The mark of true love is.....

Mark one is.....

when you're willing to give up designer handbags or a new phone because you want to send your baby to a "merangkak class"

I'm planning to send Ryan to one of those baby classes. The two options are T*umble Tots (TT) or G*ymboree (GB). Based on the review, GB seems to be shine a bit more than TT. So during lunch time today (after the wolfing down delicious Banana Leaf @ Nirwana) I decided to stop by GB for more information.

I'm so tempted to sign Ryan up, but will need Lan's seal of approval first. I'm not sure if he will say yes as the price tag is quite hefty. May we can try sending cheeky cheeks for the trial class first to see if he likes it.

We'll see...we'll see...

Mark two is...

when you annoy me like crazy but I still want to spend the rest of my live with you :p

Happy 29th Birthday Muhammad Azlan b. Ab Malek :)

Hope you like my not so surprised present. First trip away with cheeky cheeks. Hope everything will go well *insyallah* will post more pictures on this soon. Love you so much *muackz*

Will leave you with some pictures from last week. We went back to Perak for a short day trip. My MIL , FIL and SIL's came back with us to visit Ryan's Tok and Nek Nyang and Ryan's great great grandmother (boy was she excited)

"Intan payung, gunung meletup, penawar hati nenek" borrowing the words of a very excited g.g grandmother.

Ryan listening to GGG singing :) Excited but kesian baby was kepanasan. Weather was incredibly warm :( The expression on Ryan's face remind me of his dad. Sumpah comel (not Lan but Ryan..hehehe)

How to dress a mummy :)

One of the biggest challenges of being a new mother is finding something “appropriate” to wear. You have to think beyond latest style and even your own comfort as you now have a new accessory (i.e. your baby). Preferred tops would be button downs shirts or tops which can easily allow you to breastfeed. Even if you choose to bottle feed your baby, there is the dilemma of choosing something spit/vomit proof (i.e. something that won’t obviously show stain like silk/satin/light colored garments)

You’ll also find out that even though you no longer look like you’re hiding a watermelon in your belly, your body shape have changed. Bulges started spouting from nowhere and putting on your skinny jeans would be a feat resembling one of the “cirque de soleil” routines. Dangling accessories are a no-no especially if you don’t want to end up looking like a snatch thief victim or stuck with a crying baby who finds your new statement necklace too pokey/scary. And seriously people do you think those sky high stiletto is an acceptable shoes especially if you’re toting the precious little prince/princess?

But what a mummy to do? Do you need to give up on your personal style and trendy fashion? Quite a depressing thought especially if you’re a young mother (or someone who is young at heart) I refused to equate motherhood with frumpy flowered blouses and mums jeans. I mean if you choose to wear those garment because YOU like it, is one thing (let nobody dictate your own personal style) but don’t do it because you’re too lazy to make the effort. Don’t think it’s wrong to dress up for your hubby, right?

Don’t blame your lack of effort on that poor little baby. You can look good if you make the effort and I seriously don’t think it’s inappropriate for mummy’s to be fashionable. Some people may say “you shouldn’t wear this..this..this since you’re now a mummy” . Don’t let they tell you what you should and should not do. You should be aware of it yourself. What works for other people may not work on you.

I mean when a 40 year old woman goes out shopping with her teenage daughter in a similar outfit of tube top and mini skirt. Two things will come to my mind. One “You got guts woooomann” and secondly “Her self confident must be on the low side if she needs to compete with her own daughter for attention” but then again she may be very comfortable with her body. Who am I to judge, right?

What brought on this long winded commentary? Nothing much, was just remembering a conversation with my cousin 2 months ago. I visited my aunt’s house in a long sleeve t-shirt buruk and jeans (one of those baggy boyfie jeans) Nothing sexy and in my opinion very sahsiah rupa diri, but my cousin was totally shocked and the first thing she said to me was “Kak Na, you should dress like a mother, jangan pakai baju macam anak dara” I was like “How is a mother supposed to dress like?” She just smiled and looked at my 40 year old aunty. I LOVE my aunty to bits but I don’t think the makcik2 datin labucci type clothing goes with my style.

Hahaha I wonder what Lan would say if I start going out in one of those blousy flowered tops, flowy skirts and tudung with 1000 shiny diamante sewed on them. Sumpah tak mengutuk if that is in fact what you like to wear but that is just ain’t me. I’m sure my hubby would prefer me in something more age appropriate kan? Albeit just in a simple baby-t and jeans. As long as it’s not so over the top sexy or gediks. Whatever it is I don’t want to be mistaken for his mum: p

THINGS I WANT BUT DON'T NECESSARY NEED...

