Having a maid so far....

As much as I’ve said before that I do like my maid, she has her imperfections as well and at the same time, I’m trying my best to get use to a stranger staying in my house.

She’s been with us for nearly 3 weeks now and I do notice her flaws here and there. It doesn’t bother me big time as she does the basic stuff but I’m aware that I need to remind her now and then to do it this way or that way when I feel she’s not doing things right.

She washes up our used plates, cups, utensils etc and will put them back into the kitchen cupboard where they belong but there are some stuff that she will leave behind like the plastic containers and other type of bowls that were left there before she came along. I’m guessing that she doesn’t know where to put these plastic containers and so I told her that she can keep them in another place in the kitchen and that she can also arranged them nicely (as I’ve neglected this spot for a long time since it needs me to stand on a stool).

She sweeps and mops the floor everyday and yet I found some spots to be uncleaned and started doubting whether she does this everyday or not (she wakes up earlier than we do). I know for sure that there’s this corner she had missed, as the dirt was visible and I wanted her to mop my living room again. She told me that morning that she had already mopped the floor and then I asked her why that corner was still dirty and she apologized and said that she was scared to clean that corner as there were full of things (extension cords with some electrical items). I told her that she could always move them one side to clean the corner as well as to clean behind my TV stand. I didn’t make her do it there and then and told her that she can do it the next morning before we leave the house to the day care.

She also cleans my toilets twice over the weekend but I found some fungus stains still left behind on the floor and also noticed that she didn’t touch my sink at all. And so I had to teach her the basic again, so I showed her that the fungus stains can be removed and told her that she can clean my sink by removing my things on them and then put it back again. I hope she gets the message this time.

I know I may sound too picky and that I hardly clean my house before she came along but the times when I do, I made sure that these things are thoroughly cleaned as well. Before she came along, I had my sister’s maid to come over every two weeks to clean my house and I didn’t have to tell her what to do, she knew what to do. And I guess I too took this for granted and expected my maid to do the same as I got my sister’s maid to train her the day I got her into my place.

She knows how to use my washing machine and in the first week she was with us, she washes my stuff all the time, whether it was a full load or not. I guess she mistook the fact that we wash Rye Li’s stuff on half-load basis as we have done this all the time since the girl started going to the day care, and think it is the same for the rest of my washable items too. She even started washing blankets one at a time. Since then I told her not to wash until it is a full load unless it is Rye Li’s clothes during the week and now I will still remind her just so she gets the message.

Several nights ago, I got a shocked of my life when my maid started blowing her nose by using her t-shirt (at the collar part) like it’s a normal thing to do (maybe it is at her hometown). I told her that she can always use the tissue and not to do that anymore as it is not a right thing to do here. I also asked if she’s ill and she said no, only a cold. No fever or cough. I reminded her not to touch the kids or go near the kids at the day care. She probably got the cold from Rye Li as well as the other kids from the day care. I also told her that if she doesn’t feel well, she needs to tell me so that I can take her to the doctor’s and that I will let her rest instead of doing work. When I passed her a box of tissue to put in her room and also some to take to the day care the next day, she took one piece and started blowing her nose and kept it in her pocket. I immediately told her to please throw it away and that she can only use tissue once. And all this time, I didn’t yell at her or scold her but told her in a nice, firmed manner. But I had to repeat myself just to make sure she understood.

The next morning, I reminded her again and told her that I will get her some medication. That evening, I explained to her why was I so particular about hygiene and also said that I realized she comes from a kampong (malay: village) area and that she may be used to the habits there but it is very different here in KL. I further explained to her but I’m not sure whether she understood me or not. But whatever it is, I also realized that I need to remind her constantly whether I like it or not so she will remember these things.

The girl has grown attached to the maid although she still wants me most of the times. I have to admit there were times whereby she prefers the maid, like bringing her down from the car, which kind of gets to me – probably cause I’m so used to always being there for the girl. But I didn’t show any of this to the maid and let them be, as I also need to learn to let go when it comes to handling Rye Li 100%. Of course, the maid hasn’t been taking care of Rye Li and she is not even allowed to at the day care – I was told by Aunty Ng that the first few days there, she was always tending to Rye Li which Aunty Ng told her not to. But even so, I can see the maid tries her best to please Rye Li in any way she can since day one. We do let her but when we feel she’s being too much like pampering Rye Li (wearing her shoes, picking up after her or teaching her the wrong things), we will butt in.

