Fave Photos of the Week: Motherhood

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Jolo is in High School Now

How time flies! Now Jolo is in High School, all grown-up and getting more “independent”… I’m having a mixed feeling of being proud and forlorn…Medyo nag-eemo ba. Haaaay, I still remember his first weeks in pre-school, when he didn’t want to be left behind (imagine how he cried hard!)… but now he even asked us not to take him to school anymore. I remember how he was adamant not to have a “cut” (tule baga) forever… but last summer, he practically prepared himself for it. I remember how I have to wait outside an open CR door while he is doing his pupu…. e ngayun, he keeps me out of his room while he’s changing. And how he clings to his old grumpy pillow since he was 4… but now he can sleep all by himself…. How can I forget every night since his year 2 to year 10 that i have to “hilot-paa” (massage) for him to get to sleep (nagpangakuan pa kami tigil na kami pag 8 na siya… but it lasted till his 10th year)…. and now i have to “bribe” him in order for him to sleep beside me…. haaaay… am I just getting old to feel this? Feeling grumpy again! Well, we are getting old,,, and so does the kids…

So much for that “emoting” …. Ang gusto ko iwento ay about our “quest” of choosing his High School…

He is now HS in Barcelona Academy, a new school run by veteran educators and preacher. I have a quite long list of schools to choose from and I actually had a hard time deciding. Jolo and I actually spent a pizza-moment one time to weigh the schools of our choice. BSU is on top of our list, but for some reason (probably a good sign), he was short-listed. It is quite far, and very tiring for Jolo to go to and from. We also have St. Mary’s and MC in our list. We almost enrolled in St. Michael. Barcelona Academy is in our list, but it is its first year to operate, so i have my hesitation.

Finally, while I was about to decide, I came across Bro Bo Sanchez blog, and he featured Barcelona Academy, telling the story actually of the humble beginning of its owner (wife) and the faith and mission of the husband… and it awed me… I texted the number with few questions and Ms. Tess Barcelona personally called me. I met the couple later and has finally decided that this might be the school that will help my son form his adolescent years….

As I look at Jolo, I know I am proud of him… (pero emote pa rin) and i trust him that he can handle what life will have to offer him… of course with our guidance… and faith and perseverance…

(101 note: #11 is now slashed-off)

Aliya’s antics

Today, I am amazed how Aliya have grown! She can now totally comprehend and can understand simple instructions and can now command attention!

Her few gimik and antics are:
she picks up bag and says bye-bye and go to the door…
then come back to have everyone kiss her
she doesn’t know (or don’ want) to kiss, but she want to be kissed a lot
she loves to play mommy to her doll
she loves water and swimming
she loves microphone… she sings (or hum, actually) and pretend to sing
she keeps on saying,….love… love… while hugging
she calls on us to sit when she’s now on her high chair to eat
she can now eat by herself
she dance when she see somebody dance on the TV (we danced a lot yesterday)
she wants to pick-up the phone and “calls” Mama and Daddy
she once asked to be seated on the “throne” when she said wii-wii.
she can count, her favorite number is seven
she do “abs-rocket” hahaha

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Moments in Peace

I wished the time stood still….
Me cradling, cuddling my baby girl Aliya in my arms
while still in bed early this morning…(February 19, 2010, 6:15am)
Both of us are awake and making only rocking movements…
Mom and child humming some unrecognizable tune…
Perfect fit…. she’s as is if so fit in my embrace…
No matter how small she is (or big she will be…)
She will be fit in my hug…
What a perfect moment…
Hope we could be in that position for long,
She, not making fuss, or getting bored, just giggling…
Me, so oblivious of time and demands of the day…
Just like that… so peaceful… so rewarding… so blissful.
Stop!

Goal #5: Lesson Plan for Kids

My goal is to have conscious effort to teach kids about life’s lessons. Teaching them, among others, Religion, Generosity, Finance, History, Art, Right Manners and Having Dreams….. I really made it sure to have moments with my two boys talking and making stories. Time is short and I believe that most of the lessons we’ve learned were gained while we were still kids….
For this goal, I will consider this complete if I have taught them (or at least, talked to them about) 101 things related to above areas in life and many more. So here is the partial list:

