DIY Baju Kurung

The night before I got back to Bangi, I finally managed to sew a decent baju kurung for Dinky Aeisyah. Well, I did sew ones for her for Hari Raya Puasa but the outcome was disasterous! But this time it was different. I know how to systematically cut the fabric for the baju kurung and and this time I could sew the neck opening properly. Thanks to my sewing lesson at Epal. Phewww!

'Lihatlah........Pandanglah.......'

The fabric is a SB Line cotton. I got it cheap at Kemaman, RM 8.00/metre. You can find it at Jakel but the price is usually RM25.00/metre. I used wrap button for this baju kurung because it is very hard to find a cute button here. The dress part is a 'kurung pahang' cutting while the 'kain' is 'susun tepi'. However, I need to lenghten the dress and improve the neck opening for Dinky Aeisyah's next 'baju kurung'.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha

Our family would like to wish "Selamat Hari Raya Haji" to all. Remember to drive safely. By the time of writing, I have finished packing all the stuffs but Mr Vediaz is still sleeping. He got back from his 12 hours of night shift this morning so he is GROGGY and GRUMPY. As a dutiful wife (Angkat bakul), I let him sleep first. This year we going back to Mr Vediaz hometown, Bangi. Since our journey is 'melawan arus', most people going back to East Coast but we going back to West Coast, hopefully the traffic will be a bearable ones. Kemaman is jam with cars starting from yesterday, thanks to it's single lane bridge :P. My brothers, Along and Atih, got back to Kuala Terengganu yesterday. They used the Jabor road because they wanted to avoid Kemaman and Dungun. However, the Bukit Besi road was blocked due to flood which forced them to exited at Paka and drove to Dungun. The traffic from Paka to Dungun was moving at 10km/h! My Along and his wife slept at Dungun yesterday because their little baby, Mc Dalila, was gone 'amuk'. To my family back at the ever laid back Gong Datok, Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha to semua. Mak, kalau ada rendang daging hitam, Angah nak sikit :P!

Maplestory

After Mr Vediaz, Dinky Aeisyah and I got back to Kemaman, our house was packed with my family and Mr Vediaz's nephew, Wan Abdullah. Abdullah is staying with us from last week till four of us get back to Mr Vediaz hometown for the upcomin Hari Raya Aidiladha. The main reason Abdullah agreed to go to Kemaman because he wants to play this online game, Maplestory. He plays Maple up to the wee hours. Memang pulun! Mr Vediaz took around two days just to download the newer version of this game. Then, Abdullah had to register his account again since his previous one was deleted due to an upgrade version. Since he is using our laptop to play Maple, I lost my privilege to the Internet...sigh...

Doing Their Things

These pictures were taken when Mr Vediaz, Dinky Aeisyah and I visited Mr Vediaz's elder sister at Shah Alam. The last time we went there when I wasn't yet preggy with Dinky Aeisyah. Fuhhh! That long! My sister in law has 2 muchkins, the talkative Salikin and the mischievious Adina. Salikin is already 4 years old and Adina is almost 10 months.

Ibu, can you get me this Mamut table?

From left: Dinky Aeisyah, Salikin and Adina. Salikin is showing off his wooden gun.

After the three stooges tired themselves from playing, it was time to fill up the tank.

Hensem la plak abang Salikin ni yer!

We're On A Holiday

Right now the three of us is at Subang because Mr Vediaz is having a forum over here. By the time of writing, Mr Vediaz has finished that dragging forum but we only have to check out on tomorrow's noon. When Mr Vediaz was attending his full course of forum, I drove around Subang area because yesterdaqy I want to go to two textile shops at SS2, Mikawah and Zhouhuo. Thanks to Mr Vediaz's GPS in his car, I managed to get to those shops.

