Overdue and Anxious

Yes, she still didn't show up. As much as we've wished for the contractions to come, they didn't. For once in my life, I wished for pain.

It is not as if we did not know that the due date is an estimated one, but now that she's officially overdued, I can't help but get a teeny-weeny bit worried - will there be complications if she continued to stay inside longer? Of course I know Dr Anna will be checking us closely when we see her on Monday, but I can't help worrying.

During last week's check-up, Dr Anna has already performed a thorough check-up to declare baby fit to stay in the womb longer.

First and foremost, I've been faithfully recording those kick counts. But in actual fact, I don't have to, as the little one is extremely active, so much so that I wished she'll sleep more.

In addition, I was strapped to the CTG monitor to measure the baby's heart rate and response to movement. This nonstress test is able to detect if there is any fetal distress. And Dr Anna gave two thumbs up after seeing the results.

Lastly, Dr Anna performed an ultrasound to evaluate baby on her breathing, heart rate, movement and more importantly the amniotic fluid level. Dr Anna said the amniotic fluid index is at a good range, which means there is enough amniotic fluid to support baby.

So since Tessa passed these tests with flying colours, Dr Anna declared that Tessa can continue to stay put until she's ready to make her debut.

I'm not sure if I'll be put through all these tests again next Monday. But at the back of my mind, I wish Dr Anna will announce the need to induce. This waiting game is getting a little agonizing.

She's still Daddy's little girl. But she is fast becoming Mommy's little monster.

We're Pregnant!

We wanted to keep the wonderful memories of these 40 weeks, so we went to the studio to have my maternity shots taken. The experience was all quite fun, only wished that my face isn't this "meaty". Yucks!

宝宝，你打算什么时候出来？

朋友们见我上网，总爱问：“Still have not popped？”

是的，我还在等。已经快要变得不兴奋、不紧张了，反而等得有些不耐烦，真希望小宝贝可以乖一点儿，快点出来。离预产日只有3天了，可是宝宝好像还没有意思要出来。近日来，坐立躺都不安，好像浑身都不自在。但是医生说宝宝和妈妈一切正常，还是自然待产好一些。

所以，除了等，还是等。

老公说，宝宝最好在预产日，也就是星期五出生，这样他才有时间去理个头。我晕！我越来越难受，老公却只想着理发。他说，要以最好的姿态迎接宝宝。

送给宝宝的第一份礼物

知道自己怀孕后，我就一直想着要送给宝宝一份礼物。

很凑巧的，当时小婶婶突然问我还记不记得怎么折幸运星。于是替小婶婶买折幸运星的花纸的时候，也为自己买了一堆，并下定决心要在宝宝出世前为她折好一个玻璃罐子的幸运星。

我还为宝宝买了一只小熊，装进玻璃罐子里，小熊拿着个小布条，写着”I Did It”。很贴切吧？

看着玻璃罐子里五颜六色的幸运星，喜滋滋的。每一颗幸运星都包含着我对宝宝的爱与期待。我为宝宝折了366颗幸运星，每一颗代表着每一天（今年正好是闰年，有366天），希望她未来的每一年的每一天都很幸运，希望她每一年的每一天都能愿望成真、幸福快乐。

希望宝宝长大以后，会好好收藏妈妈送给她的第一份礼物。一份充满爱和希望的礼物。

*Hick*

Baby has been getting hiccups lately.

I can feel my tummy go *hick* *hick* *hick* and it feels as if it's her heartbeat when I placed my hand on my tummy. I asked mom if drinking water will help in curing baby's hiccups. But she absolutely has no idea. She didn't even think that baby will get hiccups while in the tummy. Hmm...

Another thing I realized is that baby starts to respond to touch. When you rub my tummy, she'll respond with a kick or wiggle. So cute!

I can't wait to see her.

Baby @35 Weeks

I went to see the gynae on Monday for my routine check-up. Dr Anna is very pleased with how mommy and baby are doing. She said baby's a good size, heart rate is wonderful and head is still down (baby's head is down since 32nd week).

Mommy will now have to be wary of the signs of labour - contraction, water break, show or bleeding. I have already put up who-to-call list in the office so that my colleagues know what to do and who to call in case of an emergency. Abit kiasu, but better be early than sorry, coz I may pop any time in 3 to 5 weeks' time. =D

Father & Daughter

Early this morning at around 3am, hubby suddenly reached out his hand looking for his little one. I feel him fumbling around and finally settle his hand on my tummy. He has never done something like that before. I think he must have missed his little one very much since I have been staying over at my parents' place for the past few days.

