tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7996903478613011752024-02-08T10:24:24.895+08:00Sweet Abode of NothingnessMy scribblings on a little bit of everything. Thank you for reading.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-91465205226307008312017-09-12T22:12:00.001+08:002018-05-18T23:55:52.616+08:00A little under pressure<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it's totally unforgiving that this place which I used to frequent is left to dust. Neglecting this space is one thing that I never intended to do but for the past months, life has been a whirlwind on its own. Work gets the best of me and motherhood is, most of the time, <i>really</i> hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I miss writing. I miss letting go of the bottled feelings. I miss blogging because at least I have a place to pour out. Like really write to my heart's content even when no one is going to really read my entries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This space has missed out on many important events in my life that are worthy to be shared, countless down moments that I would have wasted no time hitting the compose button to share back then, and well, just everyday things which this abode would be so happy to keep them in the archive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am now back here because truthfully, at this point of time, I am under a lot of stress. I am spending a lot of time in front of my lappie because of some shitty analysis I wish I didn't have to do and because it makes my whole body aches and my head hurts. And then I will become that person I hate; one emotional, irritable lady. On top of that, motherhood doesn't stop so yeah, I'm pretty much a mess at the moment -- running around handling the kids and the household, and at the same time racing against time to meet the due. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hence, returning here to vent out because my husband is probably going to bleed his ears having to listen to another of my whining. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What's worse -- I miss my sleep. My biological clock is, well, around the clock. Okay, lame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's past 10 pm. My bed is really calling me but I have to turn a cheek. Sometimes I really wonder, is it time to really quit my job? Haha Will probably talk about that later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So there. this would do for now. InsyaAllah I will come back for more. </span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-52912986342284357282017-03-18T11:45:00.002+08:002017-03-18T11:56:07.652+08:00A Second Chance<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I toiled for days, wondering the starting point to my story/entry.It was tough on me.Where would I begin? It was a difficult and emotional path for me, walking down memory lane and pushing forth as I was stepping on hot coals all the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not many knew that two months ago,</span><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">on my way home from work, I experienced one of the most terrifying moments of my life with my second daughter, Adeena. One second we were happily chit chatting, and the next thing I remember, I swerved to the right and the we were upside down rolling inside the flipped car, which landed 90 degrees on the opposite lane.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">I really felt that both of us were going to die. Only that, we didn't. Judging from how everything happened and the fact that both of us cheated death with only minor injuries, I have no one to turn to but only Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">Every moment changes us. The accident was totally unexpected, really, and the shock and trauma of it was astounding. I remember thinking very clearly; I understood everything going on, but I was hyperventilating with my left hand stretching out to grasp Adeena with my mouth constantly saying, "Allah! Allah! Allah!" I will forever remember the cries that came from Adeena and the way she cried my name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">As terrifying as that moment was, </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">I will forever remember the great kindnesses of the helpers</span><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">. I don’t know who called the police, but I am so very grateful to them. The police, the countless good samaritans who helped and be in authority was greatly reassuring. I never caught the name of the lady who were really kind to look after Adeena by the roadside and the one who sent us home, but the lady was so caring and I hope that I could see her again to thank her. One man helped me to settle issues regarding my insurance and another helped to get my husband's car off of the road. Everything was truly eased despite everything and I pray that they all know how thankful I am for them during my husband's absence. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 28px;"><i><b>**In the time of the happening, my husband just took off on a plane for work and you could imagined how he felt when he was informed of what happened to us a few hours later**</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">Enjoy the time you have been given</span><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">. Things can change so quickly. An instant will change your life forever. I am fortunate in the fact that I was not physically altered by my incident, but that could easily have not been the case. I could have died or lost a limb. I could have lost my daughter and vice versa. And I remember teasing my daughter and said "I refused to talk to you" because she didn't want to return the teddy she took back from her school before everything happened in a split second after that. Imagine if those were my last words to her. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">I still shudder thinking about it. A thud or a simple bump made me jump out of my skin. I never take that route again. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "notonashkarabic" , "proximanova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">I know He is trying to talk to me. Everything that happened was truly a wake-up call. He wants to rectify my mistakes and make me see clearer of life after having my eyes washed in tears many times. True, the car is lost, but I know I have gained a greater strength and faith; and I believe a greater gift awaits. </span></span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-52015718354173258862017-01-12T21:16:00.003+08:002017-01-12T21:19:39.222+08:00Luqman, Adeena & Fatima<div style="background-color: white; color: #555555; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gosh, its been awhile since I’ve blogged. I’ve wanted to a bunch of times. But, life. There are so many different things I could write about, but I’m going to focus on my biggest reason for NOT blogging much anymore: my beautiful babies (apart from the crazy work)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These updates aren’t just for far away family members and my friends, they’re for me too. In lieu of a physical baby book or journal, I have this. It’s helpful to remember milestones, sure. But it also causes me to actually pause and reflect on their little personalities and what I love about them (and also what drive me up the wall).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My firstborn. It's just so hard to believe that he's the same baby I pushed out from my womb 6 years ago. What's even hard to believe is that he is all grown up and acting like he doesn't need his Ummi anymore *sobs* But, he is so dependable right now that more often than not, I secretly shed a tear behind his back, seeing how much he can do. There are times when he made me lose my patience (still do) and mad</span>e me one green mum, but he is always the ice that cools me down too. Oh, my little boy. It warms my heart seeing how eager you are in helping me out in the kitchen, helping me with the dishes, keeping Fatima company and making her laugh when I had to complete other chores. I could go on and on about you, dear Luqman, but I guess one thing is clear -- you bring out the best of me and your father because you're our first 'teacher' on parenting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our secondborn. Ahh, Adeena -- the clown of the family. You have grown to become such a lovely young girl although deep down you're also quite fiery. Who would have thought you'd be such an independent little girl, one who blends very well with her surroundings and most importantly you passed your toilet training quite easily I must say! Adeena is more musically-inclined as she is more into singing, rhyming, and acting (yes, acting!). She's sweet and silly (haha) when she's not driving us up the wall. Adeena, you're such a joy to be with and I know you bring happiness to the people around you, too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our youngest. 9 months have passed since she said hello to the world. Now, she is really starting to know what she wants – and she may scream in annoyance if you take it away. Yerp, that's her! She's now babbling -- which is so cute! She is also cruising, standing up and holding on to furnitures -- can't really let her off my eyes, really. Fear of her falling down. Fatima is also responding happily to gestures, especially if it is her Abang Luqman playing with her. And, she has lose so much of her baby fat once she's mobile. As for now, Fatima has started to recognize people around her and when we're at home, she'll cling to me like a koala and that's exhausted enough, if you ask!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">I often look at my children and think that I’m totally undeserving. I say, </span><em style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">Why has God given me so much?</em><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"> (this task is too big) and sometimes I say, </span><em style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">Why has God given me so much?</em><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"> (these gifts are too beautiful.) Why has he entrusted these little souls to me? The responsibility of being their mother is bigger than any goal I could set for myself. I know I was created to be a wife and mother. </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">Parenting pierces our hearts, but I know every time I feel like giving-up, I take a look at my babies and thank Him over and over for such priceless gifts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My husband always remind me that these gifts are our path to heaven. No matter how struggling we are, and how much our kids make us feel like we're better off jumping down a cliff, parenthood asks for us to be selfless to lose our self-interest. Love itself is a verb -- and it is always sacrificial.