tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83074539115672643912024-02-18T23:44:05.254-05:00more than seXytrying to contain my sanity and all that is left of meKMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-7916325353829486192018-06-14T04:41:00.002-04:002018-06-14T04:43:29.153-04:00MY LITTLE-BUT-BIG HERO<span style="color: #0b5394;">A couple of days ago, I went to the dentist for tooth filling. My 5-year-old son, who pretty much goes wherever I go, went along. With four books and a toy race car to entertain him while I get my tooth fixed, he was all set. We always pray every time we leave the house, and that day, I prayed for my dental procedure, particularly for it to not be <i>"too painful"</i> for me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">So there we were at the dentist -- me, being prepped on the dental chair, and my son, sitting right by my feet on a folding chair and was keeping himself busy with books. The dental assistant immediately applied topical anesthetic to numb my gums, and soon after, the dentist came in the room. He struck a conversation with my son before looking into my mouth. My son, being the natural inquisitive he is, got all curious with the <i>"cool tools"</i> the dentist was using. He then got up from his chair and went closer to see, and asked the dentist a few questions. After answering and explaining things, the dentist then began injecting local anesthesia into my gums. I flinched and squirmed. It was a lot painful than I expected. My suppressed groans did not escape my little boy's attention. <i><b>"Mom, breathe in, breathe out..."</b></i> The dentist informed me that the injection was the hardest part of the procedure, and hearing that somewhat gave me relief. When the dentist and his assistant left the room as they waited for the anesthetic to take effect, my son thoughtfully asked me, <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Are you feeling better now?"</i>, thinking that the procedure was all done.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">After a few minutes, the dentist came back and started working on my tooth. For some reason, I was still sensitive to pain, which prompted a a second dose of local anesthesia. </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">After a short while, the dentist started removing the old filling, but again, there was still pain. My mouth just wasn't numb enough! He injected another dose of local anesthesia for the third time. I then felt pain from the injection radiating to my ear that time which honestly scared me. Thoughts of complications started to form in my mind, and so I thought of God and said a quick prayer as I sat there on the dental chair. At that time, anxiety was slowly building up in me. I was so tempted to call my husband and ask him to come to the dental clinic and be there with me for the procedure, but I know he's quite busy himself at his clinic, so I didn't. </span><i style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;">"Just breathe in, breathe out..." </i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Those words that my 5-year-old son kept repeating gave me the courage I badly needed that time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The third dose of anesthesia kicked in, and though my tooth was still itty-bitty sensitive, the dentist was finally able to begin working on my tooth. With my eyes tightly closed for the entire procedure, the greatest comfort came from my son's tiny hand and little voice. I felt him moved and sit on the chair with me, and he gently grabbed my hand, </span><b style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"Just hold tight, Mom... breathe in, breathe out..."</i></b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> With every squirm, I squeezed his hand and he squeezed back, holding my hand tightly, until the procedure was done.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The staff was so impressed with how supportive my son was to me. They commended him for doing a great job and kept <i>"Mommy from crying,"</i> and rewarded him a couple of toys after the visit. My son continued to check on me, asking me if I was okay, even later when we're already home.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I was immensely touched by my son's calm and caring attitude. God knew that this day would come when I would need a boost of courage, an extra dose of bravery, comfort amidst pain, and He thought I would get those best from a tiny hand... a little voice... and so, He gave me a son. I felt in my heart that some day in the future, when I'm all frail and weak, my son will hold my hand and comfort me the way he did at the dentist clinic. I'm very proud of my son, and truly thankful to him, for being my little-but-big hero.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_4ZwFQMR0o/WyIpWecnE8I/AAAAAAAACzc/qojpdgQEI4YdOVfnceP0QTLPNFUzdDDNQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_9916_64D68.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_4ZwFQMR0o/WyIpWecnE8I/AAAAAAAACzc/qojpdgQEI4YdOVfnceP0QTLPNFUzdDDNQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_9916_64D68.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic<br />
May 2018</td></tr>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-74234628600353944952017-01-02T14:08:00.000-05:002017-01-02T21:39:35.625-05:00SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE<span style="color: #134f5c;">It's the second day of new year, and here I am wide awake at 3ish in the morning. <i>Nothing has changed</i>. Still the old night owl me. Anyway, I was browsing my Facebook, looking at pictures from the year that has just passed, when I stumbled</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">upon</span> <a href="http://mashable.com/2016/12/21/jerry-live-tweets-coffee-shop-love-story/#kxRoGVtO6iqp" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">this article</span></a> <span style="color: #134f5c;">about a guy who live tweeted a love story that had unfolded before his eyes while in a cafe. A girl barista professed her love to a coworker. The coworker said he needs to go to the back to think about what to say. He came back and kissed the girl. Serious mushiness followed after. Long story short, they found love and happiness that night. That's two less lonely people in the world. Needless to say, the hopeless romantic (emotera) in me kicked in and nostalgia took me back to my own love story like it's yesterday once more. (Pardon my song references. I'm classic that way.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Six days before Christmas eight years ago when my happy ever after began. A blizzard in Toronto brought me and Vince together. Yeah, mother nature had a part in it. From the time we first met to that fateful day, action had always spoken louder than words for us. We kissed on that snowy night, and when the storm had passed after a day or two, we talked about what had happened. It was hard for both of us to admit our feelings towards each other but to deny it was even harder. We weren't newbies in this game called love. He played his cards. I took a gamble. All is fair in love so they say. About a couple of years since our first kiss amidst the snow storm, we held hands and kissed in the altar and vowed to be each other's in this lifetime. Signed. Sealed. Done deal.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-5R2Ng-Aa9MkcfNyidjRejoG780xbdtGc8JGYU4frD0bGATe95spHVUo6pSiWYCcLcv80XPE8WSe-JIRXWd13GOe-DvH7rvpLhNkcoCFj5njb40tAzwjKyL8bWm_HCDIn7k3xQ37gDks/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-5R2Ng-Aa9MkcfNyidjRejoG780xbdtGc8JGYU4frD0bGATe95spHVUo6pSiWYCcLcv80XPE8WSe-JIRXWd13GOe-DvH7rvpLhNkcoCFj5njb40tAzwjKyL8bWm_HCDIn7k3xQ37gDks/s400/IMG_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon West Rim Eagle Point, Arizona - November 2015 </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">We've been married for six years now. Not very long you may think but in this day and time when nobody stays together anymore (tell me what's forever for?), staying married is an achievement. I'm very happy and thankful for the kind of relationship my husband and I have. Our love for each other has never diminished and continues to grow each day, albeit our dynamics have changed a lot since we had a child. I love my son to bits and more but having a child was definitely a game changer, and I'm sure a lot of parents would agree with me on this. Honestly, at times, it's hard for me not to miss our pre-married days, our newlywed days, and our childless days. You know, those years when it was just the two of us... when we could have a quiet intimate moment at the end of the day... when we could bond and connect uninterruptedly for as long as we wished. Every now and then, I long for those and would draw from memory to relive those days. Now that we have a child to care for, it's just a challenge to find a chance to be alone as a couple, let alone do the things we used to do in the past.</span><span id="goog_681635137"></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">About two weeks ago, Vince was on call at work. One night, we were all in bed -- my son and me on one mattress and Vince on another mattress right by our feet. I was the only one awake as usual when Vince's phone started to ring in the wee hours. It was the hospital calling. He picked up the phone and answered it in the bathroom so as not to awaken me and my son (well, I was still awake then). From our bedroom, I could hear him talking on the phone, asking questions, and giving orders. I dunno but for some reason at that moment I felt giddy inside me. It could be his muffled I-just-woke-up voice (which I find <i>ehem</i> sexy!), his inflection and intonation, or mainly his intellect that got me smitten all over again like a high school girl. I delighted myself in that moment realizing how in love I am with my husband that at the least moment when he was totally unaware, he made my heart skip a beat or two.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">It's so easy to fall in love with someone who is a genuinely caring, loving and thoughtful person. My husband is. He brings me flowers and chocolate-coated strawberries, and all the makings of a sweet guy that could melt any woman's heart. So, when butterflies flutter in my stomach at the least expected and unromantic time of the day and I gush over my unknowingly husband, that's how I know I am STILL head over heels in love with the man of my life. We may not be the childless-couple-in-a-forever-honeymoon-phase anymore BUT the passion is still there. The flame is still well alive and burning. Regardless. <i>Nothing has changed</i>. The same old familiar feeling I felt when I first realized that I am in love with him. ❤❤❤</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcGXjr17E9M/WGqKFdW_ZoI/AAAAAAAACuY/LvLOlHaMuJcOFPibjm9yTc7C7DkmxfqHACLcB/s1600/IMG_4503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcGXjr17E9M/WGqKFdW_ZoI/AAAAAAAACuY/LvLOlHaMuJcOFPibjm9yTc7C7DkmxfqHACLcB/s400/IMG_4503.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francisco - October 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ml1G1gZNzk/WGqKinYKqWI/AAAAAAAACuc/rHwcYrvfyBkmCzyCL6loR9k-7HR-nIHdgCLcB/s1600/15267525_10153869141650916_5164006521427023535_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ml1G1gZNzk/WGqKinYKqWI/AAAAAAAACuc/rHwcYrvfyBkmCzyCL6loR9k-7HR-nIHdgCLcB/s400/15267525_10153869141650916_5164006521427023535_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hambricks Christmas Tree Farm, Georgia - December 2016</td></tr>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-41746414082974241652016-12-01T03:00:00.002-05:002016-12-01T03:06:26.896-05:00THANKFUL AMIDST STORM<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">Psalm 136: 1 - "Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever."</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Over the past several weeks, life has been throwing us curveballs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">First, my maternal grandmother died from stage 4 lung cancer. All her family -- from my grandfather, their children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, plus her extended family, bereaved when she passed away last month, just a couple of months since her diagnosis. I was really saddened by this. She was a very selfless, caring and loving woman -- the epitome of a mother/grandmother. She cared for all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and even until her last days, she remained selfless. Through the pain she was experiencing, she stayed strong and maintained a good disposition. She was calling out the names of her grandchildren on her death bed, and at one point in her confusion probably, she even asked to go and see me. My mother was telling her that my brother couldn't come and visit her then as he was working in Clark, Pampanga at the time. My grandmother thought my mother was referring to me, so she said, <i>"Puntahan natin si Karen. Malapit lang yun. Ganito na lang ako, hindi na ako magbibihis." </i>("Let's go see Karen. She's just close by. I don't even need to change my clothes; I could go dressed like this.") AND that really broke my heart. I wish I could have visited her and talked to her personally before she died, and not just over video chats BUT circumstances just didn't allow, which I would explain below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Second, my husband and I are currently in the process of transitioning with regards to our status here in the US. While our visa application is ongoing and in process, we are limited to stay here in the country. We have been wanting to visit our family in Canada as it has been a while since we last did, however, we don't want to jeopardize our return here in the US. The same reason why I wasn't able to visit my dying grandmother in the Philippines. <i>Sigh!</i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Third, we've been trying to convince my parents to come and visit us here in the US soon. A week after my grandmother's passing, we spoke to my mother and she requested that we hold off on any plans of them coming here soon. She said that my grandfather is also having health issues and she needs to take care of him and accompany him to doctor's visits. Vince and I understand but just the same we couldn't help but feel disappointed that they might not be able to come and spend time with Vonn Kaleb anytime soon.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Last month, we were in California for a week. That vacation was intended for Toronto in hopes that we would have received visa approval by then. Needless to say, we didn't get the answer we were hoping for. Last week, we were also on vacation. We again had planned to go to Toronto in anticipation of our application being finalized around that time, but alas, close but no cigar! So at the last minute, we booked our trip to Chicago, and celebrated Thanksgiving Day there.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">In lieu of Thanksgiving Day, I want to reflect and contemplate on the blessings I am thankful for despite the curveballs and hiccups we have been experiencing:</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">I am thankful to God for His love, mercy, grace, and faithfulness. Amidst the hurdles and dilemmas my husband and I face each day, He has kept us safe and secured in His arms. He truly is an anchor -- One who keeps you afloat amidst sinking seas. He has never left us nor forsaken us. He is true to His promise that He will take care of His children. His blessed protection in our lives is incomparable. I am thankful to God simply because He is the Great I Am.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">I am thankful to God for my husband. The Lord has been tremendously blessing Vince in all aspect. By God's grace, his practice has been doing so well. His colleagues and patients love him. He is hitting his goals and going over and beyond some -- all glory to God! I am grateful to have been given a very loving, supportive, caring, responsible, generous, kind, tenderhearted partner in life. I'm thankful for the kisses and hugs I get from him each day. It's such a blessing to be in a harmonious relationship with your husband during this day and time when a lot of married couples don't stay together forever anymore.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro6WhWb0grObMKiSohbuAnjPF2GLKVowwHOO0XiuHggMcYMpvhq6pnboactY0SgB2gjt5bKlbqyE5-_OOzMyJoOfhyr3_SCsm9liflAiRt8gCudftgPPlCkqHaGSnc2XWVkK_vstrY7Eg/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro6WhWb0grObMKiSohbuAnjPF2GLKVowwHOO0XiuHggMcYMpvhq6pnboactY0SgB2gjt5bKlbqyE5-_OOzMyJoOfhyr3_SCsm9liflAiRt8gCudftgPPlCkqHaGSnc2XWVkK_vstrY7Eg/s400/IMG_4843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Peaks, California - October 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;">I am thankful to God for my child, Vonn Kaleb, whom He has always kept healthy, strong and smart. I am blessed to be present and witness my son grow each day. I am grateful for the kind of relationship we have. The bond between us keeps getting stronger each day. He is growing up to be a very sweet, thoughtful, sensitive, and genuinely caring person. He never passes up a chance to say "I love you" to us. He is truly precious -- one of the greatest blessings I've ever received.