Surviving Motherhood

Looking back, I have started blogging in 2008; 4 years full of my motherhood journey. I guess I have quite some things to share with the moms out there. Some thing that might be useful, some might not for motherhood survival. An 'expert' might not best fit me, but four years of experiences in motherhood with three little children, I'd like to share simple and practical advices so that all of us can feel in the know and in control.

I am not a perfect parent, neither my children. But with these simple tips to share, we know that we aren't alone. People say that motherhood is a lonely journey, I think it is not. I have you, you and you; all mothers out there!

And while I'd like to tell you I have covered and done all of the tips, I haven't. But who doesn't want to be a good mother? Let us try!

Yes, please.

Iyra Alveena's Aqiqah

Iyra's aqiqah was held on the 3rd of February 2012; almost 3 months of her age. We did it together with Ayah Wan's first daughter; baby Benth Imaany Zharrith. With three years in a row of the eventful events, I was bombarded with a typical-cynical-blessed questions by many.

"Ye ke aqiqah anak Kakak? Bukan ke tahun lepas dah aqiqah?"

"Ye ke aqiqah anak Kakak? Anak yang mana pulak ni?"

"Ye ke aqiqah anak Kakak? Berapa orang dah anak dia?"

"Ye ke aqiqah anak Kakak? Macam anak tangga kan anak-anak Kakak."

Honestly, I love that kind of questions, they really made my day. I feel blessed and proud to show them my stair steps! So enjoy the moments!

Photoshoot is not easy.

I started respecting family potraiture photographer.

Iesha tried out making peace sign.

Baby Iyra's black guardians.

What's on your mind, girls?

The goat is black, so my dress.

Train Trip

We have travelled by car (mostly) and few times by airplanes, but I'd rather say by train is the best! We went back to Kelantan last week for Iyra's aqiqah by Senandung Wau. It took us almost 12 hours to reach Wakaf Bharu and we found some we love it/ hate it things happening.

What We Love

~On a budget-it is only RM200 for an air-conditioned coach; complete with a bunk bed, a sink and a chair.

~Everyone have their freedom. Mummy can sleep, Bapak can eat, Iris can read, Iesha can jump-run-hop-eat-scream-jump-hop-eat-play with water-jump-scream-cry-eat-eat-sleep, and baby Iyra can be breastfed comfortably.

~Bapak and Mummy wouldn't argue over where to stop to change diapers, where to eat, where to pray, what to do when everyone wanted to have their own lullaby all at once. And that's why travelling by car surely emotionally and physically tiring, but not by train!

~We all can have our 12 hours beauty sleep all at once. Yes, we still need to share bed.

What We Hate

~A 12 hours journey with a bladder always full. Well, if only I didn't have to go to the toilet.

~Repeated questions by Iris that drove me crazy "Mummy kenapa hutan aje?"

~Train-lag: I have vomited 2 times, I wonder how the girls can stand the sway.

With a family of five, travelling by train is the best. We can't wait to visit Tok Kedah with Senandung Mutiara. With Senandung Mutiara, it's a dream come true-a toilet attached to the coach!

Our coach

Celebrating Chinese New Year

More stories on Anya's blog. http://namakunodoyashalala.blogspot.com/

Believe

Credit:favim.com

Sunshine!

I love you girls!

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When the skies are grey

You'll never know dear

How much I love you

So please don't take

My sunshine away

Photo credit to: Antisha :)

Ditch the nappy!

Let us call an end for a nappy changing! Yes, Iris consistently dry all day and night! Surely it is a great achievement for her. She keeps telling everyone she does not wear diapers anymore. And I keep repeating the good news and praising her in front of people that concerned and I let Iris heard the conversation so that she will feel special. I have mentioned her achievement while talking to my husband over the phone and made an excited tone "Bapak!!! Iris dah tak payah pakai pampers tidur malam-malam!! Iris is a big girl dah!" She grinned and repeated the same tone when she told the story to the people around her.

I was skeptical at first when she told me she did not want to use diaper anymore. Yes, she does not use diaper during daytime for almost 6 months, but nighttime is quite challenging for me and her. I have to wake her up when she has the urge to. So I guess I need to wait for several months to make her bladder fully mastered this process. But she had convinced me "Mummy, Iris dah tak payah pampers. Iris kencing dalam toilet." And I let her, and she proved me wrong. After a week training, I think I can call an end to this nappy thing. But of course I need to prepare myself for any accidents that might occur. I need to keep in mind that this is a grown-up skill so mastering this process surely take time.

Iris, you are 3 years and 5 months and officially potty trained. Iris, you must feel proud of yourself!

My Little Dragon

Iesha and Anya

Colors of Rainbow

Iesha's night t-shirts

Notes: I didn't realize I made a rainbow out of Iesha's night t-shirts!