Just a thought......

As I'm writing these down, I am completely restless..It's 4 a.m and I am wide awake with a stuffy nose. The sleeping was uncomfortable, I'm breathing thru my mouth and the room is a bit stuffy with only the table fan doing his job providing a windy atmosphere which is not as good as the function of air conditioner. We unpurposely decrease our electricity bills since I had been attacked by a flu.

Hubby just went to sleep. Oh yes he had been surfing since last night while put Ava to sleep and I was struggling to juggle with the flu and tiredness.When I awake on 3 a.m, he was still in front of the pc doing his little research about Latin and Chinese languages. Yes you heard me right, he is now try to challenge himself to study the Latin language by himself. Ava's lullaby song is now in Latin ( For starting, it's the Ave Maria Song ) and usually she will be drifting to sleep while he's humming. But I guess she only preferred hubby to hum for her because whenever I start to hum my improper Latin sing a song  she would looked at me with the "are you trying to get me to sleep or trying to make me even restless" look. So I just went back to the basic lullabies.."Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Itsy Bitsy Spider". Continue the story about hubby learns Latin, he's excitedly told me that he had found a good website to learn. Like how he described it,

"The website is like a huge Latin literature university!",

I responded with a big yawn, ( I was still halfway awake..)

"Whenever you found a website it's surely going to be a bit bored just to look on it ",

Hubby was taken aback with my answer.

"I just thought I want to share...no more shopping online for you!!"

Then I responded with a big grin,

"Oh Wow!!! How nice!!I am excited too!", then both of us laughed.

Sometimes, we tend to get a bit crazy to to each other.

So, here I am, clueless about almost everything. Try not to make any higher expectation about anything which I will be going thru today. Try to abandon those unwanted feelings which kept on lurking inside of me.

Last but not least, I will be trying to be a better person in every day and as the next day to come. And to dear hubby, no worries, I am as excited as you are to learn Latin because it's easier to pronounce the words compare to Mandarin. ( I gave up learning Chinese after attended two classes.) But how I still wish I would be able  to speak and learn Mandarin someday ..."Someday ( it's Somewhere) over the rainbow....."(Tuning in a pro opera persona).

The Sun Screen Song

It is sounds like a commencement speech, set to music.  The song is from the column that appeared in the Chicago Tribune on June 1, 1997 entitled "ADVICE, LIKE YOUTH, PROBABLY JUST WASTED ON THE YOUNG" by staff writer Mary Schmich. 

I personally think that this song really related with my everyday life in many ways..

 

Everybody's Free To Wear ( Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be

it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by

scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable

than my own meandering

experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not

understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.

But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and

recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before

you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you

imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as

effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing

bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that

never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm

on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with

people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes

you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with

yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you

succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your

life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they

wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year

olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe

you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky

chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t

congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your

choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,

use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people

think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever

own..

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for

good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the

people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you

should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and

lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you

knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live

in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will

philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize

that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were

noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,

maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one

might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will

look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who

supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of

fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the

ugly parts and recycling it for more than

it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

10 Things I Want To Do On Christmas!!!

What do you want to do on Christmas? I have the same question repeated over me every time Christmas was around.
Last time, when  I was still a teenager, there were few things must have and to do list when Christmas was coming. One of the top list was, groomed yourself to the top!! During those time, I must have a complete X'Mas suit for the day itself, from the tip of my head to the bottom of my toes. New hair accessories, new dresses ( or a blouse matching with new jeans or new skirts ) and new shoes.( boots, sandals, heels..you name it. ) everything must be new.
There was a time I wore a pretty dress(which I thought it was an incredible outfit last time ) attending one of the Christmas Mass at the church which now come to my realization.... it's so out of fashion and a very out of place outfit for a mass!!

This time around, I couldn't care less if I only be wearing a simple top and jeans because my top priority now are my husband and Ava.
 Among my concerns for this time of celebration are :
"What to wear / carry Ava during the mass? Am I going to carry her with the scc, mei tai or the pouch.
Which cloth diaper is the prettiest to wear Ava in it.
Do I need to put her on a dress or just a shirt with matching pattern or solid color cloth diaper..hehehe
Make sure hubby comb his hair.
Make sure hubby don't wear his shabby t'shirt.
Make sure hubby not mistakenly wear his short pant instead of long pant or jeans."

