MY LITTLE MAX

We really thought, for the first 3 years of Max's life, that he would be gay. Scotty and I would look at eachother and say, "Hmmm, well... maybe it's just his creative side? Maybe he'll be an artist?" You see, Max is left handed and very, very creative. He definitely has the artistic thing down. But, there were also little things - like running directly to the sparkly Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz) shoes and saying, "Oh, Mommy, look at these shoes! They are fantastic!" And - this was at age 2! But Scotty and I are both patient and we said, let's wait and see. But, we have saved some really great photos that we assumed we'd use either as evidence or as blackmail in the future.

Max will be 5 in February. He has matured a ton and is growing into quite the gentleman. He's starting to pay attention to differences between girls and boys. He is starting to prefer Star Wars over Cinderella - a big change for all of us here at chez nous.

Last week Max announced that he had to take a rose to school for Zoe. He said that it was their "secret anniversary" and that he could not give me any more information - "that's why it is our SECRET anniversary, Mom. I cannot tell you!" So - off we went with a wilting rose wrapped in tin foil. Zoe was not there yet - so unfortunately I missed this precious moment.

Yesterday Max announced that he had to buy a Christmas present for Zoe. So - off we went to Target and we bought a little gift for Zoe - just a little stationary princess set - the kind the old Max would have insisted that we buy for him.

It's such a small thing but I watched Max wrap this little gift - so carefully - with tongue hanging out the corner of his mouth, eyebrows all scrunched together, so patiently... I helped him with the ribbon but he wrote out the entire card.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ZOE

MAX LOVES ZOE

Max took this gift to school today. And today, Zoe was there. I did not even know who Zoe was until today. How is this possible? Max is in the pre-K class and Zoe, the older woman, is of course in kindergarten. But - Max walked into her classroom and there was Zoe - sitting at a table with 5 other girls. Zoe has her back to Max. She hears some commotion and turns slowly, long brown hair in slow motion flinging over her left shoulder as she looks towards Max. As soon as she sees him - her face totally lights up! My heart is a flutter - this is crazy! She jumps up and runs to him - looking happy and excited. He gives her the present and what does Max do? He turns and starts doing this really lame, bouncy walk away from her saying, "OK, bye!"

I have to stop him there - and I say, "Max, let her open the present, she might want to thank you." It was the sweetest little moment and totally made my day. She hugged him and thanked him and Max went back to join his classroom.

So - do I still think he is maybe going to grow up gay? No - not at all. But - I will say this - should he decide to be gay, or run for office, or should he choose to have a different view from me regarding religion or life in general? I will still love him and support him and he will always, always be my little Max.

I love him so.

SCOTTY'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

So - here I sit again. Only 2 weeks until Christmas and no idea what I am getting anyone. Every year I say that I will be better prepared! That I will not be shopping on Christmas Eve. That I will not be buying a bunch of random crap just so that I have enough stuff to give. That I will not worry about buying the same number of gifts for my mom and my sis so that they will not feel left out somehow. And yet, here I sit, again, with no gifts and no ideas.

I should clarify though - we have been buying gifts for our adopted families. That has been really great. It is so fun to buy for people who have so little. But - what do you buy for someone who already has so much?

Example - problem number 1: My husband. He has given me a list of what he would like this year. Here is his list:

1) Montague Bike

2) Reverend Guitar (model not included, sorry Scotty)

3) Junker Jacket

4) BMW motorcycle

5) Personal trainer

6) Good bottle of expensive Scotch

7) New airplane (no, a real one - in addition to the one he bought himself last year)

So - for sure the BMW is out. Sorry hubby - you fly small airplanes and scuba dive and that is all the risk you get to take for now. I just cannot get him a bike. Traffic is too crazy and I love him too much.

The guitar - good idea, but he's got a few guitars already and does not have much time to play them. Junker jacket - they totally ROCK - unique one of kind - on the pricey side and this was last years present already. But - you really should check it out http://www.junkerdesigns.com/. These jackets are really rock and roll cool and worn by celebs and rockstars like Dave Navarro and Criss Angel.

Airplane - well really? Get serious. Way too much money and we're waaaay too much broke right now.

Montague bike - This is a really cool folding bike http://www.montegueco.com/ - cool but costs around $700. For those of you who have not personally met my husband - well, he's not really the mountain biking type. So - I am kind of confused as to where this random request came from. Maybe he just ran out of ideas and threw this one in. Not sure.

So - that leaves us with personal trainer and a good bottle of scotch. Both feasible gifts - boring but might work. They don't really go well together but it's his list.

I think I have come up with my own idea for Scotty. I think I will buy him a cow.

