Family First

Is it Christmas time?

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:03:00 +0000

The moment month of December comes, we can instantly feel Christmassy! The lights have been up already along Ikea/Curve (now only Nov wor ...) when we visited last week. Its a nice feeling towards the year-end .. especially bonus time ... hehehe.

I have all along been planning for a tree for our new home. I intend to purchase a tree and light it up in the month of December. And its for Bryan's sake. He loves it when we visit shopping malls (the past 2 yrs) checking out all the extensive decorations while we mall-hop!

So this year, we will have one in our home sweet home. Complete with a Christmas dinner (fingers crossed!). And visits from my long-time buddies from Penang & Singapore would make it so fun! Miss them so much. Been ages since we sat down to chat. So looking forward for Christmas this year.

So Petaling Street will be my next destination - once I settle in this Nov. Heard you can find some good & very reasonably priced trees there. But tipu one lah, not the "real" tree. Here I come!

All in a days work

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Last Friday and Saturday was such a busy day. The renovation contractors were working at our place in full force. They had to get it ready that weekend as we will be moving in this week.

There was such a huge buzz around the house. Just a word of thanks for all their hard work, just to ensure we, clients, have a comfy home as per our requirements.

Some social life

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:40:00 +0000

Hardly had it since Bryan came along. I cant put into words how active and curious he is at ALL things. Like I have said before, even walking is not in his dictionary. Only jumping or requesting to be carried around like a royal highness!

At home, the things that he does or does not do, makes me so tired. I really dont know how to describe his terrible-2 stage. Terrfying-3 stage is beginning. I mean, since he was born, he wakes up twice a night for milk, another one or two sessions of nyek nyek nyek and its time for me to get up for work. So I look very much like an Ah Soh now, after 2.5 years.

Nevertheless, one evening Mom decided not to cook since Sis wont be back for dinner. And she being alone, does not make sense to cook. So decided to take her out for a meal at a nearby newly opened western food restaurant. Bryan enjoyed his time running around every where. If you dont stop him, he will already be in the kitchen just 2 mins after we enter the restaurant.

Anyway, just some blaberring from me in this post. Feel tired even by just thinking about him. Hahahaha.

Perfect gift and right on time!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:51:00 +0000

I'm so delighted! Its a small thing but means a lot! I was so pleasantly surprised this morning when I logged on to my Hotmail account and saw an email that had the word "Congratulations" in the header! Now, I was very careful to ensure it was not a spam or junk mail .. and I checked on the sender and ..... yeaaah! It was Sue Sue!

Sue Sue hosted a pasta pot giveaway and I decided to participate with the intention of learning. I dont know and never cooked pasta before and her post had lots of contributors with great pasta recipes for kids .. which is great for me cos Im moving to my new house next week and will have to start cooking on weekends .. and pasta is indeed a wholesome meal and totally easy to prepare. Perfect right?

Thanks dear for the perfect new gift for my new kitchen :-)

Note: Photo taken from Sue Sue's blog.

Own land on Moon!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:51:00 +0000

I really dont know what else these people are going to come up with next! Read today in The Star online that there is this lady - a dumb, crazy, siow-char-bor lady that actually buys a piece of land each year on Shah Rukh Khan's birthday as a gift to him!

It sure does sound acceptionally unique! And yeah, it caught my attention and probably a million others, and yeah, a good marketing/pr effort indeed.

But land on moon? I dont know lah.

Really cool contemporary lights

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:24:00 +0000

If you do have a contemporary look for your home and are looking out for some really cool looking lightings, you should visit Tsen Gallery @ Kota Damansara. I got to know about them by chance.

After visiting Homedec after Homedec, I just didnt see anything that I liked at regular exhibitors like Alfo & GDO. Or they were a bit over my budget. And since it was best we have all the lightings in place while the electrical contractors were still working on our new home, I decided to give one more try to look for another lighting shop. Googled and ended up with Tsen.

