Goodbye 2011, hello 2012

If i have one word to describe my year it will be.... Bluergh.. Haha yes it has not been a great year, a lot of ups and downs but i cannot be thankful enough fr the blessings that Allah has put on me.. I am also thankful for all the tests that he has granted me for i know that he will not give me a test that i cannot overcome and what does not kill me, makes me stronger..

One of the BIG bumps we had this year was when the Hubs suffered a minor heart attack and had to undergo angioplasty at JPMC. This was back in March, just after Nadia turned 2 and i was 7 months along with Sofiyya. It was an emotional time for me (being pregnant and all LOL) but it has taught us to be more healthy and more pro-active in taking care of ourselves..

A few friends have suffered some losses this year, a grandmother, a new born baby and close friend of mine lost her mother and it was another wake up call for me. I saw how it devastated my friend and i constantly pray that Allah gives her strength to move on. On that note i need to be more healthy and i pray for long life. I want to be able to tell my girls, on their wedding day that they are the most beautiful brides in the world, and to be able to tell them how proud i am when they graduate from Uni.

The highlight of my year was when we welcomed Sofiyya.. Sofiyya was such a happy baby that even when i gave birth to her, in pain, i was still able to laugh.. She was born 30th May 2011 at the first stage labor room at RIPAS (bless the child for not prolonging the pain and decided to come out there and then); 4 years after Her parents' first date. We will now forever remember that date.. Hehe Alhamdulillah, breastfeeding has been fanastic and i was able to build up a significant amount of EBM stock.

Another highlight was when my work babies were finally delivered.. I cried a bucket and i think even colleagues in Korea heard me. Haha i cried because i was sad that i cannot be there (grounded due to pregnancy and on maternity leave) and happy that the project finally completed. I finally went on one of it in Sept! Even now when i see the ship on the horizon i feel happy and proud that i was part of that.. Alhamdulillah..

We ended the year with lots of activities with our family. SIL gr married & went over to limbang for Christmas. Alhamdulillah we got to spend quality time with family members who are based elsewhere and is back to celebrate the end of the year. We significantly missed one family who was unable to come back this year so hopefully, insyallah kalau umur panjang we will get to see them next year. Cant wait for next year when the girls are a bit older! Hehehe

So 2012, what do you have in store for me? I already know that it will be a big, tough and challenging year for me at work. A lot if expectations from a lot of people and some has said that 2012 is the 'make it or break it' year. i pray that I will be guided to conclude the tasks given to me and that i will excel with flying colors. I look forward to watching my 2 girls grow up and to celebrate their birthdays with them. I look forward to another anniversary with my husband and surprise surprise, i look forward to turning 30!! Hahahaha

January is already going to be a tough month as my maid has gone home to attend to her husband and take her leave but insyallah we will preserver..

Instead of going out to celebrate NYE with friends tonight, we will be having a quiet celebration with my family..

So readers, hope you have had a great 2011 and i pray that you will have an even better 2012..

Lots of love,
Mother to 2 beautiful daughters, Nadia & Sofiyya and wife to a loving and generous Husband, Jai..

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sofiyya is 7months today

Dear Sofiyya,

Happy 7 months my darling daughter..

A month since you had your meal and alhamdulillah you are taking it in well. A couple of weeks ago we started to introduce lunch to you but because it has made you take in less of your Milk, your Nini Girl told us to stop lunch for now..

You just had your first christmas! Although our christmas is not like how you see it on TV but the essence of it is the same where we spent time with our family. We headed to Limbang to visit your Yantut, and I cant wait for next year when you are a bit older.. Maybe next year we can put up stockings in our room, a little christmas tree and have presents underneath.. Maybe.. Hehe

Your Aunty Mar went home for a short break and because of that there will be some changes in out daily life, for a brief period of time so i hope you an adapt well.. Pray that all goes well for your Aunty so she can come back and look after both of you again..

I have also been on leave and you have been direct feeding on me saja. So we will have to re-introduce you to the bottle again as i will be going back to work in a couple of days time.. Your Daddy and I lovesss Spending time with you and your Kaka however we have to go back to work..

Happy 7 months my baby girl. Mummy, Daddy and Kaka Dia loves you so very very much. Be good now..

Xoxo,
Mummy

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Meals

Sofiyya seems to be taking in her meals well.. In the mornings and Afternoons she will take in Rice porridge cooked with minced chicken, pumpkin or butternut squash and vegetables. For the past 3 days we have introduced Pumpkin and potato puree for lunch instead of a snack of baby bites and she loves it! On the minus side she only took 3 bottles of EBM instead of the normal 4 or 5..

