"I saw the Sign"

There is no better way than to spend the holidays relaxing and spending your family time on a beach or on a trip to your most dream about destination, isn't it?

But I have the best way.

Less spending $$$ and more quality time with the children. Afterall, school holidays are about them.
What am I saying?!
EVERYDAY is about them.

So what is the best way, you say?

Disclaimer: This entry is purely blogged for the sanity of a mom who has not had a single me time since the holidays started. Any living thing or incidents mentioned in this entry is purely coincidental. The purpose of this entry is also  to suck ALL of the negativity and disappointment that we can't travel this holidays for the many things to pay for this month. While many families are at beautiful places out of the country, I still have to keep a smile for the very hardworking husband who is the sole breadwinner and pretend that we're ok with no vacation for more than a year. Sesungguhnya Syurga ditapak kaki suami kan? ;p

So, since it's the holidays, it's also the time when kids are more relaxed and are willing to participate in whatever activities you suggest and easy for us, parents, to follow up on them.

I am making it a point to get the kids to:

1. Help set the table for every meal.
    The eldest, Marsya, turned 6 recently and going on to Primary 1 in 2012. What better time to train her to
    be independent right? Since the eldest enjoys doing it, Ryan and Eli were curious and started helping out
    too. Keisya, often takes out ALL the bowls and sets them on the floor. Credits for trying hard and thank
    God for the reliable helper, Desi. :)
    Classic case of 'Monkey See, Monkey Do'. ;p

2. Help clean the table after every meal.
    They're more interested in doing this and very often bring in the dishes even when some of us are still
    eating. And with mouths full, sometimes, some of us will scream, "Eh!! I still want the chicken laa!!!"
    This one, I say, classic case of 'Never check blindspot'.
   
3. Make their own bed. (Sometimes make mine. Heheh)
    Still a feat actually. But thank goodness they're more automatic the past few days.
    And I sometimes forget to remind them to. Heh. My bad.  *********REMINDER***********
    But they make mine only when they have spent time playing 'nap' on my bed for a full hour but none of
    them actually takes a real nap. It happened today too. (dunno what sign to show. a senget smile and
    shakes head.)
    Classic case of 'Don't Play Play but play'.

4. Throw/put away toys they don't often play with.
    This has got to be the most difficult.
    EVERY toy seems to be useful.
    EVERY broken toy seems to still
    be 'playable'.
    And EVERY *toot* toy seems to be their favourite. And then there'll be cries and wails
    and 'batu ronsen'.
 
    "NO! That's my favourite toy!"
    "Mummy! She bluff! She never play with that doll one! She always play with the bogel doll!!"
   
     "No!! I still play with that!"
     "But it's broken!"
     "Yar, don't play with the legs lah. I play fight-fight with the hands only."
   
     Classic case of 'Karanguni'.
 
5. Take turns to be 'supervisor' everytime there's cleaning up to be done. 
    Every child loves being a leader.  Sense of pride overwhelms them when they're made 'supervisor of
    the day'.
    "Mummy, just now right, Kakak never cebok properly."
    "Huh?! How do you know?"
     "Because I never hear the water."
     Kakak interrupted- "I close the door what! How can you hear?! Mummy, I cebok already! Really!!
     Ryan yang always tak cebok!"
    "I gooooottt."
     "NO! He cebok like this only. (makes action of spraying water on imaginary penis)."
     "Kakak! You saw?!"
     "Yar. Because he never close the door."
     "Oh hor!!!!!! Kakak see me kencing!! Ayo!!"

     And...... you can guess who ended up crying la ah.
     Classic case of 'The Pot calling The Kettle Black' and 'Shoot in front but kena backside'.
  

6. Write menu for the day.
     Kids will write what they would like to eat for the day and I will try my best to cook it on the same day.
     Still on-going and I would say, this is the highest achieved so far.
     Phew. Even the youngest two are enjoying their doodling and imaginary food. :)
     But no, I still have not accede to their request of McDonalds and Maggi Mee almost every day! 0_0
     Classic case of 'Test water onlyyyy'.

      :p :p :p

With all of that, I hope, the next two weeks before the new school term begins, the kids have learnt basic
household duties. This is also an effort taken so that, if Desi decides not to continue next December, I will not have to pull my hair so much. Or worse, cry everytime a child wakes up from her/his nap.Yes, it happens. If you have never felt that way then you're not normal. :p

Ok, serious time.

Earlier, I was actually feeling terrible that I'm not able to provide luxuries for my kids. Not even a short plane ride. I have to think of more important matters and their school fees for next year. I do cry at times, which I think is normal because I am a normal mom. As much as I am thankful for having a roof over our head, enough food on the table, laughter in the house, occasional shopping and trips to restaurants, I do still wish money would fall from the sky so that I can lavish my children with all they want.

