Home Remedy Tip

My 3 month old son has had a cough and cold for a month courtesy of his big sister who brought it home from pre-school. He has been a trooper...until recently. He was fussy because he couldn't breathe and wasn't sleeping.

I tried everything! Humidifier, saline and suction. NO luck. Then my Russian girlfriend said, "Onions! Cut it up and place it in a bowl by his head where he sleeps and he'll be able to breathe." Sure enough it worked! Our room smells like raw onions but at least we're rested.

Thank you Russian home remedy! Happy holidays and may your bedrooms be onion-free during this cold and flu season.

Bern-baby-Bern

Fresh and Easy Holiday Treats Galore!!!

Last night I attended Fresh and Easy's Holiday party at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. I was very excited to hop on board this majestic ship since I hadn't been there in over a decade and Cal State Long Beach is also my alma mater (GO 49ers!).

If you've read my previous blogs you'll know that I'm a HUGE F & E fan and the spread at the Verandah Grill will show you why. The evening started off with a variety of hors d'oeuvres such as the shrimp cocktail, goat cheese cranberry log and crackers paired off with my favorite F & E wine Dreamstone.

I had to remember to pace myself because their very own chef Cyndi Perez served up some of their warm pre-made appetizers. My favorites were the risotto cakes, mini beef en croutes and petite quiches. Heat and serve?! That's my kind of cooking. She also whipped up some delicious cranberry glazed skewers all made from F & E products.


We topped the evening off with an abundance of desserts. We sampled pumpkin cheesecake, apple tarts and gingerbread cookies to name a few. My waistline is expanding AS I type but every bite was definitely worth the calories.

Having just given birth to a baby boy 13 weeks ago I was glad to find out that F & E also has complete holiday meals available. You can choose from a turkey, ham or roast beef dinner that includes a variety of side dishes. There will be absolutely NO cooking in my part this Christmas so I'm glad I can count on Fresh and Easy to do the cooking "for" me.


Make sure to stop by your nearest Fresh and Easy store to check out their holiday treats and fresh seasonal floral!!!

Thank you for getting my holiday celebration started of "Fresh" AND "Easy"!!!

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post. The views expressed are my own personal and honest opinion. Fresh and Easy is dope. PERIOD.

MOM Discount for Disney on Ice "Toy Story 3"!

Hey Southlanders!

Make sure to take advantage of the MOM discount for Disney on Ice "Toy Story 3"! Use it online or at the box office.



See you there!

Bern-baby-Bern

Disney on Ice "Toy Story 3" coming to the Southland!!!

If you've never seen a Disney on Ice production NOW is the time to do it!


Join your "Toy Story" favorites Woody, Buzz and Jessie as they hit the ice in this sensational LIVE production coming to the Southland! You can't miss this exciting production as your favorite characters try to escape from Sunnyside daycare and race home to safety!



Click on this link to purchase tickets and view locations AND check back in a few weeks for a mom discount code.

This show will definitely take family fun to infinity and beyond!

Disney's Halloween Interactive Media Event!

Isabella and I were recently invited to Disney's Interactive Media Halloween bash at the Disney Studios in Burbank and man were we in for some treats!!!


The evening started off with a tour of the Disney lot which included the Archives where we they keep lots of neat historic photos and classic figurines.


Once we returned to the party we previewed their family video games such a "Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension, Cars 2 and Isabella's favorite Club Penguin.


There were so many crafty stations including decorating your very own Tinkerbell cookie (although my daughter preferred to eat it right away) or creating a very festive Mickey bat.


I also got a chance to check out some cool Halloween ideas on DisneyFamily.com and FamilyFun.com.


And it wouldn't be Halloween without all the yummy treats including Jack Skellington cupcakes and caramel apples!


Thank you Disney for inviting us to preview all the fun and amazing video games!

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.

Treats Galore at Mickey's Halloween Party!!!

If you enjoy Disneyland and love Halloween then Mickey's Halloween Party is the event for you!