Our little miss sunshine has discovered her voice! Here is a video of her screaming!! LOL

Sistas Forevah!

I love how Nadia showers Her baby sister, Sofiyya with many many hugs and kisses! Although sometimes kesian jua Sofiyya cause Nadia would hug her and kiss her even when she is asleep causing Sofiyya to sometime wake up.. Either way i hope and i pray that both of them will remain close forever.. Amin..

Here is a video of them playing together..

My maid received news that her husband had to undergo emergency surgery.. Apparently they tried calling her since Saturday but because we were at the ILs, my maid left her phone at home.. Here we were thinking we can rest easy until d end of the year but instead we have to deal with this.. So off we went looking for a temp maid and we are currently trying to sort out her ticket home.. She will be on leave until her husband recovers, approximately 1 month. We pray that her husband will have a speedy recovery and she will be able to come back here and continue employment with us, as planned. Amin..

Happy 33 months Nadia

Dear Nadia,

Happy 33 months my darling daughter.. In 3 months time we will celebrate you turning a full 3years old!

Its December and its Mummy's favorite month.. I would normally think that it would be a relaxing month my love, it is the opposite. Your Nenek Boy just had surgery, your Aunty Mamai had a function to celebrate her union with your Uncle Yahya and work has been very hectic for me.. Soon enough it'll be x-mas and then NYE.. We don't know yet what we will do for NYE but I am trying to squeeze in a play date with some of my friends..

I know initially we talked about sending you to school in January however your Daddy and I had a little talk and we also consulted with your Neneks and a couple of our friends but i think we will put off school for you for one more year so you can enjoy playing at home, while you can. Mainly also because you haven't turned a full years old yet..

Alhamdulillah, you have been showing good progress in terms of taking in your meals.. Please keep it up my love and insyallah you will be rewarded.. Oh your obsession with Princesses is now well known and people seem to be calling your Princess Nadia now.. haha

Ok Princess, i have to go back to work now.. Be good, eat your meals and listen to Mummy & Daddy ok.. Love you lots!

xoxo,
Mummy

Dad's Cataract Surgery 15Dec2011

Hubs, dad, mum & I have had a long long day.. Its the day of my Dad's surgery! This is suppose to be a minor surgery where he is only at the daycare ward but despite that we felt a bit nervous cause with every surgery there are always risks..

He was scheduled to undergo surgery at 10am..


Waiting at the ward



Being given one of many medicated eye drops



Left Eye! (he was unaware of my taking this pic hehe)

We had to wait a long time cause the Doctor who was supposed to perform the surgery had to perform an emergency surgery..



At about 2, my dad was finally being wheeled into the OT



Mum watching my dad being wheeled into the OT



He came out around 3ish..



At the ward and i managed to make him pose for this photo! Haha

Alhamdulillah he was in high spirits and all went well. He has another appointment tomorrow and another one next week.. We just need to make sure that he rest well, does not do any heavy lifting and does not drive!

Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday will be another long day.. God give me strength and energy.. Amin..

Busy busy december

We had a fantastic weekend last week! We had a playdate for Nadia at Panaga Club organized by Mr Ichi..






Si Lating!






Playing at the Playground with the twins Aina & Aiesya







Swimming time!






Down the slide with Daddy






With uncle bob






Cleaning up after swimming






Fell asleep during lunch







Its funny how my girls sleep alike! Hahaha

On sunday we headed to the ILs.. Less than a week to go to the function..

I am currently on my 2nd day of course in OGH again and silly me i left my 2nd set of pump yesterday so i had to store my used pump in my cooler and use it again in my afternoon session..

I will be back at work tomorrow and then on leave on Thursday as I will be taking my Father for his eye surgery in RIPAS. Back to work on Friday and then sleepover at the ILs on Saturday to prepare for Sunday function.. Busy busy week ahead..

What my EBM goes through

As per your request Ummu AMIR (:p)

My EBM goes through a couple stages from being expressed to being given to Sofiyya..


1. After expressing i would chill my EBM at the offuce fridge and as soon as i get home i would transfer it to my EBM bags.






2. Then i would place the chilled EBM in my freezer.






3. When the freezer is full i would then move it to my mum's deep freezer..






3. I would group the EBMs by dates and store it in plastic bag as batches. I must date the plastic bag. I use to store at 30oz per plastic but now i increase it to 60oz per batch, pasal inda bnyk plastic bag! Haha







4. And then i would place the plastic bag in this deep freezer..






I practice 'First in First out' method where the EBMs to br given to Sofie is the oldest. This reduces the risk of expiring EBMs and to throw any out..

