it's been a while since i last heard anything hip-hop-py. but i love this song. especially the Alicia Key's part. i bet there'll be a "Let's hear it for KL. KL! KL!" rendition coming up soon and blazing in the clubs.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
arwen's sick again
Arwen's down with flu, fever and cough again. She's been okay for months, did not contract anything and i dont know how she got contracted this time. it was out of the blue. no body in the house is sick. or maybe we have dormant viruses in our bodies and arwen showed the symptoms first.
and i just realized something. an epiphany due to lack of sleep, i suppose. people, the older we are, the worse patient we become. i mean arwen has had some worse fevers before, that reaches up to 40 degree, but she's never been as clingy, as mengada as this time around. we haven't been sleeping for 2 days now, because she's got stuffed nose and headaches, and whenever she coughs, she cries.
she'll sleep for 2-3 hours and the wakes up crying. after much soothing and carrying her up and down the stairs, she'll be okay and play around for a few hours and then will be all ek-ek-ek again before she wants to go to sleep. this goes on even at night. and she wont eat anything.
i hope she'll be okay soon because we'll be going back to Pekan this thursday night. i do not want to be in a car with a sick, cranky and clingy baby for 3 hours in the backseat. and besides, her older cousins will be around. i dont want them to get sick too because of us and i also dont want arwen to miss out on the play sessions with them.
and i just realized something. an epiphany due to lack of sleep, i suppose. people, the older we are, the worse patient we become. i mean arwen has had some worse fevers before, that reaches up to 40 degree, but she's never been as clingy, as mengada as this time around. we haven't been sleeping for 2 days now, because she's got stuffed nose and headaches, and whenever she coughs, she cries.
she'll sleep for 2-3 hours and the wakes up crying. after much soothing and carrying her up and down the stairs, she'll be okay and play around for a few hours and then will be all ek-ek-ek again before she wants to go to sleep. this goes on even at night. and she wont eat anything.
i hope she'll be okay soon because we'll be going back to Pekan this thursday night. i do not want to be in a car with a sick, cranky and clingy baby for 3 hours in the backseat. and besides, her older cousins will be around. i dont want them to get sick too because of us and i also dont want arwen to miss out on the play sessions with them.
Friday, November 20, 2009
wishlist roundup
oouuh! i so wish for this book for Arwen (calling Dibo the Giftdragon, a.k.a PapaNgah Falie). she loves animals and she loves ABCs. and i love the minimalist on-white photography. she tried singing the ABCs a few times like we do, while pointing at the alphabets on her books.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
arwen on potty training
yeah, my mom has started training arwen to poop and pee in the toilet. we didn't buy her those potty thingy (although i don't mind having one of these. so stylish!) because my mom said that we don't really need it. so it's straight to the toilet she would go every morning.
i'm slightlylazy uncommitted. so sometimes, when i'm in the mood for it, or when i'm not rushing to go anywhere, i'd prop arwen up on the toilet myself and urge her to poop or pee. but on most cases, i couldn't be bothered so i'll just leave her to poop in her diaper. i mean, we pay like what? for the diapers? so, we might as well make full use of them, right? but then again, another part of me also wants her to finally be off the diaper so we can save up even more.
thank god my mom has much more patience and tenacity than me. so, she'd be the one who'd consistently get arwen to poop or pee in the toilet. every morning we'll hear my mom's (loud) voice echoing against the acoustic bathroom walls telling arwen to "Ugh-ugh" or "Shhhhhh". and Arwen will say "Shhhh" or "Ugghh" herself but nothing will come out the other end. and then she'll smile and shake her head. so my mom will try that again the next morning. and then the next morning. and the next. whereas, i would've given up an try again next year.
arwen has a preference for hiding in the nook between a one-seat sofa and the wall, or between her cot and the wall to poop. she'll run towards the said spots, squat down and well, poop. and after she's done, she'll occasionally say "Dahhh!". so i told my mom last night, while arwen's pooping at her favourite spot, maybe next time, we should move the one-seat sofa to the toilet. maybe that would work.
i'm slightly
thank god my mom has much more patience and tenacity than me. so, she'd be the one who'd consistently get arwen to poop or pee in the toilet. every morning we'll hear my mom's (loud) voice echoing against the acoustic bathroom walls telling arwen to "Ugh-ugh" or "Shhhhhh". and Arwen will say "Shhhh" or "Ugghh" herself but nothing will come out the other end. and then she'll smile and shake her head. so my mom will try that again the next morning. and then the next morning. and the next. whereas, i would've given up an try again next year.
arwen has a preference for hiding in the nook between a one-seat sofa and the wall, or between her cot and the wall to poop. she'll run towards the said spots, squat down and well, poop. and after she's done, she'll occasionally say "Dahhh!". so i told my mom last night, while arwen's pooping at her favourite spot, maybe next time, we should move the one-seat sofa to the toilet. maybe that would work.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
wishlist roundup
this alpha beta wallpaper from wallpaperspace.co.uk (for arwen's hypothetical room in our own hypothetical house. hey, it will happen, insyallah)
this totally resounds my personality as a
source : spearmint baby
this totally resounds my personality as a
source : spearmint baby
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
the things she says
last night, i taught Arwen the Happy Birthday song as she pointed to the illustration of a cake with a candle in one of her books. i sang it a few times because she kept on coming back to that page. after a while, i heard her 'singing' it to herself whenever she came to the cake page. and the she also tried singing Barney's annoying "I love you, You love me" song. Only it sounded like "Aiyoma, Aiyopa". Also yesterday, in the morning, my mom went sighing Arwen's name because she made a mess. She went "Haih, Arwennn, Arwennn" .. and Arwen replied with "Oma, Ma, Ma" and both of them kept doing that for a few more times. it's the cutest thing ever.
