Clumsy whale

Extremely clumsy lately. I keep dropping things on the floor and my once-opposable fingers now become butter-fingers.

Instead of squeezing some concealer onto my fingertip, a whole glob flew out and landed on my coffee table-size belly.

As if that's not enough, I also somehow sent some toothpaste flying from the tube onto my belly while trying to brush teeth.


Instead of walking, I now waddle and sometimes accidentally knock into Andy or something/someone. I've become even more 3D than I had ever imagined.

My nesting instincts are also getting quite strong now because I keep wanting to shop for stuff for Baby and I've started doing weird things again like buying jams.
I added something new to my "List of weird things I do in pregnancy" - Washing Andy's shoes. (HUH?!)
Yeah. I actually helped him to wash his shoes right down to the laces. For the record, I dont even wash my own shoes lah!

And as for Baby? Somehow he has shifted and I feel him "dropping" into my pelvis because his movements are now concentrated at my pelvis and suprapubis, no longer the cute loveable hard knocks that make my belly jump and which keep us entertained watching my tummy have a life of its own.
Now, his movements make me wince and want to scream profanities because they are so painful, as if he is trying to perforate my uterus/bladder. At times, he jabs me in my ribs and I thought I was getting a fracture. OUCH. -__-
I even called up Dr Don in fear that Baby would fall out from "down there" (Yeah pregnant women are wierd & paranoid creatures) but according to him it is normal as long as Baby is still moving it should be alright, and that Baby has run out of room to move about, plus it is getting crowded in the uterine home that's why.
Little comfort huh...

Antenatal checkup on the weekend + some updates

Our weekend was spent busy running errands and with a doctor's appt to keep!

Went for our 31-week checkup with Dr Don on Saturday.
This time, I am very happy because I put on 1.2kg (highest record ever throughout my pregnancy) and also, baby weighing about 1.7kg.
All the home rest and pampering from Andy & family must be doing me good :D

Didnt get a decent shot of Baby because he used his hand to cover his face as he happily drank some more amniotic fluid.

He drinks until he gets hiccups at times, which Andy & I find very amusing to feel the jerks on my tummy haha!

Sunday was spent with my Mum to buy some bb's stuff. Being 1st time parents, Andy & I also dont know what we need / dont need to buy so having Mum along was great.

Though, more often than not, my Mum will end up buying things the baby doesnt need (yet)... like this rocking chair:

Andy and I helped eachother fix it up to test the functions and there is my Mum with her silly cat Mango


Mango also wants to help (read: kaypo).


Finally, it is done!
It has adjustable rocking speeds and music, lights and toys hanging above baby's head.

Actually, what we really REALLY need for the nursery are:
- Baby cot (a White one to go with our furniture, food-grade teething guards on rails, adjustable bed heights, 4 castor wheels, and can convert to toddler bed when child is older)


- Fitted sheets and pillow for the cot
- White basic baby clothes and rompers for home wear (can buy at baby wholesaler shop at Bugis)
- Nappies and waterproof nappy covers (can buy at baby wholesaler shop at Bugis)
- Bath non-slip mat
- Bottle steriliser tablets
- Wet wipes (Pigeon ones which our dogs are using also)

OTHER ITEMS (Bought or given)
- Bean sprout husk pillows (my Grandma making)
- Baby soap & shampoo
- Diapers (bought a lot of Huggies Ultra from http://www.gmarket.com.sg/)
- Bottle brush
- AVENT bottle steriliser (Charmaine gave)
- Baby 2-way sling carrier (Charmaine gave)
- Kodomo Baby laundry detergent
- Cotton buds & cotton balls
- Breast pads and sanitary pads

Looks like our nursery supplies are halfway complete! We still have about 9 weeks to prepare along the way as we go :)
Initally, I was worried about how I should train Andy to prepare him for Fatherhood and to get him involved as much as possible so he doesnt feel alienated and overwhelmed.
But thus far, he has been great (sometimes even better than me) in the know-hows of Babyhood. He reads ahead and gains his knowledge from Motherhood forums and our pregnancy books and he compares specs & prices of cots and strollers on websites to shortlist which one we should buy (like telling me which stroller has 4WD and suspension and which cot is slide-open with adjustable height)
He also talks to Baby a great deal - complaining to BB when I am naggy or telling BB to "ask mummy not to be angry" when I am in bad mood.
Did I mention I'm very proud of him? :)

And Oh, I am so looking forward to this coming Good Friday long weekend because it is my cousin's daughter's full-month shower and also, my Crazy Charmaine's bird-day! :D

Welcome to the SAHM Club!