5. So my oldest batch of EBM would be placed in this small fridge turn freezer cos its soo cold!! Haha






6. And thats how the 'to be given' stock looks like..



7. My maid would then thaw the EBM in water and then transfer them into Sofie's bottle..

A couple of friends ask why do i keep such a large stock of EBMs. My main motivation for doing so is mainly in case i need to travel, in case i have to work late.. I really don't want to worry if my baby has enough milk or not when i go out..

On a normal day i would bring home an average of 15-18oz ad sofie takes in 15oz so i break even.. Basically i am niw maintaining whatever stock i had before my ML ends..

Oh we started introducing rice, pumpkin and chicken porridge to my little miss happy and its a hit!!

L.O.S.T

I have officially lost track of the number of EBMs i have in stock! Dont know when is the oldest date, how many oz, don't know how many packets..!! LOST!!







These are my EBMs to be transferred into my mum's deep freezer..

Syukur alhamdulillah atas rezeki yang engkau berikan Ya Allah.. Syukur Alhamdulillah..

Sweet potatoes and Carrot puree does not seem to be a big hit with my Little Miss Happy. She hardly finishes her meals. I guess i should really start to find out if i can batch make rice porridge.. But i have a feeling my mother wouldn't agree with batch make rice porridge..

Oh i love how us women is able to multitask! Sofiyya really really wanted her milk and sleep while we were having dinner so i fed, puts sofie to sleep, ate dinner and had a conversation with the hubs all at one time! If that does not make me a supermom then i dont know what will!! LOL

Monday blues on Sunday night

Our weekend starts off with the Hubs going on one of his biking expedition on Saturday Morning.. This time they went all the way to Labi.. Mcm siok jua he goes cycling ani, maybe this is a hobby that he and I can do together? hmmm.. Oh us girls stayed home where yours truly spent the whole morning cleaning up! Huhu

In the afternoon we took Sofie to her 6th month appointment..

In the car and sitting in Kaka Dia's car seat. She filled it up quite well too! hehe

This is Sofie after she was vaccinated. Poor baby!

Terus tidur in the car!

My new favorite Display Pic!!! Hehe

Nadia showing off her princess sweets! Refused to share with us! Hmph

We headed to the ILs this morning..

Again asleep in the car! She is filling up the car seat well..

Kaka Nadia sat in the big girl car seat..

Also fell asleep halfway..

Sofiyya had her first taste of being in the walker! And she loved itt!!

On teh way home we stopped by one of the restaurants in Keriam for hi-tea and so i can have thier famous Cucur!

Cucur Pisang(pasal ada cheese atasnya!)

Little Girl managed to get one cucur keladi and in her mouth it goes!

Oh Sofie is now 7.47kg! hehe I have moved her away from pumpkin puree and now she is on to Sweet Potatoes and Carrot Puree.. I now have to start thinking about her next menu... I think Rice Porridge with Fish, Carrots and Broccoli sounds good..! i just need to find out whether I can batch make porridge or not..

Happy 6 months Sofiyya

Dear Sofie,

Happy 6 months my darling daughter.. You are halfway to turning a full One!

6 months is a big milestone not just for you but for me too.. For you, you are now officially on solids. I know your menu for the past couple of days has been pumpkin and potato puree saja but the reason why i planned it like that is because i want u to get used to it first. Soon enough i will introduce more items.. How do you feel about carrot puree next? Or maybe japanese sweet potato puree?

I know you are just getting used to your jumperoo but soon enough we'll let u sit in a walker. Its like the jumperoo but with wheels..

You turning 6 months also mean that I have achieved my mid term goal of fully breastfeeding you for 6 months. Lets now aim for a full 1 year and then 2 years ok?

Did u know that December is my favorite month of the whole year? I like it best because that's when we get to see our family and friends more. I can't tell you exactly why but we just do! Especially relatives from your daddy's side as they come from far to see your Yantut. So don't be scared if you see a lot of unfamilar faces, they're family..

Ok be a good and cheerful baby that you are. Remember always that Mummy, Daddy abd Kaka Dia loves you so very very much!

xoxo,
Mummy

Salam Ma'al Hijrah

Happy new year everyone! We hope and prays that the new year brings you more happiness.. Amin..

We slept over at the ILs on Sunday with the intention of helping the ILs out with preparation for an upcoming function..

Nadia enjoying herself in Kaka Alya's pool while waiting for Kaka Alya to come home..

Swimming..

And then when Kaka Alya came home, Sofie wants to join in too..! Haha

In the evening I realized that Nadia was being quiet and a bit feverish.. So we gave her PCM and she went to bed. Then around 10ish she woke up complaining sakit but when we asked sakit apa or mana she didn't tell us where. We started massaging her and soon after she vomitted.. She went back to sleep and midnight she started crying a vomitted again. MIL woke up and massaged her and at this point i wanted to pack up, go home and take her to the A&E.. But given the time i decided against it.

