adamiamelia

my babies

Sunday, January 31, 2010

more photos of Mia and Wrapsody

My husband took some lovely photographs of Mia yesterday..here she's wearing one of her dresses...

actually mmg hari2 amik photos Mia..she's growing so fast! just today, the midwife came to visit and weigh her...she's gained 300g already! in 10 days! i wish she could stay in this tiny newborn state for longer...

she has long nails..org panggil kuku gelas...hopefully as she grows kuku dia still panjang, ikut daddy dia...cos mine are short, org panggil kuku cawan (see in pic). This kuku cawan i inherit from my mom...and i think this type kuku very dominant..hehe..sbb my mom has it and all my 5 siblings has it too..hehe..my mom got hers from my nenek..Adam pulak masa baru lahir nampak kuku dia saiz medium la..tapi now dah jadi kuku cawan jugak like me...Mia girl kalau kuku gelas comel la bila dia nak bertunang esok kan? jauhnye pikir...kahkah..

i wish i could capture all these precious moments with her...cos i know the newborn stage is soo brief...bila tgk Mia, rase mcm confirm i want more babies :)

I asked my husband to take nicer pics of me wearing Mia in the Wrapsody...pics haritu tak lawa, tak nampak the true colours of the wrap..these photos you can see it clearly..the pattern is really beautiful..

trying out the standard 'Aphrodite shot'. Mia mmg sedap sgt tido kalau masuk dlm wrap ni...kalau dah lama sgt i kluarkan dia, so that dia bgn bfeed..kalau tak dia tidoo jer...

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Super Daddy

Kesian Super Daddy...fell asleep with Mia..he's really tired and sleep deprived...but don't they look cute napping together there?hehe..

Did I tell you how much I appreciate everything you're doing for us? because I do! muahs!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Mia's first dress and babywearing

Mia's been living in mostly sleepsuits and onesies..today I thought it's time to try one of her dresses on her...this one is the smallest dress i made..it actually fit her well, but i think that also means she will probably grow out of it in a blink..hehe..but you never know, it took Adam forever to grow out of his newborn clothes...so far Mia has gained 100g (midwife came to weigh her yesterday)

enough pics of me, Mom! it's naptime...

she looks like an angel in a dress..i'm totally gonna have to make more dresses! hehe..

My Wrapsody stretchy wrap came in the mail a couple days ago! Oh the pattern is just to die for...

and it wraps like a dream! It's less stretchy than a Moby ( I ordered a Moby first, but didn't like the colour when it arrived so I exchanged it for this one, i'm so glad i did!) but that'll make it last longer...later when I can wear it outdoors i'll take more action pics..I am soo happy to start babywearing again! I can't start wearing Adam yet, but wearing a newborn is just...ahh..heavenly!

p/s: sorry the pictures aren't so pretty, i took them myself. today my husband took Adam to school to play..

Monday, January 25, 2010

Post-birth

After birth I was transferred to the post-natal ward. The room has 6 beds, but it was quite spacious, and there were only 2 other patients there. I get to choose the bed next to the windows. There was a small bassinet for Mia. When we got there it was around 7pm, and visiting hours was going to end at 8pm. Immediately upon getting there, I went for a shower (mandi wajib terus) while my husband looked after Mia. Last time with Adam I was scared to have a shower, scared to go to the toilet to pee etc...I had a terrible first night as a mother, feeling sickly and unable to sleep..but this time, I was determined to feel fresh and healthy as soon as possible. To my surprise, the showers and toilets in the hospital was in excellent condition, even though they are shared toilets. in fact, they are more well-equipped, modern and cleaner than the private bathrooms in Ampang Puteri were. I had a wonderful, revitalising shower...even put on a little bit of lip gloss ;) and afterwards I felt great....I felt fresh and clean..even energetic, despite the fact that I just battled through the long painful labour...

I totally recommend this to anyone. Don't be scared to pee...insyaAllah it won't hurt..and the shower would really help soothe you aches and make you feel fresh..plus mmg wajib pun..