I've officially, inaugurally joined the Housewives/ SAHM Club.

Inevitably, I have been doing abit more online shopping than I normally would.
Thankfully, Chris has recommended me several good websites. Ah, the wonders of Online Shopping just a click away!

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/ has a week-by-week update of your pregnancy progress and tells you what you can expect at a particular stage of gestation.

http://www.gmarket.com.sg/ is a good place to order diapers and have them delivered FOC to your doorstep. So convenient.

Check out the prices of Huggies. 53% off retail! I ordered 3 packs of Huggies Ultra Newborn, intend to give 1 pack to my cousin's baby.



I recently just learned about BPA-free milk bottles. BPA is a chemical that is found in plastics and can be emitted after prolonged heating of the bottles (eg sterilising, warming etc)
Naturally, Andy & I got super kiasu and replaced all our milk bottles with BPA-free ones.
They are pricey - $29.90 per bottle for 250ml - but we dont want to take any chances.
We are also lucky that my Mum has staff discount at KKH so she helped us save quite alot.

For other stuff like cot and strollers, we will be ordering from http://www.kiddysky.com.sg/
which also provides free delivery. Thanks to Chris' recommendation! She is a genius and knows all the "in" and must-go websites/ good deals etc.

We also received lots of goodies from Charmaine's aunts, my colleagues and friends - who gave us free pregnancy books, classical music CDs, baby sling etc etc.

Of course, I still have so much to learn all the other Yummy Mummies :)
And I am proud to say Andy is learning at his own very fast pace as well. In fact, he might know more than I do. He is the one who read my pregnancy book and told me "Risk factors of Premature Labour" and he has been doing his own research and comparing stroller and cot specs to see which one is better. He is gonna be one helluva Daddy!

A day in the life of a patient

"Threatened premature labour". These 3 words are more than enough to send any mother-to-be into a bottomless pit of worry and anxiety.

25 March 09 2.30AM
Couldnt tahan the contractions anymore so called up Dr Don. He said to monitor the contractions again. If they dont die off and persist for the next hour, get myself admitted into the hospital.
I was damn scared. Woke Andy up. Packed my bag. Went to take a quick shower and dress up and get prepared.

25 March 09 3.30AM
Reached hospital and greeted by 2 friendly security guards. They looked so happy and excited to see me. "Cesarian or normal labour??" one uncle asked.
"Er actually my due date in June but I am having cramps so doc ask me to come. I am not going to deliver yet"
Poor security guards dont know how to react.
So got admitted to labour ward for monitoring

Put on 2 straps on CTG machine to monitor my contractions and baby heartbeat.

This is the CTG graph readings.


An hour later, contractions still on and strong. No choice, gotta be admitted.
So I was changed into hosp gown and put on IV Ventolin drip to stop the contractions.
The nurse did a vaginal examination to see if my cervix has been dilated and it was HELLUVA PAINFUL MAN!! I think I could feel her whole fist going in reaching for the cervix. GOD!


my first time put on IV drip. So painful. Had to take blood for blood tests and have 2 steroid jabs to increase the surfactant in baby's lungs in case he really pops out now at least his lungs are mature.


The only thing I look forward to during my 2 days stay in Hospital is the food. Very yummy!
Everyday the nurse will bring me the day's menu and ask me to choose.

Steamed fish, bak kut teh soup, french beans with black fungus.


For tea break I ate apple struddel and drank Milo.


For dinner I ate Western menu - beef steak and veg soup.


25 March 09 8AM
Mum, Dad and gugu came. Andy was still around. He slept on the visitor chair since admission till morning. Poor thing. It must've been uncomfy plus the cold aircon.
Dr Don came to check on my progress and said if the Ventolin drip is working to stop my contractions it can be titrated down by the next 12hours and I can be sent to a normal ward.

25 March 09 8PM
Transferred to normal ward. I chose 4-bedder because I am scared to be alone when Andy goes home.
I see the woman in front of me, she is 40yrs old and just gave birth to her 1st child. So happy when they wheel her baby in.
Then the Malay girl beside me, she is about my age also, and she is going to deliver anytime so just waiting out her contractions only.
I think of those women who have contractions and going into REAL labor, and those daddies all so excited and happy that it could be "anytime now" makes me feel so sad.

