parenthood experience

As newbies, you could imagine how psyched we were making our way to the Parenthood Expo last Saturday. I, especially, was anticipating many things. For the most part, we were anxious to know what awaits us. Even as early as 11 am, the exhibition hall was already jam-packed with eager parents and their kids. Pregnant moms were everywhere! Strollers of all kinds were being pushed here and there, causing some traffic which to me was unavoidable. I tried my best to squeeze into tiny spaces to save myself from the suffocation. It's a good thing my tummy is still tiny or I would have bumped mine into others'. That's how crowded the area was. My husband had to hold my hand all the time for fear of losing me in the sea of people as one poor husband did.

At the entrance

So, we scouted around first. We pretty much went to all booths and marked those which we thought could do with a second visit. To tell you the truth, we weren't that familiar with most of the brands or outlets so we only focused on names/brands which we planned on buying initially. Our first stop was at a booth which displayed the breast pump that I wanted. I finally resorted to buying Spectra 3 Electric Breast Pump after getting good reviews from a few friends who have and been using it. Plus, it isn't costly which certainly is up for grabs. The specifications are pretty similar to an international brand I know so I will have to wait for another 5 months to know if it really functions well. I don't want to pay too much attention to brand because I feel that what works for some might not work for me. So, I am just going to be happy and certain with my choice. I also bought some storage bottles which were on sale. Next, we moved on to strollers. This was mostly my husband's choice. He eyed one from Graco and off we went to the booth. For starters, there were many to choose from so I got dizzy for a while. Like seriously. My husband was so ecstatic it's like he's buying a car. I have never seen him that excited so I let him be. We then decided to get the 3in1 kind which we planned on buying. Just so you know, all the items were on discounts, so you could imagine how thrilled we were. The price was in our range of budget so we closed the deal before we started to change our minds.

Ours is similar to this googled picture, only it is in one colour tone.

While waiting for the worker to assemble our stroller

Next, we searched for infant feeding bottles. I only want bottles which are BPA-free because I do not want my baby to be exposed to chemicals which might leech from BPA plastic bottles. However, most feeding bottles now are BPA-free since all products are beginning to take heed the government's safety measure. A friend suggested The First Years and I searched for it. I loved the product instantly! I grabbed The First Years : Breastflow Bottles set for only RM79.90 with a 30% discount.

This is what the set contains

Besides, these bottles work naturally like breastfeeding. The baby will be able to control the flow of the milk when they drink from the bottle just like when they are breastfeeding. I plan to breastfeed my baby so these bottles will be used only when I am off to work, insyaAllah. Plus, the nipple or teat mimics the feel of a breast so hopefully my baby will not face confusion later. Still, I have to wait for another 5 months to really know if it works well or not.

I also grabbed the Safe and Certain Microwave Sterilizer from The First Years. This will be used to sterilized used bottles and all the equipments using the microwave. It was cheap after a 50% discount. I couldn't help buying, but of course it is necessary.
After that last purchase, I decided to call it a day. My feet were failing me and I was exhausted. Plus, we were starving so we made our way out with all of our purchases (now we became one of those who caused the traffic with our stroller!) and I couldn't be more relieved to finally breathe the fresh air outside the stuffy hall.

So there. My sharing of our parenthood experience. December baby, we can't wait!

Ramadhan

Yesterday marked the first of Ramadhan. Unfortunately, I was down with viral fever which was quite frustrating. I had to break fast as my health condition did not permit me to continue. The vomiting left me no strength and I was worn out. I finally gave in and took my medication as instructed by the doctor and tucked myself in bed for hours.

Today, I woke up feeling much better but the flu and the sore throat still persist. So, here I am in school, following my routine. For now, one class is over, two more to go. Alhamdulillah, I am still fasting.

Thankfully, we all get to go back early due to the fasting month - a luxury that we didn't get to experience last 2 years. As a one session school, we are not entitled to a 'jadual anjal' but whatever it is that caused this wind of change, I am very very grateful.

