Half Point

It’s been nineteen days since my last post. It’s been crazy busy in the last few weeks, with small minor details consuming our days. It’s not very often when we get ‘down time’. There’s always plenty to do. Aside from mommy duties, there are a ton of stay-at-home mom stuff that needs tending to.

The last three weeks, seemed to have been a little easier with going out. Exactly three weeks ago, I got my license to legally drive. It’s been great to to just go when you have to. I’ve taken Apollo on ‘mommy and kuya’ dates, frozen yogurt treats with Arty, and small ventures to the grocery and Starbucks for some ‘me-time’.

Apollo was to spend two weeks at his grandparents in Toronto, but half-way through his mini-vacation away from home, he missed us and wanted to come home. We drove to Toronto, two consecutive weekends in a row. Dropping him off, and then picking him up. He, of course, changed his mind, the minute we arrived. Bribed with the thoughts of camping in the backyard with Papa, and other small adventures with the person he admires most, Papa. We didn’t end up letting him stay, because missing him was just too much. So now, the house is filled with noise, running around, and constant ‘mommy can I play on the Wii-u”, “watch YouTube”, “play NHL on the PS4”, and so on. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The girls and I have been sick this week. In the middle of summer, it’s always fun to be sick…said nobody! Perhaps, we’re all just a little tired and then some.

Does anybody know what happened to summer? It’s already half way done. It seems like it was just last week, when Apollo finished Grade 1, and we’re excited about the summer at home. Now, it’s half way over and we’re thinking about school shopping for Grade 2. On that same note; Apollo is going to Grade 2. Whoa. Where did the time go? I can’t believe he’s going into Grade 2. It’s all too fast.

Two months from now it’s Halloween, and it’ll be Cassi’s first Halloween. Then two months after that, it’s Christmas. I’m not mad though. Christmas is the most exciting time of the year in my household. We absolutely love Christmas. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m the one who gets everyone riled up about it. But hey, I can’t wait. It’s definitely exciting to decorate and have the kids celebrate this wonderful time. It puts an emphasis on Family, not that it’s not emphasized enough throughout the year. But it makes it a must! I can’t wait!

I realize this post barely has anything for you to ponder about. But then again, I said I would only share what I had in mind.

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday…wait, it’s Wednesday!

Just a rant of updates for you.

 

xo, MM

 

Am I doing this right?

In the chaos of motherhood, you rarely get to sit alone, to ponder about whether or not you’re doing this ‘job’ right. There have been so many moments in motherhood where I question my parenting methods. Am I too strict? Am I allowing my children to learn on their own with my guidance? Am I dictating, rather than helping them grow through their own experiences? 

My children: Apollo, 7 / Artemis, 17 mos / Cassiopeia, 3 mos.

The gap between Apollo and Artemis are quite big. Big in terms of the type of experiences they’re going through. Apollo is in grade 1. His experiences are mostly brought on from his social relationships. Being able to be out there to meet other people, whether it be just his teachers, friends and peers at school, he’s got an idea from the kind of experiences he has throughout the day. I struggle with trying to understand his thought process these days. He’s appeared to be mischievous in the choices he makes while he’s out of the house. While they are mostly petty incidents, it feels like the pressure we receive from school to constantly correct his behaviour, has effected my parenting. While I believe that others’ perception of him doesn’t matter, because we know our child best, a part of me believes that these small, petty, incidents is not something to be ignored. Perhaps I come off as an authoritative mother and not very understanding of what he’s going through, but is this not all a phase between ‘parent and child’ in these stages?

Right now, he tests’ his limits, pushes all the right emotional buttons to get you all wild up. His vocabulary has expanded to, “what the heck”, “stupid”, “idiot”. I’m sure you’re thinking, what are we teaching him? But let me tell you…These words, he would never assume is okay in the house, but would freely flaunt while he’s at school, because it’s words he consistently hears out in the playground with his, i’m-grown-enough-to-be-saying-this, crowd. I can’t really control the things he hears. I can’t constantly keep him out of his interests like, “Roblox”, video games, etc., just to shield him from retaining negative behaviour and unlikable speeches. You say, I should just let him learn to understand between wrong and right and make the right calls, right? Well that’s the issue, between the kind-hearted child, and fun personality that he has, he’s become oblivious to the social standards. I guess that’s not really so bad right? Well…I’m at my wits, trying to figure out how to be his mom, his friend, his confidant, and his teacher.

That’s part 1 or Am I doing this right.