Because I am also having contractions but nobody wants Baby to pop out yet. Sigh I hope Baby can wait another 10 more weeks.

I couldnt sleep well at night because strange environment and I keep fearing I might experience another onset of contractions again then cannot go home the next day.

26 March 09 8AM
Dr Don came to check on me again. I told him I am feeling much better now. Still have on-off uterine hardenings but spaced irregularly and not accompanied with pain and cramps.
He let me go home but warn that if contractions come again like the previous night I need to be hospitalised again.
I asked him if I can go shopping? He was quite surprised and told me to "take it easy" and I would be better off staying home and resting in bed.
He must think I am crazy or got some kinda Shopaholic Disease. But the thing is, it is these 2 mths before Baby pops that Andy & I would like to get our baby shopping done and there are so many things we havent buy yet, so I just asked out of curiosity mah.

Well, looks like it's time to get a breakfast-in-bed tray.

Scared

It's 2AM and I'm experiencing contractions again now - 5min apart.
Going to call my doctor first thing in the morning, and prepared for the worst- admit to hospital.

I'm not due yet! That's why I am so scared.

SIGH looks like Baby has answered my own dilemma. Maybe he wants me to have more rest and enjoy before the birth.
I am really scared and this is nothing like I imagined it to be. Will keep everyone updated once I get back from the doc/hosp

A matter of when

As I am advancing in my pregnancy, and as my tummy gets bigger and heavier, I also experience more and more discomfort and the "freebies" of pregnancy, such as:
- lower back pain
- sleepless nights
- waking up 2-3x a night to pee
- sciatic nerve compression causing me difficulty in walking
- Braxton Hicks (false contractions)

Of course with these symptoms, it is increasingly difficult for me to continue working, since I am required to walk and move around alot at work and carry/squat/bend alot too.
Not to mention, my obstetrician did warn that if I experience strong contractions again I might need to be hospitalised and be put on a drip to delay labour.
That thought alone scares me so much :(

Andy urged me to clear leave and take 1 month's no-pay leave all the way till delivery then start my m-leave. Though it sounds like a great idea to spend 6 mths in a stretch at home, but then I am quite hesitant also.

First of all, I will miss having an income. Andy told me he would support us and give me an allowance so "dont worry" but then there are so many things I plan to buy for Baby and I would feel greater satisfaction if the $$ came out of my pocket instead of hubby's.
I never like the idea of having to ask for $$ because makes me feel so useless and inadequate.

Secondly, without work, I will have nothing to do at home 'cept look at 4 walls and talk to the dogs.

I planned to work as long as possible and save my precious leave but pregnancy is such an unpredictable process. Sigh..
Should I or should I not take a rest??

Fathers are expectant too

As all my friends and colleagues know, throughout my pregnancy, I have not had weird food cravings eg. waking up at 2AM and forcing Hubby to go out to tapow Mee Pok.
Andy feels lucky and we both agree that it is just an evil plan for wives to exploit their hubbies when they are pregnant Haha..

But seems like Andy is the one having all the funny food cravings instead.
He has cravings for:
- Ice cream
- Durians
- Steamboat
- and other food items according to that day's events / moods

Once every 2-3 days, we would drive to Geylang to buy durians (and I take the opportunity to buy grapes, nectarines and plums). The durian stall Wonderful is very happy to see this preggy woman and her husband. They must be thinking "Wah this preggy aunty always got craving for durians almost everyday must come and buy"

And when we go out with friends, Andy would want to eat Steamboat. And I thought it's the pregnant wife's right to choose what to eat??!
Since I cannot eat seafood, I am left with not much choices for the steamboat spread.
But still, I dont mind. Because Andy is the one with the craving instead. If I dont give in, he will keep talking about steamboat at night before we go to bed.

The other night, he told me he had cravings for dim sum for the next day's lunch. He even listed all the items he wants to eat.
But the next day, we didnt have dim sum for lunch so I thought it's Ok, he has conveniently forgotten about his craving. But at night when driving home from work, he drove to Geylang to buy his durians and dim sum - including all the items he listed the night before.
-__-

So you see my point? Fathers-to-be experience all the weird pregnancy symptoms as well, it is even mentioned in our pregnancy book.

