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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Bad Things Happen in Threes

I just wanted to write a short "checking in" post to say that I apologize for not posting in a while...

The truth is... 
Over Memorial Day weekend, I went to Nashville, TN for a girl's trip with my two best friends. Long story short (I may blog later at length about these events when I am ready to) 

1. On Saturday I got a call from my husband while I was at the Grand Ole Opry saying that my grandma (on my mother's side) got hit by a car while trying to cross the street and was killed. 

2. Sunday, the following night, I was mugged while walking back to our hotel with my two best friends. The lady told me that she would kill me if I didn't give her my purse. Bye bye: purse, wallet, and phone. Hello: fear/anxiety in what would happen to me next... (I believe it happens in threes) 

3. Tuesday, last night, I picked up my new phone that my husband bought me to my father who was hysterical. My body went cold when all I understood was "Lala" - this is what I call his mother...my abuela (grandmother) and pretty much my second mother. My step mom grabbed the phone and said "call Lala, your great grandma in Cuba just passed away" 


So as you can see, my mind is focused on consoling my mother and my abuela... I'll check in again soon. 

Live every day like it is your last. As cliche as it sounds and is always said, it is so true. 

-Christina 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

For the Ladies to Read...

So many of you that know me on a more personal level, know that over the last year or so I have become extremely interested in health - natural health to be more specific. I know that this is my "family blog" but I really don't want to create another blog for things like this that I like to share with my loved ones as well. So, excuse me for the non-family photos and Ava updates... 

This is a not a glamorous topic but one I think is worth sharing. 

I came across this website and article/movie when I was researching the harmful effects of GMOs, pesticides, fragrances, artificial sweetners/colors in our bodies. 

I NEVER even thought about what we ladies put on or into our bodies every month!
(tampons and sanitary pads!) 



As I would read that cotton is one of the most Gentically Modified Organisms that is used, I would think to myself..."Well, I am not going to only buy organic clothing, nor do I ingest cotton- so I am ok..." 

Never did I even think about the fact that I am using these feminine products which are going on a super sensitive area and directly entering my body. In this article, you will read that these inorganic, feminine sanitary items had been shown to be linked to, "hormone disruption, cancer, birth defects, dryness, and infertility."

If you have not watched this medical documentary about how GMOs in our food are dangerous to our health - please do so! 
Here is a link to it

Click below: 

Medical Documentary on Genetically Modified Food - Genetic Roulette

I have shared this documentary and every single one of those who watched this well-made documentary has said that they "had no idea!" and thanked me so much for sharing it. The documentary was renamed on YouTube and therefore does not have the thousands of viewed hits that it previously had. 
It is narrated by Dr. Oz's wife - Lisa Oz. 
Now, my loved ones who have watched this are now able to make their own INFORMED decisions about what goes into their bodies. 

Take 1 hour and educate yourself! :) P.S. My husband enjoyed it too!
Also, here is the article about the feminine hygiene items I was referring to: 

Click below:

Conventional Feminine Hygiene Products : A Women's Issue with Toxic Implications

I will be on the hunt next time I go to Whole Foods for one of these  products. 



Hope you ladies take care of yourselves! :) 



XO
Christina 


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Just Me, Mom, and Some Horses

My gift to my mother for Mother's Day was a scenic tour on horseback.

My mom's grandpa used to take her to Bar-B-Ranch in Davie, FL (just 30min west of us now) on the weekends. She grew up around horses and absolutely loves them. She took me a couple times when I was very little and so I don't remember much. The photos that I have from those times are some of some of my favorites of her and I.

So I thought it would be nice to take her back to her old stomping grounds and enjoy some time with her beloved horses.

We had an amazing time. The trail was supposed to take about an hour an a half but took about 2hrs. A film crew was out recording scenes for a show called Glades(I think) and they are doing a reenactment of confederate soldiers. Thank goodness the film crew called
Bar-B-Ranch before filming because yesterday they were shooting off cannons... That's all I would have needed as an amateur horseback rider! A spooked horse!

Today they weren't filming any battle scenes so we were able to ride along just fine. My horse was named Dakota which I thought we appropriate because Mark was born in N.Dakota :)
My mom's was Mercury - a hungry horse that liked to stop and eat weeds from time to time. Haha They were both beautiful horses.

Today meant so much to me. I love being able to do something with my mom that she loves so much. I will definitely be taking her back for another ride.

Here are some pictures that she took with my phone that she held for me...















Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Mother's Day Pictures 2013

Much to my surprise I did not take a million pictures on my first Mother's Day. I was busy enjoying the entire day :)
Here are some photos from my mother in law's camera that she sent to me.
XO
Christina









Sunday, May 12, 2013

My First Mother's Day

This morning started off with me getting to sleep in and Mark getting up to feed Ava. He brought me hot tea to wake me up so I could get ready for 9:30 church. He gave me a card from him and one that "Ava made me."