And I'm thankful I chanced upon this quote earlier today, which inspired me to blog after so long.

"A child, like your stomach, doesn't need all you can afford to give it."~ Frank A. Clark

With all praises to God, Allah SWT, thank you for that sign.

Thank you for bringing them to me.
:)

Classic case of 'I saw the sign'. Ace of Base? Hehehe.

Cry

Have you ever felt that you have done everything you could to make everyone happy but when you go to sleep at night,you feel like crying?

It's obvious that I have.

I cry for many reasons.

1. Tired. Too tired to even think that I am and so,the tears would
flow and I would fall asleep. I would wake feeling so much better though. 'Hibernate',I would say.

2. Hurt. Well,almost all the time,we cry because we are hurt. No matter how deeply hurt we are,crying seems to be the best way to 'help' ourselves. And no doubt,I am only human so I do get hurt sometimes. And although I might have been hurt way earlier in the day, crying it to sleep sort of helps me 'delete' and 'refresh'.

3. Anxious,worry,fear.
These three always come together. Whatever problems I might be facing,I can only think straight and get a deep realisation about it before I
go to sleep at night. Being too occupied in the day keeps me frm getting paranoid in the day,which is good too,so at least I'm more rational when dealing with the kids. And so,I would cry when these problems hit me hard,exactly when I have decided to 'shut down'. Must be the 'anti-virus' doing it's work.

4. Sad but happy. Happy but sad.
Don't understand? Try having kids and you will understand what I mean. Most nights when I can't sleep,I would look through my videos and photos in my phone. Looking at the four angels of my life make me wanna 'print screen' everything about them. From the first child's birth to the last child's latest development. I
would be smiling but my heart is actually tearing into pieces. My precious four are growing way too fast,I am sad but happy. :')

And that is the reason why I'm crying right now.














~sueetchic~

Exclusive breastfeeding during Ramadhan

Hi all,I would like to share my experience of breastfeeding Keisya last Ramadhan to all breastfeeding mommas out there.

Keisya was less than two months old last Ramadhan and her feeding was still every 2-3h. As I was breastfeeding exclusively,I took note of a few points I did while fasting (the whole month) to ensure that my milk supply did not drop. Alhamdulillah ,it didn't. ;)) And Alhamdulillah too,I did not miss a single day last Ramadhan. :D

I started taking Fenugreek (in capsule form-bought at GNC) after I had my half a bowl of rice for my pre dawn meal. Water was essential. I drank abt 250ml before I retired for the night and at least another 500ml during Sahur.

On days when I felt less hydrated,I would put a cold towel on my head. And the first thing I had for buka (break fast) was at least 2 dates and a cup of water or milk. (Usually the latter)

(I was never a fan of dates. Never liked dates. Mom and Hubby were surprised I took dates that Ramadhan. Well,I
was surprised too! I had read somewhere that consuming dates help to retain ur water in your body longer and the natural sugar in it gives one lots of energy. Pardon me if it's a wrong info but that's what I read and there really was no harm trying to me. ;p)

Sometimes I would still have rice for buka but on days when I wasn't, I made sure I drank a not so sweet Milo with at least 2 slices of bread before I went to bed.

There was one day when I only had bread and Milo for my pre dawn meal. Upon the third feeding that day,which was only around noon, I was already lethargic. I had to sleep off the lethargy,had a cold shower after that and prayed to last till buka. Alhamdulillah,I did. It was a miracle but I did. Keisya was still well fed and I was still alive. Hehe

So there,no one said a fully breastfeeding mommy can't fast. As long as it doesn't endanger u,u can do the obligatory fast. Insyaallah. He wills us to feed our baby with our own milk,He will will it for us to have the strength and energy to get through the day.

Ramadhan Mubarak everyone. ;))



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A lot like love

A very sounding (pun intended) reward for going through difficult times and Gestational Diabetes.







A healthy baby,Keisya Batrisyia arrived on 18 June 2010 weighing 3.57kg.

And life has never been the same eversince.
Breastfed her till eleven months (my target was 6 mths! :D),had her first tooth at 8mths (the earliest compared to her siblings) and truly the baby at home.

She has brought so much love,she is a lot like love herself.





























For all that had happened, I am now more thankful,understood clearly and certainly,happy that you have entered our lives. You were the perfect gift for my 30th b'day last year. And for many years to come insyaallah,you and I are gonna share lots more happy memories.

You are my love,baby. A whole new meaning to love.

Happy 1st Birthday,my little princess!! You are my everything!!!
Mmmmmmmmuahhh!!!!