I choose a round chandelier light for our living room. It was affordable but of course, they were made from China crystals lah. But I must say, quality and design wise, China is coming with a bang! For a moment, I thought they were from Egypt or even Europe! Im sorry I dont have a good pics of it cos I dont own a DSLR mah ... see.

Glad to have made a purchase. One down and a few other stuff more to buy and that's it.

Taking it a notch higher!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:23:00 +0000

The past weekend was the worst! I feel really exhausted having to keep up with my terrible-two! He ah .... aiyoh, I dont know how to describe. Dont understand where they get all their energy from. And not only the energy I am amazed at - its their creativity too! Climb here and there, take this and that, run up & down, sleep on the grounds of the car porch, every single thing on the desk - once in his hand, sure will be broken in the next 5 seconds, makan also jumping around like a monkey, mandi time wanna sleep on the bathroom floor - only then can let me scrub him!

Mom said to be patient and maybe about 3 or 4 yrs old, he will be all well & good. Oh mom! I know you are right but its just too much now. Too tiring.

Fungates - the right choice?

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:36:00 +0000

Last Saturday, 2 Fungates operators hosted "Open Day" at their centre. We took Bryan there for a visit and to see if he liked the environment there.

When we first arrived at Centre A, he saw quite a few people and immediately turned to me and asked me to carry him. But the moment I told and showed him the room which was filled with lots and lots of colorful books, arts & crafts, learning apparatus, etc, he forgot about us. He was in his own world. Running up and down the entire class, fascinated by so many things that he gets to touch and mess up! He kinda got excited that even the washing area was so low (child's height) that he could easily turn the tap on & off as he pleased! *pengsan*.

Hubby checked on the rates and other information while I monitored my dear boy. I cannot leave him out of our sight cos the whole centre would have *terbalik* if I turn my back for 5 seconds!

Not very impressed by the look, quality of the english spoken by the centre staff and the location of the centre (it was inside an intermediate shoplot with no playground or space to run about) - but 5 mins from our new home, we headed to Centre B.

Centre B was a total opposite. It was housed in a HUGE bungalow and had good English speaking staff and teachers. They also conversed in Mandarin but it will only be taught in Year 4. The only drawback for us is the distance from our new place.

Again, Bryan was all over the place. The teachers here knew better how to interact with the kids ( managed to get his attention on one particular activity which he followed accordingly but we could see clearly that he was the "tai kor" amongs the others *double pengsan* trying to dominate - almost snatch the apparatus from the teacher!)

Both the centres told us that they would start with teaching the kids basics (of course lar, what else right) like recognizing ABCs and 1-10 ... but Bryan already kn0ws all that. On good mood days, he can count till 30! Both in English & Mandarin!

He can spell all the words he sees on the billboards on our way home each night! He reads out all the alphabets he seens in the newspapers or those that are printed on my T-shirt! I am getting worried that he will be bored in a Year 3 class .. but we still will have to start him there.

I wish to check out Montessori next but there is none near my place. It has to be a bus journey of about 30 mins at least each way! So, what shall I do? Compromise on education system or compromise on this travel time? I think he is too young to travel so far everyday.

Safety Gate for Bryan

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:28:00 +0000

We hoped over to Babyland @ SS2 to check out some safety gates. Lindam's was going at RM50 off, so it only cost RM149.90 for a basic unit instead of the usual RM199.90. We had to add on an extension to make it up to 110cm in width cos my staircase is pretty wide.

If I really want to be extra safe, I need 4 sets of these cos I have stairs that are going both upstairs and downstairs.

We have also decided to add clear polycarbonate sheets to my staircase railings, so that my "hero" wont have any opportunity to put his foot on those railings and try to be super or spideyman!

He is in the "jumping" phase now. Jump from bed to the floor, jump from one chair to another, jump from first staircase to the next and all the way down to the last staircase. Jump even when walking. Meaning he does not walk step by step. He jumps step by step. *pening*

Electrical items making its way!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:09:00 +0000

Woooo! My contractor has finally asked me to stand by all the electrical items for them to install. Meaning, things are finally rocking! So, with a happy heart, I shall call my favourite electrical outlet and inform my favourite salesman that he can start preparing my favourite items that I reserved many moons ago, and to arrange for immediate delivery :-

Gosh! Cant wait for the time to come where I can call my sofa supplier, my dining table supplier .. woooh! But this can only be done in another 3 weeks I guess.

