violated

i read in today's borneo post (11.2.2009) of a break in by 3 men who forced their way through the back door of the family's house. one of the family's children, a 12 year old was held at knife point so that one of them hudlums could forced his parents out of the main bedroom.. luckily no one was hurt and the 3 men ran away when the father managed to scare them away (the news also stated that the father was well prepared cause there was another incident around that housing area earlier on ...)

last thursday (29.1.2009) around 2-3am my parent in law's place was broken into... Erwin, Emir and I were staying at my parent in law's house while we're still cleaning our house which was flooded on the 11.1.2009 and 12.1.2009... we were all shaken and angry but alhamdulillah no one was hurt and mere things which can be replaced are lost...

Erwin woke up around 2am-ish and was looking for his handphone (One Nokia N82 and One Nokia 1200) and wallet which unfortunately were placed on top of a rack which is next to the door) and he thought that he may have left it downstairs.. he noticed that the room to our door was left ajar but thought nothing of it until he found his mother's handbag with all the things inside thrown about...

So Erwin went upstairs and woke me up and asked whether I saw any of his things and I thought of the same thing that he might have left it downstairs (with him being a creature of habit) and when I saw that my handbag was still on the floor and that I can still see my wallet inside.. which means logically if things were stolen of course my things would have been taken too.. so I took my phone and called his no... it rang but then no one picked up and it sounded like the handphone was inside a bag/someone's pocket... i tried again by then of course both phones were already switched off...

Erwin woke his parents up and true enough the house was broken into and that the thief grabbed what he could and left.. in a way i was thankful that no one woke up during the ordeal cause things could have been different and turned ugly (this was true enough when my in law's neighbour found a knife behind their house and it was indeed my mother in law's knife. Masya Allah, he took that knife to protect himself/hurt us in the event any of us found him...I shudder to think of what could have happened...)

This is how we assumed the whole thing happened, he came through the back door, took my bro in law's camera (which was left on a table in the living room), went into my in law's room (they sleep with the light on) grabbed my mother in law's bag, went to our room (we sleep with the bed side lamp on - so the room was quite dimmed which explained why he didnt take my brown coloured handbag), scanned our room (I am so angered by this), saw and took Erwin's stuff which were just within reach and still he had time to go through my mother in law's bag downstairs (the nerve!!). He did not go into My bro in law's room cause the light was switched off and left..

Had any of us woken up during this time... i just dont know ... i just dont know...

And unfortunately both Erwin's younger brothers went out that night and so there only 2 cars left instead of the usual 4.. which means he must have been observing that house for quite some time and the fact that he just dumped Erwin's wallet and content (IC, Driving license, cards) (minus the RM700 which I just gave him that lunch time) at a road just behind my in law's house shows that he is familiar with the neighbourhood or could be even from the same neighbourhood... Thank goodness Erwin has made all the necessary payment(s) earlier that day...

I feel so violated that he was standing at our bedroom door scanning the room with me Erwin and Baby Emir sleeping soundly on our bed... I am so angered by this..

The lost things are lost but that's all they are... but alhamdulillah no harm came to us... Allah swt has His own reasons for whatever things and all the events in our lives and we are thankful that our lives were spared...

I do hope that no one would have to go through any of this unfortunate event... may the comfort and safety of our homes be just that.... comfortable and safe...

my hero/living in a huge bubble

*Note: see that cheeky face - he's up to something...

last night had the scare of my life... emir in his quest to practise his new found skill of standing on his own and "cruising" (walking while holding on to furniture/moving from furniture to furniture)... fell down last night.. which was normal ... resulting in him crying.. which was also normal... so i hugged him to soothe him until.. my youngest bro said "look! there's blood coming out of his mouth!" my first reaction was to immediately go to the normah's a&e!!!! my heart stood still! but thank goodness for chubbyhubby being calm and more rationale than mummy...

so we wiped off the blood of his mouth/lips... and tried to see where the blood was coming from...

it was coming from his upper gum... he must have bumped his upper gum with his two lower teeth when he fell down...

then i breastfeed him for awhile to see whether he can do so and to gauge whether his gum/mouth is giving him pain..

by then, there was no more blood...

