38

This is what 38 looks like. 

I was fortunate to celebrate another birthday this weekend and I am beyond grateful. 

I actually like my job this year (I am teaching seniors and I love them!).

My baby amazes me everyday. 

It's taken me a while but I'm starting to get back in the swing of things. 

I feel super busy all of the time.
But I also feel super blessed. 

I wasn't even going to post the pics because I was being a baby about my postpartum body but you know what...I GAVE BIRTH TO A HUMAN BEING. 

So, here I am. Chunky. Happy. Blessed.

I do miss working out though.

I feel the urge to get healthy again. 

If nothing else, just so I can be healthy enough to give Zara a sibling next year. 

(Did I just say that??)

Shoes from Zara (The store)

Do you recognize this dress?

Remember I had it made for my baby shower?

I decided I wanted it shorter.

You know how I am. Always changing stuff. 

(I wore the above on Saturday)

Zara (The baby) Update:

She can roll over (follow me on IG for baby updates)

She loves to sit up. She is not interested in laying down if she is not sleep.

She wakes up with a smile every morning.

She has started eating a little rice in her milk.

She is totally into her dad. 

Thank you Rocquelle for taking my pics!

Caption This Photo

I can't resist my kid! 

What caption should go with this photo?!?

P.S.... She always stares at Frankie Beverly the Dog like this! 

 

Summer Lovin

It's been a while but I've been busy obsessing over this face! I simply can't get enough of my Zara. She is so sick of me taking pics of her...I'm sure of it:) Follow me on Instagram or my FB page. 

Blog talk later...

She had a first set of shots and she was not pleased as you can tell :(

(All of these pics and I even wrote this post from my IPhone so excuse me if it looks horrible:)

My Baby Shower Style!

Here is a better look at what I wore to my baby shower. 

Remember last year I had my cousin in the Ivory Coast send me a bunch of material?

This is one of the results of the African wax prints she sent me.

I went to a seamstress and explained I needed a maxi dress and here it is. 

I loved it! 

It was fitted perfectly. 

Simple earrings, a few bracelets, Steve Madden Sandals. 

That's it.

And I'll be able to wear this dress all summer post baby. 

P.S...only 5 more weeks! 

What do you think?

As soon as I get back in shape, I can't tell you how many African Wax print skirts, dresses and tops I will have made!

People Say The Darndest Things

I remember in my 20's I would meet guys or even friends that I haven't seen in a while and the first question would be "How many kids you got?"

I would say none and then watch as my answer slowly registered in their brain. 

The concept of not having a kid at an early age was/is so foreign to most people.

Note, that no one ever asked,

"Are you married?"

No one ever asked that. 

(Dress from H&M, Steve Madden Sandals, Thrifted clutch/belt, Aldo earrings) 

Well now that I'm 37 and pregnant, I'm getting the opposite end of that questioning. 

A few weeks ago I ran into a family friend. 

I mean she literally remembers when I was born. 

She sees me.

Notices my belly and says, "Girl! You pregnant at your age?"

Ummm. I just looked and stared. 

What the hell kind of question is that?!?

So, I play nice and kind of give her the old "ha ha he he" giggle with no smile. 

That doesn't stop her. 

She goes on to say "Girl, why you wait so late!?! Shoot, you supposed to be over that point."
(I'm thinking, "Umm aren't 3 of your grandkids in jail?")

Now, at this point I have cocked my head to the side. 

I have a choice. 

I can just half ass giggle or I can let her have it. 

The old Reiko (I changed as of November 2012 when I went on a rampage of telling people how I felt but decided in the New Year to bite my tongue more) wanted to say, "Ummm ma'am, just because you had your first child at 12 and was a grandmother at the age of 24 doesn't mean that I'm abnormal."

But that's the old Reiko.
I'm not like that anymore. So I just giggled and cursed under my breath. 

She was a family friend after all.

I suppose she gets a pass because she's known me since birth.

But it really pisses me off that people feel a need to comment on age. 

Nobody was saying "OoOh girl," when I became a homeowner at the age of 25.

Nobody was asking questions when I completed my master's degree.

So people would have been happier if I was 17 and knocked up or had a baby out of wedlock. 

I'm not judging those who went that route but don't judge me because I did it my way.

People say the darndest things. 

But like I said...I'm different as of Nov. 2012:)

''P.S. My theme song is "I'm Different"by Two Chainz. That's been my mantra every time the Old Reiko wants to make an appearance. 

*7 more weeks to go until the baby is here!*

GFS Christ Chic: The Tour

I hope everyone had a peaceful Easter!

Kaftan: Zara

Sandals: Steve Madden

Straw Clutch: Thrift Store

Earrings: Aldo Accessories

Here is a quick little video tour of the baby's room. Remember, I am from the south so you will hear an accent:)

Things I mentioned in the video...
1. Rug and ottaman from Joss and Main
2. Bedding from Target

*Christ Chic Posts are simply what I wore that day to church:)

Baby Shower Design and Baby Room Update

(Zara Kye is the baby's name:)

Here's a little sneak peek at my custom designed Baby Shower Invitations by Olive Paperie. If you are a long time reader of GFS then you know that Dana from Olive Paperie also designed my wedding invitations in 2011:)

I knew that I wanted something that represented me on my invites. Nothing generic from the store. I told her the colors I wanted and this is the result! Brilliant isn't!

If you are in need of a custom design for paper goods or a special events. Give her a holler and tell her I sent you!

In random news....I have less than 80 days before I have to birth a human being! EEEEKKKK!!!!! It freaks me out a little:)

And here are a few things I'm working on for Zara's room. I found a button(ed) down onesie in the boys' department of Babies R' Us and it was like angels were dancing around it! I couldn't wait to get home to style it and now it will be the focal point over her bed. I will have the frame of the corkboard painted white and possibly find some kind of fabric or wall paper to cover the cork board and hang my version of my baby's "Beyonce' Single Ladies' Baby Onesie" as decoration!

1. A book from Tendrils and Curls on her shelf.

2. Her "Single Ladies" Onesie (You know Beyonce' loves her a good onesie!)

3. A full length mirror 

More updates later...