Aina has the Chicken Pox!

Last weekend we went to Puncak Perdana to pick up Raihan, then for dinner.

UNFORTUNATELY, traffic was horrendous so it took us forever to get to Puncak Perdana!! By the time we stopped for dinner, it was already past 9.30pm... Since we took the looonnngg, scenic route from Puncak Perdana to go home (i.e. via Meru), we decided to have dinner at/around Muara @ Port Klang. Muara was jam-packed, so we decided to have dinner at the stalls nearby.

We'd ordered, and the drinks had arrived, when suddenly the sky opened up and it RAINED CATS & DOGS!!!! Believe it or not, they did not have any covered area at all, so we cancelled our orders and went back to the car, thinking of a new place to go for dinner.

before the heavy shower, aina looking intently into the candle

babah took this one, with aina smiling and the candle light illuminating her features

In the end, we went to BK drive-thru and had our dinner in the car, in the BK carpark at the Extreme Park in Shah Alam.

What a night!!

All of last week, I had to take leave from work since there was no one to watch Aina, and it was a good thing too, since Aina developed spots on Thursday! Yup, she got it from Qalesha.... I'd been waiting for it, and now that it's finally here I am relieved!

see, the little girl watching TV :-)

For the first two days, she was fine with the calamine lotion. But on Saturday, when we went to the LCCT to pick up Ana, Aina saw her reflection in the mirror, and that was IT! She asked for her wipes each time I smeared her with the calamine lotion, and cried her eyes out every time I applied it to the spots on her face!! Haaaiihhhh............... :-s

I finally went over to TokMi's and got the balance of Qalesha's meds and bath oil for Aina. So, now she's fine with the calamine cream, just so long as it's not the lotion :-p

Anyway, I'll update more as her chicken pox progresses, and will put in pics which her Babah took of her recently... Till then, Take Care :-)

AM

Bila Aina Tengok TV....

Aina has been watching TV (sorry to all of those who do not agree to the TV nanny!) for most of her short life, from educational videos to box office movies. Her favourite is of course the Disney Playhouse channel, and I am more than happy to accommodate her as she also learns while being entertained (and occupied so that I can do other stuff!).



Lately, she's also learned to enjoy more 'grown up' (NOT "adult" mind you!!) movies like Jurassic Park (she loves dinosaurs!) and anything that has animals or children in them :-) On Sunday, TokMi went to Speedy Video and bought 2 cartoon DVDs (Upin & Ipin and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) and 1 movie entitled YETI. It had a scary picture of Bigfoot with bloody teeth on it and when Aina saw it, she immediately said "unster!" (i.e. MONSTER).



Anyway, after her bath, she gave the "monster" DVD to TokMi as she wanted to watch it!!!



So, we all sat down and watched the movie...



Through out the movie, we were most entertained by her antics ~ she'll climb and hide behind us (during the scary bits), she'll go stand in front of the TV (during the not so scary bits) and she even resorted to this.......

...climbing behind TokMi's sofa and hiding between the cushions, but peeking out to watch the screen anyway.... LOL

standing up when it wasn't so scary

and hiding again when the part got scary for her

At home, she'll climb behind us and peek over our shoulders if the scene was scary or full of suspense, and then when the bad guy (or thing or animal) dies, she'll clap her hand and go "Yaaaayy!!" :-D :-D :-D

Oh yeah... I just thought I'd share some thoughts in here, since it is kinda related to Aina, and what I am going through now i.e. pregnant with diabetes, also the fact that I had a really interesting conversation with a colleague this morning.

The simple trigger was Vitagen.

I was telling my breakfast mates about Aina and Vitagen, and how I'm always opting for drinks that have "no added sugar" or "less sugar" for Aina since both me and her TokMi are diabetics when one of them mentioned that her daughter drank Vitagen like it was water. In 10mins flat, all 5 bottles would be gone! Another friend and I immediately cautioned her on the danger and risks of that as there have been numerous reports on how kids as young as FIVE can be diagnosed with diabetes from consuming too much of such sugar-ladden beverages. On top of that, her daughter could also wipe of half a dozen donuts in one go!!! I told her to watch her child closely because if this has been going on for a while, she should really get her child checked.

I remember a while back when I was really conscious of my food intake (NOT dieting, but more organic and natural, healthy stuff) and I decided to not allow my own kids to fall into the trap like most other kids. All the processed, sugary stuff that goes into their bodies have to be controlled! My sisters were kind of making fun of me, and saying that my kids would only have fun at TokMi's because there's where they get to indulge in all the forbidden stuff at home...

Now, with Aina, I have to admit that to stick to a 100% healthy eating regiment is not easy BUT I try as much as possible even if we do go out to eat that we do not end up at the usual fast food joints. Yes, we spend a bit more on "real" food, but at least I get to have a bit of control on what goes into her body, and yes... I also do let her have the occasional ice cream, chocolates, sweets and even junk food... but only after she's had her proper meal. Only occasionally she'll throw a fit, and to avoid her NOT eating at all, I let her have her chocolate cookie but with a bottle of milk.

