Happy Mother's Day (UK)

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day differs around the world.  Here in UK it usually falls in March and before Easter.  Some countries have Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May - no idea why there is a difference in dates.

Anyway, thought I'd take this opportunity to share with you both my babies...

We had an addition to our "Leaf Family" on 21st Februrary.  Chung was born at 2:10pm at a weight of 3.080kg (6lb 12.5oz).  He was 6 days early and was considerably lighter than his big brother when he was born.

Now I REALLY have my hands full! :p

Happy Mother's Day to you all Xxxx

Sew Crazy - Reusable Groceries Bag

Strong padded handles - no cutting into hands

I haven't blogged for two weeks!  It's not through lack of material.  I could tell you about the Peach Upside-Down Cake that I've baked (TWICE!) and not shown you; or the Cherry Cake that I baked last week 'cos that is what I fancied; the Christmas cake that I baked and fed with brandy as a cake order for a work colleague and even the Hakka Dumpling (? not really sure what they would be called in English) with the shredded white radish filling that my mum made....

There is always so much I want to do...to make...to bake...  Even though I'm still on Maternity Leave, it's hard finding time to do these things.  I stay up rather late to do Minh's 1st night feed at around 1am, so inevitably I sleep in (where I can) until around 9:30am - 10:00 if we don't need to be anywhere that morning.  Still, that leaves me part of a morning and an afternoon before the evening sets in and I need to think about making the evening meal.  Time flies extremely quickly when you're a mum.  I only manage to slot in little snippets of time to myself in between Minh's naps.  These days he's spending more time awake and wants entertainment.  When he was younger, it was more frequent feeds, now he can go four hours, sometimes five but he's not always sleeping in between these feeds.  Sometimes it's the time when I think "Right!  Better get fed myself.  Or, let's do the washing up."  It can be a weary task but you are paid back in sweet smiles and chuckles of laughter that take your grumpiness away.

After dusting down the sewing machine to finish the baby quilt for our niece, I set to work on my first bag.  I've been following Lisa Lam's blog - U-Handblog for a little while now and have bookmarked some projects to make.  I even splurged on some wonderful goodies from her online shop in the Summer with the intention of making something before the baby arrived.  I thought I might get bored waiting you see - no chance of that!

I was pleased to complete this for my mum on Monday.....

Plenty of room for your shopping

Handy trolley token

It's one of Lisa's designs for a reusable groceries bag but I made mine with a square base opposed to her curved gusset.  I figured it'd be easier to sew and the shopping might stand up better in the bottom of the bag.  I used thick cotton fabric - I think it's probably curtain material so I should've made the bag cosy a bit bigger.  I also included a supermarket trolley coin - I hate it when I need a coin to get the trolley from the trolley park and I've run out of £1 coins!  These trolley tokens do just the job.

It was simply to put together even for a total newbie like me - her instructions are clear and plenty of photos to show you the steps.  I've got quite a few of her bags bookmarked to make all I need is the peace to do them!

Baby's first Halloween!

It's still Halloween (just) here!  Halloween is becoming big business here in UK - even the shop assistants in the supermarket were dressed for the occasion on Saturday!  There are Halloween outfits for children, adults AND babies, but I thought it too cruel to dress Minh as a pumpkin - I mean what if it gives him a complex for the rest of his life?!?!?  lol

Anyway, decided I will buy a pumpkin to carve into a lantern for him - not that he'll understand mind, it was something I wanted to do.  Funny thing being a parent - makes you do the most daftest of things!  Never had inclination to make a pumpkin lantern before and there I was thios afternoon carving one for my (almost) 3 month old son!  Crazy!

Funnier still was going outside to see what the lit lantern looked like from outside and taking a snap of it from outside.  Durrrr....why not just take a picture indoors!?!?!?!? lol

This ghostly Lantern has arms and a body!! It's my reflection silly!

 

Minh - Pampered Prince

In the mornings, the little man wakes at around 08:45 to 09:15 and cries in his cot which conveniently is next to the double bed where I'm sleeping.  I used to think he was hungry and crying for milk.  I would run downstairs to fetch him some milk and make sure it was not too cold. 

