In a Dilemma

I'm a little troubled today.

As you know from here, I'm planning on taking my parents to Japan to view cherry blossoms this spring. The dilemma is this:

So far, only myself and my parents are going. But VT did hint that he wants to go.

Ok so if he goes, my MIL will have to take care of both the Bs full-time (day & night) for 7 to 8 days. I think it's too much for her. Solution: we'll take Bryan along.

If we take a hyper 2 1/2 year old along, can he tolerate all the "naik bas, turun bas" involved in taking a tour? What happens when it's time to leave a place and he refuses, and starts screaming? What happens if he poops in his pants on the bus, on a long journey up Mount Fuji? What if he goes beserk in the plane, being his first time on it?

I tried asking for a private tour but the tour operator told me that it is expensive and not worth it.

Pening only.......

A Long Weekend That Was

We just had a long weekend over Saturday to Monday (being the Islamic new year). So what were we up to?

Saturday, the 20th

Do you recognise these beautiful girls?

Yes - that's me with Baby C and Sherilyn - the cutiepies belonging to HealthFreakMommy. Alycia is like the mummy, very photo-shy! I'd finally met up with the pretty, young-looking mother of 3. Shireen is also my SIL's pal from schooling days as the both of them are from Ipoh. Very small world! We met up at the Jungle Gym located on the top-most floor of Bangsar Shopping Centre. The concept is liks KidzSport I've been told. Per entry cost is RM28 per child, which was quite hefty to my mind. The good thing was that Bryan had his nap on the way to BSC so his energy level was tanked up to play. Lunch was at the cafe just outside the gym - food is great although we had to be seated outside which was kinda warm.

I like the gym because security is rather tight. The guardian's thumbprint is taken when we "check" the child in, and only the same person can "check" the child out by scanning the thumb again. And then there is a TV screen just outside which has CCTV covering the gym so that parents can watch over them. For good measure, I took turns with my maid to watch over Bryan while my Mum watched over Brandon. Poor VT was working on Saturday so he couldn't join us. We arrived home past 5pm and I hurriedly whipped up a quick meal of steamed fish and taufu with minced chicken for our dinner. Thank goodness VT was home by 6pm to take over Brandon.

Sunday, the 21st
Sundays are our usual mall-visiting days. Right after his bath, Bryan will proclaim "Sup(er)market" very loudly. We arrived at 1U and to our dismay, could not find a parking spot. So after searching for 20mins and paying RM1 to exit, we headed towards Hartamas Shopping Centre inside. In the process of car park hunting, Bryan fell asleep and I had to feed Brandon. There was a new TGIF which opened there so we decided to check it out. Again to our disappointment, this outlet doesn't have a "Kids Eat for Free" promo. When I asked the manager, he said that it was different for every outlet but I was never theless shocked because I thought it was one of their selling point. Then the Chicken Fingers that VT had was so small that we enquired whether they wrongly delivered the kiddies portion instead (which they say the did not)! VT and I have decided to boycott this TGIF outlet from there on.

After lunch, we headed to "Toys-R-Us Express" - it is just a smaller version of the normal & larger Toys-R-Us stores. Just as we went in, Bryan squatted down at the main aisle, in full view of other shoppers to perform his "big biz"! VT whisked him away to clean him up. Then 2 minutes later, I saw Brandon straining and making grunting sounds. So I wheeled him and passed him to VT to change, just as Bryan was wearing his shorts. Must had been the "umm umm" sounds that I was making when Bryan was doing his!

Monday, the 22nd
A few of us gathered at this mummy's house for a small makan-makan gathering. I met Michele for the first time. This wonderful mummy learnt balloon-sculpting from YouTube and made a dog for Bryan! Isn't she amazing? Then this mummy brought her giant swimming pool and all the kids had a whale of a time. I had to leave early as both the Bs were getting grumpy. I would have loved to stay and chit-chat with all the mummies. We cannot seemed to stop talking!!

