1st Bday Countdown - THE day

Throughout my pregnancy, i never got the false alarm contraction. So when the real deal kicks in at 2pm 22nd July 2007, enough to wake me up from my slumber, I thought that was it, finally.. this is wat the fuss is all about.. i thought it was the Braxton Hicks. But when the sharp pressure hit again about 20 mins later.. i quickly pick up the alarm clock and stared at it obediently. True enough, 20 mins on, it hit again. It was then that I decided that I should really force myself to sleep cos the next day may be the longest day of my life, and I will be for some serious work.. the labour.

But who am i kidding? The contraction came precisely every 15 mins so instead of sleeping, I was busy anticipating pain and trying all the breathing technique i learnt, which i forgot, and did not help. I remembered looking at your Papa.. contemplating if I should wake him up. But then, he'll be my number 1 support system tomorrow, so I let him have the luxury of sleep for the very last time everrr :)

At 5am, woke Papa up, called Tok Ma to tell her. Papa jumped right away and was quite gelabah. It's half funny and half endearing to see him that way. It was Monday, so we decided to go to the hospital early to avoid the morning rush. Contraction was still 15 mins apart and I was still talking and laughing on the way to the hospital. It feels so surreal. I have to admit, amidst the excitement, i felt very scared.

Checked in the hospital at 7am and were strapped to the machine. Contraction was still 15 mins apart but getting more painful. That was the case for the next hoursss.. Doc said the graph showed that my contraction was quite severe but I was still talking in between them. She discussed it over with the nurse and actually asked me "Sakit ke tak ni, macam tak sakit je, betul tak ni?" i forgave her cos she's also a mother so she MUST be kidding.

The progress was slow. They broke my waterbag at 5pm, a process which i never realised untill i saw a pail being carried out of the room. Then they gave me something to accelerate the labour. At about 6pm, the doc came in to check on me and told me the worst news of the day, that she's gonna go home and come back after Maghrib cos most probably i'll only be ready then. I felt like pulling her and tie her to my bed then, but Tok Ma assured me that the doc knows best.

The next few hours was pain at its best. They gave me pethidine and the laughing gas but i was in too much pain to understand how to use it properly. Then, after wat seems forever, doc arrived, checked on me and give everyone the thumbs up. The nurses,midwife, paed scurry around me, got me prep. Tok Pa was asked to leave. Tok Ma and your Papa was by my side. And they were veryveryvery amazing by the way.

It was precisely around this time that i finally understood how to use the gas thing.. so more relaxed now, i gave my best and at 9.05pm, I heard the doc said "Assalamualaikum.." which was immediately followed by a loud cry. Then i saw the black lock of hair and felt a warm little thing squiggling on my tummy... it was you, looking up, clenching my fingers with your tiny hand.

The rest was a blur... Papa gave me a kiss n thank me again and again. Paed took you away and cleaned you up, doc was finishing her stuff downunder. Saw Tok Ma crying. Tok Pa came in and was busy snapping pics

Then Papa lifted you up, it was his first time holding a baby as tiny as you are. All the chaos in the room halted. I saw and heard him shed his tears as he recited azan to you. That was the most memorable part of your birthday, and it will always be.

1 year on.. here we are, you're turning 1 tomorrow, and i'm just so overwhelmed..

1st Bday Countdown : My pregnancy trivia

• I was one of lucky ones that escape morning sickness throughout the 9 mths of pregnancy


• I gained 6kg in total, lost 10kg during confinement and now back to the prepregnancy weight.. sighh..


• My pregnancy 'lifesaver', no 1 must have - my Croc mary jane, love it love it love it!


• We have only one scan image printed (the one in the previous entry)


• Loves - Corn in a cup, corn on cob, salads, soya bean drink, sandwiches with loads of salads in it, fresh juice, durian(!), berkemban (hehe), Friends series, Desperate Housewives series (I had DP marathon every weekends while Papa was away for classes)


• Loathes - Smell of Papa's talc, smell of car fume, driving, wearing clothes (it was freaking HOT okay!!)


• Had to do the glucose test twice (due to my weight issue), immediately got migraine after both the test.


• During the 3rd month, when we were on the way to KLIA, I suddenly felt the urge to eat satay - stopped in Dengkil and stuffed myself silly with satay kajang there, satay has never taste THAT good!


• My craving - the famous West End kebab I had in Oz. Was on constant search for such version in Msia, it drives Papa mad and yeah, we never found it.. hehe

• Didn't look pregnant at all, just fatter. Consequently, i didnt have many photo of pregnant-me. Or i did have but i didnt look it.. haha

Me, me, me.. randomly

Dear Amir,

I've been pretty busy lately. Mind, body, soul.. hehe..

Firstly there's a birthday party to plan and prepare.. oh wait, two actually.. a double celebration at two different places, on two different dates for two different groups, for this one and only boy, who is turning 1 veryvery soon! : )Both Tok Ma and Che' Su is also very excited abt this. I just cant wait for the presents.. haha.. cos we're too cheapskatelah these days.. But dont worry dear, we've got 2 items in mind for your bday gift.

