Magical moments in life - Part 1

1st Magical moment in my life - Pregnancy

Those mommy out there, who had gone through pregnancy process themselves, will understand what I'm saying.

Getting to know that you are pregnant with a new life inside your stomach, indeed was a very happy moment and exciting, with the exception for those who do not wish to have baby at that time, could be not prepared, not ready yet or not yet married.

When I was young, I always wondering how the pregnancy like. I could not imagine it as I had never experience it before. However since I like kids, I always looking forward to have my own child one day when I grow up and get married.

I was always hoping to have a baby before age 30. I got married at the age 29. Not too long after married, I got pregnant. As it was my first pregnancy, in addition I had been looking forward to it since I was young. So I was very very exciting. I

I read a lots of about pregnancy, child birth and babies. To me, it was amazing at how a new life can grow inside my stomach. Every pregnancy is unique and no one else can share the same experience as you do. Even though the baby belongs to both me and hubby, but he could not feel what I was feeling. He could not feel the movement of the baby moving inside your stomach, kicking you, having hiccups, somersaults, etc. It was these moments that I feel so close to the baby, as he was part of my body. Yes, not excluding all the discomfort in the body. However It was just temporary. The moments of joy had replaced all the discomforts. I could not stop talking to my baby, singing to him, playing with him, telling him to be good. The bond between us were so strong. And when I see my stomach was getting bigger and bigger day by day, getting heavier and heavier month by month, mean the day to meet the baby was getting closer and closer. Until today, I'm amazed at how the human body work in creating and supporting the new life in our body.

A special gift from the God

I was not having a very easy pregnancy with this boy. Not physically not fit, but having lots of emotional ups and downs throughout the pregnancy. What make thing worse is I'm not sure why he is brought to this world. However during that time, I keep on telling him that he's a strong baby, he's mommy's strong boy. Till now, I'm still telling him the same thing.

Last night, when I was nursing him, he was looking into my eyes. So close, so clear. He's telling me that "Mama, be strong."

Going through a lots of hurdles, stress and challenges in life in the past half year. Have been crying a lots too. At times when it was so tough, I will ask myself what what kind of tests that the God is giving me, and what more to come. Now I think besides the tests, the God also gives me this wonderful boy to help me along the way.

Zhe Hao, mama loves you!

Finally... here come the big day!

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. However I didn't really get a good sleep. Baby was pressing at my perineum, causing much pain, even when I'm not walking. I wonder how can I go to work on Monday.

Usually I will go to the market on Sunday morning. However due to the pain, I have decided to stay home. Hubby was cooking breakfast for all of us. I was sitting at the sofa, watching the tv together with Lynn while waiting for the breakfast to be served. Suddenly I feel some pain on the stomach and my lower back. My first instinct was am I having a contraction? The pain seems familiar - almost the same kind of contraction pain that I was having with Lynn. I waited for the next pain to come, and looked at the clock. It was 9.30am.

The next pain come at 9.35am, and then at 9.40am - 5 minutes interval - exactly the same as Lynn's. Hubby looked at me when I tried to hold on the pain when it come. The contraction is not that bad, but the lower back pain (that come with the contraction) is unbearable.

After the breakfast, I went to the toilet. And this time I saw the mucus plug has come off. So the baby wanted to come out today. Good boy, he seems to know that I have finally completed my task on hand on Friday, submitted the tax on Saturday, and now it's the day for him to come!

I told hubby about the contraction. We both decided we should go to hospital now. I took a shower. (It took me quite a while, due to the frequent contraction). Called my mom to help take care of Lynn for the day (luckily she was not working on that day) and quickly packed some clothes for Lynn. By then, it was already close to 12pm when we leave the house, 2.5 hours after contraction started.

I went to register myself at the hospital. After some checking, I was pushed to the labour room at 1pm. At that time, the cervix was 7cm opened. I need to wait till it fully dilated at 10cm. Mom still not here yet. So hubby cant come into the labour room with me, as he has to take care of Lynn outside.

Similar to last delivery, my water bag didn't break by itself. So the doctor has to break the water bag. After that, it is just a waiting time. I was looking at the clock, it was past 1.30pm, but still no sign of hubby yet. The nurse has put a drip on my left wrist as I cant take any food at the moment. I was trying to tell myself to relax when the contraction come.

