Days to a year

Woah. Almost 2 months since my last post. What has happened since that?

1. Husband's birthday
2. Melbourne trip
3. Mild HFMD
4. ....went shopping for clothes 1 size smaller

All is well for us three, alhamdulillah. Our bundle of joy are turning one soon, in fact next week! It has been a wonderful, fulfilling journey so far.. I am still breastfeeding her, Alhamdulillah! I hope to continue for as long as I can, with my recent ehem.. purchase of Freestyle. Yeap. Whenever someone asks about it, i'd always answer "my husband got tired of me whining about Spectra"... largely it's true, and honestly i think he was relieved when I brought the new set home. I'd been pondering about it for weeks, and going back and forth sincerely drove my husband up the wall.

Don't get me wrong, Spectra had served me well.. Maybe I should put up a post regarding the pumps I've used in this one year?

Okay, so work wise.. I have come to a point in my career where if I can't branch out, I would just leave. Yes. I have done my time here, and although it has taught me a lot.. it is very timely for me to pursue a new area that promises more experiences. If all goes well I will share more, but if it doesn't, i'd still find my way out.

It has been kinda stressful couple of months for me professionally. But only today I wondered if I'm suffering from post natal depression. Then i realized I'm probably over-analyzing as usual. 

Aside from all of this, i have developed an unhealthy tendency to Twit-stalk Jamie Dornan. Yes , yes, late to the party.. but i promise you it's not the CK ads that got to me. I'm obsessed with The Fall.

*cringes*

But my lovely husband has been supportive (?) of it so far.. i sincerely think it's because i hardly have me-time. So he does what he can, and that's by downloading each episode faithfully and patiently watch his wife drooling for an hour in front of TV.

what a weird wife

So it's natural that i bug him for a short trip out of Malaysia to catch FSOG. I don't think it'll pass the screening board, and due to its nature, i kinda do not want it to pass the board, you know? I am very concerned youngsters, unmarried kids will be very curious. Would it be weird if FINAS or whatever relevant authorities card us upon ticket purchasing?

I understand the movie will not be as graphic, but still, it does have suggestive elements. Of which immature crowd will easily pick up on. 

OKAY WHY AM I DISCUSSING THIS HERE?

My kid is turning one next week and we have yet to decide where to hold a small gathering... I haven't book her cake yet as well. 

A lot of decision to be made, which is why i think i look 35 this year.

*cries*

Hello there!

September by far is my most busy month.. Yet here I am, blogging as if i do not have 5 reports to review, 2 guidelines to finish, one important assessment.. all due by next week. 

Gila.

Ok, not that gila. I believe if Allah has presented me with these tasks, it means He knows i am capable of completing it, each and every. It's just that, my peers (or the ones who know what I'm doing) recognizes these as a plateful. Yep, indeed.

Have i told you, by next week too, right after this busy month, we're embarking on our first huge project? Not work related though. It is exhilarating, nerve wrecking and so far it has put smiles on my face, I hope and pray everything will go on smoothly insya Allah. I hope i will have some time to blog on it once it ends, because it will be memorable :)

So, baby updates.. Raihanna is turning 10 months in a few days! Oh that reminds me, need to schedule her 12 months jab *shrieks* time really jets, huh... let's see if can remember each and every:

Appetite and meals: Three times of porridge (rice + veggies (carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin, potato, Japanese yam, spinach) + fish (introduced last month, we usually buy slices.. jenahak, cod, tenggiri, salmon) + fruits (avocado, dried apricots) + occasionally mild cheese

In between meals she'd have milk (alhamdulillah!), fruit snacks (banana, watermelon, Medjoul dates, prunes.. and water of course.

*note that i put in comma instead of backslash because most of the time it's AND. hehe i know i know.. she's got good appetite.

Movements: has yet to crawl, for now it's commando .. but she loves to cruise! and she rolls everytime she senses her mom is near but nowhere with her.

