The world will end today...

according to Mayan Calendar.

Well, we're still here. Doing the same mundane things. Watching the world go by.

You know what? If the world would end today, I wouldn't mind so much.

I'm with him ↓. Nothing could go wrong.

hindi ordinaryong araw :)

Gumising ako kahapon na alam kong ordinaryong araw lng iyon. Wala kami lakad ni Riley, di ako pupunta ng bayan, walang tutor. Skedyul ko maglaba para sa Undas nakatuyo na ko. Iniisip ko pagkalaba, iidlip tapos ibblog ko ang tungkol sa Halloween tapos manunuod ako ng Ina, Kapatid, Anak sa gabi. Inalarm ko rin nga pala ang cp ko para hindi ko makalimutan ang Amazing Race Philippines. Akala ko ganun matatapos ang araw na iyon.....

Pero hindi pala ordinaryong araw ang October 30, 2012 para samin. HIndi ko makakalimutan ang araw na may tumawag sakin ng Tita Joy habang ngsasampay ako at naitanong ko sa sarili ko kung nananaginip ba ako. Kasi yung tumawag sakin e parang kilala ko pero dahil sa pagkashock ko e hindi ko maalala kung sino sila. Hehe. Ok, sige the best na kayo sa pagsorpresa saming lahat! 

PS. 

Buti na lang wala kaming lakad ng araw na iyon, kasi baka kayo ang nasorpresa namin. hehe. :)

PPS.
Salamat sa pasalubong! :D

Halloween with Jollibee

This afternoon, we went to Jollibee's Halloween Party. Riley was the kind who doesn't like loud noise and uncomfortable clothes. Good thing, Gangnam Style dance craze and Jollibee saves the day!

he is dancing here to the tune of Gangnam Style, jumping up and down!

a lot of children were dancing too! such a joy to watch. :)

Then the highlight of this event, Jollibee! Really, what's with a giant bee in red tuxedo? Riley used to be afraid of him. But when his Ninang bought him a Jollibee video, Riley watched it every day. Plus, you know, he loves Jollibee food so much! It's my secret weapon into taming Riley. Hehe. I can lure him into doing ANYTHING as long as I say we're going to Jollibee. He doesn't like to sleep? No Jollibee! Won't take a bath, no Jollibee!   He is being naughty, definitely No Jollibee! And when he did good things, it is also my way of rewarding him.  It really is a wonder how kids love Jollibee! I know, I used to be one of them when I was a little girl. (Little pa rin naman ako hanggang ngaun! hehe)

Riley doesn't want to take his eyes off Jollibee

I have to hold his neck for this shot :)

We were about to leave the venue because Riley is getting jumpy and cranky, then he heard the song "Bida ang saya!" He went back and had a 360 degrees turn around of mood when he saw his pal Jollibee. 

Funny story: while we were following Jollibee to have a photo with him, Jollibee waved at Riley and pat Riley's head. Then Riley looks at me with a smile from ear to ear!  Halloween with Jollibee would be a yearly event in my son's life from now on! :)

And here's Master Jedi Riley wishing you all a Happy Halloween too!  

One & Only

There are times, I wish I can have another child. It's not because Riley is not enough! Riley is MORE than enough. But sometimes, I feel Riley would be happier if he has someone who he can play and interact every single day! Oh, he has playmates. Every afternoon, he spends his time playing with kids in our neighborhood. He adores them! To say that he seeks other children's company is an understatement. But when its time for his friends to leave, it sure is a heartbreak. Now, if I can give Riley a little sister (or brother) I think he would love that VERY much! Someone he can protect and play with 24/7 Mondays to Sundays and who will sleeps beside him. Even me would love that!

Riley and his friends

I don't know what being an only child feels like. Having 3 siblings, I grew up knowing I have someone to turn to at any given time. They are my friends, my foes, my critic, my companion and I felt secure knowing they're just there - living and breathing under the same roof. I never felt the need to have so many friends because I have them in my life.

