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Get dressed … for success May 27, 2008

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Parenting & Motherhood, Thoughts & Scribblings , 22comments

Over the weekend, I had not one, not two, but THREE opportunities to doll myself up and look pretty. Now, this would not seem like a daunting task for some people, but for me, this task now requires some thinking and planning, since embracing motherhood means I need to factor in the inevitable need to run after Ethan, and yet look demurely sexy and charming at the same time.

How now, brown cow?

Dress-Up session #1
Friday evening, we drove to Sungai Petani for my BIL’s wedding reception - actually it was a wedding dinner that was hosted primarily by the bride’s side. I chose to wear a black figure-hugging tube dress with embroidered flower details on the top and bottom of the dress. I’ve had this dress for close to ten years, I think…so I was mighty glad I could still pull the look off. Of course, the risk that came with wearing a tube dress and caring for a mighty active toddler was that there is a high chance some things that are not to be revealed will be revealed. So to prevent that from happening, I took Susan’s advice and brought along a shawl. I made sure it was an opaque shawl, so that whenever I needed to, I just draped it over my shoulders and it certainly did its job well. I chose to wear my maroon pashmina shawl (a gift from hubbs all the way from India); the maroon shawl was to offset the black and plus, it went well with the little red flowers on my dress. The night was pretty chilly too, so the shawl was a saviour.

This is a picture taken before the dinner started, while we were hanging out at my hubby’s distant uncle’s house near the dinner venue.

Dress-Up session #2
The church wedding ceremony was on Saturday afternoon. After donning a black outfit the night before, I decided to glam it up a little for church. After all, my hubby was gonna be wearing a suit! So I wore a knee-length orange spaghetti-strap batik dress, sewn with intricate beads and sequins. I hardly wear this dress because I’m afraid that Ethan might pull out the beads or sequins, but I decided to take the risk this time round, assuming that I would not need to carry him around much anyway (hubby can do the honors :grin: ). Now the v-neckline for this dress was a tricky one with a toddler around, so I had to add a tube top and a matching orange shawl for drama. After all, there was bound to be video and photo footage of me in this attire, what with me being one of the cantors and also there was the tea ceremony after the church wedding and all…..might as well stand out :grin:

Here’s me tickling Ethan silly before the church ceremony started. Don’t really like the angle of my face in that picture, but it does show a good view of the dress.

Dress-Up session #3
For the dinner reception at g Hotel, I decided to go grecian goddess-like, but not wearing white though. I opted for a halter straight-cut long black dress, and accessorized with a chunky purple-jaded bangle and round silver decorative dangling earrings. And since the guests had seen me in the same hairstyle over the last two sessions, I did my hair up a tad differently by putting half of it up in a simple twist-n-pin bun, decorating it simply with three floral two-legged pins, all the while praying hard it would stay up for the entire night (and it did!).

And of course, *Cinderella* must have a *Prince Charming*, yes?

Of the three outfits, I actually found the halter dress the most versatile to wear whilst caring for a toddler. I could even dance around without the need to pull here or tug there. And I even could do a nappy change in it.

Highly recommended. Think I’ll go get myself some more halter dresses. And halter tops. And halter whatevers. Plus, I love the bare-backed sexiness halters exude. Donchafinkso?

Pretty memories of a bun January 24, 2008

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Memes & Tags, Parenting & Motherhood , 16comments

Last Tuesday evening, we had dinner at Queensbay Mall. As we were walking in the lower ground level, right next to where the New Zealand Natural Ice Cream booth is, what should greet our eyes but this:

Penang was finally gonna have a Rotiboy of our own. All the mexican buns that we can get. When it opens, the entire lower ground level of Queensbay Mall will be infused with the aroma of Mexican buns, I’m sure. I had my first taste of Rotiboy Mexican buns back in 2003, when I attended a training in Kuala Lumpur. I tell you, it was a blessing that the training was held in the Petronas Twin Towers right next to Suria KLCC, so I got to stay a few nights at the Mandarin Oriental. Ha..but that’s another story altogether.

Anyway, we were provided with snacks for tea during our training, and one of the snacks we had was a Mexican bun from Rotiboy. That’s when I absolutely fell in love with it. Let me tell you though, that I am not a coffee person, so it was rather surprising to me that I actually loved the Mexican bun. Had to be eaten warm though; if taken cold, it feels really oily and gross.

Since that day, I would crave for the Rotiboy Mexican bun so bad that I had to have at least one every time I go to KL. We once made a special trip to Low Yat Plaza to get some too.

I always wondered why there was not a single Rotiboy stall in Penang though, and I contemplated opening one here myself at one point, but alas someone has beaten me to it! Funny thing is when I found out about the impending opening of the Rotiboy outlet in Queensbay Mall the other day, I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would be. Perhaps I’m not as crazy about the mexican bun as I was before. Perhaps my tastebuds have changed. Perhaps it was a case of “Out of sight, out of mind”. Perhaps it was because mexican buns gave me a sore throat the last time I had them. Or perhaps it is motherhood that has changed me, in that I have to eat as healthily as possible in order to be a good exemplary figure for Ethan. Perhaps perhaps perhaps…

Incidentally, I recently read a short and sweet not-quite-poemlike thingy about motherhood, which actually started out as an email but someone converted it into a tag called the pretty mommy tag. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t a bunch of blablablas though, and as I read it, I found myself agreeing to most of the statements because I had experienced them myself. Aptly titled “Before I was a Mom”, it was an eye-opening account of how motherhood transforms someone, and I realized how much I had learnt and changed in the span of the two years that I have embraced motherhood.

The rule to the e-mail was that, once you have been hit, you have to hit 5 pretty Moms, including the one who thought of you today & sent it to you. The idea is that if you get hit again, You will know you are really pretty!

So I thought lets just turn this into a tag instead. But that “hit” part won’t work very well in a tag. So instead of giving a “hit” to the one who tag you, you add your name at the bottom of the tagged persons list, and without bumping the person at the top or bumping anyone off and let the list grow.
Hit 5 pretty moms on your list to let them know they are pretty!

Before I was a Mom

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom

I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Here’s the first chain of tags :
1. Lovelymummy
2. Pek Imm
3. Momisodes
4. Ling that’s me
5. Janicepa
6. AnnieQ
7. Allthingspurple
8. Montessorimum
9. clumsy mommy
10. Sandra
11. KittyCat
12. VivianZ
13. Sweetpea
14. Sasha
15. Giddy Tiger

The five special mommies I am tagging are:

Listen to the voice of reason November 30, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Memes & Tags, Parenting & Motherhood , 8comments

Being a parent poses many challenges. But through these challenges, I have learnt countless things. Among others, parenthood has made me learn how to survive on only 2-3 hours of interrupted sleep at night, how to eat things really quickly, specifically to feed myself and my kid at the same time and how to maintain a balanced family life. Parenthood has also made me a more tolerant person. I have to keep my cool at all times… okay, at MOST times. But I have to admit that it is an ongoing learning process, and I hope to better myself day after day. Ethan is already a toddler now and judging by his personality and behaviour, I know for a fact that I will have to face the issue of disciplining him soon. Like *really* soon.

There are so many methods of disciplining a child nowadays, and I think some methods work better on certain kids, more so than others. My good girl friend told me that she eventually had to use the cane on her son although she thought she wouldn’t have to initially. I sure do not want a repeat of what she went through. So when Jacelyn asked what my plan for disciplining kids is, I can certainly say that I do not intend to use the cane, preferring instead to use reason. Well, I might be forced to change my mind in future, but at this moment, this is what I am feeling. I am hoping that by the time Ethan learns how to communicate effectively with my hubby and me, we would be able to instill some form of discipline through reasoning and understanding. Threatening to use the cane and not following through on that threat is meaningless, so that option is totally out for me. As far as I am concerned, my ultimate priority would be to be firm and make my child understand and realize what he did was wrong, and to ensure he knows I was not happy with what he did. I would probably utilize the Super Nanny approved toddler “time out” chair method to make my child reflect on what he did, to learn the meaning of “sorry” and to promise never to do it again.


Photo Credits

I’m wondering if Paik Ling shares my sentiments…

*********************************************************
Instructions :
**Start Copying Here**
Tag 5 bloggers
1st - You leave their blog and post link and add to the list below.
2nd - Let the blogger know that they have been tagged by leaving comment in their blog.

1. Miche does not spare the rod.
2. Msaufong spare the rod but not the VOICE.
3. Lemonjude reasonably spare the rod.
4. Shoppingmum spares the rod.
5. MummyInVain does not think of sparing the rod.
6. Giddy Tiger believes in disciplining with reasoning.

