The boy who lived, & friends.

While we were at the mall today, we saw a promo poster for the upcoming Harry Potter Exhibition happening at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

Ayden being the Harry Potter freak (he watched The Sorcerer's Stone a million times. I swear. A million times. He knows when who & what is coming. He could anticipate the moment Ron's broom will hit his nose. He could even feel Ron's pain. Such a freak my son is), got so excited to see his favourite trio. He posed near the poster & asked me to snap picture.

First, he was Hermione.

Then, he's Harry.

Lastly, he's Ron.

No. I didn't ask him to purposely cover every character & pretend he is each & every one of them. No. I didn't even tell him to do anything. He posed & instructed me to "Take Mi!". And so I snapped my vain boy imagining he's The Boy Who Lived, The Smart Girl With Freckles & The Blur Weasley Boy. Shameless little Muggle you boy!

The husband & I can't wait to be in Singapore for the exhibition. We missed Titanic but there is no way we're gonna miss this one! Cause... Bless my soul! Its Harry Potter! *lame*

Oh ya! Of course Ayden is very excited too! Lucky you boy! Barely 2 & you have already seen & been to exhibitions & shows more than all that i've been to, all my life!

We are thankful to God every second for all the blessing he'd bestowed upon us, to provide our son with the childhood worth remembering. Alhamdulillah.

& I heard Plaza Singapura (in collaboration with The Science Centre) is having an X-ploring Dinosaurs shows all of next week!

You guys have no idea how much Ayden adores the prehistoric creatures! Wait! You guys sure do when you read Ayden's URL. Aydenosaur is what we call him whenever he goes roaring like a Dinosaur. Not to worry though. Aydenosaur is a Vegetarian. Eh! Apa daaa! He's a herbivore. He eats only plants. So you need not fear him. Heh!

Gosh! Its time to pack up & go back just for a day son. I won't let you miss a chance to frolick with your idols, Aydenosaur!

Anywayssss Ayah! When are we going to the one at Malacca? It is ending its run in July ley!

Hmmmm...

Till the next entry Loves! I promise the next one will be written by the Boy who, well.. The Kaypo Boy. Toodles doooo!

 

Water for Life

Hi ya'll! How has your Saturday been so far? I hope its was a splendid one like mine. I spent it sleeping most of the time, Heh! Only a sleepyhead like me appreciates a sleep in, stay in Saturday, or any other day for that matter! Lol!

Our current theme is Water. So Ummi brought me to see more water features around town before we leave. After the Duck pond & Swan lake at the Botanic Garden & double sea adventures last weekend, we went to swim at a local pool (pool is my favourite place on earth!). Ummi said, the pool is no way as clean as the one back at The Club so we swam only for a while. But we went after a heavy thunderstorm! Of course the pool is left dirty after the rain Ummi! Duh!

We also paid the iconic Singapore River a walking visit! Why walking visit you asked? Cause we walked from Lavender all the way to Raffles Place, Stopping by for lunch at Bugis, did a little shopping at City Hall, detoured to Chinatown and finally joined all the serious looking men & women in ties at Raffles Place.

Well, the adults walked. I was just sitting in my Ferrari, being pushed like a boss who is annoyed at the scorching hot weather, that's burning my fair baby bottom skin. Phew! That's a mouthful of a sentence! *swallowsaliva*

Along our walking journey, we came across so many beautiful water fountain features. Ummi told me that those are not just for decorative purposes, some cultures & customs believe that water represents wealth, so putting a water fountain in front of a building means the building will be wealthy... Eh? Errrr... Something like that one la. I will make my own water fountain at our own Villa! I will make one that will pour water all over our porch, non stop. The wetter, the wealthier I guess. Heh!

The river water was brown in colour. Looks like the Teh Tarik Kurang Manis my Awah loves. So not like the clean streaming river I saw in Janda Baik, Pahang. I guess, that is because, Janda Baik was made for nature & recreation while Singapore River was mostly used for transporting & commuting. I saw colourful bumboats gliding thru the water with ease. I was amazed by how the brown river water could withstand the weight of the bumboats and the people in it. But I didn't ask Ummi that cause I know how she is so bad at explaining logics of Science. I'll save that question for my Awah.

After covering river and fountains, I was brought to visit a canal very close to my Gramps place. Canals are smaller than rivers but the colour of the water is still the same, brown. Yucks! My trip to the canal was cut short though. Very short as I fell down while running excitedly on the jogging path. I fell face first and hurt my right cheek, all the way to my upper lips.

It was painful but being the strong boy who is very easily distracted that I am, I cried for less than a minute before forgetting about the pain and paid attention to the lovely budding Ixoras.

I went back to my Gramps and was nursed lovingly by my Mak. Apart from a little swelling & red looking right cheek & upper lip, I am fine. I even told Ummi, the pain is gone. Dah! Takdeeee! No sick! Heh! I love seeing the relieved faces of Mak, Ummi and Bapak when I told them that I am fine. I hate making them worried.

Awah was proud of me for being so strong. I love to make my Awah proud. We share so many traits, I love my Awah so much u see. :)

So... yah! We have covered pond, lake, sea, river, fountain & canal. Ummi said she has more water places to bring me to. Reservoirs, Dams and Waterfalls! I am so looking forward to visiting these places. Till then, (or my other adventures, whichever comes first) I bid you all good night, sleep tight & sweet dreams!

Children! Do not forget to salam the hands of your elderly before going to bed. I do that every night. I even reward them with wet kisses on the mouth. Our moms, dads, gramps & caretakers did so much to make our day a beautiful, educational & food-filling one, the least we could do is to salam & kiss them, just to thank them. Must remember okay! I sometimes forget, but Ummi reminded me everytime. My Ummi did those to her parents till after she is married to my Awah, and that is simply because, they moved out. So, follow my Ummi nightly routine I shall. A practice worth inheriting I must say. :)

Till next entry ya'll. Much loves!

 

Sorry Aydenosauruses

Been a while since I give this Blog a proper entry. We've been busy painting the town red. Will blog tomorrow. Pomish! Tongue swear!

 

DONE!

