All pictures from National Geographic
Trip Bucket List
1. Positano, Italy
2. Maldives
3. Barcelona, Spain
4. Belize
5. Great Wall of China
Dream big! What are your “must visit” destinations??
Your friend,
Betty
Thoughtful Thursday: Summer Dreams
May 31, 2012
I Heart NJ
May 30, 2012
best-beaches.com
Before my Chicago readers and dear friends kill me for this post, this summer will mark my eighth anniversary of leaving the Windy City. I am suffering from melancholy as I am always missing home. We have lived in Tokyo, Singapore, New York City and it’s pretty safe to say that we are making New Jersey our permanent home.
So I take it in stride and although I STILL miss my family and friends in Chicago, I like to stay positive and think about the benefits of living in a different place. I made a list over two years ago about my love for NYC. Here is my list for why I now enjoy New Jersey. [Read more...]
Summer Reading for Kids
May 28, 2012
I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Although it is still spring, summer is really here isn’t it?! Diego has a week and half left of school and I am trying not to freak out about how I will keep him and Santi entertained while Jordi is still an itty bitty baby!
Reading is always going on in our house but with no school during the summer, we must remember that reading levels and skills can go down during the break. Although Diego is reading well, we don’t mind taking out everything from “baby books” or board books so that he can read to Santi, to books above his grade level so that we can read to him (Spanish books too). I plan on pulling out these books shown above to make that connection of all the wonderful activities summer has to offer, to show them the things we will be doing and of course, to encourage their love for reading. [Read more...]
My Little Vacation
May 25, 2012
Two weeks ago, I knew it was going to be a pleasant stay at the hospital when one of the nurses took me into her large bosom (her breasts were pillows!) and hugged me the way only a grandmother knows how while my epidural was being administered.
The actual c-section was dreadful. It’s a horrible sensation of feeling your legs slowly go numb and having a team of nurses and doctors lift your limp legs one by one. Slowly my incision was re-opened and I laid there vulnerable, my upper body shaking, my teeth rattling and I praying for it all to be over soon. I just wanted to see my baby.
Jose was amazing as always. He held my hand and said all the right things. He had my iPhone ready to snap pictures as soon as he was given the okay. I’m sure if someone would have called at the time he would have given them the play by play.
Jordi Mateo was brought into this world in about twenty minutes. The doctors and nurses quickly cleaned him up and brought him to my side. His red and wrinkly face was beautiful and I was relieved to see him. I will always have etched into my brain and heart the first time I laid eyes on each one of my boys. Jordi and Jose were then taken away to do newborn duties and we met again two hours later. I told Jose as I came in and out of sleep not to let my baby out of his sight!! This mother watches over her own even while drugged up and semi-conscious!
Once in my private room, I started to receive the royal treatment as my first nurse took a purple dry-erase marker and scribbled on the white board on the wall all the goodies I was to receive…a massage, dinner for two, photo shoot for Jordi…! The only thing I was to do was to rest, hold my baby and feed him from my already full “milks” (as Diego calls them). This all seemed perfectly fine to me!
I indulged in hot drinks and muffins every morning, lots of Food Network and HGTV on the flat screen in my room, short visits from my mom, Diego and Santi, flowers and gifts from friends…I was really enjoying my three night stay! It was quiet and relaxing. Jose stayed with me every night and he didn’t touch my remote control!
When it was time to go, of course I was ready to join my whole family again, but I couldn’t help but think, when will I ever get this again?? 
Have your maternity stays at the hospital been pleasant? Please comment and share! Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Your friend,
Betty
Bilingual Myths
May 24, 2012
I love this and I came across it on Pinterest today. I also discovered this great blog, Multilingual Living.
I’m happy to report that Diego is getting along really well with my parents in Spanish! When my mom arrived three weeks ago, his Spanish was a little rusty but just this week, as my dad arrived, he has really flourished! He still makes mistakes, no one laughs or teases, we correct him subtlety, and move on. He is quite confident and when he doesn’t know how to say something he asks. Perfect!
Santi is only about to turn 18 months but understands everything in Spanish and English and has more than twenty words in his vocabulary (ardilla, baseball, gracias, and agua to name a few)!
