reunion dinner

Baby Joel's first reunion dinner on 5 Feb.

babytalk

What do you usually say to your baby (even though he doesnt understand a word you say)?
Is your voice 1 pitch higher? Do u baby talk?

Jo's mom: "Jo-eeelll..."
Jo's dad: "Who good boy? Joel good boy. Who good boy? Joel good boy. Di di di di..."
(and Aunty Sandra & Mommy Jo will say "Door closing"! Haha!!!)
Elvis' mom: "O-la ola ola ola ola ola ola ola ola... M-m-m-m-m-m-m, M-m-m-m-m-m-m, M-m-m-m-m-m-m... Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok... Gao gao kun, gao gao kun, gao gao kun, gao gao kun... O-la ola ola ola ola ola ola ola ola..."
(Grandma Chau usually talks without any fullstops or commas too)
Elvis' dad: " "

hamstering

Just realised that my friend's baby who is 5 months old only drinks 100ml (of breastmilk) and feeds every 4-5 hours.

Baby Joel - being 5 weeks old - gulps down 120ml hungrily and feeds every 3 hours! He seems to have an alarm clock on him too! And it rings before mine!

This is him hamstering...



Old Wives' Tales:
The baby does this coz the mother starves herself when she's pregnant.
And my mother-in-law says "Har lor, har lor" to this. (Fuming Mommy)

Baby Joel also seems to be very impatient. He's cranky and cries a lot - especially when he wants his milk FAST! Everyone seems to think he inherited his bad temper from ME!!! This makes mommy even more pissed and stressed!
It's bullshit again, right???
Mommy Jo just has to take the blame for anything bad that baby Joel do/is. (Fuming & very sad Mommy)

a tight squeeze

Some friends have commented that i look slim again. But i actually still have a 4-month tummy, ALL my bottoms dont fit, most of my tops look awful (coz of the tummy)... Every time i wanna wear something, i'm "surprised" i cannot even squeeze into it!!! So, i'm still wearing my maternity clothes most of the time. I wonder how long do other mothers lose all the excess bulk??? :(

The only pair of jeans that fit just nice now is a pair of "YOYO! jeans" that i didnt even have to unbutton at all coz it'll just go up & down my hips - with a few more inches of extras. I hardly wear it, but guess it'll be my new "favourite jeans" from now. All others that used to sit on my hips are now too tight to even button up!!!

I gained about 11-12kg during my pregnancy, but only 5kg came out together with baby Joel.

I figured the only weight i lost is the fats (water) on my face... Hmm...

2nd attempt

Yesterday, we brought baby Joel to Orchard Road with Elvis' brother's family. When their baby cried the minute we stepped into Taka, I was thinking "Hmm...heng our baby Joel seems happy." Soon, both babies took turns to cry...but theirs still cried more lah. Keekee... ;p

We learnt from experience to bring along the baby sling...coz it's no joke carrying a "sack of rice" when baby Joel wants to be carried. I heard a few people said he looks cute (when I carried him kangaroo-style), and i felt so happy! Heehee... O ya, the pacifier (which we just used on him a few days ago) also came in handy. Haha! ;p

Soon, Elvis' mother called and we had to rush back for dinner. Hmm...and we only arrived in Taka at 5pm. It was only about an hour. Hai...not shiok. Plus imagine all the effort and preparation stuff (milk bottles, diaper etc etc)...


O ya, look at these lovely shoes Aunty Stella made for baby Joel. I was deciding between the socks (left) or shoes (right)...and Elvis thinks the socks matched better.

1st month jab

Joel was clueless we were going to bring him for his 1st month injection. He looked so cute on the way there. Heehee... ;p

When the OUCH! came, he cried for a few minutes... Poor thing.


JOEL on 24 Jan 2008

1st shopping trip

We decided to go out shopping with baby Joel last Saturday. It's our FIRST family outing! Heehee... ;)

We decided on Marina Square since it's very accessible from City Hall MRT. (Cab fares on Saturdays are ridiculous now) He was very well-behaved and slept very soundly from the time we left home. We managed to shop shiok shiok for a few hours. Then when it was his time to be hungry, he went berserk or rather WE went berserk!!! We didnt know what to do with him coz fed him, changed his diaper, carried and coaxed him...but he still continued to cry... So we chop-chop took a taxi home. Then we realised that he was hungry again. Haha! Our baby with the BIG appetite!





We finally took out the "standby pacifier" the following day coz Daddy Elvis cant take it already. It's blurred coz he's sucking very quickly! He hasnt gotten the hang of it, so it pops out very easily...but i thinks he enjoys it a lot! Zooo-zoood... ;p

see the difference

Baby Joel wearing the same Gap romper on Day 4 (27 Dec 2007) and a month later (25 Jan 2008).
He's put on 1.8kg and grown 2.5cm


He now drinks 120ml (up from the 90ml)...and he still looks very hungry after that! Night feeds on 90ml was 2 hourly, on 120ml is about 2.5-3 hours. So you can imagine how tired we are by now...

role-play

Joel pretending to be Maneki Neko 招き猫 the Japanese lucky cat...

