Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

Looking back at my 2013 and it has been nothing short of everything awesome that has taken place. 

Jan

Finally found a kindergarten that accepted Jaden, and best of all, for academic wise, children like him have a classroom of their own, and when it comes to social skills development, they get to join the neurotypical children who, too accepts them for who they are. 

Hubby bought a car for me as my 2012 birthday present, actually I see it more as a car for the whole family to travel in comfort, especially for long distance drive such as driving back to our respective hometown.

March

Met up with WW and her son, whom I have never met before. Hung out with them and meeting up with Evon too.

In fact, we met up both times, in Penang and in KL when WW took her family down here for a trip and we had some awesome seafood, bonding time too.

My HunYee bunny gave me an awesome gift too.

She had arranged for me to watch LeeHom quite up close. I couldn't have asked for a better seat in the house and to be able to snap much more awesome photos of LeeHom and hearing him sing live again, even though I just saw him perform the same concert in Sg August in 2012.

My boys and I got to spend a night in Genting and letting Jaden enjoy the cool breeze.

April

Found out I was pregnant. Whoopie!

June

We went for a family holiday to Phuket and Jaden enjoyed himself max! The sun, sea, swimming pool, jacuzzi and night walk along Patong was really good for all of us!

August

Started a business together with my friend, investment courtesy of Hubby and it sure is a push for me to do something meaningful with my life other than just being a mother and housewife.

September

Organized Jaden's 6th Birthday party and felt proud of who and what and how far he has come since we found out about his diagnosis and immediatly work on early intervention for him.

October

WW and SC came over to KL and both of them stayed over at my place and I got to hang out again with them, finally got to go to Marini's 57 and see what the hoo haa is all about. 

Arranged a surprise for WW's birthday dinner and being just happy seeing my friend smiling the whole night through.

Hubs actually made arrangement with his friend and had her bring me in as her +1 to go see LeeHom live again, this time even nearer than ever for the opening of Coach @ The Gardens. *inner girly fan's heart satisfied!*

November

Nesting mode has begun yet pregnancy had been really awesome for me. Though I may complain here and there about my sinus, leg cramps and nausea from time to time but my journey as a pregnant woman had been an awesome one so far with a very supportive husband and a sweet son.

December

Baby listened to me and came out after Dec 6th. Told him that weekend would be best and he chose a Saturday/Sunday morning to come out. :)

I actually got to experience the beauty ('horror') of natural birth delivery.. contractions and all until I could not take it anymore the last minute and opt for epidural but I guessed I might have asked for it a little too late as the drug actually just kicked in for me after I pushed baby out of me and my gynae sewing up my tear. 

I am thankful that Hubs stood by me all the while in the labour room, letting me twist, turn and squeeze his fingers and that no apparatus were needed to aid Mason coming out of me. 

I also turn 30 this month, and Hubs actually surprised me for real this time with something unexpected. Made me tear each time I think about it.. and once I am out of this confinement and is able to travel conveniently with Mason, I will be heading to the shop to make a change to the size of the 'present' Hubs gave to me so I can wear it proudly.

Other than that present, I also got to buy my long awaited bag from Paris, thanks to Hubs for the money and also thanks to my friend Matt, the shopper whom I trust a lot when it comes to getting such goods. 

So overall, I am thankful for what had happened in 2013 and may 2014 be even an awesome one with our latest family member that I am sure, will add much more joy and happiness and make our clan complete! 

xoxo 

Em

Fabulous weekend

Last weekend had been a fabulous weekend where I got to spend time with a few of my closest girlfriends who came up from Penang and Johor and also, one who flew back from Japan. 

Lets talk about that Penang girl first, shall we?

It was her birthday weekend and since she was going to be stuck in Malaysia, instead of celebrating with her two boys, she decided KL would be a better place to celebrate her birthday instead of Penang and there were already two of us, Evon and I in KL waiting for her.

We tried persuading PC to fly in from Singapore too but since it was on a very short notice, that woman could not make it but another one of our girlfriends, SChee, flew down on Saturday evening right after work and stayed over a night with WW at my place to celebrate WW's birthday.

WW flew in on Friday morning, and what we did mostly on that day was to eat and hangout with Jaden. We ate at places I have eyed but never got the chance to really tried, and went places where I won't really have any reasons to go to with my boys, especially when it comes to going into KL at night.

I took her to Publika on Saturday as she has only heard of it but never been there, and we met up with Adrian for brunch. Adrian, too, hails from Penang, and it was just nice that Jaden was with me most of the time except for Saturday night.

We ate at Swine, and I felt so happy when I found some nitrate free, preservative organic bacon and bratwurst that I can give Jaden at the supermarket. 

I left WW in the care of Adrian while I headed home with Jaden first, to prepare him his dinner so that all his father had to do was to babysit him and not worry about cooking dinner for the little boy. Bought late lunch and dinner for the father too, so I can just go out with my girls without worrying what my boys will be having for their dinner.

Our fun night started out at about 730pm, when we both went to Subang airport to picked up SChee and headed to Le Midi's @ BSC where I made reservations earlier and had them prepare a surprise cake/candle blowing session for WW after dinner.

