Mother's Day!

1. i am learning to love Max staying up until 11pm wanting me to talk to him in bed while his sister is trying to sleep beside me- one day, he won't want to talk to me
2. i am learning to love Max become a restless sleeper overnight. Waking me with kicks as he stretches his body, waking me with his arm swinging in my face, waking me with his sweaty head nestled on my shoulder, waking me because he dropped his soothers on the floor and wanting me to get them (in the middle of the night!)- one day he won't want to be there
3. i love it when he yells, "mommy! mommy! mommy!" when he's ready to wake up from night sleep and naps - one day, i won't be the first person he wants to see
4. i love when we consult each other and negotiate on meals- trying to make it a lesson to always TRY even though he doesn't have to finish his food, the importance of eating veggies and fruit first, and to incorporate protein and carbs into his diet. that candy is also ok, in moderation (5 skittles is a big deal here!)
5. i love it when he says, "mommy, i love you for my whole life" or "mommy you're my best friend" or "mommy, i love you" - randomly and often
6. i love it when he asks me if saying 'bad words' are ok. he asks, "mommy, can i say dumb?" "...can i say butt?" "....can I say fuck?" (lol) over and over again. at this point in our relationship, i don't get mad about it, but I do present it as something I like or dont like and the rationale why it's not a 'good word' in my books. 
7. i love our special 1:1 time in the evening when Mikkel goes to sleep. sure I'm giving myself ME TIME for a couple of hours a night, but my last 45 minutes are spent with him reading, or colouring, or playing imaginary Avengers scenes
8. i love that we shower together everyday and i get to expose and teach him what real women look like. Remind him of his belly button, how we're connected, and where he used to live
9. i love how he's just an amazing fruit eater- i often have to tell him to take it easy
10. i love how he loves me

1. I'm learning to love how Mikkel wakes up at the same time of night (like clockwork) when Max and I are in the room. We're better at being quiet when going to bed, but she just knows we're there and wants to join us
2. i love how Mikkel always needs to touch me when she's asleep. There's always some part of her that is touching me (maybe even a foot) and if i lay her far from me, she makes her way to me within minutes, even when sleepy or sleeping
3. I'm learning to love that she's using me as a human pacifier to help her get back to sleep. even though i desperately need a solid number of consecutive hours, I'm also just shocked that she's 8 months old and we will be needing a new normal once i head back to work mid september
4. i love how she looks at me while on the carrier when there is something or someone she is uncertain of - she trusts me wholeheartedly
5. i love meeting her eyes when I'm distracted by something. her eyes tell me she wants me to take it easy, slow down and pay attention- she will never be this young again
6. i love how she purposefully (maybe??!) caresses my face - which i think she's trying to say "hey what we're doing is fun. check it out! i love our time together" when we're sitting beside each other or facing each other
7. i love how she sleeps so soundly on my chest, while on the carrier- even though she's HEAVY!
8. i love how she can 'tell' me she wants the breast by rubbing her face on my bosom/cleavage, pulling at my shirt, or literally tilting forward pecking at my chest (lol!)
9. i love that she's just such a happy baby, and her grumpiness is easily deciphered
10. i love how she loves me

I'm trying to write something about mother's day here, but like the story of my life since mat leave; my thoughts are foggy and the processing of words and ideas are slower. what i do know is that I've never loved any human being more than I do these two. i am humbled by them and the handwork it takes to raise them.

thank you to our mom's

thank you to my friends for being a presence in our lives, it truly takes a village to raise children

thank you to friends with kids who mother one way, and not judge others for mothering a different way

thank you too, to friends who live all over the world some whom I've never even met, but give words of encouragement and inspiration whether warranted or not.

happy mother's day!! 

Happy Mother's Day (weekend)!

"There's no way to be a perfect mother, 

but a million ways to be a good one." 

-Jill Churchill

Happy List :: Mother's Day 2014 ::

i love this quote...