Baby, quick grow more hair!

and a fat chinese monk.

joel's first haircut

Baby Joel's first time at the barber. We were surprised he could sleep throughout the zeeeee...

joel's best friend

This is baby Joel's first best friend, Aunty Ann.

home haircuts

Today is our last Independence Day. The nanny will be leaving tomorrow morning, and we'll be caring for baby Joel fulltime. So, we decided to go out and paktor alone for the last time. Heehee...

We shopped around and bought some baby clothes and a Braun hair-clipper for baby Joel. His hair is falling off and it's all over his face and clothes, so we decided to shave it off for him. The hair-clipper was recommended by Ivan, and we thought it really made sense to buy it especially since our kid is a boy. Can save $ on future home haircuts.
THE MATHS: A kids hairsalon/cut at Vivo City costs a whopping S$20.
4 haircuts = the hairclipper

Daddy Elvis was also worried that the hair-clipper at the barber's shop is dirty...so we decided to get it early (for baby's FIRST haircut tomorrow). Haha! ;p

Hmm...I had thought that only bandang Chinese stick to the tradition of cutting babies' hair on their first month, but i googled this and found out that even the angmohs do it too! And they also keep a small section of it for posterity. Elvis' mother kept baby Joel's umbilical cord & his soon-to-be-cut-hair in a red packet for good luck too! (Some people even use the baby's first hair to make into caligraphy brushes)

I also found this WikiHow article useful. Baby/daddy/mommy wimp out on the haircut? No problem, take baby to the salon instead, and follow these helpful tips for making it a happy experience for your little one. Oh, and check out these good baby/toddler hair-styling tips too. Dont take chances especially with babies. ;p

joel's 1st month celebration

We celebrated baby Joel's FIRST month yesterday! He was so alert for a looong time in the morning and i wondered if he'll be awake at the "party" later in the evening. Heehee... Yea, i was right. He slept throughout. Dont be fooled. Usually, it's quite difficult to get him to sleep. ;p

Anyway, babies' first month celebrations are usually more for the adults to get together. Most of the time, people "forget" about the baby too. 1 of my friend even forgot to take photo for her daughter at her 1st Month Party - who's supposed to be the STAR! Keekee...

Some of our friends arrived at the chalet earlier than us, so we totally forgot about the balloons we had wanted to put up! Haha! I didnt take any shots too coz baby Joel was sleeping away and i only got a shot of the cake. I was sooo deprived of chocolate (coz of diabetes at the final stage of my pregnancy) that i ordered a TRIPLE chocolate cake - chocolate sponge + chocolate hazenut cream + chocolate crunchies! YUMMY!!!

There were quite a number of children, toddlers & babies yesterday, and they had their own get-together too! O, and not forgeting 3 moms-to-be. WAH! Instead of attending friends' gathering & weddings, our lives will soon revolve around lots of babies' get-together! ;)

THANKS to everyone who came, and for all the gifts & angpaos for baby Joel. ;)

embarrassed mommy

It's been so demoralizing that i dont have much breastmilk for my baby. Sometimes, it's only 10ml. He gulps down 90ml in barely 5 mins. When i'm "lucky", i might have 80ml a day - which is not even enough for 1 feeding.

I feel embarrassed when i store my 10ml bottles in the freezer,
I feel embarrassed that the nanny has to wash and sterilize the pump so many times (for that little bit of milk),
I feel embarrassed that my in-laws ask/know i have no milk,
I feel embarrassed the nanny feeds my baby more than i do,
I feel embarrassed Elvis has to pay for baby's formula milk,
I feel embarrassed when Elvis praise "Well Done!" to that 10ml,
I even feel embarrassed that i can go out shopping coz i dont need to feed the baby,
...
...
...
I'm embarrassed!

Friends told me not to give up (pumping), and that more milk will come in. I know, i know... It's just been demoralizing so far.

joel's 1st winter coat

Daddy & Mommy went shopping again! We wanted to buy something for Joel to wear for his 1st Month (coz we didnt prepare anything "special", and aunty says most babies wear new clothes). Instead of shopping for Joel, Mommy bought the same jacket as baby Joel (which we bought for him last week)! Haha! In a kids-size too! I think we will look very cute together, right? ;)

We were fussy about the design and "stingy" (coz many of the babies clothes we saw costs more than S$50!!! It's too much to pay for newborns!!! And boys didnt have much nice choices...), so we didnt manage to buy "the special clothes" for Joel's 1st Month. Stingy Mommy says can wear his 3mths clothes. He's a baby with a whole lot of clothes but nothing to wear - just like Mommy & Daddy! Kekee... ;p

7 Jan (see updated picture above):
Daddy Elvis & Mommy Jo went shopping (before the gynae's checkup), and we bought baby Joel his 1st winter jacket from Zara (coz it was on sale).

It's army-like with furry bits on the insides. It's too big for him now (and to make it "worse", it's a knee-length style for toddlers)...but since we're going to carry him when he goes to Shanghai a few months later, i guess it doesnt really matter that it's too big now. ;p

I can imagine that Joel will definitely look very cute & charming in it! Kekee... ;)

in daddy's arms

Mommy love this photo of Daddy Elvis holding baby Joel in his arms for the first time. It was our first precious moments together as a family. (Mommy could only zoom this shot lying on the bed coz she's still drowsy and nauseous from the anaesthetic)

pop

Naughty mommy decided to upload 1 of the photo Gynae Tham and his team took. Some are really gruesome - tugging baby Joel's head halfway out of mommy's belly (coz baby Joel was born c-section) & baby Joel shouting HELP!, baby Joel covered in "jelly" and crying on those green hospital sheets, baby Joel safely wrapped in daddy & mommy's arms for the 1st time and we were close to tears (sob sob). Heehee... We decided to spare our friends of those shots. ;)

We werent allowed to bring our camera in (maybe coz it's c-section), but good thing Gynae Tham had the Anaesthetist take these shots (and saved onto a CD for us) - seconds after our dear baby Joel was born.

P.S. Oops...note Joel's lips! Just like Daddy's.

routine

Hai...the Confinement Nanny is giving me headache again. She said that she has to leave on 22 Jan (instead of 24 Jan). Luckily it's only 2 days earlier (supposed to be 28 days).

We plan to start learning how to bathe the baby etc from next week. Aunty always bathe the baby so early in the morning that we're still zzz... Heehee... Now cannot be lazy liao. Need to know baby's routine and get accustomed to it. ;p

making faces

DAY 18 Joel

is it really me?

I'm very worried i'm suffering from post-natal depression. I've been crying easily over silly things...and since baby is too (lately), i'm wondering if he's feeling sad for me and/or i'm feeling sad for him. =(

I also get overly-suspicious of Elvis esp when he turns off his MSN Messenger or hides the windows when i walk near his computer. Hmm... Maybe i'm going bonkers. I believe we quarrel more in this 3 weeks than the 10 years we've been together combined.

Is he a good man??? I'm no longer sure of it...

ouch baby ouch

Baby Joel went to have the "extra flesh" removed today. We think that the doc seems like a quack doctor! Coz he merely snipped it off with a pair of scissors! (The Raffles Medical paediatrician told us that it'll be cut off using a special apparatus like laser.) It was very quick and we were told to press on it for 5 mins (while the doc talk-cork with us). Within 10 mins, we were out of the clinic...and it costs S$160+.

O man...it really seems like something the paediatrician could have done herself yesterday at her clinic...or even mommy if i'm brave enough. Haha!

Baby Joel cried throughout the "snipping" (maybe more from shock than any pain coz it's supposed to be not part of the baby's belly button/flesh so no nerves at all). When i held him after that, he stopped after a while. Hope he recovers fast.

Good night, my baby.

oops

Today, we brought Baby Joel to another paediatrician (my nephews' paediatrician at Raffles Medical Tampines)...and she said that he's overfed! Coz he's already gained 1kg in slightly over 2 weeks (16 days to be exact). He's now weighs 3.7kg. Most babies gain 1kg every month. Oops...

Maybe the nanny fed him more than what's necessary. No wonder we realised he's grown so much, and with rounder cheeks!!! But when we came back and told her, she said that he always does the "hamster" action...unless we wanna feed him less and give him the pacifier. Elvis is very against introducing the pacifier (although i bought it long ago for "standby"). Hmm...

O ya, the reason why we brought him to another paediatrician is becoz Joel has this "flesh" protruding from his belly button. This paediatrician (at Raffles Medical) referred us to another baby doctor (at Gleneagles) who will do this minor surgery to remove it. So sad...my little baby has to undergo an op. I hope it wont be painful. =(

P.S. Daddy & Mommy also went shopping today. Haha! Coz Daddy wanna buy a new camera to take shots of Baby Joel. I think it's an excuse. ;p

bored parents

We've been so bored that our room is officially a games room for Bejeweled 2. We started the week before baby Joel is out, and has still been at it - while the nanny cares for Joel (most of the time). It's very addictive! Even Aunty Sandra & Uncle Jerome is hooked!

TRY IT FREE ONLINE! (click)

milk like a cow?

Many people say that once u have a baby, u'll start to milk like a cow. I dont know if i'm plain lazy...coz instead of milking every 3 hours, i just milk like 3 times a day! And each time, it's not even enough for 1 feeding. (Sorry, baby) =(

I wonder how other mommies can stock up sooo many packs of their breastmilk in the fridge???

Baby Joel is on half formula-half breastmilk. We realised that he finishes 1 can of 400grams formula milk every week. And he's starting to drink more too. 90ml at each feed. His face is also rounder now. Sooo cute....

Joel: Yum yum... Mommy, I need more milk!
DAY 11 Joel

jo+el

1 - We used Joel's Day 1 photo.
2 - Then Joel's Day 6 photo...Hmm...
3 - And a not-convinced-Mommy reused the 1st round of Daddy-Mommy photos. Hmm... ;)

confinement?

