'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

Depressed

I'm in a middle of a crisis now. I'm depressed because yesterday my babysitter told me that she's quitting. I thought I listened wrongly. I thought she meant not taking care only next month. But no, she actually really meant quitting. I was dumbfounded, didn't know what to respond. I didn't respond much. We were quiet for a few seconds.

She did complain about lil' dahling these past few days citing that she's tired and lil' dahling wants to be carried all the time. lil' dahling doesn't want to sleep alone and very scared of noises. Noises that doesn't seem scary to her before, seems scary to her now even the sound of the back door neighbour washing plates. She also said that lil' dahling is naughtier now and not as obedient as before. If she wants something she must have it by hook or by crook. Whoever ask her to always give in, right? I was able to handle a situation like this.

I might suggest a raise but if she's still not game for it then I seriously need to look for another babysitter. I'm just sad that lil' dahling has to go through this. She seems to sense something is going on. She was quiet yesterday when the babysitter broke out the news and today morning she was extra chirpy when the babysitter carried her. Lil' dahling is already so used to her and she likes her. I don't know how she's going to take it and I don't know how she's going to bond with the next babysitter. I feel so rejected like as if my daughter is a problem child that nobody is willing to take care. It's really bad news and every single person I told, asked the question "Why?"

Yeah..why?

Teenage idol crush

I heard NKOTB's latest single yesterday. Just incase anyone of you don't know. NKOTB is New Kids On The Block. If you wikipedia, they are a boyband who enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their latest single, Summertime even though the tune was catchy were not really up to my expectation because I expected something more. Something more smashing, like a great comeback for them.

But then with their comeback reminds me of my crazy teenage days. I used to be soooo crazy over them especially Joey McIntyre. Even wishing I would marry him someday and become Mrs Joey McIntyre. Damn embarrassing! I have all their albums, some posters, some magazines which featured them. I even bought a book about them. Storybook also. I considered myself their number one fan until they had a concert in Singapore which I didn't go because it's in Singapore. I know some crazy fans went all the way there. That was when I realized, I'm not their number one fan. LOL.

But I still continued my craziness over them. I listened to their songs everyday. I never missed their cartoons and concerts on TV. My mom even recorded for me. But actually there was a catch. She forbid me for watching and only allowed me to watch the recorded shows until after my exams. Haha.

Sometimes when I look back at all this, I feel so silly. I think it's normal to go through this phase as a girl, don't you guys think so? Being giddily in love with a person who's not physically there with you. Daydreaming for hours about my teenage idol. Tsk tsk tsk. Can't believe I was like that.

Daddykins

Yesterday about 4PM, my friend Michelle called and asked whether dinner was confirmed. I was a little perplexed to give a firm answer. My husband already told me that he will be working at home over the weekend and his sister is coming up to stay at our place temporarily until she is stable with her new job. I felt bad because I forgot that he will be busy over the weekend and already promised to meet up my friends. But at last, he allowed me to go and said he will attend to Eliza himself.

So off I went to pick Michelle up at Capitol Hotel and we went to Mid Valley to have dinner there with Agnes also. The husband called me while I was having my dinner halfway to see whether I've reached safely in Mid Valley. Then I asked him about Eliza and he told me that she refused to sleep even though he followed my bedtime routine. I got worried but he said he will do what he can but still asked me to come home early if possible.

While I was driving back home, I send him a text message and he told me that Eliza just slept not long before. The time was 10.18PM. When I got home of course I want to hear the story from him. He told me that he had to accompany her to sleep. He patted her to sleep and when he stopped she squirmed and was angry. So he had to pat her until she really fell fast alseep. Then only he was able to transfer her back into her cot. On one hand, I'm worried that this will be a continued habit and I have to accompany her everyday until she sleeps then only I can do my own chores. But on the other hand, I'm absolutely proud of the husband. He handled her pretty well I must say.

