Baby bibs

Lately I have been thinking of baby alot. I wonder why is it I have so much love for an unborn human being. I really have no idea why. But she is my pride, hope and joy. Whenever I am feeling down, I just want to talk to her, sing to her and when she responds to me by kicking or punching me, I smile. I feel that baby knows what I'm feeling. This is so amazing. No words can describe what I feel.

There had been a few occasions that I wanted to go out and get food for myself but ended up buying stuff for baby. I just can't resist buying. They are so cute. I have lots of passdown bibs from Joanna but I still bought these.

Baby... mama loves you and hopes to give you my best.

I went Mothercare Sale (because I have some Capitaland vouchers) and got alot of rompers and 1 swim suit for baby. Thanks Felicia for letting me ride on her member discount. Some of the rompers are repeated though. How I wish I can swap with someone else :)

My MIL and FIL's condition

My parents just returned from HK and Guangzhou. They've been away for about 10 days. Mom bought lots of things for baby in Guangzhou. Dad told me that she can't stop buying. See the pic? Thanks mom and dad.

Things at home have not been pleasant (I'm staying with my in-laws FYI). FIL is disorientated after his discharge from the hospital and he will be undergoing therapy to treat his mild stroke. Hopefully he can get well again. He has been very worried for the dementia MIL. That day MIL was at the hospital. Both of them were emotional and FIL cried in front of us.

I feel quite helpless during this time that I can't do much at home. I can't really help with housework like mopping the floor or washing the toilets. I also have to work and can't be staying at home to watch over them. Hubby is very stressed out both at work and at home. I've never seen him that stressed before. The tension at home seems to be building up everyday. Hubby and I had a tiff over a discussion and I apologised with tears in my eyes saying that I'm sorry for being pregnant now.

I have also asked the maid to do lesser household chores eg mopping the floor every 2 days instead of everyday, just so that she can keep a lookout for both the folks. I think I will also do my own laundry (+ Hubby's) so that I can help out as best as I can (as long as I'm not carrying heavy stuff).

The atmosphere at home is pretty negative. I don't know what else to do except to pray, hoping that things will get better.



This morning when I walked to the mrt, I felt a sharp pain at my right abdomen. It hurts even when I'm standing. I only feel better if I'm sitting down but as usual, no one gives up seat at public transport anymore. Out of my 26 weeks of pregnancy, I was offered a seat twice. The rest of the time, I stand all the way to work and from work. (I work everyday fr Mon - Fri) Anyway, I am not sure if it's baby pressing against my sides. There are a few occasions that I felt the sharp pain but I always endure it away.

Baby is most active at night about 8 pm onwards. At times when I sleep, she kicks me. Perhaps to remind me to wake up and pee. She is sometimes active in the day but I probably notice her movements lesser because I'm occupied at work.

This is my going 26 weeks tummy. 

Belly button looks like almost gonna pop out.

2nd & 3rd antenatal class

2nd class

The 2nd class we were taught some of the reasons for having low back pain, how to stand and sit and get out of bed in the right posture. What are some of the exercises that we can do to strengthen our abdominal muscles, and some simple massages that the Hubby can do for the Wife.

Hubby and I were 10 minutes late for the class. We missed the introduction but I guessed the physiotherapist was explaining about the anatomy of the human body. Each couple was to sit on the yoga mat provided.

I realised that the reason for my backpain was due to the increased weight gain, my poor standing and sitting posture and weak abdominal muscles (I stopped exercising for such a long time).

When we did the exercises, it was so much fun. The physiotherapist went round to check all the moms one by one. The hubbies are suppose to help to check and encourage us to do it the right way. Pelvic tilt really did somehow soothe my back a little by releasing the tension from the back (not to have arch back). I shall do this exercise more often.

Then it came to the massage portion. Hubby is very nice. He was very diligent to practice the massage techniques on me. I asked the therapist "how often can we do this massage?" and Hubby immediately replied "Once a year!" and there were some laughters. LOL. It's actually okay to do it daily.

 Hubby posing w skeleton after class

I just tried out the abdominal massage myself this morning using Johnsons Baby Oil. While the light massage is to promote blood circulation, the aroma from the oil is also supposed to relax you.


3rd class

We learnt about recognising when labour starts, when to come into hospital, the different stages of labour (3 stages), breathing and relaxation techniques.

For me, vaginal bleeding is probably not a good signal for me to go hospital coz I have spotting. I have to look out for rupture of waterbag and 5 mins apart uterine contractions with each contraction lasting 20-30 seconds.

The 3 ways of breathing techniques to relax the body and cope with pain are:

• Sighing out slowly
• Short sharp breathing out
• Pan-pant blow

Still don't know gender

Saw our bunny yesterday :) She is healthy and well. Heartbeat beating strong too. Can see baby moving alot and her right hand is on her cheek. Gynae said that she is an active baby. I asked if there is anything that I should be concerned about. Gynae said No. An active baby is good. He asked me not to think too much and get unnecessary stress, just enjoy the pregnancy.

I still do not know the baby's gender yet because her legs are always closed. Gynae tried to scan from bottom up but still can't really tell but he said that it's better to assume that baby is a princess.

The nurse also said that she will book for me with Mount Alvernia the hospital bed. (so fast?!) I am going for a 2-bedder, hopefully natural birth and no epidural.

