City Gardener

Homeschooling and a pursuit of a healthier lifestyle has made me realize the necessity of having my own garden to pluck leaves and what-nots from.  I sometimes check out tips from the Soothing Company Blog or get helpful concoctions from Facebook sharings but I sometimes don't have ingredients handy or prefer something simpler.

Want to deodorize a house? Get free coffee grounds given away by Starbucks. And then sprinkle some on your pots so their acidity will make your plants thrive better. Include the neighbors' or the street's plants in the process.

Got the sniffles? Set up a steamer alongside your kids while they're having some tub time with some lagundi leaves (which I thank our neighbor for). And make your kid drink oregano tea (I literally bought a plant just to pluck leave from, much to Yakee's dismay), or a tablespoon of oregano extract (steam oregano some and just squeeze juice out of it).

I boil pandan leaves to perfume the house... and later on use the tea to calm me down, or flavor gelatin with. Mixed with lemongrass, it's even better tea. Mixed with kalamansi and honey and iced... it's the same iced tea now being sold by Gawad Kalinga. Haven't figured out how to make my pandan plant grow really long leaves though.

Other potential ailments can be helped by our asitava plant, and I am glad it doesn't taste awful so I guess I can season salads and soups with its chopped leaves. 

 I even use our basil plant to make basil tea...or really make pesto pasta fragrant :)

This week, I shall try to grow Kangkong Upland (because I have not been succesful with okra) from seeds. Good luck to me!

MIL is Handy Womanny

MIL knows close to zilch about the net so she can't have possibly Googled things like  ceramic rings at LSPceramics.com to replace pump cylinders but she continues to amaze me about how Handy Manny-like she is. She can replace pumps, valves and whatever from water pumps to ovens. Her last project that bawled me over? Re-piping their entire house (she just hired me to drill the holes through the walls for her but she did all the sawing, measuring, designing and installation of  the pipes themselves) because she couldn't find which pipe is leaking. So now, every toilet in her house has a working bidet and all showers are working, and there are locks for each system should there be any repairs need to be done, thus eliminating the need to shut down the water supply in the entire house.

Brilliant eh?

I can only hope I will be half as service-able as she is. I have started with attempting to change gas tanks... haha. I have to do more and learn more because I need to set a good example for my own boys.

Dancing to 90's Hits

Some guy decided to go back down memory lane and record a video of himself dancing to 90's hits... which got my online community to come up with a dance number of a similar theme for our Christmas party. Haha. Because it was my idea, I was forcibly volunteered to join the dancers.

I decided to embrace it though because it could be something else for me to do to get exercise. Makes me wish I can do it facing a big, new TV on its own flat screen stand to really inspire me more! 

But I guess I will just do it with the kiddos :)  It will be our P.E. (because the arnis sticks have lost their charm a little).

Mother's Day Gift 2013

Hubs' gift to me was the Aerosmith concert. But the best thing that I was thankful for, that never ceases to make me smile and go giddy... is Yamee talking.

Sometimes, the words are very distinct... sometimes, fairly understandable... sometimes mind-boggling. But he is talking more and not just words too. Because he just repeated the "Mama, what are you doing?" phrase his Kuya was chanting earlier. And yes, he was prompted with Raisinets as incentive but he has said the words, "I love Mama/Papa" :)

Now, he even automatically says 'Thank You' :)

So... I make my cousin and sister humor me by talking to him on the phone :) I prompt him a lot but they get to hear him speak in his super sweet voice so it's worth the effort (and well, calls are free via Viber).

So.. despite the fact that he's still cantankerous a third of the time, I will admit to cutting him a bigger slack just because he is sooooo cute when he talks, babbles and sings. Sometimes, you can even sense that he is telling a story through play.

I really, really thank God for this blessing.

And yes, he signs more now too.... so communication is easier and more rewarding.

*~*

Meanwhile, Yakee is Best in Basic Freestyle and Yamee amazes his swim teacher so much, she ends up hugging him all the time. I thank God for that too... that my sons enjoy the water and that we had the means to send them to such classes.

