CONFINEMENT
Someone once told me that she does not mind going through 10 pregnancies & 10 labours.... its just the confinement that she cannot bear!
I have found that to be very true indeed! I had had a relatively easy pregnancy and a good experience during labour. But confinement... wah.. I can't begin to tell you how hard it is!
People say "Wah... 60 days / 2 months... cuti panjang" but in actual fact time passes rather slowly during the first 44 days of the CONFINEMENT period. Shall tell you why....
You are confined to the house for 44 days! That alone tells you how tiring and boring that can be!!
Secondly, you have people giving their 2 cents worth of advice on what you should or should not do although I know they mean well. People like to scare you about the consequences of not following the traditional ways of "berpantang" which is --> the Post natal depression or what the Malays call "gila meroyan". But of course ppl forget that all these complicated rules and regulations of 'berpantang' that makes new moms feel pressured and depressed to start with!
Then, you feel so so hot!! HOT HOT HOT! But you have to wear thick socks and bedroom slippers so that the 'angin tak masuk'. My friend had to wear long sleeves in this weather! Thank goodness I could skip this one. And the ceiling fan is supposed to be at number 1 always. You can't have the aircond on. And when you're really hot and thirsty that big glass of cold icy cold water is a great BIG NO-NO!
Then, you have to wear this 'benkung' or the tightly binding cloth from your upper abs down to just below your waistline. This is to bring back your old waistline. Very very heaty, itchy and uncomfortable. You are supposed to wear it 24-7 except when you have a bath! Hee... don't tell my confinement lady that I only wear it during daytime!! Actually your waistline reduces back as your uterus contracts back to its original placement and size when your baby suckles during breastfeeding. But anyway, I am still doing this "bengkung-ing" as one of the measures in getting back in shape – as they say “Usaha Tangga Kejayaan”. I’ll tell you the results in inches when this whole ordeal ends. Of course the best remedy --> exercise has to be done for these isolated points….. Nantilah, will get started once I finish the confinement period.
Then of course you also have to ‘berpantang’ with your food intake. Food which causes wind and itchiness must be avoided totally. So things like long beans/ French beans, ikan parang, seafood, nuts, banana must be avoided. Food that causes wind or “angin” not only affects you but also your baby where he / she could develop colic. Believe me, if it could be avoided, you wouldn’t want a colicky baby screaming in the middle of the night! So, the food you can eat is narrowed down. Am not complaining about the food although the menu is either Fish Soup or Chicken Soup daily. And oh ya, drink like normal! Contrary to ‘orang dulu-dulu’s’ believe that you should restrict your liquid intake. How do you produce breastmilk then?! Anyway, one complaint from me is that the water you take must be hot – like the temperature you take your tea / coffee!
Another thing is your worries & woes. You worry bout your baby… why is he crying? Is he getting enough milk? His jaundice & the biliruben level. His colic. Why is he pooping too frequently? Why hasn't he pooped today? And others…
Then of course you also worry about your appearance… are you ever going back to your old shape? How do you strike a balance between eating healthily and sufficiently to produce quality breastmilk as well as trying to cut food intake in your quest to become ‘normal’ sized again? Would you fit into your old wardrobe? Will the stretch marks ever go away? It doesn’t help your self-esteem that your current appearance is unattractive – tight bun at the top of your head, cotton blouse, kain batik, and thick socks.
After complaining all that, why the hell do I follow these rules and regulations? Well its simply because of this self-explanatory phrase which I quote from my friend’s mother in-law “nak pakai badan lama, pantanglah”.
What I’d really like to know is … why 44 days?!
Monday, July 28, 2003
THANK YOU NOTE
I've been meaning to write this thank you note for quite sometime now. But somehow have not managed to ! Apelahh.. where are my manners?!
Would like to thank everyone who came to visit us and also thanks for all the presents and gifts. THANK YOU SO mUCH!
Thanks Auntie Min & Uncle Mas for the gift hamper.
Thanks Auntie Maria, Uncle Nazry, Auntie Ifah, Auntie Yong, Uncle Khiri, Auntie Farah, Uncle Zul, Auntie Aishah, Auntie Tata, Uncle Pa'e and Auntie Shahrina for the diaper bag and the goodies in it!
Thanks Auntie Jiha & Uncle Oney for the envelope!
Thanks Auntie Mar and Uncle Azha for the lovely comforter.
Thanks Auntie Baje, Auntie Elya and Aunite Ady for the bottle strelizer.
Thanks Auntie Afzan for the Gamat.
Thanks Auntie Azlina, Auntie Aida and Auntie Zal for te big hamper!
