The joys of toddlerhood

Toddlerhood has proven to be a lot more challenging than I ever imagined... it is crazy, it is exhausting, it is draining and sometimes even torturous!

I can't understand how two little girls can have SO MUCH energy and I can't help but hope that they will calm down soon... hopefully VERY soon...

Olivia NEVER sleeps.. I think she gets in about 6 or 7 hours of sleep per day.. that's without any naps or quite time (because those are unknown concepts to her), yet she's NEVER calm and never tired.. when she's awake she's either talking, singing, crying or yelling... I feel like her sole mission in life is to test my patience.. and believe me... she does!

Gaby does nap some but not much.. She goes to bed around 8pm and sleeps until about 7am.. not so bad, right? Well, it is bad if you add the fact that whenever she's awake she's another ball of energy... recipe for disaster!

None of them understand the meaning of the word "NO" and rarely ever follow any of my commands.. they both have a mind of their own (crazy minds, that is) and they seem to constantly be doing SOMETHING... whatever it is!..

It has become almost impossible to eat out with them because they're so disruptive and loud! It is so frustrating!

I'm so incredibly exhausted and need a serious break!.. Maybe I can go to Europe or a deserted beach for a month?? Ahhh!! One can only dream, right?

Ohh!! The Joys of Toddlerhood...

Wordless Monday...

Meeting baby Alexander Eemeli

Today we met baby Alexander Eemeli, who was born on Wednesday March 23rd, 2011 to Enrique and Minna, our cousins from Finland.

Baby Alex was 7 lbs 13 oz and 20.5 in long.. he is the most adorable little thing and has the most wonderful parents any baby can ask for.

We spent a little over an hour with baby Alex and his parents, who needless to say, are super exhausted and sleep deprived!

Minna and Enrique are so thrilled to have their first little baby in their arms, and I, of course, was super happy to hold the little cutie!

Congrats guys! You did a great job!

Martyna's Bridal Shower

Today we celebrated Martyna's bridal shower at BRIO Tuscan Grille. I hosted and organized the party from start to finish and it was wonderful..

Martyna was so happy with the way everything came out and all the girls had a blast..

The food was awesome, the games were fun and the gifts were amazing... so the shower was a success!

The wedding will be on April 29th and I can't wait to see my best friend marrying the man of her dreams! So much fun!

Sophie's 4th birthday

Today, the girls attended Sophie's 4th birthday party with Iggy, who took them while I was at my best friend's baby shower (which I happened to be hosting)...

It was a pool party and according to Olivia's stories, they had a blast and enjoyed a wonderful time with their little friends..

It sucks that I missed the party, but it was a good experience for Iggy, who practiced being super daddy for a day! ;)

It's all about perspective (..and attitude...)

Yesterday I experienced one of those "epiphany" moments.. it was weird but stimulating at the same time!

It suddenly came to me that it's all about "perspective" and about how you approach life and everything that comes with it...

You may be asking yourself "what the hell is she talking about"... well, here's the story....

I was at school yesterday and while I was waiting for the professor with one of my classmates (who happens to be in a wheelchair, but still tries to make the best of life), I met a girl, her name is Dominique Watson; she began telling us about her academic career and how she got her master's degree in 9 months and was now finishing off her PhD program.. She went on to briefly describe her academic and personal goals, which include working for the UN, becoming a senator and who knows what else... I said to myself "wow, I'm inspired".. I told her I'd blog about her and she smiled and said "thank you"... maybe she thought I was joking?.. who knows, it's very likely...

So, my class started, my class progressed, my class ended and I was still on the high of inspiration (thanks Dominique)... it was lovely..

After class I went to Publix to do my weekly grocery shopping and as I was getting ready to leave, right in front of me at the check out lane, there was this "skanky looking" girl buying what seemed like food for an army.. it was so much food that even the cashier commented "wow, that's some shopping".. the girl smiled and proceeded to say "yes, I love it, THEY pay for it, that's the only reason I buy so much crap", all this while she whipped her FOOD STAMP CARD! Yes.. that's right..government paid food! She proceeded to explain the cashier that she gets $700/month on food stamps and described to him (proudly too) how she had LIED in the application in order to get the benefits.. She said to him "you should do it, it's so easy" and went on to explain every step of the application and every LIE he should write in order to get money from the government... it was embarrassing...after the cashier charged the food stamp card with over $200 worth of groceries, she had a balance of $10 (I'm assuming it was for stuff she couldn't pay with stamps).. she said very loud "What? $10? no way!" and seemed rather upset about having to actually PAY out of her pocket for the balance!

Now, I know that A LOT of people do this and it irks me just the same.. but seeing it in front of my eyes just bothered me so much.. especially after I had been inspired by a girl, who is literally "busting her ass" to reach her goals, and probably drowning herself in student loan debt to be a better person! ... and the "skank" at the supermarket is proud because she was able to CHEAT the government?? It's really sad! I really despise FREE LOADERS and feel so frustrated for not being able to act on my anger...

