Back from Blogging Slumber

Hi all. I hope you are wondering about my sudden hiatus and I shamefully admit that I hope you miss me. Seriously. OK, don't take that seriously, I was joking. So, where were I? (though you might be possibly asking : where are our printables?) I'll give you a hint.

It's a sidewalk picture. Yes. Look closely. Well sit back, not that close, you'll ruin your make up and your monitor.

Need another hint? Happiest place on earth.

Still not getting it? Probably 0.099% of you are.

Give up?

Well, I went to Disneyland, dearies! Baby G's poppa suddenly had this urge to go to Hong Kong Disneyland and he booked the tickets quite suddenly too. Oh, how I used to love his spontaneity on our first dates. With a baby along, not so much. So, up we go on the airplane and leaving my blog behind. I'm sorry for not taking more pictures of our adventures there, I had a tantrum throwing baby on hand and my husband, well, not a camera person. Here's a decent one I can think of...

She didn't seem very pleased riding the Cinderella's Carousel. This photo was taken a bit after the gate was open and 15 minutes waiting in line crying and complaining under the hot sun. My advice to other parents, take toddlers to Disneyland on spring or autumn or winter weather, hot temperature tends to break them on tantrums in line. Or avoid waiting in lines altogether by visiting on weekdays and non public holidays.

There goes my hiatus excuse post. And I want to tell you that I miss you guys, a lot. Seriously.

Pictureless Friday

My first time posting without a single pic. As a very visual person, this is so unlike me. But I hope you will read through this.

Baby G : mu susu.. mu susuuuu ((I) want some milk, in Indonesian. slightly crying)
Me : Allright, I'll make you a bottle.
(done. handing it over to her)
Baby G : panaaas! (hot!!)
Me : OK, we'll wait until it cools off.
Baby G : angetin!! angetiiiiiin!! (cool it down! cool it doooooown!)
Me : It can't be that quick, you'll have to wait or you'll have it warm.
Baby G : waaaaaa...!! angetiiiin!!
(she started to cry)
Me : OK, OK.
(rushed to the fridge and put the bottle inside the freezer, if other moms know better instant cooling technique please let me know.)
Me : Here you go.
Baby G : panaaas!! angetiiiin!! (still hot! Cool it down! more crying)
(Me rushing back and forth to the fridge)
Me : It's cold now. Here you go.
Baby G : Noooooooo! no no susu!! (don't, don't want the milk! more and more crying)
Me : ....

I know you can't argue logically with toddlers, but sometimes, it just tickles your fancy too much. Seriously, I could use some of those tantrums then. Why should toddlers have all the fun, right? Can Moms have tantrums? (DRRRRIIINK THHHHAAAT MIIIILKKK!!!!)

Oh so Red!

Another art swap package is in the mail! Thank you dear, Samone! These stationery goodness has flown all the way from Melbourne to Bandung safely! Definitely a day maker (er..this-made-my-day bad pun)!


Are you guys enjoying the Lemonade Part Printable Kit? If you do, please excuse my lack of updates on the printable, I promise I will be back with the rest of the kit before July. Baby G has a fever at the moment and she's more clingy than a hot glue. I also can't stand her drowsy self, poor girl. I wish for your patient and understanding. Thank you.

Seeing Summer

Living near the equator means constant summer all year long, but as if the weather hear her northern side sister, it's undeniably getting warmer even in here, yes, in the tropical island of Java. It's the national school break for us and many of our relatives and friend are escaping to much milder sun or even more sadistic sun, oh, the irony of holiday destinations.

Since we're not going anywhere and it's June (my birthday month, yippeee!) I thought I will be making a lot of themed party printables. So what's your favorite summer birthday theme?

On the (even) lighter note, Baby G doesn't mind the heat. She's busy capturing the sunshine with her tissue paper. I don't have the heart telling her that sunshine is not very solid. She's good with stripes, I envy her. And that's a friendly smile, in case you were wondering, according to Baby G. Have a nice summer, everyone.

I'm (still) Alive

I have a computer breakdown since..when was my last post? March?

Yes.

And being a high tech digital (exaggerating it a bit...) blogger mom, I thought a part of me had died, buried in the repair shop.

I deeply, truthfully apologized especially to my clients and friends needing my presence in the virtual world. I am really really sorry, and of course to you my readers. So, what happened, Cyber Mom (this exaggerating thing is beginning to sound lame)? Have you ever watched an old Warner Brothers' cartoon that features Michigan J. Frog? Well if you're unfamiliar with Michigan, I'll tell you. He's a singing frog. Quite a dime, eh? And he is found by a construction worker, who of course, has an idea publishing him as a big mega star and earned big bucks from the frog. The problem is, Michigan only sings when nobody but his master is watching. Yes, I felt like the frog's owner for the past three weeks.

"The computer didn't start.."

"It's fine here, Ma'am...look..."

(me taking it home, the comp didn't work, me taking it to the shop)

"It won't start at my place.."

"I'll try changing the -fill with hard to remember CPU part name- ..if it won't start again, you can bring it back here"

And so the conversation went on with me taking the huge CPU to the shop and back several times. So, I had an Easter project dying to be shared, a printable, and a lot of ideas, but no blog. First thing first, please welcome me back from the typewriter era with a really late pleasant news. These babies here are a gift from my friend Little Z all the way from Netherlands. Thank you, Zee! She has a really handsome shop and I almost cried when I had these wooden magnets, they won't leave my fridge door! Never!

Here are the rest of Zee's loot bag. Get jealous, people. :)

Missing you all!

Spring Shopping..

These are things I bought over the weekend. As usual I peed my pants for a couple of pens, warmer bottle, some deco tapes, stamps,
and DIY tag sets.


I apologize for my random appearance in the blogosphere.. I really miss blog hoping and visiting all of your lovely blogs, but recently, Baby G and work stuffs require more of my time than ever. Sorry!

I'm off to warm my belly now with the new bottle. *sigh*

Let's have some pink..

Meet Matryoshka Bag

I just purchased a new bag for, mmm, how long? 3 years maybe? My old one is already giving up on its term (thank you!!), and I bought this messenger one to replace it.

To make this month really bag worthy I won a vintage bag down at muchlove from revolving styles. Now I have two bags! :D

I've been up to..

..playing with Baby G's toys and photographed them. Silly hobby.

I'm sorry for my sudden on and off blogging status, I can''t imagine a mother of 3 active toddlers still manage to blog daily and keep the house clean, I can't even barely rest my feet chasing up with G. I will find my new blogging schedule.

Viva la Resolution!

This is my last year resolution.

This year I will...

learn how to bake a cake (image from here)

buy a bike and bike everywhere (image from here)

toilet train Baby G (image from here)

enjoy life's little pleasure, stationary splurge, maybe? (image from here)

solve life's riddle bit by bit (image from here)

2009 was a great one, thank you everyone who makes it wonderful for me.

Happy new year!

Winter Clueless

I'm going to HongKong this week! Yaaay! But this would be Baby G's first overseas trip, her first winter, her first flight, her first adventure to foreign territory!! Oh no! I think it's too much for her little self!! I'm more worried than excited preparing the whole trip, I was anxious the whole time.. "What if she poops on the plane's seat?", "What if she cries loudly and this man/lady besides me give me 'the stare'?" "Do they serve toddler's menu on plane/hotel?" , "What if she refuses to sleep?" etc. etc. I know, I know, I need to get a hold on myself.

It's not only baby G's who is clueless about overseas trip, say hello to her companion, The Pathetic Clueless Mother. To tell you the truth, being dressed in summer muu-muus and short cotton pants with slouchy T-shirts all year, makes me a terrible winter fashion novice. Boots? Coats? Cashmere? How do you tie your shawl? How do you wear your socks? Long? Tucked inside the boots?? I could use one or two winter get-ups tips, if you don't mind sharing...

Happy Thanksgiving!

How's the turkey? Let's put away the scale and enjoy the feast.

Speaking of feast... I nearly faint in joy (and peed my pants a little) when I found out I won the "Which Marc Jacobs are you?" contest at hotchocolateandmint, the uber famous fashion blog in Indonesia. I won 100US$ gift certificate of shopbob.com!! Yaaaay!! Christmas came early for me! Don't get me wrong, I may not sound like a fashion expert, but my affair with fashion has long been intertwined. As you can guess, I love fashion but fashion is just not into me. *sob* no worries, I will always love you, dear fashion. (why am I writing this with Karl Lagerfeld's image on mind??)

Anyhooo...
I painted this as my gratitude to lovely Diana. Check her blog out, she's the Brianboy of Indonesia.

ps. now now what shall I get with my 100US$? *winkwink*

Konnichiwa, Hipoto!

Have you ever get excited for your daughter's toy? Kokuyo, the famous stationary brand from Japan has just released a new environmental-friendly toy line. My brother, Baby G's uncle, obviously, managed to get me, eeer.. Baby G, one of its toy. It's a hippopotamus hand puppet, apparently named Hipoto and he has a lot of vegetables and other food to chop, and he need Baby G's help. Exciting, isn't it?

..last but not least, you have to know that things do not originate from Japan if they don't have a quirky catch, so let me tell you a dark little secret about Hipoto. He poops. Yes, according to the instruction leaflet, he does. We tested it last night and couldn't stop laughing. Interested?

This is the kind of..

...bribery I'm talking about. Arlene is posing her 2 year old to beg for my Halloween printable. I melt, of course. I hope she will have fun with it. Look how adorable this girl is!

My own RiceBabbies!

Kellie's doll is here!!! I'm super excited but try not too obviously crazed in this post. ..mmhhmmm (clears throat)...So, Kellie did this one to resemble Baby G, but since Baby G has yet to grown very little hair, has lighter skin than me, and doesn't have my olive shaped eyes, my husband said the doll looks like me. He even tried to actually pin a needle on it, checking if it was really my voodoo doll, cute, isn't he?Thanks, Kellie!

Warming up.

For Halloween. I won Florspace's Halloween giveaway (yaaay!) and the package arrived this morning. Wow, what a way to start a weekend! Don't get jealous, peeps! Here they are, taken early in the morning. There should have been a cute pumpkin lantern with the package, but you know, paper lantern and Baby G don't get along too well, so... OK, let's say it's not ready for its close ups. (I nearly cried when it was torn in just 6.5 seconds after I opened the package!) Now I just wish I can get Florspace's talent in sewing, she sews the best bags!

Have a great Halloween warm up and weekend too!

A little game for today, tag, with a twist. I'm so excited, as today's game of tag is pretty surprising. Dear Hollyrocks, the one who tagged me, is rarely predictable, I must say. Let's see the rules of the game now.

1. Open your first photo folder.
2. Scroll to the 10th photo.
3. Post the photo on your blog and tell the story behind it.
4. Tag people to do the same.

mmm... mine is this.


Ha! I knew it must be Baby G's pic, since the first folder must be the "BabyG" one ( I have no folder started with "a")!! And I knew too that it must be her first days of life pic, since I always arrange it based on when the picture taken. So this is it. Baby G at around 10 days or so, sleeping soundly, while mommy took a picture of her monkey and bunny dolls. I love the matching crib bumper and sheets too, it's the first one I bought so the color is gender neutral. I missed her baby days.

Enough about the picture let's get tagging!! Here are the lucky (or not so lucky) people I wish to peek into their photo folder. Natsumi, Noomie, and Rosey, tag girls, you're all it!

And today is Indonesia national batik day. I'm wearing one while I am typing. :)

Hello, Blogosphere!

Seriously, why does baby has to be sick on national holidays? The reason of my prolonged absent was of course, Baby G needed my full attention again, she had diarrhea, lost of appetite, and fever. I felt extremely worried and exhausted at the same time. I am currently suffering a flu. sigh. so...

What national holiday, you asked? It's Ied 'ul Fitr day!! I'm not a moslem so I can't give you any trustworthy information about the origin of the celebration but I'm sure Wiki can. :) It's huge in Indonesia (where the majority of the people are moslems), almost like Christmas and Thanksgiving rolled into one.

I don't know much about the philosophy, but like all non-Christians living in US and other Chrsitian inhabited countries, I do know a lot about the culture and the festivities. You can't
ignore all those gorgeous Christmas decorations and songs and foods, can you? Same here, I'm carried away too. Basically it's about the joy of loving and forgiving. So people, after the annually fasting duty (yes, they do fast the whole month before!!) naturally reunite with their families and loved ones, asking for forgiveness and forgive those who may have hurt them all year round. But none was done without good food, merry singing, and gifts. Sound familiar? We're not that different at all, aren't we? :)

Yes, that Ied card is free to download and print, give it to someone you know celebrating (although a little bit late). I just think that veiled moslem girls look a lot like matryoshkas.

My first Wordless Wednesday

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Ok. I can't help it. It's officially not wordless. I try to keep up with the blog trend but I think I failed. It's Baby G, with a headband, in case you were wondering. Shhheeesh, now can this post go back to wordless again?

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Phew.

I'm so much exhausted (and excited as well) after Baby G's birthday party I caught a flu, yes, now I'm a TB positive mom who also have a flu. Great. I wear mask everyday worrying if I can pass those horrible things to Baby G. So, I'm still processing photos of the party, you guys might want to be patient for a while.

And I just came to realize that, Baby G's, technically, graduated to toddler stage!! Yaaay!
She has taken her first steps, been toilet trained (poo only, pee still misses occasionally), and babbled her first words (bab-bab for balloons and mamam for makan, Indonesian for "eat"), but I must admit there are some things I miss from her baby stage. That's life, afterall.

Being a mom, successfully (hey, at least she grows taller!) over the baby phase, I'd like to conclude 5 things I love the most from little babies;

1. Their smiles, and the fact that it takes an effort to make them smile, it just make the smiles much much more precious.
2. Their smell. Have you ever wonder, even if you use the same baby products on toddlers and older children, they don't smell the same way again. mm...
   
3. Their dependencies to you. Someone's life solely depends on you and you only, at least for the first months. I never feel this much important in my life.
4. Their faces. I'm not against adoption, it's a very important option to save many children's lives, but nothing beats a resemblance. You look at a face and how much it looks like you and/or your spouse. It's so magical!
5. Their chubby arms and legs and tiny little fingers.
   

If you have one or two, or even three, you'll know what I am talking about. If you haven't got any, please consider having one after reading this. :)