Pumpkin Patch

Last Friday Yesmin was off from school. After Lucas' class, we decided to join her friends in a near by farm, for the pumpkin patch. That day was the PERFECT fall day...sunny, dry, clear...just perfect!

Mommy, I found a friend who wouldn't take my toys from me!!

My animal kids

The bumpy hay ride to the Pumpkin patch

Finally no more pictures. We get to go look for the perfect pumpkin!!

Yesmin: I'm almost there, I'm almost there! Oppss....

Lucas: Can I have this pumpkin?
Mommy's rule: If you can carry it ALL the way to the car, then you may have it!


Here are the pumpkin for the fall, and there are the Christmas tree for Christmas! That is what I call good planning ~ ya, Jenny, haven't you learned something here??

"Mun dei kum" (in Cantonese) ~ ground full of "gold"

We end up not picking any of the pumpkin from the patch, instead, the kids got to pick miniature ones at the farm. After all, I've already got 2 big ones from the grocery store...if we have too many of them, I'll have trouble disposing them in our little trash bin in the coming week! ;P ~ A MOTHER'S "quick thinking" !!! ;)

Spiced Pumpkin Cookies glazed with cream cheese icing

I saw this cookies on Angry Chicken's blog few days ago. I've been wanting to make some kinda pumpkin stuff...pumpkin cookies, pumpkin muffin...so, when I click on the "recipe" site, I found that many have given great reviews on this particular recipe. So, I tried it last night. Turned out great! Very cake like, very moist...unlike the everyday cookies...you'll either like it, or hate it. So far, Nd who's the most picky one among us, gave his thumbs up! This morning, as I was still half asleep, told him the cookies were in the oven, meaning, he could take a couple for lunch, as in 2 or 3. When I got down stairs to check, "a whole bunch" were GONE!! =P


I changed the recipe a little...

• Substitute 1/2 C of white sugar with brown sugar (as suggested by a reviewer)
  
• Cut about 3 Tbs off the remaining 1 C of white sugar (might cut to just 3/4 C next time, since I do like the cream cheese glaze)
• Added 3 oz of soften cream cheese to the glaze recipe
• Cut the 2 C powered sugar to just 1 C

So, if u ever crave for something pumpkin, and don't want anything too complicated, this will be the one! :)

More FALL pictures!!!

Every weekday morning, I get to walk Yesmin down this beautiful sidewalk to the bus stop...What a beautiful sight to start the day...that is until the leaves are GONE .... ;(

The close up for the Maple tree

Playing in the Fall Leaves!!!

It's been a dry week....the leaves were almost done falling from the tree in front of your house. That maple tree has always been the first tree among the others around here to lose its leaves, and the first to grow back in Spring. The colors are gorgeous! ...Guess who has to rake 'em up after they are done playing??!!

Yesmin's friend, Flora stopped by with her mom, just in time to help rake & mess it up!!!

Thank goodness he took a nap...otherwise, I doubt he'd be that "nice"!!!

They surely had a lot of fun!!

Leaves stuck on her hair!!! ;P

Autumn (Fall)

A typical Fall weather in Oregon...

9 something in the morning, and it's gloomy and foggy...


The beautiful tricolored leaves...
Nice to look at, fun to jump in ~ after SOMEONE rake 'em up ...

And so, here comes my allergies too!!! :P

Happy Birthday Lucas (to remind me what that day was like)...

Four years ago today (or rather yesterday)… I still remember vividly, it was a Tuesday. Yesmin had gone to preschool, came home, we had lunch, and then just hang around at home. I was about 38 weeks pregnant with him.

By this time, Yesmin, then almost 4 years old, was out growing her nap time. But because of my pregnancy, I insisted that she takes a nap with me. I’d bring her to my room, with some toys and/or books, and her Mr. Monkey. She would play or read while I took some cat naps, waking up every now and then to check on her. Sometimes, I don’t even know who long I have napped before she fell asleep beside me. I LOVED those moments…THAT is one of the sweetest qualities she has…she understands that I am tired, and she would not disturb me, and just entertain herself until she’s tired, she’d sniff Mr. Monkey’s face, and play with his ears and falls asleep.

That day, I was exceptionally tired. By 3 something, I had already felt some contractions, and he was very active in there. I still remembered lying down on our old sofa with Yesmin, watching Oprah, trying to forget about the pain. While watching Oprah, I also checked the interval the contraction was happening. By the end of the program, I knew I had to call the hospital…the contraction was strong and was happening every 5-10 minutes. I paged (we didn’t have cell phone then, and yes, Nd(Lee) has a PAGER!!) Nd (Lee), saying “It’s time!” We have prepared Yesmin weeks ago, and have made arrangement with our neighbor, Diane, that when it was time to deliver her brother, she’d have to go over to their house and have a “sleep over” with her kids. So, I told her, IT IS time for mommy to go to the hospital. She packed her favorite pillow, stuffed her favorite blanket and Mr. Monkey into her pillow, I packed mine and Nd’s stuff for the hospital, and Yesmin’s for the sleep over.

I think it was 6 something in the evening, when the contractions were getting even stronger! I paged Nd to ask him to come home at once. None of us have had dinner at that time, and he was on his way picking up some KFC. He came home without dinner, changed and off we go to the hospital ~ Good Samaritan Hospital. By the way, the rooms there are like hotel, and you deliver and recover IN the same room…dun need to move here and there!

After getting examined by the doctor on duty (Dr. Foster) that night, Nd went out to grab some dinner for the 2 of us. I was dilated, but wasn’t ready to deliver. So, after dinner, we were encouraged to walk around the delivery ward, sit on the exercise ball…etc. I was tired, and in a lot of pain…tried sleeping it off…but by midnight or so, I told the nurse “GIMME THE EPIDURAL NOW!!!” Some time in between, I was also induced, cos’ the dilation wasn’t keeping up. The anesthesiologist was horrible ~ probably because I woke him up from his sleep ={ I was asked to lie on my side, which is different from the usual position of sitting up and arch your back, so I thought maybe different doctor prefers different position. Man, it hurt SO MUCH when the needle went in that I screamed SO LOUD that gave the nurses and ND a shocked, and asked if I was screaming because of the contraction or the needle?! Anyway, that was the MOST PAINFUL part of this whole delivery! After the anesthesiologist got it right (I now wonder if THAT did contribute partly to my constant backache??), we finally got to sleep.

By 7 in the morning of Oct 20, I was awakened up by the urge to push!! And of course it was also the time for the Ob to switch their shifts! And of course, the Ob that I have been going to all these 38 weeks was off on that day, so her associates on duty will be delivering my child. Dr. Foster had an appointment, and Dr. Ono was stuck in traffic (there were other Ob doctors around, just that they are not “associates” of my Ob’s ~ so, if there is an emergency between Dr. Foster leaving, and Dr. Ono getting there, the other doctors are there to help). My urge to push was so strong…he was really READY to get out! But because Dr. Ono hasn’t arrived, the nurses encouraged me hang on ~ and being the cheeky one in the family, I screamed “O- NO!!!” =P
Anyway, Lucas was delivered by 8:58am. I don’t know if maybe the nurses didn’t clean him up as much as when Yesmin was born… he was STINKY AND UGLY!!! =P But it felt so good to have delivered him and get to see him ~ 10 fingers, and 10 toes, and he was screaming! ;) He, unlike Yesmin, went right into feeding! I nursed him so often, in the short time that we were in the hospital.

Few hours after the delivery, the nurse took me to the bathroom. You are encouraged to urinate shortly after delivery (I never care to find out why, so I can’t explain the reason to you). As I sat on the toilet, a big blob of stuff came out…gave me a shocked, I stared down into the toilet, and see a big blob of clot blood, somewhere between the diameter of a dessert plate and a salad plate. As I was staring, I was also telling the nurse that something isn’t right. And just as I saw the blob, I almost passed out! Thank God the nurse quickly held on to me and paged for another nurse. They helped me back to the bed immediately. Seriously, later on, I don’t think I even find out why that happened or maybe I did, but forgot why?! ;P

Later that day, Nd went home, got some rest and brought Yesmin to visit us. Poor girl didn’t even get to do her sibling tour of the hospital that was supposed to be on the coming weekend! So, the nurses sort of gave her a welcome sibling thingy when she came to visit. She was really excited. And I was so proud of her to do so well without us around.

Obviously we were more prepared for Lucas’ birth, except for not having a name for him until 2 weeks later…Yesmin kept on asking what her brother’s name is… she suggested Toby, which I liked very much too! But we ended up with Lucas instead. Anyway, even though, as I had said that we were more prepared for his birth, the one thing that I REALLY REGRET, probably will regret FOREVER is that I DID NOT take a photo with HIM in the hospital and I did not take a photo of him with me and Dr. Ono and the nurses!!! I don’t know why…maybe because I was so tired and “soft like a jelly” from losing all those blood. Whatever the reason and excuse is, still I SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST taken ONE photo with him!!! So, from now on, I will take a (or more) photo with him on every Oct 20!

Happy 4^th Birthday Lucas!

Blogging

Obviously I've informed a whole bunch of friends about me blogging....and most of the response was "wah, you even got time to blog ah?" (that's our Malaysian slang of talking --- all the wahs and ahs and lohs). I feel very lucky to be a stay-at-home mom, I get to see my kids grow, take their first steps and I get to experience all their "first times"...and I also get to "keep and eye" on them! That being said, this job HAS a lot of pressure too! We all want our kids to grow up to be a responsible, well mannered, good, ...etc person. Sending them out to the world, I have to constantly be aware of their behavior, the friends they chose to hang out with...etc.

YES, without a doubt, I have LOTS of hobbies...and thank God, blogging is free! Anyway, let's just say that my blog is my "weekly/monthly report", like those of you who work in the office. Just that, my report doesn't have a dateline! ;) So, I am very lucky and I am very thankful for that! =)

Headbands

Recently Yesmin attended one of her friend's birthday party. At the end of the party, each girl was given this really adorable headband (hairband for those of us from Malaysia), wrapped around with pink ribbon with brown paw prints, attached with a matching pink bow with brown polka dots. You can just see how happy all the girls were! =) Of course I have to asked the birthday girl's mom where she got it from? And I was told that her friend made them. When we got back home and had a better look at it, the bow was a clip! So, we have a headband AND a hair clip! For the next few days, you can see those couple of friends wearing them to school!

I have to say, not only is this headband adorable, it actually functions AS a headband to keep the hair off the face! We've got couple of headbands from the stores before, and they ALL fall off her head, and I thought Yesmin has a funny shaped head! =P

Feeling so happy with it, I asked her friend's mom if I could contact her friend to possibly get some more as gifts and for Yesmin. I was told that Erika donates half of the sale to Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance ( CARRA), as her youngest daughter and Yesmin's friend have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis( JRA), so it is something very close to their hearts.

So, I met up with Erika. She brought 2 big totes (contatiners), filled with headbands wrapped in all sorts of ribbons, colors, bows, and flowers!!! And boy, the flowers she uses are PRETTY! Not those that look cheapskate , but those that look elegant, funky --- just beautiful! I am so grateful that, even though it is my first time meeting Erika, she trusted me with all those beautiful headbands! I got to bring them home and slowly go through them! (Thanks Erika)

It was SO difficult to make up my mind (what a job I have huh?!). I slowly narrow down to 10, then to 6, then finally I picked 4. Two for Yesmin, and the other 2 as gifts. When Yesmin got home...of course we all know what happened! I end up with 5 headbands! Just look at the pictures, and tell me who, in the right mind can resist them???!!! Thank Heavens for little girls, and creative people like Erika!

You moms out there, if you're interested in getting one (or 2 or 3, if you can make up your mind) for your precious girl(s), or as a gift, AND doing something for a good cause, send me an e-mail, and I'll get you in touch with Erika. She IS working on setting her store up on Etsy, and I'll add a link when that is done. The headbands come in 1/4", 1/2" and 1" wide. They are USD$10/headband (either with flower OR with a bow - which is also a hair clip), the hair clips by itself are USD$5/ pair (I think, gotta double check with her). She does special orders too! =)

The Cat in the Hat --- I Can Do That game!

I was at Toys R' Us this morning while Lucas was in preschool ;) I saw this game based on Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. It's for ages 4-8, and most of all, this game has won 4 awards (Oppenheim Toy Portfolio -Platinum, Parents' Choice - Gold Award, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products Winner, and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval)--- which means IT HAS to be good. But just the box itself already make me feel like playing this game! Needless to say, I picked it up!

After dinner and all the clean ups (the kids did their part of putting away their toys), I told them the rules (Lucas wasn't exactly paying attention half the time)...Flip over one card from each group 1, 2 and 3 (the cards can also be identify with the colors red, blue and yellow ---works great for younger kids who might not recognize the numbers yet) and see if you can do what it is said on the cards. For example: Jump 3 times, with the book, under your chin! Or spin in a circle 2 times, with the fish, between your legs! (Group 1 is the action, group 2 is the "plaything" items, and group 3 is the location for the "plaything" item) There are also the "stop" cards where you'd lose your turn if you pick that up (which we decided to leave it out, especially when playing with Lucas). It was just hilarious! I tried to take some photos of the kids doing the actions, but between preventing Lucas from messing up all the cards and the "playthings", and holding the "Trick-a-ma-stick" (which I wished was better constructed so that it won't keep on falling), I will need a 3rd arm to do that!

Overall, IT IS A FUN game, we had a good laugh at each other. And although it stated for ages 4-8, I had a great time being silly with them --- which doesn't happen often enough!! =) WE LOVE DR. SEUSS!!!

"Mishy-milo" --- otherwise known as "Marshmallow"

We first had these flavored-filled marshmallows when we transit in Hong Kong on the way back to Malaysia last year. We all loved it. We tried to buy as many as we can (there were other flavors such as chocolate and fruity ones). But obviously, our last trip back was a little more than a year ago...and the ones we picked up from Hong Kong were long gone! =( Lucas would every now and then asked for "mishy-milo" (he can't pronounce marshmallow), and would say he wants to ride in the plane to go to Hong Kong to get them!

We've tried searching for them here in Portland, but the ones carried by the Asian grocery stores weren't as good as this brand. Yesterday, while shopping at Uwajimaya with Lucas, we found them!!!! We were so excited! Especially since Uwajimaya carries them in one big packet of the same flavor, and the pudding and chocolate flavor are our favorite! This morning when I asked Yesmin what snack she wants to bring to school, she told me she'd like to have ONE marshmallow (cos' she knows I don't allow candy as snacks) !

Trains, trains and more trains...

When we had only Yesmin, everything was in the pink and red shades. After having Lucas, blue colors started to invade our house too! I still remember Nd (Lee) and I saying to each other how weird it was to be buying blue colored stuff! Fast forward 4 years later, this is WHAT is invading our formal living space~which we convert into their playroom! ;P






I had been cleaning and re-organizing the room, especially since their birthdays and Christmas is not far away. We needed to clear out some space before those special occasions, and I have been sticking to the rule of them picking up after they are done playing at night. The floor space was cleared over the week days, as I had ordered him to clear off the previous configuration of the train tracks, so that I can vacuum. By Thursday or Friday, he wanted me to built him the configuration on his Imaginarium Spiral Train Set (since Thomas is so expensive, his cheapskate mom got the cheaper, more affordable brand + the occasional Thomas tracks/trains to make it look more "grand" =P). Between housework, and Yesmin's homework, I told him to try building himself some other simple configurations...after all, Lucas IS a child that needs to learn to be more independent. He came up with his usual circle configuration.

By Saturday, he was tired with just the circle. Since dad and Yesmin were home too, he went on and bug dad to built him the more sophisticated track. By the time I done taking my shower, Nd(Lee) , with the help of his assistant engineer~ Miss Yesmin Chua, created not only the Spiral Train Set, they also incorporated the other parts of Thomas' set! I gotta say, he's on hell of a lucky guy. They brought out the Playmobil figurines(thanks to Uncle Phil and Aunty Shoo Mei) , Yesmin's doll house, some Pokemons...and their wild and carefree imagination! Both he and Yesmin had so much fun playing together! =)

Update on Lucas' Potty Training...

Last week, Lucas gave me a good scare (probably his way of getting back at me for posting his photos! =P )...

On Wednesday late morning, he started having fever, and by night time, his fever reach almost closed to 105!!! Though he had done his #2 that afternoon, I was so afraid that because he has been holding back every 2 to 3 days before he goes, has somehow caused this fever! We called his pediatrician for consultation and gave him Motrin (Motrin somehow works better for both Yesmin and Lucas, than Tylenol). The doc also said that I have to make sure he goes for his #2 everyday, whether or not it's the cause of the fever. She advised me to give him prune or pear juice, OR get the over the counter laxative to help him go! She also mentioned that if he isn't ready, I should take a step back, which I did, offering him diaper/pull ups instead. However, he refused, cos' he wants to be a big boy! Plus, he knew he was getting reward for it! ;) (Do not under estimate kids, they are smarter than we think they are!)

The next day, he still had slight fever in the evening, but after that, he was all fine! Thank God! Anyway, I've been giving him prune/pear juice once a day since then. And he has been going once a day without having to buy him a reward! He really really wants these trains called Rosie and Rocky from the Thomas the Tank Engine, I told him that they are very expensive. But if he goes everyday like his doc told him to, I'll get them for his birthday. So, for now, he is working towards that goal! =)

I know I haven't been posting the MOST "interesting" and "pleasant" topic, but let's face it, THIS IS part of parenthood that we just can't avoid! ;) Thought it seems like I am embarrassing him, I hope it will serve some good for parents who are also facing the same problem ~ you are not alone (or maybe I AM alone?!) =P The other thing I want to add to that is, it seems like in Asia, many kids are potty trained at a very young age. I have friends who's kids were trained since baby...over here, we are more often told to look for signs to see if they are ready! ~ I say, go with which ever advise that suits you and your child best!