Baby Friends and Mommas Friends....Vital part of our life!

For those of you who have been following Nico's life...you know how important BABY FRIENDS and MOMMA FRIENDS have been to us on this journey/adventure of parenthood. Surrounding myself with people that understand what I'm feeling, have similar needs, expectations, and *schedules, has led me to make strong connections with women that I feel so lucky to CALL MY FRIENDS! From when I was preggers, I reached out to pregnant momma friends.

Then once Nico joined me, together we set out on a quest to MOMMY DATE and we were so fortunate to find some AMAZING mommas in AUSTIN...who we still keep tabs on and follow up with on their BEAUTIFUL journeys through motherhood and now even motherhood of TWO =).

When we moved to LA....Nico and I set out to get our fix of MOMMA/Baby friends which we started to slowly find until we built an amazing group of baby and momma friends that we MISS SO MUCH right now.

And so now that we've moved to Miami....Nico and I are back on that quest! We are on the prowl to meeting Momma Friends. Miami's been a little different. Mommy's haven't been as open to talking to "strangers'' as in the other 2 cities we've lived in, but we'll find those mommas that want to have a good time, make new friends, and share the joys and stress of LIFE on MOMMYLANE.   Mommy friends are the people that:

• don't mind getting your kids' spit up on them
• don't mind having INTERMITEN converstations...that usually don't end anywhere near inteneded due to TIMELY distractions.
• Who understand what you mean when you say that you need a LIFE EPIDURAL.
• who hug you went there is nothing to be said
• who listen to you complain about your child w/o judging your conviction
• who pour you a glass of wine and make you laugh when the going gets tough and you find yourself alone
• make time to enjoy time with YOU and your baby
• make the journey of motherhood that much more enjoyable, memorable, and special!!!

I love and miss all my momma friends in LA, Austin, Winter Haven, Malaysia, and those other ones scattered around other places!!! (No pressure Miami...lol).

TODAY, We met up with a friend from PRESCHOOL and her neighbor! She has 2 kiddos (Tyler and Adrian) and her friend has a little girl, emily and a little boy on the way..... Before we knew Nico and I were in our FIRST PLAY-DATE in MIAMI with Emily(2 1/2), Tyler (1 month older than Nico) and Adrian (5 months old).

I had forgotten how small babies were!!!

And then we came home to play with our neighbor's kids...who arn't so little 10 and 17, but Nico had a blast anyway...Especially when Sebas (10) read to Nico the COLLECTION of LIGHTNING McQUEEN STORIES! It was adorable to watch Nico listen intently and repeat words he recognized, gasp a moments in the story, and imitate how Sebas  used his finger to lead himself while reading!!!!

I would be lying if I said that moving here has been easy and all fun and games, but truth is  I know many great things await us in this new chapter...remembering that on the difficult days is key...and often hard to do, but I'll keep looking for those hidden treasures that Miami has in store for us.
Here's to NEW BEGINNINGS and 'new' friendships! 

Night Night

Congrats Julia!!!

My friend Julia in Texas, her husband Matt, and their son Jackson---Nico's Friend, just welcomed their newest addition to the family!!! their little girl REAGAN at 7lb 4oz!!!

So happy for you guys!!!!!! Congratulations! Reagan is beautiful!! May the world live us to her dreams!!!! 

Welcome Princess Reagan!!!

BOOK UPDATE!!

As you have been able to see on MY BOOK PAGE, the writing of this book has been a process. A process that's had it's ups and downs. A process that has let me down a couple times...but a process that has surprised me and reenergized me at points as well.

What I am most proud of is that I BELIEVED in my book! I believed in my vision! I let that belief guide my decisions, and NOT SETTLE for a version any less than what I would be proud to have my name on!

I didn't do it alone. Nico and our family and friends (far and near) inspired the actual idea. The encouragement of my family and (mom) friends helped me believe that the idea was worth pursuing. Peter helped me purchase the package that made the process OFFICIAL and was unknowingly and unintentionally my BIGGEST Motivator.  But I must admit that I wouldn't have been able to do it without my friend PRISCILLA SHAKUR. She helped mold my diamond in the rough into the actual GEM that is this final product.

