Live From TMC

Nope, Lil Isaac is not here yet, but I hope soon.
I admitted at midnight and was wondering why the doctor choose this timing. It cannot be that he is still around at this time mah. Anyway, it is good also since I can tuck Lil Shauna to bed and spent the night waiting for Lil Isaac to come.

Upon admission, I was checked and was still 2cm dilated with no contractions. Was prepared and sent to the delivery ward.

I was strapped to the CTG machine to monitor Lil Isaac's heartbeat and contractions and was given medication via drip to induce labour. Daddy Lim decided to go home to rest and come back the next morning. We all know that this will take some time. He made the right choice cos I got minimal rest. Every now and then, somebody will come in to check on me, stock up on duno wat or the bp machine will act up to take my bp. -.o"

I have opted for epidural this time. I figured that it is not worth the pain especially when inducing might take forever. The nurse asked if I wanted epidural before the drip and I was taken aback cos this was never an option given to me when I had Lil Shauna. So, the kia si me opted for epidural to avoid all possible contraction pains. Well, I tried labour pains before liao and once a lifetime is enuff.

The contractions were weak and I was only 3cm dilated at 5am. -.o" Was praying hard for natural delivery and to be quickly dilated and suddenly my waterbag burst on its own at 6am despite the weak contractions. Hohoho.

The burst waterbag seems to kick in stronger contractions. I am now waiting and waiting. I can feel the contractions but they are still bearable. The contractions are pretty close apart and I wonder what auspicious time Lil Isaac will choose to come out. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

I See the Light!

Yes, yes, yes.. Hohoho.. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The doctor says that Lil Isaac is engaged. In fact, he was engaged since last week. No wonder I keep feeling that he headbutt my bladder and makes me go into some I-need-to-pee-now dance.

And I have dilated 2 to 3cm! Yes, I have been walking around dilated but not at all knowing. No feeling at all leh. Then again, some women walk around dilated for weeks!

I will be admitted to TMC at 12mn to be induced. Yes, it is still induction but at least my body has shown signs that it is getting ready for labour. The doctor will burst the water bag and I will just be waiting for the hour to come. I am excited.

Life will be different from tomorrow onwards for the Lim family. I am not sure if we are ready for the changes but have all been waiting for so long. Pls help to pray for smooth and natural delivery!

Mummy Lim

Still Not Yet Lah!

Mummy P, J and SY had been asking me every now and then if I have popped. And of course, the answer is "NO"!!!! Last night, while dinner-ing, Mummy L called me.

Mummy L: Eh, you give birth liao or not?
ML: (While trying to feast on my chay kway teow and oyster egg) No lah, haven lah. Why leh?
Mummy L: No lah, I was MSN-ing with YF and was wondering if you have given birth since I didnt hear from you mah.
ML: Haven, haven. You got read my blog or not? If I given birth I will update in my blog.
Mummy L: Got, but no entry on you giving birth mah.
ML: Ya lor, bcos I haven mah. Dun worry, read my blog lah. If I given birth, I will inform you all and update my blog de. Hurhurhur.

Hehe, my friends are all as gan cheong as me bcos Lil Isaac has been "stuck" in my tummy for the longest time.

And the verdict from today's check-up? No sign at all. Haiz.. Everything is well and Lil Isaac is probably about 3.3 to 3.4kg, which is about the same as the last check-up. Strong heartbeat, head still down and lower than last week. I forgot to ask if he is engaged and if there are enuff fluid cos I was turned off the moment the doctor told me that it is not today or anytime soon. -___-" No dilation also but cervix is soft. So, I am scheduled to come back to see him on 20th Oct 10, which is my EDD. If no sign of labour by then, the doctor mentioned that he will probably scheduled me to induce on 21st Oct 10. I was so glad to hear the last part. Hohoho.

Lil Shauna was much earlier and I was worried when I hit my 34 weeks that Lil Isaac will be pre-matured too. But I am already 39 weeks today and he showed NO signs of coming out. The doctor explained that Lil Shauna was extremely small and complicated case. So, we cannot use her as a yardstick. Lil Isaac is behaving like he is my 1st baby. -.o" And no coaxing or threatening on our parts help. I threatened to spank his backside and we even ask jiejie to tell him to come out but nothing happened. Sianz.. Of course we can try inducing anytime now since he is already a full-term baby but if my body and Lil Isaac are both not ready, it will probably be a very long labour, about 18 hours? And if inducing cannot get him out, I will end up in a C section, which I am not keen cos it will take time for wound to heal and time is something that a 2nd-time mummy doesnt have. I dun want to stay for prolong period in the hospital cos Lil Shauna will want me home and I already predicted that Lil Shauna will be sticky and want mummy to bao and this and that after Lil Isaac arrives. It will be hard with a C-sect wound. I supposed my body and Lil isaac will be more ready next week.

