Tangled Theme Birthday Cake

For my daughter's 6th birthday last September, she wanted a Tangled themed cake. The trickiest part of this cake was the tower and the most tedious was the sun.. The doll and the bridge (minus the leaves) are plastic and purely for decorative purposes. Here are some photos of the cake... I started off with the tower and the arrangement as in the lower left photo but changed it based on my project manager's (a.k.a husband) advice. His input is always crucial for me in all that I do. For this cake, the tower was exasperating and he helped me not give up... 

Frozen Themed Birthday Cake

I think it is safe to say that almost every parent who has a toddler who is a girl has had to either bake or buy a Frozen themed birthday cake. For my daughter's 5th birthday in 2014, I baked her this doll cake using an Elsa doll as part of her Frozen themed birthday celebration. She was dressed up as Elsa and we took loads of photos of her swooshing and swirling about! 

Here are shots of the cake...

Not By My Strength...

Hubs had to go out station for work purposes and we didn't follow him. For 11 days.. so that left me all alone with a soon to be 5 year old, a just turned 3 year old and a 6 week newborn baby *gasp

Even before this, whenever anyone asked me how I was going to manage taking care of the three of them by myself especially when hubs has to travel, I say, "I know I can't do it by myself but by God's grace and if He helps me and gives me strength, only then can I do it." And let me tell you, that is the absolute TRUTH. Fact is, a hundred million things that are totally out of your control can go wrong.

10 days... and mind you I managed to cook at least three times a day. Lunch and dinner and either for breakfast or for tea time. Here in Malaysia, it is common to cook once for lunch and eat the same thing for dinner. No harm in that, it's just that I love cooking for my family and trying out new recipes..but boy was it a challenge.. I had to prep,cook and clean in stages.

So far I have managed to keep up my old routines.. However, I had to let go of many things namely in the region of housekeeping. One step at a time. Prioritise.. Could I have done this on my own strength? No way...

Hubs was a pillar of comfort and strength as well. He would keep tabs on the kids and through Skype would make the kids accountable for their actions.. 

Even so, after a bout of flu and cough which hit me and the kids- thanks to the haze, the next time Hubs has to travel we are going with him.. : )

3rd Bundle of Joy

So, baby no. 3 is on the way.. I've entered my third trimester...I didn't know I was pregnant until I started noticing my energy level was low last October..to which my dearest husband lovingly suggested, could be due to lack of exercise : ) (I had a good time reminding him about it once I found out I was actually 7 weeks pregnant) Seriously though, it was more like the non existence of such a thing called exercise.. However, taking care of 2 kids and running a household does count for some mild calorie burning I think. 

Other than that we bought a house, did some minor renovation (as it was a sub sale unit but bought for investment purposes so we are the first to live here) and moved in on New Year's Eve... I've also started my Phd. Yay! My coursemates can't believe I'm coming for classes while pregnant.. they'd rather sleep at home if they were pregnant they say...  So, that's a short round up of events and mainly some idea of posts that I shall be covering from time to time, hopefully.. But I have to say, I have missed you my dearest blog.

I am 30 going on 31....

On September 21, I turned 31.. It was a beautiful day from the beginning until the end. The day before, Hubby would say out loud, "T minus ...hours and .....minutes" depending on how much time was left to 12midnight and it would be my birthday. He would announce it in a loud and deep baritone.. And I would break into girlish giggles with my daughter running around saying, "Happy Birthday Mummy". The children and Hubby had gone out to Secret Recipe and bought a cake. When leaving it with the hotel staff to be delivered to us later, my daughter started crying. Hubby explained to her that it was Mummy's birthday cake and it was a secret and not to tell me. This happened at 6pm. Can you imagine, my daughter NEVER said a word. She never even mentioned the word cake. She would say happy birthday and kiss me and all but nada about the cake. And mind you, she tells me everything. She turns 3 tomorrow and I have to say she keeps a secret better than so many adults I know.

At 12midnight, the hotel staff brought the cake. The F&B manager, Mr Eddie had stayed back and brought 4 other staff. He played the guitar as they sang Happy Birthday! Can you imagine. Such lovely people. Where are we staying? We're at the Best Western Hotel and Residence Sandakan. This is a wonderful hotel and I love it her for many reasons. In total we've stayed here for about 5months now. Mom called and so did my BFF.

