This is Caled now....Terrific 2's!

I am a Mother....

There’s a higher post that opened in the place where I work. I have been pondering on applying for that post. The old Cathy would not think twice, I would have updated my resume and submitted it on the first day the vacancy was announced…that was the old Cathy…the Cathy before Caled.


 I know getting that position would make it easier for me to handle some of the financial challenges that I’ve been having. At the same time, it would mean that I will be able to go back to shoe-shopping on a regular basis (yes, I know it’s shallow…but, there is something about shoes). A promotion is something that would definitely make our lives easier but again…Caled.

I am a mother to a two year old toddler. While some would say that this is the time of the terrible two’s - I fondly call this time, the “terrific two’s” Caled comes up with different stuff everyday. He always has a welcoming smile for me when I get home. The work that I have right now allows me to give him his morning bath, feed him breakfast, play with him, watch Monster’s Inc., read books and sing with him. It allows me time to watch him grow and learn new things and become the happy child that he is.

I get to see a miracle, I get to believe in magic and I get to experience it everyday. How in the world would I give that up?

I will be able to find ways to resolve my financial challenges, I will be able to address issues as they come. Time lost with Caled, I can never gain back…I am a mother above all else. Hearing Caled call me Mama over and over, hearing his giggles, singing with him…these moments are priceless…how can I trade it for a higher position at work? I work so I can provide for my son, but if I work too hard and miss precious moments with Caled…all the hardwork will be worthless. It would mean nothing.

I am a mother above all else…that’s how it is…that’s how its going to be…I know I already have the best post in the world. I already hold the greatest title - Caled’s Mom….Mommy ni Caled :)

He's Growing Handsome by the Day....

Whenever I look at Caled, I cannot believe how fast he is growing and how handsome he gets by the day.  I am more thankful because Caled is growing with a very good disposition, he's a happy, healthy, sweet child...

Thank you as ever Papa God and Mama Mary....

We love you so much Caled...I know I say it always...but when it comes to loving you my dear son, I don't think I will ever get tired from it :)

My Mom's Back for Good....

After 14 years of not seeing her as she has been in Dubai....she's back!
After 31 years of working abroad....she's back!

Fine timing for Caled to get to know his grandmother and for us to be reunited with Mom.

Thank you as ever Papa God and Mama Mary....Thank YOU :)

21 Months and Counting :)

The little boy is not so little anymore.  He's now one year and 9 months :)

There has been a lot of changes on how things are with me ever since I had Caled.  I would still have time to go out with friends every once in a while but I find myself more excited about being at home.  Even if at times, I would be in the bedroom and Caled would be downstairs playing, the sound of his giggles would be enough to bring me that feeling of being contented and happy at home.  At that particular moment, everything is just perfect.

Happy 21st month Caled.  We love you so much....Mama is always so proud of you, you are such a happy little boy. 

Thank you Papa God and Mama Mary for always making Caled healthy and happy :)

More Mommying than Blogging :)

I have not been able to do a lot of blogging recently.  It is due to the fact that I have been doing a lot of mommying :)

Caled is growing so fast, everyday, he will come up with a new trick and if I don't pay attention, I normally would miss it.  

The little boy is now one year, eight months and 23 days old.  This morning, I measured him and realized that he grew half an inch within the past month!

Its not only physically that Caled is growing fast...he is also a fast learner and his memory - geez!  It's so sharp.  The other day, I took Caled to have his haircut and while we were entering the shop, Caled started crying, he knows that he's going to have his encounter with the razor again and he hates the sound of the razor.  Even when he was getting a haircut, the little one won't stop crying.  I was holding him the whole time so I ended up with a lot of cut hair in me as well.  It's the same when Caled goes to his Pediatrician, he starts getting fidgety and the moment he sees his Pedia, he starts crying as well.  He knows that his Pedia is the one who normally gives her shots.  

One thing that has not changed would be Caled's disposition, he's a happy baby.  He would always have a ready smile and he's sooooooo sweet to the people he loves.  He likes being hugged and he loves giving hugs as well.

As much as I would like to document everything that is happening with Caled, I would rather observe it and experience it.  If there are times when I can write it, then I write it...but the moment is so much better savored with Caled, right there and then....if ever I remember to write it, you'll see it here, if not....it's OK, its saved in my memory bank anyways.

Christmas :)

This is Caled's second Christmas.  Last year, he was just awake for a while and then he went off to dreamland and the rest of us had our Noche Buena and continued with the Christmas Eve activities.  This year, it's different.  This Christmas Eve, we all went to mass - Caled, my siblings, my aunt, my cousins and a few friends.  I was expecting for Caled to have a tantrum since we had to wake him up to attend mass but my little boy was in high spirits...he was even singing for the most part of the mass.  

