Photo via CBS News

My IRA contains a wide range of stocks that I’ve invested in. Looking at my top holdings, I’m surprised to see Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) listed, not because I invested the most money in these stocks, but because they’re worth the most. Since purchasing stock in these companies years ago, they’ve increased in value over double what I paid. Over a 200% increase.

I purchase stocks based on my own personal spending habits and companies that I respect from a business standpoint. I don’t own stock in Wal-Mart because I don’t like their business practices, nor do I shop there. Target, however, was a company I worked for in high school and since I shop there quite often, it only makes sense to invest in them. Same goes for many of the other companies I’ve invested in over the years. Some have grown considerably, while others have disappointed. That’s the nature of the stock market.

Facebook is one of those stocks that people are unsure of because of its social standings and because of the fear based on the dotcom fallout. I would guess the majority of Facebook users (and based on stats, this is pretty accurate) don’t use it for business, like those in my particular circle of bloggers, social media managers and marketing execs.

My full-time job has me focused on Facebook pretty much all day long. It’s oftentimes a 24/7 role, monitoring the dozen Facebook Pages I manage. So, when people ask if I will buy stock in Facebook, I say, “Of course.” I invest most of my time and energy into Facebook and other social media sites and because this is where my job lies, it only makes sense – for me -  to invest financially.

What are your thoughts on the Facebook (FB) IPO?

It’s ironic how I schedule my son’s doctors and dental appointments over six months in advance, but when it comes to me, and my health, I put it last on my priority list and don’t think of going to the doctor until I have pains, unusual symptoms or discomfort. Even then, I wait until it passes before ever making an appointment for myself. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this.

For myself, and for my family, I’m using this week to remind myself how important it is to take the following steps to improve my physical and mental health and lower my risk of certain diseases:

• Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
• Get active.
• Eat healthy.
• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
• Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

Investing in your health is vital for your overall well-being. I know that when I pay attention to the symptoms and make positive changes to eat healthier, exercise and make a conscious effort to not look at my phone at the red lights, I feel better and am much less stressed. That should be reason enough to make these healthy habits a daily ritual rather than a turn around to my typical routine.

What changes will you make to improve your overall health?

You can follow the conversation on Twitter about this blog challenge with #NWHWblog and learn more about National Women’s Health Week by following @WomensHealth.

Sign language is truly a benefit to any family looking for ways to ease the frustration around those toddler times, before their verbal language skills have been established. Those of us with babies of our own know how quickly they pick up on the understanding of words and acknowledge with excitement or distress, when they know what to expect based on the things we say.

When my son is hungry, he starts pointing toward the kitchen or climbing on the back of his high chair. The second I say, “food,” “milk,” or “eat,” his face lights up with excitement, anticipating what’s to come.

Sign4Baby on Fox 5 San Diego

I took my youngest son, now 16 months old, to a sign language class when he was around 9 months old. He hadn’t started walking yet, but was fully engaged with the older kids and was eager to learn and sing along with Joann, the wonderful teacher at Sign4Baby, San Diego’s premiere sign language instructor.

He picked up the sign for “more” very quickly. “Milk” and “bird” were his other favorites and he continues to use his hands to communicate with us since he hasn’t quite formed the words just yet.

If you aren’t in San Diego or haven’t had a chance to take a baby sign language class, I highly recommend these digital downloads of sign language videos that you can watch on your own and with your baby to discover signs for feelings, family, shapes, colors, and so many more.

The “Welcome to Signing Time” video is FREE and if you download this (or any other signing video) before May 18th, you’ll be entered into a random drawing for:

• Grand Prize - iPad 3 16GB – and the complete Signing Time Digital Library
  • 1st Prize - iPod Touch 8GB – and the complete Signing Time Digital Library
  • 2nd Prize - $200 gift card – redeemable for classes and products
  • 3rd Prize - $100 gift card – redeemable for classes and products

Head over to the Sign4Baby website for more information on classes in San Diego. It’s a great, fun way to discover what your baby is thinking or feeling, long before he or she is able to let you know with words.

With chapters such as “You Shoved WHAT up Your Nose?” and “Why Some Animals Eat Their Young”, Louis shares her parenting lessons with a generous dose of humor.

“My prayer is that you find comfort in knowing that you are not the only one suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Buyer’s Remorse.  And yes, it’s okay to admit both of those conditions apply to parenting…”

With humor and candid insight into what it’s like to raise three kids so close together in age, Dallas shares her most cringe-worthy mom moments along with actual photographs from her family’s photo album.

“Dora is truly a great explorer.  And Bob the Builder can build anything he wants to as long as he builds the attention span of my children long enough for me to shower and shave both legs in the same day.”

A true diary that all moms will relate to, The Mommy Diaries: How I’m Surviving Parenting without Killing Anyone, is a great gift to give yourself this Mother’s Day, especially if you really, really desire some time to yourself. Seriously. Pick up this book and demand some alone time on Sunday.
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The one time we went to Costco together – not a good idea, by the way – there were no Skinnygirl Cocktails to be found. Instead, I hesitantly substituted my favorite, ready-to-pour margarita with the Costco brand (you know the one). Never again. It tasted nasty and I had a headache the next day even though I could only drink one glass.

