29weeks...

hey baby,

sorry mummy have been busy for the past few days clearing work after down with flu on monday & tuesday...

and guess what, you're 29weeks today!!! Hippy Yippy Hooray!!! only 77days to go... :)

you now weighs around 2.5 pounds/ 1.1 kilograms and measures about 15 inches/ 38 centimeters from head to toe. Your head is getting bigger, and brain growth is very rapid at this time. Nearly all babies react to sound by 30 weeks. Your nutritional needs reach their peak during the third trimester. Mummy will need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron and calcium (about 200 milligrams is deposited in your skeleton every day), so mummy have to eat foods rich in these nutrients. The skeleton hardens even more and the brain, muscles, and lungs continue to mature.

mummy can feel you rumbling and tumbling everyday, and am loving it.... :)

7th visit...

3D image at 28weeks 3days...

see you next round on 22/8

hey baby,

we visited dr. ang to check on your progress today. during the scan, doctor commented that you are a little big (weighing at 1.5kg) as of this stage, but it might be due to machine measurement error. last month scan showed that you're at 700grams, and it looks like you've doubled the weight in a month time... :(

but looking at mummy's weight gain from 56.3kg to 58.5kg, it doesn't look like we've put on too much weight leh...

anyhow, doctor says that if the next visit on 22/8 still show that you are "overweight", mummy will be put on a low carbo diet plan...

but in any case, for our health sake, mummy will try to watch the diet from now onwards and try to cut down on rice/noodles/bread/fries.

we manage to capture your 3D image again. hello sleeping beauty... :)

daddy and mummy love your chubby cheeks and high nose bridge and everything else...

can't imagine we'll be seeing and holding you in our arms very soon in about another 2months time, meanwhile, stay happy and grow healthy baby...

p.s: mummy is given 2days MC for runny nose and irrated throat. no cough and fever, but doc says soon as fever develop, mummy got to go back immediately for further checkup... keeping fingers crossed, everything will be fine...

this saturday...

3piece body suit from fox baby...

cute animals + cheerful colors combi...

hey baby,

daddy & mummy were in town yesterday searching for baby naming books... and we came across isetan having fox sale and mummy got you these at 40% off... :)

in the evening, we headed to AMK hub for the 2nd session childbirth education course. we did some practices on breathing techniques as a form of pain relief. guess the room is pretty dusty, cos after a few rounds of deep breath-in, mummy started to sneeze non-stop... :(

until now, the bouts of running nose and breathlessness is still bothering mummy. its sucky... :(

with the H1N1 rage still going on strong, we got to be extra careful, will monitor for a while more and sees if it'll get better...

28weeks...

hey baby,
we're in the home stretch!!!
The third trimester typically starts at week 29 and lasts until week 40 and sometimes even beyond. Most mummies gain an average of 11 pounds/ 5 kilograms during this trimester.
By this week, you weigh nearly 2.3 pounds/ a little over 1 kilograms and may measure 14.8 inches/ 38 centimeters from top to toe. At about this time, you can open your eyes and turn your head in utero if you notice a continuous, bright light shining from the outside. Your fat layers are forming and your fingernails appear.

can't wait for monday to come quick so daddy & mummy can see you again... :)

27 weeks...

hey baby,

we're well into the 27 weeks now. hooray!!!

you should now weighs nearly 2 pounds/ 875 grams and measures 14.5 inches/ 36.6 centimeters from head to toe. your eyes open and close, you sleeps and wakes at regular intervals and you may suck a finger or thumb. Sweet dreams, little baby! Some experts believe that babies begin to dream by the 28th week. What do you dream about? No one knows for certain but the brain is active this week as well. The characteristic grooves on the brain's surface start to appear and more brain tissue develops. Chalk up any rhythmic movement mummy may be feeling to a case of the hiccups, which are common this week and throughout the pregnancy. You have them but is breathing in amniotic fluid rather than air. A paper bag can't cure your hiccups, obviously, but an episode usually lasts only momentarily. The sensation for mummy may be strange but not unpleasant.

p.s: daddy & mummy are still procrastinating about what your name will be... :p

kidzloft...

Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat

hey baby,

daddy and mummy made our way to kidzloft last saturday and bought you a whole load of stuffs... :)

most important of all, we finally got you your car-seat. its a steal at 50% off from the original price of $519.

in all, we spend $461.70 and saved $454.70... the next big item to get will be the stroller, which mummy will wait for at the taka baby fair scheduled somewhere in august.

Newborn High Top Sneaker

daddy spotted this pair of cute sneaker and say you MUST have it... :)

spree #xx...

hey baby,
does this package looked familiar? mummy kinda lost count on the number of spree... :p
but the seller is kind enough to squeeze 3 spree items into one package, thus saving 2x registered mail postage... :)
ok, let the pictures do the talking... :)

eco (re-usable) bags

which can be folded up into shape of strawberry

hanamugari carrier to strap you on when you are bigger

pooh bear diaper bag in green

carter's hood towel

carter's 3-piece suit, short sleeve version

and the long sleeve version

what's this???

cute and dainty 7-days socks

bonding...

conversation on the way home after picking daddy up

daddy: how's mummy today?
mummy: ok good, work busy though...
daddy: how's baby today?
mummy: hmmm... she's rather quiet this morning, so i talked to her "hello baby good morning, is it because its raining today, that's why you're still sleeping? can you wake up and "move" for mummy, so that i know you're ok?" and then she started moving loh...
daddy: huh really meh? you think she can understand what you're trying to say?
mummy: this is bonding lah... how do you explain when she kicks whenever you put your hand on my belly and talk to her?
daddy: .................

right baby? you do recognise daddy's and mummy's voices and know how much we love you... :)

vitamin C booster...

each tablet contains 1000mg of vitamin c and 10mg of zinc

hey baby,
mummy is starting to build up vitamin C intake...

The recommended intake is at least 85mg of vitamin C daily during pregnancy — about what we'll be getting when drinking a small glass of orange juice. That goes up to 120 mg when mummy is breastfeeding... For zinc, mummy should be getting 11mg of zinc a day, and while breastfeeding, 12mg.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is essential for tissue repair, wound and bone healing, and healthy skin. Vitamin C also helps the body fight infection. Both mummy baby need this vitamin daily — it's the cementing agent that holds new cells together. It helps you grow and builds strong bones and teeth. And it helps mummy's body absorb iron too.

Mummy's body also need zinc for the production, repair, and functioning of DNA, so getting enough is particularly important for the rapid cell growth that occurs during pregnancy. Zinc is an essential mineral that helps support the immune system, maintain the sense of taste and smell, and heal wounds.

p.s: we got the value-pack from watson and the cheery orange tumbler comes free with it... :)

constant craving...

hey baby,
mummy have been thinking about the pineapple tarts from malacca even since we bought them back last year.
a colleague went to malacca last week and bought this back for mummy, at no charge as she says this is a treat for baby... :)
2nd day only and half gone... :p
let's bring some back for daddy tonight.
yum yum...

pedicure DIY...

hey baby,
at 26weeks, mummy is still able to "contort" the body to get the toes painted DIY. not too bad huh... :)
the $35 saved can be use to buy you stuffs instead... :)

p.s: yesterday night, daddy and mummy watch in amusement and amazement as you twist and turn inside and create ripples on the belly... :)

p.p.s: mummy is suffering from rashes on the neck and face for the past week. During the day, mummy try not to scratch as scratching caused the affected areas to develop small angry red bumps that itch even more. At night, the itch is so bad that mummy cannot sleep peacefully. must be the hormones causing some allergy. got to go see dr ang soon... :(

fund raising disney cushion...

hey baby,
remeber mummy was telling you about the little girl charmaine? As on 5th july, they've raised the half million dollars and can start preparing to send charmaine over to NY for treatment. This news is indeed uplifting... :)
these are the cushion covers that mummy bought from the fund raising activity. The cushions are vacuum packed separately, which is good for storage. daddy had stashed them up in the cupboard for now. when we move into our own flat next year, you can have them all... :)

the search pays off...