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIPOqRe0jnA/WD_WMgL8SgI/AAAAAAAACtk/E7cyr7_-VUsnRfcLnBOffAEHLJNqYg3gwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIPOqRe0jnA/WD_WMgL8SgI/AAAAAAAACtk/E7cyr7_-VUsnRfcLnBOffAEHLJNqYg3gwCLcB/s400/IMG_5380.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millennium Park, Chicago - November 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;">I am thankful to God for my life. Every day that He wakes me up and allows me to spend with my family is a blessing. He has blessed me more than I could imagine and what I deserved. God's love is truly overwhelming! He sustains me each day. He is my strength. He is my Comforter.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC2z9ECZlbHnBykLCfNo-9TDrm-fY0f2PBAt9UBe1acYbFag-0noUiShl-vMFTBW4y8OJTiUB8HOkOB2JCLnX-MUCsj9VqTI8vbiMavFt1xNaqHWB0Ltq4fKlos879t3-mjvBaFk_gNmQ/s1600/IMG_4927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC2z9ECZlbHnBykLCfNo-9TDrm-fY0f2PBAt9UBe1acYbFag-0noUiShl-vMFTBW4y8OJTiUB8HOkOB2JCLnX-MUCsj9VqTI8vbiMavFt1xNaqHWB0Ltq4fKlos879t3-mjvBaFk_gNmQ/s400/IMG_4927.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monterey, California - October 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;">I am thankful for my church, friends, family, and relatives. We are truly blessed to be surrounded with good people.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">I am thankful for the tangible things and pleasant life experiences we have been blessed with. They are icing on the cake and do make life sweeter for me!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYP_eKKc1BJkG3kFsbG-LodqtjhyphenhyphenpKGDTfh2WnkoINA0LYXM5rWLJePv83IecXYzT7DYR8k7y4pyRPv_lRs0IqD01kAwEfKmglTg_KUOr2Vn0lhD9Qu7NL7L0jfksw41SNvLof1OIT4gy/s1600/IMG_4538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYP_eKKc1BJkG3kFsbG-LodqtjhyphenhyphenpKGDTfh2WnkoINA0LYXM5rWLJePv83IecXYzT7DYR8k7y4pyRPv_lRs0IqD01kAwEfKmglTg_KUOr2Vn0lhD9Qu7NL7L0jfksw41SNvLof1OIT4gy/s400/IMG_4538.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown San Francisco, California - October 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;">BUT most importantly as now we are currently going through a storm, I am thankful that we can be still and know that He is God.</span>KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-3527569432369873052016-10-13T16:34:00.000-04:002016-10-13T16:34:09.400-04:00BUTTERFLIES<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOiP6jmHDEc/V__odystnkI/AAAAAAAACsE/7ycwDT2r4PQbN5b5CihNy3eyEXtOKN5DgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOiP6jmHDEc/V__odystnkI/AAAAAAAACsE/7ycwDT2r4PQbN5b5CihNy3eyEXtOKN5DgCLcB/s400/IMG_4371.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Today, we learned about one of God's lovely creatures, the BUTTERFLIES:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Some people call them "<b>winged flowers.</b>"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Although it may seem that butterflies have two wings, they actually have four wings (two big and two small).</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">God gave them a job to do, and that is to spread pollen!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Butterflies start as caterpillars. An adult butterfly would lay egg in a leafy spot. A very hungry caterpillar would then come out of the egg. It would eat and eat leaves for about 14 days. It will then wrap itself with a blanket called <b>chrysalis</b>. One day, the chrysalis felt so tight, and a beautiful winged creature then broke free out of the chrysalis. What happens inside the chrysalis, no one knows! How a caterpillar changes into a butterfly is a <b>miracle. </b>A miracle is something that only God can do.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Using this plastic orchid and butterfly decor, we demonstrated how a butterfly sucks nectar and then spreads pollen from one flower to another.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Speaking of miracles, although not included in the book, I mentioned to my son that he is also a miracle. My womb was his chrysalis for nine months until he was ready to be born. How he changed inside me over time from a very tiny cell to a fully formed little human being was a great miracle of God!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We then played a little game. I wrapped my student in a big comforter and pretended that he was a caterpillar trying to come out of his chrysalis. We then pretended to be butterflies fluttering around the house.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">For arts and crafts, we painted a butterfly garden. I pre-cut a "stencil" and my little boy used washable paints and sponges to paint a garden scene.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2X7YUgyK43YNo5Uaey8tw1qk0lZUi2mXW7L7r4SpGEOKIJu_Hr3fOsBZlNMyzM83Q6P-dh2QFKyC5LnJtrvPOwWK6rPcf3i-lYW5u1amTt_62C4WuEaCPFdlujrmiuJVSZFn3Gr-MfIT/s1600/IMG_4369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2X7YUgyK43YNo5Uaey8tw1qk0lZUi2mXW7L7r4SpGEOKIJu_Hr3fOsBZlNMyzM83Q6P-dh2QFKyC5LnJtrvPOwWK6rPcf3i-lYW5u1amTt_62C4WuEaCPFdlujrmiuJVSZFn3Gr-MfIT/s400/IMG_4369.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little boy insisted on writing the word "butterfly." So proud of him!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We also did a little coloring, and he practiced writing his name:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">My boy was wondering why we didn't practice writing letters today. I just thought I'd give him a break especially that he was the one who initiated on writing the word "butterfly" and I saw that he had put great effort in doing so and accomplishing the task :)</span></div>
KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-9647091217896870182016-10-12T16:11:00.000-04:002016-10-12T16:11:08.430-04:00BEARS!<span style="color: #073763;">Yap, we talked about bears today.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Among the "beary" things we learned are:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">God made black, brown and white (polar) bears.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Bears are covered in thick hairy <b>fur</b> to keep them warm.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Bears are DANGEROUS!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Bears live in a <b>den</b> in the mountains with rivers or forest.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Bears have sharp claws for climbing trees and catching fish.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Bears have sharp teeth for eating meat, and flat teeth for eating berries, plants, and bugs.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Bears love honey!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Bears <b>hibernate</b> during winter.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Baby bears are called <b>cubs.</b></span></li>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We also learned the song, "The Bear Went Over the Mountain."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">For reading time, I brought out a bunch of bear books we have at home. Vonn Kaleb chose to read Bear Snores On, and Bear Feels Sick, both by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">For arts and crafts, we made a "fuzzy wuzzy bear" using cotton balls, construction paper, glue, marker, wiggly eyes, and brown watercolor paint:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We also did a Numbers and Skills with Button Bear workbook activity:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Finally, we practiced writing:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><i>Whew!</i> We survived another homeschooling day. There are so many challenges along the way, that's why we always start our lesson with a prayer. We sure need more of God's grace now that we've been homeschooling!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying screen time after homeschool! Cuddling the brown stuffed bear we used for our lesson, a bowl of Mini Oreos, and The Cat in The Hat on TV. </span></td></tr>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-16364119617111746112016-10-11T17:37:00.001-04:002016-10-11T18:15:41.287-04:00A IS FOR AFRICA!<span style="color: #073763;">Before I start talking about our homeschool lesson today, let me just say that I can't believe I'm back blogging again. LOL! Amidst the pile of clothes for ironing as tall as me, basket-ful of clothes for laundry, basket-ful of clean clothes for folding, beddings that I haven't finished drying (for the 2nd time!), and all the other chores and duties I have on my plate, here I am blogging. Priorities, <i>Karen</i>, priorities. Hehe!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Anyway, let's get this on and be done!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">We learned that God made the world we live in. It is round, and has lands and bodies of water surrounding lands. We learned that we live in Georgia, in the United States of America, in North America. For today, we talked about another big mass of land far away from where we live. We talked about the continent of <b>AFRICA</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">We particularly discussed some of the animals that live in Africa, and we learned that:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">A camel has a hump for it to survive the hot desert. God also gave camels special eyelids and eyelashes to protect their eyes from sand.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Elephants have big ears that they use as a fan to cool themselves down. They have trunks that they use to pick up food and feed themselves, drink water, and squirt water to give themselves a cool shower.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Giraffes have long necks so they can reach the leaves on treetops. They have spots to "camouflage" from predators far away.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Gorillas and monkeys have long arms and long legs to swing from trees. Some big gorillas can build a "house" for themselves using tree branches.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Daddy lions have beautiful "manes" around their heads.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Zebras can run fast if they need to escape enemies.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">God has provided each animal the body parts it need to survive and live in African grasslands and desert.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We made our own version of African jungle as we went along our discussion. We used Mega Bloks and wooden animals to portray a jungle scene:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">For arts and craft, we made a lion face using cardstocks, wiggly eyes, glue, paint and markers. I let my little boy play with molding clay and animal-shaped cookie cutters while I cut out a lion's mane for our craft. When I finished cutting out a mane, my son then used brown, yellow and orange watercolor to paint the mane. We then made the lion's face and ears. My son glued wiggly eyes on the face. I drew the nose and using a marker, he shaded the lower part of the nose. He then drew the lion's mouth. My son wanted to play with the lion face and use it as a mask, so I taped a plastic spoon at the back of it for him to hold. Here's what our finished project looks like:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">ROAR!!! We then spent the next five minutes or so playing pretend. We pretended that we're lions and giraffes but we're best friends. We were roaring and running around the house, eating leaves from pretend trees, and hugging each other and holding hands because even though he was a lion and I was a giraffe, we're friends. BEST. PART. OF. TODAY'S. LESSON!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">When we were done playing, we then moved on to writing. It was actually my son who decided to stop playing, <i>"Now let's practice writing." </i>He kept the lion close to him while he was working on the letters K and A, and was roaring every now and then. He kept referring to himself as the Baby Cub and me, the Mommy Lioness. He seemed to be in a very good spirit while tracing the letters. He kept hugging me and had told me so many times, <i>"I love you, Mommy Lioness,"</i> while working. That right there was all the validation I needed. He sure had enjoyed his lesson today.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;">He insisted on writing "CUB" at the bottom of the page as he said that he was a baby cub and I was the Mommy Lioness.</span></td></tr>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-22868851719299580452016-10-10T16:51:00.002-04:002016-10-10T23:02:48.479-04:00THE LITTLE HARDWORKING ANT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #073763;">For today's homeschool lesson, we learned about <b>ants</b>. Some of the things we learned about ants are:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Ants live in underground cities called <b>colonies</b>.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Body parts include head, thorax and abdomen.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">They have six, legs, two eyes, a mouth, and two feelers called <b>antennae</b>.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Ants work hard to do the job their meant to do. The biggest ant is called the queen. She lays eggs. Some ants work to build underground tunnels and keep the colony clean. Some gather foods. Some protect the queen and baby ants.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Aphids</b> are "cows" of the colony. They suck honeydew juices from plants and store them in their abdomen for the other ants to feed on. <b>Honeypot ants</b> eat so much that they can't walk anymore and so all they do is hang on the ceiling and other ants can feed on from their big bellies.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Ants grow fungus in their "garden" for food. They chew on leaves, spit them out, and fungus then would grow from there.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Ants are helpers. The tunnels they make underground help keep the soil soft. Ants are also snack for some animals such as frogs and birds.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">God wants us to learn from ants. Proverbs 6:6 says, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:" </span></li>
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<span style="color: #073763;">For activities, we first did a little counting with the use of Numbers and Skills with Button Bear workbook. While coloring, my son said, <i>"Mom, I'm gonna be like an ant. I'm gonna work hard."</i> It made me so happy to hear him say that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We then reviewed the parts of an apple from our previous lesson. After that, we crafted a paper ant using black cardstock, wiggly eyes, and markers. I cut out three circles, and my son glued them together on a white cardstock. We then glued wiggly eyes to it. He drew the legs and antennae, and added a smile on its cute face for a happy touch to this rather big ant :) He then wrote the word "ant" underneath it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We then moved on to practice writing -- one of my son's least favorite things to do. He needs constant motivation when it comes to this part but the pushy mom in me tries her hardest not to push him so much to the point of burnout. The struggle is real for both of us. Whenever I feel like nudging him a little further, I have to remind myself that he is only 3, and he can write and read already.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">So that concludes our lesson for today. I prepared him some "ant snacks" using Mini Oreos and a couple of marshmallows, but I didn't think they were pretty enough, so I didn't bother taking pictures of them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Oh, and since the weather is much nicer and cooler now, Vonn Kaleb and I spent a couple of hours outside to play ball before we started our homeschool lesson. We saw some bugs and we also gathered branches, twigs, leaves and acorns while outside -- these are a few of my little boy's favorite things! </span></div>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-54813146622340303432016-10-07T21:29:00.001-04:002016-10-10T16:51:37.439-04:00A - A- APPLE!<span style="color: #073763;">Our homeschool lesson for today was all about APPLES.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">We are on our third week (<i>already?!</i>), and we have been using mainly the Abeka curriculum. For additional activities, I just search the net. There are so many freebies available online, so all I basically do is download and print off whatever I need.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Anyway, we talked about apples. We learned a new action poem. We learned that some apples are red, some are green, and some are yellow. We learned about the different parts of an apple - peel, flesh, core and seeds (shaped like a star). We learned that apples grow from apple trees, that blossoms appear in spring, and fruits are ready for picking in the fall. We also talked about different methods of apple picking/harvesting. We learned that you can make a lot of yummies from apples including apple pie, apple jelly, apple cake, apple butter, applesauce, apple cider, and of course, apple juice! :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Now, for a little game, we played Apple Treasure Hunt.Using my Scan 'N Cut, I (with help from my student/son) made apple cutouts way ahead of time:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">I hid a few apples all around the house. I then printed riddles/clues as to where to find them. Some of the riddles I made myself up, and some I copied from the Internet:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">And the hunt began! The little boy found apples on his bed's head board, under the dinner table, on his toothbrush holder/cup, in the laundry room/on the washer, and in the fireplace. Because this was his first time to play a treasure hunt game, I had to help him a little by giving out few details to some of the riddles/clues, but he pretty much figured them out on his own.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">When he had found all the apples, we did a little project:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">I cut out white construction paper to stick on the apples to show the "flesh" part. My son then stuck the cutouts together using glue, and then using a brown marker, he traced and colored the seed "star formation" in the core. I did the one on top as an example for him to copy. He did a very good job and I'm so proud of my boy!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">When we have finished our project, we moved on to counting and coloring apples using his Numbers and Skills with Button Bear workbook:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">As you can see, he can write his name very well now. With understandably short attention span for anyone his age (3), he gets distracted easily, so I have to redirect him several times for him to focus and concentrate on the task at hand.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">I also love the fact that my 3-year-old is a very good reader. I can just write on the board, say, a new poem we're learning, and he will read it in a breeze. I can now very well utilize our tiny white board as I discuss whatever topic we're studying about.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">It was a fun day of learning for both of us. I'm very proud of my boy because like any other preschooler, he encounters daily challenges, and at times, he feels lazy and bored with school work but with the right amount of nudge and push, he keeps on and does his best to complete a task.</span>KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-25766943755789958782016-08-24T04:33:00.002-04:002016-08-24T04:37:22.927-04:00JUST ANOTHER LOVE POST<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jekyll Island, May 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #073763;">It has been a while since I last updated my blog. I've been adulting a lot lately (hashtag motherhood) which I'm enjoying to bits but I do miss blogging. You know, just putting my (half-crazy half-sane) thoughts out there in cyberspace, documenting happy and pleasant memories, or even just to vent out and rant at times? I miss doing those!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Anyway, House Valencia is going on a getaway yet again tomorrow. Just for four days in an island close by. Mini-vacation but we are very excited. We haven't been out of the country since last year, and we've been itching so much to <i>escaflage. </i>Unfortunately, USCIS has been holding us back from Carribbean-ing, Canada-ing or Europe-ing (I wish!), so for now, we have to settle with exploring the little gems within our reach. There goes my little #rant for the day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">In that regard, I needed to catch up on my church treasurer duties before we go on vacation this weekend. I procrastinated updating the records, hence, I had a three-month backlog. I'm happy to say though that I have completed the essential 80% of it in a span of two days. Only by the grace of God! #whew</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Working on the church records, I had to use a laptop, which by the way I haven't been doing since gadget and tablet ages. I took the chance to look into old, old emails of mine, which then led me to writing this blog entry. Actually, I wanted to blog initially about my adorable son who tickles my fancy <i>to the bones, </i>but then when I checked my email and read some of my old messages with the love of my life (yes, the equally adorable father of my son), I couldn't help but smile, and feel <i>kilig to the bones,</i> and wear my heart in my sleeves. So here I go writing about some sweet nothings which is I know personal, but hey, this is my blog (AKA online diary), and I've written similar posts in the past. #archives</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon, November 2015</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Eight years ago (few weeks shy) was when I first met Vince. We have common acquaintances/friends from medical/pre-med school. He and my best friend in Toronto were also schoolmates back in grade school. Small world indeed! What brought us close to each other though was our work. We were roomies at work. Little did we know then that we would be forever roomies in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Although we hit it off immediately, it wasn't a love-at-first-sight thing. Coming from an emotionally traumatic relationship, I was a total mess. Meanwhile, Vince was in a happy and seemingly strong relationship, though separated by distance. We weren't looking into pursuing anybody then. We became friends. Close friends. Chummies. Buddies. Besties.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, February 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #073763;">About a couple of months since our first meeting when we realized that we were having feelings for each other. We might as well blame the snowstorm of December 2008, the defining moment of our <i>jowa-jowa-an </i>days. Well, <i>jowa-jowa-an</i> because we weren't official though somewhat exclusive. Anyway, those were the days, but yeah, well played Cupid, well played.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Around eight months since we first met, he moved to the US. I was miserable when he left. There were gazillion of uncertainties up in the air and in my mind. <i>What if this, what if that? </i>It wasn't a perfect relationship to begin with. I was hoping for the best but I had my doubts too. Looking back and reading that one particular email I sent him when I was heartbroken and badly hurting, I just realized now the weight of my words then. <i>Ang bigat pala ng mga sinabi ko noon </i>and I couldn't believe I did email him that. I needed to do that though, and I'm thankful that our love for each other prevailed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Obviously, we pulled through or I wouldn't be here right now writing about my love story. We weathered the distance. We survived! If I would choose a favorite memory of our pre-married days, it was those times when Vince would drive 16 hours just to spend a day with me. Rain or shine. Wind or snow. He faithfully did that once or twice a month for about a year-and-a-half. Up until now, every time I remember those visits, the anticipation of waiting, the excitement from my end, I still get butterflies in my stomach. He eventually got tired of driving. So one day, he made a surprise visit to me, and before he left, on bended knee and a diamond ring in hand, he asked me to marry him.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throwback pic from 2011 in our little apartment in Pennsylvania #newlywed</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Fast forward to present now, I'm still moonstruck, head-over-heels in-love with my husband. The giddy feelings I had back then during our <i>jowa-jowa-an</i> days have not changed. Every now and then, I would hear about a truly feel-good rom-com level love stories but ours still is my favorite love story of all time. A story that I will never get tired of telling over and over again, and I can only thank God for writing it for us.</span><br />
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-41591693612813060952016-03-06T23:18:00.005-05:002016-03-06T23:39:44.647-05:00"I'M LISTENING, MOMMY."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa - February 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;">Lately my son has learned to apologize. AND by that I meant not just throwing the word "sorry" meaninglessly but saying it with remorse and guilt. You could tell it by the tone of his voice and the puppy look no mother could resist. He would even apologize repeatedly until he gets a positive reaction from the offended party. That could range anywhere from a smile, a light tap on his head to a hug-kiss-and-tickle make-up kind of thing. His grandparents (my side) were touched and tickled whenever they would hear him apologize to me, his dad or them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;">So this morning, my 3-year-old boy was having a rough day. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed. With head full of cowlicks and a sippy cupful of milk on hand, he went to church, looking frumpy, grumpy, and not his usual cheeky self. Not even his favorite church moment, the congregational singing, changed his sour mood. By the time sermon started, he was ready to throw a fit. I took him from his dad as I want his dad to be able to concentrate on the preaching. He was trying to fight me and would not agree going to the nursery, so when I stood up and carried him to take him to the nursery, he burst into tears and started having a meltdown.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Inside the nursery, I tried to calm him. He was sobbing and crying and kept on telling me that he didn't like to stay in the nursery. My friend who was watching the nursery this morning told me that I could leave him and he usually quiets himself after a minute or so anyway once left there. However, when I told my son that I was going to go back in the sanctuary, he quickly told me in between pitiful sobs, "Sorry, Mommy." I knew he was having a really rough morning, so I said to him, "It's okay. There's no need to say 'sorry.' I'm not mad. I just need you to stop crying." I walked towards the door and he ran after me, and said, "I'm listening, Mommy." AND THOSE WORDS THAWED MY HEART.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">You see, his dad and I, when we reprimand him, we always tell him that he should start listening more to us. This boy is only 3 years old yet he could be hardheaded and stubborn as a bull a lot of times, and so we always have to remind him that he should listen to us. So, when he told me this morning that he was "listening," it broke my heart in a good way. It is hard to put into words what I felt but I had all different sorts of heartwarming mommy feels. Let's just say I had a motherhood defining moment there. One of the many (and more to come) that I would never forget :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvI_nh22VswoL_sbvBBU9lXHNRh_r1SPGNu7Uhv4VlvVESLaQ8qQ2l_viTVyAmaNbij1kYzhyi8F4yRXZbTRw7cTcs0HsOCDZa9ZuRNABh28aaq94YhW55m6GmolDJA5yAT-MxDSzfIl0/s1600/IMG_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvI_nh22VswoL_sbvBBU9lXHNRh_r1SPGNu7Uhv4VlvVESLaQ8qQ2l_viTVyAmaNbij1kYzhyi8F4yRXZbTRw7cTcs0HsOCDZa9ZuRNABh28aaq94YhW55m6GmolDJA5yAT-MxDSzfIl0/s400/IMG_0668.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa - February 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-18652888556311305732016-02-29T23:34:00.000-05:002016-02-29T23:34:10.420-05:00ESCAPE A LA KAREN<span style="color: #073763;">Hi there bloggers everywhere! If you happen to be reading my blog now, please take time to vote for my entry. Please click on the following link and vote for my entry - Escape a la Karen (Karen Pagulong):</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClubMedOfficial/app/610925878965605/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>CLUB MED ESCAPE A LA (your name) CONTEST</b></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kCJHtNhx9WXJB6_PnYEHvYNqIbEsTCL5O0V0KmykgPJYmGZtqz_uQ7Jv6pT3BFsIDFPs_Ej87cSNhPHB3UOLygyV9mRDzSARpBPt_PJsdTi22qKsXTRMERJv1rDrkedWJ2do45YK0Ext/s1600/Club+Med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kCJHtNhx9WXJB6_PnYEHvYNqIbEsTCL5O0V0KmykgPJYmGZtqz_uQ7Jv6pT3BFsIDFPs_Ej87cSNhPHB3UOLygyV9mRDzSARpBPt_PJsdTi22qKsXTRMERJv1rDrkedWJ2do45YK0Ext/s320/Club+Med.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="entry_description entry_details ss_preserve_ws" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<i>"My ultimate escape would be a day of underwater photo shoot with my husband in a pristine, blue ocean, where we could both channel our inner water nymphs to depict modern, mythical romance in photos." - Karen Pagulong (Picture credit to Club Med)</i></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;">Prize at stake is a 7-night all-inclusive Club Med vacation for four, and I really would love to win that! I need all the support I can get, so I'm counting on anyone who has access to Internet to please click on the link and vote for my entry (Escape a la Karen). Contest will end soon on March 7 and the winner will be announced on March 11. You only need to vote once, so please (pretty, pretty please?) vote for me, and if you would be so kind, please also share to your friends and ask to vote for me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Again, here is the link to vote: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClubMedOfficial/app/610925878965605/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>CLUB MED: ESCAPE A LA (your name) CONTEST</b></span></a><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">There are 10 finalists, so make sure you vote for my entry - Escape a la Karen (Karen Pagulong). </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Thank you very much in advance to those who will vote (and share) for me! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">x0x0</span>KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-10419454523778170342016-01-30T03:19:00.000-05:002016-01-30T03:57:34.986-05:00TURNING 3 IN FEBRUARY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQDn7Yp-aP4/Vqxv_GJodKI/AAAAAAAACjY/kYUZW4mw7HM/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQDn7Yp-aP4/Vqxv_GJodKI/AAAAAAAACjY/kYUZW4mw7HM/s400/IMG_0289.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>"I'm turning 3 in February."</i> - Vonn Kaleb at 2.5 years</span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">It's crazy how super fast time flies when you're a parent, and whenever I realize that my pint-sized boy is no longer the tiny, fragile, fussy, unable-to-talk baby I used to cradle and carry like Roo-in-Kanga's-pouch, I get sentimental. *sniff sniff*</span><br>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Sigh. The cycle of life. So surreal at times... (and another sigh!)</span><br>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Anyway, emotional dramatic mother feelings aside, I am joyful and thankful beyond words to see how my precious child grow each day. I am in awe of his growth, and his development have truly been leaps and bounds. It's simply amazing how a child can transform over a short period of time, and to be there to witness it happen right before your eyes every passing day is truly a blessing.</span><br>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">According to</span> <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-3yr.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</span></a><span style="color: #0c343d;">, most children at age 3 do the following:</span><br>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL</span></b><br>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Copies adults and friends</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Shows affection for friends without prompting</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Takes turns in games</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Shows concern for crying friend</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Understands the idea of "mine" and "his" or "hers"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Shows a wide range of emotions</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Separates easily from mom and dad</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">May get upset with major changes in routine</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Dresses and undresses self</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">My son does everything in the above checklist except "dresses and undresses self" which he can do but still with assistance from adults.</span><br>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">The most challenging milestone we have met in this aspect was "separates easily from mom and dad." He has always been the clingy (untouchable by others) baby. Recently, he has been attending Sunday School and Nursery on his own without resistance. We also has had success leaving him with his grandparents a few times for date nights. He understands now that "grown-ups come back (thanks to Daniel Tiger!)" when he is separated from us, his mom and dad. Honestly, knowing how clingy my boy is, I didn't really expect we'd get to this point this soon, where we can actually leave him in a Sunday School class without him bawling his eyes out. I'm the proudest momma in the whole wide universe every time I bring him to Sunday School and he willingly joins the class and not run after me when I leave.</span><br>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span>
