NOW YOU SEE NAOMI….

NOW YOU DON’T!

JONATHAN WAS THE ONE WHO BAPTIZED NAOMI WITH CAKE ON HER FACE…ANGELA WAS NOT AMUSED!

WE CHOSE THE OWL THEME FOR NAOMI’S BIRTHDAY BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME OF MY LATE GRANDMA MARGARITA AND BECAUSE WE WANT HER TO GROW UP TO BE A WISE AND GODLY WOMAN

THE OLDER I GET, THE MORE I CHERISH MY CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES.  TO THINK I ONCE LOAHED KID BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

PRICELESS STUFF!

FOUR OF THE GALS I MOST LOVE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: TIA MILLIN, ABUELA MICAELA (99 YEARS OLD), MY LOVELY WIFE AND BABY NAOMI (BARELY 1)

MORE GALS THAT I LOVE: MY LITTLE SISTER MAGGIE, MY MOM AND ME.

ONE OF THE BIRTHDAY PARTY HIGHLIGHTS WAS THE FACE PAINTING!

OUR FACE PAINTING QUEEN MARIBEL POSES WITH SOME OF THE OTHER KIDS SHE PAINTED

GRANDPA MANUEL AND JOSIE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF NAOMI’S CUTENESS

THE KIDS CHANGED INTO DISGUISES AND CAME BACK FOR ANOTHER GROUP PHOTO

WHEN SHE ISN’T SMILING, NAOMI IS TYPICALLY EATING.  WE NICKNAME HER ‘COMELONA’ BECAUSE SHE’S GOOD FOR FOOD ANYTIME!

]]> http://papiblogger.com/keeping-it-real/photo-essay-celebrating-naomis-first-birthday-party/feed/ 0 http://papiblogger.com/parenting_tricks/the-best-advice-i-can-give-dads/ http://papiblogger.com/parenting_tricks/the-best-advice-i-can-give-dads/#comments Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:39:53 +0000 PapiBlogger http://papiblogger.com/?p=4751 Being the notorious PapiBlogger, Daddy of Four, that I am,  I get asked a lot of questions about parenting. People see my happy road trip photos with my family and automatically assume that I have it all together as this great big family guy.

Well, the truth is that I’m not that put together.  Not by a mile.  The real PapiBlogger is a super driven, workaholic father who hates doing homework with the kids and often struggles to even take them out to walk around the neighborhood.

I don’t exactly suck as a dad either.  There’s a lot of things I do for and with my kids that other dads don’t do as well as I do but overall, I’m, well, just a regular, middle of the pack dad.

Earlier this week I was invited as PapiBlogger to speak about fatherhood on National Public Radio.  I was on the show with two other dads when the radio host asked each of us what was the very best fatherly advice we could ever give a new dad for Father’s Day.

Evaluating of my struggles as a dad, I thought about this question long and hard.  What would be the one thing I can say to new (or old) dads that will help them be a better father?

The best advice I can give any dad (or mom for that matter) is to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  If you want to know how to be a dad, no one can teach you more about how to love, encourage, educate and correct your children then the Lord.  Every day I wake up I ask the Lord to help me be a better dad than I am because frankly in this day and age it’s extra hard work.

In the 13 years since I first became a dad, the Lord has been the only true parenting compass I’ve had about how to steer my children.  To know God the Father is to become a better father.

On the surface the length of the proposed suspensions for most of the players appear stiff (Yankees cheat Alex Rodriguez may possibly be hit with as many as 100 games).  The problem is these suspensions are about as “stiff” as a slap in the hand when you consider the temporary, partial season loss of salary for cheating vs. the multi-million benefit of cheat (again see admitted cheat A-Rod).

In my book,  baseball players who cheat with PERFORMANCE ENHANCING drugs do not belong in the game, PERIOD!, especially when all their achievements – and the game’s reputation itself – are forever tainted by each successive scandal.  What I find utterly astounding is the fact that these cheaters – Rodriguez and Barry Bonds being the icons of this massive problem – have garnered contracts and endorsements worth well over $300 million combined.  These dopes have been  CHEATING and STEALING all their way up to the bank.

Suspensions, media suspicions about your true talent and being barred from ever joining the Baseball Hall of Fame are hardly real deterrents for cheats like these.  And think about this: If these rascals were in any other profession and their cheating ways got them the kind of rich contracts that they get in baseball, they would not only be barred from practicing those careers for life but they might be also face jail time or worse would potentially be liable for paying back their rich contracts and fraud-tainted endorsements.

