Just Like Daddy!!!

Many young women are giving birth to babies without the fathers being present to support and help raise them. "Baby mama's" and "Baby Daddy's" have become a staple of today's society,  shows like "Teen Mom" make it look more glamours than it really is. There is always so much talk about men not playing active roles in there children's lives, whether by choice or force. I am a firm believer, especially with boys, that your mother can raise you but she cannot teach you how to be a man. So i decided to showcase a father who is not only financially supportive but helping to shape the life of his child. We salute the real men who take care of their responsibilities!!!

                                           Charles and Charles Jr. "CJ" on his 1st birthday!!!

                                                         "Can i do it by myself now daddy?"

                                                        "You DO know it's hot out here right?" 

                                                                  "Tag your're IT!!!" 

                                                  "One day i'll be big and strong like my daddy!"

You Are My Sunshine!!!!

Daughters are the best, especially the ones born on July 14th! Not only do Alexandria a.k.a. Tilly and I share a birthday, we also have our daddy's wrapped around our finger and  mommy's who adore us! The Leonard's share the story of the sunshine of their lives, Tilly!

Matthew and Shieta Leonard, married April 30th 2010, Daughter Alexandria Leonard born July 14, 2010.

                                                                            “Tilly!!!”

                                                 Mommy and Daddy’s little princess!!!

Like many parents, Matthew and myself are still in shock (a year later), that we are parents to a beautiful fourteen month old, she is the highlight of our lives, everything we do is for her, we want her to have the world. We are so thankful that God was able to trust us to raise one of his own children and we are going to make him proud. Matthew is in the US Air Force and I am perusing my degree in health care administration online with the University of Phoenix. In my spare time, I like to cook and spend time with my family. We are currently stationed in Arizona, the grand canyon state!

Boys Will Be Boys!!!

A few pictures of the Wingfield men!

                                          Sebastian and his daddy checking out a soccer game.

                                                          In his "Big Boy" clothes!

                                           "When I grow up i want to be as cool as you!"

                    "The Pride of a Man is The Son That Will Defend Him."- Shamiski Wingfield

                                                                    "Just like daddy!"

Gimme a Break!!!!!!!!!!

  Having a baby is stressful enough, and even more so if this is your first pregnancy. I SO wish i had this list to look at after i had my son!!! So here are a few pointers i came up with:

   Top Ten ways to maintain your sanity after having a baby!

1.       SLEEP- sleep as much as possible!!! When  your baby sleeps ,so should you. I didn’t listen when people told me this and I found myself extremely irritable around bedtime. Babies have no concept of its night time so we need to go to sleep, therefore you have to catch a nap when you can.

2.       Showers- When I was pregnant I used to take 45minute showers because I loved the feel of the hot water hitting my belly. I loved showers more than taking a bath. But after giving birth to my son via C-section I couldn’t get in the tub if I wanted too. After a long day of feeding a crying baby and changing  diapers I was pulling out my hair. I learned to appreciate something as small as taking a shower. Something about the steam and hot water pounding away baby drool and the stress of the day just relaxes you and puts you in a better mood for nighttime.

3.       Get up and move around- sometimes, we as new moms are so tired that we just want to lay in the bed and on the couch all day and not move. But honestly you will feel so much better if you get up and walk around. I started getting cabin fever for laying on the couch literally all day and night so I would walk to my kitchen, put a chair by the door and let the sunlight hit my face. I felt 10 times better after that.

4.      Maintain your beauty routine- I know during the end most women are over trying to look cute and ready to deliver. Once the baby gets here trust me that feeling won’t change. If you were accustomed to going to the salon then go (after your 6 week check up of course)!!! You will feel so much better just by getting your hair washed!

5.      Eat what you want- Now is not the time to be worried about your pre-pregnancy diet. EAT!!! For breast feeding moms you will need those extra calories because you will burn through them quickly breastfeeding.

6.      Have company- preferably someone who is not your mother or father ( only because some parents can bombard you with advice and you can become frustrated). We all need interaction other that your child and spouse, especially during this time. Having a friend or family member over can give you time to nap, take a shower, or catch up on your cleaning.

7.      Read- from pregnancy till now I have read 17+ books in my spare time.  It gives you something to think about other than feeding schedules!