For dinner, I made Seafood Tom Yum meehoon and had my PILs over. It was so easy, thanks to the ready-made paste. I think I shall make this more often. After putting Bryan to sleep, I had wanted to potter around the house a bit and spend some alone time with VT. But mana tau, I must had fallen asleep as when I woke up, it was 3:40am!

That was my weekend. How was yours?

Malacca & PD in 14 hours

Warning: Long post ahead

My PILs wanted to take Bryan for a short get-away in PD during the Hari Raya Haji long weekend. I couldn't take leave as my boss is away and it is also too troublesome to pack all of Brandon's stuff, like bottle steriliser and his bath tub. So VT and I decided to make a day trip instead. As it is, I packed 3 bags just for Bryan - one for clothes, one for diapers (swimming ones too), and the final one for snacks & milk (and milk bottles). I can't imagine what it would be like if I had to pack for Brandon too.

We chose a bad day for travel - it rained the entire day. Our initial plan was to leave by 8am so that we can get to the Malacca Zoo before 10am. Oh yes, we did get there before 10am, only to be greeted by more rain. We decided to hang out in Mahkota Parade for a while, hoping that rain would subside. But alas, it was still raining rather heavily by lunchtime. We then decided to find a place for lunch in Melaka Raya. All the restaurants were packed - not surprisingly since it was a public holiday (yes, for the Singaporeans as well whose cars out-numbered the KL-ites). We waited at Restaurant #1 for 45 minutes for our food, and when it didn't looked like it was coming (plus the waitresses were rude), we got up and left after paying for our chinese teas. Restaurant #2 was the same but by then, we just ordered whatever was available immediately as Bryan was hungry and figgeting. Food was sub-standard, and price was high standard.

After lunch, Bryan followed by MIL in their car, which ended up to be a good thing. We had to stop at two different petrol stations. Once because Brandon was fussing and we only then realised he was probably uncomfortable in his PJs (long-john style) when it was already 3pm!! So we changed him into a T and he was much happier. Silly parents, eh? Shortly after, I could hear him grunting away in the backseat hence it was time for another stop to change his soiled diaper. By the time we hit the highway towards PD it was 3:50pm and thanks to an accident, we arrived at Avillion at 5:15pm. Bryan was already eagerly waiting for VT to take him to the pool.

VT and I had a quick dinner at the resort and after packing Bryan off to bed, we started our journey home at 9:30pm. True to our "good" luck that day, we were stuck at the Senawang-Nilao stretch for more than an hour. When we arrived home, I almost cried because I was so tired and sleepy yet I stayed awake to keep VT awake while driving too. VT crashed out that night, while I took over the night shift. Luck turned after the stroke of 12 as Brandon gave his mummy a good night rest by not waking up till 9 the following morning.

It was an enjoyable trip but I'll think twice about long day trips again next time. Getting too old!

Our Little Get-a-Way

Here's the post that you have been waiting for.
VT and I went away for 3days/2 nights to BALI.

We flew via Air Asia and my-oh-my, I wouldn't recommend the 3-hour flight for preggies as my back almost broke. I was even willing to pay for a pillow, but they had none. At least on the way there, we managed to get the whole row to ourselves so I slouched and tried to ignore the backache.

Day 1
The driver from The Ahimsa was already waiting for us at the arrival hall, with our names nicely printed on a shout-out board. We were pampered with ice-cold towels and a bottle of mineral water each for the quick 10 minutes drive to the villa in Jimbaran. Now, the villa was really something. The villa is designed with maximum air-flow and generous open spaces, complete with a private plunging pool. The bedroom is the only area of the villa with air-conditioning, which also opens up directly to the pool. The bath has an open-air bath tub and shower with twin sinks. What can I say? We were truly pampered!

We headed out to Kuta for a late lunch after dumping our bags and oohing-&-aahing the villa. The villa even provides a personal van cum driver. After lunch, we walked around hunting for a shop selling Polo shirts, which cost only RM80 over there. Grabbed a few as pressies and walked some more....ok, not a WHOLE lot more as I was tired. So took a taxi back to the villa to rest before heading out to Ku De Ta for a lavish dinner by the beach in Seminyak. After dinner, we watched "Vantage Point" in bed and zzzzzzz........