No - really - at http://www.heifer.org/ you can purchase a heifer for $500 or a share of a

heifer for $50. A good dairy cow can produce 4 gallons of milk for a needy family in Africa or one of the many countries that Heifer.org works with. The surplus milk from this cow can provide a way for these families to generate income to pay for more food, medicine, school fees and clothing and improvements to their homes. The offspring of this cow will continue to be a source of income for this family. What an absolutely perfect gift.

So - I encourage all of you out there who are stuck with finding the perfect gift for the person who has everything to please check out http://www.heifer.org/ and give a great gift that will not be left on a shelf - or re-gifted next Christmas.

So - if you do know my husband - please keep this hush hush. He doesn't usually read my blog - unless I make him so I am thinking that we're safe for now. If he's really, really good between now and Christmas I may also get him a really good bottle of scotch too. Or maybe, a really fun book of coupons - you know ;) something for him to open once everyone else has gone to bed. He has been a really, really good boy this year...

Last Minute Christmas Discount Codes!

"Jackie20" for 20% off anything Ooh La La Mama! Any purchase enters you to win a $500 Visa gift card!

"Holiday30" for 30% off all bedding at Serena and Lily. I LOVE their stuff. Marisa currently has the Lulu crib bedding in her nursery.

"Fun20" for 20% off al toys at Babystyle. We received this little red Schoenhut piano from Marisa's crazy Aunt Lisa. Can't wait to see her little fingers tapping away.

Gimme Jimmies!

So you're in the car and all of a sudden your three year old is singing "My humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps." That's SO not right. But you're sick of listening to the CD's of Raffi - so what do you do? Go get The Jimmies!!!

The Jimmies play fun power pop, rock, swing and dance with cute, funny, and refreshing kid-friendly lyrics that will make you smile. They were a 2007 Parents' Choice Award winner and we're a big fan! Check them out and listen to their new album at http://www.gimmejimmies.com/.

And don't forget, fashion and rock go hand in hand. Cool kids with cool clothes listen to cool music. We recommend these for your little one to rock out in:

*Click on the pictures to buy now, or browse for more at http://www.oohlalamama.com. Shown here are Punk Rock Diva and Let it Rock oneseis. Punk Rock Diva also comes as a Long Sleeved Onesie, Dress, and Tee! Check it out in our New Arrivals!

Scared of Santa

Heheee, this is really funny and cute. The Chicago Tribune asked readers to send in their "Scared of Santa" pics and got so many they made a book. Read more about it and see pics here. I wonder if Marisa will be scared. So far she smiles at everyone.

Side note: Yes, I plan on taking her for Santa pics. But I finally went to go buy her little red dress, and it was sold out. Ugh, I may have to go to the boutique where it is more expensive for the same thing. I can't help it! It's her first Christmas...and she would look so cute in a little red dress.

DISCOUNTS AND CONTESTS!!!!

Hi Everyone! Some quick updates:

Use Discount code "Jackie20" now when you check out at http://www.oohlalamama.com and get 20% off your purchase! Also don't forget, now ANY purchase enters you to win a $500 Visa gift card.

"Mommy, were you and Daddy wrestling" One hour left to tell us how you explained what you were doing when the kids caught you in the act! Check out the post below.

We're still collecting gifts for 2 families that lost everything in the So Cal fires. Please see the post "Christmas Charity Needed"

Thanks and Happy Shopping!

FUN STORIES IN THE ER, MY REAL LIFE JOB

Today started like a regular day for me. Woke up 10 minutes late (ignored the alarm) - hopped in the shower and threw on my scrubs. Read a few pages of the last Twilight series book while blowdrying my hair (what will happen to Bella and Edward?) and then kissed hubby goodbye and hopped in the car.

Traffic was super light today so even had time to stop at Starbucks - venti, sugar-free vanilla Brevee latte (my current fave) and got to work actually on time.

Here is the kicker - arrived to the ER at 0830 and not a soul waiting to be seen and only 2 people currently in the ER! This is insane.

So - thought I would spare everyone more details about our awesome kids' line (http://www.oohlalamama.com/) and hop on and share some of my favorite ER stories today.

These are some of my best stories of personal patients from over the past 10 years in no particular order. (please don't figure out how old that makes me - let's just say I was a child prodigy and went to med school at age 10).

*If you are squeamish - maybe don't read on. If this is you - if you were my patient - then sorry if you feel violated - no names or hospitals will be mentioned...

1) 38 year old male who was upset with his insurance company. They would not pay for a circumcision - they said it was cosmetic (that's what the patient said anyway) - so he decided to do it himself. Note - if you are trying to perform your own surgery, at least google how it is actually done first. No details here, but I will share that a circumcision does not involve removing all of the skin... This was a very interesting patient and multiple specialties were involved in helping this man (plastics, general surgery and urology). DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, Kids.

