Happy 2nd Birthday, Imtiaz...Penang escapade (part 1)

my macho boy turned 2 last Sunday (yes, the "terrible twos")....we had a wonderful casual celebration at the northern part of Malaysia, at the Pearl of the Orient (Penang)...

Imtiaz is all excited to board on the airplane

Imtiaz and i have been away from home for the past 2 weeks...we spent great time together in Penang as i attended the Breastfeeding Advocacy and Practice Course in Georgetown Penang...my mum followed us there to take care of Imtiaz when i was in the course during daytime... i took my time to breastfeed him during break time and lunch time and sometimes, Imtiaz went up to the 16th floor of Bayview Hotel to have his breastfeeding break with me...

on the trishaw heritage  and food trail

in the evening, once i finished the course for the day, we would stroll along the Penang Road looking for local food for dinner...we even walked to Komtar and took a taxi back to the hotel and some days, Imtiaz would love to get on the trishaw...we had scrumptious selection of local and street food... it was heaven that i gained lots of weight in just 2 weeks..!

both of us even went on a trishaw tour to the heritage places with some of my course mates...we had lovely time trailing along the heritage places, not forgetting tasting some good food along the tour...Imtiaz even made friend with the trishaw man and was really enjoying himself on the tour...

imtiaz was all tired after the trishaw tour

i carried Imtiaz in the soft-structured carrier and he loved being in it...he enjoyed watching all kind of transports while we were strolling along the busy road of Georgetown...

with the technologies nowadays, we were able to stay connected with Jihan and papa through phone calls and Skype...Imtiaz was so excited seeing them on Skype video calls... Imtiaz had his books and favourite cars with him, but i think he missed home and his other toys too...while at the hotel, he loved taking his bath in the bathtub too...

there are more exciting stories in Penang, which i will update in the second part of this lovely escapade (when the family reunited later and had a wonderful journey together..)

1st family vacation....

this was during her first vacation

buckle up in her carseat

a lot of emotional (and physical) changes involved after my baby was borned....i was glad that i was only 3 kg heavier from my pre pregnancy weight (but it gradually increases after i stopped breastfeeding when Jihan was 6 months but now i'm serious about shedding off a few kg that i gained within the last 1 year...argghhh!!)....plus the lack of sleep, the pain and agony to handle the tiny creature that has just come out from your womb....it was a mixed feelings actually...the first few weeks is the most critical condition for the mother....good social support is very important to the mothers as to prevent post natal depression (thank god i didn't suffer from this)

the fact is, i was very happy with my newborn baby at that time and i was coping quite well adapting to a new life....after confinement, i started working...then a new kind of stress emerged...i was a bit physically and mentally imbalance and exhausted....at one point, i decided to take a few days leave and plan an impromptu family vacation....(the first one for Jihan, who was 4 months old at that time)

it was during fasting month and we went East Coast...i buckled Jihan up in her carseat and she behaved very well...she loves travelling in the car...i had to wake her up to breastfeed her...now we have to pack an extra bag (plus others) for Jihan's clothes and stuff...luckily she was still breastfeeding at that time so no need to pack a whole basket of milk powder and bottles and sterilizer, etc....we packed 2 bags for her- 1 containing her clothes and another 1 containing her diapers and some toys...other accessories for her include baby hat ( which she hated wering it)and a few toiletteries...we always stuff her stroller inside the car boot in case we need them...

the journey was good but it takes time for Jihan to adapt to a new environment (the hotel room)...she cried loudly when she was in the elevator...but after a few try, she got on well...

it was a memorable vacation for us...it was only the 3 of us...it was time to strengthen the bond between us and for us to spend more time with our lovely Jihan...

tips on planning your first vacation (with baby):

• go to a place that are accessible to health centre



• choose the environment that is almost similar to your home



• plan for a short vacation (2-3 days)



• pack your stuffs as well as your baby's stuff 1 day before the journey



• make a checklist on what to bring



• pack some of your baby's favourite toys as well



• if your baby is bottlefed, bring along the bottle sterilizer or sterilizing tablets (do not compromise hygiene for the sake of your little ones)



• if you plan to go to the swimming pool/beach, bring along sunscreen for babies and babies floaties



• bring extra clothing as she/he might puke or dirty the clothes accidentally



• do not cramp the car with unnecessary stuffs/toys



• bring a stroller/pram along



• minimize the amount of baggage (if possible)



• drive safely and carefully



• buckle up your baby in her carseat



• make sure the ventilation is good inside your car (not so hot or not so cold)



• enjoy yourself and make your baby enjoy herself too!

first outing....

i'm ready..! let's go!

we first brought Jihan for her first outing at a nearby shopping mall when she was about 2 months...we put her in her stroller and she would sleep quietly, once a while she would cry asking for her moo-mie's milk...almost every weekend we went out to get some fresh air and to expose Jihan to different environment so that she knows that there are other children and other people around apart from her close family....(Jihan is taken care by a maid with the help of my parents)..

it was very easy to travel with your little ones when she is small (9 months and below)..that is what i personally think...that's how i experienced it....i only brought a few pampers and wipe tissue, an extra pair of clothes, small towel, powder and that's almost it...i was breastfeeding her then, so no need to bring bottles, hot water and stuff....

we used go to places that are baby-friendly...so that it is easier to get our Jihan changed when needed...breastfeeding wise, i used to wear my nursing top, so i wasn't shy to breastfeed in public if the nursing room is full of mummies and babies...

when she started weaning, i brought along a few baby biscuits and mixed rice porridge/fruit puree to feed her during lunch time...i used to feed her before we had our meals....before 1 year old, she used to sit and babbles or sleep in her stroller while we were haivng our meals....

i also brought along a few rattles/toys just to keep her preoccupied...but she was so curious and amazed looking at her external environment...even when she is at 8 months, her stranger anxiety was almost negligible...she was a friendly baby up till now...

as Jihan is not sent to the nursery or daycare centre, i think it is important for her to mix around with other people...thus by bringing her for outings has broaden her perspectives towards outer environment other than just home...until now, she loves outings very much even just a short one....