End of Year Review. Adieu 2013

We made it to 2014!
Well, almost! We're about 4 days and it's time to reflect on this year's accomplishments.  Every year I like to plan out my next move! 

 I'm not the type of person who just likes to sit in one place for too long.  I'm restless. And though some people see that as a bad thing, I see it as a positive part of my life. 

I like to focus my energy on different projects. Sometimes, as stated before.  But this is what keeps me going!  FOR MY NEXT TRICK!  

I've have gotten knocked down a lot this year.  But like a cat, I always land on my feet.  One reason is because I'm lucky to have a support system that stand next to me no matter what. 

I have done many things this year.  Career wise, I landed a job that has given me much satisfaction, and I'm blessed to be working with this population. Though at times it is challenging and scary, I have gained much knowledge and I'm excited to what 2014 will bring career wise.  Who knows, maybe I'll enroll in school again.  I'm not sure. But my brain is always ticking. 

Frankie has grown leaps and bounds! He continues to learn every day! He is my happiness! If I can do anything to make him happy, then I know that my life is complete! Everything that I do, Its for him! To make his life easier and better.  My plans always and will always revolve around him!  Despite of what anyone says or thinks!

Love wise, we always have to talk about love because it's part of life.  It's hard. Yes, it isn't easy! You're trusting someone else with your most prized possession, and that's your heart!  Nobody wants to give their heart to just anyone.  But like that Zales commercial, "Keep your heart open and love will find it's way in" Oh so true!    You know who you are!!  If you truly believe in  your heart that we'll make it past these obstacles, then we will!    Love isn't easy! But if I'm worth it. If we're worth it! Then we can overcome anything!

So the plans......

Well, you'll just have to wait and see!!  Great Things are coming this way!  2014 is our year!! SAY IT! put it out THERE so the Universe can send it back  your way!! Only good vibes from now on!!!

Wishing you the best in 2014!!! Sending everyone the best and only the best!!!!

Smiles and lots of love,

Mayra

Santa Claus is Coming ... Already!!?!

The Holidays are just around the corner and two things popped into my head

 (1. what does Frankie want for Christmas and 

2). Does Frankie even know what Christmas is? 

I don't think that he knows what Christmas is yet. He does know the concept of a gift because of his birthdays party last month. However, he still doesn't know what Christmas entails.

Really though, some adults don't know the real meaning of Christmas. How does one explain Christmas to a toddler?

I guess I can begin telling him about what Christmas is and incorporate Santa Claus and the gifts, Christmas trees  and all those things that come with the holiday season. 

I'm really excited about spending this holiday season with him! Last year he was only 1 year old, and though he did open some gifts, he still wasn't aware of all the shenanigans. 

I remember his very first holiday. He worse a red and white outfit that said "baby's first Christmas" he looked so adorable and tiny. 

Now he's a big boy! Full of opinions and usually talks up a storm! He sings and dances and makes me laugh! 

Well I'm off! Have a happy day full of love and laughter !! 

This is a toughy

Today started off great. I came to work on Saturday as I normally do, put a smile on someone's face and possibly gave someone else a brighter look at his life.

Typically, this is what I do. this is my job. When I leave work, I'm a mother, and that, above all is my first priority.
I love being a mom. It's magical, and though sometimes, it gets tough, I wouldn't change my life for anything.

And so, what I would like to do now, is leave work. Drive around, maybe window shop and be alone with my own thoughts.  I would like to unplug from everything for awhile and just be ME! 
MAYRA! Just get in touch with ME!  Not that I don't appreciate my life. Or that I don't appreciate all my blessings.
I told my coworker yesterday, that all she needed to do is roll the windows down, turn up the music and sing or cry, whatever came best to her.

My friends, I think I need to do the same.

It gets hard, when one wants something, NOW ! And we're supposed to be patient, but we aren't patient beings. And we're supposed to pray on it, But we're inpatient. and we Don't know why things happen the way they do! All we know is that we want what we want when we want it and we get disappointed when we don't have it!

I wish I had some remedy for that. But I don't . All I can say is be patient and it will come. "If you build it, they will come"  "Good things happen to little girls who wait". 
How soon is now?

