9.30am: Faint movement
10.45am: Wriggle
12.45pm: Movement
2pm: Movement
5.45-6.15pm: Wriggle and dull kick
8pm: Wriggle
10pm: Wriggle
12.30am: Movements, faint kicks
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
19 Nov: Kick Diary
9.30am: Moving about
10.10am: Little kick.
12.30pm: Moving about
1.15-2:15pm: Restless movement
4.10pm: Gentle kicks
5pm: Movement
5.45pm: Dull kicks
8pm: Movement
12.30am: Wriggles and other movements
10.10am: Little kick.
12.30pm: Moving about
1.15-2:15pm: Restless movement
4.10pm: Gentle kicks
5pm: Movement
5.45pm: Dull kicks
8pm: Movement
12.30am: Wriggles and other movements
6.5 Months and Counting
Two days ago, it was time for your monthly checkup with Dr. Guna. So Daddy and I went over, as usual, full of expectations of how much you'd have grown.
The good news is, Mommy's put on 3kg and you're the right size in all the important departments - length, width, head-wise, etc. He didn't say you were "advanced" like Aunt Murni from Mommy's office. Due originally on 22nd December, she's now going to give birth on the 10th because Khalif Lucas is actually the size of a 38-week-old baby although she's only 34 weeks pregnant. In fact, his growth has stabilised in the last two weeks - he was "size 36 weeks" when she was just 32 weeks!
Dr. Guna did a 3D scan on you - your skin now looks thicker and your face seems to have filled out a bit :). And while you were kissing my placenta the last time, you were holding onto the umbilical cord this time. And boy, did you look cute.
Dr.Guna says I'm officially moving into the 3rd and final leg of the journey - 3rd trimester. So Mommy's in for some aches and pains. From ankle swelling, cervix aches from all the weight you'll be gaining on behalf of me, lower backaches for the same reason, and of course, in due time, lack of sleep due to the pressure on my bladder which means multiple visits to the loo throughout the night.
This is the time for Mommy to be extra alert to your movements, too. You're supposed to move rather regularly throughout the day or at least in the morning, afternoon and nighttime. I hope you won't get too rough in Mommy's womb and get yourself entangled in the umbilical cord. That will definitely cut off your oxygen supply and get you gasping.
If you see a light and hear a gentle voice, telling you to be safe, or just calming you down - and it sounds too manly to be Mommy - then that will be Jesus. He is looking after you and making sure you're developing well till it's time for you to see the world.
You'll be arriving in time to know the world has her first African-American President of the USA. So you are coming into a world of Hope. Not so sure about the country you'll be born in however.
Nevermind.
Maybe you've been called into existence by God to make a difference to your country.
How big a difference depends on God's plan for you and how you respond to it. :)Having said that, however, Mommy and Daddy are praying to God everyday to remove our weaknesses so we can set the best possible example for you.
It's going to be a long journey but I'm glad we're on it together, with good friends around.
The good news is, Mommy's put on 3kg and you're the right size in all the important departments - length, width, head-wise, etc. He didn't say you were "advanced" like Aunt Murni from Mommy's office. Due originally on 22nd December, she's now going to give birth on the 10th because Khalif Lucas is actually the size of a 38-week-old baby although she's only 34 weeks pregnant. In fact, his growth has stabilised in the last two weeks - he was "size 36 weeks" when she was just 32 weeks!
Dr. Guna did a 3D scan on you - your skin now looks thicker and your face seems to have filled out a bit :). And while you were kissing my placenta the last time, you were holding onto the umbilical cord this time. And boy, did you look cute.
Dr.Guna says I'm officially moving into the 3rd and final leg of the journey - 3rd trimester. So Mommy's in for some aches and pains. From ankle swelling, cervix aches from all the weight you'll be gaining on behalf of me, lower backaches for the same reason, and of course, in due time, lack of sleep due to the pressure on my bladder which means multiple visits to the loo throughout the night.