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Sometimes the reasons come later

In September 2009,I was on a low protein diet,started exercising four times a week and was on Yasmin.

Barely a month later,I found out I was already 10 weeks pregnant with Keisya.

Overjoyed was not how I felt. And now I regret that. After having three kids,to have another one so soon really didn't leave me much to be excited and really happy. I have to admit,I was sad,stressed,disappointed and angry at myself,my body.

What could have gone wrong? I had taken all the necessary precautions for family planning. Why was I then,pregnant again,so soon?! I uttered Alhamdulillah so many times but I still couldn't understand. Why?

At that time,everything seemed to go wrong. The helper decided to quit and because of that I had to stop some tutoring jobs which resulted in less income for the family. It was hard. Add morning sickness,clingy Marsya and very active Ryan,it was really hard. We were without a helper for more than a mth and I had to handle all of that on my own while Bobo was at work. Thank goodness Elisya was a no fuss baby.

So again,I wondered,why? Why now,again???

Until Bobo,the man with very few words, spoke,one day.
It was right after Subuh prayers. He hugged me tight and he said he had made doas for baby and I. For himself too. He is prepared to take on the responsibility and challenges and he prayed that my heart would open for the baby,soon. "Sometimes,the reasons come later in life. Just think how much more laughter we'll get in the house. U'll love the baby like how u love Marsya,Ryan and Elisya."

I will?
Will I?

My heart sank la. :(

What Bobo had said only meant that I was not taking care of myself and the baby well. How could I be so selfish?! I had to remind myself constantly to enjoy the pregnancy. And truth be told,I only did when I felt the first kick.

Since then,I uttered Alhamdulillah with my whole heart. I truly thank Him. Truly grateful.

By December 2009,I was still pregnant with my fourth. Not ecstatic about it but I was humbled by the fact that He wanted to give me another chance to carry life.





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My kids are the best...

Messmakers!
That's what they are.
They know mummy allows mess (although I cringe at it all the time!) because that's how a child learns the most effectively.







Oh well,guess I have to suck it up. (Breathe in deeeeeeeeply)

Marsya and Ryan haven't been to school this week and what other way to keep their boredom (and kill my guilt :p) away!

As I'm typing this, Elisya has joined in the activity and Keisya is taking her nap, they're still painting. (Not the walls I hope!)








Marsya painted a big butterfly.
Elisya asked to draw a flower for her to paint and Ryan asked for an aeroplane and a flower. 0_o








He then asked for a BIG flower with a butterfly and a bee!







In case you didn't know,Ryan is our only boy. He is in K1 and he likes flowers and plays with balls,toy cars,figurines and errrrmmm...his sisters' dolls.

Should I be worried?

Anyway,please remind me to buy those poster colours in tubes.
Because...



Uhuh...the poster colours that we have been using will not be what they are anymore.

Oh well,before my maid faints and my dad starts screaming,I better stop more mess.

(Breathes in deeeeeply.)
*chants:patiencepatiencepatience....

Goodbyes are never easy......

"Death may indeed be final but the love we share while living is eternal."~ Don Williams,Jr

It has been 12 days since he is gone.

My only paternal Uncle. A man of character, of an independence we ought to model and definitely the only man I know who can joke about losing his two legs.

Uncle Achet is Abah's only brother. Now, he has joined to be with the rest of his seven siblings who had died in either Nenek's womb or did not survive long after birth.

My family has a strong history of diabetes. Nenek has it. Abah has it. His two sisters have it and Arwah Uncle Achet had it. In fact, Uncle Achet had lost both of his legs due to diabetes, one in 2003 and the other in 2010.

But even with both legs amputated, Uncle still lived like normal. He would get on his own-made motochair (a wheelchair with motor! Equipped with radio and license plate!) and rode his way to 888, his favourite hangout. He would set up his own Karaoke and entertained himself. If it had not been for no lift landing to my place, I'm sure Uncle would have come over many, many times. :'(

His laughter was contagious and his jokes would make one fall off the chair easily. That's my Uncle. :) We love our family gatherings because Uncle would be the one to start sharing oh so many stories and 'action'-ed his way about with his motorchair and his daily 'walkabouts'. :)




Nenek's 77th birthday last year. Arwah Uncle with the rest of his siblings and in-laws.


When his own body finally succumbed to diabetes on 14 April 2011 and I was there to witness it, I couldn't help feeling regretful for not holding a family gathering earlier. But I was glad I was there. I saw his strong will to fight his own body. I saw the immense love he has towards Nenek, Aunty Habsah (his wife), his daughters Shida and Nora,his grandchildren and of course his siblings, Abah, Mama (my aunty) and Aunty Jas eventhough the only way he could respond to us was by holding our hands tight and patting us with his left hand.

