I've been spending hours in front of the PC, playing 'Bejewelled'. Even my kids are excited too. In fact, they are now starting to play. At first, I really thought it is just a matter of swapping gems until I finally decided what was so addictive about it.
This afternoon, as soon as Haziq heard me playing it, he quickly rushed to watch me playing.. 'Wah! Hebatlah ibu' (You're really good!). I realized that the reward was not really the high score, but it was the positive reinforcement! I just couldn't help enjoying the phraises, "Good", "Incredible", "Excellent"... The more you hear those magical words, the more gems you tend to swap.. the more excited my son became.
It's a bit ironic with the fact that we love being acknowledged for our accomplishment but we somehow fail to give acknowledment to those who deserve credit. I'm really sad when my son has to ask me "Do I behave today?", failing to give credit to him that he has to ask. So, in this short entry, I'm making myself a 'Bejewelled' pledge.. "Acknowledge Others the Way You Like to be Acknowledged.." :P
Finally my confinement is over.. and now I'm really busy hunting for the perfect sling for Muhammad. Moby Wrap, Pouch Sling.. not forgetting the nursing cover. The thing is, this sling is just sooo expensive to buy. After a long time browsing the net (that's why I haven't been updating this blog), I decided to stick to my maid's "flannel kain gendong". It's amazing how the westerners mothers are also using "kain gendong". I remember using one in Langkawi, my 4th child was cranky being too tired going here and there, I bought myself one "batik lepas" and started carrying him. I could see that I suddenly became the centre of attention compared to those gamelan players at Kota Mahsuri. Then, I started talking like Indonesian to my husband (kikikik.. lagilah orang tengok, I just love the attention hehe)
My previous search was on nursing cover.. or called hooter hider. breastfeeding blankets and god knows what else they call it. I managed to sew my own but because I got the ideas from websites from overseas, I really had trouble trying to find the material here. "D-ring", for instance is called "buckle" here and "boning" had to be substituted with material used for stiffening shirt collar. It's still half way because I've been searching here and there for the material needed.. Maybe I'll just post the pics when they are ready!
As I was browsing the net, I could see some nursing mothers eventually became WAHM (working at home mothers), selling different types of sling, crafts etc etc etc. I bet all of them started when they were browsing the net for the perfect sling and nursing cover..
Will I be one of them? hahaha.. maybe I'll just stick to training. [wink wink]
It was noon when I realized that I have one unread sms. After a couple of sleepless nights, it took me quite a while to comprehend.. A friend of mine when I was teaching in Setapak Indah passed away. I called some friends to find out what time was the funeral. Nobody answered the phone. I guess it was a bit too late..
Even if I knew earlier, I couldn't have gone there myself, with the baby and my other son around. I couldn't possibly drive with the baby and the car seat which has not been installed. When I finally received a friend's call about 45 mins later, they were on the way to the cemetery.
I could still remember seeing her for the first time during Monday school assembly. The students 'oohhed' her when the principal introduced. Right after the assembly, we greeted her, welcoming the new member of the English Panel. I asked her whether she knew why the students greeted that way.. She sheepishly shook her head.. I told her it was her groovy polaroid spectacles against the sun! "Ooohh".
I remember being with her at the library, talking my heart out about me quitting my job and complaints about the workload I received .. and I certainly remember how she was eager to plan the 'Info Hunt' for her librarians.. She was more than happy to help me during Scavenger Hunt at the hall. When I got my transfer, she gave me a 'Tiger's Eye' pendant.
Of course the thing that I remember most about her is the fact that she called herself "A Ticking Bomb". She had high blood pressure.. but what is most critical about her blood pressure is hers can go really high without any symptom at all. No dizziness, no headache, no nothing! Yet, she didn't seem to worry about it. It was almost like she was joking. That was in 2004.
Her death makes me think and ponder whether or not I am fully prepared to embrace death. I really want to be a good muslim, but then most of the time, I'm busier making life here as comfortable as I can, and tend to forget my responsibilities as a Muslim. Often I wonder, whether my kids are taught enough about praying, fasting and aurat as well as other important elements in case I die. What about the sins we do towards others. What about repentance or taubat? Aine was only 34.. and my friends told me she went to school the days before like any other day.. and that made everyone really shocked.. you will be remembered Aine.. in my heart..
I think I'm a little stressed out. Maybe a few days with my new sleeping schedule tires me.. or perhaps there's something that's bothering me..
