.back to life

Yes, I'm back. A little recap for the past few months:

Hubby, Josh and I welcomed the newest addition to our family, baby Jillian Violetta Irawan. Born on May 6 (she shared birthday with my brother!), she gave me the easiest labor every mother ever dreamed of. Water broke at 2am, went to hospital and arrived at 3.30am - was already 8cm dilated (!), baby was born 1.5hr later :)

Then, the journey began. The first one month was very stressful but I managed to survive *grin*.

Now, my little princess is 7 months old and is very active. God bless you, baby girl.

*welcome to the world, little jill!

.happy belated new year, all!

While 2010 was quite memorable, I am happy to welcoming 2011. Hope this year will bring more happiness for me and family, specially since we're expecting another bundle of joy coming this early May :)

Anyway, I ended 2010 with loads of lunches and dinners with hubby's family to celebrate hubby's birthday *HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVE!*, Christmas Eve and New Year Eve.




I also managed to finish some cross stitches. So happy with the results and hope the recipients feel the same way too.

Jesus Christ, a Christmas gift for hubby's grandma

Joshua, finished some time ago but just got the chance to frame it,
combined with his two photos

New year exchange.
Left: Owlie tag for Julie. Right: Rooster Chinese zodiac from Kristika

*hello, 2011!!!

.100+1

My latest post was... two months ago! Hehe. My excuses: Lebaran holiday *maid and nanny were having their holidays, meaning me and the family were the ones who covered their jobs hiks*, another flowers order from dreamesh, 100 flowers order from my high school friends and a bad mood ;D

Anyway, I was glad I could finish the 100 flowers order before my friend got back to Germany. I love how they look inside this pretty recycled box.

Notice something on far left of the box? My new creation, batik blossom aka fleur collection. It's harder to make than a chiffon, but I like the result.

I tried to attach it on my cardigan and look how it turned out!
*i should make more of this blossom

.short trip to Bandung

Finally we managed to go to Bandung before my sister went back to Singapore. The small group included me, Josh, his nanny, my sister and parents. I really enjoyed the holiday, specially because my sister and parents were so busy taking care of Josh, so I basically got nothing to do but to enjoy the holiday ;)

In front of one of so many factory outlets in Bandung

Still very sleepy but can't wait to explore Bandung

Enjoying his fresh juice. Yummy...

Having fun with Ii Cia

Strawberry picking! He really loves it.

*can't wait for another holiday

.butter cheese cookies

I found a simple cookies recipe from Ayahbunda magazine, and when my sister stayed at my house, we decided to make some for my little Josh. It turned out really delicious and easy to make. We even made it for the second time, that time we added cocoa powder to half of the dough and created butter choc cheese cookies.

Ingredients:
- 150gr plain flour
- 25gr corn starch
- 50gr caster sugar
- 130gr unsalted butter
- 75gr cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 egg yolk for coating

How to:
1. Mix plain flour, corn starch and caster sugar in a bowl. Cut unsalted butter into pieces and put inside the bowl. Add shredded cheddar cheese, then mix well by hand.
2. Roll out dough about 1/2cm thick, then press your star mold into the dough and cut them out. Proceed to use up the remaining dough. Coat with egg yolk and sprinkle with sugar.
3. Bake for 10-12mins at 130 degrees Celcius or until cookies are light brown on edges.

*yummy!

.have you bought these?

Mother & Baby August 2010

My little Josh wearing Javanese costume (first row, second from right) - one of the photos from this post. He didn't win the prize but I'm still the proud mama!

CrossStitcher Issue 228 - August 2010

I submitted my Last Supper cross stitch and it was published in the Reviewed by You article. Look at the gifts that they sent - very generous.

*more stitching coming up!

.the first attempt

Weeks ago, mom handed me her old sewing machine. Still in a very good condition, but too bad she hardly remember how to use it. So I started to google a sewing teacher but no luck until now (any reference, anyone?).

At the same time, my camera case was broken and I got some tutorials on how to make one - using machine, of course. But I couldn't wait until I found a sewing teacher so I decided to hand sew the case. It turned out quite nice for a first attempt ;) The hardest part was sewing the velcro.

*must admit this is kinda addictive

.let's go to school

Can't you believe that kids nowadays start going to school from newborn? But I decided to enroll my baby to Gymboree when he was 14m because I thought if he was too small then he couldn't even participate in any activities.

After 2-3 times going there, finally he enjoys the class and goes home with smiles. He specially loves the bubble and parachute sessions. But most of all, I am happy that here, he has the chance to learn something new - though only once a week- and can meet his friends with the same age.

*josh, trying to catch the bubbles