Cutie Kaeley turns 7 months old today!! I always say this - Time really flies.... it has been 7 months.... and during this period, our Girl has marked several milestones and a few to name:

* completed all her 5-in-1 / 6-in-1, Rotavirus & Pneumococal vaccinations
* went for her 1st trial class at kindermusik @ 6.5mths
* best progress (to our relief) is to be able to sleep by herself without crying & carrying at night @ 
  4mths
* able to open & close her fists upon us prompting her (it goes "nit nam pom...nit nam pom") @ 6
  mths
* able to flip from back to tummy (only 1 side) @ 4.5mths - Xmas day
* roll over from tummy to back (both sides) @ 5mths - CNY
* she can raise her head higher as the day passes & she can now push her body up as though
  she's doing push-ups
* learned to suck her thumb @ 3mths & she has to suck it when she is going to sleep (self-soother)
* started her first solid @ 6 mths - rice cereal with milk @ 1 feed per day, starting with 2 teaspoon
  per feed and gradually increasing amount. Looks like she's enjoying it and taking it quite well. Will
  be edgy when fed too slowly.. greedy & impatient girl right? sounds like mummy haha!
* And now, she is always raising her buttocks up, like learning to crawl or sit up by herself.
* Very attached to me, esp from she's 4mths until now. When I'm not carrying her or near her and
  once she sees me, she will start to 'make noise'. During her sleep time at night, she will definitely
  look for me, that is, she will cry if I'm not with her so that means ONLY I can make her sleep (not
  even Daddy ok). In a way, it has been very tedious for me and I cant have late nights out (anyway I
  don't go out after work). But nevertheless, honestly, I am enjoying the attachment between Kaeley
  & me / her "stickiness" to me.
* For the past 1 month, if we pick Kaeley from Aunt's place late, by 9pm, she will start to be cranky
  and keep looking at the door, as if waiting for us to fetch her home.. how clever rite?
* Something new Aunt taught her over the last 2 days - when we hold her hand and said "Yi Chang", 
  she will lift her head and body up with our support to a sitting position.
* Another new 'stunt' which Kaeley is still trying to master - placing our hand onto her mouth aka
  how Tarzan make sound using his hand.
* Stop breastfeeding @ 6mths - not so happy with myself & feel bad towards Kaeley
* She's very boyish looking and looking much more like Daddy now though ppl say she has my 
  eyes. 

 
Stressful events:

* Had mild bronchitis when she was 2 mths and had to go thru treatment at home using neubiliser
* Had flu at 6 mths

Nitty gritties:

* the 'netted' rocker can no longer accommodate her when she was 5mths.
* Her hair began to drop @ 2 mths and began to thicken now / same time & same situation as
  mummy
* Tried giving her the pacifier @ 2 mths when she was cranky but quickly removed it when she has
  calmed down. Tried again few weeks later & she refused it.

 
Things I look forward to:

* Introducing her fruits & vegetables
* Able to think & prepare menu for her
* Kaeley being able to sit without support
* Kaeley start crawling - which means more work for us
* Learn to prepare tonic soups for myself
* To write on my blog more often with regular updates of Kaeley
* To be more focused on Kaeley (though she's already my main focus & top priority now) - in 
  aspects of nutritional food / educational toys / items etc to look out for at every growing stage... 
  and dressing her up more :p
* Last but not least, though I prefer to be a working mum as I do not want to be financially-restrained
  but lately I have been thinking that it would also be a good idea to stay home to look after Kaeley
  full-time. As I feel that the 1st year of a child's growth is very important & meaningful to a mother and 
  I really don't want to miss those moments that will never ever turn back. Really want to be the main
  caregiver to Baby during this time (at least till shes 1 yr) to watch her grow.. SO if company
  decides to retrench me, think i will be clapping my hands in my heart cos won't that be good in a
  way?
* Last but not least, I pray for Papa Song a smooth new career path..his new business to 
  stabilise / settle down quickly that he will do very well!! Kaeley & me will be behind you always, 
  Jiayou! Looking forward to our beautiful days ahead :)
 

 Looking back, our Sweetie is really a grown-up girl now.. and as always deep down in my heart, i really miss my tiny baby we just brought back home from the hospital.... oh my darling Kaeley.. I love you so much....