Caled is very sociable, he would smile at people and he's very comfortable to be with our friends, well, my cousins would normally take some time before Caled would go with them :)  During the mass, Caled was humming his favorite tune, he loved being held by my siblings and my friends...towards the end of the mass, we were able to go near the Priest and touch the image of Baby Jesus.

Once we reached home, Caled was able to open his presents...he's still very young to get all excited about presents.  He needed a LOT of help tearing the Christmas wrapping but once he saw the toys, he would get all excited about it.

This is Caled's second Christmas, I am sure each Christmas would be different for him...it is so wonderful to see Christmas through Caled's eyes....

Being a Child Again...

Yesterday, I came home from work after having almost one hour travel time from the office to our house.  The travel time itself was really tiring and all I can think of during the time I was in the taxi cab is  a very big glass of cold water.  When I got home, I went to the bedroom and saw that Caled was taking his afternoon nap in his crib.  I slowly crept towards the crib to look at him and this is what I saw:

It was enough to melt all of my tiredness away and to make me forget about the cold glass of water.  I spent the next few minutes just staring at Caled and wondering about what he might be dreaming of or even if he was dreaming of anything...he looks so contended.  There would be instances when he would smile or his eyes would flutter but after that, he would go back to this particular look. 

Do you remember how it was like when you were a kid, no worries...no stress...this Holiday Season, it would be great to have a little bit of that kid inside of us, it will make us enjoy Christmas better.  Merry Christmas everyone :)

Following my Passion....

After almost 10 years in the BPO Industry, I have decided to go to a different path...I have decided to follow my passion.  This coming year will be a start of something that I have always wanted to do, I will still work as I would need to have a consistent income but aside from that, I will do something on the side.  This is something very challenging for me, I have butterflies in my stomach just by thinking about it but as I've said....with HIS grace and the support of family and friends...I know I will not fail.  

I will definitely share with you what it will be once we have it accomplished....2011 will be a great year...I can feel it.

Here's a clue....

As always, this is for my Caled :) my dear son, you have made me more brave, you have given me the extra drive to do something on my own...this is for you son...I love you so much.

Blessings....

This is my extended family...I said before how blessed I feel by having great people around me.  I would say now that Caled is doubly blessed by having the same people around him.  I would not have to worry of having help with regard to making sure Caled grows up to be a good person, I don't need to...he is surrounded by good people.

For this alone...I am ever thankful...

Enjoying Bedtime

For almost ten years, I have been working in the graveyard shift.  My normal day would start with me waking up at 5PM and being at work at 8PM or 9PM...that was normal for me.  Recently, I was given a different duty - I am now assigned for an account that runs in the morning shift.  Regular time for regular people - the change, surprisingly, is a welcome change.

I am now able to enjoy bedtime with Caled and be able to have him sleep beside me.  I would also be able to read to him regularly - before, there would be times when I need to pass up on reading to Caled as there are times when I'm needed in the office early due to meetings or conference calls. 

I guess after almost ten years...it is about time for me to join the normal world.

First Attempt at MovieMaker

I did not only make a collage for Caled, I tried out making a video too...this will be handy during birthday celebrations :)

I'm actually working on some other videos that I can do, yep...when I have spare time.

I love being a mom...

Caled Collage

I made a collage of my favorite Caled pictures from the time he was one week old to the time he's a year and a half. While I was looking at the finished collage, I could not help but think of where all the time had gone.

Caled continues to be a happy, healthy and loving child, I can't even call him a baby anymore as he's no longer a baby.

We love you Caled, so much.

Changes....

I used to be a workaholic - used to be. I normally stay in the office for an average of 14 to 16 hours, daily. Sometimes, I'd even go to work during my restdays. That was before, its not the same now...

I just realized this yesterday when I was talking to my office colleague and we were talking about moving up the corporate ladder. I realized right there and then, I am OK - where I am. I am not even thinking of moving up anymore, if it happens, why not...if not, its not bad at all.

I am able to provide for Caled and I'm also able to spend more time with him - as I've said, I'm OK where I am.

For my friends who I've worked with for the past few years, I'm sure you would be surprised to know that I do not spend more than 8 hours in the office now :) There's someone I would rather be with at home - Caled.

I enjoyed being a workaholic for some time. I loved being a daughter until I became a sister...right now, no other role would be better than me being a mother.

Lessons from Caled

This is Caled, he will be 17 months old tomorrow. I, on the other hand am 35 years old. Believe it or not, I am learning a lot of things from my toddler. I guess it's not really true that mother's knows best...well, not most of the time.

I learned how to be more loving through my son...Caled has a way of smiling. When he looks at me and smiles, that's when I see true love, joy and acceptance. It makes me feel so good even during the most stressful days.

We love you Caled, thank you for teaching us how to give unconditional love, thank you for making us happy and thank you for being the good boy that you are.