Kudos to All Teachers

“I was just wondering... I already have multitasking on my CV but can I add teaching as an experience on my CV?” I am asking for a friend.

My mother was a fifth grade teacher and I didn’t inherit it.  I have a third grader, a first grader and a toddler 😬 and I want to mention that they are still in good mental health and happy but I believe that they are deliberating if it were possible to fire “Mama” as their teacher.  One of them went as far as explaining (with full-effect stuttering); “Mama, well ...well... see, I will always love school, but... but... BUT... if you ever teach kids, you know ... like... like you know my friends, umm yah ... no one will want to come back. “ 🙄 

—-guess which of my children?  —-

Let’s just say I’m glad I love my career because I’m pretty sure I was told (politely) to NEVER pursue a career “teaching kids.”

No this post isn’t about undermining teachers or about showing that my few days of “home schooling” measure up to our teachers. In fact, the few days spent, have shed more light to how much more love our teachers deserve, and how much attention is needed to their compensation.  Underpaid! 😳 How in the world do they do this with a warm look on their faces? Because, I’m already asking for extra compensation and I’ve only been on it for a few days and I’m pretty sure I’m not meeting full time hours 🧐

I organize our weekly plan (thanks to the hard work 😓 of their wonderful teachers).  I even plan out activities for my toddler to keep her busy, while the older ones are working, but I feel that I’m never quite organized😩. At the end of each day, I always feel like I could have done more. And to be honest, I thought I was doing a great job hiding it but apparently not. Especially judging from my poor evaluation and counsel to stay clear of schools 🤣 

So if you are a teacher and you often feel this way at the end of some school days - on behalf of my household, thank you for coming back and doing it with my children all over again.

Anyways, I also created our daily schedule and pre plan our PE breaks and morning meditations. Then we do our best to keep to the tasks and assignments of the day.  I bounce off trying to keep the toddler away from getting in between her older siblings and my teaching skills. This includes my subpar puppet show performance, making silly faces, singing kids songs, practicing our colors, shapes, dancing, reading, storytelling, more singing, lots of jumping and yay! ... Most of the times this is distracting to the older ones and so sometimes I catch myself yelling at them to get back on task😬 so again on behalf on my household- thank you for your patience with my children especially one of them in particular. Yes, the same one who gives unsolicited advice. 

So today I included an extra break in the day where I get to run and hide on my mat to meditate and practice yoga. We got to do it together and it worked but Oh boy! the time in the day feels like it is no longer enough, because today the children were lost a lot in their imagination and, it was interrupted a lot with essential necessities such as lunch or snack breaks... 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️ so thank you again as I only have three children and you have twenty-two.  🤔

So dear teachers all over the world; I want to give credit to all of you wonderful humans; who work tirelessly to provide education (outside the home) to our children; thank you for everything; thank you for the hard labor you put in a short time frame to get virtual learning plans available to us. I will do my best to keep my children afloat during these time but I want to let you know that I see you, and truly value your efforts.

Thank you again🙏🏽 for all of your support and love.

I admire the parents who already home school but to the ones like me who are new to it; to those of us who are having to balance it with work and life responsibilities ... how are you all doing? hope we are all finding a balance as although, it is very important for us to assist them in completing their tasks. But it is even more important to not undo what our teachers have done and that is -maintaining some fun in learning.

Happy Birthday To Me

Today is my birthday and I've had a great day thus far! 😂  I want to tell you all about it but first I have a confession to make; "great" for me today is not the same as "great" ten years ago. Now that we are clear I will tell you about my great day.

So I slept in today! I woke up at 0730 by my family (singing to me); it was wonderful and they were even extra cautious about waking up the baby so as not to ruin my day. Then I read all of their wonderful self-made cards (thanks to #coronavirus). I was surprised by the note from my son as it read "You are the best mama I have ever had!" You can imagine my confusion as I read it aloud again just to be sure especially since I just woke up.  Then I asked him if he recalled a different life with another mama as I was sure I pushed the whole of his 10 + pounds body out by myself 😕. The children just chuckled.

