Now a Mummy!

Mother At Work

2008-07-31T11:55:00.002+08:00

Yups, this blog is still under construction. I still do not have time to import (manually!) all my posts to this blog and also still do not have time to lawa-lawakan, cantik-cantikkan. Tee-hee.

In the meantime, I am still blogging at www.sinfullydeliciousmummy.wordpress.com

I apologise for not asking permission to link you from here but if you wish to be removed from my blogroll, leave me a comment and I will do so :)

Tips for Breastfeeding Mothers who Go Overseas

2008-04-03T11:54:00.000+08:00

Taken from here

Additional comments by myself will be in blue (which will be added when I have time. hehe.) :)

Breastfeeding while travelling is not a ‘mission-impossible’. We would like to share our experience of bringing EBM back to Malaysia from overseas trips, to countries like Taiwan, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore with other mums.

1. What do you need?
A set of good breast pump, breast milk storage bags / container & accessories, good quality cooler boxes (recommended 1 big and 1 small), ice bricks, some thick towels and most importantly - positive mindset. Manual (or battery operated) pump is recommended, as an electric outlet is not always available especially in toilets – most of the time this is the only available place to express.

2. How to choose the right cooler box?
It depends on the quantity of EBM you can express daily. For example, if you can get 8oz of EBM every 4 hours, within 24 hours you will have 48oz of EBM / approx. 1.45 L. Multiply with the number of days per trip (the longest that you are expecting), e.g. 5 days, then in total about 7L of EBM. This means, you need a cooler box with a capacity of more than 7L, say around 9L to allow space for ice cubes.
Get a good quality cooler box with better insulation and with wheels if possible as stored EBM can be heavy, easily more than 10kg. It is recommended to have 2 cooler boxes, 1 big and 1 small. Use the big box to store frozen EBM at the hotel and for transporting EBM at the end of the trip and the small box for daily use. You can keep the small cooler box in the bigger one but get a much larger cooler box if you plan to do so.

3. How to store the EBM?
We recommend using pre-sterelized breast milk storage bags. Pump directly into the storage bag, seal it and label the date, time & name. Use a holder or small container to hold the EBM upright to prevent leakage. Use the small cooler box to keep fresh EBM when you are out from hotel. Line the cooler box with ice bricks and keep your EBM & breast pump (in a separate zipper bag) in the cooler box. Do not leave the cooler box in the car under the hot sun. Top up ice cubes from time to time.

4. Where and when to express?
Be ready to express anywhere like the toilet, an empty room or even in a car. Have a flexible pumping schedule. Express whenever there is a chance.
Important tip for expressing in the aircraft’s toilet while on-board: express when other passengers are having their meals. You should then have about 30 min to use the toilet undisturbed. Inform the cabin crew that you need to occupy the toilet for some time and ask them to serve your meals later.

5. How to keep the EBM in hotel – freeze or chilled?
It is easier to handle and transport frozen rather than chilled EBM. Freeze as much EBM as possible and keep in the large cooler box. Only chill those expressed within 12 hours before departure so theres less chances of leakage.
In the hotel, you can ask (or rather insist) to freeze and store your EBM in the hotel's bakery freezer room or ice-cream chest freezer. Allow at least 12 hours for EBM to freeze completely. Those you express within 12 hours prior to departure can be chilled in the room's fridge/ minibar. If the room does not have a fridge/ minibar, you can keep them in the hotel’s chillier - just make sure they only store fruits & dessert, not meaty stuff. Alternatively, you can check with the hotel whether a fridge (1-door or 2-door) is available specifically for hotel guests.

6. How to ensure EBM is safe in the hotel’s freezer?
Get a box from the hotel (since you store EBM in bakery freeze, there should be cake boxes available) or any plastic bag and ask the hotel staff to write your name, room number as well as “Breast milk inside - do not move” – all in their local language outside the box or on a piece of paper to attach on the plastic bag. Whenever you enter the freezer room, always inspect the condition of the box / plastic bag / EBM to make sure no one has touched it. Always insist to bring in/ add in the EBM by yourself, even if you have to be escorted by the hotel staff.

7. How to sterilise the breast pump while travelling?
You only need to sterilise once or twice a day when you are in the hotel. Here’s how:1. Sterilising tablet. You can use the sterilising tablet and soak the pump & accessories in the small cooler box.2. Boiling. Ask the hotel for big electric kettle, big enough for you to put in the pump and boil it.3. Anti-bacteria wipe. You can clean the pump with the anti-bacteria wipe from Medela, specially designed for cleaning the pump with no water and followed by soaking in hot water in the small cooler box.

8. How to transport the EBM from foreign country back to home?
Before checking out, you’ll need to remove the frozen EBM from the freezer and wrap EBM individually with paper towel (or old newspaper / document paper). Then, line the large cooler box with ice bricks (available from Coleman which can be cut into shape / size of your cooler box). Line a thick cloth towel around the ice bricks, and put in the wrapped frozen EBM. Cover the EBM with another layer of thick towel and add more ice on top of the towel to fill in the space. The ice can be easily obtained from the hotel/restaurant.
Don't put the chilled / fresh EBM together with the frozen EBM as this will thaw the frozen ones. You can put the small cooler box (with chilled / fresh EBM) inside the large one (with frozen EBM) so they are separated but you only have one cooler box to carry.
Try to negotiate to allow carrying the cooler box as your hand luggage. Usually they will allow upon knowing you have ice in the cooler box, as they don't want to risk wetting / messing the other luggage. This way, you can remove the ice water and add more ice to the box while you are flying.

9. Any custom/security issues in bringing the EBM through airport security?
In some countries like New Zealand and Australia, it does get a bit more difficult as they don't allow 'unprocessed food' to enter. So, just pump and dump when you are entering the countries to avoid any unpleasant experience, and only bring back whatever you express inside the countries. The rules are only applicable for ‘enter’ not for ‘exit’.
Other countries in our region like Taiwan, Singapore, Laos, Thailand etc should be ok. At the most, you will be questioned after they x-ray the cooler box. Just tell them that it is to store your breast milk. You can also tell them these are 'for medical purpose'. That's right, isn't it? If we don't express we will be sick with blocked ducts or mastitis.

Happy 2 Months, Babyme!

2008-01-27T09:32:00.000+08:00

Today Baby AH turned 2 months!

We celebrated by buying a cake from Bunny (Thanks for taking our order, Bunny!) and went to Andaman to surprise Nana.

It was also Baby AH's first party with the whole gang as I think the last one, he was still in the tummy and it was a party for him! Hehe.

Suffice to say, he needed to be breastfed and then proceeded to poo. So there we were, with a shawl over me, trying to breastfeed him and then put together 2 chairs, trying to change him.
While it is expected for smaller restaurants to not have a breastfeeding room nor a changing room for babies, I wonder how will I survive if I was at the Mall or Yayasan or Hua Ho. Luckily there are not many shopping malls in Brunei, otherwise the list will be longer!

I wonder if people will give me the look if I start breastfeeding my son in other restaurants or by the bench at the Mall. We were lucky as we had the private room at Andaman earlier, so the only other people in the room were my friends. Obviously, the girls were excited when I needed to breastfeed and changed baby AH's diaper. Although, they refused when I asked if any of them wanted to change his diaper. Hahaha.

Digressing.

Anyway, Happy 2 months old, baby! At 2 months,

- you love taking a bath! you will cry when we take you out of your bath tub.
- you will stare and laugh at the red cow your nini babu stuck on the wall, next to your changing table. sometimes, it even seems like you're talking to the cow!
- you can hold your head up (although you've started doing this since you were 3 weeks old!)
- you get bored easily, so we have to make sure you're not looking at the same thing too long
- you enjoy tummy time so much
- you will look up and make us talk to you. you actually enjoy this, which made us wonder whether you understand us or not
- after your second feed, you will want to sleep on mummy. we think its because you know i will be at work for the rest of the day
- you will want us to change your diaper straight after you poo, not a second later
- you can fall asleep on your own in your cot
- your father has taught you 1 - 10, the alphabets and how to spell your name. usually before going to bed and when you wake up. hehe. no pressure, baby!
- you love sleeping on the nursing pillow, on mummy's lap after a feed (like right now!)

... i think the list goes on and it just shows how both of us are embracing parenthood.

