andBABYmakesFOUR

NEW address...

2009-02-06T16:36:00.002-05:00

Hey there Lovieeees!
I am making the switch.
My blog can now be found HERE:

http://andbabymakes4.com

Please follow me over there...
:)

Oh to be the Pioneer Woman!

2009-02-05T14:57:00.012-05:00

Confession time:
I secretly wish I were a cowgirl! Not because I am "country" in any way, shape, form, or fashion: but because, I ADORE horses. And I have always dreamed of having one. Early in our marriage, Gabe and I rented a home on a horse ranch. And we got to see these beautiful creatures every day out our window.
That place had its problems, (including one very strange greenhouse keeper, who, I swear, was peddling more than plants out of his house right next to ours), but I do miss and have fond memories of that place- for sure!
We have a "Dream Window" in our house, which is a designated wall where we post our dreams for our family, and personally. If you look real close at the top of the map, you'll see

I happened upon this blog recently of a woman called Ree, which I have posted about before: but I just went to the site again this morning, and was almost in tears when looking at what she sees out of her window every day. I had to share...

This is what God thinks of horses: (This is Him talking...)

Job 39:19 "Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?20 Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? 21 He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. 22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. 23 The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance. 24 In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. 25 At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!' He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry.

A couple of PICS

2009-02-05T13:50:00.006-05:00

29 degrees + house heater = sick kids...
Not much going on here because of that.
Just wanted to post a couple of pics my friend Jenna took. She's a great photog. and we had such a blast together the other day. Counting down the days till I turn 34!!! Dang. I have a week left of 33. I will enjoy it to the utmost!

Vivia says:

2009-02-04T10:04:00.003-05:00

Vivs has been plagued, as of late, with a cold. All this goings up and down of the weather tends to reek havoc on the immune system. I told her that as long as she's sick we can't be out and about. She tends to acquire "Cabin Fever" as much as her mother- go figure. So, she wakes up this morning, comes in my room ans says...
"Momma, my coughings are gone, and my bless yous are gone! What are we gonna do today?"

Sold-out WoRLD TOUR!

2009-02-02T17:06:00.003-05:00

Vivia's most recent performance was at the Target store in Sanford, FL. For those of you that missed the sell-out show, here is a snippet...

If you turn it up loud enough, you can hear the Hannah Montana song in the background that is playing on the little microphone that she was hearing for the first time. The profound lyrics are as follows:

Life's what you make it
So lets make it rock
Life's what you make it
So come on come on (everybody now)

:)

Look'it what I found...

2009-02-02T16:49:00.004-05:00

My toes-es!

Dino Digging and Animal Spotting

2009-02-02T14:23:00.019-05:00

Saturday brought yet another day of dino digging and animal spotting with friends. It was a cold Florida day~ so we bundled up in our sweaters, and hats. Vivia made a giraffe mask while we waited for our friends to arrive. And we saw tigers and bats, and birds- oh my! We also saw these HUGE condors building a nest on the ground~ they were so cool! I think my Vivs is another animal lover, like her mum. :) Maybe I'll go work for the Steve Martin bird show that is there at the Animal Kingdom, once my kiddos are a little older. I miss those days.
Once they arrived, we went to have a little picnic lunch, and then onto a dinosaur bones digging excursion. Miles and Vivia made sand angels while digging! Then, had to end the day with a Safari!

What I woke up to this morning...

2009-01-29T21:42:00.004-05:00

FOCA: get the facts...

2009-01-29T10:09:00.000-05:00

Even if you are a Barak Obama supporter, please do not brush this off... this is not about Democrat vs. Republican... You may be shocked by the following:

I know this seems long and wordy, BUT PLEASE read it to educate yourself about the Freedom of Choice Act that Barak Obama said would be the first thing he would sign into law in the White House.
FOCA would allow for unspeakably horrible acts to now be completely legal.

Barak Obama said he wanted to do whatever he could to reduce the number of abortions in this country... How does signing this ACT do anything but create more opportunities to have one, and force people who do not believe in it, to pay for them and perform them?

PLEASE DO NOT BRUSH THIS OFF. this is real and there is something that can be done...

This is from the website called http://www.focafacts.com/FOCAfacts/

- FOCA would establish a new fundamental right to have an abortion at any stage of the pregnancy. Even up to 2 hours before giving birth without any legal restrictions. In the last stages, a "health" reason would be required. But as we have seen, "health" reasons have not prevented any abortion from being performed.

-If FOCA becomes law there would be sweeping changes in the legal landscape of abortion. Hundreds of state laws would be nullified including: - All informed consent laws would be overturned. Informed consent laws require that a woman be given accurate medical facts about the abortion procedure, the alternatives available, and her legal rights, all for her own protection.

- All parental notification laws would be nullified. This means that any pregnant girl, no matter how young, could have an abortion without telling her parents. Nurses and doctors would not be required to inform the parents of minors if they referred for or provided an abortion. Only six states currently are without some kind of parental involvement law.

- All laws requiring a waiting period before abortion so that a woman can take time to think about her decision would be eliminated.

- The Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 would be reversed. This ban was vetoed twice by President Clinton, and finally signed into law by President Bush. It was tied up in court for 4 years, and finally became effective on April 18, 2007. It banned the brutal practice of aborting a child who was delivered normally, all but the head, and then killed.

- The Hyde Amendment, which restricts taxpayer funding of abortions, would be reversed.

- Religiously affiliated hospitals that do not currently allow abortions in their facilities would be forced to either perform abortions or stop providing health care.

- Military hospitals would now be required to provide abortion the same as any other health procedure.

- Health insurance for federal employees would have to cover abortion as a regular procedure with no restrictions.

- Abortions would no longer have to be performed by licensed physicians, creating a greater likelihood of complications and safety issues for women.

- Health and safety regulations at abortion clinics could be invalidated.

- Doctors, nurses, and hospitals that conscientiously object to abortion would no longer be protected from lawsuits if they created a delay or inconvenience for a woman wishing to obtain an abortion.

- Artificially implanted cloned human embryo's could now be allowed to be carried to term.

- FOCA would require any government program that provides, pays for, or insures childbirth or healthcare services to do the same for the abortion procedure.

- All public hospitals and medical schools that restrict access for abortion procedures would now be open to be used for these procedures.

- Taxpayers would now be required to pay for elective abortions with their tax dollars under the Medicaid program and in the military.

10 things I have learned about surviving Motherhood so far...

2009-01-28T08:33:00.003-05:00

1. MUST make time for yourself in order for you to get your gas tank filled up. Fiercely guard that "YOU" time to make sure you actually do it. You're no good to anyone if you're out of gas all the time.

2. MUST be surrounded by a support system (that is only a phone call away) of people who can commiserate, listen, and correct your thinking on those days when you've heard so much toddler talk that you can't think straight.

3. MUST have trust in GOD for all those "unknowns" and all those times when you just can't be there to make sure... Or those seconds when they get out of your hands and into harms way when your back is turned.

4.MUST have adequate rest. This is a form of torture, you know.... Sleep deprivation.

5. MUST learn how to ask for help. Humbling, I know. But it's not fair to get mad at people for not reading your mind. Especially husbands.

6. MUST get out of your pajamas and shower. The world looks so much more conquerable when you are refreshed and ready to take it on... its amazing how much better everything seems after a quick shower.

8. MUST have a sense of humor. Farts are funny.Poop is funny. And there will be a lot of it!!! Probably all over you!

9. MUST be flexible. You can plan all you want, but with kids, you just can't control them. And if you try, they will resent you for it later on.

10. MuSt have grace for yourself. Because you will screw up. You will yell. You will feel like you're doing it all wrong. You will do things differently than initially planned. You will need "the whole village".

Silly moments...

2009-01-28T00:45:00.005-05:00

This, a blog entry for family that is abroad, to update them. Everyone else, can just gawk at my gorgeous family and kids.

Rio has his second conformer in. The Ocularist says that in a couple of months, he thinks we can begin the process of making a custom one for him that has "art" where they actually paint on it~ to match his other eye. And after that, it will be barely noticeable that his eyes are different.

His surgery for his lip is scheduled for April. I am nervous, but I know that having this done sooner than later is best. My baby...
I still struggle with the fact that he has to endure all this at such a young age, but I know that he will have such an amazing story when all is said and done. He is sooooo special and precious, and called. God bless him.
Sometimes, I am freaked out by how smart Rio is. for example, the other day, he was in his jumparoo and I said "show me how you jump..." and he started jumping!!!! And sometimes, he babbles words that, I swear, are real words!!! Yesterday, Vivia said "Mommyyyy" when I entered the room where she was laying beside him. And he says as clear as day... "Mom-mum-mum--mumm--yyyyy" Maybe it's a stretch, but I believe he is a bit of a genius!

Vivia continues to be an awesome big sister. She loves her little brother "so much", as she says. She is full of kisses and love and desire to be with Rio. She really is growing up so fast. I can't believe how fast! She is, all of a sudden, a little woman. Who has so many funny little things to say about life and family, and God...
She is so smart! Every day she is learning more about reading. She knew how to read the whole alphabet and numbers 1-10 at age 2!!! We practice the alphabet in the tub and in the playroom, and with songs... She loves learning! May she never change her mind!
Dear God, I am so blown away by the little people that you have given us to raise. I am so humbled at the task and I am so happy to do it! They have made my life more colorful and more beautiful! Thank you for exemplifying your love to me through my children! I am speechless.
oh, and P.S... may the next one look like me. PPPPPlease!!!!

New Find- wanted to share. Love the ideas!

2009-01-27T22:16:00.005-05:00

The following is from an AWESOME new blog I found called TheCreativeMama.
Click to check it out- leave a comment and tell her I sent you!
I don't even know her, but I want to support the effort because I love her work that I've seen so far!

Here is the article, which I plan to implement right away... because it is one of my goals in 2009 to completely declutter our house.

your room, your haven.

webster’s dictionary describes a haven as: a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions.

is your bedroom a place of favorable opportunities? is it a place of refuge for you? chances are, if your room looks anything like mine has in the past there are dirty clothes sandwiched in between dog bones, and star wars characters buried in corners of the carpet you didn’t know existed. why not make your room… your haven?

Simple as one, two, three – right? No. But, that doesn’t mean it is impossible. This is a project that will most likely take you hours, and I mean hours. The payoff though, is a tidy, comfy, organized bedroom that takes just moments a day to keep up. The ‘Declutter, Clean, Organize’ technique will be your best friend during this project. Live it, breathe it.

Before you begin, do a quick sweep of the visible clutter that may be in your room. Make your bed, put things away. Take only 5 minutes to do this.

clothing & other

First, be sure all of your laundry is caught up, folded and put away – we are decluttering. Clear off your bed to make room for the three piles you will create: toss, donate, & keep.

start small and work your way up. yes, that means socks and panties. go through each one, work your way to PJs, tops, jeans, dresses, everything. this even includes accessories, scarves, and gasp, shoes. uh huh, i said shoes.

the following questions you will now ask yourself:

is it stained, does it have holes or a missing match?
If the answer is yes, put it in the toss pile.

does it fit?
If the answer is no, put it in the donate pile.

have you worn it in the last 6 months?
If the answer is no (and not a seasonal item), put it in the donate pile.

everything else that is left stays on your bed while you move onto the cleaning phase. now, take a clean cloth and wipe down your drawers or shelves, wherever your clothing lives. if there is any garbage, throw it out. your clothing is important to you, don’t let it live in a dusty, dirty environment. be sure to take appropriate action with your toss and donate piles.

now organize. begin by neatly folding your clothes that live in drawers. match up your socks and keep them together. i like to organize my hanging clothes by color and style. tanks go first, whites to darks. next come short-sleeved tops, and long-sleeved ones… keeping with the color scheme. makes it quite easy to find what i am looking for when the clock is moving faster than i’d like. when you pull a top off of the hanger to wear it, put the hanger to the far left. you will slowly gather a little family of hangers in that one section, as to not have this massive mess of twisted hangers. your closet will breathe freely and you will feel much less overwhelmed when you are browsing through it.

paperwork

chances are you are a housewife, or perhaps you are in school - you are bound to have paperwork somewhere in your room. Gather it all and either sit on your floor, or on your bed. Get ready to make piles again, this time you will be making four: to-be-filed, to-be-dealt-with, recycling, and unsure.

Declutter by immediately recycling the garbage pieces to that pile. If you are unsure about an item, put it in the unsure pile. You are now ready to organize and clean. Be very picky. Determine which papers need to be filed (pay stubs, health paperwork, etc) and which need to be dealt with (consent form to sign for your son’s field trip, projects to be done, bills to pay, etc). Be sure you deal with those papers. Take them to the appropriate people and places. Do not leave any paper untouched. Take your unsure pile to someone who can help you better deal with its contents.

everything else

This includes but is not limited to the following: items that do not belong to you, memorabilia from events, your daughter’s most recent art, and your beloved things (books, journals, trinkets, etc).

Declutter by pulling everything out into the open. You should have by now put your clothing and paperwork items all away, so you should have a clear space to work with. The amount of piles will be determined by you. Work through everything. If it is something that does not belong to you – put it by your backpack to take to that person tomorrow. Start to organize and clean by putting your items in their appropriate places. Again, be picky. Toss or donate those things which have no use or you do not believe to be beautiful or hold a special memory. Once you have put everything away, tossed the garbage piles, and returned borrowed items you can now focus on giving your space a good ole fashioned cleaning. Dust, vacuum, scrub. Make it shine, light a yummy candle and turn on some pandora.

keepin’ it up

Now you have a clean and comfy environment. Be sure all your hard work was worth it by not allowing things to pile up. Set a timer for 10 minutes each evening and see how much you can get done in your immediate environment. Recycle papers you don’t need, file ones that are important, hang your clothes up and keep your haven as peaceful as it deserves to be.

I promise it will be so worth it.

MORE Vivia-isms

2009-01-27T09:03:00.003-05:00

Vivia comes running up to me this morning...
"MOMMY, MOMMY... there are MONSTERS in my LIFE!!!"

Earlier she says to me.
"Mommy, we need to go downstairs"
"Why, honey?"
"Because my tummy hurts because I'm hungry, because I have gas, and makes me fart!"

Bella and I laugh and laugh, and she says...
"What's funny guys?"

Dinner with friends: My first Vegan Experience

2009-01-26T13:00:00.014-05:00

Who knew Vegan could be so tasty?
We had a great time at our new friends Jenna & Reuben's house on Sat. night, where they graciously tested out their new pasta maker on us. The food was delish! And the company, even delish-er!
I just realized too, that I didn't get any photos of Lyric on here... Next time! So glad to have been cruising Target that night! :)

Para Abuelita Nonita

2009-01-26T09:48:00.002-05:00

Sewing 101

2009-01-25T00:00:00.006-05:00

A few pics of me and my domestically challenged friends attempting to sew a straight line in our sewing class. We had a ball! Next step is making aprons! Hmmmm... And the step after that, cooking classes that teach us the art of casserole making, or better yet, CROCK POT cooking so we can have a warm meal on the stove every night for our husbands as they come home from a hard day's work at the office. (Don't forget to put on a little make-up and a spritzer of perfume before he walks through the door...) *gags* :)

Relatives dropping by...

