1. The baby's weight is estimated to be around 2.18kgs - and apparently she's small for her age.
2. The mommy's weight gain is now 10kgs. Just a few days ago I was telling one of my besties that I've gained less than 10kgs. *nangis*
3. I've managed to book us a place at an antenatal class for next week. This comes pretty late since there's always a chance the baby decides to come out early, but at least I won't have to take refresher courses, since it's near the due date.
4. My OBGYN advised me against fasting during Ramadhan. He says that it will affect the baby. I'm a little disappointed because that will mean that I'll really be missing out this year. No puasa, no raya and a whole month of puasa to replace. But I guess it's worth it, for the sake of the little one.
5. I've also managed to confirm a confinement lady, which is a HUGE relief because I started asking around at the last minute, and I noticed that there seem to be a lot of women due around the same time I am.
And that's about it :)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Favourite Spot
My baby has found a new favourite spot:
She lodges herself right below my right ribcage and sticks her elbow/knee out to my right really hard, effectively making it uncomfortable for me to sit in any position.
What's crazy is that I love her all the more for it sebab comel! lol.
She lodges herself right below my right ribcage and sticks her elbow/knee out to my right really hard, effectively making it uncomfortable for me to sit in any position.
What's crazy is that I love her all the more for it sebab comel! lol.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Sabar
A few weeks ago, I penned a status update on Facebook in a fit of rage and sadness. A very unfortunate incident had befallen none other than my own mother, at the hands of someone who was so unworthy it would make anyone cringe to hear the whole story.
Needless to say, people commented and told me to "sabar". It was not good for the baby. I knew this. God knows I knew this so much that it upset me to even BE that upset about it. On the one hand, why shouldn't I be upset? My mother had been slighted. She who carried me for nine months in her belly, who endured all nine months of morning sickness, FOR ME. She who went through sleepless nights taking care of me when I was sick, who worked so hard at getting everything that this spoiled little girl wanted. Who would do anything to keep her daughters happy. The one who sacrificed and sacrificed for the sake of every one else. The one who had just recovered from cancer. THAT person. One of the people I would do anything for.
On the other hand, me being that upset was not good for the baby. The sweet, active, attention-seeking little bundle inside me who I've come to love aalmost more than anyone else in the world, despite not having met or laid eyes on her yet. I knew that being that upset would potentially hurt the baby as well.
I. Knew. This.
And as much as I would have loved to admit that these people were right (and they were, in a way), I honestly just became more frustrated. At myself, for being stuck in this situation. At them for not understanding how important both these individuals are to me.
But the fact of the matter is, "sabar" is easier said than done. Sure, I can come out smiling like a gold medal winning champion, but who can say how I feel? I can keep my emotions bottled up for the sake of everyone who thinks I shouldn't be acting a certain way because of the baby, but would that really be a good idea? Would I be smiling and laughing for others' sakes? Or my baby's and my own?
Sabar but keep my emotions hidden away where no one sees. Sabar but letting those feelings eat me up inside. Pada mata kasar, I'm still being patient right? I feel that THAT kind of patience, I don't need. I'd be hurting myself and my baby a lot more to keep things bottled up inside just so I'd show people how sabar I am. And if letting my rage out once in a while help keeps me calmer on other days, then why not? What good is false patience when it has the potential to hurt more than letting out my emotions?
The honest truth? We've been patient for 7 whole years. We've given this offending person more words than anyone can imagine. We've kept quiet while she reigned over us smugly. And now, the shit has hit the fan.
She has hurt one of the people I love most in this whole world. Unless you know what that feels like, and unless when you had it happen to you, you were able to control your emotions and truly 'sabar', you will have no idea how it feels, and you will have no idea what magnitude of 'sabar' it takes for me to truly live up to the word.
I appreciate all the advice I've been given, but allow this big pregnant lady one instance of rage just so she doesn't end up a basket-case of bottled-up emotions alright? :)
Needless to say, people commented and told me to "sabar". It was not good for the baby. I knew this. God knows I knew this so much that it upset me to even BE that upset about it. On the one hand, why shouldn't I be upset? My mother had been slighted. She who carried me for nine months in her belly, who endured all nine months of morning sickness, FOR ME. She who went through sleepless nights taking care of me when I was sick, who worked so hard at getting everything that this spoiled little girl wanted. Who would do anything to keep her daughters happy. The one who sacrificed and sacrificed for the sake of every one else. The one who had just recovered from cancer. THAT person. One of the people I would do anything for.
On the other hand, me being that upset was not good for the baby. The sweet, active, attention-seeking little bundle inside me who I've come to love aalmost more than anyone else in the world, despite not having met or laid eyes on her yet. I knew that being that upset would potentially hurt the baby as well.
