Daddy's thoughts:-

Unlike mummy who is constantly in contact with baby Louisa, i get to touch and communicate with her mostly in the evenings. These moments can be quite fun. Sometimes Louisa would tap on on mummy's tummy, other times kick and push. During such moments, I am reminded that there is a little life growing. Thinking about Louisa makes me feel that I have to protect her and mummy.

Concerns of an expectant mother

Mummy's thoughts:-

It's been a busy 2 weeks. Lots of work on top of the upcoming move. Before we know, we've come to the end of October. In 1 more week, it'll be exactly ONE month to Baby Louisa's EDD!! How exciting!! (Ok, I'm trying to find some excitement amidst all the work and moving stress...hahaha).

It's really getting uncomfortable...this final stage of pregnancy. I really admire those who can work till the very day they "pop". I thought I could do it too, but now, I'm seriously doubting it. I get breathless and backaches (more of the breathless-ness). Sometimes, I feel as if I need to move around with an oxygen tank. A few days ago, I walked back from The Arcade after buying my snack for tea break (office is located in the building just next to The Arcade). The moment I stopped at the lift lobby to wait for the lift, I found myself panting...really hard. My goodness, how tough is it to just buy a snack to satisfy the stomach?

During my second trimester, I was very brave (I think). I decided for myself that I wouldn't need a confinement lady to help me with confinement. Afterall, what does a confinement lady do? Wash the mother's clothes, baby's clothes, cook for the mummy, help with handling baby. So that mummy can rest and recuperate well and focus on taking care of baby. Now, that doesn't sound too tough, does it? So why do we need to engage one? Daddy will be having his school hols then, so, Daddy can help out. Got a recipe book for him to follow (Daddy can cook!). We can handle the baby together...we just need to PLAN it well (e.g Daddy takes the day duties so Mummy can rest, while Mummy takes the night duties, so Daddy can rest. How's that?), read up lots and encourage each other lots. That's not too difficult, isn't it? =) And so, the decision was NOT to engage a confinement lady. (can save $$ too).

Well, being in the most tiring phase of the pregnancy now, I'm having second thoughts (but it's kinda like, there's no backing out anymore...hahaha). Will I really be able to handle Baby Louisa by myself? What if she cries incessantly? What if I'm too tired to do the night feeds? What if I don't hear her cry in the middle of the night? Of course, everybody has got to start from somewhere. Nobody knows how to handle a baby, instantly. It's always with much practice. Getting to be a bit worried....but, let's keep positive, yah? We can do it!

Baby Louisa, we can do it together!! You're a good gal, right? So we'll get through this together. Yes!

Week 33

We went for our gynae check up on Saturday. We’re in Week 33!! Yippee!! 7 more weeks and we’ll be able to see Baby Louisa. At week 33, Baby Louisa is estimated to be 2.3kg. She’s in good position (i.e. head down, facing my back). Let’s hope she stays that way till delivery. That’s the best position for delivery…

I noticed, everytime the gynae performs a scan of Baby Louisa, she will be soooo quiet. She would not move (in other words, we have never really seen her in motion via the ultrasound scans – well, I did, when we had to do the FTS screening, and Daddy wasn’t at the clinic yet). It’s like, Baby Louisa would “freeze” all motion at that time. But before and after the clinic visits, Baby Louisa would be moving and kicking a lot. Hmmm…...

In fact, Baby Louisa has been kicking rather aggressively the past few days, that my tummy muscles are feeling a bit bruised – like when you have been exercising a lot, your muscles tend to ache a bit…..

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At the previous gynae visit, Dr. Tan took a swab from me for testing (it’s a routine test at this stage of pregnancy). The purpose of the test is to test for Strep B infection. What is it?

Was quite worried about it, as Strep B infection for infants is no joke. While antibiotics can help the situation, no expectant mother would want it, not that we can help it. It’s a naturally occurring bacterium in the body of both men and women, and it does not present any symptoms. We got the test results at this visit, and thank God, there’s no Strep B infection. Dr. Tan says everything is ok. Yeah!

However, level of sugar present in the urine is 1 level higher than normal. Hmmm, gotta watch that diet (I hardly ate that durian mooncake from Marriott! My favourite…..*sulk*)

The Difficulties of Pregnancy

Everything has its opposites, even pregnancy. It comes with its ups and downs, joys and difficulties. After the joys of pregnancy, how can I leave out the difficulties of pregnancy? These difficulties are from the perspective of the Mummy…(I have no idea what pregnancy difficulties Daddy experiences…it’s quite difficult to get Daddy to post his thoughts on a regular basis. He’s busy.)

