Que Rica Vida in Miami. Part 2.

I had a big bed to myself while I was in Miami.  Aren't I lucky?

The bed was comfy, the pillows and sheets soft, but something was missing...hmmm...

I didn't have 10 little toddler toes in my ribcage or wasn't caught in the middle of a toddler and a husband, getting squished. 

I did sleep though, like 6 hours straight, with no interruptions.  That's a whole lot for a mom!

We started the day early, a breakfast buffet joined by very special Jeanette Kaplun  from todobebe. 

Sandrini, Dariela , me (still in my workout clothes), Silvia, Jeanette  and Ana. 

Then we got our South Beach gear on....y a la playa, we were off to.

Limited on time we hung out with just feet in the water and watched Roxana's cute spanglish babies splash around. We took pictures and video and enjoyed the sun. 

 The sand was soft. The water warmer than LA and as blue as Liz's cardigan. 

The buildings so beautiful
Art Deco. Just like in Dexter... do you watch that show???

Lunch on Ocean Drive, overlooking the beach, and the biggest strawberrita... ever ( :

Followed by cupcakes.

Then the special Que Rica Vida launch event.

Joscelyn rocked her beautiful singing voice.

And I got to see Adamari Lopez (LOVE her)!

more food, cupcakes and drinks ( :

We ended our last night together hanging out, chatting and dancing.

We flew home the next morning and shared pictures on the plane.

We have been tweeting about it for days.

And still the best thing I can say about it, is Friends.

Que Rica Vida in Miami. Part 1.

Many thoughts on my trip come to mind when writing this post.  It's not everyday, actually it's the first time, that a company like General Mills sponsors a group of Latina bloggers to fly out to an event of this style. 

Maybe now, we will start seeing that trend... many different colored faces where we sometimes are used to seeing mostly one at company sponsored blogger events.  

Speaking of color, what color are Latinas anyway? ( : I saw a whole lot of color in Miami!

Yoli and I on the shuttle heading towards our Hotel.

We stayed at the Hyatt, and everything was lovely.  I saw FRIENDS everywhere I turned (faces I had only read).  Funny, the connection bloggers have.  I felt like I knew all of these ladies, and the more I think about it, I guess I did already know them.  I talked in english with some, spanish with some, and our favorite, spanglish a whole lot of the time too.  They made me feel welcome and loved, and that meant everything.

Yoli and I shared rooms. We could of had our own, but like, who was going to help me with my outfits?


The more I write, I think this post will definitely have to be seperated into two.  Our two days there.....k?

We had a party the first night, with mariachi music (hello?! Latina!), drank mojitos, ate yummy food and took pictures and gave big Latina hugs all night. 

Jennifer, Rory, Brenda and I

We heard all about the re-lauch of the new Que Rica Vida.  My favorite part, Baby Center en Español will be joining them to share tips and articles on parenting. I love that Baby Center en Español supports all parenting styles, yet still seems to lean towards natural parenting.

with Marta and Carrie and  Lisa 

After the event we all hung out in the hotel lobby and chatted.  Some of us party girls went out for a walk in downtown to find a hangout where we could chat and get to know each other more.

Our first stop was a total dive bar.   It had a certain smell, a mixture of old, greasy chicken wings and beer that turned us away instantly.

Our next stop, down the street, was a very trendy spot.  A band on stage with a sexy dancer in a flowy mini skirt, young people and liquor everywhere.  It had MIAMI all over it.

Catalina, Sandrini, Yoli and I


We left and walked back up the street, to find something right in the middle of the two, and perfect.  A sushi bar, that pulled tables together for us and brought out  yummy rolls and drinks.  I had a pomegranate champagne drink.  We talked about the event, and blogging.  Our thoughts and feelings. 

Everyone has a different story.  As I'm sure you do too.  So special this thing we call, mamí blogging.

*more links and thoughts to come in part 2. The trip was sponsored by General Mills. All thoughts are my own. 

Here I am.

Sipping on my morning coffee, reading my favorite blogs, pancake mess cleanup waiting for me in the kitchen and still in my pajamas. 

 I am definitely home. 

I tried to get my cafecito to taste like the café con leche from Versailles I had before boarding. No luck, but still yummy. 

I know what would make it even yummier! One of those dulce de leche or guava In Style Cupcakes Carrie introduced us to.  Maybe that's what I should have brought home from Miami!

I <3 Kip, specially because I came home to a clean casita. 

Audrey asked for boobie chita as soon as we arrived from the airport.  My left breast was so full and ready for her.  I didn't pump during the trip and had really big boobs to prove it. 

Jeremiah immediately fell in love with the flip cam (a gift from General Mills), I think I will have lot's of Jeremiah videos to load. 

I have lot's to share from my trip.  I met some great friends. Had way too much to eat ( : Had too many mojitos ( :

and fell in love with Miami.  Que Rica Vida la pase. The food, the people, la cultura.

We were greeted by our beautiful spanish language at every turn. 

So many Latin American's proud of their culture.

I will share more soon. 

I hope you are having a lovely weekend. 

*the trip to Miami was an all expense paid trip from General Mills.  The flip cam was a gift from General Mills.  The cupcakes a gift from In Style Cupcakes.  I was not asked, required, or given monitary compensation to tell you anything I said on this post.  These were 100% my thoughts. 

Blogging on the plane.

Last night was filled with lots of thought and little sleep.  

Nerves, excitement and thinking about everything I was going to leave undone.

Audrey woke up during the night to feed.  I held her close, embracing her little body.  She said to me "chita, nap".  Okay mama, I said,  chichita y nap, as I put her to my breast. 

Yesterday, I ran around.  Shopping, cleaning, cooking and folding laundry.  Silvia said it perfectly while we talked on the phone, "I feel like I'm nesting". 

That is exactly how I felt.  

Just with no baby on the way.  I think. 

Speaking of babies.  My best friend had her baby yesterday. Congrats mama!  I <3 you and your babies!

Today is a busy day.  We caught a 6am flight, meaning we had to wake up at 3:30am.  I don't look pretty at 3 in the morning ( :  There are a whole bunch (maybe 10)  Latina bloggers on the plane.  All headed from LA to Miami.  

I am sure General Mills and Que Rica Vida will have no idea what to do so many bloggers together in Miami ( :

Audrey started to cry when I got out of the car at the airport.  It broke me, I even got the milk let down feeling when I saw her (which doesn't happen much now that she is a toddler), but I know her dad, so I know Audrey and Miah will be just fine. 

Thanks for all your very supportive comments on my last post.  Your comments mean everything to this little blog. 

My luggage, second hand boutique. Shoes, Urban Outfitters. 

Feeling...

Nervous and anxious.
I keep telling myself Audrey will be fine without me for two days.
And then I think about how she is still nursing, will she still want to nurse when I get back, will she be able to fall asleep with her babysitter during the day?
Am I doing the right thing?  It's only two days.

My trip to Miami for the unleashing of Que Rica Vida.

I wonder if I should take her.  She can still sit on my lap on the plane.  I can take the Ergo.
And then I realize, she will immediately want out, and want to run.
With no freedom, long days, and a schedule to follow, my schedule.
Is that the right thing to do?  Take her with me?

I already miss my family.

Kip is very supportive, as always. <3
I am so thankful for him.

And I'm excited to get away, and see friends, and meet new ones.
And at the same time, I am scared.

*How do you handle trips away from family? How do you feel about blog conferences and blog trips?