Thursday, February 24, 2005

So... asked Balqis the question of the day: Why did you cry this morning?

Her answer came almost immediately: Yeahlah ... because I want you because I love you.

Who would argue with that?

signing off..Hazelinesnow at 9:38 PM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Called Balqis' school. She was ok the moment she entered the school compound. All smiles and putting everything behind her as if nothing happened. No problem.

signing off..Hazelinesnow at 4:20 PM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Everything was calm this morning. Adam decided to wake up at 5am and requested for the Playhouse Disney Channel. No problem. My darling husband breezes through his shower and grooming. Getting dressed was pretty smooth sailing too. Adam went in for an early shower because '..... Maa.. pooo ....'. No problem. He requested for some hair gel when he saw my darling husband putting on some for his hair. Dressed Adam. No problem with my choice of attire. Balqis was deep in sleep. To the choo choo train. Got some breakfast for the babysitter's house. To the babysitter. Back to the house. Showered Balqis and prepare her for school. No contest. No problem. Brush her hair, plait it. Dark pink ribbons. Pretty like princess. Into the car. No problem. Smiled and sang all the way to school. Arrived at school. Teacher Ms. Han came out to get Balqis from the car. Balqis decided not to go. She pulled me with all her might. Her teacher pulled her while pacifying her on the other side of the car. Balqis pulled harder. Hands clawing me. I asked her why. No answer but on the verge of tears. Problem. She finally went out carried by her teacher, wailing. I have no idea what brought this about. Big Problem.

signing off..Hazelinesnow at 8:48 AM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Balqis tossed and turned and whimpered and smiled in her sleep last night. Must have been one hectic day for the girl. I love seeing them smile in their sleep. Sometimes, when you are lucky, you get to hear them laugh and talk too. Because I had a late meeting yesterday, my darling husband helped by coming back early on the train and fetched the kids. I can tell you that it wasnt an easy task. Adam would not want to sit in his chair and insist that he sits on the hand rest in the middle. You'll probably have to spent at least 20 minutes convincing him to just sit in his chair and we'll all be on our merry way. He'll probably run to the back seats avoiding you when you reach out for him. This will go on for the next 20 minutes. If I need to be really fast, I'll bring with me goodies to entice him to sit in his chair and not run around in the car. I am used to his antics and sometimes hang out with Kak Ani, his babysitter, chatting while he plays inside the car. Then, Balqis will sometimes realise that she had left behind the most important toy back at school and insist that you turn back. I can just imagine my darling husband going through it, boiling with suppressed anger, if it happened. Well, it did. Just the way it was. Actually, it's always much easier to fetch Adam first then Balqis coz then Adam knows that if he sits down now, we can be off to Balqis' school where he will enjoy all the attention when everybody comes out to say Hi to him at the car. Slipped my mine and forgot to tell my darling husband the trick.

When I arrived back around 7.30pm, the kids are still in their play clothes and not their pajamas. My darling husband had his face buried in The STAR and the TV was blasting. Both kids argued about who shall open the door for Mommy and it resulted in a small squabble, leaving Adam the defeated opponent crushed to the floor, crying his heart out. I managed to pacify him by offering a shower. Balqis insisted that she also should shower at the same time with Mommy. Well, I have no problem because it will make my life easier. Only thing, getting them out of the showers will be one big challenge. This is the time for darling husband to take over one kid.

Right after her shower, Balqis started to cry. Her teeth hurts and she placed the palm of my hand over her face and wouldnt want me to let go. Must be a new one coming up. After an inspection with the torch light and a very curious Adam, I hereby confirmed that a brand new tooth is coming up. We gave her some pain killer and she finally slept close to 11pm. The poor baby. I stayed close to her last night fearing the worst. But she seemed fine when she woke up. Pain must have subsided.

This morning, while I was preparing her for school -- shower, dry her up, put on her uniform, socks and brushed up her hair into a ponytail with pink (of course) ribbons, she looked up and said to me, 'Thanks Mom. Next time when you get smaller like me, I will take care of you like this.'

signing off..Hazelinesnow at 1:02 PM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Caramel, Cream, White & Dark Brown are Balqis' favorite colors besides pink and then again more pink. It all started when she placed her feet over mine. And she looked down in horror, saying, "Maaa.... you are white and I am black!' All traces of smiles gone. And I told her ....'Of course you are not black.' She always associate the color black with sinister, gloom and bad things. 'You are caramel'. The smile came back. 'Oh ... then how about Adam?' 'Adam is cream'. 'I am caramel, Adam is cream, Mommy is white and Daddy?' I pondered. 'Daddy is dark brown.' The actual fact is that the three of them have the similar color category -- brown. Balqis is a tad lighter and Adam a much lighter shade of brown. Although this conversation took place about a year ago, I got to think about it again the other day when Balqis teased me that she is Chinese, while the rest of us are Malay.