This is the time for Mommy to be extra alert to your movements, too. You're supposed to move rather regularly throughout the day or at least in the morning, afternoon and nighttime. I hope you won't get too rough in Mommy's womb and get yourself entangled in the umbilical cord. That will definitely cut off your oxygen supply and get you gasping.
If you see a light and hear a gentle voice, telling you to be safe, or just calming you down - and it sounds too manly to be Mommy - then that will be Jesus. He is looking after you and making sure you're developing well till it's time for you to see the world.
You'll be arriving in time to know the world has her first African-American President of the USA. So you are coming into a world of Hope. Not so sure about the country you'll be born in however.
Nevermind.
Maybe you've been called into existence by God to make a difference to your country.
How big a difference depends on God's plan for you and how you respond to it. :)Having said that, however, Mommy and Daddy are praying to God everyday to remove our weaknesses so we can set the best possible example for you.
It's going to be a long journey but I'm glad we're on it together, with good friends around.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Things You Should Know About Daddy
There are fathers and there are, well, daddies. "Father" sounds serious. And brings intimidating, sullen and quiet types of men to mind. You, well, you have a...Daddy.
Daddies like your Daddy are good men. But they are hardly intimidating, sullen or quiet.
I don't want you to grow up being disillusioned that all daddies are like your grandfathers. Those are true blue fathers. They "look" fierce and don't feel very comfortable hugging (but I don't think they have the same problem with grandchildren so do go on and jump on them when you like).
Back to your Daddy. Here are a few things you should know and understand. Especially if your friends' dads are more fathers than daddies.
1. Daddy believes in good grooming. And this includes investing in good products to keep the skin clean and soft and trouble-free. He is very particular about what he puts on his skin and this explains why he has a cupboard full of creams, lotions and serums while Mommy only has half a shelf of them. There is nothing wrong with this; he's just different from most. And it's okay to be different because it means we really are as special as God means for us to be.
2. Daddy is faithful to the sport of football. There will be months in the year where you will find him glued to the TV, not only watching the actual match but replays, highlights and commentaries. In fact, Daddy will also buy DVDs on all the matches played by his favourite club - Manchester United. So if you do not happen to grow up liking football, don't worry; Daddy is not abandoning you. He will make up for all the times he has lost with you somehow. However, if you can't wait for football season to be over, just stand in front of the TV while the match is on and do the "Little Aidan Needs Some Lovin' Show". He'll play with you, I just know it. (It has worked with Mommy, though not all the time.)
3. Daddy is a good sport. When Mommy first met Daddy, he was a cool kind of skunk. He liked all sorts of cool music. And he wore cool clothes (he still has lots of cool clothes but you already know that). Mommy, however, had a collection of soft toys I didn't want to throw. I didn't think your cool Daddy would embrace Mommy's "furry friends" but as you can see from this picture here, he not only embraces them but loves to hold them once in a while. I'm sure there will be one day when you think soft toys are boring. Just remember, it's not good to buy things you like only to put them away after a while because that means we don't appreciate the things that have been given to us.
4. Daddy can be very pleasantly surprising if you show him lots of love. Mommy used to cook a lot for the both of us. When Mommy got pregnant with you, he decided to cook for the three of us instead.
The pictures here show his "Caprese Salad" and the "Lemon Rocket Pasta with Shredded Chicken". Yes, you've tried both of them and I think you actually enjoyed them. :)
There are many other things about Daddy that you should know about. But most of all, you need to know that he is a good, honourable man. He is Mommy's inspiration when it comes to loving and caring for other people. This is not to say that he is a perfect Daddy. No, nobody is perfect, not Mommy, not you. That's why it's important to be humble and accept that we can always be better. As long as we have that attitude, we will have peace and joy.
Daddies like your Daddy are good men. But they are hardly intimidating, sullen or quiet.
I don't want you to grow up being disillusioned that all daddies are like your grandfathers. Those are true blue fathers. They "look" fierce and don't feel very comfortable hugging (but I don't think they have the same problem with grandchildren so do go on and jump on them when you like).
