The Day I Ruined Dear's Favourite Canterbury

It has been quite awhile since I was, in the deepest $h!tzii trouble.

I ruined his favourite polo tee. The broad blue and white stripes one. Right. The one that was seen in LOTS of our photos.

MY intention was to get rid of the iron stain on the white collar. It was supposed to be white, so I pinky-dipped CLOROX and rub it on. I underestimated the "effectiveness" and how fast it spread to other non-white parts too. How would I know???? Sigh :/

He was rushing to work. Boy was he reaaaalllly mad. If I could just shrink and join the geckos/ lizards in their hideouts... I would.

So, what kind of damage control done?

1. After a few hours, I called to say how sorry I was. Really really sorry. He nagged and I listened. Offered to replace the polo tee or get him some kind of vouchers equivalent to the cost of the polo tee or do ANYTHING, WHATEVER that I can do to make it up (not that carbonated drinks la) to him.
2. Im just so relieved that he was forgiving (that day). So, with Hanaa (aged 11) around, I decided to bring the girls out to The Heeren to get him the same Canterbury polo or vouchers; whichever available.

So we were out on a bus, train and then car! We boycotted the cabs. I double-dared myself just because I had a groovy niece who was around for that weekend. Thanx Hanaa. *Hugzzies* Rushda was very much cooperative the way I wanted her to be. We were at The Heeren, and then Takashimaya's McDonalds for quick bites and Kinokuniya's Children's section; and then Somerset MRT and finally to AMK Hub to meet up with dearest hubba-hubba before heading home.

Saw Kumar at The Heeren. He's cool. Durrah thought otherwise, "Get away, freaky aunty!"

Hanaa Montana - with cousins Durrah and Rushda

Proven - Dadha and babes @ Somerset MRT on a Sunday afternoon.

Never again.

Mother's Day's j.i.n.x for the 2nd time

That word jinx here is more of defined as "bad befallen" and not that suay kind of "suay" in my context of celebrating Mother's Day, as a mother, a supposedly happy occasion. You see, it happened twice. Once (in '07), I accidentally dislocated Rushda's elbow while trying to move her away from an army of red ants. We were at the beach, then we end up in KK's A&E. This year...

Durrah was not well on Mother's Day (11/5). I noticed her sleeping patterns changed, her moods were so-so, and to think that we actually went out on a rendezvous supposedly "celebrating". She must have felt very very very uncomfortable.

The following Monday night, she had bouts of vomitting. She vomitted on our bed, which bedcovers I've just changed. Nevermind that. I ripped the soiled ones off, and put on a new one. So when Durrah vomitted the second time after midnight, I told myself, "That's it. Must go to the hospital now. Two reasons: 1) She may vomit on the bed and I may need to change the quilt covers again! and 2) Vomitting sucks. Can't bear to see a baby vomit. Kesian. It hurts my gastro-system. With two kids now, we dont panic. At 2.00am, we drove to KK. Only at 5.30am, we get to see the doctor. The A&E sucks. Nevermind that.

We knew Durrah's case was not normal when she needed x-ray, her vomit turned yellowish-greenish and when senior MO was consulted. Eventually, kena warded.

Day 1: Vomitted after every feed. Passed out blood, just blood in her diapers. Weak. Dehydrated. Falls asleep easily. Evening, sent for ultrascan. Report out: Intussuception.

An intussusception (a blockage of the intestine) is a medical condition in which a part of the small intestine that has invaginated into another section of intestine, similar to the way in which the parts of a collapsible telescope slide into one another.[1] The part which prolapses into the other is called the intussusceptum, and the part which receives it is called the intussuscipiens.

An intra-operative view of intussuception.

Day 1 (evening): Durrah had to have drip plug insertion and then go through air-enema procedure. As she was dehydrated, she has to be on drip. Heartbreaking procedures. We were there to see and hear Durrah crying helplessly. That night, Durrah didnt sleep well. I was relieved Dear was around and determined to overnight although ward policy stated only one parent. The nurses at Ward 85 were very understanding. They have their "by-right" rules, and they also shared with me "by-lefts". So that helped me alot.

