Happy to be "Nappy"

Today I made a bold move. I cut off my relaxed and highlighted hair to reveal my natural texture. (Much love to Sharon of Salon Balisi!!!)
It's been something I've fantasized doing for years but never had the nerve to do. Mostly, because chemically relaxed hair is more "acceptable" for a black woman who appears on TV, like I did for over a decade. Now that I'm not appearing on-camera anymore I didn't have to worry about any work-related issues.
More importantly, now that Baby Kendrick is in my belly I really didn't want to subject him/her to the chemicals that would enter my body if I continued to straighten my hair.

This is the first time in at least 22 years I have not had my hair chemically straightened and the first time in about 13 years I haven't had my hair highlighted or lightened.

What clinched the deal for me was seeing Chris Rock's "documentary" film "Good Hair." My review wouldn't exactly be complimentary to his film, but I was concerned by many of the issues Rock highlighted. Watch the trailer HERE.

Here's a look at my adventure today: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/WU6wc3un

I have a "supportive circle" who agrees with and understands my decision. On the flip side, I've already gotten some negative comments from family and friends. Can't say it didn't hurt a little. I'm only human. But it's a personal decision and I made it FOR ME.

17 week update: Thank God for Bella Bands

Here's a look at my 17 week belly thanks to my "gift" of maternity clothes and a Bella band from Jeriah's mom, Renee.

I admit, I didn't know how to put on the Bella band at first. I had to google it and check out how other expectant mommies were wearing them.

The bands give you some flexibility in wearing your pre-maternity clothes. You can wear and old pair of jeans without struggling to zip or button them over your growing belly. The band covers the gap in your pants and offers an elastic covering for the rest of your belly.

I really didn't feel like I looked pregnant until the day I wore the Bella band. It helped give my tummy more of a round vs. flabby look.

Really Simple Recipes

I am not a great cook. In fact, before I stopped drinking coffee I really only used my stove to boil water for my daily cup of decaf.

My husband knew this long before we got married, so it's really no surprise to him. To borrow a line from Eddie Murphy's "Boomerang" and the uncomfortable dinner conversation between David Alan Greer's parents: "He didn't marry me for my cooking!"

But already this week I've made him at least one item he could eat: turkey meatloaf. It was simple and that's why I made it:

• Ground Turkey



• Seasoning



• Diced Onions



• Egg



• Crumbled slice of wheat bread (since the bread crumbs in my pantry were years old)



• Packet of meatloaf seasoning

See, if a recipe has too many steps, I lose interest. But since I love to eat out, I like to "attempt" to make my menu favorites at home. Last week, I made a wonderful "dinner for one" since my husband usually makes his own late night meals when he gets off.

I made BBQ Salmon Salad based on the Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad I love to order at Panera Bread. The items were easy, handy and cheap. Plus, I'll use them later to make something else. Isn't it annoying to buy weird/exotic ingredients to make one thing that you never make again??? In this case, the salad recipe requires light Three Cheese Ranch Dressing and Kraft BBQ Sauce (which I'm convince is coursing through my husband's veins since he eats it on everything!).

Check out the recipe: http://www.ehow.com/how_5508077_make-quick-bbq-chicken-salad.html

I'll try to keep posting my recipes here (which probably won't be very often).

Baby Kendrick's Nursery

Since I'm following my husband's wishes and NOT finding out if Baby Kendrick is a boy/girl, I've been hard-pressed to find a suitable nursery theme.

At first, I was cool with yellow/green "gender neutral" decorations. Then I changed my mind. So I started thinking "out of the box" since pink/blue would not be suitable until after Baby Kendrick got here.

So I headed to Ikea and was inspired by this black and white changing table you see on the right.

It's a Spoling changing table: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00147337

There are a few matching Spoling items, a high chair and nursing bag, which I'm just posting here so you can see more black/white nursery decorations.

To me, black and white is very gender neutral, yet modern. I'd also like to add red accents to the nursery. Daddy Kendrick was cool with the idea since yellow/green doesn't appeal to him either.

A call to Grandma Brewer left me with the impression she was OK with it too, although her first suggestion was to decorate the nursery all white. In a follow-up call, Grandma Brewer revealed she's not necessarily "in favor" of a black/white/red nursery. Instead said, "It's your baby. Do what you want."

Actually, the nursery probably won't have as many "patterns" as the Spoling items, but will be more solid black/white/red mixed in. I'm also imagining zebras, panda bears, soccer balls, etc for decorations.

If a black/white nursery sounds weird or different to you, I was surprised to see how much baby bedding is available in those colors.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not hoping anyone BUYS me these gifts. I'm just pointing them out as inspirations for Baby Kendrick's nursery.

Day 1 in Maternity Clothes

Yesterday, I got a long awaited care package in the mail: Jeriah's mom's old maternity clothes!

Renee and I are about the same size and I was hoping she had a few wearable items left when I called last month her pleading for donations.

She hooked me up with some maternity tops, jeans, a bella band and bras. I could hardly contain my excitement and wore the new clothes today! I really didn't have anywhere to go except a neighborhood watch meeting for our apartment complex.

Don't be fooled by these pics. I really don't have a"baby bump" yet. It's really more belly fat vs. baby. But these maternity clothes have a lot more GIVE than my regular clothes.

13 week update: Baby Kendrick waves to the camera

Baby Kendrick

approximately 13 weeks

Each ultrasound in this pregnancy is more amazing than the next. This is a photo of Baby Kendrick "waving" during the 13 week ultrasound. We visited a perinatal doctor's office as part of the non-invasive pre-natal genetic testing. Thankfully, all of our results were NORMAL.


As much as Baby Kendrick moved on camera, the ultrasound tech assured me the wiggles I feel in my belly are gas or something else.


You can see the baby's facial features here in these profile pics:














The newest dilemma is finding out if Baby Kendrick is a boy or a girl. Antoine first said he was cool with finding out, now he's changing his mind. The journalist in me wants to know NOW!!!

But I'll play along until he changes his mind again.

Any ideas for unisex baby room decor????

11 Week Update: We're having a soccer player!

Today was our second OB appointment and we got a second chance to see the baby. This time, he/she actually LOOKED like a baby. To our delight, the baby was moving around and kicking! Too bad the picture is another blurry blob, otherwise I'd post it.

The doctor and my husband had a debate about whether there's a football, basketball, or soccer player in there.
We're still on target for the baby to arrive around March 20, 2010.
That's just a few days shy of my sister, Veronica's birthday.

It's amazing how seeing the baby move calmed my "new mommy" fears. Hard to believe so much is going on inside me. I don't feel any kicks or flips yet. But the baby websites and books say I should feel "fluttering" and "butterflies" in a few weeks.

When I was in Jackson, MS earlier this week to handle some personal business, my friends were all saying they wanted to see my "bump." Honestly, I don't think I have one yet. I do feel bloated and full, but still not clear indication that a baby's in there if you just look at me.

Thankfully, husband came home on break and brought me something to eat. So I'll add that to the salad I bought earlier and get ready for my Thursday night TV viewing: Project Runway & Real Housewives of Atlanta!