third and final trimester

Yippie! Didnt think i could tahan this far! This week is my third and final trimester! FINALLY! But but but still counting...arrgh...

Despite my built, baby's weight has been going up steadily from mere grams to the 1-kilo mark last week! My doctor says it'll be ideal if he's about 2.8/2.9kg at birth. As for me, i've almost reached what the doctor estimated for me (weight gain at end of term~10kg). Only 2kg allowance. Heehee... And it's likely that most women gain more than 5kg at the third trimester.

Oops...that means BUSTED! Coz baby's going to put on another 2kg too! ;p There goes my chance of squeezing into my almost-new grey skinny jeans that i bought just before i was pregnant! It's been lying inside the wardrobe forever!

Just how big can one's butt get!!??
Very big.


How your baby's growing:
By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures almost 15 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Me:
- terrible heartburn esp at night
- feel slightly nausea (yucks! it's coming back)
- big and swollen feet
- baby moving all over inside my stomach, sometimes it can be really ticklish
- missing Elvis again
Baby♥Papa♥Mama♥Baby♥Papa♥Mama♥Baby♥Papa♥Mama

the stroller ++

During Elvis' 1-week back in Singapore, we had so much to do - (my last) holiday in Bangkok, the many medical appointments, looking at strollers after strollers...and finally deciding on THE ONE.

In fact, we were about to buy an Aprica when this Combi stroller caught our eyes! Seems like the functions not bad too (as if we knew what it all meant).


COMBI BU-720
- EG alpha can protect baby's bead by absorbing and dispersing impact evenly
- New cushion, dacco seat, can support baby's head, back and hip in a better position without obstructing the movement of baby's hands and feet.
- Height only 89 cm after folding as ultra compact design
- Air through system: canopy with mesh window, 3D mesh seat, moisture free and rapid dry polyester materials
- Egg Shock for ultra shock absorption
* that's what all the eggs above are about
- 170 degree full reclining angle
- Reversible handle
- Extra wide seat space (36 cm) for baby
- Front auto swivel wheel lock
- Large conopy with top window for 95% UV cut
- Impact absorbable structure by design of frame and soft suspension
- 5-point belt buckle and ultra-safe seat belt
- Detachable front guard with washable guard cover
- Equipped with shoulder strap and big basket
* this is not true coz the basket is NOT big at all
Angle adjustment: 125-170 degree
Main body: 5.1 kg (full weight equipped 5.6 kg)
Size Opened: W495 x D740~830 x H1000 mm
Size Folded: W390 x D340~350 x H890 mm
Applicable age: 1 - 24 months

What I like about this stroller is the large canopy. I guess it will feel shiok to be shielded from the sun esp when baby sleeps in the stroller. And the reversible handle which will make new ganjiong parents like us feel safe looking at the baby 24/7. Also, since the pollution in Shanghai is terrible, baby might be better "going against the wind" and/or the cold winter winds. And of course, i think Daddy looks very handsome and still stylish with the stroller! Dont u think so too?? Heehee ;)

Mummy also got saiko into buying this highchair cum swing for baby. So Papa has to spend more money. Sorry, Elvis. But my friend recommended it, saying that it's good blah blah blah...


Noah's lovely parents also recommended Elvis to get a baby sling, so i placed an order for it today! Cant wait for it to arrive! Papa Elvis chose this fabric so that he looks good with it! Yeah! ;)

dating baby

We went out on a date with baby again.

Daddy always buys baby yummy food.
Today, it's brownie & icecream!

Mummy has put on 8kg, and baby has reached 1kg at 27 weeks.
Photos taken on 6 Oct, Bali Lane.

yeah

We're at T2 now! Elvis is checking his email for some work stuff... So here am i typing nonsense before we take off at 1040hrs! Hehe... Will upload pictures when we're back from Bangkok! Bye! ;)

DAY 1
Realised that it's really been a looong time since i came to Bangkok - even the airport is new! Keke... So suaku. ;p

Novotel Bangkok On Siam Square that we're staying in is the "most grand" hotel i've stayed in (in Bangkok). Usually, my friends and i will choose the very cheap S$50/night AsiaHotel. Haha... This is very modern and the location is excellent - literally on Siam Square! The toiletries look damn cool too! I even took a photo of it (which i will upload next time).

