Baby's Been Places

I just realized that I haven’t blogged much about the places Mikhail has been to and the things he’s experienced. Which is a shame because for a 7 month old, he’s done quite a lot.

Let’s see if I can make up for it by doing a post on Highlights & Illustrations.
(Chewahhh… that’s just a gempak name for ‘summarizing and photo-posting’)

1ST TRIP TO THE MOVIES

This was when I was still a SAHM. Wan had to go to the movie premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean 3. As it was held at the Cineplex in Damansara, Mikhail and I tagged along. The plan was that Mikhail and I would have our own date strolling around The Curve, Ikea and Ikano (Damansara’s the best place for baby-friendly shopping) while we wait for Daddy to finish watching the movie.

I should have known this was NOT going to happen.
As IF Over-Protective-‘TheWorldIsADangerousPlace’ Daddy was going to allow his wife and son to ‘walk around defenseless and vulnerable in the Ominous Jungle of Damansara’ :P

Mikhail and I had waited until Wan’s bosses arrived to join him at the premiere. After the perfunctory hellos, we bade goodbye and I rolled Mikhail’s stroller towards The Curve. Mikhail was the perfect date. Smiling and gurgling as we went around the shops. We managed to stop at a couple of baby-stores and I nursed Mikhail in the cozy Babycare room before I decided to have pasta for dinner at Itallianes. Just as I was about to order, my mobile phone rang.

Thus, I abandoned my pasta dinner and Mikhail and I were escorted by Daddy into the packed movie theatre to watch Pirates III.


What's a pirate, Daddy?

I commend the Cineplex staff for being so friendly and helpful in ensuring that the baby would be comfortable. They kindly rolled Mikhail’s stroller right down to the door by the exit, in full view of all of us in the theatre. After settling down in our seats (front row centre, by the way!), the lights dimmed and the trailers began.

I was rather concerned that Mikhail might get upset over the darkness and the loudness of the big speakers. We made sure his beanie was pulled right over his ears and that he knew his Mommy was right next to him. I was fretful that he might get antsy and start crying. But Mikhail was a real darling throughout the night.

While we were settling down in the theatre, Mikhail had been silently observant the whole time. He then sat on his Daddy’s lap and took in his surroundings. The people around us were also looking at him curiously. What’s a BABY doing at the PREMIERE of PIRATES?

When the lights dimmed, we could see Mikhail’s eyes go wide. He stared at the large screen in front of him and concentrated fully on the trailers for Ratatouille, Underdog etc. They were mostly animation trailers so Mikhail was transfixed by the colorful, musical extravaganza.

And then the theatre darkened and Pirates began.

Mikhail sat back on his Daddy’s chest and appeared to be really ‘into’ the movie. Wan’s boss (who was seated next to him) was quite charmed. So was I, really. Pandai anak aku tengok wayang. Must be all those times Wan and I went to the movies while I was pregnant (it was the only comfortable dating activity for a pregnant woman).

Mikhail was quite comfortable, nestled in the warmth of his Daddy’s arms. Occasionally, he’d sit up and turn towards me, as if to make sure I was still there. Then he’d settle back into his seat and watch Johnny Depp strut his stuff.

Then the bad guy appeared on the screen. Davy Jones – the extremely hideous villain with the face full on tentacles. Eechhhh…

Mikhail’s reaction to this revolting character was priceless.
He swiftly sat up, eyes wide open and grunted “Huuurrrhhh!!” at the screen.
Suffice to say, the people sitting around us were extremely amused.
It was even more amusing because right after he grunted, he gave a big wide yawn. He then re-settled himself in Wan’s arms and promptly fell asleep.

And there my sleeping beauty slept for the rest of the movie.
To his Mommy’s eternal gratitude and delight.

And thus, that was Mikhail’s first trip to the movies. Subsequent to that, he’s been to other movies including Shrek 3, which he loved. And he's maintained his habit of watching the movie halfway before falling asleep till the end.

GANGSTARZ FINALS

This was another unplanned event. Juliza gave us a stack of tickets and Wan was supposed to go and watch this with his buddies but he took us along for the ride, saying that he might change his mind and just hand them the tickets without joining them. Yeah right. We ALL ended up joining them, including Mikhail.

Fortunately for us, Wan (being in the industry for quite some time now) pulled some strings and managed to get us right into the stadium without having to join the insane queue and we got seats that were quite isolated from the mad crowd.

Mikhail completely enjoyed himself, looking at the bright lights and watching the band warm-up. There were several young ladies seated near us and my little Casanova flirted with ALL of them, one by one. He’d grin and gurgle while the girls giggled and cooed. Then he’d pretend to be busy with his hands and ignore them while they desperately clucked and made faces to get his attention. He’d torture them for a few minutes and then he’d suddenly look up at them with a giant grin to reward their toils. I swear that boy is such a tease. I wonder where he got that behavior. Any idea, honey? Heheh…


Wow... who are all these people? And why are those kakaks making those weird faces...?

So anyway, the lights started to dim and the show began. Mikhail settled himself on my lap as The Lima, Mendua, Flava and Infinatez gave us their best. Halfway through the show, Wan noticed that Mikhail’s head was lolled to one side. Upon inspection, we found him snoring his little head off. With that loud music, my baby was lulled to sleep. Maybe this has something to do with us going to live concerts and music shows while I was pregnant?

Anyway, we didn’t stay to the end. After all the groups performed, we left, taking our sleeping bundle of joy with us.

And thus, was Mikhail’s first trip to a live show.

There’s just too many things to write about what Mikhail has done and where he’s gone so lets just leave the past behind and move forward to the future. (Obviously Mommy dah malas… heheh)

Last weekend, Mikhail had a busy schedule. Since I started working, I’m quite anal about not leaving Mikhail during the weekend. It’s the only time for me to re-connect with my baby 24-7. Bonding mahhh…

Saturday was spent running errands to prepare for our big move to the new condo. While Daddy did all the heavy-lifting and supervising the workmen, Mommy and Mikhail stayed in the shade (and in the air-conditioned car), singing songs and chatting (quite one-sided though, he did all the talking).

In the evening, we took Wan’s family out for dinner at this fantabulous seafood place behind the J.W. Marriott. This place is definitely not suitable to impress clients, unless you’re catering to people who appreciate the odd rodent or two running down the alley, but the food is scrumptious. We had sweet’n’sour crabs, garlic prawns, clams etc. while Mikhail ate the mushy beef-potato meal Mommy packed for him.

On Sunday, Mikhail woke up at 8, all bright-eyed and cheery (read: hyper). There was no way we could coax him back to sleep just because WE wanted to sleep in, so one of us had to get-up with him while the other got some extra shut-eye.

No prizes to guess who had to wake up with baby.

So anyway, I took the opportunity to go for a swim with Mikhail, something I love doing but hadn’t had the chance to since I started work.


Okay... suddenly I'm naked. Mommy had better plan to take me to the pool or I'll be very annoyed..."

Mikhail and I had a blast in the pool. He’s becoming such a powerful swimmer (yes, he’s still using his bright yellow float) and his love for the water matches mine, if not more! After the swim, we woke the SleepyBearDaddy up and went off to Sungai Buloh to send-off AyohChik (Naqi, Wan’s younger brother) for his registration in college.

Naqi looked very handsome in his shirt and tie (I probably say this because I’ve always seen him in jeans and T’s). He’s gonna make one helluva Health Inspector and make everyone proud, including his little nephew.


What's this thing you're wearing around your neck, AyohChik?

Naqi was the Uncle who had accompanied me and Wan to the hospital the night we checked in for Mikhail’s birth. It was only natural that Mikhail be there to accompany him to register for his new phase in life.

Anyway, despite the intense heat, Mikhail was quite patient while being passed around for picture-taking sessions. He wasn’t very generous with his smiles though. And I don’t blame him; it was terribly hot that day!


Relax, ladies, there's plenty of me to go around...

After an hour or so, we retreated to the car and after nursing, little baby promptly fell asleep.

I spent the time looking at the parents send off their child, carrying a big baldi of toiletries, boxes of books and pillows with homey-pillowcases. I entertained thoughts that one day, Wan and I will be sending off Mikhail to college. After brief calculation, I realized that at that time, Mikhail will be 17 and Wan and I will be 45. FORTY-FIVE!!!
Whoa… Perish, bad thought, before I start shopping for anti-ageing cream and fountain-of-youth tablets.

After the great send-off, we proceeded to head towards Damansara for some shopping. Managed to grab a birthday gift for my cousin Linda and a pair of shorts for Mikhail. After attempting to brave through the throng of shoppers, we raised the white flag and rushed back to the safe haven of our car. Malaysia Mega Sale period is one time one should not bother window-shopping on weekends.

We then headed towards Holiday Inn Glemarie, Subang, for Linda’s birthday tea-party.

My perpetually-gorgeous cousin was stunning, as usual. Didn’t look ANYthing like the 30 year old geezer she was. Heheh! KIDDING!

It was a pleasant tea party with good food and good company. Mikhail was a bit blur, due to having just woken up from his nap, but after awhile, he was down on the hotel carpet playing with the other kids. Being the only baby in a house full of adults, Mikhail was extremely interested in all the little people who were as short as he was :) He had a great time playing with them all.

It was quite surreal to me, to see my son playing with his 2nd-cousins and having flashbacks of the time the parents used to play back in arwah Opah and Aki’s house in Taiping.

Time certainly flies. In a couple of years, I’LL be turning the Big Three-Oh myself.
Whoaaaa…
Let’s not entertain this thought for now…
Let's look at pictures!


Yes, Mikhail, this beautiful little person is called a 'GIRL'. You can play with girls. Except when you're a teenager... Then you avoid them like the plague, YOU HEAR ME?! Heheh... Kidding.


E eh. Lebih-lebih pulak budak kecik ni...


Ahah! Boys with toys! That's more like it! Daddy look! BOYS!... Now can you please tell Mommy to go away and let me play...


I feel like such a BIG boy, playing with these lads...


We have to go? Awwwh...

So, after stuffing ourselves with food and watching Mikhail pretend to be a big boy, we took our leave and proceeded to go home. The long day proved to be too much for the boys and after stripping to their shorts, they both fell flat on their backs and almost immediately started their tandem snoring choir. (I have a picture of that too but Wan would kill me if I posted it here).

The weekend is over before you know it... and though I do not dread Mondays like I used to, I still find myself excitedly counting the days to the weekend. It doesn't matter what we have planned, as long as we spend it together.


Okay Mommy, where would you like me to take you this weekend?