My Mon Monogram Speedy 30 in Burgundy & Ivory stripes

We were in KL on Friday as it was a public holiday for the state of Selangor. Our initial plan was to do some stock check and a little Christmas shopping but hubby suggested that we should visit LV store at Starhill Gallery since it's close by. Last night, he asked me what I'd fancy from LV and we went through the website together to decide on my choice of handbag. I'm a classic at heart so I've decided that I would want a Monogram Neverfull MM / Speedy 25 or a Damier Speedy 25 / Neverfull MM but hubby didn't like the latter so my options are narrowed.

So, after the stock check and lunch at Societes Cafe, we walked to the LV store a couple of blocks down. We knew what we wanted so we asked the Sales Associate to get us the bag. The SA showed us a Speedy 25 and Speedy 30 for both Monogram and Damier models. Somehow I prefered a 25 because of its dainty size and the bottom doesn't sink easily but a 30 would be more practical to contain Jacob's stuff. Beside, in terms of price, the difference is only RM100 or so. Hubby preferred a 30. Alas, we decided on a 30 and planned on returning the next day to get it. As we were about to leave, we were intrigued by the hot stamping services whereby they allow customers to have their name or initials stamped on the soft side of the bag. On that very day the hot stamping machine was located at the entrance of the store so we could see how they do it. I think this is very wise as it creates a buzz in the store. Usually, the hot stamping is done behind the store but due to the Christmas season, the machine is placed near the main entrance.

I wanted to get my Speedy Mini Lin 30 Dune stamped on but the queue was long and was told to return after 1pm. Since we are returning tomorrow, we decided to put that on hold and hop in to Pavilion to look for a gift for mom. As I was busylooking at one of their displayed Monogram Speedy 30 which has a yellow stripe and ABC emblazoned in the centre, one of their Private Client Relation enquired if we would be interested to have a look at the colour palletes available for the bag I was eye-ing. The PCR began explaining to us how it works and offered to show us how the different colour palletes would look on the bags. After much persuasion, he then led us into a private lounge behind a tempered glass mirror. We were greeted by the warm lighting used in the room which consisted of a 3 piece sofa set with matching pillows nestled on the side and a coffee table in the centre. Sitting at the corners of the wall are displays of their classic handbags and a 32 inch computer touch screen where the Mon Monogram magic begin.

The PCR directed us to the screen and just as we were about to start, a bunch of 'colourful' women in their mid 50's, joined us. Much to the dismay of the PCR as they weren't invited in. Apparently they towed behind when they saw hubby and me entered the room. So, the PCR showed me the screen and demonstrated how we can personalised our monogram speedy (the Mon Monogram is only available for Monogram Speedy and Keepal). There are two kinds of stripes: (1) two thick stripes and (2) one thick stripes with thin stripes on both sides. Your hand painted initials (limited to only three letters) will be emblazoned in the centre of the bag. You can choose to have your painted stripes down right in the middle or have it painted diagonally on one corner of the bag. Once you have selected the type of stripes and style, you can select your two choice of colours from a pallete of sixteen vibrant colours available. Once you've confirmed your design, the SA will key in your name and address into the order page and send the order directly to Paris via a click of the mouse. The stripes and initials will be painted onto the canvas before the bag is sewn and completed in LV workshop at the Asnieres, located just outside Paris. And in four weeks, you can collect your Mon Monogram from your local LV store, freshly baked and personalised!!

Later that evening, I found out that hubby had signalled to the PCR that he would be coming back to pay for the order as he wanted to surprise me but the PCR let the cat out of the bag by saying "See you tommorrow". Hubby thought I heard it, which I did not. It was his Christmas gift to me.

The next day when we returned to the store, we headed for the LV store but the PCR hasn't started his shift yet so we had lunch at Pavilion. At 1pm, we were in the LV store again. Left my old Speedy Mini Lin with Sidney, the hot stamping expert who is skilled in hot stamping onto a Speedy (apparently others wouldn't agree to do it on a Speedy). Met up with the same PCR who took us into the lounge again for a final confirmation.

I've selected the vertical stripes (a thick stripe with two thin stripes on the sides) with two letters and a dot in between the letters. Being a classic fan, I've chosen a classic colour: Bordeaux (burgundy red to match the burgundy piping on the side) and Ivory colour. I think it looked fabulous. And I have to wait for a month!!

The price of a mon monogram is about 35% more than what a monogram will cost. A Monogram Speedy 30 is RM2750 but a Mon Monogram Speedy 30 will cost you RM3850.

Christmas Shopping

It's that time of the year again... Christmas is just around the corner. My favourite time of the year.

Went shopping yesterday with mum, dad, and two sisters. I got myself a pair of leather, hand painted clogs worth RM88 and mom got me two dresses - a cheongsam (RM139) and a casual dress (Rm58) from the Curve. It is her Christmas present to me and I told her "You already got me a skirt from Miss Selfridge" and she said "Nevermind lah". It was nice.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

Our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on,

Our troubles will be miles away

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

This Christmas song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and made famous by Judy Garland in the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis".

1 year old - in 3 DAYS!!

My little Jake will be truning 1 year old very very soon. At this point of of time last year, I was heavily pregnant and anxious for his birth. Now, the infant that I craddled in my arms a year ago has grown so much and this is his estimated vital stats:

Skin Colour - Peaches & Cream
Eye Colour - Chestnut Brown
Hair Colour - Light Brown with a tint of gold
Height - 76 cm
Weight - 11kg
No of Teeth - 4 (upper), 2 (lower)

Abilities
(1) crawl,
(2) climb,
(3) mutter a few words like pa pa, mum mum (when he is hungry), ma (as in Ah Ma, so Ah Ma's effort is not in vain), burd (as in bird), and ma mee (rare but treasured).
(4) roll tongue,
(5) do the 'tak tak' sound with his tongue,
(6) wave goodbye,
(7) bite and pull hair when agitated ( especially when his Ah Yee 'Jo Sin' disturbs him when he tries to nap),
(8) empty your purse (literally)
(9) smiles a lot
(10) sacrifice his precious sleep to keep up with the adults
(11) gives out a loud yell and grins cheekily when he sees Ma Ma, Kong Kong, Ah Yee & Joyce.
(12) eats almost anything

Character - very loving, affectionate, patient, has good temperament, well behaved, chi chai
Notable Traits - rarely cry and is talkative
Favourite Food (at 10 mths old) - rice with fried foo yong egg and kiong cheong kai (ginger chicken), parmesan cheese, spaghetti carbonara, chicken porridge, fish porride, beancurd (any style except cold).
Favourite Fruits - apple, orange, kiwi

So Jacob, when you're big enough to read and understand all this, you'll know how you've been as a 1 year toddler. Everyone loves you to bits.

And we celebrated your first birthday dinner on 5 Dec 2009 at Dave's Pizza in One Utama Shopping Complex. Let me recall what we ordered - Carbonara Cream Meatballs, Olio Mushroom, Olio Meatballs,1/2 meter Ham and Bacon Mayonnaise Pizza, Garganelli Pasta and Gralic Bread. You had a bit of Pa Pa's carbonara spaghetti and a chocolate cake Ma Ma bought for you. The food and company was great! Your Ah Yee has the pics in her digital camera.

H1N1 Negative - via Rapid Influenza Test

My poor boy had fever in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. He woke us up at 4am but surprisingly he was in a chirpy mood. We gave him 2.5 ml of paracetamol syrup and all the other medication as prescribed by Dr Angie. At 6.15am, he finally dozed off to sleep. I guess it must be the work of Hydroxyzine (my girlfriend, Dr CSY said it will cause slight drowsiness) and we hit the sack almost instantaneously.

The chronicles of what took after that is briefly outlined here:

9.30am - Had his milk and daddy took him downstairs.

10.00am - Hubby left for work.

