My baby has changed

Over the past 2 weeks since Caleb's birth, we have noticed that he has changed quite a bit from his hospital picture. He has become meat-ier and his face is more round with baby fats. He has probably looked more like a baby now than 2 weeks ago. When he first came out, he seemed like a kid who was only reduced to bones weighing at only 2.3 kg.

And just within 2 weeks, he has changed quite a bit. I was just wondering to myself that I have to spend all the time that I have with him if not, I will miss noticing such changes in my son which I do not wish to miss. I would love to notice every small minute change that is taking place so that many years down the road, I will not regret missing out anything and will be proud to say that I have done a good job as a parent being there for him and being sensitive to him.

Here is his picture in hospital...

BEFORE




And his picture now..(when he was sleeping comfortably in my arms)
AFTER



Don't you think there is a huge difference now? So for all parents out there- please take interest in your kids and be there for them if not you will start regretting as you cannot turn back the clock. Enjoy every moment...

Father and son bonding

Weekends are the days CT can really spend full day with Caleb when he is awake. So today, CT manage to "play" with him and spend time feeding him as well. I think its a guy thing to be kind of rough as CT shakes Caleb vigourously to wake him up and will make really loud noises as well. I have to keep reminding CT that he is only a newborn and very fragile, don't be so rough...

Here are some shots of CT and Caleb.

Below is a shot which CT always does to Caleb-kiss him accompanied with really loud noises against Caleb's rosy cheeks. Check out Caleb's reactions...



CT finds it a thrill to make Caleb really irritated..just to wake him up.




And just before Caleb goes to sleep for his afternoon nap, CT feeds him while still playing his computer game. All parents got to learn this skill of feeding with no hands. :)






Here is a shot taken at night when both father and son are resting..





And to wrap it all up, here is a picture of father and son whom everyone claims that Caleb looks like the dad. But from my astute observation, Caleb's face is changing and he seems slightly different now. But oh well, the daddy still wants to claim the glory and pride of his son looking like him...for now.

Caleb 2nd visit to clinic

Caleb's first visit to the pediatrician was 23 July 07 (Monday) and it was to follow up on him and to check on his jaundice level by taking blood test. The result was ok and this time round, he went today again for another blood test to monitor his jaundice level. Because of what happened to me last night, CT took half day leave to bring Caleb to the clinic while I rested at home.

Caleb was all dressed up before he left the house to prevent him from catching a chill since the weather these few days have been rather chilly.



Not forgetting his bonnet...



Have you noticed how plump he looks now? He has grown heavier and more meaty now..

Bloody scare...

Everyday seems like kind of routined already. Wake up almost 3 times in the morning to express my milk (12 midnight, 3am, 6am). Then I will try to get some more sleep before officially waking up at about 7 plus am or 8am. After that, I have my breakfast, then watch Channel News Asia while waiting for Caleb to wake up for his feeding.

Caleb usually bathes either just before lunch or after lunch. Then he would drink his milk before he goes to sleep for another 3 hours.I would usually spend my time reading, watching TV or on the internet while Caleb is asleep. Today, Marianne and my god-daughter Phoebe dropped by to see Caleb. Phoebe was so busy running around trying to amuse Caleb by grabbing things for Caleb to play. When Caleb is sleeping, she would try to touch him. Really interesting.

CT usually comes home from work close to 6pm as he leaves the house very early-at about 545am. Tonight, just before dinner, I was carrying Caleb and felt uncontrollable flow of fluid coming out from me. I immediately asked CT to carry the baby whie I go toilet. But it was too late as I saw a gush of blood running down my legs and dripping all over my dining room floor. I was scared. I quickly ran to the bathroom and washed off but the blood just kept flowing continuously and heavily. I was very frightened as I saw the amount which flowed out and how it just came coming down. I quickly asked CT to call my gynae and she told me to go down to A & E at East Shore Hospital to meet her and do a check on me.