On the other hand, I feel happy because pregnancy has brought us to a new-found level of intimacy we have never experienced before.
Andy reads "Chinese names" while I read "What to expect when you are expecting" before bedtime.
It has become a routine every night for us to:
Andy: Goodnight Baby *kiss tummy*; Goodnight Mummy *kiss my lips*
Me: Goodnight Daddy *kiss his lips*

before we both roll over and fall asleep.

This is my 29 weeks tummy. D-day is another 10 weeks or so away!




Daddy & Mummy love Baby!

Our little gift from Above

Initally, baby was this tiny: 0.63cm


then became more like a little bean.

Then the little bean sprouted limbs and a face!

Yesterday, baby was getting so big his whole body couldnt fit onto the ultrasound screen and Dr Don could only scan body parts at a time. We were told baby is boy, and I bet he doesnt know we were looking at him drinking my amniotic fluid on the screen!
Do you know? Babies drink their moms' amniotic fluid, then pee it out again, and drink up their pee mixed with amniotic fluid again when they are in their mommies' wombs!

Hello thirsty baby!

After the appointment, we went to Takashimaya baby fair with Siling and she helped us pick a lovely receiving blankie which says "I love Mommy Daddy"

We also bought AVENT tits to fit the bottles Charmaine gave us, but dare not buy too many because we are inexperienced and dont want to end up wasting $$ on the wrong/unsuitable/redundant stuff.

I also wanted to buy an electronic breast pump considering I will be b/f baby at least for the first few months until I go back to work. But then I had 2nd thoughts and think of seeking advise from forums/mum/friends first because like I said, dont wanna spend $270 on some wrong purchase.

Overall, we're quite excited about being in 3rd - my FINAL - trimester. (Though we had a little scare. Here's why...)
The other night, I felt cramps and contractions at 5min apart, which scared Hubby & me, because baby's not due for another 3 mths!!!

There I was, lying in bed and moaning and gripping Andy's arm when the contractions came and he told me to "Darling RELAX RELAX. Breathe breathe BREATHE. Breathe out through your mouth", when it didnt seem to work he instructed me to "Hon straighten your legs"
Andy: Honey you gotta straighten your legs. Your legs are bent which is causing the pain.
Me: No no no! Dont touch me darling.... I cant move!
Andy: *attempts to straighten my flexed legs manually/DIY* (wth... How on earth did this man get this weird idea?!)
Me: *nearly hit/kick him* ^&$%^@#! DARLING Dont..... *moans* If you straighten them my tummy will stretch and I will feel even more pain............ *moans*
Andy: Oh ok ok... Then you RELAX RELAX RELAX. Take a deep breath. Breathe out through your mouth Hon. . . Yeah do it again...

It happened for half hour until both of us fell asleep and the next morning luckily it was time for our antenatal appointment with Dr Don.
We told him what happened and he ordered more rest for me... because apparently if I experience these premature contractions again I need to be admitted to hospital and be put on a DRIP to delay labour... SCARY!!

Oh God.... pls let baby stay inside until EDD...

Baby talk

Went looking at baby stuff at BABY AVENUE on Sunday, which is just in front of my workplace.
This is actually the FIRST time we went shopping for baby's stuffs. Seems like we are the most relaxed (read: non kancheong) parents!

Andy's favourite Recaro car seat

An idea of how the car seat fits into your car

We also tried strollers to see which types are lightweight and easy to chug around. So many choices and brands! Even got MacLaren fully reclineable dunno-what. Turns out, I prefer a brandless cheapo lightweight one which is easy to lock, maneuver and fold.

Andy looking at the Boy's and Girl's nurseries.

*scratch head* So many things!

I am proud of Andy because he took interest in the baby stuff and he even tried the breast pump, but on a prototype breast lah of course!! He also saw a teddy toy which has recorded audio of sounds inside a mum's womb to comfort the baby at night and was quite keen to buy it.

Most of all, I'm proud of Daddy Andy because he is much involved and enjoys talking to baby.
One night.....
Andy: *talks to my bump* Baby, next time you dont be like Mummy ok.. Her mouth ah, once open cannot close. 1 thing can talk 10 times. 10 things: 10 x 10 = 100.

-__-

[update] Cupcake session for Vday 2009

Our baking session with my gals at Charmaine's house turned out to be well, quite a blast (figuratively)! No, we didnt blow up her kitchen!
I love get-togethers with my gals like this.
All women need to ditch their men for some female bonding once in awhile :)


Our chocolate and banana cupcakes in the process of making.





