Summer is coming!

The above picture was taken a few weeks ago during a "surprise" picnic birthday celebration for "mama dawg." Miss Lilo dropped by for a few minutes to celebrate with us and it was not enough time for her and Micro to play around in the beautiful afternoon sun. I love this picture because it's just two carefree toddlers enjoying themselves throwing rocks into the ocean. Ok, maybe throwing rocks into some more rocks ;) We live just a mile down from the shoreline and it's an easy escape for us when we want to just hang out near the water. Summer is coming!

There's never a dull moment in our household, and as summer approaches, our schedule is already beginning to fill up. Geez. Though every year the mister and I like to escape somewhere, with the rising cost of gas these days, and the additional cost of paying for one more passenger (ahem, we now have to pay for Micro's ticket), not to mention, that we have another travel partner to pack for, AND we did just buy a house, vacationing is quickly becoming a thing of the past for us. Well, not completely.You know I can't stand not to go anywhere. We've got a few trips lined up. 

We'll be heading to Lake Tahoe in the next few weeks for a weekend getaway and we've already booked our trip to the East coast to see family to celebrate our Godson's baptism and our friend's wedding. Also, either this fall or next, we'll be traveling to the Philippines. Now that's a ThePinayNanay excursion that is long overdue. I'm hoping somehow by miracles upon miracles, it will happen this year. I'll be posting up pics of some our excursions in and around the Bay Area, too. 

Micro, though only 2.5 years old already has a busy schedule of activities (if you have little boys, you understand where I'm coming from). We've resumed his soccer and he'll be taking swim lessons this summer as well. I've got to keep that little guy busy or else, I'll be working extra hard to wear him down everyday. As for Micron, well, seems she's got it in her little mind to start crawling soon. She's been getting on all fours from the sitting position and is starting to scoot backwards. Oh boy, I am SOO not ready for her to become mobile. 

Hope you guys have some exciting summer plans, whether you're jetsetting to faraway destinations or staycationing, let me know how you plan to spend your summer.

I hate teething

Micron is getting her first tooth. It's been a very rough few days since we discovered the sharp white tooth just barely poking through. It explains so much of Micron's incredible fussiness and constant wakings in the middle of the night. Yes, we're spoiled as we sleep trained her very early on and she was only waking up once a night to nurse (really haven't had time to wean her off the middle-of-the night feedings-but all in due time). And mind you, she's an efficient nurser so I was only up for less than 10 minutes at most. These past four days, Mr. Fliz and I have been suffering from extreme lack of sleep and our bodies are still a bit fatigue from the night before our race. So basically, we haven't caught up on any sleep. At all. 

I know it's harder on poor Micron because this pain is new to her and she doesn't know how to deal with it. Neither does Mommy, sweetest. I'm just hoping that more teeth pop in now and that this teething doesn't drag out too long. ::Crossing fingers tightly::

I'm in search of some homeopathic remedies that can help poor Micron deal with the pain. I know Hyland's teething tablets have been recalled, so if any of you readers know of alternatives to Baby Orajel, I'd much appreciate it. I've got nothing against Orajel (or Tylenol), just that I've read recently that there might be some issues with infants on benzocaine, so I'd rather try something more natural. 

Only in San Francisco

opening shot

Well, I've finally completed my first race since before getting pregnant. After two pregnancies, I've managed to complete a 12k and I couldn't think of a more fitting race to do than the 100th Bay to Breakers. So appropriate since Bay to Breakers was my first ever race 10 years ago. I wore the same hat and shoes (crazy right?) that I wore that faithful morning in 2001. This year, I ran it with my husband and some friends. My girlfriend "Suki" was one of the girls that I ran the race with originally (it was her first too) and since then, between us, we've run quite a few races. It was really special to celebrate with her. B2B is one of the largest foot races and longest consecutive running 12ks. ESPN lists the B2B as one of the top things sports fans have to do before they die. And people, YOU SHOULD. Sober, hungover, or not. Do IT.

It felt AWESOME to be back out there racing. Especially doing such a fast and fun race as the B2B. I love the energy of the racers and the city of SF celebrates its uniqueness throughout the course. Think naked people, drunk people, people in costumes, dogs, kids, parents with jogging strollers. All those distractions make it easy to handle any fatigue I was experiencing (I slept at 11:30 p.m the night before and got up at 4:45 a.m. and didn't eat a thing til 12:30 p.m --hours after I finished the race). I ran it faster than I expected and am glad to have it behind me. Next year, I'll be donning a costume. Now, I can focus on training for a half marathon and in my dream of dreams, to complete a marathon. 

I hope that Micro and Micron will one day join the hubs and I in doing this race. Thanks to Mr. Fliz for supporting me as I got back into running form and to Suki, my gal pal, who was there from the beginning. 

100th Bay to Breakers

Just end this day already

Yesterday was one of those days where I wished I was on a beach getaway and sleeping by the pool. All. Day. Long. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case at all. Instead I had spent a greater part of the day playing "in and out" with my children. In and out of the car, again, and again. And again. And again. It's a game I hate playing and one that is sometimes necessary. 

I had a busy Thursday, because not only did I have to get my two rugrats ready for our day of erratic errands, but I also had to get Mo, our dog, ready as well. Getting in and out of the car with two kids (I can't even imagine more than that) is arduous, frustrating, and wears me to the bone. In fact, it was a pretty bad day because Micro happened to repeat a little phrase that included the "f word." (GASP!) Yeah, people, it was one of those days. Mommy's potty mouth was a bit out of control. Bad Micro. Bad Mommy. But you know what, I'm not gonna punish myself for my child repeating it because honestly, it's an easy mistake when frustration levels are high and your emotions are ready to burst. Hopefully, that word won't surface again til his teenage years (and I cup my ears), when I know he's said it because, well, he'll have been plenty exposed to it thanks to peer interaction. For now, I won't make a big deal of it and will reprimand him accordingly for repeating mommy's "potty" sayings. 

The day had began fresh off the heels of a Wednesday that included a nice play date in the morning, to a six plus mile run for me in the evening, and Micron getting up twice in the middle of the night. Suffice to say, it was pretty incredible I managed to get through the day. With both eyes open.

A mother's love note:

playmates for life

The idea of having you two so close together worried me. Not because I didn't think the two of you wouldn't get along, but because I felt scared that I would only become half the mother I wanted to be to each of you. But clearly, Mommy was wrong. Though the photo above is blurry (hey, iPhones aren't perfect), it is what I hope the two of you will continue to be like through life; lifelong best friends who will be there for each other, come what may. And to be there to make the other laugh.

Each time Daddy and I see one of you light up because the other comes into the room or you make the other laugh hysterically, you make our hearts skip a beat. Because it's that kind of love the two of you share that make me want to be the best person, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and most of all, Mother, I can be. It's not an easy job taking care of both of you. It may seem like Mommy raises her voice often and is constantly nitpicking on how messy the house is, how dirty the dishes are in the sink, or the endless loads of laundry that needs to be done. But be rest assured, those can be put aside when I know that it's my hugs you crave, a smile of approval, a quick game of peek-a-boo, or just to sit on my lap.

I thought I knew love pretty well. But I hadn't known its power to bring me to tears instantly when a smile from either of you can make the troubles of my day seem so minute, or missing hearing "mommy, mommy, mwaaahhhmee," can actually make me a bit sad, though I've been gone only a few hours, and how upon the first few minutes of meeting two complete strangers turned my world upside down in the best possible way. I do my best to show you how much I love you both, despite the aching fatigue in my voice when you ask me to read a book for the upteenth time, or rock you in my arms when I've been holding you for the past hour, pushing the double stroller all over the hilly Zoo in 80 degree heat, showing up on date night wearing my milk-stained shirt with pride, forgoing showering because I'd rather know you'll sleep soundly, than wake you with the noise. But I also show my love by disciplining you when you've misbehaved, acted unkindly towards others, or a multitude of "please don't do that's." Love surely is a powerful and mysterious gift. One I'll welcome anytime.  

To my two audacious kiddies, you've made me the proudest Mommy on Earth!

Here's to every mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, or any woman whose ever raised children in any capacity--you have taken upon yourself, beyond-a-doubt, the hardest job known to mankind, and you deserve all the richly rewards God can bestow upon you. Thank you Titas, Lolas, and Nanays. Happy Mother's Day to you all. 

Sashimi sensation

Micron and his love affair with sake sashimi

It would be an understatement to say that today's kids are growing up with the an amazing selection of food compared to a generation ago. Growing up, I remember eating mostly filipino food (whatever Mom made is what we ate, regardless if the 'golden arches' were tempting us) and sticking to fast food as a treat for the week. 

These days, kids have a cornucopia of food to choose from,everything from Thai to Middle Eastern cuisine, and even beyond (like the "haute cuisine" of elBulli-molecular gastronomy anyone?). I'm a foodie, before I had kids Mr. Fliz and I managed to have eaten at some of the best restaurants both domestically and overseas. However, since the arrival of Micro, we've had to ease up on those wonderful, tasty outings. Yet, it's important to me that both my kids develop a well-rounded palette and appreciation for food. 

My kids are lucky that they have no food allergies and I try not to make them a separate meal from what Mr. Fliz and I eat (it's gone fairly well). Last week, I was craving sushi and we went to our local sushi joint where Micro has eaten at numerous times (he usually gets tofu teriyaki and veggies). He had shown no interest in our sushi/sashimi platters in previous visits til last week. It seemed the tofu teriyaki experience was waning on him and curiosity about our food was taking over. So we offered him some sashimi, expecting him to 'gag.' Lo and behold, the little nugget liked it and asked for more ;) Now, I'm quite proud that he's open to trying new foods (I mean my parents don't even eat raw fish), but at this rate, we'll go broke before he gets into preschool.

Eternal Sunshine

Happy 8 months our little bug! Time is flying by and I can't seem to keep up with your ever-changing features and accomplishments. You just began clapping your hands, you love Tickle Me Elmo, since you were 5 months old-you've been wanting to try "real people food" and none of that baby stuff (too bad, I'm still making you pureed goodies), you like to sit up and observe everything around you, you love to laugh with your older brother, you make Daddy blush with love each time you look up at him when he's holding you on his lap, you bring incredible amounts of joy to every person around you (seriously, strangers come up to Mommy just to peek at you or sit next to me on Bart-weird), and you are eternal sunshine. We love you. So. Very. Much.

Shared celebrations

Micro at 2.5 years old

My little boy is growing up too fast and I can't help but become so overwhelmed with emotion when I look at you today. The little fat baby feet are long gone, pitter-patter is replaced by stomping, and the tiny whisper of "mahma," is replaced by a loud, "Mommmeeee!!"

You are 2.5 years old today on Mommy's birthday. My, you've grown into such a rambunctious toddler full of life, curiosity, and love. I love witnessing every milestone you've accomplished. My prayer and hope is that you will grow up to be a loving, compassionate, kind, thoughtful, responsible, God-loving/fearing, appreciative, and moral human being. I love you Micro, with every inch of my heart.