The next morning, I found a lovely note that Hubby had written. From work he sent a really, really cute e-mail using lots of emoticons..was awesome.. Once back from work, he took the kids and said he was going to reception to collect something. So, i thought hmm must be balloons or flowers or something...Then, he calls me and asks me to go to a certain room to collect something. I'm thinking hmm he must want me out of the room for this next surprise. The hotel has a spa called Lembah Impian Spa and they just started operation. I was their first customer. That was where Hubby made me go! The bliss of it all.. They were really good and my masseur massaged away my aches and pains...I put my phone in the silent mode -sorry peeps getting myself pampered : )

When I came back to the room, a beautiful hand made card was waiting for me. I love hand made cards! It was made by Hubby and my two kids! I shed tears of happiness as this surpassed any gift... I managed to convince Hubby I didn't want to go out for dinner (I was too content and relaxed after my spa) and so we ordered our favourite pizzas from Pizza Hut... All in all it was a beautiful day and I couldn't have had a better celebration. I thank the Lord for my lovely husband and kids. 

About a Bout of Toddler Vomitting

Warning: Long post but worth the read : )

There is a reason why the police like to interrogate people right after a crime or incident. This is because as time goes you forget details and things seem a little fuzzy or you want to talk about it but you lack the strength or you just don't know where to start. Of course, I always knew this but what happened a few days ago reminded me of the fact.

On Tuesday, my soon to be 3 year old daughter had diarrhea. Her poop was extremely and I mean extremely watery. She had it twice and the next day in the evening her poop was normal. *sigh of relief. Then, suddenly at 10p.m. she vomitted. And after an hour she vomitted again. And after that she vomitted every half an hour. So, here we are in a first time situation of such a nature and we find ourselves not in a place where you can find a clinic or hospital at almost every end. We are in Sandakan, Sabah where there is only ONE hospital. A government hospital with a classy name; The Duchess of Kent. They do have a new building and children who are admitted are warded in the new building. The rest of the hospital is very much like other Malaysian government hospitals.

Right, so after the first time she vomitted we went to a clinic nearby (we know the Dr and his clinic is opened till 12pm), Klinik Dr Mahen.(See end of post for details) At that time she had just vomitted once and was still looking okay. Dr. Mahen gave us some medicine to be taken orally to help stop the vomitting. Alas, Cupcake couldn't even drink water so she also vomitted out the med.

So about 1.20a.m. we went to the only available hospital at that time; The Duchess of Kent Hospital Emergency Unit. First, you have to register your kid and pay RM1. Then, they give you a number. Ours was 232. The number on the screen was 162. ???? Huh? Okay so there must be a system of some sort that we were unaware of. One family brought in their elderly mom. She had already seen the Dr. There was another lady. That's it. A few minutes after taking our number, they called us to take Cupcake's weight, gave her ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) and asked us questions about her condition.

Once that was done we waited and waited and waited. There were 2 Medical Officers on duty. How long can it take, right. Maybe they were taking a break?

After about an hour, an ambulance arrived and 2 teenage girls were brought in. They had been in a minor car accident. I heard they rammed into a concrete pillar or wall or something. One had slight scratches on her arms and feet. The other had a wound under her right chin. Then, I noticed a board with a notice that said if your condition was critical you would have to wait erm..I can't remember how long and semi critical you have to wait..err I forgot again *smile sheepishly. Well, I do remember that if your condition is not critical you have to wait for 90minutes to 120minutes which was what we were doing. There was another mom who came in later with a child who had fever and she went in first.

Right, fast forward.....  My hubby prayed for our little girl. For the next half and hour thank God she took the ORS water and did not vomit.  Finally, we got to see the doctor. He wanted to put her on drips but we asked if it was possible to wait and see as she had seemed to have stopped vomitting. So, we hung around and Praise God our daughter was fine. What a relief..  The doctor checked her again (no other patients were around) and gave us the green light to go home. They gave us more ORS sachets.