I understand some people NEED these benefits and I'm proud to be able to contribute to the less privileged, but this is one of those times when I literally had to bite my tongue to avoid a confrontation... it's just so disgusting... If you're a "free loader", SHAME ON YOU.. and if you're not one and understand my frustration.. I thank you for that!

I really wish we had more people like Dominique Watson, who are striving to be better every day to make our world a better place!

Again.. it's all about perspective and attitude!..and I hope that "skank-food-stamp-user-bitch" gets what she deserves! (Yes! I'm angry)..

..and all this comes after my vent about my busy/crazy days.. thankfully it just inspires me even more! I never want to be THAT person!

thanks for reading!

I can do it, I can do it, I can do it!!!

TWO MORE WEEKS! That's all I've got left to finish this term.... I CAN DO IT! or so I hope!!!!

I'm so mentally exhausted, I look like crap and I feel like I'm just not producing like I should..

This is what my days look like lately:

6:30am: Wake up, get myself and the girls ready to start the day..

7:30am-8:00am: drop them off at school and babysitter

8:00am-5:00pm: work, work, and more work.. and some homework, grocery shopping and other stuff in between...

5:00 pm: pick the girls up from school and babysitter.. then drop them off at home with Iggy or our maid so I can head to class..

6:00 pm-9:00 pm: Class, please note that classes are super intense.. after all, it's GRAD school..

9:30 pm: come back home, make dinner.. help Iggy get the girls ready for bed (in case he hasn't yet... although I must say he's pretty good about doing it on his own)

10:00 pm-11:00 pm: TV time, talk time, computer time..in other words DEBRIEFING!

11:30pm: BED TIME... the sweetest time of the day...

... all that and then repeat... Can I say EXHAUSTED??? Ahh.. that doesn't even begin to explain the level of my "tired-ness".. On top of that there's homework, projects and all the good housewife stuff!..

I'm definitely looking forward to some time off!!!!!!

Wordless Monday...

Prayers for Izzy

This time I'm writing to ask everyone to pray for little Isabel and her family...

Isabel is the youngest daughter of my good friend Kim, whom I've met through WTE when I was pregnant with Olivia.. We have become so close throughout the years and I consider her one of my best friends..

Her daughter Izzy, who is only 15 months old has been having seizures since yesterday (a total of 7 so far) and was admitted to the hospital last night.. Even though her CT scan is clear, the neurologist has ordered several other tests to determine what is wrong with her... There's a reason to believe she has some kind of seizure disorder..

Naturally, Kim and her husband Brian have been feeling scared, nervous, frustrated, etc and they ask everyone to pray for little Izzy...

So, if you pray, please do it for Izzy.. if you don't pray, please send all the positive vibes and thought possible!

Thanks!

Cecilia's Baptism

Today we attended baby Cecilia's baptism, which was held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Naples, FL.

Cecilia 5 months old; she is the youngest daughter of our good friends Jicham and Alejandra and little sister to Ezequiel, who is 2 years old.. she's such a beauty!

I was the "designated photographer" so I spent a lot of time just snapping a way.. it was fun..

After the ceremony we went to a little party at the clubhouse of the Zaatini house...

It was such a great day!

..here's baby Cecilia with her godparents, right when she was being baptized...

..and here's the little beauty.. celebrating her special day!

Congratulations baby Cecilia!

St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day from our family to yours...

We didn't drink any green beer and didn't go to any crazy party either but it was still a fun day filled with the same old, same old!

Gaby is 20 months!

My little princess is 20 months today!.. only 4 more months until she is 2!!! Ahhh!! Why can't time just slow down, just a little bit???

She's so much fun and such a joy in our lives.. She is so talkative and so active.. Gaby can say phrases and says over 100 words.. She's also a little parrot, just repeats everything she hears.. it's so much fun to hear her just talk away.. wow!

Gaby loves to dance, loves to play and is now starting to do somersaults.. not sure where THAT came from!!!??

On a bad note, she has a horrible TEMPER! wow! It's her way or the high way! Sometimes she's too much to handle when she's in one of her moods.. she's not exactly the tantrum kind but it is rough to calm her down when she goes ballistic! I really hope this changes soon....

I'm already planning Gaby's birthday party and it's so exciting.. It will be a "Tangled" themed party, as chosen by Olivia.. she's the boss after all!

Happy 20 months Gaby!!!

Weekend and such...

What a weekend this was! So much fun and crazy action...

It all started Friday when we headed to Orlando...we got there around midnight so the girls were very exhausted...

On Saturday we went to Epcot Center and spent the whole day there.. they were having a Flower and Garden show and it was beautiful.. There were tons of plants and flowers around so it was great to just walk around...

...the girls had so much fun meeting the characters and going on all the rides...

The next day we went to Hollywood Studios and met more characters and went on more rides... (yes, I'm loving this Disney annual pass).. The girls were so happy and we were in turn happy to see them smile so much...

.. on the last day of our mini vacation, we went to pick tangerines.. We had so much fun picking fruit and eating it too.. so amazing...

