What You Got...

Hi Baby,

Your moses basket covers from the tailor are currently washed and hung out to dry, beautiful cloudless blue sky today, so they should dry pretty quick. The covers are really nice, mommy chose one colour and daddy chose the other. It looks more modern, thanks to your grandma mata-mata for the materials, I wonder if she even remembered them... probably when she sees it, heh...

Unpacked the stuff Auntie Lin got you, a co sleeper bed and seven newborn onesies.

Mommy picked up a parcel yesterday from Auntie Jenny from Australia and she got you four sets of outfits, whether you can wear them will depends whether baby is a boy or a girl, hehehe... she also included a teether for you, a set of soft brush and come meant for baby, storage bowls, and some outfits for mommy.

Auntie Elaine came back from the philippines with an outfit from her boyfriend William, he bought you this really nice onesie, only trouble is when mommy had another look at it, it's meant for premie babies, and you're anything but premature when you're out. It's ok, we'll hang on to it, never know when it'll come in handy.

Mommy got given nipple pads and maternity pads, makes me wonder how many do I need...

The other day mommy and daddy thought we'll have a look around for milk bags to stock up, but we only found one box and we didn't pick that up because we're not sure what sort of price range we should be looking at.

All your diapers are washed and ready for use.

Your baby stuff for the hospital is already packed, I just need to toss in your towel and soap as well.

I think all of mommy's stuff is packed except for the toiletries bag, I realise would also need to pack for grandma's too since we'll be staying there for a while.

Yesterday, whole day, was experiencing what I come to recognise as contractions. Enough to be uncomfortable but not enough to render me unmovable. Had a filling dinner of pasta and lamb, and Auntie Fel is over for the weekend for Ucu's birthday thing.

Mommy is just waiting for another load of laundry to finish before locking myself up in the studio to finish off orders, determined to finish them off today. We also have a 1 year old birthday party to head to later in the afternoon, bought a diaper cake from Auntie Nadia, which reminds me have to make a birthday card to go with that present....

Love,

Mommy

37 Weeks Ante Natal Visit, EC! & Bras

Hi Baby,

I think mommy gained another 2kg again, cos the scale said 86.5kg *roll eyes*... Let's not think about that even though I'm throwing up half of my meals anyway and yet somehow still gain, to say it's all you makes it scary cos I'll have to push that whole weight out! To say it's on me would suck cos my shoes are tight enough as they are and to add on to that?! I really seriously thought I could get through this pregnancy without much gain, haha! Well, considering I am at the home stretch so it's not too bad non the less.

Usual basic routine with the nurse, and we talked about giving birth and the various stories we heard. I think I'm one of the few mom-to-bes who actually joke around with the nurses cos we'd crack up during consultations, hahaha!

Over the weekend, mommy stumbled on something called 'Elimination Communication' and am excited with the concept. In other words, potty training for infants. You're going to learn how to use the potty as soon as you're out! I'm not sure how I'm going to do that in the hospital setting but definitely within your first week old, you're going to go at least once on the 'potty'. 0-6 months old is the best age to potty train you, get you used to going on cue, saves us from having to diaper change often and cleaning, better understanding and communication with you, overall a happier baby and us!

We'll talk more on EC when you're around, in the mean time mommy is doing a lot of reading on this. Oh, I got asked aren't I suppose to be reading up on labour instead, I think I already read up on that when we were at 6th month, and in the end no matter how prepared you are, every experience of every birth are all different. So, as long as the hospital bag is packed and everything essential needed is in it we're doing ok.

Your Auntie Lin bought you a bunch of stuff, have yet to look through to see what you got, maybe in the next few days nearer the weekend. But I did see she got you a co sleeper thing, yay!

Monday was energy day and instead of going back home and coming back to pick up daddy, mommy decided to pop by the nearest shopping area to pick up a few more stuff, mainly under things. I thought at first I'll just get them all at Mothercare, but I got annoyed with the lack of service I left and headed over to another place where I knew at least I'll get better service, and this is when I'm a great consumer, because I like the service I ended up buying several hundreds worth... three times more than what I orginally planned, but it's ok. The brand of nursing bras I got were pricy but I was happy with the fit and the choices available. And your Ucu is getting me a nursing tank which I figured would be great for night time feeding. And mommy got VIP discount there anyway so it's pretty good. Last time I was there was to donate all my old bras so they can send them to other mommies or ladies who couldn't afford even decent bras, great way to make space in the underwear drawer, I couldn't believe how many bras I had that I don't really wear. Some never worn at all. So hopefully since I plan on nursing you for at least two years, I wouldn't need any new underthings for a while.

