My flipping baby..@ 14 weeks!

My girl marks her 14th week yesterday by demonstrating to her Daddy that she can flip if she wants to from her back to her front..

Daddy didn't know that it was her first flip without assistance and acted nonchalantly, and even told me that she already had done her tummy time all by herself... i was puzzled when he told me this.. but was sooo excited..

All we did was to show Jadelle where to place her legs and arms and she picked it up fast in 2 days! At the last August mummies gathering, she was still struggling to hold up her head! (See video clip on previous post)

Now, i am worried that she soon will be turning and flipping out of my queen sized bed! Oh dear, my girl's trying to learn as fast as she could and growing up faster then i expected. Soon, i will have to put protective corners around the house and plug up all the electrical points.

I am glad that we were able to witness her first flip.. and cross my fingers that i will not miss anymore of her firsts....

I will be making my first working trip to KL tomorrow and this pose a headache for me..how to pump and store the milk? Looks like i have to bring my fridge to go and require assistance from colleagues in the M'sia office for fridge storage.. as well as during trips. I am crossing my fingers that i won't need to pump so long.. :( sigh..

Breastfeeding in this sense is really a pain.. and i ache to se my girl waking up every 2 hours to suckle for milk, cos i keep thinking that my milk ain't enough and that is why she still wakes up so often at night for milk.. yet, to see her latched on so comfortably, especially when initially she don't know how to latch... my heart melts.. latching her on is the most efficient way for me to bond with her now, giving my lack of time with her, as a Full Time Working Mother (FTWM). I am now wondering if i should attempt to feed her via bottle at her last feed so that she is full enough to sleep longer and perhaps last through the night..

I will have to latch Jadelle on until 3am and pray for the best.. can Andy handle his princess alone????

Will update on THAT when i return!

Aug 2006 mummies gathering!!

Back to work 1 week and jadelle is 13 weeks old!

Ok, i survived 1 week of work! And, it was tough. Expressing at work is stressful, disruptive and super inconvenient at my workplace! i try to express min. 3 times a day, and aim to express 4 times.. am expressing 180-220ml per day only. which is enough for 2 feeds only? This means that Jadelle on some days might have to drink some formula milk to tide over until i am back home..

I miss her so much at work this week, and am still adjusting to life in the office after baby.. My bosses are loading me back with my projects.. with the expressing that i need to do in the office, and me trying to return home ASAP to latch Jadelle back on.. it is extremely hard to concentrate 100% on my work.

I have to express in the handicap toilet, but as i am not used to a pump, it is hard for me to have a letdown! As such, my pumping time is 1 hr, even with a dual electric pump (by the way, i actually have to pull extension cord into the toilet! How bad and embarrassing can that get?)

I am actually expressing now, hoping to stimulate my breasts to produce more milk and get used to the pump so that letdown iz easier. This is easier said then done!

Just back from a gathering with the August mummies from the internet forum. So fun to see and compare the babies! Never been to one! And today's gathering actually was filmed down by a TV crew for their new programme to be broadcast in December! Can't wait to see Jadelle on camera..


Hm, a new year is approaching! My wishlist?? LOTS! Here goes:

1) I can express enough milk to feed Jadelle
2) More $$
3) A breastfeeding friendly workplace!
4) Get a new job that i really like with new challenges but yet, don't need me to sacrifice time with Jadelle & AK..
5) That Jadelle don't get addicted to TV from the long hours her grandma put her in front of it.
6) Jadelle DO NOT PICK UP broken languages from her grandparents that is totally incorrect.
7) Jadelle can finally sleep through the night and in her own bed!
8) AK and i have more "us" time together..
9) more LV and coach bags!
10) To start my own niche online business that will earn $$ by itself!
11) Get back my flat tummy!
12) Stretchmarks begone!
13) That everyone i love be healthy and fine..:)

Will be bring Jadelle for her 5 in 1 jab @ polyclinic tomorrow.. hope all goes well!

End of maternity leave

Life is full of choices and right now, i wish i can choose not to return to work.. At the beginning, i did think that i would relish returning to work, after staying at home for 3 months looking after baby..Yet, i survived and to my surprise, discover that I enjoy my time with my girl, and i did not flare up as often as i thought i would, given my past experience with my siblings and my character (same as my dear mummy!)

Yet, now, with the looming prospect of returning to the working ranks, and depositing my girl @ my MIL's place.. hmm.. many thoughts are flowing through my brain.

I worry, for instance that my MIL's insistence on sarong cradle will result in my girl craving to be rocked every second (even at night, with my hand permanently stuck onto the sarong cradle and rocking it!), the pacifier, depositing Jadelle in front of the TV acting as a temporary nanny.. and in the process, hampers her attention development and eye sight!

I wonder too, if my PIL's poor command of language will affect her development? What about interaction with other kids?

And will she come to resent me as i resent my mum working when i was younger? Life sucks in that, i have limited control in that aspect over my own child.. The best situation is to look after her myself with a maid helping me out! But, that option, is impossible right now.. too much to give up..

Most of all, will she prefer other caregivers instead of us, the parents?

Jadelle knows how to lift up her head & hold her toys!

oh manz.. i muz record this before i forget! Jadelle know how to hold her toy today! and can lift up her head while on her tummy!

more pictures!

Been to bangkok and back with Jadelle & Family!

Wah sey, not easy travelling with baby.. can't shop as much as i like and have to adjust to her sleeping and nap times, and also accomodate her feeding too!

Not many nursing rooms in Bangkok, so, it is hard to latch her on directly, plus, she struggles @ the breast when milk flow is slow.. so... sigh..think my milk flow drop during this trip, though i try to pump at least 1x a day.. but cos of time constraint..aiyah.. gotta re-establish again..

But the main aim is achieved: to pray to the 4 face buddha! plus, managed to buy some carters rompers, some clothing for myself @ pratunum, bought pigeon stuff @ departmental store and cheaper medication too..


by the way, the plane ride there was smooth with baby.. latched her on on take off, but coming back, she was cranky as she wanted to be rocked to sleep! keke..

9 weeks and i finally did it...

Tomorrow, Jadelle will be 10 weeks old and in honour of that, we shave her head. so sad to see her beautiful hair all gone and they were streaked ith brown highlights too..but we decided to do that as her hair at the back was dropping out. And thank god we did it, otherwise, i wouldn't know how bad her cradle cap was... though i have been washing her hair with cradle cap shampoo.

more Jadelle's photos!!

time flies.. jadelle is going to be 9 weeks!

the photo was taken on my birthday.. cute hor?

Hm, no time to log in, no time to update. Spend most of my waking hours with my girl. Have to remember to treasure all the moments before i go back to work.. so sianz. especially when she is so much more responsive now.

She is more fun to be with now and will coo and gaga and smile when i talk to her.. but she is also more fussy in the evenings. 7-8pm, only want me to carry.. 8-10pm wants hubby to carry her and jog around the house for 5 min. to put her to sleep..I think it must be due to the bottle feeding and wind in her tummy..well, still can tahan.. haven't really lost my temper yet..

Been out with her a few times.. alone even.. i carry her in a sling and feed her before going out and along with my diaper bag, out we go! So far, been to plaza singapura and viviocity alone with her.. but can't buy clothes leh.. cos gotta carry her..I need some time alone with her.. jalan jalan.. so, i politely decline to deposit her at my MIL place.