In the second week the maid was here, the girl wanted to stay at home alone with the maid when hubby and I wanted to go out for dinner. We were caught off guard by this but let her stayed back with the maid. We went to our condo’s swimming pool’s café for dinner instead of driving out (we were supposed to drive out for dinner) to be on the safe side as I still haven’t exactly gained full trust on my maid yet and of course, I didn’t leave the house keys behind. We were out for less than an hour and I was curious whether the girl would cry for us but when we got back, the girl was watching her TV and the maid was playing with her Legos. Since then, we have yet to leave the girl alone with the maid although I know Rye Li would be alright with her. A number of my friends say that this is a good sign so hubby and I can have “our time” now but wait-la, when I know I can trust the maid fully. It is still too soon!

An update on what the agent has got to say to our earlier request; they came back saying that they will agree on certain basis, one of which is that if we replace the maid on a medical unfit term, it has got to do with lungs and nothing else. So to cut things short, we got our request. At least I don’t have to go through another headache with dealing with a new maid or that I don’t have to deal with the agent till the time comes. Let’s pray that my maid’s x-ray will come out fine in December. As for now, I’m still adjusting to having a stranger in my house. I really salute to those who welcome their maids openly and letting them take care of their children immediately alone without any other family on hand. I don’t think I can as yet or ever will.

Ok, this is long enough about my maid, I need to update on my pregnancy soon as I’ve been neglecting this part. ;)

Our decision

Thanks so much to all for the responses (via blog as well as msn) to my previous post on my dilemma. We have made up our minds.

Hubby took our maid’s x-ray and report to another doctor on Monday for a second opinion and she said that she didn’t see anything wrong with our maid’s x-ray. If we want to be on the safe side, perhaps to bring the maid in for another x-ray test in 6 months time. She also said things to look out for in our maid’s health, whether she is eating well or falling sick easily.

Thus, we both felt that we should maintain the maid but seek a request from the agent to extend the 100% replacement guarantee within a year instead incase the report comes out unfavourable by year end.

Hubby was at the agent before he went to seek for a second opinion from the doctor at Kelana Medical Centre and he reported what he saw while waiting to talk to that B (I’ve termed the lady this and no prize for you if you know which B-word I’m referring to! LOL). He said if I were there, I wouldn’t want to have a maid ever. There were so many people bringing in their maids to complaint and the agent reps there are just so cold and rude to the maids and yes, to the people at times too. He felt that these agent reps must be so used to the negative feedbacks that they have become just so cold!

He also told me that the B made a comment about how their clients think they know everything just because they helped them to get a maid. Oh DUH! Who else can we consult then if not the agent? I mean we pay them for a service and we expect such service - mind you, this agent is one of the expensive ones out there and I just feel that I’m being so cheated from the kind of service I’m getting from them! To make matters worst, I know at least 2 people who also got such lousy service from them already. And I’m aware whether I like it or not, I’m stuck with this agent until I’m done with this maid.

When we picked the maid up the first time, B was very rude to our maid, acting as if she’s the boss, telling her what to do and all in front of us. I was wondering at that time, whether it was all a show to impress us but really, I was so disgusted. I am a working person and if my boss acts that way to me, I will definitely ask my boss to go fly kite! We are individuals who deserve respect no matter where you come from. And if you want respect in return, you better start giving as well too. Anyway, I was just so glad that Rye Li didn’t come along with us that day or else she would think it’s alright to shout to the maid too.

I’m letting hubby do all the communication with this B now since I feel she responds better to men and I don’t want to be worked up over her rude behaviour. We wrote in already requesting for this extension and I’m waiting to see what kind of response I’m getting from them. If they want to be cocky with us, then perhaps we just have to get a replacement now.

Hubby and I felt that we should give our maid a chance to work since the doctor’s comment seems somewhat favourable. And like what some of you have also commented, who knows, if I do return the maid, the agent would probably recycle her as I feel the maid would still want to earn a living in her condition.

