in a few hours...

....our darling is off to her second holiday!

After a long day of work and getting things organised for the trip, i'm feeling quite done now. So i'll keep this post short and just mention something incredibly special that happened this evening.

we SAW our little darling's nudge!!!

we were watching re-runs of Friends this evening and she was doing her baby dance. Not long after i noticed some movement on my tummy right under my nose. I stared at it for like half a minute and saw a little bulge rising up. It was soooo cute! Zack saw it too.. a few times! It got us both pretty excited :P

this period is clearly a very exciting time for us.
feeling our little princess's nudges and kicks..
watching my belly grow bigger each day - it can be quite scary i tell u!
everything is a miracle.. i am growing a life inside me *in awe*

she's kicking inside as i'm typing this!

i'm going all loaded for this trip. Bringing along some healthy snacks/beverages so my little one will be kept in healthy order. Please pray along with us for a safe trip. Honestly, despite getting the green light from our ob, i'm still a tad jittery about going on a holiday now.. more so after what happened last week. But i'm having faith and trusting God that He will keep our little one safe and healthy. Keep us in your prayers!

2nd trimester: 22 weeks!

How our princess's doing:
The baby now weighs almost one pound/ 430 grams, measures nearly 11 inches/ just over 27 centimeters long from crown to heel, and is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since her baby fat hasn't yet developed. Although she's getting heavier every day, her skin still appears wrinkled because she needs to gain more weight. The lips are distinct and the eyes are formed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily.

Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before you know it, your baby will be born, and soon after, her first teeth will come through.

How mummy's doing:
You've probably gained between 12 and 15 pounds/ 5.4 and 6.8 kilograms. Starting now, you'll begin to put on weight more steadily, averaging about half a pound/ 225 grams per week. You may crave certain foods. It's okay to give in to an occasional yearning for ice cream, but try to find a healthy substitute if you constantly long for junk food.

You may have noticed some changes down below. It's common in pregnancy to have an increased vaginal discharge as the result of increased blood flow in that part of the body. Needing to go to the loo a lot is another side-effect of pregnancy but don't forget that you are also more susceptible to urinary tract infections too - see your doctor if you suspect a bout of cystitis. You may also experience bleeding from the back passage, particularly if you have developed haemorrhoids.

Take a moment to think about this: your uterus has now stretched to such unholy proportions that it extends beyond your navel! The not-so-exciting part of this remarkable fact is that growth like this tends to leave stretch marks and can itch like nobody’s business. If it makes you feel any better, stretch marks on the belly are extremely common. Don’t get suckered into buying really expensive creams that supposedly make stretch marks ‘magically disappear.'Stretch marks are scars on your skin and won’t disappear with a topical cream . But feel free to apply all the aloe-vera (and other anti-itch lotions) to alleviate the itching. In terms of preventing their appearance, cocoa butter-based creams and creams full of Vitamin E have a reputation for helping-- but there's still no guarantee that those pesky stretch marks won't show up despite your best creaming-up efforts.

Also, your doctor may offer you a glucose screening test sometime in the upcoming weeks. The test checks for a high blood sugar condition that some women are susceptible to during pregnancy. At most, 5 percent of women actually test positive for this problem, but if you do, you will probably have a few more follow up tests to be sure. If you end up with a positive test, make a plan with your physician or nutritionist for treatment. Untreated, the high sugar content in your blood enables the overproduction of baby fat for your little one, and often results in overly high birth weight which can induce premature birth and/or the necessity to deliver via cesarean.

our precious princess at 20 weeks 5 days *beams*

Date: 17 March 2009

so yes.. it is 100% girl! and growing really well :) She was measured at 20 weeks 7 days, 2 days ahead, so take that those of you who made comments on how small my bump was looking - behind my back! You'll be amazed that even guys can comment on such stuff.. tsk tsk. For awhile i was worried cos everyone (i'm using the term loosely here) said they are much bigger than me when they were at my stage. Zack said they are all fat and jealous that i'm slimmer than them.. haha. Hubbies are the best! :P And there are darling friends who assured me that it's okay, in fact better, to be small. Like Fu.. he even checked with his mum and she said its depends on the amount of amniotic fluid. Good to be small cos it can mean no/lesser stretch marks and easy to go back to pre-pregnancy figure. Thanks for the assurance dearies!

Little girl is growing well so i'm not worried. I love my bump.. whatever size and shape it may be! As long as she is healthy....

During the detailed scan, we had a very good look at her. Her legs, arms, even 5 little fingers! One hand was fisted up and for awhile she seemed to be sucking her thumb! We saw her mouth gulping too :) It was really amazing. Sonographer said she cant see any boy parts so most likely girl. And we got the results from the amniocentesis which concluded the same. So yes, we are indeed having a little girl! Being measured were also her vital organs: kidney, heart, circumference of her skull etc.

We thoroughly enjoyed this detailed scan.. though it didnt end up as joyous. I cant wait to go for the 3D/4D scan where we can actually see her features!

the clouds came and my world got dark...

The past week had been a rough one. An excerpt from my pregnancy book clearly expressed it (to the T):

HOW TO FREAK A PREGNANT WOMAN

"Happily, most ultrasound exams show that all is going (and growing) well with baby. But for some women, a level 2 ultrasound may go something like this: One minute you are starry-eyed as you gaze at the ultrasound screen, marveling at the miraculous image of your baby floating blissfully inside you. The next minute, the technician is calling for the doctor, who knocks you right off cloud 9 and into a state of panic with a few frightening words: "We see something - a soft marker - that might indicate a problem."