My 2 weeks of confinement has been somewhat bearable. I'm not sure if it's becoz of the "Confinement" Nanny. She cooks dishes that doesnt seem/taste like confinement food, with the exception that i have to drink the red dates water every day like all "Confinement Mommies". Best of all, she lets me bathe EVERYDAY, again, with the exception that i had to wait till the 12th day to wash my hair. Before that, i couldnt imagine how i could stand all the confinement rules...but it wasnt so bad lah.

Some people even forbid washing hands under normal tap water, but i do it very often (when i cant be bothered to wait for the water to turn hot). She said that we can get people to "make" a special rice wine to wash hands etc, but it's just too troublesome. I just dry my hands after washing.

The best part of my confinement is that Elvis & i even went to the movies today! We also went shopping in Tampines one of the afternoons, whenever we can after our doctor appointments, and we're planning to go shop in Orchard after my gynae appointment on Monday. Down side is that i walk very slowly now (compared to my usual speed). Sometimes after walking for too long, my wound will hurt a little. So i plan to TRY to rest more in the afternoon to recover faster for my shopping trip on Monday! Haha!

(I believe i dont have as much rest as most confinement mommies in the day. At night, i just leave baby Joel to the Confinement Nanny.)

Hmm...what do i dislike??? Definitely the "heat"!!! I just feel very hot 24hrs a day. But we break the aircon/fan rules too. Confinement Nanny says it's ok to turn on the aircon, just dont let the fan blow directly at me. Incredible huh!

Both daddy & mommy are getting bored in being confined in the house...and maybe baby is too! ;p

1 week of motherhood

I've been a mommy for 1 week! It's been wonderful so far - especially when i see my baby's cute face. ;)

We spent 4 days in the hospital.
On the 6th day, we had to go to the hospital for Joel's checkup (and sadly, he was hospitalised).
On the 7th day, we had to go to the hospital again to bring him home (thank God).
On the 8th day (today), i had to go to the hospital again for my gynae checkup to redress my wound.

Next week, we'll have to go to the hospital again TWICE for baby's jaundice review and to change my dressing again.

It just seems never-ending of hospital trips! My in-laws also come by often to see their new grandson. I'm always sitting up or walking around that sometimes my wound really hurts. I really havent had much rest at home - to produce more milk, and for my wound to heal etc etc...

My breastmilk supply has been pathetic too...only 30-50ml max. And i dont pump too often too. Not much of the "engorged feeling", and it's already sore! Sob sob... They keep saying it's becoz i dont drink much of the red dates water/soup (good for helping to produce more milk). Hai... :(

My mother-in-law keeps saying i have to EAT MORE MORE to produce more milk for the baby (just like her other daughter-in-law who eats A LOT during her confinement until there's too much milk leaking from her other non-feeding breast!!!). But arent people supposed to lose the extra pounds during confinement period instead of putting on more weight??? She might be lucky that she eats like a pig and doesnt put on weight (it's been only about 1.5 months since her daughter's birth, and when i saw her today, her figure is already better than before - with sexy curves and all). But i dont think it'll be the same for me coz i gain weight easily, and i still have a 5-month pregnant tummy! It's making me very stressed up too... :(

I also just heard that once the baby is drinking formula milk, he wouldnt want breastmilk anymore coz formula milk tastes sweeter. Now, i'm more worried!!! I've tried to pump while playing computer games, but i feel the supply slows down! Maybe i need to think of my baby while i'm at it! Heehee... Hope my milk supply will come in quicker. Some timely new year resolution! ;p

BUT Elvis has been VERY encouraging (i love him for this). Everytime i try to pump my breastmilk, he's always says, "Well done! It's very good already" - even though we both can see the bottle is only 1/20 filled! HAHA!

May we be wonderful parents to our wonderful baby in the new year!

all are invited

YOYO! Please come celebrate baby Joel's 1st month with us!
We've booked a chalet at Aloha Resorts-Loyang (click)
on 20 Jan 2008, Sunday.
GETTING THERE (click)
SHUTTLE BUS from Pasir Ris MRT (click)

Sorry, we only managed to book the Sea View Bungalow (so dont need to bring your swimming gear). All the pool chalets and Saturdays have been booked. Please call Daddy Elvis to RSVP/confirm the time nearer to the date. We are still coping with the new baby. He's been wonderful... ;)

P.S. Pleeaassee DON'T buy any gifts for baby Joel.
Just come see him, makan makan and chit-chat with us...or coo with him. We've already got so many stuffs to lug back to Shanghai. Ok! See u then!

We went to Aloha to check out the chalet 1 week before, and realised that BUNGALOW UNIT 16 is quite a distance from the Entrance/Reception. Oops...sorry. For those driving, just drive in and turn right from the entrance...all the way to the end. For those taking the shuttle bus, after u alight (at the Reception), u might need to walk straight ahead for abt 5 mins or so.

sunkissed baby

Our baby is back from his indoor tan! Yippie! Everyone's happy for him! Thank God! ;)

We even sneaked out for some shopping! Kekee... Maybe baby Joel will turn out a shopaholic like Daddy & Mommy! ;p

Confinement Aunty said that the Avent sterilizer was spoilt, so Aunty Audrey drove us to MarinaSquare Mothercare to change it...and Daddy went out to walk walk too. (Daddy said he did think of baby while he was out! So touched!) When i went home, i realised it's coz she dont know how to operate the digital version! Kekee...

