April 2015

I guess updating blog is now a monthly affair? Haha. Well, at least it is still updated. I always write imaginary posts in my head but very seldom they actually came to life here. Now now. Where should I start.

Let's start with something small. Haziqa's 2 front upper teeth have started showing. Haziqa's constipation problem is still lingering since 2 weeks ago. A couple of times, she needed to be assisted just to pass motion as the poop was just to big to come out naturally. I nearly cried the first time I assisted her. The second time it happened, it was during the day and the maid, Bik Su, helped her. Currently her poop is still hard but somehow managed to come out without any assistance.

We are now annual pass holders at Legoland, Malaysia! On 3rd of April, it was hubby's weekend off from his duties at the petrol station. We went for an impromptu getaway to Johor. So impromptu that when we exited Nilai, we had no idea where we were going. Since Johor had more activities for the kids, so we decided to go there. Stayed at Le Grandeur Palm Resort near Senai airport. It was a nice quiet place for our supposedly relaxing weekend. Went to Sanrio Hello Kitty Town for the first time and since we were quite late, we went to The Little Big Club only (on the 2nd and 3rd floor. Hello Kitty Land was on the 1st floor.) It was okay but we couldn't believe people would rate this place higher than Legoland. The next day, instead of going back straight, hubby surprised Tricia by bringing her to her favourite place in the whole wide world, LEGOLAND! It was raining when we arrived and that didn't stop us from having fun. Luckily, the rain didn't last long and we went back at almost 7pm that day.

Being too stressed from working, hubby had been asking to take a break, away from the kids, for a weekend. I, on the other hand couldn't stand being separated from the kids at night so I wouldn't want to go away overnight without them (which lead us to Johor that weekend). But coming back from the trip, he still felt tired and not rejuvenated that he asked for my blessing to go on a solo trip for ONE WHOLE WEEK. Initially, I freaked out. I did't think I could be separated from him that long, especially without a valid reason (i.e. not work). But after having a heart-to-heart talk with him, he said I can come along if I want to but he just wants a week of solitude... not caring about anything in the world. So in the end I gave up and let him go. While I obviously will make through just fine from this one week getaway of his, I am not sure how her daughter Tricia would survive. T_T First night, my MIL called me when I was on the way home because Tricia was already crying that her father was not home. This morning she refused to go to school because her papa was not around to send her. 6 more days to go. And worse still, I'm joining my husband for the weekend for 2 nights. 1 night she and her sister will be away at Tokma and Cacik's place in KL but 2nd night... they will be back home to normalcy, which I think would make her feel our absence even more. Hope we will make it through the week in one piece. x_x

On a more awkward note, Tricia has started asking me when will she start growing boobies. =_= Too early to worry about that, sweetheart.

March 2015

It had been a hectic year so far at work and given everyone's tight schedule, it's harder to take leave these days. However, last weekend I managed to take 2 days and it was so much joyyy!!! Haha.

Friday:

Didn't achieve much on the first day of leave. Wanted to renew our passports and make a new one for Haziqa but we arrived at immigration Menara Ikhlas at 11am and they were out of numbers. Actually we can still do Haziqa's passport but I forgot to bring her birth cert. Went back to have lunch in Nilai and got Tricia's ears pierced!

And then, hubby and I left the kids and rushed to Shah Alam and he bought me this!

After that, we rushed to Bangi for our cousin's akad. Then rushed again to KL to have drinks at the Helipad, Menara KH.

Saturday (The Reception):

Sunday: Spent time with hubby at the station in the morning and went to PGL in concert with mummy in the afternoon and Red Lobster, The Quill right after.

Monday: Finally managed to renew my passport and made Haziqa's passport and renew my licence! Did shopping to furnish the Starzvalley house before GST. Oh yeah, I received the keys the week before. ^_^

In the evening, celebrated Haziqa's birthday, a week later. Just a low key affair with the family.

At 11 months, can drink using straw.
At 12 months, can walk more steadily and still in the process to grow her confidence now.
At 12 months, first 2 teeth FINALLY coming out.

Haziqa's eczema. Tricia's first day of school. Tricia toilet trained.

