mom-mode post #133- on a little boy that climbs

Exhibit A:

                                                                          Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

And if I followed him around with a camera, not enough flashdrives in the world could hold all the picture of him trying to climb up some kind of something. But look at that face though and those chubby legs! I just could eat him up!

mom-mode post #132 - on chasing after a toddler

Thirteen months old. That's how old he was when life as we knew it was about to change forever.

He had taken a few tentative steps before. Holding our hands for support, reverting back to his fast crawl. But that Sunday he finally built up enough strength and courage to just take off walking. It was so sweet, he would get into position, arms side-to-side to give him balance, belly stuck out front, legs open wide.

It's interesting to see this aspect of his little personality. Of how he timidly tries first, gets extremely frustrated but once he masters it, there's no stopping him. (I don't know where he gets this from, I'm not like this at all... Even though the husband tells me otherwise)

It was no different with walking. Now his walk is quickly becoming a run. And this mommy is quickly becoming exhausted.

It's different than the 'newborn phase' exhausted, when all you need and want is a solid night of sleep. Being the mom of an energetic boy is more like doing a Jillian Michaels DVD all day long, no breaks. Well, except maybe for nap breaks. But even that these days has been elusive (more on this on another post).

He starts off early morning and doesn't stop unless he absolutely has too. Or unless I make him stop to eat or take a nap. Or sleep.

And although I often go tired and hungry ( not much time to sit down for a meal), there's nothing I'd rather do, than to watch O discover the world, on his own terms.

It's a whole new world, this toddler world,  a whole new world. Now I better go grab a bite to eat before O wakes up again, ready to conquer it.

mom-mode post #130 - on being back

Hey there friends,
I guess my hiatus didn't last nearly as long as I expected.
More often than not, I found myself writing blog posts in my mind.
Expressing myself through writing can be so therapeutic, I thoroughly missed putting down my thoughts and feelings into words.
And to add to that, Turkey has seemingly lifted the ban against Blogger, which made me even more tempted to come back.
Plus my mom-in-law asked me not to stop writing.
So, I'm back!
I don't know how often I'll post, But I'm back.

And so is this little face:

mom-mode #1001 - on a blogging hiatus

Hey there friends! Remember me? Well, I've been away due to some technical difficulties, so today I'm using a vpn to get passed Turkey's block to Blogger.:)

While I've been away I've picked up another hobby or two,  and I realized I'd just rather spend more time on those than blogging right now. My to-do list is growing as we speak, I needed to do a little downsizing around here. As much as writing about motherhood has been cathartic and therapeutic,  I'm needing to take a break. I'll still post photos of the cutest boy in the world on Facebook. But, for now, I'm taking a little sabbatical from blogging.

Thanks for always cheering me on,

mom-mode.

mom-mode post #129 - on the swimming pool

Pardon the overdose on posts about Brazil, but we were having so much fun, we just took a bazillion pictures. And since this little blog serves as journal for the days of old, when my memory will fail me, I wanted to make sure I registered those special moments we had.

Speaking of special:

O was a bit timid with the pool at first. Kinda like he is with most things in life. He starts off slowly, proceeds with caution.

And then he will either abhor it forever or, more often than not, he will fall whole-heartily in love and passionately embrace the new.

                                        Tio Bruno and tia Va got him to put his feet in first...

                Next thing we knew, he was splashing all over the place. He didn't want to leave.

Neither did I. I don't think I had ever seen my child smile this widely and get this excited about something.
I've said it before, but one of the best things about this whole motherhood thing (year 2!) has been discovering the world again through the eyes of my little boy. And what  fun world it is, when you are a 1 year old, discovering a swimming pool for the first time.

mom-mode post #128 - on the birthday party

I remember looking at pictures of my first birthday party and feel so loved by mom. Her attention to detail  was so visible, everything made by her or my aunts' own hands. I wanted O's first birthday party to have the same feel. Small, intimate, simple and homemade. We had the party in my parent's home, almost everything was made by me or my sisters. What we couldn't make, we ordered from small local business.We kept the guest list to family only. Like I said on my other post, Oliver had the most fun. I hope many years from now he can look at these pictures and just feel the love!

My aunt ordered these delicious Brazilian homemade candy from a lady that lives near her. They were not only beautiful but delicious. And they just had a 'vintage birthday party' feel to them. 

My mom found this 'old school' candy holder. Growing up,
no party would be complete without one of these!

tia Paty made the delicious and traditional Brazilian cake, nega maluca.

tio Bruno took this picture and I cut it and tied a ribbon to resemble a bookmark. Guests were asked to bring books in Portuguese for gifts. We gave these out as party favors!

The cake and cupcakes, simple and understated. Just like I wanted.

 

We also filled with cupcakes, m&m's and jello (another childhood party must-have).

Photo booth props.

Trying out the photo booth!

Putting the decor up.

Simple wall decor - I cut out circles from scrapbook paper and made these tissue pompoms.

The cake table all lit up and the handsome birthday boy!

Earlier in the day, my dad and tio Bruno cooked up a delicious Brazilian steak lunch for everybody.

Birthday boy enjoying some fun in the sun, poolside.

mom-mode post #127 - on the birthday boy

Our baby O is one. And I'm out of words to express the sheer joy that this year has brought to us. He is this fun-loving, dance to the beat of any music, intense, passionate, funny kinda guy. We love him so much. Now I leave you with pictures of the most adorable little one year old EVER. (it's true, he is, check it for yourself)

A little overwhelmed by all the singing.

little cousins loving on O

That's how much your mama and dada love you baby. That's how much.

proud grandparents celebrating with O!

Does it have chocolate in it? Then I love it mommy!

silliness with mama and my titias

first time I met my tia Va. She awesomely crazy!

how big is Oliver? He is one!!!!

not quite walking yet... But I can hold my own!!!

I think I will go down in history as the only one-year-old who thoroughly enjoyed his party.