The Not-so-Glamour Mummy

Jazzmint and I have planned to take some pregnancy shots of me since a few months back, but somehow due to clashing schedules, we didn't get around to doing it until 2 weekends ago. Also Jazzmint wanted my belly to be big first ha ha.

I had a really good time though I am not the posy-mosy type. Jazz even asked me why my smile to kaku sometimes, haha, sorry, me not model material lar. Here are some shots that I really like - because they don't show how darn fat I actually am :)

Thanks again, Jazz!

An Ob-Gyn Visit

I'd just returned from a scheduled visit to the ob-gyn - every 7-10 days now. Today's visit was a particularly interesting one. My appointment was scheduled for 3pm but the ob-gyn was no where to be found when I arrived. His receptionist told me that he was called away for an emergency C-section. What to do? Wait lor...I'd noticed that there was only one lady ahead of me, ok so that wasn't too bad. So I'd waited, and waited and waited.

The first hour and I was through reading all the magazines there were in his clinic. I popped out to buy The Star since I didn't get a chance to read it yet. That kept me entertained for the next 45mins. The lady who was ahead of me was obviously not the reading sort as all this time, she was either talking to her husband or staring into space. Then there were 2 other ladies who had a girl (probably around 3yrs) and a boy (2yrs because I'd asked). They started playing with each other because they were obviously bored with the waiting. The more they played, the louder they got and then they started chasing each other. I watched with amusement as it reminded me of Bryan (and how thankful that I didn't bring him along, else situation even more jia lat). Anyway, the kids then started playing near Lady #1 and suddenly, her husband pushed them away and said, "Stay away from her". Lady #1 chirped in, "What's wrong with you, children?" and gave them a glare.

GEEZ!! What's wrong with them? Being expectant parents, I would have thought that they would have learnt that tolerance is the ONE virtue that need to be had. Plus you can't really blame the kids for entertaining themselves. Sure, they were screaming in excitement at one point, but give them a break - they are only kids. Luckily, they are not my kids else this couple would have kena kau-kau from me.

Seriously, would you have responded that way?

P/S: By the way, I finally saw my ob-gyn after waiting for close to 2 hours, and all for a 2min visit. All is well with my Baby #2. Approx weight 2.8kg now, which was Bryan's birth weight.

There Is A Lot More Love to Go Around

As you know, Bryan is cared for by my MIL, or his "Ah Ma" whom unfortunate for me, Bryan also calls her "MaMa". Because of that, I'd started addressing myself as "Mummy" with Bryan, hoping that he will call me that instead to avoid any confusion. There was one night when we'd were driving out of my PILs house driveway when Bryan called out, "Mama". As usual, I would go, "Yes, Bryan?". And then to my surprise, he said, "No, no, no". Then my maid told me that he was referring to my MIL who waving at him. My heart sank right to the bottom of my feet. It was a very sad moment, that for once, Bryan was calling someone else so fondly, whom was not me. That was about 3 weeks ago.

Bryan has generally been more sticky to my MIL at nights as well - demanding that she carries him into my car when it's time to go home, or running to her first if he falls down and knocks his head. The first few times, of course I sakit hati lor. But then again, it's probably a blessing in disguise since #2 will be making his appearance soon. So it's a good thing that he is less clingy to me, except on weekends when his granny is not around.

It is a good thing that Bryan has so many people who loves and adores him. Afterall, my MIL spends a lot more time with him than I do so it is only natural that he is close to her. Better a relative than someone else, I supposed. At the same time, I'd also realised that my little boy probably has enough love to go around, who said you can only love one person at a time?

Our First Glimpse

The bump turned 34 weeks today. It has been 5 weeks since my last check-up with the ob-gyn because he was away on a holiday. Stats today:

Baby's head has already turned downwards - yayyyyyy!!!!
Weight is between 2 - 2.4kgs
Mummy's weight is a whooping 70kgs! (no thanks to the durians and Lay's Sour Cream crisps)

This time around, I'd finally remembered to ask the ob-gyn to give me a copy of our little boy #2 scan.

One thing for sure, he has VT's lips - thick above, thin below. Bryan also the same. So, handsome or not? Ha ha too soon to tell!!!

