From Bandung With Love

I just got back from a week's vacation and I truly enjoyed the time spent with my loved ones (except for Darling Hubby who couldn't be with us during the vacation). It's okay, we can always plan for next year's vacation, right? Moving on, here are some moments to share before, during and after the vacation.

BEFORE the vacation:

• I did not know that when I am travelling with an infant, I could not do online check-in before I added up my infant's name first at the COUNTER. I did not know why my baby's name was not listed during the check-in as I have already paid for the fees. Previously I did not face any difficulties while flying with my baby domestically and I had no issues about checking-in or printing out the boarding pass online. But this time, it became a big issue for me.
• The lesson BEFORE: Please check-in only when your infant's name is LISTED IN THE LIST. If not, DO NOT CHECK-IN WITHOUT YOUR INFANT'S NAME. You can proceed to the COUNTER to add in your infant's name. If you've ALREADY CHECKED-IN, you can CALL AIRASIAGO (for those who are travelling with accommodation package) and they will unchecked your name and added up your baby's name. However, you can only check-in at the COUNTER OF YOUR DEPARTURE. NO ONLINE CHECK-IN FOR TRAVELERS WITH INFANTS (that's the procedure, they said).

It was the first time for me flying with an infant abroad. Of course it was not that easy especially when your baby is already 1 year old and actively exploring the world around him. He does not want to sit still and that is the reason why stroller is not the best companion anymore.

Running Baby + Tiring Mama!

I went to Bandung, Indonesia and it was a wonderful experience being there. We hired a driver called Cecep Okta from a Travel Agency. A driver cum tourist guy is a MUST when you are abroad! We reached Bandung International Airport (Husein Sastranegara) around 12 noon (11 noon in Malaysia = 1 hour difference). We stayed at Arion Swiss Belhotel in the middle of Bandung City. The food was great and the service was excellent! I give you 4 stars, Arion! =)

The interior truly resembles Indonesian style and I love the ambiance there =)

We had our lunch at Warung Misbar and they served us Bandung hot tea for free. The taste was quite similar to Chinese tea. The restaurant also provides a big flat white screen for a movie show. Besides that, the wall is painted with jokes quotes like this:

EDP, of course it is long lasting! Haha!

After lunch, we went to some of the Factory Outlets nearby. In Bandung, people will normally go shopping at Factory Outlets as these outlets sell all of the branded items with high quality at a reasonable price. I did not spend much here but I did spend more than expected at Pasar Baru! So, what do they sell at Pasar Baru?

1. Clothings (silk, cotton, lace etc.)
2. Telekung (assorted designs and colours)
3. Shoes
4. Shawls and many moreeeee!

Chand Moda at Forth Floor

The best part of the shop here, they served the customers with Coffee, Tea or Juice regardless how many pieces that you bought and how much that you spent (no discrimination among customers). They do tailoring as well and if normal design of baju kurung or dresses, they can get it done in 2 (TWO) days only! My brother got his jeans tailored with his preferred designs and materials at RM70 whilst my father got his pants tailored at RM90 only! If you want to have your own design of coat, you may get it for RM200 only! The price is acceptable if you consider the materials as well.

Of course when you are abroad, you may not want to waste your time staying in the hotel watching tv or sleeping (unless you are unhealthy). Since the weather was rainy during the evening, we tried to go out visiting certain places as early as we can. We managed to visit Tangkuban Parahu (at first we wanted to go to Kawah Putih but the traffic was more hectic than KL).

Tangkuban Parahu

Please take note that if you wish to buy any souvenirs, DO NOT get them here! The price was totally unreasonable! Furthermore, do not touch the souvenirs or talk to the promoters if you do not want to buy them (it will pissed them off). Just smile and say, "Terima Kasih yaa. Saya lagi mau pusing2 dan foto aja di sini". Then quickly took off!

DURING the vacation:

• Time is your enemy and money is your best friend when you are abroad.
• The lesson DURING the vacation: Plan your daily trip with your tourist guy a day earlier. Start your day visiting the places which are far away from your hotel. Bring more small notes (as Bandung is popular with visitors giving tips for the services given). If you give them RM notes, they will be very happy even the amount is not that big. But DO NOT SIMPLY GIVE TIPS TO COMMONERS, you will be in trouble! Last but not least, get your mobile with another PREPAID SIM CARD for the ease of communication there (roaming service is expensive yaww!).

