|
Alhamdulillah, I thank Allah for making my pregnancy a smooth one for the past 7 months. Despite all the stories I've heard on how challenging pregnancy can be, I am very grateful that I didn't have to go through most of them. Syukur sgt sgt. And I pray that the coming 2 months will keep on being smooth, insyaAllah.
Sometimes I rub my tummy and I just cannot imagine how it'll be like when the baby is out. Time seems to fly fast, I'm left with 2 more months until I start seeing my baby girl.
Everywhere on Facebook, I see friends uploading pictures of their newborns. I see them so full of joy and excitement and I wait patiently until the day that I feel the same way.
At the same time, I'm also worried on the day of birth, on how much painful it'll be. Listening to all these stories really makes me worry. I wonder if I should take the epidural or the laughing gas, or if I can deliver the baby through the normal procedure - insyaAllah.
Mr tells me that I should imagine things positively because he believes the mind can control how I'll feel during labour. I somehow, find that hard to believe. How can labour pain not be painful? Oh well, will deal with it when it happens.
Sometimes I rub my tummy and I just cannot imagine how it'll be like when the baby is out. Time seems to fly fast, I'm left with 2 more months until I start seeing my baby girl.
Everywhere on Facebook, I see friends uploading pictures of their newborns. I see them so full of joy and excitement and I wait patiently until the day that I feel the same way.
At the same time, I'm also worried on the day of birth, on how much painful it'll be. Listening to all these stories really makes me worry. I wonder if I should take the epidural or the laughing gas, or if I can deliver the baby through the normal procedure - insyaAllah.
Mr tells me that I should imagine things positively because he believes the mind can control how I'll feel during labour. I somehow, find that hard to believe. How can labour pain not be painful? Oh well, will deal with it when it happens.
 |
| Telekung Sofia in Blue |
‘ I CAN’T GO A DAY WITHOUT MY FAVOURITE TRAVEL TELEKUNG IN MY BAG’
Telekung Sofia 2.0 (Travel Telekung) is a new version of the popular Telekung Sofia from THE ZAAHARA TELEKUNG.
With improvements made such as
- A secured and double layered head area, no inner is needed.
- It also comes with a tie string instead of elastic band for a better comfort.
- Improved fabric quality, Chinese Cotton, but with a higher thread count.
- Embroidery on the telekungs are also much neater.
 |
| Telekung Sofia in Pink |
Length top: 110cm
Length bottom: 130cm
This travel telekung is must have for all the ladies because:
- It is small and can fit in the handbag of medium size
- It is light in weight - only 600g
- It is compact - It comes with a small pouch bag and the telekung can be kept inside the pouch when not in used
- It is very convenient - Due to small, light and compact, this travel telekung is conveniently a MUST HAVE telekung for all of you.
 |
| Telekung Sofia in Grey |
The benefits of this travel telekung :
- Most of the travel telekung in Malaysia is imported directly from Indonesia and thus it is shorter by 2 cm on average. The length of this travel telekung is long and it is suitable for anyone who are tall.
- Most of the fabric being used is not suitable to our needs as Indonesians prefers 'parachute' and 'silky' material which is not deem suitable for our Malaysians ladies.
- This Travel Telekung is made to last in which it can be used on daily basis. Most of the customers have used this travel telekung as their daily prayer clothes.
- The colors are basically pastel colors and can give additional peace and calm feeling to the wearer.
_____________________________________________________________
‘SAYA TIDAK BOLEH KELUAR TANPA MEMBAWA TELEKUNG TRAVEL DI DALAM TAS TANGAN SAYA’
Telekung Sofia 2.0 adalah dari koleksi Travel Series kami yang popular iaitu Telekung Sofia.
Penambahbaikkan telekung ini adalah seperti berikut:
- Bahagian kepala dua lapisan justeru inner tidak diperlukan
- Ada tali untuk mengikat telekung
- Kualiti kain chinese cotton yang telah ditambah baik
- Sulaman yang lebih kemas
 |
| Telekung Sofia in Black |
Panjang atas : 110cm
Panjang bawah : 130 cm
Telekung Sofia adalah telekung travel yang perlu ada kerana:
- Saiz telekung travel ini adalah kecil dan sesuai untuk dimasukkan ke dalam beg tangan yang bersaiz sederhana ataupun medium.
- Berat telekung travel ini hanyalah - 600g
- Bentuk yang padat – Telekung travel ini didatangi dengan beg kecil dan telekung travel yang tidak diguna pakai boleh disimpan di dalam beg kecil yang apabila tidak digunakan
- Kesimpulannya, telekung travel ini adalah kecil, ringan dan padat dan oleh itu telekung travel ini adalah telekung travel YANG PERLU ada untuk semua.
Manfaat telekung travel ini:
- Kebanyakan telekung travel di Malaysia diimport terus dari Indonesia dan oleh itu secara purata ianya lebih pendek sebanyak 2 cm kerana perempuan Indonesia adalah lebih pendek dari perempuan Malaysia sebanyak 2-5cm. Telekung travel ini adalah labuh berdasarkan ketinggian founder iaitu (170 cm) dan sesuai untuk wanita yang tinggi.
- Kebanyakan kain fabrik telekung travel yang diimport dari Indonesia terdiri dari kain jenis ‘parachute’ dimana kain mudah terbang jika ditiup angin. Kain telekung travel kami dibuat dari kain ‘Chinese cotton’ yang mana ianya lebih lembut, selesa, tidak jarang dan juga tidak terlalu ringan.
- Telekung Travel kami boleh bertahan dimana pengguna boleh menggunakannya setiap hari tanpa rasa takut ianya akan rosak.
- Telekung travel kami berwarna pastel dan ianya boleh memberi ketenangan tambahan kepada pemakainya kerana warna pastel adalah warna lembut yang memang sesuai untuk wanita yang sememangnya berjiwa lembut.
I've heard so many different reviews on the intake of these pregnancy milk powder - Anmum, Enfamama, Nestle's Mom & Me, etc. Some say that they're good supplements for the brain development and physical growth of child in the tummy. Some say that the milk powder has high sugar content, thus not recommended for those with diabetes. Others say that these milk powder will not just make the baby size grow too big but can also the mother to gain weight.
