Parts of a Plant

Every weekend, I usually allot time to help my little boy with his assignments. We also do a review of the lessons they had during the week. Last Sunday, ganito ang eksena.

Me: Mako, magreview na tayo. Parts of a plant muna.
Mako: Mommy, 'yung fruits, flowers, leaves, stem and roots? Sige.

>> Hala! Inenumerate?! May rereviewhin pa ba kami?!

Birthday Greetings

Let me tell you a secret. I am very easy to please. I am a very appreciative person that’s why I can be happy and thankful at even the littlest of things other people do for me. Yesterday, I was very happy to see that a lot of my friends took the time to post birthday greetings on my Facebook wall.

Simpleng birthday greetings pa lang ‘yun ha. Imagine how I felt when I saw hubby’s birthday message for me:

I was teary-eyed because I was so touched. I felt very loved and appreciated. Thank you, hubby. Sabi ko nga sa reply ko, “I was born for you. I love you, baby. I always will. I look forward to many more birthdays to spend with you and our kids.”

Before You Officially Become A Pre-schooler

My Dearest Mako,

How time flies! Parang kelan lang, I was still breastfeeding you. It seems like yesterday when I would pump every three hours or so at the office so I can bring home breastmilk for you. It seems like yesterday when Daddy and I would teach you basic things like close-open and where's the light. Parang kelan lang, anak, beybing-baby ka pa. 

Now, look at you. You're Mommy's little boy now. Tomorrow, you will take your entrance exam. This June, you will start pre-school. Ambilis, anak. Mommy has mixed emotions.

I am a little sad because you are growing up really fast. Baka hindi ko mamalayan, may girlfriend ka na. Haha. OA si Mommy. But seriously, when I look at you and your Kuyas, I can't help but wish that somehow, Daddy and I have provided well for you... given you a comfortable life and happy childhood. Daddy and I love you and your kuyas very much and we will do our best to give you a bright future.

I am also excited because you will be starting a new phase in your life. I know you are very smart like your kuyas. I know you will also do well in school. I also look forward to seeing you meet new friends in school. Don't worry, anak, Daddy and Mommy will always be here for you. Tingin ka lang sa likod, nandyan kami ni Daddy... always supporting you and ready to help you.

Pero bago 'yan, galingan mo muna sa entrance exam bukas ha? Haha! 'Wag mahiya at matakot. I know the exam will be very easy for you because Mommy already taught you things hanggang pang-Preparatory level. Hahaha. Ang pinakabalakid na lang natin ay ang pagiging sobrang mahiyain mo. But I know that eventually you'll warm up and enjoy going to school and being with your teachers and classmates.


I love you, my dearest Mako. I love you very, very much.

Mommy

Secrets of A Working Mom

I am a working mom. I have three boys aged thirteen (13), eleven (11) and three (3). I am a wife. I have a household to manage. I also work as a senior research analyst during the day. I love my job. I love my family. How do I keep up with all the things that I have to do? Here's a list of the things I usually do to keep my sanity and make sure that everything goes well at work and at home.

(1) Identify major things that need to be accomplished for the month. I have a calendar where I write all the birthdays, important school and office events, and due dates of bills that need to be paid for the month. This helps me a lot in time management and budgeting as well as in planning activities/vacations/trips for the family.

(2) Apart from the monthly calendar, I also make a daily list of the things that I need to do for the day.

(3) I have accepted the fact that I cannot do everything alone. Because of this, I have learned to identify which tasks I can delegate to other members of the family (including our household helper) and which ones I have to attend to personally.

(4) I report for work early and usually leave the office on time. Yes, I leave the office on time but I work really hard during the hours that I am at the office. The result? I never miss deadlines but I get to have dinner with my boys.

(5) Weekends are for my family. Para kaming value meal kapag weekends. Inseparable, they say.

(6) I try to plan for at least two family getaways/vacations/trips in a year. Hubby and I believe in making memories and these trips have always brought the family closer.

