more online shopping

Look what just arrived in the mail! Arent they cute? I couldnt resist buying them. Best socks designs ever - esp for little girls. ;)
(Who's the lucky girl who'll be getting this! Keke!)

10 more weeks

Yes, we're counting down now!

SOON?
"10 weeks" sounds like pretty short a period, so is "70 days"...but carrying baby inside for another 2.5 MONTHS seems looong for me. I'm also afraid we might be running short of time (coz days & weeks flies)...so maybe gotta get most things ready soon - while i still have the energy. Hmm...but what else is there to prepare???

SLEEP PATTERN
Lately, i have been sleeping about 1-3am (which was my usual bedtime before i was pregnant). I'm wondering if my sleep pattern now will affect the baby in future. (I hope not!)

BABY MOVEMENTS
Baby is moving so much more now too. Sometimes it's very ticklish when it's at the sides (like someone jabbing at your waist playfully). But i heard that it gets worse (when there's no more room to move) - to the extend of the jabbing being PAINFUL! Ouch!
Baby, please be gentle. Mummy is not very huge, and has a small uterus and thin layer of fats/skin... Daddy is coming in 1 week, so please be patient. We'll see him soon. ;)

FICKLE-MINDED & kiasu MUMMY
O ya, i've also decided to get just ONE of the cloth diaper to try. Just in case baby really gets nappy rash from my laziness/unwillingness to wash shitty nappy...and i'll probably feel guilty (with my newly-developed maternal instincts). Here's the colour i picked! Hope baby looks good in it. ;)

minis

Yesterday's supper was a box of minis from "Puter Rimas" at Suntec City (instead of the usual Donut Factory). I dont know how to spell it, but will update the correct link soon. Not bad! And petite-sized is good too (each one is about 5-6cm). Not so jer-lak.

wooo

Just when i thought i was through with cloth diapers/covers, i saw these... WOW! What pretty colours!

Hmm...i was just looking at Noah's Mummy blog (under 'Tried & Tested'), and i saw this link to maternity/nursing clothes. I havent bought "real maternity clothes" other than a few under the Topshop Maternity range. I just made do with my bigger/free-sized clothes, or by buying bigger sizes when i cannot resist shopping. Actually, this (local) website's stuff dont come cheap either...but i have to say that the nursing tops are really ingenious! Design/style-wise...err i might not wear them after i stop nursing and/or get rid of the extra pounds (namely the fat butt). So maybe i shouldnt waste any money on nursing tops - esp at a "crucial time" like this when we've spent sooo much $ already on all the baby prep stuff. ;p

Actually, i also think that i might not breastfeed in public too. When in Shanghai, travelling is usually by taxi, and since our house is conveniently located in town, i think it's ok to just pop home whenever "the need" arise! I'll probably just settle the leakage with breast pads! Haha! I also cannot imagine pumping milk in the filthy & smelly toilets! I think it's difficult to find nursing rooms in Shanghai - even in nice nice departmental stores/malls. For this reason, i've also given up the idea of buying this really good thermal bag that works like a fridge! (For mummies who pump breastmilk outdoors, click on it). Hmm...at the most, we'll just go out for a while. ;)

I hope our new life with baby will be fun & colourful - like a rainbow! Must try to visualize harder.

P.S. O ya, i'll tag Noah's Mummy's wonderful Singapore Nursing Rooms List here. Her blog is sooo informative that i always forget "what is where". Just realised that Noah has a camo bean sprout pillow too...and i'm glad to read that IT WORKS! Haha!

the disposables

On the same topic again... Elvis & i decided to just stick to disposable diapers since we both know nuts about cloth diapers. He read my blog, but he also didnt know it was so "advanced" that some of the text has links! Eg. > click here. So he was even more blur than me after reading. Haha... ;p

Then again, even buying disposable diapers is in itself a "big knowledge". I did a search and found a poll results (click).

His colleagues told him that Huggies is good, but i'm not sure if those sold in China are the same as in Singapore, so maybe we'll have to try out a few brands before deciding which one suits our little one's bottom more. With minimal nappy rash too. If anyone has any brand/style recommendations, do let us know.

Okay, 1 problem down. Dont need to order the cloth diapers online (and headache about the colours/style/size). Just need to buy 1 pack from the supermarket. Haha... ;)

shit!

Now that the baby's arrival draws nearer, i sometimes wonder how prepared are we (and/or am i) about looking after the baby - esp in the first weeks. Something that has been bugging me is diapering. Most people would suggest CLOTH Diapering - to ease the baby of nappy rash. Sounds like what a responsible mother would do...but I just cannot imagine washing the cloth diapers...n imagine the yucky stuff that STICKS on it! YUCKS! YUCKS! YUCKS!...and YUCKS!

