No.
A simple two letter word. Supposedly.
We usually
learn to say this word as young children. We hear enough of it from the
adults around us growing up. No means not having that extra sugar in the
evening. No means not staying past our bedtime. No means not getting
that pink jeans that all the coolest girls in class have.
As
children, we also learn quickly to become comfortable with this word. We
were quick to say No to brushing our teeth. We were quick to say No to
eating our vegetables. We were quick to say No when we are asked to do
our homework.
Somehow, as we start to become adults, the level of
comfort with the simple, one syllable word thins out. All of a sudden,
the word means disappointment. It means hurt. It means inability and
rejection.
For such a simple word, so much emotion is depicted.
No is no longer simple.
As
I grow older, I am not sure whether I should stop believing that No
remains to be that simple word we were all once so comfortable with.
Today,
I say No because I cannot. I say No because I am not comfortable, or I
simply do not want to. Face value. It does not mean I care any less! I
just merely know what my capabilities and weaknesses are.
Experience
is slowly teaching me that as I grow older, No becomes a whole
different language that I need to decipher. Silence has replaced No.
Maybe has replaced No. Ignorance has replaced No. Somehow, it is easier
to act rather just utter a two letter word.
I wonder at what stage
in our lives did we start becoming uncomfortable with this word....both
hearing it and saying it. When did we start losing our capability to
articulate to each other our thoughts? When did we start losing our
capability to understand each other and accept each other, without any
emotional judgement involved?
I am hoping that, as adults, we can
all find that level of comfort once again that we had as children. I am
hoping that a gracious "No, Thank you", "No, I would rather not", "Thanks, but No thanks" or "Sorry, not for me" would soon be the language that we all speak, understand and accept. Face value.
Maybe, one day, as adults, we will learn to stop complicating something so simple.
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Blessings – Written February 26, 2006
I was born a Blessed Child – the first born, the first grandchild on
my paternal side and the first girl grandchild on my maternal side. My
childhood is filled with happy memories – filled with the love and
attention of my parents, my yaya, my grandparents, aunts and uncles….
Fast forward 33 years…. I am a Blessed Child.
I have not always counted the Blessings in my life, choosing instead to look at what I do not have, what I still need to achieve and where I still needed to go. I took the love, support and encouragement that I have always received forgranted. Figure entitlement. Figure part of the package. Figure it was just always there and will always be there.
For the most part of my life, I was able to do the things that I wanted to do. I travelled, lived overseas, ran a Restaurant, played with family and friends, played Golf, picked up Diving, relocated to a new country, got a fabulous Career, bought my own place and have become self sufficient. To most people, I could not ask for more.
However, being the human being that I am, I wanted more…. I wanted everything….. specifically the thing that was missing in my life… a solid relationship…onwards to marriage. Being the focused, strongminded and hardworking person that I am… all of my energy was focused on making my relationship work. I was determined….not realising that I have stopped counting my blessings, but instead equated blessings with how the relationship fared.
The relationship ended several months ago.
I would never wish a heartbreak upon anyone. However, cliche as it is, when God closes a door on you, He does leave a window opened.
Since letting go of the relationship, I have started to find myself again and maybe see my blessings again. I have travelled once again. I started to play with family and friends again, and really enjoy it wholeheartedly. I have gained a beautiful niece who supposedly is born a carbon copy of me. I have started to see and feel the love of my family and friends once again…. and it is only February. I can only imagine what else might be ahead.
Today, I no longer want to see it as entitlement. I choose to see it as a gift….and I know that I have received so much. I also know that I will continue to be blessed, not as how I choose but as how God chooses.
I may or may not be blessed with what I still do not have in my life…. It no longer matters. Anything beyond what I already have is just icing on my already decadent cake.
I truly am a Blessed Child.
Fast forward 33 years…. I am a Blessed Child.
