Monday, August 26, 2013

The JOYS and PAINS of having TWO SONS!

I grew up in a household full of girls, our Papa was the only male figure I had my entire life! I'm the youngest and I have two sisters. We had an organized household, there was peace and quiet. All the rooms were clean, tidy and everything had its place.

Fast forward to thirty-six years later I never imagined I would have two sons!  Two very active, adorable, lively, happy and did I mention “VERY ACTIVE” boys?! Everyday is an eye-opening experience for me and everyday I feel for all my fellow moms out there who like me have BOYS instead of GIRLS!

My boys! Miguel is 5.4 years old while Jaime is almost 3 years old :)

      Let me share with you MY list of the JOYS and PAINS of having TWO BOYS:

PAINS: If you have a son BE prepared to get hurt! Of course not intentionally but it’s guaranteed that they will accidentally hit you, kick you and even punch you! My sons almost always step on my hair when we are lying down! 

That's me under attack! This is a typical day in our household :)

JOYS: In their eyes I’m the QUEEN BEE, my boys cling to me whenever they see me. It’s always MAMA, MAMA, MAMA and I love it! I know this won’t last forever so I am enjoying it as best I could!

PAINS: My boys are very active even when they sleep! I’ve learned to sleep with a king size pillow covering me from my chin down to my hips. My boys reach out for me while they sleep and sometimes reaching out turns into punch like wallops that can really hurt! Thus the big pillow!

PAINS: I don’t know if it’s just my boys, but they seem to never run out of energy! They can run around continuously for hours and hours without getting tired.

PAINS: At just 5 years old and barely 3 years old, Miguel and Jaime can fight like there is no tomorrow! I’ve seen them pull each other’s shirts and wail as if their life depended on it!

JOYS: My boys can show their affection in ways that can make any mother’s heart melt. Miguel would chase me around so he can kiss my armpits! Something I can never get used to, but it’s something he loves to do! Jaime would give me a surprise shower of kisses that usually end in a giggle fest because I would eventually want him to stop since my whole face is already covered in his saliva!  Boys really know how to love their mom!

PAINS: With boys I think “accidents” can never be avoided, we’ve tried everything we could so they won’t get hurt but the occasional “bukol” and  wounds still occur.

PAINS: Our household is never quiet, there is always a boy laughing loudly, playing loudly, crying loudly, or asking for something, very loudly! 

 I woke up thinking Veegee must have called the carpenter to make repairs but then I saw the boys hammering away at our wall with their "fake" but still very noisy hammers! :)

JOYS: Anytime they get hurt, scared or worried my sons always look for me.  They don’t reach for their father or their yayas; who cared for them most of their lives, they ask for ME!

JOYS: My husband is having the time of his life! The boys look up to him and they have their father and son bonding moments, he looks at his sons as his “mini me’s!” 

Papa Veegee and his BOYS! :)

PAINS: Now that the boys are bigger it also means they are becoming stronger! Miguel at 5 is almost 4 feet tall and weighs 60 pounds! Jaime at barely 3 is 3.5 feet tall and weighs 45 pounds! They accidentally hit my nose the other week and I had to go see a doctor because my nose hurt and bled for days!

PAINS: Now that Miguel is going to a big school, I am realizing that teaching a boy is quite different from teaching a girl! Sometimes when we are doing his homework I feel I need to be as animated as I could so I can keep his attention. 
JOY: We have in our midst the opportunity to raise “sensitive and kind great men” that I as a mother wish would at least try to make a difference in this world.

I always pray that Veegee and I will be able to do a great job at raising these two boys!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

MY FAVORITE THINGS!

In this post I will feature my “current favorite things” these are things I am “loving” now. I want to share them with you! Everything on this list are tried and tested by me, I hope you will discover something you’ll love too! I’ve always loved Oprah’s list of Favorite Things so I made up my own list below:

1. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer- I’ve been using this moisturizer for the past 15 years! One big bottle will last around six months. You don’t have to use a lot, one pump is enough to cover the entire face. It can really moisturize my face without it feeling too heavy or oily. I use it immediately after I step out of the shower and it sinks in almost immediately.

