Iman's New Room

Mummy and Ayah decided to convert the guestroom into Iman's playroom where she can watch her VCDs and tv show and play with her soft-toys without her messing the living room.

So Mummy quickly change the bedsheet to the pink set to suit Iman's favourite colour, fix the Princess quilt cover and pilllowcase, put all Iman's soft-toys on the bed to make the bed looks friendly to Iman. Ayah brought in the TV from Mummy's room and the DVD player from the living room to Iman's new room. We'd do anything to make Iman comfortable in her new room.

When Iman came back from her taska she was really excited about the new room. She was spending her time in the room. Playing with her toys and 'reading' her book while watching one vCD after next. Now Mummy not sure whether it is a good idea for her to have that room.

Last Day of 2007

Today is already the last day 2007. Time really flew off so fast in 2007. Before Mummy realise it, the year is almost over. Today Mummy sent Iman to taska because Ayah had to go out early for a meeting. Mummy decided to take it easy today and work from home. Iman looked so solemn in the car when Mummy drove to the taska. It broke Mummy's heart to see Iman that way but Mummy really have to be strong and firm on this. Tomorrow is New Year and it is a public holiday.. another no-taska day for Iman! Hurray! Just a few more days at the taska before Iman can go back to her routine of going to Young Ambassadors.

When we arrived at the Taska, Iman looked cheerful enough to see Teacher Liza and Teacher Lin. But the moment Iman saw the big abang, she started to be teary. Teacher Liza said that the Abang's name is Megat. Mummy wonder what Abang Megat has done to Iman that she seemed to be so scared of this Abang Megat. Bad thoughts came to Mummy's brain and Mummy thought Mummy will have a talk with Iman this evening on this Abang Megat. Thank God there's only a few more days left! Mummy can't wait to send Iman back to Young Ambassadors where she seemed to be so happy to be there.

On the way back home after sending Iman, Mummy dropped by Young Ambassadors. Noticed the door was opened, so decided to drop by to collect Iman's new school uniform. Met with Teacher Azza (Iman's class teacher who will still be her class teacher for 2008! Alhamdulillah! Iman really likes Teacher Azza so it is great to have her again for 2008. At least Iman will enjoy her classes having Teacher Azza to teach her!), Teacher Mazni, Teacher Yasmin. We had a chat for a while. Mummy is looking forward to the new school year! Lots more things for Iman to learn and pick up. Mummy hope 2008 will not flew off as fast as 2007.

Goodbye 2007! Mummy had a great 2007 with Iman in Mummy's life!

Girly time with Mummy's friends

Went to Mid Valley for almost 5 hours today! Really had a shopping spree! It has been a while since we did that kind of shopping. Somehow it was quite therapeutic to have that kind of shopping spree every now and then.

We came back home, had a short rest for a while. Then Aunty Ona arrived, followed by Aunty Bee and Aunty Nieza slightly later. We had a nice tea with Kueh Talam Berlauk (Mummy just learnt the recipe and tried it, so decided to invite Aunty Ona, Aunty Bee and Aunty Nieza to try it), some keropok lekor (which later on caused Mummy to get Asthma attack!) and some normal keropok.

Then the girls had girly time chatting while Ayah sat in the room watching football. Even Iman joined us. We also had the cake from Iman's birthday! It was a great to have the girly time every now and then too... just like it was nice to have the shopping spree! All in all... Mummy had a great day!

Iman is 3 today!

27 Dec 2007

Three years ago at 5:27 p.m. Iman came out to this world through the 'window' on Mummy's tummy! Today Iman is almost 3 years old! In about 4 hours time, Iman will be exactly 3! Mummy have been having 3 great years with Iman! It has been so rewarding being Iman's Mummy! Alhamdullilah Allah has blessed Mummy with Iman. I love you so much, Iman!

Iman was already looking forward to her birthday. Iman has been telling Mummy that she wants birthday cake with Princesses, Barney, Mickey Mouse, Goofy and all the cartoon characters. We can't possibly fit all the cartoon characters on the cake, so Mummy and Ayah have decided to order the cake with picture of the Princesses. Yesterday Ayah has gone to order from Pistachio near Ayah's office. The cake will only be ready by about 4 pm today! Mummy and Ayah are planning to send the cake to Iman's Taska for tea, for Iman to share with her new friends in that Taska. Mummy is looking forward to take pictures of the cake before it is delivered to the Taska.

Iman woke up this morning very cheerful until she realised that she can't stay home! She has to go to the Taska. The dreaded place for her! Ha..ha..ha... Mummy really hope one fine day Iman will just like the place and stop crying everytime she needs to go there.

Cik Na called and talked to Iman to wish her Happy Birthday! Iman actually told Cik Nak that today is her birthday! In case Cik Na doesn't know, eh?! Ha..ha..ha...K.Aisyah sent an sms to Ayah to wish Iman Happy Birthday too! There was an empty message from Ummi to Ayah, which probably sent by Aqilah and Amelia (her cousins in KB) who didn't know how to send message yet?! Iman is surrounded by people who love her! Mummy is so happy with that thought.

Here's how the three year old Iman looks like this morning!



Ayah came back with the cake at about 5 p.m. It was not princesses cake after all! It was a Cinderella cake! Well... at least we get one of the princesses! Ha..ha..ha.. We planned to bring the cake to Iman's taska but Ayah told Mummy that Iman mentioned about not wanting to cut the cake in taska. Anyway, we decided to bring it to taska anyway and have the celebration there before we pick Iman up.

There were not many kids left by the time we reached the taska. It turned out to be OK! They sang the birthday song and Iman was really excited to blow the candles! Mummy helped cut the cake and distributes them to the kids. Nurin was still around, and she really enjoyed eating the cake!

Here's some pictures of the celebration in her taska:



Here's are some photos of the celebration at home:



Photos of Iman with her presents:

Iman miss Ayah!

Ayah had to attend a business dinner in Putrajaya. Iman and Mummy went to nenek's house to meet up Uncle Joe, Aunty Sha and Aidan who came back from Hanoi for a short holiday, and also to prevent Iman from feeling lonely being with Mummy at home.

After giving Iman about 2 hours to play with her cousins, we left Nenek's house. Mummy at that time was having an allergic reaction due to the cats at Nenek's house, so Mummy was driving with itchy nose and teary eyes.

These conversations took place in the car while driving back to Sri Ayu:

Mummy: (sniff..sniff..)
Iman: Why sad Mummy?
Mummy: Because Iman don't listen to Mummy. Say sorry to Mummy for not listening to Mummy.
Iman: Sorry Mummy
Mummy: OK.. promise Mummy that Iman will listen to Mummy next time.
Iman: I promise
Mummy: OK.. good (sniff..sniff..)
Iman: Why still sad?
Mummy: Mummy miss Ayah.
Iman: (started crying) Iman miss Ayah too!! (bawling this time.. with tears too..)

So Mummy quickly offered to call Ayah. When Ayah was on the phone, Iman told Ayah "Iman miss Ayah!!" still crying. Ayah was so touched.. When we arrived home, Ayah was already waiting for us at the carpark!

Mummy is so glad that Iman is as expressive as Mummy would love her to be. Mummy would like to take the credit that Iman becomes that due to the way Mummy brought her up. He..he..he.. Hope Iman will continue to be that way till she's old.

Mummy & Daughter time

Today Mummy was working from home because Iman seemed to be upset to go to her not-so-new taska after the long break during the raya haji holiday. Since tomorrow is Christmas holiday anyway, Mummy thought might as well we let her off the misery by letting her stay at home with Mummy.

Iman was instantly cheerful when she found out that she didn't have to go to taska. It was so obvious how miserable it must have been for her to go to that taska. Mummy made a deal with Iman that she has to watch TV quietly while Mummy do some work otherwise Mummy will send her to taska. She agreed to the deal and was quietly watching TV for about half an hour. Mummy managed to check emails and chat with Adda to check on things at work.

Then Iman started to feel lonely not being entertained that all of a sudden she started to cry and asked for Ayah. It broke Mummy's heart to see Iman sad like that. When Mummy asked Iman why did she cry, she said 'Iman miss Ayah'. So Mummy dialed Ayah's hp number and Iman told Ayah that she missed Ayah. When Ayah came back in the evening he told Mummy that he was reallly touched to hear Iman said that. Iman is really an expressive child, just the way Mummy always hope for.