She doesn’t know yet of her condition and we feel that we should not let her know until it is serious. She has proven to us she is also somewhat worthy to keep although we are aware that we only had her for like 12 days so far. Her personality has started to show and it is through Rye Li – she only opens up to the girl. She plays and sings to Rye Li. She also talks to Rye Li although the girl don’t understand her most of the time. I’m giving her another month before she can speak the lingo with the maid. She has already picked up some words and so has the maid. The maid works hard in getting Rye Li’s attention. Depending on the girl’s mood, she will play along or she will treat the maid rudely at times which we will scold her for. We want to make it clear to Rye Li that she needs to respect the maid no matter what. I also feel that in time when Rye Li realizes how the maid will spoil her, she will go to her eventually but I will try my best to intervene when this happens. Already, the maid will pick up after the girl on her toys which hubby and I told the maid not to.

Three nights ago, the girl started acting up again and the maid was already asleep. Hubby and I let her be to cry on herself and after like 15 mins or so with her crying, the maid came out and wanted to carry Rye Li but the girl didn’t let her. Hubby was impressed with this as it shows that she cared. This is why I feel that in time, the girl will realize how the maid will give in to her needs and she will most likely team up with her.

Only thing that gets to me so far on the maid is she mostly answer yes to everything I ask her, even when I ask her what she wants to eat or whether she wants to cook. Because she doesn’t give me her opinions, I takeaway or cook whatever I want. At least she finishes everything we give her to eat and I like this. You may say she doesn’t understand me but I feel she does. On the first day, I asked if she can speak English and she said she doesn’t, only know the words yes, no, sir and madam. But in the days to come after that, I hear her speaking to Rye Li in some English words and also humming some nursery songs. I’m guessing she picked them up from the daycare or from the shows Rye Li watches or when Rye Li and I sing or from our conversations.

She’s also too efficient in some ways – she can’t sit still, always cleaning. The first few days, I made this comment to hubby and he asked me to ask her to do less but I said to wait first, let her get used to the routine. Then when I told my friends about this, they said not to as from their experiences, the maids were always hardworking the first few months and then they tend to slack eventually. She even irons Rye Li’s clothes and my bed sheets and pillow cases – something I have never done before! I don’t know if this is a show or this is exactly her style but as far as I’m concerned, as long as she don’t step on our heads, I’m fine.

We are still trying to get use to a maid in the house and we’re still learning. Now, I hope to get a favourable response from the agent.

With all the maid agents’ problem I’m hearing lately through friends as well as blogger moms, I’m thinking we should start some kind of an online community to have recycled maids (the good ones). Why I’m suggesting this is that I had two offers of recycled maids after I have already applied for one at my agent. One was a friend’s sister of my sister’s maid who wants to work here and another was my sister’s mother-in-law’s friend who doesn’t need her second maid anymore and was asking around. Too bad they couldn’t find a home for her so they had to send her back. It seemed that she was a good maid too. With the network we can build online, we can teach these agents a lesson of the kind of lousy service they’re giving us! And with this way, we can also save a couple of thousands as well. Only thing is we may need to take some days off to run around the immigration for application and all. Anyone wants to do this? I’ll be happy to help!

Dilemma

Our maid has been with us since last Saturday and she has so far been quite all right. In fact, we like her, even the girl. For someone with no previous experience, she is a fast learner and it could be also that hubby and I are not fussy with how our house is cleaned (we both have never ever had a maid in our lives before). As long as the basic stuff is done, we’re happy.

I love the fact that our floors are cleaned everyday and our feet can really tell the difference. Even hubby commented on this…goes to show how often I cleaned my floor before this! ;)

When we picked her up last Saturday, we took her for a blood and urine test at the lab and then we took her for an x-ray test at a clinic. I managed to find a lab that can give the results within 3 hours but the x-ray will take at least 3 working days. Thankfully, the blood and urine test came back normal.

So the maid has been following the girl to the day care this week.

Today, I went to pick up her x-ray ( we didn’t have time during the week) only to find out she has some kind of defect in her lungs. Nothing that is contagious (Thank God!) but something that may or may not affect her health in the long run. The doctor advise that since we can still replace her with the agent, we might as well do so as if her health is affected after 6 months, the agent will not be responsible in replacing the maid then.

I asked the doctor why would FOMEMA release her if she has this and she said that if she only saw the x-ray without the report, she would also think that there’s nothing wrong with her lungs. She said that my maid can become breathless at times in this condition and whatever she has may affect her overall health.

I also asked the doctor if this result wasn’t my maid’s and it was mine, what would she advise me. She said that she would ask me to rest and just see what other symptoms I will have along the way before doing any further test.