I have not always counted the Blessings in my life, choosing instead to look at what I do not have, what I still need to achieve and where I still needed to go. I took the love, support and encouragement that I have always received forgranted. Figure entitlement. Figure part of the package. Figure it was just always there and will always be there.
For the most part of my life, I was able to do the things that I wanted to do. I travelled, lived overseas, ran a Restaurant, played with family and friends, played Golf, picked up Diving, relocated to a new country, got a fabulous Career, bought my own place and have become self sufficient. To most people, I could not ask for more.
However, being the human being that I am, I wanted more…. I wanted everything….. specifically the thing that was missing in my life… a solid relationship…onwards to marriage. Being the focused, strongminded and hardworking person that I am… all of my energy was focused on making my relationship work. I was determined….not realising that I have stopped counting my blessings, but instead equated blessings with how the relationship fared.
The relationship ended several months ago.
I would never wish a heartbreak upon anyone. However, cliche as it is, when God closes a door on you, He does leave a window opened.
Since letting go of the relationship, I have started to find myself again and maybe see my blessings again. I have travelled once again. I started to play with family and friends again, and really enjoy it wholeheartedly. I have gained a beautiful niece who supposedly is born a carbon copy of me. I have started to see and feel the love of my family and friends once again…. and it is only February. I can only imagine what else might be ahead.
Today, I no longer want to see it as entitlement. I choose to see it as a gift….and I know that I have received so much. I also know that I will continue to be blessed, not as how I choose but as how God chooses.
I may or may not be blessed with what I still do not have in my life…. It no longer matters. Anything beyond what I already have is just icing on my already decadent cake.
I truly am a Blessed Child.
Friday, 1 June 2012
Children are so clued up!
Ever since Noah could communicate with us, my Mum would constantly say "parang nakakaintindi" which translated means "as if he understands".
At a very early age, Noah delighted us all by following our instructions. Pick up the ball, Hand the toy to Mummy, Say night night - pretty much anything that we "challenged" him to, he delivered (of course we always gave him plenty of slack!). I would constantly tell my Mum that Noah does understand, that despite being a baby, he knows exactly what we are asking of him.
I was reminded of this on the weekend.
Tim and I have been having more than our fair share of arguments lately. Well, technically it's me picking on him! Call it the lack of sleep or the wee 6 week old continuously hanging off my boobs or the 2 year old toddler testing my patience...my poor husband has been on the receiving end of my impatience and irritability. Bless his heart!
The weekend was no different. Once again, my fuse was short and I picked a fight. We were in the car on our way somewhere when this happened. What made me stop in my tracks (and if you know me well enough, you know the old Jo can be very unforgiving and righteous) was when Noah started crying. Amidst our argument, the little man in the backseat was crying...as if to say Stop arguing!
I was humbled! Does he really know? How? When did he start picking up on this?
I was taken back to my Mums words.
Maybe someone needs to remind me, as I remind my Mum that he does know. Noah does understand and part of it is him understanding when his parents are arguing.
I will forever have that thought in my mind. The next time I pick a fight with Tim in front of Noah, I will remind myself that he knows exactly what is going on. I am not planning on protecting my kids from the realities of life but God knows that if there is something that I can control to allow my children a better life experience, especially as a child, then I am going to do my darn best to do that.
At a very early age, Noah delighted us all by following our instructions. Pick up the ball, Hand the toy to Mummy, Say night night - pretty much anything that we "challenged" him to, he delivered (of course we always gave him plenty of slack!). I would constantly tell my Mum that Noah does understand, that despite being a baby, he knows exactly what we are asking of him.
I was reminded of this on the weekend.
Tim and I have been having more than our fair share of arguments lately. Well, technically it's me picking on him! Call it the lack of sleep or the wee 6 week old continuously hanging off my boobs or the 2 year old toddler testing my patience...my poor husband has been on the receiving end of my impatience and irritability. Bless his heart!