The whole day at home with Iman proved to be impossible to focus on work. We played Dr using Iman's Dr Kit. We took turn to be Dr and patient. Of course it was Iman's decision who to be what. We played so many rounds of hide and seek. We took turn to count and to hide until Mummy got tired of it. We read every pages of 2 storybooks until again Mummy got tired of it too. Mummy realised that it was really tough trying to fill up the day with activities that Iman could play by herself. Somehow she wanted Mummy to play with her in every games that she played.

The days in Kota Bharu - Hari Raya Haji

Iman had great days in Kota Bharu. It has always been like that for Iman every time we went back to Kota Bharu. The first 2 days we were there spending time with Aqilah, Amelia, Fariz, Amni, Ain and Aisyah. They were playing endlessly. Iman fought with them but was friends again in no time. It was great to see Iman having so much fun with her cousins.

Then on the raya haji night, the other 3 cousins - K.Ida, K.Nadia and Abg. Hafiz arrived with Cik Na and Ayah Nan from KL! More fun for Iman with so many people to entertain her.

Mummy was getting ready to go for the solat sunat Aidil Adha with Ayah when Iman woke up. Mummy thought Mummy could just go and leave Iman with Cik Na, K.Ida and K.Nadia who were staying back because still too tired from the journey last night. However, Iman was just adamant not to let Mummy go and started to cry. So, since it was a special day, Mummy decided to oblige to Iman and stay back. Mummy still managed to do the solat sunat at home while Iman played with Aqilah and Amelia after taking the sunat Aidil Adha bath.

After everybody arrived home from the prayers, we had a nice Nasi Arab with chicken cooked by Ummi. There was also kuah nasi impit eaten with choice of either nasi impit or bread. We all had a nice breakfast before leaving for the Qurban activities.

As usual we would go to Ayah's kampung in Kampung Binjai to celebrate Raya Haji. The qurban activities are usually carried out at Tok Su's house (also known as Pak Chu - Ayah's youngest uncle).

This year we took the entire cow for the qurban from Ayah's family members.

Here's the pictures captured during the qurban.

After the slaughtering done, Tok Su's family members cooked up a nice lunch for us all comprises of daging goreng, daging singgang eaten with freshly cooked rice and sambal lada with cucumber! Yummy! After 5 years of marriage to Ayah, Mummy have gotten used to this kind of activities and enjoyed every moment! Mummy hope Iman will grow up to enjoy this kind of kinship with family especially during the special celebrations.

The last day of stay in KB.. everybody were out playing ball in the compound of the Jalan Merican house.

Here's the video of the game they were playing:

Iman playing with the rake:

Road trips for Raya Haji 2007

The trip back to Kota Bharu

We left for Kota Bharu for our Raya Haji celebration on Tuesday, 18 Dec 2007. Ayah was contemplating whether to go through Dabong-Jeli road or to go through Gerik since the road between Gua Musang to Kuala Krai was closed. Ayah finally decided to take the North-South Highway then exit at Kuala Kangsar to go to Gerik. It was a great day... not very hot and but bright and sunny enough. We had a good drive along the North-South Highway and Iman was sleeping all the way from KL.

Mummy managed to play tourist along the way by snapping so many photos of the sceneries along the road. Mummy realised that the Malaysian sceneries are actually very very beautiful that Mummy suddenly felt very patriotic. He..he...he...



The Trip back from Kota Bharu through Terengganu

Ayah decided that we should convoy with Cik Na to go back to KL. Ayah Nan has decided to go back through Terengganu, so we would be going the same way.

To make the most of the trip, Mummy played tourist again. Here are some photos taken by the 'tourist':



The journey back from KB this time took us 9 hours! The longest we have ever experienced before! It was so tiring for all of us. Hope we will never have to go through Terengganu again.

Eye on Malaysia

Mummy and Ibu Ya have been planning about going to Eye on Malaysia ride together since August school holiday. Somehow we didn't have the time then, so the plan has been postponed to December school holiday. When Ibu Ya seemed to be so busy at the beginning of the school holiday, Mummy was rather worried that we would run out of time to go for the Eye on Malaysia ride before the whole thing get disassembled by January 2008.

Lucky thing Ibu Ya finally came down from Taiping but the unlucky thing Mummy have booked the flight ticket to go back to KB on 15 Dec and will only be back in KL after the raya haji. Ibu Ya would be back to Taiping already by then. Oh no?! We had to work something out otherwise we won't be able to go to EOM together.

It was a blessing in disguise when Mummy fall sick on Friday night 14 Dec that made Mummy decided to just forego the flight ticket and go back to KB with Ayah on 18 Dec. So, when Mummy was well enough on Monday 17 Dec, Mummy took the opportunity to go to EOM with Ibu Ya and her kids and Alang.

Here's the pictures of our Eye on Malaysia Adventure:

Iman's Early 3rd Birthday

9 December 2007

Aunty Li has offered to be the hostess to celebrate the December babies' birthdays. The birthday girls are : Aunty Nieza (9 Dec), Aunty Hafsah (4 Dec), Iman (27 Dec) and Aunty Bee (28 Dec). We had a potluck at Aunty Li's new house in Nilai Impian. Lots of good food, good companies and lots of presents for Iman.

Here's the pictures taken on that early birthday celebration for Iman:

Boring

Kids nowadays are so advanced in their vocabulary! Iman now knows how to use/apply the word boring correctly in her sentences.

Incident 1.
-----------
Iman was watching PHDC (Channel 613) on TV. Ayah came and took the remote. When Ayah changed the channel, Iman said "Ayah ni boring lah... janganlah change channel!" Mummy thought that was just a coincidence she used the word boring correctly.

Incident 2.
-----------
Iman was watching PHDC (Channel 613) on TV again. Mummy went inside the room to watch something else on Mummy's TV (we have 2 separate Astro box because we always want to watch different things). Iman came into the room and asked Mummy "Mummy, why Mummy don't sit with Iman? Mummy boring tengok cartoon ke?" It was also used in the right context! Mummy thought that was amazing! So Mummy's reply to Iman was "Yalah... Mummy big girl, so it is boring to watch cartoon all the time. Mummy want to watch something else too. Iman can watch cartoon if you want."

We thought it was quite early for Iman to know the meaning of the word boring and to use it so correctly. He...he...he...

The Saga of New Nursery

On the 2nd day (Tuesday) of her stay in the new nursery, when Mummy went to fetch Iman, she was crying. The care-taker (Liza) said that Iman cried because she didn't want to drink her 'milo'. Mummy told Liza that Iman has that tendency to cry when she didn't want to do something. Then Liza also told Mummy that Iman was crying when she got up from sleep. Apparently it was because she had 'she-she' in her pampers which was put on before she took her afternoon nap. Mummy guessed that Iman was upset when she thought she had 'she-she' in her pants because she forgot that she was wearing a pampers since she has not been wearing one lately. When Mummy asked Iman why did Iman cry, Iman told Mummy that Iman missed Mummy! So Mummy just dismissed it.

On the 3rd day (Wednesday), when Mummy and Ayah went to send Iman to Taska Sutera, Iman was crying so hard outside the school. Refusing to go into the nursery. To pacify Iman, Mummy went in and sat with Iman for a while. Because Iman was crying so hard, she vomitted on Mummy and herself! So, Mummy had to go clean her up and also wash a bit of Mummy's pants. Mummy changed Iman using the clothes that Mummy brought for the week and decided that Mummy have to go home to change too since Mummy's pants is all smelly!! Yucky! Iman didn't want to stay in the nursery, so Mummy thought, "OK, let's bring her home first while Mummy change and decide what to do with her since Mummy and Ayah had to go to work!" While Mummy was changing, Ayah managed to convince Iman to go back to that nursery. Somehow Iman has agreed to go back! Great! But when we arrived there, Iman cried again! Refused to go into the nursery! This time we had to just leave her there because we had to go to work! Iman was crying very hard and when Liza closed the door of the nursery, Iman was crying at the sliding door while looking out at us. It broke Mummy's heart to see Iman cry like that. Mummy wished Mummy can bring Iman out of the nursery where she seemed so unhappy to be, but Mummy had to go to work. So, with heavy hearts, both Ayah and Mummy had to just leave. Mummy called the nursery a few minutes after we left to check on Iman and was told that Iman has stopped crying. It was such a great relief to know that. By noon Mummy called again to check on Iman and was told that she has not cried since that morning. Mummy was happy to know that and could concentrate better in the training that Mummy was attending. By the evening when Mummy came back and Iman has been picked up by Ayah, Iman told Mummy that she missed Mummy! It was ok then... no issue about the school!

