Ethan Leong

My little hero was born on the 9th of December 2012 at 7.19pm.

I'm still in confinement and am strictly not allowed to sit or be on the laptop for too long. So, I shall blog about my labour pains later on.

Ethan Leong, 3.37KG

XOXO,
theRascal

39 Weeks

I've officially started to rest at home full-time. I'm really not used to just having nothing to do. 

I spent most of my time this week binging on Hong Kong/TVB drama series.

Just so unhealthy, isn't it?

I'll start doing the squatting exercise religiously as it would help to ease labour later on. I hope!

At 39 weeks, sleeping and walking is a chore. Baby is still very active, which is good. He's stretching a lot and a bit of hiccups at times. I wake up to go to the toilet at least once every night. 

On my last day of work - 30th November 2012, my intern gave left a very sweet note with gifts for my baby. 

From Yong Tick, my Intern

Then, my husband texted me that he's at a Baby Fair in Midvalley. He bought 2 nipple cream for me from Medela :)

Super thankful for a supportive husband. Also, very supportive of breastfeeding. Yay!

From the husband

My supportive boss also came back from his business trip in Italy with a cute baby bip :)

Thank you, Benny

Ok, I've been trying not to take many pictures but I guess I have to love how I look like now.
Yes, accepting that I'm huge and many changes to the body. I have to say that this must be something so much easier and the tip of the iceberg, of my journey to becoming a mother.

So, oh well... there you go:-

My cousin, Billy and me at 39 Weeks

My husband also suggested that we take pictures with the Christmas decorations at Midvalley. He said we haven't been taking pictures for a long time. :/

He's right.

What happened?!

We used to take so many pictures even when we're not on holidays. But now, it's just during the holidays. I hope we won't go lesser than that.

OR, next time it'll just be all about our baby. Heh!

Me at 39 Weeks

My husband and I :)

:O

I love this picture of us

The center stage at Midvalley Megamall

It's really anytime now. Everyone in the family and friends around me are asking if I've popped.
Well, I hope it'll be as smooth and fast like how they used the word, "popped!"

XOXO
theRascal

Happy 60th Birthday, Daddy

It was Dad's 60th birthday on the 3rd of December 2012. My husband suggested that we buy the traditional chinese longevity buns! I thought it was a really good idea.

So, I called New Shanghai Restaurant in Pavilion to order 1 huge giant one + 6 tiny ones surrounding it. 

Dad was really surprised how huge the giant longevity bun was!

The big one doesn't have any filling but there's this really fragrant lotus paste filling for the small ones. It was really yummy :)

For dad's birthday dinner, we went to Han's Room in The Garden's. They serve really good food. Even my dad, who's very critical about food after being in the food industry for years, had nothing to complain about! He finished everything really fast :D


Happy 60th Bday, Daddy!


XOXO,
theRascal

35 Weeks

Now, my baby is the size of a coconut! He has really grown :)

We went for our antenatal check last Friday. Dr Paul said that baby's head is no longer down. He swam back up to the right a little. :O He's a swimmer! He asked me to keep positive and hope that baby would go down in the next few weeks. We still have a bit of time.

Oh well, Dr Paul also mentioned that there aren't much space left for baby to move. It's a bit cramp and tight in there now. Hehe. Baby's 2.6kg now. It's a good weight. AND, also added that in the next 2-3 weeks, by 37 weeks, we should get ourselves ready as baby might come in early.

This made me all anxious but really excited!

Anxious being this my first time going into labour and also a new mother.
Excited because I can't wait to see this little hero in me. I'm quite over and done with being pregnant after more than half a year. :P

But surely, I will miss those moments whenever baby moves.
His first kick.
His first mexican wave.

... and how my husband and everyone around me always put me first just because I'm pregnant. Haha.

My boss actually came back from Italy with a cute baby beep with my baby's name sewn on it. It's so cute!

