The Pursuit of Epi-ness

I've planned to write something on Ihsan's birth since last 2 months but couldn't find time/ ideas on how to start. But I guess the title summarizes the whole story. Ihsan arrived one day later than the EDD. And no epidural. On Oct 8, in chronological order: 11am-reached hospital 12noon-given a pill to help trigger contraction. Felt nothing.Checked in to the room, bored to death. Requested to go home, the Dr said no.Still no sign. Reminded the Dr on my epidural thingy 5pm- given another pill to speedy things up. Still no sign. Was still eating like a pig though everybody else was fasting :-p. Gynae said I will be done by 9pm, but no, she was oh, so wrong! 9pm- felt a mild contraction but it's on and off. Still no sign. everything was still normal. But I requested for Uzey to perform Terawih prayer in the room instead of going to the mosque, mana tau nak terberanak pulak :-). Still no sign. Slept through the nite and both of us were wondering why I was in no pain, yet. 4am- Woke Uzey up, I thought that the baby's movement was not much. 5am- Nurse cam and did CTG, baby was fine. I was not in pain. Given another pill to speed up delivery. Why oh why wasn't I reacting to the pills?? Gynae told me to be ready by 9am. By hook or by crook she will MAKE me deliver. 6am- Now I felt the sharpness on my back, it's time! Finally! Prepared myself, brushed my teeth and washed my face, did not manage to take a shower, afraid I would scream in the bathroom :-) 7am- Nurse came and wheeled me to the labour room.Gynae & his anaesthetist husband have yet to arrive. Was 5cm dilated. 7.30am- Was already 8 cm dilated. Gynae arrived. Too late to have an epidural. 8.30am- After 3 big, horrendous pushes, Umair Ihsan was out of my womb. Well, the moral of the story is, NEVER, EVER let you anaesthetist to be your gynae's husband, or the other way round, unless they come to work driving separate cars! Because the husband was late, I could'n get my epi, thus the title. I wanted to pursue it so badly I kept asking the nurse where's the doctor? Have they arrived? Where's my epidural? Furthermore, Ihsan was not small, you see :-). But Alhamdulillah everything went perfectly, even the pushes! (this time takde push and masuk balik..haha) I'm leaving you with a clip taken few minutes after Ihsan was born and cleaned up. But excuse the sound, I have no idea what went wrong during the filming..chewah! But one thing I know, even when you are in the most excruciating pain, nothing comforts you better than holding your husband's hand. Love u, babe!

Hello World!

Introducing my very own, brand new Umair Ihsan bin Uzzir, born on 9th October 2007 at 8.30 am after almost 50 minutes of intense labour.

He is in my arms as I'm typing this and Ilham is trying to take over the keyboard,so I guess I've got to wait until the boys are asleep before trying to log in, next time :-)

Stop And Smell The Roses

And that was what I exactly did this morning as I walked on the pebble path leading to my office. It's something that I have not done for ages. I just can't remember the last time I touched a full bloom rose still wet with the morning dew. I even plucked one of them, and amazingly it lifts up my spirit this morning, I've been grumpy when Uzey woke me up :-)

Ironically that's how life works. We are too busy with too many things that we sometimes tend to overlook the little things in life. In my case, being too occupied with work though I'm supposed to be happy I have only 3 more days before I start my long leave. Yes, THREE!! I should be celebrating the fact that I do not have to be in the office for 60+ days!!! Hahahahaha now I'm happy :p

And baby is due in 14 days (or less). I hope he will come out few days earlier as I look like I'm about to pop out any moment now.

Ilham, on the other hand, is busy playing big brother to his li'l teddy bear. I hope when the new baby comes along he treats his brother as nice as he treats his bear. Though I've seen him making the bear fly like an aeroplane. He sniffs his bear's bottom and mentioned something about diaper change, he asks whether his bear wants to eat or sleep and last nite he makes the bear sit and he read him a story book.

He is also busy being curious, he wants to know everything, every colour, every movement, everything that we talk about. But he still doesn't want to eat! How I wish he would eat like any other toddlers his age.

I am still fasting, it's quite a surprise for someone whose tummy growls before 8 am before the fasting month. But this time around I really force myself to wake up and eat properly for sahur, I guess that's how I survived.

I won't be blogging at home due to technical reasons so let me be the first one to wish you Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Batin!! My hari raya will come earlier than yours this year, and the baby makes a perfect raya gift for Uzey & my parents.. and definitely for myself.