Once again, Happy 2 months old, baby AH! Mummy & Bapa looooovvvveeee you :) :)

Breastfeeding for a Working Mother

2008-01-18T09:29:00.000+08:00

If I am not going home for lunch, I need to prepare around 8 bottles of 3.5oz of EBM for my baby.

On the first day of the dry-run, he consumed 6 bottles of 3.5oz and on the second day 5 bottles but we thought that to be safe, we should prepare 8 bottles.

I'm thinking of a timetable on how to prepare the EBMs for baby AH.

Tentatively,
5.30am: PUMP
6.30am: Feed before work
10.00am: PUMP
2.00pm: PUMP
5.30pm: Feed after work
7.30pm: Feed to sleep
9.00pm: PUMP
10.30pm: Feed, change, get in bed.
1.30am: Feed
4.30am: Feed

Hopefully, this will work. I am hoping that each pumping session, will get me 2 bottles of 3.5oz.
I, however, need to be realistic. There may be days where there will be enough milk, less milk or more milk.

On days with less milk, I am willing (albeit reluctant) to give my baby formula. I know, in today's world, there is more pressure to breastfeed your child more than anything else but Iwould rather baby AH have something to drink than cry endlessly and Mummy speeding home from anywhere.

I have been stressing out and under pressure for the past week or so on whether to supplement baby AH's feed or not. Yes, there are many benefits from breastfeeding exclusively but at the end of the day, only the mother knows what is best for both the baby and herself. In Y's word, s/he is MY baby and I will make the decision.

However, baby AH has to know that when mummy is at home, there will be no formula!

This does not mean I will stop eating soup and drinking milo. Har har. I will still try my best to ensure that I have plenty of supply for baby AH, insya Allah. I just do not want to be pressured and stressed out as everyone knows that this could ultimately reduce your supply.

Changes

2008-01-18T09:27:00.000+08:00

As I'm starting work next week, we have been 'practising'. For the past 2 days, baby AH was looked after by my babu and the maid. He has been fed EBM from the bottle and I only fed him direct after 5pm.

However, I noticed that after each direct feed, he has refused to move from his feeding position, even after he has let go and I have 'packed up'. At night, he refused to sleep in his cot (prior to this, he would sleep in his own cot for approximately 3 hours before waking up for a feed). He even refused to sleep in our bed, between the both of us.

He would only sleep with his face on my chest in the feeding position, if I'm sitting upright, or on top of me when I'm lying down. He would then sleep at least 2 hours straight.

Can a 7 week old baby know how to miss his mother already?

Birth Day

2008-01-11T09:23:00.000+08:00

LENGTHY, WORDY and MAYBE TOO MUCH (for some of your) POST.

Sunday 25th November was a busy day for myself, the husband and babyme (who was still in the tummy!). The in-laws had a little ambuyat lunch get together for immediate family members as BIL was getting married. Then the boys & girls threw me a surprise baby shower.

It was definitely too much excitement for me as on Monday, 26th November 2007, I woke up with period-like cramps. Coincidentally, I was referred to Gynae at RIPAS from my local MCH for 'suspicion of big baby.

The husband was in the showers when I got out of bed and noticed blood on the floor. I was scared at first thinking- 'miscarriage?' but I believe at 37 weeks, they don't call them miscarriages anymore. Made a quick call to my mum (called her just 5 mins before that to arrange logistics to go to the Gynae Clinic) and asked her what was wrong. I remeber she said to me, 'bah ke hospital tah. beranak ko tu. jangan akhir, traffic jam karang'.

I didn't really want to scare my husband so I waited till he finished his shower and got out of the bathroom, -'babe, i think we need to go to the hospital, i'm bleeding'. If I'm not mistaken the look on his face was a mixture of blur and bangang- 'apa ertinya tu?'. Hehehehe. I also packed few 'extra essentials' whilst waiting for him.

I told him I was going to take a shower, etc. first because god knows when my next shower would be (luckily I did, because my next shower was 8 days after that!). My MIL then asked me to eat breakfast first and there I was stuffing myself with chicken paus and Indo Mee! Yes, so much for energy food. Hehehehe.

Upon arriving at the hospital at about 8am, my parents were there already and my brother had a wheelchair for me. Haha. No way was I going on a wheelchair. I walked my way to the labour room where they examined me, only to find out I was only 1cm dilated. I was disappointed and wanted to go home first but the nurses didn't allow as doctor's instruction was admit me for observation.

Little that I know, my brother had texted Spikez and let him know that I was already in the hospital. Capaaatttt! Them all excited, came to visit me during lunch time but was probably disappointed as I was still all smiles and nowhere near delivering. Huhu.

My friends came again at night and accompanied me in my walks. I was doing a lot of walks because the lady in the next bed was walking a lot and gave birth in the afternoon after being induced in the morning. However, it was her 3rd baby, I think. They helped me timed what I thought were contractions, which were 5 mins apart, lasting more than 30 secs!

It was only at around 9pm, I realised what contractions really were. I didn't feel like walking and was just lying down on my bed with my mum rubbing my back. I was in so much pain! It became more painful when I realised no one was allowed to accompany me in the hospital. I was crying when everyone left with the husband being the last one to leave, he suggested transferring me to JPMC so I could be accompanied. Tee-hee. However, I was adamant on giving birth at RIPAS as I've heard few stories on how most mothers had to go through a c-section there. Plus they weren't really responsible when we went there the first time when I was few weeks preggers. Admittedly, I have also heard few horror stories about delivering in RIPAS but I thought, they have delivered thousands of babies, so their experiences is an advantage.
When they examined me that night- I was only 2cm dilated :( I hardly had any sleep as my contractions were 30 mins apart, plus the bed was far from comfortable. My next one (eseh!), I would have to remember in bringing an extra mattress to put on top on the hospital's mattress.
Early in the morning, when the nurses took our temp and bpm, I was examined again. STILL I was only 2-3cm dilated. Aaaah. It was going to be a looong day. They said I might give birth later in the evening or maybe early the next day, especially since its my first baby. There was NO WAY I am staying in the ward for another night, unaccompanied. So, I told babyme that he/ she has to make an appearance on that day, no matter what. After a quick clean-up, I did my walks outside the ward.

At 8am, the doctor was doing her rounds and I told her that I was having contractions and they were about 10-15 mins apart. I happened to have one when the doctor was examining me, so she told me that she would examined my cervix once she has finished her rounds. Whilst waiting, I did my walks outside the ward again, this time the husband had arrived to accompany me. I think by this time, my contractions were less than 10 mins apart as I had to stop at each 'lap' to breathe.

Around 9am, I went back inside and one of the nurses came to time my contractions- It was 3 mins apart and about 45 secs long. Time to be examined AGAIN- 4cm and babyme's head was at 'station 0'. 'Miss, we'll send you to the transition room, okay'.

By this time, my mum, aunt and nini had arrived. My nini asked me to finish a bowl of porridge whilst my mum gave me raw egg with honey to 'give energy'. To think I would ever drink/ eat raw egg! The nurses kept on looking our way to let me know that I needed to be transferred to the transition room but obviously, I was taking my time. Har har. I also refused to be wheeled there and insisted on walking. However, I lost. I had to go in a wheelchair. Inda vogue! LOL.
It was then I was told that the transition room was full (how many ladies were giving birth that day???) and I was going straight to the labour room 'to rest'. Little that I know, I was 5cm dilated by the time I arrived there and babyme's head was already too low. The nurse had to break my water and speed up my contractions :( It was 10am that time.

I was injected with pethedine and not long after that the doctor put me on oxytocin/ syntocinon (I think!) to speed up my contractions. Everything went by so quick as I passed out now and then. I remember my mum, my MIL, my aunts, my nini and my husband coming in and out of the labour room.

Around 1.30pm, I was still nowhere near full dilation and the midwives and nurses were changing shift!! I told the midwife from the earlier shift to just wait a little longer but she insisted that the next shift is very good. They also decided to put me on gas as my contractions were getting closer and longer. The stubborn me refused to take the gas as I was worried that I would not be able to push when the time comes, when I heard my 'new' midwife screamed at me from outside my room to inhale it.

I tried and then stopped when I realised that my contractions were slowing down! Yes, it was then I realised I actually have high tolerance for pain. Haha. It was about this time, I think, the doctor asked the midwife to increase my oxytocin/ syntocinon. My contractions sped up again and this time, I was probably about 8cm dilated and the urge to push was there. The 'new' midwife was by that time with me already and practically screamed (okay, spoke in a really loud voice) to me- 'inda kau mau menyiruk gas atuuu? ter-ajan ko karangggg. alum lagi buka panuhh. mau kau carikkk sama bangkakkkk?'

