The never-right Confinement Lady (CL)

Most of the times, it's always difficult to find one CL that truly serve you all the way out, without being so particular in this and that. Well, this is my second time hiring a CL and guess what, with that price and with what she's doing, it really ain't worth it. =(

1) She didn't get house work done
Is it true that nowadays CL no longer help with house work? And their task is all about baby, washing baby clothes, feeding/taking care of baby, and cooking? No more sweeping, mopping, washing the family's clothes, folding and etc? But my previous CL did that for us, everyday!

2) She didn't boil any double boil herbs/chicken soup/tonic drink
I'm not sure if she does know how to cook one, but she's cooking normal meal like how I cook. I think I can just cook it all on my own, I just need extra 2 hands and extra one load of energy and I can do it all by myself. The dishes that she cooks are pretty simple, vege, steam/fried fish, ginger chicken, soup. That's all! My previous CL cooked tonic drink/double boiled chicken soup for me EVERY night.

3) She cooks only 3 meals for me
Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. That's all! My previous CL cooked 5 meals for me, breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner and supper! Wow!

4) She hesitates to use napkins
Perhaps lazy to wash? So, baby Daniel is on pampers all day long. No chance for an airy dry butt! My previous CL uses napkins during day time, washed those napkins the next morning.

5) We eat together on the table and she continue eating even when baby cries
So, I stopped and get up to see what's wrong with baby. Whether he needs a burp or milk. My previous CL take turns to eat, and she will look after baby when we are having our food.

Well, looks like we never get to find a really good committed CL. And it's pretty difficult to get one. And I don't have any good contacts to recommend as well. Guess the best CL is still your own mom or MIL. =D

Just can't imagine in my first week of postpartum, I have to get the laundry washed/fold, sweep the floor, and I thought of mopping, but decided not to touch too much water in this first few weeks. =/

It's Iherb season again! =D

It's iherb shopping spree again and this time, I tried DHL instead of the normal international airmail shipping without tracking. Parcel without tracking is very risky, furthermore this time I'm ordering quite a number of things, mostly are supplements, so they are more costly as well.

So, for a peace of mind, I decided to try DHL and see how efficient it is. At least no unnecessary worries? Surprisingly, DHL is not that expensive. The more you buy, the cheaper it is! I ordered about 2.85kg and DHL only cost $10. If normal international airmail, it is $6/$4, but it's worth to pay a little extra as long as you know the whereabouts of your parcel and guarantee receive. And, it's fast!

I ordered on 10 April (Wednesday midnight) and I received my parcel on 15 April (Monday morning). *rolling my eyes*

So, get a list of things that you want to buy from Iherb and order all at once by using DHL, save a lot of your time, shipping cost and also... a guarantee! You can also combine orders with your friends and you save more!

If you are first time with Iherb, I assure you that you gonna come back for more. It's so addictive! The supplements/baby items are way cheaper than getting here in Malaysia. Especially baby organics items. But but, if you are really first time and would like to try out Iherb, feel free to use my discount code (HUZ619) and get discounts!

You will receive $10 off the first order of $40 or more, or you can take $5 off orders less than $40.
iHerb gift code is HUZ619

Oh yeah, I would like to share with you how efficient DHL is... The tracking is superb, all the way from US to Malaysia. So, say YES to DHL! (Again, DHL is only worth the money if you order a lot of items)

Origin Service Area:  ONTARIO, CA - Moreno Valley - USA
Destination Service Area:  KUALA LUMPUR - Kuala Lumpur - MALAYSIA

Monday, April 15, 2013		Location	Time
23	Delivered - Signed for by : KATIJAH	Kuala Lumpur	9:14 AM
22	With delivery courier	KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA	7:37 AM
21	Arrived at Delivery Facility in KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA	KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA	6:15 AM
20	Departed Facility in SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	4:38 AM
19	Processed at SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	4:37 AM
18	Clearance processing complete at SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	3:26 AM
Sunday, April 14, 2013		Location	Time
17	Clearance delay	SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	9:31 PM
16	Processed for clearance at SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	8:51 AM
15	Clearance delay	SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	8:51 AM
14	Arrived at Sort Facility SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	SUBANG - SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH - MALAYSIA	7:53 AM
13	Departed Facility in HONG KONG - HONG KONG	HONG KONG - HONG KONG	12:51 AM
12	Processed at HONG KONG - HONG KONG	HONG KONG - HONG KONG	12:50 AM
Saturday, April 13, 2013		Location	Time
11	Clearance processing complete at HONG KONG - HONG KONG	HONG KONG - HONG KONG	6:21 PM
10	Arrived at Sort Facility HONG KONG - HONG KONG	HONG KONG - HONG KONG	5:53 PM
Friday, April 12, 2013		Location	Time
9	Departed Facility in CINCINNATI HUB - USA	CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA	8:11 AM
8	Processed at CINCINNATI HUB - USA	CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA	5:38 AM
7	Arrived at Sort Facility CINCINNATI HUB - USA	CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA	4:13 AM
Thursday, April 11, 2013		Location	Time
6	Departed Facility in LOS ANGELES GATEWAY - USA	LOS ANGELES GATEWAY, CA - USA	8:12 PM
5	Processed at LOS ANGELES GATEWAY - USA	LOS ANGELES GATEWAY, CA - USA	7:48 PM
4	Arrived at Sort Facility LOS ANGELES GATEWAY - USA	LOS ANGELES GATEWAY, CA - USA	7:18 PM
3	Departed Facility in ONTARIO - USA	ONTARIO, CA - USA	7:06 PM
2	Processed at ONTARIO - USA	ONTARIO, CA - USA	7:01 PM
1	Shipment picked up	ONTARIO, CA - USA	12:49 PM

