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 :) :) :)

Tick-Tock

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

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

Baby Clothes

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...

...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

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!

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

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

…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.

For Babu Ren.. Hehe..

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

…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

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

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.

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.

Flutters

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

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.