When we reached the hotel room at 4.30 I started to feel queasy and 2 hours later my  diarrhea and vomitting started! Oh yes, earlier when I had asked the Dr if it could be food poisoning, he was adamant that that never happens in Sandakan. I asked him if it could be stomach flu and he laughed derogatively at me looking at me like I was speaking gibberish and said, "Stomach flu? Ha,ha,ha. What's that?" (Another laugh squezees through) and he says, " I've never heard of that. There's no such thing". Gives me a queer look.

Gosh...


Klinik Dr Mahen
Ground Floor, Lot 10, Block I, Prima Square, Mile 4, North Road, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Tel: 089 218273
Monday - Sunday including Public Holidays
8am - 12.30pm
2pm - 4pm
7pm - 12am

Of Determination and Never Giving Up

I have posted before on the lessons I learn every day from my children. This post is about my little boy who turns one next month on the 5th of July. At 8 months 3 weeks, he took his first step much to our excitement. Ever since then he progressed until he started walking steadily at 10 months. And still he pushes himself forward, increasing speed and trying our new 'stunts'. Every parent can relate to these special moments that they share with their children. What I admire is, no matter how many times he falls on his adorable tush, he just keeps grinning and tries again. He doesn't want help and he knows what he wants. My daughter too was like this and I hope that, as I face daily challenges, I can emulate their gumption and determination. To not only not give up but to do it with a smile and to expand and try new and different things.

Mother's Day

Well, today is a week since Mother's Day but really I think every day is Mother's Day and Father's Day, too. Initially I was not supposed to be in KL on Mother's Day so my family and my elder brother's family took my mom out to celebrate a week earlier on the 8th. Another reason was my Mom, who sometimes preaches in her church was giving a sermon on the evening of the 13th (Mother's Day). So, we went to Tony Roma's at Sunway Pyramid. We love their ribs! Yummy...hmmm.

Anyway, come Mother's Day we were still in KL and started off the day at church. My daughter made me the most beautiful card I am yet to receive. Then, we went to Bubba Gump and Shrimp @ The Curve. At night, we visited my mother-in-law. The beauty of Mother's Day is not to make us mothers feel that we are awesome or great. Rather it is a day that those surrounding mothers take the time to stop and tell them that they are loved and appreciated. That every sacrifice made has not been forgotten. My mother has been a single parent since my dad passed away 18 years ago. As if being a mother wasn't challenging enough she had to do it alone. Happy Mother's Day Amma! You are a wonderful mother, mother-in-law and grandmother! God bless u!!

My Little Nuggets of Gold..

For the past week or so, my son who just turned 9 months yesterday (Happy 9 months my darling boy!) has been taking a step forward unaided. And promptly falling on his tush. Full of giggles, smiles and glee while Mummy beams on and his sister cheers.

Yesterday, he started doing something new. He'd quickly squat to prevent himself from sitting/falling. It really is wondrous to watch the natural instinct that leads a child of any age to do and say so many things. Who says I teach my kids, they teach me so much more. They show me what it means to be determined, patient and not give up and heck, smile while doing it.

They remind me to laugh and not be so uptight. They MAKE me laugh when I'm uptight. Whenever my daughter tries to get out of her car seat she'll say, "Help, Acha (Dad in Malayalam) I'm stuck, I'm stuck" to which my husband would promptly reply, "You're stuck for a reason". She would never acknowledge this with a response but would continue squirming. And start the cycle again. Then, one day as she was walking, she said, "Help, Acha, I'm stuck, I'm stuck". (Her slipper was slipping off) My husband worriedly - "Why, what happened?" She looks at him and gives one of her signature forlorn looks and says," I'm stuck. Stuck for a reason!" Ha,ha,ha really sometimes kids just blow you off with their replies and reasoning.

To my little nuggets of gold.. you will always be precious to me and Mummy loves you for what you are and who you make me...xoxo little ones...

Update: After I had posted this post, I found this on Parenting.com. What a coincidence!

