!Fiesta!

This week I'll be working like a Crazy Lady trying to get things done for the upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration here in my town. It's this Sunday, April 29th. A bit before Cinco de Mayo but it's all good. That means that Mommy's Little Monkey is turing 1!

Yes, we launched last year the exact same weekend. I'll definitley be celebrating after it's done with my favorite fiesta drink, a Margarita!

Cheers

Salud

Evie

Lumps

Tonight I was visiting fellow blogger sites. Motivated to spread the news on a topic posted on Mama Knows Breast- Breastfeeding Cuts Breast Cancer Risk, I wanted to give you the link so that you may educate yourself on this new Research Story.
Andi has a friend who is currently journaling her journey with breast cancer. Her journal includes when she finds out she has cancer, battling the Chemotherapy to loosing her precious hair. The way she handles each step is so heart moving.
Just as Kelly found a lump while nursing her little one , I too had/have a lump in my left breast that I found while nursing my first child eight years ago. I was immediately concerned about this lump. I went several times to the doctor for this lump in my breast but each time I was told that it was not common for a 23 year old, breastfeeding woman to have cancer. I was also told my breasts were/are fibrous and that I should not worry. For a while I've ignored the concern for this lump but I have been checking in from time to time just to see if it has grown. Again, I'm concerned. So far she has stayed the same size but getting checked would probably be the best thing to do, don't you think?
This story has motivated me to go back to my doctor to get it checked out again. Having lived with Alopecia as a child my worst fear is loosing my hair, as it is I don't have eyebrows because of it so when I was little being bald and eyebrowless, many people always asked my mom if I had cancer. Does this sound shallow or what? I mean who cares about this-Hair loss? Overall the average person would primarily think of CANCER first, but me HAIR LOSS! After reading Kelly's story I am humbled and feel ashamed for these emotions. Her strength-inspirational, her personality through all she has journaled-motivating, my prayers go out to Kelly and her family.
I am so glad I read this tonight and promise to make my appointment tomorrow to see my doctor on this lump in my breast. I also ask for you to spread the news on cancer and the connection of breastfeeding reducing the risk in women.

Evie

EARTH DAY

This Sunday, April 22ND, marks EARTH DAY. Celebrate with all responsible parents and people who want a better future for their children and generations of future family by supporting "The Sky Belongs To All of Us" http://earthday.net/sky3/.


Since I've become a mother pollution and becoming "Green" has been a priority. I continue to teach my children and incorporate Green living into my everyday activities including while running my business. Doing just a couple of things can help our environment. We can make a difference little steps at a time.


Learn about little things you can do to help here http://www.earthday.net/involved/envtips/default.aspx .





Evie

My Monkey Man turns three and Starts School in the same week!

Monkey man just turned three Sunday and we celebrated by removing his little horns in his much anticipated baptism. Yes! Finally maybe we'll see a halo start to appear. So far I haven't been able to see a thing around his head, maybe it takes some time.
The family came over and we had a small celebration combining his birthday in there as well. He's been into Monster Jam lately and so we ended up getting him a Monster Jam cake. For any of you who don't know what the heck Monster Jam is then let me explain. It's when these ginormous vehicles that sit on metal frames crash into each other and destroy various objects in their paths. They fall apart sometimes and make very loud noise while doing their destruction. Daddies love it, at least my hubby does.
If you live in a boy world you probably know all about it. I came from princess dress up, tiaras and wands with my two first monkey princesses to a world of Tonka trucks, Monster Jam and this great cartoon I have to tell you about, "Bigfoot Presents" on Discovery Kids. This great show can keep my monkey man occupied for a long time, he loves it! If I need to clean or get some lunch together I know exactly what to put on the tube feeling confident he's not destroying anything or hurting himself.
Well, he ended up getting a great lunchbox for his birthday from my brother and sister-in-law and monkey man is crazy about it. Today he woke up excited that he was starting school. We dressed him and then he and his sisters went to the kitchen to get ready for breakfast. When he knew it was time to get his snack together he scambled for his big Fire engine lunch box and made sure he was right there watching all that was placed inside it. Then he held on tight to it and would not put it down.
When it was time to take him and his sister to school I didn't think I would get emotional BUT I did. I felt confident his sister would be fine because she currently is in pre-school and is attending this new one with monkey man to help with the transition. When it was time to leave him I was taken over by many emotions. I just watched my last baby sitting at the play dough table sculpting away. He never really looked up at me or F . We said goodbye to the both of them and turned to walk away then he yelled "mommy I want a hug" then asked F for one too. We said good bye again and then off we went. I started tearing up and walking to the car the tears came down.
I'm happy that they're in school but it's a new little chapter in my life. I'm a scared it's all happening too fast yet I kind of asked for time to speed forward during my challenging moments with them. Now, it sits here in my lap and I want to rewind time and hold them in my arms again and change diapers......okay maybe not that part. I have to just take it in and see what lies ahead. More time for my business but the down side of it all is I now have six hours a week to myself so I have no more excuses for a dirty house :-(