</span></span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-70394952308386142872016-09-18T08:26:00.002+08:002016-09-18T08:27:57.816+08:00Taking a break<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, I could take a breather. Although the one-week holiday is ending and work starts tomorrow, it was the most anticipated break ever since I started reporting myself after my confinement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With a new boss around, stress at work is elevated. There was never a day I dread going to work and rush back when it's time. I just can't wait to be home and relax, amidst the chaos that my kids make. At one point, I really question my sincerity and happiness at work because seriously, that spirit and positivity are nowhere to be found.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As sadly as it may sound, I managed not to think about work or even do any school-related work throughout this break, which is a big yeay for me. Managed to declutter my mind for the time being. Am so thankful for this break, too, because my husband is around most of the days so we had our fair share of house chores and handling the kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We managed to plan for a beach vacation nearby which was totally the highlight of the week. Although it was mainly to fulfil our kids' wish, secretly it was mine too. It's been so long since we last paid the beach a visit so to be able to feel the sand beneath our feet and let the waves washed away our imprints was just therapeutic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For now, life is really good. I am just going to enjoy the remaining hours of my break before saying hello to the hustle and bustle life tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lazy Sunday</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-31632054546928290152016-06-13T15:24:00.002+08:002016-06-18T01:01:41.466+08:00Toilet-training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Potty-training or toilet-training is a major milestone and it is a big step for both kids and parents. Alhamdulillah, our second child, Adeena, is now toilet trained and she has now ditched the diaper during the day. Such a heeeuuge success for both of us I would say. And to top it all, Allah has eased the process, in which it took us only 4-5 days of successful potty breaks with the first two days of a few 'accidents'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well done, Adeena!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At 3 years and 2 months, I think Adeena surprises us all. I initially thought she wasn't ready but she actually opens up to the idea. This new transition is of course celebratory. Going through this phase the second time, I am still amazed at how good kids really are at mastering their bladder control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next would be to train both Luqman and Adeena the nighttime diaper-less routine which (I'm not gonna lie), is such a put off. I know I know what you're thinking. I am constantly thinking and imagining the hassle and frustration upon discovering wet beds and pants even before I start the nighttime training. Tried a few times with Luqman before and my husband and I agreed that he still wasn't ready. Saved us the exhaustion of constantly washing his pants and changing the mattress covers, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I guess after a year, I think he might ready. Adeena, too. We shall see :) And once we start, let patience be our mantra to success hehe</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-20787373155991247082016-06-08T23:29:00.000+08:002016-06-08T23:36:12.029+08:00Ramadhan Kareem<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's Ramadhan again - the glorious month. It's the time we get to perform one of the pillars of Islam; fasting. It is also called the generous month because we get many generous blessings; we pray and do charity and get rewarded abundantly insyaAllah. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am so grateful that I get to meet Ramadhan again, alhamdulillah. While most of us warmly welcome Ramadhan, as a parent, I quietly fret about how to handle three kids (especially it's the school holidays now) and keeping them entertained while I'm exhausted from the fasting. Balancing parenting (include breastfeeding too) and fasting is definitely challenging and I salute all stay-at-home mums out there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My toddler kids have so much energy. I have to really keep up with them; switching from one activity to another. Thankfully Fatima is at that stage when you offer her the boobs, she'll <i>pengsan</i> right after and I will anticipate her next wake after 3 hours tops. In the mean time, I rush to complete any house chores or just looking after Luqman and Adeena.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most of the times, I let them play and play and play until they get bored and I'll switch something on the TV for them to watch right after. While I can say that they certainly can manage on their own, it's the siblings' squabbles that really tick me off. It's so frustrating and exhausting having to referee the constant fighting every single day. Not to mention energy draining, too, especially when you're abstaining. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, I just let them embrace the boredom. But I guess they're still too young to really understand how to. Haha If they're tired from playing, they're hungry. Food has to be abundant in the house! Too bad I can't join their energy refuelling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I guess the highlight of the day is their afternoon nap. Oh boy, such a peaceful and serene place the house is when they are napping. I keep on telling them you kids have to sleep, it's Sunnah. Sleep sleep now! When really, all I want is also to nap haha I mean, it's a healthy habit and it's also a downtime needed for all of us to avoid getting on each others' nerves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ahhh the challenges. And it continues right after they wake up, getting them to shower, feed them early dinner and then get ready for breaking fast. My day during Ramadhan usually will end at about 10-11 at night after I have performed my prayers. Terawih is absolutely at home, no doubt. And a brand new day starts again as early as 5 am. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You know, we mums will keep on saying this and that, complain of the fatigue and challenges. But I guess if given a choice we wouldn't want it any other way. Tiring, yes, hands down. But seeing your kids right in front of your eyes, attending to their every need no matter how exhausted; it's such a blessing. Knowing that every night when you kiss your kids good night and make them recite the prayer in chorus and they say they love you in return, gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling that wipes away all the sweat, tears and tiredness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">May the force be with us mums this Ramadhan. May we be persistent in our responsibility and ibadah. And may Allah reward us generously, insyaAllah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ramadhan Kareem!</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-68874685340939622932016-06-08T13:13:00.003+08:002016-06-08T13:20:56.520+08:00Celebrating Fatima and Ashman<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As with our two previous children, we also hosted the aqiqah ceremony for Fatima to celebrate her birth. It's always anticipated by us because it is also a time for family gathering and a good feast (<i>kambing golek</i>, you feeling me? haha)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My parents have been so generous to offer their place as the venue for Fatima's aqiqah. So, on the 21st of May (after about a month plus), the event was held together with a <i>majlis kesyukuran</i> and <i>tahlil</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3dJvKtkzdO2pozmQRKTX17D-_xRYlZ_syyrqMnB6yLmF9HfkJgRqzRpP0WJM3A6EvbMclU_shxuWnEqtTL1NP8eXTJ-MZ4ywj7NsUXvEQ7pT9V0_LU84cseOlgd7t_C82Zl7s86NXww/s1600/IMG-20160607-WA0016.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3dJvKtkzdO2pozmQRKTX17D-_xRYlZ_syyrqMnB6yLmF9HfkJgRqzRpP0WJM3A6EvbMclU_shxuWnEqtTL1NP8eXTJ-MZ4ywj7NsUXvEQ7pT9V0_LU84cseOlgd7t_C82Zl7s86NXww/s320/IMG-20160607-WA0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was just a simple event to celebrate her birth and also Ashman, my nephew. It was also my first meeting with relatives and close friends after my confinement so I felt truly excited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFECod_mSXnSQ6FxHBeNkcPsVuw9_bOOh-jRG4-H_4zW5O4QnHD7YUclh8Lqz33SMlMiqIfuyJbL0LstIFim5Rb3SwGRq6PprtccjzrYXCEC7F3T4eFjrenWKILRx5dnqL3cGpGrsEc1M/s1600/IMG-20160521-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFECod_mSXnSQ6FxHBeNkcPsVuw9_bOOh-jRG4-H_4zW5O4QnHD7YUclh8Lqz33SMlMiqIfuyJbL0LstIFim5Rb3SwGRq6PprtccjzrYXCEC7F3T4eFjrenWKILRx5dnqL3cGpGrsEc1M/s320/IMG-20160521-WA0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Harun clan</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja7O0YFYoczfOg8PCTXa49nUrNqRy2CsJpXwLHbNWAV4aVIxSkjHDgwhGDe1v0Hd7AV6RoONMAj2uiUTrf0pGHv7eC32oOxyyAIWQgXJsHrYZxDD6hLXtACo4TTWqlPcBBeeYwE2sYSQ/s1600/IMG-20160521-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja7O0YFYoczfOg8PCTXa49nUrNqRy2CsJpXwLHbNWAV4aVIxSkjHDgwhGDe1v0Hd7AV6RoONMAj2uiUTrf0pGHv7eC32oOxyyAIWQgXJsHrYZxDD6hLXtACo4TTWqlPcBBeeYwE2sYSQ/s320/IMG-20160521-WA0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our three little precious :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCaWvnyC1tuLr4mJc0tuuYJSdb1ne5cCua3uVwgre2pvROf5okSAzROeQYI-SlIZlmQnQfIzV8tMq281RtIIBQl0gPxKv4W8WF62PFRf2qxMcrC1Wi-8jTcalVa32pgnmkd1RrqvdNzg/s1600/IMG-20160521-WA0017.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCaWvnyC1tuLr4mJc0tuuYJSdb1ne5cCua3uVwgre2pvROf5okSAzROeQYI-SlIZlmQnQfIzV8tMq281RtIIBQl0gPxKv4W8WF62PFRf2qxMcrC1Wi-8jTcalVa32pgnmkd1RrqvdNzg/s320/IMG-20160521-WA0017.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With my in-laws </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh273D5I-YHgu5w32YYyMkjZQIb0l0d9xRMIsVkl3bvWPeAdKLO2D9ela_sGRZl_434HSmC5pFIuUZCKex679l7TPbbTefzhoQof9gN3lrMSY7Osbo_YjwPzNOKeTGgvdL4VnEZsstWlqM/s1600/IMG-20160521-WA0021.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh273D5I-YHgu5w32YYyMkjZQIb0l0d9xRMIsVkl3bvWPeAdKLO2D9ela_sGRZl_434HSmC5pFIuUZCKex679l7TPbbTefzhoQof9gN3lrMSY7Osbo_YjwPzNOKeTGgvdL4VnEZsstWlqM/s320/IMG-20160521-WA0021.