"darling can you slow down please..."

so it seems like another symptom has appeared!

Shortness of breath.

The past week, i was getting puzzled over how easily i tire out and i tend to get breathless rather quickly. One particular occasion was on last friday. Zack and i went part towing at a few places and after a walk, i was getting really tired. I had to get him to slow down a few times (he has long legs too). My stamina used to be way better! Even Zack noticed how i tire more easily these days. I had to explain to him that growing a baby, even one that is only 3inches long, is turning out to be pretty hard work.. haha.

So i went online to search it out:
"Breathlessness early on in your pregnancy is generally a result of increased levels of the hormone progesterone which will cause you to breathe more often. Progesterone increases your lung capacity allowing your blood to transport more oxygen."

Ahhhhh.... know we know.

Crap.. i'm hungry now!
and i just ate a tendergrill like 1.5 hrs ago.
somehow i didnt enjoy it like the first time.
i was starving and couldnt wait to get my burger unwrapped.
when it finally appeared, my appetite just dissipates...
*sigh* beanie.. why dont u like tendergrill?

i'm hungry now but nothing i wanna eat at all...
been feeling slight nausea since dinner :(
think i'd go lie down now.


beanie be good ok... *pats tummy*

at 13 weeks: beanie's so big already!

How's our beanie doing this week:
Your fetus is about three inches long and the size of a peach at 13 weeks pregnant. But don't compare your fetus with the fetus next door. Starting about now, babies begin growing at different paces, some faster than others, some more slowly, though they all follow the same developmental path. Growing at a universally breakneck speed now is your baby's body as it tries to catch up to the head in terms of size. Though your baby's head is about half the size of its body now, by the time your baby is ready to make his or her entrance into the world, the head will be only one-fourth as large as the body.

Your baby's intestines are also in for some big changes right now. Up till this point, they've been growing in a cavity inside the umbilical cord; but now they're moving to their permanent (and more conveniently located) address, in your baby's abdomen. And to serve your growing baby's needs, the placenta is also growing. It weighs about an ounce now and will weigh one to two pounds at birth (something else you'll soon be able to blame your weight gain on!).

Also developing this week: your baby's vocal chords. Because sound can't travel through your uterus (your baby's current habitat), you won't be able to hear any sounds or cries just yet, but oh boy (or girl) — those vocal chords will get a good workout once that baby is born.

.......and then i see white

so i've been doing pretty alright where morning sickness is concerned. I had 3-4 days of GREAT days, not much queasiness, bloatedness etc. Happy that all will be in the clear soon. Then it hit back on Sat night and there went my nice fuji apple down the drain. Tsk tsk.

Yesterday was just like any other monday mornings. Bluey.. and sleepy. Abit of activity down in my uterus.. seemed like beanie was doing some stretching in there. Changed to the EW line and gosh.. started to feel terrible. All packed like sardines, shoulder to shoulder. And i felt it coming.. cant breathe, crampy, nauseous... then crap.. came the clamminess and cold sweat, next up was that buzz in the ear and then the white curtain came down. So did i. Thankfully the people around held me up so i managed to maintain my dignity, what shards of it. My stop was next and i got out and thank you Lord, there was a bench just outside. Felt better after some deep breathing.

Oh boy... i wouldnt want a repeat session. That feeling was terrible. The helplessness, the vulnerability. Not to mention the headaches that came and went all of yesterday.

*sigh*

But it's all part and parcel of pregnancy!
Those weekly broadcasts are so accurate! Week 12 reported that dizziness will be in the mix soon.
"Progesterone again, which causes your blood vessels to relax and widen around 12 weeks pregnant, increasing the flow of blood to your baby (again, good for baby), but slowing the return of blood to you (as always, not so good for mom). Less blood flow to you means lower blood pressure and reduced blood flow to your brain. All of these can contribute to that light-headed, dizzy feeling."