(Today, she still kept telling Mommy Jo what is not good lah, what is a better one lah etc etc... When she said that a "netted bed" is better than the cot baby is sleeping on...and Mommy Jo didnt say that she will buy it, Aunty said it's only $39. But the thing is not that we cannot afford the $39, it's becoz we dont want to move sooo many things to Shanghai!!! Bloody Hell! If she wants all couples to do things/buy things her way, she might as well state the COMPLETE LIST when they call to employ her services!)

Here's a flaky Joel sleeping soundly on his way home. The vibration and bumps on Aunty Audrey's car didnt bother him at all! He loves to put his hand on his face. Sooo cute...

Joel Chau Ze Zzzz... on Day 7.

the confinement nanny

We engaged a confinement nanny from Malaysia, and things just didnt seem right from Day 1.

1st, she said she could only reach on 28th evening (we're discharged from hospital on 27th). So, Elvis' mother offered to cook for me for 2 days. As usual, we dont always agree with each other. She kept asking me to wear more (i.e. ALL covered up) when i was already perspiring like crazy! On Day 2 (at home), Elvis' sister also came in the morning and the both of them asked me to do this, this, this...and i really didnt know which one to prioritize! It made me perspire even more! Suddenly, i realised that i havent even brushed my teeth! I felt so dirty and angry. Arrgh...

When the confinement nanny finally arrived on Day 2 evening (about 7pm), she kept asking my sis where is the BIG pot/flask/pail etc etc etc... My sis was very pissed. If she needed all those things and any "ingredients", she should have told us to prepare them before she came! I thought that she was supposed to be the expert and was supposed to tell us what to do when she arrived! Anyway, my mom said that she would bring her to buy those things the following day. So that part was settled.

Then, when we chatted for a while in the room, she kept asking all these questions about my family, Elvis' family (staying in condo?), what "business" he does in Shanghai etc etc... I felt she was being very "kay-po", and i was angry with my mother for letting her in on some "personal things". Then, she kept saying that this and that product (Medela breast pump, Avent bottles, nappy rash cream etc) that i bought is not good lah etc etc...a little indicating that mine is "cheaper" (when it's not the case at all)!

On the 2nd day, she removed ALL the "decorative things" from Joel's cot - the bumper, soft toys (from daddy, cousin Xan etc). I also realised from the 1st night that she didnt like to use the beansprout pillow we bought for baby Joel. That was not removed, but merely placed by the side (for show). She also kept saying that babies are not afraid of the cold, so dont need to cover so much in aircon room.

I feel she's starting to get on my nerves... Elvis scolds me for calling my friend to complain about the nanny. Even my friend's husband says that the nanny is not good coz she asked me to cook some pork porridge for myself before she comes (apparently, porridge causes "wind" which is not good to post-pregnant women).

Hope things will change for the better. Maybe it's too early to tell... We shall see... :(

my poor baby

My sis and brother-in-law offered to drive us to the hospital in the evening to see baby Joel when they learnt that he's been admitted. We called to check, and the next feeding time is at 830pm. When we got to the nursery room, we could hear a baby's cry... It was baby Joel's... Coz all he wore was his diapers. Nothing else. And he laid on the hard plastic bed for his "indoor tan". Perhaps the darkness from the "gauze sunglasses" also made him scared. I wanted to cry again when i saw my poor baby. (My eyes were already swollen from the day's of sobbing since the doc said he has to be admitted.)

When we fed him his bottled milk, i couldnt hold my tears. Elvis said i was silly, but i know he's also very sad. I think he knows i'm his mommy when i held him. His fingers just opened out to hold onto mine too. All of us took turns to carry him before we went home.

Hamster (baby's nick coz he always does this funny sucking action), u must be strong and get well soon, ok? Be a cool and tanned beach boy! We love u very much.

PHOTO OF JOEL ON DAY 4

miserable mommy

Today, baby Joel is due for his 1st appointment with the paediatrician on Day 6. We brought him there happily, and even took pictures for him at the clinic while waiting. He looks happy and alert and so very cute (yes, i'm obsessed again).

His weight dropped to 2.6kg on the first few days (which doc said was normal for all newborns), but today, it went up to 2.8kg. We were glad he's growing! ;)

Doc tested his neck muscles by turning him in ways we couldnt even imagine trying...and said he's got a strong neck. Phew... But when it came to his colour...he said that Joel needed a blood test for jaundice. The results came out 45 mins later, and we were told that baby needs to be hospitalised. (It was a 16, and anything above 15 would require babies to be hospitalised.) We did the admission for him and brought him to the room for his "indoor tan". We were told of the possible side-effects and that treatment would be for the whole day except for feeding times - i.e. almost 24 hours.

I was sooo sad i couldnt help crying... It was so painful for me to leave him for even a day. I didnt think i would be sooo affected by it and would love someone this much - so soon.

