@ Week 21

How was I doing?

Went to the government clinic for the monthly check up yesterday and was in for a big surprise. My weight was up by 4kg making me the heaviest at 60kg. I feel like an elephant now. All my life, no matter how fat I was, it had never gone beyond 58kg. As of now, I've accumulated 7kg for the past 5 months. 4 more months to go and I dare not estimate how much more I'll gain. The nurse was very worried bout my gain, thus arranged for me to come back for the two days once check up AGAIN. Sigh... although I'm not working, I don't want to spend my time going in and out of that clinic. Also, I have to take the glucose test in 3 weeks time. Was is because I gained too much or was it a normal procedure?

Mind you, I really has decrease my food intake. I was not having the elephant appetite like I used to in first trimester. In fact, after the serious sickness, I was kinda phobia to food. Hubs was extremely happy to get whatever food I want, all I have to do is ask. Everyone was commenting on how small my tummy was and although he assured me it's OK, I know he has the pressure to feed me well too.

Even though it increased so much, my tummy is still as small as a winter melon. I really have no idea where has all the weight spread to. My thigh? My butt? My boobs? My arms? Oh...for sure some has creep up to my face..cause it's been chubbier and obvious to all.
My belly button started to protrude last week. I realised it one night after having dinner. When I rubbed my tummy, I could feel a small lump instead of the usual insert. No, it was not the full lump yet. It was more to the lump on the foreskin above the belly button.

However, this week while taking bath, I realise that it does not happen only after a meal. It is there for most of the time. Now even the whole belly button is popping out whenever I finish eating. In fact, my guess is by next week, it will pop out wholly and can be detected even when I wear a blouse over it.

How's baby doing?

Baby's kicking is getting more prominent. At times, I could feel as if he's doing somersault inside. Still most of the time, he'll reside at the right side. When I was lying on bed just before sleeping, I love to put both my palms down on my tummy and feel his movement. Hubs used to have difficulty detecting his movement but now it's not a problem anymore. Whenever he moves, Hubs will go, "Eh..", "Eh..". It's so cute to see that. There was once I secretly ask him to give Hubs a big kick when Hubs palm was on my tummy. And he did just that and Hubs went, "Wow". Was it a coincidence, I really don't know. From the 4kg that I gained, I have no idea how much did the baby contribute to it. Most of the time, Doc will only say,"Baby's healthy" but he doesn't tell us how big is the baby, what's the heart rate, or is the amniotic fluid enough? Maybe I should ask him on the next round visit. At least, I'll know that I'm not the only one gaining weight.

Music for baby

Most of the websites I read stated the importance of early childhood development and how it could be trained even while baby is still in mommy's womb. As I am not the kiasu mother that would go all out to train my child to be future A1 student, I just make use of what I had at home such as this CD I received as doorgift when I attended Hubs's company Grand Opening in Singapore last year. I actually forgot all about this CD, which I've chucked in the drawer along with other CDs. The last time I played it, I found it to be too boring. All it has was, "You are creative", or "You are loving" and others affirmations with soft music playing in the background. That time, I wasn't aware of the importance of music and the affirmations. I was even jokingly telling Hubs this is ridiculous boring piece of CD. Not until I started my pregnancy did I find it a good piece to listen.

Another one I had at home currently was from my sis. She got it as a gift after she delivered her twins. But since it's stated "Maternity Melodies", she thought it might be more suitable for me.

I actually like this one better as I'm quite familiar with the songs and composer, ever since the day I started my piano lessons. Bach, Mozart, Pachelbel, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Schubert and the famous Beethoven. It has 3 CDs inside which means I tried to rotate them, a piece for a night. Hubs used to play it for me on his laptop when I go to bed while he's still busy with his work. But lately, my sleeping time was too late to even play a song. Guess I really have to make more time for baby. Sorry babe!

@ Week 19

I've tried very very hard to refrain myself from going for the scheduled monthly check-up ON TIME. I tried very very hard to at least delay it for a week or so (to get a better confirmation on baby's gender). I tried very very hard to resist the urge to find out the gender of baby so early. But.......all FAILED.

Sigh. I've only managed to delay it for 4 days before I rushed to the hospital and waited patiently for my turn. A day before the appointment, I've repeatedly told baby, "Don't be shy in front of the 'camera', show it to Doc so mommy can buy new clothes for you." That time I was still aiming to get my hands on cutesy baby clothes at Metrojaya Sales in Pisa.