2) 23 year old male - who said that he did "too much cocaine" and got a glass shot glass stuck somewhere quite unpleasant. This - by itself - is not too big of a problem - however, friend of this patient decided to try to help him out. Pliers were used, glass broke and patient bought himself a ticket to the OR where I happened to be on duty for my geneal surgey rotation. What did we find? A broken shot glass, an orange, a small shampoo bottle and yes, an olive (maybe it was in the shot glass?) So - purchased a colostomy bag as well. Happy trip to the hospital. Hope the cocaine was worth it.

3) Baby 7 months old - brought in by mom with complaint of "multiple seizures." Baby was not breathing and lost his heart beat upon arrival to the ER. This was during my moonlighting in the middle of nowhere. Very, very small ER and I am the only doctor in the whole hospital. We put the baby on a ventilator, start an IV - doing CPR, giving meds and we get a heartbeat back.

OK - baby on ventilator, pseudo-stable, and doing better and I am calling on portable phone to the closest pediatric ER/ICU. Obviously this baby needs to get to a center - FAST. Helicopter cannot fly, weather too bad. We call 911 and I hop in the ambulance with the baby (don't worry, we called in a backup physician to take over the ER). Lights and sirens - scariest 20 minutes of my medical life - this little person depending on me to keep him alive. Upon arrival to other ER baby has a lethal arrhythmia, so now we are shocking baby and this is like the real thing - just like you see on ER (the TV show - I mean).

Baby is having seizures and we don't know why. Mom told me that all of her kids "have epilepsy" but still - something is not right. Baby has no fever so not meningitis and tox screen is pending... Could it be shaken baby? No other signs of trauma and too unstable to go to CT scanner. We keep guessing and trying to figure out what is wrong.

Turns out - baby has been given a tricyclic medication - overdosed by MOM! These drugs are often prescribed as sleep aids- in overdose they cause seizures. Official diagnosis: Tricyclic overdose, seizures and Mom gets a diagnosis of Munchausen by Proxy.
Definition by wikipedia: Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP), are insidious disorders in which injury is deliberately and gradually inflicted upon a person usually for gaining attention[1] or some other benefit.

This baby and all of the mom's other kids are taken away through the court system. This baby did fine (from a medical standpoint) - recovered completely with no brain injury or obvious problems so far. As far as how this baby, and the rest of the children from this family fared - well I just hope that they were placed with a loving family and that they will all be kept together. I cannot help every problem. But on this day - I do feel like I maybe made a difference, that I kind of saved a life - just basic training that every ER doctor has but I will never forget this little one or the crazy fear I felt trying to save this little one...

So - that's it for this morning. Hoping the rest of my day in the ER continues to be calm - I am truly loving it. It is so rare to have a day where I can answer emails and maybe even write a bit.
Someone recently asked me how my job in the ER relates to my job as owner of Ooh La La Mama - kids' apparel line http://www.oohlalamama.com/. Well - it really doesn't. Most days my ER job has nothing to do with making onesies. But - I must say that it helps keep things in perspective. When an order is late or a customer gets upset with us for something that maybe did not go just perfectly - I still get stressed but I can sit back and take a deep breath and say to myself: Well at least no one died today...

The Cutest Sock Monkeys Ever

Last year, while on vacation in Kauai, I visited this beautiful little boutique called Nest. It had precious little treasures in every corner. (If you're ever there, you MUST go find it!) I was five months pregnant at the time and wouldn't let myself buy anything for the baby yet, and I regretted it! One of the things that I wanted most were these adorable sock monkeys I saw in the store. I went online and found them! http://www.staceyjean.com/

I've been following the store for a while and they just make the cutest monkeys I've ever seen. These are not your regular sock monkeys, people! Stacey Jean combines stripes, dots, stars, prints, and has gorgeous color combinations. To top it all off, each monkey has a heart on their chest so you can tell it's made with love. Her Etsy shop only currently has four monkeys left! She used to offer DIY kits where she would send you the sock colors you wanted and everything you needed to put it together, but I don't see them right now. You can also request custom made items to go along with a nursery theme or your child's favorite colors. Hopefully she has more after the new year. I've been so indecisive about what color to get, I still haven't gotten one! I kind of want to just start a collection and get one for every holiday! See her flickr album for past monkeys. You'll want them all.

Happy 6 Months Baby!

My baby girl is six months old today! I can't believe how fast it's gone by. Marisa smiles all the time, loves to blow razzies, can roll over both ways - but doesn't do it too often yet, can sit up "tripod" style for a few minutes and loves to stand on Mommy and Daddy's lap. I'll be starting her on rice cereal tonight! We've got the video camera ready to go and eveything.

