What Do Babies Dream About?

I have often wondered whenever my dynamic duos sleep what thoughts went across their mind...do they dream of angels in the sky, rainbows and presents, playtimes with no mummies nagging at them....Shadiq talks, laugh, cry with lots of actions such as kicking, punching, etc in his sleep so we kind of get a rough idea what his dreams can be like. Little bro Siddiq makes soft cooing sounds in his sleep, with funny facial expressions and even crying.
Yesterday in the evening, both of us saw something quite funny.




His hand was not held up by anything, no special effects gimmick..it just happen, his hand was up for nearly half an hour before he puts it down then it was up again. When we try to put the hand down, he refused to budge so we just let it be.

To Stay or Not To Stay?

Years ago, I have been thinking about being a stay-at-home mummy. I have talked, thought and complained to everyone about it, even wished that I dont need to slog at work, tolerated all that crap everyday just to stay at home with the kids...
Well, I seem to got my wish when I was ordered to be on bed-rest last July and right now its September which means that I have been staying at home for nearly 2 months. I have to admit that its a boring and though very fulfilling job, it is very routine. Yes, I finally got to spend quality time with the kids and able to attend to all of my husband's and children's needs, finally all the housework are done in a day and all those nitty-gritty stuff that I meant to do is finally all done. But somehow, after all that is said and done, I always find an excuse to go out each day like taking a walk or even going back to school to visit the kids.
Maybe I am not just used to staying at home yet....Sometimes I find myself wishing back at work and being piled with tons of worksheets to be marked and covered with art pieces....weird huh? Maybe its just me, I just need something out of home for a few hours each day by myself...some sort of private time and personal space. Back at home using the toilet is the only personal time I have (though Shadiq intrudes into it at times). And besides my own family, I do feel the need to interact with other people like my colleagues and friends.
So do I really want to be a stay-at-home mummy? Maybe its just not the right time yet. The best I can do is to just work for half-a-day which is like for four hours. At least I have my own money to spend. Herman let me do that next year once he is posted to the circle line. Until the time I decided to quit the workforce.....besides we already plan to have baby number 3 in three to five years time so need to save money for that!

More Pics of Siddiq

Upon request I have posted more pics of Siddiq. Before I have only 1 reason (Shadiq) to take picture, now I have 2 reasons (Shadiq and Siddiq). By the way, I find it so confusing after a while to call the dynamic duos. Try saying their names a couple of times real fast and lidah sampai tersentel! Shadiq, Siddiq, Shadiq, Siddiq, Shadiq, Siddiq.........

My Dynamic Duos

Last Saturday, I got to go for a check-up at Doc Aziz and we brought along the dynamic duos -Shadiq and Siddiq along. Shadiq caught the eye of a 2yr old girl who have long wavy hair, big eyes with thick eyelashes. They walked (even ran) around the clinic holding hands with her, playing and exchanging coins with her. Little bro slept thru, only waking up for his milk and burping. We manage to take pictures with Doc Aziz and little bro. Big bro was just too shy.



Then we went to Parkway Parade to buy our household groceries at Giant. After that, we bought shoes for both our mothers and little bro. Later we went and took pictures of the F1 Ferrari race car. Wow! It was soooo cool! Big bro cried coz he wanted to sit in the car.




The next day Sunday, we went to Bazaar Geylang with my parents, Ais and Ajan, plus all the kids cause Ais wanted to buy their hari raya clothes. We went round and round the bazaar until they found the right clothes. This year they are going to wear silver and Munira's family going to wear brown. We will salvage last few year's clothes which are still too new so will be wearing blue this year.
We bought chapal and songkok for Sadiq and Herman, and an additional kain samping and new blue baju for Shadiq. It was chaos to make him try on every item. Little bro was very good that day despite the heat and sweat. He slept most of the time but open his eyes when we stopped at any shop. Probably curious of the noise around him...
Once we reached home, we manage to make big bro wear the whole suit and....ta dah!

Fun Toddler Activities

Was surfing the net trying to find some fun activities for big bro Shadiq and found some few interesting ones. Most of them use recycle materials and are easy to make, fun to play with your young ones (or even those young at heart!). I have been running out of ideas besides making dough, painting and origamis, to occupy big bro's playtime not just playing with his toys. So I was looking for those that are fast and easy. Here is my top 5 favourites that I wanna try :

1)Alphabet Bugs - draw or print out alphabet bugs. Tape the alphabet bugs all over your body and clothes. Ask your toddler to peel out each letter off. As he takes them off you, he can stick them onto a wall or poster board. Then you can put them all in order at the end and sing the alphabet song. For variation, hide the letters for them to find or you can change the letters to numbers instead.

2)Holes Game - take a big piece of vanguard paper and cut some holes in it, big enough for your hand or head to go through. Use stuffed animals or plastic balls to toss through one side.

3)Balancing Act - place a plastic cup upside down on the floor and put a plastic plate on top so it balances. Let him put the magnetic letters on top of the plate to see how many he can put on before it falls down. You can count the letters with him or say out the letter.

4)Bowling - Set up plastic bottles like bowling pins. Have toddlers use a lightweight plastic ball to roll down from a short distance to knock down the bottles.

5)Animals on a Log - Precut animal pictures that lives on trees or may sit on the branches. Let your toddler colour the pictures and stick onto long branches. Tie string to both ends of the branch to hang. You can sing Five little Monkeys. For variation, you can use small plastic toy animals/bugs.

