Pregnancy Story - Part 1

My baby will turn 1 year old in a month.This has brought back so many memories from the time when I was waiting for his arrival  around this time last year.

I wanted a natural birth with no medical intervention and was working towards that goal.I had enrolled in hypnobirthing lessons at the Hunterdon Medical Centre located in Flemington, New Jersey.I had opted to deliver with a midwife rather than medical doctor for the same reason.A good friend of mine delivered her 2 kids naturally, intervention free at the Hunterdon Medical Centre and referred me to the midwives over there.

Hunterdon medical centre is famous for having the most number of natural births as opposed to any other hopsital in New Jersey.I live in Hillsborough and opted to drive for 30-45 minutes to get to the Hunterdon Medical Centre. I knew I made the right decision when I delivered my healthy 8lbs and 0.4 ounces baby boy all natural with no medical intervention at all.I know I'll do it again at the same hospital and hopefully with the same midwife.I was a witness to everything during my baby's birth.I was alert, wide awake and had a say in everything.After my baby was delivered, I felt an adrenaline rush and was energized.I spoke to my family and friends soon after the delivery.They were surprised to hear me so chirpy and sounding so fresh.I did not feel tired or sleepy for a long  time.In fact, I was so restless.I wanted to move around, hold my baby close to me, eat a lot, like seriously a lot.I was starving.I felt so high.I found out later on that the hormones and the natural birth have that effect on you.

Anyway, back to my birth story.I found out I was pregnant a month after conception.I would check every day using the pregnancy test.I was disappointed more often than I thought possible.The test is supposed to be so accurate when you follow the directions.So anyway I waited until I missed my period and then I checked again and hey I was pregnant.I was also the happiest person that day.I started being careful with myself, taking extra care of my diet, making sure I didn't lay down flat on my tummy and making sure I took my prenatal vitamins.I had been taking my vitamins for a month or so before we planned to get pregnant.

Then we met up with a general physician close to my place in Hillsborough.She confirmed my pregnancy and advised against any traveling at least for the first trimester.We were supposed to fly to Chicago to meet with a prospective suitor for my sis in law.But I got scared when the doctor advised me not to.So hubby flew to Chicago for a weekend while I was home alone.

After a month, I started feeling really sick.I would feel sick on an empty stomach and if I ate, I usually would throw up soon after.Even food like burger or french fries wouldn't stay in for long.I also suffered from lower back pain which most people found funny.They thought 1st trimester was too early for lower back pain.All along I would keep up with my visits and my mid wives would always assure me that all is well.There was nothing to worry about.

My sickness heightened in the 3rd month and then disappeared completely when I entered into my 4th month of pregnancy.It was then I started going to school part time.My school is in Newark and I had to take the train to Newark which is a 45 minute ride followed by a 5 minute light rail to Warren Street.It was a good way for me to get some exercise and keep my mind off my pregnancy woes.

TO BE CONTINUED....

My baby's walking at 10 months

Finally, the day I have been waiting for is here.My baby boy who turns 11 month old on 18th June 2012 is walking on his own.He has a steady walk now and loves walking.He doesn't want to hold onto our hands anymore and prefers walking at his pace and on his own.I feel my baby is growing up.

And I'm so relieved no more carrying him down the stairs or carrying the heavy car seat in one hand while holding him in the other.We can even go places without the stroller where the two of us can walk next to each other.I now bring him with me to most places like the library, the grocery store, to the leasing manager's office and all.

Its an exciting time for him.He's trying to walk real fast and often ends up falling down on his face or bumps his head against the furniture or the tv stand.He has also learnt to run away from us.He usually grabs his dad's blackberry and runs in the opposite direction.He also tries to run away when I feed him something he doesn't like to eat.That's when I felt we needed better discipline while eating and we bought him a Graco high chair with 6 seat adjustments.Feeding him is not such a chore anymore.

mashAllah tabarakAllah ......

My boo boo turns 8mo

My baby turns 8 months old today.There are times when I reflect back to the days when I was still single and find it hard to believe that I have an 8 mo.

He keeps me on my toes all days long and follows me almost everywhere.Yes, even to the restroom where he sits outside banging on the door.I can't get anything done without having my little spy following me.He wants to eat everything I eat.He wants to go wherever I go.He even follows the hoover around while I'm vaccuming the living room.My funny little guy has been crawling for a month now.He can stand holding onto some support such as a chair or holding my shirt.He can hold the bottle and feed himself.He explores the kitchen when I'm cooking.He loves it when I open the dishwasher and some days when I'm too busy to notice, he gets into the dishwasher and sits in there until I get him out.

The only time when he can sit quietly is when I'm reading to him.I started reading to him since he was 6mo.The first book I bought for him was the Mirror Me Baby book by Baby Einstein http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Einstein-Mirror-Julie-Aigner-Clark/dp/0786808438.
He absolutely loved it.He loves looking at himself in the mirror.So everytime he got fussy before a nap or just over stimulated, we would read out loud from this book and every single time it worked.About a month later, I bought two other books for him, Moo Baa La la la http://www.amazon.com/Moo-Baa-Sandra-Boynton/dp/067144901X and the First 100 words Bright Baby http://www.amazon.com/First-100-Words-Bright-Baby/dp/B000F7BPCU.
He enjoys both the books but the mirror me is his favorite.In fact, he would be busy doing something or even crying but the minute me or my DH read something from the mirror book, he would stop midway and crawl to us and we would read out to him.

Happy 8month birthday bubbles and many more to come :)