Day 2: Different doctors - the seniors to the newbies came to check her. Durrah was fine but "NIL BY MOUTH". She was very hungry and grouchy. Drip off! Yes!!!!!

Day 3: Much much better. I will always remember that smile she gave on that morning she woke up. I wanted to go home so badly. She hasnt poop yet. I want to make sure she poops fine and not bloody. Charlotte, a Research Nurse came by and asked for my consent to include Durrah in their study of cases of Intussuception in Singapore. She said its not rare but not common either. Only about 25-30 cases reported a year in Singapore. So far, her statics collected showed that usually it occurs in boys. small percentage of recurrence. Her explanation was clear, I signed the consent form.

Day 4: Drip plug off. Home sweet home. We were thankful it was over. I was secretly in tears whenever Durrah gave me a bright sunshiney smile. I felt useless to see the pain she went through. Credits to Rushda, for her patience and care for adik Durrah. Also to Sufi Khairina, the patient next bed. a 2-yrs-olds girl with bronchitis. We became good neighbours. The day ended with a healthy Durrah, a fevered Rushda and a tired but happy Ummi.

Im still looking forward to next Mother's Day, with the hope of joys and laughters from my girls! Please, no more hospitals.

May Day!! May Day!!

Just over....

• Salary ( with "generous" extras from company and government). Syukur.
• A short getaway to Sunway Lagoon. Really short.
• The Man U-Chelsea match with the latter winning 2-1. Chelsea kayu! Linesman potek! May they meet again for the finals. This i gotta see.
• The HFMD cluster at work. All eight are well. Syukur. May there'll be no future outbreaks.
• Mummy's stay at the hospital for heart attack. Mum is due for a heart bypass end of May. Mummy and I.... another separate story, another day.
• Shocking news of divorce and marriages. Allah knows best.
• Good news - The Udas got their unit at Raintree, Bukit Timah. We are happy for them!!Very close to nature. May the monkeys get to hang around.
• Durrah turned 7 months. She's a pie.

Coming Up...

• My "non-profit" project at work: Project Multiple Intelligence. This is unlike business projects raking in millions of dollars, but still this is my baby. Im overall in charge, and I truly hope the ladies at work are in this with me. Are you with me gals???
• Mother's Day.
• Mummy's bypass.
• ME time. May I get a ME time, please.

May is not only a month. It is a polite [term] used in English. When you wished for someone something, you say "May you....". And when in a hope for a yes, you say, "May I...". So make May a month of prayer and well-wishes. Yes, I prayed daily in a hope for my prayers to be answered. Im just gonna do more in May.

May you have a good week / month ahead.

Gone (March 2008)

Alfateha to:

1. Uncle Hasan. Haji Hasanuddin Darsani.... (Got to see a clip of jenazah dikafankan from his brother-in-law's hp. Two opinions: Insaf when you watched; Record your loved one's funeral???? Hmmm, no one should record me on MY funeral. Thats a simple request. This is not TV3).

2. Abang Din. Haji Saifuddin. Nice chap. Good neighbour. Dear, we've lost a humble friend. You've been a good friend. Im proud of you.

3. On waiting list: You, me, loved ones, friends, colleagues, neighbours...... Today? Tomorrow? No one knows.

Our lovable Abi turns 35!

Dear turned 35! The same ol' him. We celebrated way ahead.... at the chalet. A cluster of birthdays: Mak's, Hadi's, Abang Uda's and Zik's too. I got everyone to sing the birthday song FIVE TIMES. Which reminds me.... My 30 is coming!

Front Row: Dear, Mak and Hadi.

Back Row: Zik and Abang Uda.

I see ME!! Good thing the polo and cap were in the bag. Got flour all over me after the game. Clueless over what happened. Anyway, they are saviours.

All I did was to hold up my camera... They cant help it.

Bouquet of Gerberas for Mak. Not for me :/

The midnight bowling tournaments....