Man!!!! Now you know what I did today-cleaned!

Evie

Peace


Although I am almost always a little delayed in my posting I wanted to get on and post my sincere condolences to all the families who lost a loved one during the awful attack at Virginia Tech. University yesterday. I also want to mention that not all students are "young"(18 yrs), single and without children. I was a mother while attending UCSD.
To all the victims may they rest in peace but for any children who lost a mommy or daddy in yesterday's attack, my prayers are also with you in this time of grieving and healing.

Evie

Two Months!

My best friend is two months post partum! Her Little monkey is so beautiful and is now staying awake longer and is more alert. I went over to visit the other night and somehow received diaper duty the minute I got there. I remember those days and actually miss them. I was so happy to have diaper duty. His mommy put his little mobile on and he cooed as I changed him. I couldn't stop holding him and loving him. I really miss the baby days.
BFF is doing so good too. Her transition into mommyhood has been quite a big one but she 's doing so good and is glowing. I actually remember not feeling very natural when I became a mommy and it was a huge challenge for me. Some days were great and I felt good about the whole new life I had and other days I felt like I was surely going to fail at this new job. I still have those days but most days I surrender to the fact that I'm going to mess them up no matter what! :-)
Really though, I love my job as a mommy and with time and more children you gain confidence and get the hang of it, I did.
To babies, they make us the mommies who we are and turn us into women we never thought we could be!

Moving To Texas!!!

No, I'm not moving to Texas at this very minute but my husband, F, came home from work the other day suggesting that we pick up and move there. What the heck is there in Texas for us? I mean no offense to anyone who lives in Texas, I'm sure it's great but we were both born and raised here in SD and have so much family here that I could not imagine leaving to a state where we have no one. I guess it comes down to the kids and what we will and can offer them in the future. Although he's concerned with these little monkeys who are growing up so fast I can't help but worry that we'll take them out there and once they're grown will be drawn back home to California where all of their family is, leaving us alone in a hot hell.
After discussing it with him a bit I do understand his emotions and so I decided to take a little trip with him to hell (I only mean the heat)to check it out. Austin to be exact is where we're headed to visit in one month.
To be continued.........

Spring Break !

So last week was spring break. It seems like I used to look so forward to it. To mornings I could sleep in and not have to rush around making coffee and watching it simmer and then turn cold as I pass it several times while getting the kids ready for school. To late nights watching movies and playing games or reading books with the kids. This year though, I looked forward to it but it was very fast and we still rushed around not to mention I never had a good cup of hot coffee.

We played at the park and had a picnic. The kids ran, rode scooters and played at the playground. We went to the Zoo and also visited the beach. It was nice and I took a break from working the whole week just to dedicate time to the kids.

Cheers to Spring!