Jadelle is also consuming more milk. I can't keep up with her demands and can't fully empty my breast with a pump.. sigh.. so she is now on partial breastfeeding and supplementing with FM.

Now, i have to start planning for the BKK trip with Jadelle and AK. Crossing my fingers she will be a good girl...

all the mummies and babies!

chio boh?

My thoughts @ Jadelle's 5th week plus..

Jadelle is slowly establishing her own pattern n timing for feeding.. 12mn, 4am, 6am, 8am, 10am, 12 noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm.. and during the day, she can nap ~ 3-4 hrs in total..

i have been showing her black, white and red flash cards since 2 weeks onwards and she can really focus on things liaoz, so i start her on GD red dots program yesterday, since she starts to stay awake more in afternoons. she does enjoy it! so happy to see her interested expression and her strong focus on the cards.

Expressing breast milk: hmm.. that is a tough one lah.. i can't seem to fit in a regular expressing timing, since i prefer to latch her on.. and the IQ Uno electric pump don't work so well on me leh.. now, i own an iq uno and an iq duo and it both comes with manual pump function too. am getting ~60ml if my breasts are full like every 2-3 hrs.. if i feed her FM, she takes between 60ml - 90ml now.. so, i hope i can soon express enough to match her demand.

Have introduced the bottle to her, both Avent and Pigeon bottle teats.. NUK.. sigh.. forget it lah.. she gets nipple confusion from it. Now, slowly replacing her day feeds with bottle, while i still latch her on in the night until 8am and relatch her back on from 7pm onwards..

Taking things easy seems to work.. i no longer am concerned about how much i express if i get 20ml per session, so be it... supplement with FM at most.

I am also learning to put her down when she is awake and let her play by herself until she calls for me..instead of carrying her all the time.. no joke, when she is now 4.5kg and approaching the weight of a bag of rice!

I have been out a couple of times with her.. to vivio city, to city link/ raffles city/ orchard road/ polyclinic.. and only 1 time, have i been able to go out with her alone. NOT EASY! lots of stuff to carry, plus a wriggly baby who may cry! i can't bring out the stroller with her in it cos i scared she cries and asked to be carried and how to cope with the stroller?? keke..

7 weeks more to go back to work.. i must plan fast now..my career..

time is moving forward fast..

Wow, been a while since i last posted.. Jadelle's first month came and went with great success.. been a while since i met so many friends.. especially after being cooped up in the house with the baby..

So happy to finally dress up a little and stop feeling so "auntie".. My confinement lady finally left on monday.. and wow.. really missed her.. she also cried when going back home.. my tears can't help dropping lor..

Its been a week, me and baby @ home.. and its been a great bonding session.. yes, sometimes, feel so tired.. especially in the evenings when she fusses and cries non-stop. Still, i think i take her crying more then my PIL, my hubby.. haha..

Am so glad that i have help and company in morning from my mum's maid. Otherwise, i dunno how to go toilet etc when bb is awake! And thanks to my PIL also for coming over to help with baby when i need an extra pair of hands.. and thanks also to my dear lao gong.. who, though super tired from work, still will jump out of bed to help me with baby..

My birthday ah.. finally turned 28.. haha.. AK and I deposit baby with my PIL and went ot eat sakae sushi.. wow.. really miss the sashimi.. but, my appetite like dropped leh.. since the confinement..

Regarding breastfeeding and bottle feeding and formula feeding.. my milk isn't that fantastic.between 50-70ml now expressed out? I tried the avent isis, avent uno, and now the avent duo.. but quantity stays the same, though the time taken to pump is so much shorter for the dual pump. I really dunno how to input pumping sessions into my latching on.. plus, my girl is so fussy at the bottle, she insists on being latch on after a bottle feed, especially in the evening!

I do give my girl FM, but she never take more then 90ml at one time? and sometimes, only 60ml! but of cos, most of the time, i do latch her on for a while before i give her FM, cos i can feel that my breast isn't very soft and she cries after a while of being latched on, especially in evenings. I count myself lucky that though i bottle feed her, she still latches on well on my breast. now, i only hope i can increase my milk supply even more. Thinking of buying a avent duo and hope it will help me to stimulate my breasts to increase milk production..

Went out a couple of times with baby, in a sling, stroller and nursed her in public everytime, cos she fusses and insists on the breast especially in evening.. so far, ok lah. i dun care what others think leh.. since, my priority is to feed my girl! but i do have nursing tops lah.

I brought Jadelle for her hep. B jab myself and phew.. it is tough going out with her alone manz! I do wish i have enough milk to feed her outside without bottle feeding, cos, going out shopping will be much less barang barang.. btw, she weighs 4.17kg at the weigh in.. gained 1kg from her birth weight and more then 1 kg from her discharged weight.. am so glad.. even if my milk flow dropped later on, at least i BF her for 1 month..

realised that i am back to work next month end! ouch! hope i can get another job ASAP!

My weight? hm, still got to lose 2kg more.. can wear all my tops, but my bottoms.. sigh.. and my tummy.. SIGH...... my brand new bikini.. sob sob.. think i can't wear it for a while liaoz..

yikes! bathing with pomogranate leaf really work!

Since my last posting, my confinement nanny suggest that we bath baby with the leaf and see if it will calm her down. She said that maybe Jadelle is over stimulated especially if carried by many people.. and guess what?

Today is the 2nd day since I was trying to crack her screaming code.. and she is back to normal! Hmm izzit a coincidence?

today, Jadelle is 19 days old.. and she is changing very fast.. when she drinks her milk, she can open her eyes super big and look at me.. and even know how to complain when milk flow isn't to her liking! She seems to be more alert now.. responding to her cries immediately also helped. She no longer wake up screaming and wailing loudly. Crossing my fingers now..

She doesn't like it if we put her down in her cot once she fell asleep after her milk and will wake up and whimper. So, my nanny have to cuddle her until she falls into a deeper sleep before putting her gently down and even then she will have to keep close and pat pat pat her until she is assured.. I hope i can do as well when i am left alone with her!

Haven't bathe her yet too.. do i still remember how to? i hope so..

How am i? i get really emotional over the smallest things which can trigger tears.. but AK has been a great support.. juz thinking about some stuff that is bothering me can drive me to tears. How weak is that, Jasmine? But, i attribute it to the hormones lah..

I really wonder how much to pay my nanny now.. she doesn't know much about BF and what soups to cook to help me. Can't even massage my breasts.. but she does all the housework n cooking n cleaning lah, but i am the one waking up at night to feed her, though she help me pat Jadelle to sleep (which i am thankful for..). My nanny, as expected is pro- FM, so, 1st week, she plus EVERYONE was trying to tell me give Jadelle formula milk and not be so hard on myself to latch her on even at night..

I lashed out at my M, when she queried is it bb crying constantly cos i got no milk. and until today, she has been giving me the cold shoulder and even when i consulted her about the full month cakes, she tell me no comments and ask me to ask my grandma myself?

My MIL too, been asking me about my milk supply.. GGRHHH... what's wrong with these people? Like i gonna starve my girl? Already not feeling good about the confinement rules about not bathing and i am so SICK of ngor hee, plus hormones all crashing, plus stress of baby plus so yucky over my flabby tummy (SOB!) and they come and pile on the stress on me??