Then my first daughter (a bit of a show off at times) told me that her birthday gift to me was that I don't have to deal with her school work today as she completed all of today's assignments yesterday; I was so excited and so naturally I turned to look at my son and... well let's just say he had other gift options in mind and I had to deal with his assignments today. Although, I'm not sure that her gift was just for me as she has stayed mostly in her room all day. It could be that she also wanted a day off and new that the only way to get it was to get ahead of her assignments.

Then my toddler woke up at her usual time and she has no clue that it is my special day and so she says "change diaper and then eat! eat!" then utters "good morning mama!" so I naturally greeted her back, got her changed and dressed and we went downstairs while I multi-tasked between making breakfast, sorting out home work assignments, phone calls, social media birthday greetings, text messages etc I got to sing and dance to baby shark with baby girl, and practiced her numbers and then allowed them to run around screaming without a care in the world. I dared my neighbors to knock on my door as I already had my rehearsed answer, "Hi! It is my birthday today and I would like to be unbothered for once." Shhh now the baby is taking a nap and I have some space to share with you about my day. I will spend some time on my mat and when she wakes up, we will likely all take a walk, obviously with maintaining social distance. And face time my brother whom I share a birthday with (he is not a twin, but we are of the same parents.)

The humor in this is that even if there aren't the safety precautions in regards to coronavirus, my special day would have likely been the same and plus or minus an evening date at a family friendly restaurant. I would have expected a lot more attention from my husband lol but I'm content as everything I expected from myself ten years ago I have accomplished it and more.  For example, I had not asked for the third child and I was blessed with one 😆😆😆

Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy

I can't believe he is 3 years already. My son is the sweetest but most difficult child of mine. He is mischievous to the T but hilarious lol His infectious laugh will send you packing with all of your plans for punishment. He is not my first child but he challenged me as a mother and still does.  He loves to play but is very curious and loves to learn new things. Amidst his many distractions he managed to learn his alphabet in Igbo, English and sign language. I'm pretty sure as bright as I was at his age I only knew my alphabets in English. He loves to sing all of his nursery rhymes, knows his colors, shapes, can count 1 to 30 in English and 1 to 10 in Igbo and sign language.  He knows how to cheer his mama and sister up and has held down the forth as the man of the house.  He also can sit through the barber chair without crying lol He loves to pray and can recite the Lord's Prayer and wait for it.... He is potty trained!!!!! Yay

To my boy,

May you have long life and many happy returns; we wish you a happy birthday and many happy returns. I pray that God continues to bless me and papa to continue to direct you to the right path in life. May you continue to shine as a child of God. As strong as you are, may it always be put for a good purpose. As intelligent as you are may it make you always prosperous. As you learn to love God may he always watch over you for us.  We love you and again happy birthday.

In The Midst Of Our Chaos

Hi my blog readers, how I've missed you so…. I never thought my busy life will stretch our distance but I would like to make a simple commitment to at least once a month.

As I write this post, Baby Girl is doing her homework; and Baby Boy is practicing his sign language and in between he runs to the potty and we (minus papa) all stop what we are doing to do the potty-praise-dance. Papa is out of state at Naval Postgraduate School (i'm sure studying for some exam); I have home made mac and cheese baking in the oven. This is a typical day in our home; I come home from a whole day of work; we exchange kisses (minus the hubby who is away); Nanny waves good bye; I prepare dinner simultaneously, while I finish my work notes and the kids do their studies and then we sit down for dinner and we talk about their day; then we play; read; bath time; prayers; pick out their outfits for the next day, sleep and oh my! I feel exhausted already just simply narrating the sequence of events (sigh). When the kids are in bed I go back to work! work! then clean up the living room while talking to hubby on the phone; finish work; do some yoga and then I sleep.
Typically hubby comes to visit us once a month, simply because it is easier for one person to travel than for three people to travel but for the first time since he has been away (14 months) I went to visit him and left the children with my parents and you wouldn't believe how much I missed this boring routine, I missed my children so much that you would think a country separated us.  I know it is ok to do this once in a while but I tell you I hope it is easier the next go around because for me there is something about tucking my babies to sleep and knowing that they will be in their rooms where I left them. Every night I had to close my eyes and imagine I was doing all of those routines just so that I could carry on.

