~Nurture Baby, Nurture You~
Yups, that's the topic for an interactive workshop held jointly by Dumex & TMC...and its @ the Marina Mandarin Ballroom !!

Topics for today are really interesting !!
* Building a Strong Immune System for you & your baby
* Baby Yoga
* Tone Up before and Shape Up after
and the reason why Dar & I are gg is cos Mrs Wong is one of the speakers and she's gg to do a demo on Baby Yoga (yesh!! the 1st time in a public seminar!)
Really fun..seeing her doing the demo on the babies..and the babies were simply enjoying themselves !! chuckling & giggling..soo adorable =)
Some of the benefits for Baby Yoga:
For Parents
* Feeling of Closeness
* Special Time together
* Relax
* Bond with Baby etc etc..
For Baby
* Physiological Benefits
* Muscle Tone
* Immune System
* Production of oxytocin
* Relax & Calming..etc etc
& here's a video clip on one of the 'pose' called "Lazy Lion" - one of the more advanced 'pose' !!

to end the very fruitful workshop...there's a classical music performance..we are all aware that classical music is really beneficial for the bb in the womb..& i tot it was really nice of the organiser to include this very special segment..for all of us (mothers & mothers-to-be) to enjoy the melodic rhythm..=)

and how can i forget about the goodie bag..a baby feeding bowl,tin of infant formula, sample of milk powder etc etc...(each person entitled to 1 pack of goodies !!..which means that we have 2 packs !!) mmm..at the rate that i'm 'collecting' the samples, i guess should be enough to last me till the end of pregnancy & also for our little precious (the infant formula) to last for quite a while..hahahahah..=) oppsss..

Week 34: Upside-down baby!

Fetal development in pregnancy week 34:
Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.
And how's mom doing?
Obviously the big change for you is the notable weight shift (known as “lightening” or “engagement”). Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs. Yes dear, you’re officially “waddling” these days. Try to comfort Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs yourself with this thought: it’s nearly over. Soon, you’ll just have to carry your adorable little watermelon in your arms. And in a rare spate of good news: this weight shift means you can breathe easier now that your lungs aren’t compressed. The not-so-good news, it’s a trade off: (we’ll wait till you’re back from the restroom) this new position has your poor bladder even more squished than before. We’d recommend writing your bladder little love poems to convince it not to leave you altogether, but unfortunately bladders don’t speak English (only Italian love poems will do).
=================================================================
yesh..just went to 'see' our little precious..he is growing well (head is still facing down)..now weighing 2.267kg @ week 34..Dr Adrain said that it's a good weight =) and bb will prob be about 2.9kg - 3.2kg @ birth (which is a pretty good weight)

*phew* just have to continue to have more rest and all should be fine c",)(Another good news is that the company has confirmed that they will follow the new enhanced maternity benefits i.e 4 months Maternity Leave + 6 days childcare leave (heard that some companies may not nec follow)..which means...more time with our precious !! guess i will be taking 3 months first..and stagger the balance 1 month for vaccinations etc..yippeee!!)

and so I am now :
* 2 weeks to my next gynae appointment
* 3 weeks till our little precious is FULL-TERM
* 6 weeks to my EDD...
~GOSH!~

One more item (off the list !!)
..yesh..it is the Ameda Lactaline Breast Pump!
got a sms from my cousin that she din managed to get the pump during her recent US trip =(
went for the breastfeeding seminar last sat & saw a counter selling it..and it costs $380..
Dar was persuading me.."you wanna buy?"
"lemme think about it..we wait after the seminar, ok?" i replied....
Thus after the seminar..finally decided to get the pump --> walked towards the counter --> and guess what..bump into one of my forum fren who told me that TMC is having a special promo, they are selling the pump @ $318 !! (she just bot it in the morning)
whoa !! my lucky stars are shining on me..heee.. that's cost-savings of $62 !! (wanted to rush down to TMC but the retail pharmancy was closed for the day)
So this morning, 1st thing when i reached the office, i called TMC and yesh..there is 1 last set of the AMEDA PUMP..."Pls reserve for me..i 'fly' there during lunchtime !!!"
heeee... for the cost-saving, it's worth every effort c",)
soo happy !!

