Traveler's Factory, Japan

So my husband went to Japan two weeks ago for his work trip leaving me behind with the kids. After almost ten years of marriage, I am pretty much used to it by now. Now, my husband being the kind of man that he is, went  to most places that we visited during our Japan family trip last year, took photos and sent them to me. His walk down memory lane, though may seem romantic to some degree was actually an attempt to annoy me because he knew how much I miss Japan.  To show how serious he was about the whole 'I-wish-you-are-here' thing, he went to Sushi Zanmai all the way to Tsukiji market, ordered the same bowl of sashimi like he had last time and captured it all in one photo. All in good faith of course haha.

Juicy tunas that melt in your mouth. Japan sure promises the best gastronomical adventure that you couldn't find elsewhere because I can never look at those tunas in Sushi King the same way again.

Ohhh, and that was not it. There is more trick up his sleeves, I assure you. Traveler's Factory was next on his list. But I am kind of glad that he went there because now with a small baby, my days of  traveling seem to be put on hiatus. So, looking at the photos that he sent all the way from Nakameguro's back alley pretty much quench my thirst of traveling. 

 

The view from outside.

Stationery heaven.

My husband brought Pokemon gatchapon (capsule toys) for the kids and of course souvenirs from Traveler's Factory for me. But instead of giving me all the stuff at one go he decided that it would be more fun to let time does the magic...in other words, he loves to 'torture' me. Never mind, since I love surprises, I would say, bring it on. Plus, it is like having your birthday present when you least expected it. 

So the first present was the one that he gave me straight away. And it is this mini coloured pencils set, consists of 12 colour pencils, a sharpener and an eraser. This credit card size stationery set screams journaling on the go, all the way!!! It could easily fit inside your journal. It also has Traveler's Factory logo printed on its case.

 

I just don't have the heart to really put this to use yet. So at the moment, the colour pencils still remain sharp and untouched. 

I found the second gift, a week later, tucked neatly in between AD's nappies. It was a really nice surprise. They are these two black and white wahi tapes. And it is all nothing but the truth, when they (the journaling addict) say you can never have enough washi tapes. 

The Tokyo Metro Trip by Metro and the black Traveler's Factory washi tape.

 This Traveler's Notebook x Tokyo Metro collaboration washi tape showcases all nine lines in Tokyo Metro extensive rapid system. They are the Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Hibiya Line, Tozai Line, Chiyoda Line, Yurakucho Lin, Hanzomon Line and Namboku Line.

 A close-up look of the washi tapes. 

I can't wait to see what will my next surprises be.

My Delivery Story

It has been nearly two months since my last post. My new baby girl sure is keeping me busy. I gave birth to her in mid October, three days before my scheduled induced labour. I was a week overdue and she was showing no signs of coming out at all. I had mild contractions three or four days before I delivered her on Thursday, the 13th. The contractions weren't that bad, Alhamdulillah. Although it was my third pregnancy, but it was almost six years ago since I had my last baby, so I was a bit rusty and I had long forgotten what contractions really feel like. I had at least one false alarm. Went to the hospital one night and was later sent back home soon. That was embarrassing.

In the meantime, I did my daily CTGs every morning. I was told that I could just stay at the hospital until my induced date so I don't have to worry much. But the idea of just waiting unknowingly and  simply being away from my two kids is a big No-No.

It was a Thursday night, right after everybody went to bed when I felt the contractions. Although I had felt them earlier during the day, yeah, I was at IKEA with my parents, when I felt them. I knew, the contractions were different than before. The type of contraction that stops you from doing anything, that just bugs you and doesn't seem to go away. Deep down I was telling myself, 'This is IT' but I didn't tell my parents or call my husband because I knew he would straight away rush me to the hospital. Perhaps another false alarm. But that night, the contractions were stronger and longer. I waited for a good half an hour before I decided to wake my husband up and even then I wasn't too sure of going to the hospital. I am glad my very persistent husband forced me to go or I might have ended up giving birth at home instead.

Luckily my parents were at our house visiting since Monday, so we could leave the kids with them. It was one in the morning, the road was cleared, so we reached the hospital within 10 minutes. It could be way earlier if not because of the police roadblock. We were nearing the hospital when I didn't feel any pain  at all. I thought of turning back but my husband stopped me of course. And right when we parked our car at the emergency entrance, I felt one long, sharp contraction and looked at my husband and of course he was staring at me with his I-told-you-so face.

So I was told that I was already 3 cm dilated. Since I didn't want any painkillers, the midwife asked me to get as much sleep as possible as I might be delivering sometime after Subuh. I did not get to sleep much and at about 3 plus am, I felt a strong urge to push. Woke my husband up who was sleeping next to me, had to yell at him to call the midwife since he was a bit groggy. At that time I was 7 cm dilated. Then, things were kind of fast forwarded for me. My gynae came probably 10-15 mins later. Honestly I don't know, as it felt like ages. And I was trying so hard not to push the baby out until my gynae came. She had to rupture the sac and seconds later, one long push, and my baby girl was out. It felt so surreal. But my husband and I were so happy and relieved. At last, we could hold her in our arms and kiss her to our hearts content. It was an amazing experience having AM and AZ and we could not be more grateful to be able to relive it again. Welcome to the world!!

And then there was the night wake up call.😂