Haha. Suffice to say I was scared to death and quickly reached for the gas! Oh, in between they had to empty my bladder twice (a LOT of urine althought I insisted that I didn't have the need to pass urine. haha.). I also kept on saying, 'I need to poo, I need to poo' towards the end of it, which actually was the urge to push the baby.

Everytime, they asked me to pass urine or poo in bed INFRONT of them- siapa jua inda malu tuuu? Sigh.

Alhamdullilah, at 4.12pm on Tuesday, 27th November 2007, after 2 or 3 pushes I think, I delivered a baby boy safely with my mum witnessing the whole thing. There she was whispering baca-bacaan in my right ear whilst I was trying to push at the same time trying to take 'peek'.

Now, everytime family and friends asked if it was a painful delivery. My answer is- No. The actualy delivery was far from painful but the contractions were. However, the midwives helped me a lot- from screaming instructions to rubbing massage oil on me. I even had 2 midwife trainees rubbing my back and tummy at one point. Besides the screaming head midwife (who happened to be related to both my mum and dad and was notorious for being the pemarah one bt nevertheless I am grateful for her assistance), the other midwives were soft-spoken.

I think what I was really impressed with was how they made me breastfeed my baby as soon as I was stitched up. I was falling asleep from the painkiller and there were 3 midwives around me- 1 holding the baby, encouraging him to latch on and the other 2 was 'aligning' my breast to the baby's mouth.

It was my plan to have my baby breastfed in the first hour of his life and the midwives helped me in making it happen even when was all drowsy and falling asleep.

Oh, few of my girlfriends and cousin came into the labour room after that too. I think they were more excited to meet babyme than me. Haha.

I never got around to thank everyone for waiting (esp. James who was outside the labour room for hours but left just before I delivered), visiting and most of all praying for my safe delivery :) Lurveeee. Hehe.

Insya Allah, next post will be the challenges of breastfeeding! This is already a lengthy post with no spell and grammar checks. Huhu.

Hehe. My blog is turning into a mummy's blog huh? :p

40 Days!

2008-01-05T22:58:00.000+08:00

Yes, it has been 40 days and you know what that means?

1. I can now go out..... without people saying '40 hari sudah kan kau berjalan-jalan ani?'

If you're not from Brunei, there are many pantangs when one has just given birth. I, have followed some only. Har har. Initially, I couldn't be bothered to follow tapi takut jua. Haha. Ikut saja tah.

2. A black material is tied around both of your big toes with pepper inside it. This is believed to scare off those that needs to be scared. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with that you can actually see, i.e. your boss (kidding boss, if you're reading this! haha.). Besides that, it is also a way to tell others that you have just given birth and is still in pantang. I was just told today, it is also to help you not bump your toes, which may cause 'tumpah darah'. Phew, luckily I only found out after 40days. Kalau nda beruri kali.

- I took mine off few days ago because it just kept on slipping off!! When my babu said 'buka tia', I took them off straight away. Now I only need to get a pedicure before I can wear slippers again. Bye-bye fully-covered shoes!

3. You are not to 'play' with water a lot, which includes showering for the first 40 days, except day 7 and day 40. I was told- 'bagas beranak, urat banyak putus'.

- I didn't shower for the first 7 days (ewwwwwwwwwww. I KNOW!) but merely wiped my body with warm towel day & night. On day 7, both of my nini girls, my babu and B Ajah did the 'mandi daun' on (?) me and I was just oh-so-relieved to have a shower again. From that day onwards, I showered every morning (har har har) because the lady who took care of me during my confinement said that morning showers are good as it increases your breastmilk supply. Apa lagiiii. Mandiiii! Hehe.

4. You are not to go out for 40 days. There are many reasons for this, I believe. One of them is that you're bleeding (darah nifas for us Muslims) and may attract those-that-shall-not-be-named. Another one is that because labour is such hard work with thousands of urat putus, we are not very healthy, are we? Plus a baby just passed through DOWN THERE, sit still and let it heal!

-As my baby was diagnosed with jaundice on his 7th day, I was out & about on day 7 already, to clinics and subsequently RIPAS for 2 nights. Then there was his review, a temperature scare and and and, mummy got bored and looked for excuses to go Hua Ho, Mall, Soon Lee, First Emporium (because they just have the best Avent collection! Dulu nda mau ni ke mari ah. Nda shiuk. Haha.) and anywhere, really. Plus, the BIL got married earlier this month so, I had to leave the house to go to Jerudong.

I suppose these are the main pantangs I was told (which I hardly followed. Hehe.). There were little things that I had to do (or could not do) that do not constitute as pantangs but helped a lot, particularly in increasing my breastmilk supply.

1. MINUM MILO. Hahaha. Initially, I would drink 7-9 cups of milo kosong a day. Now, I have reduce to about 5-6 cups a day. I don't think I will be able to drink milo with susu manis anymore. Hehehe.

2. Eat chicken soup with some sort of leaves. OMG. I think the first 2-3 weeks, I was on soup, soup and more soup. It was mostly chicken soup or beef soup with lots & lots of those leaves. Initially, I would have lots & lots of ginger in my soup too but I was advised to reduce it when my baby was diagnosed with jaundice.

So, breakfast, lunch and dinner would be the same- soup and milo! Plus...

3. Jamuuuu! I so do not know how I could stand them. It smells horrible, it tastes horrible but yes, it needs to be consumed. It did help in making me feel much better though :) I also had to cut down my jamu when my baby had a temperature scare. Now, I just have to drink lots & lots of water when I take, which is like.... never... hahahahaha...

From here, my Nini Girls gave me the mandi daun again, with some of the daun water saved for my baby. Apparently the daun is called 'daun beranak' when you ask for it from the tamu and it is supposed to make you 'cakah' semula.

Alhamdullilah, I am feeling much, much better now (who am I kidding? I was out at the mall after 2 or 3 weeks, I think? Bengkung-ed and all).

Confinement (half-confinement) was definitely HARD WORK. hehe.

2007-12-28T22:54:00.000+08:00

Dear Aunt Nani,
Alhamdullilah, yesterday, I turned 1 month old with a cake (any excuse really for mummy to eat cake. haha.).

I also received a present from my Uda. What else do you get from a golf addict, right?

Yes, my first pair of golf shoes, which I am wearing right now to my Bu Lija's berbedak mandi with Nini Babu. It's a Friday morning- everyone plays golf on a friday morning. Hehe.

I am thinking I might receive bowling shoes and soccer boots next? Hehe. Afterall, I have (almost!) outgrown my first pair of Nike sneakers!

Oooh. I went to Nyonya Restaurant, Hua Ho TB and Soon Lee the past few days. It was a pleasant experience for me because I slept right through in Nini Babu's arms. Hehehe.

I hope this post is sufficient, Aunt Nani. Mummy wants to sleep.

Love,
Baby Ahmad Haris

Persevere!

2007-12-19T22:53:00.000+08:00

Yes, I haven't been updating. Ellez has complained (am guessing she needs something to do at work besides real work. lol.), so has few other people.

Honestly, I'm more lazy than tired to post. I've also started typing up few posts but never got to finish them, usually because baby needs feeding.

I now have, more or less, established baby's sleeping and feeding pattern. I think I have also recognised when baby has actually poo-ed and not just farting.

From all that, we are now getting more sleeps at night. At times, I'm the one who wakes up the baby because he's just in deep sleep that I worry he's hungry!

I've been getting tips on how to start preparing EBM for work as well. Another month before I start working again. I have also spoken to few mothers on breastfeeding on how you sometimes feel like just giving up and make formula for the baby all the time. There have been times, where my baby is given formula but I'm trying to reduce it to once a day and slowly, once every two days before phasing it out completely, insya Allah.

The keyword I've been getting from most mothers is PERSEVERE! It is not easy but I am planning to keep on trying, insya Allah.

Adjusting to Motherhood

2007-12-08T22:50:00.000+08:00

...is fun and exhausting.

Ahmad Haris is now almost 2 weeks old. I know I've been turning visitors away *ehem*James*ehem but (half) confinement is a lot of work and not-so-pretty, y'know.

