The Jennifer Lawrence Guide to Being Awesome

Ok, so can we all just agree that Jennifer Lawrence is the cutest/most talented young starlet in recent years??? She is a refreshing break from all of the vain and talentless "actresses" out there who set women back decades if not centuries (I'm looking at you, KK). 

I came across this article on People.com this morning that only solidified that Jennifer Lawrence and I need to be besties. Anna Kendrick and Emma Stone can come too.

How to be as awesome as Jennifer Lawrence in 6 steps

1. Don't be afraid to get dirty

I mean, I'm a mom. If I don't have some kind of food particle/drool spot left on my clothing from Emerson's tiny hands at any given time, I'm not really doing my job am I?

2. Laugh off your falls

Let's just say no one has ever accused me of being graceful. I'm awkward. I trip all the time. But I really don't ever feel embarrassed about it... probably because it happens so often.

3. When in doubt, call mom

For being the youngest child, I consider myself pretty independent. I can make decisions, take charge, and do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. But sometimes, you just need your mom or your BFF to give you the validation you need to more forward. Can I get an Amen?

4. Take fashion risks

Though I don't have J. Law's wardrobe budget, I'd like to think I'm a fashion risk-taker. In the sense that I look at my belly in the morning, then look at my closet and I think "Screw convention! I'm gonna wear this cardigan even if I can only button one button. Yeah!"

5. Lose the filter.

It's hard to lose the filter when you didn't have one to begin with. Sometimes things just need to be said. Life's too short.

6. Don't obsess over your body

This is a hard thing to do when you've been pregnant 3 times in 3 years. My body hasn't looked what I would consider "normal" for a long time, but the reasons behind that are well worth the temporary sacrifice. Still, it's wonderful to see a beautiful actress who looks great, looks "normal", and admits that she chows down on Cheetos like the best of us.

Now, 6 steps later, tell me you're not in love with this girl right???

So What! Wednesday

 Today is a great day for So What!ing. In the words of Pink, today I'm saying SO WHAT if....

• Our house hasn't sold yet. Crap on a cracker.
• The people who just HAD to get in to see our house at 8:00pm last night only stayed for 10 minutes. I am trying not to be bitter about interrupting Emerson's bedtime for people who are obviously not going to buy the house. Trying being the key word here.
• I feel fussier than a toddler about this whole home-selling process. I go from up to down in a matter of minutes. Dear future self: NEVER try this again whilst pregnant. Never.
• I ate my feelings for dinner (aka half a box of spaghetti and 7 Oreos. And french fries.)
• I accidentally microwaved my breakfast sandwich for 6 minutes, not 60 seconds. I realized it halfway through, but it was inedible. Guess that means I have to get a meatball sub for lunch.
• I just can't get into the 'Real Housewives' and the gaggle of terrifying teen shows on MTV. Everyone I know watches them, I just can't do it. I watch The Bachelor, isn't that enough torture?
• I am more than a little skeeved out about having an Open House on Sunday, because I just picture our nosy neighbors coming through and peeking at my underoo drawer. I'm telling you, it'll happen.
• I'm grumpy today. Can we tell? 

Toddler Meals

Happy Monday!

Our weekend was fun, despite the fact that no one bought our house. (Why are all homebuyers in our area being so selfish and slow I wonder?)

Yesterday we took Emerson to the mall. Naturally, we had to pop into the Disney Store because that's where dreams come true. Then we get to a display rack and see a Minnie Mouse lunch bag, and girlfriend went nuts! 

"Minnie! Minnie! MINNIE!"

I didn't even know that she understood the difference between Mickey and Minnie, but boy did she! She grabbed that thing right off the rack and held on for dear life. So of course we had to buy it for her. (I wonder how we'll respond some day when she goes "Mercedes!!" "Spring Break in Cabo!" Is that how the kids on Super Sweet 16 get away with it???)

But for the bargain price of $12.50, this little bag made her happy so there we go.

After bedtime, I decided a new lunch bag meant new lunch ideas. I try really hard to come up with creative, healthy foods to pack in her lunch every day, but I feel like I'm in a rut.

Here's what Emerson eats in a typical day:

Breakfast: Whole grain toast with butter, strawberries, milk (oh dear does she love her milk)

Snacks: Bananas, graham crackers, Cheerios, apples

Lunch: Cheese cubes, apple sauce, crackers, kiwi, pinwheels with vegetable cream cheese, green peppers, leftovers from our dinner the night before. Easy stuffed that can be packed for "school" and doesn't necessarily have to be heated up.

Dinner: Whole grain pasta, broccoli/peas/carrots/some kind of vegetable, cottage cheese

What do you feed your little munchkin?? Ideas welcome :)

Friday's Letters

Dear ice storm: Seriously? It's time to spring forward, Ohio. Dear McDonalds: Thank you for making my cup of decaf this morning. It was almost as good as the real thing. Almost. Dear Kate Middleton: You are also pregnant, and only 11 weeks or less behind me. Thank you, I feel like a blimp.  

 

Dear people coming for house showings tomorrow: Please buy my house. You know you want to. Dear doughnuts: I wish I could quit you. Dear Downton Abbey: I am hooked. I'm halfway through season 3. I bawled my eyes out last night. I won't spoil for others but... ugh.

 

Dear Train: Please stop singing. Please. Live off your royalties and enjoy your lives. Dear Mexican food: Where did this craving come from? I just know it's a quarter after 10, I'm all alone and I need you now. Dear baby girl #2:  I am so sorry we can't find a name for you. I feel like a bad mom. I keep waiting for the perfect one to come along, because I don't want you to hate me some day for my lame name choice. Dear spring 2013 clothing: Stop tempting me with your cuteness. I will NOT buy any clothes until after the baby comes. I will not.

Ma. Mama. Mum. Mom. Momma. Mommy.

Emerson is going through what can only be called a verbal explosion. She is like a parrot, and not only repeats everything we say, but remembers things too.

For example, I asked her what she thought about a particular baby name for her sister while rubbing my belly. I said the name a few times. She repeated it. And now she comes up to my belly and calls it "baby" and "That name." I'm not going to say the name because it's no longer in consideration so I don't want you to get attached to it. But now I know that you can't assign a name to something unless you want it to stick.

I also love her interpretation of certain words. She calls Aunt Mackenzie "Kiki." She calls broccoli "Bockley." Toodles is affectionately known as "Oh Too!"

But the best word ever??? She has gone from calling me "Mama" to "Mommy." I don't know why, but it makes me want to cry. I'm someone's Mommy. It's no longer just the easiest sounds that she can put together. No. She sees me and says "Hi mommy!"

I'm a mommy. Sigh. I love that girl more than she will ever know.

And I promise it sounds way cuter than this: