Getting Ready For Home

Tuesday, 2 November 2010

Little Princess Rania's 23rd Post:

Daddy managed to successfully bottle feed me without my face turning blue. He discovered a way to feed me using bottle in a correct posture. Thanks Daddy! Once i have mastered bottle feeding, that woud only means i'm one step away from going home.. Yeay!

Mommy is very much excited of me going home. Mommy and Daddy told me that they have almost got everything sorted out except for a bassinet and a pram. Daddy hasn't been going anywhere since he got here last Saturday. Today, they let Aunt jennifer to do my 12 noon feed while they went out to look for those two items. And they found...

an i-Spin Pram from Mother Care

and.. a Bassinet from Fisher Price

Mommy is so excited that she also prepared my ''going home'' clothes. Mommy and Daddy bought this dress for me from the Mothercare London, UK even before they got married - for me!! They knew i was coming.. So sweet of Mommy and Daddy! It feels so nice to be loved by that much. I love Mummy and Daddy!! Isn't it cute? Mommy and many other baby nurses loves it. HeHeHe..

Miracle Babies Foundation

Monday, 1 November 2010

New born bib given to baby Rania by Miracle Babies Foundation..

November is truely a ‘Miracle Month’. It is a month for Miracle Babies Foundation to highlight the struggles faced by premature and sick newborns and their families. Every year in Australia around 42,000 babies require the help of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN).

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful staff at the RBWH Hospital for taking care of our precious daughter, Rania Aleesya who was born at 25 weeks weighing 500 grams. We will never forget how comforted we felt in their capable hands. We will NEVER stop being grateful, thank you so much for your help and support!

100 Days Card Celebration

Sunday, 31 October 2010

Little Princess Rania's 22nd Blogpost:

I would like to share my 100th Day Celebration Card with all our blog readers. I have been wanting to share this since the 15th October because that was when i turned 100 days old, but the card wasn't fully signed by everyone. This card was especially made by the wonderful staff of SCN RBWH Hospital, in conjunction with my 100th days being at the SCN. Thank you to all Aunties!! Love you all!! It also means that I am celebrating my birthday of 100 days old. Yeay!!

Daddy's Little Princess

Saturday, 30 October 2010

It has been about just over a month that Hubby was away from his little girl. Guess who was excited to see her Daddy: The little princess!! Today, Hubby has landed in Brisbane. We went straight from the airport to the hospital because Hubby was very much excited to see her. When he does, i could see some tears of joy, he was so happy to see how big his little girl has grown.

Little princess was happy to see her Daddy too!! She smiled when Hubby was trying to talk to her. That voice must be familiar to her. Hubby said she inherited my smile and some of my personality. HaHaHa..

It has been 115 days that little Princess is at the NICU. She is now a big 3170g. It is not going to be long now before she can go home!! She has to meet certain milestones such as 5 times breastfeed daily (almost), her ability to bottlefeed (almost), gaining weight while on breast/bottle feed (on going) before she can be discharged from the hospital.

The doctors and nurses had been talking alot about parent crafting, which is the hospital's on-suite accommodation to allow us, parents to stay overnight at the hospital with the little one while providing the flexibility to call for assistance from the doctors and nurses if needed. Pretty exciting but scary actually!! I'm really looking forward to it because i cannot wait to bring her back home!!   

My Own Reflection!!

Wedenesday, 27 October 2010

Princess Rania's 21st Blogpost:

Hi everyone! Today I had a wonderful experience. I saw a new friend lying next to me. That face just appear all of a sudden, but she does looks familiar. Maybe Mommy can tell me. Mommy seemed to love it when I try to concentrate on that face. 

I had another weighing today, i'm now 3142g!! I have now spent around 112 days in the Special Care Unit. I wonder when i will get to go home?? I overheard Mommy talking to the discharge committee that i might be going home soon. I hope what i heard is true. That is why Daddy is coming this weekend to welcome me back home!! Yeay!!

Happy 7th Year Anniversry

Tuesday, 26 October 2010

Today is our 7th Year Anniversary together, not as married couple but as a couple since we knew each other. Today, 7 years ago, we were both University undergraduates back then, Hubby proposed to me and it was one of the best decision that both of us had made!! Wow!! It has been 7 years and still going stronger!! I hope that this special relationship will continue to flourish day by day.. Love you so much Hunny. Below are some of the photos that we took together.

Our first date together in 2003 in Nottingham, UK

Our first studio photo during summer vacation before Hari Raya 2004 in Brunei

Snowboarding at West of Glasgow in 2005

Honeymoon in Amsterdam, Netherland in 2006

Finally 3 Kilos!!

Friday, 20 October 2010

Princess Rania's 20th blogpost:

I had another weigh-in session today and guess what?!! I have reached another big milestone, 3.032 Kg!! Yippie!! Mommy could't be more excited when the weighing balance showed my new weight of 3032 grams. I get a bit cranky because Mommy took thousands of photos of me. HeHe. She can't help it i guess.. because i'm too cute!! HeHe..

To family, my parents' friends, my cousins, my friends and other readers, if you are wondering how big i'm now.. check out my exclusive photo with Mommy below :)



Safe Sleeping for Babies

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Princess Rania's 19th blogpost:

In RBWH, there are several guidelines in terms of safe sleeping for babies. I have been practicing them since I was transferred to an open cot. I think it is a very serious matter in order to prevent sudden infant death (SID). In summary, babies like myself have to sleep on our back, never expose us to tobacco smoke and our head must not be covered by any means (pillows, soft toys etc). Check out the link above to find out more.

Baby nurses at the RBWH suggested Mommy that i started using a sleeping bag. Mommy bought me one from the shop last week. Just few days ago, Grandma decided to make one (see photo below - blue) for me too! Thanks Granma!!. I think it is very comfortable for me and I can move very easily too. Good for my muscle development. Thanks Mommy and Grandma!! I'm so lucky to have Mommy and Granma!!

Daddy bought me a baby pillow from Brunei with pinholes that helps prevent suffocation. He is coming next week, looking forward to surprise Daddy of my new look!! Thanks Daddy!!



Big Girl's Cot

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Princess Rania's 18th blogpost:

Hi everyone! How is everyone doing? I have been quite well these days but I know my Mommy has been sick for 2 days! Poor Mommy that she couldn't visit me. I miss her so much that time, missed having our afternoon nap together. But Mommy's back in her normal routine now, keeping me accompanied all day long.

Today was quite a wonderful day for me, my cot has been upgraded to a bigger one. The nurses refered to it as "the master bedroom". HeHe. It feels more spacious now!! I could see Mommy was happy and seemed to be enjoying herself choosing which colour theme would be best to match my new big cot. Until at one point, I just cried out loud, that surely got my Mommy's attention!! HeHeHe. I was weighed today and my new weight is now 2960g. Almost 3 kilos!!

Another great news today was that i had a hearing test and passed the test!! Yeay! I think I had a very busy day, but I enjoyed it a lot especially with Mommy being around. I'm waiting for Daddy to come to spend the day with me too. I miss his voice so much!!

Surprise Surprise..

Monday, 18 October 2010

I felt so much better today, i just completely recovered from my fever. I get to visit Little Princess Rania again. Yeay! After 2 days not seeing her, I realized that she is getting so much bigger! I can tell the difference when I look at her chubby cheeks. HeHe.

I'm really surprised to see a package and a big pink card next to Rania's cot. They are actually gifts for little Rania's 100th days celebration!! The gifts are blankies, shirt and hand woven dolls. The nurses here are so lovely!! The gifts are really adorable!! Thank you so much everyone!! This very much means alot..

Almost 3 Kilos

Sunday, 17 October 2010

Tommorow is the 18th of October 2010, is originally Rania's expected to born. I'm wondering if things might have been different if i was still pregnant. I could just magine how big my tummy would have been by now.. HaHaHa..

It has been 2 long days that i'm not feeling well. I'm very much sad that i still cannot visit my little Princess Rania. I've been resting at home all this while. But i guess, it is for her own good, i wouldn't want her to be infected by my fever virus. I only come early morning just to drop by to send some milk for her daily feed. I could see her hands waving from far. I could only watch her from a distant, feeling hopeless. Just hoping I will feel better tommorow so that I can go and visit her again. Missing her so much!!