Neglectful Momma

On one hand, by a stroke of luck... we suddenly have a new helper again. And she seems to be very industrious. Since I don't have very high expectations from helpers, I already find her a gem. Hopefully, she stays long with us and doesn't ever steal from us.

And... my cousin, who will do repairs in our home, is already here with his family. So, the boys are actually feverishly happy that we have guests :) They have not even come to me for anything since they woke up.

But... I have been a very neglectful Mom. I am consumed with this desire for time alone. PMS? Depression? Both? Sigh.

I have been a slave of my phone and tablet too... much to the dismay of the kids. Somebody bop me in the head. Part of me thinks it's because we will be enrolling soon... haha, I know, that reason again. But June is coming and expectations over results is threatening my inner equilibrium...

Breaking Mean Bones, Breaking Hearts

About two weeks ago... I heard Yamee cry in pain. I'm a mom who can differentiate cries, after all.

Yakee told me that Yamee poured hot water over himself. I saw the reddish skin. I asked Yakee to tell me thr truth about what happened, and he insisted on his story. So, I started scolding Yamee... telling him that I did tell him the water was hot (they were steaming) and asked him who got the hot water. He immediately pointed to his brother. I asked him who poured hot water over him. He again pointed to his brother. I asked him what Kuya used, and he pointed to the shampoo cap.

That night, Yakee got spanked for hurting, lying and disobeying (because I asked him to tell me the truth). He was also deprived of screen time for two days, and wasn't read to for two nights. Those were important to him so we thought withdrawing those would bring home the lesson more.

Unfortunately, it didn't.

Earlier tonight, I heard Yamee cry again... Yakee told me his brother hurt his chin on the chair. As I was comforting Yamee, I asked where it hurts so I could kiss it. He pointed to his nostril. I asked why would his nose hurt, he immediately pointed to his brother.

Yakee was profuse with SORRYs for lying and hurting his brother... and I carted Bunso away because I couldn't handle Yakee yet.

Later, when he would try to talk to me, I would just tell him I wasn't ready to talk to him. He started getting teary and asked, "You don't like me anymore?"

So... I asked my N@W support group for inputs. I wanted to heavily punish Yakee because I really didn't want him lying... plus, I felt Yamee had to be avenged somehow. I felt... I was both their Mom and had to be fair. But I also knew Yakee is only 5 and will learn these lessons in virtue in increments. What was I going to do? What was a natural, logical consequence to the lying and hurting?

My friends reminded me to use stories and extend my grace. I told hubs we should talk about the discipline first... and agreed that withdrawing privileges do not really work with Yakee, and that we're better off appealing to his emotions.

So, after bath... we spanked Yakee because we promised him it would happen when he lies again. And we do not lie. We also keep our promises. But we hugged him and talked to him. We showed him a picture of a child with a bleeding nose and discussed how we're sure he doesn't want that to happen to his brother, who he loves. We explained again that we love him and have to train him to be good. And then hubs told him I will show him what happens when he lies.

I cut up 4 hearts, wrote our names and posted them on our wall while saying... "Pappie doesn't lie and he loves Mommy best. They do not lie to each other so their hearts are close. They love Yamee and do not lie to Yamee and Yamee does not lie to them so their hearts are close. They love Yakee too but because of reasons that are his own, Yakee lied and thought only of himself... Which moved his heart away from the family."

I really  cried while doing this, and hubs took advantage by asking Yakee if he can see how sad I am because he lied... so Yakee also cried buckets while I held him. Then hubby posted Yakee's heart about 2 inches away from ours. to serve as a reminder  to our poor eldest in  the coming days of what lying and hurting does to a family. Hope it works.

We made sure to tell him we love him and that it's because we love that makes us serious and committed to raising him good.

We also cried while praying, and Pappie was hugging Yakee as our child cried. Yakee was wiping tears till I tucked him in bed.

And both of us parents couldn't sleep after.

