28.09.09 / Friends, Parenting, QQ, Twins / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (11)
Can guess where this babywearing meets take place? hehe…we actually went to visit a mum who is still in her confinement (but with full fan and air-con blasting to the max, hahaha!)
We had a babies/ toddler meet up during Raya holiday. See these 2 newborns having their first play date? Isn’t it so lovely seeing this sweet little baby girl lying down sleeping so soundly beside her newborn friend?
It was also the second gathering with baby Brandon (who is 2 weeks younger but 2 kg more than my boys!) Unlike 10 months ago, this time, they are able to walk and sit down to play by themselves. Time really flies and I think at the next round meeting up, our boys will be old enough to have their own Rocky Patel cigars party!
The 5 years old were enjoying themselves with kids toys, good that here there are plenty of toys to play. See, even the kids know how to divide themselves into different age groups while playing.
It is so great seeing all of you again, ladies. Let’s hope we will be able to stay-in-touch and continue to share our funny parenting moments for many many more years to come.
26.09.09 / Child's Play, Family, Health, Parenting, QQ / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (12)
Remember QQ and her scary experience of Root Canal Treatment 2 weeks ago? Yesterday she had to go back to remove the temporary filling and have it replace with permanent filling. Her appointment was actually scheduled a week earlier (before the temporary filling cracks and had bacteria entering that area again). But as she was coughing, we delayed a week later.
We actually visited the dentist 2 days ago together with me while I had scaling done to my aging yellow teeth (if only I can afford the Plano porcelain veneers treatment), she freaks out and cried non-stop while seated on the chair. So nothing can be done and it has to reschedule again as soon as possible as cracks had shown on her temporary filling.
Yesterday again, there was another bad struggle, but luckily everything was done within 30minutes. I really hope she does not have to go back to the dentist for at least a year as it is so mentally tiring for me to coax this 5yr-old girl of mine to coorperate with us.
25.09.09 / Family, Food review, Makan-makan, Melaka, Parenting / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (5)
Tags: dim sum, Melaka, portugis, seafood, settlement, square
Eating in Melaka is great and we love going back for food. Of course we will not go to famous places with lots of tourist with crazy crowds queing on the middle of the road (pic here on our national paper), under the hot sun standing in the middle of the road, waiting for a table during weekends and public holiday. If we want to dine at such places, hubby will take leave on weekday where you can see the shop owners actually sitting there chasing flies waiting for people to come.
Dim Sum at Tengkera (corner shop, same row with the famous Satay Celup)
We usually have heavy breakfasts in Melaka. Having dim sum in Melaka is very much cheaper as compare to what we have here (although they have increase the price a lot over the years). Our favourite place for the best “Tai Pau” is at the Ban Hong Xiang Tea House at Gajah Berang (also another crazy place with crazy crowds where we have to help ourselves snatching the steaming hot Big Pau once they are out from the kitchen to the steaming bamboo tray, but hubby prefers this one at Tengkera (forgot name of the show) with less crowd and easier parking.
We were lucky that the kids were fast asleep on the 2nd night. Guess where hubby and I sneak out to while the maid keep on eye on them in the room (with my parents at home)?
The Portugis Square
Hubby and I took a stroll to the Portugis Settlement, which is only a very short walking distance away. I was so surprise that there are so much changes made to the Portugis Settlement with so many new stalls selling seafood facing a very beautiful sea facing walkway and a modern jetty (replacing the broken wooden jetty where I used to play with my friends).
Butter Garlic Baked Scallop (bottom) Tepung Goreng Sotong (Top)
Sorry for the lousy pictures (I forgot to bring out my camera) and also missing scallops (which already ended in our stomach). Price of the seafood here is a little bit higher than those fishing village in Serkam, Muara Sg.Duyong and Crystal Bay.
- 100g Fish Rm4
- 100g Squid Rm3
- 100g Scallop Rm7
When our food arrived, it is almost 12 midnight. By then almost all food were sold and yet there are so many people coming over to take their heavy dinner (with rice some more!).
24.09.09 / Child's Play, Chin Nee, Friends, Melaka, Parenting, best & good / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (15)
Tags: asam, ayam, dishes, Fish, Nyonya, peranakan, pongteh, taibak
While we were back to Melaka, I took the opportunity to visit Miche and her kids again (also to collect the pineapple jam made by Miche’s mum).