Slapping players with mere suspensions for cheating that directly impacts the outcomes of games, contracts, endorsements and credibility is the epitome of why I went from being a huge baseball fan of three decades to not caring at all about America’s “past time.”  I know the player’s union will be ticked to hear me says this but MLB should ban these criminals for life if they are going to send the message that they care about restoring integrity to the one sport in America that more than teeters on irrelevance.

Don’t give up! You’re not the only one. I felt relieved when I received a package from Pull-ups that included a softee potty seat, pull-ups training pants, flushable wipes, activity sheets, stickers, and party hats. I mean, talk about encouragement in a box. This also helped my daughter and I celebrate milestones, because every try deserves a little celebration. It is normal to feel discouraged, so having the support of a brand and the Latino blogging community during this process has been extremely beneficial. Speaking of beneficial things, I must say technology can help in all areas of life–even potty training! I know, it sounds nuts but you have to check out the Pull Ups Big Kid App (http://www.pull-ups.com/na/app.aspx). The Pull-Ups app actually makes taking potty breaks even easier by providing your child with games, tips, tools, and more. Plus, this app will bring your child’s favorite Disney characters to life ( Briani’s favorite movie is Monsters Inc., so this was perfect for her).

The main conclusion of my own potty chronicles and that of Octavio’s is to persevere and you will succeed. After all, when have you seen a 12 year old that doesn’t know how to use the potty by himself? Exactly, it’s rare..so keep on doing what you’re doing. You WILL get there. Download the app for extra help..and entertainment. And remember: celebrate their first, second and every time they go to the bathroom… because when you least expect it, they’ll succeed.

For more tips about Potty Training your children, stay connected to Pull-Ups by visiting them on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pullups
To learn more about Pull-Ups and check out the video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCS-fQU0Tcc

This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Pull Ups. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

PAPIBLOGGER GIVEAWAY!!!
READERS: Comment with YOUR best potty training tip for a chance to win:
o Pull-Ups training pants; preferred size and gender
o Flushable wipes
o Disney softee toilet seat; preferred gender

Facebook followers:
Like the Pull-Ups FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pullups
Tweet about the giveaway using the #EveryFlush hashtag

THIS THURSDAY, June 6th! DON’T MISS IT!

I’ve always been a fan of service providers that can guarantee me fast, reliable Internet and unbeatable TV picture quality. Which is why Verizon FiOS is at the top of the list, especially because they deliver 100% fiber optics straight to my door. But it’s not just about the picture quality; it’s also about delivering great content. That’s exactly what Verizon FiOS aims to do by being the provider with the most Spanish language channels. As if that wasn’t enough to make me a fan, they’ve added additional soccer channels to the list!

They added beIN SPORT, and beIN SPORT HD en Español, both multi-platform sports destinations that will bring the passionate fan, like me, all the live game action, news and analysis of the top leagues around the planet. If you’re a soccer fan, or just a sports and tech fan in general (I mean, who doesn’t love Pele!?), come join us onThursday, June 6th for “The Kings Are Back” Twitter Party. The prizes are pure GOL!

Twitter Party Date & Time

Thursday, June 6, 2013 9 pm (EST) / 8 pm (CST) / 7 pm (MST) / 6 pm (PST)

Twitter Party Hashtag

#SomosFiOS

Blogger Panel

Moderator:

• @papiblogger

Co-hosts you must follow:

• @lasgringasblog
• @franklogic
• @narvaezjorge
• @colombianaenCA
• @remingtonsworld
• Jarryd Gonzalez – Verizon FiOS Rep (@SomosFiOS)
• (@beINSPORTUSA)

Prizes (Winners will be selected at random, for a total of five winners. You must RSVP below to qualify. See complete rules here )

• Franklin MLS X-Ramp Pro 2-in-1 Soccer Trainer ($58.42)
• MacGregor Multi-color Soccer Prism Pack ($64.98)
• Brandi Chastain Autographed Jersey ($153.99)
• Sceptre E245BV-FHD 24″ 1080p 60Hz Class LED (1.81″ ultra-slim) Full HDTV ($177.50)
• Pele Autographed Soccer Ball ($588.98)

Stay Connected!Make sure you follow @SomosFiOS and Like them on Facebook for the latest updates and Twitter Party prize hints!

