29th February...A Nostalgic Day In My Life

Twelve years ago on this very same day, I was awaken at 7.00am in the morning because I was soaking wet in my pants. Thinking that I have wee in my pants, I got up from bed unbelievable and still in dreamland only to realize that my water bag has burst and the baby is coming any time which is unexpected as the due date given by the doctor is 15th March 2000!

Panicky and inexperience, my husband call the doctor and was told to calm down but we have to be in the hospital as soon as we can.

Trying to be as calmed as a cat, I took a quick bath and pack whatever is needed.

We arrived at the hospital at about 9.00am and I was immediately wheeled into the labor room with my husband by my side.

Scared and at the same time feeling excited, I try to follow the instruction given by the doctor in order to have a safe and easy delivery although it is not as simple as it seems.

My first contraction came at 11.00am. It was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt in my life and with an interval of two hours, the pain comes on again.

As the morning stretched into noon, the interval of the pain becomes shorter and I was beginning to feel exhausted. 

By this time, the doctor told me that if the baby does not come by 5.00pm, he will have to do a cesarean on me.

More panic feelings sets in.

There is no way I am going to go through that as I have always wanted to have a natural birth and I am determine to do it.

Taking in another deep breath, I apply the breathing techniques of pushing again, push.....heave...ho..arrrrg... for another 2 agonizing hours without realizing that I was grasping my husband fingers so tightly until he does not feel his own hands anymore. I have to give credit to him for going through the pain with me.

Finally the baby arrived at 7.35pm and my husband was with me to witness the birth of our baby.  It was the most emotional moments of my life when I feel her coming out of me.

Her first whimpers, her first cries will always be imprinted in my brain.

Those tiny fingers curling around my own makes my heart cries out in joy.

We name our little precious gift Kar Mun and she is born on this special leap day of  29th February 2000.

Today she is 12 years old and she has filled our lives with so many happy days with her countless little ways.

No words can describe the warm memories, the pride and the gratitude that comes from having a daughter.

Happy Birthday .. my princess...

February 2012 is ending soon.

It is only just like yesterday that we have celebrated Chinese New Year.

I still have cookies and mandarin orange in the house to remind me of Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year has always been an exciting festival for me although we celebrate it with the same people every year.

It is an occasion for bonding with loved ones. I have always enjoyed visiting relatives and tasting all the different cookies and attending open house.

On the eve of Chinese New Year, our reunion dinner has always been shared with my sister-in-law and their families. Each of us will cook one or two of our signature dish and we will take turn to held the dinner in different house every year.

On day one of Chinese New Year, it is like marathon visiting all my sister-in-law again even though we have just bid goodnight a couple of hours ago after reunion dinner. And the day is never complete without our favorite CNY black jack gambling.

On day two is a busy day for me. It is my turn to have open house for everybody and it has been a yearly tradition. Despite all the preparation and madness of cooking, I have always enjoyed the festive atmosphere in our quiet house.

I will normally have the entire third day of Chinese New Year to myself. This is the only available day that I get to spend with my siblings and mom. It is also one of the days where we will be keeping ourselves undated about everyone and everything. Plainly speaking, gossiping...

Although I have been celebrating Chinese New Year for 50 years, it still excites and thrill me each time. The nostalgic memories of childhood, new clothes, angpows and all the goodies that we are blessed with.

I will treasure this happy occasion that I get to share with all this wonderful people and look forward to many more happy years to come.