A good friend is becoming a father soon!

News just in! One of my (male) best friends is going to be a father soon, for the first time!

So happy for him, a dream comes true! This is also the lunar year of the dragon, so it is going to be a 'dragon' baby!

Expect more baby news this year. So far, I have got three cousins who are expecting, one in June, and one in September. Not too sure about the other one.

Also, our good friends back home, Nic and Rachel are expecting their first born in about two weeks time, a baby girl!

I can never stop feeling excited for them! I simply love getting baby news!

Sixty Six!

When I was pregnant with Lily-May, the final weeks were dreadful. I was so huge that I could not sleep well, I could not find a comfortable position in bed, and my bump was so big, I could not carry Jinc!

On those final weeks, I was 80kg, that was the heaviest ever in my 35 years of age!

Now, six weeks post pregnancy, I am 66kg! Still a long way to go to reach my ideal weight, which is 50kg!

Week 38

I am now 38 weeks pregnant with our second baby.

Counting down on the b-day, feeling anxious, although I had been through labour about 14 months ago, my very first birth experience is still vivid. I just want a straight forward birth. This time, I have got the GroupB strep again. The same with my 1st pregnancy. I just hope things go smoothly and I am able to return home as soon as possible. I am so going to miss Jinc, I am sure.

This time around, we have hired a live-in helper. She is really helpful and she is already here with us on the 18th. Jinc gets along well with her, and I am so please. I am all ready to go to the hospital and concentrate for the 'push'!

Oh, life is great, with a live-in helper...At least I could put my feet up after a meal, and have time to read my favourite magazines, uninterrupted.

Counting down!

It's been awhile since my last post. It's been really busy these days, not to mention my easily-tired-heavily-pregnant body.

I am counting down to the b-day. I have 8 weeks to go until I see my second baby. Then I will go through all the thrill of having a newborn and the endless feeding-and-changing a newborn all over again.

It is very exciting for us, and I am so looking forward to seeing Jinc cuddling his little sister!

opps, we did it again!

It's positive, pregnant again!
Jinc is only six months old now, a bit too quick, but we are all very excited!

The 'show'

I woke up to a mild contractions. Feeling really excited, yet worry now.

I went to the toilet and discovered that I have had a 'show'. I did not know it was a show, it was of a little bit of red blood and mucus. I rang my maternity helpline, and spoke to a midwife and she re assured me that this is a 'show'.

So, does this mean the labour is starting? I am feeling really fit and great, apart from the very mild cramp on my lower abdomen....I think labour has kicked start now, or hasn't it really...

I keep thinking about food, and I guess I am going to make some toasts to start off. Sugar is at home but he is fast asleep now. I hope this is the start of my labour.

I just can't wait to see my baby!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing...

...and I am loving it!

It is such a lovely day today!

The weather is nice with lots of sunshine. I am having my maternity portrait done today. My photographer, Theresa is so fun to work with. We started at about 1.00pm and finished the session at about 5.00pm. Now, I just can't wait to see those images.

I just can't help...counting down.

I am exactly seven days, to enter into a complete new stage of my life. I am going to be a mother!

Yes, motherhood, a lifelong journey that will change my life completely. When I first discovered that I was pregnant, all I wanted to know was about pregnancy and my developing fetus. Now, all I want to know is about parenting, about how to cope as a new mother. It is such a daunting experience, yet an exciting journey to start with.

Now, all I want to focus is the birth of my child. I want to have a positive birth experience. I have been finding out so much about labour and birth, and get myself prepared. Getting to know my body and understand the natural process of birth helps to promote my self confidence, and I keep assuring myself that I can go through a very smooth and positive delivery. I am sure it is going to be the most unforgettable event in my life!

Let's see whether my baby will come earlier, or bang on, or taking his time. Due date is on the 26th, and I do hope baby comes on time, simply because I have put this down on my diary, it is like we have an appointment, so show up on the date!

Everyone makes me happy!

