Heels to Bedroom Slippers

Owh how I missed blogging :) 

You must be wondering what am I up to nowadays. No blogs for 2 weeks. No photos of me in FB, only Raoull's. Am I pigging on my bed 24/7 *I wish* and lying to my employer that I'm working very hard from home? Or am I carrying my second one? Jeng jeng jeng. 

Now let me take you to the NEWS of the year. I quit my job. Yes I did. 

Reaction 1:

"Oh no, you were earning so well!" 

Yes I was. With 6 years of hardcore experience, 5 figures in a single pay cheque is not something new for me. From admin clerks to CEOs, I recruited them all. Some think I'm a God who grants jobs to the jobless, while some toffee-nosed candidates think I'm a little sales girl, who sells high-ranked jobs. Monthly and yearly targets kept me on my toes while flower bouquets and chocolates from new hires crafted smiles on my crazy days! I loved and hated my job, all at the same time :) FYI, Information Technology is my forte.

Reaction 2:

"What are you doing now?"

I'm a FULL-TIME-MOM aka FTM! Isn't that fantastic? If you are already a mother, you will envy me. If you are not one, you will be thinking I'm out of my mind. My one reason for quitting my job, I feel my career as a FTM is more promising.

Reaction 3:

"When will you be going back to work?"

Perhaps when Raoull starts driving his mummy's "antic" VIOS. Or, when I get tired of seeing my husband's grey beard. Or when I start sensing that my 4 children are trying to place me in an old folks home, *celaka, think your mother bodoh meh? All properties will be under my name till I die*. Or, when the sky turns red, green,yellow I shall get myself prepared to switch from my bedroom slippers to the sophisticated high heels once again! In other words, I'm going to let time decide this for me. 

Reaction 4:

"Congratulations, I'm next in the line!" or "Congratulations, I'm jealous of you. Wish I were you!"

You ladies are definitely my Bestest Friend ever! I pray that all of you will be kicked out of your office jobs soon, and you can join me in the new "Gorgeous Desperate Housewives-buatan Malaysia" club soon. Meanwhile please continue going to work on time, especially on Mondays and please be jealous of ME, thank you! 

The next time you bump into me, just say "Hi, How are you..Your son is sooooooo cute!" Shaaadap after that OK. Don't ask me that "What are you doing now?" question and roll your eyes 360 degrees when I say "I'm a FTM!" I cant be explaining this whole thing in public toilets and neither I want the other ladies to eavesdrop and think that I never go to school and that's why I'm staying at home OK! And please don't be too happy thinking that I'll grow out of fashion just because I'm at home most of the time. My not-yet-a-millionaire husband gives me a cheque of 4 figures every month and if you want to know the exact amount, it will cost you a pay cheque of 6 figures please. So the moral of the story is, I will still look younger and more stylo than you, yes you! I'm already thinner than you remember! 

By the way, thanks for all your comments and I do welcome MORE! "Fathers' Day" coming up next, stay tuned for more stories and handsome pictures! 

Ta...

A fan of the Sears

Lack of reading during my pregnancy left me feeling empty after my son was born. Although the joy, excitement and happiness were definitely there, but I knew something else was missing. I realized then that I wasn't fully prepared to nurture my new born. When I was carrying, I was very much focused on fetus development. Baby-care topics were left aside. That made me a total stranger to motherhood, breastfeeding and parenting. As soon as I delivered, many people offered different advices and that confused me even more. I was lost. I wanted something concrete. Something "yesterday" and NOT "20, 30 years back". I wanted the BEST for my new born.

Being in the Indian community didn't help me much either. Till to-date majority of them fail to realize the importance of breastfeeding, sadly. Picking a baby up often is classified as spoiling. Fat babies are ranked highly while the lean ones are criticized. Comparison never ends.

"Ms Y is giving formula milk and her baby is so fat and healthy know. Look at your baby, so skinny."

"Why is the baby crying? I think her milk not enough know..ask her to give formula la.."

"Why is the baby shitting so many times? Ms X 's baby wasn't shitting that many times know.."
"Must give baby water. She is new, she doesn't know anything. I have taken care of so many babies all these years. Put some sugar in the water and feed him."

I took all that with a grain of salt. My sisters remained as my crying shoulders when hormones were driving me insane. Hubby didn't have a clue what baby blues was, but he didn't make it worse for me and I loved him even more for that. My tears stood strong by me and by then "post natal syndrome" was already knocking hard on my door.

I Googled every day and every other hour looking for materials to read. My shout-outs in Facebook were mostly about my new born, hoping that someone would furnish me with what i needed most at that time. Then there came a shed of light all the way from New Zealand.