Please pray for me, I hope to have a safe, speedy delivery. Still contemplating whether I should go for epidural or not as Fazie made epidural sounds so enticing..hehehe...

Over & Out

Another Baby Girl In The Family!

Congrats to Fazie & Najib on the arrival of their 3.43kg baby girl!!!!! Born on 19.09.2007 @12.30 noon.

Our big family is just getting bigger & bigger!!!!!

Ilham Had A Haircut

Uzey took him to the barber last Saturday and that was his first 'commercial' haircut! The first one was when my dad shaved him bald 7 days after he was born.
Should have captured the look on his face when the barber trimmed his hair, Uzey was laughing at him but that nite when he recalled his experience, he told me 'Papa kata Am encem'... my boy......

A new baby girl in the family

Congrats Sue & Sam for the arrival of this little bud!!! Born on 09.09.07 at 4.10am. Happy born day, baby!!!

Sue, all of us are so happy for you!!!

Pre-Anniversary Lunch

Dear Uzey,

Just wanna wish us Happy Anniversary :-) Hopefully if the EDD is right, I'll pop out your anniversary gift exactly one month after our wedding anniversary.. hehe..
(a lame reason for not buying you anything yet for our a'sary gift) Love ya!

Friends

Thank you guys for being there (and everywhere) for the last 17 years!!

*Sue (tiada dalam gambar)
** Yant (nampak tangan)
***Enn (nampak tudung)

25 Spontaneous Q

25 spontaneous questions

1. What do you want for your birthday?
A laptop

2. Who will be your next kiss?
Ilham, since he is the only one available at the mo

3. When was the last time you went to the mall?
Sunday morning, to Ikano

4. Are you wearing socks right now?
No

5. How did you spend your summer?
Summer? What summer?

6. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
Nope. The last one was few months back.

7. What was the last thing you had drink?
750ml of air longan

8. What are you wearing right now?
New blouse given by my auntie & black pants

9. What was your last purchase?
Crocs Sassari & Big Apple Donuts!!! Yummmm…..

10.What was the last food you ate?
Keropok lekor

11. Who would be the person you would call if you were up in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep?
Uzey, if he is not at home.

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
For baby, yes. Lots of ‘em

13. Do you have a pet?
Nooo

14. What made you laugh in the last 5 days?
Ilham

15. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
At home with Ilham, Uzey and my parents

16. What is the last thing you purchased online?
Postnatal binder

17. One thing you hate about yourself?
Impulsive needs to shop

18. What's your favorite soup?
Anything soupy

19. Do you miss anyone?
My late Wan

20. What are your plans for the day?
Go home at 5 pm sharp

21. Last person you SMS-ed?
Uzey

22. Ever went to camp?
Yep, but only in primary

23. Were you a good student in school?
Primary school: Guess so..
Secondary School: I don't think so...
Uni: When was that ? haha

24. What do you know about the (your) future?
Nothing. Take life as it is.

25. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
Chance by Chanel

of nothing and nothingness

I'm turning into an elephant. Seriously.

With Ilham, I didn't look and feel as enormous as now... I hope I can stop gaining weight during the fasting month, but I hope baby gains his weight as he should. But would that be possible? I can barely reach out to trim my toenails. I have difficulties sleeping at nite, visions of the labour room keeps coming to my mind. I am paranoid my tummy can't accommodate my baby. I hope I won't get high BP. I have so many things in my mind I guess I have to stop being paranoid. But at the same time I'm afraid of gaining weight, I'm thinking of my mom's nasi kerabu, sushi and thin crust pizza. Gila ke hape?

On a brighter side, Ilham's antics never failed to make my day. He wakes up on weekend mornings and asked 'mama nak pegi keje ke' and goes back to sleep when I said 'cuti'. He volunteers to rub my tummy and he hugs me until he asleeps almost every nite. I hope when the new baby comes along he won't be jealous of his brother.

And I still have another 7 weeks to go!!!! Sigh.. rasa macam lama gila lagi. It's not that I don't like the feeling of baby kicking in my tummy but I just wanna get it over with so I can concentrate on returning to a normal life, with new baby in tow.

CONGRATS to our expecting new mommy, you know who you are. Another addition to the clan!

And welcome back Miss Doctor! Hope you can squeeze us in your tight schedule.

