Counting down...

Last week was really an eventful week.

MSA fell sick, very sick with fever hovering around 38/39 degrees for 3 days... and I stayed home one of the days to take care of him. Then I fell sick myself on Saturday morning, waking up in the wee morning hours feeling cold (I haven't felt that way for ages!) and caught in a vivid dream of me vomiting. The funny thing was I really did need to vomit. And retch I did, till there was nothing left of my dinner, and possibly my lunch too... for a moment I thought I was going to die from the awfulness of it all/ go into labour due to the severe distress my body was going through. It was a terribly horrible ordeal, definitely an experience I NEVER want to go through again. Thank goodness baby came through unscathed as well.

The Iron Lady went off to Hainan Island on Sunday with Grandma, hopefully they have a good enjoyable trip, else we will not hear the end of it for some time =p

Finally presented the Scrapbook Project on Saturday to the well-deserving recipient, who loves the compilation of love, sweat(?) and hard work. So for the rest of the year now, I've decided no more arty projects for me as I relax (as if I can!) and await the arrival of the little one.

The wee one is getting more active with each day, and more responsive too :) If she moves and we caress or prod her, she responds by moving more quickly or prodding back. The funny thing is baby even chooses who to 'exhibit' her antics to. I've found that she keeps really still in the midst of strange/ unfamiliar surroundings and/ or company. For me, it's really an amazing sight - the earthquake-like tremors that move through my body and I never tire of watching nowadays. The creation of life within life is truly a miraculous journey.

Do you know on our last visit to the gynae on Wednesday, the doc actually told us baby is underweight and I'd need to eat more within this month in the hope that baby would gain enough by birth?? Sigh, one minute I'm supposed to slow down my intake, and the next I'm supposed to cram myself full of food? Talk about contradicting instructions! Double sigh.

As D-Day draws near, so does the expansion of my belly (if it can possibly get any bigger still!). My gait has become slow, clumsy and waddling - the exact traits which I'd sworn NoT to adopt. One realises one has no choice but to conform, really. Getting out of bed/ up from a sitting position is becoming a dreary task as it is so hard to manoeuvre my heavy body anywhere nowadays. Even swimming has become quite tiring. Meanwhile, we have laid baby's waterproof sheet under my side of the bed in case of any 'waterbag-related accident'.

When people tell me the heavy burden will be coming to an end soon, and aren't we looking forward to having the baby in our arms instead? I would just smile and wonder why they don't think that this is still much better now - that the 'chaos' is better controlled within than otherwise... Of course I'd love to meet baby soon. But for now, let me (and MSA) just savour the freedom a little bit longer :)

Am looking forward to our little staycation this weekend!

In the homestretch

33 weeks now and counting down the remaining 7 weeks rapidly... Time seems to be flying by so quickly it's getting quite terrifying. It is exciting at the same time cuz that means our little baby girl will be out to see the world very soon. And meet us all for the first time :)

Cliched as it may sound, it seems just like yesterday that I was holding the pregnancy test kit in my hand staring at the 2 blue lines in disbelief... and later on sharing the news with an equally shocked (if not more =p) MSA. Then the spreading of news, the pouring in of well wishes from family and friends, the adhoc preparations subsequently gathering momentum into frenzied ones... It has been one memorable ride indeed. There have been times when I feel as if I can hardly wait, the time of our baby’s birth still seems a lifetime away. Other times, it feels as if the pregnancy has gone too fast and I have a almost-desperate sense of having too little time to fully experince and treasure it as a special time.

Though I'm quite sure I won't miss the tiresome first trimester with the nausea, heightened sensitivity and sheer fatigue, I suspect I may just come to miss the bump and all the other wondrous feelings it has aroused in me. The feeling of an actual being taking seed and growing IN me, being nurtured by me day and night. The feeling of being someone more special than just regular me being reflected in others' eyes - people who come right up from nowhere to touch my belly, moving way for me, making allowances for me and treating me in extra-special ways. The feeling of being touched and amazed as I see MSA growing more comfortably into the role of a father-to-be and a joint parent-to be on this miraculous journey. If anything, I felt that it has brought us closer and our relationship up to yet another level.

Baby reminds me/ us everyday of her presence. Me more so since I'm her bearer, but I do try to include MSA (and the rest of the family) in her daily adventures. She kicks, she jolts, she prods, she somersaults, she digs... merrily away. Sometimes it gets too much, I've to admit, that I do silently wish I can put my tummy aside for one day and take a breather. Just be myself, back to skinny DINK-y me for a short while. This is but a moment's thought most of the time. I'm more than grateful for her antics as that means she's lively and well. Besides, I've been told by more than one source I'm bound to miss the sensation of having our baby moving around inside me after it is born.

She is still such a vulnerable little being. Even with just less than 2 months to her pop-out date, she is still susceptible to significantly less but nevertheless scary conditions which may endanger her well-being. Naturally the responsibility falls on me as her mother to spot the symptons early enough to keep us both safe and sound. Well, no one ever said being pregnant was a breeze right? I feel the pressures start from the moment the fertilised egg was implanted. From conception to birth, there could be a million complications.

