Browse Tag: parenting

morning updates

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Ever since I started working again, Jes has been taking KK to school and picking her up everyday.  There are some mornings when she’s really good and will get dressed on her own and stay out of trouble while he’s on a call and Mirian is taking care of Peanut and Andrea.  Some mornings, she’s been an emotional rollercoaster in the morning. One tiny thing will set her off and she’ll give Jes the silent treatment on the train ride to school.  It’s usually because Jes said “no” to something ridiculous like she wants to wear something inappropriate for the weather outside (like rainboots when it’s 70 degrees and sunny outside) or she didn’t get to press the elevator button. I usually get an update after drop-off and today was pretty funny. It also shows how some mornings just don’t go as planned.

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This morning, I had bought doughnuts for my co-worker’s going-away breakfast and brought back doughnut holes for KK. She got two balls and some milk while I was packing her lunch. Unfortunately, I forgot to give he the yogurt too and she ended going on a snacking frenzy while Jes wasn’t paying attention.

Mother of Two

IMG_0301Yep, that’s me now.  Once my mom went back to Cerritos at the end of September, I began my new life as a mom managing two kids.  So far it’s been ok but I’ve certainly had my mini meltdowns in the middle of the night when I’m exhausted and in the evenings when both of them are with me.

IMG_0491The morning routine is still slower than I want it to be but it’s made a significant improvement since we started a token system with KK.  She earns pennies throughout the day for good behavior.  It’s a behavior management strategy AND a way for her to get a beginner’s lesson on the value of money.  It had a rough start the first day as she was learning the game but now it works like a charm (most of the time).

I’m starting to get a little more done during the day but it only occurs when Peanut is napping well.  On other days, I just throw every chore out the window and basically sit in the rocking chair feeding or calming Peanut. There are some days when he will only nap if I’m holding him. Luckily, watching TV doesn’t really require any hands so if it’s on, it makes the time pass a little faster.

Going out on my own usually takes a little bit of preparation and forethought.  My options with the two kids are the following:

  1. Carry Peanut and take KK in the stroller.
  2. Carry Peanut and walk KK by the hand (this can sometimes result in a major meltdown if she doesn’t cooperate).
  3. Push Peanut in the stroller and have KK hold onto the stroller or my hand.
  4. Throw them both in the car and go.

Options 1 and 3 are probably the easiest so far – especially if we can take the train.  Option 4 would seem the easiest but Peanut HATES being in a slow-moving car.

Next week, we’ll be taking a flight to Vancouver with the twins and grandparents aboard as well.  It’s gonna take some planning, endurance, teamwork, and patience but if we pull it off smoothly, our family vacation should be a lot of fun.

 

Jes’ Big 4-0

IMG_9797Jesse celebrated his 40th birthday with lots of family and friends this year.  We used to go on our annual international trip during this time of year but with 2 kids it makes it much more challenging.  So, for his birthday, we planned a trip to Napa with his buddies.  Dayantha drove up on Saturday and the boys went out for dinner at Fringale and drinks afterward.  In fact, they ended up staying out (finishing on our rooftop) around 3am.

IMG_9818The next day was his actual birthday and it was spent at Zoe’s birthday party first and then dinner with family at R&G Lounge.

https://youtu.be/4RLacbEzUrE
Jes blew out his candles at home surrounded by his family.

IMG_9849On the following day, we drove up to Napa for a 3-day trip that we planned months ago with Jimmy, Eleen, Dayantha, and Krissy.

IMG_3628It was super hot that weekend but we made the most of it anyway.  We stopped at V. Sattui before checking in to the Westin and met up with Ranee and family for lunch and some wine.

IMG_9852At the Westin, the Agustins and Fernandos arrived and checked in in time for our wine tasting appointment that was just a few steps down the river from the hotel.  We lucked out with some very well-behaved kids that afternoon so we were all able to sit around the grown-up table and sip wine at the Robert Craig Tasting Room.

IMG_9885 IMG_9884The next day was spent being lazy at the pool with the kids.  Jes took KK into the pool while I hung out under the cabana with Peanut and a glass of wine.  Heh heh.

IMG_9918For dinner, we went to Morimoto for a fancy dinner.  Unfortunately, the A/C was broken in the restaurant and dining with 5 kids is a huge change from our days without kids.  Luckily, we were all able to share a variety of tasty dishes while taking turns with the kids.  The restaurant staff was also surprisingly accommodating and nice to our party of 11.

IMG_9993We had enough time on Wednesday morning to do some swimming and have breakfast together before check-out.

IMG_9991We had such a fun time with everyone and the Westin was a great place for all of us to stay.  Their 1-bedroom suite was perfect for our family of 4, they have a decent pool, and it’s walking distance to a bunch of restaurants and tasting rooms.  We didn’t need our car all weekend and the kids had a fun time. Traveling with kids is definitely a different experience but totally worthwhile.

Happy 40th, Jes!!

 

School Lunches

With the start of the new school year, I thought I’d write this as a reminder to myself when I run out of ideas.

One of the new challenges of KK’s preschool is that I have to pack her lunch everyday.  What makes it challenging is that 1) she doesn’t like sandwiches (only PB&J, which is not allowed), 2) they don’t warm up the food at school, and 3) KK is a slow eater.  She usually comes home with leftovers everyday and her teacher told us that the kids get only 35 minutes to eat.  Here is what I’ve packed for her this past month.