Then, there's 3 diapercake orders to be fulfilled. All pink theme though. Been yearning for a BLUEberry cake. Any takers? Might even offer a discount cos i really really cant wait for a more masculine cake.. hehe

Totshop is moving ok, though not as active as when we first start. Stocks are clearing off though, so it's time to stock up on new cutesies, esp for Raya. Now getting orders for bulk supply pulak.. if you ask me, that's half the effort yet more buck$$ .. so cool, it's great to know that i'm helping other aspiring enterpreneurs out there start their enture..hehe

Work - there's definitely more on my plate now that Tok Ma is slowing down a little. Wateva it is i absolutely love it! Earlier this week, we had a big order for gifts from the co i was working with before. It caused me a nite sleep, wrapping and beautifying the gift boxes. We had to stay at Tok Ma's that day and poor Papa spent the nite alone at home. Sacrifices .. hehe. (We made up for it by sneaking out for a movie after delivering the items-btw, Hancock rocks!!) Anyway, it was worth it! I was really satisfied and the client absolutely loved it too. We then got invited to their event last nite where I met most of my old colleagues and sang the corporate song along with them.. hehe.. sentimental habis. Anyway, they say i look good. Must be HAPPINESS.

I've also been bumping into some great great webbies featuing cool ideas and designs lately - fashion, art, home, etc (will share the webs later..too malas now). Being a true libra, I just absolutely adore pretty things. My head is full of ideas now.. wish I've the time to turn it into something, perhaps for money generating purpose? : )

Aaanyway, we're going out to get party supplies and visit Aunty Noni and gang who are just back from UK. And here's wat you and papa were up to while i'm writing this post. Boysss..heh.

1st Bday Countdown : I'm pregnant!

(Before i get any excited remarks..no, i AM not. Not with the second one..)

Dear Amir,

After 6 mths of being a duo, we decided that it was time to add on to our family. At first it was exciting, the prospect of having my own child, our own family. But after monthsss trying to no avail and instead finding out that other ppl around me are getting pregnant one after another (including all the celebrity, Gwen, TomKat, Bradelina!), my hope ran thin. I thought that my worst nightmare ie, not being able to get pregnant, is going to be a real thing.

Then there was this twist of event in my life. I enrolled into this leadership program within my company and found myself on job rotation every 6 mths. I was much more HAPPIER. It kept me off worrying about getting pregnant. In fact, I was almost done hoping and wishing and just literally tawakal and go on enjoying life in other aspect. At the same time, I grew more positive and instead of weeping whenever the monthly 'fren' arrived, I made an appointment with the notorious doc to help us out. It was a long waiting list.

We never made it to the appointment cos two weeks after it was set, I was late. This time I wasnt as anxious, waited a little longer to buy the test (cos God knows how I've wasted money on those tests prematurely). But one Sunday morning, i took it casually, only to find a miserable faint second line. I almost didnt want to show it to your Papa in fear of false hope. But I'm not the kind who can keep it to myself even for 5 seconds, heh! So we went to the clinic to confirm.

Then the second round of ordeal start. We went from clinic to clinic for almost 2 weeks but none of the tests showed a positive result. One of the doc even told me not to be too hopeful. I think she was even implying that i'm too desperate to the point of being pathetic.. i thinklah. It hurts. I demanded for a blood test, but they said it was unnecessary. Then we went for scans,one after another, at different clinics. Nada.. nil. Weirdly, at the same time, I did my own test, and it produces a positive result. I grew confident then. Then this one Indian doc nearby our hse suggested that perhaps we need a more invasive procedure to confirm it. But again, we were asked to wait for a week till he's able to perform it. At this point, Papa told me not to hope so much, and as a consolation, we went for brief holiday : )

A week later, fresh from the holiday, we went to the clinic. The doc did the procedure and it was then that we first met you. After 9 months of hopes and prayers. Finally I saw my little 'bean' holding on for dear life. What a beautiful sight. And the rest is history.

Moral of the story

1. Let nature takes its course, dont be too hard on yourself when things doesnt turn out as fast as you want it to be


2. Dont worry, be happy - Tok Ma said it could be cos I was (noticeably) happy that I was finally able to conceive!

Measle misery

Dear Amir,

You're down with measle now. That explains the fever you had early this week. It's terrible looking at you scratching your menggerutu face. But other than the scratching, you're such an angel. I was expecting major tantrum and whining. But all is good, alhamdulillah, you were just being yourself, just slightly extra clingy, wanting us to carry you here n there. You're also more selective, insisting on your fav ladies only ie Tok Ma, me and Che' Su (in that particular order...sigh) But that started a few weeks back even before you had fever, so i'm guessing it's just the separation anxiety phase kicking in.



playing scratching taking a break


excited happy scratching again


irritated uncomfy scratchscratch

Perhaps, the thing that upsets you he most now is not being able to go out much. Lately, you always insist on going out of the house. You will kick your feet while we're carrying you and point outside the house. You love being outdoors, especially at the playground in front of our house. It's becoming quite a task to drag you back in when you had your time outdoor. The other day, after our evening walk, you screamed & cry once you saw me approaching our house gate. That was followed by a rolling-on-the-floor act once we're inside the house. In the morning, when I carry you out the door you will clap happily but immediately cry when we go in the car (instead of go out of the gate).

You have also mastered a few other stuff - tearing off tissue from toilet roll to wipe the office desk (cute!), pushing away wateva blocking the door to shut the door, 'arranging' and 'rearranging' the cushion pillows on Tok Ma's sofa.. Never fail to entertain us.

Today, we went for a walk just in front of the gate. You're getting more comfortable walking now on a condition that we dont interfere. I guess I'll be missing the 'bertatih' phase cos you really dont want us to hold your hand when you walk.. So eksyen!

I hope you get well soon dear. I'll bring you for a walk around the playground again once you've recovered k and thank you for being such a good boy, even when you're under this condition.
You're one awesome champion!

1st birthday countdown : The prequel

Dear Amir,

In anticipation (understatement!) for your 1st birthday soon, I'd like to do a tribute, a countdown posts towards your big day. It'll be of things that I wish i would have blogged about if i were to start this blog before you were born..


And that's my present to you.. insyaAllah

Amir - 3.5 mths old