Hubby and me have also thought of names for our baby. One boy name and one girl name. As for clothings and stuff, all along we bought neutral colours like yellow, green, orange. So that #2 can wear too.

Prenatal Massage

I did two prenatal massage sessions. One with Auntie Sarah and another with Auntie Rokiah. Both of the Malay ladies are recommended by my friends. I like them both actually.

It's just that Auntie Rokiah can speak English and I can communicate better with her.

Auntie Rokiah (Woodlands) charges $55 and she comes to my house. She begins by asking me to lie on my side. First by rubbing my calves and thigh. Then my lower back and shoulders. Lastly my arms and palms and neck. She uses a mild lavendar oil with other herbs to apply on my body. I enjoy her firm yet at times gentle strokes during massage.

Auntie Rokiah also shares with me what to take note of during this period. She said that I should hold my tummy and slowly sit down or stand up whenever possible. I should take spinach so that I have more milk. I should eat and not worry about putting on weight. She said that lots of mommies are concerned about putting on too much weight and they refuse to eat. She worries that I'm one of them too. She also shares with me what to do if I have leg cramps in the middle of the night; ask Hubby to press a certain spot and shake the calve gently.

I can feel that she cares and truly wants to share her knowledge with me. She is quite motherly too.

I should be engaging her for my postnatal massage. 5 sessions. (I haven't ask her how much) She said that after I come back from the hospital, rest a day at home and the following day, she can come and massage for me already (if I'm having a natural delivery).

1st antenatal class at Mount Alvernia

I took quarterday leave and went TPY to look for Hubby before heading down to Mount Alvernia together. We figured out that we can take Bus 157. We were the earliest to reach (6 pm). The class starts at 6.30 pm. Liow Min Choo is the consultant dietician and speaker for the first lecture.

Most of the mommies came with their husbands. I was glad Hubby came with me too though he fell asleep for a short while. I would have felt slightly emo if my Hubby didn't come along. Realised that support from the hubby is also very important. 

The topic was on Nutritional Requirements during pregnancy. I realised that I was lacking in calcium. I have to drink more milk and take more cheese. The dietician mentioned that supplements are never substitute for usual food intake. So I can't think that if I lack calcium, just take calcium pills. I still have to drink milk.

I'm also underweight for my pre-pregnancy weight. So I have to put on at least 12 kg this time, in order for my body to produce milk for baby if I want to breastfeed. Of course I want to! I'm eating like a pig now but have only put on 5.5 kg. I wonder how am I going to put on another 6 kg more for the next 3 months. That would be 2 kg every month. Scaryyy.

Also learnt that ginger does not cause jaundice in baby. But if baby has jaundice, I have to avoid ginger for a while. Or if I am intending to breastfeed, I have to watch (and reduce) the ginger intake. On top of that all alcohol used in food got to be cooked. So I will not be drinking DOM during my breastfeeding period.

Even after delivery, I still have to eat healthily and pile up the protein, Vitamin D and calcium in order to maintain adequate milk volume for the baby.

- - - - - 
Yesterday night, baby kicked me very very hard when I was lying on my right side. Almost fell asleep around 10.45 pm, while Hubby is watching American Idol, but baby gave me 2 hard kicks. They are the strongest kick I've ever experienced. I shouted out 'OUCH!' and Hubby looked at me shockingly.

Then today, she is still very active. Always doing her stretching and swimming inside me.

23 weeks

I just saw Shufen's baby Hector photos on facebook and also some of the SMH moms' baby (infant) pics. Totally melts my heart. I can't wait to carry my very own baby in my arms and tell her how much I love her. I have been telling her this every day.

Fen's newborn :)

Recently, baby has been moving more often especially so after meals and at night or when she is hungry or when I sing to her or play Mozart's music. Yesterday, I could see her squirm underneath my clothes. It's a very interesting sight.

I'm still having those unexplainable hiccups just lesser now. But I do get about 5-6 hiccups throughout the day (everyday). I can eat alot more now and I got to have my teabreak at 3.30 pm otherwise my baby will remind me to eat by kicking me hard.

A typical lunch + teabreak during a working day !!!

• fish soup with rice at 1 pm
• dessert or fruit juice at 2 pm
• fruits / bread / cookies at 3.30 pm
• milo at 5 pm

I'm also finding myself visiting the toilet more often to pee. Almost every 1.5 hours but each time I go, it's not much pee.

I'm not quite sure what will happen after my maternity leave. Will I get to be a SAHM or will I get into NIE in July 2012? I'm not sure exactly what is Plan A / Plan B or what the future holds. I wonder if Hubby's pay can sustain us for 1 year. I was thinking until baby is 1 year old then we find a babysitter or send her to infantcare or hire a maid and let my mom watch over the maid. But then again, I wish I can be the one taking care of baby myself.

If only I strike tomorrow's Toto 3 million draw... if only.

My FIL bought these chinese CDs for baby to listen. He also bought a baby poster for us to put up on the wall but Hubby thinks it's too cheena already and the baby looks weird. It's the thought that counts though :)

Swimming at my mom's place

was slim once upon a time

no more flat tummy now -_-||

I just swam one lap and the rest of the time was soaking in water. Spent some quality time with Hubby in the pool and then got ready to attack the buffet dinner my mom ordered from Neogarden to celebrate Sis Lucy's 60th Jubilee.

The next day, Hubby and I went Nex to shop. He was so pleased with the place which was conducive for pets and children to hang out on the sky garden level.