Growing things

I have decided to up my gardening game this year, beyond my feeble attempts at tomatoes a few years ago.

Damn am I having a good time with it.

Queue a side-by-side comparison of my weekly progress!

Sep 1, Sep 15, Sep 22

Sep 15, Sep 22

Sep 15, Sep 22

We also bought jalapenos and an eggplant, still to be potted. 🙂

On self-reflection

  My life has been so busy lately, that I don’t have time to journal what’s going on and to self-reflect.

Don’t get me wrong, there are down-times when I think about life in general, our plans for the future etc… (on the weekends putting up clothes to dry, staring into space while Emma is in the bath, on the train looking out the window as we pass by the Wellington harbour)… but to actually put words on “paper”, I just realised… is such a valuable exercise and I should really do it more often!

I used to keep a journal and loved reading my old entries. It gives you a sense of movement, a sense of growth, reading about how much you have changed over time. I used to write about how frustrated I was when I think my sister annoyed me too much, haha, that’s just funny now.

Self-reflection and journalling also allowed me to vent. I wasn’t a terribly angry teenager/young adult, but I did have my moments. 🙂 Again, being able to look back and read those emotional entries makes you feel, that hey, you get over those negative emotions. Life goes on, and it is up to you to choose to be happy.

Perhaps the hesitation to write is due to the fact that this IS a publicly available site. But I don’t mind. That’s the essence of social media. You share your stories with the world and maybe it entertains someone out there, more importantly, it may help them deal with their own similar issues.

Life goes on. Sometimes we forget. But our words remain.

#listersgottalist May 11-12

Enjoyed my attempt at hand lettering. 🙂 

 

#listersgottalist May 7-8

 
Came across this fun listing challenge: listersgottalist on Instagram.

I just started this May but after a week, having the time to make a list everyday seems like a luxury now! Especially with baby’s sleep so off recently. Oh well, just keep trying! Will try to catch up on the next two lists. 🙂

You can get more info about the challenge here: listersgottalist.com

The power of simplicity and minimalism

A quote from Sean Adams, foundations of layout and minimalism on Lynda.com

The point of good design is not to look laboured and desperate. It’s to appear effortless.

Week 17 – decorating my Kikki.K

  

I’m in love with my Kikki.K. 

In the words of Mrs Hannigan (Cameron Diaz) from Annie, “it’s USDA grade A awesome!”

I will keep posting my spreads here and see how I go, even with bubba it’s still manageable and still very much exciting so hopefully I can complete the whole year!

Supplies used

• Planner inserts – modified from Philofaxy
• Stickers – sent by my sister from Philippines, no brand
• Washi tapes – bought from warehouse stationery here in NZ – will look up the brand later
• Pens – Frixion 0.7
• Fiskars single hole puncher
• Kw-trio 6 hole puncher

Coming soon

I’m starting my own Etsy shop featuring some inserts I’ve personalised for myself. Hopefully others who are as addicted to Filofaxes and Kikki.Ks as I am, will love it too!

834 Days Later…. an update

I haven’t written on here for a long long time, 834 days to be exact.

Here are the highlights:

• Baby girl born healthy and incredibly beautiful
• Being a parent has brought on a new meaning to “tired”
• Being a parent has also brought a new meaning to the word “happy”
• Bought a house
• Enjoying life.

I thought I would revive this blog after a few years to talk about life and my new hobbies.

(my email address was cloned and WordPress shut this site down for a while)

So on to the next chapter for me.

Here we go.

Week 37 – Cha Ching! One baby, coming right up!

I can’t believe it… In a few weeks (or days) I will be a mother. It’s been an incredible journey so far, carrying this beautiful baby girl inside of me. It wasn’t easy but it’s definitely worth it.

Life will never be the same again, I keep telling myself over and over again, but until I hold that little bundle in my arms, I don’t think it will ever sink in.

What would it feel like, to have a completely helpless little human being depend on you for survival? What would it feel like to experience a love so pure you would do anything for this person? What would it feel like, to finally see those little eyes look at you and know you are loved…

I read an article saying that my life will change in a way that my husband will not the Center of my world anymore, I still find that hard to believe because how can I love anybody more than B? I have a feeling though that when I see our daughter for the first time, my heart will grow just a little bit bigger and two people will now be the Center of my existence…

One thing I know for sure, this is the greatest blessing we have received and no words can describe how thankful we are. We have created a little person, a mixture of ourselves, a manifestation of our great love for each other… It boggles the mind… I just can’t wait to meet her.

