6 months

Baby is now 6 months!

A lot more obvious movements and I can feel his/her hands stretching near my umbilicus. It's really a wonderful experience :)

We went for our doctor's appointment and was told that I have low amniotic fluid :S Doctor just said "we need to work on this together". That scared me a little. I talked to mothers and friends and am trying to drink plenty of fluids plus tonic drinks/herbs that would help. Only hoping that my baby will be healthy and normal. Nothing more.

Our next check is end of next month. So, let's hope for the best!

Kozue, our Japanese host-sister, came back to visit us. We brought her out for dinner and she kept tapping on my baby bump :) Very cute.

Here are some pictures together.

Also, we spent a week in Singapore for a prayer retreat. It was a very good one. My husband said that it is good to just spend time away from everything and just focus on "life". Which is true. We spent more time together. We prayed. And count our blessings. There are just so much to be thankful for.

Then, when we're hungry and had some free time, we'll walk to Meidi-Ya's bakery called Four Leaf (apparently very famous in Singapore?) to buy our favourite bakery. My husband loves their peanut butter loaf while it'll always be the chocolate croissant for me.

I ate so much until I look like that @_@

And the nurse told me last week during the doctor's check that I gained 5KG since the last visit, which is 1 month ago. :O

I am 54KG now and is the heaviest I've ever been in my entire life. Even my colleagues and boss asked me if I've gained a lot of weight since I got pregnant and specifically after returning from my 1 week retreat in Singapore. I should really cut down on my carbs and take up pre-natal exercise.

Here's a picture of me and my bridesmaids taken during our wedding. I love this picture so much. My wedding planner from The Peak Xperience actually asked me if she could use it for her Cover Photo on Facebook. Of course! You made my wedding really beautiful.

Thank you so so so much again, Natasha :)

We released some boats at a nearby river in Ulu Langat for our ancestors. Don't ask why.

We spent a whole 5 hours at PWTC yesterday. Also swiped a lot on the plastic card (credit card lah). All deposits for things for the house renovation.

Before we went to bed, my husband asked me "So are you happy today? We actually bought a lot of things and all of it are the ones you like?"

I was puffing up my pillow when he asked.

"Yes :) but a lot of money le"

"More to come... we just exceeded the budget for the sink, that's all."

>.<

I love you too :)

XOXO,
theRascal

23 Weeks

According to TheBump.com, my baby is 23 weeks and 6 days today! In average, baby is the size of a large mango :O :)

I can definitely feel the baby's movements, stretching, kicks, twisting and turning more often. Sometimes, I'll quickly ask my husband to put his hands on my tummy. Husband only gets to feel it at times when baby's movement is really intense. More to come :)

I'm taking iron pills, multivitamin, calcium and fish oil. Kept telling the husband that I've never ate so many pills at one go in my life. :/ Luckily, I've grown out from the times when I have to chew/break the pills into pieces before I could swallow them. Imagine if I have to do that every day!

I'm beginning to make more frequent trips to the toilet. Also spring cleaned my closet to make way for some maternity clothes. I'll make sure our new place has enough space for both our huge collection of clothes! Walk-in closet please? Thank you very much :D

Is it a boy or a girl? Hmmmmm :)

p/s: going to Singapore for a week and will only be back next Monday. More shopping for the baby? :P


XOXO,
theRascal

My Little Miracle

I have been wanting to write about this little miracle.

Before we went to Bali in April, I told my husband that I should take a pregnancy test. We have been trying for a few months and every time when we really thought it would turn out positive, it didn't.

I have been having the little cramps. Very different. Not like the cramp I used to have before my period. So, I suspected something must be different this time. I had a little glee in my heart but tried not to be happy just too soon!

We were going to pack our bags to get ready for our flight to Bali the next morning. I told my husband that we should try a pregnancy test. He said "ok" and packed the pregnancy test we have spare at home in our luggage.

But being me, I couldn't wait any longer. So I went straight to the toilet and did it. 

This was what I saw!

strong lines indicating "positive" :)

I brought the test back to the room and boy, we were both so delighted! But we couldn't go to the doctor the next day for a proper check as our flight was early the next day. We just took out our iPads and started reading on forums and any possible articles if flying is safe for the 1st trimester. Some said yes and some said no, mainly due to morning sickness.

But whatever it is, we still had to go on the flight. I prayed for everything to be alright.

Right when we arrived KLIA next morning, my husband sneaked away to the Guardian Pharmacy and purchased the digital pregnancy test. We wanted to be really sure how many weeks was I in. :)

I tested right after arriving the Hard Rock Hotel in Bali and was so happy to find out that I was at least 3 weeks pregnant :)

3 weeks + pregnant

We were really careful the whole time in Bali but kept the news to ourselves. We really wanted to be sure.

After we're back from Bali, we made an appointment with Dr Kim Wong at Centrepoint near my office. She did a thorough check and congratulated us as we saw the little black dot + development of the sack!

We still kept the news to ourselves. I told my husband that I didn't want to jinx it until I see a heartbeat. We kept positive and were so excited for our doctor's appointment.

Here's one of our baby's picture from the ultrasound:-

Oh hi! :)

At 20 weeks, we tried asking for the baby's gender and the doctor said that the baby might be a boy!

Then at our following check, the doctor said that she didn't want to really confirm as the baby was hiding :S

Anyway, we'll try again next check-up :)

Here's a few pictures of me now at 23 weeks and 2 days. :)

Yes, I'm very proud of my baby bump :)

We just came back from Hong Kong last week. It was a chore to shop. I can't imagine myself saying this but yes, i dragged myself to the malls and in the malls. I couldn't walk for more than half hour straight as my feet really hurt. It was so painful!

In the end, I only bought maternity bras and nursing/maternity clothes from H&M. They were so comfortable, suitable for me and yet very affordable! I couldn't get myself to buy those maternity clothes at RM100++ or RM200++ each. Am so happy to have more variety in my cupboard now.

Oh, I'm so lucky to have my mother-in-law sewing 2 dresses that would suit me :)

We took this exact photo when we were in HK last year.

Of course, we bought many baby clothes in Hong Kong. It was summer sales!

All these below were on discounts :)

We went to the factory outlet in Tung Chung area just outside Disneyland. I spent most of the time sitting down like an old lady. OK I was sitting together with many other old ladies at the area where all the benches were :S

Then, my husband told me that I have to go to Ralph Lauren to see for myself :)

So cute isn't it!

Me in my favourite H&M dress. It's full lace :)

Will update more again. Hopefully, will be able to write about the gender of the baby :)

XOXO,
theRascal

Hong Kong Again

We just bought our tickets to Hong Kong. Yes, again. Don't ask. We just love going back to Hong Kong and have been doing that every year for consecutive 4 years now. This would be our 5th year doing so :)

Wish us luck with the heat expected in Hong Kong in August. 

I love this picture :) 

We took this during our last family trip there with my in-laws during Christmas
This year, we'll be bringing our little niece.
Disneyland is a lot more fun with little kids, I think!

Let's see if we will take another picture like that again in Disneyland this time
I'll like to see the difference :P

I can't wait to go on this trip. It has been a few months since we both took leave and go on a holiday. Much rest needed!

Macaroni in soup + deep-fried pork chop ... here we come!

XOXO,

theRascal

Bali

Back in April, my husband and I went to Bali for a short getaway with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law.

It was their first time there. So, we did a few touristy stuff for 2 days in Kuta town before checking into a villa outskirt in Seminyak.

Our cozy room at Hard Rock Hotel 

Love the little detail

Ahem... pork satay :)

It was 2 years ago when we took this picture at the same restaurant

On our way to do some touristy stuff

In Bali, I always look out for their beautiful art and craft.
I admire their patience

Babi Guling
Something of an acquired taste
My mother-in-law didn't fancy this

Here to see how the famous "Cat Poo Coffee" is made

This, ladies & gentlemen, is THE poo

Poo of this animal that doesn't really look like a cat

The hubby striking a pose :)

I love the fresh air and beautiful scenery

Volcano behind me :O

We took the same picture when we were there at the beautiful Tanah Lot 2 years ago :)

We checked-out after 2 nights in Hard Rock Hotel and stayed at a Villa in Seminyak

This is our cozy room upstairs

Downstairs

Our very own private pool :)

And the beautiful Seminyak beach

:)

We opt for in-room dining for our last night in Bali

I'm sure we will be back in Bali soon enough.  The husband is bored of it but I'm always open to going places. It's an eye-opener to indulge in different cultures. That enriches life a lot.

XOXO,

theRascal

Food Poisoning

Both the husband and I were down with food poisoning since Sunday. I got better after 1 night of vomiting (2 times of running to the toilet). My husband continued vomiting for the next 2 days.

I could see him screaming in pain. He was hugging his stomach saying that there are cramps, more vomiting... and his face turned from pale to green. He was no longer vomiting food. It turn from yellow to green. Bile acid. That is not good.

Finally, he plead to be brought to the hospital for drips. He has never done that but I could see the pain in his eyes. Chinese has this pantang of going into hospitals, that's why we never resorted to that earlier. I regretted my decision of not going against it. I drove him to the nearest specialist hospital due to his medical background to get necessary assistance, just in case.

When he was hospitalised for the first time some time in September last year, I didn't cry. Because I knew he would be okay and was just under observation. This time, however, I cried. The tears just welled up in my eyes when I saw him with drips, the already frail body, colourless lips ... it was very difficult to watch and yet I had to be there beside him. I want to be with him. He needs me.

I made sure the nurse and doctor who attended to him knew of his background. We were very lucky as nurse Zu was very good with needles. Doctor (didn't get his name) was very attentive, coming in to check every other half hour. I remembered asking the doctor the reason for his bad abdominal pain. Doctor responded that they're taking his blood for a few tests just to be sure and more importantly, to make my husband feel comfortable first. Immediately, they started the drip.

I kept praying inside me for angels and Gods to save my husband from the pain that he was suffering. Friends and colleagues messaged to support. I had to tell them as I was absent to work. Didn't get to really tell my family because they were away for a holiday and I didn't want them to worry. I could handle that.

After 1 packet of drip, I could see a huge change in his face. No more abdominal cramps and his lips are rosy red again. I blamed myself for not bringing him in earlier. And then quietly, I cried again. Perhaps, I was the one that caused all these unnecessary pain and delay.

After 4 hours, 1 urine test, 1 blood test and 2 packets of drips, my husband was allowed to leave. I paid and signed the papers on his behalf. The nurse decided to wheel him out on a wheel chair, so I drove the car to the hospital lobby.

Mommy called me the first thing when she arrived at the airport. She must have heard from my sister. But at least all is good now. He's recuperating at home for the rest of the week. He started on a bit of solid food today. Only hope to see him smile again.

XOXO,

theRascal

The Many Things

I have been more than just busy lately.

Our team organized a launch event for the first performing arts studio in KDU. It was an honor to have renown movie director, Mr Ko Chi Sum with us.

And you know it, the press are going to come and we will get media coverage! Yay!

So yes, the event was very successful. We had one of the most prominent news on 8TV entertainment the following day. Happy :D

More projects to come. And also something in life :)

Will update soon.

Have a good week ahead!

XOXO,
theRascal