Bad weather

Izzul is down with cough and running nose. He was coughing really badly - It was dry and his throat must have been so itchy and yet he could not release his cough. He turned tomato-faced. That's when we decided that it can't wait till tomorrow. So we were out to the GP right smack at midnight.
I think this might have been caused by his new found hobby - putting everything within his reach into his mouth. The elders in the house insist that Izzul got sick because he is going to start to do something new. Either walk, speak or grow some teeth. I still don't get how these two are related.
Anyway, according to some pediatrician him getting sick now is a way of him knowing his "enemies" and finding a way to protect his body against it. Building up his immunity system now means preparing to defend his body against the same virus in the future. Now, that sounds a little bit more logical to me.
But does that mean Izzul escapes from taking his medications? Although plenty of rest and fluid are said to be the best medicine for one to recover from flu and cough, bringing him to the practitioner puts my mind at rest..To know an expert's take on things, that it's nothing serious and that he will recover. Soothing words that calm my worried soul. Yes, I am willing to pay $44 for all that.
So right now, Izzul having his rest. And I'm heading for mine.

Call out to all bag fanatics

I think I have been so blessed the last few days. It has been 3 days since school reopened but I still feel like I am on holiday. Because - I have no timetable. Yes, no class to teach! No sore throat from all the shouting, no 'leg pain' from climbing all the steps. No lesson planning...No marking... I can go on, really. But instead I'm going to tell you WHAT I HAVE been doing.
Since I do not want to be called as per malay saying " Makan gaji buta", I am contributing to the Official School Opening which is on July 11 by helping out set the walk-in Art Gallery. WHen I am not busy with the preparations and all... I will be on the surf board riding the waves.
Which brings me to this new hot thing that I am going to rave about. Diaper Bags!
Close friends will know the kind of bags that I'd die for. They are usually big and I prefer those with edge. Squarish - boxy - trapezium. However, it's general preference - not a restriction. There are of course exceptions. Also, i love compartments. It gives me this false impression that I am going to be a little more organized when I get the bag.
SO when Izzul came into the picture, going places with a big bag is a priviledge to me. Priviledge because no longer do my friends wonder why I need to carry big bags. Priviledge because it gives me the perfect reason to buy new big bags each time.
so this new hot thing... Uncool name until you take a look at it. Watch out for this space. A lil sneak peek :

Sit & Carry By Baby Compact

School has begun. Quite caught up with work but finally, it is just me, my laptop and moi blog page. A friend introduced me this product a while back and I have to say I have fallen in love with it so much that i have gotten 2 more and added them on my store. I own a sling but my mum is the only one who can skillfully place Izzul on it and confident enough to let go of her hand. But I guess I am those who do not know how to handle fabrics well.
I wanted to get Baby Bjorn - they look really good but the maximum weight it can carry is 10 to 12 kg. So I was still thinking about getting it when this friend of mine showed me Baby Compact Sit and Carry.



Why I like it?
>>> It can carry up to 15 kg, Izzul is 8.5 kg now. So I was thinking, not too bad. At least better.
>>> It folds really easily into this tiny little thing and I can put it in my diaper bag. This is important because although we have a stroller, Izzul wants to be carried at times.
Anyway, due to this fact and the fact that my arm aches after only 10 minutes carrying him, I had to get some kind of support. So this is a perfect bring along item.
>>> Slick and simple. Imagine, you're wearing something really nice. You're ready to show off your new dress that accentuate your figure from pre-pregnancy times.. but it all got distracted by this more attractively design cloth in front of you. So, black is the way to go.
>>> Going to a coffeeshop? Or packed restaurant where all the the baby chairs have been nabbed away for people to put their child or for some.. their diaper bags? No fear, have this with you when you are out. Weighs nothing.. well compared to your thermoflask, milk bottles, diapers, etc.. it is nothing.
>>> Cloth material - If your baby is like mine - hardly can sit still for one minute especially mealtime - then cloth will help. Just throw them in your washing machine and voila! as good as new.

Bad sides to it?
> Used for babies 6 mths to 3 years. But usually babies smaller than that don't mind lying down in their pram all the time while you spend half the day at the mall.
> It's an inflatable seat. Some may not find it too glamourous to be huffing and puffing in public. Takes about 7 to 10 full blows.
> Adjusting the buckle. You need to adjust them when you are using it for chair.

But these points are not too bad since Izzul is 7 going on 8, and I usually have the buckle ready for carrying and not for sitting. I usually fight for a baby chair when others not utilising them the right way and I don't mind blowing in public. To the inflatable seat i mean.

