Happy 4th of July

So while everyone gets ready for one of the biggest barbecue days of the year, don't forget one of the most important things. No it's not the ice or the propane, it's SUNSCREEN!

Be sure to apply your sunscreen of SPF30 or higher atlas 20 minutes before you plan on venturing out in the sun and reapply as directed. I suggest every two hours max. Be sure to protect the kids with sunscreen and hats to protect their young skin and scalps. Often we forget to sunscreen our ear and the back of our necks, so be sure to do that as well.

You want to make sure that the sunscreen you are using has a minimum SPF of 30 and that it is UVA/UVB/UVC protective (Broad Spectrum) and water resistant.

TEACHING MOMENT:

UVA - The wrinkle damaging rays
UVB - The sunburning, skin cancer causing rays
UVC - Most dangerous of rays but does not reach earth atmosphere. More man made, i.e. welding or in tanning beds.
NOTE: AVOID tanning beds. It's like sitting on the sun and giving an open invitation to cancer. "Hi Cancer. Come on in!"

Here is what we use in our house to protect our skin.

Babyganics Sunscreen Spray

Babyganics Sunscreen spray with SPF50

It's very light weight and is non-aerosol, which is great for the kids and the environment.  We use it all the time and my kids have yet to ever burn even while being in the pool or sprinkler. It contains no PABA , Phthalates, paragons, nano-particles and is fragrance free. You can find it at your local Target, Walmart, Babies R Us or most local chain pharmacies. It comes in about a 6 oz bottle for approximately $9.

Personally, I like that it's non-aerosol. So many times I see moms spraying their kids with this, some directly in the face. I understand that it saves you a lot of time and fussing but your kids are inadvertently breathing this is. NOT good. So I prefer the fuss of rubbing it in over long term possible, we only pray not, problems.

J.R.Watkins Sunscreen

 J.R. Watkins SPF-30 Sunscreen

The adults in the house use this when we want a little color but still be protected.  You still need a little Vitamin D right? I love natural products and J.R.Watkins is known for this. 

Their sunscreen protects against all 3 dangerous sun rays, UVA,UVB and UVC. It goes on easy though you may find it initially greasy it absorbs quickly and is a great first layer to your make up. It contains all-natural titanium dioxide, PABA free, plant based Shea butter with environmental bonus of eco-friendly packaging. It's 95% natural. I'm okay with that. Also, it is fragrance free so you don't have to walk around smelling like a coconut or something else. 

These are my top two because I have used them for over 4 years nor I or my children have ever been sunburn while using them.

You don't have to use these suggested picks but PLEASE be sure to wear sunscreen. The sun still gets in, it just slows down the process of the sun attacking your skin. Reapply often. Wear sun protective clothing and hydrate, it's hot out there.  Most important protect the kids.

Have fun but be sun smart. Happy 4th of July!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Please take a moment to comment, like, share or Google+ my post. Thanks so much.

Falling into my life

Well what can I say but that it's a challenge getting things typed up and out into the world when you have kids and up until now I had no computer. Mine met its maker a few months back and I had been using my smart phone. However, my smart phone has little to no memory left with all the apps so I am limited. I'm going to possibly over share in a bit so bare with.

Here is the latest on...

My skin regimen for the season.

Since Fall has arrived, I have given myself two skin (chemical) peels to remove minor hyper pigmentation from this summer and prior. I am working on a small spot that has a few dark marks from sun exposure. I am using gentle peels because I am in no rush to remove and I want to avoid  damaging my skin. Slow and steady since it is minor. I have no obvious wrinkles to speak of so I am good on that front for now. The peels are an added bonus. Preventative when it comes to the wrinkles.

My skin is dry and itchy at the moment, so I have been using aloe to calm my skin through out the day.  PCA Moisturizer with SPF25 to protect from sun. Hydrate and moisturize is all I can say in regards to keeping wrinkles at bay. When it comes to wrinkles, genetics plays a part so I am glad I take after my mom in that sense, she looks younger then she is. So if you look at your parents you know what to expect. If you don't have good genes and a poor skin regimen, you can only make it worse or speed up the aging process. So I recommend a strong skin regimen at any age but especially starting in your late 20's, early 30's.

Now on a personal note,...

My family life is great. The kids are all healthy thank goodness and my husband is with us once again. I am truly blessed when it comes to my family. We are stronger for what we have been through as a couple and as parents.

My eldest son is super happy to have his daddy home and the twins are adjusting as if he was never out of their lives. Seeing them all light up when they see their dad is an awesome feeling. I know that I could have had a different life, a life with out kids and I would have been okay. But having fought to have all three was well worth it. My heart is full on a daily basis. For that I am so grateful and blessed.

My youngest son had his surgery and came out just fine. He was medicated for the first few days and then he was back to his usual self. A scary experience when you are sitting waiting for an outcome of surgery. My sister was with me as she always is. She has been by their side from the moment they entered the world and always comes to their aide whenever we need her. She rocks!(M if your reading this, "I'm boasting about you but thats because you really do rock. Love you.")

The twins celebrated their first birthdays with family and friends. Little E started walking at ten and a half months and Little El started walking just days before their First birthday. So it was great to see them walking about at their little party. It was nice to be surrounded by people that love them and were so willing to come from a far to be with them. We have the best people in our lives. Celebrating them was a big deal because two years ago I was told having them wasn't even possible. Not at all possible and here they are.

Those that know me well know I struggled over not having anymore kids. Everyone said "at least you have the one", "Consider yourself lucky and move on" and so on. I was grateful for all those reasons, but I wanted my son to have a sibling. To have someone to grow up with, to love and be loved by after I am long gone from this earth. I didn't want to take no for an answer. Another one of my personal characteristics. And to end up having two, well, that was the biggest gift from above. I'm glad that I didn't let the diagnosis of P.O.I. stop me from seeing that goal come to be. Had I, we wouldn't have them. And they are the definition of joy.