Mia is a wonderful baby...she is true to her name, a very peaceful baby...alhamdulillah..up until now, she hasn't been crying for no reason...or caused me any trouble...she barely cry at all...when hungry or in need of something, she only makes small sounds...the only time we hear her cry loudly is at bath time, and nappy changing, because she doesn't like getting cold...even the midwife who came to visit me at home yesterday commented ' Is she always this peaceful, or did I just come at a good time?' Alhamdulillah...I am so grateful for this miraculous gift...

You might be wondering how Big Bro Adam is reacting to this new addition to the family..hehe...the first time Adam saw Mia, he looked a little surprised..and then immediately he wanted to kiss her...Mia was in her moses basket..Adam made kissing sounds muahs muahs..hehe..I picked her up and then he kissed her...comel jer...

His life basically goes on as usual...main mcm biasa...he is quite caring towards his sister...when she cries Adam try to pujuk...peluk...and he'll tell me...'Baby, ngis (=nangis)'..then ckp kat Mia ' ok? ok? (are you ok?)'. Only at night, at bed time, he wants me alone...no baby...this is the only time I can see him wanting full attention from me...if I'm feeding baby, he doesn't care..angkat kaki peluk Mommy...so we take caution now...when it's close to bed time, I make sure i feed Mia properly...then passed her to Daddy...then I stay with Adam in the bed room just the two of us...until he falls asleep...Alhamdulillah Mia is ok with this arrangement :)

You know, the real hidden hero in this story is....MY HUSBAND. He has been such an amazing father and husband....He is taking care of all of us in every way...he's doing all the cooking, breakfast lunch and dinner...he takes care of Adam, changing his diapers, layan his kerenah....he bathes Mia in the morning...he lets me rest and nap...he takes out the garbage and does the grocery shopping..right now he's at the market buying fish and even took Adam with him so that I could rest..at night when all of us are asleep, he is on the laptop doing his office work...

To my wonderful SuperDaddy, thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate what you're doing for us...I love you bang...

Friday, January 22, 2010

Baby Mia - The Birth Story

Thank you so much everyone for you lovely comments and well wishes...I am back at home now..both Mia and I are doing well, alhamdulillah...I think I better write down my labour story first of all, before I start to forget it :) ok this story is probably going to be long-winded and gross so any male readers should probably stay away. But it might be helpful for those expecting to be a mother soon...i found a lot of inspiration reading other people's birth story shortly before my own labour...

Wed, 20 Jan 2010Bold

As you know I went for the membrane sweep in the afternoon. When i came home, i started to feel a permanent cramp, like period pain, and then mild contractions. At this point they were not painful, but they were coming continuously throughout the day and night. Somehow both me and my husband started feeling like this is it! I was strangely calm, feeling happy and relaxed. I browsed the internet reading other people's birth stories..After putting Adam to bed, i continued sewing as usual, making my nursing pads (i can't believe i forgot to make them earlier, too busy making Mia's dresses..hehe). We went to bed late as usual, around 2-2.30am.

Thursday, 21 Jan 2010

6am - 10.30am
I started feeling real contraction pains at 6am, and coming regularly about every 15mins. I couldn't go back to sleep anymore so I got up, performed my subuh prayer, checked the internet while trying to finish my nursing pads some more. Every contraction was really intense and painful by this point, I was already bending over in pain, but in between contractions i felt just fine like normal. I put on my Tens machine and drank air selusuh made by my husband. My husband called our friend Feroz who lives nearby to come over to pick up Adam.

Adam was so funny though when he saw me in bending in pain...he tried to hug me..give me a kiss..then he said 'Baby, baby' i don't know how he knows the pain is related to the baby..then later he imitated me..dia pun bend over and whimpered...pastu gelak...hish..

When the contraction becomes around once every 5 mins, I called the labour ward. Coincidentally, the midwife who did my membrane sweep picked up the phone. When i told her my name, she said, 'hey it's you..so it worked!'. She told me to come when contractions are about 1 every 4 mins. Feroz came, and Adam went with him very willingly, happy to go play with Uncle..Alhamdulillah..Around 10.30am we took a cab to the hospital. The route was a bit jammed and i think the taxi driver was a bit nervous when he saw that i was in labour..hehe..

