Maternity shots

Wanted to save money so asked Hubby to take some shots for me at the swimming pool instead of having it done professionally. I liked 5 pictures out of all that he took.

Something extra

Looking at some of the mommies' maternity shots (from LittleMissRabbit, Studioloft) , I also feel like doing it. I was thinking about it some time ago but decided not to (for now). Maybe I'll do it for my #2 baby. I realised that I have been overspending for #1 baby. New clothes, new pram, new toys, everything new. Definitely for #2, these things can be passed down and that will free me up financially.

Papa said that he wants to do the footprints and handprints thing for baby and he will be paying for it. The standard package for hand and foot imprints is $345. Very expensive indeed.

And I'll be paying for baby's newborn photography with Kelly Soon. $500. I really like Kelly's skills.

Durians

  small seeds

Papa had a nosebleed last night. I guess the durians were too heaty for him. Yup, we often have durians now; like once a week. But he always ate the least durians. I am the one who eats the most because my parents would ask me to take more. More "bu" for baby.

Other than chicken essence once a day, durians are my "bu" food since I don't get to enjoy home-cooked boiled soups all the time.

Yesterday, I cried when an elderly gave up her seat for me. I told her that she needs the seat too. She replied "no, you deserve the seat more". I cried and said "thank you". There was another mommy standing nearby. Her tummy is almost as big as mine. I wasn't sure whether to reject the old lady or offer the seat to the other mommy. I was feeling lost, not sure what I should do and yet touched by her kind gesture. Maybe that's why I cried.

So far, there are 7 kind souls who gave up their seats for me in my 8 months of pregnancy. Usually, the trains are so crowded that I'll be glad if I have standing space. Yesterday, my backache kinda worsen and I feel so much like sitting on the floor because my back felt like breaking. I sms Hubby that I will not hesitate to sit down next time as I really cannot stand the ache. Hur hur...

Checklist for Papa

In the hospital:
(1) Contact Confinement lady
(2) Contact Jamu Massage lady
(3) Contact Kelly Soon photographer
(4) Check with auntie Baby's Ba Zi before submitting name (Birth Cert)
(5) Baby Bonus Application (to fill in form in hospital)
(6) Baby's Health Booklet (given by hospital)
(7) Baby's Bath tub (free gift from hospital)

Upon discharge from hospital:
(8) Settle Hospital and Gynae bills
(9) Book Kerrisdale Function Room
(10) Re-confirm date of full month with:

• Full month cake order from PAPAMAMA - 6385 0038 
• Hello Kitty cookies - Henry Lau $82
• Chu Wei San Tong - 67439383 Cindy $450
• Freesia Balloon - 93669005 Carole $140

Moving stuff to Kerrisdale

Thanks to Looying who passed me some maternity clothes, breastfeeding and childbirth reading materials, baby high chair, play gym, baby rocker amongst other small items. We drove to her place one weekend :) Her hubby and her are so warm and they shared with us their experiences.

Hubby has bought the Toyogo drawers and also fixed up the Quinny Buzz stroller. We are slowly (in batches) shifting things to Kerrisdale. I have also asked the maid to wash all the baby stuff and sorted them nicely. Everything seems to be in place. I just need to pack the hospital bag in July.

Hubby also helped me cut my toenails yesterday coz I couldn't reach my toes already and it's abit straining for me to bend over. My backache is terrible still and I think it will only get worse until I deliver. Thank goodness Hubby never fails to give me gentle massage to soothe the aches. I also did some stretching to ease the muscle tension.

Bottomless pit stomach, terrible backache and leg cramps

As I'm into my third trimester, I notice I am easily hungry (even more so compared to my second trimester). I can eat a plate of Cai Fan from Mirana (chicken, egg and green vegetables) and 30 mins later, I feel hungry again. It's not like mouth itchy and want to munch some biscuits. I can really have a bun.

Yesterday after a packet of Xing Hwa bee hoon for dinner, I was hungry 45 mins later. I have to control abit otherwise I will really become a big elephant.

I noticed that my backache worsens too. I experience such a dull pain every night when I turn to the other side or whenever I wake up to go to the toilet. It's also harder to fall asleep whenever I wake up. Usually, I wake up at 4 am and only managed to sleep at 5.30 am (but that's when my FIL's alarm clock rings!) only to wake up again at 7.30 am if Hubby's alarm doesn't ring at 7 am for his jogging session. Really shag mann.