The GPS that save my day!
"Dalam 300 meter, belok ke kanan"

My, the parking there was so challenging. For SS2 resident that is normal but to me it's way beyond normal. How "kampung" can I become :P. I badly need to go to those shops is because I want to find certain fabric that hard to find because I have several sewing projects in mind. I get back to you when I start my sewing project on those fabrics. I'm totally blank when you ask me about any places at Subang. I'm a 'kampung' girl from Terengganu. How am I supposed to know that? On my first day, I just wanted to get my breakfast and I ended up at the SACC Mall. Talk about clueless. Mr Vediaz was like "What on earth you're doing at Shah Alam? Can't you just go to the Subang Parade?" Helllllooooo! I've been to Subang Parade like twice in my entire life, the first one was when I was 14 years old and the last time was 2 years ago and I was sleeping on my way there. Mr Vediaz kept talking about " Go to the Federal Highway!" and my respond was, "Federal what? Are you speaking in codes?". Today, with a better sense, I turn on the GPS navigation software and search the nearest restaurant. After Dinky Aeisyah and I had our Breakunch (Breakfast+Lunch), we headed off to SS2 again. This time I want to go to the Craft World at Jalan SS2/55. I couldn't find that road yesterday so today is the day. Goshhh! Everything that screams the word craft, sewing, knitting, and quilting is there. The price is quite cheap compared to where I usually buy my sewing stuffs. I was calculating on a cutting mat, a rotary cutter and a ruler, but may be next time. I need to save up first because those tools are not cheap. There is a staff at the Craft World who is willing to give me discounts (Why, Oh Why?) but I managed to resist the offer. I need those tools to do my patchwork project at Epal but me being "Hangat-hangat Tahi Ayam", I need to know whether "I need or I want" those tools. (Ahh, malunya aku nak mengaku fakta ini!). Well, recession is coming and I better make wise decision when I shop right! Till now, the images of that large size Clover cutting mat, 45mm Clover rotary cutter and big size patchwork ruler (forgot the brand though) are lingering in my head. God! Help me!

The JAM! Tensen makcik!

The mundane looking Dinky Aeisyah. "Are we there yet?"

Swing And Sing

Yupp! Whenever, Dinky Aeisyah plays with her cradle swing, she will sings in her own language. When I asked to her teacher at Dinky Aeisyah's nursery, Teacher Ida said that, she needs to sing whenever she wants to put Dinky Aeisyah to sleep. No wonder Dinky Aeisyah loves playing with her cradle swing at home.

"Babaabaaa....Aaa...Daadaadaa..."

UPSR....

UPSR result was out yesterday. I was nerve wrecked the whole morning, waiting my headmistress to arrive from the district education office, along with the school's result. Alhamdulillah, out from 107 candidates, we have 8 5A's scorer. It is a small number compared to an urban school but last year we only had 3 5A's scorer. Apart from that, the number of students who scored A in English is increase by 6%. Those night classes were paid off! Well, because of this flying colours result, I will be teaching English Year 6 for UPSR 2009. To all my pupils who done very well in UPSR 2007, I wish you all the best in your upcoming future...sob...sob...I'll be missing you guys!

My Portable Feeding Chair

Remember this post about Dinky Aeisyah is starting to learn how to feed herself. After a long consideration, Mr Vediaz and I bought a Fisher Price portable booster chair for Dinky Aeisyah so that she can join us at the dining table. Overall, Dinky Aeisyah is happy with her new seat. Before this, she ate on our lap most of the time and after a while she started to grab anything that were on the table. Personally, I love looking at those pricey high chair but its size is so disturbing. That's why I chose this booster seat because its easy to fold, easy to clean, lightweight, portable and best of all, affordable. I got it from thelilcaliph.

Hey! Have a peek at my booster seat!

"Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet

Eating her curds and whey"

Helping Out

Mr Vediaz and I bought our house a few months after I knew I was preggy with Dinky Aeisyah. Due to unseen budget constraint for a first time home owner and a first time parents, our obviously small backyard was full with all the weeds that you usually come across. This month we both came up with a small budget to finally buy a full lot of grass for our backyard. Yaayyy! No more sore eyes whenever I wash my dishes from my kitchen's window. Thanks Mr Vediaz for making our yard look so much greener than any house on our row:P. Love U!

Seen here, Dinky Aeisyah with her abah.

Aiyo! longkang pun tempat main ka?

Waatcchaaa!

Mr Grassy, are you thirsty? Do you want some water?

I'm helping out my abah!

Dinky Aeisyah is Starting to Walk!

At one year and 2 months old, Dinky Aeisyah is finally showing her signs that she is going to walk soon! Yaayy! For some, it quite late but every babies has their own milestones right! But I already got some remarks that disturb me.

