Cheap & cheerful or Invest & inherit?

I am at present wearing a stackable dusty pink enamel ring - a set I bought of 3's and cost me about the usual I'd pay for my caffeine fix! Obviously being cheap I don't set high expectations for it to last or be scratch free for..lets give it 3 months tops? Although being a pretty nasty collector read : I just buy and buy and don't really stop till the money is gone - I do have a few favorites that I wish I had in a high-end or better quality make just so that it would last a bit longer.

I found the stuff I want in a price range that I can actually afford! You know, none of this day dreaming empty fluff clouds about bvlgari or tiffany. Anyway back to the bigger question. Do you go for cheap & cheerful, or invest in something that could possibly be a heirloom? Decisions..decisions. Anniversary and birthday is peeping around the corner. I think its sinful to have them so close together. My dear husband.. how shall I pitch this one to him? 

Picture taken from google images. 

Going Secretly Neon

Publika, 22 Dec.

Its one thing to be keeping up with  a trend or fad, but another to be accidentally trapped? Is there such a difference? Non, oui? Haha. I swear the colors weren't as bright in the shops - as they were when I laid them down on the ironing board.  I think I've ran out of excuses to buy more clothes. The healthy dose of spring cleaning I get to do is my only escape from over stuffing my wardrobe to the point of making F actually notice I've only got new stuff hanging on the racks..Hrmm (slowling plotting some online shopping spree).

I google alot nowadays (none of any actual benefit to say the least..) and the recent one I hit search was 'how to wear neon'. It was a pretty interesting read, mainly sticking to neutral palettes, and accessorizing with basic blacks or whites. I do hope for the boldness one day to dress it up with other major neon colors and just be a walking stoplight - like I deserve your attention immediatement! Cobalt blue, fuschia pink..those are pretty tame and safe when compared to neon yellow or kiki pink the highlitor-ish pink. I do have a few more neon items in the closet that I must gather mental strength to wear. Why do this? Not only is it fun and cheerful, its just about the right amount of pizzaz a women in her late 20s need to push-off proudly into her 30s!

Let's all go buy our boys a pair of sweet salmon pink shorts while Dad's not lookin'! And just for the curious, I google things like : how to wake up for an early workout, how to cook eggwhites, handmade shoes??!! Mon dieu. 

Happy weekend.

Mika's Tantrum

Deluxious, Penang Nov 2012

Does it go hand in hand? Once Mika has gotten the hang of smiling intentionally, that’s about the mark where he learned to pretend-cry. It’s quite a sight, especially at 11 months his gums are swollen with tell-tale signs of his buckteeth ready to pop out. He would scrunch his face, and lift his lips upwards to his nose and the sight of empty gums would readily make me smile. He cried for attention. Such a joker. People who are used to Mika will wonder when was it that he now knows how to cry on demand? What an irony, to learn to pretend-cry and smile in the same day. But my baby’s temperament is one to beat. He hardly cries, and really knows how to play by himself. Occasionally during the mornings he would demand a bit more clingy time and would be pleased with himself if we carried him to make breakfast, brush our teeth..open the fridge (a favourite!) sometimes I would put him down in front of the fridge and let him play with the parsely...

His teeth came out late relatively compared to all his cousins. About 12 months of age. That’s when his bottom incisors popped out 2 at a time. A malay saying is that if the upper teeth came out first, then the child will grow up to be a bit more snobby. 

Humbug to sayings, especially of that sort!

Happy Birthday Mr.Sunshine

Nov 18th, 2012. Monkey Tree Penang

Dear Mika,

I never got around to writing my experience of labor, or giving birth to you. It is embedded in my brain - I think I wrote it down somewhere, I was too nervous and anxious when the time came. It is what made me who I am today. I did the 10k again, on your birthday. I was so happy to shave off 5 minutes of my time from the previous run.

Your face is different when you sleep, and it transforms and scrunches into another adorably cute one when you wake up. I will miss you being clingy at 3 months, and pudgy at 8. It is now time to celebrate this milestone in life, and also to celebrate the fact that I have succeeded in bringing you up with His help for the past 365 days.

