Last night, I laid in bed with the kids, breastfed Frank and talked with Audrey about the North Pole (apparently, it has lots of jelly beans). While the kids and I hung out it bed getting sleepy, Kip took over kitchen duty. He put leftovers away, put dishes in the washer and tidied things up.We were sent tickets and have plans to go to the LA Auto Show this weekend, something special for the boys.If you're local and looking for something fun to do, the LA auto show is a good choice. This is the last weekend (through Dec. 9th) to check out all the high-end sports cars, wild futuristic concepts and green alternative fuel technologies.Your hubby probably deserves it also. (:xoxo Marcela*No compensation was given for this post. Tickets were sent to me for review purposes.
Friday, December 7
LA Auto Show
Tuesday, November 27
Wednesday, November 21
our week
Baby Frank turned three months this past week. No longer the little itty bitty newborn but a big yummy baby filled with giggles and smiles for us.
Both Jeremiah and Audrey are recovering from a bad cold. We've been staying in jammies a little longer, watching a little extra tv, and enjoying warm drinks.
Filled Audrey's closet with great finds from Misha Lulu's trunk show and gave Karen and Ana extra big hugs.
A yummy brunch hosted by Ana at Fig Restaurant. Got a chance to share it with some extra special bloggers while we shared our thoughts with @timetoplay on what we look for when choosing toys. We came to the conclusion that toy makers need to listen to parents more...
sharing funny faces
I'm cleaning house today and having friends and family over tomorrow.
So much to be thankful for...
Marcela xoxo
Friday, November 16
November 17th World Prematurity Day
This post is compensated and in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect.
November 17th is World Prematurity Day, a day dedicated to raise awareness on prematurity, the risks associated with preterm birth and a day to remember parents of preemies.
Preemies (born before 37 weeks gestation) are at an increased risk for serious medical complications and generally require days to months of care in the NICU. This can be extremely difficult on any parent. I personally experienced this as a young mother when Jeremiah was born. He had to be rushed to the NICU hours after being born (full term) due to blood complications and I can still remember how overwhelmed, scared, anxious and powerless I felt.
Seeing your newborn in the NICU can be very emotional. I prayed all the time for Jeremiah to come home and when that time finally came I remember how thankful I was. We were able to leave the NICU after just one week but seeing all the babies that would have to stay longer due to more severe complications, most from prematurity was very sad.
Prematurity disrupts the development of some of baby's vital organs which includes their immune system and lungs making them more likely to develop infections and more susceptible to respiratory problems. One virus in particular that parents of preemies should know about is respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV. Most kids will get RSV by the time they are two but usually with minor symptoms similar to a cold. Preemies however will have a more serious respiratory infection with more serious symptoms.
Here are some important things to know about RSV:
RSV Quick Facts
- RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, and severe RSV disease causes up to 10 times as many infant deaths each year as the flu.
- RSV is most prevalent during the winter months. The CDC has defined the “RSV season” as beginning in November and lasting through March for most parts of North America.
- In addition to prematurity, common risk factors include low birth weight, certain lung or heart diseases, a family history of asthma and frequent contact with other children.
- The current rate of preterm births in the U.S. Hispanic community is 11.66 percent. Since 2006, the preterm rate has declined 5 percent for Hispanic infants.
- Data indicate that infants from U.S. Hispanic communities are at increased risk to develop severe RSV disease; while the exact reason for the increased risk is unknown, the increased prematurity rate is likely a contributing factor.
- Two-thirds of U.S. Hispanic mothers have never heard of RSV, and one in five U.S. Hispanic moms only becomes aware of RSV once their child has contracted the virus.
Prevention is Key
RSV is very contagious and can be spread easily through touching, sneezing and coughing. Since there’s no treatment for RSV, parents should take the following preventive steps to help protect their child:
- Wash hands, toys, bedding, and play areas frequently
- Ensure you, your family, and any visitors in your home wash their hands or use hand sanitizer
- Avoid large crowds and people who are or have been sick
- Never let anyone smoke near your baby
- Speak with your child’s doctor if he or she may be at high risk for RSV, as a preventive therapy may be available
Contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:
- Severe coughing, wheezing or rapid gasping breaths
- Blue color on the lips, mouth, or under the fingernails
- High fever and extreme fatigue
Let's take the time to educate an expecting parent, say a prayer or think good thoughts for families with preemies on November 17th World Prematurity Day.
Tuesday, November 13
Holiday Meals Made Simple with fresh & easy
Thanksgiving is next week... can you believe it!?! Are some of you dreading all the cooking...or looking for a simpler way to serve up a feast?