Thanks Uncle Boprak and Auntie Fara for the envelope!
Thanks Auntie Rita and Uncle Wes for the lovely shoes.
Thanks Auntie Khaz and Uncle Kudeen and Diyana for the cool Kiko outfit.
AND Thanks Auntie Nik & Nurin & Auntie Nuzul for the bottle container and bag.
THANK YOU! MUCHAS GRACIAS!
I've been meaning to write this thank you note for quite sometime now. But somehow have not managed to ! Apelahh.. where are my manners?!
Would like to thank everyone who came to visit us and also thanks for all the presents and gifts. THANK YOU SO mUCH!
Thanks Auntie Min & Uncle Mas for the gift hamper.
Thanks Auntie Maria, Uncle Nazry, Auntie Ifah, Auntie Yong, Uncle Khiri, Auntie Farah, Uncle Zul, Auntie Aishah, Auntie Tata, Uncle Pa'e and Auntie Shahrina for the diaper bag and the goodies in it!
Thanks Auntie Jiha & Uncle Oney for the envelope!
Thanks Auntie Mar and Uncle Azha for the lovely comforter.
Thanks Auntie Baje, Auntie Elya and Aunite Ady for the bottle strelizer.
Thanks Auntie Afzan for the Gamat.
Thanks Auntie Azlina, Auntie Aida and Auntie Zal for te big hamper!
Thanks Uncle Boprak and Auntie Fara for the envelope!
Thanks Auntie Rita and Uncle Wes for the lovely shoes.
Thanks Auntie Khaz and Uncle Kudeen and Diyana for the cool Kiko outfit.
AND Thanks Auntie Nik & Nurin & Auntie Nuzul for the bottle container and bag.
THANK YOU! MUCHAS GRACIAS!
THE LABOUR EXPERIENCE
Someone had requested me to share my labour experience in That’s life. I have not done that yet have I? Shall keep it as simple and informational (a bit like textbook info) as possible and spare you of the very gory details lah..
It is good practice to gather information before we actually go through an experience i.e. study for an exam, gather info on what to do/to see before we travel to a place or prepare for an interview. This also applies to giving birth as well. I read in one of the birth books that the contractions (squeezing of the womb that occurs at regular intervals) in normal labour can be more painful in unprepared women due to ignorance. Fear causes unnecessary resistance and tension in the womb that brings more pain. I strongly suggest that you read and gather as much information before going through the labour process as I found it to be very useful during my experience as I was more mentally prepared.
Ok I shall go through the ABCs of a labour. I’ll start by explaining the stages of labour.
There are three stages of labour :
1) First Stage – dilation of the cervix to 10cm (opening to allow baby to go out)
2) Second Stage – the delivery of the baby
3) Third Stage – the delivery of the placenta
In the First Stage itself, there are 3 phases i.e. the beginning signs, active phase and transitional phase. There are a few beginning signs/symptoms where you can detect the start of your labour which could be one of the following or a combination of them :
1) Regular contractions low in abdomen or back
2) Womb hardening (may be felt as backache)
3) The ‘show’ – slightly pinkish vaginal discharge perhaps a streak of blood
4) Water-bag leak or rupture
For me it was symptom number 1 that I had felt which begun at 7pm. It felt more like painful period pain (menstrual cramps) but as time progressed the intensity of the pain increased. The contractions became more frequent and the duration of each contraction increased. By 12 am that midnight, the contractions were 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute and this pattern occurred consistently for the past one hour. From the birth books that I’ve read, this was a sign to go to the hospital as this meant I was approaching the active phase of the First Stage of labour.
When I went to the hospital at 130 am, the midwife checked that I my cervix had dilated 4 cm. I shall not tell you how she checked…. for you to find out! Anyway, she said that I would be warded and my baby would be born by 12 pm that day. I was so surprised because I was still 3 weeks early than the estimated delivery date.
By this time I was already in my active phase (of the First Stage). The midwife suggested that I stayed in my room until my water-bag burst as it was more comfy to stay there than the labour room. It was 3 am and the contractions were coming every 2 or 3 minutes and it was awfully painful! When I remembered, I did some of the relaxation exercise that I had watched on video before, took deep breaths and read some Ayats… when it was too painful I would groan! Hee..
At about 4 am my water-bag burst (onset labour no. 4 above) and the ‘show’ (onset labour no. 3) appeared. I was taken to the labour room on a wheelchair. I was given some medicine to empty the bowels there. And to help me cope with the pain, they gave me a pethidine injection (to allow me to get some sleep in between the contractions) and ethonox gas (to help me ‘forget’ about the pain during contractions – this gas inhaled during the peak of the contraction made you ‘high’).