After we checked-in, Elvis had to get internet connected in the room (for work as usual) - which is also why i can write on my blog during this trip. Anyway after he was done, we went to change our S$ to THB. Then Elvis called his friend who happened to be in the office, so we headed to Elvis' ex-co JWT Bangkok. He met many others there too - including an "aunty" who claims to be his ex-girlfriend! Haha! ;p

Then it's SHOPPING TIME! Elvis bought a really nice jacket, shirt and jeans (all ex)...and some toys. He felt "guity" spending so much $. Haha! I didnt find anything i like and worth buying - partly coz i didnt fit them lah. ;p

For dinner, we went to Elvis' favourite seafood place at Chinatown/Yauwarat. It's NOT the usual shop most Singaporeans go to...it's a few units behind the "popular one". We had black pepper crab, BBQ prawns, "lala", veg and tomyam-gong. Yummy! Tomorrow, we're going Siam Square! Yeah! Hope i can find some nice stuffs. Good night! ;)

DAY 2
breakfast-lunch-teabreak

Discovered an interesting bookshop B2S in the "new" wing of World Trade Centre (Central World Plaza), and we bought some really cool iron-ons - even 1 for baby too. Heehee...we can wear family-lovers tshirts next time! Haha! So corny! Had late lunch at another of Elvis' favourite eating places at Sukhumvit Soi 20 - very local, very yummy homecooked chinese food. Then we shopped around in Siam Square and the "new" Siam Paragon. Hmm...somehow the shops dont seem so interesting anymore... Walked until our legs damn ache man, so we decided to go for a foot massage. It was my first time trying....err was ok...not as painful as i had imagined. The effect didnt last too long coz my feet started to ache again shortly.

Then we went back to the hotel and rested until we went for late dinner at Zen Japanese Restaurant. Elvis ordered a huge plate of sashimi which i couldnt eat (and he couldnt finish! Haha! Serve him right!). Hmm...somehow the food also wasnt very nice anymore. We decided to head to Suan Lum Night Market to take a look. After walking for a while (managed to get some of the local tidbits eg gaosai/translated to "dog shit"), we headed back to the hotel...and again, Elvis had to work.

Tomorrow will be our last (half) day here. Not sure where else we should go... Leg very tired also... ;p

DAY 3
We woke up late for the hotel's breakfast again. We went to the "new" Siam Paragon and found a nice place for brunch instead. Vanilla Brasserie. Presentation very good, food very small portion. Had our 2nd crepe dessert - chocolate orange icecream! Very yummy & sooo satisfying - for me at least coz Elvis is a strawberry-anything fan. ;) After that, we just shopped around till it was time to go back to collect our bags and head for the airport.

Hmm...although this is the 1st time i go to Bangkok & end up buying only a few items (Elvis spent the bulk of the THB, and sign credit somemore! Haha!), i'm just so glad to be there...to see all the "not-so-new" malls!

We'll be back again
- with baby in tow! ;)

tick tock

Yeah! Elvis is going to touch-down at Changi Airport in about an hour! Yday, he suggested that we go for another short holiday before the baby arrives (he always give me "surprises" like this, and i need to rush to check the price/book etc). We decided on Bangkok from Mon-Wed since my gynae appointment is on Thurs (not forgetting the many baby errands we have to run within the week he's back).

I was so efficient! Booked the flight and hotel last night! Even though we're giving Chatuchap a miss this time coz of the rush...and i'm probably too fat+clumpsy+hot, i'm still very excited about the trip!

Today, i had to rush down to the gynae to get my approval letter coz it's Sat/half-day. Hai...

Hmm...and this trip i cannot buy clothes, bras, shoes...coz of my L-size! So can only eat & eat...to XL. ;p

UPDATED:
And the customs/check-in counters (both ways) didnt even ask how many months pregnant I was!!!??? Damn it! There goes all my trouble & cabfares in rushing to get the gynae's letter!

all aboard!

I didnt believe this when i saw the pictures from my friend's email! But true enough, there's indeed a Hello Kitty aircraft!

