The magic cot

I found this in my Draft folder the other day.
Moments I want to remember.
This post was originally written in June 2013.


The other day, we popped by Baby Kingdom and Baby Hypermart to check out the cots.
I wanted to be sure that when it comes to the furnishing, we are on the same page as well.

Well, we are.
We saw this cot in a colour we both like, only to realise that it has the same shade of brown as the bedroom floor.
Yikes!
The cot will blend right in.
In the wrong way.

We were both quiet for a moment, and he spoke.

Him: You know.. we should just get that cot. Then when baby asks us where we got the cot from, I'm going tell him/her.. "I don't know. Once we found out we were pregnant, it just sprouted out from the floor."


Me: (Suddenly embarrassingly myself by laughing and responding a little too loudly) Oh my gosh!! That was exactly what I was going to say!


Great minds think alike.

{Dear Baby} Week 37

Week 37!

Baby is now matured (full term!) and engaged. It's all happening soon.

My family, the husband, and I have a strong feeling that Baby will arrive next week. Not quite sure how accurate it's going to be since we did have a strong feeling that Baby is going to be a boy when I was in my first trimester.

We are now in full organising/ packing mode, getting all the baby stuff ready. I'm

hoping to clear the last bit of shopping by this weekend. Once the room is prepped for Baby's arrival, I think I'll be ready too.

*I'm excited!*

Stats:
Mommy's weight: 62.0 kg
Baby's weight: 3064 g / 3.064kg

{Dear Baby} Week 36

Baby isn't engaged yet but she's slowly getting to that. 

"Engaging," said the doctor.

I've been feeling a lot of pressure "down under" lately so it makes a lot if difference (to me) to know if Baby is engageD or engag-ING. 

Baby was hiccuping throughout the check yesterday. And it must be really tight in there because I felt her pushing her thigh against my belly the whole time. 

Gynae visits are now once a week. You know it's really almost time when everyone checks on your 'hospital bag packing' progress. 

*

We finally settled the administrative bits on my to-do list. 

Our appointment ended slightly earlier so we dropped by Mount Alvernia to submit the pre-admission form, as well as to apply for the Alvernia Ladies Card ($68. And I get $100 off the room rates since I'm going for a single-bedder. Sounds pretty good.)

Parking is still a nightmare but the staff remains warm and welcoming. This is my second visit to the hospital and as exaggerating as it may sound, every (verbal) interaction with the staff feels like a big warm hug. 

From the security uncle directing the traffic, to the man at the concierge and the ladies at the business centre. I don't know how and why but I felt so...loved.

Mommy hormones? 

While waiting for the hubby to pick me up at the lobby, I saw a family going home with their newborn. And immediately, tears welled up in my eyes. It is such a beautiful moment.

This is definitely mommy hormones.

Looking at the family, many thoughts ran through my mind. 

Including strange yet practical ones like "We better make sure we have enough space in the boot for the bathtub."

And the 'momma-moment' ones like "Aww.. Newborns are so small..!!"

"You go, girl!" (To the new momma)

As I wiped my tears away discreetly, I came to a realisation. 

This is going to be me in a couple of weeks. 

Stats:
Mommy's weight: 61.7kg
Baby's weight: 2921 g / 2.921 kg

{Dear Baby} Thank you, sweetie.

Dear Baby,

You gave Mommy such a scare yesterday.
You were unusually quiet in the afternoon.
No squirms. No kicks. No jabs.
No movement at all.

I thought I was too sleepy to notice your movements so I attempted to take a nap.
You will usually move when I'm lying on my sides. You didn't.
I drank a glass of cold milk. I didn't sense any movement either.
When I sang and talked to you, there was no response.
That was when I started to panic a little.
I texted Daddy and I know he was worried but trying to stay calm too.

So with my hands on my belly, this is what I said to you.
"Baby, are you okay? Mommy needs to know if you are okay."
You gave a squirm, ever so slightly.
"Baby, you are okay, right? Let Mommy know, please." I was practically begging.
You gave the gentlest jab ever.

Then you were quiet again.
I texted Aunty YJ about it and she said you could be sleeping, but she told me to continue monitoring your movements, and so I did.

Thankfully you became more active after dinner so I could set my heart at ease.

Thank you, sweetie. For responding when Mommy was at a loss.
Even if it was the gentlest squirm and jab you've given in the past two months.
At least I knew you are okay.

We should see you in about a month.
Till then, be a sweetie like you've always been, and continue to grow healthy and strong while you are in Mommy.
We love you.
Tonnes.


Smooches and Cuddles,
Mommy

The Big C #2 - Confinement Plans

Confinement.
30 to 40 days of postpartum period where the new mother rests and recuperates.

