Ian's First Month Photoshoot

Throwback post! Ian turned one month old close to the end of 2013 and pantang or no pantang, that deserved a celebration right? 

(I don't know how people do confinement all cooped up at home. Yes, yes, I know it's supposed to be good for me and I'll probably pay for it dearly when i'm all old and wrinkly - but really, I can't sit still! Just two weeks after giving birth, Ian and I ventured out for the first time to register Aiden at a new kindergarten, and a trial piano music class - more on that later. Three weeks after giving birth, we went to test drive a car and then to Setia City Mall where Hubby celebrated my post pregnancy body *grin* by treating me to new clothes at H&M. And a month after giving birth - by Chinese confinement standards, I would have tasted freedom by then, but Malay standards mandate an additional 14 days... why why why?? Plus having a hubby who questions "Why is pantang 44 days and not 45 days? Will your body magically become resilient at 45 days instead of 44?" certainly does not help at all.)

I digress. Anyway, what better way to celebrate Ian's one month birthday than by freezing those memories through photographs? 

Hello! I'm one month old today!

No michelin arms like Aiden but Ian has peha berlipat lipat!

Okay, I didn't mean capturing those moments with an iPhone camera, but rather by having a professional photo shoot at Picture Company. I've been a member of the Picture Company since 2011, and all of our whitewall prints are from them. I love that I can book a photo shoot at any time, plus they have wonderful costumes and props - it's no wonder that Aiden enjoys posing for them everytime. Aaahhh, my son loves being the center of attention, so it's just natural that he's not shy in front of the lens of a camera.

Before we pose, we must feed our tummy first. Chili's grilled lamb and roasted vegetables should be confinement friendly, right? And then chocolate lava cake (without the ice-cream - sejuk maa) as a wonderful end to the meal.

Aiden immediately jumped into a costume, while we got Ian ready for his first photoshoot.

Ian posing! 

After a few clicks, we decided to cover him with a blanket because without it, it was starting to turn into an advertorial photo shoot for Mamy Poko!

I found some blocks as props.

The photographer asked Aiden, "How old are you?" and he answered confidently "4!" But I insisted that he pose with the number 5 - so that I can use those pictures for his upcoming 5th birthday party.

Posing sakan!

A big smile for Mummy's iPhone!

I never have to "force" him to pose. He just needs a bit of encouragement and then he poses like a natural!

Next costume - a police officer!

Alahhh cair with Aiden's sweet smile. If a police officer pulled me by the roadside with this smile, I would surely swoon! *giggles*

Anyway, here are the creative pictures that made our cut. First up, Ian's naked photos!

Next, Aiden's poses. It was no easy feat, choosing which one we liked best:

Muay Thai boxer, anyone?

The intense boxer.

The adorable boxer.

The serious boxer.

The race car driver. 

*vroom*vroom*

I can't believe my cheeky boy is turning 5!

*love*

Talking about love, Aiden is slowly but surely starting to love his baby brother. He's constantly smooching his brother with kisses that melts my heart. And that night, he asked to carry his brother in his arms! We complied, with close supervision of course!

"I love you Ian" and "How're you doin' buddy?" are some of Aiden's memorable statements to Ian. Cracks us up, every time!

The loving big brother... while muka Ian redhaaaa jer lah!

My 8th Anniversary Surprise!

Another throwback post. Since our 8th anniversary fell on the 10th day of my confinement, I didn't expect much of a celebration this year. Perfectly understandable since there was no way I would be allowed out of the house for an intimate dinner, let alone spark some fireworks in the bedroom.

However, my husband is a man of many mysteries. I say that, because he does surprises when you least expect them. (And when you expect a surprise, there is surprisingly - none!) Come the anniversary date, we did the customary anniversary wishes (and virtual kisses through WhatsApp) and before I knew it, it was already night time and time for bed. During the confinement days, I would go to bed early as I co-slept with Ian and Aiden would insist on sleeping on the same bed as me, so once he dozes off, Hubby would lift him onto the sofa bed they both shared. (And when he wakes up in the middle of the night, he would walk over to the bed and cuddle me - imagine being squeezed between one clingy toddler and a fragile infant, not comfortable I can assure you!)

The next morning I woke up and gingerly pushed myself from between my two kids, and slowly lifted my weight off the mattress. Hubby had left for work and Aiden was still on school holiday, so I really treasured those quiet "me" moments in the morning. And.... there was a surprise waiting for me on the dining table!

A beautifully set table, lovingly done by my Hubby of 8 years.

