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....

Hamdoon's 11 month updates

mashAllah alhamdulilla my baby's a month away to turning an year old.Time sure seems to fly.There are so many moments when I just want to hold my baby in my arms and wish he wouldn't grow up so soon.It was around this time last year that I was huge, swollen and walking crazily around trying to speed things up.My estimated due date was 11th July 2011 but my baby decided to arrive exactly a week later on 18th July 2011.I will blog some other time about my awesome natural birthing experience, thanks to my midwife Judith and the bestest nurse ever and of course thanks to hypnobirthing.

So anyway now my baby can walk without falling down.He has almost given up crawling.He can talk a lot in his baby language, especially when he's annoyed or when no one's watching and he's engrossed in his toys.He loves going over his books mashallah and loves being read to by his mom.mashAllah.He also enjoys stacking things on top of each other.He is also constantly trying to put things into each other like a small toy into his glass or in his lunch box and such.subhanAllah.I'm constantly amazed at the things he can do at this age.And no one's taught him a thing.He learnt to walk on his own.He talks when he wants to.He's always pulling things out and putting them back in.

Babies truly are a miracle of Allah SWT.They are self taught and have unique personalities from such a young age.subhanAllah.

I love cuddling with my baby but he's ever so busy moving about and exploring.Today I took him with me to the laundry room and he was so excited.He would keep staring at my face with a big grin on his.We also went grocery shopping with my neighbor and her two sons.I can see he's beginning to get more friendly with the kids now.

The worst thing at this point is his eating habits.He refuses to eat anything the first time I offer it to him.He even refuses the things he loved to eat like oatmeal and rice and lentil.He takes a bite very reluctantly and then spits it out.Sometimes he takes another bite and so on.Some times he's just so adamant and refuses to open his mouth.He's become very fussy with what he wants to eat.Maybe that's because he's cutting through his upper 2 teeth.He now has 2 teeth on the lower jaw and 2 on the upper jaw.He looks so goofy when he smiles.Love, love love the cutie

Happy New year 2012

Hi,

So 2012 is here.Time does seem to fly.Last  year, around this time I was pregnant with my baby boy and my hubby was looking for a new job.I was about to start a new semester at college.There was a lot going on at the same time or at least I thought as much.Fast forward to this year and I'm mommy to a lovely 5 month old.Looking back, I am amazed at the transformation I have seen in myself and in my relationships with others after having a baby.But I can honestly say this phase is the best one of my life so far.Being with my baby, playing with him, laughing with him, making him laugh, even watching him sleep fills me with joy that cannot be described.

This blog is meant to be a parenting blog where I hope I can exchange ideas and tips on raising happy children

So happy blogging to mommy of baby D ;)