Jun 30, 2009

Homeschool- Miya's Progress

Miya self obsessed tod? Ke Miya lonely?



Kalau Miya tak jumpa kawan dekat2 rumah ni ..tak lama lagi mama kena la bg Miya adik. Kesian Miya...

Also u can hear Miya said "La lah". Tu cara dia bahasakan diri dia. "La Lah" is Zahrah. Kekadang tu dia bahasakan diri dia "Iya". That is Miya.

Cute kan?

Jun 29, 2009

Where did Mama, Miya & Papa went missing for a week?



Ke mana we all menghilang satu family? We went to Auckland, NZ.

We got an email from the Australian Immigration on a Pre-grant of our PR. Then for them to make a decision, we must exit Australia 1st. So we booked the cheapest flight out of Australia, that is to Auckland on Emirates. We even took the earliest flight that checks-in at 4.15 am.

So the night before the flight, we went to bed at 8pm and woke up at 3am. Miya surely was excited. She was wide awake by 3.30.


This is a picture of Mama & Miya at the Myers Park. The building behind us is a kindie. Bestkan sekolah budak2 kat tempat yg sungguh green.

Anyway, on 25th June, we got out PR. So we celebrated with a big bowl of maggi ayam (with losts of vege & small chicken chunks-ayam kat NZ mahal. lamb murah) & a pint of butterscotch ice-cream. Miya makan byk tau ice-cream tu. Mujo hotel room ada heater, so its ok makan benda sejuk2.







SO NOW WE R AUSTRALIAN PR!!

Jun 19, 2009

Miya on a Boring Winter Day

Jun 16, 2009

Appetite Slump in Toddlers

What is an appetite slump?

Between 1 and 5 years old, it is normal for a toddler's appetite to slow down. It will probably seem like your child doesn't eat enough, is never hungry, or won't eat unless you spoon-feed her yourself. As long as your child's energy level is normal and she is growing normally, your child's appetite is most likely naturally slowing down.
What is the cause?

Babies may gain 15 pounds during their first year. Between 1 and 5 years of age many children normally gain only 4 or 5 pounds each year. Children in this age range can normally go 3 or 4 months without any weight gain. Because they are not growing as fast, they need less calories and seem to have a poorer appetite (this is called physiological anorexia). How much a child chooses to eat is controlled by the appetite center in the brain. Kids eat as much as they need for growth and energy.

Many parents try to force their child to eat more than she needs to because they fear that her poor appetite might cause poor health or a nutritional deficiency. This is not true, and forced feedings actually decrease a child's appetite.
How long will the appetite slump last?

Once you allow your child to be in charge of how much she eats, the unpleasantness at mealtime and your concerns about her health should disappear in a matter of 2 to 4 weeks. Your child's appetite will improve when she becomes older and needs to eat more.
What can I do to help my child?

* Put your child in charge of how much he eats at mealtime.

Trust your child's appetite center. Children eat as much as they need. Your child's brain will make sure he eats enough calories for normal energy and growth. Serve well-balanced meals. If your child is hungry, he will eat. If he's not, he will be by the next meal. Even reminding him to eat or to eat more will work against you.
* Allow one small snack between meals.

The most common reason for some children never appearing hungry is that they have so many snacks that they never become truly hungry. Be sure your child arrives at mealtime with an empty stomach. Offer your child no more than two small snacks of nutritious food each day, and provide them only if your child requests them. Keep the size of the snack to 1/3 of what you would expect him to eat at mealtime. If your child is thirsty between meals, offer water. Limit the amount of juice your child drinks to less than 6 ounces each day. Let your child miss snacks if she chooses and then watch the appetite return. Even skipping an occasional meal is harmless.
* Never feed your child if he is capable of feeding himself.

Parents of a child with a poor appetite will tend to pick up the spoon, fill it with food, smile, and try to trick the child into taking it. Once your child is old enough to use a spoon by himself (usually 12 to 15 months), never again pick it up for him. If your child is hungry, he will feed himself. Forced feeding is the main cause of eating power struggles.
* Offer more finger foods.

Finger foods can be started at 6 to 8 months of age. Such foods allow your child to feed herself at least some of the time, even if she is not yet able to use a spoon.
* Limit milk to less than 16 ounces each day.

Milk contains as many calories as most solid foods. Drinking too much milk or juice can fill kids up and dull their appetites.
* Serve small portions of food--less than you think your child will eat.

A child's appetite is decreased if she is served more food than she could possibly eat. If you serve your child a small amount on a large plate, she is more likely to finish it and gain a sense of accomplishment. If your child seems to want more, wait for her to ask for it. Avoid serving your child any foods that she strongly dislikes (such as some vegetables).
* Consider giving your child daily vitamins.