Two weeks ago, both my daughters fell sick. Tricia was down with high fever on Thursday so we came home from work and brought her straight to the nearest clinic. Luckily we got the "insert" medicine because her fever shot up in the middle of the night. That same night, Haziqa couldn't stop crying. Initially, I thought she was just being cranky. She cried non-stop until I couldn't take it anymore and I passed her over to her father. My husband... sleepily... took the baby, turn on the lights and remove Haziqa's shirt and found the problem in 10 seconds. Her body was red all over and she was crying because it was very itchy for her. T_T poor baby. Mummy didn't think of that at all. I put her expensive QV lotion for sensitive skin (because she has eczema. Don't know where/who she got it from.) all over her and rub her to sleep. Only after that she managed to sleep.

Having very little sleep that night, I asked my boss whether I could take EL the next day, which I did. Brought the kids to their paed in Seremban and Haziqa got a cream for her fungal infection on her skin. Then both of them had to use the nebulizer for their phlegm. Tricia was weak the whole Friday and since she didn't recover on Saturday, my mom agreed that it was time to take the antibiotic that was given to us earlier. Only after that, she returned to her normal active self. Phew... what a long weekend that was to me. 

I was on regular leave on Monday because it was Tricia's first day at her kindergarten. My husband, my mom and I went to send her off on her very first day. She didn't cry, which was expected because when I brought her over to survey for schools earlier, she seemed excited and eager to start school. She looked worried to be left behind but after I explained to her that we will pick her up, she put on a brave face and went on. 

Oh, she was toilet train (during the day) for about a week when she started school (YEAY, FINALLY) so she refused to wear pampers to school. "Pagi pakai spentot, malam pakai pampers" she would say. But her father was worried she's still not comfortable with the teachers that she might have some "accidents" later so before I left her, I brought her over to the toilet and explained to her the situation. She let me put the pampers on and went on to join her classmates.

 

Haziqa's progress: 9 months

At 8 months 3 weeks, Haziqa has started to stand and lift her hands up. Although still wobbly and not stable, she has started to take her first few steps at 9 months. No sign of her first tooth yet.

Tricia is 3. Haziqa is 8 months.

I find it more and more difficult these days to find time to update my blog. So quick summary.

We went to Legoland Malaysia twice, just one month apart. Weekend 10-12 October and last weekend 8-9 November. The first time I just wanted a getaway. But Tricia had so much fun, she asked to go again every single night after we came back so we went again on her birthday weekend.

That said... on 10 November 2014, Batrisyia Hana is THREE!!! Oh how time flies.

Hubby and his guy siblings are opening a shop in Seremban 3 selling stationeries, handphone accessories, photocopy services and many more. I foresee very little weekend time together after this.

And while we were leaving the shop yesterday, Haziqa fell head first onto the pathway. My heart broke into pieces to see she scraped her forehead. Although her injuries are limited, I cried when I was comforting her. T_T Oh she's 8 months today. ^_^ My darling little baby. Been standing up with support for 2 weeks or so already.

I am down with flu and cough now actually. Got it from the kids last week and it got so bad up to the point that I slept whole day last Thursday, got 2 days MC for Thursday Friday, went to work for a bit on Friday, and again down with fever Friday night. When was the last time I fell this sick? Can't recall. Good then, I guess.

Haziqa 6m: Crawling phase

Before I missed this update out, here's a quick one. Haziqa has started her crawling pose for a few weeks now... to my surprise actually, coz I just told hubby I thought she would be starting all these muscle exercises later since she is quite clingy. She definitely likes to prove people (who look down on her) wrong.

6 months also marked the day I could open her ASB account, which I did. On top of that, I had also opened a Tabung Haji account for both my daughters and registered them for Hajj. Their turn would be in year 2075. 

Haziqa's first solid food

Last Friday, at 5 months 5 days, I fed Haziqa with banana puree with breast milk added to it. She looked excited to eat her first ever solid food. Why I started relatively early? She just looked too excited whenever she saw me eating. I searched online and found that we could introduce solid food as young as 4 months. Just introduce one solid at a time so I chose banana as it doesn't require "cooking". Just cut the banana into small pieces, mash it, add breast milk and done! Anddd She loved it. She even cried a little when I was too slow to feed her. I didn't give a lot though. Let's start small first. Gave a bigger portion to her yesterday. And so far she hasn't poo yet. I hope it didn't upset her young stomach. 

