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I carried you for exactly 34 weeks, 6 weeks short of being full term.  My pregnancy was difficult.  I was taking the bar exams, a stressful activity, while I was pregnant with you.  I learned I was pregnant with twins when I was already 5 months with you.  I was on bed rest from 6 months onwards.  I had to make sure we would all be okay (Mama is too small to carry twin babies).  Nevertheless, every ounce of pain and difficulty was all worth it.  Bringing both of you into this world is something that I never imagined in my wildest dreams (I only dreamed about having one baby at time).  I consider it an honor and a privilege being your mother.  Know that whatever happens, Mama will always be here.  Happy 4th birthday baby boys (Oh, you're not babies anymore!).  I will always love you.

At court this morning, I learned another friend of mine is pregnant at 7 weeks.  I've been having a lot of friends getting pregnant lately.  It's always a cause for celebration whenever I hear the words, "I'm pregnant!" and I get excited too, in the same way my friends get excited.  However, I always have a nagging feeling inside of me because normally I am questioned.  "What about you, when do you plan on getting pregnant?" My first pregnancy was planned, although my husband and I were not yet married then.  At 28, I believed it was high time for me to get pregnant.  And so, this planned pregnancy of mine resulted to twin babies (who are now of course toddlers).  That twin pregnancy of mine is actually the cause of all my apprehensions.  You see, I did not have a difficult pregnancy, except in the latter stages when I had to be on bed rest from 6 months onwards.  But whenever I remember what occurred during the twins' first year- taking c...

I grew up being forced to eat breakfast.  I didn't understand the fuss about eating breakfast back then.  But I am very thankful that I grew up being forced to eat breakfast and I am thankful for having a family that understands the concept of breakfast.  I would remember a glass of lukewarm Milo on my side of the dining table.  I would have rice and any viand cooked and served on the table.  I do not remember eating bread for breakfast alone.  I would remember, though, eating rice and then having bread thereafter.  Power breakfast ang drama! Time and time again, I have often read the importance of eating breakfast.  Breakfast should be one fit for a king.  That means madami .  I remember reading somewhere that breakfast is what sustains you the whole day.  You may skip lunch or dinner, but never breakfast.  In my case, I never skip the three, even if I am on a diet.  Ask my friends, they know how much I love eating. N...

When I was younger, I vowed never to spank my kids nor to subject them to any physical punishment.  I just didn't think it would work.  I would see my friends being physically subjected to violence and I saw how they eventually rebelled against their parents. I knew this would only work if my husband-to-be would also agree on me on this point.  So I was very thankful when my husband  +Dante Valenzuela Jr.   also had the same view point as mine.  No spanking, no physical violence, no shouting (although this happens sometimes). Of course, when they were still young it was difficult to discipline them.  You cannot expect a 1 or 2 year old child to understand.  However, when they turned 3, it's easier for them to understand their mistakes and it's easier to make them understand. So how do we discipline them right now?  Whenever my kids do something wrong, I talk to them and point out what they did wrong.  I tell them calmly. Shouting d...

March.  I always equate March with graduation.  It's the end of the semester for some students, but for some students, it's the end of their college life. The end of a semester is routinary for students but the last semester of one's college life is a significant event.  It's the end of college life, a start of a new chapter in one's voyage.  I think the most significant thing that happened in the last year of my college life was my thesis defense.  My topic was "Habermas:  The Universality of Norms."  Writing the thesis for one whole year was tedious.  I had classes and would go home to squeeze in time to write.  I had to read tons of books just to be able to conduct my research.  Defending it was also tedious.  But in all honesty, it was all worth it.  Defending it in front of a panel was the most difficult thing I ever had to in college (I was defending and my panelists were eating. Lol :P).  I broke down and...

When I was younger, I remember going to carnivals.  I remember riding ferris wheels, roller coasters, horror trains (I loved the ride!) and shooting those plastic ducks.  The highlight of my carnival experience was the Royal London Circus which visited Davao when I was I think in high school. I believe growing up is not complete without going to carnivals.  So when the opportunity came for the twins to experience the carnival, we readily brought them to Mary Rose.  We were only able to ride three rides, the carousel, the bump cars and the tea cup.  All rides were considered safe and approved by my husband  +Dante Valenzuela Jr.  (Lol!).  The twins were also able to shoot those plastic ducks and they won some prizes (which they didn't eat).  The point of the whole experience is actually to let them enjoy and experience the carnival. So here are some highlights of our carnival experience.  No pictures for the bump car rides though. ...