The weekend was no different. Once again, my fuse was short and I picked a fight. We were in the car on our way somewhere when this happened. What made me stop in my tracks (and if you know me well enough, you know the old Jo can be very unforgiving and righteous) was when Noah started crying. Amidst our argument, the little man in the backseat was crying...as if to say Stop arguing!
I was humbled! Does he really know? How? When did he start picking up on this?
I was taken back to my Mums words.
Maybe someone needs to remind me, as I remind my Mum that he does know. Noah does understand and part of it is him understanding when his parents are arguing.
I will forever have that thought in my mind. The next time I pick a fight with Tim in front of Noah, I will remind myself that he knows exactly what is going on. I am not planning on protecting my kids from the realities of life but God knows that if there is something that I can control to allow my children a better life experience, especially as a child, then I am going to do my darn best to do that.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Priorities!
 |
| My priorities! |
Priorities! I have always fancied myself to be very good at time management. I have told Tim several times before that I have spent a good part of my life working out what my priorities are and tending to them one at a time, in order to achieve things. Studying, Working, Traveling, Rekindling with my past and roots, a Dynamic Career, Owning my own house and finally Family. If I was asked to sum up my priorities in the last 20 years, that is would be the short of it.
Lately, I have been drowning in my own priorities. When I wake up in the morning, I usually like to outline in my own head the things I need to get done during the day. When Noah is at daycare, my priority is to get him ready for school in the morning so that I can drop him off then finally start my day.... tending to the things on my list. Prior to E joining us, the only hurdle to getting Noah to school at a specific time is Noah. If he woke up early, we would be at school on the earlier side while if he slept in, we usually let him sleep in so we would be late. These days, it is no longer as straightforward. Take last Monday for example, when Tim had to fly out to Melbourne for the day and had to leave the house at 6.15am. Usually when Tim is at home, I can rely on him to tend to Noah while I tend to Eliza and I would leave Eliza at home to drop Noah off.
However, last Monday, before we can even consider getting out the door to go to school, I had to make sure that Eliza has been fed, nappy changed, placed in the capsule and Noah's nappy has been changed, outfit changed, breakfast eaten, teeth cleaned, socks and shoes on and day bag packed. Oh add the fact that I too had to take a shower and get myself sorted....and remember this is me functioning on broken sleep of late.
Once dropped off, the day is spent either doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, studying or grocery shopping while fitting in Eliza's feeds, naps, bath, and a walk for fresh air.
When Noah is at home with me, the priority shifts. The big thing is to get us to a playpark or a picnic somewhere so that he can run around and exhaust himself, then try and fit things in that need to be done as per usual.
These days I have had to start embracing that there are things on my priority list which I am not going to be able to cross off immediately. I have yet to clean the house for the week, my assignment for my course still need to be completed, the clothes have yet to be folded.
I will honestly say that last week, I was bothered by the fact that I had so much loose ends and that there were things that continued to hover. I felt extremely overwhelmed, almost to the fact that I questioned whether I was coping in my new role. Yes, I can be pedantic when it comes to my time management!
However today, I figured that the only way I am going to keep sane in this new role of mine is to relax and embrace the loose ends. A friend actually suggested to me to start making peace with the mess at home. I am not perfect and I cannot do everything I achieve to do (at least not within the time frame I give myself!). I guess I will just continue to prioritise and reprioritise and embrace the fact that I now have 2 munchkins who supercede other priorities on my list!
...and this is how I managed to write this blog today!
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| Version #1 is on the ipad in the bedroom, creating a havoc! |
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| Version #2 is in her bouncer peacefully napping away! |
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Someone is going to keep us on our toes!
So I have been talking about being quite nonchalant and blase about preparing for the arrival of version 2. No pregnancy photos taken until my third trimester and not getting our act together until we got a massive kick in the a*se on April 1.
Most people would know that I was scheduled for an elective c-section for the first week of May (that will be this week). I was a bit vague about giving the specific date of May 2 (that will be TODAY!) since I thought that there was a good chance that the hospital might not be able to accomodate us for some reason and we would be shafted to another date - the perils of giving birth in the public system.