As usual, Doc checked for baby's head length and scan around for other things. He told us baby is on the right side. Ya, mostly I could feel baby's kicking on the right side also. We even managed to catch a glimpse of baby shoving legs during the scan. I was told if we didn't ask, Doc will not say anything apart from "baby is healthy". So right before he took off the scanner from my tummy, I asked for the gender. He tried to search around. Luckily baby's head is engaged downward and Doc could peep between baby's thigh (the bottom side). He told us (I'll keep it as a secret for now) but as expected, he will add in a line, "it's not 100% confirmed (till next appointment)".

I know if I don't ask, he'll not give us a printout also. And I was in for a disappointment cause it's too late to get the whole picture of baby, like what I used to see from others' blogs. Doc said baby is too big for a frame anymore. So the best he could take was just the head and half of the body. Can you differentiate?

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I know it's hard to see. So here's what I draw out. If baby is too big for a frame less than 5 months, then baby must be growing well although tummy is still small, rite???

Baby...warm up

Been thinking of getting a bottle warmer, as a preparation for this coming baby. Few days ago, I was still undecided which brand of warmer to get. I short listed Pigeon, recommendation from my experienced Sis; Avent, a popular brand-well known for its quality and Tommee Tippee, a UK brand I saw from website (the bottles are quite a favourite among mommies). After surveying the quality and comparing the price, Pigeon is totally out of question. Previously, it was sold at RM150+ but now they hiked up the price to a whooping RM300+. As for Tommee Tippee, although it was famous for its bottles, I can't find any product review. I was actually thinking hard whether to get it or not since the price is less than RM200. After discussing with Hubs, we finally decided to get it from Avent.

Taking advantage of this time Mega Sales, I did some survey and found a gift pack type from JJ. It contains a bottle warmer, a pack of (3x) 4oz bottle and newborn baby clothes set. All this come in a see-thru bag. It was totally worth it, after calculating the price of bottle warmer and 4oz bottle pack (@ less 20%).

Luckily it comes in orange color. Just neutral for either boy or girl.
You know what? The warmer pack come with a 4oz bottle, a baby spoon and 2 sachets of sterilizer powder.

Apart from this, we also bought a pack of (2x) 9oz bottles @20% less. It was quite worth it. But then when I went to Mom's Care, I saw the breast pump set on sales, not the Rm219 one but the RM388 that comes with a bag. I wanted to buy the normal set breast pump but every outlet also does not give 20% less for this set. They only offer the bag set @ RM277.90. It was around 28% less than normal price. But the thing is, I've already got (4x) 4oz and (2x) 9oz bottles. If I were to get this bag set (which included (2x) 4oz and (2x) 9oz), in total I'll have (6x) 4oz and (4x) 9oz which is way too many bottles for a baby.

How?? I'm planning to sell off my previous pack for 4oz and 9oz, all brand new, unopen pack. Going at more than 20% off. Anyone interested?

Monthly check up

What I love about monthly check up?? Not only can I see my baby's progress....but I love the FREE GIFT too. See what I get from the one of the visit.

Wyeth Bag

And look what's inside. A sample of baby wipes and a pair of NUK breast pad. I love the compartment inside the bag. One compartment for all the bottles, one for the diapers. Another small compartment which I haven't thought of what to keep inside.

This is the second FREE GIFT I received recently. A cute bad from HUGGIES.

The content? A pack of Huggies diapers in S size. Hopefully this can last the first month...hehe..but I think monthly, I need 30 pieces minimum.

Every month, I look forward to see my baby...and hopefully get some free gift too.

Metrojaya Madness

While I was happily browsing thru each and every website that has baby item on sale, I stumbled upon this poster...
And I went mad. I marked it on my calender - RED. Hubs insisted to accompany me there, before he goes for work but I said NO! knowing very well if he were to follow, I'll only have less than 2 hours to scout around.