On a lighter note, Daddy Elvis said we'll lunch out since baby is not with us. So we went for lunch at Soup Restaurant at Royal Plaza on Scotts. It was nice, but my face looked otherwise. After that, Daddy Elvis went for a haircut before we head home. Didnt think that i can get to shop in Orchard during my confinement period! But i sure wished Joel was with us.

Baby, please get well and come home tomorrow. I miss my baby sooo much. :_(

my baby

This is baby Joel - the one we've been seeing on ultrasound scans for the past 39 weeks! He's finally out, and Daddy Elvis & Mommy Jo loved him from the very 1st time we saw him. We were so touched we cried. ;)

Weight: 2.655 kg
Length: 49 cm
Head circumference: 33 cm

I never liked kids...especially those who are 'uncute' AND naughty. I even think that some are 'alien-like' (those with cone-shaped heads). Arrgh...

But i'm a little obsessed with Baby Joel! I think he's sooo sweet and cute and maybe even quite good-looking. OK...I'm very obsessed with Baby Joel! And he's cuter everyday! Haha!

Here's a photo of Joel on his birth day - 24 Dec 2007. He has daddy's nose and mouth (but it's nicer lah). He's not very photogenic...these 2 'trademarks' looks smaller in person. Haha! ;p

(I took it off Elvis' Facebook coz i dont have time to upload any. Today had to wake up for baby's 1st doc appt, so i just thought i'll update here)

Thank God for my Baby Joel. ;)

P.S. A big 'Thank You' to everyone who came to the hospital to see us at Christmas...and for all your lovely gifts. Thanks! Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

prep time

Since Elvis came back, we've been running errands to the gynae etc, and (as usual) shopping in-between. Papa Elvis LOVES TO SHOP! Plus with all the year-end sales, it's just too tempting to run around in town. Just Day 1 of shopping, and he spent more than S$600 on a jacket, wallet and another Wayfarer (hmm...why does someone need 3 Wayfarers???). He said 'No more shopping'. But we continued on Day 2 with a $100+ shirt when we had 45mins "interval" in-between our errands (after he collected his Macbook from servicing). Again, he said 'No more shopping!' A few days later (today), he bought a digital camera for his brother to take photos of his family. (NO SHOPPING for fat mommy and only 1 romper for baby Joel.) Haha! I bet Elvis will start shopping again before Chinese New Year...and hopefully, mommy can buy SMALL-sized clothes again! ;p

We've setup the playpen/cot and packed mama's very messy room. Now, waiting for Aunty Sandra to pack her extremely messy room. It'll be quite a squeeze...but no choice coz we dont have a house (and too late to rent now).
THE PLAN: Let confinement nanny sleep with baby in Room 1, and we sleep with Aunty Sandra in Room 2. So Aunty Sandra will have to bear with it & baby's noise during the 1 month.

We've also signed up with StemCord to store the baby's cord blood. We're taking it as "buying insurance". The registration fee of S$1200+ is expensive (can pay with UOB credit card for 10% discount), but the annual fee of S$250 quite is ok lah (comes up to about S$20/month). And the 1st year is "free". Since we're not expecting a 2nd child, it might be a good idea to store baby Joel's cord blood (which is a 1-time opportunity only during baby's birth). Touch wood lah, but siblings/parents/grandparents can also use the cord blood if necessary.
SAVE $ PLAN: If anyone wants any StemCord referrals, do let me know (can SMS me/Elvis)...coz you can save $50 and we can save $100 (for 2nd year only).

We also managed to catch the movie Warlords (probably our last movie in years to come). Just when the movie started, baby Joel was moving sooo much i thought it might be labour contractions (since doc said my threshold of pain is high). At times, it was even quite painful! I was worried coz i didnt wanna give birth in the cinema! It would have been tomorrow's front page! I tried to bear with it (as long as the 2hr+ movie). Thankfully, it was a false alarm. Maybe the movie was too violent for his liking. Phew...

Ok...to a smooth delivery on Monday! Baby Joel, wait 3 more days, ok? ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LAST UPDATE BEFORE DELIVERY:
Baby Joel is 2.7kg at 39 weeks.
Mommy is still more/less the same at about 11kg weight gain.

(jō′əl, el′)

Some say that 'Joel' is a girls' name.
Some say a unisex name.
Most babyname websites i checked say it's a boys' name.
What's your say?

Some say it should pronounced as 'jo' [silent 'el'].
Some say it should be spelt as 'Joelle' coz 'Joel' is a girls' name.
This is the pronunciation (click) that came up...

(jō′əl, el′)
How would you pronounce it?

lazy mama i will not be. i hope

I enjoy reading friends' blogs especially those with children/babies to see what are the things they encounter as parents. Most update pretty often - complete with photos of their lil' ones. Some, well, just update not too regularly...maybe once in a month. I always wonder if they are too busy with parenting, tired or just plain lazy... Heehee... ;p

I hope i wont end up being the last type of blog mama (even though i'm extremely lazy in "daily mundane chores" eg. cleaning and packing) . But I believe if i have a cute baby to show off (i'm praying hard), i'll take LOTS of photos for him and cant wait to tell everyone his every little action and progress! As a parent, i believe this can be very 'heart-warming'... Hmm... Right???