These people are concerned, but they don't realise they add stress to me.. Thank god i don't stay with my MIL now.. and Thank God for AK..... Did i mentioned he is the best thing to happen to me??

cracking the crying code..

Today, Jadelle is 17 days old.. and her mum n daddy are probably hitting few hundred years old, since her incessant crying starts 3 days again from 1pm onwards until evening..

It is hard to decipher her cries. I can't figure out if she is hungry, thirsty, wants comfort or what..

her typical pattern these 3 days are:
12 noon: instead of feeding for 1 hr, she feeds for 30 min in total, 15 min each side before nodding into a light sleep, where she smiles and frowns and moves.
1pm: she wake up after only max 1/2 hr nap and cries again. And we have to carry her and cuddle her.
2 pm: by this time or earlier, her crying becomes insistent and loud and her face turns red. Her rooting reflex kicks in and i feed her again.
2:30pm: she falls asleep again! after feeding for only 30min?
3:15 - 3:30pm: she cries again.. and the carrying and cuddling starts
3:45- 4pm: feeding again for again 30min.. my breast still feels full leh!
4:45pm: her crying becomes incessant.. i put her to nurse again, after which, 10-15 min later, her suckling becomes comfort suckling and i have to unlatch her. She cries again within 10 min of unlatching..process repeats.
7:30pm: mummy has no rest and getting tired as BB repeats her routine..Her cries get louder and more inconsolable as evening prolongs.. it will reach a stage where even nursing her doesn't comfort her!
9:30pm: finally she MAY nurse longer then 30 min.. (if i still have milk left after all the comfort nursing she did, otherwise, Formula milk, here we come!)
12-1am: Another hour of nursing, following which she falls asleep for 2 hrs..
3-4am: another nursing for 1 hr.. falls asleep for ~2 hrs again..
6-7 am: another nursing for 45 min - 1 hr.. falls asleep fast after putting her down in the cot
9:30 - 10am: another round of nursing @ 3 hr interval
12pm: final round of nursing @ 3 hr interval before her pattern changes to 1.5 - 2 hr interval..

And the cycle repeats...

i am going crazy liaoz.. now, i try to rest as much as possible at night and in the morning b4 12 noon.. bracing myself for the evenings..

Been exploring whether she is going through cluster feeding or izzit colic.. still undecided..

Life after delivering Jadelle..

What's life like now for me?

The worst part is probably the confinement rules.. i hate the parts of not bathing whenever i like, especially after feeding baby and i get all sweaty and sticky and my rashes come out!

Baby latches on fine.. and wakes up for feeds every 1 - 3 hrs interval.. as she feed for min 20 minutes per breast, i have achy arms now..and backache n a lack of sleep.. i realise i am exremely sensitive to her cry and will wake up immediately to feed her.. i can now differentiate her hunger cries liaoz.. but still not sure when she juz need cuddling. breastfeeding her is extremely satisfying but i can't seem to pump my milk out.. i get so stressed when i see the pump bottle.. get only max. 10ml after every nursing.. hope things will improve..otherwise, i dunno how to go back to work..

so far, i ventured out and nursed her both times.. once to the paediatrician and another to the gynae.. feels weird, but dun care lah.. bb more important.. today iz my 10th day of confinement... 20 days to go.. sigh..

Jadelle's first visit to PD

We went for the scheduled check up for my princess today @ 9:45am to follow up on her jaundice level etc.

Breastfed her, then fed her a small amount of formula milk to ensure she won't yell the place down for milk @ PD..

Who knows? PD had to attend to an emergency case @ the ward and we had to wait until 10:30am before we can see him.. in the meantime, our princess, who must have been going through her first growth spurt, decides she wants more food and started to cry and search for food! Poor AK, keep telling her he got no milk for her..

Luckily, i decided to wear a nursing bra & top, so we borrowed the changing/ nursing room from the PD and nursed her on 1 side for like 10 minutes..

Just nice, PD came back to the clinic and we were next in line. Took her weight and she regained her birth weight.. On the 3rd day, she weigh 3.07kg, down from her birth weight of 3.19kg. But today, she weighs 3.2kg.. which means that we have been doing something right..

Her motion has improved and has changed in colour, which PD said is a good sign, that she is digesting my breastmilk. Her jaundice is still present, but not too bad. PD asked us to monitor that it doesn't spread downwards and gets worse after 1 week..
Her extra heart mummur? It's GONE! PD said he totally cannot hear it anymore. Just to be sure, we will keep the cardiologist's appointment to ease my worries.

PD said he will be surprised if her motion and urine doesn't improve in frequency within a week, and she is exhibiting good signs.

We were so pleased to hear that.. have been wondering if i was too stubborn about breastfeeding her totally as much as i can cope.. and my in laws keep asking me to give her water to drink.. which the PD 100% objected as it interfere with her cues of hunger and affect her absorption of nutrients..

She is now on 100% breastfeeding and only latch on.. i can't seem to pump out much still.. nevertheless, her motion indicates to me she is having enough for the moment and i refuse to get stressed over the amount i pump out.. will try to stimulate after every feed to increase my milk flow.. since whatever i pump out is so little, not going to store it.. (its like only a teaspoon now from both breasts!)

AK been a great support this week.. will miss him when he goes back to work next week.. Hope i don't start crying manz.. so far so good though..

Took my weight @ PD there.. i weigh 50kg now.. so, 6 kg to go.

I will start my massage on the 14th sept at home.. in the meantime, my auntie will be making for me my bengkung to wrap around my tummy after the jamu herb applications..our indonesian tradition.. hope it helps to get rid of that tummy!

Its really hot @ home, though i do have natural wind from the windows (THANK GOD!). I am not allowed to blow aircon/ fan..and even though i wipe myself down with ricewine and hot water.. after every hot meal.. i perspire like mad.. i do make an effort to clean before i feed baby though.. hope all will be ok..

My birth Story..

wow, it sure is a long story.. hang on!

3rd September, 2006

~2am: played finish mj.. can't sleep so chatted with AK
~4am: tummy ache.. did some big biz and noticed blood flowing out.. also, had "urine incontinence".. aa huge gush of water came out.. later on, realised it was my water bag.. :P.. Called up Gynae.. gynae advised us to make our way slowly to Mt. Alvernia..
~4:30am: We left our place, after taking a shower and some photos.. started having mild menstrual cramping like pain every 5 minutes.. so.. those are what contractions feel like..


5am: reach Mt. A's labour ward and "checked in". Was given enema to pass out all the motion left in my system... contractions starts to get stronger..

10am: gynae arrived.. I was only 3-4cm dilated. Put on oxytoxin drip to make the contractions stronger. The contractions peaked @ 130 strength.. AK & I noticed that when the contractions strengthened, baby's heartbeat will drop.. got a little worried and starting talking to her. Still can tahan the contractions, with the help of the yoga breathing techniques..

2pm: still only 4cm dilated.. contractions @ > 100 strength is coming in every 2 minutes. Yoga breathing techniques still helping.. at peak of the contractions, i breathe in a little of the gas.. it does take the edge off the pain a little. Baby's heartbeat still drops @ peak of contractions.. i was worried and hope that baby isn't too distressed.. cos that will lead her to pass motion in the womb. decide to take epidural, as i don't know how long it will take.. although still can cope with the pain.. i was crossing my fingers and hoping that the epidural will allow me to dilate faster and get baby out ASAP..

