I got tagged by Crash Test Mom

So here goes….

6 (un)important things that make me happy (in random order):

1. Retail therapy i.e. buying new clothes, handbags, make-up. I’m shallow at times :) The guilt that comes after.. well… comes after so let’s not go there.
2. Having an unopened parcel waiting for me at home when I get back from work. Though most times I know exactly what’s inside, it excites me hahahaha.
3. Finding out that someone (anyone) has been asking about me. Or even better, asking for my phone number. A bit blonde-ish, but an instant ego-booster hahaha.
4. Getting all made up, dressed-up, hair in a nice do, ready to face the world. (Obviously this does not happen every day)
5. Ayra giving me random kisses and hugs, without me having to ask her.
6. Hearing a good nostalgic happy song on the radio while driving alone on my way to work in the mornings. Seriously, this can make me smile and even better, get me off on the right foot for the day.

The matter of me not blogging in quite a while has got to wait. Doing this tag IS important to some extent, having reminded me of all the small things in life that makes me happy. Now, it’s back to work :)

Thanks dear.

I haven’t been updating this blog as much as I’d liked to.. Been very busy going all about for work and all.. anyways not many people read and comment here so I guess it doesn’t matter.

I’m trying to start the weaning process for Ayra from breastmilk coz I am convinced there is almost nothing left to drink hahaha. So I’m only giving in at nap times and bedtime and also during the night. All other times, I try to distract her. Before bedtime, I got hubbs to feed her the formula milk coz she won’t accept it from me. So Daddy will put on some cartoons on the PC and sit with Ayra on the chair while feeding her milk every night…

I forgot to add in more fav phrases from her.

“Whazziss, Mommy??” (what’s this) everytime she sees something new, while pointing at it and looking at me with wide wide eyes.

“Whattoing, Mommy??” (what are you doing) whenever she just came along, together with a tap on the shoulder. Hahahaha. This is so cute.

“Ooooo WOW!!!” When she sees something fascinating, especially when we put items in a box and ask her to open it, and when opening her presents :)

“Tekku Mommy/Daddy” (Thank you). My girl learnt manners :) She says thank you to everyone whenever she gets something. Next step, teach her to say please.

At night before bedtime, “Kiki, Aiyame, Seeyouu, Bye”. (Good night, I love you, see you, bye). Yeah we still haven’t managed to teach her ‘i love you’ as she insisted on saying ‘aiyame’, Barney style. And no idea why ‘kiki’ now for ‘good night’.

She loves to play games by going “Mommy mommy mommy mommy” or “Daddy daddy daddy daddy daddy” non-stop hahahaha. Ouh, she calls herself “Arrggha” still :D

She can also say lots of words now, in a mixture of English and BM, and can basically talk though not in proper sentences. Well, take your time, darling. Mommy and Daddy love your ‘pelat‘ness.

Anyways, of late she seems to be getting sick quite a bit. Nothing serious though, but since last week she had flu, and it never really cleared. And then 3 days ago, she started getting fever, on and off. Now we did give her the flu meds from her previous visits to the doctor, and also fever meds, but the thing with this little girl is, she has ‘Pharmacophobia’, and the story is almost similar to Faeq’s story there. 2 people has to hold a screaming, flailing, crying, struggling Ayra down, stick the syringe down her throat, close her nose and wait for her to swallow. For the record, I HATE having to do that, but if we don’t, she will spit everything out again. Even with her nose closed, she managed to spit at least half of the contents out, so I don’t know how much she actually swallows. At the end of the medicine-giving ceremony, all of us will be covered in the meds. Hahahaha. We tried mixing it with her drinks, but she won’t drink much of it. Guess she knows the taste. Tsk tsk.

We took her to the paed last night, and my worries were not totally a waste. I know she is not stick-thin like I said earlier, but she has a big frame. That’s why she looks healthy. Imagine this, at 1 year old she was 11.5kg. Last month she was 12.5kg. I thought 1kg for the whole year is too little a gain, but at least a gain. Weighing her in last night, she is 11kgs!!!! She is actually lighter now than she was a year ago. Since 2 days ago, she’s been really weak… not playing much, wants to be carried all the time, crying at every little thing, not speaking much, just listless. That got me really worried. Not helping is that her usual caretaker went home for 2 weeks as her mom passed away and Ayra is not really into the other caretaker. Not that I’m complaining, but she just doesn’t look after Ayra the same. *sigh*

So anyways, the paed said it’s normal for a 2-year-old not wanting to eat, but a weight loss is something to be worried about. A little gain or no gain is fine, though. 11kg for a 2-year-old is borderline, but the fact that she lost weight is really worrying lah :(

He advised us on 3 things. First, change her formula milk to P.ediasure as it has more calories and is enough to sustain her hunger. This we’re gonna try. Next, multivitamins. Now we did try lysine: A.ppeton (she doesn’t want it, maybe a bit too sour), then we bought C.hamps (also she don’t like), orange-flavoured S.cotts Emulsion (she won’t take it as is so we mixed it with cold Ribena daily). So the doc tried to give her gummy-bear V.idaylin and she happily ate it. Hahahaha. Mengada ok, penat try macam2. Though it doesn’t contain Lysine. The doc said it might not help with her appetite, but at least it ensures she gets all the nutrition she’s supposed to get. So we bought a bottle of that. Third, de-worming meds. We already bought her Z.entel, but given the ‘tak nak makan ubat’ condition, she only swallowed half the dose and though I don’t know if that’s sufficient, I don’t dare give her more. So there, hope this helps if anyone is wondering what to do hahaha.

Now I have to buy the famously expensive P.ediasure and get her on that. The things we do for our kids hahahaha. I hope it works though, I hate to see her losing weight like that :(

Now for pics…

Pulling the puzzle mats apart

This pic sums up a lot, though blurry. Her bed, Barney, the cheapo study set I bought at Tesco and also her little kitchen

Ayra on her bike. For the record, she can't cycle yet. She knows where to put her feet though haha. Pic courtesy of Aleeza

This is Ayra's beloved caretaker. Kakju, takziah. Very sorry for ur loss. But come back soon!!! Ayra needs u!!!

A very nice pic of her laughing to her Uncle's antics. Again, pics by Aleeza. Good job, though a bit blur. Oh, it also shows ALL her teeth coming out. She's going to be a vampire, just like daddy with sharp canines. Hahaha

At a friend's birthday party. In a Vietnamese dress that is obviously too tight for her around the chest. Ok, first and last time pakai ok?

At her uncle's bday dinner. I heart that dusty pink hoodie she had on hahaha.

We had Ayra’s 2nd bday party on Saturday, 25th April 2009. This year, instead of at home, we had it at Kizsports & Gym, Bangsar Village. Reason: LAZINESS. Hahaha. I was far too lazy to properly plan a birthday party at home and to get ready the countless food etc etc. And, kononnya nak save cost. But in the end, the total amount came up to about the same.

Our main objective this year was to have a party just for the kids. Most of Ayra’s friends are older than her, hence they would love to go to a party where they can play to their heart’s content. So, I chose Kizsports. We surveyed the one in OU and also BV but decided on BV because:

1. They allow us to bring our own food. So we took the most basic package (without games or food coz the kids are mostly too young to participate in games and food would only be provided for kids and not adults). They provide the room, space for adults, party coordinator and also party packs for kids above 2. The one in OU doesn’t allow outside food, and I don’t like what they provide. It’s just some nuggets, sausages and fries with cordial drink.
2. OU is much too large and packed. BV is smaller with lesser facilities but it’s easier to manage and take care of the kids. Feels more private too.

The excited birthday girl.. with her badges

We did the party 4pm – 7pm so we only provided KFC, pizza, soft drinks, packed drinks for the kids, some mineral water, and paper cutleries. A very nice friend (heheh that’s you Tini) brought muffins. I paid full amount for kids above 2 but only entrance fee for kids below 2 so I prepared separate Barney-themed party packs for the babies. I also added on some items to the party packs provided by Kizsports for the older kids.

