The PLAYPEN was left in baggage collection (or conveyor belt) at NY airport. We accidentally left it, there were too many baggages already. I felt guilty, I was the one who said 'We got all the bags! Let's move on" to my DH that night. He went back to airport to check the playpen, but nobody was there to help anymore (it was midnight, everyone went back home, I supposed). Luckily my daughter were already tired and the youngest slept on the bed.
The next morning, Nabilah was really hungry and look for cooked rice. The night before we asked the stewardess to pack us some dinner leftover. She gave us steamed rice and a spoonful of steamed vegetables with fried egg. When she saw the rice, she screamed "Nak nasi.. nak nasi" translated to "I want the rice.. I want the rice" and ate them like she never eats rice before. I was so sad, I cried, actually cried in front of my hungry like wolf, at that time, 18 months bubbly daughter. My DH also cried, but in his heart (hehehe).. I knew him, he loves our daughters so much. They were tired and jet lagged after a long haul flight. My DH went to the airport again to check on out left playpen but no luck. No one can help him. He went back to the hotel and it was already 11.30 a.m.
I got the kids ready, and we went to the airport again at 12 o'clock. That was our big mistake. We did not know how NY airport check in work, we took for granted that the system they used are simpler than what is in KL International Airport. It turned out that flight check-in counter is different with baggage check-in counter. And you have to walk quite a distance to get the baggage x-rayed and check-in. The most important fact, there were lots of people waiting in line for check-in!!! Our flight to Madison via Continental Airline was scheduled at 2.10 p.m. When we finished check-in processes, it was already 1.35 p.m. Both of us ran like mad to the immigration check, I pushed Nabilah's stroller and my DH pushes our trolley of hand carry luggages with Najihah in her car seat sitting at the front of the trolley.
Luckily we passed the checked without much problem. The officers pitied us when she saw all the stuffs we brought along and with babies in tow, everybody seems to be nice and helpful. I even asked a man to help me pulled down Najihah's seat handle because I cannot do it with one hand (my baby is in another arm). It was hard, try it yourself. And came the most tiring part, running to the gate! Ours was at the end of the hall, like 20-30 minutes if you walk normal pace. My DH ran to the gate, asking them to wait for me. I was holding Najihah in her seat (it was like 15-pounds weight, could not run faster that a snail.. hehehe) and somehow, my luck, an airport buggy passed me by and offer to send me to the gate. Phew! What a relieve. We went in exactly 5 minutes before the gate is closed and got on the plane, eventually.
Well guys, there rest of the story was pretty much normal paced. We arrived at Madison around 4 pm and was greeted by a Malaysian family. They waited for us, thanks so much K. Nafisah and Abg Andi! They provided dinner for us that night and next day breakfast. K. Rohany cooked us lunch and somehow we managed to get some sleep with the kids. Our journey to Madison was not an easy one, but it was all worth remembering.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Circus in town..
We went to the circus, eventually. My daughters' naptime was changed from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. Why? I need to adjust Nabilah routine, so that Tuesday when she will be starting her first day at nursery she won't be too sleepy to eat her much. Changing naptime means changing wake up time, totally. I tried so hard to make them fell asleep no later than 12.30. They will wake up around 1.30 to 2 p.m., just in time for snack time at 3 o'clock, and later dinner around 5.30 p.m. Kids's routine, hate it but that's what all mommies should take care if your kids are staying at home. Play, feed, sleep and the cycle goes on.. never ending.
Well, what's about the circus? I thought there are lots of clowns wearing fancy clothes and red noses. But no, there were so much more. They are bunch of kids, as young as 4 years old performing various circus acts such as cycle unicycle, walking on stilts, low-flying trapeze and much more.. We arrived late, the seats were full. My DH sat with Nabilah on the floor, who was so excited. She clapped her hands, danced and moved her body to the music. I was with Najihah all the time, and she too, was excited to see many people around her. At one time, a spotlight shone on both of us. I startled a bit, because everyone around me ran away (I was standing all the time, carrying Najihah in my arms). Luckily, the clowns exited to the other spotlights. Hehehe.
Another weekend with my family. Both my tired but happy daughters were fast asleep now. Next weekend? No plan yet, but I sure hope there will be something free for family outing in town. Otherwise, got to chekup on my beanies and other stuffs.