To be honest, I haven't been that discipline and consistent when it comes to taking supplements. At the moment, I'm on these supplements, prescribed by the doctor:
1. Neurogain PB - concentrated fish oil which according to some of the articles I've read, it is important for the child's brain development - high IQ it seems. More here & here.
To be honest, I haven't been that discipline and consistent when it comes to taking supplements. At the moment, I'm on these supplements, prescribed by the doctor:
1. Neurogain PB - concentrated fish oil which according to some of the articles I've read, it is important for the child's brain development - high IQ it seems. More here & here.
2. Calcium tablets - every pregnant women knows how important it is to have sufficient amount of calcium in our diet. We need 1200mg calcium per day; which is about 4 servings per day. Since the malaysian average daily meal doesn't include high amount of calcium, it is normal for doctors to give us calcium tablets as supplements.
3. Sangobion -basically contains needed nutritions like iron, folic acid, vitamin C etc.
4. Iron tables - because according to the blood test I had in my 4th month of pregnancy, I have low amount of iron in my blood.
So anyways, yesterday, I bought the Anmum Milk Powder because I think I'm going to try to give the best to my baby. I'm not that discipline with my tablets and I foresee that I won't be that discipline with the Anmum drinks too but at least, I'm trying to cover here and there, wherever I can. Plus, I've only gained 1.5kg from my last checkup so now at 6 months, I've only gained a total of 4kgs throughout my pregnancy. Doctor said that the baby's weight is perfectly fine so it's just me who's not gaining any weight, which is good in a way. So I don't have to worry about the weight or the sugar intake, I can just take supplements to add up the nutrients, there's nothing wrong about it.
Truth is, if you take good care of your diet, you really don't need Anmum at all.
Other than the supplements, I consciously tell myself to eat healthy so I take fruits and vegetables a lot and I try my best to include milk in my diet wherever I can - drink one glass in the mornings, eat cheese & yogurt whenever I can, make milkshakes, take ice cream etc.
Its not that easy you know, making yourself discipline with the food intakes and the supplements. And everyone you meet will always recommend to eat so many different things which are good for pregnant ladies - pomegranate, apricots, honey dew, watermelons, dates, honey, and I wonder, when do I eat all these? Like do I have to be eating all the time? Jeeezzz.
Oh btw, I was a bit skeptical on how milk powder will taste as I've always been drinking fresh cow milk. Anmum is not so bad after all. Tastes like a hot chocolate drink.
On Monday, I felt the discomfort of wearing pants, even the new maternity pants that I just bought. So I was looking around for a long dress to be worn to the office, and then I got really stressed up and emotional about it. I complained and complained to Mr. that it left him clueless on what to do. Kesian dia. I finally found a 'jubah' in mom's wardrobe, and then wore it. Turns out that it's short, just above the ankle. Urgh! "Yah, whatever, I'm just gonna wear it," I told myself. And then the whole day yesterday, I didn't really feel that good. Felt like some tall popeye olive using a shrink dress with a bulging out tummy.
Anyways today, alhamdulillah, went into the wardrobe and found mom's long dress in just a minute, just perfect! Put it on and when Mr. saw me, he said "You look lovely today dear," and it just made the morning start well. He may have said it to avoid the whole morning drama again, or he may said honestly, but whatever it is, it's a good start. I'm feeling good today :)
Anyways today, alhamdulillah, went into the wardrobe and found mom's long dress in just a minute, just perfect! Put it on and when Mr. saw me, he said "You look lovely today dear," and it just made the morning start well. He may have said it to avoid the whole morning drama again, or he may said honestly, but whatever it is, it's a good start. I'm feeling good today :)
House loans. Car loans. Study loans. Credit cards. Up to an extend, personal loans.
How did we end up living in this society depending on borrowing money to purchase things that we cannot afford? Moreover, we are being charged interests on money that we borrow.
The problem with loans & debts is that you have to live your life, everyday, owing money to another party. And its the idea of these parties charging interests that annoys me most.
The way I look at it, there are only 2 ways that we can live with financial freedom (i.e loan/debt free).
1. Live within your means. Take the public transport. Rent a house. Live happily. Debt-free. Worry-free.
2. Be rich. Work really hard and pray that God will bless you with all the money in the world that you can purchase things cash.
Two quite impossible extremes right? But that's just how the system is now. You can have your own house, car and run your own business and still worry about how many more years you're left with paying to the bank.
But you know what? I know people who can buy car and houses CASH - by late 30s or so. Just today, I was talking to a senior colleague of mine, who earns, maybe at least 15k, and still runs a business with his wife part time, telling me, "You know, our final goal is to reach that financial freedom. Get out of these loans," I've also once talked to a Proton salesman who tells me that there are many (Chinese mostly) who just comes and pay him cash to purchase cars. Their excuse: "I don't want to pay all these extra money to the bank," . Today, Mr also told me that his Chindian friend can afford a Honda and a semi-D house cash just like that. It is not impossible.
In Islam, we are encouraged strongly, to avoid having any debts. But surprisingly, we are the ones in Malaysia, taking the maximum number of years of loan, and buying luxury cars and bungalow houses, even with that unpaid study loans and credit card bills, leaving behind very little (or none) of savings. I've known A LOT of friends who spends half of their monthly salary on a car! HALF! That's a lot! You're earning 4k and you spend 2k on your car? Seriously?!? What a waste.
Knowing all these people attaining financial freedom is new to me. I've always thought that to be able to purchase houses and cars, you just gotta borrow money from the bank. And it excites me that financial freedom is NOT impossible. You've just gotta aim higher, work harder, and STOP depending on help.
There's that community in Malaysia, called the Shia, which is a group of Muslims that choose to believe things differently from the majority of the Muslims - there's a whole different topic about them - anyways, despite their misguided belief on the companions of our Prophet (or something like that), they are TOTALLY against bank loans. They've got their own community, where the rich will combine their money and lend them to those who needs it for business purposes for instance, and when this particular borrower has succeed, he will then be one of those who will lend their money to another party. And it becomes a cycle. No interests. No commitments. Just pure brotherhood and family relationship filled with trust. No space of being selfish but just helping each other out - a win win situation. They're usually the Indian Muslims and you can see how many of them run successful businesses here in Malaysia.