Every morning, after my massage, the lady 'simpan pilis' on my forehead, which is supposed to be there for the rest of the day (but I usually wipe it off when it has dried out) and I tell you again, it ain't pretty. I am in my kain sarung most of the time because with all the things they put on me, I don't want to spoil my good clothes. And when they put the bengkung on me- OH MY GOD! Oh, have I mentioned that I so do not know how to use kain sarung. It definitely gives 'inda terkain-kain' a new meaning.

But in my babu's words- 'namanya beranak' and 'karang nda mau kurus'.
Enough of me.

Ahmad Haris is one very hungry baby! He feeds every two hours or so and few nights ago- every hour! They said maybe my BM is not enough for him so they said to mix with formula. Unfortunately we did but Ahmad Haris doesn't really like formula or plain water (yaaaay!). Now, I drink like 10 cups of plain milo a day and eat chicken & some sort of daun soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I try to EBM 2 or 3 times a day as well, just in case Ahmad Haris is with his nini babu and his mummy wants to sleep :p

Oh, Ahmad Haris has lost weight too. At birth, he was 3.130kg but last Wednesday he was only 2.9kg. Babu said that they call it 'tuhus aying' and the husband said that it happens when you breastfeed (he got it from one of the readings. i'm impressed, husband. hehe. love you!).

I am expecting Ahmad Haris to wake up for his feed soon. Hehe. My life now runs around his feeding time. Will have to slowly adjust before going back to work!

p.s. photos of Ahmad Haris are on facebook. The husband took more but he doesn't really have the time to process 'em yet.

And oh, people have been asking me about my labour experience. Maybe one of these days, I will write about it. It is not really something one can forget.

Quick Post

2007-11-30T22:45:00.000+08:00

Babyme (full name will insya Allah be revealed on his 7th day) has gone back to sleep after a quick feed.

Yan, your book has been a great help even if I only have read few pages! I was initially stressed when babyme's feeds are inconsistent but the book helped us a lot! Thanks again, love.

Alhamdullilah, mummy and son are doing well. Mummy is just surprised that confinement period is a LOT of work! All the food and traditional meds I have to consume, things they put on and around me- all overwhelming!

Hence, visiting hours are restricted. Hehe. No visitors in the morning especially. Of course, you are still more than welcome to visit :p

Babyme's day consist of sleep, eat, sleep, sleep, eat with a lot of crying and poo poo in between. Hehehe.

Once again, Thaks for all the duaas,wishes and gifts guys! Lots &lots of love!

The One with the Surprise Baby Shower

2007-11-25T22:29:00.000+08:00

I actually don't know where to start. I've been typing and deleting my post few times now.

It started with the husband asking me to get ready to go to Bunut as he 'needed to pass something to my brother', only for me to find out that the boys & girls were throwing me a surprise baby shower!

I was in tears (happy tears, of course!) when they yelled 'surprise!' and I saw pink, blue & green balloons!

There were lots of food, games and gifts!

I think I laughed so much from watching them playing the games that the video caught me in pain at one time! I think I was trying to breathe whilst having cramps. Erk.

I can't decide which game was my favourite- they modelled baby outfits made of newspaper, tried to put on diapers blindfolded and tried to guess the size of my belly using the lenght of a ribbon (i am actually smaller than they thought! haha.).

As I didn't come prepared, i.e. I had no camera with me (I even left my hp in the car!), I don't have any photos with me right now and will have to wait till everyone else show me their photos (hint hint husband. hehe.).

I, however, brought back the beautiful scrapbook they made me and took some photos of it.

except for this one above. the photos were taken when i decided to tell them all. hence, 'the big announcement'.

If you guys read the title of the LOs and have access to my protected posts, you will notice that the write-ups were actually my posts on my pregnancy- they have scrapped them! I was thinking of doing the same but now that they have done it for me, I just have to scrap the missing post yeah :)Thanks guys! I really, really like it- all of them and I heard there are more LOs to come, right? Hehehehe :)

Oh, besides the scrapbook and the other baby gifts, I also received what they called 'Apple Tree', where everyone who were there today wrote an apple note for my baby. I only managed to read 2, I think, before I started crying. When Jim read few more outloud after that, I started crying again. Haha. I think I'll read them all again when my hormones are under control, okay? Hehe.

Anyhoos boys & girls, thank you soooo much for it! In Jim's words, 'yes, I do love you more now'. Haha. To the husband, babu, bapa, the siblings & Jats- thank you soooo much as well. Semua komplot! Hehehehehe.

Lots & lots & lots of love :) :) :)

Tick-Tock

2007-11-21T22:27:00.000+08:00

i've been getting contractions but because they are still far apart and infrequent, i thought it was braxton hicks but apparently it wasn't.

it's just 'getting ready'.

there are still many things to do. i haven't finalised my handover folder for my colleague as she will be leaving for korea this weekend first. my boss will also be away, so i will be running the unit ALONE. it will probably be funny if i deliver next week and no one is around. haha.

the other colleagues were thinking of putting together a plan 'just in case' THE time happens to be in the office.

i also haven't moved my scrapping things to Bunut and stock up from Shabby during their sale.

i also need to pop by ML's place to make new glasses.

i still need to get steriliser, bottle warmer and bedding for the cot.

i think that should be it.

oh, maybe i need to stock up on dvds for confinement but i'm sure the boys & girls can do that for me :p (skalinya terliat pun nda!)

aaaah. so many things to do. I still need to practise my breathing. Alum lagi confident :S

34 Weeks

2007-11-04T22:24:00.000+08:00

That's me on Friday, 2nd November 2007. Doubt I've changed much in 2 days. Hehe.

Baby Clothes

2007-11-04T22:23:00.000+08:00

As we're slowly buying baby and mummy things (okay, fine, we've bought most of our things on the list), it gets a tad bit frustrating when you're unable to buy more clothes as most baby clothes are gender specific.

Today, I bought 4 more sleepsuits- 2 in green and 2 in cream and 3 short-sleeve bodysuits- 2 in white and 1 in stripey red & white. I had to force myself not to look at other clothes as suits seem to be the only ones that can be worn by either baby boy or baby girl.

Times like this I wished I knew the gender, although, I am inclined to believe that it's a boy and thisclose in buying baby boy clothes but I don't want to risk it. Hehe.

I think I should have enough baby clothes to last babyme the first week or so. Perhaps generous family and friends (hahaha!) will top up the clothes, otherwise, the husband can buy the clothes while i'm in confinement.

Now that priorities have changed, I seem to be frequenting Mothercare, Hua Ho, Bebeland and Triple Star more. How I wish there are more stores for baby things here.

The Source...

2007-11-03T22:18:00.000+08:00

...of my backache

At 34 weeks.

I need to fix my posture if I want to avoid backaches. When I remember, I try not to arch my back but being pregnant, you tend to forget a lot of things.

Just the other day, I was wiping the baby oil bottle and instead of throwing the tissue into the bin, I threw the bottle!

Btw, yes, that is the same top I wore in the previous picture. I'm too malas and karit to get more maternity tops. Insya Allah, 6 more weeks to go. Although there are bets going around that I might pop before that. Haha.

I'm having BH contractions already. Am trying to utilise it by practising my breathing. Although I'm not even sure if my technique is correct!

Oh, I tend to wake up around 2.30am for the past few nights, pee then baby wakes up and start kicking and moving around. I don't usually fall back asleep till 3.30am. A relative said that could be my sleep pattern when baby is born, insya Allah.

Need Sleep

2007-11-01T22:17:00.000+08:00

I'm too tired to write a proper post.

Until I gather enough strength, get proper sleep, start preparing things (hospital/labour bag- husband has been nagging me to do this!) and complete my other projects, I will write a proper post.

Saying that, I will probably end up writing something tomorrow, especially since it will be Friday.

p.s. I'm looking forward to silly saturday lunch with the boys & girls, filled with crispy duck and lamb luleh.

Hello World!

2007-10-31T22:15:00.000+08:00

Dear Babyme,

It is about time I introduce you to the world of blogging publicly. I have been blogging about you since I first found out but most of the time, privately. Only selected few have been reading about your progress as well as mummy's progress.

Yes, in case you are wondering, we have decided that you will call me- mummy and your father- bapa. I first referred myself to you as babu then mama, before your father decided that you will call me mummy.

I will slowly introduce you to the people around your father and I as well as what we have been up to, in anticipation of your arrival, insya Allah.

In the meantime, mummy is going to do some tweaking to this blog, so it will look pretty :)

Hormonal

2007-10-27T22:14:00.000+08:00

My friend said that I'm getting more and more pissy each day. Actually, i think, bi**hy was the exact word, I don't remember.

