The First Day...

Hahaha.... The topic cannot get away from no helper issue. Anyway, my mom manages to get part time to clean the house every alternate day. It is not so bad after all. 

I can no longer denied the fact that I am a fussy person. Hahaha...I went home yesterday after picking up Chloe from Bao Bei. I came home saw a messy play area, which is a usual scene that I see every day. However, the thought of cleaning up the mess is getting into my nerves, and I started to look for uncompleted tasks... Sticky Flooring, Unclean and Oily Dinning Table , unfold clothing, lots of ironing for the kids, endless list... 

I didn't manage to clean at all or even fold those clothes, after I changed my children and put them to bed, I dozed off too... 

By the time I woke up, it was already 6.40am. Hahaha.. I jumped off the bed and quickly rushed to do up my girls' laundry. The Washing Machines "said" 35mins to complete the washing, so that I thought it is more than enough time for me to hang the clothe to dry. 

I went on cleaning my girls' bottles, preparing their water bottles and snacks for school. I don't even have enough time to make anything, and I just gave them slices of crackers for snack. 

Chloe woke up and asked for her Milk, GREAT!, good timing. It was already 7.15am. While I was preparing Chloe's milk, I woke Clarisse up by repeating "Good Morning, Clarisse. Time to School" loudly. 

I quickly went into room to get ready for work while my girls are having their milk time. Hahaha...seriously, I didn't know what had happened. I showered briefly, I brushed my teeth BRIEFLY, I simply grabbed anything that I can see from my wardrobe and put them on, skincare? simply put on moisturizer and brush on the foundation and blushers...that's it. All in 5 mins. *sigh* 

Then, I went on to change Chloe & Clarisse. Luckily, my mom came out from her room and assisted me. Honestly, without her help, I will probably still not done with grooming these two grouchy daughters by 8am. 

The washing machine had not stopped. It stated there 5 mins more to finish the washing, so I waited while getting my girls cereal for their breakfast. After 5mins, it was not done. 

We were late, so I asked help from my mom with the laundry, and we left home and here I am now in the office blogging. *sigh*

I will be home earlier today, hopefully I can get more stuffs done.

Hubby told me not to be so stringent on every trivial matters, take it easy. Once I get the momentum, everything will come and be done naturally. It's easy for him to say because he is not here to SEE it himself. We are the same, and he is even worse, he really nags on EVERY SINGLE TINY BIT OF MATTER such as...... ahem..forget it. 

Oh...Mei Mei is having some allergies on her both thigh after consuming ceaser's pet food. Yeah, I know it's weird. Mei Mei can't take Dog Food, she has a very strict diet which is Boiled Chicken and Rice. That's it. And that keeps her healthy. My brother's love unintentionally causes her pain and itch. I brought her to the vet, and the doctor said it doesn't look too bad. Now, Mei Mei is in the Pet Grooming enjoying her spa. I shall pick her up @5.30pm and head home earlier today.

*phew*.... 

Life goes on ....

This morning, I woke up at 5.30am. What for? I couldn't stand the stickiness of the flooring and I know very well that my "precious" maid is not going to do anything on it since she will be too excited about the returning home today (10.50am flight).

Fair enough, main house chore is not under her job scope, as she is mainly handling the children's everyday's life which include children's laundry, children's meals, children's hygiene and anything related to my children. She saw me mopping, and she initiated to take the mopping task. But I told her that she should get herself ready and make sure all the laundry is done properly which she did cause she woke up at 5am. 

Anyway, mopping is an easy task, it seems.... A few rounds of mopping are good enough to cause blisters on my precious hands. Before I moved back to my mom's place, Hubby and I was living on our own with no maids. We coped absolutely well, and now, with children around, we have to manage the endless messes like food stains, liquid stains, filthy footprints and handprints, toys, books, pens, pencils, puzzles in every corner of the house. 

Hubby and friends are asking me to let loose and not be too particular in the cleanliness, as long as it is "not too bad". Please define "not too bad". Any checklist to benchmark "not too bad"? I can't! I am not a VERY fussy one, but these messes are the sources of germs, and germs are the source of illness. 

Oi? Hahaha...Ya...I want to boast about getting up early to mop the floor and complain about about the blisters that I am getting on my hands. It took me more than 30 mins to mop the living area and the play area, once with detergent and once with water. *phew* I don't need epidural to have life-long backache, I just need to continue to mop and mop and mop. The posture of mopping is really not good for the back. 

I am fortunate enough that my mom is willing to take over the care taker's job.    *silently* Call me a "freako"!!!! I don't think my mom can handle my girls. She was so so so stressed over no maids cleaning the house and had been very moody since our maids left. She was fine for the first two days, and it got worse days after days. That's why we avoid talking to her for the last few weeks. Opps! Sorry. I know how she feels because I had the same pressure last night when I started thinking my girls without Novi.

I know it's silly. EVERY MOTHER IN THIS WORLD has to take care of their own children, what is the big deal. Well, it's no big deal. I am just too pampered, and had been living in a luxurious life since the birth of Chloe. 

Life goes on. My mom is here for me. My Dad (a.k.a Boss) is very loose with my presence in the office, which makes me the luckiest girls in the whole wide world. I must said I have a team of good colleagues, who works terrifically on their duties, and that's make me double, triple, quadruple of LUCK LUCK LUCK. Look at the bright side, sun still shines and life goes on, with a little twist on the process in life such as simple house chores and a full control of my girls' everyday life. This is AWESOME, don't you agree? I Love It!!!!!

Novi is going home

Yes, our helper is returning to Indonesia for 3 weeks holiday next week. 

Remember how I boasted about having three maids at home and the Intelligent Robotic Vacuum Cleaner that I bought online was redundant. This statement is no longer valid as the fact is I have been using the Intelligent Robot for almost 2 weeks daily. 

The story begins with my mom's first maid who had returned to her hometown for good last month. Unfortunately, the second maid who supposed to come back in MID AUGUST, after her one month holiday, stood my mom up, and didn't make her presence anymore. Her reason of absence is insignificant since she had decided not to continue her employment as promised. Anyway, her reason was her sister's MAN spent all her money and she had no money to fly to Malaysia ?? My mom bought her a return ticket, isn't it? Well, whatever it is, the conclusion is my mom has no helpers anymore. 

As for my case, I reiterated my concern to Novi if she is coming back to continue her service. She had also provided me a positive response. Well, Hubby and I don't mind if she had decided to return for good. Nevertheless, all we ask is that she has to be clear to us so that we can get ourself prepared for the necessary. 

We tried not to be too pessimistic over this matter, just like the chinese sayings "船到桥头自然直“ - we'll cross the bridge naturally when we come to it. Come what may, we shall wait till the day, and we are sure it can be resolved ??? !! 

Hahahaha..it is always easier to claim our calmness in resolving domestic issues like this, but the fact is I will have to stay home for at least 3 weeks OR even maybe longer (if Novi doesn't turn up later). I can't take such a long leave. My sister told me to take the chance to be stay-at-home-mom like I wished before.   I have too much concerns to quit my job totally...like..ahem.... I am not financially secured yet. Yes, call me selfish. If I am not, my children won't be. I learned that I can't rely solely on ahem..

In any case, I don't have a choice. I will have to take 3 weeks unpaid off from work and take care of children.... Shall update the fun of the coming 3 weeks, and more joys weeks after and after.....

A Phone Call Home

Ring Ring Ring....

Chloe picked up the call

Chloe : Hello, Who is this?

MaMa : Hi Baby. This is MaMa. Who is this?

Chloe : Chloe

MaMa : How are you?

Chloe : 4 Years Old

MaMa : No, MaMa asked Chloe How are you? Not How old are you.

Chloe : Fine, I am Thank you. How are you, MaMa?

MaMa : Hahaha....I am Fine. Thank you.

Clarisse snatched the phone from JieJie, and MaMa heard JieJie's crying in the background and KaKak's voice trying to deal with two sisters fighting over a phone.

Clarisse : HELLO! * In her super High Pitch & Loud Voice *

Clarisse : How are you? I am Fine. I go BaoBei. Okay. GoodBye, MaMa. I love you. I Miss You.

Dooo...Doooo...Dooooo......

Clarisse hanged up, leaving MaMa Speechless...... Smiling with the disconnected  phone call....

Clarrise is 2 !

Clarisse is TWO!!!!!! It means I have to face the "Terrible Two" Challenge once again. LOL! Turning Two marks an important milestone in part of her growing up because this is the time where Clarisse knows how to throw tantrums and play tricks to seize our utmost attention. 

This mini "monster" of mine is growing to be independent and learning fast on how to express her emotion especially ANGER. This is probably why people come up with the term "Terrible Two". When Chloe was 2, she cried a lot. Practically crying for every single teeny-weeny matter EVERY SINGLE MOMENT. Everyone told me that Chloe was manifesting her jealousy of her newborn sister then. Haha.... Yeah, Age 2 is the important phase for my babies or maybe all babies because they learn how to FEEL and then EXPRESS through CRYING. MaMa is glad that Clarisse is smiling and laughing more compared to when she was little. HaHa.. She is very expressive now, and this includes rage and sadness. When it comes to dealing with her anger, Clarisse sings the song of VICTORY over MaMa. She is headstrong and never give ways in any circumstances. 

