Parenting Archive

My thoughts on parenthood, and what it's like to be a mom in the Philippines.

Post Valentine

And because a special someone, remembered me on VDAY and sent me the lovely ensembles below, I have to explain to the boys who is that special someone.

Mommy: The flowers and the wine (and the choco) comes from Sati’s ninang, her name is Tita Seiko and she lives in Japan.

Kayil: wow! pano napunta dito ung kotse nila? e ang layo ng Japan ah! ang galing naman ni Tita Seiko!

comes a lengthy explanation on who Dondon is, the one who made Sati’s baptismal more festive (joke lang, opkors you all knew who made it more festive)..and so speaking of Sati’s baptismal, comes the remember who quiz contest..

Mommy: Natatandaan mo na nung binyag ni Sati? Sati has a lot of ninang, another one is Ninang Niko.

Kayil: Kilala ko sya! Sya ung nagbigay ng higaan na may bunny face. Tapos si Tita Fedhz naman sya ang nagbibigay ng Polvoron.

Mommy: How about Tita Yami and Tita Kaye?

Kayil: Si Tita Kaye ung nagbigay ng strawberry jam at si Tita Yami may dala ng gift na kikulit kong buksan.

Mommy: Kurek, may iba pang Ninang si Sati, si Ninang Jade na nasa Singapore, ung nagbigay ng artwork na may kamay.

Kayil: hala! ang galing naman nya! paano nya naibigay un e di ba ang layo ng Singapore!

Mommy: explain.. explain.. then told them about Ninang Gene, Ninang Mye, Ninang Chris (the one who visited us) and Ninang Liz who is the US.

Kayil: Mommy san ang US? ay alam ko na di ba nagpunta dun si Daddy? (happened last 2006) at ang umiyak pa kame noon at ang ubong nya sa amin ay… (enumerates all)

Mommy: yup! meron pang ibang ninang si Sati, si Doc Malen at ninong nya si DOc Ernie..

Kayil: Pede ko ba maging ninang si Doc Malen (my OB)

Mommy: bakit

Kayil: mahirap sabihin eh…

Mommy: sige na, pag di mo sinabi di na natin pag uusapan ang mga ninang

Kayil: mahirap nga eh

Mommy: sige na nga

Kayil: silence… e di pag nag ka asawa na ako, ipa pa check up ko asawa ko sa kanya

toinks! akala nyo tapos na?

Kayil: Mommy si Tita Seiko ba parang si Ninong G (Mico’s Ninong, Kayil asked him if he can be his ninong too)?

Mommy: patay na.. kakatawa..

I always make it a point to remind them who are their godparents. From time to time we go on lengthy talks on where are their godparents now and how they got to be their godparents and so on. I really want to them to know their godparents because I did not chose them out of anything but only because I am assured that they would look after my kids if I can’t.

And since I can’t thank you personally, I hope this can do:

Muah! Muah! Thanks for making my VDAY uber special! It was my first time to receive a flower. I was frantic haha.. I almost called Niko to ask what should I do with the flowers, will I let it as it is and let it wither or should I put in the vase?

I decided to put in the vase and put it in our kitchen counter since I spend most of time in the kitchen. It will remind me always that beyond geographical differences friendship will survive.

Mommy Moments- A Message Of Love

I cannot express how much love I have with my four kids.. I take this entry from my last year’s.. oh my it has been a year since I joined this wonderful meme!

Kayil,
you are such a blessing to Mommy, you came at the right time to Mommy’s life. You give me strength, you give me love, you made me feel human. When I am feeling lonely, a look into your eyes wipes it all. Mommy maybe not be around at times, but Mommy is always thinking of you. Mommy maybe harsh sometimes but I just want you to grow up strong, remember you will be the one to protect your baby brothers. I love you so much my baby. Forever you will be my inspiration, my light at the end of the tunnel. (Vday 2009)

I am very proud of you as I always have. You have come a long way and though you’re still a cry baby at times, I can see that you are growing more responsible than ever. Mommy will always be here for you and we love you so much.. you will be forever my pillar of strength and happiness.

Mico,
I knew how hard it is when things get frustrating, Mommy understands your temper and your feelings. I love it baby when you say to Mommy how you love me so much and that you will always love me. I love it when you question my love for you. Remember Mico that I love you till and so much even if Mommy seems not to prepare your milk at your request. I never imagine that I could pour out emotion such as that. When you were born I was afraid that Mommy cannot love you as with Kuya. The first time I saw you, I am really amazed how strong I feel for you. I love you baby, I love you so much. Mommy will understand you and will try to fix everything for you. (Vday 2009)

My Baby Dico.. you seem to grow more as the day passes but in your heart you still want to be Mommy’s baby, yes dear, you are my baby dico. We love it when you do your baby thing and we love you more when you tell me how much we are to you. Please stay as sweet as a baby.

Chico,
my baby bunso, your our angel and delight. You know kuya and Dico and Daddy and Mommy is always excited for you. When we wake up the first we want to see is your mischievous smile. You light up our day and we just can’t get enough of you. We love you dear and I know you already knew that by now (you love hearing Mommy say it). I hope you will grow as loving and playful as your older brothers. (Vday 2009)

You’re our baby bunso still, our baby boy bunso. We still can;t get enough of you, we love how you smile, how you make us go gaga with your antics. I love how you dance in any tune and of course, you know by the that Mommy loves you more than my pagerank.. so don’t get mad at the pc, alright? High Five!

Sati,
I am the luckiest mom on Earth, having you and your Kuyas. Did you know that I wanted you so badly that when I learned about you, I cried so hard. And until now as I write this, my heart swells with so much emotion. I am so grateful, no, ecstatic, not still.. I don’t know what good deed I do to deserve you. You made my life complete. You brought so much joy to me, to kuya, dico, sanco, to daddy and to everyone around us. You gave the marce club the reason to exist. Every time I see you, I am so gigil. You are so adorable (wish I have a flip to share to the world how adorable you are). Every day, I thank God for giving you to us. And please forgive me if I will spoil you. Can i just say once again that you made my life complete. Now I have no other desire but to see you and your kuyas grow happy and contented. You are the missing piece in my life. And for sure tomorrow, I will say again that you complete me, I can never get tired saying those phrase.

with so much love,
Mommy

My Future

Whenever I see senior citizens still working their A off, it breaks my heart. I think of my mom and promised myself I will never allow that to happen to her. Then I think of me and my hubby. Will me kids let us on the road? begging for food or working so that we can eat?

Maybe not but still one can never be too sure. And I don’t have any plans on asking my kids to help me. I never like the idea that the old generation instilled in us. You know what they say about having a lot of kids, of being assured that when you grow older, your kids will take care of you. Whenever someone told me about it, I always answer back that I did not give birth for a caregiver. I want to have kids because I now I am capable of nurturing another life not because I expect my kids to nurture me when I am old.

My mom shares the same sentiment (but sometimes it hurts to hear it from her), she always said that she does not expect us to take care of her when she’s old. Although at times, she would tease my OCness and ask what if she’s old and can no longer clean up her mess. To which, I will jokingly tell her, I’ll just kick you on the butt. (don’t be offended as me and my mom talks like that, we believe that comedy can make us young haha).

Ah yes, my future.. hmm.. we’ll see later. I bet on the Lotto today. hihi.. and yes if I ever I win, I will treat the Marce Club haha