                                                                         INTERRUPTIONS

When you are exasperated by interruptions, try to remember that their very
frequency may indicate the value of your life. Only people who are full
of help and strength are burdened by other persons’ needs. The
interruptions which we chafe at are the credentials of our
indispensability. The greatest condemnation that anybody could incur -
and it is a danger to guard against – is to be so independent, so
unhelpful, that nobody ever interrupts us, and we are left comfortably alone.

-Anonymous

from The Anglican Digest

I love this my life changed picture...

^^ let motherhood begin 2012!! ^^

these things about Max makes me happy...

• i love how Max says MOMMY all the time now in varying tones. 

MOMMY (where are you? i can't see you).

MOMMY....(what should I do? what's going on?)

MOMMY!! (pay attention!)

MOOMMMYY (i'm hurt) 

y'know the list goes on :o)

• since our car needed fixing, Max learned about the mechanic's job description. We found a tool set at the toy store and now Max is tipping his tricycle over and fixing the wheels with his tools 
• the more we are at the playground the more things Max has learned on the playground. he's now swinging from bars before sliding, building castles and dumping sand, and sliding down the slide in all sorts of positions
• i love how he asks to hold my hand or hold's the stroller. i have no issues with this kid running off!
• if he has to poop, he runs to the bathroom and closes the door. he's not exactly sitting on the potty but he knows he wants some privacy and lets me stand at the door to coach him (his diapers are still on though while sitting on the potty..at this time)
• he loves cutting up paper since i got him these scissors. i never realized it took so much dexterity to hold the scissors vertically. otherwise they'd be horizontal and not cut anything. keeps him busy for 5-10minutes ..as a multitasker, that's enough to get a sandwich ready and cut up some fruit for lunch!
• when i pretend or really can't see him, i cry out his name and he replies with an, i'm heeerree! i'm here [mamma] so cute with a kid's voice

^^ yes! ^^

• i love the look on his face when he's climbed the high parts of the playground (with me supporting his bum as he climbs the ladders of course). i really love these times when we're working physically together. one day he'll do it on his own or his body will be too big for me to help support with one hand. love love his size right now
• i love how he just says oh! and thanks! and nah! so grown up in tone and usage
• i love how he has to show off a performance by telling us to watch him, then running away about  10 ft. ahead, running back to us, doing a 360degree jump in the air, and singing with anything that resembles a microphone. he loves this toy microphone
• i love how he looks at me when he knows he shouldn't be trying something (like chips or chocolate) just to check in if i'm aware and if it's ok (most times he just eats it anyways even if we're making eye contact because he trusts the person who's given it to him, but there are times when he knows and just doesn't unless approved)
• i love how he gets so excited when he lines up his hot wheels and we have to check out his parking skills 
• also how excited he gets when his monster truck is sitting on top of a hot wheel ...not sure what's exciting about it, but boy does it conjure up a lot of squeals and excitement
• i love how he doesn't ask for junk food; his 9/10 requests are for fruit like apples, oranges, grapes, and any form of berries. he'll choose fruits over fries!
• i love how if we're at a produce store he needs to hold a piece of raw broccoli and munch on it as i'm shopping 

oldie but a goodie....

^^ happy mother's day mom! ^^

tear jerker...

^^ #worldsToughestJob ^^

mother's day gift ideas from pinterest...

^^ so cute for grandma! ^^

^^ how about some personalized name rings? (c/o bigEjewelry) ^^

^^ how about letting mom SLEEP IN and some breakfast in bed? ^^

Have a wonderful mother's day to all you fabulous women out there!!

My family members are tanned in May

tell him to smile and this is his look!

This week felt like summer in Vancity and guess where i spent monday-tuesday-wednesday-thursday? AT WORK! I totally missed the entire week and then some of friday as i was in a state of post night shift hangover. Illustrated by Max and husbands sun kissed skin, all smiles, stained shirts from who knows what treats they've been eating, it seemed like it was quite the week of fun for them! Now im off, and it's raining...womp womp.