We met till late last night, to discuss on final details of the carpentry, electrical, lighting and painting works. What I worry most is the color of my walls. I am not sure what to choose! The color selected looks great in the color chart but in actual, I am afraid it may differ. Differ up to what extend also hard to say :-(

Today I shall expect my rubble wall to be fully installed. We decided to cover up my open indoor courtyard with polycarbonate roofing, so sunlight can still come in and brighten our home but no rain ... yeah! Then we selected some natural stones to dress up the wall. We will add some spot lights on it. Hope it looks cool!

My Laundry Sink

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Decided to get a laundry sink for my washing area. This will make life easier. Dont need to squat down and scrub my undies! And if needed, can just soak whatever that needs to be soaked in the basin area. At the bottom are cabinets to store my detergent, clorox, etc.

Cool eh.

Our current ritual

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:13:00 +0000

6.30am Wake up
7.00am Out of the house
7.45am Reach mom's place, drop off Bryan
8.00am Reach office, hubs drops me off
8.30am Hubs reaches office
6.30pm Hubs leaves office to pick me up
7.15pm On our way to mom's place
7.45pm Rest at mom's for an hour or so.
8.45pm Leave for new house
9.15pm See what the contractor has done for the day
10.00pm Head for home
10.30pm Shower and have light dinner while SIL entertains Bryan
11.30pm Prepare for bed - yes Bryan sleeps that late!
12.00pm Too tired - sometimes cant fall asleep straight away :-(
3.00am Bryan wakes up, pulls my hand, asks for milk
4.00am Nyek nyek nyek, dunno why
6.30am Read line one

The late beginning

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:34:00 +0000

It has been quite an eventful few weeks for me. I am practically brain-dead, not because of the renovations at home but its the path that I took in my professional life. No doubt, money is better but that spells higher stress as well. I had the confidence of handling it, just that it needs time for the dust to settle. Not that I regret, but I do hope its the initial phase of it and hopefully it will gradually get better over time.

I have totally lost focus on my home renovation. Well, yes I know whats still going on but I dont have the energy to "refine" my decisions. I do hope that they will look ok with some of the changes on color and design that we decided. Fingers crossed!

Dunno why Blogger is so slow today. Wanna upload some pics of the initial reno stages also takes ages. So I owe you guys first ya.

Aah .. did I tell you I bought those colorful wall decals for Bryan room? Thanks to Sasha, I got an online contact, and so happen, she stays in the neighbouring taman, so she kindly dropped it off at my home - save postages .. hehehe. Am planning to put them up next weekend cos Bryan's new room is now used as my temp storage space for my fans & lightings!

Any of you done these wall decals before? Any tips on application?

Did it really cross the road?

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:53:00 +0000

Our dear friend finding its way I guess :-)

Son's excitement = Daddie's worries

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:56:00 +0000

Son : Wah, so exciting this place! Got big big bizard ... so nice!

Dad : Aiyoh .. got big big lizard man here ... must hold this fella tight tight!

Langkawi Moments

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:28:00 +0000

Lots of hesitations before we decided to finally go ahead with this trip. Mostly, our worry about A(H1N1). But we took precautions and prayed for the best.

Sharing with you some pics below.

First things first, upon check-in, little boss check out his bed .. accompanied by his ever-faithful portable DVD player. This one sure cannot miss one. Every where we go, must bring it along, else all of us sure pengsan!

After that, sure must be pool-time! Eh, sorry ar, little boss still scared of the big big ocean, so no go near there. Just the baby-pool saja.

Then its time to head to town. The only place that is worth visiting is the Oriental Village which houses the cable-car station. Its totally worth every single cent that you pay! The ride is so cool and the view even better! But, be prepared for some physical exercise ... cos you need to walk down from the station to the viewing deck (which is the easy part), then walk back up to the station (which will get you breathing heavy!!)