Great news!! Little Princess had gained 165 grams in 2 days!! That is by far the most she had gained to date. Her new weight is now 2.925 kg. Just as Hubby and i expected that she should be almost reaching 3 kg when she reaches her original birth date.

If only she could understand - Little Princess, Mummy and Daddy are so proud of you!

Happy 100th Day!!

Saturday, 16 October 2010

Today, little Princess Rania is celebrating her 100th day! This also means it has been 100 days that she is in the Neonatal Intensive and Special Care Unit, RBWH. What a journey it has been for her. Mommy and Daddy so proud of you little one!!

As of today, her weight is 2760g. It has been a true miracle that our little girl has reached this weight, from her original birth weight of 500 grams. One of the baby nurses told me yesterday that there has been a card being distributed around the unit for Rania's 100th day celebration. Looking forward in receiving that soon, it will be very interesting to see what is written in that card.

I have not been feeling well since yesterday, so i'm not able to visit little princess today. I only dropped by to send her milk. I hope I can get better soon, so that I can visit and give her cuddle. Missing hubby so much at the moment. I wish he is here to prepare my medicines, cook soup, make hot milo and tugged me into bed. :(

Hope to see him soon. Rania and i are missing you a lot Hunny!!

Mommy Baby Bonding!

Tuesday, 12th October 2010

Princess Rania's 17th Post:

Mommy has been extremely naughty for not updating the blog for the past few days. But i cannot blame her because she had been with me all morning, afternoon and night for the past one week! Mommy has been breastfeeding me most of the time that she is around. I feel much better each day!! Mommy's milk is the best!! For the past week, i have gained about 180g. My current weight is now 2668g!! Yeay!!

I'm really happy that Mommy decided to take the 2-months off from work to spend more time with me. I love having cuddle with Mommy. I just hate it when the cuddle session is over that she had to put me back into the cot. Mommy realized i didn't like it going back to the cot from my grizzly expression, everytime!! Hehe..

Yesterday, i had an eye test, all seemed to be going very well. It is a normal procedure here that any baby who are born prematurely should undergo eyes test. I was told yesterday that my eyes had made a good progress. But my doctor decided that i should still be closely monitored so he scheduled that i do 3 more weekly eye tests. Hopefully i would not have to take any eye treatment, the doctor was confident i wouldn't have to. Amin!

I cannot imagine how fast the time has passed, believe it or not, i've been in the hospital for 96 days!! The nurse is making me a card to celebrate my 100 days at the NICU & SCN. I'm really looking forward to celebrating my 100 days old!! Hope to go home soon and spend more time with Mommy and Daddy, i hope he is coming soon!! Love Mommy and Daddy!!

Time Off

Monday, 3 October 2010

I had a long thought for the last couple of weeks, and finally I have decided to take sometime off from my lab work for a while. I just couldn't leave Princess Rania all by herself especially close to the time she is expected to go home. The doctor expected that Rania will go home with oxygen.

Overnight Rania was monitored with an oximtery machine in order to check how much oxygen Rania will need when she gets home. I was pretty nervous to know the outcome of the results, unfortunately the machine broke down in the middle of the night and was not able to record properly.. Hehehe. The nurse said she will put them back on tommorow night, hope it will work this time. Whats exciting about today was that we managed to have 2 full breastfeed session! Yippie.. Rania is improving on her feeding. Well done Princess!

Preparation - Going Home

Sunday, 3 October 2010

Since our beloved little Princess Rania will be coming home soon, i have always wanted to get some stuffs to welcome  her home but hardly had the time to do so. Only today, i manage to make some time for shopping, because little Princess was sleeping well.

I bought a nice cool bath tub and other shower items from Target. Couldn't help myself buying another sleepsuits for her, with pink rabbits pictures on it. I love rabbits! I couldn't resist myself because it has rabbits on it! Check out cute pink little undies that I got for her!!. Hehe. Stopped by at Pumpkin Patch too, bought a cute pink dress for her to go out. I also stocked up baby diapers for Rania. Grandma also bought muslin wraps for Rania as well. Thanks Grandma! 