I've had a hard time deciding how my confinement will be done. I wish I didn't have to do the confinement, honestly, but everyone says this is an opportunity to 'reset' your health.
Some people engage Confinement Ladies to tide them through the one month.
Some go for DIY confinements where their mothers or mother-in-laws take care of them and the baby during that period.

We've had many concerns and after much consideration, we decided that the hubby would be 75%Confinement Daddy with assistance from my mother-in-law. We are both new to caring for a newborn so we figured he will need some time to learn.
As the parents, we will be the sole caregivers for Baby (quoting the husband, "I'll clean her little hands and her little feet.") while my mother-in-law mainly takes care of my dietary needs. We thought it will be better that way than have my mother-in-law take care of the baby in case we struggle after that.
My parents will be popping by with some food and helping with the cleaning.

It's going to be a steep learning curve for us new parents but I'm sure we will manage along the way.

*
I mentioned why confinement sounds dreadful to me.
After a talk with the husband, this is what we agreed on, and how I intend to go about 'bending the rules'.

BATH:
I need to shower everyday.
That period of time I caught chicken pox, I wasn't allowed to bathe and I got really depressed.
I didn't even know how I should go to school for my exams. I think I must have smelled funny.
It was slightly bearable only because I had the company of the sister who was going through the exact same thing.
Those days during the first trimester when I was really weak (and I stayed in the air-conditioned room the whole day long) I can only get by not showering for two days.

Thankfully the husband agrees that personal hygiene shouldn't be compromised.
I will be taking a bath daily. At the most, I'll rinse off with the herbal water followed by cooled boiled water. And I'll make sure I dry myself immediately after.

If I feel really weak, I may do the 'wipe down' instead.


THE HAIR:
It will definitely be washed!
We can't compromise personal hygiene.
Maybe on alternate days. Or at the most, three days.
I'll make sure I blow dry it after.


FLUID CONSUMPTION:
Okay. This, I'll be a good girl and I will follow. But if I really need to quench thirst, give me diluted tea please.


SIT DOWN!
This, I will try to follow as well. But like I said, don't put me on a guilt trip if I really forget.


I'm glad the husband is very supportive and encouraging with this whole confinement thing.
If I'm already a teeny weeny bit uptight about confinement at this stage, I cannot imagine what I may be like when the day finally comes.

Now that I have it out of my system, I'm a happy momma again! :)


Update:
I came across this as I was googling on confinement practices.
Now backed by TCM (Eu Yan Sang, please), I can officially announce to the mums:

I will be bathing!

The Big C #1 - Why I don't like it

Confinement. (That sounds like imprisonment already.)
30 to 40 days of postpartum period where the new mother rests and recuperates.

Confinement wouldn't sound as dreadful if not for the many traditional restrictions/rules that come along with it.
Some of the restrictions make complete sense to me (eg. not lifting of heavy objects) and I'm very much willing to abide by them.

But some, really challenge my beliefs. And as the due date draws near, I've been hearing more of these from concerned moms, aunts and some mommy friends.
(Actually excluding my mummy. She is rather willing to bend the confinement rules a little.)

1) You are not supposed to bathe.

The compromise: You are allowed to wipe yourself down with a brew of herbal concoction.

In my brain: Seriously? In this hot tropical weather? For one whole month?
Thank you for compromising but I'm not sure how clean I can be with just a wipe down.
I think those herbs are mainly to 'expel wind' from my body and not disinfect or kill any germs.
I want to breastfeed my baby and it doesn't make much sense if I am a bacteria-carrier. And with the herbal residue (I heard there's gonna be), Baby will be taking in some of the herbs as she nurse. No?

Even books written by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors states that mothers should bathe daily to ensure personal hygiene. The key idea is to dry yourself immediately so that you don't catch a chill. We are in sunny island, not some cold winter wonderland so I guess that shouldn't be an issue.
Where did the "you may wipe yourself down" come from? I will need a proper bath.


2) No! DO NOT wash your hair!!

The compromise: If you really want to, use a dry shampoo.

In my brain: Most of my mommy friends who have used the dry shampoo have commented about how it actually made them feel worse. The scalps itch and they don't feel clean. Not at all.
I can compromise and wash my hair on alternate days. But not cleaning it for one whole month? Ewwwww...Can you imagine not washing your hair for 30 days?
I can already picture bacteria and whatever tiny creepy crawlies building nests in my tresses.
How is that hygienic?

That book, the one written by the TCM doctor, even states that hair should be washed regularly, but ensure it is dried properly immediately after. See? Nothing about not cleaning your hair for one month.


3) You must not drink water. You can only take red-date tea, longan tea...

The compromise: Um.. there's no compromise. Perhaps a more diluted red date tea?

In my brain: Erm.. Okay... But let's not be too rigid here. I have a friend who was refused water and the poor girl got a fever.These drinks are 'heaty'. So if I really do need water to quench thirst, just give me some. I'll make sure longan-red-date-tea > water. Either that or make the tea really diluted ok?