Though I have said this many times but I must still say again.... I thank God for blessing us with this healthy & beautiful little Miracle!!


Kaeley @ 5 days


Kaeley @ 6.5mths


See how much she has changed~

This was the first Christmas we celebrated with Baby..  we spent xmas eve at XM's hse and it was the 2nd time we celebrated there and this time was with Kaeley! How special & memorable... We pooled and ordered christmas buffet set from a caterer.. luckily Kaeley wasn't very cranky as we had expected her to be and even took a short nap there... she sure knows how to behave outside. Ha! We left shortly after the exchange of gifts at about 11pm.


family pic ~ our first xmas with Kaeley



all girls pic



another group pic while Bb Kaeley is napping



Kaeley with Aunty Ade ~ pinky



Kaeley with Aunty Xiaomin



one of the polaroids taken



Kaeley's first xmas pressies

I am pleased to present our favourite SANTARINA!!!!!

TaDa!!!!!!!!!!!


I really luv this pic of Kaeley!

 

Watching TeeVee with Daddy

 

This very day last year, we found that I'm expecting 4 weeks..... I really miss the feeling.... of being pregnant and the entire journey..... :)

Last week has been quite 'chaotic'. We brought Kaeley back to PD last Wednesday due to her prolonged cough and also we don't want her to be sick still for her next vaccine, which is due in another 2 weeks. Once the PD checked her, i was being reprimanded for not bringing her back earlier since she has not recovered from her cough and that cough for 1 month is already very serious. At that moment, I felt so bad and gulity.. for being  a bad mother and not taking good care of my daughter and guilty for not bringing her to doc much earlier. The stern PD 'instructed' me to bring her to get an X-ray and blood test done, to check where the phlegm was.

So we went back to the clinic after the tests, and they showed that Bb Kaeley was down with BRONCHITIS!!! Isn't that considered very serious for a two-month old infant?! Doc said will treat her as outpatient and we have to rent this thing called Neubiliser for treatment at home. She has to inhale using this neubiliser 4 times a day on top of the medication.

Though the period was stressful, but Bb Kaeley indeed got better after a few days. Last Saturday, went back to PD for review, thank God that she's better but doc said that she still hs phlegm inside so had to carry on with the medication but not the neubiliser and that we shoud avoid bring baby to crowded places and try not to let her step out of the house.. as she was still weak.

1 week plus has passed and I am very relieved and glad that she has recovering. And during this while, she wasn't in much discomfort, she was still able to sleep and drink, did not lose any weight, just that she was often woken up from her sleep when she coughed.

I would say taking care of bb is a learning experience everyday... well, I have learnt my lesson - not to take tbb's health and well-being lightly.

And I thank God for blessing Lil Kaeley :)

Baby turned 2 months on Monday... Time flies, two months ago, I gave birth to Bb Kaeley and it just seems yesterday. Nonetheless, I took some pictures of her. In the evening, when hb came back from work, we went to Cafe Cartel at Bukit Panjang Plaza for dinner to mini-celebrate. Wanted to do some grocery shopping at the supermart, but as the queue was long & Baby has started to be cranky, so we just headed home straight.

It's time now to kick Baby's habit or rather should I say 'addict'.. Baby was extremely cranky last week as she refused to drink from milk bottle. Not sure if it's partly because she's not feeling well due to her cough, whenever we feed her with the milk bottle, she would cry very very hard ans shouted even.. so much so that our heart goes to her when she did that. But she calmed down instantly the moment I latched her on. Isn't that an addict? She's hungry yet she did not want milk from the bottle. Hence last week, we decided it's the time to train her and kick that habit of hers as I would be returning to work in a month's time. We had to be harsh and 'forced' her to drink from the bottle.. we had to 'harden our hearts" to hear her cry for a few minutes before she's willing to suckle from the bottle teat.

Thank God, after 1-2 days, it works and Kaeley is better now *crossing fingers*.. she drinks from the bottle without much crankiness though at times she will cry for a shortwhile. For midnight feeds, I latch her on as it saves the trouble to prepare milk hehehe..So I hope this 'pattern' will work.

