YUMMommy

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  • Visual Luxe

    I’m sure that by now many of you have noticed the new logo.  It’s pretty right?!!  Yea, I love it. What’s even better is that I can actually pretty much put it on anything I want to now thanks to Visual Luxe.  What am I talking about?
    Well, you see the design of the logo itself I’ve had for a while now.  It started as sketch on paper, got scanned and uploaded to my computer and that’s where I got stuck.  I had no clue how to turn it into a format that would allow me use it.  I couldn’t put it on business cards, merchandise or anything because it would end up distorted and funky looking.
    Feeling frustrated, I took to Twitter pleading for help from a graphic design expert.  As much as I’ve had fun playing around with html and blog designing converting this file seemed a little too challenging for me.  I was out of my league.  Thankfully, Christina saw my cry and came to my rescue.  For those of you in the blogging world that don’t know Christina, she’s the lovely owner and creator of Visual Luxe, a graphic design studio.  I emailed her my logo and she worked her magic on it and turned it into a file that I can now put anywhere.
    Christina started Visual Luxe in 2010 after she gave birth to her beautiful baby girl.  “For years, I’ve had a passion for graphic design,” she says.  “I taught myself using Windows 98 and free graphic programs.”  What started out as just a hobby eventually blossomed and bloomed into a profession for her.  And let me tell you all, she’s talented!  Check our her design portfolio here.
    She designs it all from blogs to business cards and printable invitations.  So, if you’re thinking about redesigning your blog or need help with a logo like I did visit Christina over at Visual Luxe.  Be sure to tell her that YUMMommy sent you!!  Also while you’re at it you can check Visual Luxe out on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also find Christina blogging about motherhood, beauty and more on her personal blog, Being Mrs Jones.

  • We’re Ok

    Just wanted to let everyone know that all is well in the Queen City.  Looks like we were far enough inland to avoid any major damages from Hurricane Irene.  We haven’t had any rain but the has been very gusty and the clouds were unusually grey today.  I’m thankful that we didn’t get any tornadoes or twisters either.  
    I heard that Belhaven, a town not too far from us, got some.  I heard that it didn’t too much damage though.  So, I am very thankful that this wasn’t another replay of the awful storms, tornadoes and flooding we had earlier this summer.  God was certainly watching over us and I am glad.  I hope that everyone else is as blessed as Hurricane Irene continues to make her way up the east coast.  
    I will be continuing to be prayerful because we have taken quite the few beatings over here on the east coast when it comes to severe weather.

  • We’re Ok

    Just wanted to let everyone know that all is well in the Queen City.  Looks like we were far enough inland to avoid any major damages from Hurricane Irene.  We haven’t had any rain but the has been very gusty and the clouds were unusually grey today.  I’m thankful that we didn’t get any tornadoes or twisters either.  
    I heard that Belhaven, a town not too far from us, got some.  I heard that it didn’t too much damage though.  So, I am very thankful that this wasn’t another replay of the awful storms, tornadoes and flooding we had earlier this summer.  God was certainly watching over us and I am glad.  I hope that everyone else is as blessed as Hurricane Irene continues to make her way up the east coast.  
    I will be continuing to be prayerful because we have taken quite the few beatings over here on the east coast when it comes to severe weather.

  • Thankful Thursday

    This week I am very thankful that YUMMommy is a finalist in CBS-Charlotte’s Most Valuable Blogger contest!!  That is a huge honor for me.  It just further proves to me that YUMMommy is touching others and that’s most important.  While we’re on the subject I would love it if you could swing over there and vote.  Click here.
    Also, if you have blog on one of CBS’s local sites that’s up for Most Valuable Blogger please be sure to let me know in the comment section so that I can go and vote for you too!!  I’m all about bloggers supporting bloggers.  We have to spread the love people.  Also, if you wouldn’t mind use the share buttons to either share the word to Facebook and/or Twitter friends, I would appreciate that too! Thanks!
    I’m really thankful that Tuesday the kiddies and I got to spend time with my younger sister and her husband. They treated the kids and I to lunch and a mini shopping spree.  I thought it was super nice and thoughtful of them.  And no it’s not anybody’s birthday or anything.  They did it just because.  They love kids but don’t have any of their own.  They also offered to babysit if ever we needed sitters in the future.
    With my one year marriage anniversary coming up, I might have to take them up on that offer for a few hours.  I’m thankful that my mom is feeling better.  She really has to start taking it easy and taking better care of her body.  I keep telling her that she’s not a spring chicken anymore. 
    I’m thankful that JJ and Moo are doing well.  They’re both growing and thriving quite well developmentally.  And I have finally got Moo’s nose bleeds under control.  We have to stay in the house or wait until it cools off in the evenings to go out but it is what it is.  Thank goodness for coloring books.  And we finally got a little regimen that has been working well for JJ’s eczema.
    And as always, I’m thankful for you guys for hanging in here and reading what I have to say.  I’m thankful for all the comments and feedback and support.  It truly means a lot.  YUMMommy is still growing and the best is yet to come.
    What are you most thankful for this week?

