Xuan is 7

Our firstborn turned 7 last week so we had a small celebration for him. He has outgrown the phase wanting for more toys. Instead, he asks for stationery and lotsa it. It felt like just yesterday when hubby drove me to hospital waiting for his arrival. Now this boy is 7 and going to P2 next year. He has been an easy boy since young. He helps wash his bro’s bum when he is in good mood and quarrels with him when he is having a bad day. They both drive me up the wall everyday and it's just a beginning!

月圆人团圆--今年中秋不一样

老公和芯亦的农历生日其实不难记，每年适逢中秋，就是他俩的生辰。只是少了家婆，今年过得特快冷清，也不想庆祝。可是我还欠芯亦一个生日蛋糕，好让她长大后看着照片留念，还要让每个小瓜知道，虽然没有派对，可是生日蛋糕不可少。丧母之痛，没有多少人可以真正理解。老公没有显得格外伤心，他说眼泪流干了，妈妈在我怀里离世，我一辈子也不会忘记。他一直把时间和精神寄托于烘焙面包和搅果汁，看来还要忙上一段时间。他想妈妈时，看着妈妈的照片，眼眶泛红，奕成似懂非懂的问，daddy你怎么了？I see water in your eyes. 奕成从来都很好笑，是3个小瓜中最讲义气的一个，也是最潇洒的一个。他从学校带了个灯笼回来，炫耀一下，好在没有催我带着他们提灯笼，游花园，我这个妈妈不会很忙。只是他跟奶妈讨了个月饼，奕炫偶尔哼了月亮圆，今年的中秋就是这样了……

I’m 35

I cant really believe that I’m 35 now, age is catching up. I really felt it everytime I had new addition to my small family. But now, 35, another 5 years that I’m going to start with 40s. So I gave it a thought, I have been so generous to family and friends around me but I’m a frugal to myself except food and traveling. So for this 35th birthday, I decided to have something different. I want a change, in some good ways, in so many things and for myself. So I told myself to get a new haircut. I had been fickle-minded about it, until I made the decision and told myself to go ahead with it before I changed my mind again. I made an appointment with a hairstylist that I had never met, showed her a pic of my sis and told her I wanted a Korean perm, something similar with my sis. I wanted to say that my hair was so virgin that I hadn’t had any perm or colours since birth but I got it curled when I was 8. At that time, big sis and I envied my mum so much so we asked the neighbour next door to perm it for us, it was some bubble curls that made my sis and I really ugly. But it was a history now, some beautiful memories we shared growing up together. So this time, I got myself a perm to celebrate my birthday. It doesn’t look much different, despite the price that I have paid. But I really love it because my hair seems to be volumised. Then I’m going to get it coloured two weeks later. The hairstylist told me to do it on a different day so that the chemicals won’t spoil my hair so I should trust her. Oh then I went for facial too, something that I missed for many years. In fact the beginning of July marks the busy months ahead for my family because mum’s and youngest sis’ birthdays fall on April and February while the rest of us are on the second half of the year. We have been busy celebrating birthdays for each other but I think I need a break for myself, which I think I’m an introvert.

Cheng is 5

Our Cheng just turned 5 last week and he was the happiest boy on earth. He told me that he wished everyday was his birthday so that he could enjoy the attention from everyone. Recently we started a new series of bedtime stories on Journey to the West which my sis got it online. Cheng, the mat salleh in our family shows his only interest in stories involving fighting and the pigsy. Then, he asked me to translate the stories into English, which then got teased by the father. But Cheng is such a loving boy, he has a big heart and shares things with everyone. He will pause and help with the little sister even he is busy playing and fighting with the big brother. While waiting for him to go to P1 in the next two years, we hope he finds joy learning Chinese. We love you, Cheng!!!

September

Today is daddy's birthday. Last year, his Chinese colleagues came for a visit and commented that he has completed the major things in life even before the age of 30. The major things that Chinese always refer to like marriage and giving birth to a baby. Yea, he was quite young by then. Now, even he is not so really young, people still think he is just a young boy. So my big baby is celebrating his birthday today. Few days later, we will again celebrate XY's and his lunar birthday together. Happy birthday daddy!! To celebrate this special day, we are gonna catch a long-awaited movie by the boys, that's, ninjago!

Baby XY is 1

XY turns 1 today, hooray! How time flies is one of the favourite phrases I overly use to describe the kids grow up. The clock is ticking too fast without us realising. Last year today I got admitted to hospital to give birth to this beautiful baby. Prior to my scheduled c-sec, I already felt the contraction that she was making her way. Today she turns 1.

