Every time I watch my boys sleep, I get a huge knot in my throat. A wave of guilt comes over me. In those few minutes I reflect on what kind of mom I was for the day and I ask myself the same questions: Why did I lose my patience? Was I a good listener? Did I engage them enough? Was I mentally present today? Almost always I think I wasn’t good enough. I sigh and whisper a promise in their ear that tomorrow I will be better. Lately, after reprimanding Diego for bad behavior, I say to him, “I don’t expect you to be perfect but I do expect you to be respectful and polite to others.” I must think about that every time I engage with my boys…just be respectful to them.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Your friend,
Betty
I Don’t Expect You to be Perfect…
Posted by on March 9, 2012 Leave a Comment
Pinning!
Posted by on March 8, 2012 Leave a Comment
Pinsanity! What is going on here? Over a million people are pinning away! I have my account. I have my boards. But I have only pinned one thing! I don’t know why I can’t pin. Why am I having a hard time pinning?!? I get a notification that a friend is following me on Pinterest, I go and follow them back, I look around and…I get distracted! Just like I did 5 minutes ago! Now I find myself writing instead of pinning! Here is my take on why everyone loves it. [Read more…]
Let’s Send Him to Chicago!
Posted by on March 7, 2012 Leave a Comment
Ten minutes before this picture was taken Diego was in tears. Santi, our 15 month-old, made him cry. This happens a lot in our home. Santi is demanding, a screamer and even scares me…often. So Diego ran up from the playroom in hysterics to tell me that Santi was all over his space, taking his toys and “bothering” him. He said he didn’t want Santi near him and that he couldn’t wait for his new baby brother to arrive because he was going to love him more than he loves Santi. Oh brother. Literally. I told him to relax and like past conversations we have had, I explained all the benefits and joys of having a little brother…he didn’t buy it. So I said, “Let’s just send Santi to Chicago”. Why do I say things like that? I don’t know. Yes I do. But I’m afraid to say out loud. Santi is a handful. Can’t Tita Che (my mother) deal with him for a week? I kid. Santi isn’t that bad. Anyway, Diego looked up with wide, teary eyes and whispered, “No! Don’t send him away.” Proof! Thank goodness! He does love his brother!
As we approached the playroom, I caught Santi with a look of surprise on his face. Did I just catch him listening to our conversation? He ran back to the little track Diego was working on and just started handing things to Diego as if to say, “Mommy, Diego is lying. I didn’t do anything! Look at what a great helper I am! Please don’t send me away!!” Diego continued to build his track, Santi handed over the pieces and then…miracle…they played together. Was this really happening? I ran to get my iPhone so I could take a picture and it was pure bliss…for ten minutes. No one is going to Chicago. Hmmm…what if Diego would have said, yes, send him? Oops. Even mothers say the darnest things.
xoxo
Awesome Mommy
Posted by on March 6, 2012 Leave a Comment
There are a lot of women I admire and there are a lot of moms out there that I want to be when I grow up. I’d like to have a regular post featuring fantastic mothers that capture the essence of womanhood, domestic divas and kick-ass world-changers. One of my closest friends, Allie Rosvold-Carpenter, is exactly that plus a mother to one year-old Charles, a designer and photographer. This mommy is one hot mommy and I want to share her on-line portfolio to prove how inspirational she is. [Read more…]
Hello! Please, Why Don’t You Stay for a Bit?
Posted by on March 2, 2012 Leave a Comment
I did it! I just went to my Facebook page and notified everyone that I am launching my new blog by updating my status. “What’s on your mind?” Well Facebook, I am hoping that at least half of my friends will click on my link and love my blog and keep coming back because they can’t get enough! I am also scared dear Facebook. Terrified! My stomach is in knots and I’ll drive myself crazy as I continue to refresh this page and check for new comments!! But it was time.
In the past five years, we will call it a.c. (after children), I have acquired a bit of knowledge on a lot of things. I’m not an expert on one thing, but I know a little about a lot of things. Friends who are teaching (from my b.c. life) still ask me for recommendations for their classrooms, old students now in college ask me for advice, people send me private emails on Facebook wanting to know “as a parent, what would you do”? It is all so flattering. Especially on days that I feel completely lost in New Jersey, without family, homesick, and desperate to get back to work outside our home. Your questions and conversations with me are truly inspiring. Helping others helps me become a better mom, a better wife, a better student and a better teacher. I hope you enjoy my views, my advice and remember, I don’t think I know everything…it’s just what your friend Betty says.