• www.Facebook.com/SomosVerizonFiOS
• https://twitter.com/SomosFiOS
• http://hispanic.verizon.com/beinsport/
• www.Facebook.com/beINSPORTUSA

About Verizon FiOS

Verizon FiOS, an all-fiber-optic-based network that delivers America’s fastest, most consistent, and most reliable broadband connection, as well as TV service with HD picture quality that tops cable in customer satisfaction, offers home communications (Internet, telephone and television) service in parts of 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Verizon has received top ratings in major studies and from a leading national consumer magazine among cable television and Internet service providers. With bundles available to suit your needs, FiOS TV offers over 575 channels, including more than 160 HD channels. The FiOS network of Verizon surpassed 17.4 million premises as of the end of the third quarter of last year.

At the end of the fourth quarter of last year, the company had a total of 5 million FiOS Internet customers and 4 million FiOS TV customers. FiOS Internet penetration reached 37.3% at the end of the fourth quarter of last year. In the same period, FiOS TV penetration reached 33.3%.

About beIN SPORT

beIN SPORT, the English-language 24/7 international sports network, and beIN SPORT en Español are the multi-platform sports destinations that bring to the passionate fan all the live game action, news and analysis of the top leagues around the planet, as well as exclusive and never-available-before content. From American, European and Latin American live games to general sports news and in-depth analysis, beIN SPORT guarantees first-row access to top leagues and major sports properties through TV, online and mobile platforms with games that can’t be seen on any other channel. For more information, please visit www.beinsport.tv and follow us on Twitter @beINSPORTUSA for breaking news and real-time updates.

The other day I was reminded of this parenting dilemma when my son came back with a report card that just plain stunk to put it mildly.  My son Jonathan, now 13, is entering those puberty filled emotional days when everything revolves around him so when I saw his report card I was forced to calibrate my response.  A part of me wanted to banish Jonathan to Alcatraz until his grades improved but the other more tender side of me realized that while a strong punishment was in order it needed to be tempered with grace.   Jonathan’s penalty for bad grades would be removal of his iPod, his ability to watch Miami Heat playoff games (unless they make it to the NBA Finals) and his right to hang out with friends.  I could have removed him from his playoff-bound basketball team at school, something he truly prized, but I knew that if I did I would emotionally suffocate him and that would possibly make things much harder for him.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a Christian it’s that even when we deserve to be punished, we as human beings always need a way out. Balancing when to be soft and strong is not easy.

Sometimes being soft can be misconstrued as being weak but in my experience with four kids I think it’s best to err towards being both soft AND strong as much as possible.

How Do You Balance Being Soft and Strong?

Share your comments with us about when was the last time you struck the ideal combination of softness and strength.  In what situation did you last exhibit these traits? The new Angel Soft paper makes it easier for you to manage your household supplies and helps you plan less shopping trips. To learn more about how Angel Soft strikes the ideal balance of softness and strength, visit the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AngelSoftLatino. Or, follow Angel Soft Latino on Twitter:@AngelSoftLatino to secure information on promotions & future giveaways. Also, our friends at Angel Soft want you to discover the balance between softness and strength by downloading this coupon at http://angelsoft.com/es/#/coupon 

Still want more information on Angel Soft, visit the website at www.angelsoft.com/es.

This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Angel Soft. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

If ever there were a cliche that rings true for me as a father of four it’s the one that  says “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”

I don’t know what kind of person I would be without children but I know that being a father has made me twice as strong, efficient and wiser than I would have been without kids.

One of the most interesting ways that having this many kids has had on my life is that it’s forced me to be creative about how I manage EVERY part of my life and work.  For example, on a personal level, I have learned to accept that no two days are ever going to be alike.  Sometimes all the kids seemed to be magically in sync and cooperative, and on other days they are fussy with each other and/or with me and no amount of discipline seems to make a difference.

The biggest challenge my wife and I face has to do with how we manage our businesses and our family.  I wish we had a magic wand for this but there isn’t one.  The way we manage both is simply by being very flexible with each other and by using our time and resources very creatively.  Managing a household full of children means I may schedule meetings a little later in the morning than most people do, or that we make a dinner meeting conditional on bringing one or two of the younger children whenever a babysitter is not available.  If one of the kids has to go to the doctor, well, that won’t be easy on our schedule but my wife an I deal with it as best we could by moving our schedules around.

All in all, being a father of four and a business owner has made me twice as strong and better at both tasks.  I have learned to be more efficient with my time and to live a more organized life (believe it or not).  I may have to plan ahead anticipating what morning pitfalls may occur but knowing this is normal makes the adjustments that constantly have to be made less stressful.  Despite the many personal sacrifices and hard work of it all I wouldn’t trade having my four children for anything else in the world because they have made me 2x stronger than if I never had them.

