Baby items shopping again!

Seen Dr Ho for the usual check up and scanning today. I'm happy baby is now at normal weight of 1.6kg and growing healthily. Dr Ho said everything is normal and going well... that is the best reassurance a mother needs! I have, however gained 3kg in 3 weeks! LOL. The nurse said that's a bit too much. Oh well, I have a bit of water retention and my breasts and tummy have grown so much bigger compared to 3 weeks ago. I guess the weight increment is reasonable. I'll take care not to eat too much fried and oily food from now on.

After the check up, I went baby items shopping again. This activity is what always keeps me happy. Buying things for Baby Yun Xuan is most enjoyable, even though today, the bill comes up to $150+... Nvm, these are essential items and I've gone to a shop selling baby items cheaply.

I took a shuttle bus from Mt Alvernia to Bishan and then train ride to Ang Mo Kio because I want to go to the cheap baby items stall opposite Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic.

Completed most of the list of items that I said I wanted to buy in my last post:

4 sets of mitten and booties ($9.90 for 4 at AMK shop)
hard mattress (dad recommends seahorse brand) parents will buy
mattress cover
baby cot for him to sleep beside us in our new flat ($50 second hand) will collect tomorrow
- baby will sleep on mattress at grandparents' home
pillow and bolster (about $10.90 to $11.90 each)
pillow and bolster covers (forgot to buy)
beansprout billow (dad making for me!)
cotton balls and cotton buds (bought very cheaply at Chinatown, People's Park Market where a stall sells cheap household products)
nappy fasteners ($2.90 at AMK shop, actually should have bought at NTUC. Cost only $2.60. Tollyjoy brand)
nappy hooks (decided not to buy)
baby shampoo (J&J Top to Toe, bought very cheaply at Chinatown, People's Park Market)
baby bath
baby lotion (MIL say no need...)
nappy cloth ($25+ for 1 dozen at AMK shop)
wash cloth ($3.90 for 6 at AMK shop)
towels (MIL will buy)
brushes to clean milk bottles (bought at NTUC)
baby nail clipper ($5.90 at AMK shop)

I also bought Tollyjoy washable and reusable breast pads, a couple of baby caps, pampers for newborn just in case we need ($25+ at NTUC), and nappy liners ($6.90 at the AMK shop).

More items to buy:

pillow and bolster covers coz I forgot to buy them today

nappy rash cream

Ru yi oil

hard mattress and mattress covers

towels

Cot mattress set (can buy at later date)

Had a happy time shopping!

These days, however, back pain, muscle aches and swollen hands and feet are causing me some discomfort. I couldn't bend down as easily as I could before. I do Prenatal Yoga at COMO Shamhala and the Yoga teacher Sarah advised us to squat for 10min a day. I tried that today. Supposed to help strenghten the pelvic muscles. If I sleep too long lying flat on my back, I will get a nasty backache in the morning, so heeding the advice of the physiotherapist at Mount Alvernia childbirth class, I slept with a bolster propped up against my back, preventing myself from lying flat down, and with a pillow between my legs so that there isn't too much hip rotation when I lie on my side. If I dun put the bolster behind me, I'll most likely turn to sleep on my back unconsciously and get the nasty ache again.

The left stomach muscle right where my growing uterus meet the upper part of my ribs hurts ever so often. Usually, it hurts when I spend a considerable amount of time sitting, standing or walking. So after some activity, I'll take a break lying on my bed, propped with a bolster until the ache goes away. I'm not very sure what caused it or how to alleviate it. Perhaps I can talk to the physiotherapist this Thursday. I'm so very glad that I am not working now. Otherwise, the pain is going to be double. In addition, I'm waking up at least 3 times in the night to pee. Sleep disturbances. Luckily, so far, I dun really have insomnia. Perhaps coz there's no work stressors, so not much worries except a few of those hormonal-changes related emo-ing.

Oh yes, the water retention is not very obvious but I feel my shoes getting tighter, my feet and hands look "puffier" and my wedding ring was strangling my ring finger to death. So I removed my wedding ring with soap and water and I'm wearing it around my neck with a necklace.

Alright, going back to bed, to ease the pain in the stomach muscle... and to hug my hubby and adorable toy monkeys to sleep.

Shopping list

I'm in my 30th week of pregnancy. Another 10 weeks more to baby's arrival! Can you imagine the excitement?! haha. Hubby and I are so excited and looking forward to his arrival!