2 weeks ago, I started on my own with Bb Kae. As in looking after her all by myself. After my confinement aunty left, Grandma came to stay with me.. more to keeping me company & cooking meals for me. During the time she was with me, I started to bathe Kaeley by myself (confinement aunty taught me before she left), prepare milk, feed her, wash & sterilise bottles. I had the 'luxury' to take nap & log-on while Grandma helped to look after her.

But 2 weeks ago, was the actual 'run'. I handle Kae all by myself.. The duty routine goes like this : boil water, feed bb Kae when she wake up, bathe her, put her to sleep, wash & sterilise bottles/pumps, do Bb/our laundry/hang/fold clothes, change diapers, express milk, wipe and change her in the evening, If Bb Kae 'allows', will log on in the afternoon and when I'm done with my chores and if she's still asleep, will take a nap as well. When the daddy is back, Bb Kae will be 'handed over' to him... haha.

It can be tiring looking after her all by myself and the difficult times where Bb Kae is very cranky, such as refusing to drink from milk bottle...shouted and cried her heart out. However, I still enjoy my every moment with her. Especially now that she can respond bu making sound or smiling at us when we talk or play with her. No matter how tiring and difficult it can be, the moment she smiles at me makes me forget all the 'hardships' and felt that everything we done is all worthwhile.

And of cos.. I am proud of myself that I have done it!



"Why is Mommy posting pic of my unglam sleeping pose?"



"They said I look even more like Daddy when I'm asleep"



"Why Mommy make me wear these cap/mittens/booties on such a hot weather?'



*thinking or posing*



*Totally smitten by Tigger*



*What is Kaeley so engrossed with?*



"Oh I know why, this set of knitted cap/mittens/booties is knitted by Aunty Mimi.. they are from her to me..aww so sweet.. Mommy & me love them!"



*Kaeley loves the cot mobile*



"This is where I take my afternoon nap"



*Tired but happy*

Baby Kaeley turned one month two weeks ago and we had a celebration at Costa Sands. We only invited relatives ans close friends of ours due to space constraints and that we wouldn't be able to 'cope' if there were too many invitees. Reason why we chose an outside venue instead of our own home cos we did not want to end up tiring ourselves by clearing up the mess after all our guests left.

The chocolate cake we ordered was delicious but we had quite alot of leftover for the food we catered. However, I was disappointed with the run-down condition of the chalet. I thought that that was a better choice to Downtown East cos it was not as crowded and has a bigger compound. If I were to know earlier, would have definitely booked the latter instead.

Our Sweetie was in lalaland almost throughout her party and only woke up for feeds and when the party ended... haha... she was asleep in most of the photos taken that day.



Our girl Getting ready at home


Yiyi burping Kaeley


Sleepy Princess


Poo again


Hiding Kaeley


 

We are now a family of 3!

 

Yummy chocolate cake!



with my family

With my good pals



With my good ol' friend..YQin & Wp (too bad BB Kyler is not in this pix)



with Hb's uni classmates



with Hb's childhood friend & wife



with the girls



Macho & cool Kyler protecting Kaeley Meimei~~


 

It was Baby Kaeley's chinese full month 2 weeks ago. As the actual celebration was on the next day ('english' actual), I just had Mum to come over to cut Kaeley's hair to symbolise. After the haircut and a bath, I changed Kaeley into a new set of clothes and had her fingernails cut, with the help of Bro's maid (I don't dare to cut her tiny nails yet).

Having turned full month means we could bring Kaeley out. So thereafter, we first went to Mum's then to IL's to offer prayers. 

Kaeley's was in the bb car seat for the 1st time and she was very comfortable in it..... and she also enjoyed car ride as she slept throughout the journey and woke up once for feeding only. She's so cute!



Kaeley's first haircut



Looking fresh after a bath & in a new outfit




the cap is abit too big though




close-up of Kaeley




our angel



Kaeley with cousins Audrey & Ashley




getting comfy in car seat



totally knocked out~



enjoying the car ride




 

First 2 weeks were quite a stressful period for me as I find that i have too much to cope with, or rather i gave myself pressure as i take on a new role... all i knew was i wanted to give my best ie, breastfeeding my baby if I am able to. i dun want to give up just becos its stressful and tiring n i know im going to regret in future.. therefore, i put in effort to let her suckle even though my milk supply hasnt kick in yet (since in hospital).. n i was so thrilled to see trickles of milk on day 4. engorgement came in 2 days later n it was really terrible. my breasts were so hard and painful,so much so that i had difficulty sleeping on my sides too.

