Hola friends....

this is SO overdue....

I wanted to share with you that our friend HolaMom is the winner of the Pampers $500 giveaway to help with her little miracle expenses.

It was so hard to choose because all were such perfect entries.

Her entry....

"Marcela and Pampers thanks for this giveaway! My baby is a miracle baby for many reasons, here is our story: After a year of trying to get pregnant I had given up hope on having another child. I assumed that if it wasn’t happening naturally, I wasn’t going to force it (meaning going to fertility treatments etc) I thought there was a reason why I shouldn’t have more kids and I was at peace with the idea of having only one child.
We got pregnant unexpectedly and were so excited!! I knew this baby was supposed to teach us something and it didn’t take us long to find out what. Financial trouble got only worse, my husband and I work on contract basis with a couple of entities (county based) in LA and of course budget cuts affected us tremendously! A big contract that was potentially going to help us stay afloat didn't happened and as up to date we’re pretty much done for the year with our other contracts without any hopes of renewing any of them. This little life inside of me is giving me the strength to face every day with hope of a brighter future, he or she (as we are not finding out the gender) has taught me that asking for help is not a bad thing. Asking for help has been a learning process that has given me back the faith in humankind and it also has reminded me that Dios aprieta pero no ahorca!"


I also want to share that this lovely lady is an extended breastfeeder as I am. She breastfed her first for 3 years and 10 months and through our emails I found out that she will be giving birth to this new little one at home. She new I would love this... I do!


I can't wait to hear her homebirth story...maybe she might be up for sharing it here with all of us!?!?


Congrats to you!! A thank you to all the entrants and all the lovely people that took the time to read all the beautiful stories. 


A special thanks to Pampers.  I would love it if you took the time to like Pampers Latino on Facebook! They are making miracles happen... and are such sweet people. 


The mom that will be honored with a very special baby shower by Pampers will be seen on Todo Bebé in November and I will be sure to give you all the details when the time gets closer so our online community can support her!

*Compensation has been given for this post and for taking part in this Pampers baby shower giveaway project. 

Announcing the Pampers and Todo Bebé Baby Shower

Y’know how I fell in love with Pampers, their Little Miracles campaign and all the great things they are doing for the Latino community...

Not sure if it’s possible but I think I might just love them so much more right now!

Iv’e been working on a fun project through their Little Miracles campaign and am so excited to share this news with you. 

As part of it’s commitment to the Latino community, and their message that every baby is a miracle that should be celebrated, supported and protected, Pampers has partnered with Todo Bebe, to give one expectant Latina mother a baby shower to celebrate her little miracle!

How it works:

Pampers has teamed up with Jennifer, Rory, Migdalia and myself to help find one lucky mother for this great opportunity. 

One mother will be nominated by each one of the partnering blogs. 

Once the nominees have been identified, the partnering bloggers will meet via conference call to select a winner based on program parameters. 

The mother who best represents the Pampers spirit will be given the grand prize of a memorable baby shower! To add to the excitement the lucky mother will have her baby shower featured on Todo Bebe’s Spanish language baby care show that airs on the Univision network. Pampers is also willing to fly up to two family members to surprise the expectant mother!

In addition to giving away one baby shower, Pampers will also give $500 to the nominated expectant mother from each of the partnering blogs. 

Here’s what you need to qualify and how you can apply: 

• be a fluent or conversational, Spanish-speaking mother (first time or experienced mother) who is over 18 years old
• willing to share your little miracle story with Todo Bebe and other reporters
• open to media/message training
• able to attend a baby shower celebration at a disclosed event, in October (slated baby shower time frame); prefer a mother who is not due for delivery until fall/early winter (Nov./Dec.)
• open to sharing family and friends contact information for baby shower
• willing to have photos posted on Facebook Pampers Latino or other Pampers media channels

Leave a comment here explaining why you or someone you know should be chosen. Tell us why  your baby is a little miracle. The winner should offer a warm, inspirational message that embodies the Pampers spirit*

*Comments/applications will be accepted through midnight (PST) on Thursday September 8th. Make sure you leave your email so I can contact you. If you don’t feel right leaving this in the comments, you can contact me via email. 