2009-01-24T16:00:00.014-05:00

So, my Father's sister and her husband that are from Canada called the other day and told us they were going to be in town. And on Wed. they dropped by. This prompted us to yet another impromptu day of plans. So, together with my sister Desiree, we went to Animal Kingdom. We had a really good time together. Now for us to go visit them, in Canada. Will need to brush up on my French.
Here are some pix from the great day we had!!! Vivia took her "noc-yoo-lars" so she could get close-ups of the animals. At one point, she even wrote a new song. On the way to the Safari, she started singing: "old MacDonald had a... SAFARI" and she would scream out "safari". It was soooo funny. Actually, it was hilari-ruos- (as she says).
As we were watching American Idol, she was talking about how Hilari-ROUS the bad singers were! And she would say "OMI GOSH!" I love her so much, I can't describe it in words. :)
She got picked at the Lion King show to be in it. The little kids came out and they gave them instruments and they sang and danced. My uncle got picked on as well. HE turned BRIGHT red! It was great! This woman who worked a the show randomly came up to me and said, "Hey, I have a surprise for you- we saved a seat just for you... come with me" and she proceeded to take us over to the back door to the show and put us on a list to sit in VIP seats. (FRONT row.) So, we didn't have to wait in line or anything! That's what I call the favor of God!
Oh, by the way... in the photos below, look for the smiling goat- that too, is HILARI-ROUS.

Special Moments with a princess...

Feeling a little under the weather...

2009-01-23T21:30:00.002-05:00

I'm just sayin'!

My husband... gotta train him.

2009-01-17T15:53:00.005-05:00

This morning, Gabriel headed back to School for his final semester of his MBA. He will have it in his hand by this time, come August. He's been off for three weeks, and this morning, he was all business. I had to leave early this morning as well to go speak at an Encounter (conference). I got all dolled up in my new clothes from Anthropologie- put on make-up, my sexy knee high leather boots, and my navy blue pea coat. I was lookin' darn good!
He comes over pecks me quickly on the cheek and says "Bye."
In the flavor of "Do unto others..." I hinted... "Bye HONEY! You look gorgeous, good luck today..."
He goes "THANK you" and walked out the door and shut it behind him....
I giggled to myself at the sheer comedy of HOW FAR THAT JUST WENT OVER HIS HEAD...
I can see his feet through the glass window at the bottom of the door.
They pause, slowly turn, and come back and open the door where I am still standing in the same spot waiting.
He goes, "Did you want me to say that to you?" He laughed sheepishly.
Uh-huh, I nod.
He grabs me, plants one on me, and says "You look gorgeous, good luck today."
I say, "Why, thank you!"

Did it mean less because I had to tell him to say it? Absolutely NOT. The fact that he came back and made it right... MAJOR POINTS!!! Not that I keep track...

Most embarrasing moment... two in one week: more toddler talk

2009-01-15T13:55:00.010-05:00

So, it happened. The proverbial deer-in-headlights moment where your toddler says something, and you absolutely FREEZE because there is just nothing you can say that will make it any better... I never had a "most embarrasing moment" until having children. Mostly because I do not embarrass easily. Never say never.

One: We are at this restaurant called "Aldo's" where they have awesome Italian subs. A little hole in the wall type spot. We are at lunch with all the women from my cell group, and with the head Pastor (my leader's husband), and the associate Pastor, and a couple other guys from the church office. Vivia is sitting next to Aslinn, one of my best-ies, I am engrossed in conversation with Crystal, and out of nowhere I hear this:
Vivia: "What's that?" pointing to Aslinn's Cindy Crawford-like mole.
Aslinn: "A mole."
Vivia: "Like on mommy's boobs?"
followed by roars of laughter from everyone at the table.
I believe I must've turned 5 shades of red within seconds...
So needless to say, the entire male pastorship of my church knows a little TMI (too much information) about my anatomy...

Two: We are leaving Chick-Fil-A Tuesday and this lovely woman who works there comes over to help us clean off our table. She begins talking to Vivia, making small talk, and out of nowhere, V.V. says "You're really really really black, and you have really really really curly hair." I wanted to crawl under the table and hide, or ask her "Whose child is this?" but instead, I just said: "It took her three years to figure that out!" The lady laughed and told us a story of another little girl who told her that her hands were dirty and she needed to wash them.

Oh, I just thought of one more...
Our neighbors are Indian. Not like Lone Ranger and Tonto Indian, but the "Thank you, come again" kind. (I'm not being racist: I love people of ALL races- just quoting the Simpsons). Their house smells very strongly of Indian Curry and other spices that resemble the smell of body odor after a day in 100 degree heat. So, we walk outside to go to the car, spout out the obligatory greeting to them because they are always ALWAYS outside, and she goes... "I smell something stinks, mama- (uh-oh, here it comes...) smells like Likeet." Likeet is the 3 year old son of the Indian family that we are constantly finding out on the sidewalk with his uncircumcised manhood for the world to see. And when I say manhood, I mean it! I wonder if that is why his father allows him outside, naked all the time: so as to parade around the idea of "Like father, like son." Or "the apple not falling far from the tree..." Either way, I am NOT happy with the thought of my daughter learning about THAT just yet. Although, I am sure she's already noticed, she doesn't miss a beat. I can see her a few weeks from now bringing that up at lunch with my pastors: "Hey look Mommy, that looks like Likeet's ___________. (insert whatever that little mind of hers will equate it to.)
So, how does one tactfully say to one's neighbor... "Please do not let your son walk around with his freakishly large genetalia hanging out for my daughter's virgin eyes to look upon?" hmmmm...
Good thing that's what husbands are for... to have uncomfortable conversations with neighbors.
Ifya say "good luck with that one..." I'll start throwing punches!

Really Cool Websites...

2009-01-14T15:37:00.005-05:00

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

http://www.iamsecond.com/

Vivia's Birthday Adventure... (in more ways than one...)

2009-01-13T17:12:00.006-05:00

Imagine what you get when you have three first-born, strong-willed 3-year olds; along with their younger siblings and one being a birthday girl! That was our day yesterday. A day full of giggles, screams (both the happy and unhappy kind), hugs, hand-holding, hitting, "NO!'s", and Tinkerbell dresses. Us moms had a GREAT time as well, all bundled up on this cold Florida day. Papi met up with us after he got off work- with his own little gift for his Tinkerbell. (See some of the last photos).
I have tried doing the play-by-play in words alongside the photos and it always seems to not line up correctly. So, I am not even going to try here. Just follow the photos. They tell the story JUST FINE without me adding a buncha nonsense anyway! We had a blast! Thank you to Katie, Maggie, Allegra, Miranda, Alex, and Bailey for sharing this day with us! And all the fun presents too!

New Years Resolutions: Goal Setting... Vision Questions

2009-01-11T01:37:00.005-05:00

I am a HUGE believer in setting goals. I do them every year. I have already done mine for 2009, but I may have to revise them a bit after reading this. In the spirit of sharing my secrets to success, here is an AWESOME recent find~ I fully intend (hate that word) to utilize this system this year. You can also find an E-book entitled "Spring Cleaning". It is a 10 day system to completely decluttering, organizing, and cleaning your home. REALLY excited!
This is energizing because to ME, when I think of the above stated task, I get depressed, anxious, and defeated before even beginning. My answer to this is usually to just hire someone else to come do it for me.
WHY? Because I feel (and I know my feelings are not fact, but perception is everything...) that the task is one that has no end. That it would take FOREVER. And I will be completely miserable. Oh, and I'd be overwhelmed by just trying to figure out where to start.
So, this system seems really do-able.
I will keep you posted...

I got these off an awesome BLOG called SIMPLEmom. CLICK HERE You don't have to be a mom to answer these questions or to set goals. These will help!
Enjoy!
~

Vision Questions for 2009

1. What skill do you most want to learn this year?

2. What is one skill you already have that you’d like to improve this year?

3. Name three books you most definitely want to read in 2009.

4. In what specific area do you most want to encourage your spouse? What are some ways you can do this?

5. Think of one of your major life goals. What will you do this year to make you one step closer to reaching that goal?

6. Name your kids’ biggest strengths. What are some ways you can specifically nourish those strengths?

7. Name your kids’ most prominent weakness. What are some ways you can encourage their ability to overcome it?

8. What is one of your strengths? Think of some specific ways you can exercise it this year.

9. What is one of your weaknesses? Brainstorm some ideas on how you can overcome this deficiency.

10. Think of an important relationship aside from your spouse and children. How will you nurture that relationship this year?

11. Name a few ways your physical health could be improved.

12. Name a few ways your family’s financial health could be improved.

13. In what way do you want to draw closer to God?

14. What is one area of home management that frustrates you? Think of some specific ways you could improve your attitude about it.

15. Have you ever created a family mission statement with your spouse? If so, why not do one for this year?

16. Name one specific thing you could do with your spouse this year that will deepen your intimacy.

17. What is something that is continually undone in your life? What will you do to fully complete it this year?

18. In what ways will you be involved with your local community?

19. What is one thing you’d like to accomplish by your birthday this year?

20. Think of three words you’d like to describe your 2009.

I would have made a great wife in the 1930's...

2009-01-10T21:54:00.001-05:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

You have to take this quiz- it is so funny! I am actually working on the sewing thing, believe it or not... I am taking a sewing class with a couple of my friends tomorrow. I am excited! It will be fun to make aprons lol!

Will take photos and let you know how it goes.

My nightmare with Spirit Airlines...

2009-01-10T21:19:00.003-05:00

Since I have a personal audience: I would like to formally let all you readers out there know about a NIGHTMARE I had with an Airline called SPIRIT. This happened a while ago, but nothing was ever done by the company to rectify the situation, so I, in my own way- would like to spread the word about this airline. Just because I can.
The letter I wrote to them is below- and it describes the events which took place.
Seriously, this trip became a nightmare because of this airline who did absolutely nothing to help us!
READ below...
Anyone else have any trouble with them?

To Whom it May Concern,

I have just returned from a trip that I took with three friends to Lima, Peru in which your airline turned into a horrific experience.

I am not one to complain normally, (as a matter of fact, the night we arrived and people were becoming belligerent about their bags not arriving, my party and I were of the few that kept calm, and were reasonable to deal with). But as the week progressed and I saw the rest of the story play out, I increasingly became furious about how we were treated, what was done (or lack thereof) to remedy our situation, the abuse of customer trust, the fact that no one helped us, and the fact that ultimately, our baggage never arrived in time for us to utilize our personal belongings. And then there was the trip home... (another disaster).

In Lima,
We had very little time to shop to make up for the things we needed because our vacation was planned minute to minute, however we went up to the Lima airport 4 times during our stay to check on the baggage as we kept being told, "It will arrive tomorrow." The airport was an hour and a half drive from where we were staying, not to mention the fact that we had to pay for and arrange transportation each time. And we waited in the airport for 2 hours one night, only to be told our bags didn't make it... Each incident keeping us out until well past 1am each time- when we had to be at Conference meetings by 8 am each day.

We were there on very important business, where we were to not only be enjoying the city of Lima, but also to be meeting very important people such as Ambassadors, Senators, and Congresswomen. All of which we had to do inappropriately dressed- in clothing (jeans) we had worn all week long.

Coming from a totally different climate, we were also very cold during our stay, as our coats and sweaters were in our baggage- resulting in all of us becoming sick with sore throats, and chest congestion/coughs etc.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY... one of our traveling partners, was the whole week without her medicine, which is the worst part! She has need of two types of daily medication. Neither of which she had the whole week. And became yet another area we had to make use of our vacation/trip time in dealing with.

I have never wanted to laugh so much as when dealing with this airline. I kept waiting for there to be a person saying "Smile, you're on candid camera." It was a joke from the time we arrived in Lima until the time we arrived home a day later than we should have, again, due to your airline's unprofessional operation.

We missed our connecting flight to Orlando because again, our bags did not come out of the luggage claim quick enough to make it through customs- So, on no sleep, we were informed that we would now have to spend 7 more hours there waiting for another flight. We pleaded with the people at the ticket counter to get us home on another airline, or even rent us a car so we could drive, which would get us home hours before our flight would even take off. My husband had to arrange babysitting for my child so he could get to work that day (another expense), was late to work due to this, and the other three of my traveling companions missed out on very imperative rest they needed on the only day off to catch up on sleep from a red-eye flight.
The "Customer Service Representatives" told us "No". When we asked "why not" we were only told "because we're not required to, by law." They had 24 hours to get us to where we were going... They handed us lunch vouchers and said "good luck, and I’m sorry."
What about human kindness, "the customer is always right", and/or customer trust and satisfaction? None of which exists in my experience with this airline.

While we were in line at the airport that morning (coming home) waiting to talk with someone- each person who went up to be "helped" had a complaint- missed connection, lost bags, kiosk not working, please help me, but no help being offered! Most treated with disrespect, and just plain bad attitudes.

I have names of people who dealt with us, managers who would not approve of resolving the situation, and even just rude personnel who stood around and discussed personal lives (including very offensive language such as the "F" and the "S" word in front of us.)
Then, when I asked them a question about my flight, one of them turned to me and RUDELY said "NO!" and gave me a look of disgust.

This honestly has been the absolute worst traveling experience, me and my companions have ever had! I intend on passing this information along to my husband who is a Travel Agent for Walt Disney World and a member of the ATA. And to our hostess in Lima who happens to own one of the largest travel agencies in the country.

Only once was something offered to us as retribution for our horrific experience- and that was by a nice, and helpful manager at the Fort Lauderdale ticket counter. And that was $150. voucher each, which we refused, because, quite honestly, at this point, we wouldn't trust another vacation to Spirit Airlines.

It really doesn't seem enough to make up for what cannot be replaced, a dream vacation/conference that was completely interrupted and monopolized by the issues we were having in dealing with Spirit.

I truly hope to hear back from someone with the authority to make right and/or offer amends that may begin to be equal to that which we feel was lost, in a timely manner.

Since I, personally, work in PR and Marketing, I do know the importance of a company having a good image- and right now, this company's image is far from good in my eyes and (what seems like) the majority of people I saw at the airport Monday morning in Fort Lauderdale. I know that this will have to change in order for Spirit Airlines to continue to provide a "service" of any kind- then the reputation will have to become one of just that, "service".

Sincerely,

Cancun, Mex-Kee-co Photos

2009-01-07T21:24:00.023-05:00

~My little world traveler, trucking through the airport.

~Yes, the water really is that blue!!! Even Blu-er

~The three Primos. Rio's like "Why you makin' me do this?" And of course, the girls are hamming it up for the camera. Cousin Emelia.
~All the cousins and in-laws, Martinez
~Family of Four. I think this may be our first family portrait...
~"Happy New Ears!!!" as Vivia says
~Mexico is for (margarita) lovahs...
~This was an underground cavern you could swim in. It was about 100 feet or more below the surface of the earth. And was 150 feet deep. Fresh water...
~Fresh Tortillas
~Chichen Itza, one of the new 7 wonders of the world. The Mayan city and pyramids. They were a lot bigger than they look in these photos. This was one of my favorite parts of the vaca.

Home from Vacation...

2009-01-04T09:24:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow.

Loads of photos and stuff to talk about. See you here, then.

Sorry for the tease- I was jonesin' to blog. It has become a part of my routein that I will be glad to get back to.

Heading to the beach for a final day.

