Parrot on a PorchA Journey Toward the Little Mansion Dream

I’ve blogged over and over how Asher loves books.  In fact, I’m thankful for these educational tools because somehow, the guilt is lessened when they I turn to them to babysit Asher whenever I work and Yayie’s busy doing some chores.  Asher reads his book by himself, blurting out loud the things he sees in the books and sometimes even do a little story telling.  His favorite books are the the Goodnight Moon and Five Little Monkeys.  He has, in fact, memorized the familiar lines like “No more monkeys jumping on the bed” of which he mumbles “No mol monkeys jumping bed” while shaking his head.  I love shopping books for him that I plan to browse the Amazon books for boardbooks and other books apt for toddlers.  I’m just glad how my little Asher has become such a book loving tot.

Cooking is one skill that I have greatly improved on when we moved in here in our own little abode. I am not really a kitchen person since we grew up having a cook in my folks’ house. Then when we moved to Frisco after the wedding, there was my Mother-in-Law who did the cooking for everyone in the household including my Sister-in-Law’s family. But everything changed starting on the first day that we were on our own. I had tons of cookbooks that served as my guide and even up to this day, I continually depend on these references to cook meals for my boys. There are occasions when I could not perfect a certain dish but just the same, the effort is well appreciated which drives me more to learn. So I’m in a constant pursuit for more recipes that I can cook for them and for me to practice my cooking skill on. It’s great that cooking references are not centered on just cookbooks anymore. There’s the web where I can google gazillion recipes plus cooking related applications on the latest gadgets such as the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. One example is the iPhone application called Mixing Bowl by Meredith Corporation, designed by Sourcebits. It is a lifestyle app where one can sign up to a group of foodies and discuss, share and swap recipes with daily. I am yet to download this but judging from this preview, I’m getting a glimpse how good the iPhone App Development was.

Sourcebits also caters to designing, building and working on iPhone Games Development, Blackberry, iPad, Mobile, Mac and Android App Development. I wish they create more cooking apps for newbie cooks like me.

It’s really unfortunate that my son has acquired asthma last year. It came to us as a surprise because no one in the immediate family has asthma nor any respiratory problems. In my son’s case, as explained by the doctor, it is acquired from his surroundings and because he has extra sensitive lungs, he can not tolerate the allergens commonly present in the air like dust and pollen. The doctor reminded us to as much as possible keep him away from all these allergens that can trigger colds, cough and eventually, asthma. Sadly, among these allergens are pets. It’s not really the pets per se but their pet danders that can be a great cause of allergies. We can not let him get near or more so, have a pet dog or cat in the house. My son has a great fondness with animals so I feel bad for him that he can not appreciate these animals up close. It would have been great having a pet dog that he can play with. I can just imagine, I could have also been shopping premium Dog toys or even Large dog beds to spoil our pet from Premium Pet Supplies 4 U, a premium pet shop for every pet needs like dog clothes, Toys for cats and many more. The site is brimming with lots of quality, affordable supplies for every pet. Watching my son having a pet playmate would have really been nice. But then again, my family’s health is my most concern.

Hello world! Unfortunately, I’m still not blogging from our dear Little Mansion. We haven’t moved in yet and we’re still transients driving to and from my parents’ house in Makati and my in-laws’ abode in Frisco. The water line hasn’t been installed yet and we’ve got no news when will it be completed. It seems that the husband won’t celebrate the Father’s Day there with the rate things are going. I guess, I have to psyche myself to plan something else. Speaking of Father’s Day, my eyes fancy these Rolex watches I’ve seen on the web while scouring gift ideas for the most loving, hardworking and responsible Daddy I’ve ever known (aside from my Dad). Watches are among his interests and in fact, he has a collection of such. He fancies luxurious and designer watches but as he’s one selfless and doting Daddy as I’ve mentioned, he’d rather spend the money on the needs of his unico hijo. It’s his big time wish though to own any of the Rolex President Day-Date White Gold Styles or those Rolex Air-King New Heavy Band Models.

The details are just amazing especially the eye catching black arabic face of the Air-King style. The husband will lust over these pictures, I am certain. How I wish I have the extra moolah now to splurge on these two. It would be the happiest Father’s Day for him, I bet.

The husband and I can’t still believe that our long time goal of acquiring a house is already unfolding right before our eyes exactly just as how we planned and wished for.  We’re deeply amazed how every instance is working to our advantage that makes the undertaking a lot easier for us to bear: the husband’s promotion earlier this year, salary increase, abounding online works and earning opportunities for me, “flexible” housing package, very kind hearted and considerate developer.  What more can we ask for?  We’re really grateful for all these wonderful blessings.  Although it may be a little hurting to our pockets, we’re coping.  We can breathe a little loosely now as we’ve got almost everything covered.  I think I can even start planning other long term goals now like save up for the little one’s schooling and research college degrees that he may consider in the future.  I know that’s a little exaggeration on my part already but I think it’s never too early to start planning my child’s future.