I love some of this long cardie design and jacket from Topshop latest collection. The ribbons and swirl of colours reminds me of circus and candies :) Me want me want :p

O*Livia Palermo's Style...

She's not very likable from the TV series "The City" but I totally love her sense of style. Her style reminded me of Blair Waldorf's outfits in "Gossip Girl" . A real life Blair perhaps?

Ryan's Milestones

Salam and Hello...
I'm going to be 4 months old in a week time :) So this are the list of some of my "achievements" :p

I love to scream and shout on top of my lungs, esp if I'm unhappy. When I'm around please ensure that you pay attention to me at all times as I will be sad and start wailing if you don't talk to me :p

I've perfected the disapproval, muka serious look from daddy :p At the same time I've inherited mummy's chatterbox quality. I love talking (excitedly sambil air liur meleleh-leleh) I also love mumbling and will complain if I don't get things my way. Saya juga suka mengamuk (hehehe another inherited trait) but senang dipujuk :)

I can now hold my own bottle for a short period of time. I will let go of the bottle at any time without notice when I had enough or malas :p

I can now grab my own hands, hug my toys, direct toys/baju/etc into my mouth and I LOVE grabbing mummy's hair.

I've also started "mengiring" exclusively this week. Will turn when I want milk from mummy or if I want to smack daddy's face when he is more interested in sleeping than paying attention to me :p I also love to turn around esp. in the buff . I feel so much lighter without my diapers but mummy complain, sebab susah nak change me.

I associate mummy wearing tudung as going "let's go jalan2" so if I see mummy all dress up but she don't pick me up ASAP, please be ready for me to mengamuk.

Family Outing

Date : 3 April 2010 (Saturday)
Venue : Boston Steamboat, JJ Bukit Tinggi

Ryan's outing with his aunties, normal steamboat stuff but I really love the Nasi Goreng China which come with the set. Price are quite reasonable. 4 steamboat sets, a huge serving of Nasi Goreng, shrimp roll, pai tee and mini sundaes for RM89.90 *yummy* I'm so going again next time...

with Mak Su, Cik Thirah and Cik Nani

Before Ryan mengamuk tak nak duduk in the stroller. I guess the place is too warm for him

Lan menjamu selera :)

Along and Baby Besar :p hehehe

Check me out. I can now hold my own bottle.... *luv ya smarty pants*

Under Construction

I'm currently in the works of changing my blog layout. So bear with the "ackward" phase for the moment.I find the previous design too "bold" and "bright" for my liking. Finding a design which is "easier" on the eyes :)

A million of upates in one...

Update : Picture Collage on Outing with Aunt Rynne and Kel-Wa @ Bubba Gump

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I’ve been horrible with updating right?

Last week was a bit hectic, I was on MC from Monday – Wednesday due to flu and Thursday and Friday is just a blur flow of activities. Is it possible to work with your head being in a different continent all together? I guess it is possible as my heart and mind is deeply rooted at home but my body is at work.

I’m still recovering from my flu. I find it impossible to truly rest even when I’m on MC. Last Monday, Ryan stayed home with me as he is also recovering from fever/flu. I don’t want to expose him to the germs at the kindergarten; at least he’s partly immune to my germs: p I had to drive myself to the clinic with Ryan in tow. Thank god my mummy offered to accompany me, because Ryan in spite of being sick is still active and jumping around. I guess he is just excited that I’m at home :)

I gave up on doing the “motherly” thing on Tuesday and shipped Ryan off to school to spend the whole day sleeping. Wednesday had to run errands despite having difficulty in breathing but I don’t care because I finally managed to open up a Tabung Haji account for Ryan.

Lan and I decided to set aside an amount of money to save on Ryan behalf. Maybe it’s not much but something is better than nothing. My mum told me when she first started saving for my sister and I, she can only afford to save RM10 per month. But over time, she managed to accumulate quite a sum for both of us. So I’m going to follow mummy’s good example...

I was hoping to rest this weekend but had a million of things to do. We went out with my SIL’s for lunch and finally got Ryan his new car seat on Saturday. Sunday was spent cleaning the house and after that straight to Shah Alam to meet up with my sister “bakal” father/mother in law. All I can say is the weekend is too short, that is why I can’t wait for…

Lan’s Birthday Celebration…

I’m planning a short trip to Avillion PD to celebrate Lan’s bday next week. I’ve been begging Lan for this trip for months (since I’m pregnant with Ryan) but he is so full of excuses (takut terberanak lah, busy, weddings etc). Finally managed to convince him (I think he’s just bored with the constant whining).

