Mommy vs Commuter

Assalammualaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog!

Once again, we are here.. With the weekend here.. I guess it is apt enough for me to write about the pet peeves when travelling on public with baby, stroller, and lots more in hand.

Here we go... Ready or not....

Well, okay, let's be nice and put a scenario running shall we?

So as always, I fetched Baby M at the platform, sometimes on NEL, sometimes on CCL. And with all babies, we had a stroller, diaper bag (which easily fetch ard 3kg) and everything necessary. All nice and pretty, we set out to get ourselves home. Having had to change between NEL to CCL to EW line, of course we always had to take the elevator, and during peak hours, we always have to swim along with thousand others who are rushing home from work or wherever they are coming from. And here are the kindda people we always bump into.

"Blind" Commuters

These ones can be "deaf" too. We are entering the train right, so they are people standing near the door, be it the elevator door or the train door. And so I said, "Excuse me!!" And these people well they either don't see you or underestimate the size of our stroller. So I said, "Move aside please"
Move aside (yeah, just a baby step, that's it!) OH yes.. one little baby step, oh yeah, that'll do.

And then "OUCH!" scream one "blind/deaf" commuter, and I was surprised! "Oh now you can see me!" Well sorry!

Overly concerned Commuters

As with other babies, sometimes Baby M has her wailing days, where she just feel like bursting out of the blue, often because I was a tad late in giving her what she wanted -snacks maybe or just water.

And then, there's this bunch who sometimes come at you like "oh why baby cry?" "so kesian" "maybe she want to be carried"

Oh ya that last statement.. Hmm ok, if I do choose to carry her, would you be giving me space? Would everyone be happy if the train jerks and I lost my balance and along with baby, I go tumbling down? Would you like that?

Look, I am alone. And baby in pram is the safest place a baby can be. The pram brakes works well, and if it is sliding, I can stretch my hands across to hold it with another hand holding the railing, and baby will still be safely secured in her pram. So, I don't mind a crying baby in the pram as long as she is not bleeding, not in pain, and just in need of some entertainment, and entertaining her would be my job. If you'd like to help, make a funny face.

And keep your hands off baby please. Baby touching you doesn't give you rights to hold/touch her especially not her face. (NOT that I have experience these touchy ones, but I've seen other babies get that a lot. Maybe because Baby M mostly touches men, and men always refrain from touching babies for some reason)

"Handicapped" and in dire need to use the elevator

The worst of any kind. If you had read my previous post about the people who moved just an inch to make way for the double stroller, you'd get me.

The elevator is actually meant for the handicapped, the wheel-bounded, the unwell or someone who had their hands too full. I understand you taking the lift if you have both your hands occupied with paperbags, I understand when you have a toddler holding onto your shirt, and another in the back pocket and carrying a baby. I understand if you'r pregnant, and I understand if you were in a corner holding on to the railing (must be light-headed). And definitely get it if you're with a stroller or wheelchair or the motorized handicap "bike"or if you're with an elderly.

What I don't get it is those who are empty handed, young, happy, smiley, and they occupy the elevator like it is full even if it is just the two of them. And these very people can actually have the patience to wait 10 minutes for the elevator. Wouldn't the escalator be faster for you guys? 10 minutes can get you 2 storeys without ever waiting!

And mind you! These very people would actually rush in the elevator even when there are 5 mommies with strollers side by side with them. Shouldn't they give way to us? I mean you have the option to take the escalator! We don't! I mean we can, but it'd be dangerous - plus require more work holding on to the weight.

Like with the "blind" commuter, these people are pretty much the same. I dunno how their brain works but apparently, a stroller can and will fit just by moving a small baby inch step to the side.

And like the "blind" commuter, their sight comes to life when their toes got rolled over by our mighty pram wheels.

If you noticed, fellow moms would make way for another pram so they can fit in, but not the empty handed healthy person next to her.

Toilets

I seriously hope SMRT would look at making a make-shift nursing/diaper change room at their platforms, it is really not nice changing diapers while others stare at you for embarrassing your baby, with fingers on nose sort of face. Actually a cushioned seat with curtain to go around would do good already. no need for water or anything (maybe wet tissues would be nice) but just something so we can change diapers in discreet. 

Speaking of toilets, I so hate malls or any place that doesn't have a special mom and baby toilet. I had only been to one with has a baby "holder" so mom can go at peace. For some reason, I forgot where this place is... But it has two adult toilet bowls, a huge vanity area, baby "holder", and a nappy change pad/table. The place is huge, and can possibly fit two moms and their children (with strollers) without feeling cramped up. And it is really clean too!