having heard all the benefits of breastfeeding..hope that i will have the WILL to persist and this little 'investment' will pay off c",) perhaps i need a little more motivation/encouragement..like what Mrs Wong shared during the last lesson...6 months of breastfeeding = savings of $750 (cost of formula milk)..so if you breastfeed for 1 year..it means that you save $1,500..on top of that, we should get our hubbies to do what the govt is doing..i.e dollar-to-dollar matching..thus for a cost savings of $1,500, hubbies to top up another $1,500 = TOTAL $3,000 (can buy a nice piece of jewellary to reward ourselves)..heee..all the mummies were nodding in unison..as for the hubbies..all pretend cannot hear anything..
mmm=p
nontheless, with a proper nursing room in office (complete with fridge)..i guess gg back to work & continue with the 'pumping' should be something that i can do for the benefit of our little precious and for myself too c",)
*keeping my fingers crossed*......

Updates..Updates..
been a pretty busy week..*pant pant*..might be too boring to jot down all the little details, so here's some of the 'highlights'..heee...
~More Stuffs for our Little Precious~
pre-loved basics..my cousin's bb has just turned 3 months and he had outgrown most of his clothes..gosh..then again it means that there's more for our little precious now..heee..like what she shared..her bb is like a 'supermodel'..1 day dunno change how many times..poo/pee/vomit/burp..so more of such basics are always better..

more shopping for him..mainly from the Taka sale !!

~FOOD~
it's a week of makan..and more makan..
FRI : Lovely dinner @ Prive with Lynn & Kiyoko..always a nice place to hang out (but the service is lousy!!) heck care..as long as you have good company..its all about fun & laughter..we ate soo much..i had a hard time getting to sleep..mmm..still dreaming of their milkshakes c",)
SAT : went for a breastfeeding seminar @ Suntec..and thereafter...
(1) had dim-sum for tea-break

(2) Satisfying my sweet tooth @ Marvelous Cream (CityLink Mall)
why so long queue ??
ahhh..look @ the varieties..and ohhh...macarons & brownies
(that can be added into the ice-cream!!)...so exciting !!!

i had the "Angel's Parfait"
( White Milk Cream mix with Strawberry, Melon & Vanilla Macaron) in Waffle Cone..
verdict...mmm.. I love it !! hahhahha c",)
i have sweet tooth, you know ;>

(3) Keryn's Housewarming
..and we are having specially home-made beef & chicken burgers!! when i saw the melted cheese on the hot & piping beef patties..salivating!! wahhh..and the taste..is YUMMILIOUS..see the greedy me..oppsss..+ the yummy carrot cake & yogurt mix..no wonder our little precious was fidgeting non-stop..must be enjoying all the yummies thru'out the day manz !

really a cosy place..nicely done up =) love the colours & the wallpaper!! not forgetting all the technology and sound system..cool stuff!! yippee, we have another place for house party c",)
SUN : it's all about Disney @ Anchorpoint!!
~ dar (the BIG baby) wants to go there..like a little kid..he's all excited..
mmm..what shall we have??

"Beef Pot" with mickey bread + Mickey "Singapura" Pizza..

and you get these special free gifts !!

are we back in disneyland??

there's always a kid in all of us..guess we will be back with our little precious~

