My oldest is still a couple years away from needing to make a decision about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. But it’s something I’ve thought about since it first came on the market.
My first reaction was, no. There was a lot of talk about the vaccine being unnecessary. And kids being “over-vaccinated.” I followed the hype.
Since then, I’ve learned more about HPV. And about cervical cancer which can result from it. And to be honest, I fear that more than I fear getting a vaccination. If I could go back in time and be vaccinated myself I would do it.
Because there is nothing I fear more than not being able to see my kids grow up. And to be able to prevent getting cervical cancer. Every pap brings a bit of anxiety until I know the results are clear.
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. It’s given in three doses over a 6 month period to boys and girls starting at 11-12 years old. If I vaccinate my kids from whooping cough and chicken pox, which I have. Why wouldn’t I vaccinate my girls for something that could prevent HPV? I think I’ve made up my mind.
Is this something you’ve thought about?
You can find out more information from the Centers for Disease Control:
Preteens and Teen Vaccines
For Parents
This is a sponsored post for which I will receive compensation. My words and opinion on the matter are my own.
***
The twins reached their six month birthday. I’m still in denial and complete shock that I have twins. Seriously. I hold them both in my arms, and say out loud, “holy moly, there are two.” TWO! ZOMG!
They are cuter every day, with their babbling and drooling and smiling at everything. Now if they could just say, “mama.” Not only would I have bragging rights, but they could land a speaking part and get their own imdb page. Kidding. Sort of.
Six months and growing!
My other “baby” turned 5 years old. That just blows my mind. Having just posted my Father’s day entry, and seeing Gabi’s little baby features on her 3 year old self, and seeing her now… I know how the aging process works. But still. Amazed.
She is 5 years old, graduated preschool and is ready for kindergarten. Able to read, though she doesn’t admit it. She’s tall, so she’ll be the size of most first graders. She has a very confident sense of self. She prefers to wear skirts or dresses rather than shorts or pants. But we are constantly having to remind her to sit like a lady so her underwear isn’t showing. Unless she’s wearing one of those skirts with the shorts underneath, then everybody’s happy.
My next goal is to teach her to tie her shoes before school starts. Or get her all slip on shoes.
Last night, she requested that I make banana muffins with her tonight. And then she proceeded to have Isa help her write it down on a sign so that I am held to it in writing. Clever little ones.
***
Isa is finally getting past her anxiety stage. In the past couple of weeks, she’s seemed to gain some hold of her emotions. The anxiety sucks, because it makes her eczema worse. And then she gets anxiety about having eczema. And then it gets even worse. We are trying a new ointment that seems to be working better.
She is spending part of the summer in an enrichment program that is not only keeping her in learning mode but help get her ready for fourth grade. For some reason, it seems like fourth grade is when things get “serious.” And this is just perfect for her personality. She does better in new situation when she is prepared. A great confidence booster too.
***
Me? I’m fine. I’m not the most fulfilled career wise, but hey, having a job and a paycheck iis a good thing. I was booted out of the carpool lane with the end of the hybrid vehicle sticker. So now I take the commuter bus. So far, I’m loving it. I get a little time to read each day. And get in a little exercise walking from my stop to the job and back again. It’s so much better than driving. I love it. It’s the best part of my work day.
Sadly, I decided to sell my blogher ticket. I won’t be going this year. I was very much looking forward to it. But it’s just completely irresponsible to spend money we don’t have right now. I might drive down to San Diego for the day to hang out with friends. That’s about it. Unless a bag of cash should fall in my lap that would pay off all my bills, it’s just not happening this year. Diapers for two ain’t cheap!
As the babies grow older, it becomes increasingly more difficult to get time to blog. Or, perhaps I’m just using them as an excuse. I get time. But I more often fall asleep before my hands get to the keyboard. Which I can also blame on the babies. They who have forgotten how to sleep through the night.
But this isn’t really about me. It’s about him.
He's an Angel fan. He can't help it.
When Marco and I first got together, I said, “I’m done having kids. I’m just too old. My kids love you, though.”
I knew he was well on his way to getting wrapped around my girls’ fingers.
And he did. Marco is a terrific Dad to my older girls. They call him Dad. In our day to day lives, he is very much their Dad. He loves them and they love him.
(They also have a dad. They see him every other weekend.)
Marco didn’t know them as itty bitty babies. He didn’t get to change their diapers. Or suck mocos out of little tiny noses. Or hold his tiny brand new infant in his big arms.