Although vitamins are probably unnecessary, they are not harmful in normal dosages and may help you relax about your child's eating patterns.
* Make mealtimes pleasant.

Draw your children into mealtime conversation. Avoid making mealtimes a time for criticism or struggle over control.
* Avoid conversation about eating.

Don't discuss how little your child eats in her presence. Trust your child's appetite center to look after her food needs. Also, don't praise your child for eating a lot. Children should eat to please themselves.
* Don't extend mealtime.

Don't make your child sit at the dinner table after the rest of the family is through eating. This will only cause your child to develop unpleasant feelings about mealtime.
* Common mistakes.

Parents who are worried that their child isn't eating enough may start some irrational patterns of feeding. Some awaken the child at night to feed her. Some offer the child snacks at 15-to 20-minute intervals throughout the day. Others permit snacks that are larger than a regular meal. Some try to make the child feel guilty by talking about other children in the world who are starving. Others threaten, "If you don't eat what I cook, it means you don't love me." Some parents force their child to sit in the high chair for long periods of time after the meal has ended. The most common mistake is picking up a child's spoon or fork and trying various ways to get food into her mouth.

How do I prevent feeding struggles?

The main way to prevent feeding struggles is to teach your child how to feed herself at as early an age as possible. By the time your child is 6 to 8 months old, start giving her finger foods. By 12 months of age, your child will begin to use a spoon and she should be able to feed herself completely by 15 months of age.

When you feed your child (before she is old enough to feed herself), you can wait for your infant to show you when she is ready to eat (by leaning forward, for example). Let her pace the feeding herself (for example, by turning her head). Do not put food into a child's mouth just because she has inadvertently opened it. Do not insist that your child empty the bottle, finish a jar of baby food, or clean the plate.
When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call during office hours if:

* Your child is losing weight.
* Your child has not gained any weight in 6 months.
* Your child also has symptoms of illness (for example, diarrhea or fever).
* Your child gags on or vomits some foods.
* Someone is punishing your child for not eating.
* Following these guidelines has not improved mealtimes in your house within 1 month.
* You have other questions or concerns.

Written by B.D. Schmitt, MD, author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.

Jun 15, 2009

Mommies coping with stress (part 5-our stress affects our chidlren too)

Jun 12, 2009

Parenting Mistakes

The Sneaky Chef-Yup I have to be sneaky with Miya..

Jun 8, 2009

Woman's Hormones & Headaches?


Last night I had my 1st migraine after more than a year of not having one. Amazingly, since I got pregnant, gave birth and being a mom for over a year... never for once I had migraine. Pounding, clustered, left side pain kind of headache. Usually it is just the normal stress headache of being a wife and a mom. But last night, it was the real McCoy; The legendary migraine that is related to my menstrual cycle!

Menstrual headaches are primarily caused by estrogen, the female sex hormone that specifically regulates the menstrual cycle fluctuations throughout the cycle. When the levels of estrogen and progesterone change, women will be more vulnerable to headaches. Because oral contraceptives influence estrogen levels, women on birth control pills may experience more menstrual migraines.

Migraine attacks in women are more likely to occur in the perimenstrual period and occur exclusively so in some women. The acute treatment of menstrual migraine is similar to that of non-menstrually related attacks, but the response to treatment may be less favourable. Perimenstrual prophylaxis, with NSAIDs, triptans or estradiol, is effective in decreasing attack frequency and severity. I always take synflex, since I’m allergic to Ponstan. Ponstan will increase the nausea and I my face will be swollen. So, Synflex had been my buddy since I was a teen, but since I’m a breastfeeding mom I’ve mellowed down a bit on the Synflex intake. So last night when I had the “attack” I had 1 piece of 700mg paracetamol, but it work like Nada..nothing happened....and I braved myself and let the pain took it’s course.

Back on the relevancy between the women’s body and headache, the female reproductive system comprises the vagina, uterus (womb), fallopian tubes and ovaries. Hormones secreted by the ovaries and a small gland in the brain called the pituitary gland control the menstrual cycle. The average cycle is around 28 days. After a period, rising levels of the hormone oestrogen help to thicken the lining of the womb (the endometrium). At mid-cycle, an egg is released from one of the ovaries (ovulation). If the egg is unfertilised, falling levels of the hormone progesterone make the womb lining come away. This is called a period, or menstruation. The cycle then repeats.

From such information, I’m concluding that the drop in my hormones balance is causing this migraine right? From my reading, I may create balance to the hormones if I can increase certain type of nutri during my period. All this while I have made the habit of taking double dose of pramilet during period, but why am I still having this headache? Hubby told me that he read in some articles, having extra vitamin Bs may help. So today I’m gonna try & have a few extra intake of Vegemite and extra portion of green vege. See if it works. If mommies out there is having the same prob, give my theory a “fair go” and post a comment on this topic, i would really appreciate it. Later I’ll post a comment here on my updates.

p/s-doa2 the pain goes away soon. I only have 10days to my research paper’s submission date..HELP & DOA needed!