What added on was the fear in handling baby and am skeptical about adapting to motherhood.. having someone to take care of from then onwards....our lifestyle will change and never gonna to be the same as before.

And I must say, I miss being pregnant too.... so silly right...

Really have to thank hb and my family for standing by me... they came to visit us, and called me a few times everyday to make sure everything is all right.

Got to give a big hug to hb for doing so much for us... from running errands, making the house clean to organising everything at home so that they are at my best convenience.. being considerate and encouraging during this vulnerable period.

now im glad that i have gotten over that 'phase' and i look forward to watch Kaeley grow n to live everyday with her n hb as a family. As babies grow very fast, i will enjoy my every moment with her!

I have indeed embarked on a challenging and yet fulfilling new journey... am enjoying motherhood.

Come to think of it... last year this time we were in Japan for our honeymoon and  this year this time, i am already a mother!

Kaeley is turning one-month this coming Saturday ... & my one month confinement is coming to an end soon... in fact in 2 days' time. My confinement nanny is going to leave tomorrow and i will be all on my own henceforth.

Here are photos of Kaeley over the last 3 weeks... dont she change alot?


5 days old Kaeley



Hi everyone!



Us with Dr Caroline Khi ~~ the one whom delivered Me



my favourite sleeping pose







Oooo...my favourite face expression


I enjoying lying on Daddy's chest....hmm.. so comfy...


I enjoy lying on Daddy & Mommy's bed too


my favourite expression again



I do throw tantrums at times


After I had cooled down



Daddy cleaning up my mess.. hehe...



This is the part I enjoy the most... getting my buttocks cleaned.. Woo....



Daddy will bathe me on weekends & when Mommy is busy

Our dearest Princess, Baby Kaeley has greeted the world on 13 August 2008! The long awaited day has finally arrived. in fact, the Papa has been getting impatient to see her little girl and been asking "when?" and "who will bb look like?"  etc. She's popped at 39 weeks exactly, which is 6 days earlier than the estimated due date (read previous post).

Here goes the birth experience:

Admitted to hospital at arounf 11pm and I was brought to the observation ward while hb see to the admission. By then, I have already experienced discomfort down under though contractions hasnt started kicking in yet. Changed into hospital gown, the nurse helped to shave and and bowels were being cleared. 

Moved into the labour ward and was strapped onto the CTG machine to monitor bb's heartbeat and my contractions...dilation was only 2cm..and the nurse mentioned that cervix will usually dilate 1cm every 1 hr and we thought: doesnt it mean we have to wait/endure for another 8hrs or so? Contraction pain started slowly after... the feeling is bearable but it comes every 5mins. At about 4am, I asked for epidural because my dilation was very slow, which means I have to endure for very long hours before bb is ready to come out. Moreover, I could not stand the pain when the nurse did VE for me and I don't know what it will be like when gynae burst my waterbag later. The anaesthetist came at 4.30am to administer the epidural for me and to my surprise, it was not painful as I expected it to be. But... I was perspiring big time cos t was told to stay in a position and not to move.

The epi was really a pain relief.. tried to sleep but couldn't as the nurses keep coming in & out of the ward. Hb fell asleep but complained that the chair was uncomfortable though.  At about 8am, I was feeling hungry and asked if I could take some light food. Upon checking with my gynae, I was served with toast and hot milo. At that moment, I felt that milo has never tasted better before! 

At about 9am plus, Dr Khi came to check my dilation and estimated that I will deliver in the afternoon. 
And at around 11am, I asked to increase the dosage of the epidural as I felt the contraction pain. But I was still not able to sleep. Just before 3pm, I told the nurse I felt a kind of pain and "very heavy" near my vagina area. She did VE and she felt baby's head and that my cervix was 10cm dilated. Thereafter, the nurses got the equipment/apparatus ready told us that I could start pushing. After few attempts, Dr Khi arrived and we continued with the pushs.. After about 45mins of trying, Dr Khi asked if I needed her "help", which is assisted delivery using forceps. We agreed and not long after, Baby Kae was finally delivered at 3.53pm..after a long labour of 17 hours.. I was so touched that I dropped some tears.

At some point when Baby is halfway out, when Dr Khi asked hb to take a step forward to take a look, hb said he didn't want  so the nurses asked him to sit down. knowing he is 'frightened'. 

When the nurse placed bb on my chest, I actually uttered :"I don't want" as I wasn't prepared that they placed the slimy bb onto me. I regretted and in fact, I have longed to see her for 9months and how could I have said such words to her.

It was such a relief after the delivery.. stitches were done while bb is being cleaned up, birth weight and height taken. Dad & Mum were outside the delivery room waiting and once they saw their granddaughter, they said she looked like me. 

Once at my own ward, I felt so energetic and not tired at all... that night, I couldnt sleep till quite late. 

The 3D2N hospital stay was quite good.. confinement food was good, the feeling when baby was brought to me was good. 

Thank you friends & family for your gifts and coming to visit us at the hospital!!

It has been tiring but it's worthwhile to see our little one being brought to this world... I would say the whole labour experience is fun though.... 

We are really blessed to have this little gal with us!! Daddy & Mommy love You, Darling!!!




Newly-born Kaeley.. dun she look like me??


Got to hold our lil bundle finally!!



Our happy family ~ Papa Song, Mama Min & Baby Kae


1-day old Kaeley



Daddy with Kaeley



With Grandpa, Great-granny & Grandma


Daddy feeding





One of the hospital meals
 

Went for my check-up this afternoon.... and prior to this, I have a strong sixth sense that I would have to be admitted to hospital for labour tonight or tomorrow... 

Am 39 weeks as of today and Baby's weight is around 3.1 kg and it wasn't much gain for the past 1 week. And not sure if she's going to grow very big for the following week and Dr Khi mentioned that I might have to go thru C-section if baby is too big. She asked us if I want my labour to be induced. Hb & I agreed that we'll follow whatever that she suggest is best for baby and myself. She advised for me to be induced so I told her I want baby to be delivered on 13th which is tomorrow. So it means, I have to be induced today and admit into hospital tonight.

In the clinic, I was strapped onto the CTG to monitor baby's heartbeat and my contraction. Shortly, Dr Khi came into to insert the tablet for my induction. Thereafter, was told to go home, get myself prepared, have dinner and admit at 11pm.

We went back home to do some packing of the house and sterilise the steriliser, milk bottles and pumps. Left home and went for dinner at NYDC @ Holland V before heading to Mom's place.

Contraction pain has started kicking in... my lower spine & lower part of the body has started aching..

Will have my shower here and I guess waiting here will be better than waiting at home cos there are more people here to give us support. And  I wouldn't feel that nervous and scared. 

Okie, shall stop here and go for my shower and get myself prepared to go hospital.

God bless us!!! We look forward to holding our little princess in our arms!!!

As I am in the final lap (7 days more to my EDD) of my pregnancy, I would like to take the chance to look back at the 9-months journey... I know I am sure going to miss every bit of it.... 

I would like to give thanks to the people around me who has showered me with care and concern all these while... I thank my boss who has been supportive and colleagues who have been understanding and rendering their help in my work. Thank you for making my work much easier... 

I am especially thankful for a wonderful family, who has always been there for me.. caring for me for the past months... Ever since I'm pregnant, not sure if it's due to hormonal change or the motherly instinct, I learn to appreciate them more, I have become more sensitive, sensible and understanding towards them. For sure, this is a good change. And at least, I don't throw temper that easily. 

Being a mother, I learn to appreicate Mum more, I'm much more patient towards her. I felt that cos now I understand the challenges and difficulties a mother faced when expecting a child.. it's really not easy to deal with the stress of endless worrying of the well-being and development of the baby inside you. 

