The End Of The Year

Hello Baby,

It's that time of year again, when daddy is really busy and comes home much later than usual. So now you know, come November and December, he won't be back til after you've gone to bed. Which mean you have to make sure you wake him up in the mornings.

Last week mommy had the monthly check to see how we're doing. The nurse listened to your heartbeat again, yup, still fast as ever, and gave mommy more folic acid tablets and this time, iron tablets, that's to make mommy's blood take in more oxygen to make sure we both have enough. Not only that, because mommy's hemoglobin, they're the blood cells that carries the oxygen, is only 10.1 and for normal people is 70, mommy's not normal, the nurse decided mommy should have my blood monitored too, and that means having to do a blood test every month!

So now it has been 16 odd weeks, you're getting bigger in there, size of a palm, although thanks to mommy's strong abs muscle, I'm speculating, mommy's not showing much... yet. Daddy said most likely when mommy hits sixth month, that's about over 20 something weeks, then mommy will show that you're in there.

One thing mommy and daddy have learnt, McDonalds prosperity burger does not agree in our family. No more McD for us, from now on it'll be Burger King! Junior Whopper no mayo thanks *grin*

Love,
Mom

Buy Now Or Later...?

Dear Baby,

We came back from Singapore a week or two ago. Out of all the things mommy intended to buy or didn't buy ended up buying something that I didn't think I'd be buying. I did think of buying maybe a couple of maternity outfit to accommodate the growing tummy, something simple and nice and can wear on other occasions, and as the last day came and everything already packed and checked out the hotel and a leisure time spent checking out more shops, on the last place we went to, there was a shop which mommy got enticed to enter. It was a maternity shop to boot, the fancy kind.

Several change of outfits later, mom and dad walked out with about ten outfits, tops and dresses which what enticed me was that I could use it for breast feeding without having to take it off. Design was really great, one of those, now-how-come-no-one-thought-of-that... then on the way to the airport, of all places we forgot to ask for the GST refund!! And we were really good about making sure we always ask for it, but somehow at that particular shop we just forgot.

Interestingly while mommy was in the changing room, dad observed an old man who just walked into the shop and sat on the waiting seat, dad noticed the old man was fidgeting with his bag and prior to that the old man was by the decorated christmas tree just inside the shop. Then all of the sudden the old man just upped and left. Dad noticed that the lower branches of the tree was missing a couple of ornaments, good chance the old man swiped it. Who would have guessed...

Love,

Mom

The Elusive Heart Beat

Dear Baby,

Last night daddy got to hear your heart beat, after mommy had to drink a bottle of water just to fill the bladder up. I'm guessing the theory a full bladder is like a speaker because before that, we couldn't pick you up on the scan. Right after taking the whole bottle it picked up immediately. And after that, mommy had to go to the toilet to four times! And we were at Auntie Elaine's place and it was raining a storm so we were stuck for a while until the rain lighten up a bit for us to get to the car.

The highway was flooded as we were going back, but daddy got us all home safe and sound.

Mommy happy that daddy got to hear you. Check up with the doctor's tomorrow morning, I wonder what new things will mommy find out...

Love,

Mom

2nd Trimester Is Officially Here!

Hi Baby,

Yes! Mommy is excited that we have hit 2nd trimester (if calculations is correct) safe and sound and no drama.

1st trimester recap:

• Was amazed to discover I am pregnant the day before my birthday, and had immediately forgotten what age am turning to.
• At the height of mommy's morning sickness, I was still able to make bentos for daddy. Because of that, whenever mommy look at the bento pictures, mommy feels ill immediately and most of the food I can't eat because the memory of being sick just came over me.
• Mommy was being really good in the first trimester making sure slept early, was already in bed by ten in the evening, leaving daddy and Shazam! to their own devices.
• Had to be careful of what can and cannot eat, there's a whole list of them.
• Mommy kept a pregnancy book, in it contains food list, nutrients list, and workout list. Not the kind of pregnancy book people are expecting.
• Mommy can't eat chicken when pregnant because it makes me feel like I want to throw up and good chance probably will never eat chicken again just like your grandma lambak.
• Had major issue with the kitchen sink, nose was so hyper sensitive I can smell the stink of the drain even though cleaning agents and baking soda with vinegar was poured down it.
• Disinfected the kitchen with dettol, it smelt like a hospital for a week.
• Was tired all the time, had a hard time getting to work!
• Cleaning house with great difficulty...
• Bewildering first antenatal appointment.
• Had to learn how to walk slow.
• Couldn't do hash.
• Trying to keep you a secret.

So far that's all mommy can remember...

There are now two cats in the house.

Mommy been busy trying to raise money for Animal Shelter, been making cards, ornaments and whatever me and Auntie Wina (mommy's cousin) can think of. There has been lots of late nights.

Oh, also now mommy notice can't eat much and I keep on forgetting to eat slow or else food is backed up and throwing up will happen.

Mommy also need to check with the dentist, gums all sore and red. I keep on forgetting to make an apppointment... when you're around, I guess we'll be going to the dentist quite regularly. We'll get daddy to take you.

Today daddy won't be home for dinner, he's attending a conference ball and mommy got hash with the ladies, and grandma mata-mata is making assam laksa! Yes!

Love,
Mom

Being Sick

Dear Baby,

2nd trimester is coming up soon, can't wait!

Daddy last night in his sleep turned over to hug mommy and his knee landed straight on the tummy, shocked me awake and the pain was strange, hopefully it didn't affect you, but it did worry me for a while. I prayed that you were alright and that it didn't affect you in anyway. Daddy's defense was that mommy kicked him earlier, hmmmmm....

Today was a good day, that mommy managed to get to work in the morning. Yesterday mommy had to take Shazam! to the vet for a check up and found out she had a fever and the vet said to keep an eye on her. Shazam! is the tortishell cat you will meet and she lives with us, and a vet is a doctor that takes care of animals. When you come out you will have a doctor that takes care of babies until you're old enough. We were worried that Shazam! got a fever, imagine how worried we'll be when you get sick. I'm sure you and Shazam! will get along great, your grandparents in Mata-Mata loves her too and they'll love you just as much.

Mommy's morning sickness has been reducing, nowadays it's not so bad, just the strange feeling in the tummy and the occassional nausea coming and going. I just have to remember to eat, but there are times when I don't feel like eating. And times when all I want to do is eat.

Mommy's dreading 2nd trimester because they say that's when the appetitie comes back. Oh dear...

Love,
Mom