My list...

Ain't no fun without hubby...

1. Watching Prison Break! Ever since my pregnant days,we watched this until the wee hours of the morning...It's soooooo addictive,even though we kept telling each other we were going to stop at a particular episode and continue another day,we couldn't do it,so we ended up watching till 2am....while munching on our nachos and cheese dip,of course.We are still waiting ANXIOUSLY for episodes 9 and more from season 3!
2. Indulging in our Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk in the middle of the night...yummmm......
3. Sleeping alone...when he's on business trips....'nuff said.

I love it when my baby...

1. Flips my shirt up and blow raspberries on my tummy...making funny noises and having his drool all over!
2. Crawls to me at night to sleep on my chest or snuggle up beside me.
3. Shouts out for me and runs around the house looking for me when we play hide and seek.
4. Plants sloppy kisses on my lips when he wants milk.
5. I simply love the sweet smell of my baby's skin....and his wispy,curly locks....

When you are a parent....

1. You can't read a newspaper without your baby crawling up to sit on your lap, or grabbing at the papers....Sometimes,you can't read the papers at all! I have 4 days of newspapers yet to be read...
2. A 15 mintues shower is a bonus....a bath is a luxury!
3. You've never been this tired in your life....but you are the most happy!
4. Simply watching your baby sleep will make you smile.
5. You snap thousands of your baby's photos...using your camera,your handphone and your spouse's!
6. You become less self-absorbed and more sensitive.The world does not surround around you.Material things become menial.The most important thing in your life now is your child...your baby...his well-being,his health,his happiness.

Look ma,no teeth!

Poor baby Deana has swollen gums and fever due to teething.Mummy Deana was worried (as most parents would be!).So far, my little one went through a bout of refusing to eat but demanded lots of time comfort sucking.It can be tiring and confusing, but with lots of love and
patience,they'd be up and about in no time-with a gleaming new tooth to show off too!

Hot milk!

There were occasions whereby I scrambled in search of nursing rooms in public places.Often,I will look out for signs that show me the way to the rooms each time I enter a building.My mind is put at ease to go to places that facilitate nursing mums.So for nursing mummies out there-Here are some locations that I've been to.Hope this helps!

1.Singapore Expo : Directly opposite the taxi stand-3 private rooms
2.Ikea Tampines : Opposite the restaurant

3.IMM : Baby Rooms are available at Level 1 (near Giant/ Loading Bay Toilet) and at Level 1 (near the Letter Box corridor - leading to covered car park.)

4.Eastpoint : One level above Banquet

5.Takashimaya : Level 3, between Thyme Maternity and lingerie dept-1 nursing room

6.Tangs Orchard : Level 3,children's dept-2 private rooms, with comfortable reclining seats

7.Isetan Scotts : Level 4,at the children's dept-2 private rooms

8.Raffles City : Level 3, beside the Lobby B lifts-1 private room

9.Paragon: Level 3

10.Great World City : Level 2

Happy milking! : )

What does teh tarik and nursing room have in common?

Both of us had this craving...so off we went to meet our smiley Teh Tarik man!If you enjoy having a cuppa,you will definitely lurvvvveee this teh tarik...warm,not too sweet,frothy on the top and it won't leave a bad aftertaste like some teh tariks...yumm....

And our Teh Tarik man is a very nice chap...always smiling and asking how we were.Now that's what I call service.I always tell hubby, this man should get a plaque to honour his good service and great teh tarik.Hmmm...even mentioning it now makes me want a cuppa!

Anyone wants to know where he's at? : )

After a hearty breakfast,we headed down to the Singapore Expo to check out some events.The Halal Showcase was a disappointment this time.We concluded that it was probably targeted more for business opportunists.We went to the JL sale next.Poor hubby had to queue for more than 15 minutes to pay for our five items.He only realized there was an express lane after he made payment.Opps!