Please click on my Subscribe button and comment, comment, comment!!!
xoxo
Se Habla Español
Posted by on March 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
I love when blog ideas just flutter from the universe into my lap! Last week my friend commented on a blog post in Spanglish. She then went on a tanget about how she needed to stop speaking and writing in both languages (at the same time). She noticed her little four year-old Daniela was speaking Spanglish as well. Hence, the conversation on bilingualism began…again. I have had this conversation with myself and have reviewed my own teaching of Spanish at home about a hundred times in the past five years. It is always on my mind. Ironically enough, CNN ran an editorial, “Mama, Would You Please Speak English?” written by Rose Arce this week! I found it super interesting. A bilingual mother battling an outspoken little 6 year-old who states, “This is America. Gente should be speaking English”. Ouch. Well, ok then. The question of where she learned that is an interesting topic for another post. If you are first generation Hispanic or Latino-American and your kids speak Spanish and English beautifully, then you are exceptional (give us your secret)! For those of us who are struggling every day, here are some ideas that are working for Jose and I. [Read more…]
Betty’s Whine
Posted by on February 29, 2012 Leave a Comment
I’ve been eating a lot of chocolate lately to make up for the lack of alcohol. I’m not going to lie: I miss drinking. I’m 28 weeks pregnant at the moment and I feel so silly trying to sneak sips from Jose’s wine glass that I just pour myself a small portion and watch my friend’s faces for judgement. I turn to everyone and state my disclaimer, “It’s my third baby”, which translates to “cut me some slack”! Before you worry, I’m being dramatic again. I wouldn’t be so irresponsible. I know the effects of alcohol and pregnancies, etc. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I caused harm to my baby. I’ll just drink non-alcoholic beer (or just wet my lips with the freshly-opened bottle of Shiraz) and pretend that my muscles are being relaxed on their own-magic! But, for you mommies who are NOT pregnant or trying to get pregnant, here are some fun wines on the market that make you feel oh-so-special (as if drinking the wine isn’t enough). [Read more…]
Dreams
Posted by on February 28, 2012 Leave a Comment
This was Diego’s art work that came from school last week. I usually go through his bag the minute it comes home on Friday afternoons. Last week, Diego’s godparents came to visit from Kansas City, we had his birthday celebration on Saturday and I never looked in the bag until yesterday, Monday morning, a week later because his school broke for President’s/Winter break. As I discovered the presidential project, there was a shooting taking place in an Ohio school and this morning a second student died. All children are born with such innocence and huge dreams…I wanted to share Diego’s vision with you.
xoxo
Bellezas
Posted by on February 27, 2012 Leave a Comment
Whether or not JLo’s almost wardrobe malfunction last night was intentional, (Jose: “I see nipple!!!!”), the Latinas rocked it last night. JLo looked stunning in her Zuhair Murad gown and Cameron Diaz was not to be left behind. They were both gorgeous presenting at the 2012 Academy Awards but I’m not so sure how I felt about them showing of their other assets. What was up with this pose? I felt uncomfortable watching and then the giggling bit? Hmmm…no. [Read more…]
Book Review #2
Posted by on February 25, 2012 Leave a Comment
I read a review somewhere (my baby brain will not allow me to remember the source) and Would It Kill You To Stop Doing That? by Henry Alford sounded like I would be learning…modern manners. Like, what should I do if someone is nasty on an email or on Facebook? You know, modern problems. Well this book wasn’t the typical “dos” and “don’ts” of proper etiquette. Alford’s meaty part of the book is advice to 23 different “commonly overlooked unpleasantries” that a group of people submitted to him. He then answered them in 14 pages. The book is 231 pages long. I wanted MORE. Like a list or something. So, it got me thinking and I do want to point out my personal pet peeves and make my own list because I consider myself the Queen of Manners (I kid! But I was once told that I apologize too much…well, I’m sorry for that). Here is my list of what I think are “unpleasantries”. [Read more…]
Recent Comments