A hectic weekend and more birthdays

Harvynna turned 3 yesterday. It was a quiet but memorable occasion as we will be having a party on 28 April together with Rowena. I took her to Megakidz, Mid Valley and she had a great time. I think I was more tired than her.

As we are having an OD of cake this month, we just had a cupcake as a symbol of blowing the candle and she got to open her Dora talking Dollhouse birthday present yesterday, which got her really excited. So we will open the rest of the presents during the weekend.

The weekend was really hectic as Daddy’s birthday was on the 9th but I had to attend a company function on that day, so we celebrated it on Sunday. We invited Aunty Ametta Uncle Brendan, and baby Asha for dinner to the house since Asha is still brand new - so no outside germs (which is quite an irony since she spends the whole day in the gym with sweaty people!!) Daddy cooked dinner (hehe, cooked for his own birthday) and it was fun. Harvynna was so excited that Asha was coming over. She even agreed to sleep in the afternoon so she will be fresh when they arrive.

It was quite interesting to see Rowena jealous of Asha. She was ok until I carried Asha. Then she started hitting Asha’s head and started to cry holding out her arms for me to carry her. I see she has picked up the hitting habit from her sister.

On Saturday, we attended Mary Anne’s 2nd birthday party at Kidsports Bangsar. We were really late as there was a bad jam, plus Harvynna threw up in the car all over her clothes. Don’t know what happened to her, but I was quite annoyed (terrible me- was in a bad mood due to the traffic jam). Luckily I brought a spare top for her, but she was very upset as she had worn a pretty top and had to change to the other one.

She really enjoyed herself at the party as she had been looking forward to it for 2 weeks. As usual, she insisted on standing right next to Mary Anne while cutting the cake. She does not really know Mary Anne as Mary Anne is my friend’s daughter, which we meet only once a year at birthday parties! Harvynna does this at all birthday parties, even adult birthday parties. There’s just something about blowing the candles on a birthday cake.

Can’t wait to see her in action at her own party.

Happy 3rd Birthday Harvynna

Happy Birthday princess!!

You are a special daughter

who means so much to me.

The day you were born,

there wasn't a lovelier sight to see.

I am glad God gave you to me.

Your love and devotion

has been my reason,

to get through many tough times,

and through many seasons.

As you are growing up,

your beauty shines through,

with a wonderful smile

that shows the real you.

You have a heart

that is made of gold

and I know it will stay that way,

as you grow old.

You make me proud

that you are who you are.

The bond that we have

will keep us close,

and no matter where you are,

you won't seem far.

The closeness we have

will never depart,

cause there is so much love

that connects you to my heart.

I am glad my daughter,

that you are mine,

because having you in my life

makes my sun shine.

Lots of love, kisses and hugs

Mummy & daddy

Countdown to Harvynna's 3rd birthday

Birthday plans

Sometimes I forget that Harvynna has grown up and has a mind of her own. I have been busy planning for the upcoming birthday celebrations and unlike Harvynna’s 1st birthday bash, I planned everything from A-Z without consulting anyone. After all a 1 year old’s party, is more for the parents.

So this year, I am planning a joint party since their birthdays are close together and have chosen a butterfly theme – easy, sweet and suitable for 2 girls. Earlier Harvynna was ok with it, but now, after I had printed the cards, got the decorations, ordered the cake, she has changed her mind.

I ordered a butterfly cake for her and when I asked her, she said ‘I don’t want – so ugly. I want a princess and snow white and cinderella’ Big oooppps there. She asked me to give the ugly cake to Rowena. As I was planning to order the cakes from 2 different places, I now have to give Rowena the butterfly cake and order the princess cake from the other place. They sent me like 20 different pictures and my eyes have popped out trying to choose them – my colleagues have given me different opinions on which is the nicest.

What a headache just choosing the cake. And now Harvynna is annoyed with me and said ‘I don’t want you to come to my party!’

April is here and rowena is walking!

It’s April and it rains and rains. April is always a really hectic month for me as everyone around me is celebrating their birthday - first there is my hubby on April 9th, Harvynna on April 12th, my dad on April 20th, and Rowena on April 25th. Wow, 4 birthdays, so I will just be broke this month and next month and the month after that!!

Plus, my organization has revamped the review year and our reviews are now in April – so just had an appraisal and a slight increment, Yeah!

So its present hunting time – went to the Mattel Warehouse sale last week and it was really, really great. I think I spent the least among everyone there. People were buying like boxes and boxes of things, some bought a few of each. Everything was so cheap. You can tell how much profit Mattel must be making with the mark –up of prices on normal days. Luckily I went on the first day (during working hours) as there was still a lot of stuff. I bought the Dora talking dollhouse for Harvynna, the Little People Zoo for Rowena and a few Barbie items to give as gifts. I did not buy much as I went alone and could not carry everything, as the dollhouse was so big and heavy. The place was so congested that there was no parking, had to go a few rounds and finally found a spot. Then it started to rain!! Gosh, had to rush with all the things back to my car. There was actually this sweet guy, who appeared from nowhere and said,’Hujan dek’, and actually held the umbrella over my head while I loaded my car. I think I must have this ‘damsel in distress’ look as I experienced things like this many times before.

I took 2 days off last week to run some errands and prepare for the girls upcoming party. Managed to sort out the venue and run through the menu, bought the gifts for the games, booked and confirmed details with the entertainer and ordered the balloons. The only outstanding thing is the cakes. Have 2 options and have not decided.

Since we have to celebrate birthdays after the actual date, we have chosen the 28th of April to celebrate the party. Harvynna is really excited about the party. This year, she can really appreciate it and enjoy the programme and participate in the activities. She tells everyone that ‘her birthday is on April 12 and she will be 3’ and ‘Rowena’s birthday is on April 25’ and will be one’. I asked her if she was willing to share a cake with Rowena and of course, she said ‘NO!’

Anyway, lil Rowena is walking now and she walks and walks and walks. Hubby says she looks like a chimpanzee when she walks – like BJ and the Bear!

So my wish of her walking on her 1st birthday has come true.

I am almost 1 - 11 months to be exact!

• P/s – this post was written by Rowena
  
  Woo hoo – I turn 11 months old on Monday. Just 1 more month and I will be a toddler. I wonder if that will be better or worse. I can see mummy and daddy scolding Harvynna if she does not do something right, while I can get away doing the same thing when I give them the Puss n’ Boots (Schrek 2) look.
  
  At 11 months, I can take 4-5 steps on my own, though I prefer to walk on my knees.
  I am 11 kg – yup that’s overweight but everyone seems to think that chubby babies are cute
  I babble a lot but mummy seems to understand what I want. I also love talking to myself.
  I can point to mummy’s nose if prompted.
  I am an eating machine – I eat anything and everything and demand that everyone shares their food with me or I will SCREAM and bring the house down.
  My hair has grown so I am starting to look like a girl.
  I adore my sister to bits – everything she does seems funny and smart
  I can say bye bye
  I have a skin problem - but what the heck – I still look cute anyway. Mummy keeps trying all sorts of soaps and creams like Eubos, Oilatheum, Acqueous bla bla bla. Some smell good and some smell really bad.
  I have a bad case of seperation anxiety but that’s my way of telling mummy, I love her.
  I love to dance and have grown a liking to that big fat ugly purple dinasour on tv. And hurray - mummy is signing me up for Musikgarten with Aunty Pearly.
  I would rather chew books than sit down and read them
  I am slowly able to play with shape sorters but have to be guided
  All in all, I think I am doing well and am really looking forward to my birthday party and receiving more presents. I am tired of getting Harvynna’s second hand stuff.

Bye bye

Babies can show signs of separation anxiety as early as 6 or 7 months, but the crisis age for most babies is between 12 to 18 months. - Yikes!!

Rowena is really going through this stage with me and absolutely can't let me out of her sight! THis morning, she cried her lungs out when I dropped her off at the babysitters and I felt so heartless as I just walked off as I had to rush off to work. Her eyes were filled with tears and looked so pityful.

Even at home, she cries the moment she cant see me like when i go to the toilet, to another room, the kitchen. She will crawl all over the house, crying 'mama, mama' looking for me. Its getting really bad in the mornings as she does not want anyone else. She never says 'mama' unless she is looking for me.

I recall Harvynna being like that but I cant remember when she grew out of that stage. Harvynna, on the other hand, is quite the independant toddler now, and can entertain herself by watching tv, playing with her toys. Sometimes, she tries to console Rowena, by asking her'What's wrong? - you want mama?' but thats no help.

Looking at the bright side - Rowena's crying when I am not seen means that I am the most important person to her...... So I should just enjoy that even though it can be very difficult. I met someone yesterday, who told me that when a child is between 0-2 years plus, they need you more than ever, when they are about 3-7, they want you to participate in their activities, from 7-10, they want you around selectively, once they turn 13, they dont wnat you around anymore and would rather be with their friends - so I should just seize the moment while I can.

As impossible as it must seem, my baby has experienced almost an entire year of life. So many changes have sprung up at every turn, all leading to even more fun and fulfillment. Only yesterday, Rowena just fit into the crook of my arm; today, she is already taking few steps on her own. Soon, she will be running around with Harvynna and I will miss her clingy baby days!