But miraculously as he placed his hand on my tummy, the little one inside me stirred and started to move, wriggle and kick energetically. Is it telepathy between the father and daughter? It is as if she can feel her daddy and thought that daddy is playing with her. She moved around rigorously as if so excited that her daddy wants to play with her at such wee hours in the morning (a rare treat).

Too bad, daddy was so deep asleep that he is totally unaware of the little one's movements. It was only this morning that I realized he didn't even know that he has reached out to feel my tummy. But his one simple action has caused the little one to be widely awake and incredibly active from 3am to 7am. The result: a visibly tired mommy who has to drag her feet to work.

My First Playground

The first place and the only place I play at now is inside my mommy's womb. I love to move, wriggle, punch and kick in there.

For the past 2 days, I have had so much fun playing around inside with Mah Mah and Gong Gong (of coz they are outside). Mah Mah will tickle Mommy's tummy and called out to me. Hearing her voice, I will know it's PLAY TIME!! Yesterday, Gong Gong also joined in our little game. So fun! Wish I can do it more often.

Mommy has been complaining of pain at her pelvic area recently, not sure if it's because I've been playing too hard. But Mommy said she can and will endure the pain and any discomfort so long I arrive healthy, cheerful and lively. Mom's the best!

Lee Look-alike Meter

Wishes for Baby

As a mother, on top of my wish list for baby is definitely for her to be healthy, so that she can be energetic, cheerful and lively.

Other than that, my other wishes for baby include:

I wish baby perseverance, so that she will have the determination to meet all challenges in life and accomplish all that she ever wish for.

I wish baby generosity, so that she will find herself truly wealthy.

I wish baby simplicity, so that she will see beauty in all she sees and takes time to smell the roses.

I wish baby empathy, so that she will always be ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, even if it is only to give support.

I wish baby trustworthiness, so that she will find true friendship.

I wish baby a sense of adventure, so that she will dare to venture into the unknown, have the thirst for knowledge and be independent.

Here's Bubbles in Action again

In this clip, you can see her yawning and becoming grouchy because we've disturbed her for a long time. She got impatient. =D

Meet Bubbles the Little Princess

We went to the gynae today for baby's 32nd week growth scan. But we were quite disappointed with the sonographer. This time round, this particular sonographer didn't bother to give us a "guided tour" of our little baby. We didn't get to see much of her and there weren't any print-out.

After some discussion, we decided to go for the 3D scan. The PSA was very nice to arrange for us a same-day scan.

The 3D scan sonographer is very patient and kind. She took a long time so as to give us a good look at our baby. We get to see our little one close up and very clearly. We were given 2 printouts as well as 2 video clips of our little one.

Oh, and we are really going to have a little princess!

Bubbles Scares Mummy

I nicknamed baby "Bubbles" - just like one of the Powerpuff Girls.




This is because the little princess is packing in alot of power and strength into her punches and kicks nowadays. What used to be just little bubbles now become so powerful that can make mama go ouch!

But Bubbles scares mummy yesterday. She's so quiet and her punches reverted back to tiny bubbles. No matter how mummy teased and disturbed, she continued to move weakly. It got mummy worried to tears.

This morning, mummy rushed down to NUH to see the gynae to make sure that little Bubbles is fine. Mummy was strapped down to an armchair for a good 30 minutes so that the CTG machine can capture Bubbles' heartbeat. Fortunately, the readings reflected that Bubbles is fine - still strong and powerful as ever.

She's probably just tired and lethargic.

Name for baby

People have been asking if we have decided a name for our princess.

Me: No, we haven't.

They: How come?

Me: Because....

I have went through this explanation many times, so here it goes again.

I "submitted" my name proposals to the Papa-to-be, and he always managed to come back with comments, but not exactly constructive.

Megan >> Beatrice's good friend is called Megan.
Vera >> Sounds like an Indian.
Kayla >> (He kept quiet for this one)

Finally, Dana suggested "Tessa", most commented that it's a nice name. At first, Papa-to-be can't seem to get the pronounciation right, but got it eventually.

So for now, Papa declared that baby will be tentatively named Tessa.

How come only tentatively? Don't ask me.

3-0

Yesterday, Papa said we'll hold a little celebration this Friday when baby hits the big 30!!

