Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it's that time of the year, yet again!  Thank God, my family is in good health except for a few bad cold here and there.  This year is going to close with a big bang.  The twins are already 32 months and counting.  Still in diapers, but plowing though the potty training stage.  I can see the $$$ signs once I don't have diaper bills.  However, just like all the experts' advice from books, online readings, and super moms, "It will happen when they are ready, not any time sooner!"  We are experiencing the "terrible 2's!" They know that Santa will bring presents if they are good kids.  They had many successful play dates (whew).  They have more or less transitioned well into semi-private swimming lessons (meaning no more parents involved).

We have been very fortunate this year.  May you and your family have good health and happy days for the coming year! Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Stage Mom In the Making

I can't believe that it's already September and Alex and Allie turned 29 months last week.  Time flies so fast, and I'm so freaked out that in a blink of an eye I will have 2 college students.

I just signed up Allie to a Creative Dance class at her school this morning.  With that said, here are the few things that are burning in my already sleep deprived brain:

1. Will she be a diva and  start stomping off on her first day because the temperature is not right?
2. I'm already imagining her first dance performance on stage.
3. Am I crazy spending money on this frivolous stuff (She's not even 3 yrs old!)?  
4. Will she love it too much that her swimming lessons will take backstage?
5. What kind of flowers will I get her for her first performance?
6. I should start looking for something Alex can do also.

So, I guess that's all folks.....

Yet Another Milestone

Kids turned 28 months this month!  And yes, they reached another milestone in their "toddler journey!" They now graduated to toddler beds instead of mattress on the floor.  The transition was seamless.  But, I've found out that sometimes they want to sleep on my bed, which I welcome with open arms (since I miss their warm little bodies next to me, not the kicking in the middle of the night).

This moment adds another tick mark that reminds me that time flies and they are growing up so fast (sigh).  Life as a parent brings out so many emotions.  And I'm pretty sure that I don't have any pregnancy hormones anymore.  So, so, fast......

Sweet Moments

Being a parent is such a blessing!  All the sweet moments added up altogether easily trumps all the whining, fuzziness, tantrums, and bickering that cause havoc in the otherwise perfect little haven we call home.

At almost 27 months, Alex&Allie have done the following:

• Play together for almost 15 minutes without fighting.
• Put together the train tracks without help.
• Get their books of choice for story time.
• Entertain themselves for at least 15 minutes.
• Can put away their toys in their respective bins.
• Say hi to each other to get attention.
• Feed themselves using utensils most of the time.
• Can tell you when their pull ups are dirty.
• Choose what to wear.
• Asks if you're, "happy or sad?"
• Can tell you if their hungry or thirsty.

Listening to their conversations bring so much pleasure after a day at work.  Their sweet hugs and kisses when I pick them up from school and before dropping them off give me strength to go to work and eases the guilt.   Weekends are such precious days to spend quality time to create such wonderful moments and memories that hopefully in my old age will be able to recall.

The hardest part for me is to not worry about the future so as not to clutter the present moment by just enjoying it.  I love their little voices saying, "Mommy, help!"  Before I know it, they'll be too independent to ask for help.

My Toddlers Moments of Triumph

Who knew that my 25 month old twins, Alex and Allie have accomplished so much in such a short time?

One month after their second birthday, I finally made them ditch their pacifiers.  Not with an episode of crying and from time to time asking me for it with a smile knowing that my answer will be the same, “Remember, no more paci, just like what the doctor said!”  I’m so thankful that during their 2yr old check up their doctor mentioned getting rid of pacifiers.

They recognize almost all of the letters in the alphabet and M is their favorite one.  They are beginning to count past 10.  Most of the colors are now recognized especially in cars.  They love the color, yellow. They love to look for yellow cars, yellow bus, or yellow cranes on our way to school. On one of our evening walks in the neighborhood, both kids pointed out their dad’s car parked on the street among throngs of cars. While we are driving or walking they sometimes mistakenly identify other people’s car as their dad’s just by the mere fact that it’s the same color and make.