The miserable month of March ... but He has won it all!

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Happy Easter everyone! In short, Easter is all about Victory! We celebrate victory because He died and rose again! He died for us, He rose again, alive!

The month of March has been quite miserable but it's also a month to celebrate victory. To celebrate life.

First, little A was down with fever, cough, flu and phlegm and she recovered exactly after 7 days. 2 weeks later, which was last Thursday, she was down with fever AGAIN, no traces of cough/flu/phlegm which was quite strange. Isn't she just recovered last 2 weeks and now the fever is back? What caused the fever then? She has no diarrhea, eating as usual but lesser portion, vomiting only when she's crying/taking medication ... so, what? We waited for few days and on Sun evening, we decided to bring her to ER for a checkup since her temperature was quite high. We did blood test and the result came out to be normal. No signs of infections. Blood count is normal as well. So what then? We were all left clueless and were told to play the waiting game. Wait till the 6th day and see if she recovers from her fever, which is tomorrow. I always remember her PD saying that if baby is having fever continuously for 3 days, then it is not normal and should bring her for checkup. We thought it's HFMD so we waited for the symptoms to appear, but she shows no signs/symptoms of HFMD and on the 4th day, we decided to bring her for a blood test. Conclusion, we do not have a conclusion.

Praying hard that we can keep this file closed today, that we do not have to play the waiting game, all I want is for her to GET WELL!

Being in ER is absolutely terrible! You see nurses running around taking medicines, young man wrapped up with blanket, grandma on the bed having difficulty breathing, uncle pushed to ER with many tubes connecting here and there......

Life is a miracle! Being healthy itself is already a Miracle!
Let's not take health for granted.....

My weakest point in my life, to see someone falling sick and asking why it's not me.. But Jesus took up the sicknesses of the world, died on the cross for us, for our sicknesses, iniquities ... for OUR EVERYTHING. That we may rely on Him and believe that ALL IS WELL because HE HAS DONE IT ALL!

17 Months old sweetie!

When my friend's baby first learn to talk.. Im just curious how on earth they understand what their child is babbling.. The child is not even speaking properly, a little word here and there and how can they understand?

Today, I got the answer. Many times we don't understand a situation until we personally stepped into it.

Answer. The parents instinct! Parents spending time together!

The more I communicate with my daughter, the more I understand her. Even though she does not speak a full word, I still understand. I know what she wants.
Lately she has been so cute! Her vocabulary grows and she's learning fast! We teach her one word, she speaks the same word the next second. If the word is too long, like Elephant, she will just say "e-phant". Isn't that cute enough?

At 17 months old, she begins how to express herself. When she wants you to carry, she looks at you, stretches out her arms and says "Ry" (carry). When she's hungry, she says "milk". Or when she wants water, she says "ter". Whenever she can't see papa in sight, she will point her fingers to the door and says "papa". Whenever she wants to get down from the bed and goes out from the room, she will say "down" and then "out". Whenever we say "kai kai", she will say "shoes". She loves to wear her shoes and goes for walk! She sees me carrying handbag and she says "bag". I just can't wait for the day when she knows how to tell me how she feels in that particular day. Or whenever she's not feeling well.

I'm loving her more and more! She's one cute little bub that melts my heart in everything that she does. Sometimes she can be super clingy and wanting my attention so much, but the moment she comes near me and hugs me and sits on my lap ..... I'm melting at her manja-ness, I leave my work behind, join in together with her and savour the sweet moments, because.. this moment does not last forever! Time passes by too fast.. she's growing and when she goes to college, I'm gonna miss this moment so much! Oh yes, I think too far!! =p

The most defining moment ...