Happy Birthday, Dear. Im getting him the Garmin GPS he is eyeing for his ultimate ride!

Durrah featured in a U.S magazine

I'm excited to find out from cousin Ed (Javascrapper) that her layout of Durrah has been picked to appear on an online magazine called Scrapstreet.

This doesn't happen all the time, so, yes I'm excited and I am proud and envious of Ed's creative juices in scrapbooking. Read all about it here.

Thanx Ed!Thanx for making my day!

Who Moved My Ice-Creams?

See?

Something amiss. What ehhhhh??? Oh I know! Chubby Hubby!!!

Going to catch the culprit soon. CCTV.

Describe R.A.U.D.H.A...

Realistic

Awesome

Unusual desire of doing something different

Deadly practical & Divinely romantic at the same time

Honour others

Anak perempuan to Sal & Bert

Got to know about this tag from cousin Javascrapper blog. This was what it says: " You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details)."

Its hard to think of a name starting with each of the letter. Hmmmm.... Lets try... Rizal; Ann; Uda(??)(perhaps Kak Erni who has a blog!); Dilah; Hoo-ever you are; Anybody.

What I DIDN'T do on Chinese New Year...

1. Travel across the Causeway.

2. Spend the day or night at East Coast Beach or Changi Beach.

3. Go to the malls.

What I DID on CNY days...

1. Spend the first two mornings watching a CNY specials on TV1. I now know more about the culture. Check out famous fengshui expert, Lilian Too. Also, there's more to just reunion and Lo Hei and Hongbaos.

2. Made breakfast for Mummy who spent the first morning here. Treat Mummy for breakfast on the second day.

3. Better than Seoul Garden was, dinner at Cik Alin's. The best was- gathering the families and just chill out.

4. Celebrate Faatin's actual birthday at Pergam yesterday. The highlights was Chu's cheesecake and Toey's treat of Ben&Jerry's !!!! Late night dinner at Simpang Bedok - tom yum yummm.

5. Today, chill out day at Chu's. She made a salmon platter. Surf YouTube and take lots of photos.

Durrah the Red Dragon!

CNY Dinner @ Cik Alin & Cik Yan's

Sunday @ Chu's

Ode to My Husband

Dear, It has been 10 years. Good, enjoyable, priceless 10 years. Today marks the 4th year of marriage. Not bad lah. We sailed thru well. I cant deny that I can be quite an arse sometimes. That is because, you have been one too. Heeheheh... I love you, love your family, love your originality. Thanks for your patience and great listening ears - your advice and motivation, especially lately. Thanks for your effort to make this family works. You're a good daddy, husband and son-in-law.

I Empathize...

I emphatize easily. More so recently. One incident involves a fast-foeod delivery call. In the midst of taking my order, suddenly she shouted "I know! I know! Aiyah... Im taking call now right? I knowwww I knowww", responding irritably to another person at the background. Further details:

She: Sorry ah. Some people ah.. aiyah.. they just dont understand. You see ah Im the only Chinese here, the rest are Malays. So when got Chinese calls, they all push to me.

Me:(emphatize)...Oh, iszit? Then why dont you push my call to a Malay?

She: Cannot lah, cannot. We cannot do that. Aiyah.. nevermind. "Some people". So what you want to order?

She took down my order with repeated mistakes but I can understand how frustated she was. She continued to speak in a friendly tone. I patiently corrected her. She was kind. She ended the call with the must-say line. I liked the effort she put in.

I also emphatize with this trainee at work who has committed a shocking crime - she pee(ed) while 4 little girls watched her. The children's toilet was out of bound. So all were instructed to use the one and only adult toilet. She was supposed to supervise their visit to the loo. My guess was, she couldnt hold on any longer, and thought, what-the-heck, "wait for me. I need to pee".

To her horror, Lady Marmalade herself opened the door only to see her (the trainee) with her pants down and everything else. Thank goodness I didnt see anything, but boy, was I speechless and shocked. I was so fused up, I started to question her in my broken Mandarin. She denied what she has done. I told her in Mandarin, that she can deny all she wants, but that 4 innocent girls are witnesses. And that, they will tell.