And IF i didnt update my blog months from now, it could be that:
1) i'm still recovering/in pain from the caesarian
2) i'm very very very very tired
3) i'm too lazy to take photos of Joel
(and upload, resize, update & write)
4) i'm too into being a MOM
(Haha! I doubt this will be the case lah)
5) baby is not very cute - YET
(sob sob)
6) etc etc etc lah
Did i get myself well-covered???

Elvis will be back in Singapore in another 3 hours (YEAH!) ...and will be here for TWO MONTHS until after Chinese New Year (YEAH!). I believe i need him here more than the confinement nanny. I'm sure he'll be the perfect daddy who'll put me to shame in every "parent task" to come. Thank God for him. And may we be good-enough parents. Keeping my fingers tightly crossed. ;)

Baby Joel, you have "endured" till daddy is back. Now, must continue to endure till Gynae Tham is back. See you on Christmas Eve! ;)

band-aid mama

I started on my blood/glucose testing this morning - only once. Now i'm waiting to prick myself again 2 hours later (coz i just had my breakfast). It's gonna be 6 times a day. =(

This is the device (click) that i'm using. Doesnt look so scary here coz it doesnt show the other part which is used to prick your finger - to get that drop of blood! Haha! ;p

Actually, truth is, it's not that painful lah...just scary that i have to "pull the trigger" to shoot myself in the finger...and continue with the other steps. I also wonder if i should rotate among my 2 middle fingers (for the "2 hourly"-testing between meals). If i use all different fingers, 6 of my fingers will be band-aided at the end of the day! Aka Michael Jackson! Haha!

READINGS:
Day 1
4.1 - before breakfast
6.6 - after breakfast
4.6 - before lunch
4.6 - after lunch (maybe not accurate)
5.3 - before dinner
8.6 - after dinner (ALERT!)

Day 2
x - before breakfast (woke up too late for breakfast)
x - after breakfast
5.3 - before lunch
x - after lunch (missed coz watching movie)
4.6 - before dinner
6.3 - after dinner
x - before supper (didnt measure coz it's just after dinner)
7.9 - after supper

Day 3
5.0 - before breakfast (just before going to see gynae)

TARGET BLOOD/SUGAR LEVEL:
Before food 3.5 - 5.5 mmol/L
2hr after food 5.5 - 7 mmol/L

to greater things

Elvis' ads for the Adidas campaign are well-received! I'm happy for him! ;D
http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/adidas_china_diving

Elvis, see u soon - on Sunday!

backup gynae 2

It was my 1st appointment with the "backup" Gynae 2 today. He was okay...looks like he's in his early/mid 40s...but seemed a little less confident than Gynae 1. I kinda feared he'll really be the one delivering our baby. Baby Joel had indeed changed to the head-down position. Oops... Baby, we gotta wait till Xmas eve, ok? ;p

Baby is 37 weeks and weighs 2.4kg. I'm still the same, with weight gain of about 11kg. Baby Joel is too big now to fit into the photo, so i only got a shot of his big head (which turned out like a big black circle on print). Yes, Gynae 2 confirmed that Joel's head is fairly big!!! ELVIS, he's taking after you!!!

When the nurse put me on the CTG machine, i took the chance to ask about Gynae 2. She said that he's also good and always appear on TV...maybe just not as experienced as Gynae 1 lor. Hmm... Okay...

Whenever the nurses came in to check on me halfway through the CTG, they always ask, "Very pain arr?". Coz judging from the "peaks", it seems like my contractions were pretty severe...but all i felt was the usual baby movements lor. I only dread the sharp noise coming from the machine - deafening! Hmm... Will real labour contractions feel this way too??? (I didnt attend any antenatal lessons, so i'm not too sure.)

When Gynae 2 reviewed the results, he also said that maybe my threshold of pain is very high, and wont need epidural at all! Haha! This is a joke! I dont even dare to look when i need to do any injections!

Sadly, i still had to listen to Gynae 1 & 2's advice to prick myself in the finger 6 times a day (for 2 times a week) to get my blood/sugar levels at home. When the nurse did it for me today, i kept my eyes closed, preparing to OUCH! And she kept saying, "Dont close your eyes, or else how u do it yourself???"

Gosh, i dont know if i can do this the next few days!!! Fainting already... ={

diabetic mom

The gynae called to inform me that my blood test and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test results are out, and i have diabetes! A normal person's blood/glucose level is 7.8 and mine is 8.5. =(

He said to see his partner (whose taking over his duties while he's away) next week, and they'll let me know what to do. I hope i wont be needing any insulin jabs. The thought of it is making me faint. Meanwhile, i'll have to cut down on sugary stuff (which i love) and avoid carbohydrates (eg. rice, noodles, potatoes). He said to eat more meat and whole wheat bread. For someone who dreams of eating up every ice cream sundae on Facebook, this is a real torture!