The Publishing company itself hasn't been the easiest to work with but my author service representative, GLEN BRYCE, has been extremely cooperative and helpful, saving face for the publishing experience.

So what's the update?
THE FINAL GALLEY of the book was sent to me for approval yesterday...and I APPROVED!

Price has been set- $21.99 for Soft Cover and $31.99 for Hardcover. 

I know the price is a little more than I would pay for a book for Nico...but I have bought him a couple SPECIAL BOOKS for his collection....Like: Let's Do Nothing, Ty Cooney, Let's Race and I've really appreciated meeting the authors and getting their signature in the books, and hearing about their process. I hope that family, and friends, and family of friends and friends of family will like this book and want to share it with the ones they love.

What I want most is to share OUR STORY...and that one day Nico can be PROUD of having a mom that turns her dreams into reality, that takes life's lemons and makes lemonade...and that LOVES her life more each day because he is in it!

***Stay tuned...Website will be up soon for you to explore your purchase options***

Running partner void

In the past 11 years, I have never been at a shortage of running partners or motivation to get out to get my long runs in. However, in the last couple months here in LA I've been struggling to get into a routine....which makes me miss my running friends!!

At Lourdes, I had LITERALLY 100 girls to pick from. Runs were always interesting...filled with stories of boys, school, gossip, cosmo topics, and so much more entertainment.

When I got to UF, my options narrowed down a little, from 100 to about 14 girls...However, I lived with 3 other runners. I still remember the first week of school when I moved to UF, my roommates and I woke up everyday at 5am to run before our orientation. Those first runs were really hard and long, because none of us wanted to be the first to complain or say it was too hard or fast. Living with teammates wasn't always easy but it made it really HARD to be LAZY and to not get up for a run. And there was always someone up for a run...so lonely runs were few and far between and often a welcomed change. Throughout the years at UF I started preferring runs with some people...people who became some of my best friends. My last year I ran with the girls from TRACK OMEGA...which was always a BLAST. All my running partners throughout my time at UF filled my runs with philosophical talks on the meaning of life, heart-ache support, frustration soothers, and millions of funny, weird, and interesting stories.

(Norte Dame Invite)(100mile Relay)

After UF, I was lucky to find some friends in the Peace Corps, Lindsay, Lee, and Shiv, who would also get up a run in the mornings...mainly Lee. Most days I did run on my own throughout Santa Clara before I got hurt.

In Austin, I was lucky to find a group of girls who were super disciplined and dedicated. They would get me up at 5am to go meet them for 5:45am runs when Nico was only a couple months old! Some nights, when Nico would be up for a couple hours, I didn't think I had it in me to go for a 6 or 7 mile run...but they would text me to let me know they were waiting...and I would drag myself out of bed, and go meet them. I was also lucky that one of those running friends was a BABY MOMMA.

Since moving to LA, we have have found 2 running groups (LADC and MDR Running Clubs). I have also run a couple (2x) with another baby momma....BUT it's been really hard for me to get into a running groove.....IRONIC, since it's the most BEAUTIFUL place I've ever lived, with the ocean a few short strides away, and miles of sidewalk by the ocean.

Nico has been a supportive running partner since he was a couple months old and has made me work hard, but he's not very good a motivating me to get out the door when "I'm not FEELING IT". Instead, he makes it very easy to do ANYTHING else instead of heading out the door.

The last 2 runs I have been feeling really nostalgic. I know I'm just being a baby, but I wish I had a person that would make me accountable for my miles...and would chat with me for miles and miles about life, gossip, and things that don't matter. I feel that I need that extra push right now, while I get back into a routine.

I want to hear stories, gossip, and have senseless convos on runs up and down and all around LA with someone who is a little competitive and will keep the pace up, but not race pace everyday all the time. I know that I can't wait to find someone...I need to start doing it myself, even if it's harder...but with every lonely run that goes by....I'm pretty sure I'm gonna keep yearning for what I took for granted for SO many years. Hope all you girls are doing great...miss you!!!

