Midweek Inspiration + A Letter to my Son

via Google Images

My sweet baby,

I can't believe you're almost here! I've carried you for 25 weeks and a few days now which means I'll get to see you in about 3 months. You're due November 10th but I have a feeling you'll be an October baby (I want to call it intuition.. though it could just be my anxiousness to meet you) and I can't wait until you're here and we can start this next phase of life together. You have already helped me grow so much as a person and I know our experience will make me that much better; of this I am determined. 

There isn't an hour that goes by that I don't think about you or wonder how you're doing in there. You probably know this already cause I'm constantly wiggling you around to make sure you're ok. That's my job as your mommy. To make sure that you are always safe. I already wish I could keep you protected from this crazy world forever....tuck you away somewhere... but that wouldn't be fair to you. Life's experiences are what's going to make you and sometimes it's going to be hard, but I'm always going to be here to motivate you, to wipe your tears, and to make it a little easier. I pray everyday that I can fill your childhood with happy memories and that you don't feel the stress or worries of adult life much too soon. 

You're going to be spoiled.There's no doubt in my mind. So many people love you already and it's amazing to be surrounded by such supportive people. Family is important and I hope you always keep that in the forefront of your mind. No one will love you as much as we do. Your mommy, daddy, grandparents, aunts and uncles... we all can't wait to see you and watch you grow up. It's almost like you're every one's first baby. Family also isn't perfect but I hope that you always remember that while you may have differences, God doesn't make mistakes and your family is yours forever. They are a little cray cray..... but you'll love them just the same. 

I have such high hopes for you. I hope you'll be a mommas boy (your daddy's hoping otherwise). I hope you have your daddy's passion and his drive because when he feels strongly about something nothing stands in his way. I hope you don't get either of our stubbornness but that's definitely wishful thinking!! LOL. But mostly I hope you never feel cheated or short of our love. You couldn't even begin to imagine how much you are wanted, anticipated and loved already. 

Xoxo, 

Mommy

Thankful Thursday

I was almost tempted not to write this post because I feel like some people who read it won't understand. But then again I knew better. Because I know if 100 people read this post and only 1 person gets it, I did a good thing. I think what tends to shy people away from writing about faith is the fear of looking/sounding hypocritical. But, people are not perfect. There is no perfect man. And all we can do is strive to be the example that we know God wants us to be.

When I woke up today I scrolled through social media as always... Bad habits are hard to kick. But as I was scrolling I realized social media has become THE bearer of bad news. Among all the Vine videos, and twerking and attention seeking statuses I saw... another plane disappeared.. More than one person in their twenties has been killed... Something about some guy admitting to molesting children during missionary work..... More and more BAD NEWS. I felt sad for a few minutes before I began to feel the most grateful I've felt in a LONG time.

I am by no means the exception. Bad things happen to good people every single day. And I find myself thanking God more and more for the little things on a daily basis. I was definitely one of those kids who would role their eyes when the preacher/pastor/whoever said if you had nothing else to thank God for thank Him for waking you up this morning. Because at 12...15... even 20 years old... You feel like you are exempt. No one expects to go to sleep at 20 yrs old and not wake up the next day but it happens. The world is getting crazier and crazier everyday.

I no longer think it's crazy to thank God I made it the TWO blocks that I have to walk from the bus stop to my house everyday after work.... because some people (and it's not uncommon in my neighborhood) don't make it. I thank Him every single doctors appointment I have that shows my son thriving ... because I've known multiple people in the passed few years who have made it farther than me in their pregnancies and lost their child. My grandmothers drive me UP THE WALL but I thank God for them all the time because some people don't have a family to even get frustrated with. I'm learning day by day not to take the little things for granted because one morning it could be me on Facebook... Bearing the bad news... Or being the victim of the bad news... Yet Gods grace has gotten me this far. A million thank yous still wouldn't be enough.

xoxo,
Tanay

Sunday Social

Apparently last weekend I suffered brain damage and that's why I completely forgot to link up. Fear not though my brain has recovered and all makes sense in the world again. =) Anywho, linking up with the fabulous Ashley and Neely for another week of interesting question on the Sunday Social. =)

1. What is the most difficult thing you've been through?

Without getting too deep I think the most difficult thing I have been through was probably my previous relationship. It was pretty bad. But it's made me such a smarter, stronger, and more loving person. So there's a definite rainbow at the end =)

2. What was your best birthday?

I can't think of a BEST birthday but my birthday that just passed was pretty nice. It was super stress free cause I didn't plan a big thing like I had been doing the previous years because for some reason when you make big plans it always turns complicated. I just went to dinner and spent time with my boyfriend and it was still an amazing birthday for me.