Got a surprise parcel all the way from Melbourne yesterday. It was from a good friend, Tiffany. She sent me a baby body suit and a pair of very cute little boy's booties. Made my day...

Went to town this morning, for some shopping and to the bank. Every one was so nice to me. I got chatted up every where, the teller at the bank, the sales assistants at the stores... All because I have got a big baby bump. Those good remarks and well wishes made my day too!

I am due in 2 weeks time (may be sooner, can be later). So very soon. Very excited!


small note: Found my ipod earphone..phew...i blame my forgetfulness to the pregnancy hormones!

W37 and 3 days...

Oh, i just cant wait to pop now!

Went for my midwife appointment, everything is alright, and my midwife said to come in again after 2 weeks. Things are all going really well. Baby's heart beat ok, my blood pressure ok, urine test, ok, all ok...

Well, I am hoping to see her again. I forgot to ask her about water birth. Sugar and I are thinking to opt for a water birth. I am not sure whether I will be fit to do so. We shall see. I guess my Lil'B will love to be out in the water!

I have already packed my hospital bag, I feel all prepared now. However, I could not find my ipod earphone. I feel so annoyed and I want to bring my ipod to the hospital! I am sure it is somewhere. I am also afraid I might accidentally throw it to the bin when I tidy up the chest drawers many weeks ago! I have not been using my ipod with its earphone ever since we moved to the new house. The ipod is always at the speakers...hmmph...now, this is something I must sort out...

20 days to go...

I cant help to start counting down. Not long to go now, and I am so so near to the due date. How do I feel now? I feel great! I just cant wait for the moment. I am going to scream my heart out at the delivery suite!!

I really want to do it!

I am thinking to do a set of maternity portrait. I have been looking and sourcing local photographers. I would like to have it done as natural as possible. Sugar is very supportive and he totally agrees that I have to just do it, or regret it for my entire life!

This is my first pregnancy, might not be my last pregnancy, but Sugar says we can have it done on every pregnancy should we plan to have more children in the future. His kind and supportive words are really reassuring, and I would not feel guilty to have to spend a fortune to do the portrait.

I kinda have my mind set to book this Egg In The Nest Photography. It is local and done by a female photographer, Theresa, who is a mum to a one-year-old too. I like her work too, seems like I have found the photographer that I want. I will just go ahead and book her!

Sorted!

I think I catch a cold!

It is very common to have colds and flu during pregnancy. Today, I woke up feeling normal, just a bit of sore throat. I eat as usual and in the evening, I feel fatigue and took a nap. I know it is common to catch a flu during pregnancy. During this time, my immune system is weaker and the fly symptoms may persist longer. I wonder how I catch the flu...no good!

I am drinking lots of water to try to flush out the virus! I want to be fit and healthy so that I can enjoy my very last stage of pregnancy, and feel fabulously about the whole term of my pregnancy!

W36

Oh, this is so so good!

I am now 36 week pregnant. I am carrying a full term baby now, and if the baby were to arrive anytime now, the baby will be able to survive.

I went for my midwife appointment this morning. Everything is in order. The progress is good, and midwife told me I am more likely to have a straight forward birth. Deep down, I am hoping it to be a really straight forward and smooth birth experience. I have done my birth plan. I am not sure whether the plan and actual birth will be the same. From what I have read so far, most birth experience do not go according to what has planned. Anyway, I am glad I have done the birth plan, which means I am feeling well prepared and more in control. Now, just wait for the contraction.

Bring on the L.A.B.O.U.R ! Arghhhhh!

Maternity Portrait

At 36 weeks pregnant, I am really thinking to have my maternity portrait taken. I have sourced the local maternity photographer and really like her work. She lives near our town too, so I guess I might get her to do it for me, before it is too late!

Egg In The Nest Photography offers many packages from maternity/ infant portrait to family portrait. I am planning to get the maternity package and the newborn package. Sugar is very supportive and he said I should really get it done before the birth.

