Updates

Somewhere mid November Erik and Jenny came over to visit and stayed with us for 14 days! Jenny was 16 weeks along and we had heaps fun. Photos will be uploaded soon.

There were trips to Cameron Highlands, weddings and various activities the past few weeks. Today my office is being sound-proved. Next year there will be another staff joining and my department has changed from Counselling and Psychological Service Centre to Career and Psychological Counselling Centre. Not that it makes a lot of difference I believe but it's still okay.

Last night Mia was pretending to read one of her Paddington Bear books, "One day.. I farted". I nearly passed out laughing. She's growing everyday, learning and developing new words each day. Soon I believe we'll be having conversations and she'll want to know about everything under the sun.

Always my baby :)

First Movie Date

Today we decided to take out lil tot to the movies for her very first time. I was eye-ing Happy feet 2 since many people said it's hilarious. Then again, we've not watched Happy Feet 1 and the rating is PG13 so seeing it is her first time, I thought maybe not.

We opted for Puss in Boots instead! Now while I would not recommend any tots to be in the cinema until perhaps closer 4 years old, due to the exposure to continuous and prolonged loud sound and lighting, I was rather pleasantly surprised how well our lil tot behaved throughout the whole movie.

Tickets were bought online on Thursday. We had purposely chose the back row of seats. I had wanted the last row near the exit but a family of four had bought the seats earlier. So we went for the second last row near the exit. The show was for 11.25am so after a light breakfast at McDonalds, we entered the cinema early and it was pretty well lit. I think she was very pleased to have her own seat. She startled a little when the lights go off and music from advertisements went on but sat quietly on her seat. It wasn't til people started filling into her front seat that she had squirmed and leaned front because they was partially obstructing her view. So I put her on my lap instead. She was good watching the movie while munching on popcorn, chicken nuggets and water. Because the cinema has a surround sound system, and she's not used to it, she startled few times when the goose had gawked and it seemed the goose was behind her :) Then halfway through the movie, she went onto her Daddy's lap. 15 mins before the movie ended, she stood up in front of her Daddy and started getting interested in other things like the surroundings and people around us. Overall, you were very good, Mia.

The only worry I had was the air conditioning in the cinema. Luckily we brought her wool jacket along and she was wearing pants. But it was freaking cold, still. Next time, a blankie would help.

More movie dates to come! :)

15 years dream

i have a dream

for fifteen years

and it might just come true soon

thank you hubby dearest

for fulfilling it for me

and including you and our baby

making it the best dream

i'll ever be

silent thought

.i am a mother.

.i will always measure my success in life

through how my child thinks i am.

.because i am a mother.

.above anything much else.

A couple days ago I was hit by this song. It is a short song. But to me it was really powerful.

This is the song I used to hum to Mia when she was an infant. I don't know if there was any meaning to it at the time but I was so drawn to this song and loves it to this day. I guess it doesn't have to mean anything. But  you can look at it as us having to enjoy the moment. Hand in hand, riding the bicycles of Belsize. And living it. Because there will come a time we'll miss those times, as the world keeps spinning around. And that is for you, baby.

Turning and turning 
The world goes on. 
We can't change it, my friend. 
Let us go riding all through the days, 
Together to the end, to the end. 

Les bicyclettes de Belsize 
Carry us side by side 
And hand in hand we will ride, 
Over Belsize. 
Turn your magical eyes. 
Round and around, 
Looking at all we found. 
Carry us through the skies, 
Les bicyclettes de Belsize. 

Spinning and spinning, 
The dreams I know, 
Rolling on through my head. 
Let us enjoy them, before they go. 
Come the dawn, they all are dead. 
Yes, they're dead. 

Les bicyclettes de Belsize 
Carry us side by side 
And hand in hand we will ride 
Over Belsize. 
Turn your magical eyes. 
Round and around, 
Lookin' at all we found. 
Carry us through the skies, 
Les bicyclettes de Belsize. 

Love

Dear Baby


I haven't written to you for a while. But these words came from a song. A song I often go back to every once in a while. Because this song relates me to you. They are words meant for you. I am no good with words. I have immense feelings with little words that can describe. So I send these words to you hoping you can somehow understand.

