Simple Way To Spend Time With The Loved Ones

Sebetulnya cuti CNY dulu, saya dah plan nak bawak anak-anak bercuti ke err… Mines Resort & Spa. Heh, literally belakang rumah aje sebenarnya. About 10 minutes drive. Kalau nak ke Melaka or PD, alamatnya sure kena bersesak-sesak kat jalan. Sudahnya Iman kena HFMD, takkan nak pegi kan. Habis jangkit kat semua orang nanti. So.. kensel. Nasib baik tak kena penalty whatsoever. Teringat cuti CNY 2006, dah plan nak balik Tgg. Siap beli tiket kapalterbang lagi untuk kami 4 beranak. Sudahnya bercuti kat APSH, si Iman kena ciritbirit yang teruk. Tiket burn terus. Adalah dalam RM700.00. Heh, Iman lagi yek?

Nasib baik berita nak bercuti belum diwar-warkan pada Kakak. Kalau tak, abislah dia menuntut. Tahun lepas, marah betul dia tak balik Tgg. Nasib baik atok dengan wan dengan sepupu sepapat dia datang KL, terus bawak dia balik kampung. Siap pegi Kuantan mandi manda kat laut lagi.

Jadi, untuk tidak terlalu banyak membuang masa dengan tidur dan makan dan tengok TV, kami buat aktiviti gardening sikit. Saya pun kebetulannya memang ada beli benih tomato. Dah lama sangat berjanji dengan si Kakak, nak tanam tomato sama-sama. Dengan bismillah, dah selamat disemai 18hb lepas. Memula cam rasa frust sebab 2-3 hari takde nampak apa-apa pun. Hari ke-4, barulah nampak tunas. Lega. Kakak happy. Pastu ke nursery. Hajat dihati nak bertanya-tanyakan quotation untuk buat simple landscaping tapi banyak nursery tutup sebab tokey belum habis beraya. Pengakhirannya kami ke nursery di Bandar Tun Razak. Beli pokok lidah buaya, anak pandan, keladi (rasanya kot) dengan 2 pokok gantung yang direquest dek Kakak. Beli sebiji pasu, tanah 2-3 peket (kesian orang KL, tanah pun beli..). Jaring hitam ala-ala sunblock tu takde pulak. Lanscaping plan tu tangguh dulu. Ingat nak beli jugak pokok yang besar-besar tapi kena angkut dengan lori. Caj ikut per trip, kalau beli sikit, rugilah nanti. Kami pun belum ada apa-apa draft gambaran laman idaman so takmau ambik risiko membeli dulu. Kang beli-beli, tanam kat seberang jalan tepi longkang sanaaaa nuuuuunnnn. Balik rumah, lepas solat Asar, mulalah bercucuk tanam. Mdh pulak mengetuk dinding nak gantung pasu. Best tau. Semacam ada kepuasan. Tengok hijau depan rumah, sedap sikit mata memandang. Yang pentingnya, dapat spend time beraktiviti bersama dengan keluarga sambil beriadah.

Errr..... angkat pasu 2 biji boleh kira riadah ke?

Baru-baru ni saya tengok salah satu pokok gantung Kakak semakin layu. Melepek dahan demi dahan. Daun-daun makin kecut, bunga mula gugur. Sayanglah kalau mati sebab sepokok tu RM10. Bagi saya, mahallah tu. Weekend lepas saya bongkar tanah dari pasu. Ada biji-biji kuning tanda dah ada penyakit merebak. Habis saya bongkar tanah tu buang biji-biji kuning. Ganti tanah lain. Potong bahagian yang dah kena jangkitan. Alhamdulillah, saya tengok, baki dahan yang tinggal tu nampak sihat. Si Kakak? Hemm.. dah tak pedulikan pokok gantung dia tu. Cuma begitu nak participate bila tiba bab-bab menyiram. Abahnya pulak beli water-spray kecik untuk dia. Beli pulak satu aje. Terpaksalah saya korbankan spray dalam bilik air tu, yang saya guna sembur sabun Sanden Brook (dah tak pakai dah pun sebenarnya). Ntah ngapa nak berebut jugak. Kakak tak mau lepaskan spray dia, Iman hempas dia punya kat porch. Berkecai. Nasib baik ada lagi sebotol yang saya buat spray kain sebelum ironing. Petang tu, budak-budak tu macam anak itik baru balik sungai.. basah kuyup!

