AL's 1st Birthday

AL’s actual 1st birthday was on 20July09 but we decided to celebrate on 19July09, Sunday because PaPa would be in outstation on 20July09.

It was not a big party. We invited only immediate relatives and we had a simple lunch in KFC Jalan Universiti. Why this KFC? In 2005, when KFC Jalan Universiti was newly open, it was the same place where we had JL’s 1st birthday. Since it was AL’s 1st birthday, we planned a small and simple party. We usually don’t organize any big party because we preferred to keep it simple and hassle free plus spending time just four of us.

The month before, we registered AL for Chicky Club which was free membership. Why? The main aim to register the club was to get the free birthday cake for her birthday. We didn’t pay for the part packages but we managed to negotiate for some party packs for some of the kids for free.

We ate and chat and ate non-stop – from fried chicken to cakes. Mummy might need to detox and go for colon cleansing for all the food consumed. Mummy got to check some colon cleansing reviews in the internet.

After all the eating session, we went home while AL slept in the carseat. When we arrived home, AL woke up on time for us to take photos of her with her presents. JL was helpful helping to arrange the presents and opening the presents for AL.

That night, it was only four of us. Upon JL request, we went for sushi. JL wanted to go Sushi K which we were reluctant. After that trip to Sushi K, it would be our last trip there because the food was lousy and not nice even though we got 10% using our JCard. AL took some sushi including cucumber, egg, Cawan Mushi and others except raw fish – a variety of small bites (AL’s food sampling). Mummy loved sashimi…

After dinner, we walked around 1 Utama window shopping with the kids. It was a simple, quiet but fulfilling time spent with the kids.

All about AL

World Breastfeeding Week 2009

This year, for the first time, Anggugu (www.anggugu.com) is preparing a non-profit event in conjunction with the World Breastfeeding Week 2009 (WBW). The purpose of this event is to encourage mothers to breastfeed their baby – breastfeed as long as they could.

Anggugu Forum is the first Chinese Language Breastfeeding & Parenting Forum in Malaysia. Established in July of year 2007, this website has been helping young mothers to solve their breastfeeding problems.

Date: 8th August 2009 (Saturday)

Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Venue: Jupiter Hall, Global Business Park, PJ.
Highlights of the Day

• 
  
  11.00am - Breastfeeding for 1 minute event (All participants will receive a certificate and small gift for joining this meaningful event)
• 
  
  3.00pm - Breastfeeding Seminar by Dr. Koe.
• 
  
  Breastfeeding quizzes
• 
  
  A family studio photo for only RM10.00
• 
  
  Photo contest and etc.
• 
  
  Apart from the activities mentioned above, there will be also booths selling babies & kids stuff, moms’ essentials and many more.

This event is not only targeted for breastfeeding moms but also those who are expecting and wants to learn more about breastfeeding. Basically everyone who supports breastfeeding should attend this meaningful event.

Mummy will be going to the event after making some logistics arrangement with JL’s Saturday activities including his last swimming lessons and regular keyboard lessons (we hope he will move to piano lessons once he is ready physically - fingers motor skills).

Mummy hopes to be able to catch up with other mummies during this event.

Come and join on 8th August 2009 and help to spread the words to Support Breastfeeding.

For more info, please visit www.anggugu.com & Karen Yiau.

Happy Birthday to PohPoh

Today is PohPoh’s birthday. Any celebration? We will have our usual eating session this coming Sunday. At first Mummy thought of getting birthday present for PohPoh. However, Mummy cannot decide whether to get her a swimming suit, heart jewelry, a blouse etc. Mummy is a lousy shopper unlike Yi Yee and Sam Yee. At last, Mummy decided to give her angpau so that PohPoh can buy what she likes...

This morning, JL got ready early. He was waiting for PohPoh to come and fetch AL as usual. Mummy bought four small cupcakes from nearby bakery shop. PaPa lighted up a candle. JL walked towards PohPoh and wished her ‘Happy Birthday’.

KLCC Playground

We hardly go to KLCC due to distance and also expensive parking fees. Last Sunday 26July09, we decided to go to KLCC. It was AL first time to KLCC. Besides that, Mummy wanted to drop by TinyTapir showroom to check out some MamaPad.

We reached KLCC just before lunch. PaPa decided to park in an open car park which was next to the KLCC Playground because it was cheaper. We had sushi for lunch as requested by JL and we went to Sakae Sushi or ‘Frog’ Sushi as called by JL. Why frog? Please check the logo for Sakae Sushi…then you would understand. We got one free Red Plate using Maxis voucher for two Red Plates.