this morning, my mom dressed her up in an oversized black t-shirt, tucked under an oversized black and white skirt. and as i got out of the bathroom, heading into my room, my mom told arwen to ask me whether she's cute. so arwen did her cute little diva-like prancing with the skirt, but i told her she looked so.. kampung. so my mom told arwen that we're gonna have to change her into something less kampung. i pulled out her drawer full of clothes to pick another attire, and arwen came waddling into the room, stood on her tippy toes, looking over her drawer and asked me innocently, "Abish?". "Abis? Kita tukarlah baju Arwen" i said to her. And my mom went laughing like crazy.
this morning, my mom dressed her up in an oversized black t-shirt, tucked under an oversized black and white skirt. and as i got out of the bathroom, heading into my room, my mom told arwen to ask me whether she's cute. so arwen did her cute little diva-like prancing with the skirt, but i told her she looked so.. kampung. so my mom told arwen that we're gonna have to change her into something less kampung. i pulled out her drawer full of clothes to pick another attire, and arwen came waddling into the room, stood on her tippy toes, looking over her drawer and asked me innocently, "Abish?". "Abis? Kita tukarlah baju Arwen" i said to her. And my mom went laughing like crazy.
Monday, November 16, 2009
can i scold a child who can't talk yet over something she 'said'?
yesterday :
in the morning, while still lazing around in bed, stealing a few minutes before we actually get up and start the day. ayis had already gone out freaky early in the morning for PAINball.
Me : Arwen. You pooped. Busuk. Let's mandi.
Arwen : *Refuses to get out of bed*.
Me : Arwen busuk!
Arwen : Mam-ma
Me : No, Arwen lah yang busuk.
Arwen : Mam-ma
Me : Arwen
Arwen : Mam-ma
Me : Arwen
Arwen : Mam-ma!
and this went on for about 10 minutes. in an air-conditioned room. with poop-filled diaper and morning breaths. time of my life!
in the late evening, while preparing and feeding her dinner :
Arwen : Mam-ma! Ba-dak! Mam-ma! Ba-dak!
Me : Budak bertuah, did you just call me badak (rhino/hippo)?
Arwen : Ba-daaaakkkkk!
in the morning, while still lazing around in bed, stealing a few minutes before we actually get up and start the day. ayis had already gone out freaky early in the morning for PAINball.
Me : Arwen. You pooped. Busuk. Let's mandi.
Arwen : *Refuses to get out of bed*.
Me : Arwen busuk!
Arwen : Mam-ma
Me : No, Arwen lah yang busuk.
Arwen : Mam-ma
Me : Arwen
Arwen : Mam-ma
Me : Arwen
Arwen : Mam-ma!
and this went on for about 10 minutes. in an air-conditioned room. with poop-filled diaper and morning breaths. time of my life!
in the late evening, while preparing and feeding her dinner :
Arwen : Mam-ma! Ba-dak! Mam-ma! Ba-dak!
Me : Budak bertuah, did you just call me badak (rhino/hippo)?
Arwen : Ba-daaaakkkkk!
wishlist roundup
i have a now technologically-obsolete 3rd gen ipod, or 'brick' as i like to refer it. it looks old, it is heavy, but it still serves its purpose, which is to store all my music collection and play music whenever my daughter doesn't use it as her pretend iPhone.
and i used to have the old iTrip that my brother bought for me when he went to Perth. i don't know where i last placed it. anyway, since our Nabira already comes with a sony dvd player and CD changer, my husband doesnt want to change it to something that plays USB. and i'm sick of burning thousands of CDs every time we're planning to have roadtrips.
solution is, either i buy the cheaper USB player-FM transmitter thingamadoodle, which my husband doesnt like, or get the RoadTrip. at least with the latter, my iPod has some playtime and be less of a brick. my brother already has one for his iPhone and it seems to be working wonderfully. but of course it has to work wonderfully. it costs around RM500!
so yeah, i guess i want the RoadTrip.
and i used to have the old iTrip that my brother bought for me when he went to Perth. i don't know where i last placed it. anyway, since our Nabira already comes with a sony dvd player and CD changer, my husband doesnt want to change it to something that plays USB. and i'm sick of burning thousands of CDs every time we're planning to have roadtrips.
solution is, either i buy the cheaper USB player-FM transmitter thingamadoodle, which my husband doesnt like, or get the RoadTrip. at least with the latter, my iPod has some playtime and be less of a brick. my brother already has one for his iPhone and it seems to be working wonderfully. but of course it has to work wonderfully. it costs around RM500!
so yeah, i guess i want the RoadTrip.