This morning, the 4th day Iman in the new nursery! When Iman woke up, she said she didn't want to go to 'the new school'. Iman even asked Mummy "can Iman go to Young Ambassadors?" Mummy told Iman that Young Ambassadors is closed for the holiday and that Teacher Azza is on holiday, so there is no school! She has to go to the new 'school'. Iman started to get upset and started to cry... It was so upsetting for Mummy because Mummy had to rush to the office today and won't have the luxury of time to sit with Iman in the new nursery until she is ok. So when Iman said she wanted to go to nenek's house, Mummy just quickly agree eventhough Mummy know that Mummy shouldn't cave in to her request and wish so easily. Mummy know that Mummy should stand by our decision to send her to the new nursery. But it was just not the right time to be fighting on this... so Mummy decided to just send her to nenek's house. In the car when Mummy asked Iman why she didn't like to go to the new school, she said "I don't like new friends..." and started to be teary again. So Mummy decided to just drop the subject because it broke Mummy's heart to see Iman so sad and miserable. Mummy really wish Mummy can send Iman to Young Ambassadors again. So, Mummy called Young Ambassadors and Teacher Azza picked up the phone. She was there to conduct the holiday programs. She told Mummy that they are not offering daycare facilities during the school holiday, so there goes Mummy's solution to put Iman back in Young Ambassadors! Oh well...

What do we do now? Mummy is just so confused and sad now. Mummy really want Iman to be willing and happy to be in the new nursery. Maybe Iman was not giving her new friends the chance to really get to know her and she's also not giving herself a chance to get to know the new friends. But she is not even 3 years old and Mummy know that Mummy shouldn't expect her to understand the concept of giving herself and her friend a chance. Mummy would have to have heart to heart talk with her and try to get her to understand why we are doing what we are doing and what she needs to do to be happy. Oh well... it is so tough trying to be tough when your heart is hurting inside to see your child cry. Mummy wish Mummy don't have to work and can just stay at home with her the whole school holiday until Young Ambassadors is opened again in Jan 2008. I wish upon a star... but I know that wish will never come true.. Sob..sob..sob..

Iman's new nursery

Young Ambassadors is closed for school holidays until Jan 2008, but Iman has to be sent somewhere while Mummy and Ayah go to work. Today Iman started to attend her new nursery at Taska Sutera. The advantage of going there is that Nurin is there, so Iman has a friend already. At least not so traumatic for her to adapt to the new place and new faces with Nurin there as the familiar face for her. This morning Nurin's mum smsed Mummy and told Mummy about Nurin crying when she was sent to Taska Sutera. She wanted to go to Young Ambassadors! So, Mummy told Nurin's mum that it should be ok for Nurin once Iman has gone to Taska Sutera.

We arrived at Taska Sutera and Nurin was at the front door! Mummy thought, that's great! But then again.. Mummy's plan quite backfired because Nurin didn't want to acknowledge that she knows Iman. So, Iman was rather sad and a bit reluctant to let Mummy go. So, Mummy stayed for awhile and chat with the care-taker while Iman actually leaned on Mummy's lap! Then somehow Nurin started to be friendly with Iman again that Iman started to feel ok. So after a few minutes, Iman just salam Mummy and let Mummy go. And Mummy had to quickly leave before Iman changes her mind.

Mummy went back again to drop the form and pay the fees and of course at the same time to check on Iman after one hour. Iman seemed to be adjusting well there. She was just smilling and the care-taker told Mummy that Iman didn't cry at all. Mummy was quite sad to leave Iman and Mummy would just have to learn to let go and let Iman adapt to the new environment herself. Now Mummy is already looking forward to go home and check on Iman again.

Iman's bath time

Iman enjoys her bath time especially when she can sit in her baby bathtub!

Here's some Kodak moments Mummy managed to capture during her bath time.

Kambu

Iman has introduced a new word to our family! One day when Iman saw Mummy hasn't taken bath after work, Iman said "Mummy ni Kambu lah.." Apparently that's a cross between Kambing and Lembu because both animals don't like to take bath! So, nowadays, whenever anyone of us in the family has not taken our bath, that person will be referred as Kambu! It proves to be a very nice personal joke in our family and somehow all of us will be Kambu at one point or another. Iman is usually the one that take bath the earliest in the evening, so she is rarely a Kambu!

Iman and her new Shrek Book

We just bought a new Shrek book for Iman from Popular Bookstore in Ampang Point last Saturday. She was so excited about the book! Everyday Mummy would have to read a few rounds of the same story to Iman and every now and then Mummy will just omit some words in the story and Iman would just filled in those words because basically Iman has already memorised the whole story. In fact sometimes Iman will start "reading" (= telling) the story herself. Her favourite term - by myself which means she's doing it herself.

What facinated Mummy was that Iman needs to hear the word once and those word will be memorised! That's how the child's mind works, I supposed! They are really like sponge! Absorbing anything and everything that we have to be very careful sometimes not to use certain words in front of her.

Iman's Concert

Iman's school concert and graduation was planned for 25 November 2007 at Kelab Darul Ehsan. Her class was supposed to present a Dikir Barat and Iman has been practising hard during the school hours. Mummy and Ayah were looking forward to see Iman perform that day. We were quite worried that she might get performance anxiety when the time comes... the way she was during the Maulidur Rasul the other day. Iman was having some sniffles a few days back and also on Saturday 24th Nov that Mummy was quite worried that Iman wouldn't be well enough to go to the concert, let alone perform at the concern. So, Mummy was really trying to medicate Iman to be well enough on Sunday 25th Nov.

Alhamdulillah Iman seemed well enough by Sunday. Since the concert was at 3 pm Mummy thought Iman should take a nap latest by 12:30 noon. Unfortunately Iman was really really excited about the concert and also she just got her colouring book we bought from Ampang Point on Saturday, so she didn't want to take a nap at all. Mummy was rather worried that she would be sleepy by the time we drove to KDE. Mummy kept telling Iman not to sleep while in the car and she just laughed because she knew she's not going to sleep... she was just too excited and looking forward to the concert.

We arrived in KDE about 2:30 p.m. Registered ourselves and sent Iman to the is0lated room so that she can with her friends before the concert start. Usually if the kids are with their parents, they would lose their cools and probably decided not to join the performance. So, we didn't want Iman to start getting cold feet so Mummy quickly 'disposed' Iman off to her teachers!

Iman and her classmates was the 4th to perform. It was so funny to see how the small kids came on the stage. Very cute ! Mummy's heart was so proud when Mummy watched Iman perform that day!

Iman is off the pampers!!

It has been less than a month the teachers in Young Ambassadors started to toilet train Iman and she is off her pampers with no 'accidents' at all for the last one week! If it was up to Mummy, Iman would be having her pampers on till she's about five, I think! Somehow Mummy just didn't know how to toilet train Iman and when to do it. Luckily the teachers in YA decided to take things into their hands and started the toilet training themselves. Mummy was the one who get to learn how to carry on the training at home. It was great to see how Iman has more control over her bladder and managed to not get into 'accidents' anymore. The first two weeks she was off the pampers there were quite a number of accidents where it really got Mummy and Ayah mad with Iman! Iman was scolded and her bum beaten up quite a few times everytime we had the 'accidents'. Somehow it was really taxing on both Mummy and Ayah having to clean-up after the 'accidents' that we thought it was definitely easier on us to have Iman on pampers. Lucky thing Teacher Yasmin taught Mummy how to continue the toilet training at home that now we had no more such 'accidents'. In fact eventhough we put on the pampers for her and get her to 'she-she' before before Iman goes to bed, we noticed that Iman will not wet her pampers at all. She will only 'she-she' in the toilet when she is up! Mummy's baby is a big girl now!!

Iman went to see Disney Live!

10 November 2007

Mummy was so excited about us going to watch Disney Live! as it was Mummy's and Ayah's first time too watching all those Disney characters live! When we were going to Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Mummy didn't really explain to Iman what we were going to see. Mummy didn't want to get Iman too excited. When we reach the Stadium Putra, Ayah told Mummy not to linger in the lobby otherwise we would ended up having to buy all the merchandise being sold. So we quickly walked to the inside.