At about 5 am, the midwife checked to see that I had dilated to 8 cm (this is termed as the transitional phase of the first stage). She stopped me from taking the gas as I was near to delivery (wouldn’t want to have a ‘high’ mother during delivery would you?). I was encouraged to push with each painful contraction. The pain at this stage? Unbearable!
My husband was by my side all the way throughout the labour. Although I did not let him touch me (like the husbands usually do in movies), his presences and verbal encouragements were very much needed and appreciated. Thank you! I had planned to take him out to dinner actually if not for the early delivery as it was his birthday. Hope you like the 2.74kg special present this year!
At 5.25 am I was fully dilated to 10 cm and the baby was ready. As for me, I couldn’t wait for baby to pop out. The good doctor had just arrived and getting into gear to deliver my baby. The contractions were so painful that I did not even realize when the doctor performed an episiotomy. After that it was time to really push – it felt good to push (time for Second Stage!). After three great big push, I heard my baby cry at 540 am. Wahh!! I did it! I couldn’t believe it. My baby was placed on my now empty tummy. Looking at him I just couldn’t believe how a baby that size could live for 9 months in my tummy and even amazing was how baby managed to pass through the birth canal! My baby boy weighed 2.74kg and was 46cm long.
The Third Stage which was the delivery of the placenta passed without me noticing it. We were busy smiling and looking at our screaming baby admiringly.
We felt really happy and overjoyed the very instance he was borned that day. It was the end of the 9 months pregnancy and the start of a lifetime parenthood for us… All thoughts of how painful it was seconds ago diminished at the glance of his small face. After going through all that, if you asked me if I would go through it again? My answer would be --Oh yes, to get to see his or her face at the end of it ..most definitely!! After all, babies are a gift from God.
Someone had requested me to share my labour experience in That’s life. I have not done that yet have I? Shall keep it as simple and informational (a bit like textbook info) as possible and spare you of the very gory details lah..
It is good practice to gather information before we actually go through an experience i.e. study for an exam, gather info on what to do/to see before we travel to a place or prepare for an interview. This also applies to giving birth as well. I read in one of the birth books that the contractions (squeezing of the womb that occurs at regular intervals) in normal labour can be more painful in unprepared women due to ignorance. Fear causes unnecessary resistance and tension in the womb that brings more pain. I strongly suggest that you read and gather as much information before going through the labour process as I found it to be very useful during my experience as I was more mentally prepared.
Ok I shall go through the ABCs of a labour. I’ll start by explaining the stages of labour.
There are three stages of labour :
1) First Stage – dilation of the cervix to 10cm (opening to allow baby to go out)
2) Second Stage – the delivery of the baby
3) Third Stage – the delivery of the placenta
In the First Stage itself, there are 3 phases i.e. the beginning signs, active phase and transitional phase. There are a few beginning signs/symptoms where you can detect the start of your labour which could be one of the following or a combination of them :
1) Regular contractions low in abdomen or back
2) Womb hardening (may be felt as backache)
3) The ‘show’ – slightly pinkish vaginal discharge perhaps a streak of blood
4) Water-bag leak or rupture
For me it was symptom number 1 that I had felt which begun at 7pm. It felt more like painful period pain (menstrual cramps) but as time progressed the intensity of the pain increased. The contractions became more frequent and the duration of each contraction increased. By 12 am that midnight, the contractions were 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute and this pattern occurred consistently for the past one hour. From the birth books that I’ve read, this was a sign to go to the hospital as this meant I was approaching the active phase of the First Stage of labour.
When I went to the hospital at 130 am, the midwife checked that I my cervix had dilated 4 cm. I shall not tell you how she checked…. for you to find out! Anyway, she said that I would be warded and my baby would be born by 12 pm that day. I was so surprised because I was still 3 weeks early than the estimated delivery date.
By this time I was already in my active phase (of the First Stage). The midwife suggested that I stayed in my room until my water-bag burst as it was more comfy to stay there than the labour room. It was 3 am and the contractions were coming every 2 or 3 minutes and it was awfully painful! When I remembered, I did some of the relaxation exercise that I had watched on video before, took deep breaths and read some Ayats… when it was too painful I would groan! Hee..
At about 4 am my water-bag burst (onset labour no. 4 above) and the ‘show’ (onset labour no. 3) appeared. I was taken to the labour room on a wheelchair. I was given some medicine to empty the bowels there. And to help me cope with the pain, they gave me a pethidine injection (to allow me to get some sleep in between the contractions) and ethonox gas (to help me ‘forget’ about the pain during contractions – this gas inhaled during the peak of the contraction made you ‘high’).
At about 5 am, the midwife checked to see that I had dilated to 8 cm (this is termed as the transitional phase of the first stage). She stopped me from taking the gas as I was near to delivery (wouldn’t want to have a ‘high’ mother during delivery would you?). I was encouraged to push with each painful contraction. The pain at this stage? Unbearable!
My husband was by my side all the way throughout the labour. Although I did not let him touch me (like the husbands usually do in movies), his presences and verbal encouragements were very much needed and appreciated. Thank you! I had planned to take him out to dinner actually if not for the early delivery as it was his birthday. Hope you like the 2.74kg special present this year!
At 5.25 am I was fully dilated to 10 cm and the baby was ready. As for me, I couldn’t wait for baby to pop out. The good doctor had just arrived and getting into gear to deliver my baby. The contractions were so painful that I did not even realize when the doctor performed an episiotomy. After that it was time to really push – it felt good to push (time for Second Stage!). After three great big push, I heard my baby cry at 540 am. Wahh!! I did it! I couldn’t believe it. My baby was placed on my now empty tummy. Looking at him I just couldn’t believe how a baby that size could live for 9 months in my tummy and even amazing was how baby managed to pass through the birth canal! My baby boy weighed 2.74kg and was 46cm long.
The Third Stage which was the delivery of the placenta passed without me noticing it. We were busy smiling and looking at our screaming baby admiringly.
We felt really happy and overjoyed the very instance he was borned that day. It was the end of the 9 months pregnancy and the start of a lifetime parenthood for us… All thoughts of how painful it was seconds ago diminished at the glance of his small face. After going through all that, if you asked me if I would go through it again? My answer would be --Oh yes, to get to see his or her face at the end of it ..most definitely!! After all, babies are a gift from God.
Friday, July 25, 2003
6, 8, 12
This song has been on my mind since watching the last Akademi Fantasia concert sung by Khai last Saturday. Have downloaded it to my Kazaa and been repeating the same song eversince.
Title : 6, 8, 12
Artist: Brian McKnight
Album : Back At One
Ooh, ooh
Do you ever think about me?
Do you ever cry yourself to sleep?
In the middle of the night when you're awake,
Are you calling out for me?
Do you ever reminisce?
I can't believe in nothing like this
I know it's crazy
How I still can feel your kiss
It's been six months, eight days, twelve hours
Since you went away
I miss you so much and I don't know what to say
I should be over you
I should know better but it's just not the case
It's been six months, eight days, twelve hours
Since you went away
Do you ever ask about me?
Do your friends still tell you what to do?
Every time the phone rings,
Do you wish it was me calling you?
Do you still feel the same?
Or has time put out the flame?
I miss you
Is everything okay?
It's hard enough just passing the time
When I can't seem to get you off my mind
And where is the good in goodbye?
Tell me why, tell me why
Sing it for me
Ooh, ooh
ps: this guy likes numbers kan?
This song has been on my mind since watching the last Akademi Fantasia concert sung by Khai last Saturday. Have downloaded it to my Kazaa and been repeating the same song eversince.
Title : 6, 8, 12
Artist: Brian McKnight
Album : Back At One
Ooh, ooh
Do you ever think about me?
Do you ever cry yourself to sleep?
In the middle of the night when you're awake,
Are you calling out for me?
Do you ever reminisce?
I can't believe in nothing like this
I know it's crazy
How I still can feel your kiss
It's been six months, eight days, twelve hours
Since you went away
I miss you so much and I don't know what to say
I should be over you
I should know better but it's just not the case
It's been six months, eight days, twelve hours
Since you went away
Do you ever ask about me?
Do your friends still tell you what to do?
Every time the phone rings,
Do you wish it was me calling you?
Do you still feel the same?
Or has time put out the flame?
I miss you
Is everything okay?
It's hard enough just passing the time
When I can't seem to get you off my mind
And where is the good in goodbye?
Tell me why, tell me why
Sing it for me
Ooh, ooh
ps: this guy likes numbers kan?
Sunday, July 20, 2003
320km AND BACK
What do you get after travelling 320km to and fro from KL in 24 hours? Yes, you do get a backache, tiredness, and a headache perhaps.... but who would have thought in my case it was a BABY!
Sometime between 130 am and 630 am on 6th July, my grandfather passed away in his sleep. I was 37 weeks pregnant (still 3 weeks to go before my expected delivery date) and felt fit enough to make the journey to Johor Baharu to pay my last respect to my grandfather.