OMG! More for princesses!

Check it out! I love the downloads! ;)
http://evakitty.evaair.com/index.htm

in all the kingdom

So many people call their daughters Princess.
It sounds sooo sweet, sooo cute, sooo lovely...

What about the boys? Prince?
That just sounds so weird! ;p

How does this sound to you:
Our little prince has arrived
to spread magic and cheer.
To keep smiles on our faces
throughout the years.

HAHA! Corny!

CREDIT: Text and pictures













Click here for your FREE baby arrival announcement!

gulp...are u ready for this?

The dad difference: Labor and delivery (this is for u, Elvis)
Part 1:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_the-dad-difference-labor-and-delivery-part-1_1487036.bc
Part 2:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_the-dad-difference-labor-and-delivery-part-1_1487036.bc

The stages of labor:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_the-stages-of-labor_1287352.bc

An inside look at labor:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_an-inside-look-at-labor_1287325.bc

Watch an epidural procedure:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_watch-an-epidural-procedure_1287345.bc

Making the c-section decision:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_making-the-c-section-decision_1320925.bc

How c-sections are performed (illustrated guide):
http://www.babycenter.com/2_how-c-sections-are-performed-illustrated-guide_1287363.bc

And the VERY intense version NOT for the faint-hearted:
How c-sections are performed (a LIVE surgery):
http://www.babycenter.com/2_how-c-sections-are-performed-a-live-surgery_1286554.bc

Baby, mama's scared! Are u?
GULP!

baby's comfort object

1 of the item from the shopping list for baby is a 'comfort object'. Hmm...is this really necessary?? I checked with my sister's friend who just gave birth not too long ago, and she said it's good to buy one.

Almost immediately, i thought of the Bean Sprout Pillow (although i dont think i had one). The bean sprout husks inside the pillow are actually "shell" (kernel) from bean sprouts that we can buy from the market. When newborn babies/infant are shocked or frightened, they will feel a lack of security and will keep crying, easily agitated, difficult to handle and maybe a sleepless night. This pillow will serve to calm them.


I found a website that sells them. There's many designs to choose from, and this is what Elvis & i decided on! ;)
Papa & Mama ♥ our little one!

I guess u can make your own too (or get grandma to do it), but imagine all that work - just too tedious! More info on the making of the pillow can be found on the website - from the filtering to drying to sorting and filling. And imagine all the "dao gei" (bean sprouts) one has to eat! Must be a big plate at every meal! Keke... ;p

shop shop

Today i received more parcels in the mail - things i had bought online for the baby. It's always fun to unwrap them. Heehee... ;p

We even bought a pair of baby pink soft leather shoes with cherry design for baby's soon-to-be-born cousin! It's so pretty...and i'm so jealous! ;p

On the contrary to what my sis said (that it's too much), we divided the clothes into the "various months" eg. 0-3, 3-6, 6-9... to prove that it's not the case! Haha! The Result: It seems most fall under the section of 3-6 months. I think it's reasonable since that's probably the time we start to bring baby out more often anyway. 0-3 months would be wearing "ugly home clothes", and above 6 months, we'll be back in Shanghai where summer is really really HOT! Then, it'll be time to buy warm clothings for autumn/winter. But baby clothes in Shanghai might not be cheaper than in Singapore coz imported stuff costs more. Things in departmental stores can also be expensive - even for local Chinese brands. Heng, there's H&M baby stuff - sure cute and affordable! Haha! =)

I also went to Suntec today coz the Mothercare outlet is closing down. Storewide 20% & apparels less 50% (for those who wanna go, hurry down before 30 Sep). I had wanted to get a stroller if the price is right. BUT, the range at the store is quite miserable, so i decided to wait till Elvis comes back next week. Instead, i bought the Avent iQ 24 Electronic Steam Sterilizer at 20% off - that's a savings of $40! Seems like a good buy since we can sterilize bottles etc even until the baby is on formula milk. We also went to the Marina Square outlet to check out the full range of strollers, and again, Peg Perego is preferred over Maclaren range of strollers. Surprisingly, they both weigh about the same although Peg Perego looks a lot bulkier. After that, we went to see the Combi strollers at Kiddy Palace...hmm...still doesnt look good enough... Feeling confused again...

