LadeeNesta

2012-02-01T00:15:00.001+08:00

When she turned three in October, we asked Hanna when was she going to be rid of her diapers. Her answer was simple, 'Wait ah! When i go school i don't use diapers anymore ok? I'll weewee in the toiletbowl.'

Somehow, we took her word for it and waddya know, 3 weeks already in school and she is, as promised, off her diapers!

*proud mommy smile*

Her ayah and I have been potty training her since she was 30 months! Thinking then, oh she's already 2 and a half, perfect timing to start. But somehow, or rather, as much as she ACTUALLY tells when she pees, she can NEVER make it in time to the toilet. Or she'll just continue peeing in her diapers till it's mad full! Poop wise, she grew accustomed to that 'gotta poop!' feeling so she has passed that 'big business in the toilet' test since 30 months. It's just the pee part where me and the ayah just can't get right.

Frustrating i tell u! We were encouraging, we scolded, we did it with rewards. Nope, all tak load!
We came to realise, she really just wasn't ready!

But with the promise she gave us, she held on to it and kept her word. A mere 3 weeks and she has merrily and proudly said, 'Byebye diapers!'

And hello, bontot tepos! Hahahahaha. So cute can?

Aaah yes, another reminder to me that my precious and lovable firstborn, is growing. *sigh*

Though she's still always up to some kind of mischief!

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2012-01-27T00:54:00.001+08:00

The husband and i have been practising Malay with Hanna for a while now. Her ayah speaks more Malay with her while i'm the English speaker. Ehems.

We see she has been trying to speak more Malay too. With Ilham especially. Something like monkey see monkey do. She sees us speaking to her in both Malay and English so she takes it upon herself to speak dual language to her bro too! Tsk. So maknenek.

Of late, me and her ayah have been doing alot of 'what is ______ in melayu?' She's gotten body parts ok. And some other simple Malay words. She herself has gotten down to asking us what's this and that in Malay.

Ayah: 'What's bear in Melayu?'
Hanna: 'Beluang!'
Ayah: 'BeRuang lahh!'
Hanna: 'Correct what. BeLuang!!!'

Peyat R anak aku!!! LOL!

Best yet, when she asked,
'Soap is English ah. Then Melayu sabun, right? Sabun in Spanish ape?'

*smack forehead*

Thanks Dora!

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What's my age again?

2012-01-15T18:19:00.001+08:00

Two weeks have passed since we said a big HULLO to 2012. Actually, no difference, same ol same ol, right? No ushering of new year in style. No more countdowns, no more parties, no more jostling with the crowd. We ushered in 2012 at a friend's, the bestie's. Had a 21st birthday celebration for her sis. Royalz were there, 3/4 of us at least 'cause The Yassirs couldn't make it. But we chilled till wee hours so that was our new year's celebration.

But that's not the point of this entry. Haha.

See, with the new year and all, i decided, why not new perspective, new ways, new lifestyle etc etc. So i sat down before the new year in gave it a long thought. Things i want to improve in myself. Be a better person, you know. So i came up with:

1. Be healthier. HELL YEAH!
I havn't been on the exercising side for a loooooong time! Body's all ready to be scrapped, REALLY. Bones going krak kruk on me, this joint pain, that muscle strain, lethargy! Alamak, rabaks ok!
So yea, a healthy regime is in the works. Starting slow, don't want to shock the sysyem. Terkehel jugak badan nanti, terkejut! Been taking brisk walks round the neighbourhood. Did some circuit training at the fitness corner. Doing abit of home yoga. Looking good so far. Feeling great, albeit only starting off. But yes, body feels more energised! All that endorphines working, i reckon. Who knows by year end, i can be dubbed Mai.Lo Kudis! (my LATEST moniker of jLo+Mila Kunis! Ya la ya la, go puke now la! Hmpf! -____-)

2. Be wiser.
Let go of unnecessary bullshit. Enough lah right. It's not 1978 anymore. No time to merajuk merajuk, no time to gossip gossip, no time to ungkit ungkit and definitely no time to layan orang orang gangguan. I am learning to accept that you can't please everyone and not everyone is going to like you (me lah!) So, new mantra, if you're here to stay, well, hello! If you're just around to be a menace then BUHBYE! The awesome Mary J Blige once sang, 'no more dramas in my life.' Yes, no more dramas ok everybody. Learn to accept, learn to live. Let go of muddy water, take in the clean ones. (super direct translation of buang yang keroh, ambil yang jernih! HAHAHA) It's only natural to br surrounded by people with different values, different perspective. Let them be. You have your own life to lead, why worry about others!

3. Learn more about religion.
Doesn't really need much explanation, huh? Want to better myself, dunia pon nak, akhirat pon nak jugak. Iyeee? Hurhurhur.

4. Bake!
Also another obvious one. Put that precious oven to use and bake, bake and bake! Gonna summon my inner Nigella. Ommm...

5. Grow my hair long again.
Like before marriage, long.

6. Learn how to cycle.
So no one leaves me behind when they go cycling. Not anymore!!!

So, that's about it really. Bit by bit. My 2012.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, it's also because i'm turning THIRTY this year! Heh heh heh!

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2012-01-07T01:05:00.001+08:00

Hanna started school on Thursday. Yes, she has reached that point where she goes out into the world and errr...spread her wings and fly. Hurhur.

She was all geared up for school, months before. Always talking about it! And i, being the emo nemo mintak kena sumo mom, felt all overwhelmed and worried and proud and...oh you know, all that mambo jumbo mix of emotions rolled into one!

The night before, i had a little cry. Got all teary when i gave her a good night kiss and hug. My baby girl, my firstborn, all grown up. In school. Not needing me to be there by her side. *sigh*

She was all smiles, excited to meet new friends. And when i sent her to the door, it was like i wasn't even there. Off she went, all independent and confident. Deep down, to be honest, i *had* wanted that teeny weeny bit of emotional breakdown from her. You know, just to feel wanted! HAHAHAHAHAHA! But who am i kidding? We're talking about Hanna, right? The spritly one!

Oh wells, school will do her good. All those years of being by herself, only meeting friends her age occassionally during playdates. This will teach her how to tolerate others, learn the fundamentals of being around others and to be able to mingle well. I *think* me and the mister have nurtured her well with mannerisms and the basics of life. School is where she learns to adapt new things. Other than the usual ABCs and 123s.

So here's to a great time in school, oh little princess. Go kick some ass!!! (no, not literally, please!)

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2011-12-30T03:42:00.001+08:00

Did a little look see on tumblr. Was thinking of moving, cause tumblr looks cool and all (yeaaaa...) BUT for the love of God i couldnt really get how to go around it.

Ho wells, my dear blogspot here holds too much precious memory. I suddenly feel all emotional about shifting and losing my posts.

Besides, i probably have some people who don't want to be found in tumblr. My tumblr existence might just scare them away. So yea. *shrugs*

In case anyone wasn't updated, i am kinda like the boogie man.

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2011-12-22T22:25:00.001+08:00

Little man is standing with aid now. So yaya, crawl crawl crawl, stand up. Crawl crawl stand up. Grab something, put in mouth! Ergh! He puts EVERYTHING in his mouth!!! Just the other day, he stuffed this in his mouth...

NO! It's not a REAL lemon. It's one of Hanna's toys. Stuffed the whole thing in his little mouth. Of course, i freaked out BIG time!

Then give me this kinda innocent 'what? I dunno...' face! Tsk. How to scold?

Started disturbing his sissy. Play together lah, right? Bond.

And sometimes, he'll just end up...

after taking a tumble from all that standing and crawling and harrassing.

Only 8 months, multiple adventures!

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2011-12-15T22:04:00.001+08:00

With Hanna back then, i didn't get to prepare much food for her cause she wasn't an eater. She'd be really contented with a full proper meal the whole day and drank lots of milk. No matter how i try to stuff her with food, she'd not want to eat.

But it's a HEYUGE difference with Ilham. He.Eats.Everything!!! OMG, like the father ah, everything also wallop! I'm actually so glad this one has such an awesome appetite! When he turned 6 months, i slowly started him off with Frisocrem. Not bad i thought, 30ml daily, once a day. After a few weeks, i upgraded him to purees. Single purees in a week. He lapped up purees of apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes and avocadoes. I even allowed him little snacks of biscuits. Especially when we're eating out. He'd be staring us down, doing chewing actions, drooling. So feed him biscuits la! Macam kesian like that, make pathetic face, never get to eat. Hahaha!

So weekly, i'll be prepping his meals. Chop chop chop, boil boil boil, blend blend blend.

Outcome?

There you go! When it's feeding time, thaw, squirt squirt of the booby milk and OM NOM NOM! Yummeh! (for him lah!)

Now, at 8 months, he has progressed to mixed purees and proper mealtimes. He'd have breakfast of Frisocrem or pureed fruits of the week. Lunch will be pureed veges. His last meal will be around 6pm, a serving of pureed fruits or biscuits.

Top that with his usual milking needs and at night you'll get this...

Da kenyang, tidur ah! Ape lagi!

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2011-12-09T20:54:00.001+08:00

The other evening, we returned from doing a little grocery shopping and was in abit of a frenzy cause the little boy pooped and the big boy (the husband la) wanted to poop! So i had to wash the little boy up. While big boy rushed to the toilet to do his business.

And all the while we were occupied with our whatevers, Hanna was occupied too. She did this...

...she unpacked our groceries!!!

And lined them up in a neat row!

Hahahahahaha. Too cute lah this one! And she beamed proudly as she proclaimed, 'I'm so helpful, right? I take out the things for you. Sayang me or not?'

Yes, dearie. U are so loved. Even if you didn't unpack the groceries.

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2011-11-28T23:45:00.001+08:00

Eversince he's started crawling, he's everywhere in the house. And of late, he has a penchant of crawling up to me whenever he wants his feed.

Then he'd climb all over me just to nestle himself on my bosoms. All i got to do is just lay down or sit and well, flip my top and he'll find his way. No use cradling him now. He hates it!

Everytime without fail, i'll then end up having him like this...

which is exactly how i am (and him) positioned now.

By the way, as he is at his crawl and climb phase, it bloody hurts when he 'tramples' all over me just to get snuggly and comfy! Macam baby elephant btul! :p

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2011-11-22T23:15:00.001+08:00

One of elder guy cousins got married last weekend. He's Malaysian, wife's a Singaporean. Wedding was part one of a two parter inter-country event. The Singapore Leg we called it. Yea, we had to use a soccer term, right?

Us cousins grew up really really close. We literally saw each other grow up. Did the good, bad, what our parents shouldn't know stuff together. Nevermind that we might be living far from each other. So, this wedding was one of those 'damn, we're old' revelations.

Alhamdulillah, the event went well, despite the weather towards the end.

To the bride and groom, a hearty congratulations, you two! May your marriage be blessed with all things good. Be happy and love each other through all the days, be it good or bad. And make cute babies now! Heh heh.

Now, let's get on with the Malaysian Leg in Shah Alam this coming weekend!

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2011-11-20T23:33:00.001+08:00

The kids sleep, well, for a lack of better word, horribly. Lol. What i mean is, they toss and turn and flip and roll and get into weird pretzel-like positions. Mister and i find it so amusing to see them behave like little contortionists but if they happen to be squeezed in between us, now, that's not amusing at all. No.

(In fact, the mister can just roll away and sleep in the living room or on the floor! Avoid getting kicked and slapped and shoved.)

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2011-11-13T05:27:00.001+08:00

A month ago i ranted about how stressed and depressed i felt. How exhaustion took a toll on me and i became a mess. Alhamdulillah, i am feeling way way better now.

Maybe because i decided to open up to the husband about how i really felt at home. It helps to talk things out, really. Well in my case, a little bit (read: ALOT!!) of crying of also helped! Heee! Now, he truly understands how i am coping. I also sort of, set myself a timetable so as to not bog myself down with endless chores which will always be interrupted by the kids. I don't do ANY housework, except cook for me and the girl, when the mister is on morning shift. So basically, i just tend to the kids. Also gives me the whole day to do any kind of activities with them! I take them out. Just me and them. I do some activities with H while I looks on. And when i do some exercising or tumble play with I, H will be doing her own toddler kinda play. Win-win huh? Chores will then be divided properly during days that mister is around. I become less tired and less agitated this way.

Ilham's progress also provided me with time and abit more energy than before. He isn't too clingy like that period of time. He is so much happier and is able to be left alone for hours even, on his 'spaceship' or to roll around. And now, wowowee, he has started crawling! Yaay Ilham!
Not yet at speed but he can crawl and grab on to things pretty fast. Blink and he already has something in his mouth. Turning out to be as playful and cheeky as the sissy. Mischievious too!

Appetite wise, what can i say? Ever ready to open wide and take in whatever i offer. As of today, he is 7 months and he has happily consumed carrot puree, pear puree, applesauce, cereals and baby biscuits. I also give him juice to drink every morning. Like a breakfast sort of thing. Oh, and still on the boobs, this one!

His sis by the way, also somehow or rather might have had some kind of 'epiphany' to not be so difficult. Or maybe because Adik is more fun to play with, she has become so helpful to keep an eye on the brother.

So i guess, the Hafidzs household is back to normal. No loony mom bursting out of her 'seams', exploding at every other minute. But i really honestly pray i won't plunge into that deep hole again. Insya'allah, He gives me strength to march on. A woman, afterall, has hidden strength, unleashed at times needed most. ;)

The hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world. - W R Wallace

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2011-11-07T00:59:00.001+08:00

The girl turned three on the 20th of October. Seriously, tell me again where has time flown off to? Has it really been three years? She has grown and matured so much in this three years, though no matter what, she's still our little breech baby.

Of late, she has a major passion for anything princessy. Typical! Girls! I'm not a fan of pink, i swear. I remember telling my girlfriends i'm never pinkifying her! But, ho hum, look what's happened now? If u ask her what her fav colour is, gladly she'll tell you it's pink because Princess Aurora wears a pink dress! -____-

(which by the way is her new name, Hanna Aurora! Like how OMG is that?!)

So her dad decided this year's birthday she can choose her own presents! Going crazy would be an understatement. EVERYTHING in the girls section, she wanted. But we had to narrow down and ended up with surprise surprise; a princess Barbie! Threw in some change of clothes for the doll, some new paintbrushes and a new set of pyjamas for her babydoll.

We also had a few candle blowing sessions for her. Just for the shere joy of it! Hee.

Admittedly, her father and i were a liiiittle emotional, just looking at how she has grown. From a tiny helpless baby she has bloomed into this non-stop yapping, loving, fun, mischievious, hard headed, dramatic toddler. She's so fun to be with now. So enjoyable to talk to. So...big.

*sniff*

Hope u loved your third sweetheart, as much as the love all of us have for u.

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Hanna's language adventure!

2011-11-04T20:21:00.001+08:00

The girl, i must say, has a good grasp of English. For a 3yo, her dad and i are quite surprised at how quick she learns new words. But people, especially the elders, always ask if she can't speak Malay. Ok lah granted, she speak Melayu hancur skit. Very pasar. But she understands! So u can speak Malay to her but she'll of course answer you in English. Grrr... And you'll probably roll around laughing hearing her pasar Malay!

The other night she met her great grandmom. The old lady, expectedly, don't understand English. We kept reminding her 'cakap Melayu dengan Jujuk!' So at times she'll carry out hilarious convos in her pasar Melayu.

She wanted the old lady to put something in this particular box so she went, 'Ah Jujuk, put erh...barang barang dalam box ok!'