Last night I thought to myself, I've got to create a book or journal of some sort and write down all the cute things she's already growing out of that I will miss. Like how she rubs her foot up and down my arm when she's nursing, raises her arm like a ballerina and tries to suck her arm when she's half asleep, used to need a little help pushing those toots out!, used to have what my husband called "meow meow ears" because she had little hairs on her ears like a cat, and just how tiny she was. I love you, baby girl!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY MIRROR?

Have you ever woken up and looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, "WHAT THE HELL?" Today was one of those days. I always imagined that I would be one of those super hot, sexy wives - a total MILF and soccer mom. I think I went to bed last night feeling like this picture of Brittany Murphy. I mean after all, I did just lose 10 lbs and that puts me only 15 pounds over my wedding weight but still - what the hell happened between last night and this morning?







Here's what I think happened: First, Keirnan (our lovely 2 year old son who has already become our resident frat boy - fart jokes, burping included) woke up at 5am. This is soooo not fair! Second - dear hubby has started snoring like a train and this for sure interferes with my dare-I-say-it, dang-do-I-ever-need-it - beauty sleep. Especially because I could only find one ear plug and had to keep moving it from one ear to the next depending on which ear was on the pillow. Third - I spent the last 4 nights prior running around the ER like a mad woman. Which brings me to another thought: When I went to med school I always pictured that I would be the HOT DOCTOR - you know - that I would wear high heels, tight skirts and my hair would always be smartly pulled back in some super full pony tail or bun. Not such a great idea after I ruined several really expensive skirts on my OB and Trauma rotations - but I'll spare y'all the details (throw back from my residency days in Texas!)



So - here I find myself this morning. Walking around in my robe, hair sticking out in all directions, snotty/crying baby on my hip, 4 year old Max (our resident romantic one - yes - he even took a rose to school for Zoe last week, for their "secret anniversary") asking over and over why the TV won't turn on and if E.T. might be on right now. Only things missing at this point are the cigarette hanging out of my mouth and rollers in my hair...

This was truly a Calgon - take me away moment.

Just then though - hubby Scott walks down the stairs and sits down beside me. Max curls up with his "lovey" (blankie for all of you traditionalists) and Keirnan goes and lays next to Max on the floor. Max rolls over, kisses Keirnan and Keir looks at Max and says (in his oh-so-cute little 2 year old voice) "I love you a million." Hubby kisses me on the cheek and it all seems OK.

My messy hair and drooping behind all seem so very unimportant - at least for that moment. Luckily my other job, my "real" job - as an ER doctor - help keep me grounded. It takes a lot to shake me up in the ER these days. I think now I only cry maybe once or twice a week after work. Not bad when you think of where I work. But - funny how these little moments at home can do it in a second. Nothing like hearing your kids tell you they love you - or that they love each other.

That's all I've got for today - off to the gym to get this sorry butt of mine in shape! So - for a few moments I am fine to be the crazy cat lady from the Simpson's but I will be getting those last 15 pounds off - I will be the hot housewife soon! Y'all watch out for me - ya hear?

"Mommy, were you and Daddy Wrestling?"

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Christmas Onesie is here!!!

How cute is this!? Ooh La La Mama's new Baby's 1st Xmas Onesie is here! Get it here NOW in time for those pictures with Santa!

Special thanks to designer Lisa Johnston. Lisa grew up in Southern California and is a very talented and gifted artist and has been working with Ooh La La Mama for the past year designing really awesome, bright, unique prints for Ooh La La Mama. We feel very fortunate to have her as part of our team.

You can read more about Lisa Johnston and see more images of her awesome art on her website http://www.lisaharpjohnston.com/.

What do your kids call their... umm...

Best, most creative answer wins free stuff from www.oohlalamama.com! Answer in comments or by email - Cindy@oohlalamama.com.  

Just laughing about what my kids call their "stuff." 

What is the correct term for a 4 and 2  year old?

Here's the story: 

Max (our awesome 4 year old son) was teaching Keirnan (son #2, equally awesome) about their, ummm... parts.  

So - both boys in the bath while I am running around naked trying to hustle to get ready for work.  

Keir points to Max and says: "You have a junk and I have a junk and Mommy has a junk and Daddy has a junk."  Here's the kicker though: Max actually says "Mommy has only 1/2 a junk!"  

OK brakes on!  Being late for work just totally flies out of my head at this point.

I quickly respond, "No, Max - Mommy's junk is not 1/2 - it's just different." What do you say?

OK - yes, I am an ER doc and I say the word penis of course about 10 times a day - but this is all medical and as the doc I cannot really say to a kidney stone patient - "so, does the pain radiate down into your junk?" 

Lovin' my kids but the "JUNK" I am afraid, is here to stay!