(7) Hubby and I make sure we have time to be "hubby and wife" naman. We go out on dates every chance we get. Plus, we both love running so we join running events almost every week.

(8) I attend PTCs to keep myself updated of my sons' performance and behavior in school. I also give my contact numbers to the teachers and tell them that I would appreciate getting feedback (whether positive or negative) about my children.

(9) I try to find time to do the things I love to do like blogging and keeping in touch with my friends via Facebook.

(10) Even though I am a planner by nature, I save some room for spontaneity. This keeps the fun and excitement in the family.

There. I hope that this will, somehow, help other working moms. Marami mang kailangang gawin, kaya natin 'to! We're too blessed to be stressed! :)

Brick Game

Remember when I told you about how Mako cried because he wanted us to get him an iPad?

I tried to console him by offering other toys including this:

(Hubby and I bought this for only P65. We thought the Kuyas would like it because they are so crazy over Facebook's Tetris. Pero fail. When we showed this to them, they were not interested. Hindi daw colored?! Kaloka.)

For a moment he stopped crying to look at the new toy. Unfortunately, when I turned it on the sound was too loud so Mako started crying again and said,"No, Mommy. Noooo! Ayaw ko nyan. 'Di 'yan iPad! Ingay 'yan, Mommy. Ingay!"

Kaloka! Anak, noong panahon ni Mommy, astig ka kapag may ganyan ka. 9999 in 1 pa 'yan o! :)

Anyway, Hubby and I explained to the little guy that we cannot afford to buy an iPad at the moment. Our little darling stopped crying and was back to his usual cheerful self after we told him that, for that evening, he gets to choose what to watch on TV (read as: Disney Junior's Timmy Time, Word World, Jungle Junction and Little Einsteins).

PS: Pero hindi naman sayang ang bili namin dyan sa Brick Game. Meron namang natuwa... si Yaya. Aba, aba. Pangarap pala ni Yaya ang magkaroon ng Brick Game. Ayan natupad na. Hahaha! :)

How Are You?

Hubby and I usually spend time with our bunso before going to bed. Mako knows that time with Daddy is play time. Time with Mommy, on the other hand, is usually study time.

Last night, we did a quick review of previous lessons.

Me: 'Ko, what's your name?
Mako: My name is Akel Ayus Vivas (Michael Ramius Vivas)!
Me: How old are you?
Mako: Twee (3)!
Me: How are you?

I expected him to answer, "I'm fine. Thank you." This is what Hubby and I taught him. Instead, our little darling answered, "I'm fine. Love you!"

My heart melted. My son is the sweetest... and I am the luckiest. the happiest. the proudest.

Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful gift of motherhood.

Ofc na. Lab u.

"Ofc. na. Lab u."

Every weekday morning, I wait for this text from my Hubby (of course!). The message may be short and simple but to a wife and a mommy like me, this means her hubby was able to drop off the Kuya safely to school and arrived for work safe and sound as well. I say a quick prayer of thanks to Him who watches over me and my family.

So this morning, the most-awaited text came and now I can start working on my deliverables for the day with a happy heart knowing that my loved ones are safe. :)

Manic Mondays

Every Monday morning, as I drag myself out of bed at 4:15am, I always ask myself, "Where did the weekend go?" Then I start telling myself to get more hours of sleep during weekends so that waking up on Monday mornings won't be as hard. I go over these thoughts some more while in the shower.

5:15am - I prepare baons for the Kuyas and me. All three of us bring packed lunch and snacks because (1) there have been a lot of reports about food poisoning from cafeteria food, (2) the kids have super quick recess and lunch breaks making it more practical to bring their own food than waste time in the canteen line, and (3) it's budget-friendly. Son #1 and I also bring packed breakfast. He eats his breakfast while in the car on his way to school while I eat mine in the office. We prefer this over waking up super early (as if 4:15am is not super early) just to squeeze in breakfast.

5:30am - After making last minute bilins to our helper, we leave home. Son #1's classes and Daddy's office hours start at 7am.