In my perfect (dream) world, I'd be making batches of home-made all-natural chicken nuggets and fish fingers at home for her, but she has yet to develop a palate for all that, and so for now I am happy just giving in to the occasional sausage or french fries.

Ana has also taught her to eat properly (since I have told Ana my preference) so when Ana is with her, Ana will ask her if she wanted rice or noodles for lunch/dinner. Aina will respond according to her mood, and it usually has to be accompanied with a bowl of vegetable soup with fishballs. Here I do trip because I only make my own fishballs once in a while. Fresh ones do not keep very well, and the fresh fish necessary required to make the balls are not always available.

Anyway... these are just a few concerns which are constantly on my mind... and I do hope that more of my friends will be aware of the hidden dangers lurking on the supermarket shelves that beckon and call their kids at every visit!! :-)

Till my next rambling session.... take care every one :-)

AM

Sembang Sembang Open House 2

Tuan Rumah : sembang-sembang dgn tetamu
Sang Ibu : menikmati makanan dan biskut raya
Sang Anak : makan-makan sambil tengok2 keliling... "aunty, rumah ni takde carpet ye.....?"

Tuan Rumah : A'ah...senang aunty nak mop/sapu.... sekali harung aje. tak payah selak2, tak payah angkat2....

Sang Ibu : Issskk budak ni, mulut tu cepat aje
Sang Anak : sengih2... sambung makan

So, Tuan Rumah nak kena beli carpet kah skrg ni? Kalau nak ikut, theory senang mop/sapu tu mmg sangat sesuai kan.... apa kata survey?????????? LOL

Sembang-Sembang Open House 1

Isteri : asyik menikmati mi sup, sambil sembang2 dgn jiran2 yang jarang2 jumpa.
Suami : asyik bersembang dengan Pakcik yang duduk di sebelahnya.

Suami : menegur anak kecil yang berlari tak hengat dalam rumah orang
Pakcik : "Cucu ke?"
Suami : sedikit terpinga-pinga, tapi masih cover line, "errrkk tak, anak saya"

Isteri : sudah geli hati, geli perut. dah nak tersembur kuah mi sup, nasib baik tak tercekik. Cuit sikit Suami, terus ketawa terbahak-bahak.........mi sup diketepikan sbb dah kluar2 airmata sbb gelak kuat sangat....

Pakcik : Terkulat-kulat; muka sedikit bersalah....

note: Maaf ye pakcik, sbb saya gelak kuat2... bukan gelakkan pakcik sebenarnya, tapi gelakkan suami yg finally dpt reality check from a total stranger :-D






AM

Salam Aidilfitri to All...

Yup, I know it's been almost two weeks since Syawal but I really have not had the time to update. Plus, since my lappie is still 'dead', I am depending on hubby's (at home) and my work station to update, which really does not give me much of an opportunity to write and compose long and interesting entries... LOL


With Ana back in Semarang, life has been CRAZY-CRAZY busy.... my two weeks away from work was MUCH busier than when I had to juggle work and home, as of course I had to do everything around the house plus care for Aina. It's been ages and ages since I've done all of it alone, and to get hubby to help like he used to was also a challenge as I think he's even more comfy now with having Ana around.


I remember when hubby was not so keen on the idea of having a maid as he was worried about issues of privacy and other stuff like maids running off, etc. but I convinced him that since we were planning on moving to a (bigger) new house, we needed the help as well as to have someone to watch over Aina. I was not so keen on sending Aina to a nursery, especially after just 60 days (our pathetic compulsory maternity leave), and the fact that most (not all) nurseries and kindies are 'breeding grounds' for infectious diseases.


Speaking of which, my niece little Nur Qalesha is now down with chicken pox! Poor baby is only just past her 100 days if I'm not mistaken. And with Aina at her TokMi's on weekdays, I am prepping myself to care for Aina if she catches it. Mom was asking me if Aina had been vaccinated but honestly, I don't mind Aina getting it now, rather than later. At least when she starts school, I have one less worry! She's had her MMR shot so that's also a few less stuff to worry about... and while Aina is still taking formula, it'd be much easier to care for her if she has it now. We'll see.........


Oh yeah... Aina has been over-over active these few weeks, almost impossible to handle! Over the weekend, we went to our neighbour's for Raya and while walking home, Aina decided to make a run away from us and see how far she can go. As soon as I said "no running", she sped up and since it was on the road, she quickly lost her balance and fell! She scratched her chin a bit and her bottom tooth hit her top one and caused her tooth to puch slightly into her gums, making her gums bleed... Needless to say, there was much crying and screaming.... :-s


To help her sleep, I gave her a bit of panadol syrup and a wee bit of benadryl to help with the swelling.


Oh yeah... here is a pic of Aina, playing with the remote controlled cars at Jusco Seri Kembangan. Apologies that the quality is cr*p but I just used my fone camera for a quick snap.