He would just refuse the bottle, turning his head to dislodge the teat from his mouth or clamping his mouth shut.  Funnily though, he would settle happily in my arms and as I would often still be tired at that time I often snuggled him in he middle of the double bed next to me so we could both get some more shut eye.

He's settled in the bed now and as I'm up and in blogland, I thought I'd make sure he was okay.  He's tucked up so well and propped up on so many pillows so he doesn't fall down - he looks just like a pampered prince!  Sometimes at silly o'hour in the morning when I'm running upstairs and downstairs for milk as he's crying I feel like that.  Especially when I've fetched the milk and he doesn't want any.  I guess it's nightmares they must have.  I wish I could tell the difference between a night time, "I'm hungry!" cry to a "I'm having a bad dream" cry.  They both sound like something is biting his leg off!

The smallest person in the house surrounded by a pile of pillows to suport him in a double bed all to himself!  Pampered or what?  lol  But you can't help but love him!

Sewing - Baby Quilt

My niece was born March 2009 and to mark her arrival I thought I'd make a baby quilt.  I'd only made one the previous year in blues, greens and yellows (didn't think to take photos of my creations back then) for my friend's new baby son.

With this quilt I thought I'd use some pretty pink satin ribbon to give it a different texture.  Hadn't anticipated how difficult it would make sewing.  It's smooth silky and slippery and doesn't feed into machine very well.  Hence wobbly sewing!  Out of frustration I abandoned the project for over a year and have completed it this weekend!  Phew!  Finally!

I want to start a new sewing project but had to finish the quilt.  I have far too many half started craft projects I couldn't stand to have another!

Minh Update - 11 weeks

For a change, the sun is shining and it always makes for a better photo.  I've taken these photos not because Minh has changed much in appearance but just for your viewing pleasure!  Minh has started to babble more now, sometimes his cries can sound like "Mere, mere...." which sounds like he's speaking french as that's the word for mum.  Hubby (Mr Leaf) tells me that's the Vietnamese word for mum too.  Other sounds are "Gurr, gurr, gurr."  No idea what that is.  Funny how they repeat their words/sounds.

Minh makes me laugh when I'm talking to him as it sounds as if he's answering to me.  I often speak to him in English (living here so long it comes second nature) occasionally I remember my Chinese roots and speak to him in Hakka - my mother tongue.  He replies with "Hair, hair, hair." Sounding like Hakka for "Yes".  Makes me smile!

Here are today's snapshots for you to coo over!

"Where's the camera?"

"Well Helloooo There!"

"Say Cheese?  That's silly! I don't eat cheese!?!!"

"All that posing makes me zzzzzzzz........"

...and a rare appearance from yours truly.

Minh Update - 10 weeks old ~ Little Poser!

(* Edited - as I typed 10 months in the title instead of 10 weeks!?!?!!?  I know babies become a part of your life very quickly but still!)

Got camera snappy yesterday - although am wishing I used hubby's posh camera - his Canon Digital SLR.  I mainly use his Fuji Finepix - especially when snapping whilst cooking and my hands are far from clean and dry!

Anyhow, he had a bath yesterday afternoon after a messy nappy change and he just loves the hairdryer!  Couldn't resist the urge to capture his movements!  Then once dressed he was ready for his milk and looked positively adorable - like butter wouldn't melt!  When he locks his deep dark eyes on you whilst being fed - that's what makes me melt!  Hope he doesn't remember that trick when he's older and been mischievious!

Do you think this is my best side?

Yeah!  I win!

Gimme cuddles!

After Minh had dried off (and stopped posing in the warm currents from the hairdryer!) it was time for an afternoon snack.  Still feeding every 3-4 hours, sometimes even 5 hours!  He only gained 6.5 oz in 11 days when he usually puts on around 7-9 oz in a week.  His dad is now trying to fatten him up by increasing his milk from 5 oz to 6-7 oz.  Will take him for another weigh-in next week so we'll see how Minh is then.

I'm off to attempt to make some macarons - the fancy fiddly french ones.  Don't ask me why - just feel I need to try (and probably fail) these!  Personally, I blame it on far too much blog-surfing and stumbling upon these devillish delights!  How can you not resist after that?!?  Wish me luck, I hear they are notoriously difficult to get right!

