My Birth Experience

Both my kids simply loved to reside in my womb. They refused to come out even till their EDD. I have to go for induction twice to invite my kids to see the beautiful world.

Giving birth to Kaden is more painful than giving birth to Trenyce. For Kaden, I went through an almost 12hrs labour pain whereas for Trenyce, its shorter by half the time, 6hrs.

For both kids, I checked in to hospital at 7am with hubby. By 8am, I was already lying on the bed with the water drip.

For Trenyce, the contractions started coming around 10+am and the cervix was dilated to 10cm by 12noon+, and by 2.08pm she was delivered.

For Kaden, I couldnt really feel the contractions, instead I experienced very bad backache on-off the whole morning and needed hubby to help massage my back to relieve the pain. I also couldnt ly still as the backache was really bad. At 2pm+, the nurse checked my cervix, she digged her finger in, real in and made me very uncomfortable, and announced that it was dilated barely 2 to 3cm and the baby's head was still quite up. "Oh my, 3 cm only after 6hrs of lying here? Based on this calculation, he probably will only pop at midnight!" I told my husband. My hubby gave me a funny smile, he was also quite bored of waiting already and half "sian" when he heard the nurse's announcement. "Let's have a bet. What tme do you think he will come out?" I asked hubby. "hmm...between 6 to 7pm," he guessed. "Ok, I guessed its betw 10 to 11pm," I said. So for the rest of the time, its still waiting and more waiting. By 4pm+, Dr Goh came and did a check on my cervix. He also digged his finger real in and burst my waterbag. This was couple times more uncomfortable than what the nurse did earlier. After that, he announced "the cervix only dilated by 3cm. Very slow huh. Usually by this time for 2nd birth, should be around 6cm already." "Yah, I hope so too." I thought to myself. Then he continued, "I burst the waterbag for you. I will come again around 7pm+. If the baby doesnt come out by then, you may have to go for c-section." I shuddered when he told us that. I got really worried. When he left, I asked hubby," how huh? I am very scared of c-section leh." Hubby just asked me not to think too much. What happened next was really fast. An hour after the gynae had left, the contractions came and came very intense and at 5pm+, I could feel the baby pushing. The nurse told me not to push as my gynae had not arrived but I couldnt help and just pushed according to the baby's rhythm. By the time my gynae came, I was already semi-unconscious. I didnt take the epidural. I was relying solely on the gas mask and a pain relief injection to ease my pain. The pain relief injection was something extra for this time, I only relied on the gas mask for Trenyce's delivery. I vividly can remember that Dr Goh came and together, they all shouted for me to push the baby out. It was so painful this time round, I was yelling and screaming in the delivery ward. It was so painful, I feel like punching people. Next, all I could remember was the baby's crying and then the nurse brought him to me. It is this special moment, you feel whatever you have gone through is worth it!

Pictures of Trenyce's and Kaden's birth.

Kaden has arrived!

After enduring an almost 12-hr labour pain, Kaden has finally popped to see the world!


Kaden weighs 3.47kg at birth and is 51cm long (coincidentally, same length as his sister).


Kaden sleeping soundly.


The very excited jiejie.


The very exhausted papa (he has waited in the delivery suite with me for the 12 hrs) and the happy jiejie.

Mood: Merry

Special CNY ToTo Draw

Today is the day of the annual special CNY Toto Draw.

Everyone has been telling me that preggies have luck and asked me to bet....some even advised me to buy system 7 or something if I dont know how to buy. Indeed, I am really clueless when it comes to betting....I only know how to buy 4D hahaha.....

However, I decide to give it a miss this year. I used to "tombang" with my group of colles every year but always won nothing. This year is a little bit special as I will be at home waiting for my baby's arrival so I wont be able to join them. Well, thats not exactly the reason why I am missing out on this grand draw....I am not buying becos I am contented to have striked a small fortune on the 3rd day of CNY. Though the amount was small and just enough to cover Trenyce's medical expenses (she felt sick just before CNY and spent me SGD$100+ seeing the doctor twice!) and a little bit of my capital, I am very contented. I always believe that nothing is for free. When you are given something here, some other thing will be taken away from somewhere. Its impossible to have the best of both worlds. Even those very successful ones like the celebrities, they also have problems only themselves know...look at Britney and Paris Hilton...rich and successful but their lives in a mess!