We got quite good seats! We were the first row above the VIP seats so we got better view of the stage. Iman was rather excited to see the stage with Mickey's ears! When she heard Goofy's voice before the curtain was raised, her eyes lighted up! She recognized the voice and was wondering how come she was hearing Goofy's voice there! When the curtains was raised and Mickey, Minnie and Donald came out, Iman's eyes almost popped out! It was a pity we couldn't bring in a camera. Not so much to take pictures of the performance but to capture Iman's expression and excitement everytime she saw each act by those characters. She was really really excited and happy to watch the show.

One of the funny moments was that when the host who was also an illustionist was teaching everybody the rules of the show. He told everybody that whenever he asked for the magic word, everybody must say "Ab·ra·ca·dab·ra!". It really confused Iman coz as far as she is concerned the magic word that I thought her was "Please...". So everytime the host asked everybody what's the magic word and when everybody said "Ab·ra·ca·dab·ra!", she has a puzzled look on her face. It was funny to see that but I didn't want to confuse her further by trying to explain during the show, so I just let her watch the show.

It was a great show! All the princesses were there too. Snow White was there! Cinderella was there too... first in her shabby clothes and when the fairy Godmother appeared, she changed Cinderella's dress to a beautiful white gown! Iman was smilling and so happy to see all that! Then Jasmine appeared, but to Iman's disappointment, Alladin was not there! Luckily Magic Carpet was there too! Ariel was dancing on the stage. Mummy had great fun watching the show and Iman's expressions. It was really worth it!

Until today whenever the advertisement of the Disney Magic Show was shown on Astro, Iman would be so excited! She kept saying "Iman dah pegi tengok Disney Magic Show with Mummy and Ayah! Hurray!!" Mummy was glad Mummy decided to bring Iman to watch the show. It was definitely a good decision. Mummy is sure Iman has good memories of that show too.

Kuching Trip - Day 4

8 November 2007

It was Deepavali Holiday in Semenanjung but a normal working day in Sarawak! We were leaving Kuching that day. Had a very lazy morning because we didn't plan to do anymore sightseeing before we finally go to the airport to catch our flight. We booked a taxi at 10:30 a.m. but Iman just couldn't wait to go home that she was bugging us to leave the room by about 9:30 a.m. We had quite a task trying to get her to watch tv for a while just to kill time. All our stuff have been packed including her portable DVD player, so it was difficult trying to get her to watch tv rather than her own favourite cartoon. She wanted us to just leave and go!

We finally went to the lobby by 10:00 a.m. Settled the bills and had to wait for a while before the taxi came to fetch us.

Our pictures at the airport:



We bought Xpressboarding passes we found out that the plane was almost full. We didn't want to have to fight for our seats with so many people. Somehow we were among the other 3 more people who bought Xpressboarding passes. While waiting to board the plane we met Cik Han , Iman's Aunty, who just arrived from KL.

We were the first ones to board the flight and Ayah chose the first row! The feet space was definitely great but the arm rests couldn't be moved. Therefore Iman had to sleep on either one of us, rather than across the three seats as what we would do if we were seating on other rows. So, moral of the story, don't need to take up Xpressboarding next time to go for the first row if you are travelling with a kid! Might as well save the money for the snacks in the plane. He..he..he...

Some pictures taken in the flight from Kuching back to KL.



We landed 20 minutes earlier than schedule. That was great! Everything moved fast. Managed to collect our luggage and get the brochure for our taxi while waiting for the luggage. We left LCCT at about 3:50 p.m. Iman wasn't very cheerful during our ride in the taxi. Somehow when she said she 'sakit perut', Mummy knew that Mummy had to look for a plastic bag! Didn't know what actually was wrong with Iman, by the time we just passed UPM, Iman threw up, not quite into the plastic bag! Some actually dripped onto her Froggie and mostly on Iman's t-shirt. Luckily we were passing BHP, so we told the taxi driver to stop for a while. Cleaned her up and changed her. We finally reached our home by about 5:00 p.m. That's the end of the holiday. It was great to reach home.

Kuching Trip - Day 3

7 November 2007.

Another leisure day. We walked about on the beach and decided to head for Kids' Village at the far end of the beach. The hotel has a very well equipped place with loads of toys and activities to fill up children's time even when it rains!

Iman happened to be the only kid that day! So she had the place to herself! And the caretaker of the place to herself too! The lady spent her time to entertain Iman by playing blocks with her among other things. It was great because Ayah got an urgent matter to handle and had to go back to our room to do his work. Mummy suddenly got a call from the office, so Mummy could take up the call coz the caretaker was entertaining Iman! She thought Iman was quite bright to be able to identify colours correctly at her age! Not even 3! Mummy was so proud!!

We went back to the room after spending some time at the Kids' Village. Ayah was busy with his work then had to go to the Business Centre to send some emails. Iman and Mummy spent lazy time in the room. Iman watching her cartoon CDs and Mummy watching the hotel tv! We then had our buffet lunch at the hotel's cafe aje. After lunch we went back to the hotel for a short siesta! Tidolah.. what else.. after a heavy lunch!

That evening we decided to give the Clifftop a try. Clifftop is a restaurant located at the Hilltop area of the Holiday Inn Damai Beach. It was quite a climb up, but it was definitely worth it! The scenery was so beautiful and the swimminjavascript:void(0)
Publish Postg pool there was deserted!



We had the whole area to ourselves! Ayah had not been swimming for quite sometime, wanted to, but did wear his swimming trunk! Mummy asked Iman to wear her swimming suit but she didn't want to. Now nobody has the swimming attire on. But the swimming pool was so inviting. Mummy told Ayah to remove his t-shirt and just swim with his shorts. Not a bad idea, Ayah thot and off the t-shirt went! Mummy told Iman to do the same, remove her t-shirt and swim with her pants but Iman didn't want to get her pants wet. So we came to the most radical decision! Iman will swim naked! So, there she was swimming in the nude with Ayah (who had his shorts on!).

Kuching Trip - Day 2

6 November 2007.

Our second day. Woke up late. We had our breakfast leisurely and decided to go to Kuching town today following the hotel's shuttle van. We took the 11:10 a.m. shuttle. The ride to town was quite bumpy! Mummy and Ayah were both so worried that Iman will throw up due to the bumpy ride. There was no plastic bag or air-sickness bag in Mummy's handbag, so Mummy had to put a napkin ready in front of Iman's face. It was great to see Iman falling asleep on Ayah's shoulder. At least we knew that Iman won't be throwing up.

When we reached Kuching city, Iman was in deep sleep, so Ayah just continue to carry Iman on his shoulder. Mummy was worrried that Ayah would be tired, so Mummy suggested that we put Imna to lie down on the bench in the gazebo by the riverside at the Waterfront. Iman continued to sleep on the bench! That is definitely Mummy's gene! Mummy can sleep anywhere in any condition! Even in a disco! Mummy had done that before in Mummy's younger days. Iman is like that too! Ha..ha..ha...

Ayah had a few calls to make and a few messages to send, so Mummy took the time to take some photos while waiting for them to do their own things - Iman still sleeping and Ayah still busy with work. The camera was acting up! Mummy couldn't really get nice pictures as usual. Somehow the camera needs to be serviced soon. Meanwhile we had to just make do with the quality of the pictures that Mummy could get.

Some pictures of us at the Waterfront.



After Iman got up we walked along the Waterfront, went to a Bazaar to buy some fridge magnets and tried to find a place to eat. We finally ate at one of the small stalls that were opened for lunch at the Waterfront itself.

That's the end of the Kuching city tour. Somehow there's nothing much that would interest Iman and it looked like it was going to rain, so we decided to go back to hotel and rest. By 2:15 we caught the next shuttle back to the hotel.

Here's some photos of the Gunung Santubong that Mummy managed to capture during our journey in the shuttle van.

We decided to give Iman the beach experience. It was great! Iman had a nice time at the beach. Other than "mandi laut" Iman got to build a sandcastle with Ayah.

Here's some photos of the beach experience.

Trip to Kuching - Day 1

5 November 2007.

The trip was booked a few months back when AirAsia offered free tickets to anywhere in Malaysia. Mummy thought since we are trying to get free tickets, we might as well go as far as we can on that free tickets. Mummy have been to Kuching before and kinda like the city, so Mummy tried to get the free tickets for Kuching and Mummy actually got it!! Mummy ended up paying RM130 per person for both ways - that's for the Admin Fee and the Airport tax and Fuel tax or something like that. Anyway, it was worth it! For a 2-way flight that's going to take about 1 hr and 45 mins!