Jun 6, 2009

President Obama Speaks to the Muslim World

Jun 4, 2009

Mommies coping with stress (part 4-Me deciding on quiting job to be stay at home mom?)




During my entire career as a working-mother, I have been torn, pushed and pulled between my job as a mom and the one that earned me a paycheck. For so long I wished I could afford to be a stay-at-home mom, longing to be with my baby when she is still tiny and being disappointed at how many events I had to miss because they occurred during the day while I’m at work.

Be careful what you wish for. Now that I took a way out of my working life by being a student. We took out a bank loan of RM100K and left everything in Malaysia to start out life here in Melbourne. I defaulted my PTPTN repayment scheme, we rented out our condo thinking that it will pay out by itself and we loaned out Cefiro to my FIL. The money we borrowed from the bank is supposed to be sufficient to sustain out living in the land downunder for only about few months til end of May 09 and so the rest of the cost of my studies and our expenditure will later be covered by my hubby’s salary. However, fate works in Allah’s mysterious ways, my hubby had been laid off by the company that he was working with for only 2months and now he had applied for a thousand jobs. So far only 2 job interviews and no luck yet. Insyaallah...Our cash is only enough to cover our rent & spending for max of 2months only. So doa that our luck will turn to the better within these 2 months. Insyaallah...

Anyway, back on topic, between me being at home studying, doing my take-home exams, doing research, trying to write my research paper and hubby being at home on job-hunts, I still feel like I’m working all the time. I’m glued to the computer all day (partly doing relates to studies, besides blogging, chatting, watching anime/movies/series& playing games), I’m doing housework, I’m nursing, I’m babysitting, I’m teaching and etc. Usually by 10pm, I’ll be looking worse that ‘orang lidi’, drained and frail. Wonder if my hubby feels the same way because he is also always in front if the PC, babysitting, once or twice a week doing the laundry, and teaching Miya.

Truthfully, there are times I wish I am at work. There I can do better in concentrating on thoughts and it is when I get most of my “me time”. Also I wish that I’m working, so that we can have extra cash and I can get Miya covered under IHI and be insured for USD1.2million (that’s one of the benefit I got when I was working. That’s why I could afford to get pre & post natal care under specialist in Gleneagles Intan MC and deliver Miya for free. Stayed in their best suite for 5days!) But would I really had enjoyed any of this since I’ll be away from Miya?

Some experts in early childhood development believe there's no substitute for the consistency and nurturing of parental care. So it doesn’t really matter if you are a stay at home mom, or you sent your child to babysitter, daycare or Montessori. However, as a stay-at-home parent you'll know that your child is being cared for by someone who's going to be around for a long time and not a caregiver who might take another job next month. Right? And you'll be directly supervising your child's care, making sure it's in a relaxed, nurturing environment.

And you'll be there to see all those "firsts," which can be incredibly satisfying. These few days I was so proud hearing Miya saying a few words that actually bring meaning to communication. She said hat to Dipsy’s hat. She said cat when she saw my desktop icon. Last night she said baby when I showed her pictures when she was a baby.

For some families, it's actually less expensive for one parent to stay home than it would be to pay for childcare. (For moms who wants to consider the option to stay at home, read more about measuring the cost of staying home.)

And if you can afford it, you may find that staying home reduces your stress level. Many parents decide to stay home after trying unsatisfactorily to balance work and family. The long hours and the feeling of cutting too many corners leaves them feeling burned out.

In this modern world, we can say that “coin has two sides”. Money can be good and can be evil. This is factual because I am feeling it. I feel worried when I go groceries shopping; up to the point I calculated that the price of 1 chicken wing is cheaper than 1 egg. I had to plan for daily menu that can save us money. I feel guilty if I need to buy any skincare and cosmetics. I sometimes had lost the desire to look at apparels. Huhuhuhu...But at the same time, this money sustains our life and does makes us feel good to feel alive.

Anyway, before thinking of being a stay at home parent, check out some facts 1st. Do a reality check.

1. You may also find yourself worrying about when and how you'll resume your career and whether you'll be penalized for taking time off.

2. And while you won't be shelling out thousands of dollars each year for childcare, choosing to stay home is a complicated economic decision. Many families with a stay-at-home parent find they have to budget carefully and devote more time to bargain hunting than before. You might have to substitute camping trips for hotel vacations, cook at home instead of eating out regularly, and make other lifestyle choices that may not be appealing.