I need to complete my shopping list before baby arrives:
4 sets of mitten and booties
hard mattress (dad recommends seahorse brand)
mattress cover
baby cot for him to sleep beside us in our new flat ($50 second hand)
- baby will sleep on mattress at grandparents' home
pillow and bolster
pillow and bolster covers
beansprout billow (dad making for me!)
cotton balls
cotton buds $4+ at kiddy palace
nappy fasteners
nappy hooks
baby shampoo
baby bath
baby lotion
nappy cloth (check with MIL whether she's buying)
wash cloth
towels
brushes to clean milk bottles
baby nail clipper

72 days more to baby's arrival!

Its 72 days more (18 weeks) to baby's arrival!

I'm going to visit curtain shops and door shops later with hubby to choose designs for our new home. Then, hubby will be going to his good friend's ROM wedding where he has the honor to be the witness. And then, I'll meet him to go to Takashimaya baby fair.

Yesterday, we brought all the things we bought to my parents-in-law's place because I'll be doing my confinement there. Mother-in-law will be doing confinement for me. My dad and mom went along as dad helped me drive the heavy stuff there including the Yao lan with the huge heavy base.

It was nice that all the elders, my parents, parents-in-law, and aunty (father-in-law's younger sister) are discussing happily about baby. Baby Yun Xuan is so blessed! He's the eldest grandson for both families so he got everyone excited about his arrival! :)

I saw a chinese book about food for confinement at their house, and felt very touched. Mother-in-law is putting in a lot of heart and effort into the confinement. The only thing I dislike is that doing confinement there means I must follow all the strict rules of no showering, no air-con, no fan (hopefully, she dun make me close the window too!), and no cold drinks. But I guess I can secretly do "illegal"things. I plan to take a warm shower before I leave the hospital, and I think I will secretly sip a few sips of cold water, and shower a few times when one else is around. I really cannot stand not showering. If I feel sweaty and dirty, I'll be in a terrible mood. But I do plan to relax and not trouble too much about taking care of baby. Maybe I'll stand by as Mother-in-law teach me how to bath him, change his diaper and just breastfeed him as and when he ask for it. After the first month, and we take baby home to our new flat at Punggol, it'll be a real test of how I can handle baby alone. I'm sure our mothers will be more than happy to help out but after all, I still have to do many things alone, and being able to succeed in them proves that I'm a good mummy, so knowing my own character, I'll probably stress myself to the max first before I ask mummy for help.

I'm so excited and yet so afraid of holding baby Yun Xuan in my arms! As a single lady, one of my worst fears is to hold a newborn because they are so delicate and their necks are so soft. What if I didn't hold them properly and let their neck drop uncomfortably? What if I accidentally drop them? Eeeks! Couldn't think of the consequences. I refused to hold any of my relative of friend's newborns... I can't imagine that now I'll be holding my own newborn baby soon. He'll be so precious and so fragile! God bless my little baby boy :)

We hope to sleep with baby Yun Xuan in our room beside the bed coz I need to breastfeed baby frequently even during the night for the first few months and it is more convenient to do it in our room, and hubby also wants baby to stay close to us. But we dun want baby to sleep in yao lan overnight, and we dun want to buy crib coz its bulky and baby outgrow crib fast. We wanted to buy co-sleeper but couldn't find a seller for second hand co-sleeper online... During confinement, baby will sleep on a mattress on a floor. But when we bring baby home, we put baby on mattress on the floor beside our bed? Then when I pick baby up, its going to be difficult having to bend down and squat down every 2-3hrs, no? Still unsure... maybe we should buy a cheap crip after all...

I am initially intrigued by Moses baskets! But considering that baby outgrows it after 1 year, I think better not. Moses baskets look so holy... like the prince or princess in fairytales sleeping soundly in it as fairy godmothers whisk in to bless him/her with their sparkling wands. But crib can be used up to 3 years old. Moreover mothercare Moses basket cost $99, and IKEA cot also costs $99... haha. hmm...

Busy preparing for baby's arrival

Baby is in his 29th week now! First day of his 29th week today :)

Since last week, he has been giving me stronger kicks and I can feel him turning around in my tummy. Its a unique sensation that only mummies can experience! Hubby enjoys speaking to baby and poking him when he pokes back. I wonder whether he knows someone is trying to communicate to him from outside his "world". haha.

We bought a headphone and we put the headphone on my tummy to let baby listen to whatever we want him to listen to (mainly classical).

In preparation for his arrival, and also because I recently feel like doing shopping for baby, I went shopping around Orchard after my prenatal yoga class and also went to the recent Taka baby fair. Bought some stuff there including a very cute romper that I intend to dress him up in during his full month anniversary. I am now left with matching cap and socks/shoes to buy. Perhaps a matching bib too? I also bought a swaddle (thought it'll be interesting to try with a modern ready made swaddle instead of the traditional cloth one with hood) and some newborn clothes for 3 for $10 coz the dino printings on it are so cute.