Life as a Cow September 10, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Parenting & Motherhood , 11comments

Sometimes I feel like society thinks that breastfeeding moomies only go shopping when they step out of the house. Is this the reason why nursing rooms are available only in shopping malls? Well, save for the occasional *surprise* we encounter once in a blue moon, most of the time breastfeeding moomies are in a quandary when it comes to finding a good place to feed their babies, whilst out of the house.

Just like when I was in Singapore. The shopping malls had great nursing facilities; private rooms with comfortable nursing chairs, and a separate area for the baby to get changed. Some even had high chairs for baby to be fed comfortably. Soothing music was also piped in for that extra touch of care. This is the reason why I am not deterred by shopping when I am out with Ethan. I have no worries about breastfeeding in the malls!

The convenience vanished the moment I stepped out of a shopping mall. The Singapore Zoo, for one, lacked proper breastfeeding facilities. The diaper changing room was just a board which could be flipped down and baby will then lie on top of it to be changed. For a zoo that is touted as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, attracting visitors from near and far, having adequate breastfeeding facilities should be of utmost priority, more so because visitors will certainly spend at least half a day there! When I inquired about the existence of a nursing room from the staff, I was met with blank stares. In the end, I had to *just do it* in public, because I had no choice. Actually when Ethan was much much younger, I used to breastfeed in public, and I had no qualms doing so, but now that he is much older, let’s just say a nursing room would be more convenient.

I was put into the same predicament while visiting the Underwaterworld in Singapore. No breastfeeding room, so I had to use the toilet this time. Thankfully there was a *rather* conducive area in the restroom that allowed me to sit down in a somewhat comfortable manner.

So are breastfeeding moomies expected ONLY to go shopping?

Strap ‘em in! August 18, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Parenting & Motherhood, Thoughts & Scribblings , 7comments

Last Friday while on my way to work, we stopped behind a white Proton Iswara aeroback at the traffic lights. The driver was a lady and she was ferrying her son in the back seat. From the looks of it, her son was almost the same age as Ethan, and he was standing up. The little boy proceeded to take a few steps forward to *tell* his mother something and then gingerly stepped back.

What’s wrong with this picture?

You guessed it. Why isn’t this boy in a car seat? I felt my knees wobble in fear when I saw how dangerous it was for that boy to prance around in the car, sans seat belt. When the traffic lights turned green, mommy the driver stepped on the gas pedal so suddenly that the little boy was violently jerked backward! And she even drove as if she was on some F1 circuit!

To this day, I am appalled that the majority of people with kids do not place importance on having their kids strapped into a child car seat. In fact, from birth, babies *MUST* be placed in an infant seat in the car at all times. I have heard grouses that car seats are “so expensive” and parents often pooh-poohed it as a “not important” item to purchase. It irks me, however, that these same parents can fork out a few thousand ringgit to hire a confinement lady but can’t even buy a car seat for their baby’s safety. You tell me if that is placing their priorities in the right place!

Well, and what about those parents who don’t own a car and have to ferry their kids on motorbikes, a la sandwich style? I’m sorry, but I think that is totally absurd. I would rather the kid stay at home than live dangerously moving around the city on a bike, at breakneck speed. Either have the kid stay at home or don’t have a kid at all.

In my opinion, Malaysian roads are too dangerous for children to ride in cars without being in a car seat, even though it is for a short distance. The Malaysian government should make it compulsory for all babies and toddlers to be strapped into child seats, and then follow through on this ruling by enforcing it. Do we all not believe the children are our future?

Teen Parenting May 9, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Parenting & Motherhood, Rainmakers , 2comments

Being a parent has changed my outlook in life, and parenthood has certainly opened my eyes to many new things.  Things which I had brushed aside previously all seem daunting and sometimes a little scary now.  Although my son is only a little past one, I would and could always benefit from any information obtained about parenting.  And when he becomes a teenager, I know I could never have too much information.  I know… I’ve been a teenager myself before!

In my opinion, the teenage years are the most defining period in one’s life.  The transition from being a mere child into adolescence and then on to becoming an adult can be trying and of course, many parents worry about the wellbeing of their kids.  Teenagers experience many issues ranging from adolescent depression, peer pressure, teen drug abuse, sex and violence.  As parents, we would want to be there for them when they go thorough these problems and offer them a helping hand and a shoulder to cry on.  At Parenting Teens, parents can obtain advice and share parenting stories and best practices about how they raised their teens.  All parents will definitely find comfort when they discover that they are not alone in this challenging task.  On top of that, parents can also check out tips for raising teenagers, participate in parenting forums and even engage themselves in the parent support group.  The important message Parenting Teens is conveying to all parents is that: “You Are Not Alone”.

Farewell My Trusted Friend April 4, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Ethan, Parenting & Motherhood , 6comments

Yesterday I bade a fond farewell to a good friend, a trusted one at that… We’ve known each other for a little over a year, but we’ve grown so close to each other. I said goodbye to my cooler bag. My beloved cooler bag, which I used to transport the EBM I expressed at work back home for the past one year or so, and has served me well has done its duty. I noticed it was torn for several weeks already, but I only had the heart to throw it away yesterday.

Well, this does not mean I am putting the brakes on breastfeeding. I have another cooler bag from Avent which I will be using from now on.

So….when will I stop breastfeeding? I can’t answer that question myself, although many people have posed this question to me. There are so many factors governing the reason why I am still continuing with my labor of love:

Now, isn’t he inspiration enough? :D

Motherhood and Me March 30, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Parenting & Motherhood , 3comments

Has motherhood changed who I am? It certainly has not changed my identity, but as Ethan approaches 14 months tomorrow, I am amazed at the different perspectives I am viewing life through now.

Before I became a mommy, I would scan sales brochures and catalogs for good deals on cosmetics, clothes, shoes…. the gamut. Now the first thing I look out for is if there is a special sale for Mamy Poko diapers.

Before I became a mommy, I would frequent the gym at least a couple of times a week. I told myself that when Ethan came along, I would rush to the gym after work and then pick him up after that. But now I find myself NOT doing that. Instead I look forward to picking him up after work and then going home after that. Of course, I still crave the exercising at the gym part, but at least for now, my exercise regime has transformed dramatically into running around the house looking after Ethan.

Before I became a mommy, breastfeeding was just something that boosts the child’s immunity and intelligence. After breastfeeding for 14 months (and counting), I know for a fact the breastfeeding involves so much more than just that. Apart from creating a child with higher immunity, breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and child, a bond that no formula milk could ever create. Also due to the fact that I am still working, I have had the chance to interact with mothers from all different departments when I meet them at the nursing mothers’ room at work. Call it networking if you may.

Before motherhood, we would go to any restaurant without so much as noticing if they have baby facilities. Now, only restaurants with baby chairs that pass our scrutiny will be allowed. More points for outlets with breastfeeding and diaper-changing facilities. Oh by the way, last I checked, the Mc-D’s outlet at Queensbay Mall had NO baby chairs whatsoever.

So has motherhood changed me? You bet. It has made me a better person, 100%.

Five Wishes March 12, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Ethan, Memes & Tags, Parenting & Motherhood , 4comments

I got tagged by Miche after leaving my mark on her blog.  I have to list down 5 wishes I make for my kid this year.

My prayers for Ethan Boy:

There, done!  I’m not tagging anyone for this one, cos most of the mommies out there have been tagged. 

On the road to recovery March 1, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Parenting & Motherhood , 2comments

Finally, after 3 weeks plus of coughing, I am on the verge of recovering. Two and a half weeks into my cough, I was forced to see a doctor and I requested for medicine which was okayed by Ethan’s pedatrician, since I am still breastfeeding. Dr Jessica said I should take Rhinathiol for cough, Zyrtec as an antihistamine and for antibiotics: Erithromycin. The doctor I visited, however, was reluctant to prescribe me medication which was prescribed by another doctor whom he claimed did not even examine me. I only managed to persuade the doctor I visited to give me Erithromycin. He didn’t have Rhinathiol available, so he gave me Danzen; and he gave me Actiphed and Theophed instead of Zyrtec.

Immediately I called Dr Jessica to check if the medication was all right. She told me Danzen was not necessary since it is used to reduce swelling (huh? why was I given it in the first place?!!!). Actiphed and Theophed, on the other hand, was a no-no as baby would be hyperactive. I was mortified. Ethan was already active as he is, I was not willing to take the risk.

In the end, I got Zyrtec from my in-house panel clinic and bought Rhinathiol myself, off the shelf. And I am glad I did.

The things breastfeeding mommies have to put up with.