All of these lines across my face

Tells you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true...I was made for you
I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you
Because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what I've been through like you do
And I was made for you...


You see, baby.. you are the reason. I had understood how this meant when I heard it from other people saying them to another person they care and love so much about. But now I not only understood it, I felt it too. You are the reason.


I had a pretty tough life. I almost did not have a childhood. A true childhood was hidden behind a mass of deception and pretense. But my life goes on. And through it I did "climb the mountain tops", "swam the ocean blue" and "crossed the lines". Even "broke all rules". But no I didn't do it all for you. I didn't know I'd survive long enough to have you. Only as I grew older, I realized that I have to survive this life to have you.


I made a promise to myself that you will not have to go through the hardships of life as I went through. Those hardships define who I am today. Made me stronger, wiser and more articulate than ever. I had lost the one person I love the most. That is myself. Slowly I picked myself up again and had to learn to love my self again. Because that is the biggest gift in this whole universe. Most delicate and most treasured. Until you learn to love yourself, then you will be able to see things clearly and how the universe works. Everything else will just fall into places, and makes sense again.


I may plan for your life to be easy, filled with joy and laughter. But it may not build character and you may resent me for that. So I pray you will get over any hardships you encounter. Because you are strong, just like me. And because you love yourself. Just like I love you.


Love, Mommy.
x

Raya 2011 Prep! (Part Two)

We finally completed our Raya attires and shopping for this year. Yippee!

Now it's packing time and travelling time. There are so much to pack since we'll be hitting the roads (roadtrip this time round) and visiting 2 states within a week. Little Mia will be doing some very long journey by car and this will be her first time in terms of duration. Hence, there is a LOT to prepare and pack!

My mind is running in circles thinking of things we must take with us tomorrow.
1. Baby monitor
2. Mia's portacot
3. Tonnes change of clothes and raya attires
4. Get small change for 'duit raya's (ok this is actually a to do list)
5. Toys for entertainment in the car
6. Tab and all it's cables
7. Camera
8. Snacks and food for Mia
9. Mia's blanket, pillow and sleeping needs
10. My homemade Raya cookies :)

To name a few. I hope nothing gets left behind. Oh yes and I may have to send Koda and my kitchen plants to Bangi for their dear life during our time away.

Yay for Raya! :):)

Raya 2011 Prep!

I have a confession to make.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR RAYA!!

I just can't seem to put a finger on my Raya excitement this year. We have about 8 days left and I'm ecstatic! I guess it may be because we're celebrating in my hubby's hometown this year and oh my god I think the last time we were there was last year! It could well be almost a year since last we visited.

So in my mind is all about baking cookies, cooking Raya favorites, my lil bug playing and socializing with her cousins (whom would be speaking a different dialect and language all together!), fire crackers, spending some quality time with my in laws and just relax having to be so far away from the city bustles.

I am a city girl, I must admit. I don't think I can ever live too far from civilization. But a different environment and change is always good once in a while :) My MIL is the only one living there now with one of my BILs. She must miss us dearly. I wonder what we can get her this year for Raya.

This is also the first year we are celebrating properly. New clothes for all of us (last 2 years we were on 'recycles', except Mia due to poor planning and adjusting) and home baked cookies :) The first year Raya in Msia we were back too short of a notice to tailor make our attires. Last year we were living in the suburbs and was too tiring to prepare much. So this year was just nice for us. I'm planning to bake cookies and bring them over for my in laws. I might enjoy the visit this time round since we will be back for almost a week and not many people will be around before the day arrives so I'll be able to conquer the kitchen tee hee!

Okay so that's maybe the reason why I'm so ecstatic this year. Plus Mia is much older now and knows what's happening around us to actually join in. I hope her cousins will accommodate her lack of language understanding :( You see, our lil bug has been going to school at 16 months. It is a full-on school with music classes, dance classes, sandplay, playground, lunch/snack time, nap time, art classes, writing classes etc etc so she's learning heaps and has a daily routine. It is structured just the way I like a school to be for her age. The downside is that the school is operated on mainly English language. There are Mandarin classes but no so much Malay. So our bug has a very high command of English vocabs with a few Mandarins but close to no Malays. Though I recently heard her pairing English words to Malay words ("ooh..rain!" waits for me to acknowledge then continues "..hujan") So she is learning some Malay words. Hopefully it's enough for her to understand during playtime with her other cousins. On second thought, may be not. Her cousins may be talking in thick Malay dialects *facepalm* Oh well, the older cousins will be okay I guess. Plus, she's only two and they say toddlers adapt well *crossfingers*

Sigh.
Welcome Raya 2011 :)

Frustrations

I am almost 30

I am married

I have a child

I have a family of my own

I'm no longer living with my parents

Yet I still do feel like running away

*sigh*

Goodness Me! And Ramadhan 2011 update!

