Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Life with a newborn...

Everything changes drastically. My response and adjustment to new circumstances are slow and difficult. New things appear. New duties come and require immediate attention. Baby constant crying & calling for attention are routine now. Long sleep is not an option anymore. The baby takes the number one spot in everything. The baby just cannot take NO for an answer. Shopping now is about the baby’s needs and requirements. No more daddy time. No more mummy time. He is the boss for now. Breastfeeding is my wife's middle name right now.

But it’s all worth it. I would do it all over again if given a choice. I experience this wonderful feeling, joy and sheer satisfaction every time I watch him sleep in my arms. To watch him yawns in my arms is priceless. I’m learning something new here, hopefully I’m doing the right thing.

Now people are asking me about the aqiqah (sacrificial feast) and cukur rambut (haircutting) events for the baby. Of course I want to do that but I haven’t decided a suitable date yet. Ramadhan is around the corner, so it is not practical to be held during the fasting month. I will announce the event later, so everybody can come and pray with us.

Two days after I left the hospital, I was strongly advised by my elderly relatives especially my mom to get a masseuse for my wife for her post-natal body massage. On my auntie’s strong recommendation, I got the masseuse from Segambut known as Makcik Maznah. She offered a package of nine days of complete body massage plus baby massage plus belly wrapping service. She recommended nona roguy herbs and its post-natal set. So without a clue, I took the package and went to buy the nona roguy post-natal set for my wife. It cost me a bomb but they seemed effective thus far.

So every afternoon for nine days, I took the masseuse home and drove her back home. Every massage session lasted for three hours. I was told that she has 20 years experience in this massage thing, she even massaged my baby boy. What a weird thing to do!. I was scared initially coz our pediatrician & gynae are silent about this urut-urut thing. I was reluctant as first but after repetitive assurances from my mom & aunties, I just engaged the masseuse. I paid her already :-(

I realize that contstant guidance and advice from the elderly people and mothers are crucial at this stage, luckily I have my mom who always there to help me. I cannot thank her enough for helping me.

Anyway I would like to take this opportunity to thank my wife again for giving me a baby boy. I know I cannot pay her for that. The least i can do is be a good husband to her and be a good father to my baby.

Have a nice day friends. Wassalam.