Day 0: The passport photo

Well, no one has a good passport photo.

No one.

But poor Mopes has a really bad one. She's all frown and double chin. Plus the outfit! Hospital issued yucky swaddle and a too-big once-white shirt.

Sorry baby!

She really looks much sweeter and less chubbz in real life. But this was the best we could do with a five hour old baby.

The day you are born isn't really the optimal time for a photo session.

But we needed to sort out Mopi's passport to take her back to KL, so we garnered the services of Aunty photoshop-addict sMell.

It was quite a task getting Mopi to open her hours-old eyes for a photo.

When Mel arrived at the hospital Mopes was fast asleep. Angelic. Peaceful. Oblivious.

We couldn't really bring outselves to wake her.

So we waited. And waited. And waited. It was getting late and finally we did it. We woke her up.

Mopi was not a happy baby.

She was damn angry. And boy did she voice her protest. All red and angry, it was not a good time for a photo.

And then a kindly nurse came to the rescue...

Montage by Aunty Smell

Postcard from the green goblin

Labour Day

We were at the hospital by 7.30am for our 11.30am appointment to meet Mopi.

After a bit of a nervous wait... I was wheeled in and D was shown to the dressing room to put on scrubs.

Soon enough, Mopi was here!
D was still standing by the end of it all and even managed to snip the cord. My hero.

I'm glad I went with a C-section though I must say the entire thing was NOT a pleasant experience. It was icky, uncomfy and really kinda freaky. But it was over relatively quickly and for that HOORAY.

The strangest thing about the whole operation was that there was surprisingly some labour involved.

I actually had to push.

After all the cuts were made, the water bag burst and emptied, Dr Y leaned over the canopy and said: "You gotta push her out".

And for what seemed like ages I pushed... even though I had no idea what I was doing. We didn't attend any classes or even speak to the doc about pushing so I just thought I'd do sit-up kinda pushing and squeezed my abs.

D was encouraging: "You can do it! Push, push, PUSH!" I felt like those women on TV giving birth with a red, scrunched-up face and the strained neck... most unglam.

Anyway, I wasn't very effective. Two people (my anaethesist and a male nurse) had to push down on my belly as I pushed.

"She's really pushing hard", I could hear the anaethesist say to my doc. In the end, Dr Y still needed the forceps and Mopes had a bit of a bruise on her head when she popped out all purple and waxy.

The doc showed her to us and D and I looked at her... and thought... errr... hmmmm...

But after she was cleaned up, she looked human. We were pretty relieved.

Our new family

D Day tomorrow

Here we go...

Breath...

Breath...

Breath...


A card from Smell

38 weeks

In three days you will be here.

Amazing.

I went to see Dr Y today and he hooked me up to a CTG. For twenty minutes, I listened to the pitter patter of your tiny heart. Your heart beat was strong and fast. I got your Dad to record the jazzy little rhythm on his phone.

Dr Y says you are ready to come out. He showed us how you were positioned in my tummy.

All this time I thought you were lying on my right coz it is always so much bigger than my left. But it turns out, you are actually curled up on the left and the right is where you do your aerobic workouts. And that's why the right side of my belly takes on weird and wonderous shapes all through the day.

Upon reflection, it really has been a VERY quick and painless nine months carrying you in my belly.

But the last three weeks have been progressively hard.

I keep trying to jump around but I forget how big and heavy you are now.

Doing everyday things have been getting more awkward. Even getting out of bed or from a chair is difficult. Walking up a flight or two of stairs has me panting. I feel all wobbly, rolling side to side as I amble along. And if I walk around too much or go out for too long, you protest by bringing on tight spasmodic contractions.

You really like it when we sneak in little afternoon naps. I feel you go all sleepy when we lie in bed, with the air con on and music gently playing in the background.

Unfortunately, your quiet state doesn't last very long. Within half an hour, you get bored and start rolling around, signalling the end of the nap.

You've been also practicing moon walking a lot recently. You have very busy feet. And as you have been getting stronger, your kicks and stretches have been very uncomfy and even painful. In the last week, you've taken to kicking me in the ribs as well.

I can imagine you've been feeling pretty cramped in there and I'm sure you're wondering about all the sounds, voices and lights outside.