4) You MUST sit down while eating or drinking water. MUST. Do not stand.

The compromise: There is no compromise.

In my brain: Huh...? But why? Why is it a must? Like, I will try to remember if I can but let's not be too rigid here ok? Like if I really, really forget because I am just taking two mouthfuls of water, let's not be harsh on me. Or worse, send me on a guilt trip.


I once told my friends that the above restrictions may possibly cause some distress.
No one gets why I would get distressed over it. But I know what these restrictions (and the possible comments I may get from the concerned people) can do to me. The hormones may make me more sensitive and I certainly do not want to plunge into post-natal blues.
After discussing with the hubby, I might have just found a way to get around it. :)

{Daddy Moments} Bird's Nest Soup

Other than tracking Baby's progress, I think I want to remember the moments and conversations we have as we embark on our journey to parenthood.

Especially since the hubby surprises me sometimes.
Just like 'Little Bits of Married Life', I want to be able to look back at these moments on days I find a drag, or on days when he annoys me, and remind myself to appreciate the man a little bit more.

********
We were having bird's nest soup last night.

Him: You didn't tell Baby where the bird's nest come from?

Me: ?? (Actually, no. I just tell Baby that we are having bird's nest soup, and I'll gulp the whole bowl within minutes.)

Him: The swallows built the nest, and it is harvested after the baby swallows are all grown up and
         have left the nest.
         (Then to me) If not, Baby might be sad thinking " :( I'm eating the baby swallow's home."

See?
He surprises me.

{Dear Baby} *Scritch Scratch* Week 34

The past one week reminded me of a song I used to sing during camps.

Adapted from 'Flea Fly'
Itchy witchy scratchy wacky up and down my belly belly
Itchy witchy scratchy wacky up and down my back too

Somehow, my tummy decided to itch the night after my last gynae visit.
The next day, red ugly bumps decided they should show up too.
I thought it was an allergy like I had with the stretch mark cream a month ago.
So, I stopped applying the cream, hoping the bumps will go *poof* and disappear.

Did they go away?
Nope.
Those red bumps decided that it was fun hanging out on my tummy, so, they got more friends.

By Wednesday, my whole tummy is covered with ugly red bumps that pretty much looked like acne.
Then it continued to spread to my back, my legs and (sorry) my boobs.

And they itch.like.there.was.no.tomorrow.
It feels like there were a thousand ants grinding their teeth on my tummy. (I'm not sure if ants have teeth though.)
It is horrid. They still itch now.

I googled and thought it was PUPPP. Ah.. It wasn't going to go away, huh?

I called up the clinic and brought forward my appointment because I was losing sleep from all that scratching.

Today, Dr Lee said that it wasn't PUPPP but more of an allergy. He gave me some meds to ease the itch. I'm not sure if it will work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

We had a quick look at Baby's growth today.
It seems that Baby has grown bigger so the measurements are not exactly accurate now. But we are glad that Baby is growing well.
We received out hospital admission letter today and with more Oct moms popping early, I think it's time I really start on packing my hospital bag.

I'm off to scratch.


Stats:
Mommy's weight: 60.2 kg
Baby's weight: 2259 g / 2.259 kg
EDD: Apparently I've been recording the EDD based on baby's growth. That's why it fluctuates so much. We clarified today. The EDD should be around 30 Oct.

{Dear Baby} Week 33

We are in Week 33 now.
That's fast! And I have yet to pack the hospital bag.

We saw Baby's little hands today. Right in front of her face.
:)
We decided not to do the 3D scan today since Baby's hands are blocking her face.
What matters most is that Baby is growing healthily.
And we know she is. :)

Stats:
Mommy's weight: 59.6 kg
Baby's weight: 2140 g / 2.140 kg
EDD: 26 Oct 2013

The EDD has shifted forward again.
Could it be all the durians I ate last night?

It's so surreal, it's happening.

Some days, I wake up in the morning, look at the husband soundly asleep beside me, and think to myself,

"Wow. I'm married. To this boy I've known since I was 17. Can't believe it."

That day I was clearing out photos in my iPhone, I came across the photos of the clothes we've gotten for Baby so far. And I think to myself,

"Whoa. I'm becoming a momma."

Such milestones in life.

I want to remember those belly shapes.

Baby did a 'new trick' last night.
I wasn't fast enough to capture it on video. It was so quick, hubby saw it only when Baby does it for the third time.

I guess Baby was just stretching but it's getting cramped in there so the stretches often give my belly weird shapes.

I woke up this morning thinking... I should do something to remember these belly shapes.
In about 9 weeks, I won't get those funny belly shapes anymore.
And cheesy as that sounds, I know I'm going to miss the baby bump, and those stretches after I pop.