Well, what's about the circus? I thought there are lots of clowns wearing fancy clothes and red noses. But no, there were so much more. They are bunch of kids, as young as 4 years old performing various circus acts such as cycle unicycle, walking on stilts, low-flying trapeze and much more.. We arrived late, the seats were full. My DH sat with Nabilah on the floor, who was so excited. She clapped her hands, danced and moved her body to the music. I was with Najihah all the time, and she too, was excited to see many people around her. At one time, a spotlight shone on both of us. I startled a bit, because everyone around me ran away (I was standing all the time, carrying Najihah in my arms). Luckily, the clowns exited to the other spotlights. Hehehe.
Another weekend with my family. Both my tired but happy daughters were fast asleep now. Next weekend? No plan yet, but I sure hope there will be something free for family outing in town. Otherwise, got to chekup on my beanies and other stuffs.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Journey to Madison - Part II
It was early in the morning, like 5.30 a.m. We took off to KLIA in 3 cars, our car, my dad's and my brother-in-law's car. We were tensed, with the kids, my family, in-laws and everything. At the airport, I had nerve to check the bags again in front of check-in counter, my DH definitely furious at me that time.. hehehe.
After so-many kisses and goodbyes, we went into departure hall about an hour before the flight took off. It was scheduled to take off at 9 a.m. but out flight was delayed until 12 noon. My parents were already on their way back to Muar, and the in-laws are already at Kak Ngah's house. It was terrible. Luckily we were on business class, so we got free snack at the departure lobby. We did not eat anything yet that morning, so it was a bit relief for both of us. Our daughters were both tired but not that cranky. In flight, our stewardess was very helpful and polite. I really thanked her for making our halfway journey to Madison a breeze. Najihah slept almost all the time in her basinet. Nabilah had difficult time to sleep because not enough space for her! Eventually her dad managed to console her and pacify her to sleep on his lap. But not too long, she begged to sleep on the floor. No choice, just to keep her quiet.
After almost 12 hours flying, we stopped at Sweden for transit. It was horrible. We had to take out all cabin baggages (ours were 5 not-that-small cabin bags with baby basket, stroller and baby car seat) to the waiting lounge and check in again after 2 hours. Luckily they allowed us to leave our bags with them outside the plane and pick up at the door again. Back into the plane, we were served with different team of steward/stewardess. This time the stewardess was not that friendly and helpful. She did not even ask our names (she should actually) and the senior stewardess (not sure what her rank is but I am sure she's older..hehe) was bold and rude to us when Nabilah (who already having fever) slept on the floor. Being a mom, I defended myself and my child saying that we will take care of her ourselves and if the plane is going into a storm, we will pick her up. The captain said nothing actually because the weather was calm!!
We landed in New York about 9 p.m local time. No one else except our flight at that time. The kids were tired, we were more than tired, exhausted! I carried Najihah in her car seat, my DH pushing Nabilah in her stroller and carry other bags. We were the last one to be out from the plane! Moved to immigration and wait for another half an hour in line. Got our bags and went to custom check. Luckily, the lady officer who waited at the entrance waved 'Goodnight' at us.. and off we go to the arrival hall. No custom check, phew!It was nearly midnight when we arrived at Best Western Hotel, and we noticed something was missing from our trolley.. the PLAYPEN!
~to be continued...
After so-many kisses and goodbyes, we went into departure hall about an hour before the flight took off. It was scheduled to take off at 9 a.m. but out flight was delayed until 12 noon. My parents were already on their way back to Muar, and the in-laws are already at Kak Ngah's house. It was terrible. Luckily we were on business class, so we got free snack at the departure lobby. We did not eat anything yet that morning, so it was a bit relief for both of us. Our daughters were both tired but not that cranky. In flight, our stewardess was very helpful and polite. I really thanked her for making our halfway journey to Madison a breeze. Najihah slept almost all the time in her basinet. Nabilah had difficult time to sleep because not enough space for her! Eventually her dad managed to console her and pacify her to sleep on his lap. But not too long, she begged to sleep on the floor. No choice, just to keep her quiet.
After almost 12 hours flying, we stopped at Sweden for transit. It was horrible. We had to take out all cabin baggages (ours were 5 not-that-small cabin bags with baby basket, stroller and baby car seat) to the waiting lounge and check in again after 2 hours. Luckily they allowed us to leave our bags with them outside the plane and pick up at the door again. Back into the plane, we were served with different team of steward/stewardess. This time the stewardess was not that friendly and helpful. She did not even ask our names (she should actually) and the senior stewardess (not sure what her rank is but I am sure she's older..hehe) was bold and rude to us when Nabilah (who already having fever) slept on the floor. Being a mom, I defended myself and my child saying that we will take care of her ourselves and if the plane is going into a storm, we will pick her up. The captain said nothing actually because the weather was calm!!