Shopping for second hand stuff in Mummysg forum and Motherhood forum gives me such a sense of satisfaction! Some of the baby stuff can only be used for 3-6 months, some only a few times, so it makes sense to either get it passed down from relatives and friends or to buy them second hand. So far what have I got...

Pigeon steam steriliser - $20, original price $120++

Baby bottle and food warmer - FREE given by kind neighbor at Punggol

Toy mega blocks - FREE given by kind neighbor at Punggol

Toy wooden activity block for use from 1 year up - $15, original price unsure but should be much more expensive

Yao lan with motor - $80, original $200++

Bumbo seat - $20, original $50/$60+

Playmat - $20, original unsure maybe between $50-$100+

Ergo Performance baby carrier with infant insert - $170, new set, original $200++

Baby pram and car seat - FREE, kindly given by hubby's uncle (not collected yet)

Baby high chair - FREE, kindly given by a friend (not collected yet)

Lots of used newborn and baby clothes from parents' neighbors - FREE

A kind mummy in forum who is giving me her used glass bottles to store frozen breast milk.

Yup, if breast milk are to be stored in freezer, they cannot be stored using the normal breast milk storage. Must be glass bottles. I dunno where to get the caps though. She said I could buy from hospital pharmacy... hmm...

I've already got breast pump, bottles, teats, milk storage cups etc from Philips Avent, thanks to a friend who had a friend working in Philips and could get 30% discount for us.

Initially wanted to get a playpen but the seller sold it already... too late. Its only $50 and it comes with colored balls. What a pity. But hubby said we don't really need playpen... true. We only have 1 baby and 1 baby room, the whole room can be his playpen. Not to mention the new Punggol flat's rooms are so small, its not a problem running to catch baby when he's about to hit a wall or something.

Still need the following stuff:

baby wash cloth (intend to buy cheap ones)

nappy cloths (as mother in law wants to use nappy. Will leave it to her to buy)

Bumwear one size diaper and inserts (Will use when baby is pass her first few months. Intend to visit the shop in United Square to take a look)

Diapers (for emergency and when mummy and everyone else are too tired to keep changing and washing his smelly nappies. Friends recommend Pet pet and Huggies)

Baby wet wipes - Pigeon $19.95 for 3 packs of 82 wipes

Cheap baby rocker, the kind that I grow up sleeping on, those with breathable yao lan netting.

Baby mattress but not sure whether we can just use the adult size one that my parents bought.

baby bibs (when he start solid food? Does baby need bibs when he's only breastfeeding?)

Full month celebration stuff... haven't gone into the details yet...

Clay print for printing his foot. Wanted to get the gold one but hubby says its a waste of money.

Decals for his baby room

Clip on Fan for his baby pram

Some toys to clip on to baby pram

Educational toys

As for myself:

More nursing bras. The weather is unbearably hot lately. Bathe and change clothes lots of times!

A dental visit, before I give birth.

A bigger shawl for breastfeeding... I think I can dig this out somewhere in my drawer.

I guess that's all we really need. Seems like a baby need so much stuff! When I told my mom, she was surprised. She said she didn't really prepare so much when giving birth to us! Haha. I guess babies and young parents nowadays have so much more for convenience's sake but really, what we really really do need is so minimal.

I'll urge all relatives and friends who are attending our baby shower to not buy any soft toys or display items. Storing them will be a headache for us and I dun like clutters so I dun like displaying out everything in display cabinet. I hope our display cabinet can display stuff like pottery, nice art pieces, precious photographs instead of small keepsakes and figurines like in parent in law's home. Looks too cluttered.

Hmm ok, right now, shall go back to doing housework, and rest for awhile before I go out to collect one of the second hand things I purchased :)

Epidural or not? Stay at home or work?

These are the questions swimming around my head nowadays.

Should I opt for epidural or go for no anesthesia? There are mothers who went for epidural and they had some pain relief but cannot feel the push sensation so its difficult to push baby. Many people told me that they went for epidural because childbirth pain is too unbearable. There are also some mothers who told me that it is actually bearable and alright to go for natural birth without epidural.

I am still unsure.

I envy mothers who get to stay at home and take care of their babies after their babies are born. They can breastfeed the babies and not worry about having to leave for work, and they can stay at home and watch the little bundle of joy grow up and be beside them when they learn to talk, crawl, walk and go to preschool. On the other hand, I must also work to provide for him if I want to let him learn piano or violin, go to good preschool, drive him around in a car, go for holidays, go for holiday classes, etc... Besides its more interesting to work than to stay home all day.