3. What has been your favorite thing you've done in your own city?

I always like to do touristy things in my own city especially during the summer. I love to go into NYC and try things that I've never done before or just go for walks cause I think the city is beautiful in the spring/summer. 

4. What is your idea of the perfect date night?

That's a pretty hard one for me but it would probably be something that involves food since I love eating LOL. 

5. Have you ever been to a blogging conference? If so which one(s)? If not, do you want to?

I definitely want to attend a blogging conference because I haven't had the opportunity to go to one yet. I was looking into Bloggy Booty Camp earlier this year before I found out I was pregnant but now I figure it's better to probably wait a little while. Next year, hopefully =)

Cant wait read some of your responses to this weeks questions. Post some links in the comments or if not you can answer your favorite question right in the comment box! Also, have you entered my group giveaway yet? The prize is a nice amount of cash... I half wish I could enter it myself! LOL.

xoxo, 

Tanay

First Giveaway!

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As far as the money goes. Enter to win in the Rafflecopter below. The only other rules are that you must be 18yrs or older, a US resident, and subscribed to OK, Dani (you wont regret that either, promise *winks*). 

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#TrueLife: I have a big (but not really big) family

I am getting an instant migraine just thinking about it. With only about 17 weeks (God I hope!) until BabyLove is here, things are starting to move super fast. Naturally, people keep asking about the words I'm beginning to dread hearing. I feel like if one more person asks me about a baby shower I'm going to burst into tears at this point. 

And you would think this onslaught of waterworks would be due to the fact that I'm not going to have one. But nope, the problem is everyone wants to have one, and everyone wants to do their own thing. "Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians" in my dad's words LOL. Logic for me says one baby shower. Even though my boyfriend and I are not married, both his and my family are our son's family. I don't view my baby as having separate families. In my head when I think about my family I don't separate them by where they are or which parent they came from they're all my family. 

And getting some people to understand that logic for some reason just isn't happening. I live with my grandmother, my mother lives with her husband, my dad lives separately also... that's 3 different "families" on my side alone and that doesn't even include my boyfriends side. I just don't think it's logical to want separation because that's definitely not how the baby is going to grow up. 

I hate hurting people's feelings but we all need to get it together, or someone is going to lose out. And it won't be me of course because well... he's mine! LOL.

xoxo,

Tanay

From Natural... To relaxed?

So I spent almost a year of transitioning to natural hair before I went and did the "big chop". And I loved it. There were days my hair looked CRAY... And I embraced it all. But now being the crazy lady I am... I thinking about going back to a relaxer.

Myth: Natural hair is easy to maintain.

Fact: Being natural is a lot of effin work! Lol. With my natural hair texture.. There are no days where I can just go.. I have to do work EVERY SINGLE DAY.. And ummm I'm having a baby y'all (in case you missed it lmao).. Ain't nobody got time for that! 

Myth: Natural hair saves money.

Fact: Have you ever walked down the natural hair aisle at your local pharmacy/department store? Yea no... It's not cheap at all. Even if you don't fall victim to becoming a product junkie... You still have to try out products to figure out what your hair loves... Which I have yet to find out cause again... It takes alot of work lol. "healthy hair" is expensive no matter how you look at it.

Myth: Natural hair grows "better" than relaxed hair.

Fact: I've never had a problem with my hair growing.. I had really long relaxed hair. My scalp was unhealthy in general and that might be due to prolonged protective styling (weaves) because even natural I still have the same scalp issue if I wear a weave. My hair just needs to be washed frequently... No matter what state it's in.

All in all I'm still undecided. 

Will I be "copping out" if I go back to relaxing? Would people even notice?! Lmao. It's not like I went hard in the natural hair community.. And for that reason. My mind when it comes to my hair changes on a whim and I didn't want to deal with the "backlash". Anyone who's natural knows the natural hair community can be ruthless LOL. I might be exiled to a deserted island. 

Did I then just waste a year for nothing? Ehhhh... I don't think so. Like I said before I liked transitioning. Even the hard days weren't TERRIBLE. And hair experimenting was fun. 