Shifting is done! Thank you Blogsy for making my move a hassle free one! Best app I've ever bought. Yes. Blogsy!

 

A Baby Story: 6 January 2011

I just watched an episode of A Baby Story on Discovery Home & Health. I had enjoyed A Baby Story ever since I was pregnant till now. I didn’t have the chance to welcome Ayden into this world because I was put under GA for the emergency c-section. So, I’ll always feel a little inadequate, touchy and sad every time I see those babies being handed over to their mothers to bond, right after exiting the womb. At that moment, I’ll kiss Ayden and apologize for I wasn’t there to take his fear of the unknown, away. Transiting from a safe quiet womb into the cold operating room must have been a traumatic experience for my little one. And not having his mother’s warm touch to soothe him must have made it all a whole lot scary. Poor Ayden…

Usually, A Baby Story’s episode comprises of a typical normal/caesarean section delivery and a happy welcoming of the new arrival thereafter. Today's episode was different. I watched it while putting my li’l one to sleep. Not paying that much attention till the final five minutes when the baby was safely delivered, handed over to the mummy, yet was taken over abruptly thereafter because something is wrong with her. She wasn’t crying. The mom frantically asked what was wrong with her angel. But no one in that labour room could answer her. To make it worse, her baby was whisked out of the room into another room, away from her still clueless mother. I can imagine the mother’s anxious feeling, to not know the status of the baby she had painfully pushed out of her. After further examination, the baby girl was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and was put in an incubator till a month later when she is ready for a surgery to mend the hole. Sad. Really sad.

When I was delivering Ayden, never once had I imagined my labour would be that difficult. I was anticipating a hassle free delivery as throughout my pregnancy all I heard was “The baby looks fantastic!”, “Everything is perfectly normal!”, “Do not worry! Everything will go along smoothly!” from Dr S. When I switched to Dr A at the last 6 weeks of pre-natal, I didn’t hear anything as chirpy & promising as Dr A is known to be a quiet gynae. He was so relax and not seem worry at all so I assumed everything was still A-Okay too.

 



That was why when Dr A calmly told me I had to be induced immediately due to the lack of water in my womb, I was very shocked. Lest when I went over to his assistant for my hospital admission letter, and was casually told by the chatty assistant (I really think Dr A should fire her) that Dr A was going for a 2 weeks long holiday on my estimated due date, I even suspected Dr A wants Ayden to be out of me earlier than his scheduled date & fast so that he can earn his $1000 to $1500 delivery charges and not have to pass me over to another gynae while he goes on vacation. Yes. I had ill thoughts of the man who is going to poke into my womb and bring my son out into this world, safely. But, the thought of my son sharing the same birthday with my mother, his anxious grandmother, made me put the ill thoughts at the back of my head and be excited of my impending induction.

On D-Day, Dr A broke my water bag with both of us (& the midwife) anticipating a tsunami of flowing water yet all we had was a gush of… nothing. Yes. No water came out of me. I wasn’t too bothered then as I didn’t know how much is too much and how none is actually very dangerous. Hey! I was a clueless first time mommy! Dr A told the midwife to monitor me and NOT give me any epidural. I heard the instruction and smile. I wasn’t planning to take any epidural anyway. I was going for a natural drugless labour. Yah right! 6 hours later, I was practically begging for an Epidural. In fact, I would KILL for one that when I was denied epidural by the midwife, I felt like 'you know' K-I-L-L her.

Fast forward to hours later when Ayden was safely out of me, blue and crinkled like a crumpled paper. Then, I thought it was normal of every other baby to look like that upon birth. But after talking to several mothers and another gynae I now know, my son’s skin condition upon arrival was not normal. Being crinkled was okay. Blue & VERY crinkled means bad. A little longer in the womb and I may not have a baby to call son at all!



And with that, all my ill thoughts were turned to regrets. Yes regret for thinking the worst of my handsome Dr A. No wonder he, Sarah the midwife & the nurses were in a flurry of mad rush (I was already so high from the laughing gas then but hell I know it was a hullabaloo drama) in delivery suite 7 at 8.35pm on 28 May 2010. Dr A, Sarah and the rest of the team was in a rush to safe my baby. The tiny bub who is going to be the joy of everyone in the family.

Alhamdulillah (thank god) Ayden came out as fit as a fiddle. Blue, crinkled yet perfectly healthy. Alhamdulillah! Imagine how would I feel when I came around (after the anaesthetic effect is gone) to know that something is wrong with my little angel. How would I or any mother for that matter would feel and react to knowing that the baby we painstakingly carry for 9 months and plan to safely bring into this world has to undergo more painstaking medical intervention to be safe. Especially, being a tiny fragile human, he or she is. Thus, I am so extremely grateful & thankful that I wake up to my family telling me how fair, small & cute my healthy little Ayden is.

Mommies, we may be told stories about the rainbows all throughout our pregnancy. We can be easily convinced to think that nothing could turn wrong on our D-Day. But, at the end of the day, God knows best of what & how is best for us…

Now Mommies, turn to your babies and children, stop screaming at them however naughty and playful they are and give them a tight hug and a very wet kiss. Cause, however easy or difficult your labour story was, we have to thank HIM for giving us these bubbly & healthy little souls to care, to hold and to mould into a wonderful citizen of the earth and a Solehs/Solehas Ummah Muhammad.



 

My half year old Ayden Farish: 16 December 2010

It's 2.08am & i'm typing this on my iPod. I can't get to sleep as I made myself a cup of caffeine at midnight. Not so wise. I know. But I seriously don't mind this perky can't sleep mode. I so appreciate this alone time, to look at my sleeping bub. Oh Ayden! How fast you've grown!

Time sure flies when you're having fun. With a blink of an eye, my son has passed the halfway mark of his first year.

Everyday, I see developments of his that makes me swell with pride. He now slithers all over. He's able to sit without support, he wants to hold the book when read to, he'll talk back with enthusiasm when talk to, he'll squeeze himself thru tight corners (not claustrophobic like his dad), he loves playing hide 'n' seek & he loves to sing. Yes. Everytime, I sing to him he'll chorus along in mumblish unison. His favourite song is You're My Sunshine. So remind me to show off my bub's vocal prowess the next time we meet.