Hope your days went well. Stay blessed

New Beginnings

It has been a while I came on here. I hope everyone is doing well.  Our house has gotten more crazy lol how about yours? I made a decision based on multiple special circumstances to resign from my previous position and take on a new one/role. The wait to start the new job has made me realize that a pause was necessary. Yes I am still a full time mom and I love it. I don't think I will ever trade that job for anything. It definitely doesn't pay cash but I love it more because what it does pay is better than all the cash in the world.  It also forces you to constantly reevaluate yourself even though you are not getting a raise. Isn't it insane? 

Most of you who know me well know that our house is on 'fast forward' there is never a pause or rewind. Sometimes as tired as I am, if I am not cooking or cleaning or braiding hair or making their almond milk or cashew milk or throwing parties or doing my yoga ...many have asked me when do you sleep? But I tell u I love the privilege of that mummy role. It is a title that I am most proud of.

  I have spent every single minute with my children this past few weeks and I am sure they will be in shock when I have to go back to work. Baby girl told me she wants Mama to be the new Nanny. 😔 I have two more weeks and I am off to enjoy every minute of it.

My children means everything to me and I love that they are very happy and I am happy that I changed direction so that I can spend more time with them.

Happy Birthday

Dear baby girl
I am so grateful that God chose me to be your mother. You have taught me a thing or two about patience. You are three and exhibit some of me and papas personality. You are very strong willed and always want to be in control. You are very protective of those you love. You still love to read and still can't sleep without Minnie Mouse. You are very smart but I have to remind you at times that you cannot out smart mama. You are very caring and love to help. You are easily pleased and love to make your brother laugh. You are only 3 but you are amazing I love all of the challenges that comes with raising you. You are beautiful but I ask God to continue to help teach you to achieve inner beauty.  You are into frozen and these days you like to be referred to as Princess Anna. You can spell your name and know how to sign all of your alphabets, u recognize and sound them in English and Igbo. You surprise me sometimes. God bless that hot brain of yours. Baby girl im glad you had a blast. I pray that your days may be long; may you always breath in success; may you value hardwork and always see the fruit of your labor; may you love God with all your heart; may you achieve inner beauty and touch many hearts. Happy 3rd birthday! We love you dearly.

I am content

I am content! I thank God for all of his many blessings in my life.  I definitely consider myself a spoiled child of God because he has given me everything I've ever asked for. Though I have had to work very hard for them it is nice to see that my hard work paid off.  I believe in hard work and dreams and I pray that all of your dreams come true. I am content!

Boko Haram! Bring back our girls

 Boko Haram have you not caused enough heartache, have you not caused us enough tears? have you not caused enough shame? have you not caused enough fear? Your point is not accepted! Why attack our innocent children? Are we still cave men?  You cannot and will not win this fight!  This has nothing to do with a belief system or religion but has everything to do with your crave for power and your fear to move forward; Your fear to accept change! There is no harm in western education but it is sad that it is intimidating to your group.  You have killed enough! Please leave our children alone! Please leave us alone! It is a fight that we will keep fighting, we cannot give in to your hopeless beliefs and it is a fight that we must win! And You Must lose. We are asking for help, for prayers, anything anyone can do to aid in bringing back our girls.  Please join this group www.facebook.com/bringbackourgirls

Life Lessons

I believe that experience is the best teacher and so I often credit to those who can definitely educate me more in a certain area.  In the same token, it annoys me when some claim to know things that you can tell they have no clue about or simply claim to know it all.
I feel that those people are actually the failures and they feel like if they are loud about how much they know some of their audience (usually those who lack little or no knowledge in that topic) will praise them on how highly intelligent they seem.
Overall I feel like being open to learning from anyone young or old or to whatever caliber of life etc i think have made me more knowledgeable in many areas. And I still don't come close to having all of the answers.