Another story

This post was suppose to be for last week. My friend encouraged me to write about it since she said it's therapy. The day after that horrendous night, I was so anxious to put lil' dahling to sleep again. I did the bedtime routine but after reading story book, she already anticipated what was going to happen next. So she quickly jumped down from my lap and walked away. She knew I was going to put her into her cot. She seemed to be avoiding sleep and seemed to be afraid of something. My guess is the insect she spotted on her blanket which left her in a screaming and crying fit. Scared the bejammers out of me. I then persuaded and persuaded her to get into bed. Telling her there's nothing to be afraid about but she kept shaking her head. I really lost my control. I think I was near insanity. I stomped out of the room and drop on the dining chair and sobbed uncontrollably. Lil' dahling tailed me and I think she was quite surprised and yet continued talking to me. She even took her little red dog(Patrick) and put on the table, beside my elbow. She also tapped my arm a few times, calling after me. With tears still streaming down my face, I picked up my phone and dialled for my husband. With a very controlled voice I asked him what time he will he come home. He gave me a vague answer and asked me how is lil' dahling doing. Upon hearing that I shouted at him and told him that she refused to go to bed and I've lost all wits already. He sounded afraid and promised to come home at once.

I mustered myself and went into the kitchen to prepare only 2 fl oz of milk. Lil dahling already looked so tired but she just pretended to be active. A mother knows. She followed me into the room and I fed her. She drank it finish to my surprise. And I lifted her up and put her in her cot. Again she just obeyed and turned to her side to hug her pillow. She closed her eyes at once. I tiptoed out of the room, close the door behind me leaving a little gap. I was so relieved! I came back to check a few minutes later and her position didn't change at all. She was finally asleep. Hey, maybe my tears worked after all. Do I really need to cry everyday? LOL. Alright, therapy session over.

Opps! She did it again..

Damn it! I said it too soon. Yesterday was the worst night. My Eliza woke up crying in the middle of the night at 1.10AM. I was dead tired. You know the feeling like you've just fallen asleep a few minutes ago and suddenly you have to wake up. That very tiring feeling. Feels like the heart was so heavy. Anyway, I fed her milk but she only drank like only 1 and half fl. oz. Made my heart boiled to a degree of 200 degree Celcius me thinks. Then I just left her in her cot to fall asleep by herself. She seemed alright with it so I fell asleep the moment my head touches the pillow. And then she did it again! She cried again at 2 plus. And I made her finish her milk which she did surprisingly. Very fickle minded la this girl. Then I put her back in her cot. Guess what? At 3 plus again she cried but not loud this time. More like persuasive cry (the 'manja' type). I ignored her actually, too lazy to get up although I could sniff a nasty pong. I finally decided to get up and check on her and true enough, she poohed at an untimely hour. Eeee. Cleaned her up and the husband also helped me. Poor daddy couldn't sleep properly after being woken up so many times. Then she was so alert already, she refused to go back into her cot. She wants to sleep on our bed. The little tike! As usual when I put her between us she always likes to kick me. I don't know why? I couldn't sleep and end up scolding and scolding her. I even switched places with the husband. But even with the switching of places, she still kicked me! What is wrong with her ah? I'm really confused and on the way of becoming a lunatic. I don't know how I finally fell asleep maybe because I was so tired. But then again, even on our bed this time she cried again at 4 plus. Every hour can you imagine? Her daddy was begging for her to give us a break. I really really don't know what's the reason this time. She was doing a lot of actions like tossing and turning, sitting up and then she curled up. It's like she doesn't know what to do. Guess what I have to end up doing? I carried her in my arms and pat her to sleep. She stopped crying but started to cry again when I was about to put her back either in her cot or place her on our bed. Smart ass I tell you! I thought she was sleeping? I couldn't stand in the end for it seemed like eternity. I forced her to lie on our bed and hug her tightly, patting every once in a while. I had to place my hand on her chest you know? Once I lift it up she wanted to cry again. Grrr.. I think I didn't sleep long enough for my alarm clock rang at 5.30AM. I was too tired to get up so I slept in and only woke at about 6.00AM to cook Eliza's porridge. The husband told me that she cried while I was cooking her porridge again. You know what was the reason? She was angry because I covered her with her blanket before I left the room and she hates to be covered. So her daddy had to pull away the covers and she continued sleeping. What a queen! Queen Elizabeth.

So sleepy today but had work to do. I thought I could steal some 40 winks in office today. But didn't manage to. I think I look like a zombie today and probably going to fall asleep while driving on my way home again.