Happy 1st birthday, dear child. You are definitely the apple of my eye, the glue to my marriage, and the reason to life. I do not mind you not being able to walk, or call me Mama yet, or scratch my face in affection its an awesome feeling to have you in my life by itself.

Love,

Mama.

I'm Proud of Myself

Whuthedilly Yo

Raya.

Was blissful.

Seven sisters.

Was a blessing, in disguise.

Your return.

A never ending battle.

Ramadhan with Mika

What can I say, ramadhan this year has been the most challenging one so far. I am constantly tired and zapped out of energy. And any remaining ounce of it I must focus on keeping my little man happy. I think I fail at keeping both men in my life happy. I tend to think that F would be more understanding that his needs would be fine if I tend to them later. I put all of them in a box and stuff it in until further notice. At times I'd feel internal remorse for what I've done but I am just not capable of - ah stuff it.

This ramadhan I did not perform as well as I had hoped for. But then again I was not aware of how life is with a 8-month old lil' man tugging at me.

I have a lot to be thankful for. Hope to meet again, Ramadhan.

I see you

Diha's Wedding, Duchess Place 

I'm having a hard time trying to create Mikael's album in facebook. I am just clueless like that. As days go by, I see more and more of myself in him. I'm sure F feels the same but can't help to think that he is more like me then anyone else. He used to be able to sleep through the night without any feedings, but not its a bit of a picnic for the little fella. Fine, grow up chubby and chubbier - don't blame me! Although..it could be all the butter and cheese in your food.

I am enjoying work as I should but am procrastinating on my promotion big time. I don't think I will ever own a cayanne, or an A4, or a cartier watch at that. But I also hope that I will not grow big headed to think that all of those are the things that define life and miss out on the components that truly matter. It is easy to be blinded by the world.

I think too much when its quiet. But Mikael wails a lot now so don't worry - I don't think too much very often!

10 minutes of fame

Bella, Labor Day Special

This was something fun I did on Labor's Day. My good friend Melisa was supposed to be on this show but decided against it since she lives in the East coast and did not take a liking to these things. However, ironically indeed did she recommended my name instead. Thanks girlfriend. Actually we are quite close, elementary school buddies in Taiwan and loyal jogging partners in U.  

I just took part since I had nothing better to do, and I really wanted to meet Daphne. Please don't ask me more cause I don't know what was being said throughout the show. Its not often that I feel like I am a weak women. But in this bunch of ass-kicking ladies, hell yeah, I felt it. I was the youngest. Haha! 

Super fun. Now I can cross TV star off my to-do list =P

Oh my Sugar

 I am finally finding back the time to write something at least once in a while. I've got tonnes to share. A lot of changes has happened in my life. Great, great changes. I will always hold on to the fact that nothing is more important than remembering Him before I sleep. And that we should all wash away our worry that burdens our tense shoulder during the day. Mikael is growing to become quite a handsome boy. Truly blessed with his presence. I chopped off his hair cause it was starting to poke his wonderfully roasted almond eyes. I rushed and made it look pretty ugly. F is still trying to strike a balance in life. I will let him adjust to his tune, and then I shall be next in getting my bounce back in the steps I take. Ciao.

Awesome!

I am very proud of myself today. Started out very bumpy cause I have not been training at all! The only sense of excercise is from lugging Mika around the house and dragging my sorry tush from klcc to exxon to klcc to rohas.

I am very proud of myself nevertheless!! This one is definitely for me!

Awesome!!

Welcoming Party

My baby's first trip without me, had no doubt F could handle it. He's an awesome dad. And the other guy is just well behaved,syukur. Its been a while since I raced up and down stairwells jumping on and off trains making my way to the bus station. 4 hours later I am welcomed home by this.

Happy 4 Months!!

Mikael turns 4 months old today. Coincidentaly I've never been to any of the hot air balloon fests before, and decided to make a field trip out of it. We missed all the balloons on the Saturday, arriving on site at 8am and Aboh spent a good amount of time helping out a family getting their car tyre out of the mud..so we went again on Sunday! Mikael probably wont recall any of this but I wasnt going to let this chance slip away- my being on leave, F around and onshore..and Mika young healthy and cute!

Thank you Aboh for taking us-twice. Sorry it may seem like you've got two babies at hand sometimes. We love you dearly!!