Time to fly off!

Enough of my days at Bandung City. Hmmm, I hardly took pictures there so my apologies for not having the pictures of each places that I went to. I also forgot the names of the restaurants where I had my lunch or dinner but what I remember most were the Garomi Bakar and Ayam Penyet! They have these dishes like in every restaurants! I had a really good time there and hope there will be next time for me to be there, of course with Darling Hubby as well =)

AFTER the vacation:

• Laundry!
• The lesson AFTER the vacation: Well, of course when you are travelling, laundry will be the most tedious routine of all! Make sure you get your baby's clothes to be washed as soon as possible. But for your own clothes, laundry shop is always open to serve your needs! 

Obviously, you will be restless due to the long journey. As for me, thinking of the next day to start working while I'm still in a mood of holiday was totally demotivated. But to overcome the mood is easy! Just set in your mind that you are lucky to be given the time off from the workload and this is the time when you should give 200% of your best to your respective company!

Be more efficient after the vacation =)

The end. Thank you! =)

Two Years Of Pure Love

Happy 2nd Year Anniversary, Darling Hubby! =)

credit to Darling Hubby for this comic script *wink*

Alhamdulillah, we've made it through. Two years passed by and we are more than delighted to have our Little Highness whom beautify and makes our lives more meaningful. No matter how tough the challenges that we've encountered, I am still blessed with Darling Hubby and Cheeky Baby to stay with me throughout the journey. May our love remains till Jannah! 

Well, in every celebration, there is always be plans and preparations. As for me, major celebration is not necessarily needed especially when Darling Hubby is far away (physically). Just to make this event special as it is special though, I am stealing a few minutes of my time writing an entry to share some ideas on A Simple Yet Memorable Anniversary Celebration. Here goes!

1. If you want it to be fairly celebrated (by both Hubby and Wifey); a day before the anniversary, let's give a hint like this, "Oh, sayang! What do you want for our second year anniversary TOMORROW? Any special request?" --> The brain will automatically and unconsciously set the date! So, on the day itself, both partners will be excitedly to wish one another.
2. On the special day, for those whose partners are staying together, start your day with conveying a sincere apology for every mistakes done; give a warmth big hug and sealed your love with a kiss!
3. For working partners, if possible please arrange a lunch or dinner date with your partners at his or her favorite restaurant. To make it more meaningful, ask a favor from the waiter or cashier (without your partner's notice) to wish you a "Happy Anniversary" instead as this will show that you are happy to share the special moments with others. But if you are not confident that the waiter or cashier will deliver your message, please ignore the favor and just enjoy your meals. Haha!
4. The gift? Don't think of flowers or chocolates anymore. Just spend your time together with your partner doing leisure activities such as watching movies, cooking a simple meal, playing board games or cards and anything that can buy your time wisely. The reason is for you to feel that your partner is not only a partner but your partner is also your friend, your enemy and your soul mate!
5. Partners with children; please ensure that you put your kids to sleep early so you can have your own sweet time together on your anniversary.
6. If you still do not know how to celebrate the event, just write a simple note or text message or whatsapp or whatever means of delivering your message --> "To my beloved Hubby / Wifey, Happy Anniversary! I Love You!"
7. Last but not least, always pray to Allah to bless your partner and hope that your marriage would last forever and ever.

Everything seems so simple but to make it happen is the most challenging part. To some people, celebrating Wedding Anniversary is not a big issue but for me, it is such a vital element in a marriage life because it resembles the day you tied the knot with a person that you love for eternity. When you celebrate the day, you will appreciate your partner even more as both of you have undergone the obstacles and challenges successfully!

Still waiting for Darling Hubby to choose on which of the ideas that he will apply for our 2nd Year Anniversary Celebration! Haha..

The end. Thank you! =)

Injury Treatment

Panic! Yes, that is what I feel whenever Ilyas walks a step. I shall be happy as he already learns how to walk on his own but this little fellow is too confident (or over confident) to walk without me holding his hands anymore. I know he needs a space to explore his motor skills and as a parent, I do provide him with more freedom to practice but the panic attack always interferes during the learning process. Why? Because tripping is too prone for him especially when he is so excited to walk and run at the same time!

