Losing Baby Weight & Keeping Up Milk Supply

Twelve weeks ago I gave birth to the most beautiful little girl I had ever seen. She was smiling at two days old and already had a strong personality. Throughout my pregnancy I watched what I ate and went on frequent walks. I had continued my normal strenuous workout for the first trimester to ensure that I built a large and efficient placenta. At 39 weeks I had gained the recommended 35 pounds (I know its actually between 25-35 but the point is that I hadn't gone over), well 40 weeks came, my mother-in-law flew in from Italy, my parents were here from Colorado, and 40 weeks went. I was swelling up like Violet Beauregarde in 100 degree weather translating three languages to too many people in small quarters all awaiting a baby who was not showing any signs of showing! Aaaaaaaaaarrrrgh! I ballooned up another 15lbs (of water my doctor said...hmmmmm) to be continued

SOFISTICATI

And we have liftoff....

On June 8th, 2009 www.sofisticati.com officially launched with THE PHOTOGRAPHY ISSUE. Read articles on world famous photographers such as: Tim Mantoani, Brian Cross (better known as B+), René and Radka, Estevan Oriol, René Russo, Nicholas Routzen, Kevin Ito and David Benjamin Sherry.

The Tastemaker of the Month features our interview with the notorious king of the turntables: The Gaslamp Killer. Listen to his MIX!
Alessandro Gambaro reviews super swank Italian restaurant Osteria La Buca and Michelle Foody reviews the new West Hollywood hot spot Tender Greens in our Dining section.

Our Style sections: Sofisticato for men and Sofisticata for women, bring all the latest in beauty, grooming, fashion, shoes timepieces and a special Sofisticated Mamma section for our hippest mamma's.

We also have the best horoscopes on the web. I had been following Stargazers scopes for four years and loved her wokr so much I decided to add her to our team. Find out what is in store for you this month on Stargazer's Scopes.

SOFISTICATI: the Evolution of Cool, features only the creative and unique. Find out about the latest in literature, film, fashion, dining, travel and music by signing up for our newsletter today. Sofisticati is the quintessential lifestyle resource for international cool hunters.

LEVEL JEANS: Separating the Men from the Boys.

http://www.urb.com/permalink/5745/Level-Jeans:-Separating-the-Men-from-the-Boys.html

Read all about Level Jeans on URB.com

The Incredibly Growing Belly

If someone had told me when Ale asked me to marry him that in two years I'd be pregnant I would have slapped them and said "watch your mouth." I've always been a career girl and a perfectly content one at that. My life was fabulous!! But now its even more fabulous than I could have ever imagined. I have always wanted to have babies but at 28 I still felt too young. What changed for me was listening to the advice of one of my dearest girlfriends who is in her 40's, incredibly successful and visually stunning. She told me that this was the best time in my life that I could become pregnant. I am young, healthy, with great eggs and a body that will spring back into shape in no time flat (we'll see about that! I already have my plan). I thought about the friends that I have who have gone through thousands of dollars trying to get pregnant in-vitro, one who employed the use of a surrogate, and another friend of mine who at 36 is trying in vain to get her terrible boyfriend to marry her and get her pregnant. I am extremely lucky to be having this child with an amazing man who worships me. He is my best friend and I am humbled to be undertaking this beautiful task.

So this is me and Ale at 24 weeks (that's 6 months). I am allowing myself to enjoy eating for the first time since I can remember and loving my growing belly. My baby moves a ton, I think he or she is a ninja! I love waking up and feeling the baby kick me to go eat something, I love when I am falling asleep how the baby changes positions to find their little snuggle spot, and I think its funny how when Ale is close to me the baby kicks him too as if to say (move it buddy, this is my space). We decided to not find out the baby's sex as this is one of life's few surprises and even though people our age look at us like we're nuts - older folks smile and wink at us because it IS very special to not want things so automatically in life.

On a beach bikeride the other afternoon I asked my friend why she never had any children and she replied, "Well I never wanted any, but in hindsight, had it happened I would've been happy." She never felt ready financially or career-wise then when she and her friends around her made it to the point of success- their personal lives or health betrayed them. I would've easily done the same.

What do I miss being pregnant? I miss prosecco, speck, sushi, prosciutto, wine, ceviche and feeling skinny. Worrying about being skinny is really selfish of me. I remind myself (daily) that really soon I'll have a baby girl or boy to spoil and it'll all be worth it. I'll always remember that week before Christmas when Ale and I decided to wait two years to have our first baby -the next day we found out we were 7 weeks pregnant.

