This would have been better written if I had access to this blog earlier today. But well, it was busy at work and I don't blog at work.
As a fairly new mom, I fully understand that now is not the time to think about reactivating my old social life (which really wasn't even that social) due to several factors: I have 2 young kids, most of my friends have moved/settled down, and I can't afford to be out often. But as every mother in my position knows, we all need a little R&R, be it a couple of hours of alone time or just be out of the house not doing anything for parenthood. As it is, I *hate* leaving my kids and I want to do everything with them, but I need to let go for a couple of hours to do them a favor. Being a parent is stressful, and a stressful parent doesn't do a good job.
Just because mom (or dad) wants to go out and do something that connects to the younger self they once were, doesn't mean she regrets her new role! It would be great to watch a movie at the theater every other month. It would be nice to have dinner without worrying if the kids are eating enough. It would be nice to get back to the hobby I put on the shelf as my firstborn came into my life. It would be nice to just take a walk without a diaper bag too. Although I love taking the kids out, I think including them in every bit of my activities doesn't do them any good. And I really wish mothers weren't looked down on for this. We are a new generation of moms, and most of us had mothers who grew up in a totally different world... not to say that their advice doesn't apply anymore (there are staple advices that should always be passed on!) but we also believe that it's OK to leave the kids and do something that still connects us to who we were before the kids!
For me: playing music is what my 20s were dedicated to. I needed a break from it, found parenthood, so I put it all away for a time. But now I am feeling that as soon as my youngest child is at a more independent age, I would love to pick up music again. I just don't want my parents and in-laws to think that I'm abandoning my priorities, because that is absolutely not the case. I just want to be able to have my own thing again, as that would let my kids see a side of me that I hope intrigues them because it is the one thing I did before that I gave up temporarily for them.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
She wants beer now??
Earlier tonight at the dinner table, Gerard was chanting "more beer!" in reference to wanting more of the diet Cherry 7up his dad "rewarded" him with for every bite of dinner he took.
On the other end of the table, Aubrey was getting annoyed and fussy (little did we know it's because she had a soiled diaper), and out of nowhere, she shouted "Mo beh" which made her grandma and myself turn and laugh at her. Aubrey then sported a face that seemed to say "what? what did I do?" She looked at me and grandma, stayed quiet and went back to her fussing.
It was classic. I am so glad I can blog about this.
On the other end of the table, Aubrey was getting annoyed and fussy (little did we know it's because she had a soiled diaper), and out of nowhere, she shouted "Mo beh" which made her grandma and myself turn and laugh at her. Aubrey then sported a face that seemed to say "what? what did I do?" She looked at me and grandma, stayed quiet and went back to her fussing.
It was classic. I am so glad I can blog about this.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Words
Our house is full of words lately.
Aubrey has been babbling a lot of "mamamama" and "papapapapa" and more recently, "babbeh" or maybe it's "bah-bah" (bye bye?) She is in a very clingy stage only with me! When I leave the room, she cries so much! She knows when I get home from work too. Whenever I pick her up from grandma's, I'm told her attitude changes towards the grands--as if she's ignoring them and waiting for me to come any minute. <3 I love that girl!
Gerard, on the other hand, has been saying more and more words in his sentences. The other day he did a 7-word phrase: Papa have one. Gerard want one too." Well, that's 2 complete sentences! He was referring to an old photo of his father where he has all his toys laid out, and the central piece is a gigantic firetruck. So Gerard saw a drawing of a firetruck in his book, and he said that. What he meant is he wants that big firetruck too, even though he already has 2 of them (though not as big). It's actually a funny backstory: the time he first saw that photo, he started crying (fake cry, no tears) and whined how he wanted the firetruck in it. I mean, the kid really said the words clearly.
I'm looking forward to more words from Aubrey and more complexed phrases from Gerard. They are both picking up on things so fast at their individual levels! I am a proud mama =)
Aubrey has been babbling a lot of "mamamama" and "papapapapa" and more recently, "babbeh" or maybe it's "bah-bah" (bye bye?) She is in a very clingy stage only with me! When I leave the room, she cries so much! She knows when I get home from work too. Whenever I pick her up from grandma's, I'm told her attitude changes towards the grands--as if she's ignoring them and waiting for me to come any minute. <3 I love that girl!