I made sure Ayra woke up early that day and had her nap in the afternoon, so by the time of the party, she was well recharged and happy. She had loads of fun and didn’t cry one bit throughout. Though initially she was afraid to play with the other kids in the playland, she warmed up after her uncle and auntie came and played till it was time to go home at night.

There was another party going on at the same time as Ayra’s but it went along fine. I would like to praise the party coordinator as they set up a table for registration for the separate parties, cordoned off an open space with tables n chairs for the adults, and also a nicely decorated room for the kids with small tables n chairs hehehe. Usually the parents just leave their kids there for the duration of the party but I told the people to get an area for adults too as our guests are too young to be left on their own and their parents would stay too.

The area they blocked for the adults

By right, 2 years old is a bit young for a party to be held there, but what the heck hahaha. The moment the kids arrived, they got excited seeing the playland and forgot all about eating hahaha so the parents had the chance to mingle. Their staff was on hand to mind the kids playing. We had about a total of 30 kids.. not too many, not too little.

After some time, the party coordinator called on the kids to gather and sing birthday songs, and to go into the room and eat, and for the candle-blowing.

Gathering the kids for singing session

The room for kids

Inside the room with little tables n chairs

She was happily posing, but sat right at the end hahaha

Her Barney cake, ordered from Tracey of specialcakes.net. A simple one, compared to last year's cake

Getting ready to blow the candle

After that, more playtime!!! Most parents had a hard time calling for the kids to go home later that evening as they were having too much fun playing! Testimonies I got from parents was that their kids are knocked off the moment they get into the cars and also slept early at night! Mission accomplished hahahaha.

Ayra and her uncle Amir

In the bubble

We went home at 7-ish after everyone left, and then it was presents opening time!!! We were amazed that Ayra actually knew how to tear off the wrappers, not that I remember us ever teaching her haha. She opened most of it herself. We took loads of videos! I had to distract her by keeping on passing the unopened presents as she’d get excited seeing what’s under the wrapper and demand on opening the box to play with the items!

Look Mommy!!! Presentsssssss

All the present, together with the green bicycle Daddy bought Ayra :)

What's inside the boxes

Overall, we are very very satisfied with everything. The party went well, and it was money well-spent seeing the look on all the children’s faces! I would definitely recommend the place to other parents. There is no hassle of setting up or cleaning up and the price is very reasonable too!!

To all who came, THANK YOU for making Ayra a very happy little girl, and thanks for all the presents too. To those who couldn’t make it, maybe next time. But it would be her 5th birthday laa, as hubbs doesn’t allow me to have any more parties for Ayra prior to her 5th hehehe.

For more piccies, go take a look in Facebook hahaha. Now everything’s done through facebook, even the invitations :D So, add me up!!!

Dearest bloggers,

I am kind of at my wit’s end right now. I need serious advice!

For the past 1-2 months, Ayra hasn’t been eating well. Well I know she’s not exactly stick-thin either, but I must say I am not at all satisfied with her weight gain. She is growing, in size, but then her weight has pretty much stayed the same for the past 6 months. She was 11.5kg a year ago and she’s about 12.5kg now. That’s only ONE kg in a whole year!!!

One thing not helping is that she is VERY picky about food. I mentioned before that she’s been eating 5 pieces of rusk turned to mush for breakfast ever since she turned 6 months, but that is no more. She refuses it after 3 spoonfuls. Yes we tried EVERYTHING – rice cereals, flavoured muesli, toast and butter, plain toast or bread, scrambled eggs, half-boiled eggs, and a whole lot more food but still she refuses them all after 2 spoonfuls.

Lunch and dinner, when she could usually finish a whole bowl of porridge, but now getting her to eat is a serious battle. Lunch is still ok, but not dinner. She won’t even take HALF of the bowl and would get into a screaming crying fit when we try to force it down her throat. Mind you, I HATE having to force her to eat, but she’s seriously eating too little. And she’s getting stronger too. She can definitely wiggle and struggle herself out of our arms. 2 people can’t hold her down :(  She is curious of what anyone else is eating, and would ask for a bite, but that’s it. No more after one taste. How can she get full???? Yes we tried rice and everything else too, but like I said, she’ll stop after one taste.