"Umur dah berapa? Dah boleh jalan?" Classic ones :P

"Anak umur berapa? Eh, sama lah tapi anak akak 10 bulan dah boleh jalan dah" with an excited tone

"Semua anak kita jalan bila dah 9 bulan"

I bet some of you do hear those lines before your child starts to walk. How inconsiderate! It's like, mommies try to outdo other mommies :P. I hope, I won't say that to others in future. It simply nasty.

Reading Time

Well, as a teacher, I envision that Dinky Aeisyah will be a reader when she grows up. But if I don't encourage her or read to her, how can she becomes one. Hence, I've been trying to buy her at least a book a month. Right now I'm concentrating on buying board books first. When Dinky Aeisyah reach the "can not tear any paper I encounter" phase, then I'll upgrade her to a picture book. Well, a good board book will cost you around RM 30 and above. It's not cheap but to me it's an investment for my child. A Grolier salesperson once gave his opinion on my decision on not buying his books because I want to keep my option open on those great books in the market.

"Madam, if you want to buy those books, one by one, it will take ages just to build up your own little library."

Well, I don't mind at all, because I'm determine that Dinky Aeisyah should be exposed to different types of writing of different writer.

Here, Dinky Aeisyah is reading, flipping and looking exactly, her Rod Campell's Dear Zoo. I bought it at the Borders sale. It comes with a jigsaw puzzle set. Purrfect!

Geeting cheeky with all the flaps in the book

Dinky Aeisyah apparently has a habit of smelling her book. A habit that Mr Vediaz and I share.

I happened to come across this blog that focusing on reviews on a lot of children books. A very dedicated blog on books. Run by two moms who are a reader themselves, they write books that they munchkins read on Sundays, books to teach on certain concept such as 'death' and so on. Such a great blog!

My New Indulgence

A week before Raya, I finally got my overdue birthday present from Mr Vediaz. He wanted to get a new sewing machine for me because I always borrowed my emak's Singer. Actually he bored watching the scene where I got to my emak's home, lugged the machine back to Kemaman, my emak visited me at Kemaman, she lugged her machine back to Kuala Terengganu. I've been eyeing a Janome machine for a few months already but hesitated a bit because there isn't any Epal Training Centre nearby (ie: Kuantan or Kuala Terengganu). Mr Vediaz didn't fancy Janome because he likes Singer better considering that a Singer machine is easier to maintain. His mom also has a Singer hence the preferences. After a lot of reasearching, I contacted a Janome agent in a forum and I managed to grab a RM500 voucher from her. So, Janome it is.

My preciousssss.........

From Left: Learning kit, pattern books, Magic Kit

Main functions:
- 22 sewing patterns including: jahit tepi, jahit lurus, button sewing, embroidery (without using the embroidery sewing frame), one step button hole sewing, zipper sewing, and jahit sembat. - can sew on thick fabric like leather and jeans.
- can sew on elastic fabric.

Features:
- double sewing (double sewing needle given for free)
- adjustable sewing size (broad and narrow sewing pattern)
- adjustable distance in between sewing pattern.
- sewing light
- thread cutter
- reverse sewing
- removable free arm.
- sewing plate with scale.

Suitable for:
- quilting
- clothing
- applique
- patchwork
- embroidery
- house interior decoration
- craft

From my experience, my 2049 performance is as a good as a Singer machine that is priced at RM1+++.++. Trust me guys, the price is not based on how many patterns a machine can sew; more expensive, more patterns; you can feel the smoothness when you sew with an expensive sewing machine. I also got the Magic Kit which consist of 15 sewing foots. There is a ruffler which you use to make ruffle for a blouse, a binding foot which can be used to sew piping and a lot more. Apart from that, I got free one year sewing lesson at Epal, well it is part of the package. By the time of writing, I have 2 projects pending under my belt. One is a baju kurung with a matching clog and another one is a quilted wall hanging. When I'm done with my sewing project, I'll post up some photos. Mr Vediaz is happy with my machine along with a phrase "Lepas ni ibu tak payah dah hantar upah baju, dah boleh jahit baju sendiri dengan baju abah sekali"....