hey baby,
yesterday afternoon after collecting the disney cushions from Ubi, daddy and mummy continue the search for your pram and car seat...
shortlisted the following places:
- baby avenue @ balestier road
- aprisin s'pore @ tagore lane
- kidzloft @ tagore industrial avenue

the first stop is baby avenue...
limited prams, car seats, and other baby products. :(
the cots there are nice though, but are all tag with hefty prices, say like $1,400??? and diaper bag going at $495!!! crazy...
and the staffs totally IGNORED us, not a greeting nor engage any eye contact AT ALL.
they sucks!

next we stopped by aprisin s'pore...
they mainly carry brands like little tikes (toys) and aprica (pram & car seat).
exorbitant price for the prams and car seats... we'll NEVER pay $700 for a infant car seat.
anyway, the staff's service is only luke-warm.
mummy is not impressed... :(

last stop is kidzloft...
spotted a couple of car seats and so daddy got a staff over to do a demo and also understand the products better... the lady staff diligently explained and demo how the car seat works and answered all our queries promptly.
best of all, she told us that there is a promotion on-going till 31st july where we can print out a voucher from the website and we'll be entitled for a one time 50% off on all products!!!
wow!!! the car seat we liked cost $519, so with 50% off, we'll be paying only $260. and mummy have shortlisted many accessories too. hee... we'll be back next week to get the stuffs... :)
yippie!!!

calcium booster...

hey baby,
mummy's been busy lately and haven't been taking the daily dose of milo religiously.
guess this attributes to the latest bout of leg cramp... :(

ok got to revert to this regime from today onwards, for you and for me... :)

counting down...

hey baby,

mummy is looking at the baby ticker and realized that we counting down your arrival to double digits...

oh mann, we've not started clearing the room yet!!!

really got to start from tonight, promise...

p.s: mummy experienced the third round of leg cramp last night at 4am, ouch... :(

mummy: darling my leg!!!

(daddy sprung up immediately)

(mummy talking groggily to daddy)

mummy: sorry i woke you up...

daddy: its ok (while massaging mummy's legs)

daddy: ok done. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

mummy: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......................

the whole episode lasted about a minute, so no worries baby... :)

25 weeks...

hey baby,

you are 25weeks 4days today.

You should now weighs nearly 1.5 pounds/ 660 grams and is approximately 13.5 inches/ 35 centimeters long from crown to heel. You make breathing movements but has no air in your lungs yet. At 26 weeks, fetal brain scans show response to touch. If we shine a light on mummy's abdomen, you will turn your head, which according to researchers, means your optic nerve is working. At every prenatlal visit, doctor will take mummy's blood pressure and do tests on a sample of the urine. In this way, pregnancy-related conditions such as pre-eclampsia and diabetes can be detected and treated. Mummy's fingers, wrists and hands may be feeling achy and numb. The carpal tunnel in the wrist is swollen, as are many other tissues in the body. Nerves that run through the tunnel end up pinched, creating pressure that manifests itself as shooting or burning pain. Wearing a brace may help; so will taking vitamin B6.

Mummy is starting to feel fatigue creeping in nowsaday as being pregnant puts a strain on the entire body and also breathlessness when climbing up stairs or when walking at fast pace...

Breathlessness is common in the later stages of pregnancy, as your baby pushes up underneath your diaphragm and compresses your lungs. This type of breathlessness is normal and it won't affect your health or that of your baby. The symptom is made worse by the fact that you will have put on quite a lot of weight since becoming pregnant.

but all these discomforts are well worth, as you are priceless... :)

love you lots baby...

ikea leksvik cot...

hey baby,

after dinner last saturday night, daddy and mummy dropped by ikea tampines to check out other deals that mummy might have missed at ikea alexandra...

and look what we found? leksvik range baby cot going for $199 from the usual $279!!!

and sultan dromma spring mattress at 50% off at $45...

this was a fruitful trip and we'll be setting up your nursery corner very soon... :)

