election time. #NaBloPoMo

So, today, I am supposed to write about my thoughts on the national election tomorrow. I'll be honest. I don't really know how to put my thoughts into words. I am honestly just worried. So many life altering decisions are being made, and I really feel like I have no control. All I know is that I want my son to grow up in a world where women have the right to choose what to do with their bodies, and everyone has the right to love and marry anyone they want. I find myself getting scared of the possibility that someone could run this country and not share those same beliefs with me. At the same time, I dont feel like welfare and public assistance should be so widely accepted and used... I dont feel comfortable knowing that so much of the little amount of money that I make is being given to other people so they can live better than I do. I see it all of the time. Public housing and food stamps allowing people to live in a nicer house while affording more food, even though my family and I work stupid hard every day just to survive. It is beyond frustrating. 

So here I am, kind of in the middle. Trying to decided what to do. I the end, I feel more comfortable voting for a presidential candidate that has my best interests in mind. Ive got to go with Obama on this one. I think so far he has done a great job at trying to fix the problems that existed before he was in office. At least I know that with him, we will be moving in the right direction. 

Really loving...

BFF

So this is all about my BFF Kaitlyn. 

I love this girl to death. She came up last week for Cinco's birthday party, even though she knew hurricane Sandy would be coming into town as well. Thats what I call dedication! I love this girl. We met in high school. I was coming from a very public high school where I didnt really fit in. After transferring to her very private school, she made me feel right at home. Then we became the package deal. Always together. Everyday. Then there was our freshman year of college. Even though she attended a different school, we were still inseparable. Lots of parties. Lots of fun nights. 

And... No here I am with a child and basically all grown up, and no matter how long its been since we last talked, I know that everything will be ok with her, and that we will always be able to talk like no time has passed. 

I love my BFF. 

i already missed a day!! #NaBloPoMo

So I already missed a day. So sorry guys! I've been so busy with work, and then once I get home, I am just super tired after making dinner and generally just being a working mom. But here I am! Typing away! 

Today's Topic is: If I could live anywhere, where would it be?

Well... I would have to say Barcelona. Once, when I was in high school, I actually got to study abroad. If you want to call it that. It was only for about 3 weeks. And I learned about 3 words of spanish. But it was AWESOME. And Barcelona was absolutely beautiful. I imagine it having perfect weather, kinda like California, but with a lot more history, considering its in Europe. 

--

On another note, this week has been tough. Like so completely draining. But I am making it! Its been challenging to stick to my vegan diet. Lunch has been provided at work for free this week [awesome!], but its been mostly meat/fish with lots of butter/milk in the side dishes. I have been eating salad for lunch so far, with like rice or something. I hate complaining though. Its FREE! but at the same time, i find myself hungry ALL FREAKING DAY. So I've been snacking on grapes and homemade granola [thanks hubby!] throughout the day. I also feel like I've been missing so much with my little Cinco. I didn't even get to see him in his costume [fireman, duh!] on halloween. I felt so sad, especially since I never really got to celebrate halloween when I was a child. At least I did get to get a pic of him in his fireman hat! 

I am seriously hoping that I get a little bit better at managing my time, and actually get to spend some quality with my family. I am starting to miss my boys! 

Every. Single. Day.

I will be participating in a challenge this month. The goal is to post something every single day of November. I know that I would be so proud of myself if I could accomplish it. If you'd like to join, a link to the suggested prompts. I am kind of excited to succeed! I just want to try to make this a habit too! 

going back to work.

So... 

tomorrow is my first official day back to work. 

i am freaking out. 

cinco will be staying at home with his dad. there is so much to update you guys on! the important thing to know is that i will be trying my very hardest to stick to this blog. i think it will be a great way to communicate with family even when its tough to stay in touch. 

tomorrow is my first day back to work. it seems pretty hard to say, just as hard as it will be to actually do. 

some types of blog posts to look forward to:

- working mama style

- how to eat a vegan diet while your family still eats eggs and milk! 

- how to live green as a family

- what to do in philly! 

- randomness about my fan, etc... 

Introducing: Cinco the Great

Well, I figure it's a good time to introduce you to my family, since we're all new here...

Cinco is my son. He is named after his father, and happens to the fifth. So hence the nickname cinco! According to his last checkup, he weighs 26lbs and is 32 inches tall. He was only 12.5 months old at that point. Yeah, he's a big boy.

Things he's been into lately... 

"cooking"

throwing things

books

running

saying no... 

(wuh?!?! really thought he would be saying more words by now. we're working on it.)

I love this kid more than anything in the whole entire world... 

Back to our regularly scheduled program...

My bad... We've been MIA. So much has been going on. I don't even know where to start! I'll be back with normal posting tomorrow. Now it's time for sleep!

this is us right now... sick baby that won't leave mommy's arms. 

looks like I won't be getting much done today. 

at least I have Erykah Badu on the stereo...

