This Teenager Rocks

Son #1 graduated from grade school last April and turned 13 last May. It became official. We have a teenager in the house. Okay, I have heard (and read) stories about how challenging it is to raise a teenager so when son #1 became one, I felt I leveled up to another stage in Mommyhood.

This photo was taken during my son’s graduation. I was teary-eyed the entire time because memories of son #1’s babyhood kept flashing through my mind and I could not believe my little Miko is not-so-little anymore. *sob*



Fast forward one month, son #1 is now a freshman at a Science High School (Yah, my kids are smart. It runs in the genes. Haha!). The Dad drives him to and from school everyday while the Mom helps him with assignments every night. One team!

(Some of) Mommy's Favorite Things

Here goes another list from moi:

My HTC Desire HD - Got this last May 8, 2011 (Mom's Day). Hubby really loves me! I love this phone because it has a big screen, super clear resolution, perfectly sensitive touch-screen, and it gives me easy access to all the applications and sites I love (Facebook, Twitter, Friend Stream, Tumblr, Reader, and Period Tracker). Plus, it's not as expensive as the iPhone.

My Nokia E71 - My ever reliable Nokia phone is another gift from my Hubby (Christmas, about 5 yrs. ago). The phone is also wi-fi ready and the battery life is longer. When in a hurry to send an SMS or make a call, I reach for this phone. I also use this phone to access Sun Cellular's free Facebook access via 0.facebook.com.

My CDR-King Music Player - All my favorite tracks are in this slim and inexpensive gadget. =)

My Timex Marathon Watch - I got this on sale! For a very reasonable price, I have a sports watch I can wear during runs and dress-down days.

My white Parker pen - A Christmas gift from a good friend, this pen is always, always in my bag. I think my handwriting looks better when I use this pen. Hahaha!

And of course, this:

My Samsung ST30. I call this my "Mommy camera" because:

It's very affordable and friendly to the family budget.

It's so small (the size of an average mobile phone), I can easily bring it with me and take pictures of my boys anytime, anywhere! Its size also makes it the perfect camera to bring during fun runs.

It's sooo girly... it comes in hot pink and with a nice-looking pouch.

Oh, for the techies.. It's a 10-megapixel camera with a 28mm lens and a 3x power optical zoom. It also has this cool Digital Image Stabilization System which allows me to take clear pictures even during runs. It has other features but you just have to go google it because this Mommy is not as techie as you are. =)

Back to Blogging

After more than a year, I'm back. I don't know for how long, though.

2010 Updates

I finally found the time to write... leisurely, that is. January and February turned out to be busy months for me. =)

Anyway, I did some goal-checking and discovered that so far, I have done something about goals # 2, #5 and a little of #4 (flash sheepish smile).

Goal #2: Lose some more weight - Today, I signed up for a gym membership... determined (more than ever) to become a babe (again!) after the babies. Hehehe. I plan to hit the gym every morning before heading for work. I look forward to the amazing group exercises the gym has to offer. Finally, some "me" time. Felt like hitting two birds with one stone... I can work out and kinda have some dance classes (via dance workouts). Not bad!

Goal #5: Find a review program for my eldest to prepare him for high school entrance exams. - Yeah! I did a lot of research and found summer advancement programs for my two kids (Miko and Maki). Programs will start on April and will run for about three weeks. Miko's review program for high school entrance exams will start on June, though.

Goal #4: Come up with an efficient and disciplined savings plan by 1st quarter of the year. - I'm getting there. I already figured out how to do it... now all I need is to have the right discipline to stick to it. Sometimes, vacations and dine out are simply too irresistible especially when you know it will make Hubby and the kids happy. :)

So I guess, this isn't a bad start for me. :)

I continue to keep my finger crossed and hope that 2010 will be a better year for me and my family.

Goals for 2010

I'm crazy over planners and I use at least 2 every year... 1 for the office (a Petron planner courtesy of my brother) and 1 for my personal stuff (a Starbucks planner courtesy of my addiction to their chocolate cream frap). This year, I also got a Cosmopolitan date book for my "kikay" stuff. Hehehe! Anyway, I browsed through my Cosmo date book and the first tip was to set goals for the year ahead. So here goes...

1) Hold a garage sale during the summer break to get rid of things we no longer use but are still in good condition. I figured this will be a good chance to give the Kuyas their first ever "summer job." Hahaha!

2) Lose some more weight. Period.

3) Potty train my baby. He is turning 2 on Sept 2, 2010.

4) Come up with an efficient and disciplined savings plan by 1st quarter of the year so we can end 2010 with a well-funded / well-established savings account. No explanation needed. We all know we need to save!

5) Find a good review program for my eldest to prepare him for high school entrance exams.

6) A home makeover! The boys' room should look better by 2nd quarter of the year.

7) A vacation for the family. Hubby loves going out-of-town and I know the kids will be equally delighted!

Okay, I guess that's doable. Ü

Like Father, Like Son 2

I think this will eventually become a photo series. :)

The Year That Was

Here's a quick look at the events and people that shaped my family's 2009:

• I got a little teary-eyed on New Year's Day (Jan. 1, 2009) as I reminisced how happy Hubby and I were when the home pregnancy test showed two lines (positive) exactly a year before (Jan. 1, 2008) and how thankful we were that everything went well for me and our baby who was almost four months old then. We were reminded that God listens and He knows what is best for all of us.


• I met Jen (of Latch) who helped me survive difficult phases of my mission to breastfeed my baby for at least a year. Thank you, Jen, for all the support you have given me. Truly, breastfeeding is a wonderful experience. Our family continues to enjoy the benefits and rewards of breastfeeding up to now and the decision to breastfeed is something I will never regret. I continue to pray that more mothers will choose to breastfeed.


• Our trip to Roxas City during the 2nd quarter of the year brought the family closer and gave Hubby and I our much-needed break. It also felt nice to go back to my hometown and reunite with relatives and old friends.


• The family enjoyed 3 getaways last 2009: Roxas City trip last April-May, EK and overnight in Laguna last June, and 3-day stay at King's Royal Hotel (Pampanga) last August.


• Our baby turned 1 last September 2, 2009. Although the celebration was simple, he enjoyed the company of people closest to him... Mommy, Daddy, Kuyas, Mamu, Dadu, cousins, Tito Ninong, Titos and Titas, and his Ate Ging.
  
• My long overdue project of setting up a blog for me and my family was finally taken out of my "to do list!" Hello, Mommyholic and A Peek Inside Our Box! :)


• Mako also attended his first Halloween party in Mommy's office and got a special award. He came as a baby bat. Hehehe.


• Kuya Maki received his First Communion last December 8, 2009...another reminder for Daddy and Mommy that the kids are growing up fast.


• A big family secret was revealed by Daddy and Mommy to the Kuyas last Christmas. Clue: They officially became newly-appointed Santa helpers. Hehehe!
  

2009 was a great year for the family. Our home continues to overflow with love, warmth and happiness. Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings and for keeping our family together. Please continue to watch over us and our loved ones. You know what is best for all of us...