Wk11.

Mikael now really loves to sleep in people's arms. We couldn't manage a spot to put him for his naps..so we had to hold him throughout his naptime - which lead to hours and hours. He slept at 4 hours per average of a nap. Now thats the winter effect! Afraid that this might spoil him a bit, but really there was no choice. Back in KL he's gonna have to sleep by himself no more bed sharing co sleeping shebang. He has just developed the skill to spit up if not properly burped. My body aches from the bed sharing and I end up waking up really grumpy and tired.

Mika may has the snuffles or a case of sore throat perhaps? But his voice has gotten croaky its almost man-like haha!

Guest Bedroom, NannyK & Tokji's crib, Jan 2012.

Wk10. Astana!

Mika travels to Astana! I think I am more nervous than anyone on the trip. You cry out now whenever you are cranky - that is a new milestone for you!! Before, you hardly cried unless you were hungry and thats it! Haha..its more of a squeal than anything, I personally found it rather funny. I have a funny feeling that you are nursing less than usual. Am not sure if its the weather or the food I've been eating thats making me less sore and feeling less full =(

Its too cold for you dear, -27 the day we arrived. Tokji and NannyK showered you with presents which ended up being your staple everyday wear while you were there. It was just TOO cold. (Will have to make another entry about Astana- promise!)

Mikael's second trip abroad

Thank you Aboh for having us stay with you. We love you!

We were here

Astana, Kazakhstan
25 Jan - 10 Feb, 2012.

Wk9. (love)

Meatworks, Solaris Mont Kiara

Happy birthday Aboh. We love you. Sorry I was a bit broke, so we could only manage a card for you.

Putramas, Jln Kuching.

Lovely surprise on our annyversary..Happy 1st Anny, syg! Delicious carrot cake from Alexis. Not too sweet, but heavenly rich! And to get the same breed of flowers, on the annyversary, was subtle. Loved it..Thank you Allah.

Komplex Belia dan Sukan, Paroi, Seremban.

My bestfriend's wedding. Need I say more. (Ok I think I look way skinnier after giving birth than I do now!!)

Wk8. Hurah!

Happy two months baby love!! We had dinner at Neksu's house, but too bad Tipika wasn't there. Its a week of transition, with NannyK not being around. And Aboh getting some flexible time at his work place. Trying to do my best at this whole being a mother and a wife. I don't think I did that good a job though, I left your Aboh to tend to himself.

The Apartment, KLCC Jan 2012.

Wk7.

Its a brand new month..and we start with January Mika!! I had my first ever organic lunch with Jengae at ampang hilir. The food tastes the same, its just the way the produce was taken care of thats different. Then had to send NannyK off on the 10th. Its sad of course, cause after this NannyK has to wait a long while before she can see Qiesha again. You will get to see her 2 weeks later, when we go visit.

You can recognize faces now..and smile. Love taking you out to silly trips to the mall. Frequenting the baby care room to sort you out. You weight at 5.07kgs now. Still pretty light on my shoulders. I am adjusting to the fact that you will be the reason I am wearing wrinkled blouses, even though I spend a good amount of effort ironing them out. I actually cried once while telling Aboh I felt ugly - please don't laugh at me!! Haha. I hope Aboh is appreciating how having a baby is taking its toll on my life. We both love you dearly, Mika!! Thats all that matters.

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Jan 2012

Wk6.

Hey hey! Mika has the ability to clench and unclench his tiny paws when I nurse him. Money is a bit tight around the house, but hey. The loving never stops. We took you out to make your passport and got your myKid and everything ready for the big trip. You're such a small baby and you don't weight much when I carry you around in the lime green baby bjorn - which was a present to me given by my group of friends. My body is slowly gaining more control and strength to handle day long outings.

We celebrated the new year at home, in front of the telly. Just us three. Welcome to 2012 Mikael..which meant you also had your first dose of vaccination with Dr.Choy. You had a slight fever the day after, which was really scary for me but pulled through alright =) Alhamdulillah. We take pictures of you right before we enter the doctor's room. Just for keepsake. And my friends say you look like your Aboh? Seriouslyyyy??!!

Prince Court Medical Center, Lvl 6 Women & Child. Jan, 2012

Wk5.