And here is a snap of Aina, totally passed out from exhaustion! LOL She'd followed Babah to the shop and bazaar during Ramadhan, and as soon as she came home, she gave me her kit kat and landed on her small couch and zonked out!! LOL LOL LOL

huduh sangat anak dara sorg ni tido kan..............!!

I took a video of Aina on the remote controlled cars, but since it'll take forever to load from my workstation, I'll put it up another time (or during lunch time). The writing is not an issue as that can be done in word and cut & paste into the template, ahahahhahaha...

Till then....

AM

Our Menu....

Yep, it's been a while since I last put in an entry on food, and I miss updating my daily Iftar menu BUT since I still have not got a laptop, I can only do what I can, when I can.... :-s


Yesterday, we had Nasi Ulam for Iftar, with Solok Lada and Ikan Pari Bakar (bazaar mari, ok!). I love nasi ulam and/or nasi kerabu and will gladly have it repeatedly through out Ramadhan. The greatest diff between hubby's nasi kerabu and my nasi ulam is the absence of the kuah tumis as those of you from the North of the Peninsula will concur that we have our nasi ulam pure :-D


Anyway, for those who'd like to try, my version is as follows:

Nasi Ulam
you need:
2 cups warm cooked rice, fluffed up with a fork (some prefer the rice cold,
it's up to you)
1/4 cup fresh coconut (white part only), dry-fried and pounded fine
sufficient fried ikan kering of your choice, pounded fine
salt, to taste
a variety of finely sliced ulam:
- cekur (leaf and bulb)
- daun salam
- pucuk gajus
- serai kayu
- bunga kantan
- daun halia
- halia muda
- pucuk kemangi
and more if you can get it from your local
market

how to:
in a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients and give it a good stir.
Done!
you may add sliced lemon grass and even small onions as well, it is
entirely up to you :-)

Now, solok lada is traditionally from the East Coast, and since hubby saw the green chillis at the market, he thought I should give it a try. This is my first time even attempting this, so it was done with crossed fingers!!

Solok Lada (my version, after browsing and Googling
practically all day!)

you need:

6 - 8 pcs green chillis ~ specific type is used to make solok but i guess the
normal green ones are ok if deperate!

sufficient flesh from fish of you choice (hubby bought tenggiri from the
market)

about equal the amount of grated coconut (white part only)

salt, pepper

about 1-inch sliced ginger

2 - 3 small red onions, sliced

1 cup coconut cream

how to:

combine the fish, coconut and seasoning in a large bowl and set aside.

clean the chillis and make a slit. remove seeds and stuff with the fish
paste.

in a large pot, pour in the coconut cream, sliced ginger and onions, and
arrange the chillis making sure the paste side faces up and is not covered in
the coconut cream. basically, you need just a small amount to start to
create steam to cook the chillis. place over a gentle fire and cook slowly,
covered, until the coconut cream is dried up.

I found quite a few versions on how to make Solok Lada and I went along with what I thought was easiest for me. Next time, I might try another method :-)

Overall, the taste was ok, but I guess I will need to experiment again to make sure I find the right method and recipe for ME :-p Hubby said the taste was OK, too... just that maybe next time he won't buy the tenggiri paste from the market because it made the filling more like yong tau foo rather than the authentic solok filling which should crumble nicely.

Oh yeah.... Ana is going back to her kampung this Saturday, so I will be on leave for 2 weeks, until Eid. I go back to work on the 13th, but hubby will be around to watch Aina that week. After that, we have not decided what to do but for the time being, I guess I should just look forward to be able to spend all my time with Aina, especially now that she's learning and picking up so much!!

She amazes me sometimes as to what she's learned, and that's so far only from watching her educational videos. When she feels like it, in the evenings, she'll ask me to read with her, and sometimes she even asks me to sing with her :-D :-D :-D

She's speaking a smattering of words, more than half of it we have no idea what she says LOL BUT, she's a fast learner and even though she still speak baby-babble, she does make sense when she wants us to understand her.

She's developed quite a bit of a rebel character as well, and she usually has disputes with her Babah, especially during TV time! LOL LOL LOL

Anyway, we'll see how next week goes, and who knows.... I might even find time to update my blog with all the craziness I expect the next two weeks will be :-p :-D

AM

Admitted

For this pregnancy, my sugar levels have been ridiculously high, and so after my first appointment with the OBGYN at DEMC, I was immediately referred to a Consultant Physician to help me with the diabetes.

Obviously, I had to start insulin shots.

It was immediately decided that I had to be admitted so that my initial insulin dosage can be monitored, and they also wanted to make sure that I had to adverse effects or allergies to the insulin.

The scan which showed strong flickering of heartbeat :-)

On the last day (I was admitted for 3 days), doc ordered for my blood to be taken for the final tests, and since my arm was already bruised (as in pic below) from previous sample-taking, the nurses finally had to use a butterfly and take the sample from my hand (as shown above).

So anyway, Alhamdulillah.........with the insulin shots, my sugar has now been regulated and I have had no problems with fasting so far :-) I have a follow up appointment with the doc tomorrow so we'll see what doc says.

AM