Ciao

Toddler Speak: I couldn't wait for her to be able to tell me what was on her mind, BUT NOW...

2008-12-27T21:00:00.006-05:00

Vivia just squealed from the tub "My face is ruined, my face is ruined!!!"

This just one of the Vivia-isms that she puts together all by herself. (WARNING: Gratuitous Parental Bragging to follow:) She's been speaking full sentences since before she turned two. In two languages. Our pediatrician shows her off to the rest of the staff at every visit, saying "This is the one I was telling you about..." WONDERFUL, right?

Weeeeeell, One bad thing about my toddler being SO well spoken at such a young age is that there is no awareness of discretion. She just says what's on her mind or in her emotions! No matter who is in the room, where we are, or which social situation we find ourselves in. Which, most of the time is fine. And even cute. For instance, the other day we were cruising through Target, and I let her out of the carriage (which is still a rare thing), and she shoots down the Christmas aisles both singing at the top of her lungs, and shouting... "I LOVE Christmas, I LOVE Christmas!!! Look Mama, Christmas trees, look Mama, decorations!!! OOOOh I LOVE decorations, I LOVE Christmas trees!!!" to some made-up tune. She (nor I, for that matter) could contain her excitement. She drew a crowd from several aisles over. And they all commented on how she made their day.

THAT part is ok. Or the part where at church, after the Band goes quiet, and after she has danced her heart out, she says "THAT was FUN!!!" and the whole congregation laughs.
Or the part where she walks up on stage after a meeting is over, grabs the mic and says as dramatic as any ring master... : "Ladies, and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls of all ages... Wanna see me do a trick?" where does she get this stuff??? yah, yah laugh it up...
HOWEVER...

The part that is NOT ok is this>
Vivia has two volume levels... 1. LOUD and 2. ASLEEP
So, at her normal level, in the middle of a quiet, crowded room she says:
"HAAAA HAAAA!!!! Mommy, you FART!"
Now, for the record, I DID NOT fart. No, I didn't~! But the sound was heard by her, and the damage was done.
OR when we walk by someone who obviously DID just fart, or is doing their business in shame behind the stall door and she says, "I smell something, STINKS Mama!!!!"

But the one to top all:
During the election she must've loved the sound of BARAK OBAMA's name b/c she pranced around the house saying it over and over, like some little Pop Warner Cheerleader. Well, so as to be fair and balanced, I taught her to say "John McCain," as well. Both of them were all over the tv for sooo long that she knew who they were by sight too...
SOOOOO: One day (in a crowd, she tends to draw a crowd...) someone had given us a brochure with both cantidates on the cover. She takes it and says "that's Barak Obama, Mama." Yes, yes it is, "And that's John McCain." Yes, right again. Then she says... "He's a really really really black black black boy."
OMG!!!
I FROZE in horror, and also because I was trying not to bust out laughing. She decided to have that revelation in public, rather than private. Then she says "And he's a really really really WHITE boy."

Now, upon further questioning, I find out she's talking about their HAIR color, not their skin color. So, we can save that whole conversation for another time.

I have days now where my ears are ringing by bedtime because of the constant chatter! I blog late into the night, just to hear grown up conversation in my head. I relish peace where I can find it~ even in the most unique situations, like this gem:
One night at a family sit-down dinner, we forced Vivia to eat "one more bite" of chicken so that she could have a cookie for dessert. So, in her defiance, she chewed and sucked on that piece of meat without swallowing for (no joke) 30 minutes -her way of still being in control. Gabriel says to me, "Babe, shouldn't we do something about that?" and without skipping a beat, I reply, "Nope. I am kinda enjoying the quiet."

I wish I could record her sweet little "cartoonish" voice of all her little sayings. I don't want to forget a ONE of them! Gabe and I have a "Vivia-isms" journal that we started so we could write down a glossary of her 2 year old terms.

I recently found the "Olivia" books. And they made me laugh so much, because they really could be called "Vivia." Maybe I'm on to something there. I just won't make my main character a little pig. A parrot... maybe. :)

Merry Christmas: Rio's first, Vivia's 3rd

2008-12-26T09:48:00.022-05:00

Vivia's Christmas Dress. I bought for her when she was a few months old, knowing it would be a while before it fit...

Singing "Christmas Music" Her favorite songs: Mele Kaliki-liki-liki-liki maka, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle bells AWAY!!!
And "Sleigh Ride"

Ridiculous amounts of presents!!!
And a partridge in a 7 foot-pre-lit-Christmas TREE...
(which was much quicker to put up this year of newborns, and much to do... but not as gratifying as the real thing.) Fake trees look, well... fake.

Santa left Vivia a letter, and took a humongous bite out of the cookie.

I hope I never forget the HUGE smile on her face ALL day long!!! And what it looks like to see her say the word presents with her little lisp (tongue against the huge gap in her two front teeth... so precious!!!)

HE LOVED HIS NEW RATTLE/CHEW toy.

Vivia plays with her presents from Santa, while Rio kicks happily with his new toy.

I love his big fat baby legs!!!!
His shirt says "I love presents!!!"

Playing with the foil holographic crinkly wrapping paper WIPED him out!!!

More pics later!!!
Gotta go feed the kiddos now.

More perspective...

2008-12-22T13:21:00.004-05:00

One of my BFF's miscarried last night. This after a very painful miscarriage earlier this year, then 6 months of trying. I am deeply saddened by this turn of events but it serves to remind me of how I am so very blessed. I have a happy healthy baby boy that came with his share of challenges that we are still facing, but praise God, we have him.

Giant Rio

2008-12-18T09:45:00.009-05:00

Rio has been going through a growth spurt of massive proportions the last few days, and I woke up this morning with an giant infant instead of a newborn. This boy is GROWING so much and so fast! It really does fly by! He has been an eating machine- which the timing is a little off, seeing as I am SOOOO extremely busy this week. But, he will not be ignored! So, I have just had to stay up late into the night to get all things done.

Here are a few more pics of him holding his head up. Before you know it, he'll be doing long division! Doctor Rio! I love the pic where you see him mid-drool! I think he may be teething already~ is this possible? He's only 11 weeks!

He also found his thumb a few days ago. He is ALL boy. With this new-found skill, this is all he wants to do. He sucks it ghetto-style, with it cocked to the side, and his four fingers extended to cover half his cheek. It is so funny! I have yet to catch it on camera. This is my goal in the next few days.
7 days 'till Christmas! I am ready to have the BEST Christmas yet!

Magic Kingdom Christmas

2008-12-17T15:56:00.008-05:00

Vivia was in heaven on Sunday when she was surprised with a trip to the Magic Kingdom for being such a good girl last week in her re-potty training. We went directly to Fantasyland where she rode Dumbo, and the Carousel, and we walked through the Castle. She called it "MY castle", then we went to Toon Town to see where Mickey and Minnie and Donald live. She went on Goofy's rollercoaster- NO FEAR, just screams of FUN! We then went on the train that circles the whole park. And then headed over to Epcot for a dinner she will not likely forget. At Norway, you can have dinner with all the princesses! She was in her Belle dress, and she met Belle (in the same dress), then Jasmine, Aurora, Ariel, and Cinderella all came to our table to talk with Vivia and to take Photos. Of course, my camera battery was DEAD by then, but we do have LOTS of video of it. If I can figure out how to get the video on to my MAC, I will post some.
Christmas this year just keeps getting better and better!
I love how it is Christmas ALL MONTH long! Not just one day!
We will be spending New Years in Cancun with extended family. I haven't even BEGUN to think about that yet...
eeeeeeeee.

Here with Us

2008-12-17T12:29:00.003-05:00

This song is amazing! Definitely what Christmas is all about. Lyrics are posted below.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Here With Us
It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small
How tiny fingers reaching in the night/ Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King- Here with us
You're here with us

Still a mystery to me/ How His infant eyes have seem to gone with time
How His ears have heard an angels' symphony
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep

Jesus the Christ born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save...to save the souls of man

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Heaven's offering sent down to save the world
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King- Here with us

New Name board for RYAN

2008-12-17T11:52:00.005-05:00

A friend of mine, *Hi, Miranda* asked me to make a name board for her nephew. Here it is... and like the others, it has become my new favorite!
Merry Christmas Ryan!

Hanukkah Supper Menu Recipes... festival of lights for all my Jewish friends out there...

2008-12-17T10:22:00.005-05:00

Hanukkah has always fascinated me since I learned about it as a child. This holiday that is celebrated by my Jewish friends is a yearly reminder of God's miraculous provision for his children.
I have incorporated a menorah into my family's personal seasonal tradition. We light the candles for the eight nights, taking a moment to be thankful for the things we have been provided the previous year- much like Thanksgiving. Any holiday that encourages a grateful heart, we will encourage it!
For all my friends out there that light the menorah, GO HERE for a Hanukkah Menu plus the recipes.
L'Chaim!

Rio's first conformer

2008-12-11T16:35:00.004-05:00

Just a quick update...
Rio had his first appointment with the Ocularist on Tuesday. He was fitted with a conformer. The O put it in his eye and told us to leave it there. Not to take it out. You can see it in this photo. It is clear but with a little black dot on it, so we can tell if it is in or not. When they are clear like that, I guess people weren't able to tell when they had fallen out, if that were to happen.

So, he will continue to wear this one until his next appointment when this will be replaced with a larger one. The O said that probably as early as a few months, we will be able to get him in a piece "with art" as he called it. Which is basically another shell that has a pupil painted on it- matching the color of his eyes. This is when you really wont be able to tell that he has anything different. So far so good. He is doing great with it in. It doesn't seem to bother him at all. The O told us it may even make his eye feel better to have something in there.
He is so precious, I can't stand it!
He is getting progressively more vocal. Making so many little noises and trying to talk and sing. A lot more than Vivia at this age. He is already a great orator!
More updates as they come.
Peace out.

A love story... for my groom

2008-12-09T23:10:00.006-05:00

I am making new friends. I have made 2 new ones in the course of one week. It's funny when you are married with kids how excited you get when you get out and actually meet somebody new. Like, REALLY excited. Like, *kindergarten, running home from school all giddy* excited. Or even like, *I met this new guy and I think he likes me* excited, from back in the dating days. Nostalgia kicks in of all-night-long phone marathons, and slumber parties. And connecting, really connecting with another female. In the kind of deep friendship that only women can have with each other...

WHY IS THAT?
Well, I think it's the pending possibility of being understood - there's only so much daddy "gets". Of having someone to hang with. Of something new or different going on, in general. Of taking a break from the norm and the mundane. Maybe you'll be able to discuss all that norm and mundane with this new friend and then you may become "best-ies". And you may have a BFF again. And then you may grow to become life-long kindred spirits whose children grow up together... So that when you go home, your emotional quota of the day has been filled and you can return as a lover to the man you cook and pay bills for, instead of trying to turn him into a woman by "talking him to death" and getting angry because he doesn't understand something that is impossible for him to.

...Or you may just lose her phone number and never run into her again.

But, for the night, it felt good to have some good-old-fashioned, innocent excitement before bringing in all the groceries, picking up all the toys, changing one more diaper and laying your exhausted head down on the pillow only to be awakened in a few hours by a hungry baby boy that you are in love with. Or to be awakened by a little girl, needing some hugs and cuddles, that you are in love with . Or to be awakened by another hungry boy that you have been married to for 8 years today, and are in love with. And while laying there awake in the dark, you remember that you really love the home you have built together. And that you are happier than you ever thought possible, and that you have learned more about yourself in those 8 years than in the sum total 33. And realize that a bunch of seemingly mundane days added together with some really amazing ones equal one beautiful life full of memories.
A life better than you could have even imagined for yourself. One where you are so at peace that if you were to die tonight, you wouldn't feel cheated out of a single thing. Or that you missed out on something life was supposed to have given you. Or from the satisfaction of working hard to achieve it. This is the peace that comes from knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be, doing exactly that for which you were created. Knowing you are loved exactly for who you are, just as you are. And that love and peace filling you up so much that you can't help but let it overflow into the lives of those around you.

I can't wait until the number of years we have been together, outnumber the number of years we weren't.
I love you more today than yesterday, but less than I will tomorrow.
I love you more as a father to my children than I did as my lover. But not forgoing the latter to the former.
A fine wine grows better with age- as does love.

I am in love with my groom.

Happy Anniversary.
You are my Best-ie

Why am I posting this, instead of just sending it to my Husband in a private email? Because this is the modern *shout it from the rooftops* kind of thing I am feeling right now. I am married to THE BEST man in the whole world. Sorry, ladies. Get your own.

got my hair did...

2008-12-07T06:58:00.006-05:00

Yep, Occasionally I am one of "those" that posts photos of self on blog-slash-social networking site. Not because I am vain, but when a photo of me better tells the story than me just writing it, I gladly "add a thousand words" without actually adding them.
I have always loved Asian hair. Not only are Asian women of the most strikingly gorgeous on the planet, but add to that, long luxurious locks, and we've got ourselves a Lucy Liu! So what if she's 5'2" in platform flip-flops?
Well, this year at a Christmas party that we go to annually, the hosts decided to change it up a bit and add a theme. It is "A Cowboy Christmas". Those of you who know me, know this is the farthest thing from my personality- except that I would love to have horses- so, after my gagging reflex kicked in, I realized I could get creative with it. I have come up with an idea for Gabe and I to go as. And the hair is part of it. I can't tell what it is exactly, because some of the people who read this blog are also attending this party in the hay, but the hint is the hair.
"I got my hair did." just for the occasion.
Now I need a spray tan, because the problem with jet black tresses is that they tend to pale every other part in comparison...
Next step of the plan... Hit the thrift stores for our threads.
:)

Yes, I will update.
Yes, we will win for best costume.
Yeee Haw, or shall I say "Giddyup"?

I love Christmas

2008-12-02T20:16:00.005-05:00

I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas I love Christmas.

Did I mention, I love Christmas?

23 days and counting...

Hilarious- in Spanish too!

2008-12-01T09:34:00.005-05:00

My husband is from Venezuela, originally. He is in line for his US citizenship. But, being that the entirety of his family speaks Spanish, we are teaching our children both languages. The way that we have researched to be the best approach to this, is that I speak only English, and He speak only Spanish to them. Which we have done since Vivia was born. Although we kinda both speak both to them.
She is fluent in hearing Spanish, and is less interested in actually speaking it.

Well, this morning- being the expert that she is, the following is a very funny quote from Vivia and Rio's interaction:

My mother enters the room to find Vivia talking baby talk back to Rio, who is increasingly more vocal in the last week. She LOVES to mimic his vocalizations and have conversations with him. Well, she proceeds to tell Bella this:

"Ah-goo" is 'Ah-Bwah' in Spanish"...

ROTFLMAO!!!

Need some direction? Inspiration? Wisdom?

2008-11-23T17:14:00.005-05:00

Check out a new blog I am hosting:
The Purple Spot Blog.
It is a daily dose of inspiration, words of wisdom, ideas, and laughs.
I am not the sole contributor to this website. I am part of a network of women who are currently in the process of growing in their character, wisdom, and leadership by tackling everyday issues, and struggles with integrity, and accountability. Are they, or I, perfect? Nope. We just know where to turn for help. God and each other.

IF you are going through something currently~ go through the archives and click on a topic, you may find what you are looking for.