I also feel that it takes humility to credit knowledge and respect where it is deserved.  But I take it all in and make sense of it first before accepting and tesching someone else ...ie not all information is true and just because it has been around for many years doesn't make it true. It makes it more like a myth. :)
Knowledge have to make sense to me for me to embrace it. For example, My sister and I were laughing about some of the things she has heard lately. My sister is a new mom (yay! To big sis and it suits her well), my niece was born on April fools day and what a blessing and congrats to my family and my in-laws.
So (back to my sisters chat) some of these 'things' I have heard before but now having someone to share them with creates for some good laughs. So my sister was going to help me plait my hair so that I can try on my wig and my mom told her she couldn't because my hair would fall out. Interesting right?... so we asked do you mean mine or the one who just offloaded the baby. But my mom and grandma echoed no it is the one whose hair is been braided by the new mom.
My sister and I joked about what scientific evidence/ grade level...is it level A, B, C .... lol I recalled how I was not allowed to eat certain foods and how only soups and yams were most important or bread and tea. I never heard of pregnancy foods until after my first daughter.  I was also informed that everything that I learned from the lactation nurse was a lie and reminded that my grandma had raised 13 children. Jokes aside I credit her for that 13 children by the way because it is not easy raising all those children...mothers go through a lot and My grandmother together with my late grandmother embodies the strength and hardwork which are the biggest characteristics the women in my family carry and she was and still is a great mother. But God bless her heart I am educated and find that some of her beliefs are very old and does not work for me. I actually listened to the lactation nurse and my own research to my grandma's surprise baby girl never used formula...she breastfed till about 14 months.
I recalled her telling me that my daughter is scared because I did not let her throw her up in the air while giving her baths as an infant. I told her grandma it is called the Moro reflex and is normal in an infant.  She hissed and told me the white men always had to have an answer for everything (isnt that the quest for knowledge?) And in fact throwing them in the air is actually frowned upon so as to avoid blood shed in the brain. My grandma also wanted lots of wrappers in my daughter's crib to keep baby cozy but she felt frustrated to hear me say it is also frowned upon to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  It was hard for me to disregard the things that i have learned when some have been associated with harm to the infant and it was hard for her to disregard those things she had proven from raising 13 children.  So what did i do watch with one eye open and undo everything she did and pulled out the yellow and red card that said i am the mama please and i am unsomfortable with this one.
However, It was easier for my mom because she was open to learn the new ways ...my mom said back then they just passed it down and no one asked questions because simply what do you know. She tells me that it makes sense to her but she can understand how someone as old as my grandmother would simply find me annoying. I also understand that and would often allow things that I know isn't harmful so that my children can experience the culture. It is interesting though however and some of the things you can't help but laugh. What cultural practices did you hear about?

Happy Birthday

Our Dear Son,

In a few days you will be one and I have sat up all night preparing the dishes that we will serve at your party.
I also had some time to think about how time had gone by. I remember your pregnancy, you really showed me how strong I can be. You came 10 pounds 3 ounces 22.75 inches long 3weeks earlier than your due date and though you were not an easy delivery, you were my easiest. I remember laboring with you at home with your papa giving me back massages and helping me breathe- we felt connected with you; I remembered saying (as the contractions got stronger )that I guess this is it. I wasn't going to miss your kicks :) When I got to the hospital I was 8.5 cm, we did great.  You finally came out vaginally with some minor complications and so had to go to the step down unit from the NICU. I was exhausted and wondered how you got so big I had exercised all through my pregnancy- your pap was very supportive.
I remembered the first time I held you, you looked just like your sister, I recalled the first time I heard that cry and i knew it was you. We bonded right away and still are.
You have grown so much and started taking more steps. I was afraid that you will bond with me less since I had to go back to work early but that has not being the case. 
You are so smart and can understand both languages, and sometimes even your sisters combo of all three. You and your sister sometimes may bicker but you love your sister so much. I love that you call your papa 'Nna' sometimes. Your papa loves it too.
You love to play and laugh and you have such an infectious laugh that it is saved as my phone's ringtone and my alarm sound.
You have a lot of teeth and love food sheesh! You love food. You steal you sisters food all the time.
You made me a mother of two and I am still learning to balance since your sister still is attached to mama as well. And plus your Nna loves his wife too.
I love teaching you and your sister especially about God. I love how you recognize the tone of importance in my voice and look at me, very serious as if you are soaking it all in.
I fear of the struggles you may encouter growing up as a young black man but I pray for you everyday and ask God to help me raise a calm, responsible, God-fearing young man.
You are stubborn and even lazy atimes and will cry atimes when you don't get your way but your mama is tough isn't she?
I bless you my boy and I thank God for you everyday. You will always touch, feel and breathe success. You will be hardworking, caring and a man of integrity. You will be sensitive and be a great impact to those you encounter. We all love you especially big sissy who showers you with lots of kisses. Happy first birthday! From Mama, Papa, Sis. Mmeso

Happy Thanksgiving

It has truly been a year of thanksgiving.... we are grateful to God for all the wonderful things in our lives. My husband and I both had night duty, but we both came home and all four of us together, hubby and I came to the realization that we were staring at a few of our many blessings. So many car accidents that day on our commute to work and somehow we were all at home- we thanked God.