Yes, goodness me! I haven't been updating this blog for such a long time. So many, many things had happened since. Trip to Singapore and Universal Studios in May, trip to Guangzhou end of June/July, Mines Wellness Hotel free night stay and buffet, 3rd year anniversary, Mia made cinnamon rolls, Malacca Zoo trip for Daddy's day, red velvet cupcakes order, Mia's first asthma attack!, Bi passing away, Papa admittance to Gleneagles, Mommy's raya cookies!

Though there are so many things to document and blog about, the Universal Studios, Singapore and Guangzhou trip will be without pictures. Unfortunately the camera has been 'stolen', according to Abg.

Mia was potty trained rather unsuccessfully this time. She has shown some keen interest to the potty and knows when she has done a poop or wants to 'sheeshee'. She can very well tells us when she needs washing since was one year plus but not necessarily before she does a wee or poo. Guess the training will have to be put off for some time now. Although Mommy and Daddy had excitedly bought 2 types of potties :) Oh but she does use the potty to wash poo or wee so hopefully she'll get the idea soon *crossfingers*

We are exactly halfway through our Ramadhan 2011. Ramadhan this year is extra special. We managed to have iftar almost every night as a family. Our first Ramadhan as a married couple did not turn up as I had expected. I was in the midst of recovering from morning sickness (although my morning sickness wasn't bad actually), I suppose because it was  my first time. And some food being sauteed from the kitchen just makes my stomach churn so bad. Then come second Ramadhan, darling hubby was not around to celebrate - out stationed. Last year was worse. He left 2 days before Ramadhan and was away for more than 2 weeks! Half of the holy month was without him and I had to stay in Bangi with my parents. This year is definitely special. We had iftar together, cook together and hit the food bazaar together. Best of all, we have our lil toddler with us every time. Bliss :)

Tonight I'm making "paceri terung" (brinjal curry) as per requested by my darling hubby for iftar and maybe we'll buy some delicacies at the food bazaar. Among our favourites every time during Ramadhan is "murtabak", "roti jala", "roti john", "ayam percik", "popia basah". I see these or any one of these at our table almost every night for iftar. Now married with a kid, I still see these at the table. Though not as often, but the smell gets to me every time :) Love it!

We had received some very exciting news yesterday. Hopefully we can manage well and prepare as best we can for our future. And I also see this as a small token to celebrating this festive season a little more extra than we had before. Alhamdulillah..

This Eid will also be special as it will be our second time celebrating in KB. Our first celebration was not too much of a celebration since darling hubby had very little leave time hence we were only able to celebrate on a short notice. We had also just returned from Australia. We are lucky this year hubby gets many days off and so do I (hopefully! It hasn't been approved yet!). If everything goes well, we may be celebrating few days of Ramadhan there as well. I'm ecstatic that I'll be able to cook for Eid and spending time with my in laws properly this time round :) And now that Mia's a lot bigger, she'll be able to run around and experience her Daddy's hometown much better than before.

Speaking of Mia, she has not been too well lately. Lots of phlegm equals to heavy wheezing and vomiting. Her paed said by the end of this week she should be all better. Last week she had to use nebulizers to clear her lungs and airways out. She also had infections on her left lung. She's doing much better today, in fact she's already in school :)

Papa was also admitted earlier Ramadhan for his createnine levels running too high. He looked yellow on the day of admission. He has been discharged since and is looking way better now. Mama's cousin, Bi (Ma's brother) passed away a little before Ramadhan hits. He had been unwell and in and out hospital few times. No one thought he wouldn't survive this time round but he succumbed to his illness this time. May he rest in peace with his other siblings, parents and one son who left us way earlier than him. Amin.

