Reviewing 2010

We decided to conclude our stay in ireland and decided to return to Malaysia for good. My wife was all nervous about returning home but I am very very excited. But towards the end she managed to calm down after she got an offer. On the other hand, I am all excited to bring my little one home. New place new life for us, especially for Lorelai. She will get to see grandpa(s) and grandma(s), aunties and uncles, and her cousins. I just can't wait to see the joy in her eyes. She will have people all around her. Hopefully they won't scare her though.

December 31st - We stayed at home. Sucked ain't it. Well, they both were still ill so we couldn't do much. I had one beer at home welcoming 2011 while they both were asleep. First time in my life I celebrated new year alone with a can of beer in my hand.

December - Last year when everyone was getting all excited towards the year end mood we (my wife and I) were engrossed by sickness-  flu, cough and cold. My wife got it first. Then my little one. Poor thing got hit the hardest. It was the swine flu. The UK affected the hardest where more than a hundred died. It scared me to death worrying about her. And after three weeks she strongly fought the illness and fully recovered. Thank God.

Christmas - Well, we are kinda alone in a foreign land. Just the three of us. But fortunately, my Argentine friend invited us to his Christmas Eve gathering. Yes we went. We mingled around with them (the all Argentines who are far away from home like us) throughout the eve. Lorelai enjoyed running around touching anything she could and thank God she did not break anything.

5th Anniversary - It could have been better but dining out with Lorelai was just impossible. She was uncontrollable when comes to table manners. Was it my fault though? We went to a local bar & restaurant (Bulls & Castle), which is just a block away from our apartment. We ordered BBQ Ribs, Rib Eye Steak and Seafood Chowder. Super good but just couldn't enjoy our meal. But she is part of the anniversary.

Daddy's Birthday - Just a happy birthday was all I get. That was a mutual understanding though. I think that's the end of any of my birthday celebration.

Lorelai's Birthday - Yeah...her first! Should be grand and jolly but instead it was gloomy. Just the three of us again. We celebrated at home. All we do was taking photos using auto mode. How I wish I have all my family members rejoicing the moment. Sorry baby. Next time will be a grand one for you. I promise.

Creche - Yey! After my in-law left we sent Lorelai to the creche. First we sent her to YMCA creche. It was a disaster. The worst creche and minders. They were rude and did not take care of babies professionally. Lorelai became less and less excited going to the creche and that was when I knew something went wrong. Until towrds the end she just did not want to go. She cried madly when I tried to leave her to the minders. They told me it was okay but I knew that she had been crying all day as I saw crumbs and crumbs of mucus in her nose. I bet they let her cried all day. So one day, I told them to call me if she cried for more than an hour. And they did. I closed my shop and rushed to the creche. They did not expect met to be there that fast though. There I saw Lorelai crying madly crawling on the floor trying to get her attention. So when she saw me opening the creche door she was shocked. The she said..."your daughter is very possessive!". And that's the last day we sent Lorelai over. That creche shaped the attitude of my baby.

Then we have to look for a new creche. We found one, which is justfew blocks away from my wife's office. Oh boy! They loved her overthere. And she loved it there too. They said she is the salesbaby as she gave good impression to all potential customers. Thanks to Fitzwilliam Creche and staff.

Mommy's Birthday - I bought her card but we did not do anything too. Stayed at home and enjoyed our homecook steak.

Mother-in-law's Visit - Thanks to her. While I was taking care of the shop whe volunteered to come over taking care of Lorelai. She stayed for over two months. I felt so bad for her as she gets to miss all her friends and hubby back home.  At the same time, my brother-in-law (Alphonsus) came over too.

Shop - We opened a shirt printing shop. I was very excited and all but it's life was cut short. Sales were increasing every month but still due to the current economic downturn it makes every shop operators nervous. The shop managed well until I left for home. It was the best experience I ever had. I learned so much and enjoyed doing it. Will do it again one day.

My Sister's Visit - My sister Christina came to visit us. Great! Oh such a lovely moment when we welcome her at the airport. Lorelai was clinging to her right away. I think she sees the resemblance.

London Trip - Last April we went to London meeting up with my brother-in-law (Anyi). Oh boy I was very very anxious to meet him. It has been months since the last time we met and back then Lorelai was not even concieved yet. This time he gets to meet Lorelai. How wonderful. We also get to meet my cousin Betty. Tired but worth going.

Lorelai 2011

Lorelai has grown so fast. Time flies. As much as you adore her at the age as fast as she grows. What can I say. She is 18 months now (today) and walk fast enough for me to run around chasing. She still has the baby talks saying things that we don't understand but yet it is very interesting to hear her. How I wish I know what she's talking about.

