Santa...Read Here!

I should start this post by saying, I'm not the most stylish woman. I lean heavily, on my friends. To you know, show me the ropes. I'm not kidding! After my separation, my friends took me to NYC. For a makeover, and shopping. Because, I had no style!

That doesn't mean, that I want to look frumpy. I like dressing up. I like feeling put together. And feeling like a woman. I just need help! But I do look at lots of magazines, I read many fashion blogs, and seek help from friends.

To be 100% honest though, the last year, I've lived in sweats. Sometimes leggings. And even days and days of PJs. I'm not proud. But I'm honest! Most of all, I like to be comfy. My clothes need to function. I have a sick baby. And a broken body of my own. That means, complicated clothes, don't fit into my lifestyle. Just plain and simple.

My Bestie has this great style. She is so cool and comfy. All the time! She has this ladylike look when she works. Most stylish doctor I know! Then she has these fun and funky clothes, when she performs. You should hear her sing! So I ask her a lot of questions. ;) A while back, my Bestie blogged about this cape. Love it!

Looks sorta like a jacket. Totally comfy. Just my style! Um, Santa if you are reading this...I want this for Christmas. And I swear, I've been a good girl! :) This cape, would totally dress up my usual outfit. And I might just try a little harder, to put on a pair of jeans...a few times a week!

Makes Me Want to Be an Angel

Earlier this week, I watched the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. I should start off with, I've never been a lingerie kind of woman. Never! I've never been comfortable in my body. I think that's most of my problem. But for some reason, this year, watching this show, I want to go buy lingerie. Well, maybe not lingerie. But fun bras and undies. Sorta makes me want to be an angel...

Our Turkey Day

First of all, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving, had to be the best one I've ever had. No exaggerations! As a kid, holidays were always horrible. It was pathetic. For years, my grandma tried, to make the holidays special for us. But I know that it was hard for her.

My parents always fought. ALWAYS! My mom couldn't cook. There was so much tension. I used to HATE being off of school. As we got older, my mom remarried. Things got worse. My brother and I were tossed aside. I tried to do things. So my brother wouldn't realize what was going on. It was tough.

But this year, it was different. SO DIFFERENT! After spending last year, in the hospital, I was looking forward to a good day. My Teddy Bear and I, wanted to make it special. A new beginning. Start traditions for my Baby Girl. And we did!

My Teddy Bear's family came over. And honestly, did 98% of the cooking. We all sat and talked. Helped each other. I learned how to really cut an onion. We baked pies. Not the ones from the frozen food case either. Real pies!

There was music. Lots of jokes. Plenty of family time. Watching the parade. Can you believe it? I had NEVER seen the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. NEVER! We watched football. The guys went out and played football. We said prayers. Told everyone what we were thankful for. Spent 3 hours sitting at the table. Eating! 3 HOURS!!! It was so much fun! And look at this outfit.

My Baby Girl was dressed up like a turkey! She looked adorable. Was so cuddly and warm. The perfect Thanksgiving outfit.

We couldn't stop there. W got into the holiday spirit too! Like his outfit? He didn't mind it. But then again, he's pretty chill.

We played games and ate, well into the night. Friends came over. Blue Eyes stopped in, just to spoil my Baby Girl. Our day started at 5AM. And we played games, talked, and ate pumpkin pie until 2AM! It was so much more than I could have ever asked for. A day full of the people I love. The only person missing was my Bestie.

I want my Baby Girl to have memories like this. Happy memories. Days filled with love. Happiness. Making new traditions. Talking about our blessings. Eating more food in 3 hours, than we usually eat in a week!

At the end of the night, 5 things stood out.
1. My Brother B was so happy. He actually told me, "This is what it feels like, to be part of a family. It's incredible! Thanks Hills!"
2. My heart had so much love for my Baby Girl. Today, I really felt like a mommy. Making memories for my Baby Girl.
3. I'm 100% positive, I've never seen my Teddy Bear this happy. He told me, "This is just our beginning. We're going to have a 1000 more." You know what, I believe him. With all of my heart!
4. My Teddy Bear's mom and sister, pulled me aside. To thank me. For making this guy so happy. They can tell, we've become a family. :) 
5. I've never felt so much love in my life. Ever! My Bestie called. She made me cry. Just by telling me what I meant to her.

We had so many people come over. Fill our home with love. I know, that not every year is going to be like this. I know this. I've lived lots of those horrible years. But I want so much better for my daughter. Heck, for myself. And my brother. We deserve to be loved. To enjoy life. I'm telling you, this man is changing our lives. In so many ways. This year, I'm so thankful for the people in my life. For their love. And for my life.