  • Thankful Thursday

    This week I am very thankful that YUMMommy is a finalist in CBS-Charlotte’s Most Valuable Blogger contest!!  That is a huge honor for me.  It just further proves to me that YUMMommy is touching others and that’s most important.  While we’re on the subject I would love it if you could swing over there and vote.  Click here.
    Also, if you have blog on one of CBS’s local sites that’s up for Most Valuable Blogger please be sure to let me know in the comment section so that I can go and vote for you too!!  I’m all about bloggers supporting bloggers.  We have to spread the love people.  Also, if you wouldn’t mind use the share buttons to either share the word to Facebook and/or Twitter friends, I would appreciate that too! Thanks!
    I’m really thankful that Tuesday the kiddies and I got to spend time with my younger sister and her husband. They treated the kids and I to lunch and a mini shopping spree.  I thought it was super nice and thoughtful of them.  And no it’s not anybody’s birthday or anything.  They did it just because.  They love kids but don’t have any of their own.  They also offered to babysit if ever we needed sitters in the future.
    With my one year marriage anniversary coming up, I might have to take them up on that offer for a few hours.  I’m thankful that my mom is feeling better.  She really has to start taking it easy and taking better care of her body.  I keep telling her that she’s not a spring chicken anymore. 
    I’m thankful that JJ and Moo are doing well.  They’re both growing and thriving quite well developmentally.  And I have finally got Moo’s nose bleeds under control.  We have to stay in the house or wait until it cools off in the evenings to go out but it is what it is.  Thank goodness for coloring books.  And we finally got a little regimen that has been working well for JJ’s eczema.
    And as always, I’m thankful for you guys for hanging in here and reading what I have to say.  I’m thankful for all the comments and feedback and support.  It truly means a lot.  YUMMommy is still growing and the best is yet to come.
    What are you most thankful for this week?

  • Romance Wednesday: Candy

    Today, I got my husband one of his favorite candies.
    Some time it’s the small things like doing this that helps to keep a marriage fresh.  It shows your spouse that they’re always on your mind and that you do notice the little unspoken things.  

  • Romance Wednesday: Candy

    Today, I got my husband one of his favorite candies.
    Some time it’s the small things like doing this that helps to keep a marriage fresh.  It shows your spouse that they’re always on your mind and that you do notice the little unspoken things.  

  • My Weekend WrapUp

    So, it’s been a while since I’ve done a weekend wrap-up.  I kinda miss it and think I’ll be bringing this feature back.  Anyways, this weekend was particularly interesting.    Saturday, I got sleep in late because Moo didn’t get up extra early like she usually does.  And my husband had the day off.  So, we got to hang out and watch tv together.
    That same afternoon Moo and I went out for a little mommy and me time.  We were suppose to go to the store to pick up some beef broth for gravy but ended up with a lot more in our cart.  Thankfully, though it was all stuff we needed with the exception of the candy.  I’ve been working really hard on not spending money carelessly.  I’ve been doing some freelance blogging for this UK site called ccMyself.com and have been trying to save the money from that gig.
    I’m desperately trying to take a family vacation next year.  My husband and I haven’t been on a vacation together since we started dating.  I’ve been on several with my family but he seems to always be working when we go.  So, he’s agreed to not take his vacation time until like May or early June and I want to do a cruise or a road trip.  I know you’re thinking I’m nuts doing a road trip with two kids.
    But the fact of matter is that Moo will be three and JJ will be one.  It’s time to start making memories that include the house, Grandma’s house or anybody else’s house.  I’d like to start taking them to places like Disney World, the Martin Luther King, Jr Monument and more.  I want to expose them to different cultures and environments.
    Sunday, I got late and didn’t make it to church. I’ve finally found a church that is a good fit for us to go to up here when I don’t head back home to go to my home church.  And I didn’t go out to get my Sunday paper so I missed out on my coupons. Maybe, I can hit the recycling center and see if they still have some Sunday papers they haven’t shredded up and started recycling yet.  Also, Sunday, I found out that YUMMommy was a finalist in Charlotte’s Most Valuable Blogger Contest hosted by CBS Radio. (Vote if you haven’t already. Please and thank you!!)
      