Nowadays, I also find it difficult to go shopping for too long. Just a mere 30 minutes walking, the back pain will start to creep in, resulting in my frequent stretching at escalators. When Hubby helps me massage my back, it soothes a little but the ache will come back again T_T

Last night I experienced my first leg cramps. Two cramps in a night. Very pain! But I have to ouch softly because I didn't want to wake Hubby up from his sweet dreams. He has been very nice, enduring the cold temperature at night. He wraps himself every night like a cocoon while I don't even need the blanket at all (and still thinks it's abit warm).

This morning Hubby told me that he'd be giving me $500 for my (and I suppose baby's) monthly expenses when I'm at SAHM next year. It's very nice of him to offer, but let's see how things go. There are alot of unknowns eg, we don't even know whether we will be getting a car or balloting for a new flat yet.

4th and 5th antenatal class

Hubby is always tired/sleepy during antenatal class. Last week we were 20 minutes early so we sat outside the class while he took a short nap to recharge.

After the class, there was a tour around Mount Alvernia hospital. We went to the delivery suite, the 2 bedder room, the single deluxe and and super deluxe. We also saw newborn babies in the nursery.

..

5th antenatal class is solely on breastfeeding. I learnt alot from Joelynn's class. She is very interesting and I can't help laughing at some of the things she say but Hubby has on two occasions fall asleep in her class -_-

Anyway, Joelynn told us that it's not recommended to pass down breast pumps to other moms or buy second-hand breast pumps, because 99% of all the (different brands) breast pumps are open system, meaning, the milk flows two directions (into the system and out). And there is a risk of contamination even though we sterilise diligently all the parts all the time before every feed. Only the ones in the hospital that are rented out to mommies are close systems breast pumps, meaning the milk pumps outwards in one direction and not back to the system.

If you have already bought a second hand pump, it's okay to purchase the parts, change them and sterilise before using.

We also had a hands-on session with a dummy baby. How to do cradle hold, football hold and lying position. Thankfully, I bought my Brest friend breastfeeding pillow as I have rather clumsy hands and it'd be my first time handling a newborn baby, so I don't need to be too bothered about what kind of hold. Just place baby on pillow and bring baby near to my breast to suckle. Easy. LOL

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

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.

Confinement Lady

Hubby did the first round of confinement ladies calling (about 4 of them) but couldn't secure any; all of them are not available and fully booked already. My mom did the second round of calling (about 8) and we secured Auntie Meiling (46 years old). I got the recommendation from online moms forum. My mom also drilled her lots of questions and she is able to 'satisfy' my mom. This Saturday, I will have to pay the deposit of $300. I don't want an old (more than 55 years old) confinement lady coz most probably old people are stubborn and insists on their way and have that attitude that you don't know better than them. That's the reason why I always ask of their age (which is one of my criteria) first.

I am pro breastfeeding. So any confinement lady who is pro-formula milk or anti-breastfeeding, I won't choose. I need her to teach me how to latch and how to express BM rather than 'Aiya, baby don't like it, just feed FM' kinda attitude. I would also need her to know what to cook so that my BM can increase.

Today is Ash Wednesday. Hubby will be fasting for the first time ever. He told me that he was so hungry and then today we aren't suppose to take meat. Hubby prayed for baby to be well and me to be good.

Then tonight, we will celebrate Hubby's birthday in advance (before my parents go for their vacation) at Melben Crab Place. After the hospital stay, I seemed to get tired every 3 hours and want to nap. I worry that I will not have enough rest at work next week. I sleep and sleep like a pig nowadays. But my weight has not gone up much. I grew 1 kg+ so far (now at 45.5 kg). 

Happy Lunar New Year 2011

I finally finished 149 episodes of the pink lipstick Korean drama. I have been crying a few times while watching the show. Hubby asked me not to watch anymore of such shows coz baby will be emotional and always crying later on.

I guess because of lack of sleep coz of watching korean drama and also late nights playing poker games, my sugar level was abnormally low. Last week during mass, I was so giddy that I had to sit down while the congregation was standing. I was frantically looking for a plastic bag in my bag and almost wanted to go to the toilet. Suddenly, I couldn't hear voices of people singing, at the same time, I felt weak and wanted to vomit (as if on the verge of fainting). Hubby asked me to sit down and rest. Indeed, I felt better after I sat down for 10 minutes. Immediately after mass, Hubby brought me to the hawker nearby for a meal. 