I like to think I'm just hormonal.

I wanted to scream at the cashier behind the counter earlier because he was taking his sweet time serving the customer in front of me, making small chit chat, offered to send her tray already full of drinks to her table, when there' wa a long, long line (and I was hungry, so if I made a scene, I might not get my food).

I wanted to scream because the car infront of us was bl00dy slow (and I wasn't even driving!)

I wanted to scream because I had to re-do a piece of work for the third time (but I know each boss had different opinion, hence...).

I wanted to cry because I saw my car and I miss driving it (this I don't understand!).

I think the husband and I made the right decision not to let me drive for now because with how I'm feeling, I would probably just run over the car who took the most left exit from Kiarong to go to Kiulap at the big roundabout. Or the person who forgot to indicate or the person who braked first then indicate.

No it has nothing to do with my tummy being big that it kept on hitting the steering wheel. I'm just hormonal and can fall asleep while driving.

Oh, I would also like to scream when people call me fat, especially when they say it to other people. Skalinya?? Try telling that to my doctor who still think I'm not putting on enough weight.
Argh.

Or better yet, you try lah!!

In & Out

2007-10-24T22:12:00.000+08:00

…of the clinic that is.

Dear babyme,

We have been going in & out of the clinic for the past few days. On Saturday, we had to go in for my 2nd GTT test. Alhamdullilah, my glucose level is normal. However, on Tuesday, during the routine check up, I found out that I’ve put on almost 3 kgs in the past 2 weeks! I was scared that the doctor would put us on a diet :S

When it was our turn to see the doctor, she said that I should not worry as I lost 2kgs during Ramadhan, which meant that I’ve only put on a kg over the past 6 weeks or so (Is it obvious I’m just trying to make myself feel better? Haha.). The doctor then asked me to lie down to check the size of my uterus, your position and your heartbeat.

I was then shocked when she told me that my uterus size is small and she was concerned that you’re not growing, which could be a result from my fasting

So, today, I was sent to the other clinic for another ultrasound and surprise, surprise, you’re actually big!

Babycentre says that you should be shy of 4lbs but guess what love, you’re now 2300gms, which is equivalent to approximately 5lbs!

I think I have to cut down on my chocolate intake and perhaps, stop drinking Anmum as soon as I’ve finished my current supply. Too much sugar is definitely not good for both of us! Hehe.

Besides that, you have been very, very active lately. The doctor said its because your legs are ‘in front’ now, which is why I’ve been feeling your kicks more. Even your father was surprised by how active you were late last night! Oh, you still don’t like it when I’m sleeping on my sides.

Oooh. We have bought more things for you last weekend. We now have your bath tub, top n tail bowl, baby box and changing mat. We also saw reasonable stroller, car seat and baby cot for you, which we might get next month. We haven’t bought clothes for you yet though but I’ve been looking at some and might start buying them this weekend. Afterall, we need to wash them first. And yes, luckily we have your father as the reasonable one. If it was left to me, I would probably buy more. Hehehe.

Anyway, you be good now love. We will be seeing the doctor again next week. Lots of baby hugs & kisses from your father & I.

p.s. I think we are very close in having a name for you! We are calling you baby now as we don’t know (and not going to know until you’re born) if you’re a boy or a girl. Rest assure, we will be preparing 2 names

One Off the List

2007-10-07T22:10:00.000+08:00

Dear babyme,

First its double digits days, now we’re down to the last double digit week, before we hit single digit week! Masya Allah!

And guess what we bought today? We bought breast pump for myself. First item from the list! Insya Allah, we want to try breastfeeding. I know, many has said to me that it is easy to plan but at the way things are going, insya Allah, you will be breastfed. I, initially wanted a battery-operated one but it didn’t come with a bag and I thought it would be difficult for me to bring it to work, once I start working again. Plus, it would be nice for your father to feed you from the expressed milk too.

So when you Babu Siti called me yesterday to tell me that the Out & About set is on sale at Mothercare for only $99.90 this week, I dragged your father there to get me one set. I remember I envied your Babu Siti when she told me she got her set for only $110 before and now its only $99.90! I did ask the salesgirl if the IQ24 Steriliser will ever be on sale, and she said no. So we might just get it from Utama Grand before the end of this so-called Grand Sale.

One off the list! I was pointing out to you father what WE (as in you & me. hehe) want to get nanti. I was there explaining to him why we need to get a top n tail bowl and how to top n tail a baby. Your father has to learn! Hehe. He is going to have to top n tail you nanti, insya Allah.

A long week ahead of us, baby dear. I have salon appointments, baking sessions and some more last minute shopping to do. Be good and oh, you’re allowed to kick me as much as you can. Don’t let my ‘owws’ stop you, okay?

Love you. Baby hugs & kisses from your father & I.

Is it a Boy or a Girl?

2007-10-05T22:09:00.000+08:00

Dear babyme,

It has been awhile since I last wrote to you. This week, you’re approaching 30 weeks and I kept on thinking, how time flies so fast! It felt so recent that I went to the clinic to confirm my pregnancy and now, insya Allah, we have less than 3 months to go before we will finally meet you.

Your father & I have been scouting for your things and knowing me, I wanted pretty things and knowing your dad, he wants practical things. I guess buying for practicality is better but don’t tell your father I said that. Hehe.

Oh, you have also received your first present from Babu Ijat! Its a baby fleece blanket and its blue-ish. Does that mean you’re a boy? Hehe. Oh yes, we don’t know whether you’re a boy or a girl yet. Your father wants to keep it a surprise! This would also mean that anything we buy for you will be in other colours but pink or blue. I have asked your Nini Girl to keep the blanket for the time being.

Speaking of your gender, your Atuk Girl has made you few pillows, as she would always do for her cicits. In the beginning, she made pink pillows and all your aunts believe that you will be a girl because your Atuk Girl is always right. She asked me recently if I already knew your gender and I said I didn’t. The next thing we know, she started buying blue materials to make another set of pillows for you. Now, does it mean she believes you’re a boy? Hehe. When I asked her, she just said that she is just preparing. Hehe.

Your father and I believe that you wil be a boy because based on statistics (I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters while your father has 3 brothers and 1 sister) there are more boys in the family.
Our Chinese friends think you’re a girl though, especially my tailors. Hehe.

Either way, your father and I have no preferences. As long as you’re healthy, thats what really counts.

Lots of baby hugs and kisses from your father & I.

For Babu Ren.. Hehe..

2007-09-28T22:05:00.000+08:00

Ren, as promised. Hehe.

I’m almost 29 weeks, now which means the photos below were taken when I was 25 weeks.

Maybe I’ll take new photos tomorrow or Sunday.

Will try to take more recent pics. Hehehe. Love you Ren!

Please Maintain

2007-09-26T22:01:00.000+08:00

…my weight that is. Hehe.

Had my fortnightly visit to the clinic yesterday and turned out I dropped a kg. The doctor said to me that I should not drop by another kg otherwise they have to admit me to the hospital. I hope she was kidding.

I’ve been fasting since Day 1, Alhamdullilah and I try to eat 3 meals after that before fasting again. However, I can only stomach so much food without feeling very full or throwing up.

Usually, you’re glad when you’ve lost weight but I guess (you guess, dah???), this is just not the right time to lose weight. Heh.

The husband is practically forcing me to take a lot of wholemeal bread with honey but I always ‘forgot’ and was always too full to eat even a slice of it.

Maybe Hari Raya will help me. Hehe.

Ooh, they doubled my dose for Vitamin B so I can put on some more weight. Fun!

Going Visual

2007-09-18T21:59:00.000+08:00

When I was in my first trimester, I came across a chapter from my book about birth. I was too scared to read it. It was VERY visual. And its not just sketches. There were photos of real women giving birth. I remember being scared and skipped that chapter.

I also remember watching Pregnant (or was it Labour?) for dummies on 77 with the husband and I almost threw up from watching the women trying to give birth. The husband told me not to watch it.

Recently, a friend asked if I have prepared myself by watching birth videos. I have not. It then occured to me that I can’t forever runaway. I could either watch it and at least, know what is going to happen or I could not watch it and just ‘go with the flow’.

