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8/52 and surf, again



8/52
"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

A girl who doesn't want to go home. She loves the beach. We do, too. It doesn't take much to console her...just a promise that we'd go back in another week or two. I love that she seems to get everything about life at two years old. She appreciates everything and thanks us for the littlest of things. "Thank you for giving me a bath." "Thank you for holding my hand." "Thank you for fixing my hair." "Thank you for you, mama." These are the things she'd thank me for, nothing material and I love it. After surfing she'd be so supportive telling me, "You surfed, mama! You did it! Good job!" It's like she's the mom. And most times, I ask her to spot her daddy out in the water so that we could take his pictures...she'd shout, "There he is! There he is! That's my dad!" I bet that she loves us just as much as we love her. 


This day trip was quite urgent and unplanned, but we sure did take advantage of it. Adam was out in the water almost all morning and all afternoon...and I averaged about three hours in the water all day. Before, I was dead tired in thirty minutes. I am proud to say I got stronger. I was able to go out on my own and catch a few waves myself. But I know it's still a long journey for me. I am very thankful for the people who have been teaching me. Really. When I get very good I'd like to give them hugs. And I love that Adam is kind of proud of me too. This isn't something we imagined I;d get hooked on.




Trying to get her to nap on the shore.

Mostly closeouts, but I did have a good time.





I am very grateful, always...for Adam sharing this passion with me, for a very supportive daughter, and the people who continue to guide me.

7/52 and a new adventure








7/52
"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

She's growing to be quite an adventurer, really. Most days she's a pirate, a ballerina, a princess, a skater, a doctor or a surfer. These days are tough as she's growing to be very smart. I can barely catch up with her mind games and antics. But, what the heck! She's our lucky charm and greatest blessing! We never take her for granted even on surf trips. Adam and i always make sure she has fun, too. So every time I get out of the water I take her out to play with small waves and lots of sand. 

* * * *

Surf. It's something gnawing at me constantly. Most times, I think I'll lose it. It's driving me crazy, in a good way. I have been having a rough time lately. Too much stress and worries...and somehow, I thought of the sea. I used to think that people exaggerate too much about their love for the ocean...but indeed, in some ways..the sea becomes my cure for anything. Maybe they were right all along. It took my mind away from this lip lump I've been worried about, plus the stress I am under as my husband is on night shift, work is becoming harder, and my toddler tougher to deal with.

Also, my cousin, Kirsten came with us for the first time after a loooong time! I have been pestering her about it since December and I am very happy that finally this trip happened. I secretly hope she fell for surfing like I did...she just might be my new surfing buddy!

Of course, little miss Bean came, too! She's been asking us to take her to the beach for weeks. She'd randomly tell us everyday, "Can we please go to the beach?" or "I'm going to the beach, wanna come with me?" I am quite surprised that she is still asking us for a pink surfboard that's "not too big, , just small for me."

I barely had time to document this trip as I was so into improving whatever skill I have. Oh, well...stronger paddle...more endurance.

Always riding backside.

Kirsten, doing it...looking stoked!


the reason for this new obsession, my husband.

a cute pup for company.


our happy pirate

"my friend, tita ninang!"

rare family photo, excuse the sunburn and tired faces
(plus the white medicine on my lip)



Thank you Adam for giving me this new obsession. I think it made me a better and stronger person. If not for you, I will not have appreciated and lived life more.

Bean's First Baking Experience (Our V-Day Gift for Daddy)

We have no time to buy Adam a gift for Valentines, so I thought of making one with my daughter. I also want her to have an activity which is more productive than playing. I did research about D.I.Y. Valentines crafts...but she's already so good with paper that I wanted something new. Until I saw these pink cookies on Pinterest! So, baking it was. I still used my own recipe...and just added color to the cookies.

The little girl absolutely loved all parts of the activity! I measured and placed the ingredients in cups earlier so that all she needs to do is put them in a bowl, mix, mold, and pop it in the oven! Of course, being the proud mama I am, I took photos. So this happened today:





















Bean kept on saying out loud, "Mama, I love to cook!" in her fancy British accent. She can't get enough of it that we made extra for her grandparents! What she loved most about it (I think) was mixing the ingredients and putting in the color!









What joy this little miss is. After dinner she asked me if she could bake cookies again. Happy love month to us all! 


On another note, this lump on my lip is still bothering me even if the doctor said it's nothing to worry about. I just want it to go away. Have you ever been paranoid?


6/52




"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."


So, I admit...I have been holding off on making Bean quit her pacifier. In some ways, it still makes her my baby. Sure, I'd always imagined what kind of little girl she'd be; and now that she's in this stage...I can't help to feel that time tricked me. Though, me and Adam will be stepping up on toilet training her and helping her quit her pacifier. Hopefully, we achieve these things this year.

Though I miss her being a baby and all, I kind of love where she's at. We have conversations that are so unbelievable.  Of course, being her mom I'd tell you she's quite smart; but if you will be able to meet her (and somehow win her heart) you would think the same. too. I also adore how she appreciates everything. Every time I put medicine on a scratch or wound she'd tell me, "Thank you for putting medicine on my ouchie, mama. It feels better now. It's healing." She makes it a point to thank us all the time. When she catches us looking tired, frowning, or sounding hurt, she will always ask, "What's the problem, mama? What's wrong?"

I often feel like there is no age gap between us. I often feel like I won the lottery because of her. I keep on praying that I/we will be able to properly guide her to be a good girl as she grows.

Finding Balance

Well, January was kind of harsh on me...as a wife, as a mom, as an individual. I seem to have lost my balance, for a bit. i was overwhelmed with changes at work, changes with my daughter, new found passions, and the fact that my friends appear to be disappearing one by one. but I always make it a point to find inspiration in everything. Last month, we went to Booksale to score cheap books. I was specifically looking for Yoga materials when I stumbled upon Christy Turlington's book, "Living Yoga." I know it was written by a celebrity, which made me doubt the quality...but I bought it because of the price. It did not even reach 200 pesos!

I haven't finished the book yet; however, I am finding it very insightful and significant. Now, every time I feel so negative...I just let go. I let go of things that I cannot change. I let go of things that no longer serve me. It's a process, and I have just begun.

All in all, life is still good; and I am quite blessed that our little girl is such a sport. Most days, in the middle of work, she'd approach me and say, "Please finish your work, mama. I want to play with you. Let's act silly together." It breaks my heart to tell her "no" and give her other distractions. I try hard everyday to tell myself that what I do is also for her. I make it a point to make it up to her, always. So this afternoon, as I wrapped up my work, she told me: "Oh! You turned of off your laptop. You finished work. Good job, mama. Come on, we can paint together. So we did.