Owner: Suzette's Parenting & Breastfeeding Blog URL:http://www.thesuzette.com/ Join Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:59:04 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Blog managed by a frequent traveler. Being a mother of 2 young children and a strong supporter of breastfeeding, I write mostly about parenting, breastfeeding, development of my children, and interesting stories of my trips. Site statistics:Click here
Another Seatbelt Commercial 2007-06-17 11:37:49 Ian again take seatbelt for granted. I reminded him a few times about the commercial I showed him before, but he sort of play dumb with it.
So, I’ve decided to show him this one below. I showed him twice in a row, and by nearly the end of the end time he shouted no to the video. I think it is too much for his little mind.
And then… as a result of that, he really buckles in, every time! And he gets very scared if any of us don’t use our seatbelt. He would insist all of us use our belts!
In deed, the point of this seatbelt commercial is — even if you don’t value your own life, please respect others’ and don’t kill them with your ‘flying body’. Also, what if you don’t kill yourself, but suffer the rest of your life?
Read more:Commercial
Smart Shopping Online 2007-06-17 11:27:35 Sponsored Post
Talking about online shopping, ever since I got some money in my PayPal account, my butt is getting more and more ‘itchy’. I can spend hours shopping around (clarify: ’shopping’ is different from ’spending’ ya? )
I keep surfing around, spending most of my time in Amazon.com, for things that they can be delivered to this region. In particularly for books and CDs.
I’ve been eyeing on the upcoming Popeye DVD, which will be launced only in the end of July. When I tried to buy the Popeye CD, I learnt the fact that there is actually NO official Popeye releases in the market! No wonder DH couldn’t find it here. We wanted to buy for Ian, so I searched in Amazon.
(more…) Read more:Smart
, Shopping
You Are Burned! 2007-06-23 05:11:02 Let’s say you are a CIA agent, and when you are in the midst of assignment you find out that you are fired, what do you do?
Well, if you are fired you won’t receive notice from the Human Resource department, but you will receive a “Burn Notice” and got ‘burned’.
Starting June 28th, on USA Network’s Burn Notice, you will see how Michael Weston (starred Jeffrey Donovan), a CIA Operative gets ‘burned’ and become untouchable. He would not know what happened to him that caused him burnt, and he will be on a quest to investigate the cause.
(more…)
Reprimanded by Ian 2007-06-21 23:44:31 Last night, as usual, Ian wanted me to hold his hand to sleep.
Suddenly, dunno what happen to me lah, I ‘naughtily’ shaked his hand at the same time making a ‘grrrrr’ sound.
Ian: Mama, why you said ‘grrrr’?
Suzette: Uh, I was just playing with you!
Ian: Mama! Don’t play with me. We must sleep now. It is already dark-dark! * in a reprimanding tone *
Suzette: Oh, sorry, sorry, yes let’s sleep.
Ya, sometimes I do silly things too. Ian was right, that we should sleep already.
What a shame, being scolded by my son for being naughty. Hahaha!
Fighting 2007-06-21 23:40:57 In the past, Isabel is always bullied by Ian. He used to push Isabel, slap her, take away her toys that she was playing, etc.
MIL never protect Isabel, she only TELL Ian not to do that, but never STOP Ian from doing that even he WAS GOING TO hurt Isabel. I get very heart ache, but different people have different ways of teaching/interacting with the little ones, and MIL is never a scolding or strong type with kids.
Anyway, that put aside, I have told everyone to expect Isabel to retaliate when she is strong enough to protect herself. True enough, she is now very fierceful and agressive in siblings fights.
My mom just told me that, yesterday when she visited them, she witnessed this:
Ian suddenly slapped Isabel.
Isabel screamed in a very angry way, slapped (more…) Read more:Fighting
Video of Mad Neighbour 2007-06-25 20:08:39 Finally, DH converted the cell phone’s video (3gp file) to mpeg. Below is that video taken when she was scolding DH for ‘????’ (i.e. psycho). Full story read here.
Seriously, who is psycho? She has been scolding MIL ‘mad woman’ also. We believe she was previously scolded with these terms by her previous neighbours (??) and she is now using those terms on us.
Again, who is psycho? Let me ask you this, if you walk pass a house, with a woman standing scolding her neighbour who never respond, and this woman scolds everyone including her neighbours visitors, maid, kids, dogs –> tell me, who do you think is psycho? That woman scolding, or her neighbour who is being scolded?
