His 1st television

I couldn't resist posting this video.

Look at how Jayden was engrossed watching the television and then got irritated by his grandpa who couldn't stop disturbing him. Heh.

Jayden's 1st Xmas

... So X'mas is over and the start of another new year is approaching.

It really baffles me sometimes at how Time whizzes thru. This year X'mas is very special for Dylan and me as we celebrate it with a new addition to our family - Jayden.

We're thankful that there are so many friends of ours who adores him. In fact, he's got the most X'mas pressies than the both of us!

Well, initially he didn't seem quite happy when we put him on his 'pillow'.

Jayden very unhappy at his sitting arrangement.

We also realized that making Jayden laugh at the camera was the hardest thing to do! We had to call his name, make funny faces, babytalk and if that wasn't enough, we even had to dance for him!

Jayden finally realized that the presents are for him

So happy that he kicked the pressies away

And then when Mommy and Daddy got exhausted from all the cajoling, we opened up his presents only to find a very unhappy Jayden again.

And so we continued to call his name, make funny faces, babytalk and dance... ...

And he was all happy again...

Merry X'mas Jayden. We look forward to spending more with you next year!

My miracle...

Dear Jayden,

9 months ago, I could still hardly believe your existence.
Seeing you grow each time at the ultrascan makes my heart skip a beat more for you.

9 months later, I saw you for the first time and teared when I heard you cry.
Seeing you grow each day makes me feel that the sleepless nights admist the many times you tried to terrorize Daddy & Mummy is all worth it.

Holding your hand in mine makes me feel how fragile a life can be and yet so real.
You're the continuation of our life.
Thank you for giving us this magical feeling...

We love you.

Daddy & Mummy.

It's OVER...

....... ........


MY MATERNITY LEAVE IS OVER.

I'm back to work tomorrow. :(

Happy 2 months!

Our lil bub turns 2 months today. Seeing him growing everyday is an amazing feeling.

My computer is full of Jayden's photos. Every week, his features changes. Although most of the time, everyone still says he looks very much like his mom - ME. :)

Imagine from this screaming fella...

to this curious little boy!

Jayden, like any other babies enjoy his bath time alot. Whenever we strip him down, he'll be kicking in enthusiasm.

Looking back, I still miss the times when he was still in my tummy actively kicking away. But whenever I look at him smiling back at me, my motherhood instincts tells me it's all worth it!

Some photos to share...

Jayden lifting his head while on his tummy...

And a very strangled Jayden by his own dad...hehe

Do you still remember?

This?

They say usually baby will start to put on weight coming their 2nd month but Jayden seems to be losing the baby fats on his face isn't it?! At 6 weeks, he's already weighing at 4.7kg!

Bringing Jayden to the doctor...

We brought Jayden to see a baby specialist last week as he seems to be having alot of stomach discomforts in the wee hours of the morning thus refusing to drink his milk.

We were quite shocked that the so called specialist didn't really live up to his reputation when he blindly diagnose Jayden with colic and lactose intolerance. We were even more appalled to learn that he prescribed a medicine to Jayden so that he could 'sleep better'.

WHAT KIND OF MEDICINE is that to actually make a baby SLEEP BETTER?!

We left the specialist clinic feeling very cheated. :( How can our baby be lactose intolerance when he's not even vomitting, pooes everyday and is gaining weight at a fairly good range! SO UNPROFESSIONAL!!! *ROAR*

Other Updates

Presenting Jayden's first smile! (Or rather his first smile captured on camera) And note the double chin!

And this is Jayden trying very hard to say "Good Morning"

Random updates

After the confinement lady left, I was left alone with Jayden. I was very apprehensive being left alone with the little terrorist after the drama I had with him but at the same time, I know this is the only precious time I have to bond with my baby.


Jayden is becoming more aware of the surroundings now. He coos and giggles everytime we tried to talk to him. It's amazing to see him respond in enthusiasm and we can tell how much he wanted to talk to us but could only speak in his baby language. He can only say "Ah-goo" now but that already amazes us!

Some of the developments we've noticed so far: -

• Holds head steady when upright (his favourite position)
• Lifts head briefly when lying on stomach
• Grabs your t-shirt tightly when you're bathing him
• Makes noises other than crying (baby talk)
• Rolls from side-to-side
• Doesn't like to be distubred when he's drinking his milk
• Eyes follow when his dad speaks to him
  

Jayden in his favourite Ultraman sleeping position

All ready to go out!

In his favourite chair

Everyday is a new discovery for us. :)

Jayden 1 month celebration

... Ok. I know this is long overdue especially when Jayden is already coming to 2 months! How time flies when I was still miserably counting down to the end of my confinement.

Some photos to share on his 1 month celebration... We were so busy 'entertaining' the guests, we didn't took much photos!



