A Valentine's Day Baby?

"You're going to be unhappy with me." said Doctor Guna at our appointment yesterday.
"Why?" we asked.

He'd just scanned you in Mommy's womb, and given me an internal examination to determine the size of my hip area as well as the readiness of my cervix to deliver you into the big, big world. The results? You're 3.1kg now, a good weight. Your head has gone down quite low but it's not locked in position yet. Mommy's cervix is kinda ready but not fully yet. Sooooo...it looks like you're all snuggled up inside, thinking you're at the Alila resort, and not ready to leave HQ until maybe another 2 weeks' from now.

So, back to Dr. Guna and some news he has yet to tell us.

"I have to go away starting next Tuesday and I'll be gone for a good 10 days; something personal has cropped up."

The good doctor then proceeded to tell Mommy and Daddy that there's a choice to wait till you come out naturally, in which case, he had a good replacement doctor by the name of Dr. John Wong. Or alternatively there's the BIG "I" word - inducement!
Inducement really means he'll help you come out earlier with pills and other methods. It's perfectly safe, too, he said.

Not many people opt for inducement because it's kind of artificial. Or "unnatural" if you like. Plus Mommy certainly doesn't want to put you through any unecessary stress if you're actually still floating blissfully about in the warm amniotic waters of your private Bahamian holiday. But it's also good having a familiar doctor who's well known for his skills at a time so important as labour!

We hope that this is God's will. That He has presented us with this situation for a reason, and therefore protect you as you travel along the birth canal. We hope that Mommy's cervix will dilate properly after the first inducement as Mommy doesn't want too many drugs inside me too even if they may not affect you. We hope, also, that Mother Mary and St. Gerard will be on hand to calm you and ease you into your first glimpse into this alien world, and first breath of oxygen.

In order to have plenty of time for you to make your grand arrival (sometimes it takes a while!), Mommy's getting admitted tomorrow night (Friday). And they're hoping that you'll be out by Saturday afternoon or evening (with Sunday as standby, of course).

If you do come on Saturday, you'll be born on St. Valentine's Day, a kind of universal Day of Love celebrated across the world. Not that it's a must that you arrive on that day, of course, because very day is a good day to love someone! But you might want to have a private chat with Mommy's Godfather about why you ended up being a "Love Baby". He's the one who predicted long time ago that you'll be born on this day.

There's nothing to be ashamed of, you know.

How many kids get to symbolically represent such a beautiful gift from God as Love?

The Case of the Polyp and the Bowling Ball

It's now week 36 Baby Aidan. Mommy's into her 9th month, imagine that. In about roughly 3-4 weeks (give and take 2) you'll be in Mommy's and Daddy's arms.

But what you don't know about the last 3-4 weeks!

Firstly, Mommy had slight bleeding the night Aunt Hsian and Uncle Srihari took us out for dinner. A checkup the next day revealed a minor infection in the cervix so Doctor Guna treated it on the spot. It stung a bit of course, but as far as you were concerned, everything was fine! We saw your cute little chubby face - now filled up with a bit of fat. Your head has been down for the past month and you're also displaying the right "presentation" so far: anterior, which is to say, you're facing inward towards Mommy's spine and will come out looking down at the labour bed, not facing the sunshine.

Daddy was a little startled by your face; for a moment he thought it was too broad and your nose, a little disproportionate. But he was quickly assured that you are normal and it was all due to the camera angle.

Anyway, at the next checkup, all was still fine with you and Doctor said you were about 2-2.2kg in size.

Then two days later, Mommy started bleeding a little again! Sigh. There were no contractions so Mommy knew you weren't in trouble. The doctor simply asked Mommy to go home, relax and observe the "spotting" patterns. Meanwhile, before doing that, he also asked Mommy to drop by the Maternity Ward at the 2nd floor to make sure you were indeed OK, so Mommy was hooked up to the CTG scan again to monitor your heartbeat for 30 minutes.

After three days of experiencing the same "spotting", I couldn't wait any longer. What if it were something more serious, right? So Mommy and Daddy brought forward our appointment with the Doctor and saw him last Friday. As it turned out, there was a polyp growing in Mommy's cervix!

A polyp is a little soft, spongey growth that's mostly harmless, but does occur commonly during pregnancies due to the many hormones that are running around Mommy's body.