We walked around KLCC to check out the prices of some of your things in our shopping list. Then, we took a walk from KLCC to Ampang Park with AL sleeping in the stroller. It was a very hot weather.

After TinyTapir, we went to the KLCC Playground. JL was running around having fun everywhere except the pool because we did not bring any spare clothes for him. AL was still sleeping in the stroller. It was a long nap. Mummy was sitting in front of a few swing sets. Mummy wished AL would wake up and play with swing. AL woke up when we were walking towards our car to go home. Maybe next time AL would enjoy the playground when she could walk steadily.

Double surprises for JL on 22July09

1st Surprise
From cannot open, then just view the manual, at last on 22July09, JL could open his Lego. JL opened the box and was trying to fix up the pieces on our bed.

Why on PaPa and Mummy’s bed?This was to avoid AL from disturbing and destroying his masterpiece which he had to put a lot of effort to fix up.



It was a good thing that PaPa fixed a few bright fluorescent light bulbs in a few places in the apartment; living room, dining room and sleeping rooms. At least JL would need to strain his eyes to view the manual book on how to fix his Lego. It took him two nights to fix up because he needed to sleep for kindy the next morning.

2nd Surprise

We were looking for keyboard for JL because Sam Yee’s piano was a bit too hard for JL to practice. JL was not enjoying himself during his practice in Sam Yee’s apartment His music teacher said his motor skill (for his age) was still weak and it was not wise to make him upset and he might give up music out of frustration.

We were hunting and most shops were willing to give only maximum 10%. Thanks to Aunty Josephine we recommend us a place where we got 20%. PaPa called to order the week before and collected on 22July09 evening. Now at last JL had a keyboard to practice and he enjoyed it a lot. JL was smiling happily that night.

JL got Lego but ….now....manual first

Follow-up from yesterday post, actually yesterday Mummy wanted to surprise JL by letting him to open it up last nite. However, he had been naughty and disobedient the whole day. When Mummy said, the surprise would not be a surprise for that nite, JL was extremely quiet.

Last nite, he cried because he knew he wanted to open it so badly but he couldn’t because he didn’t behave himself.

Mummy told PaPa who just came back from outstation and PaPa had a talk with JL. After the talk, PaPa agreed to open the Lego box but………….

JL was only allowed to take the two manual books only and not the Lego pieces.

It was enough to make JL smile and happily going through the manual book with PaPa before he slept last nite.

When would JL be able to open the box and play with the Lego? Hmmmmm let’s see …..

Mummy sounded cruel?

Mummy had to really ‘tahan’ not to give in so fast because Mummy really what him to know when PaPa and Mummy meant, we actually really mean it and keep to our words. A promise is a promise and no running away. We made the agreement in the Toys r Us before we bought the Lego so we must keep to the agreement.

JL got Lego but ….cannot open…why?

Besides Ben10, JL loved playing with Lego. He had a few small Lego which he got from his last birthday. Then we got him this 7726 Lego Coast Guard Truck with Speed Boat when he did well in his assessment as promised by us earlier. This was on sale during that time.

Last Sun on 19July09, after having our dinner on conjunction of AL’s early birthday dinner, we went for a short walk around. AL’s actual birthday was on 20July09. However, PaPa would be traveling on 20July09, so we decided to eat early.

As we entered Toys r Us to see more toys, then Mummy caught sight of a Lego 7738 Coast Guard Helicopter & Life Raft which was earlier selling at above RM 100, if Mummy not mistaken, but that night there was further sale on this model and the price was RM 99.
PaPa and Mummy decided to get for JL but then JL was not allowed to open the Lego until we found he deserve to get that gift.

What happen to the Lego now?
The Lego was still unopened. JL would carry the whole box and sleep with the box at night. In the morning, he would carry the box to the dining table and would look at the box while having his breakfast. Poor boy... However, we refused to let him open because we wanted him to learn that he needed to earn to get this gift because it was not his birthday or Christmas.

AL is 1 year old

Last year at noon, AL arrived on Sunday 20 July 2008. It was fast that even PaPa didn’t have the chance to see her arrival.

Today she is one year old. How time flies… She is about 10kg now.

