All so Christmassy!

As you can see, I'm beginning to be in a Christmas mood. I can't wait for December because then I'll be going to HK with my husband who is actually going there for a business trip. I just tag along. Eliza won't be following us. She'll be too young to remember anything anyway.

But before anything else, I would like to post a shoutout to my Dahling friend, Zieleff. No worries for forgetting about my anniversary ok? I told you many times that I've forgotten it myself. Didn't even wish my husband. My husband was also surprised that someone remembered because he forgot about it himself. Anyway, thanks for your lovely wishes and yes I've been officially married for 3 years.

I have good news too. I am now 7 weeks pregnant. I'm excited about it but at the same time not loving the "day sickness" I'm going through. Eliza is going to be a big sister! Yay!

The Ultimate Color Test

The Ultimate Color Test

When you are at peace, you are: Energized and innovative When you are moved to act, you are: Unorthodox and idealistic When you are inspired, you are: Flexible and experimental When your life is perfectly balanced, you are: Connected to nature and the world Your life's purpose is: To reach enlightenment

The Ultimate Color Test

Happy Birthday Elizabeth Yap Yi Wen!

Today marks the second birthday for my precious lil' dahling, Elizabeth Yap Yi Wen. Two years ago, at this time (10.10 AM), I was still in labour. LOL. Elizabeth only came into this world at 11.17 AM if I'm not mistaken. It was basically a good experience going through childbirth for me, although I hated the numb feeling aftermath, it was not fun during the confinement and it was not always fun during my pregnancy too. But despite that, I've never ever regretted having you, my darling daughter. Just looking at her face can melt my heart.

Wishing you many happy returns of this day and that you will continue to bring joy and laughter into our lives. (Less of anger and disappointment if possible ah..:D ) May you always be healthy, happy and successful in whatever you do in your life!

Continue to make me proud and I love you with all my heart, my pride and joy, Elizabeth.

XOXOXO

Early birthday celebration

Last weekend, I went back to sweet home Malacca. The plan was to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday earlier before her real birthday on the 6 November with my family.

My sister bought Eliza a cake. She asked me a few days before and I wanted a Winnie the Pooh head shaped cake. But the lousy cake shop said they only have the full body size mould for the cake. I didn't want that because then it would be too huge. So they recommended a normal round sponge cake with a picture of pooh bear on top of the cake. But I was disappointed when I collected the cake because it turned out that the picture on top of the cake wasn't just pooh bear alone but along with other winnie the pooh cartoon characters! The pooh bear in fact was so tiny that Eliza didn't notice it at first. What a disappointment! I'm going to ban that cake shop for any cartoon cake orders in the future!



Eliza was the last to wake up that day! But it was ok, at least we all have time to have our breakfast. Everyone got ready and changed our clothes to be photo ready including the main actress of the day. She was happy to be on her brand new tricycle, present from her grandparents. She was also happy to play with her new toy drum, present from her aunt. Then I took out the cake, lighted up the candles, sang the birthday song and helped her to blow the candles. Of course we took pictures too!

We went out after that and after sending off my sister to work, we went to one of the most photo worthy spot in Malacca, the Stadhuys. Hehe. After many years being a Malaccan, I can't remember the last time I've been there. I think it was many years ago before I got married and went there to have cendol with some friends. We took some pictures and I was impressed that the Malacca River sidewalks were revamped. The riverside were really clean and the river doesn't smell bad already. And I heard the place is really lovely at night too.





Then we went to Mahkota Parade to shop. And later headed to Melaka Raya for lunch at Simply Fish. (Thanks to kreazi and sunsetrose recommendation). Lunch was simply quite delicious. I bragged to my husband that not bad for Malacca standard to have this kind of restaurant and it's better than Seremban. He just rolled his eyes. He was very sly too. He ordered, in my opinion the best dish among us. His dish came with prawns, squid, fish, butter rice and salad. It's even cheaper than my dish! I ordered salmon topped with salsa sauce, salad and chips. My nephews were happy with their fried country chicken chop and my dad ordered a salmon teriyaki dish. My mom was the only one not too happy with her dish. Hers was salmon alfredo pasta. She said the salmon was too salty for her and the sauce too creamy. LOL. I also forgot lil' dahling who was just happy munching chips out of my plate.