Finally hubby came in around 2pm. The contraction started getting stronger. The cervix now is 8cm dilated. However doctor said it's still not the time yet. Have to wait for about 1 hour more for the cervix to fully dilated. Oh... still an hour more to go. The contraction was getting stronger and stronger. Finally, it reached a point where I can feel the baby is pushing out and this is very difficult to hold back. The doctor came in and gave signal for me to push in the next contraction.

I remembered it was 4 pushes altogether (I only needed to push twice for Lynn to come out) - 1 short and 3 very long push. Finally I can feel the baby is out. What a relief. Yes, it's a baby boy! The baby was in blue-ish red, then I heard a loud baby cry. It was closed to 2.30pm.

Pregnancy check up - Week 38

Went for another check up at June 24. During these 2 weeks, I really watch out what am I eating, and reduce the amount of food intake. It was difficult. Imagine you are feeling hungry and yet you cannot eat too much. My boss took all of us for a good lunch on the occasion of office relocation. However I cannot eat as much as I wanted, due to the doctor's advice. Oh looking at those mouth-watering dishes but can only take a small amount is really a torture.

Finally I feel a bit relief, when I was being told that my weight remained the same as 2 weeks back. And baby has just gained 0.1 kg to 3.1kg. Phew! Doctor also mentioned baby's head already engaged (that's the reason causing me feeling pain when walking) and baby is ready to come out at anytime. Well, recently I have been telling the baby, that he knows his true birthday, he knows what is the best time to come out, the best position etc. Most important is both of us will be safe. Now I'm just waiting for the big day. At the mean time, I need to settle some of the things in work before the arrival of the big day.

Pregnancy check up - 9th month

Went for the 9th month check up on June 10. Oh my god, I have gained 3kg in total! And baby is now weight at 3kg!

Well, don't ask me why. Basically I didn't really eat a lot and is already avoiding taking too much carbohydrates and take more protein. Doctor warned me to keep an eye of my diet so that baby won't go too big. As I still have 4 weeks to go for full term. Sigh....

Back ache

I have been enjoying minimum back ache for many months in this pregnancy, until recently. On the day we went to Malacca, I hurt the back muscle from carrying Lynn. I accidentally pulled the back muscle When i was putting her down. I can feel the sharp pain from the lower back and I can't help to shout out.

For a moment, I couldn't move and get up. Lynn was looking at me. She knew something was not right. And she knew is was because I carried her. Actually all these while I'm avoiding carry her, unless she's really demand for it, and I will just carry her for short distance and short while only. We have been keep on telling her that mommy cannot carry her anymore because she's getting heavy, and at the same time mommy also need to carry the baby in the stomach.

I knew I cannot carry Lynn anymore, due to the pull muscle. And I have to be very careful not to hurt the back again. However I don't expect the pain get worse. When I was in Malacca, I come to almost cannot walk stage. I need someone to support me when walking. Every step create a sharp pain in the lower back. I had no choice but to seek medical treatment. The doctor gave me some patches for the back. It was just to relief the pain, but not for healing the back muscle. The muscle need quite a while to heal, and I had to be very careful.

From that day onwards, we can hear Lynn said "Mama tong tong" (means Mama in pain in Mandarin) to everyone. And she stop requesting me to carry her anymore. Instead she will just ask for a hug, and some kissing. Of course she still miss me carrying her, as she will demand me to do something for her, as if to replace what she has missed. I will try my best to fulfill her needs, whenever I can, unless I feel very tired, then I will ask her to demand it from her daddy.

Since then, I will constantly having back ache, whenever I feel tired. I hope this will not continue for long, after the baby has come out. I do hope able to carry Lynn after delivering the baby.

Getting clumsy and forgetful

While the stomach is getting bigger and bigger, and I'm gaining more and more weight, now I can feel like I'm getting clumsy than usual. I'm walking slower nowadays, feel tired easily, always need to adjust myself while sitting, feeling less energetic etc. All these are the side effects of the pregnancy. And I'm getting forgetful also! Things that I remember the night before can totally out of my mind when I wake up the next morning. I have to always search for the thing as I forgot where did I put it. Yes, it is a bit irritating but it's the package of the pregnancy. :) While we enjoy the special moment with the baby inside our stomach, at the same time we also experience lots of changes due to the hormone change during pregnancy. I consider myself being lucky at least I don't get high blood pressure, diabetes, other complications etc during pregnancy. So what else can I complain?