Try it, you just may like it.

"Follow" the blog, and you will receive a daily dose of hope!

Love, love, and more love!

Holiday Recipes: Hot Beverages: Hot Cocoa, Hot Toddy, Mulled Cider,

2008-11-22T14:01:00.004-05:00

I am a little biased but, one of my Clients CHEF HARRY SCHWARTZ has posted some awesome Warm Beverage RECIPES just in time for the cold weather and the HOLIDAYS. I have stolen a couple and they are below.

Hot Cocoa

1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 quart whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoon powdered sugar
Dash cinnamon
In a heavy saucepan, whisk together the cocoa, granulated sugar and water until smooth. Place over medium heat and whisk while bringing the mixture just to a boil. Slowly whisk in the vanilla and milk and bring just to a simmer. Keep over low heat. In a bowl, whisk together the whipping cream and the powdered sugar until soft peaks can be formed when the whisk is lifted from the cream. Pour the cocoa into cups or mugs and top with the whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon. Makes 4 cups.

Ginger Spice Tea

2 cups water
4 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole allspice
1 slice fresh ginger
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon or 1 bag Jasmine Tea
Bring the water, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and zest to a simmer and simmer slowly for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain into a heatproof bowl and stir in the lemon juice and honey. Place back in a saucepan and bring just to a boil and remove from heat. Add the tea to the hot water and allow to brew a few minutes. Serve in teacups. Makes 2 cups.

Rasberry Orange Coffee

2 tablespoons orange zest
4 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups fresh brewed coffee
4 tablespoons raspberry flavored liqueur
Sweetened whipped cream
Mix together the zest and sugar with the water in a small saucepan. Drop in the cinnamon stick. Simmer until sugar dissolves and mixtures simmers a few minutes. Remove cinnamon stick. Stir in vanilla and coffee. Re-heat if needed. Place a tablespoon of liqueur in each of four cups and divide coffee among the cups. Top with whipped cream. Serve hot. Serves 4.

Mulled Wine

2 tablespoons sugar
1 bottle red wine (Merlot is wonderful)
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon brandy
Heat the sugar, wine, cinnamon stick and orange zest in a non-reactive pan over medium heat until hot but not boiling. A scum will appear on the surface. At that point, remove from hearth and skim off the scum. Add the brandy and strain the liquid into heatproof glasses. Makes about 6 glasses,

Swedish Glogg

2 cups red wine
2 cups brandy
6 whole cloves
1 cardamom pod, slightly crushed
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup currants
1/4 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup granulated sugar
In a non-reactive pan, stir together all of the ingredients reserving 1 teaspoon of sugar. Heat the mixture slowly and just until it begins to boil. Carefully ignite the mixture by passing along lit match over the top. Sprinkle the remaining sugar over the flames and, after about 10 seconds, cover the pan to extinguish the flames. Strain into small, heatproof glasses. Makes about 8 servings.

Wassail

6 apples
6 cinnamon sticks
12 ounces ginger ale
2 slices of lemon
3/4 cup granulated sugar
64 ounces beer or ale
1 cup Concord grape wine
Core the apples and place in a baking dish with a cover. Place a cinnamon stick in the hole from the core of each apple. Pour the ginger ale over the apples and add the lemon slices to the dish. Cover. Bake in a 350-degree oven until the apples are tender, about 40 minutes. Allow to cool. Discard the cinnamon sticks and lemon slices. In a non-reactive, pan. Heat half of the beer or ale with the sugar until it is hot but not boiling. Add the apples and their liquid along with the remaining beer to the pan. Heat until hot but not boiling. Ladle into mugs and enjoy. Makes about 6 cups.

Hot Toddy by the Fire

4 ounces Calvados
2 ounces apricot brandy
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
2 ounces heavy whipping cream
Make a fire in the fireplace. Warm the Calvados and brandy until hot but not boiling. Whisk together the sugar and cream until thick and frothy. Pour the Calvados mixture in a warm mug and then pour the cream mixture into the mug. Do not stir! Sip by the fire. Makes 1 toddy.
Sparkling Strawberry Punch
1 tin frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed
16 ounces lemon lime soda, chilled
32 ounces club soda, chilled
12 fresh strawberries
Place the thawed strawberries in a pitcher and mix in the lemon-lime soda. Divide among 12 champagne or wineglasses. Top off with club soda. Garnish with a fresh strawberry. Makes 12.

Blog Party- Day 5, GIVING BACK

2008-11-18T17:49:00.005-05:00

The question of the day is, "How do you give back during the holidays?"

My husband and I have made it a priority to teach our daughter (and to live in the habit of) giving all year long. It is a normal part of our lifestyle as I believe giving is the key to prosperity. We make it a priority to live with our eyes open to the needs of those that "coincidentally" come into our lives- although, we don't believe in coincidences.

But, specifically, during the season, I organize a "Operation Northwest Christmas Child" where the cell leaders at our church nominate families where we know there is a need. And the Sundays leading up to Christmas, we do anonymous child adoptions. Families who want to give take a boy or a girl, and buy gifts for that child and bring them to the church where we then deliver the gifts to the families- totally as a surprise to them.
Operation Northwest Christmas Child was a huge success last year, and we had over a hundred children who we provided Christmas for.

We also throw a Christmas party with our friends, specifically with the intent of inviting those around us that are alone and have no family or friends to celebrate with, and seeking out new people to invite. It is an awesome night where we get to meet new friends and spread some cheer. And these usually turn into longer-term relationships. It is all about sharing.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! And this is part of why. Everyone seems to be in the spirit of giving, and this is what traditions are made of. My husband comes from a culture where Christmas is not that big of a deal. And so, he really has struggled with the whole thing~ and what a big deal it is to me. But now that we have children, and he sees the look in their eyes on Christmas morning, and how much fun we have decorating the house and the tree and driving around looking at the decor, I think he is warming up to it. We are trying to incorporate new things into our traditions to include the stuff he was brought up with. For instance, 3 kings day is in January where you put your shoes out and the 3 kings come to your house and fill them with little gifts. Where he comes from, Baby Jesus brings the gifts, not Santa Claus.

I am definiately looking for creative ideas in teaching our children about the "reason for the season"! Last year, I purchased a book by Lisa Welchel, (remember BLAIR from The Facts of Life show?) she wrote a GREat RESOURCE for this.
Here is the description from her website: CLICK HERE to buy the book from her

"Redeeming the Meaning of Christmas... Have you discovered that Jesus sometimes gets lost in the middle of the hustle and bustle of His birthday party? Would you like to be able keep your children’s focus on Jesus and be able to join them in the wonder of the celebration?

For each of the twenty-four days preceding Christmas, The ADVENTure of Christmas serves as a fun and handy guide that describes the true meaning hidden in your most cherished traditions. Hanging lights on the house, wrapping gifts, and decorating the tree will become opportunities to share how these traditions relate to Jesus’ birth. The ADVENTure of Christmas recaptures the delightful essence of this beloved season, giving reasons to joyfully celebrate for years to come."

I plan on utilizing this resource this year as my Vivia is now old enough to begin learning about this stuff.

Sponsors: Day Five Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Baby Pop and Chic Covers

Blog Party: Favorite Holiday Recipe

2008-11-17T09:30:00.010-05:00

MomDot Blog Party day 4:
I am just finding out about this "blog party", so I am a little behind.
Today's Question: What is your favorite Holiday recipe?

It's funny that this is the first question, and so it allows me to be a bit lazy. The last blog I have posted just happens to be my Thanksgiving Menu which is full of my favorite holiday recipes. The favorite being my Butternut Squash soup. I wish I could take credit for it, but here's the cool story to go with it:

My husband and I went to Big Sky, Montana for our honeymoon. It was a dream trip. I always wanted to stay at the top of a snow-covered mountain in a private cabin, with a hot tub and a fireplace. Well, this is exactly what Gabriel arranged. We were in this cabin which was "Ski in, ski out". But for us, is "Board in, board out". These cabins were associated with a beautiful lodge at the base of the mountain. We would spend the day out on the mountain, going to the lodge only to have a quick warmer-upper of coffee, hot chocolate and lunch.
Every day, the chef featured different soups~ and my favorite of the bunch was the Butternut Squash!
SOOOOOO creamy and sweet and deliciously orange!
After a week of eating this soup, I had to ask the chef for the recipe, not believing he would give it to me, BUT HE DID!
So, I have made this soup now every year for the Holidays. Holidays being October through January. My family fights over it. My friends beg me for the recipe. BUT FOR ME, it is about the nostalgia of it all. And for some weird reason, I feel that if I give the recipe out freely (as it was given to me,) it will subtract from the specialness of it all. I plan on passing this recipe on to my daughter, so she can pass it on to her daughters~ and the story of the dream honeymoon, the celebration of our promise to be together in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer will be remembered for generations to come.

I look forward to the day/s I prepare this soup because I make an event out of it. It takes a whole morning or afternoon to make, so I plan for it, and enjoy it to the FULLEST! The smell that emulates from the kitchen on that day is tantalizing! And this is the first year that my daughter was old enough to help (sort-of). At almost three, she was able to stand on her stool and stir the pot and help pour the diced squash into the pot at the right moment~ and pushed the button on the blender when it was time to puree...

I will give the ingredients, at least:
Whole Butter
Sweet Vidalia Onions
Butternut Squash
Heavy Whipping Cream
Chicken Broth
Fresh Sage

I say it is "my" recipe, because I have made it mine.
And "mine" will become "ours" as our family grows.

I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!

Soup Photo: © VisualCuisines.com, Pro Photographer, and BFF Susan Bourgoin.

Sponsors: Day Four Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Bottlewise and Glow Mama

Thanksgiving Day Menu, BRINE baby, BRINE!

2008-11-06T11:56:00.002-05:00

I have found after working for chefs for 5 years, that I LOVE TO COOK! I don't do it as much as I'd like, but I LOVE the holidays because I look forward to preparing a masterpiece for a large group. I have a lot of family here in Orlando, and the baton of being the "Holiday Matron" has been passed to me. Every year the size of the group grows. This is also something my husband loves to do, thus has become one of the few pastimes we enjoy doing together.
I purchase fun, sturdy, holiday themed PAPER plateware so that the cleanup is much less. Sounds almost a crime to serve the following menu on paper- but it can still be done beautifully.

The past few years, I have prepared my turkeys by the same method and they have turned out SOOOOO succulent and delicious that my family fights over the leftovers.

3 words...
BRINE, baby, BRINE!
You can purchase a disposable brining bag at places like Bed Bath and Beyond or other kitchen stores.
I brine the turkey overnight at least 24 hours ahead of time. I use a basic brine of water, 1 cup kosher salt, 1 cup brown sugar or honey, and whatever else I decide to throw in there: cloves, orange slices, whatever sounds good.
Brining serves two purposes: it seasons the bird, and increases the moisture content resulting in a more flavorful and juicier turkey. This technique helps it retain the juices during the long roasting process.

When it's time to roast the bird, I make a basting concoction of apple cider, maple syrup, and white wine. And I baste every 15 - 30 minutes

So, below is my menu for this year. It will be basically the same as last year. I begin cooking a week ahead by making my soup (b/c this alone is an all-day event). Soup can be refrigerated or even frozen until the big day.

• Starters: (to be eaten while the rest of the meal is being prepared)
~ Butternut Squash Soup with Sage garnish (another thing my family fights over...)
~ Stuffed Mushrooms
~ Emmenthaler Fondue with French Bread and Apple Slices
~ Warm Spiced Apple Cider

•Salad:
~ Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Almonds and Feta ~ Light Citrus Vinaigrette
~ Avocado Grapefruit Salad recipe from BOMA at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney

• Main
~ Maple Cider Turkey with
~ Cider Gravy
~ Apple-Maple Sausage stuffing
~ Sweet Potato Gratin or Carmelized Sweet Potato Wedges
~ Green Bean Casserole (of course)
~ Mashed Potatoes (of course)- made with whipping cream
~ Dinner Yeasty Rolls

• Dessert
~ Warm Apple Cobbler ala mode with Haagen Dazs Dulce de Leche ice cream.
~ Mom's Lemon Icebox Pie

• DRINKS
• Perrier or Pelligrino with lime-
• Iced Tea
• Wine- Cape Indaba
This is a South African white that I highly recommend.
Can be purchased at World Market among other places.
This is really the only white I like, being a red wine girl.

WITH DESSERT:
• Espresso
• Coffee

If any of these recipes look good to you, email me and I can pass along.
HAPPY COOKING!

So nice!

2008-11-06T10:15:00.004-05:00

My live-in-nanny (aka, mom or Bella) has been here for a total of 3 days, and already I am fed, watered, and laundered, oh- I mean my kids are...
This is going to be sooooo nice.

Obama, my new president

2008-11-05T09:53:00.005-05:00

I face disappointment this morning ~ however, these are the words I heard before I even opened my eyes: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Here is another command that we who opposed Obama must take to heart now:

Romans 13
Submission to the Authorities
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there
is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities
that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels
against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,
and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers
hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do
you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is
right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you
good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword
for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring
punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to
the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also
because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the
authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if
revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

That is exactly what I have had in the back of my mind for weeks as we saw the nation turn towards Obama. That I can do all I can do right now, but as soon as he becomes my President, I must honor and respect him.
HOW DO I DO THIS?
This is how...
The Good News is still the Good News, and that is, that I serve a king. HE does not change. He does not get ousted by the turning of the tide of a nation. He is my leader, and my ruler, and my Lord.
And HE tells me that HE will bless me if I honor the man who is the President of the nation I live in.
My blessing comes from Him, not a country or a President, or a political party.
My promotion, and my portion comes from my LORD, not a country or a President, or a political party.
My provision comes from my Father, not a country or a President, or a political party, or a fail-proof economy.

God, at this very moment is seeing the fulfillment of his will, and I command my eyes to perceive it. Everything is God's servant.
And I pray for a love for our new leader.

Whether I like it or not, or whether I understand it or not. This is where submission comes in- when I do NOT agree, if I agreed, it is just agreement, not submission. I know and understand and love authority. It has protected me in the past and will to this day.

I am not afraid. My heart is at peace.

My ways are not His ways, my thoughts are not His thoughts.
I trust Him inexplicably.

Vote the BIBLE

2008-11-04T08:45:00.003-05:00

For me, it's not about a particular party. It's about who is the candidate who's proven record shows that they fear the Lord. God is very clear in his word on many of the issues and I will not have blood on my hands because I placed money before human life. I wish John McCain were black, or young, or hot. This is not about race. It is about the state of the hearts of this nation. How far have we gone?

Vote the BIBLE.

Yes, war also takes lives, but 3500 babies are aborted in this country in ONE DAY. That is IN ONE DAY, the same amount of lives that have been lost in IRAQ in a total of FIVE Years! THAT's 42 MILLION LIVES SINCE ROE V. WADE.. Which is more than all the wars the US have fought PUT TOGETHER!

Vote the BIBLE.

ENTITLEMENT is riddling our nation. SINCE WHEN is it the job of a government to provide for you? Since when have we decided to demand that government OWES us anything? Entitlement leads to more poverty. Poverty is not a state of being, it is a spirit. I know many people who are poor but not impoverished. And likewise I know many who are "rich", but in poverty in their spirit. I can not vote for a candidate who insults me by saying I need a handout to make it, and I can't be trusted to work hard enough to provide for my family.