I can hardly wait for Lil Isaac to be out. I am clumsy and tired now. Walking around tires me. On so many occasions, I rather stay at home bcos I cant walk for long. -.o" There are so many things that I want to do with Lil Shauna. I want to bring her to swimming, to indoor playground, to the zoo, to shopping malls, etc., but I cant now. Sob, poor baby has to stay at home with me even before my confinement starts. Some of the Oct 10 mummies are already talking about their babies' full-month bash and I am still here wondering which great date Lil Isaac will choose to make his grand entrance. Why like that?

And I am still growing. -.o" I started my leave since last Thurs but still working from home and going back when there is a need to. Going to office tires me cos I get stuck at work the moment I step in and I get backache from sitting upright the whole day. But staying at home is bad too bcos I keep opening the fridge to find food. Hohoho. When Lil Shauna eats, I eat, when Daddy Lim, I also eat. When nobody eats, I still eat. And ice cream! When the weather is hot, I eat ice cream. When I bad mood, I also eat ice cream. Like that how not to grow leh? Hahaha.

Pls pray that I will deliver soon , hoping before EDD and I want to deliver naturally. Pls also pray for a short labour and a smooth delivery. Amen!

Mummy Lim

Another Weekend

It is another weekend with Lil Isaac in Mummy's tummy. Last night, I had insomnia and had such a tough time trying to fall asleep. Right before I drifted off, I was praying hard that I will pop soon, even that very night. I even commanded Lil Isaac to be engaged and to come out soon, but I still woke up with a big tummy this morning. Sian. Aiyo, when is it finally my turn?

We skipped church again. The extra kgs are weighing down on me, changing positions take tremendous effort and walking tires me out. I had to plead with ah yee to bring Lil Shauna swimming, which she agreed, heng ah. Poor ah yee was awoken early this morning to be dragged to bfast despite sleeping at 3am last night to rush assignment. So now, ah yee is monkeying in the pool with the princess while I sit under the shade and relax one corner. Hoho.

I hope the swimming will tired the energetic bunny and nap will come easy. By the time Lil Shauna is up, Daddy Lim should be home! Hehehe.

Hmmm.. Will things really get better when the little one finally arrives? I don't know actually. I don't know how Lil Shauna will survive during my confinement. I supposed Daddy Lim will have to bring her out on his own?

Mummy Lim

No Sign Yet!

Sob, sob. No signs yet. Lil Isaac is now 3.1 to 3.5kg (average 3.3kg). Still head down but not engaged yet. The doctor thinks that I should have another week to go. Boohoo for mummy. I wonder how much bigger he will be by next week. How to give birth to a big baby huh? Never try before. The gynea is not keen to induce me too since there is no urgent need to. Inducing might take forever now and leads to complications.

I am now strapped to the CTG machine to monitor Lil Isaac's heartbeat and to track contractions, if any. His heartbeat basically sound like horse galloping and it is hypnotizing. I think I am going to fall asleep soon.

Lil Isaac, this world is much prettier than mummy's tummy. Your jiejie is eager to see you too. Won't you pls come out soon?

Mummy Lim

Starting My Annual Leave

I have officially started my annual leave and will be on annual leave until my EDD. Apparently, God has not answered my prayer yet and Lil Isaac is still in my tummy despite me starting my week 38 today. -_____-"

Although on AL, I will still be working from home cos I cant finish my work. Sob, sob. But I only have 2 pocket of time to do so, i.e., when Lil Shauna is in school and when she takes her afernoon nap and taht will mean that I am forfeiting my nap as well. Hohoho. Let's see how hardworking I will be.

And I will be back in the office on Sat and next Mon to stand in. I have promised my boss that I would be back if she needs me, provided that I haven popped lah. We shall noe when I see my gynae later. Argghh, I wish I could pop soon. It is so tiring, I am so lazy to move around. Although I still have skinny legs and beautiful ankles this time, I walk like a penguin and feel like a whale constantly and I am growing out of my clothes, even the maternity ones! Perfect reason why I should hide at home.

Well, we shall see how things go. I wonder if I will be tortured to death by the princess or by the weather and go escaping back to office. Freaking hot weather, I tot it should be turning cooler by this time of the year? Shouldnt the monsoon rain be coming in? Our aircon is still on every night. I fear for my utilities bill. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Still Not Time Yet??!!