Since it's not quite easy to capture those movements, I thought I'd doodle the belly shapes I've experienced so far.
(No, actually there's some taboo involved in taking photos of only my bump and blah blah blah...)

After yesterday's Doctor visit, I know why my belly is lopsided every time my tummy hardens. My uterus lies more to the right.

This occurred quite frequently in the past few weeks but less recently.

I attribute that to the lack of space.

And just last night,

We know that Baby tends to kick more on my right, very much near to my waist.
I've felt some stretching sensations before but never witnessed how it looked like.
Last night, Baby did it again.
We saw clearly how my sides (just my right) jut out.
I'm still trying to figure if that is her arm, or her feet doing that.

{Dear Baby} Week 31

So, our checks are now once every two weeks.

We had our appointment today instead of last week because Dr Lee was at a congress.
Boy, the clinic was jammed packed in the morning.
And it was a really long wait before we had our turn.

Baby kept me pretty entertained throughout the wait. She was moving a lot, happily kicking away.

Week 31.
It all seems so real now.
Especially when the conversation with the doctor is no longer just "How are you feeling?" followed by the ultrasound scans.

Today we were to make some 'decisions'.
Like I'm intending to breastfeed baby after birth (then we found out a little more about breastfeeding in the hospital).
And Dr Lee told us he will recommend a paediatrician since we do not have one in mind.
Whoa.. It's all really setting in.
9 more weeks.

Baby's growing well, though we did notice a slight dip in her weight.
Must be the lack of durians.

Baby's still pretty much hanging out on the right side of the tummy. Her arms and legs are on my right so that explains all the karate kicks and punches I've been getting near my waist.

It seems that my uterus sits more towards my right. That probably explains why the Braxton Hicks contractions I've been feeling seems to be only on the right. Doctor says that it is okay, and I really hope that the position of the uterus will not make childbirth more challenging.

We attempted another 3D scan today but as usual, something always blocks Baby's view. This time round - the umbilical cord. It made the 3D photos all bubbly and very unclear. I still prefer the very first one we got a few weeks back. We got a print of Baby's bum and that too, was really abstract.

Looking at the ultrasound prints is really an art.


Stats:
Mommy's weight: 59.1 kg
Baby's weight: 1674 g / 1.674 kg
EDD: 29 Oct 2013

Favourite Doctor's Quote of the Day: While indicating Baby's position to us...
"This is the hand. These are the fingers. The fist. So Baby can punch you and do all kinds of things." and he laughs...

A "Momma-Baby" Date

Well, kind of.

A dear friend is on leave today so we decided to have lunch together with her toddler.
I finally ventured halfway across the country (that took only 20 minutes) and managed to have lunch at the much raved about Tim Ho Wan.

We were there pretty early at 11.15am but there was already a queue. Compared to what others have commented on (one-hour waits... three-hour waits), our 30-minute wait seemed short.

I took lousy photos of the food because I was hungry.
And having a cheerful toddler around meant that I was more into playing with her than taking snapshots.
There are only two to commemorate my first visit to Tim Ho Wan, and Baby's first taste of the yummy dim sum.

I'm a satisfied-momma-to-be with our eats today even though I'm not particularly thrilled about their Pan Fried Carrot Cake ($4.50 for 3) and Prawn Dumplings ($5.50 for 4). I think I've eaten better ones.

But these, I like.
THE Baked Bun with BBQ Pork.
One of the four 'Heavenly Kings' in the menu and toddler-approved.
I learnt that each person can only order up to a maximum of 3 pieces of these buns.
It's not like 2 adults and a toddler can finish six of these but we ordered more so that we can 'pack' them home for my poor husband who is still stuck in a meeting, starving, as I'm typing away...

And these, I love.
Beancurd Spring Roll with Shrimp ($5.50 for 3) and Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp ($5.50).

That vermicelli roll... MmmmmMmm...

We also had the Steamed Egg Cake ($3.80 each, one of the four Heavenly Kings and toddler-approved. In fact, toddler loves!) and the Pork Dumpling with Shrimp ($5.00 for 4). Those came late while we were busy feeding my baby-in-tum and her toddler-in-chair, so no snapshots of them.

We walked around the mall with toddler in stroller, holding on to my finger.
My heart melted instantly.
These short four hours, I realised how smart little children are nowadays.
This sweet child is only 15 months and she seemed to understand our conversations perfectly.
She held my heavy water bottle for me and passed it to me when I said I was thirsty and needed a drink. Then she continued holding my bottle for me until it was much, much lighter.
I passed her my bag while she was in her stroller (for fun) and she pushed it away because it was heavy. But when her momma told her that she wasn't to push because I have a baby in tummy, she reached out to grab my bag and held it on my behalf. How smart!