<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION</span></b><br>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Can name most familiar things</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Understands words like "in," "on" and "under"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Says first name, age and sex</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Names a friend</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Says words like "I," "me," "we," and "you" and some plurals (cars, dogs, cats)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">It overwhelms me how my son's language/communication skills has been evolving. I was so concerned about his speech being delayed. He didn't say a word (Daddy) until he was 21 months old. I prayed and prayed to God to help us in this regard because the thought of my child being unable to utter not even a single word when most kids his age were already engaging in conversation with their parents was getting too concerning for me. So, <i>you know</i>, now that he's turned into a very cheeky, chatterbox, who talks and sings nonstop all throughout his awake time, my husband and I would just shake our heads and tell each other, "We asked God for it." His language and communication skill for his age is pretty impressive and amusing at the same time. He never fails to entertain us and his grandparents with his witty remarks. Actually, he is a little bit advanced in terms of his language/communication skills, and I'll get to that in detail later at the end of this entry.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Examples: This morning I asked him to put on his sandals and his reply to me was, "Maybe later." The other day he told his friend, "Miss Isla, you have to use the potty before we take a nap." His most used expression? "I don't want to!" </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Also, he loves playing with his words. He conjures and twists words to make new words. He intentionally changes word pronunciation. He talks nasally in purpose. He is so silly!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">BUT, my favorite is when he randomly sings and hums tunes. To say that he loves to sing is an understatement. Really. AND I'm not saying this because I'm his mom, but our friends in church have already noticed his singing too. <i>Sooooo sooooo </i>precious! He reminds me of a quote I read before, "A bird in the house is like sauce to meat." With all the talking and singing he does all day, there's just no dull moment with him.</span></div>
<div>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJulOPz14Vtt06fb5uQwhyphenhyphenQ76wsClz2PNPhsPQrmE9VqAKkDyK9xOr_hmwUGo-4HV5nToqVZB6HHUq_nuDBqk4XpJNyn-oZD337iGu8dutrYZ2JxFrboMB3CkPKF_zqDo6LOyzJo15WA1/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJulOPz14Vtt06fb5uQwhyphenhyphenQ76wsClz2PNPhsPQrmE9VqAKkDyK9xOr_hmwUGo-4HV5nToqVZB6HHUq_nuDBqk4XpJNyn-oZD337iGu8dutrYZ2JxFrboMB3CkPKF_zqDo6LOyzJo15WA1/s400/IMG_0263.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<br>
<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">COGNITIVE (learning, thinking, problem-solving)</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Does puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Understands what "two" means</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Copies a circle with pencil or crayon</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Turns book pages one at a time</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Builds towers of more than 6 blocks</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handle</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">My boy's pretend games are so creative. His make-believe games are so "vivid" that an adult could easily jump into the story. The other day, he was playing with his friend, Isla, here at home. He was riding his tricycle, when he said, "There's a train! We have to stop." Isla didn't budge. She looked around, stretched her neck, wondering. After a few seconds, she asked, "Where's the train?," and you could see in her face that she thought Vonn Kaleb meant an actual train. Vonn Kaleb replied to her pointing to a direction, "Right there, over ahead of us!" These toddlers are so precious.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Puzzles - he has been doing 12-piece jigsaw puzzles for quite a while now. I've been wanting to get him 24-piece ones but I just hadn't gotten to buying them yet.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He does know what "two" means, so as three, four, five and even up to 20. He can "subitize" up to 6. I used dice to introduce him that technique when he turned 2, and I really wasn't expecting him to get it right away. The dice were much more enticing to him as a toy than a mathematics learning tool, so I didn't really pursue, but I guess, the concept did click on him, because now he can easily count objects up to 6 with one glance.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">His building skills have gotten more creative too. This morning, he made an elaborate ship out of his Lego Duplo blocks. I thought it was just me who noticed that but his grandmother did too.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">MOVEMENT/PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT</span></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Climbs well</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Runs easily</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Pedals a tricycle (3-wheel bike)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He loves riding his tricycle! I didn't think he'd learn to pedal before he turns 3, but lo and behold, he did! I'm soooo proud of my boy :)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcIiyqp3NrM/Vqxwa2FULSI/AAAAAAAACjg/JZCHnUH6_eg/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcIiyqp3NrM/Vqxwa2FULSI/AAAAAAAACjg/JZCHnUH6_eg/s400/IMG_0305.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">In conclusion, my son's developmental milestones are on track, and as I mentioned above, in some aspects, he is actually ahead. Just out of curiosity, I checked what 4-year-olds usually can do, and out of the checklist, here are things that my son (shy of 3) can do now:</span></div>
<div>
<br>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Is more and more creative with make-believe play</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Knows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using "he" and "she"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or the "Wheels on the Bus"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Tells stories</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Can say first and last name</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Names some colors and some numbers</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Understands the idea of counting</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Starts to understand time</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Remembers parts of a story</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d;">Understands the idea of "same" and "different"</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Again, as I have observed (all bias aside) he is very creative in terms of pretend play.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">His grammar is impressive, considering his parents, whom he learns majority of his communication and interaction skills from, are ESLs. He uses past tense and plural forms. He knows basic pronouns. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He sings songs, and I'm not talking about nursery rhymes or children songs - songs with different verses, choruses, refrains, bridges, etc. He sings Kids Praise songs, Sandi Patti songs, church hymnal songs, good ole' nursery rhymes, TV show songs, Christmas songs, etc. Sometimes, he knows the words to a song more than I do. He would even correct me when I sing the lyrics wrong or got them mixed up or even with just a word that I didn't get right. This boy loves to sing, he picks up songs so quickly.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He loves telling stories.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He knows his full name.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He knows his colors and numbers and letters, too! Uppercase and lowercase both. I haven't taught him how to actually read yet. I'm taking it slowly as I don't want him to get burnt out, so right now, whenever we read books, I throw a word here and there, for him to "read" and spell, and he has been doing very good so far. He actually can spell and "sight" read a bunch of words now. I keep a list of those words and I add whenever he learns to spell or "sight" read a new word.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He knows how to count. This afternoon while I was so busy cooking, I heard him count 1 to 20. When I turned to look, he was counting block "pegs," and to my surprise, he was right! I had to do a double take to make sure there were really 20 "pegs." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He sort of has a concept of time now. The way we do it at the moment is we tell time by saying where the hands of the clock point to and what does it mean. For example, we say, "It's pointing to 8 and 6. That's 8:30. That means, it's time for bath." He follows that pattern whenever he talks about time. This morning, I told him that we need to get up from bed already as I have to cook for lunch, and he said to me, "I want to cuddle for 5 minutes." So I said okay to him but I told him that when the clock points to this and that, we have to stand up then because that means 5 minutes is up.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">His memory is very sharp. He is keen and very observant. He is particular to details. He has no trouble remembering parts of stories.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">He knows what same and different are.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">So yeah, there you go! I know this post is way too long and self-serving, and I meant it that way. If only we could install a camera that will capture ALL of his moments a la THE TRUMAN SHOW, we would definitely do it, just so we could document everything. With him growing so fast and changing each day, I want to keep a record of his milestones even if only thru this blog.</span></div>
</div>
KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-8522897188231216422015-11-03T04:36:00.000-05:002016-03-20T01:45:58.754-04:00MOMENTS: A LATE PUBLISH<div><i>Note: This has been sitting in my Draft Folder for some time now. I wrote this in November 2015, and only now (March 2016) did I realize that I have yet to publish this. If there are any grammatical errors or slips, my apologies. I didn't proofread or make further edits other than this addendum note.</i></div><span style="color: #073763;"><div><span style="color: #073763;"><br></span></div>In a short span of time, motherhood has taught me a lot of things already. I learned that I didn't just become a parent but I've also gained my youngest best friend - my son. I realized that there is no such thing as little moments with him. The shortest hug, the slightest touch, the quickest kiss -- they're all too big and overwhelming. If only I could freeze a moment in time...</span><br>
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<span style="color: #073763;">So here's one reason why I blog my MOMents. I could never tell time to hold still even for just a moment but I could at least document moments here in my blog. When my son is grown and I'm all wrinkly and old, and when the time comes that my mind fails, I hope to still vividly recall and feel in my heart those moments through the records in this blog.</span><br><br>
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<b><u><span style="color: #073763;">Mr. Kulit Paulit Ulit</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I didn't get enough sleep the other night. In fact, I went to bed at around 8:00 in the morning. I pulled an all-nighter working on our church's financial records. It wasn't like I had a humongous pile of work to do. It's just that I waited and procrastinated, and so I got behind and did some catching up on it. I knew that was going to happen and when I don't get enough sleep, the tiniest annoyance could set me off. Who doesn't, right? So I kept reminding myself not to blow my fuse up at the pettiest of things. It's my fault that I was sleep deprived. My son doesn't have anything to do with it, so he doesn't need snarling and gnarling from me especially when he's just being his usual naughty self.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Around 9:30 in the morning, my boy woke up. He was pleasant. He was playing with his toy in his bed, so I asked him to lie down beside me. He is already used to me not being a morning person, so he obliges whenever I tell him that I still want to lie on the bed and catch some zzzzs. After a short while, he asked for milk, and so I got up and got him milk. We both laid on the bed while he drank his milk. He then grabbed books and asked to be read. I obliged. He was already up and about playing at that time when I was reading to him. Soon after, he said he needs to use the potty, so I took him to the bathroom and helped him. In his active energetic mode already, he accidentally hit me, so I frowned. I didn't say a word but he saw me frowned.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">We then went back to his room and I once again laid down in bed. A few minutes after that, I decided to finally get up. There's no way I could catch winks anyway with a toddler in active play in the same room with me, so might as well get on my feet and get going. The moment I stood up, my son definitively said, "Mommy is awake. Mommy is awake. Mommy is awake..." He said it repetitively though. That's just how he is. He will keep on saying something until he gets reassurance and confirmation from either his Mom or Dad, which we do almost every time. This time, I purposely ignored him though. He persisted and kept on saying, "Mommy is awake..." He has already gotten used to receiving constant affirmation from us even when he's already stating an obvious fact. I want him to learn and know that it's okay -- we don't have to repeat or say everything back to him to assure him. I want him to develop self-confidence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">"Mommy is awake. Mommy is awake. Mommy is awake...," he went on. I was waiting for him to stop, so I remained quiet and went about fixing the bed. When it dawned on him that he wasn't going to get the reassurance from me, he changed his tone -- sweet, slow and calm -- and said, "Good morning. Good morning, Mommy."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">That broke my heart. I melted. I thought I was teaching him to be confident and independent, but when I thought about it, he is just a 2.5-year-old boy. He understandably still needs reassurance from his parents. In due time, he will be all on his own, and I will be phased out of his life, but until then, I ought to give him all the reassurance a sweet, innocent child needs, <i>kahit pa Mr. Kulit Paulit Ulit na</i> :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud7aFb8zd9Q/Vjh9SKNu9bI/AAAAAAAACjE/vdjjTjfJh_E/s1600/12033099_10153026125980916_5915749162821248180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud7aFb8zd9Q/Vjh9SKNu9bI/AAAAAAAACjE/vdjjTjfJh_E/s400/12033099_10153026125980916_5915749162821248180_n.jpg" width="306"></a></div>