Little did we know that one of the biggest star in this story had something else in mind!
April 18, 2012 - the day started like any other Wednesday. Tim and I dropped Noah off at daycare. I then proceeded to drop Tim off at work as it was raining hard and I was on my way to meet up with some girlfriends for a catch up. So off I went....
Since I stopped working, I have been very practical about trying to make the most of my "days out". I try and organise catch ups on the same days I may have my doctor and hospital appointments. That Wednesday was no different. I even managed to squeeze in a lunch date with Tim in between appointments. Little did I know that my Vegetable Thai Laksa was going to be the catalyst for what lied ahead...or it was going to be the nicest meal I would have for the next few days.
It was roughly just after 1pm when Tim and I finished our lunch date. He was walking me back to our car as I was on my way to the hospital for my 37 week appointment and to meet up with the anaethetist to discuss May 2. I distinctly remember the black clouds opening wildly to pellet rain as we crossed the street. It was the same time that I felt a gush of fluid flow through my pants.
As we ran into a friend on the other side of the street, all I could think about was how wet my pants were and how desperate I was to tell Tim to find me a toilet. We ran to the nearest public toilet and true enough I had soaked. Now I didn't labor with Noah so I had no idea what contractions were like, let alone what waters breaking would be. However, based on my reading of expert materials regarding birthing aka Dr. Google, I thought that waters breaking equated to full on gushing on somewhat greenish fluid. I seriously thought that my bladder had just leaked!
So off I went to my 2pm appointment, wet pants and all!
Now, with these hospital appointments, I usually arm myself with a stash of reading materials as I normally expect to wait for over an hour before a doctor sees me. However, when I handed in my appointment card, I asked to see a midwife as I had a to ask my question. Luckily there was one standing at the counter so bashfully, I said, "I am 37 weeks right now, is it normal for my bladders to leak?". The midwife looked at me with concern.
The midwife ordered me to put on a pad that she gave and quickly whisked me to see the doctor. Good grief, talk about first class service. I did not even get the chance to open up my goodie bag full of tricks to keep me occupied while waiting. I watched the other pregnant ladies in the waiting room stare at me, probably wondering why I was getting special treatment.
So in I went to see the lovely doctor on duty. After a few minutes of general questions, she asked to examine me. Without any hesitation, she said "Yes, your membranes have ruptured, you are not going anywhere else". That's when my mind went blank.
I was immediately sent to the birthing unit. On my way there, I had no idea how to feel. All I could think of was that we were not ready and that I wanted to have my baby in May (which happens to be Tim's birth month so I thought it would be a nice present for them to share the same month). Once there, I rang Tim to let him know what was going on. I was in tears. I felt almost helpless. I had no idea what we were going to do with Noah, who was still in daycare and we still had a lot of Eliza's things that needed to be washed, and I still need to clean the house!
I was informed that once your waters break, labor can either start within 24 hours or take longer. Since I tested positive for Group B strep, it was important for the baby to be delivered within 24 hours. The doctors offered me the choice once again of trying to deliver normally or going ahead with the planned c-sect. I chose the later.
Thankfully Tim's work is not too far from the hospital so he was with me within half an hour. It was so calming and soothing to have him with me. I knew that my rock, the person who was going to hold my hand through this had arrived.
The midwives told us that the doctors were busy and that it would take a while before they can get me in the theatre. We had some time up our sleeve so we decided that Tim would go home, pack up my things for my hospital stay, get Noah from daycare and sort him out, meet my parents at our place who came to our rescue by agreeing to spend the night with Noah at home. Tim would then drive back to the hospital for the birth. We were told that we had at least 3hrs up our sleeve.
However, our little star of attraction continued with her own plans. While waiting, I started to labor!
