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It was my birthday on 5th of November... As always I wished for happiness in my life. So far, I have been and am happy. I have always tried to be grateful for everything that's in my life. Be it the good or even the bad thing.

Everything happens for a reason.

So here's to a healthy and happy life.

Amen

Does size really matter?

Okay the title has nothing to do with whatever you are thinking of right now. Hehe. I am actually referring to our children's built.

The thing is, my son is now 20 months old and he is smaller compared to his peers. By small I would say thin. Height wise I think he is quite tall. Although I haven't had any clue how tall he is now.

My husband and I have always been receiving comments from family, friends and even strangers of how small Bebe Ian is. At first I was intimidated. Because the fact that I am still breastfeeding him and how thin he still is. But look, I've known and read breastfed babies are tend to be on the leaner side compared to formula fed baby. Although some breastfed babies are an image of Michelin's mascot!

So now, I have stopped obsessing on how much weight my son should gain and focus on his other development milestones which I think are pretty good. Hehe. We are amazed on how fast he can mimic whatever my husband and I are doing or repeat whatever we are saying (almost clear, still babyish language). So we are watching what we do or say in front of him. :)

On solids, this little boy of mine eat almost everything that we offer. With exception of sesame bun (coz it's black) and cherries, grapes and yogurt. The rest he will eat if not all at least a little bit. He is starting to hate porridge (can't blame him!) so we started feeding him rice once in a while. But his favorite is noodles. From my Korean ramen to normal fried noodles he loves to eat them. He can finish one small bowl in one seating :)

Considering that my son is eating and thriving well, I will just go with the flow. Means as long as he's healthy and happy, I'm happy. :)

Books and Books

I got bored of taking pictures of ignorant people in the train so I will stop KTM Star post for the moment. Maybe once in a while I will update some.

So as of today, I have been working in Gardens Mid valley for close to 2 months. So fast! The daily commutes by train is okay... I mostly will get a seat for the whole journey. Although tiring, I'm happy with the fact that I can reach home usually by 6.30pm.

My journey will take 45 minutes to go to MV and another 45 to go back to Bangi station. So roughly I will have a "free" 90 minutes every single workday. To kill time I started to read again. Novels I mean. I have quite a number of books that I purchased during the last 2011 Bookfest that I haven't read yet. Not to mention my Reader's Digest that I never failed to buy but got no time to read.

So here are the list of books that I've read and am reading right now:

1. The Help

2. Room

3. The Shack

4. The Confession (ongoing)

You may click these titles to read on the synopsis on these books. If you are interested of course. I do highly recommend them though... :)

So moving to Gardens office is somehow good for me so that I can actually read all these books that I bought. Recently I went to this year's Bookfest and I bought another 20 novels for myself.. Hehe...

So here's to a newly reactivated reading culture!!

KTM Star (s)17/07/2012

Stars for today... Only those with blurry faces though. The smiley ones are okay. I rode the old KTM today. No nice seatings for the needy.

KTM Superstar 16/7/2012

It's my first train ride to office after mm... 5 yrs of driving daily? So i've decided to make things a bit more fun for myself. Hehehe

I will take daily pic of any commuters who sat at the privileged seating i.e those for disabled, pregnant, aged...

Behold this was the first one for the day. Guess from the clothing she might be a Vietnamese/Burmese/Nepalese... She was travelling with a guy and she kept looking at the guy when the guy was not. They boarded at UKM and got off at Serdang.

Thinking to let her go but heck, even if she cant read she shld be able to see the signs..

The season of Ah Choo

Ah Chooo!!!!! Officially this is the official sound both at home and work for me. Bebe Ian is down with flu for the second time. But this time Mr. Cough decided to come along. Yes, why not? The more the merrier right? Argh!!!

And the dear bugs has invaded my body since yesterday. Been coughing my lungs out since morning and I just wish it will stop. So damn annoying. This round the doctor near my workplace prescribed a course of antibiotic to me. I hope it will work. Please work!