And on the way home when she shouted Assalamua'laikum to the old lady who replied bye, she exclaimed, 'Eh not bye la jujuk! Wa'alaikumsalam! Must cakap Melayu right?'

*sigh*

And thanks to cartoons on Nick Jr, she has picked up Spanish and Mandarin! Caught her counting her blocks in Espanyol the other day. Feeling! And telling me to 'Vamos!' to get something done quickly. Tsk.

Please, perfecto your Melayu first ok little bambina before you dabble with other languages. Erh, capiche?

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2011-10-11T23:48:00.001+08:00

It hasn't been rosy lately. I've been unwell. Not unwell per se but unwell, well, emotionally. And mentally, kinda.

I think it's a case of PND. Post Natal Depression. I know, Ilham's coming to 6 months and all, and people are probably saying, 'Doesn't PND come right after birth?' Guess not.

No, i haven't gone all loco and do crazy stupid things. But i've been frumpy and very unpleasant to be with. Especially at home. I am a totally different person outside. Maybe it's the air. But yes, at home, i've been all...desolate. I sulk, i'm moody most times, i shout at the kids, i cry myself to sleep, i feel so irritated with the man etc etc. The whole energy at home is just pure negative. I've turned into a monster. It sucks.

I know exactly what attributed to all these. My exhaustion. Yes, so i merely stay home. I don't go out to work. I don't have that extra baggage. But put a baby who is very manja with me, doesn't want anyone else when it's nap/sleep time and an attention seeking tot together, plus keeping the house well kept, major lack of sleep...BAM! Recipe for one lady ie. ME to get all moody and sucky. And this was accumulated for days and days at end that it became simply too overwhelming.

It got too bad. I realised it has to stop. And i seek solace in the one being i know that can give me my serenity and mentality. God.

What they say is right. You tend to seek His help mostly when u need help. I need major help! I needed to calm down. I needed to slow down. As i sat at my prayer mat during Maghrib, i cried. I love my children way too much. It's unfair for them to be around an unpleasant mom. Hanna is growing up at rapid speed and she is such a smart girl. She knows i'm not alright. I have to be alright for her. Ilham needs me. He's just a baby. I have to be alright for him. The man. He needs to know his wife is strong enough to balance home, him and kids. Especially when he is the sole breadwinner. All he has to worry about is finance. I have to be alright for him.

I have to be alright for my family.

I'm taking small steps to getting my mind together. I'm isolating myself from negativity. From things that will make my mind wander and wonder. Get my act together. Get my mind straight. Get well.

Embrace the fact that my life is great. It IS. It really is. And i failed to see that. And if i continue to fail to see that what i have is gold, then i'm a failure.

And that i know, i'm not.

Insya'allah. I'll get out of this mental hellhole.

Insya'allah.

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2011-09-09T22:01:00.001+08:00

Don't allow your wounds to transform you into someone you're not.
- Paulo Coelho

How true.

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Love.

2011-09-05T00:19:00.001+08:00

Was putting the girl to sleep and as i stared at her sweet peaceful face, i somehow wanted to cry.

I went over and peeked at the boy and that overwhelming feeling came over me again.

This is love. True, pure and unconditional. The kind you'll give your life for, no doubt. The kind that makes you smile to yourself without realising, laugh out loud with such sincerity and burst into tears at the slightest hurt they feel. It makes you protective, possessive, delirious, agitated, overjoyed. It just takes over you.

This is love. The ones who have their little hearts in the palm of your hands.

Their hearts are in mine and i keep them close; close to my heart.

This is love. My loves.

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2011-09-03T01:31:00.001+08:00

5th day of Syawal today. The husband, amazingly, got a whole long week leave so we 'raya sakan' and went visiting from one house to another. The kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Especially the girl, who's at an age to appreciate Hari Raya. The boy has been good too. Only breaking down at 9 each night, ringing the alarm to surrender for the day and go home!

Salam Aidilfitri from us, Hafidzs. Maaf zahir dan batin.

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2011-08-14T03:59:00.003+08:00

Bite sized update...

The boy turned 4 months yesterday.

The boy and his dad turned bald!

The girl is about 2 months shy of turning 3.

The Royalz had a Batam retreat.

I touched Mr Brett Anderson's hand. *swooooooon*

We're into the 14th day of Ramadhan as i type this.

Life has been well, Alhamdulillah.

Happy August y'all.

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2011-07-14T02:08:00.001+08:00

Been a while. Brain juice abit dry on what to update. But here goes.

Ilham aka Fatboy (for obvious reasons) turned 3 months yesterday. A hefty one this one is growing to be. Weighing at 5plus kg now. Drinks alot, sleeps alot. Good pooper though he has a little colic/wind problem. Stressful bit there cause he cries uncontrollably when his tummy gets uncomfy. But when he's ok, he's all smiles and giggles. Responses to your chit chats very well. He looooooves to chit chat by the way. And he loooooves his sister! A great source of entertainment i reckon cause i have to admit, she does know how to keep the bro company.

She'll sing and dance, read for him, talk to him like she's talking to us, narrate to him what's on tv/the itouch she's playing with. Can be a little bossy too! Telling him to hush when he cries, be all maknenek!

Household is pretty chaotic with these two. But you got to admit, it IS the perils and pleasures of parenthood! How tired i get at the end of the day, OMG only my aching body can explain! If they could talk, they'll beg for mercy, most definitely! But at the end of the day too, when i stare at Fatboy and Chumchum (moniker taken from that Nickelodeon cartoon Fanboy and Chumchum) sleeping ever so peacefully, i get a tinge of happiness and pride.

I must have done something right somewhere somehow to be blessed with these two adorable minions. :)

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2011-06-16T00:44:00.001+08:00

Was watching a cooking programme with the girl earlier. The cook was cutting up some pork and Hanna exclaimed he was cooking chicken. So i corrected her, telling her it's actually a pig. (and going on about pig's meat is called pork, which she thought was fork. Yeesh!)

I then went on even further to tell her that we cannot eat pork. Told her that pigs are dirty and we can't eat them, if not 'Tuhan marah'. So she knows she can't make Tuhan marah but said this after a while;

'We must wash the pig properly with soap right Ibu? Then ok already. Tuhan also ok, not angry.'

*facepalm*

But i couldn't help laughing at her innocence.

Kids.

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2011-06-08T11:30:00.001+08:00

H: *through gritted teeth* Adiiik, you're supposed to look at the camera and smile.
I: Let's do a candid one, kak. See, with a jiggy jig like this.

H: Stop it! Turn and face the camera!
I: Ohhh nooo don't squeeze the pao-like cheeks!

H: Thereee...like that. Smiiiileee!!
I: *thinking* OMG, she's so bossy! Tsk.

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2011-06-04T14:08:00.001+08:00

Had a short outing to East Coast Beach the other day. Before the dad leaves for night shift. Short yet enjoyable outing it was. Especially for Hanna.

Brunched at Coffee Bean first. 'for energy, right ibu?!' she says.

Then we took a little walk along the beach...

before father and daughter cycled. Mom sat by the beach feeding the boy and people watched. (swarmed with kiddos on hols and people apparently who cabut from work.)

The girl rode on some ricketty bus after that...

and got herself a Macdees treat.

All the while, lil brother was having his own fun in lalaland.

Tsk.

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2011-05-31T00:29:00.001+08:00

House is still except for the (irritating) sound of snores coming from the husband. Whyyy do man snore so badly?! Yeesh. Besides the point.

Anyhooos, this is probably THE only time i got to myself. To read, to play games on the iphone, to catch up on tv. To breathe. Yes, breathe. I think i forget to breathe throughout the day, going about with handling home n kids. Tiring, a total understatement. But sleeping off precious time like this is such a waste, don't you think?

A normal day in this household runs along the lines of: up about 8-ish. The girl wakes up all bright and cheery and LOUD. So you cannot help but be jolted awake. Kids have their bath, breakfast. Girl watches tv/play/initiate a tornado-like mess in the house, boy sleeps. I cook lunch, do chores, bathe. Boy wakes for feed, sleeps. Girl takes lunch, i take lunch. Nap. Boy wakes for feed, sleeps. Girl wakes up, initiate more tornado-like mess. Dinner. Wash up. Boy feeds, sleeps. Lights off by about 10. I finish off chores. In between all that, throw in a lot of boy crying, mom shouting, girl singing etc etc. Phew.

I do attribute the craziness to the fact that the boy has yet to get into a routine. He pretty much demands a lot of attention. A far cry from the silent sleeping beauty his sissy was. (yea look at how silent she is now!) So things pretty much get half done cause i got to attend to a wailing baby. That's why chores can stretch till night. The girl's routine is still the same and i'm glad she still follows it. She has been her usual independent self, bless her. Cooperative and helpful too. I really hope to get the boy into as much of a routine soon as i have to resume tuition. Now that'd be interesting. Like there ain't enough ruckus going on right now, huh?

Ho wells.

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2011-05-20T02:00:00.001+08:00

It's been a good month since we welcome dear lil boy into our lives. What's already topsy turvy is even more so now! Haha. It's a hectic and crazy ride getting everyone to adapt to the new scene. The girl has been ok with it. Though i feel i'm shortchanging her of our quality time. How she'll crawl up in my bed when i'm breastfeeding Ilham. Or how she insists she wants to sleep with me. She demands more reading time just so she can get her fair share of canoodling. Haha.

I'm still recovering. Folks say i look like i never gave birth in the first place. Oh i have flabs to attest to that! And of course that 'smiley face' which is less distinct compared to the time with Hanna. I still get bruise-like pains from the inside. A slow process this time but if you know me, you know i push myself. Damn, masochist much!

I simply love this pic of us! Everyone's happy pappy and so cheerful! Well except Ilham, who at the moment has a curious/innocent/whattheheckisgoingon look. :)
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2011-05-12T02:54:00.001+08:00

Hypocrisy is one manipulative bitch.

And i somewhat came to the realisation that i don't want to be near it anymore.

I choose to stay away. Be silent. Be the brunt of talks cause i'm aware, when i do, there's talk. When i don't, there's still talk. So talk, go ahead now.

I'll just willingly remain the outcast. My role, as always.

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2011-04-25T00:22:00.001+08:00

12 days have past since we welcomed the latest addition to our brood. ILHAM MUHD AL HAFIDZ was safely delivered on 13th April 2011 at 1155 hours. Alhamdulillah, thank you all for your prayers as i went through my second c-sect. Also for the well wishes.

This time round, everything was done non hurriedly since we had set the date in advance. Came early to prep for surgery and all. Downside was when the anesthesia wore off and i started to feel the surgery pain. Unbearable would be an utter understatement!!! And this coming from someone with a really high pain threshold. But so far, healing period has been ok. Able to move about quite easily. Just the usual pricks and stings from the stitches and womb.

The dear boy also had a case of hypoglycemia or low sugar level whereby he couldn't produce enough sugar for his body. So he had to be on high dependency where nurses fed him glucose through a tube. It was a painful sight to see all these tubes sticking out from his belly button and mouth. But Alhamdulillah, his sugar level stabilised and he was good to go.

Ilham has been a wonderful baby. No fuss, no worries. Cries ONLY when he wants milk. Even when he poops or pees, he'll just sleep through! As for our firstborn, she's been nothing but excellent! Welcomed her brother with so much love! Constantly wanting to carress him and kiss him. Can be a little danger too this one, wanting to carry her brother by herself. We do see a little jealousy and possessiveness sometimes though, especially when people come to visit. She'll start being cranky, all for the sake of attention. Or she won't allow people to hold or carry Ilham. We have talked to her about it but i guess it will take abit of time before Hanna gets used to it.

It is still early days yet but i foresee busy days ahead as Ilham gets bigger and Hanna gets more active. For now, with the man around being the house hubby running the household, i am able to relax a little. But once he resumes work, it'll be full on mommy of two chaos!

Hahaha bring it on though. Bring it on! :)

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2011-04-03T01:19:00.001+08:00

Finally got the kids room settled. Not fully done up yet cause we still have to get those trunks for whatever toys the girl has at the moment. (which is ALOT!!!)

In the midst of fixing up her bed.

Fixing up the cot for Baby I got me and the mister a little emotional, reminiscing about 2 years back when we prepping up for Hanna. To think when we first moved in, we kept thinking of how to do up that room. Now, it's going to be occupied by two tots. (and a whoooooole lotta toys!!)

Almost final product.

The elder one has been enjoying her bed, not allowing me on it even! And keeps asking when Adik will occupy his bed. As she has a sweet habit of talking to her bro in the tummy (and most of the time doing a monologue of her own), she now questions the brother when he will come out to sleep together. Hee, i know, too sweet! Not long now big sis, not long.

P/s: Cause the mister had to make a few trips to IKEA Tampines to get some stuff, Hanna has this notion that everytime he goes out it's to IKEA.

Convo 1:
H: Ibu, ayah go buy my bed?
M: Yup. Must buy the wood for the mattress.
H: Oh at IKEA?
M: Yes, so clever.

Convo 2:
H: Eh Ayah go out again ah?
M: Ya, ayah go work.
H: Huh? Go IKEA?
M: Go work lah! Go IKEA again for what?
H: Ohhhh...i thought go buy my bed somemore. *blur giggles*
M: -_- ...

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2011-03-22T00:56:00.001+08:00

Had a little false alarm last week. Was admitted to the hospital when i came in complaining of belly cramps.

Night before the admission, a Saturday, i couldn't get any sleep cos i kept getting cramp-like aches in my belly. It went on throughout the night and made me very agitated. Hubs was on night shift so i went throught that ordeal alone. When he came back the next morning, i was just getting to sleep. Lack of sleep led to a headache too. So the man let me sleep a while.

Come noon time, i was able to get up and feed Hanna lunch. Ate a little bit myself. Couple of hours later, same attack. This time it was more intense. Hubs told me to sleep it off so i tried taking a nap with the poopster. Got woken up every half hour or so due to the cramps again. That evening, hubs decided we should just go in. At least have myself checked cause he was worried since the pain was going on and on.

So we went to the labour ward and i got assessed for a good 2hrs. I was at 34 weeks that day and having regular contractions of 1 in 12 minutes. As a precaution, doctor decided it's best i got admitted. Hubs went home with Hanna after i got settled and i was so so alone. Doctors and nurses kept coming in checking on my contractions, asking for pain score, doing CTGs and even administering steroid jabs. It was to strengthen baby's lungs just in case he decided to pop.

Over a course of 2 nights, i was being kept under observation. Tests were done, scans were taken before the doctor finally concluded it's best we waited it out at home. The contractions would continue and i was told to just monitor them. I was also STRONGLY advised to SLOW DOWN. Heh. My gynae said that i was probably on the move too much and advised me to take bedrest. Cut down on doing so much work on top of handling Hanna. Take as much naps or lie down when i can.

Due to that, i had to reluctantly put my tuition on hold. Maternity leave, so called, came early. Hubs forbade me to do the chores. So far, he has been handling laundry and housekeeping. I am utterly touched by that! And Hanna? Well, she's still a handful. But somehow she understands that i've got to lie down more and not be too active. She draws or we read book after book in bed. Often having a lil chit chat or discussion.

At 35 weeks today. Contractions still come and go at regular intervals, once in a while. Adik's kicks are getting stronger. My appetite is voracious! A few more weeks to go, we'll see how it goes. :)

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2011-03-13T03:42:00.001+08:00

330am. Still awake. Mentally and more of physically actually, i'm drained but i've got this annoyed vibe running through my veins. Like really 'urrrgh! Tsk!' kinda feeling where i just feel like blowing up. Let out steam.