Oh on another note, we're so happy to get news from my friend in Singapore that she gave birth to a pair of twins! 1 boy 1 girl. :)

It's a holiday on Tuesday and Thursday this week. I'm following the husband to Singapore this long weekend as he has to go to Johor for work. I told him I would want to pop into Singapore before I really pop! :P

Here's wishing all my friends who are celebrating ... Happy Deepavali!


XOXO,
theRascal

Running with time

It's been a long time since I've last updated. Time has been spent more with the husband, family, work (an exciting event coming up!) and perhaps I'm just allocating more me-time.

I guess it's much easier to fill in the gap of this blog by posting pictures from my mobile phone. :)

On one of the days, I met up with the legendary Kee Hua Chee, famous writer and personality. He is quite a character and now I understand why he gets invites to special functions and high profile assignments - like his latest project, writing for Tourism Thailand and a biography for the Sultan of Selangor.

It was my sister's 22nd birthday. How time flies!

We got this really yummy cake from Just Heavenly and brought her, my youngest sister and my dad for a really nice dinner at Chynna, KL Hilton. Very thoughtful of the hubby to spend on us :)

At work, we're in the midst of preparing for a charity event in conjunction of Universal Children's Day. We are hosting 64 children from 3 different homes on the 11th of November 2012 at Publika. Join us if you're in town :)

Many around us have been asking about our house. Oh well, we are (more of the hubby) doing it up really slow. It really takes a lot of time and most importantly, money $$$... kaching-kaching flowing out from our banks just in a snap of a finger if not planned properly!

I love this contemporary design

A dream walk-in closet for the both of us, I hope!

Ok, updates about the pregnancy!

I'm about 34 weeks now. 6 more weeks until my due date!

I washed baby's clothing. See how cute it is when all the little clothings are hung together!

This made both hubby and I go "awwww...." :)

Also some beautiful clothing for the little hero!

And this is our favourite :)

We've packed all of it in the box... and realise we've bought too much!

This is daddy and mommy's first gift for the little hero. Look how cute!

Oh hi, little Ele!

We had our convocation in September and I was so proud when this year's Valedictorian is from my program. And what more, when the student is a deserving one.

When he gave his speech, I teared like he is my son. I guess it's the hormone speaking :P

On a zen note ( =.=) , I went for Dana (food offering) at the Buddhist temple. I try to go every month for this. I find that it keeps me ... well, calm. I tell my colleagues it's my zen moment. I'll take 2 hours off my lunch time on my free days, finish the prayers and have lunch together with the people at the temple.

And when I get back to the office, I feel fresh and calm. Even when I solve crisis! :)

I've posted this picture on Facebook before. One of the best Malaysian snack :)

When I saw this at one of the local restaurants in Midvalley, it brought back many memories. Not just mine, but also the husband's.

I remember my sisters and cousins would run/walk together to the kedai runcit at the back of our house for our little indulgence.

Oh, the simple days when all we worry about is getting our homework done!

My Halloween experience in the staffroom! I gave them chocolate as a treat :P

Have a good weekend everyone!


XOXO,
theRascal

30 Weeks

I can't believe I'm in my (probably) last 10 weeks of this pregnancy.
How can my baby be 30 weeks in just a blink of an eye? Like .. swooooof .. 30 weeks.
According to theBump.com, baby is the size of a cucumber.
Awww :)

I'm getting more and more anxious about what to expect during labour.
The pain I get from the leg cramps have been testing my pain threshold. It's painful! And it's sad all I can do is rest more and try not to stress my feet too much.

After knowing the gender of our baby (boy!!), both of us have been wanting to buy more clothes. =.=
We've been trying to stop until something really attracted us yesterday - Isetan Member Sale Preview!

We went to Lot 10, supposedly so I could buy some really reasonably priced maternity clothes from H&M. The crowd was OK but I couldn't feel my feet while lining up for the fitting room. So, my husband asked me to try if I can actually use the men's fitting room, where the line is not so long.