Gerard, on the other hand, has been saying more and more words in his sentences. The other day he did a 7-word phrase: Papa have one. Gerard want one too." Well, that's 2 complete sentences! He was referring to an old photo of his father where he has all his toys laid out, and the central piece is a gigantic firetruck. So Gerard saw a drawing of a firetruck in his book, and he said that. What he meant is he wants that big firetruck too, even though he already has 2 of them (though not as big). It's actually a funny backstory: the time he first saw that photo, he started crying (fake cry, no tears) and whined how he wanted the firetruck in it. I mean, the kid really said the words clearly.
I'm looking forward to more words from Aubrey and more complexed phrases from Gerard. They are both picking up on things so fast at their individual levels! I am a proud mama =)
Monday, August 23, 2010
My funny boy
CHAT EXCERPT:
hahahahaha gerard's so funny 10:02 PM
ma was telling us how she asked about woody (from toy story) on his pull up. since woody is placed on the butt area, gerard said "woody kiss my butt" 10:02 PM
he's also ran up to aubrey before after getting his butt washed, and putting his butt to her face saying "aubrey kiss my butt" 10:02 PM
hahahahaha gerard's so funny 10:02 PM
ma was telling us how she asked about woody (from toy story) on his pull up. since woody is placed on the butt area, gerard said "woody kiss my butt" 10:02 PM
he's also ran up to aubrey before after getting his butt washed, and putting his butt to her face saying "aubrey kiss my butt" 10:02 PM
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Early literacy
It's paying off!
For a little over a year now, I've been taking Gerard to the library on as many Saturdays as I can for storytelling time. Even though I was pregnant with Aubrey at the time, I made the physical effort to get him ready and stroll the 4 blocks to our neighborhood library. It was worth it. One hour of singing songs, storytelling and playtime with kids his age. I'm very grateful for the San Francisco Public Library for having these programs; it helps those of us working moms who can not do weekday playgroups. Through this free program, Gerard has developed into a social toddler and an interest in books.
In the last few months, we also tried the "Your Baby Can Read" DVD system. We haven't really been consistent with playing the video, but I'm certain this has helped a little bit.
Both methods definitely helped him with his speech. Yesterday, as we were driving down the freeway along side our city rail system, he said outloud "People ride BART train too." That's a 5-word phrase! And it made sense! A few days ago, he was already on a 4-word phrase when he clearly told me "Cat eating food too." He was referring to the backyard cat that hangs out around our house. He recently identified each of us at the dinner table that we were all going somewmhere with him: "Gerard coming. Papa coming. Mama coming. Aubrey coming. Gramma coming. Ma (great-grandma) coming."
And the most amazing development to me is that he's reading by memory. He has a Toy Story book, a title he also watches the movie of regularly (sometimes twice a day). He has all of us reading books to him: he picks out the books, or he requests it by title. Tonight, as I read him Toy Story, I tried a game by letting him finish the sentences. Amazingly, he got all but one word completed as I started each sentence and had him tell me the word I left for him. I realize he memorizes the story but that's what early literacy is about. He knows the story, and it's very helpful that he can help me read the book.
I suggest to every parent to read to their kids every night. Not only will your child value this important skill, but it will truly give you that accomplishment every parent should feel when it comes to their children's development.
Our little girl Aubrey is also showing interest in books. She loves to grab books and also sits around for storytime.
For a little over a year now, I've been taking Gerard to the library on as many Saturdays as I can for storytelling time. Even though I was pregnant with Aubrey at the time, I made the physical effort to get him ready and stroll the 4 blocks to our neighborhood library. It was worth it. One hour of singing songs, storytelling and playtime with kids his age. I'm very grateful for the San Francisco Public Library for having these programs; it helps those of us working moms who can not do weekday playgroups. Through this free program, Gerard has developed into a social toddler and an interest in books.
In the last few months, we also tried the "Your Baby Can Read" DVD system. We haven't really been consistent with playing the video, but I'm certain this has helped a little bit.
Both methods definitely helped him with his speech. Yesterday, as we were driving down the freeway along side our city rail system, he said outloud "People ride BART train too." That's a 5-word phrase! And it made sense! A few days ago, he was already on a 4-word phrase when he clearly told me "Cat eating food too." He was referring to the backyard cat that hangs out around our house. He recently identified each of us at the dinner table that we were all going somewmhere with him: "Gerard coming. Papa coming. Mama coming. Aubrey coming. Gramma coming. Ma (great-grandma) coming."
And the most amazing development to me is that he's reading by memory. He has a Toy Story book, a title he also watches the movie of regularly (sometimes twice a day). He has all of us reading books to him: he picks out the books, or he requests it by title. Tonight, as I read him Toy Story, I tried a game by letting him finish the sentences. Amazingly, he got all but one word completed as I started each sentence and had him tell me the word I left for him. I realize he memorizes the story but that's what early literacy is about. He knows the story, and it's very helpful that he can help me read the book.