My boobies sometimes get super swollen and I've discovered for myself the true and miraculous power of the cabbage leaf! Once I was nursing you during one of the 'painful' times and I had milk jetting out into your face, it was hilarious even Nanny says she never had that happen to her. Awesome, right?

I took you to Kee's wedding at Marriot Putrajaya. It was your 1st wedding. you cried throughout the course! Then we headed to Tok Uncle's house in Kinrara for a feast and we spent the xmas weekend shopping and even did a movie marathon! We watched MI4 and Sherlock Holmes. I was too tired and didn't understand Sherlock Holmes for the life of me. But don't tell Aboh!!

Marriot Putrajaya, Dec 2011.

Wk4. Bingo!

Happy 1 month cutie pie! You've gained 1kg, now you weigh about 4 kgs +. You still are a tad yellow, and I try to put you out in the sunlight whenever I can. We finally bought you a stroller..it was crazy, choosing and all that. Its a lot more pricier than my handbag. But its OK..I love you very much. I'm scared of trying to put you on the bottle..I've got this fear of you not wanting to take milk from me anymore. Silly, I know.

Happy 1 month cutie pie! You've gained 1kg, now you weigh about 4 kgs +. You still are a tad yellow, and I try to put you out in the sunlight whenever I can. We finally bought you a stroller..it was crazy, choosing and all that. Its a lot more pricier than my handbag. But its OK..I love you very much. I'm scared of trying to put you on the bottle..I've got this fear of you not wanting to take milk from me anymore. Silly, I know.

Kampung Kendong, Negeri Sembilan. Dec, 2011.

Wk3.

Dec 2011

I think I've mastered breastfeeding you! So terribly happy you're consuming tonnes more! It truly is the power of our Maker, Allah swt. I am blessed and so happy to meet you. Aboh still goes out alot. It sucks. I sometimes cry to myself when you fail to sleep at night. It makes me awfully cranky, you know? Its weird because somehow breastfeeding you has sapped all the energy out of me! So usually, you and I, we will nap together around 3pm in my room. This weekend we took you to Pekan, to meet Tok Mummy.

Keramat Permai, Dec 2011

Wk2.

You still drink and sleep a lot. My ugly tummy still feels funny. I now have the courage to put on the scar lotion by myself. You have not mastered the fine art of nursing, leaving me bruised, battered and in agonizing pain. I think its you. We took you to PCMC and you were doing well. Already gaining weight and length. Wondered why you were still yellowish. I snuck out to klcc, aboh was kind and concerned that I was dying of boredom, when really, confinement wasn't all that bad. I still did not understand how much my body needed to rest, I was too busy trying to bounce back - to my dismay - my energy level is still below par. I feast on all sorts of milk producing veggies and the all tol famous snale head fish for fast recovery. I am so happy Mama is here to tend to my every need. Should I feel spoilt?

You are a tiny baby. I could carry you with one arm, and you'd fit fine. Its 14 days and we decided to plaster your hands and feet for keepsake! Lets pray for a better week ahead.

Keramat Permai, Dec 2011.

Wk1.

All you did was sleep. Such a joy to have you. Easy, peasy.. All aboh did was go out. Futsal, golf, football, watch the match with the boys. It really made me feel upset. He treated your presence as if it was all my duty to look and care after you. Sorry. I cant seem to muffle my thoughts and words any better.

Keramat Permai, Nov 2011.

A case of the Yellow

Gosh its been ages since I last keyed in my worldly entry. I ran out of energy and am still fumbling with when I should get stuff done or sleep?! I don't really plan on making this blog now all about Mika, but hey, he might read this some day. He is really getting bigger now. He had a case of jaundice caused by my breastmilk. Thankfully it only lasted to 6 weeks. He is getting a much healthier glow now.

I even went to the extent of sunbathing him out in the back yard, in the local park. But really its not good, especially when I didn't apply any sunblock on him.

I am now torn between uploading pics here, or making a whole album for Mika. I am always worried about how exposed a person can really get by sharing everything on a social network website. And then there's twitter. Another social website where we can update our by-the-minute activity even when no one is asking.

Bahh. Humbug. Hope you guys had a good 2012 celebration!