HAPPY BIRTHday

Happy Birthday Vivi!!!!! We hope you had a great day...and we can't wait to see you in 2 weeks! So Nico can give you your birthday gift in PERSON!!

And Speaking of Birthdays!!!!!!

TODAY IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR MY FAMILY IN COLOMBIA! My cousin, Betty had her little son, SAMUEL ANTONIO!!!! Felicidades Betty y Ricardo. Les mandamos un BESOTE.

Samuel is Nico's middle name. We both did it in memory of our grandfather, Samuel....my mom's dad. He would have been so excited to get Nico and now Samuel all dirty around the farm and up on horses!

It's a Special day in Austin too!!! Happy ONE-YEAR Birthday Jackson!

Julia, one of my Austin Baby Momma friends, had her little man ONE YEAR AGO! They are growing up SOOOO FASTTT!!!!

But wait!! There's more birth news in Austin!

Our running friends in Austin, Chris and Anne-Marie, welcomed their little girl, Natalie Alana a week ago, May 19th! Congrats guys! She's adorable and already has 2 body guards, Nico and Miles!!!! Can't wait to see you THREE in Austin in August!

Birthdays have always been a big deal for me, BUT now I truly understand HOW SPECIAL a BIRTHday really is! It's not only the day that your give your child the greatest GIFT---LIFE, but it's the day that you start to GRASP what LOVE really means!

Congratulations all you Mommas: FLORENCE, Betty, JULIA, Anne-Marie!!!

And of course...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Vivi, Jackson and Samuel Antonio!

Happy Belated birthday Natalie Alana!

2nd Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's day is hours away but we started celebrating yesterday when I got to go on a one clued-scavenger hunt for my 1st gift....A beautiful necklace with a mommy daddy and baby, making a heart shape with their arms! I loved it!!!!

Last year Nico and Peter gave an awesome photo on canvas, we are a yummy breakfast with Everette, Meagan, and Kevin at our complex's patio area (Austin). It was so much fun!

No matter what we do tomorrow, it will be amazing... because just having Nico run full speed at me with his arms wide open, giggling the whole time until he gives me a HUGE bear hug...is the BEST GIFT IN THE WORLD!!

I wanted to write a little about how it feels to be a mother...but when I read this email that Peter's mom sent me with a Poem, I realized that I couldn't have said it better myself!
Awesome Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Feliz Dia de la Madres Mommy! Te quiero muchisimo!!

Happy Mother's day Baby Mommas!

5 de Mayo

I year ago today Nico and I made it Sarah's 2nd section of Metamorphoses to Motherhood. Nico was 15 weeks old when we met these other mommas. Now 15 months old, and MILES away from where they are, we still hold them and all the memories we've made together, very colse to our heart! Thanks girls for being making me feel SO NORMAL!! Stephanie, one the the baby mommas wrote a really nice anniversary note on her blog.

On another note, We celebrated 5 de MAYO in TURE AMERICAN FASHION:

with Margaritas, Mexican food, and (baby) friends...lol.

YES! We celebrated 5 de MAYO!!!!

Some of us took it the PARTY more seriously than others...

We had some baby Momma friends and our new neighbors over. The kiddos had a great time playing and "sharing". Nico loved showing off his toys and his FLOATY.

WEEKEND FUN, Visitors, Toma's Party

Most recent Family Portrait:

From 1104 Laundry-Tomas's Bday

We had a lot of activities this weekend---more than the usual hecticness.

I'll start with Friday-

We biked over to Happy Hour in Santa Monica to meet with my friend Brittany Love from UF and Tio Charlie. Brittney and her husband (Ryan) just moved here a couple weeks ago.

It was great catching up.

Saturday I ran 8miles while Peter got the bikes ready for our tour with Logan---who is in town for a couple days for work (NI).

