Mommy/Kiddy Excursion # 1

Hey pals :) you may remember just a short while ago I had made a few promises for the New-Year.  One of which was going on some outing once a month with my gal pal and our children.  I am pleased to say that for the month of January, this was accomplished. Yay!!!

 

Our first outing was at the zoo :) and also along for the trip was her niece (4 y.o.) and my sister (young adult).  The plan was to leave around mid-day, enjoy viewing some animals and have a picnic on the grass then see a few more animals.  This, is what happened - we both left well after mid-day (picture preparing food and getting yourself and a one year-old ready OR getting yourself and two little girls ages four and one ready).  Suffice to say we reached later than we planned.  Then our usually sunny island of Jamaica became overcast and windy - and there was a downpour at the zoo.  Finally, we arrive at the zoo and found ourselves to be two very over-packed first-time moms (y'all know first-time mummy's pack EVERY thing *lol*).  So we have a muddy/wet location and toddlers that want to be carried and us being weighed down like pack-horses.  Thank God my sister was there, she carried my son *whew*.  The bags were enough for me!  My poor friend had to carry bags and her daughter.  Her niece was interested on our promised picnic on the grass and seeing the snakes :).  After seeing a few animals and stopping to get the kids out the drizzle, we decided to have lunch (remember our promised picnic - up in smokes).  So my friend spent some time having to explain to her four year-old niece why we couldn't have the picnic on the grass like we promised (poor aunt/disappointed kid).  We eventually finished lunch and took lots of pictures and reluctantly became pack-horses once again.  We saw a few more animals (yes, we saw the snakes, as promised *whew*) and then went home.

 

 

Despite the weather, over-packing and broken-promises (no picnic) it turned out to be a good day.  We got out of the house and did something fun with the kids (goal accomplished). We also made future notes of what not  to do (like seriously, we both could downsize a tonne on the packing).  But this is all a part of motherhood *happy smile* and it was a great experience for all involved.  We came away from this experience proving that yet again, things do not always go according to plans and that despite challenges you can still adapt and have fun (we did).  We also learned to pack much lighter *grins*. 

 

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So we are now brainstorming to come up with ideas for our next excursion and are anxiously/excitedly looking forward to having some more fun.  We will also be packing lightly *grins*.

 

See you in a bit ,xoxo





Feeling like a child again

Now that I am into my second year as a mom, I have been thinking about how my son makes me feel(yet again).  I am not sure about you out there but I feel like a child again *grin*.  I suddenly find myself giving thought to things I haven't in ages.  After becoming a "grown-up" I became the focus of my existence - what I wanted to do as fun, where I wanted to go with friends, what I wanted to wear and overall it was me, me, me.  I never gave thought to things I used to do as a child, after all I was a grown-up. 

 

Fast-forward - same grown-up, however, now a mom :).  All those me's have been replaced by him/my son/my baby etc.  I find myself not so interested in the latest hang-out spots - unless they are child-friendly, not interested in the latest clubs and generally not so interested in focusing on myself.  I now get so excited planning an outing to the zoo with my fellow mom friends (like, seriously.... the zoo hasn't been on MY radar in forever)and is genuinely bouncing off the walls thinking off all the things we can do.  I am planning play dates and baking cookies (this one not yet a reality, only in my mind).  I am already planning what I want to do for Christmas this year ( I know, I know, I AM a mess *ROFL*)the tree, the lights, the baking (Again! in my mind).  I can't seem to stop myself, nor do I want to.  This poor child has no idea the jam packed schedule of activities that are in store for him.

 

Parenthood can be so stressful, time-consuming, filled with anxiety and tiresome.  However, it also gives me a sense of youth, excitement, exuberance, joy and overall happiness.  These are the things that make me excited to see what each day holds.  See what new things my lil' one discovers and the way my heart fills will joy and expectancy at his discoveries.  These are the things that keeps me youthful, the things that let me experience childhood a second time around and the things that I live for.

  

                           

 

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Until we meet again, let us go and embrace our youth and live vicarously through our children. xoxo

 

Being mom in 2013

Hi my friends :) A Happy and prosperous New Year to you all.  You may have been wondering where I disappeared to since my last blog in August.  Let us just say that I allowed life to run away with me *smile*.  Being a new/first-time mom in 2012 I was trying to find myself and so I basically winged the whole mom thing.  Don't get me wrong, I took my job as a mom very seriously and did all that was necessary for the well being of my then baby.  However, looking back on a year that moved so fast, it still all seems a blur, I can honestly say that most of my parenting was impromptu and learning as I went along.  Basically nothing planned.  I can see some of you more experienced parents out there smiling at my use of the word 'planned', as you may have a hint of where I intend to go :).

 

For me growing up as a child - I was lucky to have great parents and siblings with whom we still have a great relationship.  While we didn't have specific family traditions, I do have very fond memories of us doing many things together.  Now, as a parent myself, I find it quite difficult to make time to do family activities.  My days are consumed with long, exhausting work hours that sometimes includes the weekend.  When I get home in the evenings I have about 2 hours before I need to put my lil' one to bed (I am currently trying a bedtime routine).  This leaves just enough time to play and cuddle before he's off to bed and I am prepping for the next day of work.  The weekends tend to be hectic with me frantically trying to fit in everything that could not have been squeezed into the work-week.  I have found myself on several occasions just absolutely frazzled and barely having enough energy to keep up with my now 15-month old son.  That was my routine for 2012 and now looking back at the year I realise that I can pin-point very few outdoor activities I did with my son.  It is very easy to get caught into the trap of plunking him down in front of cartoons and getting caught up in my other activities.  Thankfully (and not so much so) I have a little boy that demands his 'me' time with his mommy.  He will not sit for hours in front of the TV and he comes and pulls me by the hand all over the place with him (I feel like his personal teddy):), he's such a sweetheart.  He loves to play (very rambunctious), count and give his mom hugs and kisses ( I live for them).

 

So while I do not generally make resolutions, I do have some specific plans for us in 2013.  I plan on taking him out somewhere at least once a month - and I do not mean a trip to grandma's.  I mean play dates and trips to the beach, zoo or just even dressing him up and going on the mall.  I want to us to have family game nights and many other interactive things.  He is growing up so quickly and before I know it he will be a big boy who doesn't want to be seen with his mom.  As such I am cherishing every moment I have with this precious little boy whose whole world still revolves around his mommy. I also plan to squeeze in some of my own 'me-time', I realse that since the birth of my son I have done nothing for myself (that's also no good).  I know that I need to strike a healthy balance, but the fact is, something always gets left behind.  If at all possible I'm going to fit in everything this year ;).

 

In conclusion it seems that I am actually making resolutions this year (hmmmn).  I resolve to live a full life, a good life for me and my son and to make lasting memories for us both.  Life is a gift to be cherished and made use of, not shelf, hide away or squander.  I also resolve to blog more *grins*.  Now that I think about it, tomorrow I am taking part of my lunch time so go search for a cute day-planner and I intend to use it :). 

 

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Again, I wish for you all to have a prosperous, healthy and worthwhile 2013.  Go out in the world and make each day count for something.  Until we meet again, walk good xoxo.