Sleeping pattern: she sleeps better with us, obviously.. i don't know how to train her without involving waterfall scene here. She does not sleep through the night, but I'm ok with night time feeding because we're both lying on the side, and the gap in between feeds are extended now. Basically I won't wake her like I used to when she was a lot younger.. when she does wake, then I will nurse her. 

One fellow pumping staff asked me (ok, she ridiculed me) for not training my baby to STTN. Complete with comments that I looked tired and unwell. Honestly? To each her own, i believe. Obviously you did not give birth to MY daughter, so you do NOT know her appetite, her jaundice history that led to frequent feeding (albeit a brief spell) . and most importantly, i did not complain about it... so, why are you so bothered about in the first place?

I did not say that, but let's just say I am on a silent mode whenever she pumps the same time as I do.

Social behavior: she reserves her smiles.. i don't know why, and sometimes i feel shy. Haha. She gives us, her parents her most biggest smiles and laughter. But once she goes out to wherever we go, it's like all formal and no kidding mode. *sighs* 

Ok, that's all for now. Work is calling!!

This time last year

We are approaching the final week of Ramadhan, cepatnya! As far as fasting goes, I have my on and off days. Some days I do fast, some days I can't stand the thirst and dizzy spells (maybe cos I'm still breast feeding and i do have low blood) so I just couldn't commit to 14 hours of not drink or eat anything. 

Last year I was in my late 2nd trimester (24-25 weeks, i think) approaching Raya. I couldn't participate in Terawih but i enjoyed feasting come Maghrib azan. Tsk tsk. Truth be told I couldn't remember as much as I want to, only few things like how I got my haircut just before we celebrated Raya, last minute Raya shopping for me (I ended up wearing that dress only ONCE *cringe*) and how we went back to my husband's homestate on the first day of Raya. 

Last year there was only two of us, with Raihanna happily growing inside. I had trouble moving haha, braved the heat and sweat (pregnant ladies are just like hot rod inside a kettle, i can confirm this) but alhamdulillah all went well. 

This year, I hope i can make the most of remaining Ramadhan, even with Raihanna onboard.

Cooler bag

Yesterday and the day before I attended a workshop. It was organized by one of our contractors and the participating list consists of mostly third party contractor. Okay, actually, i was at another workshop with similar intent, three days before, as well.

So, there was I, the only pumping mommy with my kit and all. During break, most of us were exchanging business cards. I had realized then I left mine at the office. Sigh. At this rate, nobody will ever have this new set of cards I just got. But I still get their calls, card or no card, so..

The stolen cooler bag

While silently observing (and mentally cursing myself) people exchanging cards, I suddenly remembered my first business card here was on that bag. It meant a lot to me, using that old business card on that bag. Symbolizing the first will not be forgotten.

*cursing the penyamun*

The new cooler bag

So then, as the workshop came to the end, everyone stood up and I slung the bag on my left shoulder. When one of contractor's bosses approached me and said "nice, beautiful bag!"

I smiled, and replied "miruuku"

The compliment came from an old Japanese man. 

I should also mention here that the bag is cream in color, with pink flowers on it.

A moment of terror

It has been more than two weeks since that incident. Time may fly ever so fast, now that I realize it, but it will take more than weeks for me to truly come to terms with it. 

******************************************************

It was 7.01 am, Thursday, 12 June 2014.

I was glancing at my phone, silently thanking Allah for school holidays. I am already late, but there was I clutching my pumping bag, munching oat choc chip cookies and smiling to myself as I head to my car.

I read some whatsapp messages from a close friend and my sister. One was talking about baby sitter, and my sister was updating me on what her baby was up to. I wanted to reply their messages, but decided against it. And started to drive.

Thank You Allah for smooth traffic, I said to myself along the way to Taman Bahagia LRT. Leaving house at this time usually would mean very late return to home by the end of the day, but I was so sure I'll make it early somehow. Eat in, maximise working time. 

*****************************************************

7.48am.