What are you calling your kids "JUNK?"  Email your answers to Cindy@oohlalamama.com.  We'll post our favorite answers tomorrow.  Thanks!

Pin Up Girl Party Inspiration

My Retro Pin-Up Girl Themed lingerie shower was a success! Here's a little inspiration to throw your own pin up style party. It can be a lingerie shower, bachelorette party, or just a ladies night out.

I love cute invites, notes, cocktail napkins and paper plates when you don't feel like doing a million dishes. Since I was short on budget, I created my own invite using a Gil Elvgren image and just added wording to it. You can print these out and use scrapbooking paper or card stock to create a border, or just send it in an email.

For fill in invites and also cocktail napkins, paper plates, and even favors I love Anne Taintor, Inc. They use images of women from ads in the 50's and 60's and then add cheeky sayings to them. (Okay, so it's not very pin up girl, but it's too cute - no one will notice.) They've got something for every occasion, but for this party here were some of my favorites:


If you've got a little extra in the budget - check out their flasks, compacts, and even aprons and potholders (good for a kitchen themed shower)!

More on favors...

Pin-up girls are all about glam so why not give away some dramatic false eyelashes and lip gloss! I found these at e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) where everything is $1. I've used the products before and they're great! The retro candy tin lip glosses were perfect, and who could resist their Cherry Bomb flavor? I found red satin wristlets in Target's $1 bins that were perfect to hold the favors.

For more ideas, check out http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/. I like their pin up hair flowers and vintage tin ID cases. If you're feeling crafty, try making your own silk flower hair pins to pass out at the party.

Feeling a little more dangerous? Hire someone to teach you and your gal pals how to strip in your own home or host an adult toy party (It's like a tupperware party, but with, you know...adult toys!). Give out some funky tassels as party favors and don't forget the martinis!

We've adopted 2 families!

So - we finally got our families for our Christmas Charity Gift Giving!

We are super excited and so very thankful for all of our friends who have offered to donate.

Please send to your friends - any businesses who might like to donate samples would be great!

We can really make a difference and give these families a fantastic and unforgetable Christmas!

So here's the info on our families and what we still need!

Family #1

Dad - age 29 - needs clothes pant size 34/30 and shirt size L, size 8 shoes

Mom - age 30 - size 5 (I know, sooo jealous!) and size 5 shoes

Boy child age 4 - needs size 5 clothes and anything STARWARS

Boy child age 11 - needs size 14 clothes or size 5 shoes and anything to do with BASEBALL

Boy child age 6 - Size 6 clothing, size 13 shoes and STARWARS

Girl child age 10 - size 5 pants, small shirts, size 4 shoes - wants DOLLS, BARBIES OR BRATZ

Family #2

Mom - age 25 - no clothes requested but "anything" requested - so be creative

Dad - age 40 - clothes - pants size 32, medium shirts

Girl child age 3, size 2T clothing, 6 1/2 shoes or anything TINKER BELL, DISNEY, DORA

Boy child age 3m, size 6m clothing, TOYS

Boy child age 2, size 2T clothing, size 6 shoes or CARS, DOGGIES, PLANES

Girl child age 3m, size 6m clothing, TOYS

What to send? Ooh La La Mama will be donating clothes and gift cards.

We are requesting new clothing, toys, unwrapped (we'll take care of it - but easier to sort) or gift cards to stores that these families might shop (recommending Target, Payless, other?) Please no gift cards for online purchases - not sure if these families have computers.

Deadline for gifts to be received is December 15th.

Send gifts to:
Ooh La La Mama

4300 Green River Road, Suite 112-104

Corona, CA 92880

If you don't have time to shop you can send a check or contribute through http://www.paypal.com/ - send your super generous contribution to Cindy@oohlalamama.com.

Thanks for all of your support!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Ooh La La Mama!

http://www.oohlalamama.com/

Baby's First Christmas

Hi Everyone! I just found out Cindy is designing a "Baby's First Christmas" onesie as we speak! I am personally sooo excited because this is my daughter's first Christmas and I've been searching for the perfect thing to put her in for pictures with Santa or all those holiday parties coming up. My mom has this picture of my little sister as a baby that always sticks in my mind. It's just her little tushy and a the back of a little foot covered in a frilly sock. Embroidered on her bloomers, it say's "My First Christmas." I want Marisa to have that special picture for when she grows up so I can't wait to see what Cindy comes up with!!!

Win a $500 Visa Gift card from Ooh La La Mama!

Ooh La La Mama knows that our economy is hurting right now and we would like to make the holidays just a little bit easier. You can be entered to win a $500 Visa gift card to use on whatever you like! 