The control freak in me thought, ‘I better watch it so I can plan things…’

Coincidentally, I caught Friends, where Pheobe borrowed Rachel her friend’s birth video.
Last weekend, I caught Birth Day on 77 after sungkai. They were showing 2 births- one normal and one c-section. I only managed to catch the c-section as I had to rush for maghrib prayers after that and missed the normal birth.

I cringed and I cried. It is not as visual as it could be (on astro bah kali tu) but I still thought it gave a good idea. Although, I would like it to have more details. I cringed when I saw them slicing open her abdomen and I cried when I saw them pulling out the baby, cleaning the baby and putting the baby in the father’s arms (they were still trying to sew up the mum!).

I’m hitting 7 months by next week, although if by ultrasound I have already hit 7 months, and relatives have advised me to becareful since there’s history of premature births in the family. I didn’t realise it could be hereditary. I will have to ask my doctor next week, insya Allah.

Now I have to continue reading about births…

It's Ramadhan

2007-09-12T21:57:00.000+08:00

Dear Babyme,

It is now officially Ramadhan. Alhamdulillah. It will be the last Ramadhan where there will only be me and your ftaher in the family because insya Allah, you will join us for the next Ramadhan, insya Allah.

Your father and I thought that instead of the usual trip to the masjid for terawih, I will be staying at home to do terawih prayers on my own and at my own pace. We have also decided that I will try to fast as much as I can but in case I don’t feel good or you start complaining, I will break my fast. Keeping both of us healthy is of course, our utmost priority. I will wait for your father to come back later and maybe, we will have a chat with you and teach you to give me signals if you need food. Afterall, you have been very good at telling me to slow down when you think I am doing too much. Hehe.

Oh, I forgot to tell you about our last trip to the clinic. Alhamdullilah, my glucose level is ‘okay’ said the doctor, albeit it being on the borderline for the after glucose drink incident. Apparently, I am not really glucose tolerant so I have to cut back on most of my favourites. I also heard your heartbeat again, the nurse was impressed with the sound of it and actually let me heard it for a longer than they would usually let you. We pray you continue to be healthy, love.

Now that you’re approaching 7 months, we have been asked to go to the doctors fortnightly instead of from 8 months. The reason for this is that the doctor is just worried that my asthma might decide to make an appearance plus I was just told that it is in the family that births tend to happen at 7 months. While it would be nice to have you in our arms sooner, I think you will be much better off if you stay inside me until December, don’t you think? But if you do decide to make an appearance before that, we will of course smother you with more kisses than you can imagine but might cringe when you’re much older. Hehe. So you choose :p

Your Babu Rina has asked a picture of me with you. Your father has kindly took a picture of us and I was surprised how big I am now, which means how big you’ve grown in the past weeks! I will post that picture as soon as your father processes it as it is still in RAW format. Don’t ask what it means as I, myself, still don’t understand.

I am now going to rest and hopefully, not fall asleep before your father comes home from the mosque.

Love you little one. Baby hugs and kisses from the both of us.

Hopes & Fears

2007-09-02T21:55:00.000+08:00

Dear babyme,

You are now 25 weeks. That is 6 months and a week old. They said that if you’re to born now, insya Allah, with intensive care you will be able to become a healthy baby. Of course, if it is your time to see the world, who are we to stop Allah’s plans but we pray that you will stay inside me for at least another 12 weeks but 15 weeks will be much better.

Your father and I have been looking at things to buy for you and listing out what to buy. While preparation for your birth including labour scares me a bit but I think I am more scared of not being able to be a good mother. Worrying that I might drop you is one thing but worrying that I might not be able to give you the best life a child should ever have worries me more.

What if I accidentally screamed at you? Will you hate me for the rest of your life?

What if we send you to the wrong school? Will you be disadvantaged?

What if we spoil you too much? Will you turn into a brat?

What if we are strict with you? Will you turn into a rebel?

What if working takes up too much of our time? Will you love other people more than your parents?

What if? What if? What if?

‘Ya Allah, kami bersyukur engkau telah memurahkan rezeki kami dan memberi kami kandungan ini. Peliharakanlah kandungan ku ini, jauhilah kamu berdua daripada segala penyakit, semoga anak dalan kandungan ku ini akan menjadi anak yang soleh, anak yang sihat, anak yang beriman, anak yang bertakwa, anak yang patuh kepada arahan mu. Ya Allah, hanya kepada mu aku memohon.’

While my malay is not that great (ask your father. hehe.), I am sure, insya Allah, Allah knows what is deep in my heart. My prayers for you, my wishes, my hopes and most of all, my fears.
Lots of love and baby kisses.

p.s. it seems like you really enjoy your father putting you to sleep at night (by tapping and rubbing on my tummy before we go to sleep every night). you will kick and play with him for a bit before going all quiet until when the alarm goes off in the morning, where you will then start kicking me again. few nights ago, you were quiet all day until later in the evening. when it was time to go to sleep. when i asked your father to put you to sleep, he said to let you play first. he fell asleep not long after that and you only slept at 3am! I am going to make sure your father puts you to sleep everynight now. I read somewhere that we can start training your sleeping pattern even before you’re born. we’ll try and see if it really works. hehe. be good now. we love you!

Voices & Sounds

2007-08-23T16:48:00.000+08:00

Dear babyme,

You will be 24 weeks by the end of this month. It has been 6 mths, which means another 4 months or 16 weeks, if we’re looking at 40 weeks. They always say that first babies tend to come early- early or late, as long as both of us are safe and healthy, I don’t think anyone really cares.

On Monday & Tuesday, you were very active all day! I had to tap you few days during my course as I had to run to the toilet everytime you move. Hehe. Told your father in the evening about you and he tried to feel you but it was late and you didn’t move. You know what he said?
‘Maybe the baby is sleeping bah. Boring ia sudah main all day and now nothing much to do.’

The next day, you didn’t move much. Told your father that you menyamal after what he had said and he said that you’ve taken it after me! Adakah. Hehe. Then last night, I was telling you how you would have to fight with your father for my attention nanti and the next thing we knew, you kicked. Hehe. You only stopped when your father said, ‘awuu.. indaa…’.

I think we’re only comfortable talking to you when we’re alone. Tee-hee. It’ll feel awkward if depan other people. Hehe. Plus it still feels surreal!

Ooh. We’ve been watching a lot of Simpsons too! Well, your father is usually watching at 6pm so I tend to sit with him and watch it too. I was watching E! earlier and you didn’t move much but when we changed to Simpsons, you started kicking! Maybe when you’re much older, okay? Their jokes are too crude for little kids like you. Hehe.

We will see you on those little tv soon again. We pray that you are healthy and safe in there. Lots of baby love, hugs & kisses.

Hold it till it Hurts

2007-08-15T16:46:00.000+08:00

Dear babyme,

In my bid to avoid putting on too much weight as I was already overweight even before I had you, I avoided what they called ‘eating for two’. The doctor has also warned me at every visit not too put on too much weight. During yesterday’s visit, we found out that we only put on 1.8kg in the last month. Apparently, this was good as I am not allowed to put on more than 2kg a month. However, it came with a price- my blood count dropped to 12.7 from 14.6. Normal level is 12 - 16 or something along that range. I am now on some blood pills, as I like to call it and I’ve been asked to eat more.

Then I was told that I can put on more weight as long as it is less than 3kg. Inconsistent they are. Psft.Enough of me. Today, I had to go for an official ultrasound. I say official because it is supposedly the first ultrasound. However, we’ve seen you on tv since you were 4 weeks old and looked like a little peanut! I will show you the picture when you’re much older but please don’t ask how you came along until you’re much, much older. Hehe.

Anyways, I was asked to have a full bladder before getting there so I drank a small bottle of water and a little more when I got there. As any government clinic, there was a wait. I was bursting and couldn’t hold for long. I walked around, sat still, stood still, distracted myself by reading- nothing helped. In the end, I just ran for the toilet and let go just a little bit. It’s a skill, I tell you. Haha. I think it is because your father and nini girl were impressed I could do it. I didn’t want the doctor to ask me to wait any longer just because I had an empty bladder.

Worried that my bladder was not very full, I had some more water. Aaah. The pain when it was finally our turn. I had to hold it though so the doctor could study your development. The doctor, however, had her face all scrunched up when she was looking at the monitor and kept on reading my card. When I asked if everything was okay, she just said that she was still checking and will let me know soon. My bladder was already hurting and the doctor said that? I wished I could scream at her but I was afraid that I might just pee right then.

