Baby on a plane for the second time

Several days before Eid, Daddylicious drove back to his hometown Kelantan while Baby PP and Mummylicious took a flight back later on the same day.

Destination: Kota Bharu!

I was...a single mother with a crawling baby boarding a plane.

Yes, Baby PP was behaving at best as she could. No tears, no cries, just some whimper and really loud laughters filling up the very full flight. 

I had help with checking in at the automatic computer check-in kiosk by a KLIA employee. My seat neighbour helped me carrying down my oh so heavy diaper bag from the overhead stowage. 

BUT...i rather not do it again! 

First, even with all heavy items and bags were driven back. There were still items that were packed too late and baby necessities that I had to carry with me. I had...3 bags to hand carry with me. THREE!

1. The Food Bag- Snacks, biscuits, sippy cup. Very important to have to calm a fussy baby.

2. The Diaper Bag - Diapers etc with extra changeS of clothes for both Baby PP and Mummy, blanket and sweater in case in gets cold. and i also put in my laptop in there. Hence...heeaavyyy. 

3. My Very Oversized Handbag - where everything - Baby PP's Cow Giraffe, other toys, my jewelleries were all thrown in. 

Thank God for the sling! Also note Cow-Giraffe head poking out from the handbag

Second, the flight was delayed! OMG! 

Now try to contain a very active baby who wanted to crawl along an aeroplane aisle before take off. ...gah! 

Or from her trying to cross across my seat neighbour to get to his very adorable 4 years old son! trust Baby PP to be very interested in older men. 

Or from her trying to see the person seated behind you. Who was also a guy. and apprently playing a silent Peek-A-Boo with Baby PP... as were a bunch of other passangers along the aisle! (they just grinned sheepishly when i had a look to see what was Baby PP looking at?!)

Stay here PP! Stay between Mummy's legs.

Play with the camera while we pass time

Ok.eat your Red Tiger. 

She stayed in this position for a full 3 minutes to look at the guy behind me. NOT moving. 

I really had to strongly hold her or she will topple onto the aisle!

Third, I had no one to talk to about an annoying person who boarded before us. 

As with any decent flights, families with children boards first. That night, a family with a stroller went first before all other families. And there were A LOT! Lots of kids and babies on that flight. Lots! But they went first. 

Let me just say. If you have to fold your stroller before you board the plane, please. PLEASE STEP ASIDE while you do so! Let others (the others with babies and kids behind you) walk in first. Why do you think its okay for you to fiddle fiddle with that stupid stroller while blocking everyone waiting to enter the plane. Just step aside. there is room and you can catch up with you family later in the plane. Sheesh...seriously.

Overall, I passed my first attempt at being a single mother on a plane. Just don't make me do it again. or on a longer than 1 hour flight!

First place I went after touch down. A real Kota Bharu experience

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McDonalds! Hehehehe

Mummylicious packing for Eid

So remember this post when i was busy procastinating my packing to go back to Daddylicious' hometown in Kelantan? Remember my typical packing tsunami fiasco? See the result...

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minus 4 hanging baju kurungs

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minus Baby PP's diaper bag and food bag and food basket and my own pillow (yeah whatever) 

and my huge Gucci handbag that is my "throw-everything-in" bag

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minus some clothes that have been worn and is in a big pile to be washed.

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and you get this. For less than 1 week trip.

minus the baby in it :P

"Hmmm Mummy, what do you have in here?!"

"Mummy? Did you forget my other 10 favourite dresses?"

I would just like to clarify that this was ME PACKING LIGHT! I only used half of the bag for myself and another half was for Baby PP! Usually it would be full of clothes just for me. Pfftt!

Ok. Forget that. Let's now focus on the story before raya, 

Baby's Travelling Experiences :: Mummylicious Hates Packing

Mummylicious hates packing when she was single. Mummylicious  hates packing when she is married. Needless to say, Mummylicious still hates packing now that she have a baby. One post i can never do is "How to pack for Mummy and Baby when on vacation". I can give tips on "How NOT to pack" because based on experience...I am VERY good at that. 