Truth of the matter is, i don't know what's making me annoyed in the first place. Maybe it's all this discomfort. Maybe there's more to it.

Maybe.

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2011-02-24T19:44:00.001+08:00

We went for baby's 30 weeks check up on Tuesday. This time we had to do a scan to ensure my placenta is not low lying anymore. This gives me the ability to opt for a normal birth or VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caeserean). 'Cause with a low placenta, it only means the placenta will come out first instead of the baby. When it should be the other way round.

And Alhamdulillah, all is well. My placenta moved enough to enable a VBAC. This is also if i go into labour by my 40th week. If not, it's under the knife again. I can't be induced since the gynae do not want to put me in the risk of a complicated birth, due to my previous c-sect. So, let's wait it out now! :)

We also got to see Baby I much clearly this time. Even his sister got a glimpse of the bub's face and squealed in delight having spotted Baby I's eyes, nose and lips. And what luscious lips he has! There was one point during the scan, he actually kissed my tummy. Hee.

As of 31.5 weeks, Baby I is at 1.4kg and growing well. Good heartbeat and all. Oh and his head is already engaged!

So Baby I, we'll be seeing you soon huh? Your kakak is very eagerly waiting for you, always talking about playing toys with you and singing for you. Be a dear and let's get you out naturally, shall we?

By the way, at one point during the scan, we pointed out to Hanna her bro's beberd. Her reaction? 'Bird? Adik not bird lah. Adik boy!!'

LOL!!!

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2011-02-16T20:11:00.001+08:00

Earlier today, we had another painting session. This time, i cut out shapes from sponges for Hanna to blob around. And this time too, the laki supervised the poopster while i cooked lunch.

Hanna simply loves her painting sessions. Just a mere mention of painting and you can get her to do anything in a breeze. Got her to bathe, have her breakfast, clear her bed all in one motion without that dreaded 'wait 5 minutes ahhh.' (yes, somebody's good at stalling time now! -_-)

The poopster, by the way, has been bugging us to go to school. Yes, she herself wants it. Initially, we had thoughts of signing her up for playgroup then thought 'ok maaaybe later'. But since NOW it's at the special request of the little girl herself, looks like we got to do something about it, pronto! There's a playgroup centre behind our block but it seems abit off, somehow. Looking into another one across the street.

Stay tuned for the development of Hanna Goes To School. ;)

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2011-01-27T15:40:00.001+08:00

The Usuals came up with a birthday surprise plan for the mister and i had to be the one to drag his big ass down to the venue without giving away anything. I merely told him we had a dinner invite at Furama on the 26th.

He WAS a good chap, not asking anything throughout the week but when 26th came, it was a whole different person i had to handle!

'Why Furama eh?' 'We goin Tiffany's kan?' 'With who?' yada yada yada. Gerrram je!! He even made us leave early when i was trying to stall for time.

Instead, WE got there FIRST for HIS surprise birthday party!!!

Oh wells, SURPRISE MUHD AL HAFIDZ!! :D

Was a great night with great food and great friends. Stuffed ourselves silly. I mean, it was an awesome buffet! Even the lil poopster was gladly eating away. Oh and she had a date! Hehe.

When Hanna met Naufal. ;)

Thanks guys for the lovely gesture. Next time, we gotta do better to surprise the man! Lol.

And you, i'm glad you were erh...surprised! Happy Birthday once again dearest!

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2011-01-25T01:02:00.001+08:00

Crying self to sleep, bearing a tremendous backache. Pain so intense it took a long long while before Panadol finally kicked in. Mind you, my threshold of pain is pretty high, so this counts as a MAJOR ache. Hubs is at work so no one to pacify and massage. See, it wasn't like this during Hanna's time. Hanna just gave me lots of lazy moments. And heartburns. My dear boy here torments me with backaches, breathlessness and that tight belly feeling. Even his kicks are super-dee-duper strong, you can see 'ripples' on my tummy!

Better try and sleep. Gotta 7th month date with the 'karate kid' later in the day. Maybe all that karate chopping is causing this backache. Yeesh!

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2011-01-23T20:46:00.001+08:00

On the 19th, we surprised him at the airport. Our own 'lil welcoming party, to greet him home from Bali.

Two days later, we kinda celebrated his 28th. Initial plan was to go for a family lunch, which we did at Velu's. Then after my tuition in the evening, we had thought of 'parking' Hanna at my mom's and we head out on a date. Dinner for two.

But plans got changed cause in the end, we decided to drive up to JB and crash at the in laws weekend home. Hehe. So quite honestly, i owe the man a good night out for his birthday.

He did get a surprise though when i sent out an out-of-the-blue radio dedication on Class 95. Was on the way to JB when the idea sprang in my head. Nyeh heh heh.

As i mentioned, sorry celebration was lowkey hunn. Will make it up to you ya. But here's wishing you an awesome year ahead blessed with all the health and wealth and much happiness with yours truly and the two kiddos!

Love you Mr Djombronos! :D

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2011-01-15T20:23:00.001+08:00

He's left for his All Boys Bali trip. Feeling a tad emo not having him around. Must be my hormones. Mum called to ask if i'm ok for tonight and i felt like crying. Yeeesh!

Thank God for the kids. The elder one is already enough of a company. The one in the belly is being active as usual too. But i guess for my sanity, to beat the emo-ness, i shall bunk in at mom's for the next couple of days.

Oh and we settled Adik's name yesterday. Baby I, what we'll nickname him for now. :) And we've been making the kakak practice saying his name, which sounds soooo very much like a character from Cbeebies! Lol!

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2011-01-11T13:51:00.001+08:00

A couple more days to '4-days Single Mum' mode.

It's just you and me, banana!

And adik in 'Ibu poyot'! :)

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2011-01-06T03:06:00.001+08:00

It's 3am and my eyes are like this: O_O!!! No no i'm not in shock over anything or whatsoever. I. JUST. CAN'T. SLEEP!!!

It has been going on for a couple of days now. Either i can't doze off till much much later OR i do fall asleep like a baby only to wake up at a magic hour and then stare at the ceiling. Bah!

I'll play games and read just to TRY and get sleepy again. But tht usually happens when i can clearly hear the coffeeshop downstairs prepping to open for the day, the apek in whichever unit gargling his mouth a tad too loudly and the lift going 'dingdong' on my floor. Then, it's normally dawn! Double bah!

So here i am, beside a loudly snoring husband. The kid is sprawled on her bed next door.

And i suddenly feel like drinking ice cold Milo. Mmm....

'i come in peace yow!' LOL!

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10/11

2011-01-03T18:53:00.002+08:00

In the blink of an eye, the year has passed us. Yes, just like that huh? Somehow feels like just yesterday when i wrote an entry, ushering in 2010. And now, here's an entry to kick start 2011. Where did all that 365 days go? Too fast i say, time is moving way too fast.

Our 2010 was quite uneventful. Nothing much happened that left too much of a lasting impact. Except on the travelling front. We actually got to travel all the way to the UK, with Hanna. London and 1 day Paris, it was truly too surreal. Even till now i sometimes still find it hard to believe that i HAVE stepped foot on the land of fish and chips and piping hot croissants. Oh and of course, highlight of that trip has definitely got to be Old Trafford. What can i say? It WAS such a big dream to pay homage to THE greatest soccer stadium in history. Ok lah, i'm biased since i'm a fan. Lol. And now that dream came true. Can safely strike Old Trafford off my 'Places To See' list. We made our annual Bali trip too somewhere in April. Mister had his surf fill, i shopped till i nearly dropped. Hanna, well, she simply had fun with all that beach trotting.

So what does 2011 have in store for us? Most importantly, we await the arrival of our little prince this coming April. Yes, we have found out its gender and a boy it is. :) I feel ashamed i haven't been religiously doing a month by month update on him, like how i did for Hanna. Oh gosh, is it starting already? The slack-on-subsequent-children syndrome? Lol. I guess it has been a pretty easy ride with him thus the lack of updates. As of last check up, he is weighing in at about 500grams. Too cute. And Alhamdulillah, everything is well. He does give me quite a hard time with backaches and that causes difficulty in sleeping at night. An active one this one, he doesn't allow me to sit still for too long. He'll start kicking and punching about. As long as i'm on my feet, busying myself, he can remain quiet throughout. Guess that's why i do more houework now than when i was with Hanna. It keeps me on the go. Hahaha! Eating wise, i must say, i have too much of a liking for assam pedas this time round. Like comfort food!

We are still in the process of choosing a suitable name for him. We have some shortlisted but yet to settle for that particular one. Soon i suppose, leave it to the dad. :)

Apart from that, i'm just praying everything will be good and ok for 2011. Resolutions? I didn't think of one BUT i do have exercising lingering around at the back of my head, knocking about asking me to acknowledge it. Maybe go back to yoga? Run and put that pair of running shoes to use?

Oh, do more baking. But that requires ehem...a new oven. ehem... *wide grin at mister*

2010-12-10T13:19:00.006+08:00

My creative juices were totally sucked dry and this year, i couldn't think of anything special AT ALL to do for our anniversary. In fact, i ACTUALLY forgot all about it and only remembered specifically a couple of days before. Damn you pregnesia!

The mister, on the other hand, had other plans. See on the 8th, he was supposedly on night shift and left for work as usual around 6pm. I of course went about with the norm not suspecting anything at all. Hanna slept a little early that night cause she had the flu. I had initially planned to doze off early too but thought why not wait till midnight. At least wish the mister first.

At around 1030pm, i received a Whatsapp message from mister asking me to read his blog. Just as i was about to log on my Safari through my iphone, i heard this really loud plastic rustling sound right outside our door. I panicked and the first thing that came to mind was loansharks!! (yea what with the loanshark case at our unit!) I sneakily peered into the peephole and got the shock of my life!

MISTER WAS STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR WITH A CAKE!!!!

Of course, you can expect lots of tears from my end lah, right? He is never one with such display of romanticism. I was just looking forward to a good dinner. And here was, with such a sweet unexpected gesture. *wipes tears*

And that blog entry, well, you can see for yourself at http://www.09-al.blogspot.com :) That wwas what he was busying himself with for 4 hours, parked somewhere at Seah Im Carpark, finishing up his 'project'.

To my mister,
Thank you. IT was truly so unexpected and soooo sooo sweet. It'll always be something i remember till whenever.

I love you then.....

I love you still now.

2010-11-24T14:06:00.005+08:00

Last night, to lure her to bed, i promised Curls a painting session in the day. After a pinky promise, she happily went to sleep. Only to wake up this morning screaming out loud, "TODAY DO PAINTING!!!!!!" I swear i never expected her to actually remember lah. Oh wells, proves that the kiddo holds on to promises now. (So no way are we able to give her empty ones from now aye.)

So after her morning bath, lunch and an episode of Hi-5 on okto, she had her painting session. We did it in the kitchen this time round cos the weather looked a little gloomy and i don't want to risk getting her and her painting stuff wet if we did it along the corridor, like we usually do.

This time round i also let her experiment with a straw to achieve scribbles.

And this was the final outcome. Not bad. Haha!

Think i'll let her handle a brush next time.

2010-11-11T16:18:00.002+08:00

I have people confidently presuming or having this notion that just because i'm a SAHM (Stay At Home Mum), all i do is idle around and expand my already expanded derriere. See i know, i don't have to justify my position at home or what i do but come on, if you think all i do at home is just watch my kid grow and do typical housewife stuff, then you are very wrong.

For one, on a normal non school holiday basis, i'm swamped with tuition. My evenings are filled for at least 3 hours, 5 days a week with kids coming over for me to coach them on their studies. Not an easy feat i tell you, especially with a growing toddler who demands attention. IF you ever think tutoring is easy, try it!!!

During school holidays, like now, my days are simply filled with attending to the kid, the house and myself. Hey, i still need time to myself ok! A daily routine starts at 8 in the morning when Hanna wakes up. After having her milk, she'd happily either play her toys, flip around her books or ask for permission to watch the tele. That's when i get my bearings right before i get going. Prepare breakfast for the both of us, clean up the rooms, plan for lunch, bathe the kid, cook lunch etc etc. When the mister is around, he'll allow me to sleep in alittle while he attends to Curls. Will try to settle all chores by 1 at least so i can then feed Curls her lunch, have mine then watch TV with her (which she has been watching by herself) before putting her for a nap. Most times i'll join her cause hey, let's be frank i need the rest too in order to catch up with my Energizer Bunny. My aunt's helper comes over on most Sundays to help with ironing and usually she'll do a 'whole house once through clean' but i still upkeep my home. I can't exactly just depend on her to come before getting laundry washed, beds made, house swept and mopped, right?

The second half of the day will be filled with activities. It's just any kind of activity i let Hanna choose so we can do together. Be it painting, drawing, colouring, playing blocks or play-doh. Just a little something for mother-daughter time.I will give her a few options and she'll decide what we would do for an hour or so before her teabreak. Then she can do whatever she wants to while i get my time to read, fold the laundry, use the computer, catch up on TV etc etc.

Whenever the mister's on his off days we try as much to bring her out. To tire her out and have a family day out. Even if it's just to run around at the neighbourhood park.

Quite honestly, by the end of the day, i am one knackered soul. But i ain't complaining cause THIS is what i chose to do. And I AM HAPPY WITH IT!

Just don't, don't for one moment think you know how things go about in this household or presume i am a boring ol lass with nothing at hand just because you go out to work while i don't. And don't judge, thinking i have it easy. Be me for one day, go about with the routine i set and tell me it's easy peasy lemon squeezy. IF it is, then i'll allow you to squeeze my lemons. (not melons, since my ehems are probably the size of lemons!)

Now be nice and go about with your routine, your life while i'll be happy with mine. Thank you. :)

2010-11-05T02:52:00.001+08:00

Was watching the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy Season 7 with the mister earlier. There was this scene where a deceased guy was about to have his arms donated (transferred?) to another guy. The doctors were discussing about this tattoo of the deceased wife's name on his arm. Suddenly, I just kick started a conversation.

Me: D, if we could would you have tattooed my name on your arm?
Mister: Noooo...
Me: Tsk...Whyyyy?
Mister: Cause I already have your name tattooed in my heart what!!

*cues massive 'awwwww' from crowd*

ROFLOL!!!!

Alamak! When did you become so super cheesy ni D?! Hahahahahahaha!! See lah, been watching too much rom-coms/love stories/Korean dramas with me. Influenced!!

Ok, but brownie points on spur of moment creativity though.

:)

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2010-10-28T17:11:00.003+08:00

She celebrated her second on the 20th. Everytime anyone asks her "How old are you?" she'll happily reply "TWO YEARS!!!" complete with fingers up to indicate her age. Though in her case, she can't put up 2 fingers so instead her 2 years comes with 4 fingers. Yea, go figure.

So, just what did we do for her second? Well, on the day itself we kind of cancelled all major plans due to the heavy haze. Instead we just took her out cycling and did lots of home acitvities like playing with her play-doh and painting. We made up for the lacklustre celebration with a BBQ at her Opah's and Ah Kong's on the Sunday, graced by family and closee friends. A small and simple affair, which the birthday girl enjoyed tremendously. And that was the most important. :)

Glad you enjoyed your second celebration Curls. Thank you for giving Ibu and Ayah a wonderful two years filled with lots and lots of laughters and amazement. We pray only the best for you. We love you.

Now you can continue to terrorise us with your continous chatter and funny antics.