That our son is present to celebrate with us, despite a traumatic birth is a miracle in itself.

We had so much food to eat today and plenty left over and yet there are many who had very little to nothing to eat somewhere in the world :(

We were together but yet there are those in search for their family. We found a caregiver for our children and we thank God for that blessing...so much to be thankful for I tell you.

The children are growing and becoming very independent; baby boy just cruises all over the place and comes to us for naptime and food. Baby girl oh geez she wakes up says good morning goes to the pantry grabs what she needs and climbs into her high chair. If one of her choices requires the stove (like today custard she hands it to any adult) and goes back and waits for her food.  When she doesnt finish her milk she refrigerates it herself and goes about her business. She does her whole potty routine herself ...with a lot of loud " mama I gat it!"  I suppose she wants me to make myself useful some place else. I can't believe sometimes that she understands when to use her words and sentences. I miss my baby. :(

Anyways they had a great time today with friends and they are off to bed and I should be off to bed too because I have work tomorrow.  

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving day. And dont forget to vote for me at http://nigerianblogawards.com/vote2013.php

Nigerian Blog Awards

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Silence in Our House

At our house these days there is rarely ever a dull moment especially with young miss chatterbox-curios-energetic chic we have fir a daughter.
Right now it is silent and my husband and I do cherish our 59 minutes of fame. Lol we dance, catch up on tv shows, news, ahhh blog, work .... before Chidi wakes up for a feeding before the morning.
Yes the funny thing is my husband and I look forward to this usually at about 8 pm when both kids are exhausted and as a result become a danger to themselves and or others. But when d t T Usuallyme comes we are always thrown off guard for the first 10 minutes. We start to wonder what di we do now? Lol
Baby girl loves her brother; it wasnt love at first sight, their love began the very day she looked at him and he smiled at her...and her face lit up and she exclaimed with so much enthusiasm "mama his laughing." It was then it occurred to me that up until this point this new being must have been annoying to her.  I mean he didnt do much but cry, suck mamas boobies,poop ... she must have wondered what was so special that made him take her mamas time away.
In the picture, the kids were dressed for a long 6 hour drive to ATL to meet papas friend from high school. We had an awesome time. We have started decorations for Xmas and we've bought xmas pjs yay!

Have a great weekend

Our weekdays and weekends are always busy. In fact it will probably not make much of a difference if we had one extra day.
Baby boy is getting sooooo big it is ridiculous. He loves his sister; in the morning when he wakes up he is fussy and brightens up immediayely at the sound of his loud big sister'
And baby girl has started to blow grammar for us. The other day she was talking too much and so loud at church that I lightly pinched her to stop and she yelled out loud "why are you pinching me?" As I tried to ignore her and I was avoiding the stares, she kept repeating her question increasing the pitch in her voice, demanding an explanation. I made the quick decision to explain to her that it is because she was loud and i said to her besides it didn't hurt. So she pinched me and asked me "are u hurt mama?"
This child is definitely 2 going on 25 and knows when and how to push your buttons.
We started her in gymnastics and she loves to cook with mama, basically on pancake day. Hope u re all well.: )

Girlfriends

This weekend was our yearly girlfriend trip and it was a blast in its on way. It is a trip with my close friends from medical school. AB (pediatrician), KW (gen surgeon), TW(obgyn) and me (fam medicine). You may go back to this post - http://thesweetbitterlifeofanigboprincess.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-york.html  For the first few years our meeting spot had always been in New York. It was fast paced, so much to see and do and it fit our lifestyle at the time. Then when I was pregnant with my daughter we met in Kansas (where I did my residency); then the following year it was in Orlando, fl because I was still nursing my daughter. Now this year it was again in Florida (since i am still nursing my son). We laughed as to how much the trip had changed. First of all, we have two children (mine of course) and because we had to worry about them we had to secure a nanny, and limit the places we would go but somehow we managed to have a good time. They got to see how I live and how i balance my many roles, at the end of the trip they wondered who took care of me. Who knows?
I enjoyed the time with them and I appreciate their willingness to make it work. Though i had to break away a few times to nurse my son it did not ruin the trip.
We take a face picture every year in the same position and we plan to do it every year for another 50 + years. I love these women, we uplift and enrich each other and those few days we spend each year are great though they have never been enough.