It was a quick shopping but an effective one! 

October - The Month She Should Have Born

Saturday, 2 October 2010

Time really flies! It is already the begining of October now. This month is supposedly a big month for little Princess. This is the month she is originally expected to born. She is now fast approaching her actual due date, which is the 18th of October 2010. She will reach her full term in just over two weeks.

Little Princess is now 2422 grams!! She has started wearing her full term baby clothes. I had to be watchful over which clothes from her collection she should wear because her body is getting bigger fast everyday. Hubby and i started her clothes collection years back, actually since our honeymoon period, 3 years ago i.e. Prague, Amsterdam, London and KL. Most of them are from our favourite shops, Mothercare and Pumpkin Patch! Love those two shops!!

Her fingernails are really sharp!! I had to start putting on her hand mitts because i didn't want her to scratch her chubby face. It is almost impossible to cut her nails because she likes to move around. Even more so because her fingers are so tiny and cute. It was today that we realised we didn't have many hand mitts for our Princess, so i went to the Saturday market before my morning visit and bought 3 more pairs of hand mitts and a baby bib for her. It suits her pretty well. She is wearing one of them in the photo. Fits her really nicely! HeHeHe...

Discharge Committe Meeting

Thursday, 30 September 2010

Rania had a great achievement today. She managed to do two full breastfeed without further top-up through her tubing feed. This is the first day since she was born that she managed to feed herself. For me it is a breakthrough! Clever girl isn't she?!! With a happy tummy, immediately she felt asleep, i mean really tightly! I'm really proud of little Princess. Because one of the requirements for her to go home is that she has to do breastfeed full time and i guess that willl  happen fairly soon, hopefully.

In the morning, as usual, once every two days, little Rania had her wash and weigh-in session with Mommy. She really loves her bath so much!! She had gained about 78 grams, which makes her weight now 2322 grams!!! She is one Big little girl now!! 2.3 kg from 0.5 kg is pretty amazing!

Oh yeah, I was told today there will be a discharge committee meeting next week and I'm invited to join in as well. I'm really excited about her going home soon!! Yippie!! Her Daddy will be joining us in Brisbane when she is discharged!! Much looking forward to taking full care of her!!

The Busy Day

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

Copied Directly From "Little Princess Diary":

"Little Princess Rania had a super busy day today. She had a nice warm bath done by lovely Mommy in the morning followed by weighing, she's now 2250g! Alhadulillah!

After the bath, I put her on some new clothes from her cute clothes collection. She looks nice and clean!! Being the first child for us, first niece in my family, first grandchild for my parents, little Princess is a bit pampered by everyone including friends that she still has so many clothes that she had not worn yet. But she is growing big so fast that i would not be surprised if she would miss some of her clothes especially her preemie clothes. I hope she would be able to at least once put on every single one of them. HeHeHe...

The room that little Rania is in, Room 9, was scheduled for cleaning up today, which require the room to be evacuated. Rania and all her friends were temporarily transferred to another room across the hall. She was transferred back to Room 9 at around later in the afternoon.

Due to her super busy day, she had some mild oxygen desaturation here and there. Her oxygen was increased from 50 to 75 mls/min. But the nurse said she will be reduced again back to 50 mls/min once she is settled.

Her meal measurement has been up based on her new weight, to 50mls every 3 hourly. For a little girl, that is a lot!

Good news!! I overheard the Dr and baby senior nurses during their afternoon round, saying Rania will be able to go home in a few weeks time. It was very much exciting to hear about the news. Despite the fact that, maybe it is still abit early to talk about it, at least they have started talking about it, and for me that is a big news!! It all depends on how she goes with her breast feeding. Little Princess is making progress with her breast feed and soon enough she will turn into a pro and then on I guess there's no reason for her to stay any

longer at the hospital!

Since the day she was born, i've never stopped hoping and praying that our little Princess Rania Aleesya will grow healthily like any other healthy baby. Amin!!"