(I never had vomiting during the first trimester, just some nausea which took me a few weeks to get used to and aches in the joints)

Firstly, there are the back aches. My back is totally aching lots. Especially when I’m at work (hmmm, is this a work–related ailment? Like those “Monday Blues” symptoms…). Perhaps it’s the chair. But whatever, the back aches. Ouch. And now, the ribs are starting to feel sore.

Then there’s also the terrible discomfort when I try to catch the snooze monster at night. I’m already feeling sooooo sleepy, but yet, every position that I lay down in, is not comfortable. Lie on my left side…nope. Right side…cannot. Prop pillows up and lay back…no, still not comfy. Cannot breathe well.

To top it off, Baby Louisa kicks a lot at night too. Just when I’m about to doze off due to sleepy-ness in the not-so-comfortable position, she’ll either kick hard, stretch or the uterus will start to harden. Arrgghhh….(anguish / agony).

As a result, I hardly get much sleep at night. Even if I do manage to enter dreamland, it’s not a very restful sleep (not in a comfortable enough position). Hence, I’m always half awake in office during the day.

Why does the uterus harden? Is Baby Louisa stretching herself and pushing her back/bum up against my belly? Or is it the body getting ready for labour contractions? Is this what they call Braxton Hicks contractions?

It is not painful…just very uncomfortable. I can feel the uterus squeeeeeze itself...like squeezing the air out of me. Cannot breathe…….Oooohhh…..In order to relief the discomfort, I’ll have to take deep breathes. (Good chance to practice all that breathing exercises learnt form the antenatal classes.) This goes on a few times at night…until I’m waaay too tired and just KO.

The difficulties of pregnancy.

The Joys of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is such an amazing thing.

There’s this life inside you…

One of the joys of pregnancy is the extra attention I get. Heeheehee…Nice.

Then there’s also the awareness, that I always have a companion to talk to…24 / 7. Each time I’m bored, or feeling stressed, I’ll start talking to Baby Louisa.

And there’s the shopping! For baby clothes and stuff. Baby stuff are just SOOOOOO adorable!! Everything’s on a smaller scale (read: tiny). There is so much indescribable joy that comes along with shopping for baby stuff (not to mention washing the baby stuff and packing them).

The greatest joy of it all? Knowing that Baby Louisa is a blessing and a gift from God to us.

Louisa's Bedroom

For those of you interested to see Baby Louisa's bedroom....

Sorry, but you'd have to wait. Coz we have something more important to take care of for now - moving house, to give Baby Louisa more space to grow up in and a better environment.

So, any bedroom designing etc, it's all taking place in the mind, for now. :-)

Laundry Time!

It's quite fun to be washing Baby Louisa's clothes and towels. heehee...it's ALOT of laundry to do. Given the size (amt of material) of 1 piece of body suit, it's actually a lot of clothes to wash. Only managed to do 1 round over the weekend. [Hmmm, maybe I should load the machine more the next round.]

The clothes are soooo cute!! All so tiny and hanging on the clothes line. heehee...Especially the booties and mittens. It's like, i'm selling mittens! No, there isn't a lot of mittens (probably about 5 pairs - dun need so many, coz babies stop wearing them after a month or so...), but they are just so cute!! Thank God there was strong sun yesterday (SUNday), which helped dry Baby Louisa's clothes.

I used the Kodomo Baby Laundry Detergent. It left the clothes smelling....very "baby-ish". hahahaha...After the wash, all the clothes smelt so..."baby"! Hahaha...

And....I couldn't believe this (neither could Daddy)...I actually took the laundry out of the machine to hang! (Usually it's Daddy who would do that, and I would try to help him out). No prodding or pushing needed. When I heard the machine sing its tune (indicating that the wash is complete), I just went straight for it. hahahahaha....

9 more weeks

Mummy's thoughts:-

I'm in the mood to deco Baby Louisa's room. Yup. Have been in the mood for a while already, just that there's so much other things to look out for. Baby Louisa is well travelled...around Singapore, that is. Over the past week, she's been to the North, East, South and West of Singapore. Ok, we haven't been to Central Singapore (AMK, TPY area) much...

So anyway, I've been thinking of how and where to place the cot, what to stick around the room to make it more...cute. It's so exciting, planning Baby Louisa's furniture. heehee...

Whenever I lie on my side, Baby Louisa likes to "walk" on my side. I can feel this lump (not sure if it's the feet, knee or fist) moving up and down the side...feels like she's walking or climbing. Hahahaha...Then the karate kicks. It is becoming more of a pattern. hehs. Gives us a preview into the kind of movements she is likely to be making when she's out...