She was already sleepy and tired that she fell asleep in the car. Thank goodness she continued sleeping for two hours after we placed her on the bed when we got home. There will be one more mini birthday party among ourselves this coming thursday, on Eliza's real birthday early in the morning because my husband couldn't take leave on that day. Shucks! So look out for that and till then enjoy these videos.

'Tai tai' for a day

My husband had to do training last week at a local 5-star hotel called The Gardens Hotel. It is located in Mid Valley City and is also beside The Gardens Mall, a high-end shopping mall. So I took a day off to spend a day and a night there as my husband is not sharing the room with a colleague. Why not take the chance to rest and relax right? My husband can see his beloved daughter and I can get to enjoy the hotel's facilities. I'm not the only one enjoying it seems. Lil' dahling was like a dog let loose from its cage. LOL.

After work, I went to pick Eliza from the babysitter and also to collect my luggage from home. But I couldn't start my journey yet to the hotel because it was raining cats and dogs and according to my husband the cars on the road surrounding Mid Valley City were all bumper to bumper. Finally when I decided to go, lil' dahling refused to sit in the car seat. Squirming and screaming. I thought she likes to go for a ride? I assumed that she thought I was sending her off to the babysitter. It was a good 5 minutes there forcing her to be strapped. With her still wailing, I started the car and played some nursery rhymes for her to listen. She calmed down after a while when she realised I wasn't driving to the babysitter's.

Mid Valley City is like in a huge roundabout. So if you miss a turning, you have to make one big round again. I was trying to find the damn parking to The Gardens Hotel and I wonder until today why is the basement parking no where to be found. I ended up at the high leveled parking. I waited in the car for my husband to come. He helped me carry my stuff and Eliza seemed a little confuse with what was going on. She thought it was another shopping trip I guess. It was nice to be greeted by the guards, receptionist and the bell boy at the hotel. Felt so grand. LOL. Hey, I don't always have the chance to stay in a 5-star hotel by the way. Lil' dahling got really excited, really like a 'jakun'.


This is what you get with an excited toddler.



My husband ordered food through room service and they served my late dinner in the nick of time. We just ordered two 'Wa tan hor' (Fried kuay teow in gravy). The bill came up to RM 74! Nasty price! Luckily it was paid by my husband's company. It's a pretty decent room with quite an ample space (well at least enough for an active toddler). I like bathroom part most of all. It's like a room by itself complete with sink, wardrobe, toilet and shower room. This whole area had a wooden sliding door to conceal everything that's inside. Since the doors of the toilet and shower room are made of glass, the wooden sliding door comes in handy when my husband had to take a shower. You don't want a curious female toddler to learn sex education at that age do you? Of course when it's my turn to shower, I won't use that sliding door because Eliza has seen every anatomy of my body already. I have only one complain and that is the sheets and cover were too noisy. I know maybe the idea is to make it feel new and crisp but the noise makes me stir from my sleep everytime my husband moves or Eliza moves or even when I move! It's irritating the crap out of me.

We woke up to a rainy morning. But no fret because I don't have to travel outside the building. The mall is just beside the hotel and that's where I'll be doing my little excursion for the day. My husband left for work and Eliza and me had to occupy ourselves with our own activity. I called the duty manager to check whether the room has buffet breakfast for two. Sadly it was only for one. Thank God I called before I left. Otherwise, it will be rather embarrassing to be stopped while entering the cafe.


I don't know what's with the sofa thingy that she likes it so much! Also this video showing her excitement that morning.




It was a rainy morning and you can see the KL tower and Petronas Twin Towers from a far, partly hidden by the clouds.

Eliza and I were lazing around in the room until about 9am. I took her to the swimming pool to have a swim. I asked the pool attendant whether there is a children's pool and he said they are in the process of building one. The hotel is still considered new since the pool area is still under renovation. Pool was dirty actually with green moss on the floor of the pool and wall. But since I'm already there and I didn't want to disappoint Eliza I still went ahead into the pool. It was quite slippery with the moss so I had to be wade around the pool slowly while Eliza was held in my arms. She enjoyed nevertheless and her voice was the loudest(erm actually there's only Eliza and me in the pool). She enjoyed splashing the water and didn't want to leave the pool. I had to make a few U-turn back to her favourite spot each time I mentioned that I want to leave because of her protest. We went back to bathe together under the rain shower. Then it's time for my breakfast as my tummy started to rumble. I was feeling kinda posh that day, mind you! :P So I decided to have something western for my breakfast. I went scouting around and ended up at The Coffee Bean since they have breakfast sets. Too bad I really forgot to take pictures of it. My apologies. I even forgot to take Eliza's pic can you believe it? I ordered the breakfast set with salad, toasted bread, scrambled eggs and sausages in it with earl grey tea if my memory never fail me. Eliza was just enjoying pinching my bread and sausages. She never took any of the scrambled eggs. She's not an egg person. She wouldn't touch egg cooked in any kind of style at all. How can you not like eggs?

I'm really starting to feel like a 'tai tai' that day. You know one of those rich wives that don't have to work and really spend most of their lives shopping? Some of them just stroll around malls with their kid in tow. Ahem, just like me! I fit the bill just for that day lar. I can feel people staring at me and Eliza with that kind of look (there goes another 'tai tai'). Little did they know that I'm not a real 'tai tai' lar. I went around and around with no purpose. I only bought two motherhood magazines. What do you expect? It's a high-end shopping mall with those luxury boutiques like BCBG, Karen Millen, Armani, CK, DKNY, Ted Baker, etc. I don't even dare to enter. Of course I dare to enter some but then I really don't feel like buying anything that day. My husband came to meet us for a while during his break. Then he left again and Eliza was getting a bit cranky already so I put her back in the stroller, told her to go to sleep and as if like magic, she really did fall asleep after a few minutes. She was really that tired.

I had peace after that with a sleeping toddler I took the chance to walk around even more and even had my lunch all by myself. No disturbance. LOL. This time I remembered to take some pix but I forgot to take a pic of the sleeping baby. What a waste! Still feeling a bit posh, I ate at Pastis Cafe. Actually the real reason is I was too tired to walk over to Mid Valley Megamall where you can find cheaper food. So I just settled with Pastis Cafe where they have lunch set.






The set comes with salad, drinks and ice cream. I ordered this jumbo one foot long hot dog sandwich. The bread was really tough though. Wonder what was the knife for anyway. The bread was really tough to cut so I ended up using my hands most of the time. So unposh right? But what to do. I don't give a damn to those on lookers.


As you can see, I've eaten some of the potato chips. So you can see the hot dog with some relish, mustard and ketchup.


This is my all-time-favourite flavour for ice cream..VANILLA. Yeah, yeah I can almost hear someone say..BORING! The bill came up to RM 16.50 plus 10% service charge. Service was really not bad.

As soon as I finished my lunch, lil' dahling woke up. Darn and I thought I could get some sleep with her in the hotel room. After all that walking, I need to rest my feet. So I went back to the room to retire. Then it started to rain in the evening and I got lazy to pack and leave. I had dinner through room service again, spend a bit time with the husband and then leave. I was really so tired when I got home but I still had to unpack. Both mother and daughter were so tired that it didn't take long for us both to fall asleep.

It was a tiring day didn't really get to rest and relax. Nevertheless, it was a fun day. How I wish I could be 'tai tai' then I can spend carefree days everyday with lil' dahling. She really enjoyed it too. Ever since that day, when I leave her at the babysitter, she will cry and call out for me. Doesn't want to be apart with me.

Some more pix and videos. Enjoy!


The Gardens Mall. Couldn't take more pictures because the staff there were staring at me.


In the lobby of the hotel before leaving. She just couldn't keep still.






