Wordless Wednesday

All you ever need is your girlfriends <3

A Kick Ass Mom

My newest tv show addiction is ABC's Missing starring Ashley Judd as Becca Winstone. The show is about a former CIA, now PTA mom whose son is kidnapped while studying abroad in Italy. She goes on a massive search through out Europe for her son. The show is amazing. Ashley Judd shows true courage & strength as she fights off anyone in her way. The show's producers do an incredible job of showing how someone will go through any lengths to find a loved one.
It makes me wonder how far will I go if God forbid anything ever happened to my son. I may not have the training of an agent but I sure as hell know how to kick some ass if I needed to for my family.
Congrats to ABC for putting a program worth watching on tv that shows how a woman can be strong, & brilliant besides be used for her sexual assets.

My own personal angel....

When this year started, I intended to do so many things. This was going to be MY year. I was turning 40 in February and I was ready to party like it was 1999. But God had other plans in store for me. I found out we were going to have a baby. We weren't trying to conceive. It was a complete surprise. I was completely and utterly nervous because of the increased risks of pregnancy at 40. But I was ready to welcome this sweet & pleasant surprise in September.
I went for a routine check up on a Friday eager because I was starting my 11th week. I was nearing the end of the 1st trimester after a few bouts of nausea, heartburn and cravings. All new to me because I didn't experience any of this with my son. In my heart, I wondered if this would be the little girl that I secretly desired.
Then as the doctor looked at the sonogram monitor, I feared the worst. Her expression said it all. "There's no heartbeat." she said. I felt like I was in another world. I just heard the heartbeat a few weeks ago, how could it have stopped. As a mother how could I not know that something was wrong with my baby? I was supposed to be 11 weeks but the baby measured at 9 weeks and a few days. Two weeks ago my baby died within me and I had no clue.
But I should've realized when the nausea had stopped. When I didn't crave that turkey & cheese sandwich anymore. When I developed this weird rash on my upper body & legs. The weird thing is I think I did know. Everywhere I looked I heard that someone miscarried. It was either on the news or in magazines. The word "miscarriage" was hovering over me like cheap perfume.
I won't ever know if it was a boy or a girl, but in my heart of hearts I know she was my princess. He/she was a part of me & I have nothing but sonograms to look at to remind me. I feel empty inside. Someone is missing in my little family. My son won't ever know that he was going to have a sibling. Thankfully we decided to wait till later to tell him the news. I am so glad we did that. I couldn't bear to explain the details to him.
Now I've become a part of group that I never thought I would be in: women who have miscarried. As I've reached out to online groups, I find the support knowing that I'm not the only one. I have found comfort from friends that I didn't know have miscarried as well. Something so heartbreaking yet so common in us all.
Fridays won't be the same to me. For the next few months I know its going to be a challenge especially in September. I am getting back to my normal routines at work & home. I catch myself thinking about my baby & I get teary eyed. As I listen to people talk about their friends' pregnancies or how I should have another baby I just nod & smile. I feel like the whole damn world is having a baby. Jeez even Snooki is pregnant. And I'm mad. Mad that they get to enjoy this amazing experience & add to their family. Mad that I will be taunted by this experience. Mad that I've decided I don't want to go through this again and have decided not to consider trying again. We will forever be a family of 3. And I will forever have my own personal angel watching over us.

UPrinting Rolled Canvas Giveaway!

UPrinting is an online printing company that offers a vast amount of products for your everyday business & personal needs. My family has used them for business cards and brochures. One item that peeked my interest is their rolled canvas prints. They are available in standard or custom sizes which you can have a 2 inch border or not. They will turn your favorite photo to a beautiful print on a premium canvas material.

One lucky reader will receive a 16 x 20 rolled canvas print from UPrinting!

• With 2-inch border or No border
• 1 Business day turnaround
• Free shipping

 Please enter below using the Rafflecopter form.


Disclaimer: “You should assume that the owner of this blog will receive free print product in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions.”

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Oasis Day Camp at Central Park

One of my favorite memories growing up in New York city will always be my summers. If I didn't go away with my grandparents to Martha's Vineyard, I was in day camp. Raised by a single parent, it was difficult for my mom to stay home with my siblings & I. So camp was always an option for us. I loved attending camp. Hanging out with friends, swimming, going on trips & just having a great summer is a memory I want my son to have growing up.
In New York City, there are numerous options for day camps that can have parents feeling a little overwhelmed. One option is Oasis Day Camp. I haven't heard much about Oasis except for some narratives that I read on other mom blogs. I had the opportunity to speak with Bernie Tessler, CEO of Oasis Children's Services, to gain a better perspective of what they had to offer my family.
The Central Park location is their largest day camp. They are the only program that has use of New York City's premiere park during the summer. A majority of the children's day is spent in the outdoors utilizing various parts of the park either doing sports, swimming or arts/crafts.

Core values of Oasis:

1. Oasis gives children the tools they will need to succeed in school and in life.

2. Oasis creates communities for children that are safe havens emotionally and physically.

3. Oasis staff members build self-confidence by being positive, supportive and kind.

4. Oasis encourages children to embrace new experiencs and to learn new skills.

5. Oasis staff members are role models who teach through their own behaviors and attitudes.

Oasis offers conveninet bus pick ups/drop offs from a number of locations in the city. Campers have the option to either bring lunch from home or enjoy a hot lunch provided by the camp.
What I enjoyed about my conversation with Bernie is how enthusiastic he is about this program. One of my concerns were the counselors. I wanted to be sure that they were reliable & knowledgable people that would be with my son for a long period of the day.. Bernie advised me that all staff are either undergrad or graduate students. High schoolers are not hired. Many of them are education, social work or psychology majors. The vast amount of information he gave me fills me with excitement. This just sounds like such an outstanding program that I know my son will enjoy. These will be memories that he will have for years to come. I look forward to the summer.

Camp dates: Camp runs from July 2,2012 - August 24,2012. Online registration is through June 20,2012.

Check out Oasis Day Camp's website for prices and further information.