Pregnancy check up - 7th month

I went for 2 check up in this time - first with my usual gynae and the second time in HUKM. In the first visit to my usual gynae, baby was weighted close to 1.3kg. And he mentioned that his head was growing slightly faster (so the head is slightly bigger) from the ultra sound scan. Still no luck in seeing his handsome face yet.

The 2nd visit was to HUKM. This is my first check up with HUKM in this pregnancy. This time I register myself a bit late there because it used to be a long wait at the hospital, resulting me and hubby always have to take half day off from work. So I decided not to go there for check up at early stage of pregnancy. The check up in HUKM was one week later than the check up with my usual gynae. Baby now weighted close to 1.5kg, which means he has gained about 200g in a week. And surprisingly, the ultra sound scan show that he is 2 weeks ahead from the expected due date.
Well, I always have the feeling that he will come out earlier than the expected due date but I never expect something like 2 weeks (Lynn came out 9 days earlier than expected due date). For this baby, I didn't tell him when I want him to come out. I think this time let the baby decide the date on himself. Although I will very much prefer having a July boy, but I also feel that he probably won't wait until July. :)

The next check up is about 2 weeks away. Let wait and see what's the ultra sound scan tell about the due date then. All I know is my stomach is getting bigger and bigger. It almost reaching the size just right before Lynn was born. Some people also thought I'm due soon but the fact is, there are still 2 more months to go. I can't imagine the size of my stomach then. I'm gaining 2.5kg every month even though my eating habit no change, and I don't really take large portion also. Just don't know why the weight gain is out of my control. And I have already given up on this. Really nothing that I can do about it. :(

Pregnancy check up - 6th month

Went for the 6th month pregnancy check up on Tuesday, with big hope able to see his face. Before the check up, I keep on telling him to show papa and mama his cute handsome face.

Well, as usual, urine test and the weight check. Wow, I have gained 1.5kg in 2 weeks! The last I weight myself here is 2 weeks back, when I came to seek for medication for my sickness. And only 2 weeks I have gained 1.5kg. Unbelievable! This pregnancy, my diet seems normal, but the weight gain keep on popping up out of my control. *sigh*

Unfortunately, the baby is facing my back. I was hoping he will turn around. But he didn't. I feel a bit disappointed not able to see his face. Hopefully he will show his face in next month check up.

Enjoying the special moment

Starting 4 months, I can feel the baby movement already. The kicks are getting stronger approaching six months of the pregnancy. This boy has different preference compared to Lynn last time. When I was still expecting Lynn, Lynn likes to kick more to the left side of the tummy. And she loved to do stretching a lot. As for this baby boy, he is more to the middle and right side of the tummy. And he didn't stretch much. However he has stronger kick compared to Lynn. Maybe because he's a boy, so naturally stronger?

Anyway, I started talking to him more, telling him that he is a good boy, he is mommy's strong boy, he is papa's champion, sing songs to him, listening to soothing music and enjoy the special moment with him. As this special moment will be gone once he has come out. Last time after I have delivered Lynn, I missed feeling the kicks in my tummy. :) I also try to play with him too. Maybe just starting, so he's still not very responsive though. But I will keep playing with him whenever possible. I used to play with Lynn too in the first pregnancy. Lynn is a playful girl. I'm not very sure if my this action cause her to be a playful girl. Anyway, it's fun! Now my tummy is getting real big now. Much bigger than the first pregnancy.

Soon will be the next check-up appointment. I can't wait to meet my baby boy! Hmm... not sure how he will look like.

