on three

It's been awhile. Sorry friends. It seems loving on three hasn't left me with a lot of extra time.

Baby Frank is seven months old. I am absolutely in love with him. His smile. His laugh. His big stretches in the morning when I unwrap him from his swaddle. I feel so needed and loved by him.

He has recently discovered how to clap his hands. It's my favorite.
And has also discovered that he really dislikes being left alone to play or not being carried.

I might as well call Jeremiah a teenager because it's just a few more months before he turns thirteen. He sure is acting like one. (: He sleeps more and eats more and is taller than I am. He is still trying to find his balance between friendships, social life, school work and responsibilities and I'm still finding the best way I can be there for him through all of this, give him the privacy he needs and still shower him with love. He is kind, so helpful and I am so proud to call him my son. 

Audrey started preschool this year. She loves all the friends she's made. Loves the projects, and the art and everything she is learning. She's become quite the dictionary and is excited to tell us about the new word of the day she has learned at school. She's also learned all the continents and makes sure she lets everyone know. 

She enjoys dressing herself and picking out her outfits and if I let her will pick out the frilliest, most pink, and glittery outfit she can find every time. 

She's good at driving me crazy. She's a go get it, won't take no for an answer type of person... I love it and dislike it all at the same time. As divalicious as she is sometimes she is perfect. A sweet and darling friend. My favorite lunch date and shopping partner. 

Juggling three is tough. They are all in such different stages of their lives and most days I'm not very good at finding the time, energy and patience each of them needs. I'm a work in progress...all I can promise to be good at is love them no matter what. 

LA Auto Show

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. 

Thanksgiving 2012

Friends, family and good food. So thankful for every single day. 

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.

Here are some more pictures from this week....

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

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.

Prematurity and RSV in the U.S. Hispanic Community

• 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

Know the Symptoms
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

To learn more about RSV, visit www.rsvprotection.com and for more about the specialized health needs of preterm infants, visit www.preemievoices.com. You can also join the conversation online #WPD2012.


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.

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. 

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?