Loved, Squared

The boys and their toys in Puerto Rico

Real talk: I never expected Aiden to embrace the fact that he was going to have a baby brother. I didn't expect him to hate the idea, but I really thought that he'd be too busy in his own 8-year-old-big-kid-world that he'd be too preoccupied to worry about a newborn.

I'm happy to admit that I was wrong.

Every single day Aiden amazes me with how attentive, loving, and caring he is with August. If August needs his pacifier to be washed, Aiden washes it. If August needs his dirty diaper to be thrown out, Aiden tosses it. If August needs his mouth cleaned because there's spit up or drool on it, Aiden cleans it. If August needs to be entertained, Aiden puts on a show.

Aiden will literally fall on the floor twice over (thrice over!) just to make August laugh. And the sound of August's belly laughs? The funniest thing ever.

Before giving birth to #BabyDelicious, I didn't think I had the capacity to love another little person as much as I love Aiden because, well, Aiden and I have a very special bond. (I've written about this before.) Quite frankly, Aiden and I have been through some things together.

We've grown together. We're growing together. He put in the work with me. He put in the grind with me. He went to class with me when I was in grad school and didn't have a sitter; he came to work with me and sat in my office reading, coloring, playing on my phone, napping... repeat.

But it was love at first sight with August. And it's only gotten stronger with every passing day.

Back, when it was just us two, Aiden would say, "I super love you" to me. And I'd respond, "Back atcha kiddo. Back atcha."

Now... seeing Aiden be so protective of his little brother... watching August get excited every time he sees Aiden after school... seeing Aiden and August love up on each other...

I tell them that it's double the love.

It's love, squared. In so many more ways than I could have ever imagined.

August Kingston, 4 Months Old

It's been four months of deliciousness!

They say that time flies when you're having fun and that's exactly what's been happening 'round these parts with Baby August -- time is flying. And we're having loads of fun.

He's one of the most chill babies I've ever known. And I'm not just saying that. Everyone says it -- my friends, the nanny, family. I've taken him to work for a few hours a couple times and, each time, he was just so calm and observant. Everyone loves him! (And they should.)

Check out August's likes and dislikes and some adorable pictures! (PS: I wish I did this when Aiden was a baby.)

August likes:

• Doing mini-pushups during tummy time. 
• Rolling from back to stomach. (He's no longer trying to do it -- he's fully rolling with the homies like a pro.) You're supposed to learn to roll from stomach to back, but this guy's dancing to the beat of his own drums already. And I'm loving it.)
• Laughing. From his belly. It's the cutest thing ever. 
• Widening his eyes in excitement and grabbing his bottle whenever he sees that it's coming -- gotta love the expressed breastmilk.
• Rubbing his face into my chest. (Don't ask.)
• Sucking on his middle and ring fingers. A lot. Like, all the time.

August hates:

• The swings at the playground. He'll learn to love it eventually. 
• Having lotion rubbed onto him. (Ain't nobody got time for that!)
• Combing out his hair. (Again... ain't nobody got time for that!)
• Waiting patiently until his bottle warms up to room temperature. (It's literally the only time that he'll cry.) 

Can't wait to see what next month brings! 

How We Win

All week my principal and I have been talking to our third graders who are taking their ELA NY State Test this week. It's three days of testing, can you believe it?!

Anyhow... everyday we come up with something to inspire them, encourage them, and push them to do their absolute best.

One of my favorite messages so far?

Hard work beats talent any day. Everyday. We've got to work hard, work smart, work consistently... and work to the point of being uncomfortable. When we move pass our comfort zones, when we get a little uncomfortable, when we get comfortable with being uncomfortable... 

THAT'S when the growth happens. 

THAT'S when we get to our personal best. 

And THAT'S how we win. 

Now... who's ready to win this thing?

That was for a test. But, obviously it can be applied to life. Are you ready to feel the fear, but do it anyway? Are you ready to consistently put in the work to move closer to reaching your goals?

I know I am.

{Baby Style} Smiles and Pastels

cardigan, striped onesie, pants: Baby Gap | sneaker socks: Trumpette 

Easter Sunday is always filled with church and new outfits, dinner at a new restaurant and Easter basket candy. Lots of candy. (In fact, it's one of the only times that Aiden is actually allowed to chew bubble gum.)

And color. Lots of color. It's the first time in the new year that I dress Aiden in something colorful.

This year, I was so excited to add Baby August to the mix.

So when I found these yellow skinny pants from Baby Gap, I had to get them. I mean, a baby... in skinny jeans! Who can resist?!

I paired them with a navy and white striped onesie, Trumpette sneaker socks, and a gray cardigan. It's official... this baby's stylin' on 'em!

Aiden was pretty stylish too, but that another post for another time. In the meantime, enjoy this delicious picture of my blessed duo...

Now you know I can't wait to do more Baby Style posts, right?