Pregnancy check up - 5th month

Went to check up on the 12th for the 5th months check up. Yes, it's going to be 20 weeks next week! Just another half way to go. :)

As usual, the baby is active during the ultrasound scanning. He even kick me during the ultrasound scanning. He is 326 grams now. Still in the normal weight range. My gynae passed me the blood test results which I did during last pregnancy check up. The results show low rating on red blood cell, indicating me having anaemia. Luckily it is not very serious so taking normal vitamins is just fine. I asked for prescription for sleep as I have real problem going to bed recently. However the gynae refused to give me any medication it, saying the medicine will harm the growth of the baby's brain. Asked me to relax more and just take more rest. Well, I wish to but sometimes thing does not happen as I would like to be.

And beginning 2 days ago, I feel pain on my leg when walking. Seems like the baby is pressing at one of the nerve, causing the area near pelvic bone there painful when I walk. So I couldn't walk properly. You can seem me limping when I walk. Baby oh baby, please be good boy and let mommy feel more comfortable.

InnerTalk

Have you heard of InnerTalk® ? My friend recommend it to me, after knowing that I am pregnant. She bought few CD for her daughter.

InnerTalk® audio programs feature pleasant, easy-listening music or nature sounds that are specially mixed with positive background affirmations on the chosen self-help topic. They are played in the background on any regular stereo cassette player while the user is working, driving, relaxing, reading, playing sports, even sleeping or watching TV. They can also be used with a personal tape player while jogging, bike riding or any other activity. No conscious thought or effort is required to produce dramatic -- and automatic -- results. They're based on new scientific discoveries about how we learn and process information -- and how this affects our everyday life. They tap into our natural human ability to absorb information even when we're not thinking about it. On the surface, the tapes sound like any other easy-listening music or nature tapes you may have heard... but there is a powerful difference. Carefully blended in the background are dynamic affirmations such as "I feel good", "I am successful", etc., that make long-lasting, positive impressions. While the conscious mind enjoys the pleasant music or nature sounds, the subconscious mind recognizes and receives the powerful, life-changing affirmations. Results can often be noticed in as little as a few days to a few weeks. InnerTalk® technology is so powerful it's patented with the U.S. Government, backed by independent studies at leading universities, and proven effective by the 100s of thousands of satisfied users around the world.

How do InnerTalk® CD actually work? The InnerTalk® mind technology is unique in that it appeals to both hemispheres of the brain, according to their function, to achieve "whole brain" stimulation. For example, it is believed that the left brain views language literally and according to the rules of language while the right brain views language spatially and emotionally, tumbling the words in a process called subconscious cerebration and even seeing the words as our eyes see the world » upside down. The brain halves work together to understand language both spatially and literally. The InnerTalk® technology has been specifically designed to involve both the left and right brain according to their unique specialties using an entirely new and patented electronic encoding process.

Isn't it amazing? There are more than 400 titles for your selection, from Success and Wealth, Learning, Children, Parenting and Pregnancy, Habits, Relationships etc. You can visit their homepage at http://www.innertalk.com.my

Morning sickness

Compared to the first pregnancy, the morning sickness that I have in this second pregnancy is almost similar, except the appetite is different. Usually people said different sex (first one is gal, and this one is a boy) usually has different symptoms. Anyway, this is not the issue to me. Now I'm approaching 5 months of the pregnancy, I'm still having some of the morning sickness!

When I was carrying lynn, the morning sickness kicked in around Week 7 went away approaching 4 months. And this time, the morning sickness kicked in a bit later around Week 8-9 (that time I thought I won't be having morning sickness but it seems like it was too early for me to feel happy) and till now, I still experience some of it.

The other thing is I have sleeping difficulty this time too. If I wake up in the middle of the night e.g. to go to the toilet, I will have difficulty continue sleeping after that. Or I will wake up very early, let say 5am, 6am and then I have to get up because I can't sleep already. However this has been improving lately. Yesterday I met up with another friend, who is also expecting. She is also having the same sleeping difficulty problem as me. However when you see the new life is born, all these uncomfortableness is nothing at all.

Strong and healthy pregnancy

Lately, many people in the office fall sick. Flu, cough, sore throat and even fever are the common illness. Lynn was having flu last weekend too. Luckily it was just a mild flu and she recovered very fast within few days. This is the beauty of fully breasyfed child - stronger body. My dearest hubby is sick too. At first he was having flu, then cough. He has been absent from work on last Mon - Wed. And now the pleghm in the lung made the things get worse on last Saturday and now he even got fever last night. So these 2 days he has been resting at home too. I was so worry about him. Hope he will recover as soon as possible.