Jayden in his birthday suit

One happy family

Jayden's baby cake

Sadly, this is the only family potrait we have so far since I refused to take any photo during my confinement aka 'fat' period. And we didn't get to share Jayden's cake with our friends cause silly mommy forgot all about it!!! -_- So we ended up distributing to Dylan's relatives who came late.

On behalf of Jayden, we thank all our friends, colleagues, relatives and familes for the generous presents and money gifts. He sure is one happy baby now. :D

It's official...

...I'm a flop at motherhood...

Just 2 hours left alone with my little terrorist and everything went wrong. Fed him, played with him, bathed him, changed his clothes, carried him, rocked him, sang half broken nursery rhymes.

NONE OF IT WORKED until he finally collapse to sleep due to exhausation from crying. :(

And I collapsed in depression...

Seeing him bursting like a red tomato was heart breaking and tormenting when you don't have the slightest clue of what he wants. I thought I've managed it well for the past few weeks. But today, everything proved me wrong. :(

The hard truth about Motherhood...

Whoever has the notion that babies only sleep and eat, eat and sleep is SO SO WRONG. Forget about those deceitful commercials or magazines saying that motherhood is the most blissful moments. Yes, that might be right after 3 months maybe.

Jayden is coming to 5 weeks old and till today, I still have trouble trying to settle him when he's cranky. Usually I go berserk first until help comes along. :(
Many a times, I feel like a complete flop. I want to enjoy motherhood, establish the bonding with Jayden amidst the sleepless days & nights. Well, I'm still trying...

I haven't handle him alone yet. Tomorrow will be the day when it's just me and my baby. I hope many months done the road, these struggling times will become a blur.

Motherhood is indeed amazing...

When he's hungry...

... It's amusing to see your lil bub making a fuss before his feed sometimes...quite a terror!





But there are also times when he's crying and you have no idea at all.... :(

When you have a baby...

... I swear his feeding time is far more accurate and effective than the alarm clock. At the end of every 3 hours, I will start watching Jayden and wait for his cues before he wakes up bursting in extreme hunger.


I still remember no matter how much my mom used to nag at me to wake up in the morning, I will not move an inch. I even told Dylan that he'll be in charge of cleaning baby's poo because I can't even stand cleaning my dog's poo. But nowadays, Jayden's cries will jolt me out of bed any moment of the day. Even cleaning his poo and getting it stained all over my hands didn't matter anymore. The wonders of Motherhood.


They say that your baby is a mirror reflection of yourself. How very true each time I look at Jayden. His small movements, his sleeping patterns and even his temper (hehe...) and you wonder if he'll grow up to be just like you.

And when they say babies grow at alarming rate, they're really not kidding!!!

Jayden really likes his new bed...

Father and son in the same sleeping pattern...

Motherhood - Day 12

Jayden is 12 days old today. How time flies when you're in motherhood.

As I was feeding him, I couldn't help but recall the moment when I was still nervously anticipating for his arrival. That fateful morning when Dylan and I made the trip to the hospital, that fateful moment when Jayden arrived to this world. Motherhood is indeed magical. As we look at Jayden everyday, we couldn't help but wonder how did we managed to come up with a baby like Jayden? It's all so surreal...

Our lives has indeed changed ever since the arrival of Jayden. Our priorities have changed, our coversation topics have changed. I don't know if it's for the better or worse but having a child is supposed to bond a family closer isn't it?

Dylan has been a wonderful support so far, except for some of his stubborn logics he chose to believe from others who blindly concoct from nowhere. Every child is different and unique. We can't possibly be following the rules blindly and not look for signs. If there is a step-by-step instructions manual on "How to raise a baby", I would be glad to follow it strictly!

I have lost 9kg so far but still 6kg away from my pre-pregnancy weight. My tummy is gone so I really have no idea where the 6kg goes to. My ass? My thighs? *gasp* My FACE?! They say the last 5kg are always the hardest to lose. :(

Jayden has chosen to stay awake on certain times of the day now which makes it difficult for me to coax him to sleep. Sleep is good for him but he's refusing it. :( And there are times when he'll sleep past his feeding time only to wake up wailing in extreme hunger.

What can I say? Baby is the king!

Jayden in one of his grouchy mood...

Jayden just day dreaming and refusing to sleep...

Our home terrorist...

... 1 week has passed. We're still trying to get accustomed to Jayden's 'pattern' but it's more managable now, with the special aid from the confinement lady.

In this 1 week, I learnt: -

• How frustrating breastfeeding can be when you're low on supply
• How to differentiate hunger cues, 'I-wet-my-diapers' cues and 'I'm tired' cues
• How to clean his poo
• How to make sure the milk is lukewarm
• How terrible it is not to be able to BATHE and no FAN (Who's grandmother logic is that huh!)
• How after having a baby, there's no such thing as COUPLETIME. Your entire conversations revolve around "Is bb hungry, hot, comfortable, clean?"