I remember 6 months ago when he was a fragile little baby, I wished he was bigger like every other grown babies. I wished he'd be able to do a lot of things that he can't do then. But now that he is bigger, mobile and very very agile and hyper, I miss that tiny wrinkly babe sometimes.

Now that he can eat, he wants to eat EVERYTHING. I still only feed him Frisocrem with Heinz pureed foods for lunch & fresh pureed fruits for dinner. No. No Asam Pedas, McDonalds & Lontong for him yet. Though his prying eyes never leave our filled to the brim plates at mealtimes. I love how he licks his lips & suckle them everytime he salivates looking at the grown up foods. So cute! I wish I could record it on video but everytime the lens is pointed at him, all actions stop. Bleargh. Maybe the next time I wanna shoot him, I should ask the husband to scream "Action!". Heh!

Lucky me to be given a chance by the Almighty, to experience the glorious happiness of a mother. Not all women of the world have such luck (god bless them. better joy is promised to you all in other forms) but I did. This I treasure with everything that I have. True that you will never really know the meaning of LOVE till you became a Mother. I want to protect Ayden from everything. I want to keep him safe. I want to love him & love him & love him. Gosh! I never knew I have this much love in me. I never knew one could produce love on demand!

But even if I try, I can't fully protect him. He needs to hurt and hurl to learn and live.

Ayden got his first fall from his feeding chair 2 days ago. I heard a loud thump & the next sight I saw was my li'l bub head down on the cold hard floor. He wailed for a good 20 seconds. Then smiled like he had just fallen in love. My Superboy. My mom applied medicated oil on the bump & he continues smiling. I put ice on the bump expecting more wailings (no one likes having cold ice pressed on one's body parts) but my Superboy smiled and mumbles happily. He screamed when I take the ice off his head, instead. Yes. Sadist I heard?

Ayden likes to play it rough. Yes! Our favourite past time is cutting fingernails. It is the only time when I can have him in his most subdued self. Everytime I show him the nailclipper, he'll let go of everything & willingly shove his tiny hands into mine. I accidentally cut into his skin a few times. Cut. Yes. Blood. Yes. Present. But he had never squealed even a bit. That was when I conclude that my son is a Sadistic li'l bub. Haha!

Recently, I became very emotional, often. News about babies being abused, abandoned, toddlers kidnapped, missing girls & boys. I'm sad for these tots' parents & I also fear for my own's safety. It is normal for mothers to feel such, right? Paranoia is a trait of a loving mother. No?

It's 3.10 now. I guess i'll continue this note some other time. When I have the time. I wanna get back to staring & smothering my smelly sleeping bub.

Night night!

P/s: Motherhood rawks big time! Thank you my dear husband for being careless & getting me knocked up! :)



 

The thing about my parents. Or rather, Ayden's grandparents: 4 November 2010

For the past 5 months, I have witness an execution of LOVE I had never seen before. My husband and I love Ayden wholeheartedly, that's undeniable. But seeing how precious my son is to his grandparents, really amaze us, his loving parents.



For a start, my mom and dad are wonderful parents to us. I was so dependant and attached to them, I co-slept with my parents till I turn 21. Yes. In the same room (do not ask me when or where my little siblings were conceived. I have nooooo i... dea... They were suddenly there! Heh!) although I have a room of my own, complete with springy mattress on a queen sized bed. No. I still drag my ratty kapas mattress and lay it by their bed, every night. My daddy's loud snore and my mommy's light breathing were my lullaby.

Same goes for my little sister, at 23, my mom still hand feed her meal everytime she's home. Yes. Feed. Suap. My mom makes it a point to go all around the house with a plate in her hand when Moomoo was a hyper toddler and up till now, a hyper baby tua; just so she could be sure my sister is fed and full. My little brother. He was the only son. The son my mother had hoped and prayed for (to replace my (stillborn) older brother who left us almost 2 years before I came). Marul is what you call, Mommy's Boy. Then, everything he wants, he gets. Now, everything he wants, he gets (after being nagged at). My brother will hate me for telling everyone this, but at 17, my mom still calls him Baby. He is her Baby.

 



My dad cultivated in me, the love for books since I was a child. I still remember how he would come home with library books for me to read every week. That was how I filled my lonely time as I was an only child till I was 7. I love writing since young and Dad told Mom to buy me a Typewriter. An electronic one even though that money would have been invested better on other things, as money then, did not come easily. I have very supportive parents. Not well off, but always put our needs and wants before theirs.



 

I could go on and on about my parents’ love and sacrifices for me. About what they have done to make me the person I am today. About how strict they were with me and boy friends just so I would not fall in love with the wrong guy. About how they accepted my husband with open arms and love him like their own just because he made me happy. But this is a note about them as grandparents to their precious little Ayden. My moments have passed & I turned out quite fine.

When I read the word ‘PREGNANT’ on the home test kit about a year ago, I immediately MMS my whole family. My mom, sister and brother were elated beyond words (ya. cos they screached. without word). While my dad, the thing about my dad is, at other times, he is very loud and talkative. But he is not an expressive man when he’s truly happy (it's a matter of honor, he said). He was over the moon with the news, he loves babies. Had wanted a grandchild the minute after I got married. But he concealed his happiness and concern by asking about every other things instead. Every day, he’ll call me more than 5 times asking if I had watered the plants he had planted at my place, about the weather in KL, about the food I ate though I know all he wanted, was to listen to my voice to make sure I was alright. Ego. Man. Sigh.

When I discovered my baby’s gender, again, I shared it immediately with my whole family. Everyone was happy, mom and me especially, ‘cause we were hoping for a boy. But my daddy was a little disappointed as he on the other hand wished for a granddaughter instead. A little disappointed. But excited he was, still.



