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 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.

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.

 

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."

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......

Another Summer Job

You guessed it right! SPEED.  My niece and I moved on to card games.  After a 45min walk around our neighborhood with my mom, Hayden and I played a 5/5 game of Speed.  And you guessed it right again.  I won!  I wasn't shy about it either.   Hayden went to bed with these last words, "not fair!"  And I said, "rematch tomorrow!"  All in a day's work.

Road Trip#1

4 hours to San Diego, 3 hours @ Sea World, 2 hours to L.A. 

Cooped up in a van and having cabin fever with your loved ones = PRICELESS

Museum Outing

The "Mummies 3D Secret of the Pharaohs"  is amazing!!!!  Summer is finally here....

Goodbye Manay Amy

I got a phone call from the Philippines this morning and received a news that my cousin, Manay Amy is in critical condition.  On my way home from work this afternoon, I got a text that said, "she passed away."  She fought a long and very hard battle with a nasty disease. Now it's time for my cousin to rest. I am so sad but happy that she is not suffering anymore.  Rest in peace Manay Amy.

Welcome Lexie

My sister and her husband picked up their new puppy dog yesterday.  They named her Lexie, she is so cute:)  Ressie was begging for puppy treats that were meant for the little one.  Our family is expanding.

Start of a "3-Day Weekend"

We were blessed with a summer weather for this 3-day weekend.  We started it off with an overdue bday lunch for Greg on Saturday.

The starving family

Sizzling Fajita Plate

Molten Chocolate Cake 

Fried Ice Cream

Then the grill was fired on Sunday for a BBQ (chicken, turkey burger, corn) with friends and family.  My sister cooked the best beer battered fish taco ever.  I was so hungry that I forgot to take a photo of that.  Today is the last day of this awesome weekend, what to do?  I guess just a quiet day to rest after the "food binge marathon" all weekend long:)  

Lego Time

This happened last night.

Niece:  Auntie, do you want to play with me?
Me: Sure, with what?
Niece:  What about with my new Legos?
Me: Wow, they're fancy!
Niece: I know.

Isn't this Cute????

I wonder what's waiting  for me when I get home tonight, hahahaha.

Priceless Moment

This happened when I got home after work yesterday.

Niece: Auntie, do you want to play with me?
Me: Okay
Niece: Let's play with my Play-Doh, it will be fun!
Me: Hmmm, what shall we make?
Niece: What about tacos?
Me: Why don't I try peas first and we can start there?
Niece: I'll make a bowl!

Vegetables, anyone???

"BIG" is an understatement

I had a whirlwind adventure in Houston, Texas! Nope, not that kind.  My cousin called me in the beginning of the week and said that they'll be having their "house blessing" that weekend and would love to have us for the festivities.  My first reaction was, "good for them" and second, "too bad, can't take time off work."

Luckily the boss gave me 2 days off, Friday and Monday. I got my ticket and became an official representative from Glendale, Ca. since the rest of my family already made plans for that weekend.  My other cousin and his friend will be flying the same day from a LAX, while I chose Burbank.  My dad will be a day late coming from Washington, DC.

The first thing I noticed when I landed at Dallas, Tx for my connecting flight to Houston was,"a man on a segway sporting a cowboy hat and cowboy boots."  Then I was off to Houston. 

The houses are huge compared to our circa 1920 humble abode.  My cousin and his wife's house is huge, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, formal dining room and family room for just the two of them. My dad's cousin's house in my eyes is a mansion, imagine at least 3,000 sq ft for the three of them! Big trucks and SUVs on the freeway, mind you, my dad's cousin drives a Humvee (just her and her son). 

That weekend was the house blessing,  "Pacquiao fight" and the "Rodeo.  Lots of food, laughter and never ending talking.  I had a wonderful time reminiscing old stories from my childhood and hearing stories from my dad and his cousin's childhood years.

"Everything is BIG in Texas, indeed!"  

Valentine's Day

With the significant others left at home due to a "cold virus" or just plain "no more room in the car" reasons, my family and I ventured to Venice Beach for an unusually warm sunny day in Southern California in the middle of winter  to have lunch.  So thankful to have this weather (since my dad sent us photos of his snow packed driveway just a couple of days ago) and to enjoy the company of my family, good food, and beautiful Valentine's Day!