Well, the end is near. And we are all so looking forward to meeting you, little one.

It's a good time for the great taste of...

Since my last trip to Singgers, I've been constantly assulted by billboards advertising McCaDees' re-introduction of thickshakes in Singapore.

As a kid, I used to love the strawberry flavour. Slurp!

Oh happy memories...

In my eat-anything-you-want-you-have-an-excuse-state, I thought I may as well succumb to the power of advertising.

So I headed to the nearest golden arches... to be told that they are only available at McCafes!

ARGH!!!!!!!

To comfort myself, I settled for a McFlurry.

And lo and behold!

I am now constantly thinking about them!

Everyday is a McFlurry Day!

Fly the McFlurry flag!

Higher... higher... HIGHER!!!!!!!!!!!

The waiting game

I woke up in the middle of the night, looked across the bed and D wasn't around.

He's back in KL working, having safely delivered me to Singgers.

:(

I went back to tossing and turning.

Finally at 4.36am, Mopes and I got up.

There were tummy rumbles and we decided we were hungry.

We scoffed down two of these:

Food tastes better at 4am!

So Labour Day it is

D got his wish.

Every year, Mopi's birthday will fall on a public holiday.

No school. No work. Party on!

Just think, this time next week, Mopes will be here.

D-day + 6.

The countdown has begun.

37 Weeks

Haven't really had any time to update the sprogg brogg since I went to Dr R's on Wednesday.

I was a mite concerned before the visit as Mopi was quiet the couple of days before. She didn't hiccup as much (she usually has more than five bouts a day) and she just wasn't her usual active self.

But after a quick scan, Dr R said all was fine and dandy. We got the all-clear to head to Singgers for the delivery.

Mopi is almost 3.1kg. But the major discovery of the day: Mopes has puffer cheeks!

Here she is blowing out bubbles of... amniotic fluid. Tasty.
INSERT: Photo to come
Maybe she's so chubz coz she's blowing stuff out... or maybe she's just inherited D's cheeks! Heh.

Since the doc's visit, Mopi is back to her old tricks again.

She's been awfully squirmy and we've been having little fights. She shoves her feet against the wall of my tummy, causing little lumps to pop out the side of my gut.

Not only does it look bizarre, it feels really icky. So I use my palm to push my tummy back into place.

Instead of curling back into a ball, Mopes pushes even harder. So I push back. And we have a little shoving battle.

Of course, I usually win being stronger... until she gets really fed up and she shoves an elbow in my kidney or the other foot up my oesophagus or her head into my bladder. Then she wins coz it's like OW!

People say that I will miss feeling her squirm and turn inside but somehow I don't think so! I think I'll much prefer her out!

* * *

This week has been a blur.

Had to sort out major nanny problems, get Mopi's bed/bath/other necessities ready for when we come back, stock up on the "confinement" stuff I'll need (ie procure a list of bizarre foodstuff, TCM herbs and ALCOHOL which the nanny will use to nurse me back to health), and do some last-minute shopping for nappies, a kettle (can you believe we don't own one!) and a hot water dispenser.

I've also been really tired. I have bursts of energy and then CRASH!

* * *

Impending fatherhood has D impressing his people at work. Everyone been commenting on how pro-active he is.

You see, I've been harrassing him to read up. I pull out magazine articles, highlight sections of books and buy him his own Daddy books.

I mean it's important to know stuff... what to expect... how to deal with problems should they crop up... and indeed how to handle a waddling, hormonal, bad tempered (very rarely! ahem!) wife.

But of course, D really isn't in the mood to read once he gets home from work. He just wants to vege, watch football or obsess over his watch magazines.

So to keep me quiet, he has brought one of the many books I've handed to him to work. He says he reads a few pages each day.

Well whether he reads it or not, the book is obviously placed in a prominent position on his desk, resulting in everyone at work being very impressed with his efforts!

Red tape

MOPES got this kerrrute little cardigan today from Aunty Claire, who brought it back all the way from America.

I said I'd pass it back to her for her little girl once Mopes outgrows it.

*wink wink*

* * *

IT has been one crazy day today. The next few days are also going to be just as hectic.

Suddently, there is so much to do!

I'm going to stop procrastinating ... once I get around to it.

But the good news is: I've figured out how to bring Mopi back to KL.