The awaited day came and I armed myself with my beloved credit card, all prepared to swipe swipe swipe. I went there as early as I could to avoid the crowd. The first thing I saw was BRA. Yup, I've been longing to get new pair as the current ones can't seems to support my pregnancy breast anymore. Previously I did tried a few pairs but either it's too expensive or just wasn't the type I wanted. At Wacoal counter, I met a nice sales girl that recommend me a few design. But sadly she doesn't understand when I told her that those designs she recommended were not able to cover my breast, what more now that I'm preggy. She was surprised and commented on my small belly. Lucky was I, she introduced me to her (experienced mother) supervisor. She totally understood my situation, for she has my size of breast too. Initially I wanted to buy two pairs only, but her sweet mouth managed to persuade me to get 4 pairs and even 2 pairs of underwear. There goes my first Ka-ching.

As I did plan to get any clothes for myself, I totally skipped Ladies and Gents Departments. Straight I headed for Baby's Corner. Previously, I've managed to stop myself from getting any baby clothes from JJ and Tesco, with the reason I don't know the gender yet. But today I finally succumbed to it. Who cares bout the gender? This color is unisex. How could you resist this piece which initially marked at RM49.90, but now selling at only RM9? Second Ka-ching. Then I chose a bloody red t-shirt for my godson from OshKosh.
I love the embroidered wordings..Third Ka-ching
Oh..and these pairs for the twins, Yong Bin and Li Via. Last..Ka-ching ka-ching.
My total damage for the day was RM208. And I spent almost 4 hours in there...all alone.

Boy or Girl?

No secret. I'm eager to know my baby's gender...be it boy or girl, I'll love him/her just the same. But why the eagerness? I just can't wait to get out and do some shopping. I've been walking thru the baby's department whenever we were out shopping and always went uh-ah over the tiny little clothes. I have to bite my tongue and get restrain myself from getting any yet. What more when there's a Sales going on, the clothes are so CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP but I have to go NO NO NO!! Suffering man!

Today I was browsing thru http://www.parents.com and saw an article to determine whether I'm carrying a boy or a girl. Here's what the old wives' tales say.

1. Sleep Position
Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? Your pregnant with a girl.
All the while, I sleep on my left side. Even though now pregnant, the habit didn't change. Boy

2. Upset Stomach
Little girls aren't always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.
I think my gene does not have the morning sickness (both my sisters don't have). Boy

3. Soft or dry hands
If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.
My hands are still the same, smooth as ever. Girl

4. Food Cravings
Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.
I don't have any craving except the food I always love...spicy and sour. Girl

5. Adult Acne
If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.
Oh...I can see that pimples are popping out, even on my breast. Girl

6. Graceful or Clumsy Pregnancy
If you feel as though you're gliding through they day, you'll have a girl. Stumbling? It's a boy.
Still the same old me. No gliding nor bumping into stuff. Boy

7. Face Weight Gain
If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl.
This happens every time I started to grow, be it pregnant or not. Girl

8. Sugar and Spice Food Cravings
Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet? Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you're having a girl.
Ice-cream, chocolate potato chips, popcorn..all are my favourite. Girl/Boy

9. Mood Changes
If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.
No extreme mood swing yet. Boy

10. High or Low Pregnant Belly
If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it's high, you're having a girl.
No tummy yet. Still have my waistline at 4 1/2 months. Boy

11. Baby Weight
If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle? It's a girl.
Same as #10. Boy

12. Pendulum Test
Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.
This one I should test. Was it over my tummy or hand??

13. Model Your Hands
"Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.
Have yet to notice this but since I read this, I don't know what to show....more cautious now.

14. Toddler Advice
Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy.
Didn't really try out but the boy doesn't notice my tummy also.

15. Eat Garlic
Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it's a boy. If there's no scent it's a little girl.
Eww..smell seeps out of pores? Didn't take notice.

16. Key to Pregnancy
If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.
I'm used to pick up keys by the round end. Boy

17. Even and Odd Numbers
If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.
I'm 26 and now is 2009. Even + odd = Boy

18. Baby's Heartbeat
If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy.
This one has to get doctor's help

19. Stress Test
A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.
I know I'm stressed out from trying to have baby. Should follow Hubs then. Boy

20. Dream Meanings
If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.
Never take notice in this. Will try to see if I do dream of it.

21. Breast Size
If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it's a baby boy.
What does uneven breast size has to do with boy or girl? Was it because boy prefer the left side, so milk production tend to be more there? Boy


10 votes for Boy, 4 votes for Girl, 7 votes for uncertain. That's it. I'm not going to guess anymore. I'll go straight to Doc for a scan this coming Thursday..hopefully baby will cooperate.