But before you panic, it's important to gain some reassuring perspective. Though "soft markers" on an ultrasound (detected during 5 to 10 percent of second-trimester ultrasounds, depending on the marker) are subtle characteristics that may indicate an increased risk of a chromosomal problem (most often Down Syndrome or trisomy 18), these characteristics are also found in plenty of babies who are perfectly healthy. In fact, very few babies who show these soft markers (such as choroid plexus cyst, echogenic foci, or pyelectasia, to name a few) actually end up having a chromosomal abnormality. Which means that in the majority of cases, these so-called abnormal findings don't indicate anything abnormal at all.

Your practitioner may suggest some more tests (like an amnio) to find out for sure, but in the meantime, take a deep breath and remember that sometimes technology - which can bring so much joy - can also bring unneeded worry."

The sonographer said she couldnt get a view of the heart and wanted John Tee to take a look. Coincidentally he was at KKH that day and was just next door. He did another scan and managed to get a good view of the heart but told us of the marker. Immediately scheduled me to do an amniocentesis the next morning at 8am.

It had to be done quick cos i was already 20weeks plus. We got the rapid test where the results will be out in 2-3 working days. The normal wait was 2 weeks. There was a legal timeframe should we decide to interrupt the pregnancy. The amnio test was really quick - 3 mins was all it took. Basically it's just a needle poking through your belly to draw out a sample of amniotic fluid. As it's puncturing a hole into the membrane, it has its risks and is best done by a very skilled practitioner. I had complete faith in John Tee (our ob). He has raving reviews on his skill in amnio, and also delivery. Just a pity Zack couldnt be in the room with me :(

We waited 3 days to know if we are in the clear. It was a huge shock coss we went for a serum screening 1 month back and i was considered low risk. We are both young, no family history etc. Nevertheless, that 3 days were filled with terror and fear. But one thing that was certain, whatever the outcome, we wouldnt interrupt the pregnancy. We love her too much and she is too real to both of us. We talked about it way before on what would be done should there be birth defects and agreed that an interruption would be best. But when you are slapped with the possibility of it, things got shifted into a whole new perspective. You just can't do it. It's quite unthinkable and you have this instinct to protect what's yours. I've even gone far enough to ask Zack if he knows if the school fees for downs children is much higher than normal school fees. And worrying that she'll get raped cos she is a gal who cant take care of herself (that's the worst fear of a woman). Yeah i know.. the places my mind goes sometimes.

Was all up in knots during the wait.. it was excruciating. I went online to search for information but couldnt get anything substantial. The forums didnt help either. Couldnt find anyone with the same problem. The Singapore Motherhood forum was the worst. Those stupid women were more afraid that the amnio test will be painful. For crying out loud, that should be the least of your worries! It's just a blardee needle poking through your belly. Even if it hurts like the sky is falling, you jolly well suck it in.. tsk tsk. The lack of information really got me jittery. Or maybe it helped. So i couldnt dissect everything i read into minute pieces and drive myself crazy. I just needed some assurance and hope. All i was clinging on to was the pretty rainbow we saw on our way to the hospital on the morning of the amnio test. I took it as God's promise to us that everything will turn out fine.

Friday was the day of revelation. I was back at work after 2 days of bedrest. Our ob gave us his secretary number to call for results. Couldnt get hold of her so i sent him an email instead. He replied in 8 mins.

3 words.

"Normal, baby girl."

Normal. How a 6-letter word could mean so much. I could have collasped there and then. I immediately called Zack who had been bugging me if i had made the call the whole afternoon, though i told him i'll give him a code: Negative = Going to do my brows, Positive = Going home (to cry). That huge sense of relief was incredible, i cant find the words to express it.

But i've learnt something very important through this episode. That is to not take anything for granted. I've been blessed with an easy pregnancy; no bad morning sickness, no complications, no bloating and excessive weight gain. So much so that i tend to take it for granted that i'll breeze through the whole 9 mths and give birth to beautiful baby. This is clearly a wake-up call to me that everything is so precarious and we should not be complacant and careless but be thankful and humble for all that we're blessed with.

She is so much more precious to us after this.. and everyday i thank God for her. (she is stretching inside as i'm typing this! :)) And our little girl is going to be a healthy and strong gal.. her name means "Strong and Mighty" *beams*

What didn't break us only made us stronger :)

2nd trimester: 20 weeks - Halfway through!

How our princess's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How my life's changing:
Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.

In the news:

Migraines in pregnancy linked to stroke risks

romper and kimono set

omg... this is so incredibly adorable!

i gotta get my colleagues to stop sending me those shopping threads!

2nd trimester: 19 weeks :)

How our princess's growing:
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How mummy's changing:
Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. (i'm having light stabbing pains on my right lower abs right now!) Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

i cant resist!

So on Sunday..... while waiting for Zack to be done with his haircut at Compass Point.. i did some baby clothes browsing. Sorry to say, i couldnt resist getting a little something for my precious :)


they are so pretty and tiny! These reminded me of how mummy used to knit booties and mittens. I still have her knitting needles and books. Maybe i'll dig them out and put them to good use ;)
i miss her..... she'll be so happy to be a grandma..