BreastmilkUp to 1 year old, she is 100% breastmilk with no formula. Soon, Mummy will be introducing some formula because as from 01July09, Mummy has stopped evening pumping session. Soon, Mummy will plan to stop the noon pumping and will just continue night direct feeding. In between nights, Mummy will need to train her to take bottle because Mummy will be having training in August09 which will last till midnight due to assignment. From the past experience, AL will reject all the bottles at night and will rather go hunger waiting for Mummy, till PaPa will have to keep feeding her bits of pieces of bread and biscuits till Mummy come back.

In the freezer, there is about almost 400 oz of breastmilk. The amount has dropped since Mummy reduces the pumping from 3x to 2x and recently to 1x.

Solid Intake
Her solid intake is still in good sampling mode. However, she loves chunky and big pieces food (in Hokkein, people said so ‘chor lor’ @ so unlady like). She will take big pieces 2-3 mouths then stop. Then she will open her mouth for other type of food.

MobilityShe crawls and cruises a lot. She climbs up and down. We train her to come down with her legs instead of her head. She can stand without support for a few seconds – enough to shake and clap her hands. She loves to explore and create a mess till JL KorKor has to clean up. She will go to KorKor’s room and take all the books out from the shelves. After completing the mission, she will then go to the kitchen playset and start to clear all the kitchen utensils off from the storage and shelves. Then, she will move to her next target, the toy cupboard, leaving everyone to clear the mess.

Speech
She understands simple instruction, for example, ‘Don’t go into that room, and come to Mummy’. Her first word is PaPa. Now she is learning to call Mummy in short form which is ‘Me’.

Character
She has a strong and determined character. She is fiercer than JL. She can scream and show tantrum which at times really can irritate us. What we do? We give her warning and leave her. Then she will continue and later keep quiet. It is not easy though because she is a very strong willed person.

No matter what…everyone still adores her especially her KorKor who is very patient with his MeiMei even though at time he feels impatient and gets irritate.

AL,

Blessed 1st Birthday from us...
Love,

PaPa, Mummy and KorKor

How we celebrate….check out soon in the next post……

All about AL....

Playstation

Mummy never has interest in playstation unlike PaPa and also JL. Most probably, it is the boys’ toys which Mummy will not understand. JL plays his first station in Sam Yee Cheong’s apartment. Even though it is not PS3, if Mummy is not mistaken it is PS1, JL still enjoys playing with it. Investing on playstation can be an expensive affair. Mummy is not sure whether to get or not. So until now, no decision has been made whether to buy or not.

Sandals

Mummy always wears sandals since having kids because it is more convenient and comfortable. It is also not wise for a person like Mummy to wear high heels because Mummy is not a high heel person. The only time Mummy wears high heels is during our wedding and also attending other people wedding. There are many type of sandals now with a lot of nice design unlike last time. Mummy bought during sales or warehouse and tried Hush Puppies, Rockport and Clark. Most probably the next brand Mummy should try out Dansko. Any other brands which you can suggest for Mummy to try which is at reasonable price?

Swimming

Mummy’s colleague and Mummy have decided to go for swimming at least once a week. We have the same mission to be fit and healthy. It is also a good way to lose or maintain healthy weight. Even the best diet pills companies also encourage people to exercise and eat healthily in order to have the pills to take effect. Having Mummy’s colleague to share this same mission, this really encourages Mummy. Besides that, there is nothing to lose because Mummy’s apartment has a pool even though it is not a big giant Olympic size pool.

My boy has grown up…

As Mummy was browsing through JL’s photos, Mummy’s eyes just caught attention on a photo JL wearing a tuxedo complete with tuxedo shirt and coat.

He was just 3+ years old when he walked down the aisle during Sam Yee’s wedding back in 2007. Now almost 2 years, Mummy realizes how much JL has grown up and he is no longer a baby. Mummy’s darling boy has grown so much now. Even though he is not a baby, but deep in Mummy’s heart he will always be Mummy’s darling boy, always…

Getting fit towards good health

Mummy has this mission and not sure when Mummy will do it. Mummy wanted to use the fitness equipment in the apartment. Even though it is a very small gym, however, it will still serve the purpose to Mummy. Mummy’s aim is not so much on losing weight but to get healthy. Mummy realizes that Mummy’s body and mind are getting tired due to insufficient sleep. Is it because age is catching up or due to insufficient exercise? Mummy uses to be able to alert even with minimum sleep but lots of exercise.
So, Mummy get start now…

Maintaining a Ferrari

When anyone purchases a car, beside the design, price and petrol consumption, other aspect which is important is the spare parts. Will the spare parts easy to get and how much will it cost? For car lovers, this can be an expensive hobby to keep up. Ferrari car owners will pay for any amount to get their Ferrari parts at any cost for their love to the Ferrari car. Anyone will admire a Ferrari including Mummy who doesn’t know much about cars too will love to own and drive Ferrari. As for now, it will be Mummy’s dream.

