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Happy New Year!
2011 has been an amazing journey for us, filled with ups and downs. We’re so thankful the year ends on a happy note for us, alhamdulillah.
Here’s to summarize some awesome moments of 2011 during my blogging hiatus.
- November Babies birthday celebration. Hi-Tea, scones and great company! Thank you Liza, Farah & Syidah for making this day a memorable one!
- Cousin Ridhwan & Nadia weds. It was unfortunate we couldn’t be there with them on their joyous occasion, but we’re extremely happy for them!
- Cousin Lilin & Hafiz ties the knot. Congratulations to the newly-weds!
- Great short getaway to Krabi (Thailand) with family and close friends! We had a fabulous time there!
- Holes in heart no more. My thirdborn, Anaqi, has both holes in his heart closed, as we found out during his recent heart scan. All praises to Allah!
While we cherish these happy times, 2011 has also given us moments of grief. We lost a cousin very near and dear to us, due to pneumonia :’(. Her demise has truly shaken our families.
Raihaniah, may Allah bless your soul and place you among the believers.
Hopefully 2012 will bring us more joy, prosperity, wealth, great health, and Barakkah from the Almighty - insyallah. Looking forward to a wonderful 2012 ahead!
February is about celebrating birthdays. Three members of my immediate family was born in February. My second sister, Ana a.k.a Menot, was born on 10th Feb, my brother, Musli, on 17th Feb, and last but not least Baby Aqeil on 6th Feb.
Yesterday, we had a mini celebration. It didn’t matter that the celebration was small, but we had good food and great company, and above all, everyone was happy! 
It’s a little unfortunate the cake got smashed partially (thanks to Anaqi’s quick hands), but we managed to save it. LOL!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE THREE OF YOU!!
Much love!! ♥♥♥
Flickr photoset here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprima/sets/72157626093070598/
On 06th February 2011, 12.26pm SGT, Mateen Aqeil Izz became the newest member of our family. He weighs 3.305 kg and measured at 51cm in length. To be honest, I wasn’t really prepared for his birth this week despite signs that he will be arriving anytime soon. But nonetheless, I am thankful that he did.
Me and my baby, Mateen Aqeil Izz
Comparing this birth to that of my previous ones, I can honestly say, this one is as tough as the ones I endured when birthing my firstborn (Misha) and second-born (Mika). I prefer the labour I had with Anaqi, despite not given any anesthesia at that time. (read here on Anaqi’s labour story: http://aprima.org/2009/05/18/welcome-to-the-world-mirza-anaqi/ )
Based on my experience, going au naturale is the way to go. No induce. No drips. You WILL feel maximum pain BUT it will be a fast, non-draggy one, as opposed to being induced. Many would say, after the third, the fourth labour should be quick and easy. Well, not quite.
I was already timing my contractions from the night before (05th Feb) around 11pm SGT. Since the pattern was irregular, I never thought I would be admitted in the wee hours of the next morning. It was when I had trouble sleeping, and kept tossing and turning in bed uncomfortably that I asked P to send me to the hospital to see if I’m already dilated. It was already around 4.45am SGT at that time. True enough, I was already 4cm dilated, and had to remain in the labour ward.
By 8am SGT, my contractions were still irregular and Dr Heng called up one of the midwives and ordered her to give me “the drip” so I will dilate quicker. The dosage started from 80mL/h to 120mL/h, and eventually the maximum dosage of 150mL/h was given.
The drip at 120mL/h.
Dejavu. Drip given, just like my 1st and 2nd labour.
Warning: What you’re about to read may contain too much info.
At around 11.30am SGT, Dr Heng arrived at the labour ward to check on my dilation progress. Since my cervix opened up at a very slow rate (it was 6cm when he arrived), he had to rupture my waterbag to quicken the dilation process even further. He then told me to inform the midwives immediately should I have the urge to push, and they’ll contact him again. I managed a “Thank you Dr. Heng. Happy New Year!” before he left the building. From then on until 12.26pm SGT, I went through a tough ordeal. The gas mask became my best friend again after a long time.