8.      Surf the web- Since  I go to the outside world I brought the outside world to me. You can keep in touch with your friends and family via skype, oovoo and facebook.

9.     Join a support group- If you are a first time mom everything doesn’t warrant a call to the doctor. Other moms may have some helpful insight or advice. You can always call or email them with questions. For breast feeding moms, you can check if your city has a La Leche League.  All other moms can contact your local hospital or Google MOPS in you area. 

10. If I didn’t mention this let me do it now…oh I did... SLEEP- you do not know how important it is for you to rest so get it while you can because crawling is just months away!!!

Round and Loving it!!!

Pregnancy can be hard, but there are some women who just breeze right through it. This is the story of one of those lucky women!

Hi, my name is Tamara McGregor and this is my first pregnancy! I am a first-time mother and I will be having a baby boy in October. This experience with being pregnant has forever changed my life. I cannot believe in just a few short weeks I will be someone’s mother! I have pretty much had a laid back pregnancy. From the beginning, I have not experienced an ounce of morning sickness (Thank God!). I have not had any major weight gain as I was very worried about that. I have had the pleasure (LOL) of experiencing heartburn throughout these eight months either. The only thing that I really had to deal with was very bad tension headaches and that goes for both my first and third trimesters. My second trimester was literally a breeze and was probably the best time I have had out of the three. Although I have had to make some life changing decisions, I would not change them for the world! I love this little guy to death and I haven’t even met him yet!

Eating has NOT been a problem for me as I had a hefty appetite pre-pregnancy, but the problem I did have was finding bottoms that fit. I came up with a solution to that problem: tights. In these last few weeks, I have found myself to be more exhausted and not able to move as fast as I’m used to moving around, which is very frustrating. I also have experienced the pregnancy brain fog. I have never forgotten so many things in my life as I have during this pregnancy! It is definitely annoying because I am used to having a really good memory.

        I have also been thankful enough to have my child’s father involved majorly in this process. Although he has not been able to come to most of my appointments because of his busy schedule, he has been there emotionally and physically for me. I don’t think any woman should have to go through this alone. I really am thankful for everyone that I have in my corner and very blessed. Although this experience is almost over, I can honestly say I will miss it just a LITTLE bit! (LOL) I am at the end and I am very ecstatic to meet my handsome little guy!

Want to share your pregnancy or the birth of your child? well we are here to listen, email us at S.tokaree@gmail.com be sure to send pictures!!!

All The Pieces of ME!!!

Love, like families, comes in many shades and dynamics.  These are stories of blended families who have overcome the labels that people have placed upon them. They are helping people to understand that they don't have to choose between being African American, Asian, Russian or Caucasian.. After all, we a want people to accept " All The Pieces of ME!!!" 

                                                                   Juliana Carmen Guzman
                                            A.K.A Juji             
                                           4months old

                                 Avan and Juliana getting their faces painted at the fair!

                                                          Avan, Juliana and Luis Guzman 

My daughter, Juliana, is Black, Indian, Puerto rican and French. "Colorism" has been a problem with our families as a multiracial couple. When my daughter was born, my mom said "I wish she would've come out a little darker." The next day, our Indian friends came to visit at the hospital and they commented on what a relief it was that our daughter came out light, like my husband.
Even at her early age, we have been striving to make sure she feels a part of both cultures. We listen to salsa on our car rides and she has lots of brown dolls. 
I also want her to know that she does not have to pick a side to be on. She is multiracial.

Gotta story to tell??? We want to hear it!!! send your emails to S.tokaree@gmail.com

Let's Kick It Up A Notch!!!

                    These little darlings give the boys a run for their money! Get 'em Pink Panthers!!!!

                                    Darvin "DJ" Johnson jr.  poses before working it out on the field!

                                              Racing toward the goal....score 1-0 Sparks!!!

                                                                    Go Sparks!!!


Congrats to the Sparks for winning Saturday's game!!! Both teams played very well. Staying active is the best way to socialize your child. Not only do they get a good workout, but they make new friends in the process. This also gives you a chance to meet other parents and make connections, especially if you are military! Check your local recreation center or your child's school to find out how to get your little person involved in inter-mural sports!

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                                                                                                Tell us your stories!!!