But then, i started to EMPATHIZE with her during the counselling session with Lady Marmalade. Anyway, she admitted eventually. She didnt realized what she was doing. To her, its a norm because she does it at home with her little girl looking. They still bathe together. She apologized. I pity her. Not easy for her, as she needs to get used to our culture in Singapore. She's not local. I hope things are fine, and I wanna be sure to act as normal when I see her on Monday.

My Babes

A Surprise Visitor in Dear's Mug!

Now,I'll be telling people: The next time BEFORE you drink, just to be safe, rinse your mug/cup well.

I discovered a LIZARD half drowned in Dear's mug of MILO!!!!! It was left overnight. I screamed in deafening decibels, he didnt bother to wake up and see. Because of his beady eyes (the LIZARD, not Dear's), I really can't tell if its dead or alive.

Disgusted, I screamed to make him move (Dear. Not the LIZARD). No effect, so I amuse myself by testing my level of bravery - to take a second look. Cant tell if it's making his way out of the mug or dead. I left it there and went to shower.

The mug and the lizard are now gone. Decided to throw both. I wont throw Dear away (I would if I could- for not standing by his woman. Gurr-ram). So sayang, that man-ly Coffee Bean mug was my gift for Dear on his first Father's Day. I'm getting him a new mug, with a lid, of course. I wonder... how long was the lizard in there? Could Dear be another CICAKMAN? I hope not.

I wont forget this conversation between Dear and Rushda: Dear: Rushda, ini mug Abi. Rushda:(Thinking he said, "mak") Mana dia punya bapak?

Of New Year....

We are into the 25th day of 2008 and 17th day of 1429 Hijriah.

Theoretically speaking, I'll be 30 this year. Yearp, I'll be 30-years-old.

The big Three-Zero!

Am I looking forward to it? Of course! So many things in mind when you are hitting 30.

I day-dreamed of travelling alone, far far away; away from the husband, parents, children, work; just be away from Singapore/Asia - to reflect on what have I achieved in life; what is pending for my attention/ immediate actions especially spiritually; what have I failed; how do I re-shaped my dream in life, etc.

At the same time, I've been thinking about death too. Yes, dying...

Recently, I lost a grand-uncle whom I will fondly remembered as Tok Chu. His wife (my Nek Chu) also battled with colon cancer for about 4 years. (Nek Chu-May 2007; Tok Chu- Jan 2008). Rest In Peace.

Its only natural that this is coming to me. Today, during an outing with Dear and babes, I was looking at him while he was reading his magazine. That indescribable feeling crept in me, "which one of us will die first?... Dear, if I die tomorrow, I want u to know I love you; love love love you. Will there ever be someone to replace me? Will you raise the girls the way we wanted them to be...." That was my inner voice. Imagine how Dear will react if I were to tell him those; he'd probably tell me its my wisdom tooth, which is so aching right now. Hah.

Death aside, Im writing down a will. I am listing down names of people who will inherit my priceless "fortunes" - my books. My textbooks, children storybooks, teaching ideas books, fiction, non-fiction books, parenting magazines, DVDs/CDs. They are so precious to me, do not donate them away! In my will, I will nominate the important people in my life to inherit my Swatch collection; frame collection; paperbags (branded) collection,etc. I cant remember who I nominated to inherit my untouched CPF savings. I shall get my will ready and signed soonest. Thirty is coming.

Dear is gearing up for his "ultimate ride" in November. Destination: Golden Triangle.

We were talking the other day, I told him this (and only Allah knows how I tried to hold back my tears): "I want you to promise me that you will come back riding your bike. I do not want to be the one to fetch you or... God forbids...collect you". To which he answered, "Insya- Allah".

Very taboo right? Lets give it a rest.

Rushda - 1 year ago.

Last 2 weeks of December

I am so looking forward to the last 2 weeks of December. Superb-ly shiokz from how I look at it.