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Mr. Kulit Paulit Ulit wearing a Dreadlocks Rasta Hat</div>
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~ October 23, 2015 ~</div>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-31537029389854405552015-11-03T02:19:00.001-05:002020-06-24T18:04:09.619-04:00OH, THE PLACES I'VE BEEN!<span style="color: #073763;">This is just to keep tabs of the places I've been and the miles I've racked in hopes that in the future I'll be able to document here in my blog and share a memory or two from each of my travels near and far. Having said that, this entry will be updated every now and then.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #073763;">PHILIPPINES</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">My hometown.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I grew up in an era when tourism wasn't as affordable and accessible as it is now, and for that I wasn't able to travel as much as I should've. Being raised in a city at the South, our family took pleasure on summer outings to the hot springs and resorts in <b>Laguna</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Tagaytay</b> was the next option especially when the weather got scorching hot, and I remember having been there a few times with my family, one time with high school batchmates on a retreat, and another time with my college friends.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">My paternal grandmother was Ilocana and if my memory serves me right, I think I've been to <b>Ilocos Sur</b> twice or thrice. I have memories of going to Vigan very quickly on our first trip to Ilocos when I was about 6.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">My paternal grandfather hailed from <b>Southern Leyte</b>, so my my family embarked on a road trip one time to go there. This trip is one for the books. It was my first time to go on a looooong drive as such. Of note, this happened in 1993, back when ferry transportation was not easily available. The travel took longer than the actual vacation itself. We drove all the way from Muntinlupa to Liloan, Leyte and back jampacked on a not-so-comfy jeep. I celebrated my 13th birthday partly stranded on the <b>Matnog</b> port waiting for a ferry that would take us across the island. One of the highlights of this trip was seeing <b>Mayon volcano</b> on its active state. It was nighttime when we passed by <b>Bicol,</b> and so the fiery lavas dripping down the volcano's perfect slope was a sight to behold. It looked like a lighted cigarette in the dark. The volcano continuously spat red, oozing lavas out of its mouth, and I can still vividly picture it in my mind. It was just amazing to watch especially for a young urban girl like me. It looked dangerous and scary but so beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">My mother is from <b>Pampanga</b>, and for a couple of years we lived there. I went to school in <b>Bulacan</b> while we were there. I got to go to fiestas on several occasions, and witnessed <i>Mahal na Araw </i>traditional<i> </i>parades and ceremonies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I visited <b>Baguio </b>twice.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">In 2010, when I went back home for the first time after being away for 5 years, Vince and I took my family to <b>Boracay</b>. Another first time for me. We also visited his family in <b>Caramoan Sur</b>. We went island hopping and saw Gota Beach from afar. We also stayed overnight in <b>Naga </b>and visited the Cam Sur Watersports Complex.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Other than the regular <i>pasyal </i>around Manila and nearby urban cities, trips to StarCity, Enchanted Kingdom, and the likes, and mall trips, unfortunately for me, I haven't really explored much of the touristy side of the Philippines.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #073763;">CANADA</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">My home away from home.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">I moved to <b>Toronto </b>10 years ago. I pretty much stayed within <b>Greater Toronto Area (GTA)</b>, <b>Ontario</b>. You know, <b>Vaughan</b>, <b>Mississauga</b>, <b>Scarborough</b>, <b>Markham</b>, <b>North York</b>, <b>Barrie</b>, <b>Brampton</b>, <b>Niagara</b>, etc. I occasionally went on camping and fishing trips as well as fruit picking with my church family. I used to play volleyball (beach and court) with my BFF and later on with Vince too. One time I went with few friends to <b>Montreal, Quebec</b>, and spent a day *speaking* or at least pretending to speak French. Hehe! Oh, and one time, when Vince was looking for a job, we were interviewed in <b>Kinmount, </b>Ontario.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">I had a lot of fun in Toronto, AND a lot of heartaches, disappointments, and frustrations as well. It was a coming-of-an-age experience for me, and that is why, Toronto will always be in my heart.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #073763;">UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">My current home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">The first time I stepped on Uncle Sam's soil was in 2009. It was because of Vince that I hurriedly applied for a tourist visa, so I could come and see him when he moved here. I wasn't a Canadian citizen then and I procrastinated on obtaining my citizenship but when Vince left, I sensed the urgency. Talking about what love can do to someone. LOL.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Anyway, I'll jog my memory the best I can to list the places I've been to around the US. I'd rather not stress myself so much though in making this list extensive, so for states or cities that I've been to several times already, I'd just list the state name and not go into elaborate details anymore.</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #073763;">New York</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #073763;">New Jersey</span></b></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Pennsylvania</b> - I lived here for a couple of years.</span></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #073763;">Maryland</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #073763;">Washington DC</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #073763;">Florida</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #073763;">Georgia</span></b></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>South Carolina - </b>Anderson and Hilton Head Island</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Missouri - </b>St. Louis and Kansas City</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Hawaii - </b>Oahu. Babymoon. I hiked, ziplined, jet skiied, parasailed, snorkeled, ocean kayaked, stand-up paddled, and a lot more fun things I did while there. I was able to cross off a lot of bucket list items in this trip including Pearl Harbor. I was 6 weeks pregnant and it was a rollercoaster vacation for me. My pregnancy hormones weren't very cooperative. I was nauseated and sick for the most part but I was undeterred. Girl power! </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Illinois</b> - Rushville, Chicago, Schaumburg</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>California </b>- San Diego, San Francisco and Bay Area (San Pablo, Daly City, Concord, etc.), Monterey</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Nevada</b> - Las Vegas</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Arizona</b> - Grand Canyon West/Skywalk and Hoover Dam</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>North Dakota</b> - We visited my sister-in-law and her family in 2017</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Massachusetts</b> - We went around Boston, and visited Thomasland in Edaville in November 2017.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Virginia</b> - My parents visited the US again in 2018, and we did an East Coast trip with them while they were here. We stayed in Virginia for the most part of our week long tour.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Alaska </b>- July 2019</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Tennessee</b> - November 2019</span></li>
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<b><u><span style="color: #073763;">CARIBBEAN</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">You can take me out of the island but you can't take the island out of me. We are water babies!</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Jamaica</b> - Late honeymoon in April 2010. Came back in May 2015 for my birthday and Mother's Day with our first born. Yeah mon!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Bahamas</b> - May 2014</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Mexico</b> - Cancun and Chichen Itza in October 2015. Chichen Itza is a bucket list item crossed off ;)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Dominican Republic</b> - Punta Cana in October 2015, March 2017, May 2018, May 2019</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Puerto Rico</b> - Carolina and Old San Juan in March 2015</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Bermuda</b> - Vince attended a conference in August 2017. Vonn Kaleb and I, of course, tagged along.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Grand Cayman</b> - Another conference for Vince in December 2017, which means, another out-of-country family trip for us. Score!</span></li>
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<b><u><span style="color: #073763;">EUROPE</span></u></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Switzerland </b>- September 2019</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Italy </b>- September 2019</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>France </b>- September 2019</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Germany </b>- September 2019</span></li>
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<b><span style="color: #073763;">~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;">As you can tell from my post above, I have yet to explore a lot of places - South America, Asia, Australia, and even Africa. The world is sooo vast and big but in due time and if God allows, I'm making it my oyster ;) So, in that regard, I'm making a separate post for my </span><a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/p/oh-places-ill-go.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">bucket list</span></a><span style="color: #073763;">. Stay tuned, and recommendations are very much welcome ;) Let's do this!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">You can read more of my travel stories and see pictures here:</span> <a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/search/label/Tuesday%20Travel" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">GLOBETROTTING</span></b></a></div>
<br />KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-76047508186589146832015-11-01T21:34:00.001-05:002015-11-02T02:32:09.652-05:00THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY #2<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;"><span style="color: #073763;">We just got back from our weekend getaway in Florida. I mentioned in my </span><a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-sunday-currently-1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">previous post</span></a><span style="color: #073763;"> that my son suggested going to the beach but because we still have unused Aquatica (Seaworld) tickets, we decided to go there instead. My little boy didn't get his beach fix but the good lot of sand in Aquatica, the rapids, and the wave pool made up for it. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"><span style="background-color: ; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">So now that I have access to a laptop, here's my entry for The Sunday Currently:</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">CURRENTLY</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Reading</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: ;">I'm still reading The Book Thief and the Bible. I thought I'd be done with the book of Job this week but I was unable to finish it. I still have about three chapters left, so I'm making it my goal to finish it within this week and start Exodus.</span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 19.6px;"><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Writing</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">this blog entry.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Listening</b></span><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763;">to my father, mother, husband, and son all talking at the same time. LOL. We're Skyping and trying to iron out the details of my parents' flight this weekend. Yehey! We're excited for their arrival here. Super excited!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Thinking</b></span><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763;">of the tasks I have at hand. I need to stop procrastinating. <i>Ayayay!</i></span><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Smelling</b></span><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763;">what little <i>Arroz Caldo</i> left in my son's bowl. </span><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Wishing</b></span><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><br />for a smooth and safe travel for my parents. With all the <i>"laglag bala"</i> incidents at NAIA, we can't help but feel anxious and worried for them. Pray, pray and pray. That's what I need to do.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Hoping</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">to finish my Christmas projects on time. I'm currently hand sewing throw pillow covers. I finished two already and I still have to make 8 pillow covers and 1 bench cushion cover. I'm also going to make an advent calendar for Christmas countdown. Honestly, with zero to little artistic juice flowing in my blood, I'm going to need lots of Pinterest ideas and DIY tutorials for these projects to materialize. </span><br />
<b style="line-height: 19.6px;"><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="line-height: 19.6px;"><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Wearing</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">my regular house clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">
<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Loving</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">
<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">my very loving and supportive husband more and more each day. We had just celebrated our 5th anniversary, hence, the weekend getaway. We would've gone somewhere romantic with only the two of us, but you know, with a toddler in tow all the time, that's never going to happen. LOL. That's also one of the reasons why we're so excited that my parents are finally coming! Hehe. Date nights and couple getaways already brewing and in the works. Ahihihi!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">
<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Wanting</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">
<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">
<span style="color: #073763;">to </span><a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/2011/08/im-bringing-skinny-back.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">lose weight</span></a><span style="color: #073763;"> and a couple of inches particularly in my midsection. This tummy bulge has got to go away ASAP. We're thinking about baby #2 next year, and I want to lose about 5 pounds more before we start the baby making project. Haha!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">another</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/2015/08/she-bangs-she-bangs.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">haircut</span></a></span><span style="color: #073763;">. I'm thinking of chopping off a good chunk of my hair. I just had a haircut recently, and as expected, my hair had a growth spurt since then.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">
<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Needing</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: ;">to book a hotel for the weekend. We're always traveling, going somewhere, even for just a couple of days or so, and I'm not complaining. #thankful</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: ;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: ;">to do our church's financial records. I really need to work on this. I'm two months behind now. Uh oh!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: ; color: #073763;">Feeling</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;">stinky. I haven't taken a shower yet. Hehe!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Clicking</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;">the keyboard. Dvorak typist here.</span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #666666;">
