Somewhere over the rainbow…

Cameron Highlands

We went to Cameron Highlands on Wednesday, during the road from Simpang Pulai. It’s our first trip using that road, and I think it’s not as winding as the old road, and the scenery is better too. At least I’m not half drunk when we reached Brinchang.

It’s Justin’s first trip and he’s quite excited. Well, he’s always excited going kai-kai, even if he doesn’t know where we’re going.

We booked an apartment at Arabella and it’s a nice 3 bedrooms apartment. It’s well furnished and the landlord prepared lots of extra mattresses, comforter, blankets, and pillows. It’s really convenient for those who go with children, so we don’t have to bring extra blankets and pillows for the kids. We didn’t have all these extras when we stayed at Equatorial last time.

Here’s a pic taken outside the apartment.

We went to Boh Tea Plantation after that. But I was freaked out with the winding and narrow road. When we’re driving in, hubby almost bumped into a car coming from the opposite way at a sharp corner. Despite hubby’s honing at that corner to “inform” anyone that we’re turning at the corner, the stupid car just turned very fast and almost hit us. Hubby avoided it and our car moved left downhill, not falling off though, but it’s enough to scare me off. So, I decided not to go in further, maybe I’m just being too coward and careful.

We went back to the apartment to wait for BIL and SILs who’re in another car. A weird thing happened. Before living the apartment, I pulled out the comforter in the bedroom before putting Justin down on the bed. But when we’re back, the bed was really tidy, and Justin’s bolster was on the floor. OK, I was not feeling good about it and asked hubby did he make the bed. He didn’t, and he also didn’t feel like talking more. We just “forget” about it, and we know that the keys were with us, it’s impossible for BIL and SILs to get into the apartment. The landlord already went outstation, who can be there? Creepy huh?

Went for steamboat for dinner. I have to admit that bringing 5 kids to steamboat is not a good idea after all. They hardly enjoyed to meal, and would rather ran around or played with Justin. We adults were “swallowing” the food as fast as possible so we can cabut fast and didn’t kacau the other diners.

Another weird thing happened in our room. This time, one of the cupboard drawers was opened. Ok, I was getting very scare. But the other 2 rooms already fully occupied, so hubby and I stopped thinking / talking about this. I was praying that we’d spend a night “undisturbed”, and hubby told me just “treat” it was the kids who open the drawer. But hey, they hardly came in the room leh…

We didn’t sleep well, Justin was crying a few time over nothing. I told myself he’s just feeling hot. At least we didn’t see or hear anything the whole night! Thank god.

The next morning, we went to the playground at the aparment. The kids were having a good time there.

For breakfast, we went to Restoran 14. The roti canai was good, but too bad they’ve sold out their nasi lemak. I was eager to have some spicy food.

Then, we went to Cactus Valley. There’re lots of pretty flowers and cactus there. We bought 2 mosquito plants, which claimed can chase away mosquitoes, and a rose plant for my mum. The kids were tired, but they’re trying their best to have a good time.

We went to The Tcafe for lunch. They served really nice scones and pies. I love it!

After that, Justin was extremely drowsy and grumpty. It’s time to make a move and returned to Ipoh. Despite the weird incidents, this trip was great.

Merry Christmas!!!

It’s Christmas today, Merry Christmas everyone!

Hubby was very good, he didn’t play golf even if the weather is sunny. We went to DR park with all the kids, and spent the morning at the playground.

Here is Justin playing with the slide. He is still not good at balancing himself, so I dare not let go of him yet.

Then, we played with the see-saw. He doesn’t like it, maybe it’s only bouncing up and down. He likes the swing, even if we only push a bit. He’s grabbing the holder really hard, and dare not let go. Too bad, this picture of badly taken, and I don’t have photoshop to edit it.

BTW, it’s Justin first encounter with a real grasshopper, and he likes touching it!

After 11am, Justin was very drowsy and grumpty. Hubby and I decided to go back early so that he can get some nap. The rest of the kids went to Gunung Lang for a boat ride. Next time, I’ll bring Justin there.

Holding Bottle

Finally, Justin’s willing to hold his own bottle when taking milk. He only holds it for a short while, then pulls out and wants me to carry and nurse him while his holding his bolster.

I think his Avent bottle is not suitable for him to hold. It’s too rounded and heavy. I’m still considering if I should change the bottle as Justin’s really particular about rubber teats. I’ve tried a few teats and even if it’s from Avent, he only likes the variable flow ones.

My concern is if I change the bottle which may require a different teat design, Justin may reject bottle again. He can’t be breastfed directly already, so bottle is his only milk source. Unless he’s ready to use cup, but taking 6oz of milk with cup can be too hard for him.