Still in the lobby. This time I put her in the stroller, confine her movements. ;)

Gymboree

These are some of the videos I took during one of the earlier classes at Gymboree Eliza attended. It's difficult to really take a lengthy video because that time she was still not actively participating. Maybe I should try to take again some other time. Till then, enjoy! Have a great weekend guys! I'm going back to my hometown this weekend. Malacca, here I come!

Weaning From The Pacifier

Yesterday was the 3rd night my daughter was off her pacifier. And it was the worst night instead. I thought it would get better but seems like I was wrong. However, I think I will still persevere and harden my heart until she totally wean herself from the pacifier.

I decided to stop lil' dahling from the pacifier since a few months ago but thought it would be too difficult for her to cope and understand. Initially, I gave myself till her 2nd birthday as the deadline. But recently, her both pacifier at the babysitter's and at home broke. So I took that as a chance for her to stop using the pacifier to sleep. I showed her that the pacifier is broken and explained to her that it is already spoiled and cannot be used. So I asked her to take and throw it in the wastepaper basket because she knows that anything that goes in the wastepaper basket is to be disposed.

The first day was not too bad. She cried a little and then kept crawling down the bed to retrieve the pacifier from the wastepaper basket. But I stopped her and explained over and over again. So in the end, she fell asleep on my chest. The 2nd day was not much different than the 1st just that she didn't crawl down the bed this time. She must've thought that the pacifier is not around anymore since I've thrown away the rubbish and replace the wastepaper basket with a new plastic. Little did she know that while she was sleeping, I went to dig it out again and hide it in the drawer. Just incase.

But yesterday she went beserk. I think she couldn't hold it any longer. Maybe her tolerance level is already off limit. LOL. She refused to go to bed. Screaming, kicking and crying fit ensued. I nearly wanted to give in but she fell asleep in the end out of tiredness I guess. Then at 1-ish A.M. she woke up and cried because she pooped in her diapers. After changing and fussing, she was ready to sleep again. She had difficulty falling asleep and kept tossing and turning. Then she lost her temper again and screamed. She's angry that she can't have her pacifier. Persuading her was no use. I got fed up and turned my back on her and covered my ears with the pillow. So finally she stopped because she was tired already. I felt bad so I turned back towards her and carress her to sleep. She managed to open her eyes and look up at me and called "Mommy?" Oooo touching.

But seriously, if any mommies out there. I hope you can share with me your experience on how you tackle this issue. I really would like to know. Hopefully she will be ok in a matter of days. Keeping my fingers crossed.

A Girl With Attitude, Leaves Dad Heartbroken

I've been missing in action for weeks. I hope no one has stop visiting. :P There's many reasons behind my absence. For one, I'm experiencing a "blogger's block". My friend created this brilliant phrase. Another reason is there has been some changes going through my life. I still need time adjusting and am still trying very hard. It was devastating news but somehow I need to come to terms with it. Another reason is I was hooked on a hk drama I've been watching online and finally finished it.

Anyway, the main reason of me blogging is to keep myself updated with the things going on in my life with my lil' dahling. So far, lil' dahling has reached a few milestones worthy of mentioning here like doing her business in the potty. Just look at that cheeky face and sexy shoulder!

This video shows how excited she was when I wanted to bring her for a swim.



Lil' dahling also just recovered from fever and flu. Even though down with fever, she's still chatter away and active. She now allows me to wipe her nose whenever she has runny nose. She used to hate it and avoid me last time when she was a few months younger. Here's her picture of her pitiful face when she was sick. I still took her out galavanting anyways. Hey! It's the holidays, don't blame me. We can't just stay at home. Moreover, she enjoys it so much anyways.

During her sick days, she was more 'manja' than usual. So this is what you get. A sleeping-on-mom or dad's-chest baby.

Oh yes and another milestone. I just discovered lil' dahling knows how to use the cup to drink already. Though there were many spills, that's why I didn't dare to let her try before this. I just suddenly had the urge to let her try during this long break and she did it!