11.30am - His fever returned and I was getting worried. Checked his temperature with the new Omron (Price: RM39) thermometer hubby bought the night before. The thermometer read 37.8 C, mild fever. Checked it couple of times. Still the same. Unsatisfied, I use the digital ear thermometer that hubby first bought (it cost about RM180) to check his temperature. A couple of readings showed his temperature to fall between 38.7 C and 38.9 C, which is actually high.

12.15pm - This made me worried. Instead of feeding him paracetamol which he totally hates. I decided to use suppository paracetamol 125 mg. I inserted the capsule-like medicine into Jacob's anus and hope for his fever to subside. We lay on the bed together and waited. Occasionally, he toss and turn and rested his head on my chest. As he was doing that, he was breathing pretty hard. He was like trying to catch his breath at every 2 seconds. Again, it worried me. So I craddled him in my arms. Then, I smell poo or maybe his fart but decided it must be the latter. Checked his diaper. My prediction was true. He pooped!! And out goes the suppository.

12.30pm - Quickly undressed him, took him to the bathroom to wash up. As I was washing his buttock, i felt the greasy suppository and yellow-greenish poo all over his buttock cheeks. Pretty gross, really. He was cranky too so it doesn't help when I'm trying hasten my job.

1.00pm - I inserted another suppository into his anus. This time, it stays. Made an appointment to see Dr Angie at 2.30pm.

2.00pm - Hubby took us to SDMC. MIL came too. We were actually out of the guard house when hubby said he was near. So we drove home and waited for him.

2.45pm - Arrived SDMC, registered and waited.

3.00pom - And waited.

4.30pm - And waited till Jacob dozed off on daddy's chest. We waited for like a good two hours and finally got to see her. I requested thath she test Jacob for H1N1 for precautionary measure. However, she informed us that she could not do the H1N1 test unless he was admitted as the laboratory is currently loaded. But she suggested that we could let Jacob take the Rapid Influenza Test. If his flu falls under Type A influenza, it confims that he has the H1N1 virus. If his result shows Type B influenza, it means he is clear of the H1N1 virus. The setback of this test is that it does NOT guarantee that he is H1N1 free.

5.00pm - Before the test commence, she warned me that it would be uncomfortable for Jacob and that we have to hold both his hands down firmly while her nurse, Dorothy, held his head. Then, she used a tool that looks like a 12-inch cotton bud to insert into Jacob's little nostrils. The moment the tip hit his nose, our little boy yelp and cried hard. I felt his pain. Poor boy.

Results would only be ready in half an hour to an hour time. Dr Angie would call us on our mobile to convey the news. And she went on to say this: "Jo, if his fever continues for the next 4 days or until Friday, you'll have to bring him back on Saturday to do a blood test. We want to test for dengue". (She reminds me so much of Elsa, my high school girlfriend who is in England.)

So we need to monitor him closely for the next couple of days. I hope he'll get better by tonight. I hate to see him sick.

6.00pm - Dr Angie called hubby to deliver the result. The result came out negative. Boy, are we relieved!

Just the Flu Viral

It's been a couple of sleepless nights for us when Jacob caught the flu at the wee hours of Monday morning. He woke up every two hours. Thought he was hungry. And yes, he drank but it was not his hunger that woke him up. Found out that it was actually his running nose that irritated him.

At 13.30pm, MIL drove us to a nearby clinic, Low's Child Clinic, but was refused entry because the clinic's operating hour has ended. It was 12.45pm and clinic was supposedly closed at 12.30pm. Both MIL and I was upset and tried persuading the nurse to let us in. The doc was adamant not to see us as she was apparently rushing to pick her kids up from school. At 1pm, we were still waiting outside her clinic. She was still accepting one little walk in patient. What the hell!!...We tried coaxing the nurse again but failed miserably. Should doctors be more sympathetic. After all, only one more patient and perhaps 10 mins the most. Thank God, we didn't rely on her as Jacob's paeds.

We didn't have to go knocking on her clinic if Dr Lee was around. Called his PA this morning to make an appointment to see him but was told that he is on leave until the 28th of October. Called Dr Khoo's clinic too but she too, was on leave. Jacob's flu can't wait.

At 1pm, I called SDMC again. This time we couldn't be picky. So I made an appointment to see Dr Angelina Amaladoss (i think that's how her suname is spelt). Jacob has seen her before so I was feeling a little bit at ease. Arrived SDMC at 2.30pm and only managed to see her at 4.30pm. Why am I not surprised? It's so typical at SDMC.

Anyway, we saw Dr Angelina. She was a very nice lady. Good PR skill I must say and I think Jacob likes her too. After giving Jacob a good check, her diagnosis of his 'irritability' was that he has caught on a viral and he has an Upper Respiratory Infection. "I'm holding on to my horses la Jo, but if he has high fever, bring him back" , she said. And I was like What do you mean by that? Prior to seeing her, I was already asking the nurse what are symptoms of H1N1 and whether they have many patients with that virus. This is what I found out:

Common symtoms of H1N1:
1) High Fever
2) Bad Cough (persistent cough)
3) Sore Throat
4) Runny Nose

The doc said there was nothing to worry about and perscribed the following medication to treat his flu:

1) Hydroxyzine syrup 10mg/5ml - 2.5ml at 3 times a day after food
2) Salbutamol/Ventolin syrup 2mg/5ml (cough) - 2.5 ml at 3 times a day after food
3) Tonimer Baby Spray ( it's a nasal spray to help ease nose congestion)

She recommended that we use a good thermometer and scribbled the brand name on a piece of paper. Very thoughtful of her. Afraid I might forget the name of the cough syrup, she also jotted down the name of the medicine on that same paper.

Brand of good thermometer to look out for:

1) Terumo
2) Omron

The bill came up to RM132 including consultation and pharmacy. MIL was shocked when told about the cost but I assured her that this was normal. Sometimes we fork out more than that so this was nothing. In fact her consultation fee wasn't that exorbitant at RM64 for a first timer.

Ba Bye!

I haven't been blogging of late due to a busy schedule and on most weekends, we are out fishing. I'll post some of our fishing trips soon but today, I wish to highlight my precious little boy's achievement. And you know what? Jacob is 9 months and 2 weeks old today. Time really flies.




Now back to his little achievement... Last night, I was at my parent place and hubby came to pick me up at around 9.30pm, after his game. As usual, before we left, we made it a point to get Jacob to wave and say 'bye bye' to Kong Kong and Ma Ma or anyone who was home. Hubby got Jacob to do his routine bout of saying 'bye bye' and the lifting of his right arm in the motion of opening and closing of his five tiny fingers. However, this time we were utterly surprised that Jacob actually did it so well without much help from his daddy. He lifted his arm and gently motioned his fingers excellently to which my brother commented "He waved like the Chinese Golden Fortune Cat". I must agree with him. He continued to wave for a good 5 seconds and everyone including us were amazed. He picked up so fast. We couldn't be any proud or happier with his achievement. Even Ma Ma, Kong Kong and Joyce Ah Yee was happy.

A couple of days back, he has started uttering the word bye and sometimes it sounded like ba bye. His proud daddy woke up early this morning and took him to Ah Mah's room to demonstrate his newfound skill. Likewise, Ah Mah was equally delighted and retorted in Hokkien gao la... gao la (Hokkien for clever lah).

By the way, did I mention he knows how to say mum mum when he is hungry and ma ma when he needs me and ba ba or pa pa when he needs his daddy? These are his first words and daddy was teasing him because one of his first word is mum mum. Nice.

God Will Make A Way

God will make a way

When there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way

He will make a way

Jacob's First Tooth

We were in the car, on our way home from KLCC this afternoon (at about 12.50pm) when I felt Jacob's first tooth. Can you imagine my excitement? I've been waiting for his teeth to grow but there were no sign of it until now. He is exactly 8 and a half months old today and his tooth finally decided to show.

