Feist on Sesame Street Sings 1-2-3-4

My daughter and I can watch this show over and over on Youtube. It's of Feist singing up to 4, but kiddie-centered. I just love her voice! Mina is fascinated watching it and I comply by keeping on hitting the play button.



One thing I noticed about Sesame street, they don't use the multiple cut to different scenes that an animated show or some other type of TV show uses. It's pretty much one camera that moves to different angles. I have written before that I won't be letting my kid watch TV for various good reasons, one being the abnormal pace and the multiple cut scenes in programs, which have been linked to short attention span and at worst, ADD. I wonder if the type of camera work done in Sesame Street for example, can be attributed to these problems that may be common among children that watch TV on a regular basis?

The other reason experts tell parents to avoid TV is because children need physical engagement much more than the less than ideal engagement with fictional characters on TV. And for the record, we watch A video like this one for only about 20 mins. a day. I usually show her videos of herself, but sometimes she gets bored of those too.

Mina Signs

I taught my daughter several signs from the American Sign Language (ASL). She does not have a full ASL vocabulary as she only knows 7 signs. But you know what, just three of those signs have saved us so much grief. I know when she wants "more", I know when she's hungry and wants to "eat", and I know when she wants her sippy cup to "drink" from. I don't have moments of frustration at meal times (okay, maybe some frustration sometimes..we're both human after all). The short of it though, is that sign language has helped us communicate better, even with just a few signs.

Has it hampered her speech? No, not really. I think it wires the brain to connect that all objects have names. And the words she can say, she says. She can say more for example, while signing. But she can't say the hard word "cracker" yet, so she signs that (it's incidentally her favorite word). Other words I didn't teach her the sign for but she instead says is "bird" and "water".

It would be the ultimate understatement to say I'm proud of her. Here she is:

Thriving Business For The Business-Minded Mommy

My husband has long had his dream of opening up our own family business. Of course, I didn't really back him up too much on the business idea because we all know how volatile self-employment can be. Businesses seem to fold so quickly. And it didn't help that he flip-flopped on his ideas. From a restaurant, to a pizza joint (out of our garage!?! seriously this was an idea), to a spa, that became a "wellness center" instead, to a tea shop that offered massages (now don't go to those jokes pls). Woody is certainly full of ideas.

I have ideas too. As a mom of a family on one income, and one who's going to school, every little bit of extra income helps. If I had any online asset and marketing panache, I would have jumped on so many opportunities by now. I know several female bloggers I admire with their hosting and web design business. Business like Heritage Web Solutions would be a good venue for me...if I knew how to design websites. In fact, the Economic Report will be featuring businesses that are thriving in the 21st century, including Heritage Web Designs.

I'd say anything online, with its limited overhead, is a GREAT business idea. Better than Woody's pizza joint in the garage one :).

Without the web design, or even web coding knowledge, I do what I know how to do...write. I may just check the Economic Report issue for ideas for writers in the 21st century.

Here's the press release:

“The Economic Report” show to feature Heritage Web Solutions

October 22, 2008, Deerfield Beach, FL – The producers of The Economic Report are pleased to announce that Heritage Web Solutions will be featured in an upcoming episode as part of the show’s Business and Technology series on The Power of the Internet Supporting the 21st Century Business Environment.

The internet has revolutionized the ways businesses market themselves. It is essential for businesses, both large and small, to have an effective web presence. A company’s website essentially serves as their electronic store front, communicating the company’s identity to website visitors.

Today, there are approximately 970 million internet users thus making internet marketing the most effective way to appeal to customers from around the world. Websites overcome the limitations between countries and continents thus making a company international. Having a website also means that a business is open and reachable at any time and allows for quick customer response time.

But, it isn’t as simple as just setting up a website. The only way for a company to be set apart from other online competition is unique website design. Businesses turn to internet technology companies for the development of a professional and search engine friendly, website.

Utah-based Heritage Web Solutions specializes in designing and hosting affordable websites for small and medium size businesses. In business since 2001, Heritage designs all websites to custom fit each company, giving each client a unique, original and authentic design. Customers of Heritage also have access to custom flash graphics, Ecommerce development and assistance, database creation and management, traffic driving resources and more.

“As a global community, we are evolving into a technology-based world,“ said Brad Stone, Managing Partner, Heritage Web Solutions. “Rarely we pay cash or write a check anymore. More of our purchases are made online, or at least we research online before making a purchasing decision. Our checking, savings and credit card accounts are maintained and paid for online. Our socializing has moved to FaceBook, YouTube and MySpace. Our communications are emailed, texted or Skyped. Breaking news can now be fed instantly via RSS feeds to our computers or cell phones instead of waiting for the six o’clock news. The Internet is very much a main part of human society today.”