Love,

Mommy

It's Here!

Hi Baby,

Hahaha! The prefolds had arrived! Your Kakak Wiyah brought them over this evening. We tried it out, took one of daddy's teddy and diapered it. Never realised how small baby is going to be... Well, as long as they'll last at least the three months of having to constantly change you, I'm ok.

The snappis were interesting. I never realised how small it was too, they look huge in the pictures, it did what it's suppose to do, and it was dead easy to use! Macam nada so to speak. All I need now is to teach the various people how to use them.

Personally this is still all new, so I figured after changing you for a dozen times at least we all would get the hang of using cloth diapers. Got covers too so that should do it.

Daddy can't understand why we still need to get disposables, but it's only for hospital use, once we leave, cloth all the way baby. Hehehe...

Kakak Wiyah and I tried out the sling, I think we got it, it came with instructional DVD, will check that out to make sure using it right. Daddy isn't convinced, he'll be using the one we got from Singapore, I plan on using the sling for home so I can carry you around easily.

If the weather is good tomorrow will be the first wash for the prefolds, and dry, and wash, and dry, and wash, and dry, and one more wash, and dry before they're ready for use.

Dropped off materials and moses basket covers to the tailor this afternoon, hopefully they'll be able to make duplicates for the basket covers.

Right baby, daddy is out for the evening and mommy got to finish off books in studio. Rest well.

Love,

Mom

My Innie Is Now An Outie!

Hi Baby,

Mommy just noticed my belly button, it has now officially became an outie and apparently I have a mole in my belly button... In your case, you have the umbilical cord attached to it and that's your feeding tube for everything. You're pretty much like an astronaut in the womb... in a very tight space... which is now squeezing you once in a while... and next thing you know, you got squeezed out!

Hello world.

Love,

Mommy

Ps, then they cut your cord and you have to learn how to eat and breathe using your mouth and nose. After a while, few days to a couple of weeks, whatever's left of your cord that was still attached to your belly dries up and falls off and you have a belly button. Whether it's going to be an innie or an outie has yet to be known....

Prefolds!

Dear Baby,

I know it's weird but mommy is excited that your newborn prefold diapers will be arriving tonight! ...so says your Ma'Ngah... I ordered 2 dozen worth so that is enough for two days, meaning mommy and daddy will only have to do diaper laundry every other day, hehe... and it should include snappis! That's the alternative to diaper pins. Can't wait to try them out. Apparently I read I need to prestretch them so the elastic will have a 'memory' to return back to shape. Either way, I thought it was a cool invention when I saw it online. And hopefully as well the cotton sling I wanted, am hoping it's in the solid colour so it's easy to carry you around and it won't be hot for you.

In the mean time, mommy been cleaning house today and even did things which I've been putting off for ages... like mending some clothes... and tomorrow, am planning to go to a tailor to make more covers for the moses basket.

Time to make the bed.

Love,

Mommy

Full Term Baby

Hi Baby,

Today was the 36th week appointment, 37 weeks in a few days, met the doctor, not that there was any new development, she just meassured the fundus height and listened to your heartbeat, told me it's considered full term already, anything happens go straight to the labour ward. That was it. No questions of is there anything I'd like to know? or other information I'm suppose to know. Nothing. Made me think I get more information from the nurses than I do with her...

After that the nurse took me aside and explained to me about having to keep track of your movement and chart it. It says there must be at least 10 baby movements within 12 hours. If there are less than 10 in 12 hours, labour ward.

Annoyingly enough, mommy gained another 2kg since two weeks ago! that's 4kg in a month! Aaarrgghhh!! Surely you can't be taking in that much are you? My fruits and milk plan didn't pan out so well, was out of fruits and for some reason cakes started coming into the house from both of your grandmothers. I think it's time for a food diary again.