<i style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i style="background-color: ;"><span style="color: #073763;">Feel free to join the meme and link up at</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><a href="http://siddathornton.blogspot.kr/search/label/the%20sunday%20currently" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Sunday Currently by siddathornton</span></a></i></div>
KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-19236919041117321532015-10-25T17:39:00.002-04:002015-10-26T14:38:43.065-04:00THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY #1<span style="color: #073763;">My desire to update this blog and the free time I have in hand are inversely proportional to each other. On some occasions when I actually did have extra time to spare for blogging, I'd find myself ironically hexed with writer's block. Aaaarrggghhh!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">Thank goodness for memes like this for they help dwindling blogs (and minds) like mine to stay afloat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">So here goes nothing:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">CURRENTLY</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763;">Reading</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">Currently - like, as in at this very moment - I'm reading Maine Mendoza's blog,</span> <a href="http://mainemendoza.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Pessimistic Optimistic Bella</span></a>. <span style="color: #073763;">AlDub has taken over my Facebook news feed since day 1, and honestly, I find this tandem adorable. My sister is a big fan and she has been bugging me to watch all the episodes which I would love to do if only I had the time (yeah, please see introductory paragraph above). Curious as to what all this hype about, I brought my iPad with me at the gym one time and watched a few episodes while doing my run on the treadmill. I must say that it was pretty entertaining and I had a good laugh watching the <i>kalyeserye</i>. I love the randomness of their skits. So adlib! I saw a 15-minute clip from the most recent <i>Tamang Panahon</i> concert, and it gave me all kinds of good feels ;) I hope the best for these two young artists career and relationship wise. On a side note, reading Maine's blog is how I stumbled upon</span> <a href="http://siddathornton.blogspot.kr/search/label/the%20sunday%20currently" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Sunday Currently</span></a> <span style="color: #073763;">meme.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">For my current reading list, I have started reading four different books:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">1. The Maze Runner - read a few chapters and this is at the bottom of my list.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">2. A Game of Thrones - read several chapters already and will definitely get back to this.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">3. The Book Thief - just started but really easy read, so it looks like I'll finish this soon IF I find time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">4. Bible - I already finished reading Genesis, and currently about midway through the book of Job.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Let's see how I do with this list.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Writing</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">this blog entry.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Listening</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">to the dullness this late Sunday afternoon brings that is only minimally disturbed by the sound of my keyboard and mouse clicks... and by a napping toddler's sudden cry! </span><i style="color: #073763;">Jeez,</i><span style="color: #073763;"> I gotta hurry and finish this now before my boss wakes up.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Thinking</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">of exciting days ahead. My parents will finally be able to visit us here for the first time. Vacation plans have been made already for Thanksgiving - Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Vegas baby! - and I'm looking forward mostly to finally some date nights (and even third honeymoon maybe #Europe #Caribbean #cruise #wherever #webadlyneedagetaway) with my husband.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Smelling</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">my hands. Bath and Body Works hand soaps (and scented candles) are my favorites. I should remember to buy some more next time we go outlet shopping.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Wishing</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">my son would sleep better at night. My gosh! This has been a longstanding challenge for us already. He's nearly 3 years old now and yet we're as much sleep deprived as parents of a newborn. There are days when I still feel like a zombie, and I can imagine my husband probably feels worse than I do as he has to wake up </span><i style="color: #073763;">sooooo</i><span style="color: #073763;"> early in the morning to go to work. Poor daddy!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Hoping</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">for more blessed days ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Wearing</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">The "A Day for Divas" T-shirt and white shorts. In lieu of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the hospital where my husband works at sponsors annual "A Day for Divas" event. For the first time yesterday, my son and I were able to attend the said event.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Loving</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">the Georgia weather. We're still peaking in the 80's while our friends up north are bundling up in the low 40's or so.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Wanting</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">a new laptop... wait, this isn't a want but rather a NEED. All our laptops at home keep on crashing and we mostly rely on our tablets and my husband's work laptop which I'm currently using now. I need a new laptop especially I work on excel stuff for our church.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">a DSLR camera - now that's definitely a WANT. Something I can put on my Christmas wishlist BUT considering how much my loving husband spends on me and our family, I can hold off on this. For now, I'm going to have to suffice myself with our point-and-shoot camera, our waterproof one, and the high-zoom I've had for a while. #BeContent</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">a new designer purse - again, another WANT but I resolve not to put it on my Christmas wishlist or any wishlist for that matter. I don't need another purse. I don't need another purse. I don't need another purse. I don't need another purse. Sorry, I just have to say that a few times to remind myself that I.DON'T.NEED.ANOTHER.PURSE. #selfcontrol</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Needing</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">a new laptop - see above.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">to book my parents' flights plus the whole fambam's Thanksgiving trip to Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Las Vegas, but first, I need to book our getaway this weekend. It's my husband and mine's 5th wedding anniversary on the 30th and my son said yesterday, "We can go to the beach." There you go. #WeLoveToTravel</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Feeling</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;">Happy for this new entry in my blog. Yay! Can't wait to finish this up and publish it ;) </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Clicking</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">the publish button in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;">Feel free to join the meme and link up at</span> <a href="http://siddathornton.blogspot.kr/search/label/the%20sunday%20currently" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Sunday Currently by siddathornton</span></a></i></div>
KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-34929133609922709992015-09-03T14:35:00.005-04:002015-09-03T14:35:40.017-04:00BYE BYE, DIAPERS!<span style="color: #134f5c;">Three weeks ago, my toddler all of a sudden decided he wanted to sit on the potty and use it. Just like that. Out of the blue. I didn't see that coming. I wasn't ready for it but it was apparent that my son was.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">The first time we tried him on the potty just to introduce it and let him have a feel of using it was when he was around a year-and-a-half old. He went a couple of times but after that he didn't want to anymore. The idea of not going in his diaper repulsed him so that at one point he wouldn't even pee while bathing because he wasn't wearing diapers. We didn't push it any further that time since we thought it was pretty early to potty train him anyway. So we hid the small potty away for a time and it sat somewhere in the bathroom collecting dust.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Second attempt was when he was about 2. A friend gave me children books about potty training and that kinda got him interested. He would sit and sit and sit and sit and sit while Mommy would read and read and read and read, but that was just pretty much about it. No going in the potty. He was getting to be really good with words by that time and so the songs his potty sings stuck on him that he could actually sing them. Our favorite potty song was the one by</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6DkUw4JL54" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Little Baby Bum</span></a>:<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">"I like to sit down on the potty. It's so much fun! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Sometimes I have an accident but that's okay 'cause</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Every day I try again</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">I pee/poo in the potty and wash my hands</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">I'm growing up and getting tall</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">I don't need my diapers anymore."</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Despite him knowing those potty songs by heart and me having read to him potty books countless times already, he despised going in his potty. He would sit on it every now and then, just to sit, but when it was really time for him to use it, he would throw a fit whenever I offered it. He knew when he's going but he hated sitting on the potty to do his business. One time I thought he was actually doing well because he peed into it a few times with only a couple of accidents but then the following day, he again rejected the potty. It was putting stress on both of us, so I gave the potty a rest, and let it collect more dust.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Then, three weeks ago happened. No fuss. No resistance. Little to no accident at all during awake. I was impressed. I was floored. I was taken by surprise. Third day into it, he was fully potty trained during daytime. Sometime around the first week, he woke up around 3:00 in the morning to go potty. I couldn't believe it. Second week into it, he was fully potty trained, day and night. A couple of times he woke up in the morning with "wet" pull-ups but it was because he had drank a cup of milk or so right before he went to bed.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">I didn't expect he'd be potty trained so fast. Even when in the tub bathing or swimming in the pool, he tells us when he needs to pee. We went on a trip last week and we were driving on the interstate when 2.5 miles away the next exit, he felt the urge. We told him to hold it until we could exit. He grunted, "going, going" several times, and twitched positions, shifted and stretched his legs with toes pointing forward, while we scurried to exit. I could tell he really was trying his best to hold it and on the verge of it, but he still was ABLE to hold it! We exited, found a gas station, pulled his pants down, and as soon as we sat him down the potty, he relieved himself. He is really very good in holding his pee/poo that he always makes it to the potty with no leaks whatsoever. Totally impressive!</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">I am so proud of my son for having achieved this milestone. I was talking to my sister about this and she congratulated me pointing that potty training is one of the big challenges for parents. I think readiness is really the key and commitment on the caregiver's part. It helped that I was constantly reminding my son about the need to say bye to his diapers and learning to use the potty as he is not a baby anymore, but it was my son's readiness that made potty training a breeze for us. I give my son all the credits for a very successful potting training. Kudos, my big boy! ;)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Geez</i>. My son is two-and-a-half. He is potty trained.</span> <a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/2015/09/bye-bye-binky.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">He is weaned off his binky</span></a><span style="color: #134f5c;">. He feeds himself. He can flush the toilet by himself. He can wash his hands by himself. In fact, he even says, "Do it yourself (myself)." This is happening too fast. Too overwhelming for me. It's a sinking feeling. I can't seem to wrap my head around it. In a click, my son was suddenly ready, and I wasn't. I'm still not. I don't think I will ever be ready.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43OfulmzqbU/VeiQbutqXtI/AAAAAAAACh0/u18RrSvifpk/s1600/11889406_10152911080550916_253632061932085266_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43OfulmzqbU/VeiQbutqXtI/AAAAAAAACh0/u18RrSvifpk/s400/11889406_10152911080550916_253632061932085266_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comfy in his big boy boxer briefs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UCZL3d2yKjAGBMqgIHjHWcJgpVGWXiFGXEakQFBs7IwGjN2jnFuz06VQIwuCcDj0KKkvE9vruNWcR9AfL_wvr05wzJ3qZbKf21GtR9FmNv1xJ8veBuO7Pm5nmii-OnmhhQefPCSF-Xdd/s1600/11892241_10152911082980916_2725707490784516884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UCZL3d2yKjAGBMqgIHjHWcJgpVGWXiFGXEakQFBs7IwGjN2jnFuz06VQIwuCcDj0KKkvE9vruNWcR9AfL_wvr05wzJ3qZbKf21GtR9FmNv1xJ8veBuO7Pm5nmii-OnmhhQefPCSF-Xdd/s400/11892241_10152911082980916_2725707490784516884_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phone in hand. Chilling on the big bed. Tank tops. Boxer briefs.<br />Makes me feel I already have a teenager.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-78124106109261813552015-09-02T02:39:00.001-04:002015-09-03T13:51:20.582-04:00BYE BYE, BINKY!<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">The first time I tried to wean my 2.5-year-old son off his binkies was I think when he was around 20 months or so. His binkies brought him certain calm that even us, his parents, apparently could not provide. When I tried to keep him from having his binkies, he obviously got so stressed out, that he literally cried for an hour. It happened twice, and I saw how miserable he really was without his binkies. I felt guilty for subjecting him to such torture. He just wasn't ready yet, and I felt so bad for not being sensitive enough towards my son. After all, it was me who knows him best, and yet I gave in to what others dictated. My heart broke for him, and so after two failed attempts, I let him have his binkies again.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Last night, he misplaced his favorite binky just before going to bed. All lights out and a little over past 12 midnight, we tried to look for it but we couldn't find it. When I didn't bother looking harder for the missing binky or handing him his extra binkies, I thought I would just test the waters. I told him that it was probably time for him to say goodbye to his binky. He didn't object when I said that, mostly because he was still so hyped up, blabbering incessantly, singing and talking in whispers to himself, playing with a toy train in one hand. He was still playing on his bed when I dozed off and I didn't really notice what time he went to sleep.