Labour Experience - Part 2

Meanwhile, Hamid was doing all the admission process on my behalf. Initially, we wanted a 2-bedded room, to save some cost but some how I feared that it will be dragged till past midnight and I am sure I wouldnt wanna stay alone in the hospital. So when I managed to called up my syg using the public phone, I asked him if it is ok to take single room and he agreed. At the same time, he was trying to get back to KL from KK, waiting on the standby list.

Finally I got my room - thanks to Hamid who was there for me. A true friend indeed. And I managed to called up my mum to tell her that I will be in the hospital. She came over later, bringing some food and clothes for me to bath before I go for labour. And the time I admitted to the hospital was around 4.30 pm. And up till 11pm, it is still 2cm dilated, and my syg tak sampai-sampai lagi...

Finally, my syg arrived at the hospital around 12.30am, and by 1am, I started having more intense and frequent pain. That time I was 4cm dilated. The pain continued and I had to ask for painkillers as I couldnt stand. It doesnt take away the pain, it just sort of make it more bearable. It also helps to expediated the dilation. By 3 something, blood started oozing out and I was 7cm dilated. I was pushed in to the labour room and then that was when the "real" pain really started.

I dun think I wanna describe how the pain was coz no words can describe it. Praise the Lord that Daniel Egbert Adolf was finally born at 4.12am. Weighing at 2.97kg, he was just perfect. And with a very loud cry too !

After all the ordeal, all I can say was - "Syukur pada Tuhan."

Due to some problems with uploading the pics, I shall upload Daniel's pic another time.

Labour Experience - Part 1

From the start, Dr told me that my EDD (Expected Delivery Date) shall be 2 Jan 2009. But cautioned me to get prepared starting from 2 weeks before EDD.

I was thinking to only get ready like few days before EDD. Even my leave application was stated from 26 Dec onwards. But God knows better.

On the 17 morn, I woke up as usual - go take my bath but without my syg. My syg has gone to KK for an audit and was expected to be back only on the 19 Dec. That morn, I felt something differrent. My stomach was having kinda contractions rather frequently but not that painful. I took my bath as usual and then off to work. As these contractions are happening rather frequently, I gave a call to my syg... I even cried on the phone (mo mintak simpati kan) but I know he couldnt do much... I looked up on the internet on the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and labour contractions.

So, here I am - thinking that "Ok, this should be false labour contractions. Nothing to worry about."

Mind you, the interval for each contraction was every 7 mins one contraction. And that has been going on since morn. My mum was rather concerned about my state especially during night when Egbert is not around.

Finally I decided to give a call to my Dr but he was not around so I spoke to the nurse - Kak Zai, who was assisting my Dr all the while. So, I explained to her my current conditionsand she got a bit worried. She told me she will call up my Dr to ask for guidance and later, will return my call. So I waited for her to call. That was around 2.30 pm. When she called me back, she said Dr's instructions was to admit to hospital ASAP for a checkup. I got a bit panic. But still ok - I called up my syg and my mum and told them about going to the hospital. I was planing to drive to hospital alone as I was still working that time. So I told my colleague about my plan to leave early. They in turn got panic hearing that I was planning to drive to hospital alone. One of my colleague manage to talk some sense into me that it isnt safe to drive alone, and that he will send me to the hospital.

So, I packed my laptop and other things but I didnt manage to hand over my work to other colleagues but I guessed it couldnt be helped. So Hamid, my colleague drove me back to my house to grab my labour bag and then we head to hospital.

At the hospital, I went to the Emergency straight away. As they had been notified of my condition prior to my arrival, I was taken to the labour room for a checkup. And indeed, my contraction intervals was every 7 mins and when the nurse inspected me, I was already dilated with 2 cm and I need to be admitted to the hospital immediately.

"Oh no, this is it." And my phone battery went dead. I got a bit scared as I fear I will be alone during labour. So I search for phone charger frantically. Failing that, I went in search for a public phone. Thank goodness I had coins with me.

New Baby Cot for Our Baby

Yeah yeah... I am so happy. We went to Ikea yestersday, shopping for our baby and finally, we found our baby cot. Cost us RM169 just for the cot, RM50 for the mattress, RM59 for the cover surrounding the cot (in case baby's legs or hands decide to get tanggled up). So, all in all, we spent about RM278 just for the bed. Oh, the daddy bought one small, miniature lion (the type where you slip your hand into it and start talking as though is the lion that talks) to as well which cost about RM12.90.

Then we got some other stuff for the new house. I can't wait to move in - I wanna assemble the cot, put away all the new household items that we have bought, do some cleaning up and settle down before the arrival of the baby.

