Happy Birthday Ninong Ruben!

SF Chillin'

After his gramma & papa left for Hawaii w/ Rohawn, Miles was bummed. To cheer him up, I told him about the day of fun ahead with Aunty Cheryl aka Awts, and the play date with Gani. He then said, "Ok, I'm not that mad anymore." Resilience is key! When life gets us down, I say we all bounce back as kids do!

It was good to spend time in the city. Miles loved walking around Hayes Valley but complained that his legs hurt when climbing up the steep SF hills. Lucky for him, Aunty Cheryl has toys stashed away at her pad and Miles kept busy with his new piggy bank. He's also been busy at home, collecting the trail of coins his dad leaves behind--everywhere!



Later that afternoon, Miles was reunited with his Frisco homeboy, Isagani, one of the most charming 4 year olds you'll ever meet. Forget the boys, I had so much fun playing with them! They bring out the kid in me! Let's see, we pretended we were captains on a playground ship, caught in a storm and we had to save the ship and our lives. So Gani imagined that he was fixing the broken anchor, and Miles imagined that he was fixing the broken engine. But before that, Miles and Gani got reacquainted with a stimulating debate over Transformers names and over which was the "best" crew, Autobots vs. Decepticons.


The Decepticon vs. The Autobot


Jet fire? Jet Stream? Who knows the names of these darn robots?!





Check it out Kimmy...our best creations EVER! High Five!

They play so well together. It was a bit sad to see Gani and Uncle Perci leave--we wished they lived closer but were so happy to hear about how they have made such a nice home for themselves in Long Beach. Justin and I seriously need to hang out with more hip parents to balance out our nerdyness...where are you guys at?

Friday, we got to see WAR with Uncle Eric, Aunty Jen, Dengs, & Aunty Xtina. Miles got to enjoy "Galaxy" performed live. He was more into the green gun that Aunty Jen bought him though but other than his crazy tantrum beforehand, we appreciated good music LIVE! I enjoyed the opening song, "Me and My Baby Brother" (that's the break son!), and Jus loved "All Day Music."


And, met a cool robot...



Other than that, Miles and I have been busy at home working on new paintings of caterpillars, taking walks around the 'hood, baking, and having our music sessions. Miles spent some time with Dengs, swimming in his new pool and also enjoying Papo's garden.


Miles & Darrien--the cousin/brothers.

He loved picking the calamansi off the tree and he made his own calamansi juice. He got really excited when Papo pulled one of the fat peaches off the peach tree, devoured it, and confirmed, "Mama, this is organic."

Justin is still on his training schedule at work which allows all of us to spend some time together during the afternoon and evening. Today, we were coming home from Target and in the car Salt N' Pepa's Push it song was on. Miles says, "How come they are saying, aw smoosh it?" Oh, that was the best.

I'm back to my balancing act of motherhood/the domestic arts and making time for myself.I am actually 30% done with one of my new mixes and I'm pretty excited about that. If you're a parent, I'm sure you understand how It's challenging to get things done with an active child when you don't want him/her to be sitting watching TV all day. So to actually have made time to be productive with music is practically a miracle! But yo, I'm determined to keep making these miracles happen. It feels so good to dig through my records, create a vibe, record the blend onto Protools, and listen to what I've made thus far. I'm just having fun relearning Protools since I forgot practically everything! As soon as it's done, I'll post the mix for a download right here...

Patrick x Nara

More pictures from:



Brought to you by:

Bob x Awts (aka Aunty Cheryl)


The boys are scheming and rollin' with Kuya Andre.


Shaka!


Ninang Jen & Dengs..I really love this one..a mother's love!

And the fun begins...










And I had to add one of my hot thang...

Miles' Music

The Solano County Fair is here once again and this time, Miles' most favorite musicians are performing live on Friday! He's really excited and hopes that they play his favorite song:



Honestly, his dad and I are looking forward to seeing them live too! I love this fair cause they always have the best performers. I was lucky enough to check out James Browns here one year, thank goodness! Miles would have loved to see him too (his other favorite musician). He is also looking forward to the reptile exhibit!