10.30am - 12pm

We arrived at the labour ward and the first thing they asked for were my maternity notes. My notes! We forgot to bring my notes! My husband had to go back home to pick it up...I waited in the waiting area by myself..i think they were busy at the time and didn't call to check on me..When my husband came back, I was still waiting there. Soon they called us in and a midwife, Lucy, checked me. She did a VE, and she said I was already 5cm. She said she'll transfer me immediately to a labour room. I was quite surprised when I heard I was already 5 cm, but I'm relieved that it's real labour, not false alarm. Lucy left for a while, and I was slightly screaming in pain when my contractions came. I heard one of the midwives called out 'Lucy!! where are you??transfer her quickly, i think she's quite far along now!'. Soon Lucy came, gave me a gown to change into and took us to Labour Room 3.

12pm - 4pm

As we enter the labour room, another midwife, Juliet took over my care. She put me on the CTG machine, asked me to take sips of water. She gave me the ethonox gas and showed me how to use it if I needed to. You're supposed to breathe in throughout the contractions. I tried to give it a go, but I found that it didn't really help, just made me feel high and dizzy after the contraction is over. During the contraction itself, no help whatsoever to ease the pain. Same thing with the Tens machine, it's really good in between contractions, it feels like getting a constant massage for my back, but during contractions, i cannot feel the pulse from the machine at all, because the pain is too overwhelming. After trying the gas a few times, I decided not to use it at all. Now I realised that the pain I had when I had Adam was nothing compared to this one. I was in labour a long time, but the opening was slow and at 3-4 cm I already had epidural. So this time around I get to experience real labour pains. On God it was horrible...I cannot even describe it..I guess you just have to experience it..Thank God my husband was supporting me through every contractions...that is the kind of effective pain relief you cannot get elsewhere..tq sayang..i really appreciate it..

They kept me on the CTG machine because the baby's heart rate seemed to be higher than it should be. Juliet called a doctor in to check, and he said maybe try hydrating me instead, cos dehydration might've caused the baby's heart rate to rise. If that doesn't work then maybe they will break my water. I was then put on IV to get hydrated. At 2 they were going to do another VE and maybe break my water.

After a while, Lucy went out for lunch and another midwife came in to replace her, Martina. Oh, Martina was an angel God must've sent for me. She was really kind and supportive..at every contraction, she came to my side (my husband on the other side) held me and massaged my lower back and spoke softly 'You're doing so well...just breathe slowly..in...out...relax your shoulders...' It really helped. When another lady in the labour room next door was screaming and crying she told me ' See? you're doing so great..that lady is only having contractions 1 in every 5 mins..you're having a lot more contractions than that and yet you're so quiet'.

Martina was going to do my VE at 2 but then she said another lady is in the operation room and if anything goes wrong after she broke my water then they won't be able to take me to the operation room. So they decided to wait. After a while it looks like the baby's heart rate is ok.

At around 4pm, Juliet came back and said she'll do a VE to check me and maybe break my water as well. It has now been 4 hours after my last VE at 5cm so they expected that I may have dilated a lot by now. So she did the VE and....I was only 6cm dilated! What???after all of that pain!!! only 6cm??? Martina had to leave at this point too, because Juliet is back...I was really depressed then....how much longer was this labour going to take I thought...Juliet broke my water..I didn't want them to, because I still remember how painful it was when my water was broken with Adam...but this time it didn't hurt at all...tibe2 je bush! kluar air...Juliet said it's because this time my opening is already big so it doesn't hurt...

4pm-6pm

Right after my water was broken, the pain intensified immediately to a level that...oh God..I didn't think I could bear it...and the contraction came one on top of another with barely any rests..even in between contractions it still felt painful..i can no longer feel the Tens machine...it was awful...I heard Juliet said during one of my contractions 'Give her the gas' and I said ' where's the gas, where's the gas' At this point I was desperately trying to find any relief available...so my husband held the gas out for me and I breathed in and out..I know it didn't really help with the pain but it gave me something to do...I bite down hard on the gas nozzle and breathed in the gas deep...and after the contraction goes down it made me feel high and sleepy and numbed the exhaustion...

