999

At time of writing, I'm currently at 999 followers on Instagram. It's been fun, watching the numbers steadily grow from 500 to the higher hundreds, ever since I made my account public last year.

I wonder who's going to be my 1000th follower....

Update: And so... I hit the 1K mark, on the same day that Vivy hit her 1M mark. Goes to show that I am eons away from ever matching those kind of numbers *giggles*

 Nahhhh, I'm perfectly happy with my cosy number of followers; no worries!

Freedom!

Just last week, Facebook 'On This Day' brought back memories of Aiden's maiden sleep on his own bed. I remember how happy I was about this particular milestone, especially since I could escape from his wandering hands at night!

Aiden had this habit of putting his hands underneath my body during the night. It's his way of getting warm, without getting into the blanket! Fast forward to today, Ian inherited Aiden's habit, but in a weirder twist - he enjoys putting his hands on my bare skin hence bawah ketiak lah, atas perut lah. Man... I was so happy when I managed to chuck them both onto the mattress on the floor.

Well, time for me to announce another significant milestone for the year. *drum roll please...*

I managed to convince them to sleep in their own room!!!! *cue chicken dance here* I am still so deliriously happy over my new found freedom! Hubby and I can talk *ehem ehem* all night in private! No more talking in hushed voices and lying rock still so that the kids fall asleep. Time for number 3??? Heh, no no... Let me enjoy my newfound freedom while it lasts.

Anyway, their Star Wars room is nearly complete. (Which is why they agreed to sleep in their room in the first place.) Sharing some photos of their new crib:

Hunted mercilessly for this matching bedsheet and comforter set. So glad I made the effort - I love how it matches the BB8 pillow!

The side dresser, peppered with everything Star Wars. The Death Star LED light comes in the Millennium Falcon version too - scroll below for photo.

Adorable BB8. Reused the kids' birthday banner as a wall deco.

Can you believe that the grey study desk used to be mine? I studied for my UPSR, PMR, SPM and even my degree, on that desk. Still in perfectly good condition, ready for Aiden and Ian to use. Also - a mini desk by the side for Ian.

So the first night they slept in their room, we decided to camp on the floor outside their door. (Kiasu parents!) Just in case, you know - someone cries, or needs to pee, or even sleepwalks! Oh sakitnya belakang when I woke up the next morning. Ah the things we do for our kids. But it was an uneventful night, apart from the fact that I forgot to turn down their aircon. Hubby said their windows were fogged up with condensation that morning. Ian sampai demam! *my bad*

So the ritual is now hugs and kisses, choose a favourite colour for their own Star Wars bedside light, tuck them into their blankets (Ian usually kicks them off) and then choruses of "Good night, sweet dreams, don't let the bed bugs bite!" And then we close the door. Sometime I put my ear to the door to eavesdrop on their conversations. But so far it has been peace and quiet. Perhaps the chit chat will happen when they are both older?

They've been at it for a week now. So let's hope this last. Cos I've had my taste of freedom and I'm not about to let it go anytime soon! *giggles*

Wish me luck!

Rose Gold

I'm sure you know my love for everything Apple. I have been a hardcore iPhone user ever since I jumped on the bandwagon with the iPod Touch back in 2007. I have also noticed a pattern with my iPhone purchases, i.e. it usually lasts for one model change before I get tempted to buy a new one. Hence I have the iPhone 3, 5, 6 and now waiting for the 8. (I moved from 5 to 6 because Apple offered me a replacement phone due to defects... read about it here.)

I literally can't live without my phone, hence it is usually in my hands. I love how hardy the phone is too. Once, I left the phone on the roof of my car and drove off confidently. Turned a fast bend about 100 meters from home, and heard the sound of something being flung off the car. It was about a 100 meters later before I figured out that it was my phone. And yet, it survived! Ian on the other hand, has dropped my phone numerous times. Nothing a new glass screen protector couldn't fix.

Last weekend, I went shopping with my sister-in-laws and came home a few hours later feeling absolutely famished. In my haste to get out of the car, I forgot that I had my phone on my lap. It fell, probably two jengkals onto the road. I thought nothing of it - Ian has done much worse.

Imagine my shock when I picked it up and found that my screen had cracked! OMG OMG OMG.

After calling a few places I found on Instagram, I found a place that could repair the screen (my LCD was still working, Alhamdulillah) for just RM150. Drove over to the place the next day, and they suggested for me to change my housing too as it is slightly bent. Best part... they offered the housing in Rose Gold!!!!!! OMG I love pink! Of course I said yes, and became RM300 poorer.

So, presenting my old iPhone 6 Plus in its new Rose Gold casing. Can pass off for an iPhone 6S Plus kan kan kan? Bolehlah, at least until the iPhone 8 arrives.

I'm in love with pink!

Not to forget, my Lego casing that I lovingly crafted on my own.

OK, bring on iPhone 8, pronto!

Superheroes!

A few weekends ago, Aiden and Ian were invited to a Superhero themed birthday party. (I swear the kids have a more interesting social life than ours.)

It was Ali's first birthday and the event was held at KLGCC. Aiden and Ian were super excited to find an excuse to wear their superhero costumes, but I swear - it's the last time Aiden can wear his Iron Man costume. Dah ketat! Ian on the other hand, inherited Aiden's Batman costume which fitted him perfectly, save for some last minute slight length alteration.

Upon arrival, we were ushered to the photo booth for a family photo. Aiden had a slight blunder during the second shot - he covered the whole camera with his face! *giggles*

The first thing they spotted as they walked into the hall, was face painting. Aiden was already a pro at it, so he sat quietly while the artist drew an Iron Man mask to complement his costume. Ian on the other hand, was not quite cooperative. It was his first experience hence he didn't understand why the brush was tickling his face. I tried to show the progress by letting him see his face through my camera, but he was still fidgety and such. Nasib baik Batman only needed a half faced mask as opposed to a full faced Iron Man mask!

Not a happy face.

Such a pro!

The superheroes dessert table.

Scrumptious brownies. And neat idea to put cookies into jello cups, but unfortunately it made the cookies soggy.

Batman and Iron Man posing with Wonder Woman!

As soon as Ian was done, he raced to the mini slides and ball pit. Aiden went to join the bigger kids at the stage for some fun and games. Seeing that both the kids were occupied, we decided to settle down for some food. I think we were halfway through our meal, when I saw Ian walking at the tables in front of us and asking a lady something. Apparently he was asking the lady to find his parents! *chuckles* I called out to him and as soon as he saw me he came running to me, pointed to the stage (at Aiden, indicating that he wanted to join his brother) and ran to the stage.

I watched curiously, as he was given a Hulk mask (which was way too big for him, and totally inappropriate for his costume). He struggled with it as it kept sliding. But soon my attention turned to Aiden as he was invited to the front to perform some action moves.

Didn't have time to turn on my video, so here is a blurry shot of Aiden punching and kicking in the air!

Aiden confidently strutting his moves. Can you see Ian struggling with his mask?

As soon as Aiden was done, the emcee attempted to call another boy out, when suddenly he said, "Mayday mayday, mummy needed!" It turned out to be Ian, bawling his eyes out behind the mask! Of course I couldn't see it, nor hear it behind all that racket! Ian was crying because he was frustrated that his mask kept sliding down! *giggles*

Face paint streaked with tears.

Afterwards, Ian refused to return to the stage. He preferred to play at the ball pit and bouncing castle. Eventually he came around to me complaining that his face wasn't nice (sape suruh nangis!!!) and he actually agreed to a face paint touch up! Aiden on the other hand had the time of his life playing various games. (He had like three mouthfuls of food in between games.) He won two games; one of it with Hubby's help who cleverly managed to insert seven straws in his hair! (Quite an achievement if compared to sticking straws into a girls ponytail or braided hair!)

Second round at face-painting. Now he's a pro!

Intricate weave of straws!

Transformers and Iron Man decided to make an appearance too! Aiden was delirious! But Ian kept to the play area so I had some peace and quiet to enjoy my food.

Aiden had the time of his life!

The BBGS gang.

Family photo.

Last shot before we left.

I'm driving superheroes around town!

Anyway, the kids had a blast and refused to leave. We had to tear them away with a bunch of empty promises. In fact, Ian kept saying "I want face, I want face" the next day too! *giggles* But it's all good. Thanks Fiza for having us, and Happy 1st Birthday Ali!