TK Portrait And Turning 5!

Last day of four years old. Last day of toddler. We are officially about to embark on our next phase of girlhood. !!. How did we get here??

These past 5 years have absolutely flown by. Particularly this last one with both kids together.

I recently posted M's graduation photos from earlier this spring. Fast forward, one summer later, and here we are.

Thought she looked so mature those few short months back then, and having the same genuine sentiments once again.

Love this kid with all my heart and so very excited to continue on this adventure with her, watching her continue to grow and be amazing. xo

Sheryl Sandberg, Life, Survival, And Achievement

'You will be defined not just by what you achieve, but by how you survive.'

It's a good thing I didn't read Lean In because I'm not upset by what Sandberg did or did not say in that book and how she's changed her tune since.

We have to remember we are all human. No individual knows everything and no individual is without flaws, including leaders of large corporations. So she's learned a lesson and changed her mind, albeit the hard way, through loss of a loved one. Forgive her. Like the rest of us, she's still learning and growing.

That said, I love the above quote, which she said in her speech at UC Berkeley's recent commencement. Sharing her vulnerability humanizes the thoughtful leader and inspires others with her influence.

Surviving difficult situations or circumstances alone is an unrecognized achievement in and of itself that all too many of us, myself included, overlook.

As a survivor, I am reminded once again to not overlook the things I have overcome and ultimately achieved, though unrecognized through classic conventions of what successful means.

To be human is to struggle. To overcome struggle is to achieve. xo

Return-To-Work Mama [MOMLIFE]

I'll be a return-to-work mama this week and this is my look in anticipation of my newly minted status: a combination of excitement and nervousness. 

I was sharing these sentiments when all of sudden, from the other room, my toddler yells back: Why are you nervous? 

The things they hear and pick up on. smh. :>

There's always some level of uneasiness when you start something new, like a new job, isn't there? And it's particularly tough when you've been away for a while to have and/or care for your family.

I have an incredible amount of love and support for moms trying to get back into the workforce, and would like to see more opportunity and resources for this population. Because it's not that we don't care about career growth and making great contributions, but there are times when we're needed more critically at home. 

I'm excited to put my ideas and skills to work for the greater good-- heck, guys, working hard for this moment to say it in a post!-- but (initially) just a tad nervous about all the change that's about to come. Without change, though, there would be no butterflies. xo

The Beauty Of Showers [MOMLIFE]

Showers: 

2%: Washing

8%: Singing

30%: Reflecting

60%: Planning

Love showers. They help you rinse off the dirt from the day, disconnect and give you a moment to both reflect and think about your plan of action going forward.

A clean and fresh bundle of baby ain't too bad for instant gratification either :> xo

A Day Conquered With Fall Colors [BEAUTY]

Conquered the day with these colors.

Baby has regressed a little, waking up more often during the night, but I'm at least thankful for those weeks I did get a generous amount of sleep with my newborn.

As long as I can catch up with sleep whenever, today or tomorrow (or with a touch of coffee ☕️, I'm good. And as long as I have the tools and colors to cover the tired, I can fake it 'til I make it... back to bed. 😂

The power of makeup. I used to be so against it but can now appreciate its art. xo

Eyeshadow: @coastalscents 

Foundation: @rimmellondonus 

Eyeliner: @soniakashuk 

Portrait Of A Leader [MOMLIFE]

CEO of my life. Often does business in my arms, her work explosive. My love grows the longer I am with her-- sign of a true leader at heart. xo

Just Keep Riding The Wave [MOMLIFE, PREGNANCY]

'Just keep riding the wave.' That's what my mom told me on Friday as I was driving home from the hospital.

Her comment stuck out to me because, if you know my mom, her english is good but it's not her first, and I was surprised she knew this idiom. Even I am not too familiar with it (not that my english is perfect either).

I asked her what she meant. She explained there have been a lot of waves throughout this pregnancy and I just need to keep overcoming them as I have been. Perfect idiom. Perfect mom :> She is so right and nailed it— both in meaning and context.

This pregnancy hasn't been easy. From extreme and lengthy morning sickness, to not just getting laid off but being improperly treated by my former employer, to dealing with a bigot for being a single mom, to dealing with almost cruel and unusual responses from blood relations when I shared my expectancy news.

But, so far at least, I have been overcoming each and every one of them. Thankfully.

Nope, I didn't go into false labor. Baby's good. I'm good. My latest issue, though, has been this heat wave we experienced this past week. My feet weren't taking it so well, especially without air conditioning.

A few weeks back we had another heat wave and that's when it all began and the edema just hasn't subsided since. The swelling has been up and down at various degrees but never as severe as it was a couple of days ago.

At my checkup on Friday, I showed my doctor. She even whipped out the tape measure and everything. She recommended I go to the hospital to get an ultrasound— not on my belly but my legs— to make sure I don't have DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, aka. a blood clot in my legs.

When I was pregnant with Nui Nui, I also had edema in my feet and it actually started earlier than this pregnancy, so I honestly wasn't really that seriously concerned about it. I just casually mentioned it to her, as I try to keep her updated as best I can so she can hopefully have the best picture of how my pregnancy is going.

Not taking it too seriously, she had to say 'life-threatening' and 'mortality' several times for the potential situation to get through to my brain. She explained that there could potentially be a clot in my leg(s), which is causing the swelling, and if there is, that clot could potentially travel up to my lungs and be 'life-threatening', aka. I could die.

So, I went to the hospital I am expected to deliver and got an ultrasound on my legs.

Considering I went swimming this week, celebrated Nui Nui's birthday at school, and did all the prep for her birthday party, I thought I had been pretty active for a clot to form.

Happy to report, NO CLOTS! I still have swelling but I think the worst of it has subsided as the heat has broken as of yesterday. Or am hoping.

As I write this, I am officially 38 weeks. That's two weeks to go. I'm admittedly getting a little nervous about delivery but... I'll just keep riding the wave and tackle each one as they come. Can't wait to meet this little kicker. xo

Ma Lovely Lady :>

You're that much stronger when you have solid players on your team.

Tired, We Smile.

I caught Mom off-guard. I think she was doing a crossword puzzle. It's been a rough week, or few. I think you can tell by how tired we look. But, together, we still smile.

Find the good in every day. Find something to smile about, there's gotta be something. Go on and do it. Smile.

Hello World!

Your support means the world! :> xoxo

I Have Pocket! :>

With the fast-changing weather to cold [sometimes freezing] and little defense in the way of gloves for kids her age, Nui Nui has outsmarted the frost bite from her little fingers. She's discovered pockets and now puts her hands in them every opportunity she is exposed to winter's chill. Pure genius :>

Call us, Team Pockets! :>

My firefighter superhero has pockets! :> xoxo



[I rather have more pics than less :> But seriously, she looks different and yet equally cute in all :> :>]

How are you keeping warm this frigid winter?

Share in the Comments below, we'd love to hear! :> xoxo

Cheek Envy :>

This is what Nui Nui does when I think she's getting tired... it must be really nice to have such pillowy cheeks :>

Original:



On Instagram.



Such a kid! :>

When was the last time you striked this pose? :>

Share in the Comments below, we'd love to hear! :> xoxo

Team Warriors

November 16, 2013

Vest Finally Fits After TWO Years! :>

The story behind this is photo shoot is that Nui Nui can finally wear this vest that Uncle Harry and Auntie Eva got her when she was born. That's two years we've been waiting. TWO YEARS! :> :>

It's perfect timing too. The weather is starting to get nippier.

Love this girl, love this face!!



What's going to be your favorite fall/winter fashion item?

Share in the Comments below, we'd love to hear! :>

xoxo

Somebody's Got Mama's Lips :>

Testing out the new bouncer.. so far so good :>.

The Look of Concentration

..taking a dump in mommy's arms takes concentration.. this is the look.. lmfao.

Week2