First and foremost, Im looking forward to Mummy's discharge. It should be before Christmas. Her coughing is managable. She had two rounds of blood transfusion and had this large bruise on her right arm. Dr Jason Chua said she had lung infection. Her sugar level is unstable, so she probably would have to take insulin jabs daily, and longer dialysis cycles. I pray for her speedy recovery. Mum had been strong and a bit manja. Aside from that...

• #1: Hari Raya Haji (Thurs, 20/12)
• #2: Centre Closure (Fri, 21/12): Although we need to report to work, it is work minus the kids and toddies. Time for handover of duties and other stuffs. My agenda for that day is to check on the Math aids, update Inventory and pass to Tess. Then there is meeting, the brainstorming session and tinge of gossiping and kniving. In the itinerary would be, Lady Marmalade trying to boost the team's morale by making us complete one of those free take-one postcards with catchy positive time-to-reflect taglines (which reminds me of Zilah's wish she wrote in one of the cards. She was out of point, so she wrote: "To win the Subaru Challenge"... hilarious).
• #3: No Work Day (Sat, 22/12): Persuading Dear to send me to Jusco Permas Jaya to get those retro wrappers for my class borders. Its neat and funky. The girls at work love it. Im running low with it. Lesson learnt- borders can be wrappers from SINGAPORE.
• #4: Christmas Eve (Mon 24/12): Work half-day!!!!!!!!
• #5: Christmas Holiday (Tue 25/12): No working. House working. Probably Mummy will be discharged.
• #6: New Year's Eve (mon 31/12): Work half-day!!!!!!
• #7: Rushda turns 3 (Tues 1/1): To party or not to party??? The next day is a school day! 2008 sees Firdaus and Sarah in P1! Safiyah in morning session, and Hadi in Sports Sc hool. I share their parents' excitement and anxiety. Ok, as for the party, need to think abt it.

How does it feel?... Your loved one is dying

Lately, I am saddened by news that people I know, are either suffering or has perished from cancer.

Aunty Rabiah, a very very very kind and generous neighbour and a family friend, died from stomach cancer a week before Ramadhan. She was in her 40s and was diagonosed about 3 years back. Her wish to see her eldest girl Alia to be married was fulfilled. Alia was 24. The wedding for Alia was "expected", because Aunty Rabiah has a sister who died just a few years back; this sister didnt live long enough to witness her own one-and-only daughter's wedding.

How did Alia feel? Knowing mum has cancer and was uncertain then, but went on getting married?

---------------------------------

Last Sunday, made my way to Mahkota Medical Centre in Malacca to visit Uncle Hasanuddin. During Ramadhan, we got a call from Aunty Minah, telling us that Uncle Hasan's right knee has swollen double the size, it was so bad that he couldn't walk. How did that happened? "He knocked onto the edge of a table". On 2nd of December, they transit at Pergam, planning for one night stay. By then, his condition has worsened, he was coughing out blood. Ayah drove them to MMC that very same night. Imagine that- just a knock on the table, and can't walk for more than a month.

With all that suffering comes this news: Uncle Hasan was diagnosed third stage of lung cancer - hence, the coughs; doctor 'gave' him 4 to 5 months to live. He has a slim chance to recover. As for the leg, the cancer has spread down to his leg. The latest update I had was, he undergone a surgery to correct the joints on his right leg. He can now walk, and will be discharged today. From Malacca, they are staying for a night at Pergam, before taking a ferry back to Kuala Tungkal. Indonesia.

Oh, and he is not aware he has cancer and was 'given' 4-5 months to live.

Aunty Minah has requested that Uncle Hasan not know about this.

How does it feel? Knowing your husband has 4 to 5 months to live?

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Aunty Norbi, passed away on Friday, 14/12/2007, with husband, children and grandchildren present. She was 61. A nice lady too. I see her during Hari Raya and at relatives' weddings. I remembered Aunty Norbi helping out in packing my wedding berkats days before my wedding.

I was told that hers was liver cancer.