So, what's your pet peeves when travelling on public with baby (and stroller)?

Next up : Baby M"s first Concert!

Meanwhile, have a happy great WEEKEND!

Wassalam,
Jun

Strollers, strollers, strollers!

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog!

Over the past 6months, or to be precise 16 weekends, I have personally test driven 6 strollers (probably more) but I significantly remember these few namely : Seebaby, Capella, Combi, Quinny Buzz, Brittax Double Stroller and Gelite Ace.

All 6 probably has all different pros and cons and possibly to used to different situations to heighten their pros.

Let's start with...

Seebaby

Very lightweight, easy close, easy open. Pretty sturdy.. BUT it cannot recline 180°. SO, in other words, it is great for toddlers who can sit on their own, preferably if they are stable enough to stand actually. STILL, it is not really that good for sleeping little ones, it couldn't recline, so those little ones who tend to soften their muscles when they sleep (which is actually 99% of all babies! hah!), this isn't for them, my Baby M always always slide down right till she can't anymore and it doesn't look comfortable at all, of which Baby M often confirms by squirming and crying after 5-10minutes of dozing off.

Next..

Capella

This is awesome, it can recline to 180° which makes it usable right from newborn (with newborn inserts) up till toddlers (I forgot the max weight, maybe 20kg). The huge canopy which can pretty much cover baby up is also something I like, however, it doesnt work with Baby M, she'd swing her arms and open the canopy the moment to try to bring it down so the sun doesn't get to her. LOL!

Another favorite thing is that the handles can turn so baby faces you. Very good when baby is asleep, or when baby gets too wary of the overwhelming surrounding. BUT, I pretty much move everywhere I didnt want to go with its handles reversed. Maybe just the need to lock some wheels or some sort.

I like the easy close easy open, PLUS it can close to an even smaller one - but I struggled trying. It is less sturdy though, I often feel like I'd break it to pieces if I try to pivot it on its back wheels. Well it didn't la, so it is sturdy just maybe feel shaky to me - which makes it transform into a rocking chair when baby sleeps. ;)

Awesome if you need to travel on bus because you can close it and has a sling strap to carry by the shoulders.

Next...

Combi

This is my favorite. I can close and open this one with baby in my arms without much struggle. It is really easy! And.. it has almost everything that is on Capella, except it can't close a second time (to a smaller piece), and no sling strap to carry by the shoulders.

However, this one I can pretty much handle with just one hand, and carry both stroller and baby without having one of them slipping off my hands.

Next...

Quinny Buzz

Oh I love this... Especially useful when commuters are just too blind to see me with baby strollers and baby bag, and many other things that I have in hand because oh they feel the pain when I roll over their toes, and then just flash a baby and a smile "ooppss... sorry..!!" while my heart whispers "I said Excuse me, you chose not to hear, and so ooopppsss... sorry I did it on purpose!"

And this is also a great stroller if you had to go over the grass, sand and whatever hurdles you may face at the park. it is such a breeze rolling over the water pipes, and the bumbs and kerbs. The huge wheels make it almost impossible to trip or topple over.

The only downside is it is BULKY. So this I will buy only if my house is walkable to anywhere and everywhere without the need to close the stroller at any point. And if I have a room just for strollers.

Although it has a travel system where I can use my car seat, it doesnt really work for Baby M because she felt like we didn't get out of the car. AND if you haven't know yet, well.. Baby M HATES the car rides. She'd cry and fuss. The longest we got her occupied in the car ride was 45minutes.

I also love how the brakes work, step on one side it brakes, step on the other it releases. Cool eh..

Next...

Brittax Double Stroller

I only got like less than an hour dealing with this. BUT it seems awesome if you have a baby and a toddler, or two toddlers. Again, with strollers this big, I still don't see how commuters can't see us. I was holding the lift for my friend who is pushing this with her two kids in them. The lift wasnt exactly full, BUT the three guys basically just moved one baby step when they see her. I was like "Hey, you think we can fit after you move such a small baby step?" I felt like snatching the stroller and pushed it on their open toes.. BUT my friend was too nice for me to do that PLUS I don't want her children to see me get all fired up. (Chey!)