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">At around 3:00 a.m., I woke up to my son's small sobs. He was looking for a binky. I ignored him at first and waited. When his sobs started getting louder, I comforted him with an "It's okay," and I maintained that we still couldn't find his binky. He continued to cry. He then told me he needs to use the potty, so I took him to the bathroom and helped him. When we got back to his room, I laid him down beside me on our bed, and I told him that he's a big boy now and he should do his best to try to sleep without his binky. I gave him the reassurance that he can do it, but I was ready to give him a binky should I see him stressing over it just as before. I didn't want him to go sleepless over it. </span><span style="color: #134f5c;">My son, however, slept through the night. He woke up quite earlier than his usual though, but I made sure to hide away all his binkies before he woke up.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">At the library this morning, when he was getting anxious during story time, he kept on searching for his binkies in his baby bag, but he didn't throw a fit when he didn't find one. When we had our afternoon nap, he fell asleep on his bed with, again, a toy train, albeit a different one, in his hand. No binky in sight, and he napped perfectly fine without it. My husband could not believe when I told him that my son has weaned off from his binkies. The final test was bedtime this evening. Not a tiny craving for binky, and he fell asleep peacefully without one, and holding a wooden helicopter toy in his hand.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">I know my son was very much attached to his binkies, and it makes me feel so proud that he finally has let go of them. As his mother, I am sure it took him courage and bravery to overcome his anxiety without a binky. I'm so happy that my son is learning, and growing, and achieving milestones like this, but at the same time, it makes me realize that my son is indeed GROWING, and there's no stopping him from it. Every milestone he meets means a step closer to independence and a step farther away from me. Moments like this remind me that I could only hold my son so much for a time. Moments like this tell me that I'm going to muster all the courage and bravery I could gather to overcome the anxiety that one day I will see my son independent in all ways, and I become obsolete just like his binkies.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o7WI6AAYYPXYNPooUITgCafoadqI_BM09rPmr-L4dd_IRTwtSG2TyUW1uDL10iDaLzDvwt5imr3xCpzua2CXyU2wbcviCqW5ne6whOVwvSlZCUFv5DwJknZkDbqzkC1lwAPUM4e0oq5b/s1600/IMG_5551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o7WI6AAYYPXYNPooUITgCafoadqI_BM09rPmr-L4dd_IRTwtSG2TyUW1uDL10iDaLzDvwt5imr3xCpzua2CXyU2wbcviCqW5ne6whOVwvSlZCUFv5DwJknZkDbqzkC1lwAPUM4e0oq5b/s400/IMG_5551.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Taken on Aug 28, 2015 in Club Med Sandpiper Bay, FL</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Four days ago, my son was still inseparable from his binkies. He at least needed two - one to put in his mouth and the other to press/rub/brush on his eyelids, nose, cheeks and all over his face. We called the one he put in his mouth as "chup chup" and the other one "duk duk". When I would ask him to surrender his binkies to me when he didn't need them, he would bargain with me and plea, "[I] can have one. Just one." Now I only have pictures to look back when my son still had his binkies :')</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-69050893710261183172015-08-17T16:56:00.000-04:002015-08-17T16:59:08.110-04:00THIS MADE MY DAY ♥<span style="color: #134f5c;">Let's keep the</span> <a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/search/label/happiness%20is" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">happiness theme</span></a> <span style="color: #134f5c;">going, so for my blog post today, <b><u>THIS</u></b>:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnz2AmJjOU5fpeQS_-hEXgrE5ksYyvE078Rdni35hP2Y8aae8t8fsUXg-9iZbmcy1NsCCNFep0ixYLkcki4W1HN5ODs6TyilT8EPtxC0r-afnqs5KIJt7-_BV1wK1Egeksx8WO5xgGoyRU/s1600/11889592_10152914553175916_8737931484716667390_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnz2AmJjOU5fpeQS_-hEXgrE5ksYyvE078Rdni35hP2Y8aae8t8fsUXg-9iZbmcy1NsCCNFep0ixYLkcki4W1HN5ODs6TyilT8EPtxC0r-afnqs5KIJt7-_BV1wK1Egeksx8WO5xgGoyRU/s400/11889592_10152914553175916_8737931484716667390_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">I texted my husband this morning of my barbecue cravings and his reply blew my heart away <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">♥</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">One of Vince's best traits is his sincerity, so when he says sweet things to me like this, I feel that they aren't empty words but that he truly means them. I was touched and speechless for a moment there when I read his text but what I really wanted him to know was that he has already given me the world the day he married me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Now what do they say again? "Happy wife, happy life." :-)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">I'm one blissful, blessed girl indeed.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;">xOxO</span></div>
<br />KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-44986981247634094112015-08-16T03:32:00.001-04:002015-08-16T03:34:32.115-04:00SHE BANGS, SHE BANGS!There was a time when I was so active blogging that I created a separate blog, <a href="http://extraroomforhappiness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Extra Room for Happiness</span></a>, for a meme called Happiness Is. I received an email from apparently an interested buyer of that blog, although I doubt the authenticity of it. Anyway, that sort of triggered me to revive the "happiness theme" in my regular blogging. I initially thought of posting this entry on that other blog but since I currently don't have the luxury of time to manage a blog, let alone two blogs, I thought I'd keep posting everything here for now. After all, More Than Sexy is my original blog, and it has kind of grown into me already, and if I were to keep just one blog, no question it would be this.<br />
<br />
So, going back to Happiness Is, here's my happy moment for today:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn-gtFr4gaszSKdjkB1itz_DeAFzqKfa2gR7VTiftjIy2YmaXjCCAdY7FETqCKPfqNA3GC-2MLciiMEwJ8HtFC0CFQDO3yCGlY6_fBCi2RbkzSBQNMrysY7Tn0oZFXglu2nM6L3MctcNY/s1600/11900009_10152911638665916_4634927750844416672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn-gtFr4gaszSKdjkB1itz_DeAFzqKfa2gR7VTiftjIy2YmaXjCCAdY7FETqCKPfqNA3GC-2MLciiMEwJ8HtFC0CFQDO3yCGlY6_fBCi2RbkzSBQNMrysY7Tn0oZFXglu2nM6L3MctcNY/s400/11900009_10152911638665916_4634927750844416672_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"When was the last time you did something for the first time?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happiness is... getting a haircut!<br />
<br />
Yes, I'm that shallow. LOL. Well, it has been a while since I had a decent haircut. Back in Toronto, there's this Korean salon I went to regularly for hair treatment and haircuts at least once a year. Ever since I moved here in the US, I haven't really found a salon that I was willing to entrust my long locks with until today!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Living in the countryside, it's not like I have a lot of salon choices either. I always had to go to the nearby city to get my hair done, and my previous experiences were mediocre. I searched online for other salons and found one that had very good reviews, so I thought I'd give it a try.<br />
<br />
The verdict?<br />
<br />
I'm happy to say that I was very much pleased of their service. The stylist who did my hair was so friendly and interactive. I loved that she engaged me as to how she was going to style and cut my hair. She seemed very knowledgeable of her craft. Honestly, a lot of times I could be clueless and I won't even know what I really want, like for example, BANGS or NO BANGS. It had been ages for all I know since I wore bangs, so I really wasn't sure if it was something I'd like to do again. My stylist helped me sort of arrive to my decision, and when she thought that I was having hesitations, she went easy with her shears cropping those bangs.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I'm digging my bangs, and I'll own it. LOL. I was really happy with my haircut, so was my stylist. She also thought that the bangs suit me, and she even egged me on going shorter maybe next time once I get the hang of wearing it, something I definitely would consider in the future ;)<br />
<br />
So how much did I have to shed for this girly girl happiness?<br />
<br />
$30. Shampoo, haircut, and style (straight or curl) included. It was $30 well spent, and for the service I received, I thought I would have to pay more. Customer satisfaction? Priceless!<br />
<br />
Funny though that the first thing my stylist said when she sat me on the chair was, "You have a big hair!" <i>Yes, Ma'am, I do.</i> Haha! She couldn't get over the fact how long my hair was, how she had to kneel on the floor to trim the edges, and how even after she chopped a chunk off that I still have a lot of hair left. Another thing she couldn't get over with was how young I look for my age. I told her she wasn't the first one to say that, and that it's because I have discovered the fountain of youth. LOL!<br />
<br />
Okay, that's about it. I should give my bangs some rest now, literally and figuratively. Ciao!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-84933258537788842862015-08-14T03:13:00.002-04:002015-08-17T16:57:54.372-04:00NAUTICAL THEMED TODDLER ROOMAfter giving our dirty, soot-stained, red brick <a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/2015/01/fireplace-makeover.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">fireplace</span></a> the makeover it badly needed late last year, I moved on to my next home improvement DIY project. It was after I helped repaint our church's nursery room that I got the inspiration to revamp my son's room at our home. He has had a pirate ship for a toddler's bed, so I thought what better theme to match it than nautical, right?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So early March when I started on this project. I didn't get to finish it though until May. It wasn't a big project at all but with a very active toddler around me all day, I hardly could get any painting done during the day. Plus, there were travels and other commitments and glitches in between, so it had to take the backseat for a time. I was happy and relieved when I finally completed it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, here's a little tour of my son's nautical themed room:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSAUKee8R5A/Vc2H7nv-2kI/AAAAAAAACfk/iyKunWVQLg0/s1600/16517_10152577534860916_7837328070863695595_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSAUKee8R5A/Vc2H7nv-2kI/AAAAAAAACfk/iyKunWVQLg0/s400/16517_10152577534860916_7837328070863695595_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEHIND THE SCENES:<br />
<br />
Yours truly in action. It's amazing what a can of paint could do to a room.<br />
It transformed the mood from neutral to fun. I love the ocean-y vibe this shade<br />
of blue elicits and it set the stage for the theme at hand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYdh_KIOJ_wzTDtH-e8fSJvgErID7toVtGGGu1XnMPy373bD865SZcmNS2knPqMIEVgmEjKG36Q1fkQzbxaJ3pq65ZmWqarDQBfRhTFDE076M__41MwWtW8SR24kgaaunhjxEtdSkMpUn/s1600/10406436_10152573652775916_1422952231102944517_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYdh_KIOJ_wzTDtH-e8fSJvgErID7toVtGGGu1XnMPy373bD865SZcmNS2knPqMIEVgmEjKG36Q1fkQzbxaJ3pq65ZmWqarDQBfRhTFDE076M__41MwWtW8SR24kgaaunhjxEtdSkMpUn/s400/10406436_10152573652775916_1422952231102944517_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEHIND THE SCENES:<br />
<br />
With the help of my ScanNCut, I was able to create a couple of wall arts.<br />
Credits also go to hundreds and hundreds of ideas available thru the Internet.<br />
This was my first attempt to DIY a wall art and I personally believe I nailed this one!<br />
:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLZ767jRoneQwsOp7RCrpDuLwdF7OPmosGVpeVmCkXE-nuaZ4qjo9tWEFgDyTrWJZe5jeGpQP4pAQ_LtMLVuwuv_hJgEHgqdcREAG57Mlmm3w5rsfxGjAtjtEeQTy8JrkP7sTnAO1MPl7/s1600/11009348_10152733150930916_8354210142131139976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLZ767jRoneQwsOp7RCrpDuLwdF7OPmosGVpeVmCkXE-nuaZ4qjo9tWEFgDyTrWJZe5jeGpQP4pAQ_LtMLVuwuv_hJgEHgqdcREAG57Mlmm3w5rsfxGjAtjtEeQTy8JrkP7sTnAO1MPl7/s400/11009348_10152733150930916_8354210142131139976_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading nook for my boy's first library. He has a growing collection<br />
of books that as of now, this shelf is no longer enough to hold all of his books.<br />
Also, this photo was taken in May, and since, we have brought in a couple of friends<br />
(Grover and Donald Duck) for that lonesome brown bear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjZQ2jk5Hw0/Vc2HoEfRFlI/AAAAAAAACfc/igGXZF78X_A/s1600/1908188_10152733150245916_8699312359714709703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjZQ2jk5Hw0/Vc2HoEfRFlI/AAAAAAAACfc/igGXZF78X_A/s400/1908188_10152733150245916_8699312359714709703_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my little boy who constantly inspires me to do things I have never done before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5SZnyZjiNU/Vc2NE2mwi5I/AAAAAAAACgE/0ntDANdgDZc/s1600/11212745_10152733150505916_1204895447417110282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5SZnyZjiNU/Vc2NE2mwi5I/AAAAAAAACgE/0ntDANdgDZc/s400/11212745_10152733150505916_1204895447417110282_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always,<br />
As long as I'm living,<br />
My baby you'll be." - Robert Munsch<br />
<br />
The second of two DIY wall arts I made. The three wall decors surrounding the frame I made<br />
was part of the nautical bedding set I bought online from Amazon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SkmJNm1I5dM/Vc2NpkPN6VI/AAAAAAAACgM/v622-UDexsM/s1600/11329835_10152733150295916_6171770763632807276_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SkmJNm1I5dM/Vc2NpkPN6VI/AAAAAAAACgM/v622-UDexsM/s400/11329835_10152733150295916_6171770763632807276_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The letters spelling out my son's name were originally painted white.<br />
I repainted them with dark blue paint which provided a good contrast <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">against the light blue background. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I didn't want to ruin the newly painted wall by driving nails into it, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">so we used putty tack to hang those letters. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Surprisingly, they are holding very well!</span><br />
Also, since this picture was taken, I have added a valance to that small window similar to the one <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hanging on the bigger window. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-frvV5iQD2bE/Vc2PjddIdQI/AAAAAAAACgY/4386ZzC3zmc/s1600/11201195_10152733150885916_7767993102339559163_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-frvV5iQD2bE/Vc2PjddIdQI/AAAAAAAACgY/4386ZzC3zmc/s400/11201195_10152733150885916_7767993102339559163_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To get the nautical theme going, I bought a new set of bedding which included 2 pcs of valance,<br />
three wall decors, toy hamper, diaper stacker, pillows, quilt and fitted sheet.<br />
Recently, we added a big wall clock and a nautical themed photo frame.<br />
We featured pictures from each of our Caribbean vacations over the past two years, namely<br />
Bahamas, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Jamaica :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall, I am well pleased with how this project turned out. Of course, my toddler's room is not always this immaculate. In fact, I think the only time it was this organized was when I took these pictures. LOL! Bottom line, I love how Vince and I were able to tie everything up together to create this cute and cozy nautical themed room for Vonn Kaleb <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">☻</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></div>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-8778041747876558802015-08-12T02:53:00.001-04:002015-08-12T11:55:09.415-04:00MY NEW BEST FRIEND FOREVER<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgt3cFJHcqklBP4pX0WEfXDA-xgrt4V-ROkQeNzGSPyIrz4Gb9WlEem6irbjLPu-UgNz0fnTn0uKwcKYu9ZM-Q-ZIpGfbe-gW_eU8AsaCVR-2tyz-3YWeB-vftOa-LiM2waJ-YjbSKueO/s1600/11164789_10152713430835916_2494067061408258388_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgt3cFJHcqklBP4pX0WEfXDA-xgrt4V-ROkQeNzGSPyIrz4Gb9WlEem6irbjLPu-UgNz0fnTn0uKwcKYu9ZM-Q-ZIpGfbe-gW_eU8AsaCVR-2tyz-3YWeB-vftOa-LiM2waJ-YjbSKueO/s400/11164789_10152713430835916_2494067061408258388_n.jpg" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken in May 2015</td></tr>
