Cely 完美的一天

Baby Blair is now 8 weeks old

Today mark the day she is 8 weeks old. 8 weeks sound really little but we are enjoying every moment with her. She has brought us a lot of joy!

We never weighed her since she was born. We only have her weight and height taken during the day she arrived. 2 days ago, we brought her for check-up and injection (6 in 1). Finally measurement and weight is taken. She is now 5.35kg and 58cm tall.

Doctor said she is fine. She is growing perfectly according to her age. There is a health booklet given by hospital marking things we (new parents) should know about our baby on their developments, what dosage should be taken at which day, etc. It’s very useful.

The Check-up

Doctor run a series of check-up on her, making sure everything is alright before we bring her for injection. Checked the size of her head (to see whether she is growing at the proper rate), checked her heart and lung, vision and hearing, examine her from head to toe front to back to ensure she is healthy and meeting all the developmental milestones. Doctor also asked us a series of question like do I breastfeed her, if she suck well, the frequency of bowel movements, etc. All these checking will be recorded in the health booklet for our reference

The Injection

The 6-in-1 injection (DTP+IPV+HIB+HEP B vaccine) was the most painful part for her and for us. She cried very loud, the whole face red like tomato when the nurse poke the needle to her thigh. There was another nurse trying to distract her with some musical objects. We were so heart-pain looking at her crying face. So helpless. Luckily she is a brave girl, she did not cry for very long, she stop crying within 2 minutes, but still showing sad face as if she is trying to complain to us about how pain was the injection. Pain and cute at the same time.

The Development

At this stage, she start smiling a lot. Especially when we play or talk to her. She responded with smile and her baby language (a a e e o o). Her eyes will follow the moving objects, although she may not see them clearly. She will also look for what she heard. These are the developments so far.

I am really glad to have myself participate in her growing period. I extended my maternity leave for one more month to stay with her and watch her grow further.

Some pictures of Baby Blair from week 5 to week 8.

Full Moon

Days passed by really fast. It has been a month since I deliver. It was a whole new experience for me and HK (and my family) this whole month.

Besides the confinement, which were alright for me except few rules that I really can’t obey, taking care of newborn is a challenge! Overall, Blair was not too difficult to take care of, she does not cry much. She has been pretty gentle to us, except when she was really hungry, she will scream a little.

Confinement

Well, there were a lot of rules to follow especially chinese. The common one will be no shower, no washing hair, no fan, no plain water, no walking or standing too much (must rest and sleep on bed as much as possible), no go out of the house,  cook food with no salt, only ginger/sesame oil/rice wine, etc etc. Everything for one month or some has follow for 40 days.

How to live with that kinda rules in Singapore when the weather is so hot. I know my mom, MIL, grandma and auntie are basically a bit upset when I insist to on the fan (did not blow directly to me) and aircon in my room, they worry I will be suffering when I am old. They warn me to rest on bed but I was kinda active for whole month. By resting on bed basically to protect the back. I ask for shower because I cant stand my oily hair after not washing for 1 whole week. I’ve tried to hold as long as I can for not showering and washing my hair. But it’s soooooooooo dirty and smelly. Although I did not shower, but I did clean/wipe my body everyday because I am breastfeeding my girl.

Towards the end of confinement, me and HK went for few movies. I know people will question and say I will know the consequences in future. I will take it all at my own risk. At least I am comfortable of what I am doing now. Let’s say I follow everything now, and I am still suffering from backache in future, then how? A lot of man suffering from backache also when they are old, what does that means? They didn’t even go thru confinement what.  That’s what I’ve been thinking la, not to say old folk’s tale not valid, they must have their own reasons. Blah blah blah.

For food/drink wise, I am fine to follow. I don’t mind eating and drinking the same thing everyday. I’ve been eating porridge (lunch) everyday for almost a year when I was trying to go slimmer for wedding day last time. That’s my record. Hence, less worry for my MIL who has been taking care of me. :)

Finally she arrived

On 10th of March 2011.

Overdue for 4 days. That day was supposed to be a check up. I did not expect my gynae to break the water during the check up and send me to labor room.

We went for the check up as per appointed. Nothing was discussed earlier what will be done during the check up. My gynae did mention about induce labor if I haven’t deliver by due date but never mention when.

