b3 b0rn.. c0nf0rm, b3 si|3nt .. di3

not counting my marriage leave and the 3 maternity leaves la kan…

so after 10 yrs of working, have finally decided to take 2 weeks off from work early next month.

after the aborted trip up north in june to hotel batu keras, kakak has been asking when will we be going on a vacay.

we’ve finally decided on an itinerary. and we’re doing it the old skool way – by rail.

won’t share on the wheres and whens just yet – but will definitely be posting updates via fb when we are aboard. right now i am having heart palpitations at the thought of being in a confined space with 3 kids for long hours at a stretch…. road trips we’ve done, but we were always able to make a pit stop whenever we felt like it…. in this case, there’s only the scheduled stops at the stations… but that’s part of the fun ehh?

so am mentally preparing myself by checking out travel tips for family..

PACKING TIPS

Packing for a rail trip is similar to travel by air – you may have a little more room if booking a sleeper car but most luggage should be stored in baggage.  See Air Travel Tips for additional tips along with these additional suggestions for packing on a train ride:

• Limit each member to one carry-on piece – while the size restrictions are not as limiting as airlines, especially when travelling in a sleeper.
• Bring along some snacks, toys and activities to keep children occupied.  Some rail lines now have activity cars that may offer board games, scheduled activities and even video games and movies.
• Bring comfortable shoes and a change of clothing for each member of the family.
• Carry all medication on board
• Pack a toothbrush for each member in carryon luggage.
• Delays can occur so be prepared, especially if meeting a connecting flight, bus or train at your destination.
• Bring all baby-care items if you are travelling with an infant, including food.
• Bring headphones for a media player.

ON THE TRIP

When your family is ready and set to go on a trip, take advantage of these tips to help make your adventure an enjoyable and safe trip for all:

• Arrive at least an hour before your train’s scheduled departure to check your luggage and give your family time to find the departure gate and familiarize yourself with the train station.  Take the time to find out where you will also depart the train and pick up luggage on your return trip.
• If you have arranged to pre-board, or even if you haven’t, ask the Ticket handler if you can pre-board with children.
• Review Safety Concerns with children before boarding and after you have boarded.
• Supervise young children when using the restroom
• Settle into your seats as soon as possible to allow other passengers to settle in.
• Remind children to respect other passengers and Service Attendants at all times.
• Locate the washroom facilities.
• Introduce yourself to the Service Attendant and inquire where any special cars that you can visit may be and particulars of any meal service.
• Try to respect other passengers that may be napping or sleeping on the train – especially during the late evening and early morning hours.
• Feel free to tip Service Attendants.
• Take advantage of train stops that allow passengers to disembark for some fresh air and to stretch your legs – but make sure you reboard the train on time.
• Avoid high sugar and caffeine snacks and drinks for children.
• Ask the Service Attendant if any activity books or toys are available for children.

SAFETY TIPS

Safety tips to keep in mind for children and adults riding the rails:

• Keep well back on train platforms and keep children close – especially toddlers.
• When embarking, disembarking and walking beside the train keep hands and feet away from underneath the train.
• Never let children near the train wheels.  The train can move at any time.
• Never cross the rails or play on the rails.  Teach children never to play on rail lines at any time or go on rail bridges.
• Never cross in front of a train.
• Teach children not to play with any emergency braking systems.
• Children should not play or touch any exterior doors or emergency windows.
• Use caution when embarking and disembarking.  Take advantage of the assistance offered by Service Attendants.
• When travelling between cars, teach children not to put fingers anywhere other than the door handles and watch your step.
• Young children should not wander the trains at will.  If children are going to be permitted to visit other areas of the train on their own (over 12 years of age only) set guidelines for where they may go.
• Children should never go in the washroom or sleeper car with another passenger.
• If children are in another car or area of the train, they should return immediately to their seats if the train stops at a station or at any time.
• Use caution when walking or moving in the train as a sudden stop can occur at any moment.
• Sudden movements can also occur after the train has stopped.
• If children are sleeping in upper bunks, look for a harness or rail that will reduce the risk of falling out during the night.  Some trains have a harness system.  If a harness system is used that has openings – tell children not to put their head in the openings.