I'm looking forward to more momma-and-baby dates.
This time round, with Baby in my arms. :)
I can't wait for her little hands to hold mine.

Thank you for feeling my.. erm.. pain.

The husband had pretty bad leg cramps last night while watching TV.

And because I haven't exactly had leg cramps so far *touch wood* (I only had "almost-cramps" on a couple of occasions), I joked that he might be having those cramps on my behalf.

This morning as I go through my morning routine of checking the pregnancy apps, I got this:

It's funny how timely this came.

{Dear Baby} Week 29

Dear Baby,

Movements
At 29 weeks, your kicks and movements are stronger and more frequent now.
Mommy no longer feel gentle flutters or occasional jabs.
We were able to see your movements (from my belly) from a couple of weeks back but it has become more obvious lately.
Like, really obvious.
And it tickles everyone in the family to see you in action.

Some days, Mommy's belly shakes vigourously from left to right.
I don't know what you are doing inside (hiccups? some dance moves?) but Daddy obviously finds that very funny.

Some days, I can feel and see you stretch.
It tickles and I cannot help but smile to myself. Even while grocery shopping.
Mommy doesn't care if fellow shoppers give me weird looks.
It's such a wonderful feeling to feel you squirming inside.

And lately, you tend to stick out your feet at the sides of my belly (especially on my right). It does hurt a little, but it feels amazing at the same time. When I rest my arms on the side of my belly, you like to kick it away too.


Food
We've been eating more good food lately.
Crab beehoon (minus the crab which you don't seem to fancy), dinners at Granny's, Fish and Chips, walnut cakes, banana cakes...

Daddy even bought you an ice cream cone as a National Day treat!

Mommy has been craving for sweet stuff lately.
Waffles, Chocolates, Ice cream, Cakes...
If I'm craving for such foods, it actually means you are craving for it too, right?


Mommy's Belly
The skin on Mommy's belly is getting all flaky. I guess it's stretching so that you can have a bit more space (it must be tight in there!).
I've been religiously applying anti-stretch mark creams but I may be developing an allergy because it has started to itch so bad, and rashes appeared.

Mommy's belly button still looks like a pair of luscious lips.


Moments to Remember
1. We were watching TV and I placed a cushion on you (my belly). You kicked it so hard I had to remove the cushion.

2. We were at Granny's and you were moving A LOT while watching this program that was introducing good eats (like ice cream)
So I said, "So you want some ice cream too? Tell Daddy to get you some."
Immediately I received three consecutive jabs on my right.
It's huge, even Granny saw it, and you made everyone laughed out loud.


We'll be seeing you again at Dr Lee's in around 2 weeks.
Don't be shy then. And let us see you in action once again, alright?

We love you!

Baby Music

Way before I got married...

I was determined to get some Baby Mozart's CD to play to my baby-in-tummy when I'm pregnant.
Makes a baby smarter, they say.
Or any classical music for that matter.
Then I heard baroque music is good too.


Now that I'm pregnant...

Baby has only listened to classical music once.
It was a CD from the Similac gift pack I received in the mail.
Sister-in-law did pass me her collection of baroque music too. But I haven't really played any of those.
Somehow, classical music doesn't work for me. It could be the not-too-pleasant piano lessons I had as a kid.
Classical music doesn't calm me down or bring me as much joy as these do:





So throughout these past few months, this is what Baby has listened to:
First trimester: My terrible singing, Buddhist mantras and chants (rewritten to songs)
Since July: My terrible singing, Buddhist mantras and chants (rewritten to songs), Christmas songs

And since
#1: there is no scientific proof that classical music makes babies smarter,
#2: there is proof that mommies should listen to music they enjoy,
There will be no Mozart and Christmas is going to arrive early at our little home.

And like I mentioned earlier, I might just bring a Christmas CD to the delivery ward. :)

My only concern: Will the hospital be ok with me playing Christmas songs (both religious and modern) and Buddhist mantras?

{Dear Baby} Week 28

Dear Baby,

We had our Week 28 check today.
We've just hit the third trimester!

You were so active before the scan -- non-stop kicking. And because it was a rather long wait at the clinic today (long weekend ahead), I was a little concerned that you won't be too active during the ultrasound scan. Mommy really wants to see you in action!

You are growing well! The durians and black chicken soup must have helped a bit.
Mommy love that you turned your head to the correct position when Dr Lee commented that you are tilting your head and he was unable to get an accurate reading.

Your head is now at the bottom.
Remember that that's the correct position to be in when you are ready to see the world!
After Week 37, of course.

You were a little shy too.
Dr Lee was unable to tell the gender today (even though he has told us that you are a little girl for the past three visits.) He must have forgotten that we already knew the gender because when he mentioned something about "boy", both Daddy and I were stunned for a moment.
You are a girl right?
But that doesn't really matter because your health and well-being are more important to us.
We will just have to get you new clothes if you really do turn out to be a boy.