4pm: 6cm dilated. The mid wife helped to stretch my cervix wider..

5:30pm: Gynae arrived and i am 10 cm dilated.. we started to push.. The epidural has worn off a little and i can feel every contraction.. though not super pain.. the pushing was tough.. i can't push 4x within 1 contraction.. it made me breathless and faint..

6pm: Gynae said the head can be seen.. he needs to use vacuum as bb is still not facing my spine.. a few times, the vacuum came off.. and um.. blood splattered all over the nurses, AK, gynae n me..the nurses was asking each other whether got kanna their hairband boh..

6:55pm: Gynae holds open my cervix.. didn't use the vacuum anymore and ask me to push really hard and out pops Jadelle and placed on my lap.. i nearly cried.. it was so unbelieveable..

7-7:15pm: baby was examined, weight taken.. PD came.. i vomited and kanna my hair.. (damn it!). muz be due to the epidural.. was given something in my drip to stop the vomitting..

7:20pm: I start to feel really lousy.. the feeling was like i reach the end of the world, i can't revert to my pre pregancy stage, i felt like dying and it seems like if i black out.. that's it.. to prevent myself slipping further into this state.. i voiced out how i feel.. immediately, everyone's attention was on me.. AK ask me if i wanted to hold the baby, i told him to throw the baby out and told him it is all his fault! arrgghh.. think i even mentioned that i wanted to die.. and all this in the midst of delivering my placenta!

8pm: Gynae starts to stitch me up. I was still not myself.. and told him i want to go home and get off the bed now.. even moved my legs which is still heavy with the epidural medication..

9pm: the allergic reaction the the anti vomitting drug wearing off.. and i feel more like myself.. back aches.. and i kept stretching myself.. and asking for more water..
was wheeled back to the ward..

So, that is my birth story.. it was pretty scary, the final part. Makes me wonder if i dare to go through that process again. but i was glad that stage is over. Can't believe how can i have said that i want to throw away my darling girl..

After delivering Jadelle, she was warded in ICU for 4 hrs for observation and drainage as she was distressed and pass motion in the womb and also swallowed some of it..

The PD also detected an extra sound in her heart..which is cos one of the foetal blood vessels which was supposed to close upon birth.. didn't managed to close 100%. now, Jadelle has a 2mm gap that allows extra blood to flow to the heart which might cause the heart to overwork in severe cases.. however, on the 3rd day, the sound can hardly be heard liaoz by the PD. So, we will go for follow up with the PD and cardiologist to ensure that 1 month later, the gap has fused closed.

We also stayed an extra day as Jadelle has slight jaundice of 9. Was discharged together on the 4th day as it is below 10 (@ 8.5).

Now, gotta monitor her urine and motion.. as she seems to be passing too little.. i latch her on and breastfeed her every 1 hr- 1.5 hr in the day (ooh.. my nipples r sore!) and at night, i do that still but add on Formula milk after breastfeeding to enable her to get more water and food for passing motion..)

My milk kick in today.. after bf her for 1 hr.. can pump out 1 teaspoon.. keke.. slowly lah.. but i think, her sucking is better @ extracting milk..

Welcome baby Jadelle!

week 40 and moving towards overdue!

Hihi,

I am still hanging around leh.. Today went for my week 40 check up.. and mentally prepared that gyane will asked me to be admitted today or tomorrow.. Did the CTG checks..

Princess J's heartbeat is normal and, what do you expect? active as usual! keke.. to my surprise, i finally noticed peaks on a more regular basis under the contractions section between 60- 100... looking good right?

After that, gyane did a scan.. water level still acceptable, baby is now 3.3kg (in just 1 week!! whoa!!!)

Next coming up: Cervix check... that was like ouch!! gynae starts to look abit grim.. and explained that my cervix is only dilated 1cm and still thick, on a scale of 1-10 for suitablity for induction, i only score 3, which means that in the next 2 days, he don't think i can induce..

***out flies the thought of inducing on 31st August for a 1st September baby..

However, as he have to balance between baby getting bigger and going overdue too much, and hence a lower chance of natural vaginal birth, versus waiting for my cervix to dilate.. so, gyane suggests that we set 4th sept for induction of labour.. unless the baby decides to pop by then...

Oh dear.. so headache.. Princess J.. when u wanna make your appearance & say hi to us??

Feelings @ week 38, 16 days to go..

Baby got big enough that it is now hard to view her on the ultrasound.. managed to upload my first video! i took a couple of these videos..with my trusty o2 throughout this pregnancy..

she weighs 2.8kg now.. a gain of 1kg, though my weight only went up by 500gms. diameter of her head is ~34cm?

Still headdown.. not in breech position, BUT, still also facing outwards.. kaypoh person siah.. If this continues when i am in labour, it means that my labour will be longer, as in this postion, her head diameter is bigger and harder to push out. Backaches are common, and often, gynae & midwives have to wait for the baby to slowly rotate herself before her head can appear.. In such a position, babies tend to arrive on or later then their EDDs and are not engaged into the pelvis earlier..

Solution? Wait and see.. meanwhile, i found out that it seems helpful to go on all fours for HALF AN HOUR every night? How does one maintain this position for this length of time anyway? Ok! still give it a try.. no harm..

I cross my fingers that i will NOT need to go into emergency C-section.. if i really need one, the gynae better tell me in advance so that it is easier for me to opt for it right from the beginning rather then to go through normal delivery, followed by attempted to assist with vacuum and forceps and finally concluding that NOPE! Gotta go under the knife.. Yikes! Still gotta keep the spirits up and stay on the positive side.. i stil tend to look at the negative side of stuff.. Hope baby doesn't take after me in that aspect..

week 38 scan..

Playpen is all ok and ready to go!

Ak decide to take a look at the playpen that was delivered.. it was more complicated then we thought..keke.. but, it is finally up! cost us 100 sgd.. size is 28" x 48".. bigger then normal..

Hearing lots of stories now.. the most worrying one is: if want to breastfeed baby, and opt for total breastfeeding, but baby is impatient type and yells for food, and no milk yet initially, the crying is really stressful... how how?? aiyoh.. so stressed!!

Some friends recommend that i supplement initially if 1st two weeks not so good and baby is still learning to latch on.. and to supplement only after attempting BF on both breasts and baby still hungry..

life ahead looks tough manz....... and what with all the nonsense about no bathing & washing hair during confinement.. sigh..

week 37... 24 days left! Baby weighs 2.7kg..

Wah.. first time, i went for gynae check up myself..cos gotta do it on a weekday morning for the strep B culture test... cost me 50 sgd...uncomfy leh.... ouch..

Oops, i forgot to call up the nurse to inform them i found my watch.. hehe.. make them panic for nothing.. so paisay..

Nope, baby isn't engaged yet. Though her head is down, she is facing outwards, not my spine... oops... looks like we gotta talk more to her to turn the other way and face my spine.. otherwise, i will be suffering from achy backpain & long labour and delivery might have to be assisted.. ouch!

Sigh, looks like, still gotta lun another 24 days!

Her weight gain is on track.. now is 2.7kg.. a gain of almost 600gms, though i put on almost 2kg! eeks, i weigh an extra 12kg! hope it will all go off after delivery!