I was on Pinterest earlier and I saw quotes about disappointment. The more and more I looked at them, the more and more I could relate to them. But the truth is, that being sad/mad about certain things, isn't productive. It doesn't help to get mad at certain things. Why am I going to let my funky mood mess up someone's happy mood?

I'm just going to shake it off and keep moving forward.  That's what I'm going to keep repeating to myself until eventually I numb the pain and things get easier to cope with.
If this post doesn't make sense to anyone. I'm sorry. Writing helps me. It's therapeutic for me. I can ramble and ramble on for hours. but I'll end this post here.
Remember to smile.
Remember not to judge, because you never know what the other person is going through
And remember not to frown too much because you never know who is falling in love your smile =)
Have a good weekend loves.

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The selfie

I usually let Frankie play on my phone. He plays number games, and animal sound games and even an instrument game.

I know- I know! Kids these days! ...

While browsing through my pictures I noticed he also knows how to get to the camera. These are the picture he takes..

This last one is my favorite. Notice my foot in the top left corner. I photobombed his selfie! :)

I need to get him a small kid tablet or something. It's a constant fight for my phone.  

And here's a selfie of yours truly.

Huge Hugs from me to you! Xoxoxooxox

Good Night! 

<3 Mayra!

Ps. I'm almost done with the reading corner. I just need to purchase some soft pillows or something to make it cozy.

I'll post on the progress thus far.

Bye!

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After school snacks.

Like most kids, Frankie is famished when I pick him up from day care. He's had a long day of songs and play, art and lessons. I'm  Fortunate enough that Frankie's day care provides snacks and breakfast. In have to provide lunch.  i always pack extra snacks because my son is picky and sometimes he wants what all the kids are having and other times he's content with his blueberries, yogurt and organic squeeze pouches. 

For after school I pack something he can munch on in the car. It's usually Goldfish or a squeeze pouch. I always pack extra water that I store in my lunch bag and keep that in the fridge at work its nice and cod by the time I make my way back from DTLA. 

I clean his hands and his face and he eats his goldfish all up "talking" about his day and pointing out Cars or Birds on our way home.

Today when I picked him up he was extra dirty! He has sand in his shoes and dirt on his hands. He was sweaty; but happy! 

Other on the go snacks:

Pretzels (unsalted)

Sliced strawberries

Veggie sticks

Gerber yogurt melts

Gerber puffs 

Goldfish

Animal cookies 

Gogurts (if you're child is ready for them) 

Nice cold H2O is a must ;)

Turn up the tunes or turn them down to strike up a conversation ;)

Hugs :) <3 

Somtimes you have too many ideas..pick one!

Hi My name is Mayra and I'm an IdeaHOLIC!   (Hi Mayra)

I can't seem to pick one. I think it's the Sagittarius in me. It happens all the time. At Target, the grocery store, heck in my closet in the morning while trying to get ready for work.  So it's no surprise that I'm currently creating a project in my head.

 Well, I have several projects in my head right now. Project #1: I mentioned on the other day, "Building the reading corner for Frankie"  (still in the works. I'm actually going to Ikea tomorrow to check out some shelves and maybe ideas from the good old designers at Ikea) 

project #2: I still need a couch and TV stand for the apartment. 

and last but not least. Project #3: part-time work in the writing field.  Yes, Yes, I'm adding something else to my already piled up plate. You know those massive plates that one sees at buffets or gatherings; the ones that have too many pieces of chicken, mash potatoes and vegetables along with French fries and any other food that does go with the other items on the plate.... yes, that me right now.  I jump around too much! It's like I have ADHD!

  Okay, yes, where was I? That's right, my idea. I've researched some writing jobs from home gigs and I haven't really found any that I trust.  I found one for mywritingjob.com or something to that effect, however, I'm very skeptical on it. How is it that one could make that much money just writing articles. Hmm? Doesn't make sense to me.  Does anyone really make that much money on writing articles online? and if so, is it legit? It's times like these that I wish my dad were around to say, "NO!" or, "Well... maybe it can work?"  I'm going with my gut feeling on this one. 

You may ask yourself, why one earth..... well, it's simple, it's always nice to have some extra  change in your pocket. Frankie's birthday is coming up, and I would like to throw him a fun, Yo Gabba Gabba party! A two year old deserves to have a fun birthday, and bottom line, I love my baby boy! Second, the holidays are just around the corner! And lastly, well, Momma needs a new purse! Just Kidding on the last statement.