6:00am - I clock in for work... 3 hours early. I don't mind. I have time to eat my breakfast, have coffee, do some reading (of blogs and news), and even write entries for my blog (Mommyholic and Our Little Family ). During days of heavy workload, I also get to have more time to work on my reports.

9am to 6pm - Work. Work. Work. 'Nuff said.

6pm - I leave the office. Everyday, I make sure I am done with my deliverables for the day before 6pm because I go home with Daddy and Son #1. We make quick trips to the supermarket if there are things that the Kuyas need to bring to school the next day or if Daddy wants to buy dessert for the family. Otherwise, we head straight home.

6:45pm - Home sweet home. Daddy usually plays with our 2-year old son # 3 while I check the Kuya's assignment notebooks.

7-7:30pm - Dinner time

7:30-8pm - I ask our helper how son # 3's day went (i.e., check if he was given his vitamins, what he ate, and how long his naps were today). I also give my little boy a quick bath. He sleeps better when clean and fresh. We all do, I guess!

8pm-9:30pm - Web time for me. I check my blogs and facebook account, help the Kuyas with their research works, and look for good running events to join. I stay up a little later if need be. Otherwise, I make sure I am done by 9:30pm so I can still have 7 hours of sleep.

9:30pm - I say my prayers (thank God because I have my Hubby and kids, ask Him to continue to watch over my loved ones, say sorry if I have been maldita today, etc), give quick kisses to my hubby and kids, and then sleep.

This is how I usually spend my Mondays. How about you? Do share! =)

Bakunado sa Flu!

Ako na ang nanay na praning! When it comes to my boys, I don't take chances. I go for anything and everything that will keep them healthy and boost their immune system. And so, I constantly check if they regularly take their vitamins and make sure they get all the vaccines that they need.

My boys' baby books are kept in one file envelope and I'm proud to say that they have completed all their vaccines, including those that other moms decide to skip such as the vaccine for chicken pox and flu.

Yes, my boys get their flu vaccines every year. The Kuyas usually get vaccinated around May as part of our back-to-school preparations but we had to adjust it to June or July so we can avail of the flu vaccination program being offered by the company I work for. The program started about 3 years ago and we have been looking forward to it every year because it meant more affordable flu shots for me and my boys.

This year, the flu vaccination activity was conducted last June 25 (Saturday). By 9am, all 19 of us (me, hubby, our boys, our yaya, and my in-laws) went to my office to get vaccinated. Overall, we found the event to be well-organized. Everything went smoothly and in less than one hour, all 19 of us were bakunado sa flu!

Here's a picture of son #3 and his pout after the shot. =)



It has become our practice to have a family lunch after the flu vaccination. We rarely have the chance to do this... have lunch outside, all 22 of us. Here's a photo of my hubby, my boys, and my in-laws. Lunch was at Chowking because Hubby's mom wanted to try the Chinese-style chicken. His mom takes care of all of us so anything she says gets a yes from all of us. =)

When I Became a Mom

When I became a Mom…

1. I forgot what sleeping through the night meant as I had to wake up every three hours or so to feed the baby.
2. I stopped needing an alarm clock to make sure I didn’t oversleep in the morning. My baby’s cry was more than enough to jumpstart my day.
3. I began to wonder where my waistline went. It left without saying goodbye.
4. I recorded everything that went in and out of my baby’s system (read as how many ounces of milk he consumed and how frequent he pooped) just to make sure everything was okay. I never did that for myself.
5. My sense of hearing became my superpower. I hear every sound my baby makes, even if I am in the other room.
6. I began frowning upon forms that asked me to indicate my weight.
7. Social life meant email and sms exchanges as well as phone conversations with friends.
8. I became a worrywart.
9. To assess whether an item is expensive or reasonable, I began converting it in terms of diaper and milk denomination.
10. I stopped wearing white.

Yes, things have changed since the babies came but to all three of them I say, these little sacrifices are nothing compared to the joy that they have given me.