    Next weekend I’ll be attending my great cousin’s wedding.  Looking forward to it because I’ll get to see some of my distant family that I don’t get to see on a regular basis.  Plus, my mommy is coming up since the wedding is going to be here and it’ll be good for her to get out of the house a little bit too.
    And heads up, I’m working on doing a College Supplies Scholarship for next fall.  I’ll be releasing more details this week.  Also, in the process of working on turning Young Urban Modern Mommies into a foundation/registered nonprofit. I’m researching the best way to go about it and brainstorming about the programs and services I want to offer.  As always thanks for all of your support.  And I love your comments!!  Keep them coming!!

  • I’m Nominated!!

    Yay!!!  I got nominated and made it as a finalist CBS Local Most Valuable Blogger here in Charlotte in the Lifestyle and Family Blog category!!!  I’m beyond stoked!!!  Pretty please vote for me by clicking on the button below.  You can vote once per day or twice if you vote from your computer and smart phone.  Voting ends September 9th.  
    If I win this will open up so many more doors for YUMMommy.   Spread the word please!!!

  • Rough Start

    I remember walking in my house and telling my husband I was going to breastfeed.  His reply, “I didn’t know you were pregnant.”  I wasn’t.  I had just returned from visiting my cousin, Veronica, who had just had her daughter.  (You can red her story here as well.)  She was in so much pain from her c-section and from breastfeeding, yet she sat there and explained to me the importance of breastfeeding.  I knew then and there that if a woman could be in so much pain and still stand behind breastfeeding, it was something that shouled be important to me as well.
    When I had my son, Jadyen, I immediately started nursing him. I was so relieved when he latched on and it didn’t hurt one bit. Then things took a turn. The day I was discharged the nurse explained to me that he hadn’t urinated yet so that must mean that he is not getting “enough” breast milk. She suggested I try alternating with formula. I started to cry, had I been starving him the first two days of his life? I went home and waited for him to pee. Nothing. I gave in I didn’t want to starve my baby. My husband fed him formula and I cried on the bathroom floor. 

    I woke up the next morning so discouraged. My husband fed him formula again as I cried. My wonderful and encouraging husband knew how important breast milk was for our son so he told me that would be the last bottle he would give him. He encouraged me to call someone for advice, so I did. I called a La Leche consultant and she explained to me that my milk hadn’t come in yet and that my son was getting “enough.” She told me the most important action I could take was to continue nursing. She also explained my body would produce as much as Jayden needed. Two days later I awoke to a completely soaked t-shirt, MILK!
    My son is now six months and I am still breastfeeding. I love looking down and seeing his eyes stare at me. I love when his tiny hand caresses my breast as if to say, “thank you mommy.”   My eyes water when I look down and see how healthy he looks and see the little rolls on his legs and thinking I did that. And then, just when a tear starts rolling down my face he bites down on my nipple with his strong gums and smiles. Holding my breathe in pain all I can do is smile back.
    My boobs are for my son who is my whole life. I only want the best for him and because of that I choose to breastfeed. I love every minute of it and I am grateful that I have such strong women by my side to encourage me, thanks cuz, thanks tia (I bought myself “one cheapy watchcloth” and scrubbed my tetas.”) And even though my mommy didn’t breast feed me (at that time formula was big and they didn’t know all the benefits of breastfeeding – or so she says lol I’m only kidding mom I swear) thanks for supporting me now.

    Martiza lives in Browns Mills, NJ with her son Jayden, her Rottweiler Brooklyn (her first baby) and wonderful husband Edward. She is a legal assistant in a law firm in NY.  She says, “I didn’t think I would love being a mom so much but I do and breastfeeding is just icing on the cake!’