Lately, I haven't been drinking any soya bean milk and fresh milk at all. So far, all I have been wanting to drink is orange juice. The fruit stall at my house downstairs sells orange juice. It's $2 per cup but recently they ran out of orange because of CNY. (weird?)

This morning, I vomitted alot of water and some folic acid out while brushing my teeth. I am not sure if any of them is left inside my tummy since I vomitted all out. Going to ask Doctor next week what to do if I keep on vomitting in the morning. I vomitted until my tummy hurts and my throat is dry (almost painful). Absolutely hate the feeling.

I also felt some cramps lately and farted more. My tummy seemed to get smaller as compared to last week. Hubby says that it's because I expelled all the wind that's why tummy is smaller now. Hubby also noticed that my tummy is slightly hairier too. I read from forums that it's normal. I hope the hairiness goes away.

Poor Hubby. We have not been making love for quite sometime already. I simply don't have the mood for that and I worry that I will hurt the foetus. Let's wait 2 weeks later when I am offically over my first trimester and see how.

We have been going CNY visitation. Alot of relatives and my mom's friends know about my pregnancy already. Next year, baby will be about 6 months when we do our CNY 2012 visitation. Our baby will be able to collect ang pow next year :)

Pink lipstick - Korean drama

Recently, I have started chasing 'Fen Hong Se Kou Hong' and Hubby has been downloading from funshion so that I can watch many episodes at one go (instead of waiting for Channel U).

He has been very accommodating. While I am watching the Korean drama, he will be reading his book beside me. He will wait until I am done about 10.30 pm then he takes over the television to watch his shows while I attempt to fall asleep.

So far, my health is fine. Other than the occasional nauseousness, everything else is good. I seemed to notice that my nose is growing bigger and that my tummy is also growing at a rapid rate. My hiccups have also never ceased. I get about 20 - 30 hiccups everyday all the time since implantation bleeding started.

CNY is coming. I am so looking forward to the super long weekend with Hubby. Both of us took leave on 7 & 8 Feb. We have a solid one week of quality time together this time round. He is making up for his busy schedule the past 3 weeks having to work during weekends (yes, Sunday inclusive) from 8 to 6 pm and weekdays until 10.30 pm every other day.

Future Plans

I got to know my bonus today at work and spoke to my boss. I have informed him that I have plans to leave next year. He said he likes me alot and finds that I'm a responsible person. But he will not stop me from pursuing my aspirations.

It may seem weird or crazy to some people. But i have set some goals for our future. I'm so grateful for today. I have so many revelations. Like I suddenly have perfect plans for the next 8 years in terms of family planning, career, finances and my goals. Hopefully, I can be a stay-at-home-mum when my first child is in K2. I am so thrilled. I can't wait to share this with hubby tonight.

However, i know that God's ways are higher and better than mine. Even though I hope that this will come to pass, I choose to put my trust in God. I will pray that His will be done instead of mine. I love you Jesus and I ask that You guide us in our daily lives.

I know that all things work together for our good. I'll pray over this and ask God for His grace.

NFP Lesson

We signed up for Natural Family Planning course with Church of Risen Christ :)

Yesterday evening, Hubby and I went for our first NFP lesson. Andy gave a brief introduction on NFP, the Billings Method, how to observe my mucus and how to chart the daily diagram. This is a totally new concept and we both never heard of this before.

At first it's quite weird and to a certain extent gross. But we are told that this is an intimate activity that bonds married couples and it's wonderful to have the husband involved in the charting.

The registration fee is $25 and it includes some materials and also a book to take home.

Our next appointment in mid January 2011. I've started on my charting. I'm not used to this but I will do it for the sake of our planning.

Have not really settled in

I realised that I haven't really settle into my new home. My stuff are only 50% here (the other half still at my mom's place) and I don't have much space to store my things already. Hubby's cracking his head and at the same time reminding me not to buy any more clothes and skincare. This weekend, we are going to IKEA to look at some furnitures and fittings. We will also be trying out rock climbing for the first time.

There are lots of interesting and fun things coming our way. I should enjoy more of our couple time and being together now instead of getting tensed up over conceiving and lovemaking. I should learn to relax and take things easy.

Yesterday I had a long talk with Hubby. He said that he is also getting used to my presence (actually he means tolerating me) and the new lifestyle. There are many things to learn, to give and take.

New life awaits.