The dilemma

Our office has recently been taken over by another VC, who coincidentally owns one of our competitors. Needless to say, it has upped our profile as the No.1 agency in Malaysia, possibly the world too. The competitor company, in Malaysia at least, is, unfortunately well known for its cut-throat policies, resulting in much dispopularity within the industry, peers and clients alike. Our company, on the other hand, did tremendously well in previous years, quite popular in the industry and one of the bigger players in town. Safe to say that the new owners are lucky that they are acquiring a profitable company, not a losing one.

Which is to our huge disappointment that the owner has appointed the CEO of the loser company to head the new, merged companies. Only reason for this, I hear is because our own CEO had passed away earlier this year and there is no one else befitting our CEO's chair since. With this new incoming, big changes are being implemented, particularly upsetting us is in the amendments of employee benefits and new bonus (bogus) scheme.

Together, a group of us shortchanged staff are putting together a memo to the new management, protesting the changes. It is hard not to get emotional as this is our livelihood that's on the line. We have all been working our assess off for the company, generating decent bonuses in the course and enjoying the wonderful working environment that's been the envy of our competitors. With the new cutbacks on benefits and impossible bonus scheme, all we have left is our monthly salary, which is peanuts, to get through the day to day. Previously, we are ok with the low salary coz we know that we would be rewarded with good bonuses provided we reach the fee target set by the company. And a handsome extra if we exceed the targets. That is why I love this company and stayed for the past 5 yrs, regardless of the low salary. I work hard every year for that big fat bonus cheque.

I have to approach this issue carefully as I'll be going off on maternity leave soon and I don't want this to have any repercussions upon my return. But on the other hand, I have to support my colleagues in this fight without appearing too unreasonable and rebellious. What a pickle!

Imran at school

We've been sending Imran to his play school for almost a week now and boy, don't he just love it! Of course during the first day he was clingy towards me and shy to mix around with the other kids. He didn't even touch the Koko Krunch snack the school served, his favourite! But by the second day, I could see that he's started to join in the group circle, singing songs, playing at the playground and doing arts and craft with the teacher. I'm so glad that the kids all seem to adore him too, always inviting him to join the playgroup and helping him with his snack bowl and drink. The kids are the sweetest things, I tell ya! I have half a mind of quitting my current job and joining the school to be with the kids...hmm.. maybe someday..

The trial period ends tomorrow after which we'll be enrolling him into the school's Montessori program proper. I hope the new school uniforms will encourage him to go even more. As it is, the kids are always asking me; Aunty, where's Imran's uniform? Need to get a small schoolbag for Imran's things, water bottles and more socks too!

I'm so happy to see Imran enjoying his time at school. He's making friends easily and I truly believe I made the right choice with this school. But I can't help feeling a wee bit emotional too, seeing how fast he's growing!

Playschool

Went to the doctor's for my monthly checkup Mon afternoon. According to the doc's calculated EDD, i'm at 31 wks but the measurements of the baby showed that i'm at 33wks! yikes! does this mean that the baby's coming early, again? Unfortunately, said Dr.Alex, they still don't have the knowledge or technology to accurately determine, unless actual labour starts. And I felt even more n more nervous after that.

My checkups are now twice monthly as I've entered the final stages of pregnancy. This week i'll be retrieving back all my stuff loaned to friends and family when they had their babies - car seat, BF cushion, donut cushion, mobile etc. I hope they took care of the stuff :P contemplating of taking back the oh-so precious baby swaddle i loaned to hubby's cousin..should i? i know i can afford buying a new one, but the one i found to keep for our "future offspring" but ended up loaning to her for some stupid reason was SO special, not mentioning quite pricey too!

This afternoon we went to checkout another playschool for Imran, one closer to my Mum's. It was a very pleasant and kinda exclusive school, with only 2 kids of Imran's agegroup and about 10 other bigger kids. Listening to the Principal explain the activities, her experiences with newbies (kids and parents) gave us quite the assurance we needed. Told her bout Imran's habits and temperaments and how we deal with it which she was happy to oblige. She also expressed her relief that we have been instilling discipline in him at this age as some parents had even instruct her not to make their kids follow the school's routine program if they don't want to which makes it quite tricky for the teachers. Being experienced in Montessori early learning for 16 years, my gut feel says that she's the right person to handle our Imran. Thinking of sending him on a trial basis for a week first before we decide to sign him up for a whole year. I love that the school allows this trial basis as other schools never gave us this option. Another plus is that they will toilet train him too when he's settled and ready, yay! :)

Now comes the hard part, that is to tell my Mum that she needs to part with her favourite cucu for 3 hours a day.. :P

Almost at the finish line..

..and I can't wait!The extra weight on me is making it even more and more difficult to move around. Sleeps at nights are also tough, I feel short of breath and the backpain is a real bitch.
We had a 3-day weekend which was just what I needed, except for the fact that Imran was down with fever and flu for 2 out of the 3 days! But I had a lovely time taking care of him, sick and all. Just sitting there cuddling and soothing him while he sniffles and whines away was therapeutic for me as much as it was for him, I hope. In times like this, I know he needs as much TLC as he does meds, which was what I provided whole-heartedly. The boy got better on Sunday and was back to his usual naughty and mischievous self! I sorta secretly hope the fever extended through Sunday as I was enjoying the quiet and pensive Imran too much! :P

We completed doing up the kids' bedroom yesterday. Hubby layered the second coat of paint all by himself this time and did a pretty good job! Finished off the day by pasting the glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling. It turned out real nice and Imran loved it too. I placed an order for an all-white wardrobe and aircon for the room which shud arrive these few days. After that, we shud be done with all the big spending. Until the big day arrives, that is.

Last nite before bed I managed to catch the documentary, "In The Womb" on NatGeo. What a wonderful "inside story" on what goes on in there. It also says that the baby gets more sensitive to the mother's voices after 32 weeks and can sense the difference in tones when she's stressed out, happy, angry etc. So I'll try my best to maintain a happy self from now on :P ...how can I not be? My Coach bag booking came through and will arrive next week! Happy!