#19: Sunlight

Sunlight can have an amazing effect on ones emotional state. After an extremely trying day I was coaxed into taking a walk around the pond in town with my daughter riding her bike and even though it was a bit tough to walk the 1.5 miles, I did feel a lot better both physically and emotionally. 

#20: Diaper bags.

Does having a girl always have to be associated with pink and having a boy, blue? Do "moms" have to look a certain way? So mini skirts might need to be a little less mini, and high heels may need to be a little less high but being a mommy of one, two..three or however many kids should not take away our ability to be stylish, keep up with trends, even when it comes to baby bags! It's bad enough that we carry around every possible item one might need to battle minor or major meltdowns, explosions and more, so why must we do so in a container plastered with Dora, Thomas, Micky, Mini and friends...? I don't know! So many moms have broken from this pattern and have set out to find well designed baby bags and so have I.

A few years ago, when I was having my first baby, I bought two diaper bags, one that the dude could carry and one that I could carry (Mia Bossi Maria Diaper Bag in Tangerine Orange). Although they have both been great, I have become tired of mine because its actually really big and hard to carry around with one kid a so I expect it to be even harder with a baby and a toddler (plus stroller and whatever else). So as I invest in another bag which I will carry around daily for at least two years, I am considering size, durability, design and of course aesthetic; these come with a price tag ranging from $150 to $1000.

1. Kate Diaper bag by Storksak - $210.00
2. Sophia Diaper Bag by Storksak in Tan Leather-$398.00
3. Burberry Carolina Extra Large Baby Bag - $1036.00
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Pretty Nylon Eliz-A-Baby' Diaper Bag - $298.00
5. Timi & Leslie Designer Diaper Bag Charlie in Pewter - $159

#21: Swollen Feet

Its no secret that I hate feet..most peoples feet even my own bother me especially if they look like hands you know? Anyway, my feet are quite swollen and like most other parts of myself right now are showing the wear from me being rather pregnant. So today, I will be more appreciative of my feet regardless of my prejudices towards this gangly body part, they are still able to move me and my extra passenger around pretty efficiently.

#22: Life

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/world/africa/engine-trouble-reported-in-nigerian-crash.html

Although this incident seems far from home to some, it is at home for me. I live in New York and have created a life here over many years but I am from Nigeria and often wonder what life would have been like if I hadn't stayed in the US and instead returned home after college. Our country isn't perfect but we have struggled and persevered through many hard times, we are resilient people with good hearts and strong will. I appreciate the safety we have here in the US but we cannot forget how fleeting life really is; while my heart goes out to those who have perished in this disaster remember this could have happened anywhere and been anyone, but today we are spared and get to continue our lives. RIP