I was a supermom today running errands from morning till late noon.

• Woke up at 5am to express out the pathetic supply of milk in my breasts lest they become swollen and aching again.
• Went back to sleep and then waking up at 9am to prepare to go KK to register Jayden's birth, only to find out that Daddy forgot to sign off his name on the baby bonus form! GRRRRR....
• Made a trip down to Daddy's office and then back to KK to re-submit the forms
• Went home for lunch before preparing to bring Jayden out again for his Jaundice check-up
• Thank God level has dropped to 125.
• Finally arrived home again at 4pm. Expressed some more milk before collapsing into a coma.

There are still irregular hours that Jayden will wake up for feeds. We're still trying to get the hang of it and train him to sleep longer hours in the night. Jayden has started to stay up awake for longer periods now. It's amusing to see his eyes roving around, although most of the time he's groping at my breasts (is he always hungry?!)

Jayden and his many expressions...

He's only adorable when soundly asleep...

HELLO Jayden!

... Finally, 19-Oct has arrived and passed.

The labour process wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be. I came to realized that it was the aftermath of the labour that was the beginning of every mom's nightmare. And I'm starting to respect those that actually lived thru it and even salute those who opt for natural birth without any pain reliever (They must be out of their mind!)

19-Oct:

• 530am: woke up to wash up and was surprised to see bloody discharge. 1st sign of labour. Must be a good sign.
• Reached KK at 640am and had my 'last meal' at Mac before registering for admission at 710am.
• 715am: was pushed to the delivery suite and put on CTG scan. Gynae came to check for dilation. Mommy was already 1cm dilated!
• 740am: Gynae decided to insert the 1st tablet and mommy was left on CTG scan.
• 1100am: was pushed out of delivery suite to normal ward to monitor for contractions. Gynae said will insert 2nd tablet at 6pm
• 1130am: started to feel the contractions and begin to monitor timing. Each interval was 5-7 mins
• 1230pm: contractions were getting more unbearable, nurse suggested pain reliever at the thigh but decided to wait longer to monitor
• 2:00pm: Pain was getting worse and interval was every 4-5 mins. Told the nurse I need the pain reliever NOW and was pushed to the delivery suite again.
• 2:30pm: Gynae came to check and found that mommy was already 2cm dilated! Burst the waterbag and instructed the nurse to put on epidural instead.
• 2:45pm: Was given the laughing gas to sedate the pain while they inject the epidural. Everything became a daze. And the contraction pains were GONE! Gynae estimated delivery timing to be 12am - 2 am.
• 6:30pm: Nurse came for routine CTG scan and was shocked to see that mommy is FULLY dilated and could see Jayden's scalp. (Mommy started to panic)
• 6:45pm: Nurse started asking mommy to push. Side effects of the epi started to kick in as well. Mommy was shivering so terribly, she didn't have the strength to push. Daddy tried to comfort mommy.
• 7:20pm: Mommy still pushing but head still barely out. Mommy is tired and shivering.
• 7:30pm: Gynae came in and started to ask mommy to push again. Gathered a team of nurses to help to push the tummy as well.
• 7:34pm: Baby Jayden is OUT! What a relief! Gave my 1st breast milk at the labour ward while they stitch me up...

(But the nightmare has yet to begin...)

Was pushed back to the normal ward to rest and given milo. 2nd effect of epidural kicked in and mommy vomitted continously. Was dead tired but couldn't sleep as the wound was hurting like crazy after epi died off. Was even more pressurized when nurse mentioned that I had to pee within the next 6 hours. Spent the entire night from 1am - 4am trying in bed, NOTHING. At 545am, the nurse decided to insert the urine bag to empty the bladder.

20-Oct:

Gynae came in the morning to check on the wound. Everything seemed ok but still couldn't get out of bed. Felt like a handicap when nurses have to come change the dressing and pads. Was bleeding non-stop. Tried to breastfeed Jayden but failed. Asked the nurse to give FM instead.

21-Oct:

Tests were done on Jayden and am glad everything turned out fine. The stay at KK was very pleasant as the nurses were very attentive and took great care of the both of us. So Mommy thought everything was plain sailing and just waiting to be discharged.

NOW THE NIGHTMARE HAS JUST BEGUN...

Reached home at 3pm and everyone welcomed Jayden home. Decided to give FM for the rest of the night before confinement lady comes on 22-Oct.

Nightfall came and that was the start of our roller-coaster ride...

Seeing that I was totally drained out from the entire process, Daddy offered to stay up the night together with the MIL. We thought that by feeding him regularly every 3 hours would be a breeze. We were SO WRONG.