How I Got to Raising Snails

Funnily enough, I think I forgot to clean the container today :D

I bring the boys to the market with me when I have to go, since nobody will be staying with them. One day over a week ago (or probably two), we passed by a cart filled with live snails (the local 'suso' that you cook with coco milk). The boys kept returning to the cart, amazed at the reatures so I thought I'd just get them two each and let them have their fill watching them come in and out of their shells.

Within a day, Yamee lost one of his.

After three days, Yakee lost one of his.

(and yes, it is a mystery how those snails seem to haven't died yet since there hasn't been a foul smell coming from a dusty cranny at both houses)

So, each boy now only have one snail each to call their pet. Unfortunately, they soon lost interest so I ended up cleaning the container and making sure they have fresh water and some leaves to munch on (haha, hubs said they eat kangkong so I gave them any leafy veggie we have).

When Yamee remembers them, he tries throwing cut paper or plastic in their container. More stress for me.

And yes, I don't know why  haven't just thrown them with the trash. Sigh.

I did tell Yakee that their lack of responsibility over the snails just proves to me they aren't ready for the other pets they've been asking for (goldfish, cat, dog, horse, chameleon)  :D

The Destroyer, 2.0

There was a time it was Yakee who rendered our appliance useless. Now, it's Yamee's turn. He is done treating the cables and plugs of our TV and players as if they're some Focusrite microphone preamp system (or old phone system, if you please). Sometimes, I really dare not even look at what he's up to anymore.

It also doesn't help that he's so quiet. With Yakee before, I could always sense what he was about as he excitedly pursued his naughtiness, I mean, curiosity... with Yamee, however, he's like a stealth machine. Haha, maybe I should plug him to an amp, just so I am forewarned.

He is a two year old boy realizing all the explorations entitled him. May heaven help me. (And thank God it was the walls and floors and doors at the other house that he thought to write on yesterday).

Crochet Freak

Weirdly enough, I have found solace and quiet in crocheting. Unfortunately, such is the escape I get from it that I have been tuning the boys out. Haha.

As I got better at it, I got worse in my parenting. So... I am declaring some sort of hiatus.

 

Didn't edit the crappy composition anymore... but I crocheted this in one sitting... when I was getting stressed at the impending departure of my sister a month ago (used one of the craft balls in my stash as decor)

 

me practicing with flowers and bows coz a friend was asking if I want to tie up with her business

 

loved learning about flowers coz they're soooo easy to make and finish (better than hacky sacks!)

 

this is a water bottle holder gift to a goddaughter :)  I thought that one single flower was cute!

 

this was the glove that I tried shortscuts with... so it ended up with horrid-looking fingers :D have to completely remake!!!

 

my first official headband made

 

the second one :)

I haven't included here the scarves made from love and really achy fingers (4 in all, last Nov-Dec)... but see how my descent into madness resulted in pretty things? Haha. Ironic too that I am a mom of boys and don't really have use for these flowers.

Anyway... in my hiatus... I will happily await the arrival of these:

 

Haha.... I should have bought more solids than ombres

 

these... bought by my sister using coupons and a lot of love!

 

there was a Valentine sale at Knitpicks so these are all girly colors

Well... I figured, if I can make SOME money out of finding solace, why not?!

Accidents Will Happen

First,  I heard the sound of a chair falling, then followed by things, then the sound of Yamee crying. Then, I saw blood on his legs and started panicking inside. Then there was more blood on his chin. I saw a spoon beside him and thought he must have fallen while playing with the spoon, and the spoon cut him up somehow.

I was ready to rush him to the hospital... silently bracing myself to take the blame for this accident... when I had the presence of mind to make him gargle. There wasn't blood anymore after the second time he spat out the water so I inspected him some more. It turned out, he cut his inner cheek and that was the only source of blood. And after wiping all the blood up, he was playing again.

He did keep whining about his runny nose, but that's all. And Kuya, feeling a little responsible (after I pointed out to him that though brothers help each other, he really musn't ask Yamee to do things he can do for himself since Yamee is younger... see, he asked Yamee to get the dropper he dropped, and Yamee miscalculated his jump) called Yamee to read to him and draw with him. He was even generous enough to let Yamee break one of the twistable crayons.

Sigh.

