Celebrating Mooncake Festival 2008

Yeah yeah…I know…I know. The official name should be Mid-Autumn Festival. But who cares? I don’t mind actually la. As long I know what is it and when, it will be enough.

We don’t normally buy mooncake unless we rrreeeaaaallllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy want to. We have very tight budget. Savings for our future. You know la…the wedding reception, house, AJ’s well-being. No money no talk, mate. But I’m not saying that money is everything. Love is everything.

Back to the subject. Haih…I always got carried away. Why? Why? Why? There I go again.

OK…OK...It’s not cheap though to get one. Plus, not many choices. So, I always say the mooncake here is made from gold.

It’s our first celebration together with our previous son, so we thought ah… WTH. Once a year wouldn’t hurt much. Jimmy likes mooncake so he’ll finished all of them anyway. I don’t fancy mooncake actually except for snow-skin mooncake (aka ice-skin mooncake). But but but…that one is extremely expensive. Made from Diamond/Platinum.

In the end, we decided to get one - the normal one. It looks attractive from outside. Made from Malaysia. Hurm…Not sure from the inside. We shall see. *Raising eyebrows*

Jimmy couldn’t wait to have a try once we got home.
#1/ Outside view
#2/ AJ inspects inspects... "What's that?"
#3/ Let's see the inside
#4/ Not bad..not bad
#5/ Jimmy has his try
#6/ The double yolk mooncake - Jimmy's fav
#7/ AJ have a try also
#8/ *silence*
#9/ Yum yum! Yes, AJ likes it also...
They're quite good actually.

Orite, Happy Mooncake Festival. Have a good one.

***
It's my first day at work. Officially. For those who doesn't know, I was still on maternity leave until yesterday. Started working since 2 weeks ago using the 10 kits days. Having this flexibility, I was able to off early after finish my work or need to off if there's a problem with AJ.

Now, full time compressed working hours Monday to Thursday 8 to 6. I'm gonna off every Friday from this point onwards and get to spend more time with AJ. Now that AJ has settled, I can work with ease mind having AJ is with someone I entrust . He enjoyed going there now. He just watch his daddy walk off when he reach his nursery room. I'm startled. The staff said they are amazed on how AJ's settled in so quickly. Others cry for weeks. Yes, that's my boy!



Ciao...xx

Photos of the week 14-09-2008

With Tommy the bear

Can you find Tommy?
2 sunflowers in my courtyard

My workspace - full of AJs
& my computer too ~~~

Woot~~

Ouch…Alice beats me to it. I know I shouldn’t have told Alice at the first place.

Yes, if you come from Alice’s blog...yes yes yes (for endless times), yes..it's true. *jumping up high again and again* Woot~~~~

All 3 of us are celebrating our long lost Chinese New Year next year in the Boleh land.It has been 3.5 years since our last holiday back to hometown and indeed our plan to fly back home sometime next year. I’ve been nagging with Jimmy about that for ages! didn’t even dare to confirm with my mom because we have been delaying it for years till mom said “Only let us know when you’ve booked our flights. Coz your plan was scrapped every year” =.=

Gary, my team leader, had originally OK for my request on the long holiday and was waiting for Jimmy’s side to confirm. I was surprised when Jimmy came home yesterday saying “Guess what? I’ve got green lights from John Barton and let’s book the ticket tonight!” and I just went “Yes! Yes! Yes!” And AJ got shocked with my sudden scream and went a little bit upset. Paiseh paiseh...

Now that our flight has been confirmed, I’ll be able to say it out loud to my family. Yes, Dad, Mom, Bro and Sis, we are going back to see you soon! We can’t wait to say out loud the seconds our flights are booked. So, we called Alice at her time 5:30 AM. Wahaha...fortunately, she realised it wasn’t a dream. the feeling was so good having to be able to step to Boleh land soon.