I pushed the gear to park mode. Glancing at the car clock, and whipped out my phone. Quickly replied "hahaha" as a respond to my sister's message, put on steering lock and made my way out of the car. Quickly stashed my phone inside the pumping bag.

I usually park at the roadside, just next to houses. A lot of commuters park there as well. Safety in numbers right? I had done enough assessment, having years of safety lectures from my dad and to top it off, I'm working in a department that overlooks personnel well being, and environment conditions. Surely I know better than to park at deserted area, or return home late and dark, or being distracted by Instagram notifications. I always make it a point to check which car still has its driver in it, what car is moving. I don't wear any jewellery (cos I can't fit it em, plus it's not baby friendly anyway) and I don't own expensive looking watch. I never would engage my brain in serious thinking while I walk to and fro my car.. it's too dangerous because I wouldn't be alert to notice anything amiss.

So of course I could see it coming.

A white Perdana.

Stopped beside me, and out came a guy wielding a parang.

At me.

Only I had nowhere to go. 

I really had seen danger coming, but quick brain processing tells me 

a. I can run. But I will be manhandled. The guy came from the passenger door, surely there is a driver as well.

b. I can jump. But I will break my leg. And still the danger will pile up.

A million things run through my mind as I screamed for life. Images of my then 6 months old baby, my smiling husband, my parents flashed before me. The guy did not need to tug so hard, I was already trembling. Losing any defense I could ever hope my years of both Tae Kwon Do and Karate would provide.

At that point, no amount of pepper spray would help. Only inconsiderate nincompoop would ever ask that.

I know the basics of self defense in these situations: attract attention, attract attention and don't ever stop. Well, let me add more for you: try move to more visible area, where people can see you, and try minimizing more injury.

Now, can you tell me if you'll be able to remember these simple steps had it been you in my shoes that time?

I professed Allah is the One and Only God, and Prophet Muhammad is my Creator's Prophet as I screamed loudly, and slowly fall to the ground. 

In my mind he has parang in his hand, so the amount of injury he can cause is unimaginable (but I'm sure you can spell it out). So what I could do was scream, toss and turn. Scream. Toss. Turn. With my eyes closed. Why close? Because I was afraid he will kill me if I had seen his face.

Don't go all "you need to make eye contact with the perpetrator" when the guy has a parang. Seriously, that is stupid because you never know what are in these sick losers have in mind. Don't bother trying to get their physical appearance in your memory, because you never know if you'll live, and do you really think police will get a firm cuff on their hands?

I didn't know how long did the horrible incident last. But I could recall seeing the driver's face few minutes before they sped off. I remember trying to get up quick as I can because I was trembling in the middle of a road. I noticed my backpack was still intact, and it's heavy indicating the company's laptop are still in there. But one thing is missing.

I saw my Medela Freestyle bag strap being stripped. Only that strip was there. The bag and its content were no where in sight. I was shaking, I was screaming.. I was hurt. I was everything all at once. I got up, and saw a guy walked by. 

Perfectly in bliss, unaware of what just happened. Bless him.

I did not go to him because he's obviously on his way to work, plus he's a stranger. After seconds of being roughed up by an unknown useless piece of shit, obviously I wasn't gonna talk to just anyone.

I started running and screaming on the street.. because I realize those losers will come back once they find out they have only managed to steal my precious milk expressing friend, and my priceless memories of my life kept in a handphone. 

Most of the houses on that street keep dogs, and yeah each and every were barking at me. Me, the victim.

Yes, I am now part of the snatch theft statistics. Among few that is lucky enough to not sustain injury, and most importantly still is breathing. I shall continue the rest of the story in another post. But for now, let me just tell you, each time I think of this episode, or when it haunts me, I shiver uncontrollably. 

It was in broad daylight.

Some people did saw and hear me.

I was well aware of what's going to happen.

This is my story, and I pray you won't ever experience it.

Motivation

In the last few weeks I have been very fortunate to have the opportunities to sit through two presentations related to my work scope. Both were given by two different companies but it was based on the same thing - preservation of environment. 

