How Motherhood Happened to Me

mimi yahya — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:32:57 +0000

Warning: glowing post not for the TTCs

IT just happened. Unplanned. Unexpected. Before motherhood came, the last time I saw period was on my wedding day. Mr and I didn’t consider “planning” cos we agreed that the 1st child is like exams result to know if you’ll ever have kids. It’s not like we were crazy about babies but we were sure having children was in the picture. We didn’t think it would take place so fast but when it did, there was no turning back. Can’t deny I was terrified. One moment we were fussing over amp and guitar knobs, the next moment over steriliser and stroller knobs. I was not prepared. I don’t think anyone is ever prepared for motherhood.

Then, 2 years later, it happened again. But this time because I was determined on a small age-gap sibling for the firstborn (we even considered conceiving again 2 months later since firstborn happened in January so our kids could go to school in the same year). Because I liked having a brother and I would have liked more if he had been a more accommodating playmate (boys will be boys). Also for some selfish reasons, I wanted Mr and I to be able to do our own thing occasionally so leaving them behind would be less of a guilt when they have each other (still applies well here).

Can’t say motherhood has been a breeze. It has enjoyable moments but when you get meltdowns, you miss carefree times. I’ve come to terms with what’s past, present and future. It was hard cos I had a culture shock – firstborn was a difficult, difficult baby. But now I wouldn’t change a single thing. You realise you have so much love in you to give, you never would have imagined it before you have kids. If Mr and I had put in so much thoughts about having kids in the first place, it might never have happened at all.

6th Pink + Yellow Birthday

mimi yahya — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:46:46 +0000

I didn’t get absorbed this time. It was the simplest I’ve ever done and I couldn’t afford the time and energy cos a lot of things were going on. But she was happy and that’s what mattered.

Bee Eff Eff

mimi yahya — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:20:08 +0000

Having a bestie can make the best and worst time of a girl’s life. I used to have one when I was 14 and it lasted for a decade. We were alike in a lot of ways, shared the same interests and went everywhere together (we even coordinated our outfits when we went out). Little did I expect that there would be chances she would take off with my then-bf (of 4 years). I never held grudges (I felt more relieved to be out of a lousy relationship) but it was just awkward to be hanging out again. Since then, I always had the notion that BFFs are supposed to be like her (another me). Not until I realised the becoming of one, lately. We’re completely different from each other. She’s ten years my junior, single and very available. At some point, I realised that this one will always be there for me. And she had been for the past year and made some truly sweet gestures. And she’s always putting others’ needs before hers. The thing that touched me especially was this gorgeous vintage kitchen scale she got me for my birthday even though I don’t bake for now (cos the oven hasn’t been fixed) but she knew I’d go gaga over anything vintage.

Anyway it triggered me to try no-bake recipes like the Batik Cake I got from therareone. Easy peasy and nice!

The Reserved One

mimi yahya — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:13:17 +0000

My friends and I were discussing over sheesha one night on how we mommies feel guilty at times for not giving our kids the same thing so Starr (being the mom of 3 kids now) mentioned she was reminded that it’s not about giving every child the same thing but more about giving what each child needs. It’s a good reminder that every child has different needs. Like it’s not that I do not want to do big parties for the Younger One but it’s because I know she does not like it as much as the Elder One does. She doesn’t like attention, big groups and long play hours. This one’s into peace and cuddles.

the tutu phase

36th Year Breakfast

mimi yahya — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:08:55 +0000

I love western breakfast. I have always wanted to do a breakfast party or picnic but it being in the morning, the logistics part is a bit hard. Took the opportunity to prepare one for the family on the morning of my own birthday. This was more than a birthday celebration. It’s partly to celebrate a closure to our almost 5yr-long housing woes. This has been the best and most emotional birthday so far thanks to my family, my new sister-in-law included, my Christina Yang 1 for the kitchen scale and Christina Yang 2 for the blueberry crumb bars.

the yogurt parfaits that made me feel like martha

the eggs and ham to complete

cereal and bread of course

blueberry crumb bars courtesy of fau

pancakes and fruits

Kids Help Mom’s Homework

mimi yahya — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:16:02 +0000

Part-time school has been pretty crazy. Was a breeze at first thinking “it’s not so baaaaad” but that was shortlived. Towards the end of the semester, I was going looney. Being a non-exam module, we did a whole lot of presentations on our branding assignment, probably more than all of us in class combined, ever did. Photos were the essence of our presentations but at the final point, most of us were so hard up on completing, without realising, some of us were losing the significant point of the photos. My selection of photos got constantly rejected. At the very last hour, I whipped out the camera and dressed the kids (and the daddy). They became my last minute kidswear models, in our own room, with weak lighting.

After which, they turned out pretty alright, very appropriate for the ‘feel’ of my brand and I think my lecturers were quite pleased at the end of my presentation.

I should have just done this right from the start instead of going through rounds and rounds of rejected photos from websearches but what kept me from that was I didn’t want to appear over-indulgent and make it seem like it’s always about my kids. But it probably is anyway.

My Brother’s Wedding Invites

mimi yahya — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:31:18 +0000

I made 100pcs of these for him. Designed, printed, punched, ribboned. Personal touch feels good.

The School Assignment

mimi yahya — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:45:03 +0000

What it’s supposed to be is to support my school project but I’m kinda getting a kick out of it myself so I’m taking my macam-paham dressed kids entries to a whole new level.

Tho I cannot be officially called a street photographer yet. Still way out of my league.

Mommy’s Got a Micro 4/3

mimi yahya — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 02:15:30 +0000

You know those movies of a scruffy young artist/photographer who falls in love with a skinny, ridiculously gorgeous girl who glides from one scene to another and barely speaks 2 sentences throughout the whole movie as she’s just being portrayed as his muse? It could be like that with me in a less exaggerated way but reversed gender since I’ve gotten my hands on a micro 4/3 and a delicious 45mm f1.8 lens (thanks dahlia ibu for recommending the oly).

Little Lamb

mimi yahya — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:59:06 +0000

She followed me to school one day. Well, yesterday to be precise. Cos her sister was taking a nap, I was coming in late (from home) for assignment consultation and Mister was coming to pick me up after school as he would be done with work around the same time. Also, she was curious how school is like for me. I’m not sure if it was her grand entry that made her extremely shy but it did made me realise she has grown to be much more conscious of herself. She’s not that fearless, attention-seeking chatterbox anymore. I remember when I was little, I hated when my mother talked about me. Now I catch her trying to bury her head whenever I accidentally do the same. These days I try my best to avoid so as not to do damage to her confidence. Wait.. this should also means I have to stop blogging about her soon.