Your little face was very close to the placenta today so we were unable to do the 3D scan to get a clearer view of you.
But that is alright.
Because right at the start, we saw where your arms and legs were --- on my right. That explains why I feel more movement on my right, and barely anything on my left.
And at the moment when Dr Lee was pointing out your knee, you gave me a little jab with your knee.
We saw you in action and that felt so good.
Seeing you in action, I mean. The jabs do get rather painful. :)
At least now Mommy knows that all the twitches I've been feeling these past two weeks are not my muscles twitching. :)

We've also booked a single room at Mount Alvernia for delivery.

We will have to go for checks every two weeks from now on.
Can't wait to see you in two weeks time.
I do hope I get a proper look of you by then.
Be a sweet baby too at the next check okie?
We love you!

Smooches and Cuddles,
Mommy


Stats:
Mommy's weight: 57.5 kg
Baby's weight: 1264 g / 1.264 kg
EDD: 26 Oct 2013

Favourite Doctor's Quote of the Day: "The knee is here." "Ah.. Baby kicked. I can feel it." (amidst laughter)

Bye bye Second trimester! (And the Week 27 update)

This is the last week of the second trimester.

I've read the horror stories about how the third trimester may feel like the first trimester all over again. I hope the third trimester would be kind to me. With baby's growth spurts, this is probably when some mommies feel heavy, clumsy, and experience more discomfort.

We are in the 27th week now.
That's 10 weeks (approx. 3 months) to full term.
And that's really soon!

These two weeks,
Sleep
- I've been losing sleep due to frequent visits to the bathroom at night.
- No sleeping position seems comfortable enough. (We are still working on that.) For the past few nights, I tried talking to Baby before I sleep, telling her to 'communicate' with my insides so that I can sleep better. Some days, it works. Some days, it doesn't.

Diet
- I'm starting to feel 'hunger'!
- I don't know when it started but I'm eating rice for dinner again.
  That's a huge improvement.
- I'm cutting down on the yummylicious durian because I feel a sore throat coming most of the time.
- We are starting on bird's nest. Nice eaten chilled. :)

Belly
- Baby bump is growing and I'm starting to outgrow some of my smaller tees.
- My belly now shows when I'm wearing a dress so I can walk through baby fairs and baby stores without feeling so out-of-place.
- The stretchy feeling of the skin occurs each evening. It gets really uncomfortable but I'll apply more cream and hope that eases the stretch.
- Stretch marks seem to be forming!
- Braxton Hicks has popped by to say hallo.
- My belly button still looks like a sexy pair of lips.

Baby
- Baby's movements are more obvious now. Sometimes we are able to see my belly moving in a wave.
- We don't play 'hide and seek' so much anymore now.
- I feel the flutters and movements mostly on my right.
          

Just last night I was a little panicky about how ill-prepared I am.

Let’s Get Ready!

These are the things I should be doing/thinking about over the next couple of weeks.
Writing this down in hope that I can be more organised.

1. Write birth plan
2. Baby's names
3. Compile 'Hospital Bag Packing List' and
4. Ensure all items are purchased/ready
5. Pack hospital bag by Week 32 (Week 30 if possible because I like to feel ready. This is very different from packing for a holiday!)
6. Compile Christmas songs *
7. Read up more about nursing/breastfeeding
8. Find out more about baby carriers. What to buy and when to buy.

Update:
Yikes! After reading the forum, I realise I have more to do/think about!
9. Find out more about Jamu massage
10. Book jamu massage.
11. Full month celebration - yay or nay? (Probably having only one with immediate family. Friends' visit will be OTOT (own time, own target))

I can do it!

* This sounds really strange but I'm thinking of listening to Christmas songs during labour.
(Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé. It has to be these guys.)
Listening to classical music and the sounds of waves seem like popular relaxation techniques.
But I thought it'd be better if I pick something that works for me.
I actually don't enjoy the music they play in the spas. And I have difficulty picturing scenes of a calm beach.
Nothing soothes me more than Christmas songs and music. I have no idea why.
It's a lot easier for me to picture a snowy Christmas scene than that of the beach, sand and sea.
If I have my way, I'd love the delivery ward to be decked in fairy lights. 

A day of temptation and we succumbed.

Aden + Anais.
I swooned at the pretty packaging when I first came across it in one of the baby stores in May.
That lovely brown box.
But $70 for 4 pieces of swaddle cloths was way out of my league.
I searched online hoping to find a better rate at the official website.
Still way out of my league.