So, my 10 things that I want to do other than decorating my baby for X'mas are :

1.  Read all personal reading of Christmas passages. ( The Nativity Story, it's a complete Christmas story on
     the page 126 )
2. Pray the Rosary of Joy.
3. Sing the Christmas carol.
4. Go for the conffesion.
5. Eat roasted chicken!! ( For special X'mas Dinner )
6. Decorate a X'mas tree.
7. Sending X'mas Greeting via Facebook, email and sms..
8. A donation towards the needy.
9. Share the happiness upon others.
10.Last but not least....wearing my Mei Tai. ( Which is not confirm yet since it has not been delivered).

                                            

I wish everyone a world of peace during this festive season and always & may all the blessing shine upon you.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!!

10 Years Younger!!!!!!!!

I found this article ( Dr.Mercola ) very very interesting especially for us women who always try to do whatever effort in making our face and figure frozen in time. Click this link for more info,

How To Wipe Ten Years Off  Your Face - as Easy as 1,2,3

The Past To The Present...

The mistakes from the past are interesting enough for us to carry. Keep on regretting and blaming to ourselves doesn't make us better. But only to the degree that they help us explain the present and preserve the future. Straining toward what is ahead and keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize!

My Own Sleepywrap!!!!

 

Very excited when the Sleepwrap arrived yesterday..

 

Tying the wrap may take some practice over the first couple of days, but I manage to do it right on the 5th trial.

 

No pressure points on hips and thighs even for mom! Good back support.

Ava and I love our new Sleepywrap!!!!

Honesty and here comes the bad judgement...

Honesty become to go wary...nobody believe in telling the truth anymore (especially when it is a bad one)..they just loved on what they wanted to hear, they just love and pretend everything is so perfect even it is not, and it became much worst by time. They just scared on facing the truth and deal with it....

Hello Again....E-Shopping....

I am writeless...it seem my brain has been blocked ..I've lot's to share but don't know how to begin with.

Let see, this whole week I was busy doing some research about baby wearing and browsing online stores whichever got a " year end discount  sales " for cloth diapers.

For babywearing, I found two which really caught my eyes..

If you read my recent post about Mei Tai , I was really looking forward to buy those carrier  but the e-store which provide those products is closed until 15th December.
Then during this week,  after a few emails I sent to the owner of the Snuggbaby asking a lot of query, I finally manage to place an order early from the resume date. I believe she took pity on my desperation and in the spirit of Christmas giving! Thanks Liz.

The second one is called The Sleepywrap , I found the link among one of many from the Snuggbaby website, Ezmama Shoppe. After I read reviews and testimonials about the sleepywrap , I felt 100percent convince to give it a try and grab one from Ezmama  store.  And I taught it's a reasonable price plus  hubby had been  curious about how to use it for quite sometimes.

Then I manage to get one last piece of Freshbot flowery printed cloth diaper from Ezmotherhood which got discount. It's a Malaysian made cloth diaper and I taught why not to give it a try since the printed was so lovely and according to one cousin in law, the product is nearly as good as the one from US brand have.

So to conclude my post, this week I was e-window shopping  like crazy for Christmas and when you found something which closed to your heart..it feel so good....... It's like an energy booster!

Just another ordinary day....

Yesterday was just like any other day. Hubby went to work, me with Ava in the house, doing laundry and house chores and trying to be supermom. I am kidding! It will be a crazy life if I want to be one of the supermom,I cannot make everything perfect!
Back to my story, yesterday was a bit struggle because I felt extra tired and lacked of sleep. And the tiredness lead to impatient, angry, snappy and resentful. Ava from the starting of the day was a bit crancky, maybe because of the effect from the last injection making her felt restless and some mood swing ( luckily no fever. ) so she needed me more than usual. She doesn't want to be alone most of the time which usually she would be playing on her own. Put her in the sarong she would wailed asking to be putting off from it. She's wailing whenever mommy was out of sight and cried for no reason. I was very exhausted and trying to control my nerve, I would reached and embraced her even I was desperately need to take the time off for myself even only a minute! Deep reflection is a luxury when time is short and baby are calling.
Hubby came from work, he took turn to take care our little baby and me fetched the laundry and dried them up.  At last by 1.30 pm Ava fell asleep for almost one in a half hours and instead taking a nap, I went to internet surf. Biggest mistake! I should take my nap because after that I became even resentful. Ava woke up wanting to have more attention. With my head desperately need a back up I took my pouch, took Ava in it and walked to the outside of the house. Outside the surrounding was very calming. The wind blows softly and the birds were chirping, that was my back up mode, I need some fresh air. When I looked around all the plants and flowers, I noticed some of the tree had grown taller and some of them has turned to yellows and while others had fallen, leaving the branches bare. Meanwhile my little one seemed very quiet looking and observing around her surrounding. She quietly watched me took the dry laundry, water the plants and feeding Bumble. I was very relieved I could overcome my emotion and made Ava comfortable at last.
Even with all of this and more upcoming challenging which I need to face up front each day, especially in overcoming my emotion, I'd never felt happier and more filled with love than I'd ever thought possible.