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I had just given my two-and-a-half-year old a quick wash in the tub, changed his diaper, and was putting clothes on him. I was kneeling down, fixing him up, when he wrapped his arms around my neck. While hugging me, he spontaneously said, <i><b><span style="color: blue;">"You're my best friend, Mommy."</span></b></i> He kissed me on the lips afterwards. In his cute toddler talk, he managed to express that <i><b><span style="color: blue;">"Vonn Kaleb and Mommy are best friends."</span></b> </i>That was one of the sweetest things that has ever happened to me in my entire life.</div>
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I'm not a perfect mom. I second guess my parenting skills every now and then. Although my husband always tells me that I'm the best mom our child could ever have, a lot of times, I feel inadequate and overbearing. Having heard my toddler say that I'm his best friend somehow validated my efforts. It makes me think that somehow I must have done something right.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9cPv1TievW9WPpAt3XcsSSPH7e8LM_Euq_I5bo2B3SB2LeH2wFIOP7Pk9nC4t4p9yin2IvCQ96RpZDvMqLXPMlfusi67rVpANg9I8jPB6USBGfbkt6DZzOsfG_WpjFa78CWxNu6wyUHS/s1600/11215792_10152861770000916_6765352869870758133_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9cPv1TievW9WPpAt3XcsSSPH7e8LM_Euq_I5bo2B3SB2LeH2wFIOP7Pk9nC4t4p9yin2IvCQ96RpZDvMqLXPMlfusi67rVpANg9I8jPB6USBGfbkt6DZzOsfG_WpjFa78CWxNu6wyUHS/s400/11215792_10152861770000916_6765352869870758133_n.jpg" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boy who stole my <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px; text-align: left;">♥ </span></td></tr>
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<i>My son, I will always be your best friend no matter what. I love you more than it's possible.</i></div>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-87905270847556433922015-02-03T01:47:00.000-05:002015-08-05T01:04:19.245-04:00MORE MILESTONES MET<span style="color: #073763;">Can someone please tell me where time went? Vonn Kaleb is a few weeks shy of being 2, and this momma here is having mixed emotions over the fact that my once cute, pea-sized, fussy wussy, scratchy infant has now grown. At 2, I'm already feeling this, so can you just imagine how much more would it be for me when my son marries and leaves home?! I can't! I can't! LOL.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Okay, let me put aside those mommy hormones for now, as I wanted to blog about my son's development over the past weeks. If you read my post back in December 2014 wherein I talked about<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #073763;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/2014/12/turning-2-soon-keeping-track-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">developmental milestones</span></a></span></span></span>, you'd remember that Vonn Kaleb met most of them, although there were a few in which he wasn't quite there yet, specifically in his language and social skills. He was 22 months then when I wrote that, so I thought I'd do a follow-up on it now that he's almost 2. <i>Jeez, almost 2 - now, I'm getting emotional again. Hehe!</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Anyway, here are the most pertinent points in my checklist from December:</span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games</span></b></span></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">✔</span></b> Back in December, I mentioned that his social skills improved considerably ever since we came back from our vacation in October. He was still very clingy to Vince and me but he had become more friendly and would say "hi" and "bye" to people and even would give hugs and kisses to those he was very familiar and comfortable with. </span><span style="color: #073763;">Vonn Kaleb then would play alongside other kids but I had yet to see him play chase games. </span><br />
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</span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">✔ </span></b>Well, yesterday, Vonn Kaleb played with his three "girl friends" (two older and one younger than him) while we're at church. </span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;">At first, he didn't want to play away from
my arm's reach, but with my permission, I let one of the older girls,
"Aubwee (Aubrey)" watch him. Aubrey used some goldfish crackers to bait
Vonn Kaleb into following her to the nursery, and next thing I knew, he
was running back and forth and all around playing with the girls. Not only was he doing that</span></span> but he was also saying, "Chay! Chay! (Chase! Chase!)" while running with the girls. <span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;">So you see, the fact that he was saying "chase" indicates that he was aware that they were playing chase, and that he wasn't just parallel playing. </span></span>I think my heart melted that time :') </span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #073763;">The older girls took turns chasing him which he obviously enjoyed. </span> Considering how aloof Vonn Kaleb used to be, this is really a major milestone for us. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><u><b>Says sentences with 2 to 4 words</b></u> </span><br />
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<b style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #073763;">✔ </span></b><span style="color: #073763;">Back in December, I noted that Vonn Kaleb's speech was a little behind. He started talking at 21 months, but since then, his language and speech has developed a lot. He is definitely speaking clearer now, and he is learning new words every day. His growing vocabulary includes words such as "caboose," "train cars," "huge truck," "school bus," "sunlight," "bridge," "drama," "green car," "purple ball," "fries," "dryer," "ice cream," "cookie," "seagull," "offering," "goldfish," and so much more! He is not speaking 4-word sentences yet, but he does speak 2-word sentences such as "read please," "open please," "out please," "sit down," "fall down," "get you," "try again," "behind you," "hop in," "jump pool (jump into the pool)." He knows his ABCs, numbers (recognizes 1 to 10, and counts from 1 to 20), basic shapes, and most recently, basic colors. He calls familiar people by names e.g., Tacey, Elkin, Aubrey, Isla. He now knows to use interjections such as "Oooppsiee!" (and sometimes he would copy us saying, "Oooppsiee Daisy!") and "Hoy!," and he loves imitating us say, <i>"Grabe!"</i> The first Tagalog word he learned to say (and he knows what it means) is <i>"paypay"</i> (fan).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">In conclusion, I'm very much happy and proud to say that my son's speech and vocabulary has caught up now and he has in fact met the normal developmental milestone for speech.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Like any other parent, I'm very proud of my child. As early as he is in his formative years, I could objectively tell that God has blessed us with a very smart and charming boy. It is now up to us, his parents, to take advantage of his early development stage, nurture him, and help him reach his full potential. Such a daunting and overwhelming task when I think about it, but with God's grace, I know we can do it ☻ </span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>EDITS: As of publishing, Vonn Kaleb spoke his first ever three-word sentence, "More bubbles please!" ☺ What can I say? My boy loves bubbles ♥</b></span></i>KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-35064187802559513832015-01-23T02:40:00.002-05:002015-08-05T01:05:24.163-04:00CHRISTMAS 2014<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our family had a couple of firsts this past Christmas:</span></span><br />
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We had our first Christmas tree... and what made our first tree special was that it was a real tree! It took us until the week of Christmas to finally get one and I'm so happy we did. It smelled so good and fresh especially right after it was cut, and when we set it up at home, it looked sooooo pretty even before we decorated it. I did get scratches all over my hands and arms from putting lights around it and I had this silly thought that a squirrel might poke from somewhere in the tree while I was doing it which made the experience quite memorable for me. Hehe! Anyway, after we're done dressing it up, and the gifts went under it, I felt inspired. It looked a lot like Christmas in the Valencia household then ;)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We celebrated our first Noche Buena as a family at our first home. Since it was just the three of us, we only prepared a simple dinner of baked macaroni with meat sauce and mornay sauce, maja blanca, roasted pork butt, green salad and fruits. We finished dinner right around midnight and then proceeded to open presents.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">So what did we get for Christmas? ;)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Vonn Kaleb got books - lots of it - and flash cards, some jammies, toys, Amazon gift card, and a blanky. I'm so happy when I saw his new loot of books! The little one has been learning a lot from the books we read him every night at bedtime. He loves being read to, and at times, he'd grab books and flip pages himself as if he can actually read. The flash cards we previously gave him also helped him learn the alphabet, and so for Christmas, we gave him a couple new sets of flash cards. It was apparent though that his favorite of all his Christmas presents was the toy CAT truck/back hoe that our friend from church gave him. That was the first gift we opened and he didn't care so much for the other presents after that. Hehe!
Vince and I got gift cards from his clinic staff and baking/cooking gadgets from friends. We did get a few more presents from friends which unfortunately I couldn't remember what now </span><i style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">#seniormoment</i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">.
Vince did get a dress shirt and tie, a Levi's button down shirt, a Levi's sweatshirt, and boxers from Vonn Kaleb and me. I'm excited to see him wearing those, particularly the boxers... ooppps! </span><i style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">#R18 #maturereadersrequired</i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"> Hehe!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Me? I only wanted a DIY fireplace makeover for Christmas, which I got ;) Okay, I'm not gonna lie... maybe in the deepest recesses of my heart, I wanted to get another Louis Vuitton purse or a Burberry, Chanel or Prada... just maybe. LOL! Or maybe that's in my birthday wishlist for next year along with another trip somewhere in the Caribbean again. Hehe! So anyway, my dear husband spoilt me with an iPad Air 2 and a Versace perfume for Christmas. I wasn't expecting he'd get me a</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">tablet as I'm very much content with our old iPad 3, but yeah, now I have a new toy, and I'm loving it... but not as much as the one who gave it to me ;) Thanks again, love!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We finished opening the presents around 2am and went to bed soon after that. We slept in on Christmas day and pretty much vegetated except of course for Vonn Kaleb who kept himself busy playing with his new toy truck. Hehe! Vince didn't have to work on Christmas day and spending the whole day as a complete family, for me, was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And that, my friends, was how the Valencias spent their Christmas. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I know <span style="font-family: inherit;">this post is a little too late but I h</span></span>ope you had a wonderful Christmas yourselves☻</span></span></div>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307453911567264391.post-5594377090371399152015-01-06T23:50:00.002-05:002015-08-05T01:10:04.621-04:00FIREPLACE MAKEOVER<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">One thing I never really liked in our </span><a href="http://emoteradesexysoltera.blogspot.com/2014/02/home-sweet-home.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">home</span></a><span style="color: #0c343d;"> was our wood burning brick fireplace. It was hate at first sight. If I had a choice, I would have preferred a modern (or ultra modern better yet!) electric fireplace with a neat looking mantle and hearth, probably something white and bright, which of course is the total opposite of the one we have. Our house was built in the '90s, so among other things that are dated and needs updating is the fireplace. Adding insult to injury was the previous owner of the house who wasn't too keen in home upkeeping. When we moved in the house, the fireplace still had ashes, burnt firewoods, soot, creosote and stain, and had a shabby fireplace screen. Altogether, it was an eyesore sticking out like a sore thumb in the big living room. Ugh! We thought of having it professionally revamped or even re-did but it would cost us thousands of dollars to get it done. With all the other more important fixes our home needs, needless to say the fireplace renovation got pushed down the bottom of the list. Sigh! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">One fine dandy day, out of the blue, I just decided to do the makeover myself. Yeah, right! The not-so-crafty me who had not done a single home DIY project. I couldn't watercolor paint let alone brick paint, what was I thinking!? It started with me searching the Internet for fireplace screens, which then led me to fireplace doors, followed by electric logs, and next thing I knew, I was googling for ways to clean and paint brick. Wow! I sure did have a lot of time in my hands that day. Hehe!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">Anyway, I found Brick Anew paints online. The testimonials and reviews from their customers including the before and after pictures posted in their website gave me some hope in prettifying my fireplace without having to shed a good chunk of $$$$! What really got me into trying the product though was reviews that say how easy it is to use the products even for first time DIYers like me. "Cool!," I thought.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">Well, before I could even get to the painting stuff, I needed to clean the fireplace first. To me, this was the hardest part in the makeover. As I said above, the fireplace was a mess when we moved in the house, and since I hated it, I pretty much left it as is and didn't touch it until I was ready to give it the makeover. I had to get rid of the burnt woods, grate, and the shabby screen. I swept and vacuumed the ashes inside the firebox. I was on my knees and eventually on all fours scrubbing and steel brushing soot and creosote build up in the firebox. I used up bottles and bottles of different brick cleansers. Anyway, after days and days of scrubbing and brushing, I gave up. Soot had already stained the bricks, and though I didn't get to where I wanted in terms of removing as much stain, the fireplace was clean enough to be painted on. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some battles I just couldn't win but life has to go on, so onto the next step: Paint!</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">First, I watched the instructional DVD included in the Brick Anew paint kit I bought. I also read the written instructions and tips it came with. Then, I gathered all the self-confidence I could muster, breathed, and told myself, "I can do this!" :D Next, I put painter's tape on the surroundings and prepped the area once more. Then, I picked up the paint brush and went into the zone.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">The finished product? I guess I would just share pictures of my fireplace (before and after makeover) and leave it up to you to decide if I have achieved something ;)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;">I hated how our old fireplace looked like. So much so that I didn't bother taking a picture of it before the actual makeover. So, here I'm sharing an old picture that was taken last year during Vonn Kaleb's first birthday. Behind me, you can catch a glimpse of what the fireplace looked like when we first moved in. The ugly fireplace screen, black soot in the firebox, ashes, burnt wood and grate. That's what I was talking about!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From drab...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to fab!</td></tr>
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KMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076927203545984902noreply@blogger.com0