Have booked the malay massage lady liaoz.. to prepare her for my pending delivery.. will be done @ home..min. of 5 sessions..

Next visit will be 1 week later.. hopefully, baby will turn around into a posterier position.. scrubbing floors is supposed to help?? keke.. think AK will faint upon hearing that suggestion..

Fendi watch found!!

hehe,

sotong daddy & mummy... my watch was actually at home! We scared ourselves and i was soooooooo depressed for 1 whole day!!

AK was like.. oh manz.... he was so pissed when the watch wasn't found @ the gynae.. keke... and before the watch was found, he volunteered to buy me another watch... haiz.. i know hor.. maybe i should have kept quiet on it!! haha! but, no lah.... prefer him to save that sum of $$...

Next gynae checkup will be another Monday (by then, i am week 36++).. by then, we will be doing a strep B check, plus perhaps a dilation check? time is zooming past fast..

Some of the Aug MTBs on the forum are popping one by one... makes me panicky.. so much has yet to be done..

35 weeks.. what's next??

Ok,

Last check up was last night.. As usual, baby is very hyper and can't wait to see the gynae to see how she is doing.. well, she has grown again, gaining 475grams and now weigh about 2.192kg @ 34 weeks, 4 days...

Took blood pressure, urine test, all clear! Only problem is.. I left my Fendi watch behind!! ARRGHHH!! I hope the next patient will not steal my watch.. sob......

Next visit, I will be doing the Strep B culture test and it will be in the morning.. so, won't be going to work..

Baby's name.. sigh.. that causes lots of headache..... Jadelle/ Jermaine Kwok??? hehe.... I kind of like Jadelle, but Jermaine seems more acceptable, cos more common leh..

Chinese name ah... Hui(4) Xuan (1)?

Today will be the 1st day of the Chinese 7th Month.. so, no going home late tonight.. and we will be praying downstairs..

keke.. hiaoz mummy, daddy & baby!

keke.. no need to say anything.. just see this! For more.. take a look at this link.. http://www.foto-u.com/portfolios/alb_show.php?show_folder=andyjas

Rounded tummy me......

We took maternity shots over the weekend at WP's studio.. She did charge us a very reasonable rate of 88 sgd nett... had some shots with natural sunlight also.. Spent 1.5 hrs taking the shots.. we brought along our own outfits.. (5 changes!!), brought along some props also (milk bottle, bebe listener, mp3 player etc..)

Did my own make up and didn't do much about my hair.. took ~200+ photos! The photos are ready liaoz.. can't wait to receive the CD ROM via post.. will be uploading it once i receive the CD ROM and downsize the photos.. Think i will print out the photos also for memories' sake and maybe to do up a scrap book? keke.. what do i know? I am the one bad at art!

Think i will get the CD tonight???

Work is getting more stressful.. I hope i can do up most of the projects/ presentations before end of this month. No idea how to hand over.. but no way i am leaving my laptop behind! Can't have the temp girl messing up my laptop! Can't bear that!!

before moving forward, we look back, just for a while...

AK juz gave me a link.. to a website he created for my 21st b-day... it brings back lots of memories.. keke.. and a very skinny me!! phew.. guess most of my TTC frenz won't recognise that it is me lor.. I added it to this blog, under family & frenz.. take a look!

Got news that JJ has BFP.. was so happy for her, and praying that all will be smooth now.. Also checking on R, hoping she is coping well with everything...

Time is moving fast... i muz treasure the last few weeks of our DINK lives.. Baby is moving about still naughty girl.. still not sleeping.. keke.. same as mummy!

Gynae's check up at week 32... 1.717kg liaoz..

Met Dr. Chandras last night for my scheduled 32 weeks check up.. blood pressure was ok.. we updated him that we have toured the wards & attending th antenatal class @ MAH.
Topics we discussed about:

Epidural
He suggest that we go for epidural once I cannot tahan the pain. The dosage can be controlled to regain some sensation in active labour stage which will allow me to feel the contractions.

Episiotomy
Most first time mothers can't avoid this cut, and it won't be painful when administered. However, i told him that it was the pain AFTERWARDS that i dislike. Fear of constipation, urination problems etc..

PD
He has already booked Dr. Terence Tan for us. So, no problem

Doctor's letter
Not necessary as this is required usually for scheduled deliveries.. like planned c-section, induced birth..

Ward preferences
Upon admission, I can inform the nurses/ clerks that I prefer to be in Our Lady ward instead of St. Raphael's. They usually try to accomodate, but, no guarantees.

Next appointment
3 weeks later. So, all seems fine, with my blood pressure & everything. My weight is now 52.5kg, from my pre-pregnancy weight of 44kg. Baby weighs 1.717kg now and is expected to be a 3+kg baby.. average weight. If baby needs to double her size, i will be like a clusmy sack of potatoes very fast over next few weeks. gotta remember to apply more & more cream & oil! Already, the rashes are starting up again!

This is week 32... & counting down..

Wow,

After 2 years, AK finally decided to help me to scan our wedding studio shots into soft copy!! Talk about a DELAY.. keke.. See under family & frenz for the uploaded link!!

It was clearly imprinted in my mind at the time of photo taking, i was grumbling about my "little tummy & flabby arms".. now, looking back at those shots, i decided that i don't mind my figure back then! Especially as compared to now! Especially comparing arms & tummy & thighs!!

Frankly, it is no fun watching one's body go through these changes.. especially for vainpots like myself! I wonder about 80% of the time if i will lose my youth as i put myself through all these extremely aging process of pregnancy.. Experts advise no dieting during this period as well as post pregnancy to ensure that one's body has the necessary nutrients to recover from the extreme process of pregancy & delivery.. This amounts to "fattening me up", according to me.. I see my underbust girth expanding from 32 to 34 and now approaching 38.. and i wonder about the plentiful cheongsams that i love so much in my now defunct pre-pregnancy wardrobe..

Youth, so fleeting, yet so cherished by me.., something that my other half fails to comprehend.. no amount of reassurance, consolation & hugs can pull me away from the thoughts that i am slowly, inch by inch, losing my youth...

Fear, of being one of those hated auntie-looking mummies around abound in my heart. yet, I do understand why they exist, when pregnancy is so tiring, sometimes, it is really hard to look hip & trendy & fresh.. expecting a princess supposedly helps me look radiant.. but, i can't help noticing the pronounced freckles & the eyebags beneath my small flat eyes....

Went for antenatal class on saturday where they showed a video about childbirth.. it was extremely squeamish for me.. especially the episiotomy cut.. i HATE.. i repeat.. I HATE HATE HATE OPERATIONS, WOUNDS & CUTS!!

They make me feel extremely vulnerable & subjected to other people's control.. kaoz..I think the coming months may mean plenty of nightmares about the impending labour process... wish time will move faster so i can get things over & done with.. then again, this means AK & my life will be forever changed.. Can't decide on which one is the lesser of the 2 evils....

Gynae's appointment tonight @ 7pm... at least i will be glad to see baby...

Tidying up the baby's room

Went with my mum & dad during lunchtime yesterday to toyogo's warehouse @ Toa payoh.. saw stackable drawers that can fit into our cupboard's bottom rack in the baby's room.. also saw a dim sum trolley that we can use to put frequently used stuff next to cot.. bought everything in blue! keke!



went back & check & confirm it fits into the cupboard.. looking good! now, things looked more organised...

gotta wash the cot sheets, the sling, the nursing top..the washcloths, the nappies for standby.... oh yes, & sterilise all bottles & pumps!