It was not too long after Tim left that the doctors started to become concerned. I was told that "the baby is definitely on its way and if we don't get to the theatre soon, you will be giving birth naturally".
So I rang Tim and asked him to get back to the hospital as soon as he can.
Around 6pm, the doctors asked me whether Tim was on his way back. I rang Tim once again. The poor man frantically told me that he cannot find a park as all the emergency parks have been taken and that he is trying to make his way to the hospital multi storey car park but is not being successful given all the road blocks and the heavy rain. My poor poor husband!
Tim eventually turned up not long after, welcomed by all the doctors and midwives, cheering him on for finally finding a park. Seeing Tim arrive in disarray but wearing his favourite restaurant shirt (the one he always wears when we are going out) made me laugh. It gave me the comfort that I was seeking - Tim was letting me know that today is worth celebrating.
I was then whisked to the theatre to be "prepped" while Tim was asked to change to his theatre outfit and wait until I was ready.
Since this was my 2nd c-sect, I somewhat knew what to expect. Despite believing that everything would be alright, I was still silently praying for guidance and grace, positive thoughts and that my baby and I will be okay.
The surgery itself did not last very long. At 6.54pm, my baby was pulled out from the depths of my pelvis (yes, totally ready to come out) and whisked above the curtain to be presented to us. It was the umbilical cord which immediately caught my eye but they quickly moved to the lower region. A beautiful little girl...with lots of hair! Wooohooo, the sonographer did get it right!
Tim finally let go of my hand to watch our little girl get cleaned. Her little cries continued to fill the silence in the room as I got stitched up. Such strong lungs for a wee lil one. I asked Tim whether she had 10 little fingers and 10 little toes. "Perfect" he said.
As soon as she was bundled, Tim presented out little star to me. That's when I finally met my daughter, Eliza Anne Stentiford.
The rest, as they say...is history!
Most people would know that I was scheduled for an elective c-section for the first week of May (that will be this week). I was a bit vague about giving the specific date of May 2 (that will be TODAY!) since I thought that there was a good chance that the hospital might not be able to accomodate us for some reason and we would be shafted to another date - the perils of giving birth in the public system.
Little did we know that one of the biggest star in this story had something else in mind!
April 18, 2012 - the day started like any other Wednesday. Tim and I dropped Noah off at daycare. I then proceeded to drop Tim off at work as it was raining hard and I was on my way to meet up with some girlfriends for a catch up. So off I went....
Since I stopped working, I have been very practical about trying to make the most of my "days out". I try and organise catch ups on the same days I may have my doctor and hospital appointments. That Wednesday was no different. I even managed to squeeze in a lunch date with Tim in between appointments. Little did I know that my Vegetable Thai Laksa was going to be the catalyst for what lied ahead...or it was going to be the nicest meal I would have for the next few days.
It was roughly just after 1pm when Tim and I finished our lunch date. He was walking me back to our car as I was on my way to the hospital for my 37 week appointment and to meet up with the anaethetist to discuss May 2. I distinctly remember the black clouds opening wildly to pellet rain as we crossed the street. It was the same time that I felt a gush of fluid flow through my pants.
As we ran into a friend on the other side of the street, all I could think about was how wet my pants were and how desperate I was to tell Tim to find me a toilet. We ran to the nearest public toilet and true enough I had soaked. Now I didn't labor with Noah so I had no idea what contractions were like, let alone what waters breaking would be. However, based on my reading of expert materials regarding birthing aka Dr. Google, I thought that waters breaking equated to full on gushing on somewhat greenish fluid. I seriously thought that my bladder had just leaked!
So off I went to my 2pm appointment, wet pants and all!
Now, with these hospital appointments, I usually arm myself with a stash of reading materials as I normally expect to wait for over an hour before a doctor sees me. However, when I handed in my appointment card, I asked to see a midwife as I had a to ask my question. Luckily there was one standing at the counter so bashfully, I said, "I am 37 weeks right now, is it normal for my bladders to leak?". The midwife looked at me with concern.