According to husband, Max has a girlfriend at school. oh ya know, a 4 year old girl who just won't leave Max's side. Beside him from the moment he arrives, asks husband if she hug Max constantly, and is just generally googly eyed for him. (Ive gone to school with him, how come ive never noticed this?) At this point, Max is not being bullied...why? because this little woman is his body guard. Some kid rips a toy from Max's hand, the girl goes up to the kid and takes the toy back, and gives it back to Max. By keeping him company, she's even inadvertently teaching him how to play appropriately with other kids. Cute! Thanks little girl!

too hot for clothes this week!

It's that time of year when our countdown to outdoor swimming begins. In fact, i've already stocked up on sunscreen (had to), a few UPF 50 shirts for swimming, and swim shorts. This year, we're going to go with part time disposable swim diapers as Max's poo schedule (and size of poop) is so erratic. When i'm off, i can clean the reusables, but if Gene is alone, he can't be cleaning shorts with the little restless man. I have to say i feel quite guilty about this because of the un-environmentally friendly factor but i think it has to be done. im saying N-O to poo floaties at the pool!

Along the same vein, Max and Gene have been sleeping under the tree at the park this week. Yes, no typo. They eat lunch outside and spread the sheet, and sleep under a tree providing shade. Max's room absorbs all the heat and it's just not comfortable to be there during the day. I dont know if i would personally do this, but it's kind of cute and Max apparently sleeps for 2+ hours. Boys!

a rare selfie. Max and i were both wearing stripes and red pants!

 ***  Happy Mother's Day!  ***

im not going to lie, i can't do this full time and i dont love every.single.minute of it. damn it's hard work but man alive i love this little one of mine and i would do anything and everything for him. xoxoxo