I watched Oprah this morning and shocked to hear that throughout America, a lot of mothers get addicted to Meth. Iniatially, they just wanted to try once but somehow got hooked up. Initially Meth made them feel alive and active. One of the mothers confessed that she wanted a cleaner house and noticed that after taking meth, she could clean up the house double time and still had all the energy.. until she found out that she needed higher dose to make her feel high and to give the same effect it had on her earlier.
Weeks later, she seemed to lose it all.. She became aggressive and could not even play mom.. And after 16 months cleared of meth, she still has the urge to use meth.
I am stressed out but not to the extend of doing anything like that. But I do notice, when I decided to declutter my house and try to be as perfect as I can, I tend to develop this constant worrying about everything. The victims are of course my kids. With the lack of sleep, and the English modules that I'm eager to finish (I'll be training next year, insyaallah.. free lance but I haven't really look for any job hehe) as well as the clutter to clear, I think I'm not being fair to myself..
Lately, I have the tendency to have all this craving of pie, tarts, cookies and cakes. The thing is the craving is not only to taste it but to bake.. So, until I bake what I crave, I get a little bit upset with it.
Perhaps it's the confinement thing that stresses me. The fact that I can't go out of the house. I'm just lucky my 4th child is at home with me together with the baby.. At least I have someone to talk to. I think once in a while all of us do get stressed.. Hopefully, I'm able to destress positively..
Alhamdulillah.. after my 1-month check up with my gynae, we went straight to see the baby's doc. While waiting for my turn at the gynae's clinic, Muhammad had fed and filled up his diaper.. (he really thought it's a sovenir for his doctor). Carefully keeping the angpow Muhammad received for raya (yes! it was my doctor who delivered him who gave him the angpow, I wish I can tell you the name.. hehe), we went straight to the washroom to change..
We were the first patient.. I was even jovial than baby Muhammad when the doctor congratulated him for fully breastfeeding for the whole month (okay okay.. not fully fully.. I think the nurse managed to give him 3 feeds argggh!). He actually said "Tak ramai baby yang cerdik nak menyusu.. ada yang ilmu tak cukup, sebulan, susu dah kering..).
He gave us a few tips on breastfeeding as well as nappy rash
#1 Make sure you empty each breast by letting him feed for at least 30 minutes, if you keep on switching breasts whenever he cries, he will still feel hungry as he is feeding on the foremilk (which quench the thirst) from both breasts. It's the hind milk that gives him the fat he needs)..
#2 Since Muhammad's skin seems to be a bit sensitive, he suggests changing the diapers often or change to napkin. He did mention some parents buy really expensive diapers and avoid changing it often.. to save... hehe. Despite tonnes of diapers advertisement which promote their good ventilation.. he suggests buying the cheaper ones but change often.. This is my second brand.. and I notice that his rashes seems to be near the guard..
I do change the diaper quite often but I have to admit.. whenever he is a bit tired or colicky, I tend to let him sleep because the minute I change the diaper, he will wake up and I have to put him back to sleep and it's like a never ending story.. Bad mummy!
My sis-in-law came yesterday and suggested using 'tepung ubi' (tapioca flour), and the next morning, I could see the rashes not as angry as the night before.. maybe I should but (should have asked her some of hers so I can start immediately). In fact, I did use tapioca flour when I had my first son.. as suggested by my sister.. but totally forgotten about it!
Before we went out of the doctor's room, we were told that he weighs 4.00kg.. wow! he was born 2.5kg.. That's 1.5kg-weight-gain.. so.. who says breastmilk is not enough? anyone?
Congratulation Baby Muhammad.. I really enjoy your company during this confinement and the best part is, when you gain 1.5kg, I lost more kgs in producing the milk plus the fact that the womb contracts to be back to it's size every time you feed. Alhamdulillah.. Allah knows best!
A Trip from the Hospital (1-month check up), Congrats Baby Muhammad!
Watching Oprah for half an hour the other day helps me dealing with my baby. Amazing as it sounds, it's even more amazing when you practice it in real life. According to Priscilla Dunstan, babies have been trying to communicate with us with the only means of communication they have.. crying.. and believe it, IT WORKS! Don't get too excited though, if you don't react to these cry.. the sound of cries will definitely change. Trust me...
I remember having my first newborn during one night when he really cried the whole night. We tried almost everything to make him stop not knowing what actually bothered him from changing the diapers, rocking him back and forth, passing him to my husband again and again, asking / whispering anxiously. The next day, I read up my baby book and found out that everything we did made him stressed even more. Despite the number of kids I have now, I have never knew about this and how I wish I knew sooner... but it might not be too late for you!
According to Priscilla (she has photographic hearing), there are 5 distinguished sounds baby make and these cries really work wonders in making mommies understand what their babies want. Here they are..
1. 'Neh' - I'm hungry.. feed me..
This sound is produced because of the sucking reflex baby has. When a baby sucks, he will put his tongue to the palate causing them to produce the 'neh' sound.
My Own Reflection: I only heard this sound only once.. This is because, I notice that baby Muhammad makes this tiny soft squeek when he wants to feed and I quickly react to this immediately until one day I was too busy and quite far from him, I didn't realize until he cried the 'Neh' sound really loud I was shocked! he he..
2. 'Owh' - I'm sleepy..
I bet you can guess.. the fact that when baby gets sleepy, he yawns and tends to produce this cry.. This is because he cries with his lips shaped like an "o"..
My Own Reflection: I never really heard this sound.. to be honest with you. I guess baby Muhammad feeds all the time and dozes off as he feeds.. So, he never really needs to tell me that..
3. 'Heh' - Change Me
This cry shows discomfort. Check his diapers or sometimes he's just cold..
My Own Reflection: Baby Muhammad always make the 'heh' 'heh' 'heh' sound.. and if I don't change his diapers fast.. he'll start a very looonnggg 'hhheeeeeeehhhh' sound. When I hear this sound, I quickly check his diapers, it's either wet or filled with stool that makes him feel unconfortable. Baby Muhammad feeds totally on breastmilk, so he needs to be changed quite often as breastmilk is easily digested.
If the diaper is okay, I'll check his hands and feet if they are cold and I wrap him in a blanket (swaddle- bedung la tu)
4. 'Eh' - Burp me
This cry is from the baby trying to burp himself and it's normally higher pitched because it comes from the chest.. Just put him on your chest and try to burp him..
My Own Reflection: I do notice that this sound is produced while he looks uncomfortable.. I notice that baby Muhammad tends to be more restless compared to when he makes the 'heh' sound. I normally pick him up quickly and try to put him on my shoulder.. and now I make a habit of burping him after every feeds.. I tend to hear this sound lesser and lesser when I do this..
5. 'Eairh' - Lower gas
This cry sounds like you trying to pass motion.. if you know what I mean..
My Own Reflection: Baby Muhammad cries this sound together with the in-pain expression.. He'll just frown and his face will be reddish. He'll be squirming and kicking at the same time.. When I look at all these three things, I know exactly what to do.. I'll rub eucalyptus oil (minyak kayu putih) on his tummy.. pick him up, put him on my cheat and rub his back..
You might want to read Dunstan System pdf booklet to understand better..go to the link below.. and you can really hear the sound if you go to the youtube link.
Mannaan, Rahmaanun, Fattaah, GhaffaarunTawwaab, Razzaaqun, Shaheed (Bestower of blessings, Most Compassionate, Opener, ForgiverAccepter of Repentance, Provider, Witness)
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa aali MuhammadYa Muslimeen sallou 'alayh (O my Lord send salutations upon MuhammadAnd upon the Family of MuhammadO Muslims, send salutations upon him)
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa sahbi MuhammadYa Mu'mineen sallou 'alayh (O my Lord send salutations upon MuhammadAnd upon the Companions of MuhammadO believers, send salutations upon him)
Ghafur, Shakourun, Wadud, Qayyumun Ra'uf, Saburun, Majeed (Forgiving, Appreciative, Loving, Self-Existing by Whom all subsistMost Kind, Patient, Most Glorious)
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa aali MuhammadYa Muslimeen sallou 'alayh (O my Lord send salutations upon MuhammadAnd upon the Family of MuhammadO Muslims, send salutations upon him)
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa sahbi MuhammadYa Mu'mineen sallou 'alayh (O my Lord send salutations upon MuhammadAnd upon the Companions of MuhammadO believers, send salutations upon him)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaaha Illahu, Al Malikul Quddoos (God is Greater, God is GreaterThere is no god but Him, the King, the Most Holy)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Ya Rahmanu irham dha'fana (O Most Compassionate! Have compassion on our weakness)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Ya Ghaffaaru ighfir thunoubana (O Forgiver! Forgive our sins)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Ya Sattaaru ostour 'ouyoubana (O Concealer! Conceal our defects)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Ya Mu'izzu a'izza ummatana (O Bestower of honour! Bestow honour on our Ummah)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Ya Mujeebu ajib du�aa'ana (O Responsive One! Answer our prayers)
AllahuAkbar, Allahu Akbar,Ya Lateefu oltof binaa (x3) (O Gentle One! Show gentleness to us)Oltof binaa(Show gentleness to us)