We did very little shopping. But we bought lots of chocolates! And a few bottles of wine for my mom's upcoming 60th birthday dinner.

It was a very simple, kinda relaxing and smooth holiday. Of course, my mom, hubby and myself were very tired having to carry his royal highness everywhere cos he refuse to walk, but then, he behaved quite well during the trip. So we are quite happy it turned out good.

I even had a surprise birthday cake presented to my by the hotel! And for the first time, my son could sing "Happy birthday to Mommie" ... it melted my heart . Hehehe.

I am also happy that I have the chance to finally bring my mom for a short holiday. We have been planning a trip since my boy turned 1, but unfortunately, we just could not make it. He was such a handful when he was younger (he still is!) and I felt stressed having to handle a kid who does not sit or walk (just jumps & runs). At least now, he can walk (if he wants to!) and can eat anything we adults eat. He also understands so much more and can communicate esp when he wants shi shi or pot pot. So that makes travelling a whole lots easier.

I just want to thank my MOM for sacrificing not only her golden years, but also her health, to ever willing to help me take care of my son. He is no easy toddler. And it has taken so much out of her to take care of him 12 hrs a day while we are both at work. And now with the house renovation, she has even helped me take care of him every Saturday. I really cant thank her enough other than being a filial daughter to her. I love you mom.

His first visit to ....

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:24:00 +0000

...tit tar!

One morning, Mom realised that he was limping a bit and refused to walk. And cried everytime he had to walk. We thot it was normal lah, cos seriously, thesedays, he only wants to be carried everywhere - even in the house!

Later in the day, after his afternoon nap, he was happily walking - but with a slight limp. We reached home after work and immediately spotted his limp when he came over to the door to greet us. I immediately decided to take him to a "tit-tar" to check it out.

Sure enough, he sprained his ankle a little - must be all the jumping about he does every single day. Like I said before, my dear son never walks or sits. He only runs or jumps :-)

He did cry a bit. Sure pain one mah right? But after they "pau" his ankle area, he was jumping about again ... seriously! Boys will be boys I guess.

Whoah!!!!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Aiyoh! I cant believe I did not update my blog for so long! Im sooooo sorry! You know, it has been crazily unbelievably busy at my new place. Spending 10 hours a day is normal! But then again, to comfort myself, I believe its just the settling in phase. So many issues with regards to new staff, new furniture, new this and new that.

But still .. I found time to go to The Andaman! Yeah!!!!!!

Will update some pics next week when I sneak some time off my schedule okay? Promise!

My built-in Microwave Oven

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:07:00 +0000

I never planned for one but decided to after all, get a built-in unit to complete the "look" of my kitchen. Moreover, I just need a basic unit to compliment my baking & cooking plans. Not doing anything fancy with it.

I ended up with a brand new and recently launched Fagor Microwave Oven. It cost me RM999.

I find its features pretty good and moreover, it is stainless steel finishing which I prefer.

It looks neat, not bulky at all and compliments my Ariston oven too.

Very likely not

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:36:00 +0000

We are still undecided on our trip end of this week. A bit too afraid to go but feel that it is such a waste as we have to forego the airticket that we paid for. Feel so sad ler .. but what to do. Dont wanna be the one to force the trip cos if anything happen, I will be blamed for the rest of my life!

On the other hand, our neighbour's son has been affected. He is down with A(H1N1) and I think they have quarantined him at home in a room. He is about 7 years old I think. Where did he get it from? I never had a chance to ask. Just heard it from my MIL. Have not seen any of them outside at the garden or fence area, so no chance to ask them directly also. See, they never travel but also at risk. So at the end of the day, sit her or sit there, also at risk if we are not careful about hygiene right???

I can't believe my eyes!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:32:00 +0000

I got a real shock when I visited one of the office blocks in the city the other day. I was hunting for a car park within the small parking floor of the said building. And then I realised that I had to park on the "upper bay" like as if land was as scarce as Japan or Hong Kong!