His card came with nice gift for a new mama: a spa day :)

We went to church followed by brunch at his mom's house. We made crepes, had mimosas, and opened gifts.
One of my favorite parts was when Mark's mom cried after reading her card. (I just love a good happy tears cry :)

Now, I am poolside with my mama enjoying the sunshine together. This is how we unwind- lounging in the sun.

This year we gave my mother a scenic trail horseback ride with me. There is a ranch she basically grew up on about 30min of where we live. Bar-B-Ranch. She was so excited when she saw that she would be returning to her favorite childhood spot. That made me really happy.

Well, the day isn't over... Mark has been spoiling me all day. I have such a thoughtful and loving husband.

I'm feeling very blessed and grateful today.

Motherhood has taught me so much. I appreciate the fact that it has made slow down, take a deep breath when I get overwhelmed and realize that the days are long but the years (or in my case, months) are short. Little Ava is growing up so fast already. I'm cherishing each and every moment- even the times I have to go to her room in the middle of the night to help her find a pacifier or change her. I'll know that one day she will be 18 and I'll wish for her to need me again like that.

Thank you for choosing me to your mama, Ava. I'll always do my very best to make you proud of me.



Happy Mother's Day again to the amazing mothers in my life- and a special one to the new mothers. ;)

XO

Christina




Friday, May 10, 2013

Strolls with Ava

I don't know why but ever since I can remember I have looked forward to taking our baby on long walks. As soon as we knew we were expecting, I was looking forward to picking out our stroller!

We chose a Britax because we heard amazing things about their carseats and they just click onto the stroller.
Easy peasy.

Long story short...
I absolutely love my daily strolls with Ava.

We walk, observe, listen to music, sometimes mama has a Tervis tumbler in tow... with some wine for mama), stop and take some pictures, look at flowers, meet the neighbors, make small talk with the older women about Ava's big bows...

I love it all.

It's our time - just me, Ava- and sometimes, Cooper.

Walks are equally for Ava as they are for me.
A great way to relax and get the blood flowing. Getting outside and getting some vitamin D and fresh air is something we need every day...

Ava,
Thank you for making our strolls so much fun. You make everyone who passes us smile. How could they not?! Your bows alone are worth a smile ;) You bring happiness to everyone you see, Ava.

Can't wait to take you out tomorrow, little one.

XO
Mommy





Thursday, May 2, 2013

A Message to Ava at 6 Months Old


To My Sweet Girl,

You are 6 whole months today! Time is flying... Every month on the 2nd I think back to each little milestone you've accomplished, favorite memories so far, and even the not so easy times. But we did it... We are 6 months into being a family of 3!

Mommy and Daddy love you so much that there aren't even words to describe how much. Every night before we go to bed, daddy always asks me, "What is Ava doing?" and mommy always has to reach for to the baby monitor and show daddy, again and again, that you are peacefully, sound asleep. We love you so much we even love to watch you when you are sleeping.

Today is bittersweet. It marks the half way point of your infancy. 

At 8:50PM tonight, 6 months ago, mommy fought really hard to bring you into this world. The doctor didn't think that mommy could do it, but I did. I wanted to hold you so badly. From the moment daddy and I saw you, you changed the way we saw the world.




To us, you symbolize so much. You remind us that throughout all the years together, fun times and not so fun times, your mommy and daddy made sure to get to this point. We always knew we wanted a family and would always try and imagine what our child would be like.

Here you are, Ava Loren McGuire!

A bright-eyed, happy baby girl. You are now a whopping 18lbs and working on your third lower tooth like a champ. You are such a happy girl that not even teething brings you down...



You are trying so hard to sit up by yourself and are pro at rolling all over the place. You are already trying to talk and make funny squealing noises. When you get impatient for your bottle, you start quivering your lower lip and mumbling "ma ma ma ma!" and of course that melts mommy's heart and makes me run over to you as quickly as I can put down whatever I'm doing. I like to think your calling for me, specifically, but I'm sure that's just a sound you learned because mommy calls you "mama" all the time. It's the Cuban in me.

It's only a matter of time before you'll be running all over the house. As a matter of fact,  Daddy never walked, he got up and ran at 8 months! I hope you don't take after your daddy in that way...

Ava beans, munchkin face, the monster, slobber monster, pretty girl - are all names your daddy has given you. In these first 6 months, you are still looking like your daddy. Let's see what the next 6 months brings.

We better start planning your 1st birthday party soon. It will be here before you know it. I hate to tell you this, but you'll share your special day with the FSU v UM game. Mommy will make sure that Daddy's attention is on you and only you - but he may try and take you out of your birthday dress that's already waiting for you in your closet and put you in something garnet. You've been warned :)

So here's to a wonderful 6 months so far, my sweet girl. We love you.

Mommy & Daddy.


Cooper and the Ava the "slobber monster"