New is always better

I was watching one of my favorite shows last night and one of the main points was that "New is always better". I started thinking about that phrase myself and the deep meaning of it. This is a society of the "New is always better". We are always looking for ways to make things better. We want the latest and greatest. We want what is "new".

But is it true though. I can see where in the case of technology that notion seems to be reasonable but when it comes to other things it is not so much. For example, we all learn numbers and letters pretty much the same way. We still have to pay with money for the things that we want. Babies still born the same way. Get the point?

It is the way that we do things that make things new. I am currently debating whether to keep using this platform for my blog or change to WordPress. I don't see that much difference (check new blog at www.flmami.wordpress.com) so I guess I will be analyzing if indeed "New is always better".

See you next time.

Free Chicken

As a working mom, the time you spend with your family is very limited and more so during the week. You have to maximize every minute, while you cook, while you clean, everything is synchronize in a way that you enjoy your family no matter what.

On Monday, I have asked my husband to buy a rotisserie chicken from Publix (local supermarket). It is 6:45 p.m., we are getting ready to have dinner and to my surprise the chicken was not fully cooked. I was so mad. Both husband and boy were hungry (and I was too) so we had to put the chicken on the oven for another 15-20 minutes.

At this point, I was livid. I had two options: let it go or call the supermarket and explained what happened. So I decided to call the supermarket. I was not looking for any compensation but I needed to have my voice heard. The manager was very kind and offered a free chicken.

It was not about the compensation or getting something for free, it was the principle that now another challenge was added to my busy schedule and my time with my family was decreased because of this incident.

Sometimes is the little things that matters and in this case, it came in the form of a chicken.

Best Vacations Ever!!

I have to say, I don't think Walt Disney never thought that his dream will become as big as it is. I was lucky enough to stay at yet another Disney resort this summer and boy did I enjoyed my vacation.

This time around, we booked a reservation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani. I figure, I like the resort, I like the restaurant Boma's so what the heck, let's book a reservation there. I love it!

From the minute you walk in, you feel like you are truly in Africa. The decor, the staff, everything was great! We stayed 3 nights in a studio and it was perfect. What was more perfect was the fact that since I was on property, I was able to enjoy the parks at my own pace and come back to the room so that my toddler could enjoy his daily nap.

Just having the leisure to do what we wanted when we wanted was great. And to top it all of, we booked the dining plan and it was awesome. At the beginning, I felt a little overwhelmed with the options but man, it was exactly what we needed and more food than we expected.

We enjoyed everything, but most of all the pool Kidani was the best for toddlers on property. You have to check it out.

I think we have now a new favorite resort. Next time, we will go the Polynesian and then compare. See you next time!

For more information about this resort or other Disney resorts, click here.

Love the COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Makeup

Being a BzzAgent is very cool when you get to try new makeup like COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless. I have seen the commercials and print ads and said, why not, let me try it.

I received my makeup (eye corrector, concealer, foundation and blush) a few weeks after joining the campaign. It felt like christmas in July! Free makeup, hello!!!! So I started using the makeup the very next day and wow it is very different from my regular makeup (Bare Essentuals). I felt like a movie star. There was no wrinkle or imperfection in my face. The only challenge is that since my skin is normally oily, I had to use powder to settle it.

My favorites are the eye corrector and the concealer. They are great. I use it underneath my Bare Essentuals or even by itself and it looks great. You got to try this makeup. It is awesome.

Send me an email if you want more info about this makeup. I also have coupons if you want to try it yourself.

Work, work, work

Sometimes there is not enough hours in a day to finish all the work that I have to do. It feels overwhelming at times but when I am done, it is very rewarding. I guess it is a matter of getting organized. Planning leads you to success. But how can you plan when you have a toddler in the house?

Start with he basics. Gather the information, materials, anything that you need to get the job done. Then figure out how long it will take to accomplish each task. This will help you divide the hours it will take to get it done and out the door. And don't forget to add "opportunities" within your timeline, that way you don't get frustrated when things are not getting done on time or as you want.

Life is not perfect and neither am I but we can certainly get as close as we can.

Celebrating Your Mom This Weekend

Every year my husband always ask me the same question: "What do you want to do for Mother's Day?" And I always reply with the same answer: "Let's just keep it simple."