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The cousins from my husband's side</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f8sIVPoEWm_3CN_xXnDVwldOPJnlLOmJnTtU2YXFFb2lR_oZr1_s_h5ltWgZh6C7c9vQ7uGdPlK_Ja1juswKO2jLmAhoMY5P9cUhsyCe2P-sIrf5NP0QOPOGQF4TD8r9aOL3nU8ojW8/s1600/IMG-20160521-WA0025.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f8sIVPoEWm_3CN_xXnDVwldOPJnlLOmJnTtU2YXFFb2lR_oZr1_s_h5ltWgZh6C7c9vQ7uGdPlK_Ja1juswKO2jLmAhoMY5P9cUhsyCe2P-sIrf5NP0QOPOGQF4TD8r9aOL3nU8ojW8/s320/IMG-20160521-WA0025.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The celebrated little lady :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fatima was being such a gem as she wasn't cranky and she slept the entire time; even when she's being passed from one person to the other. She slept soundly in the cot so I took the opportunity to mingle and meet with the guests, many of whom I have been dying to meet. Alhamdulillah, the event was a success. Food was awesome and I personally had a wonderful time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_3jWNblXisJvc9WOHBU5XpwWhhlynQsjtfposQ8JxZh1P1zJQvuuT2QVZGYBkR3M-uKMMMJWaEQlyF2k4jJTUuMM6Ky2IrR0o7Ey8UWk5inFcEqvqedPasFFOYTyN7LHfTlihXU_fXU/s1600/IMG-20160521-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_3jWNblXisJvc9WOHBU5XpwWhhlynQsjtfposQ8JxZh1P1zJQvuuT2QVZGYBkR3M-uKMMMJWaEQlyF2k4jJTUuMM6Ky2IrR0o7Ey8UWk5inFcEqvqedPasFFOYTyN7LHfTlihXU_fXU/s320/IMG-20160521-WA0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One for the album </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, 2 weeks later it was my nephew's aqiqah, held at my sister's parents-in-laws' place. Another event anticipated because, well, there's food ( <i>kambing golek!!</i>) and also because their family decided to do the <i>berendoi </i>and the<i> </i>shaving of the hair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs92iiQ-yG-Zh76EX96BGA7acRcei8pOzIMJLlTRt_25rqT_SoGz8YKcM7DXKorcZv_16_xNveQ51UA-6MwfKOCdO4soBEQ6dW1-fn6PELGmvv5j7xxhyETmwjsHw6W9XAH379fZwwqk/s1600/IMG-20160604-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs92iiQ-yG-Zh76EX96BGA7acRcei8pOzIMJLlTRt_25rqT_SoGz8YKcM7DXKorcZv_16_xNveQ51UA-6MwfKOCdO4soBEQ6dW1-fn6PELGmvv5j7xxhyETmwjsHw6W9XAH379fZwwqk/s320/IMG-20160604-WA0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The so-called <i>berendoi</i> dais</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVEcjS0Al882O2MzqnREsaVQnxQXhJHoZ3Cevku8tZHlD6_52c3IsbJMFBGeNT9XTkjUVQnGwwSQNnevL4QNIn-dbTrTJ6shwitr4vUqM6-Khw0lMXOAwFLexS4oUa0OgGxOZOTqQy5Q/s1600/IMG-20160603-WA0036.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVEcjS0Al882O2MzqnREsaVQnxQXhJHoZ3Cevku8tZHlD6_52c3IsbJMFBGeNT9XTkjUVQnGwwSQNnevL4QNIn-dbTrTJ6shwitr4vUqM6-Khw0lMXOAwFLexS4oUa0OgGxOZOTqQy5Q/s320/IMG-20160603-WA0036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0ltYGu_Qz4DKrrMwlE9kpXePMC6EtbMwoeKxhjPPc0WVrqpLrLn5602xxx6-sbdUss4SZlttQR7As_E2Vm9FTu6X-S0SOfMqt_dY-VhOfYt56A4BbbEbW3TVfFghzKvX4pYLiSb6WXw/s1600/IMG-20160603-WA0035.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0ltYGu_Qz4DKrrMwlE9kpXePMC6EtbMwoeKxhjPPc0WVrqpLrLn5602xxx6-sbdUss4SZlttQR7As_E2Vm9FTu6X-S0SOfMqt_dY-VhOfYt56A4BbbEbW3TVfFghzKvX4pYLiSb6WXw/s320/IMG-20160603-WA0035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TMAZ - Tun Muhamad Ashman Zulkarnain</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopAFj5rwHt6KpwV625CgKSo_2mg28U3fsthphbbD0nAiuV5rRpY_5AEfEgtR_fGNR8JBKvhIH-OTOPdYO7BOXpXXjyOuLdoHZSuB0PHReGTSV5O303ObB8XX_9mdcuOF7NFjgjcVyb3Q/s1600/13308354_10208372379921626_616967109829246288_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopAFj5rwHt6KpwV625CgKSo_2mg28U3fsthphbbD0nAiuV5rRpY_5AEfEgtR_fGNR8JBKvhIH-OTOPdYO7BOXpXXjyOuLdoHZSuB0PHReGTSV5O303ObB8XX_9mdcuOF7NFjgjcVyb3Q/s320/13308354_10208372379921626_616967109829246288_o.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The new proud parents with their baby, after the head-shaving ceremony</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Food was great and everything went well despite the heat. Ashman behaved, too, the entire time especially during the head-shaving ceremony by the ustaz. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More pictures taken :</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy5YsD-8ees9TVijopUbrJYjWnpvlnQ8rWW5-knXXhliqZZJTvWX_6Nnh9gsdwnFldQFB_DadRvQiTQzW12slA_zjECNWnuwdQAIcCWYZd8d3f9HHYGtdmKHLOVhWbFZ1GgEBG6bLreI/s1600/IMG-20160605-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy5YsD-8ees9TVijopUbrJYjWnpvlnQ8rWW5-knXXhliqZZJTvWX_6Nnh9gsdwnFldQFB_DadRvQiTQzW12slA_zjECNWnuwdQAIcCWYZd8d3f9HHYGtdmKHLOVhWbFZ1GgEBG6bLreI/s320/IMG-20160605-WA0006.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hdWC3e9eX_459tu2tnO_NIRQMPsjQTBFMuejV0hfNI5xwgIL_jpMmAW5SGozArl8R33etbFEBQekRlJU-Y9NIgMFk5BAwh0MCMU1Qv1Tjj1yeYP4G0jhqL1fehrKdLNunaKogctoUCE/s1600/IMG-20160604-WA0044.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hdWC3e9eX_459tu2tnO_NIRQMPsjQTBFMuejV0hfNI5xwgIL_jpMmAW5SGozArl8R33etbFEBQekRlJU-Y9NIgMFk5BAwh0MCMU1Qv1Tjj1yeYP4G0jhqL1fehrKdLNunaKogctoUCE/s320/IMG-20160604-WA0044.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY2niP3zKSk7AOB7mPKQ49XW9H492S9aJAnJW1g66J5v4PwaBX0eBsIHS5VF6KrDGKNXqkGFseerNnGqqBFZ2UFJGhtZ0i2fR-BIJbuGzYIEI7_NLJhL3IJqOcap4FydXr9cxAJ7FfYc/s1600/IMG-20160604-WA0043.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY2niP3zKSk7AOB7mPKQ49XW9H492S9aJAnJW1g66J5v4PwaBX0eBsIHS5VF6KrDGKNXqkGFseerNnGqqBFZ2UFJGhtZ0i2fR-BIJbuGzYIEI7_NLJhL3IJqOcap4FydXr9cxAJ7FfYc/s320/IMG-20160604-WA0043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfphHHArxzM2HVx8W_-cMWEi_AZV-NgAKhPQLELIDj6MQ5v8M-LGqEh1qULVjkOCvA3nypC3rPM8KtK6arHYI2Agp2yuX-Li5NJ2Bs2AeSiSOsJPPu_yVdf4EjCCtjYp7IuErThx733d4/s1600/IMG-20160604-WA0026.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfphHHArxzM2HVx8W_-cMWEi_AZV-NgAKhPQLELIDj6MQ5v8M-LGqEh1qULVjkOCvA3nypC3rPM8KtK6arHYI2Agp2yuX-Li5NJ2Bs2AeSiSOsJPPu_yVdf4EjCCtjYp7IuErThx733d4/s320/IMG-20160604-WA0026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAh-5CFbgnRYpIsITV3pO6zd4pB7I3jesGc2uX2pMraAD6YalQx8c-890hCHsc-9BzF2r2MjT0sqOgYMs0eJod3eCsrAcyA4SqNi9v31P_MUCwvyBagnoU9_NRsMwOkJEz51f2LVdQWg/s1600/IMG-20160604-WA0030.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAh-5CFbgnRYpIsITV3pO6zd4pB7I3jesGc2uX2pMraAD6YalQx8c-890hCHsc-9BzF2r2MjT0sqOgYMs0eJod3eCsrAcyA4SqNi9v31P_MUCwvyBagnoU9_NRsMwOkJEz51f2LVdQWg/s320/IMG-20160604-WA0030.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexYialG7524fnmX8wbFJ6iPhRzsF3TwbgPr2skw5ML4_NMmmTixidxEA5jNlrLZZ3fu6fCPzSdrkHmS-ktxp_XryKWO2AapFrIJdfBAVoyS27ItJTti2JmCZ5AVXls4bI0_nhwqkyo0Y/s1600/13392220_10154191050134350_1205686462665091863_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexYialG7524fnmX8wbFJ6iPhRzsF3TwbgPr2skw5ML4_NMmmTixidxEA5jNlrLZZ3fu6fCPzSdrkHmS-ktxp_XryKWO2AapFrIJdfBAVoyS27ItJTti2JmCZ5AVXls4bI0_nhwqkyo0Y/s320/13392220_10154191050134350_1205686462665091863_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*Luqman's missing coz he was sleeping at the time this photo was taken*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, these two little munchkins were the most tired ones haha </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx-0QQJaAn3h_KOyze-fX_H1DgCInaBDIno922mx64tEfaQ2RdwgVsPVvewAn4t6TqfuZrGKce84vuFUDLfsCfwpvOV2D8fWZzKUogZ5MZw9e1Jsby7R9JYpXimD9muKj1g-ikE2D7VQ/s1600/IMG-20160604-WA0041.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx-0QQJaAn3h_KOyze-fX_H1DgCInaBDIno922mx64tEfaQ2RdwgVsPVvewAn4t6TqfuZrGKce84vuFUDLfsCfwpvOV2D8fWZzKUogZ5MZw9e1Jsby7R9JYpXimD9muKj1g-ikE2D7VQ/s320/IMG-20160604-WA0041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ashman and Fatima</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Having a child is a great blessing from Allah so performing aqiqah is a way of being thankful. Besides, hosting a ceremony also is another purpose to invite family and friends to the blessed occasion where food and meat are served. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the day, no matter how you decide to host the event or how you want to perform your aqiqah, it always comes back to the basic; that aqiqah is sunnah and also a sadaqah.</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-43394475086843440762016-05-29T22:18:00.004+08:002016-05-29T22:18:45.132+08:00Get well soon<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's that time again when sleep is an evaporated matter and your sick child (baby) with an elevated temperature is the real deal. I am worried sick of my Fatima because she's been suffering from a fever for three days now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Couldn't believe that my baby who is hardly 2 months could be infected with this viral fever. It's the worst part of parenting I must say - knowing your child is sick and you can only do as much to make him/her feel better. *sigh*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It breaks my heart to see Fatima suffering from the fever. She is still a baby! It's the last thing I want to witness because whatever pain and queasiness she is feeling, I am feeling it twice. And like all parents, I wish the pain is mine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just hope and pray hard that come tomorrow she'll at least have a normal temperature and a better well-being. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God, give me strength for the day and shine me the light for the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please make du'a for my Fatima, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQZx2AclC8zLFZToMPULWDMQX5pFJlIjPVZp72PPHP_ODGjaAGtIfYlo4fZOdXl061jmpPe9JkFkZInoRo1FY-HQD_57RRvxMlaZ5F5H7al0iavrZVrl_A_GEF47pi5XjE1V_SrdXqjA/s1600/4868ef9cbdcbf55402adc9f706ad99c8.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQZx2AclC8zLFZToMPULWDMQX5pFJlIjPVZp72PPHP_ODGjaAGtIfYlo4fZOdXl061jmpPe9JkFkZInoRo1FY-HQD_57RRvxMlaZ5F5H7al0iavrZVrl_A_GEF47pi5XjE1V_SrdXqjA/s320/4868ef9cbdcbf55402adc9f706ad99c8.gif" width="170" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get well soon, baby girl.</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-62435657120837098562016-04-25T12:28:00.001+08:002016-04-25T12:28:42.691+08:00Joyful April<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0ju30GnZkUyp0PdEMsj4ychl0AZaCptf0hJmAF1IHBZh-0yprK4GQvxlyF_okHzkzFygxzLh8dGvBfTZjpuuoG1BvolZO7C2tavlCzYdYkKSLjE88UAlzum2sUX-5HjvBfSY1uuKP8E/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0ju30GnZkUyp0PdEMsj4ychl0AZaCptf0hJmAF1IHBZh-0yprK4GQvxlyF_okHzkzFygxzLh8dGvBfTZjpuuoG1BvolZO7C2tavlCzYdYkKSLjE88UAlzum2sUX-5HjvBfSY1uuKP8E/s320/imgres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's almost the end of April but I hope it's not too late to share with you people what a joyful month it has been. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 memorable events took place this month - would have been three if it's not for Fatima's early debut (she decided to say hello to the world on the 31st of March, 2 days prior to her EDD).