So how does it work? Just go to www.oohlalamama.com, and shop our store. Any purchase of $50 or more will automatically grant you one entry into our drawing to win the $500 USD VISA gift card. Drawing will take place on December 31st at 6 pm (PST) and all entries must be received by noon (PST) to be eligible.

So pick up that t-shirt or onesie you've been eyeing for your little one, knock a Christmas gift off your list early, or wow them at the baby shower with the "too cute" clothes that no one else could find, and get yourself a chance to start off the new year with some cash in your pocket!

Good luck and Happy Shopping!

Oh - a little background on us: 

We're a southern california based kids clothing line and we make really awesome, unique, funky onesies, t's and dresses and rompers.  All of our pieces have all over prints that are part of the fabric (so they don't flake off or fade with washing) and are made with 100% love and feel super soft and yummy! Happy shopping and we cannot wait to give this CASH away for NEW YEARS!

Christmas Charity Needed

MAKE CHRISTMAS HAPPEN FOR ONE FAMILY

2 weeks ago parts of southern california were devastated by the wildfires.   Many people lost their homes, and everything they had ever owned.

At this time Ooh La La Mama would like to invite all of you to pitch in and help us make Christmas happen for at least one family.  Of course Ooh La La Mama will be donating tons of our clothes but we need the help of our friends (and your friends, and the friends of your friends...) to really make a difference.  

So - please think hard about the questioned being polled (see right side bar).  Do you think you could give up one of your special presents to help one of these families? I think most of us would say yes.  We need you!

Given our economic situation - we do understand that many of us do not have "extra money" just waiting for an opportunity such as this to just appear.  

This is why we are asking if you would give up one (just one) of your gifts.  We'll take em!   This way it won't really cost you any cash - just a present.  Don't get us wrong though - we will take cash as well, no problem. 

We will have two drop off dates to help with this problem - we will donate items we have before Christmas on Christmas Day.  There will be a second drop off day a week or so later for the gifts that you may choose do donate.  

Details of the family will be posted soon - along with specific needs and wishlists for our first family.  We will take on a second family as well if there are enough of you out there willing to be supportive.  

Most of us are so fortunate in this life - please give just a little to help this family have a very, very Merry Christmas. 

If anyone of you have any helpful ideas or suggestions or specific donation questions - please do not hesitate to email me at Cindy@oohlalamama.com.  We will update donation list to keep everyone on track.  Also - subscribe to RSS feed - look down on right bar and click on subscribe to stay updated.

Thanks again!

Nothing feels as good as giving (or was that - nothing feels as good as being thin?) 

Cindy

Cindy@oohlalamama.com

Yep, It's Christmas!

If you've been brave enough to go out shopping, I'm sure you've noticed they've already got the Christmas stuff up. Actually it's been out there for a few weeks now, but now I'm hearing the music. I love it! (Although for my sister who works in retail - I am so very sorry.) This year, I'm so excited I've got a great head start because I already have a holiday card to send out. If you haven't heard of it before, check out Scrapblog.com. I used it to email out a birth announcement slideshow to all of my friends and family when Marisa was born. Now they have a really cool feature where you can design your own cards and have them printed. They held a contest to design holiday cards and my design won! I won fifty free prints and a prize from Digital Scrapbooking Magazine. I'm not sure yet what they're sending me, but I'm supposed to get something in the mail any day now! Here's my winning card...

Surf and Sand Birthday

Hello again! 

So - what did I get for my birthday?

Well, first of all I was taken out for sushi in Laguna (at Sushi Laguna) by Scott (my awesome hubby).  We met some of our ER friends and drank beer and ate a bunch of random, crazy sushi (thank you Dave Whittaker). 

We then all headed out for drinks at a local bar in Laguna.  It was actually pouring rain in Laguna which made for a very unique and special night.  I am so tired of how hot it has been in California that I was very happy to see the rain (even though it was still quite warm outside).

Scotty then surprised me with a night at the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach.  See the awesome pics above.   Our room had a balcony over the crashing waves on sand (super loud and really extra cool with the rain!)  Thank you Gant Pammy for the evening away from our little monsters (Scott's mom - our official "nanny" kept our little guys for the night!).

Wednesday morning I was treated to a day at the spa at the Surf and Sand while Scotty took my day shift in the ER (what a total benefit to have a husband who works at the same hospital as me!).   What a treat! No work and a day at the spa!

Had dinner with my mom and dad on Wed night and came home to meet my husband after his long day of work in the ER.  

What a life!

Well - tomorrow is a day off - day with the family then we'll be celebrating our official Thanksgiving Chez Wendy (my sis) on Sunday (pics to follow - I promise!).

So - happy weekend to everyone.  Hope everyone is recovering from Thanksgiving and thank you to all of my friends for a great birthday!