Ya, baby will be in her Week 30 - a big accomplishment for all of us!! 10 more weeks to go and we'll meet the little one!!! Yeah!

Embarrassing...

Ok, this is really embarrassing... but I've turned into a snoring monster.

Recently, my nose blocked so bad that I can't breathe properly at night, resulting in me snoring in my sleep. Sometimes, it was so bad that I even woke myself up! Ya, poor hubby sleeping beside me.

Pregnancy-triggered snoring has to do with the increased blood flow in my body. This increased blood flow is to help nourish me and my growing baby. However, it also causes blood vessels in my body to expand. As the blood vessels in my nose and throat expand, the mucous membranes in the area will begin to swell. As a result, my body produces more mucous which will make it hard to breathe without obstruction.

I've tried to alternate my sleeping positions between the left side and the right side in an attempt to clear my airways. I've also tried to put a bolster under my head to prop my head up, hoping that it'll open up my airways. Hubby has even bought me a Vicks inhaler. But all will only elevate the problem temporarily. And with the active baby poking and tickling me from inside my tummy. They all add up to a sleepless night and a heavy head in the morning.

How many more days to go huh?

Haiya!!! Kick!!!

Recently, little princess has been kicking, tickling, punching and pinching mommy all night.

When mommy wants to rest and sleep, little princess is all energetic and restless. She kicks so hard that I can see my tummy moves and vibrates! The result: probably a satisfied baby but a tired and sleepless mommy who has to drag herself out of bed to go to work.

Today, after a few restless nights, I roamed around the office with a heavy head and an easily-irritable mood. Someone who happened to step on my tail early in the morning has a taste of my temper and sharp tongue. Felt bad after that, but I must say serves her right!

脚抽筋

最近经常睡到半夜小腿和脚趾就会抽筋。那天晚上，右脚突然半夜抽起筋来，痛得我受不了。我不得不把整个身子像虾米一样蜷曲起来，用手搓抽筋的地方。可是不论我怎么搓也似乎不解疼。

过了好一阵子，疼痛没有减轻，反而觉得脚筋好像要被抽断了一样，而且好像开始冒冷汗。无计可施，只好把老公吵醒。他睡眼惺忪，伸手就往我左大腿轻轻捏。我哭笑不得，一直说“右边、右边”。他挪了挪身体，打算捏我的左小腿。我几乎发狂！折腾了一会儿，他总算搞清楚状况。说也神奇，老公解除抽筋的方法还真管用。没一下功夫，感觉舒服多了，脚筋也开始放松。

隔天，老公还可爱地问我他昨晚是不是做梦梦见我脚抽筋。

脚抽筋时最害怕就是没有人搭救，那种叫天天不应、叫地地不灵的感觉超恐怖。唉，可是我总得学会自己解除抽筋的痛楚。

Truly appreciate

Today as I was on my way to work, it suddenly occurred to me that the colours in my surrounding seem alot more vivid, brighter and livelier. At this moment, the little one in me stirred and kicked. I wonder if I have been too occupied in the other things in life to even notice the skies, the trees, the grass, the wonderful nature surrounding me.

Or perhaps, my pregnancy has made me take a different perspective in life. I slowed down my pace and started to learn to appreciate the smallest thing in life - as small as a little bubbly movement in my tummy. I think it is only now that I've truly learn to stop and smell the roses.

This may sound silly – but it is so true that 'you can only see what you are looking at'.

Is that just a tad too obvious? But really, doing so has helped me keep my eyes focused on the right things, the important things and the good things. The moment I let my eyes drop and fixate on the negative stuff collecting around my feet, I miss seeing all the wonderful things in my life.

Sometimes life is agonizing and finding the good is incredibly difficult.

But often life has lots of wonderful moments, but we miss them because we are obsessing over the bad – the bad mood we can’t shake, the mess at work that we were made to clean up for some idiotic colleagues, the argument we had with our significant other.

So for me, I need to continually stop and refocus. Get my eyes firmly fixed on the good things in life.

I am thankful for my loving husband, wonderful and supportive parents and family, fun and lively friends; and of course, the little princess in me. Life is good, and it will only get better. Have faith and truly appreciate.

What changes when you have a baby?

A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.
2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.
3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.
4. You respect your body ... finally.
5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.
8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
9. Your heart breaks much more easily.
10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
11. Every day is a surprise.
12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)
13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
14. You become a morning person.
15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.