he was happy drinking his milk (as if nothing happened)

my hero

almost gave mummy a heart attack

dont ever do that again

or you'll end up growing up being a boy living in a huge sterile bubble

oh ya another one

* Yeay mummy!! I support you mummy go mummy go mummy

oh ya another one... more new year resolution for me

to blog more often....

with wider varieties of topics...

can meh?!!

new year is coming

* note the frown lines - courtesy of mommy

year 2009 is just around the corner..

for me, every new year would be a new year to start afresh or atleast try to start afresh... and this time around instead of waiting for 1.1.2009 to come, ive decided to start earlier in my attempt to fulfill all my new year resolutions/or resolutions carried from previous years...

every morning, i'll try to the best of my ability to wake up early and perform my subuh prayer (while in the hope that my little boy Emir will not wake up while Im praying)...

every morning too, i do wish i could squeeze in atleast 15-30 minutes of exercise or atleast stretching (that's a good way to start a regime which ive abandoned since I gave birth last feb, 09)... since Emir came into my life, my life has been revolving around him.. poor chubbyhubby... im so grateful that he is so understanding and such a wonderful daddy...

that too is my new year and life's resolution, to be a better wife to my chubbyhubby....

ok so far ive got three (3) resolutions:

1. to wake up early and perform my subuh prayer... insyallah, if emir doesnt wake up during that time, to read surah yassin... and aaaahhh... that would be such a wonderful way to start the day...

2. to atleast slot some exercise time before I go to work (I did try to achieve this during lunch time when i go back home, but time is too limited so that one goes down the drain and I did try to slot in time when i come back from work but that too doesnt work considering i've to prepare dinner / breastfeed Emir / perform my asar and maghrib prayers / take my bath... well, you get the picture)

3. be a better wife for chubbyhubby.... be more patient.... everything more lah :)

In view of item (2), bearing in mind im only in my early 30s... and i want to emotionally and physically feel that im at that age... so i need to be more active and focus more on achieving above said... just that ive to find the best way/time to do so... plus, in the event that chubbyhubby and i decide to/are prepared for another baby (insya allah).. then, i'd be in the top of my health for the new pregnancy... and have the energy to take care of emir at the same time!!! phieewww!!! and manage the household... double phieewww!!!

am i jumping the gun? i do have the tendency of thinking too far ahead... and highly likely have passed on the "frown lines" to Emir cause he seems to have those whenever he's in deep thoughts or staring at strangers...

planning is good but i think i'll try living my life by "not sweating too much on the small stuff" (got that one from oprah's book club)

in the mean time, i'll just start my new year resolutions with more smiles .....

a nice way to start the year eh...

The wonderful world of breastfeeding

After we found out that I was pregnant with Emir, there was no doubt that I would breastfeed Emir, but "reading" about it and actually "doing it" are two completely separate things.

Initially, I admit, it was very tiring at times especially during the first two (2) months when all I did was breastfeed and breastfeed Emir every 1 and 1 1/2 hour interval, not to mention the night feedings when I have yet to master breastfeeding Emir lying down.. where I would have to get up and sit (while doozing off) down in the middle of the night and feed Emir..

It was also very frustrating when Emir had jaundice for almost 1 month. The doctor was telling me to breastfeed Emir as much as possible as it would flush away all the jaundice yet it took so long for his jaundice to subside... I was having thoughts like "Am I feeding him enough?", "Should I consider formula already?", "Would I be a bad mummy if I don't breastfeed him?", "Would the guilt ever go away if I decide to give him formula milk instead?".... etc etc

I've friends who seemed to be effortlessly exclusively breastfeeding their babies for their first six months and they sure helped me out when there are times when I almost gave up... Friends like Dr Sy Hafizah and Zairin helped a lot by sharing with me their experiences... They gave me the boost that I needed and confidence to breastfeed... If they can do it, so can I right?

My chubbyhubby was also very supportive and I know I couldn't have done it without him.

Now, with practise, i can express breastmilk for Emir and leave some for him at the nursery atleast 1-2 bottles a day... and even leaving him 1 bottle a day is satisfying enough for me..

Emir is already 8m+ now and I am still breastfeeding yeay!! I do hope I can breastfeed him until he is 1yr old and Insya Allah, to the best of my ability, I will try to breastfeed Emir until he is 2yrs old according to Sunnah.