Well, little sweet pea, I dare say we have done well as a team so far, together with Daddy's help of course. All we wish for now is that you keep safe till your EDD and then pop out as smoothly and quickly as possible. We will be eagerly waiting for you - see you in 49 days :)

Been there, done that

Am into my 29th week! Just 11 weeks to go. As of yesterday, I've officially put on a whooping 10 kg! My back and legs are constantly hurting now :( Thanks to your dad though, for massaging my calves whenever my complaints get incessant.

You our dear sweet pea have been peeing into your amniotic sac for a little while now (this is why potty training takes a while) and if you didn’t know, actually swallow it along with the rest of the amniotic fluid. Although the concept is nasty, your urine is sterile and as part of the amniotic fluid base, is replaced several times throughout the day. So yes, you drank your own urine— I did too, your father did too, we were still in the womb, but nonetheless, we’ve been there, if that's any relief.

Getting "Nesty"

Panicking as I am fast approaching the third trimester! It seems like just yesterday I was using the test kit.. and now looking unmistakenly pregnant with a volleyball-like belly, I meet people who make way/ give up seats for me wherever I go. I've come to realise, people actually do go out of the way for preggies like us most of the times. Oh well, I will miss these 'privileges' in a few months... (At least after delivery, I hope I no longer Look pregnant!)

I certainly do miss my figure... it's ballooned ever so much that part of the weight gained, I think at least 10%, has gone to my face! So many people have commented how much 'rounder' my face looks now :( The clothes I used to wear all seemed so miniscule I don't ever dare to imagine if I can ever 'squeeze' back into them again... Just the other day, the Little Nieces were commenting how 'fat' I am! Can you imagine a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old innocently telling you straight-in-the-face how fat you are and how you may break their furniture?! I seriously didn't know to laugh or to cry right then. MSA naturally laughed his head off.

The surprising thing is that MSA seems to be taking my grotesque size in stride. He never comments on it till I force him to, and is around to help me massage (thank you hubby!) my poor overworked still-skinny (thank goodness!) legs. He also faithfully wakes up earlier and goes swimming with me every weekend.

Have been doing quite a bit of shopping lately, both online and off. Could this be part of the famed 'nesting instinct'?? Looking at our growing collection of baby related paraphernalia really drives home the message that we are truly going to have a baby of your own, that our lives are truly going to take a change very very soon.

To tell the truth, I'm a bit apprehensive... (MSA would snort at this)... though I look forward to seeing our beautiful babe in person, I don't really know how individually or as a couple we would be affected... Right now, I'm just taking a day at a time, and keeping my fingers crossed tightly that everything works out well.

It's a Babe!

The truth finally comes to light - thank you our sweet pea, for letting Grandma & Mummy catch a glimpse of the "hamburger" mark. I can finally start shopping for the lovely pink clothes I've been eyeing for ever so long... =p

Ice-cream Fanatic

That's me & my current unhealthy obssession.

Naturally MSA is my happy and willing accomplice.

Dancing "Queen" in the making?

Just back from the land down under, and thoroughly enjoyed the lovely wintry weather there. Poor MSA was less well wrapped up and suffered everytime the cold winds blew by. And for the first time, I felt baby's fetal movements clearly, especially on the flight back to Sg! Maybe it was excited to be on a plane, or even coming home ;)

As much hyped about by other mums-to-be, the feeling is rather magical. It is quite like something loose knocking about in my underbelly, but in an erratic manner. And after a few days of observation, I've come to realise that sweet pea becomes most active after dinner where it will 'dance around' most energetically (such that even Sis can feel it!) for the longest while.

The Iron Lady came along with us on the detailed scanning last Friday, which I thought was a very rewarding (and eye-opening?) experience for her. After all, it's the first time she can see her grandchild-to-be in action with her very own eyes. She came away quite exuberant and relieved (that baby is well after our trip!).

Again, baby didn't really cooperate (baby dear, why oh why?), so we couldn't see for the gender for sure. The very helpful radiologist hence gave it a higher percentage of being a girl! Could it really be, defying all odds and vehement bets by my colleagues?

MSA is really cool about the whole thing. Even our open-minded Father is offhandedly serene about it.

I do wish I could be as nonchalant. Baby, let Mummy know the answer soon ok?

Going on Babymoon!!!

We're going to Western Australia for a week! Just the 2 of us!! Plus sweet pea makes 3!!!

The Iron Lady's going mad.

No further questions

Pregnancy glow?

Today a couple of colleagues commented how I seemed radiant and happier as a pregnant mum-to-be. 'Really?!' was the first thought that came to my mind.

Hmm, maybe it is the second trimester aka honeymoon period after all. Since the nausea has *touch wood!* subsided, the hormones stopped surging as much so that my face looks less like an oil well, my appetite returned in full force, baby seems well in all the scans so far, hubby is loving and attentive... well, there's pretty much to be grateful and smiley about.

Also, maybe it is due to the fact that I try to keep myself dressed nicely to work (and everywhere else) as much as possible. Just to keep an upbeat mood about myself. You know how gals feel better with new outfits (even if their tummies are growing beyond control!).

Ever since the pregnancy is more confirmed, I have found myself consciously trying to think more positive thoughts (even though sometimes people around me make it an arduous task!), more for the sake of baby, if not myself. I certainly would love to have an adorable cheerful baby, and all the talk about post-natal depression makes one antsy.

Sure hope the smooth-sailing-ness would keep up for the rest of the 5 months!

Oh, and someone gave up her seat for me earlier this week, they could tell!