Friday, November 13, 2009
let me tell you why i cried last night
my husband received news last night that a former colleague of his had just lost her 2 month old baby due to negligence at the nursery, somewhere in Shah Alam. apparently, the nursery called around 4pm telling the mom that her baby's unconscious. so Ayis' friend rushed there, did the CPR herself, but it was too late. the cause is yet undetermined but we assume it's due to choking.
i cried because one, i am sad over the unnecessary loss. it's one thing to read about strangers misfortune on the papers or news, but knowing that it happened to people you know (i dont know her, but my husband does) it's something else.
my neighbour once did a recce to some of the nurseries she's considered to send her baby to, but was shocked to find out how horrible these people are taking take of the babies under their care. they said that they have designated caretakers for babies, but that's not always the case. they don't have enough caretakers so one caretaker could be taking care of a few babies and a few toddlers at the same time. so while they're watching or running after the toddlers, the babies are left unattended. and my neighbour found out that the caretakers would simply leave the baby with a bottle of milk in their mouth, wedged with a small pillow or napkin or towel or something. it's no wonder why we get all the sad news that babies chocked to death.
it's not an accident, it could all have been avoided if the caretakers paid more close attention to the babies under their care. and two, because i felt so blessed and thankful that i didn't have to send my baby to the nursery, and for that i sleep better at night.
so moms who send their babies to nursery, please, check up on the place from time to time, do a spot-check. find out how these people are taking care of your precious ones.
i cried because one, i am sad over the unnecessary loss. it's one thing to read about strangers misfortune on the papers or news, but knowing that it happened to people you know (i dont know her, but my husband does) it's something else.
my neighbour once did a recce to some of the nurseries she's considered to send her baby to, but was shocked to find out how horrible these people are taking take of the babies under their care. they said that they have designated caretakers for babies, but that's not always the case. they don't have enough caretakers so one caretaker could be taking care of a few babies and a few toddlers at the same time. so while they're watching or running after the toddlers, the babies are left unattended. and my neighbour found out that the caretakers would simply leave the baby with a bottle of milk in their mouth, wedged with a small pillow or napkin or towel or something. it's no wonder why we get all the sad news that babies chocked to death.
it's not an accident, it could all have been avoided if the caretakers paid more close attention to the babies under their care. and two, because i felt so blessed and thankful that i didn't have to send my baby to the nursery, and for that i sleep better at night.
so moms who send their babies to nursery, please, check up on the place from time to time, do a spot-check. find out how these people are taking care of your precious ones.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
earworm : soundtrack for your baby
I had created this playlist of sorts, when i was doing Arwen's first birthday slideshow (and i plan to do one for her every birthday, so yeah i think i've got the songs pretty much covered for the rest of her life).
And then Farah twittered that she was looking for a song for Farell's slideshow, and i was about to email her this extensive playlist. but then i thought, i might as well just share it here for the rest of yous looking for a soundtrack for a project for their babies.
yeah, because if i try really hard, i can be nice.
hope this helps.
I hope you dance – LeAnne Womack
(actually, this is more to mommy from daddy song. i always imagined my husband dedicating this song to me (because i am so perasan) back when i thought i was carrying a boy)
You are the sunshine of my life – Stevie Wonder
(girl) Sweet Child Of Mine - GNR / Cheryl Crow
(girl) Isn’t she lovely – Stevie Wonder
(girl) My Girl - The Temptations
Mother’s Prayer : Celine Dion
If I could : Celine Dion
Angel – Celine Dion & R.Kelly
My Precious One – Celine Dion
(boy) Beautiful Boy : Celine Dion or John Lennon
The prayer : Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli or Josh Groban/Charlotte Church
Miracle – Celine Dion
A new day has come (slow version) – Celine Dion
(Celine Dion overload, i know. most of these songs are from her 'Miracle' album, the one with Anne Geddes works)
With arms wide open – Creed
My wish – Rascall Flatts
Dream a little dream – Michael Buble (zooey deschanel's version's nice too)
(girl) Angel – Jack Johnson (my fave!)
Have I told you lately that I love you – Rod Steward
Crazy little thing call love – Michael Buble / Queen
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World : Israel Iz Kamakamiwo'ole
Wind beneath my wings –Bette Midler (the Celine Dion version's nice too)
(girl) In my daughter's eyes - Martina McBride
Here comes the sun – Beatles (also covered by Coldplay, Bon Jovi and Nina Simone and few others)
(girl) Daughters – John Mayer
True Colours – Eva Cassidy
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
If I didn’t have you – Amanda Marshall
Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne (love his voice! his cover or Gnarls Barkley's Crazy is to die for. unrelated i know, but try looking for it and you'll thank me for it)
Hold you in my arms - Ray LaMontagne
Baby mine – Alison Krauss
The Greatest Discovery - Elton John
I could not ask for more - Edwin McCain (original) / Sara Evans (cover)
(girl) Lady - Lenny Kravitz
You'll be in my heart - Phil Collins
Baby, baby - Amy Grant
The rainbow connection - Jason Mraz (because any playlist of mine is incomplete without a Jason Mraz)
Hero - Mariah Carey
This Kind of Love - Sister Hazel
Glory of Love - Peter Cetera (original) / North (cover)
I will remember you - Sarah Mclachlan
From this moment on - Shania Twain
So in love - KD Lang
As i lay me down - Sophie B Hawkins
Calling All Angels - Lenny Kravitz
A moment like this - Kelly Clarkson
Feels like home - Chantal Kreviazuk (also nice as a wedding montage theme song)
Safe and Sound - Matthew West
Yellow - Coldplay (i especially love the parts that say "Look at the stars, look how they shine for you" and "For you, i bleed myself dry". the cover by Petra Haden & Bill Frisell is nice too)
Love you more - Alexi Murdoch (the whole lagu has only like, 4 lines?)