From the beginning, they loved him. And he loved them.
Before we got together (or back together if we are being historically accurate), he tried to have babies. He wanted babies. And, if you know me at all, you know that I’m a baby person. I always wanted three kids. So, after a few months of being with Marco. I began to bend on the issue. Baby? Inasne!I was 39. Certainly, “old” by many standards. But, lots of moms have babies later nowadays. I thought, well maybe…
Truthfully, it wasn’t anything he really had to talk me into. There were no persuasive arguments. I just thought we’d better do this soon or it’s not going to happen. And, my tricky body heard my thoughts and dropped not one egg but two eggs earlier than I thought and voila! Twins.
I blame him for the twins all the time. Twins run all over his family. I smile, knowing it was my two eggs all along. And he smiles because he knows it too.
We spent Father’s day together with the babies just hanging out around the house. We did go out for a quick bite. (Menudo!) We called our dads. But mostly, we stayed in comfy clothes and hung out. And then I made pancakes for dinner. Banana-pecan pancakes.
We failed, however to take any photos with him and the babies on Father’s day. Doh! What kind of momblogger am I to have let this happen?!
Luckily, on Saturday, June 18, we attended an event given by Pampers, so I do have a photographic memento of Father’s Day. The event celebrated first-time Fathers as part of their recently launched Little Miracle Missions Campaign, which seeks to celebrate, support and protect babies everywhere through acts of kindness to little miracles (babies) and their families, while encouraging parents to “pay it forward” and support others. Anyone can participate in the Little Miracle Missions program by logging in to the Pampers Facebook page.
Thank you, Pampers Little Miracles for a great day!
This is a still photo of a video interview he gave about his experience as being a first time dad. He’s a champ at juggling two wriggly babies. He does it all the time. He stays home with them right now, while I go to my much needed job. Diapers for two!
I’m incredibly thankful for this man. This man who changes diapers, washes tiny clothes, cleans bottles, and can be found singing lullabies to himself even though the babies are in the other room.
Daddy
And now I must stop writing this blog post because I will cry. And you don’t want me to mess up my keyboard.
*disclaimer* I was not compensated for this post. We did receive a goody bag of diapers and wipes at the event. Just in time for the bigger baby to graduate to the next size!
I stopped at the market on the way home.
Convenient dinner of rotisserie chicken and sides. We needed coffee anyway. Can’t wake up tomorrow and face my commute without my commuter cup full of the steaming hot brew.
I had two options in mind for markets. The big one by the freeway. Or the one a bit more out of the way. The one by the freeway is bigger and has a good selection. But it’s also not the most favorable, security wise. There are more street urchins hanging around. And on a busy street.
But I was aching to get home and wanted the quicker stop. No big deal. This is my town. Nothing to be afraid of, really.
I quickly made my way through the market. And pushed my cart up to the checkout line. Began unloading my groceries onto the conveyor belt. That little voice inside that said, watch your purse, Lex, made me pause. I looked around. Saw no one. Quickly began to unload while glancing at my purse in the front of the cart every few seconds.
A man came up and tried to get by me. I looked at him, with my purse still within my sight and reach. He called out a name. As though he was chasing down his kid.
But I didn’t see a kid. That seemed kind of shady. I checked my purse again. My wallet was still there as was my checkbook. Maybe the man took off with a box of sudafed in his pocket.
What I didn’t realize until I got to my car, was that my phone had been right there in my purse. And now it was gone.
Ugh. Why didn’t I go to the other store? Why didn’t I keep my purse on me instead of in the cart? Why did I leave my phone in plain view?
Something in my gut was warning me about each of these things.
Now my phone was gone. Including my many photos of my family.
Thankfully, I had backed up quite a few. But recent ones are gone.
Changed passwords to everything now. Called to cancel the phone. And managed to order a new one by using an upgrade on another line because apparently the coverage on mine didn’t cover theft or loss.
Will fill out a police report tomorrow.
Learn from my mistake. Don’t leave yourself exposed to possible theft. Maybe the guy was homeless or down on his luck. He saw an opportunity and took it. Maybe he feels terrible. Maybe he doesn’t.
He may have spoiled my evening, and caused a terrible inconvenience. But, he didn’t take my joy.
I’m here writing this post, lying next to the love of my life. My partner in all things. Who rather than blame me for being careless, or get angry at what happened, stepped up and called Sprint to take care of replacing my phone. While I took care of dinner and nursed the babies.
So, dear thief, you have my phone. But I have gratitude for how Marco and I handle these things together.
Still, what a douchebag!
When I entered high school, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. At some point, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be an entertainment reporter. Clearly, that didn’t happen. But somehow, last Friday, I found myself at a media junket for Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. How cool is that?
Jordana Beatty is perfectly cast to play Judy. She just explodes on the screen in this fun and adorable character. And she landed the role via a Skype audition! Opposite Heather Graham, who is just stunning by the way, I loved seeing the adventures they get into. They both talked about how much fun they had making the movie and after seeing the film, I can see why!
Jaleel White, who lets face it, has come a long way from his Urkel days. Dare I say, Hot? (or maybe you remember the later seasons when he played the alter-ego Stephan? Hubba hubba). He plays Mr. Todd, Judy’s beloved teacher, and he is fantastic. When I asked what he would want people to know about him, he said, “I’m a hard worker… ” Yes, he is. I found him to be genuine, with a great sense of humor. He read the books, got a bad haircut and even learned to play the banjo for it! It’s great to see a child star grown up to be someone with a great outlook on life and a work ethic to be proud of.
The thing that made me want to get involved with reviewing the film is that the movie is based on a fun series of books about an imaginative and adventurous girl. Getting to meet the author, Megan McDonald, who also adapted it for the screen, was a huge treat for me. She based a lot of the characters on people and kids she knows in her life. When asked what advice she’d give to aspiring writers, she said “tell a great story… a story you have within you.”
The movie is colorful, fun, and though geared toward kids, still enjoyable for parents. I laughed and remembered my own childhood. It sparked some great conversation with my own girls. They loved the movie. Isa asked if I would buy her some of the books this weekend.
This morning she told me she was going to make up her own summer “thrill point” chart! On the list? San Francisco to visit the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory Headquarters, Disneyland, Solvang, and the list grows. I guess I’m going to have an active summer helping her get these thrill points!
A movie that gets my kid to laugh, read, and use her imagination? And made me laugh too? Thumbs way up!
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer opens in theaters on Friday, June 10 and is rated PG.
I wasn’t compensated for this post and my opinions are my own. I did get to see an advanced screening through momsla. And was fed a cookie.
Are you a reader in the LA area? Care to join me and other moms and kids for an entertaining afternoon? In connection with MomsLA, I am giving away tickets to a special screening of Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.
I’m giving away two sets of tickets. A set of 2 and a set of 3. Just leave a comment with how many you would like (2 or 3). You have until Sunday June 5 at noon (Pacific) to enter. I will notify the winners by Sunday evening.
You must live in the Los Angeles area and provide your own transportation to and from the event. I’d pick you up if I could but with all these girls I birthed, I never have room in my car.
Details:
Wednesday, June 8
4:00pm Mega Cool Cookie Party
4:30pm movie screening
Hollywood location – if you’re a winner, you will be notified of the exact location.
Here’s a little info about the movie:
When her best-laid plans for a summer full of fun go comically awry, an imaginative young girl creates her own vacation adventures in Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer. Based on the beloved, bestselling book series by Megan McDonald, Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer is an irresistible and delightfully funny treat for adventure-loving kids and adults.
This summer, third grader Judy Moody is planning the most super-duper, double-rare summer vacation ever with best friends Rocky and Amy. Except that it turns out Rocky is going to circus camp to learn to tame lions, and Amy is headed off to Borneo with her mom to save a lost tribe while Judy stays home with her pesky little brother Stink and second-best friend Frank Pearl.
Just when she thinks things are as rotten as they can be, her parents announce that they will be going to California and Judy will have to stay behind with her Aunt Opal, who she’s never even met! It looks like Judy’s best summer ever has just become her way worst summer ever.
But feisty, fearless and ever-funny Judy Moody never gives up! With help from some unexpected sources, she’s headed for a summer full of surprises in this charming and spirited family film. Get ready, get set, get MOODY!
Since having the twins, I really have to make an effort to spend mom and daughter time with my older two girls. I thought today would be a great day for the beach. We live so close to the beach, and we have barely been there in the past year. (Pregnant plus bathing suit and sand? no thank you).
So I squeezed my squishy fluffy self into my bathing suit. Hey, it fits! How’s that for confidence? hee!
We packed up some snacks, beach chairs, and towels, and off we went!
See those palm trees? They aren’t supposed to do that so much. The wind was unbelievable.
We lugged all of our stuff down to the perfect spot on the sand. It wasn’t very crowded for a holiday weekend. Imagine that! Well, with the sand blowing everywhere. And the cold wind keeping the suns rays from providing any kind of warmth, we were quickly miserable.
My little one insisted that she touch the water. So I walked down with her to dip our toes in the freezing Pacific water. Brown water. From all the blowing sand everywhere. After a few minutes of running to and from the water’s edge, she had enough and we walked back to our spot.
As the minutes went by, the wind only got worse. Sand was violently hitting our skin. She was screaming that the sand hitting her wet legs felt like needles. She made it to her little beach chair. Had a few cheese crackers, while my oldest had been bundled up in my sweatshirt trying to endure the brutal wind. My sister and I declared our beach day a big fat fail.
We quickly packed up our stuff again. She went for the car while we waited at the edge of the parking lot.
Thankfully, I had called my sister to join us or I would have been dealing with this windy, sandy mess myself. Even more thankful that Marco and the babies stayed home.
These days, it seems like I’m always operating in baby mode. Spending one on one time with my older daughters takes some planning and coordination. And lets face it, sometimes staying home in my yoga pants is a tempting offer.
So, when I got invited to attend a screening of Kung Fu Panda 2, I had to jump at the opportunity to spend the day with one of my girls watching Po kick some booty! And let me tell you, Gabi loved it!
In KUNG FU PANDA 2, Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Watch the trailer:
The movie opens this Friday, May 26. I want to see it again with the whole family in 3D. Gabi gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up! There were a few “scary” parts when we didn’t know if Po was going to make it through the battle. But nothing so scary that Gabi couldn’t enjoy. I watched her as she cheered Po and his friends on. Seeing my girl having a great time brought a big smile to my face. Totally worth taking the day off from the office.
Gabi loved Po (played by Jack Black) but she especially loved Tigress (Angelina Jolie). I have to say, I love that there is a strong female character. She came home with some toys from the goody bag we received, including a Tigress action figure. It was Kung Fu Panda play for the rest of the weekend.
Posing with Po
We also got to tour the Dreamworks campus. That place is awesome! If given the chance again, I’d love to take my 9yo, Isa. Drawing is her passion, and I could just see her becoming an animator some day. She would have loved it. Unfortunately, she had testing at school so I couldn’t bring her along this time.
This is not a paid post. I was invited to a media event along with other bloggers. I received a promotional goodie bag and an entertaining experience of seeing the film and touring the studio facility. The opinions in this post are my own.
Did you know that April 30th is known as El Día del Niño, or Children’s Day? Until recently, neither did I.
Apparently, in Mexico it is celebrated annually, and yet, my family has never celebrated the day.
Sure, we know Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but learning there is a Children’s Day at 40 years old, I had to ask, what did I miss out on as a child? Was there supposed to be presents?
I asked my dad if he ever grew up celebrating… no. My mom? Nope. Marco didn’t either. Maybe it started as a regional celebration in Mexico that just hadn’t reached my family.
I had already planned on walking in the March of Dimes that morning. Certainly, a worthy celebration for children. My own twin babies born early, yet healthy thanks to good prenatal care, bedrest, and even medication to keep them in as long as possible.
My older girls were set to spend the day with my parents. My parents took them shopping. They came home with new dresses and trinkets they picked out at the mall. After resting from the walk, and nursing my blister, we all went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Ending the meal with a dessert of flan and churros.
I decided I like the idea of Children’s Day. Through a campaign from Kellogg, I have found a tradition I plan to continue with my children in years to come. As a busy mom, I welcome a chance to make special memories with my kids. I don’t want them to look back and only remember me telling them to clean their room and do their homework.
Kellogg is promoting the celebration with a free kids movie pass:
Buy any three Kellogg cereals (8.7 oz or larger) or Eggo Waffles (6 count or larger) and receive a free kids movie pass (up to $7.50 value) with a mail-in official form. The order form can be found on special packages of Frosted Flakes and Cocoa Krispies. Tear pads are also available in the cereal aisle or from an Eggo freezer cling.
I plan on using that ticket soon. I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Did you celebrate Children’s Day?
Disclosure: This post is part of a blogging program from the Kellogg Company and Latina Bloggers Connect. I am eligible to win a $35 payment for this post. However, all opinions are my own.
We watched a little TV.
Did you see?
My twins!
I’m still pinching myself that this happened.
El Mundo