We landed in New York about 9 p.m local time. No one else except our flight at that time. The kids were tired, we were more than tired, exhausted! I carried Najihah in her car seat, my DH pushing Nabilah in her stroller and carry other bags. We were the last one to be out from the plane! Moved to immigration and wait for another half an hour in line. Got our bags and went to custom check. Luckily, the lady officer who waited at the entrance waved 'Goodnight' at us.. and off we go to the arrival hall. No custom check, phew!It was nearly midnight when we arrived at Best Western Hotel, and we noticed something was missing from our trolley.. the PLAYPEN!
~to be continued...
New Shoes for Nabilah
She wanted that shoes. It lights up when she walks. But stubborn me, I went to pick up another shoes, cheaper shoes for her. And guess what, she did not want to wear it at all!
Unbelievable, but true. My husband and I looked at each other yesterday night when Nabilah tried her new shoes and started jumping up and down just to see her shoes did not light up like it did when we were at Walmart. There and then we decided that we need to return it back to the store and get the 'laser light' shoes. This evening, when her father opened up the new shoe box, she looked, smiled happily and gave me a big hug. Then she said "I love you" to her dad and gave him another big hug. I almost cried!!
Lesson to learn: When it comes to buying shoes for your child, if she or he said "I like that one better" and start to behave like she did not want any other thing or just don't care, just grab the one the child chooses.. even if they are only going into 2-year old next week! (Tips: make sure you put her on the cheapest shoes first...)
Unbelievable, but true. My husband and I looked at each other yesterday night when Nabilah tried her new shoes and started jumping up and down just to see her shoes did not light up like it did when we were at Walmart. There and then we decided that we need to return it back to the store and get the 'laser light' shoes. This evening, when her father opened up the new shoe box, she looked, smiled happily and gave me a big hug. Then she said "I love you" to her dad and gave him another big hug. I almost cried!!
Lesson to learn: When it comes to buying shoes for your child, if she or he said "I like that one better" and start to behave like she did not want any other thing or just don't care, just grab the one the child chooses.. even if they are only going into 2-year old next week! (Tips: make sure you put her on the cheapest shoes first...)
Sunday, January 8, 2006
Journey to Madison - Part I
Our journey to Madison was not an easy one. I want to share my own experience in a long-haul flight with babies and lots of heavy luggages. So, the date was August, 27th 2005 Saturday 9 a.m. That was our flight to Madison, Wisconsin USA. The journey started from KLIA, transit at Sweden and stopped at New York. A night at NY then to Madison, the next day. Sound simple, eh. Hell, no. Let me start with the preparation time in KL.
I had little time to fully prepare myself and my family to travel. A week before departure, we had trouble with scholarship fund. My DH (this stands for 'Darling Husband') managed to get it done i.e. currency exchange, bank draft and whatever needed for us to survive at least for the first month in US, 2 days before our flight. Three days before that, we transported all furnitures and whatever left in my Seri Putra home to kampung. Tiring journey, and I drove alone with my mom and kids because the scholarship fund did not clear on time so my DH had to stay back in KL. On Friday August 26th, I brought everyone in my family (mom, dad, angah's family and along's family) for short trip to TNB Kondominium at Port Dickson. My mom had always wanted to go there and I somehow managed to squeeze in our tiny relaxing window for so-called family vacation. It went out great. Phew!
The night before departure was chaotic. My DH already exhausted with all preparation and documents. And he was a bit tensed already. Combined with my mom constant reminder of don't forget this and that, made me tensed as well. Put the kids down to sleep early and I continued packing our stuff i.e. clothes, diapers, formula and dry food. Done packing at 1 a.m. Five heavy check-in luggages with 2 hand luggage, 1 baby playpen for Najihah, Najihah's medicine bag and 1 'bakul' full of Nabilah's food and formula. I only can 'tawakkal' on how we gonna manage the bags and our kids together. Hehe.
~to be continued ....
I had little time to fully prepare myself and my family to travel. A week before departure, we had trouble with scholarship fund. My DH (this stands for 'Darling Husband') managed to get it done i.e. currency exchange, bank draft and whatever needed for us to survive at least for the first month in US, 2 days before our flight. Three days before that, we transported all furnitures and whatever left in my Seri Putra home to kampung. Tiring journey, and I drove alone with my mom and kids because the scholarship fund did not clear on time so my DH had to stay back in KL. On Friday August 26th, I brought everyone in my family (mom, dad, angah's family and along's family) for short trip to TNB Kondominium at Port Dickson. My mom had always wanted to go there and I somehow managed to squeeze in our tiny relaxing window for so-called family vacation. It went out great. Phew!
