Another Sunday 🌿 // 🌤️ "...the fear and the gratitude, the complexity and the suffering. Blessed are we who pour out to you the whole of it [...] The gratitude for those beautiful hearts in action who came willingly, into the strange and awkward space that is my need. Blessed are we, learning [...] and we grow and we hurt and we heal... " https://www.instagram.com/p/CpuNYYsvcCD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Past 4 AM currently & I'm fully awake from having to get up for multiple 👶 related reasons... 🌘 My son's balancing his 16 kg. bod on my side arm & rib as I type... What better time to upload some pics. 🙃🤪😬 https://www.instagram.com/p/Co8jZ-OPwy6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

All the high chairs in the world, but wants his Daddy's lap the most. 🤍 I have just 3 days left to call him "my 1 year old baby". 😓 Though he skipped in size way too quick. No "fast" like newborn to toddler stage. Realistically unable to chase all changes while juggling life... ⏳ (If only it was possible to just sit & watch you play longer, & forget other duties... Bittersweet knowing someday this must end, how you [always] reach for any part of me --even while you're asleep, taking my hand... And how you grab if I just step back ( improvement from previous squeal cries if I just stand up! Madness ) ☕ Everyday has really been a race for us. But the competition is only between him, me, & his dad. Whoever can accomplish more chores so we can finally movie night, though still on multitask mode... ✨ Whoever can catch Axon from falling another furniture he climbed, 🍼 whoever can get milk quicker in the middle of the night... Oh, endless list 📃. 🙌🏼 May I have the grace to allow you to grow, as you should. They say nothing could prepare for the transition of "ma-ma", to "mommy", to "mom", to "bruh"... 🙄🤯😁 Stahp! #birthdaybaby #slowdown https://www.instagram.com/p/CmnC4kfBwvj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

All the high chairs in the world, but wants his Daddy's lap the most. 🤍 I have just 3 days left to call him "my 1 year old baby". 😓 Though he skipped in size way too quick. No "fast" like newborn to toddler stage. Realistically unable to chase all changes while juggling life... ⏳ (If only it was possible to just sit & watch you play longer, & forget other duties... Bittersweet knowing someday this must end, how you [always] reach for any part of me --even while you're asleep, taking my hand... And how you grab if I just step back ( improvement from previous squeal cries if I just stand up! Madness ) ☕ Everyday has really been a race for us. But the competition is only between him, me, & his dad. Whoever can accomplish more chores so we can finally movie night, though still on multitask mode... ✨ Whoever can catch Axon from falling another furniture he climbed, 🍼 whoever can get milk quicker in the middle of the night... Oh, endless list 📃. 🙌🏼 May I have the grace to allow you to grow, as you should. They say nothing could prepare for the transition of "ma-ma", to "mommy", to "mom", to "bruh"... 🙄🤯😁 Stahp! #birthdaybaby #slowdown https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmm_phJBIZo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Blurry days.Going by too fast... 🚀 🌱 Teach us to number our days... to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. 🎄 (Psalm 90:12) // We celebrate you, Jesus! #thereaSonfortheseason Thankful for the chance to experience LIFE. Thankful for the gift too wonderful for words! 🙌🏼 #MerryChristmas https://www.instagram.com/p/CmjaXfdvfdP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Some 📸s from our 1st 🇦🇪 trip, back and forth, gradually trying to settle back from scratch - - after 🙇🏻‍♂️  got that highly unexpected phonecall, 🌥 detouring our lives once more! ➡️ Videos: 🇵🇭 When you want to travel but don't want to rush pack your whole life yet again! 💼😭😅🤣🙌🏼🌈 #HappyNationalDayUae https://www.instagram.com/p/ClwGZPbPusI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This day, we choose to count. (🎶 a million little miracles 🌤️) + 📝🍵 recalling pivotal moments when perseverance was the test; 🌱 finding how all worked out for the better, though we initially couldn't see it... & how every decision mattered  🌳 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkgRLeApoR6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Uploading these before another change, tomorrow.... Barely keeping up to the daily surprises of infant-toddler stage. 🚀 Putting him to sleep at the moment... I remember how his lashes seemed to have grown overnight. WAH. Today, all his shoes are tight! 🤷🏻‍♀️🙆🏻‍♂️ Earlier this week, they fit him perfectly... #growthspurt (Nobody really smiles while pushing the pram for hours, with the reality of heavy baby bags parents must carry.... but here we are. 📸😅😜) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci2Ui2SJbbk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