I LOVE the idea of being loan & debt free but I'm not sure which of the two extremes I can take in reality. I've stopped using the credit card and I purchased a cheap car and keep my car loan years to the minimum year, and I do not take any loans for my part-time online business. I work hard, and pray that God would bless me with the ability to just pay this car loan off. But I still need to think of a house too!
Our ultimate goal is to also reach that financial freedom when I'm 40, even better, when I'm 30. We will work towards that. Challenging, but possible.
InsyaAllah, with even more blessings, I would even want to establish that system of lending money to those who need it but without any interest. At the end of the day, the money we get is from Allah, and is to be shared right?
How did we end up living in this society depending on borrowing money to purchase things that we cannot afford? Moreover, we are being charged interests on money that we borrow.
The problem with loans & debts is that you have to live your life, everyday, owing money to another party. And its the idea of these parties charging interests that annoys me most.
The way I look at it, there are only 2 ways that we can live with financial freedom (i.e loan/debt free).
1. Live within your means. Take the public transport. Rent a house. Live happily. Debt-free. Worry-free.
2. Be rich. Work really hard and pray that God will bless you with all the money in the world that you can purchase things cash.
Two quite impossible extremes right? But that's just how the system is now. You can have your own house, car and run your own business and still worry about how many more years you're left with paying to the bank.
But you know what? I know people who can buy car and houses CASH - by late 30s or so. Just today, I was talking to a senior colleague of mine, who earns, maybe at least 15k, and still runs a business with his wife part time, telling me, "You know, our final goal is to reach that financial freedom. Get out of these loans," I've also once talked to a Proton salesman who tells me that there are many (Chinese mostly) who just comes and pay him cash to purchase cars. Their excuse: "I don't want to pay all these extra money to the bank," . Today, Mr also told me that his Chindian friend can afford a Honda and a semi-D house cash just like that. It is not impossible.
In Islam, we are encouraged strongly, to avoid having any debts. But surprisingly, we are the ones in Malaysia, taking the maximum number of years of loan, and buying luxury cars and bungalow houses, even with that unpaid study loans and credit card bills, leaving behind very little (or none) of savings. I've known A LOT of friends who spends half of their monthly salary on a car! HALF! That's a lot! You're earning 4k and you spend 2k on your car? Seriously?!? What a waste.
Knowing all these people attaining financial freedom is new to me. I've always thought that to be able to purchase houses and cars, you just gotta borrow money from the bank. And it excites me that financial freedom is NOT impossible. You've just gotta aim higher, work harder, and STOP depending on help.
There's that community in Malaysia, called the Shia, which is a group of Muslims that choose to believe things differently from the majority of the Muslims - there's a whole different topic about them - anyways, despite their misguided belief on the companions of our Prophet (or something like that), they are TOTALLY against bank loans. They've got their own community, where the rich will combine their money and lend them to those who needs it for business purposes for instance, and when this particular borrower has succeed, he will then be one of those who will lend their money to another party. And it becomes a cycle. No interests. No commitments. Just pure brotherhood and family relationship filled with trust. No space of being selfish but just helping each other out - a win win situation. They're usually the Indian Muslims and you can see how many of them run successful businesses here in Malaysia.
I LOVE the idea of being loan & debt free but I'm not sure which of the two extremes I can take in reality. I've stopped using the credit card and I purchased a cheap car and keep my car loan years to the minimum year, and I do not take any loans for my part-time online business. I work hard, and pray that God would bless me with the ability to just pay this car loan off. But I still need to think of a house too!
Our ultimate goal is to also reach that financial freedom when I'm 40, even better, when I'm 30. We will work towards that. Challenging, but possible.
InsyaAllah, with even more blessings, I would even want to establish that system of lending money to those who need it but without any interest. At the end of the day, the money we get is from Allah, and is to be shared right?
Mothercare Malaysia is on its year-end sale. Of course I didn't know about it, but the excited grandmother. She called me up while I was at work and told me that she's at the branch in Subang Parade, thinking of buying some basic needs for the baby.
So that night, me and Mr went there with her. The cashier brought out a plastic bag, and showed us all the items that my mom has put aside.
"These are the basic things you need the minute the baby is out, the first few weeks. Everything else, you can buy later, after the baby's born," according to mom.
1 set of basic new born clothes - long sleeve & short sleeve. mittens. socks. baby shampoo. nail clipper. facial cloth. hair brush. baby's fabric detergent.
I'm only reaching my 24th week of pregnancy this weekend, so I'm still taking my own sweet time equipping myself with baby knowledge- what to buy, whats the cheapest in the market, which is the best option etc. Of course most of these things were not in my list. But thank to mom, that bit is settled now - the basic things.
There's still more to go - stroller, baby carrier, wipes, car seat, milk bottle, breast pump and the list goes on.
And those are just the things that I know off. We went to a baby exhibition last 2 weeks and there's just soooo many more things that I didn't know! --- that's alright, I'm gonna take my time. Choose the best. I still have about 4 more months to go.
My baby is lucky to be blessed with, not only excited grandparents, but also excited grandaunties & granduncles. One of my aunties just got her a Play Pan (otherwise known as travel cot), also from Mothercare...oh my, she is going to be spoiled!
So that night, me and Mr went there with her. The cashier brought out a plastic bag, and showed us all the items that my mom has put aside.
"These are the basic things you need the minute the baby is out, the first few weeks. Everything else, you can buy later, after the baby's born," according to mom.
1 set of basic new born clothes - long sleeve & short sleeve. mittens. socks. baby shampoo. nail clipper. facial cloth. hair brush. baby's fabric detergent.
I'm only reaching my 24th week of pregnancy this weekend, so I'm still taking my own sweet time equipping myself with baby knowledge- what to buy, whats the cheapest in the market, which is the best option etc. Of course most of these things were not in my list. But thank to mom, that bit is settled now - the basic things.
There's still more to go - stroller, baby carrier, wipes, car seat, milk bottle, breast pump and the list goes on.
And those are just the things that I know off. We went to a baby exhibition last 2 weeks and there's just soooo many more things that I didn't know! --- that's alright, I'm gonna take my time. Choose the best. I still have about 4 more months to go.
My baby is lucky to be blessed with, not only excited grandparents, but also excited grandaunties & granduncles. One of my aunties just got her a Play Pan (otherwise known as travel cot), also from Mothercare...oh my, she is going to be spoiled!
