You'll be in my heart

Pebbles turned 17 months yesterday. My baby is growing up too fast. I found a phrase the other day that perfectly resonates my journey in motherhood; The days are long but the years are short. How true is that?! Pebbles now is a pro at giving bear hugs and sloppy, noisy kisses and also winking! I have no idea where she had learnt that from but she loves to wink and does it rather expertly.

Well life has become a little more routine now so I have a little more time (I would definitely have a lot more if I am just not so lazy!) So about yesterday, I was busy singing the ‘My Baby is 17 months old’ song that I forgot of another milestone.

As I was putting a rather defiant and squirmy Pebbles to sleep at 11.30pm, it suddenly occurred to me that April 11 marks the 100^th month of me and hubby being together! And I only realize that 30 minutes before a new day dawned (Since you are so good at math, you figure out when we hooked up..hehehe ) I felt bad for not doing anything special for him but I did cook dinner..wink wink

Hubby was surprised himself when I told him and he was sweet enough to come to bed earlier than he usually does (He loves channel surfing) So there we were in bed whispering sweet little nothings, marvelling at the fact that we have made it to 100 months and also counting our blessings which included Pebbles who was now was fast asleep and drooling onto her pillow (I don’t think I will ever have the elegant and poised daughter I dreamt of)

I stayed awake a little longer after he dozed off. After wandering how come he can sleep so quickly after talking to me but can stay up till very late to watch football and cricket on TV, I couldn’t help but smile at the sleeping person next to me whom I proudly call my husband.

My hubby is a very simple and straight forward man. He is sweet and understanding and extremely generous. The fact that we are total opposites keep our relationship fresh and exciting. But lately with the arrival of Pebbles, our relationship has taken a back seat as it would for many couples with children. Our number one priority is Pebbles. Although it is a norm, more and more studies are surfacing where there is a strong emphasis on maintaining and nurturing the relationship you have with your spouse because when the children leave the nest, you only have each other to lean on.

Being friends with your spouse is important and I am glad that my hubby and I have always been great friends. We can talk to each other about anything under the sun and laugh at as well as with each other. But nurturing a relationship is hard work and although we don’t argue much, we don’t talk much either due to work commitments, baby and also being too attached to technology; the idiot box and smartphones.

I know it is almost impossible to ‘bring back’ the glory of dating days but I am determined to bring some sparkle back to our relationship. It is good for both of us as well as for Pebbles who will thrive in a loving and affectionate environment. We may not be able to go on dates as often as we wish but there are many little thoughtful things we can do for each other and also together. The other day during our return trip from Ipoh, we played ‘Belaian Jiwa’ song by Innuendo on the YouTube and started singing it out loud. It was fun simply because we both love the song very much although we are tone deaf. It was a heartwarming moment.

The fact that he is wonderful to Pebbles is a bonus point. He is such a hands on father and readily takes her away so mummy gets some alone time. That thoughtful gesture alone is worth much more than any expensive gifts for me. Guys, always remember, you may not be the perfect couple for others but do ensure you are perfect for each other.

So dear Hubby, thank you for putting up with me for the past 100 months and here’s hoping you will hang in there for another few more hundreds. I love you very much and you'll be in my heart forever.

I heart this picture of us

How I am keeping my sanity intact while travelling with a toddler in the car

So you have bought the world’s most comfortable car seat, made sure you have scheduled your travelling plans around baby’s nap time, ensured her tummy is filled, she is in the best of moods, her favourite toys and snacks are packed but only to have your eardrums throb in pain just 10 minutes after you have started your car engine because of her wails.

If you have nodded your head vigorously after reading the first paragraph, I would like to cordially welcome you to my club which is called ‘My Baby Hates the Car Seat’. Pebbles absolutely loathes it. She will be in La La Land for good ten minutes before she turns into mini hulk as she tries to squirm her way out of it while screaming her head out. Her screams alone can win an Academy Award as they are really LOUD and can be used in any horror movies.

So I have tried all the tricks in the book to make her ‘journeys’ comfortable but they have failed MISERABLY. Therefore this post is for those who are in the same predicament as me. What do you do to maintain your sanity?

Firstly, DO NOT REMOVE the child from the car seat. An absolute NO. Once you do that, their cries will only get louder the next time they are strapped in because they know you will give in. The car seat is installed for your child’s safety so do not compromise with that.

Secondly, take a long deep breath. Although your child is wailing in the background, taking in long breaths would help to suppress the rising stress level and maintain a cool head.

Next, play your favourite song on the player. Crank up the volume and sing along. If you are not driving, just do some groovy moves with your hands. You would feel more relaxed and probably your baby would too. I can’t count the number of times, other drivers have caught me dancing like a mad woman in the car (Hubby was driving and I swear he acted as though he didn't know me)

However, if your baby or in my case toddler decides to be the only ‘sound provider’ in the car, turn the player off and be completely silent; you and whoever else is in the car with you. When you hear the slightest sound, just say ‘Sshh’ loudly, with your finger on your lips. Your child might think you are playing a game and will soon stop or even imitate you.

If baby  continues to wail, stretch your arm backwards (if you are sitting in the front) and place your hand on her chest, apply slight pressure and reassure her that you are there and everything is OK. This can only be done if you are not driving. Please don’t be a hero by  doing that with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on your baby’s chest!

Lastly, repeat this after me; “This too shall pass. Better days are ahead’. Trust me they are. Don’t let the mini dictator in the car seat defeat you! Pebbles is going to be 17 months old soon and the ‘civil war’ I have with her in the car seat is yet to end but I shall persevere!

And in the meantime, if you have smug parents and relatives who 'boast' about their angels in the car seat, go ahead and 'mentally' punch them. The key word is mentally, guys :)

Image from Google