mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

Family room turned day care

Do you ever just look around your house and wonder, "Where did all this crap-ola come from?"!  That's what I've been doing a lot of lately.  Don't get me wrong - I do love having all of the fun baby gear that help make my life as a busy mom easier, but DANG if the sight of my family room doesn't make me cringe and feel so cluttered!

Just shy of 6 short weeks of having our sweet Andrew in our lives and we've got nearly half a dozen baby "things" that take up valuable real estate in our family room - where we spend tons of time.  By the time you add the bassinet, swing, activity mat, bounce chair, etc. into the mix, it starts to feel just a tad bit like a day care.  I say this to my husband at least daily.  Sigh.

I know the time will come where I will long for the days of all the cluttery things that my growing family has accumulated, but for now I just wish it didn't make me crazy!  Ah, the joys of motherhood. 

How do you cope with all the kid gear and toys that seem to accumulate in your home?

Welcome, Baby Andrew!

Wow.  What a whirlwind of a few weeks it's been!  My sweet baby Andrew finally made his appearance 3 weeks ago on Sunday April 7, 2013.  He weighed a whopping 9 pounds even and was 21.5 inches long.  My biggest baby by far!

It's been an interesting 3 weeks adjusting to our new little family member and a whole new routine.  I still have to pinch myself some days because I can't believe I'm the mom of FOUR sons!  It's crazy to think I've got these little men that my hubs and I are raising and how completely in love with them we are.  If you would have told me 10 years ago that I'd be the mom of 4 little boys in just a few years time frame, I would have definitely ran the other way!  But, truthfully, I feel amazingly blessed to be a part of their lives.  I can't even imagine my life any other way.  Yes, even on the days that they are literally jumping off couches and using our home as their own private gym.  And while I love the brotherhood that my older three have built together, I am not in ANY hurry for our newest addition, Andrew, to grow up.  But alas, the growing up is happening anyway.

Here he is now at 3 weeks old:

Since bringing him home there's been no shortage of love shown around these parts.

These boys have been amazingly helpful, especially my oldest, Nathan who is 9 {almost 10}.  I'm excited that we get to start our summer together very soon which will allow all of the boys lots more time to bond as brothers.  

I struggle with the thought that Andrew is likely our last baby and I just wish so much that I could stop time for just a bit.  I am so appreciative of my role as mother, especially this time around.  I was recently talking to a friend while waiting at school pickup about how much more laid back I am with Andrew.  She is the mother of 4 girls and she admitted she knew exactly what I meant.  She attributed the calmness to wisdom, plain and simple.  I couldn't agree more.  I sometimes don't even recognize myself when I see how un-stressed I am at certain things that would have nearly sent me over the edge if this was my first baby.  I didn't even pack my hospital bag until a couple of days past Andrew's due date, for crying out loud!  Crazy!

I hope to document Andrew's babyhood as much as possible.  I am just so grateful for having had a healthy pregnancy and labor / delivery and can't wait to share more about Andrew with you in future posts!

{Beauty Review}: #BeautifulInsideOut with Neutrogena this Spring

Is it spring yet where you live?  Well, here in the midwest it is anything BUT spring-like!  Recently I attended my son's soccer game where most of the spectators were in winter coats.  Yes, winter coats in April!  I am SO done with this winter weather and ready for some sunshine and heat.

Thanks to Neutrogena, I've recently been able to experience some kind of springtime fun with a few of their best-selling and newest beauty products.

{giveaway}: My 2X Stronger Story and $25 Target Gift Card | #AngelSoft

One of the most die-hard things I am is a Texan.  Most people who know me well, know where my roots are.  I was born and raised in Austin, Texas and moved to the midwest with the hubs {although he wasn't "hubs" at the time} back in 1999.  This whole move was supposed to be a temporary thing.  Turns out it wasn't.

 

{giveaway}: A Good Smile is So Important - Crest #PiroposTraducidos

We've all heard them - piropos {a.k.a., compliments / pick-up lines} from admirers near and far.  You know, the ones that make you roll your eyes.  Ones like, "I must be in heaven because I'm looking at an angel!".

 While I can't say that my hubs ever used any cute or funny piropos while we were dating, I can tell you that his smile was and is still certainly very important. 

 

2.21.13: Snow Day fun

Today the kids had their first snow day in over two years.  Now, for living in Kansas, that is HUGE!  I was actually sorta looking forward to it only because it was a day of not having to pack lunches or wake up early.  But, you know me -- I detest snow.  And, I especially detest it at 8 months pregnant!

The kids were quite surprised I even came outside at all.  And, so was I.  I mean, my puffer jacket doesn't even close and my snow pants didn't quite fit the same.  But, I did it for the sake of family memories.  And, I'm glad I did.

I shared a few pics from the day via my Instagram feed, but since I was testing out my new Panasonic Lumix waterproof camera, which I received for Christmas, I decided to stay out and document our snow day fun for just a little longer.