Back to your Daddy. Here are a few things you should know and understand. Especially if your friends' dads are more fathers than daddies.
1. Daddy believes in good grooming. And this includes investing in good products to keep the skin clean and soft and trouble-free. He is very particular about what he puts on his skin and this explains why he has a cupboard full of creams, lotions and serums while Mommy only has half a shelf of them. There is nothing wrong with this; he's just different from most. And it's okay to be different because it means we really are as special as God means for us to be.
2. Daddy is faithful to the sport of football. There will be months in the year where you will find him glued to the TV, not only watching the actual match but replays, highlights and commentaries. In fact, Daddy will also buy DVDs on all the matches played by his favourite club - Manchester United. So if you do not happen to grow up liking football, don't worry; Daddy is not abandoning you. He will make up for all the times he has lost with you somehow. However, if you can't wait for football season to be over, just stand in front of the TV while the match is on and do the "Little Aidan Needs Some Lovin' Show". He'll play with you, I just know it. (It has worked with Mommy, though not all the time.)
3. Daddy is a good sport. When Mommy first met Daddy, he was a cool kind of skunk. He liked all sorts of cool music. And he wore cool clothes (he still has lots of cool clothes but you already know that). Mommy, however, had a collection of soft toys I didn't want to throw. I didn't think your cool Daddy would embrace Mommy's "furry friends" but as you can see from this picture here, he not only embraces them but loves to hold them once in a while. I'm sure there will be one day when you think soft toys are boring. Just remember, it's not good to buy things you like only to put them away after a while because that means we don't appreciate the things that have been given to us.
4. Daddy can be very pleasantly surprising if you show him lots of love. Mommy used to cook a lot for the both of us. When Mommy got pregnant with you, he decided to cook for the three of us instead.
The pictures here show his "Caprese Salad" and the "Lemon Rocket Pasta with Shredded Chicken". Yes, you've tried both of them and I think you actually enjoyed them. :)
There are many other things about Daddy that you should know about. But most of all, you need to know that he is a good, honourable man. He is Mommy's inspiration when it comes to loving and caring for other people. This is not to say that he is a perfect Daddy. No, nobody is perfect, not Mommy, not you. That's why it's important to be humble and accept that we can always be better. As long as we have that attitude, we will have peace and joy.
Friday, October 31, 2008
A Moment of Panic
We went for the last of the antenatal classes on Tuesday. These are classes Daddy and Mommy are taking to prepare for your arrival in the world.
(Yes, there is no button to push whereby you just conveniently slip out of me in 3 seconds.)
Anyway, this last class was on "Pain Relief & the Process of Labour".
I think many mommies in the class changed their birthing plan after this session from "No epidural" to "Please pass the epidural or I'm bringing my own supply of Morphine".
An epidural, by the way, is a form of local anesthetic that's injected into the spine to numb the lower part of Mommy's body from pain. It's supposed to help Mommy give birth to you without a lot of screaming and harm to daddy.
I know Mommies and Daddies are supposed to be strong enough to face anything and everything. But you're coming out of a pretty tiny hole in Mommy's body. And even though it's meant to automatically stretch, there are cases where the muscles there are stiff.
(This is where Mommy might yell in pain.)
Sometimes the gyneacologist will do an "episiotomy" - or a cut - to help the hole expand more for you to come out. This requires stiching up after you're well and truly out of Mommy's tummy.
(These are two possible situations whereby Mommy could yell, too. And maybe cry and dig my nails deep into Daddy's Biotherm-softened skin.)
At this point, even Mommy wishes that a stork really delivers babies to the doorstep of parents' homes. But don't let anyone tell you that it's "sissy" to be scared. Fear is a natural defense mechanism for human beings that helps us make choices for survival. It is unnatural to not be afraid sometimes. Even for superheroes (just watch Batman with Mommy).
Anyway, after that lesson, the nurses took us around the Maternity and Labour rooms. Daddy felt his knees go weak when he saw the demonstration of how the pregnant Mom would lie on the bed.