2010-10-08T22:23:00.002+08:00

Through her eyes. Captured with my reliable iphone.

2010-09-18T18:02:00.004+08:00

There hasn't been any visiting from us this Aidilfitri. Have been feeling really under the weather, a repeat of what it was like when i was having Hanna. This time it's a little better though, i guess. Since i actually want to eat and have cravings. Ok maybe cravings part is not so good for the mister. Heh.

But yes, daily nausea and headaches. Especially hate 'merlion' moments cause it makes me feel extra weak and lifeless. I had asked from my GP Dimenate but since i'm with Hanna, i cannot afford to eat it during the day. And that is when the nausea is at its worst. cause Dimenate makes one VERY VERY drowsy. I cannot eat the medicine and handle Hanna at the same time. What if i end up falling asleep halfway through bathing her? Ok lah, far fetched scenario but you'll never know, right?

I have to thank the little poopster for being soooooooo understanding though. For being a really good elder sister in the making. At times when i really feel down and just need to lie down, i'll tell her that i'm in pain and that i need to lie down. She'll be such a dear an play her toys or watch her 'toons while i lay and rest beside her in the living room. At times, i could even take half hour naps and tell her to wake me up when so and so cartoon finish. I'm so proud that she can fend for herself and be so independent like that. Of course, as a mom, i do feel sad and disappointed in myself that i can't give her 100% and i do make up for it in the evenings when i feel a lot better. But yes, i'm not able to force myself and i'm thankful Hanna understands and is willing to cooperate.

I am also thankful mister is understanding with my crazy emotions and sudden cravings. And the way he is able handle Hanna whenever he is around. Be it to bathe her (which is actually his part whenever he is at home), feed her, play with her and simply be there for her. I love looking at father and daughter play. Always puts a huge smile on my face. And i love the little gestures of love both of them shower on me during this time. For that, D, thank you. :)

Hopefully, like last time, once the first trimester passes, this weak, useless and bleargh feeling will go away. Then, it's back to 'full steam ahead!'

For now, i pray 'Adik' grows well and healthy. Insya'allah.

2010-09-13T19:07:00.004+08:00

It was an Eid of withstanding nausea and headaches. Of looking NOT like a million dollars, maybe a mere ten since i felt really down with all the acne on my face. No thanks to hormones! And a crazy year of 'abit also want to cry'. Haaaish...

But other than those unnecessary but unavoidable points, it was a good Eid.

So i hope it's not too late to wish all of you out there a blessed Eid this 2010. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir Dan Batin from us, The Hafidzs. :)

2010-08-30T21:48:00.000+08:00

Been feeling under the weather of late. Since last Tuesday afternoon, i had this pounding headache and felt kind of giddy too. Next day was worse. Attacked with bouts of nausea and fainted, twice. Have not been fasting since due to the crazy nausea and this queasy feeling in the tummy.

And whaddya know....

POSITIVE! Went to our family doc to get a second opinion and yes, it's confirmed.

We're anticipating the arrival of no. 2!! :) Alhamdulillah, syukur padamu Ya Allah. Rezeki dalam bulan yang mulia ini.

So now we're waiting for our referral and appointment date at SGH. So far i have to say, symptoms are not as bad as when i had Curls. Nausea still but i'm not so 'invalid'. Could still get up and settle house chores and handle Curls. Prepare mister's break fast meal and all. Just a tad disappointed the nausea is not allowing me to fast.

We pray this next journey will be smooth sailing and that all will go well, Insya'allah.

This one's gonna be an elder sister! (ps: no, nothing happened to her forehead. She didn't injure herself! She saw this scene on tv where a girl had her head bandaged and she instantly went 'nana head pain! Nak tu!' *points to tv screen* So just to amuse her, i pasted that princess plaster on. Slept with it even! Haaish.)

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2010-08-21T15:48:00.012+08:00

HEY EVERYBODY!!!!! It's me, Hanna!

So lately, my Ah Kong (Ibu's daddy), whom i affectionately call Ah Chom, has been bitten by the photography bug. He has this really big camera, which is humongous compared to Ayah and Ibu's tiny boring one. He takes lots and lots of pictures, of Opah's (Ibu's mummy) plants, sunrises and sunsets, aeroplanes that pass by ever so frequently near their place. And of course, me. Oh i make such a good model. Hehe.

A couple of weeks ago when i went over to Ah Kong's, he decided to teach me a thing or two about phototgraphy. (ok more like i couldnt keep my grubby little hands off his tripod)

Now this is how we get started. Set up the tripod.

Ok this is how you close one eye to look into that small thingy. (what is it called again Ah Kong?)

Ah Kong said i have to make sure the tripod is balanced. Hmmm...

Now we can try peeking into that small thingy.

This is my tripod. :)

Ohhh look Ah Kong, that's a good subject to capture!

OH NO!! I don't actually have a camera!!!

Heheh nevermind. Ah Kong said next time, (when i'm like maybe 18!!) he will let me try the real thing.

2010-08-20T22:23:00.001+08:00

Testing out the BlogPress application.

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Location:Bedok South Avenue 3,Singapore,Singapore

2010-08-16T15:45:00.003+08:00

Been away for way too long haven't I? My blogging mojo got lost in transition after the UK trip i guess. Had wanted to do a write up on the marvellous trip but somehow or rather, I didn't know how or even where to start! It was indeed a fab time spent. With my three loves; the mister, the poopster and the dongsaeng. Quite honestly, 10 days was still a tad too short. But we had a budget so we had to keep to it. If not, 2 weeks would have been perfect. Curls enjoyed herself tremendously. We were so proud of her for being an easy traveller. She slept 3/4 of the time on board the plane. Woke up to eat, have her milk and play a little or read a book. She didn't throw tantrums for having to wake up as early as 430am to get ready for tours.She was good during train rides, shopping trips and meals. Thank you sweetie. :)

The only thing I got bored of was food. I MISSED CHILLI!!! Yea, pathetic like that. Kept having sandwiches and western food that after a while I was practically yearning for assam pedas! On a whole, London was magnificent. We would probably return if it wasn't *that* expensive.

Highlight of the whole trip was of course, Old Trafford. Setting foot at the Theatre Of Dreams have always been a dream and having that dream fulfilled, i was speechless. I cried mind you. It was so overwhelming!

Suffered from bad jetlag when we got home. Slept at 8-ish or 9 n woke up around 4-5. Had breakfast and slept back around 7 or 8 only to rise for the day at 2-3!

So now, a month after that fantabulous holiday, we are in the holy month of Ramadhan. 6th day today and 24 more to go before Syawal. Insya'allah, Ramadhan will be easy for us all.

2010-07-04T17:13:00.002+08:00

Her ayah was going to wash her up the other day so I got her stuff ready. Diaper, PJs and powder, massage oil whatnots. Barely 2 minutes after I left the room, she came out growling "AAARR AAARRR MOSHTER...ANA MOSHTER!!"

DIAPERHEAD MONSTER.

2010-06-23T23:27:00.007+08:00

It's quite evident that Ms Curls has a love for water. Since like wee months old, we have seen how much she loves soaking up in the water. So ever since her maternal grandparents moved house, she had the opportunity to go swimming alot. Everytime we drop by for a visit, she'd be asking to go 'Shim shim!!" She especially loves it when her aunts are around to play in the pool with her.

And this feisty little one, doesn't like to be minded when in the waters. She'd roam around on her own, only yelping for assistance when her feet can't touch the ground. She'd imitate when people are doing strokes, when we put our heads in the water or when we float head up. I'm proud she takes after her father on this, cause her mom totally suck when it comes to swimming. Throw me in the deep end of the ocean and I can float perfectly well mind you, my buoyancy is stupendous. It's the proper swimming part that I'm EPIC FAIL at. Hee.

WOOOOHOOOO!!! Shim shim time!!

Ok Mama, hold my hand ok. Can't.touch.ground.

Oooops...too deep too deep!! Let's go back, go back!!

Aaah...let me just catch some sun for now. Fooh..

Mama, you lie down and suntan ok? We do together ahh..

Aaaah... this is the life! Dudududididududu....

2010-06-14T02:17:00.006+08:00

Turned a year older a couple of days back. Older, yes. Wiser? Well, maybe. Hurhur. I just thank the One up there to have blessed me with another good year to hang around and enjoy life with my loved ones. Amin.

I have never been one to celebrate birthdays. Maybe a simple dinner and an outing will suffice. So this year, we did just that, a little trip to the Singapore Flyer.

And then, I had this as a surprise!

Thank you dongsaeng! You really got me good. Next time, at least give me a little heads up so I won't look so kopet, can?

Oh wells, two more to the big THREE-OH! Darns, feels like it was just yesterday when I celebrated my 21st. Da tua aku! Haaish...

On a different note altogether, let's welcome the menacing World Cup 2010!! Menacing I say, cause there goes much precious sleep, much unwanted eyebags and late night munching. See, nobody asked me to be a footie fan, right? Now, I shall not give a four by four update and report on matches. I mean who the heck wants to read MY comments? If you did, I'd be on the TNP board of reporters, won't I? And I'll probably bore half of readers to snoozeland. All I'll say for now is after 2 days of competition, games have been a little on the dull side. Exception on one or two games that pretty much kept me jolted and spewing colourful profanities.

Here's to more exciting competitions and a retainment of the title by the wonderful Azurris! Heh. (I so had to squeeeeze that in)

2010-05-28T22:17:00.002+08:00

My mother posted up this question the other day for her up and coming magazine, IRIS, which I will talk about soon enough, when it's time. It goes along the lines of " Very frequent we hear women sacrificing their career, education when call by their husband to quit. Especially our Malay Muslim women, most give up their career to be a full time housewife and mother, leaving behind years of education for the sake of marriage. As a woman, do you find this right? and for the men, are you being fair to her? "

Alright now, I got to admit this might seem a little controversial in some ways but heck, let's touch on it shall we, this is after all MY point of view.

I had my fair share of good education. I know I could have gone further, did better but let's not touch on that. I had aspirations and dreams to be this and that. But now I'm married, happily I must add. Blessed with a wonderful husband and vivacious daughter, my life I have to say is blissful, Alhamdullilah. But like the question posed, my marriage meant sacrificing my aspirations and dreams and a job so to speak. But what is sacrifice?

When I first got married, we had a mutual consensus that once we had a kid, I would stay home and care for our child and home. At first, my only qualm about it was would we be able to survive? With only my husband as the sole bread winner. And we all know that raising a child does not come cheap and easy. But we thought hard and long about it and decided that, alright this is achievable.

For me I am happy I made this decision. Glad in fact. I get to be here for my child. I see how she grows, her developments, her strengths, her weaknesses, her antics. I play a first hand role in her upbringing, her first-few-years education. THIS I believe is THE sole reason why whatever it is I gave up is no longer an issue. When I was growing up, my mum was a busy career woman. My brother and I were left in the care of a FDW and our late great grandmother. We only got to see her at nights, of which she'd be too tired, and during the weekends. We savoured that short time we always got. We were alright, we turned out fine but we DID yearn to have Ma welcome us when we came home. You know how it is that the love of a mother is so much different compared to love coming from a grandparent or FDW, for that matter. When my mom decided to take an early retirement some years back, we enjoyed it eventhough we are already much bigger. My brother became more extroverted and came home straight from school. He smiled more. He came out of his rathole come computer den. I had someone to chit chat with. To talk about random things under the sun and at times we, brother and sister, just lazed around at home to bond with mom, instead of going out. I guess it was a way of making up for lost times.

That is the sacrifice I'm talking about. I choose to do away with a career just so that I don't have to make up for lost time with my child/children later on. I choose to stay home and see first hand and be THE first hand guide to her growing up. I know of friends who whine sometimes about how they wish they could stay home and be there 24/7 for their child/children. How they have problems with caregivers. How they wished they were home when their child is sick but due to circumstances, they can't. But for most of them, due to high living standards, they got no choice.

Which comes to the other point, financial. I have to admit we do have our rough days. My husband does not earn a whopping figure. But we get by. We make do with what we have. We splurge when we can, we hold back when times are gloomy. We enjoy once in a while of course, when savings are permissible to be spent. We live day by day simply. I do sometimes think that "oh if i were working, we'd be more well off. We'd have more money to spend. I can buy this and that." But as the saying goes, more money comes more problems. With more money, we'd spend more, owe more. And of course, have more problems in our hands. IF I were to go out to work, we'd have to hire a FDW. Which involves money and trust. How many times have we heard of the FDW from hell? Maybe what I sacrificed are all these too.

Honestly, the housewives of today, or what we call Stay At Home Mums, are better off than our conuterparts from yesteryears. Because we are better educated and more capable, we do not just stay home and slog day in day out with chores and kids. We are equipped with skills that helps us to get by wwith our day. There are women who set up business from home. Selling clothes, babywear, pastries and even wedding services. We do our littlest part to help with the family income. We not only mop and cook and iron and run around after the kids, but we are more entrepeneurial.

I will definitely get a lot of flak for this entry but as I said this is MY opinion, my views, my take on things. I don't see what I forego as something for a marriage BUT for my family. Only God knows how my children will grow up. I won't say my family is perfect just because I stay home. They won't grow up being angels just because I'm here 24/7 for them. I won't say my life is perfect like that you see on The Stepford Wives. But it's exactly what we wanted. I don't see this as giving up, I see it as putting on hold. When the kids are much bigger, the opportunity for me to study again is still there. For now, I am contented and happy with the so called sacrifice I took.

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

2010-05-07T00:54:00.006+08:00

I did promise an update on our lil' poopsie, didn't I? Well, while we were in Bali, she turned 18 months. I can't say this enough but time really flies. Our firstborn is a big girl now. Independent and smart and talkative (a little too talkative, sometimes!)

Hanna is at that mentel stage, where you can get her to do anything you ask her to. She loves to sing and dance. Lately, has a penchant for that purple dinosaur she calls 'BABEH!!' Day in day out she'll ask for Babeh. That's Barney for the uninitiated. Haha. Sesame Street (shesheet), Pocoyo (coyo), Mickey's Clubhouse (mosh) are among her other favourites. Singing along to nursery rhymes like Three Blind Mice (mee my maish), Baa Baa Black Sheep (baa baa sheep), Old Mcdonald (i yaaii) and Ding Dong Bell (dong beh), complete with funny hand movements and sound effects.

She can speak relatively clearly. Abit pelat on some words, where she tend to pick up the sound or the last word. One thing she's really good at; naming animals! She adores animals!! Bird, tat, fee-fant, ai-ger, ai-en, horsh, terter, dog, feesh, shake, ee-ken, ang-key, ong-key... the list goes on. Oh and animal sound to boot! Her Omma Sha calls her walking Animal Planet! Hmmm... next Jungle Girl perhaps?

She loves to role play, with her soft toys and doll. Helps with the chores like putting washed laundry into the dryer (her fav in fact!), help clear the living room, arrange her books. She'll pretend to be on the phone. She especially loves to tickle and disturb her Ayah. (ask her how ayah sleeps and she'll do a snoring sound!) She can recognise and call out for her elders very well. She eats ALOT, drinks lots of milk too but still tiny as ever. Guess she inherited that tiny-ness from me!

The other thing she inherited from her Ibu; late appearance of teeth. Mum told me mine came out only when i was 2!! Imagine that!? Hanna just had hers making its debut this past week. Yaaaay!! How happy we were to see that little white speck jutting out of her gums. As expected and prepared, she became cranky, she had fever and she's constantly rubbing her gums. And urgh, she bites!