As we hit the highway back to KL that evening, I started to feel stomach cramps similar to the menstrual stomach cramps (period pain). At first the pain was bearable but by the time we reached the Sg Besi Toll Plaza at 12 am, the intensity of the pain had increased and there was a frequency pattern. I was feeling it every 5 minutes, for one minute each time consistently for an hour. From the birth books that I've read, this was the cue to go to the hospital! Even with this sign, I was not convinced that I was actually in labor because I had just met the good doctor the previous day and the baby was not even 'engaged' (position of the baby's head in the pelvic bone ready to be born).
We reached home at 1230 am and decided to go to the hospital to check-out what was wrong with me at 130 am. True enough, the midwife confirmed that I was in labor and the pain I had been experiencing was actually contractions! Baby Idlan was borned that morning at 540 am - the early than expected bundle of joy. Im just glad that he was patient enough to wait till we reached KL or else he would have been borned in Hospital Tangkak or Hospital Yong Peng or Hospital Melaka in the middle of the night!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF HJ AHMAD AWANG
My arwah grandfather passed away sometime between 130 am - 630 am on 6th July 2003. According to my auntie whom he stayed with, at 1am he was still playing with Intan, my one-year-old cousin. The next morning my auntie felt somehing amiss. My arwah grandfather was a light sleeper and merely dozed off on his chair (he could not sleep lying down after the heart attack last year). But that morning he was still in his room at 630am, one and a half hours late than his usual wake-up time. When my auntie went to check on him, he was already gone.
He was a very quite person. According to my mother, he was quite stern with his children back then but over the years he has mellowed down especially with his grandchildren. I loved spending my school holidays in JB with him when I was younger. He would take me along in his frequent shopping sprees and of course I would get something out of each trip!
He will be remembered as a great cook. He made the best laksa Johor on Earth!! Other specialities include Mee Kuah, Ketam masak lemak, Nasi Beriyani and lontong. The only danger about food and him was that if you showed the slightest liking towards a dish he cooked, chances were that you'd be served with the same dish for many consecutive days!
I cannot imagine next Hari Raya... it would be without him.... He will be missed by all members of the family.
Farewell to a great man.... Al Fatihah.......
What do you get after travelling 320km to and fro from KL in 24 hours? Yes, you do get a backache, tiredness, and a headache perhaps.... but who would have thought in my case it was a BABY!
Sometime between 130 am and 630 am on 6th July, my grandfather passed away in his sleep. I was 37 weeks pregnant (still 3 weeks to go before my expected delivery date) and felt fit enough to make the journey to Johor Baharu to pay my last respect to my grandfather.
As we hit the highway back to KL that evening, I started to feel stomach cramps similar to the menstrual stomach cramps (period pain). At first the pain was bearable but by the time we reached the Sg Besi Toll Plaza at 12 am, the intensity of the pain had increased and there was a frequency pattern. I was feeling it every 5 minutes, for one minute each time consistently for an hour. From the birth books that I've read, this was the cue to go to the hospital! Even with this sign, I was not convinced that I was actually in labor because I had just met the good doctor the previous day and the baby was not even 'engaged' (position of the baby's head in the pelvic bone ready to be born).
We reached home at 1230 am and decided to go to the hospital to check-out what was wrong with me at 130 am. True enough, the midwife confirmed that I was in labor and the pain I had been experiencing was actually contractions! Baby Idlan was borned that morning at 540 am - the early than expected bundle of joy. Im just glad that he was patient enough to wait till we reached KL or else he would have been borned in Hospital Tangkak or Hospital Yong Peng or Hospital Melaka in the middle of the night!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF HJ AHMAD AWANG
My arwah grandfather passed away sometime between 130 am - 630 am on 6th July 2003. According to my auntie whom he stayed with, at 1am he was still playing with Intan, my one-year-old cousin. The next morning my auntie felt somehing amiss. My arwah grandfather was a light sleeper and merely dozed off on his chair (he could not sleep lying down after the heart attack last year). But that morning he was still in his room at 630am, one and a half hours late than his usual wake-up time. When my auntie went to check on him, he was already gone.
He was a very quite person. According to my mother, he was quite stern with his children back then but over the years he has mellowed down especially with his grandchildren. I loved spending my school holidays in JB with him when I was younger. He would take me along in his frequent shopping sprees and of course I would get something out of each trip!
He will be remembered as a great cook. He made the best laksa Johor on Earth!! Other specialities include Mee Kuah, Ketam masak lemak, Nasi Beriyani and lontong. The only danger about food and him was that if you showed the slightest liking towards a dish he cooked, chances were that you'd be served with the same dish for many consecutive days!
I cannot imagine next Hari Raya... it would be without him.... He will be missed by all members of the family.
Farewell to a great man.... Al Fatihah.......
Back Again
Hey ! Im back!! After 2 weeks of being "away". I'm back online courtesy of my dad's kind loan of his laptop (but weekends onlylah). Am not allowed to climb the 20 steps leading to the upper part of our house where the desktop PC is placed. oh how i miss you www / my unread mailbox / favourite sites on my IE fav list and of course the BLOG! hehe.... (how can ppl live without internet?!) Gosh... I sound like I just came back fm the 'hutan'!
Thanks AiN & MARiA for announcing the birth of my son. 7/7/03 was the date and today marks the 2nd week of his existence on earth. Can't believe this 3 kilo being actually came out from me and how he has changed our lives.
Thoughts and stories that I want to share in that's life have been playing on my mind for the past two weeks. Shall slowly uncover them as we go along :-)
Just want to say that its good to be back on line..!
Hey ! Im back!! After 2 weeks of being "away". I'm back online courtesy of my dad's kind loan of his laptop (but weekends onlylah). Am not allowed to climb the 20 steps leading to the upper part of our house where the desktop PC is placed. oh how i miss you www / my unread mailbox / favourite sites on my IE fav list and of course the BLOG! hehe.... (how can ppl live without internet?!) Gosh... I sound like I just came back fm the 'hutan'!
Thanks AiN & MARiA for announcing the birth of my son. 7/7/03 was the date and today marks the 2nd week of his existence on earth. Can't believe this 3 kilo being actually came out from me and how he has changed our lives.
Thoughts and stories that I want to share in that's life have been playing on my mind for the past two weeks. Shall slowly uncover them as we go along :-)
Just want to say that its good to be back on line..!
Saturday, July 05, 2003
NAL14
NAL14...... my dream plate number! Wouldn't it be just great to put that plate number on my dream car --> the new Toyota Vios (yepp.. the one that Britney Spears is currently promoting).
Guess what? I saw it in Seremban on an old ancient Honda Civic "kotak" / "petak". And guess what? The owner of the car is a colleague of my mother in-law! What a small WORLD!! My mother in-law works at the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalanraya Negeri Sembilan and apparently the lady had booked and bought that number. Wonder what is the significance of the number for her as her name is something something Ina and her hubby's name is NOT Zai-NAL.
Did ask my mother in-law to ask the lady if she was interested in selling the number... SORRY NOT FOR SALE!
Huahhhh.... I want that plate number!
ps: Whats your dream plate number?
NAL14...... my dream plate number! Wouldn't it be just great to put that plate number on my dream car --> the new Toyota Vios (yepp.. the one that Britney Spears is currently promoting).
Guess what? I saw it in Seremban on an old ancient Honda Civic "kotak" / "petak". And guess what? The owner of the car is a colleague of my mother in-law! What a small WORLD!! My mother in-law works at the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalanraya Negeri Sembilan and apparently the lady had booked and bought that number. Wonder what is the significance of the number for her as her name is something something Ina and her hubby's name is NOT Zai-NAL.
Did ask my mother in-law to ask the lady if she was interested in selling the number... SORRY NOT FOR SALE!
Huahhhh.... I want that plate number!
ps: Whats your dream plate number?
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Paranoid?!
I was paranoid yesterday. I did not feel my fetal movements, and it was already lunchtime. Ok ..ok before I jump into the story, let me explain fetal movements / baby count first. From pregnancy week 28 onwards, it is good practice for the mother to count her fetal movements which signifies the fetal well-being. She should get 10 movements/kicks within 1 hour and it should be done once in the morning and once at night.
It was a busy day for me. I was in charge of the logistics (i.e room booking, laptop, & projector) as I was to demonstrate some database thingy to my colleagues. At my hefty figure of 36 weeks, I was carrying the projector and also under tables plugging the LAN and the power supply (can you imagine that?).
No wonder I could not feel him!
And so paranoid-anxious me went to the clinic during lunch break to make sure that everything was all right. The doctor laughed when I told him why I was there! After placing the stethoscope on my tummy, he said that my baby was ok... Heartbeat was ok... everything normallah basically.... It was just me being a tad too anxious. The fact that I was occupied and busy that morning made me miss out his movements.Huwalllaaaa.. What a relief!!!
According to Dr Dileo (quoted from the link above), "at this stage baby is growing really fast. As the baby gets bigger there is less room for acrobatics and less elbow room to flail out at you. The movements do in fact become less obvious -- more squirming-like than jabs and flips. But the actual number of movements shouldn't lessen. Even "subtle" movements can still be relied upon for determining fetal well-being. "
Sheesshhh... Pheww!!
But still.... Its a new thing for me.... No wonder I'm anxious!
He goes on saying "Even though your observations seem quite normal and unsuspicious, you should report any changes in movement -- especially if you perceive them to be less-- to your doctor. It's always better to over-inform your obstetrician than under-inform. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred it'll be OK, but you can't ever be guaranteed you're not that one out of a hundred."
Ahaaa!! So I was not being too paranoid / anxious after all huh?!
I was paranoid yesterday. I did not feel my fetal movements, and it was already lunchtime. Ok ..ok before I jump into the story, let me explain fetal movements / baby count first. From pregnancy week 28 onwards, it is good practice for the mother to count her fetal movements which signifies the fetal well-being. She should get 10 movements/kicks within 1 hour and it should be done once in the morning and once at night.
It was a busy day for me. I was in charge of the logistics (i.e room booking, laptop, & projector) as I was to demonstrate some database thingy to my colleagues. At my hefty figure of 36 weeks, I was carrying the projector and also under tables plugging the LAN and the power supply (can you imagine that?).
No wonder I could not feel him!
And so paranoid-anxious me went to the clinic during lunch break to make sure that everything was all right. The doctor laughed when I told him why I was there! After placing the stethoscope on my tummy, he said that my baby was ok... Heartbeat was ok... everything normallah basically.... It was just me being a tad too anxious. The fact that I was occupied and busy that morning made me miss out his movements.Huwalllaaaa.. What a relief!!!
According to Dr Dileo (quoted from the link above), "at this stage baby is growing really fast. As the baby gets bigger there is less room for acrobatics and less elbow room to flail out at you. The movements do in fact become less obvious -- more squirming-like than jabs and flips. But the actual number of movements shouldn't lessen. Even "subtle" movements can still be relied upon for determining fetal well-being. "
Sheesshhh... Pheww!!
But still.... Its a new thing for me.... No wonder I'm anxious!
He goes on saying "Even though your observations seem quite normal and unsuspicious, you should report any changes in movement -- especially if you perceive them to be less-- to your doctor. It's always better to over-inform your obstetrician than under-inform. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred it'll be OK, but you can't ever be guaranteed you're not that one out of a hundred."
Ahaaa!! So I was not being too paranoid / anxious after all huh?!
CONTINUITY
So you thot I stopped huh? Nah... just didnt get the chance to post anything yesterday. Life is pretty back to normal after "cloud 9" on Monday.. and the flu on Tuesday. I'm rushing work through before I go for the long leave. Wouldn't want to be a legend by being the person who-left-work-just-like-that-for-others-to-clean- up would i?
As you can see I'm still feeling my way thru. Finally reduced the size of the VERY big fonts (fiuhhh)... it was starting to get on my nerves! Will be an on-going learning experience for me. Next project - to get that post message board and the comments thingy up.
So you thot I stopped huh? Nah... just didnt get the chance to post anything yesterday. Life is pretty back to normal after "cloud 9" on Monday.. and the flu on Tuesday. I'm rushing work through before I go for the long leave. Wouldn't want to be a legend by being the person who-left-work-just-like-that-for-others-to-clean- up would i?
As you can see I'm still feeling my way thru. Finally reduced the size of the VERY big fonts (fiuhhh)... it was starting to get on my nerves! Will be an on-going learning experience for me. Next project - to get that post message board and the comments thingy up.
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Silver Jubilee
Yesterday marked 25 years of my existence on Earth. Yepp... Happy Birthday to me!! This year is different from previous years, as I have faced a few changes in my life. I am now a Mrs. (missus) and in plus or minus 4 weeks from now, I am about to be a new mother. Well, somethings still remain like the fact that I am still staying at my parents' house. (yepp...still 'ere).
The first wish I received was from my dear hubby. It was exactly 12am, 30th June 2003, when I reentered the bedroom after brushing my teeth. Dear hubby had placed a card & a gift on my pillow. It was a purse! A Guy Laroche purse that I had been talking about and planning to buy with this months pay. It was indeed a great surprise! Before snoozing off that day he had said that this is a Birth-day not a birth-minute and not a birth-second.... implying more surprises to come! ooohh... yippee..... I think I slept smiling that night... :-)
Second wish came from my dear friend in Bintulu - Nadia thru SMS (short message service). And in the morning, other family members wished me as well... my mom, dad, sisters, brothers and also dear auntie. My hubby and I took leave yesterday.... to celebrate the momentus occasion. However, I was coming down with the flu and sneezed every minute or so. (oo dearie... what a day to be sick!). Went to see the good doctor at about 10am to get medication.
Anyway, at precisely 1pm, the door bell rang.... ting-tong...... I opened the door to a delivery van - blooming.com.my. Wow! Flowers...delivered? for me??!! yepp.... dear hubby had sent flowers for me!! A bouquet of roses and Ferrero Rocher chocalate!!! What a surprise! As sending flowers was not exactly his cuppa (he hates things that has gone too commercial), he blushed when I thanked him with beaming eyes, full of gratitude and appreciation of this surprise. So maybe this won't be the first and last time aah sayang!
That afternoon was spent playing with my niece and talking to my sister. And after taking the medication, I spent half the afternoon sleeping!
That night he took me to dinner at Victoria Station near Bangsar. It was a wonderful romantic dinner. We had nachos and mexican chilli soup for starters and for main course I ordered Neptune Taurus - a fussion of Tiger prawns & steak (well done) while he ordered the sizzling steak (medium). And for dessert I had Earl Grey Tea (Sir Thomas Lipton brand) while he had banana split. It was a great evening.
My flu got worse that nite after dinner (especially the sneezing) - I think because I curi-curi makan his banana split and the aircond- was a tad too cold! And for that, and I got an MC for today.....
All in all, it was a great birthday... marking the "silver jubilee" of my life.
And thank you dear sayang LOVE you LOTS! for all the trouble of making it one of the most memorable day in my life.....
Yesterday marked 25 years of my existence on Earth. Yepp... Happy Birthday to me!! This year is different from previous years, as I have faced a few changes in my life. I am now a Mrs. (missus) and in plus or minus 4 weeks from now, I am about to be a new mother. Well, somethings still remain like the fact that I am still staying at my parents' house. (yepp...still 'ere).
The first wish I received was from my dear hubby. It was exactly 12am, 30th June 2003, when I reentered the bedroom after brushing my teeth. Dear hubby had placed a card & a gift on my pillow. It was a purse! A Guy Laroche purse that I had been talking about and planning to buy with this months pay. It was indeed a great surprise! Before snoozing off that day he had said that this is a Birth-day not a birth-minute and not a birth-second.... implying more surprises to come! ooohh... yippee..... I think I slept smiling that night... :-)
Second wish came from my dear friend in Bintulu - Nadia thru SMS (short message service). And in the morning, other family members wished me as well... my mom, dad, sisters, brothers and also dear auntie. My hubby and I took leave yesterday.... to celebrate the momentus occasion. However, I was coming down with the flu and sneezed every minute or so. (oo dearie... what a day to be sick!). Went to see the good doctor at about 10am to get medication.
Anyway, at precisely 1pm, the door bell rang.... ting-tong...... I opened the door to a delivery van - blooming.com.my. Wow! Flowers...delivered? for me??!! yepp.... dear hubby had sent flowers for me!! A bouquet of roses and Ferrero Rocher chocalate!!! What a surprise! As sending flowers was not exactly his cuppa (he hates things that has gone too commercial), he blushed when I thanked him with beaming eyes, full of gratitude and appreciation of this surprise. So maybe this won't be the first and last time aah sayang!
That afternoon was spent playing with my niece and talking to my sister. And after taking the medication, I spent half the afternoon sleeping!
That night he took me to dinner at Victoria Station near Bangsar. It was a wonderful romantic dinner. We had nachos and mexican chilli soup for starters and for main course I ordered Neptune Taurus - a fussion of Tiger prawns & steak (well done) while he ordered the sizzling steak (medium). And for dessert I had Earl Grey Tea (Sir Thomas Lipton brand) while he had banana split. It was a great evening.
My flu got worse that nite after dinner (especially the sneezing) - I think because I curi-curi makan his banana split and the aircond- was a tad too cold! And for that, and I got an MC for today.....
All in all, it was a great birthday... marking the "silver jubilee" of my life.
And thank you dear sayang LOVE you LOTS! for all the trouble of making it one of the most memorable day in my life.....
First POST
Phewww...!
After going through the whole process of creating a blog (not the process of creating one per say but the thinking process of should I create one? would ppl wanna read mine? what am i to write?)... i suddenly am at a lost of words of stating my case.
Hmm... okay so this is my first post... so gimme a break! I'll write better in subsequent ones (promise! : ) ).
So bear wif me as i "feel" my way through this world of blogging. Catch ya later!!
Phewww...!
After going through the whole process of creating a blog (not the process of creating one per say but the thinking process of should I create one? would ppl wanna read mine? what am i to write?)... i suddenly am at a lost of words of stating my case.
Hmm... okay so this is my first post... so gimme a break! I'll write better in subsequent ones (promise! : ) ).
So bear wif me as i "feel" my way through this world of blogging. Catch ya later!!