Somehow, I am resolved to having an only child because of my age and status. One is my maximum when it comes to this kind of set up I have now. Maybe if the situation is different, I will consider having another kid. But one thing is for sure, having a child is a blessing beyond imagination. Whatever the circumstances are. :)

3 Mommies & A Baby

Earlier this evening Riley was kissing and hugging the three of us - his lola, Ninang Janice and me. We all love him. How fortunate Riley is to have three mommies in different persona who love and adore him.....

And how lucky we are to have someone who hugs and kisses us all the time... ♥♥♥

I am 31! So What?!

Everything changes when you have a different perspective of things. Something has changed in me. For one, my birthday doesn't bother me anymore. I used to don't like my birthday. On my last birthday, I was sort of sad. The years are dragging by and what's the point of dreaming? I am old. I am 31. So what then is left of me? A message changed all that and I have to thank my friend Carla. She wrote this beautiful message:

The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits.

No one is really old to live their own life. No one is never too old to dream a new dream. It took me all those years before I finally realize that I can do what I want to do. I can be what I want to be. I am accountable for my own happiness and my life is a personal matter between me and my God. I am no longer a slave of my insecurities (well, sometimes I can be). I am no longer afraid to speak my mind. All these and more. These are the gift of my age. The product of the years gone by. Sure, I'm 31! So what?!

I am ready to embrace my future. I have my son. I have my dreams. I have my friends. I have my family. I have my life. I have all the things I needed. All that's left is to have the right state of mind. And my story couldn't be more perfect! :D

Acceptance

Sisimulan ko sana ang blog na ito ng kadramahan. Yung tipong "Bakit ang ibang tao ang dali ng buhay para sa kanila. Bakit ako hindi? Bakit sila may ganun? Bakit ako wala? Bakit? Bakit! After few minutes and just letting that emotions flow freely, a peaceful feeling suddenly swept me. And remember a prayer, something about "accepting the things that cannot be change." Then, I know its going to be okay! Life is not that bad at all. :D

Amen!

Men and Mane

Riley despises anyone who dare touches his body. Like doctors or tailor and his most hated are barbers! In the three times, we've had his hair cut, it was embarrassing and a disaster! I swear! Riley is screaming and hair is all over our body (I hold him everytime!) that I wish I hadn't put him in that misery of his. We tried everything - lollipop, candies, toys, the praises like "mabait yan e" or "matapang yan." But nothing works. I could let his hair grow longer but I prefer him with a clean cut and it's much more comfortable. Plus, he have to deal with his hair sooner or later. In result, his agony:

his first hair cut!

his third haircut. his second one was the worst that I didn't have the energy to take a picture.

The third haircut was last April of this year. And Riley's hair grew fast! Once in a while we trim his bangs but I think he really needed a haircut. 

I found a salon that caters to kids. Instead of an ordinary chair, they have a car chair. At first, Riley is excited. But after a while, he started to cling to me again. But at least he doesn't scream and cry. He started to cry but then I was quick with words. "Pupunta tayo ng Jolibee at bibili tayo ng spaghetti!" And that actually works! Hehe.

He looks mature looking in his new haircut. I am proud of him. I hope next time he'll be completely at ease. And even if I paid thrice as much from the usual barber shop, it's fine. Maybe he likes the salon better or maybe he is really growing up! And growing up for the better! Yipee!

My song for this guy!

MY GUY by Mary Wells

Nothing you can say, 

Can tear me away, 

From my guy.

Nothing you could do, 

'Cause I'm stuck like glue, 

To my guy.

I'm sticking to my guy, 

Like a stamp to a letter, 

Like birds of a feather, 

We, stick together, 

I can tell you from the start, 

I can't be torn apart from my guy.

Nothing you could do, 

Could make me be untrue, 

To my guy.

Nothing you could buy, 

Could make me tell a lie, 

To my guy

I gave my guy, 

My word of honour, 

To be faithful, 

And I'm gonna, 

You'd better be believing, 

I won't be deceiving, 

My guy.

As a matter of opinion, 

I think he's tops, 

My opinion is, 

He's the cream of the crop, 

As a matter of taste, 

To be exact, 

He's my ideal, 

As a matter of fact.

No muscle bound man, 

Could take my hand, 

From my guy.

No handsome face, 

Could ever take the place, 

Of my guy, 

He may not be a movie star, 

But when it comes to being happy, 

We are, 

There's not a man today, 

Who can take me away, 

From my guy.

No muscle bound man, 

Could take my hand, 

From my guy.

No handsome face, 

Could ever take the place, 

Of my guy, 

He may not be a movie star, 

But when it comes to being happy, 

We are, 

There's not a man today, 

Who can take me away, 

From my guy.

There's not a man today, 

Who could take me away, 

From my guy.

There's not a man today, 

Who could take me away, 

From my guy

♥09122012♥

Needless to say that time passes by ever so quickly, because here we are again celebrating my Riley's second birthday! It's been a fun year. We became closer and I never ever regret not working (full time that is) because I would never trade the precious time we've shared together. And I intend to add more wonderful moments with him in the coming years. Ok, enough with the preamble, here's the pictures of the birthday boy on his special day!

I think Riley knows it's his birthday! He is unbelievably in a good mood the whole day. He wakes up with a smile on his face and when I greeted him "Happy Birthday" he said "two." He even pretended to blow a candle. Oh yes, he knows it's his birthday!

His shirt says "I'm two, what's your excuse?" :D Kids will always be kids! And at this stage, it's their nature to be makulit! Please grant me patience, God. Lots of it! 

We eat out at Max's Restaurant. My treat to the loving and supporting family Riley and I have. My favorite part - blowing of his birthday cake!

Just look at that face! LOL. Ang tagal namin prinaktis ang pgblow ng candle nya pero ni hindi man lang nya napatay ang apoy. Hehe. 

Happy second birthday! We'll have more birthdays to celebrate. More moments to cherish. And more love to  share! I love you!

Riley Update

In less than two months, Riley would turn 2. The dreaded Terrible Twos! What could be worse that his kakulitan right now? I will soon find out.

There are so many things that has change since my last update about him. First is his speech. He has new words up on his sleeve. He can now say bird, airplane, shoes, apple, halika, sama, and sometimes he can say words clearly but it was a one time event and never repeated it. I now in time he'll remember every words. My favorite of his words is O-PO! :) One time I heard him say on his sleep that word! Hahaha. I always ask him, "Love mo ba si Mama?" and say "Opo" "Mabait ba si Riley?" "Opo." And when I say "Makulit ka e!" He'll shake his head and say "di." ^_^ He communicates a little better now unlike before. When he wants milk, he says and point to his dede. When he wants to read, he says "ba" and point to his books. (ba for basa). When he wants to go outside, he says "bas" and automatically get his slipper. I know in his second year he'll learn more!

Their brain is really like a sponge. They imitate, they remember, they absorb EVERY little details! One time, nagbukas ako ng shampoo gamit ang bibig ko. Next thing I know, ngbubukas na rin siya ng shampoo gamit ang bibig nya! Que horror! That's why I am watchful and cautious of every action that I did in front of him. Sabi nga "Kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga matatanda, ay siyang gagayahin ng mga bata. What I let him see is the positivity. Cleaning the house, fixing our bed after waking up, eating vegetable, praying. Simple things like that, that I know if he doesn't learn now will be hard to insists on him later. One time, we were about to go to sleep and I forgot to pray. Riley grabs my hand and put it in my head doing the sign of the cross. Children are really retentive when you teach them repeatedly. So let them see or do things that are worth repeating, ok!