12:30am: Jayden started crying. We fed him.
1:30am: Jayden started crying again. Found out he poo-ed so we changed his diapers.
2:00am: Jayden CRIED AGAIN and this time it was NON-STOP. We couldn't tell if he had fever or stomach flu and PANICED.
2:15am: Decided to go to KK A&E when Jayden just couldn't stop crying.
2:45am: Doc at KK checked and found NOTHING was wrong. But did mention that could be viral infection. Mommy and Daddy were lost. Decided to admit Jayden instead and seek professional help.

The rest of the day at KK ward was a nightmare. The nurses couldn't help us and Jayden was crying every 1 hour. Sometimes he was hungry, sometimes he just want to be carried. We were going insane and didn't know what to do. We wanted to discharge and go home but the process had to wait till 5pm!

From 3am - 5pm was the longest wait for us. We didn't want to stay in the ward with the rest of the sick kids since Jayden was fine. Mommy regretted not asking the CL to come in earlier. :( What a painful and expensive lesson.

22-Oct:

CL finally came! Our saviour! And another roller-coaster ride again...
Jayden was still crying almost every hour. Poor CL had to take care of him. We didn't slept much either as I was suffering from breast engorgement! The pain was worse than contractions and the breasts were as hard as stone! :( Really almost wanted to give up there and then...

Now, mommy and daddy is still struggling with Jayden's pattern at home. I'm thankful that I had all the help I needed from Daddy and his family. Daddy has been a wonderful pillar if support during this period. Jayden and Mommy are very blessed indeed. Really hope things will turn out for the better... ... Please pray for us...

The day is set...

... 19th Oct - is the day I've scheduled for induction. After the regular gynae visit yesterday, we've decided to go with induction 1 day before the EDD to be on the safe side.

I'm now officially on maternity leave but still, no signs of labour - no contractions, no show, no dilation, NOTHING. :( So from now till the 18th, I'm praying for the slightest signal of labour. Cause I really hope to opt out induction as I heard the process can be very long and tiring.

After the false alarm on the 9-Oct, everything seems pretty normal since.

1) Mommy is STILL gaining weight (when will it ever stop?!)
2) BB is now 3.1kg
3) Water bag still normal

Basically, the hospital bag is packed and ready, even the baby cot is set up. I can confidently say that I've prepared everything. The only thing I'm not ready are my emotions. I'm still very apprehensive about myself, the impeding labour and the future.

Right now, my entire mind is all about the labour. 19-oct, I have to check into KKH at 7am. How long or how painful this process is going to be? Is everything going to be ok? Will baby be ok? I'm still getting the jitters...

Well, we never know until the 19th...

Getting the name right...

After the disheartening news, I spent the rest of the evening mulling over why the bad things have to happen in this month. October was meant to mark the birth of our love child, the start of another new life chapter, another stepping stone to our marriage life.


But yesterday, it felt like I was alone on my own, to face this new lease of life myself. I couldn't control my emotions and I know bb felt the ache in my heart cause he didn't move much for the rest of the night... I'm sorry baby...I just couldn't help it...


Anyway, I tried to divert my emotions by thinking of Chinese names to call our baby. Initially I wanted a Chinese master to come up with a name but I was worried he may come up with something kuku that will mark a joke for the rest of our baby's life. So I started scribbling on the notepad and came up with these names: -


叶瑞哲 - Rui4 Zhe2

叶振哲 - Zhen4 Zhe2

叶宇哲 - Yu3 Zhe2

叶柯启 - Ke3 Qi2

叶振轩 - Zhen4 Xuan2


I was still feeling the downs until I heard how Dylan pronounced the names and I couldn't help feeling tickled by his terrible pronounciation. Every single name that I thought would sound nice didn't sound quite right from him. :(


The names were just random thoughts but you can tell that I wanted to have the word 哲 in his name. Hehe... Cause the meaning of 哲 is wise / sagacious. :)

This morning, I suddenly recalled the song Dylan sang to me at our wedding by 陶喆 - 爱很简单。And surprisingly, the meaning is the same! :D So I decided to change to this 喆 instead since it also looks like double luck (ji xiang)

And thus the start of my search on the meanings of each names...... It didn't take me long to stop at the first name because the meaning was just perfectly appropriate!

叶瑞喆 - 瑞 means Feliticous Omen (Pleasant, Delightful, Auspicious) and needless to say 喆 means Wise! And at the same time, it has double ji xiang too.

Ok la! Set on this name liao! :D

Yea right...let's see what Daddy has to say about it...

Baby, we're on our own...

I just received a very very sad news from Dylan.

Of all the times in the world, he has to plan business trips during this vulnerable period. And now it seems like he's more eager for bb to come out earlier.