from left to right:-
~ mother-in-law's tongue(omputih)/lidah jin(melayu) MIL=jin? ish.. ish.. tak patut.. tak patut...
~ tak tau apa nama. it used to be a scrawny 2-batang pokok. then lepas dibelai-belai, jadi besar that i have separate it into 2 vases and they're grooWWWIINGGG
~ tak tau apa nama jugak. the pucuk emerge in pairs. selalu time raya cina, they tie red ribbon kat dahan-dahan tu.

our small patio. blind tu dah berkulat. err... supposednya guna indoor tu..

from left to right:-
~ lidah buaya (banyaknya pokok lidah2 kan!). tak nampak sbb kenit sangat lagi.
~ keladi. ambik benihnya from rumah kawan kat kepong. dulu pun cam dah nak mati. lepas belai-belai sikit, semakin membiak dan berkembang pulak.
~ tak tau nama. tu baru tanam semula tu. ambik from the other pasu yang dah sesak. it has 'bulb' (rhyzome yek?). it blooms pink flowers. selalunya setangkai tu dalam 3 kuntum.

nampak tak ada 2 botol spray tu? yang kat atas slab tu dah berkecai bodynya.
eh, Iman, pegi siram pokoklah. yang siram batu tu buat apa? *baca dengan nada membebel*

achechewahhh... rajin anak dara ummi...

pokok gantung ni kakak punya. yang sebelah belakang tu yang kena penyakit.
sekarang dah tak serimbun cam dlm gambar tp beransur pulih..

Post HFMD

Taska Atfal Sayang is closed for babies/toddlers under 3-yo. Alhamdulillah, temporarily, though at the moment, indefinitely. Iman, being an almost 28-mo boy, still a far cry of being a 36-mo so he has to be ‘put’ somewhere until Atfal Sayang opens up again. After his HFMD thingy ended, I, like always, brought him to Atfal Sayang. Petang tu, Siti, Iman’s favorite caregiver, informed us that they’ve actually closed for under-3-yo since CNY. I pleaded for another day or two to clear things up back in the office since I was on an unpaid-leave the whole week. I just hope this HFMD thing will be soon over and we can have our routines back. My parents can’t stay long. I can’t be on leave for long or else I may have to leave to good.

We were balancing ideas. You know, that won’t affect much on his emotions as well as our pockets. I was on the verge of writing another letter for another unpaid-leave when my father called and told me they would gladly come over for a week or so. The idea was more than welcomed! I called home just now and they are being tortured by Iman among clutters of toys, his cries and demands. Have I told you that he broke a vase in a dental clinic yesterday?

Anyway, Kakak is suffering from selsema. Remember this D***** Boy? Oh, so very thoughtful of her. I asked her about D***** Boy. She told us she’s staying away from him But why? Aren’t you two friends? Still are. She was afraid D***** Boy would be infected. Adehhh…

