Hip Mommies

Tips for parents

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Madison Square Park

Madison Square Park is awesome for various things:

If you ask my son, he'd say because of the park. If you ask my husband and me, we'd say because Shake Shack is there. If you've had the burgers, fries, and shakes, you know what I'm talking about.

So whenever we go to parks in NYC, I always suggest this park. But no matter what your reason for going here may be, I assure you, you'll have fun - there's always something going on there.

I love NYC.

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Eating healthy is fun

Who said that eating healthy wasn't fun?!

I know that feeding your baby could be a bit challenging sometimes. But it doesn't have to be.. Make this time fun, and you'll notice your baby's motivation, interest, and eagerness to eat, play and explore with healthy food.

These are just some suggestions of how you can make this whole process fun. I know that it takes some time to have all this set, but don't you think its worth it?

Your baby gets to have fun eating healthy food!! yey!

And best of all, you get to spend time with your baby and see him / her happy =)

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Motor Skills development

It's amazing how fast and how much a baby can change in a week. Just last week my parents in law came to visit, and our baby girl, Sofia, seemed and behaved as a newborn. By the time they went back home (a week later) Sofi was kicking and very active. She didn't seem like a newborn anymore.. She was more awake and curious about everything in her environment.

I've heard that the first 3 years are extremely important for a baby's development, physically and mentally. So if you can, I'd recommend investing time, money, and effort in your baby's development. 

Even massaging your baby is extremely helpful, so don't use "I don't have money" as an excuse. Spend time with your baby, it'll be worth it.

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A day at the park

The parks in New York City are not like the parks in other places.. NYC parks are small and not very green.. 

But something nice about this park that you usually wouldn't see in other places are the toys at the parks.

This little cart that Sebastian is on, is just there, so that all kids who visit this park can use them. Isn't that neat?

Park: Bleecker Playground

Location: NYC, Manhattan, West village (Hudson St., Bleecker St. and W. 11 St.)

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Eating alone

When is the right time to allow your child eat alone? ..when your little  one shows interest to try it out.

Yes, it's going to be more work for mom and dad because if your little one is eating alone, that probably means that you have to keep an eye at all times that your child is safely eating its food, you'll probably need to put whatever he/she is wearing in the washer, and clean the whole area where this cool fun activity happened.

But in the end, you're achieving something amazing.. your child's independency.

So try to show your support by being very patient. Remember, one can only master something by practicing.

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Having Fun with a Box

It seems that every parent wants their little one to be happy and have the best, don't you agree?

At least I know that my husband and I want that for our kids. But we understand that there's a very thin line between giving your little one what he wants and needs.

For example, this past Christmas, we gave our son Sebastian some toys, clothes, and lots of LOVE.

From those three things, it seems that many parents, specially during this holiday season, seem to focus on the first two.. and forget that kids don't really need fancy toys or wear brand only clothes, kids just need love.

As you can see from this pic, my son is very happy just playing with a box.

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Baby's First Snow

This is my son Sebastian. Playing for the first time in the snow. He had a blast. Many parents are very strict about letting their kids play out..

My husband and I, I'd say we're very easy going. Of course we take care of our little one and want the best for him, but at the same time we understand that he needs to explore, learn, and have fun by giving him freedom and allowing him to have different experiences.

So this day was Sebastian's first time seeing and playing with snow. He was very happy helping my husband clear the driveway, playing with the shovel, and just sitting on this white cold snow.

Sebastian is a very healthy boy. He's 13 months, and I think only once he has been sick. But just because he's a healthy one, doesn't mean we don't take precautions to keep him healthy. So we made sure that he was warm by putting on gloves, hat, a thick jacket, and warm shoes. We also just let him play for about 20 minutes.

He didn't want to stop playing, but as a parent, you have to make the decisions and choose what's best for your child.

He/She may not be happy at that moment, but mom/dad knows best. So even if your little one screams, cries, and so on, because he/she doesn't want to stop playing, remember, you're the parent, you know best. 

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Happy New Year! 2013

2012 is over. So what ever you did or didn't do, be proud or get over it.

Today we start a new year.. So start your New Years resolutions list and begin your plan of action. Don't just write the what you want to do, but more importantly, why.

The why is essential that you have clear because that's basically where your motivation for reaching your goals come from.

So think carefully and choose wisely what resolutions you would like to start working on for next year.

You can do it! Best of luck!! Happy New Years!!!

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Last day of the year - 2012

Today is the last day of the year.. I think it's important to take a moment today and analyze what you achieved this year and what you would like to achieve for the following year, 2013.

Even better, make a plan of what, when, how, why, where.. you need to achieve your 2013 goals.

I think it would also be nice to let those special people you cherish, how important they are and were in your life this past year.

And last but not least, thank yourself for all your effort and year long hard work you did for yourself and others.

* * *

I would like to thank my husband, mom, kids, all  my family and all my friends, for being so supportive of all my projects and making me happy everyday.

I love you all !!

If I could I would attach a pic of everyone who's special..

Happy New Years!!! May all your wishes come true this year - 2013.

Come on.. you can do it!

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Modeling baby on set

Some of my mom friends have asked me how the whole modeling experience is for baby and parent. Well, very simple. Once you have your agency, and the baby is on hold for the shoot date, they'll contact you soon after to confirm the place and time. 

When you arrive, they'll give you the outfit, and once the baby model is ready, there's usually a wrangler that will make your baby smile and look amazing on that picture that they're looking for. Some babies are just naturally happy all the time and don't need a wrangler. If you think your baby is one of those, great, but believe me.. they'll be days that you'll want to take the wrangler home, hehe.

