My dearest boy is now a year old. He’s become quite the little spark plug — crawling, squirming and cruising away, tugging at my heartstrings with his happy vibe and lovable gummy grin. I can’t believe we have a one-year-old! Thank you dearest God for this beautiful gift. A baby (toddler!) really brings so much love into a home.

This means I’ve also been a Mommy for one year now. Hurrah! Motherhood is love, love, love. It’s the biggest responsibility and the best I’ve ever been blessed with. I cherish every moment.

Being a working mother is really tough. Big big big cheers to those who’ve been at it for many, many years. I still struggle with balancing both, and I wonder if it’ll get any easier. How are you working Moms holding up? Here are some wise words from one of my favorite blogs that I’m keeping to heart now:

Live happily, dearest friends. Have a beautiful week!

• I was dipping the bread part of my corned beef sandwich into my hot coffee this morning when a chunk of beef fell into my cup. I forgot about it until I was sipping up the last drops of coffee. Corned beef soaked in coffee does not taste good.

• The (relatively) newly open Forever 21 at SM Megamall has been getting a lot of buzz. I finally got to check it out last weekend and found myself prey to its wares. Gah. I love the clothes I bought, but am not so sure about the quality. Let’s see how long they last.

• I tried out A&W Soda Pops from S&R. Nothing super spectacular. It’s like you poured down Coke into ice candy bags and froze it. Hey maybe I’ll do that this weekend. Cheaper too!

• When I was preparing for work this morning, I could hear my son crying in bed “Baba! Baba!” Oh, the life of a working Mom. We played a little bit before I started preparing again, and he was pretty satisfied with that. Mornings are really the toughest.

• I have two books on my work desk: “Keeping Life Simple” and “Simplify Your Life.” They are surrounded by a clutter of documents, a full calendar, a bunch of calling cards, two work notebooks, unread letters and some bills. Ah, the irony of it all.

One more day then it’s the weekend! How’s your week so far?

I was wondering if the old coffee shop Chaikofi still existed, so I went online to find out. Lo and behold, I came upon their seemingly forever under construction site and saw they used my pictures without permission!

This is my original post about my Chaikofi experience…

And here’s my photo on their defunct site:

The least they could have done was credit naman the picture since it’s under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic Creative Commons License. I guess that doesn’t mean anything to them.

And even if they don’t understand that, it’s common decency to ask permission from the picture’s owners.

I know their site seems dead, but it’s the principle of the thing! There I was wanting to visit the shop again after all these years and boom! I’m faced with my picture. They don’t even have contact details on the defunct site.

Hay naku Chaikofi, I used to speak so highly of you. And now, I hate you I hate you I hate you! Grrr.

If anyone knows how I can get in touch with the Chaikofi client, let me know! I’ll give them a piece of my mind.

Kainis!

I need to go on vacation. Stat. Any quick weekend getaway recos? Tagaytay’s nice, Subic too. Some place that doesn’t require a plane or a 12-hour bus ride. I don’t want to go too far, and I’m done with staycations. Oh life!

Any infant formula recos? Yes, I know breastmilk is still best for babies. I have to start mixed feeding soon, and I want to know what other Mommies are using. Timmy’s turning 10 months old. If you have a suggestion, could you also please let me know why you’re recommending it? I planned to breastfeed exclusively till the first year, but it looks like I’m not going to make it. Oh life!

Anyone playing The Sims 3 Ambitions here? It’s my ultimate stress reliever now. I’ve created one Sim to be an Architect. After she reached Level 10, I changed active households to create a Stylist Sim. I’m enjoying this career a lot. I had more fun with the architect track though. I want to try the Ghosthunter Sim next but I’m too much of a wuss, even if it’s just a game. How’s your game play going?