From us happy parents, we say thank you to dear aunties and uncles and we hope there's more! Hehe.
Syukur alhamdulillah, rezeki baby :)
My baby's 5 months now and we went for a detailed scan with Dr Delaila last 2 days. She started from the skull, measuring the circumference of the head and then moved on to see the lips, to check if it has crooked lips (sumbing) and then she measured the thickness of the neck to check if it has down syndrome .and then she went on to check on the spine, to see if it has hunchback, and then she calculated the fingers, all 5 on both sides..and she went on and on and on.. and then she reached the legs and said..
"Okay so now you see the legs, is there anything in between?"
"Hmm...no..?"
"So.. it's a girl! Congratulations!"
Mr. wanted a boy so it took him 2 seconds to absorb the news (hihihi) but I smiled instantly :) :) :)
Then suddenly he started talking about 'daddy's little girl' and how cute the baby looked in the screen and then started imagining the first moment he will meet her and read the Azan to her. You should know that Mr likes to imagine the future a lot. He has already planned how he should position the camera in the labour room and how he should pose while I deliver! - although I'm very sure that all that will not happen hehe.
You should also know that earlier during the scan, the baby's head was on the left and then suddenly it just flipped to the other side. Having fun?
Alhamdulillah - everything about the baby girl is looking good. Should we start naming her baby rawakramblings? or maybe little miss?
We haven't even found a real suitable name for her yet! I'm looking for something short and sweet.
"Okay so now you see the legs, is there anything in between?"
"Hmm...no..?"
"So.. it's a girl! Congratulations!"
Mr. wanted a boy so it took him 2 seconds to absorb the news (hihihi) but I smiled instantly :) :) :)
Then suddenly he started talking about 'daddy's little girl' and how cute the baby looked in the screen and then started imagining the first moment he will meet her and read the Azan to her. You should know that Mr likes to imagine the future a lot. He has already planned how he should position the camera in the labour room and how he should pose while I deliver! - although I'm very sure that all that will not happen hehe.
 |
| Can you see the eyes & nose & the really buncit tummy? |
Alhamdulillah - everything about the baby girl is looking good. Should we start naming her baby rawakramblings? or maybe little miss?
We haven't even found a real suitable name for her yet! I'm looking for something short and sweet.
 |
| Coming Soon at http://zaahara.com |
Mr. hates it when I wear those Ariani-like awning tudung (scarf). He says I look like a makcik! "Ishh...apa macam makcik nii???"
But sometimes, its just an quick easy option when in a hurry. You just grab it, and put it straight on, no need inner scarf, no need pins. And it's just breakfast at the mamak, or just a 5 mins stop at 7-Eleven, or occasionally, just malas! Hihi.
But sometimes, its just an quick easy option when in a hurry. You just grab it, and put it straight on, no need inner scarf, no need pins. And it's just breakfast at the mamak, or just a 5 mins stop at 7-Eleven, or occasionally, just malas! Hihi.
Everyone else have already felt their baby kicking: my three pregnant colleagues, my two pregnant cousins. Except for me! I know I'm the junior one, but I've been waiting...and wondering how will it feel like.
And then last two nights, as I was lying down to sleep, I felt like a really strong heartbeat from inside my tummy. I thought that it might be the baby's heartbeat, but it wasn't regular. It went on twice, and then I told Mr, "Yanggggg! I think the baby's kicking?". He rightaway sat up and placed his palm on my tummy....and then BOM! A strong drum beat just hitting my tummy!..like telling his daddy, "Yes, this is me!"
Mr. got so excited, "I felt it! I felt it!" and I smiled widely....Yay! I finally felt it! My baby's first kick! :D :D
And then last two nights, as I was lying down to sleep, I felt like a really strong heartbeat from inside my tummy. I thought that it might be the baby's heartbeat, but it wasn't regular. It went on twice, and then I told Mr, "Yanggggg! I think the baby's kicking?". He rightaway sat up and placed his palm on my tummy....and then BOM! A strong drum beat just hitting my tummy!..like telling his daddy, "Yes, this is me!"
Mr. got so excited, "I felt it! I felt it!" and I smiled widely....Yay! I finally felt it! My baby's first kick! :D :D
 |
| Screenshot from my ipad's Sprout Lite apps. It gives me weekly updates. |
Zaahara website is now officially running with customers ordering daily, Alhamdulillah! You may click on the link at the top right of this page to view it.
We've engaged iPay88 as our payment gateway so Malaysians can now buy products with just a few clicks - we accept Maybank2u, CimbClicks, RHBonline, Visa, MasterCard and many more forms of online transactions!
We've also introduced our second range of product: Islamic Books, ranging from Seerah & Biographies, Wedding, Marriages & Family, and Children books. Many ordered women reading materials like 'Gift for Muslim Bride' and 'Women Around the Messenger' however we didn't expect to receive such high amount of orders on the english children books. Titles like 'My First Quran Storybook' and 'Goodnight Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad," seem to be favorites. Many adults even quietly confessed that most of them don't know much about stories from the Quran, as they've been brought up with stories of prince and princesses, oh don't we all?
This coming weekend, me and mom will be heading off to Indonesia to add more interesting products in Zaahara. I love how Zaahara is growing and how our dreams are slowly becoming reality, one by one :D :D :D
I've been developing that love feeling for my unborn child these days. I imagine the day I will one day hold him/her in my arms, and I can just tear. Oh my, so excited!
Approaching my 17th week of pregnancy (approximately 4 months now), I've come to realized that being pregnant is training me to enter motherhood.
I've been thinking a lot about what's the best for my baby, and how to give the best, and it all comes from the period he/she is still in the womb.
Before this, I can choose to sometimes eat unhealthy food, because I know if anything bad happens, it's like I'm just slapping myself saying "See who told you to eat that??". But now, it isn't just about me anymore. Every single decision I make, I will need to consider the baby in me. I cannot take too much (preferably none at all) food with preservatives/chemicals (like Maggi mee for instance, which I like to eat during the weekends sometimes) and I cannot stick to my morning coffee routine, because they're not good for the baby. So I need to be strong and discipline, for my baby.
