Merry Christmas to you all!!!!!!

I am a big fan of movies. Comedy, thriller, drama and romcoms are my go-to movies.  I would've loved Nigerian movies on this list but unfortunately we have not started creating themed family movies yet. In the process of creating this list, I found out that there are different genres of christmas movies (Horror, R18 etc) but since we are in the Christmas spirit and in the mood of creating Christmas family traditions I have come up with a list of family Christmas movies to watch.


The Grinch;

Age 9+ 


"What parents need to know is this imaginative version of Dr. Seuss' beloved classic may be too intense and scary for the youngest or most sensitive kids. Ominous music accompanies the Grinch and his cartoon trouble making in multiple scenes. Jim Carrey, behind a rubbery green face, is the master of cackles and distorted facial expressions. A heroic little girl is in danger more than once. Kids who understand the difference between the real and the fantastical will delight in the chaotic, very funny mayhem. So will grown-ups. There are a few moments of crude humor along the way (i.e., the Grinch sticks his butt out and says, "Pucker up and kiss it," and several males ogle a buxom woman)" Common Sense Media

White Christmas; 
Age 6+


"Parents need to know that one musical number rhapsodizes nostalgically about minstrel shows. But viewers don't see any blackface makeup or overt racist images; it's just verbal gags, and kids who don't know the history won't realize the degrading black stereotypes that gave rise to the patter." Common sense media

Get Santa; 
Age 10+ 


"Parents need to know that Get Santa is a British Christmas comedy about a son whose father, freshly released from prison, is determined to stay out of jail for good but finds himself tempted to break the law when the real Santa lands himself in jail and needs help. There are scenes about toughing it out in jail, divorced parents, childhood dysfunction that leads to a life of crime, some brawling, high-speed chases, a "hell" and an "oh, God" here and there, a punch or two, and a lot of rule- and law-breaking, all justified in the interest of saving the day. There's rude humor throughout, including reindeer who communicate exclusively by farting and a gun that shoots reindeer poop directly on a woman's face. Nothing terribly egregious, but the more mature themes and frequent prison setting probably make it best for older kids." common sense media

Mickey's once upon a Christmas;

Age 3+

Miracle on 34th Street; 
Age 6+
"Parents need to know that Miracle on 34th Street is a classic holiday tale with little objectionable content. The Macy's brand is a big focus, as is Santa over more religious aspects of the holiday. The little girl at the heart of the story, Susan (Natalie Wood), at first doesn't believe in Santa (because her mom has raised her as a realist) -- which could lead to questions from kids -- but ultimately she's proven wrong and becomes a stout believer in St. Nick " Common sense media

Do you have any Family Christmas movie recommendation? Which of these movies have you watched? What are your thoughts?

Over the years I have become conscious of the things that I eat, initially because I wanted to lose and maintain my weight but in doing my research I discovered the benefit of actually eating clean way beyond weight lose. I decided to love me enough to not just eat Junk.

When I subscribed to Netflix, was attracted to the documentary "What the Health" and was shocked by everything that was revealed in there and I made a decision based on the information to go vegan.

In my new quest of becoming vegan, I had a conversation with my friend about it and he said "At the end of the day everyone is trying to gain something" what he means is that the creator of the documentary that is exposing the meat and dairy industry and encouraging people to go Vegan will also be trying to gain from the rising vegan industry in the country.

I sort of see his point, in the sense that everyone wants to cash out at the end of the day but I would rather enrich people and businesses that make products that are good for me as against the ones that kill me slowly.

A few people didn't think I was in it for the long haul but, It's been almost 3 months since I made the decision and I am still transitioning but I have had 2 weeks straight vegan meals and it was indeed amazing. It's been an interesting journey since I made the decision.

I will share subsequently on the things I have learnt in this short journey, my recipes and thinking of my baby also being vegan in Nigeria.

What do you think of the vegan lifestyle? Is it something you would consider?