Take for instance of what happened just hours ago, Clarisse cried and contended against MaMa and EVERYONE else, just because she wanted to follow Ah Yi's car ride home. Ah Yi cannot handle TWO, besides, Chloe hopped into the car very quickly and ZOOM they left, leaving MaMa with a crying baby kicking hard to display her discontentment. No matter how I tried to comfort her, she refused to listen and being very persistence "I want to follow Ah Yi's car". She wants it, that's it. 

"I want to follow Ah Yi!" ...Sobbed continuously.

MaMa let Clarisse cried all she wanted as I didn't know what I can do to soothe this uncontrollable outburst. I tried to divert her attention away from Ah Yi. I tried to hug her tight and tell her that I love her. I tried to punish her by making her pulling her ears. I tried to COMMAND her to stop crying. None worked and she kept on crying and crying and crying. It was tremendously heartbreaking to see such scene. *sigh* MaMa started tearing too, secretly. She took a long long time to finally realize that Ah Yi's car had disappeared, and she had concluded that there was no reason for her to continue the battle with me, and hence, she stopped; gasping....still. 

Clarisse likes to do the opposite of what I told her to do for me. When I asked her to come to me, she ALWAYS run away from me. I told her to count 1-10, she likes to reply "I dunno?" - in her high pitch voice. When I told her to match the colors or shapes, she always mismatch them even though she knows the her colours and shapes rather well. Headache. 

It is definitely not an easy task to "tame" my little "monster. PaPa wants me to use the harsh way, teach her a lesson when she misbehaved. But, I know my  daughter well. The hard method will never work on her and eventually she will not find "love" in us. I want to use the "love" method, fill her up with lots and lots of loves. I want to make her understand we love her as much as Jie Jie. Jie Jie Chloe is softer and Jie Jie Chloe obeys us all the times, and hence less scolding. Clarisse is the totally opposite. 

We love them both EQUALLY, no less no more, and I hope they understand us.

By the way, we had a simple family dinner to celebrate Clarisse's 2nd Birthday with a 2-Tier Minnie Mouse Jello Cake. No Photos to mark this special event? Of course there are...PLENTY. To transfer the photos from my camera to the laptop is still lying in my "outstanding list". To clear this task, first, I have to search for the USB cable. Gosh..... After all this, then only I can upload some photos..... Good Luck on my "searching" task. 

I want MaMa

I cry like that " I want MaMa, I want PaPa"

Clarisse's Fourth Day of "School"

Yes! I want to mark today's date because Clarisse did not cry when I dropped her off at the center. She walked in calmly, and removed her shoes and followed teacher to the classroom. 

HORRAY! Clarisse has overcome the separation anxiety and she can wave Goodbye to "Crying Baby". 

1st Day - PaPa led Clarisse to the classroom where the kids were playing "cooking" while MaMa was handling the registration and we left quietly. We didn't hear her cry but teacher told us Clarrise cried but not for long.

2nd Day - MaMa dropped her off at the center alone, she cried and struggled, refused to enter the center. Teacher grabbed her and brought her into the classroom. I saw Clarisse was struggling and crying "I want MaMa". I didn't stay on because I know she will be fine and I didn't want to cry and send the WEAK signal to my baby. Anyhow, I needed to rush back to office for tender datelines.

3rd Day - MaMa insisted PaPa to come along and sent Clarrise to school. PaPa carried her up the center while MaMa followed from a distance. Clarisse cried "I want MaMa" as she entered the center. PaPa & MaMa stayed back by the center doorstep, Clarisse's cry lasted for less than 5 minutes, and we left.

4th Day - MaMa carried Clarisse and sang in random tunes "I love School, I love going to School, I love to play in School, Don't you? Yeah Yeah, Let's go School"... until we almost arrived the center, Clarisse hugged me tight and told me that she is sleepy and she said "I want oi oi". I replied, "Oi Oi? No, Clarisse wants to go to school. Remember? I love you, and have lots of fun in school." MaMa pressed the door bell, teacher opened the door, and I dropped her. She didn't look back as she entered the centre, removed her shoes by herself, placed the shoes on the rack, and followed teacher into the classroom with NO TEARS. 

I didn't pick her up for the last two days, so I didn't manage to check with teacher how's Clarisse doing so far. I must do it TOMORROW. MUST! MUST! MUST!

Photo Update Time

Dress up for Merdeka Day @ P&J

Sort & Snap Color Match Fun

This is from Melissa & Dough - Sort & Snap Colour Matching Game. 