~5th Antenatal Class~
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venue : @ AMK Hub
Time : 7 pm - 9 pm
Topic : Feeding
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
today is the final class with Mrs Wong..(changed our class cos we are attending the bfeeding seminar @ Suntec!!) & today's topic is on the various feeding method.
First up, watched a video on breastfeeding =)
kinda "RA" hahhaha..but it was really an eye-opener !! Guess for the daddies-to-be, it was a pretty insightful video and also an "appreciation" of what their wives will be going through..
Lotsa stuff were learnt today..from bottlefeeding, sterilising of feeding equipment & breastfeeding!
Some key points :
BOTTLE-FEEDING
* introduce bottle-feeding after about 4-6 weeks (else bb might refuse to latch on)
* Silicone Teats are recommended as they are more durable & firm. Rubber teats should only be used in the 1st month.
* For bottle-feeding, bb should not take more than 15mins to finish a bottle of milk
* Always check instruction on the tin of the formula milk (do not go with the 'traditional way' of 1 scoop for 1 ounce of water..cos the scoop might be of different sizes!!)
~ Mrs Wong also taught us how to feed the bb: ensure that the whole teat is in the bb's mouth & hold the bottle close to the bb's mouth (& not @ the base of the bottle)
STERILIZING
*can used the soaking method (with tablets) ; boiling or using the steam sterilizer
* For boiling, need to boil for about 10 mins- make sure that your helper do not boil till the water is dry !!
* use a tong, remove the bottle first, the cap then the teats..once sterilize, the bottle can last for 24 hours (do not use a kitchen towel to clean the inside of the bottle or 'air-dry' the bottle cos the bacteria will 'enter' the bottle again)
* Do not brush the teats- just turn it inside out and wash it gently with soft sponge
* Always remember to wash your hands throughly, better still, wash in the "SARS" method
BREAsTFEEDING
Bonding Rewarding Empowering Amazing Sensational Tranquil
*
Free! Engaging Exceptional Divine Important Nutritional God's Greatest Gift
Overall, dar & I truly truly enjoyed ourselves..learnt soo much..and better prep us for our new role ! *thumbs up* for Mrs Wong for being so passionate with her beliefs and sharing it all with us c",)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Right after class, got a call from my colleague : The Enhanced Marriage & Parenthood Package has been backdated to 17 Aug 08!! I paused for a while.. and exclaimed "REALLY!!"
i couldn't believe my ears..just yesterday there was a furious uproar by soo many Mums-to-be (those delivering in Sept to Dec) cos we will lose out in the "new" benefits..a petition was written and i think about 400 names were collated !! i was also lamenting in office (cos some was congratulating me for getting the 4 months Maternity leave..but i was like .."No, its with effect from 1st Jan 2009 !! and it's almost $12k of benefits that i will be losing out!!")
quickly rushed home, login to the internet and forum and YESH, its really backdated to 17 Aug 08.. hoorayy can be 'heard' from the soo many threads in forum..at last the voices have been heard !! soo elated !! cannot sleep liaoz..hahahhaha...
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/370462/1/.html

Rainforest™ Peek-a-Boo Leaves Musical Mobile™

"This baby mobile’s shiny leaves wave gently up and down
while a smiling dragonfly plays peek-a-boo to musical accompaniment!
Other rainforest friends join in the fun, dancing and twirling as the mobile spins around.
Use the remote to start classical music from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart.
Or, baby can listen to soothing sounds from the rainforest!"
*
yesh, our little precious is getting this cot mobile as a pressie c",)
(either from us or from his yi-yi..heee)
Perhaps its just me...

intrigued by this whole Rainforest collection
after sourcing & searching..

finally set my mind on this..
i can't wait to fix it up..

and listen to the soothing sounds of the rainforest...
sssshhhhh ~

~4th Antenatal Class~
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venue : @ AMK Hub
Time : 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Topic : Practical Hands-on Baby Care
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mmm...what is this toy baby doing on the mat ? plus those cotton balls, nappy etc ??
well..well..its for today's practical lesson on Baby Care..(each couple is 'given' this baby doll to practice...dun play play ok..each of this doll costs about $150+ and they are all Mrs Wong's babies..so must treat them with gentle care- just like how we will handle our bb)

Mrs Wong said that based on research..MEN are faster learners than WOMEN..so all the practical work would have to be learnt by the "PAPAs"..heee..and of cos like what she always advocates..this is bonding time for the baby & the daddy...
See..here's Dar seriously learning how to change a diaper !!

We also learnt (1) how to bath the bb (like using cotton balls to clean the eyes , pat the bb dry & not RUB the bb dry etc_) (2) how to carry the bb (football style; cuddle) (3) how to burp the bb (4) dealing w colic and also how to swaddle the bb etc...
Pretty insighful & Practical class today c",)
Me just realised that most of the topics that Mrs Wong covered are in her books as well (which I would have rec by signing up for the FBI card -but cos there are OSS thus perhaps can only collect it when i deliver!!) Good Thing was that my cousin passed me the 3 books..and they certainly served as a good refresher course for me..(i couldn't jot down everything in clas manz !!)

lastly, Mrs Wong was also sharing with us the benefits of the TMC towels..(hee) and the swaddling blanket (100% cotton) plus the small cloth (forgot what is it called..but is good for bathing the bb, as a burp cloth etc..)..since she is such a power speaker..all of us bought @ least 1 item (hee)..and next week, she will be bringing in more of the barrier cream cos its sold out..
(yesh, she has sourced around, and bring the best products to the class for us to purchase..)