Pocket full of sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
Find your wings - Mark Harris
(girl) Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman
The First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
Someday - Britney Spears (yeah, i've put in a lot of celine, so might as well throw in a britney. i'm eclectic like that)
Before you - Chantal Kreviazuk
Angel of Mine - Eternal or Monica
(girl) Crazy Love - Brian McKnight
(boy) Where is my boy - Coldplay
Sleep don't weep - Damien Rice (i sing/hum this song sometimes as a lullaby for Arwen. a beautiful song) (sorry can't find a better sample)
You picked me - A Fine Frenzy
Morning lullabies - Ingrid Michaelson (beautiful song, especially with babies who're co-sleeping with you in your bed)
1000 things - Jason Mraz (the line that says 'well i've seen a thousand things in one place, but i've stopped my counting when i saw your face' was exactly how i felt when i first saw baby)
Beautiful - Portishead
Rain - Priscilla Ahn
(girl) Paper doll - Rachel Yamagata
You'll be safe here - Rivermaya
Halo - Beyonce
(girl) I'm a believer - smash mouth / the sippy cup / the monkees
Pure Imagination (original by Willie Wonka) - maroon 5 (love this version) / jolie holland (from the compilation album For the Kids. also nice, very Fiest-like)
As small as me - Rosie Thomas (from the compilation album For the Kids)
I'm Different - Butterfly Boucher (from the compilation album For the Kids)
Bright Eyes - Remy Zero (from the compilation album For the Kids)
Your song - Ewan Mcgreggor (from the Moulin Rouge sountrack)
Teardrop - Massive Attack (original. so haunting) / Jose Gonzalez (cover. very nice)
ok. that's all i have for now. I'll add more here when i can find some more songs.
And then Farah twittered that she was looking for a song for Farell's slideshow, and i was about to email her this extensive playlist. but then i thought, i might as well just share it here for the rest of yous looking for a soundtrack for a project for their babies.
yeah, because if i try really hard, i can be nice.
hope this helps.
I hope you dance – LeAnne Womack
(from the first moment i heard this song years ago, i always wanted to dedicate it to my child. so that's why i have this first on my this playlist)
(boy) The day you gave me a son - Babyface(actually, this is more to mommy from daddy song. i always imagined my husband dedicating this song to me (because i am so perasan) back when i thought i was carrying a boy)
You are the sunshine of my life – Stevie Wonder
(girl) Sweet Child Of Mine - GNR / Cheryl Crow
(girl) Isn’t she lovely – Stevie Wonder
(girl) My Girl - The Temptations
Mother’s Prayer : Celine Dion
If I could : Celine Dion
Angel – Celine Dion & R.Kelly
My Precious One – Celine Dion
(boy) Beautiful Boy : Celine Dion or John Lennon
The prayer : Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli or Josh Groban/Charlotte Church
Miracle – Celine Dion
A new day has come (slow version) – Celine Dion
(Celine Dion overload, i know. most of these songs are from her 'Miracle' album, the one with Anne Geddes works)
With arms wide open – Creed
My wish – Rascall Flatts
Dream a little dream – Michael Buble (zooey deschanel's version's nice too)
(girl) Angel – Jack Johnson (my fave!)
Have I told you lately that I love you – Rod Steward
Crazy little thing call love – Michael Buble / Queen
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World : Israel Iz Kamakamiwo'ole
Wind beneath my wings –Bette Midler (the Celine Dion version's nice too)
(girl) In my daughter's eyes - Martina McBride
Here comes the sun – Beatles (also covered by Coldplay, Bon Jovi and Nina Simone and few others)
(girl) Daughters – John Mayer
True Colours – Eva Cassidy
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
If I didn’t have you – Amanda Marshall
Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne (love his voice! his cover or Gnarls Barkley's Crazy is to die for. unrelated i know, but try looking for it and you'll thank me for it)
Hold you in my arms - Ray LaMontagne
Baby mine – Alison Krauss
The Greatest Discovery - Elton John
I could not ask for more - Edwin McCain (original) / Sara Evans (cover)
(girl) Lady - Lenny Kravitz
You'll be in my heart - Phil Collins
Baby, baby - Amy Grant
The rainbow connection - Jason Mraz (because any playlist of mine is incomplete without a Jason Mraz)
Hero - Mariah Carey
This Kind of Love - Sister Hazel
Glory of Love - Peter Cetera (original) / North (cover)
I will remember you - Sarah Mclachlan
From this moment on - Shania Twain
So in love - KD Lang
As i lay me down - Sophie B Hawkins
Calling All Angels - Lenny Kravitz
A moment like this - Kelly Clarkson
Feels like home - Chantal Kreviazuk (also nice as a wedding montage theme song)
Safe and Sound - Matthew West
Yellow - Coldplay (i especially love the parts that say "Look at the stars, look how they shine for you" and "For you, i bleed myself dry". the cover by Petra Haden & Bill Frisell is nice too)
Love you more - Alexi Murdoch (the whole lagu has only like, 4 lines?)