Paci Story update

Last night - night three - lil Mia went to bed but walked out of her room again once we left even before we managed to switch them off. I highly suspected it was because of the lights. So I brought her back into her room again and she asked for her paci. I denied the request and switched off the lights this time with her still standing beside her bed. And closed the door. There were a few babbles from the baby monitor but soon enough it's quiet.

This morning she woke up a little before 7am. She was talking and singing on her bed for a good 15 mins or so just enough time before her Daddy goes in and greets her morning. Well done, lil Mia. We're very proud of you :)

I had forgotten to include. The night before, we heard so much babbles and singing before she fell asleep. She's still finding her way to fall asleep. This is making so much progress better than I had thought it would be. And this morning as we walked to the car, I gave her a long look and she seemed a lot bigger now. No longer a toddler but a kid. A little kid. She looks a lot bigger now :)

Developmental leap!

Come to think of it, our lil one sure underwent some big changes at around 22-25 months old.

1. Slept on her own
2. Graduated from cot to toddler bed
3. Ditched the pacifier and security blankie

At around 22 or 23 months we whispered our goodnights to her and a cuddle before leaving the room. We had practiced this method since she was an infant but somehow after I had gone back to work and sending her to stay with my parents, they didn't follow through resulting to me lying on my bed (while she in her cot) until she fell asleep. Everytime I motioned to leave the room while she's still awake, she starts crying. So one night I decided to continue with our method once again and it only took us 2 nights! Night one - we cuddled her and said our good nights, lights off. I left the room but let the door open slightly ajar. She cried. I kept on coming back to her keeping no eye contact but whispered goodnight again. Left the room. Cried again. Repeated the same method over and again. It took us a good 10 - 15 minutes. Then I closed the door shut. Every time I did when she's still awake, she'll start crying. Sometimes if it is just a small cry, I don't rush it. It is the big and prolonged crying that I  or darling hubby sets off to comfort her. Night two - crying was a lot less but I had to continue with resettling her  three to four times. Main key is to not give much eye contact. Little children read our expressions a lot so I try to give one that meant 'serious business and not interested to play' facial expression. Night three - she gets the idea and was okay when we left the room. Persistence and patience work wonders :)

She was 23++ months when we moved to our new crib. Right from day one we had set her room up so she can sleep in her own new cot-turned-into-toddler bed. She has always slept in a cot since an infant. We put her cot in our room. I know a lot of mommies who co-sleeps but I find co-sleeping a wee bit unsettling for me. Plus it is important for me to ensure that her sleep is not to be disturbed by our tossing or turning in bed. We also bought a porta-cot for the times when we sleepover or 'balik kampung'. One of the things that irked me a little as of late (during this time) was our waking up in the morning and being an alert toddler, she wakes up too. So when we moved, we were determined to let her sleep in her own room. Luckily we had bought a cot that can be reverted into a toddler bed so our hero (hubby dearest) set her toddler bed up. Night one -  we said our goodnights and cuddles. To my absolute surprise (and joy) she didn't make any fuss at all! Although she did wake up a few times during the night (she did stir and wake up during the night when she was sleeping in our room and most times I'd settle her back to sleep or find her paci or security blankie for her so this surely takes a little bit of adjusting). Night two - she had fallen from her bed. Luckily the bed was very low that she can even touch her toes to the floor when sitting. Prior from letting her sleep on her own, we had put my blue raccoon (from a friend in my uni years) on the floor right next to her bed in case she might fell. So her fall was soft enough and it probably had woken her more than being hurt. We found her sitting on the raccoon and rubbing her eyes, crying a bit :) The waking in the night went on for another few day with lesser and lesser each night. Now she slept through most nights and is a bliss :)

Just this past weekend at 25 months we had managed to ditch the pacifier. Friday night during bedtime she had asked for it and I said "it's at work" or "it's gone/finished". She of course made a huge fuss. After we left her room, 10 mins later she cried a very sad cry. I went in and comfort her back again. It was such a rough night for all of us. She kept waking up and cried - sometimes for a while, sometimes for longer - but I'm so proud that we didn't give in. I understood why she cried so much. She wants to sleep but was awaken either bcos there's no paci in her mouth or she searched but couldn't find one. And she wants to sleep but is trying hard to fall asleep without the paci. So she gave out a sad sad cry. Which broke my heart a few times. So the next morning without a paci to comfort, she woke up at 6.30am (she usually is up at 7 or 715). Saturday at nap time she asked again and made another fuss for not having it which eventually put her to sleep. Night two - she had asked during bedtime but with no fuss, fell asleep. Slept through the night only waking up once. Sunday night she slept through the night without waking. She still asks for it and we still gave the same answer.