Bryan @ 21 Months

Three more months to turning "2" and two more months to his promotion to "Kor Kor".

Teeth: sprouted 2 bottom molars, and the bottom left incisor
Loves: macaroni, in all forms
Behavour: wailing when he doesn't get his way
Latest achievement: counting from 1 to 10 clearly
Sleep: Badddddddddd.....been waking up 4-5 times a night for comfort, and the up before 7am

Last Saturday, VT brought Bryan to the park so that I could cook dinner. When he was climbing up the gym, he missed a step and his right leg went through the step. He suffered quite a deep cut but surprisingly he didn't cry at the moment, or when VT gave him a bath later. However, he howled like crazy when I bathed him the following morning. By then, the wound had dried up! Up till today, Bryan would whine when he takes his bath and show me his "wound". He is learning how to seek sympathy already :)

Tag: Fabulous Friday Fives

Slavemom left a message in my chat box that I have some "homework" but I couldn't check to see what it was until today. Lucky me because it's a tag to be done and posted on a Friday, and guess what today is? - Yup, a Friday!

DO YOU PREFER...

1. To watch or participate?
Depending on what the activity is.....if it is a sport, I'd rather watch. Otherwise I'm quite game to join in!

2. Malls, catalog shopping, or the Internet?
All 3! Shopping runs in my blood.

3. A bath or shower?
A hot shower for sure.

4. To talk to people by telephone, in person or by e-mail?
In person. I like to observe the person's expression & reaction....you can tell alot from there. Truth will stare you back in the face.

5. Typing or writing?
Typing lah....now ask me to write, I can't even read my own hand-writing!!

Early Morning Scare

This morning, I was woken up by Bryan whining a little (he does this thru the night - reckons when he pees). I checked the clock and it read 5:42am. As I closed my eyes to get back to sleep, I felt the familiar numbing kind of pain that I had not experienced for a while now - the menstruation kind of pain! The pain escalated quite quickly and in less than 2mins, I swore they were contractions! I got up from bed and paced around the room - no use. I drank some water and waited - no use. My panic level was creeping up. Hey, the baby still have at least 8 weeks to go!

Suddenly I felt the urge to do a "big business" so on the throne I sat to relieve myself. If you've read my 1st labour story, you will recall that I had to do the "big thing" just before I went into active labour. By then, I was contemplating on waking VT up. This couldn't be it, I thought. I have not done any preparations yet - there are baby clothes to be washed, hospital bag to be packed, baby cot to be set up, baby bottles to be cleaned, a breastpump to be bought/borrowed - I am simply unprepared now!

After finishing, I decided to lie down on my side a while and thank goodness, the pain started to subside. Soon after, I must have drifted off to la-la land.

Thanks to Mr (Mrs) Braxton Hicks, my adrenalin level hit quite a high this morning! I think I had better stop my lengah-lengah-ing and start with the preps!

Introducing Mr. Whiny

I have never been a true believer of the “Terrible Twos” concept because I think it’s only part and parcel of children growing up and has no direct correlation with the age. The fact that they are getting older, usually just spells trouble.

Bryan is 21 months. He is definitely a personality of his own and is learning to assert his wants (mind you, not his needs but his wants) by whining when he doesn’t get what he wants. At times, he runs out to the living room and throws his entire torso onto the couch. Real drama king!

A few recent examples:

B: (pointing to raisins)…Want!
M: No, you didn’t eat your porridge tonight so you can’t have this
B: (whine & cry)

M: (cooking dinner)
B: Hold…..(grabbing my hand and pulling me to the living room to watch Barney)
M: Mummy has to cook….Bryan watch Barney with kakak ok?
B: (whine & cry)

M: Mummy going to pom-pom
B: (whine & cry)

B: Papa, park
D: But it’s raining……come we go and feel the rain
B: (whine & cry)

M: Breakfast is served
B: (looking at the bowl of yoghurt & cereal) (whine & cry)

Get my drift? I’ve been letting him cry because it stops in 2mins flat. I would probably not be able to pay as much attention to Bryan when I have the newborn, so better I start sending signals to him now rather than later. Don’t want him to despise his little brother, right?