Winter White

Over the weekend, we started decorating for the holidays. Everything looks so beautiful! My Baby Girl and I spent many hours today, watching the twinkling lights. :) It's so nice to watch the miracle of the holiday, through my daughter's eyes.

I'm still looking for some specific details. I want to buy some little lambs. A few vases, to fill with ornaments. I've seen those all over the internet! They are so perfect. I'm still searching for our stockings. And a wreath. Actually 2 wreaths. For our front door.

That's when I found this wreath. Darn google! The page is expired. Had I found it, I would have ordered 2. Immediately! But I didn't. So I called my Bestie. Who told me, these are super easy to make. She gave me a list of supplies, that I need. And explained to me, in plenty of detail, how to make this wreath.

You see, I'm in love with this color palette. It reminds me of "Winter White." And matches the decorations in our living room. The first "real room," when you enter the front doors. I really want this wreath. But I'm not too crafty. Actually, I was more crafty, when I was 6 years old! But I'm going to try. And well, if I doesn't turn out right, I might just pay my Bestie to make me 2! :)

Halloween Fun

It's that time of year. Halloween! I'm so excited. It's the first, "real" Halloween, for my Baby Girl. Last year, neither one of us, was in any sort of shape, to celebrate. We had costumes, but they were the last things I thought of.

This year, is very different. Our big 'ol Teddy Bear, went out and bought a few costumes for my Baby Girl. Now we're having a tough time, deciding what to dress my Baby Girl as.

How about a Cupcake? That little icing hat is just too cute! How about the little skirt? So adorable! I wonder who comes up with these ideas.....

Maybe a Princess. Cinderella is always a favorite! This would be absolutely precious. Every little girl's dream. Right?

How about something more traditional? A witch. This costume is absolutely adorable! I love all the little details.

This cute ladybug just makes me smile! The fabric is so fun! I just want to pet this costume. And a ladybug. Honestly. This is going to have to be the theme to my Baby Girl's 2nd birthday. :)

A butterfly. Can it get any cuter? Everything about this costume makes me smile. The wings, the little feet, and the antennas!

This Lovebug just makes my heart melt! And it's super soft. I just love all the little hearts. This is definitely one of my favorites.

Another one of my favorites. Love this flower! The little ruffles are precious! So is that little bee. And this costume looks to be pretty comfy. The head part, well it will fit over my Baby Girl's helmet. Always a good thing. :)

And a cute chickie! With eggshells. My Brother B just loves this costume. I think it has something to do with those silly chicken legs and eggshells. :)

This furry little lamb is just adorable. The fabrics are so fun. Have I mentioned, I'm loving this little lamb! There's just something about this costume.

Or how about a cute bunny? So cuddly and fun. The little face is almost too cute for words. And those big feet, oh it just makes me smile!

Maybe a precious Teddy Bear. The nurses are loving this one. There's something about the tie and the little blanket.

My Teddy Bear's favorite. A little Monkey. That's what he calls my Baby Girl, his "Little Monkey." He's really passionate, that this should be my Baby Girl's costume.

Then we come to the costumes we bought last year. My Teddy Bear bought this adorable Care Bear. Isn't it the cutest? "His Little Sunshine Bear." Another cute nickname, that he calls my Baby Girl.

How about this adorable Glow Worm? My personal favorite. I bought it last August. It's always been my favorite. The costume that I had envisioned, my then 3 week old, Baby Girl wearing. And, this year, my Baby Girl will wear this cute costume. It's warm and comfy. Cute and colorful. And will fit over all her hospital monitors, and helmet.

And all but the last 3 costumes, we're donating, to other kids in the hospital. I feel really passionate about that. My Teddy Bear can afford to spend money like this. I can't. And I know what it's like, to have to save your pennies. I know that these parents already sacrifice so much! So much time, and money. The last thing they need to worry about, is coming up with money, for a Halloween costume.

I just want to help them, in anyway that I can. This year, we're able to make a few kids happy. I know that my Baby Girl and I are happy, and well taken care of. I just want more of these families, to feel the same. It may just be a Halloween costume. But I know, when you are in this position, every little bit helps. And the bottom line is, we want the kids to be happy and healthy. We're all doing our part, to make that happen.

Could I Make This?

It looks like we're going to go home, sometime before New Year's! That makes me so excited! One, my daughter is getting stronger and healthier. Every day! Two, we get to go home. I haven't been home in nearly a year! The idea of going home, just gets me all excited!