Cindy

BIRTHDAY THANKS

A BIRTHDAY by Christina Rossetti

My heart is like a singing bird

Whose nest is in a water'd shoot;

My heart is like an apple-tree

Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit;

My heart is like a rainbow shell

That paddles in a halcyon sea;

My heart is gladder than all these

Because my love is come to me.

Raise me a dais of silk and down;

Hang it with vair and purple dyes;

Carve it in doves and pomegranates,

And peacocks with a hundred eyes;

Work it in gold and silver grapes,

In leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys;

Because the birthday of my life

Is come, my love is come to me.

Today is my birthday.  37 years old.  Not much to say, at first, about turning 37.

Some people may think that this might be a hard birthday.  You know - we live in Southern California.  We are surrounded by gorgeous 25 year olds with great bodies every day.  And yes, I may have been thinking a month ago that this might be a tough birthday.  My butt is not as firm as it used to be and I certainly hardly ever have time to go to the gym these days.  OK - the treadmill in the corner of this room (in my home office) has only been used twice (a gift last Nov 25th from my hubby on my 36th birthday).  But recent events have forced me to reconsider.  This is not a bad birthday.    

About 3 weeks ago I learned that one of my closest friends from high school had been hospitalized with metastatic breast cancer.  She had been diagnosed about a year earlier and had done everything (bilateral mastectomies, chemo and radiation).  This is one of those long time, forever friends of mine.  Paula dated Dave in high school.  I have been friends with both of them since then.  They've dated on and off - you know, one of those crazy on and off type love affairs.  They had two children who are now 12 and 14.  Our lives had taken us in different directions - we would go years without talking and then jump right back in to where we left off. Last time I spoke with Paula she was doing great.  Dave and her were on one of their "on" periods.  This was over 2 years ago.  I did not even know that Paula had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  

Paula passed away 10 days ago.  I did have the opportunity to visit her in the hospital before she passed.  But this has been a hard time.  Of course I miss that I will not have my friend and regret that I had not been a much, much better friend.  We all love Paula.  Mostly though I am saddened that her 2 kids will be without her.  My heart is still breaking for this family.  

Paula would have had her 37th birthday on December 22nd.  Her funeral was a week ago today. She will be greatly, greatly missed.  I will always hold this great memory of Paula, huge smile on her face, throwing up her arms over her head and yelling "Woo-hoo!" I don't remember what this was over but she was celebrating something with me.  That was Paula.  This is what I will remember.

So today I am not going to be anything but completely thankful for my 37th birthday.  I am blessed beyond belief to be healthy and happy with great friends and family.  I have a great husband and 2 fantastic boys.  Max and Keirnan are 4 and 2 and both got yelled at this morning for "bad additudes!" OK, Keirnan also got in trouble for spitting at grandma (just a rasberry but still!)  

I have only great things to be happy for today.  And yes, hubby has something planned for us tonight.  I am a very, very lucky girl.  And even though I am not super religious, it is at times like this that I must stop and say "thank you" - to God, to Buddha, to whatever you believe in.  I am truly blessed. 

So, what do I want for my birthday? Everyone is asking...  I really can think of nothing except another year (at least) of health and happiness for all of us.  What can you all get me? Just each of you please contact one of your long lost friends, one of your "Paula" friends - just call or email and see how they are.  Be a better friend if you can and enjoy every single second that you've got.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF US!

MISS YOU PAULA  XOXO

I heart Thanksgiving. (and FoodNetwork.com)

I just went to the store today and picked up a frozen 15lb Butterball turkey. I really hope it thaws out in time. It should. I've done this for years now and yet every year I compulsively check and re-check all the turkey calculators for size recommendations and cooking times. There was a woman there frantically tossing them around in the freezer looking for a 24lb turkey. That would take even longer to thaw so I'm pretty sure I'm good. 

I've been cooking Thanksgiving since I was probably about 20. It all started because my dad saw me cooking dinner for a boyfriend one day and said, "How come you never cook for me?, I see how it is." And so, out of guilt, uh I mean love, I decided I would attempt to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the family. I watched an episode of Emeril doing a spicy Cajun pepper stuffed turkey with boudin stuffing. I made roasted garlic mashed potatoes from scratch for the very first time and threw in lots of cheese just for fun. I don't remember what else I made but I remember my family raving about it and telling me it was the best turkey they ever had and that I was now in charge of Thanksgiving from here on out. 

It was step one of turning into my grandmother - equating the amount of your food that everyone eats with how much they love you. 

By the way, I have also achieved step two - constantly asking how it is and offering more and more when they've already said NO THANK YOU a thousand times. (Step three is getting upset when they say no. I have to stop myself at this point and remember not to take it personally. Their stomach is only so big and it's rude to unbutton their pants at the table.) 

