The waiting game

I am still playing the waiting game - boy, it's nerve-wrekking! When I first felt the Braxton-Hicks contractions (false alarm) which was quite painful, I thought labor day is near. That contractions-scare sent me on a cleaning and organizing frenzy at 37-week of pregnancy. The following week (38 weeks), I didn't feel any painful Braxton-Hicks contractions. 

When I went for checkup last week Friday (week 38 of pregnancy), the doctor ordered that I go for the CTG (cardiotocographics) test to monitor the baby's heartbeat and to record any contractions. From the CTG report, I was having mild contractions 10 minutes apart. From the ultrasound test, the doctor mentioned that there's still long time for labor to start since my cervix has yet to ripen or efface. The baby's position is still not engaged. Now I am 39 weeks into pregnancy and my cervix is still not showing any signs of thinning. I felt disappointed. 

I am feeling very exited to meet my little one but looks like there'll be no sign of labor anytime soon. My due date is given on 18th October, which is next Monday. By the way things are looking right now, I might have to go through induced labor. Crossing my fingers and pleading the cooperation from my body so that labor will come naturally before next Wednesday.

Nesting bug has hit me

Today is a spring cleaning day for me. The nesting bug has hit me - I woke up with a sudden burst of energy with a sudden urge to clean and organize. Last night I dreamt that I was about to deliver and in the dream I panicked that I have not packed my hospital bag yet. I woke up feeling anxious. I know I have been procastinating alot lately. 

Today I woke up at 5.30 a.m. despite the usual unable-to-sleep-nights. Most of the time I could only wake up at half past nine. I woke up this morning and brought the dogs for a walk. Then, I went to Mydin hypermarket to buy mild detergent soap to wash all the baby clothes and napkins. I came back home and washed everything my baby will be using - playpen bedsheet, pillowcases, booties, mittens, baby hat, shirts, pants, hankerchiefs and napkins. Then I cleaned every nook and corner of my room; I wiped and disinfected the storage space for all the baby items. I used up every bit of my energy for today and it felt so good to have everything cleaned and ready for the arrival of our new bundle of joy. Finally, I've packed the hospital bags *a huge sigh of relief*

8 months pregnant

8 months preggie - starting to feel heavy and sluggish. Little one is having a gala time inside my womb - practicing all his/her movements before the big day arrives. Looking forward to seeing you, little one!

Valaikappu (Indian Baby Shower) ~7th August 2010~

My Valaikappu (traditional Indian baby shower) was held on 7th August 2010. I was 29 weeks pregnant at that time. 

This ceremony is performed during the odd months of pregnancy mostly during the seventh month for the expectant mother in her mother's house. Prayers are invoked for the well-being of the mother-to -be and the foetus. Mostly women are invited for this function. The expectant mother is made to wear a lot of bangles mostly glass ones of red and green colors and the sound of these bangles are supposed to reach the womb.

My mom insisted that she wants to do all the cooking by herself - she refused to cater. So, it was a merry occasion with all my relatives helping to bring their own home-made dishes to the ceremony.

Tairu (yogurt) rice made by my mom

Pulli (tamarind) rice courtesy by Aunty Seetha

Tomato chutney made by my mom

Ponggal (sweet) rice made by Bala Sinamma

I made this vegetarian butter cake

Idli by my mom

My husband and I

We started the ceremony at about 6 p.m. All my aunties were there by the time. The ceremony starts by Alfred having to break a coconut and put the garland around me.

Next is the bangles ceremony. 9 married ladies blessed me by adorning the bangles on me and prayed for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

Next, I was asked to pick one of the three bundles of rice tied in a white muslin cloth. The three bundles being ponggal (sweet) rice, pulli (tamarind) rice, and tairu (yogurt) rice. It's a old wives' tale that if you pick the tamarind or the yogurt rice (both of which are sour), you will be having a baby boy and if you pick the sweet rice, it's predicted that it's a baby girl. Back in those days without the modern-state-of-the-art ultrasound device, they relied on this method to guess the baby's gender. It was fun for us as well since we don't know our baby's gender - we are leaving it as a surprise until the big day arrives. 

I picked the sour rice - so everyone is guessing a baby boy :) Let's wait and see!

My husband feeding me the rice

My mom feeding me

A shot with my sisters and cousins

With my uncle, aunties and grandpa

 

Chin Lay, Me, Shuba, Durai and cute Nithish

 

I was so happy to see my good friends Chin Lay and Shuba and Shuba's family. It was a great celebration filled with love and joy. I feel so blessed. 