Not just food. Reading the Quran for instance. Like I've said before, it has never really been a habit for me, and that even when I tried to finish reading the whole of Quran during the Ramadhan month, I actually failed miserably, only affording to Juzu' 2 (Chapter 2). But lately, I realized that it is not about me anymore. If I want the best for my baby, then read the Quran! Let him/her listen to the surahs. It's good for the brain development and also a good spiritual supplement. So I forced myself, for the baby. Alhamdulillah, I spend at least 5 minutes a day to read 1-2 pages of the Quran, although I still skip and do this only 3-4 times a week, I'm trying my very best to do it everyday. InsyaAllah this will also be a good motivation for me to continue the habit even after the pregnancy.
I know now, that this kind of subconcious-it-isn't-just-about-me-anymore-feeling will go on once my baby is born and it will go on and on. I guess this is what they say the love and sacrifice of the mother, where they think about what's best for the baby, putting aside their own wishes. It like a practice, from when the baby is still in the womb.
Welcome to motherhood. This is only the beginning. Bismillah :)
I've been thinking a lot about what's the best for my baby, and how to give the best, and it all comes from the period he/she is still in the womb.
Before this, I can choose to sometimes eat unhealthy food, because I know if anything bad happens, it's like I'm just slapping myself saying "See who told you to eat that??". But now, it isn't just about me anymore. Every single decision I make, I will need to consider the baby in me. I cannot take too much (preferably none at all) food with preservatives/chemicals (like Maggi mee for instance, which I like to eat during the weekends sometimes) and I cannot stick to my morning coffee routine, because they're not good for the baby. So I need to be strong and discipline, for my baby.
Not just food. Reading the Quran for instance. Like I've said before, it has never really been a habit for me, and that even when I tried to finish reading the whole of Quran during the Ramadhan month, I actually failed miserably, only affording to Juzu' 2 (Chapter 2). But lately, I realized that it is not about me anymore. If I want the best for my baby, then read the Quran! Let him/her listen to the surahs. It's good for the brain development and also a good spiritual supplement. So I forced myself, for the baby. Alhamdulillah, I spend at least 5 minutes a day to read 1-2 pages of the Quran, although I still skip and do this only 3-4 times a week, I'm trying my very best to do it everyday. InsyaAllah this will also be a good motivation for me to continue the habit even after the pregnancy.
I know now, that this kind of subconcious-it-isn't-just-about-me-anymore-feeling will go on once my baby is born and it will go on and on. I guess this is what they say the love and sacrifice of the mother, where they think about what's best for the baby, putting aside their own wishes. It like a practice, from when the baby is still in the womb.
Welcome to motherhood. This is only the beginning. Bismillah :)
People keep on asking me, "Are you sure you're pregnant? There's no bump!" that it made me ask Dr Delaila the other day, "Is it normal that I don't LOOK pregnant?" and she giggled, "Don't worry dear! It's your first pregnancy and the truth is, those gaining weight at this period of the pregnancy are actually gaining their own weight! Not the baby's!" Fuhh...such a relief. She also told me that losing 1-2kgs during the first trimester is normal. Now that I'm entering my second, I should be eating more.
The truth is my tummy hasn't been growing at all, hihi. I only noticed some growth this week, that I started feeling uncomfortable wearing pants. So I bought a pair of maternity pants for work and now prefer to wear maxi dresses to work too. My tummy doesn't look big, but it feels like it has stretched out a bit.
I may be lucky enough for not having sickness during my pregnancy however my butt hurts a lot! It hurts a lot when I sit, when I lie down and hurts even more in between sitting and standing, and when turning over in bed, like an old lady! I've even bought a water pillow to office and put it on my chair to decrease the pain. I've read that this may be called pelvic girdle pain, caused by unlocked pelvic - due to some hormonal changes during pregnancy.
I once told mom, "Can you forgive me for my sins? I now know how hard and painful it is being pregnant..and then can you pray for my pain to go away?" and she laughed about it and said "Every mother goes through it laaa...sabar je, it will go away once you've delivered..."
My colleague told me that "Masa mengandung ni lah, penghapus dosa-dosa, jadik sabar je lah..lagi 6 bulan je.." so I'm now looking at it that way, a more positive approach :) :)
You either get this or that, no matter what, you'll still go through something during pregnancy, that's the sacrifice of every mother.. so friends, pls treat your mothers well ok!
Anyways, other than that, everything else has been going well! Alhamdulillah! My appetite's been good, I'm always active, no health issues.
Mr's been great too! Such a caring husband, I tell you! I feel so lucky to be married to him, I've been thanking Allah! He's been fulfilling my food cravings, always reminding me to eat healthy, and read the Quran, and always remind me to pray for the child. He takes care of my feelings, trying his best to not make me angry, not even a little bit. "Your emotions will affect the baby, so lets try our best to keep it stable ok?" he said. The truth is, during pregnancy, any small little thing can make me cry....so so emotional! Blame it on the hormones! Hihi.
Syukur, alhamdulillah, for everything :) :) :)
I'm entering my 13th week of pregnancy tomorrow and that will be the end of my first trimester, alhamdulillah. I only vomited that three times throughout this first trimester and been eating well. However, I've lost 2 kilos, which according to some articles, is normal for the first trimester.
This week, my appetite's been increasing! Last two nights, I went to the kitchen for a bowl of koko krunch and cold milk at midnight because I was too hungry I could not sleep. Yesterday, I was already hungry for lunch at 11am and ate a whole plate of rice - usually I can only eat half portion. By 4pm, I was hungry again.
So today, I decided to bring some supply of healthy snack to keep myself full in between meals. Other than a box of Sunmaid raisins, oatmeal cookies, breads and a box of milo drink, I also did this yummy fruit salad:
What I use:
2 Granny Smith apples, cut into cubes.
Half carrot, cut into thin slices.
2 tablespoon of Mayonnaise
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of brown sugar
Raisins
Pre-mix the mayonaise + lemon juice + brown sugar. Add them to the cut apples and carrots. Add some raisins (or walnut if you like) and tadaaaa! YUMMY Healthy Fruit Salad! Keeps me full and focus at work :D
It all started with two of Mr's friend who called him up and telling him that he feels like contributing towards orphanage during the Ramadhan month.