Now, back to that vase thing. I must tell that I am not proud of Iman misbehaving. He happens to be one active boy who’s showing symptoms of being a hyper-active. It’s tiring, in a way. He tests my patience. We can’t eat in peace. He’s constantly on the table grabbing things. It’s like he has boundless and endless energy supply (that I wish I had) that he bounces here and there. I certainly would not risk napping if he doesn’t. And he broke a vase in a dental clinic yesterday. While the dentist was drilling my tooth, I heard Iman brooming around with 3 little hotwheels he’d taken along. I heard Kakak insisting she could very well fetch the water from the dispenser herself. I heard Iman insisting on the same thing as well. I heard the Chinese lady told mdh, Iman is cute. Then I heard a loud crash followed by a ‘OH MY GOD!…’ It was the blue vase on the lowest shelf. I am waiting for a call from the clinic. I just hope there was nothing exotic about the vase and it didn’t come with a ‘OH MY GOD!…’ price-tag. I read, they say, for a hyper-active, it is difficult to tell if the kid is being naughty or merely venting his/her energy. Well, I can’t tell which is which. Tapi bila dia tidur tu, mak aihhh… tak puas tengok. I just pray that everything will turn out well.

OK peeps. Take care.

APSH062007 - Iman's Routine Check Up

Alhamdulillah. Iman is HFMD free now. The blisters all dried up into black spots. After starting using aerochamber + inflamide + combivent, he was cough-free and runny-nose-free for the whole week. But he got rashes under his chin and along his hairline – eczema. But then again, alhamdulillah. He doesn’t really mind the rashes and doesn’t scratch. Believe me, albeit the HFMD, he was still a ball of energy who didn’t sit still. He’d changed the CD after 2-3 minutes and demanded this and that. It’s more like me who needs sympathy! But anyway, that’s what motherhood is all about and not all gets the opportunity right.

Mcats, he finally came to term with that aerochamber thingy. The trick was, he was given the chance to inpect the thing and tried it on himself. I let him check that inflamide and combivent. Slowly he stopped struggling and then even took the thing himself and asked me do it onto him. He still, at times refuses. And that’s when you need to clown around and make silly faces.

Farra, yep, before the blisters came out, he got a sudden-fever. He first got high temperature late afternoon and by 9p.m., it shoot to 38-39d. The next day saw some spots coming out. Macam chicken-pox but far apart and only at hand, foot and a bit under his lower lips. If it’s chicken-pox, the spots would’ve emerged on the body first. In his case, none was on his body. He got some in the mouth and was prescribed a cold gel. He loved it so rubbing that thing inside his mouth didn’t cost me a finger. Some of the blisters pecah and leaked out a bit of liquid and some just dried up. He has added up more spots on his legs area. Macam rimau bintang already.

Aida and Julie, alhamdulillah semua dah beransur baik. Kakak got the fever but the spots was like ‘supressed’. Nampak macam ada but then that was it. Last-last hilang macam tu aje. Kakak memang suka minum air especially Ribena (which is banned after 7.00p.m at my house). Iman pulak, despite the mouth-ulcer he had, still minum susu 7-8 bottles a day. And Julie, kesiannya Aisya sampai berdarah-darah mulut. In case macam tu, betterlah kena drip air. If dehydrate, mudah kena demam pulak. I hope she’s all well now. Dah notty balik ye?

He’s sent to Atfal today. Routine falls back into places I guess. It had better be that way. Over time that I’ve spent 24-7 with him, he’s becoming clinging to me. He wants to nap or sleep in-between my legs. If I happen to be sleeping on my side, the crook of my arm would be fine and in case he that is occupied by Kakak, the crook of my bent legs, would also be fine. As long as he’s glued to me, any position would be fine. Scary huh? I mean, as a mother no doubt I love him to bits but he’s becoming so so very attached and clinging to me is not 100% welcome unless I have a few assistants that I can order around. That is not including he wanting to perch on my hip while I cook. Mind you, he’s around 14-15kg. So, where’s my husband been sleeping all these time? Kesian kan. That’s when the comforter comes handy!

Anyway, the visit to APSH last week gave me quite a relief. Iman is HFMD free tho he has to continue on with the inflamide. After weekly or biweekly check-ups, our next check-up is another month away. If you were me, that surely ‘tells’ something right. I just hope we won’t be popping in before that time comes!

ops.. btw.. I've put down in my other blog another recipe. Nasi Minyak Tokmi & Gulai Ayam ala Akhni.