He prayed everyday that my pregnancy will go as smoothly as possible, and his grandson will come out healthy and fine. So, when I laid on the hospital bed, having very bad contractions every 2 minutes for more than 10 hours and there’s no sign that the baby is coming out anytime soon, my dad spouted verses from Al-Quran nonstop under his breath. Praying to God at the same time if there’s anyone who shall ‘go’ that day, let it be him. Not his daughter. Not his grandson. Yes. Such is the love of a father and a soon to be grandfather (then).



When Ayden was safely delivered, my husband & parents camped at Mount Alvernia from morning till late for my 3 & 1/2 days stay. I was truly happy to have my loves as company and for Ayden to know how much he is welcomed & loved.



I stayed at my parents’ for a good 2 months thereafter while my darling husband has to return to KL to work. My parents had watched Ayden grow from a tiny little baby to a feisty and chubby bambam. When we left for KL, my Daddy teared uncontrollably. My mom was cool at first, but she too teared right after our car moved off. And the next day, there they were, at our doorstep, driving 4 hours to KL just to spend a few hours with their (sleeping) Grandson.



Till now, my parents would drive up to KL at every possible weekend to play with Ayden. My husband, being the lovely man that he is will also send us back to Singapore for a week or two so that Ayden could spend time with the family here and receive more attention and love than he has back at our own place. My mom would take over the care of my son and let me rest and write while here. A luxury I don’t get when I am home. Ayden knows how much he is loved in this tiny flat. I love to see how my son chuckles and laughs all the time here. Crying? Rarely. Every night before sleep, I would thank God for the many love and blessings He showers upon me. I have angels as parents. I married a wonderful man. My siblings are my strength and my baby is just perfect. Alhamdulillah.

Every day, my dad will say out his many dreams for his Grandson. He has many plans for his Cucu. He wants to travel the world with Ayden. Want to feed him everything that he wants to eat. Want to teach him life's many skills. Want to love him till his very last breath.

Ayden's 6578342th gift from my Dad! Such a pampered grandson! Thank you Bapak!

And every day too, I pray to God that He grants my parents the best of health, so that they could live a long happy life, to do all that they dream of doing with their beloved Grandson.



Ayden, when you read this in the future, I want you to know, your Yai and Nyai love you very much and you are really blessed to have this wonderful duo as your grandparents.



Mak, thank you for showing me how to be a Mother. You're so good at mothering, you're my idol. Bapak, thank you for the abundance of love (& gifts) for my son. You’re always too generous. Babusyuk, thank you for all your love and understanding. I know I could never find a better man to call, husband. Ayden, thank you for bringing immense love, joy and laughters to our lovely family. I Love You(s).

 

Bedtime Conversations: 14 October 2010

DISCLAIMER: The characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are (non) fictitious and any similarity to name, character and history of any person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and (un)intentional.

Bedtime Conversation Pre-Baby:

WIFE: How was your day sayang?

HUSBAND: The heat! It was such a hot day... I did the... Bla... The actor (mention name), he was... Bla... Then the food... Bla... Bla... Bla...

WIFE: He what? How could he? Poor you. But then... Bla... Bla... Bla...

HUSBAND: What to do... It's work sayang... Then there's this... Bla... Bla... Bla...

WIFE: Wow! I didn't know that! Bla... Bla... Bla...

The yakking continues for a good while when...

WIFE: Hey! It's nearly 2am! We've been talking for a good hour! We better sleep now. You gotta work tomorrow.

HUSBAND: You go to sleep first baby. You look sleepy. I wanna watch History Channel for a while.

WIFE: No I'm not sleepy! I wanna watch TV with you (rubs watery eyes when he is not looking & secretly yawns with closed mouth).

Bedtime Conversation Post-Baby:

WIFE: Finally Ayden is asleep! How was your day sayang?

HUSBAND: We had...in the office today... Bla... Episode 13 of... Bla... Then there's this actor... Bla... Remember him? Had...for lunch.

WIFE: That's good! Your son was... today. He did... Very cute! Isn't he the most beautiful baby in the world baby?

HUSBAND: Yes he is sayang. He is so cute...Bla... Bla... Bla...

The husband continues to yak when...

HUSBAND: Baby, why are you so quiet. Do you hear what I just said sayang...? Sayang...? Sayang...?

WIFE: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

HUSBAND: So fast asleep?... *-_-*

Husband looks at wall clock. 12.23am. He grabs the remote and switches on the TV to watch History Channel. Alone.

Sounds Familiar? :)

 

To Ayden Farish, With Love: 14 August 2010

Dear Ayden,

Can you believe this? Just a week shy from you turning a grand 'ol 3 (months that is)! The first quarter of your first year (don't worry about celebrating son, there'll be plenty more quarters where growing years are concerned)! I am sorry I took this long to write a note after your birth. Writing one while you were in me was easier la! I took nearly 12 hours (between feeding, playing, bathing & putting you to sleep) to write this!



Let us trackback to that eventful Wednesday some 3 months ago when me & ur ayah were at Dr. A's office, all excited about knowing your in utero development. The Wednesday where unprepared is an understatement. Where joy & nerves collide. Where your dad had to drive from SG to KL then to back to SG in the span of 24 hours just so he could settle & handover his works & be present at your birth & your first few days. The conversation between Dr. A, Me & Your dad went exactly like this:

Dr A: Your water is very low already lah. Not safe for baby.

Me: Is it?! Anything I can do to improve my water level.

Dr A: Best you give birth.

Me: Okay.

Dr A: You free on Thursday night?

Me: Tomorrow? Night?

Dr A: Yes. You free?

Me: Errr. Why ah? (you wanna date me is it?)

Dr A: You admit yourself to Mt. A. I'll induce baby out.

Husband: Huh?

Dr A: Ya. Water level low. Baby not moving much. So, it's better for him to be out.

BOTH HUSBAND & WIFE STILL BLUR & PUZZLED.

Dr A: You lie down now. I give you injection on your thigh to mature baby's lungs. You are not scared of injection right?

Me: (STILL BLUR) Huh?! No. (PROCEEDS TO LIE DOWN)

Dr A: Relax ah! Will be painful a bit.

ME (LOOKS ON TO THE WALL TRYING TO PIECE PUZZLES.

Dr A: Okay. Done.

