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Wednesday 20 April 2016

Shopkins, Playmobil & Smiggle

Girl was presented with Shopkins by The Grandparents sometime last year and her collection has been growing ever since. Which deserves an organiser:


This year, she could not decide between Shopkins and Playmobil so they bought her both, for her birthday present. Syukur alhamdulillah.



A few of her classmates' parents got her belated presents too and her Shopkins, Playmobil and Smiggle collection grew even bigger. Ladies, you know who you are. Thank you for being so generous!!

We personally love and have stationery crush at Smiggle since 2012. Now that there is a store at Suria KLCC, we try to practice some self-restraint and keep to budget! It is at Ramlee Mall Level 2 of Suria KLCC. 

If you are out of ideas what to present a 6 year old girl with, my bet would be either 1 of these 3, or all of them if you are feeling generous. Have fun shopping!
Monday 18 April 2016

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Apologies for the lack of updates. Girl came down with RSV a couple of weeks ago. The Other Half took her to ER at PCMC when we noticed cyanosis. Yes, her lips turned deep blue like blueberries and it was quite alarming. Fever of 39C but she claimed to feel really cold and was shivering. Poor kiddo.

They gave her a blood test to know exactly what was happening. The report showed RSV. I had to Google it and turned to www.nlm.nih.gov for some reliable information.



The Other Half was having a flu at about the same time but he did not get the cyclical fever so we are not sure if the strain is the same. 

Anyway, the week that Girl caught RSV was the week the English Topical Test was being carried out. She managed to take 2/3 papers with Spelling & Dictation still pending. 

The following week, she missed going to school so we sent her in thinking her fever was under control but The Big School rang for our consent to administer Paracetamol because her fever spiked. Poor kid. From then on, she was kept at home on medical leave and only went to sit for her Math Topical Test. I did not even homeschool her, and treated it as a rest period for her. She brought home her Math results yesterday and for someone who had been really ill, she did well. Alhamdulillah. 

Well, something quite special happened. 

She was looking forward to joining the school field trip to a pizza and cookie factory and understood that no field trip accepts students with RSV or any illness. 

This morning, Girl got fit as a fiddle to join her classmates and teachers for a fun field trip to the pizza and cookie factory. I pray for safe return journey and that they all have a jolly time (then write History and Geography Topical Test papers later in the week).

Looking forward to hearing all her fun stories later today, inshaAllah.


Wednesday 13 April 2016

When Shall I Say Yes

Salam, my lovelies.

I went for my annual Pap smear yesterday and instead of the usual "We will call you if there is any problem" standard goodbye line, I was told something new. And slightly shocking.

It seems that I have 2 growths that need to be addressed.

"It is not life threatening, but I prefer if you have them removed for biopsy"

I know.

I felt angry, disappointed, angry, desperate, angry, "why me?"

"Why me?" Part of faith is being patient. Accepting His tests without impatience and doubt. Obviously, it is my turn to take this test now.

Never mind, let's do this while we catch it early. You name it, I felt it.

The last 24 hours have been .... an emotional roller-coaster. I would not have been so reluctant to pick a date had it been a LA but this is "minor surgery but requires GA" and I have my reasonable concerns.

What can I say, other than console myself with "syukur Alhamdulillah we detected this early" or "better now than later".

If for some reason I am late to update this blog:
To Drama Queen, thank you for the juice and pat on the back yesterday.
To Mamapumpkin, we shall talk about this later when you are back from Japan. I have my reasons for not telling you right this moment as you already have too much on your plate.
To Stonor Mummy, we can have more vegetables juice soon and catch up properly as "sisters".
To She Loves Coffee, thank you for your du'a. We shall eat that K-lunch soon, insyaAllah.

To the stranger who reads and wishes to help the leukemia-stricken single mum with a child taking his UPSR this year, THANK YOU. You have no idea how grateful I am for your kind heart and generosity. May Allah swt bless you abundantly for your good deeds.

Life is worth living (cleanly and healthily). Please do not let anyone else convince you otherwise. I am telling myself this to stay positive and undo my own negative mental shackles.

May 4th.

Yes. InshaAllah.

Lots to settle between now and then. Bismillah.

Thank you, my lovelies.

Sunday 3 April 2016

Work From Home: Support Network

Salam, my lovelies.

Seven years ago, I made the decision to quit the rat race to raise a young family. It is the craziest/bravest/stupidest decision I have ever made in my life (I must confess it is actually the best and appropriate decision given my circumstances).

We have no live-in helper. No driver.

When I was pregnant with Bean, I had Kak Saras come over on weekends to help clean The Flat. She did that for a few months until after my confinement. She used to help me out when Girl was first born too. Alas, she is too old to take on cleaning jobs now, and we have yet to find someone as trustworthy and detailed as she is. If you know of a live-out cleaning lady/housekeeper, please drop me a message. Thank you.

Recently, we also contacted a live-out helper to come in for a few hours twice weekly to help with ironing. She is a real blessing and I kick myself for not engaging her sooner! Together, she and I, we fight LaundryMonster. So far so good, Alhamdulillah.

Finally, we have a professional babysitter to watch Bean for a couple of hours when I take Girl out to her piano lessons. Ms R is someone we are familiar with as she was a former teacher at The Playschool. Bean adores her, to my huge relief! They read, watch Disney DVDs, share snacks and play when I am away.

Whilst we can and want to do everything ourselves, sometimes, we just need an extra pair of hands. With a spouse recovering from surgery, and my having 3 work-from-home jobs (other than being a full-time mum and wife), I feel this is a wise move and better employment of time/skills/energy.

If you have more coping tips, please do share!