Once she poops out (Freudian slip) and we finally decide on her name, D can register her details at the Birth Certificate office, located downstairs at the hospital. The BC will be issued on the spot.

I swear red tape crap like this is just so painless in Singapore! Where else but in Singapore man! Hooray for Singapore Inc.!

D will need to pen her name in Mandarin. I asked him if his calligraphy was up to scratch (otherwise I would get it printed out) and without hesitation he barked a "Yes!". Not shy, considering the last time he wrote anything in Mandarin was probably 20 years ago in ACS.

Note to self: Get D to practice a few times.

Once Mopi's BC is in hand, we can apply for a passport online. Did you know that newly-borns must have their own passports? I thought they would just stick a photo in mine. It will take three days from the day of application. Again, how super efficient is this country!

But there is one slight problem: How are we going to take a photo of a day-old baby? No photo booths. No instantmatics. Photoshop!! But I forsee problems in getting her to open her eyes though... hmmmm.

We'll head home seven days from Mopi's birth day.

But by then, she won't be called Mopi anymore.

Rub-a-dub-dub

Last night, D and I went for an after-dinner stroll and I started getting lower belly spasms.

Tug tug tug.

Kinda like a stitch was coming on. It was very uncomfy but not paaaain. So we continued our walk.

But after a while, I realised that my GROIN was killing me!

Sorry if it's too much info but too bad, this is a preggo/baby blog - so tough!

It hurt. Surprisingly, the pain was not between my legs where pregnant women usually feel it, but at the front of the pubic bone - the symphysis pubis (the things one learns!).

I discussed this with some people. Claire said she got it too and she describes it as a SNG feeling (but I don't understand what that means, especially since it means sour in chinese dialect). Joyce said she got it but the pain was more around her bladder and between her legs. And I remember Lisa and Amy discussing their groin problems over steamboat a while back but of course I didn't pay much attention back then!

It's a weird feeling. The pain is more than a throbbing ache, but not as acute as a stabbing pain. More like sharp spasms.

Zing. Zing. ZING.

I still feel it now when I walk, toss about in bed, get up after sitting down - actually, basically when I move!

I found some relief last night by rubbing the area. So last night, as I was walking through KLCC, I was kinda rubbing my symphysis pubis.

I think a few people thought I was mighty obscene.

* * *

Since I got preggers, I've been going to this spa for ante-natal massages.

At my first visit, I was assigned a really sweet masseuse named Jane. She was good. Really good. Trust me, I know my massages.

So since then, I've always requested her. But on Saturday, she had a day off work and I was assigned another masseuse.

And really, just when you think it doesn't get better, one day you find that it can be oh so much better than you ever thought possible.

*bliss*

Anyway, a metaphor for life perhaps...

...Or, as I said to Jo, for love.

Stars Hollow

At the end of this week, you're going to reach an important pregnancy milestone: Your baby will be considered full term! That means you could give birth anytime. Put any unnecessary travel plans on hold now in case you go into labor early.

I think D's stressing about the upcoming three hour drive to Singapore.

Hee.

* * *

Trying to finish up sorting Mopi's stuff before heading to Singapore, so that everything will be in order when we get home.

Just this weekend:

* Set up feeding station with sterializer, bottle warmer, pump, washing and drying area.
* Assembled portable cot which can be used in lounge during the day and my room at night.
* Packed Mopi's things for Singapore trip.

And....

* Ordered The Gilmore Girls - The Complete Seasons 1-5.

The set should get here by the time we get back from Singapore. Seeing I'll be stuck at home for quite a while...

Won't Mopi's feeding time be fun!

36 Weeks

Headed to Dr R's today all by my lonely self.

Turned out to be a good thing. I had to wait 1.5 hours while Dr R popped out to deliver a couple of babies and for an emergency C.

Yesterday, was a public holiday here and his rooms were rather chaotic today. Luckily D didn't waste any precious working hour$, so he had time to do a quick lunch with moi.

I fancied a crunchy big-asss sandwich so we ended up at Lemon2Go at the Shang.

Who needs wan tan mee when you can stick your teeth into this!

D had a lamb panini and a diet coke. Zzzzz.

I, on the other hand, had toasted rye stuffed with melted camembert, wild mushrooms, rocket and turkey.

