512

12 May 2009 is Jeremiah's birthday and it coincides with a disaster in Sichun last year where many children died when their schools collapsed during an earthquake. It was horrible and I could still remember watching news on 11 May night where the children's parents are still questioning the China government on this matter. I felt very emotional when watching the news, being a parent, I can imagine how angry the parents feel and the grief they bear to lose their children prematurely ... I sincerely hope time will heal their wounds and justice would be done some day.

Anyway, the EDD for Jeremiah is 22 May and I asked my mum to come over early May so that we can do some shopping for the herbs needed during confinement. My mum chose to come over on 12 May, thinking the little fella will not come so early. It was such a coincidence that this fella DID choose to arrive on 12 May as well! I could still remember calling my mum at 8am on 12 May to tell her that the baby is likely to arrive today and she was so surprised! Of course Daddy and her had to do last minute shopping for all the herbs and stuff but everything was manageable.

12 May would now be a special day for our family where an unexpected fella came to join our family.

Breakfast Party @ Summer Academy

Sofia's school organized a gathering for all the parents today. I was very excited when they informed us a week ago cos there will be a performance put up by the kiddos! I know my confinement is not over yet, officially not allowed to leave the house, but I am not going to miss Sofia's performance for anything!

So. I sent Sofia to school this morning with her grandparents to join the party. The moment I step into the school with her, she stuck to me like super glue. If I was just two feet away from her, she will start going "Mummy! Mummy!" then grab my legs like a koala. I thought things would get better after a while but she was still the same.

Needless to say, she did not want to join in the performance. Fortunately, her principal took a video of the kids during rehearsal and I enjoyed the video very much. I hope Sofia would not be so shy next round and I can watch her perform live for me!

Here is the video of her in her principal's blog:
http://yanesly.blogspot.com/2009/05/parents-day-at-summer-academy-damansara.html

Enjoy!

Jeremiah @ 2 weeks

Jeremiah is starting to put on weight and it starts to show first on the cheeks. He is exclusively being breastfed right now and we are stuck to each other day and night, just like best of friends.

My Birth Story

11 May

It was a regular Monday and Daddy went with me to the bi-weekly checkup at TMC. The sonographer did an ultrasound scan for me to check on the baby and everything was fine. But we did have some difficulty getting a proper look at his head, cos it was really "low". Dr Lie did an internal examination to check for dilation but there was none. But the check was really painful, cos he stretched my cervix during the examination. My gynea back in Kuching also used this trick to "induce" labour so I was very familiar with the pain. I really do not like it and it made me walk cross-legged after the checkup.

It was 11pm and Daddy and I were relaxing on the sofa, munching on some tidbits. Suddenly I felt a gush of discharge and it made me jumped. I thought my water bag had broke but it was not. I assumed it was nothing major so I went to bed as usual.

12 May

5am - I was awakened by a very strong urge to poo while sleeping. Did I eat something not right? I tried to ignore the urge but it came again and again. I woke up, grabbed a cup of warm water and rested on the sofa. Then the contractions started. I timed the contractions, they were 10 mins apart.

6am - I woke Daddy up and told him about the contractions. I decided to take a hot shower first and it felt good. Somehow hot shower really helped to ease the contractions.

730am - Daddy sent my in-laws to the wet market to top up the food supply at home.

830am - Daddy and I sent Sofia to school together with the hospital bag in the car. On the way, I called my gynae to inform him of the situation. He asked me to take my breakfast first and go to the delivery suite at TMC to monitor the situation, he will meet me there at 10am. We dropped Sofia off at school and went to Damasara Utama to have some noodles. By this time, my contractions were about 5-7 mins apart.

10am - I got myself checked in to the delivery suite, hooked up on the CTG machine to monitor my contractions and baby's heartbeat. The doc arrived soon after and check on my dilation, there was none. We guess it was a false alarm after all. However, as my contractions were pretty strong, the doc advised me to stay on so that the nurses can monitor the situation.

3pm - I tried to make myself comfortable on the sofa and keep myself entertained with the TV but I was getting very bored by then. I wanted to go home. One of the midwife came by and helped me time the contractions. It was irregular, some were 5 mins apart, some were 7 mins. But they were coming on really really strong.

6pm - I asked the midwife again if I could go home, she offered to check on my dilation, in case labour has indeed started. After checking, it was confirmed labour has started, I was 4 cm dilated! Then everyone sprang into action. My gynae instructed the midwife to break the water bag and I had to decide if I wanted epidural. I remembered the pains I had during labour the last time so the chicken in me opted for epidural. I called Daddy and told him labour has started, come to the hospital soon.

630pm - The anesthetist arrived and prepared epidural for me, shortly after, my water bag was broken. I wondered how long would it take for me to reach full dilation - 10pm? I was feeling hungry by then but no food was allowed already.

800pm - The midwife came to check my dilation again, I was 8cm dilated already! I was getting very nervous. She went to call the doc again while I called Daddy again to ask him to come quickly.

815pm - Daddy, my mum and my father-in-law arrived, phew! The delivery team went into full swing to prepare for the baby's arrival.

830pm - The doc arrived and I was fully dilated already! The team got ready and the rest was up to me now. I had to coordinate my pushing with the contraction and honestly, I do not know how to push! I tried to push with all my might but it was not done correctly and ended up with a big red face. The midwife, Shirley, was very encouraging and gave me very specific instructions on how to breath and push. It was also a correct decision to turn off the epidural but I could have done it earlier. After many unsuccessful pushes, I think I managed to catch the ball and with two proper pushes, Jeremiah was out!

There we have, a proud grandma and a delighted grandpa at 920pm!

Our New Bundle of Joy

Hi Everyone, pls meet our son, Jeremiah. He was borned on 12 May 09 at 9:20pm at Tropicana Medical Centre under the wonderful hands of Dr Aldrin Lie. It was a beautiful and smooth birth experience and the delivery team at TMC did a fantastic job!

Here are more pics of the little one.

Team A

Team A arrived today from Kuching, i.e., my in-laws. They would be playing a very important role during my confinement, my mother-in-law would be the main chef for the family and my father-in-law would be the "chauffeur" of the house.

But most important of all, Sofia is very close to my father-in-law and we hope his presence would provide extra company to Sofia.

Week 38 - Hospital Bag

Week 38 - My hospital is finally in place. Actually I had all the stuff needed, just had to pack them in a bag to grab and go!

Labour Day?

Pregnant women are known to get Braxton Hicks contractions in the third trimester as the body starts to prepare for labour. I recalled mine started in the 7th month for Sofia's case, but this time round, I did not experience anything until today, Labor Day, 01 May. I thought today was THE day.

The contractions happened a few times today and every time it happened it made me very anxious and it felt like my heart was stuck in my throat. Then I would change my position or have a drink, hoping its frequency will not increase. I am truly not prepared for the arrival at all right now.

Fortunately the fake cramps faded away and the little one is still squirming in my tummy at night time. Good boy, pls stay in there till week 40,ok?