We celebrated her birthday with the other girl at the nanny's place few days ago. My baby is definitely a diva that she is very clingy with us. My family call her a cry baby because the parents can't put her down at all or she will start crying. But she has improved a bit that she allowed my brothers to carry her after they offered her some food.

Probably hubby and I are still relieved as both brothers still adore her now before she kicks up a storm when she is bigger. Oh well I should know that because she is quite persistent in getting things done in her own way!!

施比受更为有福

The belief that he who gives more is always better than those who receive has been instilled in my heart. Every year I wish myself to be more charitable to help the underprivileged. As age is catching up, I feel the urge to contribute even more to the society. The more I do so, the calmer and happier I become. I'm surprised that as we keep giving and sharing, the more is coming back to us. We are blessed and loved in many ways.

Just last week, I was celebrating my 34th birthday (What?!! I'm 34?!!!). It moved my heart that many family and friends still remembered and sent me birthday wishes despite their busy schedule. There is an old friend whom I have not met many years but her birthday wishes comes every year. Our friendship has been growing steady although we rarely meet. She has been such a humble but cool lady that always has my respect.

Over the weekend, my family were talking about the good old days and my bro thanked me for giving  him a shelter above his head when he just came to KL. Siblings are our frienemies since born that we can be friends and also enemies. Mine have been very helpful throughout and I wouldn't be who I'm today without them. More so who helped me with the IT gadgets so that I can support Jack Ma all the way. My sis teases me that I have been a 问题宝宝 because I pose questions all the times, they are so indispensable that I can't trade them for any other things in this world.

Then coming from hubby, he said children is a blessing that the creator will plan for us with their presence. It's very rare to get this piece coming from him but that's what it means. Although they test our patience and drive us up the wall many times, it's a pure bliss to see them grow up healthy and happy.

Life is not a bed of roses. We constantly learn to love and appreciate beautiful souls around us. And see the goods in everything we come across...

Merdeka mood on!

This has been our must-do in August. We got the merdeka vibes from bil since he moved to Puchong. Then the kids started school. Hubby thought we should walk the talk to teach them about our country by showing them patriotism and how we should appreciate the value of independence.

Happy birthday, Malaysia! 

Chap Goh Meh

On our trip to Bangkok earlier this month, Xuan and Cheng were playing with my sisters and sil so much that they stayed in their room and refused to go back to our room. They then proudly told us to go and pick them up on Thursday, the day we should depart to go home. My children adore the ladies in my family and always want to stick with them. Today is my little sister's birthday and Cheng says I miss Xiao Yi. 

Having supper at home

Today my children were obviously very tired.

We were back in KL from KB in the afternoon. Upon touching down, my sons were excited knowing that we were going to my bro's place at night to celebrate youngest bro's birthday. But daddy has another plan. We wanted to go for furniture hunting before heading to my bro's. Disappointed the boys were so they asked us to drop them at the uncle's place instead. We did and they were all smiles again.

Poor the uncles and aunties play with them while daddy and mummy were away. After dinner, they were still playing and reluctant to go home. Thanks to the sugar-high snacks from Japan. Xuan even asked the father to have a sleepover at the uncle's place.

Reaching home, the boys were already asleep and we were hungry again despite a few slices of fresh cream cake. Then I just realised that we do not even keep a single pack of instant noodles at home. Sigh! I thought of having maggie curry and a date night with hubby at home!

In the end, we have fried noodles takeout. Thank goodness the kiddos are still sleeping and we both got to enjoy the noodles a lot!!

Birthday celebration

Happy belated birthday to papa and koko who celebrated their birthday last night. They may not be talkative and chirpy but they are my pillar of strength that I can always turn to when I need help and support. Love you...

Don't grow up too fast

Despite getting busy with the upcoming big event, my family dropped by my place these days to keep me company while I'm still in confinement. Before that, they took Xuan and Cheng out the whole day so that hubby and I could rest. Later, they came with a big cake to celebrate daddy's belated birthday. What surprised me was Xuan's request to stay overnight at my bro's place. I think he has just grown up overnight. My family has always offered the kids to put up a night at their uncle's, they always said no. But last night, mum made the offer again and Xuan took it up. When they left, I thought Cheng would cry and wanted to follow. Instead, he hugged Xuan and told him not to cry. Xuan looked very steady. But in the end, it was Cheng sobbing in the bed and looked for Xuan during bedtime. So they were audio-texting each other and Xuan comforted Cheng that they will come and pick him the next morning. On the other hand, my sis has been getting an earful from Cheng for pulling his legs to bring the baby sister home. The boys just grow up too fast that catch us unprepared.