Landed Property

Jeriel has been asking us when we will move to a landed property. PaPa and Mummy also wish we can move to a landed property so that both Jeriel and Ariel will have more space to run around. However, even property price is low at this current economy; it will be risky for us to get a landed property due to so many uncertainties in the economy situation. Besides that, we want to wait till PaPa finishes up his study first before we commit to a long term commitment like property. We assure Jeriel that one day we will try to buy a landed property once we save enough money. Hopefully by then, Wilmington NC real estate will be able to help us to find out dream home….

My Ideal Vacation – Cruise

It is time to relax after all the stressful moment especially in office. Most people will say, ‘Work cannot never finish, we need to take a break.’

Mummy has a dream on going for a cruise vacation relaxing on the ship with PaPa, Jeriel and Ariel. After surveying and checking, Caribbean cruises are rated to be the best cruise especially for whole family. Jeriel will love the beach and this will the first beach experience for Ariel.

By just viewing the breathtaking photos of the scenery really make Mummy feels so calm. There are no words to describe the beauty of the nature.

Sitting in the cruise and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation while having fun onboard with all the activities available round the clock for all age group including children and teenagers. It is a great and relaxing holidays for the whole family of any age group.

It is so hard to choose which Caribbean cruises Mummy will love to join because all is so beautiful. Mummy may drop an email to get more information and start saving for this beautiful holiday. Hopefully, Mummy’s dream will come true soon. Anyone want to join?

What did Mummy do wrong?

Today is Monday and Mummy is not only feeling blue….but also upset, sad, confuse, tired etc….

Mummy knows that Mummy is not supposed to feel upset but just cannot help to feel soo sad…It has been pilling up for many months and Mummy hopes it will not get explode one day…Mummy is trying Mummy’s very best to control the feeling…Mummy hopes the reader will not get bored with all these whining and complaining….Mummy is sorry but Mummy needs to express out the burden in Mummy’s heart…..

Ariel will be 1 next Monday and Mummy is upset with her solid intake. When Mummy go around seeing other babies, some even younger than Ariel is taking solid soo well, Mummy cannot help to think how well Jeriel took his solid last time.

Some mummies try to comfort Mummy that different kids are different. Some even tell Mummy it will be easy, no need to headache cooking for Ariel, but then Mummy love to cook for Ariel like how Mummy cooked for Jeriel last time – packing the food when we go out and feed, it is such a joy.

Ariel loves to try new food and still on her ‘food sampling’ mode. After taking 2-5 mouths (average 3 mouths), she will close her mouth tightly and using her hands to push and hit the spoon, rejecting the food. She has no problem taking chunky food.

Is it because she is breastfed? The answer is No because other breastfeed babies have no problem with solid.

Mummy tries every tip given to Mummy but fail to increase her intake. At times, Mummy feels like giving up but then Mummy cannot give up.

She is very determined girl who willing to go hunger even we tried not to give her any breastmilk hoping she will give up and take in more solid.

Mummy is planning to slowly cut off the breastmilk pumping for daytime and just continue with night time direct feeding for reasons (will share later) even though Mummy is quite reluctant because the supply is still ok…..

What did Mummy do wrong?
Everyday Mummy will pray continuously that Ariel will improve in his solid intake so that Mummy can introduce a lot of food like how Mummy did for Jeriel KorKor. It can be a frustrating moment to feed her solid.

Mummy’s heart is crying in desperation and disappointment. It is so hard to accept this even though Mummy tries to think positive that Ariel is soo different than others and Mummy must give her some time…

Unplanned Coloring Competition – 04 July 09

It was unplanned event. After JL’s music class on Saturday, we decided to go to 1U bring the kids for a walk and also to get some grocery.

We walked around and usually JL would love to see toys. His favorite was Ben 10, Transformer and Lego.

We went to FOS and found a cute set of tshirts+shorts selling 2 sets for RM25 (each was RM15). We got a Transformer design for JL. JL chose Tinkerbell for AL.