Mom got some news that they are planning to hand over the keys on the 20th Dec but as of now, the owner has not contacted me at all as to when they are planning to hand over the keys. I am really crossing my fingers that they will hand over to us by 20th. That will at least give us some time to settle our things. Not that we can do any renovations at all, at least not until after my confinement.

Lets just cross our fingers and hope that good news will be awaiting for us.

Advent Season ...

Once again, we are in Advent Season.

Not so long ago, we were making final preparations for our wedding. Now, we are making final preparations for the coming of our baby .... Can't believe how fast the time flies... 2008 is almost gone, and 2009 is coming.

Lets look back at the year 2008. What have I done that I am proud of and what have I done that I shouldn't have do it?

Geez, this is definately a hard question. Well, not so hard actually. I am proud

• to becoming a mummy soon, to go through the 9 months so smooth and easy,
• of my contributions to the church,
• that I am able to play keyboard in the church now (though I am cheating by using Casio chords),
• to be able to do translation for homilies, and
• that finally our Phase 3 project is once again going after picking up pieces and trying to assemble it together when the previous director left with all info scattering and missing,
• to own a home of our own.

I am not proud when

• I allowed people to accuse me of things that I did not do;
• Not being to stand up for myself, to defend myself agaisnt the accusations;
• Hating those who accused me, unable to forgive them (till recently few months ago);
• I felt I neglected my family when I spend too much time with church activities (e.g. bringing my mum to market is something that I seldom do this year which resulted that she tumpang other people - makes me feel so guilty at times);

Will 2009 be a better year? I guess it is up to ourselves on how we wanna make it better. Need to be more positive thinking, that's for sure. Also, must find a balance between church activities and family.

But I am sure, with God's grace, everything is possible. Nothing will be too burden for me to carry, for God knows my strengths and weaknesses.

Meanwhile, I just wanna enjoy the remaining month, faithfully anticipating the arrival of our new member in the family.

Happy Advent to everyone !

Fatwa on Yoga

** Updated **

A note of thanks to Awa for correcting me. Fatwa is meant for Malaysian Muslim. The error is much regretted.

Hehehe, macam wartwan akhbar pulak.... Kekekeke...

** Previous**

I am not so sure why are the Hindus protesting on this Fatwa issued by the Jabatan Agama Islam.

Fatwa is and will always be meant for kaum melayu. They are not banning yoga for everyone, so why is there a ruckus? Why are the Hindus making some sort of protests ?

Personally, I think they just wanna make an issue.

I am sure all of us can continue practicing yoga, minus the spiritual part of course. Or, if we are so "scared" that doing yoga will make us unfaithful, then instead of chanting the Hindu prayer, we pray in our own separate ways. For example, me as a Catholic, what I can do is, while doing yoga, I could probably pray the Prayer of Rosary... Now, that's an idea ....

We have been taught in school every Monday morn assembly, when a student is reciting the prayer, the rest of us who are non-Muslim, to pray in our own ways... That is the beauty of Malaysia - multi religion. We respected our peers while we are in school, why not now ? Does that mean that as we grow older we don't have to respect other people ?

I think it is time to go back to the fundamental of each religion - "Respect others as you would like to be respected."

Petrol Price Down, Price for Goods ?

That is the consequences to be paid by us, the normal folks...

When the price of petrol was increase 70 cents earlier, ALL the price of goods increase. Example, Maggi Tom Yam used to be RM3.50, but since June, it is now RM 4.50. And mind you, though the price of petrol has gone down, I have yet to see the price of Maggi Tom Yam going down. And that is hypermarket's selling price.

Of course, nobody likes to lower down the prices once it has gone up.

Moral of the story: Don't ever make a sharp increase in the petrol price for it affects everything else. Now, even when you lower it down, it doesn't mean that the rest will follow. In the end, is the consumers who bear the cost.

Assembly, Integration and Test Centre

The project has finally started today with the selling of the tender documents.

Lets hope that from now on, everything will go on smoothly.

Baby Cot or Playpen

** Updated **
Ok, looks like we made up our mind to go for baby cot. Thanks to the input by Sharin and Yantie...

Now, is time to start survey for one. Malaysia's grand sale starting this weekend, right? Anyone knows where to get a good and affordable baby cot?


** Previous **

I still couldnt make up my mind - to buy a baby cot or a baby playpen ?

Which one is better ?

Play Pen by Graco (cost about RM549)

Baby Cot by IKEA

Playpen is used to place the baby temporarily while we go and do other things. Playpen won't be able to support baby till 1 year old. Baby Cot seems to last longer, according to what I read.

Um ..... Still thinking ....