I am so happy that lil' dahling is finally letting her hair down in her Gymboree classes. She's participating in every activity! Woo hoo! I'm so relieved and so proud of her. It just suddenly happen during her 3rd class. During her first two classes, she picked to do certain activity and screamed whenever she doesn't want to participate. I tried my best to encourage her and assure her that I'm with her and that she's perfectly safe. Finally she relented and what reward did she get? Praises from her teacher. Praises, hugs and kisses from her mommy. I'm ecstatically happy and I think she's ready for her music classes at Gymboree. Yipee!

Lil' dahling has suddenly become so attached to me. She's so sticky like a glue until sometimes I can't breathe. But better appreciate it now before they get bigger and feel embarrass to be close to their mom. She's so in love with me that she follows me everywhere in the house. Sometimes she doesn't allow me to bathe or pee. Sometimes I even have to let her in the bathroom and let her watch me bathe or pee! So this girl with attitude, made her dad heartbroken because she only wants me. She only wants me to feed her, bathe her, change her clothes..everything lah! Her longing father can only watch in sadness. She calls me lovingly whenever she feels like it and I will respond to her. Sounds like we're lovers right? LOL.

This little girl would ask for her toothbrush whenever she sees us brushing our teeth. She would ask for her hair to be combed after bath and her hair must always be decorated after combing. If you decline, she gets angry. Such a vain girl at this age. I took her to church the other day and let her wear her hat while we were walking under the sun. So I took it off once we entered the church but she demanded it to be put back on her head. It can be quite hot in the church and I know that she was sweating but vanity got the best of her. LOL. She also picks her own shoes and sandals now to go out. She would make a fuss if you never follow her command. Now she's choosing her shoes, next what? Dress? She'll also gets angry when you channel surf while she's watching her Playhouse Disney. I experimented it yesterday..:P

That's all folks. Quite a long post to make up for my absence..hehe.

Kids say the darndest thing - Part 1

1. I was talking to my husband who was in the kitchen. I was walking into the kitchen with Lil' dahling following behind.

Me: Pa pa, you cook ah.

Lil' dahling: Pa pa..you..cook..AH!

The imitator.

2. I was showing a flashcard to Lil' dahling. It was the word and picture of a body with an arrow pointing to the armpit.

Me: Armpit.

Lil' dahling: Aa pit!

Then I showed a flashcard of a cat.

Me: Cat.

Lil' dahling: Cat! Cat! Now, now, now, now..(erm it's actually meow, meow, meow, meow. Please excuse her pronunciation. LOL.)

Me: Yes, clever girl.

Lil' dahling: There..see..aa pit!




As you can see, I've drawn the arrow at the cat's armpit. That was where she pointed. I couldn't stop laughing because I didn't teach her that.

3. When lil' dahling sees grey skies, she'll say "xia yu" even though it hasn't rain. And when the real rain comes, she'll get even more excited and say "xia yu! xia yu oh!" Repeating many, many times.

After coming out from the car at the parking lot, we can usually hear water gushing from the swimming pool. Guess what she said? Yes .. "Neh..xia yu oh!"

4. Lil' dahling has a new found love..for Yakult! I don't know who taught her that word because I didn't. But she will say "Aa kult" when she sees a bottle of Yakult.

Husband: Want to give her Y..A..K..U..L..T?

Me: Bring it out from the fridge and put aside first. Otherwise, it will be too cold for her.

A few minutes later, silly me forgot to spell it out.

Me: Did you bring out the Yakult? Maybe you can give it to her now.

Lil' dahling: Aa kult? Aa kult! Aa kult!

Darn, she heard it. Her ears is like telinga gajah.

This is how excited she is drinking Yakult.

,


5. My husband was reading the newspaper and I saw a picture of an Iphone. So I told my husband..

Me: There, that's the Iphone I was talking about. Look very cool isn't it?

Lil' dahling: Neh eye..eye!

Ran to her father and point at his eye and then ran to me and point at my eye. Lastly pointing to her own eye.

She's such a real kepochi. Listening to every bit of our conversation and I didn't even say eye. She just heard the "I" when I mentioned Iphone. *faint*

Food glorious food

The pictures might suggest I've been cooking up a storm but it's actually various food I cooked over the past week and yesterday.