You know sometimes, kids say out the darnest thing, candidly and it is said out much too loud! They dont mean a thing by it actually, just expressing an opinion. Kids are honest. Until they know how to lie. There was once she saw a really fat guy and decided to share her opinion with the rest of the people queuing up for the horse rides. 'Maaa.... that man is so FATTTT!!' I told her that it's not so nice to say that about people. 'Why?' she asked. 'He is fat you know. You cannot see?' I explained to her that it's not so polite to say that someone's fat because it might hurt their feelings. 'He will cry, meh?' and her turn came to ride the horse.

For horses, like any other things, she doesnt like the black ones. She will not go near or on a black horse. Only the brown and white ones. These little people also have preferences you know. Adam is also beginning to show some preferences over his clothes and food. Balqis started that quite awhile back.

I normally would unwind with a book. Balqis & Adam would normally copy this. They immediately will ask for their books too. For Adam, his choice will be something like Sesame Street I want To Be A Cowboy or some kind of animal book or bugs story. Balqis pretty much is OK with any titles. Not too choosy. She sometimes would pick up one of my Jeffrey Archer and start to pretend reading it, just like Mommy.

Now I've to go and choose my attire for the day. Semi casual. Perhaps flats. Pants. Shirt? Or cotton skirt. Blouse. Or perhaps I should wear the cardigan set. Nope.. it's too hot. Should I tie my hair. Or let it loose. Maybe I'll just clip it.

I've to go and make some decisions. May all your decisions today are wise and the ones that you'll be happy with.

signing off..Hazelinesnow at 10:09 AM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Saturday, February 12, 2005

It's a hot night. It's been a hot day. The poor babies kept on wanting to take showers. I dont blame them. I thought I was gonna be crispy if I stepped outside under the sun so we didnt go out until after 7pm to do some groceries. They had several showers today as a matter of fact. Then fight with their mother about which clothes to wear. Balqis, of course, would have an opinion about the outfit that I chose. 'It's not pink... I want pink...' or 'I not like this one. This one not nice..' or just simply .. 'I dont want this!' Adding to the list now, is of course, our darling Adam. He now stands at 37inches but it's a 37-inch Adam with an attitude. He too now, like his sister (whom he affectionately calls 'Tatak' for 'Kakak'), will disagree with me about the choice of clothes he is going to wear. I have learnt to just lead him back to his wardrobe and let him chose what he wants rather than me walking back and forth chosing his attire for him. Once dressed, he sometimes will go into the dining hall to take a peek in the mirror. That's the only floor length mirror that he could look at anyway, at 37 inches tall.

He has also grown to be quite fussy with his food. I cant do anything right it seems, in choosing his menu. Balqis on the other hand, has grown to be quite good at adhering to her mom's menu. But of course, if that fails, use her vanity against her. 'If you eat those vegetables, your eyes will be bright and shiny' will get her to finish every single strand of vegetables on her plate. Because she is so obssessed in getting to be a big girl, I sometimes used that fact to get her to eat too. 'If you dont finish up, you'll grow smaller by the time you wake up tomorrow...' will do the trick.

Balqis & Adam helped me clean up the balcony today. The balcony has turned into their toys store room. Thus, spring cleaning was urgent on our list today. From where I stood, it looked very crowded. By the way, since Adam's favorite game is -- throw toys, cookies and anything throw-able from the balcony, it was quite a challenge having him in our team.

Adam's speeches is beginning to form. I had a lot of fun talking and listening to him talk. But when those two are together, they seem to be talking in secret codes. I cant hardly understand their gibberish but they understand each other fine by the way they move around the sitting room, creating as much mess as they could muster. Anyway, I am having the time of my life watching the two munchkins grow and looking at them having so much fun that I sometimes dont have the heart to stop them from playing and making a mess. But then of course, there are a number of spanks from time to time. Normally it will end up with me getting spanked back. In a way, it's their way of telling me 'Hey ... we may be just 37 inches tall but we've got rights'.