It’s gonna be really merry next year – Family reunion, Wedding reception, AJ’s first birthday, AJ’s first time meeting his big families in person, bridal photo shoot and not to forget CHINESE NEW YEAR. Woot…OMG, I’ve not been celebrating CNY with my family for 5 long years, Jimmy with his 6 years. Gosh...

There’ll be 6 of us – Jimmy, AJ, Alice, Jeffrey, Ah Soon and Me, arriving Sibu airport that day and I wonder how are we going to Sarikei? 2 cars probably? Humm….I’m not going to worry that much. As that can be sorted within minutes. Ho ho ho….

I’m gonna teach AJ to say gung gung, ma ma, wai gung, wai ma, tai gong, tai ma….and oh..gu gu, shu shu, jiu jiu, yi yi…=.= I wonder if AJ can memorise them….Everyone can’t wait to see AJ. And I can’t wait to let AJ meet our friends and our big families.

Couldn’t sleep last night. Too excited!

Yum yum...kampua, laksa, ah zheng’s cha me, kom pia, bian bian hu....

Counting the days...

***
Updates on AJ

AJ is getting better now thanks to all your prayers. His diarrhoea stops now *finger-crossed* Still having his cold and cough for the moment but he sleeps quite well yesterday. A pillow was placed behind his head to free his airway. Only wake up a 2-3 times as he keeps turning around. Naughty him.

He went back to his usual-self since yesterday evening. Jimmy sent him to nursery this morning and surprise surprise he didn’t cry as he used to be when Haley, the nursery assistant, holds him. Probably, he now knows the routine eh? Good boy.

Thank God….

Babies likes to share this so now it’s my turn to get sick – cold & cough….I have a weak immune system =.=


Ciao...xx

Meet Chloe’s Parents

Remember AJ’s far far away gf, Chloe? Yes, I just got the photos from Carol today. And a little bit updates of her precious princess. She has been upset due to teething. Poor Chloe. As parents, we can’t do much but to ease her pain. We hope she’ll be getting better soon. I know...I know...I’m talk too much. I bet you guys can’t wait to see her & her parents.

Ladies & Gentlemen, meet the Lee’s family - sharing the same surname as mine..wahaha…the Lee’s family tree is expanding. We are unrelated la…but probably our ancestors were. You never know. Not to forget, the Ling’s family also growing... ;P

Boys & Girls...let me introduce Chloe's parents...wahah..ok... *mouth zipped*

#1/ Blerk... Cute, aint she?
#2/ Introducing Carol
#3/ Carol & me again at Plymouth Hoe
#4/ Dylan & Jimmy at Barbican
#5/ The beautiful princess Chloe Lee

***
Updates: AJ's well-being...
AJ was really upset when Jimmy sent him off to the nursery yesterday. He missed it on Monday due to his diarrhea so I thought he can go there yesterday since he has got better. Around noon, I received a call from the nursery at work saying he refused to eat and is not himself. So, AJ spent the rest of the afternoon at home. with me of course... His appetite was as normal leh when I fed him.

Probably he is ill and not in the mood...or could be because he had his first taste on the nursery's dinner & doesn't like it. Yesterday was lasagne & vege. Having sick at the same time...haih....he continued crying. When we reach home, he looked around the room several times. He must be like, Home sweet home. He seems very sleepy, so spend most of his time on sleeping...His diarrhea stopped now *finger crossed* but his coughing, blocked nose...haih...don't want to say anymore...

T_________T

T____T

T__T

Get well soon, son. Mommy missed your usual self.

Not much mood to blog today...


Ciao...xx

The jealous daddy, poor AJ T.T

Wahaha...I love the father of my son. Here's why...This conversation took place on Sunday evening.

Jimmy: Ah Fong, why AJ doesn't play with me?

Margaret: What do you mean?

Jimmy: He never play that game with me before.

Margaret: Why? You jealous?

Jimmy: A little bit..he's so attached to you..

Paused...

Margaret: That's because I've been with him 24-7 since he was born. Don't worry he will play with as he gets older.