For the past couple of days (or since he turned 6 months), without fail, I've been putting my fingers in his mouth just to feel if any of his teeth was growing. Every time I did, I only felt his soft gums but this time was different. This time I felt something sharp and when I try to peek at it, Jacob sticks out his tongue. His first tooth is on the bottom which I think is normal for most babies. Prior to this, I was worried that he was going to be toothless because other babies his age already have a few sets of teeth and he had none. I remembered asking mom on Sunday "Are there such things as baby born without teeth?"...It's a crazy thought but it is not impossible isn't it? And mom said Jacob's teeth takes longer to show but he will not be toothless for sure.

Just this afternoon I asked hubby the same question and he thought it was nonsense. He said there is not such thing as baby born toothless and I told him "it's not impossible cos some people are born with roots growing out of their body"....hahaha... I laugh myself to death thinking of my foolish worries.

Jacob's tooth heard me and finally decided to show himself today.

La Vita è Bella - Barcarolle

A music from my favourite movie Life Is Beautiful.

Jacob's first taste of Tau Foo Fah at Société's Cafe

It was a hectic day yesterday as there was so much to do in KL but so litttle time and the traffic jam in the city was reduced to a crawl with the pouring rain. Anyway, we manage to settle everything we needed to and headed to Société’s, a chic Parisian styled bistro in LOT 10 for our dinner. While waiting for hubby to finish his stuff, we ordered our food. I was famished!

I propped Jacob up in the baby chair and ordered some food for ourselves which included Loh Mee, Cantonese Noodles, 2 slices of toasties for Jacob and a bowl of Tau Foo Fah (Food fact: The Tau Foo Fah is made from soft layers of soya beancurd served with caramelised sugar or rock sugar or Gula Melaka, You can either eat it cold or hot).And it was this evening that I realised Jacob could steady himself in the baby chair without support. As usual, he is bewildered by his new surrounding and also with his new found toy: the rattan baby chair that comes with a tray.

When the food came, I broke the toast and placed it in his little fingers. As I began to dig into my Loh Mee, he too busied himself with the toast in his mouth. He was really enjoying himself and I could eat with great ease. I took a spoonful of the Tau Foo Fah and decided that Jacob may like them too so I fed him a tiny bit of what's left in my spoon. He seemed pleased. No squirming, twitching or wincing expression on his face means it's good. He liked it. So I gave him another spoon and another and another and another until the bowl was half empty.

I too, enjoyed the dessert and decided to pack a some back when the waiter informed that they have already charged the bill to my credit card and that the kitchen was already closed for the day. So I thought 'too bad'. Then as I was about to return to my seat, the waiter's voice trailed after me. The generous waiter said "I give you a bowl of Tau Foo Fah. I pay" and later added, "only for the baby" as he walked past our table.

I thought he was joking when he said he was giving us the desert free of charge. A couple of minutes later, he came back with two bowls of warm Tau Foo Fah and both hubby and I were like surprised but gleefully accepted with gratitude. The two bowls cost RM9. I continued to feed Jacob the desert until he too surrendered. On the other hand, hubby and I were full to the brim and was forcing ourselves to finish up the desert up. It was indeed a satisfying meal. And we felt that the desert was complimentary of the waiter who was smitten by Jacob's 'nice smile'. Prior to the free desert, the waiter was playing with Jacob from a distance and he later told me this: "he has a very nice smile". And yes we couldn't agree more.

Crawling Attempt No.1

Last night Jacob made his first attempt at crawling. Well, not exactly a crawl yet but it was a try. He was lying on his stomach and started to push himself forward by pressing his two feet on the floor and lifting his knee. He tried thrice and got tired. Period.

I am delighted with his new found ability. Hubby doesn't know this yet as he is away on a business trip. He would be delighted too if he knew. Can't wait to tell him this....

One of My All Time Favourites: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 21 - Andante

Fishing Trip - Laguna (Part 2)

Haven't been able to blog lately because I had no time. We've been busy with business and when we had the time, we go fishing. So here is a continuation to Part 1:

After a miserable fishing trip to Jeram paypond, the following day we headed for Laguna Pier 1. Check tide forecast, bought some prawns and arrived at the pier at around 6.45pm. Waited for a while, no nibble, too quiet. Waited again, still no nibble. Reeled up, check the hook, prawns still intact. Cast again. Still no nibble. The waiting game continues.

At around 7.30pm, we felt some nibbles and tugging. Small fishes were nibbling at our prawns and it's a little annoying. They nibble our baits and left nothing for the bigger fishes so it's annoying. My brother caught his first fish, a medium size gelama pisang (banana croaker). It has bronze or yellow body with dark oblique wavy lines and as the name suggest, it croaks too. Hubby and I still trying. It has already gotten dark, the mosquitoes has started to swarm in and feed on our blood. Regretted wearing a pair of shorts and an MNG singlet for this trip. The mossies were feasting. I couldn't concentrate as I was busy slapping my hands, legs and neck. Annoying mosquitoes. I was practically in a dancing mode just to shoo the mossies away. Boy, I really hate this little creature.

Half an hour after my brother's first catch, hubby caught a medium size gelama hitam (black croaker)or gelama papan (wood croaker) as the locals calls it. The fish is similar to gelama pisang (banana croaker) except that it is black in colour. Still nothing for me. Hubby was really hoping I catch something. Again, like all other times, hubby prepares my rod, cut the prawns, fixed it on my hooks and cast for me. He didn't want me to get my fingers dirty so he did everything for me. I know that 'not-getting-dirty' is a definite no-no rule in fishing and fishing anglers reading this post would think that I'm a nuisance to the group. It's not that I don't want to touch prawns but my fingers are sensitive so hubby always help me in this area. Appreciates it so much.

I was getting very restless and uncomfortable as the mossies continue to feed on my blood. It's already 8-ish, still no catch. Finally, I felt a little tug on my rod. The tug was constant, stop for a while and it was tugging again. This confirms I caught something so I happily reeled up. Hubby was elated too. I caught a bigger version of the gelama emas (golden croaker) or also called gelama pisang (banana croaker). Nice.

We stayed for the next two hours or so but no more bites and the water current was too strong. Beside, we ran out of baits. The kampung boys gave us a few. Tried for one last time, still no nibble. That's it. We decided to call it a day. It was already 11.30pm. We need to pick Jacob up from my parents' place and it is really late.

Weekend Fishing Trip - A Complete Letdown (Part 1)

Saturday: ex Kapar

Our weekend started off with much enthusiasm for an impending fishing trip. Where? We have not decided on the fishing spot just yet but we wanted to try paypond fishing today. We can’t wait to catch some fishes and this trip will be my first since Jacob’s birth. After a hearty breakfast, we sent Jacob to my parents’ place, pick my brother up and headed for Kapar 7th mile. Apparently, they have good paypond spot so we decided to give it a try.

Hubby knows his way around town so it didn’t take him long to figure out the location of the paypond. The pond is situated quite deep into the interiors of Kapar Town. Initially, we turned into a wrong route that led us to a fresh water paypond but managed to find our way around to the one we’re supposed to go to. The paypond centre is splashed with banners that reads “jenahak, pari, siakap, bawal,…” (snapper, stingray, seabass, promfret,…) and that got me excited. But we decided to check the place out first before trying and made a brief tour of the pond to see if anyone caught any. (Pic: Sea Bass: courtesy of Tan Heok Hui at http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/marinefish/text/261.htm)

The sun was scorching but we were not deterred. I, for one, had applied the new Lancome UV EXPERT Neuroshield High Potency Active Protection SPF 50+++PA on top of my SKII Treatment Essence and Estee Lauder Time Zone moisturizer. I wanted to test the UV EXPERT and thought that this fishing trip gives me a good reason to try since I’ll be out most of the afternoon. (Note: The Lancome product came as a free gift with the purchase of Malaysian Tatler July 2009 Issue) After making one round tour of the pond, we unanimously decided that the pond was nothing but a sheer disappointment. It was already 4pm. There were about 10 odd anglers fishing but only three of them caught one fish each, including one snobbish Indonesian man who was lucky to have caught two fishes. All the fishes were medium sized sea bass and probably only one silver snapper. It wasn’t inviting enough so we left for the next potential paypond: in Jeram.