So if you would like them for a gift or even for yourself, I have got them up on my store. Or you might like to contact me personally for it. No problem.Check it out at www.izzulbabygift.com

NTU - view from the 'front'

Digressing away from the topic of babies a bit. I was at NTU Auditorium yesterday. It has been ages since I last went to NTU. Memories flood back as I walk along the North spine. I was speechless not because of the physical change that she has went through. Although I am so happy to see the change. But as I drive across the library, halls, the carparks even, I let the memories sink as I enjoy the feeling of deja vu.
I was not popular or anything back in NTU. In fact, I only had a small circle of friends. But even an isolated table at a corner where I used to shelter to do my tutorials while waiting for another class is a moment that I will keep forever in my heart.
The way I look at the school now is different then when I was studying there. Now, almost 4 years since I graduated, I found it a place that only the real smart and innovative made it there. It's funny and unbelievable that I went through my 4 years there. Then, NTU was just this really big place that I need to shuffle back and forth from North spine to south spine just to clear one tutorial to another. Being part of the entity make you look at things in a close range perspective. All I cared about is that I ace my exams, projects.
As an outsider now, who is going to be studying in NIE for the coming 1 year, I see NTU as a place of opportunity. To grow, explore and seek. Not just academically. I know that sounds somthing you can read from an orientation pamphlet.
But really, I wished I had seen the meaning of it all 8 years ago when I started my journey there. SOund like regret? No. Because exploring and seeking will not guarantee me a better grade. It's just that, I want to learn more lessons. This could be coming from someone who is no longer part of NTU population or she just learn that learning things in the real world is harder.

Cute Camou & Casual wear

We bought this specially for a good friend's wedding from Taka. Azza in particular. So, Izzul didn't get a chance to wear it more often. He grew too fast before he could wear it again for another formal event.

Size: 3 ~ 6 mths
Donation amt: $20 (Cash/IB/Cheque)
Pick-up point: Bt Batok Mrt / Ar-Raudhah Mosque
Delivery charges: $5 (delivery only upon request)



A gift by Nek Su. Again, couldn't gauge well on his size. Manage to squeeze Izzul in them one time.

Size: 3 ~ 6 mths
Donation amt: $15 (Cash/IB/Cheque)
Pick-up point: Bt Batok Mrt / Ar-Raudhah Mosque
Delivery charges: $5 (delivery only upon request)

Contact myself ( Mas ) @ 91270043 or my hubby ( Ez ) to purchase the items.
Further contact details @ http://www.izzulbabygift.com/shop/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=4

Here kitty-kitty!

Worn once only by my baby to a family bowling game. Adorable to be worn for a day of dress up of fun. Actually I don't mind him wearing even if it's just another outing to Orchard Rd, we have people gushing out "so cute" to him wearing this before.

Size: 3 ~ 6 mths
Donation amt: $10 (Cash/IB/Cheque)
Pick-up point: Bt Batok Mrt / Ar-Raudhah Mosque
Delivery charges: $5 (delivery only upon request)

Milk & Diaper Project

Almost a week now since my last entry. Away for a short trip over the weekend. Anyway, I have been really excited to talk about this for a while now, finally got this chance.
About a month ago, while I was marking some exam papers, I was passed a piece of paper from my colleague sitting next to me. There was no heading whatsoever and it reads...
"Dear Friends,
As some of you know, I was with my friend who works for this wonderful organisation when an urgent call came in requesting for milk powder for a 6 week old baby who was fed rose syrup by her teenage mum who could not afford milk powder and did not hae family support. It was so upsetting to witness the whole episode..."
She went further to explain her purpose of writing to all of us teachers in the room on how we could help out in any form of donation. At the bottom of her letter, she provided information on donation drive that she was working on and beneficiaries in this move.
Later in the day, me and a friend went up to her to find out more on this and after talking about it for a while, I knew somehow, I would like to contribute too.
So you might like to browse through a bit on this:

http://www.beyond.org.sg/StaticBeyond/Programs/Prog-Child.asp

So here at Izzul Baby Gift, in our effort for the fund-raising drive, we are selling away some used (and some untouched) baby items, mostly clothes (since babies outgrow very fast) that I have on hand. I will update the items up for sale in a folder. You may refer to it for any new items posted. All proceeds from the sale of this will go to the Healthy Start Programme. Or you might like to make your own contributions with KKH Outreach/Babes which are also beneficiaries of the HSP. More information at:

http://www.kkh.com.sg/WaystoGivenVolunteer/Donations

I understand that some parents have their reservations when it comes to "Passed Down clothings" or second hand wear. Many of Izzul's day to day wear are handed down from a friend. We do not mind Hand me downs items if they are still in good condition. Some of these may even be new clothes that the child may never have worn for babies outgrow their clothes very fast. I believe we save about $300 on baby items for the first few months since we have gotten so many of newborn items such as clothes, rocker, toys, etc.
It does not mean we are in a bad position or we don't get anything new for Izzul. Of course we do buy things for Izzul, he is our first after all. But especially now that he is really active and really hard to cuff him down during his meal time, extra pieces of clothes sure comes in handy.
However, even if you are not interested to get the any of the items, do take the time to visit some of the websites above and reach out in the many ways that you can. For some of you who would like to donate some of your baby items, ring me up or email me. Contact information can be found at:

http://www.izzulbabygift.com/shop/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=4

I realise long before that I'm no mariah carey but I love singing to Izzul. It calms him and make him lay still and listen. For me, it's quality bonding time.
I sing to him wherever and whenever I feel like breaking into a tune. My hubby, my in-laws, my friends, cousins... they all have been my 'faithful' audience :)
I think most of us already know that singing and talking are important stimulations of the environment for babies and young children. Music makes children artistically more sensitive and also contributes to the development of his brain.
But how true is it that classical music makes children smarter? The Mozart effect is said to have been proven to help stimulate the senses and mental development of babies. They claim that listening to Mozart raised the IQ of children, helped retrain the ear to hear better, and developed spatial reasoning skills in early cognitive development.
But a simple fact is that any slow songs can soothe a fussy baby. That's why we have lullabies.
The truth of the matter, Mozart effect research has been conducted on college undergraduates while no test yet involving the possible influence of this music on infants' has been conducted. Despite popular sentiment, the evidence that listening to classical music made anybody smarter is still questionable.
For me, I'll still sing for izzul..any song that comes to mind... I'll just recite them. From ba ba black sheep to Alhamdulillah.. from Sometimes to Sukiyaki.. yes, I am from that long ago.. from Majulah Singapura to Negaraku.
And if mozart effect is still tenuos, there are still million other ways we can think of to educate and raise our children to be intelligent. Well, it won't be as easy as listening to a piece of music, but I believe in any hard work, it will sure pay off.

Are elephants scared of mice?

I know this got nothing to do with babies or my life whatsoever but I thought it is intereting to share. I saw this on one of Mythbusters pisodes, they try to find out whether the fabled myth that the elephant’s arch nemesis the mouse is true or not. Check this video out...

Mouse v elephant
by krupis

Izzul Baby Gift Launch

The day has finally arrive for me to officially announce the launching of our online baby gift store! Named after our beloved son - Izzul Baby Gift sets its mark yesterday when I send out the launching email.
After months of hard work, most of my part is almost done.
Working my own husband in this project had been a wonderful time as it gives us the opportunity to learn another side of us - our work ethics... There are definitely times of thrashing and disagreements, but we somehow need to come to a consensus based on the best outcome.
In fact, I am also working with my close friends, Ros and Olin. Thank you for your support in this.



Our gift store comprises of specially designed gift baskets - the baskets are real nice and they can be used to hold other things after that. Also, instead of bags, we have items packed in chic insulated bags so the moms can use the bag as bottle or food warmer. It is defninitely a great gift for mom who's always on-the-go.
Bouquet of flowers almost always make hearts melt - so we have incorporated this in our gifts - we present to you baby bouquets - bouquets filled with bodysuits, bips, face towels, etc. It's a great gift and you can carry them off stylishly.



We also carry baby-licious diaper cakes - we have auntie jamz to help us with this one since she is good with her hands... we love them, thank you so much. We also have big items such as baby gyms if you would like something simple, practical, pretty and cute.
For those of you out there who worries about getting something she might already have, we would like to suggest our glamourshoot package. Instead of the getting a tangible gift- let her hav the gift experience of her life. Photoshoot will be taken by an experience and friendly photographer to make sure Mommy and baby will have a great time. For their portfolio - check out: www.rashideulyn.com.
Do drop by our store at www.izzulbabygift.com.
We would really appreciate your feedback... maybe what you would like to see more of, whatever it is, we want to hear it. Email, leave me a message here or even call me if you'd like.

We had such a great time at IMM yesterday. Not shopping but we were there because I wanted Izzul to play at the open air playground on the 3rd floor of the building. The best part of the playground is that it is divided to wet and dry playground. Since Izzul can't walk on his own yet, I brought his walker along. Good thing my hubby was nice enough to let me have the car this week to roam about. Izzul also had a great fun 'waddling' around in the big open space. Check out Izzul's vid.. It's hilarious. It's not very clear that the water's pouring but there are water jets and buckets of water hanging from the top which will tilt over splashing water all over below..

Cheesy saturday

Yes! I finally and successfully made a cheescake. Dari tunjuk ajar Chef Ros, my mum atually ate 2 slices of it. Thank you! I just realise that it is quite easy to make. But my first attempt at it, the cheesecake refuse to stand on its own. I couldn't even make out where was the separating layer between the cheese and the biscuits. I am that bad. Anyhow, my brother thinks that my cheesecake is a bit cheesy. Honestly, I don't what he's expecting... *urr**
While we were waiting for the cake to bake, we wake Izzul up from sleep and play with him a bit. Ros get to be first to witness Izzul's attempt to stand on his own. He gripped hard on the crib's railings and pulled himself up..woohoo! but dropped again. Bravo! I was too excited that I forgot to take any video of it.
However, he still can't crawl. If a toy is out of his arm's reach, instead of going all fours, he will stretch his body almost 90 deg.
Ez is back in camp. Sigh! 3 weeks is just too long.