Boohoo.. The doctor says that there is no sign that Lil Isaac wants to come out soon. He is about 2.8 to 3.1kg (average 2.95kg) today, still head down but not engaged. I had expected that he is not engaged bcos I had been feeling his hiccups everywhere. Doctor says that Lil Isaac is still happily floating around, about 2 inches about where he should be. If I am to go into labour now, it will be a long labour and we have to worry about him coming out facing teh wrong way. -.o" Blood pressure is climbing at 120+/70+ but very acceptable. Pockets of fluid still visible. Conclusion: wait and see. -__________-"

I had so wanted to give birth. I was hoping that I will get good news at the checkup this morning. I would be glad if the doctor had told me that today is The Day, but no such luck. I think I should pray harder that God will allow Lil Isaac to be delivered in my 37th weeks. Hohoho. I feel like a whale now and constantly walked like a penguin and people have to tell me that my tummy is small. I wonder how mummies with big tummies move around. Hmm...

A few more reasons why I should give birth soon. Two weeks ago, I met a friend (haven seen her for a few years) in TMC when I went for my check-up. She called me and I couldnt remembered her name. It took me one day to recall her name and that is after I flipped some old stuff to find her name lor. Yday, my cheque to Citibank to pay the credit card bill was returned bcos I remembered to send them a cheque to pay for the bills but I forgot to date the cheque. I = winner.

Mummy Lim

Update @ 37th week

I am starting my 37th week today. I am supposed to go for my weekly appointment today but it was postponed to Saturday bcos the doctor was not free. I am pissed. I had been looking toward to the visit to find out how Lil Isaac is, especially since the low fluid scare. I am also looking forward to a day's of MC. Most importantly, I was hoping that the doctor will be able to shed some light on when Lil Isaac will be out! I am still praying that God will allow me to deliver naturally in my 37th week. If He allows, it is anytime NOW!

I am hoping so much that I will deliver soon. I feel huge and I walked like a penguin now. I find it difficult to entertain Lil Shauna now. I dread the thought of bringing her out on my own during weekends. I rather stay at home. The thought of traveling on public transport or walking already tires me out. Hohoho. And the frequent waking up in e night! When Lil Shauna stirs, I wake up, when I need to change sleeping position, I wake up too. I feel so hot in the night despite the fan blowing at me and this wakes me up. While i complain of the heat, Daddy Lim will be tightly wrapped under the blanket. -.o"

The worse of all is the anxiety that something might happen to Lil Isaac. Last night, he wasn't active at his usual timing and it got me so paranoid. I stayed up late to see if he would move, I shook my tummy, tapped here and there, changed my sleeping position, purposely squashing him a little, hoping to wake him up. He gave me a few lazy movements, though not good enuff to comfort me, I eventually fell asleep. And sleep was fitful. I kept waking up wondering of he is alright. And I had to dream about my waterbag bursting. I woke up from the dream, unable to go back to sleep for a while. -.o

Heng he was active this morning. Else, I probably would have rushed down to TMC. Then I experienced a painful cramp this morning. I had wonder if today is the day. I experienced another one almost 20mins later and we were contemplating of we should go down to TMC but worried that it is a false alarm and we will look silly. The crampy feeling kept plaguing me and a 3rd painful cramp hit me when I am in the office, more than 20 mins later. I couldn't tell if it was contraction cramps or tummyache cramp and I also heard about some mummies describing their labour pain feeling like tummyache cramps. But the pain went away after I visited the toilet. Hehe, worse alarm.

The Plan

It is now a waiting game. I am moving towards my 37th week and Lil Isaac is already of good weight. He should be fine even if he chooses to come out anytime soon. I have my hospital bag packed and it is already in Tiguan's boot. Every now and then, the thought of when and how will run across my mind. Exciting.

This morning, I was asking Daddy Lim on how do I get to TMC if I start getting contraction pains or if my water bag burst. Unspoken, I had expected him to drop everything and rushed to get me (wherever I may be) and send me to TMC. Afterall, Lil Shauna was delivered after 6 hours of labour and people always say that it is faster with the second kid. And our offices or home arent anywhere near to TMC. But his answer caught me by surprise.

He said that he will fetch me if we are in the office. Then he asked me if I would prefer to grab a cab instead and he can meet me at the hospital. Errr.. no, I dun think I would like to call and wait for the cab to change pass and tahan contraction pain in the presence of the taxi uncle and definitely wouldnt like giving birth in a cab if Lil Isaac cant wait. -.o"

Then he asked me if he has to drop everything and rushed to meet me. He said that he would still need to shower and change. -________________-" I burst out laughing. It seems that Daddy Lim had expected his son to be a good boy and to wait patiently for him to do grooming and take his time to pick mummy and send her to the hospital before making his grand entrance. Silly pappy. Pls, if I call and say that I need to go to the hospital, I meant it. Pls drop everything and pick me and send me to the hospital. I would like to give birth in the hospital and not anywhere else. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Updates @ 35/36 weeks

Lil Isaac is 35 + 6 weeks today and I went to TMC for my regular check-up this morning. Now, Lil Shauna is taking her nap and I am enjoying my quiet moments + the cool weather. It is so nice to sleep now and I think I will have a hard time trying to wake the princess later.