I. Knew. This.
And as much as I would have loved to admit that these people were right (and they were, in a way), I honestly just became more frustrated. At myself, for being stuck in this situation. At them for not understanding how important both these individuals are to me.
But the fact of the matter is, "sabar" is easier said than done. Sure, I can come out smiling like a gold medal winning champion, but who can say how I feel? I can keep my emotions bottled up for the sake of everyone who thinks I shouldn't be acting a certain way because of the baby, but would that really be a good idea? Would I be smiling and laughing for others' sakes? Or my baby's and my own?
Sabar but keep my emotions hidden away where no one sees. Sabar but letting those feelings eat me up inside. Pada mata kasar, I'm still being patient right? I feel that THAT kind of patience, I don't need. I'd be hurting myself and my baby a lot more to keep things bottled up inside just so I'd show people how sabar I am. And if letting my rage out once in a while help keeps me calmer on other days, then why not? What good is false patience when it has the potential to hurt more than letting out my emotions?
The honest truth? We've been patient for 7 whole years. We've given this offending person more words than anyone can imagine. We've kept quiet while she reigned over us smugly. And now, the shit has hit the fan.
She has hurt one of the people I love most in this whole world. Unless you know what that feels like, and unless when you had it happen to you, you were able to control your emotions and truly 'sabar', you will have no idea how it feels, and you will have no idea what magnitude of 'sabar' it takes for me to truly live up to the word.
I appreciate all the advice I've been given, but allow this big pregnant lady one instance of rage just so she doesn't end up a basket-case of bottled-up emotions alright? :)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Girl or Boy: Does it Really Matter?
The news that I'm about to have a baby girl was a much welcomed one in my circle of immediate family. My father, particularly, mused over the fact that my baby girl was going to be the first daughter of a first daughter of a first daughter. Get it? What I mean is that my mother and I are also first daughters. Our moms and my sisters were really excited over all the cute dresses and accessories they could lavish the baby with. My husband and I, we were just excited to be having a baby at all, girl or boy.
So it surprised me, when, in this day and age, where everybody claims out loud to be equals, quite a few people seemed to receive the news of our baby girl quite badly.
One gave a little grimace of pity and said "Oh, it's ok. Having a girl is not that bad"
Another went a step further, saying "Oh! Sorry dude! You've got to try again!" to my husband.
A few other comments went along the same lines, but needless to say, I was shocked and appalled at every single one of them - which were all said to my face, which means that my baby could hear them as well.
These comments, which would already seem rude, callous and insensitive to anyone else seemed a hundred-fold to my over-sensitive, hormonal ears. What had my baby done to deserve any sort of notion that she would not be welcome, just because of her gender? And the best (or worse?) part of it? All of these commenters were WOMEN, who had firstborn daughters. So once I finished stewing over how rude they were (I couldn't show them my disgust, because they were older, more experienced, and most importantly, friends of our parents or even elder family members), I got to thinking - Were these people really unhappy about being women? And were they so disgruntled over giving birth to firstborn baby girls that they decided to take it out on my innocent girl?
So I came to the conclusion that I shouldn't be too upset over their less-than-intelligent quips. See, unlike them, I am happy that I was born a girl. I am happy with everything that comes in the package, bad or good. I am so happy with myself that I don't find the need to make others feel bad about themselves, just to make myself feel good.
I am happy that the important people in our lives - the moms and the dads, our sisters, and our best friends are all happy and welcoming towards our baby.
And most importantly, I LOVE the fact that the baby growing in me is a girl. Even if it had been a boy, I would've loved it just the same, because I am not about to discriminate my own flesh and blood, and at the end of the day, the baby is MINE and my husband's. She or he is a product of our marriage, love and respect for each other.
And we don't need people who would appear to still think like neanderthals to validate our happiness.
So it surprised me, when, in this day and age, where everybody claims out loud to be equals, quite a few people seemed to receive the news of our baby girl quite badly.
One gave a little grimace of pity and said "Oh, it's ok. Having a girl is not that bad"
Another went a step further, saying "Oh! Sorry dude! You've got to try again!" to my husband.
A few other comments went along the same lines, but needless to say, I was shocked and appalled at every single one of them - which were all said to my face, which means that my baby could hear them as well.
These comments, which would already seem rude, callous and insensitive to anyone else seemed a hundred-fold to my over-sensitive, hormonal ears. What had my baby done to deserve any sort of notion that she would not be welcome, just because of her gender? And the best (or worse?) part of it? All of these commenters were WOMEN, who had firstborn daughters. So once I finished stewing over how rude they were (I couldn't show them my disgust, because they were older, more experienced, and most importantly, friends of our parents or even elder family members), I got to thinking - Were these people really unhappy about being women? And were they so disgruntled over giving birth to firstborn baby girls that they decided to take it out on my innocent girl?