How do you define good memories?

In one's life, there are good and bad times. And not all times are bad.. neither do all days are good. But out of the bad times, you still have good times to remember, to look back and smile and to ponder upon. In my definition, everyday has its own good memories if you decided to believe in one.

The most significant memory that I have throughout my entire life was 2 years back, 28 Sept 2011, 12:13pm! See, you remember every details of good memories. You wouldn't want to forget the tiny bits of those good memories, they stay in your memory! Forever!

That was the day I heard a loud cry. The day I made three hard pushes. The day I was in so much of joyful pain. The day I had the biggest smile on my face. The day that I was in awed with God's creation. So perfect. So beautiful. I'm amazed. And the day I was called a Mother!

The most beautiful moment in my life. I wouldn't forget any details of it... from the start of getting a positive sign till her grand arrival. I'm so thankful that I'm blessed with this beautiful moment... thank you Jesus!

How can you ever forget such beautiful moment? Look at the overwhelmed responses, the amount of love that was shared together, everyone cast a smile on their face!

This was it! The most defining moment in my life!
I love you now and forever, baby girl!

How safe is the world?

Sometimes or most of the times, I feel stress by just stepping out from the house with my little girl. It's not all about the bulky and heavy diaper bag, or the crying/screaming baby at the mall... it's not about all those. You see, if you are a regular newspaper reader, you will know what I'm trying to say here. The world ain't getting any better, more and more people are watching what you are doing, your lifestyle, your habits ... your everything.

Stalkers are following after you everywhere, without you knowing it. All we can do is to take precaution. Take the safest steps.

Whenever I'm out, I hold my baby tight with me, if she wants to walk, I hold her hands. Never let go.. I would rather take turns to carry her, no matter how tired am I, I carry her close to my heart. At least I know she's perfectly safe in my arms. Nobody can grab her away from me ...

Reading of so many news of missing child, and having a child on my own, I just can't fold my arms and sitting down doing nothing. As I said, the world is watching over you. Even in a silence morning. There might be a bat hanging on top of the ceiling looking down at you. You won't know.

And thus, I understand why some parents invest in baby leash. Before having a baby on my own, I think that it looks pretty ugly. Why wear it on your child when you have hands to hold your own child? Having a child on my own, I look at different perspective. And I know why they need one. Perhaps their child is extremely hyperactive and to prevent them from going too far away from you, especially in crowded areas. So, without knowing their situation, their challenges --> do not come out with the conclusion that they-are-not-good-parents. No... don't judge it that way, sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry, and most of the times you can't please the eyes of everyone!

And I'm holding my child tighter than usual ... I can't afford to make mistake, and that's where all the stress arises. Never forget, our Father in Heaven is watching over us as well. And now, I proclaim Psalm 91 over my family ..................... God is good.

One more week to HOLIDAYS!

Happy 31st Jan 2013.

One more week and we will be celebrating CNY. I'm already in my holiday mood and any mood left for work? No. Let's not talk about CNY preparations because I've nothing much to say about preparations. The fact is I prepare nothing. I bought cookies, but they were all gone even before CNY arrives, in my empty stomach. Haha.

But, this year, my little girl is overloaded with new dresses. Total 9 new dresses bought from the same shop.. by her grandma. We almost grab all the nice, elegant dresses that the shop sells. All dresses there look just so lovely and pretty. Look at the picture below... Agree? How can one resist those lovely pretty dresses? Moreover it's for your little sweetie.. Little girl is blessed!

She is all set, ready for the CNY holidays. Hopefully it won't be a cool day for her, meeting so many new faces in one week. Praying hard that she's gonna be one happy girl, collecting angpows, eating cookies and meeting many many new faces! =D

Talking about smell...

What smell you like the most and recently, we were into this topic. Most of us, especially girls love PERFUME! I adore several perfumes and these are my favorites, Delicious from DKNY, Miracle from Lancome, The Midnight Rose from Lancome, Envy from Gucci. Besides, I love lotions as well. But due to the parabens content, I decided to go Organic for body lotion. And most organic are natural scent without artifical perfume which I adore as well. Everyday, I either smell like almond or flower. Haha.

Ok, so what smell you like the most? And I came across one mama that said this..."My son's saliva smells like perfume". Wow.... This is so true! I strongly agree....

And here are my favorite smell of my little girl...

1) Her sweaty head
You might think that this is gross! But I just love doing it ... I like to kiss her forehead, smell her hair and even though it can be pretty sweaty, I still love doing it. Why? Doesn't it sound a bit yucky? Not at all! There's just something so special about that special smell... It's different. It's natural. No artificial ingredients..

