What to Expect...

When You're Expecting... is the title of the very famous book for pregnant ladies. I've skimmed through it a few times but after reading about "what to expect", I'd start experiencing all the symptoms that expecting moms were supposed to have, backaches, leg-cramps, hormonal episodes :-P

Baby's doesn't seem to want to make an appearance any time soon. Guess it's too comfy in there! Mr. F accompanied me to the last doctor's appointment. She told us she encourages C-sections because apparently it saves babies the trauma of natural delivery and helps them get into Grammar School. Mr. F was incensed but luckily, his humor kicked in... we had a good laugh in the car!

I've been eating panjeeri and food laden with ghee but all it does is put me to sleep... Secretly ordered pizza today :-P

Maternity Leave

I've been home for exactly one week... and it's not as bad as I expected. I'm enjoying the break even though it's really warm and I can't really do much or get around without bumping into things :-P

In-laws are visiting from Lahore and they've taken over the kitchen and general household management so I basically just sit around, skype with my cousins and eat lots of ice cream and milkshake. Baby shopping is complete and now we're just waiting for the little one to arrive...

I'm not "ready"... I don't think anyone ever is but I hope Inshalah, everything goes smoothly... A big thank you to my dearest Mr. F for putting up with me for the last 6 months. At times I was pretty hard to handle but he did a decent job of sticking around and being patient... And to my dearest mother, thanks for always being there for me... I can never ever repay you for all that you've done but only say, "thank you" from the bottom of my heart.

The Hunger Games

Great movie! After a really long time, I managed not to doze off in the middle :) Do watch it if you get a chance!

Based on veteran moms' advice, I'm trying to do all the things I might not be able to once baby arrives... Like watching a movie, going to the salon and hanging out with the girls. Wish I'd traveled more, but I guess that can take a backseat for a while... Khalamummy came over with a lot of gifts. I especially liked the Sleep Sheep :) reminded me of my own stuffed toy 'Timmy'. Hope baby will love it too (Inshalah).

Lots of changes at our organization, resignations, transfers... let's see what the future holds!

Monday Update

Work's a little slow today... Boss is on leave so I'm basically just finishing up leftover tasks. Inshallah planning to take off at the end of the month and rest at home until baby arrives.

So the printer is situated right behind my cubicle and people keep stopping by to pick up their printouts... It's pretty annoying and I'm not getting any time to blog or check out other blogs :-P

Weekends have been really busy! Went to French Beach last Sunday but it wasn't too pleasant... It was hot, the company was meh and the 2 hour car ride to the beach and back was a killer! Plus, we don't really have decent bathrooms anywhere... I know this country has bigger problems, but if I were in charge of urban infrastructure and planning, I'd make sure there was a rest stop at least every half hour... I'm dreading what it'll be like once baby's here... where am I supposed to change diapers and such?? What do other moms do? Or do they basically not leave their homes until baby's well on the way to potty-training?

I decided to defer Yale for a year... I figured if I try to juggle grad school and a newborn, I probably won't enjoy the experience anyway and I think I'm ready to take some time off and travel and just enjoy life for a while. The past four years have been pretty intense and I haven't taken more than 2 weeks off at a time.

I'm excited, a little apprehensive and a little... wistful? I just hope and pray everything goes smoothly Inshalah...

Memsaab Gaia

I've gone from having absolutely no domestic help a month ago, to suddenly acquiring 3 new people to help me "manage" during the last few months of pregnancy. Mr. F and I feel like guests in our own house! I've become more conscious of my dupatta and reluctantly abandoned my baggy t-shirt riding up my tummy for a loose flowy kurta :-p. I even feel awkward sitting together in front of the tv!

At 8:00 am, there is absolute mayhem. Mr. F and I are trying to get ready for work amid knocks on the door asking what to make for breakfast, whether to iron the blue shirt or the white one and apologies for accidentally knocking over one of the souvenirs on the shelf.

When I come home from work, I'm besieged by complaints. Ali (chowkidar plus cook) vs. Shabana (dusting and ironing) and Maryam Maasi (cleaning lady) pointing fingers and having hurt feelings all around... *sigh*