IKEA Leksvik Cot - Review
The IKEA Leksvik is one of IKEA's more deluxe cots.
Design
The Leksvik is a lighter looking and smaller sized cot made from stained beech. It has a nice contemporary feel about it.
When converted it actually looks like a toddler bed rather than a cot conversion and would fit into any nicely designed room.
You can get a variety of matching furniture at a reasonable price if you want the whole matching nursery look. IKEA also make a great range of bed canopies, kids manchester and accessories such as teething and bed rails.
Features
This cot features 2 levels and comes with a conversion kit.
Performance
It does its job by providing a safe and comfortable bed for your baby that looks good.
Like all IKEA furniture it is easy to assemble and reassemble into a toddler bed.
Drawbacks
It does not have a drop down side.
Conclusion
After your pram, a good quality cot is going to be the next most important purchase for your baby. This is a nicely made and designed cot and represents good value.
Getting a cot that converts into a toddler bed is great for longevity, however, if you are planning to have more babies it's likely you will never convert your cot so don't go overboard.

p.s: will get daddy to design and print some girly stickers of flowers, butterflies, dragonflies to stick to the side panel so that the cot will not look too "serious"...

mr men & little miss...

the little friends...

this is mummy...

hey baby,

sitting in front of daddy's work station are these mr men and little miss figurines...

can you spot "mummy" within the platoon... :)

ikea sale update...

what's these???

the loot...

hey baby,

mummy survived the ikea sale quest alone yesterday... :)
although it was the first day of the sale, ikea is packed with cars and lots of people on a weekday afternoon. and quite a few items are already termporarily out of stocks...

got you 2 cot bedding sets, a rug, pillow, mattress protector and some storage boxes...

and for the big items like arm chair, cot & drawers, mummy have shortlisted them and will wait for daddy to go together to pick them up...

at least this sale is worth waiting for... :)

rekindle hope...

hey baby,
mummy's getting all excited again...
all the sale that we've been to have been pretty sucky... :(
but i'm sure we'll be able to find somehing we'll like at ikea... yippie!!!

mummy is on half day leave today, so can drop by before going over to daddy's office... :)

purple mummy...

hey baby,
mummy thinks she looks like mr greedy...
with a protruding tummy and donning a purple t-shirt, daddy was very much amused when mummy strike a pose and get him guessing who mummy looks like...
another of our silly moments together... :)

feisty princess...

http://ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com/

hey baby,
mummy chanced upon the plight of this little feisty girl name Charmaine who has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She is currently in the 4th stage and fighting hard. Her mummy and friends are greatly saddened that such a sweet and cheerful little girl has to undergo so much pain and suffering at such a young age. And she is only turning 4 this 14th july.

In order for them to help Charmaine fight this cancer battle, they are raising funds for the substantial medical expenses and the expensive treatments. To double Charmaine's chances of survival, there is an alternative form of treatment for neuroblastoma offered in the US. The drug used in the treatment is known as 3F8, which is produced by the white blood cells of mice. These antibodies are given intravenously to a patient and will circulate in the bloodstream till they attach to a neuroblastoma cell. The patient's own immune system will then attack and kill the neuroblastoma cell. This treatment has been used in more than 500 patients since 1987.

They will need to raise SGD500k (and this is only the cost for the treatment alone) within a stipulated time, in order for charmaine and her mummy to fly to New York to receive the treatment.