So, like the last check-up, we dropped Lil Shauna and MA at Centris in early morning and I boarded the MRT to Novena to catch a cab to TMC. Anyway, I have got time and I am sure that I will get a seat on the MRT (having board the train at Pioneer) and I can save $$. Then I saw this super disgusting OL on the train lor. She boarded the MRT at Boon Lay with a young malay couple with 2 toddlers. The OL and one of the toddler each took one of the corner 2 seaters and she fell asleep IMMEDIATELY. The young mother was carrying the other toddler and standing in front of the OL. The OL must be very tired cos she continue to sleep on. -.o" If I am the young mother, I would ask the OL to give up her seat. Haiz, how gracious Singaporeans are. Thereafter, the taxi uncle had to spoil my day. I boarded a cab at Novena Square. TMC is actually very near to NS and within walking distance but which heavily preggy woman will walk? Siao ah? The uncle cheerfully greeted me when I boarded his cab but his tone immediately changed when I told him that I wanted to go TMC. -______-" Then he gave me black face. Win liao. Double haiz.

Luckily, things went on well at the checkup. My BP is still normal at 105/51 and Lil Isaac continues to head down and weighs between 2.6 to 2.8kg (average 2.7kg). And of course, mummy is still growing with the baby. -.o" There are still visible pcokets of fluid and his heartbeat is still strong. There is absolutley no signs of him wanting to come out anytime soon and I wonder if that is a good news. I am still praying for him to come out naturally at 37 weeks. I must also work harder these few days to complete work still owing to my boss. Hohoho. I think my boss secretly wishes that Lil Isaac stays inside longer. Hoho.

Oh, Doc Kee mentioned that Lil Isaac might hit 3+kg when he comes out at 37 weeks and beyond. My 1st thought was how to push him out? I have never try delivering a 3kg baby! Lil Shauna was only 1890g at birth and I dont rem having an easy time delivering her and I teared so badly down there. -.o"

I am anxious to see Lil Isaac. Hehe. I wonder how will he look like. Will he be as cute as his jiejie? :)


Mummy Lim

Updates @ 34/ 35 Weeks

Lil Isaac is starting his 35th week in mummy's tummy today. Lil Shauna was borned at gestational week 34 + 6. Thus, I was feeling so jitterly the last few days, hoping that Lil Isaac will stay inside longer than his jie jie and he did. Hohoho.

I went for the weekly checkup yday and we are both still growing. :) Lil Isaac is estimated to be 2.1 to 2.5kg now (average of 2.3kg). He was only about 1.98kg a week ago. And so, he's definitely growing well. He has head down and pockets of amniotic fluids can be seen during the scan. According to Dr Kee, based on his feel (pressed here and there), Lil Isaac should already be 2.5kg, but I better take his guess with a pinch of salt. My BP is very much normal. All in all, everything is good and well and I can continue to keep Lil Isaac and to see Dr Kee next week. I am a happy mummy.

However, I wasnt feeling that well yday. I was feeling very much breathless since morning and had to concentrate on breathing properly. Then, my tummy was constantly tight. I already felt indigestion but greedy me still down a mini slice of mooncake and peanuts and nuts before dinner and my system got stuck. -_____-" I was feeling so miserable the whole of last evening and night. Lil Shauna makes things worse. I was hoping to sleep through and feel better but woke up at 2am to puke. I heard many of the Oct 10 mummies complaining of going through the same thing as what they had in the 1st trimester and I am wondering if I am getting that too. But I never puke in my 1st trimester leh. I puked again this morning, triggered by the kopitiam food smell. I hope it is not gastric flu, which is so super contagious. I dun want Lil Shauna or anybody else to fall sick!

Mummy Lim

Updates @ 33/ 34 Weeks

We went for the assessment scan yday. The week's wait was horrible. Lil Isaac is still growing and so is mummy. -.o" The scan shows that he is on the skinny side, at only 1977g at 33 + 6 weeks, when most babies would have been 2kg+. He has a small tummy circumference, just slightly above the 5th percentile, suggesting that there is a slight slowed down in growth. The amniotic fluid is also slightly reduced. My Amniotic Fluid Index (AFL) measures 8.4, which is within the acceptable range of 5 to 25. So, Lil Isaac is still safe in my tummy. :) I was actually a little worried that I will be ordered to do C-section yday after the scan. Hohoho. Thank you, God. However, I cannot stop wondering why both my babies are so small when they have such huge parents. Hmm...