Ibu-ibu Contoh

This evening I was blog hopping like hell. Macam qada' surfing lah ni. I bumped into this blog, There is a list of blog under a label of Ibu-ibu Contoh. and guess what, my blog is in THAT list! wow! Almost surreal...

My First Hair Tie

This is Dinky's Aeisyah first hair tie. Just want to have fun with her while waiting Mr Vediaz got back from work. Anyway, its about time that I tie her hair so that Dinky Aeisyah can get to used to her hair being tied. A good way to teach her about grooming! Omak jugak yang sonang!

Velcro Tape

Currently I'm cloth diapering Dinky Aeisyah by using the modern looking CD (cloth diaper). Although not exclusively (macam breastfeeding plak); Huggies at nursery and CDs at home and weekend, but I love using CDs. However, Mr Vediaz is not that keen with CDs usage because he can't stand the poops' smell! All Dinky Aeisyah's CDs are brand new and I bought it at several e-store that are selling these adorable CD. Mind you, the initial cost is quite expensive because its price is ranging from RM60 per piece and even RM120 per piece depending on the brand and the material. But this factor doesn't stop me, hehehe…I always use the same reason why I should buy those CDs, same with the reason that I use when I purchased my breastpump! I can use those CDs again with the next baby, by that time at no cost! Right now, Dinky Aeisyah is still wearing a CD with Medium size. I have CDs with snap and CDs with Velcro tape. Velcro tape is versatile because you can adjust the fitting, tighter or looser, but the Velcro is easier to be taken off. With snap, it depends on how many snaps does a CD have. With a lot snaps, its get complicated to handle but you can adjust the fitting better and vice versa. I have 3 CDs with Velcro snaps which are Bumgenius and Happy Heiny's. I love my Bumgenius a lot but not with Happy Heiny's. I don't like its back opening because it is too revealing. Last weekend, Dinky Aeisyah wore her Happy Heiny's before her morning bath. While I was preparing her tub, she managed to take the Velcro tape off! Her face was all eureka. Sigh! Now, I couldn't wear her with that cow print CD…

Wow, this can be taken off, emmmm.....

Oooppss!

Yaayy! It's now open sesame!

Raya Pics

I spent my first raya at my parents house without my husband around because Mr Vediaz was working his butt off on that day. On that first raya I stayed at home because I was too lazy to get out from the house. Ate, watched the idiot box, slept, ate again, wandered around the house, annoyed my emak :), bullied my sisters, and the list went on...Aaaah...whenever I'm at my parents house I'm always at cloud nine...can do what I want to do or simply do nothing :). It's more like an escapism theraphy and I sometime need that.

Dinky Aeisyah on the first raya.

The next day; second raya, Dinky Aeisyah and I followed Mr Vediaz back to Kemaman. I dropped him off at work and I went straight home.

Nooooo! Do I have to leave my Tok Ki and Tok Wan?

On the third raya, three of us went off to Penang because Mr Vediaz sf amily had plan a family gateway there.

Posing behind the wheel.

Dinky Aeisyah had a blast on Penang's famous ferry.

Selamat Hari Raya!

Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin to everyone! To Mr Vediaz, eventhough you're working on 1st and 2nd Raya, you are forgiven! To emak and ayah, thanx for everything. To Along, Atih, Nana, Min, Wawa, and Yaya, Angah tak payah mintak maaf sebab tak pernah buat salah kat korang pun! Acah jer!

Dinky Aeisyah Learns How To Feed Herself...Well...Sort Of

For the past two or three weeks (I can't remember), Dinky Aeisyah is now learning the rope of feeding herself. I got her a set of cheapo plastic spoon and fork because she can't use her munchkins dinosaurs spoon due to its long size. However, Mr Vediaz and I haven't buy Dinky Aeisyah a feeding chair. So, she learns to feed herself on the floor.

Alahai...duduk simpuh anak dara aku ni...

Jangan kata mulut, kaki pun nak jugak!

Ibu, look what I've done...

Right now, I'm eyeing a booster seat for Dinky Aeisyah. I don't want that bulky feeding highchair because I'm afraid that it would end up in the store room.

I love this Fisher Price booster chair. Portable, easy to clean and install. Tried to find it at Kuantan but none.