Good thing I chanced upon the calendar earlier, it came back to my senses that today’s a Thursday, and not Saturday.  I really feel like it’s weekend already.  The husband’s five day vacation starts now and his presence on a weekday kind of misaligned my body calendar.  Another thing is that I’m feeling so exhausted with the hefty work load I have all week long and that my body’s so yearning for a good (even just a brief) break from work.

Anyway, instead of me yakking about how I’ve been feeling stressed and dragging these past few days, let me just share how our Thursday went.  Since Little Mansion’s water line hasn’t been installed still (thus, we can’t move in yet) and to not put the husband’s leave to waste, we decided to just go to Tutuban primarily to buy curtains and draperies.  I just love how the mall was so crowd-less, a good decision indeed to go on a Thursday.  It made our shopping a lot relaxed, easier and faster.  We were able to buy 1 set of ready-made lovely draperies for the sala and 2 differently colored textiles for the curtains in the bedrooms which will be specially tailored by a sewer family friend.  A trip to Tutuban (or Divisoria) won’t be complete without shopping for some other personal stuffs.  I was able to buy 2 tops; a leather case, purple jelly case and a screen protector for my iTouch; “pambahay” shirts and a Buzz Lightyear walking robot for the little one which we bought for Php200; and 2 kikay headbands for our niece.  I saw a kiddie martial arts outfit that looks so cute for the little one but I restrained myself from buying.  It may look good on him but I don’t see the need nor an occasion to wear it for.  When he gets older, perhaps I can buy him one should he wish to enroll in a self defense class like taekwondo.  We may just bought a few but I feel so tired and my legs are sore now.  Perhaps, I’m not so used to shopping in malls anymore.

Father’s Day is just a few days away.  With my ever busy schedule with work and mommy routines at home, I haven’t prepared/bought anything yet for the husband.  Aside from that, I am running out of cool gift ideas to give him.  I’ve always been gifting him with shirts and apparels or if I have enough budget, I splurge on gadgets that fancy him.  Now I wonder what unique yet cool father’s day stuff to surprise him to deviate from the usual gifts I give him.  I saw him reading colonix reviews the other day.  Do you think gym accessories will do?  A gym equipment is actually what I dig but unfortunately, my budget’s just limited.  I can’t give him slimming or diet pills on the other hand because I think that would be too tacky and offensive.  Do you have suggestions?

As early as now, I just know that my son will grow up a “Papa’s Boy”.  Although, he’s more dependent on me and constantly longing for me 24/7, he and his Daddy has this special bonding that’s truly mesmerizing.  Well, for one, they’re both boys so their interests and inclinations jive together.  That’s why whenever the Daddy’s off from work, I let them play, bond and enjoy activities together. 

One favorite task they do is when they clean up the car.  Since my son’s in the stage when he loves imitating what grownups do, you would see him helping his Daddy cleaning the car floor mats, the dashboard or any other accessories.   He would also get the windshield cleaning wiper and make strokes on parts that he can just reach.  Very lovely sight, indeed.  I just let him take charge since I know that he has a fascination with cars and I know that he’ll grow up that way.  I wish to see more moments like these.  A few years from now, I bet he would be the one lecturing to his Dad about the latest and trendiest car accessories by then.

In an hour, we’ll take a moment and dedicate one full day to honor all the Moms out there. In fact, my Facebook feeds have started to show Mother’s Day greetings already. Amidst our busy schedule and the upcoming election’s pressure, may we take this time to remember and thank our Moms for all of their hard work in rearing and molding us to what we’ve become now. Motherhood is the toughest amongst all careers but undoubtedly the most fulfilling and rewarding task of all.

The husband just announced that we’ll be trooping to Trinoma tomorrow for a lunch treat in my favorite restaurant. Actually, I am not expecting nor wishing any material gift or treat. What’s important for me on this special day is that I’m with my boys and would be able to attend the Sunday mass so I can pray to God and ask for more fortitude, strength and wisdom to be the type of Mom that He wants me to be.

To all of my fellow Mom friends out there and most especially to the three moms that I luckily have: Mama, my Aunt Lily and to my Mom-in-Law…Happy Mother’s Day!

My son has been extra clingy today, hence, I haven’t done much with my online tasks. I have tons of assignments that are due today and tomorrow. Then, I also need to come up with a bunch of supplement reviews I was tasked in another web sideline and are actually expected today. But with a clingy son, a blaring TV and all other distractions in the house, I find it difficult to concentrate and do my thing. This is one of the disadvantages that a work at home Mom has to deal with and it’s something that’s unavoidable. It takes tremendous patience and skill to juggle attention and time. Anyway, here’s wishing that the little one takes a longer nap this noon so I can get all my deliverables done today.