Susah la ini macam... Sleep with mummy only la ... But scared la terhimpit my baby nanti ... Hehehehehe ....

Must go back and consult my syg first. Syg, any suggestion ?

Heartburn Sensation

I have been having this heartburn for the past few days. Initially, I thought probably because I haven't been eating correctly during the weekend, which thus resulted in me having this burning sensation at the back of my throat.

Come Mon, I didn't skip any meal and was back to eating normal, albeit small portion (appetite not that big anymore) but I am still having heartburn. So, I did a search on the website and found out that it is a normal symptom for any pregnant women.

That is due to the hormon progesterone in the body. So, nothing to worry about. I am not about to get any gastric or what....

Thank God.

New House

Well, not exactly new house - a 2nd-hand house, which we bought recently.

Located at Kota Kemuning - easy for my mum to take care of our baby later.

I am truly looking forward to moving in to this new house - with my syg and our baby. This is gonna be a new chapter in our life. I am very much excited about this.... Hehehehe....

But, unfortunately, can't move in yet. The current owner is still staying there as their new house is still under renovation. We are hoping that we will be able to shift in before our baby decides to come out to the world.

I am crossing my fingers, and hoping for the best but if time doesnt permit me to do reno before moving in, then I guess I'll just have to make do with the current condition of the house and patiently awaits the confinement period to be over to start the reno works.

34th Week of Pregnancy

My stomach is getting bigger, my legs are getting bigger, even my fingers are getting bigger...

**Sigh**

It seems every part of me is getting bigger. "I long to wear jeans" was what I told syg the other day .. "Sabar", he said ... Or at least I think that was what he said ... Hehehehehe....

Another 6 more weeks to go, but Dr said to get ready by 38 weeks coz baby can decide to come out from week 38 onwards...

So far, my baby is healthy. Of course la healthy, the mummy also healthy what. But I am truly thankful, coz I could say I had a rather smooth pregnancy. No morning sickness, occasional nausea for a month, and I can still "larat" to drive till now... Hehehehe....

God has truly blessed us.

Thank you ...

The Four Blessed Look

1) Look back and thank God.
2) Look forward and trust God.
3) Look around and serve God.
4) Look within and find God!'

'I asked God, 'How do I get the best out of life?'

God said:
a) 'Face your past without regrets.
b) Handle your present with confidence.
c) Prepare for the future without fear!'

'Without God, our week is:
1-Mournday,
2-Tearsday,
3-Wasteday,
4- Thirstday,
5- Fightday,
6-Shatterday, and
7-Sinday

So, allow Him to be with you every day!' '

Life is too short, so forgive quickly .
Love truly.
Laugh uncontrollably .
Never regret anything that makes you happy.
And have a wonderful journey !!!'

Be Blessed and have a Blessed Day!!!

Baseball Hero For That Day

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school andits dedicated staff, he offered a question:'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learnt hings as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay,who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.

Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?'

I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We'relosing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in myheart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ballright back to the pitcher. The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded toward second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Expecting Mother To Travel By Air

We all know that expecting mother are allowed to travel by air up to 35 weeks of pregnancy. At least, that is the regulation set by the airlines.

MAS is no different. Even AirAsia has a requirement that I need to fill up a certain form even though I am only about 5 months plus to 6 months.

Now, as I hit 28 weeks, the regulations gets tighter. Not only do I need a letter from my gynae dr that I am able to travel by air, I need to seek clearance from the embassy of the country that I am about to enter, else I will face deportation.

I am scheduled to travel to Singapore next week (atas arahan boss la ni... ) so, I did all I need to do before flying off. Thank goodness I will be there only for 3 days 2 nights.

The only thing left is going through the document, which I planned to do today and the following days ahead.

I wonder what does it feels like travelling by air when I am 7 months pregnant? Must be a challenging experience without my syg for few days ....

Wishing Things Had Been Different

I had some history with my ex-boss.

Nothing was resolved till today, at least as far as I know. But, hey, no longer that I hold any grudge towards her. My life is more peaceful now, I let the past be a past. Just kinda sad the way things had to turn out to be.

There were lots of things that I learned from her. There are even times that I wished she is still there in the office, guiding us. She may be harsh at times, but with her around, you gained more confidence in doing things right.

I guessed being around her for quite some things had changed me in one way or another. Just yesterday, we finished one very important meeting on one of our equipment. How I wished she was there to chair the meeting, to ask questions, to show to people that we know what we wanted.

Well, its just a wish, anyway... And I vowed to myself, I will learn, and I will be the expert. It may be a big wish, but hey, I am allowed to make a wish, right ? Lets just hope I am able to carry it through.