What’s With the Bump

This Mummy commented that I have not been blogging about Pregnancy #2, which is entirely true. Why is that so? I’d thought of several possible reasons:

(1) Less excitement seeing that I’ve gone through this before. I did not once refer to my well-thumbed copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” this time around
(2) Less time to fuss over Pregnancy #2 when you’re spending all your time chasing after #1
(3) I’m physically and mentally more prepared this time around

You see, it’s not that I treasure Pregnancy #2 less (heavens, no!) but the feeling is different, somewhat, somehow. I know what to expect week-on-week, how the baby is progressing and the do’s and don’ts. I’d recently had a laugh with my ob-gyn about how I would wait for 30mins to see him for 3mins, simply because I didn’t have any questions for him!

In addition, I thank God that this has been an uneventful pregnancy although I did go through 19 weeks worth of all-day sickness and lost a whooping 5kgs, which also explains why I’m only 6kgs heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight but in actual fact, I’ve put on 11kgs thus far. I did not suffer abdominal itchiness, unlike my first, which my ob-gyn cheekily pointed out that my skin is “loose” already :P I did go through a bad case of insomnia, something which I did not experience previously but the usual backache and breathlessness are evident when I lie down. And also not forgetting the copious amount of durian consumed :)

My only worry is that I won’t be able to cope with a newborn and a 2yr old toddler, but let’s not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of it own.

Our Little Get-a-Way

Here's the post that you have been waiting for.
VT and I went away for 3days/2 nights to BALI.

We flew via Air Asia and my-oh-my, I wouldn't recommend the 3-hour flight for preggies as my back almost broke. I was even willing to pay for a pillow, but they had none. At least on the way there, we managed to get the whole row to ourselves so I slouched and tried to ignore the backache.

Day 1
The driver from The Ahimsa was already waiting for us at the arrival hall, with our names nicely printed on a shout-out board. We were pampered with ice-cold towels and a bottle of mineral water each for the quick 10 minutes drive to the villa in Jimbaran. Now, the villa was really something. The villa is designed with maximum air-flow and generous open spaces, complete with a private plunging pool. The bedroom is the only area of the villa with air-conditioning, which also opens up directly to the pool. The bath has an open-air bath tub and shower with twin sinks. What can I say? We were truly pampered!

We headed out to Kuta for a late lunch after dumping our bags and oohing-&-aahing the villa. The villa even provides a personal van cum driver. After lunch, we walked around hunting for a shop selling Polo shirts, which cost only RM80 over there. Grabbed a few as pressies and walked some more....ok, not a WHOLE lot more as I was tired. So took a taxi back to the villa to rest before heading out to Ku De Ta for a lavish dinner by the beach in Seminyak. After dinner, we watched "Vantage Point" in bed and zzzzzzz........


Day 2

Breakfast was served in the private enclave of our villa (cooking was also done in the villa by 2 cooks, who promptly arrived at whatever time you preferred). After breakfast, this lazy mummy promptly declared that she was tired and went back to bed for a snooze. I woke up just in time for lunch, and upon wandering, found VT lounging by the pool reading his book. We headed back out to Kuta for a light lunch. It drizzled in the morning so weather was cool but not wet. Having been to Bali before, we did not do any sight-seeing hence walked rather aimlessly, stopping ocassionally for coffee & ice-cream.

We had initially planned to have seafood for dinner but ended up in Hard Rock Cafe, where I'd indulged in a pork sandwich. How to find it here, right? We lingered till 10pm when the live band was supposed to come on, but after 15mins of waiting, we decided to leave. I suspect it was because the crowd was thin (only 2-3 tables). Back to the villa to watch another DVD - "I Am Legend".

Day 3
We were both eager to get home as we'd missed our little boy very much. Funny how when we're with him, I whine of being tired and at times, frustrated with his never-ending supply of energy. But when we're not, all I did was to talk about him.

We bade good-bye to the lovely villa staff as I dreaded the 3-hour flight home. It was definately a holiday to remember as it rejuvenated me physically and emotionally. Afterall, there will be no more holidays in the next year or so!