Update..

Hi !! I know its been a while since I posted anything. I've been busy with the girls and researching for our upcoming move. I can't wait to share the news of our new duty station but we are still waiting for it to be official.

I've also been in a funk about life and decided that I need a break from social media. Sometimes I find myself comparing my life to things I see my facebook/instagram friends post, which isn't good. Plus I was wasting hours watching YouTube videos! So, today I've deleted the apps off my phone and redirect my attention to enjoying my life. 

Anyways,  I forgot to post this Mani last month and I know it's not Monday but oh well I want to share it! Y'all already know I love dark purple/wine colors. This purple polish is from ELF and it really reminds me of a Wet and Wild polish I own called Through the Grapevine but a little darker. 

Elf Purple Pleaser

I added some stripes using your LA color nail decor polish. The polish with the thin pencil brush. I like to use them and you can find them at dollar tree. 

Well that's what I've been up to. Til next time!!

Maya B

"You were born with the ability to change someone's life - don't ever waste it." -Unknown

Motivational Monday

Hope everyone is having a lovely Monday.. 

Everyday is a new day to move forward, start anew or press on... 

Maya B

It's Been A While..

It's been way too long since I wrote a post and a lot has happened. First of all I had my baby girl,  Alyssa, on January 9th and the transition from one to two children was rough. I suffered from PPD (Post Parturm Depression) and the first couple of months weren't the best. Being the sole caretaker of my toddler and a baby 24/7 is draining. My husband's job also became more demanding and most days he leaves before we wake and doesn't return until bedtime.

I don't remember if I shared that I'm a military spouse or not. Well, I am and we aren't stationed in a typical military town/installation and I've yet to make any friends here so that added to my depression. I'm glad to say that now I feel much better even though I have some off  days, I'm human.

Anyway, luckily this is our last year of recruiting duty!! So we will be moving again and hopefully to a decent military base.

In other news Jayda is starting Preschool next month (tear). I found a nice part day preschool program at a local church and she will attend 3 days a week. We are both excited and I can't wait to see how she blossoms over the school year.

As for Alyssa, she's about to be 8 months! She has started to do the army crawl and loves to eat. I'm still breastfeeding her and I need to work on night weaning. Right now she still doesn't sleep through the night and wakes to nurse. I think she's using my more as a pacifier. Other then that Aly is a very happy and relaxed baby.

I really don't know what I want to do with this blog. I've started a Beachbody program called the 21 day fix and I might document it. I'm currently in week 2 so we will see...

Until next time..

Maya B

Terrible 2s..

Ahhh..Help! What happened to my little girl and how can I get her back? Seriously..

Ms. J's tantrums have been on 100% and her new favorite word is "No". I don't know what to do but my patience is tested daily. For example, today I had to go register at the hospital and she acted the fool. Even though I brought her Nabi tablet she wanted to play with the stuff on the desk. When I placed her beside me the tantrum started and she bucked until she fell on the floor.. Geezzz.. Luckily the lady was understanding and finished my paperwork quickly.

Again, I don't know what to do. My mom always raves about how well behaved I was as a child and I guess I expected my toddler to be the same. I know, I know this behavior is normal I just wasn't prepared for it.

 I've been stern with her but I find it hard not to spend the day saying "no,no,no" or raising my voice. I'm just overwhelmed and its embarrassing when we are in public.  With another baby on the way I need any suggestions to help prevent this from becoming worst. Though I'm preparing for it to anyway...

CVS Haul....

This week CVS is running some great deals on tide pods and diapers (spend $30 recieve $10 gift card). So, i woke up early before heading to church to snag some things before the other couponers got to them! I had a 20% off coupon but misread it and because everything was already on sale it only took .72 off..I wasn't happy about that at all..

Anyway I still think I did pretty good for a newbie. I brought all of this for $28 (recieved 1 ecb) and it retails $79. Picture doesn't include 2 cases of water and one Palmolive dish soap.. 

I'm pretty happy with my haul. I brought one bag of tide pods on saturday for $2 and got the rolls of paper towels for free(cvs card promotion). On Sunday I purchased the tide pods and diapers for $26 recieved a $10 gift card. Then I used the gift card to purchase everything else. 

My laundry and dish soap stockpile is growing! 

Maya

Coupon Newbie..

For the past couple of months I've been trying to find ways to save. So I decide to try using coupons and I must say I wish I had started sooner.

Now, I'm no pro but I have found some decent deals on household and grocery items. For example, this week I snagged 5 Mott Juices for 1.25 ea which is 1\2 what they typically cost. How?? Well, Target is running a sale on Mott's 2\$4 and I used 2\.75 off coupons making them 1.25 ea. 

