This Year, I Learned

Motherhood brings with it a lot of lessons, some of which you don't really want to learn (like washing a poop-ridden tush).

But I believe one can pretty much categorize all those lessons under two major themes: 1) how much more you understand where your own mother/parents were coming from and how limitless your capacity to give of yourself can be.

This year has seen me lose more marbles than my last ten years. But it has also been a very illuminating ride for me, one that made me realize how much I should be grateful for, and how many things I do not really need or want or care about.

I wish I can say i'm less selfish now... but at least I can say it is actually harder to be selfish because I have been changed in such a big way.

*~*

There was a procession of sorts in our barangay. They call it the Tatarin (but it didn't resemble anything of the movie) and they said those who wanted to get pregnant should dance under the piñata-like thingies that are opened to shower the procession with flower petals. Well, I was a bit embarassed about doing that but I danced some with my son in my arms while watching the procession. Hopefully, that, coupledwith the massage I got earlier, will prime me up for conception asap.

It would be such an honor, such a blessing, to be deemed worthy of another child.

*~*

Happy New Year everyone!

The Vigilant Mom

One way moms spell vigilance is making sure important things are insured. So with the coming new year, make sure you make notes for yourself for all those insurance payments and allow enough time to research and compare auto insurance quotes or home insurance rates, whichever you're planning to get (or whichever it is that you still don't have but should have).

Even with the global economic crisis and insurance companies declaring bankruptcy, it's still really a wise move to get insurance for your home, car and life.

Mommy Gratified

I'm such a rewarded, appreciated, acknowledged Mum. Gratified to the hilt because my husband thinks, and tells me, that am doing a good job raising our son.

Had we been living in New York, i'd probably buy him New York Yankees tickets just to show him in turn how much I appreciate his involvement in the whole parenting process.

And our son is a testament to just how much we have both been committed to raising him. He adores us both and is such a happy, healthy child. I love that he's generally eating and sleeping healthy, and is playful and engaging and very sweet. It's only been a year, I know, but it's been one great year parenting him.

I just hope I keep being up to the challenge. And that I continue getting all the validation I need to keep going.

A Higher Level of Mommyness

You know you've hit yet another level of mommyhood when you really forget and do not mind the fact that none of the presents under the Christmas tree bears your name.

You're just happy and feeling special that your kid is getting lots of presents. And you open these gifts with glee for/with your child. And you appreciate the giftgivers more for the really thoughtful gifts (like the cousin who noticed that you still haven't bought your child a dining set, or the friend who knows you'd like your kid to grow loving books).

Parenthood really teaches us to learn to love without selfishness more and more.

Moms Remember

If you're like me who took lots and lots of pictures of your tot in his newest outfits while opening his gifts, or when he was playing with the box and wrapper (and while his cousin and uncle plays with the toy itself), and after he's fallen asleep, exhausted from all the merrymaking, keep your sd cards now. Better yet, upload them in your laptop and your spouse's PC. And if you're real OC, upload them on the net.

Otherwise, the merrymaking in malls or somewhere else might result in broken or lost memory cards.

Make it a habit to backup your pictures/files. It sure saves us tears.

On Being Organized

I am not one of those who really loves organizing things, eventhough that was part of my job before. And I know that I can be very good at it when I put my mind to it. Why, my wedding coordinators before had little to do because I really took care of everything.

Down to the last detail.

But I maintain that i'm not OC.

And when you become a mom, you would really need to get organized. Some resort to the use of PDAs to remind them of the tasks that need to be done, but I believe most moms go on auto-pilot and pure adrenaline rush. That's how we usually get to pay all the bills on time, coordinate carpools and playdates as well as pack the vacation bags and make sure even the pets are fed.

Because if you don't organize and coordinate and plan, you would lose your sanity. And you won't get to enjoy the really important things, like your child's childhood (the only time that he'd be lovestruck with you and worship the ground you walk on).

Yakee Today

Yakee slipped in the CR when I was momentarily distracted by my sister's chatter while bathing him. Good thing, everything was in slow motion so he was more surprised than hurt.

He also loves the carollers so we're being forced to give them money for entertaining him (supposedly, we'd only be generous on the 24th). I got a little bit inventive and started singing carols to him while beating an ice cream container. He started preferring my carols and got scared of the carollers.

Weird kid.

I also exerted effort for him today, buying him merienda at Chowking and venturing out with him on my own. Unfortunately, that didn't amount much to him, he still refused to be fed by me all day.

Sigh.

I just tell myself that maybe, he really likes the space away from Mum.