I'm melting. I'd better leave this dining room table and get back to civilization, where it's cooler and where there's cable TV.

Have a nice cool night!

signing off..Hazelinesnow at 12:49 AM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Thursday, February 10, 2005

I had to work on Tuesday and work really hard. I had 46 CNY hampers to deliver all over Kuala Lumpur, Klang & Putrajaya, orders from a last minute client. Monday, we had 30 orders to deliver but it wasnt that bad. Tuesday morning to deliver hampers and 2pm I had to be available at KLCC for my client's interview with a leading financial news-magazine. Balqis' school was closed and Adam's baby sitter requested for the day off for her to go 'balik kampung'. So, no other choice but for my darling husband to take leave from work and stay at home to take care of the two of them. So help us GOD!

Woke up early to do some washings in the kitchen. Wake darling husband up. He woke up almost immediately. I had only 2 hours to spare. Got the kids' clothes laid out. Darling husband sneaked out as quietly as possible to get breakfast and the papers. Adam woke up upon hearing the door closing. 'Daddy?' he asked. Scooped him up and bathed him. Took 15 minutes to just ask him to get out of the bath. He finally came out with a promise of Superman-flying-stunts into the living room. I held him on his front and ran all the way to the living room. He held his hands stretched out to the front and pretended to be superman. Clothed him. Balqis woke up. She goes into the bathroom. Out. Dressed.

Took care of the beddings, comforters and pillows. Darling husband helped to put some of the comforters out at the back. We liked them puffed up and smelling fresh from the sun.

Overheard that Kak Lela, my partner is picking me up from the house. Balqis decided that she must follow mommy to work today. She concluded that 'Mommy is not going to work. She's going to Aunty Lela's house.' She put on her shoes, put on Adam's shoes on for him and decided to wait for Aunty Lela outside the house. Change of tactics. SMS-ed Kak Lela to drive passed the house and parked near the parking bays, by the side of the house. I will sneaked out from the back door. Kak Lela played out the plan to perfection. Drove passed Balqis & Adam who were playing outside. She looked straight ahead while at the corners of her eyes, she saw both Balqis & Adam stopped playing to look. I was already waiting at the side of my house. Went inside the car and Kak lela drove out, right infront of the two kids. Balqis was very suspicious. I heard her told her daddy, 'That is Aunty Lela, Daddy.' 'No... that was someone else,' came a lame answer. 'Yes ... it was ....' confirmed Balqis. By that time, I was already inside the car ready to go through the come-what-may. My darling husband busied himself taking their pictures to divert their attentions away.

Ready, get set, go! Kak Lela stepped on the accelarator and headed out right under the kids' noses. I saw them looking and pointing. Got an SMS to say that everything is clear and OK on the home front. I heaved a sigh of relief.

My main advice -- anything happened, things go out of control, turn to the PHDC Channel 63. (At least that's what I do and it works!)

An hour passed by.
SMS: Please prepare kids' snacks. Cookies on kitchen counter.
SMS reply: She is having milk and getting ready to nap.
SMS: Must give her some snacks before she sleeps.
SMS reply: Later when they wake up.

Two hours later.
SMS: Kids ok?
SMS reply: OK. Both napping.
SMS: Please dont play POGO. Make sure you are infront of them when they wake up.
SMS reply: Me not playing. (Yeah right!?)

Three hours passed by.
SMS: They had their snacks?
SMS reply: Not yet because they are now having milk again.

Four hours later.
SMS: Me at KLCC.

Five hour later.
SMS: Me going back on LRT.
SMS reply: Want us to fetch you?
SMS: Going back with a cab.

Sigh. That's just me. The anxious worry wart. On other days, I will normally check on Balqis at school at least twice a day. Adam's baby sitter will receive at least two phone calls from me too. Just to check.