Any good read recos? I just finished Candace Bushnell’s “The Carrie Diaries,” which was about Carrie Bradshaw’s life in high school. I also finished Emily Giffin’s “Heart of the Matter,” which was about adultery from the perspective of the wife and the other woman. This was a very absorbing read although I wanted to throw the book several times because I was so irritated with the husband. That just means the character development was pretty cool, I suppose. I’m looking forward to reading Charlaine Harris’ “Dead in the Family,” the 10th installment in the Sookie Stackhouse novels. What books do you think I should I put on my nightstand next?

I need a vacation. Oh wait, I said that already.

Photo credit: “Hot Coffee on a Rainy Day” by DeaPeaJay/Flickr.

The best marriage advice I’ve gotten was from my cousin. He said, “Kahit ano kakayanin niyo basta’t sabay niyong haharapin.” For as long as you face challenges together, any obstacle can be overcome. My cousin wrote that down on a “Congratulations! You’re Married!” card seven years ago. The card is lost, but the words of advice remain etched in my memory.

My husband and I have gone back to that piece of advice many times. From resolving petty arguments to sharing grand experiences like the birth of our first child, we’ve stood by each other and held hands all the way.

We’re sort of like these two otters. No matter what happens, we’ll be holding hands till the end.

For seven years that’s how we’ve been, and I imagine we’ll keep on holding hands for many more.

Happy Anniversary Husbo!

Chilling out one summer day…

This tree protected me from the bright sun but dropped that darn red ant on me too.

… that Lady Gaga music video spoofs are funny, especially if it’s by Michael V! Lady Gagita’s has been making its internet rounds for about a month now and it still cracks me up.

… who @PCOSmachine on Twitter is. His Twitter bio reads: “I am a PCOS machine that’s part of the Philippines’ 1st automated elections.” The funny and witty tweets from @PCOSmachine were so amusing! I immediately followed him on Twitter after learning about it, and it kept me entertained during last week’s election updates.

… that I am OVER my Facebook Games addiction. YES!!! I no longer have a compelling need to check Hotel City, Cafe World or Farm Town. Dirty rooms, spoiled dishes and wasted crops no longer make me panic. I’m so relieved.

… about plants that heal. I’m not a pill popper, so I prefer turning to natural remedies when sick. This article’s a great read!

… that Noynoy Aquino doesn’t want to take his oath of office before incoming Chief Justice Renato Corona. Fussy? Immature? Correct? Arrogant? What do you think? Here’s an interesting blog entry from The Warrior Lawyer.

… that Robin Padilla is the new host of Wowowee! Well, well, well! I’m not sure if Willie has formally quit after that “It’s my way or the highway” rift with Jobert Sucaldito. Let’s see if Robin makes a good host. For sure he’s certainly upped the eye candy quotient of the show significantly!

How was YOUR week?

… that it’s okay to eat food that’s fallen on the floor. Knowing that it’s okay and actually eating fallen food is a different thing though!

… that the hamster is one of nature’s meanest mommies. Apparently sometimes it gets so threatened by its young it decides to eat it. Scary!

… that “Dead in the Family,” the 10th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, is coming out in May 2010. I’ve seen the preview chapter and I can’t wait to get my hands on that book!

… that I can throw in some exercise by tightening my abs every time I pick up the baby’s toys. He’s in the throwing phase and boy, it can get really tiring for Mommy the pulot (“pick up”) girl!

The Philippines’ National Election is on Monday, May 10. Vote wisely, fellow Pinoys. I pray that it will be a peaceful election. I hope that whoever loses won’t throw a tantrum and bombard Malacanang with rallies. Vote wisely and stay safe!

Happy weekend! What did YOU learn this week?

Image credit: Aaron Obamana

… how to say Eyjafjallajökull (the volcano from Iceland). Thanks Chuvaness!

… that the cast for the movie adaptation of one of my favorite books “Something Borrowed” has been announced. Kate Hudson for Darcy? Ginnifer Goodwin for Rachel? I’m not jumping up and down, but I’ll still watch the film anyway. Thanks for the heads up J. Ana!