The midwife ordered me to put on a pad that she gave and quickly whisked me to see the doctor. Good grief, talk about first class service. I did not even get the chance to open up my goodie bag full of tricks to keep me occupied while waiting. I watched the other pregnant ladies in the waiting room stare at me, probably wondering why I was getting special treatment.
So in I went to see the lovely doctor on duty. After a few minutes of general questions, she asked to examine me. Without any hesitation, she said "Yes, your membranes have ruptured, you are not going anywhere else". That's when my mind went blank.
I was immediately sent to the birthing unit. On my way there, I had no idea how to feel. All I could think of was that we were not ready and that I wanted to have my baby in May (which happens to be Tim's birth month so I thought it would be a nice present for them to share the same month). Once there, I rang Tim to let him know what was going on. I was in tears. I felt almost helpless. I had no idea what we were going to do with Noah, who was still in daycare and we still had a lot of Eliza's things that needed to be washed, and I still need to clean the house!
I was informed that once your waters break, labor can either start within 24 hours or take longer. Since I tested positive for Group B strep, it was important for the baby to be delivered within 24 hours. The doctors offered me the choice once again of trying to deliver normally or going ahead with the planned c-sect. I chose the later.
Thankfully Tim's work is not too far from the hospital so he was with me within half an hour. It was so calming and soothing to have him with me. I knew that my rock, the person who was going to hold my hand through this had arrived.
The midwives told us that the doctors were busy and that it would take a while before they can get me in the theatre. We had some time up our sleeve so we decided that Tim would go home, pack up my things for my hospital stay, get Noah from daycare and sort him out, meet my parents at our place who came to our rescue by agreeing to spend the night with Noah at home. Tim would then drive back to the hospital for the birth. We were told that we had at least 3hrs up our sleeve.
However, our little star of attraction continued with her own plans. While waiting, I started to labor!
It was not too long after Tim left that the doctors started to become concerned. I was told that "the baby is definitely on its way and if we don't get to the theatre soon, you will be giving birth naturally".
So I rang Tim and asked him to get back to the hospital as soon as he can.
Around 6pm, the doctors asked me whether Tim was on his way back. I rang Tim once again. The poor man frantically told me that he cannot find a park as all the emergency parks have been taken and that he is trying to make his way to the hospital multi storey car park but is not being successful given all the road blocks and the heavy rain. My poor poor husband!
Tim eventually turned up not long after, welcomed by all the doctors and midwives, cheering him on for finally finding a park. Seeing Tim arrive in disarray but wearing his favourite restaurant shirt (the one he always wears when we are going out) made me laugh. It gave me the comfort that I was seeking - Tim was letting me know that today is worth celebrating.
I was then whisked to the theatre to be "prepped" while Tim was asked to change to his theatre outfit and wait until I was ready.
Since this was my 2nd c-sect, I somewhat knew what to expect. Despite believing that everything would be alright, I was still silently praying for guidance and grace, positive thoughts and that my baby and I will be okay.
The surgery itself did not last very long. At 6.54pm, my baby was pulled out from the depths of my pelvis (yes, totally ready to come out) and whisked above the curtain to be presented to us. It was the umbilical cord which immediately caught my eye but they quickly moved to the lower region. A beautiful little girl...with lots of hair! Wooohooo, the sonographer did get it right!
Tim finally let go of my hand to watch our little girl get cleaned. Her little cries continued to fill the silence in the room as I got stitched up. Such strong lungs for a wee lil one. I asked Tim whether she had 10 little fingers and 10 little toes. "Perfect" he said.
As soon as she was bundled, Tim presented out little star to me. That's when I finally met my daughter, Eliza Anne Stentiford.
The rest, as they say...is history!
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Someday, you are going to grow up....
and will no longer want to hold my hand like this...