Today : Very excited, trying to reach her cloth diaper

 

Al....most th..ere..

 

                                  Instead try to grab her cds, she played with mummy's littlepod pouch.

On second thought...I decided not to give Ava solids for the time being...

After reading these articles, I decided to postponed on Ava's solid just for another month..( this is just my personal opinion, I'm sure every mother have a different instinct which suit  their own babies need, therefore they would decide differently.)

http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/breast/exas3.htm

http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/breast/newmancompress.htm

http://www.earthyfamily.com/A-babyFoods.htm

Solid at 5 months??? I'm not ready....

This last few days, Ava didn't have a good night sleep and so am I. She would be wide awake at 2 a.m till 3 a.m and slept for almost one hour then wake up again on 4 a.m. I knew this because every time she wake up, I'd checked on the clock. At first I thought it's only because we just moved our mattress on the floor and dismantled  the bed. ( Ava has started moving actively (she's co-sleeping with us )and we don't want to take a risk on her falling down from the bed ). Since back from the Hospital she has been sleeping in the middle (between mommy and daddy) but now we are putting her on the left side of the mattress which is set against the bedroom wall. So in the order of arrangement Ava on the left against the bedroom wall, mommy in the middle and daddy on the far right next to the door.

We thought she didn't manage to sleep well due to the changes in position and elevation (She is so used to see daddy next to her every night).
Yesterday we went to the clinic to give Ava her third injection and during our discussion with the doctor, I mentioned to him about Ava's difficulty in sleeping. So doctor asked us,
"Is she often salivating?"
"Is she reaching for her toe and possible sucking her toe?'
"Is she curious whenever you eat in front of her?"
"Does she has the the urge to grab things?"
"Does she already rolling and crawl?"
All our answered of the questioned above is "Yes, yes, yes,yes and yes."
The doctor said,
"Looking at her readiness, it would be a good indication to start Ava on solid already.."
I was shocked!! 'Solid?? Whattt? No??'
Then another question,
"Does she falls asleep after feeding during night time?"
I answered,
"Not anymore,"
To conclude in a decisive way he leave us with a punchy pitch "Oh ya, did I mention that her weight is almost  stagnant from last month? Her weight is 6.6kg."

According to the Doctor, my milk had been fully optimized, she has already double her weight from birth and she need solid to make her more full and more sleepy.
I am actually not really keen on starting  solid for Ava at 5 months. My earliest plan is to give her fully on breastfeed up till her 6 month old and the worst thing is I 'm not ready to  start the weaning process for her yet, but she's grown up so fast.
After this journey, I don't know why this feeling exist in me, she's ready but I m just not yet ready to let her eat other than from me. I guess this is the first of many first which I need to get ready for . (E.g : 1st time running around the house, first potty, 1st time going to the nursery, first time going to school etc.)
Since last night we have been discussing what kind of food to start with for Ava. A lot of things to consider, Nutritions, Hygine, Safety (from chocking, heat, allergy), Menu; easiness to prepare, how and when to introduce what food and Eating manners.


Today, hubby and I will be doing some shopping for her eating utensils and  food. I can't believe Ava will be eating solid already ( though I'm still not sure about this but we'll be doing the shopping anyway)..
As heavy as my feeling for her to eat solid...I will march on in this journey...

Yours truly,
Chef Mom

Four Legged

Ava now is learning to crawl using her two arms and two legs..still under training...

 

 

 

 

 Mummy, I'm tired exercising...gimme some milk!!

 

Me and my new teether...pretty and yummy....

If You Happen to Pass By At My Blog..

Feel free to give yourself some time on reading these wise words,

I asked God,

"How do I get the best out life?"