They learned to listen and remember.  One of the things their dad taught them when they started walking in the neighborhood was to listen for cars or any vehicles and stop walking until the vehicle passes by.  When I walked with them after dinner one evening, both them at the same time stopped and said,” Stop, cars!”  I was thrilled and was very proud.

I was so surprised the other day when I heard them saying, “left foot, right foot.”  I turned back and tried to confirm it by asking them to show me their right hand, and then their left hand.  Eureka, they do know their “left” and “right.”  

My mom and I took them to church on Easter Sunday.   It wasn’t that successful because their toddlers, but what is surprising to me is the fact that one of their most liked “pretend plays,” is the following: They would carry their Easter baskets or a purse and they would wave at me and say, “By mom!” Then I would ask them, “Where are you going?”  They would reply, “Church!”

They know how to make you feel better at a young age.  On any given opportune occasions they know when to ask, “Are you OK?”  Three simple words can erase any booboos you are feeling at that time.

My Dream Life (backyard pool)

I heard or read somewhere that it is a very good exercise for your brain and well being to visualize all the good things, feelings, wonderful thoughts you inspire your life to be.  So, here is my exercise for this month.  I have looked through different photos on the internet and borrowed pictures that made me happy and placed them on “My Dream Life” drawing board.

I can envision Alex, Allie and Greg splashing water around in this sleek and minimalist pool while I lounge on the chair putting down the latest novel that I’m reading to watch and listen to their laughter that’s feeling the air.  The surrounding foliage swaying in the cool breeze and the sweet chirping of the birds make this backyard retreat such a wonderful oasis after a full day running around town.

During warm summer weekends I will enjoy entertaining the rest of the family.  Hayden will do her somersaults while Alex, Allie, Tavi and baby Joey will be clapping their hands with glee.  I can almost hear baby Marley’s sweet cooing under the pergola while Joey and Anastasia entertain her.  On the other end of the pool Kane and Magnus are busy wrestling away.

Hold it, what’s that?  I smell the delicious aroma of food that my mom is busily preparing in the kitchen.  Wait until you see my “dream kitchen!”

***swimming pool photo borrowed from Architectural Digest.

Letters and Numbers

Lately I've been hearing the twins reciting the alphabets and counting up to 10.  I feel happy about this new skills they have learned, but, at the same time I feel a little bit sad that I can see a glimmer of my kids slowly growing  up. And in my mind it means college is not too far away.   It is so hard to balance enjoying their little achievements and not being bogged down with worries.  I have no idea how my late grandma did it with her 12 kids and my mom with 5 of us.  One thing is for sure, being a mom can sometimes bring out so many opposite feelings.  And they barely turned 2!

Another Milestone

I guess I've been preparing for this milestone ever since they were born.  The big 2nd year birthday for my twins, Alex &Allie.  And, no matter how prepared you are, something always creeps up.  I bet you any mom out there can relate.

Let's see, it's a day before party #3 and still I don't have a total count of kids that are going to attend or adults for that matter.  I guess, I should have expected that, right?  I'm still trying to delegate other important chores to anyone that would listen in my family.

With that said, I'm so grateful that I have the most

wonderful, super family ever.  I don't know where I would be now with all these craziness without them.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  As I was saying, we have 3 birthday parties for the little ones.  Party #1 - it's their real birthday.  My dad flew from Florida to be with the twins for that.  Auntie Pretty, baked cupcakes to the little ones which they were asking for, for days now.  Daddy, got another toy (basketball hoop) to add to the collection of kids' toys in the living room and everywhere else in the house.

Party#2 - today, a day after their birthday.  This one is for their little friends from school and hopefully the teachers will not have a hard time during nap time after a sugar rush from the cupcakes and juice boxes.  My dad and sister and I, enjoyed watching the kids devouring their cupcakes and singing happy birthday song to Alex and Allie.  I'm so amazed in how everyone waited patiently in their little chairs to get their treats.  Unfortunately, my little ones were not that behaved and could not contain their excitement at all.