Mamil Mama Pregnancy Talk

We attended the pregnancy forum organized by Mamil Mama Gold Club at the Grand Dorsett Subang hotel on the 17th of July. The talk was from 12.30 - 6 pm and the registration fee was only RM 10. As it was our first time attending a talk on pregnancy, we didn't know what to expect. So, we agreed that we would leave earlier if it's boring. But the whole event turned to be so interesting and well organized.

We were served some light refreshments upon arrival and then we were escorted into the grand ballroom where there was a violin group performing all the classic pieces from Beethoven and Mozart - absolutely beautiful.

The first session was a general talk on optimal nourishment during pregnancy and pregnancy development and the origins of health. Both the speakers gave excellent talk on pregnancy-related topics. We definitely learned new things. 

The next session was divided into 3 topics of which you can choose to attend any one of the talks. We chose to attend the "Preparing mothers for breastfeeding" talk. I was told many horror stories of the difficulties of breastfeeding and attending the talk definitely prepared me mentally on what to expect and how to be prepared to effectively breastfeed. Before the talk, I couldn't understand why so many mothers give up on breastfeeding and switch to formula milk. This talk helped us to understand the potential problems and how to overcome some of the breastfeeding hurdles that most first-time-mothers face.

After the talk, we were served scrumptious lunch with the live violin performance in the background. We were so impressed by the whole organizing committee of this talk - it was certainly worth our time!

24 weeks

24 weeks preggie

21 weeks

 

 21 weeks

The first hard kick!

I felt the first hard kick of the baby today! It was so hard, I was stunned. All these while I was feeling flutters and nudges and twists; and now to feel a real hard kick is truly momentous. Alfred felt the kick on my tummy and he was speechless. It's priceless! My little baby, I love you to bits and am looking forward to seeing you soon, darling! Meanwhile, keep on kicking and punching as hard as you want- I am more than glad to feel you practice martial arts in my tummy.

18 weeks

18 weeks pregnant.

Baby Bump at 12 weeks

My little pregnancy bump started showing from week 11 onwards. During the first trimester - from week 6 until week 13, I was experiencing nausea with no vomitting. Other symptoms are fatigue, loss of appetite; and an enlargement of the breasts (I look at myself at the mirror and wonder at times when my breast will stop growing - it is darn huge for me!). Other than that, I have been enjoying my first trimester at the comfort of my home back in Melaka under my mom's nurturing care and love. Although I have no appetite, I feel constantly hungry every 2 hours or so; and my wonderful mother will prepare some food for me. 

At times, I wonder whether there is really a baby growing inside me - it feels so surreal. I will eagerly wait for the next scan - I've seen the gynae more times that he reckoned, hehe. But he is a very patient and kind gentleman - I love him! Everytime after seeing my little miracle from the scan, I feel so alive and assured. And I will go home feeling contented and blessed. I started feeling some flutters in my tummy during the 14th week; at first I thought must be gas; but after several times, I was convinced it was the baby moving! It is such a subtle sensation. I can't wait to feel the real hard kick ;)

After the 12th week scan, we booked a room at Holiday Inn, Melaka to celebrate. I really loved the stay at Holiday Inn, Melaka - great service, great food, and great ambience. Here are some shots during my 12th week of pregnancy.

We are Having a Baby!

I am so excited to break this news, finally :) I am pregnant; coming into the 14th week this week. It feels great and amazing! I feel so honored and blessed to be conceiving a life until its full form and to bring it into this world. Pregnancy is the privilege of experiencing God's miracles on earth - the greatest joy in life. It feels so wonderful at the thought of a life that is growing within me - I feel so humbled and blessed. Week after week, watching this tiny miracle growing inside me from the ultrasound scans; and knowing that one day we will hold this child in our hands is one of the greatest gifts that can be experienced. From a cluster of cells to a full human-form - I am truly awed at the wonderment of God's work.

My beloved little angle, your daddy and I planned you from the start; and when you were conceived; you, our dear child, were made straight from our hearts. It really doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl; I started loving you even before you were conceived; and I carry you in my dreams every day. Everyday the moment I wake up, I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone; little tiny hands and legs and body pushing and bouncing in a warm watery home within me; my beloved darling kicking up your heels; it is our little secret that only I can feel; oh, how blessed I am to have you inside me.