5 Year Joy

The first time I experienced the pain, I did not know that it was THAT pain and that in a another 12 hours my life would change forever. And since the pains came every half an hour or so in the beginning and was quite mild, I thought nothing of it and went to the grocer’s behind the office to get some daun kesum and fish for N’s assam pedas dinner that night, and some bananas for me.

I finally got home after being stuck for hours in the Jalan Ampang jam and had a bit of rest. Again, the pain came..but made of steel (ahaks) as I am..it was still nothing. Strangely, the heavy load that I had been carrying with me for 9 months now seemed extra heavy that night. My body had changed so much that some people didn’t recognize me with the extra 20kgs that I had gained. I never knew my bum could expand THAT big, and for the upper body, oh my….I could’ve given Dolly PArton a run for her money! Fatigue took over me and I dozed off, only to be awaken by another sharp pain. It was then 9pm and I had not cooked yet. Aisay, forget the assam pedas lah!

It then dawned upon me, that it could be my labour pains although I was only due in another two weeks. I called mom to ask her whether I was experiencing labour pains just to be sure..and she said “Oh my gosh Anedra, I can’t remember how it feels! The last I had pains was 15 years ago!!” (right, thanks mom!) and she redirected me to my Mak Su who more or less had the same answer as mom and who then redirected me to the youngest aunt in our family, Kak Nisa who said, “Just go to the hospital now!”. (Dear God, thank you for all the wise aunties I have in my family..)

N was still in the office at the time and I had to interrupt him in the middle of an important meeting. I whispered, “Come home. It’s TIME”. He said, “Now?” I said “Now”. He said “Sekarang??” I said “YA!!” He then said again “Now?” I said “Nevermind!!!!!!” To which he finally said, “OK! I balik sekarang!” Reverse psychology works on men I guess..Well, at least it works on MY man.

A wise friend of mine once told me, one you get in (the hospital), say these magic words. SO when we FINALLY got to the hospital, I flashed my best smile to the nurse, batted my eyes a bit and said the magic words, “Epidural please?”. So much of strength and steel huh? I’m actually a sucker when it comes to pain! N who had no clue what epidural was dared not question me (and my glare) and just signed the consent forms.

I was then already having 10 minute apart contractions while waiting for the epidural sink..Once it was in my system, I was calm and managed some sleep. Mom and Dad came in a few times marveling at how relaxed I was! The wonders of epidural, I say!

The rest of the jin-bang (no adiejin here) were already gathered at the waiting lounge by 1 am. You see, in our family, so far, it is customary that whenever one gives birth, the whole kampong is around to give support!! So, Mom, Dad, MakSu, PakSu, PakAji, KakNisa and the rest were all there, patiently waiting for the arrival of the new family member in between rounds of the tarik and roti canai at Bangsar. (if I never thanked you..here it is THANKS!!!)

Just before Subuh I was awaken by the nurse who said, “It’s time” and continued on a very animated conversation with N on how N and I could use some method to get twins on our next try, while strapping my legs into position.. N who was then planning on having a family the size of a whole football team was excited already at the prospect of twins at our next try and repeatedly questioning the nurse "betul ke? betul ke?" (See, can never trust that man alone with nurses!)

The doctor came in a few minutes later with her yellow Pua Chu Kang boots, looking so relaxed, and said, “Ok Anedra, when I say push..you push SOOOO hard, like you’ve never pushed before!”.. Chief nurse said “Imagine a really bad case of constipation!” Yeah right….and push I did, while doctor, chief nurse and the other two nurses cheered me on like cheerleaders at a soccer game minus the short skirts and pompoms!

It wasn’t easy pushing when you are numb and can’t feel anything.. what more, with N hovering around trying to peek in between my legs just to be sure it's a baby coming out and a boy. But, after a few huffs and puffs and three pushes, he came out, slimy, a bit smelly, but nontheless the most beautiful thing we'd ever seen. The nurses said almost in unison "Eh, eh, botak..macam papa!!” , while N proudly beamed at his first son. N then kissed me and said, “Senangnya! No pain! Tahun depan we have one more ok?” I dismissed thoughts of punching him since such negative thoughts was already detected by the baby who was wailing his lungs away.

Nasar, a few hours old

Mom who was there too, was already oooh-aaah-ing away exclaiming how “intelligent” and “smart” her first grandchild is. And how he looks so very sharp, yada..yada..yada.. How she knew it was all that, I don’t know.. It was probably just a plain profound blind love for her first newborn grandson. It definitely was love at first sight for her, as it was for us.

One year old Nasar

That was 5 years ago. We named that slimey baby, Syed Nasar, and Nasar turns five today. Always the cute and charming and smart one in the eyes of his parents and gets away with murder with his grandparents. A loving, fine boy whom I can’t ever imagine life without, one, who changed our lives and filled it with so much happiness, with his entrance into this world.

Nasar, today, at 5 years old.

And my oh my, what an achievement for me! 5 years ago, I could never have imagined surviving diaper changes, breastfeeding and what not. And now, after surviving a 5 year old Nasar and his three year old partner in crime, Nasri, I'd do it all over again! (But please God, gimme a girl the next time?)

Just like Nazrah said, “Hidup jugak anak engkau jaga ek?”

Haha..Tell me about it!

Me and my 5 year old baby puffing his cheeks

ps: Happy Birthday too, to the owner of my favourite kedai kopi, Ely!! Ely, on your birthday, I made your Shephards Pie! It looks promising, but donno how it tastes lah, with my cooking skills, you knowlah how! BUT I will eat and celebrate on your behalf tonite!!

Ely's Shephard's Pie. YUMMMMY!