Shall I walk or run, Papa?

Last week, he bumped his head into our dining table and the swelling looked painful and he even got a scratch mark on the forehead! My feeling? Hah, if I had a heart attack, the beat will definitely stop pounding as the incident happened in front of me yet I still could not save him. So sorry, baby =( I remember my Darling Hubby once told me to put an ice cube on the affected area when swelling occurs. But my mother argued that we should apply a warm cloth onto the swelling area (I also have the same thought that heat will ease the blood flow and it can prevent blood clot from occurring). Thus I asked my Darling Hubby to help me out sourcing the actual information as I need to know how to treat this kind of injury effectively. Previously I did not even bother of knowing how to treat swelling but when it happens to my baby, then only I started to react. This is a normal mother's instinct, I guess. Hehe..

So, here I would like to share some of the information that I have gained throughout my readings and observations on how to deal with injuries (can be applied to babies and adults):

1) If swelling occurs, what should I do?

• Get the ice cubes or ice packs or cold water (whatever reachable).
• Make sure you have the ice cubes wrapped with a cloth as direct contact with ice onto the skin is not advisable (please do not ask me on the scientific reason, but I think when ice cubes are applied directly onto the skin, it will give different signal to the brain which might generate negative kind of reactions; "Stop putting the ice! It is so cold! I'm feeling dizzy! I'm dying!" --> Oh! That is overreaction). Thus the result we might just stop the process immediately! Hence do not apply the ice cubes DIRECTLY onto the skin.
• Please ensure that you apply the process onto the affected area between 10 to 15 minutes and not more than 30 minutes (to avoid frostbite).

2) I got muscle cramp, how to treat it?

• First of all, you need to identify the actual time the cramp occurs and if it lasts for more than two days, you can use heat treatment such as applying a deep heat lotion/oil or cream, a warm cloth or hot water bottles onto the affected area (do not use heat for new injury as heat will promote the blood vessels to widen and encourages more blood into the affected area).
• Avoid direct contact of the heat with your skin as it might cause burning to your skin. Still apply a cloth to cover the heat from touching your skin directly (this reminds me of the 'tungku' process during my confinement period as my mom wrapped the 'tungku' with layers of cloth before giving it to me).
• Do not use heat treatment for more than 30 minutes (to avoid skin burns).

In a nut shell, use cold treatment for swelling kind of injury and use heat treatment for muscle cramp injuries! It worked for Ilyas and it might work for others who are facing the same injuries as well. But always seek for your Doctor's advice if the injuries become worst after the treatment.

Left - The bruise after applying the ice pack onto his forehead (no picture taken during the incident as he was crying and the mother was at a panic state of mind!)

Right - The swelling became less visible the day after

No more panic attack after this, peeps!

The end. Thank you! =)

A 'Rare' Moment Like This

*wink wink*

Darling Hubby gave me this wiring cover printed with our names last few weeks. This cover is normally printed with codes for technical wiring but when the 'sweetness' feeling struck into my Darling Hubby's, it turned out like this! Thanks a bunch for this 'rare' thoughtful wiring cover, sayang! =)

When we are apart, I can feel that our relationship becomes much more stronger than before. I am truly blessed as Allah has shown me the right way to love and to be loved by someone that I love. The distance does not put us in a suffering situation in fact it brings us into a situation which involves a higher sense of appreciation and tenderness.

We are stronger than we know!

I do value all of the moments of the three of us since it is quite 'rare' for us to have the feeling of togetherness (due to the distance factor). But what I love most is when I see both of my precious being together as this moment of closeness is 'rarely' captured and it shall be treasured for the rest of my life.

Bonding time for Papa & Son

I know from the day Darling Hubby came back home, I should not be wasting our times thinking of unnecessary problems or arguing on little issues as I know that his return is worthy and I will try not to spoil it. It is 'rare' for me to think like this as previously I would always create an argument over silly things with him. Since I 'rarely' see him, the maturity is building up within me and to my surprise, I am now becoming a person with a tolerable level of patience. This might be a common thing to most of the people out there but this is a 'rare' thing to me and what I can say is Alhamdulillah...