What was the last challenge you overcame? What has made you made stronger? Share your comments with me about your personal experience that made you 2x stronger. In addition to sharing your comments, our friends at Angel Soft want to make you 2x stronger – one lucky PapiBlogger reader will receive one Angel Soft product pack and a (1) $25 Target gift card and one (1) Angel Soft 2x Stronger pack with 4 rolls (Valued at $1.99).  To be eligible, please leave a comment about a recent challenge that you overcame that made you 2x stronger. One winner will be selected at random via random.org.

To learn more about how Angel Soft is 2X stronger, visit their Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/AngelSoftLatino. Or, follow Angel Soft Latino on Twitter:@AngelSoftLatino.  

Have a shopping trip planned? Purchase, Angel Soft 2x Stronger!Grab the coupon! Click on http://angelsoft.com/#/coupon

This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Angel Soft.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Dr. Alberto Andres Cotton is a well-respected Miami based pediatrician with 17 years of experience. Dr. Cotton has dedicated his career to the well-being of children, as well as providing Hispanic mothers with the right information to give the best care. Dr. Andres Cotton has teamed up with the Pull-Ups® Every Flush program to share his expertise with Hispanic moms by offering tips and advice that challenge some of the preconceived notions of potty training.

During the #EveryFlush Pull-Ups Teleconference that I participated in last week, I learned quiet a few tips about engaging and educating friends and family about training pants, the process and the fun rituals that make sticking with the process easier.

Jeannette Kaplun is an award-winning journalist and internationally recognized parenting expert, has over 17 years of experience on TV, radio, online media and as a published author and conference speaker.

Ever felt on the verge of giving up? You’re not the only one! I felt relieved when a blogger asked “Did you ever feel like giving up on your potty training endeavors? What made you kept going? How did you keep your sanity?” I can personally say I have felt like giving up..but this teleconference and talking to other Latino Dads and Moms about my personal proccess made me realize it was normal to experience set-backs, important to get family involved, and that there is no certain age where you should feel the child is “too old” and should have learned by now. Every child is different and as long as he isn’t 11 and still using diapers, I think we are good and need to keep on trying! For more tips about Potty Training your children, stay connected to Pull-Ups by visiting them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pullups to learn more about Pull-Ups and check out the video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCS-fQU0Tcc   This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Pull Ups.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Recently, a friend called me and said he had great news, that after 4 and a half years of buying diapers, his youngest was finally potty trained.  His joy was multi-facetted: First, was monetary—no more spending on dippers.  Second, he was glad to not have to change another dirty diaper again (he has a weak stomach).  And third, was gaining back some time because his daughter was more independent. Of course, every parents dream is to have a child that is potty trained by 2 years old, but you can’t rush a child.  It is estimated that about four million toddlers start potty training each year, that means that there are about 12 million opinions of how to do it because in Latino families, everyone has an opinion. My son Jacob is turning two and a half in April and there are indications that he is ready to be potty trained, but I didn’t know where to start.  Luckily I have the opportunity to be part of (don’t laugh but there aren’t that many Latino Daddy bloggers) “Mardinas del Bano” campaigned aimed at helping Latino families navigate the path to potty training with information and resources to make it less painful for both parents and child. From what I have read, Jacob is at the perfect time to start training because, according to pull-ups.com, your child is already when they show some of these signs:

• Your child can stay dry for two hours at a time during the day or is dry after a nap.
• Your child is uncomfortable with soiled diapers and wants them changed. (pronto!)
• Your child shows increasing interest in the bathroom.
• Your child’s b.m.’s are regular and predictable.
• Your child wants to wear Big Kid® pants.
• Your child can indicate by words, facial expression or body language that he or she is about to go.
• Your child can follow simple verbal directions.

Jacob is definitely exhibiting item one and two from above.  The third item is not so clear.  Here is what I mean; I can’t go to the bathroom in peace!  If I lock the doors, Jacob stands at the door toggling the handle and screaming Da Da…  If I don’t lock the door, then he comes in and hangs out until I am done.  This is ok when I only have to pee, but sitting down is an entirely different matter.  Most Dads might agree, that this was usually my only “alone” time, not it is share time.  But children learn from example, and I chock this up to a learning opportunity and bear it. I have further read that potty training doesn’t have to be a pain and can in fact be fun.  Jacob definitely learns faster when a chore or task is masked in “fun-time” verse “work-time.”  He also appreciates being rewarded for a job well done; whether it is a simple “good job” or high-five to a sticker or cookie.  The idea is to celebrate every attempt, even the failures. If you know of any other parents getting ready to start potty training, encourage them to visit www.facebook.com/pullups to learn more about Pull-Ups and the resources they can provide. Jacob also loves using a tablet and seems more proficient at it than me, so I am excited to incorporate a new mobile app from Pull-Ups® that provides guidance with potty training and yet make it fun for Jacob.  The dream of watching videos while using the bathroom has finally arrived—every man’s dream. The major thing I’m preparing for is being patient.  It is easy to try to rush the situation or to get frustrated because after a few attempt the child has an “accident.”  The first thing will be to get him to start using pull-ups, since it will be the first “sign” that he is transitioning.  And that is what he has to learn, that it is time to transition from “baby” to “big boy.” Stand by for more updates and any tips I learn along the way.

