mama & akii

I am amazed at how Akii responds at a very early age - that is, compared to his brother. Everyday he is growing with love full in his big bright eyes. My heart cracks into little bits of joy and wonder that I can almost cry at how he looks at me and "talks" to me. He smiles easily as I say that he is my sunshine and will always love him.

We fondly call him "Akii Pataki" which sounds really cute and funny - suits perfectly with his silly personality. I used to dream (while he was still in my belly) the way he is today. You make Mama happy Akii, you are my sunshine :)

girls dayout

Last friday Anne, Toting, and I had the goofiest, most relaxing mommy-break ever. Thanks to you Sam, you gave us a whole day of being "young and single" again haha!

First stop: Brunch at the luxurious Marco Polo's Café Marco. It was definitely a heaven's treat for Anne and Sam, both drooling over their sushi while Toting and I settled for the less adventurous plate - on that list includes a Ratatouille. We had an amazing time, chatting and chewing away good memories and future plans (like Sam getting married - and having a baby - at 35).

Next stop: Spa treatment at Meddah Spa at the Crossroads. Sam, Anne and I chose the Stone Massage while Toting tried on some combination massage. It was my first visit at a spa so I was really looking forward to it. Even if I had a mantra: "This is not torture. This is not torture" while the stones were rubbed all over my body, I actually enjoyed the massage! 

Us girls were high. We were high on our crazy stunts, high on our growing friendship. We love the idea of just hanging around and just being with eachother - without the responsibilities attached.

Again, thanks for the early Christmas gift Sam! Love you girls!

i need help

I am in need of a Yaya again.

Being a full-time mother of two (2yo and 2mo boys) is my ultimate dream role for my family. I know a lot of working mothers wished they could be in my shoes - being with our kids whole day is rewarding indeed but never a guarantee of a smooth-sailing trip. Everyday is a challenge and you learn bits of life lessons. The disciplining is hands-on for your growing terrible-two spurting tantrums here and there, and the caring for a new baby is as fragile as life itself.

I don't really mind if I don't get the perfect nanny for my kids or the super all-around helper. I just want a help that lasts... for 5years at least? Yes, I am frustrated but I can't control who comes and who goes. For now, I will have to do with my own powers and a great amount of help from the heavens. After all, this is parenting.

my beekeeper

Look what I got all the way from Canada.

Yes, I'm an old Tori Amos fan :)

It's an official Tori Amos Beekeeper Bookmark but I'm using it as a hair chopstick, clever! Thanks again Sammydew! You never fail to surprise me.

digital practice makes perfect

It's my pleasure to be invited by my good friend, the very talented Samantha Lazarte to be part of digital practice. An office-less canadian company that caters digital services such as CAD and 3D Visualization, Scaled Models, Corporate Branding and Websites. This is the perfect time for me to do extra work (and extra money). Not that I've got all the time in the world, but this is exciting for me to design dance again.

For more information about digital practice, please visit www.digitalpracticecanada.com

Akii turns 2months old

Last November 15 marks his second month as my little puddingprince. He is a handful little bugger which makes me want to eat and swallow him back in my belly. Smelling him is making me high. There is no scent in the world that is so sweet as his. He talks back with his little coos and smiles and wrinkles his nose... and I can't get enough of his bright round eyes! Baby Akii Love, you are our sunshine.

Our official lullaby songs are The Beatles' Yellow Submarine and You are My Sunshine.

our time off

I felt that my 2.4yo son neened some time off from his home routine. The mall is not an option because he'd end up getting a new toy car and drowning in milk in his stroller. We opted for the beach!

With just the two of us, (sort of. We hitched from my mother's Thanksgiving Day Out for her staff at El Salvador Beach Resort) my little adventurer spoke new words, discovered the patterns of the waves, burried a car with his sandpit, meeting a cat-friend. He was at his best - giving out smiles, playing by the poolside, discovering (and this time walking) on his feet on the sand.

When it was time to go, he happily ran to the car as if saying "I missed you car!" Haha! Maybe we should do this more often.

let's go to sleep

Getting my precious me-time, 2-3 hours a day (every afternoon) means a lot to me. It's when I can come face to face with my laptop,  or plan a week's budget, or just chat away with my friends without a 2.4yo mister who wants to see himself in PhotoBooth over and over again. This is when my eldest gets an afternoon nap, my time of peace and quiet.

Putting Zaiid to bed is a tedious job and it takes skill and there's no way anybody can put him to bed. He'll have a list of things to do before he's finally off to dreamland: 

1. read-me-a-book "gen! gen!" translates to "again". This includes about 5 favorite books until he's settled for his Cars: old, new, red, blue.
2. "man!" - requests a bottle of milk 2-3 times in a row.
   
3. sing-me-a-song "gen! gen!" 
4. or draw-me-a-(spider, car, bridge, fish)

Yes, it takes patience and full commitment. Well, that's part of the parenting package isn't it? Despite our bedtime routine, I feel this is the best time we bond together. We crack some tickles here and there, giving me hugs, wet-kisses all over... and calls me with the sweetest voice. He's not trading one moment of bedtime with mama. One more story, he turns his back on me, with one hand on my shoulder and one leg on my body, he snores happily.