Haziqa dah sunat

After 3 attempts, we finally managed to send Haziqa for circumcision today. A week to 5 months, at 4m3w Haziqa dah sunat at Kilinik Sariah by Dr Sariah herself. She didn't cry but let out a "eeeekkk" a bit to tell me something was happening. Alhamdulillah all went well.

Haziqa 4 months. Tricia 2y 8m

How time flies. I didn't realised Tricia is 2y 8m already.

Haziqa at 3m3w: Tokma was complaining that she had not started turning. Tokma said Tricia turned before I went back to work. Honestly, hubby and I both couldn't remember that detail but I'm not worried at all. But Haziqa apparently understood Tokma's concern because as soon as she put her down, Haziqa straight away turned! Wow. Last night, at 4m 2d, I put her on the floor while she was strengthening her muscle holding her head up while lying down on her front, I was playing my phone beside her. Before I noticed it, she was not at her previous spot, which means she turned twice i.e. managed to roll herself to a new spot already. Proud of you, sayang.

Tricia: I'm sorry I couldn't find more time to document your progress at this stage, honey. And I am also sorry I couldn't find more time to teach you new skills, which I am quite worried about currently. While I haven't toilet trained her and she hasn't learn her ABCs and colours and speaking English, she is currently developing her conversational skills.

1) Mama ina testing her whether she can take Haziqa home with her

Mama ina: Tica, mama nak bawak balik adik, boleh?

Tica: Boleh.

(Papa asked mama ina to ask Tricia if mama ina could bring back her papa too.)

Mama ina: Mama nak bawak papa balik boleh?

Tica: Hmm... *pause* boleh TAPIIIIIIIII jaga elok2 tau. =_=

2) Couldn't find her milk bottle

Papa: Tica, mane botol susu?

Tica: Takde.

Papa: Mane tica letak? Cari laa betul2.

Tica: Tak tau. Takde.

Papa: Kakak letak mane?

Tica: Ade dalam kerete papa kot. 

(It wasn't in her father's car but now she knows it is a possibility.)

3) Went to 7Eleven with papa and bought bread and biscuits

Papa: Tica, papa nak roti.

Tica: Nanti tunggu sampai rumah eh papa.

Papa: Papa nak biskut.

Tica: Nanti tunggu sampai rumah eh papa.

4) While out in the car and she wanted milk.
Tica: Mummy, nak issue (susu/milk)
Me: Susu takde.
Tica: Buat lah.
Amboih. Demanding. She expects I always bring her milk powder with me anywhere we go.

Breastfeeding while working and Ramadhan

I started introducing formula milk to Haziqa a week to 3 months old. Reason being, I didn't make enough stock during my maternity leave. What little stock I kept frozen during my leave, I didn't dare give it to my baby. To me it smelled bad... like rotten fish. I threw most of them away. When I told my colleagues about it during pumping session at work, they scolded me because apparently, the milk was supposed to smell like that. Eww, how would I know. And no one in the family had frozen milk that long before so I didn't have any reference at home. I had been bugging my bff Haslin and SIL Abby a lot on the tiniest issues on breast-feeding and I didn't want to disturb them any further so I just couldn't be bothered to stress myself out about it anymore. 

Don't get me wrong. I am super thankful for the fully breast-feeding journey for nearly 3 months... It was all I wanted since I couldn't do the same for Tricia. But I was ready to introduce formula to Haziqa. Initially I felt a tiny bit of guilt but then I looked at Tricia and a bigger guilt surfaced so I said to myself, formula milk is not that bad. Yes, mother's milk is the best but Tricia grew up with formula milk and grew up fine. Heck, I was fed formula milk and I grew up fine. Was only worried Haziqa wouldn't want my milk after she started tasting formula milk though but Alhamdulillah, she didn't have a problem with us switching between the two. 

At work, each floor is provided with a nursery room for nursing mothers to pump. How convenient! I love my company for providing this facility for us. I tried to pump as frequent as I could. 3 - 4 times a day without fail. 9am-12pm-3pm-6pm. However, pumping doesn't produce as much milk as I hoped. Whatever I brought back was not enough to feed Haziqa for the next day so the maid usually had to top up one or two times formula milk a day.