.. so, I've been really lazy with my blog lately and I feel so bad for that.. I'm just so busy with school, planning vacations, and tending to my in-laws who are in town! Wow! It does get exhausting and crazy.. Hopefully I can get back to blogging at least every other day! ha!

Ash Wednesday

Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday, a day of repentance and renewal. It is the most popular weekday celebration of the Catholic Church, where all believers receive the ashes as a sign of regret and acceptance of the sins that we have committed.

Ash Wednesday is also the first day of Lent, a time of sacrifice for Jesus, a time to reflect and grow spiritually...

The three keys to lent are Fasting, Praying and Giving; three words that Catholics should live by in the next 40 days.

Catholics are asked to fast on Ash Wednesday as well as to abstain from eating red meat on every Friday of lent.

We are also asked to "give up" something, preferably something that gives us pleasure. I, in turn, have made my own resolutions for lent and they are as follows:

- No music in the car (this will make me appreciate silence and reflect during the day)

- Eating less chocolate (this is my biggest pleasure and downfall)

- No getting upset about silly things (this is a big one for me.. I'm so sensitive)

So.. that's all for now.. I hope everyone has a happy Lent.. full of prayer and sacrifice!

International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future.

This year's theme is "Equal access to education, training and technology". There are events held all over the world as women celebrate their existence and their accomplishments. For more information about International Women's Day, click here

As usual, today I am proud to be a woman and thankful to God for allowing to be who I am today...

"A beautiful woman draws strengths from troubles, smiles during distress and grows stronger with prayers and hope"

"Remember the dignity of your womanhood. Do not appeal, do not beg, do not grovel. Take courage, join hands, stand beside us, fight with us" Be a woman!

Happy Women's Day!

Wordless Monday...

Weekend recap...

This weekend was fun and relaxing.. and also WAY TOO SHORT! ahh!!

I went to a baby shower on Saturday (I didn't take any pictures..boo for that).. The baby shower was at BRIO restaurant, which I love.. I went by myself so it was a nice break..ha ha!

Yesterday night we celebrated Minna's 30th birthday... (Minna is the wife of one of Iggy's cousins)...It was a small gathering at her house; we ate cake and sang "Happy Birthday"..she is so sweet and is glowing with her pregnancy (she's 37 weeks).. such a wonderful night!

...today we went to church and also spent some time with my parents, who just got in from Alabama last night.. Gaby is so in love with my dad.. it's so sweet.. It's always so wonderful to spend time with family..

...now if the weekends could be longer!!! It's back to the grind tomorrow!!

March Madness!!!

(not to be confused with College Basketball March Madness!)

I've got my own March Madness... and it isn't pretty! My plate is full and it's about to break!

This month has already proven to be insane!...

It's only March 4th and all of this month's weekends are already full with some kind of plan.. yes, most of them are fun.. but can a girl get a break??...mmmm..maybe not!

I already complained about school work yesterday so I'm not going to do it again..but lord! I'm so exhausted..

On top of that, my allergies are acting up... Spring maybe?? I think so.. what a pain!

Iggy is such a workaholic.. comes home later each night.. so I end up being stuck at home alone!

The girls are so demanding and they just never get exhausted so that makes it all more difficult.....

I'm not looking forward to the time change (coming upon March 13th), because that will only mean that the days will feel longer..

On a good note though, my parents are coming this weekend and we're going back to Disney on the 11th...

I can't wait to go to bed tonight... and every night! ha!

Let the March Madness begin!!!

A week off from school...

...or so I thought!

This week has been insane!! It was supposed to be "reading week", which consisted of some time "off" to get caught up on readings and such! Yeah right!!

Turns out I've been stuck in the library just doing school work and trying to keep up with all the "special" assignments the professors are giving out...

I have the biggest headache and I'm already sick of grad school... and to think that I still have NINE classes left and a bunch of work on my table! Insane! I need a break!!!

The R-Word Campaign

My friend Maggie, who is mother to beautiful Rachel brought this to my attention and I thank her for that (thank you Maggie). I dedicate this post to all people with disabilities worldwide, who have been hurt by derogatory words, which are completely unacceptable. I dedicate this post to my sister Erika, who left our world but not our lives almost 13 years ago and was the most beautiful angel that has ever touched my heart. She was born with mental retardation and experienced being judged and diminished by people she didn't even know. I, as her sister, suffered with the ignorance and continued disrespect she was the victim of and that's why I want to STOP the use of the r-word and help people understand how much it hurts!

So it goes...

"I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand this word is hurtful to kind, productive, inspirational people. I pledge to take responsibility for the power words have on others – because we all have the power to open hearts and change minds"

The R-Word campaign was designed to communicate the hurtful nature of the "r-word" and remove it from daily use; to help people understand that this word is NOT acceptable under any circumstance. The campaign also seeks to promote RESPECT, unity, friendship and inclusion.

Take the pledge people!

For more information visit: www.r-word.org