My poor baby

She then went back to sleep and then at 5 she woke up crying and complaining of sakit again.. This time we packed up, dopped by our house to drop of our stuff and little Sofiyya and went to A&E.. The kind the Doctor was on the verge of admitting her at the ward but told us to try and give her some meds and made us promise that should she not improve we have to bring her back where she will be given an IV drip.

Unusually quite and somber Nadia

Around noon Nadia was feeling better where she played with her cousin and then around 4, afetr she took her nap, hubs noticed that she was feeling feverish, again. We gave her PCM again and this time we took my Grandma's words and brought her ber-tawari. When we came to the person's place true enough, she was 'ketaguran'. She might not have seen something but rather clashed.. So we went back home and alhamdulillah as soon as we were in the car she was back to her chatty self. I have to admit that is the first for us and wouldn't even have thought about it until my grandma says so! huhu

What seems to be persistent is her temperature! She was a bit feverish again this morning.. I decided to go to work nonetheless and hopefully she will improve. Told my maid to call me if her temp spikes up..

My cheerful and Alhamdulillah not effected Sofiyya

I also introduced her to Baby Bites! She seems to enjoy it! hehe

Pumpkin & Potato puree

Is sofie's first meal.. And she took it 3 days short from her turning 6 months..






Before her meal






2 table spoons of the puree and plain water






Woosshyy and squisshyy






It taste....






..not bad really..






She finished half of the batch..

Oh as predicted, mum does not agree to what i intended to give sofie.. Hahaha oh well..

Rolling over

Even in her sleep!




Hubs was keen on letting her sleep on her tummy but on the other hand was not. Why? Because i read somewhere that babies who sleeps on thier tummy will have a higher risks to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).. Nauzubillah.. So back to sleeping on her back!

As much as i would love to cot train my kids i think i value my sleep and rest more so i end up letting them sleep in our bed.. The girls seems to enjoy each other's company. Some nights we can see Kaka hugging Adik or holding Sofie's hands.. And i am sure everyone enjoys my cheerful and well slept self rather than cranky and sleep deprived me! Haha

Soon enough we might need to consider getting a 2nd bed or go japanese ie sleep with just our mattress.. Safety of having 2 kids in our bed will be utmost priority as we do not want to have a repeat of Nadia falling off our bed.. Huhuhu

Weaning

I am getting quite excited about weaning Sofiyya and introducing her first meal other than Mummy's milk. (I have a feeling I say this now but after a couple of weeks i'll say i miss having me as her main source of food). I went and bought pumpkin as a substitute to butternut squash and carrots.. I intend to batch make pumpkin puree and carrot puree so that it'll be easier for my maid.. Mum have yet to know about my intentions and i already forsee some resistance! hahaha Oh I need to buy tiny containers to put her food in.. So exciting! Can't wait for the weekend now! hehe

Sofie had her first fever on Tuesday. My maid called me up at 3pm while i was at my course and i can sense a bit of panic in her voice. Turns out mum and dad was out and it was just her. Told her to give paracetamol and hubs went home to check on her. Alhamdulillah Sofie is now back to her cheerful self. Told the maid to monitor tho.. Oh don't think she is teething yet cause I don't feel any bumps on her gums but she is biting, chewing and putting everything in her mouth!

6 days to my favorite month of the year, December!!

Another on my list!

I now can add 'surau' in my list of places that i have done my 'Mummy's Business' in.. I asked the course coordinator and she said she is not sure and i was too lazy to ask the hotel staff..



Nursing cover, pump, cooler box, technice and towels to fill in the void spaces..

I haven't asked my maid in a while but i think Sofie takes in an average of 15oz per day. Today i brought home 17oz so that's an extra 2oz.. Syukur alhamdulillah..

I haven't done a stock check in a while however i jut replenished my mini fridge (turned freezer) with end of August stock.. Mcm batah jua habis my August stock ani.. Slowing down in terms of expressing might be a good idea at this point cause i really reallu really would like to avoid using anything beyond 3 months..

Speaking of stocks i have to add that it is a result of hard work, dedication and many hours spent with my breastpump, not purely because of the breastpump.. I think anyone with the dedication and determination can build up thier own massive stock, insyallah.. The breastpump however plays a big role! So ladies if you are determined and is set on breastfeeding your little bubs, invest in a good pump and set your mind to it!

I'm sure you know by now, mummies who breastfeed thier bubs burns on average 500calories per day!! How awesome is that?? Hehehe