I suggest to every parent to read to their kids every night. Not only will your child value this important skill, but it will truly give you that accomplishment every parent should feel when it comes to their children's development.
Our little girl Aubrey is also showing interest in books. She loves to grab books and also sits around for storytime.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The world of babies..... it's wonderful to some, bitter for others. So what's going on with us?
In our world, Aubrey is now an expert crawler and has been sitting up on her own, and also pulling herself up on objects to stand. She's been very curious with her brother's toys, digging them out of the toy boxes and such. She's still eating a lot of cereal and bananas, and she's not very fond of jarred food. We prepared her some pureed turkey meatballs + rice which she still is getting used to. We've brought out the walker but she doesn't like it much, preferring to be carried or left on the floor so she can explore. However, she does not like it at all when mama leaves the room!
Our ever-active Gerard has been quite the speaker. He's got some pretty good phrases going on. "Bob go?" is what he said when he was looking for his construction truck (he refers to anything construction as "Bob" from "Bob the Builder") "Sleep daw ter" is when he begs to sleep downstairs in grandma's room. "I coming" is when he wants to go out with us or go somewhere. His favorite movies have been the Toy Story series. He asks for "Toy Tory" everyday! And he knows about "Toy Tory 2." We took him out to his first movie experience to see Toy Story 3, but he refused to wear the 3D glasses.
A few days ago, we were driving to Babies R Us when we passed by a building that was in the middle of being constructed. From the back, Gerard spurts "build house. Bob!" telling us how there's a house being built by Bob the builder. We've been taking both kids out as much as we can, since Gerard loves it and now Aubrey does too. Chores are ditched just for these two!
In our world, Aubrey is now an expert crawler and has been sitting up on her own, and also pulling herself up on objects to stand. She's been very curious with her brother's toys, digging them out of the toy boxes and such. She's still eating a lot of cereal and bananas, and she's not very fond of jarred food. We prepared her some pureed turkey meatballs + rice which she still is getting used to. We've brought out the walker but she doesn't like it much, preferring to be carried or left on the floor so she can explore. However, she does not like it at all when mama leaves the room!
Our ever-active Gerard has been quite the speaker. He's got some pretty good phrases going on. "Bob go?" is what he said when he was looking for his construction truck (he refers to anything construction as "Bob" from "Bob the Builder") "Sleep daw ter" is when he begs to sleep downstairs in grandma's room. "I coming" is when he wants to go out with us or go somewhere. His favorite movies have been the Toy Story series. He asks for "Toy Tory" everyday! And he knows about "Toy Tory 2." We took him out to his first movie experience to see Toy Story 3, but he refused to wear the 3D glasses.
A few days ago, we were driving to Babies R Us when we passed by a building that was in the middle of being constructed. From the back, Gerard spurts "build house. Bob!" telling us how there's a house being built by Bob the builder. We've been taking both kids out as much as we can, since Gerard loves it and now Aubrey does too. Chores are ditched just for these two!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
the enunciator and the auburator
I can't express enough that our 2 year old is diligent about enunciating words and phrases. It's only hard to understand some because he's trying really hard to get the sound right, like for example today, he was saying "butt statton" when his dad eventually translated it to "bart station." I'm glad he isn't speaking gibberish. He talks a lot now, but it's usually to point something out or express something in specific. And good for us, we can understand a lot of what he means.
Meanwhile, our baby girl is crawling now. She's more gliding over the hardwood floor, unlike her brother who learned to crawl on carpet. But just like him, she loves going for electronic cords and my laptop adaptor. Yesterday I also noticed she's trying to hold on to her bouncer to stand. We've been taking her out every weekend now because she gets bored at home. We know this because once she's getting dressed and put in her carseat, she gets excited. Then when we walk to the car she kicks in excitement. And the most obvious sign is when I put her in the babybjorn, she laughs loud and kicks with so much excitement. A total girl :)
Meanwhile, our baby girl is crawling now. She's more gliding over the hardwood floor, unlike her brother who learned to crawl on carpet. But just like him, she loves going for electronic cords and my laptop adaptor. Yesterday I also noticed she's trying to hold on to her bouncer to stand. We've been taking her out every weekend now because she gets bored at home. We know this because once she's getting dressed and put in her carseat, she gets excited. Then when we walk to the car she kicks in excitement. And the most obvious sign is when I put her in the babybjorn, she laughs loud and kicks with so much excitement. A total girl :)