By the last week of October, both Mummy and Ayah were getting quite worried because we were quite busy and somehow no longer looking forward to the holiday in Kuching. But since the flight tickets were paid for, the hotel has been booked and too late to cancel, otherwise Mummy would have to forfeit my Legend eligibility, so we decided to just go ahead and have the holiday!

We flew off from LCCT on 5th Nov and the flight was on time! Thank God! Mummy bought for Iman AirAsia t-shirt that Iman wanted to put on right away and AirAsia luggage tag that Mummy fixed to Mummy's handbag's handle.

We were met up by Salmah Jobeli, Mummy's old friend from SSP days, at the airport. She actually came out of her office to fetch us from the airport and send us all the way to Holiday Inn Damai Beach!

Photos of Iman (wearing the red AirAsia t-shirt outside her own t-shirt) and Mummy with Aunty Sal when we arrived at Holiday Inn Damai Beach.



We checked in and had lunch (tapau from a restaurant where Sal stopped to let us buy our lunch - we initially wanted to treat Sal to lunch in the airport but Sal already ate and she needed to go back to the office after sending us to the hotel) in our room.

Some pictures of the hotel room.



After eating our lunch and had our rest, we start our sight-seeing of the hotel's surrounding and the beach.

Pictures of the scenery around the hotel and the beach.



We had to run from the hotel lobby to our room, in the drizzling rain because we didn't want to get stuck at the lobby. All of us took our bath, ordered room service and had our early dinner. Mummy had a splitting headache, took an Actifast and dozed off before 9 pm!! Lucky thing Ayah took care of Iman. Apparently both Ayah and Iman were fast asleep by 9 pm too!

Iman's Best Friend

Tuesday 30 October 2007.

This day is a very memorable day for Mummy! After coming back from a very tiring day attending a training and 2 meetings, Mummy was accompanying Iman watching cartoon on PHDC - channel 613. It was Make Way for Noddy on tv! Tessy Bear said to Noddy "Oh Noddy! Thank you so much! You are my best friend!". Iman was smiling when she watched that. So, Mummy asked Iman "who is your best friend, Iman?" Without hesitating Iman replied, "My best friend is Nurin ... and you, Mummy! You are my best friend!"

Tears came to Mummy's eyes and Mummy could feel my heart was growing in my chest like it was going to explode! It was definitely what Mummy has always wanted in my little girl - to be her best friend! Mummy just couldn't believe it! It was so great to be thought that way by your daughter, eventhough she's not even 3 years old! Mummy had mixed feeling then when Mummy remember watching the shows "Who rules the roost" on TV and "Parenting for Dummy" where they are saying that a parent shouldn't aim to be the child's best friend or even friend! He or she will have his or her own friends her age! A parent should just be a parent! Oh well...

For now I would just enjoy the feeling of being regarded as Iman's best friend. Mummy want Iman to always feel free to come and talk to Mummy about anything and everything and anytime... Mummy hope Iman will continue to feel that way about Mummy - as one of her best friends.

Mummy don't think Mummy knows what best friends means when Mummy was 3 or 4 or even 5 years old. But then again... Mummy didn't go to playschool or kindergarten! Mummy only know the meaning of best friend when Mummy started school at the age of 7! Mummy hope Iman will cherish all the exposures Iman has for years and years to come and learn to appreciate the things that Mummy and Ayah are providing to Iman so that Iman will be a great and intelligent and kind and nice and friendly and many many more type of person.

Iman doesn't want to be a boss

Last night on the way home from visiting Ayah's friend, Iman saw the Putra train and was excitedly telling us that Iman has been on the train with Mummy and Aunty Ona. Iman said "Ayah tak naik tren dengan Iman." So, Mummy quickly said "Ayah came to fetch us at the station." Ayah said "Ayah is Iman's and Mummy's driver! Iman is a boss." Iman started to cry and said that Iman doesn't want to be a boss. Iman wants to be a driver!! We couldn't help but laughed the her simplicity of her thought and told her that she can be a driver.

The Murai story

Petronas has been showing the advertisement about Murai on TV. How parents could be so patient with their child when the child was small but how impatient a child will be with their parents when the parents are no longer "as sharp" as they used to be. It was quite a touching advertisement and I thought it taught us a good lesson and we should all learn from it.



Similar incident happened the eve of hari raya. Mummy and Alang were busy trying to make "biskut dam" for raya. Mummy wanted to give Alang the experience of making cookies since she didn't participate at all in those activities while growing up. Mummy and Ibu Ya had the cookie-making experience back then when Nenek still make cookies. After we all grew up and was living away, cooking-making was a taxing activities for Nenek to do by herself that we all ended up ordering from friends in the office and brought them home for raya. The cookie-making experience ended there that Alang somehow was deprived of it. This year, Mummy thought Mummy wanted to provide that experience to Alang.

While we were busy cutting the dough, Iman came and asked "what's that, Mummy?" So Mummy answered "this is a dough for making cookies." Iman said "dough?!" and Mummy said "Yes, dough." Then out of the blue Iman asked "what's that, Mummy?" So Mummy answered "this is a dough." Iman said "dough?!" and Mummy said "Yes, dough." Then Iman asked again "what's that, Mummy?" So Mummy answered "this is a dough." Iman said "dough?!" and Mummy said "Yes, dough." The question and answer session went for quite sometime and Mummy was actually surprised that Mummy was so patient answering everytime. Guess as a parent that's what we all are... patiently answering our child eventhough they are asking the same question.

Then Mummy realiased that it's exactly like the Murai story! It must have been a child's common character to keep asking the same question and a common character for the parents to keep answering patiently. With a sigh I acknowledge that I am now a parent!

Ayah reminded me about the Murai story everytime Mummy seemed agitated with Nenek or Tok Ayah. Mummy would step back everytime I recall the story and tried to keep my cool. Good moral, that Murai story is! Somehow it has been Petronas trademark to produce a meaningful and touching advertisement. Glad someone did!! We should all continue to learn because education should only end when we die. Hope we still have a long time to gather knowledge. Ya Allah, please grant me a long, meaningful, peaceful and healthy life with Ayah, Iman and the rest of my family. Amiin...

Our house is small

Iman was so happy in KB playing with her cousins. The house there is bigger than our house and has doors connecting from one room to the other, that when she entered one room she could ended up coming out from the door of another room! So, it was somehow such a great treat for Iman that when Ayah told Iman that we were going home soon, Iman's reaction was quite surprising! Iman said to Ayah "Ala, I don't want to go home! Our house is small!" That's exactly Iman's word.

Ayah told Mummy not to be sad that Iman has said that, but Mummy couldn't help it. What occurred to Mummy was that somehow we are giving Iman enough space and excitement in our modest size condo! Should we be thinking about getting a bigger place then?!

So, when it was time to go home, Mummy said to Iman that she could stay in KB with Babah and Ummi and her cousins. Mummy teased Iman by saying "You don't have to come back to KL since our house is small." Iman quickly said "No! Our house is big. It is not small!" She is quite political eh? She knows how to rectify the situation with her statement. Ha...ha...ha... Not bad for someone who is not even 3 years old!

3rd Syawal 2007

Ayah, Babah and Fariz went to another graveyard in Ayah's kampung right after Subuh. Iman and Mummy were still sleeping and Mummy thought we were taking it easy that morning... Enjoy extra nap. Suddenly Ayah called and asked Mummy to get ready and drive everybody from Jalan Merican to Ayah's kampung. We were supposed to go to Bachok for breakfast at Cik Ma's house (Cik Ma is Ayah's some sort of aunty, though not through blood relation). After managed to get Iman to agree to get up and take bath and get dressed, Mummy took bath and when everybody was ready, we left for Ayah's kampung. Met up Babah's Kelisa by the roadside and Ayah decided to let Mummy drive all the way to Bachok while Ayah remained in Babah's Kelisa. It was quite a nice drive..

We had Kuzi, some satay with kuah satay and nasi impit and cakes and biscuits at Cik Ma's place. Nice breakfast. Chat for a while then left for Uncle Jasni - Ayah's cousin. Thought it was just a regular raya visit but turned out to be an open house. Rezeki... Had K.Lah's delicious nasi air and a chocolate cake shared with Iman. Wanted to eat her Kuzi but was still full from the breakfast, so decided not to have the Kuzi. Now Mummy is regretting it... Wish Mummy had tried some.



