4th of July Recap!

This 4th of July we (the munchkin, hubbers and I) headed down to the Keys (Marathon, FL to be exact) to spend good ol' America's independence day with the family. My aunt had rented a very nice house with a pool and dock right in the backyard....how awesome was that! I was extremely excited, since it would be mimi's first time getting into a pool. We bought one of those inflatable turtles with a little roof for some shade on top (thanks to Walmart), but that still did not keep my little bat from clinging onto me with her face on my chest to hide herself from the sun. She absolutely HATES the sun....so badly that I am even referring to my daughter as a little bat (since they hate the sun as well and only come out at night, lol). It didn't turn out as bad as I thought though. I was sure to "over" protect her from the suns powerful UV rays and yes, you could say I was putting 50+ sunblock on her as often as I could (but who says that's a bad thing anyway?). As for the fireworks, we had a blast lighting up our own explosives. Nothing too dangerous, it was all in good fun. As for food, we had some amazing omelets for breakfast and bbq for lunch and dinner....all compliments of my uncle. He could probably start his own cooking show with those culinary skills! Finger-licking good, I tell you!

Well, I guess that's a wrap on our 4th of July adventures. Enjoy the pictures....

In the inflatable turtle....



Soaking up the sun....



With my little cousin Melany....

To read or not to read...??

Who saids that reading to your baby is not beneficial for their development? Even though my lil munchkin probably does not understand half the things I'm reading to her, I know that the more I read to her, the more knowledge she will gain for the future. Reading should be a very important routine in any baby's daily activities. My little "goofy" (she's now acquired that nickname because she has a little gap between her two front teeth, lol) has grown quite an interest in books lately, especially one called "B is for Bear". I think it's due to the fact that it is a touch and feel style book and the pictures are fairly large and colorful.

Check out some of her books....

Happy B-day Mama!!!

Another birthday to mama (me)! Today I turn 25 and although I would prefer to start going backwards in age instead of forward (lol), it doesn't seem all that bad. I couldn't ask for anything more on this day then to spend it with the people I love the most. When I woke up this morning, my first thoughts were of Giara (my daughter) and Chunky (the hubbers nickname). This birthday is a special one indeed, as it is the first one I will be celebrating as a mom. I guess you could say it's a bit different (well, alot different) since everything I do now revolves around my daughter, which doesn't bother me one bit. She keeps me focused on what's important in life...family, love and togetherness. So, to keep this short and sweet because I have a slice cake waiting for me (compliments of my gracious co-workers), I am looking forward to a night of take-out for dinner (no cooking for me today), a nice cake accompanied by loud out of tune "happy birthday" music (lol), and my home full of those dear to me. Tomorrow night I have plans to go out dancing with some friends. I'm so excited (it's been a while)!!!

Ok, back to the celebrations....adios!

To all the ladies on Mother's Day!

This Sunday is Mother's Day and aside from wishing all mothers, mothers-to-be and not-yet mothers a wonderful day, I wanted to share with you all a little insight on how I feel about being a mom. I know it's only been about 9 and a half months, but here it goes!

Before I had my daughter, I thought that being a mother was mostly surrounded with constant feedings, sleep deprivation, and tons of diaper changes. While those things are obviously a huge part of it, they are merely just physical aspects. What really took me by surprise is the way I feel when I just sit and stare at her playing across the room or the way her face lights up with a huge smile when I walk into the room because I am her world and she is mine. Being a mother is like taking your heart out of your chest and watching it walk all around you. It has taught me about being patient and loving unconditionally. I have also found a new appreciation for my own mother, mother-in-law, grandma and aunties. Not to mention it has made me less of a perfectionist. I don't worry so much about the small insignificant things. I can just sit at home in my pj's, with my hair in a ponytail and I know that in her eyes all she sees is "mommy". I know, it's amazing!

So, let me end this email with a beautiful quote I once heard...."A mother is GOD in the eyes of a child".

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!