I'm a full-time mummy

We were out for our family dinner when our 2.5 years old Alyson suddenly wanted to go to the restroom to pee. I took her to the restroom in the restaurant and the moment we walked into the aisle towards the restroom section, I saw a pregnant lady waiting for her turn outside the female's restroom. There is only 1 room for female and 1 room for male.

I thought of asking the lady whether we could jump queue seeing our girl is getting restless (she really needs to pee) but I looked at the heavily pregnant lady and remembered I used to be like that - 3 times... and every single time I wanted to use the public restroom when I was pregnant, was kinda urgent and if I have to go, I have to go. I mean, if you have been pregnant, you would certainly know that our bladder can't store much pee when your baby is pressing heavily on you as you get into the later pregnancy stage.

Yes, I do know that little children's bladder are small too and they can't control their pee long but looking on at the pregnant lady and remembering back my pregnancies experiences, I hesitated asking the pregnant lady. And so I carried our girl and gently whispered to her to hold her pee, I kept distracting her so she won't think about her strong urge to pee until her turn to use the restroom.

Then the person in the female's restroom got out and I told myself 'Okay, okay, we just gotta wait through this pregnant lady and prays I won't get peed on so fast!' when suddenly, the pregnant lady looked at me and said 'You guys go first!'

Oh my...

I am stunned.

What a random act of kindness.

Unexpected.

Totally and deeply appreciated.

I thanked her profusely and quickly brought our girl in and helped her out. All done in less than 1 minute.

When we got out, I thanked the pregnant lady again for her kindness.

May God bless her and her loved ones!

** Further reading:

• Luke 6:38 (NIV) ~ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

• Colossians 3:12 (NIV) ~ Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
  

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"Women who become pregnant again within 18 months after having a baby are more likely to deliver early, according to a new study. Past reports have also linked having a short interpregnancy interval with a greater risk of premature birth.

The findings suggest a short interpregnancy interval is also linked to the risk of a baby being born a week or two early, though not technically premature. These early term births at 37 and 38 weeks of gestation (full term is 39 to 40 weeks) can have a negative impact on a newborn’s health.

Waiting could help mothers manage their weight and stay healthy and also benefit their earlier child’s health and wellbeing. "

When I came across this article, I can't help but to compare against my records.

Although our kiddos' gap were between 2 to 2.5 years, based on my records, my labours were getting shorter.

How about yours?

(Source: Reuters UK)

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It has been a long time since I get to preview an upcoming movie! Few days ago, I received a pitch to participate in a special “sneak peek” screening of "Return to Zero", which premiers 20 May 2014 8.00pm on Lifetime (Chanel 709 on Astro). So below is my review for the  movie:

Title:  Return to Zero
Director: Sean Hanish
Cast: Minnie Driver, Paul Adelstein, Alfred Molina, Connie Nielsen, Kathy Baker, Andrea Anders, Sarah Jones
Release Date: 20 May 2014 8.00pm on Lifetime (Chanel 709 on Astro)
Repeats on 25 May, Sunday at 9pm and 31 May, Saturday at 4pm
Running Time: 107 Minutes

Synopsis of the movie:

"Based on a true story, Return to Zero tells the story of a successful couple, Maggie (Minnie Driver) and Aaron (Paul Adelstein), who are preparing for the arrival of their first child. Just weeks before their due date they are devastated to discover that their baby son has died in the womb and will be stillborn. The two attempt to go on with their lives but cannot escape their postpartum grief and their relationship has been forever altered by this loss. They try to cope in a myriad of ways-- through denial, escape, and alcohol-- but when Maggie discovers that Aaron is having an affair with a co-worker, she decides to end the marriage. Just when Maggie believes she has started a new life, she discovers that she is pregnant. With the help of an empathetic doctor who once experienced a similar loss, Maggie finally learns to grieve for her son and must reunite with Aaron to prepare for their second pregnancy."

Other Notes:

* Return to Zero has been selected as one of the official selection of RIFF Awards 2014, and CINEQUEST Film Festival. 

* Return to Zero is based on the real-life experience of Sean Hanish and his wife. Sean and his wife Kiley had a stillborn child. In 2005, in week 37 of the pregnancy, after a healthy check just the previous month, there was no heartbeat from their unborn child. Their son, Norbert, was born still.

*  Sean Hanish used the actual diagnosis of his son in the film as well as some of the beautiful words that were said at his memorial service.

As a mother of 3 kiddos, I've been blessed through and through again with wonderful pregnancies and deliveries, I can't imagine how heartbreaking it would be to find out the child you have been carrying in your womb passed away.

I have heard of experiences from friends of friends about their stillborn, how despite finding out their child is no longer alive that they still have to go through the delivery process. We may never know the heartaches of going through the experience of the loss of a child and the impact towards the relationship and family.

How often do you come across a film that touches on the aspect of stillbirth and the effects of it? The scene where Minnie Driver delivered her baby boy and hugged him before he was passed on to the nurse - just heartbreaking. Sad when the child you have been carrying in your womb for so long passed away, never get to see the world...

Unless the person have gone through a similar situation, I don't think we can ever understand what the parents go through when they lose an unborn child, the trauma, guilt, anger and all. I think this movie gives us hope that things will turn out better one day and that you are not alone in this and for us to cherish our loved ones every day we can. A must see film!

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a copy of the movie in a CD in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.

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