That was lunch. When Yamee fell off the bike that his older brother decided to pull up, I was really ready to research threaded studs and bolts and use them on my sons... or at least, my youngest.

Sigh.

Heaven knows I love both my boys and I don't want to raise Yamee with a victim complex... and Yakee with the notion that he's a hurtful, careless child. But heaven also knows how I can better teach Yakee to be more thoughtful where his brother is concerned...

Breaking Down

Haha... notice the pun? Well, for a while there, I did feel a little undead... as if life has been sucked out of me.

Sigh.

I broke down and cried to hubs. I still think it was mostly hormones (got a bad headache) that resulted in kids acting up and me not wanting to deal and everything just going downhill from there. I had to spank Yakee (and make sure it hurt) for talking back because I threatened on throwing all the toys they were refusing to pack away. I admit, I have been a little permissive with the talking back, because I generally try to understand where he's coming from and keep in mind that he just needs to learn to express frustrations better. Still, and it will seem unfair to Yakee, he has to be kept in line otherwise his younger brother would follow suit... and before I know it, I might have to smack two mouths instead of one.

I texted hubs that next time Yakee does it (with malice), I will really wash his mouth and he will be banned from our bedroom for maybe two nights. That prompted hubs to go home with a feeling of dread because he thought that was happening tonight. Hahaha. Over dinner, he suggested timeout from toys but I said that it's not a logical consequence for talking back and being very disrespectful. He has to feel that I felt disrespected and hurt and such feelings resulting from his behavior will put him on timeout away from the nurturing space of our bedroom and nightly rituals.

Yakee did say sorry and we did try to process what happened... and we did end the day in a loving note.

Anyway... I broke down after looking around and seeing our home so messy and dirty and in disarray. Haha, yes, I cannot have stressed that enough. And earlier, I was also faced with having to do laundry and I just felt so tired and useless. So, I broke down.

I decided to sleep everything off and was probably asleep by 10 pm... but woke up at past 2 am. I ended up cleaning downstairs, setting things and toys to right (man, I'd love to have those video wall mounts and more hanging shelves that I need not sweep around) and making sure the boys can freely roll around the floor again later.

Sigh.

Still A Mom

Just not much of a blogging mom lately though.

I  just don't have the energy!!! Chores and policing the boys occupy my days that I even feel sometimes that I can't breathe. Sigh.

But the past few days have been better than most days, despite my eczema acting up and having to run errands with the boys to banks and payment centers. I have learned to let them settle their battles more, insist on cleanup and not shout as much. I am trying to pander to their respective emotional/moral development to make my discipline more effective.

But I think, in the end, what really helped calm me down was hubby asking... HOW DO I DO IT? Spend my days with them, with the same and different issues, attend to their needs, attend to chores, etc.

My response was... well, they have to be done and nobody else will do it.

So, I do it. Not perfectly, and not even really well. I just do what I can.

Hopefully though I can improve fast so I can really integrate more structure and homeschooling into our days.

This Domesticated Mom

After my cousin and sister left, I had to face real chores and struggle with them and all my usual nurturing/parenting tasks. Needless to say, homeschooling has really taken a backseat since I haven't found a balance between the chores and nurturing yet.

I know I have to reduce the kids' toys... not just because it will help with the cleanup if they have fewer toys, but also so they will really take better care of the toys they do have. Too much toys is like watching TV, they get bored easily with one and cannot really decide on which to play with.

I also know I have to invest in more chests and toys, because the kids now are at an age when they really need to learn to respect each other's personal things... as well as share communal properties (like the Lego).

I also have to throw more of my and hubs' things... to make room for more space, or the new toy chests.

I also have to come up with a schedule, regardless of whether my distant cousin can really work for us and help out. So that I know which has to be done that day, and my kids can follow suit. In the Little House books, there were baking days, wash day, ironing day, etc. and we should have that too. It will help them know which day is which, what food to expect that day, etc.

And then there are the things we need to invest in. I might consider raiding carpet stores for a utilitarian type to designate which will be the study area in our home and certainly more book shelves and a big whiteboard.