There wasn’t anyone at home this time, except Miche and her kids. Therefore my kids were not shy this round and were happily playing away with the toys and riding front and back in Miche’s house.
Peranakan dishes: Ayam Pongteh, Asam Fish, Fried long beans, Mix vege, and Mee Sua Soup
Miche even asked her mum to come over and cook up a delicious storm of Nyonya dishes for us. “Miche, I am going to learn to make nice Ayam Ponteh and your Ikan Goreng Asam too!”
Wouldn’t have agreed go to her house for lunch if I knew her MIL and maid is not around. Poor girl, I do not know how she manage to take care of 4 kids plus one BIG house.
Tai Bak, one of the Peranakans’ desserts
Although I grow up in Melaka, I have not tasted or seen the Tai Bak dessert. Miche’s mum made this cooling dessert (just like those green cendol except it is made from rice flour). Miche told me that Tai Bak is to be eaten cold with sweet sugar syrup to cool the body. Just simply delicious.
Can you see how BIG is baby Ezra? Almost same size with my 15months boys!
Saw the beautiful and natural compound at her home? Besides many swings hung under their shaddy trees and 3 big fish pond, can you see there is even an elevated play area for the kids at the left under the tree? This reminds me of my late Great Grandmother’s place where I used to play when I was young. Will definitely dump hubby and ask him go check out the insurance quotes and such so I can visit Miche and spend one whole day there with my kids when the boys are older enough to play and run wild again. Just simply love this place.
Look closely at the girls (Clarissa and QQ). Don’t they look funny with double specs each?
20.09.09 / Family, Just info / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (3)
Each time we are back to hometown, my mum will have a lot washing to do, washing my siblings clothes and even my kids and hubby’s clothes!
Although there is a washing machine at home, mum still prefer to hand wash all our clothes prior putting them into machine and she really cleans well. No wonder she could stay so slim, unlike me who are so used to depending so much on the maid and ended up needing the diet pills!
So my maid wakes up later here, and gets to enjoy her vacation too, eating all day long with us doing nothing except playing with the kids. Poor granny, she could have leave all the job to the maid and enjoy with her grandchildren instead, right? sigh…if only my maid could clean the clothes like she does)
19.09.09 / Contest, Kuantan, Love our Environment, Melaka / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (6)
Tags: bags, envirosax, Reusable, tapir, tiny
Instead of using plastic bags now, many people have head towards using reusable bags today when they are shopping and even in the wet market.
I collected several free bags and I find them very useful especially when we travel back to hometown. We no longer use our proper luggage bags as I find them too bulky to fit into our narrow car space since the 3rd row is occupied. Even Kakak has to place her luggage on her foot area. Luckily the clinicallix has help her to maintain her petite size so it is not too narrow for her to sit in the crowded 3rd row.
See hubby’s favourite Black bag, from Honda, The Power of Dream? I love bags like this, because they can be folded so small and compact when we do use them.
Recognise this RM1.80 Big Blue Bag from Ikea? My very faithful Mama Patch “open stall” bag. It is so huge that I can place all my slings and pads in it whenever we go out for events/workshops.
The cute thing is, I even add on some snaps to the super wide opening (so it is folded at both side and also the top) so that it can be closed neatly and prevent my things from spilling out. Great buy for a Rm1.80 right?
Mr Postman (Korkor) seting out for Mama Patch parcel delivery using the Mikado Green Envirosax, the most expensive reusable grocery bag I have got so far.
Not wanting to loose out when I hold my camera, this proud girl who loves to appear on my blog posed for a sweet shot to end my entry to the contest held by Tiny Tapir.
19.09.09 / Travels, best & good / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (0)
Initially we planned to go to Penang during one of these holidays for food. Yes, I actually long for a treat and to be pampered at places like the Adults Only Resort which may not come into reality in these few years as hubby will not be willing to part with the kids.
Then came the epidemic of H1N1, and we all got chicken out on travel. Even it is a long festive holiday this round, I was quite dissappointed that we did not have a chance to go to Penang. I guess hubby must have sensed my dissappointment and redirect us back home to Melaka for at least 2 nights stay. At least I still get to see my family and eat my favourite food in Melaka, thanks hubby!