Without being too specific of what I do for living, I really feel like telling it all here on the contentment I feel attending these sessions. Enriched, empowered, enlightened...It was like stepping out of spa, you know? 

One was given by an environmental conservationist, while the other by a drilling engineer. Each had opposite outlook from the other on the same objective, and that's fine with me. What struck to me the most is how passionate they are in what they do. It was really transparent, vivid.. that was reflected on the way they presented it. 

I love the way they describe each of their activities, so structured, concise and relaxed. The first presenter was coincidentally from my alma mater, so yeah I can't help but feel proud. (Dan dan). He presented in such way that I was in awe, really. Beautiful corals aside, he even volunteered to do extra work, out of his love for Mother Nature.

Second presenter gave a detailed presentation on his work, leaving not much room for question. Mostly he tackled each angle, from start to end of activity. The hows and whys were clear and ticked off all the boxes in my to-comment list.

The outcome from both discussions aside, I love meeting and knowing these guys. There are just not too many people so passionate about their work these days, that's for sure. Apart enriching my technical know-how, these guys may not realize it but they've taught me passion makes the job a whole lot better. They executed it flawlessly, no doubt some fundamental years were well spent developing them. 

What's surprising is at the end of each session, they've managed to make me think out of the box. The first one got me thinking boy i need a diving licence soon, and the other makes me consider offshore trip soon. Because I was thinking " i want to see all these from my own eyes".

I know I am not in this solely for the money, but I need to do some soul searching on what is my motivation. Seriously, i wish i could have people see their work. Remarkable.

Starting fresh

So last Friday i left office with the thoughts of "what a busy Monday and Friday i'll have next week".

..and came back three days later to find my drawers were wide open.

Oh no, i thought. Then I saw my distraught superior, and it confirms my gut telling me my laptop has been stolen.

So my Monday became free and easy, no thanks to the thief.. but not without some hassle to keep me busy. Had to report a theft case, and the procedure certainly kept me occupied throughout the day.

I think I became numb that day. I was sad, yes, but really there isn't anything my tears can do about it. I was thinking of the data kept inside that machine, that consisted of 5 whole years working here. EVERYTHING, really.

But somehow Allah made me calm and patient throughout this whole episode. He made me realize, time and time again, that nothing really lasts forever. Everything is temporary, either ours or not. That realization kept me grounded and still few smiles came out from me.

I don't know if i'll get every info back, but now as I'm typing using a new one (Thank you, dear big boss! Now i have no excuse of not completing my job!) I realize this is a fresh start of things. New set of folders, new set of data.. Of course this means starting some task from scratch.. but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

But what i hate the most now, is that I have to go home everyday with an extra bag.. in addition to my pumping bag and hand bag. This means:

 (i) every pit stop at petrol station or hypermarket must be carefully planned. for solat purpose, then i have to lug it with me. other matters, just freaking go home and wait til weekend

(ii) things that used to be in my handbag (keys, wallet, make up pouch) will now be transferred to the laptop bag.. which is dangerous because it always sits on our backs!

(iii) careful placement in my car during driving

Really, you genius thief.. I wouldn't mind you taking it, but please complete all my pending work til end of this year.

Bottle Drama

Assalamualaikum :D

Once upon a time, there was a first time mom who had 6 sleepless nights thinking of how her newborn will survive on bottle. 6 because she had exactly 1 week before her current employment begins, after 2 and 1/2 months of leave.

...yes, let it be known that story of mine. Looking back, everything about it warrants a smile. But that week I was frantic, I was emotional, I was scared..even more than when i found out i was gonna be delivering via c-section. (don't know about you, but yes i was scared during that operation).

They say you should bottle train your infant once (i) breastfeeding is successfully established, (ii) your infant aged 6 weeks. From that point forward, there was so many things that confused (and scared) me of this bottle training.. for example, nipple confusion (one of the things i was scared about), bottle rejection (more on this later) and the frequency of bottle training per day.