Love, Mommy

RBWH Wall of Honour

Sunday, 26 September 2010

The first Royal Mum & Baby at RBWH in 1938

About a month ago, i registered myself to be a Royal Mum of the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital (RBWH). Now, i have received a letter saying that my name has been updated online the Honour Wall. I'm really very much excited about it. The actual Honour Wall on level six of the Ned Hanlon building, RBWH will be updated in December 2010. Can't wait to see my name posted on the Wall, hard copy printed! Yeay!!

This Honour Wall was erected by RBWH Foundation to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Women's Hospital in 2008, to pay tribute to the many thousands of women who have given birth at the RBWH since it first opened in 1938. To date there are approximately 18,000 Mums registered and listed on the Wall. Over 500,000 babies have been born at the hospital, however, so they had to put the call out for all Mums who gave birth at RBWH to register themselves as Royal Mums. It is an honour for myself to be one of them!!

Check out my name and year our little one was born (Ahmad, Siti Rohaiza (2010)) listed on the online wall of honour (page 5) here, Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital Honour Wall

My First Ribbon Headband

Saturday, 25 September 2010

Princess Rania's 16th Blogpost:

My sleepy look after a long refreshing nap..  and of course with my headband on!!

Today is my 80th day birthday, 20 more days will make it 100 days that i'm at the Neonatal Care, Royal Brisbane Woman Hospital, that is if i'm not discharged yet. I will reach full term on 18th October 2010, which is in about 3 weeks time. My current weight is 2090 grams!! I'm steadily growing!! I'm now getting much chubbier and huggable. To family in Brunei, if you want to give me a hug please do come visit me in Brisbane. You will be most welcome!!

Mommy came visit me in the morning and brought something really nice for me. Two ribbon headbands! This is my first ribbon headband that i'm wearing. As very much exited as i was, Mommy took a thousand photos of me. She was really happy decorating my face with the little ribbons. She said, now people can tell straight away that i'm a little princess. These headbands are actually a gift from Wawa Miah. Heaps and heaps of thanks Wawa Miah!! By the way, Wawa Miah, I miss you a lot, please do come again and visit the chubby me!! And of course, buy me more headbands.. Just one or two more is enough, i do not want to be a spoilt little girl. Just a little bit is okay. Hehe.

Too bad I still have some tapes on my face to keep my feeding tube and oxygen prongs. I'm still tube feeding. I'm starting to slowly naturally breastfeed. I'm getting there soon. Since I'm still quite small, I still need a bit of oxygen, which is at the lowest setting. Some other small babies require 100 times more oxygen than what i need, so i feel lucky that i only need just a little bit. But i'm sure i will grow out of it quite soon. I just don't like the tape covering my face. I really cannot wait to get rid of it so that Mommy and Daddy can take loads of my cute photos. Please pray for me that i be getting well soon enough so that i can be with Mommy and Daddy all the time. Amin!

Now i have discovered a new way of telling Mommy to pick me up for a cuddle, all i had to do is make some noise and make up a little cranky-face look. Mommy always understand my signal and she would immediately pick me up and just today, we had a nice 2hr-cuddle. So whenever Mommy is around, loud-noise & cranky-face!! Mommy will definitely pick me and give me a hug! I've been doing that trick a few times now, it works every time. Hehehe.

Mommy and Daddy give the best cuddle in the whole wide world! Love you Mommy and Daddy!! Daddy please come visit me, I miss you loads..

Bubbly Bath Tub

Wednesday, 22 September 2010

Princess Rania's 15th Post:

Mommy had a very busy day, today. This morning i'm due for a wash and weigh. I was waiting for Mommy to come before 7.30 am for my big bubbly bath. After seemingly a long wait, i heard her voice at around 7.45 am. Mommy was 15 minutes late today! Hehe. Mommy told the nurse that she woke up at 5.00 am to expres and went back to sleep. Poor Mommy!

Anyway, the bath was wonderful! I smell really nice now. After the bath, i was weighed by Mommy and i am now slightly over 2 kg, to be exact 2014 g!! Yippie!! I'm starting to fit nicely into the clothes that Mommy and Daddy bought for me.