The wonderful world of breastfeeding is that it can be done anywhere at any time, without having to bring along bottles, formula, hot water, checking for the right water temperature.. as and when he needs to be fed.. plus it is indeed economical also... and that I hope that Emir will benefit from the wondrous and almost magical (as it changes according to baby's needs at his every stage of development) breastmilk.

Especially with the melamine scare in China, I am even more thankful that I breastfeed Emir. There are times when I am unable to breastfeed him or express milk for him, Emir is still flexible enough to drink formula milk (Anmum) but I do hope that I can breastfeed him more than his consumption of formula milk.

For mummies out there, there may be time when you would feel tired or discouraged, but as my friend, Dr Hafizah said it is a very satisfying and rewarding experience... and I totally agree!!

Nonetheless, so far, even if the government advocates breastfeeding, (and even on tins of formula milk states that "Susu ibu adalah makanan terbaik untuk baby" - You tell me: how can I not feel guilty had I decided to not breastfeed and simply give up during the early stages of Emir's life"), there are very few places which actually provides a breastfeeding place/room for mummies... even at government clinics, there was none to be seen. Normah Medical Specialist Centre provides breastfeeding room which is like such a blessing for breastfeeding mummies like me... Same goes for Parkson Grand at the Spring. I found one more at Poppies, The Spring.

Probably government should create by-laws advocating that all buildings should have a breastfeeding room and that the room should always be in a clean/sterile environment for both mummy and baby.

In the mean time, do pray that I can breastfeed Emir until he is 2yrs of age and for all mummies out there who are able to/choose to/still breastfeeding.... chayo! chayo! You have my support wuhuuu!!!

Mini holiday w chubbyhubby and baby

We decided to check in at Hilton on Sunday the 25/10/2008. Just the three (3) of us on our first mini holiday together.. It was just as how we would’ve wanted it. Just some relaxing time and lazing around doin nothing and just spending time with each other.

Emir had so much fun for his first time in the bath tub

(Note: * In the event that chubbyhubby and I finally get enough financing/courage to commit to buying house of our own, we would like to have a bath tub… solely for baby’s fun and pleasure).

I know Emir had so much fun cause basically he was attended to hand and foot (bearing in mind mummy doesn’t have things/chores to attend to if we were at home)… I can sense that he was just relishing and basking in our relaxation and enjoyment. I mean look at that face!

This was just a trial mini holiday to see how it would turn and it turned out just great… now I’m so looking forward to holidays/vacations regardless of the scale… even a one (1) night stay and yummy yummy breakfast buffet is enough for the three us… we have very little need… just each other’s company ….

Next project would be to check in at Damai and let Emir have his first taste of the swimming pool!!!

shopping and money falling out of the sky

I’ve this “something” about shopping… I suck at it! (For myself I mean). I have no problem buying things for other people in fact am really quite good at it, I’d know exactly what the recipient would need and that I know I put some thoughts into it and I’d be happy with my buy and so would be the recipient (I hope I hope)…

But when it comes to buying things for my self, seriously I suck at it… Plus trying on tones of clothes that don’t fit and somehow or rather would have some flaws would somehow how deter me from doing shopping for myself that I end up recycling my clothes… for years end harhahar (So teruk.. I know!!!)

Except this past few months things have gotten really really bad… Please be advised that I still have my very couture (nicer way of putting it) T-shirt from way back 1997 (I think but highly likely to be correct) which I bought during Sheila Majid’s Ratu Tour concert… and I still wear it to sleep and around the house when I’m just lazing around the house.. it’s so comfy… what can I tell you..

And because of this rut, my husband and I (yes, the both of us) decided to do some shopping… to upgrade our wardrobe…. not an easy task I tell you… Oprah’s make over makes it look so easy... I do wish I had some professional help and endless budget for shopping… (especially the later!!)

When I take a look into my wardrobe… there are only a few that I luuurrve to wear (obviously for the comfort reason only…)

My Tweety bird t-shirt (bear in mind im already in my early 20s… eh.. 30s)
My Guess t-shirt
My Sheila Majid ratu tour t-shirt

Come to think of it, that’s it… wawawawa… if I haven’t washed them for the umpteenth time, I’d be wearing Erwin’s shirts wawawa… if I couldn’t find his shirts, I’ll be scouring my sister’s or my cousin’s t-shirt… I’m pathetic!!!