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the 8th of April, it was Soraya Adeena's 3rd birthday. She was really looking forward to this day because she wanted a cake. Sorry little girl, no fancy schmancy cake this time around but I am sure you absolutely loved the tiny delicious Macadamia Caramel Cheese cake ayah bought you. Oh and that one sliced Chocolate Prune Cake, too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V2E0cG13zOYJaS3MYsBJacATdBbYmGX3bymnhy2gDu0gS_BPV2vPoTnTk_0eXH83rdkmBsUtgtqsem-7QUlae55XsXHfKrftO5TIiPwUXJjj-CCTRKADIHlDCH_4JkiAX8tL41Gd94Q/s1600/PhotoGrid_1460117443327.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5V2E0cG13zOYJaS3MYsBJacATdBbYmGX3bymnhy2gDu0gS_BPV2vPoTnTk_0eXH83rdkmBsUtgtqsem-7QUlae55XsXHfKrftO5TIiPwUXJjj-CCTRKADIHlDCH_4JkiAX8tL41Gd94Q/s320/PhotoGrid_1460117443327.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I obviously just started my confinement so my husband and I were thankful that my family took the effort to drop by with food and presents for the kids. Totally made their day. I, on the other hand had to salivate over those cakes and the KFC bucket that my brother bought while all of them were having a finger-licking good time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6G4ckMUlNDByl1ra3_aWiyyRUsSHfMeCEyDhWffPrVjyuw6In0mlGr1gADQhTSk-f9SsyTOSmugG6o3dHUTLLBYq_-0KxHELTgBe6gODegMposm_CYtIWQgWTmHBnJ6JHgJWee6JeNI/s1600/PhotoGrid_1461504382529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6G4ckMUlNDByl1ra3_aWiyyRUsSHfMeCEyDhWffPrVjyuw6In0mlGr1gADQhTSk-f9SsyTOSmugG6o3dHUTLLBYq_-0KxHELTgBe6gODegMposm_CYtIWQgWTmHBnJ6JHgJWee6JeNI/s320/PhotoGrid_1461504382529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Couldn't be more happy with their presence!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNvxM5vXcDvyNvIbiOTtoKZ4jwtVsV7kvC_PTtIr7ouj-VxRU4lqGWvpJu9fAlADzje84hAoTKdkWhBRhQoYVbHq-cnzhLZRnB3Nihhdeqe11F24iwj-lwT7h65cbI3zn9XP2G3D0II4/s1600/PhotoGrid_1461504286819.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNvxM5vXcDvyNvIbiOTtoKZ4jwtVsV7kvC_PTtIr7ouj-VxRU4lqGWvpJu9fAlADzje84hAoTKdkWhBRhQoYVbHq-cnzhLZRnB3Nihhdeqe11F24iwj-lwT7h65cbI3zn9XP2G3D0II4/s320/PhotoGrid_1461504286819.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To Soraya Adeena,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No words can truly express my love for you. It's hard not to fall in love with you and be smitten by you. Three years have passed and I see my own reflection in you without having to look into the mirror. You are definitely a joy to have and be around with and you definitely leave a pride in me and your dad. May you grow up to be the best muslimah insyaAllah, one who benefits the ummah and those around you. My prayers for you will never stop. Love you so much debob!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, on the 21st of April 2016, the wait was finally over. My youngest sister gave birth to a healthy baby boy weighing at 3.6 kg. We were all swelled with pride and joy with this new addition to the family. My parents were the most happy, I would say. Two new grandchildren this year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW-u63EZhFrb11mkeKiz1xxlTy0dMW-WCY_r_ovjWVuc747n-sZl9Om7unROereEJDCWYUSlO__b-KsOPAYHK8ZlfCCRq1ewjYr-Keza9p0EWQoq2ALWLlZ4rCsxtW3Z7NEaZJUdznYM/s1600/PhotoGrid_1461499906450.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW-u63EZhFrb11mkeKiz1xxlTy0dMW-WCY_r_ovjWVuc747n-sZl9Om7unROereEJDCWYUSlO__b-KsOPAYHK8ZlfCCRq1ewjYr-Keza9p0EWQoq2ALWLlZ4rCsxtW3Z7NEaZJUdznYM/s320/PhotoGrid_1461499906450.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn't wait to hold my first nephew so off I went to the hospital with Fatima and my parents the next day while Luqman and Adeena were in school. I was already on my 23rd day of confinement; feeling pretty ok already hehe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-swydwX8MPUWbJqPovdxANn0xdlaoSTgpPQ1G7Jw6zkENfDMVVYaP-RsDkTfp5XpSjGkOhKBMAPpV1hS4PEvWhIo_B7GEkhN7HeqxfB4tltlvxYvkhI6hjK9GNdoy2eetOZuag38NZuk/s1600/PhotoGrid_1461499665592.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-swydwX8MPUWbJqPovdxANn0xdlaoSTgpPQ1G7Jw6zkENfDMVVYaP-RsDkTfp5XpSjGkOhKBMAPpV1hS4PEvWhIo_B7GEkhN7HeqxfB4tltlvxYvkhI6hjK9GNdoy2eetOZuag38NZuk/s320/PhotoGrid_1461499665592.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tun Muhamad Ashman Zulkarnain, you are such a cutie Mak Long so <i>geram</i>!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zhaRvCFX-QiwHFxGfB0-FvYBju17sB1EfpPJh707Arv1klxXGalk3B1wZgskHQUt2B6awVDlFixYnUSqbPzEoKaUpiTni3XXStobv3PAtBaMsAoCz5UCfydZIeq7xX2bIp4kLR6u4yI/s1600/PhotoGrid_1461499808558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zhaRvCFX-QiwHFxGfB0-FvYBju17sB1EfpPJh707Arv1klxXGalk3B1wZgskHQUt2B6awVDlFixYnUSqbPzEoKaUpiTni3XXStobv3PAtBaMsAoCz5UCfydZIeq7xX2bIp4kLR6u4yI/s320/PhotoGrid_1461499808558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day, Luqman and Adeena visited Mak Su and said hi to their little cousin for the first time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's still surreal, really what with me having my third child and my sister had her first. We're all grown ups already! And now we're talking mummy lingo ey!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can't wait for May coz it'll be a joyful one for me -- the end of confinement period! Weehuu!</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-78676675800405141852016-04-21T11:35:00.000+08:002016-04-21T11:35:03.765+08:00Third time's a charm - Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was already 7 am. And we're still pacing up and down the room. Suddenly I had this urge to pass motion. Twice. My heart raced so fast and I panicked. I told my husband and he pressed the bell. The nurse came into our room and I told her my situation. The next thing I knew, I was rushed to the labour room on a wheelchair and I could feel my face turned white. This is it! It's time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everything happened so fast. I was wheeled into this bright room with two midwives readily waiting. I was slowly transferred onto the bed. A female doctor came to check and I was already 7cm dilated. All the while, the contractions changed to expulsive, pushing ones. I was grunting with each contraction. Then, my husband came and sat next to me while holding my hand. I think he's saying words of encouragement or reciting his prayer; I don't quite know as I was too distracted with the pain and the urge to push. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After a few minutes, the midwives got me ready into a pushing position. The doctor's been telling me when and how to push and she was so good at guiding me. She taught me how to really breathe properly with every contraction and to me, that really helped in giving birth this time around. I guess it took me 4 really long push (and tears streaming down my face) until the hard work was finally over. It was 8.36 am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next few minutes were blurry. I was left feeling nauseous and shaky. I was panting and my throat felt dry. I heard the midwives, the doctor and my husband rejoicing once the baby was out. "Well done!" "Good job!" were all I could make of amidst the noise. My baby instantly cried her first cry and she was put on my chest after my husband was given the honour of cutting her umbilical cord. She's beautiful, mashaAllah. Tears started to form again. My husband kissed my head and squeezed my hand. I let out a huge sigh of relief. It's over. Finally. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Except, it wasn't really over <i>down there</i>. The doctor was busy examining my placenta and she made sure that nothing was left behind by pressing my tummy here and there. However, I was hardly aware of all this and the stitching as I was busy focusing on my baby and offering her the breast at the same time admiring her features. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was exhausted -- <i>extremely</i> exhausted. My hands were shaky and I felt cold. I was hungry and I instantly remembered the chicken chop that I had for dinner last night before going into battle. My husband passed me the dates and I drank half of the water in the bottle. I felt rejuvenated a bit. I looked at my husband and we both smiled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"She looks like her abang Luqman," I said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Yes, she does," my husband replied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Syukur alhamdulillah. Selamat semuanya.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>You know. I have been having all sorts of thoughts when it comes to labour and giving birth for the third time. The fear escalates because you have gone through this twice before and you know what's coming - the signs, pain, etc. But every labour is totally different and truthfully, I didn't know what to expect. However, I have promised myself that I will try to have a normal unassisted birth this time around and alhamdulillah I managed with Allah's help. I also promised myself to not give in to pain easily and try to have natural pain relief instead of taking medical ones. Alhamdulillah, as much as I want help at some point, I aced this too, this time around. He has also made it easy for me during labour despite the long hours of battling contractions. Allahuakbar!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I guess it's true what they say -- The third time's always a charm. </i></span><br />