Anyway, cant wait till Elvis is back and we "settle" all the rest of the baby stuff together. He's going to Beijing tomorrow for 4 days, and Singapore will be his next stop! Yeah! =)

job description: parent

POSITION :
Mum, Mummy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that university will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

super dad

Well, i wasnt exactly complaining yday...just feeling a little stressed up...

Elvis is a great husband and i'm sure he'll be a GREAT DADDY!

When we were in Shanghai, he accompanied me to every gynae's appointment. He was more eager than me, in fact, about seeing the baby. As each visit to the gynae is pretty expensive, i even asked him if we should just do the ultrasound scan every now & then (coz i understand that not all my friends in Spore do scanning every month). But he said that he dont mind paying to see if baby's doing fine. His theory: Just buy 1 less clothing will do! Haha! ;p

We had initially planned on giving birth to the baby in Shanghai (and could end up paying up to 3 times the price in Spore). Then upon discussing and trusting more on Singapore's HIGH medical standards, we decided for me to stay on till the October Golden Week holiday (by then i'll be in my 26/27th week of pregnancy), and then fly back to Singapore till i give birth. BUT becoz of all the flying around that Elvis has to do for his work this year, we changed our plans again. So, here i've been since July (15/16th week)! Yes, i'm alone without Elvis around...but at least with family and friends. And i can eat whatever Singaporean food i want. Shanghai has them too, but maybe it feels slightly less authentic...my fav Hokkien Mee, Fried KueyTiao, Carrot Cake, Meesiam, Chee Kuey, Dao Suan...

The Pros:
- I've found a gynae which i think is pretty good and attentive. And he's a Professor too!
- I've been going to church.
- I've been meeting up with friends regularly.
- I've been eating yummy chocolate sundaes (the "milk taste" in Shanghai is not that strong).
- I've had bubble teas WITHOUT milk (Shanghai only have the ones with milk).
- I've been shopping at my favourite Topshop! Heehee... ;D

The Cons:
- Elvis has to fly back every month, and in-between/en-route his work schedule.
- $$$$ spent on airfares (totally crazy if u fly anywhere out of China).
- Need to plan his annual leave very carefully (esp since they only have like 10 days/year due to the 3 Golden Weeks/holidays)

And the medical costs in Shanghai:
- Each gynae visit : minimum S$200 excluding supplements, tests etc. (We've spent S$1500 so far from May07 - July07!!!)
- Estimated total cost of gynae appointments till full term : S$5000
- Package price from 16wks till full term : S$3000 (a savings of S$2000)
- Detailed 4D scanning : S$300
- Estimated Doctor's fees : S$2000
- Estimated Hospital fees : S$X

VS costs in Singapore:
- 1st gynae appointment : S$120
- Subsequent visits under Package from 16wks till full term : S$600 (amazingly affordable!!!)
- Detailed 4D scanning : S$200
- Doctor's fees : S$1000-2000
- Estimated Hospital fees : S$1200-4000
* Still can off-set with Medisave claim

Putting costs aside, I also think that the machines which are used here are better than the ones our gynae uses in Shanghai. When i heard the baby's heartbeat for the 1st time! I was like "WAH!"...and still can zoom in/zoom out! I guessed i looked like a country pumpkin! Haha! ;p

anything but good

I've been feeling a little moody this week. Firstly, I've never felt so fat in all my life... Soon, i might not even be able to see my toes! ;p

The (hot) weather is also making me so lazy to go out - even to buy my lunch. Wet armpits! Arrgh... I've turned down SMS from 2 friends to meetup this week. Somehow, my feet seems to swell (edema) more these few days too. My Birkenstocks are getting tight...sometimes it hurts when i walk...so i dont feel like walking. =(

The thought of the baby arriving in just a few months is also stressing me out (a little)... Hmm...but it sure gave me a good excuse to shop more for him. I've been buying so much clothes online this week since i'm at the computer all day (even my sis is complaining)! But there's sooo many nice things, and at good prices too! Some even cheaper than in retail shops! How to stop looking?? I'm beginning to think that there's too many "going out" clothes (from 0-to-3-to-6-to-9 months), and none for "everyday home use". Hmm...do babies need cooling or warm clothes at home?? How many sets/change of clothes do they need each day?? Where do i buy them from - esp the cheap cheap ones since it's only to be worn at home?? Dont need so nice, right?? I'm really clueless.