So there are myths about raising bilingual children, but really no need to fear. The one I hear a lot from concerned parents is Myth #1 shown above. I haven’t had a problem with the boys taking their time to speak…actually we welcome a bit of silence around here! Jajaja! We are a chatty family and love when my parents tease us about how much everyone talks and often at the same time!
We will continue to work on practicing a lot of Spanish after my parents leave with our little tricks and efforts. How’s it going at your house? Would love to hear some more tips! Hasta la proxima.
Your friend,
Betty
Baby’s Thoughts
May 22, 2012
Here is Jordi’s debut on My Friend Betty Says!!! I do have better pictures (future post) but lately I have been staring at his expressionless, tiny and adorable little face wondering what he must be thinking?? This picture captured that emotion for me but I also find it funny! How can I laugh at a one week old you ask? I can’t help it! I think newborns are so funny! And I bet he is thinking funny things such as:
“Whew, long day. I’ve been up for 20 minutes and I am so exhausted.”
“How is that milk coming along mommy, I’m thirsty here!”
“The big kid over there I can deal with but the little pudgy one seems a bit out of sorts!”
“How can I get to the boob a little faster?” (Jose thought of this one of course).
“You know those cold butt wipes mommy? Not nice.”
We will never know huh? This baby thinking is a part of life’s little mysteries. I also wonder if he dreams. I mean he sleeps all day! Surely he must have some good entertainment in his little brain in order to put in so many hours.
I will continue to stare and make faces that I’m sure he finds annoying at times. Pretty soon he’ll be really expressing (demanding) what he feels and then I’ll wish for these quiet moments and the thoughtful silence.
What do you think Jordi Mateo is thinking?
Your friend,
Betty
Big Week for Latinos on TV!
May 21, 2012
People.com
I have to confess, I don’t watch Dancing With the Stars until the very end (like top 3 end) but this season I have been doing a little catching up by checking YouTube videos of William Levy and only William Levy. As a bonus, I received my People Magazine a few weeks ago with El Cubano on the cover and although I already knew who he was, thanks to my telenovela watching friends and mother, I didn’t know how um…especially HOT Levy was dancing around with Cheryl Burke!! Here is their samba from last week (even if you watch the show…go ahead, take another peak…you know you want to!). The couple are finalists this week and I will be watching tonight!
Then there is American Idol, the show I have been watching for years! I remember even watching from Tokyo as they broadcast a few weeks behind America, so it wasn’t live but I didn’t mind. I would just avoid the internet and any news regarding the show to avoid spoilers. Years passed and when it started to get a little old for me, Jennifer Lopez joined as a judge and I was hooked again! There is something about Jennifer Lopez that has always captivated me…and I love to see her outfits every week. I’m sorry to hear rumors and reports that she may not stay on American Idol but since it has served as a platform for her “comeback”, I’m glad she is moving on to other things. SO…eyes on her and eyes on one of the finalists…Jessica Sanchez, Filipino and Mexican-American! She is super cute and amazingly talented! I will be rooting for her this Tuesday and Wednesday!
American Idol
Will you be watching this week?
Your friend,
Betty
Parenting 101
May 18, 2012
Yes, I own all these books shown above. I have friends who own more and I have friends who don’t own any at all. It’s all quite alright, I read anything that comes my way and I don’t mind that all these books have a different philosophy regarding parenting.
Oh parenting. It’s been on the news so much these past few weeks, everything from the tanorexic mom to the diapering mom to the Time Magazine cover mom, even a new movie about parenting coming out this weekend! And the critics that we become…it’s always easier to judge how “bad” some parents are and how the rest of us try our “best”.
I’m not a fan of attachment parenting, authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, Tiger-mom parenting…I welcome the knowledge I receive from all of the different styles but eventually it comes down to common sense parenting for me.