And to drink: A strawberry pineapple smoothie.

I just lurve smoothies! All that blended fruit, creamy yogurt and icy fresh juice. DELICIOUS!

But horror of horrors! Our simple lunch cost RM70! ARGH! So expensive for bits of bread and meat... Oh and RM20 for the smoothie. Eeeps!

It was ok though because Mopes really enjoyed lunch.

Soon after I scoffed down my food, she got a bout of rather violent hiccups that didn't stop for AGES.

I had slight digestion problems too. I think I really should have eaten more slowly since my intestines are all squished up in my chest. Heartburn. Ow.

So Mopes and I had an interesting post-lunch conversation:

S: Burp.
M: Hic.
S: Burp.
M: Hic.
S: Burp.
M: Hic.

* * *

Mopi now weighs 3kg (or 2.98kg to be exact) or 6.6 pounds.

Big big baby = big big belly!

As you can see, the belly button is no longer an innie. BUT it's not quite an outie yet. It's kinda level with everything else.

So I guess when the belly button pops out properly, Mopes will be ready to pop out too!

I should rent out my belly-button (now very clean!) as a baby oven timer.

Dr R's scan showed everything to be a.o.k. Growth measurements are on track. Liquor levels are good. Cord function is just rocking.

BUT Dr R was a little concerned with the low lying placenta.

While I don't have placenta previa, he said I should be on the look out for early bleeding in case the baby pushing down causes some problems. If that happens, I'm to go into hospital immediately, coz that means Mopes has to COME OUT!

I got issued a very serious looking admissions form "just in case".

Anyway, things progressing as well as they are, I'll see Dr R next Wednesday. He's going to suss out the placenta again and once he gives us the all clear, we'll head to Singapore that weekend, when Dr Y will take over.

Given my decision, the expected date of delivery will be at my 38th week, give or take a day or two.

Oooooooo I hit 38 weeks on Friday, 28th of April! That's in 2.5 weeks time!

Freaky! How life can change in a moment - or 45 mins (usual time for a C section!)...

The 28th of April is a significant one for my family coz my grandpa died on that date. My dad asked me if it had a sad/bad association. I don't particularly feel that way. In fact, I think it's quite poignant. New life and all that jazz. Quite meaningful right?

If D had his choice, he'd like Mopes to be born on the 1st of May. "Nice date", he said. And also, Mopes' birthday will always be a holiday! No school! No work! PARTY!

Oh well, we'll see what happens. As Robert Burns wrote:

But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley!

Champagne wishes

A few weeks before Mopi arrives, it's time to squeeze in as many restaurant outings as I can.

Today, it was to try out a new champagne brunch at Prego, Westin.

I was complaining to Raj what a waste it was that I could only have a couple of glasses.

R: when can you start drinking properly again?
S: after birth i think. the chinese nanny will cook with lots of alcohol and make you drink dom everyday. Whoooo!
R: you do know it's not dom the champagne, it's dom the shit alcohol.
S: hahaha

My kind of baby hamper!

35 Weeks

YOU know you have a problem when lying on the cold, hard, flat floor is the most comfortable position you can find:

I'm telling you: Funny things are going on in here.

Just this week, Mopi has been hiccuping A LOT. The poor kid has three to five bouts a day, lasting up to ten minutes sometimes. I read up and it seems that babies are swallowing lots of fluid now to get their lungs and swallowing reflexes ready for the 'real world'.

And today, I have been SO uncomfortable.

Mopes been pushing against my right lung, squashing my intestines and her head's been pressing on my bladder. It's been a struggle to breath. I've been going to the loo every five seconds. And I've got heartburn. Ow.

Mopi is really getting very big and heavy. I can feel her wriggling about trying to get settled but there's just no more space in there. Every few minutes, an elbow pokes out, or a foot, or her bum... it really is very, very uncomfy.

And now that I've just had dinner, I feel like I am about to EXPLODE!

My skin is stretched taut and there really is NO MORE ROOM IN THERE!

In fact, it kind of reminds me of this:

When the python ate the crocodile

The Name Game - Part 1

EVERYONE seems to have an idea what Mopes should be named.

My mum is super keen on Deborah. Smell's vote is with Ava or Amanda. Pinny likes Natasha. Claire thinks Mopes is a Lauren.