Week 23

This week our baby girl is making her presence known most of the time… by kicking mommy! I’ve felt the first kick on Sep 17 but being my gassy pregnant self, I couldn’t figure out if it was or baby or… well gas. 🙂

But this week, our little pangga has become more and more active, especially when I am still, sitting, or worse, when I’m sleeping! It’s definitely a weird feeling, but I love every move she makes (yes even if she wakes me up or if I’m fidgeting during a meeting). I’m doubly happy that her daddy have also felt her move for the first time 2 days ago! WE JUST CAN’T WAIT TO MEET HER! Agh… 🙂

I’ve been hoping to jot down my thoughts as I go on this baby making journey… so to wrap up this week:

1. My belly is really beginning to show (well probably for a few weeks now but I’m just in denial, haha)… so I’ve resigned myself to adjusting my wardrobe and choose baby bump friendly clothes. My fave ones are leggings, I have a pair of nice maternity jeans (the ones with an elastic belly band that reaches below your boobs), but leggings are just more comfy. I look like Winnie the Pooh in all my usual shirts because they’re too short now, so off I went shopping for a cheap (coz I know I won’t be wearing it after baby’s out) long-ish shirt. The only thing suitable I found was a shirt that says Yummy Mummy… 😛
2. I can’t stand being on my feet for long walks or shopping trips. I’m just pooped, man. My tummy and my lower back begins to hurt, I always have to pee, and of course, Mama’s gotta eat. I just don’t have the stamina for it and gosh I’m only on my almost-6th month! I wonder what it’s going to be like during months 8 and 9.
3. The Belly Belt – I had high hopes for my belly belt. Basically what it is is that it allows you to use your old pants and shorts by using an extender. So far I’m only on the second shortest extension, but one thing I noticed is that there’s an obvious bump underneath my shirt caused by the zipper not zipping up completely. My tummy also tends to peep out under shirts hence entry #1. I was able to use my skinny jeans again though, and my denim shorts! Just really need those long shirts.
4. Baby brain – had several “duh” moments this week. First, I left my wallet at work. Second, I accidentally threw away our beeeyutiful vegetable peeler (which I tried looking for a replacement today but it doesnt look like they sell it anymore, makes me wish I didn’t throw it out with all the carrot peels). Third, my disastrous attempt at leche flan (well it’s still cooking but I have a bad feeling about it). Between the caramel and number of eggs to the type of milk (evap, fresh milk), to almost burning myself forcing the pan to fit in the pot. *sigh*
5. Disposables or Reusables? Been researching the heck out of the internet trying to figure out if it’s best for us to go down the re-usables path. Obviously it’s going to be so much better for the environment but just wondering if baby’s going to be OK with reusable diapers, if we’re going to have issues with leaks, and how well are we going to take poop cleaning and constant washing and stuff…. Hmnn… decisions decisions…

Anyhoo, looking forward to the immediate future, especially since my birthday is coming up!!! 🙂

To my dearest bubba

My dearest bubba,

In an hour daddy and I will get to see you again, and find out if you’re a boy or a girl! We are both very excited and can’t wait to tell your lolo, lola, and titas. I hope you will be good and cooperate by getting in position, no sleeping and hiding today okay!

It’s been a relatively easy pregnancy so far though you are getting heavier and want to eat more. I think you are quite cosy in mommy’s tummy though I think sometimes you’re starting to move and stretch your legs. With four more months to go, I hope we will both stay healthy and you stay in there until you’re well and ready to come out. 😊 But not too much sweets okay? Remember, pangga, our motto is “sexy baby, you’re a sexy baby!”

okay gtg now, daddy is busy eating his lunch next to me and I need to get ready for our ultrasound. Love you bubs, see you later! Just remember, we love you regardless if you’re a boy or a girl! 👫👶💏

/ mommy

Edit: you’re a girl!!! 👸💗