Oh, blood works came in, first time ever hemo count was up, 10.4! Woo hoo! I think that's a cause for celebration right? More oxygen for you and me.

Last night, cleaned the master bathroom. Today, will clean the other bathroom.

This weekend, daddy and I will have to do all the shopping that we need to do. Matress protector, your diapers, my pads, wipes, snack foods to go into bag, nursing bras, on top of the usual groceries list.

Last Sunday, we had brunch with Grandma Lambak and your Pa'Ngah and Ma'Ngah. Your Ma'Ngah said to me, to let Grandma take care of mommy after you're out, because I'll need it. She site herself as an example, she didn't listen, did what she wanted to do, and now she's only in her 40s and she can feel it, you got 6 cousins from them. Well, seems like mommy will be with grandma for a month after birth... said to daddy, we won't have to wash the nappies for a while at least, the amah will be doing that, heh... but must tell amah how to wash nappies, softeners are a no-no.

Now it's weekly visits to the clinic until it's time to go hospital...

Love,

Mommy

Mommy at 36 weks

Mommy at 36 weeks!

Hi Baby,

See that bump mommy's cradling? That's you in there. At last check you weighed about 2.4kg at 34 weeks. Wonder how much bigger are you now... Figured it's about time mommy take the pregnant photo. Some other mommies take pictures of their growing tummy every month, I suppose I could do that too but it just never happen. The one thing I'd really like to do is the belly casting, so a few more weeks and going to put plaster all over!

Today Auntie Wina came with a box of goodies one of our friend gave to mommy for you. She gave three months supply of nappy liners, two baby sleeper bags, and a baby seat which I've yet to figure out.

We also picked up a changing table Auntie Nadia lent for you to use, so that will be with us for a couple of years until she has her next baby. Decided to put it in the playroom, meaning I'd have to rearrange the room now.

I picked up two more nappy trial packs small size as well for you, so your nappies comes to a total of ten! Enough for one day usage... I still want to get prefolds for you, as it's easier to use for newborns. I don't know when since I would have to get them online...

Love,

Mommy

Braxton Hicks no 2

Hi Baby,

This afternoon was something, there I was getting up from my ball about to head to the toilet when all of the sudden this thick dull pain started from the back of my waist moving upfront and by the time I was at the toilet bowl I could neither stand nor sit. Managed to go to the toilet anyway. And after that I had to walk around and stand and sway just to shake the feeling off.

We had grilled lamb , mango and shrimp salad and an apple pie with hot chocolate for dinner, nice wasn't it... before that mommy saw this nice day bed which I thought would be great in your room, but daddy is a bit skeptical about it. We saw a baby high chair for you but it'll be a while before you start eating to need it. Then we saw this cute flower shaped cat bed which we were about to get but it was the last one and in the wrong colour... hehehe...

Love,

Mommy

Braxton Hicks?

Dear Baby,

Yesterday evening was weird, while out getting suppliments of Vitamin C and Omega 3, after picking up daddy from work, all of the sudden there was like an intense cramping below the belly. It lasted while I was standing while waiting for the sales staff to do the transaction until I shifted my weight. It went away and then it came back. Happened a couple of times, by the time I got back to the car I felt achy and was moving quite gingerly. I wondered if that was what contractions are like, but I always thought it would be the whole belly, not just at the base. So if that was braxton hicks, practice contractions, or not I don't know. Got nothing to compare to at the moment. But if what I felt is what I'm going to be feeling for the next few weeks I'm in for an uncomfortable time...

Love,

Mommy

Aaaarrgghhh!! Edema!!!

Dear Baby,

We're going to enter the 9th month soon, few more days. This morning while brushing my teeth, you'll be doing that too when you start having teeth, this thought ran through my mind, at least 2 more weeks to incubate, meaning 38 weeks is ok already for you to come out. Not sure if mommy is ready though, the deadline is near. I really must hurry and finish studio orders...

Last week mommy noticed that the wedding and engagement rings mommy used to wear have started to feel a bit too tight, told daddy and for the moment mommy has stopped wearing them. A friend of mommy's made the mistake of having her rings enlarged when she was pregnant and they are now to big for her, told mommy not to do the same thing. Didn't even cross my mind actually.