 *Thank you Rathna. Owh, didn't I tell you that Rathna delivered? No? I'm sorry. Rathna delivered her princess last Saturday, 28th May 2011. Both mom and baby are doing great. I cant wait for the photos! And before I forget, welcome to Motherhood  Rathna, you are going to LOVE it despite the sleepless nights. I'm just a Skype away, so just PING me if you want to talk OK. Anytime..

Back! I've read about the Sears in the internet while looking for effective ways to make my baby sleep longer at night. I needed "good sleep"at that time. The method which was proposed by Dr William Sears was very humane and I became a fan of him immediately. After reading Rathna's comment on my wall, I felt like grabbing my car key and driving up to MPH to look for the book, but I was still on "pantang" mode. I hate waiting. Curiosity killed me, so I got Andrew to get me the book but he could find it no where. I was disappointed.

After talking to one of my aunt in law, I called up Kinokuniya. They too didn't have the book but promised to ship it down for me. I waited impatiently. My book arrived in less than 2 weeks. Thanks Kinokuniya. Thanks husband.

My baby-bible

I started reading. I found what I was looking for. I turned all my doctors into scapegoats, so I became friends with all the oldies once again. My system will automatically switch to "deaf mode" if anyone tries to pour in silly advises. The book made me a smart mother!

Some interesting facts from The Baby Book:

1.  Most pediatricians only know about sick babies. As a mother you definitely know more about your baby. Follow your "magic" instinct.
2. The reason that you can breastfeed your baby to sleep is that your milk contains a sleep-inducing substance. Meanwhile, as you suckle your baby, you produce more of the hormone prolactin, which has a tranquilizing effect on you. Its as if the mummy puts the baby to sleep, and the baby puts the mummy to sleep.
3. Infants separated from their mothers have higher levels of stress hormones and lower levels of growth hormones.
4. Breastfeeding does NOT cause breasts to lose shape. Pregnancy is what brings on the breast changes.
5. Pick up your baby when he cries. Newborns don't misbehave; they just communicate the only way nature allows them to.

It's definitely a good read, and its my BABY-BIBLE! *Don't ask me to pinjam you the book ar. Some of my good books which I lent others never came back. Calling me a "kedekut"?? Deaf mode ON!*

Raoull will be turning 6 months on 9th June. I knew that I have to intro him to solid soon. I was all excited! I started looking around for good cereals about a month ago. I bought Nestle rice cereal cause that is the most popular rice cereal for babies nowadays. But being a super Kiasu mother, I wasn't satisfied with what I bought. I surveyed further.

I contacted friends for advises and browsed through the internet to learn more about rice cereal. I requested my sisters to keep an eye on them too. Few days ago I got a call from my elder sister, Hema saying that she saw  this label on a tin of brown rice cereal "Dr Sears Recommended"! It was organic cereal. I double checked with Kamala, who's my sifu in breastfeeding. She gave me a go-ahead cause she feeds her son the same. BINGO! My second sister, Prema did me a favor by getting me a tin of Happy Bellies from a nearby organic store. What sisters are for?* On a separate note, I love the both of you although I don't say it often. So I got what I wanted. I gave the Nestle cereal to my maid who has a little grandson.

Happy Bellies Baby Cereal. Don't ask me where to buy the milk ar, slap you!

It has been 3 days since Raoull started on cereal. So far so good! Baby is happy and Kiasu mom is overjoyed. Want to see the latest photo of my baby, who was skinny, dark, not-so-cute when he was born?  Thanks to my magic milk...Thanks to the Sears! 

Raoull Darshan after his first plate of Happy Bellies

Ta..

Raoull meets Hush Puppies and Barney!

Time seemed to crawl during your pregnancy. That elusive date felt as if it would never come. Now that long awaited moment is here, and everything is happening so fast. Yesterday you were still pregnant; few hours time you are gonna be a Mother. Rathna, our prayers for you and your little bundle of Love all the way from Malaysia. Have a safe delivery and welcome to another beautiful phase of life. We here cant wait for the good news, let us know! If only New Zealand was a bus-stop away...Sigh!

Now, back to ME. Last Friday night was all about planning for our outing for Saturday. Bangsar Village, checked; KLCC, checked; MidValley?? Not yet. This was the initial plan: wake up at 9am; off to Mid Valley; visit some very close friends; visit dad and sisters while Andrew attends meeting; to SSF to get some deco stuff and back home.