I love this expensive Tripp Trapp. So stylish and functional. If only it doesn't cost you RM9++.++! Better buy a new Medela Swing :). Better yet, find somebody who can do wood work and comes up with this.

The Day I Put My Breast Pump Away

Last week, I packed up my pumps because I'm no longer breastfeeding Dinky Aeisyah. It was heart wrenching while packing my buddies back into their boxes. I haven't pumping for more than a month but in those days, I left my avent ISIS on my Ikea shelf and my PISA on my working desk, hoping that this day won't happen…Remember my post about my supply was dwindling few month back. Well, I didn't take any galactagogue because Mr Vediaz was and still against of any supplementation. So, I power pump like hell. But I was so stressed with my workload (anybody does rite) and all those late night sleep which weren't helping my dire situation. Now, Dinky Aeisyah is on bottle. Sad but true. Whenever she takes her bottle, I kept thinking, weren't I trying hard enough? Should I be doing this and that? Deep down inside I know that pumping is sucks. It does but I look forward for my pumping session when I'm at school and looking at Dinky Aeisyah face when she nursed was the reason I kept going. I couldn't describe how I felt on our last nursing days. It was like; I don't want to stop nursing but my body telling me to…

Dinky Aeisyah is posing next to Mrs Vediaz breast pump. Initially, I bought Avent Out and About because I though that a manual ones would be sufficient. Boy, was I wrong. It took ages just to pump by one side and being a low producer, it didn't help. So, I settled for PISA and it worked like charms. Loving it!

My buddies...sitting side by side in the store room. These momies gadget really distinguish myself as a nursing mom and I'm proud of it. Eventhough I hate washing all the pumps parts, I do miss pumping. During those late night washing, I do wish I have a dishwasher at home so that I can stock up eight sets of horns, valves, membranes, you name it. After I finish pumping, I could just load those parts into the dishwasher and leave it to the next morning. Aaaahhh...blissful dream! You wish!

To those mommies out there, who are still breastfeeding, I salute you all because what you are doing is the best thing you can give to a child. May be I should get another dinky boo so that I can jump into the bandwagon again? Just kidding...

Dinky Aeisyah is One!

Last 31st of August, Dinky Aeisyah is finally ONE. Can't believe that my little dinky is now a toddler...

Dinky Aeisyah, weight at 2.97 kg and 58 cm long. Sleeping soundly in her bassinet before I was discharged.

Dinky's Aeisyah first bath.

When she was 3 weeks old.

On the day my parents and I brought Dinky Aeisyah back to Kemaman for good after spending my confinement back at parent's house.

Well, after I got back to my own house at Kemaman, the reality hit me big time. No time to do laundry, cooking, eating, you name it :) The transitional phase was challenging but Mr Vediaz and I got it through. Since I was new to my neighbourhood, I haven't make any friend with my neighbours. Now, I manage to know who can clean my house on daily basis :), the nearest confinement lady I could find, and even a weekly usrah group.

Left: Days before Diny's Aeisyah first haircut. Right: After we got back from the barber shop. Little miss botak was what her abah called her

When Dinky Aeisyah was 4 month old, Mr Vediaz and I had decided to had Dinky's Aeisyah hair the deserving trim. Her hair was a mess! When we were at this newly opened barber shop, there was this barber who kind of "alim" type of guy. He suggested that we shave all Dinky's Aeisyah hair. After thinking about it, we said why not. After that "alim" guy shaved our baby's virgin hair, he wipe Dinky's Aeisyah head with a mix of Zam Zam water and some saffron. Sunah nabi katanya. Then we headed straight to a goldsmith shop just to weight Dinky'y Aeisyah hair. It was RM7++.++! Kaaacchhingggg!


Fast forward to 31st of August 2008, Dinky Aeisyah celebrated her birthday without her abah. Mr Vediaz flight arrived at 0100pm on that day. Dinky Aeisyah likes to eat on her own, more like playing around with her spoon really, she always looks this messy whenever she eats. All babies do. This picture was taken at my parent's house.

The cake..

To my dearest Dinky Aeisyah...

Teddy bears and seas of blue
Smiling in honor of you
An infant, not long ago
Now, one candle is aglow
You are growing up so fast
How quickly a year has passed
You are special, sweet, and wise
A present before our eyes.