Happy fasting everyone!

her second

She was the first to tie the knot amongst us. She was the first to give birth to a cute little girl 2 years ago. She was also the one who organized the hen night for the three of us (Hudah, Shaf and myself) when we were getting married last year. At her 6th month, she managed to throw Iwani her baby shower 2 months ago with our help.

Being thoughtful, Iwani decided to throw Nazliah her own baby shower in return. We agreed in unison since she didn't have the chance to have one during her first and we didn't even throw her a hen night when she decided to get married. Although her second, we believe it would compensate. After all, it's the thoughts that count.

So, last Friday was chosen to celebrate the arrival of her second child. It was a perfect timing before the fasting month and also a time for all of us to meet after quite some time. The usual suspects, us homies, met at a decided time at Nazliah's house.We planned this surprise with her elder sister who let us into her family's house and her husband who supportive enough to take her out for some grocery shopping to give us time to set up.

After the simple set up

We got excited over the balloons

While waiting for them to come home

Don't know what I was so serious about :)

We bought KFC, ordered some cupcakes, and some refreshments, enough to feed us for a late dinner.

Cupcakes ordered by Iwani, which arrived later than the celebrated lady! Haha

So when they finally came back, we didn't know how to surprise her because she got in from the other wing of her house. Fortunately, her elder sister baited Nazliah's daughter into coming to the other side of the house, where we were faithfully waiting. The little toddler came and we gave her the balloon and made her call her mummy. It worked!

Thank you Nia!

She was surprised, alright! The simple shower cum mini gathering went well. We had a great time catching up and laughed over silly jokes. We took our leave when Nazliah's husband came down bringing a tearful Nia who insisted on her mummy putting her to bed. Auwww.

To dear Nazliah, wishing you a safe delivery and all the best!

a different kind of shopping

We went baby (window) shopping yesterday. We have started scouting for necessities now that I am 17 weeks pregnant. Well, let me just say that husband and myself were absolutely clueless as to what to get. We didn't even know where and how to begin with! We know the necessary stuffs but when there are just too many to choose from, a headache ensues. Let's not begin with the price. When you plan on having a baby, you are already venturing into a very expensive long-term investment. Not complaining, no. But it's like they always say, if you want the best you have to fork out more.

So, as I was saying, every item is not cheap. I was so shocked to discover that a basic breast pump set could cost up to a thousand ringgit! Of course, that comes with a good and established brand, but still, I didn't expect it to cost that much. Friends who are mummies keep on reminding me to invest on a good one, but I am still considering my options.

Then we moved on to strollers. We are planning on getting the 3in1 kind, in which the seat is portable. It can also be used as a car seat and a carry cot. Preferably reversible seat strollers for our convenience as I want the baby to face us when we push it. This is actually my favourite item so you could imagine how frustrated I was when we didn't find any that caught our eye. Some are just ridiculously pricey. It's okay, we still have more time to look for the perfect one. Hopefully we will get what we wished for.

Next, the baby cot. My sister-in-law suggested to get one that comes with a changing table. It will do you and the baby justice, she said. So we narrowed our search to that kind. Again, we didn't find any that look purchasable (because of its price and design). However, after seeing a changing table/cupboard being displayed, I am starting to consider its practicality. The below racks can be used for keeping all the baby necessities - pampers, lotions, oil, garments. So all the items would be kept nicely at one place and easy to get. With the attached wheels, I can easily wheel it anywhere I want and easy to store. And the price is not that expensive, too. That way, we can find a decent cot with a decent price. We have a few in mind, but like I said we are still considering our options.

So there. The main things which we aim to get for now. I am more keen on getting the pumps first because that's on top of the list. All the more reasons to look forward to this coming weekend for the Baby Expo. Can't wait!

p/s I now walk funny with a growing belly! ;)

The Y Generation

I don't know what seem to cause the silent commotion in my school, but every teacher I know has lost the drive these days. I have to admit, my school has gone from bad to worse - in terms of its discipline. It's like we are all on the edge, waiting for it to become even worst. Many of us just can't seem to be bothered because we have all tried our level best to combat this problem but to no avail. It's like they are out of control. And you know, a teacher can do as much but we all have our own baggage to carry.