So there was I, first time mom, not knowing what to make of all the above, decided to just delay the training.. I was (and still am, Alhamdulillah) enjoying breastfeeding, and starting bottle is just another hassle (lame reason, but yes) i wasn't willing to go through, apart from confinement.

I had a fever during confinement..till now, i wasn't sure what was the cause, but those 24 hours was torturing. Simply because I wasn't able to direct feed. I was given meds, and thank Allah i had already stored some milk. Little R had her first taste of bottle then. Avent Starter, bought during a baby expo.

Fast forward to some 4 weeks later, where we had settled in back in Shah Alam. For the first time postnatal, husband insists I should accompany him to grocery shopping. That night, bottle was given.

...noticed that she's had the same bottle in the span of few weeks.

And then came the final week of my long leave. I was obviously dreading it, but I gotta make a living :( so there was me, hiding in the room when she woke up and had my nanny feed her.

When it happened.

What happened?

Bottle rejection happened. 

I was shocked, puzzled and sad. She had that bottle, what's wrong with it NOW? So many things were going through my mind, but we decided okay, let her cry it out.

Wrong move.

She cried her lungs out, that my nanny couldn't take it no longer and handed her to me. In my mind, i tried to stay strong eventhough I was crying buckets. It was only 2 hours, and we both give in.

Second day. I made the decision to go out, with hopes she'll drink it once she sees I'm not in her sight.

Day 2 failed. I, on the other hand, had pumped in petrol station's surau...went to shops. And nanny called, saying she just couldn't take the crying. Aiyo. Baby refused bottle in 4 hours. Man, that protesting isn't my trait, let me assure you.

There and then, i went on a shopping spree. I remembered buying Suavinex, Avent (different teat size) and MAM. Yes, all three at one go at Marissa Shoppe. The salesgirls assured my baby is bound to like MAM.

 Of course i believed it. 

And of course they were wrong. Haih. I got more and more desperate. The next day, husband and I went grocery shopping at Giant sans baby. At this point I was asking a lot of mommy friends for their recommendations of bottle.

We straight away headed to the baby section.. I took Pureen, Disney Baby and Fiffy..  I remembered telling both nanny and husband, if Raihanna likes any of these...i would buy em in trolley loads. THAT'S how desperate i am.

Total brand to date: 7

Rushed home and excitedly briefed my nanny on which brand to start. Next day came, and as usual I went out. Training commences, and i wandered aimlessly. Okay, i lied. I was scanning other baby shops in case she rejected the latest 3.

Oh, this was on Saturday.. 1 more day to go, and no favourite bottle in sight. I had broke down this point, thinking how she would suffer in thirst once I start my work. My paed adviced us to just let her cry it out.

....i am just not that strong willed, not ever. That night I asked friends in Facebook pulak, to see what can they come up with. I got interesting suggestions.. use syringe, spoon.. and i also was introduced to Pigeon. Up to this point I haven't heard much of this brand, so i was really sceptical when two different friends highly recommended it.

It was a hot Saturday, and i went from one baby shop to another. It came to the point where i almost gave up, and sat in my car, feeling thirsty myself. The last baby shop i went in and spent some on Tommee Tippee bottles and teats.

Total brand to date: 8

So somehow i decided to head to Tesco and buy some fish. I know, weird thinking. But I suppose Allah has decided that would be the day i finally found THE bottle. Haha. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Pigeon at Tesco! I got a bottle and few teats in different sizes.

Btw, Pigeon isn't cheap like a salesgirl in OBW suggested. Makes me wonder why these baby shops does not carry this brand. Seriously, they are reputable manufacturer for years now. Surely it has to account for something!

Rushed back home, and...yes. Syukur alhamdulillah finally she took it without a tear shed. I felt like I won the Olympics! 

Sunday came with much trepidation. Like any moment she can just refuse it, and i really have run out of options of brands!!

