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.

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!

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 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...