There was a furniture sale and I saw this shag carpet that I've always wanted!Of course,even at a sale,these rugs still hold a hefty pricetag so I just gave it a stroke and break away from it.
The health exhibition was the last to be ventured.Hubby got a tad excited about Happy Feet (not the animation,but insoles that presumably make your feet,well,happy...) and he's SOLD!Dear, I still think it costs an arm and a foot...BUT I'm happy if you are happy : )

What was the most fruitful of our day out was to get a health check.The nice people from Alexandra Hospital were there to check our BMI,blood pressure,cholesterol and glucose.

Our little one was getting tired and thirsty by this time.Fortunately,Singapore Expo has EVENTUALLY put up a proper nursing area.It was long overdue.Before,wheelchair-bound washrooms were converted to baby changing rooms,which I think was unfair to those on wheelchairs,at the same time,healthy adults with no baby in hand, were unjustly using those wahsrooms.I used to scorn at both these inconsiderate beings and the management there.Now, the new nursing area has three private rooms with comfortable seats,apart from a separate baby-changing space.On behalf of all nursing mothers like me,I earnestly beseech for more places to have this.It helps us a lot.

So,what does teh tarik and nursing room have in common?Hmmm....they both make me warm and comfy....

My precious

I love to simply watch my baby sleep.

He looks so precious and charming....

And of course,I can take a breather from all that running after him...phew...

Noise in the night

Sometimes I wish we are living in a cottage with vast reaches of greens, near the mountains....

Reality check.Here we were trying to fall asleep,and there was loud annoying noise outside our window....rattling and purring of a machine...clanking of metals.....on top of the noise from the traffic...I didn't bother to see what it was.I just want it to stop.My guess was roadworks being carried out.It didn't stop at 11pm...nor at 3am, when I got up to feed my baby.It took me some time to fall back to sleep.

Of course, in the morning at about 6.30,we would hear the loud noise from a motorcycle.The rider would start up his motorcycle and cranked it up again and again.I know that he probably wanted to warm up his vehicle,but for crying out loud, he's waking up the entire neighbourhood,as if telling everyone,hey good morning everybody,just want to tell you I'm off to work,wave me from your windows if you can hear me....

It's annoying to the max.He must be so proud of his bike.He does this everyday.Most times my baby would be awoken by it.I wish I could just throw eggs at him from my window.Urgh!This guy's not alone....he has mates who do similarly,sometimes in the afternoon,sometimes at night.They are so pathetic that they have to rev their bikes again and again,hoping people would turn to look at them and their measly bikes....so desperate for attention.

Another noise in the night is the singing of getais.A huge tent is put up at the open field right beside our block.This is not only during the seventh month,but done in every few months,usually before any public holiday.We all talk about being tolerant,yes,we are trying to.What I don't understand is why must they crank up the volume SO LOUD?!So loud that you can feel the vibrations on the floor.Please sing if you must,but must it be deafeningly loud?What,your audience can't hear you??Or are you simply trying to mask your inability to sing?This goes on till 11pm or so,for a few days at a time.

Well this is urban life.Grit your teeth and bear it?I don't know...I sure would love to give these people a piece of my mind.Meanwhile,I'll just be dreaming about that cottage in the greens.....

Return of the Neat Freak

I hate being sick.

Being a tad distressed that my throat hurts and my head's spinning,I decided to indulge in something that would make me somewhat forget that I'm sick....cleaning!Hah, it's been known that when I'm stressed out, I clean the house...really clean,and hopefully get to trash out unwanted and unused items.

So I started with scrubbing the bathroom.As the little one was not asleep,I trusted him to play on his own in the room....and that's exactly what he did.....

When I checked on him, he was pulling out tissues from the tissue box which he had ingeniously grab from the table.I think he had pulled out half of the contents in the box!

He looked so innocent...with those cute eyes..... that I couldn't bear to scold him.It was quite amusing,really....

He was also 'helping' me when I was changing the kitchen drawer papers....