The bike ride was lots of fun...and I caught most of it on camera. We all planned on going out but Logan and Charlie bailed...cause they were too tired. We ended up meeting up with Brittany and Ryan---AND HAD AN AWESOME TIME at a little CLUB in Venice.

From 1104 Logan's visit-Nikki's night out

Check out the pictures here if you don't see the slideshow below .

Sunday was a LONG DAY, LOADED with Fun and Friends:

Early Sunday morning we had Tomas' Birthday Party. We got to meet some new little ones, meet a NEW PARK in our area, sing happy birthday, and eat some yummy food! Nico played chase with a little boy name John, went exploring around the park with Peter, and played with buckets and the other kids before he went down for a nap.

From 1104 Laundry-Tomas's Bday

Check out the pictures here if you don't see the slideshow below.

Laurel, Tim, and MILE'S visit

After the party, I went to pick up the Stelzer Family at LAX!!! We hung out around the apartment, in the sand box at our complex, went for a little bike tour with the two kiddos in the bike trailer, had a great dinner, and then I sent them on their LONG journey back to their temp. home!

Nico had his first play date ever with Miles. In August, Nico's Playmate and my running buddy left to Malaysia and we haven't seen them since. Because Laurel keeps a great blog, we have kept tabs on all the things that they have been up to...so there was a strange, surreal, de ja vu, feeling when we were hanging out in person.

Here they are at 2 weeks old-Miles, and 3 weeks old- Nico.

Here they are at a playdate at Monica and Dylan's house in Austin--around 5months old.

This past weekend at 14months of age.

Nico and Miles took sharing to heart! Nico took a bite, offered it to Miles, and then fed it to him.

They also shared some milk and cheerios in the Bike Trailer as we toured the different parks in Venice:

I chatted with Laurel today and found out that Miles behaved great on the 10 hour flight to Hong Kong--sleeping 8 of those hours and then did well again on the last stretch of the trip to Penang. Glad to hear that their great trip ended so well.

It was so nice to hang out with such special and inspiring people. They're adventurous spirit re-energized Peter and I, reminding us to not be scared to embark on our own mini adventures.

Tim said it best: Having a child is like growing old. There are old people that are always complaining about the things that they used to be able to do, the energy they had, and all the things that were different-----And then there are those who physically age but are always young at heart, staying active, sharing their wealth of knowledge with others, and doing "a version" of what they have always loved to do; That's the type of parents that Tim and Laurel are--the well aging kind!

I look forward to seeing what other great places in the world our play-dates and friendship will take us.

Check out the pictures here if you don't see the slideshow below

Lots of Updates!

Sorry I havn't posted pictures of Nico in more than a week!

See all the other pictures here.

So last family update, I told you that I got a wet suit...and that I couldn't wait to use it, so I juped into the Marina that same day....Well I've used it 3 times since I bought it (a little over a week ago). LastTuesday, Peter and I got to swim a little in the Marina, right in front of our complex, so that I could practice and get a little stronger. Nico hung out with Patti, while mommy and daddy had a water date!It was SO MUCH FUN!!! And I still made it to class on time to Teach in Beverly Hills later that day.

The rest of the week flew by with everyday stuff...lol--Nico and I have a BUSY mommy/baby friend schedule!

Thursday Morning we went to Music Time at The Cow's End with mommy friend, Darin, and her daughter, Ryan. This Music session was SOOO much better than the others that we have been to at other places. The musicians sang and played songs from Bob Marley, the Beetles, U2, among other nursery rhymes in a cool---NON-creepy way! When we got back to the complex, we hung out with the kiddos by the pool. Alyssa and Lorena joined us there for some fun in the sun.

For Dinner later that day Peter, Nico and I went to Gaby's, the mediterranean place right next the Cow's End.

Friday Morning we went to the Venice Farmer's Market! It was so yummy. There we met up with Kate and Jordyn. We walked around for a little and Nico ate his breakfast while us mommies talked about USC's home track meet (scheduled for the following day).

During the day we hung out with a mommy friend, Lenora, and her son, Andreas who is a couple months older than Nico.