Here's hoping that you guys had a wonderful Heart Day and looking forward to an exciting Tiger Year!

Rainy Monday

Today is MLK (Martin Luther King) day, and is a holiday for most of us.  What to do on a rainy Monday?  We decided on going to a matinee.  My sister, brother, and I took Hayden to see a Jackie Chan movie, " The Spy Next Door."  It was really entertaining.  


The movie brought back so many happy childhood memories back in my hometown.  I remember watching his kungfu movies that were dubbed in English while eating hot garlic peanuts sold by the street vendors just outside of the cinema.  I heard from my cousins that there are no cinemas in my hometown anymore.  That's really sad.


The smell of buttered popcorn, kids and adults laughter, Jackie Chan's funny antics still fresh in my memory sure made this rainy Monday a very warm and happy day.

Simply Wonderful

I'm so blessed that I shared a wonderful Christmas time with my family and friends from near and far.  They came as far as Australia, Philippines, East Coast, Midwest, and as near as, just my neighborhood.  I thought the parties would never end (I wish, sigh).  I met a bunch of relatives I haven't seen in ages in a series of family reunions.  I laughed a lot, talked a lot, reminisce a lot,  and ate a lot.  Here are some of our photos, it's too bad I can't fit them all in this blog (would probably overwhelm all of you).  Enjoy!

 

 

OcToBeR BluEs

We had pouring rain overnight.  The sky is so gloomy and dark right now.  The heater was turned on to keep the cold, damp air away.  This weather reflects what my family is feeling right now.  It has been hard for my family these past couple of weeks.  

An uncle of mine, who's also my Godfather, passed away from a massive heart attack. He lived a good life. He stayed in Iowa for the slow-paced day to day life, I guess California was just too much for him.  

Then a few days later, my cousin in the Philippines followed.  After a wonderful lunch and the Christmas tree bought (his final request), he slept and went into a coma.  His was a long fought battle, ever brave and ever strong. 

They will surely be missed.  

Furthermore, the day we found out about my cousin, I found our fish not scrambling to get his food and  he was lying next to his castle, lifeless.  His was the only one we could attend in person.  We buried him in the backyard next to the two previous ones we had before him.

The "circle of life" witnessed by my niece at a young age of almost 7 years old by next week.

Move-In Day

I should have paid attention to the "one way" signs all over campus today, or checked the university calendar because I was stuck in traffic on my way home on a Friday afternoon.

It's "Move-In Day" at UCLA today. New and returning students along with their parents and families were moving in to their respective residence halls because Fall quarter starts soon. The scene was so varied in moods. I saw parents and kids with their proud smiles, some worried looks, some with frustrated frowns and still some laughing and talking while pushing carts piled with pillows, beddings, lamps, and even plants.

Oh I remember when I took my little sister to UC Santa Cruz for her "move-in day." We drove early in the morning for almost 7 hrs in my red Mazda and got to this beautiful campus on top of a hill with lots of trees overlooking the ocean and with a family of deer greeting us. It was an exciting and sad day for me. I was so proud of my sister and scared for her at the same time. I knew that she'll be away for 4 years, and that was sad even though I knew she'll be home for breaks and holidays. I don't know why I just left her after I helped her moved her things in the room. I gave her a hug and hurriedly drove away. I guess I just hate goodbyes. Looking back now, I should have hang out and checked out the campus with her. However, I managed to visit her while she was up there. I was also there for her 21st Bday, that was fun!

What the heck! Thirty minutes in traffic on a Friday afternoon, bringing back good old fun memories, priceless!

3 Day Weekend

We just had a three day weekend. Like everyone else, ours was spent eating and more eating. This year I did the barbecue with my mom's help (I can't seem to tell when the ribs were done). My brother brought down with him his "Guitar Hero," which was a big hit! I remember Melodie blogging about this game a month or so ago. I also played "Rock Band" at a friend's party. Before I knew it I was waiting patiently for my turn. Nothing feels as good as "rocking" the weekend! Next stop, "Rock Band."