How is it that it is already mid-March and Mama has yet to write about the must-haves for the month? Yesterday, CeCe turned 4 months and dear Lily-girl turns 6 tomorrow. SIX!! The day that changed Mama’s life for all eternity…for the better, of course. While they drive Mama insane most of the time, they are the best part of Mama’s life. Mama is just soaking up every baby cuddle and giggle because this could very well be Mama’s last little baby…sniff, sniff…

However, the hubs has a different point of view. You know men…they always have something to complain about and while us Mama’s enjoy every moment of the baby stage, for some reason…he does not. Mama gets it, the third time around is not as exciting as the first time but he is anxious to take them somewhere and do something and breastfeeding in a chair or feeding her a bottle is not really what he has in mind. So every time Mama leaves and comes back, Mama is greeted with a grinning, giggling baby outstretched in his arms reaching for Mama before one can even take off their shoes, wash their hands or go to the bathroom. As the hubs put it so politely a few weeks ago…“Mama, don’t act like this is your first rodeo. Babies are your thing and the older kids are mine! My boobs don’t make milk and if they did, I probably would help more.” 

However when the other kids are away at school and it was just him and the baby, Mama did catch him tickling her, laughing with her and cuddling with her. Perhaps it’s the multi-tasking thing that men aren’t fond of…because they sure do love their babies!

Let’s have a look at what Mama is craving this month (besides SWEETS which Mama gave up for the Lenten season and is counting down the days until Mama can bite into a Sprinkles Cupcake again)…because it’s never too late to treat yourself!

Must-see — Mama is so, so, so excited for release of The Hunger Games this month starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth (Miley Cyrus’ boyfriend), Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks and Lenny Kravitz that one cannot see straight. Mama’s book club read the book a few months ago and so it will be a girl’s night out. If you haven’t yet read the book — DO! While it’s filed in the Young Adult section, it was one of the best stories Mama has read in a long time that you just couldn’t put down. The characters were developed, the story was intriguing and it wasn’t something Mama thought she would normally like. Grab a few friends and go see the movie, read the book and then come back and tell Mama how much you loved it (or hated it)…!

Must-do — if you’re like Mama and aren’t smart enough (or just don’t care!) to bring the outside toys in out of the rain or snow during the winter months then you probably have a few dirty, moldy and weathered toys on your hands. Now is the time to start thinking about throwing away the moldiest toys (especially the ones that you can easily replace from the Target Dollar Bin) or getting down on your hands and knees and scrubbing them until their sparkly, clean and new again. Mama started on this project last week and managed to salvage a few of the toys and scrubbed the water table clean so it should last one more season. However, anything that is too black full of mold…just throw it away because it’s really not worth it when your kids end up sick because of it! Also, if you have a new baby like Mama…consider investing in an outdoor playmat so everyone can enjoy the outdoors this season. Mama is loving this one…Skip Hop Zoo Foam Playmat, $60, at amazon.com.

Must-read — just the other day Mama and friends were talking about the way the world is changing and if there is still a “class system” still in place here. Maybe not here in the U.S. as much but definitely abroad and India is one of the first places that comes to mind where this is happening. You have beautiful buildings and skyscrapers built in the city that look right down upon piles and piles of garbage and poor people dying of starvation. Journalist Katherine Boo captures it all in the book Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. Boo lived in the slums of Mumbai for three years and captures every daring and heartwarming story that will make you thankful once again for the roof over your head and the food in your refrigerator (even if it is only moldy cheese). A great pick for a book club too! Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo, $16.20, at amazon.com.

Must-wear — if you know Mama, you know that Mama is a flats girl. Sometimes you’ll see Mama in a wedge or heel but rarely. So these are in Mama’s virtual shopping bag right now, Franco Sarto ‘Whip’ Flat, $49.95, at nordstrom.com. They go with everything and are so easy to put on and off as you run your million, zillion errands a day. In fact…treat yourself to two pairs for the price!

What are you craving in March?