Guess it may have to do with our weather nowadays right? Hot and hazy all day long. How I wish Mr. Rain would come and visit once in a while. The apartment where I'm staying right now feels like an oven even at night time. Just so so HOT. But I can't put the air con to any cooler than 25 degree C because Bebe Ian will get a nasal block. Haihh...

Should I try and perform the rain dance? Hmm...

Moving

Yes, I am moving to my new house and also my new office soon! Excited!!! not so much for the latter though...

Our house is almoooosssst ready, and I pray hard that I can finally move in on the coming weekend 23-24 June 2012. I doubt the kitchen will be 100% ready by that time but I don't care. I'm anxious and just can't wait any longer. Funny thing is, although excited, the packing part at my current place is still not going in full force. I'm not sure when or how will I finish pack them up. Currently I'm staying in an apartment (more like a flat) and with 3 rooms, they are full of junks. And I think mostly are mine. O_O I'm planning to give away some clothes, keep all books (tonnes of them) and I just don't know what to do with "others". With a toddler that won't allow you to be out of sight packing is like a mission impossible for me. Whatever it is, I still have to endure all that and make sure our a**es are out of the apartment by end of this month. Must. I have already asked my landlord to use my deposit for this month's rental. And they are coming next week to check on their house. I hope we didn't do much damage to it. Hehe.

About moving office.. Remember when I wrote about being laid off by the company? Well, I was not in that big group of people but instead our team will be moved to the Gardens (main office). If you do not know where the Gardens is, well just think Mid Valley. Yes, of all places. I ended up working in a crowded place once again. Can't say much. I just go with the flow at the moment. So Pajam to Gardens.. Definitely need public transport. What else? KTM is the answer. Although not looking forward to board KTM on a daily basis, a part of me felt relieved that I don't have to drive at 130km/hr every morning just to reach office at 9.10 - 9.30am every morning soon. Pathetic I know.

All in all, a lot of things happening and I'm looking forward to the positive things. Say new house.. Mmm it's new, our own, bigger place for Bebe Ian to run around. New office... It's a new posh place and it's at Mid Valley! Eateries and baby boutiques everywhere! :D

Review : Medela Freestyle vs Avent Manual Single Pump

I've been meaning to write up about this post for a very long time but never find the right time to do it. So I guess the time finally comes. Hehe. Readers, this is about breast pump. May not be fascinating for some but may be useful to those who wishes to breastfeed their child.

Before going to the pro and con between the above 2 pumps, let's see my history of breast pump usage.
I have used quite a variety types of breast pumps since Bebe Ian was born. The first pump I purchased was the most basic and cheapest one. Pureen Manual Pump. Bought it when I was 7 months pregnant during Pureen Warehouse Sale. I think it only cost me RM12.

Believe it or not I survived using only this pump for a month until the rubber bulb gave in and I since I can't find a replacement I purchased this;

But out of all pumps I bought, this was the worst. I used once and the pump stopped working. Pissed me off. Wasted around RM50++ for this. Feeling angry I upgraded myself to Avent Manual.

This one was bought by a good friend of mine from SG. The pricing was relatively cheaper in SGD compared to MYR. Cost me about RM200+ for this one. In short, I LOVE this pump. In fact I am still using it from time to time.

Since I've been buying only single pump before, I was itching to try breast pump with double pumping feature. Limited money available so I decided to purchase a second hand Ameda Lactaline pump.

This one cost me about RM450. Was still under warranty so I thought it's a good deal. Was in good condition. Verdict : it's a great pump but I find it's troublesome to fiddle with the knobs while trying to hold the flanges in place. Although it can run on AA batteries, I never tried it (it needs 6 batteries to run!)and whenever pumping I have to be hooked to an electrical switch. So not very convenient. In the end I sold it off.

So I survived with Avent Manual until end of Feb 2012. Then my Medela Freestyle came. :)

I spent a huge amount of money for this one. RM1734 to be exact. But worth a single cent. :)

Okay, so now let's see the pros and cons between Medela FS and Avent Manual:

Price : Avent is definitely much much cheaper than Medela FS. But I'm happy with both. If you are a mom to be I suggest u invest in Medela FS from the start. Save your cents for it! :)

Yield : Medela FS will give more yield, at least for me. Must be the fact that it's a double pump (so pump both breasts when you are having let down) and the stimulation phase work wonders.

