My top 5 new-found skills as a mama

Got the idea for this post from an entry by Sabrina Garibian entitled Random skills I’ve mastered as a mom via @Babycenter. I'm guessing there are a lot of new skills you will soon develop from being a mom to your kiddos. It does come with the territory kot. Sebab rasa macam banyak sangat.... *perasan*, I'm listing my top 5 new-found skills as a mama.

1. Using my iPhone with one hand, this also goes to using iPad (though I do try to refrain myself from doing it, only happens when iPhone is charging). Via my iPhone, I checked my email, , tweet, read my TL and FB updates, replied my Words with Friends, update my recent photos at Instagram (links to Twitter and Facebook), blog and read my fellow bloggers updated post. Recently, I also conquered reading a book with one hand, but tak feel sangat. I wonder what else I can do whilst waiting for my baby to finish her feeds.

2. Improved my negotiating skill and my sales skill, as every morning I would need to sell the outfit of MY choice to my beloved Adam. It would start with 2 outfits, one that I know he hates and the other one would be my choice. So, he would never choose Option 1, hence will go for Option 2. But there are days when he decides neither options would do, and then it will be up to your negotiation skill to at least get him into a proper top and bottom. Most days would be jean and t-shirt, but other days would be baju pegi masjid (baju melayu), his swimming attire or his one-piece pyjama. I dread to think the ordeal of going through this with my Zara in the future.

3. Changed diaper with one hand in record time mostly due to the smell. Yeah, tipulah with one hand but definitely in record time. If I fail to delegate this task to someone else, I shall do it with record time to keep the smell at the minimum level. Between the two, I would gladly change my Zara than my Adam. Want to know why,..... ;-)

4. Pack and unpack in record time during our weekly trip back and forth from my house, my parents and my in-laws, you know the drill. Going for a trip, yup it will be me, the luggage and the avalanche of baby clothes all over. After couple of time, I'm already a pro at folding things and fitting all our clothes in one bag.

5. Shopping at malls with baby-friendly bathroom, yes I do think that all moms will develop this and shall flock at the same shopping malls as I do. It's just the convenience of it all. If the need arise to go to the malls without this critical necessity, I must say I would rather go with my little ones, for example, my trips to IKEA, Yes to kid-friendly amenities but No to the very high volume of people that goes there. But, that's just ME.

Share with me your top 5 new-found skill as a Mom!


- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

Note: Picture taken from Google Images

What can princess Zara do now?

بِسْــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِالرَّحْمَنِ اارَّحِيم

Zara can bring her hands together.

With a mighty effort, Zara can raise her chest, supported by her arms, when she lies on her stomach.

Zara still trying to roll over (one way). She prefers to turn to the right.

She reaches for objects, especially hanging toy on her playgym.

Zara can put some weight on her legs when you hold her upright.

Zara makes sounds like "ah goo."

Zara laughs out loud.

Zara squeals when he's happy.

Zara smiles spontaneously.

Zara can focus on very small objects.

Zara turns toward the sound of a familiar voice, or smell. Especially her mama, mostly she knows the smell of milk.

Note: All babies have their own internal developmental timetable. If your 3-month-old hasn't yet reached these milestones, rest assured that he will in time. If you have concerns about your baby's development discuss them with his doctor.

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

Zara's Cukur Jambul ceremony

بِسْــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِالرَّحْمَنِ اارَّحِيم

As for Zara, the celebration was somewhat done in a smaller scale at our humble home. 2nd child syndrome, I always say. Plz dun get me wrong, it was a grand celebration indeed, in our own way with a modern touch. It was grand in a different way.
First, the colour theme was decided to be a shade of lilac. Well, of cos mamanya nak pink, but the boys are against the idea of wearing pink. Boys meaning ayahnya, haha. Adam ok je. Once the theme colour has been decided, mama start looking around for ideas to decorate the house. This time mama learnt my lesson, and decided not to have a grand cradle. Instead, we decorated the bassinet to place her. So, final decision was to decorate an area for bassinet with butterfly decoration on its background, butterfly decoration on bassinet, flowers arch on the bassinet, lovely clips to hang zara's pictures and balloonsssssss ;-) For balloons, ordered a silver and lilac balloon bunch to complement zara's bassinet and make a nice border for taking pictures. Also, chik managed to score me cheap helium balloons to give away to the kids. The pakcik pump the balloon right in front of my house. So cool!!!! We got loads of angry bird balloons (most popular) and mickey mouse.

Pretty purple decoration surrounding my house

Next, it's all about the door gift. Pening memikirkan door gift ni, was tinking of something different. More modern and everlasting. Finally, I decided with chocolate lollies embedded with image of Adam & Zara from Chocolata Designs. And, personalised yassin from Wishing Favours to be given during marhabban. This was inserted in a goodie bag so that senang orang nak bawak balik.

Cute and simple door gifts

Finally, baju!!! Hehe, penting nie. The boys have their identical lilac baju melayu from last Eid Mubarak celebration, and me too. Settled!! Oh, was looking high and low from zara, I wanted a pretty lil gown, but all is in pink or white or red. Time nie laa tak jumpa warna lilac, if ada, size pulak xde. Finally found one in Ampang Park, a small boutique for baby and kids clothes. Yayy,...also bought some CK purple rompers for her. So, for Zara je, dia ada 3 persalinan. Yelah, takut panas, basah, kotor dll. Adam 2 persalinan, baju melayu and casual. Hehe....kiddos!! Zara was also wearing headband from Onulaa. So cute, you just have to get it for your daughter.