He's not the least anticipating bb's arrival. He's only anticipating it so that he can know the next step to plan his business trip.

Which is more important?!?!!

First, he said may be in mid-Oct, then it got postponed to Nov and now it may be in 19-Oct. Does he even know that I'm due in 20-OCT?????

How can he even CONSIDER these plans!!! Oct-Nov should be totally OFF LIMITS.

Looks like it's just me and bb on our own. Alone in the house with the confinement lady. :(

Baby you're doing fine...

... FINALLY. THE moment has arrived. Anytime now. Everyday is an anticipation.

Routine check-up on 29-Sep.

• BB is 2.7kg
• BB's heartbeat at 145, which is fairly the average 150
• Water bag level is normal
• Mommy put on another kg. It never ends. -_-
• BB is full-term now, gynae foresee BB to come 1-2 weeks earlier than EDD

Every movement in my tummy counts now. Doesn't matter if it's a kick, a wriggle, a hiccup. It's a sign to tell me that bb is safe and sound and just waiting for the right moment to face the world.

This kind of anticipation can be quite tormenting. Because mommy will stay awake the entire night just to make sure bb MOVES. So far, no signs of labour. This is another kind of torture because I have no idea how to differentiate between a REAL contraction and the regular braxton hicks. :(

Next check-up on 6-Oct. I'm hoping bb comes out either on 10/10, 15/10 or 20/10 although Dylan prefers 07/10 (7 meaning perfect). Let's go with God's will. :)

Hang in there baby!

Just crossed the 36 weeks mark. 4 weeks and counting... really hope our bb can hang on at least till 1st week of Oct - cross the 37th week mark and he's safe & healthy enough to visit the world.


Experienced some discomfort and pain yesterday night. BB was moving non-stop and that really got us worried. Dylan literally jump out of bed, thinking I was already in labour. I was also freaking out a little and spend the entire night talking to bb to hang in there till next week...


I have no idea how contractions would feel like but I hope when it comes, it's painful enough to jolt me up. Never mind about the level of pain anymore because at least it's strong enough to tell me I'm in LABOUR.


Hang in there baby... daddy & mommy are just as eager to see you too...

5 more weeks and counting...

... just got back from the 35th week check-up. This time, everything was short and swift.

- Registered at counter
- Headed to do the pee check
- Pee was ok. Weight was not. (put on another 2kg, DAMN)
- Waited for gynae
- Ultra-scan on BB, now 2.5kg
- Headed back to counter to register hospital admission
- Paid nearly 1k for the fees *ouch*

And that was it.

Thinking back of the early stages where I'd lose my way at KK Private Suite, now I know every nook and corner of the place. (I think even when blind-folded)

Everything has been so surreal. From the time I found life inside me, then slowly feeling life moving inside me, it has been an incredible journey. Motherhood is indeed facinating.

Have packed my hospital bag. Everything's almost ready for BB Jayden's arrival. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that he'll come out after 37 weeks safe and sound.

Daddy & Mommy will be praying...

Some random updates...

... Baby has been doing flips and somersaults over the past few weeks. Although it's causing quite a bit of discomfort, it's rather amazing to see your tummy move in waves and different forms.


I swear something must be seriously wrong with the weighing scale or either that, my metabolic rate is plunging down rapidly. I literally saw the scale went up the VERY NEXT DAY after my gynae visit. How could it be possible??! The weekly swimming routine doesn't seem to help shed off the unnecessary pounds either. :(


Have decided to opt for the 4-bedder at the risk of having 3 additional 'hopefully-not-snoring' mommies + crying babies at different timing + their family visits. I really hope it isn't that bad. Nonetheless, I'll prepare for ear mufflers for emergencies.


Baby hasn't been moving as vigirously as he should be since yesterday. And that's kinda freaking mommy out. Saw blood traces over the weekend but decided to conclude that it's due to constipation since baby is still moving fine. Would have to continue monitoring baby's movements today. Might have to push forward gynae's visit.

I'm keeping fingers crossed... ...

Back from the visit...

... Went for the routine check-up at KK on Saturday.

Update:
1) Baby's head is down now (not sure if it's engaged)
2) Placenta has moved up beside baby's head (means good news, can opt for natural delivery)
3) Baby is weighing at 2.1kg at Wk32. (gained 800g since 4 weeks ago, means might not be able to opt for natural if baby continues to grow at this rate)


Gynae said baby is on average size but I'm doubtful. According to certain charts, baby should be about 1.9kg at Wk32. So our baby is slightly above the range. I'm worried cause baby may end up 3.5kg - 4kg, which means possible emergecy c-section since I'm opting for natural delivery.