This is me and Noah sitting together watching tele this afternoon. He is sat on my lap with his hand on top of mine, fingers locked into mine. I am inhaling the smell of his hair, hoping to keep it in my memory forever.
Noah seems to be at his cuddliest right now. Not only has he learned to give wonderful cuddles but he has also learned to ask us for cuddles, quite succintly too.
He is so cuddly right now that I am soaking up every chance I can get with him, despite feeling extra heavy and uncomfortable. A couple of times during the week, he has woken up during the night and have snuggled in our bed. As long as I can still breathe and I know that he is not on top of the baby, I let him snuggle up to me and find his most comfortable position to sleep. I know that this is not going to be forever.
Seriously, if someone can bottle this feeling and sell it, they would make a fortune.
Can life get any better than this?
Noah seems to be at his cuddliest right now. Not only has he learned to give wonderful cuddles but he has also learned to ask us for cuddles, quite succintly too.
He is so cuddly right now that I am soaking up every chance I can get with him, despite feeling extra heavy and uncomfortable. A couple of times during the week, he has woken up during the night and have snuggled in our bed. As long as I can still breathe and I know that he is not on top of the baby, I let him snuggle up to me and find his most comfortable position to sleep. I know that this is not going to be forever.
Seriously, if someone can bottle this feeling and sell it, they would make a fortune.
Can life get any better than this?
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Reality check!
Isn't it amazing how unexpected events can be such catalysts to get our butts moving when we procastinate. Events that put us out of comfort zone can be exactly what we need to get our act together.
It definitely happened for Tim and myself this weekend.
Funny how much weekends have changed since having a child. Tim and I used to have weekends almost to ourselves before Noah was born. Breakfast at our local coffee shop, then maybe going for a walk in the afternoon, with Tim and I always looking for something to do. These days, our weekends are almost always filled before we even get to the week before the weekend. Swimming lessons in the morning, then usually a birthday party or 2 in the afternoon. Last weekend was no different. A 2nd birthday party on the Saturday and a combined 2nd birthday party/baptism/40th birthday on the Sunday.
Anyhow, so we were at our friends place on Sunday afternoon, feasting and enjoying watching Noah take advantage of the mini playland that they have in their backyard! Little did we know how much excitement the rest of our afternoon was going to bring forth.....
When I went for a loo break, I spotted something unusual and I started to panic. It was something that I had not experienced with Noah at this late of my pregnancy with him so I was totally baffled. My first instinct was to find Tim (who was still in the backyard chilling). I told him what I had found. I told him that I was going to ring the hospital and ask for their advice. Luckily I had brought my ante natal card with me which has my hospital records and the phone number of the delivery suite. It was only that weekend that I started to become vigilant about carrying the card with me. If someone had asked me where the card was several weeks ago, I honestly could not tell you (bad bad bad patient!).
So I spoke to a lovely midwife on the phone. She asked a ton of questions and deduced that the best thing was for me to come in and be checked. She said that there may be a chance of me being kept overnight for observation....at least the thought of delivering that night was not even broached.
Unfortunately, we had to leave the festivities earlier than we had planned. Such a party pooper!
We drove straight to the hospital. Funny how neither Tim nor I brought up the possibility of having a baby that night but later on discussed how much we thought of it during the drive. I think that the thought of having a child born 4 weeks earlier than expected was just too much for us to discuss!
The lovely midwife that I spoke with ushered us into a room. She took my blood pressure, temperature and hooked me onto a machine to monitor the baby's heartbeat and movements. She said that I would have to wait for the doctor for further examination to see what is going on.
After 2 hours of waiting, with Noah in the room entertaining himself with a hospital curtain, my phone (thank you Bananas in Pyjamas and photos!), the chairs, dinner, the hospital bed and a latex glove, the doctors finally came to see me.