Happy birthday

Today my pillar of strength turns one year older officially. While he may not remember today is his birthday, I'm here to wish him the best of luck in everything. He surely has been an awesome hubby and dad without a doubt. Unfortunately there will not be any celebration because the wife is being confined, just like his lunar birthday this year where it was celebrated at the hospital welcoming our third baby. I just realise that we have 2 September babies at home.

Celebrating birthday

My sons are happy whenever we have birthday celebrations because they get to join the cake cutting sessions. Hubby asked the kids what cake they would like to get for mummy on her birthday.
"Minion. Buy mummy a minion cake."
"Robocar. The one we saw at the bakery shop in Puchong."
"Amber. We can get mummy an amber."
"Remember I got a superman cake. We can buy batman."
Oh my dear sons. How cute.
Mummy's cake no need to have theme. Really.

Cheng is 3

Last week, Cheng celebrated his birthday with the favourite auntie. Both birthdays just fell a few days apart. We had a durian cream cake and Xuan thought it was a real one. My bro prepared nasi lemak for us for the first time ever. When I showed my friends the pics of the dishes, they were all in awe. Indeed, it was a superb one except without peanuts and overcooked petai. My bro perhaps has developed some liking for cooking.

Then Cheng had a small celebration at his school. The bro said we could prepare gift packs like some parents did and cut the cake with all the children at the school. We were not sure how big the cake was. The celebration was only meant for his classmates and the teachers. Hubby and I went to the school to join the cake cutting. The cake wasn't too bad for people like me because I do not fancy jellycake. It was ordered in thought of reducing the mess when the children eat in the class. The big bro joined the session too and my boys were over the moon.

Just last night, the kids decided to go downstairs to have their milk after hubby switched off the lights. Both went without us. The next thing I realised, Xuan was shouting at the bro because the bro left him alone at downstairs. I went to get my milk and found that these boys have even washed their glasses. So here is another sign that my boys are getting more independent. Cheng, although just turned 3 has grown up and picked up a lot from the bro and friends. The bonding he has with the people around us and teachers at the school is something I'm grateful for. Ooo.. Have I ever told you he is a daddy's boy?

Xuan turns 4 - hello from Taipei!!

The weather had been wet in Hualien and Yilan for the past few days. It, however, did not stop us from wandering around the cities. The places and people here have been quite great. Xuan was surprised with the native speakers who talk the language he is familiar with, hokkien that's it. Since our arrival in Taipei, the warm sun has finally come out to greet us. We had a very tiring day at the zoo yesterday. We spent half a day there and by the time we got down from Maokong, it was already late noon. Yesterday was also Xuan's birthday. My big baby is 4 now!! After our trip to the zoo, despite we have our stroller to ease the long walk most of the time, I think the malaccan zoo suits my children and myself most- so much smaller!! But we were amazed at how good the zoo is maintained and kept, plus the admission fee of only NTD60 per adult, panda viewing included. On a contrary, we have been paying RM30 for our national zoo back home and less than RM20 for the malaccan zoo, both with mykad of course. Given the scale of all these places, it is indeed a huge difference. Today marks the last day of our trip, it's sad that the holiday is so short and we will be back to the reality real soon. While I found the trip was stressful in the beginning due to the handful kids, I, too, have been learning a lot from them. Our kids love to participate in everything we do. Cheng has been asking, talking and running a lot. I'm also glad that his bowel movement has been smooth while we are away. They have been very cheerful these days. It's part of growing up and exploring the world.