Where in the world is Jeram? I don’t have a clue about this place and the only clue we had from my brother is that Jeram is a small village after Kapar Town. After a 15 minutes drive and several stop (to ask directions), we managed to locate the paypond. Different folks gave different directions. One said the paypond is in Tok Muda while another said it is in Sungai Sembilang. The latter was correct. Contrary to the earlier paypond, the carpark at this paypond was almost full when we arrived. The crowd was big and there were more activities, much similar to Sea Lion in Port Klang. Cost per entry/per rod is RM12 per hour and the minimum period is 3 hours. A minimum of RM50 must be paid for each rod used and refunds will be made upon exit.

Bought some fishes and live prawns as bait which cost us RM1 each. Sat there with anticipation. Hubby set up the rods and cast on my behalf cause my casting skill is hopeless. I couldn’t cast far enough. Besides I was feeling inferior among the male dominated anglers that I didn’t attempt to try for fear of failing miserably and bring much embarrassment upon myself. At 6pm, my brother caught his first fish: a sea bass, using the casting method. We, on the other hand, didn’t feel any bite. We waited, waited and waited. Nothing. Restless and sweating in such humid weather condition. Change our already dead prawns with ikan belanak and re-cast again. Still nothing. At 7pm, we decided to call it quits. It was depressing if not hopeless.

I must admit that paypond fishing in Malaysia is awfully pathetic. Perhaps, pathetic for people like us who spent like 3 hours feeding mosquitoes, sun ‘baking’ and coming home empty handed. I felt like we’ve been ripped off in broad daylight. But of course, our decision to fish at these spots are solely a result our hasty, impromptu plan. This trip was a major disappointment to hubby and myself. Nothing like fishing in Perth.

First Day at The Movies

We finally had our chance to go to the cinema last night and watch the long awaited Transformers 2: Revenge of The Fallen. Hubby wanted to download the movie but I insisted on waiting for the DVD to be released. A few days earlier, he downloaded the movie but the quality was a great dismal and he eventually agreed to wait.

We had everything planned out: Mom agreed to look after Jacob for a couple of hours. Hubby bought tickets for the 6.45 pm show and an extra ticket for my youngest sister. Send Jacob to my parents house at 6.15pm. Arrived at the cinema at 6.50pm. Got in just in time for the show, sans advertisement. Movie ended at 9.20pm. Went for a quick bite. Picked Jacob up. Jacob was alright at my parents place so everthing ended quite well.

The show was superb, 'triple times' (hubby's words) better than the first Transformers. After all, it was a worth while wait. It's been more than 8 months since we last set foot in the cinema. Indeed, a refreshing break.

Reaching Out

Jacob - 7 months 1 week old today. He is sitting just next to me, in his colourful and 'noisy' walker. Anthing he touches on the walker music tray gives out noises like a drum beat, boink boink or music to the the tune of Yankee Doodle, Oh Mc Donald and Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars. Having this walker is a blessing; it gives me some time on my own to do my stuff while he goes about doing his.

Ever since acquiring the ability to grab things, Jacob loves to stretch out his arms so he can reach for things. For instance, when I'm holding a mug close to my mouth, he would try to grab the mug from me and pull it towards his mouth. With the walker, he is more mobile and would use his legs to push himself forward to reach for anything within reach. A couple of nights back, hubby demonstrated how Jacob pushes himself forward with outstretched arms to grab a packet of Japanese crackers from his hands. We were delighted.

As I'm typing away, he is trying to reach for a tv cable wire and exploring his surroundings. Prior to the walker, I would always place him on a thin mattress next to me while I do my work and he would roll himself from side to side, sometimes hitting his heavy head on the timber parquet flooring. As he becomes more and more agile in turning and rolling, the bed too has become a hazard to his safety.

The walker helps to keep him busy for a while and I thing he loves it too. Who wouldn't? I must admit that I'm one who is against using baby walker for several reasons. When I was in Amsterdam six years ago, a friend told me that a research in the UK showed that baby walkers is not good for baby's development as baby tends to tip toe. However, this Chicco DJ baby walker is adjustable to three levels and you can adjust it in such a way your baby don't have to tip toe walking. Jacob isn't so I'm confortable with that.

Another Lullaby Song

Apart from his father's rendition of Guy Sebastian's Angels Brought Me Here (a song dedicated to me at our wedding at The Westin, KL), Jacob has another favourite bedtime song:

Over The Rainbow

(by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)

Ooooo oooooo ohoohohoo

Ooooo ohooohoo oooohoo

Ooooo ohoohooo oohoooo

Oohooo oohoooho ooooho

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

And the dreams that you dreamed of

Once in a lullaby ii ii iii

Somewhere over the rainbow

Blue birds fly

And the dreams that you dreamed of

Dreams really do come true ooh ooooh

Someday I'll wish upon a star

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me ee ee eeh

Where trouble melts like lemon drops

High above the chimney tops thats where you'll find me oh

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly

And the dream that you dare to,why, oh why can't I? i iiii

Well I see trees of green andRed roses too,

I'll watch them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white

And the brightness of dayI like the dark and I think to myself

What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people passing by

I see friends shaking hands

Saying, "How do you do?"

They're really saying,

I...I love you

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,

They'll learn much more

Than we'll know

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world (w)oohoorld

Someday I'll wish upon a star,

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where trouble melts like lemon drops

High above the chimney top that's where you'll find me

Oh, Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I hiii ?

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Ooooo oooooo oooooo

Jacob's Bedtime Song

Our wedding and Jacob's bedtime song (Hubby got me an I-pod nano when I was 4.5 months pregnant with Jacob and this was one of the songs I played for him to listen). And this song comforts him when he cries. It has become one of his favourite lullaby song:

I Will Be Here

(by Steven Curtis Chapman)

Tomorrow morning if you
wake up

And the sun does not appear

I...I will be here

If in the dark

We lose sight of love

Hold my hand

And have no fear

Cause I...I will be here

I will be here

When you feel like being in quiet

When you need to speak your mind

I will listen

And I will be here

When the laughter turns to crying

Through the winning, losing and trying

We'll be together

Cause I will be here

Tomorrow morning

When you wake up

And the future is unclear

I..I will be here

As sure as seasons

Are made for change

Our lifetimes are made for years

So I...I will be here

I will be here

And you can cry on my shoulder

When the mirror tells us we're older

I will hold you

And I will be here

To watch you grow in beauty

And tell you all the things

You are to me

I will be here

I will be true

To the promise I have made

To you and to the one

Who gave you to me

I...I will be here

And just as sure as the seasons

Are made for change

Our lifetimes are made for years

So I...I will be here

We'll be together, I will be here

Baby's Luxury

I haven't been getting Jacob anything for the past couple of weeks. To be precise, a couple of weeks is an understatement, it's been more than two months since I got him anything nice and my last splurge on baby stuff was one miserable MAM baby bottle. In the area of finance, we are a far cry from what I would deem as "comfort zone''. So I have to learn to stinge on a few things that is not urgently required and use the money for daily food expenditures and milk powders.

Speaking about milk powders, Jacob has stopped feeding on my breast when he turned 6 months. He is now fully on formula milk and drinks 4 oz at one feed every 2.5 to 3 hours and that translates into one can a week. Each can of the Enfalac A+ 800 gms cost RM76.90 at Jaya Jusco supermarket whereas we can get it cheaper at Chinese medicinal hall for only RM74 but for convenience and freshness sake, we always buy our milk at the former. Our expenses on milk powder, Huggies Ultra diaper and Huggies baby wipes can come up to about RM400 a month so that is a lot. I used to be able to buy nice dresess and shoes for myself before Jacob came along but now, my priorities have shift and most of my money for those "little luxuries" are channelled into buying his things. Even so, I haven't been able to shop as we're still low on ching ching.