It was my first time witnessing death.

And it was the death of a loved one.

We love you Uncle. We miss you Uncle. Our family gatherings will never be the same again. There will be tears but we will keep smiling, keep laughing and keep living. Exactly the way you taught us to. The way you showed us to.

Al-Fateha to Haji Abdul Rashid Bin Haji Mohamed Isa.

May Allah love his soul than all of our love for him combined. Amin.  

Elisya's 2nd

It was a last minute decision and something simple with the family.

The angel who was born 4.09kg on 30 March 2009 has turned two. Smarter, prettier and chubbier ;p,now at two years old, Elisya has always been the one everyone loves.

I pray she will be in the prayers of many to continue being a fuss-free child, independent and everyone's pride of joy, especially to Bobo and I. :) Insyaallah,Amin.

Marsya....Marsya...

I shook my head so many times,not knowing what to say or how else to react.

Marsya,my 5 year old, who will be in P1 next year,has just started reaading on her own. Her deep interest in writing and drawing has been the greatest push for her to learn how to read. (Apart from the drilling,threats,nags and Tarzan screams from you know who la ah....)

Bobo and I are very proud of our firstborn. A very determined girl who will only accept something that is logical (to her!)

Anyway,this morning,Bobo and I were dumbfounded. I quickly snapped a pic of it and when Marsya found out she blushed and made me promise not to tweet or put it on Facebook for others to see.

Well baby,you forgot mummy blogs about you and your siblings is it? Nyehehehehe.... :p

Tell me,how should I react? Let me repeat again that she is ONLY 5 years 3 mths old. Not even 6. Not even halfway to 6.

*shakes my head* ( Eh,suddenly thought of WasNotWas Shake Your Head. Hee!)

Ok peeps,get ready to shake your head and together say....






Marsya....Marsya......




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Why I often smile to myself #1

Yesterday, while driving to the hospital to visit nenek. Marsya sat in the front passenger seat.

Marsya: Mummy, my friend, she wears PE attire with tudung. (Rolling her eyes) Obit kan?!

Mummy: (Shocked to hear it but not surprised that Marsya said it.) And you called her obit for?!

Marsya: Ya lah, PE attire kan t-shirt je. Short sleeved. Then she wear tudung. So Kakak said "Awak obit lah."

Mummy: NO! You cannot be too honest like that! What if she feels hurt?

Marsya: No lah. Dia yang hurt kakak. She beat me after that.

Mummy: Did you cry?

Marsya: No. I laughed.

Mummy: Please do not call others obit anymore ok?

Marsya: Then you call me obit, can?
   
Mummy: (Pretended not to hear because really, my dear daughter can be real obit at times. Sigh...)

Marsya: And then right. (OMG my daughter is only 5 leh. NOT 15!!)

Mummy: Ahuh. (Step interested)

Marsya: She wear her tudung then the tali is here (pointing to the top of her head). So painful what!

Mummy: Maybe it's not painful to her?

Marsya: Oh. But so obit.

Mummy: (Oh God. Please keep me sane. This is ONLY the beginning.)

0_____o

Before there were four Part 1

When it was just me, Marsya and Ryan, we would have our morning shower together.
While I make my Milo and breakfast, they woud have their milk and biscuits.
We would then cuddle up on the cosy sofa, turn on Playhouse Disney and sing to our favourite tunes.
Life after I resigned and cared for the two kids on my own was more than I could ever ask for. I love every minute spent with them.

Going to Toa Payoh central with them was a breeze. I could even travel on the MRT from Toa Payoh to Tampines (where mom and dad used to stay) with them alone. There were many times I would drive to the other end of the island with them too. I was NEVER scared or apprehensive about going out with my 3 and 2 year olds alone.

Then we had a helper. I had a tough time adjusting. Being pregnant with Elisya, my hormones did their part in giving me sick notions. I had no choice but to allow the helper to take over some of my duties including showering the kids. Initially I cried. I know that physical touch is important and it enhances the bond you have with your children. But after a few incidents of falling in the toilet, Bobo told me to stop showering them. Big belly and clumsy me do not make a good pair.

With a helper around, I focused whatever energy I had on Marsya and Ryan. I felt relieved because in fact, I had more time with them. Snuggling before naps, lunch together without having to care about the dirty dishes, played Play-Doh with them and not worry about the mess too, baked cupcakes with them and even brought them to the playground while the helper cleans up the mess in the house and the list goes on.

I miss Marsya and Ryan as babies and tots.

They are more independent now that they are in K1 and K2 respectively. They have their own perspectives and are never afraid of saying how they feel. I should be thankful.


Enjoy these pics while I go cry my eyes out...





To be continued.....