She dance mimicking TV and sings along with any tune. She loves the ABC, Hallelujah by Alexandra Burke, Fireworks by Katy Perry and Justthe way you are by Bruno Mars. She lovessssssssssss Tinker Bell. She can sit on her high chairs laughing and copying their actions until the end of the show.

Well, Lorelai experience so much lately. She may be 18 months old but she experience more than she should have. She had two white Christmas's and been here and there. She enjoys the snow but doesn;t like it long. Probably too cold.

We had our photos taken with santa. Lorelai is still afraid of santa. Still cried. We went to our friend's place christmas eve and she had all the funs hanging around with the older people. There one baby who is about her age and she went to be before nine. Lorelai stayed up until the time we left, after 11pm. She must be tired.

Well...we are entering 2011 and will return to Malaysia in 30 days time. She has no clue of what mommy and papa planned for the year. For one thig for sure it will be a culture shock for her. Lots of people and hot weather. She hasn't met any of our relatives from home yet apart from few of them. She must be overjoyed or scared. We will see...

My Poor Baby

There nothing more scary than to see your very own child not feeling well especially when s/he is your first one. And to make matter worst you are living in a foreign land away from your mother or mother-in-law or any of your relatives. I happened to fall into that category.

My baby girl fell ill yesterday when she was infected by a virus that makes her vomiting and having diarhea. As a matter of fact it was my fault. I was the one who should be blamed for all these. 24 hours before she gets her I was ill with the same sickness. It was so miserable as I have to go to the loo every time after the consumed anything. I vomitted several times too. Seen a doctor and had my medications and suppose to be okay soon after. Yes...I am okay with the sickness but not okay with the pain I have watching my precious little one suffering from what I just had hours ago. Obviously it was from me...

It started that morning when I fed her that she puked. i thought she was only too full or having too much in her mouth that she vomited. It was like pouring. I did not see or notice anything that might have happened to her. Then she passed motion which was different from the usuals -  yellow and much smelly. Still I was ignorant with that. As a matter of fact, I was texting my wife about it and she text me back saying she is still very adorable. Of course she is...she our baby our only child.

Until she passed motions more than the usual I began to question the whole scenario. Yes it was the virus infection! Damn it! I urged my wife to call the children hospital right away and hours later a doctor came over to our house - about 1 in the morning. "Nothing to worry about it's a minor one and she will be okay soon...". That's what the doctor said. They always say that. But it make me feel a little better although I knew for fact that I would not be able to sleep that night. After giving us few lines of advice there goes our seventy euro.

but to cut the story short, today after twenty-four hours she seems to be okay. She did it twice only which is very encouraging. No vomiting! Great...and she eats a little too. Thank GOD! I hope we all can sleep tonight...

I hope I don't disgust you guys. This is a lesson for all new parents... Cheers

7 Months...

More than half a year ago she was born. And now at seven months she did her first potty activity. She makes more sound than before making different sounds every week. I guess that's the process of growing up. I, on the other hand, happen to be the most luck father being able to observe all that.

Today is as important as any other day for us as I get to observe her very first potty activity. It took us twice as the first one was a miscall. And she did it later. It's really a relieve to see her doing it. Much easier for us and of course we get to use less diaper in the near future.

After seven months she is still the light of our life. We never stop taking pictures of her and listening to her laughs is as amusing as it was for the very first time. She eats regularly start taking little solid food one at a time. She eats little though compares to other babies. She never taken more than 120ml milk at a time and 3-5 scoops of cereal per meal meal three times a day. She takes from her mother in the morning then at 1pm and later after 6pm and before going to bed. Her main meals are at 10.30am, 4pm and 9pm. She goes to bed late at around 11 every night waking up around 9 in the morning. her naps are at 11am and at 4.30pm for an hour each.

Great Ending and a Fresh Beginning

2009 had been a great year. There were ups and downs but who cares. That's life. If there would be ups all the way then it's not life. Life is like a roller-coster the more challenging the ups and the downs the more interesting life tends to be. And if there would be downs all the way...we all would be dead anyway ;).

Yeah...I thought 2005 was a great year as this was the year when I got married. Guess not. My life has never been so exciting since last year from the day my little angel was born - remember July 17th. Yeah...that's the day. Talking about fruitful...I guess 2009 was the most fruitful year as it bring joys and smiles into my life. I may be a poor man but the existence of my baby child into this world gives me hopes and the determination to live a better life.

The fathering thing was tough then and I know that it will not be getting better from now on as we have many-many more to deal with in years to come. Am I ready for it...well we will have to see what comes along the way. I don't want to think to much about what's ahead of us as much as I want to have a brighter future for my little girl and our family and all humankinds. I think 2009 has brought me lessons that no other can teach but the natural instinct of me enabling myself to deal with the fact that I am a husband and a father. Good lord we live through 2009 healthily making life a much livable moments. Thanks to God and for most importantly...thanks to my lovely wife the mother of my twenty-four carrat diamonds (is there any twenty-carrat diamond though?) the love of my life our little Lorelai.