God said,

"Face your past without regrets.

Handle your present with confidence,

and prepare for the future without fear!"

"Look Back and Thank God.

Look Forward and Trust God.

Look Around and Serve God.

Look Within and Find God! "

Without God, our week is weak :

Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday,Thirtsday, Fightday, Shatterday, 
Sinday.

So, allow Him to be with you everyday!

Life is short, so forgive quickly.

Love truly.

Laugh uncontrollably.

Never regret anything that makes you happy!

Happy Birthday To My Dear Hubby, Florencius Bryan Julius Jipiu!!!

"The most successful parents are those who have the skill to get behind the eyes of the child, seeing what she sees, thinking what she thinks, feeling what she feels."

    And you have the utmost ability in what Ava's need which sometimes I didn't noticed.

You are the best!

May God Always Bless You and Our Family..

I love you!!!!!

p/s : To Angel, does the pic looks familiar to you? hehehe..I really love this pic!Thanks to you!

Snugg Mei Tai V2..Lovely!

Five of my short listed items. I have been thinking of this for the last two weeks and still cannot make up my mind which pattern is suit for me the most! It's like wearing a pretty blouse but with the baby in it!

Body Panel Pattern : Crepe Floral

 

 Body Panel Pattern : Beatrice Bloom

 

 Body Panel Pattern : Flower Shower

 

 Body Panel Pattern : Heart

 

Body panel pattern : Merry Heart

I also have been thinking to request a customize Snugg Diaper Tote since it made of nearly 100 percent cotton..

The best thing about Mei Tai ( Asian inspired baby carrier ) , it can be reversable ! So hubby and I got chance to choose our own pattern of the body panel. You can check Mei Tai at http://snuggbaby.com.

These are my Christmas wish-list for this year. A beautifully customize Mei Tai V2 carrier and a Diaper Tote to match!! Hopefully I'll be wearing Ava with these beauty during the night of Christmas Eve..:)...

Laundry, laundry, laundry......(sigh)

Just came back from KK on Monday afternoon and looked what we had brought along with us..tons of laundry to be wash and tons of laundry to be dry up. At the same time,its raining cats and dogs, so not in the right timing... All this pictures below taken a few hours after we reached home.

Hanging the clothes inside the house..

Laundry in the basket ready to be dry up..

 

As you can see, Ava's cot has turned into a clean laundry pick up since she didn't like to be put inside..lalala..

 

Another baby laundry in the pail waiting their turn to be put in the washing machine..not to mention there were another me and Flo laundry in another basket.

The smell of damp clothes in the house makes me suffocating..so we transferred all the damp laundry in the guest room and switch on the conditioner through the whole day!!!

Eyes on them.....

Venue : St. Simon, Likas, Kota Kinabalu.

Date : 28th November 2009.

Before the wedding reception at Promenade Hotel, we went to witness Chua and Vivian Holy Matrimony at St.Simon church. I loved every moment of the wedding ceremony..It reminds me on my wedding day one year back. Listening to Vivian and Chua declaring their vows to each other and hearing the priest pronouncing them husband and wife, remind me of my wedding vows, there's a reason why married people need to go to witness Holy Matrimony once in awhile (and not skip to wedding dinner)  because it's just a good reminder of what we ourselves have committed.

                                                                                     A nervous laugh from the groom..

 

Looking at her bride walking down the aisle.

 

Vivian accompanied by her parent. ( Both still look young.)

Vivian looked like a fairy tale princess in those beautiful gown. The big skirt and long train immediately transformed her looks to dreamy and romantic. The gown really accentuated her figure. And the groom,two words, dashing and elegant!

 

Entrusting their daughter to her husband to be.

 

She is exciting yet can see her a bit nerve-wrecking and she's instantly calmed after saying the wedding vows and nothing has felt that right.

 

Saying the " I do "

 

Sempat lagi pose!!

 

Just married!! Pic taken with Father Cosmas.

 

Father Cosmas : "Psst Chua..do take care of Vivian just like Joseph took care of Maria "..hahaha, ada-ada jak saya.

 

The bride and groom happy and relieved  faces..

 

Family from the groom side..

 

Family from the bride side

 

Wonder what they were up to!

 

This picture taken before we were reprimanded by the priest to behave,

"He said church is not balai raya"..

"Point taken.."

Once again, big congratulations to both of you..

                                                  Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. Gen 9 : 1