Planning For The Twins' birthday

Yes, it is still about 1.5 months to go, my Twins will be 1!!!

I know it could be a bit too early to plan at the moment. But you can't imagine, with work and the twins, it is always not enough time in a day, and Saturday and Sunday just gone passed without you knowing it.

I was born in a kampung. My family were really poor people. We did not have toilet in the house and I have never have birthday cakes, new clothes and even 'Ribena' when I was a kid. 

Now, I am going to plan and spend money for the twins' 1st birthday which they may not remembered and I am pretty sure that they don't even know what is going on that day. Now days, parents are going extra mile just to try to make things perfect for their little one(s).

My plan:-

1. A Theme
2. A Cake

3. A party planner

4. A photographer

5. A caterer

6. A guest list

7. Door gift/party packs.

Ok just want to share with mummy out there what I have done about the plan.

1. Theme

My 3 children enjoy watching 'Dibo the gift Dragon' on Playhouse Disney. So, this just come to my mind.

2. Cake

I am not a supporter of cupcakes and novelty cake. I attended few parties, but most of the people just got rid of the frosting as they are too sweet and thick. However, to make the theme look perfect, I have no choice but resorting to novelty cake. And, I found Jessica, the creator, the sculptor of cupcakes and novelty. You must check out her blogspot in my list. She is good. I have sort of discussed my idea with her. She is so enthusiastic about what she is going to do and proposed lots of difficult and complicated design. In view of the budget, I have asked for much more simple 2D cake. The idea is something like this but with the 'Dibo' theme and colors that signify the different sex of the twins.

3. Party Planner

I have come to know this creative party planner - razzle dazzle party box. You can click on my blog lists and try to visit her site. She is creative. As she is not available on the date of my Twins' birthday.  I have opted for Package A where no site attendance is required. The packages comprises of :

• Balloon Bouquet
• Personalised Party Displays
• Personalised Birthday Pennant
• Personalised Chocolate Bars
• Personalised Mineral Bottles
• Personalised Cupcake Tags

This is some of her work of a similar package that I have ordered from her.

4. Photographers

Anna-rina has been our family photographer for 2 sessions. So she is automatically becomes our choice. Again, her website is also under my blog lists. These are some of the photo taken by her during our last session.

The Twins and their grand parents

Angie and the Twins

5. Caterer

I heard of some good comments of Banana Catering (belong to Zang Toi) but after considering those advertised in China Press, those caterers are offering like 20 dishes comprised of fish, squid, chicken and etc. I think most people would prefer lots to eat and lots of choices. I have not set my mind but I think that's way it is going to go.

6. Guest list

I have prepared the guest list but it seems like add -on more and more each day. Alamak!!! Ok, I think I need to take control. Limit, limit, 50 pax excluding children!!

7. Door gift / party packs

My eldest son always bring back party packs from the Vital Year from those children who celebrated their birthday there. My personal opinion, they are mainly junk and I don't like him to take sweets too much. So, most of them usually gone to waste.

I am very proud of this finding. I managed to find some wall stickers, they are big and meant to stick to the room for decoration purposes. They are beautiful and they only cost RM 10.00 for 4 pieces. The seller even chipped in a few free one for me. There are theme like Ben 10, Mickey mouse, floral, abstract art and etc. I believe children will like things like this. Can't believe some of them are selling like RM7.00-RM10.00 per piece. That is why I am proud of my 'hunt'.

Ok will promise to post the birthday photos after the party.

So, Chicken Me!!!

To Go or Not to Go. So It was so Chicken of me. I didn't go on this shopping spree trip with my friend. Instead, I spend time, which I do everyday, anyway, with my family. We have done some open house visits and unfortunately all 3 of them were also down with cold and cough at the same time. I felt better that I have not opted to go, so I was able to give them their mother's tender loving care. I hope they will really appreciate that!!!

TO GO OR NOT TO GO? IS THAT MEAN I AM A BAD MOTHER?

My husband has the air miles things accumulated and part of it will be expiring by end of this month. It is not easy for all of us to travel. It is like a major operation to pack 2 babies, 1 child and 4 adults' stuff and I termed it 'loading and unloading' all the kids into a car, out of a car and into a plane and out of a plan and it goes on onto all the transportation.

We went to Langkawi in May during my in-laws' visit. We went without the maids. The parent in-laws are already in their late seventies and early eighties, so we can't really count on them on babysitting. My sister in-laws helped a little bit but it is like a holiday to her, so we can't really push her to help much. Most of the time, my husband and I were stuck in the hotel room looking after the 3 kids. It was TOUGH! but we survived. Good thing was, by the end of the trip, my in laws sort of bonded with my children and my eldest son was able to play and let them carry. My in-laws stay in Ireland, we can only meet up in every couple of years and it is even difficult now with the 3 kids.

 So, I came out with the options of:-

1. all of us go (including the maids) to Langkawi or

2. 3 of us go (me, hubby and eldest son) go somewhere near e.g Cambodia, Bali or Thailand

Bear in mind that we have booked to go to Langkawi next February with Airasia's 0 fares. So, it is kind of silly to go there again. But we find going to Langkawi is easy, short flight and we know the place well. Penang is another option but travelling around there maybe a problem. Langkawi's car rental is cheap.

My hubby has really changed a lot for me and even became a better man after the children's arrival. His choice is either all of us go or I go with my friend shopping somewhere.

I like the idea of going shopping with my friend. I missed my Platinum Mall and Pratunam shopping in Thailand. 

I was delighted with the idea but has been struggling to decide to go or not to go. I have never left the children since they were born. I have so far, attended 2 wedding dinner and came home late. I missed the children and I cried during the dinners.

If I go, I am just going for 2 days trip, go in the morning and come back the next day afternoon. I have to apologise to my friend that I don't think I could go for 3 days and also to bear with me that I will cry too. Is that mean I am a bad mother? Leaving all my kids, husband and maids behind. 

So, the big question is should I go or should I stay? Please advise me.

If I were to go, I planned to go on 10th-11th of September. Appreciate experienced mummy out there for your advice.

First 'Together' Photo

It is very difficult to get the 3 children to take a photo together. Each time when we wanted to take a photo of them together, one of them will cry, kick-up a big fuss or the big brother will refuse and run away. I was surprise of them being so co-operative this time, maybe it was near their bedtime.

I definitely hope that we could get some nicer photos of them together or even the whole family.

Progress Photographs

For my next few postings, I will be gathering some of my 3 children's photos doing the same thing but at different time.

Here is some of the photos of them eating.

Kayley

Dylan

Jack

Thank you God for my 3 children

Jack

dylan

Kayley

The 3 of Them - Just Born

and 

now,

Jack

The Twins (Dylan and Kayley)

Maid Issues

Maid or no maid? I was a firm believer of not having a maid until the arrival of the twins. Both of myself and my husband used to share house works when that was just the 2 of us. The maid? We don't trust them, too many scary or horror story about them!!

When my eldest son arrived, I was exploring the option of babysitter or hiring a live-in Chinese maid. I am not the type of person who can stay at home and engage into this 24 hours, 7 days a week and 365 days job without any financial freedom and break. I have the experience of doing this for a month after the confinement lady left. I realised that I do not have the patient and became more emotional. My husband and I used to have a chat of our work, life and occasionally met up for a drink. Since I was babysitting at home the whole day, all I wanted to do when he get home is for him to take care of the baby, so I could prepare dinner (not even bother to be creative), shower and prepare the baby's milk bottle or do any balance of the house works. I realised this was not healthy for our relationship, I need to get back to work. I felt good after going back to work and look forward everyday to come home to see my husband and the baby and to cook for them.

OK. Here is my journey of trying to get a nanny or maid for my precious children while we are at work.  At first, I got my neighbour to babysit. My babysitter decided to become alcoholic less than 2 months taking care of my baby. Thank God, my son was in good health and not harmed. Appreciated my neighbours who have given the information about the behavior of the babysitter. I took my baby back and  decided to get a Chinese live-in nanny. At the beginning, I went through an agency to hire my very 1st Chinese nanny.

Some of you may not know such an agency exist, right? Here are the 2 agencies that hire out local Malaysian maid, mainly Chinese and some Indian.

1. Susan Domestic Agency 

• Location : Cheras and Jalan Pasar off Jalan Pudu
• Contact : 016-331 8040
• Charges: Agency fee - 1 month of the maid's salary. Maid's salary = RM1300-1600/month (depends on live in or not)

I got my first nanny through this agency. However, for whoever wish to engage their service, my advice is you need to be patient. The lady boss, she is a very loud, bad manner person. If you do not have the patient, you will not be able to even listen and talk to her any further. I was pre-warned about her attitude. So at the end I got my nanny.

2. Yee Ku 

• Location : Jalan Pasar Off Jalan Pudu (next door to Susan's)
• Contact : 012-609 1273
• Charges: Agency Fee - RM800. Maid's salary = RM 1300-1600/month

The agency will usually provide a 2 months warranty. If you are not happy, you could change. The live-in nanny will basically take care of the baby, cook for us and including doing the house works. They have to go on a break a day per week.

My 1st nanny has done an excellent job in taking care of my son but unfortunately she gone crazy after 8 months after I banned her from taking my baby out everyday to hawker/restaurant outside to have her meal. I was worried that my son or they could be a target of kidnapping or robbery.

With the short notice, I was desperate to get a replacement. I have called all confinement ladies listed in my previous blog and was hoping that 1 of them will be interested to work for me for long term, I wasn't ready to go back to the agency to face the very rude Susan and pay her a month of agency fee again. I did not come to know Yee Ku only till later.

Running out of luck, I resorted to China Press to see whether there is any more maid agency who provide Chinese maid. Then I noticed there are few ads looking for Chinese maid. I was desperate that I call to the persons who advertised and apologised to them that I did not want to apply for the job but would like to enquire them about the responds and their luck in getting the maid. The feed backs were good. All of them who advertised have managed to get a maid within couple of days.

So I called up China Press. The cost to advertise for 3 days was only about RM110. So I placed the ad. and within few days, I have received 7 calls and has arranged for the meet up/interview. So, I got my 2nd nanny finally and minus the agent fees. Yeah!

Then the 2nd nanny worked for us for about 13 months. When I knew I was pregnant with twins, I know I need to get a maid. No way my nanny is able to handle 3 children. Lucky enough, my brother suggested her formal Filipino maid and I managed to get in touch with her and she was willing to come over and work for me. I was not willing to get a stranger through agency to come and stay with us.

Then come another problem. My nanny was not able to cope with 3 children. She decided to quit but promise to do so till I get a replacement. Here we go again, maid problem!!! I think God has been very kind to me from the time I got pregnant. My maid sister is willing to come over and work for me.

So, now I have 2 Filipino assistants who have done an excellent job taking care my children and also the house is spotless clean but the cooking is not so good-la. 2 out of 3 is good enough for me. Priority is the children.