Recall of Thomas Train Toy 2007-06-25 02:33:52 Two weeks ago I received a recall notice from CPSC on Thomas
& Friends wooden railway toys due to lead poisoning hazard.
All these while, I have been receiving CPSC recall notices, mostly for the same reason - lead contamination, and most of the products are manufactured in China.
I was ignorant earlier, when it comes to lead poisoning, didn’t really understand the impact, until a friend just explained to me this morning (she is my best friend, works in Ikea).
From what she explained, I then understand about ‘migration’, i.e. lead can be absorbed to our body via sweat, salivar, etc, thought our surface (skin).
So, my earlier assumption that - as long as I watch out don’t let my children swallow (more…) Read more:Train
Mad Neighbour Making Us Mad 2007-06-25 00:06:27 Remember I blog about our new mad neighbours here and here?
A few times I tried to record their madness and show you, but they seemed to be scared of my ‘camera’ and backed off, everytime I took it out.
But it got worse now, that they are not scared any more. DH took the video of how this mad woman barked at him, at the same time screaming that she is not afraid of our ‘camera’. Well, actually I have to admit that, sometimes we are too sick of their scolding, I took out the ‘camera’ intended to just shut her off, but now it doesn’t work any more.
They are getting worse, not only scolding MIL but also my maid, who has not done anything to them at all not even said any words to them. This mad woman scolded to my Indonesian maid in Bahasa: “… go back to your country… you are pig… bla-bla-bla…”. (more…)
Isabel Walks! 2007-06-29 19:56:18 Yesterday Isabel
achieved her biggest milestone…
On Thursday she was still not able to walk even a step by herself (still needed to hold hands). But then, yesterday - Friday 29th June 2007, she let go of our hands, without holding on to anything, she walked by herself!
From just 1 or 2 steps at a time, within the same day she was able to walk quite a distance, from one end of the house to the other end!
She was very excited about it as well. On her way walking, she clapped her hands, as if thinking that she did very well and deserved an applause. And of course, we all gave her ours! Very adorable…
Breast Augmentation 2007-06-29 04:05:10 This is a sponsored post.
Hehe, since joining LoudLaunch so many months, I’ve only taken 1 posts. After so long, I’m going to do my 2nd one… about breast augmentation. Why I chose this topic? Ahem! Let me explain…
Before pregnancy, I used to have flat/small breasts. I was quite jealou seeing others with large breasts. But then, breast augmentation is never in my consideration.
During pregnancy and after giving birth, the breasts expanded so much, from A cup (more…) Read more:Breast
, Breast Augmentation
Walking Milk Bottle 2007-06-28 22:50:14 I’ve been breastfeeding Isabel all these while, 13 months already passed. Since before I started working, we tried to give her bottles with no avail.
Until now she still rejects milk bottles. When I am away for business trips, she’d rather starve. Now that she is on solid, she won’t really starve, but she’d rather not drink any milk - at least for the first 24 hours. Only after a day passed, she’d compromise and drinks a reasonable amount of milk from bottle.
When I’m around, bottle is not an option for her! So choosy.
Sometimes, when I reached home from the office, instead of calling me ‘Mama’, she’d call me ‘Nen Nen’ (milk-milk)!
(more…) Read more:Walking
Audio Books 2007-06-27 23:13:52 Busy Bee informed me in one of her comments here that she bought some audio books for Ryan, and her audio books are from MPH.
I took a trip last Friday wanted to get some for Ian too. A little disappointed as there aren’t many choices. Books
hops here do not carry many audio books. There are only one rack to choose from, and only two types/publisher, others are mostly nursery rhymes etc.
I picked one title from each, just to test out the quality first, and of course - to see if Ian accepts this or not. They are “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”.
You can see from the photo above, that the Little Red Riding Hood (more…) Read more:Audio
Consumer Safety 2007-06-27 22:44:27 After seeing so many recalls of products in US, I think it is good to subscribe to the recall notices from the reliable sources like CPSC and ECSA. Our government don’t protect us this way, we have to learn and alert ourselves, thanks to the technology nowadays, with speedy internet and emails, etc!
CPSC (US Consumer
Product Safety
Comission) is an Independent Federal Regulatory Agency, created in 1972 to protect the public “against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products”.
CPSC announces recalls of products that present a significant risk to consumers either because the product may be defective or violates a mandatory standard issued by CPSC.
You can subscribe to the recall notices from CPSC here, or visit the site for the previous recalls, including the one in my previous post about Thomas Train.
My friend told me to also look at the European standard (ECSA), as it is believed to be more stringent. The ECSA (European Child Safety Alliance)
Men’s Opinion 2007-06-27 20:07:43 I like to listen to Hitz.fm in the morning, it gives me lots of idea for blogging, especially when I have things to tell them but couldn’t as I was driving…
Alright, this topic is inspired by what I heard this morning…
I know men generally hate to be asked by their girl-friends/wives, of their opinions on the women. They always said: if I tell the truth I get penalized, if I don’t tell the truth they say I am not honest… women is so difficult…
Well, I guess it lies to how they respond to the answers and choose the right words.
I have to say that, most men are not clever in choosing the right words in responding to these kind of questions like: Honey, how do I look in this dress?
We, women, also get this kind of quesetions from our peers but we are not afraid of telling the truth and I don’t think our peers have the same reaction when men tell the same truth.
Let me give you an example. (more…)
Brain Transplant 2007-06-27 00:25:52 This is just a joke, picked from an email received. If you are a man, who can’t handle jokes, please skip this post.
————
In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where their family member lay gravely ill.
Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber.
“I’m afraid I’m the bearer of bad news,” he said as he surveyed the worried faces.
“The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain transplant. It’s an experimental procedure, very risky but it is the only hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the brain yourselves…”
The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a great length of time, someone asked, “Well, how much does a brain cost?”
The doctor quickly responded, “$5,000 for a male brain, and $200 for a female brain.”
The moment turned awkward. Men in the room tried not to smile, avoiding eye c Read more:Brain
Collapse of Baby Cot 2007-07-01 21:37:59 This is a long past due post. One of my blog reader, EMYYL, sent me her story about baby cot a month ago. I promised to write, but… I completely forgot about it till now. So sorry, EMYYL.
Alright, back to the story of this cot.
EMYYL’s son born just a week before Isabel. A month before her son was born, she bought an expensive branded baby cot. That is a brand known for its claims to offer quality baby-safe products that meet international safety guidelines.
Within a year of infrequent usage, the base of the cot suddenly collapsed, with the baby in it!
(What a trauma this lil’ one has to go through)
Her cot was fixed after one week, and during the week (more…)
Dangers of Magnetic Toy Sets 2007-07-05 21:54:58 When I shopped around for toys for my children, I always come across box sets of magnetic toys in supermarkets and toy shops. They look really interesting, very appealing to kids.
Thank God that I never bring my children when I shop for their toys. I don’t have to negotiate with them for this kind of toys.
I have been reading a lot about the kind of hazards this kind of toy can bring to kids.
Usually this kind of magnetic toys have small magnets inside the plastic casings, that allow the sticks to pick up steel balls. See pic below for illustration (from CPSC recent recall).
The problem with this kind of magnetic toys is that, (more…)
Parents With Girls - Beware! 2007-07-05 03:54:37 Recently there were young girls been abducted in downtown Chowkit areas.
These cases involved very young girl toddlers. The latest case involved a 5 yo girl, Suci. She was abducted but released after 15 hours (over night). She was found with bruises on her hands and legs at a back lane of a hotel. It is learnt that the girl also have blood stains on her skirts and legs. However, it is believed that she is not molested or sexually abused.
Last week, it was reported that a seven-year-old girl was molested by a man wearing a black jacket and riding a black motorcycle as she was waiting for her mother in front of a school in nearby Kampung Baru. Similar tactic was used, involving two children aged 7 and 8.
For more news, you can read here, and here.
As usual, China newspaper has more ‘insights’ into this kind of news. SinChew reported that there are rumours amongst the Malays and the Indonesians that this involves black magic.
People believe that there are (more… Read more:Parents
, Girls
, Beware
Spoilt 2007-07-15 03:58:14 This morning, Ian asked me: “Mama, who bought the Bob The Builder toys for me?”
I answered: “YOU tell me who bought for you?”
Ian said with a grin: “Hehe, MAMA bought for me!”
I then said: “See, mama bought so many things for you, and I think I have spoilt you!”
Unexpectedly, he said: “Ya, mama why you spoiled my helicopter?”
Aiyoh, he still remembers it…
How Harmful is Disposable Diaper 2007-07-13 20:14:45 I did a search to find out more about the issues with disposable diapers. Found lots of links, but will only quote from the first 3 that I read upon.
Putting aside those issues with environmental concerns, as people like MIL won’t care to know, there are issues closely related to how it affects babies’ health.
The super-absorbent gelling materials (or AGM) is made of Sodium Polyacrylate. This material was removed from tampons in 1985 because of its link to toxic shock syndrome. It can stick to baby’s genitals, cause allergic reactions, and when injected into rats caused hemorrhage, cardiovascular failure and death!
Dioxin, a by-product of bleaching paper, is the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It causes effects like birth defects and liver disease in laboratory animals.
Other concerns are fragrances used that can cause allergic, plastic material that children may tear and put into their mouth or nose causing choking hazards, etc.
There are studies conducted Read more:Disposable
, Diaper
Diapering Wars 2007-07-13 05:53:07 Recently I am quite upset when it comes to diapering issues.
Since I bought the cloth diapers from MiaBambina, I have been having arguments with MIL on diapering issues.
She is against me using the cloth diapers, as she perceives the CDs are too hot for the children.
I know she intended well for my kids. During the day, she is trying not to use diapers (any forms) on Isabel, and started potty training her. Basically we have to give potty every 15 to 30 min, or we will have to mop the floor.
Okay, I admit I am lazy. I feel stressed that I have to do this so frequently, even with my maid’s help. I don’t like to let my maid deals with my children too much, so this will eventually lay back to my shoulder.
Adding more to this, lately MIL has also been brainwashing Ian to against (more…) Read more:Diapering
Rudolph’s Cousins 2007-07-13 05:28:37 About two years ago, Ian got over dosage of Vit A, as I put too much of carrots in his meals.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t do that for the sake of vit A or kiasu. I put carrots because it is easy to keep, adds fibre, and it also tastes good.
Ian’s skin was yellowish, particularly on his nose - with yellow/orange colour (quite funny looking). That prompted me to see doc, afraid of jaundice. Doc confirmed he was over dosage of Vit A, but he said doesn’t matter - just need to cut down.
Few weeks ago, my friend asked for my opinion on a ‘health tips’ her friend gave. She was advised to add some olive oil along with her son’s solids to help with the absorption of vit A.
Whilst it makes sense as vit A is not water solluble, is it necessary to do that?
My doc and I have the same motto: if one is having a balanced diet, no supplement is required.
And true enough, my friend told me yesterday that, without following her friend’s advice, her son Read more:Rudolph
, Cousins
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 2007-07-12 23:26:03 Myrtle Beach
is one of the top vacation destinations in the United States, along the East Coast. It is located along the SouthCarolina
state line at Little River to Georgetown.
The place is really popular. During summer, on a typical day the population can exceed half a million people! The beach is not the only reason people come — shopping, golfing, sightseeing, and live theater are also draws.
Myrtle Beach, being the largest beach resort along the Grand Strand, has the most facilities, entertainment, and restaurants, and as a result, it attracts the most visitors. But if you’re looking for a wild, swinging kind of beach resort, this isn’t it.
The beach visitors are mostly made up of families, but recently it is also attracting others, and there are concerns that the environment will be ‘polluted’. The family-friendly atmosphere is threatened by thingslike thong bathing suits, topless clubs, etc. There are discussions to ban this kind of activit Read more:Myrtle
, South Carolina
eBay Shopping 2007-07-12 20:16:45 Since I’ve earned some money from blogging, I’ve got some fund in PayPal. Although someone has shared with me how to cash the money out, but since it cost so much and so troublesome, I’ve not followed yet.
I started to look out in eBay, first I looked for children’s audio books.
Well, being first time to eBay, I was so excited finding lots of bargain available there. But later, I got very disappointed, coz the shipping fees to Malaysia is so expensive. There are good deals with less than $1, but shipping can be $20!!
I browsed around, and found a good deal. One of the seller in US offers flat rate shipping of $1.99 for 1 children audio book (1CD), and additional item is only $0.89 if combine shipped.
I tried that out. Since no one competed with me on that, I won that item for $0.99. Total fee was just $2.98 (RM 10.43). I received that CD (more…) Read more:Shopping
New Vocab for Ian 2007-07-12 01:16:44 Many months ago, DH brought Ian to his colleague’s party. He came back, told me that the other kids (similar to Ian’s age) know quite a lot of vocab, more than what Ian used. Ian uses a lot of ‘this’ and ‘that’, instead of the words to describe.
I think we are at fault, coz we are too worried to using new words, worried to confuse him, so we stick to the simplest words most of the time.
So, I think it is good for him to start listening to the audio books that I bought. Lately, I bought a new audio book for him, the Gingerbread Man, from the eBay.
As we all know, audio books continue to read out the story, would not change the words/terms to suit you, or to adjust its speed either. In a way, it is good, but we have to explain to him.
For example, one of the part says: “… as Isaac prophesized.”
If I were to read the same story, I would change that phase to “… as Isaac said earlier.”
So, he now learnt a word p Read more:Vocab
SAHM vs FTWM 2007-07-12 00:42:28 Mama22beas wants to know what would be my choice: fulltime or part-time mom. This is a simple tag…
~~~Instructions (taken from 5xmom) ~~~
Here’s how it works:
1. So easy peasy, if you were given a choice, would you be a SAHM or FTWM? Just provide 3 good reasons.
2. Include your post link to the list below and Finally,
3. Tag other mommies (more…)
Manners 2007-07-17 04:06:37 I was caught in surprised these few days, with Ian’s manners.
Last time, we have to remind him to say ‘Thank You’ whenever appropriate.
On Saturday evening, my mom was just checking with me whether the pyjamas she bought for Ian was suitable or not, and Ian suddenly burst out: “外婆, 谢谢你!” (grandma, thank you!).
Then at home, when he saw the beach/sand toy (set of pail, shovel, molds, etc) that we bought for him (planned to bring him to beach very soon). He excitedly played with the set for a while, and said happily/loudly: “Thank you mama and daddy!”, repeatedly.
We didn’t have to remind him to say that, and he said that spontaneously now.
We are very pleased with that. Oh, a sticker was given to him for this good behaviour. Read more:Manners
Gangster Girl 2007-07-16 03:58:15 Isabel is a fierceful girl. I have described her here before.
On Saturday, Ian and I were sitting on the floor talking, Isabel approached us, walking whobbly. Suddenly, she fell down. Her head knocked Ian’s head, both of them crying in pain.
Isabel apparently blamed Ian for the pain. She extended her hand, wanted to beat Ian but was caught by me. She looked at me in anger, then stood up, attempted to beat Ian again!
Wah! Really fierceful! It wasn’t Ian’s fault at all, but she wanted to beat him. Better don’t step on her tail in the future! Read more:Gangster
What have they done to deserve this? 2007-07-19 20:43:14 I can’t remember the exact dates these happened and the names of those little victims.
What I can remember are:
They inclucde both genders. Boys and girls.
They are from all cities - including East Malaysia.
They are from all races - Chinese and Malay.
Common theme:
They are all very young. 2 years? 3 years?
They are all coming from broken families. Parents separated or divorced.
They are all taken by their mothers.
They all died by the torture of their mothers’ boyfriends.
Their mothers failed to protect them, or joined the boyfriends in torturing them to death.
Is this the latest social sickness we are facing?
For the benefit of those non-Malaysian readers, what I am referring to is a trend that I’ve noticed lately in our society. These couple of weeks, the newspaper has a lot of coverage on a 3 yo girl, believed to be killed, cut, and burnt (more…)
Racing 2007-07-18 23:04:04 Lately, DH likes to race in the track, following his friend siewmai’s trail. He went to Sepang last week, when siewmai’s car was smashed by another car at the side. I wonder how this would affect his used cars value when he sells later?
He told me that he is going again this week. I am actually quite worried about his safety, coz he races with his own car, which is not scrutinized in safety. Apart from using a helmet, there is no other safety measures.
Sigh, can’t say much, coz he is an adult with a family responsibility. He should know how to think and consider what is the best. Furthermore, if say too much, I will be considered a nagging wife.
I used to like racing, particularly in F1, but only to the extent of watching on TV, without missing any race. Ever since Ian was born, this was cut down to none at all. I find it hard to follow up with the motoring news again, once I was disconnected. Without knowing much, very hard to follow the race again, like Read more:Racing
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