Jimmy: But I want him to play with me....

***
In case you are wondering what's the game we talked about, it's when AJ's trying to grab my attention when I wasn't looking at him. There were several occassions where AJ's turns / moves to where my eyes is ... asking me to look at him. He could be in his car (walker) or when he's in my arms. And he could just do the cute look asking me to talk / play with him. and Jimmy's getting a little bit envy. Even Alice and my mom-in-law said AJ's so attached to me.

Wahaha...My sweet little baby. You're my rock, my everything. You and Jimmy both makes my life complete.

***
Today, AJ and I stayed at home most of the time. AJ is unwell since last week. It went more serious thro' the weekend.

Fever T_____T
Diarrhea T_____T
Cold T_____T
Cough T_____T

He had loose stools everytime after his meal since last Friday. I got so worried that I took him to see doctor this morning. Doc advised it is something to do with his intestine xxx (scientific word). In English, I'm guessing it's related to harmful worms in his intestine. So AJ is pescribed with rehydration salts oral powder. He's forbidden to take milk for the next 48 hours and solid food for 24 hours. The only food he can take is the powder mixed with water today to keep himself from dehydrated. Also aims to clear his instestine as the bugs feeds on lactose from the milk and solid food.

As for his cold and cough, no medicine is prescribed. As expected, UK doctors won't pescribe any medicines for babies and toddlers. I found it strange at the beginning. But as I give more thought, I couldn't agree more! If any prescriptions are given to them, they will be depend on medicines to recover. What if the viruses/bugs are immune to those medicines? Is your baby going to depend on stronger dose medicine that could possibly brings worse side effects?

Let them run through its course. Meanwhile, help him to recover quickly by feed him with vitamin-C-rich fruits (i.e. Kiwi, Oranges, etc). I too craved myself with these fruits when I had cold or cough Xmas last year. Fight them with my own the body's immune system!

Ah yes...at our doc's surgery, the doc suddenly said "What? AJ is recognised in the system as a heavy smoker with 24 cigarettes a day!" Can you believe it!?! at this age!?! Then it is to our understanding that the system picks up certain words inputted by doctors / nurses and updates the details automatically. Obviously, this is wrong. What kind of NHS system anyway? How accurate the data is hold? Although I myself is in IT field, this kind of system is totally unreliable. Shame on you, whoever build this system!

Anyway, correction was quickly made and they should! Phew~~~ else AJ's the youngest smoker in the world (CHOI, TAI KAT LAI SHI).

I believe AJ got the bugs from other babies in the nursery. haih...that's one of the risk to put him to the nursery.

Poor AJ T_____T

I'm hoping he'll get better soon. Go AJ! Go AJ! Go AJ! You can do it! Mommy loves you.


Ciao...xx

Nothing else...just some random photos

Ciao...xx

AJ's new car seat

Guess what? AJ's car seat is getting smaller for AJ so we thought it's time to get AJ a new posh seat. Well, when I say it's posh, it is…considering its quality and good reputation.

AJ’s original car seat usually could lasts for another 4-5 months but he outgrew it so quick that he has to lay there with his bend legs. Not comfortable eh? Thus, I did some survey on the available forward-facing child car seats. There’re some in the market I really fancy but the price…looks too “good”.

But that’s not the important point to get a suitable one. It’s its quality. I need to make sure it’s comfortable and secure for AJ. So, after intensive mummy’s analysis, with mummy’s instinct and a green light from Jimmy, we decided to go for this car seat – Maxicost Priori XP. It’s one of the best sellers and awarded as Gold from Mother&Baby for best travel item. Ah, not to forget, it has side-impact protection, all about safety for the baby, bla…bla...bla…suitable for up to 4 years.