And yes, I often thought the one sitting under would freak out, but it is actually pretty ok, well we cheated, her son was not buckled (only because we know it is a smooth ride, AND we were in a shopping mall, walking pretty much slowly. Her son seeemed to be having a good time standing and almost climbing out to see where we are going, and he didnt fall out or anything like that. His sister was sleeping so comfortably "upstairs".

And finally...

Gelite Ace

This one wins me because of their roomy huge basket/bag underneath. I can almost pack a whole drawer in that space! This one pretty much is like the Quinny Buzz, The seat can face inwards, outwards, recline fully to sitting upright, it does it all. PLUS it has 4 wheels, two huge ones at the back and two moderately sized ones at the front. easy to lock, and the brakes at the handle, so no fuss in trying to step on the paddles at the wheels somewhere especially when it is a crowded space with no room to bend over or what-so-ever. Canopy is huge and so loved.

And as with the Quinny, this one is bulky and doesn't stand upright when closed. So space was just a sensitive issue. We made it stand anyway, with it resting on our bed on one side. I wished it closes standing, then we can talk space for a bit.

This one is like a transformer, which pretty much wins my heart, because i can close it, switch the seat to the other way, and make it a rocker, i can recline its front wheel and make it like a toddler chair. Probably all I need ever, just the space issue, but I guess when it is so functional and versatile, we can always talk eh..

The other downside is this won't allow me taxi rides unless I have company so someone can hold baby while I detach the seat close the pram, and arrange it to fit the bonnet. BUT definitely one I'd look for if I'm out for a long long walk around without the need to take the bus or taxi.

At the end of the day, in Singapore, you would probably really need two prams, one which is truly lightweight, easy to operate and small for those travels by the bus and taxi and one huge one for the long walk/mrt rides, ready to face "war".

MOM vs Commuters.

Pet Peeves coming up in next entry next week.

For now, this is it. Do share your favorite stroller stories too ya!

Wassalam,
Jun

We went to the Baby Market!

Assalammualaikum family, friends, followers and readers of this blog!

So... as mentioned yesterday, we attended SINGAPORE's No.1 BIGGEST Baby Fair 2014 - the Baby Market at Expo Hall 4 (2nd-5th Oct 2014)!

I was excited. I listed in my head to look for a good hip carrier and check out the Yoomi Bottle. I met up Baby M's Mama over there. And I think I'd probably get myself lost inside the fair without her. It was THAT huge!! And I see stars - literally. I turn and see "STARbuys", "BUY 1 GET 1 FREE", "BUY 2 GET 1 FREE", like at almost all the booths!

Strange enough, that I am buying without my own baby anywhere near yet. And double strange when I kept to what I listed, well close enough! The extra things we bought were hair clips and some plush toys customized with Baby M's face on it. LOL!

I bought the intended Hip Carrier at just $49.90! My husband tried it with 2yr old Sami, and I tried it on Baby M. It was indeed really comfortable! Weight off my shoulders, I don't need to bend my back to help support the baby, I just need to hand around baby to support her really. It snugs me with a wide belt so the weight is really almost non-existent! And i walked away after paying for my item, and didnt realise I still had the tester/sample on me. I walked quite a distance and was wondering why Baby M is so light, and touched her butt, only to be obstructed - THEN i realised, hey! I have the sample on me still! So i walked back and asked if it is a free gift. LOL. The staff just laughed along, It is THAT good you see! You don't even feel like there is anything extra there helping you with the weight. Awesome stuff!

Yoomi was just next to it, my eyes was fixed at it. But we needed to move and look at other stuff. With Baby M's Mama mentioning she would return, I felt okay not to grab it then.

And so today, I decided to grab Yoomi at its launch prices - JUST HAD TO!

So this is what the promo is at the booth, get the 8oz bottle + warmer + pod + FREE 5oz bottle at just $49.90! Retail price is almost $100!! Half price lei! And warmer + pod on its own is $34.90 launch price. I am guessing it would be double the cost at normal retail price. Worth it la! Buy and keep until I finally get my own baby la.. I would probably only use the warmers when I am out travelling out of Singapore - or if I know it would be hard to get hot water or something.

And if it is really good and if we do have intentions to go for longer stays, then perhaps then, I would get 5 more warmers or even more!

I was made to compare the Yoomi with Iloma. And I still find Yoomi better. Only because Iloma takes 4 mins to warm up and that the warmer or rather they call it the refill thingy is a one time use only. So I would have to buy darn a lot for a trip. Compared to say 5 warmers and just recharge it for the next day kindda usage. PLUS Yoomi only takes a minute to warm the milk - awesome for super cranky babies. :)

And the fuss about warmer having issues was really probably because they didnt read properly. You need to shake after the initial charge to make sure it really charges. And just reboil/remicrowave if it didnt. Oh wells.

I am still betting on Yoomi, alright.

Oh! We are going up north again tomorrow for husband's Qurban! Back to his hometown with all his extended family..... What shall I wear, the new abaya... or the old ones? Hmmmmm....

Until I blog again,
Wassalam

Hand me downs

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, followers and readers of this blog.

Once again, another topic on Baby and me. Heh!

I hope you are enjoying this phase as much as I do writing them!

So today, we shall discuss or rather share my opinions on hand-me-downs.

I personally love the whole idea of hand-me-downs. Firstly because I grew up in the hand-me-downs era. Everything I own, must have been my sisters' or some relatives' somewhere. And I grew up giving away my unused or outgrown clothes to other relatives too, and trust me when I say, I beamed when I see someone else down the line wore what I used to own. Really! It felt good!

As with everything else, and like my mother, it is always hard to let go. No, I mean seriously, there are some things that are just too sentimental. It comes with memories, and sometimes, with the flashbacks of how long it took to save up to buy that piece or something more to that like having worn that for the first day of school or something.

So we get a little skeptical and start contemplating then having to choose who to give it to.. I tell you, we can take forever before finally letting it go.

And so, I accepted the same for Baby M. A friend had a 3yr old daughter and loads of clothes that had overgrown, so she asked one day if I am open to accept hand me downs for Baby M. I gladly did!

So Mama asks what I do the first thing it reaches me, and so I said I usually dump it in the washing machine regardless the condition first, and inspect while I hang it to dry. A habit I had, even with those clothes I buy at the shop (even when it is brand new in plastic with tag). And she was happy with that answer. As I've shared previously, Baby M's Mama is particular with what her baby wears - as in with its cleanliness, likewise with her toys.

So everything needs to be washed thoroughly and whenever possible sanitized first. And so I happily do, afterall, it's personal hygiene, yes?

"So why hand-me-downs?",  "Can't you afford to buy one?", "second hand, for a baby, are you for real?" are just some questions that attacked me for awhile. Well no, I can easily get Baby M a wardrobe bigger than mine in a jiffy. Thing is.. babies grow too fast - like it or not! Chances are they only will wear that brand new shoe for a month if you're lucky, or maybe just twice.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with hand-me-downs as long as it still is in mint condition, with no major stains, and without any tears. A missing bow or ribbon is fine! Really, babies will always be spilling food, so what is one permanent stain of food colouring gonna harm?

As long as I've personally washed them clean, I am fine with wearing it on any baby. Yes, even my own, even if it is my very first born. I have since collected many many rompers from my friend, and oh beautiful pretty dainty dresses too! My favourite? The pile of stockings of course!!

And then I received four pairs of nice little pretty shoes! And how do I clean these, you asked? Well.. Wipe it with a lil dettol will do, or spray with sanitizers is also fine. And oh, credits to Baby M's Mama for this tip! Otherwise I'd be clueless how to clean them too. :)

Did I tell you, we also received Baby Rocker and Baby Highchair from the same friend? Nice isn't it? So we did a kind agreement that we will rotate all our baby things as and when a new baby comes. :)

Speaking of sanitization, I recently asked a few moms how frequent they sanitize thier babies' toys and play area. I received multiple answers, some said once a month, some said once a week, some said only if it looks really dirty, some extremes are everyday.

So how often do I do it? I'd say once to twice a week if Baby M is coming for the weekend, otherwise it would be maximum 3 days before she arrives to a minimum once in the morning she is coming over. I am frantic like that. And when she comes, I usually rinse off whatever toys she threw down onto the "adult" floor.

Clean freak, you can call me. I dunno if I can keep this up with my own babies when they occupy the space 24/7. I wish I can do it.

So ya, share with me how often you do it and how if you'd like. I'd love to hear from you. We can all learn from each other then.

Until I blog again (and yes, I owe you guys pictures of all the hand me downs I received!),
Wassalam,
Baby M's Mak

Mom and Baby

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, followers and readers of this blog.

Recently, I posted a few emotional phrases on my facebook account.

One of them reads, "I am not jealous of people of wealth, who dons the LV or the Gucci, I envy not the luxurious holidays people get to go to every now and then... BUT I am jealous over the people who can stay home and be with their children, I envy moms who get to be with their child anytime they need her through their life. I had my mom anytime, anywhere, any place, for the last 29 years, and I hope for many more, because I never can have enough of her. And I want to be like my mom with my kids. I'd cry a fountain if I am not able to.. A child remains a child in every mother's eyes. And as my mother age, our roles change, I want to the one providing her, protecting her, and granting her every wish, and to welcome any tantrums that comes with it. I want to. Because even if I have done so, it is never and will never be equivalent to what she has done for me.

*Each to their own, I am in no way implementing that career moms are less of a mother. Do note, that anything a mother does, she always have their children's interest in heart. There is nothing that a mother does that does not include her child in mind.*

Subsequently I posted, in defense to those who took offence being a working mom despite the disclaimer in asterix.

The second post reads, "Career moms and stay at home mom... Both have their struggles. Both have their children's best interest in mind. Both do not have an easy life. Both just wants the best for their children. Both deserve to be respected, for being the best-est mom their children can have. You mothers are just so strong to make a decision for the best of the whole family. And I am proud of all you mothers. Worry less about what others has to say about the decisions you make, and focus on what is best for the family."

You see, I am on the neutral side. I am on all mommy's side. We all have our struggles. Who lives without any, right?

And I guess these days, you will see me post a lot about moms and babies and all topics related. Since my undertaking to care for Baby M on most weekends, I have become more and more wary about baby needs, mostly highlighted by Baby M's Mama of course.

I am so glad her mama is kind and always point out my flaws and shortfalls directly. At least I know I can do better.

We sometimes take things for granted, and she being the more experienced babysitter, and having dealt with one kid with HFMD before, the kid contracted HFMD from her brother by the way. She is more careful and cleaner than me when it comes to babies, naturally.

And I continue to learn new things from her all in Baby M's sake. So this coming Wednesday, I intend to sanitize my whole house. For some reason, hearing my friend telling me about HFMD got me paranoil. Haha. Well, it's for the good, so why not?

Sometimes, we all take things for granted. Be it cleanliness, health or safety. And I am not excluded either. Seeing neat clean individual, we would assume he/she takes care of all her belongings just as good. Sadly not everyone, sometimes people like me who couldn't really care about how we look, go without make ups, use brandless or cheap stuff, care much more about baby's welfare.

I guess it is just upbringing, or maybe education. I can't tell. I started being wary about what is out there organic that is good for baby to eat. I started being wary about how baby is carried. I started being obsessed, maybe? All thanks to my friend! I now know there are so much variety to baby food that is organic! And how much is too much.

This made me less tolerable to people who mishandle their babies and the food they feed their baby. I had to constantly close my eyes and tell myself "It is not my baby, it is not Baby M"

I almost felt like I have fits when I see someone throwing a baby in the air or shake him/her excessively with head bobbing.

"Ya Allah!!! Protect the baby!" screamed my aching heart. I had to just walk away, before I screamed this to that adult. Not that I don't care, I just had enough of people who "knows better" and refused to heed my warning, and refuse to educate themselves.

I am protective, and call me crazy if you must. DO know, that if you ever ever dare to throw my baby in the air, I will seriously consider throwing you out the window in my head many times that you might just jump yourself. Seriously... Do it to your own child, if you must. BUT don't do it to others, or at least ask their parents first. Some are not too bothered, and some do! So before you love any kid, learn to respect their parents first. Even when you wanna just give the kid an innocent candy! You never know if that kid has allergies.
Then again, I don't have kids of my own, and maybe I don't know much. True much!

If I were to have one now, I wont have anyone around who can care for her/him either. So be nice, Allah SWT knows best why I haven't had my junior yet. Stop telling people or my face that we didnt try hard enough, for Allah SWT knows best how much we have tried.

I rather focus and learn via Baby M. She taught me a lot, along with her mama. And I learn, my husband learn, we all learn.

And it warms my heart when Baby M says MMaakk, to my face, and Abbbaah to my husband. And she knows how to wave! Yeay! But sometimes she wave to the wrong direction. And oh, clap too, slowly but getting there!

And oh... the baby fan is now down to just one blade. She tore the two apart yesterday, and smiled/laughed cheekily when I caught her.

Another baby entry another day...

Wassalam,
Baby M's Mak.