So we’re two weeks into the new year and I feel the same way I did last year. Don’t you hate when that happens? I mean, it’s 2018 for crying out loud! It’s time to shake things up. I’m gonna make a change (uh) for once in my life! (I hope you read that in your Michael Jackson accent). Anyways, in an attempt to freshen things up in my spreadsheet brain, I thought to chat to you guys a bit about my blog. And yes, I plan to give away a little hamper to thank you for reading. But that’s not the most important part. The most important part is that you get to have a say about how we do things around here. That’s right! I want to hear what you guys think about the blog, what you want to see more of and more importantly, what you don’t want to see at all.

I started the blog in 2011 when I realized that my Facebook status updates were just not cutting it for the amount of things that I wanted to say. This increased dramatically after the birth of my very precious, very sassy, baby girl. I mean, I had been a mom for about 12 years before Karis, but guys I swear my “mom game” increased dramatically after I had her. Soon my blog was filled with a whole bunch of mommy related content and my Parenting category was born. I realized that, hey look, I’m a bonafide mommy blogger! I don’t mind though. Mommy bloggers rule the world.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that I also enjoy chatting about how much my hubstopher annoys me. The Marriage category is filled with marriage mantras and wifey tales and I must say, it is quite popular. I love that so many of you can relate though! Fortunately we don’t have to be the “perfect wife”… we only have to be exactly what our respective husbands need us to be. But that’s another story for another day.

I’m a bit irky about the Nail Art category. Guys… on a scale of one to Cyril Ramaphosa, how much of a come back do you think my nail art posts needs to make, in order for you to think it’s cool? I feel like my nail art days are behind me, and I’m not sure if I should reawaken the beast. The nail art beast. Hmm, where am I going with this? Anyways…

You’ll notice that I post quite a bit about my faith under the Heart Matters category. That’s because I am the first to admit that although it’s great to have a relationship with God, the truth is that human beings are MESSY. We get it wrong all the time! But the wonderful thing about grace is that He gives us a chance to try again… and again…

I enjoy chatting about our beautiful city under the Nelson Mandela Bay category. I’ve partnered with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism to bring all the coolest news and activities happening in and around our city, straight to you. I do love punting this place though. #sharethebay

The Tips and Tricks and Reviews categories are pretty cut and dry. But I must say, one of my favorite categories has to be the My Spreadsheet Brain one, where I basically word vomit all the stuff that goes through, well, my spreadsheet brain. My mental space is a whole other country, you guys.

So that’s the blog in a nutshell and here’s where you come in, beautiful people. Complete the poll below, and you could stand chance to win a special My Spreadsheet Brain hamper complete with some of my favorite stuff from 2017. I’m talking books, CD’s, some beauty goodies and something to help you #sharethebay with me.

[qsm quiz=1]

You guys probably remember how I ran around in a flat panic, the other day, when my boy refused to drink from his bottle. I mean, the kid had me close to tears. He was as stubborn as a member of parliament. (Oh wait, was that in bad taste?) I tried everything guys, EVERYTHING and I could not get my baby to take the bottle. Anyways, yesterday was my first day back at work, and I’m pleased to announce that my kid did not, in fact, half starve to death. I know, right? Winning.

Here’s what happened: I prayed. A lot. Nay, I begged the Lord to intervene! Man, I was desperate. Thursday was particularly grueling and after noticing the crazed look in my eyes, my baby sister offered to take Jo for a couple of hours. While alone, she says she simply stayed calm and tried a whole bunch of bottle teats on him, eventually finding one that he would allow in his mouth. She then sussed and rocked him, as she played with the teat in his mouth. And guys one-two-three, he was sucking from the bottle! WHAAAA?!!!! Victory! I felt like a newly crowned Miss World winner! She says it’s the combo effect of rocking, and sussing, and soothe-singing that got him to comply. Prayer works, yo! And that is a fact!

But now, in a strange turn of events, the kid only wants to take a bottle from my sister. And no, this is not a slight over exaggeration. Every single member of my family (well just about) has tried and he refuses. I mean, if he could pull us over his lap and give our bottoms a stern talking to with his hand, then he would. Instead, he just screams and screams, until we remove said bottle teat out of his mouth. My sis, on the other hand, gets googly eyes and cute little laughs from him, while she’s feeding him. I don’t get it! I just don’t! Except that I do… because, I mean, I prayed. And now the kid is taking his bottle AND my sis has offered to look after him until he’s a couple of months older (she’s a stay at home mom with all the patience in the world). I didn’t think that she would be an option, but she has offered and he LOVES her with a capital LOVE. I feel like this is the best thing that could have ever happened for Jo.

The kid loves his aunty. I seriously don’t know how she got him to take the bottle. So I asked her what her secret is. Drugs? Chicken pops? Voodoo? None of the above, apparently. But these are some of the top secret tips that might help you get your baby to take the bottle:
– Don’t try to introduce the bottle to him when he’s already hungry. The kid will probably not be impressed.
– Try a slow flow teat, since the kid is used to milk flowing at a certain pace. She also suggested trying to introduce a bottle that is the same shape and size as the pacifier.
– Allow someone else to give the bottle. Key: Don’t be in the same room/house with baby! They can smell you.
– Play around with different positions and milk temperatures.
– Let baby play around with the teat in his mouth, so that it becomes more familiar and not so much “help mom, an alien has invaded my mouth”… well, so to speak.
– Stay calm, baby can pick up if you’re freaking out (much like what I did in the beginning). Sing songs and talk to baby, as a way to soothe him and distract him.
– Pray, yo! Pray over your baby and for your baby and for your baby’s caregiver.

Anyways, so with that said, my first day back at work was fairly mild. I mean, on a scale of one to Beyonce, my first day was a solid Michelle. It felt as if I never left. Freaky, right?

I think knowing that Jo is with a family member totally helps with the separation anxiety and settling in. I’ve called a bunch of times and he’s totally fine. Like, where is the loyalty Bruh?! No tears for mama? Kidding, it’s been a dream come true! God is faithful and that is a tried and tested fact.

How’s your week been?