So here I am, procrastinating packing to go back to Daddylicious's hometown. Instead of packing, lets do a blog post about "Baby PP's travelling experiences"! 

First packing experience for travelling with a baby was chaotic. I didn't what to bring or what not to bring! I was intent to bring her whole closet...."Just in case" was...IS my mantra. Daddylicious constant reminder than we were going for a week did NOT help.

Play spot the baby! 

The clothes on the bed was for Baby PP supply for a week.

In my defense, it's the first packing trip that involved a wedding AND a beach vacation. Combine all that, i went crazy with "JUST IN CASE!" 

14 pajamas...just in case. 20 rompers...just in case. 10 dresses...just in case. Everything was in double extras..just in case...

Baby PP have travelled....a lot in her first year. The "Just in case" never failed

Travelling No.1 (24-26 December 2009)

Baby PP's Age: 2 months and 1 week old :: SIL's WEDDING

From KL to Kulim, Kedah a 5 hours driving trip for my SIL's wedding.

Baby PP first road trip! 5 hours in a car with Mummylicious in the back seat.

To a wedding she went! 

Travelling No. 2 (26-29 December 2009)

Baby PP's Age: 2 months and 1 week old :: LANGKAWI POST WEDDING TRIP

From Kulim, Kedah to Langkawi via FERRY! 

Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal to Langkawi

"First ride on a ferry! yayyy *while concerntrating hard on THE explosive poo"

Baby PP pooped on Daddylicious seconds after this photo was taken. Packing JUST IN CASE was very justified. Daddylicious was lucky he had an extra tshirt as it was AN EXPLOSIVE POOOOO!

"Stop looking at me! I poo! I'm a baby!"

Post Pooping. First time on a FERRY! 

First sand between her toes experience in Langkawi! 

 First dip in the sea! My water baby enjoyed it very well

No baby car seat with rented cars in Langkawi

Oh well. At least I sat at the backseat

Travelling No.3 (11-14 January 2010)
Baby PP's Age: 3 Months Old :: PANGKOR LAUT RESORT
From KL to Lumut, a 3 hours driving. Then from Lumut to Pangkor Laut Resort via a 30 mins SPEEDBOAT ride!

Protected by Daddylicious through out the speedboat ride

Lucky baby experiencing Pangkor Laut Resort and she knows it!

Just chilling in her resort wear

 "Mummy and I"

Setting her feet on Pangkor Laut Resort's exclusive private beach

"Ahh this is life"

"Mummy using me as a shield to cover her 3 months post pregnancy tummy"

Time to head into the waters...these water are private!

Milestone achieved at 3 Months and at PLR :: First time Thumb Sucking!!!

Travelling No.4 (11-15 February 2010) 

Baby PP's Age: 4 Months old :: PATONG, PHUKET -
First time on an aeroplane. She took it like a pro. No fuss, no nothing.

Passport photo when Baby PP was 3 months and a week old. 

She looked so different

*Heart to fly*

Properly attired for her first plane ride! Weee

 With appropriate butt

Group photo at Patong. See stroller leg to represent Baby PP

Enjoying the sunset and people watching at Patong beach, Phuket

 ...Yup this was her 3rd beach holiday. 

Patong beach sands between Baby PP and Mummylicous's toes

"I'm on a boat? FOR THE WHOLE DAY?!"

On a whole day snorkelling boat trip. No seasickness but definite landsickness after we got back. cue *baby vomits

 Chilling on the boat side deck. A sling...a must-have

On a very crowded and teeny little boat

Don't ask how we got on!

Weeheee

Small boat was worth it to get to this paradise

A ride on a tuk-tuk!

Proof of Patong trip :P

A must ye?

On the return trip, she got her own seat! Weee

Travelling No.5 -(7-15 Sept 2010)
Baby PP's Age :: 10 Months and 3 weeks :: EID CELEBRATIONS IN KELANTAN
KL to Kelantan via aeroplane and an 8 hours drive back from Kelantan to KL. Give me strength. 