The doctor had to take it out with a special instrument and send it to the lab for inspection. He also took a swab of the cells there to send for checking. Just, you know, to make sure all was fine before the delivery. Boy, did it hurt when he did that! Luckily your Daddy was there. And luckily I didn't yank Daddy's hand off either. But I guess it was good practice for the actual day that you arrive :D After that, we did an ultrasound scan on you again and Doc said, "Well, what d'ya know, he's developing just fine!" You were about 2.4-2.5kg at that point. He also mentioned that you were slowly moving downward towards the birth canal.

It might be a coincidence then because since that afternoon, Mommy has been finding it more difficult to walk. In fact, what Mommy has really been doing for the past few days is more appropriately called "waddling". You'll know what I mean when, one day, I point out to you how little ducklings walk. As for the "feeling", it's like having a bowling ball wedged between Mommy's legs and one that feels like falling out. What's a bowling ball? Hmm, Mommy will have to take you bowling one day to show that to you, too!

Meanwhile, for the next few weeks, Mommy's going to be resting a lot more. If you want to get out of Mommy's tummy sooner, do give Mommy some clear signs, ok? No feeble little Braxton Hicks contractions ok? Mommy needs all the cues she can get.

I know you might be a bit nervous too as it's your first time. Don't worry, it's Mommy's first time, too!

Can Baby Speak Dunstan?

Not to long ago, maybe two months or so back, Mommy accidentally caught an episode of Oprah Winfrey on televsion.

Oprah Winfrey is a famous talk-show host who makes a lot of money helping people.

Anyway, a lady called Priscilla Dunstan was the guest on the show. Why? Because she was an acclaimed "Baby Whisperer" who had discovered a way to decode or translate the cries of a baby.

In short, she knows what a baby is trying to say with each different cry!

Her discovery is since called "The Dunstan Language".

To prove that she was not just tricking lots of anxious, clueless first-time mommies the world over, she showed her skill to about 8 women with their babies in a special part of the episode.

To one mommy, she said, "Hear the dry "e" sound to your son's cry? That would be the "eh" that means he needs to be burped. Said mother immediately props her baby against her shoulder and rubs his back. And automatically, the little boy stops!

To another mommy with a little girl, she said, "Oh she's got a "h" at the beginning of her cry. Try changing position so she can get more comfortable."

In the next minute, after the mommy moves her little girl to another position, she's quiet!

Here is the simple guide to the most common cries of a baby:

* Neh=”I’m hungry”
* Owh=”I’m sleepy”
* Heh=”I’m experiencing discomfort”
* Eair=”I have lower gas”
* Eh=”I need to burp”

Aidan, when you're born, I'm hoping that you speak Dunstan. Because every mommy who knows your Mommy tells me that the first 3 months are the most anxious. It's the period of your parents trying to know you better. And this includes trying to understand what you need from us.

Having said that, both your Daddy and Mommy are looking forward to the adventure. I'm sure you'll be spraying pee all over us. And you'll be giving us a few scares here and there.

Whatever you choose to do, don't give Mommy the biggest scare: fall in love with Manchester United. Now, that's two words you don't have to say. Ever.

(Heh heh).

A Big New Year to Change

At last visit, the good doctor said you were 'advanced' by a week. That's just a big word for 'big for week 32'. But Mommy's not complaining. Aunty Murni's baby, Lucas, was 3.2kg 4 weeks before her due date! He ended up tipping the scales at 3.7kg on 12 December.

That's why she had to deliver through her tummy in a simple operation.

Total weight gained since beginning of Mommy's pregnancy: 12kg.

I don't know how much of that came from the pizza, chicken rice and hokkien noodles I ate in the earlier part of the pregnancy. But I'm glad I managed to squeeze in some good stuff, too. Orange juice. Almonds. Prunes. Vegies. All sorts of fresh fruits from papayas, mangoes, bananas and honeydew to watermelon, apples, grapes and strawberries.

No wonder Dr. Guna said you were about 1.8kg two weeks ago and estimates you to round up at 3 -3.2kg at birth. Apparently that's still okay for a natural delivery. So we'll see if that's how you're meant to arrive.

Mommy's friends and colleagues don't think I look 'big'. They don't think I'm having a harder time walking these days - except for maybe Aunty Hsian who's ever mindful of my step whenever we are together. But I am catching my breath even on slow walks these days so you're not exactly an apple pip in the universe that is Mommy's womb.

Do you know, at this point, you're about 4-6weeks away from meeting your Daddy and I? While Mommy is anxious and a little nervous about the whole procedure, we are really excited about your birthday.

Everyone's trying to guess what you'll look like, of course. The bet is that you have Daddy's curly hair and big eyes and Mommy's quirky, introverted nature. But Mommy's secretly contemplating a lot about how our lives will change. When I think deep enough and have the courage of the saints, I realise my life was made for the gift of you.

John the Baptist (no, you're Aidan John of St.John the Evangelist and author of the Gospel of John), proclaimed to the Pharisees and Jewish leaders about Jesus that "He must increase, and I, decrease." He said this to underscore the importance of Jesus' teachings, life and glory over his own, even though he was himself a powerful prophet.

In the same way, your little life will become the centre of Daddy's and Mommy's own.

Our work ethic, our dreams, our decisions will all have a new purpose: You.

Many personal pleasures will be denied or compromised to accommodate your wellbeing - physical, mental and spiritual.

Many old habits will be replaced by new ones.

It will be a big change for both of us as we have been independent for so long. Even if the last few years have partly been dedicated to the lives and comfort of others.

But you are our calling. The fruit of the Marriage vocation which is itself a service to God. If we can impart all the love and teachings we have ever known from God, the family and friends He has placed in our lives, you will grow up to be the person He has called you into existence to become.

And like Simeon in the Temple when Joseph and Mary presented baby Jesus for santification, I would then say, "You can release me now, Lord for I have seen the salvation you promised the world."

Okay, okay, maybe not as dramatic but I think Mommy and Daddy would be able to pack our fake Louis Vuitton bags and go for that 2-month Amalfi Coast vacation then, wrinkles and saggy skin and all. :)

Immediate Family You Should Know

Today is Christmas Day! It's the birth of Jesus Christ okay, and not Santa Claus. Without Jesus, Mommy and Daddy would not have been born.

Or met.

Or gotten married.

And hence, created you.


When you celebrate your first Christmas in this world, we'll show you pictures of Jesus. Although, we don't think He's really so fair because He lived in the middle east where most people have darker skin.

Daddy and Mommy started the day by opening presents near our Christmas tree. Daddy pretended to be surprised by the shoes I got him (he was there when Mommy picked it out for him). He was truly surprised by the New Order Collector's CD I got him though. As Mommy has repeatedly mentioned to you, Daddy loves music.




Mommy received a silver bracelet with a teddy bear on it. It's the cutest bracelet ever. Daddy knows Mommy likes little trinkets. We also opened Mommy's Godpa's presents for us - a book for me and another CD for Daddy. Lovely.

 















Then we went to collect the Christmas turkey one set of your grandparents ordered earlier. Turkey is what most people end up eating for Christmas lunch or dinner. It's a big bird, what else can I say? Although I admit it's not as big as the yellow Big Bird on Sesame Street.

 
Lunch was at your grandparents' home in Taman Megah. The guests who turned up included Mommy's parents (your other set of grandparents), your great-grandmother (Daddy's mom's mother), Uncle Victor (Daddy's mom's brother), Uncle Brian (Daddy's brother), Aunty Angeline (Daddy's brother's wife), Uncle Raj and Aunty Prema (Aunty Angeline's parents).







Remember what Mommy says in the morning about respecting your elders? Well these are some of the people you must learn to respect and love because they're family.

"Elders" - people older than we are - make mistakes but we must still be courteous to them as this is the mark of a person with inner strength and humility.









There was a lot of laughter during lunch. It was also nice this time because Aunty Angeline's parents were with us. Aunty Angeline is going to marry Uncle Brian in January 2009. So it was a good opportunity to get to know her parents.










Daddy's mom made fish cutlets, a curry chicken plus a lovely coleslaw. She also bought some roast pork from the market. Mommy contributed a potato salad. It was all quite delicious and I'm sure you'll agree: you moved quite a bit for the next few hours. Uncle Brian saw Mommy's tummy tremble while you wriggled, and got excited.










After lunch, we all moved to the living room where we exchanged gifts. Daddy's Mom made jokes about how her presents must have come from a RM5 shop. She also exclaimed that our gift of cufflinks to Uncle Brian was the most exciting gift, probably because it was something expensive.

As you grow older, you'll notice Mommy and Daddy stressing on the importance of "giving from the heart". You could give a hug to Mommy and I'd feel as if it cost a million ringgit. And while many people in this big world may not feel like that, Daddy and I believe it should be the way.

Gifts aren't measured by the price tag on them but the sincerity with which they are given. That's why we hope you'll understand if we say NO when you want a really expensive toy.

 


Learn to appreciate things of value, not of high cost - a smile, words of encouragement, a card, trees and animals, books, friends, rainbows!

It's not easy but when you've been touched by God's spirit, you will understand.


 

It's Technically Your First Christmas!

Last weekend, Daddy and Mommy decided to put up a tree for Christmas. It would be the first tree in our home. And technically, since you "exist", it would also be your first tree and your first Christmas.

We had fun picking out the ornaments at Jaya Jusco in One Utama, one of the big, big malls near our home.

You didn't "protest" too much either so we figure we picked the right stuff.

Our tree has little pastel coloured drums, little pink ornamental balls, mid-sized lime green ones and also large gold and cloth-woven ones. We almost forgot the little pine cones, which always seem to impart a traditional, woodsy mood to any tree. Then there are stars - silver ones and blue ones; and also some snowmen, a sock and a reindeer.

It's simple, not at all glittery and glamorous like the ones in the shopping malls but I guess it's a tree that reflects our personalities - homey, ecclectic, with a bit of shine and sentimentality.

I wonder what your personality will be like?

Even though you have been getting more active in Mommy's womb, you haven't treated the walls like a punching bag. Friends who gave birth in their late thirties tell me that "mature" babies behave more maturely. It seems they have a "sense" of what to do and what not to do.

There's no proof to any of this of course. But it's still fun to wonder.

We don't need you to be perfect, Baby Aidan. Every human being has his or her own cross to bear. We are given some years in life to move towards a better version of ourselves. And in that time, we learn from mistakes made, we learn to be comfortable in our skin, to know who we are, to share our best parts with friends and loved ones, and to finally gain peace and joy - which is a deeper and more lasting form of happiness.

As Christmas is a time of hope and expectations, our wish is for you to be healthy, happy and loving. You are the star on top of our "tree" and we'll do our best to keep you safe and help you achieve the person you're meant to be.

Merry Christmas dear one.

God is with you.

The Story of Your Kicks

Ever since you started making your presence felt in Mommy's womb, I figured you were a pretty calm, gentle baby. You'd move, squirm, wriggle and give little tiny prods and kicks but they never "rearranged my insides" if you know what I mean :)

Plus, you tend to be quiet in the afternoon, too, only gaining momentum right about 8pm and escalate into a bit of an aerobic workout around 10:30m - 11pm.

Well, today, Mommy learned you have secret Jujitsu moves that pack a punch. All 4 kicks came while Daddy and I were praying for you in the car, with the last being a 9.0 if ever the Richter Scale could be applied to "babyquakes".

I actually felt sore inside for a good 15 minutes after. And wondered if my stomach was still the same shape as before.

Don't get me wrong - I'd rather you Bruise Lee me than not move at all. Which therefore brings me to the little scare we got in the evening.

As Mommy said, you normally get pretty active from 8pm onwards; if I balanced the TV remote on my tummy, nobody would call me a nutcase if I said it would soon become a "dancing remote". Well, after the Jujitsu performance, I didn't expect you to go all quiet on me. But that's exactly what you did.

You went all silent. And the only sound I heard were those of my gastric juices digesting the chicken I'd eaten for dinner. Of course Mommy decided that this was "out of your pattern". But as I didn't want to panic, I waited to see what God was trying to tell me. 9 o'clock came. Then 10. Nothing - all was quiet on the Plains of Wombus Maximus.

Mommy then told Daddy about it and together we spent 30 minutes calling out to you, talking to you, singing to you - and if you recall a strong yellow light almost blinding your new little eyes - well, that was our attempt to get a response from you with a flashlight.

At 11pm, we decided that you were either too tired from your Jujitsu performance or struggling with the umbilical cord around the wrong places. So we drove to the hospital to make sure it wasn't the latter.

The sound of raging "horses" spluttering out of the machine was so reassuring! At an average of 140 bpm, your heartbeat told us you were doing fine. The machine didn't allow us to see you but it was equally good to hear you.

As you can see, it's not easy being a Mom. There are little things to watch out for every single month of the 9-month pregnancy.

Mommy's next checkup at the gyne's is on 15 December. Hopefully, my blood sugar levels will be normal or else I wouldn't be able to feed you rice, bread or anything sweet like chocolates, cincau and fruits.