Fresh & Easy's Holiday Meals Made Simple is a smart and yummy solution! You can order a Turkey, Spiral Ham or Beef Rib Roast Dinner (feeds 6-8) online that comes with 3-4 sides and a pumpkin pie and pick it up at your local store on November 20th, 21st, or 22nd. The meals are affordable and give you several side options to choose from not to mention give you more time for all the things that really matter like spending time with family. It's also an excellent option for work parties!
You must place your order by midnight Thursday, November 15th to have it ready for pickup at your local store to enjoy with your family and friends next week.
I'm really excited to try... this is perfect for busy moms.
Will you be preparing Thanksgiving dinner? Visiting friends? Having a Thanksgiving party at work?
*update 11/14: Last order date extended to midday Sunday Nov. 18th for pickup on Nov. 22nd
*Fresh & Easy sent me a gift card to try their Holiday Meals Made Simple. No other compensation given.
Monday, November 12
Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Line
*This is a compensated post and in collaboration with Neutrogena and Latina Bloggers Connect
I am so bad about washing my face every night. It always seems like so much work...doesn't it? These days putting on my makeup is a big enough feat and by the end of the day I seriously just want to get in bed.... just thinking about cleaning my face makes me exhausted. This is bad, I know, and my face suffers, my lingering postpartum hormones don't help much either, the ones that make me sweat like crazy. I don't think I have ever had so much sweat ... yet I don't think I have ever mothered a tween, chased a four year old around and taken care of an infant all at the same time either.
Last week I was sent the Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit line to try, and actually made an effort to dedicate just a small amount of time to my face. I tried both the facial cleanser and scrub, went to bed this week with clean and refreshed skin, and woke up free and clear of yesterdays makeup and overnight breakouts. Yay! I also tried and completely fell in love with their Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes. They are the best for busy mornings! I was able to grab a wipe and clean my face all while eating breakfast, changing diapers, looking for my car keys and running around trying to get everyone out of the house and in the car. The wipes have a very yummy scent to them and left my skin feeling really soft. They are also perfect post working out or nights when washing your face is just too difficult...(:
The end of the year is flying by and time seems to just slip away during this season, stress and breakouts accompany and I usually dedicate less and less time for myself. This end of the year season along with not stressing so much over gifts and spending more time with family I want to spend more time taking care of me. I making a promise to myself to take the time out to wash my face every night, use a scrub regularly and use extra moisturizer to keep my skin looking healthy.
What are your facial cleansing habits like? Have you tried the Neutrogena Grapefruit Line?
Tuesday, November 6
Don Francisco's Coffee Pair Nation Contest (Giveaway)
Don Francisco's Coffee has a great contest on their FB page. You can share your favorite coffee pairing or personal recipe for a chance to win coffee and be entered for the grand prize, a six month supply of coffee and a new Krups brewing machine. The best part... for each recipe entered Don Francisco's Coffee will donate five dollars to the LA Food Bank.
It's really easy to enter!
In celebration of their contest Don Francisco wants me to giveaway two coffee baskets! All you have to do is visit Don Francisco's Pair Nation page and either enter the contest (if you live in California or Arizona) or vote for your favorite. Leave me a comment telling me you entered or telling me which pairing you voted for. If FB is not your thing than visit Don Francisco's Coffee and tell me which coffee you would love to try. I will randomly pick two winners on November 15 at 11:59pm and email you if you win. US only.
My favorite pairing....
Don Francisco's french roast with french vanilla creamer...and a side of toast with butter!
*no monetary compensation was given for this post. A basket was sent to me for review purposes.
Saturday, November 3
trick or treat 2012
phew. it was a busy week.
We started off the week by picking out our pumpkin at one of the local pumpkin patches. I chose the simplest patch I could find for us to go...most of them have gotten so fancy with petting zoos, bounce houses, slides...pretty much anything to get you to spend money and forget about the reason you are there... pumpkin picking.
We let the kids play with pumpkin guts till it started getting a little crazy and pumpkin guts were being thrown around the room...
and finally decided on a good face ...
Frank was Super Baby for his first halloween, a last minute find that suited him well. Audrey picked her costume weeks in advance...the day after Halloween she told me that the neighbors must have thought she was the real Princess Jasmine because they all called her "Princess Jasmine" when they answered their doors to give her candy. One afternoon the kids and I were grocery shopping at the market and Jeremiah put on a monkey mask he found in the Halloween section, he wore it around the store while we shopped and we thought it was hilarious so he decided that's what he wanted to wear.