It was like a crane system and we had to park on the crane, then press the button to lift up your car to the upper deck!

Some people saw me snapping this pic and they must be thinking I am so "ulu".

Should we go?

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:11:00 +0000

I have been pretty excited about planning for our first "real" holiday since Bryan was born. Moreover, a free 3D2N accommodation at The Andaman was just too good to let go!

You know, I have been waiting for ages to go on a real holiday! I have been waiting for the day where my son understands instructions (following instructions is another thing lah!), waiting for him to know how to sit still (not jumping about like lil monkey) and waiting for him to be able to eat a variety of food comfortably (and not having to carry along my slowcooker to boil porridge!).

We have even booked our flight! But now ... after 6 more deaths in one day relating to H1N1 is beginning to worry me lah! Todate, there are 44 deaths and most of them are in the high-risk category ... meaning kids and old folks lor. Aiyoh ... how now? To go or not to go?

I know, sure you will say, better be safe than sorry right? But .. but .. but .. aiyoh. Have to wait and see a lil longer ... cos trip will coincide with the long Merdeka weekend ... still got time to monitor the situation.

Err ... is there any precautionary jabs for my prince to strenghten his immune system against flu-related illnesses? Can consider wor hor?

Prince's New Playground

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:18:00 +0000

Within our gated community, we have a small playground for the residents. Nothing fancy but just the basics to keep the young ones occupied & happy.

His all-time favourite is the "shuaaaaaat" ... meaning the slide lah ... hehehe. Every time we drive past a playground, he would say "mommy, play shuaaaat" :-)

We usually spend Sunday evenings there, just to let him run about freely and perhaps in the coming weeks, we will bring along the bicycle he got as a pressie on his 2nd birthday earlier this year. He can now reach the peddles comfortably, just that we never allowed him to ride it outdoors (too dangerous lah, cars zooming in & out) and thus, he does not enjoy riding on it inside the house lor. So hopefully, he will start loving the rides all over again.I am sure he is as excited as mommy to move into our new home.

No eye see!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:56:00 +0000

Hello guys! I'm back to the blogging business .. hehehe.

Oh, i feel so left out with the outside world now. Feel like so much has happened while I have been busy settling into a new routine professionally.

I have also been busy shopping for my new home. I have everything in mind and have placed some orders, so as soon as the nest is ready for moving in, the big items will come in first.

My lil prince has been busy shopping with us as well ... but I think he got sick of it!

So no more shopping for furniture, electrical items, etc. for the new few weeks. But we will have to concentrate more on smaller items, like mirrors, frames, etc.

Will blog more regularly from now on .. so lets keep each other posted!

See ya soon!

Busy like hell!

family_first3@hotmail.com (FAMILY FIRST) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:17:00 +0000

Oh boy! Life has just taken a 180 degree turn! I have been utilising my time to the max and you know what ... it feels great to be in "action" again! I love the pace, the excitement, the pressure, the stress, the ..... i think i siow liao. Where got people like pressure one.

Well, it has been hectic both personal and professional life. And guess what! Both places needs renovation. And both place needs everything as we are starting from ZERO. And I have been shopping and shopping both for the house and new work place. Seems like everything in my life is new! Luckily hubby still old one .. hahaha.

Am I enjoying this moment? Honestly, YES! I feel so energized and hyper during the day. Feels so good maximising my brains! Feels good when you manage to solve a problem or complete a task! Just feels good!

I feel so sad that I have to abandone my blog a few days each week. I have some pics to be uploaded but just have no time for it. Moreover, I am using a temporary laptop and there is no point for me to download Picasa3 and then re-do all the downloading on my permanent PC. So I guess I will just wait for a week or two before things are more settled and feels more normal in my life.

I am so very sorry for not blog-hopping over to some of my regular favourites! I so very much miss reading all your posting but what to do .... busy as a bee wor. I promise to come over once I have the time ok? See ya soon.