Now it’s not to say that I give her the exact same porridge everyday. I do provide variety of chicken, beef, fish, crabmeat, shrimp, etc etc. But all to no avail :(

My once very very chubby little girl is really getting thin. You can actually see her shoulder blades and ribs and her once very round tummy is getting small huwaaaa!

You can bet I am worried sick. And it’s not only me. Even the maids who adore her are getting worried. They’re suggesting I feed her with ‘ubat cacing’ and I’m thinking of getting Z.entel though I am not sure if it’s ok for a 2-year-old. And they’re also suggesting I get some appetite increasing supplements, like A.ppeton. But then again, I am wondering, is it safe for 2-year-olds????

Another option would be to change her milk formula. She’s drinking more milk since she’s eating less, but she’s only on D.ugro for the past year. And it’s still only 5-6ozs per sitting. I heard that P.ediasure is good for the appetite, is it??

I have thought of getting help from her paed, but this is not exactly a medical problem so I thought I’d ask u all first.

Help pleaseee??????

Ok, a much lighter post :)

My dearest darling favourite girl turns 2 today! Much as I’d like to spend the day with her, I can’t. But I made it up to her by spending the whole weekend with her, just the 2 of us as Daddy went back to his beloved school for the old boys weekend. We painted the town red, now that she doesn’t mind her car seat (as long as she has a nice clear view on the front passenger seat. I know it’s not very safe but hey, it works for us so shaddap u hahahaha)

My little girl is quite a vain pot nowadays. She absolutely LOVES sunglasses, and would insist on wearing one the moment she sees me taking mine out. So her pair of sunglasses is also in the car and she’ll wear it when I’m wearing mine. She also asks to wipe it periodically when she sees me wiping mine. Tsk tsk.

Her favourite phrases:

“Oh NOOOO!!!!” complete with slapping hands on forehead and knee-bending action whenever something falls down, or she made a boo-boo, or anything that calls for it.

“YES!!!!” randomly, with a wide wide smile, macam big achievement la like that.

“Ah-kay, owait..” also randomly. She’s picking up a lot.

“Oooks (Ayra’s version of oops)… sowey!” Whenever she drops something or accidentaly hit us or something.

“Hi (well, actually she says “haa”), Mommy” whenever she sees me. “Hallo, Mommy”

“Wan, too, tee!” whenever she wants to start doing something. Semua nak count hahaha.

“Bye2, _____ (insert item here). She says goodbye to EVERYTHING whenever she’s leaving that item. Be it the tv, the car, her pillow, her milk bottle, hell she even says goodbye to my boobies whenever she’s done snacking. Damn cute hahaha.

Says “Yes, Mommy” and “No, Mommy” whenever she agrees or disagrees with me. She’s opinionated allright. She’s saying no to me more than I say no to her hahaha.

“Owwwww!!!” whenever she gets hurt. Like when someone accidentally pulls her hair, or she gets her finger stuck somewhere. She says this a lot, figures how many times she got hurt hahaha.

“Nak air, slurrrrp.. ahhhhh” whenever she wants to drink. Hahahaha. Complete with sound effect of how satisfied she would be when she gets to drink.

“Nak mum, nyum nyum nyum” when she wants to eat. Hahahaha. Mana la belajar all the sound effect.

“Haute (hot).. haute… sssss!!” when she pretends to touch something hot, and jerks her hands off the item while making the sizzling sound hahaha.

There’s a few more phrases I can’t remember right now. But it’s getting to be a whole lot more fun now coz you can actually hold a conversation with her, though you can’t quite understand most of her responses.

Happy Birthday my dear girl, Mommy can’t believe how fast 2 years zoomed by…. we love you loads and looking forward to many more wonderful years to come :)

The biggie girl drinking milk and posing for the camera

Budak 'berkemban' after her bath

Ayra and my mom, her grandma when we went to KLCC recently. She insists on wearing her grandma's sunglasses

Now posing with MY sunglasses

Ayra, grandma and Daddy

Excited little girl

I love the lighting in this pic :)