Baby Bella and the Language of Love

There are many ways to say I love you, and in our home, we say it through names. I never realized how full of affection language could be until I became a mother. My daughter, Isabella, answers to so many names that sometimes even she laughs trying to keep up. To me, she is Isabella,… Continue reading Baby Bella and the Language of Love

The Magic of a Child’s Ever-Changing Favorites

When you watch a child grow, you begin to notice a rhythm in the way they latch on to things. One week, their heart belongs to a stuffed animal, the next week it might be a toy car, and before long something else entirely takes over their imagination. My daughter has been teaching me this… Continue reading The Magic of a Child’s Ever-Changing Favorites

Chasing Bubbles, Catching Time

It’s Sunday today, and the sky outside is grey. I’m not sure what it’s like where you are, but here, the forecast says this gloomy stretch will linger until Tuesday. The rain comes and goes—light showers passing through, leaving everything damp. Sometimes the sun peeks out for a moment, but not long enough to dry… Continue reading Chasing Bubbles, Catching Time

Fruits, Favorites, and Childhood Trees

The other day, I saw a prompt question that asked: List your five favorite fruits. At first, it sounded easy. But then I stopped. Do I even have five fruits I truly love? I started counting. Mango—definitely. Jackfruit, yes. Buko (young coconut), for sure, especially with the juice. And then… I paused. Peanuts came to… Continue reading Fruits, Favorites, and Childhood Trees

Evenings Like This Are Everything

After a long day of work, when emails blur into one another and tasks pile up quicker than they get ticked off, the only thing that brings me back to life is time spent with my daughter and husband. It doesn’t have to be anything big or extravagant — just small things that remind us… Continue reading Evenings Like This Are Everything

One of the Teachers I’ll Always Remember: Ma’am Bariwa

When I think about the many teachers I’ve had in my life, one name always stands out, even after all these years—Mrs. Tessie Bariwa, or as we all knew her, Ma’am Bariwa. She was my very first teacher in Grade 1, and even though it has been decades since those early school days, her memory… Continue reading One of the Teachers I’ll Always Remember: Ma’am Bariwa

The Best Place to Raise a Child: Finding Safety and Peace

The place where a child grows up shapes their entire world. It is not just about the house they live in but the streets they walk, the people they see every day, and the overall environment that influences their young minds. As parents, we always want the best for our children, and finding the right… Continue reading The Best Place to Raise a Child: Finding Safety and Peace

The Sweetest Words

There are moments in life that seem to exist outside of time, moments so pure and full that they imprint themselves onto the soul. Today was one of those moments. My daughter, my little girl who has always found her own way of expressing love, finally said the words I had been waiting to hear.… Continue reading The Sweetest Words

The Evolution of My Name: A Mother’s Journey in Words

There’s a certain kind of magic in the way a child learns to speak, especially when it comes to the words they use for their parents. It’s not just language development; it’s a reflection of their emotions, their growth, and their evolving understanding of the world. My own journey through the names my daughter has… Continue reading The Evolution of My Name: A Mother’s Journey in Words

My Daughter’s First Tricycle Ride

Watching my two-year-old daughter ride her tricycle on her own for the first time made me incredibly happy today. It was such a simple moment, yet it felt so special. For the longest time, she had either been uninterested or too afraid to ride by herself. My husband and I had always been the ones… Continue reading My Daughter’s First Tricycle Ride

The Time I Wish I Had More Of

If I could wish for one thing every day, it would be more time with my daughter while she’s still young. Every moment feels fleeting, and I often wonder how different things might have been if I had more time to spend with her in these early years. She’s only two years and one month… Continue reading The Time I Wish I Had More Of

Saba Bananas: A Taste of Home and Childhood Memories

One of my all-time favorite foods is cooked banana, specifically saba bananas. Growing up, it was a staple in our home—sometimes enjoyed as a main meal, other times as a simple yet satisfying snack. No matter how it was prepared, it always brought me comfort and joy. Saba bananas are incredibly versatile. They can be… Continue reading Saba Bananas: A Taste of Home and Childhood Memories

Bella’s Second Trip to Amsterdam: A Different Adventure

Returning to Amsterdam with our little Bella for the second time felt both familiar and new. This time, she was no longer the tiny baby who simply observed the world from the comfort of a stroller. At 17 months old, she was now a little explorer, full of energy, curiosity, and, of course, the occasional… Continue reading Bella’s Second Trip to Amsterdam: A Different Adventure

The Magic of Hide and Seek with Our One-Year-Old

There’s something truly enchanting about watching a one-year-old discover the world. Every day is an adventure, every experience a lesson, and every game a doorway to understanding. Lately, our daughter has embraced a classic childhood pastime with a level of enthusiasm and skill that has left us both amused and amazed. Hide and seek, a… Continue reading The Magic of Hide and Seek with Our One-Year-Old