Not long to go now, I guess it will be a good idea to just do it, it will last a lifetime of memory. This pregnancy has been smooth and enjoyable. I certainly want this as a good memory in my life!

It's just another day...

I slept for 12 hours, and woke up in the afternoon. I went to bed at nearly 2am last night. So, I would not need an afternoon nap, I slept through lunch time... what a mess, and I had my 'breakfast' at nearly 2pm. Breakfast was two slices of toasts with butter and a glass of hot chocolate. I am taking things really easy now, for I know, when Lil'B arrives, I will no longer have all these luxuries.... not long to go now. It will be a huge change, and I am not sure how well I can cope.. I am nervous inside, yet another side of myself tells me to relax and things are going to be really fun!!

At this stage, I kinda understand why most mum-to-be dread the final weeks so much and want the baby to just pop...I get it now. A good night's sleep is never a good night's sleep with endless trips to the toilet, strange dreams, baby's strong movements, trying to find the right sleeping positions and always wake up to find myself in the lie-flat position, then I would feel panic and quickly switch to sleeping-on-the-left-side position. Then, occasional noise will wake me for a bit, then to the toilet, and it is repeating itself, e-v-e-r-y night. So, I sometimes wonder whether I sleep really well or I am adapting well to this pattern....

Well, being at 35 weeks pregnant, I am very grateful that I do not have back ache and leg cramps. I consider myself really lucky, to have an easy pregnancy and I am still enjoying every minute of it!

The best part is the baby's movement kinda communicate with me and telling me that I am meeting my baby real soon! I just can't wait, can you, darling?

Not long to go now...

My baby due date is 26th Feb...and it is another 31 days to go now.

Hmm, I am wondering whether baby will come early, or on the dot or, a little bit late....I know this is not for me to say. My lil'B will know the right time to come say hello to the world!

All I ask for is a healthy baby!

I am big and beautiful...

...and I love it!

see the dark vertical line, called linea nigra...it is caused by pigmentation in the skin where the abdominal stretch and separate to accommodate my growing baby during pregnancy, and will fade within few weeks of delivery.

Not too worry about that, and I weight 70kg now!

2010, bring it on!!

I have a very quiet New Year's eve night, staying at home. Sugar is working, and I am staying at home waiting for him to come back from work. I know, it is not very glamourous to go attend New Year's Eve party at 32-week pregnant. Furthermore, the weather is so cold, i dread going out.

For a change, this is so relaxing and it is all I ever wanted. For the past three years, I have never had the chance to spend a quiet evening at home at the eve of a new year. I really appreciate this quiet evening, all by myself.

I watched the news on the telly, feeling the new year mood all around the globe. Some countries have already stepped into the new year. Fireworks every where, view of fireworks in HK from Victoria Harbour, Sydney Harbour in Sydney, in New Zealand, over Red Square in Moscow..... wow!!!

Welcome to 2010!

2010 is going to be a great year for us, we are a family of three !! How exciting is that?

The saviour of my dry lips...

Cold winter months...I have dry and chapped lips. My old lip balm does not seem to do a good job this time. I need a new product, to have fantastic result and won't burn my pocket! Today, I went to the local Boots and bought a lip butter. It is only £2.49!!!!! I tried it, I only applied it twice within 3 hours, and my lips are now so smooth and it tastes so good. It has the scent of dark chocolate and peppermint. For me, it smells just like After Eight! Yummy! I love it. It is really amazing and how can I not share this with all those who suffer dry and chapped lips?

I always love Palmer's cocoa butter products. I have been using cocoa butter for many years now, and with a growing baby bump, cocoa butter is such a pampering product. It smells so good on me, it also protects me from stretchmarks. I started using cocoa butter during my first trimester. Now, at 30 weeks and 5 days pregnant, I have not seen any marks, I have a baby smooth baby bump that I am so proud of, even my midwife is awed. May be it is my gradual weight gain, with the help of cocoa butter at least two times a day, I pray hard that I will not develop stretch mark throughout this pregnancy, high hope!