Contractions became more regular and more frequent that the pain became more unbearable that I had to request for a pethidine jab. One of the midwives had me checked and I was already 9cm dilated. She refused my pethidine request saying it’s already too late to have one. They called up Dr Heng, who then had to make a quick u-turn back to the hospital.
During the last stages, the midwives massaged my thighs excessively and asked me to blow into the gas mask several times to refrain me from “accidentally pushing my baby out” before Dr Heng arrives. I overheard one midwife telling P that Dr Heng was “around the corner, at a traffic light”, and this conversation lasted within a span of 4 massive contractions! One midwife even had to stop my baby from “emerging out” with her hands and held it there for sometime. (Okay, TMI!!)
Anyway, the doctor finally came just in time for one hard push before my newborn makes his presence
Welcome to the world, Baby Mateen Aqeil Izz!
He will have his first pediatric check up tomorrow. Let’s hope he is free from any illnesses, insyallah, and not have a repeat of what Anaqi had went through. (Read here on Anaqi’s Heart Condition: http://aprima.org/2010/02/28/anaqis-heart-condition/ )
Till my next baby update
This year promises a lot of family weddings – from aunts to cousins to second cousins. I don’t know why but 2011 appears to be a good year to be tying the knot for some of my relatives.
In January itself, I’ve attended two family weddings – one is of my maternal cousin’s daughter (Yani), and the other is of my maternal aunt (Cik Noi).
Here’s me with Yani, the bride.
And here’s me with Cik Noi, the bride.
More photos on my Flickr:
On 1st & 2nd Jan – Wedding of Yani & Faris: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprima/sets/72157625754152765/
On 15th Jan – Wedding of Cik Noi & Cik Wan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprima/sets/72157625811924357/
I’ll be expecting at least 3, if not more, family weddings to attend sometime mid this year and towards the end. So exciting!
To Yani and Faris, and Cik Noi and Cik Wan: May you be blessed with eternal happiness and an everlasting marriage.
This year’s Eid celebration didn’t feel quite as ‘gala’ as previous years. So much has happened the past months that I don’t quite look forward to Hari Raya this year. Despite that, I try my very best to be as merry as possible.
I did find time (albeit really last minute) to bake. I made the usual macaroons, sugee and chocolate chips, and this year I attempted the Horseshoe cake (Malays call it ‘Kek Tapak Kuda’). Not bad for a first-timer, heh. Laku, y’know, because I have to bake more batches during Syawal! (masuk bakul angkat sendiri) 
Last year, Misha helped A LOT with my bakings. This year, I have an additional helper 
Well done, Mika! The macaroons you made are now finished liao.
Misha also helped out with housework. Boleh pakai jugak budak-budak ni.
First Day of Syawal
This year’s Syawal, we had rented an acquaintance’s car for 2 days since we can’t use ours (see previous post why). On Day 1, we had dressed ourselves in white. Seriously, we didn’t really choose this colour, but we couldn’t get a SINGLE size we want in any other colours! (all thanks to last minute Raya shopping – have I mentioned I am such a procrastinator?). So we resorted to white. Don’t ask how we manage to avoid food disasters the whole day, cos we couldn’t! (soap is my best friend that day – for cleaning I mean :p)
P, Misha and our helper went for morning prayers @ Teban Gardens, while Mika, Anaqi and I stayed home in the morning. We only left for my parents and grandparents in the afternoon after Friday prayers.
Every year, taking a group family photo is always a HUGE challenge. You can never get EVERYONE to look into the camera at the same time.
Here’s one with my parents and siblings (sans Musli – tidur pulak dekni)
And what’s Hari Raya without seeking forgiveness to your love ones *hearts*
Here’s wishing everyone a blessed Syawal!! (ok, ok, Syawal dah habis pon)
More photos can be found on my Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprima/sets/72157625131127918/
A couple of years ago, the thought of us engaging the services of a domestic helper did cross our minds, but we always ended up debating (one time too many) whether or not we *really* needed one. At that time, we only had Misha to look after. Although we weren’t financially tied down, we figured we could still work it out ourselves. (‘It’ being the day-to-day household chores and running of errands.)