         Did your baby hit a mile stone today? Is it your child’s birthday?  Got a funny story about your little tike, well we want to hear it! Send us your stories about your little person and we will share the laughs with all the moms and dads out there!  Email all stories, photos and videos to: S.tokaree@gmail.com.  Please be sure to include your child’s age and name with all photos and videos. Don’t forget to tell us your location.

The Gift of Gab!!!

So my son is learning to talk and every day he has a long drawn out conversation with himself. I mean you would think somebody asked an essay question every ten minutes.  So today my muse decided to grace us with an interview!!!

Dressed up in love!!!

In The House of My Father, I Pledge My Love to Thee!!!

Samantha and Javaris Ford  were married this summer surrounded by friends and family. The Ford’s were recently stationed in Alaska, where we wish them the best! Javaris is in the United States Air Force. 

            A private winter wonderland!!!

Vivienne and Jeffery Korhonen at their beautiful winter ceremony. They were joined in love on December 30th 2010 :)!!! Jeffery is in the United States Air Force.

                                            A kiss in the moon light!!!

Diana and Ruslan Pislar were officially married by city hall on May 25, 2010. They shared their love in a wedding ceremony on June 04, 2010.  Ruslan joined the United States Air Force in October 2008.

                                

                                                How to get your wedding picture featured???

·         Did you get married in your uniform and want to share? Send us your pictures we want to see!!! Email all stories, photos and videos to: S.tokaree@gmail.com. Be sure to give us a sentence or two including you and your spouse’s name, when you got married and what branch of the military you or your spouse is a member of.

My little fatty!

So every time I talk to my mom she makes a point to tell me how FAT my son is. The conversation usually goes like this...." Hey ma" mom: " Hey Tokaree, where my big ole grand son at, wit his fat self?" me: "um ma my baby is not fat!" mom: "yes he is he look like he six months old!!" me: "he does not" mom: "Where is SHE-bastian (I swear it bothers me to no end that me mother insist on calling him shebastian... I mean gosh lady its pronounced Sea-bass-chan) any who, it peeves me that people keep calling him fat! He only weighs 14.6lbs that's just a healthy breastfed baby! Honestly guys is that big? I dont think so! At any rate.... He's getting to that age that we let him taste foods. He dad let him taste watermelon the other day and his eyes lit up like "hmmmm what is this, this is not milk!". So keeping this in mind yesterday we were feeling adventurous and let him taste a little plain yogurt and he blew it off like I don't want that!!! So as we sit down for dinner last night he starts looking at my plate ever so longingly.He started giving me all kinds of googly eyes and charming smiles as I ignored him. So his dad asks if he wants some gravy from the cubed steak and he hit him with the "duhh" face. So he tastes it and is like yum!! So my husband sticks his fist in his gravy and puts his fist in his mouth. My son proceeds to go at his fist like a starving convict!!! When i say he had gravy everywhere, i mean he had gravy EVERYWHERE!!! He had gravy all over his bib, his sleeves, the creases of his little double chin and gravy juice under his neck! Needless to say my little fatty is almost ready for food!!!

·         Tell us your stories!!!

Did your baby hit a mile stone today? Is it your child’s birthday?  Got a funny story about your little tike, well we want to hear it! Send us your stories about your little person and we will share the laughs with all the moms and dads out there!  Email all stories, photos and videos to: S.tokaree@gmail.com.  Please be sure to include your child’s age and name with all photos and videos. Don’t forget to tell us your location.

So hi!!!

Ok so I was inspired to create this blog by my three month son! He is starting to coo and tryin to talk and I thought it was the cutest darned thing. Since his dad is in the military and we are hundreds of miles away from our family, I post photos and videos on facebook so our families can see. The second video I posted I entitled it : The way I see it..... Sebastian Tokarr Wingfield telling it like it is! It was just a random video of him talking, but people started commenting as if they understood what he was saying! Thats when the lightbulb went off in my head..."ugh duh" why not start a blog for people to post and share funny videos of their kids!!! As a young wife and mom I think this would be a great way to make friends, trade advice, and share our pregnancy and baby photos and stories! I hope you guys enjoy it and remember have your cameras ready because; KIDS TELL IT ALL!!!!