It was Mediterranean/Italian cuisine with a view of the pink-lit KLCC and KL Tower. What mattered most was our company. The three of us, just chatting, catching up and doing what we do best, taking photos and enjoying good food. 

WW was sure surprised when the waitress sneaked up from behind with a little birthday cake and they even played the birthday song over the restaurant music system. =)

It was really nice to see the smile on my friend's face as she made her birthday wish.

Then, we all moved on to Marini's 57 where, I have heard so much of but never been or seen it before, and had another school friend to join us there.

We were lucky to be able to witness KLCC being all lit up in beautiful pink light to commemorate Breast Awareness. 

Since our main intention was just to go for the view, and some photos and go oohh aahhhs over KL skyline, all of us ordered non-alcoholic drink except for the birthday girl while waiting for another schoolmate to come over with his wife to join us.

Once they arrived, and a few more photos and a drink each for the couple, we left the place as it was getting crowded and more people were smoking. Not good for me, the pregnant lady... 

We continued our catching up and laughed our asses off with Edwin entertaining us at the Mandarin Oriental lounge, where we had tea, juices and desserts.

It sure was a fun night, and I am sure the birthday girl did enjoy herself much. We left for home close to 130am and reached home half hour later. Lets just say all of us konked out in an hour after washing up for bed.

The next morning, Edwin and his wife took their daughter to come join us for a quick brunch at Sunway Giza. Again, I have to leave both SChee and WW this time in his hands, while I rushed home to feed my boy and then, drove all the way to Subang to pick up Joy and Marc back to my place.

Yes, the start of the second batch of friends for the day at my place.

It sure was hectic around that two hours of driving here and there but it was all good. Not only was it just Edwin who joined both SChee and WW for brunch, another older schoolmate, whom I just found out stayed really near to me too, joined them and thankfully, she offered to help me drop both SChee and WW at Subang airport for their flight back to Penang.

I sure missed them both already even before they stepped out from my door.

Then, while waiting for the Johorean to arrive with her little girls and mother, Joy helped me prepare the cooking ingredients so when the Johorean arrives, she can start her cooking for us as she promised.

Turned out to be it was aunty that did all the cooking and washing up while we girls were just catching up and spending time with our children.

The house was really noisy, but a good kind of noisy, though Marc might not really agree with us. We took the kids down for a swim and they sure had a good time. Since I was so heavily pregnant, I decided to be the photographer of the day and took pictures of my happy friends and even happier kids.

Aunty really took care of us well, its almost just like us, taking care of our kids while she took care of us and the grandkids. 

Before we went down for a swim, aunty had already cooked us the tong sui, barley fuchuk dessert. After swimming, we had chicken rice that was awesome! Aunty even made sure that Hubby who was out doing his reno research had some. How awesome can aunty be?

Then we proceeded to Penang One cafe, so the lady who lived in Japan can cross it off her MUST EAT checklist while back in KL -Assam Laksa!

Zairynn drove over to join us and well, it sure was a fun night, with both Sharon's girls being so cute and entertaining. It was just pure cuteness overload coming from her daughters and judging from the children's faces, they were all pooped out by the time we all came to say our goodbyes and till we meet again. 

I, too, was all pooped out and boy, Jaden and I both sure slept like a baby that night.

It really was one fabulous weekend, where both parties really made it to my convenience, coming all the way to my place to hangout instead of asking me to go hang out outside with them.. 

MAD LOVE to my girlfriends for being so accommodating with me. 

Jaden is SIX :: Part 2

Friends that know me, will know that I crack my head every year trying to think of what to do for Jaden's birthday every year and this year was no exception, except I already had a location in mind that I know that Jaden could get to eat the food cooked by the location, and need not me to prepare his food from home in advance.

This year, 2013, we held his birthday party at the private dining area of Curry Leaf Restaurant at Damansara Uptown. 

I would greatly recommend that restaurant as their service is top notch and they are really what some other restaurateur should learn from, this is 100% service with a smile and very accommodating to Jaden's food needs and also helping me with setup and table arrangements.

Usually, when we had our party elsewhere previous years, I was the one that needed to decorate the place up by myself. This year at Curry Leaf, they had two waiters to help me set up while I just sit and supervise.

Clearing of dirty plates and glasses were fast, and replenishing of plates/glasses and food were also fast as some popular dishes were quickly wiped out by Jaden's guests. The restaurant was not selfish with their drinks replenishment too. 

So that is why I would greatly recommend Curry Leaf Restaurant.

After locking in the location, I proceeded on to send out birthday invites to close family and friends to the party.

Of course, after securing location, I started searching high and low for cake bakers and found this lady, highly recommended by all my mummy friends and after looking through her gallery of cake designs, I was very sure she was talented enough to give me what I wanted. Best thing was that she could do all three commissioned work as required by me and she stays near me. 50 cupcakes for school party, 40 cookies and a 3D cake for Jaden's private birthday party. 

After some exchange of emails and agreement, I started looking online for some ideas on how to dress my theme up more for Jaden but in the end, being the pregnant me and with that little time, I used what I do best, getting colourful balloons instead. Firstly, they do suit the theme and secondly, all children loves playing with balloons. BINGO!