As a mother and a wife, there is nothing more meaningful other than seeing your loved ones the first moment you open your eyes and always hoping that they are the ones that you will be seeing before you keep your eyes closed. I will not be questioning on how different my life is as compared to others because I know there's no single individual in this world shares the same journey as mine. BUT... When Darling Hubby gave me this padlock (or should I say a gift instead?), yes I know this padlock is not 'rare'. But to be given a padlock from Darling Hubby all of a sudden is just 'rare' and it creates a huge difference in my life which others might not have!   

A 'rare' padlock of mine

At this stage of life, I am lucky enough to have my unpredictable Darling Hubby and my cheeky Baby MIH in my life. I don't wish for more than I should have. Syukur dengan apa yang ada =)

The end. Thank you! =)

Protective Me

Selepas balik lunch terus tengok facebook sebab tadi ada ternampak satu link dekat page "Kelab Soal Jawab Ibu & Bakal Ibu Jom Hamil" tentang satu blog ni *click here*. Saat baca entry tu, memang hati rasa sebak sangat terus teringat kat Ilyas:

• Dia memang pernah demam (on and off) + batuk (bunyi berkahak) + selesema (tapi dia tak pandai hembus hingus lagi).
• Pernah tidur sampai nafas berbunyi kuat (tapi masa ni tak batuk or flu).
• Kadang2 dia suka buat bunyi macam susah nak bernafas or bunyi tarik nafas yang semput2 tu (dulu ingat sebab perut dia buncit banyak makan so dia cepat mengah bila merangkak or naik tangga).

Need to keep those symptoms in mind just for future reference (if any emergency occurs)

Tapi semalam memang first time Ilyas tetiba je dia menangis (tapi tak keluar air mata) sambil meneran. Oh, dia sakit perut! Mesti sebab dia x poo for 2 days. Kali ni memang lain macam dia merengek. Dia nak dipeluk sentiasa pastu memang asyik merengek. Ya Allah, memang menangis kita dibuatnya. Sayu sangat dengar suara dia pastu memang dah agak ni mesti sakit sangat sebab t*** tu keras. Dia tak nak menyusu, tak nak baring. I just hugged him, doa banyak2 biar Allah permudahkan Ilyas buang air and I kept on whispering "Allah Allah Allah" to him sampai dia senyap dan tertidur...

Ilyas menangis + meneran sampai tertidur (sambil duduk sebab dia tak nak baring langsung)

Hati mana tak tersentuh tengok anak sakit sampai tertidur keletihan =(

Bila baca simptom2 Penyakit Pneumokokal, memang terus terfikir terbayang terimbas jika ianya sama seperti yang pernah Ilyas lalui sebelum ni. Memang dalam hati rasa cuak panik. Tapi terus tenangkan diri jangan cepat melatah, mungkin Ilyas demam biasa je (tapi dalam hati memang tak tenang langsung). Tambah pula dengan kes Ilyas sembelit semalam, memang lagi rasa risau sangat2! Mungkin ianya tiada kaitan dengan Penyakit Pneumokokal ni tapi tahap kerisauan tu makin menebal bila memikirkan virus2 jahat ni mudah dijangkiti so I need to be more protective towards him. I am very particular when it comes to my baby's life but no matter how detailed I am, there must be things that I have missed out. So this story really put me on an alarming stage as a Mama.

Sekarang hati ni memang rasa menyesal sangat sebab pernah marah2 Ilyas. Perasaan bersalah lagi la menggunung tinggi sebab pernah pukul Ilyas kt peha dia sebab dia gigit kita masa tengah breastfeeding. Banyak lagi perasaan sedih sebak semua ada lagi2 bila baca blog Cerita Erina tentang anaknya yang telah kembali ke Rahmatullah kerana Penyakit Pneumokokal ni. Puan Erina dapat menyusukan anaknya selama 1 tahun 2 bulan (masa nampak je angka ni terus berderau sebab Ilyas is now I tahun 1 bulan and I am still breastfeeding him). Memang Ilyas sekarang Alhamdulillah masih aktif, tak demam + flu or cough. Cuma angka tu mendebarkan. Hmmm... 