She passed that 1 day bottle test..phew!! And all other bottles have been kept (and some given away) in one huge container that'll be presented to her on her birthday :D :D

So now, we'll just stick to Pigeon, thank you very much!!

The new evil

...also known as Instagram. 

Hello there! Been awhile since I last post. I was thinking of writing this for a few days already.. but of course, Raihanna sits on the throne of my time.. :)

When i first downloaded this app, the only thing that i feel like doing was following celebrities I like. I had googled list of celebrities on IG and like a school girl, I followed them. The year was 2011, i even had Luna Maya as people I'm following. Not quite sure what exactly was I thinking, but hey, that's the truth. But as time goes on, I got hooked on other apps and Instagram was forgotten. I do post some pictures from time to time, but I was actively removing celebrities as such from my list.. something to do with age and maturity haha.

2012 came and that was the year of defining everything that mattered to my life. Work and family engagements means more photos in Instagram. In between train commutes and waiting for lifts, I was thinking of:

a. What was the intention of me having Instagram?

b. Why am I posting pics in FB and IG?

These life changing questions led to a different direction of my IG list these days. I know right, so analytical about a silly app that sometimes I get told off for being on it too long than what my husband could handle. Ok, don't get me wrong.. we didn't fight over it, just a gentle reminder that life is more than an app.. :)

It was in 2013 i think.. when my following list includes more than just friends. I discovered magazines, cooks and photographers were on IG. Aside from their fantastic shots (or just amazing editing apps), i loved the fact that it came with a story underneath a picture. Felt like an educational program, really.

That year was also the year that i got to know people can make money from IG itself! There was clothing lines, there was cakes... man was I excited to know people can actually sell things in IG! For some, I had already owned or tried their products (ie. Poplook, Zawara, Cupcake Chapter, Bebetotz) when i found out they have an IG account. For the others, it was IG doing the introducing and me then started ordering (ie. Tudung People, Mazlianul Maznan, The Sumbs). 

As last year was pretty much eventful yet sentimental, I just somehow lost interest in FB.. It got too emotional i think, that FB. Words somehow fitted perfectly in blog, and pictures...most of my life that I felt worth capturing went to IG instead. Food posts, pregnancy shots and of course my little girl.. typical mommy IG user! Of course i got too analytical again, caring too much about what others may think if i were to post up any picture.

Silly me..that's all I'll say.

During confinement I thought of how much have I changed physically, mentally and emotionally. Some of these changes had impacted my interest in brands I follow in IG, believe it or not. For better or worse? Both actually. Better cos for instance, I found headscarves that lets me cover my head, neck and chest properly... and worse, because you can only imagine the damage it has cost to my wallet!

To date, most of my photo feeds consist of baby shops (Marissa, Bebe, Mom's Touch) and headscarves (Rina Salleh, L'Adorn, Ariani, Tudung People).. which could mean only one thing: your interests are what defines you! (omg, i need IG to know that?)

But really, lately I've been thinking whether that Storksak is really a necessity... Went back and forth on this, since early this year. The main culprit is of course Instagram, with several boutiques selling this brand with oh-so-tempting price. Husband has been asking when am I going to get it, since I've been asking his opinion for far too long now.

That, and the OXO Tot On-the-go Brush and Drying Rack..

...and Nuna Leaf. 

Maybe I should consider quitting Instagram?

The race

I am currently experiencing weekend withdrawal syndrome.. so bad that I can't focus at work. Not good not good. But i'm venting it here, with high hopes the feelings will go off soon, and the much needed spirit to work will somehow eat me.

Anyway, like every other working mom out there, I'm doing two races in a day.

One, the race to work. Each morning I get up and rush.. once i park my car then only I could breathe normally. Rush again to office and settle in for the day. Rush back home sometime in the evening. I don't know if moving to much closer location would result in less rushing.. But traffic and me, we're best enemies. I only could tolerate it with some food in hand. Which is almost daily, me nibbling. I truly hope breastfeeding will have mercy on me and shed those fat.