From there Ayah sent Mummy off to KB Mall as Mummy had a gathering with Mummy's friends in Pizza Hut. Met up a few SSP friends from my batch - Aunty Mas, Aunty Baby, Aunty Ze, and 4 more aunties that Iman has never met - Aunty Mahiah, Aunty Ma, Aunty Hanan and Aunty Hasni. We had a nice time chatting, knowing that Iman was playing and enjoying herself with her cousins.

After the gathering with Mummy's friend, Mummy went to do some grocery shopping and took a ride with Aunty Baby to go home. Upon reaching Babah's house, Mummy started to cook the "sup tulang" for that night's dinner where Cik Ma (Ayah's aunty) and her family were invited. We had a nice dinner with the family. Iman was really enjoying herself watching VCDs on her portable player entertained by Aunty Shikin - Uncle Adam's wife, who enjoyed chatting with Iman because she was facinated by Iman's answer to her questions. Iman, I hope u have said the right thing to Aunty Shikin. He..he...he...

2 Syawal 2007

Ayah and Babah and Fariz when to visit Tok Ku's graveyard right after Subuh while we were still sleeping. When they came back and after we have eaten some breakfast, we started our "raya" by going to Ayah's Mi house!

We were there just for a while and decided to make our move to Ayah's kampung before the jam started. Too late!! It was quite jam already. Lucky thing Ayah knows quite a number of shortcuts that at least kept us away from the very very bad jam. While Ayah was manouvering the car, our little passangers, Iman and 3 of her cousins managed to take their naps.



We went visit Pak Cu - Ayah's youngest and only uncle from Tok Ku's side who is still alive! It was good to be able to visit relatives especially during this special time like Syawal. Mummy and Ayah want Iman to cultivate this kind of culture so that Iman will like to visit relatives even when Iman is older later on. From Pak Cu's house we dropped by at Mek's house. Mek is Ayah's cousin, Mummy think then we went home! Mummy and Ayah had a nice nap and rest while Iman ways busy playing with Akilah, Amelia and Fariz and didn't sleep at all.

When Mummy and Ayah decided to go to Aunty Zetty's house in Telipot, Iman decided to follow us but because Iman didn't sleep at all in the evening, Iman fall asleep in Aunty Zetty's house. Had quite a long nap before waking up and started to misbehave because started to miss Akilah and Amelia... We could see Iman's face lighted up after seeing Akilah and Amelia's faces when we arrived back in Babah's house. That's the end of 2nd Syawal activities... quite tiring because it was hot!

1 Syawal on the road

We left Sri Ayu at about 2:50 p.m. The car was totally packed with stuff we brought back with us! There were quite a number of cars on the road but not too many. So we had quite a pleasant trip. There was a Proton Iswara that Ayah wanted to be "friends" with... the plan was to just follow behind the car and use it as guide to keep our speed. However, the Iswara started to drive crazily and was overtaking so many cars that Ayah decided not to be "friends" with it anymore. We just drove and kept our safe speed and distance.

Somewhere before Merapoh we saw the Iswara again! It was dented at both ends! Apparently it just knocked the roadside's protection border. Must be due to it's speed! It was drizzling at that time too.. After slowing down and seeing that the driver was OK, we just drove off. Long way to go before we reached KB!! Oh God!!

We saw another accident after Merapoh! This time it was a 4-wheel drive. It looked bad and it was already almost 6 p.m. and Ayah has not prayed yet, so we drove off. Along the way we passed 2 ambulances and a Rescue truck going the opposite way. It must have been for the 4-wheel accident! We hoped it was not very bad and there were survivors. That's one thing about driving...you just never know. That's why we must make sure we started the journey with Bismillah and always make dua that Allah will take care of us along the journey.

We arrived in Gua Musang at about 6:15 p.m. Ayah went to pray Asar. Iman who had been sleeping since we left KL was now awake. Mummy pitied Iman having to sit in the same position in her car-seat, so Mummy picked Iman up and brought her to sit on Mummy's lap. It was quite a bad decision because it was another 2 hours plus to get to KB with Iman sitting on Mummy's lap. Iman is not a small girl anymore, so it was quite taxing for Mummy and it was not very comfortable for Iman either. Anyway, we moved on towards KB with that arrangement.

Iman expressed "jauhlah rumah Babah ni.." (Babah is name she called the uncle - following what his kids called him). Lucky thing Iman never asked "are we there yet" many many times like some other kids do. As far as Iman is concerned, if she didn't see the familiar sight of the road leading to Babah's house, then we have not arrived, therefore there was no necessity to ask "are we there yet", I guess.

We finally arrived in Babah's house at 9:00 p.m.! Alhamdulillah... After 6 hours of journey, I just don't want to spend another minute in the car! Iman was so excited to reach Babah's house to meet her cousins! That was the reason we decided to leave KL earlier! So that we could reach KB when the cousins are still awake and Iman would be able to play with them for a while before we go to bed ourselves. During our previous trips, Iman who had slept a long time in the car just didn't want to go to be when we were all so tired after the long drive. So this time we decided to change the pattern and Iman was not sleeping too long either, that she would be willing to go to bed by 10:30 or 11 p.m.! Phew!! It was great to reach our destination safe and sound. Alhamdulillah...

1 Syawal @ Nenek and Tok Ayah's house

We arrived at Nenek and Tok Ayah's house at about 10:30 a.m.! There were on Nenek, Tok Ayah and Alang there. Uncle Joe, Aunty Sha and Aidan were still in Subang for the morning part with that side of the family. Acik and family were celebrating first day raya in Seremban while Ibu Ya and family were in Taiping. I guess the three of us would keep Nenek, Tok Ayah and Alang company for a while before the others arrived.

We had nasi dagang with ayam and ikan that Nenek cooked and gulai udang that Mummy cooked. There was also lemang and rendang. Iman as usual refused to eat much. Was eating a lot of fruit cocktails! Managed to get the 2 slices of cherries from the 2 cans that Nenek opened! It was really a highlight for Iman to get the 2 slices of cherries! Glad Iman didn't have to 'berebut' with anybody!

Pictures taken in Nenek and Tok Ayah's house.

Uncle Joe, Aunty Sha and Aidan finally turned up at 1:15 p.m.! We were just waiting for them before we leave for KB since they were going off to Hanoi by Wednesday 17 October and we won't be back in KL by then! After saying our goodbyes, we left Bella Vista to go back to Sri Ayu to pick up our things and change before we drove off to Kota Bharu for our second part of the raya celebration.

Morning of 1 Syawal 2007 @ Setiawangsa

1 Syawal has come and gone! We celebrated our first day raya in KL and KB! That's the beauty of good roads between the states in Malaysia!

1 Syawal started with Ayah waking up early to do all the solat sunat and then takbir till he was ready to eat his breakfast. Iman was still very much asleep after the late night again on the raya eve. Mummy seated up kuah satay and served with bread for Ayah to eat before he left for the mosque. With Iman around, Mummy have given up going for solat Sunat Aidilfitri in the mosque. It's ok... Mummy still performed it at home... just not this year!

Ayah went to Masjid Wilayah for the Solat Sunat Aidilfitri this year... planned to meet up Ayah Di and family and Cik Na and family. Somehow only managed to meet Ayah Di and family. Cik Na and family were not located.

By the time Ayah came back home Iman was not even ready! Mummy purposely didn't force Iman to take bath yet because Iman told Mummy that Iman didn't want to wear the blue Baju Kurung that she was supposed to. Mummy just didn't want the confrontation so early on such a nice day, so Mummy decided that Mummy would rather wait for Ayah to handle the confrontation together. Meanwhile Mummy was busy sewing Iman's Snow White dress that was too long for her! That's what a Mummy would do for the kids, eh?! Now Mummy got to experience all that! I'm so glad that I'm a Mummy now!!

Ayah finally was hope at about 9:45 a.m. Managed to get to Iman to shower in tears and forced Iman to wear the blue Baju Kurung. It was a nice blue Baju Kurung. Picture below was taken when Iman 'salam' with Ayah before we leave for Nenek's house.

2 years 10 months old today

27 September 2007.

In 2 months Iman will be celebrating her 3rd birthday! Mummy's baby is really big now. In fact Iman is now saying "Iman is taller now." and sometimes "Iman is taller than Mummy." Whenever Mummy tried to correct that, Iman would be very upset. Mummy can't be taller than Iman! The right statement in Iman's mind is Iman is taller! So we kept to that for now. Rather than upsetting Iman, who Mummy assumed still doesn't understand the real meaning of comparison, Mummy just accept the statement, Iman is taller. It is true... Iman is taller than what she was before. Today Mummy can see that Iman has filled up her school uniform. It used to be so big on her that the t-shirt reached almost to her knee. Now it looks ok on her! How my baby has grown!