Pocket full of sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
Find your wings - Mark Harris
(girl) Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman
The First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
Someday - Britney Spears (yeah, i've put in a lot of celine, so might as well throw in a britney. i'm eclectic like that)
Before you - Chantal Kreviazuk
Angel of Mine - Eternal or Monica
(girl) Crazy Love - Brian McKnight
(boy) Where is my boy - Coldplay
Sleep don't weep - Damien Rice (i sing/hum this song sometimes as a lullaby for Arwen. a beautiful song) (sorry can't find a better sample)
You picked me - A Fine Frenzy
Morning lullabies - Ingrid Michaelson (beautiful song, especially with babies who're co-sleeping with you in your bed)
1000 things - Jason Mraz (the line that says 'well i've seen a thousand things in one place, but i've stopped my counting when i saw your face' was exactly how i felt when i first saw baby)
Beautiful - Portishead
Rain - Priscilla Ahn
(girl) Paper doll - Rachel Yamagata
You'll be safe here - Rivermaya
Halo - Beyonce
(girl) I'm a believer - smash mouth / the sippy cup / the monkees
Pure Imagination (original by Willie Wonka) - maroon 5 (love this version) / jolie holland (from the compilation album For the Kids. also nice, very Fiest-like)
As small as me - Rosie Thomas (from the compilation album For the Kids)
I'm Different - Butterfly Boucher (from the compilation album For the Kids)
Bright Eyes - Remy Zero (from the compilation album For the Kids)
Your song - Ewan Mcgreggor (from the Moulin Rouge sountrack)
Teardrop - Massive Attack (original. so haunting) / Jose Gonzalez (cover. very nice)
ok. that's all i have for now. I'll add more here when i can find some more songs.
you know you're a mom when ...
you get to say funny things (that make sense to you and pretty much no one else) like:
"Aryanna, why are you sitting on my boobs?"
"Arwen, pakai diaper dulu. And then you can dance."
"Arwen, stop putting your finger in your mouth. It just came out of your nose."
"Didiboding-dibodiboding!"
"Meeshka Mooska Meeekeee Mouse!"
"Aryanna, why are you sitting on my boobs?"
"Arwen, pakai diaper dulu. And then you can dance."
"Arwen, stop putting your finger in your mouth. It just came out of your nose."
"Didiboding-dibodiboding!"
"Meeshka Mooska Meeekeee Mouse!"
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
wishlist roundup : it's that time of the year again
unlike previous year, i'm gonna start collecting my wishlist on a daily / weekly / whenever the heck i fancy basis. i hereby start whining my wants today.
i want one of these for arwen (and/or future baby)
i want one of these for arwen (and/or future baby)
milestone moment : having her own wishlist
a few days ago, a mothercare brochure came to the house, displaying some wonderful things for sale. arwen carried it around with her all the time, because she likes to look at photos of babies. but i realized that she wasn't really looking at the babies, but instead, going through a catalog of toys.
so i asked her, which one does she want among all of those toys, and she pointed at the play tea set. i thought it was just random, like when she points at food when she 'reads' menus at the restaurants. so after a while, i asked her again, and she still points at the play tea set. so i flip the brochure upside down, and asked her again. and then i asked her 10 more times. and asked my husband, mom and falie to ask her the same thing. we all got the same answer. she wants the play tea set. i can't believe that my daughter can already tell and be adamant about what she wants. at only 14 months, old she's already so grown up!
yesterday, i (with ayis, papa and falie) distinctly heard arwen said 'welcome' when i said 'thank you' to her for sharing the murukku she's been eating.
ok, maybe that one's just random.
so i asked her, which one does she want among all of those toys, and she pointed at the play tea set. i thought it was just random, like when she points at food when she 'reads' menus at the restaurants. so after a while, i asked her again, and she still points at the play tea set. so i flip the brochure upside down, and asked her again. and then i asked her 10 more times. and asked my husband, mom and falie to ask her the same thing. we all got the same answer. she wants the play tea set. i can't believe that my daughter can already tell and be adamant about what she wants. at only 14 months, old she's already so grown up!
yesterday, i (with ayis, papa and falie) distinctly heard arwen said 'welcome' when i said 'thank you' to her for sharing the murukku she's been eating.
ok, maybe that one's just random.