Artemis is quite a funny character. She is fun, loving, thoughtful, sweet, but also an agent provocateur. Slowly she’s learning that her actions can extend to hulk-smashing, kicking is hilarious, and holding her breath till the vein on the side of her head protrudes. Creating a balance of understanding her emotions, and allowing her to let out her inner crazyness in accepting that it helps her emotional development, has me torn between whether or not I should instill the same parenting method that I use with Apollo. She’s 17 mos, what does she really understand at this point? Well she’s quite a smarty pants, not only because she’s my child and every mom is entitled to saying they’ve got unbelievably, intelligent children. But really..she’s pretty competent at 17 mos.

Aside from Apollo and Artemis being two different sexes, they are also two different ages, and personality. I feel like parenting should cater to their characters, rather than one kind of parenting that suits my likeness and convenience. With that said, again, i’m wondering, Am I doing this right?

Some tuesday blues for ya?

 

…I should finish my coffee that I made 2 hours ago.

 

“Motherhood is difficult…and rewarding”

I’m out,
MM

More to Mommying

Sometimes I feel bad for wanting more than just being a mommy. Those times when I worked full-time while aK was growing up, I missed some days with him. While I took care of other people’s children and taught them things, I sacrificed my time with my child who I could have been giving all my knowledge and time to. But I would never feel satisfied just being a homemaker. It’s not a bad thing to be one. I, now, know how it feels to be a stay-home mom. Not because I have to be, but because I want to be. I want to be there for the things I lost out on with Apollo. The girls are still very young. Practically just born. It isn’t fair for them to share their milestones with random sitters, and not me, who wants to be able to remember those moments.

More to Mommying

Artemis’ First Birthday

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Artemis turned one on Friday. We had a small birthday party for her Saturday.

In the Filipino culture, we tend to celebrate every birthdays with a huge gathering. This is because, most filipino families consist of at least 30 people. My family + J’s family = renting a hall, ordering crazy amounts of food, and having a head big enough to get through all the preparation, and executions. 

With being seven and a half months, I couldn’t even get through thinking about what the menu would be, so I thought, a dinner with the Godparents would be a low-key idea. But then, you can’t hurt the Grandparents feelings, so we had to consider them, along with the siblings. Well I gave up quickly and opted for a party at the Grandparents, with a couple of the Godparents that could make it, and some friends. It was good enough. Arty was happy!

//Did I tell you? Monday evenings are awesome? J, is only gone till 945am, which means the rest of the Monday’s to do stuff. Thus, I am blogging at 630, while aK eats dinner beside me. Yes, he’s wondering what I’m doing, and how I can type without looking at the keyboard. Where is the words flowing from?

I’m about to enjoy Tuesday – Friday Mornings, if J, goes with the idea of dropping aK to school. I probably just jinxed it. *(insert fail emoticon here)*

A Flipagram has been shared with you!

Happy First Birthday to my beautiful baby girl. A year ago today, she blessed us with her presence, brought joy, and laughter into our lives. Her personality shines so bright, her humour fills the room, she is the sweetest love. 

When J, and I first found out we were going to have a girl, I had mixed feelings about it. Afraid, I didn’t know, or wouldn’t know how to raise one because, I grew up tomboyish. But, just as anyone who is blessed with a baby, everything is a learning process. It had nothing to do with whether or not she was a boy, or girl. What mattered was, who she was on a day-to-day basis. She has made this year, an unforgettable one. She made our time together such a blast, and I couldn’t have spent the long days any better, without her. She fills our hearts with so much love. It’s an amazing feeling to be her mom. So thankful, God, allowed us to be her parents. 

We love you so much baby girl!!

xo, mommy

A Flipagram has been shared with you!

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This year had its ups and downs. It got really hard at times, and times when it was breathtaking. But just like every year passes, those moments become memories. It teaches you, betters you, strengthens you, and changes you. Next year is going to be even better. So cheers to saying yes to another 365 days of crazy. Thanks for following my crazy life.

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Christmas tings.

Whenever someone says they’d like to write a novel someday

write-edit-rinse-repeat:

Oh Han, thanks for the encouragement 😒

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Maria’s Frenched.toast

It’s a great idea!!

I recall buying a fresh bag of icing sugar and I had yet to figure out what I’d need it for. Tonight is unconventional- dinner, which means I’m not up for cooking crazy meals, and we’re having breakfast instead.

What’s a little naughtiness, and an awesome way to celebrate the holiday break, than some yummy, goodness, Nutella, Peanut Butter, Bannana French toast?!

Ingredients: (3 servings)

½ tspn vanilla extract
½ tspn cinnamon
¼ cup of milk
6 eggs
1 banana
Nutella
Peanut Butter
Unsalted Butter (for pan and topper)
Icing sugar
Maple syrup

So much goodness.

Darnest thing.

aK: (singing off key) “Christmaaaas is siix daaays aaawaaayyy”

aK: “I can’t believe I’m such a good singer”

aK: “hey mom, who’s a good singer in the family, aside from me?”

me: “…….😶”