September from now on not only marks the official start of the Christmas season but also, for our family, celebration of my dearest son's birthday. Oh yes, Swoosh would be 1 year old on September 26. How time really flies! Isn't it just yesterday when I first embraced him gently with my arms?

One year almost passed and there's just too much realizations about myself being a parent that made me understand my parents now more than ever. For me, the biggest realization is that being a parent makes you feel your mortality. What a deep thought, you might say. But its the truth. And just what do I mean by that?

Being a parent makes you feel how mortal you are. Surely, our children growing up is inevitable. They will get hurt, fail, cry, succeed, get lonely, be happy, love and be loved in return. Those are life's gifts to us and we will all have almost the same experience, just different situations. But when you are a parent, the thing that mostly would concern you is how to protect your child. What if you are no longer there to protect him during the bad times? Who would take care of them until age 61? Who could they lean on if times would go bad and you are out of reach?

About a month ago, there was an not-so-good experience I've encountered that made me realize this. I was on a bus heading to main avenue in Cubao because that's where I will be taking another bus going Bulacan. I loaded the bus in Santolan and immediately positioned myself to stand, since all seats are taken and a lot of people are all already standing, just at the front of the bus, near the driver and the door since main ave. is only 2-3minutes away from Santolan. The bus driver drove smoothly until intersection at P.Tuazon and we were stopped by the red traffic light. Just when the lights went on green, and our bus started moving straight ahead, another bus came cutting us off going to the left! Our bus driver immediately pushed the breaks and I was almost thrown onto the front mirror of the bus had I not grabbed the pole tightly I am holding on to. People on the bus got frightened by the incident. Most cursing the other bus. Thank God none got hurt. As for myself, I think I just had a little ankle sprain because I was caught off guard and I had to keep myself from falling by standing firmly even if my ankle got a little twisted because of the shake. It was a tolerable hurt that lasted for 2days, maybe.

Why am I sharing this? This is one of those situations I fear might happen. Can you imagine what might have happened if our bus driver was a second late from pushing that break? That was when the realization of my mortality immediately emerged from the back of my mind. What if the unfortunate happened and I was on very front of the bus? I don't want to think about it anymore but when I got home that night and saw Swoosh happily seeing me arrived at last, I cried. No, I can't bear the thought of leaving my little baby too soon. My son needs me.

Being a parent is a very tough responsibility. Your parents may not be the best parents in the world, but always remember, their existence, is not just for themselves. Their main purpose since they became a parent is to be there for you. They strive to exist for you.

 I know I can never be the best mother in the whole world, but I will try to be one for my son. But if I fail to be the best parent for my child, I hope he would realize that I may not be the best but surely, I will always be the one person who would always be there for him. Watching him grow, taking care of him. And if God permits the longevity of my mortality, yes, I will take care of you... till you're 61.

Ask me what I hate most in the world, my answer would be Cancer. This disease took my mom away from us just when she was starting to enjoy the fruit of her labor in life. This disease has some form of a betrayal on it, just when you thought you are as healthy as can be, cancer cells suddenly produces themselves inside your body and before you could even notice it, they've invaded your entire anatomy.

I know how hard the battle is. I've seen and felt it with my mom. The video below was filmed in Seattle Children's Hospital. Watching this, I can almost feel how strong they are facing their tough battle. What are my problems compared to these children? Such an uplifting video for those whose battle are the same as theirs. Yes, they know it in their hearts, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.



Some scenes during the making of this video:



Stay positive and pass it on.

It was four years ago when I last said I love you to you face to face. Four years have passed yet, everything seemed like yesterday. Come to think of it, so many things have happened but still, I admit that I have not yet moved on. Yes, every day, every minute, I still wish you are here with us. Enjoying life as you should have, as you have deserved. But then reality snaps in, and all that's left for me are just memories. All the memories are so vivid to me. I know never it will fade. I will miss you every second of my life. I know since the day you left, I will never get over it. No, I cannot move on. I guess I never wanted to.

I often wonder if being a new mom always associates a change in one's wardrobe. After all, I don't think that those printed leggings (Korean style) would still fit my new personality as a new mother.

But then, I am not saying that all moms should follow my thinking. A woman is still a woman no matter what her ensemble is made of. Whatever fashion we put up, the rule is plain and simple: always wear what you're comfortable with.

Anyway, since I need to revamp my whole wardrobe to fit my new lifestyle (and my new waistline waahh!), I found these pieces as my new favorites. What do you think of them? Would these spell glamorous mama? Your comments would be appreciated. :)

Note: All pictures were taken from Facebook Pages of Plains and Prints and BCBG Maxazria

I often wonder if being a new mom always associates a change in one's wardrobe. After all, I don't think that those printed leggings (Korean style) would still fit my new personality. A woman in every aspect.

But then, I am not saying that all moms should follow my thinking. A woman is still a woman no matter what her ensemble is made of. Whatever fashion we put up, the rule is plain and simple: always wear what you're comfortable with.

Anyway, since I need to revamp my whole wardrobe to fit my new lifestyle (and my new waistline waahh!), I found these pieces as my new favorites. What do you think of them? Would these spell glamorous mama? Your comments would be appreciated. :)

Note: All pictures were taken from Facebook Pages of Plains and Prints and BCBG Maxazria

For the moms out there, do you remember those times when you were still that oh-so-sexy-single-lady? When your waistline was still 24 and the only thing you worry about is what pair of shoes would compliment your newly bought dress?

As for me, I remember those times vividly. Yes, I admit I miss that state where I have all the time for myself and all the money for myself too :). That free-spirited young girl who wants to discover the world and live a life with nothing but pure fun and adventures, lacking responsibility to anyone but ourselves. But everything changed the moment I saw that little bean inside my womb with a heart beat.

Being a mother has changed me in so many ways I can't actually enumerate in one sitting. And those changes made me a person better than all that I had been in the past. Let me point out how motherhood changed my perspective at that very moment the 2 lines on my frog test appeared.

1. I became more health conscious. There is no room for sickness when you are a mother. You've got to have all the energy you can have because the demands of being a new mother is so high sometimes 24hours is just not enough to do everything. When I became a mother I started taking my vitamins, eat healthy foods, do some walking (arrgghh please I never really like exercise hehehe), and take as much sleep as I can. This is all for my baby who needs me to take care of him and I can only do that if I am healthy and have enough strength.

2. Everyday is new day of positive perspective. Morning become more and more beautiful seeing my son and husband beside. It just makes you look forward for the whole day with a more positive energy and good vibes, with the certainty that everything will be ok.

3. It makes you a rediscover yourself. Being a mum gave me more confidence that I can do more than what I've ever accomplished before. It thrives in me the need to become the best version of myself for my son and family. I have discovered that I can be a better in my career, that I can be a better wife, be better in cooking, etc. but most of all, I became a better person.

4. It made me more appreciative. Whatever I have, be it little or big, I always, always thank the Lord for it wholeheartedly. Instead of asking for more, I just give thanks to God and whatever I want more in life I am the one responsible to achieve it. God will help but that doensn't mean I give Him all the works. Being a mother makes you realize what are really your necessities in life. And all the other perks that we have, I began to appreciate it more.

 There are just so many things I've learned through motherhood. And I know this is just the start. Everyday is a learning process for me. And I'm just thankful to have the privilege of being called "Mommy". :)