Vote the BIBLE.

Are jobs down, YES. Are we in trouble because we have spent the last several years buying things we can't afford? YES. But, please people! We cannot even BEGIN to compare this to the Great Depression when our grandparents lived in tin shanties, and cooked their dinner around a campfire. And people actually sacrificed personal comfort for a greater cause (WW2). We have NO RIGHT to compare~ We are so spoiled rotten that the thought of not "having it now" has thrown the nation into a tizzy.
Go live in a 3rd world nation for just a month. There you will see people who really CAN'T work. And live in depression. Any one who really wants to work in this country CAN. Flipping burgers, maybe, but since when are we too good to flip burgers to feed our families? Integrity. Does our generation even know what this means?

I am not Black. I am not Hispanic (although, my children are)- but I am a minority. I have a good attitude. Something that is few and far between these days.

I love my country.
I love that I am going to exercise an awesome "right" today by voting.
Go, make it count, people!

Vote the BIBLE.
Your vote is not secret to God.

Thanks for listening.

What we did today...

2008-11-03T17:04:00.007-05:00

This is a beautiful place to walk near my house. Just can't fall in the water. It is alligator-infested~ Megan, you'll appreciate.
I was a walking billboard for my friend Eric Eisnaugle who is running for State Representative. Although, his district is not anywhere near where I walked.
Gotta do my part. Will be standing at the polls tomorrow to show my support.

Vote the issues: McCain or Obama?:

2008-11-03T16:29:00.001-05:00

At least know your issues, people! Are you for Obama or McCain? BEFORE you vote, take this test on the issues and see: http://glassbooth.org/

Fun weekend

2008-11-03T11:48:00.007-05:00

Friday night Vivia played the perfect hostess handing out candies to the infinite number of High School Musical Cheerleaders and Cowboys that came to our door. She would say "nice costume!" And all the parents would ooh and aaah at the cute little Goldilocks. I am glad we did the Sea World thing last weekend, because I was able to say, "We already did our Trick-or-Treating".

Saturday Gabriel and I made our annual trip the the International Food and Wine Festival at Disney's Epcot with our friends Pete and Crystal. Crystal just had a baby a month before me, and so we left the toddlers home, and brought the babies with us. We opted to bring only one double stroller to streamline the baby stuff. And before Gabe arrived (he had school and came to meet us after) it was Peter with Crystal and I, pushing around this double stroller with "twins" inside. You should have seen the looks from people trying to figure out if we were Mormons, or who was the mother of the twins... It was quite funny. We loved the escargot and pomegranate kirs in France, and the Lamb in New Zeland! The Maple Glazed salmon in Cananda, and the amazing stuff in Morocco. I look forward to the F/W fest EVERY year!

I broke down and purchased a double stroller because I honestly felt so trapped. I feel so much more empowered to go places now, because I know I can strap BOTH of my kids in safely. I thought that by the time Rio arrived, Vivia would happily walk alongside the stroller, obediently. HAH! She is a toddler-in-progress. We are working on the obedience part. And until then, she will remain in the stroller. I got the KOLCRAFT double- WHICH I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. The seats can face any combination of ways you want, which works great with an infant who is only happy when they can see Mommy. It is a bit cumbersome to get in and out of the car- but no more than the Graco I borrowed from my friend to try out.

So, this week, my mother moves in to be our live-in nanny. Which is her dream job. To be her grandchildren's nanny. And I am really happy for the help. So I have much to do today. So I must be going. Ciao for Now!

A S#itty Morning!!!

2008-10-31T14:00:00.002-04:00

"Why, O Why is there a pot of boiling letters on your stove?," you ask. Well, thank you for your concern. As a matter of fact, it is indicative of the kind of morning I have had. S#!tty! I woke up to Vivia grabbing her diaper saying "Mommy, take it off." With poop on her hands because she was trying to take it off herself. GAG #1!
I say with much excitement "STOP!" and I proceed to remove said diaper. She begins to squirm and freak out~ apparently because she had a bit of diaper rash, and knocked the diaper out of my hand onto the floor where the poop rolled out! GAG #2!
I then say, "You know what, we are going straight to the bath!" Back upstairs to draw her a bath. I get her in there complete with her toys and bubbles, and run back downstairs to grab something. Now, before you call Social Services on me for leaving my 2 year old alone in the tub, I ask, "Have you ever made a mistake?" I have. It happens. So, once downstairs, I see where my poor, neglected dog has pooped on the dining room floor because she hasn't been taken on a proper "poop walk" for days. GAG#3
I begin to hear Vivia from upstairs calling to me, and then I hear the THUD THUD THUD of her running around. I know she must be dripping wet and naked because she can't reach her towels.
I run up there to find a pee spot on the carpet outside the bathroom door, and a naked Vivia dripping wet, saying "I'm Cold, Mama." I ask her "Did you pee on the floor?" And she says, "Yep., And I pooped in the tub!" OMG! NOOOOO...
Sure enough, I go look, and there is a floater, disintegrating in the water amongst her foam alphabet that she was playing with in the tub! GAG#4
Baby Rio begins squawking from the other room, doesn't he know that I have to clean this mess up? I go in there to get him, I immediately smell the familiar, strange odor of baby poo. YES, he has BLOWN OUT his diaper in the bed, my bed! I honestly cannot believe this is happening!
I will spare you the details of how I retrieved the poop from the tub, flushed it down the toilet, (retching the whole time), scrubbed the tile floor in my dining room, and bleached the crap (pun intended) out of everything.
But now you know why there is a pot of "alphabet soup" boiling on my stove...
That's just the kind of morning I had with "Baby making Four".

Name Boards for my dear friend

2008-10-29T18:32:00.002-04:00

She finally received them in the mail, so I can post the pics now. Every new one I do becomes my new favorite. These two are brothers who's mom did their room in a camping theme. See pics here of their room.
My camera didn't get the best photos in the world- but enough to get the idea.
Click on the photo to see it larger.

Twitter...

2008-10-28T08:58:00.005-04:00

TWITTER
Check it out here. The latest and greatest way to stay up to date with your friends. And you can do it when you are out through a text from your mobile phone.
I love it.
Think "Facebook" What are you doing right now?
Us hip moms have to stay up on the coolest and newest.
If you sign up, look me up and "follow": freedomg12
FROM THeir website below...

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Why use Twitter?

Why? Because even basic updates are meaningful to family members, friends, or colleagues—especially when they’re timely.

Eating soup? Research shows that moms want to know.
Running late to a meeting? Your co–workers might find that useful.
Partying? Your friends may want to join you.

How does it work?

With Twitter, you can stay hyper–connected to your friends and always know what they’re doing. Or, you can stop following them any time. You can even set quiet times on Twitter so you’re not interrupted.

Twitter puts you in control and becomes a modern antidote to information overload.

Tea- cool stuff

2008-10-27T10:40:00.004-04:00

I am a sucker for good marketing. Republic of Tea has come out with a line of teas that they are packaging according to symptom. Teas do have medicinal and preventative qualities: And it is getting cool enough to enjoy a cup of hot tea. Check them out!
My faves are the "Get Charged". and "Get Soothed".
They are also Kosher- in case you're practicing...

Pics from Abuelo's visit: MORE Later from his baby dedication

2008-10-26T21:44:00.007-04:00

Last Weekend Abuelo came to meet PRCM for the first time. "Smitten" doesn't even describe it. He kept calling him wonderful names like, "Champion" and "Warrior". He even made up a song for him. Imagine the tune of "Copa Cabana".
"His name was Rio...
He was a doctor..."

Bathtime for the Rio, and revelations...

2008-10-26T20:29:00.007-04:00

Rio is a water baby. Who would have thunkit. I can't even begin to explain the love I feel for this new little person in our life. I don't know what it is. It is so different this time than it was the first time around with Vivia. Maybe because of everything we went through with him already, I really appreciate and truly cherish every second: even the late-night feeding marathons! I am not playing favorites, but I know the relationship I have with my son is so completely different than the one I have with my daughter.

I haven't written about this yet: but the weekend we asked everyone to pray and fast with us for the tests, THAT weekend, I ran into a woman that I had met while I was pregnant. She had also been pregnant and at the time, we talked and discussed how she was having a boy, and I was hoping I was having a boy too, b/c I didn't know yet. She was so sweet! So full of excitement! It would be her third child.

So, the other day, I had my 2 week old son with me, and ended up at this house for a garage sale selling all this baby stuff- SCORE! Coincidentally, right? I didn't know this was where she lived. We recognized each other, and I immediately hugged her and said "hello". Where was her baby? Her little baby son had died. All this stuff she was selling was his. He was born without the frontal part of his brain and only lived a few weeks after being born prematurely at 30 weeks. They were selling all of his things. She was upbeat, but I could just sense the aching of her heart as she asked to hold Rio. She said she wanted to load all of his things into our car. I didn't let her do that, but I bought a few things from her. And she told me to come by anytime and knock on her door to say hello. I will definitely follow up on that in the future.

But, in that moment, God gave me the answer to that which my soul was seeking in the fast. Perspective.
He has already taught all who have met him, to see.

Saturday, TOT at Sea World.

2008-10-26T20:11:00.008-04:00

We have a slew of season passes as we live in the "Theme Park Capitol of the World." And we do use them all the time. Especially this time of year when the crowds have thinned out and the weather gets gorgeous. Sea World has this really fun halloween party on the weekends in October where you come in costume and go "Treating" through the park which began with a bubble trail. Here are a few shots from our excursion yesterday. For those of you who know Terry Yip, look really closely at the yellow seahorse. And of course, Vivia had to pose with her favorite, the "Sticky Hock-A-Puss"

Friday...

2008-10-26T20:05:00.005-04:00

We visited "Maggie Make." Vivia's friend Maggie Mae who lives in Celebration. This little town goes all-out for halloween, as you can see from this one house near the Martell's.

A walk in the Park

2008-10-23T13:31:00.014-04:00

We decided to go for a walk to the park to get out on this beautiful windy day. As I was leaving Vivia grabs her stroller from the garage and puts her Mickey Mouse in it. So together, with our "babies" we walked to the playground! When we got there, she took Mickey down the slide, up the rocks, even on the rings. But then sat him on the bench for a rest.

Until Curious George is over...

2008-10-23T11:49:00.002-04:00

... that is how long I get to write. This is one of the reasons I haven't written much in the last four weeks. As I type, I have my brand-new baby boy strapped to my front in a baby bjorn- he's napping. And Vivia my 2 year old is watching Curious George while eating her dinner that consists of chicken nuggets and applesauce and goldfish. Yummmmm. I have a lasagna in the oven, but of course, it won't be ready for an hour at least- and she's hungry NOWWW>
I feel like since the day I got home from the hospital, I have hit the ground running and haven't been able to stop since.
So, back to my new life:
1. 2 kids
2. Lack of sleep
3. 3 dirty diapers a night
4. Sleeping in different beds b/c my husband needs his sleep for work and school
5. D's (ohhhh yeah!) lol!
6. Not getting out b/c it's too hard to get them both ready
7. Cleaning out my garage to make more room IN the house because my mom is moving in for awhile
8. Trying to stay hydrated
9. Frumpy Nursing wear
10. Wondering if my tummy will ever go back to its original size
11. Or if I will ever be able to wear a 2-piece again
12. Waking up in cold sweats- drenched
and I could go on and on and on...

The last four weeks have been one big blur!
We are definitely settling into our new life as we know it. And we are relieved to know that our son will live a FULL life and does not have anything major wrong.
The first few days of his life were full of tests and questions and information overload!

Thanks all of you for your prayers and thoughts, the worst is over. God is good.
Things are not as bad as they were "preparing" us for.
The worst of it is that Rio will only have sight in his left eye, until science or God change that.
They told us all the wost case scenarios- which included cancer and tumors, and a malformed brain etc etc. None of which were the case. And the tests he had on Monday, the ones we were praying and fasting for... showed us that. Even though Gabe and I knew he didn't have it!
He has a little tiny cleft in his lip (barely noticeable). And his left eye has micropthalmia. A fancy word that basically means 'little eye'. It is 50% smaller than the right eye and has a lot of scar tissue and a small cataract in it. The doc did not recommend surgery on the eye (thank God) because he said that there really is not enough sight in that eye to try and develop it. That it would be better for him at this age to just get on with his left eye developing. At this young age, his brain will basically teach his eye to compensate for the lack of the other, and his vision will be better that way. More so than someone who has always had sight in both eyes and then was to lose it.
Look at the photos of him on my blog and you will see that he does not really open it all that much. His prognosis will include wearing a hard contact lens in that eye in order for his skull to develop symmetrically. And they say that he will live a completely normal, full life- and the prosthesis (contact) will be barely noticeable by the time he is 5 or so.
Blah blah blah...

They don't know what causes it. It is connected to the little cleft in his lip because they are both considered "midline". So, there was some kind of accident in my womb at the time that that part of him was developing so it didn't completely fuse and form. That is kind of how the doc described it. Since it was midline, that is why all the tests and MRI's that he had to have. To make sure that other "midline" organs and parts did develop correctly. Which were all normal! And his genetics tests were completely normal too! Which means it is not connected to any type of "syndrome" that might come back and cause problems in the future.

As we learn more, I will update. Until then, I have found a cool online support group for people affected by PHPV, and am learning about it as much as I can. It really could be so much worse!
I am so blessed by him- He is so precious. And I know that he will leave an influential mark on this world! And all of this will be a part of his testimony and God will get all the glory!!! Gabriel and I are becoming more used to our "normal". And we are over the shock of it, and the disappointment, and we are ready to face it and make it a part of our daily lives. He is positively perfect just the way he is- and no one's going to be able to convince him otherwise- ir tell him there is something he can't do!
:)

For those of you who were kind enough...

2008-10-19T22:23:00.008-04:00

For those of you who were kind enough to say that Rio looks like me, I would like to play a little game.
Out of the three pictures below, guess which one is Gabriel, which one is Vivia, and which one is Rio.
Leave a comment with your guesses- the person who guesses correctly will win a new car!
Ok, well not really, but I want to see who can guess... It's like it's the SAME CHILD! All three of them!

My church is off the HIZZZZZZooooook!

2008-10-12T21:40:00.001-04:00

More pics...

2008-10-10T19:54:00.005-04:00

More pics...

2008-10-08T16:26:00.012-04:00

Update

2008-10-03T12:59:00.002-04:00

To our family and friends:

Paolo Rio Chaim is undergoing 2 pretty invasive tests (under sedation) on Monday so the Ophthalmologist and Retina Specialists can get a good look in his right eye. Many horrible things have been spoken over him since the day he was born- things I am not going to repeat, because I do not agree with them, and Gabriel and I believe now is the time to activate our faith.
We are asking that you would stand in unity with us - beginning tonight - in a specific way.
We are dedicating this weekend to pray and fast for his healing.
We will be fasting in order to seek the hand of God to move on his behalf to see a miracle.
We are believing for the doc to see that his eye has grown and there is sight. We want to see the doc's words canceled out by what he sees.
We will begin fasting tonight at sundown until sundown on Sunday.
If you don't receive this email in time, feel free to join at any time during the weekend.