Meena and our Friendship cake.

Who says V-days are for lovers only? Best mates in the world.

The cake is so sweet, just like our friendship!


The aftermath of a very messy kitchen with me, Meena, Clare, Charmaine, aunty Christina and their maid Nur.. Ta dah!

Meena's cuppies.

To remind Ramesh of his husbandly duties?!


Charmaine's cuppies. Do you see the boobies on the 1st cuppie?

Clare's cuppies. The blue band is actually a cute lil skateboard with nice yellow wheels!

Finally, here're mine. I had help from Meena & Charmaine (M made the icing work, C deco-ed the white hearts on baby's towel)
Baby Julius Cesar Tan! Hello baby! You have lots of wonderful aunties who adore you even before you are born!

Nice??
I'm quite proud of us because our cuppies turned out pretty well, all in the midst of having a crazy time.
Thanks for the GREAT Time girlies!

Time to plan our Fondue Party up next :)

Guilty

I'm working night shift from Saturday night - Monday night and I have not slept a wink.
Poor bb's boxing/kicking inside me and like me, not resting the whole night.
I feel so guilty that I've screwed up my bb's sleep cycle.

I'm a bad mummy. SIGH.

Feelings of a Pregnant Mom

I took MC today to sleep in late and to go shopping later.
It's one of those days when it feels good to be reckless in life once a while.

These days, I get tired easily and I cant walk as fast as I used to because my lower back hurts and I hate to admit, but I think I waddle a little. Yikes!
I cant concentrate fully at work and tend to be forgetful.
And I feel lonely at home especially in the few hours when Andy leaves for work and I'm alone with the dogs doing nothing. Saying Goodbye is the hardest thing these days.
However, on the good side, I enjoy it when we hug or lay in bed, with our baby kicking/boxing between us. It's fun to watch my tummy because if we're lucky, we can see it jump or twitch.Andy put his hand on my tummy and our baby kicked/boxed him.
It's all good entertainment!

My family, friends and colleagues also admiringly touch my tummy and talk to it which is really amusing.
My workplace is a nice environment to work in because everyone is female and they willingly share experiences with me like how one colleague her breasts shrunk after breastfeeding her daughter etc.
My aunt has been enthusiastically thinking of Chinese names for the baby.
My mates Charmaine & Meena have been giving me advice on post-natal massage, stretchmark prevention etc. I have been pestering them about advice for stretch-marks, massage ladies as if they have given birth a dozen times Hehe

And Charmaine promptly passed me Chris' (the baker) contact because Chris just gave birth to a baby girl and she sure knows all the baby stuff.Gosh I dont even know what's in or out. I feel so outdated!
And we havent even started shopping for baby cos I dont know where to start.
Everyone I love and care about are so involved and it makes me feel happy to have the support.

Afterall, pregnancy is a stressful time for any woman due to the changes in mind/body so it's important to have support.
Sometimes I get depressed and cry to Andy, saying my vagina will never be the same anymore, and my boobs will shrink to prunes after breastfeeding, I will become so unattractive, I dont enjoy sex that much anymore etc.
But thankfully he has been really kind, assuring me that pregnancy makes a woman whole, and he prefers me with more curves to when I was whippet-thin.

Ok more later. Or perhaps next week after my next Obstetrician appt.
Ciao~ *love*

Antenatal Checkup

Went for another of my antenatal checkups with Dr Don.
He is sucha jovial fellow, easing all my fears and anxiety.
Baby's bigger now - weighs approx 310gm - and VERY active.

He was flinging his hands as if he was fighting imaginary monsters, and when Dr Don prodded his legs and lower body, he was kicking about and used one hand to touch his toes.
Dr Don asked if I can feel baby's movements, which I should be able to feel tickling sensations.
Good thing is - my urine test and blood pressure are normal.
Which means I dont have gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia. *touch wood*

Not so good thing is - I only put on 400gm from the last visit. I'm now 47.5kgs, which actually to me is quite ALOT of weight already since pre-pregnancy me only weighed 41kgs!
Dr Don advised me to eat more and drink lots of water - all of which I do...

Andy had to miss this appointment which makes me very disappointed because he NEVER misses our obstetrician appts. But today was bad timing as he was caught in bad jam and had missed all of our bb's antics and circus acts.

SIGH.
Maybe we should buy one of those ultrasound machines and put at home.