Little Bookworm

We're happy to report that our son loves his books.
InsyaAllah this will be a habit that sticks.

When he's in his playpen, he'll just sit quitely with his books, turning the pages and really concentrating on the colours and textures (most of his books are touchy feely books).
He'll wiggle his fingers of the textured pieces and explore with his palms - and sometimes tongue.

*happy*

Then after awhile, the oral exploration starts. He'll start biting the edges and what-not. :D

As a post-final-finals celebration, Husband took us to get more books for Faris.
We *heart* Kinokuniya.
Got two books today. And ordered two more Usborne books.

Another touchy feely book, this time it's 1 2 3

An AWESOME bath book

*glee*

Bonda/Anis

I Do Not Miss...

...all the (past) relationship drama.

...sleeping alone.

...not having a purpose in life.

....being unmarried.

...driving to University alone.

...going to the movies - with seat-kicking rempits and damp-odoured seats.

...smelling like cigarettes because then people-in-life chain-smoked.

...most importantly, having to miss the weekends or be dragged to the mamak just because a football game is on.

So, bring on the World Cup 2010 season.
Gua tak heran la.

Nota kaki: Gefrens/isteri/kawan casual all over the world yang akan merasai gegaran negatif World Cup bulan Jun/Julai ini, saya tumpang simpati.

Anis

Knight's Seconds

We're selling off some of Faris' baby stuff that we hardly used.
Please check out

http://knightsseconds.blogspot.com/

Thanks.

Matt and Anis.

Simple

I sometimes have an overflow of thoughts that I think I'd like to share.
Or write up a rebuttle on some issue I read at another's blog.
And post pictures upon pictures of my Kodak moments.

But then,
I realized not everything is for the public.
For sharing.

So those posts are deleted or just saved as drafts.

My outlet has always been talking.
Alhamdulillah, I will always Husband and family to listen.
And give me feedback.
Or just listen.
And laugh.

Most of the time, we laugh.

So, everything will remain as is.
Simple.

Anis

TV Images = ♥

Dear Mr. Hart Hanson,

If this is what dream-Booth looked like when dream-Brennan was pregnant,
imagine his face if it were real.

Pls Mr. Hanson,
let there be a little antrophologically-correct and funny-sock wearing baby in the mix.

And this is our favourite Noah Puckerman moment
Season 01 Episode 09 - "Wheels"

Tasty Time With ZeBonda

Watching Playhouse Disney with Faris has paid off in terms of making snacks.
Inspired by ZeFronk, the chef dog -
we made a quick and easy yet so tasty snack pizzas.

The ingredients

Use Pita bread for Thick crust effect and Tortillas/Paratha for Thin crust effect

Baking

Voila!

Goodbye other pizza places. We're making our own pizzas from now on.
:D

Bonda/Anis

It's Real

Motherhood is a blessing.
But like anything new,
it can be overwhelming.

Some mothers are blessed with a very happy motherhood from beginning to throughout the years.
Others experience post-partum blues.

After a somewhat traumatic experience in giving birth to my son,
I had the post-partum blues for awhile.

I was exhausted from travelling to and from the hospital.
When baby was finally home from the NICU, I hadn't time to recuperate.
So, exhaustion only escalated.
Plus the worrying of breastmilk, of what to do next...
It was all overwhelming.

I felt sad. Cried alot. Occasionally negative thoughts would plagued the mind.

How I got through it?
Faith - that God is Great and He will help those who seek His help, insyaAllah.
My family - I have a wonderful support system.

They let me talk, cry and feel what I need to feel.
I cried buckets.
I let them know all that I was feeling - good and bad.

Then, literally, over time, like a gray cloud, the blues just...
went away.

To new mothers,
if you feel the post-partum blues -
it's ok.
You are NOT a bad mother.
You are the best that you can be.

Surround yourself with positive things/people.
Talk about your feelings.
Always talk it out. Don't keep it in. It's poisonous.
And don't be afraid to cry.

But if you feel depressed on a level that talking/crying doesn't make you feel better,
And if you start feeling an urge to harm yourself and/or your child,
please seek the guidance of a professional.
There is no shame in asking for help.

Post-partum blues can lead to post-partum depression.
This is real.
Do not feel ashamed.
There are others who went through or are going through a similar situation.

All the best.
Be patient.
And please remember,
just because you have the blues, it does not make you a bad mother.

Love,
A mother

Our Second

Kami sepasang.
Cinta hati,
dunia - akhirat.
InsyaAllah.


Happy Anniversary
Year 2
E ♥ A
Alhamdulillah, MasyaAllah.

InsyaAllah, we'll see many others; together.
Terima Kasih Ya Allah s.w.t.
The Most Compassionate.
The Most Merciful.

Photos courtesy of here and here

If at first you don't succeed...

Faris is busy trying to stand on his own.
Success for a second or so yesterday -
But then fell and hit his head (slightly) at the edge of his cot.
Brave boy.
After just a second of tears, he got up and tried again.

His second tooth has broken out of the gums.
So when he smiles, we can see one and a half teeth.
:D
Simply gorgeous.

Since January, there's been *silently counting*
4 babies born to 4 people I know.
1 more insyaAllah this April.
And sister in law, another friend/neighbour, an old Sri Inai friend;
All expecting baby #2.

InsyaAllah.

Whoa!

Newborns/babies/children give me such joy.

Anis

Precious, Priceless Moments #006

-Tuesday-

Caught an extra snooze after Subuh prayers since Faris decided to go back to sleep.
Then, Faris decided to wake up later than usual.
9am-ish.
Rolled over to see Husband is nowhere in the room or at his study.

*

Went downstairs to make Faris breakfast.
Found laundry all done.
And Husband, outside - hanging it out in the sun.

Thank you, Husband.
I love you so.

Sewing

When we were expecting Faris, I wanted something self-made to present to him.
So I took up cross-stitching and made this;


Fast-forward to almost a year later,
I bought some fabric from IKEA
(initially to become his kain bedung but it was too small)
and sewed a pillowcase for him.
It's difficult to find toddler's pillow-sized pillowcases,
thus making one's own is the best solution.

And the end product is;


Yup, those little hands are ever ready to snag anything.

Bonda/Anis

Bright and Dark

A loving couple met one day
Bonny Kate and Danny
A loving couple met one day
Together both to sport and play
And for to pass the time away
He showed her little Danny

He took her to his father's barn
Bonny Kate and Danny
He took her to his father's barn
There he pulled out his long firearm
It was as long as this my arm
And he called it little Danny

He took her to the river's side
Bonny Kate and Danny
He took her to the river's side
And there he laid her legs so wide
And on her belly he did ride
And he whipped in little Danny

When forty weeks were come and gone
Bonny Kate and Danny
When forty weeks were come and gone
She was delivered of a son -
And she called him little Danny

TRACY CHEVALIER, Burning Bright

In my opinion, this 'song' is the closest to something pornographic in 18th century Georgian London.
And it says a whole lot about the book's innocence-coming-undone theme.

I enjoyed the book.
But it saddened me.
Children are losing their innocence too quickly, especially now.
And there's not much anyone can do.
:(
As a mother, this is one of the great fears you hold - for your child.
Second only to harm befalling your child.

Home

Home.
Nothing like it.
Especially when everyone is here.

Spent the weekend in Ipoh.
First trip as a family.
Faris was so excited he barely slept in the car.
Exploring everything.

Main reason for going to Ipoh was;
Leman and Ita's wedding.
T'was nice.
Congratulations.

It's really nice going away just the three of us.
But coming home was way better.

Home.
Anis