If you choose to join us in this prayer and fasting, it is up to you what you will fast. Is between you and God.
But we are asking our family and close friends to stand in belief with us and to pray for Rio.
The more praying, the more angelic warriors are sent on our behalf.

Gabe and I love you very much and appreciate all the support we have felt so far, and we really are believing God and His word, and his promises, rather than the wisdom of Man.

Thank you and we are believing for a good report on Monday!

Let us know...

PS- I wish memaw were here right now...
:)

Fun with Photobooth... Rio and I

2008-10-03T11:57:00.008-04:00

He's such a sweet boy, such a cuddlebug. :)
He's going in on Monday to have tests done on that eye that is closed.
Pray with us as we believe this weekend that it is nothing...

Two More Pics. Precioso!

2008-10-02T17:29:00.003-04:00

THis is what he does: SLEEP and Sleep and slee...

2008-10-01T11:38:00.003-04:00

Little Boy, Big Yawns!

2008-09-29T16:26:00.001-04:00

These are the best! I love it!
Lots going on, still not ready to blog about it yet~ please just be praying for miracles.

And Baby Makes Four... Let me introduce you to Paolo Rio Chaim

2008-09-26T12:21:00.010-04:00

HE's here and he's Amazing!!! Our lives are already forever changed!

I will write more later, just wanted to get some photos and video up here since all the relatives and friends are begging to see him. Here he is.

The wait is almost over...

2008-09-21T12:35:00.003-04:00

The shoemakers kids wear no shoes...
I finally got started on Rio's nameboard. Not quite done, but enough to show. You can't tell from this horrid pic, that the elements on the side are 3-d. They are raised off the board- the apples and the horse and the squirrel, and the tree on the far right.
I have also made a couple more name boards recently that I LOVE, but I cannot post them on here yet, because they are gifts that I have not given yet. Will show after.

:)
Tomorrow is the day.
We will be meeting Paolo Rio in the flesh.
Pray for us as I do the work, and as Rio takes the journey.

Can't wait for these things:
1. to meet him
2. to hear his little cry
3. to hold him
4. to kiss his little nose
5. to touch his little toeses
6. to give him to papi to hold for awhile.
7. to see my feet
8. to have my body back
9. to not feel heartburn
10. to not feel sciatica
11. to be able to sleep on my back and stomach
12. to eat RAW FISH- my favorite, sushi!
13. to get on the scale and not freak out.

There are more, but I don't want to go on and on...

To answer your question:
YES, I like visitors in the hospital.
SO if you are a friend, and you are in the neighborhood, and you have received notice that HE has arrived, please call and drop by!

By the way, I found a baby name site that listed Paolo as meaning "Humble" and small of course, but I love that. HE is HUMBLE- God is close to the HUMBLE. And far from the proud.

Three short days...

2008-09-19T16:37:00.006-04:00

In three short days, alot can change. In three short days, our entire existence will change. In three short days we are about to have something occur, that in a few years, we will have a hard time remembering what life was like before "it" happened.

We will no longer be a family of three- we will be a family of four. (And baby makes four). I will go from having a daughter, to having a daughter and a son. Gabe will have a boy to raise up to be a man. Vivia will go from being an only child, to being a big sister. Enter in: trucks, and bugs, and trains, and sports. Things I know not much about. There will be things only his father can teach him.

I am excited and sad all at the same time. Only sad because the last 2 1/2 years of being with Vivia and watching her grow, and experiencing life with her, and being that family of three- is going to go away forever. Now she will have to share us. Share our attention, and our love, and our time, and our devotion- everything.

I think I feel deeply for her, because she and I have so much in common. I am the first born daughter to my parents. I had a "baby brother" come along right around the same time as well, and, it's wierd, it's like I remember what it was like to -all of a sudden- have to share my parents. And I remember not liking it. And I remember feeling the loss of time spent with them, and loss of attention. I could care less about gaining a brother. I saw him as an alien who intruded on the good thing we had going there. And it meant I didn't have my mom and dad to myself anymore. Something I had to compete with and to blame for my unhappiness. It had to be his fault...

I hope that she really embraces him as hers. Not that Mami and Papi had a baby: but that WE had a baby.
She may not remember any of this. Only through the thousands of photos we have taken of the times we have had together as a family of three. She will always have that experience that none of the other children will be able to claim. She got to have us all to herself for a season. None of the rest of them will be able to claim that. That makes her still, so special. I know she is special in so many other ways- but that is at least one thing that will remain hers and nobody can take that away- for ever.

I know so many people grapple with the thought of "How will I have enough love for this one, seeing as I love that one so much?" I really don't too much. I know I have more than enough love to go around and then some... We were made in God's image, and if he can love the billions and billions of people that have walked this earth since the beginning of time, then love must be an organic thing that has the ability to ever-expand. So, I believe that I will be able to expand and expand to love however many we end up with.

Dear Vivia Victoria, it has been a priveledge and an honor to share the last few years with you alone. I can't believe God trusts me so much as to have given you to us to raise up, to become all he has designed you to be. I am sorry for the times I have let you down, where I have been less than perfect, where I have caused you to see God in the wrong way because of my misactions, but, thank God, I know that I am only a partner in this job of raising you, with Him and your Papi.
The times we have spent together, I would not sell for millions of dollars. I would not have done anything differently. I love you, you will always be my firstborn, therefore holding a very special place in my heart that only belongs to you. Don't worry, no one will take that away. You are so special- and when I think about the little glimpse that God has given us of the plans he has for you, I am overwhelmed, and humbled.
I pray that you and Rio become the best of friends. Allies and partners. Building wonderful memories that you will remember for your whole lifetime.
He is not someone you have to compete with. He is someone you can build an alliance with. Someone you will always be able to count on, confide in, share childhood experiences with.

Three days.
Wow.

I'd like to introduce you to my family:
Gabriel, Freedom, Vivia, and Chaim

We are a family of four.

The three RHEMA words I got for Paolo Rio Chaim

2008-09-19T12:48:00.007-04:00

Just wanted to share the three specific things God told me about our son- who will be joining us in 3 short days (at the most...)

First of all, his temperament will be that of a strong, brave, eager, quiet warrior- a war horse.

Rio the War Horse:
- He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
he does not shy away from the sword.
- The quiver rattles against his side,
along with the flashing spear and lance.
- In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground;
he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
- At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!'
He catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders and the battle cry.
Job 39:22-25

Second of all: he will carry on the spiritual inheritance that Gabriel and I are working so hard to build for this family:

The House of Martinez, the Chosen
- "But now listen, Gabriel, my servant,
Freedom, whom I have chosen.
- This is what the LORD says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Freedom, my servant,
Gabriel, whom I have chosen.

- For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants. - They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

- One (Vivia) will say, 'I belong to the LORD ';
another (Rio) will call himself by the name of Jesus;
Still another will write the Lord’s name on their hands
and will take the name of Martinez as their own.”
(3 kids????) hmmm.
Isaiah 44:1-5

Third: His special and unique gifting will be healing and bringing words of life to all he meets. Carrying with him for others, hope of a new life!

Paolo Rio Chaim: Little River of Life

In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.

He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank. When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea.

The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure.

There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows.

Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh.

Life will flourish wherever this water flows.

Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean. But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty.

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river.

The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches.

There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple.

The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

Ezekiel 47: 1-12

I am entirely too cranky to be blogging... then, VICTORY

2008-09-15T23:18:00.005-04:00

I know I have not been writing much the last few days. I am entirely too cranky to be blogging right now. I am just not that much fun to be around at the moment... I really am a believer in only speaking positive, and since I haven't had all that much "gusto" in me- it has been really hard to hold back the negative reality I am living right now.
SO, here goes...
I am REAAAAALLy just done and over it. LIKE DONE DONE> LIKE MORE DONE than all the other "dones" I have written or spoken in the last month. REALLY done with the false alarms, fat fingers and toes that I can't feel, throwing up in my mouth, agonizing back/sciatic pain, contractions that keep getting stronger and stronger but remain quite irregular (2 hours of 3 minutes apart last night), and inability to sleep. I did not sleep last night, not one hour, not one minute. I haven't slept a full night since Saturday night. I went to lay down early tonight, because I am tired, oh yes! but- tossed and turned again, had a sweeping wave of nausea come over me, and threw up in my mouth a little- had a lighning bolt of pain shoot straight down my leg and up my back- so here I am, on the computer again at 11:40pm... Irriatable, to say the least, and really just want to CRY.
I feel like I am at my wits end and can't see how I am going to make it one more week before my Doc says we can induce. I feel that I am about to go a little nutso. Those of you who have been pregnant, can commiserate. Or maybe you are one of those who just loooove being pregnant, and it is soooooo easy for you- GOD BLESS YOU! I wish I were. I prayed that I would be this time. I am just not. I actually hate it, loathe it, and want my body back.
There, I said it.
Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE what it produces. I do NOT loathe, or hate my children. They are the joy of my life in this season.

A sweet story to balance the complaining:
Vivia, at 3:30 in the morning last night- in the dark, comes plowing through the bedroom door over to my side of the bed (of course right as I about dozed off...) -she's never done this before- and says "I sweep (sleep) well." This is what she says to me in the mornings when I go in her room to get her out of bed for the day. And then she says... "Hugs and cuddles, pwease, mama."
How can you send that back to it's own bed, I ask???? Anatomically impossible... She climbed in bed with Papi and me, and looks at me and does the little "I love you" sign and says it " I wub you, too". She says this whether she is the initiator of the "I love you" or not...

NOW THAT is worth all these nights of sleeplessness, misery, and discomfort. I would have a half dozen if I didn't have to carry them all, and if I hadnt waited so long to start having them in the first place. I wouldn't change any of it for the world, however. I asked God for twins. Two for the price of one. I guess he knows I couldn't have handled it...

... OK- update, I spent some time in God's presence: and it is SOOO amazing how quickly singing a song of praise can lift the cloud of heaviness! I feel better instantly. Here is the song I couldn't help but cry as I sang- and the lyrics posted below...

YOU’LL COME
(Hosea 6) Brooke Fraser 2007

Verse 1
I have decided I have resolved
To wait upon you Lord
My rock and redeemer shall not be moved
I'll wait upon you Lord

Prechorus
As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
As certain as the dawn appears

Chorus
You'll come let your glory fall
As you respond to us
Spirit reign flood our hearts
With holy fire again

Verse 2
We are not shaken we are not moved
We wait upon you Lord
Our Mighty deliverer my triumph and truth
I'll wait upon you Lord

Bridge
Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed

Sorry...

2008-09-13T21:33:00.002-04:00

YES, I realize I haven't posted since Thursday. No, he's not here yet...
Lots to report, but I can't sit here long enough to type because it sets my sciatica into overdrive.
Let's just say, if he's not here by the 23rd, then we will be inducing.
Lots happening tho, I don't think it'll go that long...
:)

He's dropped...

2008-09-11T15:53:00.002-04:00

I am not just imagining. He really has dropped. See? Well, maybe you can't see it from this pic, BUT I SEE it from my angle...
And, I can breathe, and no heartburn today!!!

13:12

2008-09-10T19:55:00.004-04:00

of Proverbs says: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick..."
This describes me right now.

Let me tell you why.
I was awoken in the middle of the night by several strong, and painful contractions... After this week of having several days of them. I almost went in to the hospital last night, because they were so strong and I felt SO strange, my stomach hurt, I was nauseous I couldn't sit through them, but I decided to go back to bed to try and get some some sleep- because if this was it, I have been told to stay at home as long as you can stand it. Besides, Iknew I had a doc's appt. first thing in the am.
I knew, that I knew, that I knew, I was going to go in to my doc's and they were going to give me the wonderful news that I was at 4 cm! I have to have made progress after the week I have had!

Well, the first part of my appt. was to have an ultrasound to determine his size right now. I have been trying to tell them I KNOW he is huge! and well, he is. They estimate him at 8 lbs (which is how big Vivia was AT BIRTH at 41 weeks~!) And I am measuring at 39 weeks because of his size...

Second part of the visit was that I started contracting again, so they decided to hook me up to monitor me and see exactly what was happening. I contracted about every 7 minutes and the cont's were literally registering OFF THE CHART- in strength. The nurse was in disbelief that they didn't hurt. She told me that it was so weird, because most women with those strength of C's would be sweating, and hollering and saying they couldn't handle it... They take my breath away, and they were tight, but not painful! So, I am a bit of an anomaly. (sp?) They were thinking, "ok- we're gonna send this girl to the hospital" and I'm thinking, "Today's the day!"

So, I finally go in to be "checked". (imagine the air slowly leaking out of a big balloon... turning into a wrinkly, deflated thing...) She says I am at... ZERO. Yes, I said zer00000000. Now, how is that possible? The doc last Thursday said I was at 1. How does one go BACK??? I DONT GET IT. She said, "Go home and have sex, walk, and eat spicy food" I wanted to punch her.

So, here I sit, having another off-the-chart contraction, that lasts at least a minute, that does NOTHING, except exhaust me and leave me with a sick heart, wondering what I have done to deserve being the butt of this not-so-funny joke. As Ellen says "You're not joking properly. If you were joking properly, we would both be laughing..."

little update at 1:23am

2008-09-09T01:22:00.003-04:00

I am a little hopeful right now.
In my nightly relaxation shower, I'm pretty sure I saw some MP.
Not going to go into details. If you know what I mean by MP, then you won't be grossed out by it. If you don't know what the heck MP could possibly stand for, then You WOULD be grossed out, so don't worry about it. Just know that it is a good sign that things could be coming soon...

Massage therapy for pressing all the "right" pressure points: Tomorrow.
UltraSound for Rio's size and cervix check: Wednesday.
Seeing my normal Doc for more checking and hopefully a game-plan: Friday.

Contractions getting stronger to where I have to sloooowww down, and becoming more intense and some downright painful. But not regular enough to go in to the hospital, just to sit around in the waiting room all night. I need my rest. Gonna go to bed now.

Weekly Finds...

2008-09-08T21:55:00.013-04:00

I have one of these pendants, that I had personalized, with each member of my family's names on them. The place I ordered them from before girlshop.com- when Vivia was due, is no longer in existence- but with a little research, I found them somewhere else. These little gems are so cute, and so not "MUMsy".
I have one that says "Gabriel" for my main man, two that say "Claire", and "Hannah," for my two babies that I will meet in heaven, and one that says "Vivia". Now I have one on the way that says "Rio Chaim". I wear them all on the same necklace, all together. On the site you can order them with a chain or without. I had my own necklace already, so I only ordered the charms separately. You don't have to get your children's names on them, You can write whatever you want on there. Designed by: Christie Martin, and found on CoutureCandy.com. Get creative!

In my never-ending quest at becoming the Home Manager I was NOT born to be... one of my friends turned me on to this site, and I can't begin to describe to you how awesome it is. I have tried so many times to get my family's finances in order in programs like Quicken- to no avail. I am a MAC girl- tried and true. And they don't really make those programs with visually-minded people like me in mind. This is a safe, free, online service that helps you track your finances. It is SUPER EASY to set up, it automatically updates every night. It also automatically does all kinds of pie-charts, and graphics to explain and categorize your spending. It also automatically, did I say automatically? does a budget for your family based on the uploaded spending it sees. Sends you warnings and updates if you've gone over or if you've received deposits you've been waiting for. SO COOL! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. Mint.com takes 5 minutes to sign up. You will love it, PROMISE. After you get over the shock of seeing where all your money goes. The Bible says, "people are destroyed for lack of vision." This literally gives me a "visual" of where we are, vs. where we want to be... I feel really empowered.
Let me know how it goes...