Saturday morning came and the three of us were very much comfortable in bed. And yes, both me and Andrew took turns to keep Raoull in bed longer. The small needle on the clock was literally running from 9 to 10, then to 11 and finally 12! Being the first one to jump out of bed, I quickly had my shower, dried my hair, did my face and showered Raoull. After Andrew got ready, he got Raoull dressed while I packed Raoull's bag and we left home. The small needle was at 2 by then and with that we knew SSF has to get out of our list.

As we reached MidValley, both our stomachs were already growling for food. We missed our breakfast remember? So off we marched to Madam Kwans while Raoull was enjoying the view from inside his stroller, it was his first time to MidValley. The moment we were seated, we quickly grabbed the menu and started making our orders. Meanwhile, Raoull was busy munching his favorite little chicken.

Raoull and his little chicken

I ordered Shang Ha Noodle and Vanilla Float while Andrew ordered Fried Rice and Chocolate drink. Dessert was Sago Melaka. While waiting for the food to arrive, I forced Andrew to pose for my BB camera. So here come both my look-a-like heroes.

My hubby and my son

The overall service quality in Madam Kwans was good but they got to improve on the serving time. It took them one and a half hours to get the Fried Rice ready and by then it was Raoull's milk time. So mummy didn't get a chance to snap pictures of Fried Rice and Sago Melaka. Blame them! What I loved most about their services, they provided me with their VIP room to nurse :) It was a little room located at the very end of the restaurant and was partitioned with transparent maroon curtains. Nice. So to all nursing moms, now you know where to go if you want good food and a comfy place to nurse your baby. Thank you Madam Kwans, will definitely swing by after our pay day! Everyday cannot lo, sure pokai. Time to drool!

Top right: Chocolate Drink and Vanilla float.
Below: Sang Ha Noodle

After paying close to a hundred bucks for brunch, we sneaked into Toys R Us, which was a door away from Madam Kwans. We wanted to get Raoull some toys so we headed straight to Fisher Price, one of my favorite brand for babies' toys. As I was browsing through the racks of toys, I caught the sight of toy handphones. For the sake of saving my BB from getting licked and chewed by Raoull, I decided to get him one of those. We also got him a stack of colorful bowls, named Brilliant Basics, which came with a yellow, noisy, smiley, small ball.

Raoull's new toy hp

Brilliant Basics

Before we left, we did let the little one play with some of the toys which were displayed. Since America Academy of Pediatrics has proposed a law banning the use of infant walkers, we decided not to get any of the toys displayed below. Studies show that as many as 40% of infants placed in walkers suffer a variety of injuries and they are more likely to be slower in developing a normal gait. Although these toys are not typical walkers, they appear to be more of a pre-walking gadgets. I would rather get myself worked up by carrying him around the clock and running after him the whole day than to risk his safety and interrupt his motor development. Call me a kiasu mother or whatever you want, I'll take it into my left ear and push it out from my right! I bother not!

RM 599 

RM 399

 p/s: Prices displayed are only for the toys, baby NOT included OK.

As we continued walking  there came a huge, gigantic ship in the Center Court of MidValley. A replica from the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean. The view from the top floor was simply fantastic so I did take some shots of it. If you are a die-hard fan of POTC, you shouldn't be missing this. Its gonna be there till 5th June, so hurry up! Since we are not one of the hardcores, we continued shopping .

Our next stop was at Hush Puppies. I didn't find anything interesting for Raoull but Andrew found himself 2 pairs of shorts, white and black. And wait, I saw something! It was HUSH PUPPIES, the mascot! I got so excited and pulled both my men to take photos with that creature! So comel! And his droppy eyes looked like Andrew's eyes! Hahaha I love u too husband. The mascot was holding colorful balloons somemore. I felt like sitting on it OK! If it wasn't because of my status as a Mother, I would have sat on it..I promise. I kept reminding myself that I have to behave like a MOTHER! :( Picture? How can I miss? 

Comel or not? Not my husband la, Hush Puppies!! Grrrrrrr

By then, the clock was already showing 6pm. Visiting friend, NO. Visiting dad and sisters, No..I miss them. Andrew's meeting, NO :( Bad time management eh? We continued shopping, can you believe it? I needed to get a dress for a birthday party the next day so we went hunting and hunting. SUB had nice collections of black and white but I didnt get any, being a super choosy person. Without realizing we were in Metrojaya and I saw the name of the person I love most. Out came my BB. Click Click..

We were very tired by then and it was Raoull's milk time again. So we decided to head back home. We bought air mata kucing and some buns on our way out of MidValley. While quenching our thirst in the car, we noticed the little one was already fast asleep. As I smiled at Andrew and thanked him silently in my heart for giving me this little bundle of joy, our black Vios raced its way back home! 