MIL went shopping again! i think, she got more baby stuff then me!

oh no.. what i put inside the hospital bag?? anyhow whack lah.. so far, i planning to bring:

- night gown x 1 with buttons
- hot/cold compress (for labour??)
- baby CD & my usual essential oil (clarins??)
- 2 change of baby clothing
- disposable panties
- sanitory maternity napkins (stick ons)
- extra NB size diapers
- 1 wrap blanket
- milk bottles x 2?
- biscuits, chicken essence, hot water bottle for AK & me?
- mobile phone + charger!
- mine & AK's IC, admission form, marriage certificate.
- clothing for trip home
- toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and toiletries etc.
- nursing bra
- Towel
- Few sets of breast pads
- 1 pair of socks (to keep warm)
- Shawl & sweater (for myself and husband)
- Plastic bag (for soiled cloths)
- Letter for admission from doctor
- Camera
- Slipper
- magazines to read..

week 30 this week & having backaches & hip pain! :(

was on MC last Friday, the back & hip pain was really bad.. woke up and got so frustrated with it that i felt like taking a hammer to my spine!

went to the gyane, hoping he can give me some relief ointment that is safe to apply.. it helped for a short while.. but.. no long term solutions!

To my surprise, he actually did an ultrasound to be sure baby is developing well, though i wasn't supposed to see him for another 2 weeks on 3rd July.. Now, baby weighs 1.315kg! and developing well.. I have gained 7kg so far..

Feeling a little fat now.... can't believe the amount of fat (& cellulite!!) i am seeing on my thighs.. wish i can jump straight into the pool & rectify it with extra laps! The cellulite is causing the numb feeling i am having on my inner thighs i think, cos of poor circulation..

I left the decision of stroller, car seat & playpen & mobile to AK.. so last weekend, we went to Baby Hyperstore to take a look. AK was bent on a combi model @ 388 sgd (with reversible handle) initially. Baby Kingdom was able to offer us 368 sgd for NT 500 model.. but, we went to Baby Hyperstore, & saw that they offered us the new Maclaren Techno XT 2006 model @ 335sgd as they are having 25% discount! AK was persuaded by the sales people on the value for money for this model, and at a cheaper price then the Combi model, no complaints there! I was pleased with the discount & we chose red colour for the stroller.. It will be delivered end July once the goods arrive!

Also bought a playpen which is bigger then normal @ 100 sgd. Size of mattress it can accomodate is 28" x 48". It should last longer then the normal playpen and can accomodate baby when she start to crawl & learn to walk.. We plan to put it at my parents' in law place.... My PIL, still bent on getting a sarong.. sigh... they kept aiming it at Baby Hyperstore.. but AK was firm and said no! Otherwise, we might have a problem if baby refuses to sleep in the cot back home at night, and we simply can't afford such problems with our work schedules, especially when i return to work.. If we get a sarong, all 3 places have to have it.. sigh.. we will see how first..

In any event, glad to see that baby is fine and active...wish the time will move faster, if i get over the labour part earlier, i might be less nervous..

wow.. now week 28!!

Its been a month?? this month has been pretty hectic.. shopping is almost done.. been enjoying ourselves buying stuff for baby.. and feeling her move everyday is a great motivator & provides great relief.

Went for gynae visit last Friday @ late week 27 and baby is growing really well, she was awake but wasn't hyperactive.. Dr. Chandras measured her femur and estimates that her weight is 1.096kg, above average!

Lucky siah.. before that, he was frowning at my weight gain.. only 0.6kg from 1 month ago.. i also dunno why leh.. still eating my oats, enfamama, vitamins, lots of ice cream cones.. durians.. hmm..so far.. i gained only a total of 5.6kg.. now i weigh 59.6kg..

Have told the nurse we taking Mt. A 2 bedder... hope i get the old wing.. it looks bigger & comfortable.. saw it when visiting a girlfriend who just delivered in the hospital
Will be approaching my third trimester liaoz.. TTC frens Jess, Lyn, Dora has given birth liaoz.. next one will be Erin..then me.. then.. keke.. a few more to come!

I am starting to feel more clumsy & like a duck.. sleeping is also tougher.. i get this lower back ache if i ly on my side too long.. got to keep turning periodically..

Might not be having a confinement lady after all.. due to my grandma insisting that we pay our nanny more then market rate.. so, i might have the maid come over daily to clean and wash and look after baby.. and someone else to help me cook confinement food (my mother in law of grand ma in law?? or i can cater..). I think about it and i think, not having my nanny around is also good, as she know nuts about BF? Won't be able to help much and won't be sure what type of confinement food will be suitable for breastfeeding mums..will need to standby numbers of the lactation consultants..

Am glad most of the shopping is done.. what's left?

- playpen
- stroller
- car seat
- musical mobile
- baby thermometer
- bath tub
- baby socks
- glass bottles for milk (FOC from Mt. A)
- confinement food & stuff for when we return back..
- erhh.. can't think of others at this point..

next appointment will be at week 32, then it will move to 3 weeks later and 2 weeks subsequent intervals.. time is moving fast.. feeling a sense of panic..

Week 24 check up.. 668grams!

Wah.. finally see gynae after 1 whole month!
Baby is doing really well, as usual, she is extremely active during the scan. Urine tests, blood pressure tests all pass! Yeah! measured her abdomen, head circumference, femur length.. and it all matches up to 24 weeks.... baby now weighs 668gms! I continue to buy the Prolacta for mothers from the gynae.. cost me 40 sgd!

Bought a cot @ OG, but not sure if i should exchange it for another item (& what item? breast pump or COMBI stroller?), since that cot seems a bit rough on the finish.. sigh......

Nevermind, will go with hubby to see again.

Spent alot of $$ this month.. wow!

Shopping time for bb stuff!!

Wah sey, been a while since i updated!
kanna complaint by jess! :P

ok, over the past 3 weeks, been busy accumulating stuff to get & prepare ofr baby. I am starting to feel clumsy liaoz. so hope can get all the stuff done before i can't walk much.

went JB shopping & stayed overnight at Hyatt Regency. Nice hotel! sea view, pool facing room, club floor, FOC cocktail & coffee & tea all day, nice pool, nice weather & complimentary parking! Went to Carrefour, Jusco Tebrau Aeon City (new place, juz after carrefour), Pelangi, Eden, and even visited Kota Tinggi! AK of cos, dun let me play the natural water slides.. sigh.. But we did soaked our feet., I also went to this new place called Danga Bay, a seaside mall/food paradise etc.. nice place! but not fully completed yet! saw some cheap ratten bags & home decor, but AK say, no more rubbish! keke.