Hanging with the City

Cinco and I explored what, if any, new things Philly had to offer yesterday. 

Here are the pics to prove it. (there are lots!!)

the evolution of: My Hair

My hair is interesting. I have never really been happy with it. When everyone around you has perfectly straight hair, its tough to like something that is so different, especially during high school. Even though my hair is "natural," I spend a lot of time trying to take care of it, and debating what to do with it. It seems so petty, but as I type this I realize just how much I think about whats going on up on top of my head. I have made some serious changes, and am finally starting to feel comfortable with what I got. 

 This is what my hair had been like most of my life; very straight. I think since I was like 7? I hated when it got all up in my face... 

This is how I usually wore it. I'm pretty sure my mom hated the ponytail. 

I guess you could call this "dressy?" Good enough for my senior prom! (Note how skinny I was. I miss that body)

The first picture in existence of my "natural" hair

Getting better! 

Starting to hate my hair again. It was looking kind of rough. 

Me today! I chopped about half of it off. Much happier. 

I have crazy hair. I mean, I love it. Its fun. But man, it is a pain in the butt. Detangling, conditioning, deep conditioning, moisturizing. If you know me, you know how bad I usually am at up keep of, well, anything. I have to admit that since cutting my hair, things have gotten better. I finally have a routine! 


I use Kinky Curly. It is by far the best thing that I have found for my hair. The leave-in conditioner is the only thing I have found that can hold my curl. 


I also recently found Urban Bush Babes. These two girls are AWESOME! I have to get better about taking care of my hair, and they have such great advice for anyone with naturally curly hair! 


Now if I could just Cinco to chill out with his frizzy hair! For some reason, the products that I use don't really work for him. I guess we are starting another hair journey for him! 


I can only hope my journey gets better! And starts looking cooler!! Who doesn't want to be the mom with the wicked cool hair?! 


-v

Wish List cont...

Now its mommy's turn!!

Things for mommy by yomamaandstuff featuring mini handbags

I really only want things to work out in. And a new bag since I am not carrying around as much with Cinco being older. I'd say that this isn't too bad either. Plus, that macro lens for the iPhone is too cool to pass up, especially for only $15!

YAY!

-v

yesterday...

...was intense.

this happened:

This caused some delay... to say the least. 

and..... More after the jump...

Wish List

So, in case any of you out there are wondering what we would like for Christmas, I will be posting a few wish lists over the next few days... they will be accompanied by photos... and prices. Just in case you were wondering...

First up is Cinco the Great! 

Things for my boy by yomamaandstuff on polyvore.com

Please notice that the boy wants some cool winter clothes. And toys for bath time. Otherwise, he is pretty set. I have to admit that I am pretty proud of the fact that he really doesn't need anything. And really doesn't want for much either. I am really hoping that lasts until he goes off to college, even though I know that it isn't possible. 

a little tutorial...

Cinco is going to teach you guys how to devour a pancake! Like a boss! 

They're pumpkin flavored... his fav. 

I feel kind of bad because he was SO hungry this morning! I guess maybe his dinner just wasn't enough. Talk about growth spurts! 

Cinco and I are both still trying to figure this whole toddler thing out... 

-v

modern fam

My modern family: The boyfriend, our son, and myself.

I love my modern family. Not quite perfect by the standard definition, but pretty perfect for me. I feel bad that I didn’t express just how thankful I was for such a great thanksgiving. We had food, and family and everything else someone could ask for on any holiday. I hate how sometimes I can get caught up on the little things, and let those things get me down. I am trying to get better about it. I don’t want my Cinco to feel like things aren’t going well in life just because a few things might go wrong every once in a while.

While watching the latest modern family episode, I suddenly realized that no family is perfect, and that everyone sees things differently. I love my “hubby” and sometimes forget just how great he is to us. He works 50+ hours a week so that I may stay home with our lovely son. After work, he comes home and makes sure that we all have everything that we need, and most of the things that we want. Although I may not be in love with our apartment, we are so lucky to have a house that we can all live in together.

Our son is completely healthy, lively, and a ball of energy; and he is absolutely perfect for our family. He is a challenge when I need a challenge, and loving when I need some love. Its crazy how great he is…

Anyway, I guess in the end most days I feel like I need to work towards perfecting myself. I need to go back to school. I need to start bringing in some money into this house. I need to lose weight. And, most of all, I need to get better at this whole cleaning thing!!! What a checklist…

Hopefully I can get back into the sewing thing again. I really do enjoy it, and how cool would it be to make money from it!?!? I just need to stick with…

Blah, all done with the venting!! Hopefully this is a good intro into our life, and what this blog will be all about. 

-v