This morning we told the good news to her teacher. And the teacher told us she was not given her paci or blankie during nap time at school anymore. Been a week now! Yayy!! So our girl has graduated her blankie AND paci! I did notice she lost interest of her blankie few weeks back. She only wants it if she has her paci. Now with no more paci, she has lost interest of the blankie all together :)

So much milestones for a little girl over 2-3 months period. As of late, she showed more interest in the potty. She sees how we flush and sits on it. Shows discomfort and makes 'yucky' faces when pooping in her nappy. I suppose potty training won't be for long now. And oh she's such a big girl and we're the proud parents all the way :):)

Vocab Alert!

Yesterday darling hubs hubs was in the kitchen telling me some story when our lil bugaroo joined in. Since I was cooking in the kitchen, I hate to have the lil one around so I shoo-ed them both out. My beloved man teased by making faces at me and to my horror, the lil one followed through! She actually made faces at me with body gestures and all. We both burst out laughing so hard! The cutest little thing! :)

I've been hearing lots of words from lil Mia. At one point she came to me with a half-eaten chicken nugget and said "Mommy, akshfaileurhfaieuhrg", passed me the chicken nugget and left me confused but accepted the "gift" anyway. So let's see if I can recall words that she knows now at 25 months.

Mommy, Daddy, Abam (Abg), Papa, Aki, Wan, Aichu, Aicik, Bibik, Wam-ma (Wan Ma), HeeHur HiVy (Teacher Ivy), TeeTur Hon (Teacher Jon), all her friend's names in her age group at school (6 of em), Kakak, bye-bye, hee yu hoon (see you soon), kish (kiss), ugg (hug), milk, mimmie mou (mickey mouse), ball, dog, cat, ei-yephant (elephant), heewaffh (giraffe), bird, hah-hur fye (butterfly), bwed (bread), burbur band (rubber band), hor her yes (strawberries), and-go (mango), ananaa (banana), egg, ah-paii (sampai), ek (work), cow, star, moon, hi hwim (ice cream), poo-poo, shuz (shoes), apple, owange (orange), cake, hi-hur min (vitamin), pwish (please), nak, utim (puting), kain, baby, mia, oyoyo (pocoyo), yes, nyo (no), sayang, juice, eat, amm-more (want more), cereal, cookies, rice, book, eyes, nose, mouth, balloon, bear, sweepin time (sleeping time), nite-nite.

Okay that's all I can recall. That's around 50+ words. Well done, kiddo.
Of course she repeats certain words from hearing Mommy and Daddy. One time her Daddy mentioned about going to this favourite 'mamak-style' hangout of ours and teasingly calling it "Uncle Boobies" instead. Low and behold, a tiny voice echoed from the backseat "unc-er bubish". Oh dear..

5 years from now..

Ok I still owe this blog the story of our Singapore get-away and lil Mia's party pictures.

But this just came to mind.
What (or where) do I see myself 5 years from now..

1. Still married to the man of my life
2. And we have 2 kids now.
3. Hopefully not living in the same place anymore
4. Get promoted
5. Have done a substantial amount of travelling with my lil nuclear family

Point number one is excruciatingly important to me. He is my support person, my love, my life. I know I can rely on him when things are rough for me. My hero :)
Point number two, I do wish to have another baby. I do not plan to leave Mia as an only child. I find it sad to be an only child and I plan to give her a partner. Her partner for future "crimes" together :)
Point three, I do love where I'm living at the moment. But in 5 years time I hope it is not the same place anymore.
Point four, I love my job. I feel it is rewarding, challenging and satisfying all at the same time. Though I do wish in 5 years time I'll be promoted up.
Point five, travelling is something we do as family. It is family time. Bonding, learning, experiencing and loving each other's company. I hope to take lil Mia (and her sis/bro) to Disneyworld someday. Or visit Fukuoka again. Or Europe.