I used to prepare party packs for all Jaden's birthday guests previously, but since I already had the cookies to be given away to all the guests, I thought that preparing party packs for the children are more appropriate. So, once again, following Jaden's birthday theme, I got the children colouring books and colouring pencils, a ball paddle for them to play with and since there were going to be two babies under a year old, I prepared two baby books for them each. 

Since I am already 29 weeks pregnant and my bodyline ain't exactly fitting for most dresses or clothes that I owned, I panic a bit as I really did not have anything suitable to wear for Jaden's birthday party. Thankfully, his godma SChee was in town the weekend before the birthday and we went together into KL, with the boy in tow of course, and snagged a few maternity wear off the racks from H&M. Thankfully, I found the size I could fit in too.. and Jaden, being Jaden, managed to trick his godma into getting him a few shirts here and there too. :p

This year is albeit a bit special as Jaden has his classmate, Harry, to attend his birthday party. His very own friend instead of mummy and daddy's friends. Of course, there were other children too, such as his own cousin, Howard, Jaden's little godbrother, Haidn and then there was Marcus, Aiden and Rheanna, Herman and Hanson. Baby Sofia was the latest addition to the children's collection as she is just 4 months plus and such a cutie pie. Hubby sure had a fun time carrying and entertaining her. 

Jaden's birthday guests sang high praises of the food that we had ordered. In fact, there were a variety of food such as Briyani and White rice, Honey Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Lakshimi Kebab, Masala Prawns, Fish Head Curry, Fried Squid, Mix Vegetables, Pineapple Kootu, Snake Gourd Kootu, Fried Tenggiri Fish, Chicken Varuval, Potato and Brinjal Vegetables, Fruit platter of papaya, watermelon, rambutan and mini mandarin oranges. Iced Barley and Orange cordial was on the house, free flow. 

I prepared some snacks for the kids, just in case they did not want to eat but at least they have something to munch on. I know its definitely not healthy but I think I did a great job by not overpreparing them. Just nice enough, the number. I bought M&M minis, some mango puddings and jelly gummies. Just nice enough for the children that came and some adults too. 

Jaden was really happy to be able to eat his briyani rice, which the restaurant used only ghee and not butter, tandoori chicken and fried tenggiri. 

So what is this birthday theme that I have been going on and on about?

We did not do a cartoon theme for Jaden this year round as we realized that he was more into art stuff and everything colour. Colour pencils, Watercolour, art blocks.. anything to do with art and he is a happy little boy.

So I had Angeline (cake baker) to bake me 50 cupcakes that comes in assortment of colours -blue, green, purple, yellow, orange, red and pink. 

Then for the 3D cake, I had her to bake me this cake and the inside was a rainbow cake to suit the occasion of being colourful.

As for the 40 cookies that I gave out to Jaden's birthday guests, they are in the shape/design of a paint pallette. :)

She really met up to my expectation and I could not stop eating the birthday cake. Lets just say the birthday cake was quite a hit too and it was wiped clean too, not a bit left to be taken home. That was how good it was. 

As for Jaden's GFCFEF cake, I have to give it to that another cake lady too. Her name is Mas Ayu. She, too was talented enough to come up with the designs that I wanted for Jaden, pretty enough to suit his birthday theme and at least.. at least he got to eat a few bites of cake. 

Jaden, this year, seems really aware of the cake and he was so impatient, wanting to have a taste of the cake before we could get to finish singing his birthday song for him, and having him to blow out his candles. :p I am just glad he got to eat together when others are eating around him too.

Jaden was really into eating papadom and he went from table to table to eat papadom. *sigh* Thankfully that was on the house too and they replenish it when we ran out of them. 

The children, in the end had a blast with the balloons and boy, by the time the party was over, lets just say the whole of SimonYap clan was pooped.

Luckily, Hubby's friends helped us carry Jaden's presents and stuff back into the car from the restaurant. The car boot was filled to the brim with all the leftovers that we took back too. Not to say that there were lots of leftovers, but enough to feed us for two meals. Some birthday guests that stayed behind did tapao-ed some back too. 

The tiny Teo family (Jaden's kai-yeh, wife & son) helped us to carry stuff back from the car up to the house and lepaked a bit with us at home. It was really lovely.. just intimate. 

Little Haidn even practiced and sang Happy Birthday to Jaden. It was really cute. 

I bathed Jaden after he cooled down, and then I attempted to take some photographs of him posing all his birthday presents. The word is attempt as he was just on a move all around, but well, I did manage to capture a few and then had him to open all his birthday presents. 

This year, the presents turned out just the things that Jaden would be able to use right away and also educational. So thank you once again and to those that also contributed in the style of education fund investments. :) :) 

At the end of the day, albeit being a little overworked and tired out, it was worth it, just to see my son happy and he enjoyed his day tremendously.

With this, Hubby and I would like to say a really BIG THANK YOU to all who came and made Jaden's birthday party a success and for planting that extra mile on his smile for us !! You guys know who you are.