I spoke to the lady at the agent and I seriously dislike her. When we picked the maid up last week, she was plain rude as she answered a call while briefing us the paperwork. I’m okay with this but the fact that she was even rude to the other lady on the call (the lady wants to return her new maid as the medical check up she had for her the maid didn’t come back good) made it worst. She left the phone on it’s own and talked back to us and then got back to the woman rudely. When we left, I told hubby that I hope we don’t have to deal with her anymore but I had to today.

I told her what happened and this is what she has to say “If you get another one, it doesn’t guarantee you that her health is okay after 6 months also as anything can happened”. So I said that is right but the fact that I know my maid’s health now upfront, I can do something about it. So she went on that it is my decision to make and that if I want a replacement, I don’t have to go through this entire story. What a cocky woman this one!

So I asked her has she gone through this situation before and she said not to this extreme and said I can write in with my maid’s medical report and ask for some kind of guarantee after 6 months but said maybe they will allow for a year but definitely not 2 years. She also said that I can do a replacement but will have to wait the usual 2-3 months for one and I will have to pay additional RM200 for the FOMEMA medical and the salary of the current maid to whatever period that she has been with us. I didn’t want to talk to her anymore and said I will discuss with hubby and get back to her.

Hubby said we should get a second opinion on our maid’s x-ray and also find out to what extent the personal insurance we got for the maid through the agent will cover her before we decide to send her back. I am thinking if we have to send the maid back, whether we can get a refund from the agent and if yes, I am willing to wait another 3 months for a new maid with another agent. Yes, it will be closer to my due date then but I am willing to wait if this rude woman at the agent is pissing me off big time.

I’m sad with the fact that I may have to terminate this maid. But I have to be selfish here. I also told hubby that if really she has this health problem that may shorten her life, I feel she should go home and spend some time with her family instead of working for money. I haven’t told her about the results yet (in case she will run away) but I will let her know when I have to return her to the agent and I just hope the agent will not recycle her.

It is just our luck that we got this horrible lady at the agent as well as an “unhealthy maid” too. I will update again on our decision later, we need to seek another doctor’s advice first.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Presenting mummy Daisy Duck!

I've been asked several times where's my preggy pictures - well, if you're getting fat fast, the last thing on your mind is to take pictures la. But I managed to, just to remind myself later how fat I got with Baby 2. ;)

Below was taken on my birthday (by the way, thank you so much for all the wishes and sorry if I couldn't response to you).

See what I mean by Daisy Duck, not just my front is sticking out (I meant my tummy!) but my bum-bum too!

I prefer this shot since you can't exactly see my big butt here. ;)

I'll be 6 months as at next Tuesday and I realized that I have another 16 more weeks to go. So fast the time has passed and when I think of this, I feel I'm not ready yet. There is still so much to do in preparation for Baby 2's arrival and I havent actually planned it out. As much as I can't wait to see Baby 2, I'm also scared! I need to psyche myself to take things easy with one thing at a time.

My two girls!

It’s another Rye Li! Ok, not a Rye Li but it’s a girl and hence, my wish for another girl is fulfilled! After my checkup, I told hubby that we can ‘close shop’ and he said “what’s wrong with 3 girls!”. LOL.

We went for my checkup earlier than scheduled since Rye Li wasn’t feeling well and we brought her in to see her doc (got news to update here but have done so at her blog) in the morning and since I’m out, I might as well take a medical leave for the day (but I had to go back to office in the afternoon as I had loads to do). Thus, after dropping the girl off at the daycare, hubby and I went to my Obgyn. Also, since I had the maid to pickup this Saturday, I might as well get this checkup done with so I’m not so tied up then.

I was wrong in my previous update that I’d probably put on 5-6kgs so far as I’ve actually put on 8kgs! This means I’ve put on 4kgs in 3 weeks. Yikes. I was 8kgs at 5 months with Rye Li and now I am the same weight with Baby 2 too at 5 and half months so I guess I’m going to put on just as much. Sob sob! So much for that 1kg I lost when I had the fever 4 weeks back. Must be those pasta and cheese I’ve been eating!

This birthday (yes it was my birthday that day) was the saddest birthday in my life and the only consolation I had was that I found the gender of Baby 2 finally and that it ended with a nice birthday dinner with hubby and the girl. Why was it sad? That I have explained at Rye Li’s blog, she was the start of it but I’m not blaming her at all.