19.09.09 / Family, Melaka / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (0)
It is going to be a long holiday, isn’t it great to live in this beautiful country with so multi festive seasons celebrated throughout the year? Since there is no place to go, we decided to go back to Melaka to my beautiful hometown. I can’t wait to eat all my favourite food in Melaka again. We will be only visiting the places with refrigerator water filters so that will not get any tummy upset eating out. Oh yes, I’ll be meeting up again with Miche and Jess this round. Anyone keen to join us?
17.09.09 / Contest, Just to share / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (3)
Remember the “Sweet Family Moments” Photo Contest organised by Alliance Bank Malaysia sometime back? We did not actually made it to the contest (how silly of me that I actually forgotten to submit the cute faces of my kids and my application) and now the results are out.
And the contest has reached its final phase with the selection of 31 winners (Grand prize, second prize & consolation prizes). I guess it must be hard choosing the winners and since it’s tie, hence Alliance Bank decided to have 2 winners for the Grand Prize as below:
Hooi Sek Yi (761019-xx-xxxx) & Liew Wei Yin (7810014-xx-xxxx)
Congrats to both Hooi Sek Yi and Liew Wei Yin and for grabbing the grand prize! Check out their Winner announcement page to see if you are also one of the lucky winner in this contest.
I hope they will run similar picture contest again with even more exciting prize so I could participate in the next round contest. Since the picture credit card is so unique (that is why it is called You:nique card), you might want to apply one too with your favourite photo printed on the card. Oh yes, by charging your expenses to this card, you also get to enjoy up to 2% for all retail purchase, flat rates for finance charges plus 2x reward points for all your local & oversea purchases.
Wish to find out more how it works? Do check out their website at You:nique or their page in Facebook to grab yourself a card today.
16.09.09 / Parenting, Twins / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (21)
It started last Sunday with Korkor, my older son when he puked non-stop. When I came back from attending a birthday party with my girl, I vomitted a Mc Donald Chicken burger too. Next day it happpened to my younger twin. Even QQ complained constant pain in her stomach, and then followed by hubby when he reaches home from work at night.
Initially we thought it was some food we had when we dined out at Mid valley on Saturday. But since we do not get the effect at the same time (it seems more like virus that we pass from one to another), it might not be due to food poisoning. My mum even suspected our maid, as she is the only one who spares from whole thing. Anyhow, since I was jelly weak and lying on bed whole day, she has to take care of the boys by herself and if she is the culprit, haha…serves her right also.
Anyway, I captured some funny pics of the boys which I find really amusing. Enjoy!
Korkor opening the door of the car
Trying, very very hard, to step and squeeze himself into the car
Aunty, don’t be surprise with how I look, ok?
Here is Didi with QQ’s pink spec (Didi loves dangling things on his head, face!)
15.09.09 / Parenting / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (5)
Tags: Mama, patch, ring, sling
There they goes, always messing up my stuffs whenever my tailor friend deliver the fresh made cloth pads to me. They boys often start pulling out, piece by piece of the pads, color by color, design by design. This morning, my dear Korkor even took piece by piece to rub while enjoying the softness of the materials on his face, WAHAHAHA! (So now you can be sure of the softness of our cloth pads)
It is indeed fun to see the cloth pads scarttered all around on the floor since they are designed and made in many many soft tone colors. At least that could keep them occupied for a few months while I settle out the details and account with my tailor friend. Once we clear up and stack up the pads, I start to feel tired again, dreadfully looking at the high stacks as I have to find time again, to sit down for hours to apply snaps onto the wings of the pads (during the boy’s nap time).
What’s new in Mama Patch - Crunchy Petals
See first in a kind of Ring Sling with a fun tail, producing crunchy noise when you baby plays with the vibrant embroidered petal patches, design exclusively owned by Mama Patch, all right reserved.
12.09.09 / Health, Parenting, QQ / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (35)
Sounds like a scary treatment, isn’t it?
3 days back, QQ started complaining about her mouth pain and keep on referring to her cheeck. Since we could not find any ulcer in her mouth, we suspected it must be due to her gums. What a surprising finding on her first dental visit and the dentist actually found3 BIG holes in her top baby molar!
Since she is only 5 and it still take many years for her new teeth to appear, the dentist decided that doing the root canal treatment will be best for her ( I was too shocked as myself have not even once done any a filling in my 33 years of life!)