Semoga Allah sentiasa melindungi dan merahmati hidupmu, sayang!

Mama sayang Ilyas sampai bila2 =)

The end. Thank you! =)

Missing You Dearly

Just an emotional entry to say that...

I miss both of you so much! 

Can't wait for you to be home, Darling Hubby!

The end. Thank you! =)

Mama In Action

MIH at 13 months old

Looking at my baby growing up healthily and happily is a priceless feeling a mother can feel. No words can describe how grateful I am to be called a "Mama" in spite of many challenges that I have to encounter while raising my boy. When I was pregnant and unemployed, I was worried. My Darling Hubby is working yet I still got the feeling that I have to work as well coz "I want my baby to have everything that a world can give". I was a bit conscious when it comes to my baby's needs as I do not want my baby to grow up inadequately. 

Is this kind of thought healthy for me? 

I was highly influenced by those sayings that having a baby requires a stable financial situation as we need to buy diapers, milk, clothes, play mat, baby cot, stroller etc. When the thought came in, I wondered; Was it my fault for having a baby while my financial was not encouraging? Can I be a good mother to my baby if I failed to provide him with everything a baby should have from the beginning? 

Just imagine how would I feel being an unemployed mother and Darling Hubby is working all alone to support us? My Darling Hubby never forced or even asked me to work. But as a wife, I was touched looking at him struggling for a single cent to earn a living for the three of us. Therefore, I promised myself that after confinement period, I will find a job no matter what as I want to ease him financially even a bit. Furthermore, I want to ensure that my baby will not be lacking any of his needs. I was overreacted, right? But when I started to adapt myself as a mother, the thought of working has gone and it blew away just like that. I enjoyed my time spent with my baby and I truly missed all the moments with him. What about financial issue? Alhamdulillah, rezeki Allah untuk si kecil sentiasa ada =) I was not that terrified as I believe the rezeki that Allah has planned for us will always be there if we put our faith in Allah.

Endless Love =)

However, when my baby was 5 months old, Allah tested me again. My Darling Hubby got an offer to further a training course for a year at Terengganu. He had to quit his job before the enrollment (no income except for allowance). At this time, I felt hopeless as I did not have any job except for being a full time "Mama". I had no income and no savings at all. I felt a bit frustrated when I could not get any jobs even though I have been to many interviews (some in KL). There were times when I felt like I have to lie during the interviews that I can work outside KL and I can leave my baby with others so that I can secure the job (most of the jobs require me to travel and stay in KL for a period of time). But I could not do that. I do not have the strength to lie especially when it involves my baby. I always remind myself that ANAK itu AMANAH. Amanah yang sangat berharga untuk diabaikan. I was pressured by others who questioned me on my jobless status + having to raise a baby + Darling Hubby is not working. If I could just sealed their mouths, I will definitely do that as others do not know what I have been through. But again, I do not blame anyone as I know that Allah knows what is best for me. I kept quiet and always prayed that Allah will show me the way.

I was jobless until May 2013 (my baby was 9 months old). After almost a year hunting for a suitable job, and after 4 months without a proper income, finally I managed to secure a job with 10 minutes distance from my house. Alhamdulillah, Allah permudahkan urusan kerjaku. Since my baby was already 9 months old, he was ready for solids and that was a relief for me. Why? Coz once my Darling Hubby was away, my baby was emotionally affected and now that I will be working, I was afraid that my baby will be drastically affected as both parents were not with him all the time. 

Baby was down with fever after I started working =(

It was painful to see your baby laid down unhealthily. He was unhappy and not amused with my jokes at all. I felt like quitting my job. But where can I get the money to cover my expenses? I have to sacrifice my job as a full time "Mama" to a working "Mama". At first, I was quite disappointed because I knew that I will not be spending much time with my baby if I start working. But I have to be realistic. Kerja juga salah satu saluran rezeki dan mungkin ini adalah kerja yang sesuai buat masa ini. Thus I stopped complaining and always remind myself to work sincerely for the sake of my family.

Before I slept, I always recalled back on what have I done all this while as a mother. Which of my baby's needs that I failed to fulfill? I take Maslow's Hierarchy as a guideline.