Snapshots of my happy family during the event

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

What is Cukur Jambul ceremony?

بِسْــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِالرَّحْمَنِ اارَّحِيم

Cukur jambul is the baby's very first haircut, done in accordance with Malay tradition. It is an important rite of passage and is very much seen as an occasion for the extended family to come together, renew bonds and welcome the new baby into the clan. To know more, please visit Baby Center.
For Adam's, we had quite a grand celebration. Biasalah anak first, also had it at my parent's home. A grand cradle was set up for him, but Adam was really resistant of the cradle. He wants neither lie nor sleep in it. Most of the time, he was nestled neatly in my arms, or crying. Especially during the Marhabban time, he was crying his heart out. Am guessing dia takut dgn nyanyian, bunyi gendang segala. Kesian anak mama, mama pun hampir nak menangis sekali.

Adam was not having such a grand time

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

Adam is 2 y.o.

بِسْــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِالرَّحْمَنِ اارَّحِيم

We will start of chronology of events with Adam's birthday, which falls on the early October. Yup, my not-so-lil-anymore boy is now 2 y.o. Susah nak percaya kadang2, but once you hear his cheekiness, then you will know. As usual, he met his milestones as a 2 years old, and more. The one prominent milestones is that he really enjoys going out. Tak kisah la, just to pusing2 our neighbourhood tgk monkey, pergi kedai dekat rumah, McD kat Petronas, Kayu, MaxValu, atau sejauh to KayEllCeeCee (read KLCC). Gosh, am guessing this is due dia selalu terperuk atau diperukkan di rumah grandparents dia, hence will jump at any chance to go for a ride in the car. Yup, you guess it, he's favourite toys of all is transportation. You name it, he likes it. Car, lorry, fire engine, truck, excavator, dump truck and paling suka, lori sampah. But, his passion is the aeroplane and helicopter. Once he started playing this, the rest will be forgotten. As it is he's birthday, these are the ideal pressie for him, which of course dia dapat. Now, he has loadssss of it in my room, his room, my living room, my kitchen and my car. Saba je laaaa, anak mama sorang nie.
Anyways, on his birthday, we decided to have just a small celebration, and to combine his party with his lil sister's cukur jambul ceremony. So, we just invited our niece and nephews to celebrate - Kakyong, Abang Ngah and Fran2. Abang Isy could'nt make it, as miong was not feeling up to par.  Saturday nite, we had dinner and a small cake, Chinese food...yummeh. The next day brought them for a workout session at Kizsports & Gym, and lunch at Alexis. Then at night celebrate at my in-laws with an ice cream cake from Baskin-Robbins. Yup, one weekend just to celebrate his birthday, that he had so much fun and refuse for the weekend to be over. Kesian!...

Angry Bird shirt to celebrate his birthday :-)

 Birthday dinner with cuzs

 Birthday celebration with my in-laws

His birthday gift - the aeroplane!

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

Fast forward to October

It has been a hectic month, even more with juggling 2 babies, working, planning for one's birthday party, and the other's cukur jambul ceremony, kemas rumah for kenduri, planning for next photography session and the list go on, and on,.... U geddit? Been meaning to upload some pictures of the event. Promise to do it soon, *wink wink*... Till then, plz wait patiently!!

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

Happy Raya 2011

It's time to say Goodbye to Ramadhan, as Syawal has arrived. Yahoo, nak Rayaaaa!! Like always, Raya is always haywire, now even more with 2 kiddos. Somehow I was not having the mood to beraya, as am still under confinement, or berpantang. This means all the yummy food is a BIG no-no. Huhu, things women do to look good. Takpelah, next year masih ada. So, after completing all the mandatory visits, we just stayed home. Nothing much. So how was your raya? Fun, eh!

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

loser & winner

When you have kids, you'll understand the meaning of losing your independence and sanity. Your sole reason of living lies upon these little creature called babies. With 2 under 2, things surely get crazier. Semua dugaannya mencabar hati dan jiwa. Previously, with adam, we were really flustered whenever he cries. Gotta admit that I actually jumped to him upon his slightest cries. Everything I do, I will put his needs and wants first. And, my successful adventure outside the house depends upon his mood for the day. Most of the time I prayed that he will be on his best behaviour, which really meant No Tantrum!!!
Bak kata kawan saya, cik Intan payung, "sendri mau ingat, pandai buat, pandai tanggung. There's no turning back". It's true, ada masanya rasa macam nak tarik rambut, but most of the time I feel and I know I can't live without them. The precious moments we shared, the laughter and the joy trumps all the cries and screams. Time dia naughty, baru rasa nak jerit kat dia and tetiba dia kata,"Sowwy Mama". Terus cair and sejuk hati. Ayoyo, lima minit kemudian, ......ADAM!!!!!! Ganbatte-san to all mama.

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato

Baby Bunching

Term refers to parents with kids less than 2 years apart (2 under 2), or sometimes 3 under 3 y.o (o' ooo). For a mama like me, it simply meant that our life is a sandwiched with sheer happiness and sheer madness. Meaning? Macam biskut chipsmore, kejap rasa macam heppi and rasa bes, satgi rasa macam nak menjerit sambil tarik rambut. Normal laa kan rasa macam ni? Or not?

My 2 under 2 = my cinta hati, Adam & Zara. Bak kata orang, lahirnya anak, tumpahlah rezeki. Alhamdullilah! Setiap kali rasa nak menjerit pada yang berdua, have to be reminded of this always. Kadang2, terjerit jugak!! Hehe :-)

- And she sipped her heavenly Caramel Macchiato