The night before departure was chaotic. My DH already exhausted with all preparation and documents. And he was a bit tensed already. Combined with my mom constant reminder of don't forget this and that, made me tensed as well. Put the kids down to sleep early and I continued packing our stuff i.e. clothes, diapers, formula and dry food. Done packing at 1 a.m. Five heavy check-in luggages with 2 hand luggage, 1 baby playpen for Najihah, Najihah's medicine bag and 1 'bakul' full of Nabilah's food and formula. I only can 'tawakkal' on how we gonna manage the bags and our kids together. Hehe.
~to be continued ....
Music for Toddlers?
Today we went to Madison Public Library for the first time. There was a music session for babies and toddler. I thought it would give my kids a chance to see other kids. Kind of playgroup thing but everyone involved. Nabilah was quite shy (very unlike her!) but she sang, danced and walked along with her dad. I was with Najihah all the time (she cannot walk yet) but I sensed she loved the music. The best part is it was FREE! Can't wait to go to Monona Terrace Convention Centre on January 22nd for Circus.
Saturday, January 7, 2006
New Baby..
Well.. she's still a baby, but bigger now at the time I'm writing this. Hehe. A beautiful baby girl was born on Thursday, May 19th 2005 11.30 a.m. I'm her mother. Another girl in a family. She was born a week earlier than expected. I was working like mad the week before, just in time to get everything in order for others to catch up. Felt pain, normal I guess, the night before. I'm not that sure that I will be in labor the next day. Thought that they were just normal lower abdomen pain, I slept with Nabilah and comfort her throughout the night, occasionally woke up to tell my hubby that I felt kindof weird and painful.
All well and good, until the next morning, the pain was a bit unbearable but I still can prepare Nabilah to nursery and punch card at the office. My dear hubby begged (with somekind of threats added to it) me to go to the clinic. I did. Just to make sure that it was not false alarm. Went in to the doctor's office at 9.40 a.m. I was already 4 cm dilated. Wowee! Gonna go into labor soon. I was admitted to the labor room at 10 o'clock, my hubby rushed back home to get 'air selusuh' and 'air akar fatimah', and at the same time managed to call Mak. In labor room, I was praying hard for the baby to not come out before her dad is beside me. Scarry though, because she may want to pop out anytime. Hehe.
No painkiller, no medication and no epidural. No, no, and no. Just the plain labor pain that lasted like one and a half hour before I gave birth to Norsafiya Najihah at 11.30 a.m, with my hubby at side, Dr. Khamsiah and another midwifes. It was short and sweet. Everyone in the office was shocked to hear I went into labor that day, because they saw me in the office an hour before that! Hehe.
Now, she's a bubbly adorable going into 8-months old baby girl. See her pic, isn't she beautiful? Look carefully and you may notice that she has a mole on her left cheek, just like me.
All well and good, until the next morning, the pain was a bit unbearable but I still can prepare Nabilah to nursery and punch card at the office. My dear hubby begged (with somekind of threats added to it) me to go to the clinic. I did. Just to make sure that it was not false alarm. Went in to the doctor's office at 9.40 a.m. I was already 4 cm dilated. Wowee! Gonna go into labor soon. I was admitted to the labor room at 10 o'clock, my hubby rushed back home to get 'air selusuh' and 'air akar fatimah', and at the same time managed to call Mak. In labor room, I was praying hard for the baby to not come out before her dad is beside me. Scarry though, because she may want to pop out anytime. Hehe.
No painkiller, no medication and no epidural. No, no, and no. Just the plain labor pain that lasted like one and a half hour before I gave birth to Norsafiya Najihah at 11.30 a.m, with my hubby at side, Dr. Khamsiah and another midwifes. It was short and sweet. Everyone in the office was shocked to hear I went into labor that day, because they saw me in the office an hour before that! Hehe.
Now, she's a bubbly adorable going into 8-months old baby girl. See her pic, isn't she beautiful? Look carefully and you may notice that she has a mole on her left cheek, just like me.
New beginning..
There's a reason why I stopped blogging for a long long time... I have not much spare time! Hehe. Anyway, as the new year begins (like a week ago..) I will start telling you guys my everyday tales here in Madison, Wisconsin (yeah, That 70's Show shout-out-loud!). Maybe I'will rewind the tales from where I left.. I have to tell you guys on my second experience in the labor room, then another scary moment being hospitalized.. and most of all, the tales of getting to Madison safely on our first ever long-haul journey from Malaysia to United States. Well frens, check back in a day or two. And keep reading!
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