Worried my milk would become less and eventually stopped too soon, I took a supplement I found online. It's some kind of capsuled oil contained what was supposed to be HabbatusSauda. Quite scared to take it as it has no certification from Malaysia's government. It is an Indonesian product but it says 100% natural. Had to just rely on that fact for assurance. I actually tried it a week before I started working and surprise surprise, it actually work. Not to my benefit that time though. I didn't pump in the wee hours of the morning as I was too lazy, as usual, and my left breast started to get engorged. I even had fever with it i.e. mastitis. Pumping and feeding was painful and my mom feared that there would be infection asked me to stop breastfeeding, fearing it would affect my baby. I then asked around and the advises I received were complete opposite. They say I need to continue breastfeeding to drain the supposedly blocked milk duct. Confused, I went online and read on babycentre that I should not stop breastfeeding and I happily obliged. =D

Stopped talking the pill until a week after I started working when Ramadhan started. Nursing mothers are allowed to not fast if they fear it would affect their milk supply. I initially thought it won't be applicable to me anymore since I introduced formula milk already... it was not like I was fully breastfeeding. My baby won't go hungry just because I didn't produce enough milk. I had no reason to not fast, or so I thought. Just 4 days into Ramadhan, I didn't wake up for sahur. My supply during fasting was already lesser than normal days if I didn't take the supplement and not eating sahur would make it worse, right? So I freaked out and not fast that day. Missed another day a few days after. What I was scared of was not just the stock for the next day but in the longer run... I am worried that my milk would dry up too soon, before I am ready to wean off completely. So there goes my 2 days of Ramadhan fasting. I felt like an immature kid making that decision but I cherish bf-ing so much that I would not want to risk it. As the month progresses, I am better at it now. Managed to fast a day without waking up for Sahur and for the rest of the days, I have been waking up for sahur with the help of Abby and my hubby of course.

Currently, my production is about 1oz every hour and I hope to bring back AT LEAST 12oz home everyday. It is not enough but that is the best so far. Hope my supply will increase a little after fasting month, with the help of the supplement, insyaAllah. I still try to pump as frequent as possible at work as I am still hoping Haziqa would only need minimal formula milk, if at all. 

Tricia as a big sister

Hello Hello. Abandoned the blog for a wee bit too long. Now that I have started working, and it is Ramadhan and I have moved back to Nilai with the in-laws, I just find myself always tired. With the travelling back-and-fourth and my working hours, I have very little time to spend with my beloved husband and babies. Gotta cherish what is left of my day.

Realised I didn't record Haziqa weight since birth coz unfortunately, we don't have the same record book for her like Tricia because we went to a different Paed for her jabs. 

Birth weight: 3.19kg

1 month: 3.77kg 

2 months: 4.7kg

3 months: 5.6kg
4 months: 6.2kg

I actually intended to record Tricia's journey as a big sister but I just didn't have the time to update it here. I kept "writing" the stories in my head but never got to type them down. Forgot most of them already so must quickly type down whatever stories I still remember.

On Haziqa's second day, Tricia came over and slept with us in the hospital. One time, I went to the toilet and left a hungry Haziqa crying with her father. Tricia panicked as to why her little baby sister was crying. When her papa told her that her adik was hungry, she ran all over the room looking for milk bottle and gave it to her papa. She said she couldn't find adik's bottle so she gave hers. It was so touching seeing a 2-year-old cares so much for another human being.

As time goes by, she observed that adik is breastfed. She saw how I put on the nipple shield to feed her adik and sometimes watched me pumped my milk into the bottles. She would quietly steal my nipple shield when I was not looking (because I would go berserk if I caught her did it) and put it on her own body. She was not too sure where exactly that thing goes so she simply stick it all over her body... even on her belly button. LOL.

There was so many heart-warming stories between Tricia and Haziqa. Although she acted out (in order to fight back our attention on her and I fought with her a lot because of that), she loves her sister dearly and never had bad intention towards her little sister. Some are undoubtedly dangerous moves but I believed it was done out of love.