Then again, it's quite exciting watching what you read come to pass!

and anyway, that black-out was for a good cause. Beanie is taking in more oxygen so that few minutes of discomfort is tolerable.

Zack laughed at me and said "be careful what you wish for.." *pout*
cos i was telling him that my symptoms were going away and i didnt feel pregnant!
haha... yeah yeah..... now i'm getting them back big time.

But my darling came to pick me up from work yesterday!
and he's coming again today :)

Stroller Shopping!

who would have thought stroller shopping could be quite this fun!

Zack and i popped over to Vivo on Thursday and had some fun at Spring Maternity... and fell in love with the first one we laid eyes on. Tsk tsk. Why must it be a Quinny?!!!!! Argghhhhh......... but it's soooooooo cute! omg....

The CabrioFix

The Zapp

but Zack didnt think the fabric looks too comfy..

"the smallest buggy in the world"

in other colors.....

a stroller and a car seat.
and we especially love that it can be converted to a car seat.

see the sun canopy? sooo cute!

The Mura

but i'm also considering the Mura cos its frame can be used from birth to 4 years, while the Zapp looks kinda small. Plus it has bigger wheels.. more sturdy.

*ponders*


see pricetag first! The Zapp + CabrioFix is like $900+!!! :S

but i REALLY REALLY like this! i dont exactly fancy the MacClarens we see around. Now Zack and i will looking at any strollers that crosses our path... hahhaha...

But there're still a few months to go and recee before we'll be buying one. I cant wait to do up the nursery!!! *twirls*

There's some serious penny pinching to do! noticed how i stopped whining about THE BAG already? haha. Having a baby is so expensive!

we're week 12 today! :)

How's beanie doing this week:
This week marks a turning point for your baby. At 12 weeks pregnant, the herculean task of developing new bodily structures is nearing an end as most of your baby's systems are fully formed. Now comes the maintenance phase, during which your fetus' systems continue to mature for the next 28 weeks and the organs get to work.

Your little fetus weighs as much as half an ounce now, and the crown-to-rump length is about two and a half inches (the size of a large plum — busily working his or her way through the whole produce department). It's hard to believe (especially from the outside, since you're probably barely showing at this point), but your baby has more than doubled in size during the past three weeks. And that's just on the outside — there's plenty going on inside too. The fetal digestive system is beginning to flex its digestive muscle — literally — as it starts practicing contraction movements, a skill your baby will need after birth to push food through the digestive tract. The pituitary gland at the base of the brain has started producing hormones. And the bone marrow is making white blood cells, which will one day help your baby fight infection (including all those germs passed around the snot-nosed playgroup).

How's mummy doing:
As you near the end of your first trimester, your uterus, now about the size of a large grapefruit, begins to migrate from the bottom of your pelvis to a front-and-center position in your abdomen. If you're lucky, this will bring an end to one pesky early pregnancy symptom — the constant urge to urinate. Also slated to diminish somewhat now that you're on the cusp of your second trimester are some of those other early pregnancy symptoms: nausea, super-tender breasts and nipples, food aversions, fatigue. But don't look now (though — considering the symptom — maybe you should), there's a new one added to the mix: dizziness.

And guess who's to blame? Yup — it's your old friend progesterone again, which causes your blood vessels to relax and widen around 12 weeks pregnant, increasing the flow of blood to your baby (again, good for baby), but slowing the return of blood to you (as always, not so good for mom). Less blood flow to you means lower blood pressure and reduced blood flow to your brain. All of these can contribute to that light-headed, dizzy feeling — especially when you get up too quickly — which is why slow and steady wins the race against dizziness.

Another cause of dizziness during pregnancy is low blood-sugar levels, which can occur if you're not eating regularly (so don't try to run…or even walk…on empty). And looking ahead to later in pregnancy, dizziness in the third trimester can be caused by the pressure the growing uterus places on your major blood vessels, especially when you're lying on your back.