However, everything turned out to be alright but she was just concerned that her measurements and my record did not tally. Apparently, from the measurement, you’re 24 weeks old! That’s 6 months! Based on my LMP, you’re only supposed to be 22 weeks! Heh. Guess having big parents didn’t help. So yes, she said you’re big for your age. Not something to worry, I suppose, as we took it with a positive spin- you’re developing healthily in there. Alhamdullilah.

Anyway, it’s your father’s birthday today and we’re going out to have a little dinner. We’ll try to take picture together (with you, of course, albeit being in the tummy. hehe.) so that we can show you when you’re older, insya Allah. During my birthday, you were not around yet but insya Allah, next one, there will be 3 of us. Ameen.

By the way, your Babu Siti has gave birth to a baby girl about 2 weeks ago. You now have a second cousin called Baby Bashirah.

Be good sayang. Lots of baby love, hugs & kisses.

Excited?

2007-07-08T16:45:00.001+08:00

Dear babyme,

You are now in Singapore. We have decided to take you on holiday with us now that you are more than 5 months. Both your nini girls and the doctor said it’s safe, insya Allah.

We don’t know if it’s the weather or the excitement from shopping (if the latter, i say you might be a girl! Hehe.) but you have been very active since we arrived. Your father can now feel you already after trying to feel you for the past week or so and he thinks that it could be your arms and not your legs kicking me. Oh, have I mentioned that you were most active when we were at Borders last night. Maybe you will like to read when you grow up. Well, I hope that is the case and not because you don’t like being in a bookshop. Hehe.

I promise I will rest as much as I can. Your father has let me take afternoon naps between all the shopping too, so that has been good.

*whispers* Your father did not say much when I told him I put my name on the waiting list for an LV bag. In fact, he tried to talk me into buying a different one, which is more expensive! Maybe it’s just this one time but at least I can still get a bag!

We love you lots and hope you’re doing well, swimming and moving in what I believe to be a bigger space now. Oh, let me know if the mengaji I let you listen is too loud okay? Lots & lots of baby kisses.

Flutters

2007-07-08T16:45:00.000+08:00

I’ve been feeling flutters in my tummy over the past week or so, especially later afternoon and in the evening. Initially, I thought it was just my pulse and mentioned it to my husband.

However, one night in bed, I was lying down in bed waiting for the flutters and touched my abdomen. Instead, I could feel some pulses. Took the husband’s hand and asked him if that was the baby kicking? He said it could be MY pulses and not the baby. Hehe. Manalah ku tau.

Honestly, I didn’t really know until I went to the doctors for my u/sound.

Doctor: Can you feel your baby already?
Me: Err. No Are we supposed to feel the baby kicking already?
Doctor: You can at this stage but not very hard.
Me: Oh, I don’t think so. I don’t know. (At this stage I was hoping I didn’t feel like an ignorant mother. Remember when Rachel couldn’t see her baby on the u/sound picture?)
Doctor: Do you feel flutters? Like butterflies in your tummy but stronger?
Me: Yeahhh. What IS THAT?
Doctor: That is the baby kicking.
Me: REALLY???????

So yes. Now, everytime I feel flutters I smile at myself knowing that our baby is having fun in there. With parents yang inda pandai teranah and suka jalan2, I am not surprised if the baby is all active in my womb. Hehe.

We pray you are safe and healthy in there, babyme. Amin.

p.s. to answer your Babu Rina’s question, no we have not decided what you are going to call us. We will decide soon, insya Allah

More Dreams

2007-06-30T16:43:00.000+08:00

This time I was in Chanel buying a handbag.

What does that say? Haha.

When I woke up I was disappointed. Mun banar, kan bisai. Hehe.

Am going to tell the husband, ‘our baby wants a Chanel Handbag’. Memang kena marah. Hehehehehehe.

I really think I need a holiday and buy a bag. This whole dreaming buying bags is starting to worry me. Hmmm.

Cramps & Dreams

2007-06-22T16:43:00.000+08:00

I started having leg cramps in my sleep earlier this week. Thought I was imagining things, macam ndakan so soon, right? Turned out my colleague, who is due about the same time as me, insya Allah, had her first leg cramp last night!

I have yet to read properly about leg cramps.

Nausea seem to be gone except when I’m having a headache but now, ‘hello itchy tummy!’
J&J babyoil seems to be my new bestfriend. I was supposed to get minyak kelapa from my aunt but I’ll just wait till she gets back this weekend.

Oh, constipation is back too! Har har har. Wait, it’s not funny. It’s painful!

Luckily I have 3 other colleagues who are preggers in my department.

I love whining and complaining about all these but honestly, I am enjoying it… a litlle bit.. The other bits, I’m scared to death!

I had a dream the other night that I couldn’t put on the baby’s diapers properly! Although I remembered to put cream first and then the talc. Somehow the sticky fasteners weren’t sticky enough. Funnily enough, I was told that some diapers would not stick if kena talc when I mentioned my dream to my colleague.

Paranoid much?

Is it Normal?

2007-06-20T16:42:00.000+08:00

I’m like constantly hungry now. Previously, I could get away with a little chocolate or biscuit between meals but now.. I have to eat a lot more than biscuits every 2 - 3 hours. Its scary.

Earlier today, I didn’t have time to order sandwiches at 10am and only realised how hungry I was by 11ish. It was a little bit too late to order sandwiches as I was going to have lunch with the husband at 12.30pm! I was seriously, seriously hungry and in James word, ‘kan pitam rasanya’. When I saw the bowl of soto, I said, ‘eh basar eh.. sayang, maybe you want to share it with me later..’

Did I share? No, I finished it! Except for the talur. At 4.30pm just now, I was hungryyyy again! I have just finished eating rice AND egg. Dinner is not ready yet and am off to Delima in a bit too.
I’m seriously scared. Maybe I should stock up fruits and just eat that. Aaaah. I know the husband will give me a hard time everytime I complain about putting on weight (more than I should, anyway!). Scary, scary, scary.

p.s. the soto nada kick, obviously. have asked the husband if we could go to hua ho tanjung bunut for their soto this weekend. i want a GOOD SOTO! nyums! yeah, i think its weird too since i’m not really a fan of soto since forever. maybe baby likes soto. hehehehe.

ooh. husband is sick. kasian pulang, esp. since im feeling much better (except for paning when ive forgotten to eat).

Hmmm

2007-06-07T16:09:00.000+08:00

I’ve been having splitting headaches lately. It is not as bad as migrane but enough to want me to knock my head against the wall. Okay, that is an exaggeration.

It usually starts with me being a little bit woozy and then a little headache and then a full blown headache. Lapastu hilang kajap, then ada lagi.

I was a tad bit worried and during my trip to the doctor this morning, I asked her to check my BP. Apparently, my BP is normal. Back at the office, I didn’t feel any better. Colleagues asked me to just go home but I could not afford it. We have an event tomorrow and I have many things pending plus a project due tomorrow. Unable to handle it, I took the headache pill I was prescribed with earlier in the morning. Slow, I tell you! Around 7 barutah baik kepala ku.
Anyhoo, I was talking to my other colleague about my neverending headaches and she said…. *horror*… it could be the chocolates I’ve been eating! When she was pregnant with her second child she had splitting headaches towards her second trimester and couldn’t figure out why. She then tried to stop eating chocolates (she was eating A LOT of them because she wanted her baby to me fat. hehe) for a week and her headache went away.

Don’t know how true it is but I’m willing to try it as long as my headaches go away.. even if it means giving up chocolates.. temporarily… Yes, this is coming from a girl who has 3 bags of mini Reese’s peanut butter cups under her table. Haha.

Oh, trip to the doctor went fine, Alhamdullilah. Baby is doing fine and somehow has grown much bigger than the last ultra sound. During my drive back to work, I kept on praising Allah Taala. It feels surreal to have a real person, albeit being very tiny, living, growing and moving around inside me. It is a wonderful feeling and experience and I pray that my pregnancy will be well, Amin.

I’ve put on about 1.7kg so far. So I’m more or less back to my weight before I got sick and found out about my condition. I suppose that is alright, isn’t it? It doesn’t feel it though. It feels like I’ve put on heaps more. At times, I don’t like looking at myself in the mirror But husband is quick to point out that it is just my tummy and it is normal if I put on weight anyway. To think I should be the one who knows from all the reading I’ve done. Haha.

I'm Not Fat

2007-06-04T16:02:00.000+08:00

…I’m just pregnant! Hehehe.