It is true, the majority of the moms want to keep it simple. We just want to be pampered and recognized for everything that we do everyday. And sometimes the simplest things are the ones we treasure the most.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Breakfast in Bed - So simple yet so appreciated
2. Watch favorite show - Let her enjoy the TV too
3. Clean the house - Yes, both dads & children can enjoy this task together if you put a little fun twist to it
4. Personalized cards - There is nothing much sweeter than a card made with love
5. Shower her with little gifts thoughout the day - It makes a big difference and keeps her excited along the way

There you have it. Happy Mother's Day!

My exclusive interview with BABIES movie director, Thomas Balmès

I was selected from the BzzAgent Ambassador program to have an exclusive 30 minute interview with the BABIES movie director, Thomas Balmès.

Thomas Balmès has been working as an independent director and producer of nonfiction films, specializing in international co-productions, since 1992. He has directed films such as Bosnia Hotel, Maharajah Burger; Mad Cows; Holy Cows, and The Gospel According to the Papuans by which he was honored with the Silver Spire Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Below you will find the details about the interview.

YA: "What was the concept behind the creation of the movie BABIES?"
TB: "This movie was inspired around the simple, pure an Innocent life that you see in a child. It took about 5 years in the making and it was in collaboration with another French director. We didn't had any specific agenda and we were looking to produce a feel good, entertaining movie. The selection of the countries was based on diversity and the common link between us all, babies."

YA: "What type of challenges/barriers did you encountered during filming?"
TB: "Location, working on small spaces, patience, language. We received great commitments from the families to allows us being part of their daily routine for a little over a year. As a father, I had to motivate myself to continue with this project as I was away from my own family for a long time. This was an experience of a lifetime that I will always treasure in my heart"

YA: "Is there a sequel planned for the future?"
TB: "Not at this moment. We continue to have a strong relationship with the families as we were with them since their children were born. Who knows what the future might holds."

This movie is about four culturally different babies (Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, San Francisco-CA) during the first year of their lives and we will learn that no matter which part of the world you might live in, babies will always be the same.

I am looking forward to see this movie in theaters across the country (check your local listings) starting May 7.

Enjoy this video from "The Insider" about the movie.

Public Service Announcement from the movie BABIES on March of Dimes

BABIES and March of Dimes are proud to partner together to help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies! Visit MarchOfDimes.com or text BABIES to 20222 to make a $5 donation. Celebrate BABIES in theatres Mother's Day Weekend and join over 1 million people in March of Dimes annual "March for BABIES" Walk!

Another Red Light

Why is it that when you are in a hurry you always get red lights?

It almost feel like the world is agaisnt you but that is not the case. You see what happens is that the lights are coordinated according to the speed limit. And since we tend to go a "little" over when we are late we tend to run into this problem.

So the next time, don't blame it on the world just try to be on time.

Crown Minitries

A couple of years ago, we heard about a program called Crown Ministries that assist people aligned their finances according to the Bible and God's teaching. Finally the opportunity came to our Church and my husband and I decided to sign up for the course.

The course is 10 weeks long and even though I am going into my second week, I have learned so much. Wow, talk about a wake up call! This is great, just to learn more about God and his teaching. Now I am able to see my financial situation differently and try to align it better with my spiritual life.

Now if I can only get my husband in the same page! Pray that we can both learn and share best practices.

Disney's Vero Beach Resort - A Birthday Tradition

My boy’s birthday is in July and we have a new tradition in our family, we visit Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. This great resort is located right along the east beachside and it offers of all the great amenities that only Disney can offer.

We usually stay a few days and it is the perfect getaway for us that travel with the toddler. And to make his wish come true, we celebrate his birthday with a character breakfast. The best way to celebrate the perfect birthday.

Recreational Parks - The Perfect Way to Start or End the Weekend

Nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Well why not visit one of the recreational parks around your area. The Central Florida has a variety of great parks for different ages. My toddler loved the one located on Meadow Woods. It has a separate toddler playground and an are to celebrate special occasions.

Now that the summer is coming, I know we will be visiting a lot of parks so hope to see you enjoying the great outdoors like us. Go to http://www.floridastateparks.org/ to find a park near you.

The Best Mother's Day Weekend

Last year we decided to do a little getaway for Mother's Day. I found this great hotel near the Tampa airport and the International Mall. It was awesome. The weekend couldn't be more perfect. The hotel provided all the amenities that we needed such as a small kitchenette and it was close to everything. It was away from the downtown traffic but near mayor attractions.

On Saturday we visited the Florida Aquarium. We saw lots of great animals and shows but the best part was the mini-water park located right outside of the Aquarium. My boy absolutely loved it!