Reviving the late grandparents' fondest memories

My bro has initiated a trip to China this year to fulfill our parents' dream of visiting their late parents' villages for one last time before they close their travel chapter due to the old age. They set off last week where my sis, with Xuan and Cheng sent them to the airport while me went to the office. We never thought the trip would be so fruitful. My bro sent us a lot of pics via whatsapp, we were surprised to find out the place has documented part of our stories. There are our pics in the living hall, standing beautifully and proudly. Despite my father has visited the place a few times with his late father, he never shared the stories with us. And it is so heart warming to discover our family's 族谱. I must say the trip brought us so much closer to our late grandparents. They had left us for a good 13 years. Deep in my heart, I tried to understand the feelings that they had imprinted and left behind. They probably never thought they would leave their homes for good and settle down in a totally new place. My late grandpa was the youngest amongst his 5 brothers. His 4th brother whom we called pek kong took him here to Nanyang, they went to Singapore and finally settled down in Kelantan. I must confess I really feel nothing about the so-called finding roots because I just do not feel connected or have the bonding anymore. Unlike my parents who have a mission to continue their late parents' legacy. But the pics that my brother showed us has totally changed my mind. It was an eye opener looking at the 族谱 where it wrote my late grandparents as the 12th generation, their children and grand children, the 13th and 14th, all settle down in Nanyang. Hadn't my late grandparents come here, things would be different today. I couldn't help but immersing myself to the thought that yes, they missed their homes dearly back then. I told hubby that this is what my grand children or great grand children would feel when they visit Kelantan one day. My memories of growing up will be nicely kept in Kelantan. And now I know that my big family has spread all over the world. We have cousins in America, Brazil, Spain and bla bla bla whom we do not know each other at all. 

This is nostalgic!! 

Here is wishing my father and brother the warmest birthday who are celebrating it far away in Putien!! Love you!! 

Your birthday!!

Today marks the last day of September 2015. Soon, October is here after the clock strikes 12 tonight. I was contemplating whether to take leave tomorrow to attend my dear sis' ROM. Somehow, xuan's fever spiked yesterday, so I was on an emergency leave to make xuan rest at home. But things did not go well as I originally planned, my kids were very active. Hubby got a few contractors come over to give us quotations on our renovation plan. In the end, my kids were running at the garden under the hot sun, despite having feverish body. They just playfully irritated me. But I could tell, they were on cloud nine!!

Anyway, to the father of my children, happy blessed birthday!! 

Celebrating Cheng's birthday

Small celebration to mark Cheng's 2-year-old's milestone. It has been an awesome journey with the duo. They play, laugh and cry together! My house without them is super quiet and we feel empty. The kids jump in joy when I arrive at the nanny's. They look forward to see us and so are we!! Now, I can't wait for the weekend for our outing again. 

Cheng turns one

Cheng is one today following the lunar calendar. In a blink of an eye, it is coming to a year since his arrival to this family. It is just so amazing. I still remember the day when I gave birth to him. It was totally unexpected because I had no experience to feel the real contraction with xuan so when it happened, I was skeptical. It was a fasting month like this year. I was busy preparing the annual budget, I did not go home on time. It was Friday. Hubby and xuan sent mil to the bus station. When I got home, sis bought us curry noodles for dinner and we went to IOI. Xuan napped in the car and I thought of buying myself a cup of milk tea. But due to the traffic congestion, I changed my mind. I was walking in the mall with mild contraction. But I took it lightly thinking that it could be a false alarm. So it was mild pain which later got worse. I forced myself to sleep. And at 2am, I leaked. Hubby made a call to sunmed. Since it was no blood show, I went back to sleep. At 5am, I woke up to constant pain. I went down and made myself a cup of milo. So I timed the contraction and it was about 5 mins apart. And it was consistent. I knew Cheng was making his way out. So I prepared porridge for xuan and got myself ready. Tired, I fell back to sleep again. Without realizing, I woke up to a wet bed to find my water bag break.

Fast forward today cheng is turning one. He always reminds us of blessed and grateful we are to the god due to his early days of life when he got hospitalized for jaundice. We know jaundice is common among Asian babies but his was definitely very severe when the reading almost hit 500.

Today, he is such a cheerful, happy, healthy and chirpy baby at home. Although he is quite demanding, he is definitely darling in our eyes. Because we have xuan at home, cheng has become a fast learner. Xuan is like his mirror that everything xuan does, cheng will mimick. Cheng communicates well by pointing too. Food always fails him even with strangers. He can say 洗洗洗, when we wash his hands. When the bro sings, he gets along well by clapping his hands. When the bro cries, he laughs at the bro by saying 包包包 which means 哭包。He will touch his head when we say botak head. Cheng is very much a daddy's boy who always snugs him in his arms and walk around the house. Cheng will sit quietly in daddy's arm, enjoying his cuddle.

Today, he has been cruising around without support steadily and confidently. Not very stable yet, baby steps, but it is a good progress. His favorite word has to be mam mam and he can say mummy. When he holds telephone, he says hello in his language. Xuan has been his headmaster who helps keep an eye on him. When cheng poops or climbs on the table, xuan will make reports to us. Xuan has been a very helpful brother who is also protective of cheng.

I'm glad and grateful to be parts of their lives. I hope hubby and I are blessed enough to be given chance and time to raise them up to make this world a better place for us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHENG CHENG!! We love you...