 

I'm counting my blessings

I'm sitting in my car pumping breastmilk for my little munchkin who is still exclusively breastfed. Today is my weekend to cover for my group and papa is home by himself with both our children for over 2 hours. I have some anxiety but all is well thus far. In fact I checked in and none of our children's arms are missing. In fact the good thing about it is my husband gets a taste of what many take for granted- the mom. He sent me this awesome text message...

"Ndaa, don't know how you are able to coordinate all these with the kids.  Some times, it is stressful but I enjoy every minute with them. You are very good with them. You are a great mom any kid should hope for.  We love you and keep up the good work."

I wish I can leave it all and run home to celebrate mothers day- yes mothers day. But I've got to work till Monday.I'm with them as I take my breaks in between to pump, call home and hear him say " Ndaa when re u coming home"; baby girl screaming in excitement mama! When she hears my voice and my 4 month old cooing in the background. I'm counting my blessings...they make my hectic days feel like a piece of cake .

Beads

I saw Baby girl light up when she saw beads on a girls hair, so I went out and bought some beads and did this. Boy! Was she patient through it all and now that it is done, she is having a great time flipping it back and forth. The noise may get annoying after a while but it is nice to see her enjoy her hair. That is a picture of little man clocking 3 months old boo! How time flies. His sister is enjoying him more and more. :)

Working Mama

Hope you have all been well. So I am back to work and truthfully it was hard to come back, but as soon as I got in the groove of things  I realized very quickly that I do enjoy being a 'working mama'.  Yup! it makes me focus at work so that I can run home to my babies.  Yesterday I was due to pump so I had a nursing cover, and pumped while I drove home from work, and at the same time I was taking calls from the hospital staff on my earpiece.  We still eat home cooked meals in our house prepared mostly by me (phew! I was concerned about that). Anyways, when I arrived home baby girl topped it up by running to give me her biggest embrace with a loud "Mama! I luh u!"

It is amazing how much of a difference it is going from a mama of one to a mama of two, I am mastering giving both kids attention including my husband (work-in-progress); I feel like I am not as readily available to my friends and family; I've also felt that I have less time for myself but oddly enough it rarely bothers me; I've  felt like I have learned to exercise any and every time that I have with the children; I now feel that the time in the day is too short for me; I've cheated on several occasions on my children's bed time so that I can play with them; I've felt like my priorities have changed, and before I had no time for drama but now I do not tolerate or allow it at all; we always have guests at my house (b-day, baby shower, birth ....) so I am increasingly enjoying hosting; I have less time to exercise (open to tips).

My phone and is planning skills has become one of my best pals, if that appointment is not on my phone I forget it all together;  I have had less time for blogging; or even writing in my children's journal;  Baby girl has also taught me a lot of patience and I am teaching her about boundaries ; she is a 2 year old that came with the package deal- by that I mean all of the challenges that comes with discipline.

Cheers to you all! And I will come back soon.

New Baby, New Challenges...meet Little Brother

Maternity :)

This pregnancy has not been easy.  In fact it has been more difficult because papa has been gone a lot and taking care of an active toddler alone with a belle has proven to be quite a challege.  We've managed and conquered however; also baby girl is starting to comprehend and is proven to be quite helpful (when given direction).  She is still all over the place though.

We were able to go on vacation/baby moon to disney world in Orlando and Kennedy Space Center.  We rented a homely apartment for a week and that worked better than a hotel.  My parents watched her for a day so that we could go out. It was very nice not worrying about work and waking up to the warmth of your loved ones.

We shot our maternity shot and had a swell time, .... that was after baby decided to tone down her tantrum.  We still are awaiting our surprise but we are closely counting down.  We really are blessed and amazed that very soon we will be the mama's and papa's of two and baby girl will be a big sister. Here re some maternity pics- I can't post 'em all.