Here's Sebastian having fun before he start looking amazing for his shoot..

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Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Eve and has a wonderful Christmas Day with their loved ones.

A lot of people think that giving material gifts is the most important gift to give.. I think that spending time together should be more than enough.. Perhaps some smiles, kisses, hugs, and a warm "I love you" wouldn't be too much either.

Happy holidays!!

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Christmas Gifts

Christmas is more than just gifts.. of course, gifts are nice, but I think it's more about being together with your loved ones, don't you agree?

I really enjoy celebrating not only Christmas, but any holiday with my family because they are so fun to be with. I enjoy the delicious dishes, conversations, ...everything! 

That for me is the best Christmas gift.

This year, we're not spending the holidays with all our family.. since they are located thousands of miles away. However, I will be celebrating with three of the most important people for me in this world, my husband (Brian), son  (Sebastian), and daughter (Sofia).

I know that the way kids experience Christmas is a bit different, since they are very much looking forward to receiving lots of gifts and all, which is fine, they're kids.. But my husband and I came up with a Christmas Gifts plan for our little ones.

We 're thinking of giving our little ones a gift a day so they can truly enjoy each one, instead of receiving a bunch and just be overwhelmed with all of them. But the gifts that we believe are more important than the material gifts are the ones that help the person learn something. So for example, Sebastian has been showing a lot of interest in music, so we decided to pay a music course for him as a Christmas gift.

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Baby Glider or swing

Having a baby is already a lot of work.. having two or more.. hands full for sure!

For parents who are about to have a second child, I'd definitely recommend having one. I see it as a second set of hands, which sometimes even come with music.

Believe me, you'll need something like this or similar when the other baby is demanding your help or you simply need to use the bathroom.

I have two, the one you see on the picture which is electric and a bouncer, which I can carry around anywhere in the house.

The only "problem" with the second one is when my son wants to "help" me bounce his sister, it seems like he wants to take it back in forth to the moon.

So they're helpful, but just be cautious when the older ones are around.

I don't know if all babies find their glider delicious, but it seems like Sofia does.

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Big brother / Big sister

Sharing mom and dad is never easy.. I "know" because I was the first child and had a brother and then a sister.

But it could be.. it just depends on how the parents and the whole family approaches to the whole exciting situation. 

I don't remember when my brother was born, but my mom said I was very excited, but after seeing everyone come into the hospital room and ask for my brother only, I guess I was hurt..

Luckily, my mom noticed and she told everyone to greet me first and make a big deal of how cool and great it was to be "the big sister", and then I was alright about it all again.

It may sound kind of selfish, because it's the newborns great entrance and not the first child's  right? But if you put yourself in the first child's place, it's a huge change. He/She had these amazing parents - family all to itself, and suddenly some newbie comes into the picture..

All I'm saying is.. if you're expecting a second, third, .. child. it's always nice to have a plan set of how to approach the new coming to the older kids.

I was quit anxious about this whole situation, but fortunately, our plan worked wonderfully and our "big" boy welcomed his baby sister amazingly.

 Thank you Sebastian. We love you. You will always be our first little one!!

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Baby's first bath at home

I don't know if all parents are a bit anxious about bathing baby at home.

I know I was, specially because of the belly button still kind of hanging.. Luckily, my grandma has been present on both births of my little ones: Sebastian and Sofia

So she has been of great help.

After seeing her do it, then I feel a bit more confident and do it myself. When she leaves and goes back home, well, I don't have a choice.. If I don't do it, who will?! ..my husband is not an option. Not because he's not capable, he just refuses to do it..

As you can see from both pictures, both Sebastian and Sofia have the same bath tub. It's not the same one, but I found it so convenient, that got Sofia the same brand and style.

Something that I didn't have for Sebastian that find very useful now that I have Sofia, it the little hammock.

Best of luck on those first baths. You can do it!! 

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2 babies!!

Having two babies is not easy.

I remember when I was asked.. how many babies would you like to have?

My response would be something like:

"3 or 4.. I've always liked big families.. in my case it's always been my brother and me. And that's fun, but I just love those family reunions when my mom and all my aunts and uncles would get together at my grandmas.. it's just fun!"

My response NOW:

"Well, we have a baby boy and girl, I guess we're set.."

"I have two arms.. I can only hold two.."

"It's really hard to have a big family nowadays with the economy.."

"I guess quality is better than quantity.. It'd be best if I dedicate and focus on our two little ones instead of four.. I barely have time now.."

* * *

It's funny how our life changes so quickly, don't you think?

One day you're out and about, the next you're holding a baby, and now you're still holding a baby but running after the other one...

I guess no matter what our decision is and where life takes us, the important thing is to be a happy united family.

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Emergency 1st Aid Accidents: Teeth Knocked Out

24. Teeth Knocked Out (24/24)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Not usually threatening unless large amount of blood loss occurs.

Usually cause by falls or trauma.

Teeth loose or missing.

May have excessive blood loss.

TREATMENTS:

Call Ems if severe.

Contact doctor or dents as well.

Be sure broken, loose, or knocked out teeth are not in mouth to choke.

Check roof of mouth for punter or penetration.

Apply direct pressure with a clean compress until bleedings stops an then apply ice.

Save teeth in milk, they may be able to be replaced.

Keep victim calm, comfortable, and reassured until help arrives.