Posh...posh, yet we got it on a really good bargain! Its RRP is £145.00 and I got for 90.45 (incl. delivery charge). It was on offer for £95.00 and I got it for £85.50 only! Reason being to further 10% reductions by using a promotional code that Mothercare (one of the famous baby store) emailed me when shopping from their store. Wahaha…so…£85.50 plus £4.95 (post & packing), I have saved a total of £54.55 to get a new car seat for AJ.

AJ loves it too…
#1/ The Maxi-Cosi Priori XP
#2/ AJ has his first try
#3/ Snuggling ...AJ: I own you, you Maxi-Cosi!
#4/ Hmm..quite comfy...
#5/ Bored... =.=
Here’s the thing. There are 2 types of forward-facing car seat - with boosters (or high back boosters) and one without. I have chosen the one without due to unable to tilt back seat positions with the boosters! How’s AJ going to sleep comfortably when he’s sitting up right? Even adults find it very awkward. Yes, it’s true that with a booster, you won’t need to get a new one when he gets older and still require an appropriate child restraint. The law says that children<>***
How to choose a suitable car seat?

• Award winning products with reasonable price
• Optimum side-impact protection
• Vital belt tensioner for a secure fit
• Flexible headrest and harness
• Reclining seat positions for a nap
• Removable & washable seat cover

When to get one for your baby?

• He weighs is >9 kg - weight that matters, not age!
• He can sit up unaided, of course
• Sale! You’ll realise that you’ll save a lot to get a good one on a reduced price. Shop early!

Ciao...xx

The loud AJ

Listen and watch AJ's high-pitch voice in the beginning of the video!


Ciao...xx

First day at work

Arrived at my office today at 9:11 am and noticed that my things were moved to a different desk. Desk moving was necessary due to department restructuring. I knew that before actually, but I don't have any idea my new workspace. Before holiday, I was sitting on a right-cornered L shape desk and now have to make myself comfortable with the left-corner L shape desk. Well, that wasn't a big deal anyway, I can adjust myself easily...not until this happened.

#1/How do I work like this? =.=
Don't worry, it's just temporary basis only. Gary, my team leader, said it will be sorted in a day or two. I'm probably getting a new machine...wahaha...with 4Gb of SDRAM hopefully. *finger-crossed* As for the moment, I'm using my co-worker's machine who's having her maternity leave since last month.

As soon as I was able to reach my company mailbox, I have 876 unread emails. No joking! Can you believe it? 876! 876! Apparently (Val's tone), my mailbox is still alive and have been receiving emails since I left last December. This is gonna take me 2 weeks at least to filter them. Most of them are junks anyway. But I need to go thro' each of them so that no important email is binned. =='

Oh yea....I received my last year Christmas gift from the Magic company, a software provider, which most systems in my company were implemented using its software. Yesh....a cup and I can use permanently at the office now. But I would prefer a bigger one actually. Probably, I'll take it home with me later this week and get a large pint of glass. I drinks lots of water. and yes...I need a headset as well, listening to musics...I better write what I need to bring on a paper.
#2/ The Magic cup, eh!
Managed to settle in ok. Gary has assigned a few projects to me on my first day. Lots have changed since I left but I'm starting to pick things up slowly. I spent the whole day checking emails, start working on the projects, updates from Gary, got my childcare voucher & mutual preference sorted and having AJ running in my head all the time.

Childcare voucher is provided to the employee to pay the nursery fee. With this flexibility, a fixed amount is taken off from my monthly salary before tax at payday. Hence, I save quite a lot by paying lesser tax...wahaha...I love my company. And the best thing... as of 15th Sept 2008, I am working on compressed hours (mutual preference policy). 4 long working days, Mon to Thurs 8AM - 6PM and Friday off. every week. again....another reason why I loved my company.

***
Updates on how AJ's been doing in his nursery today...
It is AJ's first full day at nursery. AJ was crying when we send him to nursery today. I stayed there for about an hour. He calmed a little bit when he had his dummy before I left. Today, he's the only baby in the room. So, he gets one-on-one attention which is quite good to allow him settle down without being shocked with so many babies in the room.