Stir fried broccoli with carrots

1. I usually boil the broccoli and carrots first in a pot of water before frying.
2. Put in a little oil then fry the chopped garlic till fragrant.
3. Add in the broccoli and carrots and stir fry until cook.
4. I use chicken stock sauce as the seasoning (the husband's favourite) and add in a little water.
5. Wait for the sauce to boil before dishing up.




Ginger chicken

Ingredients: Chicken, 3cm ginger (thinly sliced), about 2 stalks of spring onion.

Seasoning: 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp soya sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 small cup of water

1. Fry ginger in some oil until fragrant.
2. Add in the chicken and fry for a few minutes until cook.
3. Pour in seasoning and simmer until gravy thickens.
4. Add in the spring onion and stir for a while before dishing up.




Steamed fish in taucu

Ingredients: English threadfin fish (kurau fish), chopped garlic, ginger strips

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, 1/2 tbsp taucu

1. Season the fish with some salt and pepper.
2. Heat some oil in the wok and fry the chopped garlic.
3. Add in the taucu and some water.
4. Boil for a while and dish up to pour gravy over the fish.
5. Place some ginger strips on the fish and steam the fish for about 10 minutes.







Braised Hometown Pork Belly. (It's actually from the recipe book you gave me, dear best friend.)

Ingredients: 300gm pork belly, 2 pips garlic (minced), 3 chinese mushrooms (halved, soaked), 3 taufupok(cut into half and fold from inside out).

Seasoning: 3 tsp fermented soya bean paste or taucu (coarse), 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp light soya sauce, little dark soya sauce, 1/2 tsp chicken stock granules, 300ml water

1. Clean pork belly and fats. Chopped into strips for later use.
2. Deep fry in plenty of hot oil until crispy. Dish up and drain well.
2. Heat up wok and add in little oil, saute minced garlic, add in pork belly and mushroom, stir until half cooked.
3. Add in seasoning and mix well.
4. Cover lid and braise for 20 minutes.
5. Return deep fried taufupok, stir quickly and dish up.




My simple curry chicken

Ingredients: Chicken of course! Potatoes, garlic, onion, coconut milk and my husband got this packet of home made curry sauce from the pasar.

1. Chopped garlic and onion into small dices.
2. Put adequate oil and fry the garlic and onion.
3. Add in the curry sauce and stir well.
4. Add in the chicken and potatoes. Bring it to boil.
5. Then add in the coconut milk. You can also add some salt or pepper for taste.
6. Cook until gravy is slightly thicken.




Lotus root soup

Ingredients: Lotus root, spare ribs, ground nuts, scallops and red dates.

1. Slice the lotus root and cut off the skin too.
2. Boil the ground nuts and lotus root first in a separate wok to get rid of the colour. Otherwise, the soup won't be so clear but have a rather dark colour. You wouldn't dare to drink.
3. Wash the red dates and spare ribs. Soak the scallops in hot water to soften them.
4. Fill up a pot with water and put it to boil.
5. Once boil you can throw all those ingredients inside and leave it to boil.
6. Let it boil for about 10 to 15 minutes before slowing down the fire.
7. Continue boiling with the slow fire for about 2 hours.
8. Add in salt before you serve.

Playgroup for Lil' dahling

I can't believe myself. I signed up for Lil' dahling to join this playgroup called Gymboree in Bangsar Village. It seems surreal because I can't believe I would spend that amount of money. LOL. Maybe this is what a parent would do for the sake of their child.

Actually I went to Gymboree one time before but I was late for the trial class so I just managed to ask a couple of questions and see how the class was conducted. This time I went in time to join the class. Eliza was excited seeing so many balls for her to play. She seemed ok playing with the stuff but when the class started, she was a bit scared already. It was "Push and Pull Day" so the teacher had a few activities including pulling string, pushing a big ball and etc. The kids had to line up for some of the activities for their turn but when it comes to Eliza's turn, she freaked out. I was a bit disappointed at first but then I didn't want to push her because it's her first time. Well, she enjoyed the music and dancing though. She's a scaredy cat this little girl. LOL. During bubbles time, the teacher blew a big bubble for each kid to pop and she freaked out too. During parachute time, where the teacher and parents will form a circle and hold the parachute up together. The kids were suppose to be under the parachute. The parachute is like a canopy. Eliza freaked out too.