I quickly grabbed my wallet and towel and off I went as CT drove me to the hospital. I felt weak especially when I lost so much blood suddenly and was wheeled to a room and laid on the bed in the hospital while the gynae came to check.The gynae gave me an IV jab and some medicine to bring home to take.

Well, it was actually nothing much. Its just that after giving birth, there are blood clots and blood in the uterus that needs to be discharged and it seems that the blood clot prevents the blood from flowing out normally and so when the clot suddenly discharges, a gush of blood just flows down, as if a plug has been released.

After knowing all these, I felt silly rushing down to the hospital and paid about $300 on this very night all for nothing. When I told my mum the next day what happened, she said I should have asked her and she would have told me it was nothing. Sigh...

Spread of confinement food

Eversince I gave birth to Caleb, I have been having ginger in all my meals. Before I was pregnant, I always tell people that I love confinement food e.g pig trotters vinegar and the fermented chicken rice wine. I really do enjoy eating it but now that only one week has passed, I am getting rather sick of eating it.

Below is a confinement food I have for breakfast once in a while- mee sua soup with kidney cooked with chicken bones as stock. Its quite yummy especially after adding the ikan billis.



I have my pig trotters and chicken rice wine in almost all my meals that at the sight of it, I reject it and tell Vicky not to heat it up for me. I have to admit, I am now sick of ginger and sesame oil which its a must-haves for confinement food. The picture below is a spread of food with chicken rice wine, papaya fish soup, red residue chicken etc..



I have to say that everyone has their own theories and it can be rather confusing and tiring to listen to everyone especially when they mean a lot to you. For example, my mum and mum-in-law always add ginger and sesame oil in the cooking of my confinement food and when I visit my gynae or pediatrician, they tell me to stay away from ginger and sesame oil since I am breastfeeding. When I ask the breastfeeding nurse in hospital what to abstain, she says, "Oh, can eat anything but DOM". DOM is actually wine. And guess what? My mum-in-law gave me one bottle of DOM, my brother says he bought one bottle of DOM for me from the airport, and my parent's neighbour also bought me one bottle of DOM!

I just have one thing to say- it is not easy carrying a child for 9 months, but it is even more difficult after giving birth to the child as everything seems so overwhelming-having to be diplomatic and try to listen and act upon everyone's different theories, as well as trying to cope with all the hormones acting in your body.

Any husbands or guys who will in turn be husbands in future, pls be more understanding towards your wife during the 9 months of pregnancy as well as after that. The reasons are simple...here goes:

1)She has to recover from episiotomy(surgical incision) stitches she might be given during the childbirth which causes pain when walking or peeing
2)take care of the baby 24 hours
3)thinking whether the baby has enough to eat
4)dealing with the hormonal changes like hair drop
5)coping with the squeezing out of heavy blood flow from the uterus (known as lochia)
6)dealing with her self-confidence especially when she sees her tummy still quite big and moreover, loose and wrinkled
7)Lack of sleep
8)deal with breast changes which make them really uncomfortable and lastly,
9)Worrying about her husband

With all these changes taking place, sometimes I really wonder what it is like to be or feel normal again.I seem to have forgotten.

These arent complains by the way. It is just to highlight it to soon-to-be mums as well as husbands to be more understanding and at the same time, for me to reminded of what I am going through to prepare me when I have my next child. :)

Happy 1 week old Caleb!

Today marks Caleb's 1 week old birthday. Well, not that we celebrated it but I just happen to think about it and it just reminds me of how time passes so quickly and how I should be aware and involved in every moment of Caleb's progress and development such that I will not regret in future when he grows up and think that I should have spent more time with him when he was young.



A song, "Cats in the cradle", was brought to mind which I feel all parents should listen and look at the lyrics. I love this song for it talks about how we should not neglect our children. Here are the lyrics.

A child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu,
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
It's been sure nice talking to you."
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Let's make use of our time and enjoy every moment in our lives. Do not leave behind any regrets...

Wake Up!!!