Two, the race at work. I don't know how it is, but Iately I feel like scheduling my tasks by the hour. It's because I always feel i'm shortchanged.. Am i the only one? Sometimes I feel time is under control once I perform solat on time.. sometimes I perform solat much later, and somehow I find I'm running out of time to settle my tasks. Which makes me dislike non-technical meetings.. always find it a waste of time. Lately I've been eating in a lot more, to cut down time out. 

... but what I regret at the end of each day, is not being able to race to be a better Muslim. Race to recite more Quran, to memorize Al Mulk etc. Why is it every single time we end our solat we feel much sadness, but we seem to repeat it again and again? When will I put a stop to it and find time to REALLY do all that?

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the judgement day. Like somehow it finally dawned upon me that this world is temporary.. the eternal life is nothing we could ever imagined. And how unprepared I am. How sinful i have been. 

I hope I can do more about this race.

Before I proceed

You know how sometimes you wake up fresher than days before, because you slept through the night, and you get to the office thinking "hmm I'm gonna settle this whole pile of work today"... and 2 hours later you want to chuck the laptop down the tower?

This is what I'm feeling today.

But instead of telling what happened, I'll just write on things I plan to do to get my mind off today. Because first off, I've already cursed like a drunken sailor (that those news came to my knowledge).. secondly, thinking about it gets me agitated and pissed off, and thirdly, it's a waste of time (talking about it). Life is just too short to focus on people who does not bring happiness to my life, and ultimately Allah knows what is going on in our minds and hearts.

I've already got a long list of to-buy this month (aha!) but I haven't had time to properly sit down and think of what-to-do. Just this morning I was thinking of stuff we'd both enjoy to celebrate our upcoming anniversary.. when I should've spent more time thinking on it. Haih.

Truth be told I'm feeling guilty at the thought of celebrating without taking the baby with us.. But couple time is very very important when kids are in the picture. Right now we're even planning for family vacations.. which is understandable because I'm breastfeeding her, and it doesn't make sense to leave her while we go off enjoying at such long period ( i consider a night away as long, don't know bout you). So yeah, our 3rd anniversary is coming up, and yes, that's a very solid reason to take a day off don't you think? Here's some activities I'm thinking:

• spa (how romantic.. but i'm not too keen on some female touching my husband)
• waterfall picnic (it's very symbolic to us)
• movie (what's currently playing? I've lost track..)
• a very nice lunch and dinner (this, i don't even need an anniversary to reason with)
• orchestra play (oouhh sounds nice, but it's mostly at night)
• science centre visit (he's a geek, i might have to bring a handphone charger to keep me occupied)
• outdoor extreme activities (Sunway's got a lot!)

Anniversary aside, I like having these kinda lists whenever i feel my tempers flaring. It makes me feel calmer I guess, and it keeps my brain cell working.. rather than just dash off to home and cuddle Raihanna, which is one of the top three stress relievers for me! This is the time I'll think "hmm I haven't had spa treatment in a while..." and within seconds I'm scouring through spa deal offers at Groupon or just read through blog reviews on any spa.

Trust me, even before I click "Pay", I'm already smiling. Such easy to settle, me. Ok, let's get back to work. Yes, to do all that above, and shop to my heart's content, I gotta sweat my brain cells a little...

Baby's needs (according to us)

Assalamualaikum!

So many things I wish to jot down here, but most of my time during the long maternity leave was well spent (and now badly missing) with little Raihanna. Definitely no regret there, but I figured I have to write more because I might forget things later on, and this could be a tool to remember :D

I'm back in the office now, starting this week. My mind is still at home, hence I foresee loads of blog post hehe. Let's start with reviewing our baby's checklist. Bear in mind though, each baby stuff really depends on the parents' lifestyle.

a) Newborn diapers.