Hm,
Stuff i bought in JB:
1) Maternity black pants with pockets - 49.90 RM
2) 3 x no wire pierre cardin bras - 97RM
3) nappy liners x 2 boxes
4) Pampers in S/M size
5) cotton buds & balls
6) Pigeon cloth diapers @ 25 RM/pack of 10 pcs (50% off compared to SG prices)
7) 1 litre Sebamed baby bath 73RM (SUPER CHEAP!!! SG selling 200ml @ 10 SGD)
8) J&J baby wipes @ 9.90RM/ refill pack (SUPER CHEAP!!)
9) 2 long sleeve tops @ 6RM each in 0-3, 3-6 mths size
10) nipple shields, diaper pins
11) Nappy detergent (local brand nappiklean) @ 19 RM for 1 litre, with FOC baby bath!
12) 1 x nursing bra, AMO brand by triumph, @ 29 RM
13) pureen brand maternity pads @ 19 RM for 20 pcs

Other bb stuff i have prepared:
1) 10 tops of 0-3 months & 5 rompers
2) 7 tops/rompers of 3-6 months
3) SQ biz class wash cloths
4) cooler tote bag
5) Avent milk bags & clips
6) pacifier x 1
7) disposable breast pads
8) 2 pigeon milk bottles (small one) & 2 NuK milk bottles (small one)
9) pigeon steriliser
10) bottle tongs, bottle brush, nail clipper, milk powder container, 2 spare teats, 2 bibs, 4 towels, desitin nappy rash barrier cream...
11) diaper covers x 3 (0-3 mths)
12) cot bumper & crib sheets & mosquito net

other stuff still pending:
1) cot
2) cot mattress
3) more mittens & booties
4) Baby monitor
5) Cot mobile
6) waterproof sheets from ikea,, more bibs from ikea
7) Breast pump
8) nursing tops
9) thermometer
10)hairbrush
11) ru yi oil
12) anti colic syrup
13) disposable maternity panties
14) baby bath tub & bath mat
15) baby lotion, baby oil, powder
16) milk bottle big ones..
17) stroller
18) sterilization tablets
19) bottle insulator
20) hooded towel.
21) long pants, bottoms, briefs..
22) plastic diaper pants

phew!!

Like lots of stuff leh!

Confirm girl lah!!

Wow... its been almost a month since the last check up... AK & I can't wait for the day of our detailed scan which occured this morning... :)

Went to East Shore Hospital for the scan, which occured mostly without hubby next to me.. for some reason, husband cannot come it during scan!! arrgghh!! only later on when the radiologist complete the scanning and measurements did she show us baby's 3D picture on the screen only!

First, it is confirm a GIRL! and radiologist commented that our baby is extremely active.. Normally, according to her, girl babies are quieter in womb compared to our baby.. so uh oh.. we might have a handful coming! Secondly, baby moved so fast & is too active, such that our radiologist took longer then usual to take all the pictures...

The 3D scan was cute, i could see baby's features already.. Radiologist commented: "Nice lips!"
Overall, the scan went well & was completed in 30 minutes..

Frankly, i was a little worried when she commented:" no good! baby too active!!" So pantang perhaps, me... but i worry that baby IS too active.. haiz.. hope i am worrying unnecessary..

Came out and I scolded baby... Told her off and not to play with her umbillical cord! That was what she was doing when we took the 3D scan!

Juz for records' sake, baby weight is estimated at 274grams.. and the detailed scan cost me 105 sgd. CHEAP!!

It's a girl!! (Maybe!!)

I went for my week 16 scan on last sat.. (18/03/2006). Was so nervous, as I was scheduled to take the glucose test, and draw blood for testing before & after the glucose test (Total of 3 tubes!! arrghhh!! The nurses almost cannot find a vein to strike at..!!)

We did a scan after that and baby was awake! The moment the gynae pressed on the tummy, the baby kicked against it and I felt it!! Hm, that confirms that the last few days' feelings were not imagined.. I was wondering if it was juz gas in my intestines & tummy..

AK was as usual filming down the scan.. I ask Dr. to see if he can detect whether it is a girl or a boy.. but guess what? baby was sitting cross legged!! As if its attempting a yoga pose.. :) And that pose, hides its genitals.. but the gynae said tentatively that he cannot see anything between the legs, so it is likely to be a girl, but the next detailed scan which is during my week 20, will reveal more details.

We were really happy to see baby again.. and that I can feel the baby now..its kicks are getting stronger.. but we were still worried about the blood glucose test results.. hope all is fine..

Today, Dr. called us and informed us that the triple test (for Down's syndrome) revealed very low possibility for Down's syndrome and my glucose levell is 99 after fasting and before ingesting the glucose.. after the glucose ingestion, the reading stand at 110, which means I have cleared it!! YAY!!

So relieved leh.. :D

week 14 scan

Well,

I had planned to see the gynae at night, but since Tuesday 4 pm, I have this migraine that kept going on & on.. even now..

Wednesday morning, I cannot tahan liaoz.. see the gynae for medication, MC and push forward my visit...

Found out that my blood glucose is too high... I have to cut down my sugar intake now, and 2 weeks later to come back for a glucose test that will take 2 hrs.

We then did a scan..I closed my eyes for an instant, fearful of anything unexpected.. but all was ok, baby was moving n waving around.. this time around, we can see its spinal cord.. and it has grown much bigger..7.61cm.. the baby is still curled up, and Dr. Chandras was not able to measure the neck.. so he gave up eventually... We kept peering at the image, trying to see if boy or gal.. but.. can't see much leh.. Andy thought he saw something, which i later realise was the baby's spinal tail and not the likes that indicate it is a boy..

Hmm, they say, if it is a boy, it will be detected earlier.. so, maybe this time it is a gal?? aiyah.. dunno lah..

i did not do the triple test yet.. Dr. informed us that the test is 90% accurate, but it might have false positives and lead us to do more pre-natal testing like the amniostesis (which carries a 1% risk of miscarriage). He point out that at my age, I have a low chance actually of having a Down's syndrome baby.. The test will cost 100sgd.. anyway, 2 weeks later, while doing the glucose test, we will then do the triple test..

One more visit after that will be the detailed scan.. hope all is fine... my head is still pounding.. haiz.. nearly fainted juz now in my boss's room.. think i stand too long..

This coming sunday will be our 1st trial yoga lesson.. looking forward to it.. feeling so stiff in my lower back..

Pico is kicked out!!

Haiz,

I developed allergy to my dog... can't believe it! in the end, we sent him back to my mum's place.. Frankly, he seems happier there, got people to accompany him..

he come over my place, he gets so agitated at night cos he couldn't rest and keep trying to figure out how to escape from the kitchen.. haiz..once he escapes out, he scrapes at our bedroom door..arrgghh.. silly dog..


This Wednesday night will be my 14 week scan.. looking forward to it.. abit nervous.. drawing blood again.. haiz.. well, anything lah.. as long as all is ok.. but i pray gynae can find my vein..and not dig around again..

Another addition to our lives!! (Maybe!!)

so many events over the weekend..

Sat. went to my mum's place and pick up our dog, Pico.. My mum couldn't tahan cleaning up after him.. and my sisters got too fed up walking the dog, so i suggested that they shift him over to my place..

Pico wasn't really used to it.. First, there isn't many people at home to accompany him.. and cos we are both working, we dun have time to walk him twice a day..he is still not used to the environment.. we decide to keep him in the kitchen, but he kept escaping.. wee wee on my sofa & cushions.. fainted.. & divider!!

he barked pitifully when we leave him behind to go for dinner or to work.. breaks my heart everytime..

I am still allergic to his fur.. everytime i touch him and forgets to wash my hands, and i touch my eyes, it'll itch terribly.. and i keep sneezing now.. am i really allergic to him now? or is it the baby?