Anyway, ever since then it's like I'm in a contest to top myself from the year before. I spend hours online looking at all of the recipes to see if I want to change anything, and then a few more hours laying out my grocery list and my timeline (which never seems to work out because I always end up with no makeup on, and so hungry I snap at anyone who wants to take pictures of the food and family.) But this year is different. This year, I have a baby so I had to let go and ask for help. I assigned the mashed potatoes to my mother, dessert to my great aunt, and I decided to nix the candied yams. Too many carbs anyway. I'm determined to have my hair and makeup done, clean the house before hand, get the table set the night before, and have a stress free Thanksgiving. And so, after much deliberation...here is my menu:

-I'm going rogue on the turkey and trying a combination of two Emeril recipes. There will be lots of butter and cayenne pepper involved. This is a big deal for me people. I usually don't color outside the lines.

-Paula Deen's Good Old Country Stuffing - it has rice in it!!! Asians and rice...mmmmm, rice.

-Giblet Gravy - I'll make this ahead of time instead of fussing over the drippings just before dinner.

-Fresh Cranberry Compote - it's amazing, it has orange and lemon zest in it.

-Paula Deen's Fancy Green Beans - they come out a little sweet and crunchy with bacon and cashews.

-Glazed Carrots

-Mom's Mashed Potatoes

-Dessert is going to be a surprise!

In case you're interested, all recipes are on FoodNetwork.com and there are great instructional videos on everything from trussing the turkey to carving it. Have fun cooking and Happy Thanksgiving!

MY VAMPIRE HUSBAND!

Seriously though - does he NOT look like he would have made a very HOT Edward?  Maybe for the next movie of the TWILIGHT SAGA - he could play Edward for the next movie - THE NEW MOON - although I hear it is already in production? Or - maybe he could play Dr. Carlisle Cullen.  Yes - I think he would make an excellent Dr. Cullen.  He's cute, he could for sure pull off the whole vampire thing and he's got the whole "ER" thing down.  We are sooo set!

Just looking through old pics and came across this one - from when we were graduating from our Emergency Medicine residency program in Texas.  Doesn't he look like he would make a great vampire! 

Lucky me!

TWILIGHT MOVIE REVIEW

So - just a quick blurb about the movie TWILIGHT:

First - I must ask myself: Oh why, oh why, did I go to the movie this morning?  

You know how people always say that the book is better than the movie? Well - in this case this is really more than true.  I do not understand how anyone could take such a great story - with such fantastic potential and completely screw it up! 

I think that the script must have been really very short.  I do not believe that any of the characters had any lines that were more than 3 or 4 words long.  There was absolutely no character development.  Even Wendy found herself laughing when Dr. Carlisle Cullen (played by Peter Facinelli) walked into the ER - you know - the scene where Bella (Kristen Stewart) is taken to the ER after Edward (Robert Pattinson) saves her from nearly being smooshed by a van in the high school parking lot... It was truly laughable - Dr. Cullen walks into the ER - while putting on gloves (oh - quick side note here - I am a REAL LIFE ER doc and I don't walk into a patients room ever while snapping my gloves into place - seemed very forced to me).  Anyway - back to my rant - Dr. Cullen's face is more than vampire-pale, ghastly - it is like clown makeup white.   

As far as the acting goes - well, I think that Peter Facinelli did a great job playing Dr. Cullen (aside from the make up and the glove-snapping).  I am saddened by the fact that Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) was portrayed as a slightly mentally retarded Edward Scissorhands type and that Alice (Ashley Greene) and Rosalie (Nikki Reed) were not just a little bit cuter.  I can't complain that much about the Alice and Rosalie characters as they did not get that much face time - but I really did expect that these two (actually that the entire Cullen family) would be breathtakingly beautiful and I really was waiting for some super model type beauties to show up in these roles.  

Edward was of course very good looking - very hot and he did a great job looking the part.  But, I feel like he was not given enough material to really work with.  His character could have been really great but again, really limited character development.  I was really bummed that they did not give Robert Pattinson a better script - a better movie to act in.  So Robert - you are not blamed for this one - I think you looked awesome and did what you could.  I will picture your face as Edward while I finish these last two books of the Twilight Saga. 

Elizabeth Reaser (she played Esme - Dr. Carslile Cullen's wife) did a great job.  Also - not much camera time but she looked great and her character seemed different than the crazy little chick she played on Grey's last season.  Nice job, Elizabeth. 

OK - that's all I've got today as a movie critic.  I think I'll go back to doing what I do better - making funky onesies and cute little dresses and of course - being a real life ER doctor.  Maybe I will try that glove-snapping trick as I walk into my patients rooms tonight.  Hmmm....