I went off on a little tangent there, but my point in all of that was to demonstrate how there really is no substitute when it comes to flavorful, ready-to-pour drinks that you can pick up on the way to your girlfriend’s house or when you’re looking for the perfect mixed drink to liven up your next BBQ or summer pool party.

Skinnygirl Cocktails has recently announced their newest flavors – Skinnygirl Pina Colada and Vodkas with natural flavors. Also, they’re releasing the Skinnygirl Wine Collection and have a new margarita flavor – White Peach! I cannot wait to try it. I might just have to put this on my wish list for Mother’s Day.

The Modern Family Zone is a definite must-see for those heading to Los Angeles for the 2012 Dwell on Design showcase. The list of exhibitors is endless and will, no doubt, fill you with inspirational ideas for you to implement in your home re-design.

The lights, the music, the costumes, the stage, the performers, and musicians all astounded me even though I have been to several different Cirque du Soleil shows in the past.

Every year, when they come to San Diego with a new show, I find myself wondering how they could possibly outdo the last, but somehow, they do.

Did I mention the stage? The moving bridge, ladder, boat and the screen floor with ‘moving’ water and the props that the performers used to make their magic happen were creatively designed and the technology behind them surpassed every expectation I could have had for what is usually not such a large presence in a live show.

I took my 8-year-old son with me and he was equally as blown away as I was. His favorite parts were the frogs at the beginning jumping on the built-in trampoline and the gorillas throughout the performance leading into a scene of a line-up evoking the idea of evolution ending with a business man in a suit and tie with a cell phone.

My favorites included the women on unicycles who tossed silver bowls onto each others heads with their feet, the couple in yellow who fought – and flirted – at great heights with a single trapeze – and the couple wearing roller skates (and little else) along with a small bit of passion to tell their story.

The crowd got into each act, clapping along, cheering on the performers and celebrating their success when one performer landed on his feet after being tossed up in the air and then ‘caught’ by the two men holding the skinny balancing beam underneath him.

Trust is essential for the people on stage and timing is crucial. The training and practice that must go into each performance pays off when the final act ends with a standing ovation and the crowd roars with excitement at having witnessed such spectacular and – what appears to many – as unbelievable performances that happen with such grace and bravery.

If you’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil performance before, I highly suggest you see this one before it leaves San Diego. While every Cirque du Soleil “story” is different, I have yet to meet anyone in attendance that has walked away disappointed.

Get 25% off price level 1, 2 or 3 tickets on select performances, and treat mom to an unforgettable experience. TOTEM is now performing for a limited time at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Click here to enjoy: http://tinyurl.com/HHHMothersDay

In order to receive this special offer you will need to be a Cirque Club member–registration is fast and free, and Cirque Club members receive advance access to the best seats under the Grand Chapiteau, ticket upgrades, partner promotions and insider information on the world of Cirque du Soleil!

Applicable on select performances on Price level 1, 2 & 3 only. Prices shown during the purchasing process already reflect this offer and will appear as a 25% discount on each ticket. Maximum of 19 tickets per purchase. All tickets subject to regular service and delivery charges. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Not applicable to previous purchases. All sales final, no refunds nor exchanges. Offer expires May 14, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Offer applicable on TOTEM in San Diego, CA.

You can choose from 20 specially-designed patches with different inspiring quotes, photos, and images to help create a Global Opportunity Quilt and help women around the world. After you choose a tribute amount and patch for a special woman in your life, we encourage you can share that patch on Pinterest or Facebook. The goal is to ultimately create a massive global quilt in honor of Mother’s Day.
Opportunity International provides savings, small business loans, insurance and training to over four million people–93% of whom are women–working their way out of poverty in the developing world. Clients in more than 20 countries use these financial services to start or expand a business, provide for their families, create jobs for their neighbors and build a safety net for the future. For more information, visit www.opportunity.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

The pedicure was great but more importantly, the entire experience was amazing. I only wished I had a hotel room upstairs to disappear to, as the worst part about getting a massage or spa treatment is that drive home – when all your stress tends to return.

I highly recommend reserving a room for yourself this Mother’s Day or plan a getaway with your mom, sister or girlfriends and indulge at the spa. Because the jacuzzi and sauna are available to all spa guests, regardless of the treatments you’ve booked, you can spend the entire day at Spa Aquazul and truly enjoy the pampering they provide, 7 days a week, from 8 am – 8 pm.

• $50

  50 Min Aquazul Custom Facial including Marine Based Exfoliants and Hydrating Mask

• $50

  50 MIN Traveler’s Tonic Massage

• $50

  50 Min Wellness Pedicure

SpaWeek takes place April 16 – 22 and offers $50 treatments at partnering spas all across the country. Book your appointments today!