Just barely 3 more weeks, and baby Joel will be out. Hmm...i dont know how it will affect him since we're in the final stages of the pregnancy. =(

Did a search (click)...and possibility of having obsese babies is higher to diabetic moms amongst others. And here's some info about changing my diet (click).

I'm a little worried now. And also imagining the worst - that my waterbag will break before Elvis or Gynae Tham comes back!!! (I believe most pregnant women worry about the waterbag thingie too)

Anyway, please pray for us. We can only leave it to God now...and stay away from Ben & Jerry's.

daddy's work

Click here to watch the TVC http://2008.adidas.com

1 of Elvis' work for Adidas Olympics 2008.
His efforts paid off...and he's moving on... ;)

一起 2008

ouch ouch

I had plans today to go out and get some stuff for Elvis. But it's been raining cats and dogs since morning. So, i'm going to stay in - esp after all the walking after my gynae appointment yday.

My internet connection is also a bit crazy today...it could be the rain and/or the computer. Luckily, the new laptop that we bought will be arriving tomorrow. (Hmm...need to upload softwares on our own???)

So, maybe i should write about our baby at 36 weeks (click). Elvis has specifically asked me to remind the gynae to take a photo of baby (coz he's been quite forgetful of late). Actually, yesterday at my checkup, the gynae didnt do any scanning for baby. I merely did my blood tests (for the high sugar in my urine & blood last week). I was pricked TWICE - once on each of the back of my palms. I was so scared my palms were all sweaty! Wondered what it'll be like when it's time to have the caesarian. Gulp... :[

I've also had this "feeling" that baby has changed to the head-down position (coz of the kicks getting nearer my ribs), but since we didnt do any scanning yesterday, i'm not that sure now. Hmm... Gynae Tham will also be on leave/holiday from next week till 23 Dec. So little Joel's delivery will be the 1st surgery when he comes back. Meanwhile, his partner will be taking care of us from next week. I counted - only 2 more appointments. Keeping my fingers crossed he's good too. Oops...i forgot to ask Gynae Tham about the cord blood (click) again...

Any advice???

34 mom-to-be

I turned 34 two days ago! Gosh, so old already... ;p

I was quite surprised by the many birthday wishes via sms/msn/facebook/friendster/calls from friends - elin, aaron, becky, stella, celine, tomy, janis, josefyne, timothy, leslie, erchie, linda, diana, agatha, foongyen, kelly, cindy, elaine, priscilla, astrid, jessica, jenny, peisin, juvena and clara. Thanks guyz! And of course (most importantly and heartwarming), Elvis' wish at the strike of midnight...and my bday gift which will arrive in 2 weeks. Yeah! He's probably arriving on 17 Dec!!! He bought 1 of my final shortlisted item (between 2 bags). I havent seen the real thing, but i'm sure it'll be nice coz Elvis said it's nice. I'm very excited! Heehee... ;)

I remembered we spent my 1st bday in Shanghai last year and he bought me a pair of light blue suede Fornarina boots - those with furry furry insides. (I had been searching high and low for these furry boots, but not exactly in that colour though) Anyway, it was really good and kept my feet and ♥ warm all winter! Too bad i didnt get the chance to wear it this year since i skipped winter. ;p

I've already met up with some of my friends last week (kinda to "celebrate" my bday). Thanks also for the gifts. I'll be sure to utilize the Topshop credit ASAP when i get back into my Small-size - hopefully after my 1-month confinement, and before i leave for Shanghai (sucks that there's no Topshop in SHA).

How i spent the day??? I just went shopping in the afternoon and had dinner with my family at a Teochew restaurant. We loved the food there from the starters to desserts. We're Teochews with the tastebuds of Cantonese. ;p

I've always hated the "Birthday Cake & Song" thingie... Feels very awkward leh... Haha! Are u also like me???

cutie felties food

I was at the John Little Expo Sale the other day, and bought 2 cute craft kits for my sis - who looovvveesss food. That night, we searched some sites and she got sooo motivated!

Yesterday, i went to Spotlight & Diaso and bought some more felt pieces for her to start on her "felties food"... We could create new flavours, and she plans to make some sushi too! The donuts are miniatures measuring only 4cm in diameter. Looking good huh! The craze has begun! ;)


When i was in Shanghai months ago (and very much into swapping), i realised a lot of "angmohs" are into felting & knitting/amigurumi...and many projects look sooo cool! But of course, i never got started - except for my darned knitting project. Here's 2 examples done by my Sweden swap partner, Malin. I love the toilet!

Look at these! Dont u just wanna eat them up???


If u are already drooling, wait till u see these too!
Click, click, click, click...
http://www.flickr.com/groups/handmadefeltfood/pool/
and some cuties felties softies blogs:
http://softiescentral.typepad.com/blog/cupcake_wars/index.html
http://www.cakespy.com/2007/09/make-it-dont-bake-it-felt-cakes-and.html
and lots of Japanese yummies:
http://5.pro.tok2.com/~mic/sub/gallery.html

Sorry, I just had to upload 1 last cute picture, and the people behind it.

spot the big head

And updated images of the Adidas event in Beijing: