Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

It's my mom's birthday today!! Yay-ness!!! She is officially hmm..let me see...55 years old today! Oh wow, my mom is that old?! Hehe..didn't mean it that way though but looking at her picture below, you'll probably have the same reaction.

Isn't she a doll? Yup, she's 55 and still looks like 40. I wonder if I can look like that when I'm her age.

Anywho, happy birthday mom! We love you so much. We pray for your good health, long life, happiness and wealth. We pray that you will have enough courage and conviction to face whatever challenges ahead. You are my idol and inspiration. You have made me who I am today and for that I am eternally grateful. And someday, I hope to be to my kids what you are to me now.

I hope you will enjoy the little party we have in store for you later and the little gift! Can't wait! Love you mom!

Zida xx

25 Manners Every Kid Should Know by Age 9

As much as we know there are manners that kids should know, it's nice that this article I found in Yahoo! actually listed them out - somewhat like a checklist:





Helping your child master these simple rules of etiquette will get him noticed -- for all the right reasons.
By David Lowry, Ph.D.

Your child's rude 'tude isn't always intentional. Sometimes kids just don't realize it's impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly observe that the lady walking in front of them has a large behind. And in the hustle and bustle of daily life, busy moms and dads don't always have the time to focus on etiquette. But if you reinforce these 25 must-do manners, you'll raise a polite, kind, well-liked child.-

Manner #1

When asking for something, say "Please." 

Manner #2

When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Related: Kid-Made Thank You Notes

Manner #3

Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4

If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5

When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6

The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.

Manner #7

Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Related: Raise Polite Kids

Manner #8

When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9

When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10

Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11

When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12

Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Related: Print and Color Cards for Birthdays, Thank-Yous and More!

Manner #13

Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14

Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15

Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Related: Raise a Compassionate Kid

Manner #16

Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.

Manner #17

If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Related: Quiz: What's Your Parenting Style?

Manner #18

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Related: How to Handle Inappropriate Behavior

Manner #19

As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20

If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21

When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Related: Use this Table-Setting Map as a Guide

Manner #22

When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23

Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Related: Mrs. McVeigh Weighs in on Proper Utensil Use and More!

Manner #24

Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25

Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

See more on teaching manners to your toddlers and preschoolers. 

Originally published in the March 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/25-manners-every-kid-should-know-by-age-9-2480238/

Ayra - 1 month old

It's 11 April 2011 and Ayra Fazeela is officially 1 month old! Happy 1-month, Ayra! Mommy, Daddy and Kaka Azeema love you very much!

Ayra - During Pregnancy

Our second daughter, Ayra Fazeela, was born to us on 11 March 2011 @ 1.57pm, weighing at 2.758kg and measuring 52 cm.

Unlike Azeema, this pregnancy was definitely planned. Azeema was already about 2 yrs 9 mths then, so we thought it would be a good time to expand our little family. Although, there was a slight debate in the beginning whether or not it would be a good time to do so, since we were a bit stretched financial-wise. But we believed that a child is also rezeki from God and Azeema was getting too spoiled already - hence.

One thing I can say is that I can definitely conceive when I want to conceive. Hence why I knew I was pregnant after only the first try. My menstrual cycle has always been very regular and when I was one week late, I just knew it. But it did take me about 2 pregnancy tests to confirm.

The reason for confirming early was because I am diabetic and it is imperative to detect early if one is pregnant because my medication will have to change. It did and I was given insulin, in replacement for my Metformin tablets. My first prick was scary, I was not even sure how to proceed first and had to refer to YouTube for proper injection procedure. After that, it got easier, although the injection areas on my tummy did get dark after a while due to the medicine. They also itched.

I was referred directly to the OB & GY clinic at RIPAS, due to being in high risk pregnancy. My first appointments were horrible - not in terms of service, but in terms of frequency. I had to see them every single freaking week for one month, just so they could adjust my insulin intake accordingly. I was so tired from waiting and waiting at the clinic (it took an average of 2 hours of waiting before I could see the doctors). After that first month, we went on an every-3-weeks schedule.

1st trimester:
My nausea and headache came with full vengeance starting the 2nd month. It was horrible. Work kept being interrupted as I had to relax for a while to center my head. I was losing weight, instead of gaining. And the smell of chicken, curry, vege, oil were enough to do my head in. Funny enough, no pukes (thank God!). I couldn't even take much milk - the only time I could was with my cereal, even so, it had to be in a smaller quantity than normal. Oh, I couldn't do without Coke Light or Coke Zero. Definitely my cup of tea this time.

2nd trimester:
Life got better a bit and I was starting to be able to eat chicken. I still avoided vege and curry like the plague. I hadn't gain much weight here - just 1 - 2 kg. My tummy looked like I was only 3-mth pregnant. It was in the 6th month that the doctor confirmed that it would be a girl. Funny enough, I didn't feel it was. Guess still in denial coz I really wanted a boy. Though at the end of the day, it didn't really matter as long as my baby is well and healthy. Oh, and still Coke Light and Coke Zero.

3rd trimester:
What I thought was long and gone came back, again with a vengeance. I was always nauseous and kept having headaches, I had to keep buying Coke Light or Coke Zero to keep the headache and nausea away. And I definitely definitely definitely couldn't wait to give birth. The weight was starting to get to me (although I didn't gain that much). But I was already beyond tired with all the work that I had to finish and the preparation that I had to do.

Finding name:
This was, as usual, always a debate between me and Shoukry. I had been going through websites and book of Islamic baby names weeks before the delivery. I was adamant to have it confirmed before I gave birth, with no more changes. As usual, Shoukry would come up with another name, despite us agreeing on the name already. He was not to keen on Ayra - reason given was quite lame. Although the alternative name has a good meaning too 'Aamilah', I liked having the name sounding a bit more modern but still have a good meaning. After much deliberation (or argument on my part), he finally relented on Ayra. Except then it was supposed to be spelled Aaira. But after a while, we decided the spelling should be made simple. Anyways, it was either going to be Ayra Fazeela or Ayra Farzana. But since the meaning of Fazeela appealed to me more, I suggested we went along with that.

Due to my health condition, I was suggested to have an induction 2 weeks prior to my due date. Which was no problem to me as I was just so anxious to give birth. Thankfully, the new maternity leave regulation was already in place and I was so excited to have the 105 days of maternity leave. And because the doctor told me I would be delivering on 11 March 2011, I asked her to give me the mandatory 2-weeks leave prior to the NEW due date. And what do you know, she agreed!! So I actually went on leave earlier. And it was a good move too! Mothers-to-be definitely need that leave, and I highly recommend it.

I guess that's all for now. Will update again soon!

Zida xx

How I Met My Husband

It was back in 2005, specifically October 2005. I was browsing through my Friendster and found an email from someone named Shoukry. I found the spelling of the name a bit weird but I was curious, so I opened the mail. Let me see if I remember what he said.. hmm oh ya, he liked the many different hairstyles  I'd had on my pics and said I looked like a singer (how corny was that?) Then he said he was Czarena's cousin (so that made me even curiouser) and asked if I wanted to be friends. I checked out the profile. Shoukry apparently used to live in KB and just moved to Bandar area. As corny and weird I found the email was, my curiosity was great. Honestly, there was something about the email and the person (based on the profile) that I found somewhat intriguing. Don't ask me to define because up until now, I still don't know what it was that made me agree. Guess it's fate huh?

Anyway, I replied the email and I guess it snowballed from there. Exchanged phone numbers about a week after the first email, mainly coz I didn't have access to internet most of the time so emailing took time. But it wasn't until 3 weeks later that he gave me a call. And starting from there, we were on the phone everyday and even until wee hours in the morning. I found myself waking up from sleep still holding my phone. Not sure how the conversation ended there. 

We met for the first time in front of my house at about 3 or 4am in the morning. I just got back from sahur with my friends (it was puasa time) and was on the phone with him from on the way home till I got home. It didn't end there though. He was on the way home from Tutong after pool tournament and according to him, he got curious about where I live and such so he was asking directions to my house. I thought he just wanted to know so I gave the directions, not knowing he was actually going to appear in front of my house until he asked me to come downstairs. Crazy! Thankfully my dad was already asleep. And stupid me, I came downstairs in my battered t-shirt and shorts (hey, I was already getting ready for bed!). I found a grey VW Beetle parked in front of the gate and I got in. I felt really weird and a bit awkward at first. I couldn't even remember what we talked about but since it was really late in the morning, we kept the meeting short. I remembered him telling me that he wouldn't be calling me again after. I guessed he was not impressed with the way I looked. A bit disappointing because at that point, I actually had a crush on him, although to be honest, I was not expecting anything. It may seemed like as if I was quickly latching on to a guy who paid the slightest attention to me but I think what attracted me was the conversation that we had. I couldn't remember when I had fun talking to a guy or actually have an actual intelligent conversation than just pointless flirting conversation. Anyway, when I got to my room and settled myself in bed and was about to drift to sleep, guess who called? I think we were on the phone until about 6.30a.m. that morning. Had a headache the whole day!

I was not really sure how many days after that that we decided to go to the movies together. Honestly, I couldn't remember the date (I know, I know, not romantic at all... blame it on pregnancy, they chip away your brain cells bit by bit..hehe) but I remembered the name of the movie: The Skeleton Key. To be honest, I couldn't even remember what the movie was all about. Guess we were busy concentrating on each other to really concentrate (no point telling what happened - not for young readers! hehe), although I was a bit perplexed how it got to that point so fast. I didn't think I was giving the vibe but he swore I did. Dunno how he misread it. 

But to cut it short and without any proposal or anything, we officially became a couple that night. Romantic huh? I guess everything went so fast for us, even after that.. became couple after 3 weeks of emailing and phoning, talked about engagement 5 months into the relationship (February 2006), got engaged 5 months later (July 2006) and voila! got married 5 months later (December 2006). And to top it off, I got pregnant immediately after the wedding and 9 months later (September 2007), Azeema came along. Phew! Talk about not slowing down. But funny enough, it seems to work for us and we have been happily married (happy including the usual rows and arguments and sulking..you get the idea) for four years now. Hope we will continue to be so for many years to come. 

That's all for now. Will talk about my husband again some other time.

Adios!

Zida xx

Azeema Nazaaha - During Pregnancy/ Delivery

Our first daughter was born on 2 September 2007 @ 2.25p.m. at RIPAS Hospital, with weight of 3.03kg and measuring 54cm. 

Pregnancy:

1st trimester - slight nausea and headaches but no pukes, easily calmed down with sweets. I got tired alot, hence skipped work in the afternoon quite frequently..hehehe.. Couldn't stand chicken, vege and anything cooked with tons of spices and oil. All I could eat was meat and egg. Even white rice was hard to swallow. It was hell, so lost quite a bit of weight here.

2nd trimester - Still losing a bit of weight but picked it up starting the 5th month. Still couldn't eat much chicken and vege but I did try, just to balance the red meat. Blood sugar level started to hike so was advised to control. It wasn't so bad here but I did cheat every now and then..oh all right, all the time then! hehehe.. started showing in my 4th month..

3rd trimester - Stopped driving to work at 7th month coz my tummy was so in the way..The weight increase was surprising.. just couldn't wait to give birth coz I was getting too huge and waddled all the time. Had to have air kelapa and cakoi everyday! Not sure why.. At this point, I just ate whatever I felt like eating. In fact, I was so adamant to have air kelapa one night and asked Shoukry to drive me over to Pasar Malam but ended up in police station coz we got into a minor accident on the way.. talk about costly appetite! hehe..

I carried her for 37+ weeks until my water broke in the midnight of 2 September 2007. I was a bit clueless when it happened. I knew I wasn't peeing in my pants but it was a bit surreal at that time. I went to RIPAS anyway and got admitted right away. Turned out they had to induce me since my blood pressure started to escalate. I was induced twice and the pain only started to become unbearable starting 10am. I remembered the painful contractions, even worse leading up to the delivery. But I also remembered that the delivery itself was not painful at all. In fact, I was waiting for the pain. After 4 heaves, Azeema Nazaaha was finally born.

Even though I was put in the first class ward, there was a lot to be said about the nursing services and excellent is not one of them. I understand that MOH really insists on mothers breastfeeding the baby from day 1 and strictly forbids giving formula but if one could not express, what do they expect the mother to do? On our first night stay, the poor baby kept us awake until 4am coz she was hungry and I was not lactating at all, not to mention very tired. None of the nurses came to my rescue. Eventually, I gave her formula anyway and thankfully, she calmed down and went to sleep. I think MOH needs to relax that rule a bit. Lactation differs from women to women and I just fall under those who can only start to express on day 5. 

Anyways, being pregnant was so great! I love every part of it..ok, maybe not the first trimester but on the whole, I felt great!! Especially when knowing we were going to have a daughter. Although, Shoukry did play jerk at one point where he asked the doctor to re-check again after the doctor had confirmed that it was going to be a girl..Inferiority complex? hehe..