**(This list contains Jumia affiliate links, I would get a commission if you buy anything through these links at no extra cost to you)

 I searched online for different "What's in my hospital bag" videos and articles that made me come up with my list, but when I got to the hospital, we were given a list and obviously, we had to buy a lot of things that had I been in a foreign hospital, it won't be requested from me. So, here is a list for your Nigerian hospital bag;


For Mother

• 1 Dressing gown
• 1 Maternity Large Brassiers
• 1 Large Towel
• 4 Sanitary pad (ladysept) 
• 1 pair of flat slippers
• 1 Toilet soap
• 1 tin of glucose
• 1 Toothbrush 
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 Body cream
• 3 clean wrappers
• 1 Sponge 
• 2 nightingale spreadable
• 1 Savlon (small bottle)

You can save a copy for yourself

This is the most terrifying thing I have had to go through in all my 7 months of motherhood. It shook me!

I had just finished bathing for my 5 month old - at the time- and I dropped him to get something, he wasn't rolling over yet so I assumed that a few seconds won't hurt the next thing I knew, I heard a cry, turned and saw my naked baby on the floor - that image is etched in my memory.

I lifted him quickly and he stopped crying but I couldn't stop crying- That ugly-face-sobbing kind of cry. It was very terrifying. My husband, heard me cry and came into the room, I told him why I was crying, he took the baby and prayed for him while I picked up my phone to check Google.

I read that I should check his use of the hands and legs, if his pupil is the same size, if he is not sleepy or vomiting. I checked and checked again, he appeared fine and was laughing already but I was convinced that I had ruined him by making him fall, for the next couple of days, every thing he did - like twitch or spit up - I attributed it to the fall in my mind. I was drowning in guilt and ashamed of myself for letting my baby fall off the bed. Then I spoke to my Mum and Sister.

My Mum told me to check his head and make sure he is not crying when I touch any part of his head and if he is fine, I should just let it go and not beat myself up over it.
My sister told me of her experience and said "Don't worry, there will be more falls" and further told me not to feel guilty about it anymore. I kinda let it go after about a week. It wasn't very easy though.

Here's a few things I learnt from that experience.

• If your child is not rolling over yet, just assume he/she is and put a pillow around them if you will look away for even a second. 
• One second is enough for a child to do something swiftly, it's so shocking. You'd wonder how they get the speed. 
• Always have an eye on your baby.
• Let there be a padding on the sides of you bed incase your baby does fall. A rug or foot mat, anything so he/she doesn't land on the bare floor.

and if your baby eventually falls down....

• If your baby is physically alright, STOP WORRYING!!! YOU ARE NOT A BAD MOM!!!!

More Resources on Baby Fall;
Healthline
NewKids Center
Other Mom's Experiences(Don't worry, you are not alone)

Please tell me, When was your baby's first fall? How did you handle it?

The first few days after having my baby was no fun at all. Asides dealing with the pain from surgery there was breastfeeding. I honestly didn't want to deal with it and was very happy anytime they made him formula but soon enough I stated running temperature and overnight a huge lump had appeared in my armpit. I cried as different things were running through my mind, I mean, how would I have cancer immediately I gave birth to my baby. My breasts were rock solid and I had no clue(an no one really told me about this) what was up till I went of Google.

So, What is Engorgement?

Engorgement means your breasts are painfully full of milk [WebMD]

What are the signs? 

• Very full breasts
• Headache
• Might have swollen lump in your armpit (They are called lymph nodes)

What is your experience with Engorgement and how did you deal with it?/Did you hear about engorgement before you had your baby?

My best picture

I was really tired!!!

Did you have a maternity shoot? Please send me a link to your pictures ;)

As soon as you are cleared by the doctors after delivery, you are throw into the deep end called breastfeeding - with or without your permission. As a first time mum, I definitely didn't know what to expect with this new but I also wish people talked about these things I found out a few months down the line.

What is Victory to you?

"Mumsperience"?

• A Snack Stash (Especially if you are breastfeeding): I found myself craving for different things when I started breastfeeding. No one told me that the craving won't end, it felt that I was losing weight fast at the beginning but I wanted to eat twice as much.
  
  I wanted all the junk food to stuff my face in. I later had a stash of go-to snacks to help with the fix
• Breast Pads:
  
  Nothin as embarrassing as a leaking breast. I didn't have a clue how serious it could be but it is verrrry important that you have enough breast pads, especially if you choose to use the disposable ones. 

• Solitude: Being sleep deprived, overwhelmed, tired and feeling like you can't take it any more  comes with the territory of becoming a new mum.

What do you think is essential for a new Mum?

The night before on our way to the hospital