I am also starting to reinforce to him some values. Values like cleanliness, responsibility, politeness, obedience, and being industrious. After he cluttered and played his toys or books, I ask him to please put it on its proper place. At first, he willingly obeys me. Some times he refuse and doesn't want to follow me but I tell him that he is the one who used it, so he'll be the one to clean it. And I always remind him "rules are rules" When I let him help me wash his clothes, and he started playing on the water, I tell him: "Wag mo na nga tulungan si Mama, hindi mo naman pala pinafollow ang rules." Am I being hard on him? I just want to correct him. Like his potty training. By the way, he is potty trained already. When I trained him at first, he was really protesting. He doesn't want to sit on the potty. He will cried and doesn't want to do IT there! But I patiently hold him and still insist that he poops there. I even hug him when he sits on the potty. Now, he is the one to hold my hand and lead me to the CR when he wants to poop! What I am saying here is: maybe at first, teaching them good values are hard. But we have to be consistent and firm. "A rule is a rule." "A bad habit is a bad habit." And we must correct them now or it would not be corrected at all!

We're not always that serious! Riley and I have a lot of fun! Yup! I feel closer to him now more than ever. There's this connection and bond that mother and son's have. Minsan, ngkabungguan lang ulo namin tpos hagikhik na kami. Minsan naman nahatsing lang ako, tawa naman siya! Hehe. Riley is a born comedian like his father! Minsan nagpapatawa siya, at cyempre kahit gaano pa kacorny un natatawa talaga ako! Iba pala ang feeling pag anak mo na ang nag eentertain sayo. His first year, I was the one to sing and dance and do funny faces to amuse him. But this time, he is the one to do those things to me and it melts my heart every time. You know what I find endearing the most? When Riley talks to other people, he always points to me and says "Mama" as if introducing me. I don't know why but I feel like he is so proud of me. He doesn't know that I am prouder of him. He is so pure and innocent and so loving. At 1 year and 10 months old, he made me feel loved. By his simple hug. His effort to make me laugh. His kiss. By openly showing his fondness and preference over me. What did I ever do to deserve such blessing? Whatever the future holds, whatever he becomes or whatever failures he will face in the future we'll work on it together. I will accept and love him as HE is. He can never disappoint me.

PS
In the middle of the night, while he is sleeping, I still marvel and gaze at his perfection. But I don't look at him like he is a fragile little baby. In my eyes, he is becoming a boy to me. Independent little boy. And I know I play an important part on how and what he will be. It scares me. Dear God,  may I do the right thing everyday, choose the right decision, and make him feel that he is loved and accepted for who he is. May I teach him the true meaning of LOVE by my actions. Amen.

OK ka ba tiyan?

Yakult Everday,

Everyday, OK!

Sunday Photoshoot

Last Sunday, after our afternoon nap, Riley woke up in good spirit. He was playing sillly games while carrying our pillows and laughing to his heart content. I want to capture that  moment. So I told him to wait up for me, I grab my camera and an instant photoshoot for him. Oh, love this stage where I can direct him and he follows me. When I say smile, he smile. When I say "make a face," he MAKE a face! The fun of having a toddler in your home is immeasurable!

First shot and he giggles like there's no tomorrow!

naiinis look

nagpapaliwanag look

give me a baliw baliwan look

mr. pogi look! o pinalitaw pa ang mini dimples  nya! :)

patawa look nya! nagmukha cyang si Popeye sa huling pic. hehe

just be yourself look

believe it or not, he is that kulit EVERY day!

Until my next photoshoot baby! 

Vampire-to-be!

This afternoon, Riley has a scheduled vaccine to his pedia. But due to my tutor jobs, I was unable to come with him for the first time. My mom and sister accompany him and the first thing they told me is he cried upon seeing the doctor. Hehe. Very typical of him! He knows he will get his monthly doze of injections and it terrifies him every time. The second thing they told me is Riley would soon be a vampire! LOL. Meaning his canine or cuspids teeth is ready to erupt any minute now. Canine teeth are what me called fangs or "pangil" in Tagalog. Pangil means Bampira diba?! Forgive my kamaisan. Hehe :D

Finally, the discomfort would be gone. And his smile would be more perfect! See you soon teeth!