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-31008135025622858432016-04-20T16:15:00.002+08:002016-04-20T16:20:52.664+08:00Third time's a charm - Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I took a peek at the clock and I noticed that the time seemed to slow to a crawl. I looked at my husband who was snoring away softly on the sofa bed, all curled up just like a baby <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I let him sleep and didn't wake him up because I knew he was equally exhausted and once the baby's out, he will have to run around to settle the post-labour chores. So yeah, let him get his rest).</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I told myself that it's going to be a very long night. I inhaled and exhaled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Earlier today, I was alarmed by the bloody show that appeared. As there were no contraction pains yet, I decided to wait and got my hospital bag ready in the meantime. The discharge continued to pass until late evening and by that time, I'd started to feel the contractions slowly coming in. My husband came home, fetched the kids and off we went to my parents' to drop Luqman and Adeena before making our way to the hospital. Once there, the doctor who checked told us that I was already 3cm dilated. I could go back home and come here again when it's time but with the third child anything's possible. We took the doctor's advice and decided to stay for the night. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With one hand at my waist and the other rubbing my bulging tummy, I paced around the room despite the labour contractions that were coming in quite regularly and more intense. I tried to relax but the pain -- oh boy, the pain! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had been alternating between walking and resting. I had tried leaning on a pillow and also the knee-chest position every time the pain kicked in. I focused on my breathing, too. God knows how sleepy I was. At one point, I think I dozed off on the bed as I was too tired only to be awakened by the entrance of the nurse, pushing in the electronic fetal monitor machine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 hours had passed. Pain's coming in still quite regularly and the intensity was still moderate. 3 more hours and it would be Fajr. By this time, I was already feeling very anxious and emotional. I just couldn't wait for the baby to come out. I almost gave up. It felt like ages! My husband's also awake. I guess my loud breathing and my little cries and howls sort of woke him up. Anyway, he held my hand and paced with me around the room through what seemed like an endless transition. He was quiet most of the time - partly still feeling sleepy and partly because being quiet was the best thing to do at that moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every 10 minutes I would slow down and stopped and gripped my husband's hands so tightly. I cringed, shook my head and remember saying, <i>"Ya Allah! Sakit!"</i> everytime the contractions came. He would rub my back, cuddle me and whispered "Hang in there. <i>Sikit je lagi ni"</i>. I nodded and continued pacing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tears started to form in my eyes. I recited the zikir and constantly prayed to Allah to please make everything easy for me. Luqman and Adeena suddenly came to mind and I became more emotional. I breathed in and breathed out slowly. I could do this, I told myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I poured myself a glass of water and ate the date -- it was my 5th for the night -- and continued walking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I slowly opened my eyes. I was on the bed. I must have dozed off again. My husband was curled on the sofa bed. There was a knock on the door and the nurse came in wheeling that machine again. I was strapped with the elastic belts on my tummy. My eyes darted to the clock and it was almost 5.30 am. I sighed. <i>"Sakitla nurse"</i> I told her and she smiled. <i>"Almost there"</i> she replied. "Do you want any painkiller or gas?" I shook my head. "Keep on moving and walking<i>. If you rasa macam nak buang air besar after this, you cepat-cepat tekan bell ya</i>". I nodded weakly and she went out. I pulled myself to a sitting position. The pain was now so intense I felt like screaming on the tops of my lung. This whole transitional phase was the most difficult part -- the pressure and the pain my body was enduring; where do I even begin???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, it was time for Fajr prayer. I could hear the Azan from a nearby mosque. I moved my husband. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He couldn't believe it was already dawn (he thought time passed by so quickly) while I, on the other hand, thought it was the longest night in my entire life. T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ogether we prayed. In my last rakaat, the pain almost knocked me down from the chair, leaving me feeling all shaky. I thought, this is it. Maybe it's time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>to be continued</i></span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-60761170411256209552016-04-18T14:40:00.003+08:002016-04-18T14:45:45.172+08:00A life's begun<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After 39 weeks and 5 days of growing my baby, an overnight of battling contractions, and an hour of giving birth, our little girl was finally born. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's the moment that we've all been anticipating for. Despite the exhaustion and the emotional wreck I have been, I can say that both my husband and I have never felt so happy, too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUyJ0frPlsLIM_0W_PZZTp3TFZBaptufxytI26qTtorsXZNWVFnkH-Ja7qmllfMzVkq9mEq672SOBjkm5qhYElxd-B5FCby7qJH5_wKUOdxIucpKCcP2OrKZfMdaeZMShaFGQaSSjAu4/s1600/IMG-20160331-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUyJ0frPlsLIM_0W_PZZTp3TFZBaptufxytI26qTtorsXZNWVFnkH-Ja7qmllfMzVkq9mEq672SOBjkm5qhYElxd-B5FCby7qJH5_wKUOdxIucpKCcP2OrKZfMdaeZMShaFGQaSSjAu4/s320/IMG-20160331-WA0007.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we held our newborn, the realisation that we are responsible for this precious new life can feel daunting. We feel like we're new parents once again. The first few days were quite overwhelming and hectic so to speak. I remember feeling a little bit weepy - a combination of raging hormones and exhaustion - and I wasn't feeling all that elated every minute of the day. Fast forward to another 2 weeks, I am spending the time of my baby's life in an exhausted but happy haze. In between feeds (lotsa of 'em! I forgot how much a newborn is attached to your boobs) nappy changes, and her around-the-clock schedule, we are indeed excited with our bundle of joy (it is still very surreal, really).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Though it's our number three, we're still grappling and at times overwhelmed by the responsibility. Alhamdulillah, we get lots of support and help from both our families. I really owe my mom and husband for helping and supporting me so that I get sufficient rest to care for the new baby. Also, seeing my husband handling the day-to-day chores and trying hard to keep the house (and all of us) together reminds me why I love him in the first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will definitely blog about my labour story. Like I have mentioned before, I didn't know what to expect this time around, and as it turned out, it was something different altogether. As they say, third time's a charm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For now, meet our little girl, Fatima Eiliyah, named after Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) daughter. May she grow to become someone beautiful, calm and serene and loved by Allah -- as what Eiliyah is supposed to mean. Amin, insyaAllah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtE28YIuOwPiJmms3pzbInm0DrF8ylyeVGAjjawYKfZ8_G1uZQ8lQNb3ar_Xypqd80oBJw5UV1vQUXkZFAGBGmSC2JA_l9jR0bCYK-lBL0lL7udzqB-TOyw2LkyasyxPZveifCSzKVz0/s1600/IMG-20160331-WA0014.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtE28YIuOwPiJmms3pzbInm0DrF8ylyeVGAjjawYKfZ8_G1uZQ8lQNb3ar_Xypqd80oBJw5UV1vQUXkZFAGBGmSC2JA_l9jR0bCYK-lBL0lL7udzqB-TOyw2LkyasyxPZveifCSzKVz0/s320/IMG-20160331-WA0014.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Just a few minutes after she was out from the womb</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrPPdtjfAJ6Zi5U34Hu7Yz3Q9YmGsYriofhv_9oHxhDy_E17L0hV-ZhD7LZ_uE10TQZNOn95M1pp21iqfICCmeartufJgX6FlqkqWQsn8J9ykYsOgQuiOhiGWijK2llwr0Z6gi2Qw55Q/s1600/PhotoGrid_1459758655336.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrPPdtjfAJ6Zi5U34Hu7Yz3Q9YmGsYriofhv_9oHxhDy_E17L0hV-ZhD7LZ_uE10TQZNOn95M1pp21iqfICCmeartufJgX6FlqkqWQsn8J9ykYsOgQuiOhiGWijK2llwr0Z6gi2Qw55Q/s320/PhotoGrid_1459758655336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Looking a lot like Abang Luqman</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE1z3VRLdeOlUF6xun4-grmNNl86K0aO5ykGTSorVtuSouCwH3ZGZYVEcNHUJnD8dDHX0zHw-ZFf9TCuqnp50mt5sEiIDt-_1AP7P3F2fqhaw8Y8KtIKIjXmXTzTeIUZZZpJ17_xsmmg/s1600/PhotoGrid_1459423391580.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE1z3VRLdeOlUF6xun4-grmNNl86K0aO5ykGTSorVtuSouCwH3ZGZYVEcNHUJnD8dDHX0zHw-ZFf9TCuqnp50mt5sEiIDt-_1AP7P3F2fqhaw8Y8KtIKIjXmXTzTeIUZZZpJ17_xsmmg/s320/PhotoGrid_1459423391580.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Luqman and Adeena meeting Fatima for the very first time :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As for now, wish us luck! We hope to survive the bleary-eyed days and get our sleep back probably soon. NOT.</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-55601918473031603942016-03-27T09:52:00.001+08:002016-04-07T14:52:53.519+08:00Almost there<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that I am already at my 39th week when it just felt like yesterday when we found out I was expecting. I'm in the homestretch! The anxiety, fear, and excitement are kinda overwhelming I would say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">39 weeks pregnant me and my 34 weeks pregnant sister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am at that stage where everything is just not comfortable anymore. Sleeping at night is such a chore - tossing and turning to find <i>the </i>right position. I walk like a penguin at the rate of a gliding snail. Pregnancy at 39 weeks also means that I am always attuned to any signs of labor, which is quite scary. Yes, I am scared. Ohh, the contraction, the ultimate pain *shudders* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's the waiting game! And it's killing me. A little tiring don't you think? Since both my kids made their debut exactly at 40 weeks (Luqman on his EDD and Adeena came out a day earlier),I should expect the same with the third one, no? Hopefully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My kids have been asking the same question every single day on when is the baby coming out while rubbing and kissing my tummy. It's cute when Adeena tries to make conversation with her younger sibling in the tummy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We try to spend quality time as much as we can as a family now, knowing that after delivery, my focus will be shifted ultimately on the baby. I really hope that Luqman and Adeena will be able to understand later and not feel that detachment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm sure they'll be over the moon when the baby arrives hehe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For now, I would say preparation is almost 85% complete. However, I just can't get started on packing my hospital bag I just don't know why. Terrible I know. At this point of time, that bag should already be in the car when in reality it is still empty somewhere in my wardrobe. I hope I still have time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Work wise, I didn't plan on taking leaves earlier and just continue to go to work until the end (just like my previous pregnancies) but on second thought (well, just two days ago actually), I decided to start resting this coming Wednesday. The doctor agrees and hopefully I'll get to relish the peaceful me-time three days prior to my due date. I already made mental plans on what I should be doing on that three days. So looking forward!