The words for today brought to you by me are, "WAKE UP!". The whole day today we have probably used that countless times on Caleb. Reason is that last night, he was awake for 2 hours from 2am to 4:30am. He wouldnt want to sleep and would cry once we put him to bed. So, got to take him out to play with him.

So, throughout the whole day today, we kept waking him up at the appropriate times so that he could sleep soundly at night. We used whatever 'torture' methods on him to wake him up- from shaking him, from bouncing him, from rubbing his legs and hands, from putting him legs and hands up and down, from rubbing his face and lips, from talking loudly to him. I know CT's last resort was to put a cold towel on him. Haha..sadistic right?

Anyway, Caleb did a great job waking up. We placed him day time on the infant car seat and he managed to stay awake for quite a while today. Well done Caleb!

So since he was alert, I could take pictures of him...



Here is a picture of Caleb and Tigger.



Since he was awake, I was trying to amuse him with whatever toys I have. But I realised I do not have many toys in my house which I could grab hold of to amuse him at this age. So, I looked all over my house to see what to amuse him with and caught sight of a duckie my colleague gave me for my birthday this year.

So here is the picture of it!

Thank you Lord

I remember 1 year plus ago when CT and I wanted so much a baby and have been trying for one and now that I look back and stare at Caleb now, I feel so thankful and blessed. Caleb indeed has brought us a lot of joy.

Today, he had quite a lot of visitors. My whole family (Parents, Brother, Sis in Law and baby Janine) came in the afternoon for lunch. My mum cooked lunch and brought it to my place to have a meal together. Then my bro and Pam stayed on to watch "Freedom Writers" together. A great movie reminding me of the passion of why I went into teaching and the lives I would impact.

Here is a picture of excited cousin, Janine when she saw how small Caleb is. She was trying to pat him.



Today marks the day when CT got his first poo on his shirt! Haha.. Being adventurous and curious, I brought his shirt close to my nose to smell it and guess what? No stench or whatsoever smell at all. In fact, it kinds of smell like orange juice for no reason. Haha..



Close to evening time, CT's family came bringing us dinner. CT's mum brought food to cook in my kitchen and they had a great time staring at Caleb.

Since most of the time I express my breastmilk, CT could do the feeding as well and it is just nice to see him get involved and doing a great job patiently with our little one.

Caleb discharged

Caleb is finally discharged today after staying extra 2 nights in the hospital because of jaundice. It was a rainy day when we brought him home and he was snuggly wrapped out in a towel as I carried him home.

We wanted to introduce him to the different rooms in our house and welcome him to his new house but he was sound asleep when we reached home. Oh well..

Just before we brought him back from the hospital, he was receiving his dosage of phototherapy treatment for jaundice. Love the blue light. Just like the "too fast too furious" kind of cars...



Back home, its unlike hospital where there is aircon 24 hours. So, we dressed him up like this for him to sleep..haha.



For me, my schedule for Caleb is to feed him every 3 hours and not on demand. Reason is for him to get use to a schedule just like adults where we have a rather fix lunch time or fix dinner time. With this schedule, we hope that he will be 'trained' to sleep at night without waking up when he gets few months older. That is what I learnt from the book. I must say its tiring because 3 hours pass so fast and before I know it, I have to feed him which requires quite a bit of effort since I am breastfeeding. Sometimes, he would just fall asleep while I feed him, then I will grow so tired that I just feed my breastmilk in a bottle so that I can rest and CT can take over.



This is the sleepy Caleb lying on our bed...



Check out his oversized shorts



After dinner, we sponged bath him so that he can be comfortable and clean which hopefully help him sleep better. Here is Caleb trying to turn to his side. He loves to sleep on his side by the way.



After that, we dressed him up in his pyjamas which again is oversized because Caleb is just too small...But it looks really cute and nice on him.



After the night feeding, he was awake and CT decided to now introduce him to the house. So he brought Caleb to our study room, living room etc etc and it was quite amusing to see CT talk to Caleb and to see Caleb's wierd expression on his face with his big eyes staring around.



After that, we put him to bed...and the night was still young for me as I woke up every 3 hours at night. (12 midnight, 3 am, 6am) Yawn..a very long night indeed.

Pictures of baby Caleb

I have taken lots of pictures ever since I gave birth to my baby boy. He is really small and fragile that sometimes, I feel that I might hurt him when I hold his bony body.

Anyway, here are the pictures. You can click on the link "Wakkofc" at the bottom by seeing more pictures online.



wakkofc

Discharged

After 3 nights in the hospital, I was all ready to go home. This morning, the nurse came in at 6:30am to take away my cathetar so that I can try peeing on my own. And I was so glad I did, if not I would have to stay another night in the hospital which would drive me mad.

What I miss at home:
1) My cable TV with my favourite channels
2) My computer with my games, email, and blog
3) The comfort of my King size bed
4) The space
5) Fresh air ,rather than the stifling, stale air-condition air that is on 24 hrs in the hospital

I remember someone told me before that even if they stay in 1st class ward with a huge room, after a while, the room is only like a prison. How true...

However, at about 10 am plus, the nursery nurse came and told me that baby Caleb cannot leave because he still has jaundice. She also asked if I would be staying with him. Of course I said, no since I cant wait to be home and moreover, at least I can get some rest at home and get prepared for baby Caleb's arrival to the house. I also thought I could visit him anytime I want.

So, I went off from the hospital at about 11am. Made my way to my mum's place to collect my lunch. She cooked for CT, Vicky and myself lunch. Got a huge pot of pig trotters vinegar and chicken rice wine which my mum already prepared one month ago. These are my favourite confinement food and I was really happy I can finally eat lots of it!

After lunch, I rested. Close to evening time, I received a call from my students in my form class who told me that they are at the hospital but realised I was discharged already. So, they asked if they could come to my house to visit me. I was rather touched and invited them over. They came and brought me food from Bengawan Solo. I then showed them Baby Caleb's photos and video clips. My class chairman even printed out baby Caleb's photo and showed them to the whole class. I was quite puzzled how he manage to get hold of Caleb's picture so fast. He said that he got it from my friend's website and printed it out. Haha.. How resourceful.

After that, they stayed on and played "Life" boardgame as I watched TV.

Anyway, I was really touched that they came to visit me and I do miss my class. They even added on to tell me to teach my lesson through web cam at home. Haha..how creative.

I guess right now, the huge adjustment for me is to think of how best to take care of Caleb. I know and am prepared for tough times ahead-waking up every 2-3 hours to feed him is probably a huge obstacle I have to face as I do value uninterrupted sleep.

But at the same time, I know God will give me the strength and love to do so and overcome whatever obstacles I might face and to be able to experience a wonderful journey as a parent as I bring baby Caleb up.

Getting bored already

Last night's rest was not a very good as I woke up at 4 am plus and couldn't sleep already. So, I went to the toilet on my own for the first time and washed up as well as bathed. Well, I have already broken the first rule of "DO NOTs" after giving birth already as the first day, I already started taking a shower.

I had difficulty walking as the stitches in my cervix area has not healed yet as well as the tummy feels kind of wierd and heavy. Moreover, I still have my pelvic pain as the hormones have not yet disappeared.

Anyway, after bathing and washing up, I went back and read my bible as well as breastfeeding books. At about 7 am, then I would switch on the TV to Channel News Asia or CNN for the morning news and it showed the Brazil Aeroplane Crash as the breaking news. So, that kept me glued to CNN.

In the morning, my uncle and aunt came to visit me. My uncle who is retired and my aunt who is not working today because she has a band concert rehearsal later on at VCH. Baby Caleb was with me when they came. So it was good that they could see him face to face.

Initially, I thought I could be discharged today because initially, I opted for 2 days stay in hospital only and since I admit into hospital before 12 midnight, it was considered as one day already. So by right, supposed to check out this afternoon. But, my gynae came and told me that I need one more day to get my swelling down so that I can pee. If not, I will still not be able to pee on my own. I was of course disappointed because just one night alone in the hospital made me feel so bored and I hate being uncomfortable and bored.