Money is important but its not the most important. All I wish is to deliver a healthy baby and that will be the luckiest thing happening to me this year than striking the ToTo Draw! So by not buying the ToTo, I hope to transfer all my good luck to my baby. It sounds a little silly but all mummies wish the best for their kids right? :)

Baby at 40 weeks+

Baby at 40weeks (19 Feb 08)

Went to see Dr Goh yesterday. It was supposed to be my EDD, however, there's still no news from my little darling inside my tummy. I think he is really comfortable inside and doesnt feel like coming yet. Anyway, I put on 400grams again, now weighing 76.4kg. Thats the result of eating and sleeping at home for 2 weeks. How not to gain weight? Gynae said I can wait for another week the most which is roughly around 27th Feb or either that I can induce the next day. I wasnt very keen on induced. Trenyce was an induced birth hence if really possible, I really wish that Kaden can pop out on his own without any medical intervention. So gynae sent me back and asked me to come back for checkup again 3 days later.

Back at home, I couldnt help but kept thinking about the induced birth. I am hesitating.....The longer Kaden comes out, the lesser time I will have to spend with him as I have already started my maternity leave last week. If by next week, there is still no news from him, I will have to eventually go for induced birth again. And by that time, it will be the 3rd week of my ML and I am only left 9weeks with him. The more I think the more I feel like going for induced birth. So when hubby returned the night, we discussed and agreed that we would go for induced birth on Friday (22-02-08). Though 28-02-08 seems a better date, we just want to see Kaden soon and dont want to drag any further. Once the decision has been made, whats left is to confirm with the gynae the next day.

Baby at 40weeks+ (20 Feb 08)

Called Dr Goh in the morning and confirmed that its possible to schedule for the induced birth for Friday. As he didnt check my cervix yesterday, I went down to the clinic again today. He checked and said the cervix has dilated by about 1cm. "Huh only 1 cm ah", I was thinking to myself.

Anyway, my mind was quite settled after deciding to go for the induced birth. At least, I know that I will get to see Kaden soon otherwise waiting at home day after day is getting really boring for me. I know it sounds strange to some cos everyone knows that we will be busy once the baby arrives and most adore the "freedom" I am enjoying now. But staying 2 weeks at home, doing nothing but eat and sleep...well, it just not what I really enjoy loh...If I can go out jalan jalan then its not so bad but I cant...76kg ermm...is too heavy to walk. I pity my 2 legs. Also, the reason why I applied for an earlier ML is because everyone is telling me that 2nd birth will usually come early...so I have been expecting that...but alas, mine is not.

Well, Kaden....see you on Friday yah. *muacks*

Jogging at Upper Pierce Reservoir

We brought Trenyce to Upper Pierce Reservoir last Sat as promised. Before we set off to the reservoir, Trenyce posed a few shots for me...hmm, got any modelling potential? :p

It was quite a far walk so I rested at some point and the father & daughter just continued their jog to the other part of the reservoir where you could see the golf course.....Trenyce enjoyed herself and amazingly she could jog quite well...

Contents in My Hospital Bag

Packed my hospital bag about a month ago. Too kancheong? Maybe..haha...

Anyway, just to be sure I didnt miss out anything...here's the list:
1. sweater for mummy
2. 2 sets of pajamas for mummy
3. a pair of socks to wear in the delivery ward
4. 2 sets of nursing bras
5. a packet of disposable panties (pack of 5)
6. some disposable breastpads
7. a tube of nipple cream
8. toiletries
9. a towel
10. handphone
11. camera with extra set of batteries
12. official documents: marriage cert, identity card,doctor's admission letter, medical reports
13. a set of baby's clothing (for discharge)
14. 2 sets of mittens and booties
15. a baby hankie
16. 4 to 5 pieces of maternity pads as hospital will provide only one packet of maternity pads and if you finish up during your stay in hospital, you will have to use your own. (newly added)

Baby at 38weeks+

It was a rather long wait yesterday at Dr Goh's clinic. He only came in at around 10+am...guess he must have some patients delivering...

Well, everything was alright except my sugar level was rather high yesterday, must be due to the CNY cookies I took some just before I went for my routine checkup. Now that I know that the cookies were so "sweet", I didnt dare to take any when I went home.

Weight wise, I am still gaining weight...about 700g and I am about 76kg now. Quite worrying....not sure how I am going to shed off these extra kilos, aiyo...really at the highest point of my life! Baby is estimated to be between 3.2kg to 3.4kg. According to Dr Goh, it is difficult to gauge the baby's weight now and actual weight could vary by +- 200g to the estimated weight....baby is also likely to be bigger than his jiejie.

As my tummy was still quite high, I was curious whether baby will be late so I checked with Dr Goh. He said baby should arrive on time...well, ok....
baby baby....when will that be?

Progress on Kids' Room

We are almost done with the decoration of the kids' room. Hubby has completed the painting, bought the two chest of drawers to store their clothing, set up the changing table and baby cot, got the matching curtains for the room, suntanned the babycot mattress and the baby basket, got all the baby essentials....hmmm...what else is lacking??? Oh, I havent suntanned the baby stroller yet :p Also, must dig out the baby bouncer from the storeroom....siao liao the storeroom is in such a mess....have to get hubby to do the job instead hehe...

Overall, we tried to keep the decoration of the kids' room simple...actually not exactly kids' room yet cos Trenyce is not sleeping over till the confinement auntie has left hence the decoration for the kids' room now is more 'babyish" than "kiddish". We will modify the arrangement of the furniture in the room again when the auntie has left.

My favourite corner of the room.The chest of drawers bought from Ikea. Curtains from Aussino. Did you spot my hospital bag?

Although its less than a week before baby's arrival, the bedsheets for the baby mattress as well as the pillow and bolsters are not laid yet as we are afraid it will gather dust. Hence, I am leaving this task to hubby.

The pictures on the wall are also from Ikea. Changing table bought from a secondhand store in KL (also from Ikea according to the owner). We also bought a new air purifer to put in their room. The mini chest of drawers at the side is passed over by sister, we used it to store the children's essentials ie. disposable diapers, ruyi oil, baby moisturiser etc.

My Pregnancy Look

Got hubby to take some of my pregnancy pictures yesterday for remembrance sake. Want to go for those makeover shots initially but decide to drop the idea as I have lost confidence of my look..haha...call me vain, my look really changes alot as my pregnancy progresses into the last trimester which is supposedly the best time to take the maternity shots. My face is oily, my nose getting rounder and bigger....I tried to put on some makeup but I dont feel myself looking attractive at all! sigh!

Anyway, saves money...haha..consoling myself..hmmm..be the judge yourself....haha..

Me at 31weeks+ pregnant with Trenyce

(taken on 17th July 2004)


Me at 38weeks+ pregnant with Kaden

(taken on 11th Feb 2008)

Having CNY Dinner at Sister's Place

Its almost an annual practice that we will go to sister's place (besides mother's) for dinner during the CNY period.

We had Korean BBQ this year at sister's place. Something different and its yummy especially the part where you wrapped the BBQ pork together with the special sauce, garlic and lettuce....hmmmm...yummy!

The feast at sister's place

Kaitong, Fonses and Doreen

Rayner and Ryan

Trenyce posing at the auspicious plant. She seems to be able to appreciate more of CNY this year, asking me lots of questions on the "new" things she saw this CNY. She will offer her hand to shake and greet the people "Happy CNY", "Xing Nian Kuai Le" or "Gong Xi Fa Cai" :)

Trenyce with "Yi Zhang" (Ah yi's husband). Coincidently, they are both borned in the year of monkey and Trenyce's lunar birthday is the same as the uncle's english birthday.

How We Celebrate our CNY in Spore

On the 1st day of CNY, we followed my mother to my eldest and fourth uncle's place. Its more crowded at the fourth uncle's place as all except one of the children came back. I havent seen their kids for a long time and some, for the first time! After that, we just headed home to rest and slept the rest of the afternoon away keke.....

On the 2nd day of CNY, we went to my mother's place. My auntie's family and some of my cousins with their kids popped by. I havent seen these cousins for a long time and their kids have grown so much. Oh my, every CNY is just going to remind me of how much I have aged! bohohoho.... We stayed for almost the entire day, leaving only at 6plus for dinner with my sister's family and my brother at Swensens! I think its nice for a change to have some western food as the kids have been eating the chinese food since the reunion dinner and must be getting quite sick of it already hehe....

On the 3rd day of CNY, we didnt go anywhere as two of my good friends were popping by. Trenyce seemed a little bored as it was a great contrast compared to the previous day where she had lots of fun with other children at my mother's place. So hubby set up the bubble set for her to play at the corridor...luckliy thats enough to make her happy for a while :p



On the 4th day of CNY, we decided to go to church. We havent been to church for a while already since I got pregnant....so thought it would be nice to begin the year by going to the church for a refreshing start. After the service, we visited my godparents since we had some time. After that, we headed home and rest before we went over to my sister's place for dinner.

Overall, we had an enjoyable CNY...spending time with family and doing our visiting. We tried not to tire ourselves too much so everything was done at an extremely slow pace....this explained why we only visited like 2 houses the most for each day. I suppose this will more or less ended my CNY celebration...as for the next few days, I shall be concentrating on getting ready the baby's room and preparing for the arrival of my baby. The room is almost ready, just a little packing to be done. I will share more on my next entry.

Getting closer...