Better stick to the same bottle first…Even if it’s harder to grab on.

Kiddos Gathering

Well, it’s not exactly a real gathering, but kiddos reunion. Hubby’s brother from Singapore came back for 2 weeks and brought along their 4 and 3 years old boys. Now, there are 5 kids in the house. You can imagine how messy, noisy, and of coz how much fun my house can be now.

Justin was very excited and willing to join the group, but he’s also been left out. He can’t join them to play puzzle, colouring, water play, etc, and the big koh koh and cheh cheh don’t want him to kacau also. Don’t worry boy, another one more year you can join them, ok? Sometimes, they’ll come and play with him, and like feeding him the most. But I have to make sure that they’re not feeding him choking stuffs.

The best thing is Xin Yi and Wei Wei who are TV addicted watch less TV. This SIL of mine doesn’t let her kids watch TV, and she has planned out the whole day programs to occupy the kids. Of coz, she brought lots of toys and stickers to “bribe” the kids lah, if not how can be so “guai”?

Happy Birthday Justin

It’s Justin’s 1st birthday today. He’s really eager to eat the cake and before we blew the candle, he already had his fingers on the cake!
Happy Birthday, my boy!

Torn between Being Godmom and Mom

I’m Wei Wei’s godmother, and I really adore him since he’s a baby. He’s very prone to accidents since young, like falling off the high chair, broke his nose, had a deep cut on his forehead, and the most serious one is having a femur fracture. Most of these accidents happenned with adults around to supervise him, but he’s really fast and tends to get hurt in a blink of eye.

My mom said it’s the parents’ fault as they are really “pan sim”, can just let him act freely so that he won’t throw tantrums. My mom has always heard about his “tales”, but never seen one until she’s here with me for a week. We went out for dinner and while the whole family is busy eating, he and his sister were running around the table and refused to sit down. His mom doesn’t really care if they would like to eat a proper meal outside, normally they’ll have only fries, and after a few bites, they’re as free as birds.

So my mom was very annoyed because there’re a few times when the waitresses had to avoid dropping the tray on Wei Wei. She didn’t say anything that night, but was wondering why his parents could still have their meals unaffected. Then, when my dad brought Justin out for a walk when we’d almost done, Wei Wei just rushed out of the restaurant to the road. Luckily the gentleman sitting outside grabbed his arm and he was not hit by cars. The funniest thing is the parents were sitting there and watched. Gosh, my mom was really mad that time, and she couldn’t stop complaining about Wei Wei and his parents.

Things like this happen most of the time, and I’m rather “numb” to it. I used to raise my opinions, but they’re still the same. I can’t see kids doing dangerous act, and that’s why my MIL asked hubby and I to be Wei Wei’s godparents, so there’re another mom and dad to dicipline him.

Now that I have Justin, I admit that I spent less time with Wei Wei and he’s on full day at the nursery. I only see him in the evening and at night. Since both parents are working, they tends to fulfill his demands whenever possible. I would say he’s rather spoilt. Whenever he does something wrong, he’ll just say sorry and get away with it.

The day before, he accidentally kicked my MIL’s eye when she’s trying to undress him for his bath. He’s jumping up and down as he’s really excited about playing with water. MIL scolded him, but he just said sorry and that’s it, continued playing in the bathroom. I was so mad and lectured him about how badly my MIL’s eye can be. I even reminded him that once he misplaced his toy and my MIL tripped over it and broke her wrist. I wanted to let him know that certain actions may endanger other people. I hope he can understand as he’s about to be 4 years old.

Yesterday, he ran towards the door and accidentally kicked Justin who’s sitting on the floor. He kicked on Justin’s right cheek and luckily my maid managed to hold his head before he’s hitting on the floor. Again, he just said sorry and smiled like nothing happenned. Justin was crying like hell and probably from the kick, he vomitted his dinner. I was worried about concussion, but after 24 hours monitoring, I think Justin is doing fine.

Had tried to talk to him again. I’m wondering if he’s still too young to understand about consequences. Of coz, I can just complain to his parents but I know they’ll either just scold him or do nothing about it.

I know hubby will scold him when he’s back, but I think scolding is rather useless. I’m rather lost about my role as a godmom, I don’t think I can do anything to dicipline him.

Sleeping Thru The Night

Finally, Justin sleeps through the night for a few days already. He’ll sleep at about 9.30pm, and wake up 6.30am in the morning. Even if he doesn’t wake up for feedings at night anymore, but he’ll still be tossing around, making noises and cries sometimes.