One time, we went out for dinner with the big family. While serving us, I noticed the waitress was looking intently at Haziqa. I wondered why was she looking at my baby like she never saw a baby before... only to found out she was looking at Tricia's hand feeding Haziqa peanuts! So slick that elder sister... She was facing the table, not looking at Haziqa but her hands was pushing the peanuts into Haziqa's mouth. I think she didn't want her adik to be left out because everyone else was eating it and no one was feeding her little sister. 

During confinement, she stayed in Nilai during the day and when she came back at night, the first thing she would do was look for her adik and went to kiss her. Not me... Adik first. She would sometimes pick up adik's mosquito net and tried to hit adik with it. Not to hurt her... but to play with her. Was quite scary that time as you had to always watch her. But now, I don't see that behaviour anymore. She started playing differently as adik could respond to her already. So she would show adik upin ipin played on our phones or simply just talk to adik and adik would "talk" back and smile at her big sister.

In the morning, when I left Haziqa's side to shower or eat my Sahur, I would sometimes find  Tricia hugging Haziqa and even made Haziqa her pillow and sleep on her tummy. Haha. Tokma said "adik memang best buat bantal sebab die debuk debuk". And amazingly, most of the time, Haziqa was not bothered by it. Can't wait for Haziqa to grow up and be Tricia's playmate.

Haziqa's 2 months jab

The whole family's pediatrician is in Seremban, Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak Sayangku. The Dr, Dr Oo, is very good with kids and the charge is reasonable so we have stuck with him all these while. The only problem is, it is quite a long drive from Bangi/Nilai and the queue is usually quite long. Recently, a new pediatrician opened up in Bandar Baru Nilai so we decided to give it a try. When for Haziqa's 1 month jab (Hep B second dose) with this male Dr, who was soft spoken, and all was well.

Went last Tuesday for Haziqa's 2nd-month jab (first dose of DTP & Polio and Hib), and we got another male Dr, who was quite masculine, i.e. quite rough. Not that he is not good. He spoke to us with respect and I am sure just as knowledgable, but after the jab, I noticed a red and hard spot at Haziqa's leg. I got panicked.

I searched online and asked around. The answer I got was:

1) Tissue reaction

2) When the jab took place, there was muscle tension.

Initially thought I need to apply warm sponging to it. But later mom called and said I should apply cold sponging. After 2 days, the red spot got blue-r and the hard spot soften. After 3 days, it's completely gone.

Although this kind of side effect might be normal, we have never experienced this kind of side effect with Dr Oo. Guess we will be going back to Seremban after this.

On an unrelated event, ever since that jab, Haziqa has not passed motion yet. I was quite worried as she normally would passed motion at least twice a day. Again, I asked around, and apparently it is normal. My own sister-in-law experienced 7 days without poop with her child and my friend went 14 days with hers. It is now 3 days and counting. No sign of poop yet.
(she just pooped. So 3 days only. yeay)

Confinement on my own

Having a baby this time round is definitely a completely different experience for me compared to the last one.

1) I find confinement period after surgery much easier compared to normal birth. Apart from walking slowly, I didn't have to really keep my legs close together while walking or sitting. I could cross my legs when sitting, which was awesome and I felt more robust. However, healing takes longer. I remember my cut last time was completely healed after two weeks. This time, though not painful, I could still feel my surgery wound one month after. (Post confinement, I tried playing Just Dance on kinect and I felt fine. Now at 2 months after delivery, I don't feel pain anymore. I am just aware/conscious that the wound is there.) Just for my own reference, I completely stopped taking pain-killer 3/4 days after surgery. Last took it Thursday/Friday the week I got home.

2) Breast-feeding (bf) is a bliss. Haziqa don't have a problem latching especially with the help of beloved nipple shield and most importantly, she loves my milk unlike her sister, who preferred formula milk and rejected mine. My only problem is, she loves it too much that she is constantly breast-feeding all the time. Why is that a problem? I couldn't find time to pump and store my EBM for her later when I go back to work. But the fact that I get to bf for the whole 2 months so far is joy enough. I don't mine introducing formula milk into her diet soon if it comes to it. 

3) I hired a stay-in confinement lady for 3 weeks, who took care of our (mine and baby) basic needs. Although quite expensive (I paid her RM2.7K for 3 whole weeks), I think it was totally worth it. She was very clean and organised. We had a schedule to follow:

morning: woken up at 8am. breakfast for me. bath for baby. I took my shower. tungku. And urut (on alternate days). Break while she cooked lunch for me. I had lunch... and she would clean up after me. That would be around 12.30pm. Then she took a break... 

evening: tea time for me. baby bath. my shower time. tungku. rest. dinner. done by 7.30pm, when she would go back to her room and left me on my own. so when my husband came back, we didn't feel like having a stranger around. We could spend our family time undisturbed.
Here's her blog: http://aisyahrawatanpantang.blogspot.com/

4) I was officially done with nifas on the 27th day of pantang. Around 40th+ days I had some showing that was like period. It was too little but it persisted of a couple of days. Around 60+ days, it appeared again. Still very little and didn't last that long.
5) Was having problem with hemorrhoids a week after I delivered and persisted for quite a while. I sucked it up for two weeks until I couldn't stand it anymore and told my mom to get me some medicine. She got me some oral tablets and the anal insertion pill. Took the insertion pill only for nearly two weeks and it was still painful. So I went to the clinic and got myself another round of medicine: anal insertion, oral pill and poop softener liquid. Since I was breast-feeding, I took the oral pill and liquid for about a week until it felt slightly better and stopped. Continued with the anal pill for a week, then stopped. At 66 days, I saw blood as I was passing motion so mom advised me to take the anal supp again. With the hot weather, I am always sweating. Now I am developing panau all over my hands and legs.
6) Missed my post-natal appointment as I didn't expect it to be too early. It was scheduled 2 weeks after my surgery, a week after I went to see my Dr to get my wound cover removed. So made another appointment at my 44th day of pantang, i.e. the last day of pantang. Dr told me we need to wait another wait before we have another baby so that the wound could heal properly and I need to wait two more months for an IUD insertion. 

Tali pusat

Both Batrisyia's and Haziqa's tali pusat came off at 10 days.

Recovering from Caesarian Section in the hospital

Amazingly I didn't feel pain right after surgery. Was told that the anesthesia would last for 24 hours which was awesome. All I need to do was lie on the bed and breastfeed my baby. However, since I hadn't had any meal since 10pm the night before, I kept asking when could I have my first meal after surgery. The nurse told me that they would give me drinks first. If I didn't throw up, then only they would give me food. I got barley to drink slightly after 12pm. Supposed to get my food around 2pm but none came. Got milo at 4pm and by then I was starving. Mom nearly bought food for me from downstairs but finally I got my porridge at 6pm. I ate greedily until I nearly throw up, which would be no good. Luckily I managed to lie back down from the sitting position, then the sensation disappear so the food went inside safely.

Since the catheter was still there, I did not have to get up to go to the toilet. Hubby went back with Tricia at 2pm to deal with my placenta. That night he came back without Tricia. That was my first night not having Tricia by my side but at least hubby was with me, not like last time when I stayed in a double room. Tricia stayed with Wan and Atok that night. When she came over the next morning, she was not in a very good mood. She didn't want to hug me anymore. So sad. 

On a brighter note, Haziqa suckled very well. She managed to breastfeed without hassle. I was so surprised and delighted. No more fighting with my child over breastfeeding. Yeay. However, latching to my right boob was quite a problem as the size was smaller. But she has no problem with the left one so she was satisfied. After a few days of latching, my left nipple became really sore every time she latched on. Thankfully, I had the nipple shield. Been using it until today as it protects my left nipple from being sore and helps with latching with my right boob.

The day after surgery, my IV line was removed but the needle was left at my hand in case of emergency. Hubby came back from lunch excitedly telling me the mother of twins next door had been walking all over the ward floor. I still hadn't left my bed that time as the catheter was still attached to me. When it was removed, I slowly stand up straight as told by kak ina, instead of bowing down, and managed to slowly walk around too. Recovery was very smooth. Alhamdulillah. 

I was served porridge through out my stay in the hospital as I needed therapeutic soft food post-surgery. Urinated 3 times and pooped 1 time before I was deemed fit to leave the hospital. Was released on Wednesday, 2 days after surgery and mom took care of me at home before my confinement lady arrived the next Tuesday.