Office sucks. I have not received any offer for the supposedly new post. And time is running out. I don't feel like re-skilling myself (yet) esp when at the same time I have to readjust my life with a new baby. Hope I'll receive some good news before end of September, or I'll just decline the promotion and stick to whatever post ( and $$) that I have now. Sigh...decision...decision....

Welcome Home

After almost 8 months, today is the day we've been waiting for. Ilham will get to see his dad everyday, and I can let Uzey be in-charge of him at night. haha..Awesome!

Cerita Macam-Macam

Our Langkawi trip was great. We had the most relaxing vacation ever. The first day we arrived, it was raining the whole day but weather on the 2nd day was great. Woke up earlier than planned and took Ilham for a dip in the pool. The hotel was great except for the Arab$ yang terlampau ramai sangat I felt like having a vacation in M3dina instead of 'Langkawin' (Ilham's version of Langkawi) Nothing new to see I've been to the 'kedai fish' a.k.a u/water world before and the town was still as small as before. Managed to borong lots of chocolates to be distributed to the rest at home.Returned home to mama's laksa feast and I felt like a brand new whale.

But the stupid incident on 23rd of July really spoilt everything. My purse and handphone got stolen at a stupid 5 star hotel. So those of you who will be staying/ attending any workshop in Renaissance KL, please bring your belongings with you ALL THE TIME even if you just want to leave the room for 3 minutes. I've never experienced such a bad security measure taken in a 5 star hotel, definitely with a ZERO star security.


And there was Uzey's transfer news. .

If everything goes well, we will be living 'normally' again after August 15. By then I will be 32 weeks pregnant. Even now I feel really heavy, with the regular Braxton Hicks and Ilham is keeping me on my toes 24/7.

And Ilham, he has grown up a lot for for the last one month! Cakap dah tak pelat and he expresses himself really clearly now. Sometimes I think he speaks like a 4 year old toddler. He reasons with me, give me reasons, he tells me stories, he twists my stories, he pretends like he is going to school, tries to write his name on a piece of paper and always offering to give me a massage and rub my tummy. Left him with nenek for few days and nenek said he talks too much :-p


Well, life is not that bad, after all. God always make it a point to show us that there's ALWAYS blessing in disguise. So count your blessings and try (at least) to enjoy your day!

Cheers!

The Uncivilized Civilization

Have you ever noticed that the ones who give up their seats for a pregnant lady are those who look ordinary, with sneakers, iPods, carrying a knapsack and playing games on their mobile phones. And those who AVOID looking back at a pregnant ladies are those with neck ties, expensive PDAs, shiny shoes, well ironed trousers and shirt complete with cufflinks?

I think that sucks. Seriously. I ride on ERL and LRT everytime I have things to do in the HQ and every time I exeperience the same thing. I mean, hello... pakai je smart2 but sooooooo lah tak de manners. The other day, I was boarding a full coach of ERL Tran$it and a very nice lady was offering her seat to me, and I declined. You know why? Because I was hanging on to my dear life IN FRONT of a MAN who looked so Professional but kept avoiding my eyes and definitely tried very hard to avoid looking at my big bump! I almost lost my gravity when he finally offered me his seat, tu pun I guess becos we were approaching the next station, his stop.

My next trick is that, every time I see this kind of people, I will try to make facial expression like I'm about to give birth.

I'm sure that works. Don't u think so?

Ilham's Birthday Celebration

Thanks to those who came. We had so much fun, the birthday boy didn't eat anything throughout the party, too excited of having so many guests around him. Elmo cake (though the lower part was covered with saliva) was cool and the guests (esp the little ones) were even 'cooler'.

That night, Ilham spent almost 10 minutes in his buai recalling the event, every single details of it. I hope he enjoyed himself as much as we did.

Happy Birthday Ilham

This is Ilham few minutes after he was out of my womb, picture taken when he was 'azan'-ed by my dad.

2 years have passed. We love you more Ilham. You made our life worthwhile.

Loves,

Mama & Papa

Happy Father's Day

To Papa,

Loves, hugs and kisses from Ilham. Come home soon!!!!

The Girl Who Got Married

It was such a beautiful wedding. No protocols, no busybody makciks, no stares from people when we laughed like hyenas, no unofficial bodyguards, no rules and free access to delicious ayam masak merah! That's Enna's wedding. Simple, no-frill wedding but it was really beautiful esp the bride and the hantarans. In fact, the newly weds just returned from their honeymoon this afternoon.

No pictures of maggots together this time as everybody was busy doing their own thing. And we didn't have the heart to make them wear the boria baju melayus as the kenduri was in the afternoon and we didn't wanna take any risk of any kids attempting to roll on the grass trying to take off their sampins.

Our short reunion was great, but we miss our MacCreamy (hehe no offense Mak Ip)

Hopefully we can have a li'l get together soon when Ip comes back for the hols and, hopefully before the 3 of us burst our belly balloons..

Congrats again to the made-for-each-other newly weds. More pictures will be uploaded to flickr (God knows when)

My Waterbaby

It's (gonna be) a boy

If the doctor was correct, Ilham's getting a baby brother. There goes my hope to buy everything pink ;-)
But seriously I don't really mind, as long as he/she is healthy and perfect.

Ilham's growing up so fast. Sometimes I feel that I am unable to capture his growing pace but I just wish I could freeze the memories just by looking at him, day by day, really growing up to be an independent person, and being himself. Sometimes I thought, will I be able to love someone else as much as I love Ilham? But deep inside I know, I have so much love to share (and distribute equally) between him and the new baby.

Anyways, it's gonna be a bz week ahead. Short trip to KK and finally, Jerantut's trip for Enn's wedding. Selamat Pengantin Baru In Advance to my dearest friend who's getting married on the 26th of May 2007. God bless both of you!! All of us are looking fwd to that trip, though it's gonna be an incomplete reunion since Dr. Mak Ip is not around!

Here's to a good week (and month and year and years ahead)!!

Of Everything Else Around Us

The books that I ordered few days back have safely arrived yesterday. One of 'em is M1tch alb0m's new book, F0r 1 M0re Day, which I'm almost done with! I think those people at M*PH are doing a great job. I made the online order only 2 days before! I've had experiences with other online stores before and M*PH is the fastest, so far. Thus, I woke up early this morning, to continue reading but after few moments, I put the book down, and thought to myself, why should I be reading a book when my baby is sleeping next to me. I'd better savour every moment hugging and looking at him, as I don't get that chance everyday..

Ilham talks in his sleep. That's not new, I'm sure he inherits it from me. And I inherit it from my mom. But this morning, in his sleep, he mumbled 'shushu mama'. That really broke my heart. But again, have to be strong, if not for him , for myself and even for the baby I'm carrying.
Anyhow, we'll be in Ktn tomorrow morning to have an appointment with a specialist, just to see how is she (I hope) doing. :-)

Ilham surprises me. In a lot of ways. Sometimes I think he acts and speaks and thinks like a 3 year old toddler. And he is not even 2 yet. Last 2 days, bibik told me, Ilham grabbed his Winky bag and a book, went out, put on his slippers and said "aik bash" I mean like.. where did he get the idea that he could ride a bus, but he needs to take his bag and book along? All newly learned words will be repeated to himself before he falls asleep, like the other day when he followed Uzey to the workshop to repair his car, that nite he repeated so many times.. "car papa rocak, workCHOP" until we both fell asleep. I have always wanted him to speak fully in English but I guess it's quite impossible since everyone else here speaks Malay with him. And definitely Bibik pun cakap melayu la kan.. infact duck is now bebek to Ilham. Oh well...

Uzey will be arriving anytime now. So I should I get moving. Planned to prepare soto ayam today, got all the ingredients ready, but me being the greatest procrastinator on earth, I'll be in the kitchen in 5 mins time. Yeah 5..

Have a good weekend peeps!

Back from Hiatus

There are so many things in my mind right now, so many things to write about, but I guess I should start slow, as I have been abandoning this blog for quite a long time. I think I should blame (by order of preference)
1) Myself- for forgetting the new p/word after switching to the new version. what Version??
2) Internet connection- or lack of it (in office)
3) Pure laziness- to login at home after office hours

Ilham is now 22 months' old, banyak sangat cakap, and he likes to listen to people's talking. He can actually 'menyampuk' in the conversation in his own way. He can give me reasons, he actually give me directions and commands. Yes, commands. I can't lie down on my back while rocking his cradle. I HAVE to sit down properly, and yes, I can't even CLOSE my eyes! He will call me everytime I doze off to sleep while rocking him. Gosh. He even wakes his Nenek up everytime she started to doze off in the car if we are traveling together.

He tells me when he 'eyak'. He knows his right and left slipper, but keeps wearing 'em on the wrong side. He demands for things, and can follow instructions, buang pampers dalam dustbin, ambik spek nenek, kemas bantal etc etc. And he is finally weaned (from the breast!)