Was told we don't really need that much. How much is much? We bought two packs (1 huge, 1 small) at Citta Mall (post small baby stuff sale there) months before she arrived. I saved the photo of us buying these, because it finally dawned upon me that we'd be entrusted to take care of a human being.

Guess what? She's done with that, PLUS one whole week's supply from the hospital, PLUS two huge packs (baby gift, thank you dear neighbour! thank goodness we're using the same brand)... in a month and two weeks. That's 4 huge packs, more or less. 

I think it depends on how well (or is it frequent) is the feeding. Because for a 2 hours-schedule baby, we changed her after 4 hours. And that is only for wet nappies. Often more than not, she'd poo right after we finish change her on routine (4 hours). So glad we stuck to our gut, and very much thankful for the diaper presents!

She's reaching 3 months soon insya Allah (woah too fast now) and she's only in size S for a month. That equates to 2 and half packs. She's upgrading to M soon, like in a week or two. Alhamdulillah.

b) Newborn clothes.

This time around, the advice does ring true. Fortunately, we've known that way earlier hence we bought loads of 3-6 months. Alhamdulillah, with her size (as of 12th Feb, she's 6.2kg) she has had new clothes presented almost every other week. Her grandma obviously misses her hence weekly shopping, and her own mom never goes to grocery shopping without coming home with a set of two-piece. Don't worry, most of it comes from Anakku or Pureen. I'm still sensible enough as I've got bills to pay :D :D

c) Baby toiletries.

The whole Paraben, SLS, chemical-free thing does concern/attract me so as much as I can, we've been using Pigeon (great brand! great smell too) and Pureen (great wipes & powder, not so for the bath though), Buds lotion and minyak Telon every single time for her bath. We got a set of Pigeon care products from the hospital, and I love each and every of them due to the fact it's mostly chemical free and they smell nice. We started using baby powder after 6 weeks, and only cornstarch powder. 

I would also recommend buying cotton balls and bud in bulk size because we used the balls to clean her gums and tongue, and do you know how much earwax does a newborn generate? Be careful though, baby's still small so you can use up to a quarter of the bud. Our baby's ticklish, but hey, it is freaking scary to see bits and pieces hanging out from ears and nose. Hence.

d) Baby cot

Some told us she wouldn't like it, waste of money, harder for night time feedings.. bla bla bla. For us, we just want to train her from the start, and most importantly, everyone to sleep comfortably. We bought two for each house, and so far she sleeps well during the night in her cot. Ha! Her first few weeks, she just would cry and we'd give in.. which is understandable because she just wants the warmth. Now, there is definitely no drama.

I do have to thank my husband cos he's the one putting her back in the cot most of the nights after I fed her.. personally, parenting is all about cooperation. Secondly, i do have torn muscles that needs resting..

e) Swaddle

This is strictly subjective, and when I say this I am referring to the baby. Some likes it, some don't. Please put the baby's comfort way way high in priority than what-the-old-folks-say.. Those stuff about how the legs would be 'kengkang', or how baby wouldn't sit still (and why on earth would you want your child to just SIT?) .. those are just myth.

She was swaddled about a month, and even during that short period she'd be ok for only mid-morning naps. I noticed that, and had her only covered since then. She seems to like moving her hands and legs during both awake and asleep so why not, right?

Material wise, I didn't get the zip up or strap swaddle.. we used the thin blankets (RM 10 each) as well as napkins. I understand these ready made swaddle are cute (albeit expensive), but my daughter does not like being 'contained' . Hehe.

f) Napkins

Yeah we modern-lazy ass parents no longer use them for diapering.. Got a pack of 10s to swaddle, as alas, and recently wiping her drools. They're super soft, we used it to blanket her as well! We bought another pack later though.. a must buy for us!

g) Wet wipes

Buy loads. Boxes of packs, if you can. Not exactly an investment, but for daily users like us, it saves time (quicker clean up then feed), it's cleaner and most importantly, younger babies would cry if we were to wash them by standing them up.

Tried and regretted it. 

That's all for now.. will add more when time permits :D