We ran to the park---THROUGH THE SAND along the beach, let the kiddos play around (and we tried to recover), and ran back to my apartment (on the pavement)---Total run: 4 1/2 miles. By the time we got back, Nico had fallen asleep in the stroller, so Lenora and Andreas got in the pool for a little and I just RELAXED. The pool was definitely a happening spot for kids a couple months old to about 12 years old. There were a couple extras tanning...but they just seemed out of place...lol. After the pool, we worked up an appetite and came upstairs for a yummy buffet. Nico and Andreas ate chicken nuggets and baby carrots =)....SO CUTE!

Later that afternoon we Biked with Peter to the Beach to watch him surf for a little. Nico and I played in the water...until my back literally ALMOST CRACKED from being bent over! Nico loved getting in the water....even though it was freezing. He especially loved when the waves were coming. He would get all excited and make really funny sounds. We biked to dinner after the beach...and ate scrumptious Pizza at a little place nearby.

Saturday Morning we went to the MDR run Club where we ran a 10k with the group after doing our own 1 mile warm up to the meet-up. We were the 3rd people to finish in the group...WITH NICO in the stroller =) so proud! We ran between 7:45 and 8:10 pace throughout the run, switching stroller duty.

During the day, Peter got some time to relax and catch up on work stuff while Nico and I went to COSTCO!!!

At night we invited another Mommy friend, Amparo, over with her two sons (2yrs and 5 months)and her husband for DINNER. Due to her work schedule, she can't meet with us and the other moms during the week, so we hadn't even had a chance to hang out in the last couple weeks, since the day we met! Charlie also came over.

I made a really yummy dinner: Spinach and Cheese, and Lobster and Cheese Ravioli's with my own Alfredo sauce and baked brie with strawberry preserves. Amparo brought a delicious dessert..which I didn't get to try (due to my lenten promise). We laughed a lot...but I can't really remember what about now...lol.

Sunday we went to the Main Street Farmer's Market for some snacks before heading to the Sunset Beach for the majority of the day.

I got a little guttsy and tried to swim out at HIGH TIDE, like if I knew what I was doing. Like Peter and Charlie like to say, I GOT ROCKED! No for real...my hands and knees were shaking. I don't think I'm quite ready for the open ocean just yet.

After I made it out...barely alive, the three of us hung out on the beach for some time while I regained control of my body. Peter and Charlie went out for a little while Nico and I went to pick up lunch and talked to Eneida--Peter's abuelita.

In the evening, we went to a Pot Luck that a Co-worker from Berlitz was hosting. We had a great time...and fit in just great thanks to Nico. There were a bunch of little munchskins running around. The funniest part of the evening was when the sales director said that he was very careful about what he feeds his 16 month old....they TRY TO give him every organic and WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS...hahaha. I almost lost it laughing but held my composure!

Monday we hung around here because I had some work to do before going to teach in the afternoon. But yesterday we went to a NEW Music Story-time right by our grocery store. There was a puppet show with monsters right next to a beautiful fountain! It was great. We're gonna try to make it to more of those!

Well that's my update! Of course there's always a million things going on here in our lives...but we're always trying to take time to keep you---who are reading this because you want to know what's up--updated.

__________________________---__________________________

I want to give special shout out to CASH, HENRY, ISSAC, AND ARCHER--Nico's Austin friends who celebrated their 1 year birthday this past weekend!

We missed it but we were there in Spirit! You have all grown up to be such handsome, WELL BEHAVED, young one year old gentlemen! I'm sure you are all making ur mommies' very proud by just being ur cute little selves and reaching all the milestones that you have reached!

Congratulations on ur first BASH!!! I hope in 21 years you invite us to celebrate as well! =)

And to you mommies...

Dear Stephanie, Candy, Heather, and Bethany:

Congrats on making it to the 1 yr mark! Your babies are beautiful...which are a reflection of YOUR HARD WORK, YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, and PROOF of what AWESOME WOMEN YOU ARE! I'm so glad that I'm friends with you girls =).

Love, Valeria