Operation Potty Train

A couple of months ago I started Operation Potty Train with my toddler. I tell you, I thought this was going to be easy and very intuitive. Boy was I wrong. It has been the hardest thing to do and to top that I haven't being able to be consistent because I am both a full time mom and full time employee.

I have read so many articles on this it is not even funny and they all point to one thing: HE HAS TO BE READY!!!!! Then why we put so much pressure on this? Why people keep asking whether he is trained or not or if I am doing my work? It is very frustrating when you hear other Moms say: "It took me blah, blah, blah days to do it" or "It was so easy to do". Not is it not easy to do.

I just need to let go and accept the fact and he will do it when he is ready and I'll know and be ready when the time comes. In the meantime, I will be deaf to those questions and move on.

Is it too early to plan my son's birthday party?

My son's birthday is coming up in July and I am already getting ready for it. Some people start planning many months in advance but I think a good 2 - 3 months will do. There is so much to do.

First things first is deciding on location. For 2 years in a row we have done a small gathering at the house. It is ok but we end up with a lot of adults and not a lot of toddlers for my son to play with cause there is no space. But I want to do something different. I want a big party. I know he is only 2 1/2 and he probably won't remember a thing but is that too much?

Every year I struggle a lot between the location and the theme. I think I am ok with the theme this time around (I've narrow it down to 2) but still struggle with the location specially because his birthday is in the middle of July. Stinky hot summer!

Ah, I guess I'll go with the flow and see what happens. If you have any recommendations, please send it my way.

BABIES, The Movie is getting a lot of hype!

Check out the latest video promotion on the movie from the Jimmyu Kimmel Show.

Watch this video from MommyCast and learn about the many lasting lessons a baby can learn from being in the presence of animals. From empathy to responsibility, these lessons will carry through from infancy to adulthood!

Meet Ponijao from BABIES

Ponijao lives in Namibia with her family, including her parents and eight older brothers and sisters. Ponijao’s family is part of the Himba tribe, and lives in a small village with other families, following traditions including speaking their own (Himba) language. The men in the Himba tribe are generally off looking after the cattle and searching for grass, so Ponijao is most often with her mother and other female relatives; she plays, eats, and is bathed through the traditional method of mixing concrete red ochre with oil. Ponijao’s favorite things to do are dance and play with other children in the tribe.

Meet Mari from BABIES

Mari lives with her mother and father in Shibuya, a busy metropolitan area within Tokyo, at the center of all of the city’s noise and excitement. Mari is an only child and lives the contemporary urban lifestyle, walking around city streets when not in the family’s apartment that has a view of the city skyline. Mari loves to visit toy stores, play with the family’s pet cat, and go to baby play groups. In the movie, she is notable for her dramatic reactions to, and frustrations with, everyday life.

Meet Bayar from BABIES

Bayarjargal, who lives in Mongolia with his family, is one of four babies followed from birth to first steps in Thomas Balmès' BABIES, a Focus Features release. Photo credit: Focus Features

Meet Hattie from BABIES

Hattie was born to very ecological, “green” parents in San Francisco. When we first meet Hattie, she is in the hospital, but it’s not for long before she is back home with her parents. For Hattie’s family, it’s all about “How can I be good with the world?” The family’s diet focuses on fruits and vegetables. Both of Hattie’s parents are equally involved in her day-to-day life, fixing her meals, taking her to play groups, and spending time with her around the house. Hattie seems much like an old soul trapped in a very young body; she is much more cautious and analytical than the other three babies, evaluating her surroundings and what’s in her field of vision.

BABIES Theatrical Trailer

Everybody loves... BABIES. Coming to theatres this Mother's Day Weekend (May 7th), this visually stunning new movie simultaneously follows four babies around the world - from first breath to first steps. From Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo, BABIES joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.

The BABIES are coming. Stay tuned for more!

I am officially an "on the go" blogger!

I just signed up to be able to blog "on the go". Now it should be much easier to do it from anywhere. Stay tuned as I "blog away".

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday and as exciting it might sound to celebrate it this is not going well. For starters, my toddler is sick with an ear infection so I have to stay home with him today. My plans were to spend time by myself (a rarity these days), do some shopping and then pick him up early to have fun.

Instead, I am home with a sick child and poor fellow, being congested and having pain in his ears. To top it all of, I was supposed to go to a concert with one of my best friends to see my childhood idols but she is sick too!!!! Can anything else go wrong? Well, it is what it is. I need to count my blessings and think that at least I get to be with my family on this special day.

So, happy birthday to me!!!!