He stacked as many cans of food as he could, on his toy xylophone no less.Impressive,eh? : )

To get more tidying and cleaning up done, the best and ONLY way was for him to have his nap, and that was what he did afterwards.I cleaned up the house faster than a house lizard whose tail has been cut off....before the little prince woke up and all he wanted was my attention.

T3

We were late for our appointment this morning so we had to wait a while longer than we were supposed to.This time round,daddy held him instead, for his MMR injection.He was babbling and exploring everything as always,but when the needle came,oh boy,his cry pierced the air!My poor baby...I felt the pain too...He seemed a bit angry after that.Daddy was trying his best to soothe him.His cries didn't last long though,which was good.Now I just hope he won't run a fever after the injection.

As 'guilty' parents,we decided to bring him to the new T3.He was delighted....running through the vast terminal and absorbing new sights.

As always, our lilttle explorer didn't want to hold our hands as it would restrict his movements...He prefers running free....

He even got down on all fours to feel the newly carpeted T3!

Can't wait for us to have breakfast or lunch the next time we are there....

Nicely done...

I came across this at one of my favourite blogs.This was done by an American Muslim.It's nicely done!

Another beautiful one.....



Enjoy....

Boo-Boo

Made a date with an old school friend...bring our kids out as well as for us,mums, to catch up and shop.

Unfortunately, I made a boo-boo.We arrived at the place to catch a showcase,but that is actually scheduled for next week.I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry...Opps. Sorry Su,for the mistake.So, we ended up taking the train to a mall....



It was the first train ride for my little prince....how exciting!He was checking out every nook and crany,absorbing the sights.

At the mall, my little prince and her boy were indulging from one kiddy ride to another.Though we didn't get to spend a lot of time chatting and shopping as we were busy entertaining the antics of our 3 kids,it was a good day out.

Hopefully, we will get to meet up again next week for that showcase....This time on the right date!

Congratulations!

I'm truly happy!

Alhamdulillah, hubby was just promoted.He definitely deserved it.



I hope your new spot in the office pleases you though...: )

Naming your baby

How many people we know idolised celebrities?In this blind idolisation, they tend to take in and even believe what these celebs said or do.Dismayingly,many of the ignorant copy their images and behaviour,in an attempt to be cool,even when it is wrong.Many of them wanted to be 'westernised'.

I was watching a local programme on TV about marriage.It was a tongue-in-cheek show and there was a segment whereby a local celebrity/actress/model was interviewed about marriage and children.Her husband was a convert and the interviewer asked if there was any disagreement in naming their child.Her answer was, 'No, there was no disagreement between us,to name (the child) is not really important/paramount.'

I was utterly shocked.Hubby simply shook his head.Someone should tell her otherwise....One of the very first duties a parent has toward his/her new child, besides physical care and love, is to give the child a name that carries honor and Islamic meaning behind it. It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and by your fathers' names, so give yourselves good names." (Hadith Abu Dawud).

Indubitably,their child's name was a 'westernised' one.

This, I believe, is a growing phenomenon in our community and it's sad...They like what they hear when a particular name is mentioned,but do they know and really care about the meaning behind it?

Loss of an innocent

Blow to head: Baby's death an accident
A TWO-MONTH-OLD baby boy died after his head was banged against a toilet bowl by accident while he was being bathed. Jordan Teo Ka Jun's Indonesian caregiver Lasini, 25, was so afraid of being scolded that she did not tell anyone what had happened.

This was in the news recently.It disturbed me intensively when I read it.It is a mother's nightmare to have this happened to her baby.What was even more astounding was the fact that the coroner found the maid not criminally negligent in causing the baby's death.It may be an accident, but she was indeed inattentive and tactless.When an adult has a baby in the bathroom, the baby should NEVER leave their sight, not even for a second, what more to leave him standing or sitting on his own.What was even more horrifying was the maid did not inform the family immediately.Why?She was fearful?Fearful of being reprimanded?Fearful of the fact that she may be discharged from her duty as a maid?The only thing she should be fearful of was the baby's well-being...his life...