*Disclosure: Compensation is being given for taking part in this program. I chose to be a part of this because I love what Pampers is doing for the Latina community. 

Pampers First Fathers Day Celebration

Last weekend was the Fathers Day Celebration hosted by Pampers and myself.  Iv'e been meaning to share with all of you on how it went... I am super thrilled to say that it was a great success.  

The weather was perfect, the view gorgeous (Santa Monica beach), there was food, bubble machines, coloring books, gifts, a latin jazz band, free massages, a super fun photo booth and so many beautiful Latino families. 

The turn out was fantastic, I hope all the dad's that attended felt special (they are).

Thanks to "likes" from you Pampers threw parties like this (First Fathers Day Cook-Outs) all across the country via their Little Miracle Missions campaign... these personal touches make a brand stand out from all the rest.

You can learn more about the great things they are up to via Pampers Facebook page. 

I got to meet in person some of my readers, and saw friends, and fellow bloggers (whom I adore) and was in baby heaven. 

Babies make any party special. 

And this party had a lot of them. ( :

I seriously wish I could share every picture with you! 

They are each so perfect. 

A huge thanks to Pampers for choosing me for this project... this event was all about family and culture... both things dear to my heart.

*I was given monetary compensation for working on this project, attending the event, and blogging about it. It still was a super event, something I put a lot of me into, and feel proud to be a part of. 

*photos via www.shutteryou.com (a very cool photo booth for events)

Pampers giveaway winner... and more on baby showers

I loved reading through all the baby shower stories and comments, my favorite has to be Ashleigh's... who got a baby shower in the mail... cards from loved ones far away arriving at her door step at the same time to wish her and baby sweet thoughts. Perfect. 

... have you ever played the shower game where everyone is given a pin at the start of the shower... the rules: don't cross your legs (because expecting mamas can't cross their legs)... and if you do and someone sees you... they get to take your pin away..  and at the end of the shower the lady with the biggest collection of pins wins?!?  I love that game!!

I randomly picked a winner for the Pampers gift card giveaway... Congrats Sindy!  You are the winner!

Yay!

I had an intimate shower.  Friends. Family. Mini sandwiches. 

The sun was shining. 

And I felt so happy.

If you haven't yet... make sure you like Pampers on facebook.  They provided the gift card for this lovely giveaway... let's pay it forward by helping moms across the country get baby showers also!!

*no compensation was given for this post.

This weekend...

A neighborhood potluck.  Some spa time with friends. Sleeping.

And some party planning for the upcoming Fathers Day Celebration Pampers is sponsoring...  I am so looking forward to it... really excited to mingle with other families. I know it will be a success and have been putting a lot of me into this project.

Please let any families you know in the LA area about this post or if you are near please come... you will have a great time... I know it. ( :

(Audrey is turning into a raisin in the bath atm, dad is convincing her that it's time to get out.
I don't think she's ready)

Some fabulous links for you...

the proper way to babywear

cucumber limeade is something I need to make asap

and a whole week of Latinas talking natural parenting

oh yes...

enter my giveaway if you haven't yet... friends are sharing great baby shower stories there.

A beautiful weekend to you amigas!

Toddlers,babies and playdates (and a giveaway from Pampers)

on a recent playdate with two great friends

I'm loving today friends.  

A much needed trip to the gym... made me feel a million times better, we made daddy lunch and dropped it off to him and then had lunch with friends.

Audrey used the potty all morning... and

put my pants up all by myself. 

Today, in honor of toddlers, and potty training, and babies, and mamís, daddies, and friends...
I have a special giveaway for one of you from Pampers (have I told you how much I love the good things they are up to theses days?)...