I already felt like pushing...but i was confused..I was only 6cm dilated..how can i feel like pushing already...I told Juliet..she said good..maybe you're close now...First tried really hard not to push, because i remember reading other people's birth story that you're always told NEVER to push unless you're already 10 cm right? But it was really hard not to push while trying to bear the pain as well..I asked Juliet, 'I should try not to push right?' she said 'No, push a bit if you feel like it...just do what your body tells you' eh...what?do what my body tells me? biar betul....tak terkoyak ke nanti? apsal org lain were told not to push pulak..dahla aku baru 6 cm ni...

But i decided to follow Juliet's advice..just push a bit..plus I can't stand the urge to push anymore..around 4.30pm (it was only half hour after after my water was broken) Juliet was out of the room..I was desperate at this point..I told my husband where is she??? I really feel like pushing big time now..my husband push the button to call the midwives..another older midwife came in and had a look..she called out, 'Juliet, do you want me to steal your delivery?She's ready!' Juliet told me to open up so she could have a look..she said, yep..the baby's head is there, you can start pushing now' I was like..what? really?? 'Are you sure??don't you have to check if i'm already 10 cm before i push?just now i was only 6cm' She said 'yeah, i already checked just now, you're ready! Before it was just your water that was obstructing the opening'. Wow, i couldn't believe it...

So the pushing process began...my God, the horrible pain, plus the hardwork of trying to push...i wasn't allowed to scream..because Juliet said screaming will lose the energy..but it was hard not to scream..sakit gilaaaa...it felt like i was pushing forever...just when I was ready to give up....

Mia came out!

Juliet said the time was 4.43pm..what??punyalah lama rasenye push, rupanya 15 mins jer..Alhamdulillah....I saw her...she was so tiny...Juliet said, shall I wipe her..I said it's ok, you can put her on me...I held her...oh, she's beautiful..my husband said, wow alhamdulillah she's fair, not dark like him..hehe..she looked like Adam actually, except fairer..

Juliet clamped the cord and let my husband cut it..she then delivered the placenta..I needed a couple of stitches she said..because when Mia came out, she pushed one hand out quickly and that caused a small tear..She gave me an injection, local painkiller, before stitching me up. The needle itself i didn't feel..but while stitching she touched the sore area around it...itu yg sakit...but I had Mia in my arms already by this time..anything was surely worth it to have this precious baby in my arms..

After that my husband took Mia and read Azan to her...oh it was a beautiful moment...then Mia had her first breastfeeding session...alhamdulillah...

I fell in love again...This is the moment I have been waiting for...nothing compares to it...

Juliet took Mia, weighed her, she weighs 2.84 kg (Adam was 2.74kg). She cleaned her up..just wiped her with cotton and water..she asked my husband to take out Mia's clothes..she put them on and wrapped her in the swaddling blanket I made for her...then she handed her back to me...

So that's it...that's Mia's birth story...so different from Adam..I'm so glad I decided not to use epidural..so I get to experience what labour pain is like...alhamdulillah not every woman gets to have it..




Welcome to world MIA AMANI

Now the wait has finally over. Our little baby girl is already here. We are pleased to introduce you our beautiful baby girl MIA AMANI. She weighs 2.84 kg, just slightly bigger than Adam when he was born, 2.78kg. Mia was born yesterday, on 21st. of January 2010 at 4.43pm (UK time) in St. Mary's Hospital, LONDON. Alhamdulillah both the mother and baby are doing fine at the moment in the hospital. We are so grateful to be surrounded by family, friends and other people who are so supportive, wonderful and kind. Thank you very much for your prayers and wonderful support through out the way. We really, really appreciate it a lot.


|Daddy Adam & Mia|

Our little princess, baby MIA AMANI

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

One day overdue

I went for a check-up this morning at the hospital...treatment wasn't very good today..some weird indian doctor checked me, told me to follow him and then basically ignored us for a long time..until one of the midwives asked me what happened?. Apparently the doctor passed my file over to another doctor without even telling me..he was already seeing other patients..what the..??

anyways the other doctor made an appointment for me to be induced on the 29th Jan, 10 days overdue, assuming i still haven't popped. Then she sent me over to the labour ward, to have a 'membrane sweep'.

the membrane sweep is basically similar to a V.E. (vaginal exam), where they sweep the neck of your uterus (cervix) to stimulate natural labour.

