6 Mommy Study Tips

The life of a Kul Mom can be hectic, and honestly, a little overwhelming. Between work, and college, and finding time for studying and homework can some times seem impossible. But I am here to tell you that it is! Here is what I do to keep my grades up and my stress levels down =)

1. Do Homework and Study During Nap Time
• Whether it be 20 minutes or two hours, those precious moments of silence when your little angel is sleeping are golden opportunities. The chores can wait, give your school work some attention. Start that essay, study for that test, complete those logic puzzles! It is much easier to concentrate, knowing that your baby is safe and not having little hands tugging at your legs. 
2. Set Up Interesting Activity Centers
• I set up exciting new play areas in a baby proofed space allowing Nico explore new things at close range. There is a percussion station with old pots and pans (Warning: this one can get pretty loud!), a block station, a laundry bin station (I put different textured items inside the basket and watch his reaction when he pulls them out), a hard book station, and a pillow station. You will be amazed at how much homework I have gotten through with this! 
3. Find a Good Seat
• Make sure that your are high enough so that your little one cannot touch your school supplies, but low enough to be approachable to your child. If you turn them away it might hurt their feelings by making it seem like you are too busy for them. When your baby comes to show you something, or maybe for a hug and a kiss, interact with them for at least ten minutes and then continue what your were doing. They will eventually lose interest too and resume playing. 
4. Do NOT Procrastinate 
• Time management is the absolute key to getting your work done on time! If you know that your baby only naps for hour a day, do not leave your assignment for the night before its due. The earlier you start they faster you finish, and then it is one less thing you have to worry about. 
5. Read Before Your Bedtime Too
• Get ready for a bed a little bit earlier than usual and use the extra time to catch up on your reading for class. Reading helps calm the mind before sleeping, and it is the perfect cure for insomnia 
6. Make Time For Yourself
• It is really important to find time to do what you love. This will help you to feel more relaxed and at ease, so that when it comes time for studying, you will be able to focus on the task at hand. Everyday, make sure that you carve out time in your day to do what you enjoy, and to take care of yourself. Do your nails, do your hair, watch your favorite show. We deserve it! 

So many mothers are going back to school! 

Congratulations to everyone who has made the decision to further their education! 

4 Tips for a Mommy "Sick Day"

So, you are feeling a little under the weather? Any normal person would  take a sick day and hide under the covers with a bottle of NyQuil, but you are not a normal person, you are a mom. And maybe, not just any mom, a KUL mom. KUL Moms do not get sick days, we do not take breaks. 

Fortunately, some of us have figured out some tricks and short cuts to get us through those tough sick days for those of you with little ones who can crawl or walk. 

Here is what I do with Nico to stay sane calm, and somewhat rested. 

1. Close off a large space in the living room using the couch as one of the barriers for baby to play in.
• This way I can lay on the couch and keep a very close eye on him. If you have a baby gate you could use that, if not improvise. We have found that a baby bouncer on it's side provides an exciting new activity center. Plus he can only touch the safe clean toys that I have provided for him. And I give him A LOT of toys, the more to keep him occupied the better. Have classical music in the back round to keep you both relaxed.
2. Have exciting and vibrant movies that you will both enjoy. 
• I don't like to let Nico watch television but when I get sick I have to make an exception.  It is okay to not do everything perfectly during these days. The more you rest the faster you will be able to get up and do educational things with your little one.That being said, I have found that colorful, exciting, and musical movies keep my little one's attention the best. We recommend the following, just to give you some ideas: 
• Turbo 
• Rio
• Frozen
• Tangled 
• The Princess and The Frog
• Aladdin
3. Make sure that you are fully stocked on everything that you need to get well.
• Stalk the cupboards with things you can make quickly, like Ramen Noodles or soup in a can or cup. Have the fridge full of vitamin C rich juice in pouches so that you can grab them and return to your little own. 
• Set up a waste basket just outside the "play pen" for tissues and any other trash. 
• Have any medicine that you need conveniently available 
• Lastly, but most importantly, keep all of your things out of reach of baby
4. WASH YOUR HANDS! 
• Washing your hands frequently in combination with those other things will help you to get on your feet and back to your regular routine in no time!

• 

Mommy & Me Mondays!

In honor of mommy and me Mondays, here are some of my favorite pictures of me and my little Gummy Bear!

COMING SOON**Father & Me Fridays ;)**

Sunday School

One of the things that I LOVE to do is volunteer as a helper for the Sunday School teachers at my church. Every other month I get assigned to a class full of energetic kids and I get to teach them about how wonderful God is! This month I get to be with the adorable 4 year olds. 

Today we learned that God created the earth, so in class our craft was to create clothespin caterpillars! 

Of course they did not turn out exactly like the picture, but the kids had a great time! 

Next we learned that we had to use self control. The teacher put a very pretty box on the table and told the kids they could not touch it until the end of class. Then when they got to open it, it was full of cookies!

Published Book, Liars Like Me

Yesterday I published my first book, Liars Like Me, via Amazon KDP. 

This proves that you can literally do ANYTHING you set your mind to no matter who you are. 

It is a fictional young adults novel about a girl who move across the country in order to protect her secrets from her friends and family. But when she receive a message from someone who is threatening to expose her she must go back to face her past. Soon she is left with only two options; tell the truth or dive deeper in to an intricate web of lies. Get Liars Like Me Here!!!

Married at 18

My husband Pedro and I met in the last semester of our senior year of high school in 2011, in Puerto Rico, in a crowded classroom that I was afraid to walk in to. He invited me to hang out with him and his friends the day we met, and some how I ended up giving him my phone number. He called me that night and we ended up talking for hours. Next thing you know, we are going to prom together. 

He is my best friend. Though he drives me absolutely crazy sometimes, I could not imagine life with out him. I have spent some of the best days of my life so far with him. 

He loves me at my best, and at my worst.

 We spent 3 months in a long distance when he moved in with his friend back in his home town in West Virginia. When I went to visit my best friend in Raleigh, NC, he drove 8 hours to spend 2 days camping with my friends and me. 

When he got back, we were a little too happy to see each other, we ended up making Nico. But he was excited because it meant that we could get married much sooner than I had planned. We went to florida, got married by a Rabbi staying at our hotel, and spent the rest of the week in Disney World. 

We are not rich but we are happy. He is a full time dish washer at Denny's who plans on becoming a professional Rally racer, I fully support his dream. I am a part time bagger, full time student, who plans on writing and producing books and movies, he fully supports my dream. That is what is important. 

Nico Isaac Aleman

This is my son Nico Isaac the day he was born, 6 lb. 15 ounces. 

His first name Nico is Greek meaning "victorious people". His middle name Isaac is hebrew meaning "laughter". The full meaning of his name is intended to be "the laughter of victorious people" 

Halloween 2013, Nico was our baby Superman! 

Nico to the rescue!! 

He is always the life of the party and he is always ready to take a picture! 

He might be a future model as I have never met a kid more photogenic than this one!

Recently, upon meeting a new doctor my little ball of energy was described as accident prone because he would not stop touching and exploring everything as he walked around the office. 

He is 13 months old.