It's a $300 gift card to throw a baby shower for a special mom (this might be you)... yay!

To enter:
Just leave a comment telling me something you remember from a baby shower you have been to or from your own... it can be something funny or a special moment, a game you played, something you ate, who it was for... anything goes ( :

Also, make sure you like Pampers on facebook, they are doing cool things there, like giving baby showers to 1,000 moms across the U.S. via their Miracle Mission program and giving you a chance to pay it forward + win diapers and wipes for a year.


*Giveaway: Leave a comment.  Winner of the American Express $300 gift card will be chosen via random.org on June 16th. US only. I will email (leave an email address if it's not already on your profile) you if you win and have Pampers send you the gift card!


*Giveaway now closed 2/17/11

*No compensation of any kind was given for this post.  They offered me a gift card to giveaway to one of my readers, I love everyone of you and immediately said yes! ( :

Exclusive party invite for LA area Latino dads

 Pampers is hosting an exclusive pre-father's day party for first time Latino dads...

and you are invited!

(I'm happy to be a part of this, they have been doing great things for our Latino community)

It will be an intimate party... June 18th, including catered lunch at a beachfront LA location, an activity area to make hand and footprints of your little miracles, massages, prizes, complimentary photo booths, and a raffle to win a FlipCam!

Email me for more info if you are a dad or if you and hubby would like to attend...

I would love to meet you... and your little ones ( :

marcelabeatty (at) mac (dot) com

*monetary compensation is being given for this post and to attend event... yet I'm still really really really excited about this party ( :

Pampers Milagros LA mural

Remember the Pampers Milagros event I attended?

The Every Little Miracle campaign provides Latina mothers with support and resources for raising happy healthy niños.

Today, as part of their campaign they unveiled a mural in a LA neighborhood, a gift to a local LA school....

I think it's a beautiful gift to our Latino community!

Pampers Latino Milagros

These shots melt my heart...and if it had a breastfeeding mother and baby  I could call it perfect.

Enjoy.


*no compensation was given for sharing this lovely video

Milagros

*Disclaimer: I was compensated  for attending a Pampers brand event.  Thoughts and feelings on the event are all my own.  


 Sometimes, you just can't explain it.  Or put into words. Or know exactly what you felt....

except you know that it's the most amazing feeling, ever.  You are inundated with love.  And peace.  And for that moment everything is perfect.


Miracles.

my two little miracles working on gingerbread house

Audrey and I were invited to the launch of Pampers brand "Pequeño Milagro" (Every Little Miracle) campaign. The event took place at MacArthur Park Primary Center, a very cute pre school/kindergarten center with majority Latino student population.

We enjoyed goodies.  Got to see blogger friends (which is always the best part about going to these sort of things).... and I got to chase Audrey around the playground ( :  Yay!

Catalina, me, Liz, and Jennifer

The students had a special performance prepared,  spanglish Christmas carols... and when Audrey saw all the kids lined up singing fun songs she HAD to join in. 

It was the cutest thing watching her sing along and join them.

Pampers announced the donation of a mural to this lovely school, and from the pictures of mothers and babies we saw and the great local artists Retna and El Mac who will work on it...I'm sure it will be beautiful.  

We heard all about the new campaign.

Their new Milagro campaign promises to provide resources and support for Latina mothers and their babies remembering that "every baby is a little miracle", they also have a new facebook page. It's specially geared towards Latina moms. 

We also had a chance to meet Barbara Bermudo from the popular spanish show Primer Impacto.  She is the perfect choice for spokesperson of this Latina focused campaign (just as lovely in real life) .... the honorary madrina, as they call her.   She was glowing all over, giving birth to her second baby girl just one month ago.  She is also on Pampers Latino facebook page, her videos, chats and pictures show just how much of a sweetheart she is.

with Barbara Bermudo

Visit Pampers Latino on facebook, and "like" them.  I just did ( :

(more gingerbread pictures to come!!!) ( :