Mobility: Both are easily to be carried around. So I have pumped in airports / the company's washroom where I had attended an interview. I got the job, but I turned down the offer... Off topic but well.. Haha

Practicality: I would say both are practical. But Medela FS gave me a whole new meaning of multitasking. Imagine this, I can do work with my right hand while pumping and while replying a text on my phone using my left hand. And the best part would be pumping while driving. Saves a whole lot of time if you ask me.

Prep Time : This is actually prep time to pump. I think Medela FS needs more time to "set up". You will need to "latch" the hands free string around your nursing bra. But after a while you'll become an expert. :) While Avent you will just have to assemble it, super fast, lift your shirt, pop out your boobs (err one boob at one time) and pump away...

What else? I think I basically covered them all... Right? :) Anyways, word of advise : Do your research before investing in any breast pumps to save you $$$ in a long run. Just remember, by breastfeeding your child you are giving them the best milk in the world. :D

P/S : All pics are courtesy of Google Image. Hehe, lazy to search for my own. :)

Ending privilege...

Today marks the last day Bebe Ian is under the care of my SIL. Tomorrow she will fly back to her hometown and by Monday next week I will have to send Bebe Ian to the brand new babysitter all the way to Nilai.

I have visited the babysitter's home unannounced last Wednesday and her house was cozy, clean and the other 3 older kids under her care were pleasant. This babysitter was actually my husband's ex-neighbor when he was still renting in Nilai. We chose her because the place is so much nearer to husband's office and also our new-soon-to-be-home.

It will be quite a lot for me to juggle with starting next week. Waking up extra early, dealing with half asleep baby, preparing stuff to bring over to babysitter's house, crazy early morning crawl out of Equine... Argh..

We chose to buy raw ingredients for babysitter to cook for Bebe Ian... So it will be like a weekly supply. I'm thinking to pack Bebe's Ian own water bottle too... Gosh, I feel like packing the house for him... I feel sad, Bebe Ian used to have all his stuff within reach the whole day and soon he will only have the necessities. Lucky this babysitter familiar in handling BM.. So I see no problem in that.

What about toys? Maybe I pack one or two... And nap time another headache. I have to pack the swing set for maybe the first week. Bebe Ian naps only in it during the day.

Argh, so many stuff to think about right now. How I wish I got retrenched already so that I will become a full time mother to my son. Oh yes, the company is closing our Cyberjaya branch. Another post on this soon. Please pray for me that IT will be soon. I can't wait!

I hope Bebe Ian will be just fine with this new babysitter. He will cry a lot for maybe a few days like he always do whenever there's a change of relative to take care of him. In time he will get used to the new arrangement. And I just need to be strong.

LOL

Can't stop laughing at this hilarious pic!

The first of this and that...

When you have a kid there will be a lot of "the first time he/she did something" events... Like mine I have several that I can list down for now;
1. First step! - happened last week few days after his birthday in kk during our holiday. Talk about the right moment at the right time. :)
2. First fall off the bed - Ouch, he was playing his toys in bed and I went to switch on the aircon then he fell. Head first. I screamed then he screamed louder.
3. First time he blew bubbles- He's drinking from his cup during meals and one day he just started blowing bubbles whenever we gave him water to sip.. Hehe
4. First word? - Actually I failed to pinpoint which word came out from his mouth first coz everything just came out at almost the same time. And mind you, they were not real words... Coz it's more like blabbering sound.. haha
5. First solid meal - He had his first meal ever when he was 5 months and 3 weeks old. I gave him mashed ripe banana mixed with my breast milk... Only a few spoons though... He gave me his weird face expression the whole time... haha..
6. First swimming pool dip - This ended up badly as he developed rashes all over his body. Guess the water was dirty... Or too much chlorine... So I banned Cyberjaya public pool for Bebe Ian..
7. First laugh? - Seriously I could not recall this but this boy was laughing ever since he's few months old.. (Not to include sleep smiling, this one he did right after birth)
8. First fall on the floor - When he was 11 months old. This happened in KCH during holiday. My heart almost stopped. I was so protective over him the first 11 months that I did not leave him to crawl around the house. I let my guard down during that trip and he fell not once but 5 freaking times.
9. First fever attack - When he was 6 months old. Lasted for 2 days. Started on our last day holidaying in kk. I think it was Roseola and not measles as my MIL and my mother stated.
10. First time Bebe Ian is fully breast fed - When he was around 5 months. I stopped formula after he started to vomit out the milk (i've tried Enfalac A+, Mamex Gold, Anmum) and after educating myself and with the help of my good pumping buddy (tx nat!) I managed to supply enough breast milk till now. Not easy but worth the effort. :)