1. Recite “Ama Namin” (“Our Father” in Tagalog) – (Lean already knew the English version since he was 3)
2. Story of the Fisherman’s Wife who was never satisfied, a lesson about greed (Lean)
3. Playing fair and square (while we were playing chess) (Lean)
4. About winning/losing without cheating (while playing Snakes and Ladder) (Lean)
5. Reading aloud a book about “Beliefs” (Lean was having fun counting the word “beliefs” I mentioned)
6. About habit formation at around adolescent years (Jolo)
7. Taught Jolo to save money for something he really wants to buy.
8. About being generous (Lean brought a spare Lego for his friend Aaron)
9. Talking about the course they want to take in college (it doesn’t matter even if they change mind every now and then)
10. Doing the best he can in every project he handles (Jolo)
11. About working hard, and about sowing and reaping (as Lean play the “Farmer” online game)
12. Rewards and consequences in attaining goals
13. Helps Jolo form his habit to clean his face every night, among others.
14. Helps Lean form his “4-things to do” habits every night. (Toothbrush, take a pee, clean his feet, pray)
15. Washing dishes every weekend (Jolo)
(see as the list grow at “Lesson Plan for Kids” at “My Life’s List” widget)

For our future curriculum, we will include:
a. Jolo’s lessons in Civics and history (2 facts everyday)
b. Art attack with Lean
c. Generosity-in-Action, when they accompany me in distributing toys for less-fortunate kids this Xmas
d. More practice on Po and Opo
e. Read World History to Lean (his favorite)
f. loving siblings
g. open bank account in their name
h. about being a friend
i. buying and using money (Lean)
more…….
(see as the list grow at “Lesson Plan for Kids” at “My Life’s List” widget)

My Boy!

I am amazed (and a bit saddened) by sudden changes happening with my boy Jolo. He is not quite a boy now… and he’s not quite a teen yet! He is 11 and as if suddenly the transformation seemed “overnight.” Physically, he grown fast (he is almost my height), his voice became husky, his face is more “serious” and he now chooses teen’s apparel and stuff. His demeanor became more subdued (no longer the wacky guy who goofs around). It’s not that I really mind, it’s just that I’m not yet prepared….
But, what preparations do parents need really? I don’t know! But well, I know we have “experienced” his boyhood and growing up, without moments spared, so I think I have to embrace now this new phase in his life with same glee and amazement!

Jolo Before (one-and-a-half years ago), wacky, playful, rough and sweet!

My litte boy, Jolo! (just a year ago), witty, charming, full of delight, curiousity and awe!

My BOy! (just early this year), thoughtful, creative, still awes at nature, funny and adventurous!

Jolo, “raw and unwashed” (recently), subdued, camera-shy, mindful, artistic and still my boy!

Somebody’s Hero @ YouTube

see this link for the music video of Somebody’s Hero by Jamie O’Niel…. (the first ever video clip I made using the Movie Maker)

Somebody’s Hero

Picture Moment#11: My Pinggz!

see how Lean grows through the years. He is so cute and sweet. and until now he remains as sweet as ever! He is a very thoughtful boy. I love him to bits that sometimes I treat him still like a toddler (and he still acts one sometimes)….
Love You Lean!

cute lean @ 2

cute lean @ 3

1st day @ school, 4

lean at HK Disneyland @4

lean @ malaysia, 5

lean @ bora, 6

Happy Birthday Mama Abe!

happy birthday to my Mama Abe… My one-of-a-kind-mom…
as a tribute, i will try to define “mothership”
DEFINE Mother : someone we sometimes cannot tolerate and yet we cannot live without; someone who complains of being under-appreciated, and yet still puts a lot of love, contributions and efforts; someone who understands even when not told! someone who loves unconditionally because it’s inherent! Because Mothers are Mothers! Our driving force, our inspiration, our model, our strength!
SYNONYMS: mother, mommy, mom, inay, nanay, inang, great woman, supergirl


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Picture Moment #9: Aliya… One…

hello

bday party

aliya one

my aliya, age:one, future artist (or accountant or architect… all up to her). our aliya, our princess, our blessing, our precious gem!
We thought we will never got a chance to have you! It’s been seven years since your Kuya Lean. We almost thought we stopped there! But there is really a longing for a baby girl like you! The moment we knew you were coming, we were so excited! Nothing can compare the rewarding feeling! We love you and we hope we could be good parents to you!

Pic Moment # 7: Jolo & Lean, Circa 2004

jolo & lean 2004

lean & jolo 2004

lean & jolo 2004

here are 2 of my favorite pictures of jolo and lean, i think this was taken way back 2004…. they are a cute couple…. so loving, sweet and innocent!