Sneaked into KK's ward to view their 1-bedder versus the 4-bedders room. The 4-bedders CANNOT MAKE IT but would have to choose that to save some cost. Wonder why KK only gave two options. Cannot have 2-bedders meh? *grunts*


Didn't know I was ready to choose my admission package until I happen to check with the counter nurse on the maternity package only to realize my file is already with them. (Terrible service at KK)


Next visit is scheduled 3 weeks later - 15 Sep where baby will be at 35 weeks. (Shouldn't they be scheduling me for 2 weeks / month visit already??!) *grunts even more*

The days of waiting...

... is making this mommy very very impatient. 2 months...how can 2 months be so abnormally LONG?! I want to see my baby, feed him, dress him up with all the cute clothes I got, melt with tears when he yawns or cooes. But there's still 2 more months to go... :(


These 2 months have been tormenting - the sleepless nights, the inconvenience of having a bump and not being able to do anything but just sit, lie down, roll-over (sounds like a dog, yes?) , the agony of having NOTHING TO WEAR, the endless hunger pangs you get almost every hour, the fear of getting stretch marks & pimple outbreaks and the nagging question ringing perpetually in your head - WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE OVER???


I think I must have developed early post-partum depression. I find myself lately sitting alone at baby's room and staring at the empty cot, thinking - When can I put on the fitted sheets and bedding set? When can I start washing the clothes & diapers and putting them nicely in the wardrobe? Will I be able to breastfeed? Will my baby be fine? Am I able to handle this?


They say that such thoughts are NORMAL because we're getting anxious and impatient excited for our baby to come to this world. I really hope so because I SIMPLY CAN'T WAIT...

The final leg of the race...

... Finally, I've reached the 3rd trimester stage. My body is suffering from every inch & ounce of any possible pregnancy symptoms you can think of.

• My back is aching - Due to sleeping at the wrong position. The pain has been there for a week now.
• I cannot find a good position to sleep - Left / Right. With the bump, it gets more uncomfortable and I always worry I'll squash my baby if I lean too much in front.
• Totally drained out - I need to sleep by 11pm everyday but I still feel tired
• I have hemorrhoids and the pain is killing me :(
• I can't watch what I eat now. I'll just stuff whatever I see in my mouth and watch helplessly as the weighing scale moves up

I've lost count of the number of days left. It's perpetually on my mind, every single moment. I even DREAMT how my baby would look like although I secretly hoped that it'll turn out the way my dream was, all cute and smiley. :)

It's getting more and more exciting...

The routine at KKH...

... So last Saturday, we went for the usual monthly check-up at KKH with KT Tan. Just like any other months, we followed the routine religiously - Register at counter, take a pee on the urine stick, check your weight & blood pressure and then wait for your gynae to see you.


Now, I've realized the hardest part was not the waiting but in fact, the time when I have to pee on the urine stick.


I always make sure I drank a large amount of water before I left the house, took a few more mouthfuls during the journey to KK. But once I reach the toilet to do the deed..... NOTHING. Then I'll spend the next 10 minutes looking aimlessly below, coo-ing my lousy bladder to start working - STILL NOTHING. Tormenting process...


So anyway, the visit to the gynae was pretty fruitful this time as I've prepared a list of questions to ask. I realized that if I didn't ask, she wouldn't advise either. -_-


1) Baby is doing fine & well, weighing at approximately 1.3kg, supposedly average size.
2) Placenta is still low, we'd had to continue to monitor that. (The only thing that puzzled me was why didn't the gynae even warn me to be careful after I did my 1st detailed scan in May!)
3) As long as baby is moving, although not responding to our calls, IT'S FINE.
4) Mommy has already put on 8kg in total and that's freaking her out.


Next visit on 24-Aug. Time to go for their hospital tour...

Baby's 1st gifts...

... ...This year, instead of receiving gifts for mommy's birthday, the baby gets the biggest cake.


Although baby is still 3 months before due, it's heart-warming to receive such nice gifts from people already welcoming for his arrival. :D


His room is literally decked with clothes, toys, cot, stroller, bath tub, more clothes, bedding & bathing sets and mommy just can't wait to start decorating up the place!!! *taps feet impatiently*

The baby hamper was a gift from a close friend & her sister. And the clothing set was a gift from baby's uncle a.k.a mommy's brother!!! How nice... :D

This is the indication that I should stop my compulsive baby clothes shopping already. :(

Can't wait to dress up our little boy...

Forbidden food always taste the sweetest...

Just when your body is undergoing severe hormonal change, your diet plan goes hay-wire as well. To make matters worst, your choice of food becomes limited due to whatever side-effects that were mythed or thought to be unhealthy.