For a year, I’ve watched you shine
An angel I can call mine
Sent from Heaven, just for me
Filled with hope and dignity
A blessing, now and always
You brighten all of my days
Precious child, I love you so
More than anyone could know.

Baby’s breath and sun-filled skies
Ladybugs and lullabies
Starry nights and bright moonbeams
Tender hearts and lasting dreams
Each, a gift within your view
During this time, made for you
May only good things come your way
On this, your very first birthday.

By Jill Eisnaugle

Breastfeeding Stand Up

Whoaa! This video really cracked me up! When I was watching this video, I couldn't stop laughing because everything is so TRUE! "Don't Cry Over a Spilt Milk", yeah right. Speak for yourself. Nobody will understand how, we, pumping mommies feel whenever we drop our bottle. It is much worse than not getting a raise. The feeling, the angst....urrgghh. Eventhough it was sponsored by Medela and Amy Wilson showed off the new Medela Freestyle (I want it!), it doesn't bother me at all. Kudos goes to Amy Wilson who performed this stand. A mother of three under five, whom all breastfeed, she is known for her one-woman off-Broadway show "Mother Load," (www.motherloadshow.com) a comical look at the cutthroat world of competitive parenting. This standup comedy routine on breastfeeding was done at a summer 2008 luncheon for Chicago-area moms hosted by Medela of course.

I'm Missing My Mr Vediaz

As the title goes, Mr Vediaz is now attending a business trip at.......
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The land of Tulips! while I'm stuck here, typing this post...

He goes to Holland because he have to meet some vendors, I suppose, and he will be back in 10 days...counting! He better be back because Dinky's Aeisyah first birthday is just around the corner and I don't want to celebrate Dinky's Aeisyah birthday without him. And he better brings back a birthday pressie from Holland, same with me! Airport chocolates don't count as pressies.

Make Reading a National Hobby

I access the Kinokuniya website today and they are having this promotion on any book purchase. Well, I love going to Kinokuniya. They have a vast collection of books and their price ain't cheap but it depends on what book do you want to get. I remembered the first time I bought a book on zoology studies there back in 2003. I can't remember the book's title but it was hard to get and I need that book for my thesis writing. Because of my purchased was more than RM150.00, I got the Kinokuniya paperbag and I still have that bag. I brought the bag to my faculty whenever I had a class at a lab. Well, I studied in Penang, so nobody was seen carrying the Kinokuniya paperbag compared to Nike, Adidas, Guess and even Parkson at that time. So lame :) So, to all mommies who want to raise your child as an avid reader, do check this out.

My Third Dose of Munawwarah

Well, after months of contemplating a trip to Sri Munawwarah, I got to go to Munawwarah twice this week. Talk about being extravagant :). On last Monday, I went there with my twins sister. If I brought Mr Vediaz with me, it will make me feel guilty for making him waiting for me. I spent like 3 consecutive hours over there. Not to mention how much money I'd spent. First, I entered Number 14, then went to Number 16. After that Number 14 again. Back and forth. But, the Maisara limited edition tudung is so lovely. I got myself just one Maisara because the left prints were all quite dark tone. But, I'm definitely getting more of Maisara...Bila lah agaknya? Well, after all the spending, I got 3 Tudung Lina, 2 of it are from the festive collection, 3 Tudung Ameera, and 1 Tudung Maisara. I also bought a Jubah which suit with my new Maisara. Couldn't refrain myself. The jubah was on sale.

The exclusive ones are on top and below are Tudung Lina.

My new jubah with its matching Maisara

What Is Going On With Dinky Aeisyah

I haven't been diligent enough with posting on this blog lately. Somehow, blog hopping is more entertaining than typing all these post. However, I'm back in the game! Got to forget about my year six students for a while so that I can get my life back. Well, Dinky Aeisyah is now 11 months! Hoooray! By the time of writing, she has 30 days to go before she turns one. Time fly really fast. If, I open the Pictures folder in my laptop and browse all Dinky Aeisyah's picture, I realize that my little boo has grown a lot.

The little girl behind the wheels.

Nowadays, Dinky Aeisyah gets bored easily whenever we are on a road trip. So, Mr Vediaz set up a play area at the back seat so that his daughter can entertain herself. Notice Dinky Aeisyah's upper incisor.