the nanny

Sometimes, when I don't answer her the first time...

she yells out  "Marcela" and sometimes "mamicela". 

This new going to the potty thing is harder than I thought.  Who knew I would have to carry so much... a travel potty, change of clothes, training pants.... and jelly beans... because she needs a treat after she goes...

She will be three soon.  And I seriously don't know how that happened so fast?

Her favorite things to eat are avocado (cacahuate...is what she likes to call it even though it's aguacate) and cucumber (pepino).

I don't ever wake her up from a nap... it will take 1 million years to make her happy if she wakes up on the wrong side.

Today we walked to the park together, I sat with all the nannies while the kids played and when a friend asked her if I was her nannie... she answered... "that's not a nannie that's a mommy". 

For Mothers Day

A couple of weeks ago... Baby Einstein sent Audrey some of their new Discovery Kits.  They were really nice with their shipment, so I took some to work and shared with a couple of co workers (new moms to toddlers) who all had good things to say...like how much they got done while baby was busy.

Audrey has enjoyed the kits, specially the cd's that accompany.  

I love to hear her sing, and see her dance (and really need to video tape more often).  

She makes me feel so alive. 

Mother's Day is near, a special day, I love... to get gifts and not get any older!

If you are looking for something special to do for a dear friend....

fill a basket or gift bag

with a lovely colored nail polish

some yummy tea bags...

and something to keep the little one busy while mom sips on tea and does her nails. 

Something to keep them singing and dancing. 

*Baby Einstein sent kits for Audrey, we shared with friends, and Audrey really does enjoy them. 

Dandelions

We lunched at a  french cafe.  She sat in her chair, had veggie soup and french bread with lots of butter. 

We found every single Dandelion and blew wishes near and far.  

She stops to smell the roses.  Something I need to learn from her. 

We shop for groceries.  Say the name to every single fruit, in spanish.  And buy cucumbers, lemons, oranges, black beans, a pomegranate and gummy bears to share. 

The fountain is the best part, she thinks.  Every adult walks right past it. 

 A simple outing.  Yet, memories made and stored away inside me.

We get back in the car... seconds pass... she sleeps.
I put on my audiobook.  And I drive away.
Good thoughts inside me.

Sesame Street Video Games: Audrey approved (Giveaway)

As a child, Sesame Street was one of my favorite television shows.  

I think a lot of us can say this.  

Sesame Street has always been great at incorporating different cultures in their shows, and I think this is what attracted me the most. 

I got to see kids that looked very similar to my family and spoke spanish like I did.  

Now, when Audrey watches, I have no regrets.  I love having that little extra time for me and at the same time know she is benefiting from what Sesame Street has to offer. 

Recently, Audrey and I visited the Warner Brothers Studio here in LA for a blogger event.  I got to see a hang out with local friends and meet new ones and there was free babysitting... a room full of Sesame Street, kids, and goodies to eat = Audrey's in heaven.

While the kids ate... we mom's ate too ( :

And heard all about their new educational video game.  Educational?  Sound too good to be true?

I know.  I always have those same feelings when it comes to tv/video games.  Yet, I trust Sesame Street and got to experience and hear all the education aspect from their Vice President of Education and Research Dr. Rosemarie Truglio.  A Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology, and a mom, like me.

Elmo's A-to-Zoo Adventure and Cookie's Counting Carnival are available for the Wii ,Nintendo DS and PC.  They are easy to play, yet adapt in difficulty to your child's level.  The games also include gameplay helpers for smaller hands which help minimize unnecessary buttons and make it easier to hold.

I love that Sesame Street has really taken the time to develop these great games for preschoolers.  As much as I encourage our kids to do something else other than media...we have evolved so much with technology.  Audrey witnesses her family online, watching tv and on our cellphones and we have found it best in our home to set limits rather than exclude them from technology completely.

Games like these are perfect for our family.  And appreciated.

Audrey has the A-to-Zoo Adventure....she wants two of you to get a copy of your choice also, either Elmo's A-to-Zoo Adventure or Cookie's Counting Carnival .

Leave any topic related comment  or tell us which game you would choose or who is your favorite character on Sesame Street. That's all you have to do to enter. Make sure to leave an email address to contact you if you win.  US only. I will pick the winners on Thanksgiving day at 12pm. 

This makes a great Holiday gift, if you would like to purchase for one of your littles you can purchase here with a special 10% discount with promo code: MOMMY

 *No monetary compensation was given for this post.  An invite to a blogger event, a sample of the product and two extras to giveaway to you were given.  I was not required to post anything.  All thoughts are my own. 

Ruby Slippers

She's been wearing them all day.

She says the word pretty, cat, princess and sooo butiful, all the time.

She dresses up.  Just like Jeremiah did when he was her age ... 200 days of the year (seriously)  (for 3 years in a row).

He wore his spiderman costume to visit friends and families, shopping, to the park...and to go to sleep.

I think I was able to wash it a couple times here and there ( :

It's time for make believe.

Do your little ones dress up?  Any day of the year?

when life get's in the way

Life has been busy lately.  Sometimes too busy to blog. 

Chasing after a toddler, cheering for Jeremiah at football games, trying to get rid of the ants invading my kitchen counter...

spending time with family. 

And dedicating time to myself. 

I ran for the first time this week after running my marathon. My knee is still bothering me, and I think I need to stick to walking for a couple more days. 

We had takeout last night...even though there was plenty to make in the fridge.  Don't you just love these nights? 

And Kip and I caught up on Dexter and Boardwalk Empire (two GREAT shows). 

Today,  I let Audrey stay in the bath till her little toes wrinkled up.   Laundry is piled high.  Our favorite music plays on the iPod.   Jeremiah gets out of school early.  And homemade pizza for dinner.

Life is good.

What are you up to today?

*photo credit: @kipb/Kip Beatty

It's time for me and you

To escape.

We get in bed.  The two of us.  Quiet time.

To feed. To love.


We both fall asleep.  I feel peaceful.

She is 2.  Sometimes I'm ready to stop.  Then, I realize how much I love it.

Breastfeeding her.

It's World Breastfeeding Week.

she makes me

Ojos, Boca, Pelo from mom2miah&audrey on Vimeo.


Spanglish is what's happening around here at the moment.  She prefers to answer me in english, that's okay for now.  We find it amazing how she understands both.

I am working on this daily.  Talking to both Audrey and Jeremiah in spanish.
Sometimes, very easily, I find myself talking in english to them.  I catch myself and think,  spanish talk to them in spanish.

I love this video because it shows how much of a toddler Audrey is.  She quickly turns from this happy little girl, to a I'm not liking this anymore.

She is finding so many feelings these days.  She moves from happy, then mad, then happy, then I want it right now, then I love you and hugs so quickly.

The I love you's and hugs make me quickly forget all the others.

A mother.

As I pulled into the hospital parking lot at work the other night, an image caught my eye.
I have probably seen an image like this one thousand times.  But for some reason, I was left with so many  thoughts inside.

She was a mother.  A handbag over one shoulder and a reusable bag over the other.  Filled with food? Clothes? Belongings?

She carried her toddler in her arms.  Maybe 3 or 4 years old? He slept peacefully as she managed to carry everything.

She walked in a hurry.  I could almost feel her arms aching.

I wondered where she was headed.  Was she a single mom?  Was her toddler sick?  Was she going to the hospital?

I saw her.  And realized, the meaning of motherhood.  I felt so powerful.

We all have our own stories and different places we are heading to.  But mothers are alike.  We love our babies, and will carry them till they peacefully fall asleep no matter how much are arms ache from carrying a heavy load.