And all these are just clothes to wear for lazing around at home…

I’ve yet to mention about times where I’d be grumbling to Erwin that I don’t have anything to wear for outings and work even!!!

In fact, I’ve made resolutions to give away some of my non-ironed baju kurung …but then I couldn’t bring myself to cause they’re my back up work clothes in the event that I wake up late and haven’t ironed my work clothes the night before... which is every day… people people I need to get my life.. eh clothes in order!!!

Plus, the fact that I don’t have that much energy to shop (so not fit for my age aiyaaa)… makes it even a slower task... penat2 berenti makan hahaha so most of the time meant to do shopping has gone to filling up my tummy instead (and ever expanding waist line)… gotta lose some more weight (well, that’s a another whole lot of story)

Finding the right style and fashion that suit you is another, making sure what you buy (invest?) will last you a life time (well, you know what I mean…) is another…

There are clothes/shirts that can still fit me but they are no longer suitable for me… I’m now a mummy, a working woman… the least I could do is buy better suited clothes for my age… (Note: Refer to above when I end up borrowing my sister and cousin’s clothes… clothes which are definitely not meant for my age aiyaaaa…)

After giving birth and gaining more “extra” curves … finding clothes that fit is another tremendous task…

I mean, there are many very nice well fitted shirts/leisure wear … but at the same time, the ones that caught my eyes would be very costly… For example, a pair of really nice well cut pants that would look very good on me at G2000 would cost you a hefty sum of RM179… their nicely fitting shirts would start from RM109.00….

If only money would fall out of the sky and right into my wallet… (By the way, that is our hobby… waiting for money to fall out of the sky… kwang kwang kwang)

So last Sat (1/11/2008) and Sun (2/11/2008), Erwin and I scaled the spring… Even that took us forever, getting off our lazy butt to go to the Spring is one thing and we started at 4pm… after attending pengilan that morning and had our naps during noon time…

On Sat, we brought Emir along, so it was a leisurely stroll just looking around and scanning and scanning… (not just the clothes, sizes… but the price tags of course bearing in mind we planned to buy and fill up one whole wardrobe with limited budget)… going up and down the escalators and round the floor (and all this was done in Parkson Grand only and we’re already having back aches!!!)

Not to mention, there were breastfeeding stops, spit up, diaper change session, makan session, Emir crying and cranky in the stroller… hungry tummy (Again!) (Not just Emir)… So Saturday was just an ok experience leading to the decision to go again on Sun, where we decided it would be best to leave Emir with his grandmother so we can just do some serious shopping.


Sunday was spent at Factor Outlet and it was a good buy for Erwin. Can you imagine three (3) pieces of Charles Jourdan long sleeves shirts for RM100.00 (buying it individually would cost you RM98.00 per piece). I’m so jealous!!!! I told Erwin buying clothes for men are so easy!!!

There were also Bonia shoes as 50% discount at Parkson Grand which was a good bargain but we didn’t get it caused we felt too much guilt for spending so much already and by then we were both hungry and tired and hungry and were missing Emir so much that we wanted to go back there and then…

We also found 70% discount at Pierre Cardin boutique and bought two (2) nice t-shirts at RM32.70/each… (Original price was RM109.00 which was absurd in the first place right?)

Still there were things (Bear in mind, these items have become necessity at this point!!) yet to be bought… Erwin needs a new pair of sandals, shoes for work and shorts.

Basically, we need more time, energy and money to shop…

All the above are things bought for Erwin… and I’ve not started on things for myself yet wawawa… We feel like going again to shop, but then again it feels like we’re not spending much time with Emir over the weekends plus we’re just lazy slackers.. too lazy to shop for ourselves even … so teruk, I know…

Oh ya, did I mention we manage to grab two (2) items for Erwin’s brothers who’ll be celebrating their birthdays on 3.11.2008 and 5.11.2008 respectively….. See, told ya buying things for others are so much easier than buying things for myself….

In the mean time, we’re happy enough just waiting for money to fall out of the sky and straight into our wallet…. to continue our quest to fill up our much in dire strait wardrobe rut….