Next week will be the last lesson with Mrs Wong..soo fast..definately informative & practical..now its how to relay all these to the confinement lady / our mum /MIL..that some of their old-wives tales are not right..and this is how we should do it..mmmm..(they will surely say that they eat more salt than i eat rice..have brought up soo more kids oso no prob...shang nao jing...)

Up Up & Rising....
& i'm referring to my body temperature..yesh..i'm feeling very very hot..
(guess this is one of the symptom of the 3rd trimester !!)
now i need to have the air-con switched on + fan before i can get to sleep..
(previously, with air-con, i will be cuddling under the comforter and go "brrrr....")
just a few nights ago..it was pouring..but i insisted of having the air-con & fan switched on..dar tried to cover me with the comforter..but i kicked it away...and guess what..in the middle of the night..he was trembling in cold under the comforter..
poor thing~
am having 2 fans blowing @ me now..but i'm still feeling very hot & 'pek chek"
..Arghhh....
send me to the Antartica pls...

I am Sick ~
yesh..i am still sick..suffering from a bad throat & cough..have been coughing soo hard for the past 2 days..and the worse thing was that i din seem to feel much of our little precious movement..got worried so off for an appt with Dr Adrain today...

good news is that our little precious is still growing well c",)
he will be in his week 32 tomorrow and has grown by about 450g in the past 2 weeks..now he weighs 1.90 kg!! glad to hear that he is growing well..despite all the 'rumbling' and 'tumbling' i gave him over the past few days (from all my coughing)
For me..so many medicine to take..antibotics, cough syrup, lozenges, flu tablets (and that is on top of my fish oil, folic acid & multi-vits)..mmm..hope that I can recover real soon !!
Dr Adrain reminded me :
"No More Shopping & Rest More..." opppsss...
okok, have to log-off now and be a good gal ... Nitez Zzzzzz....

The Clock is ticking away ~~
reality is setting in....
one of my colleagues came by and asked me how many weeks preggie am i now?
I answered "around 32weeks"
She replied.."oh, which means that you have about 5 more weeks b4 your bb is full-term~~"
i was a little taken aback..gosh..in my mind, it's always about 8 more weeks..but now that she mention...5 more weeks..does seem abit too near for me..well, true as it may be..technically, by week 37, the baby is considered full-term and is ready to "see the world" but emotionally..3 weeks can make a difference !!!
then not long after, my boss came up to me and asked when will i be starting my maternity leave..i stared @ her blankly and replied that i've no idea..mmmmm...
pause for a while and told her that I will start on 6th Oct (EDD is 8th Oct)..of cos, if the bb decides to be out earlier..then we'll take it from there...
mmm..i still have about 8 days of leave left (perhaps I will carry fwd 5 days)..still anticipating on the new baby bonus package (which will prob be announced soon)..hopefully, I will be entitled to something..*praying hard*
work-wise, the good thing is that temp help has been planned for..and handover can be done prob around end-sept....i'm trying to clear as much as i can..typing out my "TO-DO" list for the new girl..sorting out my folders neatly...mmmm...time is really running out!!

~My Favorite Body Moisturiser~

was about to open up my bottle of moisturiser to apply after lunch when i realised...
OH NO..its finishing very soon...gosh..*sad*
why am i soo upset ??
cos this is my fav brand of moisturiser and its no longer available in S'pore..*sob sob*
It's from "The Natural Source" and i've no idea why they closed down all their outlets here....
My all time fav :Moisturising Body Whip (Tropical Sugar Cane)
Love the texture (realli light, leaving the skin looking & feeling supple) & not forgetting the oh-so-'delicious' smell...
whenever i apply it @ my previous co., my colleagues never fail to comment..
"mmm..nice smell.." heeee...
plus it never fails to delight my friends when I give them a bottle of this for bday/x'mas...
I still have 1 more bottle @ home (thanks to my sis for buying it from M'sia) but when i finish that bottle...how???
looks like I cannot apply liberally now..have to scrimp till i know when/where to get hold of my next bottle.....

爱心早餐
was woken up by the aroma from the kitchen...
mmmmm...look..what awaits me!!
freshly-made pancakes from Dar...
(Breakfast "was" never on my dictionary..eversince I got married, dar will ensure that I have my breakfast before I go for work..mmm..I have my fair share of cereals,sandwiches, "bao" etc...and today is his 1st attempt of making pancake!!)
What can i say.....Touched ~~
Thanks Dar..
& here's my pancakes, glass of milk & my vitamins before we head out for work c",)

~cONfInEmEnT sTuFf~
mmm..doesn't seem like the right time for confinement ya..hee..
oh well, decided to blog about this cos for the past 2 weeks, I have been coming home with plastic bags of stuff in preparation for my confinement...
yesh...does seem abit KS..but that's wat my mum did..heee..
so, here's what we brought home...

* 3 bottles of home-made rice wines
(which she ordered from 1 of the aunties in the neighbourhood)
* Red Dates
* 2 kg of Dried Longans
* "Dang-Gui" (opps, just realised that it should be "dong-sum" on 31Aug2008, clarified with mummy that i cannot take Dang-gui..and she said she never buy dang-gui huh..cos the uncle @ the medical hall say cannot eat too..my mistake..heee..)
* A bottle of Martell Cordon Bleu
* Retro-looking Flask (for storing the Longan Red Date Drink)
Mmm...not sure if there's more stuff that I have to bring home..but nonetheless, really appreciate all her effort..thanks mummy c",)

"Statement" Tee
and it's a gift from my sis..for her precious nephew (to-be)..
(my sis was soo excited when she bot it that she was pressing me this morning.. "what time are you coming..i've a pressie for little ashton..and can't wait to pass it to you!!!")
mmmm..what's in there ??

ta-ta~~
a cool statement tee !!
FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW

thanks sis c",)
i guess i will pair it with this jeans that i've just bot @ Baby FOX..
wahhhh....wad do you think ??

~3rd Antenatal Class~
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Venue : @ AMK Hub
Time : 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Topic : Learning to cope in Labour
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mmm..pretty interesting lesson today..we were shown video on the different types of labour namely, home delivery, natural with entonox, natural with epidural, C-section with epidural and water birth. i kinda CRINGED a little~~oppss.. it was kinda freakin me..seeing the crown of the bb's head..the screaming & groaning...but somehow..when the bb is out and placed on the mummy's chest..it was a very heart-warming scene..mmmm...the relief on the mummy's face..INDESCRIBABLE !!
Next up, Mrs Wong did a revision of all the antenatal exercises from Lesson 1 & 2..a good refresher to remind us of all that we have learnt..=) new 'techniques' learnt today was how to breathe in the labour ward..and the importance of hubby's role to encourage and support us while in labour (she also stressed the importance why they need to exercise their wrist and arm muscle..so that they have the strength to hold us during the labour..which can be in HOURS...~~)
The highlight of the lesson must be the "WEATHER GAME"...Mrs Wong will tell us a story..and the mummies have to mimic the actions of the back of their hubbies...(things like rain / thunderstorm / wind / clouds etc) and for the last part..the mummies have to lean fwd and to allow their tummies touch the back of their hubbies.. this is for the bb to interact with the daddies...i tot it was sooo sweet.. hahahah....i guess Dar realli enjoyed it cos finally i am doing the massage for him !!
One very good take-home reminder from Mrs Wong is to REMEMBER to pack a jacket(and perhaps long pants) for Dar in the hospital bag cos the labour room can be VERY COLD..and i definately dun wan him to be freezing in there when i am in PAIN ya..=p
*
it was pouring when we left AMK..mmm...with my BIG tummy..i can't be possibly gg to Marina Bay to see the fireworks..so Dar & I are heading home to watch NDP @ the comfort of our sofa...c",)
had a urge to bake a cake..but our oven is down ..so the oni thing i can do is a non-baked cheese cake..
thankfully...i have the ingredients in the freezer..just need to thaw it and we are ready for some 'baking'.

Here's the biscuit base & the cream cheese batter...

after 3 hours in the chiller...here's the outcome...
like a little gal..i was happily decorating the cake with M&M chocs..hahahhah

and ta-ta....Stay Happy Always ~~~
just in time to enjoy it after the very spectacular NDP perfomance =)