Bump Ahead

Above: ain't mine, but the belly button's really resembles. So interesting that some have their belly button protruding whilst others have them flat.

Below: The hubs and I have been fascinating about how it'd look when one day the little bub decides to kick and make an imprint of its little foot. Will this be how it'd look?


The baby bump is getting bigger and bigger. I'm blessed however that it's not exponentially bigger. To date (approximately wk26), it's 36 inches and I've put on a mere 4kg (as of 21 July) since the beginning! Nice. Banish all thoughts of a bulbous-nosed, ashen-faced hag with limp hair and spotty skin waddling painfully along...I think I've been really blessed thus far. However, I should really make more effort in keeping up with my grooming. Not very innovative when it comes to mix and match. It's more of see-and-grab. However, the shopping bug's back and July's budget was way blown!

With my due date in early November (which means our progeny was produced probably on Valentine's day 2011), I am on the home stretch of the nine-month long journey. It's really a blink of an eye and soon I'd be able to see my little bundle of light at the end of the tunnel. It's really amazing how time flies! Freaking me out honestly as I'm so not prepared for this "PHD". Procrastination -- Have yet to book massage lady; have yet to register for antenatal classes; have yet to think of names; have yet to collect various hand-me-downs from friends; hv yet to complete reading Gina Ford's Little Contented Baby (u can't blame me, I fall asleep when reading); have yet to buy big ticket items like cots, prams, carseat etc (really gotto find time to visit the TAKA/ Isetan BB fair which ends August 14)...n the list goes on!

It was a really tough first tri, but I must say the 2nd tri was a honeymoon and I was filled with utmost energy and productivity. There seems to be an unseen strength that comes from within (pun intended). However, things seems to be slowing down as I move into the 3rd tri. Am experiencing some of the less glamorous sides of pregnancy like backaches and leg cramps (luckily twice only!) Skin has also been a little oilier and this wk I found 3 new spots! URGH. I've been using a specially formulated stretchcream (thanks to willing-to-share mummy LM) religiously every night to prevent the skin from being dry and stretched. I've also been elevating my feet to prevent any chance of water retention. So far, the lymphatic drainage and blood circulation has been good. With traditional Chinese medicine and organic calcium, vits and DHA from the OBY, I've never felt healthier! During pregnancy, one needs to be properly-nourished with good blood circulation, so I made sure I had a good portion of fruits and herbal concoction like black chicken soup, ginseng, cordyceps, and other blood-nourishing herbs from the MIL.

With the due date drawing close, I'm a little worried about confinement. Have very much confirmed that the MIL will be there for me. She has been kind enough to say that all she needs is a bed in my house. But am still a little skeptical, worried that she'd be overworked. On the other hand, my own Empress Dowager has been a little senile and refused to speak to me for 2 wks when my uncle asked her who's looking after little bub. Seriously, if you are any bit concerned and willing to offer, I'm most willing to discuss. But if tantrums is all you throw, I'm terribly sorry, but I can't entertain.
On confinement 'myths"

1. One is not supposed to bathe or touch water for one mth! OMG! can u imagine being sweaty and hot and dirty with unwashed hair? Thankfully, the MIL said there's some kind of herbs for bathing.
2. Not using the fan or aircon! Are you kidding me?! Singapore's 365 days of summer, I really hope I can survive this! My electrical bills have gone up by 50% due to the heat I'm experiencing currently. Waking up in a puddle of sweat each day is no joke.
3. Nourish, Nourish and more nourishment! Have passed a confinement recipe book to the MIL and she has been ploughing through it like a bible. It is said that during this period, if one eats well, every ailment can be cured! GO MIGRAINE GO! GO BACKACHE GO!
   
4. "No no" to going out during the first 30 days! Thankfully, the MIL again, shared that she sneaked out once or twice on the pretext to buy milk powder during her confinement. hmmm...hint hint..
5. Ginger (to dispel wind) and Vinegar (to cleanse the womb) are a must. Some believe in black fungus too. To some however, ginger will cause the bb to be yellow especially if one decides to breastfeed. As for vinegar pig trotters, I've been instructed by my TCM physician that I should avoid. Can't quite remember the reason but am just thankful coz I hate Vinegar and i hate pig trotters!
   

Honestly, I'm a more traditional person than my parents or parents-in-law, so I'd probably survive the above. *PRAYING FERVENTLY*

The Almighty M.I.L

Recently, I read that a young English couple, Heidi Withers and Freddie Bourne have been thrust into the media spotlight, due to a letter written by the groom's mothers. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2009518/Carolyn-Bourne-Mother-law-hell-sends-email-bride-Heidi-Withers.html) In her missive, Carolyn Bourne gives her future daughter-in-law a dressing down about her apparent lack of manners. She berates Withers for her behaviour during a visit to the family in April, which she describes as "staggering in its uncouthness and lack of grace". Bourne is now labelled by the media here as the "mother-in-law from hell". In this respect, I'm lucky. The horror stories of formidable M.I.L came thick and fast the moment we got married, but I must say, mine is no Empress Dowager-style monster-in-law. In retrospect, I think my own mother is the wicked witch! haha...One reason for our good in-law relationship is coz we aren't living together. With all those hormones under one roof, it's no surprise that sparks will fly. There is a comfortable distance between us yet we are close enough (just 2 blocks away for that matters) to foster good relations.

During this difficult time, particularly during the first tri, with the hubs always away and nonchalant about my well-being, the MIL has been showering me with care and food. Each night when I arrive home at 10pm, I'd have home-cooked food by her. Without qualms (or at least I'd like to think of it that way), she'd bring it over to my house. Very often, there's also the infamous ginseng, double boiled soup and birds' nest soup. I feel so blessed and cared for. On the contrary, my mom will buzz me for a bottle of birds' nest. Yes, this is the sad fact. The MIL has also offered her services during my confinement. I m tremendously thankful else I would have to incur a minimum of $2k for a confinement nanny. Many have urged me to get one regardless as my MIL may not be able to cope with the nights but she has insisted that she is able to. Given her record, I must say, she's a superwoman! Waking up at 4+am to do chores, then goes to work; after work, comes home to cook for the family and be at the beck and call of her children and her picky husband. Totally salute her! Thus, I have faith that she'll be able to do a good job during my confinement month *cross fingers*. Am praying we won't have conflict as to how to take care of the little bub. Many friends have caved in to the pressures of an almighty MIL and hv been battling with depression. Currently, whenever I mention that there's something to help in pregnancy, she'd go all out to get it for me. Upon knowing the gender, she went shopping for clothes the very next day! Excited much? Amidst the domestic flurry, you'd think she doesn't have much of a life balance but WRONG! She manages to travel every now and then and recently came back from a wk long trip with 6 other aunties to Australia! Half her luggage was filled with baby stuff and health food for me! haha...the sis-in-law was desperately wagging her tail in hope of pressies, but all she received were pink socks! haha..I guess as long as we don't overstep their boundaries, it should be less difficult to extricate yourself from any ensuing drama. It's a precarious balancing act and I had good training from my own mother!

PS: Credit should also be given to my sis-in-law who has been a dear during the absence of the mil. Whipped up a simple meal for me and even helped me with my massive books at unearthly hour when her bro, my hubs, isn't around for me. Am truly blessed.