Back to Baby 2, she is really active for this stage. I could only feel Rye Li’s movements from 20 weeks onwards and that also not very frequent. Baby 2 could be felt before 16 weeks and the last 3 weeks, her movements have gradually increased and I’m only at 22 weeks! I cannot imagine in the months to come.

Rye Li knew that she’s getting a mei-mei (Chinese: little sister) when her papa confirmed with her that evening after picking her up from the daycare. Her papa asked what she wants to name her mei-mei and she answered “Ikea” – I have no clue why. Anyway, I have some names in mind already but I haven’t made up my mind yet. I also bought a pair of baby pajamas for Baby 2 and 2 pairs for mittens and booties that night since we were at the mall and there was a sale. These are for her when she returns home from the hospital. I know she has loads of hand-me-downs from her cher-cher (Chinese: big sister) but you just can’t resist when you see girls stuff! ;)

So, will I go for number 3 at all? And really it’s not that I want a boy but hubby has been saying he wants 3 since he comes from 3 kids in his family and so do I. And he has said many times to me already “What is wrong with 3 girls?!, I don’t mind all girls!” I also don’t mind all girls really!Well, when the Dragon year comes and I’m up to it, I may just will unless accidents happened! ;)

Pregnancy updates

I'm much better these days compared to the first 4 months. I'm nearly 5 and a half months now. I do get tired now and then but I feel it's way better that it was before so I'm not complaining. Hehe.

But in terms of weight, actually size, I'm amaze at how big my tummy has grown! I think I should have added 5-6kgs now and although this is lesser compared to Rye Li's time, my tummy is really bigger than hers. I'm wondering whether it was my 'left-overs' that is being pushed out or the baby is actually bigger?! I hope it is my left-overs as the thought of having a big baby scares the hell out of me!

Ok, not just my tummy is getting big, so is everything else especially my bum. So I do look like daisy duck at the moment and I still got 4 months plus to go! I will try to get a preggy shot and you do the judging for me but mind you, I will only show the nice shots of course.

Lately, I get a lot of questions on the gender. As much as I want to know, I will only have to wait till next Saturday for my next checkup and I hope that we get to know too. If he/she is like her big sister, we will not know till I'm 6 months plus! So let's hope not yea.

I also get the questions what I want. Well, I don't really care but I know if I get a boy, most likely I will try for another girl. And if I get a girl, I don't think I will be bothered to go for no. 3. Rye Li has too many nice stuff that I would like to have another girl to share these stuff before I ever give them away.

Where my motherly instincts are concerned, I don't think they are accurate at all. I mean initially I thought that Baby 2 may be a boy since I'm experiencing some differences like the weird taste I get in my mouth. Then lately as my tummy grows bigger, its shape is looking very much like my 1st pregnancy so now I'm feeling that it could be a girl too. So this is back to 50-50 again. Not much help huh?!

And Rye Li's prediction? Well, she wanted a ti-ti (little brother) initially and it remained the same the last few months until recently. Now she wants a mei-mei (little sister)as one of her friends at the daycare just had a new mei-mei. Also not much help here. So we shall just see....don't worry, I will immediately post the gender once I know as well. ;) ....stay tuned!

Maid still not here

It's Saturday and our maid is not here and yes, the medical report is still not out. This is really weird as I remember the agent mentioned it takes 2-3 days last week but now they said it takes 7-10 working days. And we had to call the agent, not the other way round!

So I should be picking the maid up next Saturday which really upsets me as my own checkup is on that day too. It looks like we will be having a hectic Saturday then as now I have to pick the maid up in the morning, rush her to her checkup and then I will have to postpone mine to the afternoon and she will have to tag along with us for my doc's appointment.

And poor Rye Li will also have to tag along for this the whole day! I wanted to leave the girl at the daycare for half day today since they're open as I didn't want her to tag along while we take the maid for her checkups (it will be at 2 places since the one that does the blood and urine test which I can have the results in 3 hours don't do x-ray). But now that the maid is not ready, and the fact that they daycare is closed next Saturday, my plans are all screwed up, no thanks to the darn agent!

The agent better not charge me for the maid being in their hands. I still have yet to pay the maid's upfront 6 months salary to them and I only intend to pay her salary starting July onwards and not June. I feel we're being taken for a ride as I don't have people telling me that their agents sent their maids to them before the medical report is out or that the medical report takes more than 3 days. The lady at the agent sms-ed me to say that it is the norm and I'm really doubting this.

