Recipe for the Perfect Kid

Both kids are asleep, Rockstar is out 'yamchaing' and I am home munching on homemade banana cake. The banana cake was truly a surprise. Right before bedtime, I found the two brown bananas sitting on the shelf and decided to do a quick banana cake to save them. I was half way through mixing them when I realized I did not have an eggs in the fridge. A quick google and I substituted it with vegetable oil, crossing my fingers and hoping it will not turn out too oily. Since one bub was already cranking and fussing, I quickly mixed everything and threw it into the oven. And it turned out well, better than I expected. Not oily, and extra crunchy. Which made me think about life the last couple of days. 

Being a mom is confusing. One minute, I am a sucker for research and books and articles, and the next I just give up and go with whatever works. It's tough being a mother. I wish there is but no, there isn't one handbook or recipe that gives you a perfect kid. There is no 'here follow this step by step and your kid with turn out a decent human being'. 

When I just became a mom, a read and watch hundreds of videos, articles, books on how to mother. And I did try to follow, I did try. Google became my best friend and whenever I wasn't sure about anything, I googled. But when the second one came, time was a commodity which I did not have. So I did whatever I thought was OK. And you know what, I believe that it is alright. Sometimes I try to do what is proper, but sometimes things does not work out and it is ok to just make do with whatever I have. 

For example, bedtime. Sleep train or not. Every since they were born, my kids have a bedtime routine, but they do not sleep at the same time every night. For the past 2 years, our family have been back and forth across the globe, went through so many different time zone and back. I struggled with bedtime. I struggled a lot. I wonder why other kids are so easy. I wonder what am I doing wrong. But just recently, I realized that it's not working for us. Yes, I do want a schedule and routine. Yes, I do want to sleep train but that can wait. Because that won't work for us now. And the more I try to fight it, the more stressed I become. So for now, I will just go with the flow. Some nights, if all the stars aligned, I do a little sleep training. But on some nights, I just let my bubs fall asleep on my boobs and that is ok. After all, it will be too soon when he doesn't need me anymore. 

So yes, my advise to mothers and future mothers, it's ok. Read, learn as much as you can about being a good mother. Practice them. But if they do not work for you, that is ok. There is no one recipe that creates the perfect kid. You just need to do your best. And that is all that matters. Just create your own recipe. 

I did it!

It's almost midnight and it is pouring outside. The kids are asleep. I am suddenly feeling all nostalgia and decided to blog. I am not sure if this is going to be the start of my blogging again or just a one off thing. But as of now, my thoughts and heart is telling me to. Maybe it is the combine effect of so many things happening the last few days and my kiddos are both growing up so fast. I need somewhere to remember, not for anyone else, but for me to look back one day and see how far I've gone. 

Rockstar is currently away in China and I am left alone with the 2 kids. This is the first time ever he has been away for so long. When he first told me, I was afraid. Afraid that I couldn't handle both the kids on my own. Afraid that I may lose it. Afraid of so many uncertainties. As his departure date drew nearer and nearer, I got a little bit more confident. I told myself maybe I could do this. Maybe I needed to believe in myself more. Maybe, just maybe, everything will work out. But yet, the tiny nagging voice at the back of my head kept telling me no. 

That's what motherhood did to me. It made me question my decision. It made me doubt my abilities. It made me second guess myself in all situation. It made me lose confidence in my capabilities. And the knowledge that I am no longer who I was, the strong capable adventurous person, is almost enough to break my spirit. 

But it did not. I survived. I am still intact. Rockstar is coming back tomorrow and I did it. I made it through. And even though there were help at times, I can confidently say that I can do it. And to those who say that I cannot this do this or that, know that I did. I can take care of both my kids. I can feed both my kids. I can handle 2 kids on my own. Do not tell me what I can or cannot do. 

I am stronger than what I thought I am. I am still as capable as I was. And maybe even much more. 

Baby Shower for Baby No.2

For me, the hardest part about being abroad is not having family around for support, for comradeship, for makan sessions and just having people around to share life with. And I do miss them so very much. But thankfully, there are people here who makes life so much better and sweeter. And for that, I am truly thankful to God for and am grateful to them. 

Just a few days back, they decided to organized a baby shower for Baby No.2. Yes, baby No.2 will have to be Baby No.2 for now because we have yet to choose a name. Somehow, Rockstar and I have been throwing names around for a couple of months but it's so hard to settle on the right one. Anyways, below are some pictures of the amazing night filled with such pretty decorations, yummy food, fun games, and lovely people. 

Diaper cake. Handmade. 

Cupcakes 

Fruit Baby Carriage. So much food. 

Mother to be (for the second time ;p)

Hannah trying to measure her belly as part of the game

Trust the accounting graduate to guess the closest answer.
Now I can get my sweet tooth cravings satisfied. 

Another game to create what Baby No.2 will look like.
Who do you think did the best?

Pressies. Lots of them. 

Princess Hannah pose. 

With the loves of my life. 

Big thanks, hugs and kisses to every single one of you who played a part in this. And I cannot express how thankful I am for everything. I feel loved and so very blessed. And I sure Baby No.2 feels it too. 

xoxo

Hannah Walks...

Phewwww... Hannah is finally asleep. She's been cranky the last couple of nights due to teething. She has 6 teeth for the longest time ever and finally, another 2 seems to be showing signs of appearing. She is drooling and biting anything she can get her hands on. She just took a big chomp my my shoulders just now. Poor girl! Poor mama!!

Anyway, Rockstar will be back in half an hour or less so I'm just going to keep this post short and quick. I have been meaning to post this, besides all the many other things that happened, but this is a major milestone for us.

Hannah started walking!!! 

For a while, she have been doing her one-sided funny crawl and only takes a couple of steps when we prompt her to walk to us. But on the 5th day of Chinese New Year 2017, 1st February 2017, when she turned exactly 15 1/2 months, she became a toddler overnight. We were having a lou sang dinner at home with family and relatives. I guess she must have been watching the older cousins because she just started walking. ALL AROUND THE HOUSE! On her own. Stumbling, holding on the walls for support at times, falling down, picking herself up, but most importantly all by herself. *cries* My baby is growing up! She just kept walking and walking, up and down, exploring rooms, without a care about all the fuss going on and so very excited about her new found freedom. So, so proud of her. 

Ever since then, she's been following me around the house. To the laundry room, toilet, bedroom, kitchen. As I do housework or my business in the toilet. Almost everywhere. And just yesterday, I brought her outdoors. She had so much fun just walking around the front porch, pointing at planes, waving hi to dogs, picking up dead leaves and branches, and being so curious about everything. 

I just love being her mama, watching her grow and seeing the world through her eyes.