For more information, please visit www.heritagewebdesign.com

Mommy's Skin Isn't As It Used To

When I was pregnant with Mina, I had perhaps THE best complexion I've ever had past the age of ten. I remember having blackheads sprouting at 11, and I did have acne during my teen years. So truly, my complexion couldn't be beat during my first pregnancy. I always felt like I was in bloom. I felt like my face was glowing. I could have volunteered for a skin commercial, so confident was I in my skin.



Fast-forward one year later, and that's not the case anymore. In all my life, I've never had to use anything on my face other than Noczema when I was a teenager. My mother is at me to start using some face cream to stop the aging process. I resisted. But I think it's time. I need to start using something to generate that earthly glow. Cause my skin right now is as dull as the bottom of a murky pond. Dr. Lark's website of Squalane Products looks promising.

"Helps skin cells regenerate

The reason Squalane is so different is because it’s the same ingredient found in sebum, a natural compound in your skin that helps your skin cells regenerate. It’s what keeps your skin soft, moist, and young."

I need something to keep my face soft, moist, and young. They even have a sale where you can buy three bottles for a low price. I can keep em coming with an automatic order plan too. I have a feeling I'll be having to take care of my skin from here on out.

You know my mother has GREAT skin, but even she does put cream daily on her face. So I guess I shouldn't feel too bad. Mina, I hope you have great skin genes. Your dad's side of the family's not so bad and neither is mine. Here's to you kid, and to mommy's skin looking a bit better.

Mina's Smile

I was about to write something a bit depressing. I've noticed my posts lately aren't as chirpy and positive as they used to be. So I decided this one wouldn't be more of the same. In fact, I dare you not to crack a smile!

Here's my daughter at 13 months. I've got more vids of her that are absolutely hilarious. Those will be published later...

Mina's Second Halloween: Costume Decision And Should We Trick or Treat

It's Mina's second Halloween. We stayed in last year, cause she was toothless and blissfully ignorant that people would hand her sweets and treats that day if she knocked on their door. We had kids coming to our house instead, and we did dress her for that. She was dressed as a lovely pea in a pod.




This year, we're wondering if she's old enough to go trick or treating. She can walk, and follow simple instructions. But then, who's gonna eat all that candy? Certainly not us. We are determined to dress her in another costume though. I checked out Halloween Costumes which has a ton, and I mean, a ton of costumes. They've got categories galore too so search is easier. Because she is so beautiful, and Daddy calls her a princess, we're tempted to get her a Disney princess costume. Or she may just wear her birthday outfit, the ballerina outfit.


As for her Daddy and me, it would be nice to get one of their couple costumes. I like the socket and plug one. LOL! Although personality wise, a ninja costume would fit Woody's personality best. He's a ninja at heart, and has dreamed of being a ninja or a Wushu master since he was a little boy. One of his heart's desires is to be able to visit China's martial arts academy. There's an actual trip package like that but it's very expensive.

For me? Since I'm studying to be a nurse, maybe I wear one of those sexy nurse costumes eh? Yea right.

No matter what, I'm looking forward to Halloween this year, even without the candy.

Note to Mina

Hello daughter. Yes, I'm your mommy, though you seem to think it's Grandma that's your mom. Sometimes I try to act immature about it all, and can't seem to stamp down my feeling of jealousy. I hope you forgive me. It really hurts Mommy.

Sometimes when Mama leaves the room, you cry like with a keening sound, like a hurt animal, and then run as fast as you can to catch her. I had hoped, when I was just dreaming about you, when you were in my womb, when I first cradled you in my arms, that you would cry like that and run like that for me.

Sometimes you'll look up at Mama and demand to be carried, and she'll put you in her arms talking, while you sit contentedly in her lap, leaning your head against her. I had hoped, when I first found out you were a girl, when I first felt your kick, when I would whisper to you as you lay in my womb, that you would sit and lean your head contentedly in my lap.

Sometimes when I come and try to carry you from Mama, you'll shake your head vigorously and cuddle up even closer to Mama. I had hoped, when I first saw your smile, and spent nights just looking at your face as a newborn, that you would refuse to leave my arms, your Mom's arms.

So, I hope and I wait, and I hope and I wait. Meantime, I remind myself it's better that you love your grandma, than if you couldn't stand her.