Life After 8 (years... well, almost)

If you ask, I am tired. Being pregnant is one. Being a mother of one school-going is another. Plus another kindy-age. I am not tired being a mother but being one is tiring. How's that? Maybe Tebby noticed that lately. He announced last weekend, if we can do something to settle the payment for my ViVa, I can quit working this 9-5 job.

Since Kakak started her Tahun1 on 2nd January 2008, Iman with his kindy on the 7th - we've been busy adjusting. First, mentally and emotionally, later came the physical part. Even 6a.m. is too late to start with! Maybe even 5.30a.m! I took a quick shower and then start preparing for the kids' bekal and breakfast. I am not so worried about Iman but I do with Kakak. Her recess is at 10.10a.m. everyday and without proper breakfast, I don't think she can last that long. By 6.15a.m., usually I already lay down their breakfast and have their bekal all prepared. To make it all smooth, we make sure the fridge is always stuffed with something that can be prepared in short time. Or have rice cooked ahead if I were to serve Nasi Goreng for breakfast.

Tebby wakes-up Kakak for her shower and makes sure she doesn't linger too long with that. After Subuh prayer, I helped her puts on her uniform (she still can't do it quickly without my help. I hope in another 1 or 2 months she can do that in breeze).

Next - breakfast time. This is another task - to coax her eating in the wee hour in the morning. Breakfast ranging from toast, plain bread with cheese slice, hotdogs, nuggets, fried rice/noodles and recently, cereal.

By 6.45a.m., we're out heading to Atfal Sayang, where she and Iman will be left. Kakak later is chaperoned to school whilst Iman will line up to Atfal Excel for playschool.

Being in the office doesn't stop me from worrying, pondering about, thinking about the kids. At 7.15a.m (Kakak walks to school), 7.40a.m (Iman goes to Kindy), 10.10a.m (Kakak recess time), 11.30a.m (Iman goes back to taska), 1.00p.m (Kakak comes back from school), 2.15p.m (Kakak goes to Sekolah Agama), 4.30p.m (Kakak recess time), 5.30p.m (Kakak comes back to Atfal Sayang). And I've been bothering these pengasuh at Atfal Sayang every now and then, checking up on the kids.

Before bed, we make sure they have their dinner. Check on for homework, if any. Make sure their school/kindy bags are ready. Same goes with nursery bags. Before I adjhoured into my own corner, I made sure her uniforms are all ready for the next day. All crisp and smooth. (hey, I steam-iron her uniforms okay.. but I send mine and Tebby's to laundry-shop nearby. Kenot cope all maaa... she only, has 10 baju kurung sekolah!)

I am maidless but I am coping as of now. These new adjustment, new tasks, new things - teach us to manage better. Believe it or not, I can still catch noon-nap during weekends amidst all these and still manage to lay down full lunch and dinner. And even breakfast by 8.00a.m during weekends. All complete with tea in cup-and-saucer. I guess the more limited time you have, the more you appreciate every moment you can to spend with your loved-ones.

I do not know what awaits us once I pop another baby in May. Who knows I maybe quit working by then, huh? Kakak specifically told me not to spend my maternity balik kampung. Kalau Ummi balik jugak, nanti tangan Kakak jadi panjang sampai rumah Atok, masuk rumah, tarik Ummi balik sini. Scary huh? Cam cerita Nang Nak pulok! From the look of it, most probably pun I'll spend the 2 months here in KL.

Okay people, enough ramblings about this. For those whose anak still not starting sekolah rendah yet, this is the kind of thing you may have to face in future.