I had a long wait at the labour wards, and Adam wasn't allowed in the labour ward...so he and Daddy had to go home..while waiting I heard screaming from the labour rooms..waaa...takutnya...huhu...

One of the midwives performed the membrane sweep. To those of you who have had a VE before...well, it's just as painful and uncomfortable...except more because it takes longer because she has to twist and turn her hands in there to 'stretch' it...eugh...

she said it felt like i'm ready for labour...and that she would be very disappointed if i don't go into labour before my induction date (29 Jan). She said after a membrane sweep, natural labour may occur within the next 24 hours...but it doesn't work for everyone.

many hours after the sweep now...well i have had a some contractions..but not so intense or frequent...and there is a permanent crampy feeling...so...i don't know..can't tell if it's gonna happen or not...i really hope i won't have to be induced... (plus i can't wait 10 days!!!)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

It's my due date today...

...and I'm still pregnant...

Monday, January 18, 2010

The waiting game

Tomorrow's my due date. I haven't been getting any signs whatsoever...sigh...feels like she won't be coming any time soon..

So hard to keep from thinking about it..you know how the more we wait for something, the longer it seems..hehe..

to distract myself i've been looking at wraps on The Babywearers website..oh I just can't wait to start babywearing again...especially a newborn..mmm yumm..i didn't wear Adam when he was a newborn..I already bought 2 wraps..one stretchy one and one woven..somebody stop me! with Adam i wore him a lot but most of my carriers were diy..

This last stage of pregnancy is so hard..ask any mother huh? everything is aching..can't sleep..every position is uncomfortable..rase mcm nak kuarkan jer skang...hehe...come on Baby...let's come out and meet us...we're all excited to see you...

p/s: photos are of a new dress I made for baby. Tried to make it bigger this time, it came out a little too big..she will only probably be able to wear it around 6-12 months. I've more fabric coming in the mail this week. The longer Baby waits the more dresses she's gonna get i think..

I am 28 years old

I had the most perfect birthday...

Last night my husband and Adam surprised me with cakes and a birthday present. We had a small celebration...

chocolate cake for Adam and cheesecake (my fav) for me. I really shouldn't be eating cake because of GD but i think this counts as a good exception..huhu..yummy..Of course Adam was the one who blew off all the candles before the birthday song was even over...hehe..

birthday gift from hubby. I haven't been using a wrist watch for more than a year. really need this. Thank you Bang..you really know me well..couldn't have chosen a better watch myself :)

In the morning after subuh I had some intense painful contractions..my husband dah excited, cepat2 charge hp..hehe..tapi pastu gone, takde dah..saje je Baby kasi teaser yer..In the afternoon we went for lunch at my favourite halal chinese restaurant in Bayswater...my husband repeatedly asked me, are you sure??? ok ke??? takut pulak kalau i go into labour while we're there..hehe..i think lambat lagilah Baby nak kuar...

Somehow we had the most beautiful weather today...as if it's almost spring..not so cold, temperature around 7C..and really, really sunny..we went to the park after lunch..Adam was soooo happy! Haven't been to the parks for a while..he got so busy chasing after birds and 'kel' (=squirrel). Tanak balik. The past days were wet, unlike today, so the ground was still damp in some places..Adam got dirt and mud all over his hands and clothes from falling repeatedly..But he doesn't care..he just kept going..(of course he asked us to 'lap' him first..this boy is really a compulsive cleaner like his Daddy!)

It's just a simple birthday celebration, really...but somehow this year i really feel like it's my best birthday ever...I feel so so blessed...I love my husband, my son and this baby so much...and i'm so lucky to have them in my life...I am content..Alhamdulillah..Thank you Allah for these wonderful gifts...