We went there thinking doctor will discuss with us when to induce and explain the procedure. But unexpectedly, when she did the vaginal examination, she told me I’ve only dilated 2cm. The moment she finished her sentence, I felt the flush of warm water. Then she smile to me, “I’ve broke the water, will send to you observation room then wait for delivery, it will either be tonight or tomorrow morning.” We were there unprepared. We did not bring the ‘hospital bag’ that I packed.

My heart sudden beat very fast. It’s like she is coming out at any second.  After a while, I was pushed to observation room to monitor the contraction. It was my first time sitting on wheel chair. I was told the observation will take 20 mins and will be pushed to labor room. Me and HK still haven’t eat anything because we always take breakfast after the check up.

HK was not allowed to enter the observation room. So he gotto wait me outside doing nothing. Being inside the observation room was very boring. I have few wires stick on my tummy to monitor the contraction. I can only lie on the bed. So I start whatsapp-ing my colleagues, friends & HK and facebook-ing. The whole observation took about 4 hours before I was pushed to labor room, reason being there was no room availability due to too many people came in for delivery.

Luckily my girl take her time. I did not feel anything (contraction) for the whole observation session even the nurse told me my contraction was frequent. Probably too mild.

I did not feel nervous or anything in the observation room. But the man outside waiting for me was very nervous as he did not know what happen to me in the observation room. :p

After four hours of waiting at observation room, I was finally being pushed to labor room for induction labor. Finally HK can be with me. Upon reaching the labor room, I was given a drip. This will help to increase the contraction pain. For the first 2 hours on dripping, I felt the contraction, but still bearable. I started to feel very pain (on the scale of 7-9 of 10) for the 2 hours before my girl came out.

Due date plus 2

40 Weeks + 2 days

Colleagues were surprised to still see me working when I’ve passed my due date. For the experienced one, off coz they will never ask. For the younger one, they were very concerned about me. They worry suddenly my baby come out or something.

Friends also have been very concerned about me. SMS, whatsapp, MSN message, FB message me asking if I delivered.

My dad and father-in-law also kept asking if I delivered already.

Although I keep repeating the same thing, but I must not lose my patient. They were just showing their concern. Giving me support. I’ve been explaining to everyone who ask me.

Yes, I’ve passed my due date (6th March). According to my gynae, if I am not delivered by Thursday (10th March – I’ll be seeing her again), she would recommend me to do induction labor. There are no particular reasons why baby passed due date. She still actively moving in my tummy.

I’ve done a lot of reading about pregnancy passing due dates and induction labor. Don’t worry about me, I am fine. Baby is fine too.

Luckily I am still working, else waiting at home and doing nothing, it will be a waste of time. Moreover, I don’t feel uncomfortable, backache or anything. Just tired only. Like not having enough sleep. The eyes are dry looking at computer screen.

So I guess, I’ll definitely be delivering my girl this week. I’ll announce the good news here and my FB.

Once again, thanks everyone who show their concern. Touched! I actually have a lot of friends and people who care about me. :)

Countdown: 1 day

Haha, tomorrow will be the due date already.

She is still kicking hard and staying comfortably inside me. I guess she haven’t decide her birth date yet. Still no signs of labor.

Went for check up on Thursday (3 March). My gynae did a vaginal examination for me, no dilation yet, not even 1cm according to her. She asked to see her again next week, if still not deliver yet, will do induction.

After the check up, me and HK went look for the location of emergency clinic or at least knowing where to admit myself if I am in labor. Yea, I know it sound a bit late to only find out the location now, but still not toooooo late.

We also went for a baby pram shopping trip! Have been unintentionally look for pram during last few shopping, never really look into the functionality and usability  of those prams.

Finally we walked into a boutique which mainly selling maternity cloths and some baby stuff. They display quite a lot of different prams. The sales girl was quite helpful showing us different pram and its usability.

HK was interested in Pink color stroller because it looks really sweet, but it’s not really something closer to our ideal stroller. We would like to have a reverse handle, easy to push, light weight and easy to fold.

The brand combi does have something similar to our requirements. But the color is not favorable to HK. I once saw a very sweet pram at Taka and forwarded him the picture. It’s a MacLaren Juicy Couture stroller.

I know, it’s very sweet… so princess-y. Aw…

Anyway, we finally bought something closer to our requirements, without pink color. It was the Combi Urban Walker in dark grey. It will be delivered to us soon as they do not store the stock (not this color) in in shop.

Dearest baby, please decide your birth date a little faster. We can’t wait to meet you already! :D