My clothes are getting tighter. And they are maternity wear!! Oh my gosh! But everybody still says I don't seem to have put on weight. Still look normal. But my maternity tops are getting shorter (probably due to the growing belly). Now belly peeks out from above the skirt or pants...peek-a-boo...

Well, it's 9 more weeks....We're at week 31. Hey Baby Louisa, we made it together...to 31 weeks! Thank you, God. :-) Let's keep going.....We can do it together. :-)

Take My Breath Away

Mummy's thoughts:-

Daddy wants Baby Louisa to come out quick, so he can touch her and 'sayang' her. Mummy wants her to stay in. hahaha....while her kicks can be a little uncomfy at times, it is an experience indeed. Of course, mummy is selfish too. Mummy wants to enjoy the priviledges of pregnancy for a longer period...hahaha. :-)

Hey, I get seats (so far, it's ALWAYS, except for 2 times) on the MRT and the bus. Even when waiting for taxis, others in the "non-offical taxi queue" at Hitachi Towers give way to me. Heeheehee....It is so nice to be pregnant. hahaha.

But, I get breathless more frequently nowadays. Just walking from my igloo in office, to the pantry (it takes less than 20 paces) would result in me panting. Sometimes, just standing and waiting for the lift or for someone, I would feel tired suddenly. I would need to take in long, deep breaths to feel better. Like today, I was in the queue at the bank. Bad mistake. In just 5 minutes, my body really ached! I couldn't stand straight (back was aching and was feeling breathless). Lukily I was next to be served, and there was a pillar just next to me. I had to lean against the pillar for support. (Now, which great bank in Raffles Place has a pillar in their lobby? It's usually an open concept thing, right? Pillar-less etc...Well, it's DBS). But wow. Just 5 minutes and I felt so terrible. I really admire those pregnant sales staff at department stores. Wonder how they manage it....

Weight gain

Mummy's thoughts:-

It's week 30. I've put on about 9kg so far. Of this, Baby Louisa takes up about 1.9kg. She's 1.9kg in week 30! Visited the gynae yesterday. Hmmmm, the gynae says she's big (within the range, but on the big side...). I don't know if that's big or not...but I imagine putting on another 1kg plus over the next 2 months. On average, babies are about 3kg when they are born. Hmmm, will she decide to come out earlier? or will she choose to stay in till the EDD? Given the nature of my job, I'm trying to keep myself relaxed, so Baby Louisa won't pop out earlier. Think stress levels play a part too.

Baby Louisa is progressing well. Everything is fine. Mummy, on the other hand, is not that ok. Sugar level is a bit high...first time though. So just have to monitor and watch what I eat. Better to play it safe. In any case, it's only for the next 2 months. I can do it! :-)

Since I was at the hospital yesterday (Daddy couldn't make it as he has class), we signed up for the delivery package as well. We (or rather, I) opted for the single bedder. I think it would be more peaceful. No crowds visiting other mummies and I get to rest well, watch my TV in peace and talk to anyone I want to without having to worry if I'm disturbing others. Plus, Daddy gets to stay over in the same room too!

Put on 9kg so far (as of last month, it was 8kg)...looking good. Just keep exercising and eating right. 10 more weeks...

The final lap - again

Have to add this to the earlier post "The Final Lap".

Yes, forgot this other important character thoughout this whole journey (hahaha):-

Yes, yes...and there's Aunty Piggie too. Aunty Piggie's been buying Baby Louisa stuff - clothes, piggie biscuit - and talking to her too. Oh, Aunty Piggie has helped Mummy buy Baby Louisa's necessary accessories (Toyogo drawers, baby detergent...). Thank you Aunty Piggie!! :-)

Internal heater

Mummy's thoughts:-

The weather's really warm these days. Either it's really the weather, or it's me. I have an internal heater within me. I perspire tons just lying on the bed. And I'm not even lying on my back! No blankie, no long pants - just shorts. The fan is turned on, but I'm still perspiring quite a bit. Sigh, I've been warned, that I'll find it warmer in the third trimester. But what can I do? Even if we had an air con, my nose will suffer the next day. Daddy needs a blankie, but I just cannot stand to have anything across me...it's too warm!

In office, I used to wrap myself up like an eskimo (our office is really cold. Everyone who steps into our department says it feels like the Artic region). Nowadays, I just walk around without my jacket/sweater. I feel just nice...normal, while my colleagues remain eskimoes. Guess I'll just have to put up with and get used to the heat. Oooohhhh......

For now, I shall retreat back into my igloo, have my fresh catch of the day (from that pond just outside of my igloo) and continue my reports...