Party#3 - tomorrow.  This is the big Kahuna.  I ordered the Filipino food weeks in advance.  There will be 2 birthday cakes and a Faerie named Miss Petal will be flying over to do a magic show, face painting and balloon twisting.  My sister put the finishing touches on the party favors a day or so ago.  My brother and his family will be flying in early tomorrow morning.  One of my sister's will be picking up the cakes and yet another sister is in charge of the transporting the toys to the party place to keep the little ones busy.  While their dad is in charge of the balloons.  Thank goodness my mom agreed to pick up the catered food.

There you have it!  I know for sure that Alex and Allie will never remember any of these, but this craziness will be forever in my heart.  This will be one of the so many milestones that my precious kids will be reaching and I will treasure for the rest of my life.

I'm so excited for them!  I can't wait to see the awe in their eyes when they see the Faerie, cakes, party favors, and all the people who love them who wish them all the goodness in the world.

 

My Happy Little Fishes

My little ones have been taking swimming lessons since they were 13 months old.  Luckily they really enjoy the water.  There are good days and bad days.  Today, is a very good day.  Both of them can float by themselves for 5 seconds.  Believe me, it was amazing and if I had to blink my eyes I probably would have missed it all together.  

This is quite an accomplishment for me and my whole family, since, as for myself alone, I didn't learn how to swim until I was already a working adult.  People are amazed when they find out that none of my family learned how to swim as a child when we come from a country surrounded with vast bodies of water.  And we grew up 15 minutes away from the ocean.  So sad, but so true.  I'm so proud of you my little fishes.  Go swim and conquer!

Gadgets: A mom's necessary evil

In today's parenting world where only the rich people can afford to have 24 hours nanny it's always a struggle for a parent like me to juggle work, family, and everything in between, which often times fall through the cracks.  I find myself sometimes dreaming of having all the help around the house so that I could just simply relax and enjoy being with the kids without feeling guilty of neglecting other necessary things that had to have been done yesterday.  I guess I'm not the only one, so, I'll stop feeling sorry for myself now.

No judgement please!  This is how I use the 21st century technology we call iPhone and iPad to sneak a few moments to take care of the other important things that need to be done or else everything else piles up like the domino effect.  Not my shining moment, but, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do!

Allie and Alex entertaining themselves

I encourage every mom out there to use all necessary ways and means to and their power to harness their guilts and worries to embrace the gadgets and other technology that can gain a minute or two in this never ending cycle, "our so called LIFE."

Kid Friendly Breakfast

I got a delicious revamp of the old time favorite oatmeal breakfast that my twins love.  Here you go super moms out there, I'm pretty sure your super little ones will definitely ask for seconds.  I stumbled upon this super recipe one day when the regular oatmeal dish I used to serve the twins stopped being devoured.  So, I looked at the other ingredients we had in the cupboard, and, voila, this magic dish transformed my morning struggles of trying the convince my two super toddlers that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  I guess, "necessity is really the father of invention," hands down!

Super Simple Creamy Oatmeal 

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/4 cup toasted oat bran

1/4 cup ground flax meal

1/4 cup water

Put in microwave for 3 minutes.

Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Add milk.

And last but not least, add Organic Blue Agave sweetener to taste.

Mix and enjoy.

Let me know if your little ones enjoyed this creamy and silky oatmeal.  What is your go to breakfast for your picky toddlers?  This mommy would like to know (wink, wink).

Craziness, I Tell You

Let's see, it's exactly one week before Alex and Allie's 2nd birthday.  So, I'm planning on taking off that Thursday through Monday.  You may ask, "why?"  or not.  But I will tell you anyway.

1. They have their 24 month doctor's appointment on their birthday.  I know, I'm just a crazy mom.  But, this way, this appointment will never slip through the crack.
2. Friday is their pre-school birthday party.  Meaning juggling with lunch boxes, cupcakes, juice boxes and party favors.  But wait, I will have help, my sister is planning on taking off that day also, yay, and my dad will be in town.
3. Saturday is their 2nd birthday party.  So, there will be toys to be hauled to the party site, cakes to be picked up, food and drinks to be bought, and decorations to be arranged.

So, you see, it's just sheer madness, craziness, I tell you.  When you have two kids having a birthday at the same time, everything is multiplied by dos.