Day 2

Breakfast was served in the private enclave of our villa (cooking was also done in the villa by 2 cooks, who promptly arrived at whatever time you preferred). After breakfast, this lazy mummy promptly declared that she was tired and went back to bed for a snooze. I woke up just in time for lunch, and upon wandering, found VT lounging by the pool reading his book. We headed back out to Kuta for a light lunch. It drizzled in the morning so weather was cool but not wet. Having been to Bali before, we did not do any sight-seeing hence walked rather aimlessly, stopping ocassionally for coffee & ice-cream.

We had initially planned to have seafood for dinner but ended up in Hard Rock Cafe, where I'd indulged in a pork sandwich. How to find it here, right? We lingered till 10pm when the live band was supposed to come on, but after 15mins of waiting, we decided to leave. I suspect it was because the crowd was thin (only 2-3 tables). Back to the villa to watch another DVD - "I Am Legend".

Day 3
We were both eager to get home as we'd missed our little boy very much. Funny how when we're with him, I whine of being tired and at times, frustrated with his never-ending supply of energy. But when we're not, all I did was to talk about him.

We bade good-bye to the lovely villa staff as I dreaded the 3-hour flight home. It was definately a holiday to remember as it rejuvenated me physically and emotionally. Afterall, there will be no more holidays in the next year or so!

Return of the Appetite

That would be name I would give a movie, that is, if I made one now. Yes indeed, my appetite has finally returned! We had a few friends over yesterday for Xmas brunch - roast chicken, grilled lamb chops, sausages, salad and ahem - mashed potatoes. It was really good to catch up with Jovy and her little gal, Norelle. I had to pass on the red wine though which VT said was excellent. Anyhow, I did stuff myself with canned longans.

Anyway, back to the topic. I was really surprised that I could eat and quite a bit too. And guess what? The food stayed down the whole time. Then of course, being good ol' worrisome me, I started to worry that something was amiss and freaked VT out as well. Good thing is that I had my scheduled appointment with the ob-gyn this morning. The scan shows a healthy little embryo and I even get to stop taking the hormone pills!

I can't wait to feel like old self again!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Less than 5 hours till Christmas dinner at my PILs. My contribution is mashed potatoes, which is, if I may say so myself, almost perfect this year. But that's far as my "culinary skills" take me. What's on the menu tonight? I predict:

- Roast turkey
- Pork knuckles
- Salad
- and of course, my MASH

I'm looking forward to the gift-exchange session where I'm sure Bryan would enjoy ripping open his presents and playing with the boxes that toys come in.

Anyway, I'm off to catch a catnap now so wishing you and your loved ones-

A MERRY & BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

Tired, Tired, Tired

I'm putting up this post at Changi Airport, waiting for our flight back to KL. I've been here since Thursday for work, and then VT joined me over the weekend as he was participating in the Stanchart Marathon. We were supposed to stay till Monday but VT is off to Shanghai tonight midnight for work, hence the mad rush to get home.

It has been a tiring trip, though it would good to have our "2nd honeymoon" as we left Bryan with my in-laws. I'm really looking forward to seeing Bryan as we missed him so much. Anyway, we walked and walked and walked (really missed our car too!). I just realised that we get most things in KL these days so I didn't shop much in Singapore. Just bought Bryan a Tigger stuffed toy as tall as he is!

I'm looking forward to going home and my baby.

Long Leave

I'd started my long leave today - 2 weeks to be exact. I did go into the office for half a day this morning because of a few meetings that I couldn't get out of.

So, what are my plans you may ask?

This week
Mon - Wed: Blog, Blog, Blog!
Thurs & Fri: SAHM
Sat - Mon next week: Short holiday with Bryan's godma, Jo - haven't decided where yet

Next week
Tues - Thurs: SAHM
Fri - Sun: Penang with in-laws (I'm planning on meeting up with Sharine!!)

Anyone who wants to yum cha, drop me a note here!