Elvis said "baby told him" that he doesnt wanna wear hand-me-downs. Hmm... YEAH, RIGHT! So, i've asked 1 of his good friend's mom to help us buy those they bought for their baby girl. I read from their blog that it was really cheap and good - $13 for a dozen! Great, save money! Yeah, at least that's 1 more thing down. Gimme a five!

Actually, a friend offered to give me the hand-me-downs she's received, coz she's got sooo much that she can give some away. WOW! I bought my nephews nice clothes when they were young (which i would like my baby to wear), but my sis had given them all away. And i suppose Elvis' sister still have those from her son...passed on to her brother's son...passed back to her 2nd son...and soon to be passed on to her brother's soon-to-be-born daughter...and then maybe our baby in Dec (when their baby daughter outgrows them). Hmm...that would make it 4th hand...or 5th...??

The only thing i'm looking forward to is when Elvis comes back to Singapore next week (probably from 29 Sep-7 Oct), we can buy ALL the other necessities - the ultimate STROLLER (coz my head is exploding already)...and what else do we need?? Anyone can give me a shopping list??

He'll also be able to accompany me to the gynae maybe twice (coz he's coming back for a few days in end-Oct before going to a friends' wedding in Bali). I've arranged to view the delivery suite at Gleneagles too. And maybe sign up the 'Help with Breastfeeding Programme'. Will give the 'Antenatal Programme' a miss since i'll be alone (while others have their husbands with them).

Sometimes, i feel i'm like a single mom. The thought that i'll have to manage the baby for the first few months stresses me out more than anything. And i've never even carried a baby before!!! But i'm sure things will get better once we're in Shanghai to join Papa Elvis (who is busy earning money for us). Then we can wear all the nice nice "gai gai" (going out) clothes.

Cheer up, Jo! It'll be over soon! =)
Yea, 102 days...that's 3.4 months...

P.S. Just found this shopping list. Quite good! I'll tag it here: http://www.baybsupplies.net/shoplist.htm
and this too on choosing the right breastpump for u:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T025300.asp

i want i want

Yes, gimme that sundae!!! Extra hot fudge!

our 25 weeks baby

Looking at the camera again


I've put on 7kg
Baby: 700 grams, length 20cm

lantern festival

Here's a picture of me (2nd from the front) playing lantern with my sisters and neighbours during Mid Autumn Festival. We just kept walking to and fro along the corridoor, but it seemed like so much fun back then. ;)

playpen

Yday, i decided to buy a playpen instead of a cot. I was thinking that it'll be too much of a chore buying a baby cot here, only to dismantle it a few months later to bring to Shanghai, and then fix it up again. So, we might as well buy a cot when we're in Shanghai. Since i had my eyes set on 1 from BabyCraft a few weeks ago, i decided to go buy it. My sisters helped me lug it back. It was only a 5-mins walk home, but i regretted it coz it looked damn heavy as they carried it. Hai...we should have drove there instead. =(

It's in a very practical colour - dark blue - but what i liked about it is that part of it has cartoon rockets on it. (The other design is with brownish checks which i thought looks too boring.) The playpen comes with a bassinet, converting it into a baby cot! Hmm...very practical for short-term use. It also has a board which can rest on the top of the playpen, so that's like the "changing station". And it even comes with a FREE foam mattress! (But i will buy a thicker foam mattress next time when i setup the playpen.) Everything collapses or folds away to a rather manageable (though heavy) box, so it's just the right size to bring back to Shanghai!

Haha...so there we have it... baby cot + changing station + playpen (to use when baby is older)! Mama need to learn to think 'practical, practical' when it comes to shopping for the baby now... ;p

O! The best part is, it's only S$109 (usual price S$199)! Haha...

very confused mummy

I realised that more and more of my conversations with friends revolve around my baby (natural/cesarean birth), baby products (clothes, cot, pram, stroller, playpen, milk bottles, sterilizer...and the list really can go on), 1st month confinement, and yes, breast-feeding (manual pump, electric pump, breast pads, nipple cream)...