Iman @ age 2 years almost 10 months old

Today is 24th September 2007. In 3 days Iman will be 2 years 10 months old. Mummy's baby is growing up so fast! But Mummy has to admit that Mummy is loving every minute of it!

Mummy love it that Iman can now chat with Mummy, telling Mummy stories of what Iman did in school or what Iman's friend or friendss did to Iman, discuss about the cartoon shows that we were watching together. Iman can pass witty remarks like "Mummy, come here. I want to talk to you!" Iman can now express Iman's feelings like every now and then Iman will tell Mummy "I love you, Mummy!" and Mummy love to hear that! It meant so much to be able to hear Iman say that. Mummy's plan to make Iman an expressive kind of kid works! Mummy make sure Mummy tell Iman that Mummy love Iman at least once a day. Most days it's definitely more than once!

Mummy have been looking forward to this day since Iman was born. Mummy remember saying to Aunty Rose, Mummy's good friend, that Mummy wish Iman can hug Mummy back when Mummy kiss and hug Iman. Now Iman can do all that and it is so precious to have Iman run from the living room to the kitchen to give Mummy a hug and a kiss!

Mummy hope Iman will continue to be this loving person. Amin...

Iman and her poses

Last night while Ayah and Mummy were performing our terawih prayers, Iman was busy entertaining herself watching Tom and Jerry on channel 62. Then all of a sudden right after we finished our prayers, Iman started to put on her sunglasses and posed! Mummy couldn't resist taking photo of those poses.

Iman fall off the bed

Last night Iman wanted to sleep with Mummy and Ayah instead of sleeping in her own cot. We decided to let her sleep with us since it was so difficult for her to fell asleep. Iman was still tossing and turning long after Ayah dozed off.

When we woke up for Sahur this morning, Mummy put a bolster on Iman's left and right side. The only thing Mummy probably should have done is put another pillow next to the bolster. Mummy and Ayah suddenly heard Iman crying when we were having our sahur. Ayah volunteered to go take a look at Iman while Mummy continue to eat. Ayah had quite a fright when Ayah couldn't find Iman on the bed! Apparently Iman has fallen off the bed!

Mummy rushed to the room and Iman stopped crying but still a bit moody and was coughing. Mummy was kind of worried that Iman would vomit so Mummy decided to stay in the room with Iman. Ayah told Mummy to go and eat but since Iman wanted Mummy to be there, Mummy went to take the food and started to eat in the bedroom! That's the extent Mummy would do for Iman.. basically anything.. Iman actually got up to see what Mummy was eating but declined when Mummy offered a piece of chicken. Iman couldn't to back to sleep somehow until we turned on the aircon. Then only Iman fell asleep soundly and didn't really want to get up to go to school.

Somehow we felt sad having to wake Iman up so early, especially when Iman didn't go to sleep till late at night. But we had to, otherwise Teacher Yasmin would be upset if Iman reaches the school late everyday. So, we tried not to be late everyday. He..he...he..

Thank God so far no calls from the school yet. Mummy called Teacher Aza to call Mummy up if Iman started vomiting. Alhamdulillah the fall was not so bad. Mummy and Ayah would have to put Iman in the cot when we got up for sahur, from now on. Of course the other choice is for Iman to just sleep in the cot. We'll see what we have to do to handle this. We just don't want Iman to fell off the bed again eventhough the bed is not that high.

Baju Raya Shopping

Since it is already Ramadhan, it is the time of year to start the baju raya shopping. Mummy didn't want to do shopping the last minute coz we might not be able to get the right things we want during that time.

After Mummy finally found the right baju raya for Mummy - a blue baju kurung, of course the next thing is to buy a matching (at least in colour) baju kurung for Iman. When Mummy said, "Let's get a baju kurung for Iman.", Iman's reaction was so strange! Iman said "Iman dah ada baju kurung... tak payah beli lagi." Since Iman was not in good mood, looked like Iman was sleepy, we decided to drop the subject of buying her baju raya and headed home.

The next morning, when Mummy raised the subject of buying baju raya, again Iman said "Iman dah ada baju kurung. Cukuplah. Iman tak nak beli lagi." Mummy was feeling quite sad and at the same time happy that Mummy have such a good kid. So undemanding materialistically! Hope Iman will continue to be this way when Iman is bigger. Amin...

First Terawih in 2007

Today is the first day of Ramadhan for the year 2007. Iman is still too young to fast so Mummy has not started to explain about fasting yet. Last night Mummy and Ayah had to start our first night to pray terawih. We were wondering how to go about doing it with Iman around. Last year when Iman was younger, she went to bed quite early, so Mummy and Ayah would pray after Iman has gone to bed. Lately we noticed that Iman would not go to bed unless Mummy and Ayah also went to bed and turn off the lights in the room.

Ayah suggested that we ask Iman to put on her telekung and join us to do the prayers together. Not a bad idea... it might work.

So, last night when it was time to do the Isya' prayer, Mummy asked Iman whether Iman wanted to join us to pray. Iman was rather excited and ran into the room to get her own telekung. Mummy helped Iman to put it on and Ayah took these photos.



When we started praying Iman followed us. When Ayah read Al-Fatihah, Iman also read along loudly with Ayah. Mummy almost couldn't concentrate praying. He..he...he.. However, Iman could only survived 2 rakaat out of 4 rakaat of Isya' prayer. Iman was getting hot in the telekung and removed the telekung half way through the prayer. It's OK Iman... we just wanted you to be exposed with the rituals so that when Iman is older it would be easier for Mummy and Ayah to start asking Iman to perform these rituals too.

Handsome vs Fat

Iman likes to watch Shrek and has watched all 3 movies. Mummy thought all these while Iman actually likes Shrek! Lately Iman will always highlight that she likes Charming! He's handsome! That's what my 2 years 8 months old girl said! She said that she likes Fiona when she is thin! At that age she is already thinking that a handsome or thin or beautiful person is better and worth to be liked.

Mummy is very concerned and worried ... where is Iman picking up that ideas? Mummy hope Mummy didn't teach Iman such thing. Mummy likes Shrek! Mummy always say that eventhough Shrek is not good looking or handsome, but he is a nice person... Mummy hope eventually Iman will understand how to judge a person... not by his/her appearance, but by his/her heart.

Mummy saw on Oprah a few weeks back that when an experiment was carried out by a black girl on a group of black kindergarten-going girls. When these girls were shown one black doll and one white doll and was asked which one do they think are the more beautiful doll, without hesitation, each one of them pointed to the white doll. All of them think that white is beautiful and black is not! Mummy was quite shocked to see the outcome of the experiment and noticed that in Malaysia too people perceive a girl with dark skin as not beautiful compared to the one with fair skin. And Mummy thought that was so wrong! Maybe because Mummy don't have fair skin, that's why Mummy think it is so unfair for people to be judged that way. Someone with dark skin might have better features or kinder heart but perceived as not beautiful because of the colour of her skin. Not fair!

Mummy really hope Iman will not grow up to think this way. At the same time if the people of Malaysia still don't change the way of judging or evaluating beauty by the colour of the skin, Mummy is glad that Iman is fair... at least Iman won't have to face the judgement that Mummy had to face growing up... never seen as beautiful or good enough because Mummy don't have fair skin.

Sleuth

Mummy never bother to find out what was the meaning of the word "Sleuth" until recently when Mummy started to watch cartoons with Iman. Sleuth is such a common word found in cartoon shows like Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse Club and even Clifford the Red Dog! Finally Mummy got it figured! Even Iman now is calling herself Super Sleuth!

I guess that's the beauty of having a child! Everyday Mummy get to learn something new... not only about how to handle Iman, but also new words!! Thanks Iman, for being in Mummy's life. I love u so.... much!

Wish box

Iman was watching Little Einstein on Saturday. It was about Christmas where Santa gave a wish box for each of the Little Einsteins - Quincy, Leo, June and even the rocket. But Annie didn't get it. Suddenly Iman started to look around inside the boxes of toys she has and brought out a box she got from the birthday party we attended a few months back. Iman said, "I have a present too!" Didn't think Iman could come up with such idea and know where to look for similar thing! Good job Iman!