My gynae will be monitoring me closely and he hoped that Lil Isaac will be at least 2.5kg when he is finally delivered. I am hoping so too and continue to pray that Lil Isaac will be delivered naturally when he is full term and of good birth weight. :) I will be seeing my gynae again next week. I supposed he will monitor me on a weekly basis from now on. I am asked to go TMC for these visits as he is suppposed to have some better software in his scan machines in TMC. Errr.. both his scan machine (at TMC and JP) look the same ko ya to me leh.

Lil Shauna got to see Lil Isaac too yday. She is more aware of what is happening now but was more interested on why mummy is baring her tummy than the images on the screen. She kept asking, "What is mummy doing?" throughout the short session. :) And oh, I finally have my confirmation that Lil Isaac is a boy. I never find out his gender again after the detailed scan at 20 weeks. Hehe.

I will continue to drink lots of water everyday and hope that it will help. Hopefully, Lil Isacc will continue to grow until full term and the level of amniotic fluid will be maintain. Yeah, 3 weeks to full term. I am counting down.

Mummy Lim

Updates @ 32/33 Weeks

Lil Shauna came when she was merely 34 + 5 weeks. She was pre-matured and weighs only 1890g then due to my preggy complications. She spent 2 weeks in NICU and another week in the nursery to gain weight before coming home. When she left the hosiptal, she was only 2020g and was even smaller than most newborn when we had her full month celebration.

I had feared that I will have similar complications too when I was preggy with no. 2. I had been praying hard that I will not get high BP or pre-eclampsia and God was kind to me. Yday, my bp measures a healthy 101/56. :) When I asked Dr Kee about the possibility of another pre-matured birth, he thinks that Lil Isaac would probably stayed till full term and will be heavier than his jiejie since there is no sign of complications. However, the scan showed that he is very small. -________-"

At 32/ 33 weeks, he was only 1.5 to 1.9kg. I think most baby at 32/ 33 weeks are already above 2kg. The last visit at 30 weeks, he was already 1.3 to 1.5kg. Yes, his growth should be starting to slow but his weight gain is not ideal. And the level of amnio fluid seems to be on the low side. I am ordered to go back next week for an assessment scan, which should be able to tell more.

This is the 1st complication in this pregnancy and I suddenly felt oppressed. This pregnancy had been so great that I forgot how to handle such crisis. Still, Lil Isaac is heavier as compared to Lil Shauna. At 32 weeks, she was only 1.4kg. And I understand the logic completely that if the baby is not growing well in my tummy, he is better off outside. Lil Shauna was once such a fat baby, she is still slightly chubby now. :) But, I wasnt 100% at peace at the knowledge of the fact. Well, there is nothing much that I can do but to pray and to wait for the scan next week. If the amnio fluid is really too low, then I supposed the doctor will suggest to induce or C-section the baby at an earlier date. Hmmm, I was still hoping for natural birth. And we have to think about the huge medical fees if Lil Isaac is pre-matured and requires NICU at TMC. It will be almost $1k a day. -_________-" Maybe I should go to a NUH or KKH instead for 2nd opinion and cheaper birth? Pray..

The doctor also reminded me about monitoring the baby's movement and to rush to the hospital if I detected no movement. I supposed he will say this to every mummy in their last trimester, but it got me so paranoid that I kept trying to remember if Lil Isaac moved yday. -.o"

And my mum! As usual, she thinks that it is bcos I am eating too little or carrying Lil Shauna too much. No lor, I have already gain 11kg and am eating OK plus carrying Lil Shauna doesnt affect the baby size. She kept nagging at me yday and made me eat so much. In the end, I couldnt stomach dinner and had such bad indigestion last night. Hahaha. My SIL mentioned that she had durians when her gynae told her that Felicia is also on the small size and my mum wanted me to try too. Hmm, I think the weight will go to me lor. That was what happened with Lil Shauna. The doctor said that she was too small and I ended up increasing my food intake so much and all the weight goes to yours truely. She was still as small. Hohoho.

So, prayer requests!

1. No high BP
2. No pre-eclampsia
3. No pre-matured birth, that Lil Isaac will come out when he is in his 37 weeks or when his organs are matured enuff.
4. Good birth weight (anytging above 2kg is good, so that he doesnt need the NICU).
5. No birth complications.
6. (New!) That I will have lots of Breast Milk. Moooo....