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I should be getting ready to celebrate, I actually dread the prospect of having to deliver a baby *cold sweat*. Please pray for me. Please pray that I would be calm and okay and that I will get through this delivery day fears. Who knows, the next time I post something here, my baby is already home :)</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-90380278498196842272016-03-17T21:51:00.001+08:002016-04-09T13:54:36.331+08:00Magical love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's just something magical about grandparents when it comes to their grandchildren. It's a bond like no other - the unconditional love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whenever I see my parents with my kids, I wonder why weren't they the way they are right now when they were with us many many yeas ago? I guess it's because of their new role which doesn't put any pressure on them as parents. They can just enjoy their grandchildren for who they are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This laidback, joyful freedom way of handling kids, I presume, is why most grandchildren love their grandparents so much. I mean it's true right? With Atok and Nanny or Wan, it is so much fun because they seem to get away with pretty much everything; especially when it comes to food and gadgets. While I used to get all tense and uncomfortable because of this discipline-out-of-the-window thingy, I have come to learn to just let it go. After all, I don't want to be the 'party pooper', do I? <i>Bukannya selalu.</i> But of course, the line is drawn and some things have been made clear and we're all good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, it's no surprise that grandparents' involvement in our kids' lives is even more important. It's comforting to know that there are other adults who love our children and are definitely looking out for them. In times of difficulties, my husband and I can never be more grateful that both our parents are just a call away and they can help take some of the pressure off us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While some might not agree with the involvement of the grandparents, I guess deep down we all do want some of it. Just not in a judgmental, meddling way but more to a loving and supportive way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's face it. Grandparents are VIPs - at least to my kids. When they're with Atok and Nanny or Wan, we're forgotten! Haha They'll tell us how it is so much fun with their grandparents that sometimes I tend to think we're going to lose! However, upon seeing how smitten they are with their grandchildren, how they coo on very photos and the way their eyes lit when Luqman and Adeena entertain them with their antics, it gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I smile thinking how lucky my kids are to have such loving and doting grandparents who don't need much to feel special; they already are special the moment their grandchildren were born :)</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-43441177199887523482016-03-16T08:56:00.001+08:002016-03-16T08:56:30.695+08:00Missing Atok<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I answered the call from my sister yesterday afternoon to a sobbing voice at the other end of the line, I somewhat knew. I have been having that inkling since the day when we were all told that he was getting weaker. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><b>Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un</b></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We surely belong to Allah and to Him we shall return."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just yesterday morning we were all alarmed by his worsened condition. Our Mak Ngah who has been taking care of Atok informed us family that he was too weak to even budge and he barely opened his eyes. The doctor came to the house and injected some glucose as he was hypoglycemic. Mom was already there the moment we were told. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God knows better - a few hours later, Atok was gone. He was 93 years old. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We rushed back to Kanchong Darat just in time before the Jenazah prayer was about to be performed. <i>Alhamdulillah, sempat tengok wajah Atok.</i> I didn't get to see and kiss Nenek when she passed away two years ago because we arrived quite late. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am quite disappointed because I can't even remember the last time I visited Atok. I didn't get to see him at the last cousin's wedding we attended because he already went back -- he was feeling uncomfortable. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, Atok looked so calm and serene. Despite the heat, it rained very heavily; leaving the earth with some fresh smell. The sweet fragrance of the after rain accompanied Atok throughout the process. Alhamdulillah.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He was well-known in Banting as he was a teacher and Guru Besar. Everybody pretty much know who Wak Sarkam or Cikgu Sarkam was. He served the community well. May he be placed among the good, amin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Al-Fatihah</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Allahyarham Haji Sarkam bin Ramlan</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>1923-2016</b></i></span></span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-53372394742670076472016-03-07T22:28:00.001+08:002016-03-07T22:28:18.540+08:00Sick days<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been the toughest and testing two weeks so far. We've all been under the weather for God-knows-how-long. And we all know getting sick is never fun. Imagine getting sick while you're pregnant - worst! It's the last thing I need, but it can happen all too easily. Being sick for two is twice as uncomfortable already and I had to look after the other three members of the household, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It all started with me going down with the bug - suffice to say I got the whole sick package. Was on medical leave for two days - a continuation from the weekend. Then, Luqman followed suit. Expected, Deena joined in the trio later. The best of prevention doesn't always do the trick, so my husband fell prey to this vicious trap, too - the nasty virus that's been lurking in the household. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thing about being a mom who falls sick is this - you're almost not allowed to. Moms don't fall sick, remember? It's a universal truth! When I inevitably succumbed to the nasty virus, I remember thinking there's no way I am going to be sick. I just couldn't let everything go for a while. Laundry, dishes and clutter piles - that helpless feeling which resulted me being one cranky mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As much as I want to curl in bed, put myself first to get the rest I need, I know it remains a wishful thinking as it is. When moms are sick, business is as usual. My kids needed me. I had been shouldering the extra load especially when my husband was down for the count; I took lots of midnight temperatures, wiped lots of little noses, cleaning up the vomits and sponging those fiery hot bodies until I fell asleep in a sitting position.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thinking back, I shuddered. I shuddered because I managed, I tackled the mess with vengeance for days despite my weak condition. But I have to give credit to my husband, too for even though he was weak beyond compare, he tried to help around, letting me rest and had my shift off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alhamdulillah, all is well now. I am better. Kids have recuperated and hubby is out and about already in Bangkok for the next three days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I probably shouldn't say this but I think I am amazing *blows nails*. Moms are amazing, really. We're sick yet we still run the house. We're super humans. For one, we just don't get sick days.</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-42105371241413639612016-02-28T07:27:00.001+08:002016-02-28T07:27:51.488+08:00New journey<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week, my husband dropped the bomb over dinner which luckily, I wasn't choked after hearing it. The news was somewhat surprising but not totally unexpected. It's just I didn't think it would be so so soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My reaction was that of a hysterical laughter followed by his, too. While holding his hands, gripping them hard, I know deep down things will change from now on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I foresee a lot of sacrifices have to be made in the future - juggling time between family and studies -- especially after I have given birth (which is just a few weeks away). No more frequent weekend outings (oh dear!). And the thought of me handling three kids without his presence is enough to make me shudder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, I believe Allah has planned it all the way. An unexpected situation always comes with wisdom, and we're up for it insyaAllah. I am so so supportive of his new journey in life (I can never be more happy, in fact!) but I also know the beginning is always the hardest. I know, too, that there's no turning back on his part and insyaAllah we will ace this together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On top of that, I am so grateful that both of us have our support system (both our families) which we can rely on in times of difficulties. Praying hard that everything will be eased. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the best hubby. You know I am always right by your side :)</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-71851936809799231412016-02-23T05:55:00.000+08:002016-02-23T05:55:06.470+08:00Super (pregnant) mom<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband just left at the wee hours of the morning for a day outstation. While this has not been the first time, it's the first he's away leaving me 8 months plus pregnant with two kids and a household to manage for the day. From my point of view, it is already challenging enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truth be told, I have been preparing for this day for so long. It's a major drag. Yes, it's just a day but given that I am such a whale right now (oh yes, I am!), I can't help but envision that I would pass out at the end of the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kids will be up in half-an-hour. I have prepared everything the day prior to save me the hassle and drama this morning. I cannot be more than grateful that my superior allows me to report for work a little later than usual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I CAN DO THIS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With some planning done, I think I can go through today's short-term single motherhood (so dramatic, I know!) smoothly. And like a pro. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May the force be with me.</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-56427208728360515152016-02-07T07:37:00.002+08:002016-02-07T07:37:59.584+08:00Morning cries<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Adeena is almost 3 now and she's the earliest of the two to be sent to the nursery. The thought of sending her for the first time was hard, considering she was hardly 2 at that time. To me, she was too young to be separated and it was the biggest step we had to make as parents. Besides, it was the only choice we had after Bibik was sent home and this decision was mainly dictated by our career demands. I remember it was a very sensitive time for the both of us but Adeena was a star. Everything was eased and despite the ongoing crying that broke my heart every time, she managed after two weeks. The rest was history and life continues to be breezy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only, the crying started again December last year -- that's almost after a year plus she's been at the nursery. My husband and I agreed it must have been hard for Adeena to resettle after a month's break from the nursery (it was the school holidays so my kids stayed at home with me). Out of worry, I constantly pep talk her, telling her she has to go to school, play with her friends while ayah and ummi go to work. Every single day, that's what we did and she would nod like she really understood and her reply would be <i>"Nanti Ummi ambik Adeena kan?"</i> I was so crushed inside, feeling all guilty that she had to be sent there. I kept my fingers crossed everyday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But things didn't change until now. And that's been almost 1 month plus. Every morning I would whatsapp my husband, asking of Adeena and his response would be the same "She still cries" (My husband would take care of the kids in the morning as I have to leave the house at 6.30 am every working day). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can only imagine what I am feeling. I have all sorts of pre-assumptions in my head right now. Are the teachers the cause? The caretakers there have been changed quite a few times in a month that maybe Adeena is still adjusting because she's been used to the old ones. Or is she being bullied? Or has any of the teacher raised a voice to her? etc etc etc</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill because </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">she doesn't throw tantrums. But, she will cry every single morning once she arrives at the nursery. The quivering of the lips and the tears will start in the car itself. Thing is, she'll get down, walks through the front door, salam, arranges her slippers, goes in and rushes to the sliding door to 'bye bye' while crying her eyes out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Such heartbreaking scene.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Talked to her caretakers and they said she's fine every time the car leaves and she's a fine kid all day long. I should not worry right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, I guess it is just separation anxiety. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">What more that I am pregnant now. They say it's a phase. She's being <i>'sayu'</i> like what my mom puts it. I really hope that is all because I can't bear the thoughts of something else that could have been bothering her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This too, shall pass.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj2hIGmQC_CxVxrtcWgg9ReYsTm7ThCo2AXZ9zKH_u5TOhhzJVN7ff4mp1u29lbqz5Boev9LGqLi5ixLso-Gi8ITXMsDXtux2HSK297vGuTMBivjEpOhV9HhnrHgtYRCWni4EUa34Vlk/s1600/DSC_0034-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj2hIGmQC_CxVxrtcWgg9ReYsTm7ThCo2AXZ9zKH_u5TOhhzJVN7ff4mp1u29lbqz5Boev9LGqLi5ixLso-Gi8ITXMsDXtux2HSK297vGuTMBivjEpOhV9HhnrHgtYRCWni4EUa34Vlk/s320/DSC_0034-001.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love you, Adeena :)</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-33481683940537070652016-02-01T06:03:00.002+08:002016-02-01T06:03:52.295+08:00At this point of time<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes, being pregnant can feel as if it's a full-time job already. And it's tough when you've already got a full-time job yourself -- the kind that requires you to move, climb up the stairs and entertain 30-40 clients at a time. Fatigue is not even apt to describe what I have been feeling everyday for the past 8 months I am carrying. That's my biggest challenge so far -- fighting fatigue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things can get quite stressful, I admit, but I try not to make it adversely affect my health and my mood. The thought of a 3 months leave seem to uplift me the most and a newborn in my arms to hold. And yes, of course, I get plenty of sleep and rest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite the occasional struggle, exhaustion, pain and frustration, alhamdulillah, life continues to be amazing. And all is happy </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in my corner of the world.</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-87346373763390912782016-01-16T20:36:00.001+08:002016-01-16T20:40:41.520+08:00Of Ninja Turtles and Sofia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we first had Luqman, I already made it clear to my husband that I am going to throw him his first ever birthday party (which he willingly obliged hehe). I remember feeling all excited and overwhelmed that preparations were done many months prior to the day. After all, I thought, how hard can it be? All you need are balloons and a cake, and everything will be done right? Well, only it wasn't <i>that </i>easy. I realised that we needed to choose a theme and then the decors, activities , food and favors will fit. Suffice to say, it was quite an ordeal for a <i>semangat </i>mom that I was. I was hooked and engrossed. In the end it was all well; the party was a success and I, above anyone else was so relieved. I slept snoring that night haha</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4skkkSu9qQ55nNkn-qZQD7i7jtFmSN8eeITjwCxkTpnMQ2Jt_1JPUYVvFPqkWMVSZoSSGiQBrGWzHKqRzthC44izMduxjhB07-yZ1vO_XRpLF0R-VRSWGm4ZNpwi1Hh1LyADrF4B0Pc/s1600/431363_4430392592003_842232589_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4skkkSu9qQ55nNkn-qZQD7i7jtFmSN8eeITjwCxkTpnMQ2Jt_1JPUYVvFPqkWMVSZoSSGiQBrGWzHKqRzthC44izMduxjhB07-yZ1vO_XRpLF0R-VRSWGm4ZNpwi1Hh1LyADrF4B0Pc/s320/431363_4430392592003_842232589_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, Adeena came along and that time around it was my husband who suggested that we throw her her first birthday party, too. It wouldn't be fair not to, was what he told me. And so the preparations began, only it was easier this time around given the experience I've had before when planning for Luqman's. Since we wanted to save ourselves the exhaustion of cleaning up post party, we decided to choose a kids' play area as the venue. Double the fun, zero the stress (but ehem double the expenses). We also decided to make it more intimate an event, inviting only close friends and family members. And at the 11th hour, decided that we celebrate Luqman's 2nd birthday as well haha At the end of the day, the kids and adults enjoyed themselves for sure. We went home boring only gifts and climbed on our beds smiling. No labour work post party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The third year came and passed by without any parties. We thought we could do with some rest from all the planning and what not. Plus, our budget restrained us from throwing any. So the kids' birthdays were celebrated just among us. Went out for lunch and dinner and had the compulsary candle-blowing moment. Simple, sweet, and memorable all the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, I started to feel the itch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been awhile since we had any parties. I had started to daydream on themed decors and drooling over cute custom made birthday cakes. Crazy mom, I know. I only needed Luqman to say that he wanted a Ninja Turtle cake for his birthday last year for me to proceed with the idea of throwing him and Adeena a birthday bash hehe My husband was, surprisingly, with me! He's been having similar thoughts, too! This time around it was even easier. The preparation was done only a week before the day. We knew what the kids wanted; Ninja Turtle and Sofia the First. The challenge was when ordering their cakes from selected cake vendors. Alhamdulillah, we secured them! The rest was determined pretty quick, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Venue : the luxury of our own home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guests : just family members</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deco : simple DIY and Recycle (haha)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food : potluck</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Favors : Grandma</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photographer : My brother</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, we (my husband and I) can never be more grateful to our family for helping us out even though it was just a very simple bash. Everyone was so willing and sporting just to make Luqman and Adeena the happiest kids that day. I was the maam for the day for I was not allowed to do much coz of my growing belly. For that, I was more than happy, too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the pictures on that day :</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qLifVHJ2kqo8yFe1xq4ObqTvkiCyHs9LinOmc3dyzodTOYpo6Vzus-U1kGH0iCMeRlXyaS2sFpqUreL2WrcJO7GvjZ48PyGPlyzNnWaoa3dOQdF5E7R4u_vKFLH2bg-aiaHmMISCmuk/s1600/SAM_8899-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qLifVHJ2kqo8yFe1xq4ObqTvkiCyHs9LinOmc3dyzodTOYpo6Vzus-U1kGH0iCMeRlXyaS2sFpqUreL2WrcJO7GvjZ48PyGPlyzNnWaoa3dOQdF5E7R4u_vKFLH2bg-aiaHmMISCmuk/s320/SAM_8899-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj625lEJr46Kjl2vPcBk8vB5GHLNWoPNkwk2FsHDpSZoSLT9uzbTZdLejtiYA6nH96AejhSiM3ppJeQStggCwDDnj2fCP_E95WZi4GHBilzIFWrG-OKXhHm0xwXA0Xlgklw7yxdtKulhkw/s1600/SAM_8911-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj625lEJr46Kjl2vPcBk8vB5GHLNWoPNkwk2FsHDpSZoSLT9uzbTZdLejtiYA6nH96AejhSiM3ppJeQStggCwDDnj2fCP_E95WZi4GHBilzIFWrG-OKXhHm0xwXA0Xlgklw7yxdtKulhkw/s320/SAM_8911-001.