Got home. Everything is fine on the home front.
Got ready for a good walk at the KLCC Park with the kids.
Both slept early that night. What a day!
Me, to the computers with my darling husband to look at all the pictures.
Together alone at last.



signing off..Hazelinesnow at 2:52 PM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Monday, February 07, 2005

Yesterday, we celebrated our 5th year wedding anniversary by taking the kids out to the Bird Park. Of course, that fact remain oblivious to both Balqis & Adam. Balqis got a peck on her nose from a caged white bird right next to the 'Take Your Picture with a Parrot' section. Perhaps, the bird felt threatened by Balqis' peering eyes, probably too close for it's comfort. This happened when we were not looking and were both fussing over Adam. I was pretty sure she tried touching the bird. I showed her the 'No Touching' sign. A new light dawned upon her and she said,'Oh .... cannot touch. He bit my nose, you know.' Adam was riding in his stroller all the way, yelling 'Hello Bird' .. 'Hello Bird' ... 'Hello Bird' to every single bird he saw in the park. The fee to get into the park had gone up. RM28.00 for adults and RM20.00 for 3-12 year old kids. Lucky we had Jusco loyalty card that helped us get a big discount to get in. Instead of RM76.00, we got in with RM28.00. Pretty good? I think so.

We were there pretty early so we managed to get out before it was too hot, which was around noon. Nevertheless, yesterday was a pretty hot day. Balqis complained that she was tired 3/4 of the way and had her daddy carry her instead. But she went back down when she saw the peacocks spread their tails. She was petrified when those birds made big loud sounds unlike Adam who just giggle and break into big great smiles when that happens.

Adam couldnt take his eyes off of the ostriches. 'Big ...' 'Big ...' was all that came out of him when we parked his stroller right outside the ostriches cage. Balqis, who have had an experience riding an ostrich before just shrugged and looked elsewhere.

They had a pretty good day. That was Balqis' second trip and Adam's first one. She didnt remember her first trip, though. I thought my darling husband had a good exercise walking around the park and told him that he should do this kinds of outing every week because it is good for him. He is much better off doing that rather than being his usual self of a couch potato, of course. As for me, I would have walked KMs/Miles around the house everyday doing the housework. A lot of exercise. And yes, I do a lot of shopping that normally entails a lot of walking too.

The year of the Rooster it is. All we have in the house are Horses (me & Adam) and Dragons (Balqis & my darling husband). Gong Xi Fa Chai, friends. Salam Maal Hijrah from all of us -- Hazel, Hisham, Balqis & Adam.

Check out all of our new photos (more to come) ... Click Here




signing off..Hazelinesnow at 9:30 AM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

The moment we woke up today, we were all scrambling around because I was too tired last night to prepare for this morning. My darling husband dashed into the showers. I took out his shirts & pants. I decided he should choose his own tie this morning, perhaps the 8th time since he married me. Adam woke up and chanted 'TeeVee...TeeVee ....'. Ran back to the hall where the chanting took place. Switched on the Playhouse Disney for him. Went to the kitchen to check on their bottles. The only thing I managed last night was boiled their bottles. Bottles ready. Into the bags. Adam needs at least 4 attires a day not including pajamas. Into the bag. Me, back to the kitchen. Found out that we only have one bottle of apple juice left. Into Balqis' school bag. Cookies into both bags. Prepare Balqis' school uniform. Cough syrup into Adam's bag. Cough Syrup and panadol syrup on the table -- to be placed in Balqis' bag. Darling husband called out to prepare Balqis' antibiotics. To the kitchen. 5ml of Augmentin extracted. Into the hall where Balqis is lounging infront of the PlayHouse Disney. Adam said 'Me pooohhhh'. Oh gosh! Another gasp came from inside the room... 'Oh No ... Adam I'm late!' Balqis decided to be difficult. I want water. I dont want the white one first. I want the pink one. Not too close to my mouth. I dont like the smell. He dashed out from the room to show me the tie he chose. 'This one ok?' Took one glance and answered impatiently, 'Yes...'. While doing his tie infront of the mirror in the dining room, he shouted,'Faster Balqis. I was late yesterday. I dont want to be late again today!'. Medicine in. Water consumed. Scooped Adam up and ran to the bathroom. He opened his own pants and put them in his laundry basket. I yanked open his shirt. 'Oww!' he protested. Sorry. Ushered him into the bathroom. He insisted on playing with the toys in the bathroom. 'No time for toys now, Adam. Later, ok?' Not too happy but since Mom is doing everything super fast, I might as well go with the flow. He looked amused. Out. Dressed. My darling husband managed Balqis' shoes. I came out, everything was already in the car. The car moved out and seemed to be flying all the way to the LRT station. Oh my God! I forgot Balqis' uniform and medicine on the table.



signing off..Hazelinesnow at 11:29 AM [ | ]

{Takes all sorts to make the world .. the world..}