Baby On Board

Before I had a child, I would feel tremendously sorry for parents who have to calm down their crying baby in the airplane, especially during taking off and landing due to the change of pressure. I would think all parents will face that at a certain point in time, all parents including me. With a crying, cranky baby in a long or short haul flight will not only drive parent/s insane, it will definitely annoy your most-of-the-time not friendly seat neighbor.

Now, are we parents with babies/toddlers are indirectly forbidden to ever think about going anywhere via an airplane solely for the comfort of others on board or for our own insanity?

Answer: NO!

There are many remedies out there for parents who are travelling with the young ones. Someone that I knew suggested giving cough medicine for kids (not for babies of course) just so they’ll be too drowsy to run around the plane like it’s a playground.

As for me, Maya is only one and I do not know how she’ll be like in the future but for the three times flying with her, Alhamdulillah, she hasn’t thrown a tantrum.

My ultimate tip is breastfeed during taking off and landing. If you don’t breastfeed, feed her bottle or a pacifier; anything really that requires sucking! It surely worked for me and hopefully it’ll too for other mommies out there.

I find travelling with the younger Maya (4-6 months) is much more relaxing than travelling with her when she’s older (10 months). For obvious reason, older babies do not know how to sit still when they’re awake; they just NEVER stop.

When we went to Terengganu and Istanbul, Maya was not on solids yet; so whenever she was hungry, all I had to do is give her my boobies. When we had our surprise visit to US, she was already taking solids; we brought only two baby food in a jar from Malaysia for the plane ride. We shopped for baby food at Walmart to stock up for our entire stay there and we brought few back to Germany and KL. Faliq and I brought baby food on the plane thinking “Maya can’t eat aircraft food” because we didn’t know until later when we were flying from Frankfurt to KL; the flight attendant asked us if we would like baby food for Maya. We were quite jakun saying “Oh, you guys ada baby food?” and she said “Yes, we always have”. Well of course we didn’t know about it when no one told us. So to all parents out there, if you don’t know, now you know =D

Maya and I, InsyaAllah, will be going back to FL early August for Aza’s graduation (Aza’s going to be a graduate; I’M SO PROUD OF HER!). It’ll be a very looooooong flight just the two us. Oh Allah, please help me out! I get panic attack now just thinking about it. Maya is quite mobile now *gulp*  Help? :/


Jetsetter Wannabe Mommy

Farah~

 

Happy Birthday Maya Suraya

My baby girl turned 1 on May 18th 2011. Can you believe it? I’ve been a mommy to the most wonderful baby for 1 whole year and InsyaAllah many many more to come. I’ve realized I haven’t shared my birth story on my blog. So here it is, my birth story with Maya Suraya.

Monday, May 17th 2010.

I had my doctor’s appointment that morning. Faliq and I entered the doctor’s office and before he checked me, he asked whether or not we would like to induce. He said, I could come that night, the nurse will induce me, he’ll come the next morning to burst my waterbag and that’s when I’ll feel the pain, and we’ll have our lil precious by noon. As soon as I heard that I could have my Maya tomorrow, DEAL, we’ll check in tonight!

I was overwhelmed with excitement. I was telling my family that we’re going to have her tomorrow. May 18th is also my MIL’s birthday (what a coincidence eh?). I was ecstatic! I went to Carrefour and Pavilion that day too.

Before leaving for the hospital, we had a big feast at my inlaws’. We were taking PLENTY of pictures with my big round belly because it’ll be all gone when I come back home later. Faliq, mommy, and Aza accompanied me to the hospital and I was officially checked in around 10pm that night.

The nurse asked me whether or not I would like to spend a night in the labor room or my room and I opt for labor room because I didn’t want to bother about moving from one room to the other when I’m in labor. BAD choice! Labor bed is UNCOMFORTABLE! After checked in, the nurse gave me my gown and later she literally shove something up my you-know-what. It was uncomfortable but the pain was manageable.

Mommy and Aza left and it was time for me to sleep but I couldn’t sleep. I was majorly uncomfortable. I had this thing around my belly to monitor the baby’s heartbeat and my contractions. Faliq was snoring away on the couch of course.


Tuesday, May 18th 2010

Around 3-ish, I felt pain on my lower back and I didn’t even know it was contractions. It felt like really bad period cramps. I was trying to find a good position but whenever I do that, the machine could not read the heartbeat and contractions. Soon after that I felt water coming out down there and then it clicked “OMG, I’m having contractions and I’m leaking!” I buzzed the nurse and the nurse came in and she said “Oh, baru 1cm. Takpe tido dulu. Besok doctor datang.” HEH?!?!? Tido? I was in pain, and also I was afraid of the hospital. I couldn’t shut my eyes. I was so afraid of the paranormal. Hehe :p

Anyhoos, the doctor came in around 8am to poke my waterbag. He said I was about 2cm dilated and when he read my readings, he said, the contractions Ive been having is nothing. I was so tired by then. I didn’t have good rest and I surrendered to epidural. The anesthesiologist did his thing and within few seconds I was pain-free. I could sleep, deep sleep and at one point I could hear my self snoring. My sister put some makeup on my face, attempted to do something with my hair, just so I look picture ready. Every so often, the nurse would come and check on me and Alhamdulillah I was gradually dilating. The nurse said, I should be fully dilated by 3pm, and boy she was RIGHT. 

The nurses prepped me for labor. Stirrups in placed and other stuffs were too that I vaguely remember. The doctor came in all prepared to help me deliver my baby. When they told me to start pushing I was thinking “is this really happening? Am I about to have a baby?” I pushed and I pushed and I was coughing a lot when I took few deep breaths due to a fever I had. After three big pushes, Maya was out and the doctor said “It’s a girl” and “she’s bigger than I thought she would be”. He soon placed her on me and when I hold her little hand, the first person that I thought of was my father; and of course I cried. Faliq had the honor to cut off the umbilical cord.

After Maya Suraya was cleaned, Faliq Qamat Maya and just as he finished, our family who were waiting right outside the labor room, came gushing in the room (almost everyone teamed up to wear pink since we’re having a girl =D). Everyone, including us, could not have enough of her since that day.

Thank you Allah for giving her to us.

Mommy to Maya Suraya
Farah~

PhewWwww

I finally called the guy who rents out tables and chairs for any event (it was SUPPOSED to be Faliq’s duty) today and he said “sorry buy we are completely BOOKED on that day”. *faints followed with seizures*

A mini video of my guests sitting on the floor played on my mind. Well of course, it’s freaking THURSDAY, obviously everyone is booked out because there’s always a wedding EVERY fantastic weekends!

I asked Wawa for anyone else, I googled, and I asked Leey. Leey gave me a number and THANK YOU ALLAH, he said he has tables and chairs for rent.

Hip Hip HOORAY!!

I told him what color tablecloth I want and he said he has it. Can I trust him? I really hope he’s telling the truth. I would be so angry if he comes with a COMPLETELY off color. I will so chop chop him off verbally.

Another important thing to do is off the list.


Feeling Good Mommy

Farah

Presenting Maya's Candyland Invitation Card

My best friend Leey designed this card for Maya. She custommades invitation cards etc. I LOVE her work. If you guys have a wedding etc coming up, holler at me and I'll give you her details. I can assure you, you'll be 100% satisfied just like this MOMMA!

Lollipop Fan
Farah~

Somebody Sweet is Having a Birthday

I’m in the midst of planning Maya’s 1st birthday party. Thank god I have my SIL. She has helped so much and she is truly a God sent. *me love you Wawa*

Invites are out. I’m still waiting about 70% of them to response *grrr*
I’ve placed my order with the caterer. *Yabidabeedoo*
Photographer is officially hired. *wee*
Leey is working on all printing works. *Yeehaw*
Kak Yanie is sponsoring the birthday cake. *yahoo*

And the list goes on.

I sometimes feel like I’m planning a wedding. I’ve had countless nightmares about the party gone wrong. However, I’m enjoying the whole party planning thing. I really do.
I started brainstorming about this party since Maya was only 3 ½ months old and I really can’t wait for the “unveiling” day.

I’ll post Maya’s invitation card soon. I just LOVE it!


Birthday Girl’s Mommy

Farah

This Made Me Smile

As I was drying my bottle (for pumping) in the restroom, my boss came in and as soon as she saw what I was doing, holding a feeding bottle under the hot air hand dryer, she asked “eh, you’re still doing that?” and I proudly said “yes I am”.

Even though I dread my self nowadays when the time come calling, I’m glad and grateful to Allah S.W.T. for giving me the best rezeki to feed my baby my milk.

Please don’t dry up on me.

Happy Lactating Mommy

Farah~

Aloha April

So I’ve been MIA for nearly a month now and many things have happened thus far.

“What had happen was…”

Faliq, Maya and I surprised our family in the US with a visit (only few people knew about our trip). They were expecting us in August but who can wait that long? I missed them too much and still am. We were there from April 4th till 13th. Our time there flew so quickly and I am saddened that there were few friends and family that I didn’t get to see. It sucks being too far away from your loved ones.
Nevertheless, I had an enjoyable time there and Maya was such a good sport. Alhamdulillah ☺

On our way back to Malaysia, we spent a night in Frankfurt, Germany; and that made Germany as my first Euro country (mini) holiday.

I’ll post pictures in my future post.

I discovered three teeth popping out of Maya’s upper gums when we were in FL. I heard someone grinding his/her teeth one early morning and it didn’t click to me that it was my baby girl because my sister Aza grinds her teeth E-V-E-R-Y-T-I-M-E she sleeps which bothers the hell out of me.  Soon I found out it has been Maya all along. Hehe.. Sowwie Aza  :p

5 is the number of teeth to date.

Maya just turned 11 months old on Monday and NOPE she’s not walking yet. I hope she can walk by the time her birthday party comes around.

I’m planning Maya’s big ONE birthday party with the help from my SIL and MIL. I’ve got a bunch of things for the party from US. It’s so much cheaper there and A LOT OF choices to choose from. I can spend hours and hours in the party stores there. *sigh*

I can’t wait for the outcome.

Baby Party Frenzy Farah