Where do I find my coupons and deals? 

Well I started following krazycouponlady.com, southernsavers.com and a coupon group on BBC. On Sundays I purchase a newspaper or two. There are also a couple coupon sites you can print additional coupons from (klip2save.com , coupons.com. etc). I also register my store rewards cards to gain more rewards and have access to digital coupons. 

I hope to get better at using coupons but so far I am happy with my little stockpile.

I've been able to get free dish detergent, soap and great deals on laundry detergent, toothpaste and hair products (not featured)! With a baby on the way I hope to snag some great deals on diapers and wipes. Wish me luck.. !! 

Maya

Adventures with Ms. J: Halloween Fun

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween! Ours was very low key because my husband had to work. So, I took Jayda to a truck a treat event at our church and she had a blast! We dressed her up as a bumble bee and I'm proud to say that I made her tutu. My first time making one and I was very impressed how awesome it turned out!. Check out the picture...

 I loved seeing her face light up when we approached each car and was handed candy to put in her pumpkin. She is such a big girl now I just can't believe it.


I must admit I have been concerned about her language development because she doesn't talk as clear  as some 2yr old. I can understand the majority of things she says but most is still gibberish. I have to remind myself that children development at their own pace. Right now she loves singing songs, planes, the colors pink/red and the numbers 9/10! Every time we walk down stairs she says "9, 10" lol..super cute.  Jayda is 100% potty trained during the day and wears pull ups at night.

I am still in the Mom's group and I signed Jayda up for toddler time at the Library (starting Wednesday), which should be interesting. I hope she sits still for story time and is willing to participate in the group activities.

Anyways, hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend.

Maya

28 week Pregnancy Update..

Well, Hello 3rd trimester! Saturday I turned 28 weeks, like where has the time gone? Seems like I just announce this pregnancy and here I am in the home stretch. Today I went in for the glucose test. I chose the orange drink for the glucose test and it was way better than I remember. I get my results on Monday, fingers crossed I passed! I can't imagine not being able to indulge during the holidays.

Its also time for me to register at the hospital. So next weekend I plan to tour the women's center and register. I also saw my doctor today and my belly is measuring right at 28wks, baby's heartbeat is in the 150s and she was kicking the doppler during the examine! I now see the doctor every 2 weeks but will continue to do these updates every month unless I have some news to share.

Anyway,  my belly is definitely getting bigger as you can see in the picture below.

How far along:  28 weeks and 4 day

Baby is the size of a: large eggplant about 14 1\2 inches and a little over 2lbs. 

Total weight gain:  18lbs

Maternity clothes: ..Its still pretty warm here so I'm still living in maxi dresses, skirts and leggings but I've worn my mat. jeans a couple time.

Stretch marks:.. Still no new ones. I've started using Trader Joe's organic coconut oil which has help soothe the itching.

Cravings: Chinese food, dried mango and dried pineapple.

Symptoms:..OMG heartburn has been really bad. My friends suggest tums and I think I might have to invest in some. I sure hope the wivestale is true and Ms. A comes out with a head full of hair..

Labor signs:..Thankfully none yet! 

Looking forward to... Visiting family for Thanksgiving and having my baby sprinkle!

Maya

Inspirational Quotes.

I haven't really feeling like myself these past couple of days, guess it's the hormones. 

So instead of a manicure I'm sharing some inspirational quotes. 

Hope everyone had a lovely Monday.

Maya

Random...

Disclaimer: This post is not saying I'm not extremely thankful for the opportunity to stay at home.


Today I've been thinking about how my career plans have changed and how I'll be a stay at home mom for the next 2 years. I remember having such high hopes of finding a job when we moved to SC a year ago. I applied to numerous jobs and went on as many interviews ...but no bites..  See, I've always been very financially independent so when months passed and I didn't have any job offers it was pretty depressing.

Even now I feel kind of down thinking about not having a job/career. When I talk to my working friends I feel like I'm missing out on advancing in a career. I'll admitted I question if I'll even have a decent career again.

Now, I didn't do anything spectacular when I did work. Many of my jobs after college were at mental health clinics and my last job was working at a child development center, aka daycare. So I just worry with the gap of employment and how it will make it difficult to find a job using my degree because we all know experience is key to landing a lot of jobs.

I have been doing some volunteer secretarial work at my church. I format the monthly newsletters and design flyer's to advertise upcoming events. So that keeps my mind busy.

Ugh, i guess this is just a random post expressing my concerns about something that I don't have to deal with for another 2 years...

Hope everyone has a blessed week..I know the weekend always goes by so quickly

XOXO

Maya