You're so BIG!!!

Yes, that's the sentence of the day, or rather the week!!! Been hearing this so often for the past one to two weeks especially yesterday that I was quite annoyed. It's like.. it's obvious lar I'm big, don't have to tell me so MANY times. I think my mom told me like 5-10 times in this week (and it was only Wednesday!) that I'm huge and I don't think telling me over and over again will make my bump grow any smaller :S

Here's a photo of me taken on 14th March evening, at week 22 only. Doesn't matter if I'm huge, most importantly, I'M HEALTHY & HAPPY!!!! ;)

This photo is one of the smallest-looking bump that was taken yesterday because I was standing. The others of me sitting down looked way bigger.

I met two expectant mothers this week; on Tuesday and yesterday, Wednesday. Both of them gave the same comments that I'm way bigger than them & one of them even doubted that I got my week 22 right. Haha! One of them is about a month ahead of me, around week 27 but her bump is so much smaller than mine. Her baby only weighs 400 plus grams and mine was about 506 grams on Friday. The other is just 2 weeks behind me; I actually found out her pregnancy together with her when I went together with her to see a doctor for her insurance purpose medical examinations. That was many months ago, which I thought I was also about a month ahead of her but apparently it is only two weeks. Maybe she got her pregnancy weeks wrong initially because I'm definitely sure I'm in week 22 now. My Dr's ultrasound images and measurements confirmed I'm week 22 last Friday.

I know that the bump sizes is not a competition. I know some expectant mothers or fathers prefer a smaller or bigger bump. Most of them prefer bigger bumps because studies have shown that most pregnant women are proud of their bumps. I have a male friend who was complaining that her wife's bump is smaller than mine (almost every time he sees me!) and she is a month ahead of me. So, I guess I'll just take these comments positively and accept them with pride.. my bump is bigger than usual and I'm happy about it! ;)

I measured my belly again last night and it's the same as Sunday, which was 39 inches for week 22. I was 38 inches in week 21. That's another inch gain within a week. Seriously, if this continues, I think I might really reach 57 inches by week 40!!!??? Haha. My friends have reassured me that it won't likely to happen because they did not reach 50 inches at the end of their pregnancy. So, I still have about 10 inches to go before the 50th inch. Will be measuring my belly on every Sunday.

Pregnancy talk is the main topic in my everyday conversations nowadays. There is a total of 15 dragon babies I know that have born and will be born this year; this is a year to date number in my list. I'm sure I'll continue to add names into this list. I have been buying so many baby stuffs whenever I see a sale or some interesting items, not because of my baby but for these new babies that are coming to this world! There will be a huge increase of population this year, especially in the Chinese community. SJ and I have to quickly search for kindergarten, primary school once baby is born.

Feeling the stress a little as baby's arrival is nearing. Next major thing to do is researching, surveying and confirming shopping list!!!

Baby Shopping!

Aunty Jamie or will be known as Yi Yi to baby bought all these for our baby!! Since Jamie knows it's a boy, it's so much easier to choose.. these clothes are soooooo cute!! THANK YOU Jamie Yi Yi!! Was so happy to receive this picture message from her :)))

 Mom & Baby's Expo 2012 was held at Midvalley, KL last weekend. It was also the very first time SJ & I went to do some serious baby shopping, or rather window shopping because we haven't been doing much research on baby products and we have so little knowledge on what's in the market. Good thing we have got this list when we were looking at strollers at Baby Cottage, PJ. This list is REALLY useful! Shall use this list to shop ;) Also I'm so lucky to be surrounded by new mommies (you know who you are if you're reading this!) and I can always go to them to get advice before I purchase anything :))))))

We really should start checking out from the internet or forums on what's recommended and not. My usual strategy when I see a particular product range, example the strollers, I would ask the promoter for the best-sellers in the shop. This is because I believe that particular model is a best-seller for many good reasons; value for money, quality, functionality etc and that many people has probably done a lot of research before they decide on this particular item, therefore, I'll just go for the best-seller. I am not a person that compares much or maybe I'm just lazy. I'd usually just get three quotations that fits my budget range and I'll usually pick one of them after I've done a list of pros and cons on these three quotations. I practically do a pros and cons list in almost every decision I've made! :S

The things that we focused on yesterday were the ranges and prices of baby bottles, organic made products, strollers, breast pump machines, stem-cell companies and baby cots. Had to stay focus because we didn't have a whole day there. So many different types of products/companies that we've never heard of! Things that we bought yesterday were 3 boxes of organic detergent powder (buy 2 boxes, free 1; have to start washing baby's clothes soon), bibs and some organic toys. Really going for organic stuffs :P 

I have so many things cluttered around that I really need to get sorted out before 3rd trimester. I really must list down the items that I already have or will be getting from friends/family and a list on what to get as this list would be really handy when comes to shopping. So much to do! At the same time, SJ is coming out a list of things to get for our new house! This year is really a busy but exciting year!!

It's a BOY!!

Last Friday was quite an exciting day ;) We were going for my monthly antenatal visit on that day! Don't think anyone gets so happy to see doctor! Haha! My sister, Jamie came as well this time. I brought my thumbdrive with the hope to save the ultrasound visual and audio but unfortunately we couldn't because Dr. Choong doesn't think his machine can do that :( He recommended me to go to FMGC, Jaya 1, Petaling Jaya to get a detailed 3D/4D scan because they are the scanning experts. Dr. Choong had an amused look that we're just so excited because we're first time parents :P

Started that day's consultation with a lot of questions from me:
1. I wanted to know how big is the baby now because many people been asking me this question which I have no idea.
Answer: He would measure and let me know today so I can let my friends know. Expectant mothers of dragon babies are more competitive!
2. Am I too big for my current stage?
Answer: SJ is tall and I'm quite tall myself, so it's quite normal to expect that baby's quite big. He thinks bigger baby is good. So, nothing to worry about.
3. Baby been kicking me on my right side my of belly. What is his position now?
Answer: He said that it's common for baby to kick on my right side but soon, it will be all over my tummy. Baby's position that day was head down and his legs were up horizontally.
4. My mother has been very concerned about Down Syndrome and asked me about baby's neck measurements.
Answer: Dr. Choong did the measurement when I was 3rd month pregnant and it was normal. Plus my blood test also came back low risk. So, it's nothing to worry about. The only way to confirm is by doing an amniocentesis test which has a 1% risk of miscarriage. He had cases where the results came back normal but the baby fell.
5. Also told him about my friend's stillborn baby on the 8th month and I wanted to know what are the causes.
Answer: There could be so many reasons but the main reason is birth defect but most cases are closed with unknown cause because it's just too painful for the parents to find out more from autopsy.

Most of the answers that he gave me that day was sort of expected. I think there is nothing much doctors can say other than keep on reassuring the patients that everything is going to be ok. He probably gets these questions a zillion times in a day and even more with new parents, like myself.

Dr Choong spent a lot of time at the ultrasound that day because he had an audience (my sister!). Jamie stood near him at the ultrasound screen. There were 2 screens; one that Dr Choong was clicking and operating on, and the other was across the consultation bed that SJ and I were looking at. Jamie tried to record the ultrasound with her Ipad2 but I'm not sure if it was clear. I didn't mind looking at the ultrasound all the time because it was fun seeing some black and white images moving around and I was trying to visualise what's on the screen. The first thing Dr Choong pointed out was the heart, which was blinking and beating. The next thing he pointed out was 'it's a boy'! He was showing baby's penis on the screen but I couldn't really see it. Jamie and SJ could see it. So, it's confirmed a boy! We can now start looking at baby things in blue colour, clothes with soccer ball, dinosaurs, aeroplanes designs. hehe.

He measured baby's head circumference and baby is estimated to be 506grams that day. I have gained 7 kilograms and baby is less than 600grams! I was expecting baby to be bigger but Dr said that baby's growing well, so it's all good. Dr also checked baby's heart and other organs and all look good. He also checked the heartbeats (my favourite part!) and the rhythm sounds regular, good and strong :)))))))) I was really happy leaving his clinic that day. Felt so relieved and happy that all is good. I have a 'circle' of worry that goes around almost every month, especially in the past two months. Each time after my dr's visit I would be really relieved but as the time passes (usually between 2-3 weeks later), I'll start to worry again and I've told SJ that I wished we could go for Dr's visit every 3 weeks instead of 4 weeks. I think 4 weeks is a little too long.

Dr. Choong suggested that we go and have a look at the labour and post-natal rooms. We went to the rooms and there were nurses showing us the rooms; what was inside, some of them were like suites with fridge, sofa and tv. I was wondering how long usually the expectant mothers would be in the labour room because it was so nice with all these facilities. Her reply was up to 48 hours :S I really hope I won't take that long. I am going to be in one of these rooms in less than 5 months time and seeing these rooms helped me prepare mentally by visualising that we will be there in July.

We were in the hospital longer than usual that day but it was all good :) I was happy and decided to reward myself by having a few sips of cold Starbucks frappuccino which I shared with Jamie! :)))) I'm not supposed to have cold drinks but I guess a few sips should be ok because I was feeling very happy. I know these happy feelings are going to last for a very long time :))

I'm 22 weeks pregnant today! :)

Today (Thursday, 8th March) marks the beginning of week 22 :) 

Felt like I've ballooned so much in this past one week. SJ thinks that I've grown quite a bit since Monday when he last saw me. He was away for business for 2 days. A client asked me today whether I'm 5-6 months pregnant now? My reply was like, I'm end of 4 months or beginning of 5 months only and she thinks that I'm pretty huge. Another person guessed that my due date is June, but actually it's July.

Babycenter.com sends me weekly updates on my pregnancy which I would forward to SJ. There was this part in today's newsletter states that 'If people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that all women and their babies grow at different rates. What's important is that you see continuous growth and change, not how fast or slow it is'. So, I guess it doesn't matter what size I am now, it's not a competition and I'm proud of my bump, whatever size/shape it is :) I should wear more tight tops so show off my bump even though I know my Mom would not like it. My mom thinks that tight maternity clothes are awful. Haha! 


Today has been a crazy busy day but has been a very productive day, in terms of at work. I'm feeling most comfortable now. I can move much quicker now in the morning without feeling nausea. It used to take me a long time to get ready to work. Now, I can almost use the same amount of time to get ready as when before I got pregnant :))) My appetite level is back to my pre-pregnancy; I don't eat as much now. I'm eating normal 3 meals now. I was eating 5 meals in my 1st trimester and I was always hungry. My skin is extra dry nowadays. Have to put really lots and lots of lotion. A friend commented that I smelled like a baby today with all the lotion that I've put on. Developed some rash on my knee since yesterday and the skin in my knee area hurts when it's dry. Also noticed some slight swollen feet and calves since yesterday :S Really have to practice some yoga moves at home and elevate my feet when I sleep. I think I would not be able to fit into my shoes very soon. 


So much changes is happening but I'm embracing it happily because baby is growing :) Really can't wait for 4.15pm tomorrow because I get to hear baby's heartbeats and see baby! One of my favourite thing! Oh yes, must remember to bring a thumbdrive to try to save baby's ultrasounds. It's FRIDAY tomorrow!! YAY!