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3098OyZpP376AV7JQKsKM2NbSmC5vg-ANzGtFhmI3ul_y8L-eCjVJ-_Liomzq7-XGFRj2J4U9oOQUeVU_qdLok7TEsWnJHxlBAf_ir6Rqp93yQwg0U1BdQUL4lsMlVL43ruwvCH4GgE/s1600/SAM_8912-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3098OyZpP376AV7JQKsKM2NbSmC5vg-ANzGtFhmI3ul_y8L-eCjVJ-_Liomzq7-XGFRj2J4U9oOQUeVU_qdLok7TEsWnJHxlBAf_ir6Rqp93yQwg0U1BdQUL4lsMlVL43ruwvCH4GgE/s320/SAM_8912-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first day of 2016 well-spent!</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-16746749836915024202016-01-09T23:04:00.001+08:002016-01-09T23:04:56.237+08:002016<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, hello there. After my last post, next thing we know it's already the new year. Phew. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year everyone. Hope it's not too late. My new year kickstarted pretty well with my son's birthday celebration (will blog about that soon). School's started for the new year and it has been the most tiring first week. Alhamdulillah syukur, I managed. Sometimes I just don't know how, really. Exhaustion aside, I am so thankful that I seem to have everything under control; managing the household, the kids, keeping up with work. InsyaAllah things will get better as time comes by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Resolutions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, here's the thing. I've stopped making any since a few years ago. So, this year isn't going to be any different. Except, I am really going to try to do what the above picture says. I think all of us should, too. I think it is going to be exhilarating come 31st December this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May this new year bring good luck to all of us and may Allah ease everything insyaAllah. </span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-59897084344373492382015-12-03T16:46:00.000+08:002015-12-03T16:49:17.302+08:00Going for three<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We - my husband and I - have always known that we will not stop at only two kids. <span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;">We already have two spaced approximately two years apart: a boy and a girl. They each have their own room in our modest three-bedroom home, and they fit perfectly in the back seat of our midsize car. To some, this seems like a perfect picture, content with a complete family that dismantling cribs and donating baby clothes are the next step in moving ahead with their lives. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;">While I don't make judgments and leave the decision to their own, I personally do not feel done having children. I can't really explain sufficiently the desire for having a third but my mind drifted to the time when my two toddlers were small; their soft tiny feet and fingers, their heavenly smell and their squeals of delights. Besides, I constantly feel that someone is missing. My husband and I would occasionally talk about what if there is another Luqman or another Adeena in the house and it seemingly looked like a good idea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I realized I might wonder “what if” forever if I didn’t get a move on, and since my husband and I were on the same page—I couldn’t have proceeded otherwise—we held our breath and leapt. It was such a big step we took and one that we were truly ready for (for one I have weaned off Adeena and I am ready for another 2 years of breastfeeding journey and we are prepared mentally, emotionally and financially).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alhamdulillah, I am now 21 weeks pregnant. Interestingly, I am less tired while pregnant with my third than I had been with my second, even with more years on my body and an extra child at my side. But unlike with my second pregnancy, my kids now are more self-sufficient, and we are all sleeping better. I feel great.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know some might say "Why would you want to start everything over again?" Well, I guess what they say is true. We tend to forget the hardest parts of pregnancy, labor and raising another being, at least enough to go through it again especially while we are still young! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-align: start;">With another 4 more months to go, I am praying hard everyday that everything will be eased. Can't wait for our wonderful gift come April next year :)</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-56241359364209456332015-11-26T16:56:00.002+08:002015-11-26T17:07:02.063+08:00Love til Jannah<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last Saturday, I attended a so called casual talk (sembang santai) by Ustazah Isfadiah Mohd Dasuki at our surau. I find the topic so simple yet the content presented by her was so profoundly crucial. It is the most basic understanding of what it means to love that brings us to Jannah. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Below are some of the gist I managed to jot down for our own benefits insyaAllah :</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How do we love ourselves or how do we know we really love ourselves? It's when we hate to enter hellfire. Meaning to say, whatever actions, decisions, food we choose to eat, and clothes we wear are the reflection of how much we want to enter Jannah and how we show our love towards Allah SWT. Remember, our bodies are not even ours. Our eyes, hands, health are Allah's. She gave one simple analogy: food. Do we eat to fulfil our appetite or to fulfil our bodies' needs? Yes, we might say both but we need to draw the line between eating until we're really full or just what our body needs. It's the same thing when choosing what clothes to wear; either we want to impress our creator or others.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How do we know that we have the right love? Or we are actually loving the right thing? It's when that particular love we have reminds us of Allah. It's that love that brings us back to Allah SWT and our Prophet Muhammad SAW. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have choices in life and please make the right choice. Do not fall prey to our nafsu, people, or syaitan. Remember, we are slaves only to Allah SWT. When we really realise that, then we will have that love which will bring us to Jannah.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our mission and purpose in life has to be clear. It's when some of us who are unclear of our purpose and the reason we're brought to this world that we have all sorts of problems (social problems, to be exact). This is because we tend to be the slaves of nafsu. Pursuing temporary worldly fun for example. Zina, maksiat, and other teens social problems are evidence that we're now facing a big challenge from the younger generation. In short, they do not love themselves. So, betulkan our niat. All the things that we have now, the people that we meet, the challenges we've been through are just tools to meet Allah SWT. To nurture our love towards Allah which eventually will bring us to Jannah.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She reminded us to leave things or people that do not bring us closer to Allah. This is because when we love Allah, no matter what we do, we say, we choose, in the end we will find Him at the end of the spectrum. That's because we love ourselves and most importantly we love ourselves because of Allah SWT. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She stressed to love our anak-anak syurga. Our kids are our ultimate amanah. Love them. Use nice words to them. For every good deed, good display of action no matter how small pray for them. Even better, pray in front of them. Let our dua be heard. They're never too young to understand. InsyaAllah they will be the ones that will lead us to Jannah.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Jagalah hak Allah nescaya Allah akan jaga hak kamu". When we pray, be conscious of our deeds (good and bad), instil the values of insaf because in reality, we owe Allah so much. We owe Allah more than we pray to him 5 times a day. Look around. Think of the nikmat that He has given us all these while.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those above were the gist of her talk. Personally, sangat-sangat terkesan with what she said. InsyaAllah, with what I shared will be of benefits to all of us. Sometimes, we need this kind of reminder to make us be on the right track again. InsyaAllah, love til Jannah :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By the way, I also had the chance to grab her book ; 365 Tips Didik Anak Gaya Nabi 1 Hari 1 Tip. I urge every parent to have this book because the content is so easy to read and she even provides sahih hadith which are totally relatable to parenting. It will be a good read to us all, insyaAllah.</span></div>
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mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799690347861301175.post-47989562699669045392015-11-21T07:02:00.001+08:002015-11-21T07:02:15.076+08:00Coming home<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, Allah has answered our prayers. Finally, it's time for that long awaited hijrah back home. Alhamdulillah, my brother is granted his transfer back to Klang. It was such a red letter day when the results were out. All of us were just so thankful and relieved. I remember smiling ear to ear when I read his message and letting out a huge sigh of relief. I guess it's time. The best thing comes to those who wait and patient enough, alhamdulillah. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't easy to part, I know. 5 years settling down at a place he almost called home has 1001 memories that are priceless. His kids were the most devastated, I would say. I know how much they love him, just as much as he does the same. He is so good with them, such an awesome educator, warden, and a friend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, undoubtedly, this hijrah is equally important. It is a start of a new beginning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMOMMOuWZx-0P740Tdt9bDNf_U9_B8m01dYeGJmDE7W3eE78HgeSpwi02KpcoHNqBJ7OcN-S7J1p-lF89L99PqZtyJrEYXr6Xu-iNvlRZAkLOnqCS4WAPn_j_CERROlasBpBGN_6zU5M/s1600/12249852_10153681277579350_7615188578370503689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMOMMOuWZx-0P740Tdt9bDNf_U9_B8m01dYeGJmDE7W3eE78HgeSpwi02KpcoHNqBJ7OcN-S7J1p-lF89L99PqZtyJrEYXr6Xu-iNvlRZAkLOnqCS4WAPn_j_CERROlasBpBGN_6zU5M/s320/12249852_10153681277579350_7615188578370503689_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's now time to soar here in our hometown. It's time to show 'em what you got. And it's time to be the very best that you can be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome home, brother.</span></div>
mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15189896696327081261noreply@blogger.com0