2) Her just-woke-up-cheeks
So what's with the just woke up cheeks? Any special smell ? Oh yesss..... her cheeks are extra soft especially in the morning and sometimes, she might leak some saliva to her cheeks and that explains the nice smell that I adore! The salivary cheeks!

3) Her mouth
Especially when she just woke up from sleep. The non-colgate smell, natural flavored brewed all night.. How can you not love it? Haha. And daytime, I used to say, "Ashlynn, let mama bite bite" and then she moves forward her mouth to go near my mouth and then she sticks out her tongue. But I didn't bite, I just give her a peck on her lips. =D

4) Her after shower body
She's using Baby Buds, organic lotion as well and that natural smell is so good... Love the baby smell in her and love the soft little cheeks, fingers, hands, legs, body... All I do is after bath, I squeeze her, hug her and kiss!!!

5) Her fingers
Since I like so much of her salivary smell, her fingers have those smells as well. You see, babies and their fingers-licking-good. They just love stuffing their fingers into their mouth, sucking and biting them. And the aftermath, the momma take away her fingers from her mouth and give the fingers little kiss. The smell that you won't want to miss... it's all from your precious daughter.

Here are all the smells that I adore in my little daughter. I'm savoring these moments as long as I can, as much as I can because she grows up too fast (the fact is time passes by too fast)........... she's going to be 2 this year and where did the time go? It's going to be another phase of life and surely, there will be another new smell that I will definitely adore, perhaps her after school smell. Haha! Time will explain that..............

 My daughter and me .... enjoying the night together on the bed, with her little friend, "mei".

I'm just curious, why she calls her Barney "mei". 

New look!

I have not been changing my blog design for the past 2 years and finally, I decided that it's time for a brand new look. I'm bored over the same design and it's time to get a change.
It's not easy to find FREE blogger templates that I like, and finally, I found one!

Well, a brand new look, a brand new blogging spirit! =D

15 months updates!

Lately, baby girl has been walking a lot and in the past few days, she was quite clumsy that she wanted to run instead of walk and she walked and looked at the tv at the same time.. .and guess what happened? I was just turning my eyes away from her and then I heard a loud bang. My heart stopped a beat and the next moment, I heard a loud cry. I saw her next to the TV rack and she was crying in pain. Sigh ...

The next day, after she finished drinking her milk on the rocker and she wanted to get up from the rocker, somehow she missed a step and banggg.... she fell down and hit her lips hard on the floor. The next moment I saw blood! Gosh.... Her lips got cut by her teeth, and thank God, it didn't turn out to be any irritating ulcer and she still can drink/eat well. Pheww.

All these happened in one week and I was thinking, how can I avoid those falls? If I were to sit next to her every seconds, I can't get any house works/cooking done. I do not have helper, the hub is busy with his studies.. how? The only thing is pray, for His angels to watch over her!

Ok, let's talk about some happy stuffs.

Recently, baby girl has been imitating whatever that I do. Sound dangerous right? Here are few episodes of funny stuffs that she did...

1)
We pray every night together in the living room and she will just busy playing with her toys and stuffs, and one night, as the prayer was ending, and when we said "in Jesus name I pray", suddenly we heard a baby voice saying "A---mei" ! We looked at each other, stunned and she was smiling happily, and she repeated the word "A---mei".. Oh my, she melts my heart! I screamed and said Amen and she said it again.. A---mei! So cute!! What amazes me is that we thought she's not listening, we thought she doesn't know what we are doing cause she was busy with her toys, but she actually knows when the prayer comes to an end and she supposes to end every prayer with Amen!

2)
She loves her Happy Baby yoghurt snacks and I pour a big amount of snacks in her ducky. She loves eating from there and when she finishes her snacks, she takes the packet and passes to me and said "mam mam".. but I said no more, with my hands gestures showing no more. And one day... she finished those snacks in her ducky and then she lifted up her hands and said, "no more"..... exactly the same like I did. This girl is clever!

3)
Nowadays, she no longer sleeps in her baby cot, but she sleeps with us on the "big" king size bed. She hates her baby cot but loves co-sleep. Recently, she has a habit of taking my hand and put on her chest, then only she slowly dozes off to sleep. Whenever I try to take away my hands, she searches for my hands and grab and put it back on her chest... She's too sweet! I love doing that too... and I love saying, Ashlynn, mama is here! Hehe...

Last but not least.... I love my baby lots! I'm just so thankful whenever I see my little blessing, a perfect little blessing! I couldn't trade anything else in this world with my children. Absolutely nothing.