This morning, when about to go to work with daddy, mommy slipped on the pair of shoes mommy's been wearing all these time befor and during ever since having you growing in the belly. Shoes are normally loose, but this morning, *gasp* they were tight! I couldn't believe it, still wearable but fitting. Oh my god, I thought all these times mommy was able to avoid the pregnancy swelling, today it was confirmed that is not so... sigh... good thing it's temporary. Must remember to drink lots and lots of water.

I told Auntie Elaine that I gained 2kg in two weeks and said I'm going to go on a fruits and milk diet until you come out. She reminded me I needed the protein from meats for the iron. So it boils down to no simple carbs, no noodles, no sugars, no stealing sips from daddy's coke.

Mommy have to go and get more apples, and a bunch of other stuff. Mainly baby stuff I think. I'm not too sure. Waiting for one of your aunts to give me a call regarding baby clothes am borrowing from her. I still need to get more diapers for you especially since the yesterday's episode, they were up on the line to dry and it rained before I could get home in time to take them down, by that time they were all soaked through and all I could do was place them in the washing machine to be washed again. And this morning we woke up to rain and only when it stopped few hours later was I able to hang them out. Hopefully they'll be dry by the time I get home from work this afternoon.

One of your other aunts are going to look for diaper snappies for you, she said she had seen them so that'll be good to get, snappies are a replacement from having to use diaper pins, so no worries of sticking baby with sharp pointy objects.

I wish I know what other essentials that we need to get for you, it's trying to sort out between needs and wants is the key, what can we do with and what can we do without. I really don't want to add on any unnecessary things that we could've used the money or space for something that you really need.

Oh oh oh! Thanks to fantastic friends, we now have two baby car seats that were leant to us, so each car can have one. Daddy said I'll be driving his car whenever I need to take you out when he's not around, he said his car is safer compared to mommy's compact. There' s a good chance we'll just take one car instead of two to work, drop you off at the paternal grandparents and it's closer for mommy to come back during lunch to feed you when mommy start work... providing they're ok with having to take care of you... probably, since you're their first. Daddy hopes that it means your grandma will stay home more now. She goes out more often than we do!

So far we're ok with the moses basket.

Still trying to do the logistics about co sleeping.

Packing the hospital bag got a bit stuck with that, how many outfits to bring for you? How many pads for me and diapers for you? Towels? Wipes? Items that makes the stay comfortable and pleasant at least. Snacks? So much to consider...

Love,

Mommy

Fresh Laundry

Hi, Baby!

Just did the first wash of your diapers, with two to three more washes to go to get your diapers ready for use. This is to fluff up the fibers for maximum absorption when you pee and other stuff, heh.

Yesterday, Mommy found a couple more nappy covers, the shop was closing down and prices were slashed, so that worked out to $2.50 each. Took off the naff bow that was sewn on it, and I thought of replacing the velcro as well... maybe after it gets worn out more, I suppose. And bought nappy liners, 200 pieces for $4.90. So, I'm thinking of getting the rest of the stock they have, since the next cheapest was 150 pieces for $7.90 in the department stores.

Found more diaper covers at about $5.90 to $7.90 each, but I'm not sure if it's any good because there is no elastic around the legs and it might leak. I'm debating on that. Also, I'm thinking of getting the Mothercare diaper covers but that's $30 a pop. We shall see...

Love,

Mommy

Is Baby a Boy or a Girl?

Dear Baby,

So, far we don't know. Besides the fact that majority of people been saying you're a girl, and the ultrasound today - it's inconclusive, you had your legs together and all tucked up, so we can't see.

Good news is that the placenta had moved up, and free access for you. That was when mommy found out the reason why I was scheduled for a 34 weeks scan, to see where the placenta is lying because when we had the 20 weeks scan it was low lying. So this scan was to see if it was still low lying or not because if it was, baby would have a hard time to come out because it might be blocking the path or it will be a too tight a squeeze and mommy would have to go under the knife *gasp*. Fortunately, it's not and according to the lady who did the ultrasound, I don't know what is the proper title for them, said the placenta is above your head, higher up in the uterus, because your head is pointing down.