My family and I were treated to enjoy Mickey's Halloween Party for the second year in a row. We started the evening by taking advantage of all the great photo opps with Disney characters decked out in their Halloween costumes. There was even a talking scarecrow that interacted with the guests who was very amusing.


After taking all our awesome photos we moved on to the rides. The Haunted Mansion is a must see with decorations from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" including Jack Skellington and Sally. This year, my daughter was finally old enough to enjoy the Tea Cups, Alice and Wonderland and the grand finale, Captain EO!


We went trick or treating for candy and healthy treats throughout park prior to taking our spot for the "Halloween Screams" fireworks spectacular.


Photo by: Jessica New Fuselier
'Tis the season to be spooky so click on this link to purchase your tickets and enjoy Mickey's Halloween party for 10 nights until October 31st.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post. I was given tickets to attend the event and the views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® "Fully Charged" Mom Flyer Discount!

Be sure to take advantage of these spectacular family discounts!!!

Click on this link to purchase tickets NOW!

And the Kung Fu Panda Po Wrestler goes to...

Katrina!!!

Congrats Katrina!

Thank you to all my followers for entering my giveaway!

Bern-Baby-Bern

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey are "Fully Charged"!!!

Coming to the Southland July 20 - August 14, 2011
Tickets on Sale June 19

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey invites families to disconnect from the digital world and plug into the most electrifying circus experience ever at the all-new show Fully Charged, where megawatts of thrills explode off the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that will energize Children Of All Ages!

Fully Charged celebrates all kinds of “performance power”: horse-power, man-power, athletic power and features amazing circus acts that can only be seen at The Greatest Show On Earth®, including:

The Brothers of Brawn, who are as wide as they are tall, enter the arena.


Tabayara, a dynamic animal trainer whose rare ability to communicate with animals allows him to ride rearing stallions at a fully-charged gallop, orchestrate majestic four-ton Asian elephants in a symphony of dance and stand inside a cage, eye-to-eye with 12 ferocious tigers.


The Danguir Troupe thrills on the high-wire as they execute dangerous stunts and for the first time ever a shoulder to shoulder leap, three stories high!


TICKETS: Show ticket prices range from $12 - $100
All seats are reserved and available at the venue Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

All ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early for the All Access Pre-Show Power-Up Party. Opening 60 minutes prior to each performance, families can step onto the arena floor to meet the performers, try on costumes, learn circus skills through the CircusFit® program and get a chance to see a remarkable elephant paint a masterpiece, The All Access Pre-Show Power-Up Party is FREE with a purchased ticket!

Kung Fu Panda 2™ Kung Fu Po Wrestler GIVEAWAY!!!

I am giving away a Kung Fu Panda 2™ Kung Fu Po Wrestler!


Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment stating Who is your favorite "Kung Fu Panda" 1 or 2 character? You must sign in with a Google account. (It takes 1 minute to create if you don't already have one.)

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry by following my blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.
If you are already a follower leave it in a separate comment and it will count.
2) Earn one additional entry for following me on Twitter at bernadette923
If you are already a follower leave it in a separate comment and it will count.
3) Earn one additional entry for tweeting this contest (leave a link to your tweet as your comment).

Please follow all the rules or your entry will not count.

This contest is open until Sunday, June 12th 2011 at midnight. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment OR be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 48 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Good luck!

Bern-Baby-Bern

Kung Fu Panda 2: Toys, Treats and a Tour!

A few weeks ago my family and I got a chance to preview Kung Fu Panda 2 at DreamWorks Animation and it was an afternoon filled with fun, toys and treats!!!


My daughter had never seen the first "Kung Fu Panda" so I wasn't sure how she'd enjoy the sequel. When the movie started she was hooked! We all loved the action-packed sequences with the Furious Five and touched by the flashbacks of Po with his family as a baby panda. A new evil peacock villain named Lord Shen, voiced by Gary Oldman, was introduced. We find out that Lord Shen played an intricate role in Po's past and the fate of his panda family.