However I'm not sure whether now is the time to give myself a second chance to do something that I like instead of to go back to work in an office and get stable salary and working hours.

Braxton Hicks Contraction

I had my first Braxton Hicks contraction pains at 6 months into my pregnancy.

According to my research, we are not supposed to experience pain when having this false "practise" labour contractions. Most mothers feel a tightening of the stomach muscle, much like cramp. But contrary to what is written online, some mothers, like me do feel pain when having this false contraction.

Braxton Hicks contractions are called "practise contractions" because the uterus is practising for the real labour. In the third trimester, this can be mistaken as real labour pains. There are guidelines to help us differentiate between real labour pains and Braxton Hicks contraction but unfortunately, kiasi first time mothers like me would most prob just rush to the hospital for whatever pain or indication of labour anytime near the EDD.

The first time I experienced it, I missed lunch as I fell asleep after ironing the clothes, and then I suddenly realised I felt cramps when I eat the first morsel of food about 5 hours apart from breakfast. I thought it was gastric pain but relieve came in a while and after that, I went furniture shopping with my parents. But soon, the pain came again and stronger this time as I walked a lot during the shopping. I was breathing hard and lying down on the back seat of my dad's car. It lasted for about 20min. He almost drove me to the hospital. The cramps decreased with rest.

I didn't realise that was Braxton Hicks until I had it the second time. Over this weekend, Friday and Saturday were hectic days for me. I went to submit forms at Town Council and walked long distances for public transport, went to meet friends, walked long distances too to meet them, met up with contractor regarding new flat renovation, etc etc... Then while in the MRT with hubby, the cramp came so strong and painful that I broke out in cold sweat and I grabbed his hands for comfort. I realised its almost the same kind of pain and this time, I didn't skip any meal. The pain eased after about 5 min. Thank goodness it disappeared by the time we alighted the MRT.

Research says that we can reduce the incidences of Braxton Hicks by avoiding dehydration, being too active, and keeping a full bladder. Taking warm bath, drinking warm drinks and changing positions can alleviate the contractions. I definitely won't want to feel the pain again soon. I'm taking all kinds of precautions. Mom told me she never had this until late in pregnancy when she's carrying my youngest sis. At that time, she rushed to the hospital because she thought she's about to go into labour.

I did a search online and realised that this pain I experienced was what I had been reading about but had no idea how it really feels like. False labour pain is already so strong, I'm sure the real one is 10 times worse... I'm definitely opting for epidural.

Busy preparation

Baby is 25 weeks today. 6 months old.
Dr Ho say he is about 683g. I wonder how they calculate with just the ultrasound scan machine alone.
So far I only gain 2kg for the entire 6 months. But lucky baby's weight is normal. That means I've slimmed down a lot.

Today, I don't feel very good at all. Yesterday morning, I'm able to wake up early, prepare breakfast for hubby and walk long distance for my tao huay and da bao vegetarian bee hoon for lunch.

But today, I could only lie on bed and feel really groggy. Couldn't prepare breakfast. Lucky we bought swissroll and it doesn't need much preparation.

I was really stressed up today, feeling bouts of frustration ever since morning, but for no good reason. Perhaps because of the hot weather, perhaps because I called up to book the breastfeeding lesson and learned that I've missed the previous 2 lessons last week. Anyway, I wasn't free last week. Then I have to reschedule meeting up with friends, and reschedule meeting with contractor for my new home just to attend the breastfeeding lesson.

I booked the lesson through this Breastfeeding mothers' support group website but after calling and emailing them, they have yet to give me a confirmation yet. Haiz.

I also found that the yoga lesson at Motherandchild has no vacancy this Fri so I scheduled one on next Fri. There is only 1 vacancy but I'm going with a friend so they changed it to the following Fri but they'll call me up if there's enough vacancy for me and my friend on next Fri.

I also booked my post-natal Malay massage lady. $70 per session for 7 days... She's recommended as reliable and nice in mummysg forum so hopefully she's good. I'm still considering whether to engage her for pre-natal massage for $75 per session too. Maybe later on.

Time is a precious scarcity and everyday, there are so much things to do and so little time.

I really would like to enjoy swimming and to go shopping for my mummy and baby essentials. I have a list to buy... Friend gave me a list of must-buy or must-prepare stuff to pack into bags before baby's arrival.

It seems that time flies and I'm already left with 4 months to Baby's arrival!

Its now time for me to bath and get something to eat, and go to parents' place. I always believe happiness is a choice and we are in charge of our own happiness, and now that perhaps hormonal changes or whatever it is is making me feel frustrated, I have to do something to cheer myself up :)