She showed mommy your head, your spine, and your tucked up legs, all clearly seen... if you can interpret ultrasound imaging that is... no print out of you this time because you're so big now. Your weight was measured at 2.4kg, and you still have at least 4 - 6 weeks of growth. The other thing they check was the volume of fluid in there with you and she said the volume is fine, not too much, not too little. I couldn't get a clear answer as to what difference that would it make. Will research on it one day.

So the ultrasound went well, and good news about the placenta position and you're in position, even though had to wait for over an hour for my turn and I was the last one too that morning it seems. Then it was for the ante natal check up, which went well too, mommy had pills replenished, and as well as having to have my blood taken for the blood works, hadn't had it since last January. By then it was something like ten past eleven, and mommy went to the place where they take blood next door and to read a notice on the door saying they'll resume at two in the afternoon! Good thing I knocked on the door and there was the technician inside, and I had my blood taken, or else I would have to go down to the clinic again in the afternoon...

On the way back home, mommy dropped by Auntie Jacq's place to pick up raspberry tea, Auntie Elaine said to start taking to help the uterus practice it's contractions. Auntie Jacq told mommy lots of stuff, and to be honest the closer is it to the day the more undecided I get as to what will transpire after you are born. Your grandmother Lambak wants us back there for a month which I'm not too keen with, I've seen what happened to your aunt and even though there'll be you to take care off but I think I'll be bored out of my mind which isn't a good thing. Auntie Jacq suggested for a lady to come in during the day only and she can cook and help look after you and mommy for the month, which sounds ok. Mommy wants all that massages and wraps but I don't know who to ask for, so many stories of people who says they can but end up they botch the process, so I'm pretty wary on who to approach and what to follow.

Got lots of tips on what to eat during that period, and I figured I just need to borrow a slow cooker from someone to do all that. Lots of ginger, red dates, black dates, steamed, soups, kampung chicken,mee sua noodles only and spinach, lots of it. Porridge yes but I'm not too keen on having rice regardless in what form. Mommy and daddy bought a 10kg bag of rice when we first moved in last year back in August, and we still have it. I doubt very much we would finish that rice when we hit one year of living in our house.

Mommy been thinking about the after delivery, I'm going to feel and look terrible after having to go through the ordeal of labour, they say it's not pretty because I won't have the energy to compose myself, let alone have visitors, and all I want to do is rest and get to grips I had just given birth to you and the trials of breastfeeding. I would like our first moments to be just the three of us, you, me and daddy. I think it's important. I don't know why yet. It just feels important that there is quiet time for the three of us first before everybody else comes in. So, the only ones who I'm willing to have around post labour are your grandparents and your aunts and uncles, ie mommy and daddy's siblings. Everybody else can wait until we get home and settled down in a more familiar surroundings where it's easier to relax and also no patients to disturb.

Yesterday we made the first major purchase for you, your cloth diapers. Although for this particular system we got, we only bought you 5 nappy pocket covers, and a total of 15 inserts. Have to check the starter pack we bought way earlier, so that makes 6, we would need another 4... and that would be enough for one day... Hmmmm, we need another 10 covers at least so that way we can do the washing every other day. I'm still thinking of the pre folds though, it says for newborns that is best since you go through 10 - 12 nappies a day for the next three months. I think in the next few weeks if nothing else comes up, mommy will order them including the pretty nifty nappy clips so we won't have to hassle with pins.

I'm excited with this whole cloth diapers concept, I won't feel so bad about the amount of rubbish we throw out, you won't start your life polluting the world with all you disposable nappies for the next 500 years, and we save money in the long run as your nappies will be used for the next sibling. The amount of electricity and power usage is minimal compared to the global impact of 500 years to degrade. Also they come in cool colours, even though we picked the plain ones, I'm not too sure if I wanted my baby's bottom to look like a giraffe or a cow. Oh I forgot to mentioned, the 5 cloth covers we got you comes in adjustable sizes so you could use it from newborn up to three years old! But I doubt very much you'll be in it up to that long as studies have shown, cloth diapered babies tend to potty train earlier than the disposable diapered babies. I wondered how early would you be...

Well, that's all for now. Next check up is in two weeks. Mommy is scheduled to have a doctor's appointment as well, this would be the second ever since this whole journey had started. After that mommy'll be going to the clinic weekly until you decide to come out.

5 more weeks to go...

Love,
Mommy