Birth Day

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

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

Adjusting to Motherhood

...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

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

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 :) :) :)

Hello World!

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 :)

In & Out

…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

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?

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.

It's Ramadhan

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

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

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

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?

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.

Little Scare

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!

How?

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.