Anyway, after lunch, Marianne, Phoebe and Marianne's mum came to visit. Phoebe has been rather excited to come visit me and see baby. She kept wanting to carry him.

Check out his little tiny feet...

Baby Caleb is on partial formula and partial breastmilk because baby is born small and my breastmilk production will only come in more on the 3rd day, so need to supplement him with formula milk.

Marianne took some nice pictures of Caleb. Here they are...

And a picture of the Goh Family...

Marianne came and bought for me donuts as well as a cooking book for babies and children. Thanks Marianne!

After that, my brother came at about 4pm from his school (MJC).

Shortly later, my brother rushed off to pick Pamela up.

My parents came at about 5 plus and my mum started feeding baby Caleb..

Then, my relatives came at about 7 pm- My other uncle and auntie, and my 2 cousins- Wei Ee (who is expecting) and Shermaine (who has 2 kids already)-Click on the link to her blog as she has a very interesting description of baby Caleb which tickled me and CT.
With so many visitors today, I couldnt really sleep at night. So I stayed up to watch my TV till 11 pm. I wanted to sleep later so that I wouldnt have to wake up so early in the morning the next day.

CT stayed with me till everyone has left and when he reached home, ate his dinner and finish his computer stuff, he called me and we prayed together over the phone before we both turned in for the night.

We were praying that I would be discharge tomorrow afternoon as I told him that I really wanted to go home. One more night in the hospital could make me go mad.

Caleb is born!!!

Caleb arrived into this world on 17 July 2007, at 12:10pm with a weight of only 2.325 kg. Very small for a 38 week old baby. And it was probably due to the umbilical cord which was tied around his neck area as the baby came out. It was probably coiled up that he didn't get enough nutrients and all. Really thank God he was not strangled by the cord as I heard of stories that has happened before.

Anyway, here is superman Caleb displaying his power and strength once he is borned! (check out his muscles)

The nurses quickly took his temperature and tagged him...

When Caleb popped up, he didn't really cry a lot. Just made some noises and soft cries. Really cute...Here is a picture of him checking out his surroundings.

And here is another character that Caleb looks like..that is Master Yoda from Star Wars because of his wrinkled forehead..hehe

After a while, I was then transferred to another bed as the nurse wheeled me to my ward. Then shortly later, Caleb was wheeled in after they washed him up.

CT quickly took him out of his bed and carried him

When my family and grandaunt came, they could only see Caleb from the nursery room. But quite happy my grand aunt could see him before she left for NZ that very night. I thought with my expected delivery date, she would miss it. So it was a blessing in disguise that she could see before she left.

That night, I was feeling very miserable because I could not pee. After the delivery and the epidural, my bladder was not able to function though I could feel it was very full. So, I kept going to the toilet to pee but can't. I was frustrated and very sad. Nothing I did could make me pee. So finally, after many hours of trying, the nurse finally inserted a cathetar to my bladder to drain out. So that I do not have to go toilet and my pee as it just drips into the bag.

The nurse should have done that earlier. Sigh.

Anyway, I apologise to all visitors that night as I was not a good host from the misery I felt

A very long night..

Hooray! There goes the heaviness of my tummy...yeah right! That is a myth. My tummy still remains but just looks more unappealing-flabby and loose skin. Sigh...so much for wanting to look nice right after I give birth.

Anyway, I must say, it was one hell of an experience. Something which I just takes as it comes. Was admitted to hospital at about 8pm on 16 July 07 because my water bag kept leaking and my gynae advised that since my baby is small, better admit to hospital that very night, instead of waiting for the next morning.

So, CT and I drove off to East Shore Hospital that night after our dinner. We shared about our fears and excitement of the arrival of baby Caleb. I have to say, I was more scared than excited. Haha..But, deep down in me, I know whatever fears I have will be all wiped out once I see the baby. So, that kind of calmed me down and kept me saint.