Holidays...

Well...as we all ended our year with a joyous celebrations remembering the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and rejoicing the end of the year I sincerely thank God for the lovely time we had during our holidays rejoining family members who are for most importantly new to Lorelai. As during Christmas time...we had a beautiful white Christmas and a lovely meal that we shared that very day. Since it was Lorelai first Christmas and it was also her first white Christmas. 

We went for our year end holiday in Groningen, Holland visited my brother-in-law, Alphonsus. Thanks to him who give us the warm house in a very cold weather. During the two weeks break we went to several places nearby Groningen and a little drive to a nearby German town called Oldenburg. Apart from the cold weather that we have to deal with our trips all went safely. But poor little Lorelai had to deal with the cold snowy & windy weather. I salute her for being courageous enough shading no tears traveling hours by car and walking hours through the cold. She did a great job. Great little girl. Big hugs from papa...


Looking Back...

Our new year celebration was quiet but it was still the best where we really shared our family moments watching the sky lit by fire works and Lorelai slept soundly, however. That was the day I looked back through all the days and moments and I smiled to myself for the beautiful life God has given me. I don't need a wrapped present under the Christmas tree as I have one that capture my heart. The night of the 31st was the moments when everyone looks forward for a new beginning leaving memories behind. For me was the time where I looked back thinking of all the moments I went through be it the ups or the downs. Thanks to our Almighty God as we all have completed our 365 days calendar with joys and blissfulness.


Looking Ahead 
Like any other days I look forward living a life with my beautiful little family. I pray for a healthier and wealthier days ahead of us. Dearly hope every will be fine in every endeavor we do and in every challenges we face and in every daily activities we deal with. I pray we move along graciously in days to come in the year 2010. GOD BLESS  

 

3 months 3 weeks

3 months a 3 weeks gone. And two weeks since her mother goes back to work. Life is more complicated now. And yet Lorelai doesn't take bottle milk although we have been trying for almost two months. Really frustrating. Moreover she misses her mother a lot  and cries  like no other business. So during the day she is quiet and slowly she realizes that there is no sign of mommy's voice. Later in the afternoon she cannot bear it anymore and bust with a cry...a cry that sound like you are missing someone. It's really miserable seeing her like that. We end up crying together. I really hate this part...it's really tormenting.

She's very much insecure now about being left alone even for a second. You have to be with her every second or else she will be crying like nut. It is just amazing how baby can control our life. Especially to those who can't afford to let them crying. I can't do that and that's why I become the slave of my child.

Well...I guess life has to move on. I pray and hope she will change after turning four month next week. Be willing to take the top-up and stop missing mommy as much as she did. I really hope she can be as playable like she's playing with mommy. I miss listening to her babyish laugh during the day as she laugh a lot during the night playing with mommy. I miss listening to her little chatterbox that cosntantly saying something I don't understand but yet very entertaining. The only thing I can hear now is the sound of her voice asking me not to leave her alone or her voice calling for me if I am not within her eye sight or her cries when I failed to fascinate her. I need my baby back...but still I love you sweetheart and adore you with all of my heart.

Finger Nails

So far so good. I am glad that I can be around every moment seeing my baby child growing and learning every new things and behavior she acquires. Babies are just amazing. They capture your heart every each moment you spent time with them. And that's what drowning my heart right now...my little sweetheart. Today was a long day out for her as we went out of the city. Well...we and managed and for most important she managed her moments well too except for the few things that she has to go through...when nature calls. And it is really important to go to a place where there are baby changing room made available where parents can have their babies for nappies change and breast feedings.

And a while ago I deliberately inflicted pain onto her as I tried to clip her nails. I have been struggling cutting her nails as they are really a pain in the neck for babies. She has scratches all over her face and even in the outer part of her ear. That's my most fear for now. And this evening I overdid it as the nail clipper went a little further a pinch her soft flesh in which I almost snapped it off from her little finger. Really hard to navigate the nail clipper as she moves so much. But luckily it was only a pinch..I did not cut it. Thank God. But she was crying with shock that caught me by surprise. I was devastated and feel so bad about myself. I panicked for a little while not knowing what to do as I watch her crying and screaming with tears dripping from the corner of her eyes. All I can do was crying along with her. I tried to comfort her but failed. Well...only mommy two jugs of milk can tame her from crying more. I hate those nails... And they are not getting shorter now after I failed to cut them earlier. Well...as father I will have to try again tomorrow...while she's sleeping. I got scolded for no reason... I deserved it though! Poor baby... Sorry my poor little thing...