Insyallah..

My Wishlist

As you know we just moved into our new crib and as always, I have a wishlist to be looked into and hopefully completed :)

1. A cake stand
2. Sofa and chaise set checked!
3. Tea/Coffee set
4. Table runner
5. Table setting set
6. Rug for baby's room
7. An easel
8. Kitchen herbs

Now I've loads to upload this blog. From Mia's Pool Party to engagement ceremonies to our recent Singapore trip. But those will have to wait since we've only partially unpacked and work is already waiting for me. But hopefully soon too! :)

Elevator Morning Horror!

This just happened this morning.
Without realizing, the elevator door opened and lil Mia went right in. I was busy doing last minute packing, she was out the door with Daddy but Daddy left her out of his sight for a minute to check on me. Next thing we knew the elevator had went down one level below us. He took the other elevator down while I yelled at him that the elevator she took had stopped and lingered at level 7. So he went to level seven. I waited in front of the elevator that she went into for it to come back up again.

To my speck of relief, it did.

I could hear her screaming and crying from below. When I stepped into the elevator, a young lad came out of it, on the phone. He looked at me for a split second and I said hi before I went straight in. He seemed to be looking for something (or someone?).

I didn't have the time to find out, my toddler might be missing. So I pressed 7th floor and held my breath when the door opened. There was a father with her daughter around 4-5 years old. He was in a conversation with someone, smiling and laughing. I peeked out and there was my hubby and beautiful baby in his arms. She was in tears and when she saw me, she wailed again.

The father and daughter (they mustn't be local, though dark features, they don't look like from India, and they've perfect English with an accent) went in the elevator with us, I thanked him profusely. He said same thing had happened to his daughter once too but luckily she can talk. Lil Mia only know few words and telling people where she came from was NOT one of them!

Apparently the saint-like father had asked her (Mia) did she come from the 12th floor but she couldn't answer him because she was crying so much and she doesn't understand him. Remember the young lad looking like he was looking for something I bumped into before entering the elevator? Well turned out he was looking for ME! Unfortunately he just doesn't know me that well and he wasn't sure either.

So that's how our morning went. Tonight we're leaving for Singapore for another adventure. And after being on MC for two days (flu bug) am back to work today! And what a way to start!

Anyway, last weekend we were in Pahang for a cousin's engagement ceremony. It went well though our lil one ended in Pantai Medical on Tuesday for wheezing (early stage of asthma) and allergy reaction. She's recovering so well today and hopefully both our illness shall not interfere with our Singapore get-away :):)

Mia's 2nd Bday Splash Bash

I know it's been a long, long while but finally I'm uploading some pictures from lil Mia's pool party! It was held last two weeks on the 23rd this year and we had about 50 guests celebrating with her! Such a huge number despite the bad bad weather that day. There were thunders and lightning in the beginning and few couldn't join us fearing to brave the bad weather. But to those who made it nevertheless, we thank you thank you thank you :)

This was during the blowing-candle time. She knew how to blow (though most coming out was not air but  showers of saliva) but that day I suppose she was a bit scared from all the attention, Mommy and Daddy had helped her with her candles.

Our little nuclear family :)

This was right before we hit the playground pool. Due to the many people attending, Daddy (our hero! bless him) had volunteered to take lil Mia and her friends to the pool first while Mommy entertains for a bit. Next thing I know, Mia's lips were blue and her little fingers were shaking! She screamed when she was pulled out of the water so we let her play a bit more ensuring she's always in the water and not out in the air. It is one way I was taught to do during swimming lessons when I felt cold because the air blows outside but the water temperature remains. Our lil bugaroo has no problems staying in the water. She had drowned 3 times (don't look too shocked, it was just few seconds underwater til one of us grabbed her up again), coughed out the water, wriggled away from our arms before started off into the pool again. She sure is our lil fish :) Oh and mind you, she wants no floaties.

More pictures of the party coming soon!