Today was a good day for the boy. He woke up happy and papo & nanay picked him up with Dengs to take them to the Cache Creek for kids, Chuck e. Cheese. He came back home so excited to tell me about the games he played, bringing back unused tokens and a roll of tickets--he said, "we have to go back mommy." Clever. Anyway, today is also nanay's birthday so we will continue with the festivities! Happy Birthday Nanay! We love you!

iBooth is What I'm Talkin' Bout...

Saan ang camera ko?

...thank goodness for Justin's blackberry...

This T-Rex diggin' 4 dino bones kit kept him busy and stimulated for over 2 hours!

And this Ikea build-your-own-vehicle-and-flip-styles kit kept him busy since yesterday!

"A Little Bit of Love is all it Takes..."

"...A little bit of love goes a long, long way!" New Edition sang it best!

These past few days of unconditional parenting has so far been showing nothing but positive results. All it has taken from me, is just a little bit more patience and love than to resort to time outs. When Miles has his frustrating moments, I hug him (when he allows me to) and rub his back, tell him I love him...and just like that--he melts into all the good vibes and let's go of his anger. Now, it's not like that all the time--but for the most part--it's been working like a charm! I'm getting the hang of this unconditional thang, realizing that my old calls for time outs have also been largely due to my own frustrations for wanting him to do what I wanted to do. What kind of parenting is that?! I'm totally unlearning what was done to me as a kid. My parents never grounded me or gave me time outs but the threats in Tagalog, "Bahala ka!" and the equivalent to time outs-- the cold shoulder a.k.a. the silent treatment.

But I'm saying, trick all that silent treatment and the "Bahala Ka!" threats. Kids definitely do need our love, especially when they are still forming words and ways to express their own emotions and need help and guidance to articulating how they feel. I am aware of Miles watching what I do, and what his dad does, especially when we have our own frustrating moments. He sometimes mirrors what we do. Now that I am trying to model more patience and love--for him--at those low points, I'm hoping he internalizes that to be more patient with himself, more loving towards himself. I believe this is possible this way! I'll keep you updated.

Oh Miles. He is almost like an experiment in a way. Whatever we learn from him will definitely switch up with the next kid. I guess that's what happened with Awts and I, then to Eric. Looking back, I definitely "had it easier" than my sister, who was practically my 2nd mom, and Eric had it even easier. This is probably debatable between my siblings and I. Anyways, everything in life is pretty much trial and error.

This week has been all about adjusting. Justin is also adjusting to his new job at Genentech. Miles believes his daddy is no longer a teacher at the Boys & Girls Club but a "scientist." It's really cute how he already looks up to his dad. During our days of swimming, playing at the park, having our art times--Miles will occasionally chime in, "Oh daddy's missing out on all the fun." So far though, we are all thankful for Justin getting hired at one of the top companies to work for on the Forbes list. Thanks to the Hiphop connection--it really is about networks. The great thing is that he's working alongside Miles' Ninong Paulskee. This job will allow them to have free weekends, having the flexibility of travelling if necessary. The draw back is that I can no longer do these mid-week gigs that I've been having so much fun with. But that doesn't mean that I won't have time to work on music either. It will just be more work in the "DJ room" as Miles calls it. And I can still do my Friday or Saturday night gigs but honestly, Miles and Justin are my priorities for the weekend. Family time is my number one priority especially once the semester starts. Anyway, no matter how scheduling can be--anything is possible! It's just more of a juggling act with a kid!


Chillin' with Ninong Paulskee & Daddy Jones.

Yesterday, Papo called early noon to pick up Miles to take him to the park with Dengs. Miles was so excited when I told him Papo called, "he's picking me up cause he misses me? cause I was in hawaii so long?" And I was just as excited cause that meant some time for me to work on a mix ;) When I picked him up later in the evening, Miles was all covered in chalk--and so was Darrien. They had created such wonderful artwork on Papo's drive way. The mess + smiles = a very good time!

And for a good time Saturday night..peep game:

He's baaaaaack!

..and on the loose! Sneaking some juice at bedtime...


...covering up his third eye!


Justin & Justin Jr. doing the power shaka!