Our group of friends, Small Changes, collected money and visited an orphanage last year during the Ramadhan month and it turned out to be a success. So this year, when Mr's friends threw the idea, I straight away thought of Small Changes - where a group of friends share the same interests in contributing to the society. We believe that "Small changes can contribute to BIG differences,"
So anyways. TWO weeks was all we had. We started emailing all in the group and added some other close friends in the mailing list. We shared posts & status on Facebook, we tweeted and retweeted, bbmed, whatapp-ed, oh my, sometimes I'm impressed with how magical the social network works!
We tried to secure a weekend, but it seems that all the orphanage we contacted were booked during weekends. We faced the same thing last year. Everyone wants to contribute to the orphanage during blessed Ramadhan month. So we managed to secure Rumah Kebajikan Baitul Hidayah on a weekday. Initially we thought of visiting their place or bringing them to a restaurant for break-fast, however it was a weekday. And not everyone can make it on time. In the end, we decided to bring them over to our house in Subang.
Alhamdulillah, event turned out well. We managed to collect a total of RM11k by that morning, and during the event itself, friends passed money that they managed to collect throughout the two weeks, RM2k...RM1.5k..tup tap tup tap, by the end of the evening, we managed to collect a total of RM24k! MasyaAllah. We were all surprised! We have such big-hearted Malaysians!
Different people contributed in different ways. Some brought food for the break-fast session, some donated to the total of 24k, some choose to give individual duit raya packets, some bought items requested by the orphanage like shoe rack, wall clock, mat, etc., some even contributed basic necessity like oil, sugar and rice.
Every small and big contribution counts. They have managed to make the kids happy and may they live comfortably in better beds, better houses, and eat better food, and get better education.
I was personally very very touched with how kind everyone was and how easy it was for us to get donations. Rezeki rumah anak yatim itu laaa...ataupun sebab bulan puasa.
I knew one of the reasons we achieved such high amount was because it was the blessed Ramadhan month. However my concern is whether these good deeds can be follow through to the rest of the year.
We should indeed, be good towards others, and maintain all these good characters even after the Ramadhan month.
Our group of friends, Small Changes, collected money and visited an orphanage last year during the Ramadhan month and it turned out to be a success. So this year, when Mr's friends threw the idea, I straight away thought of Small Changes - where a group of friends share the same interests in contributing to the society. We believe that "Small changes can contribute to BIG differences,"
So anyways. TWO weeks was all we had. We started emailing all in the group and added some other close friends in the mailing list. We shared posts & status on Facebook, we tweeted and retweeted, bbmed, whatapp-ed, oh my, sometimes I'm impressed with how magical the social network works!
We tried to secure a weekend, but it seems that all the orphanage we contacted were booked during weekends. We faced the same thing last year. Everyone wants to contribute to the orphanage during blessed Ramadhan month. So we managed to secure Rumah Kebajikan Baitul Hidayah on a weekday. Initially we thought of visiting their place or bringing them to a restaurant for break-fast, however it was a weekday. And not everyone can make it on time. In the end, we decided to bring them over to our house in Subang.
 |
| Abang Azri with the kids during buka puasa. |
 |
| Some of the children of Rumah Kebajikan Baitul Hidayah |
 |
| The children, doing a short performance. The girl carrying the Maghrib sign was the cutest! |
 |
| Everyone giving kids the children duit raya. |
.jpg) |
| Some of the items donated to the orphanage. |
Alhamdulillah, event turned out well. We managed to collect a total of RM11k by that morning, and during the event itself, friends passed money that they managed to collect throughout the two weeks, RM2k...RM1.5k..tup tap tup tap, by the end of the evening, we managed to collect a total of RM24k! MasyaAllah. We were all surprised! We have such big-hearted Malaysians!
Different people contributed in different ways. Some brought food for the break-fast session, some donated to the total of 24k, some choose to give individual duit raya packets, some bought items requested by the orphanage like shoe rack, wall clock, mat, etc., some even contributed basic necessity like oil, sugar and rice.
Every small and big contribution counts. They have managed to make the kids happy and may they live comfortably in better beds, better houses, and eat better food, and get better education.
I was personally very very touched with how kind everyone was and how easy it was for us to get donations. Rezeki rumah anak yatim itu laaa...ataupun sebab bulan puasa.
I knew one of the reasons we achieved such high amount was because it was the blessed Ramadhan month. However my concern is whether these good deeds can be follow through to the rest of the year.
We should indeed, be good towards others, and maintain all these good characters even after the Ramadhan month.
It has been a busy busy week for us in the Zaahara team. We had a corporate order of 200 bottles as Ramadhan gifts. With the limited time and resources, we had to use all the possible way to ensure that we secure this first huge order of ours.
We even hired this cute little niece of mine. Child Labour hehe paid with a box of milo drink. "Aunty Erin..this honey goes around and around and around i can even draw while putting this in the bottle...!"
Of course, she only did that one bottle and was off to watch Princess Bubble Gum on Astro.
We even hired this cute little niece of mine. Child Labour hehe paid with a box of milo drink. "Aunty Erin..this honey goes around and around and around i can even draw while putting this in the bottle...!"
Of course, she only did that one bottle and was off to watch Princess Bubble Gum on Astro.
"Rezeki sentiasa di depan mata, terpulang kalau kita nak usahakan ataupun tidak.." Someone once told me that Allah has lay down everything in front of our eyes for us to work on but its up to our own creativity and hardwork. You've gotta be smart in choosing the right business to venture in and you've gotta be ready to risk-it-all and start all over again when it doesn't turn out well. "Jatuh, berdiri lagi.. dan berdiri lagi.. jangan putus asa..," Many times, people give up after several attempts without knowing that they're left with that one final attempt to success.
The truth is yes, the honey is there in front of our eyes, but we needed to work hard to be able to sell them. Rebrand them, repack them, market them, deliver them. So is with everything else. You wanna sell clothes? There's processes involve. You wanna do trading? You gotta meet people and research on what's the best trading price etc. Takda usaha, mana nak dtg duitnya? Hmm kalau nak rasuah boleh lah kot kan?
For us, it was indeed, real hard work. Throughout the preparation, I said to Mr, "We want money? We gotta work for it kan? It will not just fall from the sky," The first few months of business, when we received payments, you can only imagine how satisfying it feels, kemanisan business sendiri! You gotta do it to feel it. And I can now imagine the joy we'll feel upon receiving the payments for this 200bottles, insyaAllah it will all go fine :)
Glad and happy to have such supportive family members to help us out in establishing Zaahara. Moving on, we need to look forward in hiring permanent workers for Zaahara - may Zaahara grow successfully, insyaAllah.