When I got out of the car to the hospital, my water bag kept leaking that I was so embarrased cos my shorts were all wet. I quickly rushed to the toilet to change my shorts. We checked in and they brought us to the delivery room.

Ok, thats me catching some TV and just waiting for more obvious reaction to tell me that Caleb is on the way. But didnt feel anything at all...so just laid in bed and watched TV till it was bedtime.

Just before bed, the hospital served tuna sandwich and milo..yumyum. Better eat to get more energy I thought.

CT slept on a recliner chair at one corner while I slept on this small bed which I am not used to it. Sigh. Felt so uncomfortable because of the bed. But anyway, whole night, didn't feel any contractions but maybe just some regular menstration cramps. I was actually already 3 cm dilated before sleep.

Whole night was really long as I woke up numerous times because of my back ache from the bed and probably more strong contractions the next morning.. it gets more regular and more pain. In addition, the nurses kept coming in and out to check my blood pressure and do some other checks that just kept me awake every 2-3 hours in the night and early morning.

When it was about 5-6 am plus, the nurse checked my dilation and it was still about 3-4 cm dilated only. I was disappointed as I thought the more painful contractions I felt could be the reaching of the goal of 10 cm dilation. But there was still about 6-7 cm more and I was already feeling quite uncomfortable every 5-7 mins. And to make it worse, I heard 2-3 women in different delivery rooms screaming their heads out as if someone was murdering them and some even cried and wailed. With all these noises, I felt I would not be able to take the pain already since there was still a long way to go before I deliver and I wouldnt want to keep feeling more and more pain, every 3-5 mins..

So, I decided for epidural and I have to say that it is the worst kind of jab I have ever taken. First and foremost, it jabs through your spinal cord! Secondly, you are supposed to stay very still when they jab while you are curled up like a ball for them to see your spinal cord clearly. Thirdly, once they jab, you just feel a tingling liquid sensation through your nerves to your legs and feet. It felt so uncomfortable as the sensation made both your legs so numb almost immediately. Fourthly, just one jab of epidural costs an extra $500 to our increasing hospital bill.

Anyway, with all that pain, this was how I looked an hour or two later...I was even served chicken porridge before my delivery. Many nurses came and told me that most gynaes do not allow their patients to eat before they deliver, but my doctor is different. She believes in giving the patient energy.

I was feeling good. Whenever there were contractions as indicated by this machine, I felt NOTHING! Initially, I felt the tightness. But after telling the nurse about the tightness, she increased my dosage by just turning up the drip and voila, no feeling or whatsoever. I felt so relived and normal.

So, about 4 hours, I just waited and waited for my cervix to open up and dilate to about 10 cm. At around 11 pm plus, the nurse said that I was already 8-9 cm dilated. I felt so happy because I was so dilated without any feeling...and moreover, I just could eagerly await for baby Caleb to arrive and feeling normal-painless.

To add to my ease of delivery, I was even concentrating on my TV while pushing. Haha..I left my TV on and it was showing HBO- the making of the latest Harry Potter movie. My eyes were glued on the TV as the gynae and nurses asked me to push. That was the most relaxed atmosphere I could never have thought of!!!

As I thought of how those 3 women screamed their heads off while giving birth in the wee hours, I felt that I was just so glad not having to go through that but to just joyfully push in a relaxed environment without any stress or perspiration. Ha.

Anyway, thank God my gynae was so experienced and fast that I took maybe only 10-20 mins to push Caleb out. She even helped me by having a vacuum placed on Caleb's head such that the head does not go back in when I stop pushing. My friend once told me that her baby also was vacuumed and it was a very loud machine. So I expected that but my gynae used a machine that has no noise at all and she didnt use any force but to just keep the head in position.

Finally, Caleb is born ...

Admit to hospital

Went for gynae check up today right after school and the gynae say the baby is still growing very slowly. So she suggested admitting me into hospital tomorrow to deliver my baby as she thinks the baby will get more nutrients once he is out from breastfeeding, rather than stay inside.