The best moisturizer for me! If you have relatives abroad ask them to buy for you there. They cost half the price abroad than how much they sell them here.

2. St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub- I’ve been a fan of this product for 20 years! It’s the best facial scrub there is; I use this thrice a week. It’s non-irritating and I don’t break out when I use it. Just make sure not to over scrub, the beads can irritate sensitive skin so it’s best to apply gentle pressure.

My favorite facial scrub! It gets the job done and each tube is sold at just around P295.  One big tube will last around three months! 
3. EOS Lip gloss- This is the best all natural lipgloss that heals my dry lips and prevent chapped lips. I’ve been using it for three years. I use EOS lipgloss many times a day. The container is so cute and easy to use. The flavors all taste and smell great; it also works as a great base for any lipstick. Just let it settle first and don’t apply lipstick right away. I usually discover an amazing lipgloss and then my lips seem to dry up after a few months of continued use, this did not happen with the EOS lipgloss range that’s why I love all of them!


The best basic lipgloss out there! EOS lipgloss are super moisturizing and they nourish my lips perfectly every time I use it!
4. Merrry Moo Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream- My nephew David and my niece Marielle discovered this amazing range of homemade Artisan all-natural ice cream when we went to one of the food fairs in Quezon City. From then on we were all hooked, the SEA SALT CARAMEL flavor stood out from the rest of their flavors and it has been my favorite since the first time I was given my first ever Merry Moo cup of creamy, dreamy wonderful goodness! I’ve tasted a lot of SALTED CARAMEL ice cream there after but I keep coming back to this! Super yummy and truly a must try!

Sea Salt Caramel Ice cream by Merry Moo!! Super yummy and delightfully creamy you will keep coming back for more!! Visit their page faceboook page:  www.facebook.com/Merrymoo.icecream
 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

WHAT CHANGED WHEN YOU HAD YOUR KIDS??

A dear friend of mine asked me this when we were having one of our reunion lunch date. I stared at her and smiled not knowing where to begin! Her question truly made me think and I realized that my sons turned my life around in a good way.
So here it goes:

  1. I no longer jump in shock when they enter the bathroom while I am taking a bath. Something I never would have been comfortable with when I was single! I use to hate it when people bother me when I am taking a bath, now my kids and I chat while I shampoo my hair!

  1. I now know how it is to feel extreme pain without “actual” physical pain. I feel extremely HURT every time I know my kids are in pain! Seeing my kids hurt or in pain tears me up inside, I can’t describe it! 
Miguel just after his final Urinary Corrective Surgery, he was such a brave boy! I'm sure even braver than me, I was so scared!

  1. I used to never drink from other people’s glass and use other people’s utensils. My closest friends know this and they ridicule me for it. But now that I am a mom I eat and drink my kids leftovers and yes sometimes I eat food they spit out!! Come on admit it you’ve done that too right?!? 
I was the one who finished Jaime's half eaten, sloppy and soggy ice cream cone! Something I never thought I would be able to do when I was single!
  1. I now believe that a bond and love so strong could exist between a mother and her children, it’s unexplainable.

  1. I have truly become a superwoman! I can dress up, put my makeup on, reply to at least ten emails and PM’s, pack my orders and be out the door in under an hour. Since I've become a mother I have developed talents I never knew I had! I used to breastfeed while replying to my emails and pump milk while processing my orders!

  1. I have become a GERMAPHOBE! I spray alcohol everywhere and anywhere I know it will stick! The grocery cart, high chairs and public playgrounds freak me out! Now I make sure everything they touch is clean! Jaime is a thumb-sucker so I need to make sure his hands are always clean.
These grocery carts are cleaned "hospital grade style" by Yaya and me before we let the kids use them!