StemCord Banking

Signed up for the StemCord Banking for baby's cord today as it is the last day of their promo. Don't know of we have made the right decision or not ... guess Cord Banking is like buying insurance - you never know when you need it and when you do, you regret not getting a higher premium, etc.

So to be safe,, Hb and I decided we would want the best protection for our baby. Anyway StemCord offered a relatively attractive promotional package.

This is the Collection Kit/Pack I have to bring with me to the delivery suite ... not too bad packaging ya?

Follow-up Check-up After Discharge

Went for the follow-up check up after discharge and baby seems to be growing well! But BP still not ideal. Will continue to rest.

Baby @ 23 weeks 3 days
Weight = 600g
CRL = 59mm

Sleep Suits & Going Home Suit

We have finally decided that Hb will source for baby's 'Going Home Suit' from overseas.

Hb came back from Melbourne yesterday with some sleep suits, the going home suit and pair of cute sneakers.

Baby's going home suit is the cute little legged romper with animal prints on the left. We will decide and post later baby's suit complete with receiving blanket ... wait for it!

My Tummy Moved!

Although it was a terrible week for me, it ended on a high note as yesterday (27/9/06) marked another milestone for both baby and me!

As I could be discharge tomorrow, I was happily chatting to Jen on the phone when suddenly I saw my tummy jumped a little! This is the 1st time I've been able to 'see' baby's kicks from outside of tummy! I was so happy!

Arrgg! Hospital Stay ...25/9/06 to 28/9/06

I got a feeling that the prognosis may not be good for me today (25/9/06). Try as I might, I just couldn't sleep or nap! Am I too nervous? It seems that the harder I try, the wider awake I am... it's driving me nuts!

Discussed with Hb and we feel that instead of going to a GP, better to see Dr Gordon instead. True enough, my pressure is even higher than Saturday so I have to be admitted immediately. Dr Gordon gave me 3 hours to be on the hospital bed while I went home to pack and call to cancel my teachings. What a way to start my part-time teaching! I am so blessed and glad that Mag has agreed to help take over the Masters students tutorial. What am I going to do without great friends like her?

Actually, I have been very conscientiously with my diet during this pregnancy, so have been feeling very upset that I actually developed pre-eclampsia. I also do not have high BP prior pregnancy. Dr Gordon has said that it is not diet induced and there is really nothing I can do but rest well. We may even have to induce baby if my placenta ages and deteriorates earlier than normal. He said he'll monitor.

Hence, after discharge, it will be fornightly visits to monitor health of placenta. I will also borrow the BP monitor from Aunty Pat so I can do my own monitoring at home. Dr Gordon has also ordered no exercises - even swimming, yoga or walking. He just wants me to rest well. Ok, I got the message, Doc ...

After a few boring days at the hospital, I was really going bonkers as tv was no good and I did nothing but slept. Hb is on flight (left Tues morning) and won't be home till Friday. Luckily Kumari has been transferred to us and started to come in on Monday, the day of my admission. Hope she is coping well with Enzo.

Finally managed to persuade Dr Gordon to let me go home on Thursay (28/9/06) - but he insisted that I must rest well as BP still not ideal or I will have to come in again. Also have to be on medication for the next week to monitor situation.

Took a taxi home and am so happy to be home FINALLY!

Check-up After Detailed Scan

Today was the follow-up routine check-up after the detailed scan. Baby is fine but Dr Gordon suspects I may have pregnancy induced high blood pressure. So he wants me to see GP on Monday to get another reading.

I've also refused to take any medication as I am quite sure it's due to a lack of rest and perhaps stress from starting my teaching on Monday.

Baby @ 22 weeks 4 days
Weight = 450g
CRL = 54.2mm
(CRL -Crown-to-Rump Length)

Detailed Scan @ NUH on 14/9/06

Today we went for baby's detailed scan at NUH. We spent about 50 mins with baby looking at every nook and cranny.

Everything is good and well. As baby is quite heavy, the Dr-in-charge has changed my EDD to 17/1/07 as she said baby's size is comparable to 22 weeks although I am now in my 20th week when measured against LMP (last menstrual period). Well done mummy and baby!

So far this has been the longest time during a scan that HB and I have been 'spending' with baby and it is so comforting.

Pic above - according to EDD (23/1/07), I am now 21 weeks 2 days

We saw baby moving his mouth, he must be hungry! Mummy was hungry too as we have yet to have lunch then. Went for our favourite Bak Kut Teh after the scan.