Yesterday, I was at a wedding when one of my friends asked me when I’m due (he knew I’m preggers, okay! Hehe.). I answered, Insya Allah, December… when another friend (who didn’t know) said… ‘Oh My Godddd! I didn’t know! Congratulations.. I thought you were just fat..’
Kurang asam punya anak. She did say she was joking though. I hope she is! Haha.

Then today at work, I had to unzip my skirt button halfway before prayers. I tried to do it discreetly. However, after prayers, few of my colleagues caught me zipping up my skirt and one of them said, ‘need to resize, girl?’. Not long after that, she heard me talking to my other colleague about our antenatal appointments and ultrasound experiences.

Again, another person said to me, ‘Oh My Godddd.. Pregnant rupanya koooo… I thought ko lampuh, iatah inda muat skirt…’

Okay Fine. I am only FATTER because I’m preggers. Hehehehehe.

Little Scare

2007-05-29T16:01:00.000+08:00

Dear babyme,

Yesterday, we had a little scare. I came in to work a little bit late as I had to give a briefing in Lambak, in which i arrived late as well. I got lost in the morning- twice. I guess, the early morning rush, the stressful week at work I’ve been having and probably the excitement from seeing so many people in the bank yesterday morning, finally took a toll on you and my body.

Had a quick pee before settling down and realised I was bleeding a little. Unsure at first, I asked Aunt A, and she said that it didn’t matter if I was sure or not, I better visit the doctor. I panicked at work and cried. Your father was in Tutong working, so Aunt N decided she would take me to the doctor.

The doctor said everything looked okay except that I had an infection, most probably from stress. So I told her that work has been crazy and she decided to give me 2 days off! However, my boss found out and told me to take the whole week off instead. Its payday week and there are no reliefs at work but yet, they let me off. I guess I should be enjoying this but I can’t help but think of work from time to time. Heh.

You’ve been good lately. I don’t feel nauseous much anymore except late, late night. I’ve been eating chicken too but only certain types of chicken- like KFC hot & spicy!

Oh, you have also sent my friends into a frenzy looking for Reese’s chocolates. We have received 2 packets from Bangkok, 2 packets from Vietnam and 1 packet from Singapore. Earlier today, I could not handle it anymore and called a family friend to make us Empek-empek. I’ve been craving for it since 2 weeks ago but I didn’t want to succumb to it as you could only get it at Mt. Gravatt, Brisbane! Then I remembered someone who can make it for us. Yaaay!

Oh, we will be going to the doctors next week and hopefully, your father can make it with us. He has not seen you live on tv, only on still pictures. Such a photographer he is!

Dos and Don'ts

2007-05-24T15:59:00.000+08:00

Dos

Drink Anmum twice a day
Eat Folic Acid once a day
Eat Vitamin B Complex or something once a day
Baca AlFatihah tiga kali, tiup to the drinking water and drink, every night before sleeping
Baca surah Maryam, Luqman & Yusuf frequently

Don’ts

Wear high heels (kitten heels can kah ah?)
Tie the towel around the head or neck
Drink water straight from the bottle
Stand under a door frame (luckily Brunei doesn’t have earthquake!)

I am pretty sure I will hear more in days to come. Hehe. Some of the don’ts can be considered kurafat by others but the parentals and elderly kept on saying that they have been tried and tested. Heh. Oh well.

How?

2007-05-06T15:57:00.000+08:00

Dear Babyme,

I had corned beef sandwich for breakfast this morning. However, your neneks were sitting at the table and being a good DIL, I had to finish the sandwich.

I guess you don’t like corned beef as much as I used to as I had to force myself not to hurl across the table at the smell and taste of it. Instead, I decided to cover the taste by eating roti canai, which after eating it I could taste the butter they used to fry it. By the way, you don’t like the taste of butter too.

So you can imagine. In my bid not to let you taste the corned beef and butter, I had to rush to the toilet to throw up my breakfast. Your father decided that I should then eat cereal.

Luckily, that settles well with you as I fell asleep on the couch not long after that only to wake craving for ice cream! I forgot your father bought me a box of mini magnums last week. yummy!

It’s your cousin Zara’s mandi berlawat today. Be good.

Lots of love.

p.s. we’re praying everything will be alright, insya Allah. next week we’re meeting the doctors for u/s.

Erk

2007-05-05T15:48:00.000+08:00

I cannot stand

the smell of coffee
the smell of butter
the taste of butter (this is new. had roti kahwin for breakfast and puked. but i think only when it is butter at its purest (?) form)
the smell of boiled egg. i never liked this but somehow not the smell is just.. bleurgh.
the taste of some chicken! i know! how? i lurvee chicken. i noticed i cannot take certain types of cooked chicken. if the taste of chicken is well covered, like by nando’s peri-peri sauce- no problem! but if i can taste the real taste of chicken- ewwwwwwwwwww

Somehow

I have been craving for coke a lot! but husband said cannot drink. once a week saja i sneak a glass of coke :S
i lurveeeee sliced cheese and susu manis toast! yummmyyy!
i enjoy chocolate more & more now. but only milk chocolate. dark chocolate? white chocolate? emmm. tak nak.

I have realised that

everytime i crave for something and succumb to it, i end up throwing up. i guess its telling me not to ikutkan nafsu. heh.
i’m becoming more & more pemalas. even doing laundry seems to be payah. and the washing machine automatic.
my work skirt is becoming more & more sampit. although my pregnant tummy is not showing, my hips are getting bigger (yes, hips dont lie!) and of course, my fat tummy sentiasa showing.
i have put on 0.5kg since i first found out… the book says you should put on 1.4kg at the end of your first trimester.. i guess i’m on track. although im very, very scared of the weight gain involved considering i’m already fat.

enough update for now. this girl is going out for a saturday night cup of hot chocolate :)

What to Wear?

2007-04-29T15:46:00.000+08:00

Boobies are getting bigger. Choices of clothes are getting limited by the day.

I’m scared.

Oh, I’m constipated too now. And I was bragging to the doctor I don’t constipate the other day when asked. She was actually surprised too. And now I am. Either that or blood circulation is going bonkers in that neighbourhood. Expected said the book. Could be the hormones too. Ahh. The joy of being preggers. Not complaining. Banar.

Anyone knows where to get pretty maternity clothes and lingerie?

I noticed that everytime I wear my jeans, I get pain around the abdominal area. It cant be too tight already.

Sigh.

Snooze

2007-04-26T15:18:00.000+08:00

I almost fell asleep already when the maid knocked our door to bring in my bags. I, then, remembered Peach said not to sleep after asar. Heh.

And I was bragging then I don’t get tired easily lately, only the husband. Luan awal bah bercakap. I won’t be surprised if I fall asleep by 9 toni ght- on the couch. I’ll try to be good and sleep at 10.30pm

The bank has been doing some renovation since yesterday. All the smell is supposedly not good for the many pregnant women there. What were we supposed to do? Go home? I hope it’s only until today.

Useless post. I am actually sleepy and just wasting time till the bathroom is free.

Oh. Yan mentioned that I can get a pill from JPMC as a substitute for Anmum. Her SIL is like the second person to say that Anmum makes you faaaaaaat. Not just pregnant fat, but faaaaaaat.

Hope everything goes well. Amin. Pray with us.

Baby is now approaching Week 7.

Finding Out

2007-04-23T12:04:00.000+08:00

Alhamdullilah, I’m preggers.

2 PTs and an ultrasound confirmed it.
At 4 weeks, the baby was officially called a peanut.
I am now approximately 6 weeks.
I get nauseous from time to time but I refuse to succumb to it.
I cannot stand the taste of food in my mouth after meals
However, I can only brush my teeth after 2 hours, otherwise I would throw up.
Apparently, my tummy is already showing. I’m guessing its all the lamak and my inability to tuck my tummy anymore. Painful, you know, after trying to tuck the tummy. Must be nature’s way of saying, don’t cramp the space!
I’m thinking of cutting down Anmum to once a day as my research has shown that it makes you gain more weight than you need
Plus, I’m lactose intolerant and hence, Anmum has made me ‘gassy’.
I take food better with soup.
Oh, I nap A LOT.

On that note, appreciate if you keep this news to ourselves first until my tummy shows or second trimester, whichever comes first. Am guessing the former though. Haha.

All posts regarding to my pregnancy will be password protected with the same password- babyme

Pray for us. Lots of love.