I was thinking about all the things, that need to get done. All before we go home. I need to have our house cleaned. I also need to get a few pieces of furniture. And I'm sure, some medical equipment. I have this long list of things, that needs to get done. But all I can thing about, is this wreath!

Isn't it just so pretty? It's my favorite color, blue! It's simple. But fun. Oh, I want this wreath! Do you think I can make it? I'm not a "Crafty Bug," like my Bestie. But this doesn't look too tough to make.What do yo think? A wreath, some yarn, and a little fabric. Looks like felt? Cut into ovals or circles. I think I will be able to make this. :)

One of the main reasons, I want a pretty wreath is, in the South, everyone has wreaths! I've lived in the South for almost 14 years. There is something about all these little details. I'm learning them, as time goes by. Slowly. But I'm learning. If I get good at this, maybe I can figure out a wreath for every month. If not,I'll start buying wreaths, slowly. I could collect 12 in a few years. :)

She Loves Abby!

Over the last week or 2, we've noticed something so sweet! My Brother B first realized it. When my Baby Girl hears Abby Cadabby, she lights up! Her little feet kick like crazy. Her arms swing, and her hands go to grab. My Baby Girl smiles, makes all these sweet baby sounds, and tries to find Abby.

We've all enjoyed watching this. My Teddy Bear, immediately ran out and bought all sorts of DVDs with Abby. And the cutest stuffed Abby. My daughter loves all of them. Our morning routine, definitely includes lots of Sesame Street. And well, we're all enjoying this so much!



Who would have thought? But it's been so fun. Just to watch my Baby Girl get so excited. She really loves Abby. I'm glad that she's finally enjoying life. And whatever it takes, to make her happy, I'm going to do!

De Colores

Let's start of with a little background info. I was born and raised, until I was 15, in the southwest. There were only 2 blond kids in my entire elementary school! I was one of them. The other was popular. Greg's grandma was a volunteer at our school. He was golden because of this. I on the other hand, was a total outcast. My only friend, was this gal. I was cool with that. She has been an amazing friend to me. I can't even begin to tell you, just how much she means to me.

At our school, we always did fun class performances. Things like Spanish Dancing, or singing Spanish Music. It was always a lot of fun. Our teachers would put up these props and houses. We'd practice for weeks. Then we'd put on our show. Most of the time at our school. But also at the local high school, or the Mall!

When I was 6 or 7, we were having a Holiday Show. I practiced hard. Learned all the music. Which was hard. It was all in Spanish. But my grandparents helped me. I begged my mom for a new dress. I wasn't asking for much. Something that she could make me. I didn't care. I just wanted something new. Everyone else was getting something new. Not me.

I wore black tights with this ugly, long pink sweater. It had a dog on the front. And had a hole on the side. My mom did manage to get me this embarrassingly huge bow for my hair. It was the 80s. There we were. Me and all my classmates. Everyone in new Christmas clothes. Me in my pink sweater. I was so nervous. We walked up the stage. We started singing. My favorite song, De Colores.



And I accidentally pushed over the "Hacienda." I had 3 teachers screaming at me. But I kept singing. With my "white accent" and all. As loud as I could. I'm pretty sure, everyone else had stopped singing. What could I do? I'll never forget that day. My mom wouldn't talk to me for days. My dad said I was an embarrassment. But I sang my favorite song. That's all that mattered. At least, that day.

Jump ahead. I'm 27, and pregnant. My Bestie is throwing me and my Baby Girl a Baby Shower. I'm happy as can be. As happy as a 8 month, pregnant mommy can be. I could barely move. But I was so happy! And I opened 1 of the many gifts, that my Bestie got us. It was this book...

I cried. It's the best book ever! I've read it many, many times to my Baby Girl. We've sat and talked about it. I've told her my funny story. Played her the song. Heck, I've even sang it to her a few hundred times. :) I might only be 1/4 Hispanic. But it still matters.

I want my Baby Girl to know about our family. Our roots. I want to share with her, a little bit of our history and culture. It's such a colorful, wonderful, and fun culture. This is just the beginning. But it's such a great place to start. I'm glad we have De Colores to share. :)

Fun Accent Vlog

I originally seen this video on my bestie's blog. And I really enjoyed watching it. I think Trina is just so amazing. I read her blog. And watch her YouTube videos. Just like my bestie, I like her accent. It's just fun. OK, I'll admit it here. After living in the south, for over 13 years now, I have an accent too! So there. Anyway, I think this is a fun video. I hope you enjoy it too!

I Want to See This.....

How Does She Do It. I want to see this movie so bad! It looks like a hilarious movie. One of those movies that I was instantly drawn too. Yes, I just want to watch this movie!