I've never trusted maids.Even before I read this, I've never trusted them.Yes, there may be a few who are good-natured.But I've heard horrific stories from friends who have/had maids, and the picture painted is not pretty.

My condolences to Jordan's family...

What goes around, comes around....

Perhaps not everyone would be sensitive and kind enough to do what this lady did for me.

I was at Tangs, Vivocity as early as 10.30am, hoping to beat the crowd on weekends.I was browsing for a new pair of comfortable footwear as I gave up glueing the soles of my two pairs of Mondo shoes.I headed for Aerosoles, a brand that I've heard of for quite some time but have yet to browse its collections.As I was picking up a footwear, a saleslady came forward.A typical salesperson ice-breaker would be 'how may I help you', but this good-natured Chinese lady was actually rushing to inform me that Aerosoles carry shoes with pigskin lining.I was astounded.The shoe that was in my hand plonked back onto the rack.I was hugely relieved, however, when she assured me that the one I picked up was not lined with pigskin.I thanked her profusely.

To some people, this may be a small thing.But I have had a few encounters whereby I was not told, or perhaps, to give the salesperson the benefit of the doubt, they may not be aware of it (though they should know their products,shouldn't they?) and it was truly disappointing to have a good shopping experience thwarted.A few years ago, at a high-end store in Ngee Ann City,a good friend of mine came in contact with a shoe with pigskin lining.What angered us was that the salesperson was of the same race/religion but failed to warn us. I had also bought shoes with that lining, and of course had them thrown away.I realized that it was a mistake on my part for not checking them thoroughly (the three dots), but having salesperson like the one at Tangs, I was eternally grateful and pleased with a kind-hearted soul.

I believe what goes around comes around.Sometimes I would express my displeasure when a person irks me or does not behave graciously.At other times,it was just not worth my energy.It's all in the little things we do for other people each day...be it your family, friends, or the person down the street.To me, it doesn't hurt to help.

So, to that saleslady at Vivocity....the supervisor at Tangs Orchard for carrying the big box of swing that I bought for my baby all the way to the taxi-stand....that man who opened the door for me as I pushed my baby's pram....thank you!

Turkish Delight

On a hunt for hubby's new phone today.Had a few in mind, but still undecided so he's still holding on to my old phone.

After leaping in and out of a few stores,our tummies started rumbling.Instead of going for the tried and tested,we decided to head over to a turkish restaurant that was just a stone's throw away from where we were.

Deliturk Authentic Turkish Restaurant - I had my usual Iskender Kebab.It had become a habit that if I had a meal at a turkish restaurant, I had to order that.So far, none of the restaurants in Singapore could serve a mean dish of Iskender Kebab, as compared to the one I had in Ankara,Turkey.There,not only was it piping hot,with a delicious mouth-watering sourish taste of tomato and yogurt showered over the tender and juicy lamb kebab, it was inadvertently served by a good-looking Turkish waiter (*note* I was still single then, hence the excitement.hah!)

So maybe it was the presence of the waiter that makes the meal tasted extra special.Yet I believe that even if it was without (though it would be impossible for me to get the food..hehe...), that Iskender Kebab of Ankara was undeniably, lip-smackingly good!

Notwithstanding, the hummus at Deliturk was just ok.It didn't come with the big, round fluffy bread (I couldn't recall what it's called) , but a pide instead.I must say hummus and pide didn't quite make it hand in hand.Hubby ordered a set of kebabs, with tereyagli pilav (buttered rice) and bread.It was not outstanding either.The pilav was a disappointment.

Of course, as I got reminded of Turkey, I had to ask hubby, when are we going there?!

Later,we took our li'l prince to the rooftop playground for some playtime since he had been itching to get out of his highchair throughout our lunch.

Grand baiser à toi

I love non-birthday gifts.So unexpected...such a mystery....

Hubby gave me this today....