And sometime in the next two weeks, hubs and I would need to wash the sofa cover because Yamee peed on it a week ago. ho knows what germs are growing in the cushion now!

Now... how am I as a Mom these days? Verging on terrible, especially since my sister's departure also happened when my hormones turned. I am really struggling with my temper and have been very autoritative. I jus keep reminding myself not to allow my heart to be so distant from the kids.

Yamee is the bigger challenge lately though, more prone to not responding to instructions and striking on his own.

Heaven... help me please!

Buteyko Works

Just a quick post.

We were beset by allergies and viruses when 2012 ended and 2013 began. But Yakee recovered the fastest and didn't really need meds like Yamee and I. He's also doing great with his breathing exercises, to think we're not doing them regularly enough.

Sigh.

Thank God.

Anywayy, now I am weaning them from sweets and whatever other habits they picked up during the holidays. On to healthier living again. Hopefully, someday, when they do shop for premium cigars, it would be as gift for someone and not for personal use.

And hopefully, I can find better healers to help me raise them in health.

Stage Mom

Yakee was coin bearer at my cousin's wedding. I was so looking forward to him donning Converse shoes with a suit (really dropped the vest as it was an 11 AM wedding).

And yes, I dare say, he was the handsomest (little) man at the wedding.

Now, there was a point where we were running super late and I had to ask hubs to drive the rest of the entourage ahead... while I wait for some people and take a cab. I was soooo harassed then and really upset. I knew I was very transparent. But the thought that my firstborn would walk that aisle without me watching him was just painful for me... haha. As if I was missing a milestone.

And then it brought home the reminder that someday, my sons would leave hubs and I as he cleaves to his wife. It's always been said that you lose your sons when they get married, but those with girls gain a son when their girls get married.

I'd like to gnash teeth and react violently BUT... would I really some girl of the same fidelity, allegiance and devotion that hubby is showering me?

Of course, not. So yes... someday, hopefully I will watch my sons wait by the altar for the woman of their dreams. And I will let them be.

Mom of 3 for the Holidays

My sister is now surrounded by her nephews at the foot of our bed. Yamee insisted on sleeping with them in the end and curled up in the nook he found by his brother's feet.

And yes, the title of this blog is both for me (for I alone can really stop all the boys in their tracks, and the only other one that my nephew will not deign to defy) and my sister (who insists she will 'bond' with the boys the whole time she's here).

But darn it, it's soooo stressful to mother three rambunctious boys... esply since my youngest is also down with allergic rhinitis. Sigh.

I am just praying Buteyko will see my firstborn through (because I still suck at it and is still sick) and that I can make the right decisions. Like, not tiring them out just because I feel pressed for time.

No to HK

Some discounted fares for Clark - Hong Kong - Clark just came up for the months of January to March 2013. It's around P6k per person and that's really a sweet deal already (though if you ask me, I really don't fancy having to go to and fro Clark before/after a trip).

It gave me pause! Haha.

I have always dreamed of going there in February, when it's coldest and you get to wear leather coats and Gaerne boots and you breathe steam and get red in the cheeks. Haha.

Then again, when I think of the luggage (and expense for those kind of clothes), that dream loses it's charm.

And well, there is that planned trip to Marinduque for the Moriones festival in March... so we really don't have travel budget for HK now. Plus, hubs and I have also agreed that we'd just throw the kids a Jollibee party when Yakee turns 7... and use the rest of the money for the HK return as opposed to doing the catered thing that's more expensive.

So, yes, no to HK for now :)

Mikah's Birthday Story

There was a little conflict on the candle-blowing part because Kuya wanted it to be him... he had a hard time grappling with the gifts and attention bestowed upon his younger brother the whole weekend (last, last weekend) but was loving enough to not really throw full-blown tantrums. Sometimes, there'd be a tear shed here or there but he patiently waited for his turn and allowed his brother what's due him.

===============

Up in the heavens where big angels sang and little angels played, a small angel boy was jumping from cloud to cloud with his other angel friends. And then, he senses someone calling for him and he turns, but there was no one there.