Maid agent nightmare begans

This post is gonna make me sound like a complainer like how I’ve been with my other posts! LOL…this is not the intention but how can you not be frustrated when your maid agent all of a sudden starts showing its true colours after you have paid them?!!

Last Wednesday, hubby received an sms from the lady at the agent to say that the maid has arrived after medical and that we can collect her on Friday. Hubby was in Shanghai then and called her to say that I will call her the next day to make arrangements.

I called her to find out she was on leave and was given her mobile number. I called her mobile but she didn’t pick up so I text her to tell her that we can’t collect the maid on Friday but Saturday morning instead and to let me know when is a good time to call her. No reply at all till the next morning and that also she text me back to say to confirm the collection time asap so she can make the arrangements. I called her at her mobile, no answer. Called her at the agent, not in yet. And by now I’m getting really irritated. I mean if it’s urgent, why can’t she call me?! So I had to try several times after that at the agent and she was mostly engaged with customers. I happened to call at 1 plus in the afternoon and was told that she was having lunch.

So finally I managed to get hold of her before 3pm on Friday. Told her that we can only come the next morning (Saturday) and she asked what time as she would be busy the whole day (what cheek of her!). I asked her how long will it take since this is our first time and we need to know the “do’s and don’ts” and she replied about 20-30 minutes. So I told we will be there before 10am in the morning. Then I asked her if the maid’s medical report is out yet and she said no. I was shocked and she said she didn’t mention to hubby at all that the report is out and that it will usually take 2-3 days for the report to be out. And then I asked her, “you expect me to bring the maid home first?!”. She then replied that she understands as I have a young kid at home. I told her not only that, the fact I’m pregnant as well and also the maid is to follow Rye Li to her day care on Monday morning and how can I take the risk of sending the maid to the day care?! Think she realized my tone of voice and she quickly added that she will put in my file to wait till the maid is medically fit first before pickup. I told her that I won’t be able to pick her up during the week and that I will pick the maid up the following Saturday only. And she went “no choice-la, we will keep her”.

I was really mad and lucky for her, I managed to maintain my cool but I was bitching away to my friends and family after that about this. I mean isn’t it standard practice for the report to come back first before releasing them to families?!!! I will definitely ask the lady at the agent this when I see her this coming Saturday! Anyway, I also intend to take the maid for another medical check up when I pick her up, only thing is I have to wait a few days for her x-ray results to come back. So at least I will know her blood and urine test results the same day. I hope she is really medically fit, if not, I will definitely bombard the agent more.

Their image was already ruined when I can’t seem to get hold of this lady all the time before this when I wanted to know when my maid will arrive. We submitted the documents for application early May in which she told us that it will be really fast but when I called her towards the end of May, she said our application has not been approved yet! She has the cheek to say that it takes 1 to 1 and a half months for approval! So when I called her up first week of June, she said our application was only approved end of May and now we have to wait 2-3 weeks for the maid to arrive. And now this?!

After this incident, I got a feeling that this is only the beginning of many more headaches to come. I’m really disappointed in this agent as they are not cheap and I thought with the number of years they have been around (15 years) with an ISO cert some more, they are at least professional in handling these things but they have not proofed this so far to me! Anyone else dealing with Philimore who share the same experiences as me?!

In the last 3 weeks

• Over 3 weeks back, just after our Kuantan trip, I had a discharge. One '50 sens' blot of brownish, slight reddish-pinkish discharge. This is like after months of non-spotting so I got kinda worried and went to see my Obgyn. My only consolation is that there were no more after that one time spot. I had an appointment with a client which I cannot cancel so I was late for my appointment with my doc who was kind enough to wait for me. He gave me medication for 10 days again, saying that discharge like this is not common now. Thankfully, baby was fine - doc had to show me the heartbeat from many angles to ensure me that Baby 2 is alright.

• Then we were off to Camerons since the girl's daycare is closed for a week last week. I was having backache the whole time and it was tough managing the girl as well in my condition.

• After Camerons, we were off to Penang as hubby had to work (i will post on this holiday at the girl's site when I'm up to it). So while hubby was working whole day, I had to look after the girl and by this time, I was really exhausted. My 'hoo-haa' was also feeling sore which got me worried as the last time I had this, I was in my last month with the girl. And to have this now at 4 and half months is not exactly normal.