IMG_8882Rice, furikake (she calls them “sprinkles”), hard-boiled egg, steamed brocolli leftover from night before, and watermelon

IMG_9077Ham, cheddar cheese, bell pepper, rice, edamame, furikake, and watermelon

IMG_8631Hard-boiled egg, grilled corn from last night’s dinner, pasta, and bell pepper (under the pasta)

IMG_9394Pasta, peas, grilled chicken from last night’s dinner, and pineapple

IMG_9638Edamame, cucumber, carrots, Mediterranean flatbread (TJ’s), and hummus

IMG_9693Chicken salad, flatbread, cucumber, edamame, and cantaloupe

We’re home!

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Here’s Peanut’s going home outfit – picked out by his big sister.

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We got a photo taken as we were leaving the hospital.  I’m so happy we did this because I regretted not doing this with KK.IMG_8395We settled in nicely and KK was so sweet to her baby brother.  Let the new adventure begin!!!

Note to Self

Year3I made this collection of photos from each month of this past year to see how much KK has changed.  She had such a baby face at the beginning of the year!  Also, what a difference from last year’s collage!!

Now that we’re out of the baby and toddler years, I thought I’d reflect on things I’ve learned along the way as KK’s Mama.

  1. Raising a headstrong, independent kid takes lots of perseverance, consistency, and my own stubbornness.  This kid also thrives on routine and repetition.  She’s still not following directions as well as I’d like but there’s something about her that reminds me of how headstrong Koa was too.  She tries to do things on her own time and in her own way, which can be frustrating and endearing at the same time.  If she doesn’t do something after the first or second request, I walk her through it to get the task done even if it results in tears or tantrums.  What also helps is a little brainwashing.  I just model for her “OK Mama.  I do it.” and she will often repeat after me and get the task done.  Works like a charm about 75% of the time.
  2. As good as eating habits can be, they will be constantly changing.  Expose them to a variety of foods, flavors, and textures as early as you can and have the expectation that they may like it regardless of your biases.  I hate bananas but I expect that my kid will form her own opinion on her own about them.  This kid used to have a voracious appetite but now that she’s older, we’ve had to negotiate around her particular likes and dislikes of the moment.  One day she loves broccoli and then the next day she will be indifferent to it.  The key to a successful meal is to always offer but don’t force.  This kid likes choices and there is no option of “yes” or “no”.  It’s more like “do you want broccoli or rice first?”  Works most of the time.
  3. Pick your battles.  There are some battles that just aren’t worth fighting for the greater good of the moment.  If she wants to wear a skirt to bed instead of PJ bottoms, that will be fine for the sake of not losing another minute of sleep for the night.  In the grand scheme of things, wearing a skirt to sleep for one night is not going to hurt anyone.
  4. Changes and transitions are hard but they are necessary for growth and learning.  When we had to change from daily nanny care at home to drop-off daycare, it was hard on both of us but in the end, she learned to look forward to love “school” and has learned so much along the way.  The best part of picking her up everyday is the giant hug I get.  She also says “you came back!” and I reply with “I always come back.”  Somehow that’s reassuring for her.
  5. Take the kid out to restaurants early and often and BE CONSISTENT.  KK has been going to restaurants since she was a wee little baby and I can probably count on my two hands the number of times she had been allowed to get out of her highchair during a meal.  As soon as she was strong enough to sit in a highchair, that’s where she sat any time we were out.  That also goes for meals at home.  Even if she isn’t hungry, she is expected to sit at the table with us while we eat.  It’s just the routine.  When we go out, we also come prepared with things for her to do while we wait for the food.  It usually keeps her out of trouble.  I hope this all works for Peanut.  I’m always afraid that we just lucked out with a good little diner.
  6. Lower your voice and be straight forward when you’re upset.  Kids don’t get passive-aggressive undertones.  Yelling rarely works too.  When I’m mad or upset with KK, I get down to her level and give it to her straight.  “Mama is mad because ___.  Next time, you should ___.”  Nowadays, she can sense when I’m mad based on my behavior and tone.  She will sometimes come up to me and ask in a sweet voice, “Mama, you mad?”  We try to resolve things quickly with an explanation, solution, and a make-up hug.  This has worked about 75% of the time so far.
  7. Daddy is not a clone of Mommy.  I shouldn’t expect Jes to do everything the same way I do.  He is Daddy and does things in a “Daddy way”.  She’s always fed, dressed, and safe in his care.  They also have special things together that makes their relationship special.  For example, they feed the fish every night and I’m never involved.
  8. I’m nowhere close to the perfect parent but I’m good enough for KK.  I don’t wash her hands as much as I should.  Her bedtime is probably later than it should be.  I probably allow her to have ice cream more than I should. I also don’t enjoy reading to her (thankfully Jes does).  Luckily, she has a strong immune system, she’s not overweight, and she loves me unconditionally.

Sorry that this is so long-winded but I’m literally writing this all down now to remind me later when Peanut arrives.  I’m looking forward to testing the nature vs. nurture debate that runs through my head all the time.  Did I just luck out with an easy kid?  Will Kid #2 be a picky-eating, uncontrollable terror despite all my efforts?  Who knows.  I guess I’ll just have to find out in another 15 weeks.

By the way, I passed my second glucose tolerance test this week.  Woot!  Time to celebrate with a giant chocolate chip cookie!