Muzaffar A Grown Up

Muzaffar is seven today.

And it is his third day in school. Standard 1.

He seems to have no problem adjusting. But I do fear whether he can cope with a hand too full.

But judging from his remaining energy at home, he seems able.

Hope he can be the best he can be, unlike his just-nice dad.

Happy Birthday Along!

Kids Today

Ever since he's back from his Aunt's wedding, Muzaffar kept asking about it.

He kept pestering us to buy it.

I am just imagining that he be contented with Windows based PC games. But have yet to intro it still.

Now he wants it as present for his 7th birthday.

Hmmm...

Tiny Likes To Drive

Muzfirah, just like her siblings, loves car rides.

She's really relaxed while in the car, and in her bassinet. Yes, we had mostly no problem during Raya excursions. Except for some minors regarding his brothers.

Just like her brothers.

Lovely kids.

Yes, them investments..

Briefs

Siblings sleeping together. Note sheer size difference.




Up close, personal, and awaken..

Exciting New Beginning

Been a while since I last updated.

So here I am, a father of three!

Muzfirah was born exactly 10 days ago.

She weighs 3.08kg, I would love to just say 3.1kg.

And we got ourselves a new house. We moved probably three weeks ago, if I remembered correctly.

Thus some changes needs making.

I am selling my gear. I already sold my long lens. And I feel like selling my Nikon D40 now. The remote control Mini will have to go as well.

Maybe my life will start over once again, but for the moment, I will have to let my daughter live her life first.

It's a sad end I know, but it's an exciting new beginning as well.

Just Like In The Safety Ads

Muzzammil did a stunt that nearly costs him his life today.

Yes, the inevitable dashing across the road.

He's so lucky to be alive. He's saved by my inlaws neighbour.

More description at my wife's blog entry.

We tremble at the thoughts.

Their Future

I am worried about my kids.

Here I am in Malaysia, where widespread gangsterism among kids are more and more exposed.

Kids gang-beating up each other doesn't need any excuse anymore. They can claim they are doing this purely for fun.

Then, the drugs. The smoking. The harassments. The sexual crimes. The biking gang.

That sadistic.. the world nowadays.

This too, is a catch-22 situation.

Other kids may know about violence, while my kids doesn't.

Should I expose them with violence, so they can be ready for it? I am not so sure, but part of myself tells me I should at least talk to them about it, just for the sake of preparing them to such situation.

But I know it's not right. More violence is not the solution to end violence.

First, I don't want my kids to be like them.

And then, I don't want my kids to be terrorized by them.

What can I as a parent do?

This has to stop, right here, right now.

I will think of a way, and contribute to whatever commitment to make this work.

Muzzammil Is Two

Happy birthday Muzzammil.

With his birthday, I resolute to treat them the best of my ability. To shower them with lots of love. To give tender loving care.

Them, including the soon-to-come baby.

Stay tuned. August this year, yeahh!!!

Muzaffar Is Five

Ultimately one high-FIVE!

I thought time runs fast! And I think I stayed the same. Still the same size, weight, height, car, bla bla..

Yeah, some thing's different too. Different house, extra kid, more house furnishing, longer hair, receding hairline, bla bla..

And my God he grew already!

I am thinking of the day he was born as I wrote this.

River Of BNM Notes

All four of us went outing today.

Where did we go? Sungai Wang Plaza.

Actually there are two highlights.

One. The Monorail ride. The kids love it. They can't help but look outside and see things like buildings, cars down there, or the rail stations.

Two. The wife's new phone. Err this one's classified. No more to say. Hehheh...

There are hiccups as well.

I was irritated mainly by my sinusitis, which worsens in the afternoon.

And of course, both of them kids displayed their usual antics, which was fine up to a point.

And the most disappointing thing to me is, bringing my camera while forgetting the quintessential memory card. This, adds an extra 1kg of burden to the ancilliaries bag without any purpose at all. Major breakdown this.



Muzzammil practising public transport tips, before going to work later next month..

Morning Beamer

A nice beaming little face is all that matters sometimes..

Cavitated

Muzaffar has got a big cavity in one of his tooth.

I am so worried.

It's very visible. And I think it emits blood once when I brushed his teeth.

One thing though, no complain yet about pains or whatever from him.

Only one thing lingers in my mind, that I must send him to the dentist by this week.

Me-Me

Muzaffar is an advanced kid now. Or so I think.

So now, Muzzammil is next.

Actually he can speak, sorta.

Dad: abah
Son: a-bah
Dad: mama
Son: ma-ma
Dad: abang
Son: a-bah
Dad: kakak
Son: ka-kak
Dad: atok
Son: a-tok
Dad: uwan
Son: wa-wa
Dad: adik
Son: a-wa

I think he just refuses to pronounce the word "adik". He used to shriek a longish "adik" everytime I bathe him, but that was like early this year or so. So he must know.