Despite all the viruses surrounding me, I'm still strong and healthy! (touch wood!!!) When I was expecting Lynn, whenever someone in the office fall sick, especially flu, sure I will get it later. I was so frustrating with the frequent flu and sore throat. And have to visit the gynae for medication. So what make me stronger and healthier now? The only different that I have done for this pregnancy compared to last pregnancy is I'm taking the supplement not given by the doctor. Since early of last year, far before I conceived, I have started taking supplement from a trusted brand. So despite people surrounding me falling sick, despite have to work extra hours 3 times in a week for more than a month, I still feel good. Well, occasinally I did feel tired, but this is normal. After taking some rest, I'm back to normal again. And compared to last pregnancy, I'm taking much less MC now! I have tried just take the supplement given by gynae and skipped the other supplement. Just only 2 days, I started feel very tired and had very bad back pain. Back pain is a sign to me that my body is tired and I need rest. So I quickly resume my normal supplement intake. And I feel normal again!

Dream

Last night, I had a dream. I dreamt about the baby boy that I'm going to have. I saw a face with combination from both me and hubby, but more resemble towards the daddy. He also got a big mouth, and long legs, just like his daddy.

When I was carrying Lynn, I dreamt about her too. In total of 3 times. I can't remember her face too well. However one very obvious thing is in all 3 dreams, she got thick and long hair. When lynn was born, she did have thick and long hair. I even feel sad to shave the beautiful hair during her full moon, so at the end she never has her hair shaved.

I'm looking forward for more dreams about my little boy. I believed this is one of the way that he's trying to communicate with the mommy.

Boy or Girl?

Some people already start asking whether am I going to have a boy or girl. Last Monday after we come back from Genting Highland, I asked my little lynn whether inside mommy's stomach is 'Di di' (means younger brother) or 'Mei mei' (means younger sister) and she told me is 'Di di'. For me, I think it's a boy as I notice the shape of the stomach is slightly different from the first pregnancy when I was carryinng Lynn. Some people said by looking at the shape of the stomach can tell whether you are having boy or girl. I'm not very good at that by looking at the other pregnant lady, but I think I still can differentiate mine.

So the next day evening, I went for the routine check-up with hubby. On the way going to the clinic, I asked hubby whether want to know the sex of the baby or not. I was already in 15 weeks, so can know the sex of the baby already. Hubby said yes. So I asked the baby, whether he/she wants to tell daddy and mommy whether it's a boy boy or girl girl or not.

We waited patiently at the clinic for my turn. About half an hour later, it was my turn. Doctor first scanned the baby's head, body and then he asked if we wanted to know the baby sex. And then the next scan was showing baby's 2 thighs, and very clearly tell the sex of the baby already. "Oh, it's a boy!" hubby shouted happily. And Lynn, you are right! You are going to have a 'Di di' soon in the mid of the year!

Now I got to start thinking for his name. Last time it took me quite a while a get a name for Lynn. So this time I'm going to start the thinking process early. Hubby is so excited that the next day, he spread the news to almost everyone in the office.

My pregnancy journal

This is my second pregnancy. When I was having my first pregnancy, I was always reading other people's pregnancy journal. However I never intend to start any for myself. Now when I'm having second pregnancy, I realized some of the things I have forgotten whether do I get it on the first pregnancy or not, or when I should expecting the same etc. So I decided to write a pregnancy journal for myself this time.

The second pregnancy is coming earlier than expected. Me and hubby did talk about want to have 2nd child, however just when we wanted to start planning on it, the baby comes. :p At first I was wondering why the monthly period didn't come. I even go to the gynae to get medicine for the period to come (the doc did a pregnancy test before giving me the medicine. The results was negative). However after finish taking the medicine, still not come yet. So I went to see the gynae again. And this time the pregnancy test returns positive.

It was really a surprise to me. But at least I'm not having any tumor or whatever that cause the period didn't come. :) And before that, I have eaten lots of watermelon, those 'cool' stuff that people said should not take during the beginning of the pregnancy. Thanks god, everything is alright. And I passed the first trimester safely.