Party at School

I have packed 20 party packs last night. Some KitKats, jellies, lollies, raisins, vitagen etc etc. In honor of Easter, I've put 3 choc-jellybeans eggs in a little plastic cup and tied a ribbon on top to include in the party packs. I've decided not to include toys in the pack since with our experience, they always lasts for 2 days and ends up as rubbish. Her Pocoyo cupcakes are coming at 11am and the party starts at 4pm. So end of story for the school party. I wish I could join the party but I'm already on leave tomorrow. It's okay, let her celebrate with her friends  and teachers today and we'll make it up to her on Saturday :)

Mia turns t.w.o

This also meant it has been 2 years of parenting, of joy and laughter, tears and achievements. It was just 2 years ago when I felt so insecure, unsure, doubtful yet filled with immense anticipation and happiness. I was carrying another human being inside me. Yes, to me at the time lil Mia was just another human being. A little baby kicking around my round belly. Never once when I was pregnant that I address myself loudly as "Mommy" to her. When I talked to my belly, it had always been "It's okay, I'm here" or "I love you". I had always looked at her as another person with her own personality, wants and desires.

Then she came all bundled and small. Squinted eyed and messy matted hair. One time I had time alone for myself and darling hubby in our room. She was about to cry for milk. Looking restless and wrinkled face. She started with a sound and I said, "It's okay, Mommy's here" and picked her up. I remember feeling a wave of emotions. My eyes were stinging from holding back tears. It had sounded so strong. I am a mother now. And I promise to protect you how ever I can. Period.

Dear lil Mia

You are our first born. We are young parents whom doesn't really know a lot about parenting and raising a child. All we know is that we have been dreaming about you since before we even got married. We had been talking about you for years and years. In fact we have been talking about you even before Mommy and Daddy both met! Those school years when we talk about what to name our kids and how many kids we want. One day you'll have the same conversation, and remember that that was the time and age I had talked about you.

It was you who made us smile. Just by looking at you. You made us smile. And cried tears of joy. Just by looking at you, our chest inflated with pride. We love you so much our heart feels like it's about to burst. And then you smiled your first smile. I thought I'd just seen the world much clearer and in bright colors. It was overwhelming. Your first giggles, first food, first steps, first teeth, first birthday, first day of prep school. And now you're 2. My beautiful girl is 2.

You will always be my first.

xoxo

Mia's two year old party prep!

Mia's party is in a week's time!
There's still so much to do despite such early prep, reservations and thoughts put into it. Here's my checklist.

1. Venue booking
Both venues are booked and informed. Mia's having 2 parties this year. One at her school and the other with families and friends. So I have informed her school and booked the club's pool for her party.

2. Cake
She'll have cuppies with her friends at school which I've ordered 40 (more than enough just in case some wants seconds). For her pool party I've decided to bake a cake. Well, few cakes actually. One for the birthday girl and few others for guests and as 'thank you' gifts. So wish me luck on that one!

3. Theme
Since she's loving Pocoyo, I've decided way earlier this year that that'll be her bday theme. Pocoyo cuppies for her school party and a pool/under the sea theme for the other.

4. Invitations
Sent and informed.

5. Party packs
Thought of but not confirmed. Agh!! I've 2 types of party packs one for the school and one for the pool party.

6. Deco
For her school I'll get some balloons and streamers. Of course a banner for both parties. For the pool she'll have some balloons and balloon bouquets etc etc. Some blue table cloths and cups and plates.

7. Menu
Oh dear this is the toughest! So far I've changed my mind only a couple trillion times. The club will be providing food as well so I'm careful not to overdo it. So far I've ordered some satays, samosas and sandwiches. All are finger foods because we're holding it late in the afternoon.

Sigh.. so much to think about, so little time.
On top of all this I've work piling up, reports to make tests to run and talks to be presented. Not to mention the amount of weddings and engagements! My weekends were filled from the camp all the way to mid May! There's one engagement, one wedding, one bday party, one Spore trip, etc etc. I've still unpacked few boxes at home!!

There's too little time spent enjoying our home :(

*so this is what it is like to be a mommy of a two year old. i suppose to me birthdays are a huge deal especially when it's my kids. it means the whole world. happy birthday my lil one. may you be blessed with beautiful memories, friendships, relationships and life*