We spent a cold and foggy Saturday in Santa Monica. 

It was fantastic!

The famous sign

Lou loved the birds

Yes this picture cost us a $1.00 "donation"

Just some Lou cuteness!

Bored because she can't get on any rides

Skeeball. She is really really good.

adding to her collection

Life is like a box of chocolates

Really foggy

My beautiful babies.

To see The Phi's video from our day you can visit her blog at www.phiseyes.blogspot.com

Like a Freakin' Miracle

 It is like a freakin' miracle. And instead of being excited I am so terrified that it is a fluke and we are going to be back to where we were.

The last time I wrote about The Phi's eczema she was about to start light therapy. She went thorough about 3 months worth of treatments. Twice a week we took her for her dose of UV-B. You can see a session from The Phi's perspective by clicking here . About half way though her treatments she began to experience pain when taking a bath. It was like I was dipping her in acid. There was so much crying, screaming and it was emotionally exhausting for all of us. It was a daily battle we fought because she had to bathe. So I stopped the light treatments. Her skin was still so blotchy and red and her itchiness was at an all time high. Nothing was helping and I could not deal with her hurting in the bath. Just the mention of bath time brought tears. My theory was that the light therapy had given her a severe sun burn and her skin was sensitive to water. I hoped that with time her skin would heal so if we could get back to just the eczema and not the pain I would be happy.

A month after we had stopped the light therapy we were still experiencing the painful baths. So I broke down and I used steroid lotion mixed with vasoline on her after a bath one night. The next morning it was like a miracle occured. Her skin looked so much better.

So why hadn't I used the steroid lotion earlier you ask? Well I had given up on steroid lotion a long time ago. We had been using it for her eczema since she was about 1 year old with no results. It never worked and instead doctors kept prescribing stronger doses and instead of getting rid of her rashes it was discoloring her skin. Her hands and feet were starting to lose the color pigment in them. And of course I can't see what if any damage it was doing to her liver. That's why I stopped.

This time just one application and it worked. After just a few days her skin looked the best it has ever looked. Amazing smooth, skin toned skin. The Phi is no longer itchy and he skin feels like skin and not sandpaper. Like I said it is a freakin' miracle. I mean look at the before and afters. It is like my prayers have been answered but at night I still pray. I am still terrified and I pray that it doesn't come back.

The other day when she stepped into the bathtub she made a noise. I immediately asked "Does it hurt?" and she laughed and said "No Mom it feels nice and warm".

34

"yesterday i got so old
i felt like i could die
yesterday i got so old
it made me want to cry
go on go on"

-The Cure

This is what 34 looks like on me.

 

 Yesterday I turned 34 years old. And what an overwhelming day. Thanks to social networking I received something like 100 birthday greetings. I really thought my heart was going to explode as my phone kept beeping. (and thank to my amazing parents it is the new iPhone 4S!)

Thanks everyone so much for thinking of me.

And then we came home from dinner and The Phi turned out the lights and Joey sat Lou in his lap and the three of them sang to me by candlelight. The Phi was so excited to give me the cake she picked out, Lou sat with that silly smile and Joey sang to me and said "Elissa" instead of "Mom".  And that was just the thing to make my heart burst.

I don't think I will ever really feel my age. The fact that I am THIRTY FOUR is mind blowing. But I love birthdays and how cozy and warm and fuzzy they make me feel. Just like the new gorgeous sweater wrap my hubby and girls bought me.

As I went to bed last night I was a very.......

Happy Birthday Lou, I mean Roo. ROO!

 Happy 8th Birthday to our first "baby". Today our puppy Mr. Buck-a-Roo Fantastic (Roo for short) is 8 years old. The only blondie in a family of brunettes. We love you so much Roo.

 And were sorry we named this latest kid Lou, which sounds way too much like Roo. And sorry she is so rough with you. But I have to give you credit. You are so much more patient with this one that the first one.

 

You must be mellowing in your old age. 

Happy Birthday to you
     Happy Birthday to you
           Happy Birthday Dear Rooti
               Happy Birthday to YOU

and MANY more

Strolling For Diabetes

Last weekend we headed out to Valencia to participate in the annual American Diabetes Association's " Step Out Walk to End Diabetes". My amazing cousin Patricia (That's Dr. Patricia to you!) sets up Team Garcia every year. We had not been able to go the last few years, but this year Joey, Me, Phi and Lou were REPRESENTIN'. The weather was perfect and we had such a blast on the 4 mile walk with my familia!

Here is our group photo. TEAM GARCIA FOR LIFE BABY!!

It is well known that diabetes is a problem for Mexican families. In our family our Tata in on dialysis 3 times a week from kidney issues from diabetes. As my Tia's get older a few of them are now struggling with it. When Patty and I were both pregnant we each dealt with gestational diabetes. This disease effects us and this is what we do every year to help raise money and show our support.

This was Lou's first time and she was so good. She just chilled in her stroller, drinking water, eating cookies that Rosie gave her, and then having a banana. But it was The Phi who I was super impressed with. This kid who starts complaining in the mall parking lot about her legs hurting, walked the whole 4 miles on her own. I think it was the fact that she was with Nana and Tata that helped. Also the "pep" talk from Tata about 1 mile in helped. And by pep talk I mean "Stop running around and just walk so you don't get too tired". Man my Pops can really inspire!

Lou's badge

And every year my cousin Erika (that's Erika with a "K") gets us awesome team shirts. Here is the back of this years T's. So Freakin' Rad. I want to wear mine every single day.

The event is so well run. Things were on time and the food, booths and registration tables ran so well and quickly.

And bonus they had a photo booth. We LOVE photo booths.

After the walk we all headed out for breakfast. Any time with my family is always awesome. Next year let's try to get more people participating. Imagine how awesome we would be if we were ALL there. We would take over!!

TEAM GARCIA POR VIDA!

Here's a song about Jellyman Kelly, He loves jelly the most. Ah, but most of all, Jellyman Kelly loves jelly on toast.

(okay lets get the formalities out of the way. I was approached through email to blog about this and was sent a very nice gift basket. Did I love jelly before that? yes. Do I love it still? yes. Okay here we go)

In our house family is always first. Always. We have a big ol' loving beautiful family that we adore. I love the family stories that are passed down through the generations. I also love the recipes that are passed down. I think it is so amazing that my kids can taste a delicious dish that their great-grandmother perfected even when my family can't all be together.

Smucker's  is hosting their annual essay and recipe contest, where "your favorite recipe could bring one family together for their dream reunion". So here is a little about the contest. The contest is open until November 16, 2011. Head over to www.smuckers.com and enter your favorite original made with at least 1/4 cup of Smucker's jelly, jam, preserves or fruit butter. Along with your recipe you will need to enter a 200 word easy about the recipe and how it is part of your family tradition and how it makes family gathering special. 5 finalist will be flown to NYC for a live demo and judging. The grand prize winner will receive.....wait for it.......$20,000.00 towards a dream family reunion.

That's right your favorite family recipe could win you a family reunion. They say food can bring family together. In this case it can literally bring all your family all together.

For all the official contest rules please visit www.smuckers.com or www.smuckersenespanol.com

Little Lulu at the Park

She had such a fantastic time.