To my husband: thank you Bang for the birthday gift and celebration..thank you for being such a loving thoughtful husband...words cannot describe how much you mean to me..plus if i do describe how superb you are kang ramai pulak nak kebas abg..hehe...I love you!!!

Friday, January 15, 2010

4 days to go

Oh God..it's amazing how 9 months seemed to fly by so fast...and yet these last few days seems to last forever...

Sigh...

I had a scan on Wednesday, baby is fine...she now weighs 2.8 kg..

This time I'm really hoping to go into labour spontaneously...want to feel the thrill of rushing to the hospital etc...hehe...with Adam didn't have that because I had a bloody show and was asked to come into the labour room for checking - turned out i was already having contractions that i didn't feel..

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Baby's quilt

Alhamdulillah I managed to finish Baby's quilt, finally..been avoiding it for too long..I didn't follow any particular pattern...just simple blocks..and quilted free-motion..again..no other quilting styles appeals to me..except maybe hand-quilting which i must try at some point..but i'm a little too impatient...

I used Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom fat quarters for this quilt...love the colours..

The back is just simple white cotton with a patchwork strip...

Ok Baby, all the handmade projects for you are completed...you can come now, ok...Mommy's ready..hehe...

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Tens machine

I just bought this machine for my labour - Tens machine. In Malaysia I've never heard of it, but here it is widely used and well-recommended by the doctors and midwives. Most people hire this machine..they're available for 6-weeks rental...it is used for labour pains and post-natal pain too..I've decided to just purchase it..insyaAllah I can use it for the birth of my other children, hopefully...

Basically it works by sending small electrical current through your body, and this encourages your body to produce adrenalin, your body's natural pain-killer. It's basically an alternative pain-reliever for a natural birth.

i'll update more about the performance of this machine after the labour ok...

p/s: I had a doctor's appointment today. The diabetic doctor was very pleased with my glucose levels after taking the tablets and so now i don't have to prick my fingers everyday anymore! and also since the baby is growing well...and still small-sized...i will not have to be induced early...alhamdulillah...

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Baby's knitted blanket

Oh my God I finally finished it! I started knitting this blanket more than a month ago...I knit slowly on and off...after a while it felt like it's never going to be finished...i started to wonder if i'm gonna have to knit like a maniac while in labour just so i could have Baby wrapped in it as soon as she comes...

I used up 7 balls of yarn...it's really soft and cuddly..when this picture was taken I haven't washed and blocked it yet...it was narrow and thick especially because of the cable pattern..when blocking it I stretched it a bit width-wise so it's thinner and wider now..just the perfect size..

This blanket goes straight into my hospital bag...just can't wait to have Baby rolling around in this...

Monday, January 4, 2010

AzFiqs Photography


Check out my husband's new photography blog - AzFiqs Photography.

He's very passionate about photography. Especially with the upcoming arrival of our Baby girl, he's been inspired to start a new blog, ready to document of all the beautiful photos of a fresh newborn...we can't wait :)

I think he's very talented...I keep telling him he should begin taking photos professionally, or at least part time. In an ideal world, he'd be a professional photographer and i'd be a professional..err..crafter?haha...

Friday, January 1, 2010

Goodbye 2009 , Hello 2010

2009 has been a wonderful year...full of new changes, surprises, hardships and blessings for our family...

In January we moved to London...my husband started his new work here..I started my new job as full-time housewife..

Adam grew up full of his own unique personality...

I lost someone i love so very much...my father..


then soon after..

We welcome the surprise existence of another special person in our lives...Baby girl..

Yes it has been a colourful year...These photos are our last photos of 2009..reflecting upon the year, i realised that we have been so blessed, alhamdulillah...We welcome 2010 with open arms...soon someone very little will be joining our little family :) I am now at peace...no longer worrying about labour or post-natal...my hospital bags are packed..we are ready for her arrival..In fact i am so excited and just can't wait for my contractions to start :)

Happy New Year everyone!!

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