I Should Do This More Often

entries for june 28 (sunday)
Spent time with mama, daddy, cousins, tita and sis-in-laws. we went to Indang to visit ate Aleli. I must do bonding with my family more often!
good time with daddy watching video of…. (secret…)
nice time watching US video of Kuya Lito and family! I miss you Kuya!)
nice place – tagaytay – im planning to be back for a “date”
rocking chair for daddy! (father’s day gift!)
silent mode with papi short-tempered mommy (sungit!)
sorry aliya, for getting too tired getting you to sleep (i was cradling/dancing you for 3 hours!)
sorry lean, for waiting (and fell asleep) for our board game!
sorry jolo, ikaw nasungitan ko!

entries for June 27 (saturday)
I was taken to office by papi
pares moment with Ann and Soc (going home to bulacan)
nice time talking to mama, daddy and kuya willy that night
laugh time with papi and jolo (Tv show: Howie do it)

Picture Moment #6: My Life, My Love

The 3 lovely, beautiful creatures I know and I love! They are my whole life and the reason for my being!

Picture Story #4: My Jolo

see how the time flies….
We sent our Jolo and Lean to school today (their 1st day), and I was so excited (bakit para ako lang?)
I remembered sending Jolo to his Prep school 7 years ago and he cried! as in howling! But now, when we peeked at his classroom, his face registered “why are you here?” making slight gesture of his head for us “to go away”…. We want to tease him, make him agonize (just for the fun of it…) but suddenly I realized, my boy is no longer a boy (whhhaa). he wants his space, he wants to show that he is no longer a “mommy’s boy”….
sooo disheartening…. is it just because of his change? or is it just me getting “old” (and realizing it)?
or am I still clinging to his innocence…. haaaayyy….. wag muna…..

:) what a day

hired 5 new staff (making this day their unforgettable day, with me in it…)
free lunch just because i was invited to say a view in a project for just few minutes
had a dream about me riding in lrt train that went down to the river (near carriedo), i was so afraid of drowning. hours later, there was a true train crash at washington dc US ….
still working on the explanation letter (and my irritation is coming out)
starbucks with ruel and elvie, talking about how we go about the letter
still lots of unfinished reports
was able to reconcile my bank accounts (been delaying this for 2 weeks now)
gift of nice white dress for aliya from ninong ruel
nice ride with papi, good conversation
caught a big spider (everybody in the house is afraid of it)… Now, I have a “power” in my hand (hahaha!)
read a story to Lean about the “boy who fell asleep while waiting for his mom to read him a story…” hehehe
no art project yet (i fell asleep)

Good Times, Kind Deeds & Demented Moments

I will start keeping score of everyday’s good times, kind deeds and demented moments… I used to do this in a diary, but now that I have a blog, i will commit it here…
So, why? to make me aware how good life is, and how kind we can be if we will just make extra effort, or what good deeds people do to us and also to acknowledge what life teaches us during bad times and unexpected turns of events.
Life is so sweet, we should not take it for granted.
We are a better person than we thought.

So, for a start:
able to finish 2 audit reports and 1 policy proposal
a staff said to me “thank you for believing in me!” (abigail)
car pool with Ann (i saved on gas and have a nice chat with family)
new XOXO wallet from kuya (US)
cant bear the kakulitan of pipol in other bldg!
we are asked to explain (in writing) by the boss about a delayed project
i’m thinking of joining “biggest loser” (in weight) contest…
my favorite longganisa putok (i think i made up the name)
sungit to a staff
im still affected by the chicka going around the office
boardgame with lean (and the lesson about winning. losing and cheating)
bought new clips and comb for aliya
good time with papi..

leandro wants to go to london

my 7-year old wants to go to london with her lola baby (now on vacation at Philippines with Tito Maurice), he sweetly asks for permission and promised that he will speak many, many, many english. He just want to see the big clock (big ben?), he will stay just for a week, he said! He has already a passport, he said, so he asked me to say yes!
i hope its that simple. I want to go to london, too, and see all those amazing places!
That makes me set our goal to have our vacation at London in 2013. By that time, Aliya will be 5! Lean will be 11 and Jolo will be 15! Well, why not!
See you Nay in 4 years!

My Aliya

my alich

my most rewarding moment is when I have my baby sleeping on my chest. as if hearing my heartbeat. peaceful. trusting.  calm. just sooo loving.  I know I live for this moment.  I wish the time stops at such moment! as if nothing else matters! haaaayyy!