This is one of the most clever things I have seen. I LOVE IT! A company called TRANSLATION TEES- go to their site to see these creative, unique and FUNNY tees that they will customize JUST FOR YOU based on special words your child invented. Click on the photo on the left to see these tees closer. I want to order one that says "hock-a-pus"- TRANSLATION: "Octopus", for Vivia. SO cute, and you can keep it for a memento for the baby book...

OH SOOOO CUTE!!! You guys know by now that I love one-of-a-kind stuff! LarkAndLoon.com super cute art on clothing- for ages 2-12. I LOVE IT, and so will you!

THIS SHOW is Brilliant!!! WordWorld.com or through the PBS site:
Vivia loves books and reading so much more than toys. And this show is truly mesmerizing to her. When it's over she's like "How 'bout again, mommy?" She is learning the alphabet by sight, and the concept of "building a word". I am not the only fan of this show- it actually is A Winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award, and funded by a grant. Click here to find out when it is on in your local listing.

I wish I had something to report...

2008-09-08T15:30:00.002-04:00

But I don't. Nothing happening, that I know of.
I have had consistent contractions ALL DAY YESTERDAY- every 5-10 minutes, lasting at least one minute long, but whether or not they are producing anything- I still don't know- Until WED. when I go in for another ultrasound to determine weight. And see if I have "progressed".
whoop-de-doo...

Strong-Willed Children, God, I love them!

2008-09-05T14:40:00.004-04:00

Vivia pitched her largest fit, to date, this morning...

Instead of staying in the room, and trying to get her to stop crying, and threatening her with a spanking, and spanking her until she stopped- which has been my response in the past, I decided to try another approach.

I got in her face and screamed a bloodcurdling scream- And then, without a word, I left the room, shut the door- which pissed her off more, and then after she realized I was gone, she came out of the bathroom, and came into our room to find me (and continued the screaming in the room with me). I completely ignored her, got dressed, and left her there too. I said to her very matter-of-factly, "this behavior is unacceptable, and I am leaving. You know where to find me when you are done." And I left her upstairs and came down.

Well, she stayed upstairs, screaming, saying "no", and crying etc. And then I heard her at one point come to the top of the stairs and scream down the stairs, as though I couldn't hear her. (I laughed to myself).
I realized how much of this fit pitching she really does do for attention- even for the attention of a spanking.

I had to collect myself too, because this type of thing can escalate into a war, which I have realized today, I am going to refuse the war because all this lack of sleep and these drugs and these hormones are really not good timing for me to be in there with a wooden spoon in my hands beating her into submission- I mean this figuratively, people- don't go calling DHS... I was shaking like a leaf while all this was going on.

SO, anyway, when she finally got tired of screaming, she came to the top of the stairs and in the sweetest voice said "I gotta go pee pee and pooo"
So I said, "OK, go ahead" and I came up. I said "Are you done with your fit?" very calmly.

She says "YEs, I done. I done screaming too." Total smiles and change of attitude. I said, "Good, now we can have fun together"

I guess she's been frustrated too lately.

I am going to try the ignoring (the fits) approach- as spankings do not seem to be working in the way we had hoped. I am all for spankings as a Godly tool to raise a child as long as they can be administered in the right way. But if they are ineffective with a particular child, then why keep doing it? At least in certain instances. They work like a charm in other instances...

That way, she is not learning to get our attention in negative ways and being rewarded for it.
I will just drop what I am doing, and leave the room, and she can finish out her fit with no one around to watch. I have heard this works really well. So I am willing to give it a shot at this point.

That was crazy. I hated that. And I think she did too.

Strong-Willed Children are the ones who grow up to be presidents and CEOS of major corporations. I love that about her- I just pray I am faithful in how I raise her with her personality type. I must be able, because I believe God sends us the kids we are the best for... Out of the billions of little personalities there are up there in heaven being sent to earth in the form of children.
In other words, He doesn't give us more than we can handle. But He knows what we can handle and what we can't. He must think really highly of me, that I can handle all this... haha
S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-ggggg!
In more ways than one rightnow.
:)

MASK or no mask?

2008-09-05T02:59:00.004-04:00

I have heard of this "Mask of Pregnancy" that supposedly shows up right before you are about to go into labor. My mom said I had it tonight. What do you think? Have you ever heard of it, but more importantly, do you see it on me in this pic taken 2 seconds ago???
If' you're my friend, you'll say YES!
J/k
It is 3am and I can't sleep for the umpteenth night in a row- this is really getting bad. I still have to function as the mother of a very demanding 2 year old during the day, you know.
Please God, I am begging you for mercy!
Send baby Chaim NOOoooow!
All this after a rather disappointing visit to my doc today. When one reaches the "home stretch," doc's visits become these "oasis in the desert" type-meetings, like the ONLY thing you look forward to in your week. Where you go in, full of hope for good news in between endless days of discomfort (that word even sounds too comforting to use) and promises to one's self of how you are never going to do this again...
So I told my doc that I was DONE and I had a little "moment" of tears - yes, I actually cried in my doctor's office- when she told me the disappointing news that my week full of 5-minute-apart-contractions EVERY NIGHT has only produced one stinkin' centimeter! And that my cervix is not favorable for induction at this time. What an insult! I've never been an unfavorable kind of gal. I'm usually quite favorable with everything! Why start being unfavorable now??? I'm favorable! You think so, don't you?
So, my light at the end of the tunnel is now my appt. Wed. of NEXT week, where we will be doing an ultrasound to guess size. If he's as big as I feel him to be, then our chances of inducing are greater. I am not super set on inducing, it's just that I am HUGE. WAY bigger than I was with Vivia, and she was no small cookie! AND nervous that he's not going to fit seeing as Vivia was stuck for over an hour and a half! And I had two herniated discs on my low back, after having given birth- I totally think this is related. I feel those same discs sending shocking pain down my back as he grows larger and larger- pressing on those areas. Why don't doc's listen to their patients anymore? Do they really think we are ignorant of what's going on in our own bodies?
Please someone listen to me, I am telling you---
Going to try and sleep now- 3:35am, signing off.

The daughter of a lion, is a lion.

2008-09-03T00:10:00.005-04:00

Here is the tee design I did for the Revolution Conference this weekend. U know you want one! Actually, you have to work the Conference to get it...
See the "School of Purple" donning these in Purple with White print.
See you then! And I will be sporting mine in an XL until Rio decides to grace us with his presence!
Then I will auction it off and go back to my usual Medium.
GOnorthwest!!!

I am Jesus Branded

2008-09-02T19:54:00.019-04:00

Coming from my background, and seeing the things I have seen in my lifetime so far, unfortunately, sincerity and integrity are sometimes hard to find in the realm of "marketing Christianity". And that goes for anything from the music to the stuff I lovingly refer to as "JJ". Jesus Junk.
Come on, you've seen it, the "Testamints", the Cards, the Snowglobes, the bracelets- I admit, I did wear a WWJD bracelet and it DID get me to think before I acted... u name it, they'll print a cross or an ICTHUS (sp?) on it and sell it! This being sometimes the same companies that turn around and print a Pentagram on the same necklace and sell it to Hot Topix.
Some of it is great and genuine in message, but usually lacks in design, with at least something I would normally buy or want to be seen in. Myself being a graphic artist, I cannot tell you how many times I have cringed at the sight of the shirts that say "My heavenly father went to heaven and all I got was this lousy teeshirt..." or the cartooned hands with nails through them, saying "Body Piercing changed my life!!!"

Anyway- I am a true LOVER of Jesus Christ, and I truly try and be like him every day by maintaining a relationship with him, my family, my church family, and those he's placed in my life to follow and lead. and I know that where I fall short, is where grace kicks in, and I am loved for even trying.
SO to come across a company like this with a product like they have- to be excited is an understatement. I think it is high time we stop trying to bring "coolness" to Christianity, and just be who we are, and speak our minds, and be CHRISTlike, and do what we do- which is all kinds of things that are cool. Yes, we surf; yes, we design; yes, we are into fashion; yes we watch tv; and yes- we like to wear cool clothes, especially if they have a story, or mean something to us, and no not all of us would be deemed as "cool". But who FREAKIN' CARES!!!!
Some of us like to wear the best clothes, even. FYI: Jesus himself wore the nicest clothing a person could get their hands on at the time, an EPHOD. Don't believe me, look into it...

Now that I have that off my chest...

In that spirit, as I usually do, it is time once again to pass along my good finds and my love for certain things straight to you!
As I posted back in June of this year -click here to see-, the first prego pic I put online was of me in a really cool tee shirt that I explained was not a maternity shirt, but I had to utilize it thusly, because of the subject matter. What I failed to mention is that I absolutely LOVE this company and have several of their shirts. I can't remember how I came upon them, it may be through contacts I had while working at Relevant Magazine, but their stuff is the BEST I HAVE FOUND! Really COOL DESIGN, a really STRONG MESSAGE- one which I subscribe to as well, and stuff that causes other people to ask- which is my mission in life. To get people to ask.

This is the shirt with the baby boy in a basket on it:

These are the others I bought too...

I actually bought this one for my husband for Father's Day too:

EVERY time I or he wears one, someone asks where I got it, or comments on how they love it!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this company and their products because I believe wholeheartedly in what they are doing. AND more practically speaking, their customer service is very good! Anytime I have ordered from them, I have been shocked at how quickly it shows up in my mailbox.
CHECK out the Christian Tee's HERE. Make sure and read through the website to get a feel for these guys and what they stand for.

Happy Shopping!!!

Memaw- a hero.

2008-09-01T22:45:00.003-04:00

One of the most beloved women in my life, that I have had the honor of calling "Meemaw" for the last 10 years is laying in her bed dying at this very moment. Her earthly tent has finally given out. They don't expect her to make it through the night. One of the most amazing examples of "GODLY" on this earth. A true Matriarch. She is old. She has run an long and glorious race. We just didn't think cancer would be what took her. She has been fading for the last year, it all seemed so quick- the last few months have been the worst. She is Anna. Her daughter is my Pastor and my mentor~ And I am one of the people privileged to have learned from her and her mother. And to see them interact, and to see the love and honor that daughter alway bestowed upon mother. What FAITH, what INTEGRITY, what CHARACTER. She and her daughter have taught me the meaning of those words and shaped me into the woman I am today. She has served up until the last. She has cried with me, believed for me, cooked amazing rum cake for me- THE best- no joke (and no one could pry that recipe from her), and most of all prayed for me, (as a regimen, she would wake at 6am to intercede every morning, not to mention the meetings upon meetings she attended just for the purpose of bringing petitions before God.) They just don't make 'em like this anymore- Oh, what a long way our generation has to go!!!

I hope to be half the woman she was in life. I know she will be welcomed at the gates with a trumpet blast announcing her name as she runs, full of her restored youthful vigor, into the stadium, packed with those who were cheering her on through the finish line. Ready to receive her gold medal. Ready to receive her applause. Ready to receive her recognition! Ready to receive her crown adorned with thousands of jewels. Each representing a life she changed!
MeeMee, you will be missed~ but only for a short time. We will be joining you soon, and you will be there to cheer us on when it is our turn to run into the stadium. And receive our standing ovation. You are an inspiration to anyone who has ever taken the time to get to know you. The Kingdom of Heaven here on earth is losing a hero. Can we even hope to fill your shoes? They are shoes of gold. And they ought to be retired. Because no one will be able to fill them like you.

LABOR day... (NOT!)

2008-09-01T21:42:00.013-04:00

The tiniest part of me really thought we would "go" today... it being labor day and all...
The signs were all there.
I have been having contractions every 5 minutes, every night since I last wrote. Lasting anywhere from all evening, to a couple of hours. Then I go lay down in my bed or take a warm shower and they pretty much go away until the next day. Although, I did have a couple in my sleep last night that woke me up.
I am beginning to wonder if I will know when it is time, with all these sporadic contractions! They are not "Braxton Hicks" they are real contractions. They vary in intensity as well. Some I have to stop moving. Some, I can move right on through. Do I get out and start walking, or will that just exhaust me for no reason? It is too hot to walk outside during the day right now, I would pass out from overheating. And walking in the mall leads to spending money. :( Now that it is night, I am thinking of putting on some mosquito protection, and taking a walk around the neighborhood, because it is as cool as it's going to get this time in September. I do not want to spend the night in triage. Better to let them go until morning, me thinks.

I am SOOOOOO ready to meet little Rio Chaim.
So is everyone else.
I have this big event I am helping to plan/put on this weekend. But I am ok with missing it. Some things are more important!
I am in the phase where I am going stir-crazy, however I do not want to be seen in public. I am sick of being gawked at. And really, who said it was ok to walk up to a complete stranger and say- "OMG, you're so big!!!" or, "are you sure there is just one in there?" I can put on appearances for only so long as the hormones allow, and these days it ain't that long...

OH- BTW, all this time (9 mos.) I have been so happy because I was looking forward to my husband's 3 WEEKS of paternity leave that we would have to adjust and bond as a family. Well, albedam, guess what he tells me tonight? HE HAS NO paternity leave AT ALL. NONE. zero zip. "Some"one told him wrong (several months ago, by the way, because we have been believing this all along)! He checked into it, and found that any time he takes off to be with me, comes out of vacation time -which we have already used most of it up for this year, with our cruise we took, and other stuff. I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I am feeling at this very moment. This is why I blog sometimes. Either blog or cry.
Sometimes both.

ME at 9 months. Yes that is a princess crown on my head. I can if I want. I may even give birth with it on, if I want. This is one of my Isabella Oliver shirts , and a really cool way I found to wrap it.

Thursday- NADA! Update on the Update

2008-08-28T11:38:00.003-04:00

Last night:
Took a warm shower, laid in bed on my side, and like MAGIC, they stopped.
After 2 and a HALF hours!
Ridic!

I'm just sayin'... update and a scare!

2008-08-27T22:08:00.005-04:00

Timing contractions tonight. Been having them every 5 minutes for the last 2 hours. Lasting at least one minute long. Don't want to get hopes up, but... I'm just sayin'

This after a looooong, and very stressful day which began by my doc telling me at my appt. this morning that I have shown NO PROGRESS by way of dilation, baby is at -2 and I m 50% effaced. Went to the mall to walk with my sister. Stocked up on Aveda products. Proceeded to my sis's house where Vivia played with her cats. Minutes after parting ways, VV started screaming crying from the back seat rubbing her eyes, and I saw in the rear-view-mirror that her face was covered with hives and little blisters her little lips swollen and her eyes bloodshot and lids covered with hives as well, and was clawing at her throat saying her neck was itching...
OMG! Think think think, what do I do?
I remembered I happened to have some children's chew-able Benadryl in the car, I pulled over the car and frantically dug for it, gave her one and then called Gabe. I have never been allergic to anything that I know of, but he has (cats, apparently) and so I asked him what I should do then. I was very close to a hospital- the same one she was born at, actually, and so I pulled in straightaway! Went in to the ER, and they rushed us back pretty fast, I have to say, I am impressed with the care and service and attention we got at Florida Hospital Altamonte, in their brand-new ER!
This allergy attack came on so suddenly, out of nowhere! Is probably the most frightened I have been since being her mom. Long story short, doc told me I did the same thing they would have done, and the Benadryl worked perfectly well- MAJOR PROPS to Children's Chewable Benadryl- (she thought it was candy and took it gladly), no need for more steroids or anything. He did prescribe me a "shot" to carry around though because of how quick this did happen~ next time, if it seems her throat is closing up, I am to just jab it into her leg immediately. Whaaaaa?