My New Found Friend

My father and I used to be strangers with each other. I don't know anything about him and I never bother to talk to him. I don't even care about him. Before he was just a man with no worth and with no meaning in my life. I used to ask God why He didn't give me a better father? Why him? Why my friends have loving and supporting father and I am stuck with him? I think I have "trust issues" with men in general because of what he did to our mother before. YES! I use to feel that way about my own father. I know! What a nice way to talk about my father on Father's Day! Lol. But that was before. Life has it's own way of healing wounds up. Things are way better now between us. And since he accepted my friend request yesterday in FB, I guess I can call him my FRIEND now. :)

Sometimes, there's no need for words. I don't know how it happens but day by day I acknowledge his existence. That he is a part of our family. He is alive and he is here to stay in our lives. There are times he still annoys the hell out of me, (my sisters and brother will agree to this!) but now I learn to respect. I learn to shut my mouth. I learn to control my aggressiveness and my temper around him. Besides how can I get mad at him when I see how much he loves my son? Everyday he would come to our house just to see Riley. Riley is the first person he looks for and I don't mind the least. And he would carry Riley outside and talk to him and say  "Nagpunta lang ako para makita at makarga si Riley." It fills my heart knowing how much he cares for my son. For 28 years, I thought this man was not capable of loving someone other than himself. But Riley proved us all wrong. Thank heavens for Riley! Ever since he came to our lives, he is like a bridge that connects us all and bring our family closer together. Because of my son, the wall between us is broken little by little, day by day. I never knew grandchildren could change their grandparents for the better because if I do, I would have a baby sooner. Hehe. Just kidding!

Ama is not perfect. It took me a while before I accepted him in my life for all his flaws and faults. The bitterness is gone but most of all I learn to forgive him to all the torments of the past. There's no I love yous. No sweet words or words of advice. No gift giving or throwing of surprises. Nothing like that with my relationship to my father. But at least I still have a father. And that father is my friend.

the man who gave me life and the (little) man I gave life to...

Dance Riley! Dance!

My son loooves dancing! Right after he learned how to walk, dancing has been second nature to him. Well, here is the proof! Kendeng kendeng by Willie Revillame is his and his friends favorite. Enjoy!


kendeng kendeng from Joyce Ann J. Magtanong on Vimeo.

Our Nearby Park

I've been looking for a nearby kiddie park ever since. Where Riley can just play and enjoy and interact with other kids. We don't live in a subdivision where parks and picnic areas are common so to discover a nearby park, walking distance actually, is happiness for me and for my son.

One adventure down for Riley. Next time we're bringing Riley's friends to our nearby park! (Ours tlaga?) Lol!

Brigada Eskwela 2012 (from Riley's point of view)

It is never too early to teach our kids the value of helping out and keeping our surroundings clean. So, Riley and I are joining the Brigada Eskwela 2012 and it sure is fun!

Riley is really a friendly kid. He would sit beside a person and talk to them. Or sometimes he makes "papansin" like clapping or dancing. lol!

We also did some strolling around the school.

But the most special thing, my son did today is when he gave me "a stolen sort of flower" ornaments.

One Fine Day

I notice Riley and I are having bonding time alone more often. I become less of a yaya to him and more of a companion now. :) He is becoming more independent. Sitting by himself. Feeding himself. Taking the food he likes. Things like that. And because of that, I enjoy being with him more. Not that I don't enjoy our time when we're together. It's just that things became easier for me now. And we don't need to bother my mom or my sister to accompany us for me to have an extra hand in taking care of him. I can take care of him myself. I am pretty sure that as he get older, we'll have more "dates" together! Our kind of date we're simple. We don't need to be expensive to enjoy it. Like what we did this afternoon!

we went to 7- eleven and ate magnum :)

sarap ba riley?

the disadvantage of being just the two of us is we don't have a photographer! 

ayan center na! :)

Spending quality time with one another and having fun! That's my definition of one fine day! Goodnight!