Friday, November 6, 2009
milestone moment : getting ready for potty?
i think perhaps arwen's ready to pee or poop in the jamban. lately, she's been signaling that she wants her diaper off by trying to pull it down herself and patting her, you know what. maybe she can already tell that she feels that she wants to pee. apparently according to our babysitter Su, arwen wants her diaper off and once it's off, Su will take her to the toilet and she'll continue peeing. she can actually control and hold her pee alrealy. good huh? but this new-found habit is slowly breaking our bank. we're changing fresh diapers everytime she pees. and we're using the expensive pull-up pants kind. tsk.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
milestone moment : knowing what is trash and throwing them in the bin
arwen already knows what trash cans are and whenever she sees one directly or in books, or a bag of garbage, she'll immediately recognize them and will pinch her nose to signify 'busuk'. (she also pinches her nose upon seeing dirty shoes).
this morning though, she did something that made me all gleaming with pride. she peeled off a gift card from one of my mom's birthday presents and played with it. and then i told her to put it back where she found it. so she did accordingly, trying to paste the card back onto the gift. but the adhesive had worn off so the thing kept dropping off no matter how many times she tried. i just sat back and observed, waiting and watching what she'll do next. perhaps out of frustration, or maybe she'd figured that the card is now useless, she crumpled it and walked towards the trash bin, opened the lid and threw it in.
i've never taught her how to do that. i mean, yeah there are open dustbins around the house and we have taught her to throw stuff into them, random stuff she picks from off the floor, but fact that she knows what to do when things no longer serve their purpose is amazing.
oh by the way, my joy these days is whenever i say 'hi, sayang' to her when she wakes up, she'll reply me with 'mama!' like as if she's really glad that i'm the first thing she sees when she opens her eyes. with her, love is redefined, everyday.
this morning though, she did something that made me all gleaming with pride. she peeled off a gift card from one of my mom's birthday presents and played with it. and then i told her to put it back where she found it. so she did accordingly, trying to paste the card back onto the gift. but the adhesive had worn off so the thing kept dropping off no matter how many times she tried. i just sat back and observed, waiting and watching what she'll do next. perhaps out of frustration, or maybe she'd figured that the card is now useless, she crumpled it and walked towards the trash bin, opened the lid and threw it in.
i've never taught her how to do that. i mean, yeah there are open dustbins around the house and we have taught her to throw stuff into them, random stuff she picks from off the floor, but fact that she knows what to do when things no longer serve their purpose is amazing.
oh by the way, my joy these days is whenever i say 'hi, sayang' to her when she wakes up, she'll reply me with 'mama!' like as if she's really glad that i'm the first thing she sees when she opens her eyes. with her, love is redefined, everyday.
Monday, November 2, 2009
this is it
so i had a date with the husband last night. with a couple of his cousins. we went and watched Michael Jackson's This Is It vidocumentary at KLCC and oh my god,it was so worth leaving my daughter crying at home.
all the near 2 hours of show, i was tapping my feet and bobbing my head and moving my shoulders listening to his songs and watching him (and the awesome dancers) danced. ayis' cousin Kak Ah was doing it too. it felt like we were watching a real concert. and i think we were the only ones doing that. seriously, it would've been one awesome concert if he hadn't passed on so soon.
the production, the musical direction, the choreographs - all had his own personal touch. he was hands-on from the very beginning, from selection of dancers to every single beat and light and move .. he knew what he wanted. he didn't even look sick - physically nor mentally. even when he said he's 'conserving his voice', he was totally powerful and inspiring.
watching This Is It made me realize that his death was a terrible loss. i'm not a huge fan of his but i can recognize and appreciate artistry. and even if i'm not totally a hardcore fan, i do know some words to his song and some of his moves especially for Thriller. never mind all the debacle and circus acts he was in in recent years, he was a true artist.
i think astronomers should name a star after him. with that kind of irreplaceable talent, he's immortal.
all the near 2 hours of show, i was tapping my feet and bobbing my head and moving my shoulders listening to his songs and watching him (and the awesome dancers) danced. ayis' cousin Kak Ah was doing it too. it felt like we were watching a real concert. and i think we were the only ones doing that. seriously, it would've been one awesome concert if he hadn't passed on so soon.
the production, the musical direction, the choreographs - all had his own personal touch. he was hands-on from the very beginning, from selection of dancers to every single beat and light and move .. he knew what he wanted. he didn't even look sick - physically nor mentally. even when he said he's 'conserving his voice', he was totally powerful and inspiring.
watching This Is It made me realize that his death was a terrible loss. i'm not a huge fan of his but i can recognize and appreciate artistry. and even if i'm not totally a hardcore fan, i do know some words to his song and some of his moves especially for Thriller. never mind all the debacle and circus acts he was in in recent years, he was a true artist.
i think astronomers should name a star after him. with that kind of irreplaceable talent, he's immortal.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
monthly letter : month fourteen
Dear Arwen,
you are growing up so fast it's scaring the shit out of me. please slow down. a bit. you're now even taller than most kids your age. you're almost as tall as your 2 year old cousin, abang irfan. despite that, you're not talking yet, but you sure know how to order people around and tell people that you want or do not want stuff. like the other morning, oma was trying to dress you up after shower and you cried because you didn't want to wear what oma picked earlier.
same thing with food. when you don't want it, you don't want it. there's no ifs ands or buts about it. i think the picky eating habit? you got that from me. i'm happy though, because you can eat most adult food now. easier for me when we go out. i only have to order stuff that you can and hopefully will eat and we'll share that portion together. good for my diet too, in fact. but even so, thinking about what to feed you boggles our minds everyday. and you're growing both your bottom molars now, maybe it's due to all that eating adult food. it's like you're getting ready to chew on a t-bone steak already. so, to this date, you have almost 10 teeth. 10 more to go. yay!
you LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! to run. it's impossible to put you in the stroller, car seat or the shopping cart now because you prefer to be free and roam about, testing your limits with this new-found mobility. i get motion sickness from all your moving around, especially when i'm in the backseat with you when we travel. we even bought you a leash (yes, like a dog) but even that's impossible because you tend to get all tangled up in the harness from all that robustness. you like to do this little jog (more like a jig, really) on one spot and anticipate someone to come chasing after you. and when someone wants to play with you, you'll dash like there's no speed limit.
you love dancing too. you especially love to dance to this one particular song, single ladies by beyonce. it'd be a classic by the time you read this. oh my god, whenever we break into singing the intro of the song, you immediately recognize it and will start to move. you'll watch the video clip attentively and silently learn the moves. i still can't get a proper video of you doing that because you? you, my dear vain daughter, whenever you see anybody hold the camera, recorder or phone, you get all 'oh heyy!'.
the other day, oma told me that you went up on a platform/stage at the hypermarket and you danced. like, in public. you love the attention. maybe you'll grow up to be in the show business? i don't know. whatever you choose to be when you grow up, i'll support you no matter what. well, except if you choose to be unemployed and freeloading off of us - that, i'll be sure to kick your ass and get you a job if i have so send out your resumes myself. (oma did the same thing for me, by the way)
it's really wonderful watching you grow, little girl. every day you amaze us with your little antics. sometimes clever, sometimes silly, sometimes naughty, sometimes tugging every heartstrings there is around you. this month, amongst many other new developments, you've learned to hug. you'd come over and give hugs whenever we ask you for it. you'll hang on to our necks real tight, resting your little chin on the nook of our shoulders and sometimes, you'd also softly pat our backs. it's by far one of the sweetest things ever getting those from you.
you're really smart and silly at the same time. watching you is no different than watching a few movies in fast forward. one minute you show us that you're a born genius, making animal sounds - translating what you heard on the tv, or thinking of many more ways to try to pry me off the bed (yesterday morning, after smacking my face, peeling my eyelids, sitting with your poop-filled diaper butt near my nose, biting my fingers, probing your finger into my mouth and nose, pulling my hair no longer work, you've resulted to pulling me by my pajamas to get me to get up), using my ipod as your personal mobile phone and actually talking to it like you've seen it done many times, dancing to just about any song, putting things over your head and so many other things, you'd turn around and do silly things that make us laugh like hyenas. like for example, you have go hide beside a chair, sofa or bed and squat to poop.
you are very tenacious, or adamant, or in less positive word, stubborn. you know what you want and when you want and how you want and you want them now. it's tiring, and challenging, but i try not to follow your whims. you have to learn the art of give and take and that not everything and everyone in the world revolves around you.
but sometimes, i can't help it, you have this smile that melts even the hardest of hearts. i scolded you once because you refused to take me seriously, and when you saw it in my eyes that i meant business, you flashed the cheekiest smile at me and immediately i gave in. the only person who can be firm with you and mean it, is your dad. it's really ironic, because when we were dating a long time ago, we talked about you. and daddy mentioned that he thinks he'll be the good cop when it comes to disciplining our kids. turns out, it's the opposite. funny how the world works.
i think this month, you had one of the biggest dramas in your life yet. you were attacked by some random monster child while we were hanging around the shopping complex. she came over and bit you on your cheek. you were in so much pain, you cried and i also cried because i felt so helpless and hopeless and i felt your pain too. i'm really sorry that you had to go through such trauma so early on in your life. there are a lot of bullies out there sayang, just giving you a head's up. in every stage of your life, you'll come across pathetic people whose only idea of happiness and satisfaction is to see others go through pain and a whole lot of shit. people will try to pull you down when you're up and will hold you back when you're down. hopefully, we are strong enough people who can set a positive example for you, to show you how to stand up and stand strong. but judging by the way you pushed yourself out of me when you came into this world, i'm not worried about you, baby girl.
nope, not at all.
love,
mama.
you are growing up so fast it's scaring the shit out of me. please slow down. a bit. you're now even taller than most kids your age. you're almost as tall as your 2 year old cousin, abang irfan. despite that, you're not talking yet, but you sure know how to order people around and tell people that you want or do not want stuff. like the other morning, oma was trying to dress you up after shower and you cried because you didn't want to wear what oma picked earlier.
same thing with food. when you don't want it, you don't want it. there's no ifs ands or buts about it. i think the picky eating habit? you got that from me. i'm happy though, because you can eat most adult food now. easier for me when we go out. i only have to order stuff that you can and hopefully will eat and we'll share that portion together. good for my diet too, in fact. but even so, thinking about what to feed you boggles our minds everyday. and you're growing both your bottom molars now, maybe it's due to all that eating adult food. it's like you're getting ready to chew on a t-bone steak already. so, to this date, you have almost 10 teeth. 10 more to go. yay!
you LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! to run. it's impossible to put you in the stroller, car seat or the shopping cart now because you prefer to be free and roam about, testing your limits with this new-found mobility. i get motion sickness from all your moving around, especially when i'm in the backseat with you when we travel. we even bought you a leash (yes, like a dog) but even that's impossible because you tend to get all tangled up in the harness from all that robustness. you like to do this little jog (more like a jig, really) on one spot and anticipate someone to come chasing after you. and when someone wants to play with you, you'll dash like there's no speed limit.
you love dancing too. you especially love to dance to this one particular song, single ladies by beyonce. it'd be a classic by the time you read this. oh my god, whenever we break into singing the intro of the song, you immediately recognize it and will start to move. you'll watch the video clip attentively and silently learn the moves. i still can't get a proper video of you doing that because you? you, my dear vain daughter, whenever you see anybody hold the camera, recorder or phone, you get all 'oh heyy!'.
the other day, oma told me that you went up on a platform/stage at the hypermarket and you danced. like, in public. you love the attention. maybe you'll grow up to be in the show business? i don't know. whatever you choose to be when you grow up, i'll support you no matter what. well, except if you choose to be unemployed and freeloading off of us - that, i'll be sure to kick your ass and get you a job if i have so send out your resumes myself. (oma did the same thing for me, by the way)
it's really wonderful watching you grow, little girl. every day you amaze us with your little antics. sometimes clever, sometimes silly, sometimes naughty, sometimes tugging every heartstrings there is around you. this month, amongst many other new developments, you've learned to hug. you'd come over and give hugs whenever we ask you for it. you'll hang on to our necks real tight, resting your little chin on the nook of our shoulders and sometimes, you'd also softly pat our backs. it's by far one of the sweetest things ever getting those from you.
you're really smart and silly at the same time. watching you is no different than watching a few movies in fast forward. one minute you show us that you're a born genius, making animal sounds - translating what you heard on the tv, or thinking of many more ways to try to pry me off the bed (yesterday morning, after smacking my face, peeling my eyelids, sitting with your poop-filled diaper butt near my nose, biting my fingers, probing your finger into my mouth and nose, pulling my hair no longer work, you've resulted to pulling me by my pajamas to get me to get up), using my ipod as your personal mobile phone and actually talking to it like you've seen it done many times, dancing to just about any song, putting things over your head and so many other things, you'd turn around and do silly things that make us laugh like hyenas. like for example, you have go hide beside a chair, sofa or bed and squat to poop.
you are very tenacious, or adamant, or in less positive word, stubborn. you know what you want and when you want and how you want and you want them now. it's tiring, and challenging, but i try not to follow your whims. you have to learn the art of give and take and that not everything and everyone in the world revolves around you.
but sometimes, i can't help it, you have this smile that melts even the hardest of hearts. i scolded you once because you refused to take me seriously, and when you saw it in my eyes that i meant business, you flashed the cheekiest smile at me and immediately i gave in. the only person who can be firm with you and mean it, is your dad. it's really ironic, because when we were dating a long time ago, we talked about you. and daddy mentioned that he thinks he'll be the good cop when it comes to disciplining our kids. turns out, it's the opposite. funny how the world works.
i think this month, you had one of the biggest dramas in your life yet. you were attacked by some random monster child while we were hanging around the shopping complex. she came over and bit you on your cheek. you were in so much pain, you cried and i also cried because i felt so helpless and hopeless and i felt your pain too. i'm really sorry that you had to go through such trauma so early on in your life. there are a lot of bullies out there sayang, just giving you a head's up. in every stage of your life, you'll come across pathetic people whose only idea of happiness and satisfaction is to see others go through pain and a whole lot of shit. people will try to pull you down when you're up and will hold you back when you're down. hopefully, we are strong enough people who can set a positive example for you, to show you how to stand up and stand strong. but judging by the way you pushed yourself out of me when you came into this world, i'm not worried about you, baby girl.
nope, not at all.
love,
mama.
Monday, October 26, 2009
milestone moment : she likes her meds
not exactly a milestone moment. i just realized that i havent posted this arwen fact yet. it's one of the things that i love most about arwen. i just have to write this, you know, in case i forget to tell her about it later in life. or might never get to.
i always hear (and see) how parents have to manhandle their kids to make them take their meds. i am fortunate that arwen's willing take hers. she's not scared to see the syringes with multicoloured liquids, she doesnt run or shake her head away when i say the word 'ubat', unlike other kids. she parts her lips willingly and swallow the terrible tasting concoctions, only occasionally making faces.
i hope this lasts coz i would hate to chase around the house after her armed with a syringe in my hand, dripping thick bittersweet things all over the floor.
i always hear (and see) how parents have to manhandle their kids to make them take their meds. i am fortunate that arwen's willing take hers. she's not scared to see the syringes with multicoloured liquids, she doesnt run or shake her head away when i say the word 'ubat', unlike other kids. she parts her lips willingly and swallow the terrible tasting concoctions, only occasionally making faces.
i hope this lasts coz i would hate to chase around the house after her armed with a syringe in my hand, dripping thick bittersweet things all over the floor.
earworm : thinking of you
i'm not really a fan of Katy Perry. she's cool, funny and kinda looks like zooey deschanel and all, but i'm not a fan. until i heard this song and earwormed myself with it since last week. (sidenote : it sounds a bit avril-ish, but i dont think i'd like this song as much if avril had sung it) :
