Here is a lighthearted book about toddlers that I read before we even got Lola, it helped me laugh a little and not take everything so seriously.

It also has some good tips about keeping yourself in shape and looking good, its not just all about how cute your kid is if you look like 20 miles of torn-up track.

I have found that its really easy to stay in my sweats and a pony tail all day if I’m busy and don’t have anywhere to go. I generally loathe my laziness when I look in the mirror and see that I’ve made no effort during the day to look like a civilized human being.

I’ve read many accounts of women who are depressed, can’t get off the sofa, and mope around all day. The best idea I have personally found for feeling better is to get cleaned up and then clean and organize my house a little. Feeling crummy is a downward spiral and a catch-22, if you break the cycle, even a little, it helps you feel better and a little pride can carry you a long way....

Plus, lets be real, no kid is ever proud of their sloppy mom. If you look good, you generally feel good.

I have a cousin who has 3 of the cutest little kids you’d ever hope to meet. They are always dressed fashionably and are very pretty children, but their mother is another story. She is overweight and out of shape, hair flying every which way, clothes that look like they’re ready for the rag bin and no make-up or self care is evident. She is completely unpresentable in public. Its as if she thinks “if my kids look good, I don’t need to.” I disagree. I realize that sometimes there may be bigger issues present, issues that don’t resolve themselves with a shower and a swipe of the vacuum, but you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else, I’ve heard that said a million times and I echo the sentiment.