Maybe coz we're kinda "late" in being parents, people around me seem to have lots of advice on parenting, nursing etc etc... What i'm most puzzled about is breast-feeding esp when the pumps dont come cheap (probably ranges from $100+/- up to $600). Firstly, with so many breast pumps in the market - styles and brands - how would i know which is the "best" (or is there)??? What about its efficiency, ease of use, portability, pricing/cost-effectiveness, the design???

Another headache is which stroller/pram to buy. I think it's important to make the right decision since we'll be using it for a few years. Style & function are equally important. Prices can also range from the (reasonable) $200 up to $1000 (which i think is totally ridiculous). Any wrong decision (coz it's not sturdy, too heavy etc etc), and you'll end up having to waste $ getting another. My sis & i went to look at some, but those that caught our eyes costs a whooping $799! I've never seen this brand before, so when i looked it up the website, i found that it costs much cheaper (well, comparatively) in the USA.
http://www.albeebaby.com/pegperego.html

I think from all the advise given on baby products, it probably boils down to individual preference. Also, EVERYTHING will be more reasonable only IF u plan on having more than 1 kid.

But even after all is said about what kind of baby products to use, i'm just as confused as ever! And there's also the "what-if" factor:
- What if i give up breast-feeding after 1/3/6 months?
- What if the baby doesnt like to sleep in the cot?
- What if the stroller/pram is not up to expectation...not sturdy enough, too heavy, too light?
- What if the baby outgrows the clothes we buy for him now?
- What if we always stay home, and dont need any "gai gai" (going-out) clothes?
- What if...
- What if...
- What if...

I know i'll feel "guilty" wasting all that money on those stupid hi-tech looking machines and products, nice but perhaps unworn clothes (coz it's too big, too small, too thick, too thin)...

Maybe having a baby equals pouring money down the drain...for a loooong time... Papa Elvis!!!

the needy seat

Back to the same topic... I met up with my friends yday for dinner. When i boarded the train home at City Hall, i was thinking that since it's sooo crowded (i.e. no chance of sitting even though one is pregnant/old/handicapped), i might as well stand in between the cabins and read my magazine.

Then people dont need to:
1) pretend to fall asleep,
2) look down on the floor (admire their shoes),
3) have others sitting afar staring at them (perhaps thinking why arent they offering their seat),
4) or have their eyes wandering around everything except me...
Haha! Let's call it 'To save everyone of the embarrassment' (coz even the pregnant one will feel embarrassed).

So there i stood for a good 20 mins...until someone sitting at 1 (of the 2) "needy people seats" alighted... I took a step forward...but another lady was faster than me! Haha! The Musical Chairs! As i moved a step back, a guy who sat beside her offered to give up his seat for me! WOW! I said a 'Thanks!' and sat down. After that, i felt my face and ears turned red... Gosh, i actually BLUSHED when someone did the "right thing"! OMG!

P.S. I remember inside the Tokyo trains, there's cabin corner seats "reserved" for the elderly or needy. There's about 2 rows of 4/5 seats. Usually, people would stand even if these seats were empty - perhaps in case someone "needy" boards the train! Maybe Singapore's "needy seats" just look too similar to regular seats. Hmm...

SMRT need make their PRIORITY SEATS really obvious!

pests

Yday night, i went to watch Ratatouille with my friends. It was funny! A must-watch! But what i wanna write about is not about the movie, but the train ride home. Hmm... somehow, Singaporeans always fall asleep instantly when they see a pregnant woman board the MRT!

My tummy is so huge and round (like a rat's figure) that one sure wont wonder if i'm pregnant or just fat!!!?? (That's what my nephew Xan said when i told him no one has offered seats for me before.) But sure cant miss my 34-inch tummy on my petite limps mah... Actually, i'm not exactly hoping for a seat too lah, just wish people were more considerate and the men were more gentlemanly. Wait till their wives get pregnant next time! Kekeke... ;p