1st birthday already!

Some parents would be preparing 6 months ahead or so for the first birthday. But I felt it was too early till time flies. Hb said long ago that he would want to have it in hometown, and I wanted one in KL so eventually we agreed to have both. Then we went to Japan and I thought still have time to plan after Japan trip. But I was drained and basically need to recharge.

Then the thought of not having in KL surfaced, as I was really too tired to plan. (although I am experienced (expert) in planning last minute events, @ work or personal).

So the following week we went back to hometown and had a simple vegetarian dinner with hb's family and relatives. His cake was then booked a day before the dinner, which usually needs at least 3 days for custom cake. Although their booking was full for that Saturday, but we managed to convince them through and they took ours in. Is a new cake shop and the result was much more impressive than I thought and the cake itself is delicious. This was an early celebration.

The cover can be opened - Secret Desire

So whether to celebrate or not in KL, on the exact day, I thought of getting a cake for him. So I ordered the Secret Desire from Haagen Daaz a week ahead before going back hometown. A very cute cake which I liked since I first saw it online. However this needs to order at least 3 days before. Did not know the actual size till I collected it. It is small but cute, just nice and cute for 1yo celebration.

When I returned from hometown on Sunday, I left less than a week to plan for the KL party. On that Sunday I called up restaurant for menu, browsed online for ideas and possible places to held the party. Shortlisted a few and upon checking some not available due to fully booked mother's day weekend. By now, I decided to make a small party. Even that would be a min of 50 pax for KL relatives.


Wanted to book for the cake 5 days in advance this time but was told the HQ stopped taking custom orders due to fully occupied for mother's day. OMG! Then I went home and browsed online for other shops and found a Jellycake online shop which I can do online ordering, pickup from Subang and pay upon collection. Once they confirm I can still place order, I browsed through their cakes photos and asked lo which one he wants. He said, car car...car car...walking around, climbing up and down and I asked again, and he repeated, car!. OKOK...I get it....

How we found Jkids, in short we went for dinner in SkyPark and we were told by the reception that the baby room is at 1st floor and we could not find and popped into Jkids to ask, and was told there is actually no baby room in the mall. Then I saw the charges on their wall, which later I googled more and put it to priority list. On Wed, I dropped by to check out the venue and it seems pleasant and confirmed the venue and sent out invitations to relatives. As catering we can get our own, I ordered from H&H as we have tried them before and satisfied with their dishes. As the place is not exactly that big, and such a last minute event, 50 +- is a manageable number, just nice for the seating there.

We paid them for the balloon and backdrop deco, and on that day I went there to stick some 4R pics of lo on both the backdrop and organized the seating arrangements which took my 1.5 hours.

Although this party was a last minute arrangement, it could not be better planned as everyone was having fun. This place gives a happy feeling upon entering, and kids can play at the playground with a fee which we absorbed, and the adults/seniors whom are their guardian has equal fun too.
This is exactly something I look forward to, having my guests enjoying their time at the party in a different way. My most senior guest whom tried out some of the playground such as sliding down the stairs is 70+ yo.

Overall, everyone had a good time and the hosts appreciate their presence very much to spend their precious time to celebrate lo's 1st birthday!

Traveling to Japan with 11mo

First time traveling to overseas with 11 mo lo, much easier in terms of feeding (do not need to stock up ebm, no need to carry pump everywhere and look for places to pump). I had a thought of not bringing the pump too, but eventually I brought along. No concern if the hotel has fridge or not, etc but when booking hotels, I do take into consideration of the location if near to train station or if shuttle bus is provided.

Things we brought for 1 week Japan trip for lo (spring time but cold 7-20 degrees), he occupied entire cabin size bag - checked in:
- long john inner wear for lo (some days no need, but some days need)
- few jackets (incase dirty and different fashion hehe)
- long sleeves, long pants, body suits and pyjamas
- beanies (although lo doesnt like things on his head)
- 20+ pcs of diapers
- Heinz traveling packs - 7 packs
- Johnson face/hand wipes and Pureen buttock wipes
- Lucas Paw Paw
- Medicine (for emergency)

1 large suitcase for me and hb - checked in.

Handcarry 1 (backpack):
- 2  feeding bottles and 4 storage bottles
- Medela FS pump
- Medela ice pack (this can be omitted cos not in use but brought along for just incase situation)

Handcarry 2 (trolley back):
Jackets for all and my winter coat which is bulky (Am afraid of cold).

My best friend, Boba 3G

With 2 handcarry and 2 suitcase and a baby, the amount of shopping and buying things back has its limitation. But the enjoyment of traveling with lo, cannot be replaced.

As much as I would like to travel light and omit all the unnecessary, still this is the best that we can go with. For moving about, although initially wanted to get a 2nd stroller for traveling (Babyzen Yoyo) as the ad is very captivating, since my Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is too bulky. But eventually I decided to only bring the baby carrier, Boba 3G after being comfortable with it as even on weekend shopping I would leave the stroller at home and go with Boba.

We stayed in Kyoto and Osaka, and our first hotel in Kyoto is only 1 minute walking distance from Seta station. And the 2nd hotel in Osaka is a new hotel opened in March 2014 and provide shuttle bus transfer at Osaka station. 

Throughout the stay, most days I only pumped once or did not pump. The rest of the time, DL either with a scarf or under the baby carrier (depending on my outfit). If with scarf, I will find for a place to sit, or feed on the bus/train and if under Boba I will be walking around at tourist attractions. Only twice I was in shopping complex and managed to use their babyroom for feeding (Isetan and Damaru).


Lo considerably behaved well on flight. Slept twice from KL-Kansai and once on the return flight. The Japanese lady praised lo "well done" for a first timer on flight. I requested for bassinet sit and the size is just enough to fit lo.

Takeoff and landing DL lo. Then in between when hungry bf again covered by the MAS blanket.
Easy huh... :)

Generally not too difficult to travel with lo, at least an experience for this trip. 

Safety 1st Secure Top Bedrail

Bought this Safety 1st Secure Top Bedrail for my king bed as BB co-sleep after he started DL (direct latch). This is to prevent BB from rolling down, in the event if I were to switch side for feeding (and fell asleep).

And when BB started to stand, lo likes to lean or stand holding this bed rail. It is very sturdy and good in quality.

Price: RM200++
Bought from Toys R Us, The Curve.

Expensive, but not regret. It has been a useful item for me. Been using since lo 4 months, wished I had this earlier.

Passport application for baby

With the recent amendments of the passport applications, it has been made easier IF you have all these info beforehand. Lo did passport at 10months old.

Required doc: Original and photocopy of lo birth cert and parents IC (either mom or dad depending who apply). Do double check at immigration website for any other doc before going.

1. For Mon-Fri, selective Immigration do give out special number for children and elderly. So check the one you are going if they have this option.
2. Some also open on weekends which is great for working parents but either you have to go very early due to limited numbers given. If you are doing for little ones, I would suggest go for option1.
3. New implementation, whereby they start taking passport photos from the counter itself, so you do not need to bring photos. But again, do check again if the place you are going to already have this facility. However, for babies/young kids, they still suggest you to take the photo outside. So do prepare 2 copies with white background for them.
4. Lastly, your little one needs to be there to collect the passport.

From my experience, we reached at 8.40am and was given the special number and we were the 5th person. It was pretty fast and all done in an hour, except that we need to take photo outside due to the officer unable to get lo to look into the camera.

It is half the price of an adult, so RM150 for 5 years for kids.

Hope this info helps.

Heinz Baby Pasta

As from my previous posts, I have bought the Heinz baby pasta (middle front) as per the pic on the right some time ago. But due to hectic schedule, it was only tried out yesterday.

Lo is a small eater and can be fussy. At this age, some kids already eating a bowl or at least half bowl of porridge but lo, will only take max 1 spoon. We started porridge since 6 months. But at 10 months we discovered lo prefer rice instead, however still less than 2 spoons.

Heinz puree lo prefers fruits over vegetable, but we gave both for a balance diet.






Tried out the pasta as per the instructions on the packet:
- put in 5 teaspoon of pasta in boiling water and cook in the pan till it's soft (roughly about 10 mins)
- take out the pasta and mix with Heinz Pumpkin, vege and couscous (the 1st left jar from the pic above) and served.

Lo did not finish the entire bowl. Probably 3 teaspoon is sufficient for this small eater.

10 common mistakes parents today make

A good read:
10 common mistakes parents today make

Is exactly like my thought - Prepare your child for the road, not the road for your child.

More Heinz baby food

Bought more Heinz baby food for baby solid feeding. All these are suitable for my 8months old then.

Traveling packs/ Small Jar
Those packs puree are handy for traveling but it is recommended for a day use only (to fridge after open), unlike the jar ones can be kept in fridge and use up to 48 hours.

I find that my lo loves it better when it is served cold and prefer the fruits puree over the vegetable ones. Usually for fruits puree I do not heat up after taking out from fridge but I do for the vegetable ones.

Rusks Teething Biscuits
Break into small pieces and feed to lo directly or dip the entire piece in 15ml of breastmilk. I find lo prefers to bite instead of dip in bm, maybe teething. This too comes in handy when traveling and suddenly he gets hungry.

Big jar
Similar to the small jar but just bigger. The sales person suggested can use the vege ones for pasta sauce.

Pasta
The front packet is pasta, was told just boiled it and served with the vege puree or homemade sauce but for now lo have not tried this.

No pump, no bottles

Usually on weekends shopping, I bring along my pump and bottles. Shopping complex babyroom has been one of my pit stop nowadays. Then I have my stroller and hb with me, so diaper bag and pump bag will be in the stroller and of course the baby.

One of the Sundays, I went shopping with lo before hb joined in. Usually with only lo, baby carrier is my best friend. Stroller is not. I decided not to bring the pump bag as I have a diaper bag to carry already. When with baby and no helper, you want to be as free as possible.

So I decided: no pumping on that day and DL when necessary. Wore pants and lose shirt that is easy to DL.

We had breakfast at Starbucks, shopped around the mall, BF in baby room, baby slept and awake in the baby carrier. Even NIP for the first time in public area (sat at a corner of the section where we purchased some clothing), baby in the carrier. So some people passed by curious but possibly they thought baby is just sleeping.

For the entire day no pumping and no bottles/pump to wash. It was such a breeze that I wished it can be done every weekend.

I repeated the entire process on Tuesday (a public holiday). Truly enjoying it.

Come workdays, the pumping returned. As of now most of the days am pumping twice, unless when the daily supply is insufficient, will be pumping additional time.

Hopefully will still continue to have supply for lo as this is his main food still. Not much liking porridge (will literally blow it to your face).