Me: You've poked? Already? On my thigh?

Dr A: (To Husband) Or Friday morning la. I admit you at 8.00am, then I put u on IV drip. Break your water bag. & deliver baby. As easy as that.

Me: Aaaaaaaaa... Can ah?

Dr A: Can! Baby inside not safe with water level this low.

Husband: Ooooo.... Kay... But...

Dr A: (To Husband) Why? You not free on Friday huh?

Husband: I have to make some work arrangement. But Friday is better than tomorrow night.

Dr A: Great. Friday it is then. (SCRIBBLE SOMETHING ON MOUNT ALVERNIA ADMISSION FORM. PASS ME THE FORM)

Dr A: You go back, pack your bag. I'll see you on Friday.

ME & HUSBAND TAKES FORM, LEAVES ROOM. STILL PUZZLED. We are going to be parents, in less than 36 hours?! GULP!

Yes Ayden. You sure timed you arrival real well. We can coax you all we want to wait and come out on the same day as your Dad but you chose to please your grandma instead & come out on the day she turned 51! How nice... Saved me the hassle of buying her another jewellery. Heh!

Thus, on Vesak Day, you were born. I won't bore you with my birth story here as everyone knows about the 13 hours labour pain I went thru. The 1cm cervix dilation that just won't go any wider from day to night. The crazy contractions I wish never to feel again. The cold delivery suite. The naggy yet sweet midwife. The talkative yet very reassuring nurses. The cute doctor who made 3 estimations about your arrival timing (1st was 3-4pm. 2nd was 6-8pm. 3rd was 10pm to midnight. & all tak boleh pakai cos in the end he decided that cutting this wailing whale was the best way to go).



The night after my surgery, I woke up every hour, still groggy from my anesthesia, to look at your cute photographs, your Dad has uploaded in FB. Yes son. I saw you first on FB. Such is the power of technology. Thank you. I do want the nurses to wheel you in but I was too weak. But trust me son, that every hour I was up, staring at your photos on my iPod Touch, the feeling was indescribable. The cute, wrinkly baby was mine. The boy named Ayden Farish came out from me! I was responsible for your entrance into this world! & you're my son. You were so fair & small. I wonder if I can ever pluck up the courage to hold you when you're finally with me. I don't want to hurt you being the clumsy klutz I am. You were the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You are an angel. Yes. I spouted all these while staring at my iPod. How pathetic.

When the nurses wheeled you in the next morning, all those concerns and worries were diminished. I saw you! I finally see you so perfect & real all wrapped up in a white swaddle blanket, sleeping oh so peacefully. You were indeed very small & fragile. But I have no qualms about holding you my son cos there was no way I could harm you or let anyone else harm you for that matter. You were gorgeous son. Still looking like an angel. I don't need to stare at my iPod screen anymore. I have you for real! Looking at you, I wonder how did me & your dad managed to work together on such a beautiful baby. We're just two plain beings put together while you were too perfect. I couldn't thank Allah enough for such a special gift.



Eh! Wait! I digressed so much. I thought I was to make away with my Hospital story? Sigh! What's new huh? So, okay! Delivery is over and done with. I stayed for 4 days 3 nights in Mount Alvernia. We were discharged on the Monday & my journey to motherhood began...



A trivia for you son, both your dad and I were born on Fridays too! That made the three of us, Friday babies & Fridays are known to be the best day of the week (both religiously & rhetorically)! How nice...



Motherhood wasn't fun at first. Being a sleepyhead that I am, I am not used to getting woken up on demand for feeding, cleaning and soothing. You're a little colicky. You cry everyday at 7pm, 12am & 3am for no rhyme and reason. For a good 3 weeks, your colic sure made me panic. But we rode thru that fine. Alhamdulillah.



You, my boy were always wailing in hunger. Doesn't help that my milk supply was so low I couldn't feed a bird. I'm sorry son. I read a lot. I dreamt a lot. I want to feed you my breast milk exclusively. But I failed. You refused to suckle. You lost weight. I have to supplement & I got complacent. When asked by concern friends, I'd say you have the best of both. Breast Milk & Formula. But truth is, I got tired of pumping menial amount of milk every 3 hours thus made you go Formula all the way. I won't say I regret what was done. But I am glad at 2 months, I managed to relactate and have you latched on successfully. All was not lost. I thank Him again for the second chance. Similac and you are still the best of friends but you come a looking for my boobies for dessert, supper and sleep. Better some than nothing huh!

A little while later, I got used to motherhood and begun to enjoy it. You were a happy baby since born son. Always smiling even when you can see nothing but shadows. I am glad those conversations we had while you were still in me proved to be fruitful. Life is a quagmire, but a smile makes it all better. Remember that always okay?



My life thereafter is just about you. & I am not complaining. I love pampering my son. I was so attached to you people starts telling me to lay off as I will only end up spoiling you. But you are my son. What else best can I do but to love and spoil you? I was a stubborn new mother. I refused to listen to any old age adage and trusted Google more than those naysayers. I just want you to have the best & most proper care and love. What we can't provide in material, your dad & me will complement with lots of Love and knowledge.

Fast forward to present, I am still learning about myself and you every day. About how you like your milk not too cold, but cold. About how you love sleeping on chest & nowhere else. About how you love eating in your sleep but not while awake, even so, you demand to be carried around while feeding. About how feeding you could take an hour and a half every time with you taking your time suckling. About how you hate pooping in a stained diapers thus will demand a fresh change only to poop and change again. About how you hate the air-con but despises the heat. About how you love to lick, suck & gobble your whole fist into your mouth. About how friendly & easygoing you are. To everyone (this one is not so good la son. You must not talk to strangers! Even when they look nice). About how you love to play with your Dad more than me. Pfft.

About that, I am not complaining. I love to see my two boys bond over tongue pointing & finger sucking. You are indeed your daddy's son. You will wait for your daddy's return even when it's very late. When you're too tired to stay up and sleep, you'll half open your eyes to smile at your dad when he comes home just to signal you're still waiting, with eyes closed. The bond between you both is indeed precious. I can't wait till you're a li'l older and start reading books, singing & dancing, playing games & building Legos together with your 'ol man. Precious.



