I'm definitely in countdown mode...11 days until due date! Thankfully baby is head down now which is a huge load off my mind. I've got most of the absolutely necessary work to be done for the next month completed so it should be a low key few first few weeks. Hopefully I've got myself organized enough to just check the computer and fill orders for Modest Middles undershirts/tanks once the baby makes her entrance. The new product is under way...I'm excited to share more details about it in March. We are hoping for an April launch!

Here are the next five "mommy brain" cures....I'll post the remaining 5 tomorrow. Please share any I've missed that work for you!

As I experience it, “Mommy Brain” is a condition characterized by exhaustion, a feeling of being overwhelmed, overscheduled, and underappreciated…the last on the list. It results from the multiple roles/personalities daily life requires of women who are mothers: wife, mother, school-helper, employee/business owner and individual woman.

"Cures" suggested by my friends with "lots" of kids =)

11. Drive away. When “mommy brain” is at its height, I’ll load everybody up in the car, turn on the radio and stop by my favorite drive thru to get a coffee, smoothy, etc. Everybody’s accounted for and contained and I have the open road to enjoy my treat.

12. Liven up your day. Celebrate life and renewal by picking up a bunch of flowers for your table, working in your garden if you have one, or planting a kitchen herb garden.

13. Revamp your diet. Moms are busy. It’s easy to fall into the fast/junk food habit. Try to increase the lean protein, fruits and vegetables in your diet. It can be fun to try new recipes and easier to get in healthy meals when you have a weekly/monthly meal plan. Be sure you pantry is full of healthy, high energy snacks. Another fun way to do this is to host/attend a “cooking party”. Once a month you can get together with friends. Each person brings one complete meal. You can draw names, shift the meals to the person on the right, whatever you like; at the end of the evening everyone leaves having had a great time with the girls and a complete meal for the next night’s dinner.

14. Get moving. Exercise has so many benefits. Even if it’s only for 10 minutes! Take a walk, jump rope, do pilates, play soccer with the kids, play on the playground at the park, etc. (Cox Cable has a great feature called “Free Zone” on their On Demand Channel. There are several exercise programs of all different lengths of time available for free on your schedule).

15. Smile more. Phone a friend or significant other who makes you smile. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to overreact and get angry with the kids. Try making your first reaction a smile. Even when it’s forced, the smile can calm down the situation and make the response a more appropriate one. If no one’s available to give you a laugh, tickle your kids or look up a joke online.