So I came to the conclusion that I shouldn't be too upset over their less-than-intelligent quips. See, unlike them, I am happy that I was born a girl. I am happy with everything that comes in the package, bad or good. I am so happy with myself that I don't find the need to make others feel bad about themselves, just to make myself feel good.
I am happy that the important people in our lives - the moms and the dads, our sisters, and our best friends are all happy and welcoming towards our baby.
And most importantly, I LOVE the fact that the baby growing in me is a girl. Even if it had been a boy, I would've loved it just the same, because I am not about to discriminate my own flesh and blood, and at the end of the day, the baby is MINE and my husband's. She or he is a product of our marriage, love and respect for each other.
And we don't need people who would appear to still think like neanderthals to validate our happiness.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Week 30
My Updates:
I'm in my third trimester already. How time flies! Anyway, the growth of my belly has started to take a toll on my body, sebab my back hurts and I find it hard to sleep every night. Suggestions from my moms like sleeping on my side with pillows supporting my back and front doesn't seem to work, neither does elevating my feet.
My feet belum swell lagi, but it's too early to celebrate. We'll see in a few weeks.
I keep getting sharp pains on the bottom of my abdomen. When I asked my obgyn about it, he told me not to walk around so much, which is the total opposite of what everyone else has been telling me. Dia kata "Orang tua2 memang suka suruh jalan banyak2, but it's not necessary". Well, he's the expert kan? But the funny thing was, the first thing I did after that checkup was to go jalan2 with my sisters. Degil. LOL
The baby's updates:
The baby has grown tremendously. I read that the starting of the third trimester usually means that the baby's movements aren't all that vigorous anymore, since there's less space in the uterus. Tapi does my little princess know that? Of course not! She's moving even more vigorously than before, if that's even possible. Degil kot macam mommy dia. :P
I've also more or less been able to figure out her sleeping patterns. She sleeps after Subuh, and ONLY after Subuh! I wake up at around 6.15-6.30, at which point she's usually still active. Habis around 6.45, wake hubby up and baring2 while he gets ready. By the time he's ready to leave, she's sleepy and moving a lot less. I usually fall back asleep when my husband has left for work, around 7.30, and wake up around 9.30. That's the only time she sleeps. If this pattern continues after birth, habisla!
Anyway, this is what she's supposed to look like about now, which i think is so comel:
Picture taken from Babycenter
I'm in my third trimester already. How time flies! Anyway, the growth of my belly has started to take a toll on my body, sebab my back hurts and I find it hard to sleep every night. Suggestions from my moms like sleeping on my side with pillows supporting my back and front doesn't seem to work, neither does elevating my feet.
My feet belum swell lagi, but it's too early to celebrate. We'll see in a few weeks.
I keep getting sharp pains on the bottom of my abdomen. When I asked my obgyn about it, he told me not to walk around so much, which is the total opposite of what everyone else has been telling me. Dia kata "Orang tua2 memang suka suruh jalan banyak2, but it's not necessary". Well, he's the expert kan? But the funny thing was, the first thing I did after that checkup was to go jalan2 with my sisters. Degil. LOL
The baby's updates:
The baby has grown tremendously. I read that the starting of the third trimester usually means that the baby's movements aren't all that vigorous anymore, since there's less space in the uterus. Tapi does my little princess know that? Of course not! She's moving even more vigorously than before, if that's even possible. Degil kot macam mommy dia. :P
I've also more or less been able to figure out her sleeping patterns. She sleeps after Subuh, and ONLY after Subuh! I wake up at around 6.15-6.30, at which point she's usually still active. Habis around 6.45, wake hubby up and baring2 while he gets ready. By the time he's ready to leave, she's sleepy and moving a lot less. I usually fall back asleep when my husband has left for work, around 7.30, and wake up around 9.30. That's the only time she sleeps. If this pattern continues after birth, habisla!
Anyway, this is what she's supposed to look like about now, which i think is so comel:
Picture taken from Babycenter
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Halal and Haram
Lately, there's been a slew of tweets, FB posts and blog posts highlighting the halal haram of certain establishments or certain products.
From my observation, most of these posts came from people who didn't bother doing their research properly. Hence, the news became viral, spreading uncontrollably from screen to screen. By the time said establishment or company issues a statement to declare their innocence (or give any type of confirmation) it's already too late. Funnily enough, these same people either don't bother spreading the truth when it comes out or just don't care to know about it at all.
I once looked up the ingredient stated in a particular product which so-called made it 'haram'. I really don't remember which ingredient it was, but I do remember that the product was a soft drink and said ingredient konon2nya had pig fat in it.
When I looked it up, I found out (unsurprisingly) that this ingredient DID NOT CONTAIN ANY TYPE OF FAT AT ALL, PIG OR OTHERWISE. Obviously, I sent the info to the person who was spreading the message at the time, but what about the others who had already told all of their friends? The damage had been done, and all because people refuse to look up a few simple facts.
Come on, people. We live in the age of Google and Wiki. Use them.
As for these establishments, spending less than 10 minutes verifying that they're halal by browsing JAKIM's website or better yet, calling them up really is worth the hassle.
Then no one can accuse you of fitnah, right? And you can rest easy and be assured that the establishments you frequent are indeed halal, and the food and drinks are safe for your consumption. Isn't that better than listening to the grapevine and causing damage to innocent people?
From my observation, most of these posts came from people who didn't bother doing their research properly. Hence, the news became viral, spreading uncontrollably from screen to screen. By the time said establishment or company issues a statement to declare their innocence (or give any type of confirmation) it's already too late. Funnily enough, these same people either don't bother spreading the truth when it comes out or just don't care to know about it at all.
I once looked up the ingredient stated in a particular product which so-called made it 'haram'. I really don't remember which ingredient it was, but I do remember that the product was a soft drink and said ingredient konon2nya had pig fat in it.
When I looked it up, I found out (unsurprisingly) that this ingredient DID NOT CONTAIN ANY TYPE OF FAT AT ALL, PIG OR OTHERWISE. Obviously, I sent the info to the person who was spreading the message at the time, but what about the others who had already told all of their friends? The damage had been done, and all because people refuse to look up a few simple facts.
Come on, people. We live in the age of Google and Wiki. Use them.
As for these establishments, spending less than 10 minutes verifying that they're halal by browsing JAKIM's website or better yet, calling them up really is worth the hassle.
Then no one can accuse you of fitnah, right? And you can rest easy and be assured that the establishments you frequent are indeed halal, and the food and drinks are safe for your consumption. Isn't that better than listening to the grapevine and causing damage to innocent people?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Bila Orang Gaji Tak Sedar Diri.
Yes, I said it. Orang Gaji. If you knew me well, you'd know I don't use such a term. Pembantu, maybe. Helper. I don't even like using the term "Maid". Tak taulah kenapa but that's not the issue here.
What would you do if your maid:
1. Was overheard badmouthing one of your children to someone on the phone?
2. Refuses to wash dishes that anyone else leaves in the sink besides yours (the person who pays her) and hers?
3. Leaves food overnight under the tudung saji and without even reheating or making sure it's still good, feeds your children and grandchildren with it?
4. Walks up to your menantu and rudely kicks anything near her to show that she's angry just because he threw away some overly dirty cloth that she keeps using to wipe clean dishes with?
5. Hides food from your children and grandchildren so only you and she can enjoy it?
6. Stuffs her face every single chance she gets?
7. Dengan kurang ajarnya proclaims to your daughter that people have been talking about how bongkak and sombong she is?
8. and on top of all that: GETS PAID DOUBLE WHAT ANY NORMAL PEMBANTU GETS PAID, and yet does half of what they do?
Well, I would probably beat the shit out of the bitch and kick her out on her FAT ASS.
Apparently some (one person in particular) wouldn't do the same thing.
She would rather tell her children and grandchildren to stop disturbing her maid or move out.
And trust me. What I've listed down is only the tip of the iceberg.
What would you do if your maid:
1. Was overheard badmouthing one of your children to someone on the phone?
2. Refuses to wash dishes that anyone else leaves in the sink besides yours (the person who pays her) and hers?
3. Leaves food overnight under the tudung saji and without even reheating or making sure it's still good, feeds your children and grandchildren with it?
4. Walks up to your menantu and rudely kicks anything near her to show that she's angry just because he threw away some overly dirty cloth that she keeps using to wipe clean dishes with?
5. Hides food from your children and grandchildren so only you and she can enjoy it?
6. Stuffs her face every single chance she gets?
7. Dengan kurang ajarnya proclaims to your daughter that people have been talking about how bongkak and sombong she is?
8. and on top of all that: GETS PAID DOUBLE WHAT ANY NORMAL PEMBANTU GETS PAID, and yet does half of what they do?
Well, I would probably beat the shit out of the bitch and kick her out on her FAT ASS.
Apparently some (one person in particular) wouldn't do the same thing.
She would rather tell her children and grandchildren to stop disturbing her maid or move out.
And trust me. What I've listed down is only the tip of the iceberg.
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