I have learnt to recognize your every cry. I love how you always smile upon waking up before wailing in your loud monotone voice. I love how you would 'tell your version of the story' during our daily storytelling session. I love how you always put a smile on our face however annoyed we are with the world. We love you.

Ayden, you are so loved by many. Friends & families flock around you the days & weeks following your birth. Your grandparents adore & pamper you like you are their first grandson (Wait! You are their first grandson). Your Mamoo & Maman Fie love you like you are their first nephew (Okay. You're their first nephew. Not funny Umie). Ayah & I see you as blessing from God. The light of our happy yet once quiet lives. You're our pride. Our treasure. Your existence brings with you all the luck, joy & rezki in the world and we both promise to work even harder to provide you with a special life you so deserve.



Our first Ramadan together came by some 4 days ago. How different has a year made. This time last year, your dad & I were just us, silly two, not looking at each other, having our sahur in silence with eyes half closed. This time around, we have you! Sahur is no longer a quiet affair as you were always up to also drink your share before Subuh. Heh! & Iftar! With one hand holding your bottle, another holding a fork twirling it with pasta & my lips on the straw sipping my mango tea. I sure am a Super Momma. Heh!

With the Syawal that's coming, I can't wait to see you in your Baju Melayu in a colour that matches your daddy & me. We'll look gorgeous (I still have 10kg more to shed but I know gorgeous will I still be. Or try to be). You'll look cute.

We have many dreams for you son. Many visions for your future. Our future. Wonderful plans to colour your childhood. You are the apple of our eyes & we hope you'd do us proud as the imperfect human we all are. You're our angel, god-sent from above. We love you, son. Thank you for choosing us to be your parents.



 

The Story of Baby A, Dr. A, Mount A: 19 May 2010

Howdy ya'll!

Me again! Baby A! Have you guys (or hawt sexy girls ferthatmatter) been missing yours truly? But of course right? I know one soul is missing me badly, My Daddy! We've been separated for a good... (look at fingers & start counting) Hmmm... Why are my fingers short,short, long, short, short ah? (look at toes now) Big, long, short, short, short. Weird. Hmmm... Wonders if my big toe tastes as yummy as my thumb. (wriggle to reach big toe & puts in mouth. Ended up swallowing amniotic fluids in between.) Hic... Hic... Hic... (pause) Hic... Hic... Hic...

Mommy's Edit: This boy has very short attention span (wonders where he got that from. Ehem!). He forgets about counting the days Daddy has been away and ended up mesmerized by his toes & thumb instead. Along the way, managed to give himself another hiccup. Chey! I think, I'll take over from here...

Had my second ante-natal check-up with Dr Adrian Woodworth at Thomson Women's Clinic today. During my first appointment 2 weeks ago, I have to say, I was a little hesitant. The clinic is so small & crampy. Sharing waiting area with a group of sick people wasn't a turn on too (since the clinic shares space with another clinic). A stark difference from Dr Surinder's spacious room & Tropicana's big & comfortable waiting area. Why I chose Dr Adrian you asked? Cos his clinic is the nearest to my parents' place (dekat is love). & He comes with high recommendations from online Mummies' forums too!
& Dr Adrian seems to have a million pregnant ladies to see in a short span of 2 hours. Big, small, young, old. Waaaa! This Doctor is very popular, I must say! Minutes gone... I got too bored of waiting and start looking for something to fill my time. I start timing his consults. A name called, couple went in. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. & out they came. 2 minutes max! That is super fast!! My hesitation now made me want to flee the clinic and just go for that KKH appointment I made for the same afternoon (Yes! I had a back-up plan in case Dr A don't give me good vibes)

But the second I decided to leave, my name was called. Me & my Mom waddled (Okay. I waddle. Mom walked like a Supermodel) into the consult room (with me still feeling doubtful). We were greeted by a very handsome cheena gynae with a mat salleh name. Okay. Like the malay sayings, Dari mata turun ke hati. Haha! My hesitation vanished & I bare myself (Okay la. I exagerrate. Tummy region only) to him.

Dr. A asked me about my medical history. Husband's history (Medical. Not who he was previously married to), Baby A's history. & like my every other check-ups with Dr. S before, everything is going perfectly normal. Thank God. Like a smitten teenager, I keep smiling and nodding to his every question & POOF! it was all over so suddenly when Dr A said he'll see me again in 2 weeks time.

What?! That's all?! Waaah! I think when Baby A is older, I may have to reassess his career choice and BEG him to be a Gynae instead of a Film Director lah (Sorry Hubster). 2 minutes of speedy consult cost $140 ley! & he sees like 62643547 pregnant ladies in a day (that's not his phone number by the way. I have his mobile if any of you is interested to stalk him)! Imagine his daily/monthly/yearly earnings! Wow!

Babusyuk, I love you. But I'll love you even more if you're a Gynaecologist. Wanna consider a change of career? Heh!

(FROM HERE ONWARDS IT IS GONNA BE A LONG BORING STORY OF MY HOSPITAL CHOICE. IT'S FOR ME TO READ & REMEMBER 57 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. YOU GUYS MAY SKIP THIS PART & SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM)

So Okay. Thereafter, I decided that though his style of consult is chop chop off you go, he's an experienced Doctor. He does it with a cute smile (Haha!) & he makes me feel welcomed & comfortable even though I saw him very late into my pregnancy.

I still remember when I called KKH & told them I am in my 34 weeks (then) already, they were hesitant to take me in. They told me that they have to check with the Doctor if he wants to tend to me. (WhatTheFish!) I know. They called me back to say Dr was willing to see me. But was quite adamant that my case is gonna be a very special case thus I have to come with all my previous medical records & referral letter from my previous Gynae (another WhatTheFish!) Of course I know that la! Anyway, what so special about tending to 34 weeks normal pregnant woman ah? Don't other pregnant women go thru their 34 weeks too?