Enough said:)

A Parent's Nightmare

Yesterday was one of those days that you wish you didn't have.  We got home to a very sick kid.  Apparently, Allie had been throwing up ever since she came home from school.  And it went on intermittently until almost 9PM.  Dad had to go to the store to get Gatorade and Pedialyte in fear of dehydration.  Unfortunately, Allie refused to drink it.

All I could do the whole time since stepping in the house was hold her, clean up her mess (Thank God, for the Aunties who helped out), and tried to console her.  I felt so bad, since I know how awful it is to be in that situation.

Alex was perplexed how come Allie couldn't play with him.  He was also upset that I couldn't pay attention to him.  "The joy of parenthood," you say.  

Fast forward to this morning,  I let her sleep in late, offered her breakfast, and luckily she had a few bites.  What a difference a day makes!  My sunshine child is back!  No sign of yesterday's disaster.  

I couldn't help but think that she probably got it from school, somehow.  Although, Alex seemed to be fine.  Who knows?  But for me, It's a good day!!!

I Can See The Light

Today at our usual Sunday "In N Out," lunch after the twins swimming lesson it struck me that being the mom of toddlers is getting easier.  "What?," you say. Yup, I myself couldn't believe I'm thinking it and experiencing it, and now affirming it, by saying it. I finally hit that stage where I think I'm over the hump.  Both Alex and Allie went in to wait for their fries patiently while peeling off stickers and either sticking them on the table or to either my face or Greg's face.  I feel a lot of guilt that I've started them young on this horrible food, but, they so look forward to it every time.  What can a mom do, but, give in (sigh).  I will probably get the wrath of this from the kids therapists bills years later.
They did so well during their swimming lesson that this lunch was extra special.

So, to all you moms of twins out there, mark my word, around 23 months, 2 weeks and 4 days, your outlook will oh so change.  I promise you. 

Now off to dream land for me.  This MAMA needs her ZZZZZZZ's......

Earthquake Country

Two days ago we were visited by a 4.4 earthquake early in the morning.  It was a little surprising, and a bit scary.  Luckily the kids didn't mind it a bit.  This goes to show that even though we live in the state with a fabulous weather, still, you can't have it all.

Just a reminder for the next rocking, rolling and shaking:

1. Drop
2. Cover
3. Hold

So beautiful people of SoCal, NONE of the following:

1. Staying under a doorway.
2. Running outside.

Just Let It Go

When you are a working mom you can relate to the following:

1. Laundry from the weekend, still in the hamper (it's Wednesday now).
2. Living room, looks like a tornado has just touched down before leaving for work and dropping off kids to school.
3. Arriving from picking up the twins after a day's work, mess still there (start of the new work shift).
4. Kitchen sink full of dirty dishes from breakfast.
5. Brainstorm what to serve for dinner.
6. Prepare twins'  lunch boxes for tomorrow.

Let's see, 8pm when kids are asleep, try to do #1, #2, #4 and #6.
Finally, 11:30pm, go to bed.  Kids will be up by 5:30am.

Menudo, 1D, oh my!

I remember the days of Menudo, no, not the dish, but the boy band.  Then came NKOB. Now it's 1D for my niece. She finally reached the pre-teen stage. It came so fast.  Gone are the long answers and have been replaced with a yes, no, or huh? Picture taking is such a battle. Yup, I went through those incorrigible times.  Hormones, growing pains, pimples and boy band, signs that things are changing.

Progress

Dearest Allie and Alex,

Yesterday, Ms Manuela told me that you, "Allie," finally used the potty to pee.  I'm so proud of you my big girl!! I can't believe how time flies.  I'm enjoying our car rides to and from school now, even though, I feel like a broken record singing, "Wheels on the bus," or "Old McDonald Had a farm."

Today when I dropped you guys off, Ms. Jennifer said that you, "Alex," didn't touch your lunch at all.  That is quite not like you my big boy.  I hope everything is okay.  Don't worry, whatever it is, it will work itself out.  I promise.  I've noticed that you are using more words now.  That makes me so happy!

Let's keep up this progress...  Good job kids!

Iloveyouloveyouloveyou,
Mommy:)