Here's a quick tip: If you feel dizzy or faint, lie down or sit with your head lowered between your knees, take deep breaths, and loosen any tight clothing (like that button on your jeans you struggled to close in the first place). As soon as you feel a little better, get something to eat and drink.

~ little beanie at 11 weeks ~

How our beanie's growing:
Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

How your life's changing:
If you're like most women, you're feeling a bit more energetic now and your nausea may be starting to wane. Unfortunately, you may also be suffering from constipation (caused by hormonal changes, which can slow digestion) and heartburn (hormones again, relaxing the valve between your stomach and esophagus). Just remember, all this discomfort is for a good cause.

Don't worry if nausea has made it impossible for you to eat a wide variety of healthy foods or if you haven't put on much weight yet (most women gain just 2 to 5 pounds during the first trimester). Your appetite will likely return soon, and you'll start to gain about a pound a week.

*beams*

in case you cant make out what's what.. (like some ppl.. what darkness? that's my uterus! :P) The head is on the right, it's big and round. The head is much bigger so beanie is in fact looking like a mini alien.. hehe.

our little beanie grew so much in 4 weeks! He/she is all curled up here.. pity we can't see the arms and limbs. But we saw his/her little heart thumping! *beams*

and again... i forgot what i wanna ask Dr Tee the minute i stepped into the room! tsk tsk... When he said, "Come, let's see your baby." everything else flies out. That's the nicest part of our visit :) When he put the ultrasound gel on my tummy and we watch our little miracle appear on the monitor *beams* He said little beanie's all curled up and had to move to another angle to get a longer length, i was worried for awhile when beanie was dated a couple of days later. But Dr Tee assured me everything is right on schedule.

We can see Dr Tee at The Private Suite (TPS) too so i'm considering changing our next appointment to TPS. The amk clinic is abit small with only 1 chair so Zack gotta stand. The scanning area is abit cramped too so he couldnt get optimal view. I heard TPS is more comfy so might wanna go take a look. Don't want my daddy to feel left out noe.

on a completely vain note...

i didnt put on any weight in the last 4 weeks! Was afraid i'll hit the 50 mark! And no, i don't have to be putting on weight at this time.. weight gain only starts in the 2nd trimester. Any weight gain now is purely indulgences and not exactly necessary. I'm eating round the clock (you HAVE to when you are ALWAYS hungry) and not puking so nutrients are still trickling in.

Our next appointment will be 16 Feb.. 6 weeks later - so long :( But that's when we'll know the gender of beanie!!! Zack said we wouldnt be calling our beanie 'beanie' for much longer... maybe peanut? ahahaha.

*praying for a healthy and cute lovable baby*

later..... later.......

..........at 7.20pm!!!!!! *skips*dance*

we're gonna see our little beanie!!

Beanie @ week 10!! ....and a Happy New Year!

How our beanie's growing:
Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

How your life's changing:
At your next prenatal visit, you may be able to hear your baby's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler stethoscope, a handheld ultrasound device that your practitioner places on your belly. Many women say that the beating of their baby's tiny heart sounded like the thunder of galloping horses and hearing it for the first time was very moving.

Before you got pregnant, your uterus was the size of a small pear. By this week, it's as big as a grapefruit. You may or may not be ready for maternity wear now. Even if you're not there yet, your regular clothes are probably feeling uncomfortably tight and your blossoming breasts are straining the seams of your bra. The thickening in your midsection is most likely due to slight weight gain and bloating. If you're between regular and maternity clothes, pants and skirts with forgiving elastic waistbands (or low-rise waistlines that sit below your belly) will provide some much-needed comfort.

Depending on your level of fitness, you can most likely participate in a wide range of activities during pregnancy. Swimming and walking are excellent choices for the whole nine months. Exercise promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance — three qualities that can help you carry the weight you gain during pregnancy, prepare you for the physical stress of labor, and make it easier to get back into shape after your baby is born. (Unfortunately, there's no evidence that regular exercise shortens labor.)