Two Angels

Eliza got her chicken pox injection last Saturday. Finally I decided to give the jab. Initially, I postponed it because I didn't want her to get injections like month after month. Well, not month after month actually but it sounds close enough. Well, Eliza was a great sport anyway. She cried a while only when she got the jab. I managed to ask a few questions to my paed.

First question was regarding her milk powder. Eliza is not much of a milk lover if you've been following my blog. So I asked my paed whether is it ok for me to switch to the milk flavour from original to vanilla. I'm concerned with the amount of sugar in the vanilla taste. Sounds like he still encourages the original flavour although he did mention that the vanilla taste had sucrose in it and not glucose which is better because glucose is sugar. He also mentioned that the level of sweetness is according to the milk regulations. I then asked him how many times a day and amount of milk should Eliza take at her age. His reply made the husband very relieved after hearing. The answer was twice a day and 6 to 7 fl. oz. would do. Eliza drinks twice a day or 3 times a day. My last question was solution for Eliza's constipation problem. As usual he said to eat lots of fruits like papaya, dragon fruit and banana. I was waiting for him to promote a product he is selling but he did not. I guess this doctor is not into direct selling or earning more. Haha. He did mention something funny though. He said if I change to a 'cheap' milk powder, Eliza won't have constipation anymore. Haha. I will consider this once Eliza turns two then.

If you follow my blog you will remember the Rude Awakening post. Eliza sometimes cries in the middle of the night or cries when it's bedtime. I've tried to just leave her to cry herself to sleep. Even though some parenting websites says it's perfectly ok, I felt very bad about it. To leave her to cry or not? What is your opinion on this? Sometimes if it's in the middle of the night, we will carry her and let her sleep in between us. However, for these past few days, I've been trying to stick to the same bedtime ritual and it seemed to work. No more crying? Is it because of the bedtime ritual? I'm not too sure but I really cross my fingers man!

Ok I know you must be anxious to know why I put my post title as "Two Angels". My best friend came up to KL recently to visit another good friend of mine. So they came to visit me on Monday which really made my day! I confess that I was a bit disappointed when my good friend said she'll call me back after discussing whether they are really coming or not for a visit. Even though I didn't want to force them because I know they're very tired and had an eventful day. Fortunately, I picked up the next call and they confirmed that they are coming! Yipee! I was really ecstatic. Anticipating their arrival. Then the two angels came. Actually I knew that they were at the door with my husband because I could hear voices. But I was trying to act cool la. That's why I didn't run to the door. :P Now you know..so anyway you guys really made my day. Thanks for visiting and I'm so glad you both came. It's nice to be in a company of dear friends that we can talk for hours and hours on end. If only the next day wasn't a working day. I was driving back home yesterday and I nearly fell asleep. So I rang my husband to just have a chat and keep me awake. He suggested me to call my friend Su Yin and chat with them. Put the phone on speakerphone too. So that it's like a tele conference. I think he's crazy but he was saying that we had so much to talk yesterday. Haha..he noticed! Husbands...

Funny stories

Story No. 1
My best colleague and I was going out for lunch the other day and I volunteered to drive. So while we were walking to the car, I've already taken out my car keys and walked to this car. As I was going to insert the key to unlock the car, my best colleague said...

S : Hey, that is your car right?
Me: No lar, this is my car la. (confidently)
S : Oh yes ah?

And then I realized..
Me: Eh, this is not my car la. (But my car key was already inserted halfway. Luckily, I didn't turn the key if not the car siren will go off.)
S : HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I told you so. I'm going to tell F about this. He will surely laugh.
Me: Don't tell la. If you tell I will kill you.
S : HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I don't care.

To S, I will still kill you if you tell :P

Story No. 2
I'm sure most Malaysians know about the debate between Anwar Ibrahim and our Information Minister, Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek recently which was a live telecast on most major tv stations. Anyway, the next day after the debate, my colleague came in the office and asked me in malay.

Z : Semalam ada tengok debat tak? ( Did you watch the debate last night?)
Me: The butt? What the butt? I've never heard of the movie called the butt. (debat in malay sounds like the butt in english)
Z : Kalau dah blur tu, tak tengok la tu. (If you don't understand means you didn't watch)
Me: The butt? Semalam ada movie ni ke? (Was there this movie yesterday?) Errrr..the butt, the butt, ohhhhhhhh, DEBAT. HAHAHA.
Z : You ni asyik-asyik ingat buntut saje. (You are always thinking about butt only)

Yeah I know everyone, I'm the queen of blur.