1. Physiological Needs - Apart from frozen EBM (expressed breast milk) and goat's milk, I bought him Cerelac (first solids) + Biscuits + cooked him a simple porridge + blended fruit puree, I also prepared adequate stock of clothes, diapers, toiletries etc.
2. Safety Needs - I put him under my parents' custody (hardly trust nursery) as I feel that he will be secured and protected there.
3. Belongingness and Love Needs - Hmmm..
4. Esteem Needs - If I thought of the word "Hmmm" at the previous stage, how can I proceed with the next stages then?
5. Self-Actualization Need - Not Applicable for my baby at this moment, I guess.

At last, I realize that at this point of time, my baby needs to be properly equipped with the sense of belongingness (love needs) especially from his parents. My baby and I were having a hard time when Darling Hubby was away. I could feel that he missed his Papa's company but he could not tell me in words and he cried instead. Never once that I forgot to hug him at night while he was asleep. I told him that Papa is away as he wants to provide a better living for us. Many things happened along the way that really challenged my patience in taking care of my baby. At times I gave up and I blamed myself for not being strong enough to raise my baby on my own without Darling Hubby with me. I did whine, I was emotionally threatened by the fact that babies without sufficient love from parents will grow up with inappropriate attitude. 

"When parents’ involvement is lacking in a family, the potential of a child to possess aggressive and impulsive behaviour is high (Webster-Stratton, 1997)"

I was clueless when my baby cried for no reasons. I was stressed out as I did not know what to do. I looked for my Darling Hubby's advice and he mentioned that my baby just wanted me to give him more attention. Attention? Yes, attention from a mother is what he needs the most in which the world can't give.

My Attention Seeker! =)

Since that moment, I took some times to read more articles on how to spend my time wisely as a working + contented Mama. A few tips to share:

• Once you got home from work, spend time with your baby for at least 30 minutes (don't bother about house chores but grab your baby's attention first).
• Talk to your baby on his or her routine during the day (don't worry if he or she does not respond but believe me, the baby is listening).
• Take a few minutes to massage him or her (a mother's touch is miracle to a baby's development).
• Try to get your baby to sleep as early as you can so that you can get enough rest as well.
• When your baby is in his or her subconscious mind (before falling into a deep sleep), apologize to him or her for not being with him or her during the day.
• Always recite Ayat Kursi, Surah Al-Fatihah, Surah An-Nas, Surah Al-Falaq, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Kafirun and Surah Al-Inshirah (baca doa tidur juga).
• Pray to Allah for His blessings and always hope for a better tomorrow.

I am not a perfect Mama and I admit that I am not capable of giving everything that a world can give to my baby but the only thing that I can give is my undivided attention towards him.

Love you till Jannah, baby!

The end. Thank you! =)

Let's Recap!

I've been waiting for so long to get the momentum going on in updating my blog. Why?

• Being a student with married status was emotionally challenging in which I had to bear with it for about two months (only). No time for blog writing, just thesis writing. 

• Knowing that I'm pregnant when I was sitting for my final exam was cool especially when "morning sickness" attacked (luckily I did not vomit in the hall). Enjoyed sleeping more than writing. But I did not sleep during the exam.

Hubby + Wifey + Lil Baby (6 months' pregnancy) during my Master's Convocation

• Happily celebrated the joyous moments of my sister's wedding and became more energetic when it came to shopping.

Congrats, dear sister! =)

• Ramadhan month! Fasting month! Yes, I knew it and I've managed to fasting for 3 weeks as my baby was born a week before Syawal (unexpected, I was at 37 weeks of pregnancy).

• Confinement - Nothing that I can do much at this time as I'm fully breastfeeding my baby and I've spent most of my time with him (minimum interaction with other gadgets).

Mama + Papa + Baby MIH

• Job hunting started so I put a lot of effort on finding suitable jobs for me (in need to earn extra money). Went to some interviews and Alhamdulillah, after about a year unemployed, finally I've secured a job near to my house yeayyyy!

A year to update a single entry with lots of excuses?! Why??

Haha! 

Stop being lazy but don't stop respecting your mother.

The end. Thank you! =)