 

{giveaway}: I'm not going overboard on "Going Green" #GreenHousewives

Over the past few years as I've had the privilege of becoming a mother to three kiddos, I've tried to simplify and green-ify my everyday household chores and just how I run our home in general on an everyday basis.  With that, has come the opportunity to streamline things around here that has helped me be more eco-friendly and "green" in the process.  But let's be frank.  I haven't gone overboard.  I refuse to.  Yes, there IS such a thing as "too green" and just way too "out there" for my liking.  I feel like I am doing enough to be "green" without altering my lifestyle to the point that life isn't fun anymore.  And, I know of TONS of people - in real life - whose life is passing them by because they're too busy stressing and obesessing about "organic" this and "green" that and stuff that just blows my MIND!  That's no way to live!  Check out some of the fanatical ridiculousness in Clorox's new The Green Housewives video series.  It's pretty darn hilarious!

It's annoying to see my Facebook feed constantly cluttered up with photos and infographics that are overloaded with all the hype of what the next big thing to worry about is.  Whether it's food ingredients or environmental issues, there is just entirely too much worrying going on.  What's become even more disappointing is that the common message I am seeing is the assumption that if you care a little, it means you don’t care enough.  As if there's no gray area to being green. Blasphemy!  

In my household we do more than our fair share of being green and I'm pretty happy with that.  I'd rather be spending my time enjoying my kids or a good movie rather than obsessing about saving the world.  Recycling at home, using water & vinegar and other Green Works eco-friendly solutions to clean, and even reusing clothes from ALL THREE of my boys, are just a few of the ways we are doing our part to be "green enough".  I firmly believe that you don't have to be fanatical to care about doing things to help the environment or improve the quality of life for you and your family.  Remember, doing your part is what's key.  And, it's enough.

And now for a FUN giveaway!  My friends at Green Works want to share the green love with one of you!  I'm excited to host this great Green Works gift pack which is packed with lots of green fun like All Purpose Cleaner, Cleaning Wipes and Laundry Detergent.  Want to win it? Just enter using the giveaway widget below.  And don't forget to follow Green Works on Facebook!  Giveaway entries accepted through February 14, 2013.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Green Works. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. No one is the boss of me!}

{review}: Get organized with The Blogging Planner. #Blogging

 

The Blogging Planner was created by Top Mom Blogger and is available in two sizes.  To learn more about this valuable planning tool for bloggers or to purchase one, click here.

{Disclosure:  As a Blogging Planner Ambassador, I receieved a free copy of The Blogging Planner for my review and use.  All opinions expressed are in my own.  The above may contain affiliate links.}

I am #Orgullosa

Disfrute de este blog en español - haga clic en el idioma en el lado derecho superior

I consider myself a strong, proud, successful Latina woman.  And I can honestly say this is due largely in part to the sense of community I am surrounded by.  Orgullosa.com is a new initiative that celebrates the diverse, collective beauty of Latina women.  It's a movement designed to encourage Latina women to share & celebrate not only their own beauty standard, but also their successes & accomplishments as daughters of the new world.  There is unique way in which Orgullosa women are defined - Mujeres con La Falda Bien Puesta™ which translates to, “women with their skirts well positioned.”  Orgullosa women exhibit independence, strength, and a sense of pride within themselves.  They are constantly striving to go beyond expectations and break through limitations, all while keeping in mind that their sense of culture plays a big role in their achievements and exceeding expectations. 

For me, being Orgullosa not only means displaying that independence, strength, and confidence, but also sharing your gifts with others in your community.  For example, I enjoy showing and sharing with my kids on a daily basis about my accomplishments.  They know that I am also giving my time, talent, and resources to causes and organizations that I believe in.  I am also very much connected to my online support system and sense of community that comes from being surrounded by other Orgullosa Latinas.

By joining the growing Orgullosa community, you'll find the support, encouragement, and camaraderie from other like-minded women.  I'm very much a proponent of this kind of connecting because I truly believe that when we share connectedly, we grow collectively.  There is a special unspoken bond that we all share as Latinas.  It's important for me, personally, to be in tune with others who are experiencing and growing as individuals in the same manner that I am.

Are you interested in learning more about the wonderful Orgullosa movement?  You can connect and learn more using these links:

• Orgullosa website
  
• Orgullosa on Facebook
  
• Orgullosa community

 

{Disclsoure:  I have been compensated for this post which is written in partnership with Orgullosa.com and Niche Mommy Network & Conference.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  No one is the boss of me.}

{vlog}: Resolve To Be A Better Version of Yourself With Lisa Druxman's G.R.I.P. Action Plan from #DisneySMMoms

  

 A special thank you to Walt Disney World resort, gracious hosts of Disney Social Media Moms event 2012 and to Lisa Druxman, Founder of  Stroller Strides, for sharing such wonderful and inspiring information with us all.

{Disclosure: I was invited to take part in the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration conference.  My travel and expenses were heavily subsidized as part of this program, however I was not specifically asked to share anything with my readers about the conference or anything related to Disney.  I am doing this on my own accord. All opinions are my own. No one is the boss of me!}