that’s for now.. will scour the ‘net again for further words of caution … better safe than sorry!

footnote: shall dub all entries related to this tgrt (the great rail trip)

… if managing 6-10 steps at one go counts!

he started taking a few steps (with arms outstretched like a zombie) the past 2-3 weeks.. but i wanted him to manage more than 6 steps before getting super-psyched!

based on babycenter’s milestone chart from the latter half of the infant year, aryan has met most of the milestones.. but weight-wise he’s a bit light…still not above 8 kgs… though anaqi was roughly that weight at the same age so am not getting to hung up on that. eats anything you offer to him. 2nd syawal, my aunt snuck a rice cube with a bit of rendang into him when i wasn’t looking, but he didn’t seem to suffer any stomach complaints – so am good with that.

heard him say dada first last month before i could make out a mama… waves in a weird queen-ly style when saying goodbye to people. and likes to pick on abang when abang is taking his nap – i take it as aryan’s payback time for all the time that anaqi likes to tease and mess with him

2 more months and he’d be 1 year old.. how time really flies. oh btw, he’s still on breastmilk..so yeay me!

after amir left to return to colmar for his workplace’s brainstorming session, decided to take a leisurely walk with the kids this morning – it’s only when arrived home with aryan asleep on my shoulder and abang already complaining that he’s tired that i thought of checking out in google maps how far was the route we’ve taken.

View Round Robin Jln 1/27D in a larger map

came about to 2.1 km – that’s a long long distance – when you have a primary schooler, pre-schooler and infant all by yourself … next trip, shall be ventured with amir in tow.

we did make 3 pit stops – 1st at the playground near fairview, then at hero (to get them kinder joy) then at the bus stop on jln 6/27a.

but the most precious is getting this remark from kakak when she was leading the pack “this is good exercise mama… i can see that your peha dah kurus” … thank you, kakak … though the credit should go to my large trackpants rather than any miracle slimming down of those thighs.

ashley:

bumped into her classmate’s mom (this classmate also went to the same pre-school as kakak) and she remarked on how much kakak has slimmed down. i attribute this to her needing to wake up early, the daily climbing upstairs to her school premises and also that the whole family rarely does dinner.

one of her classmates even greeted kakak with a ‘hi ashley cute!’ – her response? she remained unfazed by the apparent regard that classmate had for her.

she has also passed her 7th grade exams for taekwando and now graduated to her green 1 belt.. so don pray pray with my daughter!

tomorrow’s her birthday btw. more on that post tomorrow.

anaqi:

what more can i say of this handsome boy (as nenek repeatedly calls him.. he’s bound to get a big head from all that praise).. remember back when i was in confinement – i said i could understand 50% of what he says?.. it remained the same level to this date. kakak is invaluable as the translator..

am setting a bit more time with abang  to sustain the interest he has shown in reading. he’s picked up kakak’s real reader books and been flipping through the pages nearly every nite before bedtime. it’s a challenge though – as the time he wants to read is the same as aryan’s cuddling time but i must not neglect this middle child of mine..

aryan

he turned 6 mths about 9 days ago. new milestones reached since the last update are as follows:

• able to sit unsupported. he can also go from crawling position to sitting position and vice versa without any assistance
• have mastered the art of crawling properly (last update he was doing a combo crawl-lunge-tummycrawl)
• has started playing roll-the-ball with his brother. shall update the vid of him getting super excited that this very adorable growl came out of nowhere.
• able to pull himself upright to stand and have started cruising. will cry for help (very loudly) though when he’s super tired of standing & cruising as he’s not yet mastered the art of sitting down without tumbling over.

and… drum rolllllll… he’s started his solids since last week. i started off with farley’s rusks (original) which he likes. then introduced stewed apples (royal gala seems to soften better than the other kinds).

and last weekend, when we had an impromptu lunch at chili’s klcc due to some mix-up on wedding function date.. the kiddo looked so forlorn and famished while the family was filling up their respective tanks (even after having his EBM feed), i fed him the mashed potatos that came with my monterey chicken and he loved it.

that’s all for now folks.. i need to go and get myself immersed in work.