I went to ask and the very nice lady saw me with my huge belly told her colleague to let me in because "she's pregnant...". I was so thankful I actually thank her and said "God bless you" in heart :)

Then, we walked out of H&M only to see a huge sign saying "Isetan Member Sale Preview". Our eyes glee for a moment and we both walked into the store. Did I ever tell you that my husband's one of my favourite shopping buddy? :)

Oh well, I bought 1 maternity pants at 70% discount and the husband was at the kid's section choosing more clothes from Trudy & Teddy and Baby Poney. They're all looking so so cute! All at either 50% discount or 70& discount. What a bargain.

While I was trying out Fitflop (but none of it can fit my swollen feet), my husband came to me smiling gingerly saying "you know what, the cashier forgot to charge 2 items off our baby's pile of clothing. In huge horror, I asked him to go back to the cashier or the poor person might have to pay for the missing item. He held my hand and said "no lah, it's ok one ... let's go!" -__-!!

We had California's pizza and Kong Pou Spaghetti (-__-) for dinner before fetching both my sisters from work. They're both working at Pavilion hehe.

My feet must have been too tired. I had a bad cramp again. Oh well.
And when I woke up this morning, my right eyelid is swollen. Grrrrr.

I'm heating up my dad's famous spaghetti sauce for lunch today! Yay! Anything from my dad's kitchen not only smell but also taste really good :) But he's so stingy with his recipe ... I'll see if I can sneek out that recipe for the Russian Salad!

Have a good weekend everyone :)

XOXO,
theRascal

28 Weeks

Time flies! I've embarked into he final trimester. 

I'm 7 months (28 weeks) now and according to theBump.com, my baby is as big as an eggplant! :D

I've been persuading the husband that I want to change my ob-gyn as I'm not too comfortable with the previous one. She seem very rush on all my consultations. So the husband finally gave an approval and I chose to go to Dr Paul Tey at Prince Court Medical Center (PCMC) after a lot of discussions and reference from other mommies in the forum. (Yah, now my preference for blogs and forums have also changed)

I made an appointment for the 20th of September 2012 and waited eagerly for the check. We've been trying to ask our previous doctor for the gender of our baby but she'll always vaguely go through he ultrasound (that seems so blur to view) and said "no still cannot see". 

The day came and we both stepped into PCMC for the first time. All I can say is that I felt comfortable and it didn't gave me that sort of goose-bumps. Staff and nurses were very friendly too. We went up to the 6th floor to the Women and Child's Clinic and registered. 

I was ushered into a "preparation room" where the nurse did the usual check - blood pressure and weight. My pressure is A-ok (Amitabha!) and I gained 2kg in a month :O

We waited in the "waiting room" for about half an hour ... hmmm ... so I decided to ask the nurse if Dr Paul was in already. The nurse told me that Dr Paul had a case in the morning at the IVF clinic (yes, his research area is fertility as well). 

At about 9am, we were finally called into Dr Paul's consultation room. He was very calm, patient and relaxed. Since it was our first consultation with him, he asked a few questions about me and the baby. I told him that during my last check, I was told that my amniotic fluid was a bit low. He said that normally it doesn't happen and it is only normal to happen when I'm 9 months pregnant. 

Dr Paul did the ultrasound and it was my first time looking at my baby in such clear view! So, it's obvious that my previous doctor's machine must be a little old -__-

Dr Paul showed us the baby's body part by part, highlighting the parts using his cursor. The baby's eyes, nose, mouth ... and oh, baby's definitely a boy! Dr showed us baby's lap, legs (he was kicking so much even during the ultrasound =.=) and the testicals ... penis (oops! too much info) 

WE FINALLY KNOW IT'S A BOY!!!!!

Dr Paul also told us that the baby's head is down already. No wonder i've been feeling a lot more movements, kicks and all on the upper part of my stomach! Sometimes it can be quite painful too :)

Dr Paul also mentioned that my amniotic fluid is ok (yay! thank you!!!) and baby is at 980 grams to nearly 1kg :) Dr Paul also told us that baby was using his hands to cover his face. awww :) We tried to do the 3D scan but due to baby's position and all, it wasn't very clear. Hmm.. we'll try again next round!

I've never been told of all these information when we visit Dr Kim. Switching to Dr Paul is the best decision ever.

The bill come up to about RM300+ for our first consultation as Dr Paul wanted us to do a blood test. Otherwise it'll be just about RM180++ We paid the same amount when we visit Dr Kim. Oh Well.

All in all, even the husband is very comfortable and confident with Dr Paul. He's very experience and kept asking us if we have any questions for him. So, I asked him stupid questions =.=

"How many delivery options do you have here?" DUH

Me: "I think i'm going for a full blast epidural ..."

Dr: "It is an option ... I won't force you to it because you're the one with the pain. If I walk into labour and the mother is smiling, I would't recommend for an epidural ... "

Me: :O "Does it ever happen??!?!"

Dr: "Hehe, most of them said it's painful ... so :)"

-_____-

Perhaps I'll ask if we can visit the hospital's labour room and all next month. I'll be 8 months by then and I have to really get mentally ready!

Dr Paul told me that he will support me in delivering the baby naturally unless there're complications. But otherwise, it is always best to go natural. :) And he said that I should go into labour with an open mind. Do not restrict myself with thoughts like "I must not use epidural" etc. Otherwise, I'll be disappointed and all. So true.

Oh well, I trust Dr Paul and would definitely stay put in Prince Court Medical Center for delivery :)

XOXO,

theRascal

The Surprise

It was truly a very busy day at work. One of those days when you just feel things aren't going your way.

And when I log on to Facebook, I saw many notifications :O

At first I was ...  :O

And then I went...Awwwwwww........

If you know my husband, you'll know he's not really good with words. But he is very good at giving me the surprises once in a while, presents on occasions. He's very loving (in his actions). :)

So, this is one of his best poems he have ever written to me, and his first for me.

I still remember vividly how I felt when he proposed during our holiday in Club Med, Maldives. I was so overwhelmed with attention, stares from strangers, the ring, the photographer popping out of no where, the flowers, the ... I knew I forgot to say yes and he was down on one knee asking if I was ever going to say "yes".

To think about it, it has been 2 years since he proposed, and we celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary in May this year. We've gone through so much.

So many ups and downs within the one year since we walk down the aisle together. So many all collected together compared to the years we've dated each other. I guess it is really true how people say that dating isn't the same as getting married - you experience/face more and different challenges together.

I asked my husband what he liked for his birthday this year before we went to Hong Kong to celebrate his 27th. He simply told me:-

"I don't think you have to buy me anything. You were with me when I was hospitalised. You were there beside me when I was sick. Now you're having our baby ... I think that's already the best gift (I could ask for)."

:)

I believe there are more to come. I kept telling myself to cherish what we've shared together and to not ever take him for granted. It is important that we always be thankful for what we already have.

Dear my husband,
You've been my guardian angel, my hero, warrior and savour. I love you. And will always do.

p/s: thank God you proposed!


XOXO,
theRascal

26 Weeks

thebump.com: Your baby is 26 weeks and is the size of the head of a lettuce! :)

More obvious bumps. I can see my stomach moving like a wave at times even with my blouse on. Mommy said that she didn't experience this when she had me. Only movements and not bumps like that. Oh well :)

It has been a busy week. A busier one next week. I just realised that I only have 3 months left before I go on maternity leave. I don't have time!!!

Last night, my husband reminded me that I only have 3.5 months before the baby arrives. :O I think I haven't experience being pregnant enough, yet. I love it when my baby moves. Every time when we bond and talk, the movements will start. As though acknowledging what I say :)

Oh I was telling my husband that "baby is moving a lot" and suddenly he/she moved so hard that I had to pee =.=

Also officially signed up for 12 pre-natal classes. Hopefully it'll help me with my lack of stamina. Bambz told me that I should just save money and go for walks around my neighbourhood. I think I should do that as well. RM480 for 12 classes is a lot of money!

Have a good weekend!

XOXO,
theRascal

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