Surprisingly, no calls from the nursery. Instead, I ringed to check that AJ's doing ok. Jimmy visited him at his lunch break. wahaha....AJ was actually really sleepy and ready to go to bed . But as soon as he heard his daddy's voice, he went back energetic and asking for a cuddle. *Blessed AJ*
#3/AJ enjoyed having his meal
I was tempted for several times to ring the nursery but managed to hold back for fearing that I might wake AJ up. As the phone is in the same room where he sleeps. My mind was thinking of AJ all the time at the office. Worried that he got really upset not having me around. Since I'm using 10 kit days, I off-ed early and headed to the nursery around 4:45PM. He was just started crying as I was about to ask the nursery assistant to allow me in. Not because he saw me. It was probably due to the door behind him suddenly opens and the sounds scared him.

He was back to his happy mood within seconds. He was shouting happily and played with the toys while waiting for his daddy to get us home. I will still going to nursery with AJ this few days until he's settled 100% and off work early to pick him up. Just to ensure him that we're not leaving him behind too long.

Wahaha.....I'm really happy. Happy that AJ started to settle now. AJ, mommy is so proud of you. Love you...love you...love you lots..muacks! muacks! muacks! But I miss him a lot. Love his company for the past 7 1/2 months. As soon as my mutual preference started, I will get more time to be with AJ. Looking forward to that...^___^

Fuh...what a day! I'm so tired after a hectic day...bed time...that's all folks.


Ciao...xx

The end of my leave. Beginning of a new chapter...

This is it...
The day I will resume to work with my company after 9.5 months long holiday.
The day I will be separated with AJ for 8 hours every working days.

***
Looking back...
I was heavily pregnant with my unborn child till my last working day with my company. I have already missed my working life since the start of my maternity leave. Probably it was because of the wait...waiting to give birth. A mixture of feelings...it was bored mixed with anxious. Bored having nothing to do. I regretted to have my leave that early. I knew it...I should have waited till that day.

At the same time, I was anxious. How was the labour going to be like? Can I cope with the new chapter of my life? Is my baby going to be ok? How's he (we knew it's a he before the birth) going to be look like? more to Jimmy’s or mine? Work can past my time easily and I won’t feel too nervous at the same time. But then, resting at home early not a bad idea also. Luckily, Jimmy took 3 weeks off and at least I won’t feel bored at home.

Ok….in short, as you all already know, 13th Jan was a big day for all of us.
The day a new chapter is added to my life book.
The day I am officially a mother.
The day I experienced the only-mum-who-had-natural-labour pain.
This is the day I met AJ for the first time.
Yes, this is the day I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

As of 11:57PM, 13th Jan 2008, I’m responsible for AJ’s well-being - bath, nappies, food, nails, fashions, cries, everything…basically everything…you name it! When Jimmy starts working with a new company, it’s just AJ and me all day, 24-7. Well, till Alice came here for about 3 months.


1 second

…

1 minute

…

1 hour

…

1 day

…

1 month

…

…

9 months

Now…
I couldn’t believe it! It’s coming nearer. And now? I am working starting tomorrow. AJ is going to nursery at the same time. Jimmy will be sending him off around 8AM then picked him up at 5.30PM. I got so used having AJ around. And now I only get to see him after work weekdays and then 24 hours weekends. OMG! I’m gonna MISS my little cute baby.

Will he be happy at nursery?
Will he get used not having me around?
Will he be bullied by other babies at nursery?
Will he be abandoned by the staff when he cried out loud?

OMG! I’m thinking too much. I have to be optimistic! Positive thinking! OK..OK..think no more. No more! No more!

***
And oh....check out what we did this weekend...Enjoy!

#1/ Latest family photo
#2/ Moments b4 AJ had 2nd haircut after 6 months
#3/ Tadah...meet the new handsome AJ

#4/AJ & his daddy had a ... (click for larger view)


Ciao...xx