Shadiq and Siddiq

Yesterday, little bro Siddiq got to go to KKH cause of his jaundice. I was so scared that he will be warded like his big bro that I cried at home while waiting for Herman to rush back. Well to make the story short, upon arrival at KKH, we did the registration and waited for our turn to see the doc. When his name was called, the doctor told us to place him on the bed. After the physical check, he told us that he is going to take some blood for testing. Looking at me, he told me to wait outside if I dont want to see through the blood-letting thingy. I smiled and said that I am okay but its the daddy that should probably be waiting outside. Herman bravely announced that he will be okay. However, just went the doc inserted the needle to the vein, he slowly walked out of the room. Yeah right, my macho man....anyway, little bro was quite cool throughout the entire procedure. He didnt cry, more like shouting out in anger and even after, he frowned and pouted for quite a while.

We asked the doc a few old wives' tale about jaundice and the conversation we had with the doc was quite funny. Let me put it this way:-

1) Bring out the baby under the sun can help to clear the jaundice - the doctor reply: it will only give your child a very bad sunburn if you are not careful and it does not help to clear the jaundice.

2) Drinking lots of plain water so that baby will 'pee' out the jaundice - the doctor reply: it will just make your child pee thats all.

Big bro Shadiq is all-time very helpful in taking care of his little bro. Help me to throw the pampers, patting him to sleep, occasionally play with his little bro (though very rough such as one time he threw a ball to his little bro) and soothe him when he cries. But jealousy is still there...sometimes he will get into very nasty temper tantrums, behaving like a baby such as insisting on being carried or throwing his things around when he couldnt get his way, even got into shouting or exchanging punches with his dad when he got scolded...

But it is so cute when they sleep together. I always made it a point to ensure that both of them sleep together in the afternoon so both bros knew that by 1130am, little bro will start to ask for milk and sleep after that. Big bro will hang around his room for a while then at about 12pm, he will ask for milk and sleep too. Then when both of them are asleep which can take about 3 to 4 hours, I can do whatever I want by then. Usually I sleep together with them for an hour or so before I do any housework. Then when both of them are up, Shadiq will play with his toys and Siddiq will stare endlessly at the world outside. I will be in between to ensure Shadiq dont start to throw toys around or play 'rough' with Siddiq. Then later in the evening, I bathe little bro first and then big bro. I usually bathe when Herman gets home. By then, his food is prepared to break his fast and along with Shadiq's dinner. After watching tv and playing with the boys for a while, at 830pm it is lights out for the bros to sleep.

That is my day to day story but I love every minute of it and wont trade it for anything in the world! Wonder what it would be like when I get back to work soon....

I Love My Kidz!

For my teacher's day gift, my admin got for me a book - Chicken Soup for the Mother of the Preschooler. It was very thoughtful of her and I love to read through the book. (remind me to kiss her when I get back to school. hahaha!) In this book, I came across a poem by Bonnie Compton Hanson that I think most of you can really relate to. I really recommend this book for those sentimental people out there (or if you are just looking around for a book to read).

Bedtime Miracle

I expected three small angels.
Instead I got three kids,
All flesh-and-blood, three wiggleworms
Too quick to blow their lids.

I asked for little cherubs,
All sweet and pure and wise.
Instead there's mischief, giggles and tears-
Each day some new surprise!

But at night when it is bedtime
And I kiss each shining face,
I find-oh blessed miracle!-
Three little angels in their place!

And finally, some more pics of my 'little angels' at their best (and at their worst!)

Pantun Hari Raya Pak Atid

A few days ago, I received some hari raya pantun via sms from my dad. It was quite funny to read so I thought to share it with everyone.

Ular arokonda pakai seluar
Bila dia membelet pokok seluar untuk begaya
Bulan hadapan bulan raya akan keluar
Sambil begembira baju raya dan kueh raya

Ular sendok oooi telan gajah
Udah di telan ooooi 10 tahun tak makan lah
Hari lebaran tiba lah sudah
Bemaaf lah kita kalau ada besalah

Needless to say, it took me some time at first to really read through the whole sms. I editted a few words here and there for easy reading in this blog. I guess some of you had received the sms so you know what I mean....

Finally....Baby Siddiq!

After 36 weeks and 2 days of waiting for our baby, finally he is here! Our thanks to all our family, relatives and friends who gave us their greetings, congrats and support.
Last Saturday when we went to the clinic around 10am, the doctor did the scanning and ask if we are prepared to have the baby early. After doing the VA, he said that considering the weight of the baby is above 3kg and cervix is soft, there is a good chance of inducing. We decided then to do it. The doc placed the pitocin in the cervix and told us to wait for a few hours for the medication to take effect. We decided to go to the engagement ceremony at woodlands. We reached Woodlands Point at around 1230pm and decided to walk around while waiting for the my dad. But half an hour later, the contractions started to kick in. Not so painful at first but grew more and more intense. Around 145pm later, we called my dad that we are going to rush to the hospital. So from then on reaching Eastshore at around 215pm, the process of labour started until finally at 613pm, baby Siddiq sees the world for the first time much to the delight of the people around us especially our gynae Doctor Aziz who looked very tired by then. (I was his 3rd patient and he had number 4 in labour at the next ward.) Well, to make the story short, he was circumcised and we were discharged on Monday afternoon.

Here are the details and pics of baby Siddiq -