I’m still not used to him sleeping through, and will get up at the usual time when he needs his feed. It’s funny, now that I can sleep more, my biological clock is not working, and still wakes up at night.

Comparing to the first few months when he’s nursing every 2 hours day and night, and was on reverse nursing for a while, I feel so lucky that he has finally been able to sleep through when he’s about 1 year old. Hubby is even happier, he can snore like a pig until the sun comes out now.

Brother’s Wedding

Went back to Penang for a few days for my brother’s wedding. Chinese wedding can really be tiring, not only to the bride and groom, but both families as well.

My parents were very kan-cheong, and when over to my brother’s place early on Saturday afternoon. There was a buffet dinner on the night before the wedding, and since we don’t have to prepare the food and settings, there shouldn’t be much to do. But my SIL’s grandfather had stroke twice in that week, and her mother has to take care of her father, so the atmosphere at home is rather sad. We just went there to comfort them, but not helping much.

Justin was not feeling as ease at jiu-jiu’s place. He didn’t want to leave my side, so I just have to carry him around. The main problem is we had to stay there until quite late and he’s even more difficult when he’s sleepy. Luckily, he managed to take a short nap when hubby’s craddling him. At least I could steal a short while talking to some friends and relatives.

The next day, we had to be there early. My dad and mom had to ascort my brother out of the house to pick up his bride. I was told not to hide in the room until the bride came in as pregnant woman cannot “chong” with the couples of a wedding ceremony. So boring staying in the room waiting….

Finally, I could come out of the closet and see the lovely bride. Every bride is beautiful on the wedding day, right? But she’s rather emotional since she’s very worried about her grandfather’s condition. However, she managed to hold back her tears and didn’t spoil her make-up. I know it must be really hard for her that day. Everyone’s praying that her grandfather who’s in ICU will recover, and nothing bad will happen that day.

After a simple tea ceremony, we left to the hotel for a quick freshing up. Justin took a long nap there, he’s totally exhausted. Then, we rushed back to Shangri-la where the wedding reception would be held at 5pm as there’s still another tea ceremony to go.

Dinner started late, at about 8pm. Why Chinese dinner can’t start on time? Until now also I don’t understand. People still prefer to come late. I was busy with Justin, and didn’t remember to catch any photos. Sigh, what a waste. The ballroom looked very lovely.

The food is ok, I think. I didn’t take much. But the shows from Fun Factory Penang was great and entertaining. The “ah gua” MC was very good at grabbing the guests’ attention from the food with “her” ham sap jokes. She’s really funny.

Dinner ended at about 11pm. Justin’s slept half-way thru the dinner, and woke up when we’re leaving. To me, he’s behaving very well last night. What a good boy!

Self-Feeding

Justin’s been playful during meal time, and he refuses to be fed sometimes. I have no choice but to let him feed himself and clean up the mess later.

Here are some of the pictures I took days ago when he’s taking jackfruit.

Justin’s line….

1. First, hand and eye coordination. It’s not easy to me, you know!!!

2. Pick up the fruit. Oops, I almost dropped it.

3. My best part: Put it in my month. Mmmm, yummy!

4. Ah yo, so many to go. Mommy, can feed me or not?

Ok lah, boy. Mommy will feed you….

Justin Dislikes His Paed?

Justin’s been coughing since Saturday, but not serious until yesterday. I have no choice but to bring him to see his paed as he’s having running nose too, and hasn’t been sleeping well.

He was doing well at the reception and was playing with the rocking horse. When he’s called to be in the room, he’s ok and was observing the paed. Then, he burst into tears before the paed could even check on him. It has been a struggle bringing him to see doctor since he recognised people. It has been 3 months since his last visit, but he still remember the paed. Sigh, I was a bit embarrassed when the paed said Justin doesn’t like him.

Luckily it’s only some viral infection, and no big deal. Hopefully he can recover fast as this weekend is my brother’s wedding, and we’ll be rather busy. Just hope Justin can be well so he won’t be “lau kai” seeing so many relatives and friends. And of coz, it’s gonna be his birthday next week, and I really hope he can be well.

Come to think of it, I always feel fortunate when Justin falling sick because most of the time when I bring him to see his paed, I’ll babies with more serious condition. Yesterday I saw a baby girl who’s about Justin’s age came for heart scanning and was admitted immediately. I’m not sure what’s her condition, but from her granny’s conversation over the phone asking her daughter to fly back to Ipoh as fast as possible, I think it must be something bad. This baby girl has also been transferred from Penang and was asked to refer to Justin’s paed who specialized in children cardiology.

Looking at my Justin with nose secretion running and coughing, but still has appetite to eat and drink and play when he’s alert, I feel so fortunate.