2011. What a great way treat for yourself or someone you love for the new year!

Speaking of cleaning, Mama is on a mission to get this house in tip-top shape for the new year. So far, it’s slow-going but we’re getting there. So Mama is getting in the mood to get some more storage bins for the toys and everything else that seems to make it’s way to the floor. Mama is loving the new storage designs at Serena & Lily but they are a little pricy at $24 each (Pandan Bins) but The Container Store also has some adorable ones for $7.99 right now and they’re Polka Dot! Now that is enough to get Mama started on her organizing…

Okay so this is something that Mama has never seen before and can’t wait to try…because you know how much Mama loves accessorizing…have you heard of Origami Owl Custom Jewelry?! Why, yes it’s something of a home jewelry party but it’s better than that…you can do it with your kids! You start by choosing from a ton of charms that tell something about your life, your personality…really anything! Then you choose a locket — they even have vintage-styles and ones with diamond bling. Then you choose a chain, some dangles for extra bling and style or even a hand-stamped plate…and, viola…custom jewelry that tells the story of YOU. How adorable and a great idea to do with the littles. If you’re an Origami Owl rep in Mama’s area — look Mama up — let’s do a PARTY! You can also order online but Mama doesn’t think that is as fun as doing it with a bunch of girlfriends and their kiddos. Check out: OrigamiOwl.com.

Now that Baby Boy’s birthday is done and gone (although, Mama is still cleaning up the aftermath…), it’s time to move onto Lily-girl’s party planning! Mama is thinking of a Candyland theme this year…you know a BIG Candy Bar (Amy Atlas style of course), Lollypops hanging down…just one big sugar high! In the search for everything perfect, Mama has happened upon Layer Cake Shop — an awesome site with cute decorating items and baking. Mama is thinking these striped bags…are a must-have because they’re only $4.25 for 24 and they come in black and yellow too! SWEET — a must PIN!

Speaking of jewelry…the spring 2012 Stella & Dot spring line is out…it’s cute and very springy…who’s ready to party with Mama and wear some beautiful baubles?! There’s even a necklace named after Pippa Middleton (look left, $69)…AWWW!

Do you have a favorite find? Do tell!

But you know what? Mama is okay with that. For now. Letting little things slide in order to get more quality time with the kids is worth it. For now.

However, it’s now time to put the holidays behind us (and the birthdays…for now) and head into a new month, a new year and a new way of living because isn’t that what January is all about…a clean slate and all that jazz?! So here’s a few things to cheer you up this BLAH-U-ARY and make this month go by a little bit faster so we can rush into hearts, lollipops and lots and lots of XOXOs in February!

Must-do — Mama can’t believe that so far this one hasn’t been leaked to the masses and well, Mama was kind-of keeping it a secret because it’s one of the secrets to Mama’s success…well at least in the DIY craft world. This is how Mama and Lily-girl made Christmas this year — via the Web site, PickYourPlum.com. It’s fabulous and well, a must-do to start your year off right. PickYourPlum.com is a discounted craft site that sells one item a day until it sells out…and believe Mama, they sometimes sell out in minutes. For teacher gifts Mama picked up personalized “desk” stamps for $6 each, bought hair clips and flowers for $10 (and it made like 50!), and bought these amazing scarves for $6 each (high-quality too!). Doesn’t cost you anything to sign-up so be glad you did and you can thank Mama later! The only thing that worries Mama now…is more competition on the things that Mama wants to buy mass quantities of…

Must-have — did you know that girls are supposed to wear shorts underneath their uniform skirts (and everyday skirts for that matter…)?! No, either did Mama! Probably because when Mama was going to school, they were built-in (hey, it was the style way back then). Well, not wanting to leave Lily-girl up to humiliation because she wears Barbie and Princess underwear, Mama just found MonkeyBar Buddies. They are specifically made to wear underneath skirts and come in tons of colors to match the skirt they’re wearing. Buy a few pairs to keep on hand because you never know when they might come home crying because some little boy or girl saw their underpants (devastating…). MonkeyBar Buddies, $16 for shorts.