Will I regret relaxing? Maybe. Lol. I actually had natural hair before but I kept my hair in box braids for like... 2 years straight (I mean, not the same braids but y'all get it) and the whole time I was transitioning I kept saying... Well I'd HAVE natural hair if I never relaxed it when I stopped braiding it. But I was a lot younger then (16 I think) and wouldn't have invested the time in my natural hair. I barely took care of my relaxed hair back then. 

Will it really be easier to have relaxed hair? Lol I honestly think it will. Right now I'm tryna think of what will make my life as easy as possible. Newborn (soon), trying to perfect a twistout, AND working.. doesn't seem realistic to me. Are there even enough hours in the day?! I'd like to sleep some (which everyone says I won't do anyway LOL).

At the end of the day... It's my hair lol. If I want a baldy tomorrow then I'll shave my head "cause I feel like it" and I'll be fine with that! Haha. My main goal right now is to not make impulse decisions but... I think that's in my genetic make up. ;)

xoxo,

Tanay

Sunday Social! =)

I hope everyone had an amazing Fourth of July! Here's this weeks Sunday Social q&a. =)

1. What is your favorite genre of music?

I actually don't have one. I love 90s R&B because music today is never talking about anything. But I like music and general and I like to sing so I get attached to songs very easily lol.

2. What is your favorite genre of movies?

Despite being addicted to Harry Potter lol I think my favorite genre of movies is probably Romance/Romantic Comedies. I'm soft on the inside y'all. I love LOVE. 

3. Do you watch reality TV? If so what was the first show you remember watching?

Reality TV garbage is the ONLY TV I'm watching right now until Fall. I'm pretty sure the first show I watched was The Real World. Isn't that where it all started? Who DIDN'T want to be on that show?

4. Who is an actress you'd want to be BFFs with?

Of course, Kerry Washington! Is it bad to say that I'd love to be her BFF so I could get in her CLOSET! *dies*

5. Who is an actor you'd love to be stuck on an island with

The first one that popped in my head was Channing Tatum. This love was solidified before his Magic Mike days so I don't just have some pervy stripper fascination with him. Though it helped ;).

Make sure you guys check out the fabulous Ashley and Neely and link up with the Sunday Social. Leave some links in the comments so I can check out your answers as well! =) 

xoxo,

Tanay

Happy Birthday America!!

Happy 4th everyone from me and Babylove!! Be safe, have fun & save me a plate!! 

Be back Sunday for Sunday Social :)

Xoxo, 

Tanay 

Mid-week Inspiration

Via Google Images

I don't have a lot to actually say today. So I'm just going to stick with the imagery/quote. It fits into what I've been trying to embrace recently which is hard with my over-planning personality. But I'm a work in progress!

Love you guys,

Tanay

Hello, July! [Monthly Goals]

I seriously CANNOT believe we are in the second half of 2014 already. Before you know it, the year will be coming to an end! I am soooo not ready for winter again it was FREEZING for so long in NYC and now I'll have to adjust to freezing winter temps with a baby! CRAY CRAY! lol. I am excited a new month has begun and with it comes opportunity to get new things accomplished which is VERY important being that I know feel like I have tons of things to do!

one. Get organized! Time is clearly flying and I have so much to organize and prepare before the baby comes. I have TWO houses to clean because.... let's face it men have a completely different vision about cleaning than women do and I seriously want to get things together before I am too big to want to do anything.

two. Figure this baby shower thing out! I'm like half planning my own baby shower. Not even really half planning. IDK WHAT I'M DOING! And that in itself is where the problem lies lol. All I know is I want to have the shower in September which means that it has to be figured out sometime SOON so that people can have enough notice. 

three. Read a book. I'm not sure what book yet but I haven't read a book in FOREVER and I used to go through more than one book a week. I know my reading time will be limited very soon so I want to get some reading done this summer. I'm open to book suggestions! =)

four. Grow my blog. And this is an obvious one which will probably be on my list every month because there is no progress without growth! Anything worth having you have to work hard for. 

five. Drink more water. You would think that being pregnant I would drink more but nope. I still go hours sometimes without drinking anything which I know is suuuuuper bad especially now that it's getting hotter every day. I definitely need to work on keeping myself and baby hydrated. Though, can he get dehydrated in there? I wonder...

What are some of your goals for July? Any good book suggestions? Any volunteers to clean house? LOL.

Linking up with: Let's Be Friends Blog Hop