Come the Taka Baby fair and these things were waving at me with their very attractive price tag - $39.00 for a pack of 4 muslin swaddles.
But my then-very-rational-brain told me that I could probably swaddle my baby in nappy cloths.
I ran my fingers through one of the sample, imagined stroking my face with the very soft fabric, sighed, and walked away.
Just like that.

But you know, that longing feeling of wanting the oh-so-soft swaddle cloth doesn't disappear so easily. The next few days, I consulted mummies on swaddle cloths and they all highly recommend Aden + Anais.
"$39.00 for four is a very good buy!", they say.
Of course, there were also a few who finds it unnecessary to waste money on "branded" swaddle cloths.

After a long mental struggle, and a short discussion with the hubby, I decided that I should just leave it to fate. I'll get it if I can pop by the fair again before it ends, or if I can decide on what I want (a couple of friends offered to pop by the fair and get it for me.)

Destiny.
Saturday morning, we woke up miraculously early.
We were both up by 6.30am.
It was a sign! Perhaps we should pop by the fair after all!
Alas, by the time we were done with the car wash, we had time to only pop by one place - Giant for the plastic chest of drawers, or the Taka Baby Fair. (we can't cope with crowds, remember? Saturday afternoons = crowds)
Then, we were given another sign. It started to rain.
Carrying a not-too-small carton box in the rain is a huge turn-off.
Taka Baby fair it is!

I wanted to be at the fair to take a closer look at the bamboo swaddle cloth. And check out if they are selling the sleep bags as well. It turned out that the sample I checked out in the earlier visit was the bamboo swaddle cloth. The hubby agreed that it is really very soft.

So, even though the muslin swaddles ($39.00/4pcs) are supposed to get softer with each wash, they didn't have the designs I wanted (Jungle Jam and Super Star Scout).

And the bamboo ones with pretty artsy designs looked like that could double up as my shawl in future. (Such feeble attempt to rationalise my purchase...)

I succumbed, and we came home with this:

And $55.90 less rich.
(We were so early that we managed to get the early bird goodie bag again with this purchase.)


Lodge.
The hubby has been eyeing cast iron pans since March (shortly after getting the WMF stainless steel pans) -.-'
The 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet is selling at $20+ on Amazon and if we could get it with free shipping, it's a pretty good deal. Only, 12-inch cast iron skillets are not light at all.

We checked out Razorsharp some time back. The 10-inch Lodge skillet will cost us around $90. It'd probably be ok if we hadn't purchased the WMF pans earlier on.

So while we were in town on Saturday, we decided to check out Crate and Barrel at Ion Orchard.
The hubby was like a little kid in Candyland. All the things he loved.
So we wandered around, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the selection of kitchenware and couches, and pretending that we can afford everything for our pretend home.
Then I saw a burger press, pointed it out to the hubby, only to see his eyes gleaming at what was below the burger press ----  the 10-inch Lodge cast iron skillet.

For $59.95.

It wasn't on impulse. It was with much consideration.
He succumbed and we came home with this:

And yet another $60 less rich.
But oh-so-happy.


*That said, I didn't know I was so near MT Expo Singapore. I walked into Print thinking that was the one. I only remembered MT tapes, it didn't occur to me that an expo should be of a larger scale. Turned out the MT Expo was just beside Print. Impossible how I could have missed it. Especially since I'm such a fan of washi tapes and have been eyeing MT Casa tapes for as long as it launched. Gee.. those fuzzy pregnancy brains...

Preparing for Baby - Takashimaya Baby Fair 2013 (Jul)

THE Taka(shimaya) Baby Fair.

I've heard colleagues talking about it way before I got married.
And once I found out I was expecting, most advice from friends were
"Buy the big-ticket items at the Taka Baby fair. They've got pretty good deals. And freebies."
It's like the go-to fair.

The Takashimaya Baby Fair* (Jul) is currently ongoing (24 Jul - 11 Aug).
Being people who can't deal with crowds (I will feel sick, literally), we decided to hit the fair on the very first day, at 10am when it starts.

There was practically no crowd at 10 in the morning so it was a lot easier for us me to do our my shopping for baby essentials. I learnt my lesson from the Motherhood Exhibition and reminded myself that I will not fall for the freebies trap again. I prepared a list to things to buy and tried to stay focus. It's so much easier to do that without a crowd.
There were 4 "must-buys" on my list : cot bed, car seat, breast pumps, steriliser.
The big-ticket items.
I managed to see how the breast pumps work and find out more about the cot we were interested in getting while the hubby went on to search for car seats. This is the first time in 13 years we walked separately while shopping.

We came home with these.

 

 The cute daddy-to-be lugged 4 bags and still smiled so happily.

So we bought...