Miles finally came home with gramma & papa (now on a roadtrip from Vegas to SD to L.A. to the Bay) and let's just say, we are all adjusting. So far, the transition has been smooth sailing with the exception of a few bumps. At the airport, we were just so excited to see each other! After saying Iloveyous, Miles informed me, "Mommy, did you know that Michael Jackson died?" And when I asked him how he passed he said, "too many drugs." I guess he's been watching plenty of news reports in Hawaii. One of the activities he's been busy with at home is dancing. Seems like he missed B-boying so he's been practicing with Justin and requesting Michael Jackson's music. Some of the new things he's learned from his vacation in Hawaii, includes doing Shaka and saying some Pigeon "Shaka bradda!" He also has picked up his gramma's vocab, commenting on things with the words: interesting and neat. Miles is also more knowledgeable on the different planets of our solar system, saturn being his most favorite. And he is also able to tread in deep ocean waters now! All in all, he's told me that he loved his vacation in Hawaii and says that he can't wait for his vacation next year. Thank you gramma & papa, for being such loving grandparents and spending quality time with your apo ("grandson" in Tagalog).

Yesterday, we celebrated at his Uncle Patrick's and Aunty Nara's wedding, where Miles ran free and wild with his cousins. He hasn't seen everyone in such a long time so he was pretty excited. And he also had a good time being nanay's dance partner.


Congratulations Uncle Patrick, Aunty Nara, and baby cousin in the oven!


Kuya Andre, Aaron, Dengs, & Miles buggin' out!



Dengs x Miles reunited!

Right now, I actually have time to blog cause the boy is exhausted and napping from a hot afternoon of walking. We walked for about a mile (which was forever for the poor boy) under the blazing sun. On our way, we spotted a green caterpillar, a few white butterflies, bees, and ants. Miles was pretty excited to run into these bugs. It was just another reminder for me, to stop, slow down, and notice these things that I've been passing up with Miles in Hawaii. So, thank you Miles for helping me appreciate these simple things.

Before school starts up again, I'm trying to read all the books I had on my list (plus a few more). Right now, I've been busy with Alfie Kohn's Unconditional Parenting. Besides reading it, we are trying to apply it in our parenting styles, doing away with the time outs, bribes, etc. It's an adjustment on both ends, I'm realizing how much of our discipline was through positive reinforcements (a.k.a. "treats") and solitary confinement a.k.a. "time out via the corner" (terrible, i know!) but so far--just being as loving (through the good & the hard times) and as patient (as EVER!) helps soothe Miles when he gets frustrated or angry. For him it's an adjustment, because he is use to being reprimanded or offered a bribe--but getting nothing but hugs and help. One of the things I've noticed that's a new thing he does when he gets mad, is that he starts hitting his head. He did it last night when he got frustrated, slapping his forehead and yelling to the top of his lungs. Talk about frustrated...it reminds me of how guys punch holes in the walls when they are mad. We gotta get Miles back into using his words to express all that he feels...it's really quite a challenge. But, I'm so thankful for all the parenting resources out there and having access to it. I'm also thankful for having a partner who is pretty open and down to flip styles. I know in the long run, Miles will be a happier, healthier (mentally, emotionally, spiritually) boy--with sane parents!


"Shaka bradda!"

Rest In Peace Michael Jackson

According to my mom, when I was a toddler, I chased this kid who to me--looked like Michael-- down a grocery store isle, yelling, "Ben!" after I watched the movie (even though, Ben was the rat!). Michael Jackson's music was as much part of my theme music growing up, as it was for my mom in the P.I. with the Jackson 5. I remember when thriller came out, my aunt rented it from the video shop and my cousins, Teresa & Lea and Eric and Awts watched it over and over in that Yankee Jim Ct house. I remember watching home videos of my cousins in the P.I. dancing to Billie Jean and doing the moon walk and that pelvis move Michael is known for. And when We Are the World came out--my sister, Eric, and Lea and I would pretend would sing it and have our solos, swaying back and forth in our old Roger St. house. Oh, such fun childhood memories! I wonder which musical artists of today will be apart of Miles' childhood theme music. There is just such a lack of quality and originality nowadays--it's really unfortunate. But one thing I know, is that Michael's music has already been apart of Miles' theme music, the stuff he gets down to at jams, hearing his dad play breaks off Jackson 5 albums and also getting down to Off The Wall and Thriller joints...today is such a bittersweet day. Rest in peace Michael Jackson...