I just hope my investment is worth the money and it will do good to Eliza. Otherwise, I'll kill myself..:P It's a year package with 54 classes of play, music and art. It costs me RM 1,780 and additional cost of RM 150 for membership fees. I'm sweating just mentioning the amount! There will be less facial for Mommy..do you know that young girl? Waaaa.....Less shopping too. Oh boo hoo!

Can't wait for this Saturday's class. I really pray and hope, Eliza will be fine and participate in the class.

Oh my another sister in-law (wife of TNBIL) delivered her baby girl already last weekend on the 30 August. I broke the news to my mom and received a few good naggings from her. *roll my eyes*. Want to know what that's all about? Well, she asked me when's my turn to get a second child. I know my parents are getting older and they want grandson from me badly. It's pressurising and even brainwashed me. Now I want a son badly too! And so the project begins...
Any tips? ;)

TGIF!

The whole week passed in a glimpse of an eye. We're welcoming another long weekend since we get a holiday in Malaysia on Monday in conjunction with our Merdeka Day. It has been quite a hectic week and I was suppose to blog early this week. Whenever I have little spare time, I was too lazy and tired to blog already.

Last weekend was a long weekend for me too. My husband and I applied leave for two days on Thursday and Friday. We had already made plans to go back to my hometown in Malacca on Friday and Thursday were supposed to be our time together (lil' dahling was left at the babysitter's). My planned was ruined because my sister in-law decided to take leave too! Fyi, she's been staying with us for the past whole month since she started her new job in KL. I'm not excited about it but then again what can I say? Husband will say, "that's my sister you know? You'd do the same if it was your sister". *roll my eyes* Problem is I do complain about my own sister but then she's a neat and clean person. My SIL(sister in-law) is untidy and lazy. Not to mention she hogged the TV most of the time and never even have the courtesy to ask me whether I want to watch any programme at all. That really got me pissed. Of course, she does a little help here and there like washing the dishes and accompany Eliza while I was cooking dinner. Still, I'm not thrill about the invaded privacy.

Anyway, back to the story, she took leave on last thursday too which got me soooo pissed and made me in a foul mood. I pestered the husband to get out of the house ASAP and a big argument ensued after that (I blamed it on SIL because it affected my mood..:P). Arrgghhh!

I better change the subject before it starts affecting my mood again. Errr..so I was on leave last Friday also and I couldn't wait to go back Malacca. I haven't seen my family for one month already. Even lil' dahling seem to excited. She was sleeping and suddenly woke up the moment the car arrived at the doorstep of my parent's house. I enjoyed the weekend maybe because it's at the comfort of my home, home cooked food, critisizing the Olympics participants to make my parents laugh, go to church and shopping with my family and oh I got to eat my favourite mee! Nyum! Lil' dahling amused my family a lot with her antics. My mom said after one month and she's talking a lot already.

Cool is my middle name.

My shy father.

My nephew Brandon with Eliza.

This week, my husband was away to attend a course in Putrajaya from Monday to Thursday. So during these few days, I had to send Eliza to the babysitter alone. Some days she would be still sleeping. So I'd carry her in my arms, latch her in her car seat and hand her over to the babysitter while she's sleeping. But yesterday, she woke up crying. I think she had a bad dream. So I carried her and pat her to calm her down. Her head was on my shoulder but she was facing away from me. Then she stopped crying, turned to me and smiled so sweetly. Then she spoke a word, "Mummy" and it sounded so magical. Her sweet smile and the way she called made me melt. Awwww.