Months ago (when I was still in Shanghai, and my mind wasnt even tuned to being a 'Mother' yet - least think about diapers), my sister gave me this website that sells my-current-nightmare cloth diapers. I wasnt interested in them (of course), so i didnt really bother to look into it other than the nice colours they carry (esp not about the "advantages" of cloth diapering). Frankly, i didnt know the difference. I only know Pampers = can throw = dont need to wash = convenience (but still yucks!).


Now that i only have a few months left to decide on the options, i kinda freaked out at the thought. Hmm... I took a look at them today, and realised that these "modern cloth diapers" not only come in attractive colours and designs, they are supposed to be comfortable, easy to wash, and save money too! In fact, there's as many as 10 Great Reasons (note: not just 'Good' okay). Somewhere on the website, it even says one can save up to S$1500/year on disposable diapers by using cloth diapers!!! WOW!!! But i really wouldnt know if it's true coz i dont know how much shit & urine a baby has.

Anyway, i browsed through some of the pages, and am pretty attracted to some of the coloured diapers. BUT the prices certainly dont come cheap too!!! It's S$25 EACH DIAPER!!! And just how many pieces is enough to hold all of the baby's shit & urine for the day/week/month/months??? Still need to consider about the diapers being in the wash, right??? What about sizing??? Too big...the shit will LEAK OUT!!! Too small...it wont fit, and waste $ already lor.

Ok, keep my cool... They have 5 Special Packages (i love discounts)... but the cheapest is still a whooping S$156 (after an 8% discount)!!! That's only for 4 diapers + 10 inserts. WAH!!! Still need to buy the "extras" eg. nappy liners at $5.50/box of 50. How many boxes then enough huh???

Being a kiasu Singaporean, i like to see/follow what's popular...and their best-seller (Package B) is S$229 for 6 diapers + 15 inserts (a mere 10% discount for an additional TWO diapers!!!). I really dont know how to do the maths...
(And FYI, the the most expensive Package E is S$527 a 15% discount for 15 diapers + 35 inserts! That's out of the question paying sooo much for diapers!!!)

So can really save $$$$ or not???
I think i'm going crazy soon thinking about all this shit!
Dont tell me the crap about being a responsible mother now!

Elvis, HELP!
Your maths is better & since u are paying for them too!
Can u decide what baby is going to use? Disposable diaper OR cloth diaper?

boy-to-man

Yday, i went to Holland Village with 2 friends and we saw a few shops selling "discounted" US kids labels such as Carters/Child of Mine, Pumpkin Patch, Gymboree, babyGap etc.

There's sooo many nice clothes for baby girls! Almost 90% of the shop are girls' stuff! I'm so envious! If u have a girl, u'll be spoilt for choice...only need to worry about not enough $ to buy. Kekee... ;p

I bought this cute Pumpkin Patch brown camo hooded jacket (tagged 6-12 months). Baby can wear it during autumn/winter in Shanghai and look as cute as Daddy. I guess the price is at least doubled in US. I paid only S$25 for it (the tag is intact too). Good deal? ;)


P.S. There was another with the same camo print with text 'ROCK STAR'. I liked it more, but stocks are for 3-6 months babies only. And Singapore's so hot huh...how to act cool?? Kekee...

this got to be the best

My nephew Xan introduced me to this yummylicious thing!
Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk

If u luuurrrvvveee chocolate as much as us (make it a double or triple chocolate), u'll know what we're feeling when it melts in the mouth! Of course must chew this also lah. HURRY! Must try!

mom's a fast food junkie

I've been eating quite a bit of fast food - partly coz it's convenient. McDonalds Filet-O-Fish, Double-Cheese burger, McNuggets, fries, chocolate sundae; KFC Meltz, chicken (has to be Original), Cheese Fries (so sinful)...and the must-have cola.

I wonder if baby will love all these food next time. Sure are my fav - anytime! ;p

Just happen to get this link via email too:
Calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) here

sun with moon?

Realised that i didnt take much photos (of myself) when pregnant - i mean when i really got huge. The last was in August at Bintan at 19 weeks when baby was only 300grams. So i brought my camera out yday on my date with Janis, Josefyne & Celine.

We went to Sun with Moon Japanese Restaurant at Central ©. It was an alfresco lunch (facing the "new" Clarke Quay) so it was quite lovely sitting there on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

We were out till after dinner at Lai Lai Beef Noodles followed by desserts at Ah Chew Desserts, but we only took these 2 shots!

Should have taken pictures of all the yummy food too. Haha... Pretend we were tourists. ;p

P.S. My big-&-round-as-a-ball tummy is not in the camera's view.

minimalist hotel

I spoke to Elvis this morning, and he was complaining about the lousy hotel he's in. He said it's very very bare - only a bed, TV and the smallest table one can imagine with a telephone on it. Haha! NO couch, table etc. Made me wonder if it's as "basic" as the Japan hotels we stayed in.