This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Pull Ups.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Evil incarnate: Sandy Hook Elementary reminds us that like the genocide in Rwanda, skeletons of which are pictured here, evil really exists. Let’s not mince words. (Photo by Manny Ruiz)

BY MANNY RUIZ (@MannyRuiz)

1. The Sandy Hook murders were plain and simple EVIL.  Yes, it may well be that Sandy Hook murderer Adam Lanza had a history of mental issues, Dyslexia or whatever will soon be psychologically attributed to him but the Sandy Hook murders – like all murders committed throughout history – were EVIL.  They need to be labeled as such.  When hundreds of thousands of Nazis systematically exterminated 6 million Jews that was EVIL.  When nearly 1 million Rwandans were raped and murdered during a 90-day gun-and-machete killing spree in the 90s that was EVIL.  Columbine, the Colorado movie theater rampage, last night’s local neighborhood killing in your town and mine…all of them have EVIL in common.  This means that while psychological problems play a factor in how we think and act, we need to go deeper.  We need to call things as they are.  As I help my kids cope with this ghastly crime I will alert them to be watch for EVIL because it is a real thing.  In a fallen world Evil is something that they need to ask the Lord to guard their hearts against and to be vigilant of no matter where they are: school, shopping, and yes, even church.

2. Sandy Hook will be – IT BETTER BE – the tipping point for passage of real gun control laws in the U.S.  I wrote yesterday that the surest sign of failure is repeating the same mistake over and over again.  Our gun laws are a great case in point. Yes, a man did this and not a machine but SOMETHING is wrong. SOMETHING needs to change here.  If it were up to me, we would remove all guns from society and let the police officers and soldiers that truly need them be the only ones who have access to them.  In Japan, a nation of 126 million where democracy reigns and guns are completely outlawed, you rarely have ANY gun-related murders.  Will banning guns in the U.S. eliminate murder?  Of course not but it would severely dent the number of killings and especially mass killings.  Ever heard of mass knife killer?  Not likely.  With apologies to so many good citizens who use rifles to hunt or protect their homes, SOMETHING has to done to address why there’s such a prevalence of guns in our society.  Yes, the issues are deeper than just “too many guns” – the reality of evil and a society that places little value on life shows that -but having so many guns also contributes to a bad equation for too many of us.

3. Heinous gun violence happens more often than we think it does.  I know that part of what makes the Sandy Hook killings so shocking is that it happened in a picturesque town and that it happened to a large group of little children and teachers.  Making matters worse is that this is the eight or ninth mass U.S. shooting of the year.  I get it.  That’s bad but do you realize that gun-related murders take place every day in the United States in our inner cities and that many of those killed, wounded or terribly affected by criminals are also often children?  Just think about that.

4. We’re probably at another tipping tip with real implications for our democracy and freedom: more security or more surveillance?  What I mean is that we may be arriving at that moment in our nation’s history where just one more mass shooting away from forcing our local and national government officials from expanding security check points for everything from schools to malls, movie theaters and even churches.  I would rather we ban – or at least severely limit – guns before getting to that point but we have to lose more of our freedoms.  Something is going to have to give and I don’t know the answer.  To paraphrase the late Rodney King, I wish we would all just get along so none of this would be deemed necessary.

5. Did you realize that Sandy Hook and Hurricane Sandy share the word in common?  That’s appropriate because the Sandy Hook murders will be the Hurricane Sandy the gun lobby most fears.  I don’t know about you but I sensed this in the voice and tears of our president yesterday.

6. I would love to know what will be found on Adam Lanza’s home computer and especially inside his PS3 or Xbox.  As a former crime reporter, the way he dressed up for this crime tells me he meticulously planned this thing.  Those details will emerge very soon and I can guarantee you that they will be shocking – or not.  Maybe Mr. Lanza was just infatuated with one of the many killing “games” that sell billions of dollars annually.

7. If you have children, and even if you don’t, please don’t obsess about the news this weekend.  Periodically check in but don’t obsess.  Use this tragedy to hold unto those you love more deeply.