As our family grew bigger, we enliven the idea once more but only to shove it aside again due to our growing financial commitment that came along with it. As working parents, we admit that it can get tough at times. Our home is not always spick and span. Our kitchen stove is not always lit for cooking up nice sumptuous meals. Our dinner consumption is mostly at my parents’ abode, or otherwise, food packed from nearby eateries.
Recently, we are considering the option (of having a helper) again. Why? Three reasons.
(1) We are not superhuman. Our body capabilities have had reached their limits. Coming home from work to a disorderly home everyday is a big turn-off, and having to rectify it right then is an even bigger letdown – especially after a tiring day at work.
(2) We need someone to assist us with the day-to-day things, for instance, keep an eye on the kids while we run off to the bank, or help us with the laundry or mopping while we cook or bathe the kids. It will save us a lot of time.
(3) We want someone to babysit Anaqi while we’re out to work (when his siblings are in childcare), or while we go on our well-deserved date. I know Mom has done a good job in taking care of the little bub at these times, but lately her health has taken a big toll on her. She tires easily and at times looks lethargic. Her cough hasn’t gotten any better since years after she was diagnosed with hypertension, and recently it seems to have worsen. We feel it’s only right that we relieve her from her babysitting duties to lessen her burden.
When I discussed with P regarding this, he seems to share my sentiments and agree to my proposal – which made me glad. This time we’re 97% sure we’re going to make it happen. May not be so soon, but eventually, insyallah.
Today we celebrated my cousin Ridhwan’s engagement. If all goes well, he’ll tie the knot in two years’ time. Such a grown-up he is now. It seems like only years ago we played ‘fights’. Really, we used to fight for no apparent reason, just for the fun of it. I think we’re still in kindergarten/pre-school at that time. I hope he doesn’t bear grudges against me, because I started most of them if not all (oops). Fast forward 20-odd years later, he’s already engaged! And his fiancee Nadia is looking very ravishing in that gold outfit!
It was afternoon when I reached his place today. I had brought Misha, Mika and Ipul along. The husband and Baby Anaqi stayed behind at home. I try not to let the little one be exposed to crowds as yet in his current condition.
The gifts were all ready. We just needed to add a few last minute touch-ups to beautify them further. Taking photos was a challenge for me especially with the kids in tow. Thankfully, I’ve got help from Syiq, a second-cousin of mine. The pictures turned out beautiful! (Thanks, Syiq!).
When Rid’s entourage left for his fiancee’s (which is just a stone’s throw away), the kids and I stayed behind to enjoy the deliciously-prepared food, courtesy of my uncle, Caca.
Congratulations Ridhwan and Nadia on your engagement!
It’s been almost a month since the birth of Anaqi, and Misha has been showing nothing but warm affection towards her little brother thus far. Many a times she would ‘help out’ while I change his diaper, or give him his bath, or wake up to feed him in the middle of the night. She will always be by his side, either stroking his head, or shower him with small little kisses.
She is one who would noticeably look for wet tissues whenever excess milk spews out of the baby’s mouth. She would call out to me claiming "the baby is calling you" whenever she hear him cry. She would try to quieten him down by hushing and patting him when I’m busy doing other things and not attending to the little one on time. She would bring to him her favourite books and toys, probably thinking that anything she might want is something her brother might also want.
In all, I’m pretty pleased with her reaction towards Anaqi. Her caring behaviour – the same way as she had cared for her other brother when he was just a baby – to me, is very awe-inspiring indeed.
I wish the same can be said of Mika, but so far he had been quite ignorant to his little brother’s existence. He probably needs a little bit more time for the idea to settle in. We’ll see.
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for the congrats and well wishes – it’s nice to hear!
After my two-day stay at East Shore, I was glad to be out of the hospital. I was even more glad that Anaqi was not held up for his mild jaundice as compared to his elder brother almost two years ago.
The first few nights has been pretty tiring, as the bub kept waking up for feed every one to two hours. I was having bad headaches that won’t quit, probably due to the lack of sleep (and engorgement feeding issues). After a while, I began to adapt to my new routine. Feeding became much easier, and late-night cries became a lot less.
Within the first week, Anaqi had two doctors’ appointments – one with Dr Heng (Gynae) on 20th May to check on his jaundice, and another with Dr Low (Pediatric) on 21st May for his overall assessment. It was during the PD check-up that I was told Anaqi had a heart murmur, and was suspected to have a hole in his heart. He wrote a referral letter for an appointment with a heart specialist at KK Hospital on 25th May. The details of that will ensue in my next entry.
As for his jaundice, it remains mild. I continue to sun him every morning and evening (at times even in the afternoon where the light shines directly into our balcony). Now he is one tanned baby! (Thankfully, not fried…) However his eyes still show a tinge of yellow. Hopefully his jaundice will go away soon.
On Day 7, P and I shaved off his hair close to botak (bald). Due to the nature of his hair texture and volume, it’s difficult to get him completely clean-shaven. P calls him little Leonidas (because of Gerard Butler’s hairdo in 300, heh.) Spot the difference?
So far, I noticed the little one has been smiling a lot with gazing eyes, as if responding back to when his name is called. Too cute!
Until more updates…
Shortly after 0600hrs on 14th May 2009, Mirza Anaqi became the newest member of our family. He weighed at 3.225kg and measured at 49cm in length. Even though this was my third labour ordeal, the whole experience did not fall short of being dramatic. So much for the "I-should-be-used-to-it-by-now" mentality.
Me and my newborn, Mirza Anaqi.
I was already having slight contractions throughout Wednesday night. As the frequency was irregular, I simply just ignored them. It was in the wee hours of Thursday morning, around 0115hrs, I was still online checking my emails (even forwarded a Pumpkin Patch Mid Season sale promotion to Liz and Yati), when I felt the contractions were about 10 minutes apart. I thought I’d just shut down my computer, head to bed and try to sleep off the pain, and probably wait till the next morning to go over to the hospital after both Ipul and Misha had headed for school.
Well, I thought wrong! Trying to sleep sucked as I was feeling really uncomfortable. I took a hot shower and felt that I needed to go to the hospital right away. After bath, I woke P up (who apparently had just dozed off while I was showering) and requested him to send me to East Shore. I think it was around 0300hrs at that time (I wasn’t exactly keeping track). The contractions felt even closer now (and a bit unbearable), and we really had no choice but to leave the sleeping kids behind, at home alone, while we zoomed off to the hospital.
As soon as we reached there, I was a little lost because the place is just newly-renovated, and the entrance has been detoured. Ultimately the security guard saw me, and helped to wheel me in on a wheelchair. I was sent straight to the labour ward, as opposed to the previous two experiences where I had to register myself first before being sent to the ward. P made a return trip home in an attempt to send the kids over to my parents’.
In the ward, I had to change to the operating gown while lying down on the delivery bed. The midwife checked me and I was told I was already 8cm dilated, and can deliver about anytime soon. I texted P to ask him to return back to the hospital immediately, after I called and spoke to my dad to help fetch the kids instead. At that time, it was about 0400hrs in the morning.
The midwife did all the prep work – strapped me to check my BP, contraction level, baby’s heart rate, etc. This time, there was no inducing required. I was informed that the baby’s heart rate was pretty low on and off, and warned me against using any form of anesthesia – the gas and/or pethidine drug – as it may put the baby at risk. I was asked only to inhale oxygen to help regulate the baby’s heart rate better. Imagine the pain I had to endure throughout the whole thing!
Baby’s heart rate was low on and off.
Time passed by pretty fast when you’re in pain. After reaching 10cm dilation, Dr Heng (my gynae) eventually arrived, and with the midwife’s "assistance" (I’m not going into much details on that), at 0605hrs, the baby’s finally outside, instead of inside, before you know it! It was all 100% natural! I was of course sore and a bit tired, but recovering well, and very happy to be done with pregnancy.
The baby is indeed adorable and cuddly, and P and I are having a wonderful time getting to know our new son! I will upload more pictures on Flickr, Facebook and Multiply soon.