Seriously... bring on the cuteness!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter. Stay stylish!

FLY at The New Victory Theater

It's very important to me that Aiden has a knowledge of African American history, which is really just American history when you think about it. We read books and watch movies, listen to music and research things on the online. And we talk about our history. A lot. 

Another great way for him to gain that knowledge is through Theater. Not only is it a magical experience, but it also helps Aiden to really envision and understand a particular place, time, event... and lives of the folks in them. That's why when we were invited to see The Pasadena Playhouse/Crossroads Theater Company's FLY at The New Victory Theater, I jumped at the opportunity.

FLY tells the story of the of the Tuskegee Airmen through the eyes of four young men. The bravery and the determination of the first black military aviators in U.S. history who flew through the skies over Europe and North Africa during World War II is just... inspiring. The portrayal of it all? Equally mesmerizing. The tap dancing that's used to convey a range of emotions? Very, very powerful. 

FLY is brilliantly written and executed. It's equal parts thrillingly what's-gonna-happen-next dramatic and laugh-out-loud hilarious. There are intense moments and light-hearted moments and both of these moments speak to the heart. 

The show definitely made for rich discussions with Aiden about segregation, racism, WWII, and "bad words". There's a bit of strong language at times, which is why this show is best for older children. I was a bit concerned about the strong language (please note: there is use of the N-word once), but I didn't let that stop me from allowing Aiden to see such a powerful performance. In other words, it was totally worth it. 

FLY runs from now until March 27th and is for children ages 10 and up. The show is 95 minutes with no intermission and tickets start at just $15. Visit The New Victory Theater website to learn more information and purchase your tickets. 

Enjoy!

{Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed herein are my own. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

August Kingston, Three Months Old

Baby August turned three months last week and I've officially become one of "those" moms. I'm seriously amazed by all the little things he discovers and learns everyday and it excites me. Like, really excites me.

He's changed so much in these past three months and his personality is definitely blossoming. So yeah... I'm one of "those" moms. And I'm proud of it.

This month has been all about his hands. He's discovered:

• How to use both of his hands to try to coordinate to grab onto something
• How to reach for something and actually grab onto it
• How to use his hands to put his pacifier into his mouth. And take it out. A million times.

He's also beginning to learn how to roll over from back to tummy! Go baby!

August likes:

• Waking up smiling. Always.
• Giggling. 
• Giggling at pretty much anything Aiden says or does. #Brotherhood
• Smiling at strangers while on the subway until they turn to him and smile back. (Not even kidding.)
• His bouncer seat. 
• Squeaky toys. 
• Looking at himself in the mirror. 
• Bearing down on his legs whenever someone puts him in a standing position.
• Squirming. All day, everyday. He's busy like that!

August dislikes:

• His swing. (That swing is still trying to win him over.)
• Whenever people take too long to pick him up whenever he no longer wants to be on his back.
• Whenever his pacifier falls out of his mouth and people take too long to help him put it back in
• Cold breastmilk. (ask me how I know.)
• Cutting his nails.
• Whenever someone puts him in a standing up position on the floor. (Again, ask me how I know.)

He's such a happy little guy and I love that I get to be his mom. 

ACURE Baby Care: Skincare Products for the Entire Family

No doubt about it, my kids have super sensitive skin. They get it from me. For the first couple years of Aiden's life, his skin would always breakout or become irritated because some unknown allergen would irritate him. It took a lot of trial and error and years of teaching him how to be gentle with his skin, but I finally found safe, all-natural products for him.

And they've worked. For the most part.

When I was pregnant with Baby August, once again, I found myself on the hunt for great all-natural skincare products. You know, just in case he came out with skin as sensitive as Aiden's and mine.

That's why I was so excited to check out the ACURE Baby Care line. The line features certified organic products that are free from gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives, and artificial colors.

That alone deserves two claps and a raise-the-roof.

The ACURE Baby Care line includes a 4-in-1 foamer (think: hand soap, bubble bath, baby wash and/or shampoo), lotion, diaper cream cleverly called Baby Buns, Fix-It-Stick that'll treat and protect wounds, Bug Stick that'll keep bugs away, a Sun SPF 30 Stick for skin protection, and, my personal favorite, the All Better Balm.

The All Better Balm? One word: amazing! The all-in-one quick fix balm works for babies, big kids, and adults alike. It's great for calming itchy areas of irritation, moisturizing cracked hands, and leaving your skin soft and smooth and without residue. Oh... and it smells good too!

After being introduced to these products last week, I've been using them everyday... single... day... on baby August, on Aiden, and on myself. And I ain't ashamed to admit it either.

The line is seriously yummy and I love that it's a one-stop shop for this blessed trio.

Visit the ACURE Organics website in order to learn more information and get you some. (You're welcome.)

{Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions herein are my own. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}