Now I need to get Ryan a new swimsuit/wetsuit for babies as I’m planning to bring him swimming. He love splashing around the tub so much, we’re even planning to get him one of those mini inflatable pool after the PD trip.

Ooopss…

Oh and did I tell you that I have a new ride? Lan and I decided that it is time for us to get another car. A more family oriented car to be precise. So we bought the new Perodua Alza :p We received the car last Tuesday. I love love it :) Anyway need to cut down on the unnecessary spending to accommodate the new family budget.

I shudder to think of the amount of cash that changed hands the past few weeks (sadly money out of my hands and not in) car deposit, Ryan’s car seat, travel expenses, New clothes for Ryan, New clothes for me, Ryan’s milk, diapers, kindy fees, immunization etc (notice the trend?) I guess terpaksalah menyimpan angan-angan nak kirim the adorable Gucci Boston from Sha who’s going to Paris soon… Au Revoir!

Far-Azlan Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Happy 3 Months Bday Ryan

Date: 20 March 2010 (Saturday)
Location: Garden, Mid Valley & Sunway Pyramid
Occasion : Ryan's 3 Months Bday and Family Outing

Happenings:

First stop SJMC for Ryan's 3 months jab and Rotavirus immunization. Big boy didn't cry and there was really minor fussing.

Second stop: The Gardens, we need to check out Ryan's second car seat (hehehe wonder why?)Taking notes and comparing prices, still ain't sure between the Maxi Cozy or Hartford Line *sigh* more money out the window (you're lucky I love you enough to give up on designer bags and shoes, Ryan - at least for the time being..hehe)

Had lunch at the Gardens food court. Not bad-lah both Lan and I had terriyaki and Ryan decided that he had enough of his stroller, so he laid next to me on the couch, observing other babies making noise...

Daddy trying to feed himself and Ryan at the same time :p

Ryan observing his surroundings and his newfound geram habit *makan tangan*

How can you have a bday without cakes right? For mummy only.. heheh

_____________________

Third Stop:Kajang, Dzulclassique. Mummy kena fitting for mak long's wedding reception. I'm not crazy over the baju but it's not fully completed yet, maybe it will look better with the beads.

Fourth Stop: Sunway Pyramid. Continue with car seat search and Ryan shopping session more clothes for my growing baby *sigh* We had our dinner in Ria's Ayam Penyet (The one in Curve is better) I want to try the one in Wong Solo.

Mummy & Ryan in front of Berryl's Chocolote Fantasy Fun Fair

Ryan is tired from our all day outing. Note the clothes changes..Emperor New Clothes lah budak kecik nie...

Ooopppppsss :)

Courtesy of Azlan who have been really generous out of late. On top of the new Olympus Camera as a "push present" he got me a new a little something from Coach as a belated Anniversary prezzie...Thanks darling... hehehhe

Fashion Wishlist : Of things I can't afford (haha)

I started blogging yesterday on a very ANGRY blog entry, but I changed my mind and decided against posting it. I'm steering clear of negative thoughts for the moment.No Ryan entry today as I'm saving it for next week complete with a series of photo's yang dari haritu tak diupload.

So I'm gonna blog on my current wish list. I have tons of work to do but in no state of mind to do it. My mind is BLANK because I want to go home and sleep and play peekaboo with Ryan so let's go blog fashion hopping...

I love this pink leopard print shoe from Betsey Johnson. It reminded me of the Jennifer Behr's headband Blair wore during Lily and Bart's wedding.

My idol... hahaha

Miu Miu Mary Jane Platform. Adorable, but the heels is sky high don't think I'll be able to walk in this. Adorable nevertheless

Ohh my Jimmy Choo's : Love love this embellished heels. It cost my monthly salary. *ishhkk* Bilalah can I afford making whimsical shoe purchases ala Carrie???

For vampire lovers out there : Betsey Johnson Fang Knit Cardigan... cutey :p

Badgley Mischka Pink Carlo Pumps... the sweetness tugs my heart :p

Bluemarine Tie-Dye Spring Collection. Me likey. It reminds me of holiday by the beach for some reason.