Baby cot bed: Bon bebe Vermont 4-in-1 (White), $419

There were 3 packages available. We took the cheapest one which included
- a 3" fibrelux (coconut husk) mattress
- 5 piece bedding set (full bumper, fitted sheet, 2 bolsters, 1 pillow)
and freebies like the
- Munchkin diaper change organiser
- Munchkin diaper change kit

The $469 package comes with a plushier bedding set (half bumper) and the above-mentioned freebies.
The $519 package comes with a 12 pc bedding set with removable covers, the above freebies and an additional freebie of a nightlight.
Packages for the cots in natural colour all cost $20 less.

We went ahead with the most basic bedding because I thought I might want to splurge a little on another set of bedding for Baby. Can't possibly have only one! :)

They had some purchase-with-purchase options. The baby mobile at $39 (usual $59) was really attractive. It took quite a bit of self-control to stop myself from buying that on impulse.
I haven't quite figured out the purpose of a baby mobile yet. After all, we grew up without one!


Breast pump: Ameda Lactaline Personal, $420

I managed to get the demo on the breast pumps at both the Philips Avent booth and the Ameda booth. I was still pretty sold on the Philips Avent Double Electric Pump ($550 bundle) because of the 'oh-so-soft' petal cushion. I decided on the Ameda because it is cheaper, and so much quieter.

 

This bundle comes with milk storage bags, breast pads and a cooler bag.
The $399 bundle comes with a manual attachment (for manual pumping) and 3 Gumdrop milk bottles (which I don't really fancy).
I later remembered that Isetan had an almost similar bundle to the one I bought for $399.


Steriliser: Philips Avent 3-in-1 steriliser bundle, $135

 

This comes with:
- the 3-in-1 steriliser
- one 4-oz Natural bottle
- one 9-oz Natural bottle
- bottle brush

They have another bundle that come with the Single electric pump going for $388. Really attractive bundle but I have been advised by many to get a double electric breast pump.
Again, I recall a seemingly better deal at Isetan's baby fair. I think that bundle ($199) consists of the above items, bottle warmer and a cute Moo Moo Kow diaper (in cow print!!).
But, then again, let's not splurge on items we do not really need. Especially when a friend offered to lend me her bottle warmer. (Bye, cute cow print...)


Laundry Detergent: Pigeon, $6.90
Wash cloth: Alex, $4.90

 That was the only laundry detergent we spotted and we were not picky about the wash cloths.


The other little things...
We were short of a couple of dollars to hit $600 for the freebie so we bought these as well, since we will need them anyway.

Nail clipper: Safety First, $6.32
Brush and comb: The First Years, $5.52
Nappy Changing mat (not in picture): Pigeon printed nappy changing mat, $18.50

and the impulse buy of the day: Pink cap and bootie set, $4.90

 

And we got more freebies!

With purchase of $350,
the Little Tikes 'Tap-a-Tune Xylophone' (pillows not included)

 

We didn't quite know how the fair works. The breast pump was our first purchase so we naturally went to pay for it first (so that we can collect out product). We later had that receipt that allowed us to collect this freebie.
I love xylophones so this was really one of the best thing we brought home yesterday.

And because we so happened to be the first 50 customers to spend $50, we received this goodie bag too!

The pink socks are a sweet surprise and the toilet bowl lock, who knew there's such a product?

With purchases of $600 (max 3 same-day receipt), this is the freebie

Our later purchases totalled up to $600.somecents and we got this adorable giraffe too.

Also with $30 spent, we could redeem a Mustela travel set  at the cashier on the 4th level (Baby section).
We had two separate receipts so, were given two sets.

Good for Baby to try out various products so that I know what suits her skin / what she likes.

I like getting freebies like this. It's like shopping for comestics and facial products in Korea. :)

And for the first time, we took part in lucky draws.
Both of us had never had luck in lucky draws so we hope Baby can bring us some luck. :)

 

This is the crowd at around 1 pm.
It's still not exactly crowded but I know I wont be able to handle this.
I'm glad we were done by 12.30pm.

We went home $1000+ less rich, arms full of bags, and legs that were about to give way.
But quoting the hubby,
"As long as Baby is happy, everything is worth it." :)





*Motherhood has opened my eyes to many fairs and sales.

I learnt that there are two Takashimaya Baby Fairs each year. One in March, the other in July. Because I had nothing better to do, I noticed that the Baby Fair in July usually starts on a Wednesday. At least it has been so for the past few years. I took special notice because fairs and sales at the Singapore Expo usually start on a Thursday.

Other than the go-to Taka Baby Fair, a dear friend also recommended that I should go to baby fairs organised by magazines and/or TV stations "because they are more worth going than other smaller fairs." There's the Motherhood Exhibition (usually in May) and the Parenthood Fair (usually in November).

** Car seat update: We figured it's probably not worth getting a brand new infant car seat (that probably lasts less than a year) especially if we don't go out so often. We contemplated getting a second-hand one but a dear friend offered to lend us hers.