Unpaid Day 2 - Iman's HFMD

My first day as fulltime housewife (pretty boring so far). Pressed mdh's office wear, threw laundry into the washer, fried drummets for Kakak and me and Iman, read a National Geographic. And it's only 8a.m. Maybe esok I'll have more to do. I've asked Sikulat to save some files for me to work on while I'm at home. I am not a workaholic but to me responsibilty IS responsibility. I have a report to submit this week, or my phone will start ringing.

The boy is still sleeping. He slept late last night. Kakak had her adrenalin pumping from too much Ribena I guess. We all went to bed well after 11. And since one of them is sick, living area is our hibernation center until he gets well. Nanti dia bangun tu susah sikit nak do things as I wish as he gets jealous at practically anybody or anything when it comes to me. He's jealous of mdh, his sisters and this laptop included. I haven't really plan what to eat to day but noodles would be fine for dinner I think. I've promised Kakak something nice that she likes for dinner. I am, in fact, mentally preparing myself for the ordeal kejap lagi. To administer Inflamide and Combivent. It takes 2 to hold him down, tu pun berpeluh-peluh kami. Whatmore when I have to do this myself. God, give me strength.

If you ask, despite the HFMD, Iman is still a ball of energy. Thank God the spots are not that itchy so he doesn't really scratch his skin out. He still bounces up and down. He still fights Kakak. He still pours water all over the floor (the blessing - I ended up mopping the floor). His formula intake is improving after dropping to maybe just 4-5 bottles a day. As for Kakak, she'll most likely get HFMD also. So far, except the high fever, she's still okay. We urged her to drink a lot of plain water and from time to time checking her body for spots. None so far. She's still attending Atfal. Maybe I'll give Atfal a call just to inform the situation, who knows Iman might have gotten it there.

Okay peeps.. wish me luck. It's inhaler time *roll my sleeves up*

APSH052007 - Iman's Routine Check Up

Just got back from APSH.

It's not chicken pox. It's HFMD. Moderately contagious so he won't be able to attend kindy until next week. If not, everbody-else will be as spotty! The good thing is, the spots are not that itchy so he won't be grumbling that much. And I, will be on unpaid leave, if approved until after Chinese New Year.

muka masam lepas kena sental ubat kat dalam mulut

a combo of rash-like spot + little blisters. tu kepala lutut dia tu.

some spots on his hands. (yang digentel tu hidung kikkerr)

APSH042007 - Iman's Routine Check Up

Jumaat lepas ambik Iman dgn kakak at about 6.15p.m. Awal dari hari-hari lain sebab hari Jumaat, boleh clock-out 5.00p.m. Kakak bengkak bibir bawah. Luka sebab tersembam langgar dinding. Dia kata dia dok lari-lari nak ke bilik air, langsung kaki tersangkut kat seluar dalam kawan dia yang tengah undress nak mandi. Macam Angelina Jolie lah dia petang itu.

Iman pulak demam. Siti (pengasuh yang selalu attach dengan dia) kata baru je naik dalam 1/2 jam lepas. Adehlah. Bila rasa badan dia, bukan dedar2 aje, dah masuk tahap panas. Kebetulan pulak esoknya ada appointment di APSH dan kami pulak memang ada quite extensive stock ubat-ubatan ni.

Hari Sabtu, pagi-pagi lagi kami dah keluar, sampai APSH dalam pukul 8.30a.m. Sebelum pegi, saya sempat buat lauk untuk Nasi Minyak. I try so much to bangun awal even hari cuti. There's a lot to do and while the kids are still sleeping, I can accomplish lagi banyak benda.