So overall, I am in a good place with my family. Another added blessing is that the people that matter in my life are apart of it on a regular. Those that choose to be anyway.


NOTE: This was supposed to have been posted three months ago but for some reason, it didn't.


June 2014

Having three kids under three has definitely made life a challenge. I absolutely love them and wouldn't change a thing about them. However, I would love 20 minutes to myself from time to time. I mean, I can't even go to the bathroom without interruptions. This is the first time I get a chance to write in a while and that's because I'm at the doctors waiting to be seen while kids are at home with my folks. Since they take up 90% of my day and 100% of my life right now, I thought I'd share some of my life with you.

I'm dealing with one of the twins needing surgery tomorrow. It's crazy but my "sapito" (Little frog) has a hernia. If someone told me that motherhood meant that I might have to one day push my kids intestines back in through his testicles, I would say not me. Yet, here I am checking him constantly and adjusting him when needed. I feel terrible for him because it looks painful. At-least, uncomfortable. He loves to jump. I mean all the time and he doesn't walk, he lunges forward. So I am concerned how the recovery time will go for a little boy that doesn't sit still. Guess we shall see.

The other two are fine thank God. Growing fast, to fast. My oldest is just so smart and testing his waters every possible moment. That's what everyone says "he's testing his waters." I think he's just testing me. I can't be doing all bad because he thinks I'm the best. Which is awesome to hear from him because I often think I could be doing better. Then he goes and tells me he loves me or "your the best mama" which melts my heart. I know I'm bound to screw them up some how but I am glad I haven't as of yet. Or at least, it doesn't seem I have to him and that's fine for now.

My little girl is taking her first steps. She's very careful when she let's go and I see her thinking her first steps through. Very cool! She is almost always smiling and has such a strong personality already. Can't wait to see as it develops more. She's tough and I love that. I think all women should be, especially in the world she is growing up in today. A woman needs to stand up on her own two feet and I can see already that she has that spirit in her.

Guess I am just a proud gushing mom. Forgive me for that but it's the first time I share so much with you all. I just love them so and sometimes you really do just want to tell the world.

In any case, I hope that your lives are going well and that you are sticking to healthy life choices. Choosing to be happy each day and working on the things that need improving be it personally or physically. Whatever leads you to personal peace and happiness.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Sunblock, Why reapply?

We all have heard the importance of wearing sunblock but still so many of us don't adhere to the rules to prevent sunburn or the potential risk of skin  cancer. 

Recently, my sister was on vacation and came home to tell me about a women hanging out at the pool. She applied sunblock to her kids and then proceeded to lather herself up with baby oil. My sister stated that she wanted to grab the woman and knock some sense into her. I would have to agree. I'm often baffled by how people seemingly know better but still make bad choices. She knew enough to take care of her children but not herself. Don't people like this wonder, "If mommy/daddy dies of skin cancer, what happens to my kids?"

So here I am again pleading with anyone who will listen. Sun protection  is a great way to prevent sunburn and potential future skin cancer. Apply sunblock often, every day to areas that will be exposed to sun. That includes the winter months as well. Use protective clothing, eyewear and hats.

Not convinced, here is a great article by SkinCancer.org that breaks down the importance of sunscreen for you.

Still not convinced? The  American Cancer Society has reported "Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed in this country each year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 76,600 cases of skin cancer in 2013." SkinCancer.org reports "An estimated 3,170 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers will occur in the US in 2013. An estimated 9,480 people will die of melanoma in 2013" These are alarming numbers. 

So why are so many of us still going to the beach/pool/ tanning beds with out a thought or care to what will happen long term. When you wake up in the morning and give thanks for that day. Also remember to protect that in which you are grateful for, your life. It may seem silly but a simple lotion applied regularly can keep your entire family protected from at least this preventable illness.

To the lady or ladies, even dads, like the mom at the pool lathering up with oil, does your family not deserve you in their life for as long as they can have you? That should be the question you ask yourself before deciding to put on that suntan oil. Or if I had a choice, would I want to die from skin cancer when it could be prevented?

I realized this sounds grim but I have seen what cancer in general can do to a family with members of my own family. The pain it causes not only the person dealing with the illness but the family and friends as well. My best friend once had a friend, D,  who loved to worship all things sun especially the tanning salon. The woman was always tanned or red. When she became pregnant with if I recall correctly her third child, she was diagnosed with cancer. She only lived long enough to hold her baby in her arms for a few short months and died shortly after her birth. That child, was robbed of ever knowing her mother as well as the other siblings and could have been prevented. Her husband and family members robbed of her presence.

If this doesn't work, let me appeal to your vanity. To much sun exposure can lead to early wrinkle, skin spots and hardened skin. That skin that looks like a leather strap. Why would you want to look like a piece of suede?

Let me leave off by saying this, skin cancer can be prevented. You don't have to become a statistic. Empower yourself with knowledge and do your best to protect yourself and your loved ones. It's the simplest of cancers to prevent but lethal if not. Don't fear the sun, just protect yourself from it.

I like to recommend Aveeno Baby SPF 55 for kids 2+ , Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 50  and No-Ad or Panama Jack SPF 35+ for body. Always look for where it says UVA/UVB protection. Enjoy the sun but please, don't forget to read the directions and reapply regularly.

Here are some helpful links below to enlighten you.
 

Link:

http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts

Informational links:

http://m.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skin-cancer-facts

http://www.skincancer.org/

http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/skin-cancer

http://www.melanomaprevention.org/

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful!