Category: Parenting

“Utikej, Pani, Utikej”

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Two weeks ago, my running partner, a.k.a my son, decided to quit his job.  I used to be able to put him on the jogger and do a short run with him.  However, now that he is stronger and more active, that has become impossible.  I stopped doing it because the last few times I did, he wailed like a hyena and yelled, “pomoc! pomoc!”  (Czech word for “help!”).  He prefers being part of the action and that involves getting out of the stroller.   Hence, I can never have a decent run when he is with me.

Back when I used to do races, I ran with the pack.

However, due to the recent time change this past weekend, I am now able to do my outdoor runs.  This is because my husband is now available to take care of my son while there is still daylight.  Thus, I had my first post winter outdoor run today.    It was great!  But I know it will hurt tomorrow.

This was because I pushed too hard.  I wouldn’t have if not for the old guy who told me, “utikej, pani, utikej.”  (Czech for “run, lady, run”).  The thing was, there were 2 other runners in front of me.   The old guy probably thought I was one of them.  I may have looked like I was trying too hard because my tongue was out like a mad dog and I was sweating like a rapist.  Whatever it was, he decided to give me a boost of encouragement.    I intended to tell him that I was not running with them, but before I can translate my thoughts, I was already past him.   A few minutes later, when I reached home,  I was gasping for breath.  I knew I overdid it when my husband thought I was back so soon.  When asked how my run went, my answer was almost inaudible because I was still catching my breath.  Then he told me, “Oh honey, I forgot to tell you not to push too hard.”  But I did.  This will definitely hurt tomorrow.

Na Zdravi

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“Na Zdravi,”  literally meaning “for health” is the Czech toasting line.  It is what “cheers” is to Americans.  During our recent trips to Moravia,  my husband’s hometown, my son was always a spectator to what the adults are doing at the dinner table.  Since there was always a celebration involved, there was always reason to do “Na Zdravi”, preceding every drink.

Na Zdravi

While my husband and I were having dinner with our son yesterday, we were amused at how he acted on the dinner table.  When I gave him his drink, he kept on saying “davi, davi.”  I thought he wanted some particular food, so I gave him whatever was on the table.  He got a little bit frustrated and started to cry.  Then I realized what he wanted when he held out his drinking bottle.  He wanted to do “Na Zdravi.”   Oh this little Moravian!

Who’s Your Daddy?

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Spring is certainly here.  This past weekend was so beautiful, we had to be out and about.   Armed with my camera, I was a trigger-happy mamarazzi for some unsuspecting men in Kolin and their kids.

I love weekends.   It is my time.  After taking care of my son the whole week, I always welcome the time when my husband takes over.

Like father, like son.

But it looks like I’m not the only happy mom in Kolin.  As we were walking to Kmochuv Island this past weekend, this is what I saw.  Dads were doing their share of the whole childcare thing.

“Daddy, daddy, watch me ride!”  I can almost hear this little child say.

“Don’t go too close to the river.  Otherwise you’ll fall.”  I suspect this is what this other daddy is saying.

This is my favorite shot.  I think you know why.

I highly admire a man who is not afraid to look silly.     Fatherhood is pretty much like motherhood.  One is a transformer.

So you may be wondering, where the moms are?  It’s ironic.  I was looking for a beauty salon to get a hair treatment but all of them were booked!  Question answered:  That’s where the moms are.

The Joys of Motherhood

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If I were to describe my role as a mother, I would say I am a transformer.  One day I’m an airplane, next day I’m a dog, maybe tomorrow I will be a horse.  As my son is getting more and more active these days, I constantly need to find ways to keep him entertained by playing whatever game he feels like playing at the moment.    Plus, I have to get him out of the house twice a day to get him tired so he will be able to take his nap or sleep at night.  It is tiring, I tell you and it has a lot of quirks too.

One day while having lunch with a friend and her daughter, Jakub shouted “Kaka” (Czech word for “poop”) in the middle of a bustling restaurant.  Now that I have started potty training him, he has figured that the best way for him to get released from his seat is to shout the magic word.  I felt a little bit embarrassed, but I guess people treated it like a regular thing because nobody seemed to mind.  On another instance, while walking on the streets, Jakub pointed to a guy’s truck and said “garbage.”  It was because it resembled a garbage truck and he loves watching the garbage truck from his bedroom window.  I’m not sure if the guy understood.  I hope he didn’t.

Yesterday at Sokol, as we were exercising with the other children and their mommies, he collided with another child. They both cried and they both had noticeable bumps on their foreheads. The irony was, I had Jakub wear a shirt that says, “I want to rock.” The other child on the otherhand, had a shirt that says:  “Here comes trouble.”  The other mom and I just looked at each other and sighed.  That somehow explained the whole situation.

Mr. Congeniality

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When we were still living in the US, I only had 3 months of maternity leave.  Thus, on his 3rd month, Jakub went to Day Care.  I have to admit, that was one of the most painful emotional events in my life.  I can still remember that day.   Two days prior to my actual return to work, I left Jakub at Daycare.  On his first day there, I stayed half a day just watching and observing.  I wanted to make sure that his crib was well made, he was fed at the right time, his caregiver held him correctly…. all the things that I should be doing but couldn’t.  I remember crying the whole time during the 20min drive back home.   When I picked him up later that same day, I was glad to know that everything went well.  The following day, it was a little bit easier to leave him there knowing that he got the kind of care that I had expected.

Jakub with his day care buddies

Jakub’s day care was good.  I was quite satisfied with the care he was given.  I was also glad that during the earliest stages of his life, he was already able to socialize with other children.    Whenever I picked him up, his teacher would always tell me stories about how he played with other  children, what time he slept, how much he ate.  His daily report card always had a big smiley with a statement that says:  “Jakub had a great day.”    I can see it was true because he had always been very sociable.  I believe his day care stint helped a lot with his social skills.

Today he had his first Sokol experience.  Sokol is a physical education movement here in the Czech Republic.  It is what YMCA is for the US.  Eight months after spending all of his time with mommy, he is out in the company of other children again.  I am still not sure if he really liked it.  His reaction was funny.  During our way to the gym, he was excited.  But the moment we got there, he almost turned back after seeing too many kids and parents running around.    Albeit after a few minutes, he blended seamlessly into his new environment.  He is indeed Mr. Congeniality.

As a mother, I am always worried about how my son will survive in new environments.  But time and time again, he has proven that he can handle it.  I remember a short conversation with his former Day Care Director.  I would ask:  “How’s Jakub?”  She would jokingly reply:  “Jakub is fine.  But mommy isn’t.”  I wonder if I will be having the same conversation with his pre-school teacher as well.

LOVE

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The One

I knew he was the one when he patiently took my hand as I was nervously getting down from that waterfall I once bravely climbed. I knew he was the one when we passionately talked  about six sigma, lean manufacturing and all other Quality tools without ever getting bored. I knew he was the one when he played the guitar and sang with it. I knew he was the one when he ran and exercised with me. I knew he was the one when he ate rice, adobo, afritada and mangoes with much gusto.

I know he is the one when I can just talk to him about anything under the sun. I know he is the one when he knows when to push me when I’m slacking off. I know he is the one when he comforts me when I’m at my lowest point.

I know he will be the one when we watch our children grow. I know he will be the one when we grow old together.

I knew he was, is and will always be Muj Milacku.

The Miracle

I didn’t know it was possible to love somebody else more than myself.  I didn’t know how to be a mother until I had him.  I wasn’t sure miracles still existed until he was born.

HiberNATION

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Due to extremely cold temperatures, I guess most of the people in my little town are in hibernation mode these days. The weather is very disorienting because despite the seemingly bright, warm sunshine, the temperature is really sub zero.

This is what -12C looks like in my little town.

In my household, we have shun ourselves from the outside world, but there is a lot of action going on inside the place. I, for one hand, am cooking and cleaning while the boys are trying to have fun even with the limited space available.

Jakub begging his father to let him try the exercise bar.
Kolin fit club, feather weight division
In the absence of a swing, resourcefulness comes into play

Although it was disappointing not to be outside and do anything active this past weekend, I was happy because I felt that we were closely bonding as a family. We slept together in one room, ate together and played together. I am amazed to see how Jakub has grown. He slept through the night, ate by himself, and laughed with us when we were making jokes. All these wouldn’t have been possible if not for this extremely cold weather. Talk about looking at the brighter side of things.

House Arrest

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It’s our second day now on house arrest. We have been having sub zero temperatures lately and I didn’t want to go out of the house. If it was up to me, I would go….just for the heck of it. But with my 18month old, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I cannot put a scarf to cover his nose, nor will I ever train him how to breathe.  I don’t want to risk getting him sick.  So here we are, stuck at home.

When he doesn't get to go out, this is what happens in his room.

Watching TV is a no no for me, but I have broken this rule. I’ve probably watched teletubbies with Jakub 10x already within the past 24 hours. I’ve been cleaning the house, cooking and baking. Jakub on the other hand, has kept himself busy too. Too tired of playing with his toys, he has decided to play with my stuff.

Now he is messing with mommy's gloves

I hope this cold weather won’t last too long. I’m afraid that if it does, I may add 5 inches to my waistline.

Children Do Say the Darnest Things

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I almost freaked out yesterday when Jakub uttered the four-letter-word: “F**k”. I thought to myself,  “Goodness, did he hear me say that word?  Has he been watching too much TV?  Did his dad say it? ”  It has been my policy in this family not to say those words in front of Jakub.  I want to raise a well-mannered, polite and well-behaved child.  I don’t want him to have a foul mouth.

Then, he did it again this morning.  This time, he was pointing to his books.  I didn’t make a big deal out if it so he will think it’s not a real word and will soon forget it.  As I was reading his picture books with him, it became increasingly clear where the word came from.

Jakub's picture book

He simply combined “frog” and “duck” , and came up with “f**k”.  Kids do say the darnest things!