I was also told that doctor has informed the family to keep vigil as in her case, it was "anytime".

Mummy went to visit on Wednesday and shared with us that, she was just "waiting for time". Ayah went on Thursday, and told me that the family is arranging to move her to a single-bed ward. Eventually, they brought her home on Thursday night. She passed away Friday night.

How does it feel? When you have to sit by your mother's death bed? Knowing that it is "anytime"?

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Mummy has been having cough for the past one week. When she coughs, it sounded "bronchitis" to me. Two days ago, she started to cough out blood too. She is breathless, her ankles are bigger probably due to water retention. She insisted on going to the hospital tomorrow, as she has appointment at the Peritoneal Dylasis clinic. In Mummy's case, clearly no issues on life-span. She is suffering from diabetes and failing kidneys. Is she dying too? Like Uncle Hasan?

"Kau nak percaya pada doctor atau percaya pada Allah"?

How do I feel? How do I feel? Allah, please give me strengths

Its School Holiday!

School is OUT. Singapore will be congested with human traffic. I heard there were weddings around the island yesterday; judging from the number of invitation cards at Pergam, as well as, "complains" from nenek-neneks. Was at the wedding of Mardhiyah's cousin yesterday. The weather was a teaser. Scorching hot in the morning, then heavy downpours in the late afternoon. Seeing the ladies wearing baju kurung makes my hair stands. It was just sooo hot, how long can they tahan the heat in those songket/linen/satin baju? Blah. It's over anyway. If they have worn the baju for the subsequent time since Hari Raya, then, its time for dry-cleaning.

Last Week...

Connie, Randall and their K2 son, Clement, came by to visit us. Connie just got back from a Paris flight the night before. They got us Carter's baby rompers from L.A. I love Carter's. Noticed her left earring missing. We searched high and low, but managed to find only the backing (the screw thing), but not the earring. So geram. So anyway, Connie has left her flying career. As at today, she would be at her new working place. A sacrifice. For the sake of Clement, who is going to P1. Need to spend more time together. Randall is also flying. I guess can still get free tickets to travel. Connie promised to pass me her SIA green kebaya for school's activities, etc.Went to work to sit in for Planning 2008 meeting. No choice but to bring Durrah along. Obviously, she became the centre of attention. Liping must have been annoyed coz it was hard for them to pay attention. Hehehe.

Edleen suggested to meet up at Plaza S'pura for some shopping and dinner. Ajak Chu along. I know what they will be shopping for- scrap stuffs from Made With Love. I dont mind. Promised myself to use up all the scrap stuffs I bought earlier, and to complete my unfinished projects, before buying more. So i was good. The kids and me, we sat around for large cookies and shakes. We then had dinner at Swensens. Uncle Faizal bo. Dear was convinced that all of us can squeezed in the car. We sent Edleen and Chu home. Hard to believe there were 10 various-sizes people in the little Mazda 2. Boleh tahan.

Durrah is crying. Journalling has to wait.

Take It Easy. There Are Only Two!!

Two. The number of children living in the house now. Two. It sounds and looks crowded. I'm coming to term that I am now a mother of two children- an infant and a toddler.

*u-know-what-I-mean look*

Four can be a crowd; but the more is definitely the merrier. I can't have the best of everything(read: an infant, a toddler, a spruced up house plus a good night sleep and uninterrupted routines) all the time.

Having said that, dearest husband and the two girls are the best things for me now.

Rushda doing a puppet act with her socks she dug out from her drawer filled with perfectly folded pile of clothes.

Below: Conspiracy Whisperies...

Rushda caught: Unfastening Durrah's diapers while I was away to get something. When probed, she explained that she was trying to help.

I'm okay. I'm fine. I'm cool.

Our Second Newborn- Durrah

Earlier this month, on 2nd October 2007; 1203hr; this little one was lifted out of the cozy warm womb of mine. We celebrated the birth of numero dos. We named her Durrah- Precious Pearl (arabic origin). Here she is...Durrah weighs 3.7kg and was 50cm in length. Yet again, it was another episode of tightly-shut cervix albeit the contractions. Dr Chandra advised us to call off our birthplan and proceed with cesarean surgery. That decision was made two days before October 1st, which was originally the EDD. I was dissapointed.