Kay, ADHD kicked in again! writing online gigs, good idea? bad idea? Thoughts? Comments?

If you build it, they will come!

I recently moved into a new apartment and I really want to create a reading space for Frankie to have his books set up, be cozy and have a little nook for himself.  I have been looking at things on Pinterest for ideas to create the perfect reading corner.

Frankie is a bookworm like me! I've mentioned this before and I'm proud to say that we both love books.  I love reading to him, even if he snatches the book from my hands, and begins to read "Cat in the Hat" to me!

Any Hoozle, back to the reading nook, I should post some pictures of his room. He has a decent size room. It's coming along little by little. I want to make him as comfortable as possible, since he does have his own room.  I want to give him a play area and a room where he can go and play alone if he wants to and  a reading area where we can both read a good book before bed. 

I've also been visiting different thrift stores for small book cases and small tables.  So far, I haven't found anything that has caught my eye, But the idea is there!  Pinterest is my friend for these types of things. 

Ideas are welcome!! Please, any little bit helps.

New adventures for this mommy

My job recently moved me from the "valley" to DTLA. Now, everyone knows that everywhere in LA takes 20 minutes, and that's really how far my commute would be if I didn't have all that traffic.

So here I am, exploring this beautiful city on my lunch break. 

I love the Downtown skyline. I love how beautiful this side of town is coming. 

Echo Park has now turned into the new Hipster hangout. There's vintage ships and cute little cafes.  I love getting lost long enough to find something amazing at a local used bookstore or simply seeing how other people live.

Chinatown is only steps away from here and it's really a whole new world down here.

 Get lost with me...

The drive home is nice too. Granted that I catch about 45 minutes of traffic, but it's okay when my view is this amazing!!

It's not that bad down here it could be worse. Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans :) so take a look around take a walk, explore, get dirty, take a different route home today's you might just find new.

Summer fun!

We love the beach!! 

The beach makes everything better :) I personally think that some people are mountain people and others are beach people. I am a beach person. I love the smell of the ocean, the soundsthat the   waves make as well the ocean breeze. If I could live anywhere in the world it would be next to the beach or any beach city/beach community. 

I love the "carefree" "beach feel" of it! J know Frankie loves it too! He likes to play in the sand and loves to feel the water splash on his toes! 

I love seeing my little boys face light up with joy!! 

Here's to more summer fun!! Happy summer :) hope your toes meet the sand this summer! 

 

Library trip... You're a nerd!

I'm a nerd by nature. 

When I was younger my mom took us to the library and made us check out stacks of books! I would read all of them and would return for more!

Nancy Drew and the Babysitters Club were my faves.

So it's only natural that I take Frankie to the library too!

So we went today after work!

I said, "this is mommy's favorite place" it really is! When I feel down or need to "get back to basics" I go to the library skim through whatever I'm feeling in the mood for and read.  During my pregnancy, I was going through difficult times with my family and in my marriage. I would often get away long enough to read through some poetry and just sit there, in silence and with my own thoughts. 

I walked in holding Frankie and we went straight to the children's section. My local  library isn't fancy, but it will do. The reading section had toys and blocks and stuffed animals thrown all over the floor. And there were two teenage girls that were sitting on the floor and let their children or whom ever they were suppose to be watching , make a mess and didn't pick up after themselves!!! 

Anyway, Frankie sat at the small table with a book, flipped through it and stood up and walked to the toys. He wasn't very interested in books today, which surprises me because he's also a need and loves books!!

I let him play for a while and then we looked at a few more books. He still wasn't interested. I picked him up and took him to the adult section. 

I checked  out a book and came home.

Feeling happy that I was able to take him to the library for the first time. 

 Many changes are coming our way. I want to make sure that we have a special "thing" that we can do and I feel that this could be something special for us! ;) 

What is on your summer reading list? I'm finishing up Fifty Shades Freed and today I checked out "The Art Of Happiness" hmmm...

Until then....

Happy Days and Sweet nights!!! 

The battle of the bottles begins!!

Hi, my name is Mayra and my 20 month son still drinks out of a bottle!!!! So sue me!! Don't you judge me.

I thought that when the time came for him to leave the bottle, he would! 