At first I thought weaning is him is the toughest thing to do, but it was not! Well, it was even harder for me, I guess..listening to him 'begging' for shushu mama. I always gave him several options, susu kotak, susu botol, or Ribena? And his answer is always shushu mama. sigh...

I'm still in the process of getting him to sleep with me (without sticking to my chest) and so far 3 out of berpuluh2 attempts have been succesful. We slept hugging each other and every moment I'm reminded how blessed I am to have Ilham in my life.

At 19 months..

Ilham..

• is a 'people- imitating' machine
• says the words susu, kakak, aki, tok, nenek and knows his uncles by name
• is already giving me instructions.. letak. pegang.. iyam nak.. no.. jom..iyam tak nak
• knows lots of things around him
• express himself almost clearly though unverbally on what he likes & hates
• still wakes up many, many times at nite and demand "mama, susu" and cried like there's no tomorrow if I refused
• misses his papa terribly he sleeps while holding his pix
• sometimes wakes up in the middle of the nite looking for Papa and searching under the pillow for Papa's pix
• can sit properly on his booster seat
• still being breastfed
• still not feeding from bottle while awake
• still not eating food like normal toddler
• loves plain rice , sup and biskut kering
• can recognize pictures from his books
• is not afraid of strangers
• likes coffee and tea -yes not good Ip but what to do (says pi for coffee and 'tay' for tea)
• demands hi Pok Ngoh to bring him to mcD by repeating "Ngoh, Nald"
• recognizes the big M sign even from distance away
• appears in Uzey's dream every nite

Counter Girl Story

Patient: Doktor ada?
Pompuan kaunter: Ada
Patient: Doktor pompuan?Pompuan kaunter: Ya. Kenapa?
Patient: Nak jumpa
Pompuan kaunter: Ye lah kenapa?

At this moment patient has already rasa nak penampar pompuan kaunter

Patient: Bagi saya bekas urine siap2 bleh tak? (with the intention of saving time as Patient was already late for work) Nak buat pregnancy test.
Pompuan kaunter: Nak buat test tu beli la kat farmasi
Patient: Dah test, nak re-confirm
Pompuan kaunter: Kalau dah test ada lah tu. Berapa hari lewat? Asking while putting a smirk to her stoopid looking face

Patient: Hmmpffhh.
Patient went to find a seat and complaining to the husband.. Tak nak dah layan stupid bzbody perasan doktor punye pompuan kaunter


Kesian minah ni. Dia pun teringin gak nak tanya2 patient banyak2 cam doktor buat tu..

It's February

..and I'm busy missing my husband.
Sigh....

Congrats Fazie & Sue. Let us embark on this journey together..ONE MORE TIME. :p
Nazhan, Aiman & Ilham.. here come your partner-in-crime!!!

Back At Home

This is my first post in 2007. Been quite bz for the last few weeks and just couldn't find time to sit down and write something on the going-ons, plus the fact that the net connection was sooo slow I gave up after the first try.
Moving to a new place is not something that I would do much, I guess. After few experiences of moving from KL-Kert then to Btu and now back to Kert, I think I will not be relocating anywhere soon. Penat gile. I wonder how bz my dear friend 5ha2 is, as she is relocating far, far, away to the City of Love. IMHO, the further the distance, the longer to do list have to be prepared. :p

At the mo I'm typing this, Ilham is sleeping peacefully and Uzey is away in KL to claim the car, which the ETA is this morning. And our stuff will most prob arrive tomorrow. Lembap gila la pulak movers ni this time around. We expected our belongings to arrive last week, hence the earlier arrangement for them to pack early.

On the other hand, I've started work at the new place and things are looking fine. I'm still in the first phase of knowing people and learning things.

Same goes to Ilham. He now learns that mama goes to work and he stays at home with kakak bibik. He has added more words to his forte now, them being 'Aaayyiiimmm' and 'Miiimiii' ( I dont know who taught him to call his aunt and uncle by their name, without the title). He remembers everyone in my family, esp Nenek, Tok and Cik. He doesn't know how to pronounce Imi's name but he recognizes even the slowest of his voice. He enjoys the mini playground that we've created for him and he follows hi Aki to buy newspaper every morning. Infact, I can see that Ilham adapts to the new 'life' better that myself :-o

I hope the new year will bring great things to all of us. Here's wishing to a great one ahead and to all my dearest friends, bila nak datang Kert? It's just a toll plaza away from KL :-)