On Halloween he asked us how all the neighborhood kids knew it was him under the mask...we had lots of fun with him answering this question.( :
Hope all of you had a fun Halloween....I think I hear the Halloween candy bag calling me again(:
Tuesday, October 30
good thoughts
Reading about storm Sandy and seeing footage on the news is really scary. Hoping anyone affected is safe, warm, and with family and friends close by.
good thoughts,
Marcela
Monday, October 29
monday breakfast (Giveaway)
Did you know today is National Oatmeal Day? Audrey and I had some for breakfast. I made small pot yesterday then divided it in portions for Audrey and I to eat over the next couple of days. We'll just add different toppings each day to change things up a bit. Here's some other fun oatmeal finds around the web...
These Sperry Top-Sider baby boat shoes in linen oat color are adorable, I'll have to get some for baby Frank.
Have you tried overnight oats ... smart!
In El Salvador Agua de Avena is a staple drink for post partum and breastfeeding women
I think I need an oatmeal bath, right now
Beautiful healthy skin with oatmeal
In honor of this Oat holiday, I have two oat-themed bundles from Aveeno® featuring ACTIVE NATURALS® Oat products to giveaway to two readers that will help keep your skin looking beautiful and healthy throughout the winter. It contains a Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Daily Moisturizing Body Wash, Skin Relief Lotion and Skin Relief Body Wash. To enter leave any topic related comment. I will pick two winners on November 6th at 11:59pm by random and email you if you win. US only.
Happy Oatmeal Day!
*no compensation of any kind was given for this post. I am a Aveeno® blog Ambassador
Friday, October 26
Brooklyn Castle
A fellow parent from Jeremiah's school recently sent an email recommending this documentary to all the middle school families. Kip says it's gotten great reviews from critics.
It's definitely one I want to see. I think Kip is planning on going to the show with Jeremiah for this one.
Have you heard about Brooklyn Castle?
Thursday, October 25
something to think about
It's so easy to forget all the nasty chemicals and poor practices involved with food production when visiting the grocery store. The kids and I get sucked in by the fancy packaging and wording all the time.
This is a smart reminder to think twice about the things we are buying, to shop local, and to visit our farmer's markets regularly. We've been part of a local farm organic produce home delivery service for some time now, Audrey and I love opening the box and finding what's inside on delivery days. It also makes me feel better about not having the time to visit the farmers market on a weekly basis.
How often do you visit farmer's markets? Have you heard about local organic produce delivery services?
Lately...eggs have been on my mind...all the false wording on their packaging and the way the hens are treated...it's really sad. I have no idea how to take care of hens in the backyard, but it's been on my mind, do you have any experience with this?
Monday, October 22
Dia de los Muertos Cultural Festival at Rose Hills
Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary is celebrating it's 3rd annual Dia de los Muertos Cultural Festival this weekend.
Audrey and I went last year and had such a good time...we plan to go again this year! They have an art exhibit, arts and crafts activities for kids, face painting, yummy food, local vendor area and music/dance entertainment.
It's such a fun way to learn about the culture and heritage of Dia de los Muertos.
The event will be Sunday October 28th from 11-5:30pm and admission is free.
If you are looking for fun ways to celebrate this holiday at home check out this awesome post featuring all things Dia de los Muertos at Spanglish Baby.
Thursday, October 11
Doc McStuffins Halloween episode
It seems a lot of our kids are Doc McStuffins and Halloween fans... so I thought I'd share the time and date of the new Halloween episode.
It airs tomorrow October 12th at 10:00 a.m ET/PT. Audrey is super excited to watch and has plans to wear her costume and set up "her toys" to watch along with her. xoxo
Audrey
"I love you more than all the unicorns", I overheard her say to Kip, while I folded laundry and he tucked her into bed.
And although it's such an Audrey thing to say...I know she meant every word.
She gives the biggest snuggles (Kip and I fight over them all the time) and kisses baby and dog every time she passes by.
She tells me her secrets...and tells me not to tell no one, not even brother. I keep them. And hope she'll always find someone to confide in, in me.
There are those times, sometimes it seems like all the time, when I know I'm being tested....
when I just can't stand one more minute, when I'm about to breakdown, when time outs are given and privileges taken away... when seconds later I want to hold her in my arms and tell her that I love her.
She has given me so much...has shown me that it's things like jumping over puddles that I will remember most...
The other day, Kip was off from work and volunteered to take care of baby Frank so Audrey and I could spend some time together. We decided on the zoo, we shared lunch as soon as we got there, I asked her what animals she wanted to see and she said, "a unicorn or a narwhal". I had to google narwhal because I had no idea what it was and of coarse she did.
I told her we weren't going to find either one at the zoo. She was sure we would. And sure enough we found a unicorn. I told her she deserved two rides on the carousel and cotton candy since she had found a unicorn.
Today, we are home, it's a rainy day in LA and
this is how our conversation went when she saw the rain...
"mom!, you ruined the day!"
how? I say.
"you let there be a thunder storm!" as she marches off...
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