To my Miko, Maki and Mako…

1. I don’t mind waking up every three hours or so to feed you because it is during those quiet times when our bond as mother and child becomes stronger. The unique gift of being able to provide your nourishment makes me feel significant in this world.
2. Every morning, I am reminded of how blessed I am because of the gift of “you.” I learned how to give unconditional love because you have given me the same.
3. I realized how much I have changed. Beyond the physical changes, you brought direction to my life, made me stronger and more responsible. You also brought me closer to God.
4. I realized that the seed of selflessness is one characteristic that is present in everyone and becoming a mother (a parent, for that matter) awakens that part of us.
5. Neither space nor distance can weaken that special connection we have, having been inside of me for quite some time.
6. Weight has become only a number… one which (I admit) I still try to reduce but if given the chance to choose, I would still choose to have you even it meant a heavier, rounder me.
7. I am happiest when I am with you and so I look forward to spending every minute of my life with you.
8. I love you and want all that is best for you… and so I want to be there to personally attend to your every need. Yes, honey, Mommy will always be here for you.
9. I hope to be able to provide your every need as well and give you a comfortable life… because you deserve only the best.
10. Playtime is funtime for Mommy, too. I want you to have happy childhood memories to bring with you when you grow up. I will also cherish them and reminisce every now and then when I am already old.

So see, I have no regret at all that I had you. You are God’s greatest gift to me and every night, as I watch you sleep, I will always be thankful for the wonderful experience of being a Mom. I love you with all my heart.

Family Matters

Every morning, as I see my kids prepare for school, I pray that they be kept safe and the world be nice to them. However, I know that there will always be good and bad days for everyone and as much as I would like to shield my children from the not-so-good days, I know that I can't and that they have to go through their own share of problems to build character. For this, I pray harder that Hubby and I have equipped them with the right values to help them survive difficulties that may come their way.

Responsibility and discipline are two things that I, as a mom, would like my kids to have. Knowing that I cannot always be there to check on them, I try to teach them the value of being responsible and disciplined. For us, being responsible means knowing your share and doing it to help achieve a common goal. Discipline for us means being able to distinguish the right from wrong and always choosing to do what is right. It also means knowing that there is time for everything.

And so, in our effort to teach them about responsibility and discipline, family meetings are conducted once in a while after dinner, before we all go to bed. Hubby and I try to make them understand that the family is a team and that each of us can do our share towards keeping the family happy and strong. With this, we try to let the kids think about what they can do for the family. Surprisingly, the kids were very eager to list down the things they can and are willing to do for the family. I think this is a good exercise because it makes them feel that we (Hubby and I) trust them and respect their ideas.

I am happy to share with you some guidelines in the family (proposed and approved by all of us, including the kids). Of course, what works for us may not work for every family so you can always customize as you see fit.

1. The truth will always set you free. Little by little, the kids have learned that being honest and open to Mom and Dad is the better choice especially when they have done something wrong like failing to submit a homework or school project. We will always appreciate honesty and we think that to be brave and honest in admitting you have done something wrong is a good sign that you realized what you have done and that you have learned from it. Hubby and I also try to understand what may have caused the behavior so we can talk to them about what they can do should they find themselves in the same situation again in the future.

2. While Mom and Dad work hard to earn a living, the kids study hard to maintain good grades in school. This is their responsibility not only to the family but, more importantly, to themselves. Hubby and I always remind them that the long hours of studying is a process that will build character and discipline and that the fruits they will reap from studying is endless.

3. Hubby and I believe that learning does not only take place within the confines of the classroom so we encourage the kids to pursue other interests be it sports, dancing, etc. We agree that these will help them grow to be well-rounded individuals. These activities also teach them time management as they have to learn how to strike a balance between extracurricular activities and academics.

4. Think "abundance." There is always room for everybody. There will always be enough for everyone. The value of "sharing" and being happy for other people's achievements are some things we also try to instill to the kids.

I must admit that everything is still a work in progress. The Kuyas, from time to time, will go off track but they are still kids and learning is a continuous process not only for them but also for Hubby and me. Bottomline is, we will learn together and will always be there for each other.