Anyway- Scary day. She konked out at around 6pm and is still in bed sleeping.
Thank you Jesus for protecting her-
No more kitties for Vivia. So sad, she loved them so much and had such a good time playing with them.

Anywhoo, I am off to lay down and see if these contractions stop or slow.
Till later...
Yep, here comes another, right at 5 minutes! *contraction*
They aren't painful, really. Just tight- and take my breath. Some are a bit painful tho- not the hard core ones I know are inevitable.
Come on, baby Rio!
If he's born in the next few days, he'll get to meet his Abuelo who is here from Venezuela right now. If not, he will have to wait until after Christmas when we all meet in Cancun for a family vacation.

Announcing... PRCM' What does it mean?

2008-08-26T01:45:00.008-04:00

Wha??? you may ask.

Well, since you did~
Gabriel's father is Pablo. And G really wanted to name our boy in honor of his father.
I had a couple of qualms with it, not with the honoring his father part, but:
1. I am/we are HUGE on meaning. The most important thing to me is that we speak only blessing over our children their whole lives. And Pablo means "small". hmmm. This was our starting point.
2. Pablo is really hard to say in the English dialect.
3. All I can think of is the Blue little penguin on the Backyardigans, or Picasso.

BUT, I lOVE that G felt so strongly about honoring his father, and I agreed with that. So~
on to Phase 2:

"How can I learn to love "Pablo"?"

I somehow came across other versions and found the Italian/Brazilian one "PAolo" which, for some reason to me, is so much sexier! However, numbers 1 and 2 (above) withstanding. But at least I am not picturing a tight, stressed-out, singing cartoon character with an ear cut off.

So then I start thinking, what things are GOOD if they are small? (So as to pair it with his middle name to strengthen the meaning to us.) and thus came up with a bunch of diff't options like Paolo Lucius. "Little Light" as in "this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..." Gabe vetoed Lucius right away stating that Lucius, in Spanish, is the same as Lucifer. :) Which still means "angel of light" or something like that, but who would name their kid Lucifer? Another was Paolo Liam "Little Warrior"- but my good friend Joy who is also preg. with a boy laid claim to it the second she found out the sex of their baby. Plus the whole "Tori and Dean" thing makes me puke in my mouth a little...

As I was thinking, and praying about all of this over the course of several weeks, a scripture came to my mind from Ezekiel. The writer is painting a picture of a river starting from the altar of God from inside the temple. The river starts out small, but as it flows, it becomes deeper and deeper and deeper, bringing life and healing everywhere it flowed in the desert. And I quote " "So where the river flows, everything will live." And I immediately got goosebumps and knew that I knew that I knew, this was his destiny! READ THE WHOLE TEXT HERE "RIO" or River in both Spanish and Portugese. Little RIVER- Also, as a side-note, my husband learned Portugese this year at work (since he works with so many Brazilians), while I was busy at home growing PRCM, Yes I said he learned Portugese. This is my husband- he's one of those. Another RIO connection.
When I first mentioned it to G, I thought for sure he would never go for it, I was almost ready to not even say it for fear of it being instantly shot down. But a few days later, he asks me how I came up with it- (which means he's been really thinking about it), and before I could tell him, he mentioned the SAME scripture in Ezekiel, and that's what he thought of with that name! (can you say soul-mate?) SCORE! ,
Remember that phrase "So where the river flows, everything will live." because it leads us to our next and final point:

"CHAIM"- [pronounced K+long I+um, Kai-um] - as in "L'chaim!" our equivalent of "Cheers" or "Salut!"- glass held high! Chaim means "Life" in Hebrew-
Neither of which Gabe or I are or speak~ but we love the thought of it as a name, and we also love the rich Hebrew heritage we share as followers of Jesus the Jew! It was a name we had come up with back when we didn't know if Vivia was a boy or a girl yet. We held on to it. And now we see it goes perfectly! ALSO,

: We claimed a "life verse" for our family when we were first married, back in 2000.
John 10:10b "He came that they might have life, life to the full." It is a verse that anchors us as a family, and describes our goal as a family, and our family mission. Thus, a very strong theme to us and so why not name our children accordingly?

Vivia Victoria means "A Full Life of Victory"
Paolo Rio Chaim means "Little River of Life"
Seeing the pattern?
Vivia Victoria has an awesome story behind her name too- will post that at another time.

So add all that into a big pot stir it up, and out comes: "Paolo Rio Chaim Martinez"
"Little River of Life"

Now, seeing as Paolo is so hard to say in English, we will either call him Chaim or Rio.
I am having a hard time deciding between the two because they are both so cool and sexy and strong!

Gabe votes Chaim, I vote Rio. Vivia- Chaim. I am outnumbered at the moment.
Paolo or Rio when we are in Venezuela or other Spanish speaking countries, and Chaim in the USA?

I guess we will know for sure when we set eyes upon him any day now. Now he can come, he has a name!

I love this... not mine-

2008-08-26T01:10:00.004-04:00

I found a new blog I love! (click on link to read it straight from HER blog...)
M.Writes

Here is a sample of why (I love this! It's so sweet!) :

things to remember when i'm a mom.

01. read to them and let them read to me. even if it takes forever.

02. paintbrushes and a bucket of water on a sunny sidewalk creates instant and harmless masterpieces.

03. call the babysitter and tell them how much fun the kids had with them the other night.

04. don't try to do too many things at once. be present in the moments. don't rush the doing.

05. carry snacks. and bubble gum.

06. believe in the power of the bribe.

07. don't assume that every restaurant and/or home is child proof. watch them close.

08. let them make decisions. (but not every decision. remember who's in charge.)

09. make a journal, documenting things they say. it's too easy to forget.

10. take pictures. not just when they are dolled up on sunday mornings but even on the days when they dump rice krispies all over the sofa.

11. eat around the table together more often than not.

12. praise them. say sweet things about them on the phone when they're still in the room.

13. keep dating my husband. try to find more subjects than the kids to chat about. remember to ask him about his life too. even if mine gets super overwhelming. remember what it's like to be thick in a career.

14. make family traditions. even simple ones like kissing them before they get on the bus, cutting their sandwiches in silly shapes or going on sunday evening walks.

15. create cute nicknames for them.

16. write notes and stick them in their lunchboxes. even when they are too old for lunchboxes, leave it on the bottle of orange gatorade in the fridge.

17. volunteer at their schools. be available to bring forgotten homework or to fix their wig for the halloween parade.

18. hang up their artwork. put favorites in frames that descend down the staircase wall.

19. go on trips with and without them. let them see the grand sights of world. but remember to be a person all by myself too.

20. remember what's really important: children wearing hannah montana sneakers, not that important; exercising agency, very important.

21. buy them the book of their choice; let them learn to love to read.

22. sing them each their own lullabye and say prayers every night.

23. be on their level. play with them on the floor. hold them in my lap. ride roller coasters together.

24. tell them all the reasons why they are special. again and again and again.

25. say i love you. because you can never say it enough. yet refrain from yelling it to them from the car window on the first day of junior high.

I want, I want ~ Will try to do it myself...

2008-08-25T16:32:00.009-04:00

Kiki and Polly, is a company formed by artist, Lisa Golightly, who had the desire to bring back the idea of painted portraits and has, in the process, come up with templates for hip, shabby chic , child portraits with a modern twist. They are so cute, and can be purchased complete with your child's face inserted into the painting. Check it out here...
Such a cool idea.
When I give it a shot, I will def. show you!
In the meantime, enjoy the website. It is sooo darling! Her stuff is available for sale on Etsy here. Don't know about Etsy, you say??? OMG- I love Etsy! One of the few places you can find original stuff- is an amazing venue for artists and crafts men and women. Like an online version of an Art Fair. Only it is for all types of handmade things, not just art.

Baby really can be a ROCK STAR with this...

2008-08-25T00:06:00.000-04:00

Baby really can be a ROCK STAR with this...
This is so funny and clever!
I had to order the Bob Marley one for Gabe as his "Congrats Daddy" present! And also The U2 one - more my taste! This is a company that decided to remake rock albums- LULLABYE style. The company is called ROCKaby Baby and the list goes from Greenday and Smashing Pumpkins to the Ramones and the Beatles. They even have an old fave of mine: the Pixies! You have to check it out! SO FUNNY...

I know.. I know...

2008-08-24T22:22:00.001-04:00

I am playing around with the layout of my Blog and I wanted to include a soundtrack, and the only thing I have figured out so far juts out into the actual blog~ I know! BUT, if you scroll over it (the blog) the photos will pop up over the music player. Aesthetically it bugs... but you don't have to look at it. Just listen.
Hope it makes you smile.

Coincidence... I think NOT!

2008-08-23T17:06:00.000-04:00

Real quick...
I just popped open a Perrier- something I haven't had in a while due to horrible heartburn-
but one thing I have noticed recently when I have had anything carbonated... BabyinTheBelly gets the hiccups! Coincidence... I think NOT! l
Learn all you ever cared to know about hiccups here.

Doc's Visit -- not much to report--

2008-08-23T12:23:00.000-04:00

Went to the doc on Thursday.
50% effaced. ZERO dilation!
Doc said go ahead off of BED REST! YAY! NO MORE BEDREST- thought I was going cukOOO! Only two weeks of it, I can't imagine those of you who had to do it entire preg's. EEEEK

This should keep me busy for the next two weeks. BY THE WAY, Doc told me we could induce at 38 weeks as long as everything looks favorable etc. SO that is why I am referencing 2 weeks. I am 36 this weekend. So if goes as planned (yah right) then he will be born sometime the week of Sept 8th. WE PRAY.

MORE really good finds- my checklist...

2008-08-23T11:59:00.000-04:00

Have made a list (yet another) of things I need to do before the baby comes.
Some of which included buying a few things now that we are all showered up!
BTW: THANKS GIRLS so much, again for my awesome shower~sprinkle...

I am putting some of this on here because a lot of it is really cool stuff I have found and want to pass along.

FIRST Of all: BEFORE doing ANY online shopping, go HERE to RetailMeNOt.com SO AWESOME, you type in a website in the search and it will bring up any COUPONS or DISCOUNT codes available- so a quick way to save a few bucks.

Now, on to the shopping...

~ Moby/Sleepy Wrap= after wearing the Isabella Oliver shirts, I realized that this type of idea would be great with a baby IN it, and lo and behold, there are several options out there for it. I couldn't wait to have a Baby B'jorn last time which ended up really hurting my back. So I looked into more Ergonomic options this time.
I also feel with this baby particularly that he would have more of a need for "wearing". With Vivia, she was pretty independent from day one: hated swaddling, "wearing" her didn't really calm her. So we'll see if my intuition is correct with PRCM. I personally bought SleepyWrap because to me, they look exactly the same, and SW was cheaper.

~Ergo Baby Carrier= I already have this, I bought it a few months ago because this is the one I researched and found that it has the highest ratings for back comfort. Can be worn in front or back. And was designed by a Chiropractor! And looks really cute too! I got it in the mail and put Vivia (2 yrs. 35 lbs) in it on my back- 6 mos pregnant and barely felt her in there!!! I took her into IKEA like this- you should have seen the stares, it was awesome! But she loved it, and kept asking for the "backpack", "I wanna ride on your back". The only downside to this, and why I need a wrap also, is that they don't really recommend it for babies under 3mos- and even then, they have an infant insert (which I will let you know how it works...). But I am a big fan of this carrier and will report more on this as I use it with the baby. ERGO website here.

~ JuJu Bee Baby Bag= When you are wearing a baby up front, it is imperative that you have your baby bag on your back... This bag looks so cool, you can wear it several ways (backpack, sling/messenger style, stroller bag etc.) The insides have lots of pockets for us OCD mamas who have to keep stuff separate in the DB. Super cool, on the pricey side, but I got some cashola from my shower, so this is my (*wait, contraction*) splurge gift for myself.
This website I found it on MACROBABY.COM brags a price-matching policy where if you can find the item anywhere else cheaper, they will match it. And this bag was the cheapest (I found) on this site. I also looked online to find places to buy it in-store, and the markup was pretty substantial.

~ Lascal Buggy Board Maxi= I opted for this accessory instead of a double stroller because of Vivia's age. I will be "wearing" PRCM mostly in the first few months anyway, so VV can still ride in the stroller on trips to mall, Disney, Sea World, Cancun, Paris, Lima and beyond :) By then, I figure VV will be wanting to do more walking anyway. This will be a special "big sister" step. This "Buggy Board" transforms ANY stroller into a "Sit/Stand". And it folds up and out of the way when not in use. I haven't had the opp. to try it yet, but it seemed like it would fit my needs perfectly. I will let you know on this one as well... Here's where I saw it listed the cheapest: at HappyMothers.com

~ Adiri Natural Nurser Ultimate Bottle = Thought I'd give this bottle a try this time around. Comes with mixed reviews, but I will give it a shot when the time comes, and let you know. The idea of it is very appealing. The nipple really does resemble a boob. :) I pump so that others can help with feeding. And when nips are soooo sore in the beginning, I do half BreastMilk and Half Formula. Worked really well with Vivia. Is important to do really early on if you intend on bottle feeding at all because once you try and introduce a baby that has NO EXPERIENCE with a bottle, they are more likely to poo-poo it. I have a couple of friends who tried too late in the game and were unable to do this. The whole nipple confusion thing is such a debate, personally I think it is a bunch of Poop! And so does the "Baby Whisperer"- Whose methods I followed closely- and loved- and intend to again! These can be bought at any Babies R Us.

I need to get my day going now- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is over which means my babysitting time is up! lol!
"See You Real Soon!"

A pound per minute...

2008-08-20T23:38:00.000-04:00

Tropical Storm Fay is sitting over my house right now. She's not moving very quickly, but I wish she'd move on... b/c the low-pressure is making me contract like crazy! Weird how nature and our bodies interact without us really even paying attention.
Can't sleep again. I know I won't be getting any sleep once PRCM arrives, and all, but at least I COULD sleep if and when I could sleep. Ya know?
UUuuuugh.
My friend Crystal had Baby Rowan yesterday. Over 9 lbs! Pushed for only nine minutes~! That's one minute per pound!
WAY TO GO CRYSTAL!!!
Please God let me push for only nine minutes!
None of this over an hour and a half stuff again!
She's so beautiful! Pics courtesy of Christine (same friend who did my prego pics.)

FAVORITE things... Brooke Fraser, fave song and performer - right now

2008-08-18T02:59:00.000-04:00

My favorite song right now...

Video has not the ability to portray how deep this song touches me. Watch the video, but only to hear the song, concentrate on the lyrics (below), they may just change your life!
No, for serious!

If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,
then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined, I'm compared

[CHORUS]
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

[CHORUS]

[BRIDGE]
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love,
I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming