Wednesday, January 11, 2012

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters {by Michael Mitchell}

Dear Husband,

I stumbled upon this online here and i thought you should read it too..

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters {by Michael Mitchell}

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

maid drama, playdate at TCs and living at the ILs

So its day 3 of living at the ILs.. My normal commute to work of 20 minutes is now 40-45 minutes.. But I cant complain cause the ILs is taking very good care of our 2 girls. to be honest i was quite worried, not because they will not be able to handle them 2 rowdy girls but rather how will they be able to adapt to the 'new' environment. Alhamdulillah around mid-day yesterday SIL sent me these photos!

My Sofiyya smiling

Nadia and Alya napping together

Syukur alhamdulillah and i continue to pray that the girls will continue to cooperate.. amin!

Oh lemme document about my maid drama! We got back from the ILs on Sunday 18Dec2011 and as i was leaving for work on 19Dec2011 my maid tells me that she was asked to return back to Indonesia because he husband has to undergo surgery. My first reaction was 'banar kah ni' because there has been history of maids lying in order to go home. But after a while we were convinced she was telling the truth so she left in the evening of 27th Dec 2011 and will be coming back on 11 Feb 2012. We gave her 7 weeks out of the 2 months she has requested and also based on my research on google it will take 4-6 weeks for the person to recover. Atu pun she was still pushing for 2 months and i lost it with her! Since she has been back alhamdulillah her husband has shown good progress for recovery and she is currently sorting out her paperwork for returning back to Brunei to continue employment with us.. I pray that all will go smoothly amin!

The Bains, Jais and Zams had a get together at TC's place on 27th Dec 2011. it was good catching up with everyone and I am now looking at the calendar and thinking of when us girls will be able to go out again.. Sometime in Feb ok girls (once my life is back to normal)? hehe

The Zams, The Bains and The Jais

Snow at Empire

Took the girls to Empire on 23rd Dec 2011 to have a look at the winter wonderland..

posing with the snowman

on the sleigh

With a little bit on 'snow'

Sofie & yours truly

Family photo attempt no 1

Family photo attempt no 2


Mini Getaway 27-28 Dec2011

We headed to aMIRIka for a mini getaway in the morning of 27th Dec 2011..

We decided to try this out: Sofiyya in her small car seat on my right and Nadia in her car seat on my left! Results: My feeling very cramped but it worked out alright.. hehehe wished we had a bigger car or a van but this would only last for a couple of years and as soon as the girls are gown up i would be able to sit in front and the girls can sit at the back.. hehehe

Checked in Marriot Miri and this is Sofiyya chilling in our big bed! hehehe

Nadia and Sofiyya having a mini swim in the bath tub

Something was so funny!

Sofiyya kuda Kaka!

and in the morning after breakfast we headed to the pool so we can have a real dip in the pool!

Nadia

Daddy and his girls

Sofiyya


It was a very good trip and looking forward to the next time we will be doing this... hehehe







Saturday, January 7, 2012

Alya is 3!!

We have been so busy that i forgot about Alya turning 3!! So before the clock strike 12; wishing Alya a happy happy 3rd birthday! Hope she enjoyed her celebration at home (without us tho huhuhu) and presents from her parents!! Be good now and jgn pepet lagi ah.. Hahaha

After 6 days at the hospital, it feels really really good to be going out.. We took the girls out cause I had a couple of errands to run..



Brunch at CA Mohd cause Dia said she wants some murtabak but in the end didnt take in any :S


Went to Bebeland and Mothercare cause we wanted to look for gowns for my cousin's upcoming wedding.. And as promised we also bought Nadia her 'princess/barbie' dress.. With a promise from her that she'll start to eat up.. (must take photo of her in the dress! She was so proud of it and wore it the whole afternoon!)


Sofiyya got something too! New slippers for her chubby feet! Hehehe


Lunch at KFC cause Nadia says she wants some chips! This time she took about 7 pieces and then said she had a tummy ache.. Can u imagine how frustrated we are with her? Huhu

Alhamdulillah she ate her meal this evening.. Syukur syukur.. Mudahan her appetite keeps up!

Oh seems like i owe this 'memory book' some posts.. Must write or post up photos for the following:
- SIL's wedding- Christmas
- Mini getaway
- Edah's Birthday & New Year's Eve
- maid drama number __
- Snow in Empire
........Okay thats a lot!! Huhuhu

Friday, January 6, 2012

Our January so far..

1st Jan 2012:
Sofiyya started vomiting at 4am and a couple more times after she takes in milk so around 10am we headed to A&E Tutong Hospital. Because we are afraid of dehydration Dr decides to give her an IV drip and we agreed.






Dr doing routine check up on her and she was not a happy trooper!







Resting at bed 5C

My heart broke into a million pieces when i heard her cry and wished that i can help ease her pain..









Tiny hands









Tired and sad face..









The first and only bottle..







Kaka dropped by for a visit..






Sofiyya sleepy..






She developed a fever in the night..

2nd Jan 2012:








Alhamdulillah in the morning her fever went down and we were granted home leave.. At home however we realize that Nadia developed the same symptoms..

When we got to A&E the Dr decided the same thing so both girls are now admitted at the Pead Ward..






At the prep room waiting for nurses to do routine check up..

We expected Nadia to scream her heart out but she did not! I was a proud mummy..






Nadia when they were drawing some blood..









Nadia in bed 5C & Sofiyya in bed 5D









Both my girls..

3rd Jan 2012:







Nadia on her third and last Bottle of IV drip..






We placed Sofiyya in Kaka Dia's bed..






And look at them playing together..

4th Jan 2012:
Sofiyya was discharged today and i went home to freshen up and send Sofiyya. The intention was for the hubs to look after Nadia at the ward and for me to look after Sofiyya at home. However when i got back to the ward after about an hour, i was greeted with a tear faced Nadia. Apparently she was looking for me and Sofiyya.



Sad faced Nadia..

I was reaching my breaking point at this point (think being at the hospital got to me!) and asked the Dr for home leave and Dr saw how stressed i was and granted it!

5th Jan 2012:
We went to check in to the ward at 8am..



Yours truly & Happy Nadia, that is before she saw the Dr then she started being 'sick' again. We were again granted home leave but had to check back in at 6pm.




Had her favorite Chicken Floss bun from Mum's bakery during her evening check in..



Nadia fell asleep at the bed that evening, waiting for the Dr.

6th Jan 2012:
we again checked in at 8am the next day and alhamdulillah she was finally discharged!



Manja with her Daddy



Eating her bread at the ward, while waiting for her appointment cards, etc.



Getting her to eat anything however is proving to be a challenge! But these cheese sticks, she LOVEs!!!

It was a very difficult, tiring, challenging, frustrating 6 days and i am so very glad that its over!!! We pray that Nadia will get her appetite soon and that both girls will be in good health.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and thanks also to those who dropped by, answered some of my questions, listened to my rants.. Thank you..

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Letter to the year!

Dear 2012,

I know I said earlier to 'Bring it on' but I didnt mean bring it on this bad, this early! First I am maidless and then my Little Sofiyya had to be admitted on the first day if the year and then Kaka Nadia was admitted the next day! Thats 3 in a row and its only the fourth day of the year! So what have you got for me for the next 362 days??
Pls be good to me cause this mama almost lost it this afternoon at the Doctors and Nurses at the ward.. Thanks!

Sincerely,
ME!


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