The best partner to chose is when you know he/she completes the loopholes in you.
He/she can be able to lead you to be successful.
He/she believes in you and support you.
He/she constantly prays for your undertakings.
He/she doesn't complain about money.
He/she loves God Almighty more than you.
He/she can guide you to Jannah.
He/she can't live without you.
He/she misses you even a minute.
He/she wants to grow old with you.
He/she smiles at you even if you screwed he/she.
He/she is grateful to have you as a life partner.
He/she knows that the world separation is temporary as live in heaven awaits for a glorious and sincere relationship.
He/she doesn't give false hope.
He/she is real and not fake.
He/she can be able to lead you to be successful.
He/she believes in you and support you.
He/she constantly prays for your undertakings.
He/she doesn't complain about money.
He/she loves God Almighty more than you.
He/she can guide you to Jannah.
He/she can't live without you.
He/she misses you even a minute.
He/she wants to grow old with you.
He/she smiles at you even if you screwed he/she.
He/she is grateful to have you as a life partner.
He/she knows that the world separation is temporary as live in heaven awaits for a glorious and sincere relationship.
He/she doesn't give false hope.
He/she is real and not fake.
It's been such a pleasure to be able to fast this year with wife and new families. A totally new feeling as compared to the previous years. I am thankful to Allah Almighty for all the kindness He has given to me.
Now I understand the difficulty in doing business. Everyone of us would love to make money and become rich. When we see someone is successful in their business, we will always envy them and wish to do business. We say it is easy. Is it really easy? Think about it and try venture into business and you'll know the dark side of it.
To dream about money is easy. To get money is not that easy. The difference between the successful and the dreamer is the ability to withstand the obstacles along the way. The risk is high when you venture into business.
Now I understand the difficulty in doing business. Everyone of us would love to make money and become rich. When we see someone is successful in their business, we will always envy them and wish to do business. We say it is easy. Is it really easy? Think about it and try venture into business and you'll know the dark side of it.
To dream about money is easy. To get money is not that easy. The difference between the successful and the dreamer is the ability to withstand the obstacles along the way. The risk is high when you venture into business.
- Capital;
- Market;
- Competition;
- Rules and regulations;
- Vendor management;
- Manpower;
- Time management;
- Luck;
- Timing;
- Discipline
Looking at the above, these are the challenges and issues that me and wife has been flirting with for the past two months. In two months time, we have learned new things everyday. It's fun. It's challenging.
You name it. One of my vendor was saying," If business is easy, everyone would have ventured into business." Very true.
The first rule of business is to study the market. You got to know what is your market - client and competition which I call two C's. Study the 2 C's and you will be able to know if you can sell your products or not.
Second rule is discipline. Having the capital, products, manpower and everything but if there is no discipline, no way you are going to be able to achieve success. Based on my own experience, I have set up photography business with a friend of mine. We have all the equipments, skills, manpower and even our own studio. Know what, it was not a successful business. Main reason for this failure is because there is no discipline in doing the business. Even though it was bad, I learned a lot from there. Blaming your own self doesn't change situation but learning from it and improving it for the next venture is something nobody can teach you.
Business is about discipline. Being able to withstand the challenges and keep yourself moving is the key. Don't just sit and wait for money to come in. No way man. We are not Prophets. Try and move around and wonders will come. The people you approach might not buy your products but at least you know you have done marketing for your business.
There's a quote " Dream big and start. Start small is better than not starting at all." It's not easy but at least you are living your dream. Go and study people who achieved success in their business undertaking and you can see the similar patterns among them. Hardwork, self-believing, motivated and discipline. These are the keys to be successful.
One thing to remember, in business, it doesn't work if you are alone. You need to have a good partner, good manpower and good clients to support you. Create a healthy relationship with people. Don't push hard to get sales. Winning is not about getting the results in the first attempt. Winning is a habit. Let yourself lose in the beginning for you to be able to constantly win in the future. The best way to win is to ensure you enjoy doing business.
Other than those two days, I've been doing great! I feel nausea and lethargic sometimes, but that's just it. I haven't been vomiting since.
I've learned a few tricks to help my body control the nausea. Different people have different ways and different stages of nausea. For me, these seem to work:
I've learned a few tricks to help my body control the nausea. Different people have different ways and different stages of nausea. For me, these seem to work:
- Drink juice! Orange or apple works for me because of the slight sour taste.
- Cold Lipton Ice Lemon Tea!
- Always ensure that my tummy is filled up. When I'm hungry, the gas in the tummy can really lead to vomiting.
- Don't eat too much.
- Get my mind occupied. When in the office and I'm all focus on work, somehow I don't feel like vomiting that much.
- Avoid crowded stuffy places.
- Always remember to rest.
I really hope that the coming weeks will be better and better insyaAllah :)
I'm feeling much much better today. After 2 days of throwing out everything I ate, doctor gave me the rest of the day yesterday to rest and gain back some energy. I came back home, slept for 3 hours straight. Woke up and forced myself to eat.
It was really really hard for me to eat. I had to chew the bread slowly and then forced them through my throat. And it didn't feel nice at all! After one bite, I rest for a few seconds, then I had another bite. After 5 bites, I stopped. Drank 100Plus to restore back all the energy lost, and then had some more rest. I was very very weak. All that time, I said to myself "Is this how its going to be the coming month? How do I cope with this?" Whatever it is, I had to force myself to eat, for me and the baby!
However, thank God, I gained back my appetite during dinner and so I ate whatever I can take, drank all the fluids that I've lost and today, I woke up feeling much much better. I had the energy to go through the day at work smoothly. Alhamdulillah!
I even had the crave to eat kari daging that the minute we reached home around 6pm today, I went to the kitchen and cooked it rightaway! We had lamb curry for dinner today! Hah amik kauuuu!
It was really really hard for me to eat. I had to chew the bread slowly and then forced them through my throat. And it didn't feel nice at all! After one bite, I rest for a few seconds, then I had another bite. After 5 bites, I stopped. Drank 100Plus to restore back all the energy lost, and then had some more rest. I was very very weak. All that time, I said to myself "Is this how its going to be the coming month? How do I cope with this?" Whatever it is, I had to force myself to eat, for me and the baby!
However, thank God, I gained back my appetite during dinner and so I ate whatever I can take, drank all the fluids that I've lost and today, I woke up feeling much much better. I had the energy to go through the day at work smoothly. Alhamdulillah!
I even had the crave to eat kari daging that the minute we reached home around 6pm today, I went to the kitchen and cooked it rightaway! We had lamb curry for dinner today! Hah amik kauuuu!
Last 2 weeks, I tested positive on the home pregnancy test, however when we visited a nearby family clinic, the doctor could not see any sac (i.e space) in my uterus. I was supposed to be 5 weeks then. The possibility of a false positive test is very low, and we did the urine test twice - both showed positive results. However, there was also a possibility of a miscarriage. So i was quietly worried.
"Come back next 2 weeks, and we'll do another ultrasound scan on your tummy," said the doctor.
So we left the clinic, not too sure if it was good or bad news. However to both our parents, positive urine test is of course good news! So you can imagine all the 'what-to-eat' and 'what-not-to-eat' warnings I get. "Make sure you don't jump around too much, don't go to the gym! Swimming is okay. Don't go up the stairs too many times...yadda yadda yadda." Truth is, the first trimester is the most sensitive period of the pregnancy, where 30% end up in miscarriages.
So, reluctantly, I followed their advices. It seems that everyday, I learn something new that I CANNOT do or eat. But I trust them, as they're more experienced than I am. Petua nenek moyang, ada baiknya kalau diikut!
I started having constipation and fatigue - but I was eating well alhamdulillah. However, last 2 days, the nausea and vomiting started. I vomited every thing I ate. So today, I was totally flat out.
This morning, we had our first appointment with the gynecologist at Sime Darby Medical Center (SDMC). I chose Dr Delaila Ahmad as I've heard a lot of good feedbacks about her! I was praying hard that everything was okay, that the doctor could see the embryo in my uterus.
Turns out that I have inverted uterus. Which is why nothing can be seen through the abdominal ultra scan. Dr Delaila conducted a vagina scan and we saw the baby, with a heartbeat! 7 weeks today :) :) :)
Many of my family members and close friends have learned of this good news. Some are telling me that I shouldn't tell everyone else until I pass the first trimester, the most sensitive part of the pregnancy.
I've decided to write about it here. I'd like to keep this as a diary. If you'd like to spread the news, go ahead. I will not be officially announcing it, whoever knows, knows then :)
Please pray both me and my baby will go through the first trimester fine. I put my faith in Him.
Oh my, motherhood coming soon!
"Come back next 2 weeks, and we'll do another ultrasound scan on your tummy," said the doctor.
So we left the clinic, not too sure if it was good or bad news. However to both our parents, positive urine test is of course good news! So you can imagine all the 'what-to-eat' and 'what-not-to-eat' warnings I get. "Make sure you don't jump around too much, don't go to the gym! Swimming is okay. Don't go up the stairs too many times...yadda yadda yadda." Truth is, the first trimester is the most sensitive period of the pregnancy, where 30% end up in miscarriages.
So, reluctantly, I followed their advices. It seems that everyday, I learn something new that I CANNOT do or eat. But I trust them, as they're more experienced than I am. Petua nenek moyang, ada baiknya kalau diikut!
I started having constipation and fatigue - but I was eating well alhamdulillah. However, last 2 days, the nausea and vomiting started. I vomited every thing I ate. So today, I was totally flat out.
This morning, we had our first appointment with the gynecologist at Sime Darby Medical Center (SDMC). I chose Dr Delaila Ahmad as I've heard a lot of good feedbacks about her! I was praying hard that everything was okay, that the doctor could see the embryo in my uterus.
Turns out that I have inverted uterus. Which is why nothing can be seen through the abdominal ultra scan. Dr Delaila conducted a vagina scan and we saw the baby, with a heartbeat! 7 weeks today :) :) :)
 |
| That dark area is the sac. And the embryo is in the small white circle area. |
Many of my family members and close friends have learned of this good news. Some are telling me that I shouldn't tell everyone else until I pass the first trimester, the most sensitive part of the pregnancy.
I've decided to write about it here. I'd like to keep this as a diary. If you'd like to spread the news, go ahead. I will not be officially announcing it, whoever knows, knows then :)
Please pray both me and my baby will go through the first trimester fine. I put my faith in Him.
Oh my, motherhood coming soon!
I just completed reading "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" by Robin Sharma. This book was first published in 1997 and has sold around 3 million copies world wide. I was looking for a new book to read after completing the 600 pages of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. A different genre actually but nonetheless, it was still a good book although I wouldn't rate it more than 4 stars from total 5.
Some good points to be shared from the books are:-
Ok. Let's try this and see the end result in 3 weeks time.
Some good points to be shared from the books are:-
5 steps method in attaining goals:
1.
To form a clear mental image of the outcome.
a.
If it is about losing weight, envision yourself
as someone lean every morning.
b.
Picturing the goal would ultimately open the
gateway to the actualization of the
desire
c.
(Have
a clear vision of your outcome)
2.
Get some positive pressure on yourself
a.
Why people fail in their resolution is because
it is easy to slip back into the old ways
b.
Pressure can lead you to great ends
c.
People generally achieve greatness when their
backs are off the walls and they tap themselves into human potential that lies
within them
i. One
way is to use the public pledge
method
ii. Associate pleasure with good habits and
punishment with bad ones
3.
Never set a goal without a timeline
a.
Attach a precise timeline
4.
A goal which is not committed on a paper is a no
goal
a.
Call it your dream book – fill with desires,
dreams and objectives
b.
Get to know yourself and what you are all about-
strengths, weakness, hopes and dreams
c.
The Chinese define as 3 mirrors:-
i. How
you see yourself
ii. How
others see you
iii. Reflect
the truth
d.
Divide the dream book into several section
i. e.g.
have sections for physical fitness, financial goals, personal goals,
relationship goals and spiritual goals
e.
Fill up the dream books with pictures
i. If
u want to lose weight, put a lean body pictures
5.
Magic rule of 21
a.
New habits can only be formed in 21 days
b.
A bad habit cannot be erased but it can be
replaced
c.
Direct so much energy toward it that the old one
slips away like unwelcome house guest
Ok. Let's try this and see the end result in 3 weeks time.