JL said it was too early for dinner then we happened to pass where Mitsubishi Electric was having promotion. One of the corner, there were free Sand Art section. Mummy found a chair and sat there feeding AL. AL took her nap in the stroller while JL happily do up to 3 Sand Art. He wanted to do more if we didn’t stop him.

While we were at the Sand Art section, one of the staff came and asked anyone want to join coloring contest. As long as the kid was 6 years and below, anyone could join. The coloring pencils and crayons were provided. Everyone would get a gift. JL wanted to join. His kindy teacher had been telling us his coloring was good and it was hard for us to believe knowing him being impatient.

So at first, he tried with crayons but the crayons were too big and hard for him to manage. The coloring was horrible like this…

Half way of the competition, PaPa went and asked for a new coloring sheet and this time JL used coloring pencils. Time was running short. JL being impatient, just simply color until some went out of line and leaving some white space. PaPa and Mummy tried to remind him but at last we just gave up. After coloring, while waiting for result, JL went to continue his Sand Art. AL slept throughout the coloring competition even though it was very noisy.

Last minute during the announcement of the result, the organizer decided to split the age group into 5 years below and 6 years above. After finishing the announcement for the Consolation Age Group 5 years below, then we found that JL’s name was not mentioned at all. Next moment, we found JL got 1st Prize.

Even though it was not a big event with total, there were only about 13-15 kids (from both age groups), it was a good experience and exposure for JL.

PaPa and Mummy couldn’t imagine how JL got 1st Prize seeing the final output of his coloring. Maybe due to not many kids join?

What did he win?

All participants got a bag of goodies as below (with one pink highlighter missing because JL used already):

Inside JL’s bag, he got additional stationary set…

Then we went for our late dinner and off we went home after buying a container of ice-cream.

Music Class hunting for JL

Mummy went for Music Class hunting. This would be a long term expensive affair if JL decided to go further.

Mummy was from Yamaha…yup, Mummy grew up in Yamaha back in north completing Electone (Organ) from Level 13 till Grade 6. Mummy even joined the Northern Region Electone Competition when Mummy was 11 years old but it was the 1st and last because KongKong didn’t like the idea Mummy skipping school lessons for the practice. Being not born talented in music was a lot of hard work. Mummy enjoyed doing performances both individual and group.

Besides that Mummy took ABRSM Theory from Grade 1-5 (with 4 Distinctions – Mummy also not sure how Mummy made it but it was great hard work).

Mummy didn’t manage to complete the rest because Mummy had to go to Ipoh to further study in polytechnic.

YiYee and SamYee gave up Piano even before they went for Grade 8. SamYee was in JMC course earlier. SamYee then continued playing in the church till now without completing all the ABRSM exams.

Aiks…..Mummy supposed to share about JL’s not Mummy’s….side track…

Back on track…

Mummy went to ask Yamaha about the fees structure etc... because Mummy knew what to expect from the whole course. Everything in Yamaha was very systematic and organized, being such a big and reputable organization. However, weekend classes were full and weekdays nights were the only ones available. Weekdays would be impossible for us because PaPa and Mummy working time were uncertain. JMC course needed one of the parents to be in the class all the time.

Then, SamYee introduced Mummy to her church member who was a singer in the church. She had a music school running program like Musikgarten and for higher level would be ANZCA from Australia plus many other music programmes and other products. She had 3 kids with the eldest one from JMC but the other 2 on non-JMC. Unlike Yamaha, this was a small centre.

So which one should we go for?
PaPa and Mummy discussed. The fees for both were almost the same. Our aim for JL was not to be trained as professional unless he was found to be talented mmmm…. We wanted him to learn music and have fun and fun and fun. Exam and certification was not the important thing. SamYee had no certification but she played in church and she enjoyed it. PaPa also didn’t really have any certification in guitar but he enjoyed playing guitar and learnt by himself.

At last we decided to enroll him to SamYee’s friend’s centre under the course 'Encore On Keys' - Junior Series because Mummy was from Yamaha background and Mummy would love to try something new. We hoped JL would find this class interesting even though it would not be in a big school but a small centre.

Last Saturday 04July09, JL attended his 1st lesson (it will be a 2 years program like JMC). In total, there were 5 kids around his age. Parents were only required to join in the last 15 minutes of the class during recap so that we as parents would know what they learnt for that day. JL said it was fun. For time being, he would practise once in a while in SamYee's apartment.

PaPa and Mummy are hunting for a reasonable price either a keyboard or piano. Any recommendation?