When I first found out I was pregnant, I got a long list of 'no-no's and 'eat-it-and-you-die' forbidden food: -

1) Anything that is deemed to be too 'cool' - Pineapples, cheng teng, barley, del monte bananas, watermelon
2) Anything that has caffine content - Coffee, Tea (Ice lemon tea, green tea, peach tea, whatever tea), CHOCOLATES!!!
3) Alcohol - That's fine with me since I'm not an alcoholic
4) Curry - Which kinda left me depressed for a while cause I'm a lover for curries and laksa and even pratas! Pratas will never be nice w/o curries.
5) Anything RAW - which means no SASHIMI! (Just kill me la!)


Then there were activities that I couldn't do as well: -

1) Any heavy duty sport - which means no more scuba diving!! No blading, no jogging, no badminton, no bowling, basically no sports la (And they still wonder why pregnant women end up being overweight)
2) Any areas that is smoke intoxicated - that means no clubbing, no ktv, no pubs or snooker salons


Seriously, unless you are a natural hermit, such kind of lifestyle literally reforms you into a BORING person.


My only source of 'entertainment' these days are:
1) Loitering around my baby's room and wondering when I can start to wash the clothes and pack them into the drawers,
2) Shopping for more baby stuff although I'm pretty sure we already had enough,
3) Being a couch potato and making your hubby become one too :D
4) Waking in the middle of the night with leg cramps and freaking your hubby out with your piercing screams
5) Looking at your hubby sweat like a tired dog while doing the house chores and you continue to be a couch potato. :D
6) Counting down the number of days to my maternity so that I can have a GOOD break away from work. I'm ASSUMING breastfeeding beats facing the shit at work.


Sigh...I think I side-track from the topic but still... such is my life now...

Choosing names...

I never knew choosing names can be quite a task.

There were so many 'criterias' to think of:

1) A name that everyone will pronounce correctly and not come out something embarrasing
2) A name that is not too common, like Jason, Roy, John, Dick, Harry
3) A name that has both our initials in it
4) A name that we can link to call our next child

And so name-storming started as early as June when we confirmed that our baby is going to be a prince! :D I searched on websites, books, magazines, combed from letter A-Z and Z-A. I couldn't find a nice name to call our baby. :(

We did short-list a few names but we haven't really fixed on any yet.

Ethan - Because Ethan Hawke is so damn CUTE la!
Damon - Matt Damon also not bad!
Elliott - Meaning: Lord is my God
Jethro - Meaning: Outstanding, Excellent
Brayden - Meaning: Brave. But Zoe called her son that, so forget it
Jayden - Meaning: God has heard
Kaeden - Meaning: Companion


I was torn between Ethan & Jayden at first. Jayden so people can call him Jay for short. But we wanted to link the name if our next child is a gal. So Kaeden came into mind. And we can call our gal Kaelyn. :)

Well, still thinking... ...

Mommy's Diet

Before my maternal hormones started going bonkers, I have always been on a clean diet - Wholemeal bread / Cereal for breakfast, white noodles / yong tau foo for lunch & some light dinner.

Snacks were usually a small indulgence of dark chocolates or digestive biscuits. Not even a tinge of fast food & french fries. I never thought that my life was deprived for missing out on the fast food. Discipline was really important to keep a clean slate of diet.


5 months later, my diet plan was screwed. MacDonalds, KFC, Mos Burger, BK, Long John. I have tasted it all. Not to mention laksa, char kuey teow and carrot cake. I couldn't believe I was taking in all these 'toxic' food into my system! But...but... it tasted SOOOOO GOOOD!!! :(


My usual weekday food plan nowdays would include: -

1) 9am Breakfast: Ham & Cheese Sandwich / Homemade Sausage Muffin / Big Pau / Ba Chang
2) 11am Break: Alot of Some biscuits
3) 1pm Lunch: Depends on inspiration - Usually zi char / mee pok / fast food
4) 3pm Break: Alot of Some biscuits / Chocolates / Chips
5) 5pm Break: Any snack that I can find in my cabinet
6) 7pm Dinner: Home cooked rice w/ meat & vegetables


I feel like a hungry hippo. :( Why must they make our hormones go insane and torture us like this??! Are the cravings supposed to help in pregnancy? Obviously not right?

I just hope the right nutrients go to the baby. He hasn't been kicking actively lately despite the over-indulgence of durians I had in the weekend.

Mommy needs more beef....

I can't help but look...

... ... at the calender, my phone, the web ticker that says I'm 3 months +, 15 weeks +, 109 days, 2616 hours, 156,960 minutes away from my maternity leave!!!!!


Everyday, I look at the calender and smile to myself - one day lesser. I can't wait. My patience had ran dry even before the GSS ended.


I can't wait to wash the clothes and put them in the bb drawer, I can't wait for the cot to be delivered today so I can decorate it with the bedding set and toys I've bought. I can't even wait to dress him up in the clothes that we've bought for him. It's so uber cute!