What a Deja vu. Plot sama macam Rushda in 2005.

Anyway, knowing that my cervix was not in a "favourable" condition to be induced, I was given two options; either I wait and wait till labour comes naturally OR get baby out (cesarean) before any complications arises. I chose the second option simply because after all the false contractions and extra weight, all I was thinking of is to get it over and done with.

First heard of epidural cesar from Kak Erni. Im convinced that the chances of coughing/sneezing are very low, so I opt for regional anasthesia this time. Because from the first experience, I was unconscious; on GA. The coughings aftermath were unforgettable horror ! To prepare myself emotionally and visually, i watched videoclips of epid-cesar on YouTube. The first few times made me squirmed and weak. I rolled on the floor to regain strength! Then, TV was also airing In The Womb at that time, and there was a mother who had quadruplets, thru epidural cesarean section. Mother gets to 'greet' each of them. Then, there was THE STITCHING... and there was the HUSBAND! Husband in the operation theatre?????? Yes. The night before the surgery was an emotional one. I sobbed uncontrollably as I listened to the azan and iftar with Dear. Nervous breakdown and the first stage of fear sunk in. Real one. The next day...

Somehow macam more relaxed and anticipated the procedures. Unforgettable moments:

1. After being given the enema shot via anal, I wanted to poop so badly, seconds after the cleaner went in the private loo to do routine cleaning. Imagine the LONG 5 minutes wait. Fooh. Bagus jugak lah, as I poop, I inhale the freshly pine-scented toilet. So clean.
2. Being wheeled to the elevator and seeing the attendant pressed the Level 2 button. (Thats where the Ops Theatre is).
3. Seeing Dr Chandra and his wife, Dr Tiwari in their scrub suits and white pasar boots; waiting for my arrival.
4. Dr Loo, the anesthetist explaining to me what he will do and how "we prepare you 'cantik-cantik' before your husband see you."
5. "Cantik-cantik" includes inserting the IV tube to my hand; Sit up and crouching forward like a prawn. That was OK. Feeling the shocking sharp pain of the epid-jab. Not OK. Getting the 3 immediate side-effects: feels like vomitting, shivering and itch on the face. OK. Feeling the catheter inserted even before I am fully numb. Not OK. Ugh. I hated that.
6. Seeing Dear walked into the OT wearing full scrub suit with head-cover, facial mask... how I wished we could take photo together. Macam Grey's Anatomy. We were so matched.
7. Both Dr Loo and Dr Chandra asked if I can feel a pinch. I asked them, "which one of you are pinching me???" Dr Loo answered, "it doesn't matter. We will proceed now".
8. The smell of something burning. The sound of liquid suctions.
9. Asking Dear if he could see whats happening. He chose not to look.
10. When Dr Tiwari said: "Ok. Get ready. The baby is coming out now" and when Dr Loo assisted by pushing out baby from the top of my tummy. "1..2..3..."
11. The baby's cries, and Dear's gentle and assuring strokes on my forehead.
12. Seeing Durrah for the first time.
13. The shivers turned to sweat......HOT!
14. When seeing a familiar nurse, I greet'em: "I remember you. Remember me?..."
15. Dear, Rushda, Durrah and me had our private moment in the ward.

Im no longer pregnant!

Im not pregnant anymore! The baby has been safely delivered on Tuesday, 2nd Oct 2007, 1203hr @ Eastshore Hospital. We just got home today, with LOTS of freebies and gifts from my dearest colleagues at LV. More details in my next post. Meanwhile, I'll be busy dealing with major engorgements, night feeds, changing diapers, keeping the house clean, taking medicines, entertaining Rushda and Dear at the same time, and countless more chores not mentioned here. Providing family's basic needs, basically. *Breathing in* Keeping my sane hat on. Praying hard i will not drop dead.