It's great to see her progression. I love being surprised with every new thing she picks up. I'm proud with her development.

I am amazed.

I am blessed.

Indeed.

2010-05-06T02:00:00.006+08:00

Have not updated in yonks. Guess after we returned from Bali, I got too busy with the kiddos to sit my perky ass down to do a proper entry. On Bali, which was stupendous by the way. About how busy I've been prepping the kiddos up for their MYEs. Quite frankly, I haven't had time to really really breathe. Sleep has been on deprivation mode too. Ok maybe i should start from the VERY beginning. Pick up from where we left off aye?

BALI. 16042010-21042010.
As i said, it was stupendous. How can i ever say something different about the great land of sun, sea, surf and shop? This time round of course, we had Hanna in tow. And boy did she amaze us big time. We're really proud and glad that she's a gung-ho traveller. She withstood the boring flights, by sleeping. She survived full day outs under the hot sun. She wasn't cranky at all. Asked for milk when she wanted them. Ate when she was being fed. Slept when she was sleepy. Slept practically anywhere and everywhere really! Mister got to surf, as planned. Not as much maybe due to the rain. Strange that it actually poured that much cause April isn't a rainy period usually. I got to shop, eat, braid my hair and shop somemore. Caught the sights, basked in the sun, enjoyed the nights. One week was definitely a little too short, we all unanimously felt. We'll be back again next year, Insya'Allah. :)

When we returned, I was instantly swamped with tuition. What with the Mid Year Exams looming. To date, I have several group tuition which is a farcry from the normal one on ones or pair tuition i normally do. A rowdy bunch my new kiddos are, but adorable too. Willing to learn, now that i like. A few who needs more pushing but hopefully, their hearts open up to studying and wanting to do well. The house is filled with kids every afternoon, everyday these past few days. Hanna has been ok with it, obviously loving the 'ah-tees!' (aunties) who come over. Though of course, she'll have her days where all she wants is attention from her mom. I feel quite torn when that happens, especially when Mister is not around. And i am also very thankful and grateful the kiddos understand when they have to complete work assigned on their own.

To you Bg-ians group, GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR MYEs!! (that is if you guys ever read this lah!)

I still have yet to talk about the poopster indetail huh? Now, she needs a whole entry for herself. What with her embarking on a new path. Teee heee... Will come back really soon to give a full update on the noisy one!

This I can promise. :)

2010-04-03T15:42:00.003+08:00

Less than two weeks to Bali-tripping!!

While i have been feeling pretty bleargh this past few days. What i sooo got to do from now, with no procrastinations and excuses.....

EXERCISE!!!!!!

*whip out them running shoes from the store room*

Why hello sweet adidas pair, you'll have to be my best friend from now on. :)

2010-03-22T19:06:00.003+08:00

Our reason to smile.

2010-03-21T00:01:00.003+08:00

March was indeed a mayhem for us. Musically that is. From Paramore to Babyface, we ended the manic lineup with Placebo the other night.

The concert was held at Fort Canning Park. We were actually quite surprised when we arrived at the venue and saw that the gig was not held at the usual open area. This time it was at a smaller area. Quite honestly, i expected the crowd to be bigger. Maybe organisers learnt from their mistakes of holding Dream Theater and Malmsteen at the bigger area a couple of years back. But i honestly thought Placebo would at least have more fans than they did! When we arrived around 740pm, the crowd was slowly waltzing in. Even at that small arena, we saw that there weren't too many people. To emphasise on the small scale of the attendance, we actually got a spot like a couple of rows from the stage. Quite honestly, we could probably see Molko's nose hair if we stared hard enough!

The opening act was some DJ who totally failed to hype anybody up. The only time you could hear cheers for him was when a rep from the organisers told him to end his act. After a few minutes of final set up for the band, Molko and gang appeared on stage to rousing apllause and hoots!

They kick started the chilly night with For What It's Worth. Boy, was Brian Molko awesome or what. And funny too. He interjected a few stand up comedy worthy jokes which actually got the crowd roaring. Steve Forrest, the current drummer, was like a dude on steroids! And Stefan Olsdal seduced with his gyrating hips and bass guitar. They belted out songs from their latest album, Battle Of The Sun along with randon hits from earlier albums like Every Me & Every You, which i was super looking forward to. Remember that song from Cruel Intentions? Hawt!

Although the band gave a really wonderful performance, i was pretty disappointed with the crowd though. Not only with it's capacity, cause i really really thought the band deserves a better following, but they seemed a little, well, somber. Ok so maybe the rain earlier in the day got to them. But it's a rock concert dammit! I had this gigantor of a man standing in front of me, which led me to be blocked and tip-toeing half the time. Now if that gigantor seemed to be enjoying himself, i wouldn't mind at all. But there he was standing still like a pillar, even getting pissed when people tried to get in front of him. Then there was the mat beside us who seriously looked lost. Maybe he was just there to impress his date. Sheesh! There were moshing sweaty smelly boys, girls slabbed in thick make up and the works.

See, instead of this being a review on how great Placebo was, it has ended up being a ranting on the crowd instead. I truly did enjoy myself alot with the mister but i truly did not enjoy the crowd. Don't get me wrong, i have attended a gazillion free standing concerts. But this particular one really left me bleargh-ed. I expected more. Not from the band but from the crowd. I don't know, as much as they cheered and sang along, there were a few rotten apples who somehow did spoil the whole bunch.

But Molko, Olsdal and Forrest, you guys turly ended our March Music Mayhem with a bang! I left the gig with a contact lens missing and looking just like Molko with his dripping wet hair. And we raised our hands in the air and waved like we didn't give a F***. And we raise our hands to you for being such an awesome band!

2010-03-13T13:28:00.006+08:00

Mesmerising.

That's how i'd sum up the performance by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds last night. As the opening gig for the annual Mosaic Music Festival at The Esplanade, he was only a glimpse of what's to come throughout the festival.

Oh first of all, i have to say we got not-so-good seats. Lesson learnt; when you want to go for a concert, that sells cheap tickets for that matter, please buy them EARLY! We were like waaaaaaaaay back there. Any further, and we'd be on the rooftop!

But of course, that didn't dampen us one bit. The 10 Grammy award winning multi hyphenated artiste sure proved to all of us there why he's the best in the industry. Throughout the whole 2 hour programme, he belted out hit after hit after hit that never failed to, well, mesmerise.

He opened the evening's event with a fast number that i wasn't familiar with but followed right after with my personal favourite, Everytime I Close My Eyes, which got me literally squealing aloud. Hey, it even got the mister singing along ok! Two thumbs up to the 4 piece band that backed him. Decked in black and white suits complete with shades, they reminded me of The Blues Brothers. Especially the guitarist, whose licks were simply outrageous.

Babyface dragged the evening beautifully with stories of his life, how he started, the music he made and how he is a lover, thus all that mushy love ballads he sings and write. Ah! A joker too! He did a medley of the songs he wrote and produced which included Bobby Brown's Dont' Be Cruel and Rock Wit' Cha, Tevin Campbell's Can We Talk and sent the crowd into a frenzy with Boyz II Men's I'll Make Love To You and End Of The Road. When he sang the latter song, the hall literally ruptured as one, singing along with a whole lot of gusto.

He even did a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, moving the audience with his story of how and where he first met the late megastar as a child. How he grew up eventually working with Michael and becoming a friend. It was really moving when he sang Gone Too Soon as part of his tribute.

The night ended with him singing Change The World and an encore of crowd favourite, When Can I See You Again. It was a really pleasant night only a great RNB star of his stature could present. Left me, the mister and my bestie wowed. I'm sure everyone there felt the same way too.

We lingered a while after the show, hoping to catch the man himself upclose outside the hall, where he was doing an autograph session. Rather small sized i must say. But what's size compared to his capabilities of making beautiful music for all to love.

Thank you Babyface, for a really warm and fuzzy evening. It was an event i savoured the whole night long as i hummed his song even as i was about to fall asleep. hee. ;)

Woooh...

[For those wishing to attend this festival, do visit www.mosaicmusicfestival.com to see performance schedule. If you do not wish to spend on tickets, there are free outdoor gigs too!]

2010-03-08T18:12:00.006+08:00

Having missed Green Day and MUSE earlier, we kick started our 2010 pool of gigs with Paramore. We have to admit, we are not fans of the Tennesse based band but we do listen to their music and much has been said about their live performance. Having watched some of their gigs on the tele, we made a pact that if they do step on our sunny shores, we simply must catch them. And waddyaknow, they did stop by! (Before i proceed, excuse the lack of photos.)

The gig was filled to the brim with a huge teenage crowd. A small percentage of folks around our age, young kids who wished to grow up to be like Hayley Williams and chaperoning parents. We came at a good decent time where we merely had to wait for 3 minutes before the doors opened. At exactly 8pm, we were (supposedly) pumped up by a local opening act, whose name totally slipped my mind, or ears for that matter. They apparently won some contest to open for Paramore. Much kudos to their bravado for being up there. Their music was ok but it did not really get folks warmed up for the real deal. Their vocalist still has a long way to go in mastering the art of crowd pulling. For someone fronting a rock band, she looked more like a riverdancer. Heh. No offense.

But Hayley Williams, now SHE'S one helluva stage master. From the get go, she owns that stage and the crowd. With their opening number, Ignorance, she was able to get the crowd up on their feet jumping and headbanging and screaming. There were a few who chose to sit down though, for whatever reason. Shy perhaps?

But shy was definitely not me nor the mister. For that 70 minutes or so, we forgot we were parents and went back to being adolescents, headbanging away. How long has it been since I headbanged OH MY GAAAWD!?!! I was standing beside this really scrawny boy who was awkwardly jumping around and i kept bumping into him. I swear i thought i'd have broken a fragile bone or two!

Back to the main attraction. The band was great. Their showmanship was astounding. You see the guitarist doing mid air splits while their frontwoman is like a monkey on heat. She was all over the stage jumping up and down, swishing her hair here and there, headbanging like a woman possessed all while singing impeccably well. Damn that girl could really sing and boy does she have lungs! I think the only time she was mellow was during their performance of The Only Exception.

Overall, i felt the concert was a tad too short at 70 minutes. But i guess the crowd was more than overjoyed since they brought the house down with all their hits including that Twilight smash, Decode. Worth every single cent paid. Especially for those teens who had to scrimp and save. Heh.

Now, bring on Placebo!!

P/s: See the couple behind us in the picture above. Throughout the concert, they were actually sitting, cuddling up to each other. Seriously, like huh? Must have thought it was the Kitaro concert. Ooops.

2010-02-28T15:22:00.003+08:00

Oh gosh! It's already the end of February and March is marching on in. To a groovy beat. Well, at least for us due to some partying we'll be doing. Time to dust off them dancing shoes and let our hair down.

And counting down to Bali! May be a month away but we can smell the wonderful salty smell of the beaches of Kuta.

Bali, we're coming back! :)

2010-02-14T00:53:00.005+08:00

I am afraid. Afraid for Hanna to grow up. Now i know what it felt like for my mom back then, having to worry constantly for her only daughter. Damn, mom's just have some kind of superpowers don't they? I remember her yelling to me back then, how i'll only understand what she's going through when i have a daughter of my own. Of course, she interjected that with a whole lot of negative spewing and curses but that's besides the point.

The point is, i NOW have a daughter. And she's not even anywhere to turning 2 yet and i'm already worried. Paranoid much? Maybe. But i do have a right to be, seeing what and how kids nowadays have turned out to be.

I thought back then, WE were notorious. WE were rebels. WE were wild. But, hell, i thought damn wrong. I see how vicariously unafraid they are of things, how disrespectful they can get to their elders. How they deem the world is theirs and theirs alone, to live and let live. (or let die in some instances!) I get worried. Cause back when i was rude, now they're just even more than rude. When i thought i was flirty during my heydays, now they're downright plain promiscuous. So, what about later on?

I don't want to say 'oh, i'll never be that kind of parent!' or "oh! i would know better than that, to be like that!' or "i won't be fooled!' Cause who am i to be certain of these things. I can only pray and do my part to raise Hanna with proper values and morals. Instill in her what's good and what's bad. Cause like munchkinz always say, when he's in his wise mode, we don't have the blueprint for life. We can only draw up so much of our grand master plan but there's bound to be hiccups along the way. Same goes to parenting. We can only lay down so and so, how we want things to go. But anything can happen. And quite honestly, that's the scary part. If back then, i thought marriage could get scary, well, raising a kid is waaay scarier.

But we took this challenge and we're going to charge at it, head on. It is a beautiful challenge after all. A ride we don't really know to where we're heading. In 10 years time, when i read back on this, i hope all turned out well. I only hope and pray (and hope), the ride won't be too bumpy. Insya'allah.

In the meantime, Poop, can you just stay like this?

All grumpily adorable and cuddly and sweet and precious and.... oh just don't grow up too fast, will you?

2010-02-05T16:40:00.003+08:00

People assume too much. There, is that direct enough of an opening sentence. I can't think of a suitable way to get all literary to start off this entry. So i thought get back to basics, start from where you should. The point.

I am guilty as charged for doing my own assumptions on things. But i got this habit of assuming things to myself, usually as a benefit of the doubt, to give me a peace of mind. Maybe i'm just too nice like that. But it's when assumptions get all negative, that things can get a little dirty. But i guess it's human nature isn't it? To come down with a conclusion about something, not withstanding the fact whether they really know the situation or not.

Like people who easily assume i'm having it easy, staying at home not working just taking care of a little child. People can say i stay home shake leg and expand my derriere. Well excuse me, whoever assumed these things must not be a SAHM. Whoever said that being one is easy peasy must be a damn superhero with ultimate powers! My routine goes along the lines of making sure my home is clean especially because i have an infant. Cooking proper meals for my infant and husband (of course myself also lah. It would be a disastrous lie if i say i cook only for them right?) And i do not just chuck my little one to play by herself, to entertain herself. I have to be the one entertaining. Nurturing her to learn things. To discipline her. People like to say oh she's only a little child, slowly. But i feel disciplining starts from young. Worse are those who think i stay home and just finish up my husband's hard earned money. Or think we're really spendthrift, shop too much. Go out too much. I always tell myself, they're not going through this with us. They don't know so just ignore them. Sometimes i get this urge to just rip their mouths apart, but no, that is just a horrible case of too much Hollywood infused in my brains.

I have seen people get into rifts because of assumptions. A bad fallout between two folks can be due to someone else's assumptions. A third party's take on what happened between these two can cause even more problems and chaos. When you only get to hear from one party and assume the worst about the other party. I don't deem it fair to the other party to be dubbed wrong or bad just from what you have heard. The other party might have a differrent take on the whole situation. Who are you to judge the worst when you are not going through the problem?

And what about assuming just for the sake of dissing someone? Take what happened to our local star who was thrown into a sex scandal. We only downright assume the worst of her, that she's slutty so she deserves it. So yes, she has a penchant for having unprotected pre marital sex but that's her prerogative. Who are you to assume that she knows what she got herself into? To assume that she deserves to be put through such an ordeal for her act? Her mistake, that's between her and God. And her parents of course. The shame and guilt.

I'm laying all this down because i've been assumed time and time again and this time round, i can't take it lightly. I'm hurt by people's assumptions. Of what they think of me, just cause they have a certain assumption of how i am. Or due to a certain thing that happened and people assume that i am the bad guy. Stop it. Stop being pretentious pricks who think you are in the know of everything. Stop subconciously hurting others with your assumptions and deduction of things.