The Catch 22

Other than the fact that most of the stuff above is way beyond my price range :p I believe that there is no point in spending million of ringgit on designer stuff if you look like a blimp. Look at Gisele Bundchen, she's giving me an inferiority complex. She gave birth around the same time I gave birth to Ryan but LOOK AT HER!!! Granted she may have 3 nannies, 4 personal trainer, nutritionist etc helping her but that just ain't normal....

For ze record I've lost all 13 kg's I gained during the pregnancy, but the skoopid bulges are everywhere and I can't comfortably fit in my skinnies yet *sigh* I need to exercise more *double sigh* Malas malas hahaha ok lah I'm happy with the way I look minus my stretchmarks which surfaced during my last month of pregnancy. Macam lightning everywhere... No more bikini's (macam lah sebelum nie berani pakai pun.. my thighs are too huge to even consider)

Anyway since today is Friday and I'm still in a funk I think I'll go Jeans shopping after this. That and maybe a gorgeous new cardigan to cheer me up :)

** Note: Am feeling better now, I've just purchased a new skinny, a jeggings (jeans+leggings) and an adorable tuxedo-ish cardigan from Miss Selfridge + Dorothy Perkins... Tak makan 2 1/2 hours of solid shopping. Now I'm broke but happy... lalalala 2 1/2 hours to go till going home time...

Teaching my boy to be kiasu very early on :)

Ryan 2 Months 3 weeks Developments

Sometimes when Ryan is in one of his good mood, and when I see him kicking and trying to turn (mengiring) I’ll help him and roll him around the bed. Based on my reading it will help him turn faster (konon-lah) but Ryan seems to like it… dia rasa lawak pastu buat muka pening ;p but now cheeky cheeks has a new trick, he’ll refused to turn on his own. He’ll kick real high and sengih-sengih in my direction mintak I push him.

He loves to stand on his feet and try to “walk”. According to the older generation, this practice is not good as his bone is not strong enough but he’ll be so pissed off if he’s stuck in his stroller or cot for a long time stationary. He loves his “standing” and “sitting” position. I guess he loves getting a wider view of things. Baby don’t try to be a biggie boy so fast ok, you’re growing so fast I can’t catch up: p

Tummy Tummy Biggie Tummy

Ryan hates his tummy time and we all know how important it is in order to ensure easier crawling later on. He doesn’t mind being put on his tummy during naps, but he gets easily frustrated while playing on his tummy. So I’m thinking of getting him the Lamaze Spin & Explore Garden Gym. Maybe if it’s more fun and less strenuous on his part he’ll enjoy tummy time more… He already has 2 play mats courtesy of Suja and Kel-wa so don’t know if we should get him a third one. His grandma sibuk suruh beli, since there’s none at home in Klang, since I put one in Shah Alam and the other kat Jalan Kebun. Susah betul banyak rumah ni…

Of Reading and Play Acting…

Ryan loves it when we read to him. He think my weird accents and melodramatic over acting funny. His favorite story is Emperor’s New Clothes (Mak long’s nick name to him as he’s always in a new clothes) and 3 Little Pigs (he finds the whole ‘I huff and I puff” line hilarious). He also loves to listen to his grandma mengaji, he can sit next to her while she finishes of one juzuk, smiling and rarely crying. Good boy… These are some of the books we have bought for him so far, I’m trying to encourage his love for reading very early on.

This is a very good book if you're trying to expose you're baby to Kisah Nabi in English, a bit pricier than normal BM Version though.

I love the Usborne Series. You can get it in MPH

Mari Belajar Membaca :)
Hehehe we’re also teaching him to read (yes poyo, I know) When we read to babies, it seems that though they recognize the sound of the words, the word itself is not familiar to them as we encourage them to listen but not to “look –read” the words.

I bought Ryan the flashcards from the “How to teach your baby to read series” It’s a fun activity between Ryan, Lan and I. It’s easy to do to. Just read the cards, pointing from left to right on the words and say “This is the word CAT”. After that you just give a description of the word. For example “My cat is yellow”. If the method works we're going to teach him the IQRA'

I don’t know if these above methods work, but at the moment I’m working on a clean slate. So I have nothing to lose since the books can be used till he’s 4 years old. Insyallah some lesson might stick on. Anyway since Lan and I don’t get to spend a lot of time with Ryan during weekdays, spending at least one hour per night doing the above activities is the best way for all of us to bond.

Our QUALITY TIME together. I look forward to the end of every day where I can spend the night with the 2 men in my life… heheheh