SLEEP DEALER Film Review

The thought provoking film, SLEEP DEALER, brings us to the not so distant future of relations between Mexico and the United States. The world is completely militarized, borders are closed and a troublingly evolved internet sells memories-not blogs. Amusing and disturbing at the same time; the TV broadcasts U.S. fighter pilots as they control drones to blow up suspected terrorists while the public watch with the same oblivious fervor that they now watch American Idol. The highly imaginative brainchild of director/writer Alex Rivera, SLEEP DEALER depicts a completely globalized social infrastructure and tackles the immigration issue with a refreshing dose of satire.

Rivera imagines a world where one must have “nodes” surgically implanted in order to “plug in” to the system. With this node technology the United States successfully secures the border and ensures that Americans will still benefit from the cheap labor that immigrants provide. Virtual labor can build skyscrapers and even babysit via the many “plugged in” Mexicans working hard by controlling robots in high-tech maquiladoras.

The story follows Memo (Luis Fernando Peña), a young man from a small village in Santa Ana del Rio, Oaxaca. His village has fallen victim to an American water company which has built a dam and now controls its way of life. Memo, unmoved by his father’s struggle to keep traditions alive, builds a radio to listen in on the fast life which eludes him. His fascination with becoming plugged in to the world beyond Santa Ana del Rio brings tragedy to his family. Nearly broken, Memo leaves to seek his fortune in Tijuana. There he meets a beautiful young writer, Luz (Leonor Varela) who unwittingly sells his story to interested parties through her memories. From here the movie intertwines three people’s lives looking to feel something real in a world that is increasingly desensitized.

Rivera succeeds in creating a Sci-Fiction film on an independent budget which conveys a deep social message. Although the film moves slowly at times and the third character could’ve been fleshed out a little further; I loved the special attention to detail which some reviewers may have overlooked or dismissed as things unable to be perfected due to an insufficient budget. For instance, in the computer generated scenes of modern day America, everything is futuristic and sleek whereas Mexico looks virtually the same save for the node bars, high-tech maquiladoras and occasional flat-screen television. Reality is this is exactly how it would be. I also must mention that the CGI and special effects in this film are remarkable considering that it is independent. Smart, imaginative and profound, SLEEP DEALER, is must see for all the Sci-fi heads out there and anyone who loves a good story.

http://www.sleepdealer.com/Landing.html

ESTEVAN ORIOL EXHIBIT for MOPLA

http://www.urb.com/permalink/5602/Estevan-Oriol:-Through-the-Eyes-of-L.A.-Month-of-Photography.html

Read about it on URB.com

Octavio Carlin Ready-to-Wear Sale!

Ladies if you find yourself staring desperately into the depths of your stuffed closet for something to wear to that film premier or black tie dinner, then despair no more! This week celebrity-loved evening wear designer Octavio Carlin begins the unprecedented sale of his entire inventory. Octavio is moving his atelier to a new Melrose location so take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to add a few sophisticated pieces to your closet. Evening wear will range from $50-$100 dollars.

When: Beginning the week of April 6th 2009 and everyday thereafter from 11am to 5pm
Where: Octavio Carlin Atelier
1720 North Vermont
Los Feliz, CA. 90027
Contact: 323- 913-3091

http://www.octaviocarlin.com/

B+ GHOSTNOTES Exhibit for The Month of Photography Los Angeles

Read this blog on URB.com

http://www.urb.com/permalink/5542/GHOSTNOTES-by-B+-for-the-MOPLA.html

The place to be this Tuesday is at the GHOSTNOTES exhibit by world renowned photographer B+. Described as, “a “photo-album” that both documents and critiques music in its relation to the world,” GHOSTNOTES is sure to impress Hip Hop heads and art aficionados alike. Respected not only in the photography world but also in the clandestine world of digging for rare vinyl, B+ has an intimate understanding of the influence lost records has upon music, most significantly, Hip Hop music.

April is the Month of Photography in Los Angeles. Organized by the Lucie Foundation MOPLA will show photography from all realms of the photography community.

B+
Ghost Notes

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 6-9PM
PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER
8687 Melrose Avenue,
West Hollywood, California 90069

http://www.monthofphotography.com/