On Father's Day morning this year,

... they had their own quiet time together, swimming.

Today I decided we should have our breakfast at Carefour for I also planned for some groceries shopping. Well... Mek felt like cooking and the first item in my groceries list was RICE ! It had been months.. I really mean MONTHS... since we last had home cook rice in our home. See, I told ya.. I don't cook.

I handed the groceries list to Harris while I made way to the bazaar section. Something interesting and worth to share happened as I was looking for a deodorant for myself.

A beautiful well-dressed tweenage girl, I guess her age is 13 or 14 and her daddy was also looking for a deodorant. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but from conversation of them both, I knew : The dad was helping the girl deodorant shopping.

I could see that the Dad is a real patient man, very helpful and so focused in getting his task done, i.e - "I must buy my daughter a deodorant today"

He was not ashamed of me, in-fact he didn't even bother that I was just nearby. Never he sounds annoyed with the girl whom was so confused in choosing her first deodorant. He read the labels on deodorant bottles, coaxing her child.

"This is for whitening... this one for freshness, this one supposed to be not sticky........ You don't want to try Dove?"

I heard the girl.. "Ayah, Nadira use this.. I think I want the same with hers"

I guess - Nadira is her friend, could be from school. We know how tweenage is so influence by friends.. right?

I left the deodorant racks once I was satisfied with mine, the two were yet done. I look high to that man for not many would want or have the capability of what he was doing and I thought he'd done a good job.

Wonder why was the girl not doing that kind of shopping with her mom. Truly, it's not for me to judge. How ironic - Shopping deodorant with dad on father's day. For whatever reason, I prayed that the girl would always remember and treasure such occurrence, how her dad loves her so much.

I sure hope my own girl wouldn't need to go to her dad in choosing a deodorant one day. She should come to me. But should for instance I wasn't able to be there for her, I would be very grateful if her dad could help her on that, which I know he would give his best.

I never have the chance............. or maybe I should put it, I never make the effort to wish my own father Happy Father's Day to appreciate him. It's my own lost, I do not blame others or even myself.

But, I would only have myself to be blamed if my girl does not realize how a great dad she has that she should never forget to wish him Happy Father's Day and love her old man every single day.

Happy Father's Day to my beau, that man that helps her daughter to buy deodorant and all fathers.

penang and australia

Last week Friday, Aunty Jeanne of Kindicare called me :

"Hi Yanti.. This is Aunty Jeanne. I want to let you know, Nada is adopting well in her new class. She participates in the activities with no difficulties. Aunty Sheila said at times when she passed by Baby-Buttercup class, she would take a peep and says hi to Aunty Liza and friends. But then she would still go back to Daffodils."

Mommy : "O ya?... She's been telling me new names : Ashley, Nicholas, Adlia, Mikel.... I guess these these are children from Daffodils"

Aunty Jeanne : "Yes..ooo she already has their names? Hmm, that's fast..., her full days in Daffodills were only last two days..."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Last night, one and half week in the new class : She came home telling me - "Mommy, I want GO Osreylia"

I asked "You want to go to Australia?"

Full of confident she replied "YES"

When I thought she is clueless about Australia, I asked : "How do you want to go to Australia?"

Again, full confident she replied "Aeroplane"

OMG. Mommy almost fainted!

I swear, we have no plans for Australia vacation, at least for now... Mommy pokai.

Overstrait to Penang, ok.

photo by Nada

My top : OWN HANDMADE!

All she is

Her name appeared on the birth certificate is Nada Firas bt Abdul Harris
In Arabic ;

Nada is Dew

Firas is Witty

It meant for Witty Dew

Somehow, we came to know... Nadafiras means mud and when Mommy says Nada Firas!... that's when Mommy is angry with her.

Nek calls her Cik Embun

Sometimes, when Mommy writes, Dew seems lovely as a nick name.

Mommy also likes to "tease" her with love and calls her : Mek Robey... because she always acts dive - this and that. Varies colorful character she is. Macam-macam ada. And that she would know... She's pure Kelantanese - orang kampung habis... just like Dad!... heheheheeh

One day. while we were calling her, names.. she seems to understand she has many. She told us : Uncle Said (handyman at school) sings to her : Nada dan irama tidak dapat dipisahkan. It's like, that's another long name she has.

Mommy thinks she really thinks - she's a rock star or could be the next Justin Beiber. Mommy doubted anyhow, her dad is gonna give her full support on that. Dad would prefer her to be professional golfer.

Mommy's already tired fighting with her for sunnies and had no choice but to get one just for the little miss in pink - the now favorite color.

She asked me if she could have a Ben 10 watch in pink? Split personality, my lady. She has a bit of everything : the trying to be macho and the girlish needs deep inside. Mommy is right about her being Mek Robey....

Many say she has beautiful thick black hair. Mommy definitely agrees but couldn't bear the sweating and mess at this age.

There goes....

....... though she totally refused for she likes to wear it long

Long or short hair : Nada : Firas : Nada Firas! : Dew : Embun : Mek Robey : Nada dan irama tidak dapat dipisahkan .. She is always Mommy's favorite rock star.

About school

Every time I received a telephone call from Kindicare, my mind starts to wonder the "bad" things. It happened again this morning.
It is because, they are particular and very hands-on of each child well being. The few calls I had before :

1. "Hi Yanti... this is Aunty Jeanne. I have to inform you that Nada fell off the swing during outdoor time that is about a foot high from the ground. She hit back of her head onto the soft turf ground. The aunties weren't able to catch in-time before she fell. She cried out of shock for about two minutes and we are now monitoring her. She's having lunch now and looking fine with no signs of swollen, bleeding or vomiting. Please let the Nanny knows about the fall for she could monitor her as well once we send her home after "school".
I am really sorry that this happened on our ground."
AFTERMATH : Nada was fine.

2. "Hi Yanti... this is Aunty Jeanne. Nada's left eye is a little bit red and watery. She said - it's itchy. We're putting her in a separate room with Aunty Cat to look after her."
AFTERMATH : Nada contracted conjunctivitis from Mommy that lasted for a day.

3. "Hi Yanti.. this is Aunty Shanty calling on behalf of Aunty Jeanne. Nada had fever at about 10 this morning, so we didn't allow her to the pool. She's a bit sad because of that, we ensure her there will be more swimming after today. Just before we sent her home, her temperature was 38.6 degree Celsius."
AFTERMATH : Indeed she had fever lasted for two days.

TODAY'S call/message on my voice mail was :
"Hi Yanti.. this is Aunty Jeanne, please call me back when you are free....."

I called :
"Hi Yanti... Ya.. I want to let you know, we now have vacancy in Daffodil class. As follow-up of last Saturday, parents-teacher meeting.. Nada's physical co-ordination, social interactions is fit for the class. She's also 3 yrs plus, we think we are able to move her from Baby-Buttercup class. Is it okay with you? If you permit, she'll be moved with Caleb, her best friend. In that way, she wouldn't feel alone. We'll start by gradually leading her to Daffodil, may be one hour of playing time the first few days until she's comfortable."

Mommy scratched her head and trying to sound smart : "Öh well Aunty Jeanne, if you think it's appropriate with her, I wouldn't mind... I'm just worried if she couldn't adapt...."

Aunty Jeanne : "We'll monitor on that.. we'll explain to her.. y'know may be telling her, she's a big girl that she now got to do more adventurous stuff. You could also talk to her that she'll be in a new class..."

Mommy goes to work today thinking : "My girl already has a best friend? Oh! How she grew up!"*sob*

Her first concert

14.05.11.

Dew had her first concert for the play school annual get together. She's been 'practicing' - swaying her hands from side to side and singing "splish-splash". While she could tell me what characters her friends were acting, she couldn't really tell hers. This person is the bee, this person is the bird, this person is tiger, this person is Dalmation and what not. I reckon anyhow, she would be something got to do with water.

Though the children may had practice sessions, I don't think Dew has any idea of what performance is all about. Even when I wanted to dress her up in supposed costume, she insisted of wearing pink-tuk-tuk-t-shirt to go to school. Not after all the pujuk-memujuk, she agreed to put it on.

It was a big day for Dew and so it was for me. Harris on the other hand had to attend for his exam workshop, so I was left alone to handle the little miss and preparing food for pot-luck. Ayo-cam lipas kudung Mek.

We arrived at Kindicare 5 mins after 9am (when supposed to be there before 9am!) and had to park very far down the hill. Sigh, she then not so keen to walk citing she'll be tired and sweating. This is actually daddy's task for Mommy got all cranky carrying a 14kg toddler up the hill. Looking at the arrived crowd, Dew was looking confused. She proceeded anyway to be gotten ready.

I then searched for a seat and surprisingly got to sit next to my ex-school mate. What a small world. So happy ! Many parents were excited to watch the show, some even had grandparents to attend as well. I felt awkward as I was alone, makes me wonder and huge respect for single moms when one had to brace situation like this. Sure feel, something is missing.

The whole concert is of "Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs".

Dew's class being youngest or baby class was the first to perform. And guess what, my baby had stage fright! she was just standing still sucking her finger looking at the crowd. Sucking finger is not actually in her diary. With red face almost crying........... I hold myself from not jumping on the stage and hug her. I should trust the guardians and glad I did.

I didn't manage to capture photo any better than this. She was not moving!.. and I was frozen too. I really hope the school photographer will have better ones.

Still shocked at the finale

After show, she's back to herself. All children were gifted with a watch. My girl prefers the Ben 10 rather Barbie. She's trying to persuade Caleb the Dalmation for a change.

God creates mothers as weird creature. Dew was only standing for her first concert and still I am very-very proud of her, words can't tell.

The rock-star Cloud whom froze!

Blue-green, Red, Green and Blue

Why on earth la I start this entry with above photo? No.. not trying to say I have a lot of them. Those actually belongs to Dew. We've been keeping the money since the first note she received from relatives and friends after she was born. Duit raya for three years, Ang pow for Chinese New Year and such.

While I'd open up an insurance account the first month she was born and has been contributing top ups in addition to regular monthly premium, I have never intended to put in the money she receives in the same account. I thought, the insurance account would be what I want to give to her be it little or as much. Those she receives from others is another thing all together.

But, so bad we are. We have been procrastinating to decide where they were supposed to go. Kejap-kejap unit trust, kejap-kejap asb, kejap-kejap just bank account, kejap-kejap itu, kejap-kejap ini. And for all we know three years gone, the notes still lie underneath our pillows. Pun boleh ?

Despite the bad, I also want to praise both of us. We were never tempted to use the money either for Dew's use or our own. If ever by chance I used because it was kept in my wallet or so, i'd have that voice at the back of my head - "Replace Nada's money, replace Nada's money... " Until I do so, the voice wouldn't leave me.

I really hope, whatever we are doing is the best for Dew.

Tonight, while I was putting her to sleep... we cuddled. As usual, she would play with my eye lashes with her tiny fingers.

And out sudden she uttered... "Like Mommy, like Daddy...." in a soft voice.

I asked her back... "Nada like Mommy, Nada like Daddy?... "

She nod and I know she meant what she said...to be translated as -love-. I wanted to cry.

This girl so deserves the best from us.

Her first face painting - had on 09.04.11 during friend from play school birthday party. She was the butterfly girl.

p.s - I think I will make a quiet sneak and sleep next to her tonite.

My day today

Not a happy day for me today when all days along the week had been sweet ones. I have what I can say a very regular menstrual cycle. 28 days. That's it. Not a month missed since the first, of course exclusion to pregnancy. It's so timely almost like bullet train in Japan during normal days. Rarely, early or late is just one day.

However, I was already late for 3 days so was very sure that I gotten pregnant. I never bothered to buy pregnancy testing kit because I know I don't need it.

I started making survey which hospital to attend for an O&G. In my mind.. I shouldn't go to Seremban again to deliver. I was hoping too for a Muslim female and kinda decided which hospital will be my choice.

Sure, appointment was already made Tuesday next week. By then I could inform the O&G, I'm close to 4 weeks 'so' pregnant.

I hampered my beau that I want a book "Handmade Beginnings" by Anna Maria Horner. The book featured 24 sewing projects that could be done to welcome the little one. I used to be wanting to buy branded baby bedding set and more and more baby stuffs, but now.. I just want to do as many possible myself. Because... I very much realized handmade are special no matter how 'shoddy' the works could be as long as bunch of love is put into.

Allah is the All-Mighty. Whatever I thought of the whole week came to an end today. No I'm not pregnant. How my heart break. I seems not able to believe... 7 days late and not pregnant? Allah has been kind to me. He bestows most of what I ask for.. I shall continue to pray to Him for this one wish..............

I made these for my niece on Harris's side, Mia.

The 2011 Earth Hour Pinafore with sun hat

and undies too.

Why such a name? It was completed exactly in time for 2011 Earth Hour after 3 hours doing.

p.s ... the book surely can enlighten me up a bit for now.