I’m noticing that as much as we like to think that Jose and I are raising all our children the same, it’s quite impossible. Santi has a big brother and a little brother but Diego was an only child for four years, doesn’t have an older brother and has two little brothers. The family dynamics, the city we live in, the time I now have for each one of them, it’s so hard for me to stick to one way of raising my boys. Jose and I are parenting differently than we did five years ago, we still listen to our doctors (we’re on our fourth pediatrician), read parenting books and articles, talk to our friends, listen to our mothers…so much influence right?
It makes more sense to use common sense, see what works for each family, not to be intimated by anyone regarding your child rearing. In the end, YOU and your family have to be happy. It doesn’t hurt to look up, “how long should my newborn be sleeping?” in one of the reference baby books, but if sleeping with your baby (as one book might suggest) makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it! Knowledge is key but your instincts are priceless.
Good luck to all my new mommy friends! Click on any of the books above (they are good) to order and read up!
Experienced mommies, did you stock up on reading material before your first born? Second or third baby?
Have a great weekend!
Your friend,
Betty
Dreaming: Outdoor Living
May 16, 2012
As the weather gets better, I feel it will be quite intimidating to go anywhere alone with the three boys! I’m lucky to have a spacious backyard where the boys can run around all summer long (nothing at all like these beautiful spaces). So I am day dreaming again and gathering some inspiration. I picture myself hosting a fabulous dinner party in the picture above…
House Beautiful
…a delicious champagne brunch with my girlfriends here…
House Beautiful
…my books, a computer, magazines and Jose…here…
Elle Decor
…and watching my four boys play a little futbol here.
Remember to dream big! Put your intentions out into the universe!
Your friend,
Betty
Reasons to Use Arts and Crafts for Boys
May 15, 2012
landofnod.com
Last week Diego and I sat down to do a lot of art projects. We did Mother’s Day cards for Titas and Godmothers, we did teacher appreciation cards and we did birth announcements. I realized that it had been a long time since we really made a mess of our dining room table, spread out lots of materials and really got our hands sticky! Now that he is five, we do a lot less of what Santi is starting to do at 17 months: finger painting, dot paint, sticking stickers, scribbling with markers and so on. Diego’s interests have just changed and I have become a little lazy because I know he gets to do a lot of art work at school. BUT, I also realized how much he still needs to get creative at home, how nice it was to spend time sitting next to him as we worked together and how relaxing it was for me too! As I shopped for birthday parties Diego was invited to this month, I also realized how many cool crafts are designed for girls his age (jewelry making, mosaics, nail art, etc.) and how there isn’t much for boys! So it is up to us, moms of boys, to think about the benefits of keeping them interested in arts and crafts. Here are a few reasons why it is so important:
Concentration At age 4 or 5, kids really need to start concentrating on the task at hand. Besides developing the creativity that comes along with making a card for example, children practice sitting for more than five minutes, have a beginning and an end to achieve and are using multiple materials= helping them completely forget everything else around them and focusing on one specific goal.
Working Together “Building” or designing a car out of a box with siblings or friends stirs the imagination. The social aspect is a plus. Watching your kids work with you or others help them so much outside of arts and crafts. Team building and social skills is essential for elementary school children.
Planning If your child is anything like mine…bossy…taking charge is very important to him! Planning a project and watching Diego think about what he needs, gathering materials, and understanding what comes first, second and so on, he is doing more than just an art project. He is thinking systematically, using logic and wondering how he can make something “better” and taking initiative.
Showing Emotion What happens to some boys?? As they get older, they stop expressing so much emotion. It’s true that a picture can say a thousand words. Painting, drawing, and creating can bring out the words they are feeling at the moment. Also, I have witnessed characteristic traits in Diego I didn’t know existed until I saw them during “art time”. He is a perfectionist and I welcome “mistakes” so we can talk about those emotions (I used to have my eighth graders color while we discussed literature…really opened the boys up).
Completing a Task Oh it feels so good to see your work done, hanging on a wall, mailing, eating (don’t forget cooking and baking is an art!) or playing with it! Some art projects take five minutes or forty minutes and it’s okay! Having kids keep coming back to it and later admiring their hard work is so rewarding to them!
Keep encouraging your boys to build, design, paint, cook, garden, and draw! I’d love to hear what cool projects you do with your boys! I need more ideas!!!
Your friend,
Betty
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