What we learned from the visit:-
:: infection dalam telinga kanan dia still persist. kena continue dengan ubat titik dan cedax. next week kena datang semula to assess his condition. kalau ada lagi, he has to be admitted untuk keringkan air dalam telinga dia tu.
:: akhirnya, Dr Nasir suggested kami gunakan aerochamber dekat Iman since batuk and selsema dia susah nak baik. dapat inflamide and combivent. dulu time kakak dia guna benda tu, bukan main interested lagi dia, sampai kami tipu-tipu picit kat muka dia. bila tiba time dia, punyalah susah nak administer benda tu. saya kepit dia kat celah kangkang, pegang tangan sambil himpit kaki dia dengan kaki saya. abahnya pulak kepit kepala dan pamkan ubat. meronta toksah kiralahh.. sampai berpeluh sakan. kami pun sama berpeluh je dengan dia!
:: next appointment will be next Saturday, which is the 5th one in 2007 alone.

Berbalik kepada demam tiba-tiba dia tu. Malam semalam, lepas jumpa Dr tu, badan dia masih on off panas. Memang kena kejutkan dia memalam untuk makan ubat. Iman ni pulak, kalau sakit, masyaAllah, memang mencabar keimanan. Dia punya rengek je buat kita tak boleh tidur. Kalau tak kena sikit, siaplah dia mengamuk. Rimau dia si kikkerr tu ntah berapa kali kena baling dalam gelap, pastu doa meraung nak kikkerr pulak. Hari ni tengah dia dok mengulit mata nak tidur tengahari tadi, saya perasan tangan dia ada bintik-bintik. Kanan dan kiri. Belek-belek lagi, kat kaki pun ada. Kat peha, bawah leher. Pada badan ada sikit-sikit aje. Terus call Che De B, our family doctor. Heh heh, Che De B ni my SIL, memanglah family doctor kan. Dia kata mungkin ya mungkin tidak. Bintik tu ada yang berair, ada pulak yang setakat macam ruam aje. Apa-apa hal, esok saya urgent leave, nak ke APSH sekali lagi. Just to make sure. Kalau chicken-pox, alamatnya bercutilah saya tanpa gaji sekali lagi nampaknya. Takkan nak hantar ke nursery kan. Tambah pulak, tengahari tadi, kakak pun develop high fever. Setakat ni tak nampaklah apa-apa bintik-bintik pun.

Okaylah. Have to pen-off dulu. Mdh kata dia nak buat lassi, just want to check out how the thing goes in the kitchen.. taaaa...

D****H Boy

I know someday, somehow, someone is going to sweep her off her feet and wins her heart. But I never thought it’s going to be this early. She’s barely 6 years old!

Sebetulnya tak perasan exactly when she started speaking about this D****H boy. Her tales included her usual kindy friends, N*n*, El***a, F**r* and a few others. Suddenly, recently this D****H boy came into the limelight.

My girl, has started to loose her milk-teeth already. Dentist said it’s quite early for her age. She lost one sometime in January while we were in APSH. She lost another a few days back. On that fateful day, she brought along a pack of fried nuggets to her kindy. Balik tu, masuk kereta je, she announced that she had just lost another tooth and showed her the space she just aquired in-between her teeth. So, like always, she started her telltale *imagine that Volvo advert, the non-stop talking girl and her daddy*.
In short:
How – Eating using the tooth
What – Fried Chicken Nugget
Who – that D****H boy
When – Afternoon, after preschool session
Where – Atfal Sayang (nursery)
(She was sharing the nuggets with that D****H boy and while eating, her tooth came out loose)

Yesterday, when I picked her up, there were 4 kids left. She and Iman; and another two boys. A sleek black Honda pulled-over at the opposite roadside. Kakak ran out to a swing in Atfal’s compound, a boy followed suit. They had fun for a while before went into the car. Kakak into ours and the boy, the sleek black Honda. She told us, that was that D****H boy.

And as usual, last night I checked her kindy backpack. Inspecting her homework (if any), making sure nothing ‘alien’ in there (she always put her socks in the pocket). And I came across a drawing. I thought it was of one of the superheroes that only she and mdh knows. But it wasn’t any superhero yesterday. It was of that D****H boy.