A Working Mom's Resolution

Since the meltdown incident happened, I've been more determined to take the necessary steps to achieve my goal of becoming a work-at-home mom.  I'm just taking baby steps actually, but still.  And so, for me to be constantly reminded of my vision and how to get to it, I'm making a list here:

1. I will not bring home work anymore.  This is so I can (1) devote my time to my boys and (2) have more time for researching on possible business ventures or work-at-home options.
2. I will learn to trade stocks online.  I've been a member of Bo Sanchez's Truly Rich Club since April but I never really got to opening a trade account until last week. Let's see how far this could go.
3. I will be more involved with Little Dude's school activities.  This means that I will find time everyday to know what he did in school and research on what activities are best to supplement what is being taught in school. It's also good that his new school establishes good relationships with their students' parents (can't wait to attend my first ever PTA meeting! Haha!) every step of the way because I really want to be as active as I can.
4. I will exercise.  With all the things I need to learn, I need to have energy to keep me alive and excited. I've always been a believer that being physically active is a good way to jumpstart accomplishing your tasks.  So... help me, Lord! Hahaha!
5. I will declutter and focus on the quality of life I'd like to achieve. I will surround myself with things (or people!) that will constantly remind me to be back on track.  I will devote more time to reflect, pray, and enrich my spiritual life.

There.  Maybe I should print this and keep it somewhere visible.  Lord, I claim success over my life goals, if You will, with your guidance.

Little Dude Said

Counting Game

While in the car on the way to the mall...

Hubster: I'm tired. I'm sleepy.
Me: I'm sleepy too!
Little Dude: I'm sleepy three!

Good job, baby!

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Playtime's Over!

One early evening, we went home just in time to catch Marcus getting inside the house after playing with the (much older) neighborhood kids.  After a while, little dude heard them still laughing outside. He peered through the window and shouted:

Quiet! Quieeeeeeeet! Stop laughing! Go home na. It's late! Marcus in my house!

I think what he meant by that last sentence was "Look at me, I'm inside the house already!" Hahaha! Either he was really just irritated with all the noise or he's bitter for not being outside with them. Hahaha

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Don't!!!

Lately, little dude has been fond of shouting and controlling. Oooooh it's so something we should deal with (actually are dealing with, will blog on this separately)! Here are some of his lines:

Don't kiss me! - when he's busy playing
Don't gigil me! - when dad starts tickling him
Don't shout! - when I get frustrated at him, actually a taste of my own medicine
Don't push me! - when I ask him to get off my lap or something (I don't push him, for the record)
Don't get that! - when we confiscate the phone

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Stinky

Little Dude (after taking a shower): I'm feeling fresh!
Me: Wow! So who's stinky?
Little Dude: Daddy!
Hubster: Whaaaaaat?!!

And I was the one who didn't shower with them! Hahaha! Pano ba yan, dad? Ikaw ang default na stinky e!

First Mommy Meltdown

Last Monday, little dude's teacher at his new school sent me an SMS saying that they'll be doing a home visit to get to know him before school starts. I love that about Marcus' new school ♡. Since their forte is on preschoolers, they really make an effort to ensure these kids are managed well. I think it's a pretty good strategy to prep them for the first day of school.

I said yes to Teacher Frances with a request that the visit be made in the afternoon or early evening when I'm back from work. I even texted her this morning to remind her to schedule the visit at around 3pm so I can just take the afternoon off work.

Around 9:30am while I was in a meeting, teacher texted that they'll have to drop by in the morning at around 11-12nn! I hurriedly finished the meeting and replied that I am going home and to wait for me. I dashed off the cafe where the meeting was, half-walked half-ran to my parking, and started the car. I had another meeting in the afternoon but I thought I'll just return to work later. Yes, I was going to drive from Ortigas to Sta. Rosa and back.

When I was about to speed off the parking area, I heard my phone ring and answered it right away. It was Teacher Frances. She said they were already in the nearby village and that they were going to our house next. I practically begged her to wait for me or to reschedule the visit some other day, but she said there's nothing she can do. She just called to assure me that it won't take long anyway and that it's ok if I wasn't there.

I totally broke down inside the car after that call! Of course it wasn't ok!! I felt pity and frustrated at myself. I cried like a baby for a good five minutes. It was the first time I really felt like I was not there for my son. Call me OA but for me it's a milestone in little dude's life. That event will never happen again. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to control the situation the way I usually do. I regretted working so far away from home.

It was my first why-do-i-have-to-be-a-working-mom moment. Sigh. Big sigh.

Now maybe this is a wake-up call for me to seriously consider working at home. Must. Think. Business. Now.

Little Dude Said

Last weekend, I met up with my high school friends at my parents' home.  It was a request I had to make so that I can stay longer with them while spending time with my little dude.

Tita Che:  May, sobrang kamukha ni AJ si Marcus! (Marcus looks so much like AJ!)
Me:  (rolls eyes) I know!
Tita Che:  (touching little dude's ears, who was then playing with my phone) Etong tenga, kanino? (Where did he get his ears?)

Me:   Kanino pa, e d sa tatay din! (From his dad too, of course!)
Marcus:  (looking up from the phone) No, it's mine!

Oo nga naman!  Hahahaha!

I miss my boys!

Marcus and I are staying at my parents' house for the week.  Why, you ask?  Because the hubby is on a business trip and I wouldn't want to be driving to and from work alone and without my carpool-mate.  Yes, I admit I'm a lazy driver but hey, driving south to north every single day is no joke!

Anyways, it's been three days since Jax has been away and I'm so proud of myself for not missing him that much.  Until tonight, that is.  Today happens to be my mother-in-law's birthday and she requested little dude to be picked up so she could spend time with him as our "birthday gift" to her.  That was fine because I was going to work anyway so I said yes.  However, I'm here back home and I'm used to not having a sweet boy greeting me with a "Hi, ma!" at the door. 

So, I thought to myself, this is how it feels when my baby becomes a teen and his dad is out on a race (Could he still be racing by then??!) or maybe they're together doing whatever boy-stuff. Oh, just thinking about it is making me sad.  I really should cherish this period when Marcus says I'm his favorite and his best friend.  Oh, baby, I need more time!  Can we possibly freeze time and stay like this forever?

Priceless

I love you, little dude! How can one not?!?

(Taken before we took off last night)

Singa-1, Singa-2, Singa-3, Singa-FOUR!

Bumenta to sa min ni AJ this morning while we were listening to the morning rush. Hahahaha!

It's so fitting because our little family will be trooping over to Singapore tonight.  I'm on business trip from Monday to Wednesday so Jax and I thought, why not go there earlier so we I can have a little weekend vacation (and them have a father-son bonding while I'm at the office!)?

It's going to be totally random - we have nothing lined up except for a trip to Ikea and a meet-up with my best friend, Hanika.  Will post about this next time. :)