1st day out, after quarantine. Kiddo is happy. Parents are happier. 🎉🙌🏼 // last pic ➡️ Rushed to the restroom to change Axon's nappy. For a second there I almost entered "M"... because, Mother! #what 😳🤪😭🤯😅🙃 #kalurks https://www.instagram.com/p/ChR83CZJMLn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#SunnyDays #SleepySmiles Axon's 2nd happiest 🇵🇭 trip yet. He was even grinning in his sleep. (He holds my hand any chance possible, & often wakes when I do...)🎑 I was a bit ill, & repeatedly got up in between rest to drink meds etc...  And there he would be, smiling, / reaching to pat me. Hahaha! Most comforting + mind boggling. 😅 I get it now. How deciding to have a child means having your heart walk around outside your body. 🦋 https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFA8-RJ4tQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[🙍🏻‍♂️], not the most ideal timing to post since our household has been battling Covid but today's too special, I want to at least have something here 📱... Days have been swift. 🌤️ We've been busier than ever but life's truly better when we're together. #HappyAnniversary! 🥂 *toasting on honey lemon ginger tea* 🤧🤢🥴 // 📸 back when rami nating time maglakwacha haha // Currently wrapped in blankets now 🛋️, while our mountaineer child is climbing all things at home + us. 🤸⛰ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgjw3YDvywL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Last night, I told Axon a real life bedtime story about how admirable my father is. Being a new/amateur parent has made me see more & more how, for decades, you just gave & gave... Even when it was inconvenient or gravely difficult, you kept deciding to do what's best for the family as a whole. 🤍 Not everyone can handle it, but I THANK YOU for allowing our home to be transparent... A safe place, no matter what. Knowing & discussing that much detail can only make or break. Through the worst and best times, I've seen you choose to be consistent as a faithful man... 💯 enabling you to hold your marriage with high integrity, & continue to be the sacrificial, loving father that you are. I hope Axon won't take for granted that he's coming from a mighty lineage. To you, dad, honor is so well-deserved. #happyfathersday https://www.instagram.com/p/CfBhIpGKLiQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

👶: "I'm fresh but my shirt is dirty" // Typical mom sitch: simultaneously eating 🍲, trying/chasing to feed 🥣, singing 🎶, pumping 🍼,  keeping him far from certain things he's so drawn to, e.g. 🍽 sharp objects 🗡, the sizzling pot on the next table 🔥🍲... ++ ensuring he doesn't hurt himself (/ anyone) or break anything ------- though the other day 😨 I DID THROW a HOT ESPRESSO ceramic cup (I was about to drink) out of his way... as he suddenly 🏃‍♂️ ran, squealed, gigil hugged me! ☕ #FLYINGcup #priorities 🤷🏻‍♀️ 😎🙄🥱🤍  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdc7GntpBdP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Edison's bride for 2+ yrs. now📱 & my name on his phone is still "Arky Mancao vcf dxb" 🤪😅😂🤣 P.S. I don't look like this now, but thanks to Dred Postigo for making me seem so well rested & look like someone who did not plan her own wedding in 2 weeks. 🤍 #surprise! 👰💒🤵 https://www.instagram.com/p/CcfUjWRPbpD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#tb Running to Fatteh w/ ghee cravings 🫓 #SyrianCuisine & waking up to [All our faves, breakfast bowl*] 🥣 #Acai + 🙇🏻‍♂️ Choc chip cookies, Crunchy Almond Swiss Toblerone, strawberries, cereal... 🙋🏻‍♀️ Stroopwafels, ginger cookies, grapes, blueberries, macca... ====== 🙇🏻‍♂️: "San yung portable speakers natin?" 🙎🏻‍♀️: "You gave to the janitor, remember..." 🙇🏻‍♂️: "Aah... Don't you have extra?" 🙎🏻‍♀️: "No. We have zero portable speakers." 🙇🏻‍♂️: "Sure... Kahit yung galing sa ex mo?" 🙎🏻‍♀️: "What? I already let that go." 🙍🏻‍♂️: *punches ab* "Dapat lang! That was a test!!!" 🤷🏻‍♀️: 😳🙃😬🤣🙄😂 #grr (*when we USED TO have extra time pa to prep)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcZ2Gvqv3WD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

"It's wise and natural to ask God to protect our children. We should want them to be kept from harm and hard heartedness. But with faith in mind, pray this too: 'God, if my children travel where I don't want them to go, use it for their good and for your glory'" - J.H.Perry 🙌🏼 🏜️ ===== Timely 📖. Recent dinner discussion : - destructive consequences of callousness. #caution Hard heartedness is a real antagonist. ⚠ - significant [what was intended to harm, God turned it into good / Gen.50] moments 🌈 🙍🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♀️🖼️  (Posting additional 📸 from huz' phone, while making 👶 nap... ☁️) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcAZ-ncvAYe/?utm_medium=tumblr

Kid's Party is now our thing... 😅🥰 "Spontaneous", charming dinner for inspo mom, Mel, & darling Avie Mabelle. 🎉 Looove celebrating friends' milestones! 🎶 // P..S. If I throw a spontaneous party for 👶, anytime around this season of chasing tasks by the minute... A heads up to guests, it'll probably be an "eat whatever you want from the fridge" theme! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb4jFuLJGnb/?utm_medium=tumblr