Millie's Strike Is Off

Hihihihi..... she's all gurgles, babbles, shrieks, giggles and "gasping for air" laughs now!! The strike is officially off yesterday. This morning she just look at me and smirk, while lying down, relaxed, enjoying her massage by bibik. Dengan mata stim...... heheh.

Newly found favourite food - pistachio nuts!! pre-chewed by Mama.

Last night she knocked her cheek against the coffee table and a few minutes later fell down on her back, knocking the head against the floor!!!

Millie On Strike

So, how does it feel to leave my 9 month old breast fed princess for 13 days? I know, if not for the Umrah, I wouldn't have done it. I prayed hard for her well being while I was away. And since I promised her that I was coming back on Wednesday 13th, she went all sad and moody when it was to be postponed for an additional 2 days. She refused to drink or eat. But that did not last long for I know Allah answered my prayers.

When I finally arrived at my mother's home on Friday 15th, Millie just stared at me. Not crying, not smiling. Her face was expressionless. When I held her in my arms, she just looked at me. When I offered her my breast, she slowly sucked on. Still no expression!! And later that night she developed a fever. It went on for 3 nights. She was all tears whenever I left her sight. She started smiling only when we arrived home on Sunday but the high temperature returned at night. We took her to the clinic and was relieved that it was nothing to be alarmed of. And last night, Millie just threw here tantrums. She just screamed and cried and demanded my breasts all the time. She slept with only her diaper on. She was really grumpy!!! I hardly slept last night and I had to call my boss telling her that I would be late. But when Millie woke up, she just look at me, with a smirk, as if nothing happened. Argh!!! Millie, Mama won't leave you anymore!!!

Exam Result

Haakem had to take a week off school as our Umrah schedule was postponed. I called his Guru Penolong Kanan to enquire of his mid year exam results and although parents are supposed to collect the report card only on the 21st June, the teacher informed me that he did well, getting all A's and securing the number 2 spot in his class. Alhamdulillah.

I've already got him his presents before we even depart for our trip. A set of 5 encyclopedias Early Learner's Book of Questions and Answers. I got them at MPH book sale at the Weld.

I promise myself I'll coach his studying more rigorously now. I hope he'll get the first spot for his final exams.

And I Am Missing Them Already.........

Pix: Nabawi - Man, Haakem & I; Haraam & construction site on background - Haakem & I in front of Baabussalaam; Haraam Al Fath Gate - Man & Haakem; Hira on background - 3 sisters & Haakem.

Alhamdulillah, we have finally performed our Umrahs. Man, Haakem, my younger sister Angel, my eldest sister (her fourth time plus Haj) and I.

Departing from KLIA at 1940hrs, a group of 23 plus another 12 from a different travel Agent, we took direct flight to Madinah Al Munawwarah (stopping for an hour at Dhammam), arriving at around 2.00 am local time. Temperature 43 degrees, scorching hot but somehow we didn't mind it a bit. My first visit to Masjid Nabawi was a few minutes later to perform Fajr prayers. Later during the day, we squeezed our way to Raudhah. Now Muslimats are no longer able to stand directly in front of Rasulullah's maqam but to be able to perform solat and make du'as within the Raudhah area was really a blessing. Alhamdulillah. I don't deserve a place so holy!!

The next day we were brought to Masjid Quba, Masjid Qiblatain, Date Farm, Date Market and drive around Madinah to see the historical sites. After Zuhr prayer and ziarah wada' we pushed off to Makkah Al Mukarramah. We stopped at Bir Ali mosque (our first miqat) for our first ihraam.

The bus stopped in a middle of nowhere at around Maghrib and most of the passengers got down to get some food and use the toilet facilities (which we were later informed is not worth using). We arrived at our hotel around 10.30 and after checking in, we had our dinner. We cleaned ourselves, took wudhu' and gathered in front of the hotel (not the lobby as it is as big as my workstation) around 11.30pm.

I took my first glimpse of Masjidil Haraam at around midnight. It was hot and dry but I somehow forgot all about that) and we entered through Baabul Umrah. The gate is merely 100m (or it felt like 100m) from our hotel (Pearl Al Hafiz, with pijat in the duvette!!).

My first view of Kaabah was one of the most unforgetable experience!! My sister Angel and I walked around the black box (from far) and tears ran down our cheeks. I took wudhu again with the Zamzam water and we later gathered near Hajaral Aswad to perform Tawaaf, with the group. Later we did our Sai'ee and after the Tahalul (cutting of a few strands of hair) at around 2.30am, we rested on the staircase in front of the Kaabah. My husband and Haakem went back to the hotel while Angel and I found ourselves a cool spot to sleep, until after the first adzaan before Fajr prayer. We woke up at 3.45am, took wudhu', prayed and waited for Fajr prayer time.

From then on, our days revolved around the prayers times. I can't stop counting my blessings. What Allah hath given me, my family and those around me. Alhamdulillah everyone was well despite the scorching sun and the tenperature of 44 degrees. We drank the Zamzam water each and everytime we entered and before exiting the Haraam and of course in between Quran recitals, before, during and after the Sai'ee. We managed prayers at Hijr Ismail but I did not make any attempt to kiss the Hajaral Aswad.

On day 2, we discovered that our return tickets tickets were not confirmed and when they were finally confirmed, they were for the next available flight which was leaving Jeddah on 14th June, arriving in KL on 15th June. We were not complaining though for if we were to go back on the 12th, I wouldn't be able to perform 7 Umrahs. Everything has its Hikmaah and who am I to question the ways of Allah.

We managed to miqaat at Ja'ranah and that was done before Zuhr prayer. Under the blazing sun but we completed it without problem. Haakem was with me for Sai'ee We did not do our Umrah from Hoodaibiyah though as we planned to go later during the night.

And my darling son, Haakem was really amazing. He'd get up from deep sleep for each prayers time. He managed 5 Umrahs (more if we had not advise him not to) and 8 Tawaaf sunat. Allah had answered his wishes and prayers to visit the Haraam, since he was 4 years old.

To all readers, particularly my dearest friends, do go for Umrah and Ziarah. You will not regret it. I am already planning for my next one. Alhamdulillah. Masya Allah, Subhanallah!! I am missing the two mosques and the Kaabah already.... but the feelings for the 2 places are really different. With the Nabawi, it was like being with a lover but with the Haraam, it was daunting, intimidating and I felt so small.