Then Iman went to Mummy and said "I have a present for you, Mummy!" Mummy was very touched with Iman's thought. When Mummy opened the box, there was Iman's handphone in it! Mummy pretended to call Mummy's friend using the handphone. Iman took away the present box and went away. Came back and said "Mummy, I have a present for you!". When Mummy opened the box this time, inside it was Mummy's handphone! Mummy couldn't help but laughed at Iman's trick. But Mummy was touched by Iman's thought of giving Mummy a present!

When Ayah came back from KB that night, Iman said the same thing to Ayah "I have a present for you, Ayah!" and Ayah was so flattered! Iman really knows how to "ambik hati Ayah and Mummy"! I wonder where you learn that!

Mummy's Overnite Trip Away from Iman

31 August 2007. Malaysia celebrated 50th Anniversary of Merdeka. Iman was up very late the night before. Busy shouting Merdeka! everytime she heard any patriotic songs on TV. Mummy and Ayah let Iman stayed up late coz the next day is a holiday and Iman can always sleep in.

When Iman woke up on 31st Aug morning, her first question was "kena gi school ke?". So Mummy told Iman "No, today is a holiday! Iman don't have to go to school." Then Iman asked Mummy "mana kita nak pegi?". Mummy and friends have been planning our overnite gathering at Cyberview Gardens and Villas, and that was going to happen today! So Mummy felt so sad having to say "Iman has to go to rumah Nenek." but Iman bravely and sportingly said "Mummy kena work ke? OK, Iman go rumah Nenek." What a wonderful daughter you are, Iman! Always so understanding about Mummy having to go to work. I wonder how long more we can fool you, Iman, with the excuse that Mummy is going to work whenever Mummy has to go anywhere without bringing Iman along. But for now it made it easier for Iman to let Mummy go whenever Iman thought that Mummy was going to work.

When Mummy drove Iman to nenek's house, Iman's face was so sad. Mummy almost decided to bring Iman along. Unfortunately because Mummy was one of the committee members of the gathering with loads of things to do, it would be quite difficult for Mummy to carry out those duties while at the same time having to entertain and look after Iman. So Mummy had to scratch off the idea of bringing Iman along.

Iman said goodbye sweetly and nicely that Mummy quickly left before Iman changed her mind! Mummy had a nice time during the tour around SSP Cyberjaya. Mummy's original plan was to send Iman to Sekolah Menengah Sains Seri Puteri (which is at the same location where Sekolah Seri Puteri - Mummy's old school) for 2 reasons -

• Mummy and Iman will share the same venue of the school
• Since the school only takes form 4 students, Mummy will have Iman growing up at home with Mummy until Form 4. More time to spend with Iman before Mummy have to let go.

After looking at all the facilities available in SSP Cyberjaya, Mummy was quite sure that Mummy want Iman to study hard and get into SSP Cyberjaya at Form 1. It probably is going to be a great sacrifice Mummy have to do to let go of Iman earlier than Mummy's original plan. But Mummy seriously think that it has to be done! The facilities available are so good that to miss the opportunity of getting in SSP Cyberjaya would be a great waste. We were saying that with all the facilities given, it is impossible for the kids there not to do well. Mummy know that it is a long way to go... about 10 more years ... but with this plan in mind, Mummy hope Iman will study very hard and be a good student and will be able to get a place in SSP Cyberjaya during the 2018 intake.



The chatting at the apartment after the trip to SSP Cyberjaya was fun! And then we the committee members had to go prepare the function room for our dinner that nite. Then went back to the apartment to get ready for dinner.

Mummy noticed a missed call from Alang. When Mummy called Alang back at 7:45 pm, Mummy was told that Iman has been crying and asking for Mummy since 7 pm! At that very moment, all Mummy wanted to do was go back to Iman!! When Mummy called Ayah and told him that Mummy wanted to go home, Ayah told Mummy to stay coz Ayah can take care of things with Iman. The next time Ayah smsed Mummy, Mummy's worry was put to rest. Iman was having burger dinner with Ayah and was no longer crying. By 11 pm Ayah smsed Mummy that Iman was already asleep and Ayah was also going to retire. Thank God! The dinner was great! The games and movies organized were great! We had a nice time!!

Back at the apartment Mummy and friends continued chatting and chatting and chatting. Still Mummy wished Mummy had brought Iman along. Maybe next time when Iman is older and when Mummy is not a committee member. In the end Mummy only had 1.5 hour of sleep only!

When Mummy reached home at noon on 1st Sept, Iman was really affectionate. Kept hugging and kissing and snuggling into Mummy that it was very difficult for Mummy to take a short nap. Suddenly Iman asked Mummy for mee sup! Eventhough Mummy was very tired and sleepy, Mummy got up and started to cook the mee sup for Iman. Mummy really couldn't believe it that Mummy was willing to do that. Mummy actually was suprised with Mummy's action! Who would expect Mummy to be like that! It must have been the motherhood that's making Mummy act that way! After all the cooking and cleaning (Ayah left some dirty dishes for Mummy in the sink! and some mess all over the kitchen and house), Iman had 2 bowls of mee sup that Mummy cooked. It was worth it to see how Iman ate!! Iman must have missed Mummy very much!! That evening, Iman continued to snuggle with Mummy. The overnite trip was a good way to make Iman appreciate Mummy more!

Iman and Durian

Iman really likes durian... well she carries both Mummy's and Ayah's gene that like durian. Of course she will like it too...

Some poses of Iman eating durian during the trip Cik Han (Iman's aunty) and cousins made to our house.

Iman & Cleo Balloon

11 August 2007

We were invited to Aunty Kauthar's son's 2nd birthday party at the swimming pool. Iman was actually not feeling very well that day but Mummy thought the trip to the birthday party would do some good to Iman since Iman has been cooped up in the house while Mummy attended a meeting with Mummy's friends.

It was indeed a good idea coz Iman started to eat the meehoon (which was actually very hot!) and started to be in good mood. The clown gave Iman a balloon shaped into a poodle. Iman called the balloon Cleo - the poodle who is Clifford the Red Dog's friend.

Iman's First Trip to Aquaria

14 August 2007

The teachers of Young Ambassadors have arranged for a field trip for everybody to visit Aquaria. Again, Iman being in the group of 2 - 3 years old, has to be chaperoned otherwise she can't join the trip. Furthermore Teacher Aza was not around, so Kakak Sharmini would not be able to handle too many 2-3 year-olds.

Mummy had a meeting that day! Tried very hard to change the meeting date but could not! Mummy was really torned between attending the meeting and going with Iman. If Mummy didn't chaperone Iman, then Iman wouldn't be able to go. Mummy and Ayah can always bring Iman to Aquaria later, but Mummy didn't want Iman to miss the adventure of going with friends in the school bus! That's something Mummy won't be able give later... so Mummy had to make a final decision - to go with Iman and to miss the meeting.

That's what Mummy learnt to accept - Iman comes first!

We were in Young Ambassadors Setiawangsa to wait for the school bus by 9:20 a.m., only to find out that the bus would only be there by 10:00 a.m. We went into the school and Mummy met Nurin's mummy for the first time. We had a nice chat while waiting for the bus.

Iman was very excited to go on the school bus. Didn't even want to eat the bread given for her snack. Didn't want to drink her milk. But by the time the bus moved, Iman was already sleepy. We went to Young Ambassadors Ampang Jaya's centre to collect the kids there.

Finally arrived at Aquaria by almost 11:00 a.m. Waited a while before we could get in and then everybody started to move at their own pace. Iman and Mummy went to all the aquariums in Aquaria. Iman was quite uncomfortable with the darkness that she wanted to be carried all the time while we were there. Nearly broke Mummy's back having to carry Iman..



Towards the end, Iman couldn't concentrate on the fish anymore since we have been separated from Nurin and Iman was looking high and low for Nurin. When we went into the souvenir shop, Iman was ok a bit.. excited to see the "Nemo" stuffed fish and also with other items being sold. Iman finally decided that she wanted the accessory for handfon, in the shape of a pink fish! Since it didn't cost much, Mummy just bought it for Iman..

By the time we went out to look for the rest of the gang, Mummy was having splitting headache! Managed to insist Iman to eat some fish biscuits Mummy brought along. Then after we arrived back in Young Ambassadors Setiawangsa at about 1:30 p.m., Mummy just walked home. There goes Mummy's plan to go to the office. Mummy was just too tired and had to sleep off the headache. All in all we had a nice time in Aquaria.