A lot of my dearest friends recommended NUH. But, my Daddy prefers only KKH or Thomson (Yes. Me & Hubby lets Daddy decides as it IS his first Cucu. Give him face a bit la. Ini semua soal maruah hokay! Haha! Right Hub?!) But I do thank my darling girlfriends for all the wonderful tips, advices & recommendations. You ladies are the BEST!

Since Dr A delivers only in Thomson & Mount Alvernia, I have these 2 Hospitals to choose for my D Day. If it's up to my Daddy, Thomson wins hands down of course. But from online researches, I read that Mt. Alvernia is a very warm & wonderful hospital. The staffs treat you well & It is a very homely place. What's with it being a Pro BF Hospital (& I do wanna try my best to feed Baby A thru my Nips), my favour leans towards Mt. A. Hubby gave his nod. Daddy was hesitant. It IS a Catholic Hospital. But they don't baptise each and every Baby, Dad! In fact, a lot of Muslim Mummies delivers n Mt. Alvernia & gave the Hospital two thumbs up! I tried to convince my Old Man but to no avail. So, you know what I did?

I brought Daddy to Mt. A for the Hospital Tour. Orang lain bawak Suami. I brought my Daddy. Haha! & like a blessing in disguise. Or a sign from Allah. (whichever, I thank Allah) We saw 2 cute Muslim babies (Sharifah Hannan Bin Syed Abu Bakar was one of them. I remember!) being wheeled out from the Labour Ward into the Nursery. & They were the cutest thing ever! Daddy went crazy googoogaagaaing at the babies. I know my plan works then! (Haha! Terima Kasih Allah!). Daddy agrees to Mount Alvernia almost immediately. (winkz**)

(OKAY. BORING HOSPITAL CHOICE STORY ENDS HERE)

So, fast forward to 2 weeks later (today), I met Dr Adrian (at his kecoh & crampy clinic) again. Baby A weighs at 2.6kg. Average weight for a 36 weeks fetus. Though thru pictures, I look like I am bursting anytime soon, Baby A is still very much comfortable inside (but not for long though as Dr. A predicted that I will deliver earlier than my EDD).

Another appointment has been set for next week. & I leave Thomson Women's Clinic with this ultrasound print out (for my beloved husband). I know. I don't know what is this too. His butt? His head? His tummy? But I know this is my Baby. :)



Me & Hubby now wait with bated breath. Another 2-4 weeks and we'll have a little boy to change our lives. No more movie dates. No more couple nights out. No more quiet nights. But we are very excited. Really. Come out soon & we will bring you home to our haven back in Villa Damansara. A place where we will live life as a small & happy family. We so deserve it son. You, Me & Daddy. We really hope you would bring nothing but happiness and peace into our lives. We know you would.

Baby A, Mummy & Daddy has gotten you your crib sweetheart! So, please. Love your Daddy more. With all the crap that he has to settle, he still manage to find time (& money) to get you a cute Crib.

We can't wait for your arrival. We being us, your parents, Nyai, Yai, Mamaa & Mamoo. Your Nyai & Yai especially is very excited. Those yummy foods you've been fed with recently. Yes. All are courtesy of your beloved Nyai & Yai. Them, you must love more too. Your Mamoo & Mamaa. They are just happy that they are going to have another to bully. So, you better practice your cute pout starting from now. Trust me. They won't bully you if you act all cutesy.

Till your arrival my son...

Love
Mommy & Your Still-Very-Hard-At-Work Daddy. 

Baby A writes: 9 April 2010

Hi everybody!
It's ME! Baby A (Or Ayden Farish. I don't know why Mommy still calls me Baby A in her writings when half of the world population already knows my name. Adults confuse and bemuse me sometimes).

So, Mommy is taking the back seat (or rather the Editorial seat cos she is so gonna vet this note once i'm done. What did I told you about adults?) this time around and told me to do the writing (or rambling, whichever). So here goes. Don't say I bore you (even if I do) cos babies don't usually receive objection/criticism well. You don't want me to start smirking my tiny pouty mouth and go into a screaming and crying fiesta do you? No? Good Choice! So, bear with me and 'pretend' that you enjoy my writing.

So, I am already 30 weeks young. & I'm getting too big for Mommy's small tight space (not that she is any smaller considering the 17 kg she has successfully gained so far. Ooppss! She'll read this right?? Daym!) So! What have I been doing in this little sac of mine all day? Other than twirl, turn & jump (literally but I never get that far) I have also mastered the art of thumb suckling, smiling, pooping, peeing, sleeping and winking (Daddy says the winking part is crucial to master. It'll get me girls in the future & I like girls! Thanks Daddy! Good advice there!)

So, if you guys did your Maths well in school, you guys should be able to back count and realise "OMG! Ayden! You were conceived in September last year! You're a Raya Baby!" (Well, even if you didn't do well in Maths, I still love you. Wait?! What is Maths again?) Anyways... Ya! Mommy and Daddy got excited some time during Raya and here am I. I don't know. Maybe those lontongs, ketupats & kuih tart made my parents grow horns or something.

Or maybe it is just my turn already. Mommy told me about the bird & the bee theory? You know? No? Frankly, I know nuts too. Mommy wasted her time telling! Pfft.

So! After mommy missed her 'that time of the month' that month, Mommy got excited & anxious (adults = confused). She texted Daddy every other hour saying that she thinks she is pregnant. Daddy, being the very patient man that he is, entertains Mummy's every text with, "We'll buy a Home Test Kit tonight k baby." So, that night, they went to this place called Giant (I don't know why but the name gives me goosebumps!) and got themselves that Home Test Kit.

Upon reaching home, Mommy is excited yet scared to test it out (Truth is, she had peed on such stick 3 times before and all had shown negative sign so Mummy is kinda phobia of getting disappointed. Again). Daddy suggested that they sleep it off and test it in the morning. BIG mistake. Mommy agrees to Daddy's suggestion but she ended up NOT sleeping the whole night tossing and turning in anticipation for morning to come (just to pee on a stick?! My mommy is sick!) Anyway, at 5.30am, Mommy couldn't take the excitement any longer (and also because she needs to pee la!), So to the toilet she goes. And Walla! The stick says PREGNANT. Mommy wakes Daddy up with a scream (at 5.30am. Yes) and they both spouted Alhamdulillah before returning to slumber land (Okay, Mommy did not sleep immediately. She took a picture of the PREGNANT sign and MMS the whole family. At 5.30 am. Yes).