What is Root Canal Treatment (also called as Endodontic Treatment)
wherein the pulp (hole of the rotten area) is cleaned out, the space disinfected and then filled with temporary filling. If the disinfection is successful, then she get a permanent filling a week later ( I cannot imagine when mrs. dr has to drill out everything again to refill with permanent filling). BUT if the earlier disinfection treatment is unsuccessful, then she will have to undergo another similar painful procedure before actual filling can be done.
My poor timid child, can you imagine how she screamed and struggled while dr has to be so careful accurately putting in needles and such. Thank goodness only one tooth require the treatment and we just leave the other two alone since there is no sign of pain yet. I really cannot understand how a child’s tooth can be so rotten inside at such a young age (although I must admit I did not force her to brush her teeth daily as I did not too, when I was at her age and yet I still do not have any problem with my teeth).
Poor girl, it must have really frightened her out in her first dentist visit.
Anyone experience similar treatment too?
10.09.09 / Family / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (18)
Ok, time to sit down and write again while the boys are attaching to the idiot box being watched by Kakak who is actually reading and admiring the beautiful cars with spoilers in the car magazine.
Our Kakak will be due in May next year, and already I am worried about getting a replacement. I just cannot imagine the mental torture that I’ll be getting, not to mention the high risk of getting someone we cannot live with and the high cost to bring in one now.
Actually hubby and I have been cleaning the house all these while before we have a helper. But now since we have 2 little rascal who frequently cry for attention, it is indeed too tired to manage both of them while doing the housework. I think it will be best to have a helper with us, at least for another one or two years (especially when the boys are growing into their terrible 2x soon next year).
A friend actually thought me this. Ever since she arrived, I have been slowly and frequently talking to her into working seriously in Malaysia for long term. Working here for only 2 years certainly will not give her enough money for the rest of her life and what’s more she has a toddler girl. I make her see the difference between myself and her and told her how education can improve life. Slowly I psycho her into making more money for her girl’s education.
She is smart to know that money spent out fast and many people who come out to work will continuously working since they are so used to life here and get bored easily with life there after going back awhile with all money spent. I also tell her that if she stop working after 2 years contract, all her wish to work again will have to go through the process of the agent and she will lost of her 6 months deposit again. Not worth it right?
She is also aware that working here continuously at least 8 years (so that they can go in and out of the country easily without having to apply through agent later on loosing away their 6 months salary to the agent in future).
Although she has agreed verbally to me yesterday, I certainly hope she would just extend another year without having to go back for a short holiday. (Really I do not want her to be brainwashed by people at her place by comparing their employers especially those working for the rich Arabians, getting tips to perform silly tricks their employers). Perhaps I should compensate with bonus or something which I might think of later…
10.09.09 / Friends, Just to share / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (0)
Oh…no..no..no, it’s not me. Not yet.
Yesterday I was so happy to find out another friend of mine is gaving birth in another 2 months time. Although I have been seeing her daily as she comes daily to help me fetch and pick up my girl to school, she was so skinny that I did not even realise that she is actually pregnant with her fourth baby! Silly me…
After 6 years since she last had her 3rd child, I am sure her family (especially her 3 grown up girls) will be excited to welcome a tiny new baby into their family. Since all her baby stuffs have been given away, I guess she will have to soon stock up some natural baby products soon again.
10.09.09 / Family, Tags / Author: chinneeq / Comments: (0)
Still remember the complaints I had so much with our kakak? Yes, it is certainly not easy for us to adapt living with a stranger in our home as a part of our family. We even have trouble sometimes with our own hubby, someone who grows up in a totally different family background, what’s more a live-in maid who comes from another side of the world.
But after going through so much training (cooking, cleaning, take care of the kids), I am proud to say that she really took the effort trying her best to change and improve. Oh, we cannot expect her to change overnight and it takes about one year ok. (Although I am still sometimes quite mad with her carelessness by forgetting to close the shower faucet properly and let the water runs)
However, I must admit that there is less mistake now and more responsible towards the kids (Or perhaps love has grown??) I count on her a lot managing the house work and even with the kids. Even my dear Korkor, my elder twin is sooo attached to her that he only calls “Da…Dak!! Da…Dak!!” all day long.
You see, it is really not easy to train a maid, but once they are trained properly (mine takes about a year!) and before you know, their contract is due! To find out if Kakak wish to stay on, check out soon on next post.