You're A Good Mom

I saw this on a great mom group that I'm in on Facebook... Thought it was worth sharing. At the end of the day, we may do some things differently but we are all in this mom thing together and are all doing our best for the little ones we love most. 

Good job, moms. 

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 

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 

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...

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

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

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