HaZe DaZeD

Hello again!

I just realized that I haven’t posted any entries in here since August 2007! Blimey, that’s like more than half a year ago… Time really does fly when you’ve got major changes in your life. So here’s a crash course on the recent events that has happened in the past 7 months…

1. Labour

For those who have been following my entries, you would know that I was preggers for most of last year. I was this really anxious mommie-to-be sporting a humongous belly where a little tap dancer cum kickboxer was happily living in. After 41 weeks of pregnancy, my little angel was finally born. Yep, she was born a week later than my due date, much to the chagrin of my doctor, family and of course, concerned friends. I had to tolerate weeks of "Are you in labour yet?" and "When is your baby gonna pop out?". Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the concern and attention, but it was slowly turning me into an anxiously freaked out woman. I was getting more and more worried that at 40 weeks, the contractions were pretty much non-existent. The only upside to all this was the fact that I managed to go to ALL of my cousin Akmal’s wedding receptions and my best buddy’s wedding in one piece, hehe.

Alas, at 41 weeks, the contractions did come, slowly but surely. At first, I didn’t understand what all the hype on labour pains were about, coz at first it felt pretty mild, slightly uncomfortable and only a couple of times a day. Then, as the week wore on, it became more frequent and more painful, so much so that there were moments when I couldn’t even catch my breath. But I continued to go out, walk around, do some last minute shopping and such (Yeah I was taking the "lasakness" to a whole new level.. harhar). On 2nd Dec, I celebrated my 1st wedding anniversary with my hubby, despite the fact that the contractions were like 30-20 mins apart. People were amazed that I managed to have a celebratory supper at Bakerzin that night. I guess Bakerzin’s sinfully delicious chocolate souffle finally did the trick, coz that night I couldn’t sleep a wink. The contractions were unbearable to say the least. I held on as long as I could, and by 5 am, my hubby finally persuaded me to go to the hospital (I was still trying to avoid going to the hospital — Yeah, I was THAT scared of giving birth!)

Since I was 1 week overdue already, my doc decided to induce the labour. Without going into much detail, lemme just say that that was the longest and most agonizing 6 hours of my life (Those who have given birth before will know what I’m talking about). However, despite the drugs the doc gave me to keep me drowsy (so that I wont feel the pain as much — yeah right!) my little angel’s head just wont go down the birth canal. That’s when the doc suspected that something’s amiss, and ordered an emergency c-section operation. Emotions were running high, and I couldn’t help but cry of disappointment. I so wanted a normal delivery, but life’s like that I guess… You can’t always have what you want. I thank God that I had my level-headed hubby and my soothing mom beside me the whole way. So in the end, we welcomed our brand new 3.05 kg baby girl into this world after 30 mins on the operating table. As it turns out, her umbilical cord was wrapped around her tiny little neck! Thank God my doc ordered the operation when she did, otherwise I dunno what might’ve happened to my wide-eyed angel. And even though I had to go through hours of labour pain only to finally have my baby delivered by c-sect, the pure joy of holding my anniversary baby, Nurwafa’ Irdeena in my arms for the first time made it all feel worthwhile. Sounds cliche’, I know, but its true…

2. Birthday

My birthday was on the 18th November, before I gave birth, but I thought that it’s better to dish out the baby news first.. ahaks. So, my birthday was on a Sunday, and as usual, I normally spend it with my family.. Last year however, was the first time I’m spending my birthday as a married woman so it was quite a big deal. So, on the eve of my birthday, my mom, sisters, hubby and I had a sort-of surprise dinner at Manhattan Fish Market (my choice of course, I remember I had a craving for fish that day.. harhar). My mom bought me the cutest birthday cake that was small in size yet rich in chocolatey goodness (just the way I like it!). The next day, d-day, I woke up to 2 huge boxes of delicious bday cupcakes my hubby ordered. I’ve always wanted those fancy cupcakes for my birthday!

After gobbling down some cupcakes, I rather reluctantly had to follow me mom’s request to attend a family meeting at my aunt’s place on her behalf regarding my cousin Akmal’s wedding prep. We got there a little late, and almost everyone was there. Surprise, surprise, my mom was there too, and all of a sudden I saw 2 huge cakes being sneaked out of the kitchen. I was called out onto the patio where everyone was gathered (including my uncle whose birthday was on the 17th). As they sang happy birthday, I couldn’t help but have this goofy smile plastered on my face. I haven’t had this many family members for my birthday since I was in primary school! It was absolute fun! After the meeting, my hubby took me for a walk in the Putrajaya park to watch the sunset. It was very romantic, albeit the fact that my feet were killing me (I was 9 months pregnant then ;P). We then had a beautiful dinner at Sri Ayuthia @Alamanda. We had butter fried softshell crabs and such. Yum! 

3. Confinement

After months of eating whatever I want and whenever I want it, confinement seemed like absolute torture. But I was determined to stick to the rules as much as I can, and so there were weeks and weeks of boring fish dishes and warm water. I get scolded for walking too fast, scuffling without socks or even walking in general, as I was told that women in confinement are supposed to just eat, sleep, and feed my baby. I was banned from reading as it could cause headaches, and from drinking too much water as it would cause my veins to swell up (huh??). Most of these "pantang larang" seem pretty ridiculous to me, but I was powereless to object as I’ve got people watching over me left and right. Also, it WAS for my own good. I’m not complaining–I’m super grateful for all the care given, but being an up-and-about person, eating and sleeping all day is simply exhausting. Not to mention the baby blues, the crazy fever attacks and adjusting to breastfeeding. Pretty stressful, despite sitting on my butt for 44 days! So you can imagine the joy of sitting in starbucks for a huge mug of hazelnut hot chocolate the day I "graduated" from confinement.. hehe.

4. Motherhood

The most beautiful and challenging feat I have ever done in my life. I never imagined that this tiny person with a toothless grin and a cry louder than a banshee could make me love her no matter how much she pooped or how loud she cried or if she keeps me up all night. My mom was right;–She usually is–You can never understand how much you can love someone until you become a mother. It surpasses your love for work, your hubby or even yourself. You wanna kill that stupid mosquito that bit her. You wanna give that person who dared to say anything bad about your child a bloody nose. No other baby is as perfect as yours. It is the ultimate love. And I’m savouring every minute of it, good or bad. So much so, that I took an extended leave from work life just to make sure I can give my daughter the best that I could. But of course, I can only do so much…

And so, next month I will start my new job as an exec in a property firm in PJ Oldtown. I dont know what to expect, but I hope for only the best. It’s gonna be tougher now, but God willing, our little family will prevail. So till my next entry… adiou!