To understand someone, you need to be close to that person. No need to be in their shoes, but try be an outsider really looking in and understanding them. Not just have your take on situations just by what you THINK you know, heard or read. There's always more to it than just the surface.

2010-02-03T22:47:00.002+08:00

Last week, me and munchkinz got a surprise. But alas, the surprise was shortlived. Died off almost as quickly as how it came about.

My period was late by a week. Usually, i'd give it no bother and wait a little longer as my period is quite irregular. However, this time i was blasted with a bad bout of nausea. Somewhat similar to what i faced when i was carrying Hanna.

So munchkinz decided that we did a home test. Peed on the stick and saw the result almost instantly. A line on the positive window. Albeit it being faint, it was definitely a line. I even asked him again and again and again if he saw the line too. To say that we were shocked would be putting it lightly. We were not really planning on another one yet but the result definitely got us smiling. We thought it'd be good to get a confirmation at the polyclinic the next day.

The next afternoon, after sending the lil poop to my mom's, we took the trip down to Bedok Polyclinic. As expected, waiting time was a bitch. It was almost like waiting for Alessandro Nesta to appear at my doorstep. Ok, too far fetched! It was almost 4 when we registered and there wasn't really a huge crowd but just..normal..slow..service.

When our number finally got beeped, we went in and told the doc about the situation. She got us to do the pee test again at the lab. I was appalled to receive a negative from the lab technician! Now this was where i started to feel pretty rotten. The doctor didn't help cause she started asking me these smorgasboard of questions that made me so...dumb. She asked things like if i had checked for the expiry date if the test kit. Ok so maybe these are routine questions right? But still, i was made to feel like Glee's Terry Shuster! All that hysterical pregnancy crap. I felt like crap.

And it didn't help that when we got home i had a massive headache and nausea, vommiting a few times. Munchkinz made us go to our GP just to check if there was anything wrong at all.

Dr Liew of course, made us feel really comfortable. We told him everything, even the trip to the poly. He made me pee again. Aiya, no biggie. Pee only, i can do it again and again. Not like i'm being poked again and again.

His results came out negative too. But this time, unlike that crappy poly doctor, Dr Liew explained some stuff to us. He explained that since we did a test and it came out faint, it could be that i am very early in the pregnancy. Maybe a couple of days, latest a week. He said that test kits are designed to detect even the slightest trace of a certain pregnancy hormone, HCG. He went on to add that since it might be really ealry, anything could happen. It could be a fluke and i'll end up having my menses. Which means it wasn't meant to develop into a foetus. If not, then yes, there was development. He even prescribed me folic acid, just in case. And Dimenate to rid me of my nausea.

See, Dr Liew made me feel less of a Terry Shuster. Now, at least, i knew what could happen. And i knew not to be too expectant on anything. I was prepared for whatever the outcome was.

True enough, early the next day, i bled. I won't lie, i was kind of saddened. As much as i wasn't expecting anything, i was secretly wishing to be preggers again. I missed that being preggers feeling. But HE knows best. Maybe we were not ready and HE knows it. HE's the one with the master plan so we just follow it through. Insya'allah, the right time will come. As adviced by some to try harder, i don't think there is a need. We'll try, but not any harder. As said, we are not that hard up to have number 2 but we'd want one, of course. We'll just take things in stride. When he time is right, Hanna will be an elder sister.

For now, let's just focus on the little munster. :)

2010-01-27T01:05:00.005+08:00

Was on twitter earlier and we tweeps had this discussion on how we met our other halfs/our first date. I giggled to myself remembering how we met and our first date. And i thought it'd be nice to recollect what happened then.

We met years back through myspace.com. Hahaha so kental, cyber love. Ok not love since we didn't really fall in love right after getting to know each other. He decided to send me an IM because he saw this picture...

...and i remember clearly his comment was, "Wah! Pat Singapore masih ade club agogo?! cool!"

I have no idea what made me reply to THAT comment. I was honestly feeling all dejected about being in a relationship and all that jazz. So i really was not in the mood to entertain guys comments. But somehow HE attracted me to a reply. I can't really recall how we ended up exchanging email addresses but we did.

The next day, while i was on MSN, he signed in and acknowledged me. We chatted for abit and i found out he was a regular with the PCG. I literally had my jaws dropping down to the floor. MEN IN UNIFORM!! *cue swooning song* LOL LOL!! After maybe an hour of chatting, i told him i had to go as i had to get school. Then, i was still doing my degree. We exchanged numbers. I got to exchanging numbers with him NOT because he was a man in uniform. Ok lah, that one plus point. Teehee. But that short 1 hour chat was entertaining. Well, somewhat.

We messaged that night, alot. He was at work. We chatted about interests, life, basically anything under the sun. I honestly felt he was different whereby we didn't have that 'silent moment'.

Next day, we ended up meeting. Unplanned, cause i initially had tuition but my kids cancelled on me. And swee swee as i was about to head home, he messaged me and asked what time my tuition ended. I told him about the situation and we agreed to meet. I was famished after all. (Nak makan je!)

I met him at his bustop. When he saw me, the first thing he said was, "Sure u 20++ eh??" Aaaah.. nak aje aku rejam muka dia! But i understand, i looked 15! (and still do, kan? hurhur!)I swore i thought we were going to take the bus to wherever but we ended up taking his mum's car. Our first date ended up being at PASIR RIS PARK! He planned for us to go to that eating place at the park but it was raining. So we sat a while in the car, chit chatting, waiting the rain to subside. He smoked, i ate the Kinder Bueno he bought for me(aaw..chocs!so sweet!) and we talked. We talked about music and yes, i found out he's a Mat Rock and he found out i'm a Reggaehead!

The rain didn't seem to subside much so we decided to just head to Simpang Bedok. We met up with his friends so it ended up being a group outing. Of course, at the end of the night he sent me home. And his friends kept insisting i was anak orang kaya since i stayed in Siglap. Cett!

I really expected him to just be another one of those who 'ok da jumpa, pendek ah dia. tak lawa tu. scraaap!' kind of guy. Kesian dia, kena wrong judgement. Hehe. He called that night when he got home and we chatted till the wee hours of the morning. (Aww...i miss those times)

At that point, he was nursing a broken heart. He kind of just broke up with his then girlfriend and I was well, not into relationships. I was his listening ear, his shoulder to rant on and the one to give girl advices. We really quickly became good friends who somehow flowed on the same wavelength.

Though he was just a friend then, i STILL had to put him through the Meet The Sisters Sessions. Nyahahaha! You know, the one where your girlfriends see if he's boyfie material. I keep telling them it was nothing lah. But of course, they insisted he's ok, can get green light yada yada. He ended up being another guy in the clique, besides the other current boyfies of the sisters.

We hung out quite abit too. I brought him to flea markets. We ate at alot of places he has never stepped into. Let's just say he's a Simpang guy. I remember him discussing with the other boyfies, "Eversince i met her, baru aku tau makan icecream $5 ok! Minum teh 70cent ah selalu. Sekarang teh $4!" Damn, macam sengket pulak dengar kan! Hahahaha! And i sound so high maintenance. Pfft! I heightened his love for sushi. I rekindled his love for books. (we could sit at Coffee Bean/McDonalds for hours at end reading!) And in his words, I opened up the Pandora Box that was him. I understood him.

Somehow along the way, he lost feelings for his ex and showed signs of liking me. Aiya, i didn't want to syiok sendiri so i just acted cool. When in actual fact, deep down i was falling for him. He was a gentleman, in every meaning of the word. He had a passion for music. He was polite. He was funny. Well, i did see him getting angry even before we got together. Macam singa! But oh wells, he was still lovable.

When he asked me to be his girlfriend, i remember giving him a spoiler answer. "Kau buat kekek eh?!" Man, he must have thought i was an idiot! Hahaha! But i guess he could sense i had feelings for him. He once told me that usually when he's serious for a girl, he'd get the girl a helmet. The normal friends or whoevers just use the helmet rakyat. I was using THAT helmet rakyat for sometime already. Lo and behold, one fine day when he fetched me from tuition, he presented me with MY OWN HELMET!! *giggles* He smiled, I smiled. And that silent moment indicated i was his girlfriend. :)

Our relationship was one with alot of laughters. And singing. Oh, I forgot to mention, his voice melted my heart. Melt, harden, melt again...process goes on and one kind of thing. Till now, when he sings, haaaiz. Hee.

Relationship was one also with alot of turmoils. Especially one part involving the ex wanting him back. Sheesh.

But he was persistent. And ended up having talks with me about getting a house. In Singapore context, oh ou jolly well know what it means. Lol!

As they say, the rest was history. Now, 2 years into our marriage with a very active kiddo in tow, i have to admit, that spark i had when we were dating still shines bright. My heart still flutters when he plants a kiss on my forehead or cheek. His Love Yous still get me all weak. Only now, relationship comes with lots of incessant snoring, crotch scratching and faintable farts!

But if i ever have to choose between those snores and farts and nights of peace and no foul smelling nonsense, I'd take those snoes and farts anytime. I live for those snores and farts. I hoenstly miss those snores and farts when he's away on night shifts.

Cause those snores, farts, sneezing and ugly crotch scratching make him, HIM. The him i fell for then. The him I'll fall for over and over again.

Our quirky kind of love. :)

2010-01-20T16:15:00.003+08:00

No particular reason of an entry. Tired from scouring the internet, in search of our accomodation in Bali this coming April.

So, this little fella turns 15 months today.

And this 'cartoon' here turns 27 tomorrow.

And i LOVE them to bits. :)

2010-01-14T20:01:00.006+08:00

2 weeks have passed since we ushered in 2010. Ho wells, same ol same ol actually. We ushered New Year, well, at home for me while at work for the mister. When usually we'd have an outing with the lovely Royalz, this year Hanna's Ommas yang muka sardine requested for a steamboat party at our place. We tried the darndest to plan it smack that during the new year weekend but due to work schedules, we had to make it at a later date.

So we set the date for one of the weekends and boy was it steaming. Unfortunately, Yah and Akiff came down with the flu that same weekend so they weren't able to make it. Bummer!

I'll let the pictures do the talking now.

(Damn, my ass looks huge in this pic!)

Well, till the next food feast @ 69. Hmmm...we still have that fondue to make folks. ;)

2009-12-27T19:06:00.002+08:00

I've got a week left to do as many entries as possible before we hit 2010. Now now, i'm looking forward to this new year and the new school term cause i really feel i have been slacking away a tad too much without my tuition assignments. No doubt, handling Hanna is really really a load. A huge load at that. and housework and all, but tutoring also is part of my life. My everyday-ness. So i look forward to the return of my previous tutees and new ones. And the running of my brain cells with POA balancing, Maths formula and Grammar/Vocabulary enhancing. Hehe.

I started tutoring when i was 18, during my A' Level years. I did it part time then, just to have extra pocket money. Cause i have a penchant of eating lunch with them mates after school or watching movies. It was a mere $5 on Tuesdays! So i really really dread asking for moeny from my mom so this was a good alternative.

Then, this little money making scheme continued when i was doing my degree too. And it ended up being my career. My source of income. Till this day, i know i received a lot of flak for choosing to be a tutor. People question why not be teacher instead? I never really knew how to answer that but it somehow was my calling. Not to be on the foreground of helping kids in school but be the extra help. So some people smirk and give me that 'cett!' look when i say i'm merely a tutor. It used to bother me but not anymore. Not when my tutees show improvements. Not when they pass their exams, when normally they're failing. Not when parents call me up and personally thank me. Not when these tutees request to have me continue tutoring them the following year. These little factors, they make me proud of what i chose to do.

Even with Hanna around now, I still choose to continue tutoring. I have to leave her to her own devices for at least 2 hours while i tutor. I'd let her watch a favourite show or let her play in her playroom or allow her to sit near me and do a little colouring of her own. Yes, being at that age she does disturb that's why i always give my tutees assessments to do at a given timing, just so i could entertain Hanna for a little bit too. Of course, when her Ayah's around, things are much easier.

I love what i do. And i'd like Hanna to grow up in this 'learning' environment.

So if YOU happen to be in need of a tutor for Pri 1-6 (Eng/Maths) or Sec 1-5 (Eng/Maths/POA) and living in the East side, please feel free to drop me a line at smallybigg13@hotmail.com :)

2009-12-16T16:09:00.005+08:00

Check out the Mister's site (link given below) for the latest covers we did. This time in the kitchen. A couple of duets too. And oh, please excuse the few 'terkehels' here and there. we ain't pros after all you know. All in the name of fun. :)

Enjoy!

2009-12-12T00:21:00.002+08:00

Today's already the 12th. In 19 days time, we'll say goodbye to 2009 and welcome 2010. Gosh, it's scary how time flies by just like that. It seems that i've not accomplished a gazillion things i've set out to do this year. Maybe i have but it somehow slipped my mind on what i set out to do in the first place. hur! Oh wells, let's reminisce a little shall we.

In the beginning of the year, munchkinz lost his beloved grandpa. It was his time and at least he left us peacefully. May his soul rest in peace with Him and all the good fellows.

The usual stuff went on in our lives. Mister got a promotion and that was truly a blessing, Alhamdullilah. With his promo, came bigger responsibilities and better opportunities for our family. We contemplated about cars and moving but decided finally, it's best we wait somemore. Times are not that good so waiting for things to pick further would be good.

Of course, there's Hanna. What can i say, life has truly shown it's true meaning thanks to this little bundle of energy. Everything about her oozes joy, happiness and absolute bliss, just like her name states. She never fails to make us smile and laugh with her antics. A very active and energetic girl, she can put the Energizer bunny to shame anytime. Even her dad can't keep up with her! Very playful and starting to be very mischievious too. What plans have we got for our lil' poop next year? Well, at the rate she's going, we thought of signing her up with one of those baby gym classes. Let her meet new friends, which by the way is another of her speciality. She simply loves making friends. (a trait from her mom aye!) We hope Hanna will be blessed with sparkling health in this coming year. May she develop into the extraordinary child that she is. :)

Friends got married, some had babies, others got engaged.

Met new lovely folks through Twitter. People who i can share and learn about mommy-hood, people whom i now call friends. :)

Oh, then there were my P6 kids who took their PSLE and made me beam with pride for being their tutor. All surpassed my expectations for them and shone through, even when everyone was complaining at how tough this year's exams were. To Hatim, Syeikh and Iz'zun, i'm proud of u guys. Well done and good luck for your transition into secondary school.

All in all '09 has been great. We went through hiccups, trials and tribulations but we had happy times. Times of sheer joy and simple pleasures. I would not have asked for more.

For '10, i wish for nothing more than good health and wealth for the whole family and dear friends. For trials to pave the way to better times. For me to be strong enough to go about being a good and productive mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

For Italy to retain their World Cup glory!!!

For holiday plans to come through.

For my dongsaeng to find a wonderful man! ;)

And maybe... just maybe...

For junior number 2. Insya'allah.

2009-12-08T22:42:00.003+08:00

Dear Munchkinz,

I tried really hard to write up something for you. To tell you all the mushy wushy crap that makes people weak in the knees or tear even. Turn the hardest of man all wobbly in the knees. I tried, i really did. But i can't come up with anything! Well, i did come up with abit here and there but i keep deleting and backspacing. Some were too mushy for public viewing. Some were too essay-ish. Some were too... crap!

So i think i should really just be frank and write what's REALLY going through my head huh? Ok here goes.

Thank you sayang for making me your wife. For respecting me. For trusting me. For showering unconditional love on me. For attending to my needs. For always treating me like the queen of your heart. For never making a fuss if the house is messy. For never nagging when the laundry is not ironed. For always appreciating my cooking, even if you have to be the guinea pig. For giving me Hanna. For making me laugh. For making me smile. For making me look forward to each day, having you by me, sharing the good and the bad.

For just being YOU.

Thank you Muhammad Al Hafidz, for a wonderful 2 years of marriage.

Here's to many many many many more years to come.

I LOVE YOU. :)

2009-11-17T13:01:00.002+08:00

For the past almost one week, we've been living amongst nasty dust. ergh! we're doing a little renovation to our toilets. unfortunately (or fortunately), our toilet flooring has been found to be leaking and not waterproofed. honestly, what can u expect from an old flat right? so HDB adviced (more like MADE) us change it. ok lah, for the amount we're paying, no complains.

just the horrendous dust and noise. literally, migraine inducing! my nose has taken the worst blow, sneezing constanly and getting all itchy and annoying. don't even ask how many times we wipe and vaccuum and mop the floors on a daily basis after the contractors are done for the day.

as of now, the kitchen toilet is all brand new. still as simple as before but more spacious, we feel and of course not so 10 years ago! hahaha.

now the mister's got some grand master plan of renovating the whole house. with all the dust?? let me do some REAL loooong thinking first ok. ;)

2009-11-05T03:01:00.003+08:00

Of late, munchkinz and I have been doing quite a bit of research concerning vacations. This year, we forego some destinations and vacationing, mainly due to Hanna being at an age where we don't think is really suitable for a long haul trip. It has been mostly Malaysia, with KL being the most visited in the year. Come late Nov/early Dec, we'll be in KL yet again. And then be on a stay-cation in good ol' Sentosa. Now that's a first!

Since Hanna turned one, we thought it would be ok already to expose her to flights. So with that said, we have secured a week long trip to Bali come April! wooohoo! Don't ask why but Bali is really one place we can go to again and again and again. Of course, we had our hornymoon there and munchkinz has his yearly surfing trips, but it's just something about the laid back nature of the place that we love. No need to mention the greatass deals in terms of shopping! Insya'allah with no hiccups, we'll have the lil' poop enjoying the place with us.

Aside from that, we are also kind of scouting around for good deals to England. And for that of course, we're going with our much loved perasan British herself. (yes, Ds of course you lah!) However, for this one we really got to do a proper research for flights, accomodations and sights to see. The fact that we simply MUST squeeze Old Trafford into the trip is beyond explanation. And we got to think of again, the lil' poop and make the travelling most comfy for her. If we can get itinerary and costs in place and everything fits nicely for Hanna especially, we'll probably see London in July 2010. Again, Insya'allah!

Maybe if not London, we can go South Africa during that time. You know, World Cup and all. What say you Ds?! *winks*

Her Special Day(s)

2009-10-25T20:45:00.009+08:00

Is it already the 25th? Gosh, i put off doing a post on Hanna's birthday for that long? Ok you can't blame me cause we have been so busy with so many things to attend to. So finally, i got the time to jot down a little thing or two about how we went about with the lil' poop's celebrations.

As mentioned earlier, we had planned to head up to KL for a short getaway. But Hanna fell ill and decided that plans had to change. So on Tuesday, the big day itself, we had INITIALLY planned to go to Fidgets at Turf City to let her play around. but Hanna was on a sleeping spree, think trying to sleep her last bits of illness away. So when she woke up around 5pm that evening, we just decided to go do some night-seeing at Marina Barrage.

Indeed, it was an enjoyable trip for her, being all amazed with the lights and fountains. We knew as much, a place where she can roam free and have fun would totally be a great outing for her.

Next day saw us paying the zoo a visit. Hanna loves watching Animal Planet so we figured maybe she would love the real deal too. What do you know? She is one little fiesty baby who has no fears at all with the wild beasts behind those enclosures. In fact, she didn't have any qualms about kissing the 'glass', somewhat kissing the animal behind it. And my baby touched a Boa! Her mother who has the WORST fear for reptiles and THE daughter could touch and stroke a snake in awe?? impressive!

She especially loved her time at the Kidzworld. With her other love of water, you of course expect her to run around in her diapers laughing and screaming and being the little happy pappy princess we know her to be.

We had an amazing time celebrating her special day. or should i say days, since we spent more than that one day with her. All that laughter and smiles from her, it was too precious and heartwarming.

We might both be young in people's eyes. And still immature or inexperienced in the dealings of raising a child. But the love she showered on us, the hugs and kisses she learned to plant on us, her little gestures of sincere love made us realise that this embarkation of being parents was never one we'll ever regret. It was indeed the greatest gift of God.

Happy turning one again love.

Use Somebody - Po & Mai Cover

2009-10-20T13:05:00.000+08:00

A Letter To Hanna.

2009-10-20T11:12:00.003+08:00

Dear Poop, (don't even know how your Ayah and I came up with that nickname for you)

12 months ago today, you came into this world. But just the DIVA that you are, you of course didn't come through simple and normal ways. Oh no dear, you were really something from the beginning.

Backtrack abit to about 37 weeks before that. I found out I was pregnant with you and simply put estatic will be a total understatement. Ayah and I had not really planned anything but we were not really shocked. Somehow we braced ourselves that if a baby comes along, we'll be fully ready. And so the journey begins.

You did not give me a peaceful first 3 months dear. I was practically bed bound for that period of time, only puking and getting giddy. I was seriously too weak for anything, I even had to postpone all tuition. Your Ayah was of course worried for me and you. Seeing me not wanting or willing to eat only worried him more, fearing that both of us won't get the nutrients that we both need to get through. But thank God we found out about Dimenate. Our favourite (yours included) Dr Liew gave me this anti-nausea pills that totally changed how i feel.

I became stronger, chirpier, oh well, i got back to my normal self. Even eating like usual! (or maybe waaay much more) We always looked forward to the gynae appointments just to take a peek at how you're doing. Now this is where we realised you really got a mind of your own. See Poop, you were a breech baby. meaning unlike other babies who prefer to have their head facing downwards for easier birth later on, you preferred to be upright. Ibu even went on the internet to search on ways to turn you around. I did basically everything the website adviced, short for swimming upside down, since Ibu can't swim! HAH! I got a lady to massage my belly hoping you'd turn. I talked to you night and day asking you to be a good girl and turn for me. Even Ayah did so. I even got down on all fours and crawled around the house, as adviced by some massage lady from Batam. (Gosh, that was really something!) But YOU, still insist on being in the position you are. We tried till the very end but to no avail. Stubborn aren't you? hehe.

On the 20th of October 2008, we went for a normal routine check up only to find out that Ibu has been having contractions, without me even realising! Was told that i had to prep for labour since you're in a breech position and if i were to dilate, it'd be hard to give birth to you normally with your legs sticking out first. Till this day, Ayah and I always said that you got too excited to see the world after watching that Kollywood movie with us the night before. (when you're older go Google Rajnikanth)

Since I had a meal earlier, i could only wait till much later to be pushed to the Op Theatre to get you out. At 9pm exactly, you my sweet poopie came into this world, with those huge big eyes shining and sparkling right at me. :)

12 months later, here we are, celebrating your first. Truly, you have started to show us all how smart and beautiful you are. Your sweet smile never fail to cheer me up. Your quirky nature perks up anybody's day. And yes, you truly have a mind of your own with the way you go about playing and entertaining yourself, making sure things go the way YOU want it. (cause if they don't you'll instantly shriek and wail, only to be stared down at by either me or Ayah. haha!)

The journey has really truly now only has begun for us dear. Here's wishing only the bestest for you my firstborn. Ibu and Ayah will only give you the best, Insya'allah. And we pray you grow to be a respectful, smart and successful young lady with Allah in mind. :)

With lots of undying love,
Ibu. xoxo.

2009-10-18T21:20:00.001+08:00

The lil poopsie fell ill so KL plans are unfortunately scrapped. We're at the doc's at the moment, waiting for our turn. 6 more patients to go.

Updated through mobile.

2009-10-17T16:32:00.003+08:00

Yes, somebody's going to turn a big ONE soon. but as it is, we won't be holding any big bash for her. some people did ask why. after all, it is her first birthday. well, as her parents i think it is OUR prerogative on whether we want to have a celebration or not. frankly, we just do not see the need, yet.

Celebrate, of course we will. but it is HER day. so we decided to plan a whole week of activities for her to enjoy. the week was supposed to start yesterday. however, with munchkinz having to be called back to work, we had to change our plans a little. see, munchkinz actually took leave starting from yesterday till nex tuesday. but schedules got changed and his leave was changed to next week. so we decided to take a little family retreat to where else but KL. haha i know, yet again?

We kind of thought to kill two birds with one stone. to pay the twins and family a visit since they could not make it during raya, we go to them. :) and while we're there, we can do abit of gallivanting. like we haven't gallivant enough in KL eh? haah! as it is also a very last minute planning of sorts, other destinations are not quite an option due to accomodation and transport.

but before we head to KL, the little one will be treated to her virgin trip to the zoo tomorrow. she doesn't know it yet but we're betting she'll be uber excited. (we hope!)

so you see, we can't please everyone. but the ONE to please is defintely the superstar who's turning ONE. :)

2009-10-15T11:49:00.002+08:00

Welcomes the husband to the blogging world. See, never say never hunn. ;)

Do visit him. He's under 'The Mister' in my links.

Enjoy!

2009-10-05T21:18:00.003+08:00

From a cute little tiny being...

she's bloomed to this smart little pucker!

gosh, has it already been almost a year?? 15 more days and she's ONE. time really does fly!

don't grow up too fast poop. ;)

2009-09-29T19:01:00.002+08:00

i've been really tired this past few days. maybe it's due to all that Raya visiting. or kinda lack of, since we finished up visiting within the two weeks. well, the important family ones worth visiting that is. and i've been feeling nausea-ish with bouts of giddiness. most, of course, were instantly squealing that i could be up for another baby. as exciting as that sounds, i doubt it after doing some period cycle calculations. though it would be such a relief if this was the case.

must be the weather though. the scorching heat can take quite a toll to yours truly, who is very proned to migraine attacks. or it could also be due to lack of sleep. since Ramadhan, my sleeping habits have been quite screwed. sheesh.

think i might just need more doses of vitamin. lack of vitamins could also be the cause right? oh shucks, maybe i'm just a weakling like that. thank God for my uber strong husband then. always there to pick up the slack. or me, whenever i find it nice to just plop down onto the floor like a wilted leaf. haha!

or maybe....

i need a good looong holiday to somewhere relaxing!! :)

2009-09-22T14:28:00.009+08:00

This year we celebrated Syawal with the lil' tot. Days before the day itself, i was breaking out in sweat (exaggerated much!) thinking if she'll be cranky and whiny, if she'll be rimas in her baju kurung. oh all that what nots! but alas, she proved to be such a doll, as usual lah. only towards the end of the day when i think she had enough of visiting and just wants to lay in bed and roll around. which she did as soon as she could!

This year's line up also saw much changes. Our usual suspects from Malaysia didn't show up this year due to unforeseen circumstances. WHAT A BUMMER!!! after 26 years, for the first time EVER i didn't get to raya with my twins. but as a surprise, Ami Syam and family came home from Brunei. first time ever too, after like 17 whole years of not raya-ing in Singapore!!! but they were missing a family member, who's in Perth studying.

Oh wells, here's some chosen pics. The rest are all stashed in our FB.

Anyways, hope it's not too late to wish everyone SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI, MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN, from us The Hafidzs. :)

2009-09-14T15:00:00.001+08:00

Just testing a little something. Finally blogger is in a good mood. Please stay this way thank you, very nice.

2009-09-07T15:34:00.000+08:00

Dates. no not the fruit, though it is the fasting month. i'm talking about the going out with a guy/girl kinda date. i'm sure everyone of us has been on somekind of a date. be it in groups or a one to one. gosh, looking back on the dates i've been on, i definitely have to say i've had my fair share of disasters.

see, i'm very chatty. i somehow have this 'BAD' thing where i can easily talk to a person like as if he/she has been my acquaintance for the past 5 years or so! (now i deem that bad, cause some people think i'm waaaaay toooo friendly for their liking. geez!) so there was this once, back when i was still an adolescent (ehem) and i went on a date with this guy. now let's recall, where i met him? oh yes! i had a part time job at the Blood Bank. he came down with his mates, accompanying one or two of them who came to donate blood. so this guy, F, somehow asked me out on a date and for some reason, i fail to remember why NOW, i actually agreed. so we exchanged numbers and all, and made a date for the next couple of days.

date day came and we met in Town. yea, where else, right? now this is where EVERYTHING just went down the hill. i tried to make small talk on how he was that day, what he intends to do etc etc. i was sadly greeted with monosyllabic answers. "Ok." "Dunno." "Anything." at first i thought, ok he's shy. nevermind give him time to warm up. so i suggested going for dinner. sitting down at one of the food joints in Town, i again decided to make small talk, for i swear i could literally hear crickets singing and laughing at us!! he had this most pathetic "i don't know what to do or say" look ever. slowly, his boredom was getting to me. and i was running out of topic conversations, gawdammit! so there we sat eating in silence. i remember messaging my bestie now and then ranting on my agony of sitting there with this dude. and i clearly remember her laughing at me and telling me to leave.

i of course felt bad on just getting up and leave. so i sat through the silent dinner and continued listening to cirickdts instead. i asked what he thought of doing after dinner. HE SHRUGGED!! yes, actually shrugged and gave a little grin. WTH?? *bangs head on wall* which was just the last straw for me!! i somehow told him that i had to go off if he didn't have any plans. he went "ok anything!" grrr....

THAT was only one of a few disastrous dates i've been on. but THIS, is THE MOST disastrous one. i can't stand it when people don't talk. is it that hard to make conversations? i really want to find the UGLY TRUTH to why some people can't conversate.

And i hope The Ugly Truth have answers to that. if not, well at least there's Gerard Butler. :) after P.S I Love you, it's nice to see him in a rom-com. how uber sexy is he??

Hopefully we'll all find out some kind of Ugly Truth about the opposite sex. *fingers crossed*

Be a fan at the official Facebook page and catch The Ugly Truth when it opens in the cinemas on the 17th September 09!

2009-09-03T17:29:00.001+08:00

Hi all! Haven't heard from me for sometime huh? Soon folks. When i can master the applications on Ibu's mobile. Cool huh?
This update is done through mobile by the way. :)

2009-08-28T14:32:00.000+08:00

i haven't been blogging because on some days blogger has been mad shitty!

i wanted to do a write up on the weakness of language amongst kids nowadays but it got eaten up by blogger the day. now all gone! thanks!

i am fasting so there's no point in getting pissy over blogger, right?

been a week since we fasted and alhamdullilah, things have been smooth. Hanna has been kind (LOL!) to us by not being so difficult.

have yet to go to Geylang. i know, go there every year same thing what right? NO!! every year Ramadhan in Geylang brings a new atmosphere of Vadai, Burger Ramly, Keropok Lekor, Kebabs etc tec. so we can get those on a daily basis, but don't you know that during Ramadhan it's just DIFFERENT??? tsk.

i kill myself slowly everyday by surfing through Kate Spade bags. and Loboutin heels. things i do to kill boredom during this month. hah!

most importantly, i die die wanna go catch No Doubt during F1 Rocks!!!

2009-08-19T15:16:00.002+08:00

gosh! i had wanted to blog something. but i think i better plan on it properly. cause it is a long and somewhat sesitive issue. no it does not involve race, well kind of. more of my own race. and their usage and grasp of language. coming from a tutor who is at her wits end really on how to help this kids. as much as she tries.

let me plan up a good entry for that. will be back with it soon. :)

Lunch for today.

2009-08-13T17:37:00.001+08:00

Spicy.. just the way i like it. :)

2009-08-10T20:06:00.003+08:00

Our little red dot celebrated her 44th yesterday. and boy was the parade a good one this year! even Hanna enjoyed herself watching the segments Live from our tele. made me a little emotional too watching the parade this year. yea yea, so i had tears welling up in my eyes. so, i am emo like that!

somehow, watching the growths our small country has gone through made me so proud to be Singaporean. from a tiny little fishing village to what we are today, a global metropolis! especially the parts where they featured 'grandpa' making his speech back then. what he said. i honestly thought at that point, that without him and his foresights and visions, i think we'd be nothing. it's just the little things about the whole parade that made me so damn proud, i felt emotional. like a momma seeing her baby grow. :) hahaha i know i know, i sound like i'm sucking up the garberment right!!??

we didn't go anywhere this year for fireworks. munchkinz had to work so me and Hanna entertained ourselves in front of the tv whole day long. let's just say it was lazy day for mother and daughter.

looking forward to bringing Hanna to catch some LIVE fireworks one of these days. just have a good family outing before fasting month begins.

which is only a week away by the way.

2009-08-04T17:39:00.002+08:00

ok i was tagged. and because i've got the free time, i decided to crack my brains a little to answer the questions. it's in Malay for heaven's sake!!! ni semua kerja Mak Mimie. thanks eh! dan kerana saya ni seorang anak sedara yang amat baik dan penyayang, akan saya layankan makcik IT saya yang sememangnya takde kerja lain dah! terima kasih. hahahaha. ok go!

1. Anda sudah mempunyai berapa org anak & nyatakan Girl Or Boy?
-- Anak saya seorang sahaja(tapi dah macam 10!!) seorang perempuan.

2. Bila perancangan anda untuk menambah anak?
-- Oh, saya tak main rancang2 ni. aah ade rezeki Tuhan nak kasi ade lah next one. orang tua2 kata rancang2 ni tak bagus. hahah tapi jangan khuatir, pandai2 lah kita suami isteri maintain 'diet'. ehem..paham2 lah eh. :))

3. Nyatakan nama anak anda & apa makna nama anak anda dlm Islam??
-- Hanna. (simple je!!) makna nyer, kebahagiaan. memang bawa bahagia pon si kecik ni.

4. Siapakah yg memberikan nama anak anda??
-- saya dan suami duduk plan sesama.

5. Dari mana tercetusnya idea memberikan nama anak anda??
-- takde idea. sellepas tgk2 name anak dari buku, kita pilih seberapa dan 'settle' untuk nama Hanna. short and sweet dan makna nyer senang dan bagus juga.

6. Sekiranya anda dikurniakan seorang lagi cahaya mata...apakah nama yg akan anda beri?
-- OH!! kalau lelaki nak namakan Alessandro Nesta. kalau perempuan, Angelina Jolie. STEADY TAK?!?! ahahahha!! nak mampos mak aku kasi syarahan 10 hari 10 malam!! blum plan ah. nanti kalau ade, bleh jawab k.

7. Berapakah perancangan anak yg anda mahu & nyatakan berapa girl & berapa boy???
-- no rancang2. seberapa ramai yg boleh. :)) (i sound like a baby factory there! daym!)

8. Bagi yg mempunyai anak lebih dari seorg...nyatakan jaraknya beza umur anak anda?
-- Not Applicable.

9. Untuk kelahiran anak anda yg akan datang..anda nak Girl @ Boy?? Nyatakan sebabnya??
-- no preference. mana2 pon bleh. asalkan baby kuar sihat dan sempurna.

10. Apa ciri2 persamaan anda & anak anda??
-- senang je ni.... we are both noisy and loud and hyperactive and talkative!! bestest traits Hanna can inherit from her Ibu. :))) oh i forgot to add, petite and CUTE!!! sheesh, how can i forget that!

11. Upload gambar anak anda untuk tontonan semua rakan blogger..
-- aah.. blogger tgh buat hal. tak bleh upload plak! darns.

OK DONE!! that was fast.
Naaah.. Mak Mimie dah buat. harap terhibur. hahah. :)

2009-07-28T00:46:00.002+08:00

what am i, the boogeyman?

*sigh*

saddened. though i try.

2009-07-26T18:44:00.000+08:00

i'm not one who really keeps myself in the know about fashion. the occasional reads yes, but i don't keep track of what's the colour for this season, what's in what's not. many would agree i'm more of the serembah serembih/selekeh girl with the usual T and jeans/bermudas/cropped pants. a wonder why people think i'm a teenage mum lah. besides my youthful good looks! ehemz! hehe.

but one thing that really gets me weak in the knees, besides handbags and accessories, are shoes. gosh what vices they are!! on some days, i'd randomly do a click-click on some websites with to-die-for shoes. shoes which i'd have to probably forego a year's worth of Hanna's formula. and diapers! shoes which burn my pockets so badly, i'd probably get charred too myself! so since i can't afford them, ogling won't kill right?

so i don't own the killer pair of Blahniks or Choos or even any Loboutins. think the most expensive pair i can rally of my shoe rack are from Nine West or Aldo. but see, i'm a firm believer of 'the brand do not maketh the man". or in this case woman. i own pairs and pairs of heels from cheapo brands. but as long as they are comfy on my feet, then yes, i love them.

as it is, no matter how comfy a pair of heels are, after a while of sashaying around in them, your feet tends to get painful. heels are not known as killer for nothing you know.

ah yes, heels! the joy of prancing around with height. for a known fact i am, alas, vertically challenged. since i don't even make the 1.5m mark, the higher the heels the more wonderful i feel. like my dad always say, "waah!! tall ah!!" insert his trademark smirk with that remark. pfft! but i do love looking tall with them heels. Dongsaeng always comment on how crazy i am for wanting to even want to walk around in them. but for someone as gigantic as her, of course she won't understand my shortcomings. pun intended. hehe. though, as much as i do love heels going ooh and aah everytime i see a pretty one, i don't wear them much except for occasions. similar to the Tshirt and bottoms, i'm more in my sneakers and flip flops. which i have to mention, i have a crazier collection than the heels!

looking back, i think i have my mom to blame for instilling this 'passion' on me. my mom was an 'office girl' before she went for early retirement. (or so-called!) one of those ladies who really dress to the nines in corporate suits daily for work. when i was younger, i remember playing dress up alot and the one item i really fancied were my mom's shoes. i could trot around in her shoes whole day long, feeling kakak-kakak opis. big boss even better! there were this pair of blue peep toe wedges that i always used and simply loved! and i always told myself that when i gro older, i want to inherit her shoes. alas, lo and behold, i couldn't fit them then i still can't fit them now!!! all those pointy ones, the stilletoes, the wedges. and a particular pair of boots.

that's where my predicament lies in. my feet size. at a mere size 4, they barely fit into anything much. so i normally shop at stores that i know carry my size. it pains me so when i try on a pretty pair only to find that the store don't have it my size. sakit hati or what! but perseverance is key. cause whenever i do see anything that catches my eye and i know it does have my size, i'd grab it! though there'll be the few occasion where i'd be pondering and questioning if it will e worth it.

i know i am still a far cry from even getting to 1/4 of what Emilda Marcos had. but quantity might not be the main factor after all. since i am that kind of person who wears that favourite pair of shoes till they go all flat in the soles and tattered in the design. hehe. kiamsap like that.

now let's think of what pair to get to glam ma'am myself up for the upcoming raya. :) and add on to the barely there collection to slowly make it... there. heh.

2009-07-24T00:39:00.002+08:00

wow! 4 entries in 4 days! amazing eh. where once it was dead and barren suddenly i'm on a blogging roll people. foooweee!!!

ok no seriously. the other day i was messing around with my handphone and somehow or rather i came into this application whereby i could send pictures straight to my blog. yeah i know awesomeness right? so, i tried it out. then did the necessaries they asked me to and voila! i picture-updated through my phone. now nobody can say i'm a lazyass who don't want to update. *stares at Soufi*

anyhoos, if you haven't already known, the whole family has been told to stay home. i wouldn't use the word quarantine again, since well we're not really (cause we can still go out) but since munchkinz got mc so it's almost equivalent to that. see, on Tuesday me and Hanna slept over at Uchu's cause i had to tutor Soufi for her Maths Common Test the following day. when we came, Hatim was taken ill. had fever but it seemed nothing serious. Uchu brought her to the doc and she was given 2 days MC. the next day, when Hanna woke up for milk around 6, she seemed to be slightly warmer than usual. i had an inkling feeling she was falling sick but at that point, since it was also raining quite heavily, i thought it could also be due to the cold. so she slept back after her milk. amidst her sleep, i decided to feel her forehead and true enough she was really hot. called munchkinz to come home ASAP from work so we could take her to the doc.

Hanna had very high fever, reaching a peak of nearing to 40 degrees in the early morning on Thursday. we did not take her to KK right away cause she did not seem to have any other symptoms that pointed to other illness, like an infection maybe. so after giving her medicine, she went back to sleep and slowly her temperature subsided. very slowly but surely. later that evening, Uchu called saying that Hatim tested positive for Influenza A. we didn't quite panic but knew we had to get checked up, just in case. munchkinz was also feeling a little under the weather so it was only precautionary. by that time, Hanna's temperature was back to normal so we did not really worry about her.

at the doctor's, Dr Liew gave us all a mandatory check up and found Hanna all better. just a little runny nose that's all. was told to continue with her medication and come back if anything was not right. munchkinz however, had fever and sore throat. and since he came into contact with Hatim, Dr Liew gave a week's MC just in case. anyway, his workplace is quite particular about this so he would have gotten Leave Of Absence for a couple of days even without the MC. as for me, well, i had a clean bill of health. :) minor nose irritation but other than that, i was a-ok.

poor Hatim, what with her PSLE coming and all. well, her MC days will give her much needed rest and recuperation. get weel soon hunn!! <3

as for us, well, we're taking it as family time. since with munchkinz's MC, we can't really go anywhere, we'll be staying home and spending quality time together. time to catch up on reading, watching DVDs and why yes of course, playing with Hanna.

for now, i'm mad bored. i can't get myself to sleep for some reason so i guess i'll keep myself entertained by playing games.

oh, and yes, i'll still have that shoe entry coming soon.

watch this space. :)

Poor lil sick Hanna.

2009-07-23T13:06:00.001+08:00

Still down with very high fever. Highest recorded: 39.7degs. Pleare get well soon poopoop!

2009-07-22T16:37:00.002+08:00

and she's supposed to be running a fever of 38.9 degrees!! instead of sleeping, she's helping me 'clean' up my room.

as long as it makes her happy i say. :)

2009-07-21T20:59:00.002+08:00

i've been told i don't update enough. yes Soufi, like i have a lot of time on my hands right? so from now i have made a self pact that i will TRY to update at least once a week so YOU, my dear fans, will have something to read about when you pay my dusty old blog a visit. so we'll begin here.

as Soufi also mentioned, she said that i have alot of things to blog about. Hanna, being married, Hanna. ok mainly Hanna. haha. i do have things to ramble on and on about her progress. how she has learnt to stand and shuffle her way round the house. not walk but shuffle. how her first word sadly is neither Ibu nor Ayah, which she rambles constantly and we take as just normal baby yak. you know, 'booboobooboo..." and "yahyahyahyah...". her first word is amazingly, or should i say NOT so amazingly is ... "MEKMEK", which means milk. (mimilk, get it?)for one thing i do have to proudly say that she is quite independent. able to play by herself and be occupied when i have other things to do like when i tutor my students or have housework to complete. she is able to sit still throughout shows, watching in awe. or play with her toys, the cooking utensils (feeling masak-masak!) and flip through her books. sadly though her sleeping time is quite haywire. she doesn't nap much nowadays, just a mere 45 minutes, an hour and a half the longest. and her bedtime at night can be quite late, playing and yakking away. and night times are usually the ones where she asks us to play with her. yes, the time when me and munchkinz are all drained out and shagged. there'll be days where we'd just place her in her cot and lie around her room waiting for her to sleep. whereas she'd be in there playing with her soft toys. sheesh.

ah, i lost the essence. where this entry was not supposed to be about Hanna! i was trying to prove Soufi that i do not only want to blog about the lil tyke. that i can blog about a whole lot of other things. like shoes! this entry was actually meant t be about shoes dammit! urgh.. but i got sidetracked. and now i'm simply too lazy and lost the plot of that entry.

guess i'll leave that for next week. yes, i shall be back next week to talk about my crazy fetish for shoes.

i promise. :)

2009-07-08T11:01:00.002+08:00

sorry that Ibu has been away from blogging for quite sometime. she has been pretty caught up with, well, ME. hehe. Ayah has also been on leave so we have been great time together as a family. just last week we went on an unplanned trip up north to KL, again. as always i slept through our journey. i don't know why but i love taking naps in the car. i can take long ones at end and wake up only when my parents stop for a break.

besides sleeping, Ibu has also started on keeping entertained by reading. :)

yes folks, i can read. ok maybe not. Ibu does the reading for me. but aren't pictures cool?? they are so colourful and pretty to look at. especially those of animals.

sometimes, i try to act smart and try out this reading myself. erh... but the words get jumbled together so i just simply pretend i know what i'm reading. hehehe.

i still love it best when Ibu reads to me. she's soooo funny and erh..animative. once, Mama Soufi tried reading to me, much to everyone else's chargrin and roaring laughters!! no offense Ma, i love you and all but you need more practice lah. :p

i really hope Ibu will take me to that place where there are soooooo many books again. she always goes there and wander around staring and flipping and taking some home. and she can be there for a long time too! sometimes she goes to where the kiddie books are and show me pictures and drawings of nice things. i like it there.

but Ibu said we will have to be extra careful nowadays sith that disease that is going around. some illness that came about from those pink animals with the cute curly tail, which Ibu said don't really look too cute in real life. they don't smell nice either. hmmm... so because of that, we won't go much and have to make do with the books we have at home. it's ok though.

ok now folks, till the next time i help Ibu with the blogging. it's time for my lunch. i smell eggs! yumm... :)

2009-06-18T23:37:00.002+08:00

this H1N1 thing is getting scarier by the day. thus far, there have been 77 reported cases here in our sunny island. i know, there are many other more frightening diseases out there, of course. but it's just mad how the virus spreads like a wildfire.

and what with all this news of some infected people who choose to be ignorant and STILL roam the streets. gosh, how inconsiderate. no offence but as a mom to a growing baby, i fear for her health. paranoia much?

ok on a happier note, we're getting new ceiling fans tomorrow!!!! aaah gone are the dodgy standing fans that take up waaay too much space in the house. and here's to a windier home! insya'allah! oh you might ask, why not get air-conditioning instead? well, we can't! cause munchkinz has sinus and a/c can trigger him off. i prefer not to have him sounding like a trumpet day in day out. and i can't take too much a/c cause i'll get dry. literally. back in secondary school/pre-U days, a/c took a toll on my skin and i had major chapped lips. i looked like i had some penyakit bibir ok! so tak jambu for future suitors, sends signals i can't be kissed! nyeh! and i have eczema. dry skin can lead to itchiness. bah! bothersome, so skip a/c altogether.

once in a while nehmind! luxury! hee.