Mum has done alot... This one year, i see her change ...As she's been helping to take care of Bro's 2 girls so i can now see her 'showing off' her "domestic inclination"  which I have never seen before. Not that she's not good at housechores.. in fact, she's Number 1 cos she's such a clean freak. Just that she never had the experience of looking after babies (both Bro & me were handled solely by my grandma since we were babies). So having "trained" for these past 9 months, shes considered experienced. Therefore, she did alot for me.. she prepares birdnest for me every week, herbal drinks, bought herbs and nourishment I would need for my confinement, making pillow husks of various sizes and cot protector sheet for my baby and buying miscellaneous items for us....  I truly appreciate everything she has done for me deep down in my heart.... I just wanna say: Thank you Mom!


Indeed, I cherish each and everyone in my family ... and I look forward to the new addition that we are going to have very soon.... :)

Looking back, it is truly an amazing and fascinating 9-mths journey.... a wonderful experience indeed!

Got to go for now, hb is coming back to fetch me for antenatal check-up... wonder what will Dr say.... 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dec '07 - Found out I am 4 weeks pregnant (after a long wait of 9 months) and we can't believe our eyes when we saw the positive sign on the 
                 kit.

Dec '07 to Jan '08 - Was on hospitalisation leave for 1 month... bed rest due to continuous spotting... had to take hormone jab twice a   
                                   week/on medication to stabilise the pregnancy... excessive worrying.
                                -  Saw Baby Kae's heartbeat for the 1st time.

Jan '08 - Heard Baby's hearbeat for the first time... it's very fast and was amazed by how it sounds like (like a train). Saw her formed body   
                shape.
              - Very happy to return to work as spotting stops. 
              - Assured when Dr Khi said that possibility of miscarriage is lower.

Feb '08 - Special CNY with Baby in me. 
              - Did OSCAR test and was very relieved that everything is well and even saw baby's nose. Not able to tell gender yet.


Mar '08 - Dr Khi tried to check for baby's gender but could not confirm that it's girl.

April '08 - Celebrated both hb and my birthday with Baby.
               - Went for Detailed scan... everything is ideal and confirmed that it's baby girl!

May / June '08 - Antenatal class that consists of 6 lessons started.
                          - Bb's head is turned down and placenta has moved up. Dr Khi said safe for natural delivery.
                          -  shopping for Baby Kae's stuff.

July '08 - Dr Khi mentioned that Bb is of average size but abit to the smaller side so I had durians almost every week to make her grow.
              - preparing and getting her stuff ready.
              - Baby is of good weight  and can be pop anytime.. though I have not dilated.

Aug '08 - Last check-up got a shock as baby is weighing at 3kg but still no signs of labour. 

Yesterday was exactly 38 weeks into my pregnancy. Went for my antenatal check-up in the afternoon and Dr Khi covered me with hospitalisation leave for a week. Everything went well and Baby's progress is good and in fact, she's 3kg now! Unbelievable! We were surprised when Dr Khi told us the weight. Didn't expect Baby to be 3kg.. probably I don't feel that heavy and my baby bump is not that big that could have 'contain' 3-kg baby..hehe... Expressed my concern to Dr Khi if Baby is too big to be delivered naturally but she find that her weight is alright and advised that I should just wait unless I wished to be induced... and that Baby should pop anytime this week or next. 

Meanwhile, I shall just enjoy the remaining days of pregnancy... rest/sleep well and have some time to myself before Baby arrives!

Can't wait to hold our lil bundle in my hands!! Counting down!! :D


My weight: 58kg (the weighing scale is spoilt thus not accurate)
Baby's weight : 3kg
Acutal weight gain : NIL? All went to Baby? :p

 

Your pregnancy: 38 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.
 

As what Dr Khi had advised.. that I should do more walking so as to facilitate my labour. Thus, hb & me decided to go East Coast Park for morning walk  cum picnic on Sunday. We asked my family to join so that they can also bring the twin girls out.. they love going out and they seldom "make noise" when they are outside. 

So we had McDonalds for breakfast before heading to the seaside.. Dad & Aunt rented bicycles while we found a place to lay our mat for picnic. Hb skated for a short while.. he's better able to now that he has removed the metal plate inside his ankle. The weather was good, it was not sunny at all and it's breezy. Fortunately, we were packing up to go just before it started to drizzle.. Thou the outing was short, but all of us enjoyed ourselves, espcially the quality time spent together as a family. Guess the next such outing will be after our lil' one is out...  :) 

On Wednesday, went for my 36 weeks antenatal check-up. As usual, Dr Khi did the ultra sound scan and everything went well...Baby is now weighing at 2.5kg. she commented that Baby is engaged and in a very low position now. She showed us Baby's face as per our request and we can see her eyes, nose and lips :) We also asked Dr Khi to 're-confirm' the gender of our baby but as Baby is big now and her legs are closed (due to insufficient space), Dr Khi was not able to see anything. And this time round, as I am now very near to my EDD, after the usual ultra sound scan, she checked from my 'down-under' to check for infection and if any dilation has started. To my relief, it has not (the results of the infection will come later)

Though Dr Khi said that it's unlikely that I will bomb within these 2 weeks but told me to be mentally prepared that it might still happen as baby is ready to pop anytime. And that it's very safe now.. Baby is of full-term birth weight now so there's no issue at all... She also advised that due to my small build, baby's ideal birth weight is between 2.5kg to 3.2kg but good to keep within 3kg so that delivery will be easier for me. She rather I keep her small then 'pump" her up after she's born.

She went on to explain the labour signs to anticipate for, what I should do if any of the signs happen etc etc and gave us the hospital admission letter.

My next appointment is 2 weeks later... thereafter, I will be given hospitalisation leave to rest at home.. that is provided I have not popped by then :)

But I just can't stop wondering why is my check-up not weekly since I am in such an advanced stage of my pregnancy. I did ask Dr Khi, she said "what for if there's no need to.. Everything is fine for you." However, being the paranoid self, I am still not convinced~ Anyway will see her in 2 weeks time. 

Although everything has been more or less prepared and ready and we are excited and looking forward to Princess's arrival, I really feel more nervous as the Day nears...

My weight : 58.8kg
Baby's weight : 2.5kg
My actual weight gain : 1.2kg
Baby's weight gain : 0.5kg

Your pregnancy: 36 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

Last Saturday, met up with Siew Ling & Marcia for hi-tea at Goodwood Park Hotel. Marcia is migrating to Melbourne in August & we quickly arrange for the session just before I pop. We treated her to the hi-tea for as her farewell gift. They commented that my bump is big as compared to the last time they saw me. That was in April when I was 5 mths pregnant. Then, my bump was not that obvious yet and M kept on saying she can't see 'anything'.. Haha.. how time flies...

Enjoyed the catch-up session...

True friends that I treasure~

 

Last Thursday, our whole family went to the airport to send Bro off.. He has left for Iran for job overseas posting and its for a good 2 years. Really felt sad for him and my sis-in-law. The girls are sure going to miss him. Consolation is that his company is paying him a a special allowance for every few months so he's gonna use that to buy air tix home. So at least the family get to re-unite every few months.

At the departure hall, just before he enter the departure gate, everyone in my family went emotional and all our eyes were red & teary. I was actually able to hold up my tears until he wished me a smooth delivery and was touched when I saw Bro kissed his two daughters. My sis-in-law of cos lost control and cried. Saw tears welled up in Bro's eyes too. To prevent further emo roller coaster of everybody, Bro entered the departure gate quickly and only turned back once to wave goodbye to us. 

I wish him all the best there and I pray to God to bless him... Take good care of yourself there!! Looking forward to see you in October!! Audrey & Ashley will be 1 year old!!!

Last evening, we met up with the Sales Rep from Cord Life to sign up for cord blood banking and collected from her the blood collection kit that we have to bring along when admitting to hospital.  

It was a last minute decision... knew about it earlier but just didn't came across my mind to sign up. Lately, happen to read about it through the posts in the motherhood forum and thereafter, when I received the hospital admission letter and it includes a pamphlet of Cordlife in it. These somehow 'triggered' me to look at signing up for the cord blood banking...  Thus, last week, brought this up to Hubby and without hesitation and further questions, he asked me to sign up for it straightaway. 

As EDD is only 1 month away and I did not want any further delay, I called up to make enquiry and etc.. thereafter, a sales rep called me and we immediately arranged for an appointment. 

Cord blood banking is really beneficial and it serves as an assurance... and the cost is reasonable... we're all for it!! Indeed no regrets signing up for it...

Now, we've got one load off our minds... :)