I was shocked when she said that as I was totally unprepared when she said, tomorrow!! The Gynae then checked whether I have dilated or not and said I am 3 cm dilated already. Wow..I cant believe that all this is happening..But on the other hand, I am thinking-wow..faster good. Then no need to feel so heavy and clumsy already. Really mixed feelings.

This is a picture taken when I was 35 weeks. Effects placed to distort picture was done intentionally...

CT was actually grabbing and holding my tummy, just in case some of you cant tell what is that huge thing he is putting his hands on.

Anyway, I am back home now after the gynae visit and feeling really excited and yet a little scared of what is to come tomorrow. It will def be a new and uncertain experience. What kind of pain I will feel? Will I go through a C-section? What is delivery all about-what will happen?

Whatever my feelings are-good and bad, I am glad and am assured that not only CT will be with me, but God will be too. I guess with such arrangement, it makes me more prepared to pack my bag and thus, comfortably admit myself into hospital instead of having to go through some sort of "drama" to be admitted into it.

Can I say one more time that I can't believe this is happening...? hehe... I think CT is also trying hard to accept this fact.

I will be back, updating my blog once I come back from hospital with CT and baby Caleb...byeee

Day out

This morning, after church, went to Hotel Grand Central in Orchard for lunch. I never knew there was such a hotel. Went there to celebrate CT's sis's birthday. It is a very nice dim sum place, called "Zi Yean Grand Central Restaurant." I was surprised by the food it served. I really enjoyed there La Mian. CT ordered the beef brisket dry la mian while I ordered the roast duck la mian with soup. My mum-in-law suggested the place because she came here before and there is 50% promotion till end of July. So a bowl of noodles costs only $2.50! Even if you order the baby abalone, mushroom la mian, it costs only $5.

We also ordered char siew bao, siew mai, scallops, pork ribs, chicken feet,carrot cake, prawn zhu chang fen which was wrapped in bean curd skin stuff inside the zhu chang fen and also ordered dessert. I ordered a bowl of avocado milk cream dessert while CT ordered red bean crispy pancake.

There were 6 of us altogether and it costs us only $80, even though we each ordered a bowl of La Mian and each ordered a dessert.

After lunch, dropped by my mum's place to visit and help my mum out as CT carried my dad down from bed. After that, went back home, had a quick shower and rushed out to AMK hub to watch "Transformers". However, it was all sold out and we bought some stuff and dinner before going back home. We gave Vicky off today because we felt she would be busy once the baby is out. So, gave her off to meet up with her friends first.

Can you guess where I took this picture??

Nope, its not some country in Europe...it was actually taken in Ang Mo Kio shophouses. Cool right? Never knew they would have such things here in the heartlands.

The weather today is really humid. I took a shower before I left for AMK and a shower when I came back. Vicky came back at the time I told her to-before 7pm. She told me she went to her previous employer's church for service and at the same time, met her previous employer there. They took her out for lunch at East Coast Park. I am glad she got to meet up with them as I am sure Vicky missed them since she had been with the prev employer for about 10 years.

Today, Punggol neighbourhood celebrates Racial Harmony Day. So, the main road in front of my flat is closed for street parades/performances and stalls were set up to give out free food as well as games for kids to play. This was the scene of the road closure at my place as we drove home at about 5 plus pm.

We just had to do a slight detour to get to our carpark.

While driving around Punggol estate, I took this picture of a group of teenagers playing soccer. Punggol has lots of open fields where people play soccer or fly kites. I really enjoy such space...for now.

When we reach home, CT and I were glad we were home. I guess both of us are quite a homely kind of people where the house seems to recharge us, rather than outside. After having our dinner (I had beef jap rice, while CT had tiong bahru porridge) together which we bought in AMK, we watched a movie show together, called "The Illusionist". You can check out my movie reviews at the right hand side column.

Slept only at about 11pm. So tired...

As usual, painpain cos of my pelvic area. Couldnt sleep well...Takes me a long time to turn in bed since the pain is rather excruciating and when I walk around, I can hear the clicking of the pelvic bones..sigh.