I thought the overall movie was enjoyable but my only complaint would be that I wish the Asian actors such as Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan played more prominent roles in the movie. Although they were two of the Furious Five characters they had very minimal dialogue. Kudos to casting for choosing the talented James Hong as the voice of Po's adopted father in the form of a hyper noodle-making goose. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it to audiences of all ages.


After the screening we got a chance to test out all the "Kung Fu Panda 2" toys by Mattel. My daughter's favorite was the "Smack Talker" Po. It says phrases like, "Whoa hoa!", "You just been PANDA-ED!" and my favorite "SKA-DOOSH!!!". All the little boys gravitated towards the toys that shot off some type of weapon such as the "Kung Fu Cannon" and the "Rickshaw Racer".We could barely pry my daughter from the play mat but after enticing her with some of the tasty treats she agreed to have a few bites before playing again.

We ended our day with a tour of the DreamWorks Campus. The buildings were not of your typical stuffy workplace. It looked like,...well, a college campus! Throughout our tour we saw employees eating lunch, partaking in boot-camp classes and even a health assessment center set up that day especially for the employees. Did I mention they provide all this for free?! By the end of the tour I was wondering where I could drop off an application.


Be sure to catch Po and his friends in "Kung Fu Panda 2" opening on May 26th, 2011!

Thank you to DreamWorks and Mattel for allowing me and my family to participate in the "Kung Fu Panda 2" Awesomeness Event. SKA-DOOSH!!!

Bon VONAGE!!!

I shot a Vonage commercial earlier this year and wanted to share the final product. It was very exciting despite the fact that I was fighting morning sickness and trying to squeeze my growing body into my non-maternity clothes. Thank goodness for hair, make-up and wardrobe!!!

Here are the 2 versions that are currently out:
Vonage Last Bill International

Vonage World Premium Unlimited

Bern-Baby-Bern

Here We Go Again...

I haven't posted anything in the last three months and with good reason. It's been very difficult to do so with nausea, migraines and pure exhaustion.

My husband and I discussed having another child last year starting in August. It was one of those discussions that started with, "If we're going to do it we have to do it now." I figured it would be simple because the last time we "discussed" it I was already pregnant. I was disheartened to find out that this time around would not be as easy.

Month after month, negative. By December I began to feel like we should feel blessed to have one child and accept the fact that we were probably going to be a family of three. So during the month of December we agreed that by January we stop "trying". We gave it all away. Rocking chairs, car seats, baby toys you name it we got rid of it. The ONLY stuff I held onto were baby clothes so I could go through and have some as a keepsake of my little baby girl.

Needless to say December was a VERY hectic month: Christmas shopping, holidays and trips out of town. It came and went very quickly so the last thing on my mind was, "Hmmm, when should I get my period?"

January was here and by the 9th I started to get a suspicion that my "little friend" was late for her visit. I bought a test and was curious to see what it would say. I went to a Coffee Bean at 6:45am and asked to use their bathroom. I figured I'd take the test and see the minus sign and not bother my husband with the results. Reason being, every month prior to this I would tell him very excitedly, "I think I'm pregnant!!!" and every month I was wrong. Immediately after I peed on the stick there was a minus sign and I said out loud, "Sad." then placed the stick on top of the sink while I washed my hands. By the time I went to place the stick inside the safety plastic wrapper I saw a positive sign. What the WHAT?!!! I looked into the mirror and all I could see was a giant smile on my face.

I'm ecstatic. Even with the migraines, nausea and exhaustion I look forward to meeting this little person I am growing.

Bern-Baby-Bern

Due Date: September 18th, 2011
Sex: Boy

"In Mother Words" Tickets Giveaway!!!

You and a friend can join me at Geffen Playhouse on Sat. Feb. 19th @ 3pm for their very special event "Mom's Day Out"!

