And The Winner Is... True Happiness

My life is but a dream.  With the help of my husband, we have begun a beautiful little family.  We have a happy home filled with love and laughter.  We have food on the table and a roof over our head.  Our daughter fills our home with light and smiles.  Life is good.

Before Olivia came into my life, I was sternly told not to lose myself:  Go out.  Find time for yourself.  Relax.  Relaxing is overrated when you have a nine-month old.  I am never alone and haven't been alone for almost 2 years.  Just going to the bathroom has become a spectator's sport.  Because my bathroom now smells like roses, Olivia has crawled to my feet, looks up at me, smiles and giggles.  Now the chihuahuas are in the bathroom with us.  Olivia is screaming and playing with them.  Marley and Emma are jumping on her, jumping on me and before I know it, what was about to go down, has now crawled back up.  Yes, while this is not the cutest smelling story, that is life, that is my life, and the life of many other mommies out there.  

                                                   

Since I graduated from college back in 2008, I have had difficulty finding my place in this world.  One thing I know for sure, motherhood is a part of me and was always supposed to be.   I wouldn't trade this life for any other, and I truly mean this.  Yet, in terms of a career,  I haven't found my stride.  I've dabbled in this and that jobs but nothing that has tugged at my heart strings.  I have been stuck in this rut.  I have always said, things have a funny way of working themselves out.  It may make you crazy or even gain a couple gray hairs, but things will work out.  Recently, a friend posted a link on Facebook about a "Mommy Makeover" contest.  Sign me up, I thought!  With enthusiasm, I sent in my best letter of why they should pick me and along with 5 other girls, we were selected for U&Me Magazine's First annual Mommy Makeover Contest.  I'm soooo excited and I just can't hide it...!  This truly is the kick in the ass I need to feel empowered, work on my fitness and nutrition goals, and meet some really amazing people.  Did I mention I was excited?  This lifestyle overhaul includes a makeover, prepared meals delivered to my door from Fit2Go, nutrition guru Kathleen Szczech, and much more.  I am very thankful U&Me magazine has chosen me, along with my new friends.  I want to take this opportunity by the horns and run with it!

I have a laundry pile as far as the eye can see, an endless supply of bottles and dirty dishes, floors to clean daily, and I still haven't landed my dream job.  I have a giant pimple on my forehead, my hair is covered in Mum-Mum crumbs, and today I've changed more caca diapers than my garbage can hold, but for now, I am simply going to enjoy Olivia and my pups.  I'll worry about everything else at a later time.  I'm going to inhale this amazing life I lead and exhale the negatives.  While some days I may be tired and cranky, today is not one of them.  I can choose to be bothered by things or smile at everything else.  Ultimately, it is my decision.  I choose to be happy.  In life, we all dictate the roads we choose.  While there may be bumps in our paths, it is how we choose to  challenge these unfortunate problems in our lives that can make or break our spirits.  I choose happiness.  I choose life.  I choose to smile.  When life gets the best of me all I have to do is look at Olivia, tell her how much I love her in my most high-pitched, squeaky voice, and in return I always get a crooked, toothy grin that knows true love when she hears it.

Congratulations to all the winners in the Mommy Makeover contest.  :)

All images borrowed from Google.

My Sugar-Free/Low-Carb Mini-Me

This Sunday, I will be celebrating MY first Mother's Day. I never thought there would come a day where I would be blessed with a daughter and often questioned if I was the right fit for motherhood.  Yet, as fate would have it, I have a twenty pound little girl dreaming a dream, sleeping across my chest, as I type this on my phone. I'm loving every second of motherhood. More than I thought I ever would! I love the smell of her baby cologne in her chick-fine hair.  I love that her little fingers slowly grip my arm. I love feeling her heartbeat sync with mine. I love listening to her soft breath and occasionally letting out her big sigh. I love the smell of her baby breath when she lets out those deep sighs.  I love knowing that in exactly 45 minutes she wakes up for lunch.  I love when she wakes up, she rises and shines with a smile. I love that her softly scented hair, wakes up to a teased 80's punk look.  I love my daughter like a weed loves a crack in the sidewalk. She is my best teacher, the other love of my life, my little Mimi-me.


I grew up very attached to my mom.  I was her mini-me, and we were destined to take on the world... together.  My wings were never clipped and to this day, I am still attached to my mom's hip.  I slept in her bed till I moved out of the house (don't judge me).  She is the one I complain to and the woman who makes me whole.  She kept clothes on my back and my tummy full.  She still tells me what to wear and I still complain I'm not cool enough for the trendy clothes she insist I wear.  She subliminally controls my thoughts and I still value her opinion.  This is the same woman who will tell me to watch my calories just as I finished a mouth-watering burger.  Everything must be sugar-free and low-carb.  She'll point out my new wrinkles and than inform me of the latest wrinkle blaster.  She drives me fucking nuts sometimes and yet, I wouldn't trade her for any other mom!  She will always be my comfort wubby.  More importantly, she gave me life.  Love me or hate me, she made me, me.  



"Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts," and we are no exception.  My mom was born in Cuba and eventually moved to the states at an early age.  No, she did not come here by a makeshift raft and swim eagerly to shore.  She did it the legal way and eventually received her citizenship.  A rebel in designer labels, she loves to have fun.  She is always dressed to the nines and ready for a good time.  She insist you dress your best because you never know when you will run into someone.  She is the first voice I hear in my head every time I run into someone and I'm dressed like poo.  She has a heart of gold.  No, not literally, however, she would insist it's a diamond, ha.  She does so much for her friends and family.  More than anyone is willing to give her credit for.  She is a wonderful listener and is always the first to give positive feedback and advice.  She never hesitates to help when asked and she'd give you the only dollar she had left if you needed it. Slowly but surely, I find myself doing the things that I would've cringed and cursed at my mom for doing.  It's inevitable... 



Oh my God, I'm turning into my mother... and it's okay.  If I can be half the mother to Olivia that she was and continues to be for me, than I know Olivia will be a sugar-free, low-carb, fashionista, and totally awesome!  So on this Mother's Day, my first Mother's Day, I want to acknowledge my mommy.  All that I am and all that I know to be, is thanks to her.  You may not be perfect but you are perfect for me!  Thank you for being the best mom, friend, and grandma a daughter could ever ask for. I love you.  We love you.

All pictures above were borrowed from Pinterest.  Pictures below are from my Facebook page.