52 Realizations of 2012 (baby related, naturally)

1. best year of my life (so far) 
2. having my family close by is an immeasurable gift
3. you will lose friends, gain plenty of new friends, and strengthen some of your existing friendships 
4. it's really helpful to have nurses and nurse mamma's within reach of a simple text or email
5. i despise sleepers with buttons and snaps
6. kitchen cornstarch works wonders to maintain skin integrity
7. the most economical places to buy Pampers are at Superstore and Walmart (16-18cents each)
8. all baby stuff is cute and appears necessary. consult blogs and reviews before buying (i used Amazon reviews a lot!)
9. videotape not just photograph your baby, there are just things that need to be captured in motion
10. change table covers just add to the laundry load. dont put a cover on it --> easier to clean and sanitize --> less laundry
11. baby finger nails grow really fast, theyre like talons. get a nail trimmer
12. if you have medium to long hair, a hair tie around your wrist is your new bling
13. have a velcro swaddler option. unless you absolutely know you're a pro-swaddler, in the dark while sleep deprived
14. plain warm water bath for babes is perfect
15. the more i read up online about baby behavior (ie. anything sleep related), the more confused i got about what to expect
16. grandma may be giving some unsolicited advice, but she only has the best intentions in mind
17. no parents have died from sleep deprivation. accept it, but also know it will get better
18. lanolin are your nipples' best friend 
19. always offer the breast  (i was exclusively breastfeeding)
20. i love midwife care, particularly post partum care
21. i cant live without a stroller or a baby carrier. invest in these products
22. you will fight with your husband
23. maternity leave goes by fast (even if Canadians have 50 weeks). it was the greatest test of my patience, but also the most rewarding time of my life
24. kids really get a kick out of kitchen utensils, pots and pans. fancy toys are not always necessary
25. if buying shoes, choose ones with the elastic element on the achilles part (think Robeez), there's no struggle to get them on their chubby feet 
26. when they say, 'it only takes a split second' this is absolutely TRUE. Don't leave your kids unattended
27. the toys (ie. remote) that you dont want to give the baby- they will constantly seek that object. but if you give them their own remote and do not inhibit them from playing with it, they could care less about it
28. finding your baby's tickle spots and hearing them laugh is the best all around sound
29. falling is part of learning, you can't baby proof the entire house
30. baby's relationship with dad is different than with you. dont get upset with dad if they're not doing something the way you do it
31. it is really hard to be a first time parent alone. if it seems like dad isnt doing much, see the bigger picture and picture life without ANY help (even a set of eyes so you can shower is a big deal)
32. baby wearing can instantly change a fussy baby's demeanour
33. i never knew i was so maternal until Max came along
34. you will develop arms of steel from carrying the baby around. who needs the gym?
35. you will become a multitasking pro with the use of one arm - baby on the left, cooking-putting on makeup- feeding the cat - tidying up the toys on the right
36. if you are like me and love predictability/order/schedules, you should accept that those rigid days are over! realize that life with baby will always be changing, embrace it
37. it is not easy to take contrived pictures of kids under 1 years old (re: Christmas card project). yet it looks so easy when pro-photographers do it!
38. buy or make your own baby book. i love looking back at pics and what i wrote when Max was ____ months old
39. strangers give up their seats on the bus when you're wearing a baby (surprisingly not always though when you are pregnant)
40. having a child is quite expensive! 
41. i avoid stores that play loud music (especially when baby is napping) and stores that make it impossible for strollers to move around freely. they have simply lost my business
42. the wheelchair accessibility in this city are limited and most of the time inconvenient (strollers essentially use the same path)
43. as a new mom, it is so important and valuable to have a support group of moms with kids of similar age (born same month) whether in real life or online
44. i loathe the Metrotown mall access from the sky trains! why do strollers and people with disabilities have to get wet and cross a busy intersection to access the mall?
45. i thought i was going to be a minimalist in the toy department, but no that didn't happen
46. i used to clean once a week, now it's about every 10-14 days or "whenever"
47. 'sleep training' is a sensitive topic in the parent world, it can stir up a lot of judgement. yet it is the most frequently asked topic
48. being a mom gives you bionic ears. I can hear  everything (i once was an amazing deep sleeper), things like ticking clocks, gurgling pipes, meowing cats, overly bright LED alarm clocks, creaking of the floors etc, wake me up or keep me up
49. i love it when Max gives me kisses without my asking. i think he loves me!
50. writing a blog helps vent some steam, spread the good word, and great for people interested in Max to see updates. one day Max can read this and look back!
51. we will do anything and everything for Max's happiness and well being
52. the mom and baby bond is so beautiful, it can't be put into words. unmatched, unconditional, unending. it's totally l-o-v-e

Happy

Happy Mother's day from our home to yours!

It was a great day on this side of the world!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom in green, circa 1989

Happy Mother's Day (May 8th) to all you mom's out there in the world!  I especially would like to honor my own mom who's done more than above and beyond to support and raise her family! 

It started from the times I can remember when my parents had/chose to leave the Philippines to give their kids a better life.  This, in new immigrant terms, means leaving your own family, belongings, comfort zones to move to a country you barely knew about, as God only knows there was no such thing as internet and yahoo forums in 1988!  Then, while in Canada, trying of course to cope with solely husband and kids in tow, trying to gain employment and create a meaningful life for yourself and your family with the bigger future picture in mind.  Throughout the years, and even now, my mom still works 8-4, and then comes home and makes dinner for dad and whomever else is living at their house.  To boot, she's already preparing foods and ideas for the next meal to come, all while trying to rest and get enough sleep to have it all happen the next day- and she is still HAPPY and LOVING it (and no doubt tired)!  Damn! I'm overwhelmed just typing this out!  LOL!  So many words can't describe what she does, but i'm glad and proud to say that she's my mom and she's not only the best Filipino cook in the world, she, in my opinion is the best mom in the world.

THANKS MOM FOR ALL THAT YOU DO and ALL THAT YOU PUT UP WITH!

XOXOXOXOXO