D has a short-list of sorts. He has two particular favourites.

And me?

I still so don't know. It's hard you know, picking a name.

I've tried with the Top 100 names on the websites. I've flipped through a library of baby name books but by the time I hit the letter 'C' I'm like blah.

I keep thinking one day a ding ding ding will go off in my head and I will just KNOW that ??? = Mopi.

Well, it's been many months and I still can't hear any bells.

However...

It is significant to note here that we have TOUCHDOWN for a Chinese name for Mopes.

D picked it from a list put together based on a couple of character traits/qualities both of us thought desirable/liked for Mopes.

Amy helped us select the characters coz we are quite blur in written chinese (or at least I am).

So here it is (for now at least) -

Mopi's Chinese name: 许丽琳

Pronunciation: xu lì lín

Meaning: Beautiful gem

Hmmm... quite fitting coz I LOVE sparklies!

C is for... chaos!

TAAA
DAAA
TAAA
TAAA
DAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

So the decision has been made: A 'C' in Singgers.

After MUCH agonising, I really think this is the best course of action for me.

I told D when he popped home for lunch. He didn't say much other than "Really?".

I think he's quite relieved that a decision has been made. He has been stressing about letting the doctors know (natural or c or induced natural) and planning the trip to Singgers (if the birth was to be in Singgers). And he was stressing me out in turn!

Anyway, it feels like a great load has been lifted from my shoulders.

Now to come to terms with Mopi's arrival!

She's probably going to POP OUT around the 38 week mark (she will be at 35 weeks on Thursday).

It won't be much longer till we meet her!


Now that there's no more procrastinating, we're busy, busy, busy little bees in the hive. Maritess and I have started on the laundry (ok so she's started on it). We are doing it in batches over the next two weeks: layettes, rompers, booties, mittens, caps, bedding, nappies, wraps, blankets...



And now, to do some research on stem cell and cord blood banking...

A casual lunch at home...

But then, they brought pink balloons, cake and presents!



It was like it was my birthday but it wasn't!

I don't really have any photos because I was far too busy eating and ripping up wrapping paper. But when I get sent some I'll post them.

So fun!

34 weeks

Went to Dr R's today. It wasn't the most pleasant of experiences because I had to get a swab for a StrepB test. Other very undignified things also took place. Yuk.

His scan showed that the placenta is still a little too low. If it's too low, giving birth naturally will be difficult. He'll be checking the position again in two weeks.

In the last week, I've had three ultrasound scans. I hope Mopi isn't too bothered but I don't think ultrasounds are harmful to the baby. Anyway, the other two docs who did the scans for me last week in Singapore didn't think the placenta was a problem. They said while it was low, it had moved up sufficiently.

I mentioned to Dr R that I've been feeling very unbalanced as Mopi's weight and mass seems to be carried mainly on my right side. He said that it is coz the placenta is on the left so she doesn't have much space on that side. So Mopes has positioned her head on my left side and shoved the rest of her body towards my right. You should see my tummy sometimes - it just looks so WEIRD coz it's all loopy loopy lopsided.

I have been feeling very heavy. I guess it's no wonder given Mopi's giant growth spurts. I now am weighing in at 66+kg. Ooooof! Here's the proof (thanks Smell!):

I am pudding
Mopi has been very active, especially after meals - and papaya, of which I've been eating a lot of (no idea why!). She kicks and stretches a lot. It's quite an uncomfy feeling but reassuring coz at least I know she's boogie-ing in there.

Peek a boo!

On Monday, we went to Dr AT's to have a peek at you. She's got a super-dooper scanning machine and we were very excited coz we knew we were going to get a good look at you.

At first, you weren't quite co-operating. You were fast asleep with your arms up around your face.

Stop hiding your face, baby!
But after some jiggling, you flipped around and we saw your little sleepy face. You had one hand tucked under your head and you looked like a real life baby! It's like you were actually sleeping in a cot rather than in my tummy.

You've had a major growth spurt. In less than three weeks you've put on 0.6kg. You are now 2.218kg! The doc said if you keep growing at this rate, you will be about 3.2kg at 40 weeks... but I think we'll see you waaaaay before then!


Is that a smile?