Sunday came and another outing awaited us. This time was to a Birthday Party in Klang. I was looking for a dress remember? Yeah, Dashwin baby, Teepa's son turned 1. One year ago, when I was asked to bed-rest due to heavy bleeding in my 4th month of pregnancy, Teepa delivered this cutie pie of hers. I didn't get a chance to be the first one to greet him but me and Andrew found our way to her mom's place in Cheras after about 2 months. I  was all well then. Time flew right in front of us, and here came his 1st Birthday! 

The Birthday was held in Eat Cafe & Bakery in Klang. Despite the wrong direction given by Teepa, we managed to find our way there with Kanna's guidance. We reached there at around 2 pm. After a good hugging session with the birthday boy's mother, I shook hands with the Celebrity of the day! If it was just another day, I would have carried and gave him some slimy smooches all over his face but come on, it was his day. He needed to greet more guests and had to look fresh during his cake cutting ceremony. I didn't want to make him look slimy and tired, so I saved my smooches for later.

Raoull with his new hp. Lick and chew
all you want baby!

Andrew found his place next to Kanna after buckling Raoull neatly in his stroller. Another hugging session took place between me, Saras, Yam and Kisha, my high-school mates. Someone was missing in the group..it was Hema! According to the girls, she was unwell. We missed you Hema, get well soon!

As I was busy chatting and catching up with the team, a big, fat, purple figure walked pass me, wiggling his big tail. It was BARNEY! I nearly screamed! Only if you know how much I love that fat creature, yes more than Hush Puppies! I wanted to give him a nice big hug but I knew someone else was IN Barmey. Who? I don't know. How if it was a fat, buruk looking old-man, who digs his nose like 52 times a day? Euwwwww No No, I'm not hugging him. But I still love Barney, the purple, fat dinosaur!

Such an entertaining Barney!

That Barney was so entertaining and I have to give it to the person who was IN it . Not easy to wear that heavy suit and dance OK. Imagine how sweaty he would have been in there. Earning a decent living is never that easy nah? Now, back to the party. Cake cutting took place before I could take my first fork of meehoon. After joining the ceremony, we had our lunch and I made sleepy Raoull sleep in his stroller. I loved the place; the crowd was just nice; food, no complain; Dashwin was so handsome but was way too busy to pose for my BB :( ; his mom was simply gorgeous and dad was the photographer of the day!

The gorgeous hawt mummy

Since I was very busy chatting and gossiping, I didn't spend much time taking photos. But I made sure Raoull had his photo taken with Barney. Raoull wasn't very excited seeing Barney because he had never watched any of Barney's show. He must have thought "Dibo-The Gift Dragon has put on some good weight" ..Ms Blogger and her imaginations! At half past 4, we bid goodbye and left to KL.

Wanna hire the same Barney for your event? You can contact:

Jarry Lai @ 012 5161157

Woahhhh, my blog is so lengthy this time. I have to stop here and right NOW. Till the next cow jumps over the moon, signing off with the photo of the day! 

Ms Blogger, Raoull and Barney!

Ta! 

Scribbling for the first time...

'With visible eye bags, a brown-mug of coffee and a rocking cradle right beside me, I am here scribbling my very first blog in this little-blank-white-box. The "backspace" and "delete" buttons on my keyboard are gonna hate the sight of my finger-tips for pressing them just too often this time. What you expect from a first time blogger? They have to put up with me for sometime...

Looking at my blog-title, you must be thinking "Haaaa, sounds like one of Britney Spears' song title!" True enough! Being terribly honest over here, I've never heard that particular song of hers but I simply love the title "Not a gal..not yet a woman"...sooooooo ME! I don't play with barbie dolls, neither my dad walks me to school nowadays. It has been cow years since I had my hair pleated and tied with colorful ribbons and most importantly I'm no more a virgin and that has taken the "Gal" title from me for good! Woman? Me?? Nahhhhhhh! I'll be a complete woman only when I stop fighting with my Hubby for sneezing out loud in the middle of the night and when I can have a confident "1 hour conversation"with Oprah! Till then, I'm here somewhere in the middle- enjoying life to the fullest with my loved ones; keeping hopes sky high and being a day and night dreamer! Life is indeed pink and pretty like the little Bunny in "Dibo the Gift Dragon" :D

Now, all I hear is a little cue from the cradle giving me decent signal that it's milk time. I better run before it turns into a loud cry! Will write more soon..

Ta...