• We came home last Friday night and I was having fever, probably from being exhausted from the whole trip. The fever sent chills right into my bones and I had no choice but to take panadol through the weekend to control the fever to less than 39 degrees. The highest it went was 38.8 over the weekend. I couldn't see my Obgyn on Saturday as it was a public holiday and since this is my first time having fever while being pregnant, I was so tempted to go to ER to do my blood test on Sunday when my fever still didn't go away. Hubby persuaded me to wait till Monday. My appetite was totally gone throughout that weekend and I had to force myself to eat so that I can take the panadol. I have never slept so much before.

• Monday morning came, I went to SJMC to do my blood test thinking that my gynae is closed that day. Spent half the morning there waiting for my results and thank god it came back alright, no dengue (which I was worried about). The doctor said it's some viral infection and that my fever should go away, by this time, the fever was subsiding.

• I called my Obgyn's clinic to talk to his nurse and found out that he was in so I went in the afternoon to see if Baby 2 is alright. My appointment was supposed to be today. Just my luck that by the time I got there, my Obgyn was delivering 2 babies and so I had to wait and wait. When he got back, he managed to see 2 patients before me and then he ran out again (the 2nd baby wasn't delivered yet) and so I had to wait again. Finally he came back and then it was my turn. After asking me some questions, he checked on Baby 2 and said Baby 2 looked fine. Before I can even ask about the gender, he stopped scanning (and I felt kinda bad coz I was talking to Baby 2 before that to show everything and he/she did but my doc didn't even looked at that part and I guess coz I was more worried about the heartbeat). So my next visit is scheduled in 4 weeks time.

• That night, my body started to feel itchy all over and also my joints started to ache all over. Fever has subsided and by this time but it was tough to sleep already (this pregnancy is just like the girl's, I also had difficulty sleeping throughout my pregnancy with her which probably explains why I got sick easily).

• Wednesday night, with joints still aching (as if I ran for a marathon), my tummy had rashes after I took my bath but I didn't really think twice about it. The next day, my whole body broke out in rashes (even on my arms, legs, feet and hands) and so in I went again to see my Obgyn. And just my luck again that he was delivering a baby when I got there and so I had to wait. His nurse was nice enough to let me see him first when he got back. After asking me some questions whether I had measles before (I had my rubella jab when I was young), he suspected the rashes is from the fever I had. I opted for the oral medication instead of the jab since the itch was bearable. He didn't even scan Baby 2 since I was still feeling movements. He said if the rash don't go away the next day, I am to see him again at his other clinic which is nearer to my house since they have a skin specialist there.

• That night, the itch was so unbearable, it was so difficult to sleep. The rash didn't go away completely and I felt I wanted the jab so badly. So after dropping the girl off to the daycare, I went to the clinic, only to find out that my Obgyn will be late coz he had a baby to deliver (again). Out of all these years I've known him, I've never come across him delivering while I saw him for my checkups. This week I saw him 3 times and he had 4 babies to deliver! I need to go and buy 4D now. Anyway, I waited like 2 hours to see him and he wanted me to see the skin specialist but we found out the skin specialist is on vacation so my doc gave me the jab and asked to continue with the medication. If the rash doesn't go away over the weekend, I need to go and see the skin specialist next week. He assured me it's not measles.

• Another thing to note as well, I had another weird discharge on Thursday, one small blood clot. It looked like some kind of dead cells, very black. Because it was only one-off and there wasn't any blood, I didn't bother telling my Obgyn (I guess also coz I don't want to go on another medication again. I've already took the panadols and the other one for the rash, I personally feel I've put Baby 2 through enough medication) and also I lost 1 kg from the fever.

• It's Saturday now and the rash is gone but I'm still feeling itchy here and there. With so much going on and I'm only nearly 5 months, I really feel I'm so done having babies now! As much as I love babies, my pregnancies are not helping me to feel of wanting to have more. Hubby will have to convince me a whole lot if he ever wants more! LOL!

• I'm waiting for our maid to arrive and I hope we can have her by next weekend. With hubby travelling so extensively lately, I really need some help at home. I'm glad that the girl understood about me being sick and didn't really get into her tantrums while her papa was away but she is still her usual self in her dilly-dallying ways and that gets to me! She's alright if I don't read to her at nights as I'm so dead tired by the time I get her ready for bed - before, she will make such a huge fuss if I don't read to her. Anyway, I will post on her more at her site when I find the time.