Below is a heart wrenching entry written by Charmaine's mummy Cynthia appealing for help.
I thought over, probably a couple hundreds of times wondering how to write this entry. At the end of the day, I still have no idea what to write. Truth is when I first saw the email sent by Dr Aung on the amount needed to bring Charmaine to New York for treatment, I was shocked. $350,000 is the upfront deposit. I weren’t sure what currency it was in.
Sent Jolene and Charlene a text message, ending the message with “I would give up if it is in USD”. And of course, the bad news never ends.
$350,000 USD. Half a million Singapore dollars.
How would I ever be able to raise this amount of sum? How do I convince anyone that Charmaine’s life is worth half a million dollars? I don’t know how. I seriously don’t know how. So many times, I want to give up. I don’t know how to think. I don’t know what to think. I don’t want to think. I don’t dare to think. A week has passed since I received the email and I know I have already procrastinated a week away and made no progress. I am brought up to think rationally and weigh my decisions against benefits and cost. Rationally speaking, I know fully well that half a million dollars can be better spent on saving thousands of malnourished kids in Africa than on Charmaine who only has a 40-50% chance of survival even with the antibody in New York. But Charmaine is my daughter. No amount of money can justify how important she is to me.
And Jase. Despite Jase’s young age and maturity, I know fully well that he loves his mei mei just as much as I do. I would do just about anything to save her. I thought about selling my kidney, being a surrogate mom. They may sound stupid and crazy but my conscience feels so much better with me earning that USD $350,000 because I cannot think of any rational reason to convince you to help me save Charmaine.
I really thought of giving up. Its so much more easier and I am so tired.I don’t want to think about anything anymore. Its easier just remembering the next doctor’s appointment, the next time for medication, the next time to pay the bills and just things I can do without thinking…
I even avoided Jolene and Charlene for a week because I have no answer for them. Their suggestion to go public and seek for help. My permission to allow them to publicise the materials.
Even as I am typing right now, I don’t exactly know what am I doing. I don’t know what I have decided. I don’t know the consequences of me typing this. The only thing I know for sure is that should anything happen to Charmaine, I would never be able to forgive myself for not trying to fight for Charmaine when all she has to help her is me.
This is the very reason why I am typing this.
Dear friends, please help Jase and me to save Charmaine.
Thank you.
Cynthia

daddy & mummy are doing our part to help Charmaine:
- participate in the fund raising activity of buying disney cushions (1 set of 5 designs)
http://www.singaporemotherhood.com/forumboard/messages/581296/2625433.html?1246212270
- daddy offered his office as a collection point for the buyers to pick up their purchases, as the current pick up points at Ubin and Tampines are too limited for some to access.

in years to come, when you read this, mummy hope you'll be appreciative of what life have install for you and also be compassionate and to put those less fortunate people before you...
and hopefully by then, Charmaine would have grown into a healthy and happy teenager, and as feisty as she is now...

influenza A alert...

hey baby,
oh dear, daddy had been feeling unwell since last night, feeling feverish and nose blocked. this morning when mummy called to check on daddy, he was still in bed and complained of sore throat.

there's nothing mummy can do now, except to wait for the news after daddy consult the doc. hopefully it'll be just a normal flu and not anything serious... :(

as stated in MOH webpage:
Pregnant women are more susceptible to complications from influenza hence you should avoid contact with people with flu-like symptoms. Keep up a healthy lifestyle and build up your own immunity.
Pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters are advised to go for the seasonal flu vaccination so as to protect themselves from the present circulating strains of flu. Though it cannot protect you from the Influenza A(H1N1-2009), the vaccine can help prevent complications from other strains of influenza.

Symptoms of H1N1 include:
High fever of > 38°C
Cough
Sore throat
Runny nose
Body aches
And can sometimes be accompanied by:
Diarrhoea
Breathlessness
Dizziness

p.s: if daddy is suspected or tested positive of the flu, we'll have to stay away from him for awhile, as you're our top most priority now...

latest update: doc says daddy's flu bugs are the normal kind, not the nasty H1N1. doc also says its safe for mummy to hover around... heehee...

get well soon daddy...

shopaholic mummy...

hey baby,
mummy is noticing some similarities in between... :p
there seems to be always a reason to get you another diaper bag or another couple more sets of rompers...

we're just another 107days away from your arrival.
time to move from getting the "essentials' to the "necessitites"...

mummy's definition of "necessities" includes
- pram/stroller (heavy and light duty)
- cot (includes mattress, beddings, bumper, etc)
- chest of drawers
- car seat
- arm chair
and these are items that comes with big price tag too...

mummy is getting "bigger" as each day passes, better start getting the nursery ready soon... :)

p.s: mummy just did a 7th spree last night... :p