Story no. 3
I was teaching Eliza flash card one evening. When I showed her one flash card, she will grab it from my hand and throw the card down on floor. Until I told her, "Don't throw the cards la, put it down slowly, slowly ok?" Then next card I showed to her, Eliza took it from my hand in a slow motion and put it down on the floor very very slowly while showing a very cheeky face to me. And then laughing in a cunning way. It was really funny. If only you guys can see her face expression. Priceless.

I'm also proud that she is understanding more and more words because it reflects in her reactions. These are the funny stories that I can think of for now. Have a funny day!

Vote for lil' dahling!

Please vote for lil' dahling on http://www.mix.fm/interests/baby/
It's now on Page 1 but if there's other addition it will go to the next page and so forth. So be on the look out ok? Thanks a heap! Look out for the same picture as in my blog here. That's my Elizabeth. Please continue to vote...hehe

Some opinion

Thought I would like to share some opinion I have on certain toys and baby stuff since I took some picture of it the other day just for fun. I think it would come in handy for some of you mother-to-bes or mothers





Lil' dahling's father bought this toy for her. It's from ELC (Early Learning Centre) at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. I think it's good for hand co-ordination when you take out the objects and try to fix it back to its place. Not only that, it's like solving a puzzle because you need to find which shape goes with the object. Need a little of brain thinking there. I also planned to put a sticker with the word of the object at the base of each shape. So that when I lift up each object, I can teach lil' dahling at the same time the word and name of the object. Which I failed to do just yet. (No time is always the excuse or forgot..bad mother) The only downside of it is the toy is usually put on the floor. So if you accidentally step on it, it will hurt a little because of the knob on each object. When we first gave it to lil' dahling to play, she likes to take out or pour even all the objects out. Later she discovered that she can actually put back the objects. But she gets so frustrated because she always put at the wrong shape! LOL. It takes some patience to teach her. She is quite impatient too. She usually manages a few shapes and then she'll give up. Tsk tsk tsk. Does she takes after me or her father? Hmmm.. I also teach her the name of the object. So far a few objects that she can remember are the Fish, Bear, Cat and "Car"(it is actually the Truck, I told her many times but she still insists that it's a Car -_-) Lil' dahling doesn't play with this toy everyday nowadays. Maybe she got bored of it already. But still I think it's a good toy. I have to start playing with it then only she'll come and join me.

This is one of her favourite toy at the moment. The brand is Little Tikes and we bought it from Parkson Pavillion. I think it's cute and musical toys are always a sure hit. Lil' dahling played with it nearly everyday. When the toy was new to her, she just banged on it. Nowadays she uses it with more "grace" singing along while playing with it. However, my only complaints are that the string should be slightly longer and the piano keys should be slightly longer too. The piano keys are not only short for lil' dahling but also for me especially when I want to play along with her. Oh by the way, the box for this toy comes with 4 song notes for our little tike to play. She wouldn't understand it now but I think she would when she's much bigger as the notes are coloured accordingly to the xylophone and piano keys.

I bought this Philips Avent Magic Cups after lil' dahling chewed and tore her Nuby sipster's nipple and it started to leak badly. Why I chose this brand to replace is because the Nuby one doesn't have its spare parts to replace the nipple but Philips Avent has. So if the spout give way I can always look for another one to replace it. It is also safe to use since it's not using polycarbonate material so that means it's free from Bisphenol A a toxic chemical which can leach into your plastic baby bottle when heated. The handles are ok although can be slightly longer for easier grip. Bottle is also non-spill so lil' dahling won't spill water here and there. She tried to do that many times but to no avail. Nyah nyah! I've read reviews of people complaining that the Magic Cups leaks. Actually for me, it is not problem. You just have to make sure the spout is at the bottom when you sip it. Maybe I should take a picture for this! Lil' dahling likes to drink from this cup maybe for her it's like a toy. LOL. She likes to sip from it and chew the spout. Of course, I don't like it when she chew the spout but sometimes it's difficult to stop her all the time. The spout is already rough from her teeth bites. I'll just leave it as it is until it is really bad then I'll change it for her.;)


Hope the reviews help some of you. Now it's time for my breakfast..hehe!