Another day, this little angel was hopping and tumbling about when he felt like he was being called again. Sometimes, when he sleeps, he dreams his name being repeated by beings he didn’t know... so he decided to tell a Big Angel about it.

“Your family is ready for you, little one,” said Big Angel.

The little angel didn’t understand what Big Angel meant, but, that night, when he went to sleep... he fell into dreamland and stayed there. Ten moons waxed and waned as he rocked in a little boat. At the end of that time a beautiful rainbow bridge stretched from heaven to earth. Over it, the little angel travelled and slid as a tiny baby into his mother and father’s waiting arms.... and they named him Yannis Mikah,  because his parents believed another healthy child was a great gift from God.

From the first moment, his parents loved him, but as he wailed in his mother’s arms, it was a little boy’s voice that he heard. It said to him, “It’s okay Yamnyoy, Mommy’s here.” To his surprise, there was a bigger boy waiting with his parents to love and care for him. And Mikah was glad.

Mikah was born just before his grandmother’s birthday, so there was a party with family immediately after his birth. He looked so much like his maternal grandfather though that he was declared as his FAVORITE.

Apart from the initial late night crying, wherein his chin would quiver in a very cute way, Mikah was a rather easy baby and fell asleep for long periods at night. He used to be a very noisy sleeper though.  Mikah grew bigger and stronger as the days went by, and Kuya Iakob couldn’t wait to be able to play with him. When he was big enough, Kuya would help him roll on is tummy so he could watch Mikah wriggle like a caterpillar.

Mikah was ever excited about food and had a great appetite. He also liked toy cars a lot. But at his first birthday party, it was decided that he’ll come as a bee instead to symbolize all the things he will accomplish because he will never know he shouldn’t be doing them.

Mikah grew up more and more, his limbs getting surer until he was also climbing stairs and jumping off steps. He liked babbling “a-ti-ti-ti-ti” at the start but would end his second year of life imitating Mommy and Kuya as they sound their letters. He liked drawing and painting and doodling and would go berserk for Oreos. He loves books and being read to from someone’s lap. He always forgot to put on slippers and preferred sitting on the ground and which is why, when they brought him to the beach just before his second birthday, he had great fun in the sand.

And now, Mikah turns two and we are happy that he has grown big and strong, happy and healthy, loving and smart and the sweetest boy there is. We wish Mikah many days of fun and play, good friends and learning... and the gift of right speech and great health.

From Robot Chameleons to Robot Bats

Yakee has this quirk... he keeps telling us that I'm the Mommy (insert animal here), Pappie is the same, he is the Kuya and Yamee is the baby.

We have been a family of cats for a long time. Then, penguins. Whales.

After our trip to the Robot Zoo, we were a family of robot chameleons. Now, we're a family of robot bats. Maybe, around seven to ten times a day, my eldest will stop everyone in their tracks to spell that out... that we are a family of robot bats.

I sometimes tell him I'd want him to be a room-cleaning robot someday. And well, if we ever get rich enough to have a pool, why not have robotic pool cleaners for sons too?

I can't help but wish sometimes though that we become cats again. Or, even rats. Saying Mommy robot bat, Pappie robot bat, Kuya robot bat and baby robot bat takes him forever! :D

Crybaby Yamee

Yamee is now at a phase where he cries over any slight thing he perceives hurts him... like me trying to get water. And he's super contrary and unable to decide what he wants. Sometimes, the tantrums will be on and off all morning... and he really seldom wakes up without crying soon after.

How I wish he'll just be happy... for a whole week! Especially since I feed him and generally stay with him till he wakes up (making Kuya wait for him in the process) just so he'd wake up in the right side of the bed.

Sigh.

I am beyond frustrated.

And it doesn't help that he isn't verbal yet so communicating to us his desires is mostly off the table.

I know this is just a phase but again... I am beyond frustrated with all the crying. And plopping down just anywhere.

Sigh.

When I deduced him to be melancholic, I didn't really want to be right. Haha. Oh but he can be the sweetest thing there is, and he can be very helpful and independent too.

Just please, God, give me more patience and understanding!