The Y Generation. That's what we call them. The pampered lot, if you would like to call it. A generation that has transformed the way school nowadays work. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't students supposed to adhere to the school? But now schools have to cater to the way students are, which I think is the root of all evil. I'm getting sick of my Superior repeatedly saying "Students are not to be blamed. We are". When I first stepped into this profession, yes, I hold on to that reminder like it's my life I'm depending it on. But after being in school for almost 3 years, I have seen and experienced enough to discard it. The reminder makes me smirk.

I'm so fed-up with students who are so rude. Even rude doesn't seem appropriate to describe their state of being. They scream at you, call you names, say vulgar words right to your face and threaten to kill you even. They tease you just to see your limits and they are just reluctant to study. This is what I call pure evil. Memang jahat sejahatnya. It's not the teacher's fault that they act the way do, it's because that's how they are. Parents don't seem to care much, all they know is attack the school back once they are being called. Don't bother to sympathize or empathize if you have been teaching a Grade A daily school or a boarding school. They are all God-sent, your students. Even so, they might pose a problem of other sort.

And because of that we have been concentrating so much on curbing the discipline that our academic gets affected. It's detrimental. We can't even rise as this discipline problem seems to be our main agenda every single day. However, students are not much better. It's worrying, yes, but they have drained the best of us that we couldn't be bothered. To me, it's like talking to an empty vessel. Istiqamah is the key, but I am so tired already. So, we resort to being silent. Why should we when our venting always backfire?

It's an ordeal, trying to change a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.

the first trimester

The 2 weeks holiday was very well-spent. If not, better. I had my necessary rest (I wish I had more time) and I think I did just that. What with my sickness taking quite a toll on me, I've never felt so good just lying around, watching tv and sleep, like most of the time. You have no idea how that just makes me feel like I'm in heaven on earth. So when school reopens, you'd expect how sulky I'd get and how I would dread Monday morning. No more waking up late and having breakfast in front of the tv. No more chilling around.

Only, that didn't exactly happen.

I received a call from school 2 days prior to school day, that I had to go to PPD for three days for the merging of exam data. I pumpfisted to the air and my husband raised an eyebrow for I used to dread going to PPD. I guess I wasn't ready for school at a time when I am still coping with my sickness which seems to come untimely. That scares me. What if I'm in the midst of teaching and I feel like vomitting and I don't make it to the toilet? What if I suddenly feel extremely exhausted that I couldn't even budge from my seat to go to class? And not to mention the frequent visits to the loo because my bladder can't seem to contain any second longer? And you know how tiring school can get.

So the 'trip' out of school was like a warming up for me. There were a couple of times while I was working there that the nausea hit like a wave. Thankfully I managed to ease myself and I think I frequent the loo there more than the permanent workers did in a month combined.

I realise that I got worse when I'm nearing the end of my first trimester. The first 2 months were smooth and I was starting to count my blessing when I vomitted for the first time. It was quite bad. That's how it all started. I vomit everyday now and I gag. And don't even start on my sleep. I rarely sleep well at night too. For some reasons, my nose is blocked the moment my head lands on the pillow. Everytime! I think my husband gets his first training of handling a 'baby' crying in the middle of the night, only this time it's a 'baby tua' he's dealing with. Yes, I cried because I couldn't breathe and I couldn't sleep. Sleep is very important to me, especially now. He had to console me to sleep and normally I'd forget how I did go back to sleep when I woke up the next day. Poor husband. I guess he's just as tired. But after a while, he would just let me be Haha

Apart from that, I'm battling to wake up in the morning. My body just wouldn't move and it aches, especially at the pelvic area as it is now expanding to support my expanding womb. I feel like an old lady, really. I have to move very slowly to avoid the pain. Sitting down for a long time gives the identical effect, too, which is why I sometimes walk around the house to ease the pain.

So, I went to school today. Alhamdulillah, I am starting to get a hang of it. But they said I didn't look too good. Yeah, anybody could tell, I guess. Thankfully my students behaved. They said they missed me, ha!

