Bicycle

Two years ago mummy’s friend had a job assignment in Taiwan and we took the opportunity to ask her to help us buy a Giant bicycle for JL’s birthday. When she came back with the surprise for JL he was guessing what was in that big box sitting in the living room. We have another old bicycle that JL was currently using and this Giant bicycle was a bigger frame size for him to use so that he will pass his old bicycle to his sister. After unboxing and assembling the bicycle we need to take it out to the park for a test ride. So bringing two bicycles out we would need a bike rack to attach to our mini MPV. We went out and got a kuat bike rack to attach to our so that the whole family could enjoy the ride to the park and not worry about the bicycle not being secured properly to our vehicle.

JL’s Future New Bed

Last month, we decided to buy the metal white bunk bed from IKEA at RM 499. It was cheaper than DIY because initially PaPa was thinking to build one for JL. The white colour looked great in JL’s future room making the small and tiny room look spacious.

Currently, the bed is being set up with EL’s baby cot under the bed. EL is sleeping in JL’s room until AL is big enough to sleep on the upper bunk. Once the girls are bigger, JL will get his room where his study table and book shelves will be located under his new bed.

We are looking forward for the kids’ rooms next phase renovation…

PaPa’s love for guitar

After getting our CPX500FM, there is upkeep to maintain the guitar. After reading about guitar strings and the sound you should get from a set of new string, I knew the strings on the CPX500FM are out. We went online to search for suitable guitar accessories to string an acoustic guitar. First to look for a suitable string we choose Elixir Polyweb Light Custom strings due to the ability to play longer than normal strings. Then I learned to change strings from some tutorial on Youtube and other guitar accessories that was used, for example a string winder and a guitar tuner. Completing the task, the sound of the new string was a lot better and time would tell if this string does last longer than other brands.

Kids’ Art Class

Seeing JL’s tight schedule, JL stopped his art class this year. I managed to negotiate with his art class teacher to have lessons during school holiday to finish up his water colour program. His art teacher was very understanding and willing to accommodate to JL’s time.

Last school holiday in March 2013, JL had 4 lessons in a week to cover up one month lesson. The art teacher taught him the basic technique. JL would need to make time to practice at home all the technique he learnt.

At the same time, we also enrolled AL during the same time as JL as trial lesson. This was to help her to get use with the teacher. Immediately after the first lesson, she came back telling us she wanted to join art class. This caught us a surprise because we had been asking her to go to art class and she refused to go without her KorKor. However, this time she was willing to go by herself.  The time was just right because JL also started his lesson when he was 5 years old and now it was the time for JL to pass the baton to AL.

AL’s microphone

AL has a play microphone from McDonald’s Happy Meal toy a few years back. She likes the idea of walking around the house and talking to the microphone. This toy will light up when someone talks to it. Last week, the microphone stops lighting up even after changing the battery. AL asks us to get her another microphone. Looking around microphones mf, we came to a conclusion of getting her another toy microphone until she really needs a real microphone.

EL’s 1st Time on Bumbo Seat

Few weeks back, we tried EL on Bumbo. A friend let us have it on loan. She enjoyed the upright position so much that she kept smiling and staring her toes. We didn’t let her sit there too long because tummy time would still be more important at this stage. We even tried bringing Bumbo out during last weekend dinner. She enjoyed herself looking around while all of us had our dinner. I would like to thanks to this friend CQ who let us have her Bumbo on loan as I would not have bought it myself.

It would be nice if there is another Bumbo on loan so that we can put in KongKong and PohPoh’s apartment for her to use.

Pillows

Both PaPa and I have been sleeping on 2 pillows which are the normal cotton pillow and feather pillow. It has been quite some time since we got married and we only change the pillow set once. We are being advised to look for memory foam cushion pillow which is supposed to be a better pillow. A few years back, my sisters and I shared and purchased for our parents. Back then, it was expensive and limited brand. Now, there are too many brands to choose thus making it hard to decide the right one. Anyone can recommend which brand we should buy?

AL’s Ballet to Pre-Primary

AL started her baby ballet early last year. Initially she was crying because it was a total new environment for her. After few lessons, she loved going for her class. Last month we got a notice that she would be upgrade to Pre-Primary effective 1 April 2013 and with the option of going for ABRSM exam end of this year.  We were glad that she enjoyed her lessons and would continue to encourage her.

Camping...

Both JL and AL have a sleeping bag each for Christmas. They love the sleeping bag a lot. We also have a tent. The kids have been asking us when we will be bringing them for camping. It will be a challenge since the tent we have will not be able to fit all of us. We have been hunting for good bargain tents in a few warehouse sales and after going through a few brands including coleman tents and kelty tents, we are still unable to find the right one. We will continue our hunt and hopefully we will be able to get the right one.