Baby PP have been in long drives, on ferries, on speedboats, on whole day boat ride, on a plane and even ridden in a tuk-tuk and a riggedy small fisherman's boat ! All within the first year of her life. Tomorrow it will be her 2nd time on a plane and another long drive home from Kelantan to KL for the return trip. I should make a travel post with babies. But right now i am too concerned about packing for tomorrow.

As you can see, i should have gotten packing with a baby down pat based on the experience. But nooooo....i foresee another clothes tsunami after this post.

Mummylicious wants to splurge: in Chanel Paris Rue Cambon?!

Oh Daddylicious, why do you tempt me so. 

image from Graphicfairy.blogspot.com

Yes, he is tempting me with a trip to Paris. Da cetee of lovaah (my useless fake french accent trying to say the city of lovers). Or is that description is for Venice? Paris is the city of lights ain't it?

Anyway, last night i was about to do some cash transactions through Western Union to send the obscene amount of money to my friend to buy me the ridiculously priced but so coveted Chanel bag that will drain my personal savings...immensely. When suddenly...Daddylicious asked 

"why don't we go to Paris next year? Extend from Italy (that 7 and half are probably going) and we go to Paris just the 3 of us" .....heart.stopped. 

{See "Mummylicious wants to splurge: Chanel 2.55 Classic" post}

Two facts about my dream of Chanel 2.55

1.  I will buy my own Chanel classic 2.55 with my own money one day.

2. I will buy my own Chanel classic 2.55 with my own money one day at Chanel Paris Rue Cambon...the mothership. THE MOTHERSHIP!

 That would be me. In Paris. In front of Chanel Rue Cambon

image from Europeforvisitors.com

Mummylicious "You serious? Meaning instead of getting it now from (insert friend's name), i can get it myself from Rue Cambon? You have to be absolutely sure about this. You serious, serious?!"

Daddylicious "Yeah, we plan it now, when we go to Italy in Feb next year with the rest of the family, we head to Paris for an extra week"

Mummylicious "....and what if Italy trip gets cancelled and we ended up in Istanbul in Dec?"

Daddylicious "I'll try. but we still go to Paris. We go Airasia London then Paris"

Mummylicious "London too!!! You try?! I want to have confidence in you! Try = no confidence = i get my chanel now. but actual 100% committed = confidence going to Paris = I CAN GET MY CHANEL AT THE MOTHERSHIP!!!! and not just stare at the window and take photos outside."

Daddylicious "Ok. committed. now go research so I can budget accordingly"

GAH!!!! ........and this was when I was just about to email my friend for her bankaccount no. Other things i must consider...Euro exchange. is low low low now..but what about in Feb 2011? GAAAAHH! Still have 2 weeks to consider. Still have 2 weeks to bug and poke Daddylicious with "Are you serious about Paris?". 

What should i doooooo? gah gah gah gah. As if it wasnt enough it took me 3 years to actually have the courage to want to buy it..now a delay in decision making.

What would you do? 

Get the bag now through someone else? 

Or ......get it yourself at Paris Rue Cambon? 

ps: As if i can buy 2 Chanel bags within less than a year. Dream on. So its one time only. Well...in this direct future.

pps: I've decided 2.55 Black Jumbo. because.....i already kinda have a black lambskin regular but not classic design....

pps: this would be my second trip to Paris but I. so. love. it!

IF i decide to get it in Paris..the price increases (euro exchange or otherwise). Daddylicious is responsible to pay for the extras. 

and IF i decide to not get it now and get it in Paris and Paris trips gets cancelled. I will kill you Daddylicious. Consider yourself warned.

Baby first photo and the origin of PP (the conception!)

Doesn't IT look like a peanut?
First ultrasound scan @7 weeks.

The origin of Princess Peanut aka PP

Doesn't it look like a peanut? It does doesn't it?

On 10 March 2009, we took our first ultrasound scan of "Baby It". As cliche as it sounds, it was magical. Even though she looked like a weird blob. A blob that looked like a peanut. I wrote a note to "Baby It" sometime before the ultrasound.

Dear Baby It,

Mummy is sorry we (mummylicious and daddylicious) are calling you It. You are only 5 weeks and maybe 4 days old. a size of a pea they say. You are not even a feotus yet! a mere blob parasite alien species embryo in mummy's uterus.That is why you are called It.

Since you are so young and the doctor said that 20% of pregnancy at this period ends in miscarriage, i am truly scared. I am happy that a blobby version of you is there in the first place! but because of the possible pain from losing you, even a pea-sized you, brings fear in my heart. So the joy of celebrating your non-human arrival is muted.

You gotta know, your mummy is kind of a drama queen. so having this fear and unable to express it fully to everyone she's close to is killing her! killing me. and your daddy! your (hopefully) less than 50% of DNA! kept telling me not to think about it. So i need a soundboard. A place. no one but maybe others who share my predicament can know. for now.

and your daddy! kept telling HIS friends about you! I mean hello! i'm the one with the bloating, the cramping, the migraines, the moodiness and hormones banging around! i deserve to tell my friends first! ....when i'm ready. well i tell the rest of my friends when i'm ready. ...

I hope you are save, Baby It.

Yes, i was calling her my "little lovely alien parasite (LLAP)" "IT" "Pea blob" and then decided on "Baby It" after even a simple "It" and "LLAP" was deemed too cruel by the rest of the family even though i think its adorable.

But after looking at the blob of a peanut. I decided to call her "Peanut". So through out the pregnancy and even now, we call her "Peanut". Or PP. Thats for Prince or Princess Peanut as no one can tell if DNA decides its a Prince or a Princess just yet thus, PP it is :)

Searching for the right doctor

Before the ultrasound was done. I was busy scouring the Selangor and WP state for the best O&G doc there is. My requirements were,

The doctor must be a SHE. I don't care if some people claim that male O&G are suprisingly more gentle than females, I will be more comfortable with a she poking around my private area.

She will understand my dramatic behaviour and answer all my nonsense questions that threads my heart every minute of the pregnancy.

I must like her. (i am very very particular about my doctors!) If i find one i like opposite of town. I will go to her.

When I went to my GP doc for confirmation pregnancy test. She advised me to wait until after the baby is 5-7 weeks before doing an ultrasound test. (or else, you shall have to do a very uncomfortable test...let me tell you this. The method involves going IN). So based on her calculations, that should be at least a couple of weeks.

The wait for couple of weeks were filled with me looking through every parenting forums for best advices for hospitals and doctors. I do have contacts with other O&G doctors as my previous job were for a medical organisation with a whole list of doctors from every field as volunteers and also a VERY popular and charismatic Dr.Jim O&G doc as its leader and my boss who was also my mother's doctor. But they were all based in Ampang and HUKM. Therefore, not ideal before checking out nearer hospitals. Lastly, my mother told me to head to Sime Darby Medical Center (SDMC) and see Datuk Dr. Siti. a very famous O&G who also took care of my mother and delivered my sister.

SDMC, near enough i thought. First place to look at i believe. So off we skipped and hopped to the hospital soon after. but just as we wanted to make an appointment with Dr Siti, the receptionist advised us, as she is VERY popular, SDMC's first-come-first-serve waiting policy they adhere to could mean a loooooong wait for me whenever we go to see Dr Siti. I changed my mind there and then and asked for other FEMALE doctors serving there. There were only 2 others. Dr Delaila and Dr Tang Boon Nee. I chose Dr Tang for no reasons than she is the only one available for the date we wanted.

The moment she greeted me (or more likely my husband) I'm glad i chose her.

Dr Tang: "DAAYANNNGG" in a beautiful sing-song voice as if i'm her long lost friend instead of a new patient! i love it. and i was behind the curtains. So she was looking at my husband instead of me using my name.
Hubbylicious: "Im not dayang, im the hubby!" using the same sing-song voice as she.
She laughed and said "of course you are".

She then she was next to me greeting me with a smile. A doctor with a smile! first time patient and i got a joke, a laugh and a smile all in a few seconds of meeting! imagine that! She's young but not too young. She have this spirit around her that assured me i was in good hands and she will take good care of me. I think i feel in love with my doctor. First choice of doctor, i don't think i need to look for any other. I was super confident with her. She answered all my questions patiently and with a smile.

I think finding the right doctor for you is as important as eating the right food while pregnant. you dont want to be lectured or feel any way uncomfortable with your doctor. He or she will be taking care of you and your baby for 9 months. He or she will be the answers to your concerns and fears, and not to compound and expand them. Have a doctor that make you feel happy, tells you the do's and don'ts without making you feel like an infant yourself.

I was as paranoid as a new mother-to-be can be. She told me not to worry. So long there's nothing to worry about, she won't let me worry and all i have to do is take care of myself and enjoy the pregnancy! I like that.

I also like the fact she assured me that there is nothing wrong with drinking coffee and tea everyday. Just don't drink only coffee and tea and for 24 hours! Ahh...i can have my daily 1 cup of Starbuck's vanilla latte after all with no worries. love her. Hearts all around!

As with all new appointments, calculations of estimated date of birth were made: 24 October 2009. And also estimated conception date *winkwink*. Don't be shy about it, there's only one way to get pregnant, that is to know and do the birds and the bee talk. Calculating the date lead us to Chinese New Year hols 2009. Ahhh....our trip to Cherating in Jan 2009.

The conception story

Don't be silly! of course there won't be vulgar stuff here.

As i said, it is highly possible we were in Cherating when the "magic" happened (i know cringe. "magic"). It is also interesting to note that, i had my first traditional "urut batin" then.

"Urut batin" is normally a traditional massage for men and women to stimulate your internal reproductive organs, not sexual organs per se. Its not supposed to be pleasureable. unfortunately whenever it is uttered nowadays, it has taken a totally scandalous meaning-*"special massage anyone? off the menu? men only?" you get the drift.

There was only 1 massage place at Cherating Beach during that time and it was by this old lady who was 58 but looked 40!. She does traditional malay massage. No hanky panky. But when she found out i'm married, no babies, not pregnant but open to pregnancy, she massaged my nerves near the groin on the inside thighs. It hurts like mad!!! but after a few seconds, it was...ok. although slightly weird. During which, she also read some doa-doa (prayers) that were supposed to "help" me get pregnant. Sceptical much? OF COURSE I WAS! ...

Hubbylicious also got a traditional malay massage by her which he later told me she hit the same nerves. But erm less direct or near the groin. (i hope?) Again i repeat no hanky panky. Well her husband was around making me coffee and reading my energy level (yeah. not kidding but im less sceptical about this than my special nerve massage).

We were sceptical over the would-be effectiveness of her prayers and massage so dang near our privates. But thinking back....hello?me? got pregnant? around that time? me? the non predictable period girl with unideal weight and behaviour for possible pregnancy? Maybe it was coincedence. Maybe it was fate. But maybe she, the traditional masseuse helped in her prayers. Whatever it is, if you are trying for a baby, it doesnt hurt to go to her if you are around Cherating Beach.

Me, oblivious to what was going to change

Our last irresponsible trip together

Also, I must have been evoking strong maternal instincts and kicking in the hormones as i take photos after photos of children on the beach that weekend. My mind must be telling me something that weekend. Must be something in the line of

My brain: "YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE! A SWIMMER IS ON ITS WAY! REALISE IT! REALISE IT!"

And i just went *snap**snap* happily. See some pictures below.

Please note they are low quality photos as it's in a popular public photosharing site.
I have issues with people taking other people's work as their own.