I guess I've finally got the taste of this sickness which my pregnant friends used to frequently whine. However, mine is just a tinge if compared to others' experience which are far worse. I'm hoping for a better 2nd trimester and a healthier feeling, InsyaAllah. Thank you Allah for giving me a chance to experience all this :)

the beginning

You know, when the thing that you've been praying for has been granted, it's almost too good to be true and you can only thank Him for the blessings He has given.

I will never forget the day when the double pink line appeared on the test stick. We were overhwhelmed with joy and the relief was something that can't be explained with words. Our prayers had been heard and granted. We are now expecting parents, insyaAllah.

Alhamdulillah, I'm now at my 10th week - 2 more weeks to go before the end of my first trimester. Wow, I still can't believe I'm carrying another being inside my womb. The scan last week left me and husband a little choked for we saw your beartbeat. You are now called a fetus, which means an "offspring". If that isn't exciting enough!

So far, pregnancy has been treating me good with the occasional nausea and gagging. I am so grateful that I don't have problem swallowing food, in fact I seem to have a ferocious appetite. It is quite disheartening seeing the numbers on the scale increase to numbers I've never reached before , but it's for a good cause (tsk!). I hope I don't put on too much weight in the months to come for I can't even fit my jeans at all, even when I'm still at my first trimester.

For the most part, I hope I could fight off the fatigue and sluggishness. When you've always exercised, you start feeling so unbelievably tired and all you want to do is to crawl into bed and lie down. I wish to continue with a gentler routine but not until I am truly stable and okay. I've read that paying attention to fitness is important as it offers plenty of benefits for pregnant women.

Everything is still surreal and everytime I reminisce that fateful day, I can only thank Him for such blessing. Alhamdulillah!

not anymore

I'm feeling a lot of things right now.

A whirlwind of emotions.

I keep questioning my rights and the validity of my actions.

I wonder why some people (read : you who causes me heartache) can be so heartless and so egoistic that friendship takes a backseat.

It annoys me that at 26, some people (read : you who causes me heartache) acts ridiculously. High school drama is so yesterday and I thought we're all over it already.

It just baffles me as to why some people (read : you who causes me heartache) are just so self-centered, they think they have to be pleased and attended to all the time, like they're some kind of a Queen.

I am done being the one who always makes the first move, trying to mend things when it should have been you. I thought you would have understood, but apparently you don't seem to get my gesture.

I don't care what happens now because I think our friendship has lost its genuineness. I don't know if your act has served its purpose, but thanks, I am truly affected by your doing - the coldness you've been giving- which you are truly good at. Bravo.

I promise not to let you get in the way because you have caused so much heartache not even a lover could have caused. Not anymore. I thought you're a friend, but apparently you're not even close to being one.

I'm just being me and too bad you can't accept that. Because I have long accepted the fact of who you are and you don't seem to appreciate my tolerance and others for that matter.

So long.

a new member

As of Saturday, I am an aunt. I am now a Mak Su!

Alhamdulillah, my sister-in-law gave birth to a cute baby boy who weighs 3.8kg.

He is named Muhammad Adam Irfan bin Abdul Razak.

Welcome to the world, sweetie pie! Mak Su can't wait to cuddle and kiss you :)

However, we weren't able to meet him yet as he was immediately quarantined after birth due to a suspected lung infection. Poor baby! Only parents are allowed in the NICU, so the above picture is courtesy of my brother-in-law.

Today, we were informed that the report states that his lung is clear of any infection but he still has to stay for further monitoring.

I hope everything will be okay and he gets to go home in a good condition. He's been away from his mum for days now and I know how my sister-in-law longs to cuddle her baby.

Our prayers are with you, Adam!

recently

I'll let the pictures do the talking ok?

@Almeera's cukur jambul, my cousin's daughter.

Chubby Almeera AzZahra

The best kambing golek! Yum!

Well-fed. Great food Kak Fira!
(pictures courtesy of Farouk, my brother)

@Tandoori, for dinner

A pose for the camera before completely being blown away by the scrumptious, exotic North Indian dishes. The best!

Still waiting for the pics from Shaf's wedding. Have a great day people!