So, does baby look like me or papa?

It's A Boy!

Today's scan revealed that all I have been feeling is right - our baby is a boy! And he has grown quite a bit too! Not surprising, what with all those carbo (pasta) I have been gorging on?

I'm 19 weeks 2 days today and baby is now 12cm in lenght! Dr Gordon has taken 3 scan pix of baby for us today. Enjoy!



(left - Body of baby)




















(left - Head of baby)

(Left - Cross-section of baby's waist)

Now, the headache begins ... we are still struggling with baby's name. HB wants a Finnish name and wants to use my surname as a middle name for all our kids. He said since Daddy only had 2 girls (Jen & moi), we must preserve and carry-on the Tuominen name - arhh! that's so sweet Papa! No wonder after 13 years of marriage I still love you like I did when we first met! Wonder if you feel the same? Keke!!

Last Trip Before Baby Comes, Milan

I will be following HB on his flight to Milan - guess one of our last carefree trip before baby comes along? But we are eagerly anticipating the day when we will bring our baby for a holiday. We are planning when baby is 3 to 4 months old. We want to expose him to all the different cultures and people so he will grow up to be a well-travelled, well-read and an empathic individual.

Guess all parents want the best for their children ya? We want to nurture them to the best we can isn't it and we pray that whatever and all we do is good and right - HB and I will have to strive hard then, right papa?

Singapore-Milan, 23/8/06
We left Singpore on 23/8 at night and I was 18 weeks & 1 day pregnant. Arrived Milan early morning. Flight was terrible and I had bad cramps, must be the air pressure and small space. Flight was overbooked so no free seats to stretch out... oh, well. Again, I didn't sleep - do not have the habit to anyway.

Milan 23/8/06 - 29/8/06
HB was afraid that I would tire out too easily so most of our site-seeing plans have been thrown out of the window. He said we should just relax and will only make 1 trip out of Milan to Venice.


(left - just outside Milan's train station aka MRT in Spore)

As it's the summer hols, most shops around the hotel were closed and the place looked so boring and dreary. Even tv was boring...! This place really makes me appreciate Singapore even more! Can you imagine most eateries are only opened from 12-2pm for lunch and again from 7-10pm for dinner. Other than they are closed so no snackies...

We are so lucky, in Singapore anytime also can find food. But I must say the Spizza Joint next to the hotel serves really simple but nice food. Their pasta are truly Al-Dente and a simple grilled turkey steak can be so juicy and delicious - minus all these msg and seasonings. I love it! I love my food enahnced lightly so that its natural frangrance can be the top-notes and not those slab of seasonings. But,, its difficult in Singapore as our meat and poultry are just not the same in freshness, etc. Guess that's the pay-off ya?

Duomo
The 2nd day, we took a train to the main shopping area, Duomo which also sits this huge and popular cathedral, Duomo di Milano. The cathedral is truly majestic and beautiful. We didn't go inside as there are some renovations going on. Also visited the Ferrari Shop - very nice and expensive stuff!













(left to right - HB outside Ferrari Shop, me outside the Cathedral @ Duomo & inside a shopping mall)

No shopping here for me now as I've come off branded stuff. I'm also surprised how that Gucci handbag in the window can't beckon me into the shop. My priorities have indeed changed! Anyway, since am not working now, where am I going to strut these new handbags? At NTUC or the market? I'd rather keep the money for baby! Now am only keen on babies' stuff.

Venice
On our 4th day stay, we took a train to Venice together with HB's 7 other colleagues. The train ride took about 3.5 hours but the great company we had made time flew quickly. Venice is indeed very beautiful. We walked the whole day but enjoyed it!
(left - The famous canal in Venice)
(2nd left - In front of a Gondola)





On the train back, 3 stations away from our destination, someone threw himself in front of the train and we were delayed more than an hour. Finally, all the passengers had to evacuate to another waiting train to continue the rest of the journey. By the time we reach Milan, it was after 10pm and we were totally exhausted! It was a nice day but what a way to end it? It still gave me the shivers thinking how this man could kill his son and finally commit suicide by jumping in front of a train...

(left - on the beautiful street of Venice)
(2nd left - Look @ that giant balloon sculpture!)


The next day, we rested and only did some small shoppings at a nearby supermarket. Nothing much here for me to buy really. Happy to be going home tomorrow as I missed Enzo very much and I'm really sian of Milan... so boring. Guess cos didn't really go serious sight-seeing.

Milan - Singapore 29/8/06 to 30/8/06
Flight back was excellent as it was relatively empty so I grabbed 3 seats and rested my legs. My spirits are lifting as we will be seeing our baby tomorrow Wonder how he is and how much he has grown! Baby, me and papa missed you too!

Clothes Galore from The Big Apple!!

Hb came back from LA today with lots of clothes for baby. Julie also bought so much for baby.

Thank you very much, Auntie Julie!! Baby saying loads of thanks and kisses to you in advance!

Look here :-

Papa's stuff for baby & mummy:

(1st left) - Swimming Top

(Left) - Baby Plus pre-nantal learning

(Bottom) - Cute Polos & American Flag swim trunks

Auntie Julie's gifts for baby & mummy:

(Above) - Jeans from 3 mths to 18 mths!



















(Left to right) - Rompers & shirts from 3 mths to 12 mths & Jeans for me

Baby's First Flutter

How silly of me ... kept thinking this weird, tickling feeling near the bladder I felt today was something else. But read that it's none other than baby's kick! Can't wait for it to get stronger and visual! Gambante Baby!

Impatient Wait for Next Check-up

Sigh... nowadays, I just can't wait for each check-up to come along as I miss checking in on baby's progress. Wished I had the scan at home so I can scan as and when I like! keke!

Heard from some of my fellow forum frens that they could tell the gender of their baby as early as 12th weeks already. I hope today baby will co-operate and reveal his/her gender. In the mean time, many forum mummies are also trying out different 'methods' of predicting their babies gender! So fun - Chinese Calendar, tying a strand of hair to a ring and letting it rotate or swing above tummy, length if linea nigra, etc...

For my case, 2 different Chinese Calendar gave 2 different answers... hmm.

Anyway -update from Dr Gordon's office - Baby is not revealing just as yet but he's doing very well and is now 10cm in length at 16 weeks.

Way to go baby! Continue to grow big and strong ok?

Canberra Graduation

Day 1 - Mon, 24 July 2006
We arrived in Sydney early morning and went to pick-up the car from the Thrifty @ the airport. They upgraded us and gave us a SUV (Mitsubishi Airtrek, in Auz, its called Outlander). Baby must be bringing us good luck. Oh ya, forgot to add that Raveena (UC Lecturer) has asked me if I would like to be a tutor for local Masters students on a part-time basis. I've said yes! And am very excited as have been thinking of going into training/lecturing if given an opportunity.

While i slept shiok-ly in the car (jet-lag as I didn't sleep on the plane), hb drove all the way to Canberra, stopping for a leak or fresh air occassionally. We arrived at Canberra in the afternoon and went to Westfield Shopping Mall at Balconnen where we had a small lunch and did a little 'jalan-ing' around. Surprisingly, we bumped into Felix and his wifey and we decided to have dinner together with Mag that evening.

We then drove to the motel to check-in and meet up with Mag whose room is just next to ours. A very simple place... nothing fancy but good enough for 2 night's stay.

Dinner was really good and we had Chinese! Really authentic unlike many I've tasted while overseas.

Aarghhh.. weather is cold and wet.. been raining.. I hope tomorrow will clear up. Pray...

Day 2 - Tue, 25 July 2006
Got up early for Mac brekkie with Mag & Bern... slept like a log last night. Really exhausted. Today looks promising... weather seems to have cleared up and the cool, crisp & fresh morning air gave me an instant rejuvenation shot.

After brekkie, we went to a small neighbourhood mall near the motel for more jalan-ing. Bought a nursing bra, 3 maternity tops and a pack of rompers and Pooh Bear Sockies for myself and baby. Am I buying things too early? Hence, the conservative numbers!

Ever since I got pregnant, I've got a feeling I am expecting a boy, so... I'm going with these, aren't they cute? What do you think? Any bets? Is my nose showing yet that I am carrying a boy?

After leaving the mall, we headed back to have a short rest before leaving for the Parliament House to take pictures and rent the gowns.



The Ceremony
We arrived relatively early but that's good so we need not rush, in fact mag and myself was not the 1st in line to pick up the gown. Another student, receiving his 2nd PhD was there before us - a nice grandfatherly man. Wished I had the money to do my PhD too but guess not now... have to spend the time and money on our new project - BABY!
Look! A rainbow! A sign of good things coming our way!