It's not a Anya Hindmarch, I know that...
But what about what's INSIDE it....?




Hehe....*rubbing hands in glee*.....

I got a new phone! And it's the one I lust over. Above all its specs,I like that it's slim, sleek, fancy...and...

....in a burst of fresh colour!

Thanks so much dear...

One more thing to add to my long list of why I love hubby...

The Kite Runner Movie

-An epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, that takes us from the final days of Afghanistan's monarchy to the atrocities of the Taliban reign. This unforgettable story of redemption is based on the best selling phenomena "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini.-

The opening song is hauntingly beautiful.

I've finally managed to catch this movie (thanks to my dear niece).As expected, emotions soared and tears fell...when Hassan was sexually-abused by the group of boys in the alley...when a woman was nearly raped by a soldier as a trade before a group of families were allowed to cross the border....when a child or two had to be sacrificed to a man so that twenty more orphans could be saved....



Applause to Zekiria Ebrahimi and Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada for an outstanding performance.

It is a great movie...though I may be somewhat biased as I reviewed this with a background of the book itself.Nonetheless,both the book and the movie received thumbs up from me. If you have read the book, you have to catch the movie....if you have caught the movie, you have to get the book! "The Kite Runner" grips you till the end.

Anticipating....

I truly love this....emotions poured...tears trickled...

Now I can't wait to watch the movie!!!

Bon Appetit!

I shall name him my 'Prince of Fruits'.Give him any kind of fruit and he'll eat it.

We've had our share of baby's tantrums thrown at us when it comes to mealtimes.There were a few weeks that we encountered food being splattered or spat back on the floor when he refused to eat.This is simply a passing phase, or so, we hoped.He still chooses what he wants to eat at every mealtime.Certain days he'd finished a bowl of porridge,other days he didn't even want to look at it.Most times he would want what we are eating.

But give him a piece of fruit,any fruit,he would eat it happily.Watermelon is his favourite.Apples,oranges,papayas,pears,cherries,kiwis,bananas, he had it all.A week or so ago though,as I was tucking into my durian,he asked for it.At first I gave him a taste....then he wants more....ohhh....he's one of us alright!Insatiable appetite for durians!I had to pry him away from eating too much of that.Hah, who would have thought, a fourteen-month old loving durians!Come to think of it, I craved and ate durians nearly every week during my final term of pregnancy...maybe that's why!

We have to keep in mind to give our baby nutritious food at all times.We are gradually giving him tastes of 'adult food'.Yesterday he had some arab food....home-cooked shabsuka.As much as he wanted to have it, it was a tad spicy.So,maybe next time, my love, when you are a bit older ok?

The Chosen One

After many weeks of cross-eyed research in front of the computer, we've finally made reservations for our vacation next month.As most of the hotels we wanted to stay in are fully booked, we decided to change our destination, and lo and behold, I incidentally came across a website that provides instant confirmation.


Our hotel room...
Hopefully we'll get a king size bed!


Don't foget to pack our swimming gear!

Our little prince had a splashing time in the eternity pool during our last vacation....



So we can't wait for this trip!

Shopping Itch

Some damage was done...but I'm not sorry.It felt good, especially when they were all for my loved ones.It started when I bought some embroidered towels for mum (coz I saw one of hers recently and it looked bigger than the hole in the ozone layer).

then I saw this...... perfect for my little prince to sleep on...

afterward,the saleslady told me I could get a nice, soft pillow for only $1!

Ooohhh then the list goes on..... Once the shopping starts, the itch will spread like crazy, that is, until hubby kept on asking, are you done? are you done?So, mum got a Clinique lipstick and embroidered towels, little prince received a new set of jungle print bedsheets,a soft pillow,3 Fox tees and shorts,hubby received a mudgreen Billabong tee and Adidas socks, while I have a big pack of yummy Famous Amos pecan nut and chocolate chip cookies!

Next time,maybe we could get something more for moi?