Mummy Lim

I Feel Like A Whale

Lil Isaac better be growing well bcos I am feeling so uncomfortable. When I was with Lil Shauna, all the nutrients go to mummy and she was so small despite her growing mummy. My tummy was really small then. With Lil Isaac, I think my tummy is bigger, or at least I feel that it is bigger and I am only in my week 30/31. I am starting to feel so big recently and clumsy and slow. I take time to move around.

Lil Isaac is active now. He doesn't do his karate moves like his jiejie, maybe bcos there is not much space left but it feels like he is rolling and squirming about. My tummy feels so tight, as if he is trying to burst through. It is uncomfy. And he gives me pain, maybe he is trying to stretch my tummy to create more space. -.o"

I am almost there, praying that God will keep him until week 37, which mean I have another 6 to 7 weeks to go. Jia you!

Mummy Lim

Updates @ 29/30 weeks

I went for the routine checks on last Thursday but Lil Shauna had been keeping me so busy that I haven been able to update.

So, Lil Isaac is good. He is probably about 1.3 to 1.5kg, which is of an average weight and definitely heavier than his jie jie. Lil Shauna was only about 1kg when she was at 30 weeks. The best part? My blood pressure (BP) remains normal! In fact, it is a little low. I only measured 98/66. God has been faithfully answering my prayer for normal BP. The blood test shows that glucose is normal but I am low in iron, which is not new to me, since I am Thala minor. The nurse didnt even bother to prescribe iron pills on the account that I am Thala minor since the pills probably wun help much. The next visit will be when I am in my 33 weeks.

I asked again for confirmation that Lil Isaac is indeed a boy. We were given a 95% confirmation during the detail scan and Dr Kee did confirm shortly after the detail scan but I have heard of so many "wonderful" stories of baby changing genders. However, Dr Kee wasnt able to see again. In fact, he never saw Lil Isaac's gender again after the detail scan. Boy or girl, we will love no. 2 all the same. In fact, Daddy Lim prefer girls, just that she will end up dressed in blue lor. Hohoho. And like I always maintain, boy or girl, 2 is more than enuff. I dun think I am capable of surviving another pregnancy unless God is so gracious to us. ;p

Lil Shauna came at 34 + 5 weeks. I am already in my 30th week. If Lil Isaac come as early as his jie jie, I will be giving birth in 5 weeks time wor. The tot is actually scary. We are not at all prepared. I havent even bought the basic neccessities and my hospital bag is not pack. But we also believe that God will keep Lil Isaac in my womb until full-term, i.e. at least 37 weeks. And he will not give me pre-eclampsia.

I am adding on 2 more requests, that I will know for sure when I am going to give birth. The last time, I was rushed to the A&E. This time, I really duno what to expect and I pray that it will not be something ugly, like waterbag bursting whilst waiting for the MRT train. -.o" I am also praying that there will be no birth complications. The last time, I lost a lot of blood bcos my uterus didnt shrink back.

Realising how fast Lil Isaac will come, we are starting to prepare for his arrival. He will sleep with M after he comes. Mummy Jo, Daddy Lim's friend, has generously passed us a big bag of hand-me-down after reading one of my earlier shameless post for hand-me-downs. Hehe. We have more than enuff clothes for Lil Isaac and M will be starting to hand wash the clothes. I must soon start to get my hospital bag together.

Physically, other than the fact that I feel like a whale now, all is good. I have put on 9.5kg so far, which means that the initial target of 10kg overall weight gain is not possible. -.o" But I am doing much better as compared to the last pregnancy. I am starting to have very disturbed sleep. Other than the fact that I take longer to fall asleep now, I wake up very easily from the stirring Lil Shauna, to the need to pee to having to change sleeping position. But it is Ok, I am almost there liao. I am anxious to get rid of the big tummy. It is very much in the way. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Updates @ 26th/ 27th week

We saw Lil Isaac this evening. :) It had been 3 weeks since we last seen him and we are excited to see him again. God has been gracious and my BP remains good at 116/60. This is so much better as compared to when I had Lil Shauna. Lil Isaac is about 1kg, his weight had doubled since 3 weeks ago. He is probably still a little on the low side but Lil Shauna was only 800+g when she was this old. Thank God. Dr Kee mentioned that Lil Isaac is growing properly, that he has a strong heartbeat, is active and has lots of water to swim in. Great! So, the next visit will be 3 weeks later in TMC. By then, he should be about 1.4 to 1.6kg.