Must-read — this month’s book club pick is Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein. It’s just what it says and it’s actually frightening when you think about how American Girl, Disney and toy companies shape the way our little girl’s think about themselves. It’s pure marketing genius all engineered to make a quick buck based on adult/parent behaviors. This gives you an inside look at how the “girlie-girl” culture we live in could have a negative impact on our daughters as they grow up including pre-mature sexualization and self-esteem issues. Definitely a must-read in today’s world! Cinderella Ate My Daughter, $10.19, at amazon.com.

Must-do — if you’re like Mama you’re probably thinking — what am I going to do with all those beautiful holiday cards we received? Never fear…there’s always an answer from Mama! Yesterday Mama’s friend said she takes them all and wraps them up in craft paper like a present with twine, labels with the year and puts them away in a box for safe keeping. Then one day the kids can look at them or she can or maybe they may never find their way to light again…however, Mama thinks it’s a brilliant idea. So thank you Nancy for one of this month’s to-dos! Other things you can do with them — make ornaments by cutting them into shapes, hole-punching and adding ribbon to hang for next year’s tree; taking pictures of them and adding them to your phone as their contact photo; and making a photo collage. What do you do with the holiday cards?

Must-have — Speaking of memory keepers, Mama is ordering this memory box from PaperCoterie.com that commemorates 2011. It’s a great place to put in the photos of the year and display on a coffee or side table where you can look through it. You can also put the holiday cards in there…brilliant! Memory Keepers, $38, at papercoterie.com. Now through January 23, 2012 use the code REMEMBER2011 and receive 40 percent off the Remember When Memory Box…SWEET!

Must-wear — And because Mama always says get something for yourself to start out the month…how about something in Pantone’s color of the year, Tangerine Tango, to start off the year right. All Mama’s picks are at StyleBakeryMom.com today but this is the one Mama is betting on…Accidentally In Love Long Sleeve Chiffon Dress, $64, at piperlime.com. While it’s not quite the reddish orange of Tangerine Tango, it’s a great orange color for the winter season!

Happy January!

Yesterday as you know it was Baby Boy’s third birthday. We decided to celebrate (along with the rest of Southern California) with a family trip to Disneyland. Disneyland is hard enough with on your own with toddler and school age kids but with a newborn — it’s not exactly a picnic. One of us takes turns standing outside the line with the baby while the other parent takes the kids on the rides. However, for a birthday Mama will make this sacrifice and brave the crowds. The crowds were ridiculous so Mama and CeCe took to the Disneyland Baby Nursery to hide out for a little bit.

Mama loves it when places are family-friendly — a nursing center should be available once every 10 blocks as far as Mama is concerned. They are so handy and well, it would solve a lot of this “public breastfeeding” controversy that keeps popping up. In fact these days it’s impossible not to be discreet when breastfeeding with all the cute covers available. Mama wishes those were around with Lily-girl…it would have solved a lot of uncomfortable back-of-the-car feeding moments. Mama is modest when it comes to feeding and always uses a cover BUT Mama also understands those who don’t and won’t — to each their own.

So yesterday as CeCe and Mama were in the Disney nursing room, Mama noticed something. There were five chairs and one pumping station. The pumping station was covered. WHY? Good question…perhaps the pump is too loud and distracting for the nursing babies?! In the four other chairs Mama noticed what the other Mamas were doing while their babies nursed.

Two were on the iPhone — one on Facebook and one playing solitaire.

One was taking a quick cat nap.

And one was looking at and holding her baby’s hand.

Now tell Mama…which Mama had it right? Who was actually doing what you’re supposed to be doing while breastfeeding — BONDING.

Yes, Mamas one of the main reasons that people tell you to breastfeed is so that you can share that special bonding time with your child. Not that you can’t bond if you don’t breastfeed, it’s just that they DO state this as a reason to do it. Stroke your baby’s head, hand and feet, cradle them and talk to them as they feed. Let them hear your voice and soothe themselves into a food coma…

And then there’s reality…the reality of the multi-tasking Mama. The other day Mama read an article on a VERY popular blog about what people actually do while breastfeeding…they catch-up on phone calls, blogging and eating (babies look adorable with crumbs on their heads). Mama has been known to do all of the above…YOU HAVE TO! However, one must also take the time to set down the phone, look your baby in the eye and talk to her/him…there’s nothing more soothing then their Mama’s voice.

What have you done while breastfeeding?