When I first bought this for Clarisse, she was not interested in it at all. I bought this in June, and at that time she could tell colors already. Somehow, when I told her to match the colors, she mismatched them on purpose. Most probably she finds it entertaining to see me getting frustrated. 

Instead, Chloe was attracted to the game when she saw me getting Clarisse interested. Very soon, Chloe got hooked on this color matching game. As expected, she can swiftly match all the color snap correctly and then show off to her PaPa and Grandma on how quick she can complete the snap. Well, it was way too easy for her age. There was once that I turned color side around where there is the same picture with no color and asked Chloe tried to remember the colors placement, hahaha.., she lost interest in the game instantly because it is no longer "easy" and cannot show off anymore. I should find time to do it again to train her memory. *sigh* TIME TIME TIME!!!!! 

Clarisse saw how her Jie Jie Chloe overjoyed getting all the compliments from us, and she wants the same too. Finally, she kept herself focus when I told her to match the colors. She usually got bored halfway, but she managed to complete it this time. :)

Getting Ready for "School"

Yes, Clarisse is officially attending "school" starting from 3rd September 2012, Monday. MaMa is sending Clarisse to Vital Years, Early Childhood English Learning Center. Many asked why rush to "LEARN" or "SCHOOL"? 

I thought it is better for my girl to play and socialize with teachers and kids in the center than staying at home watching TV and Playing Ipad. Right? Anyway, it is only 3 hours class. Most of the time, they will be playing anyway. 

Yes, It was not easy for me to drop off Clarisse at the Center. Luckily, PaPa was very RESPONSIBLE this time, accompanied MaMa to the Center. While MaMa was at the Desk fixing all the registration and fees, PaPa sent Clarisse into the class and left her there with other kids. She didn't cry. We took the chance and quickly left the center without informing her. Not that I didn't want to, I love to hug and kiss her Goodbye. But I know very well that these love gestures will turn Clarisse to a CRYING BABY. So, we left with no choice. We came back at the Doorstep of the center half an hour later; trying to hear through if Clarisse was crying. We heard children crying for sure, but both MaMa & PaPa were certain that these cries were not from Clarisse. So, we left the center.

I asked Ms. Chan, one of the center teacher, if Clarisse cried. Ms. Chan told me Clarisse cried but not for long. Ms. Chan also commented that Clarisse can talk quite well. :) It means she was communicating with teacher, at least. 

At night, PaPa & Ah Yi asked Clarisse , "Did you cry in the School ?"

This naughty little girl replied cheekily, " I cry "I want MaMa" " while pretended sobbing. Then, Clarisse started chuckling to her own reply. Haha..Both Ah Yi and PaPa laughed along.  

Sorry. My mind is not clear today, wanted to input more feelings and infos. Not able to do it now. Have been rushing lots of work, skipping gym sessions for works. Arrrghhhhhh....Hopefully, it will end soon.

Bun Baking Fun

Ham & Cheese Bun

Black Sesame Bun

Chocolate Twist, Coconut Twist & Muesli Bun

Attended a Bun Baking Class at the 17@Culinary, Damansara Height.

Here's the Recipe :-

Ingredients to make 23 buns

Mix A

Bread Flour - 200g

Yeast - 5g / 1 tsp

Sugar - 1 tbsp

Water - 120ml/gram

Mix B

Bread Flour - 150g

Yeast - 1 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp

Sugar - 60g

Egg - 1

Milk Powder - 2 tbsp

Butter - 40g

Water - 2 tbsp

Mix C

Chicken Ham

Cheese

1. Mix Part A and beat using Hook for about 3 minutes till soft dough formed.

Leave the dough in a big bowl. Covered for two hours in room temperature for slow proof.

2. After two hours, Mix soft dough from Step 1 into Part B and beat it for 6 minutes. Add about 2-3 tbsp of water IF the dough is too dry.

3. Add in butter and continue to beat for 3 minutes until dough is booth and elastic to touch.

4. Leave dough in a big bowl, covered with damp cloth for 20-30 minutes rest.

5. Punch the dough lightly to release some air.

6. Divide the dough into 40g and flatten them.

7. Place the chicken and ham into the dough and wrap.

8. Cover with damp cloth for 30 - 40 minutes.

9. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 150 - 170 deg C.

Note :

1. Salt to be added last in the Step 2, as salt will kill the yeast.'

2. Oil the bowl lightly for proofing, this is to prevent the dough from sticking to the bowl.

3. Punch the air out BUT lightly.

4. Can use the same recipe for others like Sardine, Tuna, Sausages etc etc....