I am getting anxious as the big day draws near. Yes, I am a 2nd time mummy but the 1st time happened too quickly for me to react. Labour was done in 6 hours. I heard that the 2nd child always come faster than the 1st and I hope I will have time to rush to the hospital. Hohooho. If God allows, I am opting for natural birth with epidural this time. I really have no idea what to expect. For Lil Shauna, I was already lying in the hospital bed when I felt my 1st contraction and when the water bag burst. I often wondered how embarrassed it will be if my water bag is to burst while I am outside, like when I am waiting for the MRT? -.o" I better start praying for contractions to happen at the right timing.

We have just decided that I will deliver at TMC. The last time, I had wanted to opt for TMC too but I ended up in NUH. Dr Kee delivers in both TMC and Mount A, both hospitals are just as far from our place, but at least Daddy Lim is familiar with the route to TMC and there is shopping center nearby if there's really a need to kill time. Similarly, if complications are to take place, I will check myself into NUH. If Lil Isaac is of a good weight and no birth complications, I hope to check myself into a 3D2N luxurious stay in TMC. At least I have something to look forward to after my last road trip to Malacca. ;p Daddy Lim is willing to foot the bill. He said that this is likely be the last time that I am preggy. Hehe.

As the pregnancy progresses, I also am going through an emotional roller coaster. I was upset over the maid's issue recently and also the childcare arrangement when the new maid comes. In a few days' time after the new maid's arrival, I may need to leave Lil Shauna alone with the maid and I am worried. Then, I am also frustrated about the arrangement when Lil Isaac comes along. There are simply too many unknowns now and I get unsettled. Just this evening, I actually felt sad that I have to send J away. Sad not bcos I cannot bear to let her go but more so that she will be upset at my decision. And as I was having dinner, I felt an unexplainable sadness. Haiz.. Lil Zu-Le aka Isaac is supposed to mean Joy and Laughter and here am I working towards a depression. -______-" I must be positive, I must be happy. I better go and hand my problems to God now.

Mummy Lim

Preparing for Lil Isaac's Arrival

I am now 25 weeks according to my calculation but 26 weeks in Dr Kee's record. The 3rd trimester starts in the 27th week and I am very near. That is also when the all the aches and pains and tiredness come back until the baby pops. I think I am almost there. Although no aches, I am so, so tired. I could hardly keep my eyes open after lunch, it was a constant battle with the Zzz monster. It is worse nearing bedtime, I have to make special effort to stay awake to blog, like tonight. Otherwise, I will be stealing sleep while Daddy Lim tries to entertain the princess and I will wake up for the last leg of patting her and singing her to dreamland. I am so grateful that Daddy Lim is back on day shift.

However, this pregnancy is also so much better than the last one. The last one was so eventful and I suffered high blood pressure (BP) by 16 weeks. The high BP not only zapped me of my energy but also gives me dizzy spells. And when one of the dizzy spells hit, I cannot tell if it is bcos of my low iron or my blood pressure shooting, making myself worrying sick and further aggravating my BP. It was one big vicious cycle. This time round, I am so much more "bouncy", so much so that some of my colleagues who haven seen me for a while didnt dare to ask if I was pregnant for fear that I am not and merely put on weight. -.o" Errr.. yes, I am just plain fat and the tummy is my spare tyre and I have a big beer belly. Hohoho.

As 2nd time parents, we are also less anxious. I remember how we had endless things to buy for Lil Shauna before her arrival and we were constantly shopping for this and that. This time, Lil Isaac's shopping list is so uber short. Well, he can always use jie jie's stuff. We have bought him a few pieces of rompers and some new home clothes, new bottles, spare parts for my breast pumps, BM storage kit and those are about all.

Mummy P has passed us a bag of hand-me-down recently and I was so excited when I saw some of Lil Shauna's old clothes in them, those more unisex ones. So, the stuff did go one round and really came back to us. They brought back so much memory. :) The hand-me-down seems too little and this cheapo mummy did not immediately top up with new purchases. Instead, she shamelessly asked Daddy Lim to sms his friend who just gave birth to pass us more hand-me-downs, even when their new baby is a lady, Well, who says boys cant wear pink? At home should be Ok lah. ;p

I have also kept some of Lil Shauna's old clothes that we liked a lot. Most of Lil Shauna's old clothes, we gave away or passed to ah yee to sell I dont see much reason for keeping, even if no. 2 had been a girl. Then I have reasons to buy more new clothes for no. 2 mah.



So, it was another walk down memory lane when I unpack those old clothes to add on to ah yee's flea market collections. It only reminds me of how fast Lil Shauna is growing up.

