Hello 40!

Thank you all for the thoughtful birthday greetings. It's been a week in paradise that I will cherish forever. I'm still adjusting to getting back to the grind. I just wanted to share a quick video that my husband put together from my birthday dinner. My husband, son, and I celebrated with my mom (who is the true hero in this birthday celebration), my cousin, and my nephew. We dined at Mama's Fish House in Paia on the island of Maui. My cousin is personal friends with the executive chef (Perry) who spent time with us before our feast - he treated us to quite a few appetizers and desserts "compliments of the chef" in addition to the many items we that we had ordered.  I must add that turning 40 was delicious! I will apologize now if the next few blog posts are all about our Maui adventures. There's just so much to talk about! I haven't gone through all of the photos yet but will share them as time permits.





I will probably post more about the restaurant with a write up/review of our dining experience but in case I don't get around to it I HAVE to add this off-topic blurb! I only wish that we would've taken a picture so that all of you with babes still in diapers could be in awe as I was! I have to rave about the family bathroom they have at this restaurant - it was the greatest changing room EVER. So those of who dread using public changing tables as much as I do would LOVE it.  It wasn't the gross plastic fold outs but a very nice tiled and railed changing table that looked like a piece of art!  They provide disinfecting wipes (even though I carry them anyway) and disposable changing pads.  For the first time ever I did not cringe when we had to change our son's diaper!  Ok sorry for going there but if I don't blog about this now I may forget!

Enjoy our little highlight video of dinner at Mama's.

ALOHA!

Please excuse my absence as I work on my tan, relax with my husband, and play with our son on the beautiful beaches of the Hawaiian Islands.  We are returning to my beloved birthplace as well as revisiting our Honeymoon destination!  We will be celebrating the end of my 30's as well as 1 year of motherhood.  "SEE" you all when I'm 40!

Toddler Talk

Have any of you seen this video about Toddlers from What to Expect When You're Expecting author Heidi Murkoff?  I wonder how many of us have this book?  Mine was gifted to me from my sister in law who had it passed on to her from our cousin who received it as a baby shower gift.

Maybe toddlers have it all figured out? Check out the video and let me know what you think. I like: Eat when you're hungry. Stop when you're full. That's me - just like a toddler. I'm not comfortable "letting it all hang out" though like a toddler might.

I also had a need to share this video because my nephew is in it! Check out our little guy in the green T-shirt!

I've decided to "embrace my inner toddler"!  Please share your toddler stories!  I'd love it if you would leave a link to your toddler posts via comment so that I can read all about it!  Our little boy is on the verge of toddler-hood and I am excited to learn from all of you more experienced Mommies!

You’re watching You’ve Got Heidi Murkoff & the Secret Genius of Toddlers. See the Web's top videos on AOL Video

The Start of My Life as Mom

In honor of my very first Mother's Day. . .

Quick Stats and mini stroll down memory lane:

• I had just turned 39 when he was born.
• He was born 1 day before his due date.  8 lbs 3oz and 22" long.
• I labored at home for about 4 - 5 hours.  We really should have left the house much sooner than we did but I insisted that my husband clean the bathroom where my water broke because I didn't want to come home to that.
• I had my eyes closed the whole ride to the hospital, concentrating on my breathing because the urge to push was so strong. I made my hubby run a red light (Just GO!) and then he PASSED the hospital.
• I was already at 8cm when we got to the hospital. I had my first ever wheelchair ride up to triage followed by my first ever gurney ride. They were RUNNING me up to the elevator to the delivery room - it was funny as they were so frantic that we crashed a couple of times.  I was in good spirits luckily and joked with the nurses.
• I gave birth wearing the tank top I came in with (no time to change into a gown).
• My birth plan said no epidural but I got scared asked for one. I changed my mind back to no epidural since they said I was already at 10 cm. I was shocked that the worst of it had passed and I was OK. 
• HOWEVER, after a joyous medical intervention-free birth: the placenta did not completely detach. After waiting with still no results the doctor feared hemorrhaging so in the end intervention was necessary (and PAINFUL).
• I did not change a single diaper during our hospital stay. My husband never left my side and took care of the diapers so that I could rest.

One day I'll write my full birth story but for now a quick recap should do.

Happy Mother's day all and THANK YOU to God and my hubby for making a Momma's dream come true.  To our son: We love you.

Wordless Wednesday - My First

About.me

5/24/2011:
I updated my about.me profile - only because it's so fun! Click to view my newer version:

I have just created my splash page on a website called about.me.  Essentially it's an online business card. I would highly recommend that you all sign up for one too!  Seriously - if you are like me:  a blogger, have a twitter account, a  facebook account, and communicate via email then you NEED this.  It was easy and fun to create. You can have ALL of your online content on a single page.  I kept mine simple but you can personalize your page and be as creative as you want to be. Check out my page: Life by Cynthia .

I  recently signed on with BzzAgent which is social marketing organization and found myself extremely fortunate to learn about this new tool. About.me is EXACTLY what I need for pulling all of my info together.

Check it out, sign up for your own about.me splash page, and please let me know what you think! I would love to check out the page that you create!

If you need more info on BzzAgent let me know, or click on my Affiliations Tab and link through the BzzAgent icon. I have only been a BzzAgent for 10 days but I absolutely love it!