As moms we work VERY hard, and it's rare that we get an opportunity to take some time out and enjoy the company of other moms in a fun environment, so we're hoping you and a guest will join me for a special afternoon of entertainment featuring the new show, "In Mother Words." This show, written by some of contemporary theater's most talented voices, tackles the subject of motherhood in an eye-opening, hilarious and irresistible night of theater and makes its West Coast debut with award-winning actors Jane Kaczmarek, Saidah Arrika Ekulona and James Lecesne. As the program states, "Whether you are a parent, have a parent or ever want to become a parent, this play will elate and terrify equally - much like motherhood itself."

There will also be a food and drink reception following the show from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.I know I could use a drink.

Mandatory Entry: What TV mom do you admire?

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry by following my blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.
If you are already a follower leave it in a separate comment and it will count.
2) Earn one additional entry for following me on Twitter at bernadette923
If you are already a follower leave it in a separate comment and it will count.
3) Earn one additional entry for tweeting this contest (leave a link to your tweet as your comment).

Please follow all the rules or your entry will not count.

This contest is open until Tues, Feb. 15th at midnight. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment OR be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 48 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Good luck!

Bern-Baby-Bern

Tiny Tot Tuesday at the El Capitan with "The Little Mermaid"

If you have a toddler and avoid the theaters because it's too dark and loud and your kid is too busy trying to cruise the aisles and asking questions during the movie then I have a solution for you!!!

Tiny Tot Tuesday at the El Capitan presents the Disney classic "The Little Mermaid" on January 25th! For this special screening the lights are slightly dimmed, the sound level reduced and the kids are encouraged to dance in the aisles if they get the urge. Parking is conveniently available across the street at Hollywood and Highland with validation.

AND they are offering a "Mommy" code discount to all my readers at $9.00 per ticket.

Don't miss this Disney classic at the historic El Capitan Theater! You'll be glad you did.

Bern-Baby-Bern

Young, Blonde and Beautiful AIN'T Got Nothin' on ME!!!

The past two days I've gone for a hike @ 6:45AM. I know, crazy but it's the only time I can get it in. Each day I've seen the sun come up and I relax and enjoy the beautiful sunrise while still holding my keys in the "in case an attacker comes out" position in between my fingers. BTW, both days Richard Grieco (AKA Johnny Depp's replacement on "21 Jump Street") has said good morning to me.

Towards the middle of my hike, which is done in a slow yet steady pace, I saw two blonde, beautiful...no stunning (they looked like they were Ford models) in their early 20's in their cute workout matching clothes probably Lulu Lemon or Lucky or just Hot and Young Workout Gear. As they jogged toward me I could hear their conversation:

Hot Girl 1: We should get breakfast...
Hot Girl 2: OMG, totally!!!
Hot Girl 1: You know what sounds good?

As they bounced away from me I couldn't hear the answer but just heard giggling as I slowly strolled away. I remember those days of just being care-free and flying by the seat of my pants. You wanna go hike? SURE!!!! Maybe get mani/pedi's after? Why not?!!! Never having to worry about nap schedules, laundry, dirty dishes in the sink because I was single and only had to worry about me, myself and I. BUT with all those responsibilities comes GREAT joy. Every time my daughter says, "I love you mommy" and wraps her arms around my neck all the work becomes worth it. When she asks to see "Beauty and the Beast" for the 187th time and chimes in during the "Be Our Guest" song when the candlestick says, "Don't believe me..." she yells with anticipation and excitement, "ASK THE DISHES!" then looks to see if I'm as excited as she is. I say to myself, who needs to have an open schedule for spontaneous hikes and mani/pedi's...not me.

I love where I am today as opposed to where I was in my early 20's. My life is richer and fuller. Sure there are some days where it's tough and I have to dig deep and say "just get through it". Good thing I have an extra large shovel.

Thanks for letting me share my random thought of the day.

Bern-Baby-Bern