Grandmother's 85th Birthday Bash !

To celebrate this auspicious event, it was agreed that the Children of our Grandma wear Batik, the Grand and  Great Grand Daughters in Polkadots, whereas the gentlemen go for Striped Shirt. Reason being - SIMPLE, CHEERFUL AND LIVELY *smile*

Now, let the photos do the story-telling ... :)

The simple but yet an awesome-do backdrop by Putera Theatre Ballroom Crew :)

On my right are my Nieces and my youngest sister while on my left are my pretty cousins :)

My Baby Sister Jacinta ! Kiut kan !! :)

The celebrated Octogenarian Madam Dorothia Tokiu Tonduba, flanked by her younger sisters and children.

Some of the Grand and Great Grand Daughter - ALL in POLKADOTS ! :)

The gentlemen and the young men in STRIPED shirts !! :)

Family of the Late Mr Sylvester Motiung (2nd son)

Dearest Hubby carrying our young man Brian Valerian :)

S.U.N.D.A.Y - a "chakui" day.

As usual and as an Obligation, Hubby and Baby Brian and of course yours truly, attended the Sunday Mass. For this week, we went to St. Simon Catholic Church, Likas, this morning. Today was the second week the mass said by Rev. Fr. Wilfred Atin as the Rector; Rev. Fr. Cosmas Lee is on long leave.

Baby Brian "drowned" in the ocean of Hymns sang by the "angelic-voiced-choirs" :)

After the mass, we went to Damai Plaza to get something to eat. As we were waiting for our orders to be served, I went to a small hawker stall selling "chakui, tausa piang, peanut & tausa sesame ball, hanchimpiang and tiny & small rounded chakui". 

Besides me, there were a few of other people purchased some kuih(s) too. As for me, I asked for one chakui and two peanut sesame balls. Well, it so happened there was this one middle-aged guy asked for a chakui, too. And apparently, the chakui I asked for was the last one and the guy had too wait for the next round of fry. Then, that Uncle suddenly said... "Woooa, almost everyone ask for chakui(s) too ! Oh yeah lah, it' Sunday.. it's a Chakui Day... 

Having heard that phrase, I smiled to myself... I think I would agree to his say. When I recall, I myself even buy a chakui or more almost every Sunday. Imagine having the chakui dipped into your hot drinks, oh dear.. Punya sedap tu !! :)

P/S : Please kindly pardon me if I spell the names of the kuih(s) wrongly .. Peace No War.

The 1st Challenge & Trial in 2012

Hello all. How have you been? :))

I am sure everyone of you out there have got your own new set(s) of resolution for this year. And so do I.

Being a (kinda) new parent, I must admit that I need to become the good, wise and strong Wife and Mother. Obviously, that is my ONE and ONLY resolution for this year of Dragon.

And, you know what, God really tested me on how to become the real strong Mommy. I took it as my first ever tough challenge. It was on January 2nd - 12th, 2012.

Baby Brian had yet turned 9months when he was "visited" by the Chicken Pox (CP) virus. He had just recovered from a mild fever, then, and there came another "illness", again. What a pity and poor little baby having to endure all those trials.

I had my CP when I was 12years old. I could still recall how stressful and painful it was. So, I was assuming every other person on earth would experience the same thing. Looking at Brian's condition, I was so frightened and I got myself so anxious. We brought him to see Dr. June Liew, a private pediatrician. She prescribed three types of medications including the anti virus one.

By the way, what touched me most during that 10days was actually how brave my young man had been. He was stronger than we could ever expected. Despite having all those itchy and reddish spots all over his body, head, palm and sole, Brian could still smile, sleep and get fed the usual way. 

We thank God for giving the wonderful inner strength in Brian. Although he is a small infant still, but he has a very strong will to survive, after all :) The portrait of Brian below proves my say ...

Son, Mommy and Daddy pray that you would and could keep this strength till forever..  God Bless you abundantly !

CLouD NiNe :)

13 August 2011 - Baby Brian turned 4months old :)

A day when I called it as a DAY :) We went for a "makan angin" at Kasih Sayang Resort, Menggatal. One doesn't need to drive up to Kundasang, Ranau Sabah to experience the "fresh & cool breeze" no more. You can have the same "great escape- to rejuvenate our body, mind and soul" here in Menggatal, Sabah - only about 10 minutes drive from the City of Kota Kinabalu.

It was drizzling when we reached there so one had to expect the degree was even lower than the normal temperature in a fine normal weather. That place has what it's called as PEACE, SERENE, HAPPINESS, CALMNESS, JOYFULNESS etc.. Yes, I tell no jokes man.

Okay, proceed with the pictures now .. :)

This greets You at the Entrance :)

Beat this Gong as soon as u arrive :)

Yes, THE WELCOMING SIGN BOARD :)

The ROOMS :)

Look at Baby Brian - he was actually almost shivering :P

The family at the Restaurant :)

 

The MAJESTIC view of Crocker Range

Can U Imagine the Coolness of this Resort !! :)

For those who want to retreat yourself, do drive up here and experience the Great Creation of God.. :) God Bless You :)
 

*singing* Hey Mr. Postman, look and see ~

Salam 1Malaysia *wink*

It has been a while already since my last posting ~ been busy :(


The month of August was so much filled with EXCITING activities. Among the interesting thing happened was when I received parcels from a man who works for the Post Office and sends postings of others to others *grin*

Online shopping can be very addictive - it's SCARY !! I made a purchase of two baby carriers within a day and I spent quite a number of notes which I think I rather save it for other expenses :) But as I mentioned earlier, this thing could be very addictive. *sigh*

Here are the photos of the contents in the parcels I received :)

Parcel from One Baby World : A 4-way-carrier and a set-of-two of Safety Plus Feeding Bottle :)

 

The BabyLove Carrier - simple and not that pricey :). Suits for a beginner like Myself, Hubby and son Brian :)

The X-Carrier purchased online at Tiny Tapir

This is all for my sharing this time. Do read my future postings okay.. Stay tuneeeee :)

Those Who Came to Visit =)

I thank God that all my visitors came to see Baby Brian after my Confinement Period has completed. At least, that time my hair smells good by then *wink* . Many of my friends sent me sms (es) informing that they want to come and pay a visit. But I had to "reject" ALL the requests because I didn't feel nice attending my guests when I simply felt "not-that-good-because-of-my-smelly-hair" *innocent grin*

Please accept my apologies for those who came to visit but we didn't manage to caption the moments. Among them were Aunty Rosie Felix, cousins Charlotte Motiung, Christie Motiung, Sandy Ekol, Sandra Ekol, Gracey Jabberi & family, Joesia Ebin and Maria Sakayan. Whatever it is, HUBBY, MYSELF and BRIAN are more than grateful to have you guys around. O yes, Thank You so much for the gifts, too :)

Here are some of the photos taken :)

Cousins Randy Ekol and Uncle Lawrence Sipayang's pretty daughters :)

With Uncle Bernard Baikan's Family

With cute buddies - Rizidah Majawal, Intan Hamzah & Evanna Edward. The gift is from these 3 ladies together with buddies Lina Emang, Suzan Julian & Jasimin Yahatin.

Gifts from sisters Deena & Bebe :)

Gifts from buddies Debbie & Maria Sakayan

Gifts from buddy Joesia Ebin :)

Thank You ya !!!! :) God Bless You :)

Brian Valerian Baptized as a Catholic

Hello there :)

Baby Brian was only 1month-16days old when we got him baptized on the 29th May 2011 (Sunday). It was held at the St. Thomas Catholic Church Kepayan, Sabah. Rev. Fr. Tony Mojiwat was the Priest who did the baptism.

With Rev. Fr. Tony Mojiwat & Brian's GodFather

The Sponsor (GodFather) is my Uncle Augustine Motiung. This Uncle and the wife are also our Witnesses for our Church Wedding.

In the arms of his GodFather

The Family :)

With bestbuddies - Nicholas Majiun, Dariah Petrus & Rosemerie Romeo

Brian loves to fall asleep in his Daddy's arms

One for the album - on the way back home :)

We are so proud and grateful that Brian Valerian has been baptized as a Catholic. Hope in the future, he'll be a GOOD FOLLOWER OF JESUS, OBEDIENT SON TO HIS PARENTS/ FAMILY and finally CHOOSES A GOOD FINE WAY OF LIVING. AMEN.

Okay then, guess that's all for this post. Thank You so much for your time spent reading this post :) Really appreciate it. God Bless You all :)

The CONFINEMENT PERIOD

 Greetings people !!

Likewise any other mothers out there who had just given birth to a baby, we of course have to go for one-lengthy-period which is called as THE CONFINEMENT PERIOD. The NORMS are usually - no hair-washing, no cool-heaty-oily-food intake, no cold-water showers, etc. It varies in every cultures, beliefs, religions and so on. As for me, it took me about 40-days to complete that period. The feelings?? I am proud to say that during the period, my own Mother and Hubby took care WELL after me.

My Momsie, not that healthy herself (pity), she was the one who prepared my Traditional Herbal Shower for the whole 40days, WITHOUT FAIL ! When I was still pregnant, she has already prepared all the remedies (herbs, ginger, leaves, etc) and put them all under the sun to dry it. It is all ready-to-be-used when I gave birth. A HOME MADE one!! BLESSINGS!!. Save lots of $$$ :) She has been doing the same for all my elder sisters and came my turn. It is all about a MOTHER'S LOVE AND CARE for her daughters. THANK YOU MOTHER AND I LOVE YOU SO DEARLY.. GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY..


My Hubby - minus the  first two days which was done by my Mom, he baths our newborn son (till today), he changes the diapers, he prepares my "special meal", he drives us to the clinic for my review and son's too, he does the laundries, he hangs the clothes, he folds the clothes, he lets me to rest while he keeps his eyes open in the midnight hours to look after baby Brian, he does the grocery shopping, he bought my Breast-pump, he prepares my shower bath (he even actually bathed me for two days after got discharged from KKSC). In fact, undeniably, he actually does almost EVERYTHING, seriously, ALMOST man. Apart from doing all that for the sake of me and son, and as a helpful dearest Husband, he still can go and play his fav sports, Badminton, once in a week :)

Daddy bathing Brian. Brian LOVES to play with water :)

Opsss.. so sorry Daddy.. I can't hold it no more...

Baby Brian shot Daddy with his stool.. :P

 
By having a caring Mother and a helpful & understanding Hubby, it had made my Confinement Period NOT THAT BAD actually :) It is all about Give and Take when it comes to anything especially something like this. Try not to be extremely calculative but on the other hand, always COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. Be THANKFUL & GRATEFUL always and always . The MOST important thing is that, NEVER FORGET to say your PRAYERS, at least after you wake up and before you go to bed :)


Till then peeps, see you in the next posts ya ~!! :) Thank You for your time.. :D

Our Bundle Of JOY :)

The Estimated Due Date (EDD) was on 17th April 2011 (Sunday).


Being a 1st time Preggy, of course I wouldn't know how the contractions, labour pains and delivery were going to be. Too much in my head and I applied for a two-weeks-in-advance Maternity Leave (ML). My ML started on the 4th April 2011; loads of THANKS to my immediate Boss Madam Juliah and of course, my late Director Dr. Hj. Mohd. Daud bin Dalip for approving my ML application.

Since then, I could really "chill & relax" at home while waiting for any signs of delivery. Theoretically, one delivery can be between the 39th -> 42nd week. My 39th week has eventually passed. No signs yet. It's another week till my EDD. It was on Sunday noon, 10th April 2011. Realizing the EDD was just around the corner, so I decided to do some house-chores, since I know that I wouldn't be having any enough time to do all that once our bundle of joy arrives. The time will be wholly spent with kid :)

11th April 2011 @ 0200 hrs - I noticed some blood stains on my undies. It could be an early indicator of a delivery. I rang Kota Kinabalu Specialist Centre (KKSC), Sabah, well just to make sure. They suggested to me to come and check my dilate. Now, follow me through ... (a picture tells a thousand of stories, right?)

10.00am @ 11.04.2011 - Dilate was only 2cm

We were given two options, to get admitted or to get a home leave till the contractions interval are 1-2minutes. We decided to stay. Hence, this was our Room Number @ KKSC.

Mr Jay was with me all the time, giving me the support, love and boost my confidence. Thank You Hubby.

13th April 2011 @ 2.00am : I did manage to "PUSH" twice but still couldn't. The dilate was already 8cm by then. My O&G Dr. Felice Huang gave me two options, to wait for another one hour or go for C-Sect. The contractions were unbearable. Thus, I CHOSE for C-Sect. 

13th April 2011 @ 2.26am : Finally. All cried out after "EXITING" from my womb :) Feeling COLD and SHIVERING. Pity him.

Being kept in a place-like-mom's-womb

Swollen-faced-me & my Son. Just done with FIRST BREASTFEEDING. Wonderful and amazing experience. I THANK YOU LORD, O GOD.

In the arms of his proud DADDY :)

Among my visitors who came. I only managed to take a photo with this great buddies of mine. The rest, I simply drowned in the chitchatting till I forgot to ask Hubby to snap photos. THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL :) :)

Okay then, guess this is it for this post. Will update my blog with more new stories alright. See ya !!!

Choosing the RIGHT NAME

The conversation on how the NAME of our SON being chosen...

Hubby : So, what will the name be?

Me      : Alexander, since our Confirmation Names start with an A?

Hubby : Sounds too classic...

Me      : Okay, what about if it starts with "B"?

Hubby : Brian ? Sounds nice eh?

Me      : Cool, but can we have his 2nd name from the name of a Saint?

Hubby : Suggestion?

Me      : Valerian..

Hubby : Nice pick ! It sounds interconnecting.. :) Then, Brian Valerian it is..

The moral of the story is... Try to get your spouse involved in making any BIG and IMPORTANT decisions, i.e the name of our kid/kids. As the Malay proverb says, "Harimau meninggalkan belang, Manusia meninggalkan nama" :)