Green Thumb ?

Few months ago I was crazy about planting/germinating vegetables in pots - ginger, Japanese cucumber, cherry tomato, lettuce, chili, sweet basil and capsicum at the back the house.  All of the seed did sprout but unfortunately most of them were killed by cats (my neighbor's cats and may be all the feral cats in the neighborhood).  Those cats used to run all over our compound especially at night.  Most of my germinating pots were toppled upside down by them.  Not to mention about their waste ...arghhh.  We used to have a cat but she never bother anyone because we kept her indoor all the time.  So what left are one Japanese cucumber, sweet basil (but killed by pest), chilies (two types), ginger, cherry tomato (red only, yellow - dead) and capsicum (but not growing nicely).
Usually, I fed them with chicken manure and sometimes I put vermicompost too.    For a few days now I am so excited to see my Jap cuc growing nicely (lots of flowering but not many buds).  My chilies also showing potential of fruiting soon.  What a nice feeling seeing them growing and fruiting ...

Japanese cucumber (the biggest so far)

Chili (not sure about the species)

Red cherry tomato

Grap

One of my grape trees.  This tree had been planted there few years ago but it didn't grow, we decided it was dead and forget about it.  Then, last month I found it growing back (yes grape is one hardy tree).  I decided to nurture it and hopefully it will bear some fruits in the future.

Update : CDing Iman

Today - 24 April 2010, is the day we adding more of Iman's CD collection.  We went to Wuddah again.  Iman was wearing their CD.  No leakage.  We changed her on the way to Sarakids after about 3 hours and throw the used CD in the small wet bag I bought from Tiny Tapir.  We bought 10 more Wuddah velcro with bamboo insert CDs.  The girl at the shop was so `sweet' that she succeeded in sweet talking me into being their reseller.  After doing some calculation, plus minus here and there  we get two more CDs for a cheaper price and be reseller at the same time for a certain amount we paid.  There are certain rules that we need to follow if we wanted to stay as their reseller.  Well, we'll see about that  !!  Anybody interested in buying ? E-mail me or call me okay... I'll around to help you CDing your baby.  Enough business talk...let's continue the story (be warned - not so nice story coming up next).

Then, we went to Sarakids; the shop which owner is a friend of Lunatots owner and selling Lunatots products.  I decided to visit them because from their website they said Lunatots' hemp insert is available at their shop.  We had to call their number in order to find their place...we actually by passed them but did'nt notice them because their signage were small and the color was fading (not what I imagine the place would be!).  Inside the shop ? Not as I imagined it would be and didn't match the story they painted in  their  blog.  Hhhhmm... Then, another disappointment... there were ONLY 2 pieces of hemp inserts left (no stock).  In their web they make it sound as if they have lots to sell ...  The boss of the shop was there too, so had a good look at her (she looked older than her pictures in her blog ! ouch! without make up may be?).   At last we resorted to buy 10 more bamboo inserts.  I told the girl I want 2 set of the package of 5, she said they have more in store.  She looked surprised when I asked for that many inserts... what the heck... it's my business how many I want to buy right?  Just sell whatever number customers asked okay.  Weird shop and weird worker.  We left the shop not really happy, then Iman's disposable diaper leaked.  On the way to find a place to stop, I realised that I was paying more than the price of 2 package of bamboo inserts.  I checked the bil and yes I paid RM30 more because the girl had charged me with single price.  I asked my dear, more patient hubby to settle the matter.  He called their number but nobody picked up.  Then we turned back and he went in.  He came back with my RM30.  What happened was the owner called Lunatots to confirm the price ... What the hell was going on?  She didn't know how the product was supposed to be sold in her own shop?  The package was clearly stated in their website?  That's Stupid or what?  At last we did get back my money.  Luckily I was not the one who went in or else they would hear my `piece of mind'.  One more thing the girl had written `ham' instead of hemp on the bill .... hahaha... imagine stuffing your CD with ham instead of hemp insert ... yuckk... No oink oink for me... arghhh.  We decided the shop is not for us... very disappointing (I was angry too !).

Back home, I boiled the hemp in my pot and do all that were necessary to prepare the CDs and inserts before use (usual process).  Took out the used CD from the wet bag, rinse, throw in dry bucket and rinse off the wet bag.   How easy can CDing be ?

Hemp insert's soup anyone ?  hahaha...