I guess this is the only form of un-'entertainment' I keep myself busy with these days. Other than the unusual wave movements that I start to notice on my tummy. I still cannot bring myself to believe the fact that there's a living being inside me - INSIDE ME LEH!!! But each time I see & feel the vibrations, I know it's a fact that Dylan & I will soon have to face in 3 months time.


For now, I just can't wait for my maternity leave. I need a break!!!

Taking the sugar test...

30 Jun 07: Started fasting as early as 10pm the following night. No food, no drinks, not even a sip of drinking water. I had to refrain myself from talking too much lest I stank of bad breath.


9am: Arrived at KK and was ushered to take the 1st blood test. Drawing blood was hardly painful for me but it seems like the intensity for pain increases during pregnancy.


When the nurse pierced the needle down my vein, I was screaming inside "FUCK-IIIINNNNGG PAINFUL!!!!" I hope bb didn't get to hear me. Heheh...


Thereafter, I was made to drink a large cup of 'over-rated-ultra-sweet-sure-get-diabetes' glucose drink. Another patient beside me just smiled weakly and we forced our throat down with the drink. "If you vomit it out, you'd have to come back again to drink another cup" - The nurse said. "No way. I'd just swallow my vomit man!"


11:00am: Went roaming around KK before returning for the 2nd blood test. The waiting was a torture as I still could not eat / drink anything yet. By then, I was as hungry as a cow.


Nurse attempted to draw blood at the same vein again while I screamed all vulgaritires at myself. Nurse shook her head after the tormenting event - "No blood, try again". NO BLOOD?!?


I would have spat at her if I could but I demurely told her to try another vein instead.


11:30am: It's finally over... Made my way to the cashier, took my medication and booked my next appointment.

The day before the test...

Tomorrow, I'll be going for my diabetes test at KKH.


Because my grandma had history of diabetes, KT Tan (my gynae) just wanted to be sure I wasn't prone to be diabetic as well. I really hope not cause that would mean off-limits to chocolates, ice creams and even lower intake of carbo. THAT MEANS NO FRENCH FRIES TOO!!! :(


Anyway, I can't wait to see my baby again. That's the only time I get to see him 'visually' and know he's doing well. Dylan even mentioned that "Tomorrow, bb will say hello to us again". hehehehe... I find that amusing...


It's still 4 months away before bb gets to come to this world. The anticipation is killing me, the thoughts of being a mother is killing me, the frustration of whether I can breast feed is killing me... ...


I've bought most of the stuff already so shopping sprees will cease this week... ... That also means NO RETAIL THERAPY, AND IT'S KILLING ME!!! :(

Going on baby spree is really...

THEURAPATIC!!!!!


Over the span of weeks, I spent most of my weekends combing the entire baby stores in Singapore. After all, it's the GSS - Great Singapore Sale! What better period to spend , spend, spend right? ;)


A preview at some of the things we've stashed so far...

Don't be mistaken. This is just 1/3 of the things we've bought. The bb room is brimmed with lots of shopping bags. Cannot imagine just preparing for one additional member of the family needs so many things!

Dylan and I personally like the stroller and car seat the most. It looks so comfy, even I want to sit it in... We chose RED for the Maxi-cosi car seat cause it looks like a Ferrari car seat...keke...

More shopping awaits tomorrow..... :D

Preparing for baby's arrival...

One of the things I've enjoyed lately is SHOPPING. The only therapy I can do now since I can't do sports or spa or anything else that's seemingly dangerous. :(


Life has never been THIS exciting mundane.


Well, shopping has its own cons as well since I can't shop for 'NORMAL' clothes now and no salesgal would wanna entertain me either. It's really depressing. :(
** Note - 'NORMAL' means my usual size S **


So the only retail therapy I can seek now is to buy my baby stuff. You'd be surprised at the list of things to buy! From cots to bedding sets, strollers to car seats, toiletries to bathing accessories, diapers, milk pumps, wardrobe and heaps of bb clothes in different sizes!


Nowadays, my shopping agony would be "Should I buy for newborn, or for 3-6 months, or 6-12 months?" Why? Cause babies grow at alarming rates! -_-


The strangest thing Dylan and I have realized is that we usually don't have 2nd thoughts on the things we want to buy for our baby. We just want the best, if not at least 2nd best.


I hate the fact that we're spending our money wisely frivolously. But at the same time ironically, we're enjoying every moment of our shopping time! :D It's like a whole new experience altogether. (Yea right...wait till we see our credit card bills)


We've stocked up the stuff we bought at the spare room. Even looking at its raw and unarranged state has some unexplainable anticipation & adrenalin-high effect. Oh, did I also mention it's also useful for amnesia therapy? Hehe...


More to update on our shopping spree...


For now, we're just preparing for our baby's arrival... :)