He said the most ridiculous part is, it's US$300/night and the staff knows nothing! I am thinking either he's too pampered with nice hotels on all business trips or this one really sucks. I believe it's a bit more of the former. Kekee... ;p

But when i called his hotel, they also didnt ask me for the guest's name (before connecting to his room). Hmm... Anyway, hope his work will go smoothly, and there's time for play too! And... i'll see him in 2 weeks! ;)

UPDATED ON 16 Oct:
I just did a search on the hotel coz I was once again "pissed" by the operator's nonchalant attitude... Hmm...only found some exterior pix of the hotel - which looks very modern (nice!). But none of the rooms(??). Elvis said if they showed the rooms, no one will stay there at all! There's not even a cupboard to hang his shirts! He bought some fruits and no place to put them at all! No place to sit also! He has to eat them on the bed! Haha! That's BAD!
And the rates are from US$349-399. Gosh!

papa in NY

Elvis just called me! He's finally reached his hotel in NY - after 7 hours stuck in transit at Chicago airport. He didnt sleep on board (despite Business Class seats??) so he's got to rest now. O ya, it's 3AM over there.

I'm missing him so much already. Nite Nite!

kiss me not

I was just told of today's news that "Over the last three months, more than 20 million toys made in China have been recalled, mostly due to the use of lead paint... "

TWENTY MILLION!
TOYS!
MADE IN CHINA!

Elvis & i will probably freak out since we'll live in Shanghai - at least for the next few years - during baby's early years.

Hmmm...but then again, even upmarket brands in the US dont necessarily meet the protocol (for having lead in lipsticks!!!). And who would have thought of that?? I guess as Singaporeans, we feel "safer" with stuffs made locally. That's why i bought the baby teether etc yesterday coz it's from a reputable locally-made brand. Now, i'm beginning to worry about the cot we'll have to buy eventually from Shanghai! Hmm...safe or not??? BUT we already have lots of baby stuffs to lug back leh... Sure overweight big time. Elvis said not to worry coz he have SQ "priority status". But still need to worry about loading all the stuffs onto the small taxi boot...and unloading too. Headache man... ={

Kiasu & Paranoid Mom. ;p

bazaar sale

I just came back from the Metro Expo Sale. The hall was quite big, and i didnt really get to see everything (partly coz i had to rush home). Anyway, when i took out all the stuff from the HUGE plastic bag, i realised that almost everything is NOT mine!

I bought some tops for my sis and some baby items - fleece blanket, washcloths, teether, rattle (i couldnt resist another one esp when it's so cheap), 3 rompers, a 7-day bib set (babies need as many as possible, right???). I spent more than $100, and out of it, only a $5 bedroom slipper is mine! Haha! This is really rare for Shopping Queen. But the truth is, i kinda could skip the clothing section coz it wouldnt fit me anyway, and i didnt need any shoes for now.

I was very tempted to get a $15 bathtub (the type with a "rest" for the baby's body) and a $6 TweetyBird potty, but my friend said it was too early for that! Heehee...so much for Ganjiong Mummy. ;p

P.S. Anyone who's interested to pop down to the sale, it's ON till 14 Oct, 10pm. The Lingerie section is really huge (an awful lot of bras!!!) . So is the Children clothes/shoes section. Most of the Ladies clothes are outdated, so u can probably give that a miss - unless you wanna get "home clothes" like singlet & shorts etc, they are really cheap. Home section very extensive - some really nice white square/rectangle porcelain plates, lots of bedlinen & towels.
Might be worth a trip!

i'm so fat and warm

The weather in Singapore lately has been terrible! It's extremely HOT HOT HOT! In fact, it's been unbearable since 2 weeks ago.

To make things worse, sitting all day at home in front of the computer makes my fat butt and thighs perspire like crazy! I keep wondering if everyone else is feeling as warm as me...or am i really that FAT...or my tummy is too huge it's weighing on my thighs (no space to breathe)??? When i'm outdoors, i can feel my perspiration roll down my back!

I'm going nuts soon in this heat! ={

P.S. Elvis said the weather in Shanghai has started to turn cold. A light jacket is needed. Wish i was there with him.

the city that never sleeps

Tomorrow Elvis will be flying off to New York. It'll be for 2 looong weeks... But the good thing is, he'll be back in SIN after NY - even if it's only for 2-3 days. After which, we'll have to wait till we see each other again when baby arrives in Dec. :_(

With the 12-hour time difference, it might be difficult to talk to him. We decided i'll most likely catch him before his bedtime/my noon.

Hope he gets some time off work to see the sights too - Times Square, St Patrick's Cathedral, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Metropolitian Museum of Art, Brooklyn Bridge... and/or do some shopping. Heehee... My mind is already wandering of to the sweet-smelling Victoria's Secret bath range, B&BW, Coach bags... ;p

ELVIS ♥ SHOPPING.
ELVIS will ♥ NY.

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! ;)