So, from then on, my life begun. From a tiny dot to a peanut, to an olive then to someone called Chic then to the Ayden I am known as today. (You may read Mommy's past notes to know about my growth okay? It's her job to describe me right?!)

Fast forward to present, I have been a blessed child thus far. & for that, I have been giving Mommy a great & hassle free pregnancy too! Well, we give & take la... I don't want my poor Mommy to suffer okay! She is so clumsy & wobbly already! (Ooopsie!)

Mommy reads to me everyday. Though her choice of reading materials have been a little puzzling actually. Stories about World War 2? Dinosaurs? Mommy! How about reading me some fairy tales? A not so scary sounding bedtime story? It's difficult to go to sleep after I imagine how Hitler looks, Okay! Plus Trinosoasterwlk-rex is so difficult to pronouce! & they're extinct! So, why would I care? Hmmmm... (Adults. Again)

While my dearest Daddy... The problem is, my Daddy is a very very busy man. I sometimes hear his voice only once in the morning & once at night (though I can hear him crackling & clanking his teeth in his sleep all night long! Ssshh! Don't tell Daddy but I think my Daddy has super power to be able to make such a beautiful sound every night! I tried doing it but NOTHING! Mommy's edit : You have NO teeth Ayden. So, no teeth = no sound. Pfft.). Ooooh! Like that one eh...? :)

From what Mommy told me, Daddy is always missing cos Daddy is at work. My Daddy is a Film Director. I don't know what that means but I know Daddy screams "Action" & "Cut" a lot at work. Seems like an easy job! I can do that too! Mommy also told me that when I grow up, Daddy wants me to continue his legacy. Screaming "Action" & "Cut" all day? Give it to me anytime! Consider it done Daddy 'O! I so am gonna follow your path and become a Film Director! (Mommy also told me that I can get to mingle with pretty young actresses if I become like Daddy! Woo Hoo! I told you I like girls. Right?)

So, every month, Mommy and Daddy looks forward to our meet & greet session through the grainy ultrasound machine. I actually hates it when that thing poked me right, left, centre. But Mommy seems to enjoy being poked around. So, as a good son. I entertained them by twirling and waving. I know they can see it cos I can hear them talking about it for the rest of the day (The little things we do that seems big to them parents. Weird.). I have become attached to my Doctor. Doctor Surinder. He seems like a very nice man. He always say how happy he is at my development. That means, I made him Happy right? I love making people around me Happy. Mommy says it is a very important task! Making people happy, that is. The world is an unpredictable place, so, one must always be optimistic & happy! My practice starts real early. Thanks Mommy!

Sadly, I overheard Mommy & Daddy recently discussed about not letting Dr S delivers me. Something about I have to be born in Singapore because the registration & administraion here in KL is gonna be a hassle. What?! I thought you guys made up your mind some time ago to let Dr S receives me! I made him happy on many occasion for a reason! To make him take very good care of me when i'm coming out! I trust only HIM! Mommy's edit : We have to go back to Singapore for the Delivery Ayden. It's easier and more practical that way. Daddy won't have to worry every single second about our condition being home alone at those final weeks & we have Nyai, Yai, Mamoo & Mamaa to care for us 24/7 there. Okay son?

Hmph! Told you adults can be fickle sometimes. Butttt... Okay Mom. As long as you'll get a Dr as wonderful as Dr S to care for me please...? Mommy's edit : Of course we will my dear. Singapore has tons of wonderful Medical professionals. Plus if we do it in Singapore, you can meet your Great Grandparents right when you're born. They are too old and frail to travel all the way to Malaysia my dear. I want them to see their latest Great Grandson at your first cry! & your Embah & Tok Ayah! Your brother & sisters! Your cousins, aunties and uncles! Imagine the number of families that's gonna surround us! So, to Singapore we bon-bon okay?

Ooookay. Whatever you said Mommy! Moving on...

Before I end this note, Let me share with you a secret! My Nursery is halfway ready!! Thanks to my Mamoo & Mamaa (YES! My aunty & unkle from HELL. I don't know why they want me to call them those. Weird sounding right? Why can't I call them Mama Moo & Maman Marul like what Nyai suggested? Heck! It's what they want. So, let's just give it to them shall we)

Mamoo & Mamaa were here in my house for the past 3 weeks. So, Daddy & Mommy decides to bully them and asked them to move Daddy's office to another room to make way for my beautiful Nursery. So, Mommy, Mamoo & Mamaa went to get paint & such! It was so exciting! They started off wanting a Green Nursery. Then, it changes to Orange. Blue. Yellow (What did I tell you again about fickle adults??) In the end, we settled for Velvet. So, My nursery is Purple in Colour. Like Barney! Or Chowder! Whichever. But! Mommy & Daddy has yet to shop for my Crib & Cupboard. What's a Nursery without a Crib & Cupboard right? You don't expect me to sleep on the cold hard floor like how you made Daddy do every night do you Mommy?! Mommy's edit : I don't make Daddy sleep on the floor! Daddy chose to do so cos he wants to give Mommy more space on the bed to toss & turn around ALL NIGHT! Reason being, YOU my boy has been giving ME sleepless nights! Understood? GULP! Yes Mommy! -_-* So, I assume, My Crib & Cupboard will come in later la. :)

So, apart from painting, they also managed to create neverending ruckus and chaos everyday/night with their insanity. But, now that they have gone back to Singapore, my house gets too quiet, especially at night. No one talks to me & Mommy. So, ya. I kinda miss them. My Mamoo & Mamaa.

So, there goes, my first Note. Kinda long huh? Can't blame me. My mom herself is a long winded Writer. It runs in my blood.

I'll write again soon. If time permits. Not that I have so much time in my hands. I have barely 8-10 weeks to prepare myself for a bigger occasion okay. My grand arrival!! Mommy's Note : GULP!.

Till then...
Toodle doo!