HB & me @ Parliament Hse
Me & Mag in our grad gowns

Me, Felix (our lecturer) & Mag
HB, Bern and Aaron are all geared up and ready at the 1st available row to take pix, video, etc. Our men are really good, we, girls just need to strut and smile!

As I sat waiting in anticipation to receive my Masters degree, many things came rushing to my head. I remember the 1st tutorial, the 1st exams, the crazy deadlines, juggling work, family and studies, etc, etc. I really wondered how I could have coped especially the last leg where I had to deal with morning sickness and studies. I really can't believe I did it finally and thinking back, well, it wasn't that bad. Luckily I had a good study partner, Mag. As these moments come flooding, I also could feel my emotions choking me and I felt some tears. Must be those pregnancy hormones!


I'm really glad to have come to Canberra for my graduation as it gave my hard work and perserverance a sweet closure. The ceremony was also very lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed. Wished mom, dad, Jenny and the girls were here too.



Waiting patiently and eagerly for our turns to receive our degree



Day 3 - Wed, 24 July 2006
After a long and exhausting but happy/satisfying day yesterday, we still had to wake up early to drive back to Sydney as we need to return the car by noon. So we set off with Bern & Mag to go to UC Campus for some pix taking and quick walk-about. The campus looks pretty old... but guess most Auz Uni are like that... a far cry from our NUS/NTU? Hmm..

Map of UC with Mag






With Mag inside & outside Faculty. Gosh! My face really spells 'preggy' in pix!









After reaching Sydney, we checked into Hilton and it's such a luxury compared to the Canberra one! Plush pillows and comfy bed and tip-top bathroom ... so shiok!!! Wah tonight I will sleep really well.


For dinner, Hb and me walked to Darling Harbour where we dined at this really nice & cozy restaurant, Meat & Wine Co. I had the yummy-licious Beef & Prawn BBQ Skewer. Just thinking about it and I can salivate. Hb as usual - conservative choice, he had Pork Chop. After dinner we had a slow stroll back to the hotel. The night was nice and cool so it was such a nice walk.

Yummy Food!



Day 4, Last Day - Thu, 25 July 2006

Finally, the day has come when we are heading back! I missed Enzo so much! Hilton Hotel Lobby is so nice right? Can't resist taking a pix of this huge fresh and dried floral arrangement ... if only you could smell its sweet floral frangrance!



Waiting at lobby for airport pick-up

Check-up before flying

Wow! Time really flies! I am now in my 12th week already! Baby, we have crossed an important milestone together ya? You must continue to remain strong and grow well and healthy in mummy's tum tum ok?

Everything is going fine for baby and me and Dr Gordon has also gave the 'go-ahead' for my travel.

Baby is now 6cm in length and from the scan machine, my EDD seems to have been brought forward to 23/1/07 and registers me as 13 weeks preggy!! So happy baby is growing well!

We will be leaving on Sunday night (23/7/06) and arrive Sydney early monday morning and willl drive up to Canberra. My graduation will be on 25/7/06, Tuesday in the evening at Parliament House. I'm so excited ... will be meeting Mag there. We have booked the same Motel to stay in.

Stay tuned for updates when I return!

Papa's 1st Soft Toy for Baby

Hb bought a little Golden Retriever puppy soft toy for baby today when he came home.

Baby can play with this first until he is bigger to wrestle with Enzo. I think Hb is training baby to be an animal lover so that he can be a vet in the making later? Keke! Isn't the puppy cute?

Canberra, Here I (we?) come!

The much awaited results are out and I've passed my exams and shall be graduating this July, so Canberra here I come!

More surprisingly, I managed to do even better this semester than the last although I was trying my best to complete and cope while battling morning sickness!

Maybe it is you, my baby who has blessed mummy with more intelligence and strength to overcome all these! In fact, I'm so happy and surprised that I managed to get 2 High Distinctions out of 3 modules for this semester - frankly, I thought I might even fail! Overall, I'm giving myself a pat on the shoulder - I think I have done well - my final results are :

• 2 Credits
• 2 Distinctions
• 2 High Distinctions

Can you see me smiling from ear to ear now !! :)

Thank you my dear hubby and baby for being there for me in the last year, particulary the last few months when work and study for my Master's was ABSOLUTELY CRAZY (weeks for baby) ! :)