Anyway, Mom did some shopping for us and bought Jacob some cool stuff from One Utama last Saturday. She bought a Chicco DJ BabyWalker that comes with an electronic music tray comprising of 6 push buttons. Each of this push buttons are in different shapes and each buttons produces different sounds and music. The push buttons represent the various musical instruments such as keyboard (with five keys and each key gives out different music), drum, a one-page songbook that can be flipped as well as a spinning deck.

On the front of the walker, there are three switches to control the volume of the music or sound. The walker also comes with three play settings - Free Play, in which baby can make they're own music - Music is self explanatory so when the baby hits the toy it plays different tunes - 'ANIMALS' (on the keyboard), this setting makes animal noises when the baby touches it.

The best part of this walker is that the height is adjustable to 3 different levels so your baby don't tip toe walk. And one more thing, the seat cover is removable so you can wash them when it's dirty. The Chicco Baby DJ Walker is colourful, it's anti slip and the wheels doesn't scratch your timber parquet flooring. Apparently, this walker helps to promote development by allowing your child to experiment with music and rythm. Will see if it does. It doesn't come cheap either. Mom said it cost about RM400.

Apart from the walker, she also got Jacob some nice pyjamas, a soft pillow, two bolsters, a latex mattress which cost like RM200 ++ and three Barney DVD series: Barney Let's Play School, Barney Mad Silly Sad and Barney 1,2,3 Learn Numbers With Me.


It was very nice of her and that is how she always is. Hubby and I truly appreciates it and we believe Jacob likes them too.

"I can sit on my own"

Jacob is exactly 7 months old and has mastered one ability: to sit without support. Indeed, he can. He just did it 2 days ago and we were so proud of him. Precisely, I wouldn't claim "without total support" but he could last for about one minute without us holding him. Usually, he would bent forward with his two hands spread apart for support and now, he could pull himself up and sit upright.

Apart from sitting, he has also learnt to observe things around him. He has been doing this for the past one month and is always curious about his surroundings. He will usually stare at an object for very long as though he is trying to decipher what the object is doing and then shift his gaze towards a 'new' object. He will continue to observe until he gets tired. Sometimes when hubby and I are deep in conversation, he will remain quiet and observe us without interrupting. I find that he is very mature at such tender age. So gao (hokkien word for clever).

His First Fish Porridge - Yucksss!!!

Today, I gave Jacob his first taste of fish porridge and his facial expression says it all. He hates it. I thought the porridge would be palatable since he liked the Heinz rice cereal so much but to my amazement, he just didn't like it. When I put the first spoon into his mouth, he let out a funny facial expression, the kind that says "Yucks!" and he made a choking noise. The food lingered in his mouth for barely one minute and he spat it out.

Then, I tried again with a second spoon. He cast me the same kind of expression he did earlier. At the third feed, he let out a choking noise and threw up everthing including the milk I fed him about an hour before the porridge. The bed sheet was a mess, his vomit drenched the latex matress and had to be sent for washing. I had just changed the matress cover this morning so imagine my frustration. Ironically, my little boy was smiling and laughing after the entire fiasco. He was laughing when I took off his clothes to clean. He probably thought he did a wise thing throwing up. Funny kid but extremely adorable.

In the evening I fed him again. However, this time he was a little bit receptive and showed no sign of dislike. I was surprised. He took in a few spoons and that was it. He didn't want them any more.

For his porridge, I used red snapper fillet and nothing else. No salt, so soya sauce or other condiments. Dr Lee advised to let Jacob try one thing at a time. First with fish, followed by chicken and vegetable, then mix everything into one. He said that this is to ascertain if he is allergic to any type of food. He had also advised us to introduce boiled eggs into his meal when he is between 8 and 10 months old.

Well, fish porridge was a good headstart. He doesn't like but he will eventually.

6 months, fourth week - Tall Order

Yesterday, we took Jacob to see his doc for his third Hepatitis B injection and second Pneumococcal vaccination. With the rise of the H1N1 influenza, hospitals are also very cautious with their patrons. We were screened at the entrance for any symptoms of fever before we were allowed into the hospital Apparently, if anyone was found to have fever will not be allowed in. Such precautionary practice is good as it will safeguard the well being of people like us who have to take their baby to the hospital for a routine check-up and innoculation.

We have a very good paedetrician for Jacob. My dad recommended us to try Dr Lee due to his seniority and experience in child care and he once treated my youngest sister many years ago. Dr Lee does an excellent job in giving Jacob a thorough check, he is meticulous and is patient in answering all our questions. On most times when he gives my boy a jab, he did not cry. So we liked him.

This time (it's been 2 months since he last saw his paed), he cried really bad when Dr Lee injected his right thigh with the pneumococcal vaccine. Curious, I asked the doc why he injected Jacob on the thigh instead of the buttock. He replied "it is recommended because it is most effective". While Jacob continues to cry, the doc proceeded to inject my little boy's buttock cheek with his third hepatitis B vaccination. And he continued to wail but not for long. What a brave child! Every time the doctor injects him, I look away because I was afriad of needles. Even carrying him while the doctor gives him his jab frightens me. I would hug him tight to comfort him and also to quell my fear. My tolerance for pain is almost zero and seeing others get a jab gives me pain. I'm I a funny mommy or a scaredy cat?

Jacob now weights 8.43kg and is 70 cm in lenght. His head circumference is 46.5cm. Below is a transcript of our conversation with the paed (after measuring Jacob's head and weight):

Doc: 46.5cm (He marks it down in Jacob's Health Record book and in his file)
Daddy: He's got big head.
Mummy: Yeah, he's got big head. Is it the average size?
Doc: It's ok. 2 cm bigger than the average size. It's ok la. He's got big head.
Daddy: Hehehe... (Daddy chuckled and beaming with pride)
Mummy: How is his growth?
Doc: He is growing well. He's ok la.
Daddy: What about his height?
Doc: He is bigger than average but it's ok la.
(Daddy had a wide smile on his face)

According to Dr Lee, an average height or lenght for a 1 year old Asian baby is 72 cm and Jacob is already so close to reaching that mark. Dr Lee used to say "Big like his daddy" whenever we discuss about Jacob's height. Hubby is worried that Jacob would take after my height so height is a tall issue.

Thou Shall Not Judge

I'm not a puritanical Christian or anything close to being labelled as staunched but being brought up in Christian family and attending church every Sunday was our routine when I was growing up. I was very active in church; participating in practically everything I could possibly join because I enjoyed it, more so with the company of fun, loving and nice people. I grew up with the Royal Rangers and was part of the tambourine dance group. My parents used to send my sister and I for tambourine dance practice held every Friday night in church. On Sundays, we spent the entire day was spent at church with Royal Rangers. We practically knew everyone in church and they were like our extended family. Those were the days.

But those were also the days where I build my foundation in knowing Christ. The Royal Rangers and Sunday Schools contributed to that foundation. This foundation that I build will remain to make up the person I am today. It constitues my thoughts, feelings, actions, and response to everthing that comes my way. I've learnt about the 10 Commandments, the parables of the Lost Coin, studied the book of Genesis and Acts, Revelation, the book of Corinthians chapter 13 which speaks about love, Psalms, Matthew and a lot more. However, there is one thing that kept playing in my head for the past few days: Do not judge others for you'll be judge also.

Last Saturday afternoon on July 4, 2009, I got word from my sister that an aquaintance's father had just passed away. This aquantaince of mine was a friend while we were growing up. We were in the same tambourine class, Royal Rangers, and Sunday School and attended the same high school. Our parents knew theirs and this 'aquaintanceship' dates back to 1989 when we were only 8 years old. When we were younger, we were friends. Then as we grew older, we became just mere aquantaince. They (there's two of them) were a pain because of their endless boastfullness about everything and anything under the sun. Most people in school didn't like them either. Not that I have anything against them but I preferred to keep my distance.

I knew their parents. And i felt that their attitude took after their parents. Their parents can be a little obnoxious at times but that's just it. Their father has been sick for quite a while but he is a man after God, God fearing and faithful Christian. Prior to his demise, I always thought of him as arrogant and chauvinistic because of a certain remarks he has made as well as the look he gives people. When I heard he was getting very ill and will be dying, I sympathize with his family. My perception towards him changed. That's when the "thou shall not judge other" played in my head.

Maybe he wasn't an arrogant man. Maybe he was just sick and didn't feel like smiling. Maybe he had a lot of things going on in his head. Maybe he was sad. There could be tonnes of reasons to explain his attitude or looks but we should not judge. I felt sorry for judging him. I should not judge people and will continue to remind myself this. It is always good to give people the benefit of a doubt but i think my husband would beg to differ.

We attended his funeral and I paid my respects. I know also that he is with the Lord and that he has touched many lives. And I'm at peace. We do not know him well. We do not know his thoughts and actions. So lets not judge others else you will too be judged.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

I read an article which really touched my heart and would like to share it here. The story is about a mother who had lost her 5 month old son, Spenser to SIDS and a letter written from his grandmother after his death.

When my husband and I attended the pre-natal class in SDMC, we were advised by our instructor (who has 20 years of experience as a midwife), to place our baby sleeping in a suppine position. According to her, studies have been made in the UK on SIDS dicovered that babies who slept in supine (back) position is less likely to die from SIDS as compared to babies who slept in prone position (stomach). I didn't give this much thought until I read Val Job's story.

The Wikipedia termed SIDS as a "syndrome that causes the sudden death of an infant that is unexpected by history and remains unexplained after a thorough forensic autopsy and a detailed death scene investigation."

This is an excerpt from the story written by Val Job:

Our son Spenser died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) on August 22, 1987 when he was almost five months of age. He would have been twenty this year. It still hurts to think about him. I can’t help but wonder what sports he would have enjoyed. What would he have excelled at?

He looked like my Dad when he was born. I wonder whom he would have looked like now. The evening that Spenser died was a camping weekend for a group of families from church. I had driven home from Princeton, BC that day (just over a three hour trip), so our routine wasn't normal.

Spenser slept and was quiet all the way home. But by the time we got to the campground, Spenser was getting fussy. He continued to get worse as the hours progressed. Something seemed to be bothering him, and he just couldn't settle down to sleep. He eventually did fall asleep for a nap and then he never woke up.

It wasn't easy giving up a part of our future, realizing that we would never get to see Spenser walk and run, play with friends, go to school or even get married. But we did enjoy what little of his life we did get to share. He was always so full of smiles and so advanced for his age. The last week of his life Spenser, learned how to roll over both ways and he was so proud of himself.

In our church, we have what is called “baby dedication.” On a Sunday morning, the parents with new babies come up to the front of the church and dedicate their child to the Lord, pledging to raise their child with love and patience and to do everything in their power to lead that child to the Lord. Before Spenser died, this dedication was just a ritual for me. But afterwards, it took on a whole new meaning. I realized that God gives children to parents on a loan basis. We birth them and raise them to be independent. Then they go out on their own, establish their own lives, raise a family, grow old, and die - just like us, their parents. It occurred to me that all children are God's children. We parents (and grandparents) are just put here as facilitators.

Children and grandchildren are an inheritance from the Lord. We never know how long we have to raise them. They could live long, healthy lives or they could die tragically at a young age. Knowing this, we should love them early, love them lots and teach them what is valuable at an early age. Spenser was so young when he died, but I know he felt loved and cared for. I could see it in his eyes and smile when he looked up at me while he was nursing.

When Spenser died so long ago, I said I would always remember his laugh, but I can't remember how it sounded anymore. This realization makes me very sad because memories are all I have left of him, and I'm losing those too. But when I’m sad, it makes me feel better to know that someday I'm going to see him again...in heaven.

A Simple Birthday and Lambo?

On the eve of my birthday, at 11.45pm to be exact, my husband sent me a text via SMS to wish me. And his text reads:

Happy birthday my darling. Love you very much. Sorry can't buy you any present. Owe you a lambo ok..He he. Love you and Happy birthday.

Now, money can't buy love but I'm contented for all the thoughtful things he has done for me. A loving and caring husband he is. We are still dry so this time we celebrate my birthday on a very moderate scale, nothing fancy but I was happy. We had durian on the eve of my birthday and went out for a simple dinner of fried hokkien mee with steam ginger fish.

Back to the message, he mentioned a lambo? Lamborghini Murcielago or a Reventon is our dream car. Ok, it is my dream car. He likes a Gallardo after seeing one in S'pore and besides, it is more affordable than a Murchielago. The Lamborghini Murchielago is a car I can only dream of owning but not actually buying one.Even if I were filthy rich, I don't think I will get one beacuse it is super super expensive and a super fast car like this is not easy to keep. A car like Lambo is high maintenance which translates into escalating bills. Aside from the high cost of repair, you'll have to think of your safety. Driving a super expensive car like will only attract robbers to prey on you. Then comes the parking problem; you have to park your car at vallet parking lots because it is safer and for a lousy driver like me, I can never get the car past narrow alley without getting scratch or inflicted with a dent, more so with a car that has a wide body. So I'll pass the idea of owning one. Perhaps, perhaps.

Dry To The Bone

Of late, our expenditures were exorbitant as we have a lot to pay for, all of which was my husband called "unexpected expenses". This is so true.

It started with our trip to a friend's wedding in Hong Kong which costs us RM2400 for 2 adult and 1 infant to fly on Cathay Pacific Airways. RM900 for 1 adult is already a great bargain as the usual cost of a CPA ticket to HK is approx. RM4,000. Hubby was particular about Jacob's comfort and safety so budget airlines was absolutely out of the question.

In Chinese weddings, it is customary for guest to give the newly weds ang pau (red packet) when you are invited to their wedding dinner and to attend one without giving an ang pau would be a shame. To give is one thing, how much you wish to give is another. The norm is to give an amount that is equivalent or more than what it will cost for one sitting. For instance, the cost for one table (10 pax) at a 5 star hotel in KL would be between RM1500 to RM2,000, therefore, the appropriate amount to give would be RM150 - RM200 per pax. Immediate family members are expected to give more.

The rule of thumb:

1. If there is 5 of you in a family, the appropriate amount would be 5 multiplied by cost per head.
2. Don't ever give less cos it reflects on you
3. If only two is invited, don't attempt to bring the whole gim bang but if you so wish, inform the couple and pack enough ang pau

Now, apparently the cost of a 11 course Chinese dinner for one table at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Kowloon is HKD6500. My husband, being the generous and kind being he always is, decided that we give HKD2,000 and I agreed. So there goes our 'ching ching'.

That night after the dinner, I was awaken by an excruciating pain in my stomach which lasted through the morning. I thought it was food poisoning. When we return home the next day, the pain strike again, this time in the wee hours of the morning. It was so unbearable I had to ask my husband to drive me to the SDMC ER. While we're htere, a dose of Voltran (not sure how it is spelt) pain killer was administered and I felt better. The ER and specialist consultation bill came up to RM400.

Again I was hit by the same pain at 3am in the morning so at 7am, hubby drove me to ER and I was administered with two types of pain kiler. This time I knew what pain killer I wanted and made sure the MO gave me the same. Since the pain was persistent and frequent, I was asked to go for ultrasound of the gall blader and get an endoscopy done. My gastro specialist did everything possible to find the source of the pain but in vain. All the results was normal. It was good news. Another RM1200 was splurged on hospital bills. There goes our 'ching ching'. Can you imagine how dry both of us are?

If you do the sum, you'll be amazed at how we managed it all. Not to mention, the expenses involved in caring for a baby. The drought continues.

Fishing in Perth, WA

My husband and I shares the same interest in almost everything and one of those which people often finds it a bizarre is my hobby in fishing. Ironically, I really do enjoy this sport. Most would find it a bore but it isn't to die hard fans of fishing.


Unfortunately, fishing in Malaysia is not as enjoyable as that that we had in Perth. Whenever, we travel to Perth, we would make it a point to go fishing and we will always return to our favourite spot to fish. Awesome fishing spots in Perth and South of Perth are found in Fremantle, Rottnest Island, Busselton Jetty, Margaret River, Augusta and Hamlin Bay, just to name a few. And my husband for one, is an avid lover of this sport. He misses fishing so much and is planning to make our next fishing trip to WA when Jacob is bigger, or at least when he can walk on his own. Which will probably happen only next year.

Fishing in Perth has its perks such as

1. Cool weather (sometimes chilling, especially during Winter when you're 1km into Busselton jetty or just fishing by the rocks on Fremantle)
2. Interesting catch: You don't know what you might get when fishing from the sea. We have caught a variety of edible fishes like flat head, skippy, grouper, bream, leather back jacket (as locals call them), and a whole lot of other funny looking fishes.
3. Sans mosquito
4. Friendly people who are not just men but women as well
5. Meet people of different nationals apart from the Aussies. On our trips, we have met Singaporeans, Thai, Chinese fr mainland China and Viets. All fishing for dinner.
6. Because we are on holiday, we can fish all day long.
7. Easy access to baits (frozen prawns and squids, mulies, small fishes) and a whole lot of other fishing stuff

Fishing for me is fun but as for hubby, he has to do everything for me like untangle my lines whenever it gets stuck remove any puffer fishes (or any fishes for that matter) I caught. As for some of you who don't know, puffer fish is like a weed in your garden, it is a type of fish you hate catching cause it is tough to get them off your hooks.

Just when he is about to enjoy his fishing, I get my weight stuck in between the rocks so he has to put his rod down to come to my aid which I think sometimes irate him. And since my fingers are sensitive to frozen prawns, he has un-shell the prawns for me and hook them for me. Obviously I was taking in all the fun while he has to do all the shit job (mind my language). I think any man would have hated to take me fishing as I can be quite a hand full and I spoil all the fun for them. Well, credits go to hubby cos every time I cast, I get fishes: medium size fishes.

On one of our trips to Fremantle, I observed a petit China man fishing. He was the only one who caught fishes while others had none. Everyone had heavy duty rods but he only carried a light, thin rod. We have been fishing since 6.30am but caught nothing. Noticing that he had not used any weights but only prawns as bait on a gang of hooks, I decided to follow his method. Guess what? I caught some really nice fishes and the last fish I caught was a medium size bream which probably weight about 1kg. Best part was I did not have to worry about getting my weight stuck and got to enjoy fishing. Good catch and hubby was proud of me. Hubby was after bigger fishes so he did not get any but he almost caught a shark though.

Sweet fishing memories.

Vaccination against Pneumococcal Disease

Next week, I'll be bringing my son for his 2nd vaccination against pneumococcal disease. He has just completed the 2 doses of Rotavirus vaccination and one dose of the Pneumococcal vaccination 2 months back. Both vaccine was administered via injection on both cheek of his buttock, one jab on each side. Poor him. We paid RM455 in total for one dose of each vaccine. Expensive hor? But it saves life.

I heard from a friend who just got back from the UK that this jab is a compulsory vaccine in the UK. You may ask why it is so important? I too asked the same question, not so much to get an answer behind the "why" but more so to justify our need to fork out a lot for each jab. Mind you, there are numerous doses for this vaccine but worry not, these vaccination is spread across a span of 2 years. Your child will receive 1 - 4 doses depending on his or her age, beginning 4 months old. Your doctor will advise you accordingly. Each vaccine cost approx RM280 so I'll let you do the math. But read on...

Pneumococcal Disease (PnD):
PnD is not a new thing, in fact it has been in existence for quite a while except that not much awareness was brought about this form of disease. The vaccination can prevent infant against fatal infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria. This bacteria can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, middle ear infection, infection of the blood (bacteraemia) and meningitis. You can read more about PnD at http://www.nfid.org/factsheets/pneumofacts.shtml

In my recent reading, I found this article on Bernama website http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=327516 and thought you should know:

Pneumococcal disease (PnD) is estimated to kill one million children below
the age of five annually throughout the world.PnD is a highly contagious
disease that easily spreads among children in droplets released into the air
through sneezing or coughing.Infants from birth to 24 months faced the highest
risk to catch this deadly disease due to their low levels of circulating
pneumococcal antibodies, said Dr Zulkifli Ismail at a health science writers
workshop here Thursday.

Jacob had fever the first time he got the PnD jab but it subsided after two days. If your child has got fever after the jab, try to bring his/her fever down with the following:

1. Sponging him/her with a small wet towel or
2. Feed him/her 2.5ml of panadol syrup every 6 hourly or
3. Insert suppository paracetamol. To be inserted via anus (the dose is 15mg per kg and each supp is 125mg and can be given one every 6 hourly)

*But do not give 2 & 3 together.

This was prescribed by my son's paeds and my girlfriend who is a doctor. Please seek your doctor's advice before administering or feeding your child anything.

He Scare Us Out of Our Wits

Time really flies when you're pre-occupied with so many things to do and caring for a child is a lot of work. Jacob is now 6 months old, third week. For the past two weeks, Jacob has learnt to move around a lot and I cannot place him on the bed unattended any longer.

Last Saturday, he gave us a scare of our lives when he pushed himself out of the bed with the upper-half of his body dangling from one corner of the bed. Prior to that, I had suggested to my husband to let Jacob sleep on the inner side of the bed, next to the bed head. Reason being is that a few nights earlier, he has been occupying so much of my space that I found it hard to sleep. Thinking that if I put him by the side of the bed head, he would move towards the corner and not in my direction. We agreed that it would also be safer for him since he's moving so much.

At 4am that morning, I was startled by hubby's wake-up call. I woke up to see hubby's hands sprawled over my body and Jacob was motionless. Hubby was reaching out to grab Jacob before he falls. Surprisingly, Jacob did not cry but merely gave out a small cooing sound and my husband who slept furthest from him could hear his cry. I slept like a dead lock oblivious his cry. The first thing that came to mind was "Is Jacob dead?" I was terrified. Then, I saw him move his hands and I heaved a sigh of relief, a great sigh indeed.

After that little stunt Jacob pulled there, we spoke about what had just happened and I remember telling hubby that "Angels were watching over him and was holding him while we were asleep". He agreed too.

Some advice for 6 months old baby extracted from http://www.babycentre.com.uk/ :

"As your baby starts becoming more active, he'll appreciate wearing comfy clothes. Opt for soft fabrics that won't chafe him as he's moving around. Loose, stretchy and breathable clothing is also a good idea as it provides your energetic little one plenty of wiggle room. Avoid clothes with rough or scratchy seams; long ties, buttons or bows (which could be a choking hazard); and anything else that gets in the way of your baby's sleeping, crawling, playing or other regular activities."

MJ & Farrah Fawcett

I was just reading about Michael Jackson's and Farrah Fawcett's demise on CNN and couldn't help but feel sad over their early departure. As I ponder hard on the circumstances and events leading to their demise, I began to wonder where will they go from here. Are they in heaven or in hell? This we will never know. But again, to relish on the thought that they will be in the latter is even more sad and I really hope they have ascended to be with the Lord, where there is peace, love and joy.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be suddenly dead and not knowing where you'll end up? I know that in Christianity, if you believe and accept Jesus Christ into your life and walk in his ways, you are assured that your name is in the Book of Life. In other words, when you die, you'll meet your Maker in heaven. I trust and believe that God is always with me wherever I am because I have the faith but still, death does have a way of giving you the creeps.

Everytime I hear about a friend's or relative's untimely demise, I feel nostalgic as if a dark cloud has overwhelmed me. I feel sad that they have to leave so suddenly when they have so much ahead of them. One incident that is clearly etched in my memory was the death of a high school classmate who was also my friend for a very brief moment. It happended one afternoon while I was in college preparing to sit for a semester exam when I got the news of her passing from one of my girlfriends. I had goose bumps when the news first hit me and felt very sad for her father. Karen Louis and her family was involved in a road accident which also killed her mother and young sister. She was only 20 and her sister 12. I got news that she had wanted so badly to enrol into a private college to study medicine but was denied of that opportunity for some reasons. I remember her as a bright and hard-working student in school and would have made a fine doctor if she was alive today. 8 years have passed and I've known many friends and relatives who had their lives taken from them at such a young age.

Friends aside, I have a little brother who was only with us for a very brief moment. He was 7 months old when he died and I was 10. Due to one doctor's negligence, one live was taken away from us and I believe that his death has a great impact in my life: particularly in my views towards life & death. Reminiscing that fateful afternoon on Saturday, November 29,1991, brings back sad memories. I was young but not ignorant. I understand grief and sorrow. They are not our friends. I cannot begin to imagine the grief my parents felt at the time of his passing.

Life is short and I always remind myself this: Live everyday like it is your last and treasure those close to your heart for it is their life that you want to leave a legacy with. I am not Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett but I am somebody to my loved ones.

Obsession of Baby Bottles & Night Feeds

Recently I've just added another baby bottle to my son's collection of MAM baby bottles which is BPA free and anti-colic. He now has 9 bottles in total. Thanks to my obsession for feeding bottles. Well, it's not entirely an obsession but more to meet the need for it especialy when we are always on the go and having only 3 bottles won't suffice. With more feeding bottles, it saves me the trouble of having to wash them right after use during night feeds.

Night feeds is really tiring, more so when you retire to bed at 2am and have to drag yourself out of bed at 3am for his next feed. I particularly detest this routine as I find it extremely difficult to prop myself up after a long day. He rarely cries for his feed which is very good and this has been his habit since birth. So on most ocassions, my boy will flap his two arms on our bed in an attempt to wake me up for his feed. He will continue to flap them until I wake up, usually about 15 to 30 mins (although I can't be certain). And if that fails, he'll give out a short cry so I'll immediately spring out of bed and set myself into motion. Mothers out there will understand what I'm trying relay here. It's no joke having to wake up every 2-3 hours in the wee hours of the morning to make milk. Waking up is one thing, washing bottles is another. I'm a hygience freak when it comes to bottle cleaning so every time I make it a habit to wash feeding bottles with a mild detergent and thereafter, sterillize it in the Phillips Avent express sterillizer. Thank God for technology. Can you imagine the traditional sterillizing method of having to boil feeding bottles? And to do it at wee hours of the morning?

Oh well, back to my baby bottles. Now, that I have 9 feeding bottles, I can travel with ease and not worry about having inadequate bottles for a one-day feed. Sometimes, we can be out of the house from 10am to midnight so with the excess bottles, my boy will have enough to drink. Back in April when we travelled to Hong Kong for a short trip, I recalled only having 5 feeding bottles and it wasn't enough to last us for a day's trip. Experience does help us to be better parent and better equipt.

Speaking of feeding bottles, my hubby was the one who introduced the MAM range of bottles. He was very concern about harmful chemical emission of plastics into baby's milk so he switched all our Avent & Baby's First bottles to MAM. MAM bottles are made from 100% polypropylene so it is BPA free and the bottles comes in 3 standard colours of Blue, Green and Pink. One of the main feature of MAM bottles is that you can dismantle the bottle parts, from the lid to the base, to clean with great ease. Unlike other brand of bottles, you need a long brush to clean the insides and sometimes the brush cannot reach certain areas so it is unhygienic and I don't want to bore you with my hygience regime.

Being a perfectionist doesn't help when I'm a parent. It only makes it tougher. With hubby's help with child caring, I'm more relaxed and sane. Hubby always tries his best to make things easy for me and I thank God for him. The little things he does helps a great deal. Sometimes, when I see so many feeding bottles lying around, unwashed, hubby will pick them up and clean them for me. I can honestly say that these little things makes me happy especially when I'm so drained after a full days work of caring for my son.

Something to Ponder

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;but often we look so long at the closed door that we donot see the one which has been opened for us."

-Helen Keller (1880-1968)

My Shopping Therapy

Last evening I was out shopping with mom, dad and Joyce at One-U. My plan was to get Jacob some nice baby GAP t-shirts and just that, nothing else. First, we headed to Oriental Cravings to get myself lunch cos everyone has eaten except me. I drop hubby off in Subang and was supposed to meet my parents at 2pm but only arrived at 3.40pm. Knowing me so well, they couldn't wait they ate without me. Anyway, back to lunch. I had a bowl of claypot loh shee fun and a bowl of tong sui while mom looks after Jacob.

After lunch, we were supposed to go straight to Baby GAP on the 2nd Floor and get his stuff but as usual, I detoured. I found myself in ZARA instead, supposedly looking for clothes meant Jacob. Again, I was side tracked. I found myself looking for summer dresses and only after while I remembered my initial intention of going into ZARA.

I scanned through the ZARA kids clothes and decided that the quality of their clothes is bad; the collar of the t-shirt is small and the material too thin. Price range between RM29 to RM59, affordable. Didn't find anything suitable so we left. And guess where I was headed to? Not Baby GAP. I ended up in Dorothy Perkins next, followed by TOP Shop and PROMOD, looking for a nice casual dress. I finaly found not only one but two casual dresses from PROMOD and my intention was to only get one piece. Being the indecisive ol me, I asked mom and sis for their opinion and both suggested on the black dress. They liked the blue dress as well but thought the black was nicer. I was in the store for about 45 minutes trying to decide on the two. Alas, unable to decide, I paid for two. I really suck at deciding in the area of shopping.

Happy and guilty at same time, I gingerly walked towards the escalator leading to 2nd Floor. Before I came out of the store, I told mom that Jacob's stuff will have to wait. My guilt was setting in and I felt so bad for spluring on two dresses instead of one. Anyway, we drop by Baby GAP and looked at some boys' clothes but left empty handed. Again, I was stroke by guilt for not getting Jacob anything.

Jacob is officially 6 months old

Today, Jacob is 6 months old and I'm so proud of it. It is a milestone in my journey as a mommy and every day is a learning process. I must admit that the past 6 months has been trying but most of it fun. We do a lot of things together and everything centres around Jacob. Just this morning at breakfast, hubby was talking about going for a vacation cum fishing in Redang but brushes the thought aside as it is near impossible to bring a baby to the beach at this age. The last we went to Hong Kong to attend a wedding, we had to lugged a huge luggage weighing 27kg and guess what was in the bag?...Bottles of mineral water, an electric kettle and Jacob's bottles of boiled water. Coupled with a baby stroller and a small hand luggage, our hands are full. So, the beach and fishing vacation have to hold for now. See Jacob, what mommy and daddy have to sacrifice?...Oh well, we love you so much so these little fun can wait.

I thank God for the position I'm in today: running a business with my husband and being a stay home mom. I get to spend so much quality time with both my son and husband that most working moms are deprived of. And since I'm on the subject of being stay home mommy, I'd like to point out some of the upsides of it:

1. I don't have to wake wee hours of the morning to get dress for work. I get to wake up at 9 am instead of 6 am.
2. Less complain of having to wake up for feeds. (Jacob still wakes up for his feed every 3 hours and very punctual)
3. I get to catch up on my sleep after each feed.
4. Concentrate on my business.
5. My son gets all the attention he needs.
6. To be able to watch my son grow day to day i.e. the first time he smile, the first time he lifts his head, the first time he chuckles and much much more.
7. The luxury to travel as and when I want without the need to apply for leave.
8. The luxury of going shopping anytime I want although I rarely do this.
9. Save money on nanny.
10. Relieved of the worry of having placed my child under the hands of a baby sitter.
11. Return to my pre-pregnancy weight quicker with the luxury of breastfeeding at my convenience (I've stopped breastfeeding just a couple of days back though) and working round the clock.
12. You'll never get bored cos your child will rpovide you endless entertainment.
13. Blogging (Need I say more?)

Jacob has learnt how to sit on his own and is still in need of some polishing in that area. He can turn on his side but stops just there and gets cranky when he stays too long in the same position. I thrilled for him to get his first tooth. I don't see signs of it yet but hope he will have them by the end of this month.