JL’s 9th birthday

This is a long overdue post—

Our boy turned 9 on 19^th March. We went to Shogun Sunway Pyramid on his actual birthday coincidently his tuition teacher decided to cancel his tuition for that night. Since it was his birthday, he had his meal for free.

Why Shogun? JL love the idea of buffet meal where he can walk and get any food he wants. On top of that, all of us love Japanese food. However, we were quite disappointed with the food which was cold and not very fresh.

On the weekend, we had simple dinner on Sunday night where after JL’s basketball lesson; he went to get satay, fried noodles and fried rice with PaPa.

He had his all-time favourite Lego for his presents including the Chima series. Sam Yee and Sam Yee Cheong from Adelaide also sent a gift for him. JL had his favourite jelly cake and this time he requested football jelly cake.

He had a great time fixing up his Lego.

We love you a lot JL boy…

Reading

Nowadays reading during my free time is a luxury. With the amount of chores and the kids, work at home and marketplace never seem to end. While driving to work is the only time I can seem to fit in time to hear the news on the radio and catch-up on my most required quite time. Then the arrival of mp3 audiobooks from amblingbooks.com helps me catch-up on my other reading which I have shelved quite a long time. Some of my work requires travelling outstation and some overseas that is when I have the chance to put on my ear-buds and play the audiobook that I have downloaded while traveling.

More fitted diapers for EL

EL had quite a number of cloth diapers from her JieJie. We had a few favourites one. Many friends gave us cloth diapers either new or preloved. We had quite sufficient to last us for some days without having to rush on the laundry. We also used napkins during her first few weeks when she poo often.

Aunty Sharine surprised us with a box of lovely preloved fitted diapers and more inserts… Thank you Aunty Sharine…

We had been using cloth diapers at home and also during outing. EL never had any bad rash on her skin and we were glad that we used cloth diapers even though we need to do more laundry. However, it was all worth it…

Jewelers

Buying jeweler for gift is not easy as different people have different taste. I like simple design but others may not like it. Getting jeweler for mother is not an easy task. For example, mothers necklace may be to their liking but not to me. Some people will not go for design but rather get jewelers based on the birth or another word as per birthstone. As for me, I don’t wear any due to safety reason and the only one that I will always wear is my wedding ring. How about you?  What type of jewelers do you like?

Medication for AL’s scar

I called my pharmacist friend who suggested 2 medications which was prescribed by a plastic surgeon for his son who had about 20 stitches on his face. Her son’s face was now ok. One medication was to make her skin smooth and to be applied in the morning. The other one would be to reduce the redness of the scar and to be applied at night. We have been putting on her scar daily for almost one week. We hope her scar would not be so visible.

Dog lover

PaPa is a dog lover especially big guard dog. However staying in apartment, we are not allowed to have big dogs. As for me, I am not a dog lover because I am scare of the fur touching and licking. However, I may change my mind next time if we do move to a landed and PaPa gets his big guard dog. If we do, PaPa will need to get sportdog fieldtrainer 400.

Senior-In-Charge

On my first day of work after 2 month maternity leave, I was informed to handle an important validation on a department which I had nil understanding on the process. Besides that there was a new Senior Executive who joined the department and he would be working with me. I was assigned as the Senior-in-charge for the audit or in another word the acting manager. I felt heavy burden and super stress managing this assignment because I myself was very new in audit. Being not a very experienced auditor, it was like a blind leading the blind.

While I was struggling to manage this audit and trying to train the new person, another bomb landed that I had to lead on the 2nd one which was also a very critical audit together with the same new auditor. I felt helpless knowing that I was unable to teach the new auditor properly.

I have been working late (leaving office after office hour) and unable to be home on time to cook. I hope this stress will not affect my breast milk production….

Horse Riding

Horse riding has become a popular sport. It is also an expensive sport which includes the horse riding apparel. However, horse riding has been introduced as a good therapy for children, toddlers, teens and adults with special needs. It helps in all aspects from physical to mentally. Besides improving the motor skills, the therapy will also build the confidence plus create self-discipline in a person. In Malaysia, this approach is still new unlike in overseas. I hope this therapy will be used as one of the many therapies in order to assist the group of the needy ones.

Spectra Breast Pump

This faithful bulky double electric pump was my first pump and it was not available in the consumer market except in hospital. It was the cheapest double electric pump back in 2004. I used this pump to pump for JL and also AL at home.

Currently, I am using this pump to pump in the morning before work and evening after work. The pump was still functioning very well except for the loud knocking sound which was disturbing. After sending Ameda for service, we decided to send Spectra for service. The service centre was in Subang Jaya. The person in-charge informed us that the pump would be repaired as long as it is below RM100. If the repair and service would cost more than RM 100, the service centre would contact us to let us know before performing the repair.

After more than one week including a follow-up call by PaPa, at last the pump was back like brand new pump. The breast pump’s motor had been changed and the whole breast pump was being serviced. The new motor and service cost RM90.