Once they had done what they needed to do, they concluded that the issues were mild enough to allow me to go home for the evening. I was under strict instructions though to keep an eye out and return straight to hospital if anything else happened. I was elated. The possibility of going home with a new baby was not even discussed! Besides when they asked me if we were expecting a boy or a girl and said girl, one of the doctors said that it was a boy day for them. Yahooo! We will come back another day then!
We are so not ready to welcome our new baby right now!
We drove home, relieved, frantically discussing what we needed to do to prepare ourselves. I think that if this is not a reality check that the wee one will soon be joining our family, I don't know what is.
You can only imagine we are doing right now and what is on the agenda for our Easter long weekend.
- Book capsule
- Sort out her clothes
- Wash her clothes
- Build cot and sort out her beddings
- Make space in our wardrobes for her things
If we are lucky, we might have until the 2nd of May to get ourselves sorted....but at least we have started!
It definitely happened for Tim and myself this weekend.
Funny how much weekends have changed since having a child. Tim and I used to have weekends almost to ourselves before Noah was born. Breakfast at our local coffee shop, then maybe going for a walk in the afternoon, with Tim and I always looking for something to do. These days, our weekends are almost always filled before we even get to the week before the weekend. Swimming lessons in the morning, then usually a birthday party or 2 in the afternoon. Last weekend was no different. A 2nd birthday party on the Saturday and a combined 2nd birthday party/baptism/40th birthday on the Sunday.
Anyhow, so we were at our friends place on Sunday afternoon, feasting and enjoying watching Noah take advantage of the mini playland that they have in their backyard! Little did we know how much excitement the rest of our afternoon was going to bring forth.....
When I went for a loo break, I spotted something unusual and I started to panic. It was something that I had not experienced with Noah at this late of my pregnancy with him so I was totally baffled. My first instinct was to find Tim (who was still in the backyard chilling). I told him what I had found. I told him that I was going to ring the hospital and ask for their advice. Luckily I had brought my ante natal card with me which has my hospital records and the phone number of the delivery suite. It was only that weekend that I started to become vigilant about carrying the card with me. If someone had asked me where the card was several weeks ago, I honestly could not tell you (bad bad bad patient!).
So I spoke to a lovely midwife on the phone. She asked a ton of questions and deduced that the best thing was for me to come in and be checked. She said that there may be a chance of me being kept overnight for observation....at least the thought of delivering that night was not even broached.
Unfortunately, we had to leave the festivities earlier than we had planned. Such a party pooper!
We drove straight to the hospital. Funny how neither Tim nor I brought up the possibility of having a baby that night but later on discussed how much we thought of it during the drive. I think that the thought of having a child born 4 weeks earlier than expected was just too much for us to discuss!
The lovely midwife that I spoke with ushered us into a room. She took my blood pressure, temperature and hooked me onto a machine to monitor the baby's heartbeat and movements. She said that I would have to wait for the doctor for further examination to see what is going on.
After 2 hours of waiting, with Noah in the room entertaining himself with a hospital curtain, my phone (thank you Bananas in Pyjamas and photos!), the chairs, dinner, the hospital bed and a latex glove, the doctors finally came to see me.
Once they had done what they needed to do, they concluded that the issues were mild enough to allow me to go home for the evening. I was under strict instructions though to keep an eye out and return straight to hospital if anything else happened. I was elated. The possibility of going home with a new baby was not even discussed! Besides when they asked me if we were expecting a boy or a girl and said girl, one of the doctors said that it was a boy day for them. Yahooo! We will come back another day then!
We are so not ready to welcome our new baby right now!
We drove home, relieved, frantically discussing what we needed to do to prepare ourselves. I think that if this is not a reality check that the wee one will soon be joining our family, I don't know what is.
You can only imagine we are doing right now and what is on the agenda for our Easter long weekend.
- Book capsule
- Sort out her clothes
- Wash her clothes
- Build cot and sort out her beddings
- Make space in our wardrobes for her things
If we are lucky, we might have until the 2nd of May to get ourselves sorted....but at least we have started!
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