Dad: muzaffar
Son: pa-pa
Dad: muzzammil
Son: me-me

But I love it when I came back home, when he usually will greet me with a loving "abah". And I will be very disappointed when I came home, and he is already asleep.

Next Flight

I am looking forward to going to Padang, Indonesia on the 18th of August.

Going to a vacation by plane is indeed a new experience. One they will not forget, especially the engine sound, and looking down at the clouds.

I know Muzaffar never forgets the Mar Vista Resort, or what he call his "Rumah Penang" in Batu Ferringhi.

And I know Muzzammil will love the experience too. Although I know, they will remember the playing freedom the most, and then the Penang Ferry.

And the mummy, she may never forget the shopping experience. She may prefer not to remember Mar Vista though, unlike Muzaffar. For one, the resort is a-ok, but not pretty.

Muzaffar: "Nak balik Rumah Penang"
Dad: "Rumah Penang jauh, Japa.."

Carpet The Culprit?

We've been to and fro the government clinic several times already.

Both Muzaffar and Muzzammil are not well.

I am worried about Muzaffar's fever, but I am more worried about the cough both of them got.

It's stressing to know that whatever you tried is to no avail.

The coughing is worse at night.

And I thought the lung spray puffer is going to work, but the cough persists anyway.

The doctor today mentioned something about getting rid of the carpets. I for one, would love to do that first.

Not to get rid of it altogether, just maybe move it away from the living room will suffice.

Late?

Muzaffar can really read Malay now.

I am happy about it, though I can be a bit concerned about what he reads.

There are too many questionable words around him, even in newspapers, that I wish he would not dictate.

I can imagine him reading something appropriate, like the case of the ex-TPM of 1998.

"Abah, li-wat tu apa abah!". Ya Allahu Ta'ala, can I answer him, "li-wat tu terlewat pergi kerja" instead?

Gross!!

Deep Sleep Too

It's confirmed!

Short deep sleep can really recharge somebody.

For adults like me, an hour is enough for a short outburst of energy. I THINK!

For kids, it really means a 30 minute session. I do mean REALLY!

My kids really can perform after their smallish session of sleep. Especially within a short distance car ride, to Nenek's or Uwan's house.

And now I need a longer sleep.

The Learning Machine

Muzaffar have learnt most of the Arabic and Roman alphabets, and all the numbers from 0 to 9.

He has also learnt the names of most road vehicles. He love trucks the most.

A method of teaching involves the Etch-A-Sketch, which I regularly scribbled a letter or two and ask him what it is.

He has some problem recognizing the letter G, Q and J. All else is good though.

And he also has a new method of learning. By long-distance learning through the phone.

Since I expected him to pick up the phone at our house, I usually provoked him to talk by mentioning anything that interests him enough to repeat.

Dad: Kereta polis
Son: Kete bolis / Kete podis

Dad: Nasi lemak
Son: Nasi namak

Dad: Back Hoe
Son: Behho

Dad: Alif Asadun Singa Lion
Son: Alif Asadun Singe Nayon Ba Batton
Dad: Itik Duck

He will answer if you know how to, so it's important to know what provokes his mind.

Crazy About Cars

Not much mood to start writing actually. But here goes.

Watched Cars last Saturday at Sunway Pyramid.

To cut the story short, the biggest moral of the movie to me is, never neglect the small towns around you. and I have been believing in that for quite sometimes, ever since I started driving 11 years ago. Always avoid the highway, and appreciate the original roads around you.

And one more lesson I can relate to is, sometimes, you need to take a little drive just because you feel like it.

And boy, Muzaffar behaves very well that day too. I think he can relate to the movie.

Son: Kereta Kar (car)

Son: Lori Rak (truck)

Son: Lori Eler (trailer)

Son: Lori Pikap (pickup)

By the way, I've been thinking of giving up Nescafe for good. As heard, Nescafe is not good for long term health. And that's just the topic me and my family discussed over tea. So I have decided, once my current supply runs out, I will almost totally give it up. I will change my coffee to something else.

Besides, it seems to upset my stomach lately.

Anyone to suggest a good enough low cost coffee?

Mother-Son Bonding

Not enough sleep last night. And that makes me late for work.

I can only think of a few reasons why.

Muzaffar was not feeling well. There's this pain inside one of his ears. It's the discomfort that made him not being able to sleep well, and having us to stay up as well. And my God I am worried that some insect has made its way into his ear. Thank goodness it's only lots of wax.

Plus, he's feeling left out already, about the good news my family just got about the possibility of a new family member being on the way. Yes you read it right.

He suddenly seem to want to be so close to his mother, like he used to about a few months ago when my love wanted to stop his breastfeeding.

Muzaffar dear, you should never worry. Rest assured that you are always the very beloved son. And hope you will soon be a good brother as well.