3. Also, as your child grows into toddlerhood and becomes more active and social, he'll miss out on the automatic socialization that happens in daycare and other group care situations. Some stay-at-home parents find that after a certain age, providing enough stimulation is challenging.

4. Choosing to stay home could create new tensions between you and your partner if he or she isn't fully supportive of the idea. So make sure you discuss all the repercussions thoroughly before making this weighty decision.

For me, yes I do worry about my career. But since I’m pursuing my Master’s degree and get to stay at home with Miya, I feel like I’m killing 2 birds with 1 stone. I get to advance my career while not working and pay full attention to Miya. However, we do feel that pressure for not having enough income and also the pressure to come up with my tuition fees for each semester. I do feel bad for my hubby because I know he feels the stress more than me. He is the head of the family, the one that is responsible to bring food to the table. The breadwinner. I wish I could help, but I’ve made my choice of not to work. So the only thing I can do is to make sure that his trouble is worthwhile. Try to cheer him up, care for him, cook good food and try to get great marks in my studies. He has been very supportive on me doing my studies. Finally the 3rd point I mentioned earlier of child & socialization, there are times I feel bad for Miya not having any friends to play with. I’ve been wanting to bring her to some playgroups, but there are times I am just so busy, but most of the time I am just Malas. So Miya berkawan with only the both of us and also TokMa on occasional skype session. The rest of the time, Miya played with Lilia, Lulu, Tappy, “Cat with handbag” and my kitchen tools. Sometimes Miya just sembang with Elmo, Teletubbies, IglePigle & Daisy on video. I do wonder if I’m depriving her from any challenge for her development and stimulation.


note-this is in response to my bestfriend's troublesome thoughts and also to other mommies out there who wanna quit their job.

Jun 3, 2009

The Importance of Baby Wipes to Mama Miya?



Brad Pitt Keeps Clean With Baby Wipes? No time for a shower? Freshen up with a baby wipe or two! Apparently that's what dad-of-six Brad Pitt does.

Actor Eli Roth tells People that Brad, 45, offered up the unusual hygeine tip while the two were working together on the set of their film, Inglourious Basterds.

"After a scene, Brad had to get next to me for a close-up shot, and he said, 'Damn, you're ripe.' I said, 'I didn’t have time to shower.' He said, 'Baby wipes, man, baby wipes.'"

It seems that showers can sometimes be a luxury in the Jolie-Pitt household. Eli recalls Brad's explanation: "I got six kids. All you've got to do is just take [the baby wipes], a couple quick wipes under the pits. Man, I'm getting [peed] on all day. I don't have time to take a shower."

What did Eli think of his co-star's advice? "I thought that was the greatest tip," he says.

Eleh En Pitt, we mommies dah lama tau baby wipes tu antara benda paling penting perlu ada dlm handbag. Tu la lap bontot anak, tula lap tgn & muka anak. Tu la yg i buat lap ketiak (every 1hour) on the days I sampai opis/uni, then i sedar i lupa pakai deodorant coz pagi td rushing before kluar rumah. Tu la yg buat lap toy anak or any of the baby stuff yg terjatuh atas lantai, jalan or tanah. Tu la yg buat lap babychair kat foodcourt or restaurant...I guna tu jugak utk cuci microwave & fridge. it is also useful nak lap habuk kat rumah....Also tu la jugak buat remove make up...also yg paling penting for me here now, very useful kalau pegi public or uni's loo (almaklum aa, mat & minah salleh ni tak cuci bontot. so mostly mmg takde bidet kat loo diorang)..

So I rasa i patut beli saham company buat baby wipes...Maybe ada chance cepat kaya...

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor nor am I a lawyer. I am not a scientist nor am I an expert. I am just a wife and a mother, who is putting her thoughts and findings in a blog. All of the posting on this website & my blogs were written by me for educational purposes and as my sentimental library, but are not meant to diagnose nor treat any medical disorders. Any other materials that I may have quote from other published materials are for educational purposes only and not for any other manipulative reasons. Anyway, whatever weird stuff that I published are the real stuff that I believe works for me. Tips and tricks that might work for me. You are free to put it in your head if you thinks its valuable, but if you think its rubbish... Please don't mock me. Do please shut your pie hole.
 
HACKED BY YOUR FUCKING LASER
BANGSAT-BANGSAT MALAYSIA, KALIAN MEMANG
GENERASI YANG BERMASALAH PRESTASI NOL
TAPI KESOMBONGAN LUAR BIASA
ULAH SUPORTER KALIAN YANG MAIN LASER
ADALAH CERMIN DARI SIFAT KALIAN YANG MEMALUKAN
BLOG INI DI HACK OLEH LASER HIJAU KALIAN YANG MENGGANGGU PEMAIN INDONESIA
FUCK YOU UP!!! son of a bitch