But.. The time has come to slowly decrease his bottle usage.  

The reason behind this is that day care said he's a toddler and therefore, isn't allowed to have a bottle.  Say yes to silly cups.

Not as easy as we thought! He only likes water from a cup. Milk belongs in my bottle mom!

My heart sank when the director of his prestiges (expensive!!) say caresaid toddlers   weren't to have bottles in he  classroom. I had a look of terror in my face. I must have because she gave me a smile that said, "you have no ideas what you're doing right?"

My answer to her is, no lady, I don't!!! 

I'm just learning as I go!

Transiting from breast to bottle was hard. But he learned that mommy wasn't always going to be around for some good old fashioned boobie milk. 

Now, I cringe of he thought of me taking his bottle away.

 As usual, this is another milestone that will needs to be accomplished! He's no longer a baby. And I need to accept that! I wanted to cheat and say well maybe only at night . But I figure that I'm rationalizing  the issue just like an addict will say, "I can smoke a little and still be okay!"

How can I tackle this? Decreasing one bottle until we reach 0?

Not cold turkey?

In

 That's what I'll do! Until then. I foresee a lot of cuddling, kisses and patience!

Testing 1-2-3

Okay yes!!!! I said I was back!!! I'm blogging from my iPhone!!! Whoop whoop!!! 

Okay, I need a new laptop! Or notebook! Any suggestions ??? Happy Friday loves <3

The Hunt

Life has a funny way of throwing curve balls our way. Always unexpected, and always not welcome. However, what defines us is how well we rise from all of our falls.  My life has taken a nose dive, really, in the last few years.  It really felt like it was one curve ball after the other and I had to keep dodging them, dust myself off and keep going.
I sometimes wonder how it is I'm still standing. How is it that I'm still alive?

I won't get into details about all the "stuff" that has been making my life a little dizzy, because after all, who has time to read pages and pages of all that!!!
Any whoozle... the hunt!! That is, the hunt for a child care provider or child development center/school!  I recently decided to enroll Frankie in school. He's now about to be 20 months and he, as most of you know, a rambuncious toddler! He runs, and wants to climb things! He needs more stimulation and learning!  Believe it or not, I"m very excited to find a nice "early education program" for him!  He's too young for preschool, but never too young for learning!
He already loves books and music class!
As any parent, I want to make sure he has the best of the best.. However, I don't want to pay 975.00 a month for a daycare/preschool!  (i'm not joking, that how much tuition is at this school).

I know that I'll find the perfect school for Frankie.  Tomorrow we have an appointment to see one, so I'll see how it goes. Until then.. Stay Focused and SMILE

Happy Days and  Sweet Nights,
Mayra

I'm back!!!! Frankie the Tankie updates.....

It's been a long time... I shouldn't have left you with out a fresh BLOGGIE to read.....

It really has been a long time since I last updated everyone on my experiences and adventures.
Here goes an update:

Frankie, the Tankie as I often refer to him as, turned 17 months today!!!!! He's a ball of energy! He's walking, well running almost. If it were up to him, he'd be driving and in college.  He says, "Buuuue" ( which means blue).  "bbbbrrr" (Bird)  "Bllllllllun" ( ballon) and "ssssshhhhheheheh" (si)  or "Che-Che" (leche which means Milk in spanish) He's smart! he's my brilliant boy thats growing everyday.

He has big expressive eyes that open wide. I'm amazed by him everyday. I wish that he didn't have to grow up, but thats not reality. Babies are truly only babies for a short time. Although he'll always be my baby, even when he's 25 years old, 45, 55, 66, 100000! He'll forever be my baby boy.

The other night, Frankie woke because someone was making too much noise after he went to sleep for the night. He was crying and being cranky. I went into his room, picked him up and started to rock him.  It was different. He was no longer that little infant who loved being held and rocked to sleep. He's now a "big boy" that occiasonally wants to cuddle and be held.  As I rocked him back to sleep, I realized that those special moments will be different from now on.

And so as I type this bloggie and think about those early days, I'm thinking that time does indeed zoom by. In the blink of an eye, my son has grown, and continues to grow. 
The adventure continues.......

Good night! &hearts;

Sweet Dreams from my house to yours. xoxoxoxox

Mayra B.