Eliza missed her dad so much the few days he was gone. I didn't know babies have good memories too. I thought they were suppose to have a short span memory? Anyways, she was calling papa when she heard someone at the door but it was actually my neighbour or my SIL. She called papa again when she saw the empty bed in the morning. (Lazy bum bum always wakes up later than me). Then when I drove past that same spot I sometimes drop my husband to pick up his car, she called out papa again. She can remember exactly that same spot! LOL. So I reported all these to her father which of course made him extremely happy. My babysitter is also taking care of another 3 year old girl who goes to the kindergarten nearby my babysitter's house. So everyday my babysitter would walk with Eliza to the kindergarten to pick that little girl up. I know Eliza enjoys this everyday activity. She enjoys wearing her "shoe shoe" and after that she'll say "kai kai". And when she sees the little girl she'll call out "jie jie". I will pass that very same kindergarten every day after fetching Eliza and she'll point to the kindergarten and say "jie jie".

To close this post, below are some pix of the dishes I cooked last week. Have a fun weekend everyone! TGIF! Oh ya konon la to be patriotic, Happy Merdeka Day!

Stir fried siu bak choy.

Stewed spare ribs with mushrooms, taufupok and potatoes. It was suppose to be chicken but I took out the wrong meat. Heehee.

Ok I found out this brown coloured dish already. LOL. It's called Chicken Garlic Wine.

What's cooking?

Starting from this week, I don't have to make porridge for Eliza on weekdays. My babysitter has agreed to do it with the pay raise given. But I would still need to provide the food stuff. One burden lessen? Hmm. Not really. I'll keep worrying whether the babysitter really feeds her the stuff I gave or not.

Eliza has become a little indifferent nowadays. She hates being in her cot and wants someone to accompany her to bed even during naps in the daytime. You really have to spend at least more than an hour accompanying her because she won't fall asleep at once. She'll talk, laugh and roll around here and there on the bed. It can be really time consuming as I have my household chores to do. But how can I complain right? I should appreciate the time when she wants me by her side. When she's a teenager next time, I'm sure she'll be embarrassed to be by my side for fear of being teased by her peers.

On a separate note, these are some of the dishes I cooked last week. You can drop me a comment and hope you enjoy the pictures. My dishes are mostly simple ones. Have to do it quick with a little girl around.

Stir fry spinach with some fish cakes of some sort! LOL

Stir fry choy sum with that fish cake again. Sorry, I can't help it! The husband bought too many. I had to finish cooking it. Still have one more piece in my fridge.

Steamed chicken with herbs and wolfberry

ABC soup with ingredients like spare ribs, potatoes, tomatoes, red onions and carrots.

Stir fry yau mak choy with yes, you've seen it right, that fish cake thingy again!

Fried Ma Yau/Ikan kurau/English Threadfin with soya sauce. Me trying to brag about this particular fish name since I know the name of it in 3 languages. Don't ask me about other fishes..;)

That's all folks!

More videos!

My dearest friend requested for these videos all the way from US. So here it is for your viewing pleasure. Hope you enjoy it! I apologize for the many videos separated. I don't know how to join them together yet. So bear with it ok?

Random

I'm sure some of you would be curious to know whether I've solved my problems or not. If you read the previous post comments, you should know that I've already spoken to my current babysitter and offerred her a raise which she sort of agreed. On a condition that she cooks Eliza's porridge but I will provide all the food stuff. I still gave her time to think. Instead the other new babysitter that I've found sounds so interested and excited to take care of Eliza. Earn another extra income who wouldn't right? She followed up on our decision through a friend. Now I'm confused.

Anyway, here are some pictures I want to share.

We were at a park. First image: That's Eliza doing pat-a-cake when I sang that nursery rhyme. Second image: That's her doing the part "Mark it with a B".



I was excited with new clips so I put all of them on her hair!



Couldn't resist to take a few pictures of her in a bikini. Couldn't get a clearer picture because she's always moving around and I'm also using my mobile phone.


After pestering from my best friend, I finally decided to post my dinner from two nights ago. This is what I cooked. So happy now? :P I wonder whether that "someone" will say that my picture is too small.

Omellette with french beans. Beaten eggs were added seasonings like soya sauce, sesame oil and pepper.

Marmite chicken. Fried chicken with marmite as the gravy.

Just a video for your pleasure..:D