Seriously, there's a lot of first time of events that to list them all down will be like having a final term paper to complete in an hour. But nonetheless, they are all securely placed in my mind and I will cherish them will all my heart. :)

MMR - Should Or Should Not (Part 2)

Well, I did... Hehe.. After reading too many stuff I have decided that the benefits of vaccinating outweigh the risk they may have...

Yesterday was the appointment and I did ask the nurse on possible side effects and as expected the nurse said "takde lah"... So I asked her about how a friend's son developed fever and rashes few days after MMR injection then she said "terpulang kepada budak tu sendiri la, ada yang demam ada yang tak". Then when I ask about the possibility to delay this injection then she said "kenapa?, tau tak measles sekarang tengah merebak?"

Haiih... So to make story short I gave Ian the injection and no fever so far... **Touch wood... The nurse said this MMR injection is not painful for the child.. Maybe, coz Bebe Ian didn't cry that long and still play "roughly" as usual...

I hope really hope Bebe Ian will be just fine.... Amen.

MMR - Should or Should Not

Bebe Ian's MMR vaccination is coming very very soon and I am still debating with my own self on whether or not to proceed with it. His vaccination schedule is up to date so far and thank God that he suffered no side effects from them all. To be honest I have no issues with vaccination before. Thought that it is a good thing up until I joined this one mummies group in FB. Then I started having doubt. With MMR being the worst vaccine amongst all, I'm torn between a YES and NO.

Dear God, please help and guide me on this one.

Happy Birthday Bebe!

My son turned 1 yesterday and I couldn't help but feel proud of myself... Well it's been a year since I became a mom and although I have missed a lot of things that I used to enjoy pre-baby, I will never ever change my life now. I love being a mom. Period.
Bebe Ian is still a baby in my eyes although he qualifies to be called a toddler by now... Not walking yet, but can let go of his hold on things for a mere moment then fall.. Hehe
I brought him to the mall yesterday coz his birthday party is this weekend back home in KK. So nothing special yesterday... Just bonding time with me :)I tell you, it's worth taking leave from work for. :)

I will update more after his party this coming Sunday...

Cheers!

Enough already!

When u keep repeating it over and over again it will get so annoying that I feel like shutting my ears whenever you open your mouth.

Please just accept, deal and live with it.

Of 2012 and beyond, perhaps?

Happy New Year dear friends. It's been a while since my last post (excluding the one with single sentence entry). How have you all been this year? With all the predictions of 2012 could be the end of the world, I guess I am fine.

Oh yes, I need to update you on my Bebe Ian. He's 11 months plus now and is super adorable (mothers will always say this about their baby). He's not walking yet and has now 6 teeth.. Still fully breast fed but i think i'm starting to feel the panicky state of meeting the daily demand. But i'm determine to bf till Ian reaches 2 yrs old.

What else? Work is mundane as usual... Nothing can be hope for from this job... Just need the money that's all...

Love and relationship, still going strong! Hehe... But i do still fight / argue with my husband a lot... :)

New house... Not ready for us to move in yet. Probably before mid of this year. Sigh.

Resolutions? A variation of last year's and some new ones. One of it is to lose more weight. Haha! We always know how that one goes unachieved most of the time.

All in all, i hope this new year will be a good one if not great. Most important of all is enjoy life with your loved ones because life is unpredictable and so damn short! Cheers!

Kusut

Exactly how i feel right now.