How to keep him in the kitchen permanently?? i muz think...

Life is moving!!

I am so happy last night...... we have a gynae appointment at 8:30pm.. I went in with my mind blank.. not even daring to hope.. fear of the unknown..

while the gynae chatted with me.. (He was asking about the takeover happening to my company!), he started to scan...

To our delight & wonder, we see our baby.. now moving.. so actively.. waving his hands & legs at me and swimming around in the fluid.. and even stretch himself (herself??) and kicking.. the best part?? he's upside-down!!

I was smiling like an idiot.. It has never occured to me that it would be so wonderful.. this feeling.. suddenly, I felt like crying.. cos' I never expected that I will see this.. what with not daring to look forward... until then, the pregnancy felt a little unreal...

AK was staring at the screen for a while, but quickly whipped into action.. he took out his mobile phone & started filming our baby's movement on the screen.. later on, i really appreciated that, cos i can view the image over the next 3 weeks until the next appointment.. (1st March).

I was assured that 99% that everything is stable.. and our doc took 2 vials of my blood for testing.. We were advised about the triple test which is optional (cost 100 sgd) but i say, next visit, after he scanned the baby's neck for Down's Syndrome, we will decide..The gynae assured that I am at low risk as I am still young.. so, we will see...

As a special exception, I was allowed to sign the package that same day, meaning that for subsequent visits, I will not need to pay anymore except for detailed scans & extra tests..

We went home, happy, with strong memories of our baby happily kicking away, turning, somersaulting etc.... I haven't really felt the kicks, but occassionally, there is fluttering which i haven't decide is due to gas or to the baby.. Asked the gyane if the movement is too much, but he said that it is actually very good.. the baby was curved up when he measured at 4.16cm, so, my EDD maintained.. but actually, my baby is bigger then this.. quite happy.... slept so well..

Phew.. week 10 & moving forward

Last gynae visit was on the 25th Jan.. this time, i see the baby's heartbeat very clearly now.. but darling AK cannot see cos he stood so far away!! Baby measure 2.1cm.. and amnio sac fluid is ok, all pass!!

Next visit will be next week.. on Feb 8.. by then, i will be week 11.. looking forward to it..
workwise, deadlines are moving & I am starting to feel stressed cos my data doesn't seem 100% correct... My boss said that I am a perfectionist.. and he doesn't need perfection. I'll try... I'll try..

This CNY, only celebrated the 1st day, after which drove to KL, to visit my SIL's new place in Cheras..My tummy is getting abit obvious.. but not very..but was asked if I was preggie on the 1st day at my own grandma's place.. i avoided the question since i haven't pass the first trimester yet..

Went genting in KL.. but the casino was quite smoky.. i fainted.. but after that was ok liaoz... not so fun this time cos so crowded..& stakes are so high.. bought some clothes at FOS for AK & my sisters & i blouse for myself..brought my PIL to Colmar Tropicale.. they are not used to the long distances and my MIL kept grumbling..

But she cried when we left my SIL behind to return to SG early.

Now, AK & I are thinking of baby names.. haven't agree on any yet.. haiz... we will see..

Our incredible growing baby!!

Wow... been meaning to update this blog since my last gynae appointment on 16 Jan....
The baby has grown so fast.. it is now 1.29cm (not the sac!) and its heart is "blinking" fast... grow baby grow!

Every visit brings a feeling of relief and awe... just cannot imagine that life is growing inside me.. really is a miracle.. AK was so happy....

MY EDD has been brought forward to 31st August 2006... looking forward to the next appointment on the 28th Jan morning which was incidentally the Chinese New Year Eve...

All my internet frens had been so concerned about my absence from MSN that they messaged me while i was on leave.... Thanks Lyn, Jess, Dora, Juju, mei2 for your concern...

Gave my bosses A.S & D.G Royce chocolates yesterday from AK & I in appreciation of their support during my 2 weeks leave. It has been really unexpected.. this kindness that was shown...

Can't wait for the next appointment... in the meantime, my appetite is small, but i ain't vomiting out my food and i get hungry really fast...

I really hate to eat rice now.. it is ok for fast food and noodles, kway teow etc.. and vegetables.. can you imagine that? i used to put those on my last priority.. looks like my body is telling me something..

seeing baby's first heartbeat..

Wow... time flies when one is on bed rest.. bedrest u say??

ya.. well.. events went like this.. on 3th Jan (Tuesday), i informed my big boss & my SG boss that i had tested positive for pregnancy.. My big boss was so excited and congratulate me.. but i told him that it is still early.. and i had some spotting..

4th Jan.. he came into office and informed me that he thinks that it is best that I go home and rest for the baby's sake.. i was so touched.. and really appreciated his thoughts.. especially what happened next..

6th Jan nite... i had some spotting again.. panicked and called up the gynae.. went into his clinic on 7th Jan in morning before AK is due for work at 11:45am, at East Shore..what a tiny hospital.. doctor see me & did a abdominal scan.. the sac is bigger at 29mm. size is right. To get a closer look, we went for a Vaginal scan.. this time, he could see the yolk sac and to our excitement & his surprise.. we could detect the heartbeat... the baby is ~4mm big.. we were so relieved.. when he withdrew the probe.. on the condom was the dried blood bits again.. i asked him about it.. he says not to worry too much about it as the baby has a heartbeat now..

we re-scheduled our appointment to Jan 16..

the cat is out of the bag now.. my mum, my MIL, my SIL & my Auntie in law knew (she caught me at the gyane where she went to do a follow up check up after her birth).

Will be going to Genting until Sunday. it was a trip preplanned before we knew we were preggie and will be going with our frenz..

Hope all will be fine.. i am feeling abit positive now..

how many weeks i am?? this Monday, I will be 7 weeks from my last menstrual period..

Will be back to work on Tuesday 17 Jan.. hope that i can get used to the timing.. been sleeping lots over the mid day while on bed rest..

Hubby has been so kind and attentive.. so lucky to have him by my side... i love you AK.. in case i forgotten to tell you..

holding my breath..

I couldn't wait.. was so anxious.. i had no medication to support the pregnancy. Decided to visit the Gynae on Dec. 30th.

He informed me that it is likely that it cannot be seen as i am still early. but he still did a scan.. Surprise! there it is.. the gestational sac at 1cm long..

so we eliminate etopic, size is right for this week and the gyane will see me on my next appointment on jan 12..

My SIL dragged me out shopping that evening. i felt tired n breathless, and there were so many people around.. i went to the toilet and saw brownish CM on my panties.. oh dear.. I panicked, told her i not feeling well, and we return back home, where i called up the gyane on his hotline, he advised me to take 1 extra tablet n bed rest..n come into the clinic tomorrow morning.

I went in on sat. he gave me 15 tubes of progesterone gel for insertion into my vagina. Darn expensive! 180sgd! but i tell myself, for the baby, anything also can. at least he never charge me for the consultation..

I used the medication.. the first morning after was ok.. i was sleeping n resting at home mostly. but the next morning, i was passing out the medication, with some brownish stains.. this morning? Clear CM with dried blood bits.. i panicked..... called up the clinic again. the gynae said it is ok unless i see fresh blood...

i was like... phew.. i cross my fingers.. baby baby.. be strong.. grow fast fast n big.. mummy & daddy wanna see your heartbeat next week!