We have been trying to tell Lil Shauna about Lil Isaac, whom we fondly address as "LeLe". She knows that there is a baby in my tummy and will sometimes go "sayang LeLe" when she stroke my tummy. However, she still gies "no no" when we remind her that she is going to be a jie jie soon. -.o"

Just today, when my mum asked her where is LeLe, she pointed to her own tummy. Hohoho. And when I asked her to sayang LeLe, she actually stroke her own tummy. I am waiting for Lil Isaac's kick to be really strong before getting Lil Shauna to feel him. He is already starting his karate kicks but not consistent. It is too tough to ask Lil Shauna to sit still and wait.

So, it is just 14 to 15 weeks to go. Although I had history of prematured birth, I am praying for God to bring Lil Isaac to full term and trust that He will. Amen.

Mummy Lim

Small Tummy

I was with my mum when I met a colleague yday in Suntec. She was carrying a belly too. We stopped and asked about each others' belly. ;p I got to know that she will be delivering in Dec 10 while I told her that I am due in Oct 10. So, I should be at least 1+ months ahead of her. It is probably the clothes that we were wearing, cos her tummy does look almost as big as mine. And she too joked that her tummy looks bigger.

We went on our way and my mum started kpo-ing about my colleague's due date and stuff. Oh, she's expecting a boy too.

Then my mum got worried and commented that my colleague's tummy looks bigger when she's due later. And my mum started questioning if Isaac is growing properly. -________-" Great...

Haiz, what can I say? Yes, Isaac is a little below average, but my BP is normal and so I am actually not worried about his size. And Lil Shauna is an excellent example that we can compensate for the baby's low weight when the baby is out. Lil Shauna was constantly at the 5 percentile while she was in my tummy and now she's a healthy big baby who definitely takes after her gigantic parents. She can envy about her petite friends in the future just like how I did when I was younger. She is now 13kg and is taller and bigger than Felicia who is 5 months older. In fact, she's bigger than most of her peers.

I think I better start wearing clothes that shows my tummy, then nobody can complain about my tummy being small. In fact, I think my tummy is really big, bigger than when I had Lil Shauna. Ok, let's be contented. :) And I amke actually starting my 6th month. In just 4 months' time, I will be due! Scary...

Mummy Lim

Quick Update at 23+ weeks

We saw Isaac last night. He was active and in a werid posture, which makes measurements difficlt. A rough guide, he weighs between 520 to 570g, which is a little on the skinny side. Dr Kee says that he should be ideally 600g. I am not too worried cos I am supposed to be 24+ weeks preggy in Dr Kee's chart but I think I am probably only 23+ based on my ovulation date. And I know that we are in God's good hands. :)

There was no re-assurance that Isaac is a boy. We can only hope that God dun play a trick with us. Lol. All else are fine. There are lots of fluid and Isaac is active. Most importantly, my BP remains normal at 116/76! Hohoho. I was praying hard just before they took my BP. :) Yes, I noe it was a last minute effort, I will spend more time trusting God now. Oh, and healthy weight gain too. I have gain 6kg so far. Even Dr Kee realised that I am monitoring bcos at this time the last preggy, I was heavy and I started off lighter. Yeah, praise God for His protection!

Mummy Lim

A Bad Fright

Lil Isaac was unusually quiet yday. I tot I didnt feel him move after the pig-out session at Mummy Leong's place but after a long day, I was too tired to care much.

On Monday morning, I was conscious. Lil Isaac was quiet at the time that he usually moved and I got worried. I shook my tummy, I poked my tummy, I talked to him but he didnt seem to move. Or I will feel a bubble of 2 now and then and I couldnt sure that it was him. Even if it is, it was too mild to comfort me.

I was so anxious that I called the clinic to ask if I could see Dr Kee in the evening. Unfortunately, he did not have night clinic at JP on Monday night. If I want to see him, I would have to travel to TMC before 4.30pm. -.o" I was a little too busy to leave office and Tiguan was in VW workshop for servicing. No time + no car = terrible combination.

Luckily, Lil Isaac started moving a little after lunch. I was soooo glad to feel him. I remembered some mummies mentioned that eating sweet stuff will make the baby active. I duno if it has anything to do with sugar rush but I ate my colleague's chocolate and made myself a cold and really sweet ribena. I think it worked and he started moving, enuff to comfort me by early afternoon and stopped me from rushing down to TMC. Phew.. cold sweat, man.

He was active too in the night. I think he likes to hear his jiejie's voice. He was active while I was talking and singing and playing with Lil Shauna. I was much comfortable and went to bed a happy mummy. :)

Lil Isaac must have felt bad for yday, cos he moved alot today to compensate for the quietness yday. In fact, I kept feeling him move. The feeling is wonderful. Hehehe.

Mummy Lim