Minh Updates - 10 weeks old ~ Breakfast Time

Thought I'd change the scenery here a little today and show you some photos I took this morning.  It's my favourite time because despite being-groggy eyed, it's when Minh is at his cutest.  It's also precious me 'n' him time - no-one else with us and I've not yet decided what we're up to for the day.

He usually wakes me up (yes, can be several times in night/morning) at around 9am.  It's not neccessarily feed-time.  It's his cuddle-time.  He's a good boy now and does sleep in his cot at night. He used to hate it but once he turned 7 weeks he slept in it happily - no unnecessary fuss, crying or tantrums.  Yes, so, he cries and it wakes me up, I pick him up and he is instantly soothed.  We have a double bed right next to the cot (where I sleep so I can tend to his demands) and as I'm ususally still tired, I bring him right in.  He loves it!  It doesn't matter how tired and heavy my eyes are, one smile and chuckle from him and the tiredness just falls away.  (I'm just a sucker really!)

Here's some photos that I hope brighten your day as much as they brighten up mine!

".....there were two in the bed and the little one said, "Rollover, roll over," so they all rolled over and one fell out....."

"Hey!  Where is everybody?!"

"OK, time for milk!"

"So, where's the milk then?"

"Bring me milk or I'll punch ya!"

"Mmm....nice breakfast in bed!"

"That's better.  Fully fed."

"Hi there!"

"Heh heh heh!  Your jokes are the best!"

"See you later, Alligator!"

Too cute to be cheeky!

Double Celebration - Minh's Full Month Party & Our 5th Wedding Anniversary

The little guest of honor - Minh

Yesterday was a day of Double Celebration in the Diep Household.  We were holding a Full-Month Banquet for out little "Junior" and it coincided with our Fifth Wedding Anniversary!  Yes, sentimental ol' me picked the date in advance of Junior's birth and decided that would be the day to hold his party.  Recently, I have heard these parties called Red & Ginger parties as they are eaten at these events.  Red is an auspicious colour for chinese and vietnamese alike and the egg symbolises fertility.  Ginger is considered good for the new mum as it dispels wind from the body.

Minh is exactly 6 weeks old tomorrow and he was was the guest of honour at his party.  We had a small banquet at a Chinese restaurant for family, relatives and a few close friends.  It was a fun affair as there were several children present -all under the age of seven - so it certainly was lively!  Minh did not mind being passed out for hugs and cuddles amongst the guests and it was great!  Some mums are very protective towards their children and seem happy to hug and hold them all the time.  Don't get me wrong!  I love my hugs and cuddles with my son but as I can get that anytime at home I'm more than willing to share him out for hugs whenever there are friends present!

We certainly had a food feast and I was too busy eating to take photos!  I missed the first three dishes of: Red Eggs & Ginger; Seafood & Tofu Chowder; Braised lobster on a bed of noodles (now, this was a delicious dish and I'm glad I didn't miss any lobster chomping and noodle slurping time by snapping photos!  Heh heh heh!);

Sweet and Sour Sea Bass Fillets;

Steamed chicken with Ginger and Spring Onion;

Yam coated Prawns (yummy!);

Seafood Rice;

Stir-fried Scallop and Asparagus in Noodle Nest;

Braised Chinese Mushrooms with Pak Choi

and Pork fillets in Chinese Style Sauce;

Dessert was a platter of Ice-Cream, Mango Pudding and Toffee coated Banana Fritters.  I also made two sponge cakes.  One was an Orange Sponge filled with white-flesh nectarine and mango cream, topped with a mango rose and strawberry starflower.  The other was a chocolate chiffon with a filling of berry cream and finished with blackberry, strawberry and blueberry.

Mango Rose & Strawberry Starflower

Berry Nice Chiffon

It was a fabulous afternoon which went quickly in the company of good friends and family.  It was worth the past two weeks of stressing over guest lists and seating plans and the nervousness of decorating the cakes the night before the event!

Mya & Minh

Lastly, I got the most beautiful gift from my husband, a pair of diamond encrusted entwined heart earrings, and 18 long-stemmed red roses.  My gift to him?  A beautiful baby boy!

My favourite - Red Roses

Another one of my favourites - Sparkly Things!