Despite the extremely buzy day, Mommy managed wake up early morning to express for my milk, in fact she had to wake up every 3 hourly, and, today, gave me wash and weigh all by herself. I love Mommy so much!

14 Grams to 2 Kilos!!

Monday, 20 September 2010

During the morning visit, I gave little princesss a nice warm tub bath. She enjoyed it a lot. It was the first time for me doing her tub bath without the help of her Daddy. But i guess, i did just fine. Ha Ha Ha..

She was also weighed and her new weight is now 1986g! Wow! It was a gain of 98g from her previous weight. The nurse said she had gained quite a lot of weight and her face has changed so much, a lot more chubbier! She's all grown up now :)

She still need a bit of oxygen though, but other than that she been really good today. Below is a photo of her taken today. I think what she's trying to say is "I want to fly to Brunei with Daddy and Mummy!" Ha Ha Ha..

Bye Bye Daddy

Sunday, 19 September 2010

I feel like the time has passed by really fast. This feelings become more prominent when we are enjoying ourselves. After spending about two weeks in Brisbane, it is now time for little Princess's Daddy to go back to Brunei and get back to work.

As for me, my 1 week of leave was well spent with my beloved family and husband. Last night was my third trip to the departure hall of the airport. It was also the third time that I cried seeing all of them leave. I can feel in my heart that it was hard for Sis Sija & her Hubby, Sis Mia and and my beloved Hubby had to leave, but I guess time flies and before you know it they will come back to see little Princess Rania.

I will take care of little Princess Rania with all my heart. To my beloved Hubby, you, too, will always be closed at heart. Of course, you will be terribly missed! I hope to see you soon!!

1888 Grams

Sunday, 19 September 2010

Princess Rania's 14th Post:

Last night i was washed and weighed by Daddy. I'm now 1888 grams!! I gained about 45 grams the last 2 days. Last time, i reached 1 kg on 22 August 2010. I hope i could gain another 1 kg in about a month time from then, which is in about 3 days from today (22 September 2010), that would make my new weight 2 kgs. I'm almost there, i think. Amin!

Today is Daddy's last day here in Brisbane. He made my bed really nicely for the very last time on his trip this time. I'm really happy that he put up my musical mobile (gift from Wawa Mia & Iring Sija) on my cot for me. Thanks Daddy!

Time flies really fast, Daddy has been here for 2 weeks and sadly enough he has to come back to Brunei to work. But i'm not worried because he promised to be here when i'm discharged from the hospital. I love you Daddy!! I'm sure Mommy must be sad watching him leave. Don't worry Mommy, Daddy will be back sooner than you thought! Lets just pray he is having a safe flight journey back to Brunei and back here again in Brisbane.

Driving Range Frenzy

Saturday, 18 September 2010

I've never actually played or touched any golf club before. Hubby started to trial playing golf at the Victoria Golf Club (5 mins drive away from home) with his KGUV (Kelvin Grove Urban Villagers) mates yesterday. Today, Hubby invited myself and my parents along for a driving range. It is really affordable. We only had to pay for the balls and the club, which is about AUD 16.00 for 100 balls or AUD 10 for 45 balls and about AUD 3.00 to rent a club. Hubby decided to buy 2 used clubs (lost and found items by the company years back) for only AUD 10.00 both. It is worthed!!

Having recently learnt on golf, Hubby tought me on the basic golf grip technique, basic golf stance and the basic golf swing. After a couple of practice, the furthest that I could hit was 75 metres, which is not too bad for a first timer like me. I just wanted to play for the fun of it! Meanwhile, Hubby was playing so seriously that he manage to get a couple of good swings and hit at around 150 metres. After the games, he actually complained of a bit of back pain here and there. Poor Hubby!

What made it more interesting was while we were practicising our swings, a golf cart was making its rounds on the driving range field to collect golf balls. Hubby and i took the opportunity to play on our target and to try on who could hit the golf cart the most with the golf balls! Ha Ha Ha... To my surprise, I manage to hit it three time, while Hubby, none! It was super Fun! I don't mind coming there again!!