… that I am on Team Eric, as of Book 4 of the Sookie Sackhouse novels. I’m almost done and this book is super interesting. I want to be on Team Alcide though. If anything happens between Aclide and Sookie, DON’T TELL ME! I’m only on “Dead to the World.”

Original image from True Blood Guide

… that the iPhone is addicting. My husband has one and we have a blast looking for fun apps to put in his phone. I’m tempted to buy one but nooooo. My current phone is working perfectly fine. But it doesn’t have NY Tower Bloxx. Or all those fun apps. I will not give in!

… that one of my favorite blogs is BACK! Renaissance Girl stopped blogging two to three years ago, and now SHE IS BACK! She’s a really good writer. Read her entry: What’s New, Shrew? Drop her a WELCOME BACK! line if you’ve read her before, or a NICE TO SEE YOU! line if it’s your first time. Tell her I sent you!

… that my 8-month-old baby is in the 97th percentile for weight. That means he weighs more than 97% of Asian baby boys his age. He is in the 90th percentile for length, which means he is longer than 90% of Asian baby boys his age. His pattern has been consistent, which is a very good thing. Hurrah for healthy babies!

How was your week? Share! Happy weekend!

Oh, to put my feet up! Oh, to live out what this book shares!

Oh wait, his nails are getting longer. Let me get the nail trimmer. Snip, snip. Done! Finally, me time!

Oh wait, he’s got a little bite on his arm. Let me grab my first aid gel. Dab, dab. Done! Finally, me time!

Oh wait, there’s laundry on the floor. I might slip on a dirty shirt in the middle of the night. Fold, fold. Done! Finally, me time!

Oh wait, I forgot to turn the mosquito killer on. Crap, it’s downstairs. Let me get it. Trudge, trudge. Plug, click. Done! Finally, me time!

Oh wait, his books are all over the place! I can’t stand the disorder. Pile, pile. Fix, fix. Done! Finally, me time!

Oh wait, he’s stirring in his sleep. The baby wants a midnight snack. Nurse, nurse. Done! Finally, me time!

Oh wait, my husband’s gym clothes haven’t been prepared yet. Are there clean white socks in the closet? Search, search. Yes! Done! Finally, me time!

It’s 1 in the morning. I freak out. Only a couple more hours and I have to wake up for work! I fall asleep.

It’s 5 in the morning. The boys are still sleeping. Finally, me time! I rush to the closet and prepare my clothes for the day. I imagine the feel of a hot, long, luxurious shower in the cold morning. I can’t wait.

Oh wait, the baby is awake! He’s hungry too! I wake my husband up to watch the baby, bolt into the shower for a short bath, get dressed quickly, nurse the baby, leave for work.

Just when I think I have my ME time, something else comes up. I guess ME time will have to wait!

Maybe I’ll kick back a little later. Or much later!
(Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography)

I do answer comments, but haven’t gotten around to answering a lot recently. I will reply to them! I’m no snob.

Twitter has been more of my friend lately. Microblogging has been friendlier to me, schedule-wise, hassle-wise. It helped keep my sanity too as I knew right away that I didn’t imagine yesterday’s earthquake. As soon as the earth stopped shaking, I tweeted and saw that a lot of my friends tweeted the same thing. I hope you guys are safe!

Met up with an old blog pal a couple of days ago. Haze and I have been blog friends for about a year now. We turned to each other for support during our pregnancies. Our baby boys are a month apart! It’s always fun meeting blogger friends you’ve established a good friendship with online. Genuine blog friends are hard to find! I hope to catch up with her again!

Any plans for Holy Week? I want to take Timmy on Visita Iglesia, but I’m not sure how safe that is. There have been a lot of tigdas hangin (roseola infantum) cases lately, so I think I’d rather stay home. What do you guys have planned?

Well, Friday calls. Tons of meetings and stuff to arrange. Have a good weekend, everyone.

Food for thought today: What if the world was moving in your direction? What would you plan to do about that?

Cheers!

Image credit: skylar murphy c/o Flickr