I hope he doesn't faint because that would mean Mommy has two babies to take care of! Yet, deep inside, I know your Daddy would end up being inquisitive and ask the gynaecologist lots of questions as he and the midwives bring you out.
(Yes, there is no button to push whereby you just conveniently slip out of me in 3 seconds.)
Anyway, this last class was on "Pain Relief & the Process of Labour".
I think many mommies in the class changed their birthing plan after this session from "No epidural" to "Please pass the epidural or I'm bringing my own supply of Morphine".
An epidural, by the way, is a form of local anesthetic that's injected into the spine to numb the lower part of Mommy's body from pain. It's supposed to help Mommy give birth to you without a lot of screaming and harm to daddy.
I know Mommies and Daddies are supposed to be strong enough to face anything and everything. But you're coming out of a pretty tiny hole in Mommy's body. And even though it's meant to automatically stretch, there are cases where the muscles there are stiff.
(This is where Mommy might yell in pain.)
Sometimes the gyneacologist will do an "episiotomy" - or a cut - to help the hole expand more for you to come out. This requires stiching up after you're well and truly out of Mommy's tummy.
(These are two possible situations whereby Mommy could yell, too. And maybe cry and dig my nails deep into Daddy's Biotherm-softened skin.)
At this point, even Mommy wishes that a stork really delivers babies to the doorstep of parents' homes. But don't let anyone tell you that it's "sissy" to be scared. Fear is a natural defense mechanism for human beings that helps us make choices for survival. It is unnatural to not be afraid sometimes. Even for superheroes (just watch Batman with Mommy).
Anyway, after that lesson, the nurses took us around the Maternity and Labour rooms. Daddy felt his knees go weak when he saw the demonstration of how the pregnant Mom would lie on the bed.
I hope he doesn't faint because that would mean Mommy has two babies to take care of! Yet, deep inside, I know your Daddy would end up being inquisitive and ask the gynaecologist lots of questions as he and the midwives bring you out.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hello, Baby
So this is kind of what you look like.
Wow. And to think you were just a little bean sac not too long ago :).
I'm thanking the Lord that you're kissing my placenta like it's the tastiest buffet you've ever had. Because that just means it's giving you what you need.
One set of your grandparents - that would be Mommy's parents - have seen this picture of you (yes, you have two sets). But both sides are so excited about you. Daddy's parents think about you everyday and call him just to tell him that. And mine are buying little button-down bodysuits for you.
Dr. Guna says you've got a long femur. So that could mean you're going to be a basketball player. Or a male model. Daddy's praying hard you will be the former.
I'm just over the moon that all your main internal organs are looking normal: Your brains, heart, kidney, lungs, bladder, lips. Although of course, your lips aren't exactly an internal organ. Apparently, some babies develop a cleft which makes eating quite a challenge for them, poor things. And some develop a hole in their hearts. Anyway, we'll pray for them together.
Dr. Guna also says that your movements will be erratic at best for now. This must explain why you were doing a lot of Cirq de Soleil moves last week but just a lot of pirouettes this week. I'm supposed to monitor your movements more closely next week which means keeping an eye and ear out for your thumping and kicking.
For today, your movements are as such:
9.10am - 5 little kicks.
2pm - 2 faint little knocks.
6.45pm - 3 little prods.
7.30pm - 2 little kicks.
9.30pm - 1 little push.
10.30pm - 2 little knocks.
Looks like you're going to be a nightowl.
Bringing You Up Isn’t Just a Sunday Affair
What a week it has been!
Mommy’s partner (and Boss) was away so I couldn’t go home early.
This means no exercise for the past 7 days.
Not good.
I promise to make it up to you this week, ok? I know when I exercise, both you and I benefit: You get a healthier environment to grow in and Mommy doesn’t balloon into a whale and get into all sorts of difficulties while giving birth to you.
Yesterday, Mommy had a very interesting experience at a Positive Parenting workshop with Aunty Hsian and Uncle Srihari.
This “Children Are From Heaven” workshop was again Aunty Hsian’s idea (you’ll meet her and discover what a fun Aunt she is when you’re born).
Your dad was on house-chores-and-visit-parents duty so he wasn’t with us.
Anyway, it was a 9am till 6pm session and Mommy learnt heaps of ways on how to bring you up properly.
First of all, you’ll be happy to know that nothing about a cane or feather duster was mentioned.
We might show you what they look like, though, so you know what Daddy and I have gone through before.
You see, when we were younger, your grandparents would cane us for a variety of reasons. Mostly, it was for lying about being Top 5 in class (sometimes we were 8th or 9th!) and trying to kill our brothers. But generally, it was for being naughty.
How times have changed.
In fact, these days you’re allowed to make mistakes, be different, want more things, be emotionally negative, and even say “No” if, let’s say, you’ve been asked to clean your room. Of course, this is only as long as you know that both Daddy and Mommy are the Bosses. What does that mean? Well, simply that sometimes there’s no negotiation, and you just have to do what we ask you.
Isn’t that cool?
You’ll also be happy to know that we believe that every child should have room to be naughty and mischievous. You’re just trying to learn what you can do and what you can’t. But see, that’s also why Daddy and Mommy need to teach you what is right and wrong.
Doing what is right can give joy to yourself and other people.
Doing what’s wrong can land you in jail.
There are no toys in jail. No friends. And no pizza, either. Think about that before you chuck a fit and your dinner at Mommy’s or Daddy’s face.
At the end of the day, just know this: We love you very much. And so does God Who decided to give you life (and your parents a chance to nurture and shape that life). And it’s only because of love that we hope you’ll grow up well adjusted, well mannered, and happy. (With no criminal record.)
Mommy’s partner (and Boss) was away so I couldn’t go home early.
This means no exercise for the past 7 days.
Not good.
I promise to make it up to you this week, ok? I know when I exercise, both you and I benefit: You get a healthier environment to grow in and Mommy doesn’t balloon into a whale and get into all sorts of difficulties while giving birth to you.
Yesterday, Mommy had a very interesting experience at a Positive Parenting workshop with Aunty Hsian and Uncle Srihari.
This “Children Are From Heaven” workshop was again Aunty Hsian’s idea (you’ll meet her and discover what a fun Aunt she is when you’re born).
Your dad was on house-chores-and-visit-parents duty so he wasn’t with us.
Anyway, it was a 9am till 6pm session and Mommy learnt heaps of ways on how to bring you up properly.
First of all, you’ll be happy to know that nothing about a cane or feather duster was mentioned.
We might show you what they look like, though, so you know what Daddy and I have gone through before.
You see, when we were younger, your grandparents would cane us for a variety of reasons. Mostly, it was for lying about being Top 5 in class (sometimes we were 8th or 9th!) and trying to kill our brothers. But generally, it was for being naughty.
How times have changed.
In fact, these days you’re allowed to make mistakes, be different, want more things, be emotionally negative, and even say “No” if, let’s say, you’ve been asked to clean your room. Of course, this is only as long as you know that both Daddy and Mommy are the Bosses. What does that mean? Well, simply that sometimes there’s no negotiation, and you just have to do what we ask you.
Isn’t that cool?
You’ll also be happy to know that we believe that every child should have room to be naughty and mischievous. You’re just trying to learn what you can do and what you can’t. But see, that’s also why Daddy and Mommy need to teach you what is right and wrong.
Doing what is right can give joy to yourself and other people.
Doing what’s wrong can land you in jail.
There are no toys in jail. No friends. And no pizza, either. Think about that before you chuck a fit and your dinner at Mommy’s or Daddy’s face.
At the end of the day, just know this: We love you very much. And so does God Who decided to give you life (and your parents a chance to nurture and shape that life). And it’s only because of love that we hope you’ll grow up well adjusted, well mannered, and happy. (With no criminal record.)
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