During the period of repair, I did not want to stretch the Ameda pump thinking that I may need to use the Avent Manual pump. It was a blessing when PaPa’s SIL offered to lend me her Spectra Breast Pump. She even extended offer to lend me for long term should my breast pump was not worth to repair (too expensive).

Guitar & Electone

When we are walking around, if time permits, we will drop by music shop where PaPa will admire the guitar and I will admire on the electone. Papa is happy with his current guitar even though it is not the expensive brand such as Fernandes Guitars. As for me, I have always wanted an electone for myself but the cheapest one is almost RM 10k which is extremely out of our budget. If there is any good condition preloved selling at reasonable price, I may consider getting it.

Ameda Breast Pump

This was the pump which we invested when I was pregnant with AL after much research. It was the pump which did not give me any problem for 2 years with 2x pumping during weekdays in the 1st year and 1x pumping in the 2nd year. All the extra spare parts which purchased were still kept unused.

One week before I started work, EL was sent to PohPoh’s place in order to let her get use with bottle-feed and also to estimate how much EBM I should defreeze for her. It was that time that my precious Ameda breast pump was not functioning. I called and sms Vivian from Fabulousmom for SOS. I managed to get the contact for Ameda Service Centre which was located in USJ. Yes…Ameda is in Malaysia unlike back in 2008.

I called Mr. Tan immediately and PaPa drove me to the service centre. Upon checking, he found that the rubber had snapped off. All in all for the repair and service which was less than 30 minutes, I had to pay RM 120. I came out from the service centre happily. Mr. Tan commented that how well kept my breast pump was and it did not give me any problem during the 2 years pumping for AL. Besides that I also found that my breast pump was made in Swiss.

Different type of microphones

There are many types of microphones which we may not realize because to a normal person like me, a microphone is a tool to amplify the sound. The usual microphone used on the stage is known as dynamic microphones. However for studio recording, condenser mic is more suitable for this purpose. This is to ensure that the output quality is clear.

When I was in drama many years ago, I was wearing cordless microphone so that I am able to walk around at ease without worrying of the wire. It was a musical drama live on the stage including a few solo singers and a group of choirs. Hearing my voice being projected throughout the Bukit Jalil Indoor Stadium was an amazing thing for me.

EL is 3 months old

EL is 3 months old today and we will be bringing her for her 3^rd month check-up soon. During her 2^nd month check-up, her weight was 6.31kg. JL and AL love their baby so much that EL will look excited upon hearing her KorKor and JieJie’s voice. EL is very responsive when we talk to her. She is also drinking a lot of EBM which I hope my daily office pumping can meet to her demand. All in all, she is very adorable and everyone loves her a lot.

Coffee Lover

Both PaPa and I love coffee. I love freshly grind coffee and traditional coffee from the coffee shop. We are tempted to get a grindmaster to grind coffee beans. However this plan will need to put on hold until we can decide where to put the machine and also be able to save enough money to get one for ourselves. For now, it will only be in our wish list. Hopefully we can get one for ourselves in future.

Pumping in Office – EL

This would be my 2nd time pumping in office after AL back in 2008. Even though I am still working in the same company but this time it is in different department and different building. The current building has more people and the surau is always full. I was in dilemma not knowing where to pump until when I came back to work, my colleague suggested that I talk to the head of nurse in our company medical centre for permission to use the physio area to pump. The medical centre was located in the same building as my office.

Surprisingly, the head of nurse was nice and told me to inform the lady in-charge of physio. She was a young lady and it was my first time entering the physio area. It consisted of 4 beds divided with curtains.

This time, I would only pump mid day in office and would rush home for evening pumping because the medical centre would close at 5pm. Besides that, as an auditor, I do not have my own cubicle and there is not space to air dry the breast parts. I would just wash with liquid cleanser and keep in the ziplock bag to be sterilized back at home.

Marketing Promotional Item

My previous company was an American company. The company in Malaysia was solely running the sales and marketing for Malaysia. I was managing the customer database and it was interesting role doing analysis. I also work very closely with sales and marketing staffs. I admired their creativity in creating interesting promotional items such as using usimprints.com for custom umbrellas. I used to enjoy getting some of the promotional items such as pens, post-it note and many others. It was a good 7+ years working in that company learning so many things including soft skills.

Life as FTWM with 3 kids

I love my job as auditor because I get to learn about the company business and also assist in improving the company. Yes, it is challenging but interesting. However, my company’s internal audit department is very stressful and demanding. Timeline is extremely tight.

The motivation factors are:

• the office currently near home
• option to work from home and also flexible working hours
• our family has the opportunity to go for holiday once a year using the yearly ticket.

I wish I have more time with the family as wife and mother. The elder two kids need a lot of attention and guidance in their studies. The baby needs a lot of care and love. The home need to be cleaned up and simple home cooked meal on the dining table.

I have yet to be able to get my schedule right and it seems to be messy all the time… sigh…