of squats and stairs climbing...

The waiting game continues as we all are counting down the days of giving birth to Isabella. Most of my friends who were my pregnant buddies who are scheduled to give birth almost the same time as me has already pass through the "exam" one by one. I had a feeling that Isabella and I might be the last team standing. 

The month of June has been a waiting month. I learnt the lesson of being patient, to appreciate the feeling of being pregnant (at least for the very last month or last few weeks). It has been a tiring one, with my baby bump getting bigger and heavier each day. While some of my pregnant buddies are displaying some symptoms like having flu/nasal congestion, diarrhea, nesting syndrome (sleeping a lot and also sudden surge of energy to clean and prepare the nest for baby), back pain, swollen legs and noses, i experienced these symptoms but they come and go. While some pregnant mummies are having swollen legs as early as 3 weeks prior to estimated due date, my legs swelled very minimally even at this moment -- 5 days before due date. As much as I am fearful of the potential pain that I might be facing when giving birth, right now I am more concerned on delivering baby Isabella safely. It is amazing how waiting can somehow dilute fear. 

Upon my sister's and mom's advice on inducing labour naturally, they told me that squats and stairs climbing helps. I tried both stairs climbing and squats every other day. Stairs climbing makes me breathless because it is more to cardio. Started from 10 rounds (up and down) and then slowly increased to 30 rounds. I did squats at the yard some days ago, combined with breathing exercises and then did more squats in bedroom again. Boy, i was sweating a lot and my thighs are burning. Surprisingly, these two exercises did helped the "lightening" process of the baby. I could feel baby bump going slightly downwards. More squats & stairs climbing, and hopefully, we will make it as a team soon, baby!

As I am ending this entry soon, I'm going back to my late pregnancy fitness routine -- more squats and stairs climbing! Bring it on!

flores silvestres (wildflower)

Ayer estaba pasando un poco de tiempo en el patio y me di cuenta con flores silvestres. Admiré el espíritu de flores silvestres, porque aunque no hay ningún lo mejor condición, se pueden crecer que ningún puede imaginar y me acuerdo una frase sobre las flores silvestres.

"como flores silvestres, debe permitir que crezca en todos los lugares que la gente pensó que nunca lo haría. "

***

Yesterday I was spending sometime at the patio and I noticed some wild flowers.  I admired the spirit of wild flowers because, even though the condition are not the best, they grow like no one could imagine and I was reminded by a frase about wild flowers. 

"like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places that people thought you never would."

A rainy day in Kuching

The rain pours as the thunder thumps,
Droplets of rain showered the plants at the backyard,
Forming rain dews on waxy leaves,
In the shelter our dogs are chilling,
In the kitchen mom is cooking,
I sat by the door, overlooking the yard,
Sizzling sounds from the cooking pan synchronizing with the drizzling sounds of rain,
Aroma of fried sambal brinjal amidst the cool rainy breeze,
Renewed and refreshed,
Calm and tranquil,
A rainy day in Kuching.

belated Father's Day post -- My father, my hero.

It was a hot afternoon. Resting on a sofa at the living room, I heard a series of banging and cutting sound from the kitchen. Dad was repairing the washing machine after his short nap. Clad in his usual long sleeves with maroon colour collar shirt and a black shorts, he sat at the kitchen busy replacing the old pipes which was bitten by rats with new pipe so that our daily laundry could carry on. Well it might looks like a menial task and nothing big, but the rhythm of the banging and cutting sound resulted from the repair works reminds me that God is taking care of my parents. Dad is still healthy and steady. Since young, I always thought dad is my hero, he will always be. Though he is not as expressive with hugs and kisses, he loves us with his actions. For that, I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day everyday and I am blessed to be your daughter. Wish you good health always:)

Contando los dias (counting the days)

Antes de concebirte ya te queria,

Antes de que nacieras ya te amaba, 

Antes de tuvieras una hora de nacido ya moria por ti.

Este es el milagro del amor de madre. 

***

Before you were conceived, I wanted you. 

Before you were born, I loved you.

Before you were here an hour, I would died for you. 

That is the miracle of love of a mother. 

As i am counting down the days, waiting for Isabella to be born, i thank God for all the days that God has protected and guided me along the way. Nothing should be taken for granted...daily trips to work, monthly routine check-ups and each trip with the little ones in me when flying in the plane.