Sudden Change of Plans

The afternoon after my last post saying I miss cooking, my husband told me his assignment (or as they call it; detachment) was over for now. We'd already purchased tickets for a visit to KL from the 18th to 28th so we'd be travelling back as planned but we don't need our return tickets! What a waste right. I mean, come on I only said I missed cooking not everything! : ) Hmm..

I've come to love life here in East Malaysia and well, I knew we'd go back someday but anticipated it a few more months down the road..The thing is although we are form KL my husband works in Kerteh, Terengganu and that's where we live. Don't get me wrong, Kerteh is a nice place. That said, everyone has their preferences and so do we. However, we do know that God is control of our lives as we surrender each day to Him. Let's see how this pans out...

Life as a SAHM

Life as a stay-at-home is always challenging as many of you know but it is a joy and there is no where else I'd rather be than with my kids. I used to be a lecturer at a local uni before I got married and moved with my husband to another state. Soon after, my daughter was conceived and I suffered from terrible all day long nausea. Thank God, our finances didn't require me to work and so staying at home was a possible option. I do miss teaching and I hope to return to work someday once both my kids are bigger. But for now I'm happy where I am. Why? Definitely because of the peace of mind. We do not have relatives who can take care of the kids if I were to work. How about daycare centres and nurseries you may ask. Almost every month you're bound to hear or read about children being abused, ill-treated and even dying. I know I could never forgive myself if someone hurt my children when I could have been taking care of them. So, for now my career aspirations take a back seat as I spend this wonderful time of their childhood with my precious darlings.

My current aspiration is be, in the eyes of my children.....

their very own exclusive super Mom : )

ha,ha,ha but seriously I'm far, far, far, far away from this..I think in the eyes of babies and toddlers, this is how they see their moms. Some grow up and still see their moms this way and if mine do I'd be thrilled no I'd be ecstatic. This cool clipart was from a site called www.123rf.com Check them out! I think they're fab.

So where was I? Currently, my list of chores have been cut down as we're in Sandakan, Sabah and living in a hotel so I can't cook. I love cooking and will share some recipes soon. We'll be going back this month for a short visit and I hope I get a chance to cook. I really do miss cooking for my husband and children.. I do not however miss washing the dishes
 : ) I still need to do it here...

My days revolve around my family and I have to say these are the best days of my life...

Blast from the Past: Ep 3

Episode 3: When Is Enough Enough?
Soon Cupcake will be reaching her 6 month marker after which she should be starting on solids. Being an avid reader, I just can't seem to get my hands (and eyes, of course) on enough materials to read on this subject. What should I give her and how should I make it? I know they may seem like pretty simple questions when you put it that way but I feel it's a big step in her life and mine, too. Therefore, no matter how much I read it still feels insufficient. I still keep reading about sleep routines and bath time when in fact most of the information is already embedded in my mind. Nevertheless, a mother's quest, and definitely a father's too, of what is the best that they can provide for their child is never ending. I've been scouting around for the best highchair that is safe and suitable and wallet friendly. After much thought, we decided on a highchair from IKEA in Damansara. The model we chose, as you can see in the photo, is ANTILOP. It comes with a safety belt and cost RM49. To make it more comfy, you can purchase a BARNSLIG supporting cushion that comes in a somewhat funky design which is RM29.90. The ANTILOP highchair tray cost RM15 and comes in only one colour; white. It's safe, sturdy and easy to clean. (Prices are as quoted on 18/02/2012 although we bought ours in 2010) why? because I can't remember how much we paid : )

Blast from the Past: Ep 2

Episode 2: Yet Another Milestone

Today my dearest 4 month old baby girl, whom I shall refer to as Cupcake, kept kneeling and pushing herself about. She has been doing this for some time now but today she did it more often. I truly feel that you feel the passing of time in leaps and bounds when you see the growth of a child. I'm sure you've had those moments when you see a child after some time and go 'oh my! look how you've grown! The last time I saw you, you were this tall' (all grins n gestures) with the child in question wondering, 'what did you expect? For me to stay frozen in time?"

Well, my little Cupcake is growing too... Soon, she'll be crawling, walking and then running around but I'm getting ahead of myself. As exciting and marvelous that it is that she is growing, I think I'll just enjoy every second of it one day at a time...