Its less than 2 weeks to my EDD and I am getting a little nervous as days go by.....Hubby said I am a veteran so shouldnt be a problem but that was like almost 4 years ago when I gave birth to Trenyce...so honestly, I am getting really nervous now. I also dont know why. Maybe getting excited over the arrival of the family's new addition bah...or start having my baby blues already even before he arrives? Well, maybe I am just kind of worried how to handle the situation if baby decides to arrive early....I am not sure if following are some signs...

1. Feet
My feet is getting more swollen these few days. I know it because my slippers are adjustable and I am now at the 3rd hole (just shifted today) as it is so tight I can barely walk.

2. Abdomen
My lower abdomen is also getting a little bit painful today which also makes walking unbearable. It seems like the baby is pressing hard on my bladder, giving me sharp pains and I have to visit the loo to relieve myself several times in case I "leaked". I am not sure if this is the so-called "braxton hicks contractions".

3. Indigestion
The indigestion is getting quite bad too. I just vomitted again in the late afternoon. Just ate a few pieces of CNY cookies and I ended up hugging the wastepaper basket :'(

4. Urge to pass motion
Eversince getting pregnant, I am into some sort of constipation. Surprizingly, I have the urge to pass motion almost everyday for this entire week. Perhaps I have eaten too much over the CNY but its everyday leh.....so hmm....

Happy Mousie Year 2008!

HAPPY MOUSIE YEAR TO EVERYONE!

MAY EVERYONE HAVE A PROSPEROUS AND LUCKY YEAR!

PS: This angbao mouse was 40% done by me and 60% by my "shifu". Not bad for 1st attempt heh :p

My BD present from Trenyce

I told Trenyce a few days ago that "mummy's birthday is coming, are you going to draw a card or something for mummy?"

She told me, "Yes.." and off she went to draw this picture for me.



Yes, this picture was really drawn by her. I am so proud of her. When I saw this picture, I was amazed and amused at the same time cos she remembered to add in the spectacles for mummy! How detailed she is at this young age! Later she tried to draw the body and the hands for me but she gave up halfway cos one of the hands she accidentally drew 6 fingers and she got really upset. Then grandpa came to her rescue and helped her to amend the drawing a little bit and now it look like this:



See, the hands have been "overridden" :P

Celebrating Mousie Year in Spore

Thanks to Kaden :p We are celebrating CNY in Spore this year. PILs have decided to go back to Labis to celebrate the CNY. I suppose they are more used to doing that in their old town rather than here since most of their friends are there. Hubby sent them over to Larkin Terminal this morning and they managed to catch an earlier bus ride back home.

Really, I miss celebrating CNY in Spore. Though I always manage to come back to Spore on the 3rd or 4th day of CNY but its just so different celebrating the eve and the 1st day of CNY here and there. Even till today, I still prefer to celebrate in Spore, perhaps for the same reason like PILs cos my family and friends are all here.

This is also the 1st time Trenyce celebrates CNY in Spore. Took some pictures of her in her new pajamas. This very nice set of pajamas is from my sister (her ah yee). She was happily posing for me in the room. My daughter also quite vain eh..hehe..err..actually I dont mind cos she's a girl...well, as long as she doesnt overdo it hehe :)

Trenyce posing on her bed (with the new bedsheets).

Trenyce posing on our bed

Pretty huh?

Turning 31

Just came back from reunion dinner at my mother's place and having my birthday celebration over there. Yeah, coincidently today is the eve of the mousie year and also my 31st birthday. Its just one of the times when my birthday is so close to CNY heh.

Anyway, lucky me cos I get to have a fabulous meal and having everyone in the family to celebrate for me, doubly meaningful huh! Well, almost didnt get a cake for my celebration bcos hubby doesnt know that bakery shop closes early on CNY eve as we seldom celebrate CNY in Spore. In fact this is the first time since I married him. Luckily sister had it ready but a day earlier hence the cake was not as delicious as what we usually had. We also had a special dish on our reunion dinner today --- "peng cai". We had never tried it before and so we ordered to try out...well...didnt quite turn out to be as good as we thought it would be and its very expensive, SGD$200 for 6pax share. Think this will be the 1st and the last time I will try it :p

My sister with her boys and Trenyce

My family

Trenyce with grandmother

Baby at 37weeks+

Visited Dr Goh last saturday. Everything was alright except that I have put on much much more weight this week...about 2.2kg and I am about 75.3kg now (I have crossed the 15kg mark :p). Baby is estimated to be around 3.2kg, about 400g heavier.

Duno why...I seem to have better appetite this week...perhaps because I know I will be delivering soon and wont be able to enjoy lots of my favourite food? hmm...
Anyway, as the next visit will clash with the CNY holiday so I can only go for my routine checking the following Tuesday...just pray hard that ewverything will go smoothly till that day.