Picture in the frame was our first picture together, back in 2004. And if you're wondering what the note said, it started with an apology for not being able to be there when I woke up and it also said that he had picked a special song to serenade me while I had breakfast. All I had to do was to press play on the iPad player. Awww...

Three stalks of roses (cos he knows how much I hate wasting money on flower bouquets). An anniversary card, and of course the gift - jewelry in the box!

Love the jewelry, but also love the pastry and sweet fruits! Maklumlah, orang tengah pantang! I obviously cheated on my pantang again that morning *grins*

The anniversary card on the side. Notice the new dining table? Will blog about that in a separate post.

I was extremely touched with Hubby's effort. Add that to my imbalanced hormones post pregnancy, which made me bawl at even the slightest things... of course I teared up when I called Hubby to thank him. Apparently he slept at 2am the previous night, writing the card and setting the table. I was even more touched when he said he checked the lyrics of the song he dedicated to me to make sure that the lyrics were appropriate! (We previously had an unfortunate incident where he dedicated a breakup song to me, so good to know that he's adamant on not repeating the same mistake.)

And... just my luck - as soon as I dived into the divine looking pastry, someone started coo-ing from the bedroom.

Check out the deep set eyes. Definitely Mummy's boy (at least for now)!

Of course, Abang Aiden woke up shortly after.

My only hope is that they grow up loving each other the way they do now.

My two out of three boys in the family. I am definitely outnumbered.

Thank you for the surprise Hubby. I love the gift, and the memory of the surprise is definitely to be treasured. See - I am a girl who is easily pleased, although I am still waiting for my dream Chanel classic 2.55 in caviar. *grin* Love you, sayang! *kisses*

Ian's First Visit to the Doctor..

Aiden had his first visit to the doctor when he was a month old. Well, Prince Court must have changed their policies as Ian's first scheduled appointment with his pediatrician was when he was just a week old. I, of course jumped at the chance of getting out of the house. Even after just a week of confinement, I was going crazy being confined at home! I am one who really cannot duduk diam. Since this time around I was set on handling my own confinement period, I was ultimately responsible for making or breaking my pantang. So yes, no confinement lady to take care of me, but I would get daily visits from the urut lady whilst my maid would cook pantang food for me, based on recipes I had pre-printed. Of course, I also had my share of "surprise" visits from my neighbours - who would do spot checks on me to make sure I was wearing my bengkung and socks.

Ian officiating the Maxi Cosi car seat that we brought home all the way from Houston.

Definitely a good buy!

Since Hubby had taken way too much paternity leave, he couldn't accompany us to the hospital, but instead he chauffeured us to the hospital (and then back home). Everywhere we walked, people would give us curious stares. I think it must have been because Ian looked super duper tiny in that huge car seat. A lady actually asked whether Ian was a month old, and when I replied that he was a week old, she gave an audible gasp. She must have thought that I was crazy bringing a one week old baby around in a stroller. Oh, and I proudly showed her that I was wearing socks inside my sneakers, just in case she thinks that I was planning to not honour my confinement!

Ian's pants were literally hanging off him.

And trust my maid to put his pants wrong way front. Ian looked like he was modelling exclusively for Guess!

Absolutely irritated with the weighing scale.

3.7kg?

Ian's pediatrician was extremely happy with the fact that Ian was fully breast fed, and also the weight gain (cos babies typically lose about 5-7% of their birth weight in the first week after birth), so we were just told to continue with what we were doing. I also didn't have any burning questions, since dah macam pro this second time around... so our appointment ended early.

While waiting for Hubby to arrive, just my luck - the hospital was organizing an international food fest at the lobby. They had so many types of food, I was seriously considering breaking my pantang! Aiden on the other hand, wanted to try everything - from the Korean barbeque, to the Asian cuisine all the way to the scrumptious desserts!

Aiden coaxed me into buying the vanilla and red velvet cupcakes. Okay, fine... I cheated on my pantang and had a small bite! Heck, how can I say no to cream cheese???

Check out his excited pose. Again, he managed to coax me to buy meringue kisses and chocolate chip cookies from the stall behind him. Aaaahhh the temptation!

Same pose, more food! *cries*

In the end I found a stall that sold chicken porridge, and that was the most confinement-compliant food around, so I had that. Aiden on the other hand, had a very scrumptious looking nasi lemak!

Back home, this bald boy was suntanning in the garden patio.

So proud that Ian is starting to sprout some chubby cheeks. All on Mummy's milk!