Tonite, I put Iman in her CD (cover and bamboo insert Wuddah + microfiber Lunatots insert).  She pooped in it...  the moment we had been waiting for !!  Yes, surprisingly no problem at all in tackling the situation.  Just flush off the solid,  rinse and throw in the dry bucket.  Easy peasy...no problem at all.  My dear hubby also said, it was easy to put Iman in her CD (he got the hang of it, well he's always the sweetest helpful hubby).  Pull off the used CD, rinse under the tap (he didn't, the first time), throw in dry bucket and I'll throw all the used CDs in the washing machine later on.

Iman's CDs; pre-washed and used CDs/inserts left to dry

CD Combination

Today 22 April 2010/Earth Day, I am so happy because I think I found the right CD combination for Iman.  We used Wuddah cover (because of the size), 1 Wuddah bamboo insert and 1 Lunatots bamboo insert.  I also adjusted the tightness of the cover.  Well, Iman had been wearing it for 3 hours now and no leakage so far.  In that case we have to get more Wuddah CD set and Lunatots bamboo insert and we are ready to go fully CD.  For the washing part, I actually prefer to use Pureen H-A-D but unfortunately it is quite difficult to find so we resorted to buying Lunatots detergent (RM18) instead.  Furthermore, Lunatots' detergent is made especially for washing CD.
Now I am so happy to start CDing.  Hooray !

Buying Another Brand CD and Trying Lunatots CD

Wuddah's velcro with bamboo insert (size XL; up to 18kg)

Today after my appointment with the clinic, we went to the AMS Awra Marketing  which is the company selling CD labeled Wuddah.  The CD we were interested was size XL which can cater for babies up to 18 - 20kg.  It comes with one layer of bamboo insert (RM52 each set).  However we chosen the package of 5 velcro CDs with 5 bamboo inserts (RM247).  We tried it on Iman first.  This time she was restless; refused to lay down to be fixed with the CD.  It looked fit better than Lunatots (size).  Then she walked and climbed around the shop in it till the girl at the shop said she could be the model for the CD (XL size - new)...hahaha... they people at the shop thought Iman was at 3 years old judging from her body size.  I told them that they need to come out with new size which can fit big size babies.  I am not sure how long Iman can wear their new size.  But in term of information and explanation about the product; the girl need to read more about CD related fact/handling practices.  Luckily I already did my reading so I knew what to do with the CD.  But I am happy because of the size ... yes at least Iman can still be using the CD even if she put on weight quickly (at least till about 18kg, now she is 16.5kg).  I treat the Wuddah CD the same as Lunatots's in term of the number of times for pre-washing even if the girl already told us that we only needed to wash it once.  may be I wash the bamboo insert ..say 4x before I try it on Iman.  Wait and see.  Actually I like Lunatots's better in term of design and material quality.  Beside the sizes, Lunatots offers more colors to choose from (17 colors).  Wuddah offers one sided layer of bamboo compared to two sided by Lunatots.

Tonite, after 3x pre-washed done, we let Iman try her CD.  I inserted 2 microfiber inserts.  After just 2 hours, it leaked at one side of her leg (a bit) and we changed her.  Actually, before that I did put her in the CD just after the first cycle of pre-wash with only one microfiber inset.  Well, it leaked badly as if Iman hadn't wore anything !  That was after the 1st pre-wash cycle of course it leaked !  I was so excited and impatient to see her in CD, that was why I made her wear it.... hehehe and proven leaking (already told by the girl the Lunatots Shop about this problem).  Tomorrow I will try her with bamboo insert (+ one microfiber insert of course) and see the result.  May be I would adjust the snap buttons to a tighter position to prevent leakage around her legs.


Story to be continued...

The Journey Towards Being Eco-Friendly

Another glass bottle for Iman.

Glass Evenflo bottle (8oz) with pink siliskin sleeve bought from Tiny Tapir (RM50).  I was frustrated because not many colors to choose from.  We had chosen the pink one because that's the only color that seem bright and cheerful ( and because Iman is a gal - of course !).  However, one thing which I am not happy about this bottle is the measurement of how much fluid in the bottle is on the bottle's body (which is under the sleeve).  Even though the sleeve has few holes to help view the measurement marking (if adjusted correctly) the reading which I was looking for (7oz - Iman's usual milk preparation) is not easily viewed (hidden under the sleeve).  In this case I much preferred the Lifefactory' sleeve better because the measurement marking is on the sleeve itself.  But the bottle is less heavy compared to the 9oz Lifefactory's bottle and smaller (8oz bottle).  Another thing I found out about this sleeve was it take a longer time to dry (under the sleeve) compared to Lifefactory's.  I haven't tried the sleeve on the Bugs Baby bottle yet ....may be it fits...

Iman's cloth diapers set (still in their plastic wraps) and inserts (on left - bamboo and on right - microfiber).

After few days and weeks of searching and reading about cloth diaper (CD) at last we decided to try it on Iman.  In hope of helping our beloved earth AND most of all helping our pocket.  Using cloth diaper is one of the way to save money compared to using disposable diaper.  No need to buy diapers every months (we spend RM200 a month on disposable diapers) and no need to buy diaper cream (RM12 per tube per about two months or less depending on the necessity - more red skin, more cream).  We were interested to try two brands - one is Lunatots (local brand from Luna Solution) and another Monkey Doodlez (Canadian brand from Tiny Tapir).
We stopped at Lunatots first and we were very much interested on their CDs.  Furthermore the girl on duty there was very helpful and nice while entertaining us.  We were looking, feeling and asking questions about their CD/insert and few other product sold while Iman was running all over the place (they have  quite small place - their office cum HQ cum showroom) and also climbing up every chair there.  We did stop Iman from entering their office area at the back there - lots of papers and stuff there, a definite no - no for Iman to play around.  The girl let us try the CD on Iman to see if they fit.  She told us her nephew used them from 8 months to 3 years.  But I was not so sure about Iman because the CD was made to fit baby from birth till years but the size were from newbie to 17kg baby.  Iman is now 16kg but only 23 months old.  What about another 1 and half more years?  Anyhow for the first time we decided to try them anyway and we bought the package of 5 covers and 10 microfibers inserts.  We were advised to choose the snap button type because toddlers usually love to unzapped the velcro type.  We were so happy to choose the cover because they offered a wide selection of colors - 17 colors.  We decided to choose pastel colors (light pink, pink, emerald, peach and purple) for this time and if they are suitable for Iman's daily use, we may choose the more vibrant colors next time.  I also decided to buy one bamboo insert for this time.  If everything goes well, I am planning to buy more bamboo's insert in the future because they are natural and easy on baby's skin (they are more pricey than the microfiber type though).
Then we went to Tiny Tapir (and went home - disappointed).  There, the CD offered were not up to our expectation.  We read about them on their web - woooo so inviting but in real - no... sorry...  The Monkey CD that we were interested in was too bulky and the other brands were too small for Iman.  But were did buy (our main objective to Tiny Tapir, actually) the Evenflo glass with siliskin sleeve glass bottle (RM50).  But not many sleeve colors to choose from and in the end we bought another pink sleeve glass bottle for Iman (I was planning to at least having 3 bottles for Iman at a time in case of breakage.  We/I was disappointed about the CD.  The lady there was also not as helpful/friendly as the girl at Lunatots (one of the reasons why we didn't buy any CD ??? hhhmmm... hahaha).  But one of the other thing that caught my eyes there at Tiny Tapir was the silicone menses cup... hahaha... how could anyone inserted something into themselves with what I thought was one weird object... ouch it looked hard and very uncomfortable not minding the claim of being eco friendly/reusable and money saving item...no way I am going to use it, no thanks.  I didn't get the chance to show it to my hubby (he was busy monitoring Iman's movement ... yes she sure did move around !) or he might gave a weird look on his face when he saw that thing...hehehe...
I bought two types of wet diaper bag there - one small for keeping the used/changed CD while on outing and another bigger one for lining the used CD pail.
I was so excited to get all the CDs pre-wash and try them on Iman.  Just like the excitement I felt of buying new clothes and couldn't wait to wear them the first time... do other mothers felt the same way when the bought their babies CD for the first time?  I wonder....
On our way home we stopped at Giant to get a set of small oval plastic hanger especially to hang the washed CD.  Aha, quite a number of things were bought in preparation for Iman to started being eco-friendly by wearing CD... hope everything goes well and all the money spent worth spending.
Actually, I already began to promote glass baby bottle usage to a friend and hope she did the same to more others... As somebody who is working with the Environment Dept I should have done and practice all these things long before ...right ?  hhhmmm how ironic !!! hahaha !

Story to be continued in a few days time, update on Iman and CDing....be writing soon (hope we won't be put off by the `cleaning' of the soiled CD...hehehe...wait and see).  All the CDs and inserts are in the washing machine for their pre-wash at the moment...

Small wet diaper bag (zipped) - RM55 bought from Tiny TapirFew other colors and types were also available to choose from. 

  

 

Bigger wet diaper bag/diaper pail liner - RM53 bought from Tiny Tapir also.  The only one left.  I could have a cheaper one from Lunatots but I had forgotten to get one while we were there.

Umi's Design

I never thought that I could ever sewed anything.  Well, I never had any formal sewing lesson.  I bought my sewing machine few years ago when I was really crazy about trying to sew my own clothes (never did even a single dress... hahahaha).   Sometimes I referred to the net for some reference in how to go about sewing certain garment.  But I did sew something for Iman (unbelievable).  It all began when I decided to take unpaid leave for a year from work to take care of Iman by myself.  I was so excited once I successfully finished a garment.

Here are some of the clothes I sewed for my baby.

Pajamas

From my skirt to Iman's pants

Peasant blouse

Baju kurung - for raya

Itsy bitsy blouse and pants

Dress

Pajamas (I did the embroidery)

Night blouse

Another pajamas

From skirt to gown

BPA Free Baby Bottles

On the 8th April 2010 - I was browsing the net as usual and I didn't know how or why I did click the `BPA and baby bottle' subject... I browsed through and then it did caught my attention and I continued to search about the subject... then it hit me right between the eye... my heart jumped a beat.... oooo... my God, what had I done?  I had been feeding my baby  with the baby bottle which was possible to leak BPA into the milk (breast and formula !!!) for nearly the whole of Iman's two years of life ! I had a panick attacked for a few second... to be sure I hurried to the kitchen and check the bottles (3 bottles were being used at the moment - one Disney, one Anakku and one AVENT bottle)...ooo no... 1. made of plastic/polycarbonate   2. had scratches at the bottom (inside the bottles) 3.  the code under the bottom part - no. 7..... ooooo my God please forgive me, I didn't know how or why until that particular day only did I realize what I had been feeding her !  I felt so guilty, and sad at the same moment.  If it was during the day I would have awaken my husband just to go to find a glass baby bottle right there and then but it was late at night.  I just couldn't sleep that night.  I was so anxious to wake my sleeping husband to tell him about it.  At last I did have the chance to say about the subject to my sleepy husband that night.... from there on we planned to get new and safer glass bottle for Iman.  That night I did brows through the net trying to find information about glass baby bottles.  What did I find?  Yeah quite a number of choices... I was interested to buy the ones with sleeve) but unfortunately most of them can only be purchased online only... and you know what ?   I cannot do that because I (and my husband) don't own any credit card not a single one... I can only buy cash.  We planned to try our luck at Jaya Jusco and than Alamanda Putrajaya (Mothercare in particular).  The next night after my husband came home from work we rushed to Jaya Jusco Seremban 2.  There we found one type, crystal glass - 8oz Baby Bugs (Disney) but without sleeve and bought one (RM17.00).  The next morning (this morning), we rushed to Alamanda Putrajaya and bought one glass bottle - Babylife - Lifefactory product with sleeve (I had chosen the pink sleeve ) but we had no choice but to go for the 9oz (RM69.00).  Back home we tried the bottles on Iman - she was not really fussing about the Baby Bugs bottle but had a little problem accepting Babylife bottle.  Maybe because of the glass bottles are heavier or may be the sleeve looked or felt weird in her eyes/hand.... I just couldn't tell which... I had to sit by her and persuaded her to take back her bottles (she literally threw away the bottle after few suctions) and drank her milk... hhmmm ... if only she knew that the glass bottles were better for her health I am sure she would tell me to get one long before this.

Information from the Lifefactory's website about their baby bottle:

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Designed to grow with your child. The included clear cover can also serve as an easy to hold cup. Twist on the solid cap (sold separately) and use your bottles for storing juice or snacks. Perfect for a lunchbox or traveling.
• Bright colored silicone sleeve (patent pending) helps to protect the bottle from breakage and provides a great gripping surface and tactile experience during feeding
• Bottle and sleeve can be boiled or put in the dishwasher together. Can also go in the freezer, making breast milk storage simple.
• Bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalate, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free
• Silicone sleeve is non-toxic and free of plastics
• Silicone nipple is non-toxic and latex-free (made in France)
• Plastic ring, plug and cap are FDA approved
• Made from borosilicate glass and therefore are thermal shock resistant allowing them to go from freezer to boiling water.

Come to think of it glass bottle last longer (accept if broken) because - no scratches, easier to clean and rinse and the most important thing is safer.  Till this very moment I just couldn't see how I missed the BPA problem before we made the decision on which bottle to buy because I did search the net about baby bottle before Iman was being born.  We ( I made the decision actually) that we use Dr Brown bottle.  Now I found out it was not BPA free! I thought I made the best choice for Iman. (so frustrating and mad of course !) We also bought Avent's thinking that was the best bottles we could found on the market before.  But one good thing about Dr Brown's was, Iman never experienced colic while using it (about a year usage). I threw all the bottles ( more than 10 bottles with different brands - Dr Brown, Avent, Disney, Anakku etc... From now on I made a promise to myself to be more careful in the future...

Two glass bottles that we bought  - 8oz Disney - Baby Bugs (blue cap/without sleeve) and 9oz Lifefactory - Babylife (with pink sleeve).

I was happy to find out that the bottle from Lifefactory is, it really can be used later on as normal drinking bottle (the cap can be used as cup and the bottle can be used to store juice or frozen food).  Hhhmm... not a bad choice huh?  Not bad at all.  I am thinking of getting another one of Lifefactory's bottle... at first, I was thinking it was bulky ( the item and the price !) though...
However, I just can't wait for Iman to be off bottle ... wonder when it will happen.

Drinking her milk in her new Lifefactory' bottle and lying in her bed.

Iman drinking her milk in her new Lifefactory' bottle and lying in her bed (her baby cot which was only used for a few months since her birth till now).  We tried to persuade her to use her own bed now.  This cot @ bed is supposedly can be used until a baby turned 7 years old .... hhhmm I am not sure how long Iman can use hers...

Note:
Plastic container's code:
Safe code no - 1, 2, 4 and 5
Unsafe code no - 3 (toxic styrene)
                           - 6 (toxic phthalate)
                           - 7 (toxic Bisphenol A or BPA)

Iman - Playing Time

Here are some photos of Iman playing at the children playing ground in the Giant Hypermarket.  It's been a routine after or before shopping, Iman would play here for short while if there were too many kids or longer if there were not many kids around.  She was happy to go down the tunnel slide and refused to go down the open slide once she tried to go down the tunnel slide.

With her forever dedicated`bodyguard' - Ayah

I know where to push - button

Coming down of the tunnel slide..... yeayyyy

3rd Trip To Homeopathy Clinic - 04 Apr 2010

04 April 2010 - the 3rd time we visited The Clinic.  This time we met the first doctor.  Well, this time around Iman was behaving very well, better then before.  She was just behaving like a child of course but nothing out of `ordinary'.  The doctor also agreed about the changes in Iman's behavior compared to the first time he saw her.  We had short discussion and the doctor suggest that if everything goes well she can stop taking the medicine after 3 months.  This time we asked for her medicine to be in liquid form.  So, we went home with her one month supply of liquid form medicine and hope for the best....

Life Starts At 40 ?

03 April 2010 - My 40th birthday
Yeah... day come and went... now I am 40 years old... old? huh... not really, not 140 yet !
Some people asked `how do you feel being 40, now?'  What do you mean, `being 40 now??'  I am just feeling fine, may be more grey hairs on my head now, so what?  I am feeling strong, healthy and very much alive, thank you.  I am used to telling people I was already 40 once I reached 30+ years and some people were surprised "Really?  You didn't look  40 ?"  Owww... really ?  Hahaha ... How should a 40 year old looks like anyway ??  So, why should I be worrying about being 40?  I am not worried at all, not a single bit !!  Some said life begins at 40.... hey, wait a minute, what about all those 40 years before?  are they not counted?  were we not been living for the past 40 years... in fact I had been living more then 40 years actually, try count the time I spent in my mum's womb, was I not been living then?  hhhmmm...life begins at 40?  nonsense !  just a phrase created by people who were, sad to say, a failure for the past 40 years of their life?  May be?  or may be for some who couldn't face the reality of life, scared of themselves in fact, scared of looking at their own reflection in the mirror, scared of seeing wrinkles here and there... scared about their time, nearing to the end, may be?
Was I not worry about my wrinkles? Come on, there are many other important things to think about besides wrinkles.  What about the time nearing to the end?  Because of the time factor I should be living my life (to the fullest?); the right kind of life, not doing the things which I am not supposed to, I should be enjoying my time ( especially my time with my Iman ).  I was young before, well, I might do some mistakes (who didnt?), that was before, now at forthy I won't repeat the same mistakes just to state that life begins at 40..no nonsense... I just hate it when people said it life begins at 40 (especially men !!)... just go on living, enjoy life and pray for the best, no matter how old